Star Wars: The Jedi Spectacle

by swTJS

Summary:

War. Dreams. Obsession. An original Star Wars story following two young Jedi named Fawn Volsh and Nova Kabani. Following parallel to the central Star Wars story (beginning between episodes I and II), Fawn and Nova fight for their dreams in fear of falling into obscurity. How will these aspirations affect themselves and the people they care about?

Chapter 1: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch1

—

In a small, adorned training room within the Jedi Temple, there was a class of younglings testing their skills with a lightsaber. A hologram would appear as a foe which would strike in a number of ways testing the youngling's combat skills.

The class was a combination of 3 youngling clans: The Renelond Clan, The Yoatnul Clan and The Bonta Clan.

Above the training floor was an observation balcony shrouded in darkness so to not be a distraction for the younglings below. Upon this balcony, Jedi can watch the classes below, usually to scout out a potential future padawan.

The class today held younglings around the age of 13, so the balcony was particularly busy with Jedi as these younglings are around the age to become a padawan learner.

Two of these Jedi are Jedi Knight Tul-Ko Kah and Jedi Master Krex Aiden

Tul-ko stands silently watching the class. Aiden peacefully sits beside Tul-ko. In his hand, a large staff that rests on his shoulder. Both of which are shrouded in shadow.

The younglings of the three clans watch as one youngling performs the combat test.

One observer, a girl named Nova Kabani, turns to a boy named Fawn Volsh sitting next to her.

[Nova] (excited whisper) How many Jedi do you see up in the balcony?

[Fawn] (whisper) It's too dark, I don't know

The girl turns back to looking up at the balcony, paying no attention to the test.

[N] (whisper) I can make out one, but I sense there's a few up there.

[F] (whisper) I can't sense them at all.

[N] None?

A shush comes from the back.

The youngling taking the test skillfully blocks incoming attacks with their lightsaber one after another until they complete the training with no faults. They bow to the instructor and cross the combat floor to return with their clan.

[N] Nice going Asselia

[A] Thanks Nova :)

Asselia Annoha, catching her breath now, takes her place next to Nova.

[A] I think I slipped up a little on the 3rd defensive routine footing wise.

[N] I didn't even notice, you were great!

[A] Thanks, I still got some work to do though. Are you nervous at all?

[N] (confidently) Not even a little.

[A] hmph.

Asselia pauses

[A] What about Mr. Clingy to your left.

[F] Fawn? What about him?

[A] Is he still scared?

[N] (confidently) Not even a little, we did a bunch of practice beforehand. (To fawn) Right Fawn?

[F] Hm what?

[N] We did a bunch of practicing before hand.

[F] (a little shaken) Yeah

[Jedi instructor] Nova Kabani

[N] (to instructor) Me! I'm here! I'm coming!

She leans in and whispers to Fawn

[N] Plan Theta

Nova winks and hops onto the training floor.

Asselia hesitates a moment, then slides next to Fawn.

[A] It's ok to be nervous, just trust the force will lead you to success and you will be more at peace.

[F] Oh thanks. I'm more nervous for Nova though.

[A] Why? She's like the best of us.

[F] No, it's what she's about to do.

Asselia turns confused and watches Nova take her place on the training floor

The Jedi above watch intently.

Nova takes out her lightsaber hilt and with one motion throws it in the direction of Fawn who then scoots out of line to grab it then returns.

[N] Master Bulzar, I wish to take the test without a weapon or defense of any kind.

[Jedi Instructor] That's very good Nova however this is a test of your technique with a lightsaber.

[N] (confident and looking up at the Jedi above) I believe a hostile confrontation can be deterred without the use of a lethal weapon. (To instructor) Besides, you'll still be able to see my technique clearly.

[Jedi Instructor] (reluctantly) If you wish.

Asselia looks on in shock

[A] This is another one of her stunts to get the attention of a Jedi master isn't it.

[F] Yeah.

Pause

[A] let me have her lightsaber, I'll toss it back when she's in a rut

[F] Ok.

Fawn hands the lightsaber to Asselia.

Nova closes her eyes and the test begins.

A small unassuming drone pops up. Suddenly a lightsaber blade ignites from one end and a hologram appears of a sinister looking warrior.

Nova falls into a deep concentration, then opens her eyes.

[N] Go!

The hologram charges with a vicious strike and Nova flips over the blade.

The attacker spins around slices at Nova which she evades.

She dodges over and over.

Asselia and Fawn watch the spectacle in amazement.

Then Nova finds an opening, after a dodge, Nova is put on her hands which she uses to propel her foot into the hologram's face. It stammers, reacting as though it were a real impact.

Nova does a theatrical flurry and hops to her feet.

[A] Hitting it isn't going to do much. She still needs to strike it with a lightsaber to succeed.

[F] I think she's trying to show off.

[A] She needs to be careful.

Asselia tightens her grip on Nova's lightsaber hilt.

The hologram attacks intensify. Nova is narrowly dodging but stammering.

Suddenly, Nova is knocked to the ground. The hologram immediately moves to exploit her misstep.

Asselia sprouts up, winding her arm back to toss the lightsaber back to Nova.

Fawn jolts up and grabs her wrist.

[F] No No NO WAIT!

Nova suddenly uses the force to propel herself into a handstand, dodging the blade. Then, with the force again she windmills kicks the Hologram to the ground. While it's stunned, Nova uses the force to grab the drone with the lightsaber and forces the blade into the hologram.

The hologram immediately vanishes and flies out of Nova's hand back to the starting area.

There is a round of applause in the room and Nova's massive smile made it brighter.

Asselia and Fawn clap as Nova bows to the Jedi above, the class then the instructor.

[A] (to other classmates) She's amazing.

Nova looks at Fawn. She gives an excited "I did it" face. Fawn grins with joy for her.

The applause dies down and the Jedi Instructor approaches Nova. Nova bows again.

[N] Master Bulzar.

[Bulzar (Jedi instructor)] Very impressive display of agility and non-violent expression young one. It shows strong understanding of the truth of the Jedi way. However– without understating what was previously said, your aptitude with a lightsaber must be measured as it is all but guaranteed to be used in your journey across the stars. If you are chosen by a Master.

The last words sting and Nova's smile falls.

[B] I was hoping I would possibly see some posing and stances of your lightsaber technique in your performance, but unfortunately I saw no such thing. You may retake the test at the end if you so choose.

Nova hesitates, stricken with disappointment.

[N] I will, thank you master.

They bow.

Nova walks back toward the silent class.

Asselia and a couple classmates say their apologies to Nova.

She hangs her head and sits back down next to Fawn.

Fawn looks at Nova and tries to brew something in his mind to say to her.

[F] Hey, think what she said first, you're a model of what a Jedi should be. Besides, you get a second time to show off in front of the Jedi over there!

Nova looks back up to the Jedi above.

[F] What if SKYWALKER walks in later.

Nova snaps to look back at Fawn and grows a wide grin, then it drops a little.

[N] He's still a Padawan though.

[F] Maybe he became a Jedi thirty minutes ago.

They laugh together.

[N] Where's my lightsaber?

[F] I gave it to Asselia

[N] (to Asselia) Do you have my lightsaber?

[A] I ate it.

[N] Nuh uh, stop!

Nova reaches over Asselia who is holding the lightsaber at arm's length away playing keep away. Some classmates join in and take the lightsaber further back. Nova, smile wide with giggled laughter, clammers over anyone in the way of trying to get the lightsaber back.

[N] (playful) (to classmate) Give it back! Give it back or I'll hurl you into space!

While everyone is preoccupied, Fawn's name is called.

[B] Fawn Volsh.

A wave of pressure hits Fawn. Something feels missing.

Fawn gets up and walks to the training floor.

[B] Ahem, excuse me. Yoatnul Clan.

Everyone scrambles into perfect posture and someone hands Nova's lightsaber back to her.

Nova realizes Fawn is up. She smiles and gives a little thumbs up.

Fawn shoots a slight smile back and the pressure recedes.

[B] Take your stance and begin when you're ready.

[F] Thank you master

Fawn positions himself on the training floor and ignites the training lightsaber. It's a soft green color and hums gently.

Fawn sweeps into a form III stance. As basic as can be.

His hands shake slightly. Despite extensive training, it always feels like the first time.

Fawn darts his eyes to Nova. She watches patently with a small grin.

The trial begins, catching Fawn slightly off guard.

The hologram rushes towards him and Fawn's saber meets the strike. Knocking fawn back slightly.

The hologram sends strike after strike with Fawn taking each on with a defensive technique.

[N] (whisper to herself) Come on Fawn.

Concern drips onto Asselia's face.

Fawn hangs in there. Blocking and blocking. Suddenly Fawn gets an opening, sweeping hard on the hologram, but misses completely as the hologram steps back.

Now directly next to him the hologram goes for a jab strike. Fawn stammers and loosely block the strike.

[N] Oh no.

Asselia grits her teeth and another youngling whispers something to her.

Fawn's rhythm has been thrown off. what was once a solid guard melted into a flimsy mess.

[N] FORM IV FAWN SLIP OUT!

Instructor Bulzar softly hushes Nova from across the room.

Nova sinks and covers her mouth.

[A] (whisper) I thought he only knew form III.

[N] I'm trying to teach him IV, but it's been tough.

[A] That might not be the best then.

[N] I believe in him.

Fawn begins slipping away from his opponent with dodges and rolls, similar to what Nova had just displayed.

With a small opening, Fawn suddenly swung to hard offense. Trying his hardest to put the hologram in the spot he just was.

Swing after swing pushing the hologram towards the back of the mat then a massive strike to finish it.

Swing. Miss.

Hit.

Fawn drops with pain from the stunning shock that the training lightsaber sent into his abdomen.

The room falls silent.

Nova covers her mouth with worry in her eyes.

Asselia is frozen, as is everyone else.

Back up to the balcony with the two Jedi shrouded in darkness.

[Tul-Ko Kah] Poor kid...

Back to the training floor. Fawn breathes panicked breaths.

Bulzar approaches.

Fawn can't stomach to look at them.

[B] Some of the greatest Jedi I know have laid there before you young one. Do not worry.

Bulzar outstretches a hand and helps Fawn to his feet.

Fawn's head sinks with shame as he looks towards the class before him. Not an eye is not watching him.

Everything kind of fades and blurs. In his view, only one person is in focus: Nova.

Fawn walks over and sits next to her.

[N] (comforting) Are you okay?

[F] Yeah.

[A] I'm sorry Fawn.

He says nothing and his gaze is blank ahead.

Rain sounds drain out the scene.

We still only watch Fawn.

—-

[N] (V.O.) Fawn?

We are now in a stone inlet on the side of the Jedi temple. Beyond is the view of a grey, rainy coruscant evening.

Fawn and Nova relax in the inlet listening to the rain. This is a hideout that Fawn and Nova found a long time ago. Both sit on a pile of pillows they brought up there. Fawn sits on the far left and Nova on the far right.

[F] Mm

[N] We can hit the training room first thing in the morning and I know you'll get it down.

[F] Sure, sounds fun

[N] You did great today, you're like 3/4ths of the way there.

[F] Thanks

Pause

[N] (concerned) You still seem down.

[F] I don't know– I'm just– maybe you won't be around here much longer.

[N] What?

[F] Well you're probably going to get a Master soon and then I'll be on my own here.

[N] No way! Fawn. We are seeing the stars together! I will drag you onto the ship myself if it comes to it.

[F] I think that's against multiple rules.

[N] Maybe, but it's worth it if it means we get to stick together. There's so many things to see out there and so many people we could help. I couldn't imagine doing it without my best friend right beside me.

Fawn gave a small smile.

Nova reaches out to help fawn up

[N] May the force be with us

Fawn grabs her hand and she pulls him up

[F] Always.

Nova suddenly slaps Fawn's hand

[N] RACE YOU TO THE ELEVATOR

Nova breaks away, sliding down a slope back onto a balcony that leads into the temple.

[F] Hey wait! Nova!

—

Chapter 2: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch2

—

The two Jedi from the balcony earlier now sit meditating next to an artificial stream in the temple. It is a peaceful place built within a greenhouse inside the temple. The only sounds are the gentle trickle of the running water.

[Tul-Ko Kah] (whisper) I've made my decision.

The alien Jedi sitting next to Tul-Ko, holding a staff and meditating, is Jedi Master Krex Aiden.

Aiden says nothing in response.

Tul-ko nods a little without surprise.

[Tk] I'm being sent to Grasa early tomorrow, a small escort mission— and I'd like to make them my padawan before then... Do you have any advice for this.

[KA] No.

[Tk] O-Kay

Tul-ko pushes himself up and begins to walk away.

[KA] I have some for you.

Tul-ko stopped and looked Master Aiden's way.

[KA] Don't teach to fill the hole of the one you lost.

Tul-ko froze sharply. 

He walks off.

—

A meditation room.

4 Jedi and a Padawan sit in peace

Suddenly, Nova comes running past the door to the room and down the hall

Fawn follows momentarily with muffled laughter from the both of them.

They speed down different rooms of the temple. Nova always ahead of Fawn

Through golden halls full of other Jedi

Through the temple gardens.

In the Jedi library, the two playfully weave between shelves of data

Nova speeds past Asselia and a small group of younglings talking in a hall.

They wave hi to Nova.

Several seconds later, a fatigued Fawn follows. They throw a weak hello to Fawn, but he ignores it and keeps running after Nova.

Asselia shoots the group a slight look of grimace at the fact of Fawn following Nova again.

Now it's just Fawn who's lost sight of Nova.

Panting and out of breath, he comes to a stop.

The hallway becomes a crossroad, and there are 2 options for where he could go. He chooses right.

[F] Nova?

Fawn called repeatedly.

It's eerily quiet.

Fawn turns another corner.

[F] Nova— oh—

Fawn unexpectedly sees two figures standing a little ways down a small hallway, ambiently lit with the occasional lamp on the wall.

There's two people standing in front of a decorative potted plant wearing red silk robes and two striking, expressive masks that chilled Fawn's core.

They just glare.

[F] I...Sorry...Um...

Pause

[F] Have you seen a girl run by here. She's got she's got short blonde hair and uh...

They shake their heads robotically.

[F] Ok, she must have gone the other way then.

Fawn shifts to move away but he stops when realizes he has to ask the uneasy question.

[F] Are... you two Jedi?

The two stare facelessly at Fawn. One of them, the shorter of the two, looks slowly at the other, then back to Fawn.

Fawn tenses.

The shorter, reached out their hand softly, then immediately, a similar potted plant on the opposite wall from them pulled forward and stopped. They had used the force.

After the pot was set, the two masked individuals looked back at Fawn for approval.

Fawn relaxed a little, but was still urgent to get out of their business.

[F] Ok. Sorry...

Fawn turned and left.

He retraces his steps back to the original fork in the hallway assuming that Nova went left.

He wasn't jogging. He couldn't get his mind off the weird Jedi in the hallway.

No one wears masks like that in the temple...

—-

Nova takes a left.

Something told her that Fawn would go right as he tends to favor that side a lot in training.

Her sprint falls to a slow walk to give Fawn some slack.

Her gaze drifts to the wall beside her.

On the wall is a large stone mural depicting some forgotten battle of the Jedi triumphing over the Sith of old.

One mural is that of a female Jedi leading a displaced group of survivors, carrying their belongings away from the darkness

Nova paused and smirked at the similarities between herself and the Jedi in the mural.

Then, beside her, she saw a large stone statue of a Jedi twice the size of her.

It stood cloaked and held an ignited lightsaber at their side.

Nova smiled with awe and a rush of pride filled her to her core.

She stops and takes it in.

Nova suddenly hears footstep approaching her and snaps out of her trance

It's Tul-ko Kah.

[Tk] Hello. Apologies I didn't mean to startle you young one.

[N] It's okay, you didn't startle me.

Tul-ko takes a look at the mural and statue

[Tk] Hm, I haven't seen this one before.

[N] Neither have I, it's super cool though.

Tul-ko glaces at Nova, trying to put his thoughts in a line

[Tk] Wha-

Nova cuts in.

[N] Hey I recognize you from earlier!

[Tk] You do?

[N] Yes I sensed you were one of the Jedi watching from the balcony.

Tul-ko is taken aback a little.

[Tk] Huh, that's impressive.

[N] Are you looking for a Padawan?

[Tk] Slow down a little...

[N] Oh, sorry.

[Tk] What's your name?

[N] Nova Kabani

[Tk] You're the one who attempted the test without a lightsaber correct

[N] YEAH–

Nova shouts excitedly but pulls herself back

[N cont] –sorry yes I was

Tul-ko chuckles a little.

[Tk] It's ok. You definitely showed yourself to be a talented individual, especially on your second go around. Your use of form 4 was exceptional for someone your age.

[N] Talented enough to be a Padawan???

Tul-ko adjusts and his smile fades a little as a thought forms in his head.

[Tk] I'm sorry Nova, but I'm not searching for one right now.

[N] Oh...

Nova sulks down.

[Tk] Are you ok?

[N] Yeah I'm fine.

Nova looks up at murals of the legendary jedi.

[Tk] You know, I may know someone who would like a padawan though.

Nova's eyes snap back to Tul-ko.

[Tk] I'd like to learn more about you though before I give my letter of recommendation.

[N] Okay sure.

[Tk] Follow me.

[N] Hey, I never got your name

[Tk] It's Tul-ko Kah

The two walk down a neighboring hallway

–

Nova and Tul-ko open a door to a large outdoor courtyard

The rain had just cleared and the sunset began to cut through the dark clouds.

[N] Woah... wait I've been here before. We used to do meditation sessions out here.

Tul-ko looks around at the damp surroundings.

[Tk] Oh, did it rain?

[N] Yeah It was raining hard a bit ago.

[Tk] I was inside, guess I didn't notice.

The two trot down the steps into the main courtyard.

Tul-ko turns his attention toward a tree growing near the edge of the courtyard, beyond which is a great view of coruscant. Nova follows

[Tk] How old are you Nova?

[N] 13. How old are you?

[Tk] 20... in rektrop years

Tul-ko pulls a smile at his obvious joke.

[N] So... 32-?

[Tk] Ah, ah, ah!-- 20... in rektrop years

[N] Yeah and a rektrop's age is human age minus twelv-

[Tk] Yep so I'm twenty

[N] (playfully) You're not a rektrop!

[Tk] Have you ever seen a rektrop?

[N] Holotapes of one yeah. You're not furry and lizard-like.

[Tk] Let's agree to disagree

[N] No! I disagree with you agreeing to disagree

Nova plops down on a stone bench near the tree.

Tul-ko continues on toward the tree.

[Tk] Well I find it hard to agree to the disagreement that my agreement to disagree agrees with my agreement.

Nova laughs

[N] I think you threw a couple loose words in there

[Tk] Agreed.

Suddenly, Tul-ko begins to climb the tree.

[N] Oh! Are we allowed to climb the tree?

[Tk] Sure, nobody's around to tell us otherwise. I go up here to think occasionally.

[N] Can I climb?

[Tk] Come on up!

Nova puts one foot on the tree and stops.

[N] Wait...

Nova suddenly starts backing up.

[N] Master Kah watch this!

Nova keeps backing up

She sprints forward and force jumps to the top branches of the tree.

Some branches fall and Nova takes a moment to stabilize herself.

[Tk] Nicely done, Nova!

Tul-ko keeps climbing the tree until he reaches a spot on the back side of the tree where the branches can support him.

Nova climbs down a little to meet him, breaking small twigs on the way down, which rain down on Tul-ko

[N] Sorry-

She eventually sits on a sturdy branch situated to the left and slightly above where Tul-ko sits.

Tul-ko sits and admires the industrial scenery before him. The setting sun casts a brilliant orange glow against the retreating rain clouds in the distance.

Nova suddenly swings upside down next to Tul-ko, her short hair falling down like a curtain. The branch she's on bobs and bounces, struggling to keep her up.

[N] So what's your friend's name

Tul-ko adjusts and collects his thoughts

[Tk] Master– Rezbeth. They're looking for a new Padawan who's very capable and is one of a kind.

[N] That's me! They wouldn't find another youngling more capable, and last I checked, there's not another Nova in the nearest 4 sectors.

[Tk] Last you checked huh...

[N] I'm just joking. I haven't been out of the temple since Ilum.

[Tk] Would you like to explore the galaxy more?

[N] Absolutely, I want to go everywhere. I do love the temple, but I want to see all of the places I've read about over the years. Is Master Rezbeth looking for someone who likes to travel?

[Tk] Rezbeth she...

Tul-ko clears his throat.

[TK] You remind me a lot of her, actually... adventurous, rambunctious–, a stargazer. She was strong with the force and saw it as a friend.

Tul-ko begins to descend back down the tree.

Nova stays high above but adjusts her spot so she's facing Tul-ko.

[N] Was?

Tul-ko looks away and rubs his face almost nervously.

[Tk] Nova, I apologize I haven't been completely straight with you.

[Tk] I'm not sure what came over me to conjure this plan... I guess I just wasn't ready to face this head on again.

[N] Sorry I'm not really following

Tul-ko picks up a rock and begins fiddling with it.

[Tk] Rezbeth isnt a Jedi Master. Never was at all. I just wanted to see what you were like if you didn't know your future Master was the one speaking to you right now.

Nova freezes.

—

Chapter 3: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch3

—

Fawn runs through the halls of the Jedi temple.

Fawn stops at another intersection and looks over his shoulder as if maybe someone was following

The temple halls are lifeless.

Fawn calls down the halls

[F] Nova!

Fawn sees the statues and mural further away from him, then trudges down that way.

[?] Excuse me.

Fawn's heart jumps and he spins around

It's only another Jedi

[Jedi] Are you lost young one? You're far from the quarters.

[F] I'm looking for my friend. I lost her while we were playing tag.

[Jedi] I'm so sorry but I haven't seen her. Perhaps you can sense her?

[F] Uh...

Fawn timidly looks on to continue his search

[F] I'm not very good at that.

[Jedi] There's a chance I could help. If you allow me to open your mind.

The Jedi kneels down and reaches out her hand

Fawn shyly gives her his hand

[Jedi] close your eyes.

Fawn closes his eyes and so does the Jedi.

For a moment, they fall into deep concentration.

Then suddenly, Fawn snaps out of it.

[F] Oh! The masks! I saw some robed Jedi in masks down that way and to the left. You should probably check it out-

The Jedi rips her hand away from Fawn.

[Jedi] What?

[F] Do you know who they were?

The Jedis gaze drifts

[Jedi] Temple guards?

[F] They weren't temple guards.

[Jedi] I'm willing to bet they're temple guards, youngling. Perhaps what you saw was a different uniform.

[F] Oh...

[Jedi] A courtyard. Your friend is in a courtyard. May the force be with you.

[F] Oh, thank you.

The Jedi hustled off.

Fawn watched her leave. Paused. Then spun around to head to the courtyard.

—

Fawn pops the doors open to the courtyard and his head scans back and forth.

The last bit of the sunset breaks over the horizon.

Then he sees them.

Nova is down from the tree and speaking with Tul-ko

Her eyes are wide with shock.

Fawn pauses.

[F] Nova!

The two look over at Fawn and Tul-ko quickly finishes the conversation, too far for Fawn to hear.

Nova nods and departs toward Fawn.

She doesn't look toward him, only watching the ground pass under her feet.

Her posture is clenched.

Fawn gets worried and eyes Tul-ko, who's watching them casually.

Nova reaches Fawn and continues her deep gaze toward nothing.

[F] Are you ok?

Nova finally looks at Fawn, then her eyes dart away again, clearly trying to process a lot.

She takes a deep breath.

[N] I um- I... uh.

She looks at Fawn.

Fawn grows progressively worried.

[N] I need to find Asselia and everyone.

Nova speeds off to leave.

[F] Huh?

Fawn looks back at Tul-ko, who begins to depart as well.

Fawn looks back at Nova. She's already approaching the door.

[F] Wait!

He follows Nova through the door back into the Jedi temple.

[F] Hey! Are you alright? What's going on?

[N] Just be patient ok?

[F] Ok... But you are alright, right?

Fawn and Nova hop into an open elevator.

[F] Seriously Nova, I'm concerned, just tell me if it's good or bad-

A Jedi joins them in the elevator.

[Jedi] Excuse me.

Neither responds.

Nova slides over and the Jedi stands between them.

All three say nothing for a long minute

The Jedi looks to Nova.

[Jedi] Congratulations.

Nova looks up confused.

[Jedi] I sensed your big accomplishment. It reminds me of when I was chosen so many years ago.

Fawn hits Nova with a face of confusion.

The elevator chimes and the door opens.

[N] Thank you.

[Jedi] May the force be with you.

The Jedi leaves and the doors shut.

[F] Wha-?

Nova suddenly grabs Fawn by the Tunic and screams in his face.

[N] I'M A PADAWAN!!!!!

—

Chapter 4: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch4

—

From within a door in the youngling quarters, there's a lively stir.

Inside, a group of younglings watch Nova as she triumphantly announces her accomplishment.

In attendance is Fawn, Asselia, A human girl with deep black hair and a polite demeanor named Miriad, A very tall Pszytotian male named N'jro, and a small ball-like creature (kinda like Babu Frik mixed with Darumaka from pokemon) named Dunk.

[Asselia] Who is it?

[Nova] Jedi Knight. Tul. Ko. Kah. He was so impressed by my display during today's training that he took me on as soon as he could. I'd like everyone who doubted my efforts to deposit your apologies now.

Asselia shakes her head.

[N'jro] No one doubted you Nova. We're happy to see you progress so quickly.

Asselia raises her hand.

[A] Nope. I did. I thought she was a crazy lunatic that deserved to be locked up.

[N] Quiet youngling, know your place!

Everyone giggles

[Miriad] Congratulations, Nova.

[N] Thank you, Miriad

Dunk hops off N'jro's shoulder and chimes in, his voice is squeezed and meek, but he talks a mile a minute.

[Dunk] I'm Dunk, yeah congrats Nova you killed it out there that's great congrats its neat yeah hey Dunk, way to go its great yeah, what's up I'm Dunk.

[N] I'm honored Dunk, thank you.

[N'j] Congrats Nova

[A] Yeah congrats

[N] Thank you everyone, seriously. I've been a little worried lately that I wouldn't be chosen, but now my path in the force is clear.

[A] Nova you were bound to be chosen. It was a given.

[N] Well doesn't matter now, I'm off to spread peace and stuff.

[M] When do you leave?

[N] Tomorrow morning. I actually have to leave a little earlier cause Master Kah needs to confirm his selection with the council.

[N'j (joking)] Oh so you're NOT a padawan yet. What if he changes his mind?

[N] Don't jinx it, N'jro!

[A] Yeah, what if Fawn were to take it.

Fawn snaps to attention. Only half listening to the conversation.

[F] I-

[A] Nah, if I were to guess who would be next to get a Master, it would be Dunk, of course, me–

Nova raises an eyebrow

[A] Miriad, N'jro, then– sorry, Fawn.

[N] You watch it. Fawn'll be out of here before you realize.

Suddenly, a knock at the door.

[D] I wann it

Dunk hops down and opens the door.

At the door is a very old, very still, Jedi Master. The one sitting with Tul-Ko from earlier.

[D] Hey, I'm Dunk.

[Krex Aiden] Hello. I am Jedi Master Aiden, I apologize for the appearance at this hour. I'm looking to speak with a Nova Kabani for a moment.

Nova shouts, flailing her hand in the air.

[N] That's me!

She hops toward the door.

[A] Wait! Nova- um... (to Krex) sorry (to Nova) Nova, I think I'm going to turn in for the night, so if I don't see you before you leave tomorrow morning... I'm going to miss having you around a lot. Thank you for um... giving me a new headache every day.

[N] Oh, Asselia.

They embrace.

[N (whisper)] You still have Dunk to give you headaches.

[M] Same here Nova. Thank you, I feel I've learned so much being your friend.

[N'j] Good luck Nova.

[N] Thanks guys.

Nova leaves and shuts the door.

[A] Why didn't you say goodbye, Fawn?

[F] I'm going to wait for her to get back.

[A] O-kay, don't neglect your sleep though, you might have another slip-up like today.

Fawn shrinks a bit.

We're outside the room now.

Nova lets go of the door.

Krex Aiden sits on the floor. He's a frail alien that resembles a rodent with coarse, wiry fur. He has an equally furry, but skinny tail that drifts slowly above his head as if the end of it was unaffected by gravity. In his hand, a long, decorated staff that's used to help him move around.

[KA] Again, I'd like to apologize for intruding at a late hour, but I wanted to inquire about my Padawan's decision to train you.

[N] Uh... Wait, you're Master Tul-ko Kah's... Master?

[KA] I am.

[N] So you like, knew him when he was a kid?

[KA] I did.

[N] That's so weird. What was he like?

Master Aiden suddenly doesn't say anything for a long moment.

Nova repeats the question, thinking he didn't hear it.

[N] What was he like?

Master Aiden just sits there breathing rhythmically.

[N] Uhhh– hello?

Nothing

[N] Ok..... I'm probably just going to go back to my friends then.

Nova turns to the door.

[KA] Why did you choose Tul-ko.

[N] Oh welcome back. I thought you maybe you fell asleep.

[KA] (commanding) Sit down and face me.

[N] (puzzled) Ok.

Nova sits.

An awkward pause.

[KA] My question.

[N] Sorry, can you repeat it?

[KA] No.

...

Nova pulls a face.

[N] Uh, when did I see Tul-ko?

[KA] Why did– you choose–- Tul-ko

[N] Um, well, he actually chose me-

[KA] (blunt) No... why did YOU choose. You had every option to deny him and wait for another Jedi to inevitably seek to train you. Why did you find confidence in Tul-ko

Nova processes, a little uncomfortable.

[N] Well. I just settled, I guess. It's not every day a Jedi Knight asks you to be their Padawan.

[KA] You just settled, you guess.

[N] Er– Yeah.

[KA] Was there a pressure to make you settle?

...

[N] I didn't want to NOT get picked by anyone and end up in the agriculture corps.

[KA] So you settled out of fear.

Nova's spine tingles at that word.

[N] N- no it's not like that. Um...

...

Aiden breaks the tension with a lighter tone.

[N] Your entire life changes from here on young Kabani. No matter the reason, the force has chosen this path for you and you are destined to live it. In time, I hope you can grow emotionally to understand a deeper layer of the world around you. Be in tune with yourself and block out things that give you tension, malice... fear. Being born as you are, your abilities may make you soar high, but never let that be all of your worth. This is something Tul-ko has struggled with... Trust wholly in the force. Make IT your master. Not a tool for sensational acts.

Nova pauses and reflects.

[N] I understand.

[KA] You will. In time.

...

[KA] I will not keep you longer. I'm tired myself.

[N] Sure.

Master Aiden hoists himself up with his staff.

[KA] Good night, young Kabani, may the force be with you.

Master Aiden pushes himself up with his staff and begins to make small hops away, his feet never apart when leaving the ground.

[N] Master Aiden.

He stops.

[N] Was choosing Tul-ko a bad decision?

[KA] Tul-ko Kah is a kind soul, and I have no doubts that you will not struggle to bond with him, but he too has the stains of youth. Mind my words is all I ask.

[N] Yes Master. Good night.

[KA] Good night.

Master Aiden hops away

Nova stands in silence, reflecting.

She turns toward the door, then stops, hand just over the handle.

She turns her gaze down the hallway where there is a large intersection of other similar hallways meeting into one open space.

In the center of that intersection, there is another Jedi statue.

Nova slowly wanders up to the statue

Her head floods with doubts.

She looks back at the door to their room.

It's all she's known.

Am I really ready for this?

Nova turns and stares airily up at the statue's face.

The moment overwhelms her, she thinks of everything she's a part of, everything before, and everything that can be.

Her brow furrows and her fists clench

[N] ...I will be... the greatest Jedi...

—

We're now back to the room.

Nova slides open the door and looks on into the room.

The room is dark and still.

Everyone is asleep. Their dreams can almost be felt in the air.

There is one light, however. It's Fawn sitting upright on his sleeping mat.

He's reading with a small reading light.

Fawn looks up to Nova.

She closes the door behind her.

[N] (low voice) You're still up.

[F] (low voice) Yeah, I wanted to wait for you.

[N] I figured.

[F] How are you feeling about all this?

[N] It's... a lot of uncertainty right now.

[F] I understand that.

[N] How are you feeling about all this?

[F] I don't know, I guess it hasn't really hit me yet.

[N] I'll still come around and visit.

[F] What if I came with you, like you promised earlier today?

[N] Yeah– like you said though, it's probably against multiple rules.

[F] Yeah...

Nova comes over and drops down next to Fawn.

[N] What are you reading?

[F] A book ooon... common hallucinogenic properties of interplanetary flora

[N] Nice

[F] No, not nice, this is hardly a page-turner. I kid you not, a chapter actually began like "and now to discuss the miracle of fungus reproduction" or something.

They chuckle until it falls to a long silence.

[N] Alright, I'm going to hit the sack. I've got a crazy day tomorrow.

Nova gets up and prepares her sleeping mat.

[F] Ok.

Fawn turns out his light and wraps himself in his thin wool blanket.

Nova eventually gets comfortable the same.

[N] Good night Fawn.

[F] Good night, Nova.

A solid moment goes by.

Fawn stares dead at the ceiling.

[F] Nova.

[N] Hm.

[F] Wake me up tomorrow before you go.

Nova lets out a soft sigh.

[N] Sure thing Fawn.

Nova falls fast asleep.

Fawn does not.

—

 

Chapter 5: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch5

—

Fawn drifts awake.

He leans up, eyes full of fatigue.

There is only one person in the room, N'jro.

He digs through a chest clearly looking for something.

Fawn turns and looks to where Nova was sleeping.

She isn't there.

Fawn pulls the blankets off of himself and kneels upright on his mat.

He just looks on at Nova's place with a confused expression.

N'jro overhears Fawn moving.

[N'j] Good morning.

Fawn glances at N'jro then back to Nova's place.

[F] Where's Nova.

[N'j] She wasn't here when I woke up. If I were to guess, she left early like she said she would.

Fawn sulks and stares in shock. She didn't wake him.

[N'j] I don't know how you sleep so well on the mats. Ever since I was young, I've never had a full night's rest sleeping on it.

[F] What are you doing.

[N'j] Looking for Dunk's beads... whoop– I found them.

N'jro pulls out a string of beads and shakes them around.

He closes the chest and heads toward the door.

[N'j] Hey, if you want to come with me, the group is already down at the food hall. Maybe it'll help you get your mind off Nova.

Fawn gives a weird silence.

[F] No, thanks.

[N'j] Ok, just know you're always invited.

N'jro leaves.

The room is painfully quiet

Fawn sits there, eyes glued to the carpet.

—-

Time passes.

Fawn continues on with classes, training, studying, and meditation. None of which are the same.

He is mentally absent from everything.

He's hardly said a single word to his clan and usually avoids them.

His skills begin to slacken off.

He's failing training exercises more.

He is a void. No anger, no joy, no sadness, no passion.

He's just not there.

—

We're in a classroom.

Class is just ending, and all of the younglings are leaving.

Fawn continues to sit there with empty notes in front of him.

Asselia, in the background, talking with friends, takes a moment to look at Fawn.

He sits there like a limp doll.

She gives a dismissive face and exits the room.

The Jedi instructor walks up to Fawn.

[Instructor] Are you doing alright, youngling?

[F] Yes sir.

Fawn gets up and packs his things.

[I] Meditation and counsel of your elders can help bring you focus and peace.

[F] Okay.

Fawn begins to leave.

[I] May the force be with you

Fawn leaves the classroom and walks past some lingering younglings by the doors.

Down the halls, he eventually reaches his clan room.

Fawn stops in his tracks at the sound of laughter coming from the open door.

He turns and drifts away from it.

Down more hallways, now without a destination.

He passes some rooms with their doors wide open.

A meditation room with multiple masters deeply meditating. The smell of the incense burning stung Fawn's nose.

Hallways.

A small wooden training room for the temple guards. A close sparring match roared inside. Fawn didn't wait to see the victor.

More hallw-

Suddenly, something catches Fawn's eye.

Down the hall, on either side of the wall, are two large decorative plants.

Fawn is chilled to the bone by the realization of where he is.

This is the same hallway from before. It's where he saw the two masked Jedi.

Fawn slowly approaches the plants.

One is askew from the other. Both of which were in a spot where they had mirrored each other before.

Fawn cautiously looks over his shoulder, expecting to see them again at any moment.

He then starts to check out the plants.

He notices the asymmetry of them and carefully moves it with the force to match the other.

One more check, he realizes that the pot closest to him is turned to where the pattern doesn't mirror the one he just moved.

He sighs and lifts the pot to turn it to the correct orientation.

A flower falls.

Fawn shows slight somber regret and kneels down to pick up the flower.

Behind the pot, Fawn sees a major crack in the wall

What?

Fawn force pushes the pot away from the crack as if opening a tomb.

Two more flowers fall.

Behind the pot is a large, crawl space-sized hole that's been dug into the wall.

Fawn, wide-eyed at his discovery, whips his head back and forth, scanning the hallway for any observers.

Kneeling down, Fawn looks into the hole and only sees an abyss.

With one more cautious look around, Fawn crouches into the hole.

The hole immediately opened up to a cold and dry stone tunnel. It's too dark to make out any features around him, but just a few feet ahead, the tunnel becomes a stone brick winding staircase, just barely illuminated by a weak light source beyond.

Fawn ignites his lightsaber, and all around him explodes in a brilliant ice blue color

Fawn continues on, eyeing every inch of the place.

He hesitantly begins down the swirling stairs.

As he slowly descends, the soft lights grow brighter and brighter with each one he passes which prompts Fawn to flick off his saber.

Fawn creeps down until the stairs end.

What it leads to is a small, luxurious congregation room.

The walls are brilliantly gold, adorned with red and blue tapestry. The room is furnished with wood-carved seating and tables that could have easily been a master carpenter's magnum opus. They too were similarly ordained with red and blue. Above was a crystal chandelier that, on closer inspection, was made of kyber.

Nothing in the temple looked like this room.

It was completely alien.

Fawn felt uneasy, like he just found an empty shopping mall in the middle of the woods.

On the wall to Fawn's right were a set of large double doors.

Carefully, Fawn pulled them open, praying they wouldn't make a giant squeal.

They did

Fawn froze and poked his eye through the cracked open door.

It led to some kind of larger room. A MASSIVE room. It was hard to tell any more than that, as it appeared the doors opened to a dark, second-floor balcony.

Fawn pulls away from the door for a moment.

He contemplates his situation.

Should he leave and tell someone about this?

Why is this here, and why is it hidden?

Am I going to get in trouble for being here?

The nerves were kicking in, but the curiosity was stronger.

Fawn looks over his shoulder one last time and squeezes between the cracked doors, closing them again, making another loud creak.

...

Footsteps come from the entrance stairway.

—-

Fawn pulls away from the door, letting go of the handle like he's releasing a lifeline.

He crouches down, moving close to peer out from the balcony railing.

Below was an incredibly large auditorium. The decor in here resembled more what was more commonly found in the temple. Brown-gold walls and carpet, smooth carved stone pillars, ect.

However, two things immediately stood out to Fawn.

First, that same red and blue embroidered theme was echoed in the tapestry hanging on the walls and ceiling.

Second, and most notably, a magnificent, stone carved statue of a dragon rising up from the stage at the front of the auditorium.

Its sheer size leaned over the stage. 6 crimson eyes, a sealed, toothed mouth, and two fanned wings almost scraping the ceiling. Fawn's skin crawls.

It's time to go back.

Fawn turns, eyes still locked to the dragon, he almost walks into the opening door.

With a quick loud squeal it's wide open in a moment.

To whoever opened the door, Fawn was not there. In a flash, Fawn rushed behind the swinging door and stood there, petrified with fear.

He was cramped tight. Every breath was a risk and every wiggle could push the door to a squeal.

Beyond the door, Fawn could barely hear a set of footsteps.

They were on a prowl around the auditorium. Down some steps, then back up. Going... straight to Fawn.

Fawn braced. Either the person inside was leaving or he'd been discovered.

8 agonizing seconds. The footsteps grew louder and louder and louder. They stop.

Fawn, growing blue from holding his breath, begins to tremble.

Suddenly, it happens. Both wooden doors begin to creak as they close.

Fawn flat against the wall, trying almost to sink into it, shovels in breaths. His heart tenses while awaiting the confrontation.

But there's no one...

Fawn looks stunned at the door as it finishes closing.

Silence. Dead silence.

Fawn eventually relaxes a little, but now faces the problem of exiting the place.

Fawn leans over the balcony and scans the entire auditorium for another exit.

He sees nothing, but there is an area under the balcony he hasn't checked yet. Fawn, still being cautious, hurries to the steps leading down to the seating area of the auditorium.

He reaches the bottom. Under the balcony, no door. Near the stage, no door. Nothing.

Fawn slows his search and his attention drifts back to the room itself.

His eyes scan every row of seating in a state of unsettled bewilderment at the place he's found himself in.

Then up to the dragon. Its head, once pointed to nowhere, Fawn now finds himself directly in its gaze.

Then, Fawn drops his attention to the 6 empty seats on stage.

Fawn twists from guilt. Whatever this place is, it's not for him. He should never have overextended.

FOOTSTEPS

Fawn's face zaps into shock as he snaps around.

No one...

Footsteps again. Fawn's head whips to the direction of the sound. Still... no one there. It's as if a specter was dancing about on the top balcony.

Fawn is hunched like an alerted cat, his hand by his lightsaber.

[?] Wouldn't you agree to trespass in a royal court

     would be an offense punishable with a thousand bolts        [F] Agh!

     and a thousand daggers

Leaping out of his skin, Fawn rips around to see another masked stranger suddenly sitting in the center stage chair, which had once been empty.

[?] or will you plead childish curiosity like you were to with insanity in a court of justice.

The masked man pauses only a moment to let Fawn speak. He can't. The word sucked so far down in his stomach it turned into a crushing pit.

The man stands pompously. He begins to move toward Fawn, stepping off the stage and moving slowly down the aisle with each word.

[?] Your fear sickens me. Suffering under your own affliction– It poisons the soul, weakens the heart. You dare taint this place with it. You don't even know where you stand–

As the anonymous creeper gets closer, the sound of a hundred footsteps grows louder and louder. His tone begins to grow into a booming bellow as he proclaims.

[?] Here in this cradle of change, you scathe the ground you walk, you feast on the air of royals with your impure intention!

Fawn becomes more and more weak from fear. Surely this man doesn't mean harm, does he? Lightsaber hilt now in hand, Fawn can only take a few weak steps back. The footsteps haunt Fawn's ears as they get louder with each word from behind the mask.

[?] YOU ARE AN ADRIFT PIECE OF NOTHING THAT INSULTS THE VERY IDEA OF THIS HALL... THIS MAGNIFICENT CATALYST OF CHANGE AND PROGRESSION!

He hollers up into the auditorium air, like he was invoking the Dragon awake from its petrified sleep.

He's now remarkably close to Fawn. The footsteps now stomp a deafening choir, enough to shake all of the chairs.

Fawn feels the world falling into him. Perhaps the lack of air from not breathing.

The masked man drops his attention back down to Fawn, crushing Fawn's personal bubble by leaning in toward him, causing Fawn to fall against the side of one of the chairs.

[?] Has your curiosity been fed, or do you hunger to taint this place more and more and more and more and more!

Fawn heaves in breaths, his thumb sliding closer to the ignition button of his lightsaber.

The blasting footsteps rumble through the theater.

[?] So, child, bolts or daggers...

Suddenly, striking through the chaos, a thunderous command booms down from the top balcony.

[?2] TIIR!

Everything falls to a screaming silence...

...

Tiir gets out of Fawn's face. He looks up at the balcony.

Fawn is scared stiff, but begins to breathe again. After a moment, he matches Tiir's gaze up to the balcony.

There stood a tall, robed figure blanketed in darkness.

[?2] Explain yourself.

[Tiir] A child has intruded this space.

[?2] And you choose to cripple it in fear with your tricks and poetry nonsense.

[Tiir] I thought that– if he saw this place hostile... perhaps–

[?2] Perhaps he would leave in fright and expose this place to the sitting council.

The new mystery man steps down the stairs to the seating area, still vaguely unseen.

[?2 (scoff)] Fear. The weapon of our enemy. Are you not a Jedi, Tiir?

He reaches the bottom of the steps, finally stepping into the light. He is a Hovorian, an alien species that closely resembles a human-like owl. Notably, has two stringy feathers that start from his forehead, arch over his head, and down into his cloak.

[?2 (cont)] Were you not raised from birth to bring about peace in the galaxy? Peace. Not terror to our innocent.

Tiir falls to his knees in shame and speaks as if he were proclaiming his sins to a higher power.

[Tiir] Forgive me Master Subaun. I've made a grave error.

[Subaun] Meditate on this.

[Tiir] Of course.

Subaun spins his head uncomfortably far and looks down at Fawn, still laying against the chair where he fell.

Fawn tightens up, eyes locked on this new player. Sword hilt still in hand.

Subaun raises his bird-like hands and drops a just breath motion toward Fawn.

Fawn slightly relaxes in accordance, but still stays on edge.

Subaun reaches out his hand to help him up.

Fawn looks down at his hands, white-knuckled around his lightsaber hilt. He slides the hilt to his belt and latches it away.

Cautiously, Fawn extends his hand and Subaun pulls him to his feet.

[S] I–

Subaun moves to straighten Fawn's tunic, but Fawn flinches defensively. Subaun pauses to show he means no harm. Fawn relaxes, and Subaun continues.

[S] I am Master Froy Subaun. Behind me, is the already acquainted, Dofe Tiir.

Subaun pauses speaking.

[S] This is where you give your name.

Fawn's overwhelmed, the word barely squeaks out.

[F] Fawn.

Subaun's ear falls in front of Fawn's mouth

[S] Huh?

[F] Fawn Volsh.

[S] So, Fawn Volsh, you don't so happen to be the boy that accidentally saw my friends entering this place some time ago, would you?

[F] Yes.

Tiir scoffs.

Subaun turns and gives him a glare. Tiir shrinks and sassily leaves the auditorium.

[S] You'll have to excuse Tiir, he's a bit too theatrical for his own good.

Subaun looks back to Fawn, who is just watching Tiir leave.

[S] What is this place.

Fawn snaps his attention to Subaun suddenly hearing that burning question come from outside his own head.

Subaun leans against a chair behind him.

[S] That's a bit tricky. What we are is a branched denomination of the Jedi Order. A secretive one, due to the council's decision to treat any– differing opinions, harshly.

[F] Differing opinions?

Subaun sighs and puts his chin in his palm.

[S] See that's where we get tricky again. Fawn, this is a place where many Jedi have renewed their spirit, their path in the Force. It's an important haven to these Jedi and right now, it remains a sealed secret. Fawn... I need you to promise to keep this place a secret from everyone you know. I know your first instinct is that this is a bad place– I promise you, it's not. You unfortunately met the unfriendly welcome committee named Tiir.

Subaun pauses for a chuckle from Fawn, but nothing comes.

[S] Anyway... Do we have a promise, Fawn.

[F] Yes– Ok.

It felt wrong

[S] Great.

Fawn shyly looks up at the dragon on stage.

[F] What's that?

Subaun just silently stares at the statue.

[S] I don't want to answer that now.

[F] Oh.

[S] But... there's a meeting in two days if you'd like to know more, why don't you come to that? Call it an official invitation.

Fawn's face twists into surprise.

[F] Uh... I don't– I don't really know...

[S] No–no pressure of course. This is something you choose yourself. Let the force guide you to the right decision.

Fawn silently considers the offer.

[S] Why don't you think on it, ok?

Subaun stands from leaning and pats Fawn on the back.

[S] Ok?

[F] Ok.

Subaun escorts Fawn back to the main foyer through the giant wooden doors.

[S] Oh, those uh– stomps you heard, that was Tiir's force gift. He can produce that sound with the force. Don't get any idea that this place is haunted or something, that was all Tiir.

[F] Oh, okay.

—-

Back in the foyer.

Tiir is sitting in there waiting. When the two enter, he locks eyes with Fawn.

[S] (to Tiir) I'll speak to you in a minute about West Rock.

Tiir rises in defiance.

[T] (to Subaun) You're letting him go out?

Subaun pauses at the stupid question.

[S] Is your intent that I imprison him?

[T] What of the secrecy? Do you expect a child without loose lips?

[S] Does he look like a child?

Subaun looks at Fawn.

[S] Your... 13 is that right?

Fawn nods.

[S] Yes, 13. Mature enough to be a Padawan.

Tiir gives a stinging glare at Fawn.

[T] (painfully) Of course, Grand Master Subaun.

Fawn's brow creases in confusion.

Grand Master?

Subaun turns him around and the two walk up the steps toward the exit.

—

Chapter 6: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch6

—

Subaun and Fawn reach the top of the stairs and enter the cold, dark passage leading to the crawl hole.

Both shift in silence.

They reach the crawl hole with the potted plant blocking the way.

Fawn outstretches his hand to move the pot again, when Subaun's hand snatches Fawn by his tunic, yanking him a couple steps back.

Fawn's breathing sharpens. He whips his head to subaun in shock.

Subaun, almost entirely covered in darkness, gazes at Fawn with his two glowing, yellow owl-like eyes.

[Subaun] (calm command) Sense if someone is coming.

...

[Fawn] I'm not good at that.

[S] Do it.

Fawn tries. An awkward silence deafens the already quiet air.

[F] There's no one?

[S] Correct.

With a swipe, Subaun moves the pot. A stream of light pours in.

Fawn drops down quickly and shifts out.

Subaun follows, closing the pot on his way out.

Fawn, a little confused why Subaun followed, waits uneasily. He wants out of here now.

Subaun takes his time. He adjusts his sleeve, robe, then crosses his hands near his waist casually.

[S] You did well.

[F] Huh?

[S] Sensing if there were any observers– before the pot was moved.

[F] I just guessed, kind of.

[S] No you didn't. What do you think sensing is, Fawn? A pair of hands clapping in your face?

Subaun begins clapping, mimicking his analogy.

[S (cont.)] "Someone's coming, someone's coming... The coast is clear!" No. Trusting in the force takes blind faith, confidence... that despite how many other signs tell you otherwise, your perspective, your path, ultimately trumps all others.

[F] Ok.

There's an awkward moment as Subaun analyses Fawn.

[S] No... you're a smart kid, you already know this. Perhaps there is something else in your environment that doesn't allow you to see this truth. A teacher? A classmate? A friend?

Fawn thinks in silence. Perhaps a latent sensitive point was touched.

[S] Whatever it is, I won't pry further into your personal feelings. Just know, Fawn, this place... There is a spot for you. These Jedi are so much more than they are following the traditional Jedi ways. Everyone would love to have you around.

Fawn's face softens hearing those last words. He gives a light, but heartful nod.

[S] Alright, go on. I hope to see you soon– Oh, Fawn, our secret...

[F] I won't tell anyone.

Fawn speaks with a shred of confidence not seen before.

Subaun smiles.

[S] May the force be with you.

Fawn turns and leaves.

Subaun watches him leave, and his smile drops to a rest.

—

Back in the congregation room, Tiir picks at a loose string on his sleeve. He'll need to fix it soon.

Subaun descends the stairs, back into the congregation room.

Tiir flicks up to his feet.

Subaun lets out a tired sigh.

[S] Eventful...

Subaun pulls a chair from the edge of the room and sits casually.

[S] Well. West Rock is officially at a comfortable tipping point... Our friends there reported that a union of Tecretian miners attempted an armed revolt last night against a large storage cell. All were either arrested or killed. Now, there's chatter fluttering around of a major organized uprising against the top. The top– "the Strikers", can't sleep with this rumor, so they went to our friends, who came to us; they are seeking Jedi aid.

[Tiir] Us? For them?

Subaun nods.

[S] This could not have worked out better. The force is with us, Tiir... West Rock, if you recall, was a golden flower among the other fragile governing bodies chosen.

[T] Yes, the force is with us!

[S] I need you to depart immediately for West Rock. Avoid common travel as the capital's zone is privatized and the region's airspace is locked down. Smuggling services will likely be your best choice. Go before the Strikers Council, tell him the Jedi Order will come to bring peace to their rebellion. I'll arrive with the order, and then we will finally enact the higher prophecy.

Tiir doesn't say a word for a moment. Then a sniff comes from behind his mask.

He removes his mask and a series of sniffles pour out.

He's... crying?

Subaun looks confused at Tiir.

[T] (through soft tears) Thank you... Thank you for this honor... To be a part of this– it's so overwhelming.

[S] Stop tearing up. You're a Jedi.

Tiir tries to suck it up

[T] I'm so sorry... I'm such a fool.

He puts his mask back on, and sucks in one last long breath.

[T] I've centered.

[S] Go.

Tiir immediately gets up and begins to leave.

[T] Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.

Tiir takes his leave back up the stairs.

Subaun sits alone, listening to Tiir's actual footsteps fade up the steps.

He shakes his head softly with awkward disappointment.

...

He sits there, dreamily staring into his thoughts. An achy flood of somberness suddenly creeps over him.

[S] (hardly audible) Golden flower...

—

Fawn marches back to his clan's room, his eyes deep in thought.

He occasionally shoots passing Jedi a skittish glance.

Suddenly, Fawn's attention is locked on something ahead.

His eyes widen with horror.

His march slows to a petrified halt.

Down the hallway. Peeking from behind the wall–

Is the massive, stone dragon.

It just watches him... Glaring like a predator watching its prey.

No Jedi around it seems to acknowledge it.

The dragon is so large, its wingspan is still cramped as it reaches from wall to wall in the Jedi temple hallway.

Fawn's blood runs cold.

Should he run? Should he scream?

Bump, bump, bump, bump.

His heart almost beats out of his chest when suddenly, Fawn is tackled by someone to his right.

[????] Fawn!!

Fawn scrambles in shock and confusion.

[F] (cries out) GET OFF OF ME!!!!

With one big lob, Fawn throws the person off him.

He fires his gaze back down the hallway.

The dragon is gone.

Fawn heaves in breaths. He looks around in confusion.

The echo of his cry stains the hallway. The surrounding Jedi stare with concern.

Fawn turns his head around in a panic to see who his attacker is.

It's Nova.

She sits on her side, watching Fawn, her face is a concoction of fear, surprise, and worry.

She'd never heard Fawn raise his voice in such a way.

[F] Nova...

Fawn tries catching his breath.

[F] It's you...

A Jedi approaches the two from behind.

[Jedi] What's happened here?

Nova's eyes shoot up to the Jedi, then back at Fawn, waiting for a response.

Fawn raises his head up to them.

There's not just one, but multiple. Even a temple guard was alerted.

[F] Nothing... I'm sorry, I was just startled by my friend here.

[Jedi 2] Mind those around you. Both of you.

The crowd disperses.

Fawn's attention drags back to Nova.

[F] I am so sorry Nova... You just... scared me half to death.

Nova's shocked expression peels into a massive grin.

She pushes herself back up to a standing position.

[N] Geez, I didn't think I was that scary.

Nova reaches out her hand to help Fawn back up.

Fawn looks up at Nova. Her short, wheaty-gold hair glowed from the light of an open window, now with a shortly tied beginning of a padawan braid. Her wide, sapphire eyes beamed with eagerness and joy. It's really her.

Fawn takes her hand. She hoists him up.

There's a silent moment between the two.

Suddenly, Nova rips away, causing Fawn to stumble a little from a yank on his hand.

[N] Follow me!

Nova whips down the hall. She overshoots the corner, force jumping onto the wall and propelling off of it and out of sight.

[F] Hold on– Nova, wait!

Fawn barrels after her, but suddenly stopping when he reaches the corner.

He looks back down the hallway where he saw it.

Still no dragon.

Shaking it off his mind, he continues his chase. 

—

 

Chapter 7: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch7

—

Fawn and Nova race through a sleek, grey industrial hallway. Still in the Jedi Temple, the two entered a more publicly available section. It housed ship hangars used for imports and exports, and occasionally Jedi deployments if a ship larger than Jedi Starfighters was necessary.

Nova slows a little bit to give Fawn some slack.

[Nova] Come on!

[Fawn] Where are we going?

Nova suddenly stops. Fawn skids to a halt, almost running into her.

[N] Nevermind, it's that way

Nova spins around and speeds off in the opposite direction.

Fawn shakes his head.

He follows.

—

Nova jogs into an open hangar. It's a grand, industrial space with a large opening at the end allowing the mid-day light to pour in. It's actually relatively quiet for the morning, only a couple ships occupying it and a few hangar droids at work.

For once, Nova waits for Fawn.

He soon follows, his eyes immediately scanning the new surroundings.

[F] Woah...

[N] Ok, come on!

Nova starts to take off again. Accordingly, Fawn force flicks a loose bolt on the floor at her arm.

[N] Ow!

He finally has her attention.

[F] What are you doing back at the temple?

[N] Coming to get you. Seriously we have to hurry, come on.

Nova speed walks toward a sitting Eta-class shuttle with Fawn right behind her.

She takes a careful look up the open boarding ramp.

[F] What are we doing?

[N] Shhh

[F] (Whispers, but mimics a scream) WHAT ARE WE DOING?

Nova turns, looking intently at Fawn.

[N] You know how I said we're seeing the stars together even if I have to drag you onto the ship. That's happening now. Hang on.

Nova climbs the ramp and slowly peeks into the ship.

[F] What? I'm not going. I thought we agreed it was too crazy.

[N] Tul-ko's cool, he won't mind.

[F] I'm still a youngling Nova, I can't leave. I'll be missing from my clan. What do you think the instructors are going to say if there's just a student missing?

[N] I've got that all figured out. Trust me. By the time you return, you will be a padawan.

[F] What?

[N] Just trust me, ok. I've got a plan.

Fawn toils over it in his head, eventually caving to Nova's antics.

He climbs the ramp.

[F] If I get in trouble, I'm blaming you.

[N] You won't.

They enter the ship's hull. Inside is relatively unremarkable. The steel interior housed various furnishings to accompany long journeys. To Fawn and Nova's right is couch seating that surrounds a holotable. Up ahead, two open doors revealed two sleeping areas that are neatly prepped. To their left is a small area for storage, including two compact speeder bikes folded neatly against the wall. At the end of the main cabin, a closed steel door that presumably leads to the cockpit.

[N] Ok, stay here, I'm going to tell Tul-ko.

[F] Ok. I think he's just going to tell me to get off the ship though.

[N] Nah, trust me.

Nova opens the door to the cockpit.

[N] I'm back, Master Tul-ko!

She immediately closes it upon entering.

[Tul-ko] Great, we're on a bit of a tight schedule, so we're gonna have to get going.

[N] Perfect.

Nova drops down into the co-pilot seat.

Tul-ko begins to flip some pre-flight switches.

[Tk] I'm sensing there's something you're keeping from me.

Tul-ko stops. He gives a long, analytical stare at Nova.

[N] Nope, everything's fine.

There's a long pause while Tul-ko peers at Nova suspiciously.

...

Nova smiles dismissively.

Tul-ko lifts his finger and drops it down on the ignition button, breaking the silence with the sound of the ship coming alive.

Back in the cabin, Fawn sits on the couch with his hands in his lap. He looks around, surprised at the engine firing up.

Back in the cockpit, the ship begins to lift and hover toward the center of the hangar.

[Tk] Did you nab something from the food hall? Is that it?

[N] No.

[Tk] You should've... I'd give my right arm to have one of those Creme Maldacian treats right about now.

Back to Fawn. He stands up, now feeling the ship moving. He's even more confused. Did she forget he was back here?

The shuttle's side wings pull down and it soars out of the hangar,

Fawn takes a look outside of a small thin window. The skyline, the temple, and everything he's known grows smaller and smaller.

It doesn't even feel real.

The shuttle breaks Coruscant's atmosphere. The blue sky is replaced by the infinite beauty of the cosmos.

Inside the cockpit, Nova comms shuttle clearance and Tul-ko sets navigation.

Fawn stares dreamily at the stars and beyond. The years gone almost made him forget this irreplaceable sight.

But someone's still missing. Fawn looks over at the cockpit door. The idea of just going up there rolls around in his head.

Tul-ko begins the hyperspace sequence.

[Tk] Are you ready?

[N] (Giddy) I love this part!

Tul-ko slowly pulls up on a lever. The scene out of the cockpit window warps, and the stars turn into streaks of blue light.

BOOM

The shuttle rockets forward into hyperspace.

Tul-ko relaxes.

Nova side eyes him. She toils over how she should let him know about the stowaway.

[N] So... do you know my friend Fawn?

[Tk] No

[N] Oh, he's the best. A super fun guy. Talented too.

[Tk] Yeah?

[N] One time, me, him, and my other friend found this supply closet with a bunch of random stuff, and with the stuff we found, we invented some new games to play.

[Tk] Oh yeah? What kind of games

[N] I don't remember there was a bunch. Anyway, to skip ahead a bit, we got Fawn to hang off the side of the temple upside down while he held my feet and I was upside down.

Tul-ko looks puzzled at Nova.

[N] (cont.) We were basically trying to grab this hook thing that Asselia, my other friend, had hid on this weird stone feature on the outside of the temple.

[Tk] Why didn't you just use the force?

[N] That was against the rules.

[Tk] Oh, oh sure.

[N] Anyways, Fawn started slipping and dropped me.

[Tk] Really?

[N] Before he did, though, he used every ounce of his strength and swung me to where the hook thing was, and I grabbed it.

[Tk] What happened to him?

[N] The game was over, so I just caught him with the force. It wasn't against the rules anymore.

[Tk] You all have to be more careful.

[N] Yeah... we didn't play that game again after that.

...

[N] Do you want to meet him?

[Tk] Sure, yeah, we can pay him a visit when we get back.

[N] No I mean right now.

Tul-ko shoots Nova a puzzled look

Suddenly, there's a knock on the cockpit door.

Tul-ko spins in confusion.

[N] I'll get it!

Nova jumps up and hops over to the door.

[Tk] Nova–

She hits the switch, and the door opens. Fawn stands in the doorway, confused. He tosses his gaze back and forth to Nova, then to Tul-ko.

[N] Master Tul-ko, this is Fawn Volsh. Fawn Volsh, this is Tul-ko Kah.

[F] (shyly) Hello

Tul-ko stands up slowly, his eyes broiled with shock.

He glares down at Fawn who can only give worried looks to Nova.

Nova herself already senses she screwed up.

[Tk] (stern) What is he doing here.

[N] (sinking) I just thought I could show him what a mission was lik–

[Tk] (shout) Padawan!

Nova flinches at the word.

[Tk] (stern) You brought an unsanctioned youngling aboard on an official Jedi deployment. Do you understand what sort of punishment that can lead to?

[N] I was thinking maybe–

[Tk] What if he gets hurt? That's my responsibility then, Nova. That would be on me.

Nova's head drops in shame.

[F] I can go back. We can... go back

[Tk] (stern) No!

Tul-ko takes a deep breath a lowers his tone.

[Tk] (cont.) No...this is not a lackadaisical mission, and it is certainly not one for a youngling still taking classes.

Tul-ko walks back to the pilot chair and throws himself into the seat.

Nova's absent.

It's painfully silent. Fawn wishes he could say something.

Tul-ko rubs his face.

[Tk] Fawn... Fawn right?

Fawn lightly nods.

[Tk] Just sit in the NAV seat for now.

Fawn does. He carefully slides into the chair.

[Tk] Nova.

No reply, just the sound of the cockpit door shutting tight.

Tul-ko spins around.

[Tk] (to Fawn) Did she just leave?

He gives Tul-ko a concerned look.

A buzzer starts beeping on the console.

Tul-ko sighs

He pulls the ship out of hyperspace, and a large, lush planet pops into view

Fawn is mesmerized by the sight.

Tul-ko pulls himself out of the chair and starts toward the door.

[Tk] Stay here.

Fawn tightens to the chair.

Opening the door, Tul-ko enters the main cabin. It's dark and still

He looks to his right. One of the doors of the two sleeping areas is shut.

Tul-ko knocks softly on the door.

[N] Nova.

Tul-ko waits a moment for a response, but there's none. Slowly, he slides the door open.

Nova is curled in the back corner of the small bed space. Her legs are pulled to her chest, and her arms wrap around her face. A couple of tear-stained sniffs leak out from her.

Tul-ko sits slowly.

[N] (through tears) I'm sorry... I'm sorry for bringing him here. I'm... sorry for crying.

Tul-ko watches Nova in silence.

His eyes drift in thought.

...

[Tk] You know I have a story too.

She softly eyes Tul-ko.

[Tk] A long, long time ago, when I was a little older than you are now. There was another padawan who I was good friends with. Like you and Fawn, we enjoyed playing games, laughing together... One day, I suggested that we go off on our own. We felt old enough, so we did. We went to a planet in the outer rim that grew naturally occurring crystals from the ground. (he chuckles) We thought we could discover a new kind of kyber to be used in our lightsabers. Turns out though, the crystals leaked a natural oil that was toxic. I guess we skipped that part in our research for the planet... We fell ill almost immediately, and if it wasn't for the astromech droid we brought, I don't think we would've made it home. Our masters chewed us out for a week. After we recovered from the toxin, of course.

Nova's eyes are glued to the sheets. She sniffs hard.

[N] (weakly) Why would you ever think you could find something else like kyber?

[Tk] I don't know, I think it was from talks of Master Windu getting his purple lightsaber... we thought we could get a cool color as well. My point is, Nova, slip-ups happen. Believe it or not, you're young and the mistakes you make now are the building blocks of experience.

[N] Jedi aren't supposed to make mistakes.

[Tk] PFFF... Where in the world did you hear that? Even droids, who are programmed specifically to not make mistakes, make mistakes. It's natural. It's life. So is crying. I've cried. I've cried a lot! What a Jedi does do is analyze their emotions and manage them in a way that doesn't damage their connection with the Force. Give your negative emotions to the force. Self-loathing? Self-doubt? Self-pity because you poisoned yourself with mysterious crystals... or snuck a youngling on board. Own up to it, and just bring yourself to peace. Remember, I'm here too, I'm not just here to teach. I'll always be a shoulder to lean on if you need it. Okay?

Nova takes a deep breath and relaxes. She nods.

[Tk] Good, we're here over Rescosia. You can stay here and meditate if you'd like. I can land the ship.

[N] No, I'm okay now. I'm sorry again.

[Tk] We'll work through it.

Tul-ko helps Nova out of the corner

Tul-ko opens the cockpit door, and the two enter.

—

Chapter 8: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch8

—

Down, the shuttle descends to the planet Rescosia.

Breaking through the misty clouds, a scene of lush valleys peak in and out of a dreamy fog.

Nova and Tul-ko watch the scenery from the front window, a small day shower announces itself against the glass before dispersing immediately.

The hills look to have been born in the earthly mist and will likely die cradled in that same mist.

The shuttle rolls into a turn, and before it, a cozy city, spires up and illuminates the sides of the valley

It flies beyond the sleepy city to the top of a hillside beyond.

Lying at the summit is a great amphitheater built from aged stone. A giant statue of an open hand covers the space, saving those under it from inevitable rain. Cracked and ancient, reeds of moss hang down between its fingers.

A very large, very vocal crowd congregates within the amphitheater, some even spilling out around it.

The shuttle passes overhead.

It folds up its wings and drops down onto the soft ground behind the amphitheater.

In the cockpit, Tul-ko powers off the engine.

It's quiet.

Tul-ko and Nova seem to be frozen, both clearly bothered by something.

Tul-ko stands up and nervously checks the surroundings outside the cockpit window.

He fogs the glass with a shuddered breath.

[Nova] Why do I feel like this?

Tul-ko says nothing. He tenses.

[N] Master?

[Tul-ko] It'll be okay, just shut it from your senses.

Nova turns around in her seat and looks to Fawn behind her.

[N] Do you feel it?

Fawn is white knuckling his seat. His eyes drift toward the air between himself and the roof.

He nods tightly.

Tul-ko moves away from the glass and stands in front of Fawn and Nova.

[Tk] (firmly) One thing at a time... We are going to meet up with another Jedi here. Her name is Frenna Pyffer. She'll brief us on a situation with the royal family here on Rescosia. What lies in the unknown will stay in the unknown while we do our duty for these people. (to Nova) We will not seek it and above all things, you... (to both) both of you... must keep your thoughts clear, your emotions square and fear under control.

Fawn nods quickly

[N] Of course Master.

[Tk] Let's go. Grab your cloaks.

Tul-ko exits the cockpit.

[N] Fawn.

Fawn looks at her wide eyed.

[N] Another Jedi. Here's your chance!

[Fawn] Oh– no, Nova I don't think it's appropriate–

Nova leaps out of her co-pilot seat.

[N] Master Kah! Does Master Pyffer have a padawan?

Tul-ko is putting on his cloak.

He looks at Nova, then to Fawn. Immediately putting the pieces together of Nova's brilliant plan.

[Tk] No... and I don't believe she's looking for one either.

Nova's face drops at this minor defeat, but still undeterred

Tul-ko opens the shuttle ramp and adjusts his cloak.

He steps down the ramp, his boots soaking as soon as they hit the soft ground.

Nova grabs her cloak. She shoots a look back at Fawn, who's just standing a bit awkwardly in the cabin.

[N] (calling to tul-ko) Fawn doesn't have a cloak.

[Tk] Fawn isn't coming.

...

[N] Why?

[N] Nova please don't do this, we need to get going.

[N] Ok, I just think leaving a youngling here alone with no supervision on a planet with some sort of political turmoil rather than in the protection of two Jedi Knights and a Padawan would surely be a poor decision.

Tul-ko toils over it in silence.

...

[N] Can he come?

[Tk] (reluctant) Yeah.

A victory.

Nova fires a thumbs-up and cheesy grin at Fawn.

Fawn returns a relieved smile, being alone was the last thing he wanted.

Nova throws on her cloak and the pair leave the shuttle.

The ramp closes up behind them.

As the three of them head up to the amphitheater, Fawn fights the soaking wet mist.

Nova drifts over to him and shares her cloak, which he graciously accepts.

—

The crowd congregating in the amphitheater was packed tightly.

A roar of protest and discussion buzzes through the air.

Armored guards with spears in hand, called Armsman, stand blankly toward the common people of the audience.

A beautifully carved wood podium stands proudly at the front of the stage. It's neighbored by seven chairs, each carved with care only meant for royalty.

These seats are empty, and there is no royalty here. Six Noblemen stand behind them.

There is an older man who stands at the podium. A black mossy-themed rain cloak falls from his shoulders. The skin on his face sags with a vexed and weary expression.

He waits, allowing the contempt from the crowd to go on.

He turns to one of the noblemen behind the chairs to his left.

[Podium Speaker] Must they be so noisy!

He turns back and hollers into the crowd.

[PS] Simmer down! Simmer down!

CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK

He taps consecutively on a small wooden clacker on the side of the podium which echoes into the silencing mass.

[PS] Bloody hell, I'm going to be driven to drink.

There is a small uproar over his lack of professionalism.

CLACK CLACK CLACK

[PS] (annoyed) Okay! Okaaay!

Tul-ko, Nova, and Fawn reach the amphitheater and stand distantly to the left of center stage.

Tul-ko scans the crowd looking for Frenna, and the other two watch the commotion.

[PS] Today, your requests and remarks have been heard and are simply... not realistic.

Uproar.

CLACK CLACK CLACK

[PS] Obey the clacker!

He turns again to the noblemen to his left.

[PS] This doohickey is hilarious!

The Nobleman gives no reaction.

Suddenly, a woman breaks from the crowd and storms toward the podium. Two Armsman grab her and push her back toward the crowd. She fights desperately through their arms, trying to break through.

[Woman] This is the people's moment! We will no longer hide under this ancient, broken system. We need a modern delegation in this crisis, not a group of novices only qualified by their wallets.

Uproar.

[PS] Do you realize it's only been three days? The republic is sending aid to fix our problem, then all royal functions will return, and everything will be back to normal.

Uproar.

An old woman's voice cracks from the front row.

[Old Woman] What aid could the republic send? The royal family has been cursed! The seers of the mist foretold this, you know! They should be the guides through this crisis.

A good portion of the crowd roars with agreement.

[PS] We have heard these claims of your seers and there is something very important to be said on that...

He points mockingly and lets out a wheezing breath of laughter at the thought.

The crowd explodes.

The Nobleman to the left of the Podium Speaker slightly shakes his head with deep disapproval.

[PS] (Speaking over the crowd) You do realize all of this is easily explained by... I don't know, gas or a strange atmospheric event, or maybe they all just need a nice vacation, I don't know

His words were drowned in the sea of roaring audience members.

[PS] (Shouting over the crowd) This meeting is dismissed!

Disgust and shouts leap from the crowd

[Croud member] OUT WITH THE MONARCHY!

The podium speaker walks off stage, escorted by two Armsman

Nova shoots a concerned look toward Fawn. He gives her a quick, disbelieving brow raise.

Tul-ko moves around the two and approaches a Nobleman exiting the stage.

[Tk] (to Nobleman 1) Excuse me. We are the ambassadors sent by the Republic Senate.

[Nobleman 1] Oh– Yes. (to other Nobleman) Lire!

Lire Jonn, a neatly put-together rich man whose wealth clearly compensates for their height, turns toward the call.

[Nm1] (shout over commotion) The Republic Ambassadors!

Lire directs his guardsman to follow and trots toward the Jedi.

[Nm1] (to Tul-ko) I'll let him give you the introductions, but he'll be overseeing your operation here.

[Tk] Thank you.

[Nm1] (wardingly) Good luck.

Tul-ko gives him a small bow as the Nobleman leaves with his Armsman.

[Lire Jonn] Hello!

His voice is warm and friendly, but carries a bit of nervous timidity.

[LJ] Welcome to Rescosia! Specifically, the capital city of Phergo. That was um, Lord Niddrix he oversees... well, far from here he... sorry that doesn't matter. I am Lord Jonn. I am the head supervisor of aquatic purification development here on Rescosia. But today! All I am is your diplomatic contact and your host. I've prepared an estate for your leisure and comfort, or perhaps just to use as a base of operations if you find yourself here not too long. With that being said, I was asked to find out approximately how long it will take to fix our crisis. As you can tell, social tension is... uncomfortable at the moment.

[Tk] First of all, it's a pleasure to meet you Lord Jonn. My name is Tul-ko Kah. (pointing out Nova and Fawn) My young learners, Nova Kabani and Fawn. (to LJ) As for your crisis, we only know a little about it. There should be another ambassador here that we're supposed to meet. They, if I understand, have a more thorough understanding of what's befallen your royal family. Do you know perhaps where she is?

Lire's face draws puzzled.

[LJ] Well I'm only aware of you all here.

[Frenna] Hello!

Everyone turns and sees a winded Frenna trudging up the mushy green hill behind them.

Tul-ko smiles, relieved at her arrival.

[Fr] (apologetic) I'm so late I'm embarrassed.

She joins the group and throws a passing glance at Fawn and Nova

[Fr] (to LJ) Lord Jonn, I believe? I can address the issue with my friends. I've been monitoring Phergo's situation for a bit now and know enough of the details. You can head home for the day if you'd like.

[LJ] Oh– good. Right... Well, actually, I won't be going home for now. I'm afraid we've all found ourselves in unfamiliar roles that require divided attention. (to Frenna) I should ask again now that you're here, how long do you think your investigation will take?

[Fr] I'm sorry, I don't really have an answer for that now.

[PS] Get a number!

The Podium Speaker marches over with two Armsman by his side.

[PS] We've had civil unrest trickling down our buttocks for three days. These pack predators were waiting to pounce on any crack in the royal monarchy. It's just unbelievable! I just need you all to treat this like your lives depend on it.

[Tk] We'll do our best.

[PS] Your best and only your best.

The Podium Speaker stomps off, followed by his guards.

[LJ] Umet Yuson, friend of the original speaker who was supposed to come today... and a complete knob.

Lire stares airily at Umet as he walks off, then snaps his attention back to his guests.

[LJ] Right, well, here is my contact tab.

Lire pulls out a small chip and hands it to Tul-ko. Tul-ko connects it to his communicator, disconnects it, and passes it around for Nova and Frenna to do the same.

[LJ] Ring me up if you ever need to.

Frenna returns the chip

[Fr] Thank you

[LJ] Of course. Unfortunately, I must be going now. Good luck to you all.

Silence as Lire exits with his Armsman.

...

Frenna bends down to match Fawn and Nova's eye height, almost like speaking to a dog.

[Fr] Who. are. these two!

[N] (excited) I'm Nova Kabani! I'm Tul-ko's new Padawan.

Nova moves behind Fawn. She grabs his shoulders and shakes him in place like a bobblehead.

[F] This is Fawn! He's–

[Tk] Our little adventure today.

Tul-ko gives Nova a look to settle down.

[N] (to Frenna) Do you maybe have a Padawan?

Frenna chuckles off the question.

[Fr] Do I have a padawan?

[Tk] Nova, could you and your friend give us some space to talk for a minute?

[N] Yes, Master. Let's go climb the big hand Fawn.

Nova runs off, and Fawn follows.

[N] Make sure that Master Pyffer can see you climbing it.

Nova's voice trails off.

Tul-ko and Frenna watch the two leave.

[Fr] Who is that boy?

[Tk] (suppressed disappointment) A stowaway. My padawan's friend. She snuck him on before we left.

[Fr] Oh. Oh, that's not good.

Tul-ko gives her a tired "I know" look.

...

[Fr] New padawan too? Didn't expect you to take another one up.

[Tk] Why?

Frenna shrugs her shoulders, gesturing as if she were referencing something obvious.

[Tk] No. I just... It's my job to train the next generation.

Frenna gives him an inquisitive look.

[Tk] (defensive) Really, it's unrelated.

[Fr] Ok...

An uncomfortable pause briefs the moment. Tul-ko changes the subject

[Tk] I assume you've felt it.

Frenna drops a distant look.

[Fr] It's a spell. Nightsisters most likely. It surrounds the Phergo Castellum, the royal's castle.

Frenna points out a spot in the scenic view of the valleys of Rescosia before them

[Fr] It's hidden by the fog now, but it sits along a ridge quite a ways that way.

[Tk] Nightsisters? Does it not clearly feel like something more sinister?

[Fr] No. I've dealt with them before, it is them.

[Tk] I thought... maybe Sith.

[Fr] Sith?

[Tk] I know. It was just so strong, so dark... cold... but that's only assuming with the context of word of mouth, I've never experienced someone with that presence before.

[Fr] The council wouldn't have sent us if the situation were that serious, and it's not.

[Tk] It's entirely possible the council wouldn't know. Case in point, Naboo.

[Fr] That's fair, but like I said, it's a spell affecting the castle. It's conjured in a way I've seen before from the likes of the Nightsisters.

[Tk] (affirming) Sure, I don't doubt you.

Just then, the fog in distant valleys pulls away just enough to reveal a hauntingly dark, looming castle sleeping at the peak of the tallest valley.

Tul-ko and Frenna watch it as if it were a beast prowling unseen.

Fawn and Nova, now at the top of the massive stone hand, are chilled by the sudden sight of the castle.

They're unable to shake a pounding sense of dread deep in their heads by the ghostly palace.

With its presence made known, it sinks back into the fog and out of sight.

—

Chapter 9: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch9

—

The shuttle's engines fire.

Tul-ko's in the cockpit warming up the engines while Frenna, Nova, and Fawn sit casually on the shuttle's open ramp.

They sit covered by the hull of the shuttle as a newly formed light mist of rain gently soaks the land around them.

It's peaceful, but the gnawing dread of the mission ahead keeps the group silent.

Frenna's voice breaks the foggy air.

[Frenna] So, how are classes Fawn?

[Fawn] Good.

[Nova] How's your training with Asselia and everyone else?

[F] I don't really train with them.

[N] You'd leave them in the dust anyway.

[Fr] (to Nova) Is Tul-ko shaping up to be a good Master for you Nova?

[N] Yeah, I guess we haven't done much besides an escort mission and a bit of negotiating. This might be the first action I'll be seeing.

[Fr] Are you nervous?

[N] Not at all!

Nova falls back and lies on the ramp. Her arms fall back into a big, nonchalant stretch.

[N] What in the galaxy could oppose a master of the Force like myself?

Nova's boastful smirk falls to a dull frown. One that neither Fawn nor Frenna sees.

[Fr] (distant) That's a strong mindset.

Frenna looks past Nova and watches Fawn, who's blankly staring at the castle in the distance.

Tul-ko approaches from the cockpit.

[Tk] A word, Frenna.

[Fr] (to Nova) I'll be right back, force master.

Nova lets out a short cackle. Frenna steps over her and joins Tul-ko in the cockpit.

He closes the door as she enters.

[Tk] Fawn can't come.

[Fr] I assumed that was coming.

[Tk] Nova's going to protest. I need you to take my side.

[Fr] Sure. You're her Master though, she needs to learn to respect your word.

[Tk] Well, I want her to stay vocal. I don't want to silence her opinion on things.

[Fr] There's a big difference between raising an opinion and respecting your authority.

[Tk] Well, anyway... I need someone to stay here with Fawn, as much as it would help for you to come, I can't risk leaving him here alone.

[Fr] That's fine.

[Tk] Okay, we're going to report back our findings once we have a clear picture. If nothing comes through for two hours, we're in trouble.

Frenna pauses for a moment.

[Fr] I don't think you should dig any deeper than you have to, Tul. Check out the exterior, maybe peek inside, but that's it.

[Tk] Why?

[Tk] The Nightsisters are dangerous. This is feeling more and more like we will need more experienced Jedi looking into this.

[Tk] (blunt) We'll be fine.

...

[Fr] Think of the safety of your padawan.

The air goes dead. Tul-ko's expression falls.

[Tk] Are you insinuating something, Frenna? Like I'm some sort of inexperienced novice that's going to get my padawan killed? Is that what you're insinuating?

[Fr] (words underneath Tul-ko's) No. No! No, I wasn't. (clear) No... I'm sorry.

[Tk] Forgive me... I know you didn't– Never mind.

...

Tul-ko let's out a tired sigh. He opens the cockpit door and marches up over the ship's ramp. Frenna follows.

[Tk] (to Nova and Fawn) For his safety, we've decided that Fawn won't be coming along with us.

Fawn shoots up.

[F] No!

Both Tul-ko and Frenna are whiplashed hearing Fawn protest.

Nova watches Fawn with surprise too.

[F] (panicked) I don't want you guys to leave me here.

[Fr] You won't be alone, Fawn, you'll be staying with me. It'll be alright.

[F] This is my first mission with Nova. I want to stay with her!

[N] Fawn–

[Tk] This isn't your mission at all. May I remind you that you are a liability here, and you will be returned to the temple without so much as a scratch. Understand?

Fawn glares down Tul-ko.

[N] Fawn. Fawn. Sidebar really quick.

Fawn's stinging glare passes into stress when he looks at Nova.

Nova grabs his arm and pulls him to the side.

[N] (low voice) Fawn, this is a golden opportunity!

Fawn's face tenses with confusion.

[N] You get to spend the day with your future master! All you have to do is chill out and sell your skill to her.

Fawn passes his glare to Frenna.

[N] Regardless, I need you to chill out anyway. You're not just embarrassing yourself right now. You're kind of embarrassing me in front of my master too.

...

[F] (coldly) Whose fault is that?

Nova's hand drops limply from Fawn's arm. She gives him a slightly hurt look.

The two walk back to the ship in silence.

[Tk] Did you all work it out?

Nova looks back at Fawn who's now stiffly standing in the rain.

[N] (blunt) He's staying

Nova marches up into the ship.

[Tk] Okay. I'll call when we know enough.

Frenna steps out of the ship and into the rain next to Fawn.

[Fr] Two hours.

[Tk] Two hours.

[Fr] May the force be with you.

[Tk] As to you.

Tul-ko gives Fawn a short glance.

He's staring down Tul-ko hard.

A hint of guilt passes over Tul-ko's eyes.

He turns and enters the shuttle.

The ramp closes, and the last bit of light from the outside is slowly extinguished from inside the ship.

Frenna is watching. Her face suddenly twisted into a mess of mortal terror.

As if she were watching her friend's coffin seal tight.

—

Chapter 10: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch10

—

The shuttle rises over Fawn and Frenna.

Drenched winds whip at both of them, propelled by the ship's trust. They shield their eyes.

Its wings drop down and Boom

Tul-ko and Nova rocketed toward the spectral castle in the distance.

Fawn and Frenna watch it leave, and the silence of the rain returns.

Frenna has a deep knot in her stomach, but gulps it away as she looks down to Fawn.

His face had dropped to sadness. A looming sense of regret passes over him as his eyes fall to the ground.

He shivers in the rain. His shabby black hair was turned to a soggy mess.

Frenna looks at Fawn with sympathy.

Pulling off her cloak, she hands it to Fawn.

He looks up at her in soft surprise.

Frenna's now getting soaked herself.

[F] No thank you.

Frenna smirks caringly. She moves around behind Fawn and puts the cloak on him, hood first.

[Fr] You'll be better off with it.

He reacts defensively to having the cloth dropped onto him

[F] Hey– Stop.

[Fr] There, isn't that better?

[F] It's yours... You'll get wet.

[Fr] There's no reason to worry about me like that.

Fawn draws distant, yet he wraps himself gently in the cloak.

[Fr] You know... we could find a shop and get you your own cloak...

Fawn perks up. He ponders over her offer for a moment.

[Fr] Does that sound good?

[F] Yeah.

[Fr] Alright, let's head into the city. There's a train at the bottom of the hill.

Frenna places her hand on Fawn's back, leading him as they begin to descend the valley hill

—

The shuttle approaches the castle. The Phergo Castellum was built from millennia-old shadow brick. Its dark, gothic appearance looked as if it were a charred blemish upon the otherwise beautiful emerald valleys. But the valleys were not their usual green. The rain had cast a hazy, mute fog, silencing the color of these haunted hills.

The castle beckoned to Tul-ko and Nova with its eerie emptiness.

They watch it with an uneasy silence from out of the cockpit window.

Tul-ko carefully pulls the ship down onto a damp courtyard that's situated high over the valley.

Two other ships linger there.

The shuttle's wings fold up, and it gently rests down on the platform.

Nova and Tul-ko eye the other ships cautiously.

[N] (quietly) Are there other people here?

[Tk] Probably. Stay alert.

Tul-ko powers off the shuttle. A thick silence drapes the air, except for the small beats of rain dropping on the windshield.

—

The shuttle ramp opens. Tul-ko and Nova emerge.

Suddenly, Nova stumbles and hangs on to the piston bar of the ramp next to her.

She feels sick.

Tul-ko stops.

[Tk] Are you okay?

[N] Yes. I just slipped.

The two put on their hoods and walk into the rain.

They investigate the two craft sitting idle in the courtyard.

Not a soul on board either.

They're sealed too, no chance of accessing the ship logs.

There is a spot in the back for a droid, but it's missing.

Tul-ko turns away and scans a massive section of the castle that towers over them. The exterior is adorned with intricate jagged and rounded patterns, giving a strange, psychedelic feeling to the architecture.

There are steps on the side of it which the two follow.

The brick is slick and hangs precariously over a sheer drop. It turns and curves around the rounded edges of the wall. Eventually, the path leads to an opening to the inside.

Both Tul-ko and Nova stop at the sight of the entrance. The lighting from the outside casts a unique shadow, making the inside look like a pure black void from where the two Jedi stand.

There's a haunting silence between them.

[N] (nervous) I think I'm going to miss the rain.

Tul-ko takes a deep breath in.

[Tk] Don't worry.

The two enter the doorway and into the castle.

Inside was dark, but everything was visible with the help of the ambient natural light of the windows lining the walls.

An ornate, patterned floor, pillared grey brick walls adorned with paintings and carvings of the royal crest out of wood and moss.

And dead quiet.

Tul-ko and Nova's footsteps echo down the corridor. Their eyes watch every nook and cranny.

[Tk] Padawan.

Nova holds a nauseous pause

[N] Yes.

[Tk] What does this pressure feel like to you?

[N] Horrible... cold... Like it's pounding on my soul.

[Tk] (to himself) Not magic...

[N] I don...

Nova's eyes begin flutter and her joints lock.

[Tk] Nova?

Nova stands motionless in place. Her head hangs limply toward the ground.

[Tk] (to himself) It is...

Tul-ko leaps toward Nova and grabs her head. Nova's neck is locked in place and Tul-ko's contact shook not a limb of her body. She was frozen still.

[N] Nova!

There's life in her eyes, but barely.

Tul-ko yells in her ear.

[Tk] Your force guard! Put it up! You have to!

Nothing. Nova loses the light in her eyes as they grow stale.

[N] No. No... you have to Nova! your guard! You have to put up your force guard! Nova!

Like a loosened puppet, Nova crumbles limply to the floor.

Tul-ko drops on his hands and knees next to her.

[Tk] (panicking) Hey! Hey, hey...

Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please

He rolls her over.

Nova looks him straight into his eyes and into his soul.

She heaves in a huge breath as life enters her system again.

Tul-ko drops his head in overwhelming relief.

[N] (heavy breathing) I'm here. I can see... what happened?

Tul-ko stays motionless with his head hung. Maybe too still.

[N] Tul-ko?

Tul-ko drops into a sitting position, watching Nova with a haunted frown.

[Tk] You aren't ready for this.

There's a stale pause.

[Tk] I'm sorry... You aren't. I should've just handled it damn it.

Tul-ko rockets to his feet. He begins to pace.

[N] (concerned) What? What is it?

[Tk] My negligence... my own negligence is our menace here. I could've just had you safe! I'm so stupid... the force, the entire living force was telling me to leave you behind with both Frenna and whatever-his-name-is staying back but I didn't listen.

[N] I'm okay...

[Tk] Yes and you're going back now.

[N] But I'm okay! I can help!

[Tk] Not now and not today!

Nova jumps to her feet.

[N] I don't want to be safe Tul-ko! I want to learn! Give me that please! If I wanted to stay safe I would've lived and died in that temple. This is my purpose... Here, in this castle and wherever you take me in this galaxy. As long as I serve the Jedi my life is complete. If you turn me away, what kind of knight will I become? A weak one probably! Please! I have to stay...

Tul-ko watches his Padawan, a thousand thoughts swarm his mind.

He swallows something deep inside.

Tul-ko opens his mouth to speak then...

Someone

Down the hall. Stalking a corner. Tul-ko freezes.

Nova quickly follows his gaze.

[N] What is it?

[Tk] A person. They fled around the corner.

He gives a quick look to Nova, deeply considering his decision.

She looks back.

[Tk] Let's go.

—

 

Chapter 11: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch11

—

Tul-ko and Nova are hauling down the hallway to the place where the stalker was spotted.

[Nova] What happened to me back there?

[Tul-ko] The curse isn't a curse. Nor is it magic. It's the force, likely a dark side manipulation technique. I was able to deduce it because our force guard is able to cancel out its effect on us. It's kind of like how the guard is used in combat with a force-sensitive opponent. It prevents them from doing something like ripping our lightsaber from our hands or pushing our feet out from under us.

[N] Dark side? So this is... a Sith?

[Tk] I don't want to jump to that conclusion yet.

They reached the corner where they were spied from.

The connecting hallway reaches further into the castle.

Nova gasps and points down the hall.

Immediately, the two see them.

A small party of seven men standing motionlessly in the middle of the hallway. Their backs face Nova and Tul-ko.

[Tk] Stay behind me.

Tul-ko unhooks his lightsaber hilt and grasps it firmly. He keeps it hidden and close to his side.

Nova readies herself.

They advance.

The men remain frozen as the jedi approach.

Tul-ko gets near.

The men are wearing similar armor to the Rescosian Armsmen in the Phergo amphitheater. Lacking helmets and wearing lighter armor, most notably.

Four are frozen in a casual walking position. While three others seem to be immobile in an alarmed or frantic pose.

Their faces, however, were dead of emotion, and their eyes without life.

Tul-ko and Nova examine them carefully.

[Tk] Royal guards?

[N] Maybe a search party? That might explain the ships outside.

Tul-ko moves his hand up cautiously to one of the statued Armsmen.

It inches closer to his shoulder.

And closer.

Closer.

He gently rests it.

Tul-ko tenses for a reaction.

Nothing.

...

[N] I just want to say, I resisted every urge to make a loud yelp and scare the daylights out of you.

...

[Tk] I appreciate it.

Tul-ko drops his hand and looks on.

[Tk] Let's keep going. We have to at least find the royal family.

Nova tugs a little on the arm of one of the Armsman.

She swallows nervously, realizing she almost met the same fate.

[N] Okay.

They continue down the hallway.

—

Frenna's cloak was itchy, but it was better than the rain.

Fawn and her had entered the city and were walking through an outdoor marketplace.

The rain was still gently persistent, but didn't for a moment stop merchants from doing their job.

Most hid comfortably under tarps or fastened blankets of thick moss and leather.

The city around them was built of aged stone brick, but hinted modern attributes in the infrastructure in an otherwise ancient-looking city. In the distance, large pillaring towers made from shadow brick are sporadically placed across the city, likely built as homes of luxury or places of business.

[Frenna] Keep an eye out for someone selling clothing. They'd for sure going to have cloaks as well.

[Fawn] Okay.

Fawn spots a merchant to his right that makes him stop in his tracks.

[Fr] Did you know, cloaks are very fashionable in Rescosian cultu– Oh! Fawn over here.

Frenna spots a clothing stand. She turns and sees that Fawn is preoccupied examining another merchant's stock of floral arrangements.

She floats over to him and under the merchant's tarp, curious to his curiosity.

Fawn silently examines a particular plant set atop a wooden stand.

The florist merchant just watches patiently. She's a short, polite woman who's breathed this misty air for many, many years.

[Fr] (to florist) Hi.

[Florist] (friendly) Hello. Excuse me if this comes a bit rude, but you look soaked halfway to the bone!

[Fr] That's what brings us around. We're looking for a new cloak for him. He's using mine.

[Fl] Oh a cloak! Oh yes a cloak. My friend, Tippit, he handcrafts the most wonderful cloaks in Phergo... (pointing down the road) Around the corner, second right, you'll find his tailor shop two doors down.

[Fr] Thank you so much!

[Fl] Of course. And you may find his prices a bit high. I've been trying to tell him to lower them for ages now... but– and of course don't tell him I told you this... Old Tippit is weak to a good haggle.

She says the last part with a good chuckle.

Frenna smiles.

[Fr] Are you any good at haggling, Fawn?

Fawn drifts his attention to the conversation.

[F] I don't know.

[Fr] What were you looking at?

[F] I oh– We can leave. I didn't mean to sidetrack us.

[Fr] Do you like the flowers?

[Fl] If you like them, why not take a small one?

[F] Oh no, thank you. I was just a little curious about this one. The climate for it to grow like this is kind of rare. I'm surprised to even see it here.

[Fl] I have a sister who imports those. I believe they come from a planet on the outer rim. I can't for the life of me recall the name, though.

[F] Hm.

[Fr] Fawn, why don't you start ahead? I'll meet up with you in a moment.

[F] Oh, okay.

[Fr] Do you remember where it is?

[F] Yes.

Fawn throws on his hood and starts along the road.

Fawn spies the other merchants along the way and the people going about their business.

Three young children blow past Fawn suddenly in a chase of one another. Each had a model starship in their hands and made whooshing and blaster sounds with their mouth.

Fawn watches with nostalgic eyes.

He sees Frenna.

She jogs out of the merchant's tent and meets up with Fawn.

Fawn turns to continue on the path when she stops him with a hand and pulls out the rare flower plant Fawn had been observing.

Fawn freezes at the sight of the gift, his eyes wide with surprise.

She gently hands it to him.

[F] (stunned) Thank you...

Frenna smiles.

[F] (alarmed) We have to get the cloak! You're just going to keep getting soaked. Come on.

Fawn began jogging away, plant in hand.

[Fr] No need to run, you might slip.

—

More frozen royal guards. Tul-ko and Nova must have seen fifty by now.

The two exit a connecting hallway and enter an immense room with two grand staircases leading up to a set of double doors. Above them, the ceiling was covered in large decorative tree branches that wrapped and warped the scene overhead. The room was swarmed with motionless royal guards and people who looked to be advisors or servants.

An eerie, ghostly presence lingered in every inch of the painting-esque gothic scene.

Neither Nova nor Tul-ko could breathe. It felt like every eye was watching them, and every soul whispered for them to join.

The Jedi climb the first set of stairs. It leads to a landing before the next set. In the middle of the landing, an ornate fountain.

Tul-ko places his foot on the first step of the next set of stairs when he hears a gasp from Nova.

He turns quickly.

She's staring across the landing toward the beginning of another hallway to their right. Her hand covers her mouth in shock.

Tul-ko moves closer to see what she's looking at.

A pair of children. Princesses

They sit slumped on the ground, frozen to the world. One girl, maybe only six years old, sits in the lap of an older sibling. She had been brushing her hair.

Nova weakly moves closer to them.

[Tk] Nova...

Nova drops to her knees beside them. Mortified by the sight, her emotions swell.

Nova grips their shoulders, then their head, maybe hoping they'll wake up. She looks into their eyes, but life isn't there.

Nova's silence stings the air as her hands drop to the ground.

Tul-ko moves closer to comfort her, but Nova turns around a locks a furious gaze.

[N] Who would do this...

Unfortunately,

There's a response.

[?] Jeddddddiiiiiii...

—

Chapter 12: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch12

—

Tul-ko and Nova's lightsaber blades explode out of their hilt.

Their attention fires to where the sound is coming from. Both of them lock into a shocked defensive stance.

There before them, every guard that was once stiff began moving irregularly out of their frozen positions. Their heads were raised, straining toward the ceiling.

From their mouths escaped haunting chants. Some screamed, some yelled, some even cried it.

[Guards] (repeating) Jeddddiiiiiiiiii Jeeddddiiiiiiiiiiii Jeeeddddiiiiiiiiiiii...

Nova's eyes twitch around the room in panic.

Tul-ko sucks in breaths attemping to keep his composure.

[Tul-ko] Nova keep your senses clea–

BOOM

The sound makes both Tul-ko and Nova jump.

At the top of the second set of stairs. The large double doors had blown open wide.

Out steps a mass of Royal Guards and then, following them, the royal family. The King, Queen, two Princes, and a Princess, along with a dozen royal advisors and court members.

They all twitch in agony as they begin to descend the steps toward the Jedi.

[All] (repeating) Jeddddiiiiiiiiii Jeddddiiiiiiiiiiiii...

[Nova] Master?!... AGH!

Something had grabbed her leg from behind. Nova jumps and pulls her leg loose. The two young princesses from behind had come alive. Crying and screaming and crawling toward Nova and Tul-ko.

Nova's frozen in shock. Tears begin to well up in her eyes.

A pair of hands snatches Nova by the tunic and begins to drag her.

[Tk] Nova, we have to go now!

Nova's legs give out from under her as she mentally cannot juggle what's happening and her motor ability to walk.

Tul-ko heaves Nova on his shoulder as he begins to leap and glide over the steps downward and away from the slowly approaching horde.

The horde hesitates a moment as Tul-ko dashes back down the hall they came from.

Then, all of them, every single guard, royal, man, woman, and child, explode into a violent sprint after the Jedi. A wave of bodies slams into walls and each other as they fill the hallway.

Tul-ko hears them, but is too focused on escape to pay it mind.

Another crowd of pursuers, comprising mostly servants and kitchen staff, appears to swarm the other end of the hallway ahead of Tul-ko.

He stammers back. Connecting to the hallway to Tul-ko's right is a long stone spiral staircase leading to the lower levels of the castle. With the two hordes behind and in front of him, he has to take it.

Nova slides down from Tul-ko's back. She gets her feet under her.

[Tk] You have to walk, Nova. Please!

She's weary with shock as her eyes lock with the hoard that is not but fifty feet away.

Tul-ko grabs Nova's arm and pulls her away as he begins to race down the steps.

The horde crashes together and piles into the tight stone staircase.

Tul-ko stops.

He turns and force pushes into the crowd.

But no push happens.

Tul-ko's face twists into mortal terror.

Force Guard!!

The first guard at the tip of the horde snags Tul-ko's outstretched hand.

A dozen more stretch out to grab him.

In a panic, Tul-ko reaches for his lightsaber and ignites to strike the connected hand.

But it pulls away, all arms pull away. The horde sits, briefly stunned by the bright emerald light of Tul-ko's saber.

Tul-ko's brows furrow with confusion.

Tul-ko keeps the horde at a blade's length as he begins to back down.

Until everything in his stomach drops.

Nova's gone.

Tul-ko yells down the steps.

[Tk] Nova!!

The horde begins to advance aggressively more and more and more.

Suddenly, Tul-ko rockets down the steps in full retreat. Not even touching the stairs, just leaping off the wall down the spiralling stairs.

[Tk] Nova!

The horde floods downward after him. It's loud. The screaming, yelling, and crying from the crowd never stops for a moment.

Tul-ko hurdles out of the stairway.

In a flash, Tul-ko ignites his lightsaber and carves out a section of a nearby pillar, then seamlessly, he whips the section around himself and hurles it into the stairway exit, lodging it and barricading the pursuing horde out.

Not even a moment of rest. Tul-ko scans every inch of his surroundings. He was in a large, impeccably tended social garden which rested below the castle itself.

Tul-ko sprints through the garden, dodging through bush walls and flower beds.

[Tk] Nova!

He sees her. A mixed wave of relief washes over him.

She's sitting on a decorative bench in the garden, surrounded by bush walls, hiding her face in her lap.

Tul-ko runs to her.

[Tk] (firm, out of breath) Nova, we have to go. We have to go right now.

He grabs her by the shoulders and leans her up. Tears are pouring from her eyes.

[N] (through tears) We failed them!!

Tul-ko shakes her.

[Tk] No! We did not fail them.

[N] Yes we did we failed them!!

[Tk] No. No!- We didn't! They are a victim of their circumstance and their circumstance alone.

He shoots his finger against her clavicle.

[Tk] You didn't do anything!–

Then into his

[Tk] I didn't do anything!

[N] I left you...

Nova's words squeak out as a crack of multiple sounds steals Tul-ko's attention. One is the loosening of the pillar in the stairway. The second is a far-off door bursting open, followed by the sound of the horde's riot. It's on all sides.

[Tk] (to Nova, direct) I wanted you to run Nova. Of course leave! You just took me off guard. I should have left, too–

The horde's symphony of horror is growing louder and the pillar is slipping out.

[Tk] And now we have to leave. You bury anything that doesn't pertain to that one specific action. Do you understand me Padawn?

Nova gulps down her heaved breaths and pushes a nod.

[Tk] We have to take the balcony!

Tul-ko points toward an opening in the wall around the garden that extends into a balcony. Grey, misty light from the outdoors pours in.

Tul-ko makes a beeline for it with Nova following behind.

She steals a glimpse behind her. The horde was now flooding in from every entrance to the garden. The mass had practically tripled.

Nova winces with fear and quickens her pace to catch up closer to Tul-ko.

Tul-ko had no idea how far up the balcony was and no way to know if it was even a safe exit. But none of that mattered; escape was a necessity that had to be improvised.

Then, in a moment, the necessity became an impossibility.

At least twenty possessed royal staff dropped from somewhere above onto the balcony. Lunging toward the stunned Jedi.

They grab Tul-ko.

Nova vaults over him, strikes the grabber across the face with her heel.

Unable to keep her footing, Nova gets tackled. Tul-ko returns the tackle, rolling the guard off of Nova. He sends his boots directly into the guard's gut, which catapults him into three other attackers from the balcony.

Tul-ko rushes to help Nova to her feet, but she's already staggering up.

The two make a breakaway from the balcony and into the center of the garden, where there is an ornate fountain. The possessed mass begins to close in on all sides.

[Tk] (out of breath) Do you see an exit?!

Nova just looks around frantically.

Nothing.

The horde closes in. Now, almost so close they could feel the mist of the fountain.

The two Jedi activate their lightsabers. The final option is here.

Tul-ko says something to Nova, but it's drowned out by the approaching horror.

Then, the horde slows.

And stops.

Tul-ko and Nova look around with surprise.

Why the hesitation?

Unfortunately,

The ground begins to rumble.

They give looks of shock at their feet just before the entire floor of the massive garden explodes upwards from beneath them. A thick, black, viscous mass follows from the ground below. All is consumed, the castle is obliterated.

—

Fawn can't decide between the blue cape or the tan cloak.

The shabby navy blue one has thick grey fur lining the hood and shoulders, but the tan one is a full cloak lined with decorative moss and would be more standard for Jedi attire. The blue one's pretty cool though. He thinks hard.

Frenna's looking around the shop for herself. There's an large assortment of clothes in the tiny shop, even odd foreign attire or festive clothes for parties.

Ol' Tippit, the shopkeeper in the back, counts his earnings for the day early. He keeps a peeping eye on the strangers at the front of the store.

It's quiet. The gentle sound of rain patters outside the shop's door.

Fawn puts on the blue cape.

[Fawn] I think I want this one.

Frenna looks up over a clothes rack.

[Frenna] Are you sure? What if you don't even want a cape. What about...

She ducks down and pops up with a vibrantly festive pointed hat on.

[Fr] This hat!

Fawn smiles.

[F] I don't think so.

[Fr] Or what about...

Frenna walks to the end of the clothing rack.

[Fr] This elegant scarf...

Frenna playfully mimics a boujee lady.

Fawn chuckles.

[F] I'd be kicked from the order.

[Fr] Or maybe...

Frenna turns around and grabs something from the shelf behind her.

She places it against her face and turns back around.

[Fr] This theatrical mask!

Fawn's smile vanishes.

Without a word, he turns to approach the counter and pay for the cape.

[Fr] Woah. Fawn, are you okay?

Frenna takes off the mask and puts it back on the shelf.

Just as Fawn gets to the counter, a rustled, raggedy chap bursts into the shop.

He croaks in a raspy voice as he marches up to the counter, practically bumping Fawn to the side.

[raggedy man] That's right, we're all doomed. Pack it up Tip'. Tear down all the forty-or-somethin'-or-other years of hard work and you know, our lives, we've put into this place, it's all gone. Gone, gone, gone!

[Tippit] Roak, if you don't quit running your mouth, I'm going to slap it off and you're gonna have to go catch it.

Without so much as a glance at him, Tippit slides over to Fawn and outstretches his hand to take his money for the cape.

[Ti] And the bloody hell are you spoutin' crud in my shop for? You're going to scare away the shoppers.

[Roak] (low voice) You ain't heard?

Tippit sighs

[Ti] Lay it down.

Roak pauses a moment and looks around the silent shop, then back at Tippit

[Ro] A BOMB!

Fawn and Frenna pass stunned looks to each other. Both key into the conversation.

[Ti] The hell's the matter with you!

[Ro] They found one in the Doechere Palace. Those damn revolutionaries talking about a people ran government. They've just gone too far! And now its gonna be WAR!

[Ti] (calm and sarcastic) Roak. I believe you. And I think you should go straight over to Norbert's place and tell him all about it.

Roak slams his fist against the counter as the "erueka" idea enters his head.

[Ro] That's exactly what I'm gonna do–

Roak marches off.

[Ro] He's got connections, that man's connection central, maybe he can get us off world~~

His words trail off as he exits the shop and bumbles down the street.

[Ti] Maniac...

Frenna's processing the situation.

A stunned Fawn stares at Frenna, waiting for her to say something.

She looks at him.

[Fr] Let's go Fawn...

[F] (nervous) Okay...

Frenna drops what she was holding, and both of them bolt out the door.

Tippit shakes his head as he counts Fawn's money.

Silence returns to the shop.

—

The rain has gotten worse.

And yet, a massive crowd still watches the Doechere Palace from a distant intersection. They are held off from moving any further by a line of Armsmen. They are armed to their teeth for riot control.

The crowd stirs with tension. Fear, unrest, and uncertainty itches at the masses.

Frenna and Fawn push through the tight rows of bodies toward the front. They hide their faces under their hoods.

[F] (shaken) A bomb, Master Frenna?

[Fr] Just stay quiet right now, Fawn. And don't draw attention to yourself.

...

[F] Maybe we should wait for Nova and Master Tul-ko.

Frenna pushes through the middle of two people and begins to get separated from Fawn.

Fawn pushes through the same two people.

One of them taps Fawn's shoulder.

[Crowd goer] You shouldn't be here, lad. It's all gonna go boom.

Fawn tenses, feeling uneasy. He presses on.

Fawn's relieved to find Frenna. She stands sternly at the front of the crowd, airily staring at the large palace down the street.

There's a unit of Armsmen entering the sturdy gates of the palace, seeming to be a specialized bomb unit.

There's an uncomfortable pause.

[F] What um– What is that building?

Frenna snaps out of her trance.

[Fr] It's Doechere Palace. It's the place where the Noblemen come to gather for important meetings, or just another place to hold balls or events.

Fawn's heart pounds. He's overwhelmed by the vigor of the crowd and the looming threat of the bomb inside. He's dreading the coming moment where Frenna says this has to become their business.

The rain slows.

Two cloaked people approach Frenna.

She doesn't notice them. One of the drops their fingers to her wrist and gently taps a code on her wrist. She turns to them in surprise.

Two people in masks.

Two masked Jedi.

They begin to walk away, expecting Frenna to follow, but she grabs the arm of the closest one.

[Fr] (low voice) There's a youngling with me, it's complicated now, and I can't go.

[Masked Jedi 1] What?

The first masked Jedi looks past Frenna and sees the youngling behind her.

and Fawn...

He sees them too.

A boiling, bubbling pot of fear, anxiety, and confusion explodes within him as every emotion rushes through his blood. His heart pounds and pulsates and his feet begin to retreat in shock.

[Fr] Fawn, are you okay?

[Masked Jedi 2] (to Frenna) I'll watch him, go with them.

The second masked Jedi advances toward Fawn.

[F] I didn't tell anyone!!

[Fr] Fawn?

[MJ2] Calm down, young one, I'm a friend of Frenna's.

[F] STOP–

In a blinding instant, A crowd of twenty people, including Frenna and the two masked Jedi are sent hurling off their feet into the people behind them. Fawn stands, hands outstretched, the perpetrator.

[F] FOLLOWING ME!

A moment of shocked silence in the crowd immediately erupts into a violent panic.

Many flee for their lives, and other extremists use this as a chance to bash and break the Armsmen holding the line.

Panic, chaos, revolt.

Fawn gets kicked and battered by the fleeing masses, shriveling up onto the ground by what he had just done.

He can't see Frenna anywhere, but he does see– a masked Jedi barreling toward him.

He yelps and scrambles to his feet. He runs.

The masked Jedi in closing pursuit.

—

Frenna stands, dizzied by the impact.

She spins around to see all the chaos around her.

Her breath quickens. Her legs weaken. And she pulls out: A bomb detonator.

The first masked Jedi finds his way to Frenna and sees her with the detonator.

[Fr] (panicked, yelling over crowd) Do I do it?! Is this the time?!

[MJ1] No! No! Don't! West Rock! West Rock is primed! Rescosia is not of interest anymore! We're here to tell you specifically that!

Frenna's face melts into relieved, guilt-stained tears.

She slumps to her knees. The detonator lies open in her palm on the ground like it's weighing a thousand tons.

A million buried emotions flood out of Frenna's eyes.

The first masked Jedi snatches the detonator, hiding it away. He squats down next to her.

[MJ1] (yelling over crowd) Why was there a youngling here?

The masked Jedi gives Frenna a moment to wipe her face and regain her senses.

[Fr] (shaken) The sitting council... They sent Jedi to help Phergo. They're in the Phergo Castellum now...

The masked Jedi stands and looks off into the horizon. The castle is in full view.

[MJ1] The Grand Master will know what to do. Let's find our brother and leave.

Frenna stands and catches her balance.

[Fr] I have to see the youngling safe.

—

Fawn's feet pound against the slick stone brick below him. His heart and mind scream in terror after a quick look behind him, seeing the masked Jedi gaining on him at an alarming pace.

Fawn darts around a corner, but it's too fast. His feet slip out from under him, and he crashes down onto his hands.

He regains his footing and speeds down a residential street.

It's too late, the masked Jedi propels himself with a support column, around the corner, and crashing down onto Fawn. He grabs him by the shoulders and rolls the youngling roughly into a pin.

Horrified citizens watch the sight from the street corner.

Fawn cries out as he tries to writhe and jolt out of the pin.

[MJ2] Calm yourself child, now!

A gun clicks.

The masked Jedi raises slowly and stares down the barrel of a massive hunting laser rifle.

[gunman] That's right. Off the kid.

The gunman stands on the steps of his own house just to the right of the tussle.

The Jedi peels slowly off of Fawn, who immediately scurries off.

[gunman] Hands up and don't move till the law gets here.

The masked Jedi slowly raises his hands.

Then, with a stretch of his palms, the masked Jedi sends the gunman flying through his front door.

A group of onlookers shrieks.

The chase erupts again, Fawn shaken by the sight of the masked Jedi's actions.

Outrunning him was impossible. Fawn had to act quick.

He haults and launches himself onto the roof of the buildings next to him.

The pursuing Jedi quickly follows, faster than Fawn was hoping.

SNAP

A weak section of the roof breaks and Fawn's leg sinks in.

[F] AGH!

With the sudden loss of concentration Fawn's force guard drops, and the masked Jedi knows this.

With a motion, the Jedi uses the force and yanks Fawn out of the hole, sending him flying into the straining hold of the Jedi's arms.

The sun had broken through the clouds. The rain stopped.

Fawn desperately contorts and twists his body to break out of the hold.

The masked Jedi pulls Fawn's head back and whispers into his ear.

[MJ2] (calm voice) I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just a Jedi. I'm just a Jedi, okay?–

Fawn can't wiggle out. His escape attempts begin to weaken from fatigue.

[MJ2] Relax, relax, we're friends here. We're friends.

The Jedi keeps his hold tight, but gives Fawn time to breathe.

...

[MJ2] Don't run, young one, don't run. I'm going to release my grip, and let's just talk this out, okay... Okay?

...

Fawn slowly surrenders. He gives a weak nod.

[MJ2] Okay...

The masked Jedi begins to slowly place Fawn on his feet and pull his arms away.

No one was ready for the minutes that followed. Not Fawn, not Frenna, not even these masked Jedi.

Because in a moment, the entire valley bared witness to an impossibly large, tangled, and unholy fiend burst from the chalk of what was once the great Phergo Castellum.

—

Chapter 13: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch13

—

Darkness.

Yanking.

Falling. Rising

Rising.

Faster.

Drowning.

Screams.

Red.

Red Rain.

Need Air.

Rising.

Rising.

Faster.

Rising.

She emerges.

Nova rips a gasp of air into her lungs.

The cold breeze of the valley whips at her skin.

She struggles.

Her arms and the lower half of her body are submerged in a flesh-like, viscous, black mass. The surface of it teems and crawls in strands like a trillion snakes coiling and slithering around Nova.

She sucks in panicked breaths as she tries to free herself. She can't; the mass has an iron grip holding her in.

Nova whips her head around. She's sealed in a large, bumpy black plane with four massive pillars shooting into the air from the edges of it. Two behind her and one to her left and right, they almost look like– fingers.

Everything else is just the cloudy sky. She can't even see the valleys anymore.

Where's Tul-ko.

The realization almost makes her hyperventilate. Nova frantically spins her head, scanning the deep black surface again for any sign of him.

Then, a rumble. Nova yelps.

The surface she's on begins to pull away slowly as another mass rises.

A monolithic hand and arm.

It curls up into view, ultimately resting with its arm vertical and wrists bent so the palms face the sky. It mirrors the other that Nova currently sits in.

And to mirror Nova, there was Tul-ko, roughly a hundred feet away, stuck in the same way Nova was.

[Nova] Master!

[Tul-ko] Nova! Are you okay?!

Suddenly, the wrists shift and push closer together. Nova and Tul-ko are closer now.

[N] (panicked) Master– What's happening, Master? What's going on!

[Tk] Nova! Nova. Stop. Look at me!

She does, but her attention keeps breaking from distress.

[Tk] (calming) This is a moment of peace. We are okay, we're alive, and we're together, right?

She hears him, but the terror of the crawling flesh challenges her sanity.

[Tk] Nova, this peace is a gift, and it's where the focus of a Jedi is born from. You have to live in this peace like it'll last forever. This is how focus and clarity are conjured, even in your most dire moments. It can start with just a deep breath.

Nova listens. She takes a deep, shaky breath.

Nova feels the wind again. She hears the rustle of trees and the whistle of the valley far below her, beyond view.

[Tk] Are you alright?

[N] (composed) I am... So, what is this?

[Tk] I don't know...

[?] This? This is the consequence of your actions.

Tul-ko and Nova turn wide-eyed to the sudden sound of a bellowing voice that booms and cracks as if it's been aged for a thousand years.

The hands pull away from each other. Tul-ko and Nova are separated. They are turned to face another gargantuan black mass rising from where the Jedi can see.

The mass twists and morphs into a fiendish face. Six deep crimson eyes emerge, and a striking mouth lined with a million hanging bristles that give the appearance of teeth. Within the mouth, a hazy red glow emits from deeper into the beast.

Tul-ko and Nova are frozen by what they witness.

Its jaw drops as it begins to speak.

[?] I have counted the years. I have stayed content. I was drowned and buried and built upon. Built upon... by your new temple.

Tul-ko gathers his words and calls up to the beast.

[Tk] We don't understand! What's your intention with Phergo!

A low groan bellows from the monster. He rolls his attention to Tul-ko.

The palm Tul-ko rests in raises until the Jedi is sitting in front of the eyes of the beast.

Nova tenses.

Tul-ko holds down his gaze and his composure.

[Tk] We're here because of the damage you've caused the roy... famil...

Something begins to seep into Tul-ko's mind.

He struggles, trying to shake the invasive, squeezing feeling holding his brain.

It clears.

[?] Tul-ko Kah. No, you don't understand, do you? Neither did I.

Tul-ko is pulled away, and the second palm, the one Nova sits in, is brought in front of the six burning red eyes of the beast.

The same feeling begins to squeeze at Nova's brain, too.

[N] nAgh!

It clears, she shakes it away like there's a bug in her hair.

The hand pulls away again.

Nova sucks in breaths of freezing air in a panic. Her eyes dart to Tul-ko across the way. He calmly stares at her. He mimics taking a deep breath, reminding her to do the same. She does, pulling herself back together. She turns her attention back on the beast.

[?] Do you feel it? The fangs of fate sinking into your necks. The Jedi are victims, these people are victims, WE are victims. WE are the victims hurling through the same path the force has given.

The beast suddenly turns all of its attention to Nova.

[?] Especially youuuu.

Nova is frozen with fright. She stares up at the looming mass of the creature's head above her.

[Tk] You must tell it plainly for us to understand, beast!

The monster retreats from Nova.

[?] Beast? I am, and so is the one to follow...

The fingers of the hand begin to curl down so the tips of them are just in front of the view of Nova and Tul-ko.

[?] But first, the past.

On each fingertip, there is a member of the royal family, stuck and hanging upside down above Nova and Tul-ko.

The King and Queen, separated on each hand, begin to lament to the Jedi.

[King] (strained) Six months ago, six individuals in robes and masks arrived at the palace!–

[Queen] (strained) They said they were operatives sent by the senate to defend us due to recent assassination rumors!–

[K] The rumors were well known, so we welcomed them with hospitality!–

[Q] By dawn, they had vanished!–

[K] A manhunt ensued, and a search for foul play commenced within the castle!–

[Q] Nothing was found!–

[K] Our claims to the senate fell on deaf ears!–

[Q] Our lives went on, uneasy by the disappearance!–

[K] Of those robed strangers!–

As they finish, the fingers begin to pull back to a rest. The royal family cries out as they are taken away.

Nova shifts and stirs with fury in her place.

[N] Hey! No! Let them go!

The beast continues.

[?] These robed strangers were Jedi and in their possession, a containment holocron taken from the vault of the Jedi temple. Within was I.

[Tk] Are you saying the Jedi Order placed you here?

[N] That's absurd!! Jedi wouldn't do such a thing! You've hurt these people on your own!

[Tk] Nova–

The beast once again ignores Nova and continues, moving closer to Tul-ko.

[?] Hidden in the order, there is a denomination that formed two thousand years ago with the prophetic vision of seeing the Jedi become the summit of power in the galaxy. I assumed this was achieved, but it appears the old order remains. There is still time to stop their delusion, but they must first be found.

Nova is disgusted at the accusation.

[?] But this matter hardly compares to the next–

[N] How do you know any of this?! You plagued this castle, ruined these people's lives, and now you're accusing the Jedi of trying to take over the galaxy?! That's what the Sith do, not Jedi! You don't know us at all!

[Tk] Nova, please–

A low drone bellows from the beast.

The hand Tul-ko is in suddenly drops away, vanishing from Nova's view.

[N] (fearful) Hey, what are you doing?!

Nova is pulled in front of the jaws of the monster.

[?] I know the Jedi as you do, for I too was a subject of the order.

Nova's eyes twitch with confusion.

[?] Two thousand years ago, my master believed that he could change the order through a discovery he made. It was a natural spring and one that was the convergence of all fears held within force. Perhaps, the very tears of the force itself. Submerging into the spring was said to give unimaginable power. We called it the Vergence Well.

The beast freezes, almost regretting the next words it's about to say.

[?] Falling to temptation, my master drowned me in that well. I emerged the next day as I am now, and the well vanished.

[N] (softly) I– I'm sorry... that's horrible... but... there's no Jedi like that anymore.

[?] Believe as you may, but hear these words: There will come another who seeks the Vergence Well. They must be stopped or the light will perish. You are the link, I sense it. You will meet them or have already met them before. With this knowledge, perhaps you can rewrite the sins of the past and stop the annihilation of your future. Few have broken fate, even fewer have conquered it. These are the torn threads of my knowledge, Nova Kabani. Heed them, and may the force be with you.

Before Nova could process a thing, all went dark as she was sucked back into the viscous mass.

—

Chapter 14: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch14

—

The valley was silent.

Water droplets drip from the wet stone of the buildings in Phergo.

An eerie stillness hazes over the city as the monster from the castle looms in the distance.

Fawn and the masked Jedi freeze in mortal shock at the sight.

A low, grumbling and cracking sound emits from the thing which echoes off the valley hills around it.

Fawn is still loosely held in the arms of the Jedi, but neither acknowledges the other's existence at this moment.

Fawn's eyes tore wide with manic distress. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He was completely locked in shock at the scene before him.

The masked Jedi watched in stillness as well, until he feels something off about Fawn.

He pulls away, and Fawn remains in the same pose.

[Masked Jedi 2] Youngling.

The masked Jedi gets closer.

[MJ2] (firmer) Youngling.

He pulls on Fawn's arm. The Jedi flinches, feeling not the spongy looseness of flesh, but the stiffness of stone.

The Jedi backs away slowly.

He looks over the edge of the roof to the street below.

The citizens are frozen.

[MJ2] (in horror) Mercy...

The Jedi takes a last look back at Fawn and the monster before he flees away from the scene.

—

The riot was frozen.

Each person, whether fleeing, fighting, yelling, or standing mortified at the sight of the monster, was lifelessly absent, and their bodies still.

Frenna slumps to the ground in shame. She glares hauntingly back at the beast in the distance.

The first masked Jedi wanders the frozen crowd, quietly examining the nature of the beast's power.

[Frenna] (weakly) What now! What happens now after we destroy these innocent people?! Do we light the bomb anyways?! Or maybe we could go from person to person and spit on them to add insult to injury.

Frenna falls back against a stone wall, her face tangled with regret.

[Masked Jedi 1] That's your decision to make. You're the Martyr.

He tosses the bomb detonator into Frenna's lap. She peers at it with shame-torn eyes.

She grabs the detonator and places her finger on the button.

She hesitates and looks up at the masked Jedi who patiently watches her.

[Fr] You said West Rock was ready?

The Jedi nods facelessly.

She looks at the palace, then at the detonator.

[Fr] Then I won't.

She tosses it weakly to the masked Jedi's feet. They pick it up slowly.

[MJ1] There's no point anyways. The noblemen were moved out of the palace, and the government's already destabilized enough. I'm not sure how they're going to recover from any of this without a third party stepping in. Perhaps with the influence of West Rock, this planet will accept our support anyway.

[Fr] How do we know we didn't just kill everyone on this planet.

The masked Jedi places a hand on a frozen individual's shoulder.

[MJ1] I still feel they're alive.

Suddenly, the second masked Jedi rounds the street corner and jogs to meet up with the group.

[MJ2] (out of breath) What's happened???

The question was mainly pointed toward Frenna.

[Fr] I don't know. Tiir never mentioned the L'sadr to have this ability. Just keep your force guard up; it's the only thing keeping out its influence on you.

[MJ1] The Rescosia plan was too aggressive in my opinion. It seems the Martyrs are having to perform more undignified acts than usual.

[Fr] That's beyond your concern.

[MJ1] Of course.

[MJ2] Martyr Frenna, I–

[Fr] Wait...

Frenna shoots up from the ground.

[Fr] Where's Fawn?!

[MJ2] Yes– I know where he is. He was frozen with the rest of the valley.

[Fr] Oh no... (to MJ1) Go to the palace and dispose of the bomb. (to MJ2) Show me where he is now!

—

Nova opens her eyes, finding herself lying on the ground in the soggy grass.

A calm, dreamy world of greenery sits around her.

Sun beams dance through the leaves of the trees as the quiet chirps of nature sing.

She hears footsteps wander up to her.

It's Tul-ko.

[Tul-ko] There you are.

He says through a quiet sigh of relief.

[Tk] Did you enjoy your nap?

Nova rolls her groggy eyes around her surroundings.

[Nova] Was it a dream?

Tul-ko reaches out a hand and helps his pupil to her feet.

Immediately, Nova sees the dark, supermassive, branch-like abomination growing out from where the beast and the castle once stood. It looms strikingly over the tree line in the now distant valley.

[Tk] I wish.

—

Seeing so many statuesque people tingled Frenna's spine, but seeing Fawn hurt the most. His face of sheer horror frozen in time stabbed at her heart.

The second masked Jedi idles about on the roof while Frenna heaves and pulls on Fawn's motionless body. Nothing works, not even the force.

Frenna gives. She stands up from kneeling next to Fawn.

[Fr] (defeated) What do we even do.

The masked Jedi looks into the distance at the oddly still beast.

[MJ2] Is there a way to undo the L'sadr and its effect?

[Fr] Tiir might know.

[MJ2] We can't contact him right now. He's on West Rock.

[Fr] Why is he on West Rock?

[MJ2] Preparations.

[Fr] What about the Grand Master? Maybe he–

BWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

All across the valley. Like a trumpet signaling an apocalypse.

Frenna and the masked Jedi fire their attention to the L'sadr.

Its hands were falling limply from its face, and its body began to lean into a fall.

Frenna and the Jedi watch carefully, wide-eyed at the sudden activity of the monster.

Then everyone began to speak, even Fawn. The two Jedi jump at the sound of the choir.

[Fawn and all] All you guilty who may listen. The rot of your sins of two thousand years has begun to fester.

[Fr] (horrified) Fawn??

[F & all] Your pathetic reach for power has once again found itself as an arrow in your heart. May unease, dread, and fear rip at your minds, knowing two have been heralded with the knowledge of your plot. Make no mistake, your prophesied "day of change" will come, but it will come in the form of your destruction. I will crumble the pillars of all that you have built and all that you are. Your false order awaits the graves of the forgotten, where the original sinner lies. I am your fate. I am your undoing. I am the killer of all your ambitions... This ends in peace– that I can see... for all that seek it, and for all those who choose to suffer the fire of evil. Make your peace now or never know it again.

The valley begins to shake. Frenna and the masked Jedi slowly look back at the distant beast.

Its body begins to bloat and warp violently as it morphs into another form.

In a moment, it becomes an unholy-looking void-black tree with leafless branches spiraling into themselves. It reaches miles into the air, dwarfing the lush green valley around it.

Frenna's eyes twitch with shock.

It lets out a final, breathy groan, and all becomes eerily silent.

Until a shrieking howl comes from the boy next to Frenna and the masked Jedi.

[F] NOVA!!!

—

Chapter 15: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch15

—

Nova had just died before Fawn's eyes. The castle was gone. She was gone.

Fawn collapses out of his frozen pose. He flails to his feet in a rabid fury

But the masked Jedi is already on him, straining Fawn into the same hold as before.

This time, Fawn swipes for his lightsaber hilt, but it isn't there. The masked Jedi had unlatched it and chucked it away before making his move on Fawn.

[Frenna] Fawn, calm down, please!

[Fawn] YYYRRRAAAHHHHH

BOOM

Fawn releases a force push that explodes the roof from under all of their feet.

They all fall to the street below, landing haphazardly on wood crates and hard stone below.

The masked Jedi reels up in a daze, only for him to receive a sudden right hook from Fawn's fist.

Fawn stammers hesitantly, realizing the depravity of what he had just done.

It doesn't matter. He shoots down the road hopelessly in the direction of where the castle once stood.

Frenna is suddenly on his tail.

[Fr] Fawn, stop! Please!

All of the citizens are awake now. Some are looking in horror at the distant sight of the nightmare tree, some are checking on friends and loved ones, and others are just crying.

Fawn careens down the street, tears beginning to flood into his eyes.

[Fr] Fawn, please! Let's just talk!

Frenna might as well have just saved her words.

Fawn speeds toward a section of the road that turns into a dead-end sightseeing balcony that overlooks the valley.

[Fr] Don't, Fawn!

He vaults over the balcony and down into the steep valley hillside below.

He breaks through trees and immediately loses his balance on landing.

Miraculously, he regains it and begins to skip and slide down the sharp drop of the hillside until he reaches a flatter area.

But then, a rustle from the leaves above.

Frenna drops from the sky.

She topples Fawn to the ground, rolling him into his fourth pin today.

Her knee is on his chest, and two tight grips lock down his wrists above his head.

He screams and squirms to get away.

Fawn explodes into manic tears and wails of mortal agony.

Frenna tries to lock his attention to her, but Fawn's head pulls around violently.

[Fr] THEY'RE ALIVE, FAWN!

She darts her gaze into the treeline, then back to Fawn.

[Fr] They're there!! They're out there!! They're okay!!

Fawn's wails slow. They are replaced by heaving breaths of sheer hysteria.

[Fr] I sense them, Fawn! By the castle, they're there! They're alive, okay? They're alive...

Fawn melts into tears. Relieved tears. The violence of the overwhelming shock still makes them frantic, however.

Frenna feels Fawn release his struggle. She slowly rolls off of him and sits beside him in a slump.

She herself is beyond overwhelmed, and the two sit there without words for a very, very long time.

The sun beams invite themselves into the green canopy while the lush surroundings chirp greetings to the arrival.

Fawn's face floods and pours.

Frenna is distant and tired.

She looks again at the treeline, her face torn with sorrow. No hint of relief.

Fawn huffs up his last bit of tears.

[F] I don't sense them...

The words escaping triggered another fall of tears.

Frenna's eyes hold onto nothing.

[Fr] (blank) You're emotional right now. They're there.

Finally, she looks at Fawn, who, again, is sniffiling up his final tears.

[Fr] (softly) Are you okay.

Fawn breathes deeply over and over.

[Fr] (stern) Why did you react that way? In the crowd.

Fawn's face drops into a cold, searing gaze.

He drops each word like a bomb.

[F] (fiery) Froy... Subaun.

Frenna stops breathing. Her veins go cold.

She shoots to her feet, almost startling Fawn.

[Fr] (anxious) How do you know that name?

Fawn goes silent. He hangs his head in dead exhaustion.

[Fr] SPEAK!!!

He jumps at the sudden explosion of Frenna's command.

[F] (panic) The place in the temple– the one in the wall– I found it and I didn't mean to! And he was there and also Tiir–

[Fr] (dumbfounded) Tiir??

[F] (meak) Yes.

Frenna's eyes fall in disbelief, desperately trying to make sense of all of this.

...

[F] (timid) Why are you all here?

Frenna ignores him.

[Fr] (anxious, stern) What do you remember when you were frozen?

[F] (timid) Frozen?

Frenna toils with a million thoughts in her head.

[F] What do you mean froz–

[Fr] (sharp) Never mind.

A painful silence.

[F] I'm sorry if I did something wrong. I didn't tell anybody if that's why you're here.

[Fr] Who told you not to tell anybody?

[F] Master Subaun.

[Fr] You spoke to Subaun? What did he say?

[F] He said something like that there was a different denomination of secret Jedi, and he invited me to a meeting in two days.

Frenna's brain is shot. She slowly drops to her knee next to Fawn.

The two search for words in silence.

[F] (desperate, fearful) What's happened? What happened to the castle? There was a monster...

Frenna gives him a short glance.

[Fr] (defeated) Fawn. You're best off just not worrying about it.

...

[F] (weakly) I want to find Nova.

Frenna swallows.

[Fr] We will, we will.

[F] I'm going to find her.

Fawn jumps to his feet.

Frenna rises to meet him.

[Fr] Wait, Fawn, um–

She chokes on her words.

[Fr] We aren't here because of you or because you told anyone...

Fawn listens.

[Fr] We were here to help Phergo, indirectly. The Ordained Order– or rather the denomination of secret Jedi, I guess... We were more focused on establishing stable political power here in Phergo. We knew the Jedi Order was going to focus on solving the mystery of the castle. So we were here to act early before domestic tensions got worse.

...

[F] (meak) Okay.

...

[F] Is Nova's Master a secret Jedi?

[Fr] Not that I know of.

...

[F] I'm sorry for my outburst earlier... and running away.

[Fr] It's okay, Fawn. I'm sorry for the fright.

Fawn's stomach twists at a sudden realization.

[F] Ah no! I punched your friend in the face...

Frenna chuckles softly.

[Fr] It's okay.... Come on. Let's get back into town and we'll figure all of this out.

—

The streets were loud.

All around, people were trying to get a bearing on what had happened to the castle and the Royal Family. Panicked and horrified onlookers came out of every home and balcony, speaking with those around to figure out the truth.

Frenna and Fawn made their way through the streets.

Fawn watches the citizens with a heavy sonder.

[Fr] Whatever happened to the flower I gave you?

[F] (regretful) Oh– I think I forgot it at the shop.

[Fr] We can stop by and get it later.

[F] It's okay. We don't have to get it–

[Fr] Fawn, we're getting that flower.

...

[F] Thank you.

[Fr] You know... why don't you just head over there now? I'm going to go over and just speak to my colleagues.

Fawn grows wide-eyed.

[F] I'm supposed to stay with you.

[Fr] I've seen you're more than capable by yourself.

Fawn shrinks silently

[Fr] Okay?

[F] Are we going to help Nova soon?

Frenna's face squeezes.

[Fr] Yes, Fawn, we'll head out to find them after. They are more than capable themselves too, you know... Okay?

[F] Okay.

[Fr] I'll find you soon.

She gives him a gentle good luck pat to his back and departs.

Fawn stands alone in the manic city.

—

The two masked Jedi stand on the rooftop, coldly looking down on a large group of rioters attempting to breach the Doechere Palace. The Armsmen are overwhelmed, likely weakened, and demoralized after the Phergo Castellum was just obliterated.

The people scream for answers.

Frenna joins the masked onlookers.

[Fr] (blunt) I feel sick.

The Jedi turn to her.

[Masked Jedi 2] Where's the youngling?

[Fr] On an errand. He's fine now.

[Masked Jedi 1] Martyr Frenna, we were just on the topic of the warning from the L'sadr.

[Fr] Yeah.

[MJ1] It mentioned that two were given knowledge of The Ordained Order, perhaps even West Rock...

[Fr] I know.

Frenna tries to massage the stress out of her neck.

[Fr] There are only two that it could tell that would result in any consequence.

Frenna glides a dark gaze toward the black tree in the distance.

[Fr] (confined) And for their own sake, I hope they're dead...

—

Chapter 16: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch16

—

The overwhelming monolithic size of the eerie black tree made Nova's skin crawl.

[Nova] (worried) What is that?

[Tul-ko] I think it's the thing from the castle. Some sort of dormant form, if I had to guess.

[N] What makes you think it's dormant?

[Tk] I'll show you, come on.

Nova drags her eyes off the mockery of nature, the beast's words to her stab the back of her mind.

She follows Tul-ko past some trees and over a small tender hill.

Before her, down the slope and woven between the forest trees, were hundreds of staff from the castle.

Every guard, personal servant, advisor, kitchen staff ect sat in a daze. Painfully confused by their surroundings. They discuss with each other in small huddles and check on others to see if they are okay.

Some still lie asleep on the ground. Kind companions sit around them and wait for them to awaken.

Nova ganders in shock at the crowd.

[Tk] The beast's effect is gone. I've already given them a short summary of what's happened and why they're here. I also asked for the royal family to be separated so we could discuss details in private with them.

Nova sparks with surprise.

[N] They're okay?!

[Tk] Yes they are Nova.

She exhales with deep relief.

[N] Let's go see them!

Tul-ko points to their right deeper into the treeline.

[Tk] They're this way.

Eyes from the concerned crowd watch the two Jedi exit the scene and disappear into the woods.

—

The King of Rescosia watches the black tree in the distance absently.

It stands offensively over what was once his own home, from childhood till now– 30 years.

The Queen and the older of the three princesses calm and comfort the two younger princesses, who cry in fear at the shock of everything.

Two princes idle about. One leans against a tree and watches the King with a searing grimace. The other seems to be searching the ground for a rock and some twigs.

He finds some and walks over to the crying young ones. He kneels next to the youngest, who sits on the lap of the eldest princess.

[Prince 2] (friendly) Hi Tuni!

Tuni has a hard time looking at him through her tears.

The prince takes out the rock and twigs and poses them like arms and legs around the rock as a body.

He bobs the puppet about, pairing it with a squeezed, goofy voice.

[Pr2] This is my friend Gorko! Hi I'm Gorko, do you want to be my friend? I like your dress, it's super pretty!

The Queen and the oldest Princess smile at the prince's antics. Tuni's cries persist, but she's curious. The other young princess buries her tear-soaked face deeper in the Queen's arms.

The Prince moves the puppet over to her.

[Pr2] Oh, hello Vayy! My, your hair is so stunning! It shines like the sun! Do you use gel or a special kind of magic product from the enchanted fores–

Vayy bashfully hides her smile and pushes away the puppet.

It crumbles out of his hands and falls to the ground.

[Pr2] AH I'M DEAD YOU KILLED ME AHHH

The Queen and Princesses fall into giggling laughter.

The prince smiles and ascends to his feet.

[Queen] (whisper) Thank you, Zeela.

He gives a small smile and a simple nod.

Zeela wanders to the King's side. He looks at his brother leaning against the tree. He's coldly staring in the distance.

[King] (firm, whisper) Thank you.

[Zeela] (stressed) Yeah.

Suddenly, there's a rustle from the foliage.

All eyes shoot to the sound.

Royal guards nearby spring up defensively.

Tul-ko and Nova appear from the brush.

The guards hesitate to drop their defenses, but a nod from the King, and they do.

The Jedi approach the royal family.

Nova sees the young princesses from earlier. Her face melts softly with glad relief.

[Tk] Your majesty. My pupil and I were sent here from the Senate to manage this incident that's affected you and your staff in the Phergo Castellum. We–

[King] (firm) Are you Jedi?

[Tk] We are.

[King] Our family has encountered Jedi before.

[Tk] That makes things a bit easier to explain then.

Tul-ko breathes deep.

[Tk] As I had announced, all of you have been in a coma-like stasis for three days. The senate received a distress call from your planet's noblemen, which prompted the senate to enlist the help of the Jedi Order. We investigated your castle, and... within our investigation, we encountered a supernatural beast, its awakening... annihilated your castle.

[Prince 1] (haughty) A beast.

[King] (short) Shut up, Julees.

Julees fired a snapping scowl at the King.

Tul-ko continued.

[Tk] We were kept alive by the beast, however... we all were. And while being held by it, it spoke to me and my pupil. In its speech, it revealed a bigger plot against your people and perhaps... the galaxy.

[Zeela] What did it say?

Tul-ko takes a deep breath.

[Tk] The robed men you encountered months ago, the ones that vanished, are the culprits. They planted the beast inside your castle, and only now did its effects trigger.

[Queen] Why now?

[Tk] We don't know...

He continues.

[Tk] The culprits... were Jedi.

Nova intrudes sharply.

[N] (to royal fam) We don't know that, though.

Tul-ko gives a disapproving eye to Nova.

[Tk] (to rf) It was made explicitly clear by the beast, who was a witness himself–

[N] (to rf) It goes against everything the Jedi are, and they're likely impostors.

[Tk] (peeved, whisper) Padawan.

[King] IF Jedi were involved. The reparations will be on them, correct.

[Tk] Likely yes. But that's something that will have to be brought up to the Council of the Jedi Order on our arrival back to Coruscant. Which will happen once we have all of you safe in Phergo.

The royal family falls silent. They know they're at the mercy of the wind right now.

[Tk] Another thing. Your people are revolting. They are begging for democratic power. It's my humble advice to consider these pleas when moving back into the seat of power. However, that isn't our place to stand.

The King chuckles softly.

[King] Our Father would have a heart attack if he heard you say that. We're all siblings here. We were forced to take the roles of our parents after they died. There's been a lot of turbulence over the last year. Maybe it is time for a... relocation of responsibility.

No one says a word.

Tul-ko breaks the silent moment.

[Tk] We have to get you all back. I'll contact my Jedi partner and get her to bring over a shuttle.

[Queen] Could we just use the shuttle down there?

She motions to the short cliffside behind the royal family.

There, at the bottom, was Tul-ko and Nova's shuttle neatly parked in the trees.

[N] (amazed) Well, what do ya know!

—

The crowd of staff were informed of the Royal's departure, as well as a promise of more evac ships and a more thorough explanation of the situation.

The family was on board now, still being escorted by Royal Guards. There was a gentle commotion of so many people getting situated in the relatively small cabin of the craft.

Tul-ko and Nova head to the cockpit and shut the doors to give the royal family privacy.

It's immediately silent.

The mute calm feels unfamiliar to Nova after the madness of everything.

Tul-ko slumps into the pilot chair and exhales a long, strong sigh.

Nova takes her co-pilot chair, and Tul-ko starts the shuttle.

[Tk] Nova.

[N] Yes, Master.

[Tk] (low voice, firm) Two things. First, if we are to help these people, we have to be ready to accept any sort of evidence we can get on the matter, including accusations against our own. Jedi have fallen in the past, and Jedi will continue to fall in the future. It's a hard fact to accept, but it's the truth, and it can be seriously dangerous if we choose to ignore that.

Nova is silent.

Tul-ko pulls up, and the shuttle begins its journey back to Phergo

[Tk] Additionally, when I am speaking to a person of great authority, it is incredibly unprofessional and unproductive to intrude with personal opinions that do nothing but assert an irrelevant personal bias. It's different if you truly believe it's relevant, but what we've stumbled upon has the potential to be so massive that one wrong factor, such as our mindset, could be disastrous.

Nova shrinks. Her eyes drift away to the corner of the room.

[Tk] Second, and I'm almost hesitant to ask... The beast mentioned something before I was pulled away. "This matter will hardly compare to the next" or something like that... You heard it, didn't you?

Nova grows heavy with discomfort.

[N] (reserved) Something personal... It's nothing... It's not even urgent.

Tul-ko shoots a soft, sympathetic look.

...

[Tk] Don't hold this alone, Nova. I'll always be there if you need me.

—

Chapter 17: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch17

—

The sun was low in the sky.

Fawn stood at the entrance of the small clothing shop. It was unearthly silent.

He began to meander inside.

Tippit, the old shopkeeper, was gone. Perhaps he left to check on loved ones.

Fawn drifts up to the cape section. There, the flower sat waiting for him on a display shelf.

He lifted it gently and examined its vibrant, red and blue splashed petals.

The moment was still. The air was dull.

Something tips Fawn’s eye to the floor.

The mask.

Frenna had dropped it when they had left in a rush.

He creeps to it slowly.

It had a striking, gleeful smile and unique curling patterns that ran across the face.

He bent down and picked it up.

He examined it, but his thoughts floated elsewhere.

Jedi. People. The events of only today.

All of it barreled through Fawn’s mind at once in this quiet moment.

Suddenly, a shuffle from the entrance strikes Fawn’s attention toward it.

It’s old man Tippit.

His eyes were somber and distant. He slowly lifts them to Fawn. A flinch of surprise at the sight of the boy briefs his old, leathery face.

His gaze drops away as he lumbers into the shop and toward the counter.

Fawn sparingly watches Tippit approach the back.

Fawn looks down and realizes he instinctively hid the mask from the shopkeeper’s view. Kinda silly since it's his merchandise, he thought.

A gruff, haunted mumble calls from the back.

[Tippit] (distant) Just take something… Maybe it’ll give ya some comfort while all of this is going on.

Fawn watches Tippit with solemn eyes.

Then, they fall to the theatrical mask in his hand.

His mind began to flutter.

Perhaps how he reacted was childish…

He hurt people because he was afraid. Childishly afraid.

The screams of the people in the crowd he hurled…

The feeling of striking a fellow Jedi…

It all painfully thrashed around in his head.

Then Tiir’s words pricked in his mind:

Suffering under your own affliction– It poisons the soul, weakens the heart.

Fawn squeezed his face in guilt.

He softly clutched the flower pot closer to his heart.

Frenna’s warmth to him…

The Jedi Order is cold, stale, restrictive, and sickened with mediocrity.

She gave him something he rarely experienced from anyone else, besides one other.

The mask sat firmer in Fawn’s palm.

But what if…

A thought entered his mind.

A path Fawn had never considered before.

One that could offer something more than he was becoming.

One, made available only after his discoveries today…

Then, his mind fell silent, and a single name rang in his head.

Nova.

The traditional Jedi Order is too important for the both of them.

It’s all too complicated…

Fawn returns the mask back on the shelf.

Yet his hand still lingers on it for a moment…

…

Nova

Fawn’s eyes widened.

Nova!

This wasn’t a thought in his head anymore; it was her. It was actually her. The sense of her presence zapped through his entire body.

Fawn’s head spun. He could hardly breathe.

He leaped out of the dreary shop to see Nova and Tul-ko’s shuttle fly low overhead, causing a stir among onlookers.

Fawn’s mouth falls in shock, his eyes cling to the craft.

He begins to chase it. Fresh, cool air whips against his skin as he picks up speed.

A swell of joy and relief nearly made Fawn’s heart explode.

It was like the coming of an angel now descending into the courtyard of the Doechere Palace.

—

Frenna and the two masked Jedi stalk the shuttle coming in from the rooftop.

[Masked Jedi 1] We’ll be taking our leave.

Frenna nods distantly.

[MJ1] May the force be with you.

They jump down from the roof and disappear.

Below in the square, the vigorous riot ignores the low swooping shuttle that descends past the gates and into the palace courtyard before them.

A few guards still hold the line at the gates, but they are practically smashed against the bars.

The shuttle's wings fold and it lands.

Moments later, Tul-ko, Nova, six royal guards, and the royal family walk off the ramp, finally returning to the City of Phergo.

The family looks in awe at the crowd swarming the gate.

[Queen] (urgent, to royal guards) Please, all of you, help them!

[Zeela] (rushing) Go now!

The royal guards sprint toward the chaos.

Frenna is in the crowd, pushing her way through toward the front.

Fawn arrives at the square, out of breath. He’s stunned at the sight of the revolting people.

The people chant for answers and reform.

The word spreads quickly that the royals have returned. This does nothing but heat the crowd even more.

The royal guards push and throw people back off the gates.

Blood pumping, rage bursting, a rioter pulls out a rifle and fires through the gates and into the royal family.

Tul-ko and Nova both fly to stop the blaster bolt, but they would be too late.

For one person had seen the rifle, reacted, and was there to catch the blaster bolt mid-air.

Frenna

She watched the rifle be revealed from its leather bag.

She vaulted through the crowd and over the defensive stone wall of the palace.

Her blue lightsaber just barely caught the blaster shots as they slipped through the gate bars, foiling the assassination.

Fawn and the crowd jump at the sound of the gun going off. Immediately, the assassin is tackled to the ground by nearby crowd members.

[Tul-ko] (shook, to royal fam) Is everyone okay!

They are.

[King] Everyone inside, let’s go!

Nova’s shaken too, but smiles as Frenna turns their way.

Stunned relief paints her face as she jogs up to join the group.

[Frenna] (out of breath, to Tul-ko) Are they okay? Is everyone okay?

[Tk] Yes, yes, everyone is fine.

[Frenna] You’re alive-- Both– Both of you are alive!

She holds Tul-ko and Nova’s shoulders firmly.

[Tk] Amazingly.

[Nova] And cheerfully.

Nova’s voice is a little airy. Fatigue stings at her eyes.

Tul-ko’s face suddenly falls dead.

[Tk] (Alarmed) Where’s the youngling?

[Fr] He’s okay, he’s out on an errand.

[Tk] Why isn’t he with you?!

[Fr] Just relax, he’s fine on his own.

Tul-ko scowls at her.

[Tk] Nova. Find him and come back here as soon as you can.

[N] I sense him out in the crowd.

[Fr] (to Tul-ko) There you go. Right nearby.

[Tk] Get him, Nova, please.

[N] Yes, Master.

She hurries off toward the gate.

[Tk] (upset) What’s the matter with you?

Frenna looks at him sternly

[Fr] Is this seriously what you're choosing to fret over? This, of all things. Calm down.

[Tk] We have an unsanctioned youngling with us. Yes, it’s important and irresponsible to blow this off. Did anything happen to him while we were gone?

…

[Fr] (firm) No.

Tul-ko takes a deep, filling breath.

[Fr] So… What the hell happened out there…

—

Fawn is squeezed tightly by the crowd, unable to push through.

The gunshot rustled him and the people into a confused panic. It packed tighter as people from the front began to retreat.

Fawn’s head spins, almost feeling sick.

[F] What happened!?

He shouts into the air, hoping someone will answer. No one does. No one can tell.

Fawn begins to drown in the crowd. He’s bumped and bashed as people brush past him.

It’s like he’s a pebble in a stormy ocean.

[?] Fawn!?

He knows that voice…

Fawn frantically scans the crowd.

He spots a fraction of her head in the sea of people.

[F] Nova!

[N] Fawn!

Both begin to muscle their way through everyone.

Pushing

Elbowing

Shoving

Fawn’s getting choked up seeing his friend.

They are only a person apart now, a large lumbering alien standing firmly between them.

[F] (to alien) Move!!

[N] (to alien) Excuse us, please!

[Alien] (bumbling, deep) Whoops, sorry friends.

He gives way, and Fawn and Nova push through.

They collide and tightly embrace.

Fawn barely squeezes back tears.

[F] I thought you were gone! The castle was gone!

[N] I thought I was too! It’s so good to see you again!

Nova winces.

[N] Ow… ow. Fawn, you’re squeezing too hard.

He throws himself away from her.

[F] Whoops, sorry…

[N] You…

Nova pauses, a bit shocked.

[N] You’re all bruised up! What happened?

She places a hand on Fawn’s bruised and scratched face.

[F] Wha…

He suddenly feels the sharp, numb pain across his body all at once.

He didn’t even realize it was there.

They were from the rolls, pins, and falls from all the madness.

[F] I… I fell earlier. I just slipped in the rain.

Nova furrows her brows with concern.

[N] Let’s go in quickly. The royal guards will let us through.

Nova grasps Fawn’s hand and begins to lead him through the loosening crowd.

[N] Oh hey, what’s with the new cape?

[F] Frenna got it for me. Cool, right?

[N] Yeah, I like the fur on it.

The big random Alien calls from the back as he waves them away.

[Alien] Goodbye, friends!

Nova jumps and waves over the people's heads back toward the friendly alien.

[N] G’bye, sir!

Fawn smiles wholly.

She’s okay…

—

Chapter 18: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch18

—

Frenna's eyes hang mutely on Tul-ko as she listens to each word drop.

[Tul-ko] The Beast revealed the whole thing to us... Frenna... Jedi are responsible for this. It's some underground ring of disillusioned Jedi who wanted Rescosia for their own, I think. It's some wild destabilization tactic.

She's silent. Her eyes fall.

Tul-ko's distant from his own words, as if he himself couldn't believe them.

[Tk] This is... massive. Like, think about it... How many Jedi are involved in this? Is it a small group? Is it widespread? If so, has half the order turned to the Dark Side?

Tul-ko shifts uncomfortably. Frenna says nothing.

[Tk] How high does this go? What happens when we get to the council, and half of them are actually a part of this? Then, what happens to us?

[Frenna] I think you're getting ahead of yourself.

...

[Tk] I don't know. All of my senses are screaming disaster... What happened here? What did you see?

Frenna takes a heavy breath in.

[Fr] All was fine until we watched the beast emerge from the castle. The entire valley became frozen, similar to what you said happened in there.

Tul-ko's eyes widen at this development.

[Fr] I was fine, my force guard was up. Fawn was unfortunately frozen in that time, but once the beast morphed into that tree, he and the city returned to normal.

[Tk] That's the other thing... I'm hoping the council knows a way to remove it. I'm worried about our chances there.

[Fr] It's been moved before, right? Surely there's a way.

Suddenly, Nova and Fawn enter the courtyard gate.

Frenna and Tul-ko's attention swipes to them.

[Tk] (calling out) Over here!

Tul-ko and Frenna had moved to sit under the shade of an old, misty oak tree in the courtyard.

The pair jog over to them.

[Nova] I found him!

Tul-ko immediately spots the bruising on Fawn's face.

[Fr] (to Frenna, concerned) What happened to him?

He stands abruptly and approaches Fawn. He lightly grabs his face and checks the bruises like a dropped piece of fruit.

Fawn flinches at the intrusion.

[N] He said he slipped in the rain earlier.

[Fr] He did. There was an unexpected dip in the road which he lost his footing on. It was just a little accident.

Tul-ko's eyes narrow as he beams back at Frenna.

[Tk] No. They aren't... If he had fallen, it would be a bruised knee or scraped hands. What happened, Frenna.

She opens her mouth, but Fawn speaks first.

[Fawn] I got into a fight.

Tul-ko rips his eyes to Fawn. They brim with shock and fury.

Nova's eyes spark with slight betrayal.

[F] There was a group of thugs that attacked me out of nowhere. That's all there is to it.

Tul-ko rolls his burning gaze to Frenna.

[Tk] And where were you?

She gives a double glance to him and Fawn before hesitantly speaking.

[Fr] Distracted. It happened so fast.

Tul-ko drops his head, trying to collect himself.

Nova holds her breath.

[Tk] (to Fawn, firm, command) Get on the shuttle.

Fawn's eyes drop. He gives a small, meek glance to Nova before walking off toward the ship.

All three watch silently as he leaves.

There's a painfully long pause before Tul-ko speaks again.

[Tk] (to Frenna, firm, quiet) Nova and I are going to do one last check on the royal family before we go. You can come with or not, I don't care.

Frenna closes her eyes as she falls into meditation.

[Fr] (quiet) I'll remain here.

Tul-ko turns.

[Tk] (to Nova, softly) Let's go.

They head toward the palace door, Nova at Tul-ko's side.

Nova's face is jostled with concern.

[Tk] Nova.

[N] Yes, Master.

[Tk] You tell no one of what the beast unfolded to us. Not even Fawn.

[N] Okay...

—

Frenna sits peacefully in the courtyard alone.

There's a subtle ambience of the crowd outside the wall, but it's dying down.

Her eyes open.

She sits with a slight, lax tilt to her head. Her eyes drift about in gentle thought.

The corners of her mouth pull into a regretful frown.

She slowly pulls her gaze to the shuttle.

Inside, Fawn sits alone at the common area's conference booth. His arms lay crossed on the holotable in front of him, and his face firmly planted in them.

He hears footsteps on the shuttle ramp, which whips his head upright. His eyes were tight with fatigue.

It's Frenna. She stands casually at the entrance of the craft, solemnly watching Fawn in his place.

The shuttle was dark, still, private.

[F] (tired) I feel sick.

Frenna is slow to respond. Her gaze rolls around the interior. Her body shifts and leans like she has something to say, but can't get it out.

[Fr] Where's the flower I got you?

Fawn's eyes dart with surprise.

[F] (sheepish) I don't know... I had it when I left the shop. I must have dropped it somewhere.

Fawn's head drops firmly on the holotable with a thump.

[F] (ashamed) I'm so sorry...

[Fr] No, no don't– it's okay Fawn. Don't you worry about it.

...

[Fr] May I sit?

Fawn nods and scoots over. Frenna falls onto the booth couch next to him.

[Fr] I do have one last gift for you.

Fawn scans her curiously.

Frenna reaches down and unhooks something off her belt.

She presents a lightsaber hilt to him. His lightsaber hilt. The one that was thrown away in all the confusion.

Fawn jumps at the sight. He quickly takes it from her hands.

[Fr] My friend hung onto that for you.

She says with a smile.

[F] Are they still here? I want to apologize for earlier.

[Fr] No, they already left. I'll pass them the message for you, though.

Fawn gently nods as his eyes grow heavy.

[Fr] You look tired.

Fawn drops a deep sigh.

[F] Yeah.

Frenna pulls herself out of the seat.

[Fr] Why don't you take a short nap? Maybe... all the pain will be gone when you wake.

[F] Mm.

He slumps his face into his arms on the table again.

Frenna watches him with somber eyes.

[Fr] Goodbye, young one.

She starts down the shuttle ramp

[F] Master Frenna...

Fawn rolls his head to her.

[F] Are you sure you're not looking for a padawan?

Frenna's face melts, and her eyes fall to the floor.

[Fr] I have no wisdom I can share with you, Fawn. No lessons I could teach. I'm hardly a Jedi, only by title... The shadows I drag are no place for a gleaming spark like you.

Fawn watches her with deep, sympathetic eyes.

[F] You're undervaluing yourself. Why?

Frenna's eyes dart to dodge the question.

[Fr] (somber) Don't you worry about that.

She turns toward the ramp.

[Fr] Goodbye, Fawn...

He softly watches her leave.

Fatigue rolls in, and Fawn falls fast asleep.

—

Frenna stands motionless at the end of the ramp.

She's locked in an unending stare at the ground below her.

Her mind fires and toils with a million thoughts.

Eventually, she sucks in a long, shaky breath, and her face drops into a hauntingly focused scowl.

She begins to wander the side of the shuttle.

She examines the sides,

the undercarriage

the belly.

Eventually, she drifts away from the craft.

She drifts where no one has any chance of hearing her.

She lifts her comlink to her mouth and speaks into it with her whole, undivided attention locked onto the Jedi shuttle.

[Fr] Are you still on site?

...

[Masked Jedi 1] (comlink) Yes, Martyr Frenna.

[Fr] The Jedi know. Bring back the bomb.

—

 

Chapter 19: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch19

—

Tul-ko and Nova open the palace door.

Immediately, they are greeted by the sight of an electrified congregation huddled close to the entrance doors

The royal family, royal guards, and several Armsmen stand packed in the ornate entranceway.

An unnerved panic permeates the air.

Nova and Tul-ko look around, puzzled at the commotion.

Prince Zeela spots the pair enter.

[Zeela] (urgent) Jedi. Please see my brother, the King.

[Tul-ko] What’s happened?

[Ze] An explosive was discovered, but– …The bombsmen will explain the situation.

Tul-ko’s brow furrows with intent concern.

The same feeling hits Nova.

They push their way to the front, where the King speaks to well-armored, well-cushioned Bombsmen.

He takes notice of their presence.

[King] Oh– (to Bombsmen) Captain, please explain the situation to these two. They may be able to shed some light on the situation.

[Bombsmen Captain] Of course, Your Highness. (to Tk and N) An explosive device was discovered in the 8th wing, an augmented J-2 Lybacon bomb. If successfully detonated, it would have leveled approximately two-thirds of the palace and a couple surrounding city blocks. To say we were taking extreme caution would be an understatement. After an evacuation of the residing Noblemen, my squad began work to defuse and remove the bomb, until…

The Captain freezes hesitantly, barely believing his own words.

[Cap] Until it disappeared. Not when our backs were turned. Not when it was beyond view… but before our very eyes… Like it was simply a piece of our imagination.

[Nova] A cloaking device, maybe?

The captain shakes his head.

Tul-ko falls into his thoughts.

[Tk] Please take us to where you last saw it, Captain.

The captain eyes the King for approval. He nods.

Tul-ko turns to the King.

[Tk] Remain here, please. Send word, as well, for an extraction force for those still stuck in the forest.

[King] I already have.

[Tk] Thank you, we’ll return soon.

—

It was a long trek just to get to the 8th wing. The Doechere Palace was a massive, beautifully ornate complex. But even with all of the majestic paintings and lavish interior fixtures, not a single one pulled Tul-ko and Nova’s attention away.

[Cap] In here, please.

They’re led into a spacious conference room where a unit of bombsmen idle in wait.

[Cap] The device was found attached under this table.

Nova swings her head down under it. There's nothing but some loose tools left from disarming the explosive.

[N] Hm.

Tul-ko drifts toward the window, distantly staring into the landscape of the gardens and the city beyond. He studies hard of what pieces of the situation he already has.

[Tk] (stern) Captain… Are you aware of what’s transpired outside the palace today?

[Cap] Outside? Are you referring to the royal family returning?

[Tk] Specifically, the event involving the castle.

[Cap] I don’t believe so. What’s happened?

…

[Tk] I’ll leave someone else to give you that news… More importantly, was there anything unusual heard or seen while you were handling the situation in here?

The squad captain ponders for a moment.

[Cap] There were a couple of commotions that alerted us while we were in here, yes. Various sounds of rumbling, cracking… there was a long drone too, outside the walls of the palace. We thought perhaps it was construction or a ship passing overhead, but some of us had a feeling it was something more.

…

[Tk] (firm) Did you hear these sounds before or after the bomb disappeared?

[Cap] Before… Are they connected in some way?

Tul-ko falls silent. The answer drops on him harshly.

[Tk] (grave) Nova.

[N] (timid) Yeah?

[Tk] Frenna revealed that the beast’s effect spread into the city once it emerged. That means there was a period where every soul was frozen in place for a time. (to squad) Does anyone here remember being immobile at all?

Everyone looks around at each other and collectively denies the experience.

[Tk] (to Nova) The bomb likely vanished in that period of time. And by vanished, I mean physically removed by someone who was unaffected. Nova… who are the only people with the capabilities of remaining conscious during the effect.

Nova’s face drops. A wave of cold shock at the sudden realization stabs her soul.

[Tk] Nova… Who is the only Jedi we know that was in the city.

[N] (horrified) What??

—

Tul-ko bursts through the palace doors to the outside.

[Tk] Frenna!!

She stands casually leaning against the shuttle.

Her surprised attention shoots to him.

[Frenna] (concerned) Yeah?

Nova follows behind Tul-ko with petrified eyes.

They look down on her from the top of the steps leading into the palace.

Tul-ko brazes her with a steely, analytical gaze.

[Tk] (rigid, calling down) What do you know of this bomb?

She unfolds her arms, appalled at the revelation.

[Fr] Bomb??

[Tk] They discovered an explosive device, and it was removed while the beast had everyone under its spell.

She pieces together the accusation.

[Fr] (defensive) Tul-ko, I had no knowledge of this. I was with Fawn the entire time while he was frozen.

[Tk] (blunt) I find that hard to believe, regarding your dubious nature of protecting the youngling.

[Fr] Don’t be stiff Tul’. What had happened was one unfortunate accident. I was by his side for the rest of it. Spare the one errand before you arrived. I trust him as much as you trust your padawan.

Tul-ko scans her intently.

[Fr] Don’t you think I would be helping here with the bomb had I known?

[Tk] Would the guilty have given aid?

Frenna resignedly shrugs her arms.

Tul-ko begins to drop his feet down the steps one by one in a rhythmic march to her.

Nova can’t breathe. She hesitantly follows behind her master.

He gets close to Frenna. A deep probing gaze locks on hers.

[Tk] (confined) No lies. The truth, Frenna. Are you affiliated with this plot?

Frenna drops a look that pierces Tul-ko’s very being.

[Fr] (sharp) I’m not... On their souls.

He’s staggered by her words.

A deep, tense silence hangs over the two until Nova breaks it.

[N] (hesitant) I believe Master Pyffer. There could’ve been someone else in the city we didn’t know about.

[Fr] Thank you, Nova. But I don’t blame your Master for his assertion.

…

[Tk] (to Nova, softly) Why don’t you head back to the ship, I’ll be there in a moment.

[N] (to Tk) Yes, Master. (to Fr) It was great meeting you, Master Pyffer. May the force be with you!

Frenna pushes a weak smile.

[Fr] Goodbye, Nova.

The two watch Nova leave in solemn silence.

She climbs the ramp of the craft.

Underneath, Frenna’s sin quietly waits on the bottom of the shuttle.

[Fr] Tul’ This is all–

[Tk] (lighter) I’m not actually considering you.

She stops.

[Tk] I’m under the same conclusion as Nova. It only makes sense for there to have been others hiding in the city, monitoring all sides of the situation. The council was also the one that sent you, so unless they’re actually in on it, I don’t think you’d have any preconceived plan here.

[Fr] Again, I don’t blame you at all for implicating me.

There’s an uneasy passing silence between the two.

Frenna shifts the subject.

[Fr] Seems like you picked a good padawan.

…

[Tk] They remind me a lot of us when we were young.

[Fr] Like how?

He loosely shrugs.

[Tk] Bright dreams, young minds, golden hearts.

[Fr] (Somber) Sure. Maybe some of us…

[Tk] Yeah, maybe not all... I’m a complete screw up.

Frenna snorts weakly at Tul-ko’s self-jab.

…

[Tk] (sincere) Frenna, I’m sorry I snapped at you much of today. I was just very, very on edge. I shouldn’t have directed any of that toward you.

[Fr] (hollow) You don’t need to apologize.

…

Tul-ko takes a deep, exhausted breath in.

[Tk] Unfortunately, there’s no rest for the weary. We have to return…. I just have one more favor to ask.

Frenna’s empty eyes drift to him.

[Fr] What is it?

[Tk] Can you stay here and watch the royal family until backup arrives?

Frenna grows puzzled.

[Fr] Shouldn’t I still be considered a suspect? Why would you have me stay with them?

…

[Tk] Call it a trust fall.

Her eyes stiffen.

He begins to saunter toward the shuttle as he takes one last look back at her.

[Tk] May the force be with you.

All she can give him is a half nod.

He climbs aboard the shuttle, and the ramp seals behind him.

Frenna drops her gaze toward the ground.

She has her arms wrapped together. Both crossed in her sleeves.

The shuttle is very still.

Her eyes stay steady on the dirt as she waits in a deep, unending silence.

She hardly blinks. Her pupils barely twitch.

Her face lacks any drop of expression. A stone would show more vibrance than her.

The seconds feel like hours.

She waits.

…

The shuttle starts.

Her eyes pull into a searing gaze toward the ship.

From within her cloak, the bomb detonator is brought forward.

Her gaze stalks the ship as it begins to rise into the air.

The detonator sits loosely and delicately close to her person.

Her thumb hovers over the ignition button

The shuttle rises higher and starts its push into the clouds.

Now.

She gently touches the button.

…

Frenna’s face twitches.

Her teeth grit.

A raging, intrusive feeling overcomes her.

She shakes it away.

[Fr] (confined, grating) Come on.

Her head and hands begin to tremble.

[Fr] What are you? Weak?

The ship climbs higher. It's nearly beyond view.

[Fr] It’s your solemn purpose, Frenna.

She tightens her grip harder on the detonator, breath now awfully trembling.

She swallows hard, eyes darting back and forth from the detonator to the ship.

[Fr] (doleful) It’s all you are…

A twinge of sorrow breaks her throat.

Her head turns slowly back toward the sky. The last bit of the shuttle disappears in the misty clouds of Rescosia.

Her tension melts into a wave of despair.

[Fr] (grieved) Oh Tul’...

Frenna collapses to her knees. The detonator harshly hits the dirt as she pulls her arms in close to her chest.

The tears want to flow, but not a drop leaks.

Within her, an infernal fire of guilt and anguish burned,

while the clouds move to cast a gentle shadow on the silent, tender courtyard.

—

Chapter 20: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch20

—

A strong, comforting silence greeted Tul-ko as the ramp closed behind him.

He chose to enjoy the gentle moment for a time. Allowing the calm to seep in like a hot bath.

Looking across the shuttle, he sees Nova faceplanted into her sleeping pad.

She lies awkwardly halfway on the bed, with her legs hanging out into the aisle.

Tul-ko drifts up to her.

[Tul-ko] (whisper) You checking out so soon, co-pilot?

Nova makes a drained grunt.

He smiles and walks to the cockpit door, but he stops just before opening it.

He turns and peers toward the back of the ship.

At the back, Fawn lay quietly in his arms, sitting in the conference booth where he had drifted off before.

Tul-ko lets out a quiet sigh. Perhaps with a tinge of guilt.

He steps over Nova’s legs and wanders up to Fawn. He’s out cold.

Tul-ko raises his hands.

He begins to slowly and gently scoop Fawn into the air with the Force.

Fawn’s cape and clothes flow as Tul-ko brings him across the ship.

He opens the door to his own sleeping pad and tenderly rests Fawn atop the fabric.

His eyes twitch as dreams dance in his slumber.

Tul-ko watches him silently for a moment.

Poor kid.

He steps over Nova’s legs again and enters the cockpit, where he sits and fires up the engine.

The shuttle raises and shoots off toward orbit.

After a moment, the sound of footsteps pulls Tul-ko’s attention back.

Standing nearly in the cockpit doorway is Fawn.

He leans and sways in a drowsy, zombie-like state.

He dons a deep frown and energy-sapped eyes. His gaze is fixed down on Nova.

[Tk] It’s about three hours past midnight on Coruscant… We’ll have you back in your own bed soon.

Fawn gives a cold side-eye to Tul-ko, then wanders back to the conference booth. He drops back into it at the same awkward sleeping angle he was in before.

Tul-ko blinks, puzzled.

[Tk] Fawn, it’s okay, you can rest in there.

…

No reply.

[Tk] (dismissive) Alright…

Tul-ko spins back toward the controls.

They had just broken away from the atmosphere of Recosia, and a sea of stars lay outside the cockpit window.

With a light push on a lever

BOOM

The shuttle shoots into hyperspace.

—

Coruscant

The dark skyline is peppered with trillions of lights, and the city is vibrantly alive despite the late hour. The Jedi Temple, however, is dark. Only illuminated by a few external spotlights, it's in stark contrast to the soiree of nightlife in the distance.

The Jedi shuttle descends into a deep portion of the temple, where it finds a ship hangar to rest in.

It carefully folds its wings up and lands beside other parked shuttles.

The Jedi descend the ramp.

Fawn and Nova’s eyes weigh heavy. They look around to try to get a sense of their surroundings, but fatigue puts them both in a semi-conscious lull.

Tul-ko’s not exactly animated either.

He sighs with relief, glad to make it back here in one piece.

The three begin their way through the silent halls of the Jedi temple. Not a single sign of life besides the occasional temple guard.

Tul-ko can’t help to feel a subtle hint of unease. The temple feels tainted. The familiar walls hold a feeling of observance of every move he does.

They halt at a crossroads.

[Nova] Master.

He turns to her.

[Nova] May I walk with Fawn back to his clan room?

[Tk] Usually, I would say yes, Nova, but I’d like you to be with me at the council meeting.

[N] We’re going now?

[Tk] Yes… Time may not be on our side.

She turns to Fawn.

…

[N] Darn.

[Fawn] You’re going?

She nods.

His eyes fall to the floor.

[N] Yeah, It’s gonna suck not seeing the others. Maybe I’ll bump into you all in the halls or something.

Fawn’s quiet.

[N] I know going to classes isn’t as eventful as being a padawan, but maybe it would help if you became closer with the others. They’re no Nova Kabani, but its worth a shot.

He smiles.

[N] Oh yeah also sorry for dragging you into all th–

[F] No, no, don’t apologize. It was… interesting.

She returns a smile.

[Tk] Come along, Nova.

[N] (cheerful) I’ll see you later.

[F] Yeah, see ya.

Nova walks ahead of her Master.

Tul-ko takes a look back at Fawn.

He’s met with a cold, hard gaze from the boy, one that caught him a little off guard.

…

[Tk] Meditate well, young one. We all went through a lot of turbulent emotions today. Be sure those stay in check.

Fawn doesn’t say a word. His eyes remain hard fixed on Tul-ko.

[Tk] May the force be with you.

Tul-ko turns slowly and joins Nova up ahead.

Soft, dim lights of the hall lanterns remain Fawn’s only company in the grand temple hall. Many lights lay along the way Tul-ko and Nova were headed, but not much where Fawn had to go.

He turns with a sour frown and disappears down an intersecting hallway.

—

Jedi Temple Hanger

Tul-ko and Nova’s shuttle sits quietly in the hangar. It’s approached by three hangar maintenance droids.

Two are leg-height bipedal droids, and the third is a large rolling box-shaped droid.

[M Droid 2] I’ll only say it once, I’ve had it with all these ships coming in so late recently. It’s messing up my charging cycle!

[M Droid 1] I don’t think the charging cycle is your issue.

[M D 2] What’s that supposed to m– (bzzt) I’ll only say it once, I’ve had it with all these ships coming in so late recently. It’s messing up my charging cycle!

[M D 1] You’re saying a lot of things once.

[M D 2] What do you m– (bzzt) I’ll only say it once, I’ve–

The first maintenance droid smacks the top of the second’s head.

[M D 2] Ow.

The first types something on the data pad he’s holding, and the ship’s ramp opens.

[M D 1] (to box droid) Alright, you’re good to go.

[Box Droid] (deep, echoy) bleee zurrrg

The large box droid slowly slides up the ramp toward the interior of the craft.

[M D 2] What’s he supposed to do.

[M D 1] You should know this.

[M D 2] What?

[M D 1] Boxy over there goes in and scans for any unusual cargo in the ship, then we send it as a report into the system.

[M D 2] Oh.

The second turns to the other with mild surprise.

[M D 2] Who are you?

[M D 1] Huh?

Boxy gently and thoroughly moves along the interior of the ship. He approaches the spot just over the bomb on the bottom of the ship.

[?] (winded, urgent) Maintenance!

The two droids turn to watch a cloaked figure hastily approach them. Their hood covers their face, so not a piece of them is shown.

[?] This is urgent! I believe there was a bomb placed somewhere in my ship, and I need it found.

[M D 1] Woah! (calling inside ship) Hey boxy! Code red, we need you out here!

[Boxy] bee-zye gurrrr

It halts its scanning and slides carefully out of the craft.

[?] It’s the only ship in bay B-3. Hurry please.

[M D 2] Wait a minute, B-3 isn’t our sector, though.

[M D 1] Come on, where’s your initiative?

The second droid gives a tired sigh.

[M D 2] Fine… But, I’ll only say it once, I’ve had it with all these ships coming in so late~~

Their words trail off as the three of them leave.

The cloaked figure watches facelessly.

Their hidden eyes do one more sweep of the area before they duck under the ship and swiftly remove the bomb from the bottom of the craft. It’s tucked deeply in their cloak.

In an instant, they head down a connecting corridor and vanish completely.

—

Nova nervously plays with her short padawan braid.

Her and Tul-ko are riding in an elevator. There’s a sort of dreamy staleness in the air, one you’d only find at this late hour.

Tul-ko’s eyes weigh heavily, but his mind toils in focused silence.

[N] Have you been in the council room before?

[Tk] Yes, many times.

[N] I hear it's made of gold.

Tul-ko smirks.

[Tk] Where’d you hear that?

She shrugs.

[N] I don’t know.

[Tk] I’ll let you down easy. It’s nothing to write home about.

…

[N] Does it at least have the majestic windows overlooking Coruscant?

He smiles.

[Tk] Yes, it has the majestic windows overlooking Coruscant.

She lights up with a wide grin.

—

[Plo Koon] A hidden cabal…

Tul-ko and Nova stand stiffly in the center of the large, rounded council chamber. Surrounding them on all sides are 12 councilor chairs. Four of them are occupied at this hour.

[Even Piell] Is the beast's word your only evidence of this collusion?

[Tk] The disappearance of the bomb during the phenomenon in the city is another. They may be residing in the city as we speak.

Mace Windu sits stoically, carefully absorbing all of the information.

[Mace Windu] This requires further delegation by the entire council. Something that can’t happen until morning. For now, we will send the two closest Jedi in the sector, Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, to handle the rest of Rescosia.

Nova’s eyes nearly bug out of her skull hearing those two names.

[Tk] Do they know how to handle the beast?

[Wdu] We’ll aid them however we can in the morning. In the meantime, you two should dig deeper into this hidden schism.

[PloKn] If the beast came from the Jedi vault, perhaps there are records of who gained access to it in the time of interest.

[Adi Gallia] And how it was brought into the vault in the first place. Maybe it could aid Kenobi and his Padawan on Rescosia.

[Wdu] Agreed. Excellent work, the two of you.

[Tk] Thank you all.

Tul-ko and Nova bow to the council.

[Tk] Come along, Nova.

Tul-ko turns to leave.

Nova doesn’t follow.

An unexpected rush hits Nova. The words jump from her lips spontaneously.

[N] The beast was a Jedi.

Tul-ko freezes, baffled by the claim.

The council members eye each other and carefully listen.

The room is still.

Nova swallows her nerves away.

[N] (nervous) It only told me this. It was a Jedi 2000 years ago, but was transformed by a tragic accident.

Tul-ko moves closely to Nova.

[Tk] That would explain its connection to the force.

She nods.

[AdiG] What was the accident, young one?

[N] (hesitant) It didn’t say… Well… It did, vaguely. It had an encounter with some liquid with unusual properties.

[EvPi] Liquid? Please elaborate.

[N] It was some natural spring or pool. It called it a Vergence Well.

Windu eyes the room.

[Wdu] Is this familiar to anyone?

[PloKn] Well,

Plo Koon leans in his seat toward Nova.

[PloKn] A vergence, young one, is a phenomenon where the Force is unusually concentrated in a large amount. It can be found in a specific place or attached to an object or person. The effects of contact with one are wildly unpredictable, ranging from vivid visions to driving one into madness.

He inches back into his seat.

[PloKn] (to council) Although, I’ve never heard of one with physical manipulation properties such as turning one into a beast.

Windu’s eyes land back on Nova.

[Wdu] Did the beast say any more to you, Padawn?

…

[N] No.

He senses fear in her, a kind that’s often paired with a lie.

[Wdu] That is all. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Nova and Tul-ko bow deeply and exit together in silence.

[AdiG] There is a strange surge of twisted Jedi adoration recently. First, the MHC’s religious worship of the force, and now this internal cult.

[PloKn] Thankfully, the first is benign, but the second…

[Wdu] The second must be treated carefully.

—

Nova and Tul-ko ride silently in the elevator.

She hangs her eyes to the floor.

There’s a stale, awkward air created by Nova’s solemn silence.

[Tk] You did well to speak up, Nova.

She softly glances at him, then sinks again.

…

[N] (meek) I’m sorry I kept that from you.

[Tk] It’s alright, Nova. Your world view went for a spin today. I don’t blame you for internalizing some of it for your own sanity.

She nods limply, her eyes still glued to the floor.

[Tk] Next time, though, let’s be open about what we find out. We’ll have to if we want to solve this together.

…

[N] Master… There’s something more it said to me. A warning…

His eyes curiously drift to her.

[Tk] I’m listening, Nova.

—

Fawn opens his clan room door.

The familiar silence of the sleepy room feels off to Fawn tonight. He feels like he’s been loosened out of place in the tight machine of the Jedi training system. His jarred spirit almost stains the naive, dream-like air. Surrounding him, Asselia, Miriad, N’jro, and Dunk sleep soundly, completely unaware of their clanmate’s return.

Fawn meanders to his sleeping mat and gets ready to turn in for what little night there is left.

He pulls off his new cape and folds it neatly nearby.

After a minute, he curls into his thin wool blanket and his mind drifts off into a deep slumber.

—

On the first day, Fawn awakened in a deep, grass-strewn field. He looked around, startled by his circumstance. Along the horizon, there was a humble city. To his left was a thick forest. Fawn thought to go into the city. But the first red rain came, and Fawn fled into the forest, for the city was too far for his safety.

The Forest served him no comfort, and he had realized his heart was missing. Until he met the dragon who watched him like prey. Fawn had noticed a wound on the dragon and exclaimed to it over the roar of the downpour:

[F] Please lead me to safety! I’ll tend to your wound in return!

The dragon ponders the Jedi’s offer and agrees. It leads him out of the red rain and into its den within a large hollow cave.

—

 

Chapter 21: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch21

—

On the second day, Fawn awoke on a bed of soft grass. The cave was warm, and it shimmered with many blue gems embedded into the rock. The dragon, who was resting nearby, commanded softly to Fawn:

My ailment remains. You will see to it.

Fawn agrees. He begins to gather medical herbs and fresh water in the forest. Also, hunting wild game to keep the dragon's hunger sated. After returning to treat the dragon, he left again to begin a garden, where among the fruits and medicinal plants, he would grow a new heart.

At dusk on the third day, the dragon had fallen into a slumber. Fawn was about to do the same until a figure appeared at the entrance of the cave. An alerted Fawn brandished a green blade toward the intruder. It was a child.

Their shape lacked clarity, the edges of their body blurred, and the details of their form were black like a shadow. It was lost and wanted to be returned home. So, Fawn helped them through the dark, out of the forest, and into the humble city.

The ghostly citizens cheered with delight at the child's arrival and hailed Fawn a hero. He joined them in celebration, and he was happy. Until the red rain returned a second time. The citizens cried and blamed Fawn for its arrival. They hid in their homes and denied him entry. Fawn had no choice but to flee back to the safety of the dragon’s cave.

On the fourth day, the dragon was healed, and it spoke to Fawn with awful command:

I smell the people and their city on you. The next time you return, I will follow.

[F] Why?

This land is our claim, and I wish them to leave it.

[F] Why keep me? Your wound is healed, and your strength has returned. Why am I no different than these limp pieces of game I brought you?

You hunt and garden. In your time here, you have brought comfort back to this cave, and you are free to enjoy it as I do.

[F] And if I leave?

The red rain will follow. And you will die.

This didn’t frighten Fawn. He found it nice here.

On the fifth day, Fawn found his garden smashed and trampled. His growing heart was picked early from its stalk and taken away. Fawn went and furiously searched the forest, only to find a strong scent of decaying flesh that disgusted him. He returned to the den.

The minute the sixth day struck, Fawn escaped into the dead of night. He headed toward the city to find his stolen heart and the culprit who trampled his crops. He wished the dragon would not follow him there. He believed these people deserved the same peace he had in the cave.

But as he approached a hill overlooking the city. The dragon passed over him.

It disappeared against the dark sky above, and for a moment, there was only silence. Until an inferno ripped from the beast onto the sleepy town, incinerating all below.

Then the dragon came for him, and Fawn was devoured into the ghastly red stomach of the creature.

White

Shrill silence.

Fawn turns.

Behind him is… Nov-

No, it’s not her.

Its arms are limp, but it still stands. Colorless, rotting skin. Its head is crooked and slanted further than its jaw, which hangs open wider than any would wish to see.

Fawn writhes with mortal terror and disgust at the abomination.

Behind it is a group of shadowed citizens from the city.

It has nothing in its eye sockets until suddenly familiar sapphire eyes appear from the pits.

Then, as if it was spoken into his ear, Fawn hears:

[Nova] (horrified, verge of tears) Wh- What’s happened? Is anyone there?! I can– Fawn?! OH GOD!!!

A shadow citizen appears before him.

—

[Asselia] Fawn!

Fawn jolts awake. A deep, soaking sweat drenches him all over.

—

Chapter 22: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch22

—

[Asselia] Where have you been?!

Fawn leans up off he mat with squeezed and groggy eyes.

She stands over him, leaning so her stinging glare is apparent.

He hardly acknowledges her.

Fawn groggily scans the room. A deep frown stains his face.

Miriad, N'jro, and Dunk are getting ready for the day, but their attention is fixed on him.

[A] Speak!

Fawn shoots a quick, annoyed look at her. He pushes himself to his feet so he meets her at eye level.

[Fawn] (blunt, tired) Ask Nova.

[A] Ask– What?

Fawn leans down and grabs his new cape and a fresh tunic.

[F] Ask Nova.

He silently exits into a side room to change.

[Miriad] Was she here yesterday?

[A] I dunno, apparently.

Asselia shakes her head critically and returns to getting ready for the day.

[N'jro] What was that he was holding?

[Dunk] I think it was a cape yeah yeah a cape something like a cape yeah hey I'm dunk.

[N'j] You think?

[M] Maybe Nova gave it to him yesterday.

[A] If she was with him, I don't know why she wouldn't stop by here as well.

[N'j] (lighthearted) Maybe she's too cool for us now.

[A] (peeved) Oh, and Fawn is.

[M] Don't be harsh...

Asselia keeps her eyes low and sighs.

[A] Sorry.

N'jro stands after planting his foot into his boot.

[N'j] I just hope he doesn't get into too much trouble for his absence.

[A] If he has it coming, he has it coming. He can't ignore the consequences like he ignores us.

—

Fawn has his forehead planted firmly against the changing room wall.

His eyes linger in a dead absence from all around him.

The dream has become a foggy blur in his mind, but its pressure still weighs on him.

[N'j] (other room) Fawn, we're heading out.

He shuts his jaded eyes.

He sluggishly withdraws from his thoughts and pulls the door open to meet with the group.

—

Two youngling clans sit together within a small, cramped meditation room. It's ambiently lit with an orange flickering glow from soft lanterns on the walls. An instructor sits properly in front of the younglings, watching them silently complete a test.

In the air, forty small, ornately etched orbs float slowly and gently through the air. Each youngling sits cross-legged in perfect, focused silence. They gently guide the orbs to follow along a straight path until they bump against a grooved trigger on the wall, then they redirect and head for another trigger, and so on.

It's not just precision that's tested here. It tests the subconscious understanding of paths within the force. Rather than manually forcing the orbs through their path, the goal is to primally and soulfully understand the fated path of these orbs and only be a gentle guide for them.

An orb misses the trigger.

The instructor gently eyes it, then looks at Fawn. Just by the short twitch in his face, they knew it was him.

[Instructor] Is your meditation troubled, Fawn?

[F] No, Master Torlo.

Silence returns.

...

[Torlo] That concludes the test. Please depart for your next class hastily.

[A] (to Fawn, whisper) You stole one of my orbs.

[F] (softly) Hm?

[A] (curtly) I was focusing on one of them, and then you took it.

[F] (blunt) Oh... Okay.

[A] Just letting you know.

Both stand to leave.

[Tor] Fawn.

He stops. The rest of the younglings funnel out of the door, leaving him and the instructor in dull silence.

[Tor] You're absence yesterday caused quite a stir. Both your instructors and your clan were concerned for your safety.

Fawn is blank.

[Tor] After you've completed your lessons today, go to Master Yucar. He was the Dean made aware of your absence.

Master Torlo leans closer.

[Tor] (cautionary) Fawn, Yucar will not want a detailed description of where you were or who you were with. Expect... prying into exactly the part of you that made you abandon your responsibilities.

[F] Yes, Master.

[Tor] Go on. May the Force be with you.

Fawn bows shortly and leaves.

—

Class.

Saber training.

Fawn lingers in a jaded haze.

He's sitting with his clan awaiting their turn on the practice floor.

Above is the darkened balcony where Jedi Knights watch for Padawan potential.

His eyes float there. He can sense several Jedi, but none are familiar.

[M] (softly) Are you okay?

Miriad suddenly turned to Fawn. He looks at her, almost stunned.

[F] Yes. I'm fine.

[M] Are you nervous about impressing a master?

[F] No.

She leans closer to him, nearly breaching the edge of his personal space.

[M] (whisper) I am.

Fawn looks at her, not all to sure how to respond.

[M] The eyes of judging Masters weigh on you after a while. I'm trying, but... I don't know... I'm not Nova you know.

He desperately tries to think of anything to say to her, but nothing comes out.

[M] It's just a very uncomfortable period. I didn't know if you felt the same.

[F] (softly) I suppose there's no easier way through this, is there?

—

Fawn sits in the cramped office of the Jedi dean.

His legs ache, and his hands sting from lightsaber drills.

His eyes burn from reading data pads all day.

His bottom is sore from sitting in class and meditation.

A blinding light drowns the room in a deep, blue color. Fawn's eyes burn from that.

His dull gaze drags to the floor and walls of the room, but never on the Dean speaking to him.

[Yucar] Before we begin, the blue light is for eyes. My species contracts unpleasant paresthesia in the retna after long exposure without it.

He coldly scans a datapad.

[Yu] Fawn Volsh, 13, Yoatnul clan. You were absent yesterday without accepted leave. After a thorough search by your instructors, you were pronounced missing for at least 12 hours. Are you aware, Fawn Volsh, that you are a "D" outlook youngling.

[F] What?

[Yu] Multiple failures in combat training, below average performance in at least half your classes, and reportedly restless in meditation and concentration.

Fawn opens his mouth to speak, but Yucar cuts in.

[Yu] Have the Agricorps been on your mind at all lately?... How about the educational or humanitarian branch?... You're 13 now and squandering you're time when this is where it should be invaluable. If you were a Jedi Knight would you pick yourself?

...

[F] (uncomfortable) Yes.

Yucar leans closer.

[Yu] Honestly? The enigma that is Fawn Volsh? A cold, emotionally unbalanced child, who seems to value his own playtime rather than teachings?

[F] (firm) I'm sorry, you don't know me at all.

Yucar leans back, seemingly satisfied.

[Yu] Don't I?... Fawn Volsh disappeared because he needed a break from it all. The constant observation, schedules, regimens, and finally the realization that he may never find a master. The tale is as old as time. Again and again and again. Every youngling falls to this, and now you have too.

Fawn scowls at Yucar.

There's a dead, stale silence.

[Yu] Hm, well, if there's nothing else, you are free to lea–

[F] (hard) Hold on.

Yucar looks at him with a smug contentment.

[F] (rustled) Why are you being so harsh? I didn't leave because of any of that. My friend made me go, it wasn't anything to do with classes or the pressure of becoming a padawan.

[Yu] Who is this friend?

...

[F] I'd rather not say.

[Yu] Fine. However, since a Nova Kabani recently became a Padawan from your clan, I'm going to take a stab and say it was her?

Yucar senses Fawn's discomfort.

He nods, unsurprised.

[Yu] So, Nova Kabani "made you go". "Made you go" could be a hundred things... What is your relationship with Kabani?

...

[F] She's my friend. Like I said.

[Yu] Your performance took a dip after she left... It seems she was a cornerstone of something.

Yucar's inquisitive gaze pierces Fawn's core.

[F] Please. Don't insinuate that.

[Yu] What do you think I'm going to insinuate, young Volsh? That you have an attachment to this girl. Obviously not, since that is strictly against the Jedi code. Then again, so is abandoning your studies. It makes you wonder...

[F] (peeved) You're being a little immature. What do you know about me?

Yucar loosens a bit.

[Yu] Nothing. Absolutely nothing... So here is your time, Fawn. Who are you?

Fawn holds onto his irritation firmly, but it still falls through with every word.

[F] I'm a Jedi.

[Yu] Vague, try again.

[F] (flustered) What do you want?

[Yu] What do you want?

[F] (vexed) A bit of maturity, Master Yucar. And maybe for you, and every other Jedi to stop treating me like a stain you can't wait to scrub off. And I'm sorry if this comes off as "emotionally unbalanced", but when you yack up a system where, all their life, younglings are promised to become a great Jedi, then rug pull them back into the basic monotony of the temple when they underperform– yeah, it's probably going to push out some unpleasant emotions. I'm tired of this system. I want to do the job you trained me to do already. Just pair me with a master, and I'll show you I'm ready. 13 years ready! Give me that.

Yucar sighs deeply.

[Yu] (calm) Volsh, you unfortunately have developed a fundamentally skewed portrayal of what it means to be a Jedi.

[F] (hard) No, I haven't.

Yucar leans closely.

[Yu] Yes, actually, you have. You believed becoming a Padawan was some sort of preordained path. Like it was already promised to you without ever having to devote your attention and apply yourself. That's why a Jedi won't pick you and will never pick you. How would they know you wouldn't have the same mindset under their mentorship?

Yucar leans back.

[Yu] Let's also talk about your "emotional unbalance" because frankly, I'm a little concerned. In no way do you have any hold of your temper or any intrusive negative emotions for that matter. Fawn Volsh, do you actually believe they're aren't other younglings out there with your exact mindset? Do you know why they are not in this office right now? Because they held the Jedi teachings to their heart and controlled their emotions.

[F] (under breath) Like you're doing right now.

[Yu] (harsher) You are a locked-up, reinforced wall that you're instructors have never been able to knock down, and I don't have the key. So this is that hard wake-up call you desperately need.

Fawn broils sourly in a tense silence.

He turns his eyes up to the glaring blue light above.

[F] (firm) You're bitter.

[Yu] (appaled) I am?

[F] Because you see yourself in me.

Yucar doesn't immediately respond this time.

[F] (Assertive) Let me take a stab at this. All your young life, you were promised that golden Jedi dream. Until around my age, when your eye condition developed, and it stunted your development because you had to train with the handicap of the blue light. And it messed up everything, your concentration was skewed... your combat performance was all wrong. Instead of learning to embrace your handicap, you abandoned it, causing everything to get worse and worse, until they tossed you away into the educational branch.

[Yu] (sharp) A medical condition is entirely different than your emotional immaturity. And don't assume you know a thing about me.

[F] You're fault was not the medical condition, but your emotional immaturity to swallow the pill of your handicap. You failed to accept yourself... and maybe I wasn't as well... And Master Yucar, I do know a lot about you...

Fawn leans forward scornfully.

[F] Because I prepared for this meeting and I looked you up... Here's where the differences lie between us, because I am not like you:

Fawn stands suddenly; his hefty wool cape makes him look larger than he is.

[F] (fiery) I will not be tossed away, I refuse to waver when I have to steer my own fate. You see me as a reinforced wall, I say damn well I am. Because, Yucar, unlike you and your rotting potential, I will be the greatest Jedi there ever was.

Fawn shakes with adrenaline. There's a fire in his eyes that has never been there before.

...

Yucar holds an emotionless gaze on Fawn for an eternity.

[Yu] (hollow) The Force and only the Force will decide your fate. And it won't let you forget that.

Yucar returns to formality.

[Yu] There will be an adjustment to your classes according to the problems I've observed today. You may be put into classes younger than you're used to... May the force be with you.

Fawn lingers, his eyes tense on the Dean. He turns sharply toward the door and leaves..

Yucar solemnly looks up at the light above him.

—

Fawn vanished a second time that night. The youngling would never return to his clanroom again.

—

Chapter 23: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch23

—

The blue pulsating containment field presses Frenna hard to the cold stone floor.

She can only twitch her muscles before the invisible energy presses her down harder.

The Force is blocked from her by the field, making her brain feel stale and crusty.

She could bear this.

What she couldn’t bear was the metal contraption locked around her head.

It was as if her face was sealed inside a solid chunk of steel, only having two slits for light to shine through: one for her eyes and one near her mouth. The worst of the unholy mask was the metal rods attached to a steel choker, which completely locked her neck movement and made it unbearable to breathe.

Frenna has been here for five hours.

The glow of the containment field is the only light illuminating the pitch black room. The walls are made of worn, ancient stone, and dust dances in the abandoned air. A thick steel door blocks out any notion of the outside world for the captive.

CLACKK

The door unlatches and squeals open.

A robed, masked man enters the cold, forsaken room. He leaves the door open. A soft orange light from the outside hall casts over both Frenna and the man.

Suddenly, the containment field is switched off.

Frenna’s limbs jolt from the places they were stuck in, but she hesitates to move too much.

The man ambles closer to her, looking down at Frenna’s sad state.

[Subaun] You can remove it now.

Frenna strains. She doesn’t move.

[Frenna] (muffled) I don’t deserve to.

[S] (commanding) Take it off.

Frenna hesitates again, but quickly snaps the locks off with force.

She throws the apparatus off her face and rolls to her knees. Deep breaths rip through her lungs while she stretches out her stiff, aching neck.

[S] (disappointed, firm) Frenna… Frenna. There is no grey area with Martyrs. What needs to be done must be done. There’s no one else who can do that but you all. You are not a Jedi. That part of you fell away a long time ago. Purpose. Our gift to you. When you lost your will, we gave it to you. When you lost your drive, we pushed you. When you lost your soul, we made you a new one… It’s all you are now. How could you forsake that? Now of all times.

Frenna hacks out a cough as she tries to croak out words.

[Fr] The Jedi on Rescosia… they were my friends.

[S] (powerful) Were. The Frenna now is not the Frenna before. Why would you ever want to go back? To become closer to the self that went through all that pushed you here. To return to the failure, to the cowardly, and to the guilty.

Frenna slams her forehead against the stone floor, her face contorts into anguish.

[Fr] (weak, tearful) Im sorry Imsorry I’m sorry.

Subaun's masked face hardly moves.

[S] You’re forgiven… But the leak must be patched. That now falls on you. Do you understand?

Frenna pulls herself into a formal, kneeling sit. Her gaze lies on the floor.

[Fr] (shaky) I am a shell without purpose. I accept this like I accept breath.

Subaun nods approvingly.

[S] Frenna… If you are to fail again. The authority of your punishment will be handed to Tiir.

Frenna’s eyes rip toward Subaun with mortal terror.

She swallows hard and centers herself.

[Fr] I won’t.

…

[S] Just one last thing…

He drops to a knee closer to Frenna.

[S] Tell me more about the youngling, Fawn Volsh.

—

Nova’s new room was an unusual change of pace for her. First, a full bed; a luxury compared to the uncomfortable sleeping mat she’d been used to for most of her life. Second, privacy; a dense silence floated through the soundless space. No rustling of others to disturb the peace, and no racket of Asselia’s snoring. Her room was relatively barren. The bed, a simple dresser, and a small sitting pillow for meditation were the defining landmarks of it.

Nova’s eyes flutter open from a deep sleep.

A gentle orange ray of sunlight beams through her room window.

She groans loudly from fatigue.

She flips herself out of the bed and organizes herself for the day.

—

Nova carries herself differently through the halls. She can’t help but feel a strange rush of pride. She’s Nova Kabani, padawan of Jedi Knight Tul-ko Kah, soon to be Jedi Knight Nova Kabani.

She cracks a smile at the thought.

She walks the halls until she reaches a room door and knocks with a triumphant flair.

No answer.

She tries again.

…

[Nova] Master Tul-ko? It’s Nova.

She places he fist against the door once more.

[?] (dry) You won’t find him here…

The Jedi neighboring Tul-ko’s room stands casually in his doorway.

[?] Not today…

Nova flicks her attention to them.

[N] Do you know where I can find him?

The Jedi neighbor shifts uncomfortably.

[?] That’s not my place to say.

[N] It’s okay, I’m his padawan.

[?] I know.

…

[N] We kind of have an important mission. It’s urgent.

[?] Probably is.

…

[N] Yes, sooo…—

The Jedi cuts in

[?] I can’t help you, I’m sorry. Whatever it is will have to wait, unfortunately.

The Jedi abruptly retreats into their room and closes the door.

Nova’s stumped and a bit perturbed.

She takes another look at Tul-ko’s door and wanders off.

—

Nova excitedly turns a very familiar corner.

She enters a large hallway, strolling until she’s in front of her old clanroom door.

She knocks.

…

This time, she opens it anyway, peaking her head through the door.

The room was dark, empty, and silent. For the first time, Nova’s presence felt out of place here.

She lightly slapped the doorframe with soft disappointment.

She knew they wouldn’t be here. It’s class time.

Nova pulled away and shut the door behind her.

—

A soft melancholy seeped into Nova’s mood. She wandered as a speck in the vast labyrinth of the Jedi Temple.

The Great Hall.

The Gardens.

The Library.

She was aimless. She thought about reading: not really in the mood. Training? Her master wasn’t here. Why would she train alone? Maybe…

An idea hits her.

She turns and disappears down a corridor.

—

She found it.

The Jedi observation balcony that overlooked the lightsaber training floor. The very same one that she and her friends once stole glances up at during lightsaber drills to see if any important masters were watching.

The space was dark and silent. It was surreal, Nova felt as if she were treading sacred ground.

She stiffly shuffled past the idle Jedi observers occupying the deck, hoping she wouldn’t disturb them.

Moving toward the balcony’s edge, she glanced over. A few batches of younglings trained below, all around Nova’s age, but none she recognized.

Dang it.

She thought her friends would be here.

Nova turns to leave, but her eyes catch on the Jedi to her right.

Beside her, sitting propped up on a fixture of a stone support pillar, holding a long walking staff, was a familiar rodent-like Jedi Master.

[N] (whisper) Oh! Master… uh-um– You’re Tul-ko’s Master, right?

His head slowly turns from watching below to Nova.

[Krex Aiden] (dry, formal) Hello.

[N] (a bit louder) Aiden! Master Aiden, is that right?

He drifts a furry finger in front of his lips.

Nova winced at her mistake.

[N] (whisper) Sorry…

Silence returns. Master Aiden continues watching the younglings perform. Nova joins him.

Nova catches a couple of younglings glancing at her from below. Another surreal jab she wasn’t expecting.

[N] (to KA) What are you doing up here?

He softly tilts his eyes to her.

[KA] Searching for my next padawan.

[N] Oh. I guess that’s a little obvious.

...

[KA] Are you searching as well?

Nova chuckles softly at his obvious jest.

[N] (lighthearted) No… Maybe one day.

Nova’s smile falls.

[N] Although… I guess I am searching… Do you know where Tul-ko is today?

Master Aiden's relaxed expression tightens.

[KA] Yes.

…

[N] I ran into his neighbor. They seemed to hint that I shouldn’t look into it.

[KA] Tul-ko’s last padawan was killed two years ago today.

He said it so suddenly, so cold, with a twinge of disappointment cracking in his voice.

Nova’s soul plummets.

[KA] He’s holding on to it. Mourning… He’s at a small shrine he made for her on the 12th floor overlook balcony on Section 4 and 7th. He’ll be there all day.

She can hardly form words.

[N] Oh…

A strong silence plays as her head spins.

[KA] Would you do a favor for me, young Kabani… Go talk to him.

…

[N] [somber] Why? I don’t think I should…

[KA] He needs to be set straight.

Nova swallowed away a lump in her throat.

—

The rays from the daylight sun seeped in from the balcony into the dark temple hall.

Nova stood far from the opening. Hesitant about how she should approach this uncomfortable confrontation.

Everything was screaming for her not to approach the balcony. She’d become just another stranger in this tragedy. Just one more person to say “I’m sorry for your loss” only for it to dig up more harrowing memories.

But out of respect for Master Aiden, she pressed one foot forward and drifted toward the balcony.

He was sitting formally in front of a small pile of carved rocks. They were the shapes of animals and creatures, all neatly stacked on top of each other like a circus act. Leaning against the pile was a thin piece of shaved wood with the word “Rezzy” written into it.

Nova kept away, visiting only with a solemn gaze.

Tul-ko faced away from her, but he knew she was there.

[Tk] (distant) Quiet day.

His voice croaks alive, slightly startling Nova. Yet his attention still remains away from her.

…

[Tk] They’re saying it might rain again. Strange how that works out… Has your day been quiet, too?

[N] Um–

[Tk] (hollow) When you look ahead of yourself now, what do you see?

…

[N] (softly) Do you mean my future?

No reply.

[Tk] Well… I want to be a great Jedi like you—

[Tk] (abrasive) Is that a joke or… Nevermind.

Nova flinches at his words.

…

Tul-ko takes a deep, empty breath.

His voice is fuller, but a drop of dread hides behind each word.

[Tk] We're not going to worry about the Recoscia issue. We’re going to leave that in more capable hands.

…

[N] (meek) Capable hands?

[Tk] (Harrowed) Please go.

Nova shrinks. She retreats from Tul-ko’s grief and away back into the darkened hallway.

—

A thick fog of somberness suffocated Nova’s demeanor. She couldn’t help but feel guilty for even going.

As she trudged through the hall, even a couple Jedi stopped her after sensing her turbulent emotional state. She had no words for them.

She felt her meagerness against the monumental vastness of the temple halls.

She wanted to hide away, alone, something she could do when she got to her room.

Until she saw Master Plo Koon standing in front of her room door.

Nova freezes, a bit starstruck.

[Plo Koon] Ah, quite the fortunate timing, Nova. I just arrived to speak with you.

Nova, eyes wide, adjusts her posture and presentation before the council member.

[N] (surprise) Uh– Good afternoon, Master.

[PloKn] Good afternoon to you as well. I stopped by your Master’s room today. I assume he’s away at the moment?

[N] (hesitant) Yes…

[PloKn] Then allow me to pass this information to you. The council found an archived record pertaining to the beast of Recoscia and how it was placed in the Jedi Temple vault. We think it will be the key to containing the beast once more.

[N] Oh, really? What did it say?

[PloKn] To summarize, 2000 years ago, the Jedi of old were first alerted to the beast's presence after an enormous ripple in the force occurred, which was discovered to come from the planet Rottex. When the Jedi arrived to investigate, so did the Sith. The beast, or rather, as the archives refer to it: “L’sadr”, was killing the planet's life on a global scale, leaving the local wildlife in strange, fear-stricken poses. The Jedi of old wished to contain it, but the Sith moved to control the beast and use the power for themselves. A terrible war erupted, but eventually the Jedi emerged victorious.

[N] Was “L’sadr” not a Jedi then?

[PloKn] Hmm, the archives make no mention of it, but they neither make mention of how the L’sadr came to be in the first place. Perhaps it trusted only you with that information…

Nova is slightly taken aback.

[N] How did they contain it on Rottex?

[PloKn] The archives say the L’sadr wasn’t aggressive, so they attempted passive methods, such as using their abilities to soothe, heal, or speak to it to stop its effect plaguing the world's ecosystem. The Jedi began to lose hope as nothing seemed to work. Until it suddenly shrank down to no bigger than the size of a rubber ball. The Jedi took it back to the old Jedi Temple, where it was kept locked away within a containment holocron.

[N] Wow… So, is that what we have to do now?

[Plokn] There are council members already en route to Rescosia. Hopefully, we are able to replicate the same result.

[N] But not us? We’re not going back to Rescosia? I could be a great help to the council members.

[Plokn] I’m sure you would be, but you’re importance lies here. Were you able to find anything about this hidden society this morning? Was there anything in the vault records?

Nova sinks.

[N] No... I’m waiting for my Master. He um– he expressed that maybe we should hand this mission off to someone else.

The Jedi Master cocks his head a bit.

[PloKn] What were his reasons?

Nova is immediately torn between spilling the truth to this Jedi Councilor or respecting Tul-ko’s privacy.

[N] (distant) He’s… going through some emotional stuff right now… He seems to be not in a great mindset at the moment, unfortunately.

[PloKn] I see… Is he away self-reflecting?

[N] …Yeah.

[PloKn] Just give him time, and your support if he needs it.

Nova nods.

[PloKn] How about you?

[N] Me?

[PloKn] We authorized both of you access to the vault records for this assignment. You can access it at any time as well.

[N] Oh… Shouldn’t I wait for my Master, though?

[PloKn] That is your decision. But, never feel like you are only bound by the whim of your master. Without independent growth and experience, you will only collect handed-down wisdom and second-hand knowledge.

His words spark her soul, yet her eyes fall away to the ground.

[N] But… I’m sorry if this is silly… There can’t really be Jedi like that out there, right? The ones who would plant a bomb in a city and try to unravel a whole nation.

[PloKn] Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps you’re the one to clear their names? You would do a great service to the entirety of the Order.

Nova’s mind races; she tries to place her words in order, but nothing comes out.

[PloKn] Trust the Force, Nova. It will guide you in your darkest hour…

He bows to her, and she immediately returns it. Then he walked off, leaving Nova only with her thoughts.

Her mind wrestles with itself.

She places a hand on the handle of her room door.

Then stops.

She pulls away.

A sudden rush of determination surges through her

The sublime wind of fate pushes against Nova’s sails as she propels away toward the Jedi Temple Vault.

—

Nova rockets into the Jedi Temple library to reach the vault.

The judgful eyes of quiet, studious Jedi glance at Nova. She didn’t care. She knew her responsibility mounted worlds over whatever they had.

[N] (to herself) Librarian, librarian, librarian.

There

She spots one behind a rounded desk, tending to a terminal behind them.

Nova jogs hastily up to the desk.

[N] (winded) Hello, I’d like to access the vault access records, please.

The Jedi Librarian turns away from their terminal to face her.

To her surprise, it’s a face she’s seen before.

[Fr] For what purpose, Nova?

—

Chapter 24: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch24

—

The dense darkness of the concealed passage-way is broken suddenly by the removal of the potted plant at the entrance, and a brisk, soulless light leaks in from the hallway adjacent.

A silhouette kneels in the opening.

He hesitantly watches the whirlpool of black within.

The tightness of the silence makes his heart pump fast. He eyes over his shoulder, the hall is still.

Fawn slips in, moving the heavy pot carefully back in place behind him.

It is truly dark now, the sort of dark that makes shapes dance in your eyes that aren’t really there.

There’s a soft, distant glow further down the passage where it drops into the stone spiralling stairs.

It beacons Fawn, and he follows it steadily.

He descends. The silhouette is peeled from Fawn as he passes the electric torches.

His face of steely determination has faltered, and now is pervaded with caution and tension.

But he steps without hesitation; there is a pull of adrenaline. Down and down, until he is greeted again by the ornate foyer at the bottom of the stairs.

Fawn flinches as he rounds the stairs into view.

Three masked Jedi stand idle in the center of the foyer. One sits casually in a chair against the wall, previously in conversation.

All of them are watching Fawn before he even turns the corner.

Their transfixed glares reek of a foul deadness. Behind brittle stone faces, not a single emotion slips through.

Fawn reveals himself from the stairs and creeps openly into the foyer.

He delicately scans the Jedi and his surroundings. Their trances follow him as he moves closer.

…

[Fawn] Hello.

…

[F] (sheepish) Could you tell me… where I can find Master Subaun

The Jedi pass glances to each other, puzzled.

…

BOOM

creeeeeeeek

The large wooden doors are pushed open. Fawn and the Jedi throw their eyes toward the door.

Subaun enters. The air grows tense.

The masked Jedi give way as he slowly walks through them and closer to Fawn.

He dons a mask as well, which he gently removes to meet the youngling with his own soft eyes.

[Subaun] (friendly) Fawn…

Fawn tries to form words, but he can’t. He didn’t think this far ahead.

[S] I wish I could say this is unexpected, but I guess we have a lot to talk about... Would you like to follow me in?

Fawn quickly nods.

He flicks his gaze at the other Jedi one last time before following Subaun through the doors.

The four Jedi watch the door steadily.

[Masked Jedi] (appalled) Who…?

—

The two enter the balcony over the auditorium. The dragon still looms over the stage at the front of the room. Both Subaun and Fawn observe it for a moment.

[S] No Tiir today. You don’t have to worry about the same ordeal.

Fawn doesn’t respond. His stomach churns at the sight, the vision of the dragon from the hallway flashes in his head.

[S] Come along this way.

Fawn peels his eyes off of it and keeps pace.

[F] Where are we going?

[S] Somewhere quiet to talk.

[F] It's quiet here, right?.

Subaun stops and turns. Fawn’s tension is apparent.

[S] We’re going to see the subject of our futures. Is that something you wish?

…

[F] Ok.

–

A hidden side door leads into a brightly lit but musty, stone hallway. Blinding lamps are posted against the walls, serving to light up small but fantastically etched murals. Beside these murals, there is usually a heavy, imposing door. This pattern of doors and murals echoed far down the hall and perhaps to a second level as well.

Subaun says few words to Fawn as they enter this still space.

Fawn follows at a short distance until Subaun stops before one of the doors.

He hesitates only a moment before sliding the slab door away as if he were opening a tomb.

Fawn jumps at the sudden, grating sound of stone grinding against stone as it crashes through the echoey hall.

Without a glance toward Fawn, Subaun disappears into the shadowed room

Fawn cautiously moves closer to the exposed doorway. It’s verily dark within. Subaun’s eyes glow back at him the way owls’ eyes do, awaiting Fawn to follow into the darkness.

[S] Right, the light…

He quickly turns away. After a moment, a lamp light ignites, and everything is clearer.

The stone room was barren except for two stand-out features. A large looming pillar with the word GUARDIAN written on it, and underneath it, A sleek marble box with a silver lining.

A coffin.

Fawn apprehensively enters.

Subaun uses the Force to close the door back up behind Fawn. His skin tingles with anxiety after being swept along Subaun’s current.

[S] (calm) Just for privacy.

There’s a moment of sheer silence between the two. Subaun’s eyes fall on the coffin. He looks at it like he expects it to give him the words to say. Finally, he speaks.

[S] “Above all, here is a sanctuary to give any Jedi cover from the torrent of doubt, distress, and expectation. To still minds through acceptance rather than shame. That is the foundation of the pillars. Without it, the Awakenings could not stand, and this Order would crumble.”

Subaun places a hand on the coffin.

[S] -Un’nunda Bollo. Our previous leader and the visionary of the Second Awakening. My Master…

An uncomfortable pause. Fawn winces at the stale air.

[F] …Awakening?

Subaun nods.

[S] This order stands on two visions that have occurred over its history. The first was 2000 years ago at its conception. A Jedi named Hoffiss proclaimed that a moment would come where the stone-carved ideals of the Jedi Order crumble away, making way for a new order. This order would be lenient, introspective, and ultimately the summit of galactic power. This would be what we call the “Day of Change” and is the First Awakening.

Fawn's eyes dart timidly.

Subaun drifts as his speech carries him about the room.

[S] This order continued with the Awakening preached to the minds of the members, but never to their hearts. It was seen to become more of a socialite club. Lost Jedi began dipping into trading, politics, even gambling. Two millennia of foul blights required only one answer.

Subaun motioned to the tomb once more.

[S] A Second Awakening… proclaimed by Bollo on a solemn night one decade ago. Bollo’s vision was abstract, but empowering. He saw the Jedi Temple lit ablaze in a purifying fire. Ash only remained when all was said and done. Suddenly, from that Ash, pillars began to shoot toward the sky, and resting atop these pillars was a new temple… The new order.

[F] Isn’t that the same as the first? Just… darker, I guess.

Subaun nods.

[S] But the pillars are what captivated Bollo. Because on each was an inscription. Now, most of them were shrouded in darkness, unable to be determined from Bollo’s view, but two were clear:

Subaun raises two fingers toward Fawn to enunciate the words.

[S] Guardian. Zealot.

Subaun repeats slower.

[S] Guardian… Zealot…

He points toward the decorative column behind Bollo’s tomb. Etched in stone: GUARDIAN.

[F] Is that the pillar from the vision?

[S] No. The pillars are roles. They are given to those who are believed to match the qualities the vision was trying to convey. Those who will become pivotal in propping up the new Jedi order.

Subaun suddenly moves past Fawn toward the door.

He pulls it open again and steps out into the hall. Fawn follows.

[F] He was the Guardian?

[S] Every Grand Master of the Ordained Order is seen as the Guardian. We are the ones who guard the teachings and nurture its strength.

The two begin to tread down the hall toward a larger stone door at the end of it.

[S] The Zealot— less common. It’s only recognized as those who give their entire soul to the Ordained Order. They see no other path in the force for themselves other than acting to fulfill the Awakenings. That, today, is recognized in Dofe Tiir.

A brief pause. Both jutted into an awkward air. They stand before the great stone door to an even larger tomb.

Subaun casts a tense gaze down onto Fawn.

A coat of friendly pleasantries melts away as his tone deepens.

[S] But there’s one more part I haven’t mentioned…

Subaun carefully reached out and moved away the second sealed door.

Within was another barren tomb, even lacking a coffin at its center. The only feature was an imposing slanted support column overhead.

[S] While Bollo was busy identifying the inscriptions within his vision. A third visible pillar suddenly appeared before him… It startled him, is what he said. It was titanic in size, and rather than standing straight, it was at an angle, resting precariously against the Zealot’s pillar. It had no inscription, so it was simply called The Leaning Monolith.

Fawn watches into the tomb steadily, absorbing the words Subaun says.

[F] Who takes that role?

[S] The concept of the Leaning Monolith gnawed at us for a long time. It was a looming, unnerving mystery of the Bollo’s vision– Why was it slanted? Why was its appearance delayed from the others? What was the significance of it leaning only against the Zealot? Bollo believed the new Jedi Order could not stand without all three of the pillars being recognized; however, he could not understand the third.

Subaun’s words tighten on Fawn.

[S] But it all became clear yesterday.

He pushes in close to Fawn's personal space.

[S] (softly) The auditorium. Rescosia… Why have you appeared here today, Fawn Volsh?

…

Fawn glares into Subaun’s steely, fervent eyes.

[F] Me?

[S] The day of change has come upon this order. That’s what the meeting is about tomorrow. The monolith is imminent… who else but you?

[F] I–

A flustering anxiety bubbles in Fawn’s gut. He deviates from Subaun and into his swelling thoughts. His soul burns from the shifting of lax principles that sat sedentary in all his years of instruction.

Fawn runs his finger through the fur of his cape Frenna gifted to him.

Then the torrent subsides. It's only his identity now. No thoughts of Jedi. No pressure of prophecy or expectation. He clears the fog. The path is shown.

[F] (firm) There’s a part for me here?

[S] Yes.

[F] Will I get initiation?-- A Master?

Subaun smiles gently.

[S] That was my next proposition.

Fawn’s heart lights alive in the moment, and a rush of relief flows forth from his breath.

Nova is going to flip.

—

The doors seal, and the elevator begins to ascend with a gentle hum.

…

[F] Why masks?

Subaun pulls a glace to Fawn.

[S] Not for anonymity, like you’d expect… and not permanent either. Think of it as a skin we’ll molt out of when the day of change arrives.

[F] And I’ll get one?

[S] You’ll choose when we return to the sanctum.

…

[F] The day of change… it’s… What triggers it? What does it entail?

[S] It’s a plan. I’ll make it clearer at the meeting tomorrow. Just to spare the redundancy between us. Is that okay?

[F] Of course…

The elevator doors open. A short hall leads to a pair of temple guards standing at a set of double doors.

[F] …Master.

The pair approaches the door and halts before the guards.

Subaun stares empty-eyed in a stoic trance at the ornate door before them. Unusually, the temple guards’ eyes are drawn to Subaun and subsequently to the boy beside him. They return to attention.

[Temple guard 1] Shail has been by.

[S] Lacks my concern.

…

[S] You’ll be at the meeting tomorrow?

Fawn turns to respond.

[TG1] Of course.

[TG2] Yes.

Fawn’s words are swept back into his throat without sound. His eyes dart between the guards in shock.

Not another sound. They wait.

Suddenly, the doors are pushed open, and a Jedi and a Padawan exit. They go around Subaun, who is locked in a cold stare into the room beyond the doors. He places his boot forward on the floor before him. Fawn follows.

Subaun is a grey cloud passing into the solemn environment. His presence has a foggy achiness to it that draws all eyes, but never quite enough to be something to point out.

[S] (dry) Good evening. Tonight, I wish to invoke a special exemption initiation to bypass trials and further temple instruction of Jedi Youngling Fawn Volsh– and to begin apprenticeship under the guidance of I, Jedi Knight Froy Subaun.

Mace Windu’s inquisitive eyes pass from Subaun to the youngling.

Fawn’s dazed by the moment.

Windu pans his gaze toward the rest of the council members. All are tense and motionless. He lays them back upon Subaun.

…

[Windu] No.

Subaun’s face doesn’t even twitch.

Fawn feels a jolt of panic.

[Wndu] Not yet, at least. Nearly all of the council is out on assignment–

[S] Majority presence is not required for this motion. If the present council agrees–

Windu cuts in

[Wndu] The council has ultimate authority over such a momentous decision. Taking into account your coldness to authority, prolific absence of assignments, and a certain fault of your recent past. Your request to take young Volsh as a padawn will be handled as a special case. It will require majority attention and will remain in limbo for now.

Fawn eyeballs Subaun.

Certain fault?

Suabun’s icy gaze on Master Windu turns colder.

[S] The “council” sounds of only one voice at the moment.

Windu pauses and turns to the other present council members: Saesee Tiin, Shaak Ti, Oppo Rancisis, and Eeth Koth.

[Saesee Tiin] Master Windu’s logic is sound. I agree.

Windu’s eyes go to Shaak Ti, who nods gently.

to Eeth Koth

[Eeth Koth] Yes.

[Oppo Rancisis] I would like to object.

The council and Fawn’s eyes lock on the opposing council member, who is present only through hologram.

Subaun’s gaze does not move from the air in front of him as if he expected the response.

[OpRan] I hold the belief that the force itself solely dictates Jedi apprenticeship. Rejection or, in this case, postponement by decision of the council should be rare and only for special cases, and while Froy has had stumbles along his path, I don’t believe it is critical enough to be considered a special case. As long as the two parties sense this is the path for themselves, who are we to become an obstacle?

[Wndu] I believe a degree of caution is not an obstacle.

[Shaak Ti] (to Fawn) What is your perspective on Froy Subaun, young one?

Fawn’s words are lost in the rolling torrent crashing in his head.

He quickly turns to Subaun, who gently passes an edged gaze back down to him.

[F] (to Subaun, concerned) What fault are they talking about?

Subaun hesitates in a moment of somber reflection.

[S] I fell in love.

His murky eyes pass over each council member in the room, finally landing on Mace Windu.

[S] (to Fawn, jaded) That was my grievous fault…

[Wndu] Fawn.

Windu’s eyes unstitch from Subaun and fall to the boy.

[Wndu] Your perspective matters.

Fawn tensely locks in place. He desperately tries to hold back the panic ripping at his heart.

Subaun kneels down to Fawn’s level.

[S] It’s okay–

Wndu interjects again.

[Wndu] (to Subaun) Leave the room, please. We wish to speak to the youngling unimpeded.

Subaun's attention shoots to Windu and holds on him with a controlled calmness.

He gently turns back to Fawn; his mouth passing briefly by Fawn’s ear.

[S] (whisper, passive-aggressive) Tell them anything and you lose it all.

Subaun quickly stands and leaves.

Fawn watches trepidly as the heavy chamber doors creek shut, sealing him inside.

—

Subaun stands stiffer than the chamber’s guards. He suspensively lingers in the teetering tension as he waits for the verdict inside.

The chamber’s guards stay motionless, but are almost certainly watching him behind darkened visors.

It’s bitterly quiet. Only broken by the occasional sound of the distant elevator on some unknown floor or a quick peck of a voice from within the council chambers.

…

boom

The chamber door creaks open. Fawn steps into the hall.

He eyes down Subaun with a clenched demeanor.

Tightly, Fawn moves closer. Subaun stays still, only watching the youngling with pressured eyes.

Fawn diverts his gaze into empty space. He raises a balled fist and softly opens it.

The pins of a padawan braid.

Subaun watches them like they were robbed jewels.

[S] How.

Fawn's voice holds strong in an unfamiliar way.

[F] …They said I was scared. And they spoke to me like I was a lost pet... like I didn’t know what I was doing associating myself with you. They mostly asked about you, and I couldn’t say much. Not out of secrecy, I just don’t know you…

[S] Of course, that’s how this dynamic always begins.

Fawn curls his fingers around the braid pins.

[F] But unlike others, you’re asking for a leap of faith. You’re asking me to back a movement that opposes an ancient, unchallenged bureaucracy.

…

[S] But I’m not challenging the bureaucracy. I’m challenging the Jedi Order’s great disquiet. Every day, Jedi hold in tears they wish to cry, push away those they wish to love… its shell that’s beginning to crack… A movement in the Force so powerful that it sent two visions and manifested the creation of the Ordained Order. And here you are now… the drawnback shore before the wave of relief for all Jedi.

[F] Mm.

[S] The importance can’t be lost on you. Very soon, all Jedi will be able to dip into the honey pot I give you now. Freedom, peace, power over your own life. All of your friends too… er– Nova Kabani? From Rescosia right?--

Fawn’s eyes spark toward Subaun.

[S] –All this for her, too. Master Bollo promised me this, and I promise it to you now.

[F] And what of the Dark Side. The Jedi code is there for a reason.

Subaun’s passion cools and drops to Fawn’s level.

[S] When my Master revealed all of this to me, I asked the same… and now 10 years I’ve been a part of this Order. And do I look Sith?

Fawn’s hesitation is loud.

[S] Fawn… I still love… I still cherish my wife to this day. Do I look Sith to you?

...

[F] No.

A film of silence floats between them.

Subaun’s eyes firmly solidify on Fawn.

…

[S] Do you wish to join the Ordained Order, Fawn.

…

Fawn swallows something deep inside.

[F] I do.

He gently opens his hand again, staring down at the simple pins.

[F] At the end of the questioning, the council suddenly changed their demeanor. I’m not sure why… It just seemed like they reached a revelation. They told me that the dynamic of Master and Padawan is fluid, at any moment, a Master can become an Padwan, and a Padawan can become an Master. They gave me these and said “Let the Force guide your decision.”

Fawn looks at Subaun with a passionate intensity.

[F] Well, the force has guided me here. So I’ll be your symbol… and even though I’m a Padawn, I will be a Master of your Ordained Order.

—

Chapter 25: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch25

—

Frenna pulls away from the info terminal.

[Frenna] I'm sorry Nova...

Nova squeezes her face with her hands as the thoughts tick.

[Nova] That means someone deleted the records

She mumbles through her pressed cheeks.

[Fr] Yes, it seems that way.

Nova drops her hands to speak clearly.

[N] Who all has access to the library vault records?

[Fr] Librarians

[N] Hm...

Nova's thoughts stray in a quiet moment.

[N] I didn't know you were a Librarian.

[Fr] Just part-time. It's quiet... Have you ever considered being one?

[N] Oh no, that's way too slow for my lane.

[Fr] You're lane?

[N] Yep, I'm on the fast track to become the first Grand Grand Master.

Frenna laughs heartily.

[Fr] Is that something Tul's on board with?

[N] Tul-ko? I don't know. I think—

Nova drops a dead pause as her eyes leap back to the glowing terminal.

[N] (firm) Sorry, we're off topic... I don't want to take up all of your time. Are you certain that no one else, but a Jedi, can access the Jedi Vault?

[Fr] Well... with special permission from the Jedi Council, scholars from outside the temple can study holocrons, but its a lengthy acceptance process and not many get in. And since many scholars aren't clued in on the existence of the Force anyways, we don't have many visitors.

[N] Hmm... So even if a non-Jedi were to have the L'sadr removed. They would've needed a Librarian to cover the tracks.

[Fr] I can ask around. I'm not familiar with many of the other Librarians; they're just sort of distant co-workers. I'll also bring up the issue with Master Jocasta Nu, if you'd like.

Nova's mouth stays sealed as her mind blasts at the enigma.

[Fr] And it seems I've also found myself suspect table again too, huh.

She says with a forced nervous smile.

[N] Every nerve in my body is telling me this is not a Jedi's doing.

[Fr] Why? Is that not the obvious constant?

Nova's thoughts roll harder in a contemplative silence.

...

Her shoulders go lax, and her head lolls a bit.

[N] (defeated) I don't know...

[Fr] That's okay, Nova, you're just not used to this kind of stuff.

...

[N] L'sadr...... Frenna, may I take a look at the holocron with the archive of L'sadr's admittance into the vault? The one the council found recently. I want to study it. Maybe it has some details in there.

[Fr] Sure, of course.

Frenna turns toward the terminal.

...

...

[N] No!

Nova slams her hand on the table beside Frenna, half-startling her.

Nova's heart pounds with the force of a neutron star.

[N] Show me the previous access records of that archive!

Suddenly, in a blitzing instant, the walls of the Library felt tighter on Frenna.

[Fr] It would just be the council.

[N] Whoever is the culprit had to learn about the L'sadr before the attack on Rescosia, right??

...

Frenna, as if bound in chains, moves to the terminal and pulls up the access records of the L'sadr's containment.

[Fr] "Po Koon"...

...

She freezes as her eyes lie upon the calamitous tear in the fabric of the Order's discretion.

Nova leans close to the terminal

[N] "Geott Hodosor and Froy Subaun".

The remaining support beams of security crumble to dust in Frenna's mind. Her eyes stay transfixed on the two names.

[N] Hodosor? As in the Director of the MHC? What would the Major Hyperspace Committee need from ancient Jedi texts?

Frenna keeps an iron grip on her facade, but still unable to hide the deadness of her gaze.

[Fr] I don't know.

Nova leans herself against Frenna's desk.

[N] And Froy Subaun... I don't know that one... Are they a Librarian here?

[Fr] No. Maybe another MHC member.

[N] Probably. Maybe they forged an access key or hacked the vault to clear their name when the L'sadr was removed or something. That's why it didn't log that time around! This is invasion, not Jedi betrayal!

Nova gleefully slaps her hands together

[N] Ha!

She grabs Frenna's shoulders and starts shaking her with a gleaming smile

[N] They weren't Jedi Frenna! It's been a facade! I bet the L'sadr was lying–

[Fr] Nova!!

Frenna suddenly launches out of her chair and grabs Nova by the shoulders hard.

The word bounces through the echoey halls, summoning every eye in the room.

Frenna glares at the crowd, her face melts sternly as she looks back into Nova's now petrified eyes.

[Fr] (whisper, firm) This whimsical mindset needs to die. If you are walking into an inferno, your mind has to be clear and certain. These people brought hell to a planet, I dread to imagine what they plan for you. They know that we know of their transgression, I'm sure of it... So, you have to be mindful.

Despite Frenna loosening her grip, Nova is locked in place, breathless.

She holds her pressured gaze on Frenna's strained face for a time before swallowing down her shock.

[Fr] Okay?

[N] (tense) Okay.

[Fr] (softly) Okay... I'm just looking out for you.

[N] Yeah. I know.

[Fr] Alright... I've got to get back to work; we burned through my supper break... I'll see you around.

[N] Of course.

[Fr] May the force be with you.

[N] May the force be with you.

Nova begins off.

She stops.

[N] Frenna.

[Fr] Mm?

[N] Why were you on Rescosia?

...

[Fr] I was sent earlier to scout out the situation beforehand. It's also not unlike the council to send Jedi who are acquaintances together on the same missions. Since Tul-ko was my old clanmate, I assume that's why they sent me.

[N] Yeah... Thanks for the help.

[Fr] Glad I could.

—

SLAM

Frenna smashes her lightsaber hilt down on the table top.

She paces in her darkened bedroom, breath heavy.

Even heavier is the atrocity she's contemplating.

Her mask lies in wait on her bed

Hodosor. Subaun. West Rock.

She stops.

Her pain-drenched eyes look down upon her blade hilt.

Slowly, she curls it into her hand and tucks it into her sleeve.

She inhales commitment and exhales her morality as she moves toward her room door.

knock knock knock

Frenna roots in place, eyes shocked toward the door.

She pulls herself to the right of her door. Intently listening for any sound from the sudden visitor.

But Frenna already knows who it is, she's sensed this presence countless times before.

Abruptly, her door begins to gently crack open. An eye peers in.

Tul-ko.

He says nothing. Stern eyes follow the edges of the apparently empty room.

Frenna stays motionless with only short, silent breaths.

She hides her presence. A common skill that can be learned with acute training.

A glint of indignity pierces Tul-ko at the invasion of her personal space. He softly pulls away and shuts the door.

He's gone.

Frenna's tension floods away with a long exhale.

She looks at the mask and tosses it back onto the bed.

Her mind whirls and spins.

They can't push this any further.

[Fr] (furious) Damn it!

She slumps down in the seat of her personal study desk.

Her face falls into her hands as shame swells within her.

[Fr] (confined, grieved) Shail. Shail has to do it. I'm worthless.

—

The council was busy with other matters— some Separatist diplomatic tussle in the mid rim.

Nova lies quietly on her bed.

Her head is heavy with thoughts.

Sleep may be an impossibility tonight.

The MHC. A group that oversees and regulates the hyperspace lanes. Taxation, Jurisdiction, Coordination, ect. They're closely tied with the Senate and, in conjunction, the Jedi Order... There's been some fears of separatist influence... Is all of this a Seperatist ploy? It's too loony. Why would they dress as Jedi and plant not just a bomb, but an ancient force beast in Rescosia? False Incrimination? Why Rescosia?

There is a knock at Nova's door.

She vaults herself up and slides out of bed to check it.

Suddenly, she freezes before the door switch

I dread to imagine what they plan for you... You have to be mindful....

Nova takes a cautious step away and reaches out to sense who is behind the door.

There's... no one

Nothing.

Even someone without the force is tangible through it.

Their presence is being hidden, intentionally.

With a timid glance, Nova unhooks her lightsaber hilt and places her hand on the door switch.

Heart pounding, she sucks in a tensed breath and presses it.

The door slides open, and Nova flinches into a defensive stance.

But no one is there...

Her eyes dart with confusion.

She steps into the hall.

It's completely empty.

[N] (whisper, to herself) What?

...

Wait...

She whips her head around to see her Master enter the hall.

[N] (on edge) Master...

Tul-ko's weightless, tired eyes spark puzzled seeing his padawan already waiting for him.

[Tul-ko] Nova... I was just coming to see you.

[N] (distressed) You... You just knocked on my door, right?

[Tk] No. What?

[N] My door... That wasn't you?

She flings her head around to check the ends of the hallway. It's long and plain. No places to hide, and too long for someone to knock and run without being heard.

[N] There wasn't anyone coming down the hallway you came from?

[Tk] What's wrong?

She just waits for an answer.

[Tk] No, I didn't see anyone.

[N] Someone just knocked on my door. Clear as day, and loud too. It wasn't a trick of the mind...

A tight pause.

[N] I...

Suddenly, Nova loses all blood in her face as a shattering realization enters her mind.

[N] (to herself) Only... Jedi can open archive holocrons...

[N] (to Tk) Master... Have you ever heard of a Jedi named... Froy Subaun?

[Tk] I've heard the name, yes

...

[N] Oh.

—

Chapter 26: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch26

—

Consciousness whips back into Fawn as he awakes from a deep slumber

His face is pressed into a puffy, drool-stained pillow.

He reels up from it and flips it to its dry side.

He flops himself onto his back and winces with fatigue.

He's in a flamboyantly decorated room with red and blue hanging curtains, tapestry, and meticulously carved furnishings. A small desk light brings a warm, cozy air. At the center of the room is a large, deeply cushioned bed, which has Fawn snug under its comforter.

He fights the gnawing urge to sink back into his dreams, but his eyes snap open at the sight of something above him.

Perched at the top of the bed's backboard is a carving of the auditorium's dragon.

He watches it airily.

...

Ding ding ding ding

A gentle alarm goes off. It sounds like small bell chimes.

Fawn groans and clambers out of the cushion trap.

Ding

He washes his hair, now fitted with the beginnings of a Padawan braid

Ding

He puts on red robes

Ding

He pulls his cape from Rescosia on his shoulders.

Ding

Fawn heads to the door, placing something on his face before exiting into the hall.

—

Masked Jedi gather in the Auditorium.

Discreet, esoteric conversations bounce between anonymous faces.

Some simply sit alone in silence, awaiting the words of the Grand Master.

Subaun sits, masked, center stage. Head tilted with ticking thoughts.

The Martyrs stand statuesque at the edges of the stage floor.

Among them is Frenna, cloaked in anonymity as well.

[Frenna] (whisper) Any favor beyond this is on the table. Please Shail...

[Shail] (whisper) I'm offended you would even offer such a burden.

The two don't twitch a muscle while they speak. Their eyes stay transfixed on the social crowd.

[Fr] Why? This is not just a burden on me; it's a burden on the entire order. If the leak grows any more– and it will... The sitting council will intervene before the Day of Change arrives.

[Sh] Then that should be motivation enough.

[Fr] (desperate) I'm only asking for your aid.

[Sh] If the command comes.

...

[Fr] How long until the Day of Change? Maybe it could just be waited out.

[Sh] Your neglect of your duty is disturbing. Just place yourself in the mind of Tiir. What needs to be done, Frenna? Padawan perish tragically in the field all the time. It's a sad reality, but a perfect cover.

She goes silent.

...

There's a subtle upstir in the room.

[Sh] (surprise) Oh... or you can just ask him now...

Subaun lifts his eyes to the aisle.

There, Dofe Tiir marches toward the stage. He understands his weight and carries himself as such.

The Grand Master freezes, completely caught off guard by the appearance.

Tiir stops at the bottom of the stage and bows.

[Tiir] I understand my strange appearance today is like spying a glacier on a sweltering day. Allow me to cure your worries...

He steps up onto the stage and leans closer to share a whisper with a very confused Subaun.

[T] Preparations were handled by the Light Seers before I even left world. They notified me so. Everything's ready without spoiling it with our presence early.

[Subaun] You never went to West Rock?

Tiir shakes his head lightly.

[T] No need.

Subaun leans back in his chair.

[S] That's fine, I don't understand why I wasn't made aware earlier, however.

[T] A matter you may bring up with them later.

Tiir pulls away. He turns and glares at the Martyrs, and especially at Frenna.

[S] Tiir.

Subaun motions for him to lean close again.

[S] (whisper) I have a special surprise today...

[T] Mm, I await the spectacle gayly

Tiir turns and takes the chair next to Subaun.

—

The room is silent. The lights dim by the hand of a masked Jedi on the top deck. Only the stage stays illuminated.

Subaun stands.

...

He turns his attention and points toward the Dragon above.

[S] Does anyone know why that's up there?

He lingers.

[S] Anyone?

...

[S] My Master, our great and– tragically late Grand Master would joke saying: "Why, it came with the place!" before diving into his typical metaphors: "It's a sign of strength", "it's wings wrap us and bind us together", "the fire in its belly is the fire in our soul" etcetera, etcetera. But, why! Was it a secret art project of a Jedi hundreds of years ago? Was this hall built simply to facilitate that? And why in a wall! Was it simply to give us back cramps coming in and out of that damned hole behind the plant?

Subaun mimics pain in his back, which gets a few chuckles out of the crowd.

[S] Why that dragon is here and who put it here will remain lost until we find, maybe, a book of its history, but I don't believe it's meaningless to question its place among us. You see, I was challenged with this question recently by one of our members. "What is that?", they elegantly put it. I passed it off... "I'll tell you later". Truthfully, I was just dodging the lapse in my knowledge, and now I found myself uncomfortably placed in a situation where I had to deliver on this question at some point. And the more I pondered on it, the more anxious and uncomfortable I got with it. I could've just fallen on Bollo's words, but I felt there was more to it. As I toiled and tussled, it became more of an itch I couldn't scratch. But that's when it all came together in a moment of clarity. What we see when we look up to this Beast above us is not a comforting symbol, but an adversary...

He lets that linger.

[S] We are strangers in its den... but this den shelters us, allows us transparency and warmth of community. But this looming dragon is that itch... that reminder that in the search for comfort, chaos and consequences will always remain... My awakened Jedi brothers and sisters, the Day of Change is nigh upon us. And as we are exalted on pillars high into that unfamiliar place of comfort. Let us not allow uncertainty or evil to muddy our feet as we step forward onto our destined path. Our destined path... being West Rock.

Above the heads of the audience members, a shadowed figure watches from the top balcony.

[S] Now, West Rock, for the uninformed, is a newly discovered planet in the Outer Rim. Not 20 years ago, it was found by a prospecting group that call themselves "The Strikers." And when the Strikers arrived, they found two things. A group of warmly inviting indigenous people named the Tecretians, and the largest deposit of Coaxium ever discovered in history.

Subaun gives a long whistle of amazement

[S] They were sitting on what could be hundreds of billions of credits. And for a time, it was held as a secret, long enough to establish a drilling operation and form peace with the Tecretian people. But, expansion meant the secret needed to slip.

Shail tilts his frozen head toward something catching his eye.

A tiny glint in the sleeve of an audience member.

He stiffens to attention again.

[S] To move forward toward today: Republic charter, Mass immigration, A social caste system burying Tecretian natives under discrimination, rebellion, and massacre. We know through our friends in the Senate and the Separatists that nobody is happy about how West Rock is being handled. Why do the Strikers persist in their privatization when they could sell off to more efficient fuel tycoons and then retire to the beaches of Niamos?! But they are blinded by grander visions, unable to see the sinking sands of societal uproar reaching their necks, bound to swallow them whole. The Strikers are in peril. The Strickers are doomed. And from their doom we will rise.

...

[S] (Impassioned) The "Day of Change". Once we have been given concrete authority over the planet, we'll place her in the hands of our good friends in the Senate. In exchange, the Jedi religion will not only deepen in politics, but will break its boundaries further than the sitting council ever thought to go... (softer) but... none of this can happen.

Tiir's once motionless head tilts inquisitively toward Subaun.

There's a small stir of confusion in the crowd.

[S] It's not to be so... According to the very architect himself, our late Grand Master... Something... is missing... Today, before you are the Pillars... I, the Guardian, Dofe Tiir: the Zealot, and... the last, the enigmatic, the spontaneous...

He gestures with a solemn, weightful hand

[S] Leaning Monolith.

The heads of the congregation spin back.

Tiir leaps up from his chair.

Even the Jedi Martyrs break their stoic poses in surprise.

The Leaning Monolith was a fantasy, a blip in the teachings. Nearly forgotten in the minds of the Ordained Order's members.

But, there, at the top of the balcony, the owner of the title stood blanketed in darkness.

Some members of the audience leap to their feet to get a better view.

Slowly, the lights fade on stage and illuminate the balcony above.

There stood Fawn Volsh.

Both hands tightly clench the railing.

Upon his face, a stone-ceramic mask. He watches down on the meeting through darkened eye slits with two distinct tear trails engraved in the cheeks. Atop his forehead, a set of engraved eyes angled down toward his eye slits. A second set of angled eyes along the nostrils and cheekbones points upward in a mirrored manner. At first glance, a mouth is absent, but with closer observation, a wide, toothy grin lines the chin and stops at either end of Fawn's ears.

Commotion rises in the room as he begins to descend the steps.

Tiir whips his head back and forth from Fawn to Subaun in shock.

Subaun stands proudly.

The question rang loud in the heads of all who witnessed, almost to where it was audible.

Who?

Frenna... already knows who it is. But, she can't dare say a word. She simply watches with horror.

Fawn strides down the aisle, giving not a single glance toward the appalled audience.

The lights illuminate back on stage as Fawn steps onto it.

He stops in front of Subaun. The commotion continues.

Tiir is locked in an astonished trance toward Fawn, unable to form words

Subaun raises a hand to silence the Auditorium. It quiets, but murmurs stir.

[S] Silence!

Dead quiet.

[S] Sit Tiir.

He doesn't. His look of daggers holds hard on Subaun, nearly overstepping the hierarchy.

Subaun quietly returns the glare.

An agonizing tension strains between the two of them for a moment.

...

Tiir rigidly drops himself back into his chair, his glare never breaking.

Subaun turns back to Fawn.

[S] Kneel.

Fawn drops to a knee.

[S] Jedi Padawan Fawn Volsh. Do you swear by the visions of Un'nunda Bollo and accept your path in the Force as a servant for the greater of the Jedi faith?

[Fawn] (firm) Yes.

[S] And do you, Fawn Volsh, accept the divinity of secrecy? And the damnation to follow if ever such sin is made light.

Shail's eyes once again pass to the shining glint in the crowd.

[F] Yes.

[S] You have been bestowed the title of The Hidden Monolith. Do you accept this ultimate title... this branding as if burned upon your skin?

[F] Yes, I do.

[S] The name "Fawn Volsh" now finds itself in limbo, according to the confidentiality of the Order. You may choose a new name for yourself or remain as you are.

Fawn didn't expect this. He falls silent in thought,

[F] I want... to stay as I am.

[S] Very well... Stand.

He rises and moves to Subaun's side.

[S] (preaching, to audience) Behold the unannounced final pillar, my new padawan Fawn Volsh. You will treat him as another part of myself. With this, the conditions of the Day of Change are met. In one hour, we will leave Coruscant. All those who wish to participate will remain here in the Sanctum until the hour arrives. The Force is with us.

[T, Martyrs, Audience] And we are with The Force.

—

Masked Jedi trickle out of the Auditorium. They exit through the hole in the temple hallway one after the other. To avoid unexpected observers, select temple guard members block the hallways during this time.

Subaun, Tiir, and Fawn remain seated. The Martyrs stay as stage pieces on either side.

Fawn scans the audience to spy any hint of Frenna.

[S] (to Fawn) Do you have questions?

[F] So... the Day of Change is just to introduce Jedi representation into politics?

[S] A part of it.

[F] What about changing the aged values of the Jedi Order?

Subaun pauses a moment.

[S] The plan is to exalt ourselves as a newly established order and accept any members of the ancient order who feel enticed to follow.

[F] Okay, so my friend Nova can join then?

[S] If she inclines.

Hollowness follows his voice.

Shail breaks from the group of Martyrs

He walks to Tiir and briefly whispers something in his ear.

Tiir shows nothing but a slight tilt in his head. Shail pulls away to descend the stairs, but Tiir stops him and pulls him back into a whisper.

[T] Place it upon our new member.

Shail slowly rises with contemplation, then walks in front of Fawn. Subaun watches the ordeal intently.

[Sh] (to Fawn) Do you see the audience member standing on the left side of the room, three lamps down from the stage? They are in line for the exit.

Fawn, extremely puzzled by the sudden exchange, looks past Shail and spots the Jedi. They hold a confined and tense posture as they shuffle toward the exit.

[F] Yes, I see them.

[Sh] Go up to them and command them to head to Conference Room 2 to discuss their lobbying progress with the Mektone System Senators.

[F] Uh...

Fawn looks at Subaun with a tangled expression.

[S] (to Fawn) Tell them they are meeting with me.

[Sh] Perfect.

[F] Okay... I just— Why have me do it?

[S] Just icebreaking, my Padawan.

[F] Sure, yeah, okay... Yes, Master.

Fawn gets up from his chair and descends the stage.

Many eyes in the room latch onto him as he approaches the lone masked Jedi.

—

Shail descends the steps and beckons Frenna and another Martyr to follow. They do, and the trio disappears stage left.

[S] What is it.

[T] Shail believes he spotted a recording device.

[S] Mm.

Subaun sighs deeply

—

Fawn stops before the designated Jedi. The others nearby watch Fawn with bewildered eyes as if an angel had just descended upon them.

[F] You are to... meet the Grand Master in Conference Room 2 to discuss your Senate lobbying progress.

The designated Jedi watches Fawn with a cautious intensity.

[Masked Jedi] (confined) Unfortunately, I have external matters I must address hastily. Please forward him my highest apologies.

He turns away and continues toward the exit.

Fawn stands a bit stunned. The room's eyes hold pressingly on him.

[F] (firm, loud) Jedi.

Every voice in the room shuts up.

The Jedi freezes and turns tightly back.

[F] I think it was established today very clearly that all of the preparation and work of this Order is coming to head soon. Sure, yeah, we are the "pillars", but how I see it, the rest of you are the foundation, correct? To me, it looks like you are choosing to weaken it. Am I wrong?

The Jedi looks past Fawn toward the stage

[MJ] (calling, to Subaun) I have an urgent assignment from the sitting council. Please forgiv—

[F] (striking) You are speaking to me!

The Jedi's attention whips to Fawn. You could hear a pin drop in the stillness of the room.

Both Subaun and Tiir watch curiously.

[F] (cooled) Thank you... Please... respect the request. It shouldn't be too long.

The Jedi looks back at the stage. Tiir, Subaun, and the other Martyr's faceless, inhuman glares return.

[MJ] (reluctant) If it's not too long... I apologize for any difficulty.

He descends the aisle and disappears behind a pillar into a connecting hallway.

Most continue toward the exit. But some return to their seats, eyes lingering on Fawn while he steps back on stage.

[F] (to Subaun) Sorry, that might have been a bit excessive. It just kinda irks when I'm passed over like that.

[T] You apologize for defending your authority?

Fawn is taken aback a little by Tiir's comment.

[F] I don't know. Well anyway... There you go.

Fawn falls back into his seat.

[S] Well done.

[F] Thanks...

A member walks up to the stage and bows.

[Member] Grand Master Subaun, a moment of your time, please.

Subaun leans toward Fawn.

[S] Duty calls.

Subaun stands and follows the Jedi audience member off stage, leaving only Tiir and Fawn.

...

...

...

[F] Tiir.

He just slightly turns his head toward Fawn's way.

[F] I don't want to start this with any hostilities between us. I know our meeting was a bit rough... And maybe it's a surprise that I'm back... but... yeah, I don't know.

[T] The only importance is that you believe in the awakening of Bollo and the path this order has taken to achieve such.

[F] I do...

[T] Mm. There are many things yet to be revealed, and all will be tests of faith. But it seems... You've passed today's.

Fawn turns away and leans more comfortably in the stage chair.

A pulse of determination leaps into his heart.

[F] (to himself) And I will pass all that follows.

—

The Jedi walks quietly down a lone passage. It's ambiently lit with the gentle orange electric lamps. His head is racing, competing with the speed of his pounding heart.

It's painfully quiet, the noise of the Auditorium has fallen away, leaving only him to his—

WOOSH

Suddenly, his entire body is yanked into a side room.

Lightsaber blades explode from their hilts, and a connected barrage of strikes falls upon the victim.

With a final peep into the hall, Frenna gently closes the door, sealing off the outside from the horror of the execution.

—

Chapter 27: Ep1 : "The Hidden Denomination" - Ch27

—

The hall is silent.

There’s creeping wickedness in the chilling air.

SHOOWP BOOM

Suddenly, a door in the hall is blown off its hinges as the Masked Jedi is sent hurling through it.

They slam hard against the other wall, but swiftly find their footing in moments.

The Jedi breaks into a wobbly sprint just as Shail emerges from the designated execution room. Blade drawn.

Shail viciously flings the fallen door at the Masked Jedi. They spin and split it, giving Frenna the very hesitation she needed.

BOOM

In a moment, another room door is kicked wide open and Frenna emerges, sweeping at the Martyrs' prey just on the other side.

The fleeing Jedi barely catches the blade, igniting a flurry of exchanges to crack through the ever-so-tightening atmosphere.

The third Martyr stumbles out of the execution room, looking worse for wear.

As the fury of the clash rages, as strikes are met and the two bodies are bruised against walls and by pins, Shail casually strolls to an object that had dropped to the floor.

A recording device.

He reaches down and picks it up.

A swift heave into the wall whips Frenna’s head against it, sending her into a short daze, but not enough to check her out. She braces for the next strike, but the masked Jedi instead slides away in full retreat toward the auditorium.

Shail's urgency flares. Raising the hilt high, he lances his lightsaber down the hall and square into the Jedi’s torso.

Perhaps, by only a bodily twitch, the ill-fated Jedi avoided the instant lethality of the blow. But not for long, as the righteous pack predators were already upon him.

Frenna reached them first, sweeping away a lame block and opening them up for Shail. Who, with one crisp slash of his retrieved lightsaber, shaved the heretic's head from their neck.

…

A silence tinged with wicked relief permeates the air as the gleaming blades of blue and green retreat into their hilts.

Frenna, shoveling in breath, falls to her knees.

Shail tosses the recording device beside Frenna.

He turns and approaches the Jedi’s head to remove its mask.

[Shail] Isso Mervis. A relatively new member, if I recall.

[Frenna] (grieved, soft) Isso Mamviss… They just came here looking for connection…

Frenna's voice breaks on the last word; the gnashing fiend of guilt begins to feed on her heart.

Shail speaks calmly as if the ordeal were simply an inconvenience

[Sh] To the cremator.

He stands. His eyes suddenly catch on something down the hall.

The third Martyr sits limp against the far wall. Motionless, breathless, dead.

[Sh] Damn it… Make it two… We don’t have time for an exoneration.

Shail turns back to Frenna.

She had pulled off her mask and was hiding her face in her sleeve, desperately barricading the tears that had begun to stream out.

[Sh] You violate our law over passing tears! Put your mask back on!

With quivering hands, she slams her face back into her mask and curls into a balling mess. Her tears sealed until they dry in cold ceramic.

Shail watches down on her eerily.

[Sh] you’re so pit–

[Fr] Pitiful?? Pathetic?? Worthless?? You’re so quick to stab the stakes in your own heart into mine?!

Shail falls silent.

[Fr] (soft, mournful) All they were was lonely… Emptiness when waking up, solitude when going about their day, they probably had hundreds of unheard thoughts, ideas, and dreams! They came here for community, and now I sit next to their husk!

[Sh] If they’re alone, then it seems we won’t have a padawan to remove either.

[Fr] Kill. murder. You mean.

[Sh] Say you weren’t just striking them with the same intention! Exoneration will come, Frenna. I have no idea why your tests of pain always stop short when dealing with Jedi.

To punctuate his point, Shail kicks the recording device closer to her.

He turns and marches toward the fallen Martyr, kneeling to examine the shell.

[Sh] Under Bollo, everything was without hesitation. Why are you a sniveling mess now?

Frenna hangs in a ghostly silence.

He stands frustrated.

[Sh] Tell me! It borders on treason of your Marytr pact.

[Fr] Just shut up.

[Sh] What would Tiir say! He—

[Fr] What would Tiir say to you foregoing Hestotti’s exoneration?

She tilts a hand toward the fallen Martyr.

Shail pauses

…

[Sh] (tensed) He would say they leave for West Rock in 45 minutes, and they don’t have time–

[Fr] (striking) –Tiir, Dofe Tiir, The Zealot would say to skip exoneration and wave away the most crucial rite of the Jedi Martyrs?!

…

[Sh] (sneering) Fine. We’ll let the body rot until everyone gets back.

Shail drops quiet. She had him coiled.

He silently watches his Jedi comrade. A mournful chill creeps down his back.

…

[Sh] I think… you’re right.

Frenna gives a surprised glance at the odd withdrawal.

[Sh] Hestotti was supposed to stay back with me and oversee the bomb. That means we’re down one…

…

[Sh] I don’t have much confidence in your ability to see to the leak like you need to. I think that’s very apparent by your sad little reaction to this member whom you hardly knew. So… maybe it is better if we merge responsibilities.

The air grows thick in Frenna’s throat.

[Sh] Alright, Frenna, I’ll help you see to this leak… as well as finding a cure to your plague of hesitation.

Shail heaves the limp Martyr onto his back and disappears down the hall. He had left the heretic for her…

As she looked on at the cold shell of Isso Mamviss with tear-stained eyes, she realized her mourning was no longer only for them, but also Tul-ko and Nova, who were now in the jaws of a freshened beast that was without mercy.

—

The knocking lasted all night.

Nova would leap up and throw open her door only to be haunted by an empty, sleepy hall.

Then it would return.

Knocking, tapping, slamming.

The relentless specter never ceased.

Finally, she fled away from her room into the night halls of the temple.

Nighttime at the temple was a different world.

More reverent. More solemn.

Nova’s exhausted distress disturbed all of it.

She stormed aimlessly.

Eventually, she stops at a dead end. A nothing hallway.

Her back hits the far wall and crumples down in exhaustion.

Nova’s eyes sting. Her breath is heavy. The pounding of the knocks still shapelessly hangs in her head.

—

Earlier.

[Nova] (frantic) The Sith, Master! The one the council has been looking for… It has to be this “Subaun” Jedi!

A buzzing Nova paces the dark meditation room while Tul-ko sits somberly on an available cushion.

[Tul-ko] Slow down, a little.

[N] The order could have been infiltrated… and Hoddosor, the MHC Head Chairman… I don’t know… a dark servant maybe??

Nova theatrically curls her hands, mimicking an igor-type servant

[N] The hyperspace lanes are at thy bidding, my Master…

[Tk] Center yourself, please... Come sit.

He speaks with a stale, breathy voice that’s been washed in grief.

Nova hesitates, still stung by her nerves, but eventually finds her place on a meditation pad.

[Tk] About earlier…

[N] You don’t have to apologize. I understand overcoming something like that is difficult.

Tul-ko holds on her for a moment.

[Tk] I was going to ask how you found that place.

[N] Oh… Um, Master Aiden, he um—.

Tul-ko rolls his eyes hard. He lets out a deep, huffed sigh.

Nova watches him, a bit uncomfortable with the kiddish display.

[Tk] I don’t want you involved in that… I didn’t even want you to know.

[N] Why?

Tul-ko crafts a wobbly response.

[Tk] Because it's the past. It doesn’t concern you.

[N] I–

[Tk] –-No, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’d like to not dig at this any further.

[N] Are you sure?

[Tk] Yep… That wasn’t what I pulled you here to talk about. Uh… —Rescosia.

[N] Master, if you’re suggesting that we pass this crisis along to someone else. I, with all respect, have to refuse.

Tul-ko shuffles his words together silently.

[Tk] Since you’ve become my padawan, the missions we’ve undertaken couldn’t even begin to scale to the complexity of Rescosia. Now— you did great finding these names, Nova. You did a great job. However…

Tul-ko shifts uncomfortably.

[Tk] We’re reaching a threshold where we now have to confront this deeper. And for this mission… I think going forward… you pass this off to myself and Frenna.

Nova stirs quietly.

[N] (tense, puzzled) Why not me?... Why can’t I help?

[Tk] You’re young, Nova. And we’re not ready for this kind of complexity yet. So, as your Master, I’m gently asking you to sit this one out. Please.

Nova’s stomach churns. Her very core wants to upchuck the nonsensical idea back into his face. But the mournful, solemn, scarred man before her is her Master. Surely, this is a test or lesson that will reveal its weight in time.

[N] Um…

But then again, the set of knocks at the door earlier…

She lifts heavy eyes to him.

[N] And what if it comes for me anyways?

[Tk] We’re observed by the council now. If you're worried about some sort of attack, we have too many friendly eyes on us. Attacking would mean exposing themselves.

[N] So what are you afraid of?

[Tk] (confidently) I’m not afraid, Nova. As I said, this is just a matter of experience.

[N] Did… Rescosia just not mean anything? You were so eager to do this together, why did today change all of that?... Are you afraid that I’m going to end up the same as…

Tul-ko stands, gaze averted.

Nova quiets.

[N] (brittle) I recommend training or studying in the meantime. Or… I don’t know— the Agricorps may be looking for part-time help, I’m sure. Whatever you feel like.

Nova holds chilling, wounded eyes on him.

[Tk] That’s all, my padawan. Have a good night.

He leaves.

The dark, mute mediation room mocked Nova’s spirit. Was he upset at her for disturbing him today? Truthfully, however, she knew it all. That consuming hole his padawan left in his heart was now consuming him. But now, she found herself consumed as well. All of her opportunities, pride, and dreams were caught in an unescapable riptide of her Master’s sorrow. Her Master. The very model of who she should hold herself up to be now dragged her down.

Then a horrifying thought makes Nova shudder. Is this a sign of descent? If Jedi do fall, as Froy Subaun had, what is the advent of that corruption?

She broods silently, lost in her own mind.

Master Aiden was right.

—

Morning.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Over and over and over playing endlessly in her head

Nova leans against a support pillar in the observation deck above the youngling training floor.

She’s silent with haunted eyes and a film of exhaustion tightening them even further. Whatever’s going on below on the youngling training floor is lost on her. Her mind is elsewhere.

A Twi'lek Jedi takes a place beside her. Nova shoots a brief, jaded glance.

…

[N] (soft) Excuse me… I don’t know if you’d know, but… Have you seen a Jedi Master named Krex Aiden around here.

[Jedi] (sincere) Oh, I would not, apologies…

[N] No worries…

…

Nova feels a sudden poke on her right shoulder. She spins to her right; no one’s close. She checks around the pillar…

Suddenly, a long stick taps the column twice from above. Nova follows it to see Master Aiden sitting tightly on an outstretched feature of the column above her. He says nothing, just makes himself known.

[N] Does elevation help scout better Padawan?

Nova’s jest is met with a short glance and a smirk.

—

The Temple’s Great Hall.

[N] (tired) That’s about all of it… Phergo, L’sadr, the bomb, the archive names… The knocking has to be Subaun’s force gift. Force Sonics. My door wasn’t even rattling; it was just a sound being produced in front of it. I think he’s trying to torment me for what I know.

[Krex Aiden] Have you asked yourself how he would know?

Nova’s brain ticks for a moment.

[N] We were assuming there were other force-sensitive persons spying on us when we returned from Phergo. I—

Reality hurls a brick at Nova.

[N] (to herself, disappointed) Of course it's other Jedi… I just didn’t want it to be true… (to KA) It’s like hearing someone close to you is imprisoned with a felony.

[KA] That’s an important step. The next would be to confront Frenna Pyffer.

Nova hangs cloudy. She shrinks a little.

[N] I—

She swallows down the foul truth.

[N] I know… But I want to investigate Hoddosor first. If it is a group of fallen Jedi under the influence of the Sith, then that doesn’t explain at all why the MHC is involved. I’m planning on leaving for their headquarters immediately, but… as the situation is right now… I don’t… really feel safe.

[KA] You would like me to accompany you.

Nova nods sheepishly

[KA] And Tul-ko?

Nova falls away, harrowed by the tension of going against her Master’s will.

[N] He, um— well… Mourning, like you said.

Aiden senses everything; the all too familiar aches of Tul-ko’s grief.

[KA] I’ll help, but you must promise me something… Have enough clarity to see when you’re getting in your own way.

Nova’s cells inhaled his request in a steady moment of calm.

[N] Yes, Master.

[KA] Well, shall we?

—

Notes:

Recent changes to text:
CH22 - Changed a bit of Fawn's dialogue, there were some parts that felt out of character
Fawn's hair is black now lol