Private Saved By Fire

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

A N Z A T- W I L D S
S I L V E R- J E D I- O R D E R​

Sakadi danced back into the tight corridor, lightsaber ablaze. The two dark figures that clung to her like magnets made another attempt to penetrate her guard. The serrated edges of their daggers almost struck true, to their great delight. Her body was broken. Her mind was at the brink of exhaustion. And the mad Anzati knew.

Again they came, weaving past the debris that filled the cruiser wreckage's corridor. Most of the personnel had already fallen prey to the Anzati. The Jedi who had been aboard the diplomatic vessel had managed to ward off some of them, although attracting more of the Force vampires in doing so. And now, as far as she could tell, Sakadi was the last Jedi defender standing.

She had known that this was a trap. It was only now that she realised how they had let their confidence flaw their judgement. There was a fine line between being bold and brazen. And they had crossed it. Fortunately, the late crew of The Consul VI weren't the only ones who made such mistakes.

The slightest of openings presented itself. It was nothing more than a lunge - a slight overreach by the Anzat on her right flank. Sakadi spun, dismembering him with a swipe of her white blade. In a final burst of energy, reliant on the Force like a crutch, did she dash forward. Her lightsaber came down in a flash on the final Anzat, bisecting him where he stood.

But that final strike took its toll. Adrenaline and the Force had kept her moving. Now both were ebbing away, she could truly feel the damage inflicted on her body. Every rasping breath came paired with a sharp pain. Her left arm was numb, and she was unable to close her fist. Then there were also the cold sweat and headache. If it weren't for the Force...

She leaned against the corridor's cold metal wall and slowly slid down to the ground. At least the passengers were still safe. She thought, somewhat relieved that their efforts to hold off the wave of mad Anzati had paid off. Well, paid off... It had been at the expense of three Knights. And her, if she couldn't muster the focus to heal.

A trembling hand moved to her left shoulder. But she couldn't produce the purplish glow that came with her healing technique. Nor could she find her focus. Or the Force entirely.

Don't panic.

There are villages nearby.

She focused on her breath.

Someone will come eventually... Right?

Naivia Neryn

 

[Naivia Neryn]

In the distance someone's scream was heard... And then a huge flame of fire... Up to 20 meters high... The sensation of a fire a moment later... A whispering sound reminiscent of a prayer... And the stabbing sound of black and white coloured lightaber blade, easily penetrating the metal... A sharp pop of gas... The fall of part of the outer iron shell... Half burning hair and eyes the colours gold, violet and emerald, dark coloured robes soaring in the wind with multi-coloured symbols and fiery eyes...

A moment later Neryn already has her hand on the girl's body and is gradually healing her with a white glow, her wounds quickly giving way to clean, healthy skin. After a moment, Neryn uses strange words to suspend Anzati's consciousness, and having cured the remaining knights, she commands them to stay alive and try to make contact. Neryn picks the girl up carefully and carries her out of the ship into the nearby forest to get some fresh air to help her while whispering

"It's okay.. You're safe.. They are safe for now"

Sakadi Marathi Sinvala

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

A N Z A T- W I L D S
S I L V E R- J E D I- O R D E R​

It was the faintest sensation of heat that drew the exhausted Sephi's attention to the pillar of light and flame. The battle had taken hours, and she was simply spent. Her body resisted the urge to move, no matter how strong her will seemed to be. Not that she worried. The Light side of the Force surrounded her like a thick blanket, indicating that more than just her own strength in the Force was at play here.

And her senses were right.

Sakadi needed a moment to focus on the fiery appearance of the woman before her. Flickering flames danced over white-blonde hair. Smoldering eyes, shifted from emerald to violet to gold, depending on their angle, and the dark yet decorated robes indicated wealth. Sakadi dug deep in her memories in an attempt to find a matching species. But none came to mind.

Gathering what ample strength she had left, her lavender fingers wrapped around the hilt of her blade. It was followed by a telepathic outreach. Something that came as natural to her as breathing. "Who are you?" She projected, as gentle hands lifted her delicate body up.

Before she knew, the Jedi Master was outside. Deep into the forest. The ease and elegance with which the being moved made her rephrase her question. "What are you?"

Naivia Neryn

 

[Naivia Neryn]

Neryn sighed putting the girl's body on a soft cloth with a cushion at the back and immediately gave her a delicious drink with lemon

"Mind will come back to normal, drink it calmly, no nerves."

The girl's eyes had their usual fiery colour, she touched Sakadi Marathi Sinvala arms and legs attentively and calmed down to come to her senses for the first time in ages.

"Amazing questions, who I am, what I am j.
I am a human named Naivia Neryn, of the great lineage of rulers of the planet Brentaal IV of House Naivia. ... Well... I realise these details aren't important... In any case you need not fear me, you are under my protection until your powers are fully restored and I am neither a Jedi nor a Sith, but a Keeper of the Force."

The girl smiled sweetly and lay down on the bare grass, she looked cheerful and not particularly worried about anything although her hands were trembling a little.

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

A N Z A T- W I L D S
S I L V E R- J E D I- O R D E R​

Sakadi fought to bring up a trembling hand, gratefully accepting the drink as it was given. The sharp and tangy taste of the cool liquid sharpened her senses, enough to bring some clarity to her clouded mind. Cautiously, she closed the hand her saviour had studied into a fist. It had been numb before - to a degree where lifting even a single finger seemed impossible. But the woman kneeling over her had brought back feeling with a snap of her fingers. It was the kind of healing that even the experienced Master Grax of Silver Rest could not equal.

The origins of her powers, although vague nonetheless, were explained right after.

"Brentaal IV?" House Naivia had a familiar ring to it. She wasn't quite sure, however. The last time she had visited Brentaal IV had been halfway through the last century. "A keeper of the Force?" She had always regarded the Jedi as vessels of the Force. Instruments of its will who could move heaven and earth to bring balance. It was upon that belief that the Council acted. That they, together, represented not only the Living Force, but the Cosmic Force itself. "What is a keeper of the Force?" Her eyes narrowed. "And how did you become one?" She could only imagine the suffering the woman must've gone through. Despite all the good that the Force could bring and had to offer, every Force user knew the downsides of it. The sensitivity to emotions, the pull to Light or Dark.... It was a whole new aspect to one's perception of the world. Something every Youngling came to realise once they began their studies.

Sakadi took another sip of the drink, eyes trained on the keeper of the Force as she awaited the next set of answers.

Naivia Neryn

 

[Naivia Neryn]

Naivia sat quietly after the girl and answered the questions with a sincere smile and calmness.

"As you know, Brentaal is the only planet that lies at the intersection of two galactic superhighways. The control is in the hands of dozens of powerful houses and families, but there aren't really many real masters of the playing field and I was born into one of those families. It's very hard to describe, but it's a mixture of high aristocratic culture with ancient traditions and an endless craving for almost absolute power and games in the shadows. My father was a brilliant politician and businessman. So I am very much afraid that in the nearly 20 years since I was stripped of all ties to the family he may have achieved a stellar level of influence. Keeper of the force, in simple terms, are those people who, having learnt many ways, not only the middle and the extreme, have not given themselves to mysticism or other secluded places, but have tried to understand and love all actions of the force, whatever reaction they cause in living beings and solid matter. That last question is hard to answer. Let's just say... If you don't take the encounter with Singing Fire into account, it's a tremendous amount of suffering and loss that destroyed me almost to the end and then rebuilt me againagain countless times. It was horrible, but because of that I learned to understand at least the wisdom of beings much older than me, how they look at life, at love, at relationships, at trustworthiness and decided that my personal path is one of childlike curiosity, ego detachment and helping everyone I can. That's all."

The girl replied and with a sigh began to drink her tea, so that Sakadi Marathi Sinvala will take her time analyzing all the information carefully.

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

A N Z A T- W I L D S
S I L V E R- J E D I- O R D E R​

The dots weren't easy to connect. Had she fallen out with her family? Was that why she feared her father's influence? And what was it that had made her a keeper of the Force? This 'Singing Fire'?

The thoughts flashed through her mind, but were halted by her own conscious. Stop. Work with the information she has given you. Sakadi thought, as she began to consider what was said once more. With the details given, she began a slow response.

"I know how you feel. My family used to be one of the most influential in the Thustra-sector." She leaned back letting her weary shoulders rest against a tree stump. "Empress Lirka the Defiler slaughtered all Sephi of higher standing. It means that any member of my family still alive could make a claim for a moon, planet, or perhaps the entire sector. If they play their cards right, that is." She was unusually open-hearted about this. But really, what did she have to lose? "And let's just say that they're not the kindest of people." Of course, nothing stopped her from presenting a claim herself. She had been with the High Council for years. Had been Master of the Order in the absence of Grandmaster Ayres. And had actually fought for the freedom of her people. A single word could be enough to claim Isobe. Perhaps even Thustra itself. But as a Jedi, could she really govern? Prioritise her own people? She thought not.

"With all that you've found, all that you learned... What still moves you in this galaxy?" The real question was hidden underneath. "Why did you decide to help us?"

Naivia Neryn

 

[Naivia Neryn]

"Help you? What drives me...? Probably the knowledge that I will never be able to know everything, and that motivates me to constantly seek out new and different experiences and develop as a person and soul. And I help you because you have a warm and gentle heart, not because you are a Jedi or anything else.
That's the only reason for me. The main thing is don't be afraid of me, I'll be leaving the planet pretty soon and there's a possibility we won't see each other again."

Neryn took the girl's hand and stroked it gently

"Help will be arriving soon, as long as I have a chance I will be around, but then you will be picked up and you will go quietly to the place you need to go. That way there won't be much concern for your safety and there won't be much awareness of my existence to the extent of starting a possible hunt. As it is, I'm all right. I am a mortal like you, with my problems and weaknesses and strengths. Here... "

Sakadi Marathi Sinvala

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

A N Z A T- W I L D S
S I L V E R- J E D I- O R D E R​

Her gaze narrowed. Was this meant as an act of kindness? The woman had no bad intentions. Not as far as she could tell. But someone who referred to herself as a keeper of the Force had to be bound by more than personal interests. It made her uneasy. Sceptical, even. The Jedi Code, while often criticised, functioned as a code of conduct. To safeguard not only the people, but also the Jedi themselves against abusing their gifts. The principles of the Jedi showed them the responsibility and necessary caution that came with their powers. Moreover, it gave them accountability.

If this keeper of the Force acted out of curiosity and judged by her own view of right and wrong, then who held her accountable? Unfortunately she wasn't in a state to bring up that argument, nor deal with its consequences.

"If you do not wish to be found, I'd suggest travelling north." the Sephi suggested. "As you say, I'll find my way back to the civilised world." She projected as a smile played about her features.

Naivia Neryn

 

[Naivia Neryn]

Neryn listened to the girl's thoughts on the civilised world and smiled pleasantly, giving the memories free rein and picturing in her mind majestic arches, mirrored skyscrapers, green metropolises. It touched pleasant strings in her heart that ran electric currents throughout her body. Sorting out the answer, Neryn did have a little interest and approaching the girl she asked.

"How do you feel about the single life? And have you ever tried living on your own for a couple of months? I like the quiet... But it's not a creature, so I have to be in this weird relationship."

While taking Neryn tries her best to
make Sakadi feel safe and comfortable even in such low level civilized environment. She slowly took her hand and tried concentrating more of her positive energy on making relaxing atmosphere for her.


Sakadi Marathi Sinvala