After a takeda. Somewhere.
«...Tython... It's just a fantastic, galaxy-wide unique planet. It is as beautiful as it is terrifying. Everything in this world is filled with the Force, even the rocks beneath your feet have a small background. The flora and fauna of Tython are amazing in their diversity, because here you can meet such creatures that physically could not have appeared naturally. And the higher the background, the more unusual will be the fauna there. What kind of creatures do not run through these lands, bred by the Force itself. And these creatures don't have to be toothy and fanged, they can be harmless and cute animals. A very, very fast animal, capable of spotting a predator in time and immediately making a run for it.
Despite the fact that yours truly had lived most of his life in the desert, it occupied only a very small part of the planet. For the most part, the planet was covered in forests, some denser, some less dense. There were mountains and volcanoes, and there was even a temple nestled among them. There were also mysterious points of Force. Like small springs, they emerged from the ground or water, gathering in the air like mist or thick clouds that descended to the earth. The Je'Daii used them to strengthen their own connection to the Force, but it was very dangerous. It was very easy to lose one's balance near these springs and fall into the Force once and for all. There were legends that many Je'Dayi who went into meditation near light energy never woke up. Near dark sources, however, the Je'Dayi were struck by real madness, with a whole set of mental abnormalities. Moreover, even in appearance, such xenos could become walking corpses, literally the living dead. The Force keeps such a body alive, but inflicts disproportionate pain. That's a good prospect for immortality, isn't it? Keep that in mind if you decide to visit one of these sources.
But that's just lyrical. Tython itself is beautiful, yes... Sometimes. On rare... exceptional occasions, you might even forget where you are. The rustling of the wind, the pleasant singing of birds, the babbling of a stream... You begin to feel as if the planet itself is communicating with you, like Mother Nature. But this obsession will pass quickly enough, because you should relax outside the safe zone, as surely from the nearest bushes some creature will come out, which will consider you very, very tasty. And you'll have to explain to her the wrongness of such conclusions. And then her friends will come round, and then you'll have to explain.
And when you think it can't get any worse, Tyton will tell you it can! And he'll form a real Force Storm right over your head. Just because you weren't watching. Now you're thinking, "That's it, that's the end, you're going to the grave!" And you'd be partly right, because you're going to get hit by a Force lightning bolt! And even if you survive, even if you can get away from the beasts, even if you find a place to hide, it doesn't mean that Tython has taken mercy on you. No. It's not uncommon for these caves to be occupied by other inhabitants. Most often, they're plants of some kind. Carnivorous plants that will be very happy to see you. And they will welcome your dear guests with outstretched petals, at the ends of which will be cute white teeth, and in the core will appear a poisonous thorn, resistant to the effects of the Force, but containing a nerve-paralytic poison! And then...
«Shade, shut up," Ramira moaned, lying on the floor.
«Hehehehehe, I can't, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha," I was genuinely amused as I continued my monologue, "and only after that will you realise...
«Shade...
«Oh, I can't guys, I'm sorry, but I'm hysterical, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha....
«It shows," Zeng mumbled, wrapping a bandage around his brother's shoulder.
«Ur ar-r-r-rg gra-a-a-a.
«Yes, Gris. Who knew it would turn out like this? - Ves sighed, glancing at the passageway. For there now raged the very real Storm of Power. In all my time on Tython, I've only seen a couple of storms this big, but this is the first time I've been at the epicentre of one. The wind was nearly ripping trees out by the roots, lightning bolts were striking like a ship hanging and shooting in orbit, and a solid stream of water added to the zest.
«Hee hee hee hee, welcome... ha ha ha ha, to Tython. The most, hee hee hee hee fucking "phenomenal" planet in the galaxy! Stunning nature, beautiful vistas, amazing expanses, and most importantly, a Force-filled atmosphere! - I raise an important finger of my right hand to the ceiling. - Pha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha... Oh, I can't. Absolutely everyone is welcome here, especially if you come here with your friends.
«You should go as a tour guide," Feng hummed.
«Yeah. On Tython," Zeng nodded.
«Heh heh heh heh heh... Ohhhh. No, fuck it, guys. I didn't sign up for this kind of g... kha-kha, guano," I try to restrain myself. Still, swearing in the presence of lovely ladies... I'm not that far gone yet. Or is it the aftermath of being bullied at the Aker Kesh Temple? Yeah, it's all their fault, that's for sure!
«Shade, what are you so bent out of shape about? - Ramira glared at me, adjusting a leaf of a flower under her head. A flower that had been ripped out from its roots and that had met us in this cave and counted for dinner.
«Oh..." I looked at Ramira, trying to pull myself together. - That's it, I'm more or less, hehe... calmed down. No, but think about it, there was no warning! I fell for that beauty myself, and relaxed for a moment.
«You shouldn't have," Wes sat next to me. - It was our mistake.
«Gra-a-a-a-a-ak!
«It's obvious to a fool," I snort. - Shit... Guys... I'm shocked. I'm just shocked. First the Raptor ambush. Then the Fire Tigers came out of nowhere, and I can't imagine how they didn't burn down the forest. Before we could deal with those, hydras came out of the river. Fuck you," I put my whole hand to my face, "where did we make such a mistake to get into such a mess? The penduli came in at the sound and the noise, almost dragged Ramira away. - I squinted at the scratched girl. - We fought them off! But in the process, they raised a Force Storm. I caught a lightning bolt while they were hiding," I squint at the lightning stencil on my left arm. - I almost died, but I managed to put up a barrier at the limit of my strength, and it hit me, thanks to Gris," I turned a grateful glance at Wookiee, but he waved it away. - We got to the cave, and then, damn it, we're screwed! - I hit the plant beneath me. - What's next? Earthquake? Saaral worm? I'm-- Shit, I'm just shocked. I don't even want to swear. I was just complaining about the Silent Desert a couple of days ago, and it turns out to be a children's sanctuary against this backdrop," I pointed my hand at the cave passage.
«Shade, it's okay," Wes hugged me. - We're safe and almost fine, and that's the main thing. And the problems... It happens, but we got out.
«Yeah, Wes, you're right. But I resent the fact of such an outrage! - actively gesticulating with my whole hand, I try to express the thought. My left arm was still stinging unpleasantly, and I couldn't hear very well, but thanks to Ramira, I was recovering quickly enough. I couldn't imagine how much light energy she'd channelled through me, but it made me feel really sick. - And the worst part is, I fell for it and set you guys up. It was my idea to set up camp. We almost all ended up lying there.
«Shade, no one blames you," Wes pressed her cheek against mine. - Everybody makes mistakes, things happen.
«I just needed to talk it out and get away for a while," I soothed under her sends of warmth and peace in the Force.
«Were you that scared? - Ramira turned round.
«For you.
«Oh, so the lightning didn't impress you? - Feng smiled.
«Not really. If it had hit one of you, I would have been impressed and scared.
«You're a fool," Wes sighed. - If you hadn't defended yourself in time, what would I have done?
«Hey! It was an accident. And anyway, I know very well how bad it will be for you, if I go into the Force. So I may not be afraid of death, but that doesn't mean I don't care about your feelings. Especially yours," I elbow Wes. - That alone makes me think twice before I do anything.
«Well, that's good," Vessira smiled.
«So, where's the sequel about Tython? - Zeng came to my attention.
«What do you mean? I've kind of had my say, that's all.
«Meaning? - The zabrak became animated.
«What's the big deal?
«I was just thinking about writing it down," I raised an eyebrow. - You know, for future generations. A manual on how NOT to do things.
«Hmm.
«Are you serious? - Ramira looked sceptically at her boyfriend. - There's half a library of these manuals without you.
«Well... Why not? There'll be another one. Maybe someone will need it, we have nothing to do anyway. Until the storm's over, we'll be out of here.
«I suggest we make a fire and lie down, - I get up. - I'm the first one on duty.
«Where to?! - Wes was indignant, putting me back in my seat. - You've already been hit like a starship, so lie down!
«Mum's definitely a bad influence on you," I muttered, grumbling playfully and indignantly, wincing at the pain in my arm.
«What's wrong? - She frowned, standing up and looking down at me with her hands at her sides.
«No, on the contrary, it's very good!
«That's right. I'll take over.
«That's how women take over us guys," I told Zeng in a half-whisper, but so that everyone in the cave could hear.
«Yeah, yeah, we're like that, you'll never know when you'll be my slave," Wes winked at me.
«Erm...
«Rest up, 'my slave'," she smiled and kissed me on the lips and walked towards the exit.
«R-r-rg aru-r ar-r-r-r.
«Envy in silence, Gris. This is my treasure! - I cut off, nonetheless laying down on the 'flower' while Wookiee laid out the small stack of dry kindling wood he was carrying. With my pyromancy, it didn't cost anything to make a good fire out of this small pile. Strength is the key!
«Are we going to eat today? - under the rumbling of my stomach Ramira asked about the most urgent topic.
So, having changed the subject, we stayed in the cave for two days. For two days the storm gradually died down, and only when it had completely disappeared did we continue our journey to the settlement. Being already scientists, with the realisation that we couldn't relax here for a moment, we were able to bypass the biggest problems.
Since I could hide myself in the Force, I walked ahead as a scout and used the telepathy linking me and Ves to give the squad updates on problems if they were coming up. Ves herself, being linked to me, became the leader of this very squad, while Zeng and Feng acted as front line defenders. Ramira herself was the weakest link, but Gris had to play the role of a pulling force. In principle, with his physical parameters, he could carry all of our things even without much effort.
Now for a rest we stopped either in the trees or in caves, beforehand cleaning them from the past inhabitants, if there were any. And oh wonder! We managed to reach the settlement without stepping into another puddle.
It looked like a small town of about a hundred houses. Rounded houses with domed roofs, standing at varying heights in relation to each other, and surrounded by an invisible barrier of Force that shielded the settlement from Tython's fauna. Unlike my friends, I was born and raised in one of these towns. Everyone else was an outsider. Gris came from Ska-Gor, as did Ramira, the twins from Kalimar. Wes was born in a colony on Malterra, the second planet in our system. Also, it's a pretty rough planet, with periodic natural disasters being the norm.
But back to the colony. We were greeted normally, like any other traveller. We were given rooms for a small fee, with the opportunity to replenish our food. There was also a cattle farm, including a riding farm. There I had to work up a sweat, bargaining for a few Raptors for the team at the rate of two people per Raptor. Gris is a unicum, he'll get his own, and so will one of the twins.
Once again I thanked Irbis for the lessons in negotiation. When you're facing a Je'Dayi like him, you can negotiate with him only with words, without any use of the Force. When the deal was done, it was time to relax and take a legitimate rest. Turns out a warm shower, food on the table, and a sense of security was worth a lot. It was like discovering a new truth for myself.
Although, for the first few hours, we just physically couldn't switch off and were constantly on guard. The same Gris, no, but twitched from sharp sounds. The locals were understanding, it was our first trip of this kind after all, plus Ramira told us what kind of trouble we had got into. Here the situation changed a bit. On the one hand, the head of the settlement, as the senior member of the Order, praised us for coping, but on the other hand, he scolded us, because the Force Storm had even reached here. And to arrange such anomalies, when they can arise spontaneously and without us - the last thing for Je'daiya.
In the evening, when things had settled down and Wes and I were finally alone, we were able to release the stress we'd accumulated. No sooner had the door to the room closed than a passionate kiss was planted on me, which was broken only a moment later, biting my lip in the process. With a wave of my hand, I close the door and flick the lock, while with the other I hold the hellcat who jumped in and wrapped her legs around me.
My consciousness is once again covered in the sweet fog of her emotions. Passion, desire, love, all mixed together. Before I knew it, I was shirtless beneath the katara pulling off her outer garments. No, I'd never let her take the initiative before, and I wasn't going to now!
Taking her left hand and interlocking my fingers, I roll over and find myself on top of her. The pleasant experience is spoilt by a nagging pain in my left arm, which is also cramped. Weight sees the slight change in me, and she couldn't help noticing the trembling in my hand, which I used to press her palm to the bed.
«It's okay... It's just a little discomfort," I whisper in her ear, and, biting down lightly, I move down to the lips that are so inviting.
«Oh... Shade..." Vessira breathed out, looking into my eyes. No Force influence, no words, just one desire, and I hear not only her emotions, but the echo of her thoughts... As she does mine.
"Someone's almost on fire..." - I think to myself mischievously.
"Not almost... Already burning..." - comes the reply in the same tone, and Wes herself pulls her delicate hands to my belt.
I wish I could relax, and fully immerse myself in her emotions, but the occasional burning in my arm spoilt the picture. But even with it, for the first half of this night, we were definitely not sleepy. For in spite of all his outward stoicism, but Vessiru was winging it as badly as I was. The mere sight of my collapsing carcass threw her off balance. And then... To feel with your back how they are worried about you, to feel the fear directed at you... I myself got goosebumps from the realisation of how Vessira was shaken. The rest of the guys were scared too.
Stroking the katara on my chest, I looked at the ceiling and tried to make sense of myself, of my surroundings, and of what to expect from tomorrow. What had happened to me the other day could have sent me into the Force, and I wouldn't have had time to squeak if I didn't have the Tutaminis technique. And the fact that the lightning struck me was for a reason. Fool... I used the Force actively, I knew I couldn't use it so much during the Storms. On the other hand, if I hadn't used it, someone else would have been the target. And I'm the only one on the team with advanced techniques like Tutaminis.
And despite all my jokes and spiteful attitude towards death, I not only didn't want to die, but I wasn't going to. Now I had something to fight and live for and, moreover, I had the very opportunity to live this life.
Gently shifting the head of my cute beauty, who so amusingly unhappily wiggled her nose, I lifted up. Eh... Squeezing my hand, I wrinkle my nose in frustration. Yeah, to disperse such power at once... That's tough. Too tough. But now I have a solid tattoo that goes all the way up to my shoulder and covers my entire arm from my fingertips. I can, heh, brag about it, but to whom? My friends don't care, but I already have a girlfriend. It's better not to tell my mother.
Once again I clench and unclench my fingers and get used to the sensations. When at first your nerve endings burn with such speed that you don't have time to feel them, and then someone grows them anew, alive... Let's say that I was shaken - like hell, and it was after the blow, when everyone understood that the main danger of life had passed. And then they added on top of that, when Ramira started to run light energy through me on an industrial scale, nightmare, I haven't felt so bad for a long time.
How do the Sith achieve their power? Are they masochists? They live by the rule: "survival of the fittest," and they're always beating each other up, whether you're a brother, an apprentice, or a father. And their training is brutal, to make cripples and invalids out of students. At least I think so, based on what I remember from the canon.
Although... It's been so long that I'm not sure if I remember it correctly anymore. With so many years behind me, I've even accepted that this world is my home world now. But with it, there remains the knowledge of that other history. A story that must be in the future. I wonder if I can influence it here and now. Heh, that would be fun.
Glancing at Wes sniffling next to me, I switch to her. What's the point of me changing him? I might change it, by my indirect actions, but right now I have the girl I love lying next to me. I have friends, a home, a family... What's the point of me fussing with canon? Because I'm a fall guy? Yes, good hitman, the world is recognised not by the events of the canon, but by the fact of presence. Why should I suffer and worry when I can just live?
Smiling at my thoughts, I clench my "tattooed" fist. Yes... I have everything I want. Or almost everything. I just need to get a little stronger to be able to protect it. Sinking back into the bed, I cuddle my sweet catgirl and bury my face in her hair, closing my eyes. Sleep well, my sweet miracle, no one will dare to hurt you. I promise.
***
We left the settlement a few days later, riding Raptors. As agreed, we were given four beasts. I travelled with Ves, Zeng with Ramira, Gris and Feng on their own Raptors. Admittedly, instead of passengers, they were more loaded, which didn't make their beasts feel any better.
«Well. Where to now? - Ramira asked as we moved away from the settlement.
«Wait a second," I reached into the bag strapped to the saddle and pulled out a map. - Hmm...
«I suggest we go left, there's something that looks like a trail leading to the Krala Passage, and then we'll get to Bodhi," Ves suggested, looking over my shoulder.
«That's a good option," I nodded. - But as far as I know, there's a pack of penduli in Kral's Crossing. Do you think we can get through?
«Why not?" I nod, and why not?
«Ar-r gri-ar ru-ur.
«Gris, what's your obsession with trophies? We're not going to attack them. Especially if there's too many of them.
«R-rag gr-u ar-r," the wookiee shrugged.
«"Just suggested" he... Nah, Gris, we'll only get into a fight if we're pinned down.
Moving closer, Zeng looked at the map.
«What if we take a detour? There's a passage here," he used the Force to pick up a wand from the ground and jabbed it at the map.
«It's one of the Force places," I shook my head.
«What kind of place? - Ramira looked up from behind Zeng's back, interested.
«"Wandering Lights. A light source.
«But I don't see any other passages on the map, unless it's through the air," Ves said. - Or bypassing it altogether, but it's easier to go to another temple.
«Ariu-rgrhhh.
«Yes, Gris, we won't make such a detour, and that's why we have two ways. And one is sweeter than the other," I sigh. - What do you think?
«What's there to think? Both are good, I don't care, - Feng shrugged his shoulders, and Zeng actively supported his brother. - We've climbed into the rancor's lair with our teacher, and into ancient crypts, but we've learnt one thing - what difference does it make which arse to go to?
«Bo-l-l-sha-ya," I answered in syllables, looking at the map.
«Grua-ar ri-ru-ug-ur.
«Gris for the source," I look at the twins, "it doesn't make any difference to them. Ramira?
«Um... I've flown pendli before, so I'm also for the source," she draws the line.
«Weight?
«Where you go, I go. I don't really care.
«Then let's go to the source.
So, having decided among ourselves which problems were preferable for us, we turned right and ran through the woods. The Raptors ran surprisingly easily through this impenetrable land. Jumping over obstacles, pushing off rocks, skipping under and over fallen trees. One by one, we ran to our chosen rest stop on the map.
This time, instead of stealth, I used my Force vision. No, I'd used it before, but now I was using it to its fullest, concentrating on the world around me and handing the reins of control over the lizard to Ves. Je'Daii can see the world through the Force, and that's no secret. But their "zone of visibility" was limited by their connection to the Force, their degree of immersion in it, and their ability to digest vast amounts of information at once. The zone could be increased by looking in one direction, like the light of a lantern in the darkness, which is how the Miralukes steer their ships. But still, you see what you see, and only with focused concentration can you see beyond the object.
I could also scan both the whole space and a part of it. But the wave didn't care about obstacles, it travelled on the Force itself, and the higher its concentration in the environment, the further the wave goes. Because of this, my waves travelled many times farther on Tython than on Chikagu or any other planet. Because of this, I was like a radar, gathering all operational information.
The side effect was overload. At first I couldn't physically do that, my brain was just leaking out of my ears from the amount of information coming in, and I was knocked out. But with training, especially the tasks thrown up by Irbis, I was able to train myself and now the maximum I'm in danger of is a bloody nose and headaches. No, if I went further and tried to jump above my head, it was not that I would lose consciousness, but I was not so far out of my mind that I could sign my own judgement.
The very source of the Force was a distant beacon for me, so I was not afraid to lose my way. And the closer we got to it, the clearer I felt the light Force beating with a key. And after only a few days we were already near it. After spending the night at the edge of the spring, we moved on at first light. We had to get off the raptors and calm them down with the help of hypnosis, as the beasts were smarter than their riders and didn't want to go to such a dangerous place.
«What's up guys? - Taking the raptor under the reins, I look back at my comrades. - Shall we go?
I got unfriendly nods. Ramira was sorry we'd even come here. And that was because there was a smell of calm and peace from somewhere. Alien(!) peace and tranquillity.
«Remember, we have a clear mission. Go forward, don't stop, and no matter what happens, no matter what visits your head, remember the goal. We need to get to the other side.
The people nodded gravely, and I went forward first. Next to me was Wes. Zeng and Ramira followed us, then Feng, and last Gris. The place we came to looked like a wide and long clearing, with a faint mist drifting across it. And in this fog, white wandering lights began to appear to me.
Not being distracted by strange, but interesting phenomena, which I wanted to examine closer and from all sides, I went forward. Peace and tranquillity finally settle in my soul. The anxieties with which I entered here, washes away at once, as if they never existed. It feels so good.
But it also sucks. There's a weird pulling sensation, light-headedness and nausea. I don't have the same reaction as the rest of the guys, you can hear how good they feel. No, I feel good too, to a certain extent. It's like stepping into a warm spring, but why does it feel so painful? It's like I'm being poured balm on my soul, then a piece of it is torn off, and then I'm injected with painkillers, and so on and so forth.
I glance over at Wes and see her smiling. Yes... Judging by her emotions, it seems to be a very pleasant place to be. Apparently, it's because of the difference in teachings that it has a different effect. The dark and light sides are so ingrained in me that even the source can't easily separate them, and it's affecting me.
Oh... Something just now pricked my heart sharply. And then it immediately went away... No, there's definitely something to it. Maybe I should stick around. Just a little bit. See what it's like, get used to it, see if I learn anything new about myself. Besides, we're not in a hurry. No, we're in a hurry! We're rushing to the temple. Yes.
«Shade, look," Wes tugged at me and pointed at the approaching lights.
As they flew closer, it was like they were checking us out. One of them froze in front of Wes, making her stop.
«Oh..." She reached out her hand and touched the light. And, judging by her emotions, Katara liked the new sensation very much.
Stopping to wait for her, I notice how the rest of the guys have frozen as well. Everyone is standing, looking around, enjoying this beautiful picture. And there was a lot to see. In the light mist, the lights shone like stars, attracting the eye, and in the soul to the peace joined the warmth.
Wiping the glazed eyes, I shook my head a little, trying to relieve the headache, and with it a kind of veil that covered my thoughts. Returning my gaze to my friends, I look at those spirited faces. Something's wrong here....
О! And here was a light coming towards me. I didn't touch it, it seemed that if I touched it, it would only make things worse, so I looked at it cautiously. Something in it tense me after all. My brain was trying hard to latch onto some suspicious detail, but it kept slipping away.
My heart tingled, my breath caught every now and then, and a drop of sweat rolled down my temple. Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath in and out and, clenching the Force inside me with an iron fist, opened my eyes.
I shouldn't have. My movements seemed to help, and even breathing became easier, but my eyes were clearly deceiving me. I shook my head a couple of times, trying to shake off the obsession, but no. It wouldn't go away. Instead of a light, there was a child in front of me. A cute little girl of about six years old at most, looking like a katara, but her colouring... It was like my pigments on my face. One and the same. Light jacket, trousers, boots, my grey eyes, though with vertical cat pupils. Sharp, long ears, even longer than I was used to seeing on ordinary Cathars, dark hair tied back in a ponytail like mine.
Wisely, I should be falling out in shock right now, but there was nothing but silence and peace in my soul. I had so compressed my own emotions and the Force into control that I felt only a slight, superficial fascination with this child. Standing there, just staring at me.
«Shade," I heard Wes's voice. Unwittingly, I looked at the katara, who had her eyes closed and was smiling blissfully.
«So..." I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to get my brain together. - Okay. Come on, Shade. Pull yourself together. You wanted something. Something you had to do. I'm squinting at the kid. - Hey, Wes, you see her, too? Or have I gone completely nuts?
«Huh?" Vessira looked at me and then at the baby. - Wow, what a cute little girl. Where did you come from?
"Something is definitely not right here..." - I remark, watching Wes sit down right on the ground and try to talk to this silent child.
I look at the boys and see they're not going anywhere. Stop. Go! That's right! Where to? Hmm... Looking around, I'm trying to figure it out. I thought we were going to go. Where? I don't know. What the hell is wrong with me?!
Attempting to purposefully go into meditation and see what's inside me, I ended up quietly and peacefully freaking out at what I saw. Only thanks to the fact that I had an iron grip on my essence, preventing it from tearing, I was able to think. The light side was pulling the dark side out of me, trying its best to do so, but it couldn't. The two parts of one whole were firmly fused inside me, and even if I wanted to separate them, it wouldn't be so easy. The shock of what I had seen helped me turn the gears in my head and reevaluate the situation.
Back in the real world, I looked at the girl with a more meaningful gaze. She blinked a couple of times, and then it was as if someone had called out to her. She turned around and ran towards a blurred but very familiar silhouette, with a recognisable lightsaber hanging from its belt.
Picking up the child in its arms, the silhouette walked away and eventually dissolved into the mist.
"Okay, fuck," I shake myself. - "I've had enough of these visions, it's time to get serious."
Pointing my hands in front of each other, I try to summon the Force lightning, and even if not immediately, I succeed. Making sure that the current is running between my fingers, I take my own thigh in my grip and, clenching my eyes shut, realising what's waiting for me now, I let the charge go.
«*censored* yes *censored*, fuck, *censored*, a-a-a-a-a-a-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh," I rubbed the burned area hastily.
The infernal pain that made me off balance and fall to the ground like a hamstring was an instant sobering sensation that brought me back to my senses. Okay, we're at the place of the Force, we need to go to the other side, the task is straightforward! All right, I remember, we're on it!
Jumping up and assessing the front of the work, I clap my hands, attracting attention.
«Everybody get up, you devils, there was no command "halt"!
«Huh?" Wes looked at me blankly. - Shade, what are you shouting... It's so nice here... Squeeze in.
«Oh... You'll remind me of that," I wrinkle my nose and put a hand on her shoulder, sitting down beside her. A lightning bolt of Force, a short shriek, and Wes comes to his senses.
«W-w-what the hell was that?!
«Chocotherapy. Let's get the rest of you back to your senses now! RUN! - I shouted, and that last one did the trick. Wes jumped up and ran to Gris. I took the twins.
Having brought the group to their senses, we went on. People purposely tried to get angry, trying to somehow equalise the pressure, but it was not enough for long. At some point I began to catch myself thinking that I was being stupid, because this source was a great opportunity to pump myself up! And most importantly, it's quiet, peaceful, and safe. And the weight is good. True, my head hurts, but where is perfect?
But shaking myself and gritting my teeth, I clung to the thought of the task like a tick to a victim, clenching the shackles inside me even tighter. Repeatedly replaying the thought of the goal in my head, I walked ahead. A couple of times I electrocuted myself when the mantra about the task didn't help. The others followed my example, but it was Ramira who was the first to be knocked out. She just passed out, falling into a Force sleep. A special technique where we can regain our strength in a short period of time. Not very useful, but effective.
Putting her on the Raptor, moving on. As we moved on, I had other visions. I heard Vessira laughing, I saw her talking to some twi'leka, in another vision I saw myself with my mother, in a third I saw the girl training. I also saw ruined houses where the owners were cleaning up, as if I were walking down the street. But the most memorable was when blurred silhouettes looked at me as if seeing me off. And right there, the world seemed to fade away.
The vision was so strong, so vivid and saturated with emotion, that I couldn't help myself and fell to the ground, sweating and in a heavy breathlessness, and no self-control helped. The impact was so strong that I needed support from the outside, just to recover. My mum had told me about seeing my dad off, and I could feel the full range of her emotions. And now... they were here... seeing me off with them.
The Source took advantage of the gap that had been created. The shackles binding the dark and light sides within me began to crumble. My head didn't hurt anymore, it was splitting, and my heart felt like it was being torn in two....
«Shade, what's wrong? - Vessira came over frightened, sitting down next to me and holding me up. Leaning on my sword like a cane, I looked at the katara. Apparently, my pain has transferred to her through the link.
«I'm a little dizzy. It's all right, Wes, I'll just take a breath.
I close my eyes and sink back into myself. Power is one... Light and darkness, two sides of one indivisible whole. Breathe in and out... Come on, Shade, we have to pull ourselves together.
«Let's move on," I get to my feet, not without Vessira's help.
Turning back, I didn't see any silhouettes. After another ten minutes, Gris fell off. From this I concluded that the light side has the strongest effect on those who are easier to operate with it. If I'm right, Ves should fall off next.
But there was no way to confirm the theory. Having tied ourselves with ropes so that we wouldn't lose someone if they collapsed, we finally went beyond the direct influence of the source. What I saw while I was going through it, it's horrible. Against this background, the masters of the temple of balance still treated me humanely. But now I see why they did it.
When the pressure was off and I could breathe out a sigh of relief, a break was announced, where our sleeping comrades came to their senses.
There was an unprecedented lightness in my chest, as if a rope that had not burst, but was cracking from the tension, had finally been put on the ground. I had no strength at all, and I felt sick to my stomach as well as my head.
«Oh... My head..." Wes moaned. - I feel like I've been drugged with something, and now it breaks without a dose ...
«Any experience? - Feng asked.
«No, but I've seen an example.
«I see.
«Ra-a-ami-ee-ee-ee-ee," Zeng called out to his love.
«M-m-m-m-m-m-m.
«Get up. Get up before we get eaten!
«Huh?" Rarmira opened her eyes sleepily. Then she must have realised and the process became more active. - Eaten?!
«Shh, calm down. Oh..." Zeng wrinkled his nose in pain. Both head and general. - Rami, we need your help. Especially Shade.
«What happened?
«Force lightning.
«Again?!
«No, this time it's him. Don't you remember? We had just come out of the point of the light side of the Force.
Ramira turned round, looked at the mist in the distance, listened to the sensation, and then she seemed to get it.
There were no questions. The girl immediately realised and rushed to me, to put my body in order. Yeah, I electrocuted myself more often than the others. I had to keep the course of movement, or it would be comical if we started walking in circles.
I was lying there myself, barely showing any signs of life. I had to make an effort not to pass out. It's funny, by the way, that I'm passed out now, and the guys are in the spring. Well, I didn't get knocked out there. Heh, it's hard to sleep when you're being torn apart.
«Shade, can you hear me? - my head was lifted up.
«I can't hear you. You're not here. I'm a cloud. Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee. - O Power, what am I talking about? Rami, finish me off.
«Erm... OK, lie back, rest, you'll feel better now.
Since we were already glowing from the light side of the Force, I was smeared with ointments, bandaged and injected a little. Even now the pain served as medicine, sobering my mind and helping me to return to my original state. Finished with me, Rami switched to Gris. Further manipulations required waiting for the excess to be weathered out of me. She did the same with the others.
«Weight, how are you? - Ramira looked at the katara. Quiet and somewhat depressed.
«It's strange. I can feel something breaking inside," she put her palm to her chest.
«It's... The effects of the warping," I interjected, turning my head. - Nothing, a little meditation and everything will be back to normal.
«No..." she shook her head, and looked at me. - Shade, that's not it. I... I don't know what I saw. Where did you go? - she moved closer, and put my head in her lap.
«Wes, where am I going to leave you? - I moved sluggishly and took her hand. - You can feel me yourself, we have a bond formed from constant telepathy.
«I know. That's why I don't understand. Ah... - she wanted to say something else, but stopped talking.
«Well, what is it?
«I... No, nothing," she looked away. - Later. When you get up.
That's strange. Why does she reek of shyness, even hiding her face from me?
«Vee-ee-es? What are you doing?
«No reason.
«Well?
«There's something else. That girl. You realised what she looked like, didn't you?
«Yeah.
«What do you think?
«What do you think? If it goes on like this, I'll be happy, that's all.
«Would you?
«Wes, I'm going to slap you for such doubts, - I try to pull your ear, but I miss and hit you on the cheek. Yeah... The earth's starting to spin too. Can I stop you before you pass the stop?
«Oops!
«Oh, I'm sorry. I don't feel so good.
«It's okay. It's okay. Just lie back.
- Mm-hmm.
As I sighed, I remembered the silhouette of the person the kid ran to. Even though the silhouette was blurred, I couldn't help but recognise the sketches of my own armour. Eh... It's scary to think of the trials ahead of me.
«Aur-r-r gharrr? - Gris announced his readiness to perform with a fatherly look.
«Sort of, but I'd like to take a nap," Zeng replied languidly, rubbing his temples. - I've had experience, of course, when Feng and I foolishly inhaled some of the stupefying herb in the catacombs, but we weren't even that dizzy afterwards.
«Shade won't go far on his own," Ramira interjected. - His whole body's gone crazy.
«Shall we load him on a Raptor? - Feng suggested it.
«That's an option. Shade?
«Let me die.
«You'll be fine.
«Despots...
«Yeah. All right. Zeng, give me a hand. Let's load him up and move out. All in favour? - A curt nod was the answer.
So I was loaded onto the Raptor, strapped in, with Ves behind me to hold on. To my surprise, the riding Raptors tolerated the passage through the power point much better than we did, and apparently they were not uncomfortable. If you don't count the phlegmatic behaviour.
The next day, when I was already more or less recovered, we also had adventures, albeit small. A pack of wild raptors thought we were their prey, but this time we were ready and were able to deal with the predators almost without using the Force, except for strengthening ourselves.
And then it was a short trek to the Bodhi temple itself. The temple of arts itself was built in the shape of a plus sign, with four yellow buildings with red roofs at the ends. When looking at the structure, it seemed that each house was built from several smaller houses.
In the centre, in a wide and spacious square, stood a gigantic fountain with a breathtaking statue. Two Force-gifted men and women stood next to each other, holding a single ball of Force with their hands palms up, recreated in the Yin-Yang style.
Also, there was a kind of special atmosphere inside. Somewhere there was music playing, somewhere a group of students were discussing a painting that had been taken outside, somewhere a group of travellers were unloading heavy monolithic stones with the help of the Force, which would be used to create masterpieces in the future.
The very spirit that permeated this place was somehow special, unique. I had already realised that a temple was not the same as a temple, and each had its own atmosphere. In Qigong Kesh it was a bit mischievous, cheerful and, in principle, quite emotional. There, some students shouted with joy, others groaned in pain, and still others were just having fun. In Akar Kesh, everything was grey, and... If not dull, then calm. The temple itself seemed to have gone into deep meditation like an old monk and was in no hurry to return.
Here the atmosphere was not stormy and bright, it was just light, saturated with some creative energy, which one would like to put somewhere or splash out.
There was a girl who understood me. Quite a pretty Myrialan, with green skin colour, tattoos characteristic for their race both on her face and hands. Dressed in a simple sleeveless t-shirt, she sat on the edge of the fountain and hummed softly about those who had gone into the Force. It was a sad song, as the dead are sung, but at the same time it was warm and peaceful, stirring up memories of those warm and dear moments of life.
«Shade?
«...
«Shade! - I got poked in the shoulder.
«Oh, yeah? - Turning to Wes. - Sorry, I got hung up.
«No wonder," a new voice interjected. I was so caught up that I'd forgotten to keep an eye on my surroundings. When we turned around, we saw a selkat dressed in a cassock, with his hands folded in a lock, hidden in the sleeves of the cassock. - Here, within these walls, we touch the very strings of the soul. Welcome to Bodhi, temple of the arts, young travellers. I am Master Laniron," the Master bowed courteously.
«Shade Aero," I bow in return.
«Zeng Bazex.
«And Feng Bazex," the twins bowed.
«Gra-u-rrr-a.
«Vessira Rova.
«Ramir Uranus.
«Glad to see new travellers as our guests," the selkat said quite sincerely. And he didn't even try to hide his feelings, which was nonsense to Je'Dayia.
«Excuse me, Master, you said that here you touch the strings of the soul. Is this a Force technique? - Ramira stepped forward.
«What? No, no, no, not at all. It's much more mundane and simple than that. Yes, we learn the Force through art. But the main feature of this place is that the Force only complements the art form. Music, for example. Putting meaning and emotions into words and melody, we fix and strengthen them with the Force, and in the end we get something more. For us, the Force is like a special set of colours or instruments that can harmoniously fit into any creation.
«That sounds interesting," Feng looked at the girl at the fountain, who had stopped singing and was watching our company with interest.
«You have no idea how much. And as for your question, young lady," the selkat turned to Ramira. - There is a saying: "Music is a reflection of the soul. It is like a mirror, it reflects what is inside you. And if you have a wound, it can heal it, or at least ease it. And please note that even the Force can't do that.
«It's a pity that not everyone understands it, - I finish after the master, and at his surprised look I explain: - I noticed that there are not many people in the temple.
«Yes... More and more young Je'daiyas are interested in the temples of Qigong Kesh and Aker Kesh.
«Well, that's where you can blow off steam," I shrugged.
«You don't have to blow off steam, but you can use it for good," the Master corrected me. - We are talking too much, you must want to rest.
«No, not at all, Master, just to dump my things somewhere," Wes replied immediately.
«Oh! Follow me, then. Now I'll show you the available rooms, take any of them. And then I'll give you a little tour of the temple.
«Argu-r-r-a?
«Not at all, you're not distracting me from my lessons. My students are in a creative rush right now, and they won't be coming out of it anytime soon. In fact, that's why I decided to take a walk.
So, having put the raptors in their assigned stalls, the master led us around the temple. Of the four houses, two were residential, while the other two were workrooms. As we followed the high-ceilinged corridors, I marvelled at the differences between the temples of art and balance. There were whole paintings carved directly on the walls, and at corners and intersections were statues and plants I had never seen even in a botanical reference book.
And then there were the rooms. We were also provided with private apartments for each of us, but here they looked more presentable. The walls were insulated in case someone decided to muse, a large bed that could fit three people, a sofa, a table, an armchair, two wardrobes, plus two bedside tables. There were supplies in the desk, instruments in one of the cabinets, and my hated meditation pillow.
But most importantly, everyone had a fridge! Yes, a small one. But private! Their own! And a special microwave-style warming device. Isn't it beautiful? I've only been here a couple of hours and I already love this place.
Once we were settled in, the tour continued. Master Liniron was a true fan of his craft, and he also liked to talk. As we looked into the training rooms, the master explained the tools in detail, explained the subtleties of interacting with the Force, and willingly answered any questions we had in the process. But when we ran out of questions, he still had answers!
Not to say we weren't happy about that. No. Somehow Master Laniron just happened to tell us what we needed to know in a way that was interesting to us. You can see that he is an experienced master, he knows what to load newcomers with and what can wait.
During the excursion we watched the work of students and at the same time we were offered to try ourselves in the business. So, today I was a sculptor and a potter, and the next day I tried to become a painter. Exactly what I tried, as my abracadabra is just thrash.
I also tried my hand at being an architect. Just for fun. I drew better, the ruler - drags, but the drawing itself was recognised as not only strange, but also unviable. This was followed by an attempt to make writers out of us. Here we lost Gris, as the wookiee flatly refused to leave the circle of pen and paper maniacs. For myself, I realised how scary writers, poets and other paper-makers are! You talk to them for five minutes and you feel like such a jerk - it's a nightmare. And they're all crazy. I swear by the Powers that be!
The point of all this fermentation was for us to find something we like. So to speak, to see, to listen, to feel and to be interested. So, Wes is hooked on music. She's got a guitar-like string thingy in her paws with a claw instead of a plectrum. She sits there, strumming, happy as a claw. And with her extraordinary slightly growling or rather to say, purring voice, songs come out with a special zest.
Ramira is strangely interested in sculpture work. It is surreal enough to watch how a miniature figure, with a huge hammer and chisel in his hands, chisels off pieces of granite. She already knew how to draw and liked to draw, so it wasn't much of a problem to make a drawing of the statuette.
That's all. Me, Zeng and Feng were not suited to art. No matter what we touched, it didn't touch us, so it fell out of our hands. Of course, Master Laniron, who had taken our group under his tutelage, was a little annoyed, but he was pleased by our enthusiasm and curiosity, with which we were still rubbing him the same way. It's interesting to find out how the Force affects the same paintings, and then the intelligent ones!
So the lack of classes, didn't stop us from walking around and enjoying the work of others! Also, I may be a lousy artist, but since we're staying here, I thought I'd take some painting lessons. I still get embarrassed when Irbis redraws my own sketches.
But on the whole, I liked Bodhi. Perhaps it could be compared to a resort where you come to rest your soul. The disciples had massively removed their barriers of emotion, as had the masters, and it was easy to forget where you were. It was as if you were not on Tython, but somewhere in another world, where everything was quiet, calm and generally good.
And against the background of Chicago, here is a paradise beyond the earth, where people are adequate and, instead of fighting with each other - just create, just because they themselves enjoy it, without the pursuit of fame or recognition. The money earned from the sale of works is more than enough for living, and after graduation, on the same Kalimar, such creators will be in high demand. Especially since they are few in number and there is no competition.
So we were stuck in Bodhi for a good two takeda. Just because we were on holiday. Just because we can. And nothing was going to go wrong, but alas, alas, I guess I want too much out of life. And if we don't seek adventure, it finds us.
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