{"id":2231,"date":"2017-10-21T07:18:11","date_gmt":"2017-10-21T12:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2231"},"modified":"2017-10-21T07:18:11","modified_gmt":"2017-10-21T12:18:11","slug":"the-sith-empress-part-33","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2231","title":{"rendered":"The Sith Empress – Part 33"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sith Empress<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 33<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jessica made her way with Gaia as they entered the Jedi\u2019s room.\u00a0 It had few items that she could tell belonged to Gaia.\u00a0 She watched as Gaia went though some drawers, pulling out some things and setting a small box on one of the shelves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Jessica asked, seeing the intricate patterns on the box as she picked it up and inspected it closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that, I\u2019m not sure, been in our family for generations,\u201d Gaia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t opened it?\u201d Jessica replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not easy, and my mother said it would only open when the time was right, so far no one has been able to open it,\u201d Gaia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, no one knows what\u2019s inside,\u201d Jessica replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019m aware of,\u201d Gaia replied placing some clothing in a bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it should open right here,\u201d Jessica said, poking the area hearing Gaia chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we haven\u2019t tried that?\u201d Gaia replied smiling at her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll leave it here for safe-keeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached up to take it from Jessica\u2019s hands when the box suddenly opened startling them both.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Gaia asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, I didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d Jessica said a bit startled herself.\u00a0 She looked inside the box to see two gold rings inside each had a crystal on it.\u00a0 One was a blue color and the other was a green.\u00a0 Lying there the crystals seemed to form one whole piece.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty,\u201d Gaia said, picking up the smaller one and putting it on and looking at it for several seconds before she picked up the other one and placed it on Jessica\u2019s finger.\u00a0 \u201cWell, how about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jessica was a bit stunned by what happened and had to agree, the rings were indeed beautiful and yet, they somehow seemed to represent them as well.\u00a0 She had no idea how that could be when a foggy mist seemed to envelop the room.\u00a0 they turned to see two strange figures and Jessica prepared for a fight as Gaia merely took a step forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts you,\u201d she said, placing her hand in Jessica\u2019s and giving a squeeze as they looked to see two figures before them, one short and one tall as they came more into focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cHah,\u201d the shorter one said, giving the taller one a bump with her hip.\u00a0 \u201cSee, I told you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurmph,\u201d the taller one stated as the shorter one turned back to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and you figured this out well,\u201d the shorter one said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Jessica said as she noticed they looked a lot like herself and Gaia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Jedi Master Bri Lightner,\u201d the shorter one said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd this is my soulmate Xara Darhart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I was on the right path,\u201d Gaia said.\u00a0 \u201cIs Xara a Jedi as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at first, I started my training under the Sith, but never became a Sith Lord, wasn\u2019t powerful enough,\u201d Xara said before looking at Jessica.\u00a0 \u201cThe Dark Side runs strong in us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but there is something else in my heart now,\u201d Jessica said looking down at Gaia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen our work is done, but yours is just beginning,\u201d Bri said.\u00a0 \u201cTrust in each other and you will not fail.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that they faded away leaving them alone in the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was unusual, that happen to you often?\u201d Jessica asked seeing Gaia nod no.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t until I saw a certain black figure here.\u00a0 Was that you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was part of Desann\u2019s original Shadow troopers,\u201d Jessica stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you know where the alley of the Jedi is,\u201d Gaia said suddenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes and no,\u201d Jessica replied seeing the confused look.\u00a0 \u201cI was there, but we had no idea where we were going.\u00a0 You were there at the defeat of Tavion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy second experience in combat, and somehow I felt you, or was pulled towards you,\u201d Gaia said deep in thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs much as I felt you looking at me, I was just so focused on what I was doing to noticed,\u201d Jessica said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou felt me?\u201d Gaia said, something about the tone indicated this was an important question.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t normally stare at a place where I don\u2019t see people at first, but I do remember looking before seeing you, and for some reason I knew your eyes were green.\u00a0 Perhaps its time we speak with this Percy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a plan,\u201d Gaia replied.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Percy sat down at the desk he usually worked at when the door opened and he looked up to see two people standing there.\u00a0 He was only slightly surprised to see the blonde Jedi standing there after the report he had received.\u00a0 He noticed the taller, dark-haired woman standing beside her who seemed to radiate power which sent chills down his spine.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Percy,\u201d Gaia said to him giving him a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cGaia,\u201d Percy replied, the smile seemed to reassure him a bit despite the presence of the other woman, something he should have expected as he went over their relationship history in his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Jessica,\u201d Gaia said to him.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s time we have a talk with someone who can explain things a bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Percy considered it all when something else caught his eye and made him smile.\u00a0 He nodded to himself and stood telling them to follow him, leading him to another room where someone else was sitting.\u00a0 Gaia had seen him once before.<\/p>\n

\u201cPercy, what are you doing here,\u201d the man said, before looking at the other two, taking a long glance at them and seeing what Percy had seen.\u00a0 \u201cAh, I see, have a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaia glanced over at Jessica as Percy walked out of the room before sitting down along with Jessica who was remaining quiet for now.\u00a0 Gaia figured she would do most of the talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Frank, and you could consider me the high priest of this organization,\u201d Grank told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat organization,\u201d Jessica asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not have an official name, but ever member knows what they are part of,\u201d Frank replied back to him leaning back in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we members?\u201d Gaia asked taking Jessica\u2019s hand without even thinking about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes you are,\u201d he replied back to them.\u00a0 \u201cThen again, I think you already know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what type of organization is this?\u201d Gaia asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone who is a member has a soulmate, or had one,\u201d he said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoulmates, I like it,\u201d Gaia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would,\u201d Jessica said turning to the man.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you know I didn\u2019t force Gaia here to find out about you?\u00a0 I\u2019m not a nice person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaia nudged Jessica for that comment before turning back to Frank.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimple, you wear the rings,\u201d Frank said to them, pointing to the rings they had found inside the box.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could have stolen them?\u201d Jessica said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, these rings are special,\u201d Frank stated, taking his off and handing to them.\u00a0 \u201cHere, put mine on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaia watched as Jessica shrugged but put it on.\u00a0 The ring was similar but had a brown and blue color which were merged.\u00a0 As Jessica put it on the colors separated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe colors only join when worn by the soulmates.\u00a0 Each one is specially made,\u201d Frank said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut these are not ours?\u201d Gaia said slightly surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, they are yours, the joining of a pair of old soulmates,\u201d Frank replied back to them.\u00a0 \u201cThe same ring can be used for the same souls, in your case, you have an ancient pair of souls, one of the oldest known, yet so much is unknown about you two.\u00a0 You are souls of the warrior and bard.\u00a0 One, the bard is the light, the warrior is the darkness.\u00a0 A reason we keep an eye on you when you first appear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we are soulmates, and we have the rings, why trust me with this information, I\u2019m capable of many things,\u201d Jessica said, as Gaia looked over at her but then to Frank.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, while you are surrounded in the darkness, and it is your strength, the bard is your source,\u201d Frank said looking at them both.\u00a0 Gaia gave that some thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt that,\u201d she finally said knowing how much stronger Jessica was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t,\u201d Jessica replied back quickly.\u00a0 She paused before speaking again.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I fought the Sith Lords, there was one where I was losing.\u00a0 I somehow heard you, it was my source to defeat him, I couldn\u2019t say no to that voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I\u2019m sure you would have felt that as well, no matter how far away you were,\u201d Frank said looking at Gaia.\u00a0 \u201cIt would have felt like something was slipping away and there was nothing you could do about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaia paused then recalled she had felt something like that at the library.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s when you became the Sith Lord, I felt the blast of the Dark Side as well,\u201d Gaia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it was my last test by the spirits,\u201d Jessica said.<\/p>\n

Gaia gave it some thougth before looking back at Frank.\u00a0 \u201cThen why live in secret?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Bri and Xara were alive there was a threat against us.\u00a0 If it wasn\u2019t for them we would have been destroyed.\u00a0 During their trial they had a vision.\u00a0 It was then they constructed the box,\u201d Frank said.\u00a0 \u201cThey said only their next reincarnation of their souls would be able to open the box, but they had to do it together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would explain why it opened when we both touched it,\u201d Jessica said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what are your plans?\u201d Frank asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a vacation, and to learn more about this,\u201d Jessica said looking at Gaia, who agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a lot, and we can help,\u201d Frank said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can think of several places we can go,\u201d Gaia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds wonderful,\u201d Jessica replied.<\/p>\n

Gaia felt excited to begin this new chapter of her life.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Luke looked over the recruits who were on the training ground.\u00a0 Master Fie-Tel was down there taking charge, something he seemed to excel at, teaching others.\u00a0 There had been several months of peace and quiet and he hoped that would stay.\u00a0 The remaining ships from Darth Rizon\u2019s fleet had been captured or destroyed but no word about Darth Rizon.\u00a0 Rumor was she had been killed, or just left for something else.\u00a0 Luke knew the truth and understood the reasons for it all.<\/p>\n

Gaia had been diligent in giving him updates on where she was and what they had been up to.\u00a0 She and Jessica had gone on a vacation and visited several worlds, including her home world to visit Gaia\u2019s family.\u00a0 To Luke it appeared as if they were slowly becoming one and the decision to let her go and been the right one.\u00a0 Gaia might not come back, but she was still a Jedi.<\/p>\n

He looked over and spotted two familiar forms coming from the temple slightly shocked to see them.\u00a0 Even at this distance he recognized the blonde and noticed that she was leaning into the taller, dark-haired woman beside her.\u00a0 Even from this distance he could tell they were in love.\u00a0 He had a feeling his lost Jedi was coming home.\u00a0 The biggest problem was Jessica and how she might fit in.\u00a0 He hoped that maybe she might help them out, become a Jedi, but he would not push her.<\/p>\n

Kyle, let\u2019s go over and meet our returning Jedi Knight,\u201d Luke said to Kyle standing nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cReturning?\u00a0 What do you mean?\u201d Kyle asked obviously confused.\u00a0 He looked over to see Jessica giving Gaia a twirl and kiss.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAh, I see, I wonder if Jan would allow me to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean wonder, you two already do that,\u201d Luke said shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah, but I meant today,\u201d Kyle replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, we already have to warn people about you, now we\u2019ll have to warn them about those two as well,\u201d Luke said moving on and heading towards Gaia.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery funny,\u201d Kyle replied but kept up with Luke.<\/p>\n

Luke wondered what the future might hold with these two and hoped it was good things.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sith Empress by AJ Marks Part 33 Jessica made her way with Gaia as they entered the Jedi\u2019s room.\u00a0 It had few items that she could tell belonged to Gaia.\u00a0 She watched as Gaia went though some drawers, pulling out some things and setting a small box on one of the shelves. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d […]
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