Trial of Spirit/Part 5

The chirping of birds disappeared as Karalin and Daerith walked down the dirt pathway back towards the Jedi Temple. The ruffling of trees was also silenced as the wind died down, setting a rather eerie feeling over the forest. As the two walked, an odd feeling tingled at the back of Karalin’s mind, although it was unlike the one from last night.

“Wait,” Karalin murmured as he held an arm out in front of Daerith. The Zabrak glanced around the place with keenness, raising his awareness and reaching out with the Force.

Daerith knit his brows, “Something’s wrong.” He placed a hand over his brass-plated lightsaber hanging from his belt.

Suddenly a roar emanated from somewhere in the distance behind them. The two Padawans spun around, Karalin using the Force to pull his lightsaber hilt to hand without activating it. As they gazed into the woods, the ruffling of leaves sounded behind them, heralding the approach of a monstrous creature as it leaped out from the thicket and rushed the two Jedi.

“Watch out!” Karalin shouted as he and Daerith leaped away from each other. The creature skidded to a stop as it charged between the two, turning around to face the now grounded Karalin. For a brief moment, Karalin inspected this behemoth of a creature—it snarled to reveal razor-sharp teeth, and two eyes protruded from its box-shaped head. Karalin grimaced in disgust as he identified this thing as a flesh raider, a native species of Tython that had recently caused the Jedi trouble.

The flesh raider charged at Karalin, who lifted his hand and threw the beast back with the Force. It slammed into a tree, causing it to crack and splinter. Karalin used this opportunity to scramble to his feet, activating his lightsaber. The flesh raider growled in fury, and approached Karalin once more, swiping at him with bulky arms. But the Zabrak simply ducked beneath the first attacks and removed the monster’s hands with a quick slice of his blade. The flesh raider attempted to retaliate by biting at Karalin’s throat, but he sidestepped the beast and thrust his lightsaber through its back.

Karalin took a deep, relieved breath as he looked around for Daerith. He grunted once he realized the Twi’lek was fighting off two flesh raiders at once. His fighting style was far less aggressive than Karalin’s, although still graceful nonetheless as his blade danced around him in flashes of green light. As one of the flesh raiders swung his own, blunt sword at Daerith, the latter cut it clean in half and proceeded to remove the monster’s head in the same swipe. He slumped to the ground as the other raider raked at Daerith with rather long claws. He stepped backwards and avoided the flesh raider’s attacks, less so out of pure evasion and more to simply toy with the beast before plunging his lightsaber through its abdomen.

“There’s more to come,” Daerith grunted as he pulled his blade free and the corpse fell to the ground.

“Yeah,” Karalin nodded, taking in the brutal scene. “Let’s hurry back.”

As the two deactivated their lightsabers and began sprinting down the path, something crossed Karalin’s mind. “The flesh raiders have been causing us trouble as of late, but they’ve never ventured so close to the Temple.”

“Astute observation, Karalin,” Daerith replied in a mocking manner. “We need to inform the Council of this.”

They wasted no more breath as they ran down the path. As they began approaching the Temple grounds a few minutes later, a figure appeared down the road. Coming to an abrupt stop, Karalin found himself relieved that this was not another flesh raider.

“There you are,” said the man in a somewhat triumphant tone. Clothed in brown Jedi robes, he was a human with light skin and brown hair tied into a ponytail behind his head. His beard was trimmed neatly, and a small, faded scar ran over his left cheek. His most prominent feature were his almost mystical pale eyes that gazed invitingly at the two Padawans.

“Master Erithos? What are you doing out here?” Daerith asked as he glanced behind them.

“Looking for you two,” said Erithos with a smile. “I might ask the same of you. What’s the rush?”

Karalin also glanced back at the forest, diverting Erithos’s attention in that direction. He answered, “There were flesh raiders, Master. They ambushed us on the road.”

Erithos knit his eyebrows concernedly, “Now that is a reason to rush.” He gestured for them to follow as he turned around and began walking back the way he came. “How close were they to the Temple grounds?”

“A five minute sprint,” Karalin said as he rushed to Erithos’s side. “We were running back to warn the Council.”

The human grunted, “They just keep growing bolder and bolder, don’t they?”

“What does this mean, Master?” Daerith asked as he walked on the other side of Erithos.

“Please, call me Erithos.”

“Of course, sorry,” Daerith quickly replied.

“No need to be, Daerith,” Erithos smiled at him. Both Padawans always found this man to be one they could rely on in times of adversity. While he didn’t come from the same past as them, Erithos’s ideals weren’t exactly recognized by the Jedi Council, and as such he was rather relatable to the two. He was charismatic, and promoted the pursuit of personal development, so long as one benefitted from it. Even if that meant disobeying the Jedi Code. Whenever Karalin was around Erithos, he always assumed the man held a secret that could never be disclosed. “The Council believes the flesh raiders are acting under a puppeteer working from the shadows, although nothing is certain yet.”

Karalin spoke next in an almost infuriated voice, “Why doesn’t the Council quell the flesh raiders already? They’ve been causing quite a ruckus as of late.”

Erithos dismissed the tone and simply shrugged, “I’m not sure. The Council’s affairs are not mine to meddle in.”

The Zabrak grimaced, “I still think it’s unfair they don’t let you have a seat among them. You’ve got to be the strongest Jedi I’ve ever met.”

“While I am flattered, it’s not just about strength, Karalin,” Erithos said. “I’m sure Turvo has already informed you this, but don’t question the Council. Everything works out better that way. Besides, their decision is understandable. I’m not fit.”

“Bantha crap,” Karalin muttered angrily.

Erithos sighed, “You’re an interesting character, Karalin. You know that?”