Trial of Spirit/Part 11

Karalin stepped off the dirt road and into the trees. Before long, he was approaching his favorite cliff, Daerith already waiting for him atop the boulders.

“You took my spot,” Karalin said.

“You took too long,” Daerith retorted.

Karalin grinned as he sat himself in the grass beside the edge. He looked out onto the horizon, taking in the scenery once again. He realized he found it impossible to envision its destruction as he had before—he had achieved a level of tranquility that he so very needed. It was quite refreshing.

“We’re Jedi Knights now,” said Daerith as he gazed out onto the horizon.

Karalin felt for his Silka beads, only to find nothing. “Yeah. About time too. War with the Empire is imminent.” He could feel the discomfort around Daerith behind him as he continued, “It’ll change us, conflict. It’ll test our strength and will. We have to be ready to face it.”

“We’ll face it together,” Daerith replied.

“Agreed. Be ready to show the Sith what we’re made of,” Karalin said as he cracked a knuckle. “Nerox especially.” He turned around to face Daerith, whose brow was raised. “I look forward to taking this war as an opportunity to hunt down Nerox and finally bring him to justice.”

Daerith sighed, “Come on, Karalin, he’s not a force to be reckoned with.”

Karalin knit his brows, “Don’t you want revenge too?”

“I—yes, of course I do. But…” He sighed again. Daerith was holding something back, and Karalin was not quite sure what it was. He wondered what happened in his trial. “Just watch out for yourself, Karalin.”

The Zabrak smirked, “I always do.”

Daerith nodded, stood up, and leaped down from the boulders. He took one final glance at Tython’s topography before turning around and walking towards the forest. “I’m heading back now. I’ll see you later, Karalin.”

Karalin only nodded as he got up and reclaimed his spot atop the boulders.

He was now alone. And as he gazed out on Tython’s surface, his mind was flooded with so many thoughts.

Nerox would soon pay for his crimes, and he was certain of that. Karalin knew that once war broke out, he would travel to the front lines to combat the Sith and hone his skills. All so that he may take on Nerox. This inevitable, galactic conflict would be the perfect opportunity for him to track down the Sith Lord, or otherwise bring him out of hiding—if that’s what he was doing. He had supposedly been inactive for several years now, but Karalin knew he was simply waiting before the next bloodbath.

With a deep breath, Karalin continued to contemplate the future laid out before him.