Star Wars: The Alderaan Affair/Part XVI - The Fall

Epin stood in the middle of the caged fight area, awaiting his opponent for his championship match. The crowd was the loudest it had ever been, they were seeing one of The Manka's best fighters in Epin go up against someone who had defeated longtime champion Denbo Ryshaw in mere minutes. The PA came on and announced the arrival of the new champion, to which the crowd reacted with deafening cheers mixed with some boos. Epin watched as the individual made their way into the cage and stood in front of him. They were as tall as he was and Epin felt that they were female. He knew this as this person gave the same sense as Leia did when he had learned to feel people out with Kreia. This person did not feel like the male fighters he had faced, so he felt with this information, identifying them as female was accurate. The figure was wearing a full head mask that hid any hair beneath it, as well as a full bodysuit that was black in color. Epin felt they looked like a shadow that had sprung to life. He could see the person's eyes however, but this was the only visible part on the outfit. They stared at each other for several minutes and the crowd started to boo and yell for them to fight. He was certain that he could defeat this opponent, just as he had done all the rest. He imagined how it would look, to be standing tall above the broken and beaten body of this person and smiled in satisfaction at the thought of being handed the Manka title, along with the significant amount of credits that would surely come along with it.

The opponent charged at him and landed a left kick to his head after feigning a punch. Epin staggered and doubled over, letting out a breath and gasping. The opponent drove a knee into his head as he stood hunched over, sending him sprawling onto his back. Epin couldn't understand why he was unable to read their thoughts and sense their attacks. He rolled to the side as the opponent came down with a stomp where his head was, and he made to grab their leg under his arm, but they pitched forward and rolled past, landing on their feet. Epin started to get up, but when the opponent started another charge, he braced himself as he didn't know what was coming and could only prepare for impact. He was hit by a shoulder tackle that sent him onto his back again, but before he could recover, the opponent was on him and they drove a knee deep into his abdomen, knocking the wind out of him once more. Coughing and wheezing he caught his breath and just as he was starting to rise he was grabbed from behind, pulled to his feet and spun around by his arm into the cage, crashing face first into the durasteel bars.

The opponent picked Epin up by his hair and brought their fist back as though gathering strength. But this was only a distraftion as they sent a kick his way, which Epin managed to block. Epin threw his own punch directed at the opponents stomach, but it was immediately blocked and he found himself begin flung to the ground as they grabbed his wrist and twisted violently. Epin rolled through to avoid damage to his hand and landed in a defensive crouch, ready for their next attack. The opponent waited for Epin to get to his feet before charging at him for the next attack, which Epin was able to dodge and attempt a chop to the back of their head, which he missed as they turned in mid air and kicked him on the side of his head, sending him to his knee. Epin felt that another blow was coming and he ducked underneath it, kicking his legs out and using the ground as leverage. He thought he had connected as he felt an impact, but found he was severely mistaken, when he felt his ankle break after it was twisted violently to the side.

Epin cried out in pain as he fell to the ground, reaching to for his ankle, which was now useless. He heard the roar of the crowd chanting for the winner and heard the PA announcing that he, Epin, had just experienced his first loss since starting at the Manka. His opponent walked over and stood over Epin, raising their foot and bringing it down hard onto his face. He heard the PA calling for a halt to the fight as Epin was down and unable to continue. He could feel himself starting to slip into unconsciousness and he waited for the final blow that he knew was coming. Epin thought he could hear a woman call his name as the opponent raised their foot over his face again, but he thought it might just be a side effect of the damage he had sustained. The cage door was opened and two Manka attendants dressed in black with the Manka logo on the back of their jackets came in to restore order. Epin lay on the cold, hard concrete, blood dribbling from his mouth onto the floor. Someone jumped the barricade and came into the cage to Epin's side, rolling him onto his back, moving their hands to turn his face upwards, towards theirs. Epin looked up into the face of Princess Leia. The opponent made their way closer to where the two of them were, grabbing Leia by her hair, pulling her head back so she was looking up at the ceiling.

“N...No.” Choked Epin as he spit blood onto the floor. “Leave her alone. Your fight is with me.”

Two more Manka guards entered the cage, this time carrying rifles, which they aimed at Epin's opponent. Epin and his opponent stared at each other for several minutes as the crowd and guards waited in near hushed silence. Epin and his opponent seemed to come to an unspoken agreement, as his opponent released Leia and walked out of the cage without a backward glance, the Manka guards following a few paces behind, their weapons still at the ready.

“Leia...” Said Epin as he turned his attention to her. “Wha...?”

“Epin stop, just don't. I heard some girls at Vesta's talking about you and it took me forever to be allowed entry. In the end I had to bribe the guards at the entrance.” Said Leia, placing her index and middle fingertips on his lips to silence him. “Anyway, we've got to get you help, so just shut up.”

“Yeah, yeah I guess...” Said Epin as Manka attendants came in with a stretcher.

Epin shoved them away however, as they bent down to roll him onto the stretcher. “No, I'm fine.” He said. “Just get out of the way.”

“Epin, stop. They're going to help you.” Said Leia angrily. “Stop trying to be a tough guy, it's not impressing me.”

“I'm not.” Shouted Epin as he stumbled to his knee. “I...sorry Leia, but I want to walk out of here on my own, I need to.”

“But...why?” Asked Leia.

“I just...my opponent walked out of here on their feet.” Said Epin. “I don't want to let them know they've beaten me completely.”

“I think I understand.” Said Leia, standing up after a moment's thought. “Ok, come on then.”

Epin sat up first and with his leg shaking violently, he got to his feet, putting as little weight on his ankle as he could. At his side, Leia put her arm around his waist and he put his around her shoulders, and together they made their way slowly out of the cage and into the back. The crowd cheering at the display of fortitude and the PA congratulating the Manka guards and attendants on a job well done for maintaining order. -	Leia helped Epin onto the medical table in the back. She began rummaging in the cabinets and drawers for things she could use to set his ankle. She brought out a splint and a pair of shears, which she used to cut away his pant leg, allowing her to set the break so he couldn't damage it any further by unnecessary movement. When she had finished setting it, she wrapped it in bandages to assist the splint in keeping his ankle straight and forward. She placed a gentle hand on it after she had finished and looked him in the eyes.

“What are you doing in a place like this Epin?” Asked Leia seriously.

“I, well, I wanted to get away from my parents for a while.” Said Epin, not meeting her gaze. “A hobby I guess.”

“Epin, your mom said you've been missing for a month!” Said Leia, gripping his ankle, which caused a shooting pain up his leg. “And you didn't even come to see me in that time!”

“Ow. Jeez Leia, I'm sorry, I just got caught up with...” Epin started to say, but Leia cut him off.

“I don't care about your excuses Epin.” Said Leia fiercely. “You should have come to see me if you were in trouble or something was wrong.”

“I'm sorry.” Said Epin again. “I wanted to come see you, but I mean you were busy with school and everything, I didn't want to bother you.”

“You wouldn't be bothering me.” She said with a soft voice. “I would've loved to have seen you and helped if I could. Go back to your family Epin, they miss you, whatever it is, you can work it out.”

“Yeah, you're right I guess.” Said Epin, who had no intention of going anywhere near his family again.

“I'm going to contact your family.” Said Leia, turning to leave.

“No!” Exclaimed Epin. “Where are you doing?”

“I promised I'd tell her where you were if I found you.” Said Leia.

Epin shook his head. “Don't Leia, please.”

“Why?” Asked Leia. “What is it about your mother...”

“It's not her!” Said Epin angrily. “It's...just please don't tell them where I am. Please Leia.”

“Uh, alright Epin.” Leia said, moving over to him and looking concerned. “You can tell me, you know that.”

“Not now, Leia.” Said Epin, seeming to guess what she was going to ask. “I don't have the energy.” -	Epin was helped out of the club by some Manka attendants and put into a medical speeder, which took him to Aldera General Hospital. Leia had said goodbye after he had been put in the speeder, saying she'd check back tomorrow to see if he was still there. Epin sat in the waiting room for a doctor to see him, as he had told the reception desk he was not in any immediate danger and he had his foot bandaged and set. He relaxed and reached out for Kreia.

What the kriff happened back there? He said. Why couldn't I use my abilities for the first part of the fight? Why did I...lose.

There are two possible answers, but I cannot be sure of the first as I cannot truly experience what you did. The simplest however, is you most likely blinded yourself. Kreia explained.

I what? Epin said.

You became too confident in what you could do. Said Kreia. Those that are inexperienced in the arts are susceptible to dangerous overconfidence, believing that victory will just come.

Can you help me get more experienced? Asked Epin.

I can. Said Kreia. And I have been.

But I want more Kreia! Said Epin, a slight pleading tone in his voice. Can I get better? Can I beat that person!? Will you show me how!?

Kreia seemed to think about the question. As they were speaking in Epin's mind, he couldn't see her and wasn't sure if she had gone.

Is that what you want? She said after the silence. You choose to have me give you more training?

Yes. Said Epin. Of course, what kind of a question is that?

The kind of question where the asking party must be sure that the one answering is certain of there choice. Said Kreia, mysteriously. -	Epin was seen by the doctor and given the go ahead to leave after the doctor had set the break properly, given him some stimulant injections and a pair of metal crutches to assist in walking. Epin went to his room at The Weary Traveler and sat down on the bed. He propped his crutches against the bed and thought about getting back into the cage and defeating the person whom he had lost to. He wondered what it would take to defeat someone who could do the same things he could, let alone prevent him from using his abilities. Epin saw Kreia appear on the bed next to him.

“What we will begin is going to be difficult and extremely physically taxing.” Said Kreia, in a monotone voice. “Be sure you're ready for this.”

“I am.” Said Epin. “I want to beat this person and become champion.”

“Very well.” Said Kreia. “First, remove those cumbersome bandages.”

“Huh?” Asked Epin. “But how will it heal if...?”

“I want you to look at those scans if your foot that the doctor gave to you.” Said Kreia.

“What?” Said Epin, grabbing the scans he had got from the hospital.

“Take a look at the break and remember where it is. Visualize it in your mind.” Said Kreia.

Epin studied the scans for a few minutes and set them aside. He wondered exactly what this was supposed to be doing for him, and how it would fix his ankle. How was looking at images of a broken ankle supposed to help it heal. But then Epin remembered what Kreia had told him about his ability to heal and how he had never sustained any severe injuries in his life, even when Arod and his father would beat on him repeatedly. He had always walked away with only small cuts and bruises. Before continuing, he removed the bandages and small cast the doctor had put on him to help his ankle heal.

“Visualize your foot and the break in your mind.” Said Kreia, as Epin closed his eyes and began breathing slowly and deeply. “See the break and see the tendons and bones as they would look if they were unharmed. Merge the two images and feel your ankle becoming whole again. Let yourself go and relax your mind and body until you feel your inner energy flowing forth.”

Epin did this and he could feel his foot begin to tingle a bit. Excited he concentrated harder, seeing in his mind, himself facing off against his opponent. He imagined the muscles and bones slowly merging together to become a complete entity. His foot felt normal. He wondered if he had done it properly. Had he just healed a broken bone by his thoughts alone. He took a tentative step and found he could stand.

“Good work.” Said Kreia. “Impressive actually.”

“Thanks.” Exclaimed Epin. “This is incredible. I can't wait to get in there and stomp that scum!”

He slammed his fist into the opposite palm and took a step toward the door, which he immediately regretted. With a sharp and sudden stab of pain in his foot, he cried out and fell to one knee. He stayed in that position, cursing himself for his stupidity and carelessness. Slowly, he moved and grabbed a hold of the bed, pulling himself up and onto it. He stayed in a laying position, mumbling swear words, while Kreia laughed softly behind him.

“Perhaps not as impressive as ones eyes would like to believe.” She said. “Try again.”

“Again?” Said Epin, with a look of horror on his face, dreading feeling that pain again if he screwed up a second time. “But...”

“I just told you, that this would not be easy.” Said Kreia, without a trace of sympathy or care in her voice. “Get up and try again from the beginning.”

“But, can't I rest and...” Epin began, but Kreia swiftly cut him off.

“Now.” She commanded. “A few years under my tutelage and you won't even know yourself.” -	As Epin had not made any progress with his leg, Kreia allowed him a few hours rest. His sleep was troubled by nightmares of his defeat against the unknown fighter and not being able to overcome them in combat. Then his dreams changed and he found himself standing in a field on his family's farm, with his family. Nobody said anything to anyone and when Epin tried to get his sister's attention by taking hold of her arm, she burst into flame. He screamed for help but nobody answered his call and he saw himself beginning to become swallowed up by the flames that had spread to the grass. Suddenly, he awoke with a start. He could see Kreia waiting at the foot of his bed. He imagined some animal waiting for its master to let it out.

“I would advise against such delusions my dear boy.” Said Kreia dangerously. “In any event, we cannot continue with your training until you mend your injury.”

“I tried already.” Said Epin, a bit sadly. “I couldn't do it.”

“Well, a new day, a new attempt.” Said Kreia.

“But, won't I do more damage to it by not just resting?” Asked Epin.

“Oh yes, you will undoubtedly be doing more damage.” Said Kreia in an uncaring tone. “But when you learn to heal your body at will and with the correct amount of speed, you won't need to worry about what level of damage you sustain. Ever. Now, get up and do it again.”

Epin tried the healing exercise again and definitely wound up worse for wear. As he lay on the floor after failing and falling for what felt like the millionth time, he wondered exactly what he had got himself into. He felt like just not getting up and seeing how Kreia would like it if he didn't obey her. He felt like this was just some type of torture test she was administering, and that it had no real purpose other than to punish him for failing continually. At this, Epin could see her disappear.

“Well, I guess that's that.” Said Epin as he rolled himself to make getting to his feet easier.

Over the next two weeks, Epin remained in his room and continued his attempts at healing his broken ankle, which usually ended in him collapsing in pain. Kreia stayed away for the first week, but made an appearance as he was nearing the week and a half mark, when he was unable to get back to his feet after several attempts. With her guidance he found he was able to heal himself enough that he could stand on his own and put weight on his leg without it giving out. Heartened by this, he doubled his efforts and by the end of the second week he was able to move around on it, and two days of focusing himself on it, he was able to jog and run on it.

“See what you can accomplish when you actually do something about your problems, rather than complaining?” Said Kreia.

“Well, it was...” Epin began, but he halted as Kreia raised her hand.

“I do not require an answer.” Said Kreia. “When I want to hear what you have to say, I will ask you a question.”

“Why the...?” Started Epin.

“Change?” Said Kreia, cutting him off. “Tell you what, bring out the Holocron dear boy, let us give it a fresh try.”

“I still won't be able to open it I bet.” Said Epin as he pulled it from the desk drawer he had put it in. “Now what?”

“Tell me boy, what do you feel when you think of your father?” Said Kreia.

“I feel...” Epin pondered. “I feel angry.”

“Hm.” Said Kreia. “Maybe not yet then, put it back.”

“Why did I get it out then?” Said Epin angrily as he tossed it back into the drawer and shut it.

“Very well, we shall sharpen and perfect your techniques and your connection to The Force even further, while pushing forward towards the light.” Said Kreia, nodding to herself. -

So it was sometime later that Epin stood by the side of a mountain on the vast, open and untouched plains of Alderaan. Several months had passed since his defeat at The Black Manka, and since then, he had devoted nearly all of his time to training with Kreia. He had progressed to moving stones and rocks by focusing on them and he was also able to levitate objects if he concentrated enough. Kreia had also taught him how to release his inner energies in a sort of wave that would push away things it was directed at. Epin had grown his hair again, it was tied back in a ponytail at the moment, but would reach his shoulders when it was untied. He was now fourteen and he himself didn't even know, or care. He stood with a purpose, to avenge his loss and stand atop the Manka as its champion. And of course, his thoughts drifted to where Leia was.

Epin thought about what Leia might be up to, he had only seen her a handful of times since she had come to the Manka. Epin himself hadn't been to the club recently, as the shame of defeat still weighed hard on him. He missed Leia terribly and wanted more than anything to be with her right now. He imagined that she was here beside him and that they were relaxing in the grass and having fun. He imagined leaning in towards her as they lay in the grass...

“As it stands...” Said Kreia, snapping Epin out of his daydream. “If you were to fight that person again, you would most likely be killed. So we are going to work on your focus and speed.”

“Still?” Complained Epin. “How fast do I need to be really?”

“I promise that you aren't fast enough.” Said Kreia. “Now, we are going to practice moving things with your mind. See that large rock up there on the mountain? I want you to dislodge it.”

“What!?” Said Epin, alarmed at this request. “If I move that rock, I'll cause an avalanche!”

“That's the exercise boy, it's the same as when you learned to move the small pebbles and stones a few weeks ago.” Said Kreia. “Get up on the mountainside and move the rock with your power until it gives way.”

Epin hesitated, but moved onto the side of the mountain. He steadied himself on the flattest part he could find and focused on the rock. Drawing his energy up through his body, he envisioned the rocks ahead of him being pushed aside by a wave of invisible energy. Epin felt his arms tingle and fell onto his backside as though pushed by someone.

“Get up.” Said Kreia. “You're doing it incorrectly, you need to stand firm. Stand your ground against your own energy as it's being hurled forth. Channel it forward, do not just release it haphazardly.”

As Epin rose to his feet, he noticed a few chunks of rock had broken off of the larger piece and were tumbling down the mountainside towards him. He had enough time to jump out of their way as they crashed down, causing the ground to quake slightly. Epin took his position again and did the exercise as Kreia had instructed, trying to push the energy. He succeeded, though not exactly in the way he might have wanted, as he released a pulse that shattered the mountainside and sent an avalanche rushing toward him. Panicking, he heard Kreia offering some advice.

“Push against it.” She explained. “Force your energy forward and redirect it.”

Epin wasn't sure exactly how he was supposed to do this, but he pushed as hard as he could with the energy, toward the oncoming rocks. He was not successful however and was soon overtaken by the rush of them, feeling himself being pummeled by the force of the falling rocks and being cut open as he rolled around on the ground rapidly. As the rocks hadn't fallen very far down the mountain, they didn't get too much speed, but it was still enough to cause him considerable injury. Several seconds later, which felt like hours to Epin, the slide stopped and he lay at the base of the mountain half buried in rock and dirt, blood coming from a cut on his head and coughing up dust.

“Up.” Said Kreia, appearing at his feet. “Do not tell me this is stopping you. This is but a bite from an insect compared to what that fighter will do to you.”

Epin coughed and hacked for several minutes as he lay in the rubble, unable to move at the moment and feeling like he may have broken his ankle again, in addition to a rib or two. He gritted is teeth as he pushed himself free from the pile and stood up, a miracle at which he was grateful, and limped over to sit down on the grass. As Kreia talked about what he had done wrong, he thought about what his final destination really was. What was it he was doing this for? Continuously injuring himself and isolating himself from society for hours and even days at a time for the ability to beat someone in a fight.

“Do you wish to give up then?” Asked Kreia.

“I, uh...well I.” Stammered Epin. “I just don't particularly enjoy being flattened by avalanches of rocks from mountains in the middle of nowhere.”

“So stop listening to me.” Said Kreia.

Epin raised his eyebrows at her. “I don't really want to Kreia, it's just, I...”

Kreia seemed to take pity on Epin, as she moved over to him and sat beside him. She placed a ghostly hand on his shoulder and spoke.

“My boy, you have done well in making it this far.” She said in a kind and reassuring voice. “But I warned you about the difficulty and now you are saying you want out? Is my time in this world wasted?”

“No, it's...” Started Epin.

“Do it again then.” Said Kreia as she stood and turned her back on him. “Now. You know how to lift things, so lift the rocks and hover them over yourself.”

Epin stood and limped over to the pile and lifted a small group of them with some difficulty. Hovering over his head, the rocks crumbled somewhat and fell to the ground, like a rain of stone. It took all his concentration to stop the pile from falling on him as they wobbled and bobbed in the air.

“Put them back in the mountain.” Said Kreia.

This caught Epin completely off guard and he dropped the pile onto himself, though since they were only a few inches above him and not crashing down at speed, he wasn't injured too badly. He sat up and stared at Kreia. She held his gaze.

Alderaan Affair

Part XV - Part XVII