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I made this recording to confess. And in some small part, atone for my actions. You were so fragile after returning from Korriban. I had to do it. I hated her SO much for what she done. And you were so close to breaking, I feared for your life. Jedi are strong, we are strong in will and strong in power. But what do you do when all hope is lost and all that will is gone?

I had to do it. I love you. You have always been like a brother to me. And I wish…I wish I would have never introduced you to my sister. Curse her for what she did to us both. And I hope and pray in the Unity, that you will forgive me for what I had to do. Violating our sacred trust with one another in stealing your memories of her. But those were memories you didn’t need….

- Karolin….>>

--

Senate Building, Galactic City - Coruscant….seven months after the Fall of the Jedi Temple….

"Your service and dedication are a credit to the Republic….and the Jedi Order, Jedi Goss…."

The overinflated Republic officer droned on; Caleb wasn't really listening. In fact, Caleb wasn't really there, he was still on Korriban looking down into the recess. After stealing a shuttle and avoiding half of the Korriban planetary defense force, Caleb managed to coast into Coruscant airspace with literally hydrospace sealant holding what was left of his ship together. And he wasn't really present for any of that either. Operating on reflex, just Jedi intuition of what needed to be done to complete a certain action. Caleb wasn't even using any foresight. He had gone deaf in the Force. The moment he left the recess and the sound of his former love behind, he was hoping he would be killed. It was the only way he could see ending how he felt. Ending any feeling; he just wanted it all to stop. Had it not been for the condition of his ship and the fact that the Jedi were trying to locate him, Caleb most likely would have been killed in the dilapidated Imperial shuttle he coasted in on. Not that he cared. This was supposed to be a 'heroes' welcome. Numb, he didn’t care about that either.

"…Its simply astounding! Do the Sith really think we wouldn't find out? That we wouldn't also prepare for them…."

Caleb nodded pleasantly as the officer continued to jabber on. He still wasn't paying attention. His mind was elsewhere, his thoughts occupied. People watched, the eyes on him from the other Jedi in the room. One particular set of eyes intrigued him. The reception was honoring him for the 'very daring' mission he undertook. By everyone else’s account and of his own accord he went to find out what was going on in Sith space.

The truth, was different. Caleb didn't lie when asked. Those asking were simply not asking the right questions as to why he went to Korriban. So far. Maybe no one really wanted to know the truth. Or it was so far out of the realm of possibility the question never came up. A Jedi going off on a quest to find and rescue his long-lost love? What Jedi, what love? Questions that no one close to him at the Temple could possibly understand to ask. His recovery of a very valuable Holocron, the death of a very dangerous Sith and the intelligence gathered far outweighed any reason he could have REALLY been on Korriban, at least as far as everyone else was concerned.

Everyone but the set of familiar red eyes that had been gazing at him the entire time. They were so similar, yet so newly distant. A distance that he was busy creating in his mind. She moved toward him as Caleb turned back toward the politician to continue to listen.

Karolin slithered her way through the crowd, blending in nicely with the other overblown Republic officers. She was supposed to be making ready for a new assignment. As her tunic prominently displayed the newness of the rank given to her, 'General'; she made her way finally close to Caleb. He nearly jumped out of his boots as her sultry voice enveloped him. It was so much like 'hers', besides the size difference the two sisters; Karolin and Mrysti were virtually identical. Or at least they once were before being subjugated into the project, that was their namesakes.

https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVJ8Z1kv.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/VJ8Z1kv.jpg]

"My, my Caleb….” Karolin’s voice had an amused tone. “….recovering a Holocron and not just any, but a Holocron from one of the architects of the 'Sacking of Coruscant'…..." Caleb initially looked up as he turned around, half expecting Mrysti to be standing behind; looming over him. Karolin's voice was so similar to her’s. He had to quickly adjust his gaze just below eye level; Karolin was shorter than even an average woman. And much shorter than he was. "….Did I surprise you? Were you expecting someone else?"

The coy smile Karolin gave suggested she already knew the answer to the question. Swaying back and forth; the fluted glass playing gently on her lower lip Karolin eyed him lovingly. Caleb was always in defense mode even with those who knew him outside of his normal role in the Order. He quickly deflected the question.

"Expecting? No one, not at all…should I have been?"

Karolin scooted closer, looping an arm through one of Caleb's to draw him closer. She smiled sweetly up at him, letting his reflection play in her dark red eyes. The closeness, her scent, so much like Mrysti’s. It was intoxicating and made him dizzy. Once again, Caleb seemed to stammer as he gazed down at her. Quickly clearing his throat to break the spell she was casting on him. Karolin knew she had him, she just needed to close the box.

"For someone who's being honored for all their good deeds, you certainly pay little attention to your OWN reception." Caleb broke his arm away from Karolin quickly, stumbling away.

"Y-yes….I mean, No…I mean, pardon me, Master. I must…I need a moment." Caleb sat his glass down on the window ledge quickly moving away from the crowd in the Senate Corridor. Karolin sat her own glass next to his; just as quick on his heels catching him a moment later. She waited till he turned the corner, entering a mostly deserted observation corridor. Caleb slowed and stopped to look out over Coruscant. The synthetic sun setting over some of the tallest buildings casting its light directly on him. Karolin laid a hand on Caleb's shoulder, spinning him around.

"Caleb! Caleb! Wait….talk to me!"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

As Karolin spun him around, she saw the pain in his eyes and the water already welling up inside them. He put a clenched fist in his mouth biting one of the fingers once their gazes met. Karolin put a hand gently to the side of his head. She already had her suspicions about the reasons for Caleb's sudden departure and return, his reason for leaving Tython was more than just ‘meditation’ leave. Now she was convinced all was not what it seemed. Caleb continued to bite his hand not wanting to speak, until she laid her all too familiar hand on his head, only it was Mrysti’s hand he longed for. He was ready to confess before she even asked.

"I saw her Karolin, I know where she is and what…." Caleb’s voice cracked and he faded, putting the hand back in his mouth unable to continue. Karolin frowned sympathetically, rubbing his face. Blood ran down the side of his hand. Caleb having drew it from the force of the bite; desperate to stop the pain and to keep quiet. But to Karolin, these were things he couldn’t keep from her. Not her, one who was so close to the situation.

"Shhhh….Caleb, you don't have to tell me. Just relax, let me see…."

Moving the other hand to the side of Caleb's face she continued to 'shush' him. Applying her power in the Force. The power of sight as a Consular to see Caleb's thoughts, his memories. At first her expression was placid as she searched his mind.

Like a holo-vid playing out, the images suddenly came to life vividly in her mind. Softly she closed her eyes to see only one vision. Karolin learned about his initial plan to leave Tython; of finding the out of the way Mining Facility. Karolin saw Muriel, learned of their chance encounter. Learned of what Muriel needed Caleb for. Her sight allowed Karolin to see Caleb recover the Holocron before Muriel could, that he planned it all along to force Muriel to help him find and rescue Mrysti. It was a mixture of Caleb's memory and a narrative of Caleb's feelings on the events as they happened. And Caleb was so very full of emotion. Sadness overcame her at the last realization. Emotion, things Jedi had difficultly dealing with due to their training.

Sucking in a breath, Karolin shuddered. Her face growing pale as they reached the recess. Seeing what Mrysti did, what she was allowing to be done to her. Karolin felt every crushing moment of that event with Caleb. Tears rolled down his face as he began to breath heavily. Roughly, Karolin snatched her hands from Caleb's face severing the connection, she was drenched in sweat and very, very angry. With so many thoughts racing through her head of what she perceived as Mrysti's conscious betrayal, Karolin could not voice her thoughts properly. All of it came home to Karolin. Hamner and Mrysti left the Jedi to join the Empire and all of what Caleb was going through was the end result.

"How could she!!! That she would not only turn…that she would allow…willingly?!?!--"

https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsLTNjWy.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/sLTNjWy.jpg]

Karolin’s words were cut short as she turned away. Snatching up the drink she brought with her and set aside, draining the glass. From his knees Caleb was holding his face in his hands, nodding softly murmuring something incoherent. It didn't take long for Karolin to decide what to do as she looked at him, her anger subsiding slightly. She ran her fingers through his hair pulling him into her waist. Caleb was still on his knees; hugged her around the waist, not bothering to get up.

They were friends, Karolin's ‘Markus’ loved Caleb, loved him like a brother. Therefore, Karolin loved Caleb the same way. It was Caleb that led her out the day the Sith destroyed their home. Caleb who rescued them in the face of overwhelming Sith aggression. Even if that was the only reason; Karolin would have loved him enough to do what she was about to do. But, there was more. Caleb loved Mrysti, loved her more than his own life and had risked his life and his future for her. And it had destroyed him. What she was doing on Korriban, what she was willingly becoming was more than Caleb would be able to bare. It would eventually drive him mad. In Karolin's mind there was only one option. The decision was made in an instant. Not because of Mrysti, but for Caleb. Karolin believed her sister was lost and that she was willingly turning to evil. She was not completely wrong. Mrysti was turning, just not willingly.

Gently, Karolin pried Caleb away from her waist. She looked down in his red-rimmed eyes, holding his face again in both her hands. They began to glow under her palms, the light spilling out in between her fingers. It was so much power, Caleb could only hear her voice in his mind, even though she spoke out loud. The light starting to blind him physically and mentally.

This was dangerous territory. Karolin knew the risks, but she also caught a glimpse of Caleb’s future in all of her sight. It was either do what she was about to do; or watch Caleb slowly fade until he took his own life. That was the future she saw for him. What Karolin was attempting was not usually done by a single Jedi, but a collection of them. A Circle of Sages, trained in the art of memory and foresight. But she had to try. For his protection.

"Caleb, listen to me. You will not remember me seeing you tonight, you will not remember showing me anything…."

Caleb's body started to shake slightly as Karolin bore into his mind even harder, her grip on his face tightening as she moved the fingers around to the front of his face. In his mind he heard her. Strong, loud at first and then soothing. Memories began to fade. Erased as she spoke, taking them onto herself. Moving them to a place where they would never be found. In his mind the events which led him to Korriban began to rewrite themselves. Karolin could not erase an entire block of time, that was too dangerous. And could potentially drive him as mad as leaving the offending memories in there to eventually eat him away. Leaving something residual could trigger a lapse, initiate a memory purge that would cause him to seek answers until the end of time.

But she could rewrite the story. Make it more palpable and explainable to a Jedi like Caleb. Rational, believable.

"Caleb, you never found Mrysti on Korriban. The Sith you destroyed showed you evidence of her demise….Mrysti is DEAD."

--

Gardurrga the Hutts Palace….One hour till final confrontation….

The final test was to take place before the Hutta Sun hit afternoon. Mrysti had one leg propped up on the dressing stool. She slapped the closures on her leg armor hard locking them into place. Darth Malvox stood off in the corner, brooding for several reasons. The Darth was always a small to big problem conversationalist. Bringing up what was bothering her the least first and building up to the rest of it. Mrysti was becoming used to her new Master's way of communicating. It was slightly annoying, almost as if Malvox constantly wanted one to drag the information out of her. Perhaps she did it for dramatic effect. Mrysti didn't know as she sighed heavily putting the leg down and placing the other one on the stool to apply the other lower armor plate. Resolving, if she ever became a Sith or Darth or whatever they were, she would always be plain and get straight to the point.

"This is dangerous, just because Gardurrga says this armor has Cortosis properties, it may delay the burn or slice of a lightsaber, but it will not fully protect you…" Malvox moved into Mrysti's sight, looking down at her, "…you are Sith now! You should wear the armor of one!!!" Mrysti curled her lip in a smirk looking up at her Master, slapping the latches on the sides of the armor loudly and on purpose to lock it in place.

"If you have a suit of whatever you’re talking about hiding under that cloak, I'd love to have it. This armor has served me well in the Arena, it will suffice." The smirk faded as Mrysti moved on to more pressing matters. "That's not what you're brooding over Master. You have something else bothering you."

Malvox leaned on a weapons rack, folding her arms over her tiny frame. Mrysti was indeed powerful. Her abilities to sense and use her foresight were far beyond the scope of what a normal Sith conjurer were capable of. There was a hint of ‘light’ in there. Almost as if Mrysti were a Jedi. The Dark Lord shook off the thought. How anything as evil and twisted as Mrysti could be a Jedi was so far beyond the realm of possibility, she didn’t even want to consider it. "Yes, actually….and I think you already know what that is." She fixed a steely gaze on her new apprentice as Mrysti brought her foot down hard off the stool, standing to her full height. She was silent, returning the gaze her Master was giving. It annoyed Malvox to no end, "Was it on purpose? Help me understand what you were thinking? There is no way you did it to curry favor with him and hope for mercy in the Arena. You hardly require that."

Nor was it surprising that Malvox knew Mrysti had slept with Caleb. Or most likely watched the whole thing standing right next to Gardurrga. The room was no doubt wired with all manner of hidden cameras and sound devices. That made Mrysti give the entire room a quick glance before returning to adjusting her armor. As if the thought had been spoken aloud, Malvox as usual addressed Mrysti's suspicions.

"…and NO, I did not watch you. Though I am fairly certain that Gardurrga did."

Sneering, Mrysti reached the point of not caring a week prior. Speaking to Malvox loudly so the hidden recording devices would hear her.

"Good. I hope his high exalted 'snailness' enjoyed it. It will be the last enjoyment of that type he gets the pleasure of watching! After I'm finished with this Jedi, I am going to end him!"

As Mrysti turned to walk toward the Arena grounds, Malvox stopped her with a light touch to her arm, a wicked smile across her features.

"End the Jedi? So…your night with him did not change your feelings on this matter?"

Mrysti's eyes seemed to look up and to the right for a split second before she stabbed her Master with the expressionlessness of the look. Shrugging in unison to her words, she laid her hand on the hilt of her sword again turning to walk back toward the Arena.

"No. Should it have?"