24

Red light flared along Saedii's skin as she engaged both blades of her lightsaber. Immediately, she stepped to Kalth's side.

No. No, this wasn't supposed to happen.

The hard part was supposed to be over. They'd fooled Krell. They'd escaped Fortress Inquisitorious. They'd killed Hemlock and the Fifth Sister. Now, they were supposed to be on their way to freedom. To Hunter and the Batch.

Not this way.

"You two," Krell crooned, "are exactly where I thought you'd be."

Kalth's helmet twitched around the room, cataloguing every threat just as Saedii did. Three against two. Too many.

Overhead, the red lights made everything look ominous and surreal.

"Did you really think that I was blind to your schemes? That I trusted you?" Krell looked as though he'd been given a delightful surprise.

Low under his breath, Kalth whispered, "He lies."

Saedii glanced at him.

"If he'd known in advance, he'd have brought more. We took him by surprise," Kalth explained hastily.

"What does that matter?"

"It means that we can do it again."

Krell took a step forward, gaze slipping to Omega behind them. "As soon as I realized your coordinates had changed, I knew where you were going. You are very predictable, Jedi."

Jedi. Not Sister.

They were in a hell of a lot of trouble now.

Kalth and Saedii stood shoulder-to-shoulder, nearly spanning the width of the small corridor. Krell stood ahead, wide enough that he nearly filled the hall all on his own. At his back, the Second Sister smirked in anticipation.

"I've had Hemlock and the Fifth Sister on alert now for several months. I always knew that once you got the first take of freedom, you would betray me," Krell noted. "I was always prepared to intercept you."

"But you didn't intercept us," Kalth pointed out.

Krell inclined his head. "I had to give you a fair chance. The chase is no fun if the stakes are low."

Something cold skittered down Saedii's spine.

The hall seemed to be glowing with red light now – from the flashing lights overhead, Kalth and Saedii's hands, and the six combined lightsabers of the Inquisitors before them. Everything had a red hue to it, from the black leather clothes that adorned all of their bodies to the dull metal walls. Like they'd been plunged straight into a sea of blood.

Kalth was anxious at her side. She shivered as she felt the sheer terror and panic that rippled from his body.

Whatever fate awaited them must be truly bad if Kalth was that afraid.

"Don't give them your back," Saedii whispered, thinking back to Anakin and Obi-Wan's trainings. "They'll try to separate us."

"I know," Kalth snapped at her.

Saedii sized them up, calculating weaknesses just as Krell had taught her. Krell was ferocious and calculating, often using his indomitable size to overpower his opponents. But he was slower than she was. Not as creative.

The other two would have weaknesses too. She'd need to identify them fast, and do what she could to exploit them. Just as she'd learned from Krell.

"If you get a shot to the hangar, go," Kalth whispered as the Second Sister moved, rushing past Krell with the Ninth Brother close on her heels.

"I'm not leaving without you."

"We're not debating this."

Kalth crouched low, taking point as the Second Sister lunged. But instead of engaging him, she leapt straight over his head, swinging towards the back of his head.

Saedii moved at the same time the Second Sister did. Their lightsabers came together mere inches above Kalth's neck, sending sparks onto his unprotected skin. She pressed in tight to him, back to back as she felt his shoulders tense for the Ninth Brother's first blow.

The Second Sister landed a step awy, silver eyes intent on Saedii. She took in Saedii's stance. The protective way that Saedii hovered at Kalth's back.

A slow smile crept across her face. "This is a fight I've been waiting for."

Saedii crouched low. She'd never fought the Second Sister. From their days in the temple, she knew that Trilla was a clever duelist, but Saedii knew she would be a far greater challenge than the Fifth Sister. Krell had often praised the Second Sister's viciousness. Boasted how formidable and ferocious she was with a lightsaber.

This wouldn't be an easy fight.

The Second Sister struck quick, going for a direct kill. She was far faster than the Fifth Sister had been. Even as Saedii ducked, the Inquisitor's blade nearly skimmed the top of her head, singing hairs that had flown loose from her braid.

Saedii rolled, feeling the heat of the blade biting at her back. Her own blades came up to block her shoulders as she sensed the Second Sister's next swing, catching it only moments before it could end her fight.

Behind her, Kalth grunted as he blocked a direct swing from the Ninth Brother. The power from that swing alone was nearly enough to take him off his feet, and Saedii glanced back in alarm as Kalth stumbled.

Instinct screamed and she ducked as the Second Sister's blade swung for her. Sparks danced off the metal walls, landing on Saedii's shoulders. Biting at the cold leather. Saedii leaned away as the Second Sister tried a back swing, kicking out at her gut.

The Second Sister stumbled back. Saedii pressed forward, striking out with an offensive of her own.

It was a nauseatingly fast duel. Muscles burned as Saedii used all her speed to match the Second Sister blow-for-blow. As her mind scrambled to keep up with the lightning speed of Trilla's blades as she swung them for Saedii's face.

Heat danced near Saedii's bare face as she leaned away from the latest strike. Saedii danced just out of reach, returning a lunge of her own only to have it thwarted.

It was like dueling with Krell. Krell who had always seemed to anticipate her next move before it would come; who was always so much stronger than her. Except where Krell was slow, the Second Sister was fast. Quick. Just as fast as Saedii.

Pain lanced through Saedii's thigh as the Second Sister's blade managed to slip through her defenses. Grimacing, Saedii kicked out, aiming for the Second Sister's gut. But her boot met only air.

Sweat poured down her spine as her feet moved on instinct. As her body hastened to keep the Second Sister in her sights. Together, they moved, striking and parrying in turn. Neither quite able to get the upper hand on the other.

This was different than fighting the Fifth Sister. The Fifth Sister had been driven wild with a need for revenge. Unbalanced.

But the Second Sister was eerily calm. Coldly determined. A small smile played around the edges of her mouth as Saedii's blade nearly took off her head, and Saedii got the terrible sense that she was enjoying this. Enjoying the brush of death. The exertion of an even fight.

Nearby, the Force was rife with aggression and fury. Saedii didn't dare take her attention from the Second Sister before her to see how Kalth was doing, but she could sense the intensity of the fight nearby. Could sense the power and fury that the Ninth Brother channeled into each strike. The cold determination that drove Kalth as he blocked.

Something ghosted along her senses. A warning.

She rolled on the ground as Krell barreled between the Ninth Brother and Kalth, landing in the middle. Separating Saedii and Kalth from one another.

With a blade in each hand, he engaged the spinning mechanism and swung for them both.

His blades bounced off the ceiling and walls, sending fountains of bright sparks and pieces of shrapnel along Saedii's back as she ducked. Before her, the Second Sister struck out as well, and Saedii grimaced as she suddenly had to avoid three blades at once.

A howl of pain sounded behind them. This time, Saedii forced herself not to look even as she felt Kalth's pain through the Force. As the bitter scent of fresh blood filled the small corridor. She could only hope the blow hadn't been serious.

Krell and the Second Sister moved in tandem, one going high and the other low. Saedii danced through the thin gap between their blades, feeling as the heat swarmed dangerously close. Chaffing against her skin.

Krell charged for her, like Saedii knew he would. Taking the lead as always. Saedii ducked from his thrust and engaged the spinning mechanism on her hilt. Then, with she landed a backwards strike.

Triumph split through her as her blade met skin. As blood burst forth from the slice along the Second Sister's shoulder and Krell's forehead. Two hits with one swing.

As Krell stumbled backwards, Kalth took advantage and yanked him backwards, tossing him straight into the Ninth Brother's chest. The two floundered, falling. Kalth's blade flashed up in the air.

He yelped as the Force barreled into him, launching him down the hallway. Away from Krell and the Ninth Brother.

The Second Sister's hand was raised, the other held to the wound at her shoulder. When it came away dripping in blood, her smile curled wider.

"Impressive," she said, voice detached. "It's a pity you've betrayed us. You would have made a powerful Inquisitor."

"I was never one of you," Saedii snarled.

That smile turned mocking. "No? You fight like an Inquisitor. Kill like one, too, if I remember from Celiph."

At the mention of Celiph, Saedii lunged forward.

Saedii and the Second Sister came together. Their blades hissed as they met, neither giving against the other. Spitting sparks as the two women pushed against each other.

The duel started again behind them, two-on-one as Krell joined the Ninth Brother's press. This time, the snarl that sounded was distinctly that of the Ninth Brother's.

The Second Sister pressed Saedii forward, forcing her into a defensive crouch. Saedii gritted her teeth, struggling against the Second Sister's strength.

With a quick flick of her wrist, Saedii drove the Second Sister's blade straight into the ground. Then, just as Hunter had taught her, her legs wrapped around Trilla's dominant arms and twisted.

A scream wrenched from the Second Sister's lips as her arm snapped. Her lightsaber dropped from her hand as Saedii rolled, pinning her. The bony part of Saedii's knee dug into her neck.

"Saedii!"

She looked up, finding the Ninth Brother on one knee, blood pouring from a wound along his face. Kalth and Krell were pressed together against the wall, locked in a struggle for control.

And behind them, the hall was empty.

She had a clear shot.

Through gritted teeth, Kalth ordered, "Go!"

She did as he said, jumping over the Second Sister's form. Heading for the hangar door.

Metal crunched as the scomp in Saedii's hand scraped against the outlet. The Force was chaos around her. It took all her concentration to sift through the warnings flaring along her skin. To force the scomp to move.

With an ear-splitting groan, the door began to lift.

In the darkness ahead, the red emergency lights danced along the curved hull of an ancient-looking transport vessel. As Saedii's hand slapped against the panel on the wall, the ceiling overhead split, dropping tufts of dirt and grass into the hangar below.

It opened.

They were so close.

"Kalth!" Saedii shouted as she spotted the disgruntled figure of the Ninth Brother raising to his feet. And further behind them, the outline of the Second Sister was lifting her blade with her left hand.

Kalth fell back beneath Krell's two blades. His helmet flashed towards the ship and Saedii could tell that he was analyzing the best way to finish the fight.

"Kalth, come on! I can close the door!"

So close. So close.

Kalth slipped beneath Krell's attack, avoiding his blades. With his attention before him, Saedii shoved against Krell with the frenzied fists of the Force, knocking him off his feet. Giving Kalth the space he needed.

He took two steps forward.

Only to come to an abrupt stop as a red blade came down on his back.

Pain flared hot as a brand through the Force. Saedii gasped as she felt it – felt the strike cut through skin and muscle and bone, from hip to shoulder. Felt the agony that flared around Kalth's body as he dropped straight to the ground, lightsaber falling from his hand.

Behind him, arm extended, bloody-teeth bared, was the Ninth Brother.

There was a moment of stillness as Saedii watched the Ninth Brother stand above Kalth. As she tracked the movement of his lightsaber arc into the sky, ready to take off Kalth's head. As Kalth shoved off his helmet and looked desperately to the hangar door, face pinched in anguish.

"Saedii," he mouthed.

His eyes met hers – blue and beautiful. And full of fear.

The Force was waiting at her fingertips, eager to be put to use. Saedii pulled it around her, pushing her forward to where Kalth was waiting. To where the Ninth Brother's blade whistled towards his neck.

Their blades met with inches to spare.

Sparks danced down on Kalth's face. It was pale and haunted. Horror-struck as he watched Saedii's one chance of freedom slipping away behind her.

With gritted teeth, Saedii shoved against the Inquisitor's blade with all her might and shoved with the Force. The Ninth Brother stumbled back, losing his footing.

Her lightsaber slashed.

Blood splattered the wall as she took off his head. Surprise flared through the Force a moment before she felt the slip of the Ninth Brother's spirit into the frenzied current of the Force. A half-second later, his decapitated body dropped to the floor at her feet.

They could still make it.

If she could just get Kalth through the door.

Krell stood several feet away. His yellowed eye was delighted as it landed on her, crouching protectively in front of Kalth's injured body. At his back, the Second Sister waited.

Her mind was spinning. Trying to come up with a new plan. She couldn't fight both Krell and the Second Sister – not if she had to protect Kalth. Not without him to watch her back.

"Saedii, go," Kalth gasped. "Leave!"

But she couldn't. How could she, after Kalth had risked everything for Omega? For her?

"I'm not leaving you," Saedii whispered.

Kalth groaned at her feet, hand trying to stem the blood from his chest. Harsh breaths tore from his mouth and drips of blood flecked along his pale lips.

He wouldn't be able to get to the ship on his own.

The Second Sister edged to Krell's side. Saedii angled her body to keep them both in her sight. Determination still bloomed in her chest, as resilient as a weed.

There had to be a way. Had to be something –

"How touching," Krell's cold voice drawled.

Warm earthy air filtered in through the open hangar door at her back, beckoning. Golden slants of sunlight ended only steps away, promising freedom if she could only step into the light.

Darkness rippled against her skin and a second later, the scomp and the outlet were both crushed. Metal shrieked as the door dropped shut, landing with an echoing boom. That golden light – that faint promise of freedom – vanished.

In the silence that followed, the only sound was the harsh breath that scraped from Kalth's throat. The grinding of his teeth as he grimaced in pain.

All the hope that had blossomed in Saedii's chest died.

Without it, a deep chill settled in Saedii's chest as she looked around her. As she took in the figures of the Inquisitors that had trapped them. The half-conscious outline of Kalth, bleeding out on the floor.

And she knew, with bone deep certainty, that she wasn't getting out.

For a brief moment, despair crashed onto her shoulders. Her knees shook as she was forced to recognize that the fight had ended. That there was nothing left for her to do.

It was over. She'd lost.

The grip on her lightsaber slackened. There was no point in fighting anymore. All she'd had to fight for – Omega, freedom – it was all gone. She had nothing left.

But when Saedii looked up and met the cold glittering eyes of Krell cataloguing every emotion on her face, that desolation gave way to steely resolve.

Their deaths were all she wanted now. With her only chance at freedom gone, Saedii would do whatever it took to make sure Krell and the Second Sister never harmed anyone ever again. For Anakin and Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. For all the other Jedi that still hid among the stars.

"I was too lax with your training," Krell said, voice like thunder. "I won't make that mistake again."

"You have no more power over me," Saedii said icily.

Never again could he force her to do something against her will. Never again would she take up the mantle of the Inquisitor. Without Omega being held over her, there was no force strong enough to make her comply.

This time, he'd be forced to kill her.

Something dark flickered in Krell's gaze. "There are other ways to make you serve. Other ways to make you complicit."

"I will never serve again."

"You will."

Saedii made a move for him, but grunted as blinding heat took her from behind, tagging across her side. She spun, slashing out at the form of the Second Sister, who danced easily out of the way.

"This is not the end for you, Sister, but a glorious beginning. This time, you will embrace the mantle of the Inquisitors," Krell droned.

"No!" Saedii lashed out at him, forcing him back a step.

Their two blades came together. But Saedii, already weaker than Krell, was slow thanks to the wound in her side. As she tried to match Krell's strength, she was too sluggish to avoid the knee that plowed straight into the wound above her hip, hard enough to draw the breath from her.

Breath whooshed from Saedii's lungs. She stumbled back.

The Second Sister struck quickly, landing a long blow along the line of Saedii's back. Straight through the scar that traced her spine.

The pain was so great it brought Saedii off her feet. And in that instant of hesitation, Krell's massive fist collided into the side of her head.

Little lights danced across her vision as she collapsed onto the floor. She sputtered for breath, blinking against the blood that had begun to trickle into her eyes. The floor felt like it was spinning beneath her.

Next to her on the ground, Kalth's hand reached for hers. "Saedii," he whispered, voice heavy with pain. His eyes were unfocused. Half-closed.

A shadow loomed above her.

On instinct, Saedii stabbed out with her lightsaber. The shadow moved and a massive, meaty hand gripped her arm, pressing it in such a way that the lightsaber was forced from her grasp.

Something hard slammed into her head again. There were more lights, brighter and wider this time. Blood swelled along her cheek. Glistened beneath her nose.

Her mechanical arm shot up, and she was rewarded with a brief moment of satisfaction as Krell howled in pain. As she felt the scarred expanse of his ruined eye crushed beneath her fist.

That satisfaction quickly died as Krell's hand wound around her throat.

"No more leniency," he growled, voice hard and as sharp as the blades in his hands. "And no more unfair advantages."

The Force pulsed around them. Heavy with direction.

Suddenly, a terrible scream ripped from Saedii's throat as it crushed against her prosthetic arm.

Krell wound crushing fingers of the Force around the mechanical bicep, squeezing until the metal had been nearly crushed in two. Wires that had embedded into Saedii's skin, into her very nerves, were suddenly ripping. Metal groaning in protest as Krell began to yank against it.

It was agony. It was burning and searing pain as each wire was torn from her body. As every nerve ending that had connected into the prosthetic was severed and ruined.

Then, with a terrible shriek of ripping metal, her arm was gone.

Blood dripped from her arm where pieces of the metal had been yanked out of the skin. The metallic base at her shoulder throbbed anew, as terrible as the first time she'd lost her flesh and bone arm.

"Perhaps I'll keep this one as a trophy. I didn't get a chance to grab the other before Tipoca City sank," Krell's voice said lightly above her.

When he released her, she flopped back onto the ground.

Beside her, Kalth's eyes had closed. Dark red blood puddled around him, soaking into Saedii's leathers. His lips had gone stark white and for the first time, Saedii realized he was very still.

"That's a shame." Krell's tone was bemused. Gloating. "It looks like your sacrifice was all for nothing."

No.

Krell gave a low sigh. "He had potential, too. What a waste."

A dull, loud ringing was echoing in Saedii's ears. She reached for Kalth with her only remaining arm. Trying to hold him.

The hand on her throat tightened – so hard and so fast that the breath died in her lungs. She struggled against it, but wasn't strong enough.

"Sleep well, Sister," was all she heard before everything went black.