Private Approaching the Crossroad

[Katherine Holt]

The older woman smiled slightly, eyes glancing towards Harmony for only a moment.

“Are you Future Me, then?” Katherine asked. She remembered waking up from that ordeal, and had eventually asked both Nobles what had happened. The one thing she’d never forget, was the fact a child version of herself had apparently helped them navigate her memories.”

“In a sense, but only a possible future.” She replied, eyes locking back onto the redhead. Seeing her confusion, the older woman let out a small chuckle. “Our fates are not written or determined for us, Katherine. No matter what some people, or hell whole groups of people might say.”

The ‘Future Kat’ stood up, walking over until she was standing at the cliff’s edge. “It’s made in the Present, molded by the Past and influenced by those around you. You could’ve been possessed by Moirai, or succumbed to the Creeping Lignan, or you never got out of that SIA cell.” She turned her head to look back at Katherine. “But you did, you overcame all that not just because of having the right people in your life.” Once again, her gaze flickered to Harmony for a second. “But also because of the strength of your will. Remember where you started, and how you got to where you are right now.”

“We determine our own fate, no one else.”

Katherine’s mind was racing with so many thoughts, but at the same time she found herself slowly walking towards the older woman’s side. “What do I need to do?”

“Like the Elder said, it is in your hands what you become from here on. The chaotic state of your mind served its purpose, shielded you from that Shadow Hand’s attacks. Now it’s time to let it all be at peace, body, mind and soul.”

She stepped aside, gesturing towards the edge of the cliff. The motion confused Katherine for several moments, until it finally clicked. A leap of faith.

As the Padawan stepped up to the very edge, she looked over at the older woman one last time. “Is this really all in my head, or am I like…talking to the Force right now?”

The woman just smiled and dipped her head down for a moment. “Goodbye Katherine Holt. May your future be ever bright, and soar the skies evermore.” With that she turned around and began to walk away, leaving the Padawan alone.

Katherine couldn’t help but smile, feeling a measure of relief wash over her entire being. There was a sense of finality to the moment, having gone through so much uncertainty for so long. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she recalled the Elder’s words. Katherine focused on what she wanted to be. A desire to become the antithesis of what the Sith had tried to twist her into.

To be both a Shield and Sword against the Dark.

Katherine stepped forwards and let her body fall free. She felt the wind immediately hit her as she descended. But before her body would’ve otherwise hit the water, she was encompassed by a warm light.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Harmony listened and watched as they spoke before a faint little smile took over the spirits expression as Katherine seemed to have some kind of revelation here. The kind that Harmony wasn't needed for. They patted the top of Katherine's head. "Proud of you, Katherine. We'll see you on the other side." And with that, Harmony faded. This last step was hers to take on her own. With all the support they had to offer, of course, but she had this. She didn't need Harmony or Kahlil watching over her any more.

Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

She was in some kind of ‘limbo'.

It was the only word Katherine could think to describe her current state. Consciously, she knew what she was, what she had done and what was happening, even if she didn’t quite understand the latter. But there was no feeling, no sensation, no sense of direction; up or down, left or right. She’d almost consider it floating, but even that didn’t seem correct.

And yet, as the Padawan tried to focus, she could ‘feel’ something, a type of buzzing that circled around her. She sharpened her focus, just barely identifying one or two presences…

The Aing-Tii menders!

Katherine felt a gentle push in her mind, a nudge to concentrate. To think of what she wanted to become.

I want…

To be able to walk, to fly again!

To be rid of the corruption that has plagued my body, mind and soul!

To continue being a student worthy of my Master’s teaching, and everyone else who had taught me!

To be worthy of the trust Lorelei imparted upon me!

To be a Light against the Darkness that would threaten the galaxy!

To be the person that Kahlil and Valery saw in me!

Katherine felt a pulse of sensation shoot down from head to toe. Her back began to ache, the healed over spots where her wings once were, began to unravel. She could feel the lightning scarring move, like countless serpents beneath her skin.

All of a sudden her body felt like it was on fire.

Katherine's mouth fell open into a silent scream.

Back in reality, when the Padawan’s mind and soul had found harmony, the assembled Aing-Tii moved into action. Although outwardly nothing seemed to happen, mentally however, the collective were chanting. The feathery cocoon began to glow from within, starting in small bursts until the entire thing was filled.

Crack!

The silence was broken as the physical shell of the cocoon began to break from underneath. One after another, each crack grew louder until the entire thing split in twain.

Something fell from inside, landing onto the floor with a soft thud.

Protected by a pair of large white wings.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stepped forward without hesitation once this cocoon started to split. He reached out, catching the feathery bundle in his arms rather than letting it hit the floor. The Aing-Tii monks seemed satisfied with the result to the point they simply waked away, the head monk sitting calmly as he waited to see what was going to happen next.

".. You good, kid?" Kahlil set down the bundle gently. He could feel Katherine was in there. Hopefully she was fine.

Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

The moment Katherine opened her eyes she was greeted by a mass of white feathers obscuring her view. It was a familiar sight to the Padawan, having woken up to it every morning. Something she had sorely been missing ever since she had lost her previous wings.

It actually worked!

Hearing Kahlil’s voice, Katherine shifted her body, ignoring the aches and protests it made in response. Slowly but surely, the Padawan managed to shift so she was kneeling, and unfurled her newly acquired wings.

She met her Master’s gaze, but rather than light blue meeting silver, Katherine’s were a fiery gold. A shade not too unalike to Valery Noble ‘s.

It wasn’t just the Padawan’s eyes that were glowing, but her skin too. Gone were the ugly lightning scarring, replaced with an intricate pattern of smooth curved lines that traced across the redhead’s body. Intermingled at certain spots; such as her arms, were runic arrays.

After a few moments the glowing faded, the markings simmered down into a more flesh-coloured ink, while the runes themselves seemingly ‘sank’ beneath the skin. And the fiery gold eyes shifted into a more amber colour.

“Y-yeah, I’m good.” She finally spoke, almost wanting to laugh in relief. It was then that Katherine realized she was having to slightly look down to meet her Master’s gaze.

She was taller.

The Padawan looked down at herself. Even the clothing she had been wearing before had been transfigured, now adorned in a traditional Epicanthix dress.

“I should’ve brought a mirror.” Katherine said, letting out a small laugh.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"We can get a mirror back home. You're.. Not the same as you were, that's for certain." Kahlil chuckled lightly as he looked up at Katherine. From what he understood, the Sithspawn she was being made into was based on the Epicanthix, so her height did make sense. Sort of. All of this had been her choice. Someone strong, but still with a kind face and a kinder smile.

He reached up, about to try and ruffle her hair as he always did, but paused as he instead laughed much more openly. Without explanation on it he looked to the head monk, who'd already turned to do something else.

"Thank you."

"A soul should never be left broken. There is nothing to thank."

It was a pretty clear cut dismissal at that. Kahlil smirked briefly before nodding to Katherine. "I'll bring the speeder home. You want to fly?"

Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

As Kahlil tried to reach up and ruffle her hair, Katherine couldn’t help but laugh, although it turned into more of snort-giggle. She didn’t know whether it was just the amusement of the moment, or the sheer giddiness and happiness she was feeling right now. Probably a mix of both.

She was practically vibrating with excitement.

The Elder Monk’s words elicited a small chuckle, Katherine doubted she’d ever fully understand their view on things.

“Nonetheless, you have my gratitude, eternally so.”

Turning to Kahlil, the Padawan’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “You damn right I do!” She replied, a wide grin on her face, something that had been missing for a long while. Katherine reached down and picked up her hoverchair, trying her best to not outright just run outside.

“Oh I can’t wait to see everyone, they’re gonna be so surprised.” Once they were outside the building, Katherine didn’t miss a beat as she headed over to the speeder. She placed the chair into the backseat, before taking several large steps back.

“Race you back? I’ll even give you a headstart.” Katherine said, a cheeky smirk on her face. She’d have the advantage, given she could just fly a straight path back to the Noble’s home. But Katherine fully intended on taking her time to enjoy being able to fly again.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

A race was just a convenient excuse for Katherine, really. Kahlil knew just how much she'd want to fly again, now that she could. He took a seat in the speeder, giving her a brief smile as he did. "Just don't take too long, yeah? I'll be worried if you're not back by tonight. You did just get a new body." Which seemed to be okay for her at least. She had always been strong, but now she was quite literally remade.

"I'll see you at home."

Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

Katherine chuckled, of course he had seen right through her. She looked up at the sky, and just simply smiled. Ever since she had been rescued from the Dark Empire, she had stared up at the sky countless times.

Wistfully wishing she could just fly again.

And now she could.

The Padawan looked towards Kahlil, as he got settled in the speeder. “I won’t be gone for long, promise.” She knew sleep was inevitable tonight, especially after what her body had just gone through. But at the same time, Katherine knew if she didn’t get little flying out of her system, the excitement would keep her awake,

Katherine took a deep breath, focusing on the Force, pulling it towards herself. Slowly she crouched down, coiling herself up like a spring. And then at the very last minute she shot up into the sky, flying straight like a rocket until she pivoted into the air, and spread out her wings.

Kahlil Noble​