Turn the Other Way

[Krux Mullarus]

With the severely wounded, broken Sith Knight Mullarus resting in the medical bay of Patriot, after a failed duel against his old master Darth Pyrrhus, [member="Tormax Ategann"] found and rescued his old Colonel, temporarily patched up his wounds, and plucked his body from the ruins of his manor on Ragoon VI. After asking the dark-haired man where he should take him to be properly healed, conflicting thoughts pierced Mullarus' mind.

After the rage that took over his body over the course of the past day, with hundreds, even thousands dead because of his intense Dark Side fury that he let take control of him, he began to realize the Jedi may have been right all along. It doesn't matter how powerful and arrogant you think you are with the Dark Side. With time, it consumes, corrupts, and destroys all who follow it. Even now, Mullarus' face remains damaged from Dark Side corruption that would take time to heal.

When Tormax asked, Krux Mullarus could only think of one place he could find forgiveness.

"Voss...go to Voss, Ategann..."

He knew the Jedi on Voss probably remembered him. They always did tell him he had more light in him than other Sith. Turns out they were right.

Upon landing, Tormax would carry the wounded man to the nearest medical bay, where the doctors and Jedi Healers would show they didnt care who it was that was hurt. They would heal his wounds regardless.

Mullarus spent some time floating in a kolto tank, which would be around the time another certain Jedi Knight may feel the battered and beaten presence of the man he had met a few times prior already...

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He’d only been back less than a month, and already it felt like years. Heading to his old quarters, Connor hadn’t even been able to get down to the ground floor of the Temple before his com sounded and the med-team contacted him.

The news halted him in his tracks – why was he a magnet for Sith? He’d only just taken care of one Darth Ferus and now another had come looking for aid? The times had certainly changed whilst he had stuck his head in the philosophical sand of the Outer Rim the past few months.

”On my way. Ensure we have the Rangers, lock down their ship, keep the trooper under guard but make him comfortable and bring in a Knight to the med-bay, any will do.”

Connor turned on his heel and diverted down to the med-bay to survey the Sith, It was disturbing how many Sith felt they could turn to Voss and the Sanctum – or was it? Were the boundaries between Light and Dark becoming blurred again? Was Connor dabbling in affairs too close to home?

He turned a corner and stepped down into the medicinal ivory colour corridor, passing a few Rangers stood with their rifles and a couple of doctors and Jedi. A Padawan pointed the way for Connor, a thankful nod and then he walked into the guarded room with the Kolto tank – that alone meant the wounded Sith was in bad shape.

As the body of the Sith inside turned, Connor turned also to get the face in view – and smacked his lips together.

”Krux.”

Folding his arms, he stood back and watched, and waited. It seemed the Sith had been led along the dangerous path of the heart, and now come for help when everything around him had probably imploded as Connor thought it would when the Dark Side was involved.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] | [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Mullarus twisted in the tank, one eye opening to a sliver. He felt like he was dreaming. At least, he didn't feel conscious. Perhaps it was that he saw two people outside the tank. He saw [member="Connor Harrison"], of whom he expected to see again on the Sanctum homeworld of Voss, but standing at his side with seafoam green eyes full of sorrow enough to put new cracks in Krux's heart of darkness was Setzi Lunelle, devoid of the Dark Side corruption that turned her into Darth Azurea, the witch who took her from him and started this path of madness.

Mullarus couldn't speak. But he still could communicate with telepathy. He couldnt tell which of the two were real. They couldnt both be real. Setzi wouldn't abandon the position of power she obtained through the dark side and her lust for the togruta Sith Lord that turned her against him. He tried to communicate regardless.

You...were right. All along. Every one of you. The Dark Side...destroys everything.

[member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor saw the broken body of Krux shift slightly, not sure what perception he had of things in the tank. Whatever it was, it would be distorted and near hallucinogenic. The Silver walked past a protocol droid and stood before the tank as the feeble voice came through his head.

”I won’t say I expected this, because I didn’t, but I am sorry to see you this way. I can only assume affairs of the heart have led you here. A broken heart, fuelled with the rage and the irrational shadow of the Dark is something only dangerous to the one who holds it.”

He spoke out loud gently, but carried his voice for Krux to hear in a calm manner. This would be a testing time for the Sith, feeling as if there was nothing else left – Connor knew nought of the horror Krux had experienced, but in time it would be crucial TO understand.

”Try not to make yourself suffer with the past. It is not just that. The past. Let it go.”

Easier said than done.

Connor glanced at the statistics on the projector by the tank and it seemed, for now, Krux was stable and comfortable.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] | [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Stable and comfortable, perhaps, on the outside. Physically. Already, the gash in his chest and the hole where he was skewered by the Voice of the Dark Lord's lightssver in his gut had begun to heal dramatically fast. Had it not been for [member="Tormax Ategann"]'s impeccable timing and skill with battlefield medicinal abilites, Krix likely would have died.

Setzi Lunelle...was taken from me. The Dark Side schutta called Darth Azurea...stole her from he. Corrupted her. In doing so...I, too, had fallen from grace. The Dark Side...is a plague...even to those who could control it.

I have nowhere left to go. The Force has not freed me. It has destroyed and abandoned me.

Krux seemed to twitch again as his hallucination of Setzi Lunelle began to walk away and clutch another figure. The sillohuette of a togruta, of whim he instantly recognized with his fanged teeth and forked tongue behind his snake smile. His fists clenched. The Dark Side brushed past him once more as he begged himself not to give in again.

I am constantly tormented...I cannot let go of her.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Tormax Ategann]

Tormax was expecting a dingy cell with mean guards, but instead was confronted with a small room with a bed and a desk. Yes, there were guards outside, but Tormax didn't mind that. He went inside the room and immediately shed his second skin of now large sized stormtrooper gear. After doing so, he properly examined his body for the first time after taking the serum back on the Paladin. He was a good six inches taller. His body was more profound, and his chest seemed to be almost sculpted. Definitely an improvement. What wasn't an improvement was the annoyance bright lights were giving him. It's good his helmet gives light correction, or he'd be having regular headaches. Some sounds were also more intense, but nothing had been loud to the point of hurting his head so that was fine. Feeling his bald head, he thought Shame about the hair, though. Hopefully it'll regrow. Despite him wanting to try out his new possible limits, he couldn't do so in his bedroom cell. That can wait...

Slowly, while he rested on the provided bed, Tormax' thoughts drifted to the battered figure he brought to the planet. He had boarded the Patriot and used it to find Mullarus' manor, where he thought he would find him after hearing no word of conflict on the planet of Glee Anselm. He definitely found him, but not the way he expected. So, he brought him aboard and did the best he could with what he had. When Mullarus told him to go to Voss, he was definetly unsure, but decided to trust him. I trusted a Sith. Hopefully the last time I do that.

He thought this because recently his views on the Sith had changed. Over the month he had been working under Mullarus, he had seen Sith bicker, betray and kill people who were supposed to be on the same side as them. Mullarus disappearing shortly after forcing his forces to inject themselves with a curious serum had not helped his opinion.

Though, he thought, so far, not that bad.

[member="Knight Mullarus"], [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

As he felt the pain from Krux, Connor turned to a doctor and talked softly to him to find and inspect the trooper who had brought him over – who knew what pain or suffering he was feeling too, devoid of the Force for help. When the doctor left, Connor returned his gaze to the tank.

”My friend, the Force has not abandoned you. It has saved you, thought you won’t feel it yet. You are here, aren’t you? The Force carried you through the Dark towards the Light, so it has saved you.”

He folded his arms and rested them across his chest.

”The Lunelle sisters seem to struggle to repel the lure of the Dark Side, and we both have seen how it has affected them. However, wouldn’t you like to continue as a beacon of hope to others who are suffering to show what those who understand and control the Force can really become? If you want to become someone worthy, then I can help you.”

[member="Knight Mullarus"] | [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

The protocol droid spoke up nearby.

"Master Harrison, the patient is ready to come out. I will remove him immediately"

The kolto tank was drained and Mullarus held onto the sides to stay on his feet, coughing and wheezing furiously for a few moments. As he stood there, the many battle scars along his body could easily be seen. The body of a shadow of what he used to be.

It would take a minute, but Krux would drag himself out of the tank and fully open his deep, indigo eyes that had seen more than any man should ever see in a lifetime. He shivered, looking around.

"Where...c-can I change?"

[member="Connor Harrison"] / [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor stood back and let the Sith leave the tank in his own time. This wasn’t something Connor was going to rush or take over – this was part of the healing process. He waved his hand over for the protocol droid and a doctor to assist Krux in preparing himself on the crisp bed for treatment, inspection and medicinal care.

”Speaking from experience, the first thing to change is your outlook. Where do you want to go from here, Krux. Be honest. You can either be fixed up here and taken back to Sith space to self-destruct. You can be taken to any world in the Outer Rim or neutral space to wallow in self-pity and gaze at the stars asking why, what and where.”

He moved out the way for the droid to take some gauze and antiseptic gel.

”Or you can admit your failings, see what has gone before and see that you have something better to give the galaxy than just your pain and loathing. You can use your experience with the Sith to help become a strong Jedi in time.”

[member="Krux Mullarus"] | [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

[youtube] https://youtu.be/00vNirNi-js[/youtube]​

Here we go again Krux though, a devilish grin spreading across his pained expression. "Yes...that's what you Jedi love to hear. You want to hear the Sith beg and admit they were wrong all along about everything. You need the support to function...

"But...you're...right..." his voice calmed and his face changed from a grin to a frown, as if all emotion suddenly left his body. He sat down on the bed nearby, glancing to his left at the cabinet where the items [member="Tormax Ategann"] salvaged for him from the ruins sat. His exotic lightsaber that took him days to craft as a Sith Apprentice, Bleeding Cross. From where Krux sat, that's all it looked like to him. A weapon forged to cause destruction and bring death to his foes. Something he couldn't even accomplish with it. His enemies still walk freely, getting away with wronging him and ruining his life more and more each day.

Next to the lightsaber was his mask, with even more gashes, scratches, and dents in it than before from the intense battles and slaughters he fought with it. Destroyinf the Ragoon VI outpost in blind fury, and then his duel with his old master. Unlike Bleeding Cross, the mask felt like a symbol of himself. It was forged of metal born from Sith space, given thousands of scars that will never heal, and now sitting among the light beside him.

"I succombed to the Dark Side. I did not control it. That witch, Darth Azurea, forced this fate on me. She turned me against my friends, and I was powerless to stop myself." he said, his frown widening with every word. "I was always trying to be benevolent...but you cant be with the Dark Side. He is a devilish puppetmaster. No matter how much control you think you have over yourself...one day, no matter how long it takes, he will always destroy you with his dark temptations."

Krux sighed softly, hardly believing he was about to say the words he swore he'd never mutter.

"Connor. Master Harrison" he said, "I have failed. The galaxy, the Empire...Setzi...myself. I was wrong. It took me over six years to realize it. I'm ready now. If you will teach me, I will follow the Path of the Jedi. As long as it will help me to learn true self-control and to purge the darkness that still lingers in me, daring to surface again and ruin everything a second time."

The words fell straight from the young man's lips, almost as if he spit them out. There was no more arrogance and pride in Mullarus' voice. Only humility and sorrow.

[member="Connor Harrison"] / [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Ignoring the rise of the ego inside Krux at first, Connor simply stood and watched, not giving out any emotion or response. He just watched, listened and observed how the man held himself. The drooping shoulders and frown spoke more than his next words could about his current state of mind. It was clear this man felt defeated and lost, no matter how much he could talk the talk.

However, at his admission to learn, Connor felt a weight creep up his back and push on his shoulders. He hadn’t taught anyone since Chastity, and everyone knew how that had ended up. Now, the two Lunelle sisters would probably face the Dark together and their former lovers standing tall on the Light. How ironic.

”Affairs of the heart are what make us human, but it is just as dangerous to both Light and Dark. It can turn strong men weak, and weak men strong. It’s the inner being that determines where they choose to stand, and you are choosing the way that grants you another chance at life.”

Connor knew that [member="Syala Daivik"] would have a few words to say about his self-doubt, but he suddenly knew if there was one person Krux should meet in time to understand his position and embrace what is good in the world, despite your failings, be it mentally or physically, it was her.

”I will help you find the Light, Krux. You’re already taking the steps to it. You have to believe in yourself, however. And don’t worry, my methods aren’t what you may expect of a typical Jedi. I don’t know what the Sith really think we are or do, but the Silvers will gladly show you we don’t sit around meditating and picking flowers all day evoking peace and harmony. If they make us bleed, we will make them bleed just as much in return. And if your friend, the trooper, needs a place to develop and fit in, we are always happy use soldiers like him to fight and teach our guys.”

He then walked forward and patted the wounded man on the shoulder.

”I will tell you the demons that have haunted me in the past one day, and how I too have carried out deeds that should have sent me to the Dark. For now, I will put my faith in you if you do the same with me. We’ll see you right, and I will help you lead others into the light in time.”

[member="Krux Mullarus"] | [member="Tormax Ategann"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

The sudden hand on his shoulder made him wince, his body still a bit sore from the rapid microscopic-healing process involved in the kolto tank, but he stared forward and listened to Connor's words. He didn't have the heart to look him in the eyes. Not now. Maybe not ever, unless the Jedi Path proved to bring Krux to find the serenity he sought.

His closed his eyes, nodding slowly, "Thank you...I never deserved a second chance, but...th-thank you."

He searched the drawers that his mask and old weapon sat upon and found a fairly basic-looking jumpsuit inside, starting to put it on. Krux didn't care that Connor was now watching him dress. He was more concerned about the Jedi Master seeing him in the emotional state he was in than seeing his battle-ravaged body.

Then, he remembered. Chastity Lunelle. Oh no. He remembered Setzi confessing how much she wanted ti see her again. That's right. Connor was affiliated with her as well. Did he know the two were romantically involved? Well, Krux certainly felt an influx in emotion deep in the Jedi Master upon the mention of the name, so maybe he suspected. Was it a good time to ask?

"You know of Chastity. I remember you saying so on Toola. What was your relationship with her? A student of yours?"

A part of Krux's mind put together a scenario in which he found the sister of Setzi and, somehow, with the three combined voices of Connor, Chastity, and Krux, they could defeat Darth Azurea and bring Setzi Lunelle back from where the witch Azurea entombed her deep in the Hell called the Dark Side.

Then, maybe, she may...come back to me...

As selfish as it sounded to him, Krux still loved her. Not Darth Azurea, but Setzi. He wanted her back so much. Was he doing this all for her? Becoming a Jedi? Was it all just to try and bring out the good in her again so she would love him again?

He blinked. Connor probably felt the conflict in him, even after he asked about Chastity. He sat back down, dressed in the ridiculously uncomfortable white jumpsuit, prying his long black hair, wet and matted to his face, out of his eyes.

Maybe it's time for a haircut.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

”I’ve had more chances than I deserve, so don’t worry about being given a second one.”

Connor turned to let Krux dress in the basic tunic that was for recovery, and helped himself to some water, taking one and handing it to the Sith – if he would still even call himself that. However the conversation turned to one he had expected; Chastity Lunelle. It seemed that name was forever going to haunt him, let alone being linked to Setzi and her relations with Krux, whether he admitted it or not, the beating heart was strong for her, and Connor could feel it radiating from him.

”Chastity Lunelle was a student of mine after I met both her and Setzi on Chroma Zed. Setzi I never saw again until Toola, but Chastity came to Voss seeking a place to develop her gift of the Force so I naturally took her under my wing from meeting her a while back And we made a good team after a …prickly start.”

The numerous times jealousy and frustration took over Chastity was too much to mention, but her drive to succeed was always the one factor that impressed Connor as a Master. He took a drink of cold water.

”We became lovers. A real first for me – feeling loved by someone for who I was, and me too loving someone for the way they made me feel because of it. She was exciting, infuriating, beautiful and brave in equal measure. But I think it was fate that tore us apart and I lost Chastity the day she was taken by the Primeval during an invasion on Ziost.”

He shrugged slightly, all but a memory now.

”She was kidnapped as we were separated, and I couldn’t reach her. When I finally did locate her, the Taung pirate who was keeping her as a slave was this close to trading my life for her when it blew up in our faces and they fled into deep space after turning and trying to kill me. Twice I lost her after being so close. She returned to Voss out of the blue – corrupted by Sith Poison and setting out to kill me. Luckily we easily subdued her, and I tried to find the girl I loved, the girl who had so much good in her, but she didn’t have the strength to battle the poison in her head. It twisted her, confused her, made her sick – the Dark Side destroyed her and there was nothing I could do. She didn’t even feel I could love her anymore.”

A longer drink this time to finish the plastic cup.

”I sanctioned here her in rehabilitation to work with the sages, but I should have known she’d say and do the right things to convince them she was ok. I never saw her again after the day I left her in the holding cells here just a few rooms down from this.”

Bittersweet emotion clawed its way up Connor’s chest and made his body all cold and heavy.

”So, Krux, I don’t know where she is. I did say to Setzi I’d help her, and I would. I still will, but I don’t think she wants to be found, and she knows where we both are – it’s whom she chooses to reach out to first, Light or Dark, that will define her and make me see the real Chastity Lunelle.”

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux's mouth dropped down slightly as Connor began to talk about Chastity. Lovers. He realized he had much more in common with the Jedi Master than he'd thought. Victims of love for the Lunelle sisters.

He watched Connor as he told the story, a deep feeling of empathy brewing in his heart. Even the way his heart pounded as he thought of Chastity was too much like how Krux's pounded when he thought of Setzi. With all of this talk of the Lunelle's, he felt his heartbeat pick up.

Dammit. Nothing I can do can make me let go.

The only difference in their affairs made Krux feel worse. Chastity had left Connor against her will. Setzi abandoned him willingly, in favor of a monster with more power. Krux felt a new crack form on his heart of stone.

Then, he mentioned Setzi again and he tuned back in. For a moment, he thought he meant Setzi didnt want to be found. Perhaps that was true, but he apparently meant Chastity. "It sound to me like she never really left Voss. If that's true, i'll take it upon myself to find her. I feel the love you shared with her can be salvaged. I want somebody to have a happy ending with a Lunelle sister...and it isn't going to be me." he said, which may or may not be true.

He briefly remembered talking softly with Setzi at his manor in each others arms. He remembered how she played with the idea of going back to the Jedi and abandoning the Sith for all of the times the two of them had proven her false, manipulative teachings of Darth Pyrrhus were wrong. Well, here he was, without her. Maybe if he found Chastity, he wouldnt only revive a happiness in his new master, it might be enough to convince Setzi to return to the Light.

But why would she abandon her all-powerful Sith Lord lover? He practically controls a chunk of the galaxy and shares it with her.

Damn you, Pyrrhus, you manipulative, tormenting scum...

Krux started to frown again as he thought of it, so he decided to take his mind off it.

 

[Connor Harrison]

With a quick shake of the head, Connor raised his hand, swallowing the last of the water.

”Mm. No…no, that’s the last thing you should do. We need to help purge the love you have for Setzi. Not forget, or abandon it, but to rid it from your cold heart and develop it into understanding and forgiveness in your warm heart. If you go trying to find Chastity, you will be acting solely out of reasons to benefit Setzi, and if you walk that path, it won’t be long before you’ll find yourself doing anything to win her back – anything.”

Connor crunched the plastic cup in his hand, a nice dramatic touch, and set it down, crumpled, on the side. He looked back at Krux.

”My feelings for Chastity are under control,” so he said – at least not without seeing her and opening old wounds, ”so I don’t wish to open that particular box again. Who knows what’s inside. Same with you and Setzi – you need to control the emotion you have now before it turns you into a monster. I don’t need to remind you, the Dark Side is still raging inside you and we must find a way to destroy it with Light.”

He rested his elbow on his other arm and gently stroked his beard in thought, wondering what the best course of action would be. While he would like to know where Chastity was, it was something he had resigned himself to never knowing. Setzi was still a threat – she had that look in her eye on Toola that signalled her quest to find her sister wasn’t over, and Connor was standing in the way. But now Krux was in the middle – he wanted to renounce the Dark where she stood and side with the Light where he stood.

Connor foresaw a moment where Krux would have to make a choice that would prove disastrous for one of them. He sighed gently.

”Before you know where your destiny lies, I fear you’re going to be tested, Krux. And I doubt even you have ever faced such a test before.”

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

That alone seemed to offend Krux a bit. "I know what the Dark Side did to me, Connor, I wouldnt find Chastity for her sake. I know she'd appreciate it, and you know what, it could be enough to turn her to the Light. She and I used to talk of turning away from the Sith and joining the Silver Sanctum together. I'm saying it...might be enough..." Though, it was clear, even to Krux, how desperate he sounded to bring Setzi to the Light and banish 'Darth Azurea' from her body. Krux sighed, knowing Connor was right.

"I....it's to hard to let go...I guess this is why Jedi don't form these kinds of attatchments. Right? If that's true, why did you fall in love with Chastity? Is that not against the Jedi Code?" he asked, genuinely curious. He wasnt so quick to dismiss the Jedi Code any longer, and he now trusted Connor's knowledge. He was already taking steps to the serenity he sought, but he still has much to learn.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

”Good question.”

Connor indicated for Krux to roll his sleeve up for the doctor to take blood – who knew what toxins may have been in the veins of a Sith. Best safe than sorry.

”I think the Jedi Code has changed over the years. I mean, if you deny affairs of the heart you’re nothing more than a machine, and we at least see ourselves as living, breathing sentient beings who do acknowledge what we feel. However it’s how we understand, control and deal with these emotions that makes us what we become.”

He let the needle find it’s spot before continuing.

”I fell for her the reason you fell for Setzi, and why my Grandmaster fell for his wife. Attraction. Admiration. Desire. Promise. Only, when these start to crumble, so does everything else and it’s a painful experience. The Heavenshields, the Grandmasters family name, have shown what love can be when it is devoted and true. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t sadly. I hope to find love again one day, and I know you will too. I believe that.”

Connor moved out the way to let the droid do his next observation on Krux.

”I just want to remain human and on the right side of the Force if and when it happens again. I don’t want to turn into a monster if I get hurt, no matter what or by whom. I can overcome that. I owe it to myself to overcome anything. That way, I’ll be the strongest, truest person I can be.”

He looked sincerely at Krux.

”You are in a vulnerable place right now, Krux. You want to sway Setzi to the Light, but if she promised to love you again if you stood by her once more in the Dark…what would you do? Truly, what would you do? Only when you can be true to yourself to say you would let her go and devote yourself to the Light will you be ready to make that step.”

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux thought to himself as the droid took blood from him, wincing a bit as the needle entered his arm and the sight of blood met his indigo gaze once again, as if he hadn't seen enough of his own blood in the past few days.

He considered what Connor asked. He was mature enough, he thought, that he wouldn't go back to the Sith so easily. Setzi had Darth Pyrrhus where she stood. She wouldn't tempt him with lies...

Would she?

"Ive seen and felt what the Dark Side does...I wouldnt go back to the Sith and deal with the treason i've commited to be betrayed by her again. I..." Krux rubbed his face with his hands, "I need...ugh...No. Connor. I wouldn't. I won't go back! Not again. Not even for her...I need enlightenment..."

He was right. Krux felt more vulnerable than ever before. He did know one thing. He wouldn't go back to the Dark. Not even for Setzi. There had to be a limit to what he'd do, and he wouldn't be put in chains again. He'd make her see reason and come to the Light him him and her sister, or she could suffer a life of agony and misery aside her manipulative monster she calls a lover.

"I need to meditate...but thank you. I didn't realize Jedi weren't all...just...emotionless robotic servants."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Nodding at the doctor at Krux’s state, the Sanctum aide busied himself tidying up, and the droid began to sanitize the tank while Connor moved around to the foot of the bed.

”I think the Jedi get such a bad rep with the Sith, one day we’ll all hold hands and have peace,” he smiled at Krux. ”One day.”

With a chuckle, he helped the wounded man up.

”Everything you left behind you will no longer need – we will make sure you have a place to rest here and in time you can make this place your home, or elsewhere in Sanctum space where you are most comfortable, but you can come here as you wish. I will get you basic clothing, and if you want to give me your blade and the mask, I can take care of them so you can forge a new identity.”

He led Krux to the door, going back out into the pristine corridors under the Temple grounds.

”I’ll show you to a chamber you can rest, and I’ll secure you quarters if you want to join our ranks as a Padawan of the Silver Jedi and follower of the Sanctum. When you’re rested, eaten a good meal and had time to unwind on your own, then we will make plans to go forward. Sound good?”

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Before leaving, Krux picked up his two remaining items from his days as a Sith. His mask and Bleeding Cross. The long-hilted crossguard-style lightsaber radiated with Dark Side energy, the amount of innocent blood spilled by its long violet blade tainting how it once felt in his hands. Once upon a time, it felt like an honor to wield it in battle in defense of his friends and allies within the One Sith Empire. Now...it physically hurt to hold.

However, as stated before, the mask was different. It was young. It had a chance at a clean slate. It was not corrupted by the Dark Side as Bleeding Cross and even Krux were once. It was like him. Scarred, dented, battered, but still holding together. He held both items, eventually offering Bleeding Cross to Connor. "You crossed blades with this lightsaber once. It meant something to me then. Now...it's part of who I used to be. It is tainted with innocent blood. If you wish, you may have it. I no longer need it. I'll forge a new one, tempered from the Light instead of the Dark.

"But...my mask, i'll keep. It's young and scarred like me. It has a chance for redemption. Not to mention...I wouldn't mind hiding my face from the Jedi for a while until they start to trust me more..."

He followed Connor outside the room, turning to him. "Connor...Master Harrison, I can't thank you enough. I don't feel I deserve this second chance, and you're giving it to me. I don't know why you trust me so, but...I appreciate it. You've already shown more kindness to me than any of my old master ever did."

Especially that monster, Pyrrhus...

"I won't dissapoint you." he said, trying to muster a smile, but still feeling that he couldn't. He managed to make eye contact, the mirrors to Krux's broken soul revealing themselves to Connor for a brief moment before turning and looking down at his shoes, which he'd have to replace with boots soon. He hated shoes.

It would be the first of many changes Krux would make to himself to erase what he used to be and forge a new life here on Voss.

[member="Connor Harrison"]