"I'm sorry, Ad'ika." He began, "Your Buir and I didn't mean it's impossible to defeat him. We just need to do it right. And that takes planning... And I'm sorry, for everything. Angharaad, your great grandmother, was my lover, and dear friend, and I should have been here. The whole time, I should have been here. And none of this would be happening now. Mia is your buir, but you're probably the only blood I have left in this universe and I'm sorry I wasn't beside you fighting. It would have been My greatest honor and someday soon we can do it, all of us and put Carnifex down for good."
What... what was... What was going on?
Mia's brother, previously forceful to the point of making her fear for her life, was hugging her. Two hundred pounds of muscle, even more intimidating than the Giant that was her grandfather, was hugging her in an embrace she could not escape. But even more, the words he said... they were
related? How!? But clarity entered her mind when she heard of a potential grandmother. She had never heard of her, but she also knew her father's line way better than his mother's biological lineage. It was most likely an ancestor of Gwyneira's. But the news, so sudden and so in the midst of despair, made her head swirl. Her vision went grainy as everything became a blur. Her family... was so far away from her. Her father had been missing in action, presumed dead, a long time ago. Her mother was on Kestri, performing duties as a Karjr despite the Enclave's darker path. Her grandfather was the War Master of the Enclave itself. And... her sister... her sister's wrath and loneliness still burned her, months after their duel.
And now, suddenly, here stood family had never realized she had. And now, the news that like through Eliz, she had historical Mandalorian blood, well... it was bound to make
Gwyneira happy that her blood family was more than lowlife scum. But Elise herself, she had no idea how to process any of this. What was happening? Why? What...? She was not even processing the promises of defeating Carnifex, she was suddenly swarmed with her bloodline. She was limp in
Ordo
's arms, as he declared his familial bond. She only blinked out of her stupor when her mentor,
Mia Monroe
, spoke.
Well, Mia also joined in the hug. That made Elise feel awkward.
"There are things, that you do not understand. That I have not taught you, for fear of losing you. I...we will teach you all Elise."
Elise slowly looked over to her mentor, more shocked than anything else about her newfound family, but still drained and exhausted from the fighting. What was the point? What was the point when all that remained to be found was misery and despair? The slavery of the weak, the cruelty of the powerful. The cold metal and scorching fires of industry. The twisted pleasures of the hutts, the wrath of the Sith... the doom of Darth Carnifex. Her despair flared in her eyes, as she wondered if even her new family ties were worth
anything in this sick, cruel, merciless galaxy-
"There is more in this galaxy than cruelty."
Elise could not believe it. Not now. Not when she watched her own vode die to protect her. Not when the "kindest" thing to do to slaves was to kill them. Not when... the Enclave... not when she had to betray her own family for what she thought was "right." What a waste
that turned out to be. Especially when now, her aunt was dead, her sister hated her, and she even hypocritically loved a Sith-
Hope? What hope? Hope was dead. Hope was - but Mia looked down at her, tears streaming down her cheeks. As she looked up at her, she did not see her usual cynicism and spite. She saw something softer. And it struck her, reminding her of her own mother. Gwyneira was always kind and sweet, no matter how ugly the galaxy got. She protected her girls, and she protected her people. And Elise saw the Mandalorian Protectors, rebuilding Keldabe and all of Mandalore. What kept them going? What did they see? When they were beat down, time and time again in life, what hope did they see? It was then that she remembered her Dreamseer mentor, Siyarr, encouraging her. The time he told her that there were still good people in the galaxy had always stayed with her.
Elise blinked through her tears. Every time her eyes shut, she saw another memory. Her father eagerly explaining how Chiss naming structures worked to a little Elise. Her mother laughing as Mevia pouted, because there was whipped cream on her nose while eating ice cream after training. Siyarr, vigorous and gregarious, explaining his more personal to perceptions of the Ancient Ones while the two studied in a garden. The blooming flowers, the graceful palm leaves, the swirling acacia trees, all accompanied by a gentle, cool breeze. A galactic expanse of wonders. Stars glistening with the promise of ajayid experiences, waiting to be explored.
"And above all, there is love."
Her mother dabbed a cold, wet cloth on Elise's forehead after training. Elise ran up to Siyarr, eager to show him the new red cape she bought in his honor. And...
Darth Malum of House Marr
... he loomed over her, gazing at her with such passion and affection as he reached down and gently touched her face, smiling. Elise still had... so much love... And now, family enveloped her in a hug and told her that there was such a thing as warmth in this cold galaxy. And despite everything wicked she had witnessed in this galaxy, she also witnessed kindness. And suddenly, she could begin to believe again.
A hint of light returned to her eyes.
But then, she realized something. She had called
his name, but he did not answer her. She was suddenly looking around, confused and soft, as she was unable to find him in the medical wing. She shivered as chords, bacta, and blood hung on her and dripped off. Baffled, hurt, and craving his comfort, she asked simply,
"... Where's Malum?"