The Training of Tarak Sorvyn

[Ascending_1]

Ahh... The sun rises over the Temple, and another day of Jedi training awaits me... It's a miracle my body continues to grow stronger, even as it is deprived of sleep...

Tarak Sorvyn was staring at the cieling. His eyes were underlined with deep shadows, results of his insomnia. The rising sun slowly crept through his window, which was unshuttered from the night before, when he stared outside and pondered at the neverending stream of air traffic and the constant movement of life, visible even from his quarters at the temple.

It was the young learner's third consecutive day without sleep. The Force saw fit to keep his body going, as well as his mind, although Tarak couldn't determine the reason. If it weren't for his nightly visions, he wouldn't have an issue with this. As it was...

Ah, the day comes... Well, I suppose we'll have to continue our little... Chat... Tonight... Have fun with the other younglings...

The demon was reclining against the window, the sunrise bringing it's sickly green flesh into relief, shadows playing across it's hide as small cracks and scars cast them. Just as it's body began to blur, to fade away under the light of the sun, it turned it's head to face Tarak, it's skeletal features remaining sharp until the entire beast was scattered, retreating into the boys mind until nightfall would come again.

"Again and again, demon... Until you're driven out, I'll bear your presence in silence... Just as I always have..." Tarak thought, turning and placing his bare feet on the ground, before rising and gathering his robes. If they were good for anything, they warmed his body after the cold shakes that gripped him after each of the demon's visits.

Once he was dressed, Tarak grabbed his training saber, a simple silver cylinder that would would emit a vibrant yellow blade with the touch of a button, and hung it from his belt. Equipped for the day, he left his quarters, making his way to his classes.

•••••​

Tarak was in his last class of the day, and his lightsaber was in his hand, and his upper tunic had been removed and set against a wall. He'd just finished his second sparring match, and he was getting overheated.

I should be fine in another minute... Tarak thought, sighing and leaning back, closing his eyes for a moment and letting himself cool down. He was roused a minute later by the instructor.

"Tarak, you up for another round?"

"Yessir." He replied, snapping his head up and standing quickly. He expected another initiate to be his opponent, but he saw none. Instead, the human instructor took a training saber from another student and activated it, the strong blue blade bursting to life.

Well... There is less to be gained from sparring with initiates who're that much younger than me... He thought, stepping forward and activating his lightsaber, bringing the blade up in a two-handed guard. He met the gaze of the instructor and waited.

A moment later, Tarak was raising his lightsaber to block an overhead blow. Instead of simply pushing against the instructor, he stepped out to his right and let the lightsabers slide apart. He pivoted around the instructors back, planting his left foot behind the mans right leg, grabbing the back of his tunic and pulling him off balance, before holding his lightsaber across his chest.

That's it Tarak... Show no mercy... Cut him down! The demon snarled, speaking into Tarak's mind. Tar winced and deactivated his lightsaber, quickly stepping away and shaking his head, pressing his free hand to his eyes and breathing heavily.

"Excellent, Tarak... Are you alright?" The instructor said, straightening his tunic and deactivating his lightsaber.

"Uh... Yessir, just the heat..." Tarak muttered, pulling his hair out of his face and blinking a few times to clear his vision.

I'm disappointed in you, Tarak... Your weakness is what allowed the thugs to take you on Nar Shaddaa...

Tarak sighed and clipped his lightsaber to his belt again, before bowing and excusing himself. The instructor nodded and waved him off, before turning to address the class.

Tarak grabbed his tunic and made his way to the dining area. Maybe I'll find some peace of mind there... He thought, pulling on his tunic as he walked.

A few minutes later, Tarak was brooding over some beverage or another, staring into the opaque depths and wondering if Knights got better food.

 

[Rev]

Something stabbed at the Jedi Master as he meditated within his quarters. Opening his eyes it was an almost sharp pain, a darkness just prodding at the very temple he found himself in. Standing slowly he moved to the desk before sitting at the comfortable chair that awaited him. Relaxing into the almost egg shaped seat he closed his eyes and thought. Being on the Council it was as if his reach with the Force was extended, his wisdom far beyond what it ever was, and his choices making lasting effects on the Galaxy. Pushing that aside he reached out, wanting to find this darkness that filled the temple, if only momentarily; it was like a plague.

His sense brought him to the training room for the younglings, one boy stuck out to the Jedi Master. This boy had much conflict within him, something that many at that age would experience, but in no way to the degree that this youngling was. It was as if he were fighting the darkside head on. Taking in a breath Rev stood to his feet and began to prepare to meet this boy in his dorm when night fell. It was still early, but meeting him publicly could hurt the lad more than help.

 

[Ascending_1]

Tarak stood up from the table and watched with mild interest as one of the service automatons went about its duties, clearing his place and taking the empty tray away for cleaning.

Ahh, droids... As selfless as the Jedi hope to be, yet you don't look to them for inspiration... Curious...

Tarak sighed as the demon tried to get a response from him. Since the monster had manifested itself as Tarak's personal tormentor, he'd grown accustomed to its presence. It was just as much a part of him as his own personality, although he could find little rhyme or reason to its actions. And since he'd come to the Jedi temple, he'd learned to ignore it. It. The demon didn't name itself, and neither did Tarak. It was impersonal, yet the closest thing he had to a window to his own self. It had presented itself after his liberation. When the drugs had worn off, it became evident that Tarak had become addicted to them. At first, the demon simply made suggestions of how to get more. Go back to Nar Shaddaa, or Steal that mans credits and buy some were common commands. Then, when the physical effects wore off, the demon continued to hang around. Pushing him towards what the Jedi would tell him were decisions leading to the Dark Side. As cool as that had seemed to the adolescent, he'd already had his fill of darkness, and he didn't need any more of it.

Maybe if I get back before nightfall, I can actually get some sleep before the demon rears its ugly head... Tarak thought, turning away from the dining area and heading back.

•••••​

Tarak reached his door without any holdups, no input from the demon, and there was a little more than an hour until sunset. Eager to get some sleep, even a nap after three days of alertness fueled by the Force, Tarak entered and immediately began to get ready for bed. He quickly took care of his hygiene, then disrobed and jumped into his bed clad only in a pair of undergarments. The bed was cool after a day under the AC, yet the blanket was warm from exposure to the sun.

"Almost as good as it gets..." Tarak sighed, closing his eyes and managing to relax.

 

[Rev]

Sensing this darkness's movement the Jedi Master followed its presence, it was underlying and it seemed this soon to be Padawan was in control of such angry thoughts. Though a darkness of this sort, an anger with such divine presence would eventually take over its prey, like a parasite. The darkside would benefit from this lad, and hurt him in response to its gain, it was something the Jedi witnessed his wife go through, something he didn't want to see any being have course through their veins. Standing from his meditative trance his knees simply lifted him and he stood to his feet as his legs straightened. Walking to the door he moved his hand and his all too familiar Lightsaber drew to his left hand then clipped to the leather belt at his waist.

Walking down the halls he was greeted by several Knights and Padawans, exchanging bows and stories of their day he bid his farewells before coming to the dormitory wing of the temple. Looking at the familiar doors that he had come aquainted to years before he couldn't help but smile at the thought of his own trainings. Then he came to the door that the darkness was held in. Staring at this all too familiar door his hand went over the datapad in order for it to slide open, as he suspected it was locked. Sighing he brought his hand back and gave the metallic door three hard knocks. There was no telling what this boy was capable of, the darkness was far stronger now that he was close, though still contained by this boy. Should it somehow break free there was a very good potential he could strike at the Jedi Master. Clenching the Lightsaber in his right hand he hid it in the sleeve of the cloak before awaiting a physical answer at the door or the boys voice.

 

[Ascending_1]

You have a visitor, boy... The demon growled, perched next to Tarak, leaning against the window again. It was toying with the initiates lightsaber hilt, turning it over in it's hands.

Tarak sighed and roused himself. He'd slept for a few hours, but was woken by a knock on his door. And once he woke up, the demon appeared. Grudgingly, Tarak rose from bed, snatching his lightsaber back from the demon and tossing it onto his tunic, which was lying on the floor next to his closet. After a moment of consideration, he went back to retrieve it, and put his tunic back on over his undershirt. Once he was straightened out, Tarak went to the door, lightsaber in hand.

Smart... The man outside is similarly prepared... Although his weapon is somewhat more lethal than yours is...

Tarak eyed the demon out of the corner of his eye, before clipping his lightsaber to his belt and opening the door.

"Master," He said, surprised that one of the Council members would visit him at his quarters. "What are you doing here? Uh, I mean, how may I help you?"

He clearly wasn't used to meeting with one of the more senior Jedi. And he didn't expect it, especially considering his past. And his unusual... Companion...

 

[Rev]

Rev stared at this boy, this is where that darkness dwelled, in a Jedi Youngling that looked like an ordinary child who was lacking in sleep. It was a strong presence that radiated from this being, it was odd that the Jedi whom was training him and his fellow students did not pick up on this. It was as if he were the only Jedi able to sense this darkness, perhaps he was the only one looking for it since his recent talks with Arabella... Pushing that thought aside he smiled at the boy who was more than curious at the Jedi Masters being there.

"Greetings, young one..."

His smile faded as he moved into the boys room and looked around at the darkness that seemed to consume the very space they stood in, it did not help his being in the room. There was much conflict here, clipping the Lightsaber to that leather belt once again he stared at the boys desk and continued his speech.

"...there is much conflict in you, I can sense it."

Spotting the boys name jotted down on a note from one of the Jedi Knights that had been training him he now knew the boys first name.

"There is a pull inside of you Tarak, I can sense it. It would seem your fellow Jedi are either ignoring such a pain you are struggling with, or are unable to sense it. I can tell by looking at you that the Darkside is teasing you... should you continue this path it will not be long before that darkness inside of you will be brought out... to consume
you."
His voice exaggerated consume, he had seen it with his wife only days before, she was part of the Dark Jedi now. He did not know for sure, but knew she had fallen past savior and could only hope for redemption.

"Tell me Tarak... what have you learned from the Force?"

 

[Ascending_1]

Not so young... Tarak thought, grinning sheepishly as he spotted his reflection in the metallic doorframe, the distorted image showing him a boy already an adult, physically. Albeit a sickly looking, sleep deprived one.

Tarak stood in awe as the Master entered his quarters, and confronted him with suspicions of Dark Side influence.

No... Not suspicions... He knows that I am plagued... He thought, closing his door and turning to follow the Master into the quarters. So the demon is a tool of the darkness... I hadn't considered it...

What path? Tarak wanted to ask, but he chose instead to answer the Master. After a heavy sigh, he gave his reply.

"Honestly Master, I don't think I've learned anything from the Force... Everything I know, I was taught before my arrival here, or during my stay... The Masters tell me that it unifies us, that it makes us unique, that it is infinite and that it is good... But the Force itself... It doesn't teach me. I can feel it, I am sensitive to it, and I try to listen... I think you might be right, but I do follow the code... From my experience here, I can only say that the Force has shown me things, illuminated certain aspects of the universe, and it's inhabitants, that could have been gained through another means of observation...

"I was meditating a few days ago, and my focus was drawn to the quarters of a youngling, wondering what his family was like. I saw a Jedi Knight, solemn after returning from a mission, but from a failure of his own or from misfortune or from injury or death of another I didn't know.

"And I sense that I am an outsider here... Even when I don't sit down and meditate, I can sense it... Every teacher who sees me and thinks I am a Padawan or a Knight, every youngling who has to look upwards to see me, every night when... Well, the others at the temple find it strange that a person of my age should be here...

"And the darkness you sense... I don't think it stems from my own choices, or my own personality... My darkness is a scar, a disfigurement of a would-be unexceptional man. If not for my past, I doubt we would be having this conversation, because I doubt I would be plagued as I am..."

When he had spoken, Tarak looked away, at a mirror that hung from the wall, musing over his own visage as it stared back at him. And he was startled by the skeletal, monstrous face of his demon, coming down over his shoulder. He almost jerked back in surprise, but the demon had never been able to affect him physically before, and he didn't want it to think that it was havin an effect on him. And he didn't want to alarm the Jedi Master. So, he turned away from the reflection, and looked towards the Master, and the lights of Coruscant visible beyond the window.

 

[Rev]

Rev listened to this boy much as he would a fellow Jedi Master or a Knight. This boy was quite wise for still being so young, he had an understanding on life and moreso himself more than most would in a lifetime, perhaps this scar was more than a disfigurement but an aid to Tarak. Though his thoughts of learning nothing from the Force was something he would go against very soon.

"Well Tarak, this disfigurement as you call it may be from a past life, or simply from your past, but it is now that has the most lasting effects. It is a darkness unlike anything I have seen before, far different than the pollution of the Darkside I have encountered in my journies. It has been with you for so long I fear it may be a part of you, your training regiment must change or your journey could take you down a dark path, one I believe you dont want to travel down; I sense much good in you."

Crossing his arms he smiled and headed towards the door.

"At some point in our lives we feel as outsiders my young friend. It is something we must learn to fight through, you are not alone here. Training room 19 of the second floor of the temple. Be there no later than sunrise and we will start you down a better path. One where you will not be an outsider and this demon as you call it won't be allowed."

With that he slipped out of the boys room and into the hallway.

 

[Ascending_1]

Tarak watched as the Jedi Master left, and immediately went to get ready. The chronometer on his desk told him that it wasn't that early yet, but Tarak didn't want to be late.

You gullible fool... Can you think of even one historical precedent in which a Darksider has been allowed to remain with the Jedi? They won't see us as a pair... They'll see you as evil... They will destroy you... You should run while you can... The demon whispered, throwing an arm over Taraks shoulders and pressing the side of it's skeletal muzzle to his head, almost affectionately.

Tarak ignored the demon, all too aware that it was trying to instill fear in him. For once, he turned to face the demon eye to eye, and speak to it.

"Better dead and misunderstood than plagued by the likes of you..." The young man whispered back.

Ahh, but you remain faithful to the lies of the Jedi... Peace is not the lack of war, Tarak... Only it's concealment... The Jedi only sweep the horrors of the universe beneath the rug, they hold a veil over the eyes of the Republic and tell them that they are the victors... Tell me... If the Jedi preserve peace, as you wish the term to mean... Why do they train their children to wield the lightsaber? The demon didn't grin, it didn't have the necessary parts. But Tarak could hear the smugness in it's voice.

"The lightsaber just a tool of the Jedi... A symbol... No more and no less than a hydrospanner in the hands of a technician." Tarak replied, igniting the blade of said tool and examining it for a moment, before sweeping it back in an arc, through empty space. He scoffed at the speed of the demon. As quick as a thought, yet far more resilient.

Good... I do anger you, don't I? Why not take it out on me? Kill me. Then you can pretend I don't exist, just like the Jedi do with every being they cut down to preserve their pathetic way of life...

Tarak raised the blade to point at the ceiling, and felt the demon behind him once again.

"You're exactly like an itch on the back... Just when I think I've got you, you always come back with more irritation..." Tarak said, deactivating his lightsaber and walking out of his room, to follow the instructions of the Master. The demon laughed as he followed Tarak, appearing within his sight outside of his quarters for the first time. Tarak was slightly confused by this.

It's because you spoke to me... You acknowledged my existence... So now I'm as real as I can get... You're stuck with me now! The demon howled with laughter as Tarak shook his head and broke into a run, his own near-constant envelopment in the Force changing to push him faster. The demon continued to laugh as it glided after him.

You will learn to appreciate me soon enough, Tarak! The strength I carry! The knowledge I can offer! The power! I can make you a god!

•••••​

Tarak stood in the training room, looking outside at the still-dark cityscape. It wasn't sunrise yet, and Tarak saw no signs of life within the temple on his way to the room. The demon took this opportunity to conjure up images in his head, projections into reality that seemed far too real. Tarak felt smothered by Dark side energy as he watched the demon play with walking corpses, trailing fingers over their rotten flesh before sweeping his claws through them, scattering the images like dust.