Voiceless it cries. Wingless flutters. Toothless bites...

[Dark child]

Xanthier trudged through the ash. It stuck to his boots, clinging to the edges of his pantlegs. Boots, which had been worn thin since his escape from the asylum on the desolate moon nearly two years ago. Always running. Always moving. Trapped in a circle of events he brought on himself from the deaths he so ruthlessly continued to cause. The need for more consuming him to a point that was not feasible by any means. It seemed every settlement he reached, every port he docked into, was bound to suffer from the boy's hate.

It was that hate that had brought him here. Pursued by twin pilots seeking vengeance for the murders he had committed on their community. After taking one of their ships, they had perused him out into the blackness of space, tracking him to a nearby planet as he tried in vain to dodge their barrage of laser fire. His ship hurtling down towards the grey surface below.

The pilots dared not follow. The planet had a taboo for their people. It was a place to be left undisturbed. Great superstitions had lead their culture to believe the surface was cursed. They left the monster that had killed their tribesmen to rot amungst the grey forest below.

That was three days ago.

Xanthier had grown hungry beyond belief. He had found a stream the day before, it's aqua blue waters seemed to quench his thirst, and for the moment, he felt no illness.

Cracking through branches that lay in the path before him he moved without grace. There were times when he was silent as the wind, the boy knew how to stalk prey. Made a game out of it in hunting Sith. Now he was simply too tired to care.

He reached a clearing, sitting down and leaning against the largest stone in a circular ring. Indecipherable runes covered it's surface. Markings of a people long forgotten. Xanthier ran his hand along it's surface, resting his head against the cold stone behind.

Then, his sharp hearing picked up the sound of brush moving to the East. Something was here. He was not alone after all.
Someone, or some beast, had broken the silence.

He decided he would investigate. His body needed sustenance.

 

[Arranev]

Arranev moved slowly and carefully through the gray fauna, surveying the area through the force. He had come here to gather information on the vegetation and to see if it could be used for medical purposes, but his mission had come to a temporary halt. He could sense a faint dark sensation in his vicinity, and he was slowly moving closer to what he felt was the origin of the darkness.

The vegetation brushed against his cloaked body as he walked, his lightsaber concealed under his hooded Jedi attire. He moved calmly and determined, drawing on the force to heighten his senses, as he often did. His feet were tired from walking, but his highly attuned connection to the force made the trip easier to bear.

Suddenly, he spotted a stone structure behind the trees. He felt as if this had to be near the cause of the dark side energy he sensed. Taking a deep breath, he took a quick look around, before moving the branches aside as to approach the structure.

 

[Dark child]

Xanthier now slid behind the rock, covering the lower half of his pants in the dry powdery substance that covered the ground, eyes looking outwards over the rock's edge in the direction the sound had came from. Determining that it was still far enough away to make it to the clearing before he could make an exit, the black haired boy made a dash for the woods. Hoping to outflank whatever, or whomever was advancing through the trees.

Relying only on sight and sound, he tilted his head in the direction once more. Listening intently.

There it was again. The slight rustling of movement in the brush. Twigs and leaves disturbed by an unknown presence.

Xanthier crept closer, moving warily and with great caution compared to his earlier motions. Stopping every now and then as he shifted between trees to listen for the sounds. As he drew near, he began to hear the soft footsteps in the ash. Faint sounds as the feet sunk in in places where the ash was deeper. He noticed two things. One, that the footsteps were headed in his direction, and two, it was most likely an intelligent being for doing so.

Xanther waited, pressing his back against the grey bark of the tree behind him. He even heard breaths as the sentient beings footsteps drew near. There was no wind to speak of in the silence of the eerie grey forest. Nor the call of animals.

Breaking this silence, Xanthier swept out from behind his hiding place, getting barely a glimpse of the robed being before he arched his elbow upwards from the crouched position he was now in. Bringing it up in a sort of sucker punch to the gut he hoped would stagger the being.

He did not want to kill whoever it was yet. He'd have to find out if there was a way off this planet first...

 

[Arranev]

As he stepped further towards the structure, Arranevs calmness was broken by a sudden shift in the force - he could now sense the being very clearly, as it attacked him. Though he could sense the imminent attack, his body could not react in time. He raised his right hand as to counter, but before he could get so far, the air went out of him as he tumbled backwards and hit a tree.

He let out a slight sigh, as he gathered himself and raised his gaze to the being. It was a human, whose dark intent surrounded him in the force. Arranev levitated his lightsaber from his belt to the palm of his right hand, but didn't ignite it.

"I don't want to harm you. I am Arranev Sondo, of the Jedi Army. Who are you?" he said, in a monotone voice. He took a deep breath and tasked the force to numb the pain in his abdomen. "And why are you attacking me?"

 

[Dark child]

A Jedi? Here? A puzzled expression crossed Xanthier's face. Seemingly quite taken back that there could be any life on this planet, much less a Jedi. His dark grey eyes eyed him curiously.

Jedi that did not fancy useless violence, while not a rare sight, were few and far betweenduring these times of turmoil and conflict. The Jedi Army going against many of their core beliefs in their efforts to wipe the Sith and armies of the dark side from the galaxy once and for all.

Xanthier made no attempt to hide the saber hanging from the tattered belt around his waist. Quite a number of Jedi had tried to kill him simply because of this fact and the dark aura that surrounded the boy. He figured it best not to try a full out attack. Not yet at least.

In the Jedi's recovered state Xanthier could attempt too overpower him. Force the Jedi to give him the information he needed through pain. This idea appealed to him greatly, but the Jedi's saber was already at the ready, and besides, it would be fun to have a little chat first.

Xanthier's dark lips lifted in a slight smile, outlined against his pale skin. The black haired boy almost looked like he belonged in here. Half covered in ash, armor that was once a deep black now faded from the years of hardship that it had served protecting his flesh. Pitted with scratched and burns that were now overlayed with dirt. This, blended with the background of the forest, made his form difficult to distinguish, but it was apparent that he was also quite thin.

"What business have you here Jedi, hm? In a place so empty." Said the boy, the almost pleasant smile returning after he spoke, but it did little to combat the fact that he had just attacked the Jedi moments before. Xanthier did not mean to be rude by not answering the Jedi's questions, but he felt no need to give him his name.

 

[Arranev]

Arranev curiously examined the boy, with a blank expression on his face. He clutched his saber in his right hand still.

"My business is my own. You still haven't answered my questions. Why did you attack me?" said Arranev with the same monotone expression as before.

The dark aura of the boy was something worthy of worry, but he nonetheless hoped for a diplomatic solution to the turbulent meeting.

Arranev used the force to levitate his lightsaber out of his hand, and left it floating in the air beside him instead of holding it himself. With a slight wave of the hand, he removed his hood from his face. He had a habit of doing most things through applying telekinesis, as it was one of his most potent force abilities, one he had practiced all his life. He removed his cloak, levitating it over to a nearby branch, hoping that revealing his face would put the stranger more at ease.

His lightsaber was still floating in the air right beside him, as he folded both his hands behind his back. He let out a slight smile, attempting to come across as friendly while he awaited a response from the stranger.

 

[Dark child]

"Would you not fear something creeping around this forest Jedi? I wanted the upper hand. I think it wise to be careful." The boy's voice came out smooth. It was no lie after all. That was his intent. Though his motivation was different than simple defense. The smile still lingered, but it was not as intense. Xanthier did not wish to come off as threatening. Being stuck on the surface, he would have plenty of time to get the Jedi to tell him what he needed and still harm him should he wish.

His grey eyes watched as the Jedi's saber floated beside him. So tempting. A venerable move, but he knew it would take only a simple action for the Jedi to call it back to him.

The Jedi's hands reached up into the folds of his cloak, removing his hood. The hands were small, frail, yet had a warmth to them, they did not look cold like Xanthier's did. The hood was pulled back to reveal dark blonde hair, which was not quite as long as his, and well kept comparatively. Xanthier's greasy black locks were not matted, but wild, and covered in dust.

He found the eyes to be the most intriguing. They were grey, like his, had a more liveliness to them, whereas Xanthier's were dark and devoid of any glint of light.

The Jedi removed his cloak, floating it through the air where it rested itself on a low branch, making it sag just slightly. The Jedi's voice had also sounded weak. He did not fear Xanthier, but did not seem accustomed to talking. Xanther regarded him with a curious stare.

 

[Arranev]

Arranev listened carefully to the words of the stranger. The human spoke in a smooth and calming matter, but Arranev was weary of his dark intent. He could sense an unrest in the force.

"I..." Arranev hesitated, trying to choose his words wisely. "My intent is good. If you're in need of help, I will be happy to provide it. But I need to know..."

Arranev paused and closed his eyes. He was drawing on the force, trying to get a glimpse of the personality of the stranger. A serene smile fell upon his face, but it faded after a few seconds. He opened his eyes, and continued talking.

"I sense that you've seen dark times. I sense turbulence. I sense darkness. I don't know if you're the cause of this darkness, but it's prominent in you nonetheless."

He let out a long sigh. Arranev had a very frail physical state, but his affinity for the force more than made up for it. He could read most people through the force, but this particular case was elusive. Something felt dangerous, sending a slight chill through his body.

"Are you with the Sith?" he asked, after a short pause.

 

[Dark child]

Xanthier felt the Jedi probe within him, his conscience, his very soul seemed to be exposed.

The words spoken were true. All of them.

The Jedi, so at ease. Able to lift the objects around him without care, almost without thought.

Xanthier envied him. Within the black haired boy was a raging storm of emotion. It was a part of him. Control it, keep it at bay, this he could do, but he would never be rid of it, and would therefore suffer the inability to lift things with such serenity.

Because of this he hated the Jedi. The were all knowing, not opressive perhaps, but just as arrogant as the Sith. Their ways were unquestionably right in their eyes. The benefit of all. Peace.

For beings like Xanthier there could be no peace. Only death. The Jedi knew this. They knew that they could not fight absolute evil passively. They knew they must do what had to be done. There were some that had to die in order for peace to remain.

Xanthier knew he was a stain to them. A black hole in the white cloth they hoped to hewn into a new galaxy.

Xanthier frowned at the question..

"The Sith. No. I am a far simpler force than that. But you can see me Jedi. Just as the others like you."

Xanthier stepped closer. Wondering just how far the Jedi would allow him to get before the spirit of comradery the Jedi was showing would dissolve.

Xanthier outstretched his pale hand, stepping closer. His expression quite blank, and difficult to read.

"You fear me. Or not me perhaps. But the actions you might have to commit if I choose to do as your thoughts are telling you."
Xanthier could not read minds, but if the Jedi had any doubt, he knew it was present. Most would be screaming on the inside, the little voice within everyone that speaks of danger would be telling the Jedi to run, hide, attack. Anything but let this man get closer.

"You fear it don't you Jedi. You fear taking life." Xanthier's grey eyes stared into that of the Jedi's. Drawing nearer now, Xanthier was little more than an arm length and a half from the Jedi. Would he be able to touch him.....

 

[Arranev]

The words of the stranger echoed in Arranevs mind.

"I will take any measures I can to prevent harming anyone." he said.

His lightsaber levitated slowly into the palm of his hand, as he saw the stranger approaching him. He gripped the saber in his hand, but didn't turn it on, in case the stranger had peaceful intentions. However, he feared that this encounter would result in a fight. Arranev hated resorting to violence, and he had no offensive skills with a lightsaber. He had devoted himself entirely to practicing his Soresu abilities, resulting in a more pascifist approach to combat - a strong defense, with little retaliation.

Arranev took another deep breath, as he often did. He was looking down at the ground, as if he was lost in deep thought.

"But I will protect myself if I'm threatened." he suddenly said.

He raised his eyes from the gray surface beneath him, and locked eyes with the stranger, who had crept dangerously close.

 

[Dark child]

Xanthier advanced still, undaunted by the saber held in the Jedi's hand. Yes, the frail Jedi could kill him. But would he? Xanthier was intrigued. He enjoyed pushing boundaries greatly. There was no greater joy then that of testing the mind of another. Making someone question what they stood for. Would the fear be too great? Would the Jedi give in and retaliate out of defense? Could he trust Xanthier enough to allow him to get dangerously close?

The pale hand made no assumptions of stopping. Slowly but surely moving in the direction of Arrenev's face. The degree of closeness he had achieved brought a smile to Xanthier's face. Quite pleased that he had made it thus far. In a way, either move the Jedi made would be a victory in his mind, if he backed up it would only confirm the fear Arrenev felt for him, and if he stayed Xanthier would have achieved something seemingly impossible.

He searched the grey eyes of the stranger for any emotion, any intention, getting ever so close now. Xanthier's weary but youthful face could be seen quite clearly now. His hand reached out, and if only for a brief moment, touched the skin of the the Jedi's cheek.

The hand was cold. Barely any flicker of life to it at all. Waiting for the Jedi's inevitable reaction.

"You surprise me Jedi.." He said in a rather smooth, almost calm voice, which again was difficult to read.

 

[Arranev]

Arranev felt the cold touch of the stranger on his face. His actions were hard to interpret, and his intention remained a mystery.

"I'm full of surprises." he muttered.

Arranev was quite uncomfortable with the enigmatic gesture of the stranger, but he decided not to comment on it. The strager could be dangerous, and the last thing he would want to do was provoke him.

"Please, tell me why you're here, and who you are. It is my duty to help, if you so desire." Arranev said, a slight smile falling upon his face. His lightsaber was still in his hand, but he saw no reason to activate it.

He was still looking directly into the eyes of the stranger, trying to catch a glimpse of his intentions.

 

[Dark child]

"Yes yes yes..always so eager to help you Jedi." Xanthier said with a smile of his own. Leaving the hand on Arranev's cheek momentarily before finally lowering it.

"Why I'm here..hm, well a person wouldn't come here by choice would they?" Xanthier brought his hand up to his chin, mocking a thinking gesture, an almost sly smile crossing his lips. "Then again, here we find one lone Jedi." He emphasized the last three words to some degree.

"Who am am is not so important as what I am. But you already know the answer to that." Xanthier pointed his finger at the Jedi, flashing his surprisingly white teeth at him in a knowing smile.

"What I ask of you is passage off this planet. But I wouldn't expect a Jedi like you to help someone like me." Xanthier took a graceful step back, awaiting the Jedi's response with an open mind, the slight smile still remaining.

 

[Arranev]

Arranev listened curiously to the words of the stranger. He could provide him with passage in the shuttle he had arrived in, but there was still a sinister feeling in the air. Then again, he wouldn't feel right about abandoning the boy, his Jedi training had taught him better. He would just have to be cautious.

"I can provide you with transport. I might come to regret this, but it's my obligation to help. You may follow me to my shuttle."

Arranev started walking, expecting the boy to follow him.

"Did you crash here? Where are you from?" he inquired.

He casually extended his hand, levitating his robe onto his shoulder as he walked. He then proceeded to levitate his lightsaber onto the clip on his belt, hoping to come across as peaceful to the young man.

 

[Dark child]

Xanthier was completely taken back by this. Though it wasn't as though he didn't expect it. He had, in some way, presumed the Jedi would wish to help, but not so willingly, not with such calm demeanor.

The Jedi had taken his line of questioning without flaw, and had now began on his way back to the ship. This was good, but it didn't give Xanthier the satisfaction he craved. The Jedi turned the situation to what he wished, rather than give in to the course of action Xanthier had directed him towards.

As the Jedi began to walk away, he felt himself at a loss. Grey eyes following the Jedi's movements with confusion.
"You would just take me?" He asked with puzzlement as he jogged to catch up to the Jedi's side, still leaving a safe distance of a couple meters between the two of them for his own sake, but traveling side by side with the Jedi, occasionally having to weave around a tree or a bush that was in his way.

 

[Arranev]

Arranev walked with determination, but he was still troubled by the stranger. Even though he had decided to transport him wherever he wished, the stranger felt as if he was craving something more, something more elusive.

Arranev listened to the inquiry of the boy who had just caught up with him.

"Yup." He answered calmly. "Is that not what you wanted? Transport?" Arranev stopped in his tracks, turning around and meeting the eyes of the stranger.

"Or is there something else you're after? Something fleeting, a darker intent than just this search for transport... If so, please reveal your full intent, rather than bottling it up inside. I can feel the hunger, but I can't tell what you hunger for. What do you want from me?"

Arranev was now staring at the stranger, with a curious and slightly angered expression on his face.

 

[Dark child]

Xanthier grew irritable. The Jedi's promises made little difference when he began to question his intent. Xanthier had remained calm, he had been pleased with the Jedi. Surprised even. Perhaps he wished ill on him, but it was far more intriguing to see how the Jedi reacted. Now, Arranev was beginning to show his true feelings. Xanthier noticed the furrowed brow, the lip that was pulled in in slight displeasure. Arranev was not at all happy about the secretive aura Xanthier had about him.

"Why don't you search me again. Poke and prod like you Jedi always do. Invading. Searching for what you want to know. You are no better than the Sith." Xanthier said bitterly, his voice growing angered. Meeting the Jedi's stare with his cold grey eyes.

Empty promises and lies. That's all anyone had ever given him.

 

[Arranev]

The stranger spoke in a bitter tone of voice. Arranev listened closely, but when the boy compared the Jedi to the Sith, a slight smirk appeared on his face.

"A Sith would not have gone as far as offering to help you. A Sith would have attacked you outright. I'm giving you a chance to get somewhere. I'm a friend. For as long as you wish to cooperate."

Arranev looked at the boys lightsaber.

"Where did you get that?" he asked, still with a slight smile on his face.

"I'm just gonna go ahead and assume it's red." he said, letting out a slight laugh. "Have you ever had any ties to the Sith? Or are you just rampaging your way through life independently?"

 

[Dark child]

"One and the same. Both seek control. Going about distant worlds, killing as you you see fit, justified by your beliefs. Why am I any different? I kill, I take, I hunt. I do as I please for me and me alone." Anger bubbled inside Xanthier, but it was but a simmer for now. He could control it. He saw through the Jedi's smile, through his attempts of defusing the situation with a calm laugh. Xanthier's expression was that as it had been. Cold.

"I seek things the Jedi do not condone, I, more than your Army ever will, want the Sith to suffer. To see them wither in anguish as they loose the power they so crave. You must know that the Jedi will never be able to stop them. Mercy is your weakness. Jedi are corrupted by it. You are incapable of seeing what I am, what I represent. Offering your help blindly thinking you can change what you do not know. I am but a tiny flame, burning amidst the fires of your war. Perhaps you will not snuff out that flame, but other's of your order would. So I ask you Jedi, does the need to help outweigh what you have been taught? Or will those instincts inside you take over." He spoke with a consuming passion, trailing off at the end, allowing the Jedi to figure out just what his 'instincts' were. Xanthier cared little, none of it was a lie of course, it did not insinuate at anything, leaving it completely up to the Jedi to unravel. Because the truth was, he didn't care whether the Jedi took him or not. He could kill him now, find the ship, or tag alongside, it did not matter. The Jedi would be fun to toy with either way.

Xanthier could guess at what the Jedi's feelings were telling him. To leave the black haired boy on the planet, at the mercy of the elements. Perhaps not the best death, but merciful enough. The Jedi would have no blood on his hands and he would not have to worry about the actions of Xanthier. Then again, perhapse the Jedi still had a shred of hope, one of foolish belief that all things could be changed, including him. Or perhaps darker intent had finally been brought on by fear..violence. Xanthier could not tell as he gazed into the man's face.

 

[Arranev]

The boy spoke of how he wanted the Sith to suffer, causing Arranev to let out a sigh of disappointment.

"I don't want the Sith to suffer. I don't want anyone to suffer. Sure, I don't endorse Sith, I don't like them, I will fight them, but I don't want them to suffer."

Arranev was greatly concerned, the future of his interactions with the stranger was clouded and could not be sensed. The boy was obviously dangerous, but no matter how unstable the situation was, he couldn't abandon him here. He would just have to shut out the words of the stranger, who obviously intended to incite a reaction.

"Listen." he said calmly. "My offer still stands. I will transport you wherever you want to go. I'll trust you enough to come with me."

He took a step towards the boy.

"What do you say?"