[Short Stories] - Dark Emperor 1(6)

“No, Ashka,” Vantos said, his voice hollow. “This was no hazy glimpse of the future. This was a full, clear vision, in such detail that…that…Ashka, there is enough horror stored up in what’s coming to drive you insane if you could see it. The Force itself doesn’t want it to happen. The light side let me see what’s ahead because it needs me to stop it.”

“What if your vision wasn’t from the light side?” asked Ashka. “What if the dark side wants you, and the way to claim you is to have you murder this child? Master Dina taught us there is no turning back from the dark path. And in the end, it will destroy you!”

Vantos folded his arms across his chest. “I know what I saw, and what I felt. I have to do this now, for the sake of the Republic. I am it’s sworn protector, and this is my duty. Don’t stand in my way. Go home Ashka, before one of us gets killed.”

Ashka’s only response was to draw out and ignite his lightsaber. He held it firmly in the ready position.

Vantos shook his head angrily. “That was a mistake, brother. Of the two of us, I’ve always been the better swordsman by far. I usually beat you, and I know all your weaknesses.” Vantos ignited his own weapon and slowly set the silvery blade against the twin beam in Ashka’s hand. The blades flashed and jumped slightly as they made contact. A crackling hum filled the air.

Ashka and Vantos squared off on the ledge. The stone platform was only six paces wide; beyond that was a nasty drop. Ashka began to sweat from his anxiety. Vantos seemed tense but collected, his expression cold. Ashka made the first move, swinging swiftly at Vantos’ head. The blow was neatly blocked, and Vantos forcefully pushed the blade down and away from him. Ashka took a few careful steps backward, the drop-off to his right side. Vantos held his position, his stance defensive. They traded several more blows, but each time Ashka attacked, Vantos seemed to know how his brother would strike. Vantos’ blade was there to block Ashka’s, even as Ashka decided where to aim. A low side swing was blocked low, a high thrust was dodged. Ashka spun and struck high again, but Vantos swiftly ducked. Even a series of wild swings was avoided, as Vantos jumped away. Ashka quickly grew frustrated. Vantos was fighting a purely defensive battle, but it seemed effortless. Ashka was, in contrast, quickly running out of energy. It had already been a long climb, and once he tired too much, Vantos would move in to disable him, and continue up the cliff. A sense of rapidly dwindling time overcame him. With dismay twisting in his gut, Ashka put reckless force into his next blow. Vantos seemed to anticipate it yet again; he stepped backwards and completely dodged the attack.

“Bad move,” Vantos grated, “you always did overextend.”

The exhausted Ashka had leaned too far into his stroke. Vantos’ downward return stroke hammered Ashka’s weapon out of his hand. At the same time, Vantos took full advantage of his brother’s momentum to trip him and shove him at the edge of the ledge. Ashka fell hard, his legs slipping over the side as he struggled to get a handhold. His desperate fingers found a purchase, but it was all he could do to avoid plummeting down the cliff face. His legs swung in the air below the ledge.

Vantos watched him impassively. He shut down his lightsaber and hooked it to his belt. “I’m sorry Ashka,” he said, “but a fight was what you wanted. You were being a fool. Don’t you understand? I saw the future! I even saw our fight! I tried to stop you, but you wouldn’t listen. Hang on as best you can. I’ll be back for you, as soon as I’m finished. If you fall…just remember the healing techniques Master Dina taught us.”

“But Vantos-” Ashka protested.

“This is my victory,” Vantos cut him off. “I wasn’t expecting to win like this, but I did. You may never thank me for it, but what I’m going to do…I’m doing it for you, too. I’ll see you when it’s done.”

As Ashka Boda held doggedly to the ledge, Vantos Boda turned and began climbing higher, his back to his struggling brother. Ashka knew Vantos was lost to him. Drawing on the Force, he used precious seconds to bleed away his fatigue. His questing feet found a protruding rock below the ledge on which to gain a foothold, and he held still, breathing evenly. Though it made him slip a bit more, he lifted one hand from the rock and opened his palm towards his fallen saber. The weapon clinked and rolled into it, impelled by the Force. A glance towards Vantos verified that his single-minded brother was still ignoring him, but that Vantos had almost climbed out of range. Ashka took a few slow, deep breaths, then gritted his teeth and acted. Pushing up with his other hand and his legs, he raised himself enough to activate and throw his saber, guiding it with the Force. Immediately, he lost his purchase on the ledge, and fell back into open space. For a moment, he glimpsed the silvery saber spinning towards the unprotected back of his brother. He didn’t see it hit, but as he fell, he heard an agonized cry that he would remember for the rest of his life. His brother’s death cry.