Fictober/Whumptober: Day 13
I’ve been running like crazy and haven’t gotten nearly as many of these done as I’d have liked. But, I had some time today, so have some young Sith learning how not to use the Force.
Prompt: Fictober “I never knew it could be this way.” Whumptober “Adrenaline” Genre: Suspense Word Count: 411 Characters: Young Ari Drellik, Nuada Techtmar (belongs to @kunoichi-ume) & Ma’at Stasma Story/series: Sithy Bunch Timeline: While Tully is trapped in carbonite. The boys are eight years old. Fandom: swtor
Dromund Kaas Estate of Darth Imperius
Ari pressed the attack, embracing the Force as it boiled through his veins. His heart pounded, adrenaline and the Dark Side blurring his opponent’s features until they no longer represented his brother and best friend, but a thing that needed to be destroyed. Red crept into the edges of Ari's vision, blotting out everything except his target.
With a cry of rage, Ari channeled the Force from his core, down one arm, and into the chest of his adversary. The form buckled, rolling away in a stunned heap that gave Ari room to advance. He rushed forward, practice saber raised to deliver the final blow. Then, the world snapped back into color a moment before Ari struck the floor three feet from where he'd been. His breath left in a whoosh as shadows raced past.
Ari jumped when one touched his face, blinking to realize that it was his father. Awareness slithered back into his mind, clearing the fog of battle to show his mother kneeling next to Nuada. Ari’s throat tightened with fear and he scrambled to their sides.
Ma’at let out a relieved breath and pulled Ari into a fierce hug. Her warmth seeped into him, soothing any vestiges of anger that had seemed so important moments ago. “My sons,” she whispered, pulling Nuada in with her other arm when he sat up. Ari met his brother’s gaze, unsure of how to apologize or explain his actions. It was all a blur, hazy memories that slipped away with every passing second.
When their mother pulled back, she cradled each boy’s face in her palms. “You do not ever access the Dark Side of the Force without me, Jeasa, or Ashara to guide you, is that understood?”
Both boys nodded, but Ari knew her admonishment was directed at him. “I--” he stumbled over the words, seeking answers that his mind couldn’t comprehend. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would be like that. I thought I could handle it.”
Ma’at dragged the boys against her again, arms tight around their necks. “Promise me.” Ari and Nuara obeyed, their words muffled against her shoulders.
Fear raced through Ari, not only at how easily he could have harmed Nuada, but of the anger that had come with it. He needed to examine it from every angle, to understand where the hatred had come from. Until then, Ari vowed not to touch the Force unless his life was in danger. Maybe not even then.