C11 Trials of Darth ***** (1/2)

C11 Trials of Darth ***** (1/2)

Check out early access chapters on my Patréon, currently 7 chapters ahead!

——————

(A/N: 2 chapters today!!!!! Ps- I made a small edit to the last chapter and added this:

But it wasn't just his big mouth, but also his paranoia that got the better of him. 'I should have just explained a little better...' Peter realized.

- That's all, just that small sentence above. It's takes place after his talk with Yoda, when he's lamenting his mistake. Anyway, enjoy the chapters:)

————

As Peter regained consciousness, he found himself immersed in an impenetrable darkness that stretched endlessly. The fog in his mind receded, leaving him disoriented and vulnerable. 'What the... Where am I...?' Doubt lingered in his thoughts, questioning the reality of the situation. He couldn't help but wonder if this was a dream or not? 'Did I go back to my room...? I... I can't remember...'

Just as worry began to claw at him, a raspy voice, disembodied and echoing in the void, cut through the silence, proclaiming, "Welcome to the first trial, the Trial of Solitary Shadows. Confront the fear of isolation in the oppressive silence. Find strength within, for only when you stand unshaken in the void can you defy the darkness that seeks to consume your spirit..."

The voice vanished just as swiftly as it appeared, leaving Peter yearning for more guidance. He attempted to call out, but the emptiness swallowed his words, leaving him alone in the dark.

Feeling as if this was some sort of nightmare, he pinched himself hard, feeling a very real pain that quickly faded away, dispelling any lingering doubts.

This was no dream.

With cautious steps, Peter traversed the abyss, hoping to encounter a wall that might lead him to a door. However, after what felt like hours, the never-ending darkness persisted, leaving him lost in the void. The oppressive silence weighed on him, and an unsettling realization dawned... this place seemed to feed off him, his senses dulling, and his body growing sluggish the longer he stayed here.

Remembering the trial's purpose, Peter decided to confront the challenge. Seating himself on the floor, he initiated meditation, seeking the strength mentioned by the mysterious voice. '...Find strength within, for only when you stand unshaken in the void can you defy the darkness that seeks to consume your spirit.'

As he delved into the depths of meditation, calling on his strength in the force and his sheer will and resilience to combat the voids corrosive effect, Peter felt a subtle change within himself, which caught him off guard. "?"

A soft radiance emanated from his being, casting a faint glow in the seemingly infinite darkness. The light, both physical and metaphorical, symbolized the strength he discovered within.

Understanding the significance of the trial, Peter ceased his meditation, standing on his own two feet with newfound confidence. The light persisted, illuminating his surroundings as he defied the consuming darkness.

As Peter stood in the newfound radiance of his inner strength, the echoes of the mysterious voice returned, resonating through the shifting darkness. "Congratulations, you have emerged victorious from the Trial of Solitary Shadows. Now, prepare yourself for the next challenge, the Trial of Temptuous Whispers."

The surroundings morphed and twisted, the gentle radiance around him disappearing, as if it was being suppressed back into his body. The infinite abyss transformed into a cavernous space, filled with ethereal whispering echoes and shadows that danced at the edges of his vision.

"Seductive whispers will beckon from the dark corners, enticing desires and attachments. Resist the allure, for true strength lies in mastering the passions that seek to entwine you with the dark side." The voice proclaimed, reverberating through the cave before disappearing once again.

Barging into the Jedi Council room, Peter faced Yoda and Windu. Desperation in his voice, he tried to explain the situation, but the Jedi Masters glared at him, igniting their lightsabers. "Why? What did I do?" Peter pleaded in confusion.

Without a word, the two Jedi attacked, forcing Peter to flee for his life. Evading the lethal strikes with everything he had, Peter utilized his connection to the Force to enhance his movements, narrowly escaping the murderous mob behind him.

Cornered and breathless, he spotted the storage closet where he and Aayla often spent time together listening to his Walkman. Rushing inside and locking the door, Peter silently listened to the mob pass by, relieved that he had eluded them. Yet, his relief was short-lived as a sharp pain pierced his back.

"Ugh!" Peter grunted in pain, blood rising into his mouth. *cough*

Turning around, he saw little Aayla holding a long knife stained in his blood, indescribable hatred in her eyes. The pain and shock filled him as he dropped to his knees, betrayed by the one he had become closest to.

Staring at Aayla, who prepared to stab him for a second time, Peter acted quickly by grabbing her wrist before wrenching the knife out of her hand.

Wrestling the younger girl to the ground, Peter held the knife to her throat, staring into her eyes as she looked up at him. "..."

Instantly, confusion clouded Peter's mind. Something wasn't right. As he bled there, holding the knife to Aayla's neck, he struggled to make sense of the betrayal.

At first, he thought that maybe the Jedi had learned about his dark side outbursts, but that couldn't be the cause... Aayla wouldn't turn on him for that reason, as she already knows about it.

His realization struck like a lightning bolt. "Wait. You aren't Aayla..."

In that moment, the illusion shattered, revealing the true nature of the trial. The trial sought to challenge his loyalty by distorting the bonds he cherished.

Peter, on his knees but no longer bleeding, pushed himself up, the illusionary pain still lingering, but the awareness of the trial's deceit burned brighter. 'If I killed Aayla in retaliation, then I would have failed the trial...'

"Nice try," he called out to the disembodied voice, his mind now completely clear. "But you'll have to try harder than that to trick me."

Hearing the confidence in Peter's voice, the voice replied, "Challenge accepted." The words echoed ominously in the shifting darkness, resonating with an unsettling promise that sent shivers down Peter's spine. A sense of foreboding washed over him as he braced himself for what lay ahead.

As realization dawned on Peter, a sudden bad feeling gnawed at him. The casual banter with the disembodied voice seemed to have triggered a response he wasn't entirely prepared for. The gravity of the situation sank in, and he couldn't shake the uneasy thought that perhaps he should have kept his defiant words to himself.

Suddenly, the vast expanse around him shifted once more, the familiar signs of the former trial morphing into a rocky, lava filled landscape.

"The Trial of Wrath's Crucible!" The voice proclaimed, "Confront the inferno of rage within. The flames may seek to engulf, but channel the fury into purpose. Master the storm of anger, for in its crucible, strength tempered by control emerges."

Instantly, a surge of fiery energy engulfed Peter, the air crackling with the heat of his own suppressed anger. It felt a hundred times worse than his worst dark side outburst, the madness of rage threatening to consume him at any moment.

"F*ck!"

A/N: 1935 words :)