Seris stood alone at the center of the thick red mist, her feet planted firmly against the ashen ground. She stood still, and did not reach for her lightsaber. She simply listened and waited.
That's when they came. The first attack came without warning.
Energy arrows tore through the thick fog in rapid succession, their crackling bolts streaking toward her from multiple angles. Seris only exhaled and moved.
Her body flowed sideways, then forward, then down—each motion was precise and controlled, she was efficient, her movements almost effortless. Arrows passed where her head had been a heartbeat earlier. Others skimmed past her shoulders, missing by inches. She spun once, ducked low, vaulted over a streak of purple light, and landed smoothly without breaking her rhythm.
More arrows continued to come her way.
Fay and Shaak Ti watched from the edge of the clearing, neither interfering with Seris's battle. Shaak Ti's posture was slightly more tense the Fay's, every instinct urging her to intervene, but she remained still. While Fay's expression was calm, her eyes remained sharp and didn't unwavering. Fay trusted Seris and so did Cain. And she trust's Cain. She knew Seris was the perfect person for this.
Seris continued moving, breath steady, blood pumping, and muscles alive as the barrage refused to slow.
Then the attack changed as chains burst from the mist. Metal wrapped around Seris's arm and leg with a violent yank, pulling her in opposing directions. The impact sent a shock through her body, but she did not cry out. She planted her foot, spine straightening despite the strain. She felt the tug but was planted deeply in the earth and the Force.
"You call that pulling?" Seris said evenly, teeth clenched. "Josa is stronger than all of you, and she is a pipsqueak."
Seris reached into the Force with great focus. Strength surged through her muscles as she yanked hard on the chain, redirecting the chains into the path of incoming laser arrows. Energy bolts detonated against metal links in flashes of light. The chains snapped apart, fragments clattering to the ground.
Seris landed gently back to the ground. Her grace still on display.
Then the mist glowed with small mystical lights flickered within it. The lights circled around Seris, as they multiplied rapidly. Several shapes emerged from the mist. It was the Nightsisters rushing forward with enchanted blades, and energy lances humming with Force magicks, chain-sickles spinning as they closed the distance.
Seris did not ignite her saber. She inhaled raised a hand and said. "Bring it"
She then wrapped the Force around her like a second skin. The first sister lunged. Seris stepped inside the strike, redirected the wrist, and struck the elbow with brutal precision to the chin. Bone cracked as the weapon fell.
Another came from behind. Seris twisted, caught the attacker's forearm, and used her own momentum to throw her into the ground with a hard thud. A third swung low—Seris vaulted, planting her foot on the attacker's shoulder and flipping cleanly over her and struck a vital point on her neck.
Shaak Ti's eyes widened slightly.
"She's improved again," she murmured.
Fay nodded. "Seris is the finest hand-to-hand combatant of her generation."
Seris moved with lethal restraint. Teräs Käsi guided her strikes with deadly efficiency, but controlled. Mixed with Echani principles and techniques that flowed cleanly in her movements, her body reading tension, intent, and responding instantly.
Seris parried blades inches from her throat, and disarmed attackers with sharp joint locks, and struck pressure points that dropped Nightsisters without killing them. For twenty minutes, the assault did not stop, as more came from the mist, while several others got back up to continue the wave of attacking.
Seris's breathing grew heavier. Sweat soaked her robes. Her arms trembled with bits of exhaustion. But still she stood centered in her conviction. She continued to listen to the Force as it guided her.
Then, silence no more Nightsisters came from the mist to attack her. Then Mother Talzin's voice cut through the silence.
"Enough."
The red mist recoiled as if struck by an unseen wind, clearing a wide circle around Seris. The Nightsisters that were on the ground were gathered or retreated, melting back into the fog until none remained.
Seris stood alone in the open space, chest rising and falling, legs burning—but her posture remained unbroken.
She looked toward Talzin with conviction still burning in her silver white eyes. "Are you willing to talk now?"
Talzin studied her in silence. Then her eyes flared a mystical green light.
"Let us see how you handle this, little one."
Green Force lightning erupted from Talzin's hand.
Seris reacted instantly, throwing up a Force barrier. The impact drove her backward, boots carving grooves in the ground. The energy pressed down on her with great force.
Shaak Ti stepped forward instinctively. But Fay raised a hand. " No. Trust her."
"She hasn't been trained for something like this," Shaak Ti said urgently.
"We cannot teach our students everything," Fay replied calmly. "We hope to teach them enough—and trust them to use those skills and knowledge and become something more.. So trust Seris as her master should."
Seris dropped to one knee, teeth clenched as the lightning battered her shield.
"You still refuse to draw your weapon?" Talzin said coldly. "Foolish child. You cannot defeat me either way, but to limit yourself is either prideful or foolish."
Seris's thoughts raced of how to get out of this situation.
Maybe draw the lightsaber, or use the mist and hide. But then she stilled her mind and quieted her thoughts.
She remembered what Cain said. Listen to the Force and let it guide you. Be at peace, and let it flow through you.
Seris breathed in deeply, as a faint glow appeared around her body. It was golden, and mixed with silverish-white light. Weak at first. Then steadier.
Talzin's eyes narrowed.
Seris felt it—a perfect clarity. Stillness in the Force and her convictions. She then let the barrier fall.
For a split instant, the lightning surged forward—And then golden Force lightning exploded from Seris's hands.
It collided with Talzin's magic in a violent clash of Force energies, light pushing against darkness. The red mist around them was blown away, the ground illuminated by Seris's radiant aura. She stood bathed in gold, defiant against the crimson world and the witch.
The energies were locked—equal. Seris felt she could dive deeper into the Force, and push further. Then a hand rested on her shoulder. She turned her head. She saw Master Fay standing beside her, calm and resolute as ever.
"That is enough Seris," Fay said gently.
Behind Talzin, a figure emerged from the darkness of the fortress entrance.
Augwynne Djo.
"Talzin," Djo said sharply, "this test of yours has gone far enough."
Talzin then withdrew her lightning attack. Seris did the same, the glow around her fading as confusion crossed her face.
"I don't understand. What is happening?" Seris asked.
Djo stepped forward. "Let me explain, young one. The Witches of Dathomir were reluctant to join this new order Talzin's student was forming. Talzin and I devised a test. Cain was to send a representative of his generation—someone who he believed could prove this order convictions and strength."
Seris frowned. "That's not what Cain told me."
Fay inclined her head. "It was important not to burden you with the full weight of what was at stake. Not to mention this is no different when different Jedi order's visited one another. Student's would duel and spar to display and represent their schools."
Talzin spoke again. "I suggested Skywalker, I wanted to see what the chosen one was like up close. Cain said the one he would send was better, and here you are."
Talzin's gaze lingered on Seris. "You have potential, child. Should you ever want to learn the ways of the Nightsisters, I will teach you personally."
Seris rubbed the bridge of her nose, frustration breaking through her composure. " I don't know what to say to that. I just cannot believe Cain lied to me. Again"
Shaak Ti smiled faintly. " Do not think of it as lying. He trusted you."
Talzin turned to Djo. "The Nightsisters will come. But the matter of the Nightbrothers will require further discussion."
Djo nodded. " The Singing Mountain Clan will come as well. The Witches of Dathomir will answer the call."
Seris exhaled, relief washing over her. "Good," she said with a small smile. "Because I am going to give Cain a piece of my mind when I see him again. It won't end with just one smack either."
Talzin watched her go, smiling softly. She truly loves my student.
Aboard the ship with Cain, Anakin, Derren and an unconscious Maul, Cain sneezed suddenly at the controls. "Achoo..."
Anakin glanced over to him. "You catch something on Lotho Minor?"
Cain shook his head. "No. Probably someone talking about me. I just can't tell if it's good or bad."
Derren then stepped into the cockpit. "Maul is secured and sedated. I had to use half our medical stock."
Cain nodded. "Good. We're approaching Atollon."
Anakin looked at the planet in view. "So… this Bendu. Anything we should know?"
Cain scratched the scar beneath his eyepatch. "Yeah. He's big."
Cain smirked.