Chapter Text
“How is he?”
“So far, his condition is stabilizing. Red also said that he and Tord plan to fully seal him up again,” The Sith Emperor announced as he looked away from the body of his sibling that was encased in a luminescent yellow fluid. Several floating runes in blackish-purple color also glowed similar to the rhythm of a heartbeat on the crystal container that Tord was in. “The Norski would soon be back to where he belongs and Brother’s mind would have one less voice tormenting him.”
Anakin nodded tiredly as he sat close to the tank that held his beloved. To think that when he was making progress with Tord, The Norski would come out and try to kill him. “He felt like corrosive acid,” he mused aloud. “Tord’s Force signature when his eyes were purple and he was The Norski, it was Dark like murky water and felt painful to interact with.”
“Somehow, it feels a whole lot worse compared to Red, doesn’t it, Anakin?”
“It’s probably because he’s compensating.” The Chosen One said so as he could sense that the power The Norski held was far beneath both Tord and Red. “It most likely was to ensure that people would immediately back away and leave him be. Just like small and fragile animals in the wild who spray poison on their enemies.”
Valkorion snorted. “Well, as true as it may be, poison is still poison even if it isn’t as deadly as what Tord and Red could be. The Norski may be the weakest version of Brother. That said, he’s the road to inviting ‘The End’ of all things.”
“Madness,” Anakin murmured in realization. “He’s the one who is poisoning Tord’s mind and—” He cut himself off, before turning to Valkorion, “Tord, consumed and absorbed numerous versions of himself, did he not?”
“He did,” the Sith Emperor confirmed. “Brother wasn’t shy in telling me about the process of consuming and merging.” The man’s brow rose as he gazed back at Anakin in curiosity, he wondered what was going on in the teen’s head.
“Have you or Master ever thought that The Norski might actually be a soul that wasn’t properly merged with?” Anakin stood up from his cushioned seat and paced as cogs turned in his brain. “Tord and Red share memories and their connection with each other is strong. As for The Norski…Isn’t it suspicious that he moves and thinks independently? He even tried to kill me as he screamed that I wasn’t the person he loves. He kept on saying I was a marauder who took somebody else’s place.”
Valkorion hummed as he thought of all the instances where he was allowed to see and know all the past memories that Red and Tord had about the other persona. Somehow, the pieces were all finally fitting together now that Anakin pointed it out.
The Sith Emperor halted what he was doing. The neutral expression he had dropped as he thought of the implications on why his brother had suffered so long. Brother didn’t say how old was the soul that he devoured. However, he did say that he first descended into madness after the 200th life and he just finished taking over the life of that version of him. Of Norski.
Biting the inside of his cheek, he debated on what actions to take and, soon enough, he finally chose what to do. “Anakin,” he called the teen’s attention. “When Brother wakes up, you should make sure to always be by his side.” He moved towards the doors of Tord’s laboratory and stated, “I’ll be leaving to head to some place and pick up a few important things. So, his safety lies with you for now.”
Dazedly nodding, Anakin soon found himself alone with his beloved and thinking that Valkorion probably knew some kind of means to purge or fully destroy The Norski. It was the only reason he could think of why the man chose to separate himself from Tord.
And he wasn’t wrong that Valkorion at least knew something.
It had been three weeks after Valkorion came back and Tord had been awake for the past thirteen days now. The golden blonde Sith upon his return to the Temple of Kamino went to his brother and took him in his embrace. After that, he kept on apologizing which had Anakin wondering what did he do. But it wasn’t even three hours later when Valkorion placed a white ivory mask—with red upward paint on its eyeholes and a golden ornament from the forehead to the nose area—on the dining table of Tord and Anakin’s shared living quarters.
“What’s that?” Anakin couldn’t keep himself from asking because Tord swiftly had all his mental shields up at the sight of that mask.
The two brothers were silent for a literal minute which had Anakin all the more intrigued. Reaching out a hand, he was about to touch the mask when his beloved strongly tugged him back.
“Don’t,” the silvernette whispered as his eyes shook and his body temperature palpably dropped dangerously. “That’s Papa’s mask. A part of his soul is inside of it and would possess anyone who would even touch his mask.”
Cocking his head to the side, Anakin pointed out, “Valkorion touched it even without wearing gloves or using any kind of protection.”
The aforementioned man eyed the mask with utter loathing and explained, “I was not possessed because somehow or someway the mask and our father recognized me. I mean, if there is anyone who he would not instinctively possess, it would be Tord—as Father loves him too much—and me since he would rather kill himself than take over a body that I am using.”
“When you say it like that, it’s quite rather apparent that your father considered Tord as his favorite child.” Anakin took his hand out of his Master’s tight grip and pulled him to his lap. Only when his arms were around the silvernette’s body did the Jedi Master relax and slowly have his body temperature return to normal.
“Hehe…” Tord chuckled lifelessly as his eyes looked far away. “To Papa, I was his only child that mattered. The rest were pawns and expendables. What brother or sister that I had were killed once they lost their use or he didn’t like them.” He placed his head beside Anakin’s face and nuzzled his cheek with his eyes closed. “Because of that, it would be better that whatever other child Papa had wasn’t known by him because at least they would be able to live the way that they wanted.”
Valkorion nodded as he glared at the mask that contained a part of Darth Nihilus’ soul. “Brother is right. The karking bastard is not ashamed nor does he care about being biased and having a shitty attitude.” He sneered, “If it were not for Brother getting attached and temporarily binding himself to me as a baby, I would have long been dead. Then, when I grew older, the only reason he was not able to kill me was because I amassed enough power and knowledge to be able to go against him.”
“If he’s like that, would it be wise to wake him from what stasis that he is in? I mean, if he could treat and kill family just like that with no remorse, wouldn’t it be dangerous for us?”
“It would undoubtedly be dangerous for you,” Tord remarked. “This soul fragment…” Anakin peeked down as Tord trailed off and saw his beloved chewing his lip as his irises were stained with purple that increased. The way the older man was trying to hide himself in Anakin’s arms raised alarm bells in his mind and had him turning to Valkorion for answers.
“I see that ‘his’ unsealing has truly wrought you for you to hide from Father,” Valkorion grimly commented. He touched the mask on the table and it vanished from Anakin’s sight.
With his Master tensing, Anakin realized that Valkorion sent it to Tord’s Soul Storage. It could be the only reason why his beloved reacted at seeing the ivory mask disappearing.
“Okay…” He started to try and distract his beloved Master so he wouldn’t be taken over, “If we’re not going to ask your father, I presume Valkorion knows something else?” He looked at the man imploringly and hoped he did. It was because if the other was gone for three weeks with nothing else to show then Anakin would have been disappointed since all the buildup led to something anti-climactic. And my beloved would suffer longer.
“There is some other way,” Valkorion responded before turning to Tord apologetically and suddenly flooding their bond with his soul and presence to make him sleep.
“What is it?”
The Sith Emperor then eyed the two of them as Anakin held his beloved Master in his arms. Those Sulfuric Sith yellow eyes of his considerably softened the longer they were on them and Valkorion finally spoke.
“And you’re agreeing to this?”
Anakin sighed the umpteenth time as Ben kept on questioning his sanity for wanting to undergo what Valkorion suggested. It had been literally a month since Valkorion told him of a probable solution that would handle Tord’s problem. It was also in that single month that he took Ben out for a drink and confided the things he discovered and was told.
Ben as it turned out disagrees with his decisions and kept on dissuading him. The younger Padawan insisted that he should search for other means which was baffling since Anakin knew how his beloved’s children would rather prioritize their mother’s life than even consider anybody else.
“It’s for Tord. Why else would I not agree to what may be the only way of keeping him safe, sane, and alive?” Anakin tiredly shot back as he observed Ahsoka doing her katas. The young Togruta girl came to him seeking guidance which he readily chose to give. As atonement for his sins to her. My Padawan, my sister, my daughter; I failed you in the past. But in this life, I will not fail you again.
“The process might kill you, Anakin!” Ben whisper-shouted as he gazed at him as if he were raving mad. The hand holding onto Anakin’s arm had a white-knuckled grip and exerted what would have already broken the bones of a normal Human. “If what you said was true, you can’t seriously hope to contain a fragment of Mother.”
Blue eyes blinked and Anakin sagged in his seat. “As your mother’s child, I assumed you would have been ecstatic to know that he would be steered farther away from the wrenches of madness.” A wry grin found its way on Anakin’s lips and he glanced at the agitated red head. “I would be saving your mother’s life, Ben. To not rejoice upon my sacrifice…I think my beloved would be saddened to know that you chose my life over his.”
A high disbelieving laugh escaped Ben’s mouth as the iron grip that he held was gone and his turquoise opals stared at him incredulously. “You…You’re seriously channeling Vader now of all things?!”
Anakin clicked his tongue. “I’m hardly channeling anyone, Ben.” He ran a hand through his hair and stated, “Darth Vader and I are one and the same. Just because I prefer to talk like this as Vader doesn’t mean that I myself can’t talk like this.”
A smooth uncalloused hand grasped his face and forcibly turned his head. Ben’s searching gaze had Anakin thinking of whether his biological uncle/ adoptive brother had somehow fallen for him. After all, this was one of the reasons he thought why Ben would be able to think of forsaking his mother from being saved. The thing that runs with those of Obelian blood…To romantically love someone was a blessing and a curse.
The Chosen One didn’t back down and returned the gaze; what he could see was not the similar kind of love that he could find in Obi-Wan’s and Valkorion’s eyes when their gaze was on Tord. Instead, what was there was concern and a sort of desperation that reminded him of the slaves that knew something terrible was coming. “Ben…”
“You would be taking in a part of Mom’s soul.” The harsh whisper that came after now told him enough. “His soul, Anakin!” Ben is scared. No, he is terrified. Even with how Ben was skillfully shielding himself in the Force, Anakin could now clearly see it as bright as day. “And as much as I know little of the true extent that Mom lived, Mom’s consciousness would devour you. The fragments of him would alter you.” Ben hissed, “Poison you!”
He pointed out, “What records that remain speak of such the procedure as a gamble having little chance of succeeding with you even remaining alive considering the requirements and conditions it needed. You’ll naturally die.” Ben leaned closer as he clutched Anakin’s face tighter. “Mother therefore would naturally be saddened even if he lives. Due to your death, he would finally have the excuse to kill himself and…”
Anakin was released and Ben stepped back from him. His turquoise opals were thoroughly dimmed with barely suppressed fear and anxiety. He mumbled, “You’ll be dead and Mom would be dead too. My brother and my mother…The only two people who still care about me…gone.”
And just like that, the dimness in Ben’s eyes and the tenseness of his countenance vanished.
Ben turned his attention elsewhere and shook his head as he mouthed words that Anakin couldn’t decipher. “Skyguy, I’m finished!” The exclamation of a little girl then distracted The Chosen One just enough for Ben to retreat from whence he came from and leave. Anakin couldn’t even convince or force him to stay so that he could explain properly what was going on as Ahsoka’s body crashed into him from where he sat in the Training Salle that they used.
“Skyguy?” She questioned which was followed by a soft whisper of, “Dad?” when she wasn’t able to get his attention.
Anakin there forced himself to smile and push back what concerns he had for Ben. His Padawan needed him so he made himself focus on that. To make up for all of his past sins to his daughter/sister, Anakin did his best to be attentive and accommodating. He guided her in her lightsaber training and combat, taught her about the Force, and even indulged Ahsoka in her want of learning Magic although he was repeatedly warned against it—dutifully being there for Ahsoka in her journey.
So, in Tord’s and his shared quarters, Anakin brought Ahsoka back to give her the treatment she needed.
7 grams of Blackroot juice, 150 grams of crushed Nexu bones, 200 grams of Gimer ash, 400….
The list went on as Anakin poured the ingredients that Ahsoka would have to soak in for her ‘bath.’ The said bath was a concoction he came up after recalling several of the Martial Arts and Xianxia Manhwas that Tord had. And taking a leaf out of the esoteric practices of body reforging and the like, Anakin experimented for months and finally came upon this which enabled the young girl to live and avoid the mortal danger she was in during the process of forging the circles around her heart.
A snowflake necklace was on her neck and a ring on her left index finger acted as a foci in place of a wand. Ahsoka’s mastery of the spell levels 1-3 was proficient enough that Anakin was proud to see her prosper in that field even though she still had her studies in the Force. Stopping now in her journey was not an option.
Ahsoka would become a Magic user strong enough that she would be written in history records for changing the tides of war or affecting a whole continent with her Magic alone. A High Tier Mage capable of level fifteen (15) spells. His daughter would not feel left behind and their family would proudly stand together as they face the extragalactic aliens and other threats to come. Ahsoka would become just the way she likes and his daughter would…
Anakin Skywalker sighed as he finally finished the concoction and Ahsoka stepped in to soak. Blue eyes could see that her skin was supple and unblemished while her montrals and lekku glimmered nicely under the light. Anakin could also note that her muscles were well-toned and that she was developing quite rather well for her age. Ahsoka’s physical body was not only getting stronger and more durable because of the treatments. It was also turning into a work of art that was gradually rising to the level of becoming something considered unnatural for a Togruta.
I got to make sure my daughter wouldn’t be bullied because of this, he internally mused.
“Dad,” Ahsoka called with her tightly strained voice.
The Chosen One snapped out of his musings and simply gave a, “Hmm???” as he closed his eyes. He meditated as he guarded Ahsoka during her body’s forging process.
“You shouldn’t do it,” she groaned as Anakin hears the sound of sizzling and popping. With the way things were sounding, he could already garner that his daughter must have a knuckle-white grip on her knees as her blood, flesh, and bones were getting transformed by the painful yet necessary procedure.
“Do what, Snips?”
“Devour a part of Mom’s soul.”
Anakin sighed. There were only a few people who knew what he was about to do so to hear Ahsoka have the idea of what he was planning meant she must have overheard one of his discussions with Valkorion.
“It’s a necessary course of action, Ahsoka.”
“Sith spit,” the young girl cursed whilst she was projecting pain. “Mom would have cast off that part of his soul long ago if that’s what was necessary for him to persist and be sane. Yet, he didn’t.”
“He didn’t do it because he had no one willing to carry the burden. But here I am, Ahsoka. I’m willing to carry some of the burden that he bears.”
“Dad…,” she whimpered as pain wracked her frame. The sound of splashing water could be loudly heard. Ahsoka gritted out, “Don’t do it. Please…”
Even with the warnings he received, Anakin hardly cared as what mattered to him was Tord. His dear master, wife, love of his life, and light… Anakin would do anything for his beloved.
“So, do I need to do anything else?” The Chosen One asked Valkorion as the older man placed Tord on an altar. Runes written in blood and gold covered the area that they were in. Anakin had assisted in placing some of those runes himself. Nonetheless, he felt restless even after days of being busy and having numerous tasks non-stop.
“No, Anakin. Now, we wait. The Mana and the Force on this planet would react when the twin suns align along with the five moons. The runes would light up and you would have to stand beside Tord.” Anakin felt a hand clasp his shoulder. A gentle comforting squeeze from the Sith Emperor itself had the teen realizing that even his Master’s brother was concerned about his well-being. “You would use your bond and get inside his head. You would coax the Norski out and, from there, I’ll do the rest of the work before you’ll be absorbing the Norski’s soul.”
And so, they waited. And waited…It took about thirty minutes after that conversation of theirs for things to go on. The solar eclipse occurred which darkened the previously too glaring bright sky. Anakin knew that they would have two hours since the planet they were on had special qualities on it that favored people like them. It favored Mages and those who used Magic.
Anakin was by then standing beside the altar that held Tord’s unconscious body. He placed his hands on Tord’s face and began the process of using their Force bond to coax the Norski out. The silvernette’s eyes after a few minutes fluttered open—sporting purple irises—and Anakin was soon greeted by the scene of Tord thrashing in pain and screaming.
“Valkorion!”
“ It’s alright. Tord must remain restrained,” the older man stated as he was outside the area of the runes. Mana swirled around him as he had his hands manipulate something on the floating Magic circles that appeared.
The silvernette’s screaming increased in volume and Anakin was itching to make it stop. Blood was pouring out of his lover’s orifices and Anakin wanted that to end. Yet, remembering why they were here, he endured this torture some more until his eyes found themselves shocked to see a translucent hand coming out of Tord as the Force and Mana around them cried of danger.
Lightning then began raining down from the heavens alongside snow. Ice also appeared to cover the ground. That hand soon became an arm and Anakin watched as what looked like a younger version of his lover was doing its best to get out. Fourteen... No, the size makes the other look like they were ten. That said, Anakin had seen the holoimages of Tord when he was younger.
The translucent figure looked a lot like Tord. However, purple eyes were there staring at him with a look of betrayal. “Why? Why are you doing this, Anakin?” Metaphysical tears were coming out of the spirit as Tord’s physical body stopped bleeding.
The very sight he was seeing confirmed Anakin’s suspicions. It’s the reason why Tord was having dissonance within himself. The other version of him was destroying him.
“You…,” Anakin began, “You’re the one ruining Tord.”
Author's Notes:
Jedi-issued subspace pouch
The Jedi-issued subspace pouch was a thing in my stories: Reincarnated in Another Universe (Part 1), Reincarnated in Another Universe (Part 2), and Second Round. Having a Mage in the High Council like Tord, Jedi beginning from Initiates were given subspace items to keep their personal things. Tord pretty much used the excuse that it would be for the convenience of the Jedi Order. That said, he insisted to create such things because it would be a great way for the Jedi to avoid the scrutiny of the public and fool people into thinking that they were ascetic. It was also a good way to keep possessions and have people underestimate them considering they didn't realize what was going on.
But yeah, this piece of equipment was what Tord started to be in regulation and his descendants continued it for its various uses/reasons. Though, it would be obvious that the people who could create such things and their loved ones would have more of these items in their possession and would be able to have special subspace items with greater storage capacities and features.
The subspace equipment issued by rank:
a) Initiates: A metal chest having the capacity of a 5' x 10' x 15' storage room and a subspace pouch that has a 5' x 5' x 15' capacity.
b) Padawans: A metal chest having the capacity of a 5' x 15' x 15' storage room and a subspace pouch that has a 5' x 10' x 15' capacity.
c) Knights: A metal chest having the capacity of a 10' x 10' x 15' storage room and a subspace pouch that has a 5' x 15' x 15' capacity.
d) Masters: A metal chest having the capacity of a 10' x 30' x 15' storage room and a subspace pouch that has a 10' x 20' x 15' capacity.
e) High Councilors: A metal chest having the capacity of a 30' x 60' x 20' storage room and a subspace pouch that has a 20' x 40' x 20' capacity.
>> Note: Upon promotion, the members of the Order would receive such equipment and, with it, the subspace items they own would accumulate.
As for Jedi Service Corps. members that were not trained by a Master, the greatest that they would receive is that of a mere Knight level allotment as consolation.
>>> Note: Certain members of the True Sith Empire and subsequent governments/organizations that Tord and his family also have similar items. However, their specifications would vary depending on who were they made for or what purposes they have to serve.