#fought the urge to put and thats ok at the end of the title to keep it from being just absurdly long

[twigsyy]

Democracy is a gay little kiss sometimes

[chubbyooo]

The Road to Redemption - A Blurred Lines Spinoff Chapter 4 - Syo Bakarn

hey all new chap literally nothing new to say XDDDDD

Kavaraa tries to convince her old Master to help Arcann

Master Syo Bakarn stood there in shock he seemed unsure how to respond “B-Barsen’thor w-what are you doing here you can’t see me I’m too dangerous” he closed the door before Kavaraa could respond

Kavaraa turned to Arcann “um don’t worry about that it’s fine he just needs a little convincing” she’d assumed Master Syo would be worried about himself as a danger but Kavaraa wasn’t worried

She wrapped on the door again until it was opened “you shouldn’t be here you’re both in grave danger as long as you-” Master Syo looked up at Arcann “t-thats the son of the Emperor I thought he was killed” it seems like Master Syo hd at least kept up with the outside world

Kavaraa nodded “former Emperor of Zakuul but more importantly someone who wants to come to terms with the mistakes they’ve made and the manipulations of Valkorion” Arcann frowned clearly confused

He spoke up “I don’t understand I have never met this man how was he manipulated by my father” Kavaraa wondered how best to explain that

Master Syo opened the door a bit more “he didn’t manipulate me as Valkorion it was back when he went by the name Vitiate” he sighed still looking frightened “he planted a seed of evil in my brain I became the First Son and betrayed the Republic” Kavaraa could see the pain in his eyes, they hadn’t seen each other since they fought on Corellia and clearly it still weighed heavily on him. He turned back to Kavaraa “seriously Kavaraa you’re not safe here I’m dangerous you shouldn’t be here” Kavaraa folded her arms doubting that

She smiled “I think I have it on good authority that the Emperor has moved on from you, to him you’ve served your purpose” as long as Valkorion didn’t suss out her plan they’d be just fine she couldn’t tell anyone where they were not even Theron “and either way Master Syo I beat you back then and I believe I’m stronger now” Master Syo seemed a little reassured but was still worried

He let out a small laugh “you’re as stubborn as ever, fine I’ll at least set him on the right track even if it just gets you to leave so you’re safe” Kavaraa smiled that was a result, Master Syo opened the door and let them into house

He spoke up “I live here ranching Blergs it’s a simple life but it keeps me busy enough” Kavaraa imagined he’d need a hobby to not go mad “I am kept secure on this planet in case the Emperor were to use me again” Arcann seemed very confused

He asked “what do you mean use you again? I don’t believe he’s here” Arcann did look around slightly suspicious

Master Syo explained as he began to brew tea, Kavaraa smiled he’d even remembered her love of tea “when I was young Vitiate or as you know him Valkorion implanted me with a second personality referred to as the First Son who he used to exact his will on the republic from the inside” Kavaraa noticed tremors in his hand as he spoke passing tea around “he used me to do terrible things and I sense he did the same to you” Arcann nodded taking the tea but frowning clearly the mask was in his way

He set it down next to him “he used me for his war but it’s worse than that, I’ve done things completely of my own volition Bakarn” he looked down as Kavaraa sat just letting them talk

Master Syo nodded “it may seem that way but I sense a great deal could have been due to subtle manipulations, you could say I did what i did of my own volition technically” he put a hand on Arcann’s shoulder Kavaraa was pleased Master Syo was so willing to help and trusted them enough to be here “but I sense a lot of pain in you still you’re letting it control you and I sense it’s partially due to this” he gestured to Arcann’s mask “what pain does this carry” Arcann winced thinking about it

But he responded “I was injured on Korriban in an explosion I could have died if my brother Thexan hadn-” he trailed off as Kavaraa could see him struggling

Master Syo nodded “it’s ok it’s ok don’t rush yourself I sense we’re reaching the real pain what does the mask actually mean” Arcann took a long deep breath before he continued

Arcann sighed “Thexan saved me without a second thought, the battle was still raging but he came to my aid immediately and I… and I…” he put his head in his hands “killed him when he protected our father, I can’t be forgiven for that he didn’t deserve it and just because i wanted that power for myself” Kavaraa could see him struggling she supposed he’d seen what the power was like now she doubted it had been worth it

Master Syo nodded “there are many things in life we may not be able to forgive ourselves for but we must learn to live with the guilt, this injury of yours was years ago I doubt this mask is still necessary and it only causes you pain” Arcann looked up at him frowning

Arcann seemed confused “but that won’t change anything I still did what I did and I can never go back” Master Syo nodded agreeing with him

He smiled “no you really can’t but do you want to wallow in the mistakes of your past or make things right for your future, we can only look at what is ahead I suppose you’d want to fix things but you can’t fix everything sometimes things just have to remain broken” Kavaraa was surprised this wasn’t what she was expecting she didn’t think it was bad just surprising

Arcann nodded “I think I understand” he put his hand on his mask and Kavaraa quickly rushed over to help him take the mask slowly off his face to reveal the burned and scarred side of his face. He blinked his voice no longer robotic but human and calm “this is a symbol of who I was but not anymore if I can never come to terms with my guilt I can at least move forward” Arcann looked to Master Syo expectantly, Master Syo nodded a genuine smile over his face

He gestured to Kavaraa “I think Arcann may want some time alone and I need to talk to you” Kavaraa nodded and they made their way out walking around the ranch in silence just taking in the the landscape

Kavaraa broke the silence “it’s a lovely ranch you have here” Master Syo nodded with a small smile

He folded his arms “he still has a long way to go, that moment may have been cathartic but to truly come to terms with your mistakes takes time” Kavaraa nodded she hoped Master Syo would offer that help “how did you find me Padawan” Kavaraa blushed she hadn’t been called Padawan in years but Master Syo had known her since the moment she arrived on Tython so she let it slide

Kavaraa shrugged “Well the Grand Master is missing so I had a little look in the archives, I wanted to visit you anyway before this whole thing got started” Master Syo smiled a unsurprised look coming over his face

Master Syo sighed “when the Eternal Empire invaded I couldn’t help but feel responsible, I laid the groundwork for a divided galaxy when the attack came, I’ve never gotten over my mistakes Kavaraa but life goes on we must live otherwise we let him win” Kavaraa could see the pain was still weighing on him heavily she had never seen him after their fight but knew he felt like a traitor to everything he believed in

Kavaraa put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off “Master Syo there were many things at play and none of it was ever your fault I promise” Master Syo turned around and frowned at her

He had a half smile on his face “why do you insist on calling me Master, I’m no longer a Jedi and I haven’t been for years I should be calling you Master Kavaraa” Kavaraa chuckled she’d never been one for titles but ended up with loads

She shrugged “It just feels right Master Syo you are still one of my mentors and I appreciate everything you ever did for me, just because Valkorion manipulated you doesn’t mean you weren’t one of my masters” she smiled at him “without you I doubt I’d ever have been strong enough to save you” she had an urge to hug him but doubted he was comfortable

Master Syo let out a somber smile “I...I thank you Kavaraa you don’t know how much that means, I’m still so sorry for everything but I’ll do my best to move forward like I said” he looked back to the shack “I’ll help Arcann he still has time to make things right” Kavaraa smiled she hoped today had been cathartic for the both of them

As they walked back they noticed Arcann had started a small fire in front of the shack and as they got close they could see the mask was in the flames not looking particularly burnt

Master Syo shook his head “Arcann that won’t work as symbolic as it is your mask is made out of stronger materials, we can melt it down in my workshop” Arcann nodded looking a little awkward as Syo led him to his workshop and hopefully to redemption...