Teras Kasi Archive

"Grandfather... could... could you tell me about the time you saw a Teras Kasi?
Please? Mother said it would be ok." The young boy looked up with pleading eyes.

The old man looked down at the small boy and smiled kindly. His leathery lined face
softened as he reached down and gently tusseled his hair. "Aye.. I suppose I could tell you
the tale." The boy sat down on the polished wood floor and placed his chin into his hands.

"Listen well Cerdic for this tale may have great meaning for you one day. Heed the words and
remember." The old man sighed and his eyes took on a faraway look.

"It was long ago... when I was but a young man. I was resting myself in the cantina and had noticed a stranger who was not one of the
regular customers. He wore a coarse robe and he spoke to no one... he simply sipped a mug from which
steam arose in wispy swirls. I remember it was a stormy night and most of the people there were on edge... some jumped as the thunder clapped
outside. However, if the man in the robe noticed the thunder at all he did not show it. Then he jerked... almost as if someone had poked him.
His head raised for a moment but I could not see his face... it was still hidden by his hood. He raised his hands from the table and slid them into
the sleeves of his robe. I was intrigued by this and almost considered going to speak with him but at that moment the door to the outside exploded inward!
Spinters of wood and plaster rained into the room along with the water and sounds of the storm. A man stood there.. he wore the garments of a jedi but they
were soiled and torn. His eyes were wild and gleamed in the dim outside light. Lightning ran across the dark roiling clouds behind him like silvery fish
racing through ocean waves.
"I have found the secret." he said... "The others believe the force lies in life... I however believe the opposite. The more I kill the stronger
my powers grow." he spoke quietly but his words carried clearly through the tavern. Even though the thunder rumbled and rolled in an almost constant
barrage of sound.
"I was terrified... I knew there was no way any of us would be able to escape this man who had come to claim our lives... but then movement pulled my
attention to the other side of the room where the robed man had stood up and pulled back his hood. His hair was a dark shiny black shot through with streaks of grey.
He wore it pulled back tightly and held with a leather thong. His face was calm and his eyes showed not a hint of fear."
"Dark one... I knew you would be coming here. I sensed your disturbance long before it even entered your thoughts to come to this planet. Though it pains me greatly
I fear it is my duty to destroy you."
"I could not believe my ears! A rogue jedi! and this man simply informed him that he would destroy him? Without even drawing a weapon or even removing his hands from
his sleeves?!" The dark one laughed and the room was bathed in a sickly green light as he drew his lightsaber. Then faster than my eyes could follow he threw the
glowing blade at the robed man. It revolved around and around... almost seeming to transform into a glowing green disk. Just as I was sure the man would be cut in two he moved..
his arms parted and his hands were sheathed in what looked to be blades. He struck the saber on the metal handle as it spun and it simply fell to the floor. The jedi growled and
called the saber back with one hand as he lashed forward with his other. Two things happened... his saber flew through the air back to his palm and the robed stranger was
hurled backwards head over feet. Instead of smashing into the wall he somehow tucked his legs beneath him and kicked off with such force that he flew back towards the jedi like
a missle and knocked him through the destroyed doorway. I was awestruck! but somehow gained my feet and rushed to the door to watch these two titans. They both stood in the downpour
in combat stances. The jedi's face was twisted in hate and anger but the strangers face was still completely serene. Water ran down his brow in rivulets but he did not bother to
blink it away. Then he closed his eyes and sank into a deeper stance... one hand before him and one hand back near his jaw."
They stood this way for what seemed an eternity... then the jedi screamed and attacked in a blinding array of spins, chops, and jabs. His legs striking out in perfect compliment to his blade.
I cringed but the stranger moved like a liquid shadow... His hands and feet blocking the jedi's arms and legs so that the saber was never able to complete a strike. This continued until they finally
broke apart and stood once again facing each other. The jedi scowled and spit blood from his mouth. Then he coughed and grabbed his side... The stranger straightened and began to walk
forward. As he did so the jedi threw his saber forward and the stranger managed to get one of his bladed hands up just in time to deflect the blade from his body. There was a huge shower
of green sparks as the saber cut through the blade and deep into the strangers hand. Blood rained from the sliced hand but stranger paid it no mind. He must have known this was his chance.
He moved with such blinding speed that I saw nothing but a blur as he attacked the jedi. Blinding him with the blood from his own hand and then somehow ending up behind him with the jedi's head
clenched between his hands.
"I take no pleasure in this." He said solemnly... "I simply do what must be done". The muscles of his shoulders bunched beneath the robe and he crushed the jedi's head between his palms.
I could not help myself... I vomited onto the muddy ground and watched as it was washed away by the rain. I looked up... wiping the sickness from my lips and saw the stranger pick up the pieces
of his hand blade and clean his hands in a small puddle. He said not a word to us but simply walked off into the storm." I didn't know who or what he was but I heard those around me whispering
Teras Kasi under their breath. It wasn't until years later that I learned what the reality of that meant.

Cerdic's eyes were round and amazed. "Grandpa! I can't believe you saw both a jedi and a teras kasi! I hope to see one! Maybe even speak to one! Do you think I might grandpa?"

The old man smiled again. "Perhaps... Perhaps you will at that. Now off to bed." The boy jumped up and hugged his grandfather around the neck before bounding up the stairs to his room.
Still smiling the old man pulled off his leather glove and rubbed the deep scar that ran across the back of his hand... "Aye Cerdic...", he said quietly to himself... "you may just meet one... some day."

The End.

Hurlobacca 12 Point Master Weaponsmith

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