The Village Elder

{If you want to read ahead go to my https://www.(p)-(a)-(t)-(r)-(e)-(o)-(n).com/easyread}

~~~(POV: Nella Opal)~~~

~~~(Location: Walking Through Village, Lothal)~~~

The people that we walk past continue to stare at us. I get we're outsiders, but I don't think we're worth all the attention. I get a feeling when I look at them. Nate would say it's The Force warning me about something. I wonder if he feels the same thing.

It's like someone is looking at us through their eyes. That's the only way I can describe it. Ever since we left the cantina, I've been thinking about something.

The Ones.

I have no idea who they are and why Nate is looking for them. This is the first time I've ever heard him mention something. I don't know what the reason behind our visit to Lothal is. Only that it's about whatever Nate is searching for.

"Nate, who are The Ones?"

I don't know if he'll answer me, but I do know that he's never not answered a question I've asked. I'm smart enough to know there aren't things I'm ready for. This might be one of them.

Nate takes a breath as we're closing in on the house, and for a second, I don't think he's going to answer. But he does as we make it to the front door.

"They're Gods of The Force. Representations of The Light, The Dark, The Balance. Given living form."

Wow... That's... Wow...

He knocks on the door as I try to wrap my head around that information. That's not what I was expecting. I thought they were some people out in the galaxy he was after. As I get out of my stupor, an old lady answers the door.

She looks blind.

"Ahh... The Prince returns..."

There is way more going on here than I think I'm ready for... But Nate will protect me. I've never met anyone stronger than him. He makes everyone look so weak compared to him.

"You know who I am?"

I don't know why Nate is asking that... He knows things before they happen. He's a master at looking into others' minds. Knowing what they know before they speak. I look at the old lady more closely, and nothing particularly stands out about her except for her connection to The Force.

She brings us inside without answering Nate's question. We sit down in the old house. It's been taken care of, but you can see the age. I wonder how old this place is... I wonder how old she is...

"You've come all the way to Lothal for something. Nothing that ordinary people can give. Answers. Answers that you are specifically searching for."

I'm lost at this point. My lack of information is making me feel small. I don't like it. But there is nothing I can do given the situation.

"Yes. I'm looking for The Ones. They have connections here on Lothal."

The Force Gods... That's what he calls them, anyway...

"I know what you're looking for, Amor. I saw your arrival here when I was a little girl. I have lost my sight, but I see more than anyone you've ever met."

Amor? That's Nate's name? I didn't know he had another name. Given how much he's different from everyone, it makes sense there are things Mom didn't know about him.

"You're obviously connected to them if you know that name... My name is Nathen. Not Amor."

That's his real name. I wonder what it means. That's in a language I've never heard before.

"You can claim Nate as your name all you want, child. But your Mother gave you Amor. The Mother."

This is getting more confusing as the conversation continues.

"We're getting off point. Do you know where I can reach The Ones from here or not?"

That's straightforward enough. But I kinda hoped that conversation continued; it would've given me more insight into Nate. Or Amor. Whatever.

"I know that of which you seek, Beloved Prince of The Stars. It's here, on Lothal. But to find it, that's something you must do on your own."

That strangely sounds like a trial or test. Why are Force-Sensitives of Light and Dark so obsessed with tests?

And Beloved Prince of The Stars? How stupid is that?

"No, you know more. I can sense it. More than just what I'm searching for."

The old lady smiles and claps her hands together. The next thing I see is a bright light, and I'm waking up by the ship. Nate is next to me, starting to wake up. SCORPIO is on the ground with us.

As I lean up, I see the village is gone.

This is all kinds of weird.