Welcome to Gaia! ::

((don't worry. I keep flipping on the spellings. I'm not sure which one I should use))

"That's a pseudonym. Much like Rook is the mask which I use for my own self," Rook replied, taking a deep sigh. "Lab gave him that name when he picked the boy up. Said the name held as much potential as he did. Something which he would later take back. Hence the shortening. Labrynth never showed disrespect to people who earned it. It was one of the honors Neb lost."

"As I said before, it is a long story. The events which build up to it are scattered throughout the past 26 years. Very simply, Neb was too confident in his skill. Labrynth refused certain... favors, and Neb beat the old man so badly, the physical injuries are still seen today. You've seen his limp, its from missing almost half a hip. I will tell you this: Arcanians and smelting machines do not mix well." Rook said.

"And most likely, even if I did tell you the story, you wouldn't understand anyway. You never completed training with labrynth, so you only share one month's worth of sweat, tears, and trials. Neb was with him basically since nine years of age. To be honest, Neb thought of him as a father. And as he grew up, his emotions got the best of him, causing that bond to falter and snap just like Labrynth's bones. Neb's anger destroyed labrynth's life. And for that reason, Neb never got fully attached to anyone ever again. He'd be kind to people, but distant. He'd radiate warmth, but he was nothing more than a husk."

Rook felt a jolt. "That would be the convoy going to hyperspace. Don't worry, your fighter and droid were allowed onboard. I will, however, suggest you leave them on Bestine. It is hard enough finding a landing space where we're going for one ship, let alone two."

"Not really. In fact it would be the opposite. You'd learn that not everything is as complicated as it may seem. Sometimes, the simplest things are discrete. You can experience this from my way of command. A simple twitch of a finger, a quick glance of the eye, even a simple blink can say exactly you may go, head over there, or simply good day. I'm simply saying that if I told you what happened a decade or so ago, you'd probably side with Neb, saying Labrynth deserved his fate, because the major details of the story would lead you to believe that point of view. However, in the decade or so that the two lived together, Labrynth did so much more for the boy than could ever be sumed up. Plus, you would also have to take to heart the philosophy he preaches, where excellence is not rewarded, but demanded. You don't get a cookie for doing something right. You get one for finally collapsing after pushing yourself to the limits. Something Neb lost sight of as an adolescent, when he demanded rewards for simple tasks," Rook answered.

"Not trinkets, exactly. The last thing he wanted was Labrynth to serve under him, and let him take control of the work. In fact, Neb wanted Labrynth to sign over total control of the organization to him, and leave..."

"I told you he was a Janis-like character. No, one of his greatest confessions to me was that he was worried ever since Ossus, he would return to the darkness. He told me that he managed to absorb some darkness from the world. While he did a good deed, he himself felt his spirit crack. I imagine by the time he fought at Yavin, he was almost destroyed inside. But I do not contact the dead. You two, however, may do so whenever you please."

Rook quickly added, "As for sith-like, you'd be amazed. He nearly took over by killing rook. It was interesting to watch. Labrynth lay there, sword at his throat, and lived. Neb wanted only one thing in the world, and that was recognition from Labrynth that he was his better. That was what stopped Neb from killing his mentor. If Labrynth died, he could not get the concession. It would be permanently lost to him..."

"That sounds nothing like the Jedi I remember. Explain me that," Trey said skeptically.

"What can I say? Mind wipes do wonders on people. When one forgets all of his training, his experience, his life, he has nothing to do but learn something new. When the Jedi order took him in, it was not simply because of trying to help a lost soul. He had potential, and his heart was still pure. Well, pure enough to be coersed into a Jedi. Neb felt shame after being dismissed from Labrynth. This probably let him in."