The Guard's Awakening

[Austin Wolfe]

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Here, before the feet of Galahad Vult and Austin Wolfe, lay the tragic ruins of the Jedi Temple on Devaron.

Words could not describe what they were seeing and the immense sadness that the doctor felt upon seeing the devastation for the first time himself. Most if not all Jedi knew the place to be the first strike that the Exile Alais Drast had made with her entourage after her disastrous trial on Ossus. Despite the temple having been a focal point of the Light, the air itself now reeked of the Dark Side. Nothing lived here anymore.

As the two Knights walked along the path that led to what remained of the front gates, Austin realized that the Sith took these very steps to assault the five Jedi who stood in their way. Three of them died — Dragen Wrexyl. Saeros. Liam Valros. The other two were defeated, with Vin Pavan falling to the Dark Side and Nora Grazioso knocked out and permanently branded for the rest of her days.

The doctor had to remind himself yet again why they were here at this harrowing site. Austin knew that Galahad wouldn't truly understand the complexities and depth of the Force unless he was shown a place that resonated with its energy. Though terrible, the events that happened here on Devaron would hopefully awaken something inside the former Temple Guard. Although he did not wish to enter what parts of the temple that remained standing, Austin would if it would help Galahad understand the Force. "Do you feel anything? Reach out with your feelings if you can bear it...but beware, the pain caused here was great."

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Galahad stood at his friend Austin's side, eyes wide in awe at the utter destruction of the Temple here on Devaron. Most of the roof had completely collapsed, with many walls blown out and statues shattered. He did not know the exact details of the events that transpired here, but he knew that this was the day that the Exiles had ultimately re-declared the war against the Jedi. This was where the lives of two Jedi had changed forever: the famous Nora Grazioso had been branded 'JEDI', her days as a Shadow brought to an end; and the traitorous Vin Pavan who betrayed the Order, joining the Sith that had attacked them. Undoubtedly this place also had some sort of significance in the Force to be learned from, but the Knight was unsure of exactly what. Galahad knew that the doctor had taken him here to teach him more about the Force, just as the former guard had taken his friend to Dantooine, and so he kept his mind open. Whatever lesson was prepared for him, he would not close his mind to it like he had in the past.

Stopping at the entrance of the temple, Galahad took a seat on a nearby fallen pillar, setting aside his makeshift cane he had picked up on Tython after his last crutch was destroyed by Leviticus. As he did so, he realized suddenly that he had been unable to recount his encounter with the Sith Lord to Austin. Making note to himself to mention it later when the time was right, Galahad put aside his thoughts on the matter to open his mind up to the Force. The former guard could instantly tell that a great disturbance had taken place here; while both the air and the Force remained calm, they had merely settled over the disrupted energies of tragedy that had taken place here, like a calm ocean drifts gently above a powerful current. "The Force is quiet," Galahad replied, "but I sense a great disturbance beneath the surface. More than just a mere battle took place here...I feel the echoes of strong emotions, but they are faded like an ancient painting."

Austin's warning of great pain did not fall on deaf ears, and Galahad hesitated. In truth, he was still recovering from his recent encounter on Jedha, his mind dwelling on what Lord Leviticus had said to Vult before he escaped. The Sith warned that the Jedi would be completely destroyed, and seeing the state of the Devaron temple, Galahad was starting to wonder if he was right.

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

As Galahad sat down on a piece of the ruined archways that led to the temple, Austin could not help but notice once again the wooden cane — or rather, makeshift walking stick that the Knight had begun using. Though he first noticed it on Tython, the two hadn't really had the time to speak about it, and the doctor was slightly curious as to what happened to Galahad's other crutch. However, such questions and small talk would have to wait until another time.

Looking around the scenery as his fellow Knight did, Austin listened as his question was answered. "Strong emotions, indeed. Many terrible and dark things happened in this very spot," the doctor replied. Even as he turned to look at the ground, he could almost see or feel exactly how the battle took place. Clearly one bestowed with the blessing of Psychometry would be much better prepared to interpret the history of the temple. At least, Austin knew of some of the history of the Jedi who fell here — perhaps speaking of them would help Galahad sense better.

"Before we departed, I did some reading on who died here. The first of which was Dragen Wrexyl, a young Knight and Jedi Shadow. He was born with prestige on Alderaan, though his titles were forfeit the moment he became a Jedi. Thus he died here on Devaron, defending this temple. The second was a man named Liam Valros, a serious and strong-willed Knight whose tactical mind could have made him a great leader. The third..." Austin trailed off, looking back to Galahad. Something was off about the Knight, and he could sense a deep unease emanating from his friend.

Taking a seat nearby Galahad, Austin continued, "Come now, something troubles you. Speak your mind, and perhaps after we will continue our journey through the temple ruins."

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Galahad nodded solemnly as Austin recounted the lives of the Jedi that first fallen here. Vult did not know much about them, but the one fact that stood out in his mind was that only Jedi had died here — the Exile attackers had prevailed nigh unscathed. These Knights that had fallen...what could they have been, if they were still alive? Perhaps they would even be Councillors, taking the place of the others that had been slain one by one. Galahad could not help but realize the vast difference in mentality between the Sith and the Jedi. The former held no qualms about laying waste to their enemies, murdering and destroying lives as they pleased; whereas the latter held to a higher moral code that prevented them from doing so. The Knight did not disagree with the Order's beliefs, but the tactical disadvantage it put them in was quite apparent.

Galahad was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't even realize Austin had stopped speaking and taken a seat beside him. Pulled from his reverie, the former guard began in a low, humbled voice. "After you had left Jedha with your medical supplies and made haste to Vrogas Vas to help with the wounded, I remained behind to assist the others with the evacuation as best I could. When my help was no longer needed and they urged me to escape, I chartered a private vessel on the outskirts of the hangar in order to avoid the bombardment that was sure to come. But I met someone there I did not forsee — a Sith." Hanging his head, he clasped his hands together before continuing. "This man was not just any Sith. It was none other than Lord Leviticus, High Arcanist of the Empire. I was surprised then he did not destroy me like an annoying insect...but now I see he wished to toy with me."

Staring at the ground, Galahad's eyes began to water slightly, his voice now choked and forced. "Instead, he offered me something. He promised to heal my leg, Austin. To make me strong and whole again, like before. And I wanted it — I wanted to be healed so badly. I almost gave in to the temptation and accepted his offer. It was only when he revealed the cost that I returned to my senses." His voice growing firmer, Galahad clutched his hand into a fist. "Leviticus demanded that I renounce the Order. I did not need to take sides with the Sith, only that I turn my back on the Jedi. That is something I cannot do. When I refused his offer, he choked me, nearly to death. He then destroyed my last crutch, leaving me to gasp for breath in the sand and ash while he escaped and the Empire destroyed the temple."

Sighing deeply, Galahad grasped the stick in his hands. "I left for Tython right away, and found this shortly after I arrived. Hardly a good replacement, but it works." With that, he used it to pull himself to his feet once more, gazing at the temple ruins. "Thank you, Austin. My mind is clearer now. My apologies for interrupting you...what happened to the others here?"

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

The events that Galahad spoke of troubled Austin deeply. Though he'd urged the injured Knight to come with him, Galahad had taken it upon himself to continue evacuating the Jedha Temple while the doctor took his equipment and as many survivors as he could to the Vrogas Vas Waystation. Though the warding placed on the stoic Knight's leg was strong, Austin was still wary of how well it would hold during combat and did not want Galahad injuring himself even further beyond repair. Meeting a Sith in his current status was likely very dangerous. The doctor wished that he could have been there to help stand against whoever this Sith was.

Then, these thoughts were immediately banished as Galahad told who it was that he met. ⋮⋮ Lord Leviticus...? What was he doing on Jedha, in the Holy City before the temple's destruction? ⋮⋮ Austin only had questions for his appearance there, but none of them truly mattered. Not a host of Knights could even hope to stand against one so powerful in the Force, in the Dark Side. Another question arose inside the doctor — how had Galahad survived? Despite the former Temple Guard's formidable martial and physical prowess, it would be as nothing in compared to a Sith Lord. As his friend continued describing the encounter, Austin was grieved to hear of the great temptation that he underwent. As Jedi, they were always taught that there would be times where the Dark Side and its practitioners would seek to lure them in, for there was little else more satisfying for a Sith than to see a bearer of the Light stumble and fall.

It then struck Austin that Galahad did not fall. His will was strong, even stronger than the honeyed words of the High Arcanist of the Empire, so it seemed. The doctor placed a hand on the shoulder of his brother in the Force. "Galahad, take heart," he encouraged. "You have indeed faced a trial of flesh that even I have not seen the likes of in our peers, and you have succeeded where others would not." He smiled and chuckled aloud as a thought came to his head. "And look, your loss was simply your crutch. A worthy sacrifice, if I do say so." Picking himself up from the pillar as Galahad did, he also looked out across the ruins as his mind returned to the tragedy.

"I think you must have heard of Nora Grazioso, the Jedi Shadow who was branded by Alais Drast. Though she did not die here, she has since become one with the Force. Vin Pavan, upon seeing the swift destruction of her allies, fell to the Dark Side here." Austin went silent as he took a few steps forward, walking to the edge of the treeline where the heat of the battle took place so long ago. This was the very place where the three Jedi fell. "I do not know what became of Vin...perhaps she may still live among the Sith, though I think we would have seen her in battle if she were still alive. The final Jedi was a Shadow named Saeros."

A breath of wind whooshed out from the temple, rustling the leaves of the trees that grew behind them. "He was a Rishii, a bird-like species whose native world is somewhere on the outer rim. The only records that the Jedi have of him is that he helped in the effort to find Councillor Tanda Winters. Though he was a Shadow, he apparently never called upon the Dark Side as others of his sect did." Nodding in silent approval, he looked back to Galahad to see if he was able to sense anything further with his mind now clear. "Ah...and apparently this Saeros only spoke in his native tongue, though he was fully capable of speaking Basic..." he trailed off for a moment, a thought having come to him. Who had he seen in his vision back on Jedha...?

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Austin's words of comfort brought great hope and encouragement to Galahad. Initially he told himself he had sacrificed the use of his leg forever after refusing Leviticus' offer, but the healer was right — all he had really lost was his other crutch. The thought amused Vult, and his spirits rose considerably. He would need to find a better tool than the makeshift cane he had found. It was a few inches too short for him to maintain proper stature, and its splintering surface was rough and uncomfortable against his hand.

Galahad bowed his head in reverence for the other Jedi that fell in battle here, but he wondered what happened to Vin that caused her to turn to the Dark Side. Did the Sith tempt her with power and freedom, like he was? Or did she quail in fear before those that had slain her allies so easily? Galahad would rather have died alongside the others in the name of the Order than live with the guilt of betraying them.

With his mind now cleared of his troubles, Galahad shut his eyes and reached out with his senses, determined to discover the truth. He let go of his previous presuppositions that the Force was and could only be a tool, allowing it to show him its true nature. There Galahad stood, metaphysically grasping in the dark for clues, when he decided to simply stop and listen. For several tense moments, he waited with bated breath. Suddenly, realization dawned on Galahad that he was being too narrow-minded, and that was when he felt it. The Force. But it wasn't something he needed to find and inspect, it simply was. Everything around him — the air, the rocks, the creatures, the plants, even himself and Austin — had the Force flowing through it, waiting for him open his eyes and understand. "I can feel it," Galahad almost whispered, "I can feel the Force. It is not a weapon or a device, it is everything. The cycle of life and death, heat and cold, chaos and serenity, and all other forces gathered into one. It is balance, and it wills for it to be so." For that was the essence of the Force's nature and guidance: to maintain the balance, and the Jedi worked tirelessly to maintain it. That was why the Sith's presence was foul and cold, because they were a corruption and an aberration of the natural order of life and energy.

Now understanding the Force as it truly was, Galahad sensed a single, minuscule source of energy off in the distance deeper within in the temple. Opening his eyes, he looked deeper into the ruins before them. "There is something inside the Temple. A small flicker of energy, do you feel it?" The Knight was surprised the Sith had not picked the building clean of valuables. "It may be of some importance to us."

Slowly Galahad ventured into the ruins, stepping gingerly over and around the slabs of rock from the collapsed roof and walls. He could barely make out the layout of the Temple before it was destroyed as he and Austin made their way down the main hallway and into a large open courtyard filled with fallen statues. Galahad noted the monuments had all been hacked into small pieces. ⋮⋮ The Exiles' hatred of the Order runs strong, ⋮⋮ Vult pondered before turning to face a side corridor. Stepping under an archway, the structure above them suddenly gave way, rocks hurtling down towards the two Jedi. Reflexively, Galahad threw up his hand, and with it a strong Force barrier that safely protected him and Austin from the heavy debris. The danger having passed, Galahad released the barrier and wiped his brow. "That was close. Are you all right, Austin?"

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

Watching the Knight eagerly, Austin could feel Galahad reaching out with the Force. This time was different though; the doctor had never felt the man search with the Force as openly and as deeply as he did now. He saw understanding and a sense of calm dawn upon Galahad’s being as he finally, truly understood. The clouds of ignorance and close-mindedness had been lifted, realization and comprehension replacing it. The former Peacekeeper spoke, his words ringing true within Austin as he himself closed his eyes and immersed himself in the Light. Though there was great adversity on Devaron, it had been replaced by calm and peace. Though the air was still heavy with death, new life flourished and grew among the ruins. At the heart of all of these things was the Force.

Galahad’s voice broke Austin out of his reverie, and he too peered deeper into the ruins of the Jedi temple. He kept his mind open, but was surprised to feel...nothing. At least, no flicker of energy like what the Knight described. He could certainly feel the abundance of fauna all around them, but Austin did not think that was what his companion referred to. ”I don’t sense anything,” he replied aloud. ”But I will follow your lead, Galahad.” Following his fellow Jedi, the doctor continued to keep his mind open, in search of anything of notice. He barely had time to notice the falling archway as they ventured deeper into the temple, throwing up his hands and shielding his face instinctively. But for Galahad’s quick action and the creation of a Force barrier, the two would likely have suffered terrible injuries.

With the rubble sliding off the barrier and crumbling onto the floor, Austin straightened his robes and nodded to the former Peacekeeper. ”My thanks, brother. I am alright, though it appears I need to improve my reflexes. I am not used to needing to take impulsive action.” Looking around further, he could see what lay before them was what remained of a Jedi’s personal quarters. ”I still cannot feel anything out of ordinary, but perhaps the collapsed ceiling conceals what you seek,” the doctor stated, reaching forward and gripping the pieces of rubble with the Force. Straining, he slowly yet steadily lifted them from their resting place and scattered them further into the temple. Though still he sensed nothing, a strangely intact storage compartment caught his eye. Perhaps there was something inside that the Sith had failed to recover; something that called out to Galahad.

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Seeing that they had been led to the remains of what looked like a bedroom of sorts, Galahad assisted Austin in lifting the rubble free and out of harm's way. Before he stepped further, however, the Knight double checked the walls to ensure they would not fall. While he was able to protect the two of them a few moments ago, repeated uses of the Force like that would likely leave him exhausted from the exertion.

Galahad found it strange that his friend was unable to sense anything, as the source of energy was very apparent to Galahad. It was almost as if it was calling out to him, but not in a malicious or malevolent manner — more like a gentle beckoning, as though he was destined to find it. Prying open the large wardrobe, he was surprised to see its contents remained untouched by the Exiles. Hung inside were several sets of Jedi cloaks, now worn and eaten away with age. The bottom was sparsely covered in large white feathers, and leaning against the back was a long Brylark staff with a clear, unattuned Kyber crystal embedded in the top. Resting on the top shelf of the cabinet was a thick hardcover book inlaid with a large gem on its front cover. Beside the book sat what looked like a large whetstone; Galahad could only guess as to what its purpose was. Grasping the book, he blew off the layer of dust that had collected on its cover, turning it over gently in his hands. He found no title or markings other than a single word engraved on the book's spine. "Caladglær," he murmured. "It appears to have survived the weathering of time." As books were not his area of expertise, the Knight handed it off to Austin to assess its contents and value.

Vult's eyes alit once more on the staff that rested behind the worn-out robes. Grasping it firmly, he extracted it from the wardrobe, admiring its sturdiness and craftmanship. Ornate carvings and patterns flowed down its length, and its material meant it would hold up under extreme stress. Moreover, it was the Kyber crystal atop the staff that he sensed, its energy resonating with him gently. It was almost as if he was meant to use the staff — perhaps it was left there for him to discover? He could not say for certain, but maybe it was even the will of the Force itself that he find it. Whatever the case, he directed his attention to the Kyber crystal embedded at its peak. Galahad had never needed to search the crystal caves to find a Kyber gem for himself, as he was given a yellow one when he voluntarily joined the Temple Guard. "This crystal beckons to me," Galahad observed for Austin's sake. "Perhaps that is why I could sense it and you could not." Vult also realized that he would have to attune it at some point in the future so that he could channel the Force through it. Casting aside the gnarled old walking stick he had used until then, he grasped the staff firmly in his left hand. It rested perfectly in his fingertips, its smooth surface sitting gently and comfortably in his hand.

Satisfied with his discovery, Galahad glanced over to Austin. "This staff and that book...who could they have belonged to? And why would the Sith leave these behind?"

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

Though the doctor would likely have had to imbue his limbs with the strength of the Force to open the wardrobe, Galahad pried it apart with seemingly little effort. Time and time again, Austin marveled at the Knight's immense strength. However, what lied in the opened wardrobe drew his attention immediately after. His eyes widened as what lay inside was quite literally a treasure trove of artifacts, likely the personal belongings of one of the Jedi who died here. The first thing Austin noticed were the cloaks — they were large and forest green, though looked as though they were made in the traditional style of a culture Austin did not recognize. Secondly, a wide smile appeared on the doctor's face as he eyed the sturdy-looking ornate staff. "It seems the Force has heard your plight, brother," he commented with a chuckle. "There is a staff fit for a Jedi."

It was then Galahad picked up a great tome, blowing off the dust and handing it to Austin. He took it gingerly, having a secret love for books as he had read many during his time in the Jedha infirmary. Running a finger along the cover and spine, the doctor was in awe of its design. "Such beautiful handiwork..." he breathed, barely noticing the former Guard's comment about the Kyber crystal. Looking away from the book, he replied, "You must be right. It appears that the crystal is connected to you. Us finding these must indeed be the will of the Force." Austin's eyes drifted back to the wardrobe. "I think that these once belonged to Saeros," he stated quietly, looking down at the great feathers that littered the ground underneath the cloaks.

"I don't think the Sith would have wanted these, even if they found them. This room must have been covered and preserved well by the temple's destruction." Taking Caladglær in his hands, Austin opened the cover and he read the preface aloud.

"Greetings, Jedi.
I have taken it upon myself to pen this book, this Glîr'uin Calad <Poem-Song of the Light>, to both strengthen and guide my brethren in the Order. As we ceaselessly toil in defense of the helpless and strive against the creatures of the Dark, we must not blindly and hatefully seek for the blood of our enemies. The temptation of the Dark Side is strong, and it will even look to seduce you through your good intentions and upright heart. But remember — the root of this Taint is selfishness and the desire for power. As Jedi, our duty is not to ourselves or even to the Order, but to the Light Side and the Force.”

“I therefore admonish you, brothers and sisters, to seek not your own gain but to uplift others before you. It is my sole hope that you will find in Caladglær both encouragement in your journey and tools to strengthen your purpose. Though the path of a Jedi is difficult indeed, take heart. Though the power of the Dark Side is strong, our Light is stronger. Let your hope be rekindled and your Light never fade.”

“Vanya sulie <Fair winds>, and may the Force be with you always.
Saeros"

Looking up to Galahad, he nodded solemnly. This room must have been the Shadow's personal quarters indeed and these his belongings. "I think...he would want these to return to the hands of the Jedi, not left here to rot." Nodding towards the brylark staff imbued with the kyber crystal, he continued. "Plus, you could use that well. It suits you perfectly, Galahad."

@Shalken​

 

[Galahad Vult]

Galahad nodded at Austin's observations, now noticing feathers stuck in the robes that matched those that rested on the bottom of the wardrobe. Quietly he listened as Austin read Caladglær's preface, wondering at the wisdom of this Jedi that had gone before them. Waiting a few moments after the passage had been spoken, "Is it true this Saeros was a Shadow? Many of the traitorous Exiles were once Shadows as well, but they were tempted and eventually corrupted by the darkness they danced with. This book, however...he truly knew what it meant to be a Jedi, even with such a dark task at hand." Even though the temple had been almost completely destroyed by the Sith, they still had found a shining ray of hope from within the rubble. Galahad's spirits were lifted even further, and he was determined to see the Order rise from the ashes once again.

Looking the staff up and down once again, a smile slowly tugged at his lips. "Indeed, it does...I shall make good use of it, as Saeros would have wished." Grasping the staff in his right hand to use it like a crutch, the Knight extended his left to help Austin to his feet. "And return to the hands of the Jedi they shall. I believe there is much we can learn from this book. Let us return to Tython."

@Vosrik​

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[Austin Wolfe]

The doctor nodded his head solemnly at Galahad's question. "Most Shadows were...rather infamous for their actions. Though in truth, they should abhor the Dark Side more than most, some delved into it in their hatred. Perhaps that is what Saeros meant by saying the Dark Side would 'seduce through good intentions and upright heart'." He flipped through some of the pages, inhaling the faint and pleasant smell of pine. Austin's eyes widened as he glanced over the illustrations and chapters, quickly yet carefully closing the book before delving too deep within the leaves. "I agree, I think Saeros would want these belongings — both of them — to be put to good use by the Jedi." Taking one of the loose leather straps from his belt, the doctor wrapped it around the tome and fastened it to his left side. He decided he'd find a better way to carry it in the future, but for now this method would have to do.

Nodding in agreement, Austin echoed, "Indeed, let us return to Tython." Turning to leave, he walked past Galahad but not before noticing something off with his fellow Knight. The former guard had grasped the ornate staff in his right hand — attempting to use it like one would a crutch. Without offering an explanation, Austin quickly snatched it out of Galahad's hand and placed it in the other. "Left hand," he commented simply, continuing on through the ruins of the temple. Though the two would leave this place, their respects and honour for the fallen would remain here forever. Though the Exiles had been victorious, the Jedi who died here had remained steadfast in their defense. Their souls were one with the Force.

Fin​

@Shalken​