Ask A Day in the Life of Master and Padawan

[Scorpio Armegedon]

As Scorpio and Alhazred walked behind the children, the air of Annwfyn was a peaceful and serene atmosphere of tranquility, and it blanketed them as it blew through the trees with a soft melody. Shae's song would continue as would their trek, the children giddy when a leopard spotted deer stood at the outcropping of a meadow they passed and Scorpio chuckled with sincere happiness when Taryn chased what looked to be a tree based rodent that resembled a Jackalope. The serene sincerity of the moment was enough to paint a picture of Scorpio in his entirety upon the Force.

In Scorpio, the Force had placed a true blessing upon his soul and it resounded a trumpet's flare.

When Scorpio came to a stop, he pointed toward a waterfall in the distance that streamed over the edge of a cliff as no bigger than a brook. Where it bedded laid two marbled bases that surrounded a firepit. "We're here." He stated and began walking toward it, Taryn and Shae quick to wade in the outskirts on the stream as it pooled and flowed slowly away. "My favorite place in the entire Galaxy."

Scorpio stepped upon of the rectangular bases and held out his arms to emphasize his love for this place as he spoke to Alhazred. "I used the pool and the waterfall for self reflection many times. To feel it now, upon the Force that flows through here, I see why it was such a sanctuary to me.

It was true. Scorpio, although had been able to see it through the Force, had never felt the flow it held on such a place, a small Nexus of the Light Side of the Force, a convergence of Annwfyn's presence upon the Living Force and within the Cosmic. And it effected every living thing upon the planet. And as he stood there, his mind fell back into the past, visions of that day transpiring in his mind.

He sat upon one of the marbled bases, cross legged upon a large pillow as he looked inward upon his weighing decision. To lose Wyllow and the children, to never see their worlds transpire. It was a cruel fate to wish upon any one, the knowledge that it could be avoided by simply leaving them, separating them still, but capable to see who they would become. With a heavy sigh, Scorpio made it a simple answer. He could live with the resentment as long as it meant they would live.

To become a Jedi was to give up one's self for the sake of others, to not weild the Force as a weapon but as a shield, to understand the fate of one's self in the larger Galactic presence. His life would become this. His calling had finally been realized. But yet, what had been the beacon? His eyes gazed down at the picture he held and he winced at the presence upon it. He had reached into it with his mind, and what he saw plagued him dearly.

Two outcomes, a singular event, a fractured occurrence. One showed his inevitable fall to the Darkness as Wyllow, Shae, and Taryn were laid to rest. And the other showed him wielding the Light against the presence upon the picture, death being the only commonality. And so the choice was easy. He would rather it be it his own than their's. And it seemed that fate would have him walked the life he wanted to avoid for this very reason, the same occurrence that left him an orphan.

His gaze shifted as he thought about that day, that confusion, the desperation he felt when making that decision. It had only been two years since, and a subtle smirk crept upon his face when he realized how totally different he had been back then. It had been a defining moment, but he made it so in such haste that he never saw who he would inevitably become as he stood here this day.

"Yes. Your training." Scorpio replied to Alhazred's earlier request. In his excitement of the excursion and his moment of clarity, he hadn't had a chance to respond. "That is actually the reason I asked you to tag along."

Scorpio took a seat cross legged upon the marbled base similar to how he had been previously the last time he was here, but pillows were fresh and the area showed used very recently as if life here continued on even after Scorpio left two years ago. "This is my wife's congregation. She is a Priestess, a spiritual leader of her People. Many often turn to her for healing, communion, guidance. This is where they usually come."

Scorpio had never really bought into the beliefs of the Annfyn, but as a Jedi now, he could see how the Force works through her. And with that knowledge and understanding, he had come to understand quite a bit of her people and their traditions. All things flowed from the Force, whether good or bad, the intent it's will. That is what separated Jedi and Sith. That is what separated Scorpio from Ōk. And at long last, there was peace in his heart.

"Show me what you know, Alhazred." Scorpio spoke, offering the opposing marbled base to his pupil as he began to remove all of his gear, leaving only the linen cloth that laid beneath his pants as he dropped down into a defensive posture. "Let's me see you as you are."

@Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred nodded. The place was indeed beautiful. Beating the beauty of Yag'Dhul was easy enough, but this place indeed beautiful.

However, the presence of the Force is what sold him.

The song was so much clearer here. Force meditation wasn't even neccessary to hear the tunes of that cosmic power he only tapped into from time to time. And it seemed that this training session was to fully tap into a nexus.

"Hmm, if you believe that is wise, then I will do so." Alhazred replied. Unburdening himself of everything but his robes and turban, he scooted up onto the marble base. He tapped the base with his foot. It was strong and solid. He nodded in approval. He didn't know what, but it felt good.

Facing Scorpio, Alhazred raised an eyebrow. It seemed this would be a combative test of the Force, judging by what Scorpio was doing. He bowed his head and body, a tradition he had picked up from somewhere he could not quite remember.

Then he raised his hands into open positions and slowly blinked his eyes with a small breath.

With the Force Nexus being active around him, it was simple to begin tapping into the Force. The song was already so clear. All he had to so was open his mind a crack, and adjust some of the music around himself.

Alhazred made one webbed hand into a set of pointed digits, looking almost like a baton of living flesh. The other stretched openly. The music around him shifted tones. A wave of the pointed hand. A raising of pitches. A circle with the stretched hand. A subtle increase of bases. A flick of of wrists, and a built-up blast of invisible energy shot out, trying to shove Scorpio off his own pedestal.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

The Force that swirled around the two opposing pillars that were Master and Student was as warm as a mother's embrace and just as comforting. Despite the events of the day before, this moment of the here and now, went about unhindered and smiled upon by the Force as Scorpio gauged for himself what his Padawan, Alhazred, was truly capable of, a smirk adorning his peaceful gaze.

Scorpio was a being of balance, not just within the natural aspect of the Force as he had long found upon the surface of Annwfyn, but in body and mind as well, his thoughts sometimes as effortless as the enduring teachings of his Echani Heritage passed down to him from his Father, of the path of least resistance both in life and in heart. Here, at this spot, and before Alhazred, the being was shown in his efforts and state of mind as he reacted.

"You will have to be quicker, Padawan." He spoke in jest as his foot kicked his form in a twist that briefly intensify as he pulled upon the Force in guidence and drove his form through Alhazred's attack as an arrowhead. "It's not about overpowering your opponent, but to out think them.

He come out of his airward spin, landing softly upon the marbled stone with a steadied footing and outstretching his left hand as he grasped through the Force at his Padawan's own footing, he gave a subtle pull meant to throw Alhazred off balance in return.

As a student of the Echani Martial Arts, grace was an ever imparted gift, and that none ever truly became a Master in their learning. This was something he wished to impart to his student, that even he was still a student of the Force as much as Alhazred. But he also knee that in order to impart it, he would have to come full force as well, not in harsh ways, but in definition alone. That he would need to step himself up and take on the full embodiment of the role of teacher so that strength and weakness were in full understanding.

That was the grace of the Echani, to express not only intentions of their heart in a momentary attack, but to accept their failings if errors and faults were made. This was the embodiment that was Scorpio. This was the presence he was within the Force. As his left grappled at the footing of Alhazred, his right extended and his own wave of telekinetic energy shot forth, not as focused as the grapple, but with enough that intended on forcing the Nu-Vaal to step backwards into his own fall.

Spoiler: Intended Actions

Kicked himself up into a spin enhanced by the Force, and then followed by focusing a Force Pull on Alhazred's footing and simultaneously sending a Force Wave of his own in the Nu-Vaal's direction, albeit smaller and less focused.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred watched impressed as Scorpio quickly recovered from the attack Alhazred had attempted. It was only a moment however, as the battery of attack Scorpio had sent in reply did their job. He first noticed the grappling of his leg, forcing him to stumble and distract him from the follow up blast.

Alhazred fell backwards and landed on his back. However, instead of getting up slowly like most older humans his age would've, he jumped back up with renewed vigor. He had to give his jedi training at the temples one thing: he was much more limber than he was when he first joined the order.

"Out think? Hmm, should be simple enough" Alhazred said with a slight grin. Hands outstretched, Alhazred tuned on the force around him again. It was easier now. He was in the right mindset. He was in a state of battle, and unlike the experience with the Starweird, he wasn't in a state of panic.

Alhazred's mind called on two memories. The first was those old holovid films he acquired on Yag'Dhul. He wasn't one for combative entertainment, but there was something enjoyable about gambling with friends while watching some of those gladiators in fighting pitts.

The other was the idea of the Force being used to manipulate the air itself instead of objects directly. While Alhazred had practiced Aerokinesis a little on his own, he was no expert. Still, this place would be an idea time to test his abilities.

Alhazred brought his pointed hand back, gave his fingers a slight spin, and pushed forwards. A small, focused gust was thrown out, not at Scorpio, but more so at the ground. The gust picked up and threw a small cloud of dust and loose dirt. Perhaps Alhazred could blind Scorpio. Or at least, distract.

Following this gust, Alhazred pulled his free hand back and threw it forward. Like before, he conjured another blast in the force. This time, it was a bit less focused, more of an afterthought compared to the earlier gust. Still, the blast was sent forward, directly at Scorpio.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

There was two things that Alhazred had forgotten about his wayward opponent upon the marbled platforms, and still Scorpio enjoyed the enthusiasm shown by his pupil. Had he been an opponent that could see as others did, it would have been a well played maneuver. But Scorpio held a natural affinity to see through the Force. It wasn't a perfect system, more akin to sonar and echo location that reverberated upon the Force like ripples upon a pond, but getting sand in his eyes was merely an uncomfortable aspect.

Still, he didn't waiver from Alhazred's attack, letting the sand kick up into his closing eyes and in the other crevasses of his face as he smirked and took the initial hit. He was surprised by the Nu-Vaal's knowledge of Aerokinesis and as the wind passed his form, he drew ready for the real attack he felt coming in the follow up.

"Simple, but complex." He jested, lifting his form up into the air with a small bound, letting the Force flow across his form and forth into a focused slice of telekinetic energy as he attempted to part the wave in two, shifting its form apart and to each side of him as he landed. "It takes intricate knowledge both of combat and your opponent, and to know the statistics of how they will react and place yourself ahead of them by at least two steps."

For Scorpio, this was but a sparring session meant to pass on knowledge of a subtle but key lesson, a precognitive aspect of battle that comes naturally. "Their body language, their presence in the Force, the intent of their movements, the possibilities that could transpire from the shift of each muscle. It must be read and anticipated. Like the subtle twist of your fingers as you called upon the Force, or the quickly followed up extension of your hand before you released the energy that you had gathered. Your reactions, they tell a story. And your excitement is warrented."

He chuckled. But so do mine."

Scorpio's hand raised to the sky, and for a brief second, their entirety was engulfed in a massive glare of radiant light that blinded all aspects of visual creation. Sight would be absolete, recoiling the form to seek out the collectional knowledge of the other five senses. But in the moment it would take for the blindness to wear off and the distraction to fade, Scorpio would have closed the gap without ever touching the ground and stood beside Alhazred as he laid a hand upon the Padawan's shoulder and concluded the lesson. Shifting his gaze, he spotting Wyllow approaching.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred mentally facepalmed himself at realizing that throwing dirt in the face probably would've been more effective against someone who was not blind. Still, at least the gust of wind was a sign that Alhazred's training was improving.

"Hmmm, body language..." Alhazred pondered over the words outloud momentarily. "I guess if i can communicate with a fellow Nu-Vaal with my head tendrils, it should be simple enough to...

Alhazred held his hands up to block out the blinding light. It wasn't just the light Alhazred had to fight against. The song in the Force from the light was a perfect choir of voices and noises from across the galaxy. A brilliant configuration of voices from the Force, all gathered and singing in one spot. If the starweird's scream was pure chaos of the void, this was the pure order of life.

The Nu-Vaal stopped. The choir changed notes, and the force was shifting ever so slightly. Alhazred's arms fell to his side, but not at the unready. Instead, he focused on the song of the force around him. While blinded, he sensed that Scorpio was moving and getting ready for something. And while he couldn't pick out where Scorpio was, he could still affect him.

Alhazred's pointer hand made a few spins and, without warning, he called on the Force. Like a mad director, Alhazred moved his hand into a rapid 3/8 time signature. Scorpio touched Alhazred's shoulder. Spinning wildly around thinking this was still training, the air that Alhazred pointed at moved with him, a gust following his direction to the tune of the song he conjured in his head, building in strength as Alhazred's song became louder and louder. Without restraint, Alhazred sent the powerful gust into Scropio, capable of lifting a man off the ground.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

Caught off guard by Wyllow's appearence, mainly the calm and loving demeanor that adorned her face, Scorpio only had a moment of acceptance before Alhazred's feat swept him from his own and he landed hard against the ground. Wyllow chuckled slightly, and the children rushed to pounce upon their father as he moved to get up. Laying in the dirt, Scorpio knew Wyllow had come to accept his reasonings. It was written upon her like a song. And as she shewed the children off of Scorpio, she offered a hand up before burying her face into his chest as he stood and Scorpio embraced his wife wholeheartedly.

A moment of silence swept across the scenery and the children wondered why their mother wept silently into their father's chest, but it would pass and she would gaze up at Scorpio as he smiled a wiped away the tears from her cheek. He smiled. "I'm not asking for forever." He jested, a play upon his request for her to go on their original date. "I'm just asking for right now."

She slugged his bicep playfully before burying her face into his chest again, the simple smell of him bringing pain and sadness into the moment as she had thought upon the revelation the night before. But from his shirt, she spoke. "I cannot say that agree with your choice. But I can respect it as your wife. I should have known you had your reasons, but my anger got the best of me."

"I'd rather you angry more so than fearful." Scorpio replied, but Wyllow reached up a finger and placed it upon his lips to silence him. "I get that now. But it isn't why I am here. I've come to aid you in your battle, as a wife should. And since I know you won't allow me to stand beside you, I can gift you both a parting skill."

Her gaze shifted to Alhazred as she pulled forth a small intricate crown that was adorned with aburesh musical notes that sung as it moved through the air. She lifted it up and asked Alhazred to kneel before her. "Your music is heard both upon the Force and within your presence Nu-Vaal. And it is a beautiful melody. Kneel before me, Alhazred. "

As Alhazred would kneel and Wyllow would step to his forefront, she would place the crown above his head, and delicately, begin to weave it into his turban as she spoke to him. "To be a Child of Nature, it takes an understanding of one's place in the natural order of the Living and Cosmic Force. Your music produces an attuned Melody that resonates with it, and as such, I can see that you are such one. Never lose sight of that, Child of Nature, and rise as one who knows their place within Nature."

With that, she stepped back and allowed the smaller being to rise, his every movement echoing his tune within the Force. When he had, she would kneel this time, and place her forehead to his own, a vision placed within his mind that would grant him the basic knowledge of Hydrokinesis and the requirements of his form's movements to wield it properly. "Let the fluidity of water guide your form in tune with the music of life. May your orchestra vibrate upon the Force its self Padawan."

With that said, she would stand and gaze upon her husband, the next gift to be imparted. She smiled adoringly at him, and walked toward him until their foreheads met in what could only be called a form of intimacy that only a wife and husband could display publicly. Their understanding of each other and their place within the natural order only magnified this deeply as their eyes met openly and the gift imparted vividly.

"I can impart only what I know and what has been imparted to me by Father." She spoke with a mixture of sorrow and acceptance. "But knowing you, it will be enough. May you walk through the flames of war unscathed and your form as cool as a cucumber, husband.

With that said, and the basic knowledge of Hydrokinesis and Cyrotelekinsis imparted unto Scorpio, she called the children to her side. "I will leave you to it, Scorpio. And know the children and I will be here, always." Wyllow departed and Scorpio watched as they did. Once they had disappeared from sight, he turned to Alhazred. "It seems my wife has blessed us."

With that said, there seemed to be a renewed vigor in Scorpio's stance despite their visit to Annwfyn coming to a close. Yet, for now, it was time to forge what was imparted.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

"Ah...apologies master Scorpio" Alhazred whispered, realizing the training had paused during his conjuring of aero kinesis.

Alhazred observed the husband and wife with a curiosity of an academic. How peculiar it was for a Jedi to have a family. Memories of the questions he pondered over the previous night rushed back. How peculiar these feelings and questions were. Orthodox for a Jedi? Probably not. For a Nu-Vaal? That was uncertain.

Kneeling before the woman (lowering only a little considering his short stature), Alhazred took the crown in silence. However, his entire body could hear the song of the Force from this woman. And when she imparted her knowledge into him, Alhazred, had to hold himself steady. Such a chorus was overwhelming. But in the chorus, there was knowledge. Alhazred recognised what she was doing. She was teaching him.

And the lesson was enlightening to say the least. It was not gentle, nor violent. It was both. It was not soothing, nor agitating. It was like the ocean, and was both.

Alhazred opened his eyes partly in a daze. Before he could say anything, she had already moved to her husband. As she left, Alhazred bowed deeply before turning to face Scorpio again.

"that is the exemplar of understatement Master Scorpio" Alhazred replied. "Before, I was confused at why a Jedi would want a family. Consider that confusion mitigated, as I feel slight envy that you have such a joy that can only be born via familial bonds."

Alhazred gestured and got into a position. His entire stature had shifted. Before, he was stoic and sluggish. Now, he seemed much more lithe and energetic in comparison. "Come Scorpio, I have been filled with knowledge, and I must test it."

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

There was a sense of pride that swelled within Scorpio as he turned to meet the gaze of Alhazred. He had watched his wife choose to make the elder a Child of Nature, and impart a gift that few were capable of understanding. There were many concepts and skills that bordered the unorthodox within the realm of Telepathy, and what Alhazred had just witnessed first hand was one of those concepts, to impart memories and skills attained in one's life to another, an intimate moment to say the least. But with such knowledge, came the responsibility behind it's use. And yet, to see such enthusiasm in his elder, Scorpio was glad to see it.

For Scorpio, it was almost capsizing, a broad array of knowledge and his body threatened to fit as the memories etched into his muscles and settled in his mind. It was a swaying momentum to say the least. Sitting upon the marbled stone, Scorpio offered for Alhazred to join him despite his energetic nature. For Scorpio, the two skills imparted came hand in hand, and his energy was all but depleted to keep his mind from implosion as it ran its course. Once his mind had settled, and Alhazred had joined him, Scorpio explained.

"My wife must see some potential in you." Scorpio spoke with a smirk despite the bewilderment behind his eyes. The Annfyn aren't known to impart such gifts so easily, and to be truthful, he was in utter surprise. "I wasn't even allowed her courtship until I became a Child of Nature, so take pride in it Alhazred."

The effects of the imparted gifts were beginning to subside, but even as still as he was, it was apparent that Scorpio's mind was slightly fogged and harder to focus on his words as he searched an explanation for the events and what it meant to a former outsider such as he and Alhazred both.

"To be named a Child of Nature is to be accepted by the Annfyn, not as an outsider, but as one and the same, a part of Annwfyn's great spirit." He spoke more clearly this time, but even still, the exhaustion remained. "It is a sentiment of complete trust and faith produced by one in service and recognition of the whole. Mine came in rescuing Wyllow and returning to her people that of her spiritual guidence. Wyllow's father was the one to bless me for such service."

And yet, while Scorpio pondered upon what potential Wyllow had seen in Alhazred, the evidence was apparent. Alhazred had gotten Scorpio to open up, and in a sense, returned to Wyllow that of her husband. There was no greater deed amongst the Annfyn than to return a lost soul to those who cherish them most. This was why she chose to make him one of the Annfyn, a Child of Nature. And Hydrokinesis was that which she chose to impart, so that his music would be as fluid as the water he weilded. Wyllow's hand had been that which had been imparted to Scorpio by her father.

"I will ask her another time." He spoke as he crossed his legs and shut his eyes. "But for now, let us focus our minds to the skills that have been imparted. Let us hone our mental grasp upon them before we apply them to the Force."

Scorpio let out a calming sigh.

"And while we do, as the Elder Child, I will explain what the aspect of what a Child of Nature truly is."

With that said, Scorpio expanded his mind upon the aspect of Hydrokinesis and Cyrotelekinsis both in intent and in application. While they went hand in hand, Cyrotelekinsis and Hydrokinesis were separate studies. One dealt with Fluidity, and could be applied easily into each movemen of the body. The other dealt with Will and Determination, harder to apply unless the intentions are true and head on.

"We are Jedi. We live as one with the Force, servants to the divination of its will, and students of its flow. Not just the Living Aspect, but in the Cosmic as well. Our destiny is of its need, wherever that may lead. This is similar to what a Child of Nature represents, as the Annfyn believe in a spirit that births and receive their souls upon death, an ever recycled experience. But to keep the spirit of Annwfyn clean, our actions and intent must be as well. A Child of Nature is considered to be a lost portion of Annwfyn's spirit returning to the fold. That is how they view us, like a lost cousin."

Scorpio could go farther into the Annfyn's culture and religious beliefs, but he wasn't the usually long winded type. Ever the expressive of clarity, but he preferred to keep it short as possible. In essence however, the Spirit of Annfyn was almost identical to the Force save for the context of the separation between them. Feeling the understanding he had begun with Hydrokinesis and Cyrotelekinsis, as well as his strength returning, Scorpio continued to speak as he dusted himself off and looked to the cove before them.

"And usually, the ceremony is taken place amongst the Village, so that all may see. They will know you, however, by the crowns we adorn." Scorpio smirked. "For now, let us discern our understanding and focus on these gifts."

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

As Scorpio talked, Alhazred listened. It took a bit for Alhazred to actually quiet his mind down enough to want to simply listen and not act immediantly. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. He felt like a spawnling again. So much of his life had been quiet and peaceful study and apathetic academia. And now, when Alhazred actually felt the first semblence of excitement in a long time, he was expected to simply sit still and listen?

However, trained and repeated focus won out, and Alhazred calmed himself and focused on the words, albeit, with the semblance of excitement waiting in the back of his head tendrils.

The words Scorpio used Alhazred was familiar with. While he himself knew of the living and cosmic aspects of the Force in terms, he at his core didn't fully comprehend them. How could he? His own people's church of the dead god would butt heads on numerous ideals and philosophies. But then again, that was the primary reason why Alhazred joined the order: to find the similarities.

"It sounds very similar to the path of the Light staying clear of the dark" Alhazred commented as he pondered over the words. "Keeping our actions and intents clear and focused."

Alhazred looked at the cove as well. It was obvious he was anxious to test his newfound knowledge.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

Scorpio smirked at Alhazred's excitement and energy. It was good to see the Elder refind his youth in response. But like Alhazred, Scorpio's time as a Padawan was spent without a Master and left to his own machinations. He didn't want to fail his pupil as his own had. He truly wanted to bring the best out in his Student. Ourstretching his left arm, he focused his mind on the repetions he felt passed along by Wyllow and began to pull the stream of water from its cove.

"Similarly." He spoke in response, feeling the formless liquid pull against his intent as he beckoned it to his hand. "However, the Lightside has been so ingrained into the Annfyn culture that few rarely fall to their destructive natures. Even their explosive emotions are intertwined to a degree that it rarely holds any ill harbored grudges that resonate within the Force."

Scorpio nodded his head, instructing Alhazred to follow in his movements as his focus settled the water into a near mimicked whip like form that dripped upon the stone. He would shift his form and his weight in tandem with the strand of water as it freeflowed to his call and as he went through the basic adaptations, he returned the water to its cove.

"Remember." Scorpio spoke as the water splashed into the cove similarly to a fish's splash. "Understanding is not application. Wyllow may have imparted her knowledge, but we still must impart that knowledge into our applications. Imploring the basics will aid us in this."

Scorpio knew that Alhazred would already understand this concept, as it was how both had begun to understand and implore the Force basics. Repetition had always been the key. And yet, Scorpio also knew that reminders were less disheartening when it came to the application aspect if at first it seemed impossible. With that said, Scorpio would spend the next few hours in silent focus as he applied Hydrokinesis to the movements of his Echani Martial Arts and watching Alhazred incorporate it similarly as the sun passed mid-day.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred began to imitate Scorpio's movements, his own mind influenced by the mental images and impressions bequeathed by the man's wife. As he moved, and his mind became more and more focused with each passing movement, the song and his body became more and more fluid. The song around Alhazred began to blend both itself and the music around him into the same tune. It was not overpowering it, nor was it surrendering it. Alhazred's song was simply beginning to guide the Force's song around him.

However, there were very little visible effect at first. This in turn began to frustrate the Nu-Vaal, as his mind flashed back to when he was first discovering the Force and its abilities. Unlike then however, Alhazred had someone to follow in step. The movements. Alhazred realized, needed to be graceful and fluid in order to manipulate the Force best, and most of his training had been making his body be rigid. This training needed to undue some of that work.

Hours passed. Frustrations rose and fell within the Nu-Vaal as the song became more and more powerful. It's tune and Alhazred's began to resonate thoroughly. Alhazred's mind flashed violently as his body began to act on its own. He was no longer under the blue midday skies of Annwfyn. He was witnessing the nebulous purple skies of Vaal. A Vision of times long past.

The Water began to shudder as the skies broke. Alhazred gasped silently as the great object fell from the void above. The Dead God, in all of its great and burning indescribable glory, fell through the atmosphere and smashed into the lifeless oceans like a meteor. Its size able to pierce the void even when it hit the ground, its impact was immediately felt across the planet. The song of the Force and the Dead God became an overpowering roar as the ocean's tidal waves became taller than the greatest skyscrapers of the galaxy.

Alhazred's body continued to move, albeit, with more energy and power. Scorpio would notice it easily, as Alhazred's movements began to conjure a wave of their own from the cove's waters, and sent it surging outwards.

Alhazred's vision broke, and he fell to the ground, unconscious for a few moments from the backlash in the Force.

"Wha...what happened...?" Alhazred gasped groggily as his eyesight returned.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

Scorpio's own training went rather well as the morning turned to afternoon upon the alcove, the fluidity of Hydrokinesis pairing well with the Echani Martial Arts that Scorpio possessed as the water he pulled from the cove became an extension of his own will, and through him, the Force. By the time of Alhazred's exceptional performance, Scorpio had begun to focus upon the implication of Cyrotelekinsis. But upon the second his Padawan fell unconscious, and his wave subsided with drastic ripples that pounded upon stone, Scorpio was quick to catch the Nu-Vaal before he landed upon the hardened sand.

"It seems you have overdone yourself, Alhazred." Scorpio spoke in jest as he knelt above the Elder with a small grin, the resonance of worriment adorning the depth of his eyes before it too subsided. "With each failure, your focus intensified, and it overcame you. Let's try to keep from doing that."

Scorpio chuckled and stood up, offering his pupil a hand up. Training had come to a close for the day and Scorpio still held one task left to perform. It was time to restore his Father's lightsaber and conclude his own forging into the Jedi he would leave Annwfyn as. As Alhazred would recover, Scorpio having handed over a bland but nutritious food pill for the Nu-Vaal to take, Scorpio began to set aside the parts needed as well as the Kyber it would encase. As he did, a curiosity came upon his mind.

"Alhazred. Why do you not carry a lightsaber?" He poised aloud, his fingers shifting through the mechanics and parts as he set them ritualisticly before him. "I've noticed your sign casting, but wouldn't it be a necessity to keep by your side if time is limited?"

It was a simple question out of curiosity, and one that Scorpio wouldn't push. But it seemed that his sign casting would become a hindrance in close quarter combat or if his hands were ever injured. A curiosity that, of course, came solely out of endearment and worriment for a friend.

Spoiler: OOC:

Apologies bro. Last week left me completely exhausted.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

"Ah...of course" Alhazred answered, as if he fully understood. It took a bit for Alhazred to recover fully from his trance, and longer still to shake off the vision that shook him. If he were on Vaal, his claim could possibly be either viewed as a pious vision, or a sacrilegious claim, with no room for in between. After all, who could, or even would, claim to witness the death of their deity?

After graciously taking the pill, Alhazred observed Scorpio ready his own lightsaber. A slight thoughtful look crossed his face at the question posed to him.

"Consider it an rudimentary feeling under the guise of noxaphobia, or even hemophobia" Alhazred began to explain. "The very idea of slicing someone's limb off, or worse, stabbing someone with a blade, is revolting to me. After all, if all things are going to end in ruin, then why would I, a devout reader of the Road Home, would like to expedite such a end?"

"Though..." Alhazred mused out loud. "I wouldn't consider it a strict pacifism. I see no reason to defend myself with the Force and all its mysterious ways. After all, the unrelenting application of violence yields morbid gains. Gruesome gains, but gains nonetheless, and in times of defense of others, I would rather have a man capable of violence on my side over a helpless conchie. But to use a blade on a poor soul? It feels so much more personal. As if to cut man, and watch the life ease from his body..."

Alhazred gasped slightly as his mind pictured the idea of himself stabbing a nameless being. The idea of hearing the flesh sizzle, the mouth scream in agony, the blood instantly evaporate into a foul smelling mist, and their song to instantly and irreversibly stop... it was almost enough to make Alhazred retch loudly...

"But...that is born from a viewpoint of imagination over experience..." Alhazred continued as he calmed his mind down. "I have never harmed anyone with a blade. To do it with the Force...it feels there are more pacifying ways with the Force over the blade. And, to be confidently open, I rather enjoy the sensation of hearing the Force's song."

Alhazred glanced at Scorpio's weapon in making.

"Your blade...I believe your focusing lens is backwards." Alhazred didn't know much about lightsabers, but he did create one when he first joined the order, as part of his initiate testing when he was discovered on Yag'Dhul.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

As Scorpio listened to Alhazred's thoughts and beliefs upon the Force as it intertwined with his own, describing the over Jedi he wished to be, he smiled at his Padawan. He had to admit; he honestly admired the Elder. But Scorpio's beliefs and his fate had left a darker path to be walked in a personal aspect. He knew what awaited at the end. And what he must do. In the brief moment of thought that followed Scorpio's smile, the seriousness of it would shine.

While he disagreed wholeheartedly with the ideology of the extremists known as the Jedi Crusaders, he couldn't help but understanding the need for dedicated soldiers. He too, would walk the path of a living weapon, only true to the Force and the true Jedi Ideology.

"Ah. Thank you." Scorpio responded as he methodically turned the focusing lens to the correct position and shifted the cloth in which he had carried them. Taking the Kyber he attain while on his first mission where he received the scar upon his thigh, he held it up to Alhazred. "But Kyber isn't just for weapons. Many use them in jewelry such as rings or amulets similar to talismans to amplify their use in the Force. Typically used by Darksiders, or primitive cultures, but I see no reason why Jedi can't incorporate it similarly."

He left his words lingering in suggestiveness upon the air, an idea for his Padawan, if he wished. Surely he would have noticed the crystal cave hidden behind the thin veiled waterfall by now, many of which Wyllow had used in her healing and divination. Shifting his gaze back upon his father's lightsaber, he knew it was long past time to take up the weapon and burden that all Jedi must carry.

Most of the innards were standard parts found within an Jedi Temple. His father was a Jedi after all. But the more focused aspect were his father's Crystals, notably the Krayt Dragon Pearl and the Permafrost Crystal set aside as focusing crystals. How his father came to possess them would likely remain a mystery for the ages. But Scorpio had always felt an attunement to them and the lightsaber as a whole.

And so came the hard part, the part that would tax and push him beyond his limits. The forging of the saber as his own. Typically, it was a straight forward task that any Padawan could undertake nearly at any stage. But this was an inherited lightsaber, one already imprinted by another. Though it may recognize him as an heir, it would be impossible to truly weild it as his own without its acceptance. For that, Scorpio had long knew he would need to truly prepare himself.

Spoiler: Micro Mission

As I'm going to spread the task of forging his lightsaber across two to three posts, you're more than welcome to enter the cave for a crystal or simply explore it and its connection to the Force, and encounter something.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

"Is that so...?" Alhazred pondered. If it was true, that kyber crystals could be used for more than just weapons, perhaps he could find some use for them. By the void, perhaps the Church of the Dead God had Kyber crystals that they didn't realize inside the great mountain, which helped fuel their faith.

Alhazred observed Scorpio a bit longer, detecting something of a heavy burden on the young man's mind. Sensing a need for privacy, Alhazred's eyes jolted towards the hidden cave. His head tendrils twitched. He could hear the soothing yet eerie song of the Force inside.

"I'll be back momentarily. " Alhazred excused himself.

Stepping through the waterfall, Alhazred was first greeted with darkness. However, it didn't bug him as much as most humanoids. His own alien senses of seeing into the ultraviolet spectrum gave the Nu-Vaal a slightly clearer picture than most.

"Kriff Dag Navat!" Alhazred cursed as he stubbed his foot on a rock. After all, it was only a slightly clearer picture.

Alhazred's left hand kept close to the wall. He remembered an old wive's tale of diggers who got lost would literally keep one hand to a wall to find their way back. The Nu-Vaal needed it. Only a few moments in, and his subterraphobia was starting to kick in. The walls, were they closing in? Were these rocks going to crumble on top of him? Would he die in a cave instead of under the night sky of his deity?

"Get ahold of yourself Alhazred" the Nu-Vaal ordered himself. "This cave is probably older than you, and will remain older than many."

Slowly, but surely, Alhazred went deeper and deeper into the cave.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

As Alhazred undertook his own endeavor, Scorpio closed his eyes and delved Into the Force and let his mind flow freely upon it's will, letting the fluidity of the Force become his guide and mentor. For most of his training as a Jedi, his communal with the Force had been such a narrative, the degree that Scorpio understood the Force resonating within their combined will. For Scorpio, it was both a revelation and a near reliance upon what some would akin to a symbiotic relationship. For when Scorpio opened himself up to the Force, he let its will become his own.

To truly understand the Force, Scorpio often communes with an empty mind, letting the will of the Force call to him and divining it in the moment. Due to this, most notably when using Alchaka in tandem, his reactions become almost intuitive and predetermined. For one who sees through the Force, such as one of Miralukian descent, it represented a precognitive symbiosis between the user and the Force. And it was deeply stemmed in his acceptance of fate, especially his own.

"What will be, will be." A mantra that Scorpio essentially lived by in both belief and in creed.

Due to this nature, Scorpio often found little hindrances to his skills. As the parts floated and spread apart like a holographic map, Scorpio let the focus of his task subside into the will of the Force, slowly connecting each like puzzle pieces to a larger picture. And as each part connected, the larger picture would reveal the Jedi that Scorpio had come to be. The main saber would retain his original form, but the shoto attachment would reforge into a reversed grip, and emphasized Scorpio's dexterity. This was the more simplest aspect. The crystals, however, would remain the hardest.

Just as Anakin's lightsaber did not fit Luke's presence, Phantorius' would never fit Scorpio's. They were two different Jedi, each of different caliber, belief, and connection. Each held a different path. The question wasn't whether or not he cold weild it, but rather, if it would be an extension of him. And to feel his father in the pearl and permafrost shards was memorable to say the least. Yet, he knew, his father would have to be let go.

He smirked when he first felt them resonating the Force, and how they recoiled against his own presence as he melded his mind with them. They were cautious to say the least. But crystals attuned to the Force always held a will of their own, likely influenced by the sentience they originally meld with. A prized possession if a Sith could bleed them to their own. Jedi usually avoided such tasks, but Scorpio could no go his fate alone. This was why he held onto his father's lightsaber. Not to bleed, but ask for its aid.

And as his father's crystals began to figure this out, the more they would open to his presence. And to truly test his resolve, they would present a vision of his future, a vision of Scorpio as a Jedi Sage.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred's breathing became slightly rapid as he inched further and further. His head tendrils began to tremble underneath his turban terribly, forcing the Nu-Vaal the take it off and wind the cloth in his hands. The instant the cooled wet air of the cave touched his forehead, Alhazred felt a slight wave of relief. The Nu-Vaal had evolved from water. It stood to reason that moisture helped his stressed mind.

Following the sing-song of the Force, Alhazred found himself winding back and forth through the cave system. Sometimes the song was behind him, sometimes before him. Becoming turned around, Alhazred was forced to stop trailing a hand on a cave wall, and became lost in the depths.

Eventually, Alhazred had to stop. Before him, a hole, no wider than a meter in diameter. The water that was on the ground seemed to pool up around it. Gazing downwards, Alhazred could not see its bottom.

And yet, the song came from below.

Alhazred trembled. He studied the hole from all angles, trying to see if there was something he was missing. Was this some kind of test of the Force? Was he supposed to dive into the water, trusting the Force would protect him? Or was he supposed to resist its tempting calling that would lead him to certain death? Of course he could swim (all Nu-Vaal naturally knew how), but such a confined area could be both entrapping further below and completely abyssal black for even his eyes.

And yet, the song came from below.

Alhazred breathed a sigh of defeat and slowly undressed. He thanked his host for making him both small and allowing him to grow with webbed hands and feet. Focusing his breath, Alhazred took several deep gasps to expand his lungs as much as possible. Once prepared, Alhazred jumped in head first and began to propel forward.

Down, down, down into the darkness. More than once, Alhazred's slippery skin brushed and hit the edges of the hole, but Alhazred continued.

His lungs started to burn. Panic set in. He had not found the bottom yet, nor the source of the song, and yet, the song continued to come from below. Shaking his head, Alhazred squeezed and turned himself over. With a mad focus, Alhazred paddled and pushed and pulled himself towards the distant light.

Erupting from the small hole, Alhazred gasped and wheezed as he pulled himself out. That was a maddening attempt, only worthy of fools and lunatics.

And yet, the song continued from below.

Alhazred took a moment to reorient himself. Then, with new found resolve, dived back in.

@Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

Scorpio would stand solidarity amidst the Jedi Lords, Masters of War, as one of the few Sages whom would remain true to the path and beliefs of the Jedi of Old. Ostracized and alone even amongst his brethren, Scorpio would hold true to his place within the Force, and by association, be persecuted for it.

Scorpio smirked. He knew his place. There was no altering it, no escaping it. In truth, his fate had long been accepted no matter which would come his way. This was his way. It simply just was. And the Crystals soon came to figure it out. As the imprinting began, however, the blue hued outline of a figure appeared before him draped in Jedi Armor and a humbled smile upon the figures obscured face. A tear fell down his cheek as the realization of the presence came to his mind. And like a gust of wind, Phantorius dissipated as the crystals came to accept Scorpio.

Opening his eyes, Scorpio focused on the imprinting of his presence upon the crystals as they hovered into place and the sheaths were melded into place. As the lightsaber and the shoto came to his hands, Scorpio rose and ignited them, both roaring to life as the air around him grew cold with a chill. He could still feel his Father's presence within, but they were more attuned to him now, the reverberating of both presences resonating as an extension of his will, perfectly balanced and honed.

Shifting into position, the shoto held in a reverse grip with the lightsaber at his forward, Scorpio gave the blades a quick twirl and began practicing his form with them in hand. Like Alchaka, his style was more meditative as he connected to the Force and let its knowledge become his guide. And all the while, his mind reflected upon the vision as he was shown. So a Sage he would be.

Tag: @Narzen

 

[Alhazred]

Time and time again, Alhazred tried to find the bottom of the hole. Time and time again, he was forced back up by his need for air. No matter how much focus and determination he conjured, nor how much strength he mustered, he could not get to the bottom and the source of singing in the force.

Alhazred sat at the edge of the hole, panting several minutes after his latest failure. Stress and failures had become roiling for the Nu-Vaal. Alhazred glared at the hole, as if it and the water inside it could feel his annoyance

The water in the hole shudderred.

Alhazred stopped. An idea was beginning to form.

Still naked, Alhazred stood up and looked down the hole. The song was stronger and more powerful now. It called, nay, it demanded that Alhazred come find it.

Refocused, Alhazred dived in and began to pull himself down. It wasn't going to be enough. It hadn't been so far, and it wasn't going to be this time. But Alhazred pushed forward while focusing on the song of the Force. The memories of Scorpio's wife began to kick in. Pointing his arms down towards his feet, and made batans with his fingers. Calling on the song of the Force, Alhazred began to alter the notes. Alhazred moved his hands and arms in circular motions, keeping a 6/8 time. A rising and falling in pitches and tones, a rapid increase in pacing.

The water behind Alhazred swirled and pushed. A current began to form, pushing stronger and stronger towards the bottom of the hole. Among the transferred memories on the uses of hydrokinesis, the more aquatic uses included generating and altering currents. While Alhazred's people had long lost the ability to breath in water, they were squid like things, and evolved in the oceans of what they called paradise.

The song was getting louder. Alhazred was almost there. He pulled one hand up and forward, reaching out for the incoming floor. Despite being in the pitch black, Alhazred knew he was close. The pressure was building, his lungs were starting to burn, but he couldn't stop now. He was almost there. Almost...

THERE! A brushing of sand and stones against the palm. Alhazred waved his hand around, seeking the source of the song. Moments later, he clutched what felt like a rough crystalline thing. With it in hand, Alhazred turned and pushed against the floor back towards the distant light.

He wasn't sure of it, but Alhazred could've sworn he nearly blacked out before he emerged from the water. Crawling out like the first of his kind from the mud, Alhazred flopped onto his back and gasped for air for several minutes before laughing to himself. That was a stupid idea. And yet he had succeeded. Opening his hand, there it was. a small kyber crystal, pale in color and smooth to the touch. It was no longer singing, but Alhazred could feel its presence in the Force. Such a thing would be useful in testing what could be done with kyber outside a lightsaber.

Minutes later, Alhazred emerged from the cave, fully dressed but soaking wet. Still, he didn't look worse for wear.

@Mythos