Ask Crystal Knights

[Crix Aran]

Spoiler: Space View

A planet wounded and left to bleed out slowly.

A holy place desecrated by an uncaring, unflinching, engine of destruction and misery.

Jedha had, once upon a time, been a true haven for people who viewed the Force as something of a guide and not something to be used or abused. People who allowed it to chart the course of their lives without actively drawing on it, a sect of people neither Jedi nor Sith and all the more peaceful for it. As much as Crix enjoyed being a Jedi, he would admit that being a Jedi brought him into conflicts on a semi-regular basis but being a priest of the way of the Whills? He would have been able to connect with the Force and just relax as it guided him.

Now nobody really did that because their most sacred of locations had been ground zero for a test-shot fired by the original Death Star, hastily covered up as some kind of mining accident. Jedha had been burned down to the core through Jedha city and left to hang in space like some kind of burning bauble rather than the shining beacon of enlightenment it had once been.

Taking one of the corvettes that they Jedi had managed to salvage from the ship graveyard around the Hapan Cluster, Crix had invited other Jedi to come with him - specifically he had invited Padawans and Knights to come. Masters were, of course, invited but the main aim was to bring people who had yet to see some of the worst things in the Galaxy, feel how the Force could be cut open and left to fester.

It was horrible but it was better they face it when there wasn't a Sith Lord there actively causing it, ready to take advantage of their distraction. Crix had seen his own wounds in the Force, and worse, on Sullust but it wasn't going to be a cake walk for him either. Nodding to the crew running the ship, he moved into the cargo hold and started getting kitted out in an environment suit as he spoke to the other Jedi on the coms, either within the corvette or within their own ships.

"Alright guys, make sure you suit up in your environment suits." he ordered them firmly, "This place releases toxic gas regularly, super-heated steam and rivers of lava large enough to be called oceans. Lets think cool thoughts sentients!"

Fortunately the Force could cool them down and, well, that was a rather good teachable moment wasn't it?

Spoiler: Planetside View

@Tulos @Any Other Jedi

 

[Reese Damado]

Weeks upon weeks of training had further progressed Reese down the path he had chosen to set himself upon. His presence in the libraries of Yavin IV had become a constant, the tip of his nose buried into the texts and lessons the teachers of the Jedi’s initiates instructed all their newcomers to research. While once a street urchin, begging and stealing meager sums of credits to feed himself, he was well on his way to being a true Padawan. He could touch the Force, let it’s influence guide him much like a boat being shepherded by the currents of a river. He could reach out and manipulate the physical world with no more than closed eyes, an extended hand and a calm mind. Yet he still had much to learn. He had not yet been selected to officially be the Padawan learner of a Jedi Knight and he had too not constructed his first lightsaber. Patience; every hurdle must be crossed to achieve one’s goals. Such a hard lesson this was.

”Of course, Master Aran. I would be honored to accompany you and the others,”

Reese took to preparing for the pilgrimage, if it could still be called as such, to Jedha immediately. With the many restrictions in place on Padawans, the Mirialan had begun to believe it would be months or even possibly years before he’d get to see the streaking stars of hyperspace once again. His excitement was unbound, his eagerness unchained. Yet another world to add to his list; would it be one of lush jungles and towering mountain ranges? Vast, endless deserts? Perhaps even a water world? As he stuffed what he felt would be required into his leather bag, Reese’s lips separated to reveal his stark white teeth in a beaming grin.

Even before they dropped from hyperspace, he could tell he was wrong in every and all assumptions. He could feel a sharp chill rattle each vertebrae of his spine as the blue tunnelvision of lightspeed separated back into individual stars before violet eyes landed on the destroyed world below. Sections of rock erupted from the gaping hole, rock that people once walked on, lived on. That people once raised families on. That people once made lives for themselves. Somehow, what had transpired above Jedha had been a lesson he had missed but it was not difficult for him to surmise the instigating factor.

”Master Aran, if I may?” Reese finally spoke up as the transport touched down on the devastated surface, his cautious tone muffled only slightly by the environmental suit he had received. As he gazed through the visor at the charred terrain of this once holy world, his heart ached. He could almost hear the screaming voices... Waiting for the Jedi Knight to acknowledge him and his request, Reese would continue. ”Are we sure that what we’re looking for is even still here? Whoever wrecked this place did a pretty thorough job, y’know?” Pursing his lips, the Mirialan swallowed back his uneasiness as he descended the ramp and set his boot down on Jedha’s surface for the first time. ”Was finding a kyber crystal on Zeltros really too much to ask?” the Padawan grumbled inwardly.

@Nefieslab​

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

A mission to a remote planet? Together with Darth Crix? Say no more! Long before she had finished reading the briefing, Clove had started packing her belongings. She took full advantage of any opportunity to leave the temple and see the wonders of the universe, and this was no exception. She excitedly made her way to the corvette and climbed aboard, eager to venture on their new adventure.

She noticed a Mirialan in the corvette who she figured was a Padawan. Something about his violet eyes jogged her memory; she'd seen him before. Then it dawned on her: the potluck! She had seen him there but had never had the chance to speak with him. This was the day to make things right. With a gentle smile, the half-Sephi raised her hand to wave towards him.

Clove's head had turned away from the Padawan before it could have led to a conversation; something was distracting her and pulling at her senses. It wasn't much, just enough to make her stomach churn.

Then, after many hours of shifting uncomfortably in her seat, the ship dropped out of hyperspace and a sense of dread slammed against her, causing her spine to ache and her stomach to free fall into her chest. The window next to her revealed what she had felt: a broken-down world, fragmented into large rocks due to its many deep holes. It was Jedha, and it reeked of death. So many lives were lost, destroyed just like the planet's surface.

As she put on the environmental suit, the half-Sephi debated how to handle today's mission. Her instinct told her to put on her mask, which she had carefully crafted during her many years in her Father's hospital. When something medical got out of hand, she put on her mask and focused. It was a way for her to protect her mind during the process. The agony always followed after. But that's also why she hesitated to wear it today; it seemed risky to face whatever this mission would bring, on her own.

No. Today, there will be no mask. She'd confront the emotions as soon as they appeared.

She clicked the visor into place and joined the Mirialan down the ramp. Crix was right, it was incredibly warm, even with the suits.

"Woah. I should've brought some ice with me." She attempted to make a lighthearted joke.

---

Tag @Nefieslab @Tulos ​

 

[Zathria]

Zathria wasn't actually familiar with what had happened on Jedha before they had begun the trip. She had begun studying about the history of the planet, and had seen the horror of what had followed. The Guardians of the Whills seemed a noble Order, and a part of her wondered if the Jedi should be more like them. How many times had Jedi and Sith warred and how many Jedi had fallen over those years?

The thoughts hung over her like a dark shadow as they traveled to Jedha. It was also part of the reason she had come. She was here for a sobering reminder, to learn and grow, and, yes, to watch over the Padawans. The Council's mandates had been clear about ratio of Knight to Padawan supervision.

As they dropped out of hyperspace, she got her first glimpse of the planet and she couldn't quite stifle the gasp as she saw it. It was different to see a holo vs seeing it in person. It was devastated, and the Force still felt grey here. The deaths that had swallowed this world still hung in the air, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was wise to bring the Padawans here. They would need to be watched closely.

For that matter she would have to watch herself closely. Places like this affected the mind in ways that were difficult to anticipate. She had been around death before on Sullust, but the "scent" left in the air by a battle and one left by a genocide or massacre were far different.

Placing the helmet on her own enviro suit in place, she headed for the ramp and made her way down. She didn't know the pair of Padawans well, but she'd certainly met Crix before. She was glad to see how he had grown to leading his own expeditions now, no longer the Padawan looking to complete his trials. She was glad to see him again.

Everyone stay close, she said, knowing the last thing they needed was for anyone to start wandering off on a planet like this.

The surface of the world wasn't exactly lush and hospitable to begin with, but the layers of sand were now layers of ash and dust. She glanced down at the readout on her arm to see that the heat outside was over 60C, and was silently thankful for the suit's cooling unit as she made her way forward.

Who here has and hasn't found a crystal for their lightsaber before? she asked. It was those who had not who would need to follow their inner voice to find the crystal most attuned with themselves.

@Nefieslab @LilyNion @Tulos

 

[Crix Aran]

Reese and Clove were probably thinking that they were prepared for what it would feel like to stand on the remains of Jedha's surface but, in all likelihood, they would be wrong. But as far as Crix was concerned, they needed to see it, they needed to feel it and know, in their hearts, that there was sometimes Darkness that could not be ignored. In those times, what a Jedi had to do was take on board what they had learned and use it to deal with the Dark rather that avoid it until it's source could be destroyed.

Because the source of this Darkness could not be undone.

Crix nodded at Reese to allow him to speak - and wasn't that a change of pace for Crix himself? - as they descended to the surface of Jedha. How indeed eh? Crix could have given some kind of vague answer that sounded mystical like he knew some Jedi might try and give but, well, it just wasn't in him. Instead he looked at Reese and shrugged his shoulders as he went with honesty.

"Absolutely not." he admitted honestly, "I was led here for a holocron by the one Alex and I recovered from the ship graveyard around the Hapan Cluster. Is it still here? I don't know but if we sit back and wait until we know something with 100% certainty before doing anything, we'd soon find ourselves not doing much of anything."

Wait, did he give some vaguely mystical advice? Kark he totally just did - maybe it really was contagious? Stepping onto the surface felt like stepping onto the surface of Sullust again - heatashdeathheatashdeathheatashdeathheatashdeath - but he took a breath and pushed himself to continue without faltering. He refused to be paralyzed by a memory or the Darkness that lingered, not when he could still step forward.

"Focus on either using the Force to make a barrier around you as you move, or draining heat from the air." he instructed the two Padawans before nodding to Zathria with a smile, "Me and Zathria will keep you from cooking."

Getting his bearings, he took as deep a breath as he could with the suit on before pointing to a mountain some distance away with rivers of lava rolling down it's side. It had, once, been just a mountain but mountains were rare on Jedha in modern times - these days they were volcanoes more often than not. A river of the molten rock was going to be their guide.

"That's where we're heading. Don't fall into the lava, kids." he lectured as he started the hellish march, "Unless you wanna get Vadered I suppose... no one here wants that, right?"

@LilyNion @Tulos @Phoenix @ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

"Unless you wanna get Vadered I suppose... no one here wants that, right?"

"Getting Vader'ed is definitely low on the priority list." Bri commented, catching up the with the other Jedi, as she walked at the back of the group. As far as extreme weather was concerned, the Knight held more of a preference for cold than hot. Well, neither are preferred.

Bri had studied the history of Jedha and was familiar with its connection to the Force. It's connection to the Force was ancient. Key word being was. After the first Death Star had performed a test of its planet-killing weapon, Jedha's future was inextricably changed. The Jedi Knight didn't want to pass up the opportunity to experience being on the planet in-person. It was a lesson in and of itself. What could happen when the Dark Side was left unchecked. The Force out of balance.

As her booted feet trod the hot dirt and dust of the ground, Bri reached around her with the Force. She wondered what the connection felt like before the disaster. The predominant emotion she felt was sadness. Like an aquafer of fresh water that had become muddied.

The Jedi was a little unclear what they were actually looking for on Jedha. She had mainly come to help supervise the accompanying Padawans, and experience the planet first-hand. It was also a good opportunity to practice skills in the Force used to cool ones-self off, and affect the exterior environment. Its a lot easier said than done.

Bri turned her head as Clove made a joke about bringing ice. "I think that'd only last you a few minutes here," she replied with a sideways smile.

@LilyNion @Tulos @Phoenix @Nefieslab

 

[Reese Damado]

Reese could feel the heat even through his envirosuit and yet he could not shake the chill deep within himself. It was such a terrible sensation, almost as if those silenced screams echoed across every nerve under his skin. The excitement he had for this endeavor quickly began to fade away only to be replaced with a desire to turn around and march right back on to the corvette though he would push such thoughts aside. It was too late to change his mind; he was here. His ambitions had guided him here. He would see this through and learn whatever lessons that Knights Aran and Zathria had to teach him. But maybe next time he’d do a little bit more homework before blindly agreeing to something.

Crix’ explanation that sitting around and waiting for knowledge only bred inaction was something that Reese found himself nodding along silently too. He had done enough sitting around in his life. Stagnating as he waited for some sort of sign. No. Never again. So he would continue on as they sought out the kyber crystals.

“Who here has and hasn’t found a crystal for their lightsaber before?”

Zathria’s question was answered by a slowly raised hand of the Mirialan as he turned his attention to the Jedi Knight. He had held one before briefly but making one of his own was something that he had not yet done. In fact, it was the biggest driving factor of pushing Reese into this voyage. Certainly he was eager to see the galaxy but he was much the same as countless other Padawans before him. The opportunity to create his own Jedi weapon was alluring beyond all else.

Following Crix’s instruction, Reese closed his eyes as he walked and began to envision the heat of Jedha as a visible energy and allowed the Force to divert said energy away from him as he walked. It wasn’t easy, most times the sweat beading across his forehead made him feel as though he was far from success, but on occasion he almost swore the temperature cooled momentarily.

”Vader’d?” Reese replied, opening his eyes once again to reveal a slight exasperation as he looked onward to their volcanic destination. Now that was a lesson he was aware of. ”Sure, if the air doesn’t do it to us first,” he continued with a slightly sarcastic tone. ”Great locale for a Starbucks, isn't it? I could really go for a jogan fruit smoothie. First chance I get, mark my words. Anyone else? My treat?"

@Nefieslab @LilyNion @Phoenix @ModernMarvel​

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

Clove shifted her gaze to the Jedi Knight with piercing blue eyes, who smiled sideways. She returned the smile, relieved that at least someone was looking upbeat—except for Crix, who was always cheerful. That was a good thing, because they were going to need it.

Who here has and hasn't found a crystal for their lightsaber before?

The hand of the half-Sephi rose into the air. She'd never held, let alone seen, a crystal before. And getting a lightsaber seemed like a distant dream. Still, getting a crystal today sounded like a huge step forward!

Despite her environmental suit, she could feel the heat creeping into her body. It felt like standing in the sun for an hour or two on Tatooine at first, but it lingered deeper into her body and became very uncomfortable. So she decided to follow Crix's advice. Her eyes fluttered shut as she imagined delicate little snowflakes falling around her, hitting her skin and the ground beneath her feet. It was difficult to hold onto her imagination because there was a pull on her mind, distracting her by reminding her of the lingering sensations of death, pain, and destruction around them. But she was able to return to her imagination, and when she was ready, she tried to push the feeling of coldness out of her mind and into the air around her. The Force waved around her body, combating the heat and replacing it with coolness. There wasn't much of a difference at first, and she even wondered if it had worked in the first place, but as the seconds ticked by she noticed everything became just a little bit more bearable.

She opened her eyes halfway, feeling somewhat ready to continue their journey, because now she had to balance her concentration on ignoring the dread, maintaining the Force, and making sure she didn't fall into the lava. But she was determined, and determination led to Clove's optimistic stubbornness.

With careful light steps and bouncing ears, she followed the group through the hellish landscape.

---

Tag @Nefieslab @Tulos @ModernMarvel @Phoenix ​

 

[Zathria]

Not just Vader, she cautioned. Though she had been traveling on her own away from the Order at the time, she had heard about the Jedi Masters who had fallen in the lava in search of Master Wyck's holocron all those years ago. She was now responsible for a bunch of Padawans not doing the same, and she suddenly had an overwhelming urge to keep a very close eye on them.

She gave another glance down at her wrist, content that the enviro suit would protect them for the moment, and the temperature began to drop even further as the others began to alter the air around them.

Good, she thought to herself, temporarily reshuffling that in her mind so that it was further down on the checklist. Next was looking around to see who had responded to her question about the crystals, nodding as she did.

Okay, she said with another nod. She assumed it was why they had opted to come out to the planet today: an opportunity to find a crystal and build a saber. Ilum was a world destroyed long before she was born, but she had heard stories of the dangers it posed to the initiates with its extreme cold. This was the exact opposite: dangers to overcome to find a crystal, just this time extreme heat.

I want you both to focus and reach out with your minds. Does anything call to you? she asked.

@Nefieslab @Tulos @ModernMarvel @LilyNion

 

[Crix Aran]

Well everyone was against getting Vader'd and Zathria reminded him of a story about how one of the old Jedi Masters got half his team dropped in lava on one mission. He really hoped that wouldn't be the case here, not least because Clove was kinda/sorta his Padawan and he didn't want her to die a flaming death to lava.

He didn't want any of them to die due to lava but her especially.

"Focus up on trying to feel the Force, Reese." he encouraged the other Padawan, "You too Clove. Gotta respect Zathria's teachings or she'll lock you in the no-fun helmet."

Crix glanced over his shoulder and gave Zathria a wink before turning to speak to Brienna who he actually hadn't interacted with much before now.

"Here's hoping none of us have to write up a Padawan Incident Report..."

His own generation of Padawans were the entire reason why the PIR actually existed and also why said reports were viewed with no small amount of dread by Knights and Masters alike. As they crested a hill, Crix called for a halt by raising a hand to signal everyone to stop before pointing ahead of them. He didn't need to ask if they saw what he saw because it was hard to miss - one of the distinctive ancient stone temples of Jedha was carved from the side of the mountain.

Massive cracks split the rock in countless places and one wall had burst open to allow a cascade of lava to flow out and down to form the river that they had been following.

"It's a mine and a shrine to the Crystals." he told them with a small grin, "We're going to be delving deeply. Anyone have any questions or suggestions on how we get in?"

It was, after all, built into the side of the mountain and the stone steps were the path of least resistance for a secondary river of lava so they weren't an option.

@LilyNion @Tulos @ModernMarvel @Phoenix

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri caught up to another of the Knights, Crix specifically, who had organized the outing. After a few paces, he turned towards her in comment.

"Here's hoping none of us have to write up a Padawan Incident Report..."

The Jedi couldn't help but suppress a smile at the joke. Or at least it was probably a joke. I hope. Deep down she knew that all of the Knights would do their absolute best to keep any and all of the Padawan's out of imminent danger or harm. But... "I mean you were the one who set this all up, so, I mean, just logically, all the paperwork that might be accrued would fall to you...?" Bri replied with a knowing smile, and floaty, joking tone. She added a follow up, with trademark optimism. "Don't worry, its going to go great." But, added in another joke for good measure. "Lava really isn't that dangerous anyways."

Bri turned her head around as a few of the Padawan's raised their hands, having not yet acquired their kyber crystals for their lightsabers. Something else to look forward to. It was definitely one of the cooler parts of the Jedi experience. Finding the one singular crystal that spoke to you, sung in the same harmony, a complementary addition to abilities in the Force. Perhaps a few of the Padawan's might find their own on Jedi.

As the reached the crest of a hill, Bri offered a low whistle, in appreciation of the view in front of the group. What had once been a temple carved into the side of a mountain, had been nearly destroyed by the changes to the planet. A large lava flow spewed from the side, making whatever remained of the 'main entrance' inaccessible.

The blonde Jedi offered a thought aloud, "I'd guess the ancient Jedi probably had a few different entrances to the Temple. Of varying levels of secrecy. Stands to reason that at least one might still be accessible?"

@LilyNion @Nefieslab @Tulos @Phoenix

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

"Nobody likes a no-fun helmet." Clove smiled softly at Crix before returning her attention to cooling the air and firmly placing her feet on the ashy ground.

It was somewhat inconvenient that she now had to concentrate on feeling the Force in the hopes a crystal spoke to her. How would that feel like anyway? Was it similar to seeing a light in the dark, hearing a voice whisper to her, or something more magical and mystical, like a gut feeling telling her 'This is the one'?

Whatever it was, she wouldn't find out unless she decided to look for it.

She decided to pause her walk for a moment because the lava looked quite pretty hot, and she didn't want to become a fried half-Sephi. With a deep breath in, she closed her eyes and began to draw on the Force. This proved difficult because a part of her was still focused on regulating the temperature around her body. Still, after a few seconds, she felt ready and began to reach out with the Force, which rippled and swirl over the ground. It danced around the area they were standing in before reaching its limit and dissipating into nothingness like smoke dissipating into the air.

Nothing.

Clove wrinkled her nose for a split second. If she was meant to find a crystal today, perhaps they weren't close enough yet. Because her Force reach wasn't exactly big.

So, with her head held high, she returned her attention to the temperature while her feet resumed their motion. She silently followed the group until Crix signaled for them to stop and gestured in front of them.

"Oh, that's beautiful..." Clove quietly mussed at the sight of the old stone-carved structure. While, sure, it was ruined and had a lava waterfall—a lavafall?—it wasn't difficult to imagine what it must've been like back then. Full of life, the carvings in the walls detailed and refined, perhaps there'd be happy laughter filling the hallways. It must've been stunning.

"I like the idea of finding an entrance, they surely must've had several of those. At the very least there should be an escape tunnel that goes through the mountain, right?"

---

Tag @Nefieslab @Tulos @ModernMarvel @Phoenix ​

 

[Reese Damado]

As the group of Jedi traversed the barren wasteland of Jedha, Reese followed the instructions of the Knights though found his energy already drawing thin from his efforts of keeping the heat away from himself. After all, he was only recently welcomed into the Order and despite his dedication to learning, he still had a long way to go. Nevertheless, he reached out with his mind in hopes of feeling something, anything, calling to him.

Nothing.

Opening his eyes and cursing under his breath, the Mirialan’s frustration with himself began to grow. The burden he had placed on his shoulders with coming here, the expectation of himself being able to leave this place with a lightsaber crystal, grew heavy. But he wouldn’t give up. There was something here for him, he was certain. What it was, he did not know yet but he would find out.

As the group crested the ridge and found the remains of the ancient shrine, Reese stood in awe for a moment. Even in it’s destroyed state, it was awe inspiring. The flowing lavafall, dangerous as it was if they got too close, cast a beautiful amber glow against the drab mountainside. The dark scars across this world ran deep but even in the shadows of evil, beauty cast a light for them all to witness.

Padawan Clove and Knight Lanaamer offered their suggestions on finding their way into the shrine, spawning a similar suggestion of his own as he looked to Crix.

”What about air ducts?” he offered. ”If this place goes deep into the mountain, there would need to be some way to get fresh air deep into the tunnel systems, wouldn’t there? I mean, if they’re not collapsed I suppose…” The boy’s tone grew passive as he continued to speak, unsure as to whether or not the devastation of Jedha had indeed impacted his suggested route.

Spoiler

Sorry for the wait, folks! Getting kinda tired so it’s not great but I couldn’t let this one sit any longer…”

@Nefieslab @Phoenix @ModernMarvel @LilyNion​

 

[Crix Aran]

Well he was glad that Bri could smile because Crix had been deadly serious – he really didn’t want to have to write up a PIP. He had been the subject of a few in his time (that time on Corellia shouldn’t count in his opinion) and he wasn’t looking forward to seeing how it felt to be on the responsibility side of things. He grimaced at the correct point about who would have most of the paperwork however.

“Damn I was hoping I could foist some off onto you and Zath… crap.”

It was a sight wasn’t it?

Somehow both splendid and terrifying in equal measure, a showcase of how powerful and enduring the stone (the Light) was even when worn down by the immeasurable heat and pressure of the lava (the Dark). There was probably something poetic about it that he could turn into some philosophical lesson if he had the inclination.

Which he didn’t so he just jumped right into the practical.

“Back doors make a lot of sense but let’s be fair – these guys were even less practical than the old Jedi Order.” He joked before humming, “Air systems might not be a bad shout if they ever modernized. Lets get closer and take a look.”

Hiking up the side of the mountain turned into an impromptu mountain climbing exercise made both easier and harder through the use of Force assisted jumps and grips. Never settle for less when climbing! Reaching a ledge formed by some of the solid stone of the old Temple, Crix frowned ever so slightly.

Lava ran through the open corridor that the stone showed was once the route through the doorway. Lava had cut through the middle of the corridor, flowing sluggishly. Eyeing it suspiciously for a second, he nodded to himself.

“There’s a small ledge we can edge into the temple by.” He explained to the rest of the group, “Link hands – we’ll regulate the heat from leader down the chain to the person at the end who will expel it all. I’ll go first or last – Zath, Bri you got a preference?”

He eyed the Padawans.

“You guys are going in the middle – no offence but you’re not ready for the strain of either going first or last in this kind of scenario.”

@Phoenix @ModernMarvel @LilyNion @Tulos

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

“Damn I was hoping I could foist some off onto you and Zath… crap.”

"We'll see how things go." Despite Bri's proclivity for humor, she would be more than willing, if required, to help out on any post-mission paperwork. "Let's hope neither of us have to fill out anything."

Bri turned her head and looked as the other Jedi took in the view of the dilapidated temple, and potential ideas for ingress. All were fairly decent, and each showed their own signs of promise. Bri also evaluated that it was a further illustration to how each of the Padawan's approached problems. Some were more head on, others had layers of finesse. The Knight smiled at their promise.

The group set off once more, hiking down the slope of the crest, before beginning a slight climb up as the temple got closer. The incline steepened, as walking soon turned in practicality climbing. Bri grunted as she pulled herself up, taking a force assisted jumping short-cut intermittently. Everyone paused as they reached a ledge that had a view of what used to be the doorway, but was now something of a lava river.

Bri looked around, puffing out her cheeks in exertion. Focusing on her breathing, a couple deep inhales and exhales had her feeling cooler. She turned her attention to Crix as he spoke, then raising her hand.

“No preference from me. Happy to be the caboose.”

@Nefieslab @Phoenix @LilyNion @Tulos

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

The impromptu climb up the mountain was nerve-racking, and the constant juggle between using the Force to climb and jump past ridges and rocks and using the Force to keep the temperature stable made her shoulders stiff as iron. But, thanks to her agile nature and light footing, she was able to keep up with the group without falling over or stumbling too badly.

It was, however, worth every bit of the struggle. Because up close, the temple was even more hauntingly beautiful. Nobody could deny the craftsmanship and care that went into the ruins' walls, pillars, and other structures. Even as the lava slowly poured through the doorway, casting a menacing yet beautiful red and yellow glow.

Or what used to be a doorway, anyway.

Crix's idea of linking hands to regulate the heat sounded logical. Tricky, dangerous and prone to mistake, but logical. But it left Clove with a dilemma. What would be her place in the line? Obviously in the middle somewhere, that much was clear. But would she be near the front, near the back, or exactly in the middle?

Her first instinct was to remain close to Crix. He was her Master after all, and she enjoyed his company. Made her feel safe. But she couldn't be clingy to him all the time. She also wanted to meet other Jedi and make new friends! So, after Bri stated that she wouldn't mind sticking in the back, the decision was made.

"Would you mind if I go near you in the line?" The half-Sephi asked the blonde-haired Jedi Knight with an almost shy smile.

---

Tag @Nefieslab @Tulos ​

 

[Zathria]

Zathria cringed slightly at the mention of a Padawan Incident Report, really not fancying the idea of needing to do more paperwork. She already had too much documentation associated with most of her healing work.

She pointed to Bri as she mentioned that it was all Crix's responsibility for the paperwork. Yes, I agree with her, she said, nodding emphatically. She shook her head equally emphatically when he said he wanted to hoist it off on her.

No way, I already had too much explaining when you were nearly stung by killer beetles, she said.

She continued up the mountain with the others, making their way eventually to a location that was filled with flowing lava.

Bri volunteered for the back and Crix had said he'd take the other option, which left Zathria in the middle.

I'll give you both support throughout from the middle, she said, falling into line and ordering the Padawans so that they could move through as quickly as possible and they wouldn't all be burned alive. That was unpleasant and unhealthy.

 

[Reese Damado]

While Reese had at one time believed that his time living in the streets would be preparation for life as Jedi, this pilgrimage to Jedha had begun to prove to him just how wildly wrong he had been. At first, the trek across the base of the mountain side seemed simple. Rugged terrain, but simple. Then the path kept angling upward, because of course it did.

”You know what? Maybe I’m better off working in the archives with that old bird of a librarian,” Reese groaned inwardly, hanging his head slightly as a heavy sigh escaped him. Undoubtedly this was the hardest he had ever worked in his life, even when he thought back to all the labor his father would demand from him on the family farm. It was this recollection that continued to drive him on, however. ”This is what you’ve always wanted so quit your whinin’ and just get on with it, man,”

The strain of the long hike and the focus required to allow the Force to regulate his temperature had more than begun to take its toll on the young Mirialan but as he forced the memories of his past from his mind, he found a renewed strength. Even in the cumbersome environment suit, he was at least able to keep up with Crix, Zathria, Bri and Clove. At one point, his foot slipped off the edge as it touched back down following a rather perilous leap but quick reflexes allowed his hand to shoot forth and grasp the lip of a carved stone, pulling himself back to a steady stance. Even so, his heart rate raced as he looked down at the fall that could have been, his stomach seemingly already taking the plunge.

”That was too close,” the Padawan groaned but continued on, desperately wishing he was able to wipe the sweat from his brow. Fortunately, they soon found themselves on a ledge both wide and sturdy enough to fully support each of them so Reese took this opportunity to lean against the rock face and catch his breath.

“You guys are going in the middle – no offence but you’re not ready for the strain of either going first or last in this kind of scenario.”

As Crix put forth the next step to their entrance into the temple, Reese quickly offered the Iridonian a half-committed salute, his breathing still heavy.

”You got it, boss,” he responded before finally pushing himself upright. They were getting close now; and he still felt nothing beckoning to him beyond his personal drive to see this through to the end. At least he would have the story… Linking hands with Crix to his one side and Zathria to his other, the Padawan quickly looked between both of the Knights and did his best to suppress his exhaustion. Mostly because as he finally got a good look within the Thyrsian woman’s visor, he found himself taken aback by the woman’s features. A coy smile broke out across his own face, teenage libido being what it was.

”Hi,” he stated proudly, though a quick glance back down the treacherous fall before them soon diminished it as he gulped back his anxieties with short nervous laughter.

@Nefieslab @LilyNion @Phoenix @ModernMarvel​

 

[Crix Aran]

Well Brienna hadn't immediately proclaimed "not it" so it was official that if there needed to be a Padawan incident report she was now the one responsible for it. He didn't make the rules but he was gladly going to help make sure that they unofficial rules about paperwork became rock solid when it came to this! He would be very glad to see the back of any of that kind of paperwork - Zathria knew exactly what he was talking about judging by the look on her face.

Ah feck it would probably be all his work damn it.

"Let killer beetles use you as a portable nest ONE time and it never leaves your permanent record..." he muttered good-naturedly at Zathria, "At least now I know why we never did missions together later. You're afraid I've still got a beetle hidden in my robes or something."

He did not... he had checked very thoroughly after that trial because he wanted to never again feel the sensation of so many tiny legs on his skin. Thankfully all of the Jedi seemed to make it up to the side of the mountain alright which was a start. He grinned a little bit as he watched Clove link with Zathria and Brienna, grabbing hold of Reese's hand.

As they started to shuffle along, they shared the duty of regulating the heat, keeping it manageable between the five Jedi. Of course as they shuffled, Crix couldn't help the amused snort at Reese's antics but he didn't actually say anything about them. If the kid wanted to try and flirt with her then he was free to try and do so - Crix would be there with the ice pack to help soothe his broken heart later.

He was the first in the line so he was the first into the main room and the first to lay eyes on the reason why the monks and ancient Jedi had built their temple there. Crix stared at the large hall with small rivers of lava rolling through... and the entire eastern wall made entirely of a crystal structure, complete with a jagged passage through it.

"... those are kyber crystals."

For an entire wall? An entire passage to be constructed from them? The sheer amount of crystal within the mountain must have been staggering. It was no wonder the Empire had harvested Jedha to create the Death Star super-laser.

"Keep yourselves open to the Force, the old texts say we need to pass through the valley of the crystals within the heart of the mountain."

This sounded about right.

@LilyNion @Phoenix @ModernMarvel @Tulos

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

"Would you mind if I go near you in the line?"

Bri looked down, spotting the sprite-like figure of Clove. Her wide brown eyes were a little tougher to see through the helmet of the enviro-suit, but the Knight could still read their trademark sparkling innocence. Her buoyant voice and earnest enthusiasm were impossibly infectious.

"Not at all," Bri nodded, returning the smile, though more of a grin. It was probably for the best that the Padawan's took their places in between the other Knights. Crix at the front, Zathria in the middle, and Bri at the rear. Regulating body temperature with the use of the Force was not a simple skill, and the closer they got to the temple (and open rivers of lava), the warmer the conditions had become.

The order of the train of Jedi finalized, Bri took Clove's hand and as the others did the same, immediately felt the tiered connection of their individual souls in the Force. Before the started the trek, the blonde Knight took a few deep breaths. Inhaling and exhaling. She had to repeat the process every few feet, expelling the built up excess of the heat, reaching out with her open right hand, in an attempt to make the effort easier. Inhaling and exhaling.

Bri noticed the pace slowing, being last in the line, and figured that the group had either spotted something inside, or found what they had been looking for. And had they. Nearly an entire wall of the temple had been carved from kyber crystals. The Knight took an unexpected breath in. "That's....incredible," she muttered, mouth slightly agape. She had never seen so many crystals all together at a time. Not even when she had found her own on Dantooine. Closing her eyes and honing her concentration, she could feel the resonation in the Force. It was fainter to hear, which Bri judged from the general destruction of the temple, but noticeable nonetheless.

@Nefieslab @LilyNion @Phoenix @Tulos