Event Dive into the Unknown

[Jaikus Thorne]

The Marauder walked in complete silence for some time, having left Renfry and Tiamat on their own to study the runes more extensive than he had. The Axxilan shared in their interest of undecipherable texts, but he clearly didn’t see the value in mulling them over longer than was necessary to document the symbols. Their goal, after all, was to explore each of the passageways.

Repeatedly pausing to document the runes as he went, it didn’t take Jaikus long to begin noticing the changes before his eyes – independent symbols shifting together and forming a continuous chain across the wall – no doubt a message, but one he couldn’t possibly hope to decipher. Jaikus could not deny that he felt drawn to stare upon them – as if an invisible force was gnawing at the back of his mind, dragging his gaze away from the hallway and back to the runes. The longer he looked, the world around him seemed to fade with only the runes left behind – his mind expanding in ways he didn’t think possible until this moment. Where there had once been ignorance, the Marauder was bombarded with profound understanding.

It was the literal opposite sensation he had held oh-so-recently experienced on Telos. There, the Force had been viciously pried away from him until there was nothing but a void in his chest, feeling in those moments as foreign and distant to him as it had been before his induction into the Sith. Here, it felt closer to him than it ever had, the Marauder suddenly able to knit together mysteries that had once stubbornly eluded him.

It was an exhilarating experience, every hair on his body standing on end. Like a man in a trance, the Marauder was drawn away from the path he was on, stepping away from the center of the hallway and reaching out with a hand, slender fingers hovered mere inches away from the rune-carved wall as if to inspect them closer..

He hesitated.

Where there had once been a sense of wonder, Jaikus’ expression scrunched and wrinkled, as if all the sweetness of this new sensation had turned to ashes in his mouth. “No..” He muttered to himself, as much a way to ground himself as it was a statement of defiance towards whatever was listening. This.. was a trick. It had to be. It was all entirely too good to be true, as no knowledge of the Dark Side ever came so freely. Like cheap spice, it was undoubtedly laced with something sinister.

It took all his strength to do so, but Jaikus’ hand eventually fell back to his side, the Marauder taking two steps back and forcing himself to face the pathway ahead once again. Instinctively he reached for the lightsaber on his hip, clearly put on edge by the entire experience. Slowly but surely the Marauder continued forward, citrine eyes facing forward – only forward – and avoiding contact with the runes around him. To the best of his ability, anyway.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Downward the dark pressed, a deluge of formless lead falling to gather in frozen cloaks of black around him. Joints would creak even as flame reinforced them and Morgan was forced downward. Bones that cracked could not stand and were entirely impractical until they healed. There was only one thing to do when presented with this choice from the Entity's heavy rebuke.

Morgan bent his legs and quickly sat down to avoid injury, his legs folding criss-cross and his palms pressed firmly against his thighs. He sat upright as he could be with limited success, sweat from the effort dripping down his face, eyes widened from fear and fury both. But at least he avoided more than bruising thus far and tried to control his breathing.

This Entity could obviously outmatch the great known wielders of the Force in the galaxy or else Morgan would not have so much trouble. It was true that it wielded great power of a source Stolas did not know and so his head did bow as a gesture of respect. He was stubborn and prideful, but only a little foolish, and provoking a thing whose influence made even him feel small in comparison was pointless.

Then the psychic invasion came carried along the Entity's voice, interwoven with a similar sort of sorcery as Morgan himself could wield and weaponize. It spoke of fear as if it could sort through the Firrerreo's thoughts and proved as much when events it should not know appeared behind his eyes.

There on red silks and glittering finery lay skin on skin dotted in dew drops glistening in flickering candelight flame. In the back of his mind a voice said it wasn't sharing, that it wasn't really the same. But still when he saw it his heart still felt that familiar pang, wracked with a deep and consuming pain. And with it was more, a weight all his own, that feeling bowing his head again in shame.

By hate and regret the man was beset, anger at himself and the rage from Emryc mixed like poison in his veins. Heat found his cheeks despite the biting cold, beholding such things so fiercely drawing tears to fall down his face in stinging rain. So cruel was this being to attack him this way only for entering its domain.

It had found the seed of doubt buried in the love Morgan nurtured and kept, the mistakes made along the way. If not for those feelings he couldn't be subjected to this wicked display. Without that love, would he be so vulnerable? Without that fear, would he be less likely to fall?

Was love only a weakness after all?

Morgan also caught every detail, made more vivid and real by this power. See eyes, expression, every muscle twitch and movement. Every sound of heartstring plucked and strum that echoed in these visions. Related words and conversation flew free as doves released on solemn afternoons to flock and flutter, forming patterns of meaning in his mind. Pieces fell into place, gears turned and ground, threads wove together to form a greater whole.

Like a dam was broken memory came flooding through unbidden. The song of a blackbird, there on the couch, the very beginning of an unexpected journey. The man who'd named it instead a nightingale, a beautiful monster. Drinks and laughter at a table on Terminus. Wind through his hair and the roar of a speeder, the scent of a dead man's blood, the choking rasp of his final breath. The very first moment of realization of what had been blooming, the next the moment he'd said it aloud.

The agony and absolute fury of loss and injury, the hollow sensation of being apart, the brilliant fire of being reunited. An honest and open freedom, knowing things were just as they belonged. Comfort of a shared bed and arms as strong and wide as great mountains. Sketches in pencil on paper of a face drawn from mere remembrance and longing. Icy eyes lighting up from an old ship or rare books. A simple joy of such adoration and belonging that even a blackbird with broken wings could soar. Trust and respect in equal measure. Promises made and kept, dances and commitment in kitchens, evenings with movies, meals eaten together, stories read just because and the signs of warmth in silver eyes. The first time he'd heard "I love you."

Before all of that, of what worth was this pain he'd felt? All his life Morgan had only wanted and feared to be truly seen by another. Now under such immense and crushing pressure he was forced to see and confront his fears. What was he so afraid of, a man had once asked. It wasn't Emryc he'd doubted. It was only ever himself.

Love could be a weakness of sorts, but for him it was also a strength. It was an intense and deep-rooted passion built up over time, not a candle in the wind but a blazing sun beating in his chest. How dare he doubt, indulge something so beneath him as childish jealousy? How could he falter when he had a responsibility to return home? How could he doubt himself when his soldier boy did not, disrespect feeling and memory? Caught now between the Entity's overwhelming power and the unmatched inferno deep in Morgan's chest fueled by the unassailable truth, trapped between two points, there was only one possible outcome.

That doubt, worthless and weak, began to crumble and break. Shattered into dust, consumed in the fire, discarded. He didn't know if seconds, minutes, or more had passed. But when next he spoke through grit teeth and fangs it was with power of his own, a near-silent whisper to all except the shadowed presence he felt. This required a proper conversation and he spoke as such to be polite, not to attempt to wield his voice against this presence. Such was likely impossible anyway.

"I have been foolish. Self-subversion and loss are my fears," replied the Nightingale as bright-flashing eyes blinked open again, still seated low on the ground. "If you have a fear, it is not I. My thanks for this lesson." Morgan paused and raised his head if he could. "Doubt you have visits often. Why not indulge an insect's curiosity?"

This Entity used an ability similar to his, only much more powerful, and doubtless other things besides. Perhaps there were other things to be learned? Even grains of understanding could be important. Even in fear could lessons be earned. Morgan's first teacher was a demon after all.

@lizziie @Phoenix

 

[Amon Aldinari]

Red decided to lead the way and no resistance was offered from Amon on that front. Compared to earlier, when usual comments would lead to bouts between them, he was silent this time. Grey eyes swung from side to side as he inspected the walls, his left hand stretching out as his fingertips would graze against the metal while they moved. The sensation of constriction in his chest was there and it was growing ever so slowly, it spreading to his head and other parts of the body. His hand helped push the idea that he was creating more space and could stop it if they decided to close in on him.

When they reached the door, Red stabbed through the old metal to cut through and gain them access. But that plan would be cut short, at least his friend's part in securing the entrance as the door would open anyway without their own doing. Unexpectedly for him, something leaped out and screamed at the top of his voice, a knife in hand as the small enclosed space would become a whirlwind of limbs and with a knife thrown in there.

Not only that but Red was bigger and created an obstacle that Amon couldn't see past. The next he knew, he just felt Red's weight smash into him as he would be pushed back and all three of them would fall into the ground practically on top of each other, Amon letting out a colorful, "What the fuck?!" As he thought his friend either fell back from his own doing or something else was happening. The raggedy man would climb practically on top of the Sith Lord, stabbing his knife down in repeated and short motions so that he could mince whatever intestines were in front of him.

But Red wore his armor, the blade deflecting easily of the metal as the man would give up the assault and take notice of Amon, the Sith only wearing regular clothing. The gaunt man climbed over the Sephi to reach him, his size actually being an advantage to move around in the tight space compared to the half-Sephi's massive frame. As the rag-covered assailant finally closed the distance which wasn't much, he slammed his knife in a downward motion, Amon quickly placing both hands against the ground to push himself away as he slid back, the knife coming in between his legs as they spread out when we did.

Amon stared at it for a moment before he wrapped both of his legs around the arm that came down, locking the limb in place. The old man immediately shoved his hand into the Sith's face, fingers in his mouth, eyes, and whatever else could hurt. With a yell as he felt an index dig into his eye, his own went to the man's face as he gripped it as harshly as he could, some of his gloved fingers even going in the man's mouth to find a better grip as it pulled against his cheek.

With newfound strength from the adrenaline of the situation and being in an enclosed space, he let out all of his anger and frustration that built up and slammed the head of their attacker right into a metal railing. He may have been strong but he was still just bone and skin compared to the muscular frame of both the Sith. There would be a sickening crunch as the orbital bone of the man would cave in on itself, a massive dent where his right eye was as the white sphere filled with blood. After that, the man would just collapse against Amon's chest before he was roughly pushed off with a grunt.

Standing up slowly, he would offer a hand to his buddy if he was still seated on the ground before casting a look at the old man, a glob of spit coming out and striking him in the back, 'Why hell was that thing still alive?" His anger at the situation and small space was palpable and easy to tell too since he didn't even consider the man a human.

@Sreeya

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Not a moment after Malou forced herself to her feet in defiance, she fell to her hands and knees from the weight that bore down on her and Stolas. The rocky bottom of the cave dug into the palms of her hands, and her muscles were ablaze with fire and brimstone as they struggled against the pressure forcing her down. Blood rushed to her hanging head as she grit her teeth against the pain. She could not see; she could not speak; she could not move. All she could do was listen to the voice invading her mind, whispering slanderous words and planting seeds of doubt in her head.

It called her nothing. It called her weak, a coward. It savored its words as it denounced her efforts; it mocked her for even trying when she knew she was nothing. There was not a thing she could do to stop it. If she was something--if she wasn’t weak--she would still be standing. If she wasn’t a coward, she wouldn’t always walk two steps behind everyone else. Just as she was under the heel of the Sith lords, she was under its heel as well.

Malou’s arms began to shake under the weight of the Entity. Her breaths came quick and shallow, and though her body screamed for her to run, to fight, to do something... but she could not move. What did she fear? Powerlessness. She feared a life in which nothing she did could prevent another from just taking it from her. She feared remaining powerless to act against her father’s will for what she wanted. She feared that one day someone might decide to kill her, and that there would be nothing she could do to stop it.

Is this it? Would she die here, alone in a cold tunnel with a stranger and a ghost? I don’t want this to be it! It infuriated her. Why was she not strong enough to fight this thing? Why did it feel the need to crush her under its heel? What was the point? Was there even anything she could do? This isn’t fair! Malou struggled again against the weight, pushing up just a bit, before she was forced down again. What can- What- What do I do?

Defiance. Spite. Anger. These were the emotions that tore through her veins and strengthened her resolve. Fear. Self-doubt. Despair. These held her back, threatening to cut the string and watch her buckle under the darkness around her. Her mind raged like a stormy sea as she tussled with the doubts imposed on her by the Entity and the values which had seen her through each and every challenge she’d faced. When her body grew fatigued from fighting on Exegol, she refused to fail and drew on the strength of the Force to help her push forward. When her father forbade her to use the Force, it was spite that kept her practicing in secret. The anger she felt on Serenno when yet another tyrant did as he pleased without consequence only served to strengthen her commitment to power. And yet, nothing it said was wrong. Malou was still under the heels of her betters. She was powerless and weak and…

"You did well Malou, I would not have survived without you." Her master’s words rang through her head. She had struggled on Exegol, but she had not given up. She was stronger now than then. At this moment, she was weak. Compared to the Entity--to Stolas--she was nothing. But her weakness now did not dictate her future, and the freedom she chased was not unattainable. Who are you to tell me what I am? Malou did not know if the thing could hear her, but it would feel her defiance. She refused to let anyone break her spirit. Early into her apprenticeship she had sworn she would refuse to be anything less than she had the potential to be. Even if she was powerless now, even if there was nothing she could do now, she refused to lose her determination. This creature would not take her sense of worth.

She was scared, she was growing tired, but she continued to hold herself up. Malou could barely register the words which came from Stolas, so focused was she on remaining where she was. She was an insect under the heel of a giant who mocked her with painful truths. When she got out of here, however, they would not be truths for any longer than she could conquer them. For now, it was all she could do to control her breathing and hold herself together. For now, she was weak, but not for long. She just had to make it through whatever this was first.

tags: @Phoenix @Mr. Teatime

 

[Bir Vuul]

“You have dirt on your shoulder,”

The appearance of the Sith Lord had caught Bir off guard but as he looked to his shoulder at the grime Asmynis had mentioned, a second set of hands soon appeared to brush it off. Settling his eyes on the masked man that had too appeared out of thin air, Bir’s face contorted into a massive grin.

”Well, thank you! Thank you, my kind new friend!” Bir declared as he lowered his head in respect before following his two new companions deeper into the tunnel.

The light that he had chased for so long was no longer apparent, leaving the trio of Sith in darkness. Igniting his blade once more, the crimson glow allowing them at least some sort of visual relief, he would push on, casting careful glances from side to side in preparation for whatever may lay ahead.

What lay ahead, as it would turn out, was another series of labyrinth turns that would take them even deeper into the mountain. Still, Bir was unafraid though he could not deny a growing concern of not being able to find their way back should these paths lead them nowhere. Then there was the sounds that told them all.

They were not alone.

Bir knew this, of course. He had been chasing the gray-furred beast but he was still entirely unsure of just what it was he had been pursuing.

”Come out, come out, come out and play, little thing of fury and fur!” Bir teased out into the darkness.

@Arclight @Versok @Phoenix​

 

[Asminys]

The tunnel stretched into an inky blackness that was soon illuminated by the crimson blade of the mad acolyte. Darth Asminys ignited a saber of his own with a crackling snap-hiss. Holding the blade aloft as he trudged on legs of steel into the tunnel in silence, the Sith Lord's eyes scanned every crack and crevice along the floor, walls, and ceilings of the cave. His senses bounded out along the lines of the tunnel like sonar, acutely searching for any sign of his new quarry that had shrieked at their presence before retreating further into the darkness.

It was not long until another sound echoed through the cave. A wholly unnatural guttural hissing that reverberated off the walls. Asminys did not flinch or falter at the sound, merely adding the sound to the tally of creatures he could kill within the tunnel complex. If anything it made the Sith Lord more eager to plumb the depths of this ancient and forgotten place. Perhaps there might be some knowledge worth uncovering, but he would consider the journey a waste if there wasn't at least one life put to an end by the stroke of his blade.

@Phoenix @Tulos @Versok

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat stood quietly and looked at the symbols closely as Renfry explained her observations. She was uncertain if it drew in her curiosity further or brought a new level of unease. A more complex symbol system was something that intrigued Tiamat, she looked at the one that Renfry pointed out, noting the angles and curves.

To tell them something? Was it a warning? A promise? A curse? All of those?

Her gaze was drawn to the far-left tunnel, the power seemed to grow stronger and possibly the answer to their questions about what these symbols are trying to communicate. Tiamat stepped backwards, taking in all the symbols as a whole as the feeling continued to pull her.

"Renfry, do you think these are here to keep something from getting out?" she asked with a bit of concern. The power she could feel from the glyphs were strong, but how long would that strength last? Did they disrupt the spell further by allowing the team to venture further into the cave. The redhead frowned, clearly overthinking but for good reason as they were interfering with a power in which could engulf the galaxy in a snap.

@Phoenix

 

[Jerex Dorn]

"You're welcome, friend" Jerex simply said in response to Bir, the modified voice of the helmet being creepy yet friendly....boy oh boy it was a good thing both of them were probably not in the best state of mind, because chances are most people that called Jerex a friend would certainly regret it at some point of the future, be it because they weren't on his level or because they realized an old cultist was not the best kind of person to bring into social events, but regardless, Jerex would respond in a jovial manner, having nothing but the best intentions when it came to other sith...with was quite uncharacteristic of the faction as a whole.

"...There are two ways we can approach this, seeing how these creatures are obviously drawn to the sound we make..." Jerex began whispering to the other two as he followed Darth Asminys, his lightsaber on his hand but still unlit, letting the light of the other two lightsabers guide him and rather using the force to sense and keep track of the creatures nearby...at least the ones that got too close, be it the ones that shrieked at them or others, whatever threatened them in general.

"...We can try to be silent...or make a threatening sound loud enough to either scare them or draw them in, your choice" Jerex presented the other two sith the options he thought of, maybe making loud noises sounded foolish, but it was still a fun choice regardless, and he didn't want to discard it too soon, at the end of the day, this choice rested on Asminys and Bir, for Jerex would rather give ideas and advice before taking the lead...and of course because one of them was a sith lord, he did hope he would get to do his best rancor impression using the force, but he wouldn't force that on them, teamwork was key after all!

@Phoenix @Tulos @Arclight

 

[The Storyteller]

As Jaikus looked at the runes, he would get glimpses of what surrounded them. He would gain the first of an understanding of what loomed ahead and what they needed to do in order to pass through the blackness of the mysterious "dark tunnel."

But he refused to look. He didn't gaze at the secrets held within their symbols.

Eventually, his path led to a final room. It was a dead end with a single stone altar in the center. On its surface was no sign of blood or death, but a final symbol. Something that almost whispered in his mind from the door that had already been opened. The urge to look would be almost irresistible and perhaps he would even find it worth the effort. Either that or he would turn back. There were no other options.

@Altaris

---​

Amidst the pure darkness that surrounded the pair, Stolas would sense another smaller presence, enraged by the thoughts that crossed the Sith Lord's mind. These wretched creatures brought with them these concepts of "love" and by extension Light. Even amidst the darkness of these beings, they brought with them the small slivers that repelled the darkness.

There was a shriek of rage as the Sith Lord would feel himself thrust backwards and all but spat out of the darkness of the tunnel and into the "main hall" once again. He would be unharmed apart from the mental scars he may or may not carry.

A lingering feeling within Stolas's mind would tell him that something dangerous had just happened, though whether it was a danger to Stolas, Malou, the Entity, or all of them wasn't yet clear.

Still within the darkness, Malou would gain a sudden sense of being alone. The pure focus of this shadowy being was now wholly focused on her. Her head would begin to pound and she would have the suddenly sensation that she was floating within this void.

I am everything. Everything you crave. Everything you seek. But you are too weak to host it.

The words were biting and cryptic, but within moments she, too, would find herself expelled from the tunnel. The pair would be forced to find another way or compare notes in an attempt to decipher what had just happened.

Renfry was still speaking with Tiamat when the pair of Sith were unceremoniously ejected from the tunnel one after the other.

Tiamat's question was still ringing in her mind when her attention was drawn over to them, surprised and perhaps even a bit alarmed at what she was seeing.

What happened?! she half-asked, half-shouted across the room.

I hope not, she mumbled and though the comment was directed at Tiamat's question, it was also to herself. Had this creature somehow been bound here? Were they destroying everything? Threatening to unleash a power they didn't understand? She hoped not...

@Mr. Teatime @lizziie @GABA

---​

The poor hermit was dead before he knew what had happened. His skull caved in and he slumped to the floor. A piece of living history gone in an instant.

The pair of Sith were fortunate enough that they would be able to search the cockpit without further incident. The room had clearly been the hermit-man's home with a variety of "living materials" there, though no signs of food seemed to remain.

If he chose to look through them, he would find audiologs labeled "landing" "the crew" "this place" and "escape."

@Orbit @Sreeya

---​

Down the path they had taken, the trio of Sith would eventually find the "thing of fury and fur." Asminys wouldn't have to wait long before he found something to sink his blade into and Jerex wouldn't have to even implement his plans.

The light of the lightsaber would provide just enough glow to make out the creatures now leaping at the trio. Each would receive an attack of its own, claws and teeth lashing out in a whirl of gray tinted red by the lightsaber.

What exactly they were fighting still wasn't clear, and none would have time to look as they were forced to evade strikes that would rip cleanly through flesh and bone.

@Arclight @Tulos @Versok

 

[Bir Vuul]

Bir’s enthusiasm spiked as the beasts leapt forward from the shadows, his own expression growing rapidly from one of excitement to absolute jubilation as the creature collided with his own body. He was able to sidestep the brunt of the attack but the sheer force of the impact would send both Sith and creature to the dusty cavern floor, throwing Bir’s lightsaber from his grasp with the metallic clattering ringing from wherever the weapon would wind up. All that could be heard from the blackness was the snapping and snarling of one creature partnered with the maniacal laughter of another as they embraced in a dance of death in the dark.

Laying on his left side, his arm of muscle and flesh moved to wrap around what he could only imagine was the torso of his attacker, Bir holding tightly to his foe as it struggled for freedom. The beast was strong and would certainly break free from his grip soon but the Kel Dor was not about to simply allow it to gain it’s liberation and tear into his jugular. The strength of the mentally insane too was beyond normal measures and he would maintain his hold… For now.

”So soft! So warm! So angry!” Bir elated between fits of laughter, moving his metallic hand to try and stroke the back of the beast's mane with his prosthetic. With each attempt he was met by a powerful twist of the creature’s middle section that would move both man and animal across the cavern floor, kicking up dust and saliva as it’s jaw continued to snap in fury. This would continue for only a few seconds as once Bir’s right hand grew near to the beast’s mouth, another snarl could be heard alongside the sounds of metal being separated from metal. The mysterious animal had managed to sink it’s teeth into the Kel Dor’s mechanical hand and tore away with his index finger.

Bir hated this arm. It was a sign of failure. It was a sign of weakness. Thankfully, however, it did not permeate pain throughout his body when wounded. No, all it would do is spur the mad acolyte from thrill to rage.

”Bad! So bad! A bad, bad demon, you are!” Bir would exclaim, loosening his grip with his left arm only slightly. Just enough for him to slide his hold of the beast upward and retighten around it’s neck before trying to throw his body atop that of his foe. Instead, the beast would prove the more powerful and push off from the floor but Bir’s hold around it’s neck did not falter. Turning now with Bir on his back, the beast scurrying for freedom with it’s legs in the air, the Kel Dor would bring his right hand and push it firmly against the side of his captive’s head. Harder he would push. Harder, harder, until the neck pushed so far across his left arm that it was forced to snap sickeningly away from the rest of it’s spine. The beast limp across Bir’s torso, the Acolyte would continue to laugh in the darkness. ”So bad! So very, very bad!”

@Phoenix @Arclight @Versok​

 

[Asminys]

It seemed to Asminys that he wouldn't have to wait long after all. Several flashes of grey surged from the darkness and through the red saber glow, on the trio of Sith in an instant.

Asminys slashed downwards with the saber he had held aloft, its red light flashing in the darkness as it swept through the claw that swung towards the Sith Lord. A tumble of grey, matted fur struck Asminys, its already dead weight settling against the hilt of his secondary saber that had ignited through the mystery assailants body.

Dead, but still heavy.

Asminys tumbled to the ground, losing grip on his off hand saber that had slain his foe as he found himself stuck under the weight of the wild animal. His free hand scrabbled through the fur atop him, trying to get a grip to push the body off of him. His steel legs kicked against the cave floor, scraping for a surface to push against as he tried to wriggle free from under the body of his foe. Enraged, he slashed with his saber once more to cut himself free, dividing the weight into portions from below.

@Phoenix @Versok @Tulos

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan's head snapped to the side toward the presence and the sound it made, fangs bared in a growling snarl. The fire rose in his chest on instinct, different emotions fed into the burning furnace in his chest, the stormcloud aura that made up his presence roiling and swirling toward a hurricane. Before he could formulate a response after the experience he'd just been through, however, he was launched bodily backward from the tunnel.

Light met his eyes again and free from the pressure he shifted his balance to get his feet under him, boots skidding across the stone ground before flopping quite unceremoniously backward, helmet he'd held clattering to the floor. Golden eyes flashed dangerously as they stared up at the ceiling for several seconds, a truly thunderous frown on the Drast's face. His torso flexed to get him up into a seated position toward the tunnel to glare at it. Never had Morgan experienced such bulls-

Oh, there was Malou. As the acolyte flew from the black Morgan shot to his feet and caught her back against a lithe arm that belied the inhuman strength it held. "Didn't like you either?" He tutted loudly, turning his gaze to find Renfry and Tiamat, the silver tones of anger remaining across his skin.

"The shadows speak and have exponentially greater power in the Force. Capable of physical and mental assault." Certainly the Entity had given the Firrerreo much to think about but in the meantime he seemed stuck in a state of immense irritation, a low growl slipping into his voice. "I could do little." The shriek before he was thrown off was odd. Had it been offended by what Morgan said?

This thing was moodier than the prince was. "Find anything helpful?" After he was sure Malou wasn't going to pass out and crack her head on the ground Morgan grumpily snatched up his helmet, walked over to a wall, and sat down against it to glare into the shadowy hallway. Going over every minute detail was his specialty, even if some of those details were extremely unpleasant.

Why had that moment seemed so dangerous? Was it just the obvious reasons, or something in the cavalcade of memory Morgan experienced? How did this being have so much influence in that hallway, specifically? The others didn't even have darkness and he could hear Bir's usual raving from down one of them. How was it so powerful in the first place to make Stolas feel fear run down his spine and through his limbs? Too many questions and no answers yet.

@lizziie @Phoenix @GABA

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

There was an ear-piercing shriek, then suddenly she was alone and she could feel its attention on her. A weight formed in Malou's chest once she realized this as fear crawled up her spine. Her head began to pound, and she felt like she was both weightless and being crushed under a thousands tons all at once.

"I am everything. Everything you crave. Everything you seek. But you are too weak to host it."

Malou did not have time to fully react before, like Stolas, she was expelled from the tunnel. Already disorientated from the sensation of before, she might have simply crashed into a wall somewhere had he not caught her. For a moment, she was too dazed to move, but Stolas' comment about the thing not liking her either snapped her back. She steadied herself and stood, remaining quiet for a moment while she lifted a hand to her face.

...host it? Malou lowered herself to the ground and sat with crossed legs. She could feel goosebumps run across her skin, and that terrible weight in her chest remained. Host what? What is 'it'?

Her mind began to race, searching through all her years of study for anything that might potentially relate to this situation in any way, shape, or form. But there was nothing she could recall which related to the cryptic nature of whatever the hell this was. Is it looking for a host? Like a parasite?

Malou continued to sit cross-legged, staring at her lap, half-listening to any conversation around her while she mulled over the events she had just witnessed.

tags: @Mr. Teatime @Phoenix @GABA

 

[Jerex Dorn]

Aww, what a shame, looks like Jerex would get to do his rancor impression after all! But he already accepted that, after all, he had been using the force to sense the creatures coming to them, so he wasn't by no means surprised and know just exactly what to do in response.

The creatures were leaping at them, there was no doubt about that, as a response, Jerex quickly crouched and got on one knee so the initial attack would go too high and actually leap over the old legionnare as the creature aimed for where his head and upper body were before. Just as the creature left itself open over him, Jerex grabbed his lightsaber from his robe and striked upwards, the blade suddenly igniting and cutting the creature in half, followed by him walked towards the upper half was located and separating the head from its body for good measure.

When it came to lightsaber combat, he could not fight using the raw power of Darth Asminys or the energy and endurance of Bir...He was far too old for that, he had to use swift moves and predict his opponents before they got the best of him in close quarters, thankfully, rabid beasts were oh so easy to predict, especially with the aid of the force.

Jerex went ahead and grabbed the decapitated head of the creature now, taking a good look at it to know what they were exactly fighting until he sensed more hostile enemies incoming "Aren't you quite the wicked creature? I wonder what wonderful knowledge I would get from the insides of a creature that lives in such a blessed place like this...hope I can keep one of you alive, now wouldn't that be fun?" Jerex laughed to himself at the prospect of gaining something so interesting from this little adventure "If you can afford to keep one of them alive, please do so, It's always nice to have a live specimen to study!"

@Arclight @Tulos @Phoenix

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

“Shit..”

Jaikus muttered under his breath as he made his way into the final chamber, realizing that the corridor ended in nothing but a dead end. Where the Marauder had desperately attempted to avoid the symbols that were all around him, the single altar and the lack of an alternative that didn't involve simply turning around forced the issue once again.

The whispers tugging at his mind made every hair on the back of his neck stand at attention, a constant gnawing that urged him to give in where he’d previously resisted. The sensation was more difficult to ignore than it had been the first time, even as it was laced with the same sinister feeling as it had been the first time. With no path forward to keep him occupied, the Marauder only now began to see the merit in gazing into the secrets held within the symbols.

While he had reached for the hilt of his blade before, only now did Jaikus make the decision to actually ignite the weapon. A low hiss resounded through the corridor, crimson light suddenly dancing across the ancient stone walls and hopefully illuminating the area in proximity to him. It was as if he was bracing himself for the worst – as if the worst possible outcome was waiting just around the corner, waiting for his attention to be drawn else.

With no lack of hesitation, Jaikus finally allowed himself to gaze upon the altar before him – citrine eyes fixating upon the singular symbol.

 

[The Storyteller]

As the Sith battled these creatures, they would find that they were quite ferocious. And yet, the Sith had emerged victorious. Or at least they had survived the first wave. Whether there were more of these creatures further inside wasn't clear, but likely.

The Sith, however, bought themselves some time to tend their wounds and catch their breath. But the horror wouldn't stop there. As they looked at their attackers, what they were would become both more and less clear.

The creatures had many ape-like qualities with large, sharp teeth and a thin grey fur. Or was it hair? As they looked more closely, they would be inevitably reminded of human beings. Faces that had a similar facial structure to men and women, somehow twisted over the years they had been here or by something else? The Sith would quickly realize the real peril here wasn't the creatures running around these tunnels but was in becoming the creatures of the tunnel.

Some now injured, covered in guts, and facing an unknown danger, whether the Sith opted to continue on or turn back would now be a very real question in their minds.

@Arclight @Tulos @Versok

---​

Renfry could tell that Morgan was nettled, and the acolyte seemed almost catatonic after the two were expelled from the tunnel. She was certain that there was a way to cross the darkness, but what exactly that route was wasn't clear. Perhaps the answer was in one of the other tunnels. Or perhaps they would be trapped here just like those who had come in the corvette all those years ago.

In contrast to the darkness that they had felt while they had been here the entire time, each of them would now be able to feel a slight shift in the planet. As if there was something not of the darkness that was beginning to creep over the area. A warmth or almost burning in contrast to the cold darkness.

It speaks? she asked, somewhere between concerned and excited. She cast her gaze toward the shadowy tunnel. That was mostly in keeping with what she had heard about it, though what it wanted was still somewhat elusive to them.

Maybe the runes can be used to pass, she wondered aloud. Do you know why it ejected you both? she asked, hoping that they might be able to determine something to help them cross the darkness. It seemed that the back side of this tunnel was going to be the source of all their troubles and... prizes?

@Mr. Teatime @lizziie

---​

As Jaikus finally chose to look at the rune engraved on the altar, it wasn't some physical threat that fell upon him nor anything that his lightsaber would be able to protect him from. The moment he let his eyes fall upon it, he would no longer be able to tear his eyes or mind away from it.

A funnel into his consciousness opened, and through it poured a raging river of knowledge. The glimpses into the Force that he had seen earlier would be completed. He would be shown what it was that was here with them on this world, what it feared, what it could do to them. He would understand how all of time, the Force, and the fabric of existence melded together into one cohesive form. He would know everything and his power would be unlimited.

And then it was snatched from him.

Like waking from a dream and no longer being able to truly remember what happened, the truth of their situation would be on the tip of his tongue but never quite able to be recalled. He would no how to achieve victory but never be able to bring it to the forefront of his mind. He would be left with a sense of dread, knowing the danger they faced but never being able to put it into words. What he would remember - or perhaps the better term was that he would feel it in his soul - was the overwhelming fear of the Light that remained in this place. Even the faintest glimmer or spark might yet undo everything.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan grumbled irritably to himself, muttering something about nonsensical demons and how they always cheat. His head tilted slightly while he stared at the dark tunnel. There was a shift in the air on the planet and the Sith Lord's senses caught it well enough, pulling him from his chaotic and increasingly frustrating train of thought.

Was it getting warmer? How odd. Morgan slowly turned to look at Renfry with a deep frown plastered on his face. "Yes," he confirmed grumpily. He didn't know about whatever these runes were, his magical knowledge limited. His jaw tensed when the Nightsister asked about what made the Entity throw them out. Morgan also didn't know why Malou had dbeen ejected, he only knew what had happened prior.

"Well..." he grimaced. "There was a mental attack. It showed and brought up memories." Morgan hesitated and then turned his eyes back to the tunnel. "Immensely personal memories." Brows furrowed in thought and slender fingers tapped a old song against his leg. Had that been the reason? Morgan had thought it might be that he hadn't simply collapsed immediately against the attack, but then, it could have just tried something else. He'd been overpowered with infuriating ease.

"Maybe it didn't like what it saw?" he added after a few seconds. "Acolyte. What happened to you?" His eyes closed in an attempt to review the experience but it stymied by both the quickness of what happened and the weight stuck in his chest about it all. Morgan needed to find the common point between all the memories that also made sense for the Entity's rage. His head tilted again.

Did that slight warmth in the air feel familiar or was he imagining it?

@Phoenix @lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

"Acolyte. What happened to you?" Malou lifted her head from its hung position but didn't respond immediately. It was hard to discern her facial expressions because of her blindfold, but the acolyte was musing over something else. She too had noticed the change of atmosphere, though she had been distracted from it by the question. What had happened? Though it had only happened minutes ago, she didn't want to think about it anymore.

"It..." Malou struggled for a moment to find the right words. "It taunted me, and when I was alone it was like..." She paused again, not even sure how to describe such an experience. "It was like I was...floating? I couldn't feel the ground beneath my feet. It said something about hosting something, too." She left out the part about her "being too weak to host it." That, in her opinion, would be embarrassing to share even if it was undeniably true, especially compared to the Entity itself.

tags: @Mr. Teatime @Phoenix @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat gaze continued on the runes, following them along the walls of the cave as it stopped at the tunnel. She gasped as she watched both Morgan and Malou both be ejected from the tunnel they had chosen, clearly distraught by what they observed or felt and Tia watched them both curiously for a moment before her attention was drawn again to the tunnel on the far right. Her own senses felt like static on a radio device as she tried to push and pull through the void, but couldn't register much of anything. Once more she looked at the glyphs as she heard Renfry ask the two Sith what had happened; her own brow furrowed in thought and confusion as she tried to place any familiarity to what they had discovered.

What was apparent what could be in there, it wanted a way out, so was it the Entity? Tia looked at the group before looking at the tunnel, allowing the draw to pull her inside. She tried to search for the sides of the tunnels, her fingers extended as far as she could reach as she searched for the sides as she travelled forward, one foot in front of the other. There was nothing that could be felt on either side and it would become apparent her exit was covered by the blackness. It reminded her of the nexus where she started her training, no direction, just as it was. An infinite number of steps with no direction and she would only pause when she knew it would be time to stop.

@Phoenix

 

[Jerex Dorn]

Jerex still looked at the decapitated head as he pondered, being a man of science and theories, chances are he was the first one to notice the kind of danger they could've be in...Not danger of death, no, but rather being robbed of their sentience, this...this was actually quite troubling, at least for the good doctor, who tossed the head aside and looked at the others for a brief moment before focusing once more to have a better sense of his surroundings and the beings that could attack them at any given moment

"Disregard my request about leaving one of them alive, there's no time for that" Jerex let out a small sigh as he put the arm that wasn't holding the lightsaber behind his back, using the lightsaber to shed light on the creature for the other two "I'm afraid being in this place turns people into primal beasts robbed of intelligence, the very cursed forces of this cave draining them of all but animalistic instincts and turning them into these creatures...Very interesting and noteworthy, but also dangerous!" Jerex let out a small, scary cackle modified by his helmet of Ren, looking at the other two and making sure they weren't changing yet.

"Gentlemen, a choice must be made, and we must make it fast, we either retreat and try another way or get to the bottom of this...But regardless, we need to move fast, we are at risk with each passing second, choose quickly and act swift, no time to doubt oneselves...Run, be it away or deeper, I'll leave that choice to you once again!" Once again, Jerex took the role of advisor to the other two crazy people that were with him, he was sure they would probably want to go deeper, or at least he hoped so, his curiosity wouldn't be sated by running away.

@Arclight @Tulos @Phoenix