[Eriadu] Restock, Rest, Serve

[Bruce Guleya]

Flames, smoke, and fumes filled the cave and assaulted his senses - the noxious scent causing his stomach to churn. The shrieking of the creatures while they burned indicated their initial encounter was drawing to its conclusion. Bruce tossed is saber through one of their heads while he slammed the other into the ceiling and accelerating their fall to the ground. The hilt came into contact with his hand and immediately extinguished. He returned it to his waist and leaned against the cave wall.


The wound became more apparent to him. He tensed his arm before releasing the tension. He placed his open palm over the wound, it looked mostly superficial to him. “It was, enlightening; sorry about the lightsaber.” He glided his hand over the wound, the blood seeped through his fingers as the Force flowed through him clotting the wound in one pass, the second pass cleansed the wound of any impurities, the third pass sealed the wound, the fourth and final pass removed the scar that would have formed.


“Have you ever seen or felt those things before?” He pushed himself off the wall and walked over to Kal, seeing the tear in his leg pant legs and the fresh bright red flowing from it. “I recommend you sit and let me tend to that, I know you're drawing from it but you'll be expending more energy to be able to maintaining your balance and allowing you to walk.”


He eyed the wound weighing the options. “Unless you want to walk away from it all - but I doubt that is your style.” He smirked as he took a jab at him. He wasn't as bound and connected to Kal as Cregan was, but after you've been in combat a couple of times - with instead of against - you had a certain relationship. Of course though, this was not a simple relationship it was complex and he did need to pick and choose his conversations. That was Bruce. Trusting and friendly to all he meets, no matter whom they were. Until he was personally wronged.


“The caves go deep and whatever is down there, I think we might have annoyed. I'm sure there's plenty of more nasties to go to to toe with and your Pyrotechnics could certainly gain a work out.” the powers of lighting and fire intrigued him, or bat least the use of all elemental attacks. He was curious, did a user feel the charge or the scorch of an elemental attack? Bruce didn't use much in the ways of offensive application of the Force, although he was capable of doing it.


He wanted to hear from Kal how'd like to proceed with the wounds. He had a traditional medical kit and a couple shots of koloto he could use if he'd prefer. But Bruce would certainly push to do something about the wound even if it was just a bandage. Cut to the leg, that could certainly impede the flow of combat.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal just snorted as Bruce suggested he just walk away. It wasn't a serious suggestion, so it didn't warrant a serious response as far as Kal was concerned. But the offer of healing wasn't one that Kal opted to turn down. He eased back and off of the leg, sticking his leg out as he sat on a boulder. Sure, thanks, he said briefly. While he could channel it, he knew it was better to not have the injury than to leave it there.

No, I've never seen anything like those before, he said, pausing a moment to think. I don't think they're Dark Side creatures... might just be local fauna, he hazarded to guess, but he didn't know for certain. He wondered what they might be up against when they made it deeper inside. I don't know what's in here, but I have no doubt its pissed off, he said.

Which led to the next question: what to do about it. Kal was curious, and Bruce couldn't leave now. If he did, the angry thing might start attacking locals even more vehemently, and if it did, then that would be on Bruce... kind of. He waited and watched as Bruce performed his healing across the leg, quickly feeling better and flexing the leg slightly. Downward is the only way forward, he muttered, standing up again.

And with that, they were on their way again, he supposed. He pressed on into the mouth of the cave but there was no sound. In fact, it was eerily quiet in here, so much so that it was unsettling.

Come to me, a voice seemed to call out to both of them. Bruce would hear it as well, though it was questionable whether or not it was real or just in their minds. Whatever it was, it was from a very real source. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce approached Kal’s exposed leg, it would have been much worse. Fortunately, Kal was a formidable foe and was able to salvage and push through. Bruce knew that Kal or any dark user could in fact heal these wounds but, in Bruce's experience a dark heal wasn't a lasting heal. Some Jedi would scoff at this, some would take advantage of this, but Bruce wasn't other Jedi. The slash on Bruce's arm was a fairly easy mend, but this one would need a little more focus. “Certainly is deep, I'd say you were lucky - but we both know what luck is.”


“Give me a moment.” Bruce took a seat close to the wound. He reached out with his mind, pushing through the abyss and finding the injured leg, with the image in his mind he began to dig down through the grisly images down through the muscles and the bone. Both were fine, it was more on the uppermost layers - a much easier to tend. Calling upon the Force energies he began to weave them through the layers of flesh, the weave began to seal like stitches over a wound. Piece by little piece the wound sealed up and the bodies natural healing went into overdrive to purge and secure.


Bruce stood up, “Done!” He exclaimed. “I'm starting to second your assessment. What I'd felt before was just the entrance and the remnants of a long forgotten conflict - now that we're beyond that I can see more clearly.”


The adventure had just begun and by dealing with the situation now resulted in a firm resolute, this most certainly will not do. It must be resolved, was Bruce's line of thought. No more should the locals be victimized, he'd have to push through no matter the problems they'd be faced off against. “You would be right. We'd just need to get further in. Whatever is down there, I'm sure can be handled most efficiently and brutally if need be. Out encounter up here I think might result in little adversity - I think we've sent a clear message… or I'm completely wrong and we're walking into a trap.” he ignited his lightsaber's golden blade to provide them some light. He didn't think a flashlight or a glowrod would be best suited now.


The duo adventured forward, maintaining vigilance. And then the erie words filled his head. They were being summoned. His mind now spoke even more of 'trap.’ The two of them stopped and looked around their settings, this answered the question that would have been asked - they both heard it.


Without saying more, they both started to advance even further - it was probably a crazy thing to do. You don't typically willingly walk into the summons of disembodied voices. The Force guiding was one thing they both new, and those calls felt differently; Bruce was more comfortable with those calls however. Looking far into the chamber below, a soft glow could be seen. Bruce wouldn't shy away, no he had a duty to discover and to suppress and resolve the issue.


“Down there. You see the glow. I think we're meant to go there… but with little opposition, I think we might be setting ourselves up to a trap.”

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal found the comment about luck to be far more interesting than perhaps Bruce had meant it to be. If the Force still watched out for him, kept him from harm or death, and led him to places in order to discover powers and all new things, what did that say about its priorities? What if the Exiles were not the abominations the Jedi saw them as? Or perhaps he was just a tool to be used for some other end. Or perhaps he was reading into it all far too much. He supposed there was no point in belaboring the point right now, though perhaps he would ask Bruce's thoughts on the matter out of curiosity.

As they continued on, Kal looked at what was ahead. It's most certainly a trap, Kal said quietly, though what kind of trap would remain to be seen. They both knew it was and as neither of them knew what type, there was little they could do but continue onward.

He continued down the sloping tunnel further and there was no sign of the monsters or any other life apart from that dull glow within. It looked almost as if it streaked outward from a center, but Kal was having difficulty seeing it as he drew closer. As they approached the end of their tunnel, things opened up further and they were in a larger chamber with the... thing. It seemed to glow, large and almost alive. It looked to be filled with some sort of gelatinous material, but Kal knew looks could be deceiving. The fact that it seemed capable of telepathic communication with the pair was all the more disturbing.

Aaah, you have come. Have you come to learn from me? it asked, and Kal glanced over at Bruce before letting his eyes sweep around the chamber. He had the nagging feeling that they were going to be attacked any moment, but as of this moment, he couldn't see anything that looked out of the ordinary in any of the walls or alcoves surrounding them. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

@Phoenix

They progressed unimpeded down the cavern, fortunately for them it was mostly a straight shot and Bruce suspected it shouldn't be too much of a challenge to back out of there if they needed to in haste. Upon the entrance to the chamber Bruce was taken aback; the walls were caked in material that mostly appeared to be of some form of infection, it appeared the walls pulsated and appeared to be breathing, but that couldn't be true could it? An organic matter? He tried to reach out with the Force to feel the thing in the room with them, he couldn't feel the thing... the infection... the... whatever it was.

He looked upon the thing, partial in disgust but more of uncertainty. Bruce looked around the area with consideration, there was nothing particular he could see, he could hear the sounds of claws scratching across stone, but nothing was obvious. They were being watched, beyond the thing in front of them. The may have been assembling to see what was about to transpire, although that was obvious - he could feel no hostile intent. It was obvious, the surroundings were not exactly the main concern - this thing that was communicating with them telepathically, now that, that was a threat. This was a talent few possessed.

And then the offer, an offer to be a teacher. What could it teach them? What could it teach Bruce specifically. He looked back at Kal before returning the look upon the 'infection' - yes he figured he'd call it an infection until otherwise known. "To learn?" Bruce was always a willing student, he look forward to expanding his mind and his repertoire, so the offer to learn certainly got his attention - but what could possibly be taught by this thing? "You offer to teach? What could you teach? What are you offering, if I maybe so bold."

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal took careful steps inside, looking at the... thing. He didn't know what it was, but it appeared to be strong with the Force. Actually, that probably wasn't the right term for it, but the creature had a deep connection to the Force in one way or another. Kal actually found himself curious about what this thing could teach the two of them, but given the darkness that seemed to cling to the place and the creature itself, Kal was curious about it.

He was ultimately surprised that the Jedi was "interested." He was curious if he actually wanted to learn or if he was just using it as a ploy. Didn't peg you as the type, Kal thought to himself.

All about the Force. You think you know of its nature? I have seen things that you cannot imagine. Since before you were born and long after, the creature went on and Kal began to wonder how long this thing might have been here and if it was truly as old it claimed.

The nature of the Force? Kal asked, glancing momentarily over to the Jedi. And what is your connection to the Force? Are you an entity in yourself or some long-extinct species? he asked, starting to think that perhaps it was one of a kind and nothing else like it existed. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

@Phoenix

"The True Nature of the Force? You opinions and your association are just that, they are yours. Whether true or not, it will be a matter of debate, you cannot be the only source nor the only answer." Bruce attempted to probe into the creature but he could not quite pinpoint the nature of the beast. The alignment shifted from a darkness to the light and back; it seemed to be in a state of flux. But with the reoccurring darkness that clung at the cave it was impossible for Bruce to make heads or tails of the thing.

"I am this cave and the cave is me. My connection is that of an ancient connection, so long have I rested in this cave and watched. Watched your own destruction."

The thing wasn't making much sense. It was being cryptic, more cryptic than even a Jedi. True to his nature, Bruce listened although frustrated with the cryptic messages, that was the one thing he despised with the upper echelon of the Jedi as well as the archives. Cryptic, never giving a straight answer, just dancing around the issues. Bruce moved his eyes over around the room trying to assess the environment, part of his assessment was to locate a means to impact this thing if need be, but for the time he would listen. That was his desire, it was always a method of learning. He had established a ploy to strike at this thing - not yet at least.

Bruce extinguished his lightsaber, placing it onto his waist.

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal was suspicious of this creature based not only on its shifty answers, but also the fact that it seemed to have already lured people here to kill them before. It was fairly clear that whatever this was, it wasn't benevolent, and he was willing to bet that the creatures they'd run into and fought were under its control.

And what then is the true nature of the Force? he asked. And is it the same promise you gave to those others whose bodies we found outside? he barely kept himself from asking. Fine, he could try to be slightly more subtle here. He didn't like this situation at all, but he managed to put on his best "subtle Shadow" face and not go in blade swinging.

So how can we learn the true nature of the Force from you? he asked, now waiting for the creature to make its pitch for why they should assimilate or some similar path that would no doubt end with them both being dead or otherwise trapped. A parasite: that was what Kal felt this was. He glanced over at Bruce with an arched eyebrow, wondering if the Jedi was thinking the same thing. Probably, he figured, turning his attention back to the creature only to notice the ground vibrating ever so slightly in front of him as if something were burrowing under the two. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

"The true nature of the Force is freedom. I can give you this."

Bruce could also feel the vibrations happening under their feet. Bruce subtly unclipped the hilt from his waist and positioned it so it would face downward. He kept it at a safe distance as he continued to listen.

"Everlasting bliss, with no troubles or worries. Pure ascension. You need to shed your weakness and give yourself to Force, implicitly."

A threat if he ever did hear one. His suspicions confirmed in a matter of moments, the ground in which they stood gave way to a tunnel system - Bruce had shifted his position but hit the ground hard as he made the efforts to avoid the ground giving away. The shrill cries echoed in the halls as black tendrils rose up from the ground attempting to snatch up the duo, or pierce them. Bruce's lightsaber came to life in a moments notice as a creature lept down from the ceiling with jaws snapping. The creature came crashing down over Bruce who impaled the beast with his saber, although a lightsaber naturally cauterizes all wounds, this time however, oddly enough blood was split by the beast, splattering.

"Slay them. Free me." It was unclear if the creature was speaking of Force users slaying the beasts or the other way around. Bruce tossed the corpse off of him.

Bruce yelled over at his companion, "Kal!" as he spoke stray blood caused Bruce to cough, "Torch it? Seal it?" The thing was trying to unleash the beasts against him and his companion, Bruce didn't want to slay but the harsh nature was leaving him no choice. One hope Bruce had was, if Kal could burn the creature to incapacitate them they might be able to escape and seal the entity within - either by caving in the natural structure, or using their connection with the Force to put a protective seal on the area - or both.

If they could prevent any more losses, they might be able to 'starve' the creature.

A tendril snapped at Kal from down below, while some creatures returned from the darkness honing in on both of the users.

 

[Darth Kravos]

And there was the inevitable chaos that was being unleashed. This thing - whatever it was - was not here to "help" them or provide them with assistance. It was here for its own gain. A tendril reached up to lash out at Kal and he leapt back, swinging a saber along the saber only to have it bounce casually off. Great. The tendril seemed to be more than capable of holding its own to the superheated plasma. At least he had managed to put himself outside the strike range. Too close for comfort though.

Kal swung his left arm upward, sending a flux of powerful energy upward to smash into the roof of the cave and allowing several rocks to fall downward in hopes of plugging the holes the creatures were flooding out of. It was the first step, but the cave was still holding strong and the tunnels were far more extensive than he had anticipated. It wouldn't be an easy fix to bring it down.

Cover me! he shouted, hoping the Jedi would keep them at bay while he began the process of bringing the cavern down. Then he got a better idea. He reached out with the Force, gripping both "clam shell" sides of the creature and wrenching it open, wider and wider. The sound of cracking began to fill the room and Kal saw something glowing slightly brighter inside. Stab it! he shouted. While lightning might have worked as well or better, he figured a Jedi wouldn't be "okay" with that. They had one opportunity to strike a blow against this... thing. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

@Phoenix

The tendrils let out a loud snap as they swung at the duo, just like a whip. Bruce could feel the cave begin to shake as debris fell from the ceiling in a dire effort to try and subdue the challenges. But the shaking quickly ceased but was replaced with the squishy sounds of organic matter breached open and cracking.


Bruce took direction from Kal when he ordered him to cover him. He snapped the saber to life, he ran at some of the creatures, he harnessed his limited understanding of Ataru, he kicked one creature and vaulted over another while Bruce pierced his saber downward through the creature's neck, Bruce hit the ground and rolled while slashing upwards at another creature. He made for Kal, and stopped short. He took up a guard around Kal until that sound of cracking happened.


New order. Bruce, cleaved another creature that started to get close to Kal, Bruce figured Kal was a bit preoccupied. He saw the opening, he saw the glow, he hesitated a moment - to kill something like this, that was hard. He thought even though it had it out for them, he could possibly learn more about the thing as well as those that it controlled. But, it wouldn't be possible… and hesitation is what made one weak and resulted in countless deaths. He supposed, his own experience, even if it worked and they fell, there's not guarantee it was permanent.


Bruce took off full stride, bobbing and weaving, he thrust the saber deep within the target. The thing cried out in disaster, Bruce tried to pull his saber free but his saber was lodged in deep and he couldn't break it free, he tugged and reefed at it and still was unable to free it. He let it go reluctantly and backed away. The shrill cries sent a chill down his spine, it caused the beasts to either run or die instantly, the whole area began to shake and stutter.

Bruce backed away in the direction of an exit, he bumped into Kal “I think we've really done it now.” Bruce didn't flee, he just wanted to get some distance in case the cave began to collapse in on itself but he couldn't tell if that was to happen.

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal was glad to see the Jedi make his move, even if there was a moment's hesitation at the suggestion. Then there was the other half of the issue: the cave was now collapsing. Typical. Kal's first thought was, of course, the fact that they needed to get free from this cave, but his second thought was the loss of... whatever this place was. He didn't know what he might have learned from it, but clearly whatever it might have offered was going to be washed away with the tide of rocks.

While Bruce may not have fled yet, Kal had a bit more precaution. We need to go, he said, turning quickly and beginning to run toward the entrance. Larger chunks of stone began to fall from the ceiling with loud crashes behind them. There was no time to lose and dirt began to fly up in front of the Exile as he made his way toward the exit. He would no doubt be covered in dust by the time they made their way out.

A large rock fell down, crashing onto his shoulder with enough force to leave it throbbing, but he pressed onward. There was no choice except to make it out before the two of them were crushed or worse: trapped in the cave and left to starve or suffocate. It was an outcome Kal would have really rather not thought about. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

The cave began to crack and crumble and collapse in on itself. He didn't need to be told to flee, that was the obvious course of action. He looked over at Kal and nodded in approval, but he couldn't leave, not yet. He looked at the thing once more, part remembrance, part plotting. The cave would collapse and the thing might be lost, but the energies would still linger be suspected - if this truly was a Force beast, it may very well survive this in some form of another… he thought he might come back and see what mysteries he could unravel.


After musing about the potential return he returned his focus to the lightsaber lodged into the thing. He couldn't pull it out, he was too far away from it now. He had to think, he had to retrieve it somehow… it was his first lightsaber, he's grown rather attached to it. He had to try… and then the most simple of solutions came to mind. He pictured the hilt in his mind, he could remember every detail of it - much like any other would. He located the switch and it's supply, with a quick thought he flipped the switch on it and the saber reacted as planned, although it struggled slightly. The blade flickered and disappeared and as it began to free fall, he called it to himself. He had started to flee with Kal, just as they exited the chamber the hilt collided with his hand and he safely stowed it.


The two ran free as the chamber they were in got swallowed up by boulders and disappeared from view. They weren't quite out of the clear, larger boulders slammed into the ground, some of the creatures thought they'd attempt to stop the duo, but they all found an unfortunate fate either at the hands of the two fleeing or the falling rocks. They were almost there, they could see the light they'd travelled in reverse if by instinct. Bruce merely pointed at the exit, he didn't need to state the obvious, it was right there and if Kal couldn't see it…


A boulder collided with Bruce’s own shoulder. It felt as if someone had deliberately threw the rock at him. He stumbled, he fell to the ground and fought to get back to his feet, it would take him a couple of attempts on his own to get back up, he had no expectations of the Exile to help him get to his feet. Once recovered he made haste, but he could feel that his shoulder had or was about to pop out. He tried to shelter the arm, but the movement would likely take the win. At this point he could feel his knee and shin start the throb, pushing himself to limp about - he'd use the Force to dull the pain shortly after he began to limp - but it was obvious before he harnessed the Force.


They had to dodge a large chunk of rock before they'd break free. It nearly came down on top of them but they both could feel their sense enter alarm status which prompted them to pick up the pace. They soon were engulfed by the natural sunlight upon exiting the cave. Bruce rolled clear of the cave, releasing the protection of the Force. He tumbled and he shout out as the shoulder final popped. “Son of a Bothan!” He cradled his arm now. He may have been a Jedi, but Jedis aren't immune to pain.

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal certainly wasn't going to wait around to see if they would be crushed by the cave or whether the thing they'd been fighting and all of its minions would otherwise survive. No, Kal was a survivor and had reverted into full survivor mode at this point as the dirt and stones continued to fall on them.

Being out front, he didn't see the Jedi stumble, or at least if he did, he didn't stop. He caught a brief glimpse of the entrance through the dust and then darted outward toward that sweet, sweet salvation.

He burst into fresh sunlight all once and turned to look back at the dust now flooding out of the cave. He saw the Jedi emerge a moment later and the fact that this would have been the opportune moment to kill him didn't fail to cross the assassin's mind. But not today. He moved over, preparing to pop the Jedi's shoulder back in place, but it didn't end up being necessary as it popped back if it's own accord.

Well that was fun, he said deadpan. In truth, his mind was turning to what was left of the inside of the cave and what knowledge might have been lost. But there was also something to say for the fact that they weren't "assimilated."

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce attempted to roll his shoulder a few times, doing that resulted in the correction of the shoulder and it was back in. Bruce looked up at the Exile looming over him. Although this was the most fearsome warrior in the galaxy, Bruce wasn't shy. Bruce didn't even think ill of the man, he had never did anything directly against him - although they may have disagreed. "Fun?" Well he supposed it might have been, even for someone know accustomed to this.

Bruce pulled himself up and dusted himself off. He could feel his body throbbing but it would pass, he was certain. "I want to know what that thing was. I want to know what was going on with that thing, and if it was just a ruse or if it actually had something to teach us." He was frustrated, but he tapped his lightsaber - okay he did actually retrieve it and it wasn't just in his head. "I'm not going to let this one get away - doesn't even matter that it's buried. I'll probably have to come back." Bruce sighed, maybe he was just wrong. But how exactly could he get back in there? Well it wasn't like he had to come back tomorrow.

"Well thought grabbing that thing like that. Just wish there was a way it didn't result in us nearly dying due to suffocation."

 

[Darth Kravos]

Just another day at the office, he said when Bruce mentioned them nearly suffocating. It wasn't exactly a pleasant day, but he was alive, and that was really all the more he could ask for. These types of things could easily result in them being killed without much difficulty, and he had been in enough situations like this to know he should be thankful he wasn't dead already.

He gave a shrug as Bruce mentioned coming back. He probably should have come back as well, but something told him that it wouldn't be worth it. There was little to find here of worth and he suspected further investigation would either be fruitless or result in him being killed off. Most likely the former.

You're not likely to find much, he finally stated, but he wasn't going to push the Jedi not to pursue it. Just a ruse. While it no doubt knew things, it's primary focus was not on education, that much I can assure you. It was predatory as could be discerned from all the dead it had taken. I suppose I shall leave you to it if you'd like. At least we've cleared up your local's problems. And you can go back to "not" living here, he quipped, though he didn't truly know if Bruce would be staying here or not. Regardless, Kal didn't anticipate he would be sticking around much longer. There was still a galaxy to conquer, after all. And so he would go on his way until the next time the two met: likely sooner than later. @Zigara

 

[Bruce Guleya]

@Phoenix

The Exile was probably right, there wasn't much here but Bruce was the kind of person who didn't give up; even if Kal was right Bruce wasn't going to abandon this idea - he'd keep this cave in the back of his mind and consider monitoring the area, anything could happen. "Yeah. You're probably right." it was part truth and part ploy - there was no telling if Kal would be thinking the same as he, but Bruce suspected Kal wasn't one for the Secrets of the Force and was more of an action person, that was proven more than once now.

"It's been alleviated sure." He didn't really pay any attention to the comment about living on Eriadu. Bruce was nomadic thus far, he did spend a good amount of time on Ossus, and he suspected it might be time to return to the Order's activities. At least for a little while anyways. "It has been a pleasure to work with you yet again. Perhaps a drink on me is in order? Even if it is not today. I'm sure we'll cross paths ago though, I simply hope they remain on neutrality." Bruce offered the man a handshake.