Finding the Light: Daybreak

[Sigal Adi Chume'da]

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Theme
Kalist VI​

Sigal Adi Chum'eda was exhausted. No, exhausted was an understatement. She felt utterly drained. This accursed plant, it had nearly taken everything from her, her sanity, her integrity, even her life. Still, it wasn't enough. The taint of the dark side still lingered, so much so that it clung to every rock and crevice. Time would not be enough to heal this affliction. More had to be done, much more. A number of remaining Jedi had gathered amongst the outskirts of the ruins, no doubt discussing their next course of action. For now, Sigal barely listened. She just wanted to leave this force forsaken and rock and never return.

Yet @Grug, @Telunaris and @Vollen Shai seemed locked in thoughtful discussion, and had been for some time now. The Hapan silently argued with herself; dare she venture closer and join them, or simply remain where she was, recovering amongst the ruins of the compound. Truth be told, she didn't want to be anywhere near that green skinned pig monster. Who would have thought such a creature could have been allowed to join the Jedi Order; her kinswoman would be disgraced by the very notion of such absurdities. Yet again, Sigal couldn't help but notice just how much her Hapan ideals clashed with those of the Jedi Order. Hapans were matriarchal, governed by strict social principles; status and rank were as highly treasured as beauty, much of which Sigal possessed in abundance. But with that heritage came a Pandora's box.

The blonde beauty was notoriously vain, not to mention prideful and conceited. Time amongst the Jedi had done little to temper those -rather undesirable- traits. Even now, Sigal missed the pleasantries of Hapes. Back on her homeworld, she was a daughter of the noble Chum'eda house. Everyday was filled with luxury and bliss. Now, the vixen found herself struggling with servitude; her commitment to the Jedi was fostered out of familial honour, as oppose to righteous intentions. Sigal's mother, the matriarch of the family, had made her position transparently clear. Serving the Jedi Order was a source of pride for the Chume'da family; regardless of Sigal's feelings and thoughts, she was honour bound to comply. However distasteful she found it.

Annoyed with her wandering thoughts, Sigal rose with a rise. Against her better judgement, she ambled over to the awaiting trio of Jedi...whilst ensuring the Gamorrean was most assuredly downwind.

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@Nefieslab

 

[Vollen Shai]

It hadn't been long that Vollen had been on Kalist VI. Though the Deep Core world was only a short jump away from their own stronghold on Tython, apparently somehow darkness had come to fester here even as they reclaimed what they could.

And then reports, of violence, and cults, and deep and twisted rituals coming from the planet that the people of Kalist couldn't deal with alone. Jedi had come, organised by Knight Chum'eda, to try and do what they could and it seemed good progress was being made.

But the dark side did not give up so easily. And so more than a few had come now to assist, himself included as a representative from the Jedi Council. It wouldn't be said that the Jedi would let innocents fall prey to the dark side. And while the might not have the might to challenge the Sith, there were many other practitioners throughout the galaxy the Jedi could help stop.

Passing into the ruins of the compound, Vollen spotted Knight Chum'eda. She seemed tired, exhausted even. Perhaps he had come too late,

"Sigal! Hey, hey, you've done well, but don't push yourself, here" Vollen would reach out and channel the force into his hands, finding what healing energies he could amongst the devestated landscape that surrounded them, and feeding it toward Sigal. While it wouldn't do as a proper rest, hopefully it would keep her going, and help her see it through. Because from what he knew of the young Knight, she wasn't one to back down. And Vollen certainly admired that. She was a good Jedi, in her own way,

"The reports haven't been totally clear though I'm afraid. The cult is gone, correct. Though..." he could feel it in the force, they probably all could. The corruption still lingered here even now,

"Though something is still here. What do you need us to do?" Vollen offered with a smile, gesturing to his companions. He was ready to see this place brought into the light.


@Esther Nyx @Cazar @Korvo

 

[Telunaris]

The Deep Core. No-Man's-Land to some, mysterious and mystical to others, it was a sector of the galaxy without equal. The entire region was rife with rupturing disturbances through hyperspace, making traversing the region hazardous at best, and lethal at worst. Even taking the hyperspace dangers out of the equation, the Deep Core was filled with exploding stars and black holes, hardly what one would consider ideal. But beyond the dangers, the Force almost quaked from how abundant it was on the worlds there. Tython. Had Abaddon. Prakith. Zamael. And here, even Kalist.

All the same, this was his first time here. Dry sands, crags and deserts. It reminded Telunaris of the reports he'd heard of Korriban. Or Moraband, he often confused the one with the other. Regardless, the apparent similarities were uncanny, and it made Telunaris feel somewhat uneasy about all the Jedi that had been dispatched planetside. But every Jedi had to face the darkness eventually, either internally or externally. And whatever the cult on Kalist had been doing here had warped the planet, twisted it. It wasn't as bad as Tython was, nor Prakith, but anyone sensitive to the Force could tell; the energies on this planet were unnatural.

"The Dark Side can give birth to a great many horrors, subtle and gross", Telunaris said, approaching Vollen and Sigal both, after the former had mentioned that the cult previously found here was gone. The latter Jedi Telunaris had not personally known, although he was aware that she had been the one who'd taken the lead on this expedition. "Not all of them can be confronted with the blade."

 

[Grug]

Grug was a warrior. Coming to this world to bring light to him would likely mean destroying the dark in battle. That is why Grug was sent places and why he often went somewhere on his own. The Gamorrean Jedi joined the group as they discussed what could be out there causing this darkness. He really had nothing to add to theories but he wanted to seem helpful. A fresh mold had grown on his body after a recent mud bath so he was feeling refreshed as well. Even the morrts were extra happy.

"But many am able fight with blade." Grug added, likely ruining the mystic comment Telunaris was going for here.

He stood as close to Vollen as possible. This was someone who was on the council and would be a good friend for Grug. He was the only one here that Grug knew as well. Grug did not know what exactly to expect, but he was always ready to fight. Darkness had to die and there was usually a way to smash it. The light was always better than darkness even if it appealed at times. Grug would find a way to get rid of this one just as he had many times in the past. Especially with so many Jedi around, he had no doubt this would be done.

 

[The Storyteller]

The Darkness of this planet was palpable to people who were able to sense the Force.

It was strong enough that it would be like a constant chill to those who could sense the Force, for those who could actually combat it. Although not actually intelligent, the accumulated Darkness of the planet, of the corrupted Temple and it's followers had an almost bestial aggression behind it.

Instinct even.

The chance that these Jedi could damage it was aggravating and would be met with anger and violence.

Even now, the ground around the assembled Jedi was moving, currents of the Dark Side of the Force lingering around them. There was nothing to attack yet, nothing manifested yet, as the Jedi had yet to actually start to attempt purifying anything. They had yet to actually 'attack' it.

The Dark could be patient.

@Esther Nyx @Cazar @Nightfall096 @Korvo

 

[Sigal Adi Chume'da]

Sigal waved off Vollen's worries, feigning an air of indifference. Weakness was not a Hapan virtue. Pride and honour, however, were more than enough to rouse the young Knight. She would never admit defeat, nor would she yield, even in the face of amounting odds. But, contrary to past preferences, Sigal wasn't alone. Indeed, she was in the company of fellow Jedi, rather influential ones at that (sadly, they were all males). Still, the blonde beauty could utilise their skills and power. Together, they would be more than able to banish this putrid darkness, once and for all.

Drawing on her waning resolve, Sigal righted herself and stood, straight backed. For a moment, her violet eyed gaze scanned the ruins of the compound; for a moment, satisfaction filled her. This place had once been a haven for dark depravity. Now, it was nothing more than rubble. Rightfully so. As one who worshipped the light, Sigal detested everything dark. She would not tolerate its presence, in anyway way, shape or form. So long as the miasma remained, darkness would always hold sway over this world. In a generation or two, if left unchecked, a new brood of cultists could surface and fester. A most unacceptable prospect, especially to Sigal. She had suffered untold horrors here. Now she would have her justly retribution. This planet would be sanitised, rid of the cult's lingering taint.

And in the absence of darkness, Light would reign. Despite her fatigued state, Sigal envisioned something wonderous, something truly magnificent. Within her mind's eye, she pictured a temple, a glorious sanctum of radiance. It would be bathed in the blessing of the Force. The dead and barren land would once again grow lush with life, Nature finally able to reclaim its lost fertility. Here, the Jedi could find purchase, could establish a new extension. Sigal would strive to see this dream achieved. Not even the Dark Side could challenge her budding ambition. Indeed, the Hapan's plans were grand. But all great things had to start somewhere.

The team of Jedi still had to challenge the cult's insufferable stink.

Reclaiming her thought and focusing on the present situation, Sigal glanced back towards the converging party. Understandably, she refused to address Grug, or even acknowledge his words; the creature's stench was enough to inspire tears, let alone the sight of him. And to think, the beast was deemed worthy of being a Jedi. But, for now, that atrocity was best left alone. No matter how much as she disliked, all Jedi here would needed in this endeavour.

"This place must be purged. Cleansed." Sigal recalled such capability, once in her studies. Acting a medium, a focal point of sorts, Jedi could channel the force into a formidable manifestation. When Jedi united together, presenting a united front, they could forcibly expel any dark side influence. This was no simple feat, even Sigal knew this. Still, she was willing to try. Silently hoping her fellow Jedi would back her suggestion.

"We must form a Wall of Light. Here, we must make our stand."

 

[Vollen Shai]

"And see it gone once and for all" Vollen said with a sly smile. Sigal was a determined one, that he could not deny, and was more than pleased to see it. There was so much ill in the galaxy, at times it seemed to never end. It was re-energising to stand amongst such ready and determined Jedi, and to heal a planet that had been so cursed by the dark side.

At times some wondered if the dark side could be as bad as it had sounded, as all the books had said. But the further Vollen wandered upon the galaxy the more he had it confirmed. The dark side corrupted, consumed, and left little in its wake. Life could not flourish beneath it. And so for Kalist to be whole again Sigal was right, it was time cleanse this place, and a wall of light would do it. Undoubtedly this would be no easy task, the darkness would resist, but fight it they had to,

"In which case, reach in, feel the force with me, let's free this place" Vollen said, resolved. Moving to form a circle with others, he began to slip into a more meditative state, reaching out both with his hands into the centre and toward his companions, stretching out toward them in an application of Force Meld. If the others accepted, their minds would be joined, heightening their awareness, and their resolve and defense against the darkness that awaited them. And with the clear shared purpose of a wall of light, hopefully they could avoid the worst of its side effects.

Beyond that, Vollen reached into the centre, and charged it with all the light energy he could muster, beginning the process of creating the Wall.

Though he could not do it alone.

@Korvo @Cazar @Nefieslab @Esther Nyx

 

[Telunaris]

"The Dark Side of the Force is an unnatural thing, malevolence and bile given nebulous form. As the Light resists the Dark, it will_resist us", Telunaris said cautiously. It was far from his intention to be dour about things, the Jedi had enough members with that disposition already. However, after what he came to witness on Prakith, and later with the reclamation of Tython, the last thing he wanted was for another Jedi to be harmed by the Dark Side ill-prepared.

A presence then touched Telunaris's mind, the identity of which was clearly and evidentially Vollen's. The Deucalian Jedi Master accepted the joining of the minds at once; Jedi together were always more powerful than Jedi alone. Given the potential of the dangers they could face, it had become even more important. One of the most dangerous aspects of the Dark Side were not what could be seen or what was known, it was what couldn't_be seen, the things that were not_known. It was unpredictable, something erratic and tumultuous, and a terrible thing to face unready.

Shutting his eyes, Telunaris reached out with the Force and extended his hand, converting the Force within himself into an expression of pure energy borne of the Light Side.

⋮⋮_And so it begins_⋮⋮ Telunaris communicated telepathically to those now part of the converged minds in the Force Meld, extending his other arm to more fully concentrate on projecting the purified energies.
@Nightfall096 @Cazar @Nefieslab @Esther Nyx

 

[Grug]

Grug could feel the force welling up deep inside of himself. The circle of powerful Jedi were trying to meld their minds together into an effort to begin the wall of light with more security. It was an ability the Gamorrean did not often take part in but he knew of it well enough. A tingling sensation swept over his skin from the bottom up, almost like a chill. Pressure was building up inside as he pooled the force deep within himself. Grug almost was starting to sweat as he was holding it all in from the anticipation. Except, it was gas not the force. Grug released it all in a fart that would not last long, but the thunderous echo would seem to last a little too long.

"Um... must... expel darkness... from selves. Prepare for best defend." He grunted quietly.

The pressure from the gas released, Grug could focus more on melding his mind with the others. They'd hear thoughts of food, self wonder at whether the fart would stink or not, and whether or not Jubba was more wide, tall, or long. After this he would figure out how to stop flooding them with his random processing. His mind would be melded to the others and now they could focus in a unified effort to purify the land. A wall of light would begin to form as Grug was the last to add his full energy to the task.

@Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

The Dark could not stand to feel the Light in it's presence but it knew of the tricks of the Light Side. It knew of the ways that the Jedi could hurt it, could bring it physical harm through their cursed Light of all things. And while it knew that the Light was powerful, the Darkness knew that the practitioners of the Light were weak of mind.

As the Jedi drew their minds together and pooled their power, The Darkness began to take form. Shadowy figures began to rise behind the Jedi, wrapping one arm around them from behind and pressing a phantom dagger to each of their throats... but they were not physical yet. They were like smokey, inky and dark and yet not able to physically touch the Jedi.

Yet.

This was a Dark Side technique that was drawing upon the doubts and the fears that hid within the souls of the Jedi. The Darkness whispered to them and it whispered only to them. With each word the shadowy creature embracing them would grow more solid and their dagger would begin to slid into the flesh.

To Vollen it screamed into his mind.

"You aren't doing enough - and it will never change. There will never be enough and you know it. You can run yourself ragged, you can work yourself without sleep, without rest and you know it will make no difference! YOU ARE FAILING... and you know it. Are you prepared, Vollen Shai, to die an old man, full of regret? Because you will die last, Vollen Shai, and you know it. Your power is great enough that you will see friends die and friends Fall and you will feel their judgement upon you. Why? Because. They. Trusted. You."

To Telunaris it hissed as if a serpent on his shoulder.

"You know they don't accept you - not truly. No... to them, you're what you were born to be. You're a Deucalian and that means that you're a savage raider and that's all you'll ever be good for. You are a disgrace to the Deucalian people - they shun you - and you are the scum that the Jedi Order pledges itself to defend innocent people from. Did you think you could defy their expectations? You poor, lost, boy. They are wary of you. They are suspicious of you. They. Fear. You."

To Sigal it whispered into her mind as if a comforting old friend.

"Look at them... look at them scurrying around like frightened ants. They wield so much power, so much strength and yet they cannot use it as well as you. Look at what the Order sends to help you fight a font of true Darkness! A filthy ice-born raider, a fool and a disgusting pig. And you know, deep in your heart... that they will rule over you. They will rule over you because they are the Masters and you are not. Never will be. They'll block you every time until one day you're going to wake up and realise something. They. Rule. You."

To Grug it didn't whisper, it didn't scream and it didn't bother trying to be discreit. It just stated something flatly, as if declaring nothing but simple statements of truth.

"The Jedi are going to ban members from eating truffles. They think they're gross. Search your feelings Grug - you know this to be true."

The longer it took the Jedi to fight against the natural feelings of doubt and fear and anger that these words would invoke, the more solid their enemies would become and the more they could be impaled.

Meanwhile, thick tendrils of Dark Side energy began to wrap around the Wall of Light that the Jedi had begun producing. While the Light burned away the Darkness, the Darkness was able to keep pushing and begin to weaken the Light, smothering it. If the Jedi became too distracted from their purification, the Force behind the Force Light would be absorbed by the Darkness and turned against them.

@Esther Nyx @Cazar @Nightfall096 @Korvo

 

[Vollen Shai]

While the force filled his soul the darkness gripped his mind, screaming into his ears and into his soul.

The warriors had managed to begin the ritual with some force, bleeding the corruption back into the planet. Though it clearly had not gone unnoticed. With their minds tied together they could draw strength from one another’s commitment, from each others ability to fight back against the voices that came to them now. And that in itself was more than enough of a fight.

The darkness that wrapped the vile dagger round his neck wracked his mind just as much, it’s words cutting deeper than its blade. It was as if it knew him, the quiet thoughts he had shared only with himself when even the force itself offered little solace, it threw them back at him now, darker, clearer than ever before. For a moment he winced, the words forming images in his mind. A future where every word it spoke was true, where Vollen Shai stood alone, having failed all those who had stood with him as the galaxy burned alongside. For a moment, the figures would have had a chance to grow, perhaps, a chance to further their grip on the aging Jedi, the man who once had thought himself little capable of anything more than leaving the library, never one who might stand alongside his fellows in the fight against the darkness, alongside friends.

That was how he knew it was a lie.

“But I will die as one of them, snake, within the light, alongside those who fought for it. Those who might die for it. Just as those who stand with me now do. Your words are poison. I will play no part” he cried in thought, shaking away the voices, redoubling his efforts into the centre. Perhaps he could never truly win this war, but they could win today.

And that was enough.

@Nefieslab @Esther Nyx @Korvo @Cazar

Spoiler: OOC

Have broken posting order but wasn’t sure it mattered to much for this set of replies, keen for this thread :D

 

[Telunaris]

Immaterial. Incorporeal. Nebulous. These were just a few words used to describe the—in many ways, indescribable—nature of the Force. In some ways, it was like the warmth of a sun, radiant and full of energy. Life-giving, nurturing and ubiquitously abundant. That was the Light, arrayed in all its intensity and brilliance.

But then, there was the Dark. The Deep, as some cultures at the edges of the galaxy would call it. It was like the emptiness of the void between the stars, cold and dark as the grave. Anything living that took its embrace was doomed to death at its hands, and it let nothing it claimed to its grasp. That was the Darkness, looming in all its bitterness and insatiable voracity.

As the Jedi joined their minds and energies as one, like a warming sun casting its light, the cold void began to close in around them, enveloping them. Telunaris had felt this kind of looming—even overpowering—presence before, on Tython. In fact, he was not convinced that even Prakith felt similar, albeit to a lesser extent. But magnitudes aside, they were far from dissimilar in nature. When concentrated and compounded within and upon itself, the Dark Side warped even itself into further unnatural states, even to the point were it seemed to develop a kind of living malevolence.

Like venom in his ear, the shadows whispered to him.

⋮⋮_Whether a Jedi, or even just a man... one's life is defined not by what they were, but by who they are. What they choose to be, once given that choice. That freedom, freedom from fear and judgment, is what releases the chains that bind one by the opinions of others. Because what others may think of us has no bearing on what we ourselves are determined to be. And I'm determined to be free. The shadows and the Dark may take a slave another day, in another place... but it will not be here. And it will not be this day_⋮⋮

At that, Telunaris exhaled forcefully as he delved deeper within as he expelled energies of the Light Side outward. What so often frightened others with propaganda was that it was not always false. In fact, there was frequently truth in it, all designed to waver or break down one's ideals or induce doubt. But whether true or not, Telunaris had long surpassed being defined by what others thought of him, whether by way of fear or non-acceptance. He knew who he was.

And that was enough.

@Esther Nyx @Cazar @Nefieslab @Nightfall096

 

[Sigal Adi Chume'da]

The dark fought back rather defiantly. None could have expected such tenacity; even in the face of numerous odds, it riled and rallied, seeking to defend its purchase on the planet. For that, Sigal reviled it all the more haughtily. Banishing this taint would give her the ultimate satisfaction, given the numerous offenses she had thus far suffered. Yet...it was proving difficult to achieve. Perhaps it lay in Sigal's insecurities, in her reluctance to open up. Whilst the wall of light was erected, it wasn't solid. It wasn't fully formed. And the Hapan knew it was her failing. The others, they communed so easily with the light. They called on it with ease; how? Why wasn't she blessed with the same advantage? She was the aspiring 'lady of the light' -a self proclaimed title, yes- but one she felt obtainable, given her recent trials and tribulations. So why did it feel like she was faltering? Why was the light ignoring her calls to arms?

Instead of an answer, something else replied.

The shadow warped itself about her, its embrace sending shivers throughout Sigal's entire body; her spine went stiff and rigid, especially when the vile entity began uttering its words and whispers. Yet the voice was surprisingly sweet. Not at all what she had expected. She had prepared herself for vulgarity, for sordid tones and curses. This...this was gentle. Tempting, even. Like the caress of a lover or long absent friend. And each syllable spoken chipped away at her, at resolve. Bit by bit. It was so subtle, Sigal didn't even register the sabotage at first. She should have fought it there and then, Should have dismissed such words and waved them off without a second thought. But the dark side was treacherous; its deceit and ministrations were surprisingly (shamefully)...effective.

How else could such lies be presented as bitter truths?

It was as she feared. The Jedi sought to undermine her! That was their plan from the start! It had to be! They needed a Hapan puppet, one to showcase and exhibit. She was to be a pawn and nothing more, made to suffer one injustice after another. Unacceptable, she wouldn't accept it! She'd fight them, she'd challenge them! Slay any who oppose her-!

There was a pain. A sharp one. In the frenzy of thought, she hadn't realised the steadily growing pressure until the razor's edge was ready to pierce her. It was enough to rouse the Hapan, enough to break the spell, if only for a moment. And in that moment, the shadow had taken a near physical form. It was wearing her face. Her beautiful, angelic face. But it was twisted, sneering at her in utter triumph. The creature believed itself to be victorious; it even had the audacity to smile, the same smile Sigal often flaunted in the face of her foes. Was this the friend cooing in her ear?

Scornful pride swelled inside of her. No.

"I will not be ruled..."

The shadow balked for a moment, seeming halted from its task.

"Not by you...and never by them." Then came the light, a wonderous, glorious light. It blazed and burned like a sun; purging the dark side's scrupulous hold over her.

She was a daughter of Hapes, a knight of the Jedi Order. She would not fall so easily. Indeed, she could be a spiteful creature, one driven by pride and vanity. But that didn't mean she couldn't use such motivations for the proverbial good. Awash with new resolve, Sigal channelled it outwards, into the cosmic wall of light. Her energy fortified its failing cracks and shortcomings, once more aiding in the solidarity it symbolised.
"I will not be ruled."

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Spoiler: OOC

Apologies for jumping back in, getting back on track now

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[The Storyteller]

Oh The Darkness was crafty, it was known. It's daggers would find homes where they could and they were sharp - as sharp as anything in the Galaxy could be - but they needed time.

Time to punch through the resistance of the Jedi and into their connection with the Force itself.

The shadow creature latched onto Vollen found that it was able to begin to push it's dagger into the older Jedi... but then it met resistance as Vollen seemed to find some more conviction within himself. Snarling, the shadow creature, now at least mostly tangible, wrapped itself around the Jedi Master's neck like a serpant, attempting to crush his throat entirely.

Cursing it's lack of progress with Telunaris, The Dark decided a different tactic and the shadow beast wrapped around the head of the Jedi Master, like a scarf or a cape, and began to smother him. If his mouth was open even slightly, the shadows would force their way down into his mouth to block his throat from the inside.

The Dark had decided to mock the Hapan as it had grown in strength and that, it seemed, was to be it's undoing. It scowled wearing her face as Sigal managed to push it out and away by her discovery of how to actually use Force Light. It thrashed and it screamed as he lunged back for her, intent on clawing out her eyes.

Grug, however, seemed to be rather effected by the words of the Dark, allowing the dagger to stab into him... allowing the Shadow itself to pour into the open wound like oil, to infect him with the Dark Side and send him to the ground as he struggled to control himself.

Unless the Jedi succeeded here, Grug would Fall.

Spoiler: OOC

Grug has timed out - I'm going to have it as the Shadow Dagger allowing The Dark to begin to possess him. If the other Jedi do not succeed against the Darkness here, he will begin to Fall to the Dark Side

@Esther Nyx @Cazar @Nightfall096 @Korvo

 

[Vollen Shai]

Despite his calling himself back to the light, and to the focus on creation of the Wall of Light, the creature managed to find a foothold, clawing its way further into reality, and tighter around his throat. Kalist was clearly a sick world, if such things could be manifested by it, even against the collected strength of the Jedi present. It had to be freed from its grasp, and he from its quite literal one.

And the same thing would work against it.

While for now he had focused both hands into the centre to construct their force object, now as the being clenched tighter round his throat, he withdrew one hand and instead snatched the creature that choked him. The pure force energy of the light would burn the creature, causing a being like it, made of pure darkness, seething pain that would allow him to snatch it away from his neck, and throw it into the collected light in front of them where it would burn up in seconds.

The thing should have stayed incorporeal. He saw Grug seem to lose his fight with the thing. If his own attack succeeded and the darkness that met him burned away, he would ready himself to save his companion.


@Nefieslab @Esther Nyx @Korvo @Cazar

 

[Sigal Adi Chume'da]

The wall of light was an exhaustive feat, especially others were faltering in its maintenance. Gritting her teeth, Sigal fought to light from waning. The darkness was trying to gain an advantage, anyway possible. Like a parasite threatened with the loss of its host, the unnatural evil squirmed and rived, seeking any means of attack. Like Sigal, other Jedi had foiled the dark side's intent. But some proved less than capable.

Yet again, the Hapan found herself cursing her allies' ineptitude.

The pig was flattering, yielding himself to darkness. He would fall. Sigal knew without a second thought. Still, she did not lead it distract her. Jedi die for the cause, for the light. It was an unfortunate truth, one which Sigal knew all too well. The highlander, Fiona, had also fallen afoul during this mission. It seems Grug would be joining.

A pity, but not one the Hapan would cry over. She had other, more pressing, matters to attend to.

Once more, Sigal's vile doppelganger moved to face her, its dark expression too twisted to look upon. With talon like claws, it set its intent purely on the beauty's eyes. They were a source of pride for Sigal, naturally given their exotic amethyst shade. It seemed her darkness self wanted to rob them. That vexed Sigal. Incensed her. She would not fall victim, not to this lesser self. She wanted that shadow creature burned from view. She would not tolerate having to stare at her own corrupted face any longer. "Begone from my sight!"

The light answered the order, its radiance forming offensive shards. They flung outwards, like arrows loosed from a bow, piercing the blackness in quick succession. Sigal watched with great satisfaction as the shade was struck, its form shredded beyond absolute recognition. Which strike was like a dazzling burst of fireworks, its potent radiance purging the shadow's consistency. The light singed the shade's remains, cauterising the mass until finally it vanished from sight, no doubt slinking away in retreat. Victory swelled with in Sigal, pride burning like a righteous inferno. She would accomplish this mission. If the rest of the Jedi couldn't rally themselves, then she would do it for them. Today, they would be victorious, one way or another. True, the cost was dear...

But Sigal was accepting of the price.

 

[Telunaris]

There were always some aspects of life's struggles that seemed to rear their heads at the worst of times. Venomous words were a common tool to corrupt the spirit. They were intangible, yet substantial. Often impossible to silence, combated only through experience, wisdom and knowledge.

But when one knew the contrary, false and twisted words and reasonings fell as if on deafened ears. And like any predator, the conscious entity born from the Dark Side changed tactics, altered its methods, and Telunaris could only conclude this much; if subtlety was found wanting, then overtness would suffice for it.

Tangible shadows, murky to the sight and repulsive to the spirit, wrapped around his head like cloth. Instinctively, Telunaris held his breath and sealed his mouth shut, but it was a temporary, if potentially pointless, seizure for safety. After all, the nourishment of oxygen was fleeting, and he did not yet have the mastery necessary to cast forth the Force's light while sending it to purge his own body at the same time. At least, he did not believe it to be the case. Within seconds, however, Telunaris allowed the Force to work within him in a way he seldom had need.

The traces of precious air in his system, the flow of blood in his veins, nourishing his body and mind... the Force could preserve it, maintain it all as if locked in time. Allowing the Force to provide him the sustenance he needed and prolonging his capacity to last within the need of air, as he did not trust to breathe with the Dark Side itself enveloping him, Telunaris held his breath with no intention of taking another until the task set out before him was done. For if he could not accomplish that much, then of what aid was he really?

@Nightfall096 @Esther Nyx @Cazar @Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

The Darkness was not happy.

The Force Light attack on itself was still occurring and it was getting sick of it. It hurt in a way that went far beyond the physical since the Darkness was beyond the physical limitations and sensations of the Flesh. But it was still vengeful, still angry and still very, very willing to take some more of these Jedi with it if today was the day it ended.

Wrapped around Telunaris' full head, the Darkness seethed as the Deucalian used the Force to sustain himself without the need to breathe, leaving him better protected against it. But there were other ways that the tangible Shadows could get inside of Telunaris. Indeed - the Shadows would begin to force their way into his body through his nose, the Jedi being unable to close his nostrils as he had closed his mouth.

Shadows wrapped around Vollen's throat were beginning to make traction... and then he reached up and grabbed it, his hand bathed in Force Light. The shadow let out an inhuman scream as the Force Light burned clean through it, leaving Vollen free from the Darkness.

Likewise, the weakened form of Shadow attacking Sigal was destroyed, unable to keep it's form. Desperately, the Darkness threw all of it's efforts into it's attack on Telunaris, it's last chance of stopping the victory of the Jedi here.

@Esther Nyx @Nightfall096 @Korvo

 

[Vollen Shai]

The pressure on his throat released, Vollen breathed easy for a moment, though their job was not done yet. Keeping one hand channeling energy into the Wall of Light, he could feel he darkness struggle against the collected power of the assemble Jedi who tried to banish it away. It would not win. He could not allow it to win. Not today.

Seeing it refocus its efforts onto Telunaris, Vollen reached out with his free hand and gripped the darkness with the force as it tried to fight its way inside him. Instead, he'd pull at it with a grip of the force, and try to yank it out of him and into the light as he had done with his own. If Teluanris fought against it too it seemed unlikely it would be able to overpower both of them, though it still had managed to take Grug. But if they could free the planet, then hopefully the darkness that had found his ally would be burned away as well.

Or so he hoped. And hope was what the Jedi seemed to survive on.

@Nefieslab @Esther Nyx @Korvo

 

[Sigal Adi Chume'da]

Sigal cursed each and every one of her Jedi companions; whilst they toiled against the darkness, she was the only one maintaining the crumbling wall of light. The dark side was annoyingly persistent, refusing to succumb. It was like a parasite, and the planet was its host; all the more reason to remove the unsightly taint. An impossible feat, some would think, considering failing ranks of the Jedi present. If this kept up, they'd surely fail. Measures had to be taken.

Alone against the dark side, each Jedi had become an individual focus for the malevolent force; like a predator, it was able to single them out and weaken them, both on personal and spiritual levels. It had detoured the Jedi efforts, fracturing their control and attention. Sigal noticed this, and she thought then that turn about was fair play.

Calling on the force once more, Sigal made herself shine like a radiant star. With each passing moment, her radiance grew. Surely the foul darkness would be incensed by the brilliance, the display of force light an affront to its sentient evil; knowing the risk full well, Sigal readied herself. No doubt the darkness would launch a retaliatory strike, but with it's attention now fixed on Sigal, perhaps, just maybe, the other Jedi would be left to regroup. Once they composed themselves, they would be able to launch a final strike against this darkness.

Whatever they planned to do, they had best do it fast. Sigal's efforts were waning; as hard as she tried, she could only maintain this feat for so long