Ask Yavin IV Haunted

[Sybella Demici]

Yavin IV, Jedi Planet, 2238 Hours
​

The hour was late, yet Sybella could not sleep. This, unfortunately, was nothing new. What had first started off as a minor menace had now devolved into something more akin to an ongoing ordeal. Though no stranger to visions, the Serennian knight had found these recent experiences to be most troubling; despite her studious ponderings, she could not determine any apparent meaning. No message had been conveyed, not even a caveat. Just a lonely figure, draped in red. In beginning, Sybella would catch but a fleeting glimpse; every now and then, from a shadowed corner or darkened hall, there it would stand. Never speaking, never engaging, yet always watching. Perhaps even waiting. For what, exactly? The Force only knew...

Sybella first tried to follow the vision, yet this proved fruitless. Instead, the apparition chose to follow her, as if it were her second shadow. No, more like a leech. Each day it grew stronger, more corporeal in form, all whilst Sybella herself grew sick and weak trying to ignore it, to the point she is now bordering on exhaustion.

Making it as far as the gardens, Sybella collapsed only to find her mind as addled as ever. The grounds here acted as a meditative retreat and (for the most part), they offered some comfort.

But not for long...

Sensing a presence, the knight could only assume it was yet again her restless shade. "I know you're there..." She all but sighed, "You're always there, aren't you? Watching. Waiting."

The lack of an answer, whilst not unexpected, was still vexing nonetheless. Letting frustration get the better of her, Sybella slowly sat up, her hazy gaze set about on searching. There. In the passageway. Was that it, the spectre? For once, she couldn't be certain and that in itself courted much ire.

"Why? Why do you linger in the shadows, so? Step into the light and be done with it."

@Charles
@Faen Akatosh

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Becoming a Jedi Seer meant that Faen Akatosh would be fighting more mental and spiritual battles than physical. However, he never would've thought that this would've meant literal spirits. From what the Knight had heard, Sybella Demici had been having problems with strange visions of dark figure with dark intentions. Obviously, Faen was going to help in any way he could, but his experience with ghosts, as it were, was little. Nevertheless, if there was need for an exorcism, there was need for an exorcism.

Upon arriving at the spot Sybella had asked to at, he heard the very woman calling out to him and Boy. Did she know it was just the Knight and his loyal companion? Had these visions been clouding her so deeply?

"Boy does like to wait and watch- but only if it's a sunrise. He likes to get his nose dirty, and I mean sometimes, very literally dirty." Faen introduced himself. Boy did the same with a low bark. "I do try my best to stay out of the shadows, and I'll promise to do better." The teasing and jokes were meant to break the tension, and Faen couldn't help but wear darker clothing. Black was a very slimming color and if the Sith could rock it, so would Faen.

"But, all jokes aside, I'm here to help, Sybella. Where should we begin?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Realising her visitor was a tangible one, Sybella tried to pick herself up from the garden and its grounds. In ardent relief, she reached for @Faen Akatosh but soon regretted this decision when her knees buckled right from under her. Fatigue had made her strangely unsteady, light-headed even.

Embarrassed at such blatant weakness, the heiress tried her best to reclaim some composure. "Knight Akatosh. Thank you for coming. I must admit, I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

Unsure where to start, Sybella thought it best to recount as much as she could manage. She only hoped Faen would not think her mad. "It all started shortly after arriving here on Yavin. I would see things, like fleeting glimpses. At first, I believed they were visions from the Force, guiding me. Such ability is not uncommon in my family. But I was wrong. This...thing, whatever it is, it offers me nothing. It just...lingers."

Jedi bearing the name Demici had a considerable history within the Order and the family once prided itself on such a legacy. Sybella herself hoped to one day add to that glory. Yet here she was, battling with shades and shadows. What she revealed next perhaps frightened her the most. "The last time I saw it, it was almost corporeal. I think... it - No. She is growing stronger. "

Hanging her head in apparent defeat, Sybella couldn't help but lament. "If only you could see what I have seen. Perhaps then you could better understand this."

@Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

So it seemed that these visions were beginning to come to life, in a sense. Were these visages only appearing to Sybella or could Faen see them, too? Maybe if Faen was allowed to tap into her memories, he'd be able to understand what was haunting her. Whatever it was, it was draining the Knight, and luckily for Sybella, Faen had quick reflexes and was able to catch her before she fell. This was...concerning, to say the least. The Half-Annfyn hoped he had the skills and talents to help her the right way.

"It just...watches? Ominously?" Faen repeated to himself and began thinking. "Does it show up whenever it wants? Should I be able to see it?" More questions whirled around in the Seer's head, but he needed more information before pressing on. "If there's a way for you to contact it...we may need you to do just that. I'll be right here by your side." Boy then barked. "And Boy...Boy will be here, too." Faen chuckled and smiled warmly. "...Is there a way to contact it?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Staggering to her feet, Sybella haggardly closed her eyes once more; she pondered @Faen Akatosh's numerous questions and tried to process the information the best she could. Recollecting prior events was one thing, but trying to put it all into words was proving difficult. She took her time, trying hard to describe exactly what the predicament was.

"At first, the appearances were random. A fleeting glance here, a flicking face there. But now..." She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to focus "She sometimes appears when I'm training. Like some overseer. I've tried pointing her out to others, but no one else sees her. They just look at me like I'm insane...I'm not insane!"

She spoke more harshly than what was intended but the frustration growing within her was growing beyond measure. Even now, she recalled the looks amongst her fellow Jedi, how confused they were at her adamant assertations of some red-robed figure. Under the guise of their scepticism, Sybella spied something else...Her peers were judging her. Debasing her very reputation.

Flinching at the thought, the knight began to pace, desperate to resolve this dilemna as fast as possible.

"Contact it? No." She admitted that with all but a groan. "It's like it has a will of its own. I can't just summon- Wait..." Halting in midstride, Sybella paused to consider a sudden thought. "The first time it appeared...I remember."

It was during a training demonstration. Trying to show off, the young knight had inadvertently broken a few fingers. A painful folly, but nothing too serious. "I was hurt... It appeared because I was hurt."

Dazed by the apparent revelation, Sybella chose to do something drastic; unsheathing her family's ceremonial dagger, she (without hesitation) sliced the blade across the palm of her hand; the wound was deep, and from the splitting flesh came a rush of blood. It flowed freely, unencumbered as the knight made no attempt to stop gushing wound. If the sight of blood didn't concern @Faen Akatosh, then perhaps Sybella's uncanny expression would. Desperation, mixed with hopeful eagerness twisted itself across the knight's otherwise pale features. Unsteady on her feet, the heiress began to spin, looking about wildly in frightful longing as if it were a macabre dance.

"Come on. Where are you? I know you're here...You're always here" Despair bled from every word and soon, so too would disappointment.

Nothing. There was no sighting. Why? There @Faen Akatosh was, trying to help her and the damned spectre couldn't even show itself? Sybella felt like screaming, the urge was so strong, it burnt like bile in the back of her throat. "Faen, please. You must believe me - she's real. She-"

- was standing right there. In a blink of an eye, standing motionless in front of Sybella, was the infamous woman in red.

@Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

"Sybella, I really don't think that's necessary-" Faen tried talking the Knight out of using self-harm to summon a spectral ghost that's been driving her mad. But it was for nothing, as blood was already streaming from her palm. "No, I do not think you are insane- but you didn't need to do that! There should more than one way to get a lurking creep to show itself." He immediately grabbed her hand and began pooling the Force into the cut to heal the wound, slowly stitching it back together. However, Sybella's focus was on something else entirely.

Faen turned to see what she was staring at, and he felt his stomach reduce to butterflies. A woman in red robes was glaring at the two Jedi who dared summon her. Shaking off the creeping feelings and gathering some courage, Faen stood a little straighter. Boy began snarling at the ghastly visage while staying with Sybella to keep her company.

"Uh...hello there, Miss...We are not here for contention. What is your purpose? Why do you follow this woman around like a lost puppy?" The more he spoke, the braver he felt. Hopefully, this thing would find a way to respond. Something this dark shouldn't be allowed to be haunting a Knight like Demici. Faen wasn't sure if you could purge this evil spirit like he had with Arctus, but he was ready for anything that came his way.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Appearing haughty, the ghost gave @Faen Akatosh little acknowledgement. Instead, it chose to focus all of its attention on Sybella. Admittedly, the young knight baulked; meetings with the spectre were usually fleeting, and yet - here it stood, remaining openly visible (if not a little hazy). It was an unnerving experience, drinking in the visage of this wraith; what little skin there was appeared chalky and pale, though its eyes were a morbid mixture of ash and fire. The lips, dark and thin, were pursed tightly to form a glower. Everything else was shrouded by a hood, save for a cluster of familiar coins that hung about the head and neck. Unconsciously, Sybella's fingers wandered up to trace her own headpiece; she was daunted to find that indeed they appeared to be wearing similar style diadems. In fact, they were nearly identical.

"It's you, isn't it?" Taken aback, Sybella's voice was nothing more than a whisper, "...Lady Lujayn."

The shade gave no confirmation. It was too busy surveying the blood now speckled on the ground; a look of pure reproach set itself upon its features, almost as if it were disapproving of such injury. Cloaked in red, from head to toe, the pale visage looked similar to that of a matron, and one who was ready to scold unruly youth.

Speak it did, much to Sybella's shock. The slurry that spilt forth was...inaudible. Harsh and guttural, yet to the young knight, it made little sense. The language sounded foul and hollow, much like the ghost herself. “Kvailas berniuk. Tu kzaevas tu'saen.”

Whatever it said, that was all it was willing to offer as@Faen Akatosh had finally garnered the ire of the apparition. At first, it did nothing but scoff at the knight and acted offended by his very presence. “Byloti Nenx Kia Nun. Nu Sethi Tave Khutrai”

Soon, however, the snobbishness would fade, and instead, a look of interest bloomed. It dawned on the phantom now that it wasn't just Sybella who could see and interact with her, but also the knight. She seemed...intrigued. Curling her lips into a sneer, the woman in red prowled towards Faen, assessing him as a predator would do to prey.

She spoke again, though once more, the words were putrid in their delivery. “Tu Ziur Nun Kian, Jidai? Zyemus.”

Looking back at Sybella, the spectre of Lujayn Demici offered a sickening smile. She seemed...pleased. “Mes isauga Viekis. Veek, Itin Veek…”

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Though the ghost of Sybella's ancestor was frightening, Faen stood with vigor and courage. This evil would not be aloud to torture Sybella Demici any longer. As it hissed in the cursed tongue of the Sith, Faen only scowled. He and Sybella were material- the ghost was not. Maybe pressing that matter specifically could get something out of the spirit for Faen to ponder about. Maybe it give him a chance to figure out why it had been attached to Sybella.

"I imagine you can only be jealous, Miss Lujayn. You have no sway over the physical realm so you simply wish for your victim to be as miserable as you." Now a few of the pieces to the puzzle began to fit into place. "It is you that failed your master and lost your life! It was you who failed to appease the weak Count Dooku. Sybella has only risen above whatever you tried to achieve- and so now you wish her the torment you've felt since your reawakening. How petty...what would Dooku think of a grudge holding miscreant like you?" A calm storm began to build in Faen as he spoke, drawing the Light Side from the rest of the planet.

Yavin was practically basking in the Light Side of the Force, and it must have made the spirit fairly uncomfortable. Manifesting itself as it had been now had to be drawing a lot of strength if it really was a visage from the Dark Side. It was this reason that Faen and Arctus Friers were able to defeat the Padawan's own demons. If it had been on a more neutrally effected planet, the exorcism would've been that much harder.

"Whatever strength Sybella has... she cannot and will not share it with the likes of you." Faen continued to channel more and more of the Light Side of the Force through his body so that he became a beacon and pillar of hope and perseverance. "She is a Jedi Knight. You are nothing more than a dead woman. Leave Sybella Demici at once- or I will send back into the deep and dark crevasse you spawned from."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Struggling to find her own voice, Sybella reached beseechingly for her fellow Jedi. Her concern was mounting, given his brazen words. "Faen, be careful. We don't know what she's capable of..."

The ghost of Lady Lujayn, however, seemed less than impressed. The more @Faen Akatosh spoke, the deeper she scowled; whirling on him, like a coiled serpent, the shade spat words of her own. “Zioplys. Tu Zenoti Niekas. Dooku Meo Kad Lot: Qo Kia Jri Qorit. Antai Aras Zavusina Midwan Sso Zaist”

Her venom would have continued to spew forth had she not been so affronted by the growing Light. Claw-like fingers flexed and it looked as if the ghost would throttle him. Yet it didn't. It couldn't. And knowing this sparked further fury. Though strong in the Force, Yavin IV was not her domain. Faen was right. There was little to sway...for now. Finding the older of the knights was too formidable to face, the spectre chose instead to refocus its efforts elsewhere. Sneering once more at Faen, the visage began to chink and crumble; like a statue, cracks formed across the skin before deposing fully into nothing more than a pile of sand.

The ghost was not gone, however. It would instead reform itself closer to Sybella, so close, in fact, it knelt before her with one hand reaching out. Fingers traced adorning coins, before continuing. A moment and the two would simply stare at one another, eyes of fire meeting that of kohl; when the apparition reached for her once more, Sybella visibly flinched and prepared for the worse. She expected pain, but instead, she imagined a brief but cold caress.

Bewilderingly, the phantom was skimming its corporeal fingers over the canvas of Sybella's cheek. The gesture was almost tender, if not somewhat condescending given the words that came next. “Kraujas iv Nuyak Kraujas. Kodel Dary Tu Delsti Stai? J'us Valia Tik Gesti.”

Though she knew nothing of the language being spoken, Sybella was somehow able to understand its message. Her mouth went dry, now realising the shade's intent. It was....warning her?

"Tave Jidai Isdavijas Nun ir Tau Valia Dary Tave Monot Kia Tu."

"You lie!" Snapping out of her apparent trance, the young knight of Demici lurched back, seemingly determined to scorn anything else that was uttered out of those dark lips.

The spirit, apparently exasperated, tutted mockingly at her progeny. Standing once more, the wraith regarded the two Jedi briefly before offering one final, veiled promise. "Jena'tes Kash Sautumas Nuo Mus."

With that, the red woman yielded to the Light and faded from sight. She was gone, yes. But not yet banished.

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Faen did not flinch when the specter lashed out. The shadow of What-Was, had no power here and it never would. However, Sybella seemed to still struggle with the goading and taunting of the damned spirit. This was not looking good. Was Faen qualified enough to handle something like this? He'd have to look into wraiths like these and understand them better. The Seer felt bad for not being able to do enough.

"I'm sorry, Sybella. I'm not sure what to do." The way this thing was attached to Sybella was beyond the Knight. "Does it usually tell you that the Jedi will betray you? Maybe..." Faen began to think. "Maybe...it needs something to put it at peace? Like an item it was attached to, or it needs you do something it couldn't complete." But what if this spirit wanted Sybella to do something that would lead her astray from the Jedi?

"Or perhaps it doesn't want peace... Sybella, have you ever thought of leaving the Order before? It is okay if you have, it is a boat many of us have been in, including myself. I'm asking because this thing draws on your insecurities. Is there a secret you've been keeping from the Order? I promise you, that no matter what happens, I will always be here for you. It is my duty as a Seer to carry another's burdens." And the Half-Morellian meant it. It must have been torture to have something like this wraith always around.

"We need to start somewhere, Sybella."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Closing her eyes, Sybella sighed. Giving a shake of her head, she (apparently) would not accept @Faen Akatosh apology. "You chased her away. For now, at least. I feel it."

Her shoulders visibly sagged; it was as if a great weight had been lifted from her. Though temporary, the relief was greatly appreciated. Taking a moment to bask in the peace, the young knight laid down upon the garden's grass. Her eyes remained awfully heavy, and for a moment, she thought right then sleep would claim her. Only Faen's questions kept her conscious and present.

"This is the first time she has ever spoken. Until now, she's said nothing. I never expected her to actually...talk." The ghost had done more than simply 'talk'. It had prattled and preach, spitting out words that unsettled Sybella greatly. They lingered in her mind more than she'd like to admit as they struck a nerve, close to her core. "Leave the Jedi? Absolutely not. Dozens of my ancestors were Jedi. It's my destiny to carry on their legacy. I have trained and fought my whole life for this..."

More than anything, Sybella wished to be considered among the Order's ranks. Her childhood dream was to earn her place upon the mantle, just like so many others had done before her and become a champion for the Light. Anything less was simply unthinkable. After all, she was an heiress to her house and estate. She could have spent her days in the lap of luxury, yet she chose to follow this path instead. Meditating for houses, studying endlessly in order to further her skills. Her devotion to the saber was both admirable and feverish. Yet still, despite all her efforts, she felt overshadowed.

A pool of dread slowly began to bubble just thinking about it. Thinking about her. Sybella couldn't hide her distress even if she wanted to. The shame was simply too great. Sitting up, she recalled bitterly the failure of her family. "It's true. I believe now, without a doubt this is the spirit of my ancestor. Her name was Lujayn. As you might expect, our family records like to make an example out of her. She's somewhat of a cautionary tale..."

That was putting it lightly. For generations, Jedi bearing the Demici had served the Order faithfully. Then she came along and ruined their good name. Humiliated by her actions, the family forsook their fallen kin, choosing instead to relegate her as nothing more than a footnote in the archives of history. That was the legacy of Lujayn Demici. Her disgrace was so profound, much of her existence had been erased. Not even a portrait of her memory was allowed to be displayed.

Rightly so, in Sybella's opinion. She continued on, explaining that "It was during the Clone Wars, I believe. I don't know all the details, but I was told she fell under the influence of another dark sider, a man known as Count Dooku. She betrayed Jedi and became an acolyte. Eventually, she was stopped. I think it was a Jedi Master by the name Mace Windu. He...put an end to her."

Opening her eyes once more, Sybella couldn't even bring herself to look at Faen. Though innocent of the crime itself, she carried the guilt of it as if it were a transgression of her own design. "Master Tarrell knows. I don't know who else though..."

Any Jedi, with the right information, could in theory research this themselves. After all, it was all there, documented in the archives. Her fellow Jedi would learn of Sybella's lineage; they'd pass their judgement on her because of it. No matter how much she strived to serve the light, the taint of darkness would always be present, always be there to spoil her efforts.

 

[Faen Akatosh]

So Faen's hunch was correct- the spirit had once trained under Count Dooku from Serreno. What was with all of these Jedi struggling with such prominent sources of Darkness? What was the Order doing to help and heal all of these people? Faen couldn't do this by himself, and he was definitely going to have a word or two about increasing the efforts of the Seers. No one deserved to suffer like this by themselves. Arctus had a full on possession! So what was there to say about the efforts of this wraith in red?

"If she was stopped once before, she can be stopped yet again." Faen promised earnestly. "We just need to understand how she became attached to you. If we can do that, we can sever the connection binding you two." This was a task that Faen wasn't sure he was able to do alone. Maybe with the help of the council, Sybella could receive more proper help. "But for now, I want you to know that you never have to fight these sorts of battles by yourself. Ask for help. I'd much rather you cry on my shoulder than watch you struggle in the shadow of your own misery."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

@Faen Akatosh 's optimism filled Sybella with more hope than she had previously mustered. He was successful, doing more to subdue the spirit than she ever could have imagined. Perhaps he was right; with enough knowledge, they could banish the memory of Lujayn once and for all and put her legacy to rest. But not tonight.

Right now, the kohl-eyed knight was so tired, she bordered on delirium. Even now, she could barely stay awake. Maybe that was the phantom's plan all along; exhaust her to the point of breaking and then strike when she was at her most vulnerable. Sybella glowered at such cunning. Never again, she vowed. Never again would she allow the spirit of her ancestor to debase her in such a way. Next time, she would be ready. Prepared even. Faen had used the Force and its light to shun the disembodied spirit; with some time and practice, the younger knight could do the same.

The thought made her smile, as did her companion's words. "I appreciate that, Faen. I really do."

Offering him her hand, it seemed like she was asking for him to pull her up. However, it proved to be the opposite when Sybella instead pulled the hybrid seer to sit down beside her. She didn't mean to be rough or even to startle him; the heiress just wanted to take him up on his generous offer.

"If you don't mind, that shoulder...I'd like to use it." Her head lulled slightly and soon came to rest against Faen's person. "My eyes....let me....rest them, for just ...a moment."

With that, Sybella drifted off into blissful slumber, sleeping for the first time in what seemed like forever.

@Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

"Oh!" Faen was taken by surprise as Sybella pulled him in so she could rest her eyes. "Of course, Mi Lady." Faen smiled warmly and let the younger Knight sleep. Had the shade been keeping her up? Giving her nightmares, maybe, that make it hard to sleep? This thing was really just a huge inconvenience. Hopefully, they would be able to solve the problem so that the Serrenian noble could relax for once, undisturbed by the undead.

The Seer began to sing a gentle and soothing song in the tongue of the Annfyn. It was one of the songs Faen's father would sing to him and his brothers to help them sleep. It told of a noble who's righteous rule would make their kingdom great, allowing for their generations to dwell within in peace and solitude. The song seemed to be appropriate for the situation, seeing as Sybella was a noble. Maybe the hopeful oath would let her sleep just a little longer...

@HoneyMagpie

/Exit Thread