[Hop on the magic school ship] - Caves of Wonder

[Luy]

Unknown Regions
Sector 7G
The Pearlescent Cave
Kirin landing site

The crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the force. The force is the blade of the heart. All are intertwined. - Jedi Mantra
​

A foul wind always blasted the frozen canyons of Ilum. But any source from an authority of lightsabers and kyber crystals always noted it for the concentrations in the caves of the canyon walls. The Kirin’s engines wound down and Luy finished lowering the power levels. The Grey Lady had seen them to this side of the galaxy, and quickly, they needed to acquire that which was crucial. They were so close to the Imperial Republica territory.

Luy turned to the brave few, each wrapped up in which they felt comfortable in. Luy adjusted the fit of his sap stained outer robes as he moved around the cramped interior of the Antelope-class. His hand rested on the ramp release. “Nikka, Horus, while you are not clan mates with Kae'Leigh, ensure you look out for her.” Luy’s usual mirth had disappeared after the Tribunal and the journey here had not been simple. Occasionally the old Luy rose to the fore, but of late he’d hardened to such a level of fortitude. The lever was thrown and the artic blast swirled in like a torrent.

Down he stepped, not wearing any extra clothing than normal. His hand raised to allow his vision a respite from the wind and snow. Above the whine and roar of the air he turned back and yelled. “To the cave, shelter and that which we are here for!” Adopting a brisk pace, the Master strode towards the side of the canyon. At the entrance, robes bing snagged by the blasting gale, Luy turned and ensured his charges were safe.

When this was assured he followed them inside, into the darkness. Reaching for his saber he lifted it up and ignited the viridian blade. Bathing them all in bright, light green light. Stone all around them, a smooth sheen to this natural corridor. “Centuries ago, I came to this place… and all Jedi have been here or to similar sites. Feel the memory of the Force in the Stone around you.” Luy’s gate widened, he had not seen the caves in so long. He was still behind them but following closer than ever. Curiosity had him looking everywhere in this corridor no more than a few metres across, untold high as the light of his blade did not reveal the top.

It began to broaden, a great hall with a winding stair was caught at the edge of his blade’s light. But still nought but rock. Luy looked to them all, each one he stared at with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, you still don’t see it. Focus, young padawans.” With that Luy extinguished his lightsaber and there was nought but darkness. His footsteps could be heard, their breathing and yet darkness. “Focus, perceive more than you know. Open your mind to the Force here.”

As their minds focused, points of light, everywhere came to life. Crystals, quartz like growths, single stalagmites, and small points within the stone. “Welcome to the Pearlescent Cave of Ilum.” his blade ignited once more.

@NikkaToren @Horus Tempest @Kae'Leigh Tameris

 

[Nikka Toren]

Ever since fleeing Al'doleem, she felt unbalanced. All she knew, or had taken for granted, had been swept out from under her feet, leaving her to question many things... especially the fragile loyalty of the Order. Her heart still ached as though it had been torn from her chest... she still had no idea what happened after leaving the council chambers, but it hurt so much that when she had left Al'doleem, she had sought out Luy. She still couldn't ask him what happened... only that she could feel it. He had changed. They all had, in their ways... but he had become more silent than she ever knew him to be. More grave, as if he too had been shaken by something that left them all slightly unmoored in the face of the Force.

But she didn't question anything.

Ilum. The last time she was here, it was also with Horus and... Master Blackwood. Aurel. Her heart throbbed painfully then. Would she see Aurel again? Ner'Giza? The two were so close, they were like two faces of the same coin. Indistinguishable in her Sight... and equally all the closer. She remembered the Song in the caves, the light of the Force glimmering in vision that did not see, spoke to a soul that was mute. She remembered feeling such sorrow, a taste of the howling pain she felt earlier.

That time, she was close. So close. But... they were interrupted. Something Dark obscured her vision... something that forever made her aware that the Dark Side was all around them, guided just as much by the Light to those open to its' whispers, and rejected it.

She prepared this time like she had before; her tailored pilot's flight suit with thermal layer, thermal gloves, and a heavy synthleather duster. Her previously long hair had been shorn short en route to Ilum; such ties to her former self were now obsolete. She could never go back. Something had changed within her too; all the previous optimism and cheerful outlook were diminished, the smile that lingered on her lips was now subdued. She was calm, but... it was as if the flame that burned within her was weaker.

The Alpherys was docked on the Grey Lady, with Tippy cheerfully chirping along, content for the moment to not be the pilot and simply a droid in search for a charging battery and a long spell of silence. No more blasters and laser turrets, no siree! But he made sure his mistress was well-informed of the dangers of Ilum, and how best to prepare. Whether or not she listened was another story...

She threw over the hood, nodding once. "Yes, Master." She gave a warm grin in Kae'Leigh's direction, almost as if a blind woman could see the seeing-eyed one, and nudged Horus with her shoulder, the grin widening a brief moment. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Nikka," she said warmly... then braced to face the storm again.

She took a deep breath of the icy wind, feeling it tear at her face, whistle past her hood, attempt to claw through her duster... she ducked her head down, following the others slowly. Heavy pilot's boots crunched through the piling snow as she paced, strides long with a stiff frame. It was not long before they entered the caves.

The feeling threaded through her consciousness again, drawing her out of her grieving state as suddenly as a slammed door. For a moment, the old Nikka was back, openly scoured the walls and unvisaged ceiling of stone above. She could feel something again, humming in her bones. Familiar.

The familiar hiss of a lightsaber coming to life caused her to turn her head to Luy. What..? Were they in darkness? She couldn't perceive any change whatsoever. All seemed the same... translucent walls of stone, darkening to the distance. But when all ego slipped, and her breath expelled...

There they were. Some as small as a fingernail, some that seemed to glow with deep voices very far beneath their feet. And yet... she felt it. Something that almost whispered, that had no voice yet called. All were connected... could they see it, with their physical limitation of sight? Perhaps Luy could... she took one step further, then paused. All seemed to glow in her Sight, all like a cave of stars. Like a wild dream...

"Beautiful." Her voice was a whisper, but it held such weight. It did not echo past her own breath. Perhaps now... she could finally See what history the stones would whisper to her. How many that touched it, and felt the song all the way down to their bones like she did. Like Al'Doleem, this was a lure to those tied to the Force. She could feel it intimately. She slowly wandered over to the nearest wall, running a hand over its' rough surface. Which one would call to her?

@Luy @Horus Tempest @Kae'Leigh Tameris

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

For the first time in...ever, Kae'Leigh Tameris got to ride in a fancy space craft. The CL7 TransiStar Passenger Liner named the Grey Lady was a piece of work. It took them across the galaxy in no time and all and not once did the blue skinned Twi'lek feel cramped. She had been so used to living a life in a tiny apartment, a tiny bed, tiny Mynock-class ship. But not today. Compared to everything else in her life she felt like she was flying first class. And she may as well have been considering who was flying them.

She'd heard rumors of this Master Luy from her own mentor, Vu'thari. What she didn't know was old the Feeorin was. The man...squid?.....Jedi was almost three hundred years old. Any older and he would have seen the fall of the Jedi Order itself. But he had a far better grasp on the reality of those changes than anyone else Kae'Leigh had met. She felt sorry for him after having learned that. She'd grown up in this time. She knew the horrors and atrocities the Sith had done because they were happening around them. Luy probably heard stories from those who had come before a time that the Sith were ever in control. Kae'Leigh couldn't even begin to comprehend what a universe like that would even be.

They were on their way to Ilum, a planet covered in ice and snow. But inside the frozen catacombs would lie in secret, Kyber crystals. The weapons that powered the Jedi lightsabers. It was about time for Kae'Leigh to get one for herself. For over a month now she'd been hanging onto Vu'thari's lightsaber given to him by his grandfather. Kae'Leigh had been practicing with the weapon, but she didn't have nearly enough experience to go into battle with one yet. And she didn't like to risk bringing it out where someone could hear her training with it. The sounds those sabers made were rather noticeable and drew a lot of attention. Another reason she didn't trust herself with it was because she knew how special the blade was to her mentor. She'd hate to be the reason it broke, or heaven forbid, got stolen.

Kae'Leigh had spent a good portion of the time on the Grey Lady practicing without fear though. Here she was safe. And here she was in good company. She'd come with several other Jedi, none of whom she'd met prior to this. While it was nice to see others like her, it dawned on her just how inexperienced she was. The other Padawan were so excited and hopeful to become Jedi. kae'Leigh wasn't. At least not at first. She had to practically be begged to be taught by Vu'thari who feared for her safety. She refused him at first because she didn't want to go rushing off into some war she knew nothing about. She had been perfectly content sitting at home in Nar Shaddaa slicing and cheating people out of their credits. It was a decent life, and she was very good at not getting caught.

But that was before she realized she was Force sensitive. On a journey to Kashyyyk she'd been convinced by her pink skinned Jedi friend to visit the Life Tree. There, she was gifted with visions both past and future. It freaked her out to say the least because she saw herself as a Jedi warrior. A proud and powerful Knight who would fight for justice in the verse. It was a war Kae'Leigh didn't want and she fled from the tree in tears. Eventually she came around and Vu'thari would take her to Ryloth, her home planet she'd not visited since her parents fled when she was only a babe. There, she found something in herself that would give her the courage to take the step to the right path. She didn't want other Twi'leks to face the same injustices her family went through. She didn't want to think of any of them becoming orphans like she had. She would fight, for them.

That was the plan at least. Her training went slow. She couldn't truly grasp the power within her fingertips. While her peers were lifting wooden training boxes with their minds she was barely able to make them float at all. She told herself she'd get it in time and instead worked on learning combat. But even that was slow. She'd used a blaster all her life. She'd never had to fight with a blade. She didn't like someone being that close to her who could kill her with a swing of his wrist. She felt much safer far away with her scope trained on their forehead.

After several days of exasperating training the ship would finally arrive at Ilum and Kae'Leigh could give herself a break. She made sure to pack warm for the expedition. Vu'thari had warned her the expect colder than she'd ever been before. Kae'Leigh didn't know cold. She knew wet. It rained a lot on Nar Shaddaa. But it never really got cold. Ilum was cold. Ilum was like stepping into a blast chiller. She wasn't ready for it at all.

Kae'Leigh would be wearing several layers today. First, a long set of underclothes meant for warm travel. It was new and still had that "just bought" smell to it. Over that a heavy set of robes. Over that, a thermal sweatshirt to hold the heat in. And then finally after that her normal leather jacket. Around her waist was her utility belt, but she took off the larger pouches she usually kept attached for tools and the like when working on her ship. The belt had a hip pouch that kept her R-5 blaster pistol snug and warm against her leg. On the opposite side was Vu'thari's lightsaber. And all of this wasn't even considering the massive fur coat she'd pull over her head to keep her lekku warm.

She would go to join her comrades at the exit ramp and noted each of them were nowhere near as bundled up as she. They were perhaps more efficient at using their auras to warm themselves. That wasn't a trick the blue skinned Twi'lek picked up on quite yet. Her eyes met Luy first. It was nice to see someone at least someone alien if he didn't mind the word. Being a Twi'lek she often felt kind of left out from the humans she was usually around. Her only real solace was being around her mentor whom she was ever so thankful for that they were on the same race. She felt like she might have this same connection to Luy if they were to spend more time together.

Luy would then speak to his Padawan, asking them to look out for Kae'Leigh. Yeah...that didn't help her mood. She was already feeling low and down on herself now she felt even more like a burden to the others. She saw the woman named Nikka give her a friendly smile, but Kae'Leigh only replied with a mild smirk. She looked at the woman, taking in her features. She had brown hair first off. Another of her female Padawans had the same. Hair was still so weird to the Twi'lek. She didn't understand it's purpose for anything other than decorative. Her eyes though she had covered and Kae'Leigh could not begin to understand why. Could she not see? Then how was she walking around? She thought it rude to ask so she stayed silent on the matter.

"Kae'Leigh Tameris," she'd reply as kindly as she could muster when Nikka spoke to her.

The other person with them was named Horus and Kae'Leigh was very surprised when this woman spoke with a very deep voice. "Oh!" she'd think loudly in her head. "That's not female. But she...he...has such long hair? Now I really don't get this species." She of course would never admit to mis-gendering the man, but the thought did make her smirk whenever she looked at him. And she was glad too because he was a very pretty...handsome man. She was beginning to think maybe she had a think for women there for a minute before they'd first started talking. Glad that was all cleared up.

The doors would then open and the cold rush of wind blew past them. Kae'Leigh shivered and pulled her lekku closer to her and slid them down into her clothes. Sheesh it was cold! Vu'thari had warned her. But even with all her layers it did little to protect her face and now she wished she had some sort of helmet or something. Oh well. No time to back out now. The group would depart the ship and step out into the freezing temperatures. Her boots sank in the snow and the cold got down under her socks and she groaned loudly. This was not going well.

Thankfully the ship had touched down close to the canyon wall so they didn't really have far to go. When they got into the caves and out of the chilly wind Kae'Leigh pulled down her hood and rubbed at her lekku to get feeling back in them. The sensation gave her chills, but maybe that was just because of the cold. Ley would then ignite his saber and after a moment Kae'Leigh did the same to give the group a little more light. He explained he'd come to this same place centuries ago. Again she was marveled at how long his species lived. The way he spoke gave Kae'Leigh a sense of longing. He clearly had strong feelings for this place and those emotions bled over into her. She didn't try to fight it; the feeling was nice to share.

Her eyes looked around the world lit up by light green hues. It looked no more like any other cave she'd been in. But then again....she'd never been in a cave before. So....yeah. It was still pretty wonderful to see. Luy would then let his saber die out, explaining they needed to see it without the help of the sabers. She would do the same with her own blade and return it to her hip. Her hands then came back to her lekku to try warming them again. She was already hating this cold. Kae'Leigh was now certain beyond anything else ion life she'd never come back here.

Darkness overtook them. Kae'Leigh could not see anything. She thought back to her mentor who was learning to "see" without the use of his eyes. He'd lost one of them in battle and he'd explained to her that it was possible to let the Force guide your actions and give you sight. Kae'Leigh didn't understand how that worked either but she trusted him. He then told her there were even people out in the verse who did not have use of their eyes. Miraluka he'd called them. He'd met two in his life (or so he thought). One, a Padwan. Another a Sith. Kae'Leigh was ever grateful that her mentor survived the battle with the evil woman back on Nar Shaddaa and hoped she wouldn't run into her too one day.

It then occurred to her that Nikka was probably the girl Vu'thari had been talking about! Duh! Now she felt stupid. This girl must be one of those Miraluka species. Hence the blindfold looking thing. Visor! Yeah. That was the word. She closed her eyes then and tried to listen to the instinct in her body telling her what to do. "Listen to the Force," Vu'thari would constantly tell her. She would listen. She needed to see. And for the first time...it worked.

Kae'Leigh could see. She didn't know how, but she had a rough outline of the world around her. She saw little dots in the walls as the Kyber crystals spoke to her. They lit a path for her. She hadn't felt it before but being this close to them, being surrounded by them, now things were beginning to make sense. Out in Nar Shaddaa she felt almost nothing. She couldn't connect to the Force like others could. But here...here she could. And it was beautiful.

 

[Horus Tempest]

-Music- -Ambience-​

This was not the first time Horus had been to Ilum to collect crystals, nor would he be creating just one Lightsaber. He had traveled here before, with Master Blackwood among her students. While the trip had been cut short, he nonetheless considered it a successful venture, bonding with the crystal, however, would likely take place here, if their intent was indeed to recover yet another. He had heard they would be traveling with a new Padawan, one that hadn't openly proclaimed their allegiance to the Alliance. Considering recent events, it was perhaps wise, and Horus had begun to speculate on what the Order could become outside the chain of command. He had lost and gained respect for many in recent times, and though he remained loyal to his Master, to the Jedi Order, he had quickly come to realize that the loyalty may remain to them and them alone. Like all Vahla, Horus was naturally distrusting and respect was a hard-earned commodity. Once lost, it took even longer to regain.

"Don't worry, Eldrin. She's one of us, and she'll be treated as such."

He then turned to the Twi'lek woman and smiled, putting on a warm posture, welcoming in every regard. It was his natural state, after all.

"Hello Kae. It's a pleasure to meet you. Nikka, good to feel you're doing well."

He was here with Nikka again. It seemed their paths converged often, and he would be delighted to have some catch-up conversation, perhaps on what she thought of the recent evacuations. Horus, personally, would have died or killed himself before being captured. In his mind, a Master was worth far more than an Apprentice, through experience alone. He lamented the loss of Arda but still wished the woman had the strength within to counter the Sith probing, as obviously, she did not possess it currently. He trudged out into the wastes of snow and frost, moving to and fro with the weight of the wind causing his jacket to ripples and hug parts of his body. He strode forward alongside his Master, making sure to stay at the rear of the group so nobody got lost or took a wrong turn. When they entered, he could tell they were taking a separate path than the one Aurora had devised for her group. Now, and suddenly, to the Vahla's surprise, a verdant blade jutted out a few feet ahead of him, illuminating the hallway in a candescent glow. He could see, but not perhaps in the way his Master had intended. It was like staring into the sky on a clear night. Beautiful and serene.

"Yes, Eldrin. I can see them. I can feel them, all around us. Since the trials, my connection to the Force has only grown... this... is more wonderous than it had been before."

@Sangga @EmilyHuene @Killa Ree

 

[Luy]

​

As their respective vision got used to their environs, Luy sat down, as if to meditate. Those that looked around would see dark patches at the edge of the hall. These open maws were to the labyrinthine tunnels that all crossed each other, caves that were open to cracks in the ceiling and tunnels that did not meet the entrance hall. Stairs jutted straight out from the wall of this hall and along it dark entrances did not divulge their secrets.

“This is why you are here. While outside, I asked you to help one another against the bitter cold...” Luy’s breathing was slowing down considerably, it deepened and this left pauses in his speech. “Now you must rely on your own. This is where you will find the heart of your most trusted companion, the heart of a lightsaber that will be by your side.” His eye closed and his saber lay in his lap. "This place will be closed off in a few precious hours. I will wait here until I must leave, not a second more. You will not leave here if you do not find your crystal, I will not let you.” He paused and collected his thoughts on this practice, but agreed with its necessity. “The cave and your crystal will not let you find your treasure, either. Not until the Force has decided that you are ready.”

Luy became a cool place within the frozen temple. His mind was open to the Force, and away from the physical presence before them. He saw the memories of he younglings that had come before him, with him and after. Some Master’s chose not to enter, but he would not have missed this link to his past for anything. To think, he may not be able to do this here again, the Sith had been so close to taking him on that field. But now, now he focused on the Force. His mind drifting further and further away.

He felt a presence, not the students. They had fallen from his senses. <Well, so you are now the teacher? How does it feel, herd-son?> His eyes moved behind his eyelids, and he saw his Master. That old Ithorian kneeling before him. His broad head raised from a bow, the hunch effect that his bore-throat caused making him bow to all anyway. Luy couldn’t believe it, why now? Why not on Rishi, or Bothawui? Surely there when he felt truly alone and needed the guidance of one that understood him so. Why not when nought was near him other than the shades and shadows of Umbara and Dathomir? Help threading through the fronds of carnivourous plants or staving off the attack from another spawn of the twisted Night Sisters! Still, Luy bowed to what he perceived as his Master’s form and daren’t not look, incase Morr Ortunn disappeared from his life once more.

Their Master had fallen in reverance to nothing and appeared deaf to their calls, and his solid muscular form would not budge to their attempt to stir him. But the caves beckoned the Padawans. Where would they go, what challenges were open to them? Who would be the first and who would be last? But most importantly of all, would they all get out of here?

@NikkaToren @Kae'Leigh Tameris @Horus Tempest

 

[Nikka Toren]

She grinned at Kae and Horus, the old mischievous smirk that once graced her lips constantly in training spars, over meals shared and missions completed. With others, before it too faded. She gave another nudge to Horus, perking a brow. "One of these days, I'll owe you a meal and you can tell me what I've missed. I'm glad you've made it."

This was the last thing she said aloud before Luy's calm, quiet voice intercepted, and she paused. She listened intently; every fiber of her being seemed to lean in to listen, to process all he said. Her senses noted the cool emptiness of the caves surrounding them, the howl of the blizzard outside muted to a faint whisper. How each of their breaths bloomed with the faintest whispers of sound. And yet the tunnels were muffled, an acoustic barrier that gave the Miraluka pause... at least long enough to contemplate the path ahead.

No, that was wrong. She was not here for herself. This was for the Force. For the song of all that flowed with every living being, the Light that glowed and the Dark that obscured. She was not to find the crystal; the crystal was to find her. The previous time, she was not prepared for what she would face. She still lived in such doubt... in both herself, and the capabilities of the Force. But now...?

What was once worry for self melted in the face of an epiphany. It called to her, at first simply a hum of the soul, a tingling of the soles of her boots. She paused, letting... something... touch at her mind. Hesitant, it was not organic as she was. It was.. One. Some One. Before she left, she made sure to bow to Luy, a low bow of reverence.

Her heart knew what she had to do. That same heart was no longer full of the nameless pain that had shadowed her from her swift retreat at Al'Doleem; it was becalmed, and left her mind to clear and open to all the nameless presences that once crowded these caverns. Voices without bodies... stars without a sky. Her hand patted once, upon Luy's dense shoulder as if to reassure... then began towards the call.

It was a full half hour as she followed this... One voice. As she stepped deeper and deeper down into the caves, the One's Voice grew stronger and stronger. There were other, shallower voices, which echoed this, but they did not call as powerfully as this did. Like ripples on a sea of Light, she followed them down, down, down. Nearly forty minutes after leaving her companions behind, something happened.

Suddenly, the narrow space she had stepped into widened, into another cave antechamber. Like the one before, the ceiling was so high even her senses could not fathom it. Her steps echoed like those in a massive cathedral of stone... like a hangar without ships. Cool, barren, and empty.

The call of the One was no longer a whisper. She could feel it, a kinship unlike any other. It was like... meeting an extension of herself. But it was in the middle of this grand chamber; she was unaware of the natural darkness that wrapped around her, without malice. Unaware of other stones, which echoed in the symbiant whispering call. She stepped towards it slowly ... and paused.

Her fingertips barely grazed its' surface. But even so, the shock of it brought something out of her with a gasp. It felt... right. The brilliant glow of it seemed almost to speak of the kinship it shared; an intimate link that felt closer than any physical or emotional bond, and suddenly it called to her as her own, an echo of the own call to her very soul, a bond to her tie to the Force. All other voices faded, but it glowed within her hand. A Light that was as intimately tied to the Force as she. She held it tightly for a moment, feeling a slow breath seep from her lips. She felt... at peace. This... this was the One.

But then another sound intruded.

A sound she hadn't expected to hear.

@Horus Tempest @Kae'Leigh Tameris @Luy

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

Both Horus and Nikka would remark at the beauty, and then Nikka would make a teasing comment to Horus about how she owed him a meal. Kae'Leigh merely smiled at the two, thinking of her own Padawan friends and how they'd made comment like that to one another. She missed them dearly. But they had other things to do and their own lives to lead. Ayasha even had her own Padawan now. Kae'Leigh had a long way to go to catch up.

Luy would then go to sit down and Kae'Leigh wondered if she should do the same. But she stood there waiting for the others to move first, which they did not. He then explained to them that they were going to split up, contradictory to what he'd said on the ship about sticking together. Sounds simple enough. She didn't expect to run into any danger here. They might have been close to Imperial Republica territory, but they would know if a Sith had been lying in wait right? Something about sensing the Dark side and all that. Whatever that meant.

What he said next really freaked out the blue skinned Twi'lek. The cave would be closed off? And he wouldn't wait for them. And they couldn't leave without their crystals. No pressure right? Sheesh! She was about to ask how exactly they would go about finding them when he sorta kinda but not really answered that question for her. Apparently the Force would decide they were ready. Now Kae'Leigh really felt like she was in trouble. She didn't even feel like she was ready. -Gulp- This was going to be difficult.

And just like that there was silence. Master Luy said no more and now Nikka was walking away. So too would Horus. "I....We....Wait!" she'd call after them in confusion. Only they were gone. Kae'Leigh sighed. This was going to be trouble. So much trouble.

With another sigh she turned away from the silent and stone-like Jedi Master sitting on the ice floor. She went into the cave that the others had gone but then the pathway split off again, and then again, and after that perhaps a dozen or so more times. Kae'Leigh would be lost for sure if her brain didn't solve puzzles like this all the time. She'd never had a problem getting lost, even on the confusing layout of Nar Shaddaa. Maybe it was the way her brain learned and observed things that every problem could be analytically solved. That's why she was so good with computers and why she'd become a slicer. But this very same problem was why she was having problems now.

Or at least before. Up until now she'd questioned everything to do with the Force. Not in a sense of right and wrong, but more of a "how does it actually work" kind of way. In the end she couldn't get those answers. The Force just...was. And it wasn't until now that she was really starting to see that. No. To feel it. Yes Kae'Leigh could feel something. It was stronger than ever. This was the Force. She understood that, even if she couldn't explain it.

As she walked down the hundreth of so turn she kept her eyes peeled for a green crystal. Vu'thari's was green. She liked green. It could suit her. After all...she hadn't seen a crystal of any other color. She'd never actually seen a Sith so she had no idea theirs were red. But she didn't see any red ones either. A few blue ones here and there, which is why she walked right past them. She needed green. That's what her heart was telling her.

And then she heard a laugh. Kae'Leigh stopped and looked around. No one behind her. No shadows moving in front of her either. Gripping her saber she ignited the green light and began to push forward. The laughter continued. Listening for it now she recognized it to be a child's laugh. What was a kid doing down here?! Wouldn't they be freezing to death!

Kae'Leigh quickened her pace to a light jog. She had to find the child. Her ears were playing tricks on her and she couldn't tell whether the voice was coming from her left, the right, or now it sounded like it was behind her. She groaned and called out to the voice, "Hello? Can you hear me!? Where are you?"

The laughter echoed again. To her left? She turned and began to run. The laughter got louder. Kae'Leigh felt like she couldn't breathe. She had to find this little girl. She assumed it was a girl. Maybe that was just what her gut was telling her. She came to a cliff and stopped. The path was blocked by ice and snow; down below her she could see floor. Kae'Leigh closed her eyes and focused her power inward. Vu'thari had shown her how to augment her muscles to make her stronger. The same could be done in her legs to make them stronger. While moving blocks with her mind seemed impossible, giving herself the energy needed to be better was like giving oneself a burst of adrenaline. That rush is what she felt now and she jumped down the cliffside.

Landing with ease she stood back up from her crouched position. She held her saber up above her head illuminating the chamber around her. How far down was she? Kae'Leigh felt like she'd gone all the way down to the planet's core. How much time had she spent down here....? No time to think about that. Where was the girl?

Movement tracked across the left side of her peripheral vision. Kae'Leigh turned and flashed the saber to that side and there she saw her. A young Twi'lek, maybe around six or seven. She had blue skin, just like Kae'Leigh did. A sister maybe? Kae'Leigh ran over to the girl but then as she got closer and the light of the saber became clearer, the girl was gone. In her place was a small stalagmite. On top of it a crystal that was shining like a diamond, bouncing teal beams of light across the cavern. Kae'Leigh couldn't look away. The gem was...perfect. It was gorgeous. She'd somehow forgotten all about the little Twi'lek girl she found and would reach for the Kyber crystal. As her fingers touched the gem a flash of light came across her vision.

Kae'Leigh was standing in a field of blue flowers. The sky was a pale blue with clouds covering the sun so it wasn't so hot. She recognized the planet: she was on Ryloth. She saw the mountains in the distance where she'd come to first declare her devotion as a Jedi. Kae'Leigh looked around. Hutts and various man made furniture of wood decorated the land. She was in a campsite of some sort. Twi'lek just like her were laughing and sharing their time with one another. She was home.

"Misha? << Mommy? >>" came a voice from behind her. Looking down to her left the same blue skinned Twi'lek she'd saw running around would be holding her hand. "Su nu coming tar’don soon, misha? << Are you coming home soon, Mommy? >>"

Tears welled up in Kae'Leigh's eyes as the vision ended. Right then and there she dropped the saber she was holding, the green light disappearing and a slight veil of darkness took over. It wasn't too dark to see, however. Kae'Leigh grabbed the Kyber crystal and pulled it from the earth. She fell to her knees and clutched it to her chest. A daughter. She had a daughter. Or she would have a daughter. It was like the same vision she'd seen in the Life Tree when she saw the future as her as a Jedi. Only now it gave her a dream she could hold onto.

Looking down at the gem in her hand she realized the crystal was not green at all, but blue. Like her. Like her daughter. Kae'Leigh the Force had given this to her. She knew something else too. She was ready. Whatever trials she had to face she would do so bravely. Standing up she clutched the blue Kyber crystal in her left hand and then reached for the saber she'd dropped. It flew to her hand like a magnet. No more hesitation. No more questions. Kae'Leigh would become a Jedi.

But first she had to escape this cave....

 

[Horus Tempest]

-Music-
​

"One day, absolutely. But right now? We need to get out of this kriffing cold."

Horus walked forward as Master Luy spoke about the heart of a lightsaber, and the effort it would take to retrieve one. There was nothing new that he heard, nothing new beyond what he was aware of. His current kyber crystal sat taught to his neck, the purity of the clear gem unmistakable among its brethren. All at once, the voices of his comrades faded away as he walked ever onwards, deeper and deeper into the dark caverns, alight only through the faint glitter of kyber. He looked around for a moment, only to find himself alone once more. He had experienced similar Force aberrations and visions in the past, immediately assuming this to be one, and simply kept walking towards the source of energy that called to him. It was almost like a gentle hum, a song, sung by his to-be partner. The bond between the weapon and the Jedi was that of legend, and though he already possessed one he was keen to find another. By the time he reached the interior of the cavern, it revealed a glass-like dome shape, and within was single stalagmite, and on its tip lay a glowing crystal, as bright as the dawn. But as he reached forwards to touch it, his surroundings began to warp and change.

"Stay close, you three. This shouldn't be very long."

He was standing on a bare metallic floor, without shoes. His brother, who looked significantly younger, was standing beside him. Young Azran had a spark in his eyes, one that he had not seen his brother wear in years. And, much to his surprise, his sister - even younger than the twins - walked with them. At the head was an older man obscured by his coat's collar, moving through a gentle bustling station towards the Winter's Crest. It took Horus a moment to take the scene in, and his mind began to race, wondering why this was happening. Why THIS moment, of them all. The man turned around, and he nearly choked up. His father, the very same caring eyes that had watched over them for so long, looked down at him with an appearance of concern. He heard the clamping of boots and turned on his heels to see the Imperial patrol being led by a man in dark armor. At that moment, he was no longer a child, but he had returned to his full-grown state. His father called out in surprise, and the entire troop turned towards them.

"Horus? How-"

"Dad. Get behind me. Now."

"What's going on here?!"

The dark man approached, and Horus reached up towards his back to find the familiar weight of his sword's hilt. Instead, he found a strange weapon clasped to his back, and when he drew it forth it was a lightsaber, a crossguard design that he'd imagined a hundred times over. The man in black took one look at his weapon and drew his own, sending crimson sparks spraying across the floor, and brought it up. A snarl crossed the Vahla's face as he brought his own blade up into a salute, his eyes crackling with fire as an emerald blade sprung to life. His father began to step forward, to put himself between his children and the Sith, but Horus didn't flinch. He didn't move, only budged to keep his father back behind him.

"...Horus..."

"You will stand down and show your indentifica- WHAT?! I'll have your head, JEDI..."

"Not this time, monster. You will stay away from MY FAMILY!"

The blades swung, and a bright flash emanated from the two blades as they met and sent opal sparks in all directions. Horus continued forward, pressing the attack with a swing to the right shoulder, only to find the Sith had moved his blade accordingly. They traded blows for a time, each blow striking counterblow, each strike matching strike, as though they were equals. His siblings stood behind him, eyes wide, the soldiers of the Empire simply gawked at the display of skill from both sides of the matchup. Finally, the Sith tripped up and dropped his guard, only for Horus to drive his own crossguard forward and catch the blade, throwing a knee deep into the Sith's chest and sending him to the ground. A second kick followed, sending the dark warrior across the metallic flooring to a thudding halt a few centimeters away. He raised his blade to strike the man down, to end this once and for all and do what he could not have done years ago. Part of him hoped he would wake up, and his family would be whole again, but in that moment the crimson blade swept upwards and activated once more.

There was silence.

Horus looked down, feeling for the wound that should have coursed through his flesh. But his father had stepped in the way, the smell of burning flesh and cauterized blood reaching his nose. The vision began to fade once again, and he knelt down to grab the body of his father, holding him close as the world swept away. He was in the cave again, but his father was still there. The wound was gone, and Horus released him to stand upright. The older man simply smiled and placed his hand on the younger Vahla's shoulder with a look of pride on his face. Tears welled, in both of their eyes, and they simply stood.

In silence.

Horus reached out for the crystal, wishing the vision would last forever, but knowing the more he stood there in silence with the lost, the sooner he would drop into the void of his own emotion. He grasped the crystal and pulled it from the stalagmite, holding it up to his eye and cracking a gentle smile. He turned back to where his father had been and watched as even he began to fade away. He waved, gently, to the nothingness that was the apparition, and he could have sworn a sentence crossed his ears. A sentence he would never forget.

"We're so proud of you, my son..."

And then, he was alone.

Alone.

@Sangga @EmilyHuene @Killa Ree

 

[Luy]

“It is like discovering new exciting things everyday. Each student, and each interaction delves into infinite possibilities and plucks a single situation from it.” He took a deep breath, a smile cracking across his face still facing the cold floor.

<Herd-son, it is more than that. You are now their guide, rather than doing things as the Order has laid out, you should be confident in your own conclusions. Where has that rebellious youth I trained gone?> Luy sat back up and looked, hoping to see his Master. Those large amber eyes that he had looked up to throughout his youth staring back. There was nothing. Nothing but the cold and harsh reality of the cave. For his students, who knew what the cave held for them.

In Nikka’s case there was a sound. It began as soft as a trickle of water sliding down the wall. Then it grew to resound around the cave’s bowels as rolling waves crashing against rock. The sounds tumble and merged until her ears could only here the suffocating pressure of submergence within a deep ocean. Her own voice was muffled into silence’s embrace, the stamping of feet or slapping of hands only resounded as vibrations in her limbs.

Then it arrived, the size of a thermal detonator. It scuttled, and scurried along the floor, as it halted it looked like a cracked rock. But this creature looked up at her with its beady eyes a top protruding antenna. Its small claws clicked, its mandibles quivered and still it stare up at her. If she moved it would rawl in on itself and appear to be a stone.

In Kae'Leigh’s situation her confidence remained. Until she heard the steps. Someone was approaching, the sound was footfalls. It was not long until a hooded figure, not dissimilar to Luy’s silhouette could be seen in the ambient glow of the crystals around them. The Master’s chortle crackled forward. “Bwa-ha ha ha!” The hood covered his mane of tendrils, but there was no mistaking that laugh.

He kept moving closer, something was in his hand. He saw her and his pace slowed down. “So you found one then? Good, very good. Now come here.” His voice seemed to have fallen from his neutral and controlled tone. There was an eagerness, a want for her to come closer. As she did not immediately, he barked out. “Now Apprentice!” This roar echoed around the chamber, a wave of anger rolled into her. “Not following my orders? Well…” he flicked his wrist and his weapon’s blade ignited, a deep reddened glow filled the cavern. “... traitorous schutta you will pay for this insolence.”

In Horus’ domain all remained quiet. The feeling of isolation grew, such distance even from the walls around him. As he looked down at the crystal, the room darkened. More and more crystals extinguished, and the air thickened. Was a foot from a wall or ten, the blackness of the cave made it impossible to tell. At least he had the floor, and then as he took a pace it would fall away. He was in space, alone no sense of drifting or movement.

The only sensitivity he had was to that gainst his skin. His clothes, the crystal in his hand. At that moment, the final light, the one from his crystal began to die out. Like the Jedi, the lights had all but gone, the Darkside of the Force all but consuming everything. Yet as the crushing isolation hit, there would be a thought. A sick little thought scratching the back of his mind. If he was alone, that meant everyone was. Then they were all safe as nobody would find anyone. This state of ‘safety’ presented itself to his mind like a lover in the dark.

@NikkaToren @Kae'Leigh Tameris @Horus Tempest

 

[Nikka Toren]

Her biggest fears had suddenly come to life when the sound of roaring water came barreling her way. She was alone, and suddenly, painfully aware that she was smothered in darkness, that there would be no way to breathe in such crushing darkness. She stumbled back, falling against the hard stone floor. She could not run away from it, but tensed for the inevitable impact of icy cold water.

...No, she wasn't going to run anymore. She wasn't going to hide in the shadows and cower. But when no impact came, only the ringing darkness of submersion, she was... surprised. Hesitant. It felt like... this was another world. She could sense nothing else other than the oppressive darkness, and the dim sensation of being under so much weight. And yet... she was not weightless, as one would be. The water seemed to settle over her, ominous and threatening in its' own way.

And that was when she sensed the rock crab creature.

It had retreated when she had scrambled back into a panic; she did not sense her original exit, it was as if they were surrounded by water. She was alone.. in the sense that a star can be alone in its' own system. There was no other bright light to share its' warmth with her, and such a thought was terrifying. Was this the future? Would she be the only light left?

So many doubts crowded the surface, fears and secret pains that floated to the fore of her mind, and threatened to suffocate her. So she focused... on the crab-like being.

"I guess you're alone here, too," she murmured, feeling the queer sensation of bubbles floating from her mouth, her voice wavering as it did when she and her brothers played a game.. screaming into a pool of water and seeing how many of them heard. A nostalgic smile touched her lips, as she curled deeper into herself. "It's strange... I... I was afraid of this." Her hands trembled, before she clenched them into her coat. "I fear being alone, being useless. Not knowing when I will ever achieve balance, or restore trusts that have been broken, alliances that have been shattered. I'm... not enough."

The words rang false, even in her own ears. So she took a breath of water in, and let it out, unaware that this was not reality. This was not what was really going on. This was her first trial task.

"No, that's not quite true. I'm enough." Her Vision scoured over the crab creature, and she smiled. A mischievous grin cracked over her lips, and her voice gained strength. All fear began to melt in that water-filled cave. "I am one with the Force. I am peace, I am tranquility. I am serenity. I am harmony." Her hands grasped around her crystal, and her voice rang with its' welcoming hum. "When I am blind, I yet can still See. When I am in the darkness, I am the Light."

There was a tremor around the water-like sensation about her, but she ignored it. She slowly, ever so slowly stood, mindful to not startle the small being that seemed to follow her like a persistent shadow. So... that was what she looked like to the Force? A small crab, afraid to step out of her own shadow? Not anymore!

"I am one with the Force! There is no death or isolation!" She shouted out, her voice ringing hard with conviction. And she could feel it, glowing in every cell. And though the darkness still obscured her Vision apart from the crab, she still had her crystal. But when she looked down.. they were two, so nestled together as to appear as one. They simply nestled together. "I am balance within the Light," she whispered. All the words she spoke vibrated in the air, all her movements as if being oppressed by so much water. But...

"There is no water." Her hand cleaved through it. Though all her senses confirmed it, Vision, sight, smell, taste... she felt a shift. This was not their reality. She straightened, her shoulders squared. "My own worst fears will not ever kill my Light. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me."

The crab had retreated back into being a stone. She gave it a look with her Sight, then a low bow. "You helped me to see me for who I am. And reminded me for what I will become... thank you." She would always remember this. Her fears would no longer dictate her actions. Even death, isolation. None of that would harm her anymore.

Her hand raised before her, feeling the shift from her crown down. A calmness, an awareness that there was more than just her in the caves. There were the crystals. Her master. Her companions. Her shoulders squared. Even though the room still vibrated with the sensation of crushing water and darkness, she wasn't going to let it push her down anymore. So she began to step forward, following the call of the Light. Back to Luy. Back to her Master. Back from where she came.

And nothing would stop her quest now. As she left, the rock crab would settle back, watching. Then settle back to what it was. She was there for over an hour. She began to lift her feet, and ran. She was coming back, and this time no fear, no darkness, would stop her from coming back. She would make it... and face the challenges head on.

@Sangga @EmilyHuene @TheMorrigan

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

The sound of footsteps echoed in the cavern causing Kae'Leigh to turn on her heel and bring her borrowed saber up to position. She wasn't sure why she had acted so jumpy, maybe it was because she didn't like people sneaking up on her. Strange...why hadn't her lekku picked up on the sudden vibrations of the footfalls. Surely they would have sensed him coming down to her area. She'd look into the faint glow of the crystals to see the person she believed to be Master Luy. Relaxing some, she lowered the hilt and gave an embarrassed smile over to the man. Kae'Leigh hadn't expected to run into the others so far down this way, but she supposed the Jedi master wanted to keep tabs on the only one who wasn't his Padawan. Should she be flattered he came to keep watch on her, or insulted that he didn't trust her?

"Master Luy! I didn't hear you. You startled me."

And then he laughed. Alright....Kae'Leigh's embarrassed smile turned now more into a confused grin as she literally had no clue what she said that was so funny to the Feeorin. He then kept moving to her, and since she had no reason -at least not yet- to fear him, she didn't question it. Her eyes noted something in his hand to which she naturally assumed was his saber. She'd already seen him activate it to light up the cave; it was logical to assume he'd done the same traveling on his own to this point.

He'd then call her to move closer, but his voice changed some. Kae'Leigh thought she was hearing things. Curious. "...Master?"

When she didn't move fast enough he'd shout at her making her jump in place. Her eyes went wide for a moment and her grip around the saber tightened considerably. His anger was intense. Kae'Leigh couldn't help but to feel afraid. Why was he yelling at her? What had she done wrong? Sheesh he was a hard mentor. She felt bad for his other two Padawan. The voice changed again giving the blue skinned Twi'lek shivers. Her gut was telling her not to trust him. Vu'thari had warned her to be careful. Kae'Leigh knew things in the Galactic Alliance were shaky ever since several of their Jedi went into self-exile. To her knowledge, Luy was not one of those people. Was he....was he mad at her for showing her allegiance to Vu'thari? Didn't he know Kae'Leigh was still officially in the Galactic Alliance; she hadn't decided one way or another.

And then his blade ignited. Now Kae'Leigh knew for sure: she was in danger. Flipping the hilt around so the point of the beam was upside down, she would ignite the green blade then raise her arm to hold the saber defensively. In her left hand she clutched the blue crystal close to her chest. The traitorous Jedi then insulted her, calling her the traitor. Kae'Leigh furrowed her brow. No. He was the traitor. Turning on their own kind. It was wrong. Just wrong.

Kae'Leigh began crossing her feet over one another -carefully making sure her foot work was balanced- making a circle path counter-clockwise to Luy. Based on what she had been taught by Vu'thari, she knew she had to wait for Luy to attack first. That was the style he trained her in. The Twi'lek were, after all, a graceful and nimble race so the fighting style of Soresu -Form Three of the Nine lost styles- was the perfect starting point. The idea is to use the opponent's momentum against them in nearly every way, countering whatever attack they tried with either a Force blaster or simply trying to cut for the legs to disable them.

She would wait for the opening. Her eyes watched Luy carefully, but tried not to focus on the red blade, rather the body itself. Any of his limps was capable of causing a Force push, especially a master. Wait! Red blade...wasn't Luy's green? Kae'Leigh racked her memory and tried to remember. Of course it was green! That's why she thought every saber crystal was green. Did Luy have two blades then? Was he secretly a Sith in disguise? Now Kae'Leigh knew the truth of the matter.

He was the traitor. He had turned to the Dark side and so now it was Kae'Leigh's job to put him down. Or, more accurately, disable him and turn him to the authorities. Jedi were not supposed to kill. She calmed her mind and let her emotions be at peace. She would not be afraid of this man. She would trust in her abilities. Hopefully the fellow Padawan would hear the combat and come running. That was...if they weren't compromised too.

"Tell me, Luy. How long have you been working for the enemy?

 

[Horus Tempest]

-Music-​

Horus attempted to step forward, to leave the cave and rejoin his companions, kyber in hand. But to his surprise, the darkness did not lift. Instead, the floor itself began to dissolve into nothingness and he was at once floating in place, unable to move left or right, unable to free himself. Or, so the illusion would assume. There was a part of him he was afraid, afraid of this exact circumstance and the terrible fate it would cause upon him. Afraid of being alone, forever alone, as he had always found companionship in life and an exile was not suited to the Vahla, nor those of his ilk. But he did realize that at this moment, in truth with the loneliness around him, he could do, say and think anything he pleased. He was completely and totally alone, devoid of any light to guide him. But he did not enjoy it, he did not accept the cold, the fear and the very rapturous anger that surrounded the core of his being. He first attempted to float forward, and when that did not work he attempted backward, then either side once more. When it became obvious that he wasn't going to float himself out of this situation, he became pensive.

"I will not give into you."

"I- Will- Not... Give- In- To- You-"

The words echoed around him, reverberating against unseen barriers and accompanied by a sly sound one could only describe as a laugh. Horus' heart began to fill with panic, more panic than logical, perhaps even akin to his brother's anxiety attacks and began to gasp for air. But he began to breathe deeper to counteract it, and placed both of his palms in the center of his being. Closing his eyes, he began to draw the flames from his heart of hearts forth. It would take time, he had never performed something like this before, but he had heard of Force Users that could. As he began to draw it forth, he pictured a fire in his mind conjuring in his hands to create warmth. It would hopefully provide the light that he sorely lacked, and would attempt to dispell the darkness around him with his own power. When he entered his first trial, he was unrefined and out of practice. Now, he was a fully fledged Jedi Padawan with the increased power of his own, through the grace of the Force, and he would use that grace to eliminate this blackened hatred.

"Once upon a time
There was a Vahla
A wandering soul
Lost in the realm of our kingdom
They say he was a Jedi
Who fought a great war
When the Sith came into our Galaxy
And burned everyone with a roar..."

The song began to escape his lips, meant to help him concentrate, hearing it reverb throughout the darkness gave him a sense of hope. Even in this blackness, there was light to be found, and if there was none to be found then he would be the light he wished to see. The Vahla were once enslaved by the Dark Side, and he completely refused to follow suit. Part of him, one he could now recognize fully, hated the Sith for what they did to his family, for leaving him... alone. Without a mother or father. Robbing his twin and himself of their sister, warping her to a daughter of shadow and death. It was not to be, he was not destined to have his life ended here nor there, nor would he accept such a fate. The Force did not will it, and if it did he would not fight, but he knew in his heart when his time came he would be more than aware. You cannot fight against the inevitability of death, nor could you truly know your time. But Horus could refuse to fight against inevitability and live a fruitful life. As the song continued, an orb of amber fire emerged in his hand, and opened his eyes.

"Once upon a time
There was a world
A beautiful one
Surrounded in the darkness of an ancient war
They say there was a warrior
This wandering soul
Who's cursed by a Sorceress
Forever to watch his own realm rise and fall"

@Sangga @Killa Ree @EmilyHuene

 

[Luy]

Luy heard the first footfalls returning. He began to stand and face the encroaching sound. He wiped the stain from his face and eyes. From the murky blackness came Nikka, her presence felt different. She felt complete, there was no hesitancy in her movement.

He moved forward and held up a hand, his viridian lightsaber ignited and bathed them in its glow. “Nikka.” His voice was smeared with warmth and a hint of pride. “Well done, you have found more than a simple crystal, haven’t you.” There was a chirruping behind her, Luy did not mean the little creature that emerged from the cave. But there it was, following her. “Not only a crystal, and a devoted friend… but something more still. You have changed and hopefully now see more than before, and see what I have seen.”

The space around the sabre seemed to darken, the form of Luy melded into the darkness, her Master’s blade not holding back the wall of darkness. It raised and moved as if its bearer matched her rotation. “The enemy? Who rules the galaxy, who are the insurgents? Who’s teachings misguide and corrupt good, Force fearing Sith." The blade rolled in his hand, adjusting the angle as it stopped. “We are more than you think, we are not all monsters. We feel more than your Master’s would ever feel. Our joy and our passions are unbound, and this drives us to achieve more than your Master’s possibly could. Think on this, young Padawan. Do you truly want to go down their Path? To suppress such ambition? Think on...” his blade extinguished. The darkness almost swallowed her, but her Master’s blade fought back and then there was a voice.

“I hope that Kae’leigh is alright, I do not know her… but I know her Master must have taught her well for her to be here.” It was Luy, not the creature of the darkness, but the old Jedi Master. He was distant, this echo rolled through the tunnels. There was another, maybe Nikka?

The flame in Horus’ hand coalesced, it shrank but focused into a sphere of warm light. The darkness was held at bay, recoiling from such heat, In his hand, the light had a focus. His crystal glowed with the light; no the light was shining from the crystal. This amber hue showed that the crystal was golden amber. It reached out to him, it harmonised with his song. Then the light expanded suddenly, slaying the darkness and revealing the twinkling crystals once more. The light in his hand was only a slight sheen. The path lay before him and he heard Luy and Nikka’s conversation. He was close, and had his crystal.

@Killa Ree @EmilyHuene @TheMorrigan

 

[Nikka Toren]

She strode in, head held high, relaxed apart from what was held in her hands. Now, more than ever, she felt the cool flow of the Force bathe her in its' light; never before had she been more at peace when meeting her Master, though. She had been running off and on again; the crab scuttling behind her was a constant sound, like a reminder. And every time she nearly lost her way, she felt a subtle nudge out. The illusion of water no longer weighted her limbs; she felt light, limitless, and utterly balanced.

"Master." Her voice was warm and calm. No longer birdlike in its' chirping tonality, this was more gentle, almost graceful. She held the crystals to her chest; hearing and feeling the dual hum was a relief, an attestment to her capabilities, and her beliefs. "Master... I have Seen much." The queerest sound piped up behind her, and when her Sight took in the crab, she chuckled, and nodded. "It seems so. What a strange place this is."

Her Sight took in so much more now. Though the crystals were all dimmer, there was a subtlety of change. There was more detail... including to her Master. She tilted her head as if studying his features, lips quirked in a puzzled way. "You know... I have never known facial features to be important."

Some may have thought the old Feeorin's first Padawan was losing her mind. But it was a simple, staggering observation that she was surprised at. "Was I really so blind...?" She then realized the irony of her words, and tilted her head, listening. "The others should not be further behind... do you hear them, Master?"

A voice that hummed in the caves... one that she recognized. The smile that encompassed her lips was radiant; one of the clan also made it. That left Kae... and she would wait. But meantime, she held the crystals in her hand, content to observe the stone crab that had insisted on following her all this distance...

"You're an odd little one," she murmured, raising her brows slightly. "How... fascinating."

@Sangga @EmilyHuene @TheMorrigan

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

As the Jedi to be began circling around her enemy, the Sith version of Luy would laugh. Darkness was literally seeping out of his form making Kae'Leigh afraid that it might swallow her whole. But she stood behind the green hue of her saber and tried not to let the cold overtake her. She would not show this person fear. He'd go on a tangent, explaining he was part of a greater power. It was this power that ruled the galaxy, and that her faction was the ones opposing him. Didn't that make her the bad guy?

That's what he was trying to push on her at least. Kae'Leigh shook her head, contemplating her answer to this demon as he continued. He claimed they were not monsters. A likely thing for a monster to say. Kae'Leigh had heard the tales of the woe those red-bladed warriors brought to the galaxy. He'd then go on to say that their emotions were not limited as the Jedi ways instructed. But as her own master explained to her, emotions were fleeting. They could be turned and swayed. Only by mastering them and removing them from the equation could one truly be at peace.

Then the red light of the Sith's saber went away and darkness plunged around her. Kae'Leigh wanted more than anything to tuck into herself and hide from whatever lingered in the dark. But she stayed strong. Kae'Leigh dug her foot in and trusted in the light to be there for her. The green saber of her blade glowing proudly as if her own convictions gave it strength. And then, the dark didn't seem so bad. Kae'Leigh's eyed adjusted and she realized she was alone. Whatever this connection was, it was long gone. But the voice wasn't.

She heard a faint echo of Master Luy, the real one, speaking with one of the others. A female voice. Must be Nikka. Luy was worried about her. Kae'Leigh looked around once more making sure she was truly alone before lowering her arm, the blade rising behind her arm as she was holding it inverted. Nodding to herself she'd hold out her crystal in her hand for a moment. Thinking. Is this what she wanted? But her issues were not in joining the Jedi. They were leaving the Galactic Alliance. Kae'Leigh knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that she would at least not become a Sith.

"You're wrong," she would say to the empty chamber around her. "The Dark side my control the galaxy right now, but that doesn't make you right. I will put an end to your reign and save people from the darkness you've wrought all these years. With this crystal I vow that. I will be a Jedi."

Turning to the part of the cave she'd jumped down from, Kae'Leigh would flow the Force through her muscles and leap up to the ledge too far for normal means to reach. Closing her mind to the outside world and any other distractions, Kae'Leigh would pinpoint where Master Luy and the others were. She then headed that way with no hesitancy. The path down might have been confusion, and even though she'd made a point to memorize the way in, she had no difficulty getting out of the chamber and heading up to her Jedi brethren.

"So I'm not the last one back," she'd say with some surprise.

She'd then extinguish her blade and clip it to her belt while coming to face the others. She'd hold out her blue gem and smile. The others would see that Kae'Leigh too had undergone some sort of transformation in those caves. Just as all the other Padawan before them. She was now ready to complete her training.

"So. What's next?"

// Exit Thread​

 

[Horus Tempest]

-Music-​

As the darkness faded away, Horus gently touched the ground with his palm, thanking the Force he had the fortitude to overcome the Dark Side once more. His singing stopped as he rose back to his feet, taking in a deep breath and observing the amber glow that emanated from the crystal with a slight tinge of curiosity. He had never seen an amber blade before, and most of the others used blue or green. What did it signify? What was he to become? Perhaps this was a new path the Force had set out for him. But nonetheless, he had to follow. He heard the others ahead and began to venture forth through the winding tunnels again. As he walked, he remembered the Dark that swallowed him, the one that lay deep in his soul. Every Vahla was attuned to the Darkness, and it took the majority of his life to completely cast it aside. His destiny, as he knew it, lay with the Jedi Order, to help it grow. To teach, to learn, to become what he was meant to be, and to join the ranks of Jedi Vahla past. And though the beginnings had been difficult, he now knew with certainty he had the strength to carry on. One last turn, and he could now see the others, having returned before him.

"It is done."

At that moment, a chill rocked his spine, and his hair stood on end. The crystal had bonded with him, he could feel it's presence in his left hand, and as he tied it to the rope around his neck, he heard the faintest of whispers. Voices from ages past, ancient teaching long forgotten, whatever it might be. And as he listened, he could have sworn he heard the faintest of voices inform him that they were proud of him. He cupped the crystal in both hands for a moment as he rejoined the group, whispering gently to himself in reply. By this point, he was but a few steps away from Nikka, Kay, and Luy. After joining them completely, he looked around at the starlight cave that dotted itself with crystals, content with his mission being complete. Now, on to the next journey, most likely to craft the lightsaber that would house his newfound kyber, and in doing so become a Jedi in every way. He smiled at Luy and the others, wondering how their trials had gone, but he did not question. It was not his place to pry, and if they wished to share, he would be there to listen.

"Well, that was eventful. Let's not linger, the Force in this place is strong, and I'm not keen on yet another illusion test. I think I've been through enough of those this week. Shall we?"

@Sangga @Killa Ree @EmilyHuene

 

[Luy]

Luy looked to the assembled students. So young, and with such new found confidence. His lips moved before he spoke. His time in the caves had only brought him more questions. “Well, it would appear that soon you will no longer be my, or anyone’s, students for much longer.” He stood up and turned around, slowly walking toward the exit; his hands returning to his wide sleeves. He had forgotten the feeling of standing next to Padawans on the verge of Knighthood. It was like the anticipation of waiting for a flower to bloom, while waiting for a friend to arrive. He could feel the bow wave of the Force, it rushed between them. These three souls, how their lives would change. “But for now, I will be giving you a few short lessons. Come now, to the Kirin, her Ladyship is waiting… as is your destiny.”

With that Luy moved out of the entrance hall and felt the biting wind of Ilum, soo he would be in the Kirin, into orbit and then they would use one of the staterooms.

/End Thread​