Knighthood...Spirit Trial

[Kane]

Kane looked around the small clearing in the jungles of Tython, this was the place that Tynian would face his final trial of Knighthood.

The old Sentinel had sent a message to the council stating that the trial of skill had been completed and the location that they would await councillors who would administer the final trial.

He looked to his apprentice as they waited.

"Well my boy, this is it. One last trial. Pass it and we will have a knighting ceremony to attend."

@Nastalle @Nefieslab

 

[Tynian]

Tynian looked at his master. His calm face masked the nervousness in his mind. One more trial and he would become an actual Jedi Knight. The last one was difficult, taking him to his physical limit, and yet Kane had mentioned that this one... the Spirit Trial... was the hardest of them all.
He cleared his throat and asked, "Master Kane, what should I expect in this trial?" He was not just looking for a hint of what lay in store for him, but also some advice on how to get through it.

 

[The Storyteller]

The jungles of Tython were still full of Darkness.

Unlike the rest of the planet, Darkness yet clung here through the creatures who lived here, full of rage and anger and hatred. And all of this created something of an environment of Darkness that clung to it. In the years to come, this part of the jungle would be compared to the Dark Cave on Dagobah.

And it was why they were here.

And that was why, as they stopped, another set of footsteps did not.

A figure entered the clearing wearing white Jedi robes with black fastenings, the hilt of a double bladed lightsaber showing over one shoulder. The figure's eyes were an angry yellow and it's grin was wild, unhinged, as it stared unflinchingly, unblinking, at Tynian,

"Oh he doesn't know King..."

The man's grin grew wider still, unnaturally so. It was clear that this was... something. It wasn't a person - it was Darkness pretending by taking on the shape of a person. And it was clear to anyone with the Force that it was the Darkness of Tynian, given form by the surrounding Darkness of the jungle. He drew his double bladed lightsaber but ignited only one blade.

It was bright, angry, red.

"You see, King, the trial is Spirit is different for every young Jedi but the principle is still always the same... you gotta overcome the Darkness inside you, reflected outside! So... YOU... gotta overcome ME! But that's so done - so boring!"

He laughed, twirling his lightsaber around a bit before catching it again.

"So, KING, I've got a suggestion..."

​

With that last declaration, the personification of Tynian's darkness grinned before jumping forwards, making a sweeping slash from Tynian's left to right at waist height to try cutting him in half at the waist.

@One For Sorrow @Nastalle

 

[Tynian]

Tynian's blade came to life in an instant to block the attack of his so called "twin".
His mind raced as he looked into the shade's maddened yellow eyes, he could see the likeness, but the force flowing though him showed him the stark differences. They were so much like "night and day" that it was uncanny... "You are nothing like me shade," his words coming out as he strained against the red blade with his own white lightsaber, "you may look like me... but your heart is far from me..."
He opened his heart even more to the force, so that he could feel the light side even more in the presence of such evil and hatred...The only other thought running through his mind was how to face and defeat this abomination.

 

[Kane]

Kane was slightly taken aback by the dark version of Tynian, he had faced a similar shade during his own trial of spirit but this one seemed slighlty madder.

Knowing his duty and trusting his apprentice he moved to the side of the clearing and stood with his hands clasped in front of him as he watched.

 

[The Storyteller]

The spectre laughed in Tynian's face as the Jedi denied that he was anything like him. It's grin somehow grew wider, becoming now impossibly wide, so much so that it was wicked and twisted in nature.

"You're a fool if you think that! I don't come from nowhere, King... I come from YOU! I'm already inside of you!"

Seeing that Tynian was focusing on the Force, the spectre kept their blades locked with one hand before grabbing Tynian's collar with the other, pulling him in for a savage headbutt that would break Tynian's nose if it hit.

"WAKE UP KING! You don't get to have a nap in the middle of the battle! There's no resting - there is only attack! So attack! Fight! GRIND! CRUSH! KILL! I AM YOUR ENEMY AREN'T I?! STRIKE ME DOWN!"

Pulling his blade back, he slashed at Tynian's eyes in a quick slash that he was quick to pull back from to turn it's a slash for Tynian's left knee instead.

"Or I'll kill you... and then I'll be the one in control... then I'll kill the old man too... Then I'LL BE KING!"

​

@Nastalle

 

[Tynian]

At the last moment Tynian ducked his head as the spectre head-butted him, saving his nose, but clashing forehead to forehead with the "twin"... He stumbled backwards dazed by the hit.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts as the spectre came on again. Tynian raised his lightsaber vertically to block the swing to his eye as well as the feint. It was then that Tynian realized that this was a move that he had used on his master when sparring... which meant the spectre knew all his moves, and if that was the case, then Tynian knew all of the "twin's" moves too.

As the "twin" yelled, one thing in particular rang out in Tynian's mind...
"WAKE UP KING! You don't get to have a nap in the middle of the battle! There's no resting - there is only attack! So attack! Fight! GRIND! CRUSH! KILL! I AM YOUR ENEMY AREN'T I?! STRIKE ME DOWN!"

For some reason, Tynian felt the force telling him to do the exact opposite. Deep in his soul he had always felt the pull to the light side of the force. He had never even thought that the dark side was enticing or alluring, there was nothing that would ever make him embrace it. He knew in his heart and mind that he would always, no matter what the situation, stay true to the light.
Tynian figured this spectre was trying to make him give in to his anger, trying to make him lash out in hatred... To make him kill his own nature.
Tynian used the force to jump back and then put his lightsaber away, hanging in onto his belt. "The natural instinct is to fight and try to destroy you. But it's not the right choice." he spoke calmly and confidently. "My life should be in balance...To kill you would mean killing my self." He held his hands out to his sides, "I need you, just as you need me, to bring "us" into alignment with the force. The dark side cannot be the dominant side, because it brings chaos. But it must remain to continue to remind me as to why the Light is stronger."

Tynian gave a slight bow to the spectre, "I will not fight you. If you want dominance then you will have to destroy me completely, but I will not give in to hate, or to anger. For that is not the way of the Jedi. And I am a Jedi, like my father Kane before me."

He spread his hands out further, resolving himself not to do anything.

 

[The Storyteller]

There was absolute silence as the Spectre just looked at Tynian for a long moment before his resting grin twitched into a smirk, eyes narrowing as he idly spun the lightsaber's hilt in one hand, it's single ignited blade buzzing ominously.

"Really now?"

Stalking forwards, the Spectre began to circle Tynian, it's lightsaber trailing along the ground beside it. The blade burned through the foliage, burning through tree roots and leaves. The Spectre raised an eyebrow.

"And if I stab you? While you're busy... not fighting... what then, King?"

Moving to stand behind Tynian, the Spectre extinguished the sole blade it had activated before placing the end of his lightsaber against Tynian's back. If the lightsaber was activated, it's blade would pierce straight through the man's heart on it's way out of the body.

"I guess all I need to do is press the button then huh? Oooo... do I feel fear in there King? You afraid to die? You should be. Because if I kill you..."

​

The Spectre flashed a dark grin a Kane off to the side.

"I'll be in complete control. You'll be the Horse... and I'll be King."

@Nastalle

 

[Tynian]

Tynian didn’t move. The war waging in his mind was the decision to spin around, take up his lightsaber and defend himself, or just stand there and trust the force.
The dark side’s pull was strong, but his trust in the light was even stronger.
Words began forming in his thoughts, drowning out the ones now screaming at him to fight. Words that had been taught to him the moment he became Kane’s apprentice. Words the Jedi lived by...

There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge

As they repeated over and over again, running through Tynian’s mind. Strengthening him and giving him clarity.
First the words came in a whisper, then grew louder and louder until the dark-side’s voice was completely engulfed in the light.

There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.

Tynian turned slowly around to face the “twin”. He reached down and took the lightsaber and moved it up to his forehead. As he looked into the cold yellow eyes of the spectre, he smiled.
He now knew what the test was, and he wasn’t afraid any longer... He would trust the force, like he had done his entire life. The words he spoke next, came out like a whisper, but echoed all around them as Tynian’s voice was amplified by the living force itself...

“There is no death, there is the force.”

Tynian’s eyes bore into the “twin’s”
“Do what you must, I am with the force, and the force is with me.”

 

[The Storyteller]

There was silence in the face of the Spectre's taunts and, to be honest, he wasn't used to that... but even now, in the face of the unknown, the Spectre was still grinning, still enjoying the thrill of this battle.

"The Force is with you? How can you be so sure King?! Who's to say the Force isn't with ME instead?! You don't know! You don't know... you're just gambling your life on blind faith of teachings taught by a failure of an old man!"

Smirking over at Kane, he gave the old man a jaunty little wave, which he came to almost regret when Tynian turned around. He was disappointed for a second before his grin came back full force as Tynian pressed one end of the lightsaber to his forehead and the Spectre did the same with the other end.

"You got the guts?! You got the nerve to be doing this King?!"

It seemed... It seemed that he did.

Huh.

"ALRIGHT! HERE WE GO!"

​

The lightsaber activation switch was pressed and both blades extended to their full length... but it wasn't real. The blade had never been real - it had always been an illusion by the Force that Tynian had felt as weight against his blade because his mind had been told that there was weight behind the strike. So the blade extended right through both of their heads but did nothing to Tynian, not even tingling.

But not the Spectre.

The illusion began to laugh as it's lower body began to break apart into dust - dust which clung to Tynian and seemed to stick to him perfectly. The Spectre grabbed onto Tynian's shoulder, fingers digging in as his crazed eyes glowed with the Dark Side.

"Guess there's no way around it. You got me. I have to recognise you as the King, for now. But don't you ever forget! Don't forget that either one of us can become the King or the horse. If you ever give me the chance. I'll drag you down and crush your skull! And one last warning..."

The dusting effect was almost done, with only the Spectre's arm and head still solid.

"I'm going to keep getting closer and closer to you. And not just day after day, oh no. It's going to happen much faster than that! See I'm already closer to you than I was a moment ago. And I'll keep getting closer and closer to you, until I swallow you up and then, you'll disappear. Things are not gonna turn out well for you at all... see you around... King."

And with that parting warning, the Spectre completed his transformation into dust, attaching itself to Tynian.

@Nastalle @One For Sorrow

 

[Kane]

Kane watched the exchange between Tynian and his dark twin, his fists clenched in anticipation. He lurched forward as the saber activater, but caught himself and relaxed after a few moments when the spectre dissipated.

He walked over to the boy and grabbed his shoulder proudly.

"Well done my app- no, not apprentice anymore. You have completed your trials now, and though you have not been officially knighted as of yet you are a Knight. I am proud of you Son."

Kane turned so he faced the same direction as Tynian and wrapped his arm arounf the boys shoulders, he quietly wiped a happy tear from his eye with his other hand.

"So Tynian, how does it feel?"

@Nastalle @Nefieslab

 

[Tynian]

The spectre disappeared, rather it blended with Tynian, making him whole once again. The Ysanna opened his eyes, let out the air in his lungs that he had been holding onto for the last few moments, and then turned to face Kane.
“Master, it appears I still have much to learn about the force.”
He smiled reaching up to touch his own forehead just to make sure there were no extra holes and sighed again, allowing his adrenalin to finally be released. “I couldn’t have done this without you ya know. And I wouldn’t have it any other way Master.”

 

[Kane]

Kane smiled at Tynian as they began to walk back towards the temple.

"We all do Tynian, we all do."

He chuckled, keeping his arm around his -now former- apprentice as they went.

"It has been my pleasure and honor to be a part of your journey my boy. I would not change it for the world."

/End Thread