Ask Kashyyyk Out of the Black

[Elenath]

theme​

Knight Elenath brushed aside yet another clump of vines draped across his path. He didn't know how he'd managed to find a landing spot for his Lancer nearby the lab that he and two padawans had been tasked on investigating. After investigating a distress signal at an abandoned fuel depot in this very sector, assisting on Kashyyyk was an easy choice. A disturbingly large bug vaguely resembling a dragonfly and a grotesque gnat paused in its flight to examine Elenath, likely trying to determine if he was food. The Echani froze and glared at the creature until it decided he was not, in fact, food and carried on its way. "By the Force, this place is worse than Burinjina," he commented, though any uncomfortably hot planet disagreed with Elenath's cold-accustomed frame. Growing up on a starship that went cold to preserve power often helped with that.

Moving between a few rocky crags, the Jedi's feet touched water and the view opened up to a beautiful little "grove" where the lab was nestled between the roots of several massive trees. Water poured out in little waterfalls from the trunks, pooling at the base of the grove where schools of colourful fish darted around. The lab was built into a large rocky hillside underneath one of the trees, its white walls contrasting starkly with the lush green surroundings. If it weren't for the holorecording that they'd all seen in the briefing, this place would be rather beautiful. At least, during the scarce hours when the sun threaded the needle through the canopy miles above to lit the grove. Most of the time, this place was dark, and pitch black during the long nights.

"We must be on our guard once we arrive," Elenath cautioned, spying the lab but looking for an entrance. To all intents and purposes, the place looked completely abandoned. Windows smashed, flora already attempting to reclaim the stark white metal into the natural order, and no current signs of life. "If my senses lead true, then I believe we will learn more about abominations and the foul Exalted here." He hadn't told the padawans, but the potential knowledge to be gained here about abominations was what truly led him to Kashyyyk.

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

Spoiler: Texting Ma and Pops

Me: I'm being sent to Kashyyyk! Any tips, Pops?
Ma: U better not b sending me and ur father pics of u in the Shadowlands, boy, or else!
Pops: Make sure to pack what you need. Don't forget to hydrate yourself.
Ma: If ur going to the Shadowlands, ask sum1 else to replace u!
Pops: Stick close to your superiors. Listen to their instructions well. Don't wander around.
Ma: Pollux, don't encourage him!
Pops: If you ran out of rations, don't eat anything hanging off of trees unless it's edible. Don't drink from puddles even if the water looks clean.
Pops: And don't goof around. No screaming "Spooky Happenings" or whatever else that horned head of yours might come up with. Be serious and focused on your mission.
Ma: Pollux!
Me: Thank you, Pops!
Me: I won't get into trouble, Ma, I promise!
Me: I'll call you when we're done! Love you both!

Hiraya did not bother pocketing his phone before disembarking from Knight Elenath's ship, instead leaving it along with his pack. Carrying only the basic necessities just as his father instructed, the young Tiefling was armed with his training saber and a vibroblade. On his small backpack was a canteen full of water and a few energy bars and sweets. Garbed in his Padawan attire, Hiraya dutifully followed closely behind the older Jedi, mindful of the other Padawan whose name he did not know yet.

The teenager had never been to Kashyyyk before, but his parents regaled him with tales of the planet. He also knew that it had almost been fully glassed(?) by a Sith empress many years ago. Hiraya was glad that Kashyyyk was making a recovery from such a devastating blow, as he felt the nature surrounding him through the Force thrumming with a life that defied the death that once threatened it. But there was a warning, a sense of danger, both in the air and the Force as they delved deeper into the forests of Kashyyyk. Hiraya's pointed ears flicked, focusing on his father's advise even as his breath caught at the sight of the grove where the lab was located. The area was beautiful, and he would've called it as such if it weren't for the nature of their mission and the briefing he and his fellow Jedi watched before being dispatched here.

The footage haunted Hiraya, but he would not let his fear deter him from this mission.

"Gotcha loud and clear, Master!" the Padawan whisper-yelled energetically, fist-pumping before giving the Knight two thumbs up. His tail swished to and fro behind him, hinting at the excitement that pumped in his veins, mindful not to let the crooked tip touch the water.

@Vosrik @Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

For Scorpio, Kashyyyk was as beautiful as it was mysterious after getting a solid footing upon it's marsh like surface beneath the overhanging vines and foliage that grew in abundance below the towering trees. He was quiet most of the trek, taking in the 'sights' as much as possible and letting it's sounds echo both within the senses of his ears and upon the ebb of the natural Force. It was almost harmonic.

Their destination, however, sadly stuck out like that of a sore thumb. Although nature sought to reclaim it as it's own, it was as anything touched by sentient beings; unbelonging. It's not to say that Scorpio viewed sentience as an abstract, but he did view it as a hindrance upon the beauty that was natural. Only those who were in tandem with it could ever understand his meaning. Especially facilities forged for war or misdeeds. Still, it was his second outing as a Jedi, and he knew the briefing.

As Master Elenath spoke caution, Scorpio withdrew his heirloomed sword from its sheath and keep up his guard, the Force swirling around the Padawan like a dance of fireflies encircling the crackle of a well lit fire. It was there should he call for it's aid, but lingered softly as if a guide rather than that of an ally. Spreading his mind outward, he questioned Master Elenath.

"I'm not familiar with what the Exalted truly are, nor the abominations they create. Can you clarify a bit more, Master Elenath?"

@Vosrik @marshland

 

[Elenath]

The Thyrisian Echani continued forward, keeping his footing on either dry land or protruding rocks as often as he could to prevent plunging into the gently rippling waters. Not that it was very deep so close to the shoreline; perhaps only knee deep.

Elenath didn't think they would run into any obstacles quite yet, at least not the type that they had previewed in the holorecording. Despite his extensive study in the archives, the Jedi Seer hadn't ever read up on whatever creature these scientists ran into. One of the padawans, Scorpio, queried about abominations and the Exalted. Elenath collected his thoughts for a moment to provide a succinct answer. Though a recent area of study, it had quickly become one that he had a personal stake in.

"Abominations are physical manifestations of the Dark Side," he began, allowing the Force to guide his steps along a few rocks dotted along the water's surface. "They're...mindless, but extremely formidable. Bent on causing death and destruction of all other living things, thereby disrupting the balance. If faced against one, usually it is wisest to flee..." He thought of his own encounter with one very recently on an abandoned fuel depot not far from Kashyyyk. An entire waystation massacred by a single abomination. "Exalted are far worse. I know little about the process, but they are sentient beings transformed to their core. They can shapeshift into even greater abominations and even wield the Dark Side. I'm...sure you've seen some of the massacres that took place on Coruscant..." Elenath fell silent again as he finally reached the spit of land where the laboratory lay.

"But," he continued in a more hopeful tone, "they both have a weakness." Strengthened by Dark Side nexuses, they are inversely deeply weakened by Light Side nexuses and Force Light." The Jedi Seer peered at the smooth, metallic outer plating of the lab. Other than a couple smashed windows near the roof, the building seemed almost tranquil along with the rest of the grove. Nothing yet seemed amiss, though he was sure this would not be the case once they entered. But first, they needed to look for the front door.

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

The topic of the Exalted and the abominations came sooner than anticipated, but Hiraya supposed that it was only fair and square. Much like his fellow Padawan, the Tiefling barely had an idea as to what the monstrosities truly were. One fact he knew that he kept to himself was that whenever the topic of the Exalted arose whenever he was within earshot, the air suddenly tasted like copper and ash.

Wrapping his long tail around his waist, Hiraya wandered off a little to one side but mindful not to stray too far away, pointed ears perked up in attention and focus as he listened to Master Elenath's response to Scorpio's inquiry. Crimson gaze scanned the lab in search of the door, one hand rising to part vines and brush away lingering flora that threatened to overtake the building. As he looked, he felt something drop on his head, followed by a faint, scraping sound on his left horn. Without thinking Hiraya reached up, long fingers wrapping around something long and slender, and came face to face with a common snake when he plucked it off of his head. The creature swiftly coiled around his arm and reared its head to strike, only for the Padawan to gently but firmly grasp the base of its head with his free hand.

"I'm not food," he playfully told the snake, untangling it from his arm before unceremoniously tossing it in the water. With a bare of his fangs and the intent of playful intimidation sent to the snake through the Force, the animal swam away with a disgruntled hiss.

"So, are they only weakened by Force Light, or any other light will do?" Hiraya asked, although he anticipated that the response could be a resounding 'no'. It was clear that the Tiefling's basic knowledge about the monsters was severely lacking, and not just because he had not had the misfortune of facing even a single abomination. Hiraya moved to the right side of the building, eyes widening when he found what he was looking for.

The outer door was closed, but it seemed to have motion detectors installed somewhere because it slid open with a soft woosh when the Padawan approached. The entryway was dark when he peered from where he stood, and there were no signs nor sounds of movement inside-

The faint scent of rotting flesh soon danced in the air within the building, causing Hiraya to stumble with a hand clamped over the lower half of his face, eyes suddenly watering.

"Master, I found the door," he called out softly, returning to the two older Jedi's side while jabbing a thumb towards the door's direction.

@Vosrik @Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

"Unfortunately, I haven't. The Orphanage I was at rarely had any outside outlets." Scorpio replied as he digested the information presented to him by Master Elenath, processing it across what knowledge he did possess as he tried to imagine their biology. "So they are similar to Sith Spawn?"

It was the only true aspect Scorpio held that could describe what he could envision of them, grotesque creatures forged and deformed by the machinations of Sith Alchemy and the Darkside, essentially Jedi Tales 101. Hearing Hiraya call out, his attention turned from Master Elenath across the cove toward the other Padawan, calling out in return. "Wait up!"

For Scorpio, the water matter little and he trudged across it without really missing a beat, his shins kicking up water and sending most of the fauna within scurrying away. But there was a sense of excitement in his presence, innocence beyond the normality of someone his age. And yet, Scorpio had always been such a presence.

Grabbing his nose due to the stink that lingered out into the open from within, he joined his fellow Padawan in looking inward into the dark, albeit through his own means of 'seeing'. Yet, he couldn't quite make out much through his mind's eye.

 

[Elenath]

"No, not any light. Specifically Force Light — it's a physical manifestation of the Light Side, which is anathema to them," Elenath replied to Hiraya. He had to think for a moment to reflect on Scorpio's question while the tiefling looked for the front entrance. "I'm...unsure of their similarities," Elenath finally replied, "though I'm sure they're similar on some level."

Reaching the entrance, the Echani's nostrils were also assailed by the air of rot and decay wafting from within. Attempting to block it out as best as he could, he motioned to the others. "We must press on..." Elenath barely managed to cough out. Cautiously entering the lobby, it was clear that several members of the lab had attempted to escape — hence the pileup of bodies. They were all covered in this...strange branching network of slimy, white tendrils. Peering closer at the corpses, the white "stuff" seemed dormant. At least, for now.

"These unfortunate souls seem like they're...drained or something. Dessicated," Elenath observed. This was true — of the lab workers that had visible skin, they seemed shriveled with skin drawn tight and clinging to their skeletal structures. The lights were out in the station, even with the Knight attempting to turn them back on at a nearby console. "Main power seems out, we should proceed with caution."

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

Hiraya noted Master Elenath's response to his question as the three Jedi ventured into the lab. He would need to learn how to master Force Light, if only to slightly prepare him should he ever find himself face to face with an abomination. If truth be told the Tiefling had no desire to meet even just one of those monsters, but he was a Jedi - when it came to it, he knew he had to face this growing fear one way or another.

The Padawan kept his silence as he followed the Knight, keeping close with the two older men while trying not to get distracted with thoughts of being useful instead of being a burden for this mission. However, he could not help but feel a chill run up his spine at the sight of the desiccated bodies that greeted the three as they entered the lobby. The Tiefling could still make out the perpetual horror that adorned their faces in death. Pointed ears dropping and tail loosening from where it wound around his waist in a display of sadness, Hiraya clasped his hands to his chest, closed his eyes, and bowed deeply - apologetically - at the remains. He knew that he couldn't have done anything for them had he been here earlier, or even if he had been present during the incident (because who was he, really? He's just some Padawan who still had a lot to learn before he could protect others). But he still could not help but feel sorry for what they had been through. They must have died scared, died thinking of their loved ones, died-

Crimson eyes fluttered open once again, but this time he now averted his gaze from the corpses. Hiraya took a step forward, careful not to touch the slimy, white tendrils that clung to the bodies and parts of the floor and walls. With the power out, the Padawan carefully rummaged for the pair of glowrods he packed before embarking on this mission. He handed one over to Scorpio, and the other to Elenath.

"Uh, here," he offered to the two helpfully.

Should they accept, Hiraya would venture further deeper into the lobby, where it ended into three sections of hallways. The sign above the entryway to the left said "Testing", the one in the middle "Main Laboratory", and on the right "Research". The Tiefling began to search for a floor plan, his senses on high alert, when he heard it. But or course, the sound - unnatural as it was - was loud enough for Elenath and Scorpio to also hear, and it elicited a shocked wince from the younger Padawan.

The sound began as a wheezing cough, as if coming out from a throat that had been too parched, too dry. Then it tapered off into a low, guttural groan that soon transformed into a maddened, pained shriek. The noise ended as abruptly as it began, the sound seemingly originating from the middle hallway as echoes of it bounced against the building's walls.

@Vosrik @Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

As Scorpio's focus became clear, he reeled at the mere sight of the desiccated corpses laying about, stepping aside the entrance as he regurgitated this morning's meal. Memories of his childhood would flow openly upon his mind should any decide to peek in as the remnants of the pain rippled within his heart.

Scorpio was no stranger to death. Hailing from a world such as Tatooine, one would see Death for its reality in many forms, a saddening portion of life as it drew near it's utter end. But it was a personal pain for Scorpio, as he had watched in horror as his Uncle slew his father and gravely wounded his mother before she in turn slew his estranged Uncle and her brother. Any time Scorpio would see death, this memory would resurface. It had been so for many years.

Wiping the remnants of food particles and saliva from his mouth, Scorpio took the glowrod as it was handed to him by @Hiraya Manawari with a subtle "Thank you" escaping his lips as he turned his gaze back upon the dead and the state they died in. Horrific, Damnedable. Whatever laid them to eternal rest was of the Darkside to say the least. And as his mind's eye readjusted, he became intrigued by the white tendrils strewn about with the forsaken souls. He found it odd indeed just as his compatriots had, but was abruptly stopped by the echoing guttural shriek that came and went upon the wind.

Standing up straight, his hand clenching at his blade, he ask both the other Padawan and Master @Elenath an obvious but relevant question. "What was that?"

 

[Elenath]

With a glowrod offered to him, Elenath gracefully recieved it from Hiraya. "Thank you, it seems you came more prepared than I did," he commented, activating it in his non-dominate hand. To be on the safe side, he also retrieved his saberstaff - Giliath - and ignited a single blade to bathe the darkness in an indigo hue. It was then that the strange, groaning shriek came from the middle corridor labeled "Main Laboratory." "Hmm," the seer vocalized thoughtfully, "I believe that is the reason for our presence here."

Waving his blade over the milky white tendrils, Elenath noted how they continued down the central hallway. While branching out again and again like a nervous system or a series of tree branches, the Jedi's eyes followed their connections. "All of these tendrils are from a single source — look," he pointed out, moving the tip of his blade above them and where they all converged to a single line down the hall. However, as the intense heat of the lightsaber neared the tips of the formerly dormant tendrils, they sprung to life and began searching for the source of the heat.

Somewhat spooked by the sudden activity, Elenath pulled his lightsaber away and stepped back from the disturbing scene. The movement reminded him of a worm, pulsating outward from the base of the tendrils to the tips. But at the very end, each movement ended with the tip splitting like a lightning bolt into four or five smaller extending tendrils. It was utterly bizarre, and definitely nothing the Echani had ever seen or heard of before.

"I think this...thing is attracted to heat," Elenath said in a hushed voice, treading carefully and slowly down the main hall. "We can either try to sever this tendril to potentially weaken whatever this is, or we can try remaining unnoticed for as long as we can. What do you both think?"

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

Hiraya did not comment on Scorpio throwing up the contents of his stomach at the sight of the desiccated corpses, the Tiefling's reaction limited only to the subtle twitch of his ears. And the only response he gave to the two other Jedi's gratitude was a quiet nod. Perhaps Hiraya could be forgiven for the lack of a proper response - the abrupt shriek had shaken him, and shaken he was still as he listened to Elenath point out where the tendrils seemed to converged, crimson gaze following the direction the Thyrisian Echani gestured towards.

"I don't know,"shakily breathed the Tiefling as he cast a quick glance between the two older men. Hiraya did not notice the tendrils reacting to the lightsaber's heat, only when Elenath abruptly stepped back. Following the Knight's gaze prompted the Tiefling to scramble back as well, avoiding the tendrils on the floor as they began to pulsate and reach out with the branching tendrils from the original source. A sharp gasp escaped Hiraya's lips, eyes widening with apprehension at the disturbing sight.

The tendrils were attracted to heat?

"But we're alive," the Padawan whispered almost thoughtlessly, when what he wanted to say - or ask - was Will it detect our body heat?

The Tiefling's tail, which had uncurled around his waist a moment earlier, wound back, with Hiraya going as far as to grip the crooked heart-shaped tip with his free hand. His gaze flickered to Elenath, mulling over the Knight's question. If the tendrils were attracted to heat, it might not be wise to severe them. It might weaken whatever creature of horror it might turn out to be, but it also posed the risk of being discovered. What if the tendrils resembled mycelium? What if it could communicate to the main body - if it did have a main body (which seemed highly likely...?).

So many assumptions, and what if one of them was sound?

"I think we should..." Hiraya steeled himself. He couldn't panic now. Pops said it clouded one's judgment. "...try to remain unnoticed for as long as we can, Master."

@Vosrik @Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

It was as Scorpio suspected, and confirmed by Master @Elenath's own words, as to the reasoning behind their presence here upon the world of Kashyyyk, and more locally, this outpost. Whatever made the wail was laying in wait, it's alien-esque life a blight upon both the living and the dead. Each proceeded with caution as the trio of Jedi investigated the entrance, hesitant to truly delve into the darkness ahead. But Scorpio found it both intriguing and chilling that such a life form could exist. And as Master Elenath pointed out, it reacted to heat.

Much like @Hiraya Manawari, Scorpio realized the dire situation they were in as sentients, the heat they possessed and the likelihood that those whom laid dead around them had also been guilt of, but he made no mention of it aloud. Instead, he kept silent and moved forward from the entrance along with the others and kept his blade tightly in hand. Scorpio had never been one for unwanted slaughter of life, whether as potential ally or foe. Even in his time amongst the Luka Sene, the concept of his live and let live mentality had been viewed upon both as noble and unrealistic. But that simply was whom he had always been. So when Master Elenath has poised his question, Scorpio replied with a simply shake of his head.

Scorpio knew it was a gamble upon their lives, and likely, could lead them to joining the others as carcasses lost upon the world. But it was also a safe bet that if attacked, similarly to what these poor souls likely had done in their defense, the creature would acknowledge their presence and all hell would break loose. It would be better to wait and see if this creature defended its home or was a creature of the Darkside similarly to the abominations that Master Elenath had spoken about before. Pulling a Marcan leaf from his pouch, Scorpio placed it in his mouth and began chewing upon it, letting the effects calm his unsteady nerves, medicinally purposed of course.

 

[Elenath]

continued theme​

Waiting patiently for the input from his companions, Elenath nodded sagely and refrained from carving his indigo blade through the deeply unsettling tendril that still writhed in search of new meat with unseeing eyes. Instead, the Jedi extinguished his lightsaber and holstered it in an attempt to remain hidden as best as he could. Hiraya brought up a good point, however — they all were living beings, and it was likely only a matter of time before they were finally discovered.

Motioning the padawans forward with him, Elenath stepped as softly as he could along the hallway, staying as far away from the tendril as possible. This became extremely difficult at times, as it roped around the floor like a snake. Occasionally, more corpses could be found along the hallway, with the single tendril branching out into dozens to attach onto the now desiccated remains. Sure enough, more rumblings and rasping gurgles could be heard from the bowels of the lab, louder now that they were drawing closer.

However, one particular side room caught Elenath's eye. Holding up his glowrod, the light passed over the words "Laboratory Analysis." Looking to Hiraya and Scorpio, the seer pointed to it and whispered, "In here." This quite clearly led away from their quarry, but they may be able to learn something that the researchers discovered. Any information they could use against this creature would be critical. Stepping over the thick, slowly pulsating tendril, Elenath quickly scanned the room with the glowrod. What he found was eerily familiar. On the floor lay Dr. Bleys Vane, who created the recording that was partially decrypted in their mission briefing. The man was quite dead and "drained" as the rest of the corpses were. Gingerly avoiding the deceased, Elenath accessed the main console and opened the file named "Irzêona." With the press of a few buttons, a series of data typed out on screen:

:: Species Unknown | Codename Irzêona ::
:: Notable features ::

+ Large worm-like body coated in mucus +
+ Four large lower limbs | Two upper hook-arms +
+ Blind | Senses through detecting heat +
+ White retractable tendril | Releases to seize and externally digest prey +
+ Extremely violent | Becomes dormant in absence of food +​

:: Researcher's Notes ::

+ Unknown origin +
+ Resembles native ribbon worms on a macro scale +
+ Genetically aberrant | Possibly the only of its kind +
+ DNA altered in exotic methods | Suggestive of Sith alchemy +
+ Tendrils seek and kill remarkably fast +
+ Continue study for reproduction and weaponiza.....​

Elenath pursed his lips once he'd finished reading. "A Sith spawn..." he commented as quietly as he could. While not an Aberration, this thing was at least tampered by someone who wanted a highly efficient killer. Visions of his father, Amarthan, releasing an aberration of his own creation on the hapless citizens of a fuel station rushed through Elenath's mind. Had this man's rage led to the creation of this thing as well? "We cannot allow this...creature to leave this facility," the Jedi said with conviction. There would be no more slain here due to the actions of the Sith — not today.

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

The Knight led, and the Padawans followed. Hiraya became more aware of their surroundings the deeper they delved into the laboratory, shoulders tensing and grip on the tip of his tail tightening. He mirrored Master Elenath's evasive maneuvers, the Tiefling's frown deepening as they passed by more desiccated corpses along the way. As much as he wanted to pause and pay his respects, he knew that time wasn't on their side when faced against an unknown creature that seemed to track its prey through their body heat. The mere fact that it could do this much damage was enough to send a cold shiver down the Padawan's spine.

Hiraya nodded as the Knight directed them to a side room with a sign that said "Laboratory Analysis". The youngest Jedi in the group, however, stopped by the doorway as Master Elenath began to access the main console in search for any scrap of information they might gather about whatever it was that they were hunting. Should Scorpio follow the Knight, Hiraya would stand guard by the doorway. It wouldn't be wise for all three of them to gather before the main console, with their backs to the door and primed for any surprise attacks.

Crimson gaze swept across the hallway, and Hiraya worried his bottom lip between fanged teeth as he watched a patch of tendrils squirm on the wall. Movement somewhere to the left caught his attention. The Tiefling was torn between moving to investigate and keep dutiful watch, but when something moved again he felt bile rise to his throat.

A female scientist seemed to be crawling from across the hallway, her lower body still blocked by the wall. Her face was contorted in pain. But there was something odd about the way she moved - too stiff, too unnatural. Even her fingers weren't moving.

Hiraya was blind to the red flags, however, as his instincts screamed at him to help.

He didn't hear Master Elenath say that they were faced with a Sith spawn, didn't get to hear the rest of the Echani's words. Hiraya broke into a run towards the scientist, his face pinched with worry.

"Master, there's someone-!" he whisper-yelled, dodging tendrils as he approached the woman, only to stop and freeze when he saw her. "H-Huh...?"

The lower half of her body was missing, blood smeared across the floor where a thick, undulating tendril pushed her stiff body forward to mime her crawling. It was obvious now that rigor mortis had long set in, but unlike the other desiccated corpses she was preserved - seemingly for luring unsuspecting or foolish victims.

And Hiraya had taken the bait.

Hadn't Pops told him not to leave his companions' side?


Before he could react the tendril shot forward to wrap around the shocked Padawan. Almost instinctively Hiraya put up a Force barrier around him, enough to guard his body but it still wasn't enough. As if ignoring the invisible barrier that protected its prey, the tendril still wrapped around the Padawan, barrier and all, and tugged harshly. Hiraya stumbled, a strangled yell escaping him as he struggled to maintain the barrier around him. He crashed to the floor, coming face to face with the dead scientist, before getting violently dragged to who knew were.

All sense of stealth fled him as he let out a terrified scream when the tendrils began to branch out to encase him.

"H-HELP!!!"

@Vosrik @Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

The death here was astonishing for Scorpio to say the least, and for the most part, spent most of his efforts attempting to keep from regurgitating with the rest stepping into the footprints of Master Elenath as best he could. This was a new experience, and as grim as it was, Scorpio had long forged it in his heart that he would face each with the same enthusiasm as he places in his dream of bringing Tatooine into an era with lawful lands. Still, this place certainly tested his resolve. When they finally arrived at the Laboratory Analysis labeled room.

Taking a moment to catch his occasionally held breath once again, Scorpio watched from the center of the room as Master @Elenath access the console and @Hiraya Manawari take up position at their rear. He was just glad to be able to take the moment to settle himself and his nerves and breath sighs of relief. Leaning against a defunct portion of the room's computing systems, he laid his head backwards and looked up at the deteriorating ceiling. As fearful as he may have been outside, it instantly washed away in their moment of peace and he casually listened to the room's binary noise.

"Sithspawn..."

"H-HELP!"

Scorpio's moment of serenity was over in just a flash as @Hiraya Manawari's words echoed outside as Master Elenath's words casually flowed across his ears and the impossible became possible. He had heard of them from his father, hell, his mother had supposedly created a few in her life before his father. But he had never really suspected them to be anything but exaggeration on his parent's part to make little kids stay in their beds at night. But here, and now, the white tendrils mimicked more than just memories.

"We cannot allow this.... creature to leave this facility"

Master @Elenath's words would fall upon non-existent ears as he would see the dimming for of Scorpio pass the entryway of the room with blade drawn. Scorpio wasn't as proficient in hand to hand as his sister, Virgo, had been. He had been more prone to his mother in the parental aspect. But, as with most typical first born sons, Scorpio had always been more advantageous and adventurous. He saw opportunities and took them without little regard for himself when his adrenaline kicked in. And he had always been more nimble than most, which aided him in his spars with his older sister.

It didn't take long for him to reach Hiraya's position by the time. All that came in the following moments was the loud thud of his blade as it cut into the facility's flooring, and the scraping of his blade as he reeled it in for defensive measures.

 

[Elenath]

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Even as the words escaped Elenath's lips, a wave of premonition rolled over his psyche as the Force alerted him to incoming danger. He spun in place just in time to see Hiraya ensnared by the undulating off-white tendrils. Not as fast as Scorpio, Elenath took off in hot pursuit nonetheless and witness the heavy blade of the padawan easily severing the aberrant creature's snare. Even separated, the tendril writhed and split like a lizard's tail, unaware of its own demise. The so-called "Irzêona" let out a terrible, gurgling screech that echoed through the facility and resonated to Elenath's core. Oh, it felt that, he thought as he finally reached Hiraya's side.

Offering a hand to bring the Padawan to his feet, the Seer ignited both ends of his saberstaff. "I believe subtlety has failed us," Elenath calmly stated as he tossed the glowrod as far as he could down the hallway, which weakly pushed back the mucilaginous shadows of the sithspawn's lair. What the light revealed was beyond repulsive.

Most of the facility's staff were missing because they were here — or at least, what was left of them. Flesh and syrupy mucus dripped from the ceiling like some sort of biomass stalactites where the deceased had been dissected and reused for some a nest. White tendrils were woven with more of the strange substance all over the floor, which circled and coalesced like a funnel into one of the corners where the darkness was thickest. All was still and silent save for the monstrosity's grisly gurgling and gestating squelches. "Enough of this. Show yourself, sith-spawn!" Elenath called out with confidence that surprised himself. He rose his now-free hand, summoning forth the Light itself between his fingertips and casting back the deepest of shadows. Thus revealed, the Irzêona let out a shrill, inhuman wail as its flailing limbs and razer-sharp mandibles lashed out towards the three Jedi.

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

Hiraya was too focused, too consumed by panic, to notice that the cavalry had arrived to save him. The Padawan was so intent on keeping the Force Barrier wrapped around himself so he would not end up like the poor scientists they came across earlier, that he failed to hear Scorpio coming to his aid. The grating sound of something undeniably metallic along the floor made his pointed ears perk up and before he could process what was happening, the tendrils writhed then stilled from their malevolent intent. As Scorpio managed to hack off the main tendril Hiraya found himself freed from its innjurious grasp.

Without thinking the Tiefling shakily accepted Master Elenath's proffered hand and rose to his feet. Body wracked with the lingering fear of nearly meeting his end, Hiraya's stomach finally gave as it flipped and flopped with hightly-strung anxiety. He turned away and doubled over, throwing up what meager breakfast he managed to eat earlier this morning.

With acid still sharp against his tongue he shot the two older Jedi a tearful apologetic look, still so shaken up from the near death experience. "I-I'm sorry," he told them, voice tremulous, as his gaze found the dead scientist's once more. "I d-didn't think... I thought she was alive and n-needed help..."

Hiraya could only nod at the Knight's observation, lifting one arm to rub the tears from his eyes with his sleeve. He took several deep breaths, willing to calm himself down with the image of his father reminding him to keep safe and look out for his companions. Though the tears persisted for another few seconds he eventually managed to get his shit together and offered his fellow Jedi a grateful, "Thank you...!"

He could push the panic of almost dying for later. Now, he needed to refocus on the mission first.

Hiraya's stomach roiled again with nausea at what the soft light of the glowrod revealed. Those red, fleshy mass along the walls, netted with the white tendrils that continued to pulse with wretched life... were the remains of the scientists and staff working here. A flash of horror, a pang of sadness, and a biting, cold fury rippled within the Padawan. Drawing the training saber and turning the setting at maximum, his wide-eyed panicked look transformed into righteous anger as Master Elenath summoned forth a light from the Force that soon revealed their adversary.

In the face of the unholy Sith spawn, Hiraya answered the Irzêona's wail with an angry, feral snarl, fanged teeth bared and tail coiling tighter around his waist. From the corner of the Tiefling's vision, he spotted a chewed up console lying broken on the corner of the room to the Sith spawn's left. Free hand darting forward, Hiraya called forth the Force and wrapped it around the console. With a powerful tug, he flung it a the Irzêona, aiming for the abomination's head in an attempt to distract it or freeze it momentarily from its tracks as the Padawan himself moved swiftly away from its intended path.

@Vosrik @Mythos

 

[Scorpio Armegedon]

Scorpio, whom kept his blade at the ready, would feel the pain and sorrow that emanated from @Hiraya Manawari and in the brief moment, felt sympathy toward the young Tiefling. He knew the essence of the moment, the fear as it mixed with unwanted acceptance and hopelessness that enveloped one's mind and heart. And in his consoling of the Padawan, he could only place a hand upon his shoulder and remind him that everything was okay. At least, in the moment they stood within.

But as his gaze shifted and they followed Master @Elenath onward, the feeling of everything being okay would swiftly vanish from the entirety of what the saw ahead. It was nightmarish dream from which none of them would ever wake. Even if the reality of sight was lost upon the Padawan, he still 'see' the entirety of the moment within his mind's eye as clearly as they could perceive it. Only the remnants of the grotesque could pierce the veil from which he saw from behind.

He had been here once before. At least, within the realm of what was perceived, albeit on a smaller scale. The sheer mass of the strewn bodies and lingering entrails was more than enough to send Scorpio's breath into a panic as his heart elevated and adrenaline pumped through his brain and body like a river flowing from a busted dam. It was almost too much for any one of them to contain their selves. Tatooine may have been the gore of his parents and the remnants of his previous life. But this place, aside from the sight of hell and smell of iron and sulfur, surpassed even that hellish nightmare.

It would take everything he had to survive it, a truth Scorpio knew the moment his gaze fell upon the Sith Spawn, Irzêona, before Master Elenath's light beaconed it's form. Even in the darkness, it was a singular shade darker. And for his eyes, it was grimacing to behold. The sight of death incarnate. There was no time to react. There was no time to flight. The moment it was revealed, the Irzêona was quick upon his attack.

Flailing arms reached out to grasp and mandibles ached to taste flesh as Scorpio brought up his blade to prevent the gaping maw from his being it's target, slinging it forward in a horizontal slash just as the creature bit down only on steel and the taste of its own blood. Feeling the Force flow through him, Scorpio pushed the blade deeper with both hands into its jaws before recoiling backwards into his next attack. This wouldn't be like Tatooine nor like the Field Trip for the Kyber. He would ensure it's difference.

 

[Elenath]

As the two padawans sprang into action, Elenath concentrated further to create an even brighter focus of the Light in his palm. The monstrosity shrieked, unused to this power that weakened it. The Irzêona lashed out instinctively at the source — Elenath, only to be caught in the mouth by the cold blade of Scorpio's steel. It hardly had time to react as an entire console completely obliterated its head, throwing it headlong into a wall of flesh and crushing it beneath a crackle of sparks and electrical jolts. An eyebrow curled upward on the Echani. His eyes told him it was dead, but his senses told him this was not over.

"Steady — it's not dead," Elenath stated warily, holding the Light and watching closely. The body of the sithspawn fell away from the console, completely headless, but reconstructed an entirely new head with astonishing speed using the nearby biomass. Ah, that wasn't in the lab notes, he thought moments before it was standing once again. Twirling his saberstaff, he lunged for its thorax, which the sithspawn immediately dodged. "Of course — it can't see your blade Scorpio, it's too fast for mine!"

Another wave of precognition surged through Elenath's body, and he lept back to avoid a freshly spewed tendril. He wasn't fast enough though, and the branches spread outward fast enough to catch the seer's foot, causing him to fall backwards. Elenath felt the innumerable needle-like ends piercing his leg, noticeably sapping his strength. The jolt of landing on his back broke his concentration, causing the projected Force Light to fade. He needed help, and it seemed this monster wouldn't die unless it was utterly destroyed.

@marshland @Mythos

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

A look of triumph passed over Hiraya's face as the console he threw smashed the Irzêona's head into fleshy pulp. Scorpio standing his ground with his blade in the fiend's mouth helped. The Tiefling, however, did not allow himself to fall complacent over this temporary victory, because Master Elenath was right.

Frowning deeply, the young Padawan backed away as the Sithspawn reformed a new head using the amalgam of biomass near its body. As Hiraya moved again to throw something much heavier on the Irzêona, it lashed out at him with a tendril, intent on impaling the Tiefling. He jumped out of the way, knowing that he would be too slow to block the attack with his training saber. And then he heard it, the sound of the Knight's body hitting the floor. Crimson eyes darted towards the fallen Echani, and Hiraya watched - as if in slow motion - as the tendril's branches shot out to wrap on the Knight's foot.

The Force Light faded, plunging the room in darkness, and Hiraya's blood ran cold.

The Tiefling did not think. He moved on instinct, mind focusing on helping Master Elenath. As he reached the Knight, Hiraya's free hand shot out to grasp the branches and rip them off of the Echani's foot. It was a stupid move, and the Padawan realized his mistake a little too late as the tendrils shot out more branches to ensnare him, too.

Hiraya, you idiot! he berated himself as he felt his strength being sapped away, too. His mind went into overdrive, training saber moving to slash away at the branches when he remembered that the tendrils - and the Irzêona itself - were attracted to heat.

Don't just dip your hand willy-nilly in a bucket of ice-cold water, his Pops told him once. Just because you're a Tiefling and partially immune to flames-


Crap!

The Padawan reached into the Force, his intent clear. His body heat dropped, and in a completely risky move, attempted to utilize Cryokinesis. Body turning cold and breath coming out misty, he focused on his arm that was being gripped by the tendrils. Feeling said arm go numb, Hiraya let out a strangled yell then willed the cold to burst outwards.

Crystalline ice crept from the Padawan's skin then onto the branches, causing the latter to shrivel and freeze. The Irzêona shrieked, sounding pained, as the ice rapidly enclosed the tendrils wrapped around Master Elenath's foot. Hiraya used the hilt of his saber to shatter the frozen branches, thus freeing the Knight. The Tiefling's vision wavered from the amount of energy he expended, causing him to stumble. But he gritted his teeth and soldiered on, facing the Sithspawn, now with the intent to freeze the beast now that a weakness was accidentally discovered.

@Vosrik @Mythos