Phantom's Respite

[Empress]

Skhai caught herself gnawing ay the corner of her lip as those about them spoke, most encouraging her just simply be honest with the Killiks. Under most circumstances she would agree, Yet this was one that may have called for more caution. What they sought was largely misunderstood. Sure she knew what the device was intended to be, yet the effects it had on anything but a Rakata mind were largely unknown- and the few examples of those whom were in it's thrall were not ideal conditions. Yes the Killiks were ancient, and more advanced that credit was given- how would they react to such a device?.

" A cave" She stated finally half skirting the full answer. " Eons ago a researcher named Pethar Bac came here to study...he vanished, but were sure he or at least whats left of his equipment is still here" she stated She danced on a gray area, while they were not necessarily searching for the remains of Pethar Bac, Skhai knew from Mira that he was the last living person to be seen near the Sphere. It would be a start, and she was not directly being untruthful.

" His family would also like his remains gathered and taken to a site dedicated to ancient Alderaanian nobility" she added, which this too was true, though the sudden flush of emotion in the base of her mind hinted that Mira-whom herself shared that same bloodline was un aware of such a location.

 

[Lavi]

He wasn't entirely sure of the meaning behind this Pethar Bac, though the family name sounded familiar. As he continued to listen, Skhai's mention of Alderaanian nobility made everything clear. Bac, written as Baatch in ancient times, was a notable house of Alderaanian history.

"We – I – understand," Hektor almost stumbled to answered. His Hive didn't feel much of the same sentiment as their representative did: a result of many more Killiks contributing to the Hive's growth than Joiners.

"Was Pethar Bac associated with the Jedi Order, like some of his descendants?" Hektor asked. "We only ask, because some of the Rannonians have been acting... erratically. From consulting the Hive, we could only conclude that someone, or something, is influencing their actions."

"It is possible that the artifact you are looking for is related to this because there is a cave in the general region where the Rannonians are acting strangely. They have been acting aggressively towards the Hive, without a symbol or clear ideology, making it difficult for us to differentiate them from honest Rannonians," the Joiner further explained. "We had been treating them as the Order of Extermination, though the Rannonians were not pleased that we would defend our Hive with force against these dissenters. As we said before, this situation only arose days before your arrival."

"If you wish, we can guide you to the cave," Hektor offered.

As the Dawn Herald, Hektor's decision could not be stopped by the Hive. However, the Iellei had their reservations on whether assisting these off-worlders was the best course of action. The Killik warriors silently watched with suspicion.

 

[Kiro]

"Oh wonderful... looks like your family bauble has found more playthings, Master..." Kiro sent as a telepathic message to her Master as she eased her hands away from her weapons, though she cast wary glances at the killik warriors. She found them difficult to read, both in body language and in the force. The former due to their insectoid nature, which was decidedly alien from her own mammalian one, and the repto-mammalian of the Rodians she'd known on Raxus Prime. The latter was most likely due to the hive-mind. An individual killik did perhaps not possess any great amount of individual thought, but when joined with hundreds of thousands of it's own kin however... though she was pretty certain she'd be able to feel agression or hostility on such a scale!

Athos' joke about women made her wince mentally, however. Considering the vast majority of the killik species -were- in fact female, with the males only being birthed when reproduction was in dire need, and thus the hive-mind itself would definately be feminine in nature. The killiks had been an important part of the early history of the not-quite-so-New Jedi Order, and as Kiro had studied Jedi history extensively during her many months between Masters, she'd thankfully studied about the insectoid species as well. And she knew very well that they didn't like liars in the least.

"Wether or not Bac was a Jedi, the item we are searching for is of Force-sensetive origin. And yes, it is most likely behind these Rannonians acting strangely. It was created in times that perhaps only the Kind may remember, by a species whom were once your enemies. It is likely why these humans have turned against your nest. This item works much like a perverse, twisted, version of your hive-mind, forcing those whom come into contact with it to become Joiners of it's twisted mind against their will, while the Joining of your nests is a choice made of free will." The Padawan explained, her blue eyes locked onto those of the Joiner during her explanation, before turning to the winged Sage Master to give her an apologetic look and a deep bow.

"I apologize for speaking out of turn, and revealing so much of the relic, my Master, but I've studied the killiks in the Archives. Being honest with them is the best way to go. They despise liars, and the Rakata and the Killiks were once at war. They want this thing gone from here as badly as we do, and if we can prove to them that these Rannonian colonists are not doing this of their own free will, we may well prevent a war. Which I believe is usually a good thing."

Rising from her bow, she gives one last stubborn, almost defiant, stare into the pale off-white eyes of Skhai, before facing the Joiner once more. "We would be both honoured and grateful to your nest if you were to guide us to this cave, in order for us to end this situation in as peaceful a way as possible. None of us desire bloodshed and the loss of life."

 

[Shiuzu]

"You're right my friend." Athos whispered to Gaspar. The old knight knew when to pull back on Athos' reins, the young man had a tendency to overstep boundaries, tact was something he was still getting used to and attempting to master. It also pleased Athos that Gaspar continued to speak up despite Athos' "position", he may of been the leader of the Imperial Knights, but he considered himself equal to all of his brothers and sisters. Some even greater than he, despite Balthazar choosing the young gladiator to lead the knights, Athos felt there were better choices.

Gaspar, despite being a tad crotchety at times was a wise and powerful warrior, and a brilliant tactician honed through years of battles and fighting alongside great men such as Balthazar many decades ago.

Aemon could of been another choice, Athos has little doubts about the daper and technological Knight was likely the most intelligent men he'd ever met. In both a tactical sense and in book smarts.

But despite these and many other Knights Baltazar had put Athos in the role of leader, for reasons still unknown to the young man. What Athos did know is that Balthazar did not make decisions lightly, and that there must of been a reason to put one such as Athos in this position.

"I don't wish to speak for the Jedi, for they have perfectly working mouths." Athos began to say to the Killiks.

"But as soon as we find what we seek we will leave your planet and not return unless that be your wish. I promise that for myself and everyone under my command." The Knight said while waving his hand towards Aemon and Gaspar. Athos didn't wish for this artefact to effect these people any longer, there were enough casualties caused by this war. People without a stake in this shouldn't have to suffer because of the petty squabbles of governments and politicians.

 

[Lavi]

Kiro's explanation of the situation made the Hive more sympathetic to Hektor's cause. Of course, Hektor understood the gravity of the situation sooner and gave a nod of his head in appreciation to Kiro's words.

"We are grateful for your description of the situation that plagues us. The honor is ours to lead your company to the location of this land's dissonance," Hektor answered.

The Joiner then turned to address the Imperial Knight. "In actuality, the Hive has expressed interest in collaborating with those off-world. Perhaps our cooperation would pave way to a new verse in the Universe's Song."

As Hektor finished, the Killik warriors abandoned their circle around the Jedi and Imperial Knights. Most returned to the tunnel network to return to the Hive, leaving only a handful behind. The warriors that remained stood close to Hektor, acting as a bodyguard.

"Let us go to retrieve your artifact," Hektor offered.

If no one objects, he turned to lead the way. His bodyguard followed closely, moving with near-perfect synchronization.

 

[Jacques]

Gaspar motioned for the Jedi to take the middle, as they were all in a position to follow now. This time he kept immediately at Athos's side, with Aemon behind them and even more Killik bodyguards behind Aemon. It wasn't exactly the most inviting cave, dark right from the very beginning, somehow it got even darker as they made their way in. Gaspar wasn't exactly much of an Adventurer, as he wasn't fond of taking arrows and the sort in body parts, especially not caves...but the nerve that a fight was a-brewin' got him going.

Not many things excited the old Knight, only fights, farming and fighting on farms did so, so he was raring to go. Athos had been so itching to fight he had challenged the Battlemaster, and Gaspar was sure that the Battlemaster would have accepted had the mission not been so apparently-urgent. Even Jedi caught the desire for a row on occasions. He unclipped his lightsaber from his belt, holding it down at his side, thumb on the button. The fight was coming, whether it was a few minutes or an hour. Things hadn't felt right from the moment the bunch had set foot on the planet; in the cave the feeling was even worse. The impatient old-timer just wished for them to find the artifact, kick a few arses and keep nice with the depressed Bugs.

Water dripped in several places, although Gaspar couldn't actually see where. Each droplet hitting the ground struck a nerve in him, a nerve that pissed him off beyond reason. They made a couple turns, and the Killiks even stopped once to discuss an apparent fork-in-the-road. However, it hadn't felt like they'd turned, or even stopped like an old, bickering couple arguing about their outdated map and desire to relieve themselves at the world's most ambiguous fork-in-the-road. The old cook even heard several sounds, which resembled movement, which once more caused the group to slow their roll and take note of everything around them. The Killiks seemed the most nervous out of all of them. Or maybe he was just bad at reading the body language of Bugs in total darkness.

"I told you that you wouldn't have to wait too long for your test of strength. Something is awry in this cave, not like the other, friendly, well-lit caves I've visited." Gaspar remarked in an almost too dryly sarcastic way, mostly trying to keep his voice down and whisper to Athos. In a cave, his plan didn't work as well. Hopefully whatever dangerous ceiling monsters planned to attack them were sleeping, or something, "They had cafeterias and everything..."

 

[Empress]

Skhai kept mostly quiet for the majority of their hike- or at the very least to the perceptions of those about her. Her conversation with Mira however was one of great length. The Crystavian even half wondered if Mira was trying to keep her distracted from the others for a reason. It was unlike her to be this chatty. Perhaps even force spirits had nerves?

As she stood now the Sage master had heard the words of the Imperial Knight, and finally broke her long silence with little more than a low whistle, which reverberated off the cavern walls and caused her to cringe at how off tune she was. " this should be it" she finally stated, her head perking a bit as she too felt the presence of others- yet as she focused more she noticed it was not that of a beast, nor a true heavy presence...it was almost as if the dark places themselves were observing them. " Just push on " skhai stated" but stay sharp."

Without further encouragement the Jedi pushed herself forward, seemingly navigating as if she had been here a thousand times before until finally reaching a small alcove that looked to be a collapsed shaft at some point her breath let out a slight gasp as she noticed, there in the calcium deposits the faint traces of a human skull. It was a body at one point, but the countless thousands of years it must have been here to allow the cave itself to claim the remains as it's own.Upon the ground about it sat an odd square stump, perhaps a book had once sat there? and lastly sitting untouched by mineral- yet ravaged by time was the curved " flint lock" shaped hilt of a lightsaber.

they had discovered the final resting place of Peethar Bac

Spoiler: visual aid

 

[Lavi]

Throughout their existence spanning many millennia, the Iellei hive had very few interactions with the so-called "dark side." Their uncertainty was reflected in the Killik warriors and their cautious motions. Even Hektor wasn't sure what to make of the atmosphere. However, being unarmed, he had no choice but to rely on the protection of others. The banter of one of the elder offworlders provided some measure of comfort, though Hektor could almost taste the unease of Gaspar's words.

Having completed the ritual for the Chrysalis of Tranquility, Hektor's senses were heightened above any normal being; he could smell the corruption that taints the cave. It was unlike anything any Dawn Herald of previous times have experienced. Combined with the nest's lack of knowledge of the Force, Hektor could only conclude that this was the dark side that Joiners have related to the Hive. He was unprepared for what the dark side would smell like. Although Pethar's body had long decomposed past the point where any organic material would remain, Hektor could smell bodily decay. Granted, there could be something else that died here, but the impression remained.

The Dawn Herald looked around as he waited for the others to do what they came here for, visibly uncomfortable with remaining in the area longer than necessary.

 

[Kiro]

As the group entered the cave, Kiro drew her blaster pistol and activated the holographic sights, which she moved slowly in front of her, scanning in the same way any trained Stormtrooper would. Here was a Padawan whom had been raised by Stormtroopers, and taught their skills, and knew the value of more mundane weapons. And for once, she did not switch the weapon's ettings to stun. Perhaps it was the opressive atmosphere of hte cave, or her own insecurity, but the Imperial-born Jedi was ready for violence.

And Kiro was the first to kneel by the odd formation of rocks, and pick up the curved lightsaber. As her fingers connect with the weapon, she shudders. The weapon was covered in the energy of the Dark Side, but it wasn't eminating from the lightsaber itself. It was more like... a stain. Like a spice addict's fingers starting to turn purple after months of abuse.

Shaking off the feelings of unease, she raises it slowly, examining it carefully with her skilled eye. "Curved hilt. The owner of this blade was probably a Makashi practicioner... though, it's just as handy for any of the other forms." Frowning a bit, the Padawan holsters her pistol, and reaches into her belt of tools, donning a pair of magnification goggles, which has a handy little torch, illuminating the ancient hilt.

"Alright... this guy's been handled alot. It's a very, very, early lightsaber design. One of the first non-Protosaber designs, the first to include an internal power generator. And as it isn't very decayed or fossilised in the slightest, it's been moved about. Recently. Probably used too."

Raising the goggles to view the weapon with her bare eyes, she rises, and lifts her thumb to the activation stud... and an emerald green blade springs to life, though it pulsates strangely, as if the weapon's energy balance was off, before it finally falters and dies off, leaving a dead hilt in the Padawan's hands. "Though, I could be wrong about the last part..."

 

[Shiuzu]

Athos looked at the padawan fiddling with the antique of the Jedi Order that had the potential to be thousands of years old, and likely a bit fragile,

"Give the blade to Aemon, he has a knack for tinkering." Athos grabbed the blade from the padawan perhaps a little too soon, she would likely think of him rude for being a bit too grabby, he didn't pay it much mind, she would get over it and Athos was beginning to feel that time would become a precious commodity soon enough.

"Here." He said passing it to well dressed Knight. "See if you can't figure out what makes it tick." Giving a quick smile Athos turned away from his friend to look around the cave and get a better feel of his surroundings.

Reaching out with the force Athos could feel...pain, a pain that left a scarring on a certain point in the galaxy, pain that left scars so deep, even those not attuned to the force had a feeling of forbdence when nearby. He wondered if this scar would stay fixed on this spot long after he died and the planet turned to ash, Athos wondered what would be left one day in the universe aside from ashes and scars.

Approaching the wizened friend in Gaspar, Athos inquired,

"Makes you wonder what calamity happened here. You ever notice we like to bite off more than most mouths could fit?"

 

[Jacques]

For several moments Gaspar eyed the young padawan, intrigued. She acted more like a medical examiner inspecting potential evidence. He wasn't surprised by her intelligence, as that was probably what happened when one received and cared about proper education. He hadn't had such a chance, and upon inspection of the ancient weapon, he had gathered no significant observations on the device beyond it's age and the power of the dark side emanating from it.

Athos snatched it from the girl and handed it to Aemon, as if finding out what made the weapon tinker served a purpose to their mission. As soon as the boy approached him Gaspar grabbed his arm, "Mind your manners, Athos. The Jedi know how their ancient weapons work and if they really wanted to they could get this old one working again. But it's not of our mission, we know all we needed to; it may have been moved recently."

He let go and answered Athos' earlier question, "Whatever calamity it was, it's a thing of the past. We must prepare for the calamity awaiting us."

With a gesture, Gaspar asked for the weapon from the curious Aemon. For a moment the younger Knight seemed reluctant, but after a final look-see he handed it back. The old man brought the weapon back to the girl and handed it to her. He approached the skeleton-turned-cave, got down on one knee to further inspect it for a second, and then turned to Master Baatch and asked, "So is this this Peethar Bac you were talking about earlier, Master Baatch?"

The aging Knight turned back to the skull and ran an old, pruny hand over it. In his head he wished the long passed man a way late farewell and then stood back up.

"Should the Sphere be near by then? I'm ready to leave this cave."

 

[Empress]

" Goddess Sable the eternal Does not believe you should be granted such a luxury vandal!" a Female voice stated from beyond the darkness, reverberating about giving no hint of the owner. However the almost whimsical, song like tones made it more than clear that a stim tea and a chat were highly unlikely from the situation.
" She made it speak, and now it protects us" another voice followed this one male- holding the same tones as the woman that had spoken before.
" It whispered to us of you" yet a third voice echoed, followed by a cracking, slogging sound. for but a brief second the only sound besides the dying echoes was a rhythmic wet clicking which grew more intense before revealing it's source to be that of a Killik brawler, his head having been severed, and in it's mandibles rested a timed concussion stick.

there was little time for anything to occur before the detonator beeped, and swiftly engulfed by the droning twang sound of the initial blast followed by a roar as a surge of concussive pressure raced about the chamber like a tsunami, its wave reaching out, only to rebound off the stone walls and back.

There may have been damage to the cave structure, there may have been shrieks from those about her, Skhai heard none of it. she felt her jaw open, and her lungs expel every ounce of breath she could, she felt her vocal chords strain...yet heard nothing. Her body felt as though it was tossed into a compactor, her organs felt as if they were turning to gel inside her. The pain that wracked her body was like nothing she had experienced in her life... as far as she knew, it would be her last.

Some may have experienced a laps of consciousness, all would be hard of hearing for a time, yet everyone would be able to regain their footing...all but the Crystavian. She remained motionless on the damp cavern floor, her breathing sharp and raggad, pearlescent tears streaming from her eyes, magenta hued blood pouring from her mouth, nose, and ears, her expression locked tight in one of excruciating torment.

 

[Lavi]

Hektor was thrown from his feet from the blast. It was times like these where having heightened senses worked against him. He could barely hear anything after the explosion, his vision was blurry, and he looked completely rattled by the event. The Joiner was thrown against a wall by the blast, adding a sore back to his list of injuries. The collective reassured him that he will recover with time, so Hektor was not terribly worried. On the other hand, there were hostile individuals within the cave.

Although his Killik bodyguards were also knocked back by the blast, they were quick to return to their feet and enter battle postures. One uttered something in Killik, aiming its blaster in the direction of the concussive blast. Hektor shakily rose to his feet, trying to wipe away the worst of the effects on his body. His recovery, although far from complete, was remarkable. Most humans would be struggling to sit upright at this point.

"The last of the pleasantries seems to have left," he observed. Hektor's voice was unsteady, but still strong.

 

[Kiro]

Kiro's resentment to the leader of the Imperial Knights, and the further shattering of her dreams and legends, was rather short lived. There wasn't much time to brood over the Head Knight grabbing the lightsaber out of her hands before the concussion grenades erupted around them. The Imperial Padawan was knocked off her feet, her vision blurred, tears in her eyes, and her ears ringing. It was a decidedly unpleasant experience.

Groaning, she rolls onto her side, and her first concious thought is to reach down and draw her blaster. Only when she's capable of pushing herself back up onto her hips does she draw, and activate, her blue bladed lightsaber. Then she eases into a fighting stance... until her focus and composure is utterly shattered by the sight of Skhai bleeding, prone on the ground and gasping for breath. She could feel the Master's agony, radiating from the fallen Crystavian like heat from a sun.

"Master!" Kiro's voice cries out, and her lightsaber deactivates and falls to the ground, abandoned temporarily as she dashes over to the wounded Sage, and grasping the woman's hand in her own. How? How could Skhai, the most powerful, the most generous, and the most wonderful person she knew, be injured so by a lowly conc-...

Concussion. It all made sense now. Skhai's skeletal structure, like her wings, were crystaline in nature. And a concussion grenade worked by releasing a potent sonic shockwave, which could either maim or kill most humanoids, depending on the variant. They had never been designed with Crystavians in mind. The sonic blast had fractured the crystals in Skhai's body, and those tiny slivers of razor sharp mineral were now racing along her blood stream, tearing her apart from the inside.

These... these... monsters, were killing, torturing, her Master, simply because of their ignorance! It made her sick. It made her stomach churn. Closing her eyes firmly, and with tears streaming down her face, she rises. Her blaster remains by the fallen Master's side. She reaches down to her belt, and unclips the curved hilt. A pulsating pink-ish purple blade springs to life, hissing angrily. A memory of former Grand Master Ratler's view of Dark Siders came to her. His utter hatred for the Dark Siders. How he'd start to bubble and boil with anger at the memory of the loss of his former Padawan. The same padawan whom had created the lightsaber she now carried.

She could see their Killik allies bouncing back up onto their feet and assume combat postures. But she didn't care. She raced towards the enemy. The Dark Siders. And they had hurt her Master. With a look that could kill, Kiro lunges forward, racing towards those enemies, her hand grasping her rapidly pulsating blade.

 

[Damien Nightblade]

He regained consciousness to the sounds of a few remaing loose rocks falling to the ground and the hiss of ancient weaponry. Lightsabers. His vision slowly regained focus as he managed to force himself free from a substantial pile of debris that had trapped him against the cold wet walls of the cave.

The force echoed fiercely. The usual gentle ebb and flow, of its tides and currents washing over the universe and carrying it back into itself were replaced by the rapid thrashing of a turbulent storm ridden ocean, yielding only to its own desires.
Wiping away the dirt and grime from his face he watched as Kiro dropped to a knee, coming to the immediate aid of her master. Master Baatch had taken the brunt of the blow. The weapons concussive properties having a particularly nasty effect on the Crystavian Jedi.

He rushed to his feet the hilt of his weapon grasped firmly within his right hand as he directed his attention towards the attacker, searching the force for answers and clarity within the clouded situation. His voice came out a low growl, partially made up of pain from the blast, from seeing a comrade fallen and terribly injured, joined with the usual coldness that possessed him when faced with a situation of seemingly inescapable violence.

The situation had escalated far too quickly for his liking. They were dealing with a downed Jedi, another rushing head on towards the conflict and were deep within a cave of Killiks who had home field advantage. He called out to Skhai's Padawan. Who angrily rushed towards the attacker in an attempt to regain some control of the situation. Violet erupted from his hand as he followed her into the darkness in pursuit of their attackers.

 

[Shiuzu]

Concussion grenades, Athos had always been a fan of using them when prudent (or downright funny when used upon the right race), with the usual taste that he equated to blue milk Athos could almost taste something else within the air after the blast...blood. Something did not feel right, after his head cleared the Knight began to once again sense the feelings of those around him.

Confusion, fear, and most prominently the anger radiating off of the young padawan. Despite her not being a student of his, Athos frowned upon her emotions getting the better of her.

Igniting his blade Athos stepped in with the Padawan, rushing towards whatever mystery enemy had believed it to be a good idea to sneak up on two masters of the Jedi Order, their student. The Leader of the Imperial Knights and two of his most trusted allies.

However the concious master appeared to be directing his ire towards the kiliks, hopefully the combined charge of The Imperial Knights and the Padawan would direct him towards this new foe, if Athos and Kiro turned out to be right about an unforeseen enemy out in the dark.

Once more into the fray.

 

[Jacques]

It took the old man a little while to gather himself, his thoughts and his movements. He gazed around from his back, watching the Killiks and the man who had joined them, Hektor, scramble to their feet faster than he could have ever hoped to in his prime. Athos and the padawan girl were next to follow, the Battlemaster and himself taking their time. The winged Master twitched and rasped for air from the ground.

An orange beam erupted from the emitter of Gaspar's lightsaber, and he used the Force to search for their opponents who lay hidden in the darkness of the Cave. He saw nobody.

He moved, quickly, to the side of the injured Master. She was alive, sure, but in bad shape and losing power behind her breath every moment. The old Knight watched as her padawan rushed forward out of anger but said nothing. Athos followed behind her, the Battlemaster shortly after that, although Gaspar couldn't exactly tell himself why. Why attack an enemy in which they could not see? One who was skilled enough to block their presence from the Force, plan a successful ambush on a group full of force users? No, patience was the key.

Gaspar remained at the fallen Master's side, gazing in every direction to make sure their assailants hadn't already moved from the spot in which they had fired from; if they had, it best be the entire group didn't rush forward to where they had been, opening themselves up.

He waited for the first move to be made.

 

[Empress]

There was an odd sensation in the force, as if a sheet had been dropped and the sudden rush of cold air, and bright lighting piercing ones skull after being adjusted to the dark to long. Before the sensation had passed shadows moved about the cave walls, others came from behind stone, yet more still seemed to be simply there... Still at a distance but noticeable in the distance. Force cloaked, they were all sharing force cloaks...

" You dare to defile our sacred hollow, Converse with the demon beasts that infect this world, and expect us to be hospitable?" a lone male stated moving tot he front of the group. The cowl draped about his head concealed his features save for the portions that were illuminated a vibrant orange by the object he carried. In his arms was a simple stone sphere of sorts, yet it seemed to emit light from within almost as if magma were bleeding from its core It gave of no noticeable energy at first, that was until the man caressed it tenderly as if a pet

A dark, wet blanket draped about the passage, cold, detached from any understandable stands of emotion, there seemed to be a physical weight behind its oppression. It was the darkside, it was focused, and it was powerful.

 

[Kiro]

The enemy had revealed itself. With her pulsating lightsaber ignited the Padawan charged forth heedlessly, glaring at those whom had dare to attack and injure her beloved Master. Her anger burned like a furnace inside her, and it made her entire body tremble with adrenaline and the power of the Dark Side. It gave her power, and she would use that power to destroy the enemy. And she drew upon that power.

As the enemy spoke and drew close, Kiro Haas, Jedi Padawan made her own reply, and wove the Dark Side into her words. "Shut up!" She screamed. A scream of Force energy, aimed squarely at those enemies whom had attacked Skhai. And following that blast of sonic and force energy, the Padawan charged. Upon reaching her target, the male holding that damn sphere for which they had come, the cursed object that was at fault for the Sage Master's current condition, she flicks her lightsaber in a swift Makashi fashion, one that'd send the pulsating pale purple blade clean through his abdomen and sever the hand holding that cursed relic.

 

[Wit]

Aemon had still been pondering on the condition of the ancient lightsaber when the voices had violated the silence of the cave, and had barely turned to inquire when the blast had hit him. Slamming face first into the wall across from him, he had taken a little longer to recover in comparison to his companions, even the aged Gaspar. Slowly pushing himself up, his ears ringing slightly, he turned around to take measure of the aftermath of the concussive blast. Two things caught his eyes, one was the sight of the Crystavian Master lying injured and bloodied on the ground, and the other was her young padawan charging the hidden enemy.

As he began moving forward, his steps become more steady with passing each instant. His mind began analyzing everything around him, the Sage Master at the fore front of his thoughts. Her injuries were not what one would expect from a mere concussion grenade, but for a Crystavian it was nothing something you would use the adjective "mere" for. The sonic blast could be fatal for someone with her skeletal makeup, and be it luck or some knowledge gained from the sphere, the unknown enemies had done a great deal of damage to them already. The padawan was the other point of concern, giving into her emotions like that was not what a Jedi should be doing, even one as young as her. But with Athos and the Jedi Battlemaster heading in with her, he could ignore that for now. So he focused on the Sage Master, coming to a stop next to her and like Gaspar, waiting by her side instead of rushing blindly into the fray.

He would kneel by her side and delicately place a hand on her head, barely making contact from fear of causing further damage. He did not know enough of healing and of the physiology of her species to be of great help to her, the Jedi always had been the more skilled healers, come to think of it she herself might actually be the most skilled healer among those present and a healing trance would probably do her more good than any attempts at healing form his side. But he could not just stand by and do nothing, so he did what he could, and tried to send strength and calm to her through the Force, feelings of vitality and restoration.

Rising, he would draw his lightsaber, but would not ignite it, rather keeping it ready in his hand. With Athos and the Battlemaster already on the fronts, he would be of better use supporting them from where he was and helping Gaspar protect the downed Jedi Master. So he reached out through the Force and levitated numerous pieces of rubble form around them, small rocks and pebbles, but many in number. He would hold them in a wide arc in front of his, facing the hidden enemies. One would but only need to reveal him or herself for him to respond. A pebble might not do much damage when thrown at an enemy, but when sent flying with the power of the Force behind it, it could be much more damaging. He did not like killing anyone, so he would aim for appendages, arms and legs, but he would shoot to stop their enemies.

When what seemed like the leader of group that had attacked them showed himself, Aemon's eyes were immediately drawn to the sphere in his hand, the object of their quest. It was smaller then what he had expected, but then all such things seemed to have a tendency to disappoint those who dreamed of them, never quite living up to expectations. His eyes were drawn away by the young padawan's scream, piercingly clear even through the faint ringing still permeating through his ears. He watched as she rushed forward to attack the leader, blocking the man from his view. As her lightsaber went flying towards the leader, he waited, for her attack to land, for the enemies to respond, and how the Killiks would react to all of this.