Salvation in the Damnedest of Places

[Rev]

Former Imperial Prison
75km Outside Aurilia, Dathomir
Dathomir System, Queli Sector, Outer Rim Territories

Darkness on Dathomir was a sight to truly behold. The four moons high above clashed with one another, each competing to outdo the others dull light only to be shown up by the final moon, Koratas. The red soil of the satellite cast out a red hue over the fauna enriched planet, giving the humid air an eerie feeling that bothered even the natural beasts of the planet. Nestled deep within the forests lay a long forgotten outpost, a prison once meant for the vilest of law breakers. However, now it was a mere shell of what it once was. The exterior stripped of any and all pieces of value, the metallic exterior worn with rust after lack of care for centuries. What was once a high security complex was now nothing more than a dark passage to the unknown.

It was deep within the prison that still contained memories. A group that had long been forgot in the same time that had passed: the B'omarr Order. The crazed monks had changed the interior to suit their own needs. The Imperial prison had been perfect for what they had needed, and being isolated in the wilds of Dathomir for well over a decade had kept them safe. The hard clang of robotic metal hitting against durasteel hall was a constant sounds the Monk's were put to endure. The spider droids occasionally stopping at their 'brains' command for various reasons. The nutrient jar containing the former monk's central nervous system hung just below the center of the large droid. In total there were five of the High Monks, the leaders of the small convent.

Moving about the cells was an elderly man, wearing nothing but a cloth to cover his privates. Walking up and down the cell block his eyes would peer into each of the individual rooms. There were 7 of them total, and he was the eldest, next to have his brain put into one of the droids. The very thought brought a smile to his face, it meant he finally reached enlightenment. Stopping at the final cell his eyes would stare at the youngest of the Monastery, a boy no more than 14. Taking his leave he'd hit the cell lock and the room door would hiss shut, another of the many tests he had already and was sure to endure.

Meanwhile a second monk removed himself from his room, moving down the hall to meet with the first. Staring at each other for a long while the second would finally speak.

"Our supplies are low... I must go to the storage."

The first monk would make a simple noise with his mouth before nodding and moving too down the hall. At the split the elder monk would turn left going deeper into the very unexplored prison and the younger would continue his slow stroll out of the compound. Standing at the exit for a long while he stared up at the sky, the clouds beginning to take over as a clash of thunder vibrated his chest. Staring out into the distance his eyes focused on the storage shed some hundred feet in the distance and he began the long strides...

 

[Gaja]

If he told you the reason he was here on this planet, deep in Empire space, you wouldn't believe him. You would think that the blond haired man was trying to deceive you to protect some great secret. That if what he was saying were true he was crazy and he should leave this place as soon as possible. Be that as it may he was here regardless and despite the reasons he named he felt he should stick around for a while, explore the place. Maybe buy a beach house or something...

His lightsabers were concealed as were his eyes in the darkness. Due to his mastery of beast trick, as the padawans liked to call it, the beasts of this world left him and Bubba alone. Wearing a black armorweave vest with four silver circles attached to it the muscular man slowly turned his face to the right as he saw someone exit the compound that was before them. Putting his gloved hand on the head of the beast next to him, a Narglatch by the name of Bubba the mysterious stranger spoke. "Wait here Bubba, I'll be back soon." As if it could understand him perfectly the beast said nothing, instead it simply dropped on its behind and sat there looking at the man who had it since it was but a cub.

For to it the blond human was its father and family, what he said went. Walking away from Bubba the human smiled to himself, he had no need to use the force to communicate with his pet though he certainly wasn't above using it when they were in places like Coruscant. With his ship close by the Jedi Master hid himself from other force users. He may have been the Battle Master of the Jedi Order but he was not here to do battle, he simply wished to explore the largely unexplored planet on his own and spend some time with Bubba. It wasn't like he had a padawan to train that would require his attention.

Observing the spartan clad individual who made his way towards the shed as thunder clouds rumbled in the distance but the moons could still be seen regardless. "It looks like it's going to rain." He spoke walking behind the elder man, his voice deep and strong as it reached the ears of the monk. Wearing the black pants and black boots along with the vest Guhoo certainly didn't appear a pushover. His beige trench coat covered the majority of his body as he addressed the person from afar but slowly made his way towards him. Looking forward to the reaction of the person Jedi Master Guhoo Armstrong was happy.

He welcomed the change of scenery Dathomir provided and possibly for the first time in his life he was glad to have been lost. For he ended up on a most unusual place. Yes the reason the Jedi Battle Master was on Dathomir was because he'd gotten lost...

 

[Rev]

The man's pace had quickened at the obvious signs of the approaching storm. Anyone who had a brain knew that taking on the planets elements meant one thing: failure. It was this hastened behavior that brought the monks normal perceptive demeanor into a "tunnel vision." The voice which so smoothly crept up behind him sent more than just a chill up the peaceful being's spine, but a full on jump.

"Ahhh!!"

Dropping a sack that had contained hundreds of M.R.E.'s the middle aged man turned to face the rather unique looking man. It was fear that first took him over, but as he stared a sense of peace began to run over his mind and body, a soft smile creeping onto his face. Nodding as he looked up to the sky he couldn't help but point at a cloud blacker than the normal night sky.

"Yes.. yes it would appear so.."

It was this holding pose that would allow a droplet of rain to meet his cornea. The droplet bringing the monk into a blinking fit as he chuckled at the irony of the situation. Looking at a second sack that he too would have had to carry he pointed at it then back to the stranger.

"I am Monk Wei-No, if you are in need of a place to rest our Monastery has plenty of room.. I merely ask for some assistance.."

His eyes would look to the sack at his feet and he'd merely begin the trudge back to where he had come from. Looking back occasionally he would wonder if the stranger would come with or wander off to his own bidding. Whatever happened he would have to bring news to the Elders that someone new was among them..

 

[Gaja]

Even though Guhoo was a Jedi he was still quite amused by the sight of the elder monk screaming and getting all scared for a few seconds. Because when you lived on a creepy planet like Dathomir inside a prison and in the middle of the night when you left said prison to get some supplies a voice that you don't know creeps you out of your skins, most of the time that was not a good sign and one should probably be allowed to scream out and drop something. Guhoo however appeared quite relaxed, a start contrast to what one might expect to see on this world, his clothes clean and hair well kept.

The monk would probably realize soon enough that he was an of-worlder, though the muscular man didn't place much value on that. But what happened next was that the man introduced himself and offered Guhoo a place to rest in exchange for some help with the sack. Guhoo's blue eyes spotted the sack in question and as the monk made its way back the Jedi Master picked up his own sack and in a matter of seconds joined the monk on their way back. Even with the sack it seemed so effortless, though that could easily be attributed to the fact that Guhoo was a man who put a lot of effort into his physical strength and conditioning.

"Thank you Wei-No. My name is Guhoo..." Sensing the wind brushing against his unshaven face, the subtle drop in temperature and the clouds in the distance he knew it was going to be a cold and wet night. The occasional drop of water only confirmed it as the much larger man followed the frail looking monk back to the complex. Looking ahead Guhoo was in a way fascinated, such a remote and secluded place, to see a place separated from the galaxy and all the went on in it. Looking in Bubba's direction the blonde Jedi knew that the Narglatch would be fine and just seek some shelter under a tree, he didn't like closed spaces anyway...

 

[Rev]

The monk would let out a short cackle at the mentioning of his name. It was exotic in nature and had no real meaning to his recollection, but being secluded for so long put his mind in a far off lucid place. Upon entering the 'temple' a heavy durasteel door would hiss shut behind him at Wei-No's pressing, sealing them away from the deadly Dathomir exterior.

"This is our Monastery and home, Guhoo.. If you'll follow me I'll take you to our interior pantry."

Moving down those dark dimly lit halls was chilling in itself. It was the screams that came next that would stop most in their path, the monk however would continue his steady stroll; ignoring the sounds as he had been trained. Knowing the question that would come he would merely speak out, not really to the Jedi at his back but merely to anyone who listened.. Which to someone with such a strong connection to the Force would know was more than met the eye.

"That is Monk Haru-Quay.. He hasn't stopped that incessant yelling for 6 days. Some do not take the removal as well as others; he has been one of the worst in recent years.."

As he finished his sentence one of the large droids would come around the corner. The spider-like creature would turn to face the Jedi, the jar which contained the fleshy brain within would be adjusted close to the Jedi Battlemaster as if reading him. A heavy steel claw would reach out and brush over the cutoff at his right side. The cold metal testing his flesh before finally retreating to the ground sending the entire droid in a shuffle down the hallway.

"Do not mind him, Yu-Ni is just a curious one, she always has been.."

Wei-No would stare at the stranger waiting for a reaction from him to see just what his thoughts were on such a convent. They had welcomed in strangers many times before in their past, many times to not so friendly reactions. It was in this being he felt some sanctity, a rest unlike any he had felt in decades. Perhaps this is what the High Monks had mentioned in the past, or what he had thought of them to say. Offering a solemn smile to the man he motioned for him to continue, leading him down a hall the first spark of Force Energy would radiate down the halls different than any natural product the planet had to offer.

"It is just this way."

 

[Gaja]

You would think that when the monk screamed out in panic that that would be the end of the creepy stuff. But apparently on Dathomir there were quite a few things to freak you out. Following the frail looking inside Guhoo remained calm for the most part, he'd seen dark and creepy places before though the screams surprised him some. Not the actual screams itself but what Wei-No said about them. Someone was doing that for six days now? The obvious question was why, but another one took precedence. The removal?

And as if he didn't wish to know he saw the next creepy thing in line, a droid with a human brain attached to it? Having seen quite a bit during his lifetime Guhoo managed to control himself and not point at the freak show that was going on here and yelling out something. Instead he curiously raised his eyebrow as the droid just touched him and went running of when he received his confirmation. His gaze shifted back to the monk he was helping as he slowly made his way through the complex. Guhoo's defenses were up by now, he was careful of these people and they probably knew it.

He was not a man who broke easily though, he appeared to take everything that he saw as it was, a Cult that practiced its beliefs it would seem. Though he couldn't quite remember the name he did remember reading about a cult that did something like this a few years back. Apparently they removed their brains and put them in droids to achieve immortality, or was it enlightenment? Either way Guhoo didn't show any big reaction, though he most certainly didn't like what was transpiring here, and then he felt it. The force, he felt it on his skin like a soft breeze contrary to Dathomir's natural aura.

There was someone else here, another force user. But judging from what he felt it appeared that this person was a servant of the light. Blinking twice as he focused on the feeling some more the Jedi followed the smiling, polite monk wherever he was leading him. His curiosity was picked and he wished to see who this person was... So he followed the man further into the complex, still alert but in a way he wasn't worried about these people. They were different but so far they didn't mean any harm, or so it would appear.

 

[Rev]

It was down that narrow hall they would walk for what felt like eternity. The darkness in front of them never seemed to half, the only light coming from a torch Wei-No had picked up somewhere along the route. Turning into a cell one block away from the initial Force Signature the Monk would lower his sack into place in an otherwise empty room. A dim light came from the base of the wall, just enough to light up the lone cot, a toilet, sink, and makeshift table constructed from wooden crates.

"If you would just set it next to the other sack I can show you to our Eldest Monk, he will be most delighted to see you!"

Walking out of the cell first the door would shut behind him and clamp into place by a mere iron lock. Turning to face the Jedi the Monk's face would turn to an almost pale grimace, a hurt rushing over him and his hearts knowledge of what he was doing. This man wasn't the first and he more than likely would not be the last. However it was the difference in this man he too sensed in the boy; and it was that reminder which brought out the most sadness.

"I.. I am sorry Guhoo. I- I would explain if I could."

Moving away from the cell the harsh sound of metal approaching echoed down the barren halls. The spider droid would stop in front of the Battlemaster's cell before again looking him over for a long moment, it could sense the strength the being gave off but had no true way of expressing itself. Reaching a claw up to run over Wei-No's cheek as if expressing thanks the Elder would again clatter away down the hall. Staring into the darkness Wei-No would shake his head as if disturbed by what the Elders had become before moving away from the Jedi. It was best he distanced himself before things got worse.

 

[Gaja]

The walk was not nearly as peaceful for the Jedi as it appeared to be for the Monk that invited him to seek shelter from the incoming storm. While the screams died down somewhat as they progressed further into the dark hall Guhoo didn't forget about them, but was somewhat relieved to finally see an end to it when Wei-No set his load on the ground inside a small cell. His gloved hand held the sack over his left shoulder and the intensely muscular man nodded and proceeded to do the same as he was told. The dimly lit complex didn't inspire much enthusiasm in the man, and while he accepted the fact that it was the way and conditions these people lived in he also had a couple quite obvious questions.

Though it would appear that he would have a chance to speak with the Eldest Monk of this place, so maybe he could understand these people a bit better. While he was usually a chatty and easy going fella the man that held the position of Battle Master within the New Jedi Order was far from it inside these walls. Dropping the sack filled with what he assumed were M.R.E's down on the ground and neatly leaning it against the other sack Guhoo rose to his full height and moved his attention towards the Monk he met only minutes ago.

"..." Just as he was about to say that they could now go and see this Head Monk of theirs something changed. He noticed the not so subtle change in the man, though he wasn't quite sure what was going on at this point. This whole thing was quite bizarre, even to someone as seasoned as him. Though in a way this whole time he had a bad feeling, why did all the cults have to be creepy, he wondered as he heard the loud metal sound. Narrowing his eyes as he looked at the big droid from inside the cell Guhoo stepped forward, his breath visible as mist as his blue eyes shinned through the darkness of Dathomir.

The man apologized and soon removed himself. So his sense from when he first heard the scream didn't betray him. He suspected that the idea here was that he was to never leave the complex. But still clinging to the hope that perhaps it wasn't so the man called out. "Would you be so kind as to tell me what's going on here. I do not wish you any ill will as long as you don't threaten me." His blue eyes shined through the darkness, seeking a way out of this peacefully if possible. Though the force betrayed these people, he felt it revealed as if the falling rain washed away the facade and slowly unveiled the ugly truth of this place...

 

[Rev]

The Battle Master's cool sounding voice had a warmth about it that even in fear stopped the Monk in his tracks. His mind may have been polluted by the darkness of the ill-forgotten cult, but his heart still had good within it. Taking a step backwards his bare feet would audibly tear against the rusted floor. Turning on his heel was a sound not for the squeamish to endure as Wei-No's face contorted into a grimacing frown.

"The Elders see promise in you.. Wish to offer you insight into our beliefs."

He smiled as best he could under the conditions he was under.

"They are unhappy with the boy.."

His eyes stared blankly towards the corner of the cell. Wei-No's peripherals noticing most the metal pot that was a toilet shimmering in the corner of his eye. The Monk's intuition forbade him from looking into the eyes of the Jedi, his own focusing on that darkness.

"..not the vessel they envisioned h-.."

His words would trail off as his train of thought recounted for itself. Shaking his head some it was then he noticed the piercing gaze of the Jedi Master and he would take a step backwards, his back coming in contact with the cold hall.

"Wh.."

His words reaching for who this man was, but something told him his name was no lie and his mind caught a different set of words. Fumbling the mixture in his mouth under the duress of the situation.

"Who-at..-what are you?"

His mind raced at an answer for what had just happened to him. Perhaps this is what the Elders spoke of when reaching tranquility and enlightenment. Though this felt like something far different, as if this being had control over himself. Taking a few steps towards the dark hall and his exit, he wasn't sure he quite wanted an answer..

 

[Gaja]

The droid walked away and with it Guhoo seemed to calm down, his eyes losing their piercing blue color and were now covered by darkness again and away from Wei-No's sight but not the other way around. Though the truth was that he was never really angry, more along the lines of instinct. He simply called upon the force, if that made sense to anyone other than the Jedi. Leaving the confines of the cell as the monk known as Wei-No got visibly frightened the blond man slowly walked towards him with measured steps as the walls around him cast a dark shadow over the otherwise quite light focused man.

This whole thing, he wanted it clarified. He felt another force signature inside this facility and it was neither the monk standing in front of him nor the droid housed brains that he saw two of. At the mention of a boy Guhoo remained serious, though clearly his attention was directed towards that subject instead of the elder monks. He couldn't say if he appeared a little less threatening compared to when he was inside a cell and his breath suddenly became visible and his eyes appeared like they would pierce your soul should you look at them too long, he simply said. "Show me the boy." While it wasn't an order, it wasn't a request either.

What did these people do here, taking out their brains and achieving immortality that way? Was that the big idea here? And while in a way Guhoo liked to think that he had a choice in where he went and what he did during his life, part of him also accepted the fact that there was perhaps a greater force that led him here under the pretense of him getting lost and put him in this position for a reason. He didn't like to think that way but he also admitted to not knowing whether it was true or not, it was at the very least possible. Either way the fact remained that he was here and that he needed to clear this up for himself. As a Jedi, as a man he couldn't simply turn a blind eye if some boy was being held here against his will because some would be monks wanted it that way.

While he wished to give Wei-No the benefit of the doubt he needed to find the source of the force energy emanating from this prison. He couldn't leave without doing so first, it was as if it was calling him to come closer. "I am a Jedi..." He looked at the man in front of him with a look of disinterest, how would this play out now that he did what he did. Would these men resort to violence? "Is that why your elders wish me to join you?" It did not escape him the way the monk looked at him, did they want another one to join their ranks?

 

[Rev]

By the will of the Force the lock which contained the Jedi Battlemaster would fall loose. The locking mechanism never truly clicking into place beneath the monk's frail hands. As Guhoo pushed against his cage the lock would fall away, the gate opening. The very action meant more to the monk than anything the Force user could do or say from that point on. He had locked that very gate a hundred times over, and not once had it failed; yet for this man it was nothing more than a hurdle to step over. His request that followed simply put the monk into motion, no response necessary as he took Guhoo back down the path which they came.

Each step meant one closer to the Force Sensitive also kept away inside the facility. Stopping at a cross road they had two options, turn left and go deeper into the rabbits hole, or continue straight. Turning their steps would become almost more silent. The barren look of the dark path set before them hinted at nothing. It was at the end of this hall that the boy's light would blink like a beacon in such corrupted darkness. Knelt within the confines of a heavily sealed room once designed to hold the worst the prison had to offer. This door would take more than a simple press of the button to open; even with its aged metal and frail look. It was this moment Wei-No would take his leave, sprinting at the darkness and disappearing like everything else that went into it. His footsteps echoing both with and away from him and casting an illusion of sound up and down that distracting passage...

 

[Gaja]

In a way Guhoo was confused by their attempts to keep him there, not that he was blowing his own horn, but locking people up wasn't exactly trust inspiring for any man. And locking up a Jedi it wasn't really a problem to get out but now he wondered how many of the people who were here were actually here on their own free will. Because the monk in front of him wasn't above tricking people into trusting him just enough to lock them inside a cage.

Which was enough to classify him as someone whom Guhoo didn't exactly like, though he appeared to turn a bit of a corner when he led the Battle Master towards the boy, whom he assumed was the source of the force energies as well. But as they reached a crossroad Guhoo for but a second looked to up ahead and before he could even return his gaze he saw the man vanish into the shadows, the sound of his running was all that remained and within seconds that vanished into the darkness as well. The Jedi didn't bother to stop him though, he just left him to run away. He felt sorry for the man as he continued to follow the road that the force signaled.

Exploring Dathomir was certainly an educational, though very creepy, experience. And upon reaching the massive door Guhoo wasn't about to change his mind. Looking at it his lightsaber sprung into his right hand and ignited, an instant later an orange blade banished the darkness and brought light to the area as Guhoo reached out beyond the door, feeling a strong presence of light in there. His next move was hardly surprising as he simply impaled the door with his blade and proceeded to create a door to fit through. It wasn't like he couldn't just knock or break the door open using the force, he really wished for a little more light which was why he opted for this solution.

It would only be a few seconds before a large piece of metal was removed and thrown to the side by the blond haired human before he cast some light in to the room, revealing himself to whomever was inside. "Hello?" Calling out to the person inside the Battle Master awaited a reply while in the back of his mind he assumed that Wei-No wouldn't be the last of the monks he'd see while on Dathomir. Though if he was being honest he'd prefer not to see them any more, he did not like those people...

 

[Rev]

Peace had always been a thought dwelling within the young boys mind. His father had taught him of it when he came into the world, and never had quieted about it. "Peace came at a price." A phrase that often came from his lips, and for it had taken his life. Peace was both a product the young man sought after, and somehow despised.

His legs were crossed, his eyes closed, and his natural senses closed to the outside world. It was in this mind-state he could focus most on what others never could: The Force. To him it was Dathomir, the nature of the world reaching to him and speaking its soft whispers; whispers that would often taint even honest of souls. It was the childhood purity within that protected him, that and the short time on the planet. Almost a standard galactic year, but due to the planets slower rotation he came up just shy of "galactic truth."

The sounds around the Monastery were often changing. He could often hear the soft sound of flesh meeting steel, but it would soon be drown out by the pang of metal against itself. The large droids had always sent a distanced fear up his spine, but the fire inside himself would never back down.. Yet, it was that constantly churning mindset which longed for peace which kept him here; a captive.

The harsh snap of crackling steel popping from behind is what broke his meditation. Normally it was the shifting noise of the robotic spider that opened the door, this time it was somethingvastly different. Standing from his seated position he'd turn to face the arcing line of light which soon cut a hole and exit. Staring at the orange glow the crept inward, it was that hue that distracted his mind for the first time in months... A warmth rushing over the lad's cold frame.

"Hello?"

The blonde figure which stepped through the doorway in no way surprised him, it was almost as if he expected the man to look as he did. Staring up at the much taller and physical specimen he'd offer the stranger a smile as best he could under the unique circumstances.

"Greetings.. I'm Markus A'ni."

 

[Gaja]

Looking inside the cell the Jedi could see a young boy, a teenager with dark hair and what appeared blue eyes standing up and greeting him. Shinning through the force however was a small treasure of light, pure as pure as Guhoo had seen in a long time. For a moment he observed the boy, his orange lightsaber shedding light into the otherwise pitch dark cell in which Markus spent his time. And while it was most certainly an awkward situation Guhoo did what he felt was right. Reaching forward with his free hand he offered it to the young lad, following it up with hope and a chance at freedom. "I am Guhoo Armstrong. If you wish to leave this place, now may be your only chance. Follow me."

Offering to help Markus out of the cell Guhoo saw what he needed to see as thunder tumbled outside and he could feel the tension rising. They didn't have much time for he suspected that they wouldn't be allowed to leave just like that. He hoped they would if they hurried but the pessimist in him suspected otherwise. Maybe he should have played this scenario differently and faked being trapped in the cell and then exploring this facility on his own? Yeah that might have been the more cerebral approach but not the one Guhoo picked so they'd just have to see what happens on their way out. should Markus choose to join the Battle Master on his way out of course.

"Is there anyone else that we need to visit on our way out?" Honestly he couldn't feel any signs of the force or life really in this place, but maybe when people were exposed to Dathomir for too long their auras blended in just enough...

 

[Rev]

If the orange hue of the lightsaber hadn't been there to light the man his aura alone surely would've signified his presence. The inviting words which followed rushed a warming blanket over the cold boy's soul. The warmth carried his dull smirk into a full smile, his pearly white teeth shining brightly for the first time in weeks. Staring at the open hand his mind would dwell on the constants Guhoo couldn't know. Pushing aside his promise for the first selfish act he could recall ever choosing: freedom. Grasping hold of a staff that sat in the corner of the small cell he'd then take hold of the Jedi's soft, battle-worn hand.

As they moved through the darkness the younger man's mind thought back to his promise. He had sworn to his father he would stay put, in the grace of the monks. They in return promised no harm put unto the boy, the fate of the elder A'ni was however unknown to the lad. He had last saw him just outside the facility. His body carried on a makeshift stretcher from the transport shuttles near-deadly crash. Markus' eyes nearly welled at the final images, but a rush of the final teachings his father had taught him running over his mind cast that sadness aside as quickly as it had flourished.

"My father.. He was here."

He'd stop in his tracks to stare back at the darkness that had once consumed him. Their exit was mere meters away, salvation at arms reach; but that selfish need for Freedom was gone, and that desire of knowledge, of the truth welled out instead.

"..I haven't seen him since they took us in."

 

[Gaja]

And while two more lightsabers hung from his belt, removed from sight under his coat, the blond used his favorite blade to light up the place as the young man joined him. Noticing the staff that Markus had brought with him Guhoo certainly appreciated having someone who knew how to defend themselves as they made their way back the hall. Once the Jedi asked him about there being anyone else and the young man answering how he did a smile lit up on Guhoo's face, as he looked at the young lad standing just a few feet away from him.

The two didn't know each other, but there was plenty of time to change that for the Battle Master didn't plan on dying any time soon. "Well then let's go and see where he's at. I know someone who can help us..." Thinking of the deceitful monk Wei-No their way out of the complex would include a slight detour it would seem. For they would have to go into the darkness where the monk fled only a minute ago...

Making a right turn where the monk fled Guhoo illuminated the path in front of them with his lightsaber and only seconds later asked. "Any ideas where we're going?" He hoped to get a better idea of the layout of this place for there were hardly any computer terminals to use and download the schematics, so he had to improvise. Following this way was probably what he'd stick with unless of course the young man beside him offered any insight on where they should go instead...

 

[Rev]

The orange hue of the Battle Master's blade was a distracting one. Aside from not only lighting the path before them, Markus found his eyes transfixed on the glowing beam. It was unlike anything his young eyes had seen in their short time in the universe. Whomever this man was he wasn't like anyone from this world he'd encountered, nor on Eshan.

"..Wei-No? He's barely even part of their order.. I think they let him in just so they don't have to risk going outside."

The kid laughed at his 'joke,' it wasn't the best quality to carry, but it had been the first funny thing he'd heard since arriving on Dathomir, and he hoped it would be shared by Guhoo. Taking soft steps against the old halls he couldn't help but close his eyes and let his other senses take over. Sight was often the most valued sense, but it was hearing and smell that Markus would least be willing to give up. Stopping in his tracks he reached out to Guhoo, letting his own hand come in contact with the man's chest in an attempt to stop him.

"...They'll see us before we can in this darkness, even with your light. Better to move in silence, they're loud."

Staring at the humming lightsaber he'd nod at the tool. He'd never been one for flash and appeal, but the lightsaber had an appeal to it unlike any he'd ever felt. Keeping his eyes shut, but relaxed he'd finally answer the Jedi's question after a long delay. The only connection to his old life returning again to the front of his mental processes.

"I think they took him to the infirmary, our landing.... it didn't go so well."

 

[Gaja]

While he didn't exactly burst out laughing he smirked, and indeed found it funny the way Markus guessed that it was Wei-No that Guhoo was going after in order to find the man they were looking for. so it would seem that despite his advanced age the man was merely an initiate of sorts, which wasn't all that surprising though certainly a let down considering how old the man was. One would think he'd at least be a full member! "Tehe..." He held his voice down and his senses sharp as he made the next step against the hard floor of the room.

A nod followed as the blond haired jedi felt a hand on his chest and he saw the boy point out the fact that the lightsaber wasn't exactly working in their favor in this one despite the fact that it provided light. "Good point." Deactivating the lightsaber Guhoo really had to give it to the boy, he hadn't thought about it like that. He was a bit out of his element in this one and the advice that was given to him certainly was smart, and the Jedi recognized it and as a result his lightsaber was deactivating a moment later. And with that the light was gone, but the humming sound was gone as well which was an interesting thing to the senses.

Focusing on his other senses Guhoo too walked forward, letting the force aid him as the two of them moved forward. The lightsaber however never left his hand for he wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating their hosts regardless how benign they appeared to be. Even a small snake didn't seem like much but it sure packed a punch, and with that thought in the back of his mind Guhoo stretched out through the force, his instincts taking over as he was more focused on defense that offense right now. And by defense it meant that he was ready to erect a barrier at a moments notice should the cult members attempt to attack them by surprise, though so far he didn't pick up anything, even if his senses wanted to.

He composed himself... "steady... Feel the energies around you... the vibrations of the force..." It really was as if he issued himself an order, one that his mind followed and the man that held the title of Jedi Master entered a state where even though he walked through darkness he wasn't without sight...

 

[Rev]

The suction sound filling the halls was much louder than the younger of the two could have ever anticipated. If he hadn't already been stopped next to the elder Jedi his legs certainly would've locked in place. Taking in a slow, deep breath the absence of sound made the subtle breaths like nails to a chalkboard. As their feet went into motion, so too would the sound of weight in motion.

Markus' eyes remained shut through it all. It was as if his body was taking in the compact area around them and sending signals inward alerting him to what was there. It wasn't until a crash durasteel beam lay across their path that he stumble. The firm push of the staff hitting off the ground to maintain the proper balance as he felt himself at yet another intersection. A wall directly in front of him split the path three ways, to the left, to the right, and back where they had come from. Standing in silence for what may have been an eternity it was the whispering cries to his right that dragged him in; his feet pulling him in that direction.

"I can feel him. I-it's not the same.."

Coming to a pile of rubble his hand would reach out feeling the cold stone beneath his touch and instantly bringing his emotionless face to a frown. It was the harsh hiss to their right and the opening of a security door that forced his eyes open only to be met with a blinding light. Raising his hands to cover his burning retinas his aqua orbs attempted to peer into the unknown room.

"Threat detected!"

The battle droid standing in what once was a cleansing room would point at the two before raising its rifle. The aged blaster would shoulder before firing off a burst of energy first at Markus, then at Guhoo. Two shots would whizz over the young man's head, the third targeted his left shoulder. The second volley would be directed at the Battle Master's chest, the two bolt flurry meant to kill an un-expecting opponent.

 

[Gaja]

It was a weird sensation, walking in the dark like they did. And it was not the dark of their home or some other familiar place, no it was the darkness of an abandoned prison complex now used by a creepy cult that dragged people to its ranks and wouldn't allow them to leave once inside the prison. And in that situation every step you made you could feel the noise, the cracks in your joints, the beating of your heart and your breaths as you tried to calm them down.

Certainly moving around without light was challenging at first though both males seemed to adjust to it to a certain extent. Guhoo's steps were smaller, more measured as he held his left hand out, and focused all his sensory input on his seeing through the force, though even that was a bit tricky as the dark side energies of this place formed a mist like cloud around them, making it difficult...

But eventually the light came back though with it a battle droid with a blaster rifle aimed at the two humans. Adjusting to the change quickly Guhoo's orange lightsaber snapped and hissed and the man activated it and spun it around his body twice to deflect the two blaster bolts aimed at his chest. Being mindful of the fact that Markus was just next to him the Battle Master didn't risk hitting the bolts at the perfect angle for he might hit the boy, and therefore with skill befitting his title deflected the two blaster bolts back in to the room in front of them, his left hand holding the lightsaber as he did so but what came next would end it.

In a fluid motion the Jedi spun the lightsaber with his left hand as he deflected the second bolt, his body turning towards the droid as if he was going to throw a punch, but instead he sent hi open palm forward and with that a brutal wave of force energy aimed to push the droid back and send him flying in to whatever was behind him with tremendous force. After doing so Guhoo would take the position in front of Markus in case anymore surprises lay in wait or in case the droids' plating was harder than he first expected, though he was pretty sure he used enough force to take him out. And while his blue orbs focused on the room in front of them he didn't forget the young man, his voice reaching him a moment after he got in front of the teenager.

"Are you all right?" Guhoo was pretty sure that the droid missed twice, or the boy avoided the shots depending on how someone saw it, though there was a third shot and the blond haired man wasn't sure where that one ended up.