The Trial of the Spirit

[Wyck]

They had finally reached the depths of the temple: where the ancient Jedi had kept a number of old records. Wyck was pleased by the idea of adding all of the knowledge down here to the Jedi Archives they had salvaged from Jedha and Ossus. But he knew that they had to pass one more trial before that dream could be come a reality. He and Albert needed to reactivate the archive computer bank, which would require them to split up once again.

He rather loathed that idea. Down here, so far beneath the waves of Tython's largest ocean, they were close to the epicenter of the Force nexus that this Jedi temple was built around. If anything appeared down here to test them, it would be powerful. Very powerful. With this thought in mind, the little Jedi Master turned to his student to fill him in on their plan.

"Two objectives, on this level, we have," Wyck explained. "Unfortunately, split up again, we must. Find the power source to the archive's security doors, you must. Without it, unable to get inside, we will be. I shall go search for the separate power source for the archive's holo-records. If successful, we are, returned to our control, this temple will be." He paused. "But be careful. Sense that one final test we have to face, I do." @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

Albert was glad to see that Wyck was okay, though the news of more trials didn't sit well with him. He had accepted that there would be adversity in their trek, yet he hadn't known to what extent the Force would do to test these two Jedi deep within an ancient, decrepit temple. He was glad for it so far, as Albert had learned more in this adventure than he had in years of pilgrimage and meditation, though he didn't know what else would be waiting for them. Something deep inside told him this would be the last test, though, which meant that this would be the greatest trial of all. So far he was one for two, so there was a lot riding on this particular attempt. He helped Wyck to his feet, giving the Jedi Grandmaster a small smile. "I have that feeling as well, Master. This test shall not want for determination from me, however. Lead on, I shall ever be at your side."

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

Wyck waddled down a separate path from his apprentice once again, his task firmly set within his mind. But it didn't take long for the darkened halls to start playing tricks on his old mind. It started as whispers and movements in the shadows that caught his eye. He ignored them and pressed on into the depths of the temple; but they persisted and, eventually, the voices became clearer. It was only then that Wyck realized he was hearing his own voice.

"Wyyyyck," the cackling voice taunted, and Wyck saw a shadowy specter rise up and take his own shape. It had two, large, glowing-red eyes; and Wyck at once felt the presence of the dark side of the Force. "Wyck hates me. Yes, heh-heh-heh. Wyck does not play with me anymore."

The critter crawled closer to him and Wyck responded instantly, trumpeting out a blast of Force light that that struck the creature, which howled in demonic rage. The shadows seemed to dissipate — the creature formed from them destroyed — but, as quickly as it disappeared, it reformed... angry, but alive.

"Does Wyck think me not worthy?" the creature taunted again.

Wyck took out his lightsaber and ignited it. "I recognize you not. Identify yourself!"

The creature was wounded. Ready to strike. "I am what is inside Wyck." Then it cackled again and lunged; and Wyck hoped, once again, that Albert was having better luck than himself. @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

Just as before, it wasn't long until Albert found himself in a space between spaces, this time a dried wasteland with clouds thundering in the sky. Standing, or rather, floating, a short distance away was an older man who was still strikingly familiar to the Arkanian. The three clawed fingers on the hand and the unique sense of style, if exaggerated, was added to the evidence that they were the same person when the figure turned. Despite the seeming light-themed clothing, this man exuded only Darkness. Taking a feather, the man combed his immaculate short hair before it shimmered, turning into a lightsaber. "I am what you could have been, had you not lost your nerve. This power has defeated all my enemies one after another. It's the only power that can strike down Andraste and the other traitors. Why do you reject what you should be? If need be, I'll replace you by force. My existence will NOT be denied!"

The crimson lightsaber erupted into life as the Dark Albert charged, floating through the air at a high speed, yet not what the actual Albert knew was his true speed. Taking out one lightsaber instead of his usual two, Albert took a moment to think on Mikko's lessons. Soresu, combined with his speed, would be something the aggressive darkness that had been inside of him would not expect. It had been ejected from him before those lessons during the previous fight. Monocle flashing as he assumed the stance, his arms became a blur as he blocked and parried his Dark Half's attacks. Not expecting such a rejection, the evil Albert shifted back as two bleeding wounds appeared on his chest. Albert had nothing to say to this darkness, his Determination would carry him through this final test.

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

The creature sprang up and leaped at Wyck, tackling him to the ground. He lost his lightsaber into the process, which switched off and spun away in the darkness. Dark Wyck rose up and roared, now triumphantly on top of his light-half. The dark gremlin cackled. "Feel it, do you? Your power, this could be. Save Imani, you could. Stop Andraste, you could." The little gremlin cackled some more. "But you are afraid. Afraid of the dark side. Afraid of all you could become. Embrace me. Together, destroy the Sith, we could!"

Wyck struggled with his darker half, who clearly had much greater physical strength than Wyck was expecting. "No. Give power to you, I do not! Only pain and death, does the dark side bring! Yes! And suffering!" Wyck pushed back a bit more. "Reject you, I do!"

Angered by this, Dark Wyck seized his light-half around the collar and hurled him into the adjacent wall. The pain from the impact compounded with the pain he had accumulated over the last two trials. Wyck was getting too old for this. Yet, still, he rose, much to the chagrin of his dark side. Dark Wyck cackled evilly and said, "Resist me no more... or devour you, I will." @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

The Dark Albert seemed to have learned from his opening mistake, not focusing on his greatest skill when stating his attack. He made up for that by using Accelerator, moving so fast that it seemed like he had split into four different beings as they all flew in to try to strike at the Arkanian. This was when the other of Mikko's lessons came to him, the teaching of Ataru. The high mobility of the fighting style, something he switched into with a surprising ease. Time and time again he dodged the speed enhanced manifestation of his Dark Side, even landing one blow and then another, causing the apparition to become enraged. How dare this man, his other half, pull out tricks that he didn't know of? His form was starting to fade from all the damage, yet he hadn't landed a single blow. His rage now blinded him, something that Albert hoped he would be able to take advantage of.

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

The little gremlin sprang again. Wyck dropped into a hand-to-hand stance and the two mirrors of each other exchanged blows. Hand-to-hand combat was not Wyck's forte, but he was trained in it when the time came.

"No!" he protested the shadow of himself's last proposition. He would resist the dark side. He would resist until his last breath.

But his dark side fought harder and much, much better. The dark gremlin cackled as they fought across the halls. "No!" the creature mocked. "'No,' says Wyck! Learned nothing, have you? Stronger, the dark side is! Lose, you will!" The dark gremlin landed a strong uppercut to Wyck's jaw, sending the Jedi Master sprawling backwards. "Embrace me! We will destroy our enemies together! Crush them to dust, we will!"

Wyck remembered what the Sith shade in the last trial had said. That, if he embraced the dark side of the Force, he would have a power that would allow him to destroy Andraste. The temptation was still there. Perhaps, it was what gave this shade its form and massive power. He had been so foolish. In all this time, lecturing Imani about giving into the darkness, this monster had been growing inside of him. Now, he had to make it all right... @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

Dark Albert was enraged, pulling into the Dark Side in a way that his counterpart would have never known. Dark lightning crackled from his fingertips, making a web of deadly energy that suddenly exploded forward. The moves were both random and calculated, causing Albert to hesitate and take a large amount of damage. He cried out in pain, yet he wouldn't give up. He couldn't. He still had strength left. He just had to find out how to use his opponent's rage against him. Before it was too late, that was. The clock was ticking. He just hoped that Wyck was doing better than he was.

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

Dark Wyck kept coming and Wyck kept dodging. The little beast was strong. Too strong. The Jedi Master needed another plan. He summersaulted backwards, dodging another well-placed jab, and reached out with the Force. He felt his lightsaber, somewhere in the darkness, respond. The tiny hilt flew from its resting place into his hand and ignited again.

The evil gremlin duplicate of Wyck paused and also began to reach out with the Force. In an adjacent room, likely one that stored ancient lightsabers, a lightsaber shoto flew out the open door and into the tiny creature's hands. It also ignited, a crimson blade illuminating the creatures tar-like skin and red eyes. It was a Sith's weapon for a Sith version of Wyck.

Now, the true test began. @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

To Defeat the Darkness​

The power of the Dark Side grew in this blighted realm, Albert only barely able to dodge the lightning strikes coming from his other half. The Dark Albert had seen how effective his attack had been and had continued it, hoping to overwhelm the hope and determination of his physical portion to take over, to fully corrupt the man who wanted to hard to be good. Time went on, strike after strike destroying the land and the sheer power causing the ground to fall away except in a small platform around the two of them. There wasn't anywhere else to fall back to, it was now or never. The Dark Albert raised his hand, drawing the lightning into a growing ball of pure Dark energy. This would obliterate everything, perhaps even himself. There was only so much time left. He would have to use...THAT.

He still had strength to walk, strength to move, strength in his heart, and strength in the Force. Albert activated his Accelerator, yet he pushed himself even harder than usual. He circled around the Dark Albert, moving so fast that it seemed there were eight of him, all moving so fast yet seeming to not move at all. Then he struck, one to start, then more and more, until all of them were hitting one after the other. That was when the finale cam, the Magnum Fang. Crying out a roar like the dragons of his homeworld, all eight of his afterimages hit the Dark Albert at once, a seemingly impossible feat. The Darkness began to dissolve in pieces, sundered by countless hits. The temple reappeared, Albert's darkness completely gone. He was now as close to the Light as he had ever been. He began to run, looking for his console. He had to finish his mission.

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

Wyck and his dark side danced in the corridor. The lightsabers bounced off one another, flashing and crashing against one another. But Wyck was too unfocused. He was horrified that the dark side had grown this strong within himself without his knowing. What had caused it? How could he have been so blind? When had this begun? With Andraste? With Imani? With the advent of the Sith? He couldn't be sure; but, one thing he was sure of... his dark side was winning.

It was strong. Stronger than him by a long shot. Even its lightsaber dueling was superior, as it proved by slashing a gash into his exposed right ear, sending a stab of pain into his skull. The dark gremlin cackled. It knew it had the upper hand. But Wyck wasn't done yet. He couldn't give up here. He had once lectured Imani about the virtue of standing up to the dark side in the face of adversity. Now, it was his turn to put his lightsaber where his mouth was. @Insalisu

 

[Albert Penumbris]

The Holo-records console was finally in sight, no more delays or distractions to keep Albert from his goal. He wasn't personally used to such a machine yet he had listened to Wyck's instructions well. He put in the commands as instructed, watching with satisfaction as the system rebooted and came back to full operational status. His mission was a success, making his ratio two for three. He hoped he had passed his tests and that Wyck had passed his own. Still, even if not, he would double back and go to find his Master. If there was one thing he had learned while being a Jedi, it was that their strength didn't come from just themselves, it came from being together with others and the Force. Perhaps this was a lesson he would have to teach the Grandmaster.

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

The duel continued, but Wyck was finally beginning to seize the upper hand. Just in time too. The power of the temple around them was whirring to life. Albert must have succeeded in his trial. And with the power on this level back on, the temple had been successfully reclaimed by the Jedi Order.

A flickering spark in Wyck's chest ignited. His dark side lunged at him, but he threw out his free hand and summoned the Force. The dark little gremlin let out a demonic screech as it was thrown backwards. It was only a momentary victory, but the beginning of the final act—or so he hoped. At last, it was time to end this trial and bring the Jedi back home. @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

Leave it to me, Master!​

Just like Albert, Wyck was fighting the personification of his Dark Side. They seemed to be evenly matched, both hurt nearly the same amount, and the thought of Master Wyck falling to his darkness was...It would be impossible. Wyck wasn't alone, not anymore, and even though he wasn't nearly as powerful as his Master he wasn't powerless, either. He would give Wyck everything he had and have his back, as Jedi it wasn't about just one person's strength but that of them all together, alongside the Force. Activating his Accelerator again he seemed to split into four after-images, circling around the Dark Shade of Wyck as the creature seemed to be surprised. It managed to block the strikes from a few of them yet it's skill at speed was very lacking. Two strong slashes from Albert's cerulean lightsaber found their way onto the Apparition's body, making it hiss in pain.

Once the strikes hit, Albert pulled back to stand by his Master, pointing his lightsaber at Wyck's Dark Half. "Dark creature, you have no place here. The resolute may falter, they may stumble, but they always keep moving forward, one step at a time. THAT is what it means to be a Jedi. The Dark can only take a person who has lost the will to keep moving forward, no matter how painful the step may be." He looked over at Master Wyck, his monocle reflecting the blue light from his lightsaber. "Master Wyck, shall we illustrate?"

@Malon

 

[Wyck]

Wyck nodded to his pupil. They moved in tandem, gathering the Force to them as the came together to present a united front. As one, they threw their hands out, unleashing a devastating blast of Force light. "My dark side, you may be," Wyck said with renewed confidence. Dark Wyck screeched as he was eviscerated. "But no need for you, have I. Reject you, I do." The blast overcame the dark Wyck and, when it subsided, the trial was finally over.

Wyck switched off his lightsaber and hung it back on his belt. It had been a long three trials... but they had won. They had done it. The temple was back online. Back in the hands of the Jedi Order, at long last. And, more importantly, he and Albert had learned some valuable lessons during their time together. He looked up and smiled at his student. "Well, you have done. Passed many hard tests, you have. And seen that, even a Jedi Master is challenged by the dark side of the Force. Yes... Never forget." He nodded. "A valuable lesson, is that, for you." @Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

Albert smiled at his master before picking him up and putting him on his shoulders. "It is one of many from this day that I shall never forget. I think, though, that it may be time to return for now. I am certain we will have much to speak of." He was exhausted, his body ravaged by Accelerator, but he kept putting one foot in front of the other. He would follow his own words and ideals, especially now that the darkness was gone from inside of him. He would have to work hard to keep it gone, but for now, this was the closest to the Force that he could ever have gotten. And now he knew how to use Force Light. He would need a lot more practice, but if he could hone his skills, he would do his best to bring light to the Galaxy once again.

/Endthread