Ask There and Back Again

[Faen Akatosh]

A Star Wars Story​

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Faen Akatosh had several experiences concerning struggling Jedi and the deep seeded roots of the Dark Side. While he had been using all of his time to help others, he still did not get the chance to help himself. Ironic, right? Imagine being able to give advice to others that helps them while not being able to follow it yourself. Mainly, Faen's mind had been on a reoccurring vision that continued to trouble him the more he thought about and discovered. It was some twisted dark future that seemed to have the same end result; Faen taking a new title as some dark lord.

And it started on Orosimer Prime.

Maybe if the Seer could follow the hints and clues that these visions laid out for him, he'd find a way to avoid that dreaded doom he had fallen to. But, the two other Jedi serving with him today would only know of the primary objective. They were to meet a Orcolan leader about some stollen Force sensitive artifacts and jewelry. The message had been very vague and discreet as if they wanted as little people involved as possible, but the strangest part was that they specifically asked for the Jedi Order. Whatever the problem was, Faen was sure he could fix it (and maybe the vision, too).

"We'll be touching down in just a second," Faen announced to his passengers in his U-Wing. "Remember, these Orcs can either be your best friend or your worst enemy, so let's try and give them a good first impression."

@Sicadorito @Die Shize

 

[Yondir Fenn]

Spoiler: Music OOC

A man…is a Jedi…
To be a Sith? It was
Out of the question.
He was born to fight.
For that which is right.
He was taught to defend.
He was raised to protect.
Those who were in need.
Those who are too weak.
To do so themselves.

Whether the woman.
Whether the children.
Whether the old man.
Whether withered soul.
Whether the injured elk.
He will guard them all.
A ranger’s bow can tell.
A warrior’s sword can fall.
But a Jedi’s code never fell.

He sits in that cockpit.
Stillness inside the ship.
There is movement yet.
Within this man’s head.

But he is not a Seer.
No, he is a Justicar.
Still…a man can see…
Reality while dreaming.
He is clearing his mind.
The way the Jedi might.

What lies ahead, he cannot say.
Liquid future—waves—frozen rain.
A sea—an ocean—pale moonlight.
Darkness—a sheen—stars bright.

A man’s eyes; silent, closed.
He is remembering his home.
Sephi does not hail from Thustra.
But comes from Rhunor—this one.

There on the moon of forests green.
Of mountains proud; power at peaks.
Like a black blue sea in a waking dream.
His memories, not fantasies, are like rivers.
Beneath a canopy, a man thinks of his sister.
Larwen. And his brother. Halad. Of his mother.
Merwin. His father. Orinir. Souls living in streams.

As a Jedi of the galaxy—and a ranger of Rhunor.
A man has moved from forest floor to starlit door.
He has adapted the ways—of the vigilant guardian.
Combat, no mere art, is sword and shield; heart in it.

In the endless expanse that this man is within.
Curling waves glistening with a moon’s rays.
Milky—misty—a bridge from water to space.
Exists a woman’s voice—Rhunor’s—singing.

Amid the chorus.
…A man’s voice.

"We'll be touching down in just a second.”
Grey eyes open slowly; almost breathless.
The ranger is composed; calm breath yet.
"Remember, these Orcs can either be
Your best friend or your worst enemy
So let's try and give them
A good first impression."

“That is the galaxy itself, I believe.”
Eyes in the stars—bereft of tree.
A deep voice but speaks calmly.
“Our best friend or worst enemy.”

A man says what he means.
A man means what he says.
Between the lines—no hidden meaning.
Lengthy rhymes for character introducing.

These Orcs a man does not know.
In his past: Uruks—a deadly foe.
On their way—Orcolan leader.
They are of their Jedi Order.

Yondir Fenn is garbed in armor.
A grey cloak with a leaf’s brooch.
In bones: family—friends honored.
Back home…but are still so very close.

Of that ocean, the Force would soon return.
For now, a Jedi does not push it any further.
There is work to do, souls to save, lest burn.
Whether old, young, weak, strong, him, her.

@Charles @Sicadorito

 

[Quin Leonkri]

Quin’s hand was on the handrail above his seat in the cockpit as the Jedi began their descent on Orsimer Prime. The message they had received hadn’t detailed much about what they were in for, and the newly-knighted Jedi didn’t know what to fully expect upon landing. However, his former master had instilled in him a sense of expecting the unexpected, and it was that that kept his eyes and ears open even as they were still entering the planet’s atmosphere.

“First impressions are my specialty,” he replied with a grin. Clad in his Jedi-wanderer robes, he would look like a well-to-do traveler at first glance, but upon a closer look the locals would be able to see the lightsaber hilt hanging at his hip.

Once the ship touched down on the planet’s surface, Quin would wait for the ramp to open before heading down and getting a quick look at what they were dealing with. For now it didn’t look like much, but he was certain that things would soon change when they were briefed by the Orcolans. They wouldn’t have called on Jedi for nothing.

@Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

"Greetings, master Jedi..." An Orc garbed in ceremonial clothing, adorning a skull on their head like a helmet, would greet the pair before escorting them through the village. What surprised Faen the most was the fact that they had managed to build their village around the base of a dormant volcano. It had been utilized greatly, however, as the Seer began to notice the forgeries and smithies that all burned immensely. These great beings looked to be more capable than most Bounty Hunters- why had they asked for the Jedi?

"Let us hope so." Faen patted Quin on the shoulder before they would reach the inside of a grand hut, decorated with the skeletal remains of what were most likely successful hunts. Inside was a round stone table with a blazing fire in the center of it. The flames died down enough so the Jedi could see the faces of those that requested their presence. "I am Chief Phogoth of the Gundabad Tribe. We are grateful for your willingness to come here, Jedi. This matter is probably one you may have experience with."

"The pleasure is ours, Chief Phogoth. We hope to be of good assistance." Faen said politely with an equally friendly smile. "Good... Our tribe recently came across special sets of jewelry, namely pendants, rings, bracelets, and the like, but they have all been stollen by a wretched thief and his droid. Our precious treasure seems to have some sort of history with Force Sensitives, as it were, because it seems that other Force users are being drawn to the thief's location. We need you to bring our precious jewels back, and we shall reward you with some of the treasure." And so now the two Jedi knew why they had been summoned.

"Where is this thief?" Faen inquired. "Is there anything I should know about him and his droid?" The Orc Chief bowed his head before speaking. "He appears to be some sort of homeless man- starved and scrawny like an unfed chicken. His droid is a simple kit-bashed astromech unit. They both dwell at the top of the Ash Mountains, north of here." Faen gave a look of determination to Quin before looking back at the Chief. "Thank you, we will be on our way."

---

Orsimer Prime was a vibrant planet filled with lush flora and huge fauna. Sadly, Faen had scanned the mountain range before them, hoping there was a spot to land his ship, but it was all to rugged and uneven. It looked like they would have to continue on foot. Or, as the Orcs graciously lent them another hand, on horseback. Quin had been given a black and red-brown colored equine while Faen's was all black.

The forest they traveled through was huge, with ginormous trees and shrubs and flowers, but it was not dense. However, the more they traveled, the more Faen's vision began to resurface, flashing vivid events that were to take place soon, if Faen's gut was right. There were riders garbed in black robes that bore wicked swords and daggers... Trolls and mutated Orcs ravaged by Sith Alchemy... As beautiful as the planet was, it held several evils that made the Seer shiver.

The whispering of the dark name he heard after helping Arctus Friers returned along with the image of a strange golden ring. He would take it, and with it began the events that led to his becoming of a wicked Dark Lord.

Faen snapped himself out of his trance, panting heavily. He didn't expect it to overtake him like that. Had Quin seen? What would he think of a distressed Seer about to undertake a seemingly easy task? A sigh of disdain escaped him.

"I'm sorry, Quin, I've had rough couple of weeks. There is much ahead of us that will try our very being." He warned with a stern expression. "Stay true to the Light- we will both be tempted." The worst parts of these Daymares were the faces of those that Faen would ruin and corrupt- again, the future could be changed, but these visions were powerful. Faen would have to see about finding out if he was under some sort of Sith witchcraft meant torment him.

"These aren't just treasures. I believe they bring out the worst of us. Even thinking of them is making me greedy. Whoever these other Force Users are, they will not be our friends."

@Sicadorito

 

[Quin Leonkri]

At Chief Phogoth’s explanation for what they would be doing, Quin got the confirmation that there would be more to this than just a simple back and forth trip. If the jewels were as important as the Orcolan had made out, then this could get a lot more complicated once they knew more about the thief and why he had stolen them. At the end, the knight would give the chief a short bow of his head to show his acknowledgement before heading out with Faen.

On the way to the Ash Mountains alongside his fellow Jedi, Quin would spend some time admiring the scenery as well as glancing back at Faen from time to time. He could see the man’s eyes glaze over from time to time, though what he was thinking about he didn’t know. He was starting to get a little worried about him, however, and he wondered if he should say something when the man suddenly seemed to jerk awake in a fit of heavy breathing.

“You alright?” Quin frowned, then nodded uneasily at his answer. He found himself holding the reins tighter despite not being the one receiving the visions. But did not seeing them mean he was doing something wrong? Faen was a seer… but it felt a little strange when he wasn’t getting anything at all. Pushing that aside, Quin decided to focus on what Faen was actually saying.

“Then we won’t give in.” He made it sound easier than it was, but as Jedi, they were trained to do just that since the very beginning. Whoever those other Force users were, however corrupted they were by the treasures, he wouldn’t let that happen to him. “But maybe… maybe we can help them.” He didn’t know the extent of which they could have submitted to their temptations, but if it was possible to bring them back, it was worth a try.

Just then, his horse suddenly stopped in the middle of the forest, refusing to move forward. Looking around, Quin didn’t see anything, though he could feel waves of unease coming off the animal as it shook its head and stamped its feet. He instinctively reached for his lightsaber, glancing at Faen.

“I think there’s—” A loud screech ripped through the air just then, and a bird jumped out of a tree and frantically flapped its wings to fly away. “There’s something coming, alright.”

@Charles

 

[Yondir Fenn]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Two there were—where once there were three.
“Quin. Faen. At this time I must take my leave.”
Vague, verily, but a Justicar had other leads.
The ranger’s wasn’t a vision—but a feeling.
“There is darkness here…and memories.”
Orcs. Uruks. Are they just…similarities..?
“Trees, mountain peak, we will meet.”

Yondir Fenn is known as a lone ranger.
Stepped away temporarily toward danger.
He was faster on his own—this Jedi knows.
A code, he follows—to know—and so he goes.

So, while a pair of Jedi travel forward on horseback.
They are not alone—Yondir has a horse of his own.
Against black and red-brown and a horse all black.
The Ranger of Rhunor’s is a mare—a white coat.

It gallops upward, climbing higher over a hill.
The Stranger has learned of silence so still.
It was a reminder of a darkness back home.
Wasn’t a Jedi then. If so I might have known.

The Ash Mountains on Orismer Prime.
Forests surrounding them like an ocean.
Mountains back on Rhunor too of a kind.
Familiar presence in a sense…of a fashion.

In truth, Yondir doesn’t know what he is feeling.
This world is like his moon but that meant nothing.
Worlds beside worlds were so alike in a great galaxy.
Stone is stone, sunlight, moonlight, and a tree is a tree.

Like his Jedi Seer companion, however, he is searching for something.
To him it is as if the Force has opened his eyes—as if from dreaming.
Grey seas—black holes—but a rider is riding—no, he is not sleeping.
Between trees, canters the horse, onward, but a ranger finds nothing.

Just then, his horse suddenly stopped
In the middle of the forest, refusing
To move forward. Looking around,
Yondir didn’t see anything, though
He could feel waves of unease coming
Off the animal as it shook its head and
Stamped its feet. He instinctively reached
For his lightsaber, this ranger, the Stranger.

He doesn’t see it!
But his ears listen!
Although he is stoic!
A scream can frighten!

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHH!!"

It sounded like the dark side itself was shrieking.
Otherwise a beast, soulless, yet in such agony.
Amid the wailing, there the mare, and galloping.
Evil up ahead, somewhere, so it won’t be easy.

Jedi must fight! Onward, he rides!
Just as a bird jumps out of a tree!
And frantically flapped its wings!
Thunderous hooves—O he flies!

A Jedi companion finds them again!
And three there are. “Quin… Faen...”
Our riders, they gather in a triangle.
Jedi Knights must prove so reliable.

Yondir’s eyes drift from left and to right.
A golden hilt is in the man’s right hand.
Whatever it is, a bad feeling about this.
“We heard it. Something is…coming...”

They hear as one once more.
Steeds are still—but a horse.
One—two—three—and four.
Riding—wings like lightning!


@Charles @Sicadorito

 

[Faen Akatosh]

As Yondir approached the group again from his short leave, all of the horses stopped. The forest was dead silent for a few moments before one of the most horrific blood curdling screams echoed from seemingly everywhere. Everyone was right to keep their weapons at the ready, and Faen wasted no time to draw his greatsword as he scanned the tree lines for any intruders. Then, the clopping of horse hooves caught the Half-Anfynn's attention. Behind the trio rode four devilish riders, garbed in black cloaks and equipped with sword and dagger.

"Ride! Quickly, to the mountains!" Faen was no going to give their disadvantage in numbers to the black riders. If the Jedi could secure the higher ground, they secure this skirmish. After kicking his horse up to speed, the screeching of the riders still sent shivers down the Seer's spine. One of them managed to catch up with him and his horse, and though Faen couldn't spot a face hidden under it's shadowed hood, he felt the fiery gaze coming from whoever was underneath.

Faen swung his sword at the rider, who parried it with a wicked dagger. What it did next surpassed the Seer's understand- it screamed, but though it was incoherent writhing, Faen could understand it as clear as day...

"Sufferaumn ukhall ushk Avhe'zi!".

Those dark words spoken in a language so fowl and evil, it naturally brought forth the Darkness of the Darkside at it's utterance. It would immensely give the three Jedi an unforgiving feeling of sickness and disgust, for they followed the Light, and these cursed men preyed upon it.

This would create a big enough distraction for the wraith rider to stab Faen, striking his shoulder, but it struck him nonetheless. Upon contact, the metal created a burning sensation that one might feel after being stung by a hornet. Except this was much worse, like a bullet from a slugthrower being lodged in his flesh. Was it the metal the riders used? Or was it some twisted form of Sith Alchemy? Whatever it was, a single scratch seemed to drain Faen as if he was being targeted by Force Drain itself.

Through gritted teeth, Faen would swing his sword again, this time using the Force to make his swing stronger. Though the rider was able to block the attack, he had to stop his horse to keep the momentum from throwing him off. It slowed the black rider down, and it would have to be enough for now. Hopefully the others were fairing better than he was.

@Sicadorito @Die Shize

 

[Quin Leonkri]

When the black riders came into view, Quin’s eyes widened as his horse still refused to move. Yondir had returned, which was more than reassuring, but even with a third Jedi they would still be outnumbered.

“Come on, girl! We gotta go!” he urged. Another kick seemed to get his horse moving again, and the mare would head in the direction of Faen’s and Yondir’s just as the other dark riders started to catch up. As they did, he felt a strong sense of discomfort and the unfortunately familiar cold that came with the dark side. One of them said something that he couldn’t quite make out through the clashing of blades, though he had a feeling that he didn’t want to know what it was. Then, to his horror, he saw the dagger going for his fellow Jedi.

“No! Faen!”

Just as he was about to go over to help, one of the other riders began to approach him, the hooves of his horse thundering on the ground as he neared. Drawing his saber and activating it with a hiss, Quin would turn his horse around to face the oncoming enemy, whose dagger was already out. In a sudden motion, the rider would throw it at him, and if not for sensing his intent to harm a second beforehand, Quin didn’t think he would have been able to knock it aside with his saber, sending it clattering to the ground. When the rider finally got close, Quin would aim to cut off his neck, but when he reached out he suddenly felt that sensation of the dark side, and he hesitated. Because of that, the rider rode off unharmed, leaving him alone and having realized that he’d been separated from the others.

Uh oh. He could still see them up ahead, but he hoped that when he got there, it wouldn’t already be too late.

@Die Shize @Charles

 

[Yondir Fenn]

Spoiler: Music OOC

“Ride!”
Says a Jedi!
‘Fly, you fools!’
Says Gandalf the Grey!
A wizard rules!
Of the light—not hate!

“Up ahead! GO!”
Ranger at the back!
He draws his bow!
Will cover the flank!

Yondir doesn’t wait.
Enemies at the gate.
Hands at the reins.
Veers steed; screech.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHH!!"

It pierces! My ears!
Are they bleeding!?

It was deafening…
A sound so blinding.
Filled with darkness.
An unbridled hatred.

A blade takes a shoulder.
Thrust from a dark rider.
Jedi don’t give up!
Bowstring’s pluck.

-FWUM!-

Yondir glimpses.
His arrow misses.
Plasma burrows into bark.
From saddle: burning arm.

Ranger’s plan is in vain.
The dark side separates.
One man from the next.
More of them! The left!

Four riders plus five.
That equals…nine!
Soulless in flight.
Black as night.

At this point, he’s closest to them.
The Stranger, but not to his friends.
He is closest to two new enemies.
Out of nowhere, from behind trees.

-FWUM!-

And his arrow misses!
Darkness—O it hisses!
His aim it’s distracting!
But a Jedi dies fighting!

He sets his bow back at saddle.
Hilt in right hand, saber’s handle.
Ignites a blade—burning emerald!
Eyes into hood—so dark and cold!

And a Jedi swings his sword!
As his foe reaches forward!
Its own sword is swinging!
Blades connect: clinging!

Wh-What!? What met—
He can’t finish sentence.
His heart, it is quaking!
Mind may be breaking!

Just then, Yondir finds his
World begin to wildly spin.
Once he was on horseback.
Now, on forest floor, his back.

@Sicadorito

 

[Faen Akatosh]

The nine riders in black allowed for Faen to go- he had been hit by their terrible blade and it would continue to burn in the Jedi's shoulder, spreading to the rest of his body until he succumbs to the Dark Side. Instead, the focused their attention on Yondir, screaming as they descended towards the elf. However, two would dart for Quin in an attempt to keep him from getting to his ally. The remaining seven would begin to circle Yondir if they weren't deterred by Quin's efforts.

"Deaavh ukhall nevas ukaave iavuk hungas..."

They would chant as they drew their swords...

---

Faen grimaced after sheathing his greatsword, the growing burning pain in his shoulder only increased and he could feel it spreading across his body like a disease. But, he raced onward on his steed, without looking back. The sound of a rushing river caught his attention- I need a cure... -but his determination faded as he slowly felt that he was losing himself to something darker. That name continued it's whisper, goading the Seer to turn back and massacre the black riders. Hate burned as hot as the wound in his shoulder.

"No...No...I need...To fight this..." He hissed to himself just before Faen's steed reached the great body of water. The Seer dropped off the horse and crawled to the waters, outstretching a hand to feel the river with the Force. He tried to quickly draw streams of water to his wound, using a type of Force Healing to purge the darkness that coursed through his veins.

With a sharp gasp, the pain faded. Faen blinked once...and then twice, trying to gather what had happened. These men were not mere Sith. They carried no lightsaber as far as the Seer could tell, but their blades carried a worser effect that cauterizing the stump of a lost limb. Another scream sounded, reminding Faen that his fellow Jedi needed his help. Without hesitating, Faen mounted his horse and charged back through the forest.

@Sicadorito @Die Shize

 

[Quin Leonkri]

Riding at full speed as Quin tried to get back to the others, he soon found himself intercepted by two of the black riders. They rode right in front of him, blocking his sight and his path to Yondir and Faen. As a result, Quin was forced to pull the reins so that his horse came to a stop. They both drew their swords and said something he didn’t understand, but like before, he had a strange sense of dread as they did. And that unnerved him.

“What kind of Sith magic is this?” Despite the question, he wasn’t about to wait to find out.

Narrowing his eyes, he would suddenly turn his horse to the left, choosing to go around the two black riders instead. His focus was on getting to Yondir, who he could see now had been knocked off his horse. Hold on… Clutching the reins with one hand, lightsaber hilt in the other, Quin and his horse would get as quickly as they could over to the Sephi. Soon he had a good stretch of distance between him and his pursuers. Unfortunately Faen was nowhere in sight, and he felt a sudden stab of worry as to where he could be. However, with the two riders on his back and Yondir closer up ahead, Quin forced himself to focus on one person at a time.

When he was close enough, he would get off his horse as quickly as possible, getting down and trying to help Yondir back onto his feet. The other riders were fast approaching, and he wanted to get the man out of there as soon as he possibly could.

“Yondir? Can you hear me?” Quin couldn’t tell if the man was simply winded or if he were seriously injured. In either case, he would help him over to a nearby tree, glancing back behind him more than once as the black riders approached again. Still he couldn’t see Faen, and he knew he wouldn’t last long fighting these things alone, but what other option was there?

He ignited his saber once more.

@Die Shize @Charles

 

[Yondir Fenn]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Yondir…
…Yondir…
Can you hear?
…M-Mother..?

On his back, landed the man.
But for a moment would it last.
Yet, time was eternity in his head.
Eyes glimpse sky—the stars again.

He remembers him, he remembers her.
He remembers his mother and his father.
His brother, his sister; the children of Sephi.
There on a moon: Rhunor—of Sephi families.

…Get up, Yondir!
YES, MOTHER!

And a man gets up!
His horse is forward!
Quin comes toward!
Two Jedi—not one!

“I can hear you.”
He can see too.
“Where is Faen?”
Close, far away.

He ignited his saber once more.
Dark figures move through a door.
Between trees they emerge as before.
But a Jedi is not shaken to his very core!

You are a ranger…Yondir!
I am of the trees, Mother!
You a warrior…my son!
I must guard everyone!

“I am the Watcher of the Wood!”
His sword hums, of light—good!
“I am the Ranger of Rhunor!”
On his feet, on a forest floor!

And they come... Dark! Tall!
“Not idly do the leaves fall!”
Bow on back, hilt in hands.
Jedi—stand hand in hand!

So advance the darksiders.
Ominous, terrible dark riders.
He can feel the hate of the dark side!
But a Jedi is a guardian—yes, of the light!

“They fall because of the wind!”
His back to a tree but he doesn’t wait!
Yondir Fenn springs into action, moves in!
He becomes the wind; rapid, yes, and blowing!

And an emerald blade becomes his breath!
He blocks a sword, and once more: the left!
A foe on the right, parry aside! I must fight!
Kicks one in the back—dodge. You will die!

A man is a Jedi but these creatures aren’t blind.
Whatever horror is behind their hood, what murder.
They can see with the Force; it even propels their feet.
The two Knights can’t keep up much longer against the nine.

Three of them close in toward the ranger who is fighting!
So he casts forth his left hand to cast emerald lightning!
From a Jedi Justicar would come his electric judgment!
In instant, it splits across three—but takes little effect!

So, reacting quickly, Yondir grits his teeth and tries again!
This time he channels on the central foe—but no hatred!
Just as a fourth opponent swings a sword for his neck!
Comes from left, he rolls to his right—still a connect!

The lightning forking from fingertips sets the leaves alight!
The forest floor, it burns to life, blazes fire on the dark rider!
Tendrils of flame lick the frayed edges of its robes of night!
Above its bladed steel feet of greaves the fire blazes higher!

The forest is spared the inferno—gives the fire to the darksider.
It all but overtakes the beast’s cloak; now it scorches head to toe.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHH!!"
And that monster screams!
The shriek is so deafening!
Yet Yondir is absorbing it!
Begins to get used to it!
If only for this moment!
But he isn’t yet fleeing!
See his opponent flee!

The wraith that came
From that void so black
Turns around, flails about.
Locked in an agonized shout.

Back on his feet, Yondir recovers.
Eyes widen—for he has discovered.
Though they are so cursed with power.
These nine riders can O so quickly…burn.

@Charles @Sicadorito

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Faen arrived to see a fire brewing that separated Yondir and Quin from the black riders. Relief hit the Seer like a truck as watched the riders flee from the blazing fire. However, Faen got the impression that these strange users of the Dark Side would trouble them in the future. After Yondir set ablaze one Rider, the others decided to retreat and regroup. However, the burning wraith couldn't get to his dreaded steed in time, allowing for Faen to plow over it with his own horse.

"Who are you, devil?" Faen hopped off his saddle and drew his greatsword, keeping it level with the prone rider's neck. Still, even as the Seer peered into it's shadowed hood, he saw no face but felt it's grim stare. "Speak quickly and I might spare you!" The Jedi threatened and used the Force to sweep the hood from off the rider's head.

"No...No...It can't be..." Tears started to gather in Faen's eyes as he slowly withdrew himself from the rider. It was a grizzly looking man with a scarred bald head, pale white skin, and glowing yellow eyes. However, the Seer knew the man's face from before it became so twisted and vile. "It is, my brother," The rider grumbled.

"Your quarry does not belong to you or those that you sent you find it. Take your friends and leave. Never come back."

There were no words to describe the horror mixed with sorrow that plagued Faen Akatosh. He could only stand before his kin and stare in utter disbelief. It wasn't supposed to be this way! Did the other riders possess Faen's other brothers? What made them fall so far into the dark? What were they after? Was it these treasures that cursed him? Nothing had been more troubling and disturbing in the man's life than this.

What did they do to you, Boramiir?

@Sicadorito @Die Shize

 

[Quin Leonkri]

To Quin’s relief, Yondir seemed to have lost his footing and nothing more. Once the man got to his feet, Quin would turn with him to face the riders closing in on them, his grip tightening around his saber. But to his surprise, he heard the familiar crackle of electricity beside him, and he couldn't help flinching despite the realization that it hadn’t been directed at him, but the ground.

The flames that burst up steered him back into focus, however. When they roared up in the direction of the riders, the Jedi would help to strengthen the flames. He would only ebb them once he saw them turn around and flee, but not before he saw a man on a horse run into something some distance away. Faen!

With the riders having fled from his area, it would leave Quin open to climb onto his saddle and bring his horse in the other Jedi’s direction. As soon as he was able to, he would dismount to see what was going on. Needless to say, he was shocked to see one of the riders on the ground. How had Faen managed to do it?

“You caught one!” he exclaimed before he sensed the distress coming from the other Jedi. He couldn’t see what there was to be sad about however— they might finally be able to get an explanation for what this was. Yet Quin still found himself searching Faen’s face for an answer. “...Is everything alright? You… don’t look well.”

@Charles

 

[Yondir Fenn]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Fire…
Higher!
Brighter!
That fire!
Swallows.
That rider.
So hollow.
A pyre!
Fire…

A shape!
It makes?
See it go!
That bow!

To Yondir’s relief,
Quin is still with him.
Swords—unsheathed.
Enemies flee in the wind.

The dark riders
Are again riders.
They take to horse.
Yondir’s on his horse.

Looks beside Quin!
In that night’s distance!
These Knights move quick!
Spot Faen—and ride after him!

They arrive at the scene where Jedi
Named Faen stands at blade’s might.
He points his sword toward that man
Once hooded and still garbed in black.

A man…
Yondir squints.
His hilt is at hip.
Nothing more than?

The Sephi ranger had half-
Expected the dark stranger
To be some kind of spectre.
But…he is still a...weapon...

Quin beckons of their friend
As to whether Faen is well.
Yondir shifts and he steps
Toward that head so pale.
Faen is clearly distressed.
Knows him as one can tell.
What he is—one can guess.

“I burned one of the others.”
Words impassive in breath.
“But need not burn another.”
Yellow eyes...skin like death.

“The dark side is upon you, rider.”
Yondir’s grey eyes—glow brighter.
A Jedi is a light against the dark side.
“Consumes you inside. It can't hide.”

A Jedi stands—with hand at hip.
To belt, lightsaber hilt is clipped.
He stands as though he is a tree.
Gazing at the night, his grey seas.

“Whatever you are, whether Sith…
Whether dead…whether living…
We are Jedi. We do not leave…
Not till we’ve found our quarry.
The same thing you too seek…”
Remembers back to the chief.
“Now tell us…what you know of it.”

@Sicadorito @Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

All Faen could manage do to was gaze upon his fallen brother who gaze upon himself with a hate that made the Seer's stomach quench. No...this was not the way he was going to find his brethren! How long had it been since he'd seen them on Denon? Had the Sith done this? Did they murder his parents and kidnap his older siblings to make them into monsters? But...as Faen gazed at Boramiir...he still saw his brother. So, the Seer gathered his wit and posture, straightening up and sheathed his weapon.

"Yondir is right," Faen wiped the tears from his eyes. "Speak quickly, we don't have much time to waste." Boramiir never broke his hate-filled gaze from Faen, seemingly ignoring the others. "We are not Sith, pathetic Light-stealers. We are something beyond them...we are the Dark Side." Then, finally, Boramiir broke his stare and looked to Yondir and Quin. "That much I will leave with you- but these items you seek belong to us. That damned Orc tribe stole it from us. We will ride through their camp and slaughter them after we've found our prize- and we will find it."

"What happened to you, my brother?" Faen muttered softly, his expression one of a deep sadness. "Have you forgotten what has happened to our family? To mother and father? What of our brothers?" There were so many questions the Seer had, and he was sad to be unsure that his brother would give any answers. "That day... It's memory burns bright in mind... Eorl, Surdan, Ellendyl, Kellibrand, and I were split up before the explosion... we got caught up in the crossfire... I haven't seen them since, but don't you dare take me as one of the murderers who destroyed our home!" Boramiir spat.

"My friends... I apologize for not introducing one another. Yondir, Quin...this is my brother, Boramiir." Faen was relieved to find that his brothers weren't killed, but he was determined to find them as he had found Boramiir. "However..." Boramiir said softly to Faen, "I know where they went after the battle... I know who they're after... Father's lineage was revealed to Kellibrand, the eldest, some time ago... Akatosh is not our family's name, dear brother. Never has been... If you cease this search, then I shall tell you everything."

@Sicadorito @Die Shize

 

[Quin Leonkri]

Faen didn’t respond to his question, and Quin found himself growing increasingly concerned. He exchanged a glance with Yondir, who prompted the fallen rider to speak. When he did, it became clear that Faen had history with the man— much more so than Quin could have ever expected.

However, that didn’t change the fact that he’d just tried to kill them. He claimed that the jewels belonged to them, and Quin found himself questioning the truth of the matter. It didn’t sound likely, but even if it was, he still wasn’t sure that giving it to them was a good idea. Boramiir had said it himself— he claimed to be the dark side. From Faen’s reaction, it appeared that his brother had fallen far.

“We have to keep looking, Faen,” he said, glancing from Boramiir to the other Jedi. “We promised the Orcolans, and we can’t turn back now.” Seeing the hesitation in Faen’s eyes, Quin would press on. He knew that the revelations were probably hard on him, but how much of it was twisted by the dark side? Sith— darksiders— often made up lies to achieve their own ends.

“We’ll find out the truth together, Faen. Regardless of whether Boramiir chooses to tell us or not.” He kept his gaze fixed on the other knight. “But we can’t abandon our mission.”

@Charles @Die Shize

 

[Yondir Fenn]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Yondir takes in a steady breath as he listens to them.
That is, the words coming out of the mouth of the man.
Or, rather, what might have been left of one, in breath.
Like the wind of life had left him, long since abandoned.

The Force never forgets.
Words in the Jedi’s head.
“We are the Dark Side.”
And we are…the Jedi.

Then the 'truth' began to spill out between that man’s lips.
He spoke of owning the mysterious objects and mentioned
Their intentions to only take back what was stolen from them.
Yet they already wavered by being darksiders. He’s interrupted.

“What happened to you, my brother?”
Brother. An eyebrow raises on Yondir.
Faen speaks mothers, fathers, brothers.
More questions even amid some answers.

Boramir.
Yondir will remember.
He has his own brothers.
His father, and his mother.

Akatosh.
Something is off.
I can…I can feel it.
But for now he listens.
As Quin ushers in wisdom.
Yondir is content to have him.
All three Jedi as his companions.
If one stumbles, if one may fumble.
Jedi move up, forward, behind, beside.

“This is no longer just a mission.”
Yondir considers their position.
Stands calm but his eyes shift.
Of two Jedi, looking in between.

“On my way here and after I had left you,
I pursued the Chief’s words of those who
He spoke of as practitioners of the Force.
I did my homework and in turn I learned.”

Yondir listens, no voices, but a chorus.
That low hum of a melancholic forest.
“Of dark words, from villager, traveler.”
Can’t see it, but stoically he remembers.
“They tell of the horrors of the dark riders.”

Yondir’s gaze returns on Faen’s own kin.
The dark side twisted him into a weapon.
“Whatever they are seeking, they crave it.
Enough to hunt, enough to murder for it.”

The sea behind his eyes is now the trees.
The forest air is so close and suffocating.
"That means it is of such a kind of power.
We can't afford to waste minute or hour."

"If you cease this search, then
I shall tell you everything."

Whether truth is in the veil, or words so twisted.
“We do not give into the demands of darkness.”
Yondir turns his head, turns to Faen and to Quin.
He speaks to them in their head, his lips so rigid.

Brother, darksider, we don’t have many options.
We can take him as a prisoner, take him with us.
Sith or not, he is a risk—but we are three against.
We can link our minds into his, against darkness.
And attempt to extract from his head information.

It was Mind Trick, not Mind Shard.
Even three, though, the man is dark.
Yondir would certainly hold up his part.
But for the darksider, could be a fatal mark.

"We cannot leave him. We cannot kill him."
They would if they had to but not like this.

@Charles @Sicadorito

 

[Faen Akatosh]

What madness did Boramiir speak of? Their name wasn't their name?! Faen's gut churned at the thought that there was something more behind his brother's words. But, Quin was right, and Yondir had a good point or two. They couldn't leave him and they had a job to do. So, Faen winced a bit as he took a few steps back to stand with his Jedi allies. Whatever secrets Boramiir knew...whatever the Seer wanted to discover...it had to be set aside for the reason they were here.

"I'm sorry, brother... But I-"

"You would forsake your own kin for the sake of completing a mission?! What are you- a droid?! They have nothing that you desire. They aren't family." Then, Boramiir stood up, offering a gloved hand for Faen to take. "We can find our family, Faen! Come with me, little brother. Leave those brainless automatons alone!"

"They are my friends!" Faen shot back, standing defiantly. "They are my family, Boramiir. The Jedi gave me a home and love and hope! You have forsaken those in pursuit of what? Treasure? I, too, want to find my brothers but," Faen raised his hand, but did not take Boramiir's hand, instead, shooting the Force through his finger tips to weave into the mind of his brother. "But you will tell us all you know about our target..."

@Sicadorito @Die Shize

 

[Quin Leonkri]

Yondir worded it so much better than he did, but Quin knew that they were on the same page. Neither Jedi would give in to the seduction of the dark side, and though they’d only known each other for a bit, he knew that Faen wouldn’t either.

So, when it came time for the handshake that really wasn’t one, Quin would reach out with the Force to help Faen. It wasn’t easy to breach a mind— even less easy when it came to a trained practitioner of the dark side. To bend it to their will, even just to obtain some information, would take more than one. But that was why he and Yondir were here.

“Get— out of my head!” Boramiir would clutch at his head, trying to resist, but Quin could feel his defenses beginning to weaken.

“You will tell us about the target,” he repeated, before the man finally began to crack.

“He is— in the Ash Mountains. He is guarded by… creatures.”

“What creatures?”

“No, I can’t tell… shouldn’t talk.” A fire began to burn in his eyes. “Stop your Jedi tricks!”

@Die Shize @Charles