Open Tython Try to Tython

Ruzaan Kai

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Having told Atris about the shadows, a weight seemed to lift off of Ruzaan's chest. He was still nervous, but sharing his concerns- with Atris, no less- made him breathe easier. He listened to her response, and inwardly marveled at her honesty. She could've dismissed his fears or explained them away, and instead had given them space and trusted Ruzaan's senses even when he was uncertain.

Despite the questions surrounding the shadows, Ruzaan was curious about what lay ahead. This tunnel looked- and felt- older than the temple above them, and the yellow of Atris' lightsaber was the Jedi's only light source. Ruzaan thought about igniting his lightsaber as well- since it was essentially a giant glowstick- but elected not to. Instead, he took a breath to calm himself and followed after Atris further into the tunnel.

@llamallove
 

Atris Tharen

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Deeper into the underground ruins the two Jedi traveled, their steps slow and in a single file. They stuck close together, neither of them willing to lose sight of the other within the dark. A smell hung in the air, like a warm blanket made of must and earth. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, but it was overwhelming at times.

Atris wondered just how long it had been since anyone had walked these halls. Years? Decades? What would they find down here? Or would something find them? Each new question teased her curiosity, and yet with every step she took she couldn't ignore the dread that was building and culminating in her stomach.

Stone and plaster cracked beneath their boots, the only sound to disrupt the Jedi's steady breathing. Then a faint sound echoed down the abandoned hallway, faint at first. Gradually it grew closer, and Atris realized it wasn't just a sound but a voice. he voice was whispering something, but the Jedi Knight could not make out any of the words.

Until it whispered in her ear, cold and harsh. Atris. Why did you let Sabatha fall? Why didn't you do anything? Why didn't you help her? Why weren't you there?

Atris stopped dead in her tracks, snapping her head toward Ruzaan as a shiver ran down her spine. "Did you hear that?"

Even before the young Padawan could answer, she had a feeling the answer would be no.

"Let's... let's keep going," she muttered, stepping over a fallen column that obstructed their path. Her heart skipped a beat, and she swore she could still feel the ice cold breath of this disembodied voice on her hear.

Up ahead, light trickled through the ceiling where it had begun to crumble due to decay. The Jedi could see that the hallway opened up into a much larger room. A library perhaps?

"This is interesting," Atris commented a moment later, kneeling down to examine something on the floor. Waving her lightsaber over the floor, footprints appeared under the yellow glow of her blade. "They're some kind of footprint, but they're..." It was so odd, she almost didn't dare say it. "They're simmering, as if..."

A low, guttural growl interrupted her, emanating from the left side of the hallway. Atris looked up to see flaming red eyes staring down at them out of the darkness, but the very next moment the creature lunged for Atris, its flaming claws sinking into her clothing. The Jedi Knight was tackled to the ground, her lightsaber knocked from her hand. The weapon skidded several feet, lost as its blade disignited and plunged the two Jedi into darkness once again.

Only the white tail of the creature and its burning red eyes could be seen, and neither were a comforting sight. Atris couldn't help but scream, her pain barely audible above the creature's raspy growls. A burning sensation spread across her skin, unbearable and nauseating as fabric went up in flames across her arms and shoulders. Just how many paws did thing have?

Something had indeed found them, and Atris wished it hadn't.

@SlagathorTheUnknown
 

Ruzaan Kai

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Ruzaan followed a few steps behind Atris, keeping within the soft glow that her lightsaber afforded them. He could’ve ignited his lightsaber as well for more light, but he didn’t; instead, he focused his other senses on the environment around them as the Jedi continued down the tunnel. The presence of the specters at the edge of his vision earlier gave him the unsettling feeling that he and Atris were being hunted.

“Did you hear that?” the Jedi Knight’s voice echoed off of the ancient walls. Ruzaan opened his mouth to answer- he hadn’t heard anything- but promptly snapped it shut as Atris dismissed her own question. A tingling feeling raced its way up and down Ruzaan’s spine as he recognized fear and uncertainty in her voice. This was a side of Atris that he had not seen before, and he hadn’t realized just how much he relied on her for a sense of security. Ruzaan swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

Just as Ruzaan was about to broach the subject, a slight bend in the tunnel revealed light up ahead, filtered through the ceiling.. Light meant safety, and Ruzaan relaxed a little even as he wondered where they were. The tunnel opened up into some larger space that reminded him of a library, with sweeping architecture that welcomed the eye in and up. Ahead of him, Atris knelt down to study something on the ground, but her comments were drowned out by a bone-chilling growl.

Almost as fast as the eye could track it, a fiery shadow pounced on Atris, its body nearly imperceptible but its bright tail swishing wildly and its red eyes ablaze with malice. Her lightsaber was knocked from her hands and sputtered out, plunging the Jedi into near darkness. Ruzaan yelled and grabbed for his lightsaber, and a moment later one azure blade snapped into existence.

Atris was grappling with a beast straight out of a nightmare, with a flaming tail, six paws, and red eyes that burned with a brutal intensity. Her robe smoldered under the creature's assault while Ruzaan raced to come up with a plan. He doubted his training lightsaber- which only left scorch marks- would bother a creature made out of fire...

Then, his eye caught a glint on the ground just to his right. A small silver cylinder- Atris' lightsaber! He quickly shifted his grip so that he was holding his lightsaber with his left hand, and then reached out with his right hand and the Force to Pull the lightsaber to him. Thwack! The lightsaber smacked into his palm, and his thumb found the ignition as Ruzaan plunged it towards the Flame Tygah, stabbing straight so as not to accidentally impale Atris.

@llamallove
 

Atris Tharen

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In the light of Ruzaan's azure training lightsaber, the two Jedi were able to see the creature with their own two eyes. Atris almost wished she hadn't as it was straight out of a nightmare.

The feline had scales running across the length of its body, each a different shade than the nest. Six paws stretched forth, clawing at the Jedi Knight as she struggled to keep the beast at arm's length. It was a losing battle, and Atris knew it. The creature continued to growl, its glowing fangs sinking toward the base of her neck. Its red eyes stared on with greed, the stench of its breath mingling with the smell of her own burning flesh and making the Jedi Knight gag.

The skin of her arms and shoulders began to crack as the flames clung to her clothing, her blood boiling just below the surface. She knew she ought to call out to Ruzaan, to order the Padawan to run before this creature could turn its malicious intent toward him, but she couldn't bring herself to make a sound.

Her left hand ached to reach for the second lightsaber that hung from her waist, but it took all of the strength she could muster just to keep this monster at bay. As the pain grew and her focus dimmed, she didn't trust herself to Force to ignite the blue blade with the Force.

Luckily, the Jedi Knight had not traveled down into the abandoned temple alone, and she would not die here.

A yellow blade was ignited and driven through the creature's mid-section all within a matter of seconds. With a final howl of pain, the feline collapsed to the dust-ridden floor, curling into a ball and breathing its last.

Immediately, the Jedi Knight patted out the flames that had seared through her clothing and begun to tear away at the skin. She kicked the creature once with her boot, to make sure it was dead or perhaps just out of spite. Then she breathed a weary sigh and slumped back against the wall, closing her eyes and allowing relief to wash over her.

"Thank you," she finally managed to say, her voice shaky as she opened her eyes to smile over at the Padawan that had saved her.

@SlagathorTheUnknown
 

Ruzaan Kai

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The blade struck true and to Ruzaan's relief the beast crumpled over, dead. Its assault on Atris wasn't finished, however, as Atris still had to smother the flames that were smoldering across her cloak and forearms. Ruzaan watched, helpless, as Atris patted out the last of the flames and slumped against the wall. It was hard to gauge the extent of her injuries, especially in the dim lighting afforded by the lightsabers, but unfortunately further examination would have to wait. "Can you walk?" he asked Atris, extinguishing her lightsaber and returning it, leaving his blue blade ignited. "I don't think we're safe here." He doubted that there was another flame tygah around- apex predators rarely shared territory- but he still sensed danger pressing in on them.

"Indeed you are not" came a voice from behind him, and Ruzaan nearly jumped out of his robes. He whirled around, slashing in a diagonal direction with his lightsaber. To his surprise, the blade passed through the speaker; a shimmering visage of an Ithorian wearing robes.

"Ow" said the Force Ghost, perhaps to make Ruzaan feel better, then continued as if nothing had happened. "Anyway, I am Master Po'dareth of the Jedi Order. My holocron lies somewhere within the ruins of this ancient library, but finding it will be no easy task. The flame tygah was no coincidence; the dark side of the Force is strong here, and even now it works to bring other challenges to bear against you. May the Force be with you." Then, as quickly as they had appeared, Master Po'dareth dissipated.

Ruzaan didn't want any more challenges; of the three Jedi that had started this mission, two were now injured and with the way things were going he didn't like his odds of finishing this mission unscathed. He looked over at Atris, concern replacing the shock of the recently-departed Force Ghost. "How are you feeling? Should we continue?"

@llamallove
 

Atris Tharen

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"I think so," Atris replied half-heartedly. She could walk, she just hadn't decided if she had the will to walk just yet. She was still reeling from that odd (not to mention painful) turn of events.

The young Togrutan extinguished the yellow blade and returned it to its owner. Atris stretched her right arm out to take the lightsaber, returning it to her waist and trying her best to ignore the pain that shot through her arm at the sudden movement.
It was difficult to see her arms clearly in the dark hallway, but the light from Ruzaan's azure blade helped a little. Her clothing was scorched, the exposed skin red and swollen. Blood had already rushed to the area to attempt to repair the damage, and her tan skin was stretched tight. Shiny, almost.

I really wish I had some bacta right now, the Jedi Knight thought to herself. Ever since her work in med-clinics in the Outer-Rim, she had made it her practice to travel with a Medkit, but the small aerosol of bacta spray from her backpack had already been used on some of the cuts Sabatha had sustained from the fall.

Grunting, Atris sat up straight and transitioned her focus to the Force. She imagined a cool, gentle breeze brushing against her damaged skin; pictured herself swimming in the relaxing oceans of Scarif; and envisioned the Force coiling around her arms and healing each wound and removing every pain.

Gradually, her brown eyes opened, and the Jedi Knight nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight before her. A Force Ghost.

Ever the fearless Padawan, Ruzaan turned on his heel and ran the azure blade through the specter. Of course this attempt would do nothing to harm the ghost, but it was admirable all the same. The Ithorian, clearly a Jedi of times past, introduced himself as Master Po'dareth and claimed that his holocron was buried somewhere within these ruins.

And just like that—as quickly as he had appeared, the ghost of Master Po'dareth had disappeared. Gone.

It wasn't surprising to hear that there were Jedi artifacts buried within the old temple, forgotten and undisturbed for centuries, but she hadn't excepted to come across one today. The two Jedi had no choice but to press on now. An ancient Jedi holocron was always an important discovery, regardless of the information stored within. It was a part of their Order's history, and it was their job to preserve that history.

The Jedi Knight could sense that Ruzaan did not want continue, or at the very least had his doubts. Atris couldn't blame him— she had her own. The loss of Sabatha weighed heavily on both of their minds, and after almost being burned alive by... whatever that creature was, Atris didn't feel so hot (pun not intended).

Forcing herself to her feet, the brunette brushed the dirt from her scorched clothing. For all the good it would do. "I'm alright," she answered Ruzaan's question, touched by his concern. "Let's keep going. It looks like there's a library or something up ahead."

@SlagathorTheUnknown
 

Ruzaan Kai

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Atris had many admirable qualities, and Ruzaan decided to add tough to the list. Sure, he’d had his share of burns and bruises from lightsaber class, but that was nothing compared to the burns Atris had received. The Jedi Knight had to be in a lot of pain right now and still she was willing to forge ahead; pain and cryptic Force ghost be damned. Ruzaan decided to keep his lightsaber lit this time, and he took the lead as the Jedi stepped into the large cavern that made up the ancient library. Every so often, he’d check back over his shoulder to ensure that Atris was still there.

To say that the library was in poor condition would be an understatement. Once, it may have been a sight to behold, but time and flame tygah residency had left their mark. A circular desk greeted them near the entrance, vacant and decrepit. Scorch marks from six fiery paws scarred the floor. The main room was three levels high, with four doorways branching off on the ground floor; two on the right, and two on the left. Empty bookshelves, many partially destroyed or fallen over, littered the space, and a large bronze sphere some 20’ in diameter- perhaps a model of Tython that had been suspended in water or with magnets- lay defeated behind the circulation desk underneath its crushed pedestal. The only light was what filtered through the ceiling up above, shining softly down on the bronze sphere; moonlight, Ruzaan realized. This place had long since ceased to serve as a library, with one exception; the silence. A faded sign claimed that the “Librarian is in!”, but the Force Ghost was correct; no living humanoid had set foot in this space for years. There was plenty of evidence of dead humanoids, though, with remnants of bones scattered across the floor; all bearing the unmistakable signs of having been chewed upon.

Ruzaan finally broke the silence, his own voice sounding odd as it echoed through the ancient halls. “If I were a long-dead Jedi Master, where would I hide my holocron?” He turned back towards Atris, panic rising in his chest as he realized that he couldn’t see her. That was impossible; she’d been right next to him seconds ago! Reaching out through the Force he could still faintly feel her presence, but it was as if she was suddenly very far away.

Ruzaan barely had time to question that as, all around him, the shadows came to life; swirling violently in a cylindrical maelstrom that obscured the rest of the library. From out of that maelstrom stepped a wispy form that radiated malice, igniting an all-too-real-looking red lightsaber as it did so. Ruzaan’s breath caught in his throat as he realized that the dark side had somehow separated him from Atris; their next challenges were ones they would face by themselves.

@llamallove
 

Atris Tharen

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The two Jedi continued down the dusty, forgotten hallway toward the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel: the light that trickled through the cracked ceiling into the library. This time, Ruzaan led the way forward, his azure blade in front of him to provide light and protection.

Atris would have protested, but she didn't have the strength or the willpower to argue with the young Padawan. Her arms still burned, the pain constant and intolerable.

Luckily, the sudden attack had left her with nothing more than second-degree burns from the look of it. She had spent enough time in med-clinics scattered across the Outer-Rim of space to tell the difference. They would heal with minor to no scarring, so long as she provided each appendage with the proper care it required.

Together, the Jedi shuffled into the abandoned library, long lost to the wear and tear of time and nature. It almost reminded Atris of the Jedi library on Ajan-Kloss, the library the Sith had destroyed. She sighed quietly to herself and ran a finger over the half-moon desk, her finger instantly coated in a thick layer of dust.

This place was untouched. Quiet and still. Even its presence in the Force was peaceful. Hundreds of years ago, this room had been a room of knowledge and learning. Countless Jedi would have studied within the confines of these walls. Now, it was reduced to nothing more than dust and overgrowth. How quickly life could change.

Atris wandered over to one of the bookshelves that lined the first floor of the library, selecting a book at random and pulling it from its spot. She flipped through its mold-ridden pages, stopping to read one of the last remaining and legible entries contained within. She could hardly make out the words in the moonlight.

"The Force is the light, the Force is the Dark. Jedi choose the light, for all it reveals."

The sound of Ruzaan's voice caught her attention, and she turned to ask him what he had said. It was not a Togrutan Padawan that stood before her, however. It was her sister.

It was Paloma, no more than twelve years old. Tears stained her face, her dark hair blowing in the wind. Tython's library had disappeared from view, replaced with the harsh wind and the glaring suns of Tattooine.

"Please don't go.... Please don't go!" she begged Atris, tugging on her arm and screaming. "Don't leave me here! Don't leave me alone!"

"I won't leave you," Atris answered without thinking, stepping forward. "I'll stay this time. I promise you."

The Jedi Knight knelt down in the sand and reached out to cup her young sister's face, to wipe each tear away and comfort every fear. This time it would be different. She would not make the same mistake she had made before, and she would not abandon her sister for her own hopes and dreams. Paloma would not be left to wander the desert alone, and she would not fall prey to the lies of the Pyke Syndicate. Atris would do what she should have done over a decade ago: protect her little sister.

"I'm here for you, Paloma. I'm right here," Atris whispered in a soothing voice, running her fingers delicately along the young girl's face. Tears swelled in the Jedi Knight's eyes, and she bit down on her lip to keep from crying out in relief. "I'm not going anywhere."

But Paloma could not hear her, and the young girl's gaze rested on something that laid beyond the Jedi Knight. On someone else—a younger, selfish Atris.

"Please!" Paloma continued to cry, pleading with her sister. Her eyes were desperate, and her hands shook with terror. "Please don't leave me alone... I need you."

Atris turned around and watched, helpless to do anything as her younger self and the Jedi Knight at her side turned and walked toward the awaiting ship. The ship that would carry her off to her future, to the Jedi Order. Gradually, they disappeared, lost to the wind and the sand.

Paloma sunk to the ground, sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. Despite her aunt and uncle's heartfelt attempts, the young girl was inconsolable.

And there was nothing Atris could do but watch, her heart breaking all over again.

@SlagathorTheUnknown
 

Ruzaan Kai

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Drawing in a shaky breath, Ruzaan ignited the other side of his lightsaber and assumed a defensive stance. The dark side specter had caught him alone; Atris was nowhere to be seen, and the swirling maelstrom around him only made him even more nervous. Ruzaan wanted to run and escape this situation, but everywhere he looked was cut off by writhing shadows. He was trapped, caged inside with something much fiercer than anything he had ever fought before. The specter across from him stood more than a foot taller than him, its red eyes matching its lightsaber- no less fearsome just because both were made of smoke.

Ruzaan blinked and nearly missed the first attack, his lightsaber raising on instinct alone as the specter leapt forward with incredible speed and directed an overhand slash at him. Any doubts about the specter's incorporeal form were dashed as lightsaber sizzled upon lightsaber. Ruzaan's arms shook from the force of the blow, the specter's inhuman strength swatting his blade aside and continuing the offensive with strikes that battered away at Ruzaan's defenses.

It was all Ruzaan could do to defend himself, and his arms ached with every blow that the specter rained down upon him. He quickly gave ground before the onslaught, and in a matter of seconds his back was up against the whirling winds of the maelstrom, his blade locked with that of the specter. Now up close and personal, Ruzaan got a good look at it between the crossed blades as they fought for leverage. It had a vaguely humanoid face, with a strong jawline and regal features that would've made for a handsome figure if it had been alive. Twin fires burned where its eyes should have been, and something akin to a crown was atop its head. It bellowed at him in a language he did not understand and, keeping its blade locked with his, reached out with its free hand and grabbed Ruzaan by the throat.

@llamallove
 

Atris Tharen

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Sorrow and grief rolled off of Paloma in waves through the Force.

"I'm so, so sorry..." Atris wanted to cry out to her sister, but her throat was too dry for words. The wind blew sand into her face, the grainy devil penetrating her mouth and nostrils. She coughed once, and when she opened her eyes nothing was the same.

Looking around, Atirs watched in bewilderment as the scene around her changed and unfolded like a bad dream. Like one of her old nightmares.

~~~​

It was dark now. Almost cold. The sound of music echoed faintly in the night air.

A sense of dread fell over the Jedi Knight, and the horrible, sinking feeling in her gut told her that she knew exactly where she was and what she was doing there. Standing with shaky legs, the Jedi Knight forced one foot in front of the other and moved toward the sound of music.

At the end of the street, warm light poured out of the open door of one of the many cantinas scattered across the spaceport of Mos Eisley. Inside the cantina, people were laughing and having a good time while a handful of Bith musicians set the tone of the establishment. Tables had been pushed together to make room for dancing, and a couple of Bothans had stumbled out into the street, brawling over a game of pazaak gone wrong. A pretty young Twi'lek girl stood at the door of the cantina, flashing those passing by her best smile and inviting them in.

The cantina was not the Jedi Knight's destination, however, but rather the alleyway behind the establishment of debauchery. Atris walked past the Twi'lek who did not notice her and ducked into the dark alleyway. Unable to see so much as two feet in front of her, Atris took one caution step at a time.

"Paloma?" she dared to call out into the darkness, her breath shaky and her voice small. A part of Atris wanted to hear her sister call back, and a part of her hoped that silence would be her only answer. "Paloma? Are you there?"

A thump forced the Jedi to stop in her tracks as her left boot made contact with something on the ground. Her heart beat so rapidly that Atris feared it might explode in her chest. Swallowing, she glanced down into the darkness and ventured to speak again.

"Is that you?" she asked, but she already knew the answer.

A lightsaber ignited, the sound startling the Jedi Knight and forcing her to take a step back. A yellow blade lit the alleyway in the warm glow of its light, and Atris beheld with horror the body of her sister lying faceup in the dirt and grime of the alleyway.

"No," Atris couldn't help but mutter to herself, sinking to her knees and running her hands over her sister's corpse. Paloma's eyes stared straight ahead, her face pale and her lifeless skin as cold as ice. The teenager's body was riddled with lightsaber wounds, holes driven through her chest and stomach.

No, no no...

Silent tears running down her cheeks, Atris looked up to see the face of the murderer responsible, strangely not surprised to see her own face staring back at her in the darkness.

"How could you do this?" she asked herself but was met with no answer.

The yellow blade was risen, and Atris awaited the blow that would follow but that never came. The lightsaber was driven through the dead teenager again and again, and with each new strike she could feel herself fading away into nothing. The fate she deserved.

~~~​
The Jedi Knight gasped, clutching at her chest and struggling to catch her breath. Tears had stained her face, and she'd collapsed onto the dust-ridden floor of the old Jedi temple, but she didn't care. She wished Master Trimatt was here to comfort her like he used to, or that she could pull a blanket over herself and simply cry the night away. She wished that she could curl up in a ball and die and be released from this guilt.

But something forced her to her feet instead. Ruzaan.

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Ruzaan Kai

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Given the inhuman strength that the specter had exhibited thus far, Ruzaan prepared for his throat to be crushed in its grasp; an unglamorous end deep in the bowels of a forgotten library. Instead it yanked him backwards and tossed him over its shoulder, back towards the middle of the swirling winds surrounding them. Ruzaan's lightsaber clattered off to the side as he rolled as best he could with his momentum, bouncing painfully off of the stone floor. He braced himself for the inevitable flurry of offense that the specter had displayed thus far, but it merely stared at him. It's toying with me he realized- and the thought angered him; he was a Jedi! Shouldn't he be stronger?

A snarl etched itself on Ruzaan's face and his hand shot out, pulling his lightsaber quickly to his hand. He locked eyes with the specter and his anger turned to shock- it now had taken on the appearance of a Togruta, tall and powerfully built, and was carrying a double-bladed lightsaber... a red one. With a start, Ruzaan realized that the specter now resembled him. Older, taller, more muscular, and more confident; all the things that Ruzaan wished that he was.

Rather than continue its attack the specter addressed him in Togruti. "The Jedi are holding you back" it whispered. "You want to be powerful enough to protect others, yes?" Ruzaan tried to respond, but no sound came out- deep down, he knew the specter's words were true. The specter continued. "Instead, you can't even protect yourself... but that doesn't have to be your fate." The specter waved its hand, and Atris became visible through the maelstrom off to Ruzaan's right. She was staring at him as though he'd just killed someone she loved. "How could you do this?" she demanded, heartbreak coloring her every word. It hurt to feel her disappointment in him... he'd tried to impress her, and had failed.

"See? She'll never take you as an apprentice!" Ruzaan's breath caught in his throat; he'd told no one about that desire. Frustration welled up inside him; what more did Atris want from him? Once again he became aware of himself... and the weight of his lightsaber in his hands. The specter spoke again, its voice stern and commanding. "Strike her down, and I will guide you to the secrets of true power!"

@llamallove
 

Atris Tharen

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Stunned and subdued in spirit, Atris was forced to her feet by something deep within her. Still shaken from the visions that had clouded her mind, her legs were wobbly and unstable. Sitting down was not an option, so she leaned against the bookcase for support and hoped she could garner enough support to force herself forward.

"Ruzaan?" she called out, her voice almost inaudible.

An unnatural wind had overtaken the ancient library. A more apt description was a vortex, spinning and violent near the center of the room. It kicked up dust and dirt, throwing books and loose debris across the room. The sound was deafening, and through the whistle of the wind the Jedi Knight could hear a muffled voice, coming from inside the vortex.

The voice spoke a language she did not understand but recognized— Togruti.

Atris curled her pale fingers around the shelf and pushed herself off, stumbling a few steps toward the vortex. She held her burnt arms out in front of her, trying to fight the wind and dirt that pushed against her. It was as if this vortex had a mind and a will of its own, dead set on keeping her from reaching the center.

Struggling against the current, she took three steps forward and attempted to peer into the vortex through squinted eyes. At the center of it all were two forms, too obscured to recognize. One was standing tall and the other figure was lying on the floor. It was impossible to make out their faces or features, but Atris just knew that one of them was Ruzaan.

The Jedi Knight's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't lose Ruzaan. She wouldn't lose him. He was unlike any Padawan she had met during her time with the Order. He was talented, genuine, and had unlimited potential. More than that, he was a friend.

"Take my hand!" she called out again, trying to speak out loud enough to be heard above the howling wind that beat against her. Planting her feet against the stone flooring, she thrust her hand into the vortex. "Ruzaan! Take my hand!"

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Ruzaan Kai

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Just when Ruzaan was about to curl up into a ball, Atris took a step... then another, and another. Her face was impossible to make out through the maelstrom, but she was clearly moving towards him... not away like the specter wanted him to believe. He could feel her presence getting stronger, a beacon of the Light side of the Force that shone despite the specter's efforts to blot her out. Around the Jedi Knight even the maelstrom seemed to swirl less violently, and soon Atris' hand pierced through the storm.

The sight gave Ruzaan strength and conviction, and he rose to his feet in defiance of the specter. It snarled and attacked, hurling insults and belittling him, but Ruzaan shrugged off its verbal attacks just as easily as he deflected its lightsaber, weathering the assault like a rock against the waves. The strength of the vortex began to falter as the specter expended more and more of its energy, and Atris would quickly find herself able to enter the weakening maelstrom as Ruzaan locked blades with the specter.

"You are nothing without me!" it roared fiercely in Togruti.

"Tell that to her" Ruzaan replied, nodding towards Atris. Too late, the specter realized its peril; Ruzaan was no longer fighting alone.

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Atris Tharen

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Ruzaaan did not take her hand, but he did find the strength needed to rise to his feet. The young Togrutan boy always proved to be far tougher than he looked and more resilient than anyone gave him credit for. He never disappointed.

The dark figure opposite of Ruzaan continued to roar, his voice harsh and strong in the face of the Togrutan boy. Atris still could not understand a single word spoken, but you didn't have to speak Togruti to realize that he was hurling insults at Ruzaan. The dark figure's tone was all the confirmation needed.

The swirling vortex was strong but weakening. Atris had already come this far and would not give up now. She could not, not when Ruzaan was depending on her. Pushing one foot in front of the other, she repeated the same steps that had gotten her this far. The Jedi Knight inched her way into the center of the vortex, the violent winds pulling at her clothes and her braided hair.

Inside the swirling vortex, she stood directly behind Ruzaan. Unlike the Padawan, Atris could not make out the form or appearance of his attacker. It appeared to her to be nothing more than a large, dark shadow. Whatever it was, this creature or spirit had appeared specifically to Ruzaan. This was intended to be his trial, just as the visions of her dead sister had been hers.

Atris feared that neither of them would escape unscathed.

The young Togrutan had lunged forward, locking blades with this mysterious figure. Azure struck red, the two sabers sizzling under the strain and the pressure. It was a battle of wills, and if Atris were a betting woman she would have placed her wager on Ruzaan, despite his comparatively small size.

Atris pulled her lightsaber from her belt with the Force, the blade settling into her grip and igniting the very next second. The Jedi Knight followed Ruzaan in a lunge, drawing upon the Force to strike the enemy's blade.

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Ruzaan Kai

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Snap-hiss! Atris ignited her lightsaber and swung at the specter in one fluid motion, and Ruzaan struck at the same time. They attacked as one, with Atris aiming for its blade while Ruzaan swung for its midsection. Just before their blades would've connected, the vortex abruptly died and the specter vanished into thin air, leaving the two Jedi alone amidst the serene ruins of the ancient library. Ruzaan wanted to shout in frustration- something told him that the specter was defeated but not truly vanquished- but he was too tired. Fatigue washed over him and spots danced at the edge of his vision, forcing him back down onto one knee while he recovered.

Atris didn't look to be in much better shape. Her eyes were red from crying, and sorrow weighed on her shoulders. Slowly, Ruzaan began to realize that the dark side must've challenged her, too; but unlike him, she had been strong enough to overcome it alone. No wonder she had been disappointed in him; he'd created another mess, and she had had to bail him out. Again. In addition, the specter's casual revelation of his desire to be Atris' padawan- a desire he hadn't fully realized until it had been spoken- made it difficult to meet Atris' eyes as he mumbled a "Thank you". Ruzaan wasn't sure how much she had heard of his conversation with the specter, but she'd been present for that part. Ruzaan wanted to push on and finish the mission, but the specter's words weighed on him. Then, he remembered how much easier fighting the dark side had been with Atris near; maybe there still was hope.

He cleared his throat and took a shaky breath. "Uh..." he started, voice slightly hoarse. "How much did you see?"


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Atris Tharen

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The battle was over before it had even begun, and the moment the Jedi's blades struck the dark phantom it disappeared. With one final gush of air, the vortex dissipated, and a calm silence settled over the abandoned library once again. The dirt and debris that had been thrown violently from one side of the room to the other now settled on the floor. The visions and phantoms that had haunted the two Jedi were no longer visible, but their presence still lingered.

The feeling of guilt and shame that had formed in the pit of Atris' stomach did not go away, and if experience had taught her anything, it was that such emotions took time. Sometimes a lifetime of regret was not enough to satisfy. For the time being, she would resign herself to these feelings and try to push through. There would be time to meditate and clear her mind later, when she was back on Yavin IV.

For now, Ruzaan was the focus of her attention. He often was these days.

The Togrutan Padawan had sunk to one knee, his head bowed low as if he was ashamed to even look at her. The effects of the dark side continued to effect his mind and body. Although young and innocent in Atris' eyes, it would appear that the Padawan carried his own amount of shame. Atris felt a strong and overwhelming hatred for the malicious being that had brought such sorrow upon the Padawan and caused his visage to fall, and she gladly would have driven her blade through the heart of this malefactor if given the opportunity.

Atris knelt beside him, concerned for Ruzaan but about ready to collapse from exhaustion. The Jedi Knight reached a shaky but calming hand out and placed it on one of the young boy's white and azure montrals, hoping he wouldn't mind the fact that her hand was covered in dirt.

She didn't say anything, deciding instead to allow both of them to catch their breaths and work through whatever unique emotional trials they had both faced. Before she could ask Ruzaan if he was alright or if he needed anything, he asked her a question of his own.

A question Atris had not expected and did not have an answer to at first.

"I saw a dark, shapeless figure. It was speaking in Togruti, but I could not understand what it said," she answered honestly, her tone gentle. Ruzaan was worried that she had seen more than he wanted her to, and she would quickly set those worries straight.

The Jedi Knight scooted closer to Ruzaan and slid her hand down to his shoulder, squeezing it with what little strength she could muster. "Ruzaan, whatever you saw... I did not see. But even if I had, it wouldn't matter, and it would not change my opinion of you. We're all ashamed of something. I'm certainly not exempt from that."

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Ruzaan Kai

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What little resolve Ruzaan had left crumbled when Atris touched him, resting a dirty hand on his equally-dirty montral. Tears coursed their way down his cheeks, creating rivulets through the grime on his face before dripping silently onto the floor. He cried silently and slumped against Atris as the Knight reassured him, feeling the jumble of emotions churning inside of him well up and tumble out onto the floor of the ancient library. Part of him felt silly crying in front of her, but he also knew that it was ok to do so; this wasn't the first time he'd done so and it probably wouldn't be the last. As he did so, he remembered how much he relied on Atris; her strength, her compassion, her humor, and her presence. "Thank you" he said again, his voice barely a whisper.

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Atris Tharen

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How quickly things changed. What had started out as a light-hearted exploration of an old Jedi temple had quickly spiraled out of control into attacks and trials in the Force. Atris still found it difficult to wrap her head around.

Ruzaan slumped forward onto the floor, a clear outward sign of the inward turmoil the young Padawan was experiencing. His shoulders began to shake from muffled crying, the events of the day finally catching up with him and concluding with this outpouring of emotion.

The Jedi Knight leaned closer to Ruzaan and wrapped an arm around him, holding him close and allowing him to cry it out. Hopefully, he would feel better afterwards. She wasn't sure if he wanted her to talk to him or to simply be there for him, so for the moment she decided she would simply be.

Silently, she watched the Togrtuan with the greatest of empathy in her heart, the desire to nurture and protect the teenager only growing stronger with every passing moment. Gradually, she was able to bring her presence in the Force under control again, gently rubbing his back as she did so. Both were meant to help calm Ruzaan, but neither were intended to hurry him along. As far as Atris was concerned he could cry the night through, and she would never leave his side.

Healing took time, and they had all the time in the world.

When Ruzaan eventually spoke, she took that as her cue to finally say something. "I ought to be thanking you," she softly replied, offering a small smile for his benefit. "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be lying over there by that bookcase."

The Jedi Knight continued, hoping to instill more confidence in the Padawan. Whether or not they were the words he needed to hear, she meant every word. "You were brave today, Ruz. You saved me from that creature in the hallway, and you battled your demons. I'm so proud of you."


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Ruzaan Kai

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Ruzaan smiled through his sniffles as Atris praised him. "So we look after each other..." he said, using the corner of his cloak to wipe away the last of his tears. "Thank you for... for not giving up on me." Atris had clearly battled her own demons as well, and still she had found the strength to push onwards for his sake. Perhaps for both their sakes.

The moment, however, was ruined when Master Po'dareth materialized in front of them, clucking his tongue in admonishment at their tear-streaked faces. "There is no emotion, there is peace" he lectured them, reciting the creed of the Jedi Order of old. "However, you have both successfully faced the darkness that is inside of you; your final challenge will be to tap into the Light and access the holocron, which is housed inside the planet Tython." Seeing Ruzaan's confused expression, the Force Ghost clarified. "The model planet Tython, boy!" he groused, indicating the bronze sphere at one end of the library. "Is this what the Order has come to? Back in my day our padawans were smarter... ahh, but I digress. Good luck opening the sphere. You'll need it; only a Jedi master is strong enough to open it." With that, the Force Ghost vanished again, leaving Atris and Ruzaan in the dark.

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Atris Tharen

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The gentlest of smiles touched Atris' lips, Ruzaan's words shooting straight through skin and bone to her heart as an arrow finds its target. She patted the Padawan on the back once more and offered a few more assuring words. "Ruzaan, I'd never give up on you. As long as there is breath in my lungs I will look after you."

She gave him a playful nudge, an attempt to lighten the mood. "And I expect you to do the same for me, you hear?"

The Jedi's touching moment came to an end with the arrival of Master Po'dareth. By the look on his face, it was evident that the Jedi Master of old was not very pleased with the pair's public display of emotion. Hysterics would probably be the word he would use if he allowed himself to speak liberally.

Atris restrained herself from speaking out of turn, but she couldn't help but roll her eyes the second the Jedi Master had disappeared and left them alone. Sure, that wasn't very respectful of the dead, but he wasn't very respectful of the living. "I wouldn't pay any mind to anything that old goat had to say," she began, hoping Ruzaan would not take the Master's lecture to heart. She decided to spin the situation in a positive light and use it as a teaching moment.

"The Jedi of old lived by a much stricter code than the Jedi Order of today. They forbid all attachments because they believed that such emotions led only to fear and the dark side. They were unwilling to budge and too comfortable to change. It was that code and their own pride that led to their downfall following Order 66. It's impossible to live without emotion, and contrary to their teaching emotion and peace can coincide one with another."

The Jedi Knight rose to her feet, brushing what dirt she could off of her clothing. She shot Ruzaan another playful smile. "You probably already knew all of that, but now you can't say I never tried to teach you anything. Now on to the business at hand..."

Side by side, the Jedi approached the model planet of Tython. Atris pressed her hand against the globe and closed her eyes, sensing the holocron's presence within. "It's definitely in there." She took a step back and turned to Ruzaan. "He said that it would take a Jedi Master to open this, but I think if we work together we can pull it off. You ready?"

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