Open Event An End to the Killik Threat

[Zana Ryks]

The sudden movements and loud noises emitted by the queen were terrible, seemingly effecting two close to the knight rather fearfully. Resolved to ensure they were okay, Zana dashed for the pair and pulled them up both physically and mentally.

"Cmon you two, stay with us. The battle has just begun, on your feet!!" She offered as an encouragement, hoping their senses would come to soon enough.

Spoiler

Zana moves to help reorient Ferrin and Alhazred after their unlucky dazing in order for them to return to the fight.

 

[Theia Durand]

Queen's Chambers

The queen let out a blood-curding screeching that even made Theia clench her jaw in response. It felt as though the entire chamber shook with the ferocity and power, and even more so as she made her attempt to charge at the Jedi who were interfering with her meal time. Though it would seem the attacks as so far were damaging to the queen bug, she just hoped they were were able to end her before her reinforcements would arrive. Though Theia found it strange that none have come so far, almost weary and concerning. The commotion that occurred in the chambers made it difficult to discern, but Theia could feel it, her senses warning they were going to have much unneeded company.

The group of jedi moved against the queen again, several attacks from all angles and Theia joined alongside Kaedan, moving out of the way of the charging queen, to which she had hope the multi-pronged attacks would slow her pace, it was no time for her to waste. Keeping vigilant Theia helped Kaedan, her pull to take the appendages out from beneath her, further pushing the queen off-balance as she tries to fight for dominion over the jedi invaders and her hive.

@Altaris @Narzen @Wit @StephDLegend @Mythos @Rom @Scoobert @TheDudeMike @Xorism @The Good Doctor @Aberforth @Arcangel @Phoenix

Spoiler: tl;dr

1. Theia remains concerned for the lack of hive support for the queen and is cautious of what could arrive behind them.
2. Theia gets out of the way of the charging queen, and ensures she does not get in the path of other jedi offensive moves.
3. Theia joins by Kaeden to pull the legs out from underneath the queen but not necessarily hard enough to severe them.

 

[Rain]

QUEEN'S CHAMBER​

Rain helped the man she had rescued to his feet and was checking up on him when she noticed the Queen charge. Eyes widening she pushed the survivor out of the way and jumped, trying to get out of the way of her charge. If she succefully avoided the attack, she would shout at the survivor to follow after Harald.

Keeping her focus on the survivors, she would try to intercept any attacks against them, keeping and eye on the Queen and what she would do next.

Spoiler: tl;dr

Rain pushes away the survivor she helped and jumps out of the way of the Queen. She then continues to keep an eye on the survivors to try and any attacks coming towards them.

 

[Perun]

QUEEN'S CHAMBER

In the heart of the battle's maelstrom, Perun's golden eyes sparkled with fierce resolve, mirroring his steadfast commitment. The chaotic orchestra of the Queen's shrieks, the clashing of lightsabers, and the adrenaline of the fight only sharpened his concentration. Navigating through the bedlam with the agility of a seasoned warrior, he harmonized his actions with the coordinated assault of his fellow Jedi.

Perun quickly identified a pivotal moment in the fray. As Natalie summoned stalagmites towards the Queen with the Force, Perun intensified their descent, ensuring their lethal impact. He positioned himself strategically, avoiding the path of the descending rocks, his double-bladed lightsaber a whirlwind of green.

He targeted the creature's joints, aiming to capitalize on vulnerabilities exposed by Kaedan's relentless strikes. In a fluid movement, Perun conjured a focused wind gust, not only to disorient the Queen but also to amplify Drexus' pyrokinetic assault, fanning the flames towards their monstrous adversary with increased fervor.

Perun's heightened senses were finely tuned to the battle's rhythm. He perceived the Queen's growing desperation and the unwavering valor of his comrades. He countered with empowering roars, his voice cutting through the clamor of combat.

"Strike with precision and unity!" he thundered, his voice laden with both authority and encouragement. The Ma'alkerrite Jedi Master's actions were a blend of experience and insight, seamlessly merging his efforts with those of the other Jedi to enhance their effectiveness against the formidable foe.

OOC: Perun adopts a supporting position, empowering Natalie's attack by hastening the descent of the stalagmites using telekinesis, exploiting the vulnerabilities uncovered by Kaedan's assault to strike at the Queen's joints, and feeding oxygen into Drexus' pyrokinetic attack.

@Altaris @Narzen @Wit @StephDLegend @Mythos @Rom @Scoobert @TheDudeMike @Xorism @GABA @The Good Doctor @Arcangel

 

[Mako Krim]

Queen's Chamber​

Mako observed as through a window as his beam of light struck him. The power off the Light had a clear and powerful effect on the Queen. The creature was clearly a creature of Darkness. A hangry one, judging by it's response to the removal of it's snacks.

Mako dodged away as the Queen rushed past him and at the group of Jedi who had deprived it of it's meal. His saber moved as he dodged, swinging at one of the leg joints in an attempt to cripple the Queen's mobility as she rushed past him.

He breathed. He was a merely a single organism in the vast ocean of the Force, but even a single being could make a difference. Focusing once more as the Queen moved forwards at the other Jedi and into their combined assault, he once more drew upon the Light and raised his hand.

The Light sprung forth, flowing from him as he poured his strength into it. Another beam of the pure energy of the Light would lance out and at the Queen to strike it through once again. With all the attacks coming at the Queen, it would be hard pressed to notice the second Force Light attack. And if it struck, she would be hampered, hard pressed to defend against everything else coming at her.

Mako could only hope it was enough.

Spoiler: DM Notes

1. Dodged Queen as she rushed past Mako to charge the Jedi behind him.
2. Strikes at leg join with lightsaber as he dodges.
3. Follow up Force Light beam to harm and slow the Queens response to other attacks.

@Phoenix

 

[Tycho Denarii]

The Queens Chamber

Tycho bared his teeth at the Queen in a grin, his hold releasing on the last of the rescued Joiners as they successfully denied the Killik her meal. His eyes swept across the battlefield, noting the Jedi working as a unified front to evacuate the hostages and bolster the pair who'd fallen prey to the Queen's shriek attack. The Ossein looked toward the roof of the cavern and reached out with his free hand and the Force, aiding Master Perun (@Aberforth) and gravity yanking the falling stalagmites downward by nudging and adjusting their angle to make sure that the increased force and speed wouldn't cause them to miss the approaching Queen or strike the nearby Jedi.

"Heads up!! Rock Smash coming down!"

Skipping forward and to the side out of the path of the bug Tycho twisted and raised his dual-phase saber before flicking a switch on the side and extending the blade to a full three meters of burning cyan plasma as he thrust forward, aiming to skewer the Killik Queen in the side.

Spoiler: Actions

1. Used the Force to aim the falling stalagmites so the increased force and speed of their descent by Master Perun didn't cause them to miss the Queen (as Natalie's(@TheDudeMike) post specifies timing their fall)
2. Agreed with Natalie's idea of the Queen needing a good stabbing, using the extended length of his dual phase blade to stab the Killik in the side without getting in reach of her thrashing

 

[Vanya]

Main Group​

The Jedi unleashed a variety of attacks against the Queen, some of which proved to be more effective than others. Ripping off a limb of such a large, chitinous creature was not easy, and the wrenching energy seemed to barely even slow the creature down.

The raining of the shards of rock might not have done anything alone, but with the hastened effort and speed of multiple attackers together, it seemed to be more effective, punching small holes in the armor of the Queen as she screeched in pain.

Together, the efforts of multiple Jedi managed to bring down and punch through this chitin, halting the assault, but the damage from it seemed... questionable.

The attack of Mako seemed to be more effective at least, actually able to slice off several of the legs with joint-aimed attacks of the plasma blade. The creature began to lilt to the side, although it seemed to enrage the beast all the more as it flopped itself sideways at him, threatening to crush him outright under her bulk, putting him in a precarious situation.

Likewise, it seemed to reel back slightly against the attack of Drexus, pulling away from the fire and further incentivizing her to plop her bulk down and crush Mako.

Perhaps the ability of the creature to advance on the main group was further influenced by the roots that seemed to spring up to entangle the beast. Although not enough to stop her outright, combined with the efforts of the rest, it certainly put a kink in any further advances by the Queen.

Small Group​

Vanya was beyond hesitant as he told her that he wanted to face this thing down in the Force. They had no idea what it would be, and she... wanted to just say "no." But she and Ezra had already been through the wringer together, and perhaps doing this was the only way to truly end the Killik threat.

This will be extremely dangerous, she warned. And if you go, I can't let whatever is on that side come back, she said. If she had to close the gateway to keep whatever was on the other side out... well, she didn't want to think about that. Her heart skipped just a beat as he put a hand on her shoulder. She didn't want him to go and take the risk, but she knew it might be their best chance.

If you are sure, she said, and reached out to touch her hand to the sigil. Green flames lit all along the blood, and she felt her skin crawl just to open the portal. It was not good magic.

And yet, as she reached out to thrust Ezra's mind across the Veil and into the Force, he would transcend this plane. He would see that the entire nest around them seemed to melt away. In its place was the pitch black nothingness of this place in the Force. Ezra would be both alone and yet... not alone. The Light of his whole Order seemed to be at his back even as he walked, lighting the way and pushing back the inky dark.

And yet, even as he proceeded, he would be faced with his own monster. In the blackness, a pair of red, glowing eyes seemed to pierce out of it. A figure emerged from the black, clad all in black plate armor, and on its face was a familiar mask.

Ah... a sacrifice, a voice said, but it seemed to nearly ring out from all around him in the inky blackness of this place. A whisper from everywhere and nowhere.

 

[Natalie Hope]

Natalie watched the chitin get pierced but the damage was minimal. As the queen toppled on her side, her roars were like a constant barrage of sound. Especially with how the beast had an aversion to flames. If it looks like a bug, smells like a bug, and sounds like a bug, it was definitely a bug. Natalie disengaged her lightsaber. She had one good bout of Force left in her, and she wasn't about to use her lightsaber for it. Rushing over to Horny (@Scoobert ) she snatched the can of Kill-It spray from his hand.

"Come with me," she said, rushing forward to get a good angle. As she passed the two Jedi that had helped her with the stalagmites (@Aberforth @Rom ), she motioned for them to follow with her free hand. "I've got an Idea, c'mon!" She moved to an angle where she could see the queen's face clearly, but was well back enough to not have to worry about any appendages. When she stopped she turned to who ever decided to follow her, holding the can up. "I'm going to chuck this down her gullet. Put some fireballs down there with it."

With that she turned and sprinted toward tipped queen, waiting for just the right moment when the queen's mouth was open and facing her way. Natalie pushed the can forward, using the Force to propel it at great speed in an attempt to get it in the queen's mouth without getting close enough to get stabbed or crushed. The moment the push left her hand, and she was well and good done with her Force usage for the day, Natalie slid to a halt and fell backwards, pulling her lightsaber hilt out once again and holding it with two hands in front of her just in case. Hopefully, there was more than one fireball flying over her to ignite the flammable can that would most certainly explode.

Spoiler: DM Actions

• Natalie grabs the can of Kill-it spray from @Scoobert
• Gathers anyone willing to shoot fireballs
• Rushes the Queen and uses the Force to throw the can of Kill-it spray into the Queen's mouth like force feeding her a pill
• Slides down to a halt and readies lightsaber while fireballs hopefully follow the can

 

[Alhazred]

Quickly, Alhazred picked himself back up from the floor. It seemed his combined efforts with the fellow jedi did help some with the falling rocks idea. It just wasn't enough. At least the queen's distracted efforts allowed the Nu-Vaal to fully recover from that scream attack.

As a padawan and as a Jedi, Alhazred wasn't sure what to do. He wasn't as well trained as the others. He did not have the force of will to try to restrain the queen, and he doubted that any kind of mental communication with it would prove helpful. He was not a practiced pyrokinetic nor terrakinetic. And in his efforts to allow his body be a vessel for the force, he had cast aside the lightsaber in favor of sign casting.

One of the Jedi had gathered the others (@TheDudeMike). Alhazred, more so out due to instinct of following whoever seemed to have an ounce of control over the situation, gathered with her and the others. He listened to the plan. It seemed sound enough, albeit unlikely. Getting a small object in a small hole, even as large as the queen's mouth, was going to be a struggle.

A smile widened on Alhazred's face. Perhaps he could help after all.

Once again opening his mind to the music of the force, Alhazred began to grasp at some of the notes emitted by the queen. He had practiced this concept before, the first time with the starweird under the tutelage of a Knight he did not know the name of. While he failed then, that was against a beast of the darkside. This was something less malevolent and focused.

The use of Force Stasis didn't have to be long. Not even a second long, or even half a second. All it needed was to be enough for the Queen to be momentarily open mouthed, giving the female a better chance at getting the canister into its mouth.

Alhazred's hands clenched into fists, and his body went rigid. The Nu-Vaal attempted to grab at the notes of the Queen to make them remain still and ongoing. His own mind began to break at the effort, but still, Alhazred tried. He would help the Jedi, no matter what.

Spoiler: OOC

Alhazred is trying to use Force stasis on the queen, if only to give a wider opening for the canister throw

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus watched as his fireball expanded, he could only assume it was another Jedi giving it more mass to damage the Queen Killik. Things were looking up, seeing it getting slowed and tipping over. Although a fellow Jedi happened to be close by to it. He had to press the attack otherwise it could more than one Jedi getting harmed, so he had to carry on.

That was when he felt the can of spray get snatched, he turned and saw Nat. When she said to follow he'd pick up the pace and rush over. She had an idea of some sort, and he had a good idea what she was thinking after the fireball seemed to freak the bug out. When she explained what she was going to do he would nod, "Got it, let's make it wish it's mama kept her bug parts closed." He clipped his saber to his belt, and then with both hands and all his focus he would begin amassing a fireball the size of Natalie. He could feel it draining his energy but he was able to hold up well enough having been used to this force technique.

Once the can was thrown to its mouth he would immediately follow it up with his fireball flying it's way, he hoped this would work because another would probably be too exhausting for him. Especially at the size he was using his at. The main focus was her plan, but he made it as big as he could without weakening himself too much to ensure it at least hit the bug. He could feel it's energy weakening, the bug was feeling the pain, and with it's new chinks in the armor it would surely be significant enough damage to make this battle a quicker one.

Spoiler: Drex

Drex follows Nat, then shoots a Natalie sized fireball at the big bug right after she throws the can

@Phoenix @TheDudeMike

 

[Akari Moriko]

A'kari looked on in dread as a drop of sweat rolled down across the crease in her forehead and into the earthen soil beneath her. She had really began with taxing and exhausting feats, but the Queen seemed to fight until the bitter end. Just before this mission, A'kari had truly questioned if this path was righteous, that the Killiks truly deserved to be wiped out. And here and now, she knew the truth and so had begun her plight. And that her form truly suffered from experience.

But A'kari was learned, she had spent plenty of hours lost amidst the ancient texts and holorecords, a vast information highway at her disposal. And while he formed may need to be honed more, her mind was a sharp tool she held at her disposal. And one mind quick enough to already have realized her role in this mission. As a Jedi Shadow, it was her duty to stand against the Darkness, and for now it seemed, in a supportive role. Her basic knowledge was much larger than most Padawans and a handful of Knights.

Delving into the will of the Force, she adapted herself to let it's natural flow entangle her heart and mind as it embraced her spiritually. And as she did, she opened herself to her comrades, and as conduit, fed the Force into them. They would feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and a strong feeling of serenity would flow into their minds. All as A'kari stood aside from the others with the Queen charging their forms, hoping to aid in their fight for survival.

Spoiler: TL;DR

A'kari is taking a supportive role and is using Battle Meditation

Tags: @Narzen @The Good Doctor @Wit @GABA @Rom @Phoenix @TheDudeMike @Xorism @Altaris @Arcangel @Scoobert @StephDLegend

 

[Ezra Thorne]

SMALL MOUND

Ezra didn’t say anything when Vanya asked if he was sure. He calmly stared at her for a moment, his lips tugging towards what was almost a smile. And that was all she got out of him before his eyes rolled back and he delved into the realm of the Force. In the physical realm he was seated down in meditation, his body likely reflecting if any assault would land on his mind.

He was plunged into a dark realm, but he himself shined bright from the Light he embraced. However, even then his presence in the Force had a singular flaw that he couldn’t quite close. It was that little mark left on his Force presence courtesy of Raze, the thread that made Darth Raze his parent as much as he despised it. Raze did not imprint physically, only through the Force, and even in death he carried on through that black spot in Ezra’s chest.

He heard that voice and he saw that mask, but he would not waver. Ezra stepped forth and channeled the Force, commanding Light and harnessing the strength of a Jedi Councilor in his grasp. He gazed towards the mask unflinching.

“You will not escape this realm,” His voice called back firmly, echoing and projecting back against the darkness that lingered all around him. His hands thrust forward to unleash a searing wave of Light he hoped would wash over and reveal anything lurking in the shadows.

Spoiler: action

Ezra uses councilor level Force Light on the entity

@Phoenix

 

[Harald av Svendsen]

Queen's Chamber — The Queen's advance was stopped with the combination of attacks from the Jedi. Now is the time. Harald weighed trying to help the others defeat the Queen, but he trusted in the Force that his fellow would be able to put an end to the Queen. "We are Jedi, I'm going to get you all out of here" he said calmly to the rescued killik prisoners.

So with that he would have his lightsaber drawn as he would escort the rescued ex-Joined back the way the Jedi came from. If by any chance any Killik show up, Harald would be ready. Harald did also remember that the spray that liberated the Joined from the Hive Mind was temporary and kept it in mind. They would be removed from the vicinity of the fight so they won't prove to be a problem to the Jedi battling the Queen. He would have his eyes on them.

Spoiler: ooc

Harald escorts the freed joined back the way the Jedi first came from, making sure they would be safe from the fight.

 

[Zana Ryks]

Sometimes being a Jedi was a thankless job, not that Zana set her worth by the idea of collecting accolades. Instead she simply nodded as her companions returned to the fight, herself turning to spot the mad queen charging forward.

Spotting what Nat was up to brought a sharp smile to the Togruta's face. It was a risky play, but sometimes life threw curveball's that require both an iron constitution and follow through. If there was anyone here that could answer both, it was her.

It therefore made sense to support her endeavor, the Knight moved up to unleash a fireball of her own, lest it fail from a lack of trying.

Spoiler

Zana supports the effort to shoot fireballs into the queens mouth.

 

[Perun]

QUEEN'S CHAMBER

Perun's golden eyes, gleaming like twin suns in the dim cavern, surveyed the chaotic ballet of lightsabers and Force powers with an analytical gaze. The tumult of the Queen's enraged shrieks, the sizzling sound of lightsabers cleaving through the air, and the stifling atmosphere of the cavern did little to deter his focused mind.

Realizing the critical need for a sustainable atmosphere amidst the burgeoning flames and the dwindling oxygen, Perun concentrated on a crucial task. With a deep inhale that seemed to draw from the depths of his being, he tapped into the Force, extending his senses upwards, beyond the confines of the stone ceiling, towards the fresh air of the surface. He envisioned the essence of pure and life-sustaining oxygen cascading down into the depths of the tunnel.

Channeling his aerokinetic prowess, Perun summoned a robust current of air, a veritable river of oxygen flowing from the world above. He guided it with a deft touch, ensuring it swirled around Drexus' burgeoning inferno, feeding the flames while simultaneously dispersing any smoke and harmful gases. His efforts created an invisible cocoon of breathable air around the Jedi and the rescued, preserving their combat effectiveness and vitality.

OOC: Perun focuses on bringing as much oxygen from the surface into the tunnel to fuel Drexus' pyrotechnics and insure the rest of the Jedi and the survivors do not suffocate of suffer damage from smoke inhalation..

@Altaris @Narzen @Wit @StephDLegend @Mythos @Rom @Scoobert @TheDudeMike @Xorism @GABA @The Good Doctor @Arcangel

 

[Mako Krim]

Queen's Chamber​

Mako felt it a moment before he saw it. The Queen was beginning to sway back, it's massive bulk suddenly becoming a threat to his well being. Cutting short the burst of Force light he moved quickly do dodge back, dancing away and out of range of the Queen's mass while holding his lightsaber ready to attack or defend.

Spoiler: DM notes

1. Mako dodges out of range of the Queen's fall.

 

[Rain]

QUEEN'S CHAMBER​

As Harald began guiding the survivors out of the cave, Rain ushered her charge along with them and jogged up to take position at the back of the group, bringing up the gear with her blade now lit in her hand. She was on alert for any attacks that might spring on their procession, and kept encouraging the survivors at the back to keep moving and assuring them that all would be okay.

@Phoenix @The Good Doctor

Spoiler: tl;dr

Rain helps Harald escort the survivors out of the cave.

 

[Tycho Denarii]

Tycho extinguished his saber as he backed off, the stab penetrating the Queen's hide but the chitin too thick to try and cut through. His eyes flicked around the room, tracking his fellow Jedi setting up their own attacks or escorting the prisoners to safety away from the fight. He heard Natalie call out, felt the sense of oneness and synergy as Akari began supporting their efforts with her battle meditation, and then his gaze landed on Alhazred.

Closing the distance between them, the Ossein Knight lifted both hands and reached out with the Force, bolstering the Nu-Vaal's attempt at locking the Queen into Force Stasis so that Natalie, Drexus, and Zana could land a hit with the improvised incendiary grenade.

"Come on... Come on! We need to finish her off before she summons the rest of the hive down on us! We can do this, just give it your all!"

He called out encouragingly toward his comrades, straining and pouring all of his power in the Force and his skill with telekinesis to prevent the Queen from closing her maw or turning away when Natalie tossed the can of Kill-It and the pair of Fireballs flying in its wake.

Spoiler: DM Actions

Support @Narzen efforts to hold the Queen still while the others try to explode the Kill-It can in her maw.

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia could feel her own grasp slipping in the Force, the strength of the Queen was greater but there were more effective maneuvers that were working against her. Theia stumbled backwards, tripping over a body as she landed with a hard thud on the stone floor, but she ensured it didn't slow her down as she quickly got back to her feet. The fire and the light seemed to have stunned the queen long enough for the Jedi team to regroup. There was certainly an urgency to stop the queen, they were running out of time before the rest of the hive would return to where they were, but keeping the Queen occupied seemed to be buying them time.

Tycho cried out, echoing what everyone was most concerned and knowing that trying to physically stop the queen was not likely just on her own, she elicited to help the Jedi Knight and Alhazred's stasis to keep the queen from evading the attack from Natalie and the others.

The girl inhaled deeply, feeling the Light, the struggle for the balance to be shifted as she extended her palms, feeding into the power offered by her brethren as she helped hold the queen in place, strengthening the stasis despite the difficulty it was to focus on such a powerful creature. However, ambition she held fueled a different passion, a hope that their success here would start to make things right again for many.

Spoiler: tl;dr

Theia joins Tycho and Alhazred in using stasis to keep the queen from moving so the others can cover the walls with her bug jelly.

 

[The Storyteller]

Main Group​

The combined effort of the Jedi seemed to work not because they were individually on par with a Grandmaster, but because they were unified in their effort. Such was the strength of the Light when they stood together against the figures of darkness.

Only because of the momentary locking of the Queen in stasis (@Narzen @Rom @GABA) did the can of spray (@TheDudeMike) manage to actually make its way down the creature's throat, exploding as fireballs (@Xorism @Scoobert) slammed up against it. The Queen reeled and screeched, and Mako (@Arcangel) would only narrowly evade being crushed also in large part due to the vines and stasis.

The supportive actions of Battle Meditation (@Mythos) enabled the Jedi to more easily aim their blows that might well have otherwise missed, and the forethought of Perun (@Aberforth) ensured that they would all actually live to tell the tale. Completing the mission was grand, but coming back for the next one was even better.

As Harald and Rain (@The Good Doctor @Wit) began to move the prisoners out of the chamber, they seemed to stiffen slightly.

It's gone! The voices are gone! one of them shouted in surprise, looking back at the Jedi before actually promptly throwing their arms around Harald and Rain to give them hugs in thanks for their rescue.

Within the cavern itself, the Queen began to fling herself around as if going mad, blinded by either rage or fear and cut off from the rest of her hive. The Killiks outside began to go wild as they lost direction from their Dark Queen, and the Queen seemed to begin to slam her head into the ground as if trying to break her mind free from some new torment within.

And in that moment, the Jedi would see their opportunity. Atop the back of the creature's neck was just barely visible an area that allowed bending at the joints of the chitin. If they worked together, coordinated and supported one another, it might be possible to exploit the Queen's momentary madness to deliver a lightsaber's lethal strike to that area... though whoever - if anyone - struck the blow would no doubt be in mortal danger.

Small Group​

Ezra's Light burned through the darkness between him and the creature, and for a moment, the monstrosity recoiled away, screeching and pulling back from the Light before bringing its hands together. The darkness all around them seemed to wrap the area between the two of them like a sheet, stifling the Light even as the monster began to transform before Ezra's eyes.

The black knight standing before him began to burst at the seams with pure darkness, his true form being exposed as the Light burned away the outer shell.

What remained inside was a blackened amalgamation of chaotic, vaguely snake-shaped dark energy. It charged at him, looking to sweep him away with its massive claw.

The darkness between the two even now began to burn away under the Light, but the creature was determined that if it went then so, too, would the Jedi Master.