Open Coruscant Of Light & Shadows

[Perun]

In the twilight of Coruscant, the crumbling ruins of the Jedi Temple stood, casting long shadows over its forgotten grandeur. Perun stood amidst the decay. The stagnant air of the city-planet was thick with the remnants of destruction, and the Sith abominations, left leaderless after Darth Raze's fall, lurked in the shadows, a constant threat in the once-sacred corridors.

As Perun navigated through the desolate halls of the temple, his footsteps echoed, resonating with the lost history of the place. The Force around him hummed with sorrow for the fallen and the lost. The Sith's grotesque presence was a tangible reminder of the darkness that had enveloped the galaxy.

The Jedi Master's mind was troubled as he reflected on the recent tumultuous events. The Jedi Council's inaction in the face of the Killiks' invasion and the Exalted's reign of terror weighed heavily on him. Moreover, the resurgence of the Sith, led by Darth Tempest, was a growing shadow that threatened to engulf the galaxy.

Despite his recent ascension to the rank of Jedi Master, Perun felt more powerless than ever. The galaxy was on the brink of chaos, and he, a supposed guardian of peace and justice, felt unable to stem the tide of darkness. His heart ached with the burden of expectation and the sting of apparent failure.

In the ruins of the Jedi Temple, under the oppressive shadow of Coruscant's fallen glory, Perun sought answers. He hoped to find his place in this new, fractured galactic order. He believed that by plunging into the abyss, he might ignite a spark of hope, however faint, to light the path forward.

Standing at the heart of a world overrun by nightmares, Perun was a symbol of the Jedi's failure. Yet, it was here, amidst the ruins and the echoes of the past, that he sought not just answers, but also redemption — for himself, for the Jedi, and for the galaxy.

The silence of the temple, in stark contrast to the chaos outside, offered a sanctuary amidst the storm. It stood as a tragic reminder of what had been lost, and what could have been. Perun sought to find a way to keep fighting, to find meaning in the midst of despair.

 

[Johanes av Holsen]

To stand here, at the heart of what once was a great bastion of the Jedi Order, reduced to rubble serving as a harsh reminder of the Jedi's failures. Johan's gaze darted between the ruined columns and debris dotted around, his heart hung heavy with sorrow for all who perished on Coruscant during the onslaught.

While still a relatively new recruit, he couldn't help but feel equally guilty for the Order's recent failings. If only he displayed signs of force sensitivity sooner; things perhaps could've been different, he could've been around to help, maybe even influence the outcome of these horrific events— or he could have been one of the many lost. Alas, it was out of his control and instead, he stood here now with only a modicum of training, feeling lost and helpless.

Johan tacitly followed in Perun's footsteps, sensing the lingering grief as they traversed the ruin of the once great temple. There were no words to describe the young padawan's feelings— his usually jovial self was nowhere to be seen, swallowed by the shadows looming over all of Coruscant.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

As Perun gazed upon the remnants of what was once a great bastion of the Jedi Order, he extended his Force sense, probing the shadows for the dark abominations that lurked just beyond sight. The air was thick with the residue of dark energy, a palpable reminder of the Sith's corrupting influence.

Next to him, Johan, the young Padawan, seemed like a shadow of his usual jovial self, his gaze heavy with the sorrow and guilt that burdened many within the Order. Perun sensed the Padawan's internal struggle and admired the courage it took for him to stand here, in the heart of such despair.

"Stay close," Perun advised Johan in a tone that mixed his usual confidence with an undercurrent of urgency. Inwardly, he made a silent vow to protect the young Padawan at all costs, inspired by the bravery he sensed in him. The Ma'alkerrite Jedi Master's every step was measured and deliberate as they delved deeper into the decrepit temple.

The atmosphere within the temple was oppressive, a stark contrast to the vibrant life that once filled these halls. The silence was broken only by the distant, faint echoes of their footsteps, a haunting reminder of the temple's former glory. As they moved deeper into the heart of the ruin, the sense of foreboding grew stronger.

As they traversed the hallowed corridors, Perun's thoughts turned to the abominations and their effect on the balance of the planet. The Force here was tainted, its flow disrupted by the presence of these dark creatures. He could feel the corrupting influence at the sacred spire at the temple's base, their ultimate destination. The imbalance was more than a physical presence; it was a wound in the Force, a festering scar that pained him deeply.

Suddenly, a ripple in the Force caught Perun's attention, a presence approaching, its nature shrouded in ambiguity. "Be on your guard," he instructed Johan, his voice a low growl. "Extend your senses; we need to discern if this is friend or foe."

Perun led the way, his every sense heightened, his hand resting on the hilt of his dual-phase interlocking lightsaber, ready to defend against any threat.

@Wills

 

[Johanes av Holsen]

The desolate ruin's foreboding silence hummed eerily around the Jedi. There was no sound, yet it was deafening. Never has the young padawan witnessed such a feeling of dread lingering in the air, festering in every corner of the once-sacred temple. The dark side's taint was unmistakable, even for a novice such as him. A constant reminder of the need to remain vigilant in this harrowing place.

With a gentle yet firm nod, the boy acknowledged Perun's advice, sticking as close as possible to the Jedi Master. His mind wandered as they continued down the tainted corridors. Notions of what the temple must've been like before its destruction crossed his mind. Tales he's heard of the valiant Jedi Knights that walked these halls. Fantasies and legends, long buried under the rubble they now tread upon.

"Yes, master." Johan followed Perun into the shadows, attempting his best to reach out through the Force like he was instructed, garnering his focus as intensely as he was capable. The lingering darkness pressed against his mind, clouding his senses, as if blindfolded in an unlit room. There was something, however— a faint and elusive presence, one he could barely detect, never mind discern its origin nor its intentions. "I cannot tell, master," he admitted in a hushed tone, his voice harbouring a hint of frustration.

The boy readied himself for the worst to come, reaching for the vibrosword safely secured on his back. Blade held in a defensive guard— his stance amateurish yet kept with a level of poise and determination. Even so, his mind was torn between doubt and a desire to do good. His anxious thoughts only grew stronger as the shadowy presence loomed. Was he ready for this?— Perhaps, perhaps not. It would soon be revealed, however, one way or another.

@Aberforth

 

[Jon Cordatus]

There was a time, now generations ago, when Coruscant was a glimmering, unbreakable heart at the center of the galaxy. Wounded though it may have been at times, as the home of republics and empires, it was a symbol of strength – on the surface, at any rate. The undercity was more of a mixed bag, but the prestigious nobles of the glory days of the Old Republic and the Old Empire never cared to think below their own two feet.

Now, Coruscant laid crippled beneath devastation that had recently befell it. Towers that once seemed to kiss the stars now stood as burning husks, their spires shattered and fractured, the horizon nothing more than jagged reminders of a once-thriving metropolis. A planet once teeming with denizens of untold species and luminescence, living and metallic, now bore the scars of conflict and ruin and stood as a testament to the passage of time and the merciless grip of the never-ending saga of light and dark, Jedi and Sith, republics and empires.

None of which was what Jon was expecting. So used to the rugged frontiers of the Outer Rim, he actually dreaded the idea of coming here. The thought of the bustling city-planet filled him with a palpable anxiety, not prepared for what overwhelming feelings might come with it. Not so much because of how many people would be there, but to be surrounded by agendas and politics and people only out for themselves at that scale was… not something he was accustomed to.

Somehow, amidst this destruction that had never reached his ears during his travels, he felt an eerie serenity in the quiet of its remains. The perverseness of it wasn’t lost on him; the irony had not gone unnoticed. But he made his journey anyway to the only place he had thought to start his search for the Jedi: the Jedi Temple of old.

Entering it was not what he expected. He knew it had once been converted into the Imperial Palace, but now this former center of enlightenment (entangled up in galactic politics as it may have been) stood as a haunting silhouette against the smoky haze. Its once-proud towers and arches were reduced to fragmented remains. Crumbled stone and charred debris littered the grounds where padawans once trained and masters debated everything from the mysteries of the Force to the politics of the Clone Wars.

The air hung with the weight of despair new and old, the Force itself echoing the sorrow that dwelled within the ruins like a symphony of destruction interwoven with glimpses of the once-proud Jedi Order. Jon began making his way through the temple, his robes faintly billowing in the drafty breeze that whispered through the broken walls, a seemingly lone figure amidst the relics of a bygone era. He could sense the same feelings that led him out of his wandering in the Outer Rim: the comforting embrace of the Force replaced with the screams of a wounded and twisted soul. It was deeply troubling for someone with a healer’s spirit, knowing this wasn’t a feeling he could fix. Not now, at any rate.

Jon’s blue lightsaber cast a glow that became the lone beacon in a darkness that enveloped the temple’s halls. It was a grim reminder of the galaxy’s dark history. The wound here was new, and generations old. An essence of death and sorrow pervaded every corner. Stories shared by his master about the night the Jedi Order fell echoed in his mind. Glimpses of heroes and villains flickered in front of him, yet he could barely see them.

“Darkness echoes here,” he whispered to himself. “It’s like this place is a witness to an unspeakable evil, ancient yet… present.”

Gripping his lightsaber tighter, Jon made his way further with caution, guided by the instinct to explore yet guarded by the worry of what lay ahead. Every step felt like navigating a forgotten history, his purpose clear yet the answers obscured in ruin.

The pain of the wound here intensified with every step he took, every flicker of his saber revealing more devastation, every revelation igniting a sense of greater and greater urgency. Even with all of the uncertainty he felt here, Jon knew he was in the right place – a sentinel in search of truths buried in the past.

Suddenly, he hesitated. Voices, but whose? Gripping his saber even more tightly, he prepared to round a corner, not knowing what he was about to find.

@Aberforth @Wills

 

[Perun]

In the echoing silence of the desolate Jedi Temple, Perun stood alert, his senses extended to their fullest. Amidst the remnants of grandeur and the oppressive shadow of sorrow, his keen instincts picked up a new presence. Something, no someone had heard him and the young Padawan, Johan, at his side.

Perun's mind raced through possibilities of who might be drawn to such a place. A treasure hoarder, perhaps, seeking relics among the ruins? He quickly dismissed the thought; such individuals lacked the subtlety to evade his notice. A lost soul seeking answers or redemption? It seemed more plausible but still felt off the mark. An inquisitive historian? Unlikely in these perilous times. Each hypothesis formed and fell away in his mind, none fitting the quiet, cautious approach of the unseen stranger.

As he pondered, Perun sensed no malice in the stranger's heart. Trusting his instincts, he called out into the darkness, his voice resonating through the ruined corridors. "Come forward, friend," he called out into the gloom, his voice echoing slightly off the broken walls. "We mean you no harm." His tone was firm yet inviting, a reflection of his openness to peaceful encounters even in such dire circumstances. The Jedi Master's usual non-chalent demeanor was tempered by caution, his words carefully chosen to bridge the gap of uncertainty.

As he waited for a response, a sudden realization unnerved Perun. By revealing their presence, they might have inadvertently attracted something far more sinister. The dark abominations that haunted these ruins were ever-vigilant, and the slightest disturbance could draw them near.

The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of anticipation and dread. Perun stood tall, his stance exuding calm confidence, but his senses remained on high alert, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Gripping his vibrosword, Johan mirrored his master's vigilance, though his amateurish stance betrayed his inner turmoil.

In the eerie quiet of the temple, every sound seemed amplified, each whisper of wind a potential harbinger of danger. Perun's golden eyes scanned the darkness, his Force sensitivity extended to its limits, ready to react momentarily.

@Wills @Brandon Rhea

 

[Johanes av Holsen]

Johan glanced over at Perun as the Ma'alkerrite Jedi welcomingly called out to the approaching presence. His shoulders relaxed at the prospect of it being friendly. Or at least the Jedi Master thought so, and that was enough for the young Padawan to ease up a little.

Perhaps foolishly so, as a loud roar echoed throughout the decrepit ruins. An abomination... or something. Johan wasn't sure what it was, but the sound itself ran a chill down his spine. "Master?" he whispered to Perun looking for guidance on what to do, his gaze scanning their surroundings with vigilance.

Movement. It darted across the shadows behind them. Silent. Lurking.

Catching a glimpse, Johan gripped the hilt of his vibrosword with ferocity and swiftly turned to face whatever it was that shadowed them.

Nothing.

The Jedi Code ran through his mind over and over again. Emotion, yet Peace... His commitment to the Light helped calm his emotions, albeit briefly. Not that any of that mattered right now, adrenalin taking control of his feelings, heightening his senses. Readying him for the looming confrontation.

@Aberforth @Brandon Rhea

 

[Jon Cordatus]

Jon crept forward, still unsure what he was about to find, but growing more certain of a faint yet unmistakable presence of two individuals nearby. Something stirred in the Force around them, like a comforting familiarity. Not on a personal level, but he could sense a common purpose, an energy exuding a certain serenity, and a comforting light breaking through the darkness that surrounded them all.

Moments of silence came and went, and Jon was sure that they had sensed his presence by now as well. He nearly readied himself for a more defensive stance, when a commanding yet reassuring voice cut through the silence declaring no ill intent. Jon sensed the voice carried a blend of authority and warmth, one he could even expect from a member of the Jedi Order, at least from the stories he’d heard. Despite the gravity of the situation, Jon sensed an air of genuine goodwill and an invitation to trust the words that were uttered – an invitation Jon was keen to accept, at least for now, until he could discern who they really were.

Well, Jon thought to himself, with only a slight hesitation, I did come here to find Jedi.

Guided by the hope of shared purpose and his trust in the Force, Jon switched his saber off, allowing the darkness to claim dominion once again – but with the resolve that light was about to shine in another way. In that moment, he revealed himself, stepping cautiously into the limited light still cast by Coruscant through the cracks in the temple’s walls.

As he emerged from the shadows, Jon observed the two strangers before him. They seemed ready to defend themselves if needed, much as Jon himself had been, yet he could still sense a desire to welcome him. A silent understanding passed from Jon to the other, hoping they’d recognize a kindred spirit drawn to theirs amidst the turmoil of the galaxy – a spark of hope, perhaps, amid the ruins of the old Jedi.

“Greetings, friends,” Jon said softly, his voice assured and reassuring, “and may the Force be with you. It seems good fortune to meet other travelers in these…,” his voice trailed off for a second as he looked around the ruins, “...strange times we seem to be living in.”

He stood firm, and bowed in respect. “My name is Jon Cordatus, a Jedi of the Outer Rim.”

@Aberforth @Wills

 

[Perun]

Perun stood tensely, his senses sharpened by the echoing roar that reverberated through the decrepit corridors. Beside him, young Johan, visibly unnerved by the chilling sound, sought reassurance. Perun's gaze remained vigilant, scanning the shadows for any sign of the lurking danger.

As Johan turned swiftly to face an unseen adversary, his grip tightening on his vibrosword, Perun too readied himself for a potential confrontation. The Jedi Code echoed in his mind, a calming mantra amidst the rising tide of adrenaline.

The sudden emergence of Jon Cordatus from the shadows took Perun by surprise. A Jedi from the Outer Rim? The name was unfamiliar, stirring a blend of skepticism and curiosity within the Jedi Master. Perun struggled to maintain his composure, his mind racing with questions about this unknown Jedi's origins and intentions.

"Jon Cordatus," Perun echoed, his voice laced with a hint of wariness, yet not devoid of the characteristic sass that often colored his interactions. "A pleasure, though your name is unknown to me."

Inwardly, Perun pondered the existence of Jon Cordatus. A Jedi from the Outer Rim, seemingly untouched by the turmoil that had engulfed the known galaxy, was an anomaly. How had he remained disconnected from the events that had reshaped the Jedi Order? What path had led him to the ruins of the Jedi Temple at this critical juncture?

He then added, "I am Perun, a Jedi Master, loremaster and keeper of the Jedi Temple on Takodana. This here is my Padawan," he gestured towards the young apprentice.

His gaze shifted back to Johan, leaving space for the Padawan to introduce himself if he chose to. His protective instincts as a Master were heightened in the presence of the young apprentice, a responsibility he bore with solemnity.

Perun continued, reflecting on the danger that lurked within these hallowed halls. "Be mindful, Jon. These ruins are not safe for lone Jedi. Sith abominations have overrun the deeper levels of Coruscant. We tread on perilous ground."

Despite his initial skepticism, Perun couldn't deny a sense of intrigue. The Force worked in mysterious ways, often bringing together unlikely allies in times of need. Perhaps Jon's arrival was not mere coincidence, but a piece of a larger puzzle yet to be revealed.

@Wills @Brandon Rhea

 

[Johanes av Holsen]

The elusive presence was indeed friendly. What a relief; Johan took a deep breath before addressing the man with a poor attempt at his usually charming smile. "Hi," he offered him a gentle nod. "Jedi Padawan Johanes Holsen, but just Johan will do." Introductions were hardly the young man's forte, but in such a perilous setting, it was best to at least attempt making a good first impression.

The young padawan was unsure of what 'a Jedi of the Outer Rim' was. Most of the order was based around the outer rim, was it not? Perhaps it was just a twist of words, or maybe he was part of a special group of Jedi Johan hadn't heard of before. Either way, Jon seemed nice enough to earn the boy's trust for now. A scarce commodity nowadays.

Perun's advice echoed through the decrepit chambers of the late temple. His initial cautions of the place, before they've even embarked on this 'adventure', were still fresh on the Padawan's mind. Horrors Johan could hardly even comprehend. Memories of witnessing the reports on the Sith's abominations ravaging across innocent worlds resurfaced at that moment. Nixor Byblos Coruscant. Nowhere felt safe. Memories of the fear he felt Sverend might be next; that he and his family would be next. Yet, today, it was almost a no-brainer to join and face the darkness himself. To face the very 'beings' that caused so many sleepless nights, not just for him, but millions watching the horrors unfold across the galaxy.

His focus returned to their surroundings, keenly observing. The sound of the vicious howl was still fresh in his mind. Then, movement again, as he pointed his blade towards the rubble on their left— "Not to interrupt this lovely get-together, but something just moved over there."— a piece of the debris rolled off the pile, landing at the base with a loud thud.

Terror ran down his spine as he caught a glimpse a moment too late, unable to react. The creature from the shadows violently leapt from behind the pile of rubble towards the young Sverender. Soulless eyes filled with nothing but malice and a hunger for blood. Its malformed jaws aimed at the quickest and easiest meal.

@Aberforth @Brandon Rhea