Ask Ossus Once forgotten memory.

[Larana Basai]

Jedi Temple Ruins - Ossus​

Ossus was one of her favorite destinations for self-reflection and meditation. The temple ruins, now reclaimed by nature, were awe-inspiring, despite the heaviness that could be felt within them; echoes of the past, left by the Jedi who had come before her. Sections of the once prominent stone walls had crumbled into non-existence, while others still peeked out from behind the thick foliage that clung to them. An abundance of moss and vines lay over the long untrodden floor, their only purpose now to soak up the seasons rain. It was a beauty that only the forests of Ossus knew how to paint and, even as a Padawan, still learning to connect to the Living Force that surrounded her, Larana could almost feel each individual who had visited, their whispers carried on the breeze that moved through the trees overhead, and in the stream that moved steady in the distance.

She sat with her back to one of the pillars, hands in her lap and eyes closed, counting each breath as she took them, attempting to lose herself in the force; to draw upon the energies that still lingered in the now buried ruins. However, it was difficult to hold her focus, even here, as any sort of distant noise quickly drew her attention away from the ruins and deeper into the forests. There was so much about Ossus that was unfamiliar to her, but as much as her heart ached to explore them, it was important that she remain still.

Larana had come here in the hope that she would be able to focus on meditation, to learn to speak with the force in the way that her peers did. It had never been easy, but if she couldn’t master enough patience now to learn, then she’d never amount to anything as a Jedi Knight.

Huffing in frustration, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes to try again. In counting her breath, she focused on the sound of the wind as it passed through the leaves overhead, speaking in a way that only nature knew how. It reminded her of her home on Andara and her adventures alone in the woods near her home. It even smelled the same, but just as it had happened so many times before, just as she was feeling herself slip into a state of calm, something else drew her attention. It felt like a whispered warning, or a dark cloud nestled in an otherwise blue sky. Larana wasn't sure what it was, but found that she was suddenly alert, heart thundering in her chest.

@Six

 

[Malleus]

​

The Zabrak's thoughts were focused and directed as he departed from the landing point of his vessel and through the grassy area of Ossus. Arriving in a mere shuttle due to his previous transport ship being destroyed in a crash. His feelings on the other hand were a cocktail of everything ranging from anger, disgust, blood lust and eagerness. The disgust in his stomach no doubt caused by the traces of Light Side energies seeping out of the direction he was heading. An old abandoned Jedi Temple where the presence of the Light still lingered to a degree. ''Why would she go to such a place ?'' a thought crossed his mind when he first heard the information about Larana's whereabouts. He was unsure was it just out of interest and reverence to the Jedi that came before her ? Was it some exploration task, perhaps hunting for some knowledge of her decrepit Order ? He was unsure exactly but didn't bother to much with the possible answer, the more important thing taking front and center in his mind - he knew where she was and he was about to meet with the girl yet again.

Malleus had seen Larana first time after many years when his Jedi trap on Batuu worked once again. Eager to finish her as he did her master all those years ago and subsequently take revenge for what harm she had caused to her body back then Malleus almost exclusively targeted her during that encounter. Unfortunately he was unable to prevent the Jedi nor her companions from escaping his trap. What he was successful in though was having his mercenaries track and search for Larana as she fled Batuu, one of them eventually placing a tracking device on the Jedi's ship and finally leading Malleus to her current and quite frankly isolated location.

To Malleus Larana wasn't someone he viewed as an active threat for better of for worse. In his mind she was that scared padawan who watched her master die and was able to escape and injure him on the basis of sheer luck alone. His rage for her injuries over him even subsiding to a point where he no longer wanted to bring about instant death to the girl upon mere sight but rather viewed her as a plaything... someone he could use to hurt the Jedi more and more. Though admittedly the Zabrak's focus on the girl for his plans was slowly turning into a smaller obsession.

Stomping through the jungle the hulking dark armored figure yanked and ripped out any of the branches and liana's blocking his way. His twisted and corrupted presence alone unbalancing the usually peaceful atmosphere of the Temple area. And as he did se he was certain that she was there.. finally he felt the familiar presence in the Force that the padawan gave off. Hastening his pace he came to a clearing in the woods leading straight to the front of the old Temple. Moving further the hooded Zabrak giant finally noticed the one he came for, as she came into his full view his eyes wrinkled - no doubt a twisted grin appearing behind his respirator mask, eager to watch the horror on the girl's face unravel at the sight of his appearance in this place she most likely viewed as her her own safe little corner of the galaxy

@MatureContentWarningx

 

[Larana Basai]

The closer that Malleus got, the more Larana was sure that she recognized his presence. It was cold and heavy, unforgiving like water building in her lungs, threatening to drown her. Like sinking deep into a vast ocean, deep enough that light no longer penetrated the surface, surrounded by nothing but darkness and an overwhelming silence. She rose ploddingly, eyes locked in the direction from which he moved toward her; the sound of her heart beat steady in her chest echoed.

What felt like a few slow hours, but was in reality a few show minutes, passed before he emerged from the heavy foliage and into the large clearing. More silence, a twisted grin formed beneath his respirator, reflected in his grotesque yellow eyes. If she were to see the colors of his soul, it would block out the sun.

Just as on Batuu, she would not allow her expression to change, though a deep pit grew in the depths of her stomach. Instead, she took a deep and calming breath, and dropped her right hand to wrap around the cold metal hilt of her lightsaber.

He would strike without warning, she remembered, some of her bruises still fresh from their last encounter. Larana unclipped her hilt and held it firm, the pale yellow blade extending to protect her torso.

"Revenge is not the answer to your pain." She spoke in a firm tone that covered the distance between them. It was as much to remind him as it was to remind herself, refusing to let fear or bitterness pull her from the beliefs that she held so close, even if it meant that these would be her final moments.

@Six