Open Invasion New Alderaan Reckoning of New Alderaan

[Darth Tempest]

THEME​

Reckoning had come for New Alderaan. Only a few short days had passed since Vahliri and the others had liberated Altair from his imprisonment on the planet - and the time had finally come to punish those who were responsible. To rain hellfire down upon those who would harm the people that mattered most to her.

Vahliri’s elevation to Champion had placed a myriad of new assets at her disposal, and she brought them to bear against the FWA defenders. There would be absolutely no warning before the Sith fleet dropped out of hyperspace above the pristine world. Several frigates, corvettes and carriers - as well as their contingent vessels - appearing in the skies above New Alderaan.

Within seconds, they began to engage the defense fleet that hovered in orbit of the FWA world - a swarm of fighters and plasma fire filling the skies. Their abrupt arrival of Sith was enough to catch the defending fleet off-guard, and it left enough of a gap for several shuttles to punch through the atmosphere and begin to make their way towards the surface.

One of which, of course, carried Vahliri - and she had no doubt that the Imperials who accompanied her for the invasion were close behind. She was adorned in her signature black-and-red Sith robes, the dark hood pulled to shroud the upper hemisphere of her face. The curved hilt of her lightsaber hung on her belt, while the Crystal Vambrace was fastened to her left arm. It wasn’t long before the Jedi Temple came into view - the primary target of the Sith strike force.

As her shuttle finally touched down on the surface of New Alderaan, Vahliri descended down the durasteel ramp - cloak billowing up around her small figure as the landing shuttle whipped up the air around her. As her boots sank down into the grassy field, her honeyed gaze fixed onto the structure ahead. A beacon of peace and serenity in the Galaxy. A symbol of the Jedi order and everything they represented.

A symbol that Vahliri was going to burn to the ground.

Molten gold swirled within her eyes, the raw fury and passion radiating vibrantly as she stepped towards the temple up ahead. The curved hilt pulled into her right hand, it’s crimson blade snapping to life and painting the Champion in its sinister glow. She didn’t so much as look back at her companions or the Imperial troops that landed as she marched forward - that singular objective driving her with each and every step of her boots.

Spoiler: OOC Note: READ ME DAMNIT

PVP-Enabled, open to 2v2 max. 48hr posting deadline.

@Phoenix @Mr. Teatime

 

[Soleil Altan]

THEME​

Soleil hadn't been present for the initial liberation, although he'd heard plenty about it and the aftermath. While he and Altair weren't exactly close, he felt the Tiefling was owed for something important, even if Altair neither knew nor cared what that something was. How he'd been treated was horrific. That and simple Sith ambition were reasons enough to participate in this full-scale invasion.

But he'd also lost friends and his long-time home on Drommund Kaas. He'd mourned and lamented these losses on his own time and in his own ways until the only thing left was anger, deep and refined. It'd felt like waking up to a new day after a long dream, a bright sun showing him the path forward with clarity and focus.

Soleil stepped from the shuttle just behind Vahliri, not dressed in his usual preferred tunic or other loose clothes, but in a full Imperial uniform. Besides his personal lightsaber, his belt also carried his vibrodagger and Zoella's hilt. His armorplast helmet slowly swiveled to take in the landing zone, gaze eventually landing on their target.

The Jedi temple itself. He walked forward across that grass at Vahliri's side, the acolyte's presence a fluid chill in contrast to her passionate fury. His left hand drew his lightsaber alongside Vahliri, red blade snap-hissing to life. He kept his vibrodagger clipped to his belt.

Today, rather than fighting because he was supposed to as a Sith or solely for recognition of effort. Soleil fought because he'd made that choice himself. He'd decided to march with Vahliri's Imperial forces to the temple gates to burn it down because that's the outcome he wanted.

And so he marched.

@Altaris

 

[Hlodovic Volsung]

Theme
​

The attack on the prison had been mere days ago. While Hlodovic had escaped with Padawan Dimetri, the young man had been in extremely poor shape, Hlodovic was forced to focus on channeling healing energies into the young man to stabilize him before the more proficient healers were able to see him. It was only then that Hlodovic was able to report of the attack, which had allowed for some rudimentary defenses to be assembled, defenses that were not enough but would have to do. Among the defenses, was Padawan Asena, the young Nautolan woman he had trained weeks ago when he was still on Yavin IV, despite the trying times, seeing his student pleased him. He had greeted her just two days before with the same fruit he had shared with her during their training sessions. The last two days were peaceful, tense but peaceful.


However, much like the eye of a storm, this peace was fragile and doomed to end. This is where the Jedi Temple on New Alderaan stood at now, with the stormy threat of war looming overhead, destruction looming on the horizon. The Sith, vectors of the corruption had come to vent their impotent rage upon the Jedi but this time the Order stood ready. There would be no surprise, no ambush in the assault, the Sith would have to pay in blood for every inch of ground they sought to take, and the Jedi would make them pay it. Hlodovic watched as Sith landers approached the ground from the battlements, the wailing of their engines screeching over the gales of wind and rumbles of ships detonating in the atmosphere above. Hlodovic would then turn to Asena, his student and place a hand on the woman’s shoulders.


“Asena, remember what I taught you.” He shouted above the Sith engines. “Be at peace no matter what comes next.” He continued, shouting so she could hear him. “Stay near to me and I will protect you the best I can. Do no fear the Sith.” He instructed. “May the Light be with you.”


With that, the Cathar would return his gaze over the battlements and watch as the Sith ships dropped their bay doors. There was a moment of silence between when the engines died and the first blaster was fired, it was a long and eerie silence that seemed to stretch for hours. But once that first retort was heard, the air quickly filled with laser fire. Rebels from New Alderaanian cells squeezed the triggers of their weapons over the battlement wall. felling Imperial soldiers before being blasted in return, it was an ugly but necessary thing. However, Hlodovic knew it would not be between the soldiers that the fate of this battle would be decided, it would be decided through the clash between the Jedi and the Sith.


In tandem with this thought, Hlodovic sensed a familiar presence, one he had felt only days prior. She had survived the taste of his lightsaber? Hlodovic gave a mirthless chuckle at this before activating his lightsaber and hoisting himself over the battlement ledge. Several other Jedi of various rank did this almost perfectly in synched with one another, lightsabers snapping to life as they fell upon the initial wave of Imperial soldiers below. While many of their number were mere diplomats, they were still Jedi and more than a match for small clusters of Imperial soldiers. Hlodovic’s lightsaber hewed apart Imperials with ruthless, cold, and economic precision, he wanted the Acolyte to find him, he wanted her to know that he was here. As Hlodovic fought his way down the stairs, his mind had been made up, New Alderaan would be this woman’s tomb.

Hlodovic followed his senses, hacking his way through the throngs of Imperial soldiers until he finally punched through their ranks. Hlodovic took ten steps from the back of the imperial line, his armor splattered with the steaming gore of men and women that he had gone through, he didn't look like a Jedi at all in that moment, his presence didn't feel like a Jedi either. Instead, his presence in the Force was alight with unbridled righteous fury, Hlodovic's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the pair of Sith, he gave the Vahl a duelists salute before entering the Soresu ready position after a small flourish.

"Let them come to us Asena." He stated calmly.

The Light gathered around Hlodovic, it would take at least two seconds before the Sith could cross the plains and reach them. Hlodovic would be as ready as he could within that time frame. The duel to decide the fate of the Jedi Temple had truly begun/

@Altaris @Mr. Teatime @HoneyMagpie

 

[Asena Zeev]

Asena tried to calm the tremors the best she could. Was it fear that made her shake? Possibly. This would be her first battle. Her first real taste of gore and the glory that sickenly came with it. But hadn't the nautolan trained for this? Hadn't she devoted hours upon hours to this very pursuit? Maybe she secretly desired all this as it was finally her chance to prove herself as a champion to the Light. Here, on New Alderaan, alongside her breathe, Asena would make a stand against the Sith and their darkness.

Perhaps it wasn't fear then. Perhaps it was righteous anticipation that shivered her. Dark siders previously encountered (whilst challenging) had proven themselves no match for the otherwise wily padawan - Why should now be any different? So long as Asena still had her wits, body and will, she still had hope.

Hlodovic's presence was a further comfort, with or without his token fruit. Though their time together had been brief, the Cathar's teachings had been invaluable. His tutelage had moulded her into the warrior was now. Like a fine blade, Asena had been ready and when the call to arms was made, the padawan did not hesitate to answer. This huntress turned Jedi would not falter, even in the face of mounting odds.

Instead of shrinking, she marched forward and took up her position right next to Hlodovic and from there, she would stare the enemy down, her gaze unwavering in the wake of this storm. Any minute now, chaos would ensue yet Hlodovic's words were a welcome relief.

"I am with you, Master. And the Force is with us."

Tender as that moment was, it didn't last.

When blaster fire broke out between both sides, Asena followed Hlodovic without thought, covering his flank as they made the advance. Others may content themselves with holding the line but they were the vanguard, they were ready to meet their enemy head-on amongst the madness that was this mayhem.

Saber drawn, the nautolan aided Hlodovic in carving a path towards the imperial line. For too long, the Jedi had been forced onto the defensive. Now was the time to charge and go for the proverbial throat.

@Altaris @Mr. Teatime @Apollyon

 

[Soleil Altan]

Jedi defenders were obviously expected, meeting Imperial forces on several fronts of the city assault alongside local defense forces. Imperial soldiers fought and fell to Jedi lightsabers. Their deaths drew Sith like relentless hounds, and duels began in alleyways and across rooftops. Sol deflected fire with a tight guard during the Sith advance, keeping an eye out for the telltale signs of Jedi lightsabers.

Vahliri and Soleil's engagement looked like it'd be in an open clearing ringed wide by the dead. Corpses from both sides were strewn here and there, shot up or cut down. Sol had experienced war and its mixed scents of blood and burning before. If there was any reaction, it was concealed beneath his helmet. He sighted both Jedi as they came into view over a short distaance, continuing to walk forward. Soleil immediately took action.

Sol commanded the Force to wrap around the Nautolan's (@Asena Zeev ) legs without warning, pulling them forward in an attempt to wrench them out from underneath the Jedi while dragging her closer to him. His saber guard was up, tip pointed forward at a 45-degree angle, prepared to either attack or defend.

@Altaris @Apollyon @HoneyMagpie

 

[Darth Tempest]

Moments passed, and Vahliri’s gait never slowed as she drew closer to the Jedi Temple in the distance - singular purpose driving her forward and deeper into the chaos all around them. She marched on admist the skirmishes and fire-fighters of Imperial and Free World troopers - her crimson saber carving with graceful, practiced movements to deflect the stray plasma-bolts that careened in her direction.

She wore no mask or other concealment over her face - features fixed into a permanent snarl. The cries of the dying and screams of agony from both sides reverberated vibrantly in the half-Annfyn’s fluted ears, but she manifested no immediate reaction to them - her attention instead zeroed upon the horizon and any signs of approaching defenders. Honeyed eyes flecked with gold swept across the open field, only to finally settle upon the glow of two plasma blades just up ahead.

She saw them both, and it was only a split second more before Vahliri recognized the yellow blade and the particular presence of the Cathar ahead. The very same Jedi who had tried to kill her back at that prison, and the very same that the Sith had sent running with his tail between his legs in the end. She wasn’t going to give him that opportunity today. New Alderaan would be one of their graves, and she was confident it wouldn’t be hers.

Vahliri didn’t hesitate to engage the a Jedi immediately - taking action on tug offensive while they effectively stood out and did nothing at all. With the Force enhancing her movements, Vahliri dashed towards the Cathar Jedi - rapidly closing the distance between them while her saber was held in a defensive guard and angled to defend against any incoming attacks. The moment she was within reach, Vahliri pushed off her left foot and abruptly pivoted to Hlo’s to her own right, closing in on the Cathar’s left flank.

Her saber, held tightly in her right hand, swung in a horizontal slice from right to left across Hlo’s torso at ribcage level in an attempt to cleave right through flesh, bone and vital organs.

Her left arm remained positioned on her left side and towards her center mass, while the end of her swing - unless otherwise contested - would end with her saber across her body and closing her guard - anticipating any counterattack from the Knight.

@Mr. Teatime @Apollyon @HoneyMagpie

 

[Hlodovic Volsung]

Hlodovic watched as the Sith charge in. He felt the dark side well up and rush through her veins in a wave of corruption, fueling her momentum. As she came in, she feinted with a pivot to his left and struck out. The blow was a horizontal strike, aimed to carve across his ribs and lay him low. It was an aggressive but simple attack sequence, one that Hlodovic instinctively countered.

As Vahl began her pivot into the strike, Hlodovic already began to adapt his stance to compensate for her assault. His lightsaber shifted form the ready stance, Hlodovic raised his right elbow upward, bringing the hand gripping his lightsaber across his body at face height. This brought the tip of the lightsaber downward at an angle in order to guard his left flank from the strike coming in. Her blade would clash with Hlodovic’s towards the center of his own blocking the attack.

The moment the pair’s blades connected and the initial assault was neutralized, Hlodovic would thrust forward with the tip of his blade. The tip would thrust in towards Vahl’s unprotected right flank. The idea was for the Sith to be forced into disengaging from the initial assault or once again taste the tip of Hlodovic’s lightsaber. The massive Cathar kept his senses alert and his guard high, he would be gathering his own strength in preparation to adapt his counter offensive based upon the Sith’s reaction.

@Altaris @Mr. Teatime @HoneyMagpie

 

[Asena Zeev]

So much death. So much carnage, and yet, this was only the beginning. As horrific as it was, Asena refused to allow herself to become distracted. Any hindrance to her would be an advantage to the enemy and she wouldn’t give them such satisfaction. The dead would be mourned, once the Sith were defeated and New Alderaan was safe once more. If the day had to be won through battle and blood, then so be it.

As much as she wanted to stay close to Hlodovic, Asena allowed herself to be dragged closer by the acolyte’s manoeuvre; she knew that struggling would do her little good. If anything her opponent was likely banking on her panic. Her next move, however, might surprise him.

When in range, the nautolan would swing her saber at the acolyte, not to necessarily strike him, but rather to batter his own saber safely aside. Rather than springing to her feet, Asena found purchase, positioning herself on the low ground to launch her next attack. Reaching out through the Force, she seemed to grip at, and pull, the sith's upper body towards her. It was a quick motion, jerky. She couldn't maintain it for long as in the next moment, with the Force aiding her, the padawan’s legs shot upwards at speed, repeatedly kicking at the Sith’s chest and head. She was relentless in her onslaught. Though Asena would have liked to have augmented her strength further, she prioritised speed instead.

The padawan was no stranger to the martial ways. Though some Jedi opted for more meditative, peaceful pursuits, Asena instead dedicated her time and efforts to sparring and combat. She was not so arrogant as to believe that would make her invincible. The young huntress turned Jedi had been humbled by her betters more than once, but still, she would not be an easy victim for these dark siders.

Knowing the Sith would likely block or try to break off the attack, Asena gave one last powerful kick before rolling to her right (the sith’s left). She then slashed upwards as she found her feet once more. She aimed the strike to start from her opponent’s side, with the slashed ending all the way up to his shoulder. Should he block this, the nautolan would follow through with a push through the force. It wouldn’t send him flying back, but it would stagger him, creating some distance between them and their respective masters.

Spoiler

don’t judge me for using an anime gif, it just fits what I’m trying to describe, lol.

@Altaris @Mr. Teatime @Apollyon

 

[Darth Tempest]

The snarl on Vahliri’s lips only widened as she came within striking range of Hlodovic. There was an almost predatory glint in those gold-tinted eyes, unbridled fury radiating off of the half-Annfyn and manifesting through the Darkness all around her. And for all the aggression that fueled her actions, Vahliri didn’t fail to note the way that the Cathar Jedi adjusted his stance and angled himself in response - her own mind racing to respond accordingly.

The split-moment that their blades of plasma met, Vahliri rapidly rotated her wrist in a counterclockwise motion from right to left. Layered ontop of Hlodovic’s downward-tilted blade, her crimson saber crossed over the top of the Cathar’s own in one smooth motion while maintaining contact - ending positioned on the inside of their bladelock. At the same time, Vahliri took a single half-step to the left and pushed further against the bladelock - parrying the Cathar’s yellow saber further to her own right and away from her flank.

As a result, Hlodovic’s thrust would pierce through nothing but the air inches away from her - while his saber was effectively pinned across his body.

Only then did Vahliri reach forth with her left hand - extending outward and positioned roughly center with her body. The Darkness gathered within the half-Annfyn for only a split second before pouring from her fingertips, manifesting as crackling streams of violet and blue lightning - streaking down and towards the Cathar’s exposed legs in an attempt to cook him from the inside out. At almost point-blank range and with his own saber pinned across his body, it was a maneuver that would be exceptionally difficult to defend against.

@Mr. Teatime @Apollyon @HoneyMagpie

 

[Soleil Altan]

To Sol's astonishment, his Padawan opponent didn't resist his Force grip, losing her footing and getting dragged along the ground toward him. The acolyte didn't know what her plan was, but his guard was up, his Force grip solidifying further.

Soleil saw she was out of saber range when she swiped at his lightsaber from her unbalanced position on the floor and took a half step back and to the left, just in case. He rotated his wrist and elbow to send his blade into a quick circle around the padawan's swipe, avoiding her blade entirely and keeping his guard intact. The Nautolan Jedi planted her hands and used a quick-and-dirty pull, then uncoiled to send her legs toward Sol's upper body.

Instead of fully resisting Sol leaned and stepped left using the pull's forward momentum to keep balance, repositioning by pivoting clockwise on his left foot so he was still directly facing the Jedi and dodging the initial kicks. This put Sol at her flank opposite the Jedi's saber hand. Simultaneously, Sol's right hand curled into a fist, the reinforced and unhindered grip on the Jedi's legs abruptly condensing into tight durasteel bands to lock them straight while dragging them up and toward Sol's right, opposite his footwork, doubling down on avoiding the first kicks and preventing any further kicks.

As he dodged, Soleil's saber up-tilted blade would cut right to left to burn thoroughly through both of the Nautolan's legs mid-kick, intent on dismembering both. Immediately afterward he took an extra half step back away from the Jedi, clenched right fist moving in a tight semi-circle as he wielded the Force. Building off his telekinetic leg maneuver's momentum, Soleil attempted to whip the Jedi's upper body into the air away from him and then back down in an arc with whatever remained of her legs as the fulcrum, intending to smash her head, neck, and shoulders into the stone ground using the Force and her own flung body weight. This and the tight grip on her legs would prevent her from rolling away and the subsequent saber slash and force push.

@Altaris @HoneyMagpie @Apollyon

 

[Asena Zeev]

So this was really combat. Actual battle with murderous opponents. It was...terrifying. This wasn't sparring in the temple or even a fight against some pirate scum; it was a real encounter with her order's most ancient of enemies. A Sith. One intent on maiming her, if not worse. It quickly became clear to the padawan that she was out of her depths. One moment, she felt cocky and prepared, the next, she was held in place, like prized prey ready for carving. He had reacted to her attack so fluidly - just how experienced was this adversary?

The flash of the acolyte's blade then awakened something primal within Asena. Something raw and powerful. Self-preservation. She acted without thinking, drawing on the force to flood about her like a torrential whirlpool. It was as if a shield had solidified around her, halting the slash of the saber for that minor moment.

Then it happened. The nautolan wasn't even sure exactly what she had summoned until it ruptured with force. The bubble of energy exploded at once, tearing through the Sith's hold and launching him back. It did exactly the same to Asena, sending her tumbling off to the side of the open ground. She had not escaped unscathed, however; the acolyte's saber had grazed her during that volatile interlude. The burn was searing but with adrenaline pumping, she floundered to her feet, unsteady at best.

Her heart was thumping, its maddening state beating like a heavy drum. Taking a look at her supposed opponent, and the one clashing with her Master nearby, Asena came to a realisation. She was in danger. Real, life-threatening danger. It was a sickening epiphany, one that shook the hopeful Jedi to her core.

The girl could only do what her instincts told her. She ran.

@Altaris @Mr. Teatime @Apollyon

Spoiler

I will be disengaging from this pvp from this point.

 

[Hlodovic Volsung]

Even as the Sith altered the positioning of her blade in order to create more leverage for her to push against, Hlodovic reacted. The strength he had draw up was unleashed from his own freehand. A powerful telekinetic wave was fired at a downward angle towards the Sith’s gut and recently outstretched hand. Hlodovic’s shove was designed to create space between the two as much as it was to break her footing and concentration. As he did this, Hlodovic pushed against Vahl’s lightsaber to create leverage before pushing from the balls of his feet, taking a small, low leap a few paces away from the Sith and returning his guard to a more neutral, ready position.

Hlodovic’s eyes inspected the woman he was dueling, drinking in every detail and preparing himself for his next counter to her aggression, then something else caught his attention. A well of energy, born instinctually from panic and fear, it was designed to shield but at the rate it was building, there would be an apex moment. Hlodovic’s eyes flickered from the woman to just past her for a moment, Asena was hovering in air, gripped by an invisible force and then suddenly she was launched away from the acolyte. Hlodovic felt the fear rippling through the force from the young Nautolan, he didn’t have to watch as she fled, abandoning him to the predations of now two Sith.

The massive Cathar gritted his teeth in frustration, his guard hadn’t fallen during this moment, and while he was certain he could hold the pair of Sith off for a time. However, this was now a numbers game, and it would only be a matter of time before he made a mistake, before their combined efforts brought him down. He didn’t blame them; it was sensible to press the advantage when you had one. However, Hlodovic wasn’t so craven, he positioned himself between the pair of Sith and the fleeing Padawan, ensuring that she would be able to flee the killing fields.

Hlodovic gave the woman a small nod of acknowledgement. She was his enemy, he did not respect her but he acknowledged the skill in her blade work and assault. While Hlodovic took a more measured, defensive retreat from the battlefield. From the sounds of battle behind him, Hlodovic knew a retreat would be sounded and the Jedi along with their allies would have to fall back in order to lick their wounds once more.

The Sith had won today.

Exit Thread

@Altaris @Mr. Teatime @HoneyMagpie

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri gritted her teeth as she stared up at Hlodovic, fluted ears flattening against the sides of her skull and fury luminescing in her honeyed eyes. Naturally, she paid little heed to the duel occurring between Sol and the Nautolan - keeping her attention firmly fixed onto her own fight with the Cathar Jedi in that moment.

While maintaining the bladelock with her right hand, Vahliri channeled the Force through her left - tendrils of electrical energy crackling between her fingertips before springing towards Hlodovic’s legs with lethal intent. Even as the telekinetic blast poured from the Cathar’s own hand, he would undoubtedly taste the first few moments of Vahliri’s otherwise unblocked lightning. He would feel the streams of energy that collided with his lower extremities, spiderwebbing across his skin and burning through fur and flesh upon contact.

The half-Annfyn only had a split second to channel the Force before she was knocked backwards by Hlodovic’s telekinetic assault - a grunt of dull pain escaping from her as she skid backwards, the wind momentarily knocked from her lungs. It wasn’t even a fraction of the damage she had intended with the lightning, but it would be painful nonetheless for the Cathar.

Almost at once, Vahliri adjusted her stance and repositioned her blade into a defensive guard - held at a forty-five degree angle in front of her, on the right side of her body. She anticipated the Cathar to re-engage and continue their duel, but it was only at that moment that the half-Annfyn caught side of the Nautolan Padawan running from the battlefield - followed by the Cathar doing the same. Running away, once again. She clearly noted the nod of acknowledgement from Hlodovic, and it only earned the Jedi a tilt of Vahliri’s head in return.

Despite the urge to do so, the half-Annfyn didn’t attempt to hinder the Jedi’s escape or pursue him further - her attention shifting away what had only been an obstacle and back to her true objective. The Jedi Temple.

Without another word, Vahliri began to take steps towards the structure in the distance - a renewed glint of ferocity burning behind her gaze. Already, Jedi and FWA forces began to fall back into a full-fledged retreat - abandoning resistance and allowing Imperial forces to advance on the temple. By now, the battle in orbit had similarly tipped into the Empire’s favor - star destroyers looming ominously above the clouds and casting dark shadows upon the surface of the planet. With no one left to oppose her, there would be no stopping Vahliri as she marched towards the temple. Imperials would flood into its vaulted corridors, lingering there just long enough to secure its archives and pillage its valuables.

She would take what she wished from the temple before reducing its sacred halls to ash.

/Exit thread

@Mr. Teatime @Apollyon @HoneyMagpie

 

[Soleil Altan]

Soleil's blade struck a last-minute barrier, his senses suddenly assaulted with the Padawan's furious rush of primal, panicked emotions. He visibly tensed up even as he swung- and then the bubble burst before the blade could do more than graze her leg. The burst launched them both through the air, and Sol's saber was wrenched from his grasp.

He twisted frantically through the air like a dropped cat to find his balance. Soleil hit the ground and roughly rolled over his shoulder to a half-crouched position. His vibrodagger was quickly drawn into his right hand while his left came up palm-forward to wield the Force, anticipating a follow-up attack. But the Jedi was still where she'd landed, glancing wildly around

Then, she fled. Hlo and Vahliri had clashed just before the Cathar followed, covering the Nautolan's retreat. Cautiously, Sol stood back up, wonderful new bruises on his shoulder already throbbing. His dagger was sheathed and his lightsaber pulled to his right hand, helmeted visor looking around as if he searching for some kind of trap. All he found were FWA and Jedi forces in full retreat.

Soleil looked upward and saw an orange-colored sky that rained fire and landing craft. Star Destroyers so massive they displaced whole cloud formations dropped into low orbit for precision bombardment. Soldiers marched through streets and alleys, taking the city sector by sector. Sith forces closed in to enact a reckoning and take the planet, to destroy their temple, their home. Something important, from their perspective, would be lost. Reduced to rubble just like the academy on Drommund Kaas.

And they were gonna run away when it got dangerous? This easy retreat offered neither recompense nor closure. A great tide of anger rose in Soleil's chest, mixed with frustration, fear, and recent loss. It clenched his fists tightly and drove him to stalk quickly forward, every movement and mannerism clearly showing its nature as tempestuous fury. It drove out in steadily building waves until it formed one word that telepathically burst out after the retreating Jedi.

'COWARDS!'​

Sol viciously kicked the water fountain's edge with his boot, a chunk of cracked stone knocked loose and clattering across the ground. He strode frustratedly off to join Vahliri again. Still on edge and raring for a fight, the acolyte would storm through the temple with other Sith forces. He focused on acquiring their archives and other data, a step he was passionate about. The rest was just gonna burn.

@Altaris @Apollyon @HoneyMagpie

//Exit Thread