Something Bittersweet

[Lucian Volante]

They had finally arrived at the cave and it was, indeed, empty of all creatures that could do them harm. That did not, however, mean that the cave was devoid of creatures. It meant that it was devoid of creatures who could do them harm.

The entrance to the cave, a mass of brutal-looking rock and twisted tree roots, was swarming with creatures, hundreds of them. Hundreds of orbalisks were massed at the entrance to the cave, lightsaber-resistant creatures that latched onto creatures of the Dark Side and fed off the Dark Sider's Force until they were dead.

But they didn't give a damn about those who used the Light, meaning that Lucian was able to boldly stride through their midst, pausing in the middle, surrounded by hundreds of creatures that could cause a very painful death, glancing back at them.

"Forgot to ask... have any of you ever used the Dark Side? I think they might get a bit agitated at you but they should still let you through if you've followed the Light since."

Should.

@Nightfall096 @Shalken @Vosrik @MatureContentWarningx

 

[Ralaa Talus]

Ralaa watched them from the entrance of the cave- hundreds of them. Repulsive vermin who clung to the sides of the cave, packed so close together you almost couldn't see the walls. The empty space echoed with the sounds of their shelled bodies as they moved and scraped against the dense rock; it was a sound that was hard to describe, but caused her to shiver. Really, she had no reason to fear them as she'd never fallen victim to the Dark Side, but their bug-like bodies made her absolutely want to avoid them regardless.

"Well, they sure aren't the prettiest things," she commented, still hesitating at the entrance. "I imagine it would be dreadful to attract one, let alone hundreds of them." Ralaa bit her bottom lip and stared up at them for another moment, mustering the courage to walk underneath them. Her unease made her palms sweat, but this wouldn't be the obstacle that stopped her. It wasn't silly to want to avoid them when one could, but to be cautious of a creature who sought to do you no physical harm was a bit over the top. Of all the things for a Jedi to fear, bugs had to be the most absurd.

"Fine," she inhaled rather sharp before following Lucian inside at a pace almost akin to a run. Of course, if anyone had asked her, it was more of a brisk jog to make-up for the time they had lost subduing the Zakkeg outside- that made much more sense than the truth. "Do you think there are more of them deep down?"

She looked to Lucian as though he had all the answers, occasionally brushing off her arms as though she'd soon be coated in bugs- hundreds of them.

Ralaa didn't hesitated in the middle, but rather pressed on as far back as she could and waited for Lucian and the others. There were less of them here, but she could still hear them and it wasn't a pleasant sound.

 

[Marina Giulestei]

The entrance to the cave was sickly to look at. A vile mixture of darkness and flesh that writhed and breathed in levels beyond the visible world, breathed in the force. And the dark side of the force at that, as Lucian revealed to the company.

Marian stopped in her tracks for a moment, her mind slipping back. She had not used the dark side, no, she’d resisted it with every step. But, it had affected her, deeply, it had found a way into her head for too long (and any time at all was too long). Cleansed as she was, she couldn’t help but wonder if the kriffing things in front of her, between her and her goal, could sense it anyhow. She’d find out soon enough,

“Just, keep an eye on them for me, alright? She spoke to the group in reply as she edged her foot into the doorway, the cacophony of chitonous clacking running in her ears. With each step she managed to move further through without provocation, but something, something instead cracked beneath her foot, like a shell, that caused her to slip and knock her arm into a set of the things on the wall.

She would have shrieked if she hadn’t held her jaw shut, shaking the things off her. Still though, they didn’t bite, nor feed, but fell to the ground, clearly agitated. And she was no better. Her focus would be shot for a while now. Despite everything she still doubted herself at times after her loss on Tython, this was one such time,

“Let’s, let’s move. I’d rather face them then those things any more”


@Shalken @Vosrik @Nefieslab @MatureContentWarningx

 

[Austin Wolfe]

They had tread through the predator-filled jungles of Dxun and had arrived unscathed — only now, as Austin viewed the dark entrance to the cave before the Jedi, he realized that perhaps the worst of their journey did not lie behind. Looking deep into the cave, revulsion washed over the Jedi Master as he saw the grotesque amount of otherworldly insects that swarmed against the walls. The doctor had to admit that he'd never seen or heard of these orbalisks before, and the explanation given by Lucian did not lessen Austin's dislike for the creatures. Upon hearing the Knight's question on whether they had used the Dark Side before, the doctor already knew his answer. His mind drifted back to the day he heard news of the death of his sister. That was the lowest point in Austin's life, where he questioned everything about the Order and became disillusioned with their Councillors.

However, the one thing Master Wolfe never forsook was the Light. Even during his time of struggle and doubt on Jedha, the Force was always his constant ally — giving the doctor the strength to push forward and never lose hope. Looking forward towards the rest who had passed through the orbalisk swarm largely unscathed, a great sense of peace washed over Austin as he filled himself with the Light. "The Dark Side may be alluring and a constant temptation to us all," he spoke, striding through the swarm. The orbalisks stayed where they were, as Austin had no trace of corruption in him that the insects had an appetite for. "But it has no power over me."

Reaching out a hand to help up Marina, he looked around at the rest of the cave. "I agree, we should move onward — though I sense there are worse things ahead."

@Shalken @Nefieslab @MatureContentWarningx @Nightfall096​

 

[Galahad Vult]

It seemed that the Jedi were given no respite in their journey — for even as one trial had ended, another immediately began. Though they had succeeded against the pack of Devourers and bypassed the Zakkeg nest, they were a squad of powerful Force users. Galahad did not dare to think what would befall an ill-prepared traveler who would follow the same path. Now inside the cave itself, their next hurdle presented itself, but in a way that the Jedi Master had not expected. ⋮⋮ Insects that only feed on the Dark Side? ⋮⋮ Galahad marveled. He never knew such creatures existed in the entire Galaxy. The fact that they had made this cavern, the one that would someday house Lucian's creation, was a monumental discovery. They would serve as a better defense against the greedy Sith than any mere blaster or shield ever could.

As Knight Giulestei stepped through the chittering horde, for a moment Galahad was worried for her safety because of how her mind was heavily affected by the machinations of the Warmaster. However, it seemed that the Orbalisks only had an appetite for those that drew strength from the corrupted energies of the Force, and thus let her pass unharmed. Breathing a sigh of relief, Galahad stepped through behind Doctor Wolfe without hesitation. There was no darkness in his heart, and he strode through the writhing mass of insects confidently. Felwinter, snarling at the strange shelled creatures, initially refused to step through the Orbalisks; however, seeing Galahad walk further away, the white reptile leap-glided over them to catch up. Chuckling at the dragon's squeamishness, Galahad looked over to Jedi ace pilot. "These Orbalisks will provide an excellent natural defense against unwanted visitors." As much as he hoped that their trials were over, the ex-temple guard knew that nothing worth accomplishing was ever easy.

With the natural light already limited through the tangled tree branches at the cave's entrance, the depths of the cavern were pitch dark. Channeling the Force into the Kyber crystal atop his staff, Galahad caused it to emit a low, gentle light for the group. Though hopefully not enough to alarm anything that resided deeper within the cavern, it would provide just enough light to show the way ahead.

@Nefieslab @Nightfall096 @MatureContentWarningx @Vosrik​

 

[Lucian Volante]

The assembled Jedi had passed through the creatures without too much incident, though none of them seemed to be all too keen on the creatures themselves. Lucian himself rather liked them if he was being honest with himself, both for the fact that they didn't harm light side users and for the fact that they looked rather amusing to him. Not everyone's ideal pet he was sure but then people kept a lot worse (in his opinion) as pets so why not?

Walking through them without incident himself, he smiled a little bit at Galahad's deduction.

"That was my thinking as well - these creatures seem so small and so non-threatening but they are all but immune to blaster bolts and lightsaber plans, actively hunt users of the Dark Side, naturally resist attempts to control them using the Force and have poison that will render their prey immobile as they are taken down." he shrugged a little bit, "These creatures are a painless way to take out any of the enemy who would wish to take what we build here today."

Moving deeper into the cave that the creatures had found a home within, Lucian ignited his lightsaber for the light that it cast more than anything else. After a short period of time they stepped into the cave itself, a circular shaped cavern with no other exits and no natural light here either. The cave was empty, no creatures actually living here because of the Orbalisks outside.

"This cave is Orbalisk territory so the other creatures steer clear." he explained to his fellow Jedi as he gestured around at the walls, "The stone here is a form of granite - strong and dense enough to make all but the most powerful scanners all but useless. And there?"

He gestured to the middle of the cave, where there was a small mound of earth that stood higher than the rest, almost like it was designed to raise something off of the ground.

"That is where we shall build our Forge." He waved over the other Jedi as he set down the large bag of supplies he had been carrying before sitting down on the ground, legs crossed, "We shall build this Forge but we will let the Force be our guiding hand - sit with me and let's link hands and minds. Together we will shape our shrine and Forge out of the very granite itself."

For a second he paused, hesitating, before speaking.

"This will be my last act as a Jedi... will you join me?"

@Nightfall096 @Shalken @Vosrik @MatureContentWarningx

 

[Marina Giulestei]

“Once a soldier, aye?” Marina replied to the young pilot. They hadn’t gotten too close, but she new him well enough. If he hunch was correct that’s where he meant to return. She could respect theatre. Part of her would have joined him, the old militant in her. Part of her would build her own cell. But she knew that the Order needed protecting, that seemed to her her calling. Maybe she’d grown soft. But that’s where her heart lay now.

With that though she stepped out to Lucian and proceeded her hand, ready to slip her mind away. She’d been on alert as they’d trekker their way down to the cavern, watching the Orbalisks, keeping her senses ready for other things. They didn’t come, and as Lucian explained it they wouldn’t come. The Jedi were safe here, their forge would be safe. It seemed these hideaways and holdouts were all they had now, all they could rely on to stay safe. Terrifying and comforting, all at the same time. But Dxun would be no place to settle, not for the centuries. It was somewhere to be rediscovered, they’d need those too. To make sure the Sith couldn’t snuff out even these small traces of them.

But she knew everyone here was ready to do what they could, in whatever way they thought best. She knew hers, Lucian had his, the others, she was sure, had the same. It was time then to complete this last duty.

With that then, she closed her eyes, and stretched out with her feelings toward the other Jedi. This forge they would create, she wanted to see it clean, precise, to be worked by deft hands for many years to come. She was ready to see it through. What exactly they would build together she couldn’t say, but it would theirs, it would be the Jedi Orders, nothing could prevent that.

@Shalken @Vosrik @MatureContentWarningx @Nefieslab

 

[Ralaa Talus]

It became darker the farther they progressed, guided only by the light of Lucian's lightsaber. The blue hue that it cast against the stone walls lit their path just enough to keep them from lost, for which she had to admit she was grateful- Dxun was the last place she wanted to set up camp. Too many beasts claimed this moon as home, even if these caves were empty. Ralaa imagined, with no natural resources, the group wouldn't survive long lost within them, but these forests that stood outside of them were equally as dangerous for different reasons.

Once they had reached their destination, near the back of the caves, Ralaa dropped the rather heavy bag she had carried with supplies. The sound it made as it hit the ground, echoed down the narrow path from which they had come. It was a relief to release the weight from her shoulders, but they weren't finished.

Her eyes searched the small indentation which Lucian had picked for them to construct their forge. It was perfectly defended from the outside and would one day serve the preservation of the Jedi Order. Ralaa knew that it was important for her to be here and, for the first time in a while, she felt as though she were truly contributing to the Order to which she had committed herself so many years ago.

Ralaa watched as Lucian took a seat near the middle of the room, both of his hands outstretched for the rest of the group to join him. This was his last act as a Jedi and she was very fortunate to be there. The Jedi Knight took her place beside him, resting her hand in his own and closing her eyes to draw upon the force.

"Together we work to preserve the sanctity of our Order." She held out her hand for the others to join them.

 

[Galahad Vult]

The group ventured deeper into the cavern, the darkness that engulfed the path ahead of them banished away by the light of Lucian's lightsaber. Though any one of the indigenous predators could have taken up home inside, the Orbalisk's presence at the cave's mouth had luckily deterred any other creatures from doing so. With no further obstructions, the Jedi quickly made their way to the circular chamber, bare except for the naturally-formed pedestal at its center.

The location was, in a word, perfect. With a natural defense inhabiting its entrance and the very stones that made up the cavern itself preventing detection from unwanted visitors, the Forge would be well-hidden and defended for many years to come — as to how many, Galahad could never guess. There was always the possibility that their efforts would be in vain, and that the Order would be wiped from all memory and existence. But there was one thing that drove them on, drove them to fight.

Hope.

Hope that the reign of the Sith would not prevail forever. Hope that the Jedi would rise once again. Hope that balance would be restored to the Force. Even in the face of such insurmountable odds, there was nothing now that could dampen their spirits.

Taking a seat next to the rest of his fellow Jedi, Galahad reached out a hand to either side as he allowed the latent energies of the Force to wash over him in preparation for the ritual. "I know not exactly how this is to be constructed, Knight Volante. However, what strength in the Force I have is yours to use and direct." If this was to be Lucian's last act as a Jedi, then Master Vult would see it through.

 

[Austin Wolfe]

It must have been the presence of the chittering swarms of Orbalisks near the entrance and perhaps the Zakkeg taking up residence nearby that deterred anything else from entering the cave. While the jungles outside were quite clearly infested with all manner of dangerous predators, this was a strange safe place in the heart of Dxun. The doctor looked upon Lucian with newfound respect, who had chosen this place specifically out of all the thousands of systems in the Galaxy. Austin's eyes adjusted to the darkness of the cavern as they ventured deeper, eventually arriving at a naturally formed chamber at its end. He did not know how the Knight planned to make use of this place or pass on its knowledge for the years to come, but the idea formed in the Jedi Master's mind to record it in the memory crystal archives of Deep Stone Crypt.

Hearing the words of the others and nodding solemnly, Austin sat down beside his fellow Master. Though Austin knew that he and Galahad still had more work to be completed to help preserve the Order, they would be more than willing to assist Lucian in his final act as a Jedi. "I also have little knowledge of Lightsaber Forges," the doctor added, "But my knowledge, experience, and strength in the Light will be yours to guide." Grasping the outstretched hands of his Jedi companions, completing the circle, Austin gazed upon the pedestal before them. "Though the Darkness closes in ever closer upon us, our Light is stronger." He nodded towards the rest, prepared to begin the work that would be completed that day.

@Nefieslab @Nightfall096 @MatureContentWarningx @Shalken​

 

[Lucian Volante]

Drawing on the strength of his fellow Jedi, Lucian reached into the very stone surrounding them with the Force, cutting through the stone where needs be and merely pulling loose stone up where it could naturally supply what they needed. Using the Force and feeling his connection to his fellow Jedi, Lucian began to allow the Force to guide them and the power that flowed through them all.

"We are Jedi - and we are defenders of the defenceless."

Two large chunks of stone were moved, to stand opposite each other, atop the small rise in the centre of the cave.

"We are Jedi - and we are seekers of knowledge and guardians of secrets."

Smaller stones began to amass around the main stone pillars, building up all around them and encasing them until they resembled nothing but featureless forms of stone for now.

"We are Jedi - and we are righteous warriors against the Darkness."

The stones began to heat up and shift as they began to get to a stage where they seemed to flow like liquid, rapidly forming something much more distinct.

"We are Jedi - and we entrust this forge to the ages so that others may follow our path."

Stone rose up, forming the actual workbench area of the forge itself as their various tools and materials were nearly stacked and readied at the forge itself.

The Force stopped flowing through them as the forge finished taking shape and Lucian groaned slightly, now with one hell of a headache from being the conduit for such power.

"Alright... does it look alright?"

@Nightfall096 @Shalken @Vosrik @MatureContentWarningx

 

[Galahad Vult]

As Lucian began, Galahad could feel the Force beginning to course both from and through him towards the Knight at the epicenter. Thus imbued with the strength of five powerful Jedi, the ace pilot then began to guide it into the stone around them to alter its shape. Though Galahad could feel the ground shifting in front of him and hear the stones rumbling, Galahad paid them no heed, keeping his eyes shut and focusing on channeling his energy through the others to Lucian. Above the noise of the terraforming granite, Master Vult could hear Knight Volante repeating a Jedi mantra. For but a moment, Galahad felt intense heat emanating from the structure that was forming in front of him, but it lasted for merely a few moments before it was gone.

With the ritual complete, Galahad was overcome with a wave of exhaustion. He had not exerted himself in this manner in a long time, not since he had fought against the abominations on Prakith alongside the Grandmaster. It took Galahad several moments of rest before he could gather the strength to pull himself to his feet. However, once he had done so, the bearded Jedi stepped back to view Knight Volante's handiwork. Master Vult understood the concept of manipulating plant growth with the Force — indeed, he had even used it himself to extract and replace the Kyber crystal atop his staff. But manipulating stone? That was something unheard of, and yet Lucian accomplished it all the same. The entire structure was smooth, every inch crafted from the stone that made up the cave itself. Where metal would rust and wood would decay, rock would endure the test of time for ages to come. "It is magnificent, Lucian. This forge will be instrumental in the preservation of the Order," Galahad replied. Expertly crafted and expertly hidden, the ex-guard was certain that its presence would go unnoticed by the Empire for a very long time.

How long, though? Galahad could only wonder. Perhaps the Empire would collapse in on itself in thirty years. Maybe after a century with the next generation. However long it took, there was one thing the Sith could be relied on to do once they had conquered the galaxy: they would fight each other. Peace was a false hope among the practitioners of the Dark Side, and it was up to the remaining Jedi to ensure there would be a remnant of their Order once that peace ultimately failed.

@Vosrik @Nightfall096 @Nefieslab @MatureContentWarningx​

 

[Marina Giulestei]

The rumbling of the cave as the forge began to draw itself together from the very stone beneath them was exhoed equally by a rumble in the veins of Marina, feeling the force of the collected Jedi bubble through her, directed, focused on a good purpose. If only they had been such long before now. Though any blame laid with far to many for her to linger on such thoughts. No, until their work was completed her mind was enraptured, spinning the forge in her mind, helping Lucian and the others to cut the rock and carve the stone as it flowed as if in an invisible mold. A break would mean an imperfection, and upon such a task she wouldn’t brook it. If it were to stand, as the others had said, for generations to come then it could afford nothing less than her best.

What they made was exactly that, somewhere perhaps she might be able to take younglings one day, if there was ever the chance of new Jedi again. Plans she had with Master Guleya, perhaps there would still be a place for ones gifted in the force to learn with them, away from the fear of the Sith. To know this was here, kriff, it was a comfort, to know that each in their own way was finding some way to maintain the Order,

“Hopefully we get the chance to use it sooner, rather than later” she added, following Master Vult. Marina had taken a step back from the circle, glancing about the room. It felt warmer now, safer. Even the Orbalisks didn’t unsettle her anymore. Dxun had been a good choice by Lucian, one with foresight. She’d need to find some of her own in the waiting days of the galaxy. Though this wasn’t the end. Their actions this day were a sign of it all themselves. She couldn’t forget that.

@Vosrik @MatureContentWarningx @Nefieslab @Shalken

 

[Austin Wolfe]

At first, with his eyes closed shut, he could feel naught but the life force of the other Jedi around him. Then, Lucian began drawing upon their strength, calling forth power that no single Jedi could ever hope to wield singlehandedly. Expertly crafting two detailed statues that looked inward towards the center of the room where the forge lay, their work had now been completed. Austin released the hands of those he sat beside and collapsed backward onto the stone floor of the cave — exhausted. He was content to merely lay there for some time, allowing his body to naturally restore the massive expenditure of energy. Never before had the doctor used the Force to this extent, not even in fierce combat or while attempting some incredible feat. Healing a patient with the Force was an intricate skill, but not one so demanding as the task the Jedi had just completed.

Breathing heavily, the Jedi Master eventually pulled himself upward but remained seated on the ground. He peered at their combined handiwork, admiring how simple and yet awe-inspiring the forge looked. "I concur, the forge will most certainly be put to good use in time," Austin commented. Marina spoke as well, although the doctor could not deny he had some doubts. "Hopefully soon indeed. However, much of the Order has already scattered across the Galaxy and gone into hiding — it would be difficult to notify them of the forge's creation." With this in mind, an idea came to the Jedi Master. To prevent its location from being lost forever in the coming war, Austin decided that he would imprint the location of this forge onto a Memory Crystal in the crypt on Ellora. There the knowledge of this place would be kept secret, but be readily available to those who were worthy of finding it.

@MatureContentWarningx @Nefieslab @Shalken @Nightfall096​

 

[Ralaa Talus]

The entire cave trembled, walls shifting and rocks contorting to form a forge in front of them. Ralaa could feel Force as it pulled through each of them and Lucians words echoed out in the darkness- she repeated them under her breath. It was an experience she couldn't quite explain, but what they had created by joining together would ensure that the Jedi Order would ensure. Ralaa felt fortunate to be a part of something as important as this, even if it didn't really seem as important as some of the things that had already been accomplished.

"I'm sure that, if we put our minds together, we can think of some way to spread the word, Master Wolfe." Ralaa smiled, standing and brushing the dirt from her pants. It was going to be a long walk back to their ship which left them plenty of time to work out the final details. Soon the rest of them would go into hiding and it was important that the location of this forge be kept a secret except to those who deserved to find it- those who would be the future of the Jedi Order.

 

[Lucian Volante]

Looking at the cave and the forge for a long moment, Lucian was overcome by a feeling of finality.

This... this was it.

This was the last act he was going to do as a Jedi of the Jedi Order and he knew it. It wasn't the Force that told him that either - it was just something that he knew. He knew that he was done in his bones, deep in his gut, and he knew that it was for the best. Standing to his full height, Lucian unclipped his lightsaber from his side.

Turning the tool over in his hand, he stared down at it for a long moment before slowly walking forwards.

Almost reverently, he placed his lightsaber atop of the forge.

"I'm done."

Stepping back from the forge, he smiled sadly at the other Jedi in attendance before nodding to them.

"Leave anything you want and go - I'll shut the door." he told them, placing a hand at the base of the statue of the male Jedi, using the Force, "After this... I do believe I'm going to go into hiding. Maybe try and play the role of husband and father. What better way to hide? Thank you."

He pulled his hand away from the stone, having etched into it a message he was going to leave for anyone who found the forge. It was all he could leave them.

Unto you we trust our mission, our hopes and our fears. May you carry them with an ease we did not have.

But it was time to leave - time to leave the Jedi behind him.

/End Thread

@Nightfall096 @Shalken @Vosrik @MatureContentWarningx