Ask Tython Something the Jedi did not Intend

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Hera walked slowly down the halls of Tython, closely followed by Faen Akatosh. The events of their previous altercation, having occurred mere hours before, still fresh in her mind. But thoughts of what occurred so recently before, or even thoughts of what might happen next, were not what consumed Hera's mind. Instead, a repeating code echoed through every trace of her thoughts, 'Firmly, firmly, firmly, firmly...' she repeated in her head.

Clenched in her fist, firmly, laid a Sith artifact of unknown origin and unknown design. But it was clearly a Sith artifact, and with every step Hera could feel its dark tendrils pulling her down, increasing its weight. It wanted something from her, it tried to speak to her, but she couldn't hear it. She had trained in anti-mind reading techniques, though she had never really employed them until now. The strongest technique she knew, and the one she employed to block out the whispers of the artifact, was to consume her whole mind with repeating thoughts of her own design.

'Firmly, firmly, firmly, firmly...' And firmly grip the object she did, she would not let it go until she was before the council, before Kaisa. Quietly- no, silently Hera entered the council chambers, her coming having been planned and predicted by the council. Without a word, she walked towards a small pedestal in the middle of the room and dropped the ring onto it. Hera had left her lightsaber outside of the room as well, naturally, as she would not dream of carrying her weapon into a Jedi council chamber, unless there had been a need to surrender it.

Suddenly, as the small metal object hit the cold stone of the pedestal, Hera breathed a sigh of relief. It was as if a massive weight had suddenly been lifted from her shoulders. Hera could finally breathe again.

@Charles @Logan

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Though Faen hadn't been in contact with the Ring within the past few hours, it still called to him and it's dark tendrils threatened to breach it's Master. Faen had gotten better at blocking mental attacks, but this was constant. The war in his head raged on and never stopped, the Darkness looking for any opportunity to corrupt the Seer. That was why Faen wanted it destroyed. He wanted to sleep. To eat... To enjoy himself around those whom he loved and cared for. The damned artifact made sure to ruin any savory mood Faen was in.

Now, Faen Akatosh was finally going to be free- or at least he hoped so. Back on Orismer Prime, both he and Quin Leonkri attempted to destroy it but were unable. Perhaps someone more in tune with the Force would be able to succeed where the two Knights had failed. Faen hoped for that, too. A councilor should be able to make short work of this artifact, right? The Ring seemed to eat up any light that was thrown it's way- absorbing all that was good and replacing it with evil, which led the Seer to believe that only a Dark Sider could destroy the Ring.

Well, Hera was obviously struggling with the artifact as well. So maybe it couldn't be destroyed by the Light... Maybe Faen was doomed to live in misery. But, Faen wouldn't be alone with woman who tried to kill him earlier- something that still weighed heavily in his mind. Quin had been summoned by the Seer for the soul purpose of having a friendly face in the room and so they could both describe what happened on Orismer Prime.

I will see to it that it is destroyed for good. That no one else needs to share this burden. In my negligence, a Padawan had come into contact with it. That will never happen again...

@Sicadorito @Logan @Black Noise

 

[Kaisa Vanloa]

It hadn't been long since Hera had contacted Kaisa and requested her presence, though the minutes before these sorts of meetings always seemed to tick by like hours. This was the second time in as many weeks that someone was being brought before her and while the circumstances surrounding this meeting may have been different, the end result was essentially the same.

Another Jedi tiptoeing the line between what they had been called to be and the darkness that beckoned all Jedi into its clutches.

Kaisa couldn't quite comprehend what exactly the point of failure for the Order in this regard. More and more it seemed so easy for Jedi to not just accidentally stumble into situations they were not prepared ofr, but almost actively fucking seek them out with wanton disregard for the consequences of those choices. It was beginning to weigh on her quite heavily, and as such when Hera and Faen crossed into the Council chambers, they would be met with little else than a stone faced look of disappointment from Kaisa.

You will see to nothing, Knight Akatosh. Kaisa said, her tone harsher than she would have liked.

Kaisa's eyes were drawn to the artifact that Hera had placed on the pedestal, noticing that even something as light and innocuous as a simple ring fell onto the stone like it weighed a thousand pounds. A burden that no one should have carried, let alone someone as clearly inexperienced and susceptible as the man brandishing it about to padawans.

The darkness of the artifact warped the force around it, sucking in the light that otherwise permeated a place like the Jedi Council Chambers. It was the most, for lack of a better term, dangerous item Kaisa had personally ever come into contact with. And for that reason alone, she found herself already running out of patience with Faen and the situation he had created.

Can I ask you a frank question? Kaisa said, her question obviously rhetorical as her gaze never left Faen. What in the actual living fuck were you thinking? Though Kaissa tended to err on the side of professionalism, it was hard for her to contain the utter disbelief in her voice, and unable to hold back her exasperation. If it wasn't for Hera, I fear this artifact would have swallowed you whole and with it, the other Jedi you so foolishly brought into its influence.

I can feel the sway this ring has attempted to place on you. Even outside of your grasp it clings to your mind, to your aura. It calls to you because it knows you will answer. And yet, Kaisa paused for a moment, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she shook her head in disappointment. And yet you thought it prudent to expose padawans to such darkness. Jedi with much less training, much less ability to hold the darkness at bay. Darkness you yourself can barely keep yourself from succumbing to.

Turning her attention to Hera for the first time since she'd entered the room, Kaisa's gaze softened just slightly as she nodded her head in appreciation of the Knight's efforts.

Your report was somewhat vague, I assume because of the pressing nature of it and the haste in which you wrote it. Kaisa said, though she meant no offense in her words. She was more proud of Hera's foresight to bring this to her attention than she would say out loud, at least right now. Can you tell me what exactly happened?

@Black Noise @Charles

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Hera did not speak as Councilwoman Vanloa addressed Knight Akatosh, her mind still recovering from the weight of the ring and its attempted influence upon her. Half-way through Councilwoman Vanloa's statements to Faen, the redheaded Knight slowly came to the conversation with a clear mind and heart. Then, the question came upon her. "Can you tell me what exactly happened?"

Exactly? Hera hesitated for a moment, there were things done, things said, that did not look favorably upon her. But there would be nothing gained in attempting to sugar-coat the events or lie to the Councilwoman. Therefore, Hera began, "I was searching for my Padawan, Dash Pavan, in the halls of Tython. I had just recently come to the temple with him and retired to my quarters the day before for a rest. In searching for him, a dreadful sense overtook me and I quickened my pace until I found Padawan Pavan with Knight Akatosh.

"I didn't hear the words of Knight Akatosh, but I heard Dash's response to him. He spoke to Akatosh of a pull to wear the ring, and of a darkness that reached into him when he put the ring on. The same darkness that we feel now." At that, Hera gestured to the object on the pedestal. "I stepped into the doorway then, asking Dash to explain more about the darkness. Akatosh remarked at this moment that, and I quote, 'We all have demons we must battle. No one is completely enveloped in the Light, and if someone tells you so, they're either lying or too foolish to tell the difference.' and 'But, these battles are always harder by our lonesome.'"

Hera paused here for but a moment, then she continued, frowning, "I felt it then. The ring was communing with Knight Akatosh, drawing to him. I could see it as well, Knight Akatosh was wearing it. He attempted to excuse himself as Padawan Pavan explained to me that he had worn the ring himself temporarily, that it froze the cabinet when he wore it, and he apologized for wearing it. I decided at that moment that the safest thing would be for Akatosh to hand over the ring and accompany me to the council, and I demanded as such of him.

"Knight Akatosh refused. He stated that he would be bringing it to the council himself, that, I quote, 'This business is not yours to trifle with, Justicar or not. You and your Padawan need to forget about the ring. I wouldn't dare burden anyone in this Order with it.' He then attempted to leave with the artifact once more."

Hera stopped here, once again, a slight hit of shame sweeping over her body. "I reacted then, perhaps a little too harshly. My fear for my Padawan, or any other Padawan, coming into contact with the ring clouded my better judgment. I struck out at Knight Akatosh, seeking to remove the ring from him by force with my blade. He removed himself from my range with the Force and surrendered the artifact at that time, stating that he would come with me to the council. Now, we find ourselves before you."

And that was the recounting of events as Hera knew them. Perhaps she spoke too much, perhaps she left out something important, Hera did not know. But if Councilwoman Vanloa asked for clarification or more information, then Hera would provide it to the best of her ability. All she wanted was to protect her Padawan, and perhaps that protective nature had taken over too strongly here, Hera thought.

@Logan @Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Being separated from the Ring did, however, clear the mind of the Seer greatly. So much so, that the words of both Hera and the scorning of the Councilwoman spurned his soul. Guilt overwhelmed him- but could he ask for forgiveness? What good would that do? Faen believed now more than ever that this foul artifact needed to be destroyed and kept from anyone's grasp, including his own. It was never his intention for Dash to find the Ring and he should've been more careful with toting around such a thing.

They will never accept you. You are the enemy now. They don't understand your fate- your reasoning. You want your family? The Ren is the Key. Use it to unlock everything that's been hidden. Succumb... Succumb to your Salvation.

No... Faen was sick of this endless turmoil. But... Glimpses of Boramiir gripped his mind. The dying light in his eyes... The body warped by the Dark Side... Faen could've saved him, but he was forced to end the life of his own brother. Tears began streaming down the man's cheek as he stood in silence, allowing the Jedi to figure out his punishment while Hera spoke.

Stop fighting it! They will not help you- they will only bring more misery. The Ren can save your family. The Ren can stop this pain. The Ren will set you free from your shackles. Succumb. To your. Salvation.

"ENOUGH..." Faen howled out loud, shutting his eyes tight. "...Enough..." But the Ring continued to murmur and whisper. "What I've done... I cannot forgive myself for it. I was responsible, and Hera-" Faen turned to the Justicar and smiled faintly. "You had every right to strike against me. Do not feel ashamed for protecting your apprentice." But anguish filled his expression, stealing away the smile.

"That...that thing needs to be destroyed or...or locked away forever or- or something. I failed my duty to this Order. My own Massiff can barely recognize his master..." Faen brought himself to look Vanloa in the eye. "Whatever punishment you see fit, I will take it. Even if I can't be a Jedi any longer. Just... Just get it over with. Please." He couldn't bare the feeling of regret that pounded through his body, and the whispers of the Ring only made it worse. How could perform his duties as a Seer like this? What would be left for him in an Order he couldn't serve? Surely the Ring could be destroyed, however, and then maybe Faen could forgive a small part of himself.

@Logan @Black Noise