Ask Event [Telos] Always Have the Temple in Your Sights

[Renfry]

Andruil was far too upset to see this as a game any longer. Darkness swallowed her mind, and with it the desire to kill. To kill the people who were endangering those she cared about and to extinguish their candle from the galaxy.

The Grandmaster managed to break Andruil's grip on her arms, a testament to the power the woman wielded and the danger she posed to the Sith. The Jedi pulled at the moisture in the air, and cast balls of ice at not only the Empress, but also the other Sith gathered here.

The Nightsister acted quickly, the Shadow wrapping the air in front of her and creating a green, half-wall. For the briefest moment she was brought back to her last fight with a Grandmaster and using a similar move to keep at bay such a potent power. Her own strength had grown exponentially since then and it was almost difficult to remember those days that seemed so long ago.

The orbs and shards of ice would strike the barrier and rather than try to stop the attack, Andruil let them strike and continue their trajectory just in a different direction, following the curve of the barrier up and over the heads of herself and each of the targeted Sith.

She took no further time before darting forward,, moving with speed that surpassed a normal being and covering the distance between the two women in short order. Without her saber out already, she should be able to reach the woman first, and bodily slammed into the Grandmaster. But before the pair actually struck the ground from the tackle, a wave of green flame enveloped them.

With another flash of green, they appeared to the northeast only moments later, away from the rest of the fighting and approximately ten meters up in the air. This was intentional so that the Nightsister could drive the other woman into the ground under her, driving her feet and her own momentum into the other woman's chest to break her ribs and crush her lungs. She would use the Force to protect herself enough, and the woman's body to buffer the rest.

Jedi always thinking they know other people, she growled, though her mind was elsewhere.

@lizziie @Green Ranger @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Wit @Altaris

 

[Ashla Ti]

The grandmaster drew Ashla's attention away from the Jedi she had attacked, and the Togruta stepped to the side (going right) to prepare herself to deal with the attack, spreading her feet wide as she reached out with the Force, the power of the dark side nexus and the being around her strengthening her like she had rarely experienced. Only for a green barrier to appear in front of her and divert the ball of ice and accompanying shards.

Quick to react, Ashla reached out with the Force as she turned left to face the boulder and grabbed the boulder as it was sent on an upwards trajectory by the Empress' barrier. The boulder had momentum sending it up and away from Ashla, so she used that momentum to pivot on her right foot and swing around, rotating counter-clockwise and bringing the boulder swinging around with the rotation of her body, as if an imaginary teether connected them. As she spun around, the boulder swept in an arc in the air and came flying back, the Togruta's telekinetic hold allowing it to slingshot around her position and send it flying straight at the female Jedi Knight (@Green Ranger).

She had noticed noticed that Jaikus had his intended target, and the man she had attacked seemed to have business with Tiamat, there was obviously history there. But the fact that he had tapped the Dark Side had changed things, suddenly the only way to beat the Jedi was not through combat, but through that man's connection to the Dark Side. And that was something the young Torguta was not qualified to deal with. So leaving that to Tiamat, she had picked the remaining Jedi as her target, to keep her from interfering with whatever would happen between the Sith Lord and the Jedi who seemed to be on his way to ascendency.

@Phoenix @Green Ranger @lizziie @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus moved to engage Jaesa, and yet his mind was no longer strictly on the woman ahead of him. The Axxilan’s thoughts lingered upon the sensations that he had felt echoing out from Dantooine. Lingering upon the anguish that rippled out from that planet and originated from the other end of that bond.

It was anguish that washed over Jaikus in profound waves and served to drown out all other sensations. He was no longer interested in drawing out their fight or inflicting some petty revenge upon the Dathomirian. It was anguish that gave strength to the Darkness that swelled within him and fueled his every attack.

Just then, the Axxilan felt new ripples radiating out through the Force – brushing against his psyche and, for the briefest moment, drawing his attention elsewhere. Jaikus felt the raw emotions that suddenly swelled with Byron and radiated outward, even if the Axxilan didn’t understand the reason behind them. He felt as the Jedi Knight suddenly gave into those emotions, tapping into the Dark Side.

Jaikus felt the sudden shift, and yet didn’t seem particular interested – his attention snapping back to Jaesa after a half-second. There was no sick satisfaction that came from seeing a Jedi fall to corruption, nor was there any attempt to further that process along. He didn’t care. His concern – his sole objective right now – remained upon eliminating the obstacle in his path.

Upon eliminating Jaesa.

Jaikus’ saber carved upwards and lightning sprang from his fingertips, only for both attacks to be absorbed by Jaesa’s twin blades – both cracking and hissing violently as dueling energies clashed. He heard the little quips that came from Jaesa, and yet never lowered himself to dignify her with a response.

The Dathomirian could say whatever she pleased, and she would only ever be met with frigid, unsettling silence from her opponent.

He felt the weight of the duel-bladed saber press against him, and instantly the woman would feel Jaikus’ saber begin to back slightly against the superior strength. The Axxilan’s strong-suit had never been brunt strength, and he never had any intention of maintaining an extended blade-block. Instead of pushing back against her, Jaikus abruptly stepped back with her push, vaulting backwards a few feet and landing in a crouched position.

The Axxilan coiled the Dark Side defensively all around his body, keeping his body bent low to the ground. As a result, the Force Push was only successful in causing the man to skid backwards a few more feet, his boots dragging through the snow as he moved. Additionally, thanks to the sudden intervention of Andruil, the boulder of ice was never actually a concern for Jaikus - the chuck of frozen water passing above his head by several feet and continuing its path through the air.

Jaikus would only linger there for a few moments before abruptly springing forward once more, darting across the ground and towards Jaesa. He would not give the woman any opportunity to engage on her own terms.

As he moved across the ground, the Axxilan reached out with the Force – tendrils of energy snaking out from his limbs and coiling tightly around Jaesa’s leg – focused upon her knee in particular. With a sharp flick of his wrist, Jaikus attempted to abruptly force her leg to snap backwards and out of place – crippling her leg as he advanced.

As he did so, the Axxilan closed the distance between himself and the woman once again – bringing his weapon up from his side. Jaikus suddenly arced his blade of crimson plasma upwards in a vertical swing, angling to carve a path right through the middle of Jaesa’s saberstaff.

He attempted to exploit one of the main weaknesses of her duel-bladed weapon, while likely removing a few of her fingers in the process.

@Phoenix @Green Ranger @lizziie @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Wit

 

[Darth Tiamat]

This was truly a twist that Tiamat did not expect as her focus returned to Byron. His presence was different, the shadow of the Force now clawed at his psyche and curiousness struck the red headed Sith as to what he would decide next. Her body shifted, ready to brace for the boulders that came flying into the Sith line, but the Empress' power shimmered in green, sending them up and over, landing harshly in the snow behind them.

This would allow the Sith Lord to focus on Byron; the man who seemed to be there from the beginning, the one who seemed no matter how close he would get to her, he could never touch her despite the opportunities. She watched as he drew closer, his saber crystal agonized in the Force under the change; it flicked into crimson and Tiamat ignited her own blade, the pearl screamed her siren's song as she washed herself in the cold inky waters of the dark side.

Golden eyes narrowed behind her helmet and sinister grin cracked. She wondered if he would accept the baptism, he growled his purpose, his body physically changing under the corrupting albeit powerful influence of the dark side.

Tiamat held her saber steady, though her stance braced from the offense that could come from the fallen Jedi. "Focus, control what it feeds from you. It is an animal that cannot be tamed, but it can be guided by your will." the woman raised her saber, "You can let it consume you, or allow it to feed on the Order who plunged the galaxy into war once more." Tiamat hissed, her own hatred for the Jedi's ideals growing. "Your allies and friends, dying, because they can't mind their own business. Senseless. And they will make you kill those you love if they don't follow their ideals." Though she could feel Byron's own darkness, she was uncertain on the decision he would make next and it kept her ready for anything, the shadows twisted around her as she readied for anything. If he had no control, she would have to deal with him. Which would make for a super awkward encounter if he survived later, otherwise, things would not look too good for the Jedi present.

@Darasuum

@Phoenix @Altaris @Wit @Valen Pelora @Green Ranger @lizziie

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The galaxy slowed. For a fraction of a moment clarity struck. Foresight that had escaped Alex for months. She could see the paths unspooling before her. Was this a sign the future shifted? A sign she’d finally made the right choice? No. Her frozen moment in time existed to extract a toll. Alex felt the Darkness gathering, the power of the Nexus flexing. It came not from the Sith but her own people. She barely knew Byron, Kara and Jaesa. Drow trusted Byron and that had been good enough for her. They were Jedi…they would do what was right. Until they didn’t. As time slowed, she saw Byron feed his emotions. That should not have happened. She had shield them from the pain, Alex had protected their minds. All he had to do was not reach for the Dark Side. Why had he given in so easily?

The Grandmaster had a choice. Andruil was charging…her steps speeding across the snow. Alex could stop it. Slam the Force out to halt the charge. They’d lose Byron. Her eyes flicked to the Empress. Oh well.

Alex’s mind lashed out. Lightening fast she snapped into Byron’s thoughts…the Light pouring from the Grandmaster. Time returned to the Morellian. “Byron! You are not alone…you are never alone…we are family, and we shoulder the loss together. Lean on us. Do not lose faith.” She shoved every ounce of strength in the Light at Kara, Byron, and Jaesa. She was the Light in the Darkness. The Nexus beat strong, but the Jedi Temple survived. Find steal in each other. Alex quickly shifted to Andruil.

Fuck.

The Empress hit the Grandmaster like a freighter. Alex had made her choice. She felt the crash and then the Dark magic. They were falling. She had seconds to react. The Morellian Jedi once considered herself a masterful healer. Those days were long since gone. Her path created a different Jedi, one who mastered the elements and the mindscape. Andruil was above her, driving them towards the snow. The cold winds of Telos rushed up behind them, howling at the Force users. The slowed Alex’s dissent and ripped at the Empress, driving her up and away from the Grandmaster. As Andruil spoke, the Light hummed in Alex’s chest. Preparing her body for the impact.

The Dathomirin’s mind was shielded but there was distraction. Her body impacted the snow, the Force absorbing the momentum and sending it into the ground beneath. Bruises welcome her to the ground. Assuming the gale winds had given her some breathing room Alex would quickly gain her feet, sending those same winds hammering at Andruil as she stood, she would take advantage of that distraction. “No.” Her words cut across the cold. “I know nothing about you but you seem to certainly think you know me.” Alex was not Oota, Sada-Nau, Max, Hans, Oren, Tedimor, or Lena. She was none of those that came before her. The Empress would learn that.

@Phoenix @GABA @Altaris @Wit @Green Ranger @Darasuum @lizziie

 

[Orenth]

This was the first time that Byron tapped into the power of the Dark Side. Black veins stretched from the stern expression of the brawler, away from irises that used to be a light green but now shown a mix of red and yellow. With eyes matching the burning ire in his heart, Byron strode towards Tiamat as she willed more of her manipulations unto his mind.

Each step he took towards the redheaded Sith was time spent focusing his emotions. Whereas other Jedi often tried to ignore or abstain from feeling anger Byron had always acknowledged it and used it to his advantage. Only now, the darkest urges the man submitted to were ruling his actions. Self aware and mastering disciplines over the years did a terrifying amount for his shifting methods over to the Dark Side. But the man in all of his wrath was not a fool or ignorant of the dangers before him.

The column of circling winds around the ex-Knight continued to build. Shards of ice shrapnel were picked up as the diameter expanded to approximately four meters. The man knew he could make the area of this affect wider. But he wanted to keep it under control, honed to be more intense and effective just like the pain of loss he was feeling. But this did not make it difficult for the bearded man to hear the words that came from the blue garbed Sith. Byron focused his anger on the Dark Side. He focused on whatever that thing was that had corrupted the one person he wanted to protect which wasn't his obligatory responsibility. The Dark Side was a force of nature and always had been. It could not exist without the light.

He did just as she had advised, keeping in mind the preached perspective. But his target was not the Jedi Order. They had died and lost many times over in recent history. But it was the will of the Force for death and woe to be had. Byron would bring balance to the Force and the next step was on this mountainside. "You are mistaken. This is just the latest oscillation of events, dark ones." He said with the same resonating growl. A level of murderous intent kept just barely below the surface followed the man like a shadow. That was the Siths' problem. A force of nature was untamed but they thought they were above its dangers even when they tried to teach someone like him of its nuances. It wasn't a beast or an animal. It was a storm and the only thing to do when dealing with one of those is to seek shelter, or perish. "You made your choices. Now answer for them."

Three meters from her he would take a single step forward and pirouette three hundred and sixty degrees while outstretching his arms. These would have the sleeves whipped up to the elbows as they wrists spun around one another before ending outstretched in a fast flurrish. The crimson lightsaber blade ended extended, pointed towards Tiamat as it channeled the built up cyclone of destruction. Her small and light form could be easily tossed up into the air several stories among other things if she did not avoid it. Not to mention everyone between him and her would get to deal with the cutting twister and all its cutting ice left over from the grandmasters attack as well as anything new. Its form was kept in mind by Byron as he sent it forward, knowing that some techniques could dampen its affects. But the man wanted whomever it hit to feel just how violent he was feeling.


@Alexandria Voran @Jaesa Valerin @Green Ranger @GABA @Phoenix @Wit @Altaris

 

[Jaesa Valerin]

The boulder of ice never hit its mark, and Jaikus didn't get pushed quite as far back as she had hoped. None of that was an issue though, because it gave her enough time to do what she wanted.

During the seconds of him being pushed back and him pausing for a few moments after, Jaesa slowly moved backwards and continued to pull the Force around her. Aided partially by the Force she had already coalesced around her and partially by the strong feeling of the Light that washed over her when Alex had reached out, Jaesa had pulled enough of the Force around her to send another sizable push straight at the man who was now quickly advancing towards her.

The wave of Force would hit Jaikus head on, followed by a blizzard of snow an ice which was blasted from the ground into the air. The wave of the Force would negate his attempt to cripple her leg, and his saber would never reach her. He would likely be sent back several feet from the force of it, and at the very least past Kara (@Green Ranger ).

Jaesa would move forward a bit to join the other knight, standing just behind and to the left of her, then readied herself.

tags: @Valen Pelora @Green Ranger @Darasuum @GABA @Phoenix @Wit @Altaris

 

[Kara Vaalki]

Kara didn't particularly think highly of the newly-fallen Jedi (@Darasuum) in front of her, having spoken to him only minimally - and never in anything beyond formal coordination of their flight paths - on the journey to Telos. And his sudden and very inconvenient fall to the Dark Side had put Kara's opinion of the man very firmly into the negative.

Still, as one of the Sith - Kara wanted to say Twi'lek, but the head horns seemed rather distinctively non Twi'lek, so she wasn't sure. It was a big galaxy (@Wit) - redirected an ice boulder again to lob towards the Jedi like some ancient siege weapon, Byron's violent (and rather showy and unnecessary, in Kara's opinion) tornado caught the boulder just enough to skew its trajectory slightly, flinging the boulder aside to smash into the ground harmlessly, several meters away from Kara and the Jedi Knight Valerin (@lizziie), who had moved closer to Kara after fending off the assault of one of the other Sith. (@Altaris)

A Sith who was, by all accounts, very much exposed, given how Byron and the third Sith (@GABA) were clearly heavily engaged with one another, and the Twi'lek( Or, not-a-Twi'lek?) was significantly farther away.

Seizing the opportunity to engage with a Sith on uneven and advantageous terms, Kara brought her own weapon to bear against the Sith that had been engaging with Jaesa. At the same moment as her ally summoned the Force to push the man back a second time, Kara sprang forward, sweeping her blade cross-body in a powerful swing aimed at the Sith's (@Altaris) left leg.

The man would be faced with few desirable outcomes. Defending a low strike with his saber would be awkward enough, if it weren't for the fact that he had to defend against Jaesa's Force attack at the same time. He could risk losing his leg (or at the very least taking a crippling strike that would remove him from the fight - or take the full force of Jaesa's icy assault, or the kinetic blast that accompanied it. All of which could send him flying a significant distance, and with possible injury.

And if he was pushed away, that would leave the Sith that was facing down Byron very outnumbered.

@Valen Pelora @Darasuum @Green Ranger @Phoenix @Altaris @GABA @Wit @lizziie

 

[Renfry]

Andruil felt the wind ripping up around her as the Grandmaster (@Valen Pelora) summoned her power, tiny pieces of ice and cold grazed across her face causing a biting chill against her skin. She didn't relent from her advance, but that same wind was strong enough to lift her free from the Jedi Master.

She floated upwards, twisting in the air to right herself before landing on the ground several meters away, catching herself with the Shadow in a predatory crouch that spoke of her heritage.

The same gusts of wind rushed over her again moments later, flinging her back several more meters and sending her into the snow. Wet and cold clung to her clothes but she rolled back to her feet once again.

She reached down and pulled the lightsaber from her hip, the blood-red blade igniting in her right hand with a low hum. In the Force the crystal almost had its own song. The crystal of a former Jedi Councilor, bled of the Light and now filled with darkness. Perhaps it was the crystal or perhaps it was merely the nexus speaking through it. Words spoken and whispers in the minds of those nearby. To the Nightsister it spoke of home and the place where she had bled it, but to the Grandmaster it would be quite a different story.

Then why don't you educate me, she said. She darted forward, saber still in hand as she closed the distance. She slashed with her saber horizontally at chest height from her own left to right, green lightning flowing from her right hand and clawing down the length of her blade, coating the entire energy in a sickening Life Day Tree display of red and green. When it struck her blade it would leap free like an explosion, shooting around the Grandmaster's saber to bite at her body.

And all the while, the crystal would continue its song to the Grandmaster.

You were an orphan like me, and I died alone. Your own Jedi have turned from the Light. It is hypocrisy. Look at you, the "healer" here to kill and purge and destroy.

@lizziie @Green Ranger @Darasuum @GABA @Wit @Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Even as Jaikus quickly closed in on Jaesa for the second time, the Axxilan was keenly aware of his surroundings – time seeming to move a bit slower in that moment. He saw as Jaesa took a step backwards, immediately sensing as the Dathomirian drew upon the Light and built it within her body. He could guess at what she intended upon doing. It was at this moment that Jaikus’ gaze snapped to the left for a split second, catching the sight of Kara springing into action. Truthfully, he hadn’t anticipated on the other Jedi intervening in the fight.

It only took the Axxilan a split second to formulate a new strategy.

Jaikus prepared himself according, having only a split second to react. Immediately, he drew upon his own raging emotions – the feeling of anguish and pain that burned within - as well as the natural energies of the corrupted Nexus, to serve as fuel to the Dark Side – powerful energy building and coalescing around his entire body defensively.

Just as Kara closed in to swing at his legs, Jaikus abruptly halted his forward advance and pushed off his leg, springing backwards and to his own right. He knew immediately that he would not be able to negate the Force blast entirely, and instead focused his attention on avoiding the swing to his legs.

As a result, Jaikus was sent hurtling backwards all the same by Jaesa - albeit positioned slightly more to his own right and out of Kara's immediate reach.

Even as he was knocked backwards, Jaikus moved to counterattack. He twisted his torso to face his would-be assailant, suddenly reaching out with the Force and coiling tendrils of energy around Kara’s torso. With a violent tug of his wrist, Jaikus attempted to yank the fellow Jedi Knight – who had already closed much of the distance between them - to the exact spot where he had been standing only a split second ago. It was a maneuver that would be much tougher to negate entirely, given that the Axxilan was only yanking her forward by a few precise feet.

Right into the path of Jaesa’s Force blast.

If successful, Kara would be subject to the brunt of the Dathomirian’s kinetic assault just as he had, knocking her backwards and sending her tumbling into the snow.

Whether his manipulation was successful or not,Jaikus landed several feet backwards and to the slightly to the right of where he had been originally standing, carving a path through the snow as he tumbled unceremoniously. He eventually came to a halt, rolling into a crouched position - yellow eyes immediately snapping to see where Kara had ended up.

@Phoenix @Green Ranger @lizziie @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Wit

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Regardless of what Byron felt, Tiamat perspective was different. She didn't see him as defending her from the shadow that connected her to the others of her Order. Instead, all she saw was a Jedi who lost control, who allowed passions to get the best of him and now he was targeting the one person he cared for greatly in the galaxy. It bit Tiamat deeper than she had expected, she had warned him not to put himself in battle against her. She would not hesitate to end his path and even now as he pressed closer, she readied to end his life if he wished to give it to better the ideals of the Jedi.

He spoke of nonsense, whirlwinds of snow and ice spun around him effortlessly, jagged pieces of ice that bellowed out too far cut along her exposed skin. The cuts were miniscule to the feeling of distrust toward his volatility and lack of conviction. He demanded payment for her choices and Tiamat was in no mood to comply; she was herself, and Byron could never accept that. The Force contorted under the woman's command, the agonizing scream of the dark side targeted Bryon as he went for his pirouette. The few moments it would take for him to spin was enough for Tiamat to remove him; he would feel himself move violently sideways from Tiamat's throw and into the nose of the Jedi's ship. There was no mistaking if it were successful, Byron would feel the hull bend and give way from the strength of Tiamat's power.

"How's that for an answer, jackass!" she hissed, the Force bending under her will again as she readied for another attack either from him or the others. There was no way she was going to allow him to hurt her in anyway, she was finished with everyone who tried to think otherwise.

@Darasuum
@Wit @Phoenix @Altaris @Valen Pelora @lizziie @Green Ranger

 

[Ashla Ti]

Ashla watched as the fallen Jedi tried to do a ballet move before Tiamat decided she didn't have time for that and yanked him into the Jedi ship, she watched as the Jedi Jaikus was fighting blasted him with a telekinetic attack that hit the Jedi as well, bringing both the Jedi and Jaikus closer to Ashla than they had been.

So far left completely unmolested, with Tiamat's attack blocking the tornado from ever manifesting, and no one else having attacked her due to the relative distance everyone had built from her, she now found the opportunity to intervene. As Jaikus and the Jedi were pushed back, Ashla turned to the right and took a few steps forward. The moment they came to a stop she reached out with the Force and grabbed the Jedi (@Green Ranger), pulling her towards herself.

As/if the Jedi flew towards her she would ignite her lightsaber, and stepping to the side so the Jedi didm't come crashing into her, she would swing horizontally at waist level, hoping to swipe at the Jedi as she came flying past.


@Phoenix @Green Ranger @lizziie @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Altaris

 

[Orenth]

The rotating gusts of wind surrounding Byron since leaving the line of Jedi, swirled with amassed shrapnel that would lacerate the angered Sith Lord repeatedly just like anybody that got too close. But she ignored it in her own focused frustration in favor of throwing the man spinning mid-maneuver. While his movements had been intended to channel and more finely focus the gale force winds, they were still not to be taken lightly even as he was sent sailed through the air. His own mastery of the winds and natural elements connected to the more neutral side of the Force would show through as Tiamat was sent in a spin that rose amid cutting shards of ice and freezing snow until she was thrown from the column after rising three stories in the air with hard ice and rock below her. (@GABA )

Byron would not get to watch the redhead as his mass was moved with great telekinetic force by Tiamat. The enhanced and already durable frame of the brawler flew into the starboard side of his TIE/Defender, causing the large craft to rock sideways due to the impact. The panel on the outside of the wings around his joints crumpled and sent small sparks out from the permanently deformed ship. His right hand that had gripped his lightsaber loosened, sending his boxy weapon behind the tail of his ship and amid the other parked vessels.

THEME​

Pushing off of the Triskele with a barred growl and empty handed, his warm breath left a cloud that was quickly swept away as he know had a new view of the battle before him. His shoulders were rising and falling as his lungs were taking in the high altitude mountain air. He wasn't winded but the adrenaline coursing through his body, the Dark Side of the Force of the Nexus being gulped in subconsciously, it was hard for Byron to take notice in the heat of the moment.

The pain of everything the man had felt was still behind him, both metaphorically and literally. The bled crystal helped the man tap into the dark side a bit as he had pouted not only his own pain, but funnel everything else that his mind had been opened to. It could be prove to be a struggle for him to continue this fight without it even though it would certainly lead to a more damning outcome for him the closer he held onto the weapon.

A voice similar to Byron's own but different conjured thoughts in his head. What is it you want? To protect her. Her? She's dead. She chose to be someone other than that girl, and chose to change for whatever reason. She's gone and she isn't coming back. Now what do you want? Byron tried to think of why he was so angry as he stepped out of the humanoid shaped crumpling.

His self loathing for not being able to do more for anyone was persistent. The man always tried to do the right thing but this was by far the most questionable deed he had ever done. The image of shadowy leather wings spread out in the mind of the bearded man, offering to embrace him. You're a dead man walking Byron Ryker. You've failed just like your ancestors have failed. You don't want to blame anyone. You don't want to hurt anyone. You can't be you anymore...

...die...​

...and become someone else​

A schism formed in the bearded man's mind. From these cracks parts of the man that once was was burned away, fully removed and cauterized after all that had happened. Becoming someone new, something new was how he could cope and keep on surviving as an individual. It was the worn down most miniscule of personality the ex-jedi kept that was not bothered anymore with feelings for Tiamat, Lyra, Manat. Whomever Tiamat thought of as herself was someone the new Byron didn't know her and he did not want to protect his enemy. The shadowy hand that had clasped his heart was gone and the dark conflicted with the light no longer. The lightsaber hilt would be reached for by what had once been Byron Ryker, summoning the weapon back to his hand. He needed a name. But there were dangers that were unconcerned with his own new perspective that would take priority.

@Alexandria Voran @Jaesa Valerin @Green Ranger @GABA @Phoenix @Wit @Altaris

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex could not ignore the bundle of concern in the corner of her mind. Her connection to the Force suddenly an unexpected distraction. Byron’s improbably plummet into the Dark side pulled at her awareness. All she could do, was shove it away. How could he? Had the taint infected his heart before they landed? Had she missed some sign or was he truly so weak of will? It did not matter. Alex had her own demons to face. The whispers of corruption lapping at her soul. Oh…she knew that feeling. She’d driven Asminys from Oota’s crystal. Purged the darkness from Ephinys’ charge. Alex was all too familiar with the twisted life of ruined kyber.

The thoughts wrapped around her while Andruil set her feet. Her saber hilt snapped into her right hand as the blood red glow flashed across the snow. Bright white light springing to life to meet it. The hum of her lightsaber filled the air. Light warred against the Darkness. This crystal had known Oota, Asminys, and now her. Life, death, and rebirth. It pushed against the waves of corruption. Alex was not a killer. Not now. Not ever. The Darkness lied as it always did…but what of Byron? That was true.

Andruil charged across the snow, the Dark side howling. Alex brought her own blade up, eyes flicking to the sizzling green lightning. Her feet slid slightly to right and back, bringing the tip of her blade up towards her left shoulder vertically to catch Andruil’s saber half through the strike. The Force gathering in her right hand while he moved. The elements belong to her.

The lightening raced across her blade into her hand and Alex went to work. The Force flowed as she guided the electricity through her body. The Lightside shield her cells as she quickly worked the energy past her vital parts. It flowed in seconds from right hand to left to burst out her left fingertips. A flick of her left fingers sent Andruil’s own blast at her groin.

The smell of burning flesh and hair singed the air. Energy distribution was not perfect. Pain was always part of the price. “I don’t want to kill you…I don’t want any of this...but you won’t listen.” Alex would try to break through the veneer of violence.

@Phoenix

 

[Kara Vaalki]

Kara was never one to shy away from putting herself in harms way it it meant achieving the objective, and on some level she had assessed the risks before initiating her attack alongside Jaesa's own.

Still, as the rolled across the ground, slammed by the Force push of her ally and sent tumbling, part of her knew that she would be sore the next morning.

Eh, one more ache to join the rest, she thought, mentally blocking out the worst of the cold as she picked herself up.

And then she was pulled.

Oh for the love of-what now? the Jedi thought as she was suddenly ripped through the air, and racing fast towards the Twi-oh wait, no you idiot, Togruta! (@Wit)- towards the Togruta she had faced momentarily before. It didn't take a genius to pre-empt the coming strike as the woman stepped to one side, blade at the ready.

Instead of fighting the pull, Kara went with it - at least, long enough that it carried her out of the immediate danger of the male Sith, and towards the Togruta instead. As she picked up speed, Kara created a burst within the Force, centered around herself - nothing of any really significant or power, but enough to disrupt the flow of energy that had been pulling her through the air.

The Jedi's momentum would still propel her forward, however, though instead of meeting a grisly fate at the Sith's lightsaber, Kara was now slightly lower than she would expect, landing on the ground and sliding across the icy rock. Kara's own lightsaber would be well below the Togruta's guard, sweeping out in a strike that sought to take the woman's feet out from under her. A successful strike could very well result in one, or both, of the girl's ankles being severed entirely, and given she was swinging her blade horizontally at where Kara's waist should have been, the Sith's lightsaber was of little use to defend from such an attack.

@Valen Pelora @Darasuum @Green Ranger @Phoenix @Altaris @GABA @Wit @lizziie

 

[Jaesa Valerin]

Jaikus' eyes moved to check Kara's position, so Jaesa dashed forward towards him. She had not intended for Kara to get pulled into the blast, but she would have to trust that the other knight would be alright.

Jaesa began to advance quickly towards Jaikus (@Altaris ), reaching out with the Force and grabbing him yet again as she did so. The Axxilian would feel the air around his body tighten as he was flung to the left (his right), away from the group and towards the cliff side. Her throw was probably not enough to send him over the edge, but he would find himself closer to it than may be comfortable for him.

The knight would then turn her attention to Ashla (@Wit ). The dathomirian advanced towards the Togruta quickly while her attention was on Kara (@Green Ranger ), bringing her blade up as she did so. Once Jaesa was within striking range she would slash own diagonally from left to right, then pull the saber up to strike at her again from the opposite blade, right up to left. If Ashla attempted to parry the attack, she would find herself struggling against the weight of a very strong woman.

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Lowered into a crouch position once again, Jaikus’ eyes flicked across the battlefield – taking a moment to carefully scan the chaos that was unfolding ahead of him. He watched as Kara was yanked backwards by Ashla and began to engage the Togruta.

More importantly, Jaikus watched as Jaesa sprang into action once more – quickly advancing in his direction. Yellow eyes narrowed harshly behind the mask he wore, a low growl rumbling through the mechanized filter. At this point, the Axxilan had an understanding of the woman’s repeated tactics and had a strong feeling of what she was about to do. The thought alone filled him with unbridled anger.

Not again.

As soon as Jaesa reached out with the Force, the Axxilan drew upon his swelling anger and frustration – drawing the Darkness into his cell, body bending low to the ground in defensive posture. The air briefly tightened around Jaikus’ body, only to meet harsh resistance before Jaesa could solidify her grasp completely around the Sith. She would be able to feel her grasp being forcibly pried away from the Axxilan’s body, and her attempt to flung him across through the air only resulted in Jaikus sliding no more than a few inches to his right.

Jaikus watched as the Dathomirian then turned her attention to Ashla, intent on ganging up on the Acolyte. The Axxilan quickly rose back to his feet, clipping the crimson blade back to his belt as he began to advance in that direction – suddenly pinpointing an opportunity which simply hadn’t existed until this point.

Jaesa had made the mistake of turning her back to Jaikus, and that was something he would capitalize on. Had his thoughts not been entirely elsewhere, the Axxilan might’ve even felt some petty satisfaction about what he was going to do next.

He advanced quickly through the snow, closing in on Jaesa but pointedly keeping some distance between them – opting not to engage her in melee range. Instead, as soon as the woman was close enough, Jaikus lifted a hand and reached out with the Force – tendrils of energy snaking out to coil around the Jaesa and halt her in place, long before she reached Ashla and attempted her swing. It would've been significantly more difficult to defend against, considering that her attention was focused onto the Togruta Acolyte at the time.

A mechanized growl once more escaped through the Axxilan’s mask as he suddenly swiped his arm through the frigid air, attempting to send Jaesa hurtling slamming into the Jedi ships nearby – likely benting the hull inwards from the impact and putting her well out of range of both Kara and Ashla.

Successful or not, Jaikus once more began his advance towards the Dathomirian Jedi, summoning the saber from his hands as he began sprinting across the snow.

@Phoenix @Green Ranger @lizziie @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Wit

 

[Renfry]

The Grandmaster was no slouch in the Force. Whatever the Empress's opinions on the Jedi or their cause, she couldn't sell their leader short on power. It had taken four of them to bring down Oota, but that was many years ago. That was before she had even a fraction of the power she had now.

The Jedi absorbed and redirected the energy, but Andruil could still smell the scent of scorched flesh and hair. For a moment, the green lightning flashed out the other side of the Jedi, casting green flashes of lightning over the snow. And then the Jedi flicked her fingers.

Andruil was already in position to continue her forward momentum, and she did that, pivoting slightly so that she faced the Jedi's right side more directly. The momentum carried her out of the bulk of the lightning's path, sailing past her to strike the temple behind with a detonation.

It didn't stop some of the more sporadic tendrils from finding a mark in the outside of the Nightsister's hip, causing a bite of pain across her skin that made her muscles contract in pain. But Andruil didn't stop moving.

The lightning had stopped, and the sabers were still bound, their magnetic fields tied together for that brief instant as lightsabers did. Andruil's left hand shot up and snatched the Grandmaster's saber wrist held in place by the bind and pulled hard, looking to yank her off balance and face first into the snow.

 

[Ashla Ti]

Ashla had not expected the Jedi to react the way she did, she seemed to be going with her pull and did something to make herself come in lower and faster than the Togruta had expected. But she too had the Force bent to her will, and as Kara dropped Ashla reacted. She manipulated the Force once more as she jumped, but this time she drew in inwards to strengthen herself as she jumped above and backwards to avoid the Jedi's attack (@Green Ranger).

She would be vulnerable for a moment as her body moved through the air after the force assisted jump, but in case the other Jedi managed to avoid Jaikus' attack to continue her assault on the Togruta (@lizziie), she would channel the Force once more, outwards this time to push against the Jedi. Given the difference in bulk between the two, more likely than not the maneuver would push Ashla further back, allowing her to land in the in the snow around half a dozen feet behind where she had been moments earlier, avoiding the Jedi's slashes. On the other hand if Jaikus' intervention worked then she would land without the additional momentum of the push and simply take a few steps backwards to still end up at the same distance from where she had started.

Regardless, once back on the ground, and with Kara coming to the end of her slide, Ashla would take aim and fire three shots with her blaster at her, one aimed at the head and the others at her legs, hoping that with the Jedi prone on the ground she would find it hard to avoid the attacks.

@Phoenix @Green Ranger @lizziie @Darasuum @Valen Pelora @GABA @Altaris

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The winds did not cease when Byron was jutted into the side of his craft, the noise of creaking metal was drowned out by the howls of the unnatural phenomenon. She was unable see the results of her response as she felt herself suddenly become weightless, the white of the snow and ice blurred together as she was whipped up into the air and then it dissipate to calmer breezes. All the the collected snow and ice would fall indiscriminately in the area. Tiamat fell also, but with a bit more grace and control as the ground indented from the impact of her landing near the temple, the Force absorbing the shock that would stun and even cripple average beings. Though she knew she would be soaking in a hot bath the next morning, a throbbing sensation could be felt from her back and shoulders that had to be from the debris in his wind trick. However, the redhead was far from finished. She exhaled slowly, seeing Byron still standing, but a nice dent resided in the ship.

He stood there watching her, and she was uncertain what he was doing or thinking. The dark side flowed violently through her own veins, strengthened by the nexus, reminding her with chilling fact of those who care for you may not be who they seem.

Byron was clearly no exception.

The former Jedi, as he reached out to grasp his saber, would feel pressure around his torso and once more he would be jutted mercilessly into the face of the mountain. His internal dialogue and mind splitting may have made it more difficult to focus on his enemies and whatever this transformation was happening, Tiamat took full advantage, her grasp unrelenting as she intended to paint his blood face first against the rocky surface of the rising cliff. She still grasped her red saber, least reinforced parts of her armor, torn and ragged, billowed from the energy coming from the woman as she was still remained cautious of others in the area.

If he somehow managed to free himself from the invisible grasp, he would be sure to feel the full impact of the woman's twisted wrath as she approached him and the cliff face with a readied saber. He was playing with fire, and there was no taming it.