Ask Trial of Insight

[Izel Thral]

"It's nothing at all." Izel answered Crix as she patted him on the shoulder, ready to offer him support in the case his exhaustion made it difficult for him to stand. Force fatigue was nothing to scoff at, she knew that well enough herself. "We owe you far more Jedi."

"As soon as we find a decent spot we'll make camp for the night." Curga said in response to Crix's question. He could see how tired he was and given that the young Jedi had saved the group twice already he was in a generous mood. The other two monks made a point of thanking Crix for a job well done and they proceeded along the path. Thankfully it wasn't much longer until they reached an area in the cliffside wide enough for a camp.

"Ah... And here I think we see why the Force has deigned to send us on this path..." The old Lannik said as he stepped onto the wide ledge. It might have been little reward for the Padawan given what he had experienced, but Izel herself couldn't help but have some appreciation for what the pilgrim said. It was the view. Bright, colorful flowers bloomed on the fringes of the clearing and the ledge, and beyond that was an immaculate vista of snow capped mountains, uninterrupted by any man-made structures. As the sun set the skies and snowy peaks were awash with vibrant mixtures of orange, and indigo. A gentle breeze came in from the west, carrying with it the evening calls of some type of bird the Vratix had never heard before. It was an image of true peace, hopefully one that would make it easier for their guide to rest and rejuvenate.

"You go ahead and relax, you've earned it." Curga said as he removed the pack he was carrying. "We'll set up camp." Even as the Lannik spoke the other pilgrims were beginning the process of pitching their tents and starting a fire, something all of them did with practiced ease. Thankfully this was something Izel was quite adept in as well, owing it to her own upbringing.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

The thanks were a nice change but Crix wasn't really here for them. He was here to try and help them and to try and get himself ready for the Galaxy ahead of him... though he was also probably just a bit tired and getting a bit grouchy so he didn't say anything about the thanks. The monks were clearly grateful and taking out his exhaustion on them would be incredibly unprofessional.

"Of course, we will follow the will of the force until we find the best place to camp."

He waved off the other thanks with a tired smile as he followed the monks and the disguised Jedi Master. Of course the view was something he had not been expecting, taking him a moment to actually think about how long it had been since he had seen a sunset like this one.

Crix ever so slightly relaxed as they declared that they were going to be setting up the camp, taking the time to sit down at the edge of the ledge. His legs dangled over the ledge as he watched the horizon, keeping his senses stretched out around them even as he just... breathed.

"Felt like an age since I just sat down and enjoyed the view."

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

By the time the sun disappeared behind the mountains and the sky had grown a deep purple, the monks finished setting up shelter for the night and started a fire. Izel volunteered to cook their dinner. While she went about preparing their meal the other monks busied themselves in different ways. Hun continued to read of course. Iude put a little distance between herself and the camp to pray in silence, and Curga consulted a map while rubbing his lower back and grumbling.

"If the Force deigns to give us a clear journey from here we should be able to reach the site early tomorrow." He said to anyone listening. Slowly he traced a finger along one mountain pass. "If we take this route here, the phillaks shouldn't be a problem. But... Well we'll see if that's accurate or not..."

"Oh I hope so..." Hun said with a heavy sigh. "I don't think my heart can take much more excitement." He looked towards Crix curiously, talking to him outright for the first time since the journey had began. "Was the day very taxing for you Master Jedi? I don't know much about Force users, but I know all those tricks of yours can't be easy to pull off."

"You don't know much about Force users?" Izel asked with an amused chitter as she circulated through the group, pouring some hot soup for everyone. "With all the reading you do I find it hard to believe there's anything you don't know Brother." The Bardottan just scoffed at her comment, not dignifying it with an answer. As everyone settled down to eat, Iude returned and took a bowl for herself.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

Relaxing was something that Crix didn't often do while he was on missions since he had been wanting to prove himself since he became a Jedi. But with this being one of his trials? Crix didn't so much relax so much as he allowed himself to untense. He had been tensed, mentally and physically, for the entire trial so far, ready to leap into action at a moment's notice. It was tiring enough that even Hun was able to tell.

Crix just smiled and wandered closer to the fire.

"Some of it more than the rest." he admitted with a small shrug, "The bigger a change to the natural world I push for, the more it drains me. It's the reason why a Push takes much less effort than, say, conjuring fire from nothing."

Taking a drink of water from the canteen he had been carrying at his waist all day, Crix turned down a bowl of food for himself. He had some nutrient bars stashed away but for now he was trying to use the Force to sustain himself as part of his further training.

"Curiosity is a powerful motivator." he admitted, grinning, "And the will of the Force as well. What do you guys feel when you follow the Force's will by the way?"

The Force had a different feeling to different people and different types of people in his experience. And the depth of someone's knowledge of how it felt? Well that might just be a sign that someone was actively connecting to and using it.

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

Hun nodded with interest as Crix explained to him how using the Force worked. The Bardottan seemed to be quite eager to expand his knowledge, and all the days events had pushed him to loosen up a bit. The Padawan's question immediately drew all the Adherents' attention, and they looked amongst each other as they considered it. An entire life's worth of religious contemplation wasn't something easily summarized after all. No doubt each of them had spent countless hours considering exactly what following the will of the Force meant to them. But Curga was the first to answer.

"It feels like my actions are meaningful when I am one with the Force." He explained solemnly as he looked at the Half-Zabrak. "If you know anything about Lannik you'll know the world's been wrapped up in civil conflict for ages. It's always shifting between a few years of peace and then more war. I spent my youth as a soldier for various sides." He paused, probably reliving some dark memories. "I saw a and did a lot of things that never made sense to me. Eventually I just couldn't anymore. I spent years wandering the galaxy, trying to make sense of all the death, to understand why it happened and continues to happen. Then I joined the Adherents. Communing with the Force, following it's path, I've never felt so at peace with myself. Now I never need to question such things. The Force has a plan for us all, and I simply play my part in it."

"For me the Force is the galaxy's beating heart." Iude spoke up next, offering her own thoughts. "You see where it's brought us today?" She asked as she gestured towards the ledge where they had witnessed the incredible sunset not too long ago. "I've had countless experiences like that since answering my Call. When I feel the Force it's like a bright light being shown on the darkest parts of the universe, bringing beauty and peace. And when we help others we're doing the Force's will. There's nothing that makes me happier." Hun looked to his brother and sister before chuckling a little and answering Crix with his own feelings.

"I enjoy the sense of Order that comes with hearing and carrying out the Force's will." He explained. "When I take a step back to listen and try to understand what I am being told, I get a sense of the bigger picture. I see all the moving parts in the galaxy. Like Curga, I feel at peace understanding my place in that picture, and how it affects everyone else as well." They looked to Izel next. The Vratix hesitated, still thinking of how to put her own feelings into words.

"The Force is life." She finally answered simply. "It is the galaxy and everything and everyone within it. Being a part of that isn't just about knowing your own place, it's about knowing everyone else's as well. When I feel the Force, I feel my connection with everything else around me. It's incredible. To be part of everything and an individual at the same time. It's humbling, terrifying in some ways I suppose. But I feel no fear, because I know all is as the Force wills." As she finished speaking Curga grunted in agreement and nodded before looking back towards the Padawan.

"And how do you feel about it young Crix?" He asked curiously. "I'm interested to know a Jedi's thoughts on the matter."

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

Learning more about the various monks was interesting in itself but he supposed the disguised Master would already know what he was doing. He was steering the conversation into depths he knew that Masters and monks alike liked to talk about. More than that, he knew that the monks, for all their adhering to what they believed to be its will, did not touch upon the Force in the same way that Jedi did.

The curiosity about how others felt about their connection to the Force was also a motivator behind the question.
All of the ways they described the connection to the Force felt like they were from people who had an idea as to what it was, true enough. Far as he could tell, though, some of them seemed to be able to interact with the Force more than others.

Peace.

Evidence.

Order.

And, finally, connection to all life.

It was that last one that caught his attention specifically because the rest of them could be found in someone who had found religion but that last one? It was too close to what Jedi sensed when they meditated, when they opened themselves up to the fullness of the Force and let it just saturate their minds.

“Me?” he chuckled a little bit as he leaned closer to the fire slightly, warming his hands in silence for a moment before speaking, “The Force is potential. Potential for change, for growth, for pain, for healing, for good and for ill… The Force connects to everyone and because of that, it’s the potential of every living thing. So what does it feel like when I connect to it?”

He tilted his head to the side slightly as he searched for the right way to phrase it.

“… it feels like I’m connected to the holonet and I can go in any direction, see the results of any action, just for an instant. When I connect to the Force I feel an immense sensation of awe followed by a determination to Do something with it, to better something, anything, before I let it slip through my fingers again.”

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

"It sounds incredible." Hun replied to Crix's explanation. Izel nodded as well as she heard all the talk of good and ill. It drew her thoughts back towards galactic events, and that saddened her somewhat.

"It's only a shame that more people don't choose to use it for good." The Vratix commented as she poked at what was left of her dinner. "You Jedi have had quite a hard time lately haven't you? What with the return of the Sith..."

"Such is the natural cycle of the universe." Curga piped in as he put down his empty bowl, trying to steer the conversation in a different way before the mood became unpleasant. "Darkness rises and light rises to meet it. No matter who wins it is never a permanent victory. There is always the chance for redemption." He looked towards Crix and smiled. "Although we'll all thank you to keep those thugs under control. History tells us it's never a good time when they're in charge." That earned some light chuckles from Hun and Iude. Izel bowed her head to the elder monk in agreement.

"Yes. It's never too late to come back." She said thoughtfully. Once the Adherents had finished their meal they would lie down to rest after the conversation had died down. They would need to rise early the next morning. They still had a good amount of ground to cover.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

Yeah… yeah he supposed it probably did sound incredible to someone who couldn’t connect to the Force in the same way. He might have been spending too long around just other Jedi if he felt actual surprise at the fact that they thought his connection to the Force was anything special. The Jedi he knew? Some of them connected to the Force on a level so deep and so instinctive that they made his own efforts look like those of a fumbling child.

It was nice to see how it looked from the outside looking in actually.

The discussion, naturally pivoted to focus on the Sith for a moment and Crix felt a spike of something in his chest before he simply moved past it. Sith were a sore spot for the young Zabrak given his family’s experience with the damned group. They were a specter that loomed over the Galaxy as a whole but they were the enemy hidden in the shadows for Crix himself as well.

Were he not a Jedi, Crix was certain that he would honestly be able to say that he hated the Sith. As a Jedi, however, he worked on that until it wasn’t like that anymore. It would be a lie to say it wasn’t often a battle to ensure that he kept himself at least semi-neutral about them when the topic came up but to be a Jedi was not to be perfect.

To be a Jedi was to try.

“There’s always a chance.” He agreed, thinking back to Talak as he spoke, “Some of them have just lost any kind of hope that the Galaxy, that people, can ever be anything better than the worst collection of experiences that shaped them into what they are. Some of them though?”

He shrugged with a small smile.

“Some of them know what they’re doing is objectively wrong and do it anyway for the sheer thrill of it. Sometimes the path back is harder than it is for others.”

Crix waved to the monks as they settled down to sleep before sitting himself down at the edge of the camp, facing outward. He doubted that the monks ever really placed someone on watch since any attacks would be the will of the Force but, well, Crix wasn’t about that life. So he sat himself down and waited.

The Force sustained him, he didn’t need to eat, to drink or even to sleep while he was actively channeling the Force like this. He would be the perfect watchman until morning.

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

Fortunately for Crix and the rest of the group it seemed the will of the Force for them to have a pleasant and uninterrupted night. There were no more phillak attacks, nor and other skulking creatures either. Just a cool night and a bright morning. After everyone had eaten breakfast it was onwards again. Iude was in high spirits, and sang a pleasant tune as they marched. Just a short while after leaving camp they would reach a spot where the mountainside would peel away to the east, forming a sort of giant semi-circle before coming back on the other side. Directly across from their position, about an hour's journey ahead, they could see the ruins of the ancient Zeffo temple.

"A beautiful sight no?" Curga would ask Crix. "We're almost there. Let us pray the Force doesn't throw us any more unpleasant surprises..." Izel could only sigh in response to the old Lannik's words. Way to jinx them... She looked eastward along the path they would need to take. Another very narrow passage, right beside what looked like a six hundred foot drop. They would need to move single file again. As far as she could see it didn't look like any phillaks were present, but there could be any number of other hazards waiting for them. At least they were nearly there.

"Lead the way when you're ready Crix," Curga said to the Padawan before looking at his fellow pilgrims. "Remember to stick close to one another, just in case we have another accident with the terrain." The other Adherents would nod in agreement, and wait patiently for their guide to take the lead once more.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

A night of uninterrupted meditation and connection to the Force? Hells, it felt like he hadn't been able to do that for years and he was only a Padawan. He knew that when he became a Knight it would be like that to an even greater degree and he would need to make and find the time himself with more certainty and assertiveness. Still, that was an issue for another time and they had plenty more issues to take care of in the mean time.

The trial was ongoing but the mission, and the people, still came first.

"As outstanding as the first one I saw." he agreed with Curga's assessment of the Zeffo temple with a grin, "The one on Bogano though is a lot smaller. Much more of a vault than a true temple - it's nice to see that they were capable of so much more."

A narrow ledge.

A massive drop.

Force damn the planet for it's love of things that could kill the monks before Crix would actually have a chance at stopping it. At least if things got really bad he would be able to bank on the disguised Jedi Master helping him out. His suspicions were becoming more solid in his mind but he wasn't about to make any assumptions or attempt to reveal them now.

There were other things to focus on.

"Does anyone have any robe or cabling?" he asked aloud as he made a slow approach ahead of the monks along the narrow ledge, "So we can have our hands free while still being connected should one of us lose our footing."

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

"Hopefully the Force will deign to take me there one day." Curga said in response to Crix's description of Bogano with a warm smile. As they started to make their way towards the path the group would form into the same order as Before. Their Jedi guide at the lead, then Curga, Iude, Hun and Finally Izel. As usual it would be the best way for her to defend them from the rear should anything unforeseen happen.

As Crix suggested using rope, each of the pilgrims started rifling through their bags, though Iude was the first to find something of use. "Here, we can use this." The Mirialan said as she brought out a line of rope. It was fortunate the Adherents had to carry all of their possessions on their person at all times. It meant many of them carried different materials for whatever obstacle they might run into on their travels. Iude spread the line out amongst them, allowing each of the monks to tie it around their waist to keep them together. Curga, after fastening his own tether, would offer the end of the rope to the Padawan to tie around himself.

"And this way we can all die together." Izel joked, gaining a few chuckles from the others. It was a plan she approved of though. Given her size and natural sure-footedness, she wouldn't be going along with them if the others fell, and she would instead be able to assist in pulling them back up. Once everyone was securely fastened they were ready to begin the trek. The path was long and windy, and left precious little room to inch across the ledge.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

Rope would work to tie them all together to avoid them needing to use their hands to keep each other up. He didn't doubt that they would hold on tightly but he rather preferred the option that left them with more options. The option to use the Force to alter the earth, to make a wider path to walk on, was there but he didn't think he actually had the energy and the skill to do so and hold it long enough for them all to pass.

He definitely didn't have the skill to do it while he was walking on it himself too.

Tying the rope tightly to his Jedi Utility belt, he was glad that he didn't have to use the cabling that he carried within it. While it might have been long enough to act the same way, under enough pressure it would be dangerous too since it would be a thin, metal, wire pulled very taut. That was the kind of thing that sliced the unwary through completely and he was keen to avoid that fate for anyone here.

"That reminds me of a line one of my friends used to tell me." he piped up as they continued their trek, "What do we say to the God of Death?"

He reached out and steadied the monk behind him with the Force, not having to look to know that he had stopped them from unbalancing. They probably would have corrected it in time but Crix was not about to take any chances.

"Not today." he finished the line before laughing, "I think he stole it from some holonet drama but, hey, it works, right?"

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

The winds here were much worse than on the rest of the journey, and gave particular trouble to the tiny Lannik as he tried to follow in Crix's footsteps. He stumbled, but the Padawan's quick action was able to help him back onto both feet, drawing a nervous chuckle in response to his words. Even the larger monks, Iude and Hun were having some difficulty, hugging close to the wall to stop themselves from being blown off. The same issue was not there for Izel, as the insectoid opted once again to cling directly to the cliff face instead of struggling to walk on the ledge. She kept her eyes downward though, paying close attention to the steps of her companions, to warn them if they were in danger of slipping.

"So... Just a hypothetical..." Iude asked as she continued to inch along, looking down at the massive drop beneath them. "If we were to fall... Jedi can levitate right? Or something like that? I think I heard that somewhere..."

"I don't care for this hypothetical..." Hun piped in, his body pressed flat against the cliff face as he took one slow step after the next.

And things just kept getting worse. Every so often a strong gust picked up, threatening to throw the unwary off. And as they continued moving along Crix would be able to make out something else along the path. Patches of ice. Some of them multiple feet wide. While he could simply jump over them, and Izel could climb around them, the other three monks would be at significantly greater risk of losing their footing.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

The winds were going to be the worst thing on this part of the journey he could just tell. That he was able to warm himself with the Force was the only reason that he was able to keep going in the face of the wind and the chill that came with it. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Izel walking along the wall instead and felt a stab of jealousy for a moment before pushing it down and away.

It would have been cool though.

"Telekinesis." he agreed with a small huff of disguised amusement as he gently used the Force to guide Iude's head up so she was no longer looking down, "That and not looking down will serve us well, don't be afraid."

Yeah he wasn't anywhere near ready to use the Force to catch three falling people. Three because one of the 'monks' was currently walking along the wall and was his current top pick for being the Jedi Master in the group. But hopefully he wouldn't have to attempt catching anyone with the Force anyway.

Spotting the icy patched up ahead he eyed them for a long moment before taking a deep breath,

"Hold here for a moment guys... give me a second to clear some ice."

Focusing on the Force, Crix began to rub his hands together faster and faster. While not required by any stretch of the imagination, Crix found that rubbing his hands together until the palms were hot worked as a good focus for himself when attempting his next trick. When his palms were nice and hot from the friction he pushed with the Force, vibrating the air particles between him and the ice until they ignited in a thin stream of fire that quickly melted the ice along the remainder of the path.

Cutting off the stream of flames, he wavered on his feet slightly before guiding them across the now clear passage to a wider plateau closer to the Temple. The Temple in sight, Crix let them get off of the ledge before groaning and leaning forward with his hands on his knees. Sustained fire from nothing like that? It took a lot out of a Padawan already passed his most refreshed and ready.

"... I'm assuming there are questions about the fire?"

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

The pilgrims were quite impressed by Crix's display, likely seeing as it was such an uncommon trick. Not many outside the Order knew such a thing was possible. Even Izel perked up in surprise as she saw it. She hadn't expected such from a Padawan, although she supposed this was why he was being tested to become a Knight. Iude delighted the most in his performance, laughing with pleasant surprise at seeing it.

"Amazing!" She said, and once they were off the ledge stepped closer to try and get a look at his palms, without getting too close to be rude. It looked as though she wanted to see if he burned himself at all in the process. As Crix asked if there were any questions, she pondered it a moment before answering. "I suppose it has something to do with manipulating the molecules in the air?"

While Iude conversed with the Padawan the others untied themselves from the tether. Curga would take a few steps ahead, looking out across the plateau towards the ruins. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Just about there. Can you not feel the Force growing stronger here?" He asked as he looked back at the others. Hun nodded eagerly in agreement. Izel took a moment to raise her head herself, antennae twitching. Obviously it would be far easier for her and Crix to feel what the Lannik was talking about. The currents of the Force did indeed seem to grow stronger here, almost resembling a Nexus. The Zeffo were indeed a fascinating species that their works could remain so long after their extinction. And Izel was also impressed that non Force sensitives could feel anything at all. It was amazing to her that a lifetime of dedication could unlock a glimpse into the flow of the Force. Even if it was a very limited one.

But there was something else on the air too. A certain ominous danger that concerned Izel. Was it more phillaks? Or other animals? No... it felt more sinister then that... She would need to remain aware. As she glanced in Crix's direction she started to get the feeling this trial was almost finished anyway. He was a bright kid, and his gaze had been turning towards her more and more often. If he was not already certain of the truth he definitely suspected it. "Come on!" Curga would call after giving Crix a few minutes to collect himself. "Let's keep it moving!" And with that the Lannik would start hobbling along, the other Adherents falling in behind.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

Crix was flagging and he knew it – worse was that he knew the disguised Master would be able to tell as well. It might not have been showing the best insight into their current situation to not ration his energies better but he was determined to see the mission through to its end. It wasn’t just about passing the trial (though that would be nice), it was about making sure the mission was complete for the monks.

So he was getting that odd not-physical, not-mental Force-based strain?

Tough.

He sucked it up and took a deep breath before forcing himself to stand up straight again and flash the monks a reassuring grin. There was, as expected, some intrigue around the fire and Crix couldn’t help but feel a little bit sheepish.

“Yeah that’s exactly it.” He admitted, “If there’s already some sparks it’s a lot easier than creating it from scratch. But if you can’t find a spark, it’s a tiny but easier if there is already something warm from friction – that’s why I rubbed my hands like that.”

It helped him do it but it didn’t make it any less complicated and draining on his ethereal pool of Force or his concentration. They were getting closer to the Temple but Crix could feel it through the Force and there was a hint that something was just, simply, wrong with the Temple. Or, at the very least, how the Force felt about the Temple. He eyed the structure with scepticism before reaching down to his waist.

For the first time, Crix drew his lightsaber and held it in his right hand. He didn’t ignite it but he held it at the ready as he took the lead and pushed onward toward the Temple. His efforts with the Force instilled an exhaustion into him that had nothing to do with his physical body so he prepared to use the disparity between his energy levels to use physicality to help him if it was possible.

“Keep an eye out.” He warned the monks, eyes darting from place to place as they approached, “… something feels off about this place.”

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

And so they finally reached the temple. Even thousands of years old, long abandoned and ravaged by the elements, they held an undeniable beauty to them. Standing tall and proud, jutting up from the rocky earth around them and displaying wonderous, fantastical carvings. They told a story of an ancient people, attuned to the Force in ways modern species could not understand and dedicated to it's study and celebration. Izel was humbled to stand in their presence, but she couldn't enjoy it. That nagging feeling of danger remained.

The monks entered the main chamber of the temple. A circular room with a high ceiling, perhaps fifty feet above them or more. Though the walls were cracked and the domed roof had multiple holes, it remained beautiful to behold. "Unbelievable..." Hun whispered to himself as he craned his head up to marvel at the architecture. After making their way to the center of the chamber He and Iude began to go about drawing another circle. As the Bardottan had lost his staff the other day Curga gave him his and then turned to Crix.

"We'll begin our meditations here." The old Lannik explained to the Padawan. "I'm afraid to say we'll be spending a long time here, perhaps the entire day." He looked around and shrugged, clearly not as concerned as Crix. "This place seems harmless enough, so feel free to explore a bit if you get bored." While he was speaking Crix would be able to notice Izel was not assisting with the circle. Instead she had wandered to the far side of the chamber, standing by a passageway that led deeper into the ruins. She remained perfectly still, her antennae twitching as she tried to pin down that strange, ominous feeling. More sentients were here. She was certain of it. Slowly she turned her eyes downward and saw the telltale signs of footprints on the ground. At least three sets. They moved close together, so there could be more than that.

"Jedi?" She asked concernedly as she looked back at the Padawan. "I don't think we're alone here..."

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

The ruins were beautiful but Crix wasn't here for the sights and he wasn't about to be distracted by them just because he had some monks with him. Hells, because he had the monks with him, Crix was very aware that he absolutely needed to bring his A-Game to the whole affair. Taking out his lightsaber was more of a mental thing than anything else for the moment, a signal that he was taking things a little bit more seriously as he prepared for other eventualities.

Unfortunately he couldn't go anywhere, he couldn't convince them to leave given that this was literally all they had come for. Crix let out a slow breath and nodded to Curga with a small smile.

"If it's all the same to you, Curga, I think I'll stick around." he argued with a small shrug even as his senses expanded with the Force, "Something is tugging at my connection to the Force. A warning, maybe?"

It was unclear but it was a vague sense that something was off, that something might be about to go terribly wrong. Catching the way the suspected Jedi Master was looking, Crix moved over to her, leaving the monks behind. Moving to stand beside her, he looked over the marks on the ground - footprints. He frowned ever so slightly and nodded to her.

"I understand... Master." he whispered so that only she could hear him going out on a limb, "I don't want to leave them but I'm thinking if I don't then defending them might be harder. Can I count on you to stay with them if I scout ahead?"

Crix was risking his trial but... he refused to play games with the lives of the monks.

@Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel gave Crix a sideways glance as he addressed her as master. Well that answered that question. A very insightful Jedi indeed. She was glad for his success, and gladder still she could finally drop the act. There were more pressing matters anyway. After pretending to be some helpless pilgrim for all this time she was happy to have the chance to stretch her legs a bit.

"I can look after them easily enough," She agreed with Crix, not bothering to maintain the charade any longer. Her voice was more serious now, devoid of any fearfulness or naivety. Her gaze remained fixed on the dark passageway, antennae twitching slightly as she tried to get a better sense of the life forms within. "Are you sure you don't want my assistance Padawan? You're tired. And we're unsure of their numbers and ability. Or their motives for being here. It might be wiser for us to stick together." Izel understood Crix's reasoning. If they left the monks alone here they would be vulnerable to attack, but she hadn't sensed any more people outside the temple, only within. It was a troubling question. If they divided their forces it would be easier to keep the Adherents safe, but they would be more vulnerable individually. Especially the Half-Zabrak that had been using such straining Force abilities over the last two days.

The Vratix turned to face him. "I'll let you use your insight to decide our course of action." She explained, voice taking on a slightly lighter tone as she amused herself with the wordplay. "Whatever you think is best, I will do Crix." As far as she was concerned he had already passed his trial, but if he was going to be a Jedi that would likely mean being in a leadership position at one time or another. She wanted to know if he could handle such a situation shrewdly.

@Nefieslab

 

[Crix Aran]

Well she didn't seem to hold it against him that he had decided to put an end to the trial as quickly as possible at this point but she did raise a good point. He glanced further into the Temple once before turning back to her as he thought about it. She was right - he was tired and there were things they simply didn't know about the enemy. Hells, they didn't even know if they were an enemy.

"I know, Master, that there are a lot of unknowns." he admitted with a small frown, "But if I'm to be a Knight, I need to go in despite that. To go and do what is right despite the dangers known and unknown, especially when I do know other things."

He glanced back at the monks.

"They won't stop their rituals until they're either done or they physically can't any longer. They're sitting ducks and that? That's known." he smiled ever so slightly, "So better we split up and protect them. Don't worry Master - if things start going south, I know I can fall back."

Discretion being the better part of valor might not work out in every situations but it might work out for the best here. Giving the Master a quick salute, Crix gripped his lightsaber tighter before heading off into the Temple alone. He knew that the Master would be able to feel the Force should he need to signal her but, hopefully, this was just recon.

Hells, hopefully this wasn't actually an enemy but, well, his luck wasn't that good.

@Reyn