Trial on Ossus

[The Gatekeeper]

The call went out suddenly. The voices of the last three remaining Jedi Council members, from the halls of the Jedi Council Chambers in the Jedi temple on Ossus, rippled out through the Force, summoning the Jedi Order to gather. It was a call long overdue. For decades, the Jedi Order remained fragmented and broken into various sects. But, with Jedi dying left and right across the galaxy, and the dark side of the Force on the rise, those last remaining members of the Jedi Council decided it was time for an end to the factional struggles within the Order.

Having journeyed from the great temple on Jedha, Cadef Sige, the leader of the Jedi Guardians stood in the Council chambers, staring out at the jungle as Ossus's sun set in the distance. Sitting behind him, in one of the chairs aligned in a circle around the room, the Rodian Jedi Master, Riaca Erach sat with her eyes closed and fingers steepled as if in deep meditation. Ryell Vao, a Twi'lek Jedi Master, paced the floor in the center of the circle of chairs. No one had spoken in many long minutes. It had been some time since the three Jedi Masters were together in one room and no one seemed to know what to say.

"How are we supposed to address the Order when we cannot even speak amongst ourselves?" Master Erach said, her eyes still shut, after a long moment of silence. "It is high time we put the past behind us. The dark side is on the rise and the Hutt bounty on lightsabers renders more and more Jedi dead by the day. If we do not set aside our differences and bring together our fragmented sects, then the Jedi Order will die and the dark side will rule the galaxy unopposed."

There was another long moment of silence. Master Sige kept his eyes on the setting sun. His thoughts were not in the room, but on the state of the Jedi Order. The state of his Jedi Guardians on Jedha. Crippled by the failures of the past, the Guardians hid behind their walls on the Holy Moon. In the meantime, the galaxy had fallen into a pit of darkness, without the Jedi to protect it. As much as he hated to admit it, Master Erach's words rang all too true. Something had to give, or the Jedi Order was going to die.

"You are wise, as always, Master Erach." Master Sige exhaled and rubbed his temples before turning to his two colleges. "The Jedi Council is halved. I have had not heard from our fellows in some time. More than that—" He glanced over his shoulder at the setting sun, as if expecting to find something there, lurking behind him. "—we've all felt it... the sickness in the Force. Something is out there, waiting beyond the veil of stars. I've sensed it from Jedha for sometime and been unable to pinpoint what exactly it was, but... I sense it will not be long until it reveals itself. If the Jedi Order is not united when it does, then it will be as Master Erach says."

A shorter pause. Then: "We are of one mind for the first time in many years, my friends," said Master Vao. "We must convince those that follow us to join together once again." He sighed. "We have many preparations to make."

"What about that other matter? The girl?" Master Sige clasped his hands behind his back and glanced sideways at Vao. "That needs to be dealt with before the conclave convenes."

Master Vao looked deeply conflicted and was silent for a moment. Then, almost reluctantly, he nodded. "I agree. I have summoned both Master Kal Vox and Evalyn Dan'ela here to handle that matter. The Jedi Knight Wyck, too, who made us aware of the growing darkness in that one. They will be my witnesses."

Sige nodded solemnly. "Then we will leave you to it. Master Erach and I will make preparations for the Conclave. The first Jedi to answer our call will be arriving within the fortnight. May the Force be with you... and the girl, Master Vao."

 

[Ryell Vao]

The Judgement Chamber was in the spire adjacent to the Jedi Council chambers. The "bench," was stacked, as it were. At the center, as the presiding Jedi Council member, was Jedi Master Ryell Vao. On either side of him, in the adjacent booths, were seats for Masters Vox and Dan'ela. Seated in the booth next to Dan'ela's, Wyck was the only Jedi Knight in attendance, as well as the only one (other than Vao) present at the moment. The Council, and the Masters present, permitted his presence because of his age, wisdom, and his service as a Jedi Consular—as well as his direct witness to the darkness within the subject they were about to judge.

When Alais Drast arrived, she would step up to the center panel and be raised to the center of the room, where her trial would take place. Master Vao despised the idea of having to exile one so young, but the stories he had heard concerned him greatly. And, if the girl proved to be as dark as those rumors suggested, then he would have no choice than to take necessary action.

"Hmmm," began Master Vao, glancing sideways at Wyck. "What we are called here to do today has the potential to be deeply unpleasant. But... it might be necessary. If half the rumors I've heard about this girl are true..." Vao paused, closing his eyes a moment to collect himself. "Well, the others will be here soon. We will wait for them and then the Force will guide us the rest of the way. May it guide our judgement."

@Sreeya @Phoenix @Valen Pelora

Note: Open to all Jedi.​

 

[Liam Valros]

Troubling. Truly Troubling.

This had become an ever-increasingly common event, especially among the Order's youngest. These Jedi were too young for the responsibility the Jedi Council placed on them and when they failed to carry the near impossible burden, they were cast aside, inevitably adding to the Order's enemies.

Liam stood quietly at the edge of the room where others had gathered to witness the trail. He hated being here, but he needed to be here. Did the Jedi Council go too far in their punishments? Of course, he had seen Jedi throw themselves at the Mercy of the council before in these judgments but it was rare, it was even rarer these days for the Council to let them remain. The damage had already been done. The taste of power the darkness gave one was intoxicating, especially one as young, and powerful as Alais. Was redemption possible? It had to be...Liam needed it to be.

This was not something the Order could keep up. The Order continued to shrink almost daily due to either death or Jedis falling. It broke Liam's heart to see such things.

It was indeed troubling.

 

[Kel'th Torr]

There was much that Kel'th Torr didn't understand, his steps that he'd taken through life he was disappointed to find out there wasn't a lot. There, Kel'th Torr stepped out with a walking stick for his crutch, his eyes and face indicative of the Amani's acceptance of his condition. Tap, the walking stick as it pushed against the ground while the Jedi Knight stepped out into view with bandages around his damaged arm that he used unconsciously to shield himself from his injury.

Bandages all up his chest while his clothing helped to cover the majority of his body, still, he wished he hadn't lost his favorite cloak. Today was a trial, or at least that's what Kel'th was lead to believe and the worry that this might only lead to something darker crossed his mind.

As he stepped out into view but kept silent with his presence now in the viewing gallery, his eyes glancing for brief pauses at the different persons. These were always sad times for him, a waste of potential could sometimes lead to a waste of life, be it the one on trial, or the ones that one might come to affect. Kel'th, couldn't bear the thought of it.

 

[Vin]

Two years. Had it really been that long? Vin felt like an entirely different person from what she had been when she had first met Alais. Alongside Fen, Alais had had been the first Jedi she had met after leaving Onderon. She had helped her survive the forest, deal with a Rathtar, and then she had vanished. For two years now.

Standing up in the viewing chamber, staring down at the proceedings that were about to begin, Vin's eyes darted to Evalyn, wondering what the older woman was going through. The Hapan had been one of her first true friends in the Order and Vin knew how hard this day must be for her. For all of them really. Her eyes drifted from Evalyn, to Kal, to Wyck, and finally came to a rest on Alais. For Vin they were the Order, not some grubby council that sat on their laurels doing nothing, not the vast majority of Knights who wandered the Galaxy doing nothing and had shown up here to watch the show, but the people down there. Those were the people she cared about, the ones who had helped her become the Jedi she was today, who had shown her what it meant to be a Jedi.

She had come to know them all over the years, and to think that Alais had so interwoven herself into their lives sadden Vin even more thinking about what was about to happen. It was a trial, anything could happen, trust in the Council. She knew the words that were being said all around her. But she also knew what was going to happen, the Council wasn't really what it had once been, or what she had once hoped they had been. She knew what would happen, and when it did it would break the hearts of all the friends she had sitting down there.

Something very wrong was about to happen, and she was helpless to do anything other than look on.

 

[Alphonse Carraway]

How intriguing to see one of these trials first hand. Ever since Alphonse had joined the Jedi proper, that seed of hope that had been buried for so long allowed to see the sun again, he had been focusing on his studies and training and had perhaps missed a few of the previous ones. He knew who this person was, though, so he felt that he had to be here today. The former gangster knew that Alais had been driven and was very pragmatic with whatever she did, though perhaps he hadn't seen to the extent of how far she would go. So far he hadn't felt the call to the Dark Side, though perhaps he hadn't pushed himself far enough to be worth its attention. Oh well, that was its loss, plus he quite enjoyed living a dream that had seemed so impossible before. He just hoped that he would be of use to the Jedi, even though his skills were more suited to the underworld than diplomacy and contemplation.

Dressed in his usual attire, Alphonse stood at the edge of the balcony to get as good view of the proceedings as he could. He would burn this scene into his memory, though thanks to the fact that it was eidetic anyway it wouldn't be hard to do. He wouldn't be able to do anything else even if he wanted to, knowing that he didn't have nearly enough power or position to have that kind of effect. Perhaps one day, if he worked hard at what he believed in, but today was not that day. He would hear what they had to say about Alais, he would witness their judgement, and afterwards he would study and analyze it all until he found a lesson to learn of the whole thing. For now, though, he would have to wait for the rest of the involved to arrive.

 

[Vishhkar]

Vishhkar walked silently into the council chamber. Or at least as silently as his scaly feet would allow, the scritching of scales against stone and clicking of claws heralding his entrance. Casting his eyes about the observation chamber, he spotted a familiar face. Taking a seat, he nodded to his fellow Jedi, Liam Valros, before affixing his eyes on the judgement chamber.

It was troubling, the girls fall. Though Vishhkar wasn't entirely taken by surprise, recalling that faithful day on Lothal when the girl had so willingly answered the Darkside's call. A call that had spurred his own research on the subject. But now wasn't the time for thoughts of research.

"Troublesssome thisss isss." Speaking quietly to Knight Valros, keeping his attention on the judgement chamber. Thinking back to the seemingly innocent girl who he had first met, Vishhkar wondered what could have happened to make her fall so far so as to call for a judgement on her.

@Raydo

 

[Darth Kravos]

Jedi Master Kal Vox had already been on Ossus. He had come here because he had brought back Alais from the depth of Hutt space. He had been ecstatic when she'd agreed to return at his behest and there was no denying he was more attached to her than he ever had business to be. When he'd heard that the Council wanted to... he couldn't even bring himself to say it. He couldn't admit it was real. He was as responsible for it as anyone, he'd brought her back to the Order, he'd even introduced her to the Shadows and, by extension, the darkness. At least in his mind.

He just couldn't believe this was happening, and all Kal could do was try to hide the whirl of negative emotions inside him. This was wrong. That was all there was to it, and Kal was left thinking of Wyck's words on the Noghri home-world: if the Jedi had handled things better, perhaps the Exiles wouldn't exist today. And here they were, casting out one of their own.

What good did this do? How did this help anyone? But Kal was a Master now, and if there was ever a moment he had to use his voice - whatever of it he had - it was now. And use it, he would.

He glanced over at Evalyn who would no doubt feel the simmering just below the surface. Hiding it from those who knew him well would be al but impossible. This is wrong... he said to the other Master in a hushed tone. He couldn't imagine she would be happy about this either, and even if there was darkness in her, she was Alais, and always would be.

He rubbed a gloved hand across his face. Even for an appearance here, he couldn't quite bring himself to wear anything but his mission clothing, albeit cleaned and not in tatters. Strange as they may have been, these were the clothes he wore as a Jedi. Robes these days were a bit more dangerous than perhaps they should have been. If the Jedi were going to keep ripping themselves apart, things would only become more dangerous.

He let out a heavy breath, giving one last look to Evalyn and hoping she would stand with him before taking his place in the "judgement zone," his face grim and without a hint of joy. @Valen Pelora @Sreeya @Malon

 

[Kaizer Sutsgy]

Kaizer had not long finished tallying up the gear he had obtained from Tatooine and securing it in his quarters when rumors began spreading that Master Sige had left Jedha without warning. The rumors had been proven to be true when they sounded the call to assemble on Ossus, though Kaizer had not heard of such a call occurring in recent history or, at least, not since he'd been a Jedi.

The ride from Jedha had been both too quiet and too loud. Jedi on the transport had either gossiped and wondered why they were being summoned or were silently reflecting on what it meant that, for the first time in recent memory, Jedi were being summoned. Kaizer was in the latter group and found that those who were gossiping did not understand the gravity of the situation. If something important enough to gather the sects of Jedi, sects that had been separated for years, had occurred, Kaizer had no doubt that it was bad news bears. That some Jedi would treat it like a sleepover or birthday party did not sit well with the Dantooinian.

The Knight was wearing a standard dark brown tunic and his lightsaber hung on the left side of his belt. While normally he'd also wear robes, he felt the symbolism of hiding in the shadows of his robe matched too closely with the Jedi Order hiding in the shadows of its past and, as such, chose to go without it. He wanted to be easily seen and identified, much like the Jedi of old were easily identified and helped the citizens of the galaxy.

Kaizer followed a bit behind a Trandoshan whom he had never met. Being honest, there were Jedi surrounding him but none stood out like the Trandoshan, who was just a bit taller than Kaizer. While some talked amongst themselves, Kaizer was a man of few words and stared straight ahead as he walked towards the Council chambers, his steps perfectly articulated as if the man were marching on a parade deck.

As he entered the chambers, Kaizer noticed the Amanin form of Kel'th Torr and nodded silently at the man. He was pleased to see the man doing well, though he took a seat closer to the Trandoshan simply because it had a better view. He did not know who was being judged, though was not looking forward to what might happen simply because it meant that the Jedi had failed one of their own and that, by banishing a Jedi, were sending that failure out to potentially terrorize the galaxy.

 

[Nora Grazioso]

Nora heard the call to return, but was hesitant to do so, not until Liam Valros (@Raydo) had reminded her of their talk from what felt like ages ago. He knew of her desire to do good and this would be her chance to witness firsthand at the darkness that seemed to cloud the judgement of the council now. Wanting to argue the reasoning, she decided against it, and now, she was there on Ossus.

She weaved between the others who arrived until she found Liam, standing silently as she witnessed the council on the other side of the room. Just three of them and she frowned, her light eyes danced from face to face, and she felt a slight embarrassment that she could recall any of their names, except maybe one. Though she did certainly know who was still missing from the council as she had been assisting in the search for them, which brought a curiosity to how the council would change if more than three individuals were leading. One name Nora did know was Alais and she was surprised to see it was her on trial, even though, no matter who, Nora didn't want to see anyone stand before the council as the accused Knight would do now.

Something about it was not right.

To pass judgement in an Order that didn't carry good judgement could only end with suffering.

 

[Rhea]

She knew the dangers of walking here, in this place again. The Force call had gone out, summoning the scattered Jedi to Ossus. But such a call could be heard by more than just Jedi. Anyone attentive to the echoes in the galaxy could sense the call... and answer it.

Rhea was prepared for the danger, though. Unlike other "Exiles," she did not broadcast anger, hatred, or fear through the Force. Nor did she cloth herself in black or display her lightsaber like a common fool. On the contrary, her thoughts were quite clear; her robes were still that of her Jedi persona, from her time as a Consular within the Order; and her lightsabers were very much hidden. She had even drawn the Force deep within herself, making her presence very small and otherwise insignificant. To even the most skilled Jedi, she would be all but invisible; and, besides, she wanted no bloodshed here. Only to watch... and observe.

She stood in the back of the judgement chamber, where she could see the girl she had heard so much about whenever she arrived. This "Alais Drast" was making ripples through both the Jedi and the Dark Jed, and Rhea had come to find out why. She masked these deeper questions with idle surface thoughts—thoughts about the impending conclave and other such Jedi drivel to throw off those who might be more sensitive to reading the surface thoughts of others. However, internally, she could not help but notice that the girl on trial was young... too young.

Once again, the Jedi Order had failed. But this was no longer a surprise to Rhea. The currents of the Force were converging—on this spot, at this time, and she was determined to figure out why. Shutting out all other thoughts, the Exile woman donned the outward appearance of a Jedi and watched the proceedings from the back. She would have her answers soone enough.

 

[Liam Valros]

He nodded, bowing slightly towards the Trandoshan Jedi Knight. They remained somber as Vishhkar focused his attention on the center of the room where Alais was to be judged. More and more Jedi showed up, many containing deep looks of worry on their faces.

"Indeed." he quietly replied to Vishhkar, nodding as he folded his arms into his sleeve. It was not cold in the chamber, but Liam felt chilled as the meeting was about to begin.

There had to be another way, and if the Council couldn't see this...well he wasn't sure what he would do but they had to do something. He leaned back closer to Vishhkar. "We must speak sometime." he whispered before standing straight once again. He looked to the Jedi's who had recently been promoted to Jedi Master. There were so few Masters left. Perhaps they could offer guidance.

As he turned back towards the center of the room, he noticed Nora had silently entered. She looked disturbed at the scene. He worried about her. She has only just been convinced to come back to the Order, and now she would witness them at their worst. He didn't know if she would stay after what he feared, and secretly knew would happen. He nodded his head in greeting to her but remained silent. No words could offer comfort. They needed to feel the impact of the Order's actions today. It was the only way they would ever change.

@Arclight @GABA Ren

 

[Evalyn Dan’ela]

The soft wind of Ossus blew through tussled auburn hair. Evalyn Dan’ela stared at the tranquil forest. Ossus was incredibly peaceful, nearly the perfect world for Jedi to call home. It was one of the few remaining places they could still call home. The galaxy was not safe for the Order. They were seen as killers, warmongers, or targets. Ossus should have brought her peace, should have made her safe. Evalyn felt only turmoil. Her eyes were set on the forest, but her mind was thousands of miles and years away. She saw a young, impressionable girl soaking wet in a swamp. A small smile blossomed on her lips. The young girl had come to mean so much to Evalyn. She loved her like a sister, she would have done anything for her. Then she was gone. Lost.

For two years, Evalyn thought she would never see Alais again. The two were bonded close by the Force. Evalyn knew Alais was alive. She knew her student was somewhere, but she couldn’t get to her. She was utterly helpless despite her best efforts. Evalyn had many regrets in life, more than she cared to admit. She regretted failing to find Alais. She regretted bringing the girl to Ilum. She regretted coming to this damn peaceful planet. Unfortunately, Master Vao’s summons was certainly not a request. Evalyn was expected to attend this little event not only as a Jedi Master but a witness. She was expected to behave as befitted her station. It made her ill. Evalyn had never fully regained her trust in the Order. After Alais’ disappearance she had hurled herself into changing the Order from the inside. Evalyn’s life was dedicated to rebuilding the faith that had been lost.

This spectacle brought back a hundred horrible feelings. Her mental walls were impossibly high. Her emotions quashed as only a Master of the Force could manage. Only those truly close to her would sense her inner turmoil. Her feelings were mirrored in Kal. The two Masters were inexorably intertwined. Kal pushed his negative thoughts down, but Evalyn could feel them. Just as he could feel hers. Master Vao and the other Knights would sense only cold detachment. She had a thousand questions for Kal, but no time. They hadn’t let her see Alais. Not even for a moment. What the Council wanted, the reason they were here…. She pushed those thoughts from her mind. No.

She was a Master of the Jedi Order. She would speak her mind. They would not silence her. Evalyn leaned close to Kal. “We won’t let this happen.” Her resolve was unshaking. She would not watch this happen. Evalyn followed Kal to the door of the Judgment Chamber. She stood side by side with the Shadow as they had countless times. Their faces were blank masks. She reached out and squeeze his arm. “Stronger together.” Evalyn took one deep breath and walked forward. Her eyes swept over the assembled Jedi. Knights were beginning to gather below. Evalyn took her place beside Master Vao, Wyck on her left side. Evalyn did not look at the diminutive Jedi. She knew the roll he played in this. Her eyes were fixated on the dais. She wasn’t ready for this. @Sreeya @Phoenix @Malon

 

[Andraste]

She knew this day was inevitable. She had foreseen it for some time now. Alais had never belonged, not truly. She had answered to the lure of the Dark Side like no one else had. She had a weakness in her that was so easy to exploit. She always thought she could overcome it, and she had never felt like a bigger failure. Alais felt shame, disappointment and everything in between coursing through her. Most of all, she felt a twinge of fear. Could she face others she knew in the Order? Could she stand the gazes of judgment and disappointment? Could she handle this becoming a spectator event for others to watch her get ousted forever?

She had warned Kal about this when he had sought her out in Hutt space. She had wanted to return so badly, and yet she knew it would end like this. There were no secrets when a Jedi tried to return. The councilor had already tapped into her mind to see through her eyes. He saw the atrocities she had committed and he saw what existed within her. Alais had nothing to hide, and she had no defense for herself.

By the time Alais slowly stepped into the chambers, there was already a bit of an audience. She saw Master Vao, Wyck and… it felt as if a knife were jammed into her heart and twisted as her gaze fell upon Evalyn. Evalyn had been her Master from the beginning, and Alais loved her as her own family. The years without her had tormented her, and now the circumstances of their meeting was to be her final goodbye. Tears brimmed her eyes, and she bit her lip to keep them where they were. Next to Evalyn she saw Kal, a pained look in her eyes. She could sense the turmoil in him even from here. There was no doubt he was blaming himself for all this, as he had been the one to bring her back.

Alais was adorned in a long, black dress that fitted her form, dropping all the way down to the floor. She had always wanted to wear dresses, and the only formal occasion to come up was her own exile, of course. She kept her gaze trained low, unable to look Vin or any of her other peers in the eye. So lowly they must have thought of her now, so much gossiping they must have begun already. Alais was being paraded around for everyone to see, and she had never felt like more of a criminal.

She slowly stepped up to the center platform, standing still as it slowly raised. Alais felt very small as she looked up at the judgmental faces that looked down at her. She had nothing to say, as they would no doubt begin to announce her sentences and crimes for everyone to hear.

 

[Alphonse Carraway]

Alphonse studied Alais' face and body movements closely, trying to glean as much information as he could. She certainly didn't seem like an Exile, though she did display a good amount of emotion even if she tried to keep them hidden. There must have been a lot of history between everyone she looked at, such as Kal and Wyck and Evalyn. Of them the only one that he had even really met was Kal Vox, mostly because of what the two had already been through together. He was a good man, a skilled man, and it would make sense that the two would have known each other at some point. As for the rest of the details, there wasn't enough yet to really learn much. Perhaps the Council would reveal more before they rendered their judgement.

Turning to the others in the observation balcony, Al took stock of his peers in one of the rare times they met like this. The Trandoshan was interesting, as was the Amani, though the smattering of other humans like himself all joined them in sharing one quality: Worry. This was something that concerned all of them greatly, making any words that he as a newcomer could say useless and a distraction from the proceedings. It was the older woman who stood towards the back that intrigued him. She seemed like she belonged exactly where she was, so calm and quiet in her movements and presence as she watched the proceedings as well. It stuck out to him, again as a newcomer, and he resolved to keep an eye on her before turning back to watch what would happen next. He couldn't put his finger on it but something about that woman was off. Perhaps it was the lack of worry on her face that seemed to be contagious. Maybe she knew something none of them did?

 

[Wyck]

Wyck felt awful. There was a pain within him that transcended the loss of a friend. He had known Alais for a time. Not as close, perhaps, as her Jedi friends seat on the other side of him, but he had known her. Like many young Jedi who crossed his path, he had attempted to teach her the ways of the Jedi, even once he began to feel the touch of the dark side of the Force within her on that fateful day on Lothal. But the darkness was out of control now.

The tiny Jedi had begun to see the girl in his dreams. Only... she wasn't a girl anymore. It was her face, her voice, but her presence was something twisted and evil. It was like staring into the dark heart of the Force, underneath all of that which made the wellspring of life. In this girl, in Alais Drast, Wyck saw the death of the Force and all living things. The death of the galaxy itself. Even now, the dark side clung to her robes like a foul stench. She was a danger to every last Jedi and for that she had to leave.

But Wyck was not as foolish or as vain as the Jedi of time's past. The Jedi Council which originally sentenced the original Jedi Exiles did not hold a trial. They did not attempt to listen. Wyck would do no such thing. He would hear this girl's tale. He would hear everything from her very lips. Only then would he join the others gathered to pass judgement. And, even then, he did so in great sadness.

He could feel the thoughts of the girl next to him, Evalyn. She had recently become a Jedi Master but, even with her new powers and rank, the anger and resentment simmering beneath the surface was as apparent to Wyck as the setting of the Ossus sun. Attachment had formed. The dark side was beginning to take hold. That was the true danger of Alais Drast. Everywhere she went, every life she touched, she formed bonds. Powerful bonds. Many a Jedi had fallen under her sway, just like the first Exile, so many decades ago. Like him, she would bring a schism to the Jedi Order if left unchecked. One that would bring the inevitable death of the Jedi... and that could not be allowed. She had to be cut away before she dragged more Masters and Knights over to the darkness.

So, Wyck resolved himself to do what needed to be done. He was still a Knight despite his great age. In many ways,he thought this appropriate. He was the sword of the light. Its champion. As long as he breathed, he swore to keep hope alive in the galaxy, whatever the cost. Though he had chosen not to do it as a Crusader or a Shadow, in many ways, Wyck had led his own campaign against the dark side, and this was just his latest battle. Alais's friends and allies might despise him, but he would allow no one to turn out the light in the galaxy. Not even this girl.

"Welcome, young Alais." He was the first to speak. He was the oldest being in this room, and, though he did not sit upon the Jedi Council, he knew the eyes of every Jedi in the room were upon him. In many ways, he was the spirit of the Jedi Order, and he spoke to the defendant as such. "Grieves me, it does, to summon you to Ossus under such circumstances. Much difficulty, I sense, you have faced since last we saw each other upon Lothal. Yes." He felt it in her. The dark. The cold. He closed his eyes, briefly overwhelmed with sadness. But when there was no emotion, there was peace, and he allowed that mantra to sustain him. "Since then, grown within you, the darkness has. Hear you out, we will, yes... But answer for this darkness, and for the actions you have committed in its name, you must."

With that, Wyck leaned back in his seat and folded his tiny hands in his lap. Master Vao would oversee the proceedings. Wyck would only speak again when it was time to recount the events on Lothal. And then, the judgement court would make its final decision. He looked upon Alais with compassion one last time, and then shut those thoughts away. He had a job to do. May the Force be with them all.

@Sreeya @Phoenix @Valen Pelora

 

[Duncan Kincaid]

Duncan's steps through the conclave were soft, but they held purpose. Each step brought him closer to the Council chambers, but for why he wasn't quite sure. He only knew when the call was sent out, he was meant to answer. Though this meeting, vibrations through the Force told him this meeting meant more to the young man than he could begin to understand. At least not yet. His hand came in contact with one of the large doors and he gave it a soft push. Despite the doors heavy weight and daunting size it moved with ease, like magic. Sliding into the room what he saw didn't surprise him, but it did send a cold chill up his spine.

Alais?

His gaze held on the girl he had only met a couple of times, but had left a lasting impression on him. Using his cloak to better hide himself he began to push past some of the crowd that had gathered in hopes of getting not only a closer look, but better vantage for hearing. It was Master Wyck's soft but recognizable voice that stopped him where he was for he knew if he could hear him any other who spoke shouldn't be a problem. Crossing his arms he hoped the shadow his hood created hid more than just his gaze as he reached outward to the young woman. A nudge through the Force would tell her he was there, but he still did not completely understand as to why..

 

[Ryell Vao]

The stage was set. The judges—himself, Master Vox, Master Dan'ela, and Knight Wyck—were seated in their places. Alais Drast stood on the judgement podium, which was now lifted so that she could stare upward at them. Behind her, the viewing gallery had begun to fill with Jedi who had already gathered for the conclave, and had come to watch the proceedings. In the pit beneath Alais, flanking both exits, were two Jedi Temple guards respectively. They stood as motionless as statues, their saberstaves held tightly in their gloved hands. Therefore, with everything in place, and Wyck finishing the opening statements, Master Ryell Vao leaned forward to begin.

"Jedi Knight Alais Drast," said the Twi'lek, his voice unusually strong for a being known for being soft-spoken. He needed to be strong in this moment, for all of them. "Serious charges have been brought against you. I have looked into your mind. I have seen the truth of these allegations. You have done terrible things... and seen far worse." He paused to take a deep breath, then went on. "You have used your powers to allow others to torture and kill. You used the dark side of the Force to tear victims asunder, an event I believe Master Dan'ela witnessed. And you have used the dark side to kill since then."

The Twi'lek Jedi Master steepled his fingers before continuing. "But, more than all of that, I am concerned about what you saw in your visions. A woman... a powerful ruler... reigning over the galaxy, wreathed in infinite darkness." Merely admitting to such an atrocity seemed to steal the air from the Jedi Master, yet he went on. "I confess, in all my years, I have never seen the presence of the dark side as strongly as I did in that vision. Worst of all, I believe that vision to be prophetic. You were not seeing someone else. No... You were seeing yourself and you reveled in what you saw."

He paused. "But I cannot pass judgement upon you without hearing your side of things. Knight Wyck, here, insists upon hearing your story. So, before I hear testimony from Masters Vox, Dan'ela, and Knight Wyck, I would hear you, Alais Drast. How do you plea to these charges?"

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kal could only hope that Evalyn's words were true as he took his place and the proceedings began. He listened to what Wyck and Master Vao said. Both held respect within the Order, but neither of them seemed to have the impact that watching Alais did. He could practically feel the pain radiating off of her and he couldn't believe he had brought her back. Regret seized his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it now except defend her with what voice he had. He tried to keep the feelings for her that had developed in check lest they become apparent to others. They were things even he hadn't dared explore.

He had seen the darkness within Alais, but he wasn't one to blame her for it. She had turned that ire against evil men. The human trafficker who he couldn't bring himself to blame her for or the Exiles who had tried to kill both knights. She had been all but forced out of the Order for it, was it any surprise that she found some solace in it?

Even Kal, though, was perturbed by whatever vision the Councilor referred to. He supposed he shouldn't have been surprised, but he was. That wasn't what he saw her as, but he realized that was precisely what the others saw. He saw the girl - no, woman - who had saved his life from an Exile, saved him from a raging river and man-eating cats, and freed dozens of slaves bound for the unspeakable. Where they saw a monster, he saw someone for whom he had developed deep feelings, the very fact of which would no doubt condemn her in the eyes of the Council.

He gritted his teeth, measuring whether to speak now or wait until it was his time to "testify," a moment he wasn't looking forward to, but would give him his platform for voicing his true opinion on the matter.

 

[Cavalas Onn]

It had been months since Cavalas had set foot inside on of the Guardian Temples of Ossus. Rem Shivaaga was absent and as the proceedings progressed Cavalas had wished to have been absent as well. There were crusaders here present, marking the visage of Alais Drast on their eyelids and yet Cavalas could not focus on the words spoken or the image of the girl dressed in black.

This was all Evalyn's fault. Cavalas had been convinced of this fact since the caves on Dantooine. With another master, a different teacher, Alais would never be exiled. Cavalas knew that to be true. For him, for the zealous crusader that defined him, this trial wasn't about the student, but the master. He would watch Evalyn Dan'ela inevitable fall and hunt her down just as he was going to hunt down her protege that was no doubt being exiled today. Master Vao's words left no room for interpretation and the fine line into the dark was easily crossed these days, with all the war and death surrounding the Jedi. Cavalas knew the council wouldn't take any chances.

When it was Alais turn to tell her story, Cavalas finally ripped his focus free from Evalyn and turned his gaze towards the girl. Instantly he felt she had the pain and the zeal for a crusader, which caused a slight feeling of regret to form in his stomach. If only he had chosen to train his own young knight, if only he had then picked this soul. No, he shook his head. She still would've fallen and he'd be too emotionally invested to strike her down. He'd seen that happen, after all. He didn't care for her now... he would take Evalyn's responsibility away from her and strike down her apprentice when the time comes.