Private Alone

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

The jungle stretched endlessly, a vast expanse of vibrant greens and deep shadows broken only by the occasional shafts of sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. The air was thick with humidity, the kind that clung to skin and made every breath feel heavier. In the distance, the sound of alien creatures echoed faintly — chirps, growls, and the rustling of unseen movements.

The coordinates Braze had received from Valery led him here, to this isolated and untouched planet where nature reigned supreme. Yet, something was off. The deeper he ventured into the jungle, the stronger it became — an oppressive undercurrent pulsing faintly in the Force. It wasn't the soothing ebb and flow of life. This was heavier, darker, like the remnants of a wound long since scarred over but never truly healed.

Soon, the dense foliage began to thin, revealing faint traces of a forgotten path. The stones were cracked, overrun by creeping vines and moss, but their placement was deliberate, hinting at something greater. As Braze followed the trail, the path widened, leading him to a clearing where a structure loomed in the misty distance.

The temple was ancient, its once-pristine walls now darkened by scorch marks and the weight of time. Chunks of stone had crumbled away, leaving jagged wounds in the architecture. The main entrance stood ajar, the massive doors splintered as if forced open during a siege. The vines that clung to the structure seemed reluctant to touch the interior, leaving the opening stark and foreboding.

The Force pulsed stronger here, resonating with the weight of loss and violence. It was as if the temple itself remembered what had transpired within its walls — an echo of a time when Jedi had stood against an unseen tide and fallen.

The air was still, the quiet unsettling. Not even the jungle's myriad creatures dared approach the temple grounds. It was as though the temple stood apart, caught in the grasp of a memory that refused to fade.

This was the destination. Whatever awaited him inside, Braze would have to face it alone.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Valery Noble

​

Braze selected a small clearing to land the Ashwing, ensuring it was well-concealed from prying eyes. Channeling the Force, he guided grasses and vines to grow over the ship, their tendrils weaving an organic camouflage that blended seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Drawing his hood over his head, he ventured into the dense woods. Over time, he had mastered the manipulation of air currents, tuning into the subtle vibrations carried by wind and sound—a technique taught to him by Jonyna Si , which he had expanded upon with his own creative finesse. His strides became ghostlike.

A faint sense of unease pricked at the edges of his awareness as he approached the thinning forest. The shadows deepened, and the oppressive weight of a distant darkness seemed to press down on the trail ahead. Braze paused, narrowing his eyes against the faint light filtering through the canopy, studying the path before him with meticulous care. His ears attuned to the natural sounds of the forest. Yet, the closer he drew, the quieter those sounds became. The animal calls dulled to silence, as if the wildlife itself recoiled from the presence of this place.

'This isn't natural,' Braze thought, as his eyes shifted to the ground. He scrutinized the dirt path, searching for subtle clues—bent grasses, fractured stems, faint impressions in the earth that might hint at recent movement.

As he advanced, the outline of a structure came into view, stark and foreboding against the muted backdrop of the forest. The air here felt heavier, laced with something almost intangible yet undeniably menacing. Braze's mind drifted briefly to a memory of Gabriel Pryce , recalling the time he had given the man a fragment of a Sith tomb's wall. In a simular manner, this place felt like it carried the same resonance, an aura of history steeped in shadow.

He resisted the urge to touch anything, knowing the temptation of psychometry's insights could lead to vulnerability. First, he needed to ensure his safety. Methodically, he began circling the perimeter of the structure, moving with the precision of a hunter stalking prey. He took mental notes as he took photographs of the site—faded carvings, weathered stonework, and any signs of recent activity.

Once he was satisfied with exploring the permimiter he decided on the safest method of entry and made his way closer carefully and quietl venturing in after checking his cordinates once more.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

As Braze crossed the threshold into the ancient temple, the air grew colder, and the oppressive silence deepened. The first thing that caught his eye were the shattered statues that lined the corridor ahead, their once-proud forms now reduced to jagged remnants scattered across the floor. The craftsmanship was undeniably Jedi, marked by serene faces and elegant poses that spoke of peace and reflection. Now, however, the calm expressions seemed out of place amidst the evidence of violence.

Scorch marks from blaster fire marked the stone walls, and deep gouges from lightsabers cut through the floors and columns. The faint metallic tang of old blood seemed to linger in the air, though no physical trace remained. This was a place where battle had raged fiercely, and its memory was imprinted on every surface.

The farther Braze ventured, the more the oppressive weight of the temple's dark history pressed down on him. Yet the source of the unease eluded him, the Force here muddled and drowned in the echoes of death and decay.

Then, it happened.

For a fleeting moment, the air shimmered ahead of him, and a figure seemed to materialize out of thin air. Its features were blurred, indistinct, as though viewed through a distorted lens. The figure was clad in dark robes, and its modulated voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Why do you think you're here?"

The words carried an edge that easily sent chills down one's spine, yet the Force offered him no clue as to who or what had spoken. The figure vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving no trace behind. The air seemed to grow heavier, the death and decay of the temple pressing against his senses.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Valery Noble

​

Braze listened intently, his senses sharpening as he studied the spot where the figure had appeared. The air seemed heavier now, thick with an intangible tension that prickled at the edges of his awareness. He knew why he was here—this was where he was meant to be. Valery had sent him with only a set of coordinates, no further instructions. The lack of clarity in her directive was deliberate, a trial in itself. Yet, standing in the shadow of the ruined temple, he couldn't help but wonder: Why here?

His mind churned with possibilities. The fleeting vision was too quick, too distorted to identify clearly. Was it an illusion crafted by the temple's latent Force energies? A residual echo of the past? Or perhaps a living presence cloaked in the guise of a specter, using the Force or technology to deceive? It could even have been a carefully timed holorecording set to trigger at his arrival.

Crouching low, Braze reached out with the Force, seeking to unravel the mystery. He extended his awareness into the fractures and shadows, searching for signatures of energy or the faintest trace of a lingering presence. The temple felt like it's past was buried beneath layers of corruption vying for dominance. The Force here was muddled, but not impenetrable.

Rising, he moved deeper into the corridor, eyes tracing the battle scars etched into the walls and floor. The blaster marks, the vicious lightsaber gouges—they told a story of conflict. He studied the placement of the strikes, trying to piece together the chaos that had unfolded here. Were these wounds inflicted during a single skirmish, or had this place borne witness to repeated clashes over centuries? The answer might hint at the figure's connection to the temple.

Unwilling to leave his safety to chance, Braze tested his environment. He scooped a small fragment of broken statue from the ground and hurled it ahead, watching as it skittered across the stone floor. He was looking for traps.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

The weight of the temple's past pressed heavily against the Force, its essence infused with echoes of emotions too intense to fade. It had once been a place of serenity and hope — a sanctuary for Jedi to train, live, and meditate. The halls had thrummed with the laughter of Padawans, the hum of lightsabers in practice, and the quiet wisdom of Masters sharing their teachings.

But now, all that remained was a hollow shell, tainted by a single, devastating battle that had extinguished the light within its walls.

Braze would feel it in the air, in the Force itself — a cacophony of despair, pain, surprise and defiance. The temple seemed alive with the memories of its destruction, the violence so deeply etched into its fabric that it lingered like a shadow, impossible to ignore. Each step forward resonated with the sorrow and anger of lives lost, as if the temple itself was trying to make him understand the magnitude of what had transpired.

As Braze moved deeper, the silence grew sharper, the tension coiling tighter around him. Then, as if responding to his presence, the air shimmered again. The same blurred figure appeared, hovering for a moment like a ripple in the fabric of reality. Its dark robes swayed unnaturally, and though its features remained indistinct, its presence was undeniable.

"How does this place make you feel?"

The voice was no less haunting than before, its modulated tones reverberating as if spoken directly into Braze's mind. The question carried weight, not just in its delivery but in its intent — it demanded reflection, honesty, and perhaps even vulnerability.

As quickly as it had appeared, the figure faded again, leaving the temple to its oppressive silence. The energy of the place seemed to pulse in the Force, as if waiting for Braze's answer, for his next step forward into its shadowed depths.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Sorrow came to mind. This was a sorrowful place, after all, steeped in the history of past wrongs, of lives extinguished and hopes crushed beneath the weight of actions that could not be undone. It lingered in the air, woven into the very stone, an ache that begged for justice—or perhaps, for peace.

Braze felt it in his chest, heavy yet... not unwelcome. The Jedi were meant to confront such wounds, to heal where possible, and to guard against such tragedies repeating. Rectifying such pain, bringing light to where it had been snuffed out, was part of why he was here. But he did not give voice to this. Not yet.

His focus narrowed, as he studied the figure. It shimmered in and out of clarity, the stranger cloaked in shadow, its presence more question than answer. Braze extended his senses further, his connection to the Force reaching for any trace of identity—a signature, an intention, anything that could reveal what he faced.

"And who exactly wants to know?" he asked, his tone guarded. His voice carried the weight of someone who had faced too much uncertainty to be easily rattled.

He knew he was sent here for a reason, and if this figure sought to challenge him, so be it. There was purpose in every trial.

​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Shadow Gear
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery's presence emerged from the shadowed depths of the temple with the weight of the Force pressing against the air. She did not walk into view so much as she seemed to materialize from the darkness itself, a figure both striking and imposing. The polished black armor of her battle attire gleamed faintly in the dim light, its intricate design reflecting her mastery and readiness for conflict. Twin lightsabers hung from her belt, their hilts catching the faint glimmer of ambient light. Her hood was drawn up, obscuring much of her face, save for the thin vizor that hid her gaze.

The figure's movements were purposeful, each step echoing softly against the hollow, shattered halls of the temple. She stopped a few paces from Braze, her presence unmistakable to anyone attuned to the Force. But her aura was different — sharper, more intense, like a storm churning beneath calm waters. There was no denying the power she radiated, but beneath the strength, there was also a profound stillness.

She tilted her head slightly, her voice low but clear, resonating with the kind of authority that came from years of experience and hardship. "You're searching, but you're not just searching for answers," she said, her voice calm yet laced with curiosity.

Her gaze remained fixed on Braze, as if she could see into the depths of his soul. The Force seemed to ripple around her, carrying with it an unmistakable familiarity. It was a presence Braze would recognize instantly — Valery Noble, though there was an edge to her aura that he had never felt before.

She took another step forward, her voice softening but maintaining its unyielding weight. "Why do you think you're here, of all places? What does this place make you understand?"

Her words were not just questions but a challenge, forcing him to confront the reason for his presence, not just in this temple but in this moment of his journey. It was a trial, and she was its architect, her presence both a guide and a test for the Jedi Knight who stood before her.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Braze wasn't sure if this was Valery or a vision conjured by the temple's past. He knew well that she was far older than she appeared, her wisdom shaped by experiences he could only imagine. But he also knew the Force could be deceptive, playing tricks on the mind and eyes, especially in a place like this.

It felt like her—her presence in the Force was undeniable—but something was different, something he couldn't quite place. Whatever the case, he was relieved he had chosen to stay his hand and not act rashly. If it was Valery, the last thing he wanted was to harm her. And if it wasn't… well, there was still merit in learning.

"Action without forethought can be disastrous", he chirped as he straightened and met the figure's gaze.

"Am I here to understand, or am I here to be tested? Perhaps... it is both..." he asked, his voice calm but searching. "This place holds the sorrow of loss and the weight of failure. I can feel it, as if the stones themselves carry the echoes of what was lost."

His hand lingered near his lightsaber, but he didn't reach for it. He wasn't here to fight unless there was no other choice. "I'm here because I need to be," he continued, his tone firm. "If that means facing what I don't want to see, so be it. But I'll need more than riddles to move forward... I am looking for that purpose.... Why.... are you here?"

His mind swirled with possibilities, each one a potential answer to the question hanging in the air. Symbolism was everywhere, woven into the fabric of this place, but it was dangerous to speak too freely—especially to someone, or something, unknown. Deception had many faces, and in a place like this, each shadow could hold its own lie.

Perhaps the temple stood as a reminder, to the weight of the past. To fix it might mean giving in to attachment, an attempt to erase or forget what was meant to endure as an example.

If she—or the presence before him—expected more, Braze would tread carefully. The moment called for restraint, for understanding the question as much as answering it. To act in haste would likely be to miss the lesson entirely.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Shadow Gear
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery's presence remained unmoving, her darkened silhouette cast in sharp relief against the faint glow of the broken temple. Her hooded visage turned slightly toward Braze as he spoke, the faint hum of the Force around her deepening as if the temple itself resonated with her words.

"This place is a reminder," she began, her voice steady and imbued with purpose. "Jedi often believe they don't need reminders of the darkness we face. We walk onto battlefields, confront Sith Lords, and witness the aftermath of their cruelty. We think we've seen it all, that we're prepared for anything."

She took a step closer, the faint glint of her lightsabers catching the dim light. "But this," she gestured to the hollowed halls, the jagged stone and scorched marks etched into the temple, "This is different. This is horror beyond the battlefield. This is what the Dark Side leaves behind when it has its way — when it festers, when it consumes, when it is left unchecked. It is destruction not just of life but of the very spirit of those who once thrived here."

Her fiery presence seemed to pulse as her words gained intensity, her tone sharp yet resolute. "This is why we fight. Why we must eradicate the Dark Side in all its shapes and forms. Not just in battle, not just in the heat of a moment, but in the shadows where it breeds, in the artifacts it leaves behind, in the hearts it corrupts."

Valery paused, her gaze softening slightly but losing none of its weight. "The Jedi are often told to be compassionate, to seek understanding, to forgive. These are virtues we hold dear and should always hold dear. But when it comes to the Dark Side, when it comes to many of its followers, its relics, its poisonous teachings — we must be decisive. Uncompromising. There is no room for hesitation when facing evil this absolute."

She let her words hang in the air for a moment, allowing the weight of her meaning to settle before continuing. "This place shows us the extremes. The lengths the Dark will go to destroy and to corrupt. But it also shows and makes us feel the cost of failure. It is here to teach, to challenge, and to warn. To understand the enemy and to know the consequences of allowing even a sliver of that darkness to remain."

Her voice lowered, a more personal note slipping into her tone. "This is the beginning of your trials, Braze. A trial not just of your skill or your wisdom, but of your will to confront this kind of evil. To stand in the face of horrors like this and not falter. To carry the burden of knowing what must be done to prevent it from happening again."

"Shadows often stand alone, confronted by what you feel right now."

Valery stepped closer, the distance between them shrinking until her presence felt as though it might consume the space entirely. "This is your last chance to step away. If this kind of darkness is too much to confront, if the weight of what you may face is too heavy, no one will think less of you for turning back now. But if you choose to move forward, know this: you will carry what you see here with you, forever. And it will define who you are as a Jedi."

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Braze was quiet, reverent even as she spoke. He had seen much in the ways of death and destruction—often at the hands of others. These experiences, intimate and scarring, had humbled him, shaping his worldview and the tempered outlook he carried into the present day.

He appeared unmoved by her words, his expression betraying no sway one way or another. It was not indifference but rather the calm neutrality of someone who had weathered storms far more harrowing than most could imagine. Braze had borne witness to horrors and endured them firsthand. He hadn't flinched when faced with Darth Carnifex or the numerous other Sith he'd encountered thus far. Through it all, he'd come to understand the importance of pulling weeds from their roots—a lesson imparted by role models like Ko Vuto . The depth of loss and the fragility of life were etched into his soul, gifts of wisdom from his master, Jasper Kai'el . Even the cruelties of fate—where every card had been played to perfection, yet villains like Marlon Sularen still slipped through justice's grasp—were bitter truths he had learned to accept.

A Jedi does not seek revenge. They seek justice. ​

Braze understood the nuance in this tenet: the razor-thin line between conviction and obsession, between light and shadow. He recognized the seductive danger of the dark side and knew all too well how easily it consumed those who clung too tightly to their pain. There was a difference between misguided men and the monsters who wore humanity like a mask, and Braze had trained his sight to pierce through such façades. The weight of responsibility was an ever-present burden, but he had embraced it. The galaxy was bleak and unforgiving, but someone had to shoulder that weight—and he had accepted it would be him.

His somber jade-green eyes sought hers, searching for even the faintest glimmer of connection through any coverings she might have worn. His gaze carried the quiet gravity of a not a child but a man who had stood on the brink and come back changed.

"I have stood upon the precipice and stared into the abyss," he said, his voice low but steady, each word weighed with meaning. "Once, as a youngling, I turned my gaze away, too afraid of what I might see. But I no longer flinch. Not for those who willingly leap into the void."

​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Shadow Gear
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery listened intently, her fiery gaze unwavering as Braze spoke. His words carried the weight of experience, the clarity of a Jedi who had walked through the storm and emerged with a steady resolve. This wasn't the declaration of a naive Padawan; it was the conviction of someone ready to bear the burdens that came with stepping into the Shadows.

"You're ready," Valery said, her voice steady and firm, but with a note of respect that reflected her recognition of his strength. "Stepping into the Shadows isn't about being fearless — it's about knowing the fear, the darkness, and standing against it anyway." And she felt confident he would.

She reached into her robes and withdrew a datapad, its screen illuminating as she handed it to him. The image of a Sith Pureblood flickered to life on the display. The figure was gaunt, almost frail in appearance, with sharp, angular features and a cold, calculating expression. Despite his lack of physical intimidation, the sinister intelligence behind his crimson eyes spoke volumes.

"This is Korrath'Sil," Valery began, her tone shifting into something sharper, more tactical. "He's a Sith Pureblood — not a warrior, but an alchemist and scientist. Don't let his appearance fool you. He's capable of creating horrors far greater than most Sith could achieve with a blade or the Force. He specializes in biological manipulation, creating monsters that serve his will. Some of his experiments have even turned entire villages into abominations."

Her gaze flicked to Braze, her expression hard. "He's on Utapau, deep within Sith Order territory. His laboratory is hidden in the depths of one of the sinkholes, protected by his creations and loyalists. Your mission is simple but dangerous: locate him, dismantle his operations, and take him out."

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Braze studied the image carefully, his amber eyes tracing every detail as he absorbed the wealth of information Valery was providing. The target she described sounded formidable—an adversary whose danger lay not only in their Force prowess but also in their cunning. This wasn't a foe that could be approached recklessly.

The word Utapau floated through his thoughts like a stormcloud, laden with the weight of history. The planet, with its yawning sinkholes and precarious cities, was as treacherous as the mission itself.

"I'll need more details on their movements... If they're as dangerous as you say, I'll need to find out everything I can first—weak points, routines, anything that gives me an edge." He nodded lightly already thinking about how he would enact and complete this task.

​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Shadow Gear
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery inclined her head in agreement, her fiery gaze fixed on Braze as she listened. His careful consideration of the details and his methodical approach were the traits she expected of someone ready to step into the Shadows.

"You're absolutely right," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Gathering intel, finding weak points, and knowing your enemy will make the difference between success and failure. But you'll need to do that on your own."

She stepped closer, her expression sharpening with the weight of her words. "As a Shadow, you'll often find yourself behind enemy lines, where help isn't just far away — it's impossible to call for. You'll need to rely on your training, your instincts, and your ability to adapt to anything thrown at you. This mission is yours to plan and execute."

Valery paused, her fiery eyes meeting his amber gaze with unwavering intensity. "So, Braze," she asked, her voice steady, "Are you ready to take this step? To face the darkness on your own?"

The question hung in the air, its weight clear. This wasn't just about the mission — it was about the life he was choosing as a Jedi Shadow.

Braze​