Cularin Huntin'

[Zye Woden]

Ambiance

Cularin.

A world like this was the perfect storm for a Sithspawn to be unleashed. There were no less than seven major cities on this planet with a dense population in them all, with a multitude of other minor towns and cities. All of which was dotted across the land of rain forests, jungles, and mountainous jungles. It wasn't too unlike a world such as Felucia or other hell holes that super predators like what he had come here thrived in.

Zye found shade under one of the nearby trees and wiped the sweat from his brow in its shade. Cularin's two suns were high in their zenith, bringing the horrific ultraviolet light with them, heat, and unbearable suffering for Zye. Under more ideal situations, he would have taken cover and waited for the nightfall again. But his quarry was too dangerous and already had a two week head start. His throat was parched, the hunter pulled his canteen from the side of his belt, quickly unscrewing its cap and taking a gulp.

Poachers, carrying the massive Sithspawn known as one of the Graunk had crashed on world and lost their cargo. They were headed to the pit fights along the Outer Rim, but one mishap had rendered them deceased, and threatened to kill many more. All for their recklessness, they had endangered millions of innocent lives.

Zye spat in disgust and anger on the ground. There was no rescue coming. The Jedi didn't know and the law enforcement's innept response was wall up the cities and prepare to kill it when it presents. But they didn't count on a number of possibilities.

What if it was a pregnant female? What if it melded and breeded with the local super predators and made a new monster race entirely? What if it threw the entire ecosystem for a loop and crashed it all with its voracious appetite? What if they drove some of the local predators to desperation, and in turn they resorted to killing the local populations in their very beds? And worst of all--what if they weren't strong enough to stop this monster?

Zye screwed the cap back on his canteen and placed it on his belt before once more began to venture further into the jungle. He effortlessly bound over a log without losing stride, his feet hardly made a sound through the foliage. Zye drew on the Force around him in this planet to strengthen his stealth. He was a shadow, barely even that as he sulked along the darkness. Suddenly he halted. A maimed carcass lay before him. As he knelt close its bloody half was clearly rend in two at the hands of something horrific. The jagged marks along its midsection showed that it was rend in two by teeth. The way its entrails were splattered across the ground, Zye could tell it had been discarded like a used candy wrapper. His eye narrowed and a gloved hand swept across the horizon, scanning the trees. A path became visible that the monster had taken. Behind the scarf that protected his face, Zye's lips curled upward in a pleased smirk. He was on the right path indeed.

[member="Reggie Faayare"] ​

 

[Reggie Faayare]

Reggie had landed on Cularin a few hours ago on a ship that was supposed to take him back to Kashyyyk. He had returned to his home in Tatooine for a few days in order to check on his parents, something that he hadn't done since he became a Jedi. Of course, he really wasn't supposed to be going there in the first place, but he decided that he needed to go back. As he was getting back to Kashyyyk, the pilot decided to land on Cularin to earn a quick credit....this is what Reggie gets for not obtaining his own ship and for catching a ride with a traveling merchant.

Reggie decided to meditate as he waited and could sense something familiar in the area. He didn't know what it was exactly, but the fact that he caught wind of it meant that the force was telling him something. Reggie decided to go out looking for whatever he sensed, traveling through the jungle with his simple brown clothes, headband, and lightsaber. He was warned of some creature on the loose, but that made him curious about what was out there.

He found it difficult to travel through the area, especially since he had never been in such a place before. That didn't stop him though. In fact, it made him excited since this was a new and unfamiliar environment to him, he didn't know what he'd find and that excited him more. Eventually, Reggie arrived on the scene of a maimed, bloody carcass. As he drew closer to the horrifying scene, he used his force sense to pick up on anything. When he felt something through the force, he stopped in his tracks. Reggie wasn't alone. Something was hiding in plain sight, using the force to stay hidden. oddly enough, he wasn't afraid. Something felt familiar about what he sensed, so he decided to put his trust in his instinct and stared speaking.

"Hey, I know someone is there. Do you mind showing yourself to me?"


[member="Zye Woden"]

 

[Zye Woden]

Throughout the galaxy, nothing smelt quite like human. Sentient beings had this horrible habit of spraying their bodies with unnatural chemicals, lathering themselves in disgusting lotions and toxic soaps that were supposed to make them clean. All it did was make them smell like filthy piss. He could smell human coming towards his position, even over the smell of death before him, the presences felt horrifically bright and light, but also very small. They could have been another Jedi sent in a punitive mission to take care of a less-than-politically-televised mission, or they could have been a foolish hot-shot in way over their head. Either way, judging by the ruckass they were making moving through the jungle, they were probably an amateur.

Pathetic, Zye sneered to himself. He quickly shrouded himself in further shadows, and nestled himself in a tree, waiting for the being to come to him. He drew on the darkside even further, his clenched fist preparing a darksheer in his closed palm. It wouldn't be enough to kill them, but it would be enough to wound them and play for a few questions before finishing the dirty work.

"Hey, I know someone is there. Do you mind showing yourself to me?"

Zye recognized the voice, and when he saw it, he recognized the face. The man cursed to himself, he had encountered this weak-minded goodie goodie back on Kashyyyk and here he was crossing paths with him once more. A pacifistic green horn like this would only get in the way and slow him down, Zye knew if he gave this bolt of pure darkside energy into his legs just right, the boy would be crippled--or in the least find following him all but impossible.

Or, the thought entered Zye's mind, he could make valuable bait. The Sithspawn slayer didn't dissipate his darksheer, but he did unveil the shroud around him, and stepped out from behind the log he had taken further cover behind. His dark cloak unforrowed behind him, matching the black tunic, trousers, gloves, boots, and scarf that covered most of his face.

"If you are here to stop me, don't," Zye stated icily, his voice if not his menacing eyes were unforgettable and distinguished from any other out there, "I don't have time for silly games, patty cake and baby sitting. Life and death hang in the balance of thousands, if not millions so I am only going to ask this once, and do well to answer me with honesty and swiftness," Zye's eyes narrowed coldly. "What in God's name are you doing here?"

[member="Reggie Faayare"]​

 

[Reggie Faayare]

When Zye revealed himself, became intrigued. Yet another ability that this man had revealed in front of his eyes. Back on Kashyyyk, he had seen Zye fight and was curious as to what this man could do. His presence was different than others. A dark force user, but more than that; unique. Reggie wanted to ask the man questions but never had the chance to do so.

Reggie was nervous. This man was no fan of Jedi and could kill him in a second if he wanted to. His curiosity overcame all of his other emotions in times like these though, and one day that would probably get him killed. When Zye asked him a question, Reggie answered almost instantly.

"I'm honestly just strolling by. My transportation decided to stop here for awhile and I felt a weird presence through the force. My curiosity got the better of me and led me here, honest!"

Reggie had that stupid smile of his as always, trying to be friendly. He scracted the back of his head, not knowing what would come next. Not only did this man dislike Jedi, but this guy probably thinks that he's a idiot after their last encounter. he'll admit, jumping in front of a man preparing to attack was not his brightest idea.

"If I may ask, what are you doing here?"

[member="Zye Woden"]

 

[Zye Woden]

"I'm honestly just strolling by. My transportation decided to stop here for awhile and I felt a weird presence through the force. My curiosity got the better of me and led me here, honest!"

Zye rolled his eyes at the boy's fear. He relaxed his left hand, letting the Darksheer dissipate into nothing. He could sense the boys' fear. And more than that, he could smell it too. That wasn't what annoyed Zye, fear was a natural reaction, a healthy emotion even in the right situations. It could keep someone alive longer by heightening everything there was to sense and decide on. Like a hot knife, it cut through the butter of thoughts, separating the pointless from the important.

"Alright, alright, I get it," Zye snapped, "No matter how bad your situation is, never carry on like that. The smallest favor you can do yourself is to at least die with a modicum of dignity." He gave an irritated sigh, "I'm not going to kill you unless you give me a reason."

He couldn't stand Jedi, the organization of the Order was pointless, inefficient, and corrupt with false piety. Even if the Order changed, his view of them would likely remain the same. Zye was a lot of things, but he was not a murderer. There was a very bold line between slaying Sithspawn or an archpredator and shedding the blood of someone who could hardly do harm to a fly. Especially a boy.

"I'm hunting," Zye answered, "Poachers carrying an apex predator, a sithspawn, crashed on world. I am going to find it and I will kill it."

There was no uncertainty in his words, or room for wavering, just like he was proclaiming the color of the sky or that Cularin had two suns. From behind his garments there was nothing but resolve, as if that alone could embody a being, or fill clothing.

"Because if I do not, thousands could die. Possibly millions even. One rogue monster like this is enough to bring down an entire ecosystem or an entire planet, but," he held up a gloved finger, "Just the same, one being can make all the difference." He lowered his hand and inclined his head to the youth, "The real question is, what do you chose with your lot?"

[member="Reggie Faayare"]​

 

[Reggie Faayare]

"Alright, alright, I get it," Zye snapped, "No matter how bad your situation is, never carry on like that. The smallest favor you can do yourself is to at least die with a modicum of dignity." He gave an irritated sigh, "I'm not going to kill you unless you give me a reason."

Reggie laughed as he said this, realizing how pathetic he must sound to the older man. It was something Reggie would have to work on, especially if he keeps following his instincts like this. He cannot show fear nor can reveal too much information at times like these. He needs to be calm, refined, and show that he knows what he's doing. He wanted to be on the level of someone like Revan someday, a person of old who's knowledge and power of the force was exponential, but he had a very long way to go if he wanted to reach that level.

As Zye spoke about the sithspawn he was hunting, Reggie's curiosity changed into a feeling of duty. He felt as though he needed to help take this beast down, especially if millions of lives were at stake. One thing that triumphed over Reggie's other emotions, even his search for knowledge, is his desire to help others. He wanted to help the people who needed it, and these were one of those moments.

"If what you say is true, then I have to help you. I know my skill is no where near yours, but I can still assist you in taking down this sithspawn."

For once, Reggie wasn't smiling. He was determined to help take down this beast, he wasn't going to sit back and do nothing now that he knew the true threat that it posed. His fear was suppressed by his courage and determination, his desire to protect overcoming all other emotions.

[member="Zye Woden"]

 

[Zye Woden]

"If what you say is true, then I have to help you. I know my skill is no where near yours, but I can still assist you in taking down this sithspawn."

Then the boy would help him. He may have been small, and Zye was sure that his hold on the force was at this point, much smaller than Zye's, he did have something that Zye could never grasp. The Lightside. Sithspawn were incredibly vulnerable to the light, making this youth's small candle of light that much more powerful against the hulking mass they were going to to fight against. With 2,000 years of study, the boy could also reach the mastery Zye had obtained, but with the lightside. If it was even possible to live that long and remain optemistic.

"Come, there is no time to waste," Zye ordered, his cloak fluttered behind him as he turned on his heel, and back to the trail. For its size, the Graunk was able to move without leaving a massive trail of destruction in its wake through the jungle.

Zye didn't have time to play babysitter, and even if he did, he hated it. He moved with slinking ease through the jungle, bounding from overturned long and bounder to the next. His pace was quick, despite having been at this for days now with little sleep and hardly any proper blood to speak of. He halted suddenly, lowering to his knees. With a wave of his hand, he motioned for Reggie to join him. His gloved hand extended, "The jungle is a dangerous place, its too easy to lose yourself in the details, the mass of foliage in front of you. But a skilled hunter learns to see beyond what they see. The art of Jungle vision. It doesn't involve the force, just your natural eyes. Look beyond the leaves and branches, tell if you can see a discernible path."

If the boy was going to travel with him, he would have to adapt and learn quickly, Zye didn't believe in free paths or making things easier on beings. You earned your way or you died trying. That was the law of nature, the law that House Woden had embedded in his very being. He didn't see a reason to stop living that principle now.

[member="Reggie Faayare"]​

 

[Reggie Faayare]

Seeing Zye move through the forest with ease amazed Reggie. It was difficult for him to move through the jungle to reach Zye, so he analyzed his movements and made sure that he listened to the words of the older man. Joining the older man, Reggie mimicked his movements as much as he could and tried to "see beyond what they see"
As Zye said. He would adapt, that's what was required of him at this moment.

As he caught up with the man, he looked to see if he could see a path the beast took. While it wasn't clear, Reggie could pick out a path the Graunk took. He may be missing some details, but he could tell that the beast went through the area.

"I think I see the path that it took, at least vaguely."

[member="Zye Woden"]

 

[Zye Woden]

"You don't need to see specifics, you have to look beyond them," Zye said rising, "In the jungle its easy to get overwhelmed with the details. Every tree. Every branch. Every leaf. Each puddle. If you get overwhelmed the Jungle consumes you. And you die."

It wasn't something that you could master in a moment, or even something that could be learned in a moment. It took years of practice and study to really know what you were looking for, but it was a start. Zye leaped down from the overturned boulder he was on to the jungle surface. The mud from the surface slashed at the impact. It was too watery to hold an imprint, but they were on the right path. He sloshed along the ankle deep muddy waters, his movement still quick and hardly slowed. The water gradually became deeper and clearer, reaching up to the mid-calf of Zye's tall leather boots. It emptied itself into a pool, slightly depressed into the surroundings. There were several other streams that fed into this one. The suns beat down on the center of this small pool, breaking through the foliage in several beams of pure light. Zye recoiled from it, remaining close to the shade under one of the trees that flanked the muddy stream.

"If you are thirsty, drink, it is unlikely we will encounter something this good again soon," Zye said. "The jungle is a perfect place to die of dehydration."

His eyes roamed the waters and its surounding shores. There was something odd about this place that felt just slightly off. It felt out of place. Sure the geography of the depression in the ground lended itself to the pool before them, but it still felt out of place. He wasn't quite sure what was off, but it certainly was there. He sniffed. The monster wasn't here, it had passed by hours ago and drank but they were still far from near it. from behind the scarf that covered his face, Zye scowled. He didn't like this, not at all.

[member="Reggie Faayare"]​

 

[Reggie Faayare]

Reggie followed as well as he could, trying to keep up with the older man. It was difficult for him and he fell behind a few times, but it didn't stop him from proceeding. The muddy water may have impeded his speed, but did not break his will. As he caught up with Zye and listened to what he said, Reggie was a bit skeptical. Even so, he drank the water. This was apart of adapting, so its what he did to keep up with Zye. As Reggie finished drinking, he noticed Zye scowl.

"What's wrong?"

[member="Zye Woden"]