Private Hall of Broken Bones | Coruscant, Jedi Temple

[Jalen Kai'el]

Hall of Broken Bones
Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

The Halls of Healing at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant had fallen quiet as the evening hours crept in. Jalen had been busy helping patch up those who had lingering ailments from Tython, a recent disaster which had seen the Galactic Alliance fail to retake the ancient homeworld of the Jedi Order. He was exhausted, not that he'd show it. Rather grievous injuries had wound up before him, things that took a little more reassembling than taking a Bacta bath. Yet, with all that said and done the day was over. Jalen let his tall, lanky figure slump down into one of the desk chairs, a heavy breath escaping his chest.

He was probably ready to be knighted now. Jalen knew that as well as anyone. Yet even so, here he was with a braid still on his head. There was something that he wasn't ready to let go of yet. More time. He needed more time to train.

Days like this made him miss that night he had spent with Tempo on Tatooine. How had he been able to slip away from everything so easily? Jalen was never able to pull himself away from his work, but something about that day had managed to make everything vanish. It was illogical, really, that it was still on his mind. It wasn't making his work sloppy, but something worming around in his mind made him think it would.

Maybe it was his brain telling him he needed a vacation.

"Medical staff log, three-zero-four..." Jalen began, speaking into a recording device, "Twenty-three patients admitted, eighteen cleared for leave... two critical condition. No casualties to report. South wing bacta supply is low. Request for restock. End log."

Over three hundred logs now... the end of the year would be coming soon. Jalen could only hope that it would spell a decrease in critical injuries at his table. Jalen slipped the recording device back into his desk. With nothing else to do, the blind man retrieved his Hallikset and began to mindlessly strum at the cords.

Just to clear his head.

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

For a handful of precious moments, Jalen was allowed this moment of solace, simply himself and his hallikset strumming away. It did not take long, however, for another sound to cut through the air. The sharp clacking of heels slowly approached, growing loud enough to overwhelm the sounds of his instrument. Eventually, they grew close enough as to leave no doubt that whoever this person was was approaching him specifically.

“Excuse me.” A voice suddenly sounded out once they grew close. “Have you a moment to talk?” Soft-spoken, yet dignified and elegant enough that it betrayed a highborn origin.

Arthion generally wasn’t one to visit the halls of healing, but today, she was on business. An independent investigation into certain matters that were too coincidental to be merely that had come up with some evidence, but she needed to confirm certain matters, one of which she could address here. It was, admittedly, mere speculation, but… she had to confirm it for herself.

The blue-haired woman looked as dignified as she sounded, posture impeccable as she regarded Jalen. Though she looked to be about the same age as himself, the poise with which she held herself made her seem mature… if somewhat haughty. Her outfit, attention-grabbing in a manner that neared ostentatious, made her seem less like a Jedi and more like a fashionable aristocrat… but Jalen’s senses and the lightsaber at her hip left no doubt that she was, in fact, a Jedi.

---

Jalen Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

“Excuse me.” A voice suddenly sounded out once they grew close. “Have you a moment to talk?”

Jalen moved his head in the direction of the new arrival, his sightless eyes directed at where he estimated her face was through the Force. Her aura had a youthfulness to it. She was young, no doubt. Maybe close to his own age. He wouldn't see her unusual attire, given his lack of sight, but he would nonetheless pick up on her posh mannerisms.

"I do, yeah," Jalen nodded. "It's my job to make sure people get what they need in the halls of healing, even if I'm off duty..."

Strange. Her signature in the Force didn't indicate any kind of injury. What had she come here for? Jalen tucked his instrument below his desk and stood up to more properly adress her. It was then that his height became far more apparent.

"Jalen Kai'el," he stated. "What can I help you with?"

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Arthion regarded the man as he stood up, his frame tall, though still a couple of inches shorter than herself—especially since she was wearing heels.

The woman gave him a small, but polite bow. “I am Arthion Aesatra. How do you do?” She said, politely introducing herself, “I should first apologise for interrupting your break, and for my curtness, but I would prefer that my business be addressed sooner rather than later.”

Though her voice remained even and cool, there was an undercurrent of seriousness to it that betrayed the importance of the situation… as well as some measure of fatigue. Whatever the subject matter was, it mattered to the woman enough that she’d been at it for some time.

“Among the wounded today, have you spotted unusual injuries or symptoms?” She queried, poking for answers and gauging his reaction as she did so. “Psychological oddities are of particular interest. If there is anything of note, I would hear it.”

---

Jalen Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

"You'll have to be more specific," Jalen stated. "The Jedi that have crossed my table came back from Tython. They've been exposed to Sithspawn, darkside alchemy, and the general terror that comes with going to war. Psychological oddities come with the territory. If you're looking for a specific ailment, I'll need details."

An investigator type. Not exactly what he was expecting, but Jalen wasn't particularly bothered by the questioning. He just needed something more specific. Any manner of darkness was sure to be afflicting any one of his patients. People returned from war with broken minds and spirits, alongside their broken bodies. He would help, of course, but no progress would come from vagueness.

Business addressed sooner than later? What was she expecting?

Jalen wasted no time drawing a notepad, featuring papers covered in neat rows of holes punched through them: Braille. His fingers skimmed the pages, beginning to locate cases with significant mental ailment as he waited for a response.

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

“Of course. I do apologise.” She responded evenly, putting a hand on her chin as she thought on how to describe it. “It is… not so easy to explain, but I will try my best. Have any patients seemed out of sorts in a way that can’t be described through simple trauma or encounters with Sith alchemy? As if their psyches are locked in an unnaturally catatonic state, simultaneously delirious and drained?” She queried, pausing before elaborating. “If I am right in my suspicions, it would be something akin to the connection between their souls and bodies being undermined, and supplanted by something else. Something darker. Does anything of the sort ring a bell?”

Arthion truly did not wish to be so cryptic, but it was better to be absolutely certain before going off into theories that could potentially induce panic. And if she was wrong… that could be disastrous in and of itself.

---

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

"Are... you suggesting a potential posession?" Jalen mused. "To have one's soul supplanted and undermined... doesn't exactly have very many routes of causation."

Jalen paused for a moment as he skimmed through his documents before speaking again.

"There's one case that is close to your suggested behaviors," he noted with a frown. "Young knight, twenty-three year old Twi’lek subject. He's healthy physically, but is presently in a coma. The last time he was awake was two days ago, where he had a manic episode. It's since been monitored as a potential corruption..."

Nothing else fit the bill, not like that. If there was something else undermining the young Jedi's soul, it suggested a greater risk to the other patients under his direct care. That was something that Jalen could not allow. His expression didn't waver. Instead Jalen proceeded with composure.

"Is this affliction you're looking for a potential threat?" he asked plainly. "If it is, I'd like to know. I have forty-seven souls admitted, two in critical condition and a majority in a defensless state."

It would call for direct action if such a thing could spread.

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Arthion was, initially, silent, instead assessing what he said, gauging how she should proceed. However, it was becoming clearer and clearer that her fears were real. The listed symptoms lined up far too well to be mere coincidence, and with the evidence she had gathered…

“Then it is as I suspected.” Arthion said, the sobering realisation giving her pause for a moment. She sighed, then continued. “An artefact, called the Ulk’rhan Dagger. It’s a ritual catalyst of Sith origin. During unrelated investigations, I came upon information that an item matching the description of this artefact. Try as I might, though, I had neither the time or wherewithal to properly track it.”

She crossed her arms, staring out to the window next to them. “When this ritual is performed, it acts almost akin to a plague, a curse transmitted through the Force. When those on the side of Light come into contact with it, corruptive energy latches onto them like a parasite, inducing fear and despair, upon which it then feeds, growing strong enough to amplify these feelings. This vicious cycle continues until the victim’s soul is taken over and consumed.”

Her eyes narrowed, looking back at Jalen. “This despair is used as a battery, the energies are channelled into those willing to invite such foul energies into themselves… people like the Sith.” She paused, allowing the gravity of the matter to sink in before continuing, “As it stands now, this ritual likely hasn’t had enough time to have a noticeable effect. It may take days, weeks, even months. Left unchecked, however, it would spell disaster. Our forces weakened, and theirs strengthened… but for a blessing, there is no evidence of transmission between the carriers of this curse.”

With all she knew finally relayed, she sighed once more. “I apologise for thrusting this upon you, but I needed to know. I believe I have enough information to take the matter to the Council. Either way, I thank you for your patience.”

---

Jalen Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

“I apologise for thrusting this upon you, but I needed to know. I believe I have enough information to take the matter to the Council. Either way, I thank you for your patience.”

"I'm not exactly in the business of waiting for the council," Jalen stated bluntly. "If this is early stage development of the corruption caused by your artifact, I'd like to nip it at the bud."

Rank didn't matter in here. These were his patients, and Jalen wasn't going to see them left to an unknown corruption without at least trying to fight back. He was quick to gather up his things before turning back to the young knight, his expression as collected as it had been upon her entry.

"Right, you'll be joining me to visit the patient," he informed her. "I need you to relay all the knowledge you have of the affliction. I suggest you either sterilize the germs on your hands or grab a pair of gloves."

He turned to step towards one of the infermaries and began to walk away before pausing briefly.

"Please do move with haste."

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Arthion blinked, rather surprised at the quick decision he made. Then again, maybe she shouldn’t have been. A Padawan though he was, his time spent practising medicine had most certainly taught him to perform under pressure. More than that though, the man radiated determination and care—she could sense his will to save his patients, prevent more lives from being lost to Sith machinations.

And who was she to deny him that?

“Very well.” Arthion said with a nod, “I will sterilise my hands, and be with you shortly.”

With that, Arthion would move, wasting no time in thoroughly washing not just her hands, but her forearms as well, making sure there was no possible way she could transfer any germs to a person who was already weak.

As soon as she was done, she would reconvene with Jalen, following his lead to wherever the patient was.

---

Jalen Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

Jalen would guide her into a room not too far from his primary work station, a small circular space with a bed in the center. It was less medical and more like a meditation chamber, filled with an assortment of objects that emitted radiant energy in the Force. The subject in question was a Twi'lek male as described, with vibrant red skin. His arms were covered in tally-mark tattoos, mementos of fallen allies. Peculiarly, the man had short facial hair, an oddity for his species. He was dressed in a tattered hospital gown, which Jalen reached out to brush his hands over.

"Alarming..." he noted. "That wasn't torn the last time I visited..."

The young man turned to Arthion next, doing his best to direct his face to where he was pretty sure hers would be, though he was notably off by an inch or so.

"Right, tell me how this works," Jalen asked. "You said the affliction has not been observed to spread, yes? How does one come under the influence of the dagger?"

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Arthion felt it before they even entered the room: fear and despair, coupled with fatigue, a desire for it to end. He had been under duress for so long, hadn’t he…?

She willed herself to maintain a strong face, proceeding into the room with Jalen. She regarded the comatose Twi’lek for a moment, and almost missed the query directed at her.

Clearing her throat, Arthion composed herself, and responded. “I will go over what I know. As I understand it, the dagger is a catalyst in a larger ritual. Sith who willingly subject themselves to said ritual are charged with its corruptive energies, empowering them at the cost of their own health. If a Jedi, or any wielder of the Force, comes across a moment of weakness whilst facing them, these energies leak into their souls, latching onto them. A defeated Jedi makes easy prey for this process.”

She paused, then continued, “As I said before, it both generates and feeds on despair. However, soothing the victim’s mind is a way to cut off the supply of this curse. It’s merely a stalling measure, but… it is better than doing nothing.”

---

Jalen Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

It fed on despair. That was something that may have been an abstract concept to most, but Jalen understood it well. That only made the cogs in his head turn with possibilities for how to beat back the affliction while they searched for this dagger. But... another idea came to his mind. It was not a good one. In fact, it may very well have been the most reckless thing he had ever conceived of within his mind. Yet even so, if it was possible...

"Say the affliction can come into contact with someone with greater dispair than the host," he stated. "Should their minds connect through the Force, would the affliction spread or jump from one host to the other? I believe our course of action changes drastically based upon how it may propagate."

More than she knew.

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

“What are you-?”

Arthion’s initial reaction was confusion, blinking as she tried to process what it was he was thinking of doing.

Then it hit her.

“No. Absolutely not.” She said firmly in something of a knee jerk reaction, the words slipping out before she could properly measure them.

After that outburst, though, Arthion would take a silent breath, calming herself down before she spoke. “Kai’el. Your willingness to sacrifice your own health for the sake of others is admirable, but I urge you to reconsider. There are countless other patients who need you, and you will not be able to treat them with the curse hampering your ability to properly function. In a worst case scenario, you might even make a mistake and hurt someone you’re trying to help.” Her eyes narrowed, though the concern for him was clear, “Abandon this notion.”

---

Jalen Kai'el

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Arthion Aesatra

Delta-7​

Jalen let out a soft chuckle at this. He hadn't given any indication of what his intention was. She was quite inquisitive. Unfortunately he wasn't exactly an individual who went about things in a rational manner. He had a mission to cure this affliction at any cost.

And his mind was already open.

The young man turned back to the knight, his eyes becoming black voids. Inky tears spilled out of them, running down his cheeks.

"Sorry," he apologized. "But there will be other healers that can fill in during my absence. Locating the dagger is of the utmost importance..."

He paused for a moment, wiping the ink from his face. His eyes would return to normal as a gentle light began to radiate off of him. Jalen was an individual who lived a life surrounded by torment and suffering. The affliction was lured in by his pain, not realizing that he had the willpower to keep it at bay. The additional screams in the back of his mind were all but trivial. Just additional noise in the cacophony that was the looming shadow of his past.

The affliction could be tolerated in his system for the time being.

"I apologize for forcing your hand," Jalen stated, his voice showing sincerity in spite of his more formal manner of speech. "I am... atypical. You will find my skills necessary for the annihilation of this corruption."