Private Hope And Despair

[Hope's Legacy]

******* OOC: It shows as a private thread. However, RNR members are allowed to join if they wish. More so just to encourage, a go at your own pace and have some fun with the story. I will do my absolute best to ensure everyone has some sort of enemy other than NPCs to deal with. This is the finale in a long drawn out storyline involving the Porte's and their enemies. No pressure to join, but if you do have some fun my friends! *******​

Allies: Lorn Reingard - Kalantha - Dreidi Xeraic - Briana Sal-Soren - Brandyn Sal-Soren
Enemies: Sion Ren - Castor Ren - Dark Exchange



A calm and peaceful night was soon to be shaken to its core. The red flames would soon be seen from Theed. The innocents would be awoken in the dead of the night to the sounds of panic as evil warriors began to stalk the streets. Soldiers loyal to Sion Ren and to the dark exchange would begin to weave into the city as they sought to stamp out Hope and light.

A two-pronged attack by the essence of an enemy that's own agenda seeped into its followers. One who sought the destruction of the Jedi and Alliance personnel on Lothal many years ago. The rage and anger that emitted from one called Sieger Ren was deafening on that day.

However, the force was with the Jedi Master Kahne Porte on that day.

That enemy was killed on Lothal….

Now with renewed energy and anger in followers from that time have been waiting. Gathering their strength and their singular purpose was to eradicate the Porte Family. Their main target to bury and crucify was the Father, Kahne Porte. He would experience the loss of his home, family, those that he cared for the most.

And then it would be his turn. He would be called to meet death.

For now, Naboo would sleep peacefully, until the Order was to be given by Sion Ren.

During this time the Dark Exchange would watch the young Jedi, Aiden Porte who seemed to become a inspiration to the people of Theed, with his rhetoric of putting the past at rest and letting the light of hope preserve. But Sion knew the truth, he was just a scared boy clinging to the past and clinging to someone he loved. She would turn him, or he would be killed.

The time had finally come, revenge was at hand.


***** Upon Order Being Issued *****

Objective 1: Forest Burns - The Deep Forest and Plains of Naboo are in flames by the Dark Exchange and their soldiers. They feed the flames as part of the attack to isolate Kahne and Aiden Porte from their allies.

Put out the fires by any means necessary and wipe out these Dark Fanatics and restore order to Naboo and her lands.


Objective 2: City Under Siege – The Dark Exchange and company walk the once peaceful streets burning whatever they can. Causing pain and anguish to those in the area. The second part of the attack that is intended to isolate the Porte's and wipe them out.

Scramble the defenses and put an end to these dark warriors and show them no quarter. For you will receive none. Deal out Naboo's justice and show them the strength of Justice and Hope.


Objective 3: BYOO: Protect the Queen, Royal Assembly. Protect all of Naboo, she is mother to us all. Fight for her!

 

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Porte Homestead
2200
Tags: Cadre

Troubled sleep had not plagued the Jedi Padawan for quite some time. Ever since his debacle at the Queen's estate, he had rectified his wrongs. Spoke of truth and spoke of his past to those closest to him. It brought a renewed sense of clarity. and peace. So much that he wasn't hearing her voice anymore. he wasn't hearing their voices. By his own volition he seemed to have stamped out those that sought to invade his mind, he was becoming who he was meant to be. He was standing taller, his trainings and his allies strength had given him renewed purpose and hope.

He wasn't who he used to be, that person was gone.

And yet on this night, the Jedi Padawan awoke with a start, breathless and strong chill creeping up his spine.

He let out a small frustrated sigh as he maneuvered himself to the edge of the bed. He took a few deep breaths before he stood up and moved over to the sink and splashed some water on his face. He chuckled lightly, trying to brush off the feeling as he reached for the towel hanging next to him and he dried his face off. He knew sleep would not find him again. The towel dropped to the floor and Aiden knelt down to pick it up, upon looking back up he could see her in the mirror for a brief second. It startled him as he took a step back.

"Stop it....." He took a deep breath as he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, focusing on himself. He felt that again, similiar to what he described in his recordings. The red light, bright enough to seep through the windows and fill the house. Aiden let out a frustrated sigh as he quickly got dressed and scrambled outside.

Nothing.....

No flash of red, no flames....

"What is going on...." Aiden questioned, more so to himself. He glanced around as the only lights that could be seen were from the light structures that were scattered among the homestead. Providing light among the complex, so that all wasn't in complete darkness.

 

[Cadre]

Where was he. She could feel him. She could sense him close by. She hungered. Her master had promised Aiden to her. He would be hers. He had always been hers.

Hunger.

Pain.

Loss.

She fed on it now. She devoured her pain to sustain her. Her soul tore at her constantly failing form. And yet through this pain she lived. Even as she crept through the shadows, her face contorted and morphed. The monster within always attempting to surface.

Where was he? They said he would be here.

Her soul whispered its longing. Reaching out into the night, shadows creeping through windows and into homes. Where are you, Aiden?

"Where are you, my love?"

| NPC: Esme Volcaine | Tag: Aiden Porte |

​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Porte Homestead
Nighttime
Tags: Cadre
How this feeling could have so easily been forced back into his life, astounded him. He knew not the reason for it, other than taunting and doubt by those that would seek to do him arm. The feeling came and gone just as ease as it arrived. Then a coldness sweep through the air, a presence he hadn't felt since......

"Esme....." The Padawan whispered in the cold air,

"Where are you, my love?"

The soft words uttered from one who had perished from his life. He heard them ever so clearly now, it wasn't a dream.

It was real...

Aiden trekked down the marble road that paved around his home leading to the vineyard and there was a figure in the distance. His lip trembled slightly as his breathing became staggered.

How.....? Thought came sweeping in and out of his mind. All logic and strength the Padawan had invested in the light and peace has seemingly vanished. At the time, he didn't know how, or why.

All that he cared about was that she was here.

She came back to him, somehow he felt he always knew she would. His mind rendering all logical things invalid as he approached her.

"Esme....." The Padawan said on a trembled words and breath. He moved forward quickly closing in the gap between them and embraced her. Holding her as if life depended on it. Eyes watered as he was overjoyed to see her, she was here. "I knew you'd come back. I've missed you."

 

[Cadre]

He neared. She could feel the shift in the Force like a storm had blown through. And it carried Aiden straight into her arms. She wrapped herself into his embrace.

Her face, resting on his shoulder, contorted and distorted. The power that held her together tought for dominance. It manifested across the pale, porcelain beauty of her face with amorphous wounds. Tendons, muscle and bone seemed to reform and mould into varying grotesque offerings, all out of Aiden's view.

"I am alive. Only desiring to hold you once more ever since I awoke," she whispered, as her mouth undulated between its inviting norm and the twisted form of the thing within her soul.

Her hands wrapped around him, pressing on his back and holding him close with unnatural strength.

"I was a fool, Aiden. Forgive me. I see now that there is no life worth living without you," she purred, voice almost echoing with a higher pitched vibrato.

"I have changed," she said, finally purely in her own natural voice. The quiet sniffle dissipated as the force within her suppressed the vulnerability of her.

"But I have not changed how I feel about you. Hold me."

| NPC: Esme Volcaine | Tag: @Aiden |

​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Porte Homestead
Nighttime
Cadre

Aiden! Aiden! Open your eyes!

A small flash of light shot through his mind. It came and went quickly just as the red light before. It was different though, something.

It was warning him...

There was nothing here that would hurt him. She pressed into him, and the thoughts of their time together began flooding his mind again. Once more, focusing on the fact that she was here. Her arms wrapped around him and he was pulled in close to her, with an almost unfamiliar strength.

"I was a fool, Aiden. Forgive me. I see now that there is no life worth living without you,"

"I have changed,"

"But I have not changed how I feel about you. Hold me."

"You are not a fool, what happened wasn't your fault...." Aiden said heeding her words as he held her close. "It was my fault...." A low breeze was now sweeping through the area. It was weak at first, but then it got a bit stronger. The wind itself began to cut to the bone as it got cooler.

"It's okay, we can help you. I can help you. Theed isn't that far away, we can find someone to help you. My father can help you...." The Padawan's thoughts were overflowing right now. The adrenaline and emotions of seeing her again had almost passed through his body and a solitary question had lingered on his mind.

How did this happen.....?

"How did you get here?" Aiden asked with concern. He pressed his forehead against hers in a sweet way. She said she was different, the Padawan's force aura reaching out and something did feel different. It seemed unnatural "Esme.....you died.........how are you here?"

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Kahne Porte

​

The force ripped Lorn from sleep. One moment he was drifting in the quiet hum of his dreams, the next, a discordant shriek, a wave of terror, slammed against his mind. He bolted upright, his lightsaber flying into his hand before his eyes were even fully open.

Screams echoed from the streets below, punctuated by the guttural roars of something…dark.

Red. Flames licked at the edges of buildings, painting the elegant architecture of Theed in a horrifying light. Figures clad in black armor, their faces hidden behind menacing masks, stalked the streets. The Dark Exchange. Kahne's stories, once relegated to the realm of history, were now a brutal reality.

"They're here." Lorn muttered, igniting his golden lightsaber. He had heard the tales of Sion Ren's rage and the burning hatred of those who followed him, the darkness they carried within themselves. The Porte family was their target, the symbol of hope they sought to extinguish.

Lorn knew what he had to do. His first priority was the Queen, the Assembly, the heart of Naboo's government. He had to reach the Royal Palace.

He leapt from the window, landing lightly on the cobblestone street. Two Dark Exchange soldiers rushed him, vibro-blades humming menacingly. They were fast, fueled by a dark energy that screamed in his ears, but their attacks were clumsy. With a flick of his wrist, he disarmed one, sending the blade spinning into the darkness. The other lunged, but Lorn sidestepped, his lightsaber singing as it sliced through the soldier's weapon and then his armor, dropping him to the ground.

He didn't linger. The palace was miles away, and the city was crawling with these dark warriors. He sprinted through the streets, deflecting blaster fire and cutting down any who stood in his path. Fear gave way to a cold focus.

The air grew thick with smoke. The scent of burning plascrete and flesh assaulted his nostrils. He passed families huddled in doorways, their faces etched with terror. "Go to the river, find shelter!" he shouted, his voice barely audible.

More Dark Exchange poured out of the shadows, their numbers seemingly endless. They were relentless, driven by a fanaticism that chilled him to the bone. Lorn fought with the ferocity of a cornered animal, his lightsaber a blur of light. He forced them back, creating a small pocket of safety for himself, but he knew it wouldn't last.

He had to reach the palace. He had to protect the Queen. He had to buy time for Kahne and Aiden. Time to prepare, time to fight back. Naboo's Justice was coming, but it needed time to awaken.

 

[Cadre]

Esme held him, even as it mentally tore at her. "Help?" She said, voice deepening into a gravelly mix of fire and silk. She pulled from the embrace and stumbled away, clutching at her face. Beyond her fingers, her face contorted. The sound of a thousand teeth grinding against one another filled the air.

"I already help her."

Esme stumbled into the shadows, hands clawing at the padded armour she wore. She laughed in a manner more a cackle than true laughter. "He wants to help us. Esme. He wants to help. You were right...he is so precious."

The sound of grating teeth subsided, leaving Esme a crumpled, perspiring mess on the floor, hair matted and eyes red. "It keeps me alive, Aiden..."

She glanced at him, ashamed of what she had become. But the truth was far worse for her than he could yet see. "I shouldn't have come to you...you were commanded to go to him."

She pushed slowly against the wall, lifting herself to her feet. "I am not who I was...Aiden, but my heart is still yours," she said, hand reaching towards the young man in a moment heavy with pressure of destiny.

"Come with me. Please. I want to be with you."

| NPC: Esme Volcaine | Tag: Aiden Porte |

​

 

[Sion Ren]

Allies: Castor Ren Marwo Ren Dark Exchange
Enemies: Kahne Porte Aiden Porte Lorn Reingard Dreidi Xeraic Jun Chiyo Briana Sal-Soren

Location:????

Young fool....

They were both fools.

At last, it would seem the time he had so longed to come. It was time to begin. The forces were in position already, Isolate and destroy their spirit and their will. Even, their sheer brutality would overwhelm the Jedi and force them back. The loss of civilian life and the dark aura seeping throughout the land would indeed consume them. Bringing her back was merely taunting joke, meant to strike doubt and reintroduce fear back into the Padawan's life.

"Now is the time. Show no hesitation, or mercy to these wretches. Strike them all down and ensure that fear is the last thing they see and feel as life is taken from them."

The fires had begun first, torching the earth and everything that was green would be very soon charred black. The Porte homestead would be rocked by a series of explosions as members of the dark exchange would rush in to overwhelm the home. Theed would face the same destruction.

"I have been waiting for this day for a long time, a day of reckoning."

"Revenge has finally come." The sinister voice calling out to those under his command as he wasted no time dispatching them. As the first few began to feel the heat from his blade. The cries out, screams of panic and distress. It was truly marvelous.

 

[Castor Ren]

Allies: Sion Ren Marwo Ren Dark Exchange
Enemies: Kahne Porte Aiden Porte Lorn Reingard Dreidi Xeraic Jun Chiyo Briana Sal-Soren

Location: Porte Homestead

Fire burned brightly, lighting the way for fear and destroying whatever lay in its path. The Master of Ren stalked up the dirt path as his soldiers and those members of the exchange passed him up. Charing ahead, burning whatever they could. Their enemies home was up ahead, and their was no time for playing around today. They would succeed in their task or forever be tormented in their failure. They would have their revenge and take the lives of those responsible.

"Oh there he is....." Castor's spoke softly and then a laugh that echoed across the homeland. Seeing the wretched form that was Aiden's beloved and seeing the Padawan distraught himself. It did bring a smile to his face. This boy had escaped death to many times to count. If he could end the Padawan then his duty would be complete. He would have proven himself in the eyes of Sion and then ascension was at hand. The Master's blade ignited as they encountered some resistance. Blade piercing through the flesh of those that sought to defend. Workers of sorts perhaps, and who else knows.

Castor wondered whom all Kahne had brought to his side. What did fill their minds with, hope and a promise of a good life. It was a fool's dream, death was their true escape. And he was here to ensure that they would get that. Castor aimed to take out the boy, then his sights would turn further.

A sudden rush of excitement filled his body as he pushed forward.

 

[Kahne Porte]

Allies: Lorn Reingard Dreidi Xeraic Jun Chiyo Briana Sal-Soren
Enemies: Sion Ren Castor Ren Marwo Ren Dark Exchange

Objective 2
Theed
Royal Palace

For as long as he could remember he had been gifted with a life of uneasiness, pain. The day that hope entered his life, that was truly a day to be celebrated. It was the only time that he felt he could be selfish and celebrate that moment for him. But that wasn't the case. It was a gift, to be shared with all of those that couldn't feel its embrace, that just felt darkness and uneasiness. The constant fear that whipped at those because they had not shoulder to lean on, or no one to support them.

Kahne had been called a fool many times because of his strong belief in hope. If hope was so strong why had the wars never truly ended, why were the Sith still here? Why was there still no balance to the force? If hope was meant to ensure that these things would come to an end, then why hadn't they? The Jedi Master never had an answer for those questions. Not that would satisfy them anyway.

He continued believe because he chose too, that was his destiny. He couldn't persuade those of what he believed. They would continue to ignore, or they would believe. If not by words, then by action by the light of the force that burned brightly inside the Jedi Master.

They had interfered with our affairs for the last time. The first time should have been the last, however it wasn't the right moment. he hated that it had to come to this moment, but he would not let it reach any further.

The Jedi's blade came to life as he swept across the street. "Get inside, quickly!" The Jedi Master instructed to those were running past. "The Palace guard will give you further instruction!"

Blaster fire came his way, maneuvering his blade deflecting the blaster shots. Utilizing the force to enhance his speed as he moved in striking distance striking through them with a quickness and light fury that hadn't been displayed by him before.

The worries and fears of those around him flooded his mind, his brow furrowed as there were those that were too scared to move, as the enemy advanced.

"Here I am!" The Jedi Master declared, loudly and to all of those that he could pull towards him.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Porte Homestead
Nighttime

Cadre
Allies: Kahne Porte Lorn Reingard Dreidi Xeraic Jun Chiyo Briana Sal-Soren
Enemies: Castor Ren Sion Ren Marwo Ren Dark Exchange

"Help?"

"I'm here!" Aiden said as she pulled away from him. Stumbling away, Aiden took a step or two after her but was stopped in his tracks at the sounds of explosions in the distance and they got closer and closer. Soon the night sky was filled with the orange red hue of fire. He could hear the scattered sounds of fighting in the area and the sound of laughter filling the air.

"I shouldn't have come to you...you were commanded to go to him."

It was at these words, Aiden felt a cold shiver creep up his spine. He slowly looked over to her, and his face was riddled with guilt and anguish.

"W-who commanded you to come to me....." Aiden whispered, however just as he finished the sentence he had already gotten his answer. Aiden took a deep shuddered breath as he shook his head. "Oh Esme, I'm so sorry......"

I'm sorry he dragged you into this......

A face that was etched with happiness, shock, fear and now filled with frustration and anger. As his sense opened up more, he could feel the unnatural state of her being. A manifestation of who she used to be, brought back to simply toy with his mind.

She was supposed to be asleep.

She was supposed to be at peace.....

What had he done?!?!

"Come with me. Please. I want to be with you."

Aiden watched as her hand reached out and he in turn reached out with his. His fingers interlocking with hers..... "I loved you since I first saw you." The Padawan said with a small smile. "But I have to let you go, you aren't supposed to be here." He pulled his hand away from hers. Backing away, just as soldiers began rushing the area. The Jedi Padawan's blade ignited as he deflected a series of blaster bolts and maneuvered himself to take them out.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Kahne Porte

​

Lorn gritted his teeth as he pushed forward through the chaos that engulfed the streets of Theed. Despite the panic that threatened to swallow him whole, his mind was a steel trap, focused only on the next step, the next strike, the next breath.

The distant echo of assembly members fleeing down the steps of the Royal Palace met his ears, underscored by the thundering roars of the Dark Exchange soldiers. Each step he took toward the palace was a battle, his golden lightsaber flashing through the smoke and haze, a beacon of hope in the tumultuous night. He weaved through the throng of enemies, the clash of metal and searing heat of his blade cutting through the suffocating darkness that pressed in on all sides.

As he fought, he allowed himself a moment to feel, to harness the bubbling mixture of emotions that whirled inside him. The fear of failure, the desperation to protect, and the dwindling hope, all combined into a pure, bright resolve. He was not just fighting for the lives of strangers, for nameless citizens who looked to him with eyes wide and pleading. He was fighting for everything he believed in, for the light that stood in defiance of the encroaching abyss.

He dispatched his foes with a combination of fluid elegance and raw power, his movements a blur as he danced between volleys of blaster fire. A soldier lunged at him, blade poised to strike, and Lorn spun, parrying their weapon effortlessly before sending them crashing into the ground. He leapt from side to side, avoiding incoming attacks, feeling his pulse drum steadily in his ears.

The moment he reached the top of the steps, he found himself face-to-face with Kahne. The Jedi Master stood resolute, a rock amidst the storm. Lorn's gaze met Kahne's for an instant, a silent promise passing between them, they would fight this battle together, as brothers in arms, no matter the cost.

 

[Cadre]

Esme reached out of Aiden with both hands. "Not supposed to be here?" She said, eyes flowing freely with tears.

"I didn't ask for this, Aiden...I didn't want this..."

She turned her back, slumping against the wall. "Am I that grotesque that you hate me now?" She said midst wail.

Esme's fingers turned towards her ever morphing face and clawed at herself. Streaks of red dropped from her face and fingers as she wept aloud. "He won't help me...he won't help me..."

Her head turned to Aiden, eyes flashing red for just a moment. As he pushed her away, he pushed her into the dark that sought to embrace her wholly.

"...I need you and you turn me away...you turn me away!"

Fists beat against the wall. "I want to be free of this. I do not want to be his tool. And you turn me away!"

She grew silent against, leaning against the wall. Her body contorted with each breath. "I told you he did not care about you. He turns his back," she said in that otherworldly gravelly tone, "you will be mine forever. He has failed you."

"No..."

"Yes, Esme. You were his in life. You are mine in death."

"He...never...really...loved me..."

"Then embrace my power. We will destroy him..."

"No...I...I...even if he does not love me...I still love..."

"He turns his back on you! I will never leave you."

She stopped moving, and seemed to not breath for a time. Her shadowed face, entirely free of the contortion and for the first moment the appearance of Esme as before. "Why won't you fight for me? Aiden? Why won't you fight for me!?" She stood, pacing towards him and pointing at her chest as she spoke, "why won't you fight for the woman that you say you love!? You make me fight for myself!"

Her face illuminated red with the glow of a bled lightsaber. And she struck at Aiden with all her increased strength. "DIIIIIIIE!" She wailed, fully given to the darkness he had pushed her too.

| NPC: Esme Volcaine | Tag: Aiden Porte |

​