Dominion Horns of Freedom [GA Dominion of Iridonia and Uda IV]

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Aris Noble Azurine Varek Braze

Run.

That's all they could do at this point. The assassins were everywhere, and they were being swarmed. Like bees from a hive, Jonyna could feel them. If they had the time, Jonyna could probably deal with the assassins herself. She knew letting the padawans push ahead on their own would be a mistake though. They needed to stay as a group.

Braze was the first objective. He was in trouble. "Aris, keep pushing and keep an eye on Azurine!" Jonyna called out as she fell behind him personally. The sudden arrival of Connel Vanagor did enough to give her an opening, as the jedi master spun around, slashing with her saber at the assassin that had just struck Braze with an overhead strike with a diagonal blow that took the assassin's arm off. Three of them. She moved like the wind, not hesitating for a moment as she felt the battle meditation of Dillon Kai'el wash over her, going into a trance of movement, as she immediately followed up by slicing the man across the chest, only to be blocked, but the man didn't expect her to use her offhand to fire her cryo blaster at his leg, locking him in place for the moment. Instead, she dropped into a sweeping kick, knocking his good leg out from him, as she followed up with a final blow across his chest, the ruby saber sailing through whatever armor he had.

The other two suddenly swarmed Jonyna and Braze, one going high, the other going low. Jonyna let her tail wrap around Claire, before she spun suddenly, using her repulsor boots to let her glide across the ground in a fluid motion, slicing at the air to keep them at bay. Neither could sense her ghostfire blade, so instead of risk it, they kept their distance.

"Run, kiddo." Jonyna whispered to Braze. "I'll catch up. Find Aris, and keep Azurine and yourself alive."

She held her ground, the two slowly circling like sharks. They knew they couldn't slip into the shadows without her seeing them. The wind twitched and spun around them, and they were smart enough to sense it being manipulated by the Force.

She needed to close the distance without letting them through her defense. A single blow to the head would be fatal, even if it was just a scratch...

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Iris was too calm. She knew it in the back of her mind. She had to be calm, for Zaiya and Aadihr, but she didn't want to be like this again. Detached and cold. Domxite made sure to keep her grounded, at least, but still. Every kill wasn't taken for what it was, what it should be. A loss of life, regrettable and wrong. She felt none of that though, no regret, no wrongness.

Just a mission to complete.

Her form flickered back to reality, her invisibility dropped as she stood with the other two healers. They were close now, just one more push. Iris brandished both her sabers, the blue she had and Domxite. "We're almost there. Do not stop."

Zaiya Ceti | Aadihr Lidos

 

[Aris Noble]

So much going on, and yet, not too much at all for Aris. He glanced up at Braze's call, prepared to leap up. But his Master already had. Good. Master Si could certainly keep the threat at bay. But what did that mean for him to do? He frowned for a moment before he focused forward, on Azurine. He followed her, leaping up onto the balcony to land calmly beside her. He reached down to help her up, his gaze focusing in on the building.

He grimaced. The bloody feast was on full display, numerous butchered bodies all resting and waiting as if they were about to feast.

"What are they doing?"

Aris couldn't feel how twisted the Force was here, after all.

Azurine Varek | Jonyna Si | Braze

 

[Vazz]

"Your rest has been unfortunately cut short."

The room was alight with the runes. Blood had seeped into them, sacrifices from all manner of people now. The traitors, the civilians of the city. Loyal or not, their blood had been spilled to power this wicked ritual. The glow thrummed unnaturally as the Defel knelt before the empty throne, his head bowed low. His true form, of shadowed fur that consumed light rather than reflecting it, making him appear as little more than a living shadow.

Red seeped towards the throne. Floating through the air, from the bodies as the Dark thrummed that much louder. Pulling at the unseen.

"Forgive me."

Jonyna Si | Azurine Varek | Braze

 

[Azurine Varek]

We Will Not Be Silent

Outfit: Clothing/Armor | Glove | Right Arm | Talisman
Weapons: Lightsaber 1 | Lightsaber 2 | Hook Swords

Azurine took Aris's offered hand with a quick nod, running straight into the building and looking out over the interior balcony at the macabre sight below. "What the hell—" she muttered, her amethyst eyes wide. She recognized this feeling... the way the Force was screaming and crying out in pain as it was broken and twisted in ways that it never should be. She'd felt something close to this before with Darth Rellik, but never on a scale like this. Her heart constricted in her chest, and the sadness and darkness of the auras in the room were almost overwhelming.

The anger that filled her only grew.

Her head pounded, the effects of the poison she worked so hard to contain trickling into her veins with every step she took. An icy darkness spreading out from the wound near her collarbone.

The sharp, parasitic anger simmered beneath the surface—unbidden and unchecked—mixing with the primal passion of her people. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears like the melody of the drums of war. The smell of the blood thick in the air only seemed to make it worse. She clenched her fists, the urge to let go of restraint screaming through her with the pain. Whispers began to coil in the edges of her consciousness. Soft, seductive, and all too familiar.

I could end this. I could shatter their minds until there's nothing left. Crush them, tear them apart, pi̵e̵͋c̸̳̲̿̚ẻ̵̀̉̐͘ b̵̨̛̹̝̼̼̮̈́͆́̽ỳ̴͓̗͚̀͐̉̈̽͋ p̶̡̨̛̱̗̗͕͎̾̓̓̈́̌̀̈́̓̾͛ì̸͚̥̩̙͚̘̘͓̟͖ͅê̴̤̤̬͓̎͆c̶̨̧͈̤͉͓̪̥͖͓̭̲̀̈̈̄̓͘͠͠ȩ̵̧͎̱̱̬̦̔̂̊͋̚͜.

As the thought subtly wove its dark tendrils through her, a wave of nausea swept over her. This wasn’t her. This wasn’t who she was!

No. Shut up!

This poison cared nothing for her resolve or the resilience of her body to hold it back for as long as physically possible. It gnawed at her spirit as the hourglass ticked away how much longer she could hold out, forcing her closer to the precipice. Her free hand reached once again to curl her fingers tightly around the talisman she wore around her neck, hoping that its connection to a nexus of light would give her something to anchor to. What Azzie couldn't see herself was the menacing and sickly yellow rim that had slowly etched itself around the edges of her royal violet eyes as if to slowly strangle the color right out of them. Yet, they still raged with a burning blaze, one that was steadily growing uncontrollable.

What's wrong with me?!

"Aris, focus on the runes." She said swiftly, though her voice came out growled, as if she was fighting to keep from lashing out even here.

Force the anger elsewhere. Not at Aris. Not at Aris!

But, yes, use it...

Wrapping herself in the cloak of the force and launching herself off the balcony and into the fray, she was going to stop this. Azzie charged forward, her saberstaff alight as she made her strikes at the large hulking creature at the center of it all.

Aris Noble | Jonyna Si | Braze | Vazz​

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aadihr Lidos Iris Arani

“Don't search for where they are - search for what is out of place.” Aadihr managed to speak to Zaiya, quickening his pace and the click of his staff to follow Iris closer. “Sense for distortion or displacement of other signatures. Find their body, or the Force, sound, scent, tactile sense, precognition if you can do so reliably."

The battlefield churned with chaos, and Zaiya's heart thundered in her chest as she darted between fragments of cover, her luminous colors flickering in rapid pulses of citrine and vivid cobalts flecked with dark canary yellows. Her mind raced to process Aadihr's advice.

Don't search for where they are, search for what is out of place.

Right. Okay. Zaiya closed her eyes for the briefest moment, reaching out with her senses as the Force coursed through her. She focused on the subtle: the ripple of movement where there shouldn't be, the faint distortion in the air that betrayed a cloaked presence. Her skin shimmered with dark amber of pensive determination as her perception sharpened.

A sharp movement made her snap her head up. Master Iris emerged from nowhere, her form materializing like a ghost out of the haze. Zaiya blinked, momentarily startled.

Whoa, wait, how did she do that?? The thought itched at the Padawan's curiosity, but there was no time to ask. No time to marvel at whatever spycraft or Force skill her Master had used.

"We're almost there. Do not stop."

Zaiya nodded, as she fell into step with Iris and Aadihr. The path ahead was littered with jagged obstacles and unseen threats. One assassin darted into view, and Zaiya acted on instinct. A snap of her wrist sent one of her stun pearls flying. It arced gracefully before detonating in a burst of crackling energy, buying them precious seconds to keep moving.

Ahead, the faintest shimmer in the Force hinted at their destination, safety just within reach. But the assassins weren't done yet.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Malidris - Iridonia | OBJECTIVE : I | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Azurine Varek | Jonyna Si | Aris Noble | @Aadhir Lidos | Iris Arani | Zaiya Ceti TAG (FOE) : @

Objective One:
(NJO/SIA OBJ)

Capital Carnage​

”You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

A classic turn of phrase that describes the virtues of getting to know someone and not judging them by appearance. Right now Connel was unwittingly counting on this phrase to hold true as the venom manipulated by the Dark Side has completely overtaken his body. Though the poison was, no doubt, temporary, it had completely overtaken the “Light” in his aura”. To anyone who did not speak to him right now, all they would see, or feel was darkness.

It was hard, but he was keeping himself from feeling as such.

If you are good here, I have new friends to make… His call out to Jonyna Si was direct but what did it mean?

Not really waiting for a response, he was shooting any Assassins he could get in range with his lightblaster. There was absolutely no qualms about this. The Shadow had places to be and hanging around outside waiting for urban renewal would not serve his purpose. He was determined to make haste and get to his mission. He didn't care if it meant he had to mow down any opposition that came his way. He was on a mission and nothing was going to stop him, an odd feeling normally, but it was “time to work”.

Those two assassins who ran from him like cowards, they needed to be tracked. They would be where his ultimate destination was.

 

[Marissa Shoda]

IRIDONIA | MALIDRIS
TAGS: The Vulptex | Phy
GEAR: In bio

THEME​

The swiftness and efficiency of the team was nothing short of remarkable. In a matter of moments, the tank’s visibility was cut and two squadmates moved in to attack the steel beast. She nearly mistook the two as being one person, and likely would have if she wasn’t moving closer to lend some assistance.

Not that they needed it. Two ion explosions rendered it completely incapacitated and a few thermal detonators took it out completely. It had been a while since she had the privilege of working with such an experienced and coordinated team.

<And you said we couldn't take out a squad of troopers.>

A snicker escaped Marissa as she opened her comm channel. :: In my defense, this was a little more pressing than a few grunts. :: She quipped. Phyla was quick to come check on her, however Marissa became a lot more concerned about the Shard when a blaster bolt bounced off her head. Luckily she seemed fine, her body could take a hit.

Phyla, in a venomously polite tone of voice, asked the cyborg to dispose of the sniper. ”Oh, I’ll do a lot more than that.” Marissa remarked. She wasn’t going to let some opportunistic sniper take shots at her daughter and get away with it. ”Keep distracting him, I’ll shoot.” She instructed as she moved to a more ideal spot to look for the sniper.

She waited patiently for the shooter to fire another shot. :: Squad, be advised. Engaging a sniper, proceed towards the target building. I’ll link up once the target’s eliminated. :: She reported to the rest of the group.

After a few expensive moments of hiding and watching for a flash, the shooter gave himself away with another shot. She rested her rifle on the rubble and took aim, letting the various systems paint the target. With a smooth breath and a squeeze of the trigger, a dull bolt sailed forward and collided with the shooter. She remained still for a few seconds to make sure before getting up to regroup. ”Phy, continue with your mission.” She spoke up, maneuvering to catch up with the rest of the team.

The explosion would more than likely have alerted the enemy of suspicious activity, their window was slowly closing. Luckily their target was within reach. :: Let’s get inside and get the job done. That tank’s likely got buddies not too far. :: She spoke up, creeping up to the perimeter wall of the compound.

 

[The Vulptex]

Iridonia, Capital City of Malidris
Tag: Marissa Shoda Phy
Names: Lyra, Samantha, Alex, Beatrix​

: Squad, be advised. Engaging a sniper, proceed towards the target building. I’ll link up once the target’s eliminated. ::

<Copy Cricket. Moving towards primary objective. Eagle, keep an eye on the skyline for me.>

<Copy Vixen. Moving out, setting up in-> The voice suddenly switched languages, this time to Atrisian. <オーバーウォッチ、パン屋の向かい>

The only thing the shard and spy could see was the trailing of red silk in the wind as the two moved forward, as well as the Raven following high above. The little drone seemed to track movements, Phy being able to track the ongoing LIDAR that the drone used to pinpoint enemy movements.

<Cricket, three troopers in the building ahead of you. Keep an eye out, they don't look well armed. Looks to be a scouting force. I think they're starting to look for us.>

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Vazz Aris Noble Azurine Varek Jonyna Si Connel Vanagor

Azurine Varek 's barrier and Jonyna Si 's intervention proved just enough for Braze to surge forward, his steps quickening as he pursued Aris Noble and Azurine Varek . He vaulted onto the balcony where the pair had disappeared, his breath sharp in his lungs.


But then he froze.

What greeted his eyes stopped him cold—a tableau of unspeakable horror. The visceral sight clawed at his senses, twisting his stomach into knots. A wave of nausea rose, his throat flooding with saliva as his body prepared to purge the sudden sickness threatening to overtake him. He stumbled back half a step, his knees trembling under the weight of revulsion and dread.

But he swallowed it down, choking back the bile with a forceful swallow. The acrid taste burned in his mouth as his grip on his glaive tightened, the initial disgust transmuting into a blazing righteous fury. His nausea was replaced by a white-hot resolve as a visceral yell was wrenched from the pale Padawan's lips—a raw, primal sound that naturally came to assist him in expeling the sudden storm of emotions roiling within him.

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Iris had noticed it at first. The people attacking them, they weren't the most deadly of assassins. That much was clear by how Iris was able to handle them. But now their numbers had lessened further. She spun, taking out another in a quick slash where they might try to sneak up on them. They were being left alone now that they were retreating.

But why?

She couldn't figure it out, but she wasn't going to second guess it. The trio made their way back to the friendly forces, to where they could finally at least breath. The moment they did, she let herself breath. A deep breath at that as she shut down Domxite's blade. ".. Okay. Zaiya, see to Aadihr's wounds. I'm going to help out the medical tents."

Zaiya Ceti | Aadihr Lidos

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Iris Arani Aadihr Lidos

Zaiya gave a nod in affirmation to her Master, "Okay!" Although if Knight Aadihr Lidos will stay put for her to finish healing him, was up in the air.

Maybe she could force him to stay in place... That would be warranted, right?

Grabbing a med-kit from her pack, she headed towards the Miralukan, promptly telling him with a respectful but firm direction, "Okay, please sit down Knight Lidos. I need to finish taking care of you... as healers, we need to make sure we are not out of commission, or else we won't be able to help as many as possible." That was a reasonable response, right?

A swirl of citrine and cobalt-flecked bioluminescence shone over Zaiya's mottled spots; she meant business!

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Field Attire | Damaged
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

Aadihr couldn't outrun the Padawan if he wanted to. He let himself drop to a knee.
"I can keep going. I've slowed you down enough" he said, biting through the lingering pain.

The Lovalla's aura shifted dangerously.

Aadihr sighed and allowed himself to be treated. He observed Iris's reserved signature, as she watched the retreating attackers with some caution.

Aadihr tried to cast his Sight to follow the outlines of the assassins, only for the world to spin around him once more, immediately retching and pulling himself back to his own perspective. Maybe he had been stretching himself thin - or some other countermeasure prevented him from spying upon their movements. Either way, he wouldn't risk it yet.

Aadihr felt a breeze on his vestigial eyelids. He reached to tighten his. . . blindfold. . . He was so accustomed to it it even felt like he still wore it. Despite knowing better, he turned his head back up the street. It would be impossible to find. His going away gift, given by a pair of tiny hands tying it around his head at the starport before he boarded the shuttle to Naboo. the day he left to become a famous Jedi hero, the proud auras of his parents and sister during his final minutes on Alpheridies. The only thing that survived the academy at Naboo. The only thing his mentor couldn't take from him. His silent companion as he wandered the outer rim. A bloodstained cloth left behind on Iridonia.

As much as it saddened him, it was a small price to pay for the lives of the captives. Every one of them had people, places, memories they cherished just as much and more than Aadihr did that cloth. He did not regret his actions, but he allowed himself to mourn a thing as simple as a blindfold with an embroidered note on the inside.

Something Zaiya did caused a sharp sting and Aadihr flinched, pulled out of his ruminations. Aadihr didn't complain, he didn't bother to speak. The sooner he stopped slowing down the others, the sooner they could get back to aid.

"I'm sorry, Anaysa"

Zaiya Ceti | Iris Arani​

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris peered over at Azurine, concern clear in his gaze. Similarly, he glanced to Braze with the same look. They were both unsettled, perhaps too much for what they had to do. Whatever was happening down here, they couldn't ignore it right? But something was up with them regardless. Perhaps though, it was Aris who was the odd one. As chilling as the sight below was, he was calm, reserved. Compartmentalizing, most likely.

There wasn't any time to dwell on it though. Aris hopped down, immediately going for the closest rune. His saber sprang to life as he carved through it. Disrupt the flow of energy, distort and change it. He didn't fully understand how runes worked, but he knew enough from his father's use to know that this would work well enough. The resulting explosion sent him flying back, though.

He hit a pillar before finally reaching the ground again, slowly pushing himself back to his feet. He was unharmed as ever, but even just carving down the runes was dangerous.

Azurine Varek | Braze | Jonyna Si

 

[Vazz]

"You're a new face."

The Defel turned as he felt danger, felt the charge from Azurine. His twin sickled blades ripped up to catch her strike between them, intent to pin the blade down suddenly towards the floor. His shadowed form was emotionless, expressionless. He couldn't be seen, much to his loathing as a child. Only the pair of eyes he had, the red glow they carried, was visible in the mass of light eating fur.

He didn't even have his usual illusion up, no double, none of his usual tricks.

"But I'm afraid you're too late. You too, little Jedi. Where's that brat that follows you around? Maybe I'll finally be rid of him this time around. Or I'll settle with you." Dread oozed off of the Sith. His words, his very presence, was echoing with fear. Unnatural, born of the Force, of his command over it to infect their minds and fill them with the most primal dread that every living creature had.

The fear of death.

Azurine Varek | Braze

 

[Azurine Varek]

We Will Not Be Silent

Outfit: Clothing/Armor | Glove | Right Arm | Talisman
Weapons: Lightsaber 1 | Lightsaber 2 | Hook Swords

"And the last new face you'll ever see." Azurine shot back, the anger vibrating off of her in waves. Her combined two sabers met the Defel’s with a resounding clash, but there was no hesitation in her movements, even as the plasma of her blades was hooked in place. The glow of the Sith's crimson eyes reflected into her twisted expression, the once-familiar warmth in her amethyst gaze now flickering with corruption. The poison burned through her veins like wildfire, tainting her thoughts, feeding her rage, and clouding her aura and soul from what she had always held so dear. She could feel the talisman around her neck desperately trying to give her something, some ray of light to grasp onto. Despite the pain and the anger, her mind still attempted to cling to that ray in the darkness.

This isn’t you… Stop. Focus… Focus on the light.

But the darkness was relentless. It clawed at her thoughts, whispering in her mind with a voice that was both her own and utterly alien. Her lips twisted into a snarl as she pressed against his blades, the sound of resounding lightsabers grinding filling the space. Her strength, fueled by the venomous darkness within her, surged unnaturally. “Too late? You think you're the arbiter of fate?!” She pushed harder against his sickled blades, a spark of growing madness lighting her eyes with more pale yellow and crimson. For a moment, her face twisted in agony, her grip trembling as she fought against herself.

He’s nothing. Break him. Show him your strength. Why resist? The galaxy doesn’t need a savior. It needs a reckoning.

I’m… stronger than this…

Stronger? You’re weak. That’s why they all leave you. Why they die, and you can do nothing. Are you going to let that happen again?

“No,” she muttered through gritted teeth, her words shaky but defiant. Her breath hitched, her resolve wavering as the other's oppressive aura of dread pressed down on her. Her hands faltered for the briefest moment, saberstaff shaking as her heart clenched against the venom within.

Look at him. Look at everyone who’s ever stood against you. They deserve to suffer. They deserve to burn for what they’ve done to YOUR planet.

Give.

In.

Her body shook, darkness coming off of her in waves. her muscles straining as the dark power surged within her. Her breaths were ragged, the usual fire in her eyes dimming as a storm of emotion swirled within. When her eyes met his once again, they had a feral and primal look to them. She held her hand outward, reaching deep into his mind to find anything and everything he feared, every dark moment, and tried to pull them directly to the surface.

"By the time I'm done with you, you'll wish you had never set foot in this place!"

Aris Noble | Braze | Jonyna Si | Vazz​

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Azurine Varek Braze Aris Noble

This was the worst case scenario. Two of her padawans poisoned, all three inured. And yet here she was, fighting off assassins. She could only pray as Braze left her, that none of them would join the dead amongst the city.

Still, with Braze gone...

It meant that Jonyna wasn't going to have to worry about protecting anyone but herself.

The next few moments were a blur of speed, of a trail of ruby light slicing, and the glint of songsteel being drawn and sheathed in rapid motion. Jonyna's own fighting style shined in the concrete jungle, bouncing off walls and keeping herself frustratingly mobile as she laid waste to the assassins, a hurricane of blades unleashing a tornado of ruby and steel.

And yet, she knew something was coming for the padawans. She couldn't waste any time.

She needed to get moving.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Aris Noble Jonyna Si Vazz Azurine Varek

Braze centered himself, channeling Force Valor to bolster his own strength and fortitude, as well as those of Azurine Varek and Aris Noble .

"Only your fleas will mourn you. " The surge of the Force coursed through him, sharpening his resolve before he charged forward to flank Vazz. His mind honed by Battlemind, Braze's focus became razor-sharp, his thoughts aligning with precision on the objective: the runes.

With Azurine leading the assault, Braze cut through, darting toward the enemy with deliberate ferocity. As he closed the distance, he took a quick swipe at Vazz's tail in a fluid, opportunistic strike, momentum carrying him forward into a well-timed roll. Springing to his feet with agility, Braze sprinted toward the inscribed runes, his blade slashing towards them.

He moved with purpose, each step quick in an attempt to outpace the volatile explosive reaction.

 

[Phy]

Iridonia
Tags: Marissa Shoda , The Vulptex

Droid Body​

”Phy, continue with your mission.”

"Yes, ma'am."

Phy couldn't help but grin a little. There was some catharsis to seeing her guardian avenge her synthskin. Alas, it still didn't undo the cosmetic damage. She would have to take some time afterwards to ensure that the details on her face were exactly like they had been.

The Shard re-wrapped herself in the holographic cloak and set off towards the communications tower, leaving Marissa and the Vulptex team to continue towards their target. She quickly made her way towards a nearby, heavily damaged structure covered in satellite dishes and various antennae, a structure which was very clearly holding itself together by a thread. The shard perched herself atop the structure and pulled the drone off her back, beginning to modify the ion motor within so that she could create something far more valuable in the given scenario.

<Cricket, three troopers in the building ahead of you. Keep an eye out, they don't look well armed. Looks to be a scouting force. I think they're starting to look for us.>

Phyla turned her head, her synthetic eyes zeroing in on the agent's position. Something else nearby caught her eye as well...

:: If I may, the building to your right is a refueling station, in pretty good condition too. Should it have any stores of Clouzon-36, you'll find it to be highly reactive to explosives. Your equipment would filter out the toxins and give you a clear line of sight through the resulting cloud of chemicals. ::

 

[Aris Noble]

"Ow."

Did it hurt? Did it really? He wasn't sure honestly, but he was at least able to get back to his feet. He glanced across the room, to Azurine and Braze as they struck for the Sith. As they fought the actual enemy. The runes, what were they feeding? Where they feeding something? What was the focal point? His gaze shifted, following the pattern, following the flow of visible red.

The throne.

"They're feeding the throne!"

Azurine Varek | Braze | Jonyna Si