Private In Nomine Matris

[Acolhuani]

23 Years Ago
Rays of morning light leaked through the edges of the curtains on the window, illuminating dust floating through the still and quiet air. The room was silent, broken once every second by the mechanical tick of an ancient timekeeping device on the far wall. The doorway—similarly ancient in design—opened inward as a figure walked in and sat down on the bed. The figure rubbed their scalp a moment before they bent over to take off their shoes, lied back in the bed, and fell asleep. Come nightfall, the figure rose from their bed, put on their shoes, and left once more.

"Ysbar, take the night off already. It's your 90th birthday! You're too old for the night shift." The younger gate guards nodded in agreement as Ysbar walked into the locker room.

"Acolhuani seems to disagree." As they removed their shirt to change into their uniform, their extremely fit body was visible even from beneath their undershirt. While they had mostly aged normally, they were kept healthy and athletic by some mystical means. "The boon I received when I was about your age has held true. She still favors me."

Acolhuani retreated its gaze from the room, returning its mind to the half-built Temple where it meditated. I suppose it's time for an example of my wrath.

---

"It is a shame to lose such a long-treasured member of our flock to Acolhuani's smite. But whatever they may have done to incur her wrath, she has guided them to their place among the Halls of the Venerated. We will all find our way to the Halls of the Venerated as long as we always seek guidance and repentance in the name of our savior." Ilana rose her hands as she bowed her head, offering a short prayer.

The congregation bowed their heads in unison, offering prayers to Acolhuani for a peaceful afterlife. Mmm...I can feel their prayers. They taste of sorrow...good. It had achieved its goal of reminding its cult that it held the power, that it controlled their lives, that it had the final say in everything that happened. Most importantly, it reminded them it was God.

Ilana Tezcapoca returned to the Temple within which her meditative chambers rest in the darkness. As the ever-young prophet sat upon the altar and began to meditate, she began her daily ritual wherein she reached out into the cosmos with her influence and attempted to coerce Force-sensitives to join her flock. She was like a siren call, tempting the vulnerable to their doom.

And one in particular felt her call that day.

​

 

[Josiah]

UNKNOWN PLANET - 23 YEARS AGO

Missing.

When occurring in a vacuum, the announced disappearance of a single Cadet or Knight was cause for concern. After all, the Knighthood was fully responsible for the lives it welcomed into the fold. Thus, ascertaining the fate of these individuals would often fall to their senior. However. What was unfolding before the Knights Obsidians' eyes was not a single instance. The disappearances were occurring in one region: a recent construction on the fringes of their authority. Moreover, they were occurring at an alarming rate, so much so that the Master Council began to investigate.

Mismanagement of the Temple in question was quickly ruled out. Recordings of the missing individuals on their last known date within the fold showed something...strange. They simply woke up in the middle of the night and left. No explanation. Not a word. Just picked up a vessel and headed off into regions unknown. It was fortunate, then, that one of the missing yet wore their signet ring. Within which was a modest tracker for emergency, SOS purposes. Using this, they were able to find - supposedly - where their missing personnel had gone.

Or at the very least, where this single signet ring had gone.

Investigating this further fell to one of the more experienced Masters of the Knighthood. Josiah had a career as a Jedi Master before joining the fold, and thus approached situations like these with a gentle hand. He sought first to understand before raising a blade. Thus, he departed at once for the world in question - a planet he had never heard of before. As his vessel reverted into realspace...he felt a tug on the edge of his mind. Instinct called it an intrusion, and thus he willed the Force to raise its walls about him. Yet, even with this defense, the reverberations reached him.

It was as if he were listening to the sweetest melody, pleading for him to draw closer to the planet. Was this what had caused them to go missing? "This is Master Denko reporting in." he began, addressing his fellows over his ship's comm. "I'm encountering some sort of...call. An allure in the Force. I do not know its nature...If I am not back within seventy-two hours, you know what to do."

Namely, inform his next of kin..

With thus said, Josiah steered his ship down to the surface...where he was surprised to find an imposing structure as touched down. Disembarking, he raised his hood and strode out into the foreign world. All he had to go off of was the call which seemed to intensify with every step. For now, he would follow it - even if it meant his demise.​

Acolhuani​

 

[Acolhuani]

Strana Mechty hardly appeared in any databases, which is to say it appeared in none. A desolate place, it was far from anywhere else in the galaxy and situated comfortably within the Shiraya Expanse. It was possible to arrive here intentionally, but most were pulled here by the Force. Imagine for a moment the shock of flying over Coruscant one moment and finding yourself crashing nose-first into a backwater hellscape the next. Such was how the unwilling wound up here.

But the alluring call of a Star Child twinkled in one's mind like a song of stars, and most who heard it found themselves very willing to pay a visit to the flock. Thus it was that Acolhuani sang its song to the universe. An invitation to the flock, for the only thing more important to a cult than followers?

More followers.

As the ship touched down not far from the settlement, near the construction site of the Grand Temple, a group of guards (mostly stationed to keep wildlife out) sallied forth to welcome their new guest. Perhaps even to welcome a new member of the flock.

So, then, when this new face to the settlement had been brought before Ilana for the extension of his invitation and, potentially, his Rites, Ilana wore a face of joy. Her face, which refused to betray her age, felt less like a face and more like a mask if one could peer past the eyes to see what lie beneath.

The room was dark, and the only sounds within were the sounds of boots on stone. The Grand Temple was being constructed as a pyramid, with a staircase leading up from the base to the top where once within, one could see most of the settlement. Skylights around where the upper walls met with the ceiling allowed for natural light to flow in—or they would, if they weren't covered with curtains and tarps during construction.

"Welcome, child!" She extended her arms as if to offer a hug. "I am Mother Ilana, prophet of our savior." Whether willing or not, she embraced the man. For what felt to be a few moments too long, her embrace conveyed a great deal of artificiality.

"Tell me, child, have you heard of the Celestials?" She nodded to her followers which dispersed throughout the darkness of the room. She didn't bother much with waiting for a response, instead continuing her rhetoric. "Gods among men, they are. They revel in that status, but they know as well as we now do that there is one who is greater. One who even they fear."

From within Ilana, a being stirred. Its violet starlight began to leak through her eyes as she leaned forward into the face of this man, grasping his face on either side with her hands. And with a voice not her own, she said "Acolhuani, chantlakauan. Centa tleticmati. Oquitzacuti moman initetla ocolilitzin dios in nohuian." The voice, again belonging to something else, spoke in some ancient and long-forgotten tongue. Switching back to Galactic Basic, it said, "I have blessed you, child. Rejoice, for Acolhuani accepts you as you are."

With that, the starlight faded from her eyes and her voice returned to normal. "Do you accept this blessing?"

Josiah

​

 

[Josiah]

He came in peace.

The Jedi Master had anticipated needing to explain himself as he came upon the imposing structure. Yet, those who stood watch over its grounds and construction had been expecting him. Or, at least they acted like it. They treated him like a long lost cousin, welcoming him with open arms and inviting him to journey deeper into the structure. Though Josiah made a mental note to keep his guard raised at all times, he accepted the gesture. At the very least, there was yet no conflict.

And if this was how the missing were greeted, perhaps there was a large chance that they were alive.

Keeping his head on a swivel at all times, the Jedi took in the sights before him. Clearly, the structure was more than just a home for their midst. The pyramid was a symbol of devotion. A form of worship to the source of the hymn yet rattling in his mind. Josiah had many questions, of course, as would anyone who made the journey. But he kept his peace until he met the Mother. She...greeted him with an enthusiastic embrace that lacked sincerity, but the Jedi carefully returned the gesture in turn.

First impressions being important and all.

The Mother then asked a question of knowledge. Josiah knew bits and pieces from the archives, but nothing extensive about the nature of Celestials. However, when he parted his lips to answer, he soon found that the question was rhetorical in nature. Thus, he was satisfied to listen. Listen as she spoke of a god above gods. If this was accurate...then there was a much bigger problem on their hands...

It was then that power made itself manifest.

From within the Mother brimmed light. Power manifested - hands touched Josiah's face, and a foreign language rattled in his ears. His eyes watered before the sight, but he was adamant to stare the light in its eye. When finally the voice returned to Basic, it stated that he had been blessed. And just as quickly as it came, the world returned to normal. Josiah was, understandably, shaken by this spontaneous event. He took a moment to mop the sweat that had beaded from his brow before hearing the question of the Mother.

Did he accept this blessing?

If he wanted to get to the bottom of this...

"Of course, I'm deeply honored." he answered, offering a deep bow of his head. "I have...so many questions, would you indulge me Mother?"

Acolhuani​

 

[Acolhuani]

"We are glad to hear it, fledgling!" She waved her hand and the followers dispersed. A few resumed finishing construction inside the chamber, while the others exited the chamber entirely and left down the staircase toward the settlement. For a moment, Ilana simply stared into the man's eyes. Eventually, she spoke up. "You're not here to join my flock, are you?" She leaned back in, still staring into his eyes...unblinking. "I can see it in your eyes. You have a motive beyond my will."

She reached up, holding a hand in front of his face as if to threaten a touch. "What is it?" She lowered her hand and began to apply a pressure on top of the man with the Force—barely noticeable at first, but rapidly increasing. A test. Of strength, of will, of Force aptitude, of many things. She fully intended to crush the man alive if he failed.

Two things were certain about the mysterious woman. She didn't intend to easily give up control of the conversation, and her Force power was immense. Whatever he intended to do here, he would have to demonstrate that he was more than just another drawn by the siren call. A bit of a corner to be backed into, for if he was too valuable...well, she just might try to keep him around.

Josiah

​

 

[Josiah]

With but the wave of her hand, the followers went on their own way.

Most departed from the room, but a few constructors continued inside the chamber. In the meantime, Josiah posed his request: to know more about this mysterious gathering. But, as the so-called Mother stared into his eyes, she called him on his bluff. Unblinking. Unsettling. Josiah said nothing at first, eyes widening slightly as she raised her hand.

His mind raced for a moment, as if to formulate a diplomatic excuse for his unwillingness...but then he felt the pressure. It coincided with the descent of her hand - a push that made the air around him feel heavy. The recognition caused instinct to flare. And instinct relied upon his experience. Josiah was unlike the conventional Master of the Force who understood a wide berth of tactics and techniques.

He took a single art and pushed it to its apex. And in this moment, the Mother had stepped into his office. The pressure was met with an equal but opposite reaction. Defiance which magnified and increased on pace with her own. Josiah would not be crushed alive this day, but instead would stand.

"You're right." he said through clenched teeth. "But my ask remains the same. I wish to know who you are and what you want."​

Acolhuani​

 

[Acolhuani]

She watched him intently as she increased the weight, increasingly impressed by his seemingly unaffected stature. She leaned back and watched as he spoke his demand. Her hands rested on the altar as she pulled herself up to sit on it.

"I came here to heal." She pulled up her tunic revealing her side, showing a rift along it that afforded a view into some starry night sky within which a tear could be seen. The tear was red, like a wound, and wept like one too. Only it didn't weep blood or puss, it wept darkness that flowed forth and engulfed the sky around it.

"In order to heal, I need Force sensitive followers, such as yourself, to worship me." She lowered her tunic and placed a hand on his shoulder, releasing the weight she had created. The construction workers rose from the floor, breathing heavily, and after some exchanges of wellbeing continued their work. To them, this was nothing more than a test that they had passed.

"I achieve these followers by calling out to those who possess a weakness of the mind. Those who feel lost, or abandoned; those who feel trapped and those who feel alone. Those who feel they lack a purpose to drive them." She turned her gaze to one of the construction workers. "There. She is one of your Jedi. Or was. She was one who felt trapped." She returned her look to Josiah. "I'm curious how you treat your Jedi."

"Do you allow them their freedoms?"

Josiah

​

 

[Josiah]

Stand.

The Jedi pent up a breath as the Mother pulled herself up upon the altar. His question hung in the air - his gaze remained unwavering upon her person as she moved. I came to heal. She said, before raising her tunic. At first, every instinct in Josiah screamed to avert his gaze - it was the gentlemanly thing to do of course. But, the wound caught his attention. It was not like anything he had ever seen. A gash which bled darkness?

When she lowered herself to the ground, her hand touched his shoulder. The pressure surrounding them was released and Josiah released his breath. He drew in from his nostrils, steadying his thundering heart as she explained. In order to heal, she needed worship. And those she called were the lost. Weak. Abandoned.

But that did not answer the question as to why their people were popping up here. Lost, weak, and abandoned did not exactly describe the Knights Obsidian. Their numbers were few, and thus they were close-knit. They were...oh. Josiah looked as the Mother shifted her gaze towards one of the workers and he followed. She was a newer recruit, one he saw in passing.

"Serah." he breathed, shaking his head lightly. His voice was then lowered, out of respect. "She was - is - a newer member of our Order. The one who found her and was to teach her was killed in action shortly after her arrival." He began. "I can only assume that she blames herself..."

He then set his gaze back upon the Mother.

"But we are no Jedi. We are Knights Obsidian. Ours are family, and that is why I am here. Only for them." He then offered his dominant hand towards the woman. "But. You are hurt. And while I cannot say I am thrilled by your methods of healing, you have not harmed those around you. Our order is knowledgable and strong. Outside of worship, is there anything that can be done to help you? Can we help you?"

Acolhuani​

 

[Acolhuani]

They wanted to help? They want to help. But why? In her limited interactions with other short-lived species, beings of her kind and particularly of her nature were generally regarded with malice. So this man, offering the help of his people...it was strange to say the least.

"...Yes. You can. You can help me by sending me those wayward souls who struggle even with your Knights Obsidian. A boy too rash or too aloof to take on your ways could find his purpose amidst my achievements, for example." She looked up to the ceiling, where a tarp hung to collect rainwater that could still find its way through a few unfinished parts of the roof. It billowed slightly as a cool breeze passed over it, returning memories of a long lost era of her life. Returning memories of what was once the Old Republic.

She considered another request, before deciding there would be no purpose. She sighed and returned her gaze to the man. Inside her eyes a swirling violet light glimmered faintly. "Is there anything I can do for you? Apart from return your Knights—which I shall do." The droning whisper that could be felt at the back of the mind ever since entering the vicinity of this place altered ever so slightly and those who were once with the Knights Obsidian came to their senses. It was now no longer in Acolhuani's hands if they stayed or not.

Josiah

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