Journey to Ilum

[000]

[member="Amara No'orabi"]


It had seem felt as if it had been a lifetime that Ronin just knelt there before the stone. Rub his bare hand over its rough surface and slowly but surely reconnecting to faint glimmer of life that hung so strong. In, around and on the stone breath a life wave which thought some may miss so easily. But then given his half Kashi heritage this was not so for as those few fortunate enough to know. The Kashi thought seem an all but extinct race held such a strong infinity to the living force that. Some say they could breath life into the most inhospitable place.Make things grow when nothing would though by then all this had been relegated into myth. Something told to they younglings during story time....but by then out over to his left side. His sense caught movement. That in an instant made him turn out of curiosity as voice called out.


"I found one! Can someone help me dig it out? There's a lot of ice!'

At which time he then stood up and with mix of curiosity or perhaps uncertainty he approaches her.


" So is that what we suppose do here? Dig in the snow for stones? Great ...."

He then pause raise a hand over his head and rub it over nape of his neck with one hand extended.

"Sorry i ...i ...i did't mean be rude but i kinda lost out here names Ronin....not even sure what planet were in.....least of which why where here anyways....."

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara looked up and smiled at the man who had come over. She didn't recognize him from the ship and his voice was far from familiar, but she shrugged it off and instead stood up straight. "I'm Amara," she started, eyeing him curiously. He didn't know where they were or why, but there was no way he could have gotten on the ship unless he had already been in the Temple...there was nothing in her gut telling her to run, so she simply pursed her lips. "We're on Ilum to gather crystals for our lightsabers. We have to dig out the twelve sacred stones before we can get into the Temple though, hence the digging."

A shudder ran through her thin frame; it was getting colder by the minute and she really wanted to get inside. "If you don't mind me asking," she gasped as she started shoving snow away from the snow with her gloved hands (and with some assistance from the Force), "how did you get here if you have no idea what's going on? I thought this was a trip for Padawans and the select few others that Knight Roberts invited."

[member="Ronin Wendigo"]

 

[Jsc]

Ben

Crunch. A foot pushed up against the side of the chasm. Chipping small rocks into the deep. Still blue eyes peering down after [member="Quinncolson"] and her long descent. Lost, but not forgotten. Gone, but not for long. Mm. It did appear young [member="Ben Corscifine"] had traded his soul for hers. Yet now both had disappeared. Down down, into the deep.

Mist and bones. Karen stepped back from the edge of the chasm and eyed Quinn's rope. Taunt. Still firm. Mm. Interesting. Yet before she could muse further the wind grew cold and chill. Not like Ilum. Not like herself. This flurry was not for fun nor for their games. An invisible force held her fast. Karen could not pass. Cold winter whispers on the wind. Oh no, I'm afraid. The planet had moved in her silence. This challenge, was made only for two.

...

___

Hidden Door Returning

She made a hard face. Eyes sharper than the storm. When she returned to the rune circle before the door her steps were not the same. Hard faces for hard places. Ice and rock against her boots. Wind and shard. Blue and bold. But the smell of blood was stronger.

"Okay people. Let's start wrapping it up!" She called. Sending out her words into the Force. "Clear off those stones and let's get inside."

Stillness to the sound. It was the words she didn't say still lingered on the air. Let's get inside and get below. After all. The Force was calling. Ben and Quinn would probably need them.


___

*ooc: The Standing Stones will now begin to glow. Revealing their location in the snow, finishing the task, and also summoning the Apprentices back to the door. Mmhmm. Yep. It's time to go inside. Dun dun dun.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"] and he cleared the stone of snow quicker this time. The Bith nodded in satisfaction at their job. He began to say something but was cut off as the stone began to literally glow. He looked to his partner who looked equally confused though fascinated.

Clearly, she hadn't done anything and neither had he. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw other glowing lights in the distance.

"I would guess that we're being summoned back to the cave. Shall we head back?"

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

[member="Dune Rhur"]'s question was responded to with a giddy grin, and the Diathim stretched her arms, flexing a few times before finally unfurling her wings to their full length, shining a white that seemed even brighter than the glowing snow, "Oh, ready completely!" She had a mischievous little smile on her face however, and she quickly pulled the Bith in close, using the arm she had been holding his hand with, in the same motion hugging herself around him, "Tight-hold!" She said it quickly, a warning of what was to come.

She was stronger than she looked, at least strong enough to carry her partner, and she held the Bith in her arms well, as they both picked up off the ground. Oh yes, she was taking them both for a bit of a flight - though she made certain to stay low enough and go slow enough that should Dune let go or slip out of her grasps, he would not be seriously hurt.

It was still faster than walking in the thick snow, however.

 

[000]

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

It was then as she looked up and smiled at him appear as if from the look in her eyes. Did seem recognize him as did he in return. At which time she then stood up strait and as she did Ronin couldn't help note how bundle up she was compared him. With nothing but his standard tunic under one the borrowed ivory coat. Which no less being a shade of white that it was blended so well with the snow that it would make one hard press. To make out his form apart from the snow if not for his tunic that was a shade of brown.

" I'm Amara"


She then said giving a slight shrug as she then began eye him curiously. Perhaps not so much as to who he was but in his somewhat lack of extra clothing as she had. And that despite his somewhat initial appearance of not being chilled to the bones as she was. With his cheeks flush with a slight rosy shade.

"Well ...um hello ."

That gave the appearance of someone who'd been warming up under a bright sun. Rather than freezing out here in the frozen tundra that was Illum. But then again seem with him departing from the connection made with the inanimate rock earlier. And the wind seem slowly pick up that a slight chill began to seep back into his bones. As he then noted her purse her lips and continued on speak.

"We're on Ilum to gather crystals for our lightsabers. We have to dig out the twelve sacred stones before we can get into the Temple though, hence the digging."

To which he in turn pulling the coat tight around him and tilting his head slightly as if in thought . Before eventually raise his bare hands before him and rub them together. Then blow into them briefly and feel the warmth his breath on bare skin. Felt somewhat soothing for moment as he turn back face her spoke.

" Illum eh? Well guess i either pissed the Masters quite a bit this time or they just being generous. Let me come knowing I've Illum had been part of my reading assignment. And sending me all the way out here.....but i guess its not too bad like the last time. And so i guess we dig then and maybe get to that temple next?"

He ponder to ask and reply when he could help but notice how her frame shuddered slightly. With each pass of the bite cold that he felt tempted reach out hold her close. When by chance she continue on speak and break his though of it.

"If you don't mind me asking,"

He then paused unsure and bit lost for words as to how answer her back.


"Well....i kinda...don't mind i guess."

It was then as his mind began to grasp on how or what say to answer her question that. She then turns speak to continue as she then began dig on the harden snow. Make seem what little progress in dig out whatever it was she was digging at.

"how did you get here if you have no idea what's going on? I thought this was a trip for Padawans and the select few others that Knight Roberts invited."

To which he then having gotten a bit more info this time from her. As to what was going on help him sort formulate a reply. Which may not seem been a good one and maybe a little bit of a half truth but eh there was some truth to it.....even if it was just some.

"Well it seem i kinda was ...ummm hang out by the hangar. Got a bit bored wait on my Master so kinda went poke around one the ship. And i guess might have unintentionally join into this field trip of yours.....but i guess its all good now that i least know.....but yeah i guess allow me."

He then seem not wanting stay out here in the cold for long jump in to try speed get to the stone. By try what he sort did with the other one hope it would work. To which kneel down by the stone he then with his bare hand began to rub it slowly. Close his eyes he then began to do what his Master once taught him. About quite his mind and quite everything else around him as he began focus on the light. And slowly but surely transporting his consciousness back to that place and time. Feeling the warmth of the sun upon his back and the sand beneath his feet. He then began to reach out with the force and the breath to then connect to it as he did early. Wait see if this would work a second time.....

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Reading assignment? Amara's brows furrowed but she said nothing as the man continued to explain. When he finished and started kneeling in front of the stone, she could feel the Force ripple through the air and she centered herself as well. Together they cracked the ice surrounding the stone and it fell away in crystalline chunks at their feet.

"Well, reading assignments or not, you're here," she grinned, her breath puffing up in front of her. "So I guess you should make the most of it. C'mon, I think Knight Roberts is waiting for us."

With that, Amara started off towards the door, the stones starting to glow brightly as she did. She tilted her head to make sure that [member="Ronin Wendigo"] was behind her and motioned for him to follow.

 

[Ben Corscifine]

There was darkness everywhere.

Ben was alive. Or, if he was dead, he sure didn't feel any different. In fact, he felt warm. Ben moved his fingers gently, and found that he was wrapped in something soft. Slowly, Ben realized that he was not surrounded by darkness at all, but that he simply was closing his eyes. His heavy lids lifted gingerly, and he found himself covered by a down blanket in a familiar bedchamber. His hands gripped the red and white fabric, feeling the delicate material give way under his touch. Ben took a deep breath.

This was his bed.

Not the bed Ben had been assigned at the Temple on Lothal, but the bed in which he had slept for the first ten years of his life. He was in his childhood home on Coruscant. He smiled wider than he had smiled in a long time. Everything burst to life with familiarity and childlike joy. Ben had not considered this place in years, but it seems he had never let go of it. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and ran down the hall, passing images of himself and his family. The apartment was not large, but it had always seemed enough to the young Corscifine. At the end of the hall, Ben would find a familiar dining room.

Maybe his mother and father would be there!

As Ben neared the end of the hallway, there was a loud explosion. A concussion grenade had detonated outside the building, blowing debris and the young Jedi into the opposite wall. Ben felt no pain, but was confused. He looked out and beheld a horrifying sight: Coruscant was burning. Galactic Republic troops were flooding the streets, exchanging fire with an enemy Ben did not recognize. A voice boomed across the telecom networks, filling Ben's district,

"This is an emergency broadcast: The One Sith have invaded the capitol of Coruscant. All civilians still remaining in the capitol are to evacuate immediately. Follow the nearest extraction force and get off world as fast as you can."

In the streets, Jedi skirmished with red-blade-wielding foes. Ben reached for his lightsaber, but it was not attached to his belt. Ben moved to jump from the building into the streets, knowing that he could be of assistance in saving his homeworld from the Sith, but he was suddenly lifted from the ground and pinned to the wall. He felt the Force all around him. It trembled and burned. He could not move. He watched as a strong figure, cloaked in black, walked the hall from the direction of Ben's room. He passed slowly, deliberately, without heeding Ben at all.

The cloaked figure moved into the kitchen, and passed out of sight. Ben shut his eyes hard, and heard the snap-hiss of a lightsaber.

It was his favorite sound in the whole galaxy.

A small, rogue chunk of ice and rock landed squarely on Ben's forehead. His eyes opened, and he was cold. Before him was the sheer side of an icy cliff. He was about a foot deep in a crater bored into pillowy snow. There was silence and stillness. His shoulder was stinging, but he seemed to be largely uninjured. Still, he dare not move yet.

It all came back to him: the ground collapsing, rescuing Quinn, the long drop. It was some miracle that Ben had managed to break his own fall by some combination of the Force and deep snow. Now he was alone with whatever dream or vision he had just witnessed. This powerful, mysterious, horrifying planet. Coruscant, his home, was seized by the Dark Side. How had he not known this? It occurred to him that he hadn't thought on Coruscant, on his family, since about a year into his training.

Was that self-absorption or letting go? Did the Force think that was right or wrong?

Ben did not have the energy to ponder it right now. He tried his best to push the horrid sights and sounds out of his mind, but he was having trouble. It was not until he saw something above him, descending the cliff wall, that his thoughts could break from the Force Vision. He recognized the boots first. Stars, was she a welcome sight.

At the moment, Ben had only the energy to rasp a single word:

"Quinn."

[member="Quinncolson"]

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

At her name being called she looks down to see that it was Ben who had called for her Good he's still alive she thinks. "Ben are you ok?" She calls back at him as she continues down until she gets about 20 foot from the ground and her rope suddenly snaps "Ben!!!!" She screams as she falls to the floor.

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

Although he saw her rope snap, Ben was not worried for Quinn's safety. The snow was soft and deep at the bottom of that cliff. If Ben could survive the entire drop, he was sure Quinn would be alright after falling only a fraction of the distance. He cleared his throat, still weak from his own experience. He tried to get up and felt shooting pain in his left shoulder. He let out a gasp, but tried to breath through it, fighting to get to his feet in the deep snow. Ben stood and checked his gear. His lightsaber was in its usual place, and everything appeared to be as it had been. The only issue was the shoulder, which inhibited the movement of his left arm. "I'm alright, Quinn. I, uh, I definitely hurt my shoulder, but I think I'm alright." Ben used his right arm to pull off his scarf and fashion a makeshift sling for the injured limb. Ben didn't even notice the cold nipping at his neck; he had more pressing concerns. He quickly hurried to the spot where Quinn had fallen, and found her making a small impression in the ground below. In the silver-purple glow of the snow, she was almost like the Diathim Padawan that had accompanied the party. A breathing snow angel. Breathing. Ben smiled as her purple eyes opened.

Ben broke her gaze almost the moment he caught it, scanning the crevasse in both directions. Down here there was much better visibility, but--ironically--there was nothing to see. If the pair made the right choice of course, there may be a point at which this ravine met with the Crystal Caves.

Ben closed his eyes, and listened for whispers in the Fo---

Snap-hiss. The city is on fire.

Ben's eyes shot open, his breath quickening. This wasn't going to work. Not unless Ben could quiet his mind. Ben looked up, and couldn't see the sky for the icy mist. They must have been very deep in the icy crust of Ilum. His partner was still laying in the snow.

"Quinn? Are you alright? We need to start moving; the other Padawans aren't going to be able to find us all the way down here. Remember how I couldn't focus up on the surface? Wel...I'm still having trouble..." And then, his least favorite four words in the Basic language, "...can you help me?"

[member="Quinncolson"]

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Quinn drops and hears a snap she then lies there until she determines it's her right leg. "Ben come here I need your help. I broke my leg." She has never felt this pain since she has been out of the carbonite. She bites her lip to keep from screaming and her eyes go black for a second but she keeps consciousness.

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

Oh, no.

Quinn must have landed wrong, if the fall broke her leg. Either that, or the Force had truly been with Ben as he fell. Ben's shoulder was injured, but far from broken. Quinn, on the other hand, was sure that her leg was broken. Her senses were stronger than Ben's, he trusted her suspicion. Ben rushed to her and found her going in and out of consciousness. For a moment, Ben considered his options.

They couldn't stay here. Ben wasn't a healer, and the wind was picking up. They'd freeze. Ben had to move Quinn, but he didn't want to exacerbate either injury. Ben was strong, and Quinn was a small woman, but one wrong move and Ben and Quinn would both be in worse condition. Ben's mind raced.

Trust the Force, Ben. Trust the Force.

Ben knelt before Quinn and whispered gently, holding his hand over her right leg, hoping to feel something. At this point, he would take anything. The Force, which flowed through all living things, was indeed present in Quinn's bone tissue. Ben got a hint of the fracture, he focused all of his attention on stabilizing the leg with the Force. ​"Quinn, I have to try to move you. I need you to try to quiet your mind, okay? Be calm. Help me out here, alright?"

This had better work.

With a roar, Ben reached down and pulled Quinn up, still focusing on keeping her leg stable. His hole mind was on the fractured bone, he didn't notice the pain shooting up his left arm and into his shoulder. Ben held Quinn against his right side, lifting her onto her left leg. Lucky they had injured opposite sides of their bodies. Ben took as much of Quinn's weight as she had to give him, holding her tightly with his right arm.

"Good job, Quinn," Ben whispered, "'atta girl. You got it. You made it. Okay, now reach out with the Force. I'll do the walking if you do the navigating."

[member="Quinncolson"]

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Quinn did as he asked and felt with the force "We have to go down there's no other option but we need to stop soon or we'll freeze to death." Quinn says as she tries to maintain consciousness. As they started moving she kept feeling with the force and she seemed to be seeing two worlds at once.

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ayden Quell]

[member=Quinn Byrne] [member=Karen Roberts]

The wind was a bitter howl, a thousand frozen breaths on his face. Ilum's fury was unforgiving, her wrath unrivaled. She was like a woman scorned, a sight Ayden desperately swore to never behold again. He could tell Quinn felt it, too; she shivered and her mouth was tight--lips chapped--as she recited her introduction.

He smiled at her haste to make amends. "Don't worry, it's nice to meet you, too, Quinn," he candidly replied. She had pretty quickly caught his interest. He had never met a member of the New Jedi Order before, nor someone who swore allegiance to the Galactic Alliance. The politics of the day was over his head, beyond the few years experience of intergalactic relations he had, but he found the GA utterly intriguing, and by attachment anyone who was involved in their affairs. Their rise in the galactic scene--how fast and hard they hit--drew questions. One such question was the effectiveness of the Republic. The GA's prominence suggested they were filling a niche; evidently it was the same one the Republic seemingly abandoned. Did that mean Ayden Quell was on a sinking ship?

As their gloved hands dug through the cumbersome layer snow, those thoughts raced through his head. And then suddenly, like two padawan's off the face of a cliff, the thoughts disappeared as the androgynous pair was able to unearth their precious sacred stone. Beneath the human-sized snowdrift was an intricate stone of unknown origin and material, its slender face boasting perplexing yet beautiful runes. The tip of his index finger ran along their carved concavities--mind lost to its enigmatic past--as he felt the strong pull of the Force hidden within.

To Ayden's utter surprise the stone began to glow, light awash and swallowed in by his irises. He turned to Quinn and found her tanned face illuminated, as blossoming light caressed her angular cheek bones and chin. "We did it," he said with enthusiasm, more excited than he anticipated. "We found it. I can't believe how incredible it is, can you?" He paused, the moment sinking in. "Guess we better regroup with the others, then."

As they trekked back a cold lump occupied the region of Ayden's throat. Thoughts raced back to his last visit - his mother, his father; he remembered it all. Could he face something like that again? Or would the second time be worse? He gulped, reached for the blaster pistol on his belt instinctively--a ritual of security,-- and his eyes found Quinn by his side as they reached the group. "Are you ready for what's next?"

 

[000]

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

It was then after what he said and note how her brows furrowed as he spoke and continued explain. His what he figured seem to her nothing less than a half arse excuse of a half truth. Or at best a sort of impromptu explanation he could come up to. That is up until by force it seem it happened again where in that he reach out to let his sense hover then connect to the stone before them. But this time instead of being alone he had help in her. Break to clear the stone and free it out of its icy prison and once the task was done secure all the seem much needed 12. As she then after remarking about his mention of assignment, reading and being here.

He could all but nod just as in the distance a call seem been made. And she then turn him to Acknowledge the call at the same time beckon him to respond which he hesitate for a moment. Knowing if a knight was around that a Master was sure be not far off which meant once found. By then he would surely be really sent to do another reading assignment which he so hate doing. Being that he was not that very found of book nor of learning other that those he figured be useful. But no matter as soon enough she then walks off stopping briefly to turn seem make sure he follow by her.

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara smiled beneath her heavy scarf and started trudging through the snow towards Knight Roberts. Her boots crunched with each step she took, and the sound would have been almost pleasant if something didn't feel so wrong. The howl of the wind had gone from wild to almost angry, a shrieking tone where it was once a low hum.

"I'm not so sure I like this planet," she called out to [member="Ronin Wendigo"]. "Give me some sand dunes any day and I'll conquer them no problem, but this sort of cold...it's no wonder there's nothing else alive out here."

Once she was standing at the door she fell silent, waiting for [member="Karen Roberts"] to give them further instruction, or for the other Padawans to make a move, uncertainty biting at her consciousness.

 

[Jsc]

Opening the Door

As the Padawans began to return Karen nodded to herself. It was time to open the door. She pulled out the small object from her pocket and held it up to the snowfall sky. It was cloudy white crystal taken from this very planet. A Sunstone that was filled with the power of the Force. And here before the hidden doorway it slowly began to shine with an ethereal light. Mimicking the light and pulse that shown from the standing stones nearby. Together they grew brighter in unison. Finally the wall of the mountain began to shine and the outline of a passageway became clearer to the eyes. Then the wall in the mountain began to open. As if the stone had turned to liquid and been pulled aside. Revealing a door and a passageway under the mountain.

The Hidden Temple was now open. The steps between the underground and the surface world were now free.


___

​

Inside the Temple

Deep underground there lay The Crystal Hall. The central antechamber of Ilum's Hidden Temple. A large circular room with a tall ceiling, iron decorations, and many many doors from whence to choose. Karen Roberts stood underneath the giant stone statues and began to light the brazers about the room. Bringing the warm heat of new fire to the ancient place. Letting the soft flicker of the orange flames guide her.

"Alright Padawans. Welcome to the Ilum Temple. The gateway to the surface and the passageway to the Crystal Caverns. Here we are at the beating heart of the planet itself. Here, the Force is at it's strongest."

She returned to stand on the central platform and let the blue walls and blue ice match her hair,

"Your final task is to pass through these archways and travel deep underground. Letting the Force guide you to the Crystal Caverns, and... To your crystal. A task that is perfect for groups as well as for individuals. So feel free to make the journey however you wish."

She smiled and held up a hand,

"A word of warning though. Underground it is still warm enough to sustain life. So you may yet find creatures and small bugs roaming around. Do be careful now. ...In fact, I want everyone to return here to the antechamber in one hour. One hour tops. So make your search quick, bright Padawans. Time is of the essence. Hehe."

Then the Jedi Knight stepped aside and motioned to the doorways. Many many paths that all lead underground. Each one a perfect choice to follow. For all doors on Ilum lead to the caverns below. Such was the way of the Hidden Temple.

"Okay everyone. You all have one hour. ...And remember? To be a Jedi is not a destination. It is a journey. Hehe. Find your crystals and return to this room. ...You may begin."


___

*ooc: You may now begin to explore the Crystal Caverns and find your Lightsaber Crystals at your liesure. We will exit the thread when all have returned to the antechamber with their stones. Karen will soon begin her own search for Ben and Quinn too. Just in case they need the help. Cheers and enjoy. Thanks for being awesome.

 

[000]

[member="Amara No'orabi"] , [member="Ayden Quell"] , [member="Karen Roberts"]


It was then that thought he had stop a few time not so much for anything other than perhaps the idea that a Knight was there.That as best he could fathom he let out a slight sigh. Knowing all too well if and when he was discovered what new punishment was they to think of next for him to do. For as the thought play in his mind...as there was well the totally boring notion of being sent his room, sparring session where he more often than not got beaten because he was either a) distracted and unfocused or b) too focused that he miss the obvious and then there was chore duties. Which was always fun....not but just the same once he got his head back out the clouds and began to pick up the pace behind her. That it seem he sort overhear her speak over the ever growing howling wind.

"I'm not so sure I like this planet,"

She paused briefly and he sort chime in.

" Yeah i know...but just the same where you figure be instead?"

At which time she then barely take a moment continued on say.

"Give me some sand dunes any day and I'll conquer them no problem, but this sort of cold...it's no wonder there's nothing else alive out here."

At which time hear her out Ronin in turn spoke his own mind.

"Well yeah i guess other than the temperature for me.....sand and snow all bout the same. At any rate i rather be in some place like the back streets of Garell or something. Thought most would think the concert jungle and landscape not much their thing ....i personally rather like it. Thought can be quite cold and hard least it don't swallow you up nor get into everything much like sand or snow does."

He then shrugs .

" But i guess its to each his own....."

At which time he then slowly quite down the closer they come to the door from what he recon it to be. Where as much he could see despite the combination of biting cold nip at his exposed face and increasing howling gust of cold win. There stood a couple of figures....the knight he presume along with varied individuals of stages in their training. Standing there in attention and silent anticipation of what next. To which all he could do was loft a eyebrow up and let out a slight sigh as he waited be found out. Perhaps admonish by the presiding knight for being reckless as he had been. Butting into a trip he wasn't supposed be in ....well not for another millennial from the way he seem be progressing so slowly in his training.

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

[member="Dune Rhur"] still in her arms as she flew them back to Karen, she gently set the poor Bith down, though she herself kept floating in the air around the teacher, as she opened the door. New reservoirs of energies were unleashed, not by her body, but by the sheer exuberance of exploration, as they moved through the doors of the temple. There was just so much around her, so many beautiful colors, so many wondrous things she'd never even imagined, crystals growing down from ceilings, everything so... amazing. She couldn't help it, she couldn't hold herself back, all the focus she had attained was gone in that instant, and before Karen's speech had even finished...

The Diathim was gone, flying down a tunnel at higher speeds than she probably should, barely avoiding crystals dangling from the ceiling, rock walls, and other obstacles, making last minute changes that let her brush her hands across them even as she flew. It was all so beautiful and amazing, what could possibly go wrong, she thought, as she felt the Force around her, echoing in the crystals, it made her feel everything, she felt so blessed, so lucky, but none of them called to her, no, what called to her was deeper in the caves, and she would find them.

She hadn't even considered the idea of something living down here, especially not something dangerous, not something like this - the Angel suddenly stopped as she came to the end of one of the large caves, where she had felt a strong call of the Force - only to find herself staring at a nest of Gorgodons, who all suddenly stared towards the glowing girl as she flew in and stopped. Just back away, just fly away and they'll leave you alone, she thought to herself, slowly floating backwards, eyes wide.

But it was not to be, and the largest of them suddenly charged at her, prompting the Diathim to fly more quickly, and let out a loud, echoing, scream of terror, as the large predator chased her through the tunnels she had just flown through. She couldn't fly fast enough to get away from it, not with the cramped spaces of the tunnel, not without running into something, and it was after her, really and truly. This is why she should have listened to the Master, clearly.

[member="Ronin Wendigo"] [member="Karen Roberts"] [member="Amara No'orabi"] [member="Ayden Quell"] [member="Dune Rhur"]​

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"] [member="Karen Roberts"]

The Bith had no time to protest before he was scooped up. Then came the oddly weightless sensation of flight. He chose to say nothing lest Lahi became distracted. Oddly, he was not really afraid instead feeling rather like he had his first times drawing on the Force.

It took less than half the time flying back as it had walking. Therefore, in little time at all did the Bith find himself in the main chamber of the Illum Temple. The Force was indeed strong here, he noted. He was certain that he could lift an X-Wing and it's pilot without a struggle here.

Dune listened to Knight Roberts attentively when she spoke up, breaking off his delving of the Force. As she stepped aside, he noted the different entrances to the crystal caves proper. Many paths to the same place. An apt metaphor for being a Jedi.

"Well Lahi, time to begin. Would you like to come with-"

Before he could finish, she had flown off. He mentally shrugged before turning to make his own choice. The Bith was considering his options when he heard a high-pitched scream from the tunnel Lahi had sped down. Without thought, he turned that way and began to run whilst aided by the Force.

"Master Roberts, Lahi's in trouble!" Dune managed to yell before disappearing after the Diathem.