Journey to Ilum

[Dajara Boshtet]

Dajara was sitting there on the ship, there were more things coming to her but in the force she could feel things easier while the gentle and almost feather touch of the medical droids as they were working on her hand. The bruised skin and snapped bone getting a small cast she could remove after awhile and liquid skin going over the cuts from the crystals. She hissed the air through her teeth at the pain before she was leaning back and felt the iv painkillers with a dopey grin on her face feeling really really good in her seat. "I love you." She laid there a small body on the bed while the droid was looking at her strangely.

 

[Jsc]

Karen nodded to [member="Ronin Wendigo"] as they stood in the Lower Chambers,

"Oh no. No trick at all. The Force is what imbues these crystals with power. As such, it is the Force that guides you to them."

She raised a single finger to illustrate,

"Every crystal in these caverns is an individual. A custom evolution and a singular matrix. So... One of them is special. One of them, is like you."

The Knight gave a wave over the cavern,

"Indeed. I'll bet that if you calm your heart? If you let go of your anxiety? ...Mm. Yes. One of these crystals might just reach out for you. To say hello."

She smiled. That was always how it worked on Ilum. The crystal chooses you.

___

Meanwhile, [member="Dajara Boshtet"] apparently had enjoyed way too many painkillers. Oh dear.

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune stepped into the lower chambers behind the Master, still weary from his ordeal. However, seeing the multitudes of shining blue and green crystals lifted his spirit. It was amazing here in this huge cavern with the haphazard spectacle of the crystals. They were strewn about with no special order, beautiful in a way only nature could be.

He slowly walked towards the far wall, looking around carefully. He brushed through the cavern, seeking a sign or feeling. The crystals glimmered, emerald and sapphire. His gaze took in each section deliberately....

 

[Ben Corscifine]

[member="Quinncolson"]

Ben could feel Quinn's weight disappear from his back as the sounds of something menacing echoed through the caves. Ben could feel the animal's anger rippling through the Force in the moments before it attacked them, pulling Quinn from his back. Ben felt himself move instinctively for the blaster--which was where his lightsaber would usually be. As Quinn fell from his back, Ben turned and pointed the weapon where he believed the beast to be. The blaster clicked, and nothing happened.

In the moment it took for Ben to realize that the gun had not fired because he had not thought to take off the safety, it was already too late. Ben could not see what the beast was in the dark of the cave, but it had already leaped onto him and pulled him to the ground. Ben felt the muscles in his arms tighten with exertion as he pushed the animal off of him, just barely avoiding a claw that he could feel going for his face. He heard a yelp and a thud as the animal hit a wall. It growled and jumped back at the young Jedi.

Ben's senses were now fully heightened. He could see the beast with the Force, or at least he had an idea of exactly where it was in relation to him. Ben reached out and found the blaster on the cave floor. He clicked off the safety and rolled aside just in time to avoid the pouncing beast. Then Ben raised the blaster and pulled the trigger. A shot rang out and Ben could see the fur of his animal assailant in the glow of the laser as it passed, missing the beast but singeing his fur.

While he may have missed, Ben knew now exactly where the animal was, and he aimed a powerful punch right at it. Ben caught it right in the gut, and heard a loud yelp. Perhaps he had frightened it sufficiently, because he could feel it's anger turn to fear as he heard the animal scampering away. He had to act quickly; the thing could come back at any point--perhaps with friends.

And Ben had to take care of Quinn now, and as quickly as possible. This part of the cave was pitch dark, and Ben had no idea where his companion had fallen. He couldn't tell how far he had gone in wrestling with the beast. Quinn must have lost consciousness, because Ben could not feel her in the Force.

"Quinn?!" He called out, "Quinn where are you?"

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Quinn fell and hit the ground knowing she was dead meat. But it seemed like only a minute later Ben was calling her name. She moaned and noticed her shirt was ripped and her stomach scratched. It didn't look bad "Ben"

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Catherine Romanov]

The last thing Quinn remembered was pulling Ayden away from the shower of rocks that came raining down upon them. It was by sheer luck or was it sheer skill that she had the gift of precognition or the mangled and crumpled bodies of the pair of padawans would be lying underneath the bed of rocks right now. She'd already thought of it as sheer luck. Their hands had been interlocked until a rather large rock-sized of painfulness struck them both in the arm, breaking the link between the two. One moment they had been interlinked and safe, and the next they were separated and all alone. To make this even worse, the floor beneath them gave way, sending both of them plummeting towards kark knows where. All she felt was air as she fell, her hands grasping nothing but empty air in its futility.

....

Quinn had no idea how long it had been, but when she woke, she was lying sideways, and her sides throbbed with pain. Gasping for breath as she took a look around, she saw that there was no one in her immediate vicinity but her. "Ayden?" she muttered. "Ayden, where are you?" she said as she raised her voice a little louder. The padawan had no idea where Ayden was, but all she know was that they had been separated and she was now alone. Thankfully, when she reached to her back, the familiar touch of her staff was still present. At least she still had her staff. All was not lost. Not yet, at least.

[member="Ayden Quell"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

He'd been wandering for an indiscernible time, carefully examining each crystal. He could sense a resonance in each, but none so far that pulled him to it. Down yet another passage he went when he felt the telltale calling. He smiled when he laid eyes upon the one.

He walked slowly, right hand extended. It loosened from the stone without any trouble and it came to rest in his palm. The crystal shone with a sapphire light, focusing the inner fire that was the Force. With this he would craft his lightsaber, another step on his journey towards Knighthood.

He let out a weary but contended sigh as he carefully placed the soon-to-be focusing lens of his lightsaber in his belt pouch. Now he had to return to the main chamber and his thoughts turned to the other Padawans. He hoped they'd found their own unique gems and had come back safely....

 

[Ben Corscifine]

[member="Quinncolson"]

Ben found Quinn by following the sound of her voice. His eyes, which were only somewhat attuned to the darkness of the caves by now, darted across the blackness before him until they rested upon her pale body and golden hair. What caught his attention, however, was a flash of scarlet at her midriff. She was clearly bleeding from a wound inflicted by whatever had attacked them. Ben was growing more and more tired, even given the reinvigoration that he had experienced just a short while ago.

"Quinn, we have got to get you out of here before that thing comes back," Ben began, lifting the young woman again and steadying her against him. She was beaten up pretty badly after everything the pair had been through on this trip. In fact, Ben was surprised she hadn't died on him yet. He was sure she couldn't take too much more abuse. At least Ben could sense an exit from the cave system not too far beyond where the pair had found themselves. All he had to do was get Quinn out and onto the ship, and Karen's crew would take care of her from there. Ben was relieved at the thought. He worried for Quinn's wellbeing and knew that there was little he could do for her.

Ben continued the long trek out of the cave, breathing more and more heavily with exertion and drawing on the Force for strength. He whispered in Qunn's ear as he went, trying to keep her calm, ​"Not what you expected out of this trip, huh?"

They probably weren't going to walk away with saver crystals by the end of it. Just some broken bones and battered bodies.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Quinn looked down at her midsection and then turned and threw up all over Ben "Sorry..." She said trying not to throw up again as the pain became too much to bare and all the bleeding made her feel woozy and she stumbled over a saber crystal.

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Quinn Byrne"]

Whilst the padawans were expected to undergo many trials during their path to Knighthood, there was a limit on just what they were expected to deal with on their own. A faint tremor, that carried a tone of distress, roused Jacen from his reverie. He was kneeling in the entry chamber to the wider cave system and had been attempting to use the Force to adapt his body to the cold. As his awareness turned to his surroundings he followed that faint threads that ran to his padawan.

Are you safe?

 

[000]

[member="Karen Roberts"]

It was then as the two walk along side by side while the other seem to either mill around on their own. Or for some had left and opted to go ahead back to the ship. That for brief moment Ronin seem to turn and for once attentively listen.

"Oh no. No trick at all. The Force is what imbues these crystals with power. As such, it is the Force that guides you to them."

At which time he then still somewhat unsure yet try his best make sense of it all . Ronin kept silent for now his head slightly tilted one side as he then spoke.

" So you say all these here are alive in a sense? And unique? But how? aren't they just well....you know all the same? "

It was then with seem patient she continued on to explain.

"Every crystal in these caverns is an individual. A custom evolution and a singular matrix. So... One of them is special. One of them, is like you."

At which time let his gaze follow the wave her hand he slowly began take in the sight. And seem for same time with that thought in mind he could help but note. That indeed how slowly but surely the crystals began to well look or at best feel different to him. How some he noted shown brighter than other ....in its many hue or shapes.....how they too seem buzz or hum with life or energy where in some stronger than other and while other faint or gentle. At that moment Ronin couldn't help but feel a strange curiosity creep into mind as the small shard as he at first noted it be. Seem to well faintly brush his mind as he come realize it was not so much other than how it looked. That first attracted him pick it up for in the back his mind still held out a bit of fear or better yet anxiety. That if he came back to the temple without one that they would take it against him. That perhaps ....a million thought or such began fill his mind and feed into his somewhat growing anxiety. But still with Knight Roberts words seem for now ease that anxiety within him that she no less noted.

"Indeed. I'll bet that if you calm your heart? If you let go of your anxiety? ...Mm. Yes. One of these crystals might just reach out for you. To say hello."


At which time seeing the smile on her face all but help calm his heart and belay the anxiety he felt. Long enough that with seem bit of childish gleam and innocence in his eyes. A look that convey perhaps what one would believe be he himself was not sure how best say spoke in those eyes. As the realization flood his mind and turn her spoke. The broken shard of crystal he took earlier now brought out and held in his hand before her.His words in the end seem mirror that of what was he felt in his heart.

"I see....then i guess it would been wrong of me to just take this without considering that. And i guess it might been perhaps too soon.....much too soon that i let my eagerness to take and have one. Not realizing the significance or put any thought to it.Though now i am not sure what do with it now that I've taken it. Seeing broken as nothing less than a shard. I don't know if i could return it back the way it was. Nor do i think it be a good idea just leave it lying around on its own. Broken away from the rest...an orphan and alone."

 

[Jsc]

Karen seemed unmoved by [member="Ronin Wendigo"] plea. The realm of master and crystal was a special one, after all. There were no blanket answers. Only what you choose to do. So she moved her gaze her elsewhere and let a moment of silence pass between them. It was not necessary to instruct in all things. Sometimes... Sometimes you just have to choose for yourself.

So. She waited. Mindful and with a happy smile. Just to see what Ronin would choose to do.

 

[000]

[member="Karen Roberts"]

It was then in her silence Ronin seem to get the hint that perhaps he was meant to figure this one on his own. Much like him being quite observant and curious of things as it in terms seem served him well so far. From his time alone till he eventually found his way to Master again. He then began think walking away tentatively and keep in mind what was said between them earlier.That maybe if he calm his heart and listen perhaps the crystal would speak him....

At any rate he then when was some good distance from her tried to first though hard its been to do so. And slowly ....tentatively let go his fears....letting the calm wave of light wash over him and close his eyes. At which time he then slowly heard it faint like a rain drop at first a low hum come from all around him. At which time one became seem distinct and inviting over the other that he followed it....followed it till he comes across a crystal formation slightly taller than him. Humming and lit up in hue similar to the one in his hand. At which time he then knelt down place the crystal down in small crevice near its base. Before covering it with his hand though unsure if it would work but he figured give it a try. Concentrating and let his breath be his guide he somehow was able to somewhat connect to his mothers heritage for some reason. And tentatively mend together some the crystal strands to the host barely till eventually it slowly fade back.

And all that was left was the shard somewhat slightly connected back into the wall. At which time he stood up and let it be seem oblivious to what had happened. As his eyes darted about and became distracted for now by the beauty of the crystal cave that surrounded them.

For in truth there was a secret in him that had yet be revealed nor fully realize....in time.

 

[Ben Corscifine]

[member="Quinncolson"]

Ben heaved as he smelled and saw the vomit. It was certainly unexpected and disgusting, but Ben couldn't rightly chastise Quinn for her body's unintentional reaction to her state. He just froze for a moment, trying not to get angry. How does a person respond to that? He stretched away from the part of his arm on which Quinn had emptied the contents of her stomach. Ben could feel his skin crawl as he wiped his sleeve on the wall of the cavern.

Alright. We're getting out of this karking cave. Right. Now.

"Quinn, I need you to pull yourself together. Please. Your body is reacting really violently to everything that's happened to you. If we don't get you to a doctor immediately, you could die. I have no idea what is happening to you right now."

Ben turned to look at his companion, who had once again flung herself to the ground. How were they ever going to make it out at this rate? As he knelt to raise her up once more, he noticed a faint green glowing on the ground beside her. Had she really just tripped over a crystal?

A little too convenient? Maybe.

It wasn't the ceremonious discovery that Ben had imagined when he arrived on Ilum, but--then again--literally nothing had gone how he had expected today. Maybe it was this crystal--this random one growing out of the floor in this particular exit tunnel--to which the Force had been leading him all along.

Ben didn't really have time to question it. He took hold of the green gemstone and wrested it from the earthy wall, placing it into a pocket. Ilum had rewarded him after all, it seemed.

Now to finish what he had started with Quinn.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Quinn could barely hear what Ben was saying as she faded in and out of consciousness. She knew if she gave in now she was a goner so that left one option she was going to have to fight to stay awake. She looked up at Ben from the ground where she had tripped to the crystal had ripped through the skin on her calf but it wasn't bleeding too bad right now.

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Jsc]

There And Back Again

In the time that followed the students found their crystals and slowly, one by one, returned to the boat. Eager to rest from their journey and wish each other luck in their travels home.

The Force would be with them. Always.

 

[000]

[member="Karen Roberts"]


It was then once Ronin had somehow secured the crystal into place that he turn . Looking around a bit in order to commit to memory if he could the location. Though part of him wanted keep the crystal he knew couldn't . He then moved away and boarded the ship glad to at least get the chance see this place. And dream one day of return with his Master to retrieve the crystal if it were meant to be.

 

[Ben Corscifine]

Finally, Ben pulled on the Force for strength and lifted Quinn from the ground in a cradling carry. He held her close, focusing on her wounds in an attempt to slow any bleeding that was occurring. In his own pain and exhaustion, time itself seemed to warp. There was no longer clarity of space or time, only a single sentence sizzling in his mind like a lightsaber pressed against the icy cave walls.

You have to get Quinn out of this. You have to get Quinn out of this. You have to get Quinn out of this.

The next thing Ben knew, he was staring into the white ceiling of the transport ship. He and Quinn had been the first pair to return, and medical droids had come to carry the young woman away. She would be safe, he remembered the droids saying. For now, they young Jedi just needed to rest. He wasn't injured nearly as badly as Quinn had been, although he had somehow ended up covered in her blood. Ben had done it. Everything was going to be alright. After a quick once-over from the medical team, Ben was dismissed to take a shower and clean his robes.

...​

Clean and alone, Ben sat in his bunk on the ship, holding the green crystal that he and Quinn had found in their last moments on Ilum. It was beautiful, glowing on the inside with its resonance with Ben through the Force. Sitting in his bunk with this crystal, still flecked with Ben's and Quinn's blood, had been the final destination of a long and trying adventure for Ben. He had learned a lot about himself in the time between visits to this bed. He learned of self-sacrifice, of partnership, and of the realities of real-world combat.

What stuck with him the most however, as he gazed into the deep green of his crystal, was the snap hiss of a red lightsaber on Coruscant.

Ben could not be sure if the experience he had at the bottom of the chasm had been a vision of the past or simply a dream brought on by a panicked mind, but either way, it haunted him. Ben was sure of one thing: some way or another, he had to sneak back onto his homeworld, capital of the One Sith. He could not have peace until he determined the fate of his parents.

[member="Quinncolson"]