Private Medicinal Purposes

[Corazona von Ascania]

The forest had been relatively quiet, but the birds still sang, and the leaves still rustled in the wind. Even if it had not been loud, life was still present and flowing through the woodlands.

The town, by contrast, was covered in a thick blanket of unnatural silence. As Roman voice his concern, Cora's attention shifted towards the flicker she saw in a nearby window. The shutter had been drawn by the time she looked, but it was clear that they were still being observed.

"I don't like this either," she agreed. "But we must remain vigilant until we figure out why this town is so…"

She trailed off, peering into the shadows that draped across the town square. Even the sculpted fountain, usually flowing with water, seemed to have run dry. Cora nudged her mount into a trot, moving closer to the fountain.

"The last time I visited Scilia, the locals used this square as a gathering place. To see it so desolate…" Again, she trailed off before shaking her head and looking back to Roman. "We should head to the Nyvlt estate. Hopefully we can speak with the new Lord, and have his cooperation."

The manor in question was only a short distance away - an ancient building like the little houses and shops lining the road, but far more opulent and well kept. Yet, the closer the drew, the duskier the clear glass windows would appear. A few climbing plants even spread beyond their garden trellis, finding purchase against the manor's wall.

Cora threw Roman a glance before dismounting her mare and tying the beast to a hitching post outside of the estate's steps.

One of the estate's ornate wooden doors was slightly ajar. Brow furrowed, Cora gave it a push. The loud creak on worn hinges gave way to silence, and she stepped through while murmuring a warning.

"We need to be careful, there's no telling what-"

A pair of vibroswords came down upon them from either side, quick and unexpected.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman nudged his horse forward, following closely behind Cora as they trotted toward the Nyvlt estate. As she spoke of the vibrant square that once bustled with laughter and chatter, he could only imagine what it must have been like, pulling on memories envisioned through her words. He shared her unease, though he hardly knew how to articulate it. A noble's estate, even in decline, should embody a semblance of grace, yet there was a certain wildness creeping into the front garden, as if nature sought to reclaim its hold on a space that had long been manicured and polished.

The closer they got, the more that unease settled in his stomach. Cora's eyes darted around, a flicker of worry overshadowing her usual composure. He could imagine the weight of nostalgia she bore, memories of earlier visits clashing with this present desolation.

As Cora dismounted, the tension wound tighter. Roman dropped lightly from his saddle to join her, momentarily lost in thought before noticing the imposing doors of the manor slightly ajar. His instinct urged caution, yet a swift, quiet confidence rose within him. They had come here for answers, and he wouldn't allow fear to dictate his steps.

Cora murmured a warning, the words hanging in the air as he stepped beside her. The moment stretched, the air electric with potential. He glanced around, trying to glean any sign of life within the estate. He was just about to take a breath, forcing himself to regain focus when chaos erupted.

A sharp clang split the air as an intruder wielding a vibrosword emerged from the shadows, swinging the blade toward him. Roman's instincts roared to life, and he sidestepped the lethal chop, adrenaline flooding his veins as the weapon lodged itself with a resounding thud in the wooden floor instead of his flesh.

Eyes wide with disbelief, he barely had a moment to assess before the attacker barreled into him, tackling him against the wall. The impact knocked the wind from his lungs, and he grunted, pain shooting through his back. Regaining his bearings, Roman shoved the man off him, heart racing as he flipped onto his feet.

Without hesitation, he squared up, muscles tensed and ready. The man lunged again, and Roman met him head-on, grappling for control. Their bodies crashed against the dusty ornate decor of the grand entrance.

Roman's mind raced, he needed to subdue this threat swiftly. As they wrestled, he caught glimpses of Cora doing the same from the corner of his eye. With a sudden burst of force, he managed to twist the attacker's arm and bring him to the ground, swiftly securing a grip that would hopefully impede further aggression.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

The metallic edge of the vibrosword caught a glint errant light as it streaked through the window, and a shot of adrenaline pulsed through Cora. She ducked away from the first downward swing, then side-stepped the next wide swipe, ducking and weaving around the blade's sharp point.

Her senses had been honed in on the assailant in front of her, but now they diffused outward at the unpleasant thud of a body hitting the wall. She grimaced. There were two now, but who knew what reinforcements lurked in the shadows?

Pacing back quickly, Cora sought to put a bit of distance between herself and her attacker. Before he could close back in, she extended a hand, willing the Force to seize him. The man's movements slowed as if he were fighting against a current, muscles twitching as he cringed. The vibrosword fell from his grasp with a clatter. Cora retrieved the weapon, running her hand along the blade's hilt. The crest of Nyvlt had been engraved on the handle.

It was then where she finally managed a good look at the man – nearing middle age, fairly muscular, and dressed as a farmer would, not a guardsman.

The man who'd tackled Roman cried out in pain as his arm was twisted behind his back, he too dropping his weapon. Turning sharply on her heel, Cora approached the Padawan with a mixture of relief and concern on her brow. Her eyes were quick, almost frantic as they scoured his form for streaks of red or torn fabric that could indicate injury.

"Are you alright, Padawan Vossari?"

The man being restrained by Roman caught her gaze. His eyes went hard.

"Come to finish the job then, have you? First Lord Nyvlt, now Jedi!" he spat.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman stood firm, his grip steady on the burly man's arm, feeling the tension radiating from the captive as Cora approached, her composure returning as she wielded the vibrosword with confidence. He caught her gaze, a momentary flash of reassurance passing between them. He signaled subtly, a nod, indicating that he was alright, at least he thought. The adrenaline still surged through him, his heart racing from the unexpected chaos, but he focused on the task at hand.

As the man beneath him groaned, Roman could sense the simmering anger bubbling in his eyes. "No, let's try speaking a little nicer now please." he said firmly, applying just enough pressure in his hold to emphasize his point without causing unnecessary injury. The burly man struggled a bit, his muscular frame still strong despite being subdued, but Roman maintained his grip, refusing to yield an inch.

The man's eyes narrowed at Cora, and he scoffed, his defiance clear. "You think a Jedi's words mean anything here? Just get it over with already."

With a measured breath, Roman decided to try a different tact. He eased his hold slightly, allowing the man to gather himself. "We're here to help." he stated, gesturing toward Cora, who stood ready, the vibrosword at her side. "Look, we don't mean you any harm. We're trying to figure out what's happening here." Roman finally added.

Roman maintained his position at the man's side, eyes locked onto him as he gauged the shifting emotions.. The vibe inside the grand entrance was thick with tension. He sincerely hoped they could bridge this moment of hostility into something more constructive, but he remained alert, ready for any sudden change in the man's demeanor if he were to attack either one of them.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Get it over with?"

Cora frowned, but nodded to Roman as he worked at diffusing the tension. The vibrosword was held at her side as a reminder that it was there, but not brandished in threat. Her other hand was still raised, maintaining her paralytic grip on the man who'd attacked her, now behind them.

"After Lord Nyvlt was imprisoned, his cousin was supposed to take over."

Still struggling against the Force, the man spoke haltingly. "But the fecker raided Nyvlt's treasury…and ran."

Cora's hand fell to her side, limp. So too did the Force's hold, and the man collapsed to the ground with a gasp.

"He…ran?" Her voice was small, faraway in disbelief. "It's been almost a year…"

She'd had their Lord locked up for consorting with the Dark, but hadn't paid enough attention to ensure that his replacement had everything in hand. Though she lacked any true political power on Ukatis, Jedi had the ability to keep tabs and subtly influence.

"A whole year, and not shit from the capital," the one next to Roman grumbled. His dark eyes passed from the princess to the Padawan.

"Thats why we did what we did. We had to. No other choice.”

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman stepped back, the tension in the air shifting as the realization of their circumstances took shape. Roman's gaze drifted toward Cora, and he could see the weight of the world settling heavily on her shoulders once more. Her complexion paled, the realization that the people of Ukatis had been left adrift, seemingly gnawing at her conscience.

He turned to the one who had been grumbling, his brow furrowing in confusion and concern. "Did you not make any formal request?" The words slipped from his mouth, edged with frustration. "Why weren't we alerted? The people here have just been suffering?"

The man glanced up at him, bitterness shadowing his features. "We did, repeatedly! But our cries fell on deaf ears. What reaches the upper echelons of power is a trickle, not a flood. You think they care about a backwater town like Scilia? We had no choice but to act."

Roman felt a twinge of sympathy, realizing the depth of the desperation behind the man's words.

"Was there no one?" Roman pressed. "No one willing to stand up for you? No one who cared enough?"

The man's lips curled in a bitter smile, and he shook his head. "Maybe they cared, but they were too busy? Maybe they thought we were better off fending for ourselves? A punishment for our Lord entertaining the dark ones?"

Behind him, the other lowered his gaze, sadness wrapping around him. Roman's heart sank further as he glanced back at Cora.

"There must be a reason for this oversight?" he whispered to her, looking for any sort of guidance.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

As Roman gently pressed for more information, Cora broke from her stupor. It was neither greed nor malice that drove them to steal - it was desperation. Abandoned by their already fickle Lord on a planet where rural communities were already underserved, they had been left with little choice.

Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach when Roman looked to her, seeking an answer. A heavy sigh had her shoulders sagging in defeat.

"It was likely not an oversight," she clarified grimly. "The crown dictates the flow of resources, much of which is kept in the capital. Distribution of aid from the Alliance is left to the royal family."

One of them men squinted. "Ain't you apart of that?"

"Not in any meaningful way."

"The hell does that mean? You started this mess, can you do anything to fix it or not?"

Cora held back a wince. His words stung, but they were not incorrect. Placing a hand over her heart, she bowed her head

"I am deeply sorry for what happened - I should've followed up after Gallas von Nyvlt was imprisoned. If you tell us what you need, we will ensure that the Alliance can provide-"

She glanced to Roman, hoping to coax a shared understanding.

"-even if we must circumvent the crown in doing so."

Words only went so far on Ukatis, as much as the commonfolk were used to the empty platitudes from their Lords and Ladies. Action was a language that went further. They might not be able to prosecute the newest Nyvlt, but they might be able to ease the suffering of his people.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman took a moment to process Cora's grim admission. They were staring at a crisis that could not wait for the crown to act, nor could it dissolve into the shadows of bureaucracy. Roman's conflicted feelings churned, he was now faced with human lives that hung in the balance without any assurance of aid.

Cora's apology resonated deeply, filling the space with a haunting urgency. "This isn't your fault." he said quietly. She seemed to feel the guilt of this all, but how could she have truly known.

He turned his attention back to the men, feeling a flicker of determination igniting in his heart. "Tell us what you need. What will it take to alleviate this burden? Collect the testimonies, outline the resources required, and we can ensure it reaches those who can help. We are not departing until we've initiated the change."

The man who had spoken first narrowed his gaze. "You think words will do anything? We've seen enough of them. Everything sounds good in the halls of power, but we've got nothing but bones and empty pockets to show for it."

Roman held up his hands, urging them to listen. "We're not here to overwhelm you with promises. Our pledge is to gather your grievances, your needs. If we can't convince the crown, then like she says, we will find another way."

A glance was shared between the two men, skepticism was evident, but Roman sensed a flicker of hope igniting among them as well. The weight of their suffering pressed heavily on his heart, but amid that despair, he could feel the ember of resistance stirring within him.

Roman stepped forward. "We need a list. Any supplies, food, and necessary resources. Everything you've been denied. We'll make sure it reaches those who can act."

Roman interjected once more, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency. "What if you elect a representative from your community as well? Someone to speak on your behalf, someone who can connect with the Alliance more directly. You need a leader, a voice that matters, one who won't let your suffering be ignored any longer."

The men gathered together, their voices murmuring as they debated the prospect of electing a leader. Roman took a breath, casting a sideways glance at Cora, whose face reflected the weight of her own burdens. He reached out and placed a hand upon her shoulder, a small gesture meant to comfort both her and himself.

"It'll be alright." he murmured, though uncertainty crept in, softening the edges of his optimism. "We can fix this. Together."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Roman couldn't have been more than a handful of years younger than her, and yet he had the finesse and drive of a leader. That realization came as a momentary distraction from her own failings, and Cora couldn't help but smile, one corner of her lips lifting.

He set into action, outlining specific tasks for the men – which seemed to go further than the empty promises they were used to.

His hand on her shoulder elevated her half-smile a fraction. The clouds of pessimism in her mind began to break up, revealing something more hopeful. Not just for the village of Scilia, but for the future of the Jedi that she suddenly saw so clearly in this Padawan.

"The galaxy will test you, Roman. Promise me that you will never lose your compassion."

Lifting her head, she paced forward and approached the conversing men, her movement garnering their momentary attention.

"The supplies you took…" she elected to speak plainly now, "Who are they for?"

The men were silent. One's face deepened in sorrow, while the other place a hand at his shoulder. "My daughter," he began, "she was one of those who Nyvlt and his...friend captured. She hasn't been the same since then. She doesn't speak, barely eats or moves. Our medicine-woman tried everything she knew. I...we thought that there might've been some sort of medicine that could help her."

Cora paused for a few moments, allowing the story to wash over her. She eschewed the lecture on her tongue about asking for help.

"Can you show us to her? If her affliction was made by the Sith, then perhaps there is something that we can do." Cora gestured between herself and Roman while the man weighed his response before nodding.

Quietly, he lead the Jedi down a series of narrow corridors, stopping only once they made it to a room at the end of the hall. "She's in here," he said as he turned the ornate nob of a wooden door. "We brought her here to rest because the beds are more comfortable."

Cora stepped into the room, expression softening. The young woman laying in the bed didn't acknowledge them, staring listlessly out the window. An unmistakable aura drifted from her thin form – she'd been touched by the Dark.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

As Roman watched Cora spring into action, a slight smile graced his face. She was back to being a whirlwind of determination, her demeanor a stark contrast to moments before. He felt a rush of pride swell in his chest, if he had done anything right today, it was being the beacon for her, a steady point for her to refocus upon when the shadows of hopelessness threatened to encroach.

When the man spoke of his daughter, Roman could see the weight of sorrow in his eyes. Roman's heart tightened at the thought of suffering, suffering caused by the Sith. Roman had heard of the darkness that could envelop a person, but didn't actually quite understand it yet. He could feel Cora's empathy washing over the room like a warm tide, calling forth the strength of the Jedi within him as the men began to guide them.

The corridor felt long and heavy, their steps echoing against the walls. Roman could feel Cora's energy shift, recalibrating as she moved deeper into her role as a Jedi Knight.

As they entered the dimly lit room, Roman's heart sank slightly at the sight of the young woman. She looked to be around his age, but her spirit felt distant, caught in a web woven by something dark and malignant. The coldness of the room resonated with the lifelessness in her gaze. He glanced at Cora, who wore a mask of concern, and he knew the two of them had to forge ahead with care. The stakes felt too high for any misstep, though he had no profound understanding of the Sith's sinister affliction.

He moved closer, his heart pounding more intensely with each cautious step, interpreting every aspect of her body language. She curled into a ball in the corner of the bed, casting her focus out of the window as if something just beyond the glass beckoned her. Roman settled himself at the edge of the mattress, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Hello, my name is Roman and this is Knight Cor—"

Suddenly, the girl's demeanor shifted. In an instant, her eyes flared with a wild intensity, and before he could even blink, she hurled a visceral scream at him, "Get away from me!" The sinister voice reverberated off the walls, laced with unmistakable rage.

He jumped up, his back met the wall as he stumbled away, instincts kicking in. Roman's eyes widened, and he fumbled for Cora's presence. Panic coursed through him, twisting the confidence he normally wielded like a shield. For all his preparation and training, nothing could have equipped him for the icy intensity of that moment.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

This time, Cora did not reach out to Roman physically - lest she irritate the girl further. Instead, he would feel the Force surge around him, like a warm tide on which he could lean. Her eyes flickered towards him in apology. He had a kind heart, and it wasn't pleasant to see him startled.

Then, she turned her gaze to the girl. Her jaw was set, eyes wide with panic and malice and rage and pain when she'd yelled at Roman. Her violent rebuke of the Jedi reverberated not only off of the walls of the room, but in the Force.

Cora frowned. This was the insidious nature of the Dark laid bare - for all its promises, it always took.

She said nothing, not at first. Her eyes fell closed as she concentrated on expanding the warmth of the Light until it chased away the chill.

The girl winced, then looked utterly confused and wary, squinting at first Cora, then Roman as if she were trying to see them through a sun glare. Gradually, her face softened and her fierce hold on the blanket loosened.

Cora opened her eyes and exhaled.

"Try speaking to her again," she offered softly.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman stopped in his tracks, a warmth settling over him, a soothing balm to his nerves. He looked over to Cora, a quiet understanding passing between them as she stepped forward to provide her own aid. One of the men behind them, was comforting the other, the girl's father. Roman kept his focus on Cora as she shut her eyes, a serene expression settling on her face, and went to work.

He followed suit, not to necessarily mirror her actions, but to feel the way the Force flowed through her, to understand how Cora was aiding the girl. It was glorious, a bright ray of light emanating from the Knight, expanding across the room and enveloping her in a warm embrace. Roman opened his eyes as Cora beckoned him to try again, a gentle encouragement in her silent nod. He was apprehensive to approach again, the memory of the girl's chilling outburst fresh in his mind, but he trusted Cora, she wouldn't lead him astray.

Roman settled back onto the edge of the bed, his gaze on the young woman. He saw tears starting to form in her eyes, a sign of the confusion and fear warring within her. She was lost, desperately searching for any answer, any glimmer of hope. He stretched out his hand to her, an offer of help, of peace. She was hesitant, her gaze darting between him and Cora, but eventually, she reached out in return.

As their fingers brushed, Roman felt it, the darkness that had been suffocating her began to recede. A wave of relief washed over him. She spoke softly, a whisper barely audible, but eventually, a name escaped her lips, "Miria..."

Roman turned to Cora with a genuine smile, his earlier apprehension replaced by awe and a burgeoning desire to learn. He was profoundly impressed by the ease with which she had handled this volatile situation. Behind him, Miria's father let out a soft cry of relief, a sound of pure joy that resonated through the room. The man rushed to his daughter, enveloping her in a tight embrace. Roman stood up, stepping away to allow for the reunion, a warmth filling his own heart as he witnessed the rekindled bond.

"That was amazing." he whispered to Cora, his voice hushed with respect and eagerness, "You have to teach me how to do that." He longed to harness such a powerful, comforting force, to be able to soothe the pain and fear he had witnessed.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

No small amount of relief touched her brow as what remained of the Dark burned away from the young woman's soul. Like Roman, Cora took a step back to allow the reunion between father and daughter a bit of privacy.

"It was you who cleansed the vestiges of corruption," she murmured with a smile in her tone. "You reached out to her, and in doing so, coaxed her back to the Light.”

It was at the core of being a Jedi, for her, at least. Cora had not always felt that way about the Light, but after living in the shadows of the Dark, she'd gained a new appreciation for the fairer part of the Force dichotomy.

She tilted her chin towards the embrace of Miria and her father. There was reverence and appreciation in her gaze, but also flecks of sorrow and jealousy. She would likely not experience such affection from her own father.

"They'd been keeping the prisoners in the basement, using a Dark artifact to keep them docile. I did not have the time to cleanse it properly when I was last here."

Her attention shifted to Roman once more as she raised a brow. "Up to the task?"

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman turned to Cora, a hint of sadness seemingly creeping over her features. He could feel the shift as she looked on to the reunion, a longing for belonging like that with her own father. It was a feeling Roman had felt countless times before, witnessing the bond between sons and fathers during his time as a Jedi. His instincts told him to protect her by distracting her from the emotional scene unfolding before them.

"Up to the task, you say?" Roman echoed her words, a reassuring smile gracing his lips. "I'll do my best." He would be up to the task of cleansing the artifact, even if he wasn't entirely certain how.

As they exited the room, Roman spoke, his voice a gentle murmur, "I'm not sure I understand my role in all of this, Knight Ascania. I felt the light you exuded in the Force, it was like a beacon. But beyond providing some comfort, I'm not sure what I truly did. It seemed like you were the one doing all the heavy lifting."

He was being honest, his words laced with a touch of self-doubt. He'd felt the power of the Force surge through Cora, a wave of healing energy that had been astounding to witness. He'd simply been someone to comfort the girl.

As they opened the door to the basement, torches lining the long staircase, Roman could immediately feel the presence of the artifact. It was overwhelming, an oppressive weight pressing down on him. He turned to Cora, a flicker of worry crossing his face, but his trust in her remained unwavering. He still made his way down the stairs, the darkness growing thicker with each step.

Reaching the bottom, a heavy darkness settled upon them, emanating from the far side of the basement. An obelisk, once embedded in the wall, had been broken and shattered into pieces across the floor. Even in its fragmented state, it exuded an aura of profound darkness. Roman could hardly imagine the oppressive power it must have held when it was whole. The pieces were strangely alluring, a faint whisper beckoning him closer as he cocked his head in its direction.

"What do we need to do?" Roman asked, his voice laced with a hint of apprehension. "I've never encountered anything like this before." He was eager to learn, to understand the intricacies of this dark power and how to finally banish it.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora tilted her head to the side a fraction, quietly considering Roman's words - and his concern. She remained silent for a full minute as they descended the winding staircase.

"It took practice," she said, her soft words carrying in the eerie stillness of the basement. "The first time I'd encountered the Dark, I became…er, physically ill."

A touch of pink dusted her cheeks as she admitted to losing her lunch, faintly miming the action by bringing a hand to her lip, then drawing it forward in an arc. After a moment, she mumbled an addition: "The second time too, now that I think about it…"

Poor BB-610 had been the recipient of that.

"You didn't falter. You approached her with kindness and compassion, as a Jedi should, despite your discomfort. Of course you may have some difficulty when encountering a challenge for the first time. And perhaps the second, and the third, too. But you’ll take a little bit away from each encounter.”

The moment they'd set foot on the basement floor, Cora could feel the malevolent energy hanging over them like a shroud. She took in a slow, deep breath, and steadied her mind. When she'd first encountered the obelisk in its whole state, its influence had nearly left her comatose. Now shattered, it was devoid of the power to truly harm the two Jedi, but Cora still found her eyes lidding slightly.

"Touch one of the pieces. Tell me what you feel," she instructed.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Ukatis | Scilia​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman chuckled softly, a genuine warmth spreading through him at Cora's admission of her initial struggles. It was strangely comforting, this glimpse into the humanity of a Knight he so deeply admired. It reinforced the idea that even the most powerful Jedi weren't born with perfect mastery, that they too had stumbled and learned, just like he was now. He felt a surge of hope, a renewed determination to persevere in his own path towards becoming a true Jedi like her.

As Cora instructed him to touch a piece of the shattered obelisk, he hesitated, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. He moved forward, a slow, deliberate walk towards the wall, the darkness pressing in on him from all sides. He knelt down, a silent prayer for guidance forming in his mind. Before touching the shard, he glanced back at Cora, seeking unspoken reassurance. He chose a large, jagged piece lying near the wall, carefully placing his hand upon its cool, rough surface.

A moment passed, then a strange heaviness began to creep into his body, a sensation like being enveloped in a thick, dark blanket. His eyes fluttered shut as he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, a debilitating fatigue that settled into his limbs. Reaching out with the Force, he attempted to articulate the sensation to Cora. "It's...strange." he murmured, his voice slightly strained. "Like a blanket has been thrown over me, making my limbs heavy, making me feel spent."

The feeling wasn't nauseating, but it was profoundly draining. It wasn't a sickness, but a sapping of his energy, a complete depletion of his vitality. Roman snatched his hand back, the sensation intensifying with the separation. "Why?" he asked, his voice laced with a genuine confusion, "Why would anyone create something like this? Why bring such darkness into the galaxy?"

He tried to replicate Cora's actions he'd witnessed with Miria, attempting to exude light and dispel the darkness within the shard. But he couldn't quite grasp the technique, the energy within the stone seemed to resist any attempt at cleansing. "How do you cleanse it properly?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concentration, "How do you get rid of this...this darkness?"

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora stood two paces behind Roman, allowing him the space to explore the shattered obelisk's influence on his own. She still lingered nearby, restraining the urge to pull him back and sear what remained of the cursed object in a violent flash of light.

This had become a lesson for them both, she realized. For Roman, it was navigating an exposure to the Dark, and for Cora, it was learning to temper her protective urges and discomfort while providing appropriate guidance.

His question caused a knot to tighten in her stomach. Cora had not experienced a true fall to the Dark, but she'd skirted along its edges, teetering over the precipice before pulling back.

"Control," she guessed. "Some use the Dark to subjugate others. It can make you feel as though there is no hope, and sap your will to live. I've experienced it as…"

Her eyes narrowed, staring at some distant memory. An injured girl, tortured by a violent, cruel marriage. A vulnerable target for the Sith Lord who'd manipulated her into feeling for him what she'd craved the most; love.

She took a deep breath.

"It can play on insecurities, promising you what you want most. And the longer you're around its influence, the more it can feel so right, so natural, that you don't even realize what it's taken from you."

She exhaled slowly, gathering her thoughts and shifting them back to the present moment.

"This artifact was made to suppress the will of the Force sensitive individuals held here. It kept them docile and listless, but I do not know what was planned for them."

She's stopped searching for answers after they were freed, and after Nyvlt's deposition revealed nothing useful.

"You may feel as though your own Light has dimmed here," she spoke softly. "But it is still there. Take a moment to search for it. Feel it, hold on to it, and let it guide you to resist the obelisk's pull."

Though it had become easier for Cora to parse out Darker influences, it still took a conscious effort for her to keep them at bay. Even still, she could feel them hanging around her like a cloak, poised to seep into her mind the moment she let down her guard.

Roman Vossari