Faction Misery Never Calls Ahead || Silver Jedi Concord

[Audren Sykes]

The darkness built. It was a seething mass that fed upon itself but instead of wasting away it only grew. Through it all there was an odd sense of growing anxiety and desperation that was swiftly subsumed by the rage. When Caltin gave his demand everything went 'quiet'. This was not the quiet of acquiescence however, it was a reactor that had just hit critical overload and cracking the containment shell. Predictably, the explosion came bursting forth. Rather than a wave of pure dark side energy this manifested as a Force-powered roar and created a visible shock wave.

In an instant Audren had fully immersed himself in the Force. A blaze of light-side energy arose to face the darkness; his strength was not quite a match for the Sith's but there were more Jedi here. At the distance he'd held, the Sephi was granted an extra portion of a second to react and did so with nary a thought. Invisible Force energy wove itself into a wedge between the two of them, parting the sound waves and allowing the Jedi to stand tall without bracing himself. Impartial onlookers might have attributed a hint of derision but in truth he was not concentrating on his emotions. There was some bounce-back from the wall behind him - an echo of sorts - but it barely ruffled his hair. He saw the Sith draw his lightsabers (there had been two) and ignite the red blades to slash at Caltin.

Like the Sith, Caltin and Eloi reacted fast. Caltin's reaction was even more impressive given his relative proximity to the Force-based attack: he dodged the strike and returned with an unarmed blow of his own; meanwhile Eloi telekinetically worked to impact the environment. Out of the blue, another being made his appearance, striking at the Sith with a lightsaber of his own. 'Good cop' had also been in the immediate area of the scream. He'd been affected a bit more and he was just getting to his feet. He yelled something out as he did. Something like 'feed his fears' and 'angrier'...not very helpful. It was immediately followed up with a spurt of lightning. This was no Electric Judgement, it originated from the Dark. Risky proposition: it could just add to the Sith's considerable power, but it might also short-circuit the battery and force a shutdown.

For his part, the elfin Master moved forward a few steps. As he did his lightsaber hilt was brought to hand but left unlit; there were enough active combatants on the field already. He was close enough to interject at need but far enough away to not hinder those already engaged. His focus with regards to the Force did not change; he stood at the ready as a steadfast bulwark against the rage of the interloper.


Known: Zeren Eloi Graix Caltin Vanagor Darlyn Excron Vulpesen
Unseen: Aayla Shan Nico Kaidshau
(Slow poster, feel free to bypass me)

 

[Zeren]

Location: Silver Rest, Kashyyyk.
Tagging: Eloi Graix ~ Darlyn Excron ~ Caltin Vanagor ~ Aayla Shan ~ Audren Sykes ~ Nico Kaidshau ~ Vulpesen

​

Chaos had broken loose.

The rift within the Sith Lord, the despair, anger, fear, and violence - they were so great that his Darkness did not need to look outside to feed itself and fuel the rage. The floor beneath his feet cracked, and the Jedi he had aimed for dodged his attack before launching one of his own. The Seeker's body seemed to react out of its own accord, guided by years upon years of experience. Bred for and forged in war. He was so blinded by the ire that the fact that he was severely outnumbered and surrounded did not cause any intimidation, it instead pushed forth his thirst for blood.

There was something else, however, that seemed to hold him back. He wanted to stop. Deep within him a different battle was being waged, as he tried to regain his grip on himself. It was quite striking how he could command such a powerful darkness, and yet at the same time it seemed so out of his control. Killing his enemies was what he wanted, he could feel it in the anger and the need to destroy - except it wasn't. He had not come here to kill, he just could not stop himself from trying. Not when the shadows were rooted so deep within him.

His balance was affected by the Chagrian's use of telekinesis, making the ground under his feet unstable and making him miss his target. Darth Misios embraced that sudden change, using the momentum that had thrown his axis off to follow through into a side step that found solid ground once again. Master Vanagor's punch was then flying towards his side. The hilt in his off hand was shifted into a reverse grip, arm retreated into his body to block the blow while bringing the blade towards the Jedi seeking to either cut through him or force him into retreating or blocking.

Then another one with great speed came forth, and the Sith Lord muttered something in ur-Kittât, some foul curse that bid the shadows around him to become denser and more agitated. This second attacker seemed much less merciful than the large human had been, his blows aimed to sever the limbs from his body. The Sith Lord let him get close, unleashing a burst of darkness around him right in time for the first volley of slashes that would keep the saber blades from reaching its mark, deflected through the Force. The instinct to bring down his free saber on this new enemy in retaliation now that he was within range was intense, growing more inevitable by the second no matter how hard he fought it.

It felt like tearing himself apart, and the Sith Lord had not experienced pain in years. Resisting was agony. He just wanted it to stop.

For a moment the Seeker focused on protecting himself as he burned every last drop of will he had to keep himself from pressing on the attack. The struggle, the rage, the helplessness...They all shined in their immense and deadly power in the dancing flames that were his dark presence. He could not stop, not when his darkness had finally gotten what it so desired.

Then it hit him, the currents of another's dark presence ravaging through him. His body could feel no pain but his very soul felt the agitation. For a moment Misios thought that it would be over soon, a fool's hope. His mind had been too troubled trying to control itself to defend from the lightning, yet the currents began to join him as he absorbed their energy. The smell of burnt flesh rose in the air, Darlyn's attack made stronger by the Seekers own power as it entangled itself onto the lightning. The wounds were something the Sith Lord would welcome if only to embrace the shadows that he wanted to bar himself from. Corruption, when so deep, was not unlike an addiction. And he had given in.

A rabid mind that was well beyond his capacity for restraint returned to the battle at hand, that brief moment of self restraint crumbling once again. His arm shot out towards Caltin Vanagor, this time the shockwave created was not a generalized force born out of uncontrolled desperation but a directed, crushing, and precise push again the massive human made in an attempt to gain space and have the hulking human crash against the one who had shocked him, Darlyn Excron.

He would deal with the one who had turned his blades on him first. Eyes that shone with deadly intent would meet Vulpesen from the shadows of his hooded and obscured face. He did not return his kindness, for the Seekers first move would be one meant to kill. A slash aimed at his lower abdomen came from his off hand, lightsaber still held backwards, while the saber on his main hand flew downwards towards his chest. The Force granted the beast of a man a speed that seemed uncanny.

This time, he would not let himself be hindered by the workings of some elderly Chagrian. The Jedi had shown quite the skill for telekinesis, he would not let him keep the focus needed to exert his influence again. Eyes still locked on the Zorren, the Sith reached out through the Force until he located the scorching brightness of the Jedi Master who had first approached him. The shadows would press upon the mind of the elder with might, seeking to breach into his thoughts and replace his calmness with pain. The Force kept on rolling off of him in waves, moving him forward despite a disadvantage that was insurmountable.

The question was, how long would his rage fuel him?

How long until he finally broke?

 

[Vulpesen]

His saber bouncing off the shadow, Vulpesen simply continued into a roll to his feet as he passed, swiveling around quickly to reface his opponent. Thankfully, he turned just in time to see a crimson saber arcing towards his side. "Nope!" Raising is saber up, Vulpesen caught the weapon on the hilt of his own saber, the phrik alloy safely deflecting the attack. Still, seeing another weapon descending towards him, the Valde separated the hilt of his saberstaff, igniting the other end to catch the second sith blade. Too close. The swiftness of Misios' attack was a tad disconcerting, but he wasn't the only one who relied on agility to survive an aggressive encounter. Even now, Vulpesen had let the force fill him, adding to his own strength and speed.

Defended from the strikes, the Valde watched as lightning crawled over the Darths body, adding a color of pain to his presence within the force. It was a source of darkness added to his already corrupted self. 'Here we go!' Keeping each weapon in a bind as best as he could, Vulpesen launched forward. While both hands were currently occupied with keeping him from being diced to bits, his head was quite free to have a concussive rendezvous with the sith's skull. "Why have you come!?" Now close by virtue of his attack, and hopefully sporting little beyond a slight headache, the wilder worked on his next gambit, infusing his voice with the force and giving it a clarity and presence that he hoped would let it cut past the dark sider's mental fog and allow him the chance to remember his purpose.

Zeren Eloi Graix Aayla Shan Audren Sykes Darlyn Excron Nico Kaidshau Caltin Vanagor

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Wearing: Suit
Equipment: Samhain, Whiskey flask
Tags: Zeren :|: Eloi Graix :|: Caltin Vanagor :|: Aayla Shan :|: Audren Sykes :|: Nico Kaidshau :|: Vulpesen

​

Well then, that didn't seem to work. The Lightning was just absorbed into the Darth's rage it seemed, probably hurting him but not able to do anything to jolt him to reality or stop him. In fact, he just continued moving, fast and hard, and fighting back at them. It was like he was nothing but anger, hatred, rage. There was something familiar to it, though Darlyn's thoughts couldn't focus on it just yet as the Darth used the Force to try and push Caltin back into him. So, first thing first, he had to dive out of the way in the event that Caltin was indeed swept off his feet... regardless of if that actually happened or not.

When he was safe from that potential threat, he focused on the Darth, still in combat with the saberstaff wielding Jedi.

The Dark was filling the Sith, fueling him. There were a number of similar techniques, he realized, including one that he was quite familiar with. Body. But this wasn't just making himself tougher to fight and harm, no, this was something different. Yes, yes this had to be Rage. And if it was exactly what he thought it was, then Darlyn knew what he could do to calm the Sith. He wouldn't stop until his rage subsided, and he wouldn't be able to sustain it long, especially if something big hit him.

Besides, Darlyn was getting real tired of having to resist all out violence.

He decided to give the Darth the good ol' one two. This time, the only thing he held back from was lethal force, but otherwise would be giving him the full force of his ability. Outstretching his left hand, he sent a powerful, kinetic stream of violet lightning, intending to slam it into his side and either send him flying, or put just a little space in between him and the Jedi right next to him. Regardless of outcome, the next bit would come all the same, as he formed his right hand into a fist, enveloped in flames. He cut the stream of lightning, and threw a punch at the distant Sith with the fire-covered hand. The fire formed and shot out at the sith, with it's intent to burn out the man's endurance and force Rage to end early.

"Go the FETH to sleep!"

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Silver Rest
Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)
Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes
Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"
Tag: Zeren Eloi Graix Aayla Shan Audren Sykes Darlyn Excron Vulpesen

Really?

Somehow, in some way, the Sith managed to not only block his strike to the lats but countered with a Force Push, and trying something else? Who knows, maybe he set Caltin up for that move? Maybe not, no time to dwell on it now as he was hurtling backward. Thankfully both Vulpesen and Darlyn managed to dodge him, and Caltin rolled backward once he hit the ground, he had years upon years of experience as well. Misios' attention was elsewhere, this was a good thing as Caltin got up and was not in the mood for this to go much further. The Temple Guard was prepared to move in and Caltin waved them off, they would be needed soon enough and needed to protect the suddenly gathering Padawans.

This ends now.

The look of anger in his eyes was a facade, Caltin was simply out to end this with the least amount of violence as possible. Oh, he could fight if it boiled down to it, he could fight to the end of days and had the skill to do so, but the Sith was outnumbered, and no matter how much he may try to be otherwise, he was not a threat. So there was no point to any of it. Standing erect and powerwalking back to his original position, Caltin reached out with his hand and through the Force. His target was the Dark Lord. His method of use in the Force was to immobilize, to put the man would-be killer into Force Stasis. If anything it would help Darlyn in his attempts.

You're done. Stop this madness now.

If his move was effective, great! If the Sith was able to either break the hold or somehow get out of it, the next move by the Massive Jedi Master would be an unfortunate escalation.

I can make it worse if I have to.

He was proficient in Force Crush as well, and darn good at it.

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

 

[Audren Sykes]

The fight was continuing in earnest. Somehow the Sith had evaded Caltin's attack and retaliated with a strike of his own. A muttered phrase unleashed the darkness and deflected the newest combatant's strikes without even a motion of his own blades, just in time for the lightning to strike true. Flesh crisped and burned yet it did nothing to stop the rampage...it unfortunately seemed to fuel it. Now the Sith retaliated more powerfully: a telekinetic Force-based attack was directed at Caltin, a telepathic one at Eloi, and multiple lightsaber strikes aimed at Vulpesen. Simultaneous physical and Force-based attacks against multiple active targets was no small feat and underscored the strength and skill of their opponent.

The attacks carried partial successes. The physical were blocked as a saberstaff was split into twin blades. 'Good cop' dove out of the way of the suddenly-flying Caltin, who fortunately was able to tuck and roll his landing and come back on his feet. The big Master was clearly over this encounter and the others weren't all too pleased with it either. Force-based assaults - some minor, some more intensive - were attempted by all parties.

Enough of this.

Audren was still of the opinion that there were enough fighters in the immediate area. Instead of rushing forward to join the physical fight, he proceeded to use the wellspring of Force power he'd been gathering since active hostilities erupted. His free hand came up with palm facing the sky and shaped thoughts shaped an outpouring of energy. This was not telekinesis but rather an expression of pure light-side energy; not a bar of brilliant light directed at the Sith but a slightly-more-than-gentle illumination spread over a larger area and rising from ground-level. The Sephi was at one edge of this area and most of the others fell well within. Light-based powers would find themselves even more potent while the Dark would find itself weakened and maybe even driven away.

After all, darkness was but the absence of light, and now the Light was pervasive.


Known: Zeren Eloi Graix Caltin Vanagor Darlyn Excron Vulpesen
Unseen: Aayla Shan Nico Kaidshau

 

[Eloi Graix]

Misery Never Calls Ahead

Still planted by the top of the steps, kneeling from the dark siders force scream, Eloi maintained control over the floor board which Misios stood on, ensuring that the foundation upon which he fought would remain unstable at best. What he did seemed to work well with Caltin's following attack. It concerned him to see force lightning being used by the Silver Rest but in the end, the elderly Chagrian could see that Darlyn meant no real harm. It was much unlike the other arrival who committed to slashing at the Sith's limbs. Was it desperation? In fights against skilled opponents, taking the most benevolent and merciful route was not always a possibility, regardless of how much they wanted it.

It was surprising to see how well the dark sider fended for himself. Avoiding and blocking attacks until he could finally strike back. First at Caltin, then the newer presence and finally at Eloi himself. The elder's jaw shuddered as the darkness which Misios endeavoured to project fell down upon him. The move was not the most obvious one, for at his advanced age it was rather obvious that physical attacks would have been more likely to succeed. In a way, it was fortunate that the attack was one projected through the force. Centring himself, the Jedi Master did it his utmost to resist the pain which his foe tried to inflict on him, slowly but surely fighting back, even allowing himself to become immobile for the duration, figuring that their mental battle would be a drain on the Sith's stamina.

Eventually, a light spread across the field above the temple, created by Audren whom had stayed back for large parts of the fights. Only then, did Eloi feel that he could completely be liberated from the oppressive presence that their foe had been projecting onto him. Gazing down onto the fight down below once more, he took in what was happening, multiple masters were using the force to bring the man to kneel with the more aggressive one from before going so far as to headbutt the darksider. Assuming that they had the situation under control, the Chagrian stood back up on his feet once more. If the Sith managed to endure the current assault, Eloi would tear loose the floor-plate he had used earlier and whack the Sith with it from afar, hoping that it would knock the wind out of him.

Zeren Caltin Vanagor Darlyn Excron Vulpesen Audren Sykes Aayla Shan Nico Kaidshau

 

[Zeren]

Location: Silver Rest, Kashyyyk.
Tagging: Eloi Graix ~ Darlyn Excron ~ Caltin Vanagor ~ Aayla Shan ~ Audren Sykes ~ Nico Kaidshau ~ Vulpesen

​

A fate that was inevitable was catching up to the Sith Lord. Outnumbered, conflicted, tired. There was nothing but the Darkside for him, the Light had never been anything but something to destroy. He had never known calmness, or clarity; he had never tasted peace. He had become powerful, perhaps even so much so that his physical body could barely handle the years upon years of trauma that had been transformed into intent, into energy that had been shaped into the darkness that made him. Unstoppable power had been the shadow's gift.

But freedom had been a lie.

He could tear the world apart and yet there was no breaking the chains that tied him to the darkness. No removing the weight that pushed him down every second of every day that was not spent feeding the beast that he had become. The Zorren's forehead crashed against his face with a sickening crack, Misios could feel no pain but he did feel the warmth of his own blood trickling down his nose, and then its taste as it reached his lips. It was not the hit itself which caused confusion, far too used to all kinds of physical abuse to be too fazed by the move, but rather the fact that it seemed to pull his attention away from the thirst for carnage even if momentarily. The first hit to actually touch him in his rage fueled rampage.

Then there was a booming voice, and the Sith could feel how something caged and tortured deep within him wanted to answer - a distant inner voice that was suffocated by so much darkness. He had to stop, he was done. If only he knew how to. Darlyn's assessment had been correct, this was the power of the darkside in its most pure form - unbridled and uncontrolled. The fires of rage were the only reason why the Sith had stood a chance against such terrible odds, a short-lived one that was doomed to fail.

The pain was not physical, but it was still agony. He was being burnt by flames of his own making that could not be put out. This time the Sith Lord could feel the lightning coming his way, the need to extend his hand and absorb it growing imperative, but it would have been a great feat to achieve when both of his sabers were locked against the Jedi's own. It became simply impossible when that small pull grew stronger, bidding him to stop resisting. The currents of lightning hit him straight on once again, and another powerful roar was ripped from the dark beast's throat as his rage flared once again. Burning too bright, too fast. Then there was fire, and the cloth of his robes did little to ward off the heat from reaching already scarred skin.

Misios could feel the power of his ire dwindle, and grow stronger all over again as the thought of falling defeated brought all of his worst emotions out into the battlefield. The Darkside would punish his body, perhaps beyond repair, but he could not bring himself to stop. He could feel a single tear roll down his cheek, it would not reach any of their eyes for his face was still obscured. Frustration, helplessness, wrath. He did not want to fight, and yet it felt like turning his sabers against the Jedi was a matter of life or death. Violence was the only defense he knew. Cruelty the only kindness he had ever spared to himself or others. Just when he was ready to explode all over again, in one last and short blast, that tiredness he knew so well took him over. Limbs felt heavy, breathing had become a taxing task - and he turned all of his attention towards fighting this influence, charred and bleeding skin be damned.

But then there was light. Now there was not only seared flesh but his presence would feel its burning pressure too. It made the shadows coil and reel, and the Sith Lord knew that there was no avoiding what would come next. It was over. Just as they had expanded and put everything and everyone near him under their scourge, the waves of darkness came crashing back towards him. Expended and tearing their way back into the husk of a man that was their host.

His eyes lost focus, a tremble settling on his limbs before his hands gave out, letting go of the saber hilts before the lumbering form of the Sith Lord came crashing down onto his knees. He could feel his grip on his consciousness slipping, the shadows luring him back into that perpetual slumber he fell in whenever they grew too quiet to keep him on his feet, like a tired monster crawling back to his lair. Something within him broke, as that darkness was forced to retreat that dwindling light within him grew stronger, washing away the rage until only the pieces of what laid within remained, the conflict within him revealed to the Jedi around him in all its truth as the last of his defenses fell. He was lost in a darkness that had grown too deep - much too deep. And just as the world started to become nothing but an echo in the back of his skull and his eyes began to close, two words that had never left his mouth before broke the silence.

"Help me."

...Then it all went dark.​

 

[Eloi Graix]

Misery Never Calls Ahead

The orchestra of attacks which the Jedi arranged for seemed to take effect as they slowly but surely chipped away at the constitution and stamina of the uninvited guest. Much to his satisfaction, Eloi's own attack never even had the chance to materialise before the Sith seemed to trend towards yielding. Still, Eloi did not rush to take the victory in advance and waited in top of the stairs, ready to intervene if necessary. But one by one, the attacks seemed to bring the aggressor down.

Upon hearing the defeated words coming from the foes of the dark sider, his gaze fell. The elderly Chagrian felt how there might still be some hope for the person they were dealing with. He had waded deep into darkness, some of it, his own doing, some of it, that of the circumstances in which he lived. But even then, he now reached out for help. With slow and careful steps, Eloi moved down to where they were. "Thank you" he said, looking to the other Jedi nearby, knowing that they did most of the work in pacifying the Sith.

With a deep sigh, he pondered on what to do. Their foe had already seemed to pass out, leaving much agency to the Jedi "Who are we to turn down someone asking for our help?" he mumbled rhetorically whilst looking down at the unconscious body. Seeming to leave the realms of his own mind, Eloi spoke up with more clarity and continued as if he had been speaking to the others all along "At the same time, his presence might bring discomfort to the younglings and so many others. Is it wise to potentially expose them to a long term festering darkness at the Temple that is their home?"

Raising a tired arm to point to a pathway leading up into the thick forest, he spoke once more "Maybe it is for the best that we keep him by our facilities in the eastern reaches until we have had some time to help him heal." he said and only added a final sentence after a few moments of silence "Regardless of where, we should move him now. When he wakes, he should be in a safer place than the field of his last battle."

Zeren Darlyn Excron Caltin Vanagor Vulpesen Audren Sykes Nico Kaidshau Aayla Shan