Pillars of Aftermath

[Riven Black]

​

A smog of smoke engulfed every part of the vast city on Coruscant. If only the Galactic Alliance heeded the words of the Sith, the glorious city wouldn't have fell. Like an unnatural plague the Sith continued to spread the flames of war. A war that took lives time and time again. It was the dark truth, no force in the galaxy could stop the tyrannical Emperor Kaine. Still, among the cinders of the war torn world of Coruscant, they stood. Hopeful and filled with a calming vengeance. ​

​

The survivors and medics began to flood the decimated city of Coruscant. Once known as the City of Spires, the buildings fell, and the skyscrapers that gave the city its name crumbled to dust and stone. Still, the hearts of those in anguish and fear refused to give into the demands of the sith. Crying and screaming wouldn't changed what had been done. No, instead like a well oiled machine people began helping one another. Many of the survivors tended to those in real need, the wounded. In the face of absolute defeat, they stood, unwilling to bend to the face of evil. It was beautiful. Differences were tossed aside for those in greater need, despite allegiances in the underworld or racial forbidden rules. None of it mattered, except the actions that were being taken to ease the sight before them all...​

Destruction. ​

​

Riven felt it, the harmony of the wind flowing between the inner workings of the gracious people that began to help. The ruptured ground beneath him, bothered his shin as he stepped down onto a lower platform. It teetered back and forth, before a loud shriek slipped out from the corners of the unruly mechanism that didn't belong. Like second nature, the wind lifted him ever so slightly before the platform descended below with a crushingly loud bang. The metal bolts that held it dangerously before, followed behind it. Something so simple could have been disastrous for the searching parties that began to holler in the distance. Luckily, the courtyard wasn't filled with large amounts of debris and according to what many of the medical officers said, the main problem was further north of the city. ​

​

Slowly, Riven met the ground and made way for the large group up ahead. The smoke forced a cough or two from his lips, but not before he cleared away some of it from his face. The smell of burning iron and chemicals sparked his senses. Hopefully, the chemical scent wasn't hazardous, if so, there would be more at stake than just those trapped under the tons of stone from the devastated buildings. Shifting his attention to a young man in a suit and a helmet he grabbed onto his shoulder and spoke. ​

​

"Hey you, you smell that?"​

​

"Yeah, we got orders from the medical chief to stay clear of the southern side of this district. This is as far as we go. Apparently a large ship crashed North of here, but..." The young man coughed, his voice getting raspy. "Ack. The ship had contents that might be dangerous in high temperatures, I'd advise anyone heading that way to wear a well ventilated gas mask. But if you want to go south, you gotta talk to the big man. I'm sorry I gotta get going, there's a lot of people out there that need us. Stay safe sir!"​

​

The man quickly grabbed his supplies and trudged forward over the stone cinder blocks that filled the roads. Worse than that, glass was everywhere. One wrong slip and it could mean a nasty wound, or worse; death. Cleanup was needed, but finding survivors was an upmost priority. Riven scanned the area as best he could and grinned. The Sith knew what they were doing, all of the wreckage and the buildings would take a long time to recover from. Maybe they would come back, at least that's what Riven thought. Maybe this was just a wound for the world of Coruscant, the real blow would come later, he was sure of it. ​

​

Remembering the officers words, he looked past the commotion of everyone around him and lifted his head to the north. A dark cloud blocked his view from anything magnificently dangerous, until a flickering red hit the dense clouds from above. ​

​

What the?​

​

Riven stopped, his eyes widened as he moved through the crowds of people that were helping. With a tiny snap of his right arm, he separated the smoke into a clear path with a rush of air. An unbelievable sight struck him still. A pillar stretching to the stars flared up in the distance. Tiny flickers of flames rained along the bottom half of where it stuck into the ground. Somehow, the electrical unit on the severed part of a massive star destroyer remained live. The tiny twinkles while gorgeous to see from afar, meant one thing. If the flames below got inside, there would be nothing left. The efforts of everyone would be expunged from history in seconds if the large electrical heaping pillar blew up. Riven couldn't allow it. With haste, he ran. The thrum of his heart matched that of his handy dandy backpack that continued to jingle with every step. ​

​

[member="Seo Linn"]​

 

[Seo Linn]

The Knight was a wanderer and followed the call of the Force. She was as true of a Jedi as one could be. One that was familiar with the aftermath of war and the clean up needed. Something that never seemed to end in the galaxy. There were always wars. A clash of beliefs and ideals, not always dealing with the Force either. Politics and religion, territory...countless reasons. It didn't matter why this happened to Seo, what did matter was giving aid and helping with recovery. To give these people a sense of hope.

She had been in their shoes before on Lorrd. When the Sith had come in and destroyed things and then Lorrd had been violated yet again later. The library there specifically. After that, she had joined the Silver Jedi and become what she was today. A woman without a place to call home, wandering where she was needed.

Seo had not been involved in any of these battles in the Core, but fighting was not what she was best at. Her skills rested in investigation, healing and aiding people. So here she was on Coruscant to do anything she could to help.

Not exactly one to listen to rules applied to the general crews, she was ready to go into the more dangerous and off limits area they weren't allowed. Turning when she heard and sensed a somewhat familiar presence, she smiled slightly. It seemed the Force had brought them together again.

Their first meeting had been on Alderaan after the Sith had attacked there too. Several people had been trapped and they had meticulously gone through and freed them. Any wrong movement would have meant certain death, but they had done it. Now several months later, Seo had more skills and knowledge to use in cased like that and she hoped they could work together again.

Her observation couldn't last long though and she saw Riven take off running. His target was clear in her mind and she took off after him.

"It wouldn't be very good to reach them and be worn out, Riven. Slow down a little and we will make almost as good a time."

It may surprise him, bu​t he should know he wouldn't be going in there alone.

[member="Riven Black"]

 

[Riven Black]

He began to pant, his loose rhythm forcing him to steady his lungs. The smoke would take a toll on him if he continued to press forward like a cheetah in the night. Carelessness wouldn't get Riven anywhere. He knew it to be true. Regardless, he swiftly broke away into the center of a few half torn buildings. Jumping and dashing through the decimated area like a current of air, he landed on the other side. He continued to rush forward. Right as he began to take off, he could feel the pressure of the wind around him. It slithered up and under his casual attire, carrying the scent of a woman. The sudden image of her almost white hair and pale skin blinked into his mind.​

​

The last time they had met was on Alderaan, the occasion similar to that of the unfortunate circumstance they both were in now. It seemed fate refused to let either of them to deal with disaster alone. With a quick pivot off his back, right heel, Riven slowed. The wisdom of a jedi slipping into his ear as another ran next to him. ​

​

"It wouldn't be very good to reach them and be worn out, Riven. Slow down a little and we will make almost as good a time."​

​

He would hate to admit it, but Seo was right. She seemed to have grown in the time they were away. Riven, just the same. His features still matched that of their past meeting, only this time he had full control of his weapons thanks to his gifts in the arts of the Kro Var. It was quite a hassle to learn and even now at his intermittent stages, he had to be careful not to slip up. Pacing himself he heeded the words of his ally and smiled. It was nice to see she still wasn't tainted by the dark events that had unfolded over time. Even better, she hadn't soured to the approach of helping others while in need. It was a difficult thing to maintain, having heart that is, in the face of all things evil. Riven couldn't imagine the burden many Jedi faced. All he knew was that without the evil, their kind wouldn't exist. ​

​

"Long time Seo, I hope the force has treated you well." Riven said, his voice smooth and calm. "It's a ticking time bomb. If the flames..." Riven paused, leaping over a large pile of metal and twine. "Or anything disrupts the inner currents of electricity going through that part of the star destroyer, we're all toast." ​

​

He listened to himself, almost like a shutter of realization struck through his whole body. His eyes stretched further upward as they inched closer and closer to the pillar. He was thinking so objectively, he didn't realize the implications to the other side. If the southern batches of ship parts held chemicals, this one could had to have passengers. ​

​

Will she save Imperials and Sith from this?​

​

It was a cold thought after everything they had been through on Alderaan. But this...this was entirely different. Those that chose to destroy the once great city, could potentially be stuck inside the staggering pillar of lights. Maybe; just maybe, the lights remained on as a message. Riven clenched his teeth in frustration. He had to tell her.​

​

[member="Seo Linn"]​

 

[Seo Linn]

The Knight was used to travelling great distances on foot and in a desert. Traversing this wasn't that much different. Instead of sand that could trip a person up when it moved, she had to contend with concrete and other rubble. Taking it as they travelled along, it wasn't until after she spoke he noticed her. So focused on getting to his objective, he hadn't been paying attention to who was around him.

Luckily for him, Seo wasn't a sith or wanting to hurt him.

"And the same to you."

As they were pacing them​selves side by side, they could converse easily.

"It seems you and I get called to serve the same purpose. The Force guided us to meet again and for that I am glad. That ship has stood this long, I don't think that will be as much of an issue. Those around and under it are another concern."

No matter what Seo had been through in her life, she wouldn't change. She was a Jedi Knight, this was her calling.

[member="Riven Black"]

 

[Riven Black]

Riven continued his pace. The thick smoke that began to change color told him one thing; they were close. The once grey tarnished smoke from the previously toppled buildings faded. Now, a thick cloud of burning black encased them. It was dense, heavier to take in. It was worse for his lungs, too much exposure could lead them both to faint, potentially worse off than those they ran to save. If it wasn't for his affinity in the element air, it would have been a severe concern. Instead, a transparent bubble surrounded the tiny circumference of his head. The circulation it provided worked liked a gas mask, his very own filtration system made out of thin air. In fact, the thinner the air the less likely he was to take in the meaty blotches of burning smoke. Even more impressive, even in motion the tiny invisible motions of the wind kept him protected. Apparently, being part of the Kro Var lineage wasn't too useless. ​

​

That should do the trick. ​

​

The only other change was the shouts that continued to grow louder as they closed in on the bottom of the spire. Riven shifted a glance toward Seo, heard words seemed to be more accurate than his own. The people below had more to worry about than just an explosion. Still, the integral part of the heaping pillar was compromised. Sure, it had been less of a threat over the course of the few hours it sat there. It's what worried Riven more. Less time to save both underneath and in it. He still needed to tell her what he thought was going on. Right when he saw the flickering flames for the first time, he stopped. His hazel eyes searched for the closest person he could help. Even as he did so, screams of agony shattered any chance of easy communication. ​

​

Riven looked back at Seo, his words calmly flowing from his creased lips. The center of his brows slightly scrunched as he said it. ​

​

"The pillar, it has to have survivors. Imperial survivors..." He hesitated, the last part coming down like a heavy hammer. "Maybe even some stranded sith." Riven turned his head, a young woman screaming and waving her hands for help finally came into view. The silhouette of her small frame was a pitch black shadow against the back drop of roaring flames. "Before I get on that thing, we'll save as many as we can down here." The heat almost made him sweat as he stood and watched the stranger cry for help. In seconds, he bolted toward the woman. She tried to speak and as he reached her she fainted. Her body fell limp, the weight of her torso slammed into his arms as he caught her. The only strength she had left, forced her arm outward and pointed toward the fire. Picking her up all the way he carried her to the side of an alleyway clear of the smoke. Letting her down gently, he considered his options. ​

​

There was no way around the crash site. Through the fire was the only way, at least to get to wherever the lady wanted him to go. Using wind could cause worse problems for everyone. It was basic science, the more oxygen the fire was fed the more dangerous it became. So, that was out of the question. He looked to Seo a little ways out of the way and smiled, she could reach them. ​

​

"Seo!" Riven yelled. "The fire, something's behind it!" Riven moved with haste, any source of water would make it easier for both of them. Plus, in his search other survivors could be helped too. He just hoped Seo could get them before he found water. ​

​

[member="Seo Linn"]​

​

 

[Seo Linn]

While Riven was able to keep the smoke away from his face through the use of the Force and the barrier, she did not. Placing a scarf over her nose and mouth, Seo would use that. Having grown up on a desert world, this was what she knew of keeping smoke and sand out of being breathed in.

As they travelled close, both could see just what kind of ship they were heading to. One that belong with the Sith Empire. On board it would have house multitudes of people. Those people, imperial or not were still aboard and in danger. However, there were people close also in that same danger. When he mentioned there would imperial and maybe even sith on board that vessel, Seo nodded.

"Do you think that matters? If by saving them, they might begin to see just what their Emperor is willing to do to win. It might start a chain of thought and lead them to abandon their old lives. We offer them something new."

Of course if they attacked, the they would be forced to fight, but Seo would give them that opportunity to be rescued first. They stopped when they heard a woman crying. He rushed over to her, but the entire message was lost when she fell into his arms. Riven told her there was something on the other side of the fire and again she nodded.

To her this heat was similar to Lorrd and knew how to survive in it. She took off her outer layer and laid it over the woman in his arms.

"I will go."

Turning away, she formed a barrier around her entire body like he had just his head when they had been moving here and used a burst of speed to get through the fire.​ On the other side were houses in various conditions. All ruins now, but some better than others. Yells came from one of them and she headed to there. Trapped inside were two children.

"Move aside."

With a waving motion to go with her words, she indicated she was going to pull an area out near to them so they could get out. She had to let go of her barrier to accomplish her next task, but used the Force to pull a section of the wall away and watched as the boy and girl climbed out​. Because of what she did, a moment later the house finished collapsing, but the kids were safe. Hopefully Riven had found what he needed to put the fire out and these two kids could be reunited with their mother.

[member="Riven Black"]

 

[Riven Black]

Riven slid under a few live wires, sparks spitting like an agitated exposure. It was dangerous to the others, but ignoring it for now would have to do. He scanned the area for anything, or at least something to use in his advantage against the raging fires. A source of water would be the best thing, but finding the right tool to utilize and force enough of it over the spreading flames was key. Scouring every inch of the street, he found the source he needed. ​

​

Water resides in those Water willows....​

​

Riven hadn't considered it till he looked around. Most of the intersecting medians in the roads bolstered a rare breed of tree. Trees that held an abundant amount of water within the confines of it's hollow bark. Utilizing that source could muster enough water to put the flames to rest. There was only one issue, how could he get to the water without having it drain out from the center before reaching the fire. Quickly he tossed his bag forward and slamming it into the ground below he looked for anything that could help. He sighed, the disappointment of having only medical tools and studies from the Kro Var weighed on him. Not to mention the time he had taken to even find a source of water with Seo jumping in to rescue the others. ​

​

He spun around, the screams of others growing louder as they approached him. A small group of survivors slowed as they approached. ​

​

"The..." an old man said, catching his breath. "Fires." ​

"I know I'm trying to find something I can use when I puncture a hole in those tree over there to get it to spray over the fire. Any ideas?" ​

"Actually, yes." the old man said, pausing to look on the ground. "The steel poles, use them to funnel the water out by applying pressure from the other side. My sons will do the rest." ​

"Uh, sir..." Riven was cut off by the old man barking orders as the group of kids fell in line. It was astonishing to see such teamwork in a enviroment that clearly spelt disaster. Still, it just proved hope remained. Riven snatched up his bag and ran to the other side of the pipes that were carefully held. Three men to each large pole, tilted upward towards the fires. ​

​

Here goes nothing...​

​

Like a shutter of compressed particles, a surge of friction scrapped along the extremities of his hands. Invisible to all others a gust of powerful force was released inward, pulverizing a silent hole in the Water Willow. The force cracked the bark at the seam. Riven's hand bent vertically, the flow of powerful air forced the water outward to the other side. A spread of watery mist engulf around them as cheers began to come from afar. Once the tree was depleted, Riven moved on to the next. Only one thing remained on his mind. ​

​

​

[member="Seo Linn"]​

​

 

[Seo Linn]

After pulling aside the wall by the window and the kids were out, Seo would run over to them and check them for any serious injury. Not finding anything that needed tending to at that exact time, she would pick them both up into her arms. Quickly realizing her mistake there, she set the boy down and asked if he could hold onto her neck and she would carry him on her back.

Still holding the girl, she knelt down to allow the boy the chance to climb up and stood up. He wasn't much heavier than the bag she always carried. Finally finding a balance between the two children she turned to look back the way she had come.

The fires were still burning, but there were less of them. Her eyes scanned the are and saw a safe passage through. It would take slightly longer, but it would make sure the children were not burned or harmed any further than what they already were.

Riven had done wonders on the other side of what fire remained was being snuffed out as the trees were drained of their water. She carried the children over to the woman Seo hoped was being tended to.

"The children are safe, Riven."

[member="Riven Black"]