Pyramid of Light

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

She looked at the surprise of her padawan and interest. "Creating air and fire requires movement at first, there is the build up of power until you are able to create it with the force." She moved her hand going over some of the things spinning it to make a small swirling flame. "Creating the fire is about using the force to excite the air and focusing on it. Cause it to vibrate and spark to create the friction needed." She was watching Sorel and started to move a little with some of her attention to the area around them. "As your skill with the force and knowledge expands we will be able to find ways to work in more lessons. A jedi's mind should always be expanding, always be learning."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened intently. She surmised that creating air and fire with the Force required more control and greater power than she could currently call upon. But over time she hoped to emulate her Master. “It seems many Jedi abilities require control and mastery at almost a microscopic level. Which I intend to reach one day but for now have to be patient and work within my boundaries — although I never forget to push myself. I’ll never fail from lack of trying, you probably know that. But nor will I shirk from attempting what others might think is beyond me. All I ask is that you push me to make the best Jedi I can be. OK?”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

"That I shall gladly do." Sorel had demonstrated well more then most she had taught she... had drive to learn which meant you could teach her a whole lot and she had some experience in her past with danger. it allowed her to look at things and step back if she needed to as opposed to some others she knew who just jumped at it. Then Matsu had taken her to a place full of temptation but Sorel chose the path of knowing things and understanding better how you did them. Matsu was almost being and breaking that exterior of being proud. That one class with all of the jedi hearing and asking questions of another master had shown her intelligence to the order, her own work several times had shown her skill and now well Matsu didn't know about others but she saw the girls drive.

Now she was reinvigorated in the pursuit and heading thought eh desert was easier as she showed a few things but also observed. Sorel had a keen mind and understanding of the situation with most force powers. She didn't just need learn it and be done with it. She learned something, thought about how to do it and thenn did what many forget about it. Practice over and over while working on understanding the technique and how it is done. Gave an easier time using it and wouldn't tire your body out using the force in different ways. "Up ahead." She said it as the sight of the river came, a coolness to the breeze coming off of it and a gleam og different shades of blue coming off the surface. She could smell the air and touched the water with her fingers tasting it a little.

"It is fresh water at least but no idea what might be in there swimming around."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was delighted to have learned a new and potentially very useful ability. Her Master was full of surprises. And they were always of the pleasant kind. She followed her as they progressed further from their starting point until they reached water. Her Master tested it and confirmed it was freshwater.

“It’s odd that we haven’t seen any creatures as yet. There must be a food chain — and although there must be predators in the water, I’m surprised we haven’t seen any on dry land — looking to assert themselves over us — the newcomers.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

She had to agree, it was strange there seemed to be no signs of life even out here in the desert, the feeling of the force was strange on the world as she spoke. "It is and I have been reaching out to search to try and feel them but there is something strange on this world. The force is very.... odd." She didn't know how to describe it, the force didn't feel evil and cold like on world bathed i the darkside but it didn't feel like the lightside either. She was walking though and looking over some of the parts of it as the water felt cool and inviting same for most of the things while she was walking. "It feels almost the opposite of a world like Tython, where the force is strong and full of life. Here it feels very calming, almost like you could just relax and all of your problems would melt away." She hoped she was explaining it correctly and looking at her padawan while they walked she could see the structures scattered in the distance by the crystals reflecting in the sun. Some of the trees almost stretching to provide shade as they walked and she could see more in the water itself as the river seemed to open up into a larger lake with rivers going off towards thick black walls. "Hmm there is an island and a city, could maybe be a private retreat who knows."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened to her Master and reflected on what she’d said. She’d visited places that a light-sided nexus and also places that were strong in the dark-side.

And her Master was right. Even to a Padawan, this place felt different. As she connected to the Force, it was neither stronger nor weaker a feeling than she was used to — but it was different. “Have you ever visited a place like this, Master? Is it unique?” she asked.

And she followed her Master as she pointed out the city and the island. “Definitely worth a visit, yes?” Exploring was fun but finding something was more interesting and a dwelling like this looked like it had a lot of potential.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

"Yes and no." It was hard to explain, the feeling in the force here on the world was unique. Usually on worlds the force felt like something, made you feel something but here it was calm just not the normal calm jedi's sought. The kind that made you not want to worry about things or think to much. "It is like a blanket more then anything." She was unsure if her explaination would work or be understood but she could settle with it for now while walking around the lake turning some of the attention around to the island. It did look like there were things there to at least see as she stayed by the water. "It is very still and calm, did you bring the small rebreather in your belt?" Matsu slid hers out of the equipment pack and the blue fields for pulling oxygen from the water were a nice ddition to the equipment. Functioning more like an orgnic lung then with an air supply just in case. "We don't know what might be in the water so swim carefully and water where you are going... also until we can analyze it I can't safely recommend drinking it."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel wrinkled her nose, “I think I understand. And I suspect it will mean more tomorrow than it does today. Such is the way of lessons.”

Then she nodded, pulling the re-breather from her belt, which was always fully stocked. “Always prepared Master.” She popped it over her nose and mouth and prepared to follow her Master into the water. ‘Ready when you are,’ she shared telepathically, ‘This reminds me of our first lesson. Do you remember?”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Yes it did, breath control was an overlooked skill and the grotto on Vaynai had been an interesting place. "Yes it does." Oh how time could fly as Matsu went into the water feeling around with the force and opening her eyes. it was clear, clearer then she had expected it would be with rock over sand making the water more clear to see through. The jedi master moved through it making small movements to propel herself over large movements that might alert predators. The bottom she could see and touching the stone as it was heavier and lined with crystals. The few small pieces she picked up to check while heading towards the island as it had the remains of a dock with banners protruding from broken parts of the wood. Matsu swam by it and the fabric was coming apart as she touched it until she looked down and swam a little more. The bottom of the island had a cave that started but went in with crystals protruding from below looking almost like a reef they could go through. Matsu led the way and came up inside the cave looking over most of the sections. Small ladders and a platform inside while she had a hand brushing off the metal platform.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel mimicked her Master and kept her movements to a minimum, helping to keep the water clear and not alerting predators to their presence.

She saw the crystals lining the bottom of the river and pocketed a couple for examination later. But she did not delay their progress so they headed to the island and the dock. But instead they headed into a cave under the island and they carefully cleared a reef. But it was clear the cave was an access point for the building as they came across ladders and a platform.

“That was a surprise Master,” she said, “I wasn’t expecting that and clearly this was a known way to access the island. The question is why.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu was thinking about it with a nod of her head over some of it. "If there was an attack or an enemy coming to the island. I imagine a way to get down into the water and swim out under the night to sneak into it might be helpful." She was guessing with it really but held up some of the crystal. "Though this right here is something that could be interesting. Without a lab all I can say it it looks like a saber crystal or could be made into one." She said it with a nod though putting it into her pack along with the rebreathed as she stood up brushing any dirt or sand off that was clinging to her robes. "We'll just have to see what we can learn about the world though and maybe this was just a way for them to have private swims away from prying eyes." matsu was moving to go and work getting up the ladder as the top opened to reveal the remains of a building with the overgrown trees covering the windows and walls.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel continued to listen — she was a devout learner who know that she gained no knowledge when she was speaking herself. Listening to the words of others, that brought wisdom to her mind.

So whereas she saw the hidden spot as an entrance, her Master considered it might have been an exit. It brought a smile to her lips that she hadn’t seen it that way — and it reminded her how much she had to learn.

“So, possibly a place for skinny dipping.” The smile remained on her face as she spoke. And she was keen to find out about the crystals too, given she’d pocketed some. And then she followed her Master up the ladder and into the building. It was seriously overgrown with vegetation but looked otherwise structurally intact. “Hopefully, this building’s secrets are about to be revealed.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

There was also a possibility as the jedi master came up into the building and it looked very extravagant. Lots of gold and silver as she touched it in some of the places with a nod of her head. "That might also be a possibility. Sneaking away for something to do late night away from prying eyes." She stood up and ready for any of the things moving plants and furniture aside so they could look over it. She wanted to try and get some ideas while coming out and there were more things. A telescope in an open area constructed into the grounds. The remains of a fountain while she touched some of its stone work. "This does looka lot more expensive and regal. THis is aurodium along the inside and in the designs. Whoever was at this place had it made to last."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel noticed the ostentation. Gold and silver was a mark of status for many, although it meant nothing to the young Jedi. She had no money, she had no need for money and she was not attracted to things that money bought. She was a Jedi and stood by the things that the Code taught. Not because she followed it slavishly but because she believed in both the letter of the Code and the spirit of it.

Sorel traced her fingers along some of the things on display. “Certainly there is a lot of money here, and a need for privacy. Royalty? A wealthy merchant? Perhaps we’ll find some clues as we explore further.”

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

"Perhaps." She was looking at it and signs of wealth meant they had advanced somewhat so she could work over most of the things. looking up to the other places above the mountain while it looked like high city walls with the dark colored stone. "If they were rich it doesn't seem to have helped them survive maybe. Everything on this world is like walking on Lehon. You can see the remains of a civilization, the height of their influence and expansion of their power and yet... Silence. The necropolis has much the same effect if you have ever seen it in the prime." Matsu seemed surprised, thinking about it as she stood there and squinted for a moment before smiling with a thought. "That might just work." She looked up holding a hand out to Sorel. "What have you ever read about the time streaming technique?"

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded at her Master’s words. “They say death comes to everyone and money can’t buy immortality — at least not in a traditional way. The best you can hope for is to leave a legacy.” She gestured around them with outstretched arms. “For all of their wealth, they achieved what? No obvious records of who they were, so not precisely a legacy to be proud of.”

“I’m not saying they were bad people, but in truth I simply don’t understand people who live like this. Think of all the good the money could have been spent on rather than building this…monument to their wealth.” She shook her head forlornly. “But I accept it takes all people to make a galaxy.”

And she shook her head at her Master’s final two questions. “No, I have never seen it and my knowledge on time streaming is at best…basic. But I get the feeling it’s about to get better. A whole lot better and soon.” She had a wide grin now plastered across her face.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

A good assumption as the jedi master stood there for a moment, the monument to their wealth would be something to see as Matsu motioned to grab hold of Sorel before flying upwards towards the walls. Her eyes flicking around here and there rapidly until she stood on the large wall of the city overlooking the lake and the desert. She could see the city while waiting there for a moment. "This is not something I would recommend lightly but I learned it from the Aing-Tii and worked to understand it with grandmaster Raaf." It helped that she had items that could channel the force and make the strain of drawing on it far less as the jedi master knelt down finding a comfortable position. "Sit and relax, quiet your mind of all thoughts and whatever you might see, do not react, it is very hard to maintain an anchor otherwise we could be lost." She said it but with Corvus they had observed some of the great masters within the jedi teaching lessons so that they might really learn of the force and techniques." Matsu started to focus the energies as she projected for them a small bubble of force energy just large enough to stand in with both of them there. The bubble changing from purple to a golden aura as she was focusing the force as she and Corvus had been taught.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was standing one moment and quite literally flying through the air the next. A few moments later she was standing on top of the walls of the city, with a bird’s eye view of the lake, the desert and the city too. But then she had long learned to go with whatever her Master suggested and embrace the experience. And she’d heard of the former Grand Master of the Order and felt somewhat exalted to be shown the same opportunity.

So she sat down in a cross-legged position and pulled the Force to her, emptying her mind of all thoughts and emotions. She was becoming ever more competent at meditation and so soon was in a relaxed and open state. She was aware of a surge of energy around her but remained calm and was aware the energy had taken the form of a giant bubble — initially a purple colour but soon it was golden and it surrounded them both.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Matsu focused ont he force of the bubble, smoothing the surface of it to make it almost perfect as her energy was moving to contain the force energies from spilling out. To make them small and compacted almost until she was ready and surging the power to pierce the world around them. Calming herself on this world was a little easier and the necklace with the heart of the universe glowed brightly next to her sigil as around them seemed to shift and change. Corvus had described the sight as something of a jarring moment. Watching the world age in reverse at speeds few could really focus on. They had done it in the temples to find history lessons, here the plants pulled back, the sands retreating and the structures that had fallen over returning to normal once again. Continuing to back track to see the first stirrings of people and creatures, of life when fires appeared showing many humanoids milling about taking care of others. Feeding them fruits from larger flowers and plants. Matsu gasped feeling her breathing a little heavier but she remained there looking out as the bubble shimmered and her focus came. The people just seemed to be wasting away but they ate the fruits still around.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel observed as the bubble became a perfect sphere and felt the energy of the Force contained within it. It reminded her of a Force Barrier but significantly more sophisticated. And then there was an odd feeling, nit necessarily bad, just strange.

And then she realised why as the world around them changed. No, not so much change as go backwards in time. Was it the world changing or were they travelling through time? Sorel did not know and was too fascinated by what was going on to focus too much on the mechanics or science of it. It was breathtaking to effectively go backwards in time. She didn’t know if they were in truth, or if it was merely an illusion — but the effect was the same. it was like watching a holovid on fast reverse, but this was real, this was the story of the planet unfolding in front of her very eyes — and her Master was responsible for it.

She had hundreds of questions but held them back — not wishing to disturb her Master’s concentration.

[member="Matsu Ike"]