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Nefertari stepped off of the ship. "It's like that time when I was a child and went outside without a coat..." In short, it was cold, the crystals around Nefertari's neck weren't helping either.
When [member="Kiren sepherus"] asked her if she had been to Ilum before, she answered him "This is my first time here as well. Though the crystals are supposed to be really good. Don't think about the cold, young one. Just think, with this and some more training, you will be ready to face the trials."
Walking through the snow, Nef could feel the Force strongly. Surely there were crystals waiting for everybody there. Along the way, Nef noticed [member="Jack Rand"] "Will you be joining us?"
Jack watched Sam run off and he was still considering whether he should go into the caves or not, he pulled out his watch but it was being a bit buggy due to the cold of Ilum. It was then that someone else came up behind him, a familiar voice that he had met earlier that day. "Ah, I'm not too sure yet. I was just talking about this with another knight. I'm not sure how one of my kind would do in one of those caves. Then again, nothing happens to those who don't try stuff." Jack was having to face a hard decision of going into the caves or not and he scratched his chin while thinking.
"Please do, you will have two Jedi to protect you. Who knows? You might just come out of the cave with a neat souvenir."
Nefertari moved along to keep from freezing in place. If [member="Jack Rand"] decided to join Nef and [member="Kiren sepherus"], he would fall in with them.
Jack gave out a short chuckle when she mentioned a souvenir. "Not much more that I can get out of it, maybe a broken leg if I'm lucky. Plus I think I already have a travel buddy, but I appreciate the offer." Jack gave the girl a smile out of the corner of his mouth, he did appreciate her offer but he was still conflicted about going in.
Aaralyn trudged through the snow, no doubt being followed by the group of Jedi Padawans, Knights and [member="Sophia Walsh"], the only other Master besides herself. She wouldn’t lie, it was a damned cold and windy journey, the wind blew against her coat, threatening every ounce of warmth that she clung to within the heavy clothes. Her boots kicked off soft white powder, and compressed it as she made her way towards a huge ice-cliff just a few hundred meters ahead. Of course, it would feel like hours compared to the minutes it would take for them to walk it. The same grey, oblique surroundings blending in together – as long as they maintained contact with the marker – they would be fine.
For Aaralyn, it was a sense within the Force and having been here a few times before had helped of course. She could barely sense the caves beyond the cliff of ice, concealed behind the Jedi Temple here on Ilum. It beckoned to her, and would speak softly to those who would listen. It would be calling for them, should they choose to listen – but first they must pass the first test.
The minutes would pass, and the trudging would continue, until Aaralyn’s foot impacted stone. She would slowly kneel down, black gloved hands brushing away fresh powder to reveal ancient markings from thousands of years before her time – markings of the Jedi Order. Although her nod would be concealed, she would rise and make her way to the front edge of the circular stone setting, turning to face the group of Jedi following behind her.
The stone was approximately ten meters in diameter, various shapes and markings which resembled the Jedi Order of old were engraved in its snowy white and grey surface. It appeared to be a dead end, with nowhere to go but back to the ship. A large cliff-face made of jagged ice blocked the path, perhaps 50 meters in height and stretched for kilometers in either direction. Aaralyn looked to the stone and then to the cliff, gesturing. She spoke into the wind, yelling as loud as she could to those assembled.
“To enter the Temple, a group must be focused – it is not a simple task of one but of many.” She turned back to them, gesturing to the entire group.“Focus on the Force, feel the life around you – look to the cliff face and see how to open the gates to the Jedi Temple.”
As [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] had told her too she focused on feeling the force flow through her, mentally thinking on the movements of the force with her fellow padawans. Her thoughts went otherwise blank save the focusing on the task at hand.
Nefertari focused the Force. As it flowed through her body, her looks...changed. Her expression lightened, the look of age seemingly disappeared. The reason for this was Nefertari's mind; it was at complete peace for the first time in years.
One word escaped Nef's lips"いくぞ"
There in the gray dark wind, Sam stood before the wall. Rekali began the ceremony and Jhovna stretched forth her hand to awaken the door. Warm and toasty inside her Katan, she closed her eyes and knocked. To the door she cried out into the Force. Make the way revealed.
Smiling upon hearing [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]’s answer, Sabena told her, “If you ever need a pilot, I’d be happy to volunteer.”
A bow met the Jedi Councilor farewell as she left Sabena to attend to other duties. Sabena took a seat where Aaralyn had motioned. People were busy socializing around her. Yet, her eyes were heavy and the flight to Illum would be long. She slowly closed her eyes - falling asleep and taking a long nap until the Jedi’s destination.
Surface of Ilum
Looking out to the cold abyss, Sabena could hardly see beyond a couple hundred meters. Frost developed on the viewports of the shuttle and the wind picked up a ton of snow. She had awoken just a bit earlier and managed to put the winter wear she brought over the clothes she had when the group departed. She sported heavy clothing, a cap, and goggles.
Exiting the shuttle, Sabena took the duffle bag that she brought with her. In it would be a few supplies that might be critical to the mission. Her boots created a crunch with each step in the snow. As she and the group approached the tremendously large stone, Sabena looked upon it with awe. She listened to Aaralyn’s first words on the surface of Ilum - just barely making them out through the wailing of the wind.
With the group, Sabena outstretched her hand toward the cliff and focused with the Force. She seemed to be gifted in it - the Force flowing through her at her will. The influence of Sabena, [member="Sam Jhovna"], [member="Nefertari Sovint"], and [member="Catherine Soja"] began to make the cliff wall before them shift.
If the rest of the group aided them, then the temple would surely be opened with ease.
Kosuke approached the barren wall, believing briefly that that it was a dead-end to their travels. As Rekali enlightened him on the situation, he was quick to focus. Not only would he be focusing on maintaining his body temperature to avoid hypothermia, he needed to aid in opening the way. He focused on the internal Force that flowed through him, directing it through his body as he began a series of meditative and systematic movements. It was a fluid motion, and appeared natural albeit there was strength in the movements. He began to focus on the internal, and then the external, the energy that flowed around him, and he soon began to flow this energy in unison with the others.
Layna closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, centering herself. She reached out through the Force and felt the others do the same. In her mind's eyes, she saw the gate on the cliff. It would open, the youth knew, just as she saw it opening.
Together could the Padawans open even the largest gate. Together they could move mountains and see every star. Nothing was impossible through the Force if they stood together! She felt the serene joy embrace her as she closed her eyes.
Trudging through the snow after Master Rekali and several of her brothers and sisters, Elizie silently followed, her eyes gazing into the distance, observing the intimidating wall of ice that marked the end of their journey. It appeared as the end of the world, so tall one might think they were going the wrong way as they’d have to climb the cliff to reach whatever resided on the top of it. At least Elizie though it to be like that when she visited for the first time; now she knew of the Temple that lied beneath the blocks of ice, the grand structure that provided crystals and tested Jedi for so long… The white-haired girl’s heart felt a leap of joy when she thought of the history this place had to remember.
Standing beside other Jedi, she closed her eyes and connected to the Force – was this the moment when the planet read their thoughts and memories to turn those into individual tests? – and reached out, her consciousness passing the barrier that was her physical shell and gently touching everyone present, feeling everyone’s signature before directing her focus towards the wall of ice, imagining how it cracked and opened in a rift that revealed the entrance to the Temple.
Although the temperature was freezing, the young Adasca felt strangely warm with the Light Side of the Force flowing through her veins, warm enough to almost believe she stood on the surface of a planet with normal climate and not on a frozen mass of ice. The training to become a Jedi Consular started to pay off, as the pleasant sensation of warmth that spread through her entire form was not enough to break her concentration she needed to maintain in order to help her brothers and sisters unlock the Temple.
Rael followed the group through the snow, his boots crunching on the ground. He was glad they would be going in together. His biggest fear was getting lost and never getting out. He did have a horrible sense of direction. Either way, when they go to where the gate to the temple was supposed to be, he closed his eyes along with everyone else. The Kaleesh calmed his breathing, bringing himself into a meditative state. One he seemed to be experiencing almost every day since joining the Jedi Order. He tapped into the Force, connecting to it. He reached out to his fellow Jedi, giving his energy and strength to theirs. Together, he knew they could do it.
Kiren closed his eyes and began to meditate, his breathing slowed and he felt a serine sense of peace as he reached out with the force and connected it with his fellow jedi.
(Short post, sorry have things to do at the moment.)
The cliff would indeed shift...violently at that. With the joint efforts of the Padawans and their concentration of the Force into the single area, the opening to the Jedi Temple would become known. A cascade of ice would break away from the sculpted gates, crashing before them with a thunderous boom that rippled through the ground. Once the crystalline ice-dust settled, a majestic entrance would appear before them, a small opening that led to the Temple grounds before the caves and from there - the true journey would begin.
Jedi Temple, Crystal Caves - Ilum
Aaralyn would smile with satisfaction, they were understanding what is was meant to focus on the Force and even work together as a unit. She would lead them inside, and few meters beyond the entrance they would come upon a massive room - filled with four statues displaying different forms of Lightsaber combat. In the center of the room was a meditation circle, to which Aaralyn would move herself to before motioning the group forward, towards the actual entrance of the caves.
The entrance of the caves were once iced over, cleared by the sun through a focusing crystal in the ceiling above - but years of war and darkness changed all that. Now, a durasteel frame kept the ice from encasing the intricate decorated entrance. Aaralyn would seat herself upon the meditation circle, adjusting the pad beneath herself before crossing her legs underneath one and another. Her hands would come to rest upon her knees, as she looked to the entrance of the caves.
"The heart of the lightsaber is what the crystal is - go to the caves and seek out your crystals, understand the journey ahead is for you and you alone." She nodded softly. "It will test you and push you to your limits, but remember, the Force is your ally and the Light is your guide."
Of course, one could not survive without supplies and various utilities at their disposal. Her gaze fell to [member="Jack Rand"], nodding softly. "We have brought with us, a standard Jedi utility belt - it will have everything you need to survive." She turned her gaze back to the group, eyes closing as her tone shifted. "I urge patience when searching for your crystals - and one more thing..." She opened her amethyst eyes to look upon them once more. "When you find your crystal and complete your tasks, do not stay within the caves - there are creatures out there which will kill you or the darkness within the Force will misguide you and lead you to your demise."
She closed her eyes again and smiled. "Good luck, and may the Force be with you."
OOC - Cutting to the chase, alot of wheels turning and people involved in many things. I want people to have a solid oppourtunity to write in this thread at their leisure. I understand the Invasion is coming up but please don't let that interfere with your fun!
The Antechamber was smaller than she had imagined. And yet, the game was now afoot. Supply belts for the Padawans and a pat on the back for luck. Ouch. Talk about being thrown into the deep end without a radio. Sam wasn't so sure about that. However, as she looked around the room and discovered the courage on each of the Padawan's faces. She knew. They'd be alright. They looked up for a challenge.
Sam focused her attention elsewhere. The crystalline focus devices did not appear to be working as per history and the ambient temperature of the interior was low but hospitable. Still? It made her uneasy. Should have brought a campsite.
Just then a small blue flame flashed inside a nearby ice formation. Visible only to Sam herself. That was when she remembered. This whole structure was a Force Temple. There was a massive, no, expansive vessel of Force energies here. Sam could probably sustain herself in a Hibernation Trance almost indefinitely with that much latent power. Oh no. There was indeed no danger here, except what you brought with you. She picked up the ice sliver where the flame had been and looked deeper inside.
Nothing.
"Fascinating. ...Well well. I think our Padawans are in for a treat indeed. Oh my?"
Ayden stepped into the expansive entryway. A dazziling array of ice glistened in the soft glow of the sun, reflecting beauty wherever the refracted light touched. A splinter of luminosity was directed at Ayden Quell's chest, and the vision he had from earlier flashed before his eyes. He staggered forward, as if he were being pulled by an invisible rope. The energy of the caves swept him with their sweet caresses. There was a hidden treasure deep within those subterranean caves, he could feel it.
All these forces acted simultaneously.
They shook him,
They pushed him,
They revitalized him.
Where a bitter cold once reigned free, a maternal touch of warmth and fulfillment now rose. At first the sensation seemed external, like it was coming from the Temple itself, from the gargantuan statues, or from the Jedi around him. But upon closer inspection this was not true. The deep burning sensation found its origin in his chest, where the refracted light now found its destination, and where the vision held its supreme gravity.
Ayden Quell lurched forward past the durasteel frame. The darkness of the cave mouth was like a beast, clamping its jaw shut in the same way the black of space consumes a small, lonesome star. The refracted light disappeared from his chest and the young Padawan became a lost light among shadows.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And rage he did, with the wrath of a thousand Tatooine suns.
Jack was bit surprised when the temple opened, that was a large gate but nothing could stop a group of Jedi. He went into the temple which was a rather small place that the only thing of interest was the opening to the cave and even that looked a bit force. He took a gander around the rest of the room, the place had a tell of beauty long lost probably due to it's lack of attention when the jedi were dead. Now it was a bit of an eyesore of what the old Jedi were, but hell maybe the others saw some unknown beauty in this place. They all appeared to be stricken with awe, but Jack just tapped his foot on the floor bored a bit by everyone just admiring the wall.
But then Jack's gaze lead him to face the mouth of the cave and something turned his stomach. He could feel a presence pulling at his core, trying to pull him into the cave. He put it off as himself being hungry and took a bite of an energy bar that he had brought along and distracted himself, and just like that the feeling was gone.
"So is this where you Jedi get your glowsticks." He took another bite with his eyes wandering the rest of the room. "I thought it would be bigger." Jack chuckled inappropriately to himself, but quickly shut up when a few people shot him a look. He wandered over to the durasteel frame and rubbed his glove hand against it. The thing was freezing, but much less than the rest of the place. Probably the force, maybe his tongue wouldn't stick to it. He got his mind out of the gutter and took off some of his heavier clothing to allow for more breathing room and examined the belt that master Rekali gave him.
Watching with awe, Sabena took in the sight of the cliff parting and revealing the Jedi Temple hidden within it. Her hand slowly lowered as the scene unfolded. This image, being the first that she had seen of it, was burned into her mind and would surely be a memory she would hold dear for life.
Once the magic of the moment began to fade, Sabena looked to those that assisted with revealing the opening: [member="Catherine Soja"], [member="Nefertari Sovint"], [member="Sam Jhovna"], [member="Kosuke Yamauchi"], [member="Layna Akhora"], [member="Elizie Adasca"], [member="Rael sul B'an"], [member="Kiren sepherus"], and others.
Thinking that the group she traveled with was gifted and talented, Sabena smiled and enthusiastically told them, “Nice work, guys!”
Yet, the wailing wind might have muffled her words.
INTO THE TEMPLE
Following [member="Aaralyn Rekali"], Sabena entered the Jedi Temple along with the group. The air was once again still and others would likely no longer hear the wind. A breeze whistled at Sabena’s ear. The massive antechamber soon greeted them along with four statues in different poses. Sabena’s eyes were drawn to one particular statue. The hooded figure held the lightsaber with one hand- the stone blade pointed down at a forty-five degree angle.
The entrance of the caves soon after drew her attention. Sabena listened to Aaralyn describe the objective of the group’s journey. Her eyes had a sparkle of eagerness as the Jedi Councilor continued. Yet, she was taken aback and quickly turned to Aaralyn at the mention of beasts that could kill the group.
Any opinion she had on the possibility of facing beasts within the cave remained known only to Sabena. She sat her duffle bag by a statue and took off her goggles and cap - setting them down with the bag. She opened the bag momentarily just to take out a small satchel that she would loop around her shoulders. She opted not to take the utility belt provided by Aaralyn - instead choosing to use the one she had since before the Battle of Manaan.
Before entering the caves though, Sabena looked to the group - specifically those that had not immediately plunged into the cave, and posed the question of, “Anyone mind if we group up for this? We might be able to find our crystals faster this way.”
A grin slowly appeared on Kiren's face as the temple door opened, It had worked! With there combined effort they had managed make an opening to the Temple.
Kiren slowly made his way inside alongside his fellow jedi, he sighed with relief as he stepped inside the temple, it was warmer but not by much.
He listened to master [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]'s instructions before he slowly made his way towards the durasteel frame leading to the cave, he could feel the force calling to him.
He quietly turned around and gave his master a small nod before heading inside.
