Private The Nature of our Bond

[Valery Noble]

Organic Ship

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

<Then it is you,> One of the Aing-tii communicated to the two Jedi, and as his message resonated in their minds, the tension they felt earlier began to slowly fade away. That desire to destroy these slavers was still there, but no longer as strong and their focus seemed to shift to the two Jedi.

<Those Who Dwell Beyond the Veil have guided you here, > Another chimed in, and Valery raised an eyebrow in response. There were other Force-based cultures that could see the future, but it wasn't often this precise.

"Will you allow them to live if we give our word that they will be put to trial?" She asked to be sure, knowing that this wasn't Alliance space, so they did not have to listen to this request at all. But after a moment of silence, what little tension remained faded away completely as well.

<We shall guide them to your ship, as long as you come with us.>

Valery turned to Kahlil, confused, and gave him a look that asked for his opinion.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

What.

Kahlil blinked slowly before glancing to Valery. Then back to them. At least they weren't trying to kill the slavers, but it didn't.. It was going to be difficult, to say the least, to secure the Slavers on the Bastion. It wasn't a security ship in the slightest. And they also weren't in a spot of space he'd request the Alliance to actually come to. They'd have to ferry them out. Not that the Aing-tii seemed interested in that in the slightest.

"We'd have to escort them out of this space to send them to the Alliance. Will you allow us to do that first, or will you keep them imprisoned and unharmed until we do leave?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Organic Ship

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

<We'll deliver them to your Alliance,> Another spoke up and in the blink of an eye, every slaver on board disappeared. The surge the two Jedi Masters could feel through the Force made it known that they had been moved somehow, but it wasn't something they had likely felt before. The closest thing was how their Dyad allowed them to move through the Galaxy, but it still wasn't quite the same.

<Now, you must come with us.>

Valery glanced at Kahlil, then back to the Aing-Tii. "We were looking for you, so I suppose we will?" she smiled faintly in Kahlil's direction, and unless he were to speak up against it, both Jedi would suddenly feel space itself warp around them. Kahlil would find himself in a rocky world, outside at night with a cold breeze blowing against his skin. One of the Aing-Tii was standing in front of him, but something was missing. Someone was missing.

Valery was no longer with him.

Her presence in the Force was distant, but she wasn't harmed.

<Welcome to our homeworld.>

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"That's not what I-"

And they were gone. He blinked slowly, frowned. They weren't dead, at least. He could feel that much. Which was good, at least. But he wasn't too much a fan of just transporting people like that without even giving the Alliance a heads up.

He let out a sigh, glanced to Valery. Nodded. They were here to speak to the Aing-tii, so why not? Then he was gone. He knew the feeling well enough by now. Some nights it still haunted him. That sensation of moving through the Force, of being by Valery's side. Of being taken away from her.

And now she wasn't there. His jaw set as he turned his gaze to the other figure.

"I do not appreciate being separated like this, just so you're aware."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

<Apologies, but she is safe, I assure you. Your paths will cross again soon,> the Aing-Tii monk said, surprised for some reason that the sudden separation wasn't appreciated at all. It was likely a cultural difference, as this type of space-folding was a very normal and natural thing to him.

The monk then inched closer, and without any warning, its six tendril-like tongues came out to 'lick' their way across his skin. In that instant, Kahlil felt his emotions opening up to the man, while images of a prophecy flashed into his own mind. A duo of warriors from afar, glowing in green and purple.

A bright light was all around them, slowly pushing away the darkness.

When he snapped out of it, he could feel a pulse of extreme awkwardness through the Dyad. Valery had likely gone through the same way of communicating, and felt weird about it, to say the least.

<We wish to test and teach you, as those beyond the veil have instructed us.>

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stood surprisingly still, even under the.. Unusual conversation. Different species certainly had different ways to speak. This was.. Very different. He took a breath once it was over, cleared his throat. Sent a simple thought to Valery that he was fine, and that she was fine, and that it was weird, for sure.

".. Very well. Just, don't separate me from Valery without at least telling us why in the future."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

The Aing-Tii watched Kahlil closely and opened himself to the man through the Force. The bond the prophecy had mentioned was even stronger than he suspected, and he didn't seem to appreciate being separated from his partner. That was something he'd have to keep in mind for later.

<Very well, please follow me.>

The monk turned away and began to guide Kahlil down a small path that brought them around a huge formation of rocks. Right behind it was an almost eerie lake where the water sat completely still. It was so clear that it looked like a perfect mirror, and it felt strong in the Force. Like a Nexus of the Light Side.

<Those beyond the veil have shown us that great darkness awaits you. We wish to bring you clarity.> He turned back to Kahlil and gestured at the lake. <Those who look into this lake will see the things that are most important to them.>

<What do you see?>

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil walked along calmly behind the alien, but he certainly wasn't as calm as he could've been. His focus shifted back to Valery constantly, just to make sure she was still alright, safe. She always would be, but.. It never stopped him from worrying. Especially now, especially after being pulled from her like before. He paused by the lake though, turned his gaze down towards it. What mattered most?

It wasn't hard to tell what it'd be. A soft smile formed as he caught sight of Valery, Vera, the triplets. All there, smiling, happy. And not just them. Others. Rhemti Totriddiam , Capris Halcyon , Jasper Kai'el , just to name a few. The New Jedi Order. All there, all smiling.

"People I want to protect."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

<Family,> the monk said calmly, as he watched Kahlil stare into the lake. There was never one thing that held great importance in one's life, and the same applied to Kahlil. He cared about his fellow Jedi, the people he needed to protect and the Galaxy that needed him. But the most powerful ripples formed at the faces of family - from the Dyad with his wife, to the deep bonds with his children, who he loved unconditionally.

But what if they disappeared?

<To learn what we wish to show you, it is important you stay anchored to the real world, even under intense stress.> The monk knew how he felt about his wife now, and so she suddenly vanished. Her presence in the Force had been distant, but now he no longer felt her at all.

As if she had perished.

<Tap into the flow of this river, and you can see what happened, and even bring her back in this case. Walk along the flow of the Force, and travel into the past.>

 

[Kahlil Noble]

In an instant, she was gone.

Again.

The Force around him suddenly tensed. Grew heavy as his blue eyes shifted to the Aing-tii. Gone, again. To his credit, he stayed calmer this time. Just enough to keep from exploding on the person before her. ".. Fine."

Bring her back. That was the only thing that kept him from reaching out. He took a breath, looked back to the river. Then reached his hand out to tap into it. Pull the Force around him from within it's waters. Trust in it. The Force had never steered him wrong. The people around him, the people who used it, the Priestesses, the Aing-tii, they were just people who could use the Force. Could help, even if they did so in ways he didn't approve of.

But the Force, that he could always trust.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

Valery.

He could see her again, but it was impossible to reach her directly. She sat alone on her knees in a dark room, drained of the Force and all of her energy. She seemed and felt weak - she needed help. She needed his help.

Calmer than before without her, Kahlil's vision gained more and more clarity, as he shifted into the past. Now he could see her with another Monk, moments before he would teleport her to that place of darkness against her will.

But it could be stopped. It could be prevented, as a pathway into the past opened to him.

<Bring her back, and she will find her way to you.>

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He didn't hesitate, didn't wait for the man to speak. The danger he felt around her, Kahlil just reached out and tugged. Pulled on Valery to pull her right back to his side. He wouldn't let them take her away again.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

As Kahlil tapped into the flow of the Force, the ripples in the water froze. The future that had Valery taken away no longer unfolded in front of his eyes, and slowly but surely, the ripples returned to their source. All at once, Valery was back where she was, and an instant later, she appeared by his side. Teleported, but not through their dyad.

She looked a little pale.

"I still need to get used to that..." She muttered. Valery then shivered and quickly turned to her husband to wrap her arms around him just briefly because she had felt what went through him when she was sent away. But she'd be lying if she claimed that it hadn't rubbed her the wrong way either.

<Flow walking into the past takes you somewhere familiar. To a place and time that has already occurred, but your trial is ahead of you,> the Monk said, his eyes shifting between the two Jedi.

<Your role as Guardians will be tested.>

At the mention of Guardians, Valery looked at Kahlil with a worried frown.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He pulled her close, into a tight hug. Not brief, either. A frown stayed on his face as he turned his gaze towards the Aing-Tii. These trials, they were frustrating to say the least. But maybe that was the point? He knew better than most that his family was his weakness. And he needed to learn how to trust the Force more than let his fear and panic take over. He took a breath, gave Valery a smile, then looked back to the Aing-Tii.

"The Wellspring is in danger, isn't it?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

Oh, it was not a brief hug at all, and rather tight too. Valery immediately felt bad for what he just had to live through again, even if only for a brief moment. So she wrapped her arms around him, placed her head against his chest, and showed him the deep affection she felt through their embrace.

Still, she knew why the Aing-Tii had done it. These were trials to keep them grounded while they tapped into potentially dangerous abilities. It just hardly made it easier knowing it was just a test. She hated feeling separated from him.

<Allow me to show you. Look into the lake, and focus not on the source of the ripples, but their final destination.>

Valery reached for Kahlil's hand, gently squeezed it and turned her fiery gaze into the lake. Immediately, there was a bright portal in front of them, with the priestesses standing before it. But right in front of them stood Vera, smiling happily as always.

She waved at her parents.

But the vision abruptly shifted, and all they could see and feel was darkness fighting against their own being in a place that felt awfully familiar. It was a clash of great importance.

"Babe..." Valery snapped out of the vision and sat down, as she felt overwhelmed. "Vera...do you think she is involved somehow? Maybe she'll see a vision too?" That seemed the most logical reason for her to show up. Her visions often guided her parents.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"She's always been better at seeing the future than we do."

Even as little trained as she'd been, she was. Kahlil let out a sigh before glancing from the river towards Valery. Gave a brief smile, tight and nervous.

"No matter what we see, I believe in her. And I believe in us."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Homeworld

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

"She has, but I just..." Valery frowned and tried her best to look strong, but she was clearly struggling with the idea of her little girl being even remotely involved in all of this. Even if it was just another vision, she'd be exposed to seeing something dark and dangerous. The overly protective mother in her just couldn't accept it.

The tight smile he showed made it obvious that it made him uncomfortable too.

"I do too, but I don't like any of it." Valery stepped closer, her body language tight and difficult. She looked like she needed to be held or comforted, but the monk being right there with them stopped her for now, especially when he spoke up again.

<There is one other threat that I wish to show you. If you allow us to take you there. This time, together,> the monk said, his eyes turning to Kahlil so he was certain about it.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Whatever was going to happen, they'd face it together. And they'd protect Vera. Of that he was certain. His gaze drifted back to the Aing-Tii, his expression frowning all over again before he let Valery go. Gave a simple nod.

"Good. .. We're ready."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Aing-Tii Ship

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: The Bastion
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble

Valery stepped back after she was released, and turned to the Aing-Tii as he spoke. What he had shown them already was worrying, but there was more? She glanced at Kahlil for a moment, then nodded. These people had offered their help, albeit in strange ways, so the least they could do was offer their help as well.

<Very well.>

Without another word said, the two disappeared in the blink of an eye, and suddenly found themselves on another organic ship. This one was bigger though, and two others joined them to form a little task force. Then, as quickly as they had entered the vessel, the ships themselves disappeared into a new stretch of space.

They were on the border of the Kathol Rift, but they were not alone.

A star destroyer was navigating its way through, and its insignia made it clear that it came from the Sith Order. Valery frowned, as she felt that familiar darkness from it, and turned to Kahlil. Even if Carnifex himself wasn't there, something about that group of Sith always made her feel his sickening presence. "Do you think your father or the Sith will be able to find the Aing-Tii here?" she asked him, but she already feared that she knew the answer.

"What should we do?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"What should we do?"

Kahlil raised a brow right up, glancing down towards Valery with mild surprise on his face. then, he reached up. Gently tapped her forehead with a chuckle.

"If the Sith find them, they'll need help. So we help. We're Jedi. The Sword and the Shield will protect anyone they can, regardless of if they're Alliance or not, right? Why are you acting like this? What's got you so uncertain?"

Valery Noble