Public The Shadow Raid

[Kahlil Noble]

"Their leadership is on the way, feels like."

Kahlil took a breath as he set down a cluster of Kyber, then reached a hand down to pull them up. The Force swelled in an instant, stone and rock forming over the gems into forms vaguely humanoid. They moved on their own, circling around the runes he'd set in the middle of the room. They flared to life as the golems got to work. In an instant the whole of the Temple was shrouded in a barrier.

The kind that couldn't be shot through, but walked through.

"But now they've no choice."

Valery Noble

 

[Drystan Creed]

JEDI ENCLAVE: ARCHIVES

Equipment: Standard in Bio | Blaster Rifle| Grenades

In the main hall of the archives, Drystan perched silently in the rafters, a sharp gaze scanning the dimly lit expanse below. The sensors embedded within the archives pinged softly, detecting a presence. Without hesitation, Drystan tapped a series of commands into his datapad, gaze narrowing as the feed confirmed what he already knew.

The hallways of the archives stretched tall and narrow, their sterile lights providing ample vision. That clarity lasted only a moment. A sudden, sharp click echoed through the corridors as the lights began to shut off one by one, plunging the space into an oppressive darkness.

A deep and unnerving silence followed, broken only by the faint hum of the enclave's systems. Then came a high-pitched whine from the public announcement speakers, piercing through the silent void like a drill.

Drystan's voice followed, cold and laced with venomous disdain. "Let's talk." The words lingered in a subdued threat.

"You have committed crimes against the Jedi Order. Trespassing. Assault. Terrorism. Murder. Surrender now, and I will guarantee you a life sentence in a maximum-security penal station." His tone darkened, a promised consequence layered beneath the feigned offer of mercy.

"If you don't comply, well…" Drystan let the words trail off into static before cutting the feed. The hallways ahead remained cloaked in an inky blackness, an abyss that seemed to swallow all light.

Ellissanthia

 

[Lady Varokscar]

Location: Ground - Heading to Down Fighter
Gear: Lightsaber
Tags: Darth Callidus / Darth Imperius / Dannica Pastel

The back of the transport shuttle dropped, slamming briskly against the concrete surface. From the opening, a flood of troops poured out, blasters blazing, testing the early defenses of the enemy. I, with little regard to medals or stories spun of my heroics, causally strolled down the ramp, observing the surroundings. Above, several fighters from both sides were heavily engaged in aerial combat, pilots challenging the skills of their counterparts, whilst ground-level an intensified battle was roaring around the Temple; the source of this chaos.

The Temple, along with the Jedi and their supporters, would not easily be persuaded to give up its secrets; they would fight bitterly to protect those sources of what they held to be sacred. A cause, I found obscured by doctrinaire ideals, they would willing sacrifice their live for, such sweet little lambs. It was through the chatter that reports rushed in of down enemy fighters to the east of the Temple, survivors trying to indoctrinate themselves into the defending ground forces. This would pose problems, for scattered fighters would simply outflank the main assault causing causalities whilst they moved back behind the lines to regroup.

I looked at the Temple, seeing she was not ready to be impregnated, and made a decision. I would let the Sith front-liners die courageously in their proposition to capture the Temple, while I would take a few soldiers with me to hunt down survivors. To my delight, there was indeed a down fighter, with a lone female survivor Dannica Pastel resting in the ship's pilot seat. I ordered the troops to fan out to look for any others, I would handle this one.

"There is an old saying among my people," I said retrieving my hilt while calculating steps brought me closer to the pilot, "That it is far better for the fly to die in a crash than to be ensnared by a spider's web. consumed leisurely."

 

[Dannica Pastel]

The pull of the Force urged her back to consciousness.

Get up! It whispered. The darkness is here.

The blurry red outline of a Sith lightsaber as it ignited…the low hiss of it echoing in her ears….the sound of boots scurrying over the ground….these were the sights and sounds that compelled her to shake her head and climb out of the fog she had been sleeping in.

Danni inhaled sharply and groaned while she tried to slither from the broken cockpit. She slipped over the side of the ship and dropped into a pile on the other side, turning her face away from the oncoming troopers, and the dark figure leading them with her lightsaber.

It's a Sith. Danni closed her eyes and doubled over, attempting to stand on two feet. Her hand fumbled for the hilt on the waist of her brown robe.

The Sith! They're here.

She exhaled slowly and clutched onto the side of the ship. She would not show fear. This was the time to defend Sedasia. It had been her home for twelve years.

The Jedi Knight appeared in front of the Sith woman, igniting her blue blade and raising it in front of her with one hand while the other pressed into her side, nursing a bruise from the fall.

She looked at this dark creature - something she had never seen before, and therefore had no name for. She was some creature of the night - black hair, large bat-like ears, and eyes that knew only the dark side.

She looked like a dream, emerging from the smoke that was now rolling over the meadows and plains.

"Stop right there!" Danni called out. She began carefully circling away from her ship, her back to the Temple, keeping an eye on the troopers who were under this Sith witch's command.

She ordered them away, and they scattered over the plains.

"I won't let you into the Temple…" she called out.

Lady Varokscar

 

[Ellissanthia]

Location: The Archives of Solace, Temple of Solace - Sedesia
Tag: Drystan Creed

Ellissanthia pressed deeper into the shadows, her azure-hued features shrouded in darkness as the lights cut off in sequence down the lengthy hallway. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the lack of light, the violet hues of her pupils illuminating to pierce through the gloom. Even feeling the weight of hidden gazes upon her, the Undine registered an irresistible surge of pride in the fact that she was among the first of the raiders to reach the archives. Whether it was through simple luck, daring, or some other quality, she had made it further than the others.

And it was she who would have the pick of the prizes waiting within.

Drystan's voice followed, cold and laced with venomous disdain. "Let's talk." The words lingered in a subdued threat.

"You have committed crimes against the Jedi Order. Trespassing. Assault. Terrorism. Murder. Surrender now, and I will guarantee you a life sentence in a maximum-security penal station." His tone darkened, a promised consequence layered beneath the feigned offer of mercy.

"If you don't comply, well…" Drystan let the words trail off into static before cutting the feed. The hallways ahead remained cloaked in an inky blackness, an abyss that seemed to swallow all light.

Without breaking her stride, Ellissanthia rolled her eyes, pristine teeth bared in the process. In her mind, the message served as a convenient warning, as the Undine now knew for certain that she was being tracked. Thus, she instinctively magnified her already potent senses, webbed ears twitching as sound from sources both far away and unseen filtered into her awareness.

If all went according to plan, she would be more than ready to meet the ambushes and surprises lying ahead.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Pulsiva Bodysuit Mk. II
  
  • Boots
    
    • FAE/A-14 Energized Foot Gear
      
      • Jetboot Thrusters Removed
  • Helmet
    
    • FAE/U-06 Collapsing Mirrors
  • Miscellaneous Equipment
    
    • FAE/C-04 Dermal Hydration System
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
  • Aesthetic and Accouterments
    
    • All White Coloring
    • Eclipse Sect Symbol - Left Breast
  • Energy Shield
    
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
• Standard Lightsaber
  
  • Purple Blade
• Supernal Infusion Vials
• Spirit Anchor Talisman

 

[Darth Callidus]

Tags: @Ope, descending to the surface

Darth Callidus stood at the viewport of the Umbral Claw, her hands clasped behind her back, as the first fiery blossoms of the bombardment bloomed on the surface below. From her vantage point, the strikes were distant and silent, a grim spectacle of precision and destruction. The Jedi enclave, once a bastion of tranquility nestled among the serene valleys of Sedesia, was now engulfed in chaos and flame.

Her amber eyes narrowed as she observed the unfolding devastation. Reports streamed in over the ship's communication channels, each one painting a clearer picture of the chaos her forces were unleashing. Skytroopers had landed in swarms, their metal frames glinting amid the smoke and rubble as they advanced. Resistance was immediate and fierce, as expected, but it was uncoordinated. The Jedi defenders were scrambling to organize under the weight of the surprise assault.

A smirk flickered across her lips as a report confirmed the accuracy of the bombardment coordinates. The positions of Lady Falentra and Lord Dvasius had been engulfed in targeted strikes, forcing them to act as unwitting vanguards. "They're performing admirably," she murmured, her voice a purr of amusement.

Turning away from the viewport, she addressed a waiting officer. "Prepare my shuttle. The time has come for me to join the battle. Inform the ground forces to hold their positions and maintain pressure. I will lead the Evocati Legionaries personally."

The officer bowed deeply, quickly relaying her orders. Callidus walked briskly through the corridors of the ship, her cloak billowing behind her as she approached the hangar. The hum of activity intensified as she neared, the air alive with the sound of engines powering up and troops making final preparations. Rows of Evocati Legionaries, clad in dark, imposing armor, stood at attention near their shuttles, their discipline and readiness a testament to her exacting standards.

As she entered the hangar, every movement seemed to slow, her presence casting a palpable weight over the gathered forces. The Legionaries snapped to attention, their salutes precise and synchronized. Callidus swept her gaze over them, her expression impassive but her eyes burning with resolve.

"Legionaries," she said, her voice cutting through the din with commanding clarity, "the Jedi cower behind their walls, clinging to their hollow ideals. They will soon learn the price of their arrogance. You are the hammer that will shatter their defenses, the blade that will carve their illusions apart. Show them the strength of the Dark Side."

She strode toward the lead shuttle, pausing only to survey her assembled forces one final time. "We descend as one. Let none stand in our way."

With that, she boarded the shuttle, its ramp hissing closed behind her. The engines roared to life, and the ship lifted off, joining the others as they descended toward the raging battlefield below. Darth Callidus sat in silence, her mind sharpened to a single purpose. Soon, the enclave would fall, and with it, the Jedi's fragile illusions of peace.

And soon enough, she would have her prize.

 

[Darth Imperius]

Allies: Darth Callidus
Enemies: Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

The Dark Lord had steered his shuttle to a small stone platform about a hundred meters from the Enclave's walls and the chaos that engulfed it. There were still drop pods crashing down, some busting open like dropped eggs on the shield the Jedi conjured, others simply dropping outside of its limits and spitting out their droid fighters.

The Skytroopers were not issued special command units due to their expandable deployment. A decoy, an inconvenience. They were to keep the enemy busy while the actual fighters advanced. Better programmed and equipped than B1 or other clunky clankers, they would prove more than a nuisance to the lesser Jedi and ordinary guards if there were any but still no match for the experienced, battle hardened veterans that were around. It mattered not.

That was why Darth Imperius was here.

His lightsaber hummed in its unstable sound, the crimson blade pointing downwards as his steps crossed the rocks, rubble and even burning debris on his way to the walls of the Enclave. He knew there was a bigger plan here, Callidus would not merely raid it for the fun of it, even though it was a valid blow to the Jedi - she was seeking something. And to make sure she would get it, someone needed to draw in the major attention. His large figure and the aura, a menacing shadow laying over the Force as if an eclipse removed the sun while only hinting at a singularity of pure wrath, should be enough to find what the enemy had to offer. And if he had to switch to his sword or not.

The tall Zakuulan rushed forward, a group of Skytroopers ahead of him, the blasters firing away as they apparently had a target solution or laid covering fire. An explosion erupted in front of them, desintegrating two of them, while the others swarmed to avoid suffering the same fate. Imperius did not move from his path though. From the outside it was simple show of determination of willpower, maybe even stupidity to go straight through the middle - but inside his mind and helmet, he knew everything. Every Skytrooper transmitted to him and by now he had a very clear vision of what was going on, where, who was involved.

They breached a portal towards the sanctum, the Jedi who had stood guard was a collapsed corpse, bones shattered outside. It was the mixture of combat feed and the Force that guided him here. That showed him where to find the challenge he was seeking. Two figures stood together, their radiance impressive.

His lightsaber was still in his hand, having tasted blood had sent shivers and needles down his spine. The pain of it in his hand always a reminder of focus and concentration. The crimson blade raised towards the two, wordless, in challenge.

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Sedesia
Objective: Defend the enclave
Tag: Lady Falentra / Lord Dvasius

A few hours later...

Hellfire rained down upon the planet like a hail storm, destroying and leaving no trace of what was before when it made contact. Silas, who had been helping defend the inside of the enclave temple had been well sheltered from the bombardment. It only took one direct hit to change that, thankfully for now the temple had only been partially affected by what was going on outside.

At the same time, they were also facing wave after wave of Sith who were determined to crumble the foundations of the Jedi. None of them made it through yet, and it would stick that way for as long as Silas breathed.

Cutting down the last of the stragglers, Silas took a deep breath and looked to his Jedi brothers "That all of them?!" Silas shouted out loud, which was answered with a few silent nods by the other knights "Good, we must keep strong for the next wave to arrive." he said to all of them as he looked down the same stairs he was sitting on hours before.

They were feeling the strain, but that wasn't going to stop them.

Just when he was about to turn around, a bloodcurdling screaming erupted in the area. It was one of pure agony and hatred, almost like the person had lost something dear. Silas knew the sound of such things firsthand, you can never get used to such emotion even if it isn't affecting them directly. There was no way he was going to investigate, but from what he could sense whoever had been desperate for revenge was quickly coming their way.

Sighing, all he could do was prepare for the broken individual coming his way. Like the rest of them, if they did not falter, they'd also be dealt with appropriately. ​

 

[Lord Dvasius]

​

All was going well. Too well. This was usually the moment the Force would decide to turn on them. Yep. As predicted things were about to go bad for Lady Falentra and Lord Dvasius. First her beloved dragon's head suddenly exploded. Some twisted "Jedi" inside somewhere? That didn't matter for now. He felt his lover's pain as she was connected to the beast in bond and the Force. Suddenly he hurt too. Her pain was her pain. A level of Force empathy that usually shared between two closely connected individuals. Had they really been that close now? The Force seemed to answer as he felt her sadness, her rage. Dark resolve to avenge her Sithspawn, like a child to her.

Another ripple in the Force. The Sith Lord's eyes widened as he saw one of the larger ships in their own fleet begin to fire a volley of turbo lasers at their exact location and that of the temple they stood outside of. Disappearing and reappearing in flashes, only just avoiding the plasma beams falling from the sky upon them. Blip to blip in and out of material reality he quickly came to Falentra's side. If they'd die or survive it'd be at each other's side. "We gotta clear this area right now! This is not stopping soon. We need to get out of here! I really don't want my final resting place to be shared with Jedi."

By the time they cleared the area to safety from the orbital bombardment felt he needed to have a conversation with the commander of this battle. Now he had freedom to feel the anger at nearly being brought to his second near death experience. Why was it always at the hand of his own team? It wasn't abnormal for Sith to disregard or destroy each other in such or any way, but so many times? He pulled out a small holopad that he flipped open as he stared up skyward to track the command ship with the equipment in his cybernetic eyes. Found it. The scanner highlighted it in red against the blue of everything around it. "That one."

Dvasius hailed whoever was in charge for a talk, "You think you're funny, don't you? I'm not one of your expendable pawns. Not sure why called the Sith here just to destroy the temple from your bridge. Why am I here? I'd rather continue this conversation eye to eye." He nodded at seemingly no one on the other side of the holocall to Callidus' side. From behind both sides of Darth Callidus two Sith of Novus Valdeitus' New Sith Assassins appeared from thin air like walking shadows. One of them lunged forward arm first with a shikkar hidden wristblade at the end of it. It seemed the black cloaked, faceless figure missed and only barely nicked the Darth on the neck. Barely deeper than a scratch, but enough to draw a small amount of blood.

Whatever his agents' fates, Dvasius would watch unphased and unimpressed. He sniffled, a bored reaction he was known for. Dead eyed he spoke his last words before ending the call, "He didn't miss by the way. That shikkar blade was envenomed and now so are you. Do you feel it? The burn. I hear it's a most painful death, and quite shameful, but no one seems to remember things like pride while they scream into their graves.", The other Sith laughed at the thought of such pain inflicted. "As I said. We should talk. You better hurry." He smiled grimly, while holding the antidote and shaking it, before ending the call by shutting his holopad on itself.

 

[Drystan Creed]

JEDI ENCLAVE: ARCHIVES

"I see," Drystan's voice echoed cold through the darkened hallways. "Can't even muster the decency to surrender after I asked so politely. Looks like you've left me no choice." The hum of static only amplified the malice simmering beneath his message.

"What is it you're even after? Knowledge? Power? Of course. You'd kill your own for it—I've seen it before." His tone sharpened, carrying a predatory edge. "But make no mistake. You're not the hunter. Down here, in the shadows… that's me."

The silence that followed was shattered by the rhythmic clank of footsteps echoing around Ellissanthia's proximity only being magnified by any enhancement to her senses. The mechanical whirring of servos and the acrid tang of oil hung in the air. Above, the ceilings groaned with the scratching and clanking of robotic limbs, the sound growing louder with each passing second.

From the darkness emerged a detachment of commando droids, their frames painted a muted grey and draped in dark cloth to obscure the gleam of their golden chassis. As they rushed toward Ellissanthia, the lead droid's voice module flickered with a deep, cybernetic boom.

"Engaging hostile elements."

Ellissanthia

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery gaze swept the battlefield as chaos erupted around the Enclave. The clash of blasters, the hum of lightsabers, and the distant roar of drop pods crashing into the ground created a deafening symphony of war. The weight of the dark side pressed heavily against the Force, but Valery remained steadfast, her presence a blazing beacon of light.

Then, she felt it — a menacing ripple in the Force, sharp and deliberate, like a dagger aimed directly at them. Her gaze shifted, locking onto the imposing figure of Darth Imperius as he approached, his crimson blade humming ominously. Skytroopers flanked him, their mechanical forms advancing relentlessly, but it was the Sith Lord who drew her full attention.

Valery's lips curled into a smirk, and she turned her head slightly to look at Kahlil. The bond they shared flared to life, their connection grounding her in the storm and filling her with a sense of calm determination.

"Looks like we've got company," she said, her tone steady but tinged with anticipation.

Her hand moved smoothly to her hip, her fingers curling around the hilt of her lightsaber. With a practiced motion, she drew the weapon, its brilliant violet blade igniting with a sharp hiss that cut through the din of battle. The glow illuminated her determined expression as she stepped forward to meet the Sith's challenge.

She tilted her head slightly, her fiery gaze locking onto Darth Imperius. "You've got one chance to turn around and walk away," she called out, her voice firm and resolute, but not without a note of warning. "I'd suggest you take it."

The blade hummed in her hand as she stood poised, her stance calm and unshaken, but ready for the inevitable. Valery's presence in the Force expanded, steady and bright, a silent promise that if the Sith chose violence, he would face the full strength of a Jedi Master who had faced countless battles before.

Kahlil Noble Darth Imperius Darth Callidus | Open​

 

[Ellissanthia]

Location: The Archives of Solace, Temple of Solace - Sedesia
Tag: Drystan Creed

It was increasingly obvious that the individual situated on the other end of the PA system had a particular talent for Dun Möch. In that regard, his words drew an impatient, frustrated growl from Ellissanthia’s lips, forcing uncomfortable questions into her mind even as she advanced down the elongated hallway. Nevertheless, shaking her head, the Undine continued, reasserting her focus as she came to a halt upon registering the mechanical whirring of servos.

Droids.

With a silent mental command, Ellissanthia directed the droid brain governing her helmet’s systems to selectively filter out the voice over the PA via the sonic nullifiers, unless it happened to say something important. Then, the Undine casted her gaze upward to scan the ceiling. In doing so, she maneuvered herself in such a way so as to keep all the droids to one side of her body, in an effort to prevent herself from being surrounded.

Then, as the commando droids emerged from the darkness, Ellissanthia made her move.

Raising her arms to assume the Potency battle stance, Ellissanthia pursed her lips in concentration as she tapped into the dark side. Her emotions—fear, anger, and aggression—served as focuses, a low growl emanating from her throat in the process. Then, locking the base of her palms together, the Undine extended her arms towards the densest group of commando droids, at which a powerful, concussive Bomb exploded out from her hands with an ear splitting crack and a high-pitched whoosh as the surrounding air was violently displaced. The discharge took the form of an expanding ring of energy, carrying enough force to potentially blow apart anything caught within its radius!

Spoiler: Loadout

• Pulsiva Bodysuit Mk. II
  
  • Boots
    
    • FAE/A-14 Energized Foot Gear
      
      • Jetboot Thrusters Removed
  • Helmet
    
    • FAE/U-06 Collapsing Mirrors
  • Miscellaneous Equipment
    
    • FAE/C-04 Dermal Hydration System
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
  • Aesthetic and Accouterments
    
    • All White Coloring
    • Eclipse Sect Symbol - Left Breast
  • Energy Shield
    
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
• Standard Lightsaber
  
  • Purple Blade
• Supernal Infusion Vials
• Spirit Anchor Talisman

 

[Lady Varokscar]

Location: Ground - Heading to Down Fighter
Gear: Lightsaber
Tags: Dannica Pastel

"I certainly will admit, Jedi, you have courage," I said thumbing the slide switch on my hilt, activating my lightsaber and drawing forth the dark ashy blade, "And I will find pleasure in extracting it from you piece by piece." I stopped my advancement, falling into my lightsaber form Juyo, my stealing a glance over the shoulder of the Jedi at the looming Temple; the sole reason I was here.

"You mustn't throw your life away so carelessly defending a relic, disarm yourself and I will let you walk away. I am not Sith, I do not kill without purpose. So, take my offer, don't become that purpose."

My hand began to constrict tighter around the hilt, my eyes focusing on the Jedi. I studied her carefully, observing her stance, the body language, even the way she held her weapon. In all appearances, she looked stout, trained to fight. But underneath all the bravado, I deduced, was a frightened girl. She stood across from me, willing to die for a Temple? The Jedi? How bizarre, I thought, one would choose to live under a heretical philosophy where forfeiting one's life was heroic. This poor foolish girl.

"Or perhaps, Jedi, you could become another purpose, one that won't see your death today. Cast away the Jedi, their teachings, and step into a world far greater than what the Jedi could mold for you. Embrace the darkness, I sense your fear, and it is strong. Join me, and together we can plunder that Temple together. Just be brave, take that first step."

And of course, I was lying.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Skytroopers.

Kahlil's gaze was distant as he let his senses drift through the temple. He hadn't seen Skytroopers since the fall of the Eternal Empire that Ingrid L'lerim had run all those years ago. Right. He should reach out to her some time, see how she was doing after everything that had happened. He stepped forward beside Valery as he raised a hand, bringing the Force to him. Gold traced through the air as he brought a rune in preparation, his gaze focused on the rather large Sith before them.

"Save yourself some money at that. These Skytroopers won't survive here."

Darth Imperius | Darth Callidus | Valery Noble

 

[Drystan Creed]

JEDI ENCLAVE: ARCHIVES

The droids crumbled under the shockwave, their vibrosabers raised in vain as fragments of their metal bodies scattered across the floor. While most were obliterated, a few partially intact machines dragged themselves forward, crawling, stumbling, or sliding with mechanical relentlessness toward Ellissanthia. They seemed to have been the remnants of the rearguard, the vanguard having taken the brunt of the shockwave.

A second wave surged in, this time armed with blasters. They moved with calculated precision, one half laying down suppressive fire while the other advanced, seamlessly alternating—an on-field adjustment that separated them from the first wave. Their angles of attacks varied as well, covering as much ground, wall or ceiling within the halls.

The resistance thickened as Ellissanthia pressed deeper toward the archive halls. The droids fought hard, unwilling to cede even an inch of ground and clawing for any advantage.

Over the PA system, Drystan's voice echoed—a relentless tirade against the Sith, laced with disdain for their desecration of the enclave. His words, now muffled by Ellissanthia's measures, were less a rallying cry for the droids and more a self-asserted condemnation.

As she advanced, Drystan directed the remnants of his commando droid squadron to secure positions within the main hall. A select few joined him in the shadows of the rafters above.

He studied his datapad intently, analyzing the droids' footage of their encounter with the Undine—brief but revealing before their destruction.

Ellissanthia

 

[Darth Imperius]

Darth Callidus | Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

The humming red blade lowered and disignited altogether before it found it's way to be clipped to the belt. Did he surrender? His movements were deliberate, calm and precise, there was no hesitation, no apparent emotion in his action.

"The Grandmaster and her failed lover. You must be quite removed from reality to appear at such a strategically insignificant place, neglecting the actual war."

His voice deep and calm, it had a resonating bass and gravelly undertones. The words came accompanied by further movement, his hand reached over his shoulder and drew the blade, a greatsword, in a smooth motion and assuming an opening stance, his blade almost resting on his off-hands biceps as he held it in a two handed grip, pointing towards them.

He knew that this fight would be intense, challenging and he was mentally preparing for it. The Dark side became an almost bitter taste in the back of the mouth as it seemed to suck in life from whatever living was around, feeding a bottomless pit that was Darth Imperius' soul.

But it was not him that made the first move. Without word uttered and without any movement, Skytroopers emerged and started shooting, closing in on the couple. A mere diversion. The Dark Lord launched himself forward, his speed far beyond what could be perceived by the mortal eye as he appeared between them, the dance beginning.

 

[Ellissanthia]

Location: The Archives of Solace, Temple of Solace - Sedesia
Tag: Drystan Creed

The Bomb more or less annihilated the initial wave of commando droids, the shockwave immediately destroying 10 of the automatons while those that remained either dragged, crawled, or scuttled their way towards her with inhuman persistence. Ellissanthia allowed each of them to reach her in succession, before cutting them down with swift, surgical lightsaber strokes without breaking her stride. In moments, the last of the initial wave was finished, adding five more commando droids to the initial group of those left strewn about the floor in her wake.

However, only seconds after she had dispatched the last droid, the second wave arrived.

Eyes wide with concentration, Ellissanthia raised her hands to veer each of the incoming blaster bolts off course with the Force. In the process, the Undine redirected five blaster bolts down towards the advancing group, with the aim of utilizing the commando droids’ covering fire to cut down a number of their own before they could reach her. Then, with a sharp grunt, the Undine attempted to seize two of the droids that were offering cover fire from their vantage points with the Force before clenching her fists. At that point, extreme levels of pressure would suddenly be exerted on the two droids that were potentially caught within her telekinetic grasp from seemingly all directions, intending to crush their chassis to the point of implosion.

All the while, the commando droids that might be left of the advancing group closed the distance, immediately forcing Ellissanthia on the defensive as she re-ignited her lightsaber. The Undine gave a high-pitched cry as one blow after another was leveled towards her, each of which she parried in disciplined fashion. However, with the seemingly endless numbers of commando droids coming at her from so many directions, her advance was momentarily stalled. In the split-seconds between strikes, she scanned her surroundings to search for a potential escape.

It did not take long for her to realize that she would have to make one.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Pulsiva Bodysuit Mk. II
  
  • Boots
    
    • FAE/A-14 Energized Foot Gear
      
      • Jetboot Thrusters Removed
  • Helmet
    
    • FAE/U-06 Collapsing Mirrors
  • Miscellaneous Equipment
    
    • FAE/C-04 Dermal Hydration System
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
  • Aesthetic and Accouterments
    
    • All White Coloring
    • Eclipse Sect Symbol - Left Breast
  • Energy Shield
    
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
• Standard Lightsaber
  
  • Purple Blade
• Supernal Infusion Vials
• Spirit Anchor Talisman

 

[Drystan Creed]

JEDI ENCLAVE: ARCHIVES

Equipment: Standard in Bio | Blaster Rifle| Grenades

The droids held their ground, enduring Ellissanthia's relentless assault, but the tide was turning. Their numbers, though initially substantial, steadily dwindled—a fact that irritated Drystan. Expending so many resources for a single target felt wasteful. Yet the chaos captured in the droids' footage gave him an idea he intended to exploit.

Turning to a droid stationed in the archive, he issued a sharp command. "Prepare the Phoenix Protocol." Without waiting for a response, he leapt down, his figure blurring as he sped out of the main hall and into the chaos-filled corridors. The droid he relayed the command to would then gather a select few of them and head deeper into the archives.

The defending droids' resistance faltered. Their movements grew erratic and desperate as their ranks thinned, unable to withstand the Undine's crushing mastery of the Force and blade. One by one, they fell, crumpling under Ellissanthia's prowess.

Then Drystan appeared. Cloaked in shadow, his dark hooded figure moved with unnerving speed, weaving in a zigzag pattern between walls and slipping past his own droids. His eyes locked onto his target with cold precision.

In an instant, he struck. His saber ignited at the last possible moment, brilliant azure illuminating the disdain etched into his features as he drove it toward Ellissanthia. A sudden, calculated thrust meant to conceal him from attention until the last possible moment.

Ellissanthia

 

[Ellissanthia]

Location: The Archives of Solace, Temple of Solace - Sedesia
Tag: Drystan Creed

Ellissanthia gave a sharp cry of exertion as her outstretched hand unleashed a powerful telekinetic impulse to blow apart a trio of vibrosword-armed commando droids, the wave of pressurized air striking them with the force of an explosion to send their pulverized forms flying back. Then, as more blaster fire rained down upon her from above, the Undine veered it off-course with a wave of her hand, before gathering the Dark Side within herself, inadvertently tapping into pain which had gone unacknowledged until now.

Lightning.

From manicured fingers ripped forth a branching discharge of bluish-white electricity which jumped from one blaster-wielding commando droid to another, causing their forms to seize up as their systems were overloaded with excess energy. From there, gravity drew their forms to the ground, which impacted with dense, metallic thuds before their photoreceptors went dark.

All the while, blood trickled out from wounds she sustained during the melee. The white of her bodysuit was visibly stained with pale blue vitae around her left bicep and right flank. The droids’ vibroswords had caught her in a pair of grazing strikes, ripping through soft flesh. Blood loss made her feel lightheaded, her breath coming heavy and ragged. Nevertheless, Elllissanthia gritted her teeth, her lip curled as the now surging pain filled her awareness. Even with her reserves approaching exhaustion, she immediately moved to channel the sensation as a font of power, the Dark Side rising within her core as she casted her gaze towards the nearby wall.

However, it was only then that danger flashed in her senses.

A flash of a premonition manifested a blade of scintillant azure tearing out from shadow, primed to be plunged through her back. Ellissanthia acted instantly, the Dark Side energy she had been building up redirected back inward as she shifted laterally to sidestep the blade. Still, white-hot pain flared within her awareness as the blade seared across the surface of her bodysuit, leaving a blackened mark in its wake.

Growling, Ellissanthia spun around to face the Jedi and before bringing the base of her palms together. A ring of destructive energy was expelled out from her hands in an expanding shockwave intended to pummel the Jedi and send them flying back.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Pulsiva Bodysuit Mk. II
  
  • Boots
    
    • FAE/A-14 Energized Foot Gear
      
      • Jetboot Thrusters Removed
  • Helmet
    
    • FAE/U-06 Collapsing Mirrors
  • Miscellaneous Equipment
    
    • FAE/C-04 Dermal Hydration System
    • FAE/U-01 "Serenity" Anti-Signal Field System
  • Aesthetic and Accouterments
    
    • All White Coloring
    • Eclipse Sect Symbol - Left Breast
  • Energy Shield
    
    • Phase III “Force Avenger” Energy Shield
• Standard Lightsaber
  
  • Purple Blade
• Supernal Infusion Vials
• Spirit Anchor Talisman

 

[Drystan Creed]

JEDI ENCLAVE: ARCHIVES

The shockwave hit. Drystan crossed his arms, guiding the Force to shield himself from the brunt of the blast. It worked—partially.

The sheer force shredded his sleeves up to his forearms, and the impact launched him backward. Before he could crash to the ground, one of his commando droids caught him, setting him down at a safe distance from Ellissanthia. Still, the wave had felt like a warhead slamming into his body. He needed to be careful.

"She's strong. Disperse the remaining droids—loosen formations and coordinate an omni-directional attack."

Without hesitation, Drystan launched forward again, this time adjusting his approach. His speed remained the same, but he fired off blaster shots as he advanced, using the cover fire to force openings.

Meanwhile, his commando droids adapted, spreading out and attacking from multiple angles, avoiding clustering together to limit the effectiveness of another devastating blast. Resisting it was futile—but evading it? That was another story.

Ellissanthia