Star Wars: Jedi Academy (IC|Open)

[Anowa]

A long time ago in a galaxy far,
far away. . . .





-| JEDI ACADEMY |-
A Reboot of Beiarusia's RP of the same name

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{- OOC -}

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It had been less than a day since the Jedi's newest batch of adolescents had arrived for their tenure at the Praxeum. Less than a dozen individuals, each with well established lives and skills, backgrounds and feelings. Sans one, Master Ganthor thought it was a profound mistake to train them in the ways of the force. They all had nothing but fear, anger and hatred wafting around them. Even Shan, a Knight from the last days of the Republic, had an aura of distrust around him. Ganthor was tasked with reconnecting the man to the force, but Ganthor had made it clear to Skywalker that he wouldn't exactly enjoy it.

He sighed as we watched them wake for their first day. The age they were at was nothing compared to the relatively young age he found Xin. He raised her with certain ideals and practices, she lived in a way that made it easy to train and survive as a Jedi. All this new meat had already established personalities, opinions and backgrounds, which made it exceedingly difficult to properly raise them from the ground up as Jedi.

Of course, Katarn had no issue with training them. Despite his failures prior, the human always had a positive attitude towards his students, such was the way of a war hero. Ganthor would never understand it, not properly anyways.

"To not train them for their feeling would be a bit hypocritical, Master."

Ganthor had to crane his head a bit to look up at his apprentice. Despite the new arrivals, she still stood almost a head and a half above Ganthor, her mind unreadable, an oddity of the Epicanthix. The Jedi Knight frowned, she was, of course, right in this instance, he had his own ghosts of fear and anger within him, packed down to never escape. The things he'd seen would break lesser beings, and refusing to at least assist in the training of such passionate individuals would be a double standard considering he trained a rage filled former slave... granted, Ganthor thought he did a good job teaching her to keep her emotions in check, "Right as always, Xin." a pause, "How's your arm?"

Xin rubbed her bandage wrapped left arm, a number of blaster burns still healing from yesterday's training, "Fine. Still wish you would've warned me there'd be nearly three dozen of them firing at once."

"You adapted well enough after the first volley." a pause, "In any event, we should probably convene with Martius. We're to get his force sensitivity back up, hopefully it won't take to long."

Xin raised a brow, "Why so eager?"

Bo couldn't help but grin, "Well, we certainly don't want to delay your trials, do we?"

Xin had a dumfounded look on her face, and only really snapped back into reality when she realized her Master was approaching the crown of students and Master Katarn. And the pedestal filled with transparent crystal containers packer with rows upon rows of Kyber Crystals.

---

Katarn looked over the students as they filed out of the entrance, a majority of them now armed with the training sabers laid out on the cots of the Praxeum. They had only spent a single night here with very little fanfare on the evening of their arrival. They had simply been given a brief rundown of facilities by a duo of Sentinels, and shown their quarters. Master Skywalker had been called away to deal with a rather abrupt issue at the Temple on Coruscant. As such, Luke had given katarn and Ganthor some liberties on how to orient the new arrivals in their first few days.

Katarn had an example in mind.

As the Sentinels brought the students into the courtyard proper, Katarn spoke up, "Hello to you all, I apologize for the somewhat rushed introduction from yesterday evening, Master Skywalker was unfortunately called away for an emergency on Coruscant. So for the next few days until his return, we'll take things rather easily. Nothing more than simple sparring and meditating. I am master Kyle Katarn, and I will be primarily responsible for the training of... most of you." Gesturing to his side as two other figures approached, "This is Master Bo Ganthor, and his Padawan, Xin Endoni, while they have their own responsibilities here at the Praxeum, they will nonetheless also aid you in your training." he then gestured at Martius, "Knight Shan, you will be spending most of your time with them in an attempt to reconnect you with the force. But that is for another day."

He swung his hand to the pedestal with the containers of crystals upon them, "Today, we will begin a simple exercise. I ask that each of you take a single container from this pedestal and follow me, we'll be going on a somewhat simple hike."

[Endem]

Kai

Kai tried to not bring attention to himself from the imposing Sentinels or from the other students at the academy, if anything, he'd rather disappear completely from anybody's view, the bruises on his arms and legs still hurt. He tried to stick somewhat in the middle of the group of students, to not stand out, to not give anybody a reason to question if Kai should be here.

Master Katarn soon introduced the students to him, Master Ganthor, and Padawan Endoni, Kai understood that they would be their teachers, and dread filled him, every one of them looked mighty, but Kai in the long years of servitude learned to fear and distrust people like this. Master Katarn after that asked the students to pick up one of the containers in which crystals, that looked prettier than many noblelady's entire jewelry collection, resided.

Kai scaredly walked towards the pedestal, he extended one of his hands towards them, briefly shooting a fear-filled glance at the Masters and the Padawan, before snatching a container with a bunch of blue crystals as if he expected it to be taken away at the last second. He hurried back to the group, clutching the container in both of his hands, as if the undernourished Zabrak expected it to be forcibly pried away from him at any moment.

[Regmotto]

Akhoi


Akhoi was introduced to Master Ganthor and Padawan Endoni, he listened to their instructions and agreed to them. He liked them a lot. He was not scared of the Sentinels at all. He could attack then if they showed any signs of violence to him,he thought.

He wanted to be seen, so he placed himself in the middle front. He put his hand on the pedestal with the containers of crystals. He got a container with a group of green crystals.

While he was hiking, he saw another Zabrak that looked greatly injured behind. He asked, "What happened to you?" "Are you OK?"

[Revlona]

Lyra Vurel
The Jedi Praxeum
Yavin 4

Living the way that she had been for the past few years, a war orphan in a backwater slum, Lyra had developed a sense of self confidence and boldness. She had needed it to survive after, she had to be bold and confident in her abilities to be able to snatch a piece of fruit or other thing she needed, there was little to no law in the city she had landed near and most people would simply blast thieves even if they were children. So it was no surprise when she moved forward immediately to grab a packet of the crystals as she had been instructed to. As she did, she accidently shouldered past a Zabrak boy covered in bruises on her way back to the group, she glanced at him without apologizing before continuing on.

She was near the front of the group of hikers that were following Master Katarn and as she looked around, she hadn't bothered to earlier, she realized that she was among the oldest if not the oldest among the Padawans. Not counting the former Knight of course.

On the inside Lyra burned with an intense desire to prove herself to these Jedi, she wanted to show them that rescuing her off the street had been the right move and she did not want to give up this life. Three meals a day with clothing that would keep her warm in the cold and wouldn't wear thin. She would do anything to keep this life she knew, well almost anything. There was one promise to herself that she would keep no matter what, and if she had to give up this life to accomplish it then she would, or so she told herself.

[Audunia]

Iax Edarian
Yavin 4

From the small glimpses of life that Iax had of the Jedi, he had a nagging feeling that he'd made the wrong choice in agreeing to come here. While fanfare woud've been nice for the first Jedi trainees in decades, it wasn't the most necessary and Iax could certainly forgive its absence, but otherwise he found matters most unfulfilling and anticlimatic. He may not have known much in regards to the Jedi of old, nor how they lived, but he certainly imagined they had more comfortable bedding than the one Iax had been given. It was a wonder he'd even managed to get to sleep, and that was saying something when Iax had spent most his nights in Balmorra with a thread-thin blanket and folded jackets as a pillow.

The grounds themselves, however, certainly lived up to the mythos. Ancient and old, he marvelled privately at the intricacies of the carvings that surrounded them, while imagining how splendid they must have looked before the onslaught of time had eroded much of their features away. Yet it all felt strange to him, as though the walls of the buildings themselves coursed with power and memories, he wondered briefly what they had seen before he shook his mind of these thoughts. Focus he chided himself.

Following the Sentinels, he soon found himself led to a great courtyard, the sight of which made him catch his breath. Like much of the compound, it was beautiful, but ahead of him were the assembled Masters that would show him the way to become a Jedi. In that moment he felt his doubts wash away looking at the figures, cloaked and robed, yet even he knew they were ready to fight at any moment. His eyes briefly darted from them to when he saw movement ahead, seeing one of the group shouldering past one of the smaller boys without apologising. He frowned and was almost tempted to speak up before one of the Masters, who introduced himself as Kyle Katarn, began to speak.

When Master Katarn finished speaking, Iax fought to contain his eagerness when he saw the canisters and happily chose one, shaking it slightly as he heard the clink of the crystals inside bumping against each other. Returning to the group, he tilted his head, his eyebrow raised slightly;

"Forgive for speaking out of turn, but a walk seems somewhat underwhelming as a first lesson" he said, shocked with the amount of snark that had creeped into his voice "Not that I'm planning on disobeying, of course" he hurriedly added.

[Mandicoria]

Kaitha Dragan

Another sleepless night had afflicted Kaitha. The second one this week as a matter of fact. All the thoughts of the past haunting her over and over and over again. It was hellish, just as it had always been for the past two years. All this added up onto Kaitha, who could barely follow what the Master Jedi talked about or what he was necessarily doing. Yet she continued along with the group, at least knowing when to follow. All this drowsiness afflicting her distracting from the background changing to the massive courtyard. The relaxing atmosphere being almost enough to... No, she couldn't pass out. That'd be foolish, she has to listen. She has to be better than her impulses.

Most of what she could make out of what Master Katarn was saying to the group was just the basic directions. Yet something that did get her to regain some attention was noticing Bo and Xin being introduced to the group. She had already known the two from the past. Primarily with the two saving her, aiding her recovery, and outright bringing her into the fold years prior. Two people she had a deep respect for, and who she would never want to disappoint.

So luckily for her, she was at least able to gather basic instructions from Master Katarn. Get the crystals, go on a hike, and do whatever other orders there would be. Even if not explicitly stated, it was to be expected. Since nothing is ever truly simple in life.

She already knew how to start with her set of orders. By being polite, and letting the other apprentices grab their crystals. Looking like she was on the verge of yawning, but not really there during the whole ordeal. Quite an exercise in self control in its own right. Possibly enough to impress Bo and Xin, both already knew of her sleeping habits to at least a minor degree. So they could at least be impressed by her not being a total mess at least. That is if they even picked up on it.

Then came her turn to pick up a container. Stepping up as she tried not to expose just how sleep deprived she was, and trying not to come across like they were some lazy good for nothing. Sighing before she carefully picked up her container, and stepping back. Taking extra care not to even fumble with such a container. Even simple mistakes could add up and cause a general lack of care. A good lesson she learned from her Father long ago, and a lesson that helps her manage in situations just like this. Then she made a mistake.

"Forgive for speaking out of turn, but a walk seems somewhat underwhelming as a first lesson" he said, shocked with the amount of snark that had creeped into his voice "Not that I'm planning on disobeying, of course" he hurriedly added.

Simply hearing another one of the fellow apprentices speak was enough to give a minor shock to her. Causing her to awkwardly jolt in place, giving a minor shake to her container. Then her feet fumbled, causing her to almost trip forward. Luckily catching herself in the process, but the damage was done. She could already feel it, she looked like a moron to the others. Yet she could at least try to salvage. With an awkward cough, and a turn to match the others. She could only give what was a slightly emotionless look to the ground. With an air of embarrassment about her. She didn't even understand what they said, they were just caught off guard.

[Anowa]

"Forgive for speaking out of turn, but a walk seems somewhat underwhelming as a first lesson" he said, shocked with the amount of snark that had creeped into his voice "Not that I'm planning on disobeying, of course" he hurriedly added.

Master Katarn hummed as they walked from the ancient yellowed Praxeum, pushing away a few leaves and branches out of the way, "Perhaps, but in the words of Grandmaster Yoda: Adventure, excitement. Jedi crave not these things. We start you off easy for many reasons, least of which is gaining an understanding of your temperament, and to grind down your eagerness. Afterall, excitement leads inevitably to rash decision making."

The man fell silent, as Ganthor continued, following behind the yellow saber'd human, "While we may not seek such things actively, there is an inevitable time in which we must partake. We are at our core warrior monks, hoping and promoting peace, yet it must be understood that lightsabers are not toys or simple trinkets. They are weapons, exceedingly capable of killing or maiming individuals. Grandmaster Skywalker included, when you shake his hand, you'll see what I mean." a pause, "However if you're so dead set on having your rush of adrenaline for the day, I'll have you spar with Xin."

Upon hearing this, Xin who was following at the rear of the pack of apprentices, shifted her gaze to look at the shorter Mirialan, a deadpan expression on her face. Reading her was next to impossible unless you were well educated on body language, so her expectations of the Mirialan as of current were an enigma.

[Endem]

Kai

He was more than sure somebody was speaking to him, asking if he was ok, Kai identified the speaker as another Zabrak, from the looks of things, 5 years younger than him, Kai tried to think of a response, opening his mouth. Somebody brushed against him, a Human, 1 year older than him by the look of it, the touch hurt and terrified Kai, but as the girl seemed uninterested in conversation, Kai used this as a chance to get out of having to talk with anybody, he quickly shook his head and started to walk somewhat faster.

Kai walked slightly hunched over, as if he wanted to protect the container full of crystals with his body, Kai could feel as if warmth was coming from inside the container, he wouldn't be able to explain it.

He found himself eventually walking near the Mirialian, somewhat behind him, when Master Ganthor offered the Mirialian the opportunity to spare with Padawan Xini in response to the former's question, Kai tried to walk away from potentially being in sight of the Zabrak Master. He didn't know if the Mirialian asked an inappropriate question, but Kai feared that it could be the case from the response of the Masters and furthermore, as being near him, Kai feared he would get hit by the metaphoricsl shrapnel of anything that would happen, as he shot a terrified look at the Mirialian, Kai managed to pass both of them, finding himself near the front of the group.

[Revlona]

Lyra Vurel
The Jedi Praxeum
Yavin 4

Lyra watched the older girl beside her nearly face plant while walking and had to keep herself from laughing, the girl looked rather awful, almost as if she hadn't caught a wink of sleep in weeks. She even found herself sealing off a yawn, fighting to keep it from happening. That was of course when she saw the armor, or at least parts of it. She recognized it of course, the city she had been in before may have been pretty lawless but the planet was still a remnant world and Imperial soldiers weren't a rare sight. A strong rush of pure rage and hate rushed through her mind and body then before suddenly going away, replaced by a cool emotionless feeling as Lyra forced herself to look away from the girl.

"No matter how entertaining that may be to watch, I'm not sure it'd be the fairest fight in the galaxy," Lyra said to the Master Jedi as he offered to have his apprentice spar with her fellow newbie. She herself thought his question had been a fair one, they couldn't expect the assembled group to have already taken to their staunch "no fun" rules already after all.

She knew that she was probably calling the attention of their instructors onto her now but that didn't bother her, rather sooner than later in her opinion. Plus this might be an opportunity to show that she belonged.

[Lessoni]

Reznon Lat

It was all very exciting, in a terrifying way. One moment, he was thinking of how most effectively he could cheat his upcoming round of tests, next he found out he'd be going through a very different series of tests. And these weren't the kind he could steal the answer key for, these were the ones that'd decide if he became a Jedi. Admittedly, he needed a quick rundown on what they actually were (he knew the legends, but nothing more), and admittedly he was weary of the second half of "warrior monk".

He grabbed a container, marveling at the crystals for a moment before he realized that marveling probably wasn't the best look in front of the seemingly no nonsense Jedi he found himself pupil to. Hurriedly rearranging his features into something a little more lowkey, he stepped back, and then fell into line when they started moving out, though he positioned himself near the girl who'd stumbled. She looked... well, she looked terrible, not quite fit to walk, much less hike.

"Uh, 'scuse me, Miss, you alright?", he whispered, not wanting to catch the attention of their teacher. He knew well the art of whispering underneath a teacher, though he was very concerned a Jedi might be a tad more perceptive than a protocol droid.

[Regmotto]

"Forgive for speaking out of turn, but a walk seems somewhat underwhelming as a first lesson" he said, shocked with the amount of snark that had creeped into his voice "Not that I'm planning on disobeying, of course" he hurriedly added.

Master Katarn hummed as they walked from the ancient yellowed Praxeum, pushing away a few leaves and branches out of the way, "Perhaps, but in the words of Grandmaster Yoda: Adventure, excitement. Jedi crave not these things. We start you off easy for many reasons, least of which is gaining an understanding of your temperament, and to grind down your eagerness. Afterall, excitement leads inevitably to rash decision making."

The man fell silent, as Ganthor continued, following behind the yellow saber'd human, "While we may not seek such things actively, there is an inevitable time in which we must partake. We are at our core warrior monks, hoping and promoting peace, yet it must be understood that lightsabers are not toys or simple trinkets. They are weapons, exceedingly capable of killing or maiming individuals. Grandmaster Skywalker included, when you shake his hand, you'll see what I mean." a pause, "However if you're so dead set on having your rush of adrenaline for the day, I'll have you spar with Xin."

Upon hearing this, Xin who was following at the rear of the pack of apprentices, shifted her gaze to look at the shorter Mirialan, a deadpan expression on her face. Reading her was next to impossible unless you were well educated on body language, so her expectations of the Mirialan as of current were an enigma.

Akhoi


Seeing as the other Zabrak didn’t answer,he felt bad.He wanted to be his friend desperately.He was the only other Zabrak there.

He knew and understood the instructions Master Skywalker gave him.He decided not to fight.Though he was tempted,one of his objectives was to prune his weaknesses,so this was mental training for him.

[Audunia]

Iax Edarian
Yavin 4

Iax nodded in feigned understanding to Katarn's words, his mind snagging at whoever Master Yoda was. Likely a terribly dull figure, but Iax couldn't help but chastise himself quietly at the thought. His first thoughts of Jedi's, especially one quoted by his own Master, should not be that they were dull. Iax's own distraction almost made him miss Katarn's last words.

We start you off easy for many reasons, least of which is gaining an understanding of your temperament, and to grind down your eagerness. Afterall, excitement leads inevitably to rash decision making."

Smiling inwardly, he had to concede to Katarn. His own eagerness led to him speaking out of turn almost immediately. However, as the second Master began to speak, Iax found himself agreeing with his words, more so in regards to mastery over their lightsabers. He felt his excitement grow at this, knowing that while his own knowledge of the Jedi was sub-par, he had certainly heard about the mythical weapons, having dreamt since childhood that he might be able to have one himself. Of the two Masters so far, he much preferred Ganthor to Katarn, even if it was due to his talk of being warriors appealing to his more childish side. He recalled the brief announcement Katarn had made about the older apprentice, Shan, and the business about reconnecting him to the Force. Iax found it curious that one could sever a connection with it, and somewhat awed at Ganthor if he was able to reconnect a person with the Force. He risked a glance back at the Jedi, wondering what it had been that Shan had seen to lead him to sever himself so.

"However if you're so dead set on having your rush of adrenaline for the day, I'll have you spar with Xin."

It was Iax's turn to look embarrassed, stumbling slightly over an expose root when Ganthor laid forth the challenge, though Iax hoped it was largely in jest, especially at the demonstration at his own alertness. He briefly locked eyes with Xin when Ganthor finished speaking and found himself looking away first, somewhat disturbed by the blank look on her face and something else felt different about her, as though he couldn't tell what she was thinking. He was somewhat happy that he wasn't on Balmorra, such inability may have cost him either his life or his wallet.

"No matter how entertaining that may be to watch, I'm not sure it'd be the fairest fight in the galaxy," Lyra said

Raising his hand in feigned shock and offence, he grinned in part because he found the comment funny, but also he was somewhat glad to lose the blank stare of Xin on him.

"I suppose you'd be right, but they are called training dummies for a reason" he joked back, glad that the doom and gloom that seemed to hang over this place had somewhat receded "Though I appreciate the offer, Master, I must decline, even if it would be an enlightening lesson on all the ways a body could be battered".

[Brusia]

Martius Shan
Yavin IV
Jedi Praxeum

Though he'd slept better than many of his new fellow students, it was still difficult to get a good night's rest before the first day of training, and Martius was more than a little tired when he climbed out of bed that morning. Fortunately however, a lack of sleep was something he was very well acquainted with, and Martius made his way to the courtyard looking as though he'd had a perfectly restful night. He listened closely to Master Katarn's briefing, and when he stated that Martius would be spending most of his time with Master Ganthor, he looked to the Zabrak and respectfully bowed his head, then returned his attention to Katarn for the remainder of the briefing. For his part, Martius was perfectly happy to be tasked with a simple hike, though looking back on his training in the old Order he suspected it would be anything but simple. Still, he hoped at least part of the activity would be relatively relaxing, despite his ancient armor still making long walks abit more tiring, and waited in line behind several students to pick up one of the containers.

Container in hand, he then followed the group as they began their hike and enjoyed the fresh air and relative quiet; dwelling on their new home as they walked along. Even with his weak connection to the Force he could still sense a subtle darkness all around them; thinking back to his studies of the history records of Master Gnost-Dural, he recalled this world was an important battlefield in the Exar Kun War, and Satele's holocron mentioned the essence of the Sith Emperor Vitiate once rested here, so that darkness was not terribly surprising, though it did make the planet a curious location for a Jedi Academy. He began looking off in the distance and somewhat zoned out of the various conversations going on between the students and instructors as he pondered this, and missed entirely the young human woman's slight stumble. Indeed, it wasn't until he sensed a glare from one of the students that he snapped back into reality, and looked forward to see the Mirialan student glancing his way. Abit puzzled by the look, Martius nonetheless politely nodded to the fellow, supposing he did probably stand out abit given his age. With his attention returned to the present, he continued on with the group towards whatever awaited them at their objective...

[Jedi Council]

Ethora Tao
Aku'lar Savannah, Shili

Ethora blinked, the wind stinging at her face as she peered around the massive trunk of a Soka Tree. The bark was shedding red-black strips, peeling has she laid a gentle hand onto the wood. She crouched.

He's close

Stalking was not her idea of fun. Ever since her fathers death, she had rarely, if ever, joined her villages hunters on their daily mission. There were no hunters with her now, no familiar villagers to protect her. She looked at the spear in her right hand, little more that a jagged rock attached to the top of a gnarled branch. Her attire was just as feeble; little more than rags covered her body, leather from an unknown beast she had bought in the market square.

A vibration reverberated in her montrals, drawing her attention South. She turned, eyes blazing, and drew a deep breath threw her nose.

Hes very close

She had been stalking this akul for days now, pursuing him over the yellow scrublands of Shili. He was a wily opponent; what she had seen of him had revealed numerous scars, a missing eye, and matted fur. A survivor.

We have that in common

Another vibration this, time from the southwest. A twig had snapped underfoot. With practiced grace, the Togrutan hunter silently leaped up the Soka tree, hidden in the leafy eaves, and crawled along the farthest branch, craning for a line of sight.

Almost there

The vibrations were picking up, it was moving faster. And towards her. She closed her eyes, and reached out to her extra senses, feeling the ground below her.

Three, two, one.... Go.

She released her grip with wild screech, dropping straight down on her quarry, improvised spear extended. Her arms quaked as the spear struck the ground and snapped, the force of the fall sending her tumbling to the ground. Without hesitation, the Togrutan leaped to her feet, fists raised...

There was nothing. The small grove stood empty, no akul, not animals, nothing remarkable save for Ethora herself and her now shattered spear.

What...

Her thought was lost in a sea of pain exploding from her chest, the scent of charred hide and burning flesh filling her nostrils. She looked down, crimson light nearly blinding her eyes, to see about a foot of crackling red energy bursting forth from her sternum.

With her vision fading, Ethora's last moments were filled with a rasping, shadowy voice echoing in her ears.

"I have you now."

---

Ethora Tao
Jedi Praxeum, Yavin 4

Ethora was screaming before she had even opened her eyes, a piercing shriek of pain rippling from her face, twisted as it was in agony. She span in place, biting her makeshift pillow with a such force that her Togrutan fangs pierced the cheap material of the bedding, filling her mouth with a plastic, manufactured taste. Her head was pounding, her breaths came short and ragged, even as she struggled to rein them in. Of all nights to have a vision, it had to be tonight.

Ethora's visions had been more subdued, especially during the flight from Coruscant. Her short stay with the Jedi there had introduced her to several methods of mental discipline; meditation, focus, and inner peace. It had been working, until now. In the crowded Temple, full of her fellow Apprentices, she didn't want to know how many she had awoke.

Releasing the pillow form her vice-like bite, Ethora inspected the damage. Her fangs had shredded a good portion of the left side, that should could tell even in the dim light of early morning. She still had some hours to go until her first official activity with Master Katarn; the introductions of the first day had been little more than courtesy greetings and cursory I glances. She had been disappointed not to see any other Togruta; even in her solitary lifestyle, the communal habits of her people drew her ever back.

Slowly rolling onto her back, Ethora wiped the half dried dears from her eyes, and began to breath, measuring her intake so as to control her body. This vision had made no sense; she hadnt been to Shili in months, much less stalked an Akul, not since her 12th birthday. Her visions often showed things that were, things that are, and things that may come. Which of these was this? And what was that figure? Whose blade? Who?

---

The bright light of morning filled the Temple atrium as Ethora came to; since her nightmarish awakening, she guessed she had maybe grabbed a further two hours of sleep. Much less than what she had hoped for. Who knew what day one of her life as a Jedi would bring. As she stirred, she noticed a few of the other trainees cast sideways glances in her direction.

They heard. Of course they did, how couldnt they.

Stretching, the Togrutan stood, and began to dress. She wore little more than what she had arrived in, a tight black spacers combat fatigue, with high boots and a sturdy belt. Plucking the rather long hilt of her sabre staff from her cot, Ethora looked at it a moment, wondering if he had made the right choice. When they had chosen their training weapons on arrival, Ethora had been drawn to the sabrestaff; the weapon most resembled the spears of Shili, a weapon she had great experience with. But looking at it now, she was unsure.

I have no idea what I'm doing here

It was not long before the students were joined by Master Katarn, as well as a Zabrak and tall near-human figure who accompanied him. The ensuring lecture was more of the same as she had expected; introductions, brief instructions about Kyber Crystal's, and then a hike.

The announcement of the hike thrilled Ethora; while the jungles of Yavin may be radically different from the vast savannahs of Shili, she was excited to explore her new surroundings, far from the duracrete and transparisteel nightmare that had been Coruscant. Despite her interest however, the bags beneath here eyes belied her exhaustion. While last nights vision had been brief, it had still sapped her strength.

I've had worse. I'm just glad no one got hurt.

Trudging behind her classmates, the Togrutan tried to push the vision out of her mind, and focus on the path in front of her.

Always forward one foot in front of the other. Never back. Never back.

[Urran]

Zam Thrace
Yavin IV
Jedi Praxium

Confusion, Concern, Uncertainty

These three things constituted the beginnings of fear, one of the quickest paths towards imbalance. Towards the dark path. Towards anger and hated. Ultimately, towards death.

These emotions were powerful, but only at first. Their power was fleeting and no match for a mind well disciplined and trained in the more positive emotions of being. Calm. Peace. Serenity. Stability. These were the emotions and feelings of a Jedi, not the shifting sands upon which the Sith and Dark Jedi built their power. True strength, that was building your own inner calm....

At least that was the basics that Thrace had been told. The young man was all of these negative things. He was confused, concerned, uncertain, and, above all, scared. Very very scared.

His story was one known by an alarmingly high number of force sensitives under Palpitine and his successors. It had begun in the Republic, Force sensitive children, taken from their homes and families, often as infants, to undergo cruel human experimentation under the hands of the Sith. Some of these became the first Dark Troopers. Others became Royal Guards. Others became something in between, almost like living droids used for the advancement of Sith projects or the Emperor's quest for immortality. Most did not make it.

Thrace? Thrace had been lucky. The secret Imperial laboratory yielded only him alive. His life to that point had been a living nightmare. Taken apart, pieced back together. Subjected to all manner of psychological and Force experimentation as an infant, child, teen, and young adult. It had cost him his sight and an arm, but he was alive....for now.

The Republic officials did not know what else to do with him, so they sent him to this uncertain place. The lights were less bright and the atmosphere so much more cheerful than he had ever known. Peace was unfamiliar, as was a full stomach and a warm bed. It was too unfamiliar, too uncertain. Like a beaten dog he had opted to sleep on the hard floor. It was more familiar, more comforting, that way.

He wanted to blink away, wanted to disappear, but disobeying orders was a good way to die. He had survived before on pure instinct. He could do it again. He did his best to suppress the blackness swirling about. Jedi could pick up on it he had been told. Besides....the blackness is where THEY dwell.

His heart was in his throat, but his legs moved mechanically as he made his way up to the pedestal. He was about to grab a random container when he froze. Time stopped. There was a voice, a whisper that caught him as his hand was hovering above a container....but where.....his blind eyes drifted almost on their own to the a different container. There was a swirling of whispers, not friendly, but not unfriendly, just....calm.

Before he knew it he was holding a metallic container with a heart of white kyber. He had been told little and understood even less. He melted into the back of the group. The longer he could go without being noticed, the better.

[Mandicoria]

Trudging behind her classmates, the Togrutan tried to push the vision out of her mind, and focus on the path in front of her.

Ethora's advance forward with the others would be cut slightly off by a minor bump into another apprentice. Mainly the fault of the other apprentice, who happened to be the still drowsy Kaitha. The Apprentice shooting with a bit of shock as the collision managed to get them alert again. "Oh, sorry friend I just. Long night..." She yawned a little before looking at Ethora. Locking their eyes for a bit, with their gaze widening. "Wait, ain't you the one who was up screaming almost all night?" One would think it would've been a tone of annoyance coming from the tired Kaitha, but it was one of genuine worry. "I was getting worried about you, I know how bad night terrors get and all."

Their walking was a little distracted, not made any better by their exhausted state. With their feet almost fumbling over each other at points. Yet they managed to keep their attention on their Togrutan acquaintance.

[Anowa]

The rest of the hike, the masters, as well as Xin said nothing out loud. It was a quiet 20 or so minutes along a reasonably well worn path through the jungle, and then into a clearing.

Each and every person who stepped from the treeline in that clearing would be hit by a veritable wall of what could only be seen as the force. The clearing had rows upon rows of white stone slabs, it was a massive field, containing close to a thousand of these markers. Each slab had an indentation roughly the same size as the crystals in the containers each student held, some already with crystals present, others not. these indentations were mere centimeters above inscribed words, no, names, some indentations were filled with what looked like gold, others were empty those these were not mutually exclusive with the missing crystals. This was hallowed ground.

The apprentices were lead to the center of the many circular rows. The central pedestal was larger, and more table sized than anything. Upon it was a simple inscription in galactic basic: "To those who could not be reclaimed, or remembered. May the Force be with you."

It was then Ganthor said the first words since the trip's beginnings, in a low tone respectful of the dead present, "Take this as your first lesson. Jedi, are not infallible. As you can see when you look around, many Jedi have died, in the pursuit of peace and justice across the galaxy. 38 years ago, Chancellor Sheev Palpatine commenced the Second Jedi Purge. The markers in this field are simply those whose names we could reclaim from the heavily damaged and corrupted systems of the archives on Coruscant. What it's survivor's could remember from memory, and what we could garner from ruins of smaller temples on other planets." he gestured at the central marker behind him, "This marker is dedicated to the Jedi from the previous twenty five thousand years before the Second Purge."

Katarn cleared his throat, "Those containers you all grabbed, they contain the kyber crystals from a small number of the Jedi entombed here. If you can, I wish for those of you to find the pedestals in which are missing the kyber crystal from their faces. All that must be done is to pull a crystal from the container and meditate on it." a pause as he looked at the various apprentices, "I will warn you. Kyber crystals have an intricate connection to the force with their former users. As such, some of you may receive some rather... abrupt visions, typically of the Jedi's final moments. When you are done with your container, or believe you can no longer find their proper master, please return here. If you're so inclined, you can also ask amongst yourselves for assistance."

Xin moved, though to an untrained eye it would simply be her changing her position, however her intent would be obvious to the sole Knight present. She was to watch Shan, and make sure he remained focused on the task... rather than the dead.

[Endem]

Kai

He wordlessly moved to the first slab of stone without a crystal he saw and placed the container near it, he was glad that they weren't assigned a group task, as he was unsure how he could help. He carefully opened the container, and even more carefully took out a crystal, the previous warmth was gone, replaced by a vague feeling of sorrow and coldness.

He placed the crystal before the slab, and then sat before them, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, he never meditated before, at best, at best he seen somebody probably do it. He opted for the first thing that came to his mind, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on the crystal and the marker.

It was dark at first, he was reminded of many things by this darkness, the slave pits, the torture cells, the dark chambers, he needed to focus, he tried to focus but those images kept pouring in every time he saw the darkness before his eyes. He needed to open his eyes, he was breathing quickly, unfortunately, nothing seemed to happen to the crystal. Kai tried again a couple of times, he needed to try again lest the masters discipline him for failing something.


Suddenly in this darkness, he felt, rather than seen, a light right before him, an indistinct noise started to fill the background, completely overwhelming the previous sound of Yavin 4. Then all that was scraped away, as he found himself, or rather watching through somebody's eyes he saw a blurry vision of a dark chamber, illuminated by a single red light coming through the steel door.

He was filled with senses, dread, despair, fear, the light moved, up, then sideways, then down, then sideways again, he felt like his hand took something up from the floor, though Kai's body didn't move, he felt he moved and didn't move at the same time. The door crumbled as his not-hand pulled out a lightsaber and ignited it, through the destroyed door came a dark, hooded figure, he could feel anger emanating of off it.

The figure had a red lightsaber, he felt his not-hand move the ignited blue lightsaber to defend as the figure swung theirs. The hand and lightsaber were gone, the figure extended his hand towards him, and he felt as something sensitive was grabbed behind his head, the figure pulled what looked like a Twi'lek head-tail, and cut it off, Kai nearly screamed in pain, but before he even had the chance to breathe after the first one, the figure pulled another one and cut it off. All Kai could feel was pain, and the feeling like the figure was enjoying it like it wanted to absorb and feed off the fear and pain coming from him.

He felt his throat pierced as the being swung its crimson lightsaber the last time. Kai opened his eyes, in a panic he crawled away from the stone in which the crystal now was, he still felt the pain of the person through which he saw this, he breathed rapidly and looked in distress around him, what just happened?! He questioned himself, but he couldn't find a explanation.

[Revlona]

Lyra Vurel
The Jedi Praxeum
Yavin 4

They were in a grave yard, that was not unsettling, nope not one bit. Yet it wasn't just any graveyard, no this was the memorium for the few thousand Jedi that had been murdered in a purge 20 years before. A purge that was famous while being at the same time not famous, the Jedi had been vilified by the empire yet their existence in history was also nearly destroyed by the empire, hoping to erase them from the past.

Lyra listened to the masters instructions and attempted to follow them. She took her crystals to a secluded part of the yard of white pylons and sat down, crossing her legs below her as she attempted to mirror what she had seen others do when meditating. She stared down at the crystals just below her for several minutes, reaching out with her thoughts and willing them to reveal their secrets to her. In the days past she had tried using the force consciously, she had always been able to use it in certain moments unconsciously, and had had some success. She had managed to bring small objects to and from her as well as being able to violently fling things away from her.

So it was with these thoughts of former success that she closed her eyes and truly opened herself to the crystals in front of her. The vision hit her like a fast flowing river, she stumbled several feet before catching her balance again. She hadn't remembered standing up but now she found herself flowing into a combat stance the saber in her hand, when had she done that, coming up parallel to her body.

Many different emotions flowed through her body, anger, rage, surprise, distrust, betrayal, and chief among them all, pure terror. Her saber came up once, twice, and finally a third time, blue beams of light coming into her vision and being deflected out by her saber. Finally an intense feeling of pain hit her lower back and she was thrown face first onto the hard temple floor. She rolled from her belly onto her back, pure terror being her only emotion as it overrode even the pain she was feeling. She raised one hand in as a feeble shield between her and her killers.

Emotionless masks of white appeared above her, these must be the clones, and looked down at her. They raised their blasters in their hands and fear and pain was the last thing she knew before she was once again sitting in a field of white grave markers, silent tears streaming down her face.

Lyra rose to her feet and wiped the tears away, she then turned and followed her new found knowledge. She didn't know exactly how she knew or what it was she exactly knew either, however she did know that Crystals and a single pedestal were calling out to each other. A silent cry to be reunited. She placed the crystals in the small alcove of the pedestal and sat down, her back leaned against the white marker, her thoughts far off remembering a vision of a girl much like her who was brutally cut down 20 years ago.

[Lessoni]

Reznon Lat

It was a stark contrast to the peace he'd been expecting. This? This was just... grim. Death wasn't exactly a topic he loved, but the graveyard before him thrust it into his face, and now he was gonna have to get buddy-buddy with it. So he walked as silently as he could, not meaning to disturb the peace of fallen souls, and when he found an empty pedestal he pulled out his crystal, sitting crosslegged with it clasped in his hands, head bowed, eyes closed. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be feeling, when-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He was Reznon. Reznon Lat, the name he'd been given by loving parents, but he was also... who? Who was this, piloting the starfighter at breakneck speed? It looked like Coruscant, or maybe some other city world, judging from the urban sprawl he could see stretched out beneath him. Whoever he... she was, she was filled with a sort of stoic determination. It took a moment for him to realize she had a passenger in the cockpit with her; it wasn't a two-seater, but the child was crammed in there nonetheless. It came to Reznon like instinct; her padawan.

He wondered what she was running from, but in a moment it became woefully clear; someone was trying to bring her down, as evidenced by the sudden rocking of a square hit. He... (they?) saw red warnings splashed across the displays of the fighter, and while they were meaningless to Reznon, the Jedi obviously understood. She grabbed the control yoke, pulled up on it, but the ground was still coming-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reznon snapped back into reality, taking in a sharp breath, hands still clutching as if at the yoke, but he wasn't there anymore, he was here, and here was safe. He shuddered, as he realized he'd just watched them die, padawan and jedi alike. A few deep shuddering breaths calmed him as he sat, unmoving, processing the new experience.

[Audunia]

Iax Edarian
Yavin 4

Iax nodded solemnly as Bo Ganthor spoke of the crystals, a pang of guilt resounding within him as he remembered the glee with which he collected the cylinder, and his lax attitude when walking with the Masters that regret almost clouded him mind. He shook himself out of it, he had a task to do, a solemn one at that, to lay these noble people to rest. He wondered if this would be his fate, but quickly steeled himself. He opened the cylinder gently, a small hiss emanating from it as the lid slid to the side. Gently, he picked out a crystal and inspected it. It was a curious shade of green, partially translucent from some angles and opaque from others. He glanced around, looking at the other students in hopes to know what he had to do, having never used the Force in this regard, and he had no intention of making a mess of things, finding his fellow students in various states of sitting and kneeling, deep in prayer. No, he thought, not prayer...concentration. Placing the crystal down, he knelt before it, the sound of wet mud squelching made him glance up, in fear he'd interrupted someone. Satisfied he hadn't, he bowed his head towards the crystal and focused on it.

He reached out with the Force, trying to commune with the Crysal, to learn its Master, but something felt like it was pushing him back. Cold crept up him as he continued to reach out, ignoring what felt like warnings. Soon, small areas on his body began to burn, at first only slightly, almost unnoticeable, but they began to grow. Without ever having experienced it, Iax knew he was feeling blaster burns, the heat burning so bright that he felt his breath retreat from him. Just when he felt like his clothes would set alight, the darkness of his eyes was replaced by a frozen land. Jagged towers of ice reached high up into the sky, looking like clawed fingers, the sky the sofest shade of blue he'd ever seen. The ground covered with snow, with a number of ditches that were blasted into the Earth and rimmed with black ash. Blaster fire sounded from around him, the colours lighting up the already blinding snow. What was he doing standing around, there was a battle to be won! He looked around and saw himself taking cover in a small outpost of buildings made of riveted metal, alive with people running to and from.

"Marlam!" A voice cried out "Get out of here!" Iax looked to his side and saw a woman covered head to toe in furs that ranged from white to dark grey, a blaster gripped tightly in her hands. Her face was obscured by her scarf and goggles, but Iax knew what her words meant. Flee from here and try to save the Jedi Order, but he couldn't, he was tired of running. Besides, the Force had willed this to happen. Wait, Iax thought, what did she call me? Whose thoughts are these? He looked into the black reflection of the woman's goggles and saw a near mirror image of his face but older, bearded, and a cruel blaster burn on the side of his head. But the sight of piercing yellow eyes made Iax catch his breath. He remembered those eyes, but he couldn't afford to get distracted further.

"Esalda, there is no saving me, but I can save you. Run, take you men into the tunnels, I will do what I can" Iax felt himself say. Esalda shook her head firmly, but the sound of an explosion tore the words from her throat. The gate that had been holding the enemy at bay had been breached. Without hesitating, Iax used the force to shove Esralda away "Go!" he shouted, igniting his lightsabre, it's blue light mirroring the sky's. He didn't dare look behind him as the first stormtroopers tore round the corner, firing blindly at him. He reflected the bolts with ease, taking a trooper down, before impaling another on his sabre. Too late, he realised, more troopers rushing through the breach, a firing at him, striking him in the shoulder, blasting him off balance. Another hit him in the leg, bringing him down, remaining on one knee through sheer will. He haphazardly deflected other bolts with no care where they landed, before pushing out with the force, knocking several troopers backwards. He went to stand but soone grasped he had no control of himself anymore, the strain of pushing against this unmovable force causing his great discomfort. Then he heard it. The slow, robotic breath of the most reviled being in the Galaxy. His poor angle meant he could only see the being's feet, but they were black as night and cold, as though the were sucking all the warmth the planet had to offer.

"Allow me to die standing" Iax forced out of himself, his voice filled with strain.

"You will die as you lived, Jedi. On your knees" The deep voice replied, as though he had no interest in the act he was about to commit whatsoever. The sound of a lightsabre igniting and an incredible feeling of pair tearing through him was the last thing the vision granted him before he returned to reality, a small layer of cold sweat clung to the top of his head, his breath was raspy. He looked to Master Ganthor and Master Katarn, trying to hide the pain his vision had given him. How could they give this as a first task? The first experience of the new Jedi was the pain of the death of the last. He considered for a moment whether that this would be the fate of this New Order, but he quickly crushed the thought. He'd heard the legends of the Jedi, and he had no intention of letting the Masters know his doubting thoughts on their first day. He stood up shakily, taking the crystal in his hand.

Marlam. The name was being repeated in his head, as his memory fought to try remember where he had heard it before. He looked down at the crystal and his frustration grew, unable to put the name to a face. He picked the crystal up and breathed out, he let the crystal guide him to where it yearned to be, arriving at a similarly white marker that had the name 'Marlam' etched into it. Completely unremarkable to every other marker here, yet something tugged at Iax as he gently placed the crystal into its slot. He resolved to ask Master Katarn if he'd heard the name later, first he had a task to complete. He reached into the container and pulled out another crystal and resumed the same position as the last, steeling himself for another vision of death. Without meaning, he felt himself speak against his will.

"Master" he asked, his voice remarkably monotone "You mentioned this was the Second Purge. Does that mean there was a First? When?"

[Jedi Council]

Ethora Tao
Jungle, Yavin IV
"Oh sorry friend I just...long night."

The sound of another voice broke Ethora out of her reverie, her focus having been solely occupied with navigating the path before her, rooty and gnarled as it was. She had not conversed with anyone since she had arrived, just the Masters, and even then, only in passing or responding to queries and instructions. The other students had mostly kept to themselves, and after her little performance in the small hours of the morning, the Togrutan had doubted that this would soon change. Jedi-in-training they may be, but most of the other students were younger than her, children even, save for the one elder man so carefully watched by the Masters. Shaking her head slightly, Ethora turned to face the student that had spoken to her, her lekku swaying slightly with her movement even as her montrals curved gracefully upwards.

The other student was tall, some three or four inches taller than Ethora stood, with light brown hair and green eyes. Two facial scars gave her a somewhat menacing look, but there was kindness in her eyes. She yawned slightly.

"Wait aint you the one who was up screaming almost all night? I was getting worried about you, I know how bad night terrors get and all."

At the mention of her vision, Ethora's eyes returned to the path ahead, lips tightening around her fangs. Of course the other students had heard, given their communal sleeping arrangements there was no way they could not have. But Ethora was not prepared to be confronted about it so openly, even if it was empathetic in intention. Everyone she had known, aside from her mother, and usually just ignored her screams, or attempted to shake her out of it.

She ducked under a low hanging tree, montrals just barely missing the thick brown bark.

"You heard that huh," she said softly, hoping none of the other students were eavesdropping. "I had asked for a private room, given my... afflictions. But there were none available. Or at least, that's what I was told."

A few moments passed before Ethora spoke again, her voice heavy.
"And they are not night terrors. I mean they are, but they aren't. I dont really know what they are if I am honest, but I have had them for as long as I can remember. They are more like visions, dreams of things that were, and sometimes of things that have yet to happen. Since leaving Coruscant, they haven't been nearly as bad, the Master's there gave me a few exercises to do and that seemed to help for a while."
The Togrutan bit her lip.
"Until last night."

Ethora shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She knew that most Jedi were telepaths, and she did not want the attendant Masters to know how bad her condition was, not yet anyways. Even the Master's on Coruscant had not been able to identify exactly what she was experiencing, through she had overheard one say the word "Seer." The word hung in Ethora's mind.

"Im sorry if I kept you awake," she continued to the other student, turning back to glance at the human. "Im not the easiest person to bunk with. I am Ethora, by the way."
She extended a red-orange hand, smiling awkwardly.

As she listened to the other students reply, the large troupe of Jedi arrived at a clearing, some distance from the Temple they had left. Just as Ethora stepped out from under the eaves of the tree, a wave of sensation hit her, as though every one of her senses was stimulated at once. It was the Force, this place was strong in it. Looking around, the Togruta knew why almost instantly. The rings of white stone and the crystals some held instantly recalled the traditional burial fields of Shili, though, this place was much more grand. It took every ounce of willpower for Ethora to keep moving forward, and not get lost in the currents of Force energy that now swirled about her.

This place, its, its incredible.

Master Ganthor lead the group to the centre of the field to a large pedestal that stood tall in the epicenter of the tombstones. He turned to the assembled Apprentices and began to speak.

"Take this as your first lesson. Jedi, are not infallible. As you can see when you look around, many Jedi have died, in the pursuit of peace and justice across the galaxy. 19 years ago, Chancellor Sheev Palpatine commenced the Second Jedi Purge. The markers in this field are simply those whose names we could reclaim from the heavily damaged and corrupted systems of the archives on Coruscant. What it's survivor's could remember from memory, and what we could garner from ruins of smaller temples on other planets." he gestured at the central marker behind him, "This marker is dedicated to the Jedi from the previous twenty five thousand years before the Second Purge."

Ethora slouched where she stood, the weight the moment bearing down on her. She had always heard stories of the Jedi, but these legends had always made them seem distant figures, from a bygone age, not living, breathing beings. The Purge had always hung over the word Jedi like a shadow clinging to the edge of candlelight. What most knew of it was limited; Palpatine had destroyed the Jedi so utterly that many still believed his lies. What little research that Ethora had done on the way to Yavin had not prepared her for this moment.

Master Katarn began where Master Ganthor ended.
"Those containers you all grabbed, they contain the kyber crystals from a small number of the Jedi entombed here. If you can, I wish for those of you to find the pedestals in which are missing the kyber crystal from their faces. All that must be done is to pull a crystal from the container and meditate on it." a pause as he looked at the various apprentices, "I will warn you. Kyber crystals have an intricate connection to the force with their former users. As such, some of you may receive some rather... abrupt visions, typically of the Jedi's final moments. When you are done with your container, or believe you can no longer find their proper master, please return here. If you're so inclined, you can also ask amongst yourselves for assistance."

She looked down at the small cylinder she had taken back at the temple; having attached it to her belt, it had been swinging back and forth across her thigh as they had hiked. With a little more reverence, she plucked it from her belt, and held it in front of her. As the other students dispersed to find their matches, Ethora waited, pursing her lips. The mention of visions did not encourage her; after last nights events, another powerful episode could seriously impair her health. It had happened before, on Shili; during the final Akul hunt of her 10th year, she had suffered four visions in two days, which had left her essentially bedridden for a week.

Looking up, she saw the Masters observing the students. As she met their gaze, she looked back down at the cylinder, opening it gingerly. A small green kyber crystal first caught her eye, one that was finely cut, rather than appearing to be a more natural creation. She tilted her head. And looked back to the field of tombs around her.

Where do I even start?

Closing her eyes, the Togrutan reached out into the eddies of the Force that rippled around her. A tendril of energy almost immediatly got her attention, drawing her to the far norther edge of the cemetery.

Show me.

Slowly, eyes still closed, Ethora walked, no, stumbled, Northward, following the connection ever further.

Show me.

The sound of a boot striking stone caused the Jedi to flick her eyes open, lids fluttering for a moment as she let go of the force connection. Below her, a white headstone stood, identical to every other one in the field. Engraved about two thirds up from its base, the name Veth Karsi rang out.

Veth Karsi

The name rolled around in Ethora's mind. She had heard of great Jedi like Master Yoda, Mace Windu, Shaak Ti, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and many more, but she had never been told of Veth Karsi.

Here goes nothing

Placing the small green stone in the grass beneath her, the Togrutan took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, once more releasing herself into the Force, reaching towards the Crystal itself as she did so.

---

Veth Karsi
Gae Ice Fields, Mygeeto

Wind whipped at Veth as she deflected another blaster bolt skyward in what had seemed to be the hundredth hour of the day. Her muscles ached as she swung her emerald blade left and right then left again, its elegant electrum handle a comforting presence in her hand. The smell of burning fabric made it clear that one of the Trade Federations blaster droids had gotten much too close for comfort. As it was, her once elegant mirialan robes had been singed beyond recognition when her LAAT had been shot down the day before. The miles travelled since then had left her squad decimated; it was only her, Captain Fae and Driver. Even now, having fought her way out of CIS territory to the very frontlines of the Republic, with safety almost in sight, she worried about them. They did not have the Force to protect them from the onslaught ahead of them.

On the horizon, the Republic Acclamator ships could just me made out, perched on the Ice Plateau of Gae some miles ahead of them. But, stretched across the cragged, frozen landscape between them and home, a panoply of Separatist materiel was arrayed. Even as the Republic fought off this assault from the South, Veth knew they had to fight their way through to be truly safe.

Ducking behind a shard of ice taller than three men, the Jedi Knight rejoined her troopers. The Captain Fae had been her companion since only months after Geonosis, and while Driver was a new addition to her squad, she had become fond of him since their arrival on this Force forsaken plant.

"How bad is it sir," Jango Fett's voice echoed from Captain Fae's helmet, a stark reminder of the Troopers origins.

"They are engaging our line across the Plateau, its a full assault. We will have to fight our way through."

Driver shook his head.
"Going around is not an option I suppose."

"Not if you want to get to General Mundi on time," Veth chuckled mirthlessly. She grew serious as she continued. "Fae, Driver, I am not going to lie to you. The odds of us getting out of this in once piece are not good."

Fae cocked a helmeted head. He had caught her lie.
"What you mean General, is that the odds of us fighting our way through an entire battle line of clankers is not going to happen. You," he pointed a gloved hand at the Mirialan, "Could probably do it just fine."

Veth bit her lip. The Captains words stung, but only because they were true. Alone, with ability to cloak her presense from enemies, she would likely be able to slip past the droid army with little difficulty. Two clones, cut off and exhausted, her not going to make it.

"Go without us," Driver said, raising his blaster. "General Mundi needs you more than he needs us. We are just clones. We are expendable."

Veth stood from her crouch, face strained in determination.
"Either we all make it," she ignited her blade with a hiss, "Or none of us do."

The Clones stood as well, with the simple exultation so common to their kind.
"Yes sir!"

Are they smiling behind their helmets.

Veth twisted around the jagged piece of ice, and peered once more. The Droids had made little headway since she had last looked. Silently motioning with her hand, her troopers jumped from behind her, and into a veritable hail of blaster fire. With practiced ease, another hallmark of their exceedingly skilled heritage, the troopers dodged, rolled and weaved their way through the storm of red blaster bolts. A lucky shot took Driver in the leg, forcing him to roll into the small trough that lay behind the next crystalline shard.

Veth gritted her teeth, and followed. Flashing her blade ahead of her, her arms screaming in protest, the Jedi was a blur of motion, ensconced in a shield of emerald energy, dancing more that fighting her way across the icy field. With a final leap, she made it to the Troopers position, and out of the fire of the enemy. Fae was kneeling over Driver, whose ankle was still smouldering where the droids had caught him. Propping Driver up against their icy shelter, Fae tended to his wound slowly, his hands reaching for Driver's ankle.

Veth slid into the trough breathlessly, and disengaged her sabre.
"Is he alright?"

Fae stopped moving towards his wounded comrade, and cocked his head. Veth could hardly hear what scratchy message came through the Captain's comlink, though it must have been good news; they had lost radio contact after the crash.

"Fae," Veth said more urgently, clipping her blade to her belt. "Is Driver going to be alright?"

The Jedi heard the blaster bolt before she felt it, a dull pinging in her ear that precipitated a searing pain from her sternum. Stumbling, she looked down. Driver's pistol was still smoking, his hand almost shaking from his propped position against the icey wall ahead of her. Smoke rose from her chest, some two inches of which had just been vaporized.

"I...wh..b," the Mirialan's strength left her, and her legs buckled. She hardly felt the impact with the snow beneath her for by the time her head cracked against the hard packed ground, her vision was already fading. The last thing she saw was the faceless helm of Captain Fae looking down at her, as one last thought raced through her mind.

Are they smiling behind their helmets?

---

Ethora Tao
Jungle, Yavin IV

Tears were streaming down Ethora's cheeks freely by the time she came to, laying on her side before the carved headstone of Veth Karsi. She didn't want to open her eyes; she did not want to look out at the faces of her fellow students as they stared at her in wonder, stared at her lack of control for the second time in a single day. The Togrutan bit her lip, and stifled a sob.

Veth Karsi is dead. I am not. I do no honour to her by weeping here like a child.

Gracefully, Ethora composed herself, and rose from the ground, eyes still raw and bloodshot from her tears. Delicately, she placed the small green kyber crystal into the alcove in Kari's gravestone. In the Yavin sun, it glinted and gleamed with life. Ethora could hardly bear to look at it. Spinning in place, she looked out over the field. Many other apprentices were still wandering about the clearing, while others were meditating or otherwise involved. She reached down and picked up the container, before making her way back to the Masters at the central podium, wiping her eyes in a vain attempt to appear composed. There were several more crystals that remained within the cylinder, but Ethora did not think she had the strength to find their owners.

"Master Katarn, Master Ganthor," she said as she approached, voice wavering more than she would have liked, "I found a crystal's owner. There are some left in here. I... I cant do any more." She reached out a hand, extending the container towards the Masters. Ashen faced, she waited for further instructions.

[Brusia]

Martius Shan
Yavin IV
Jungle Clearing

As the group approached the clearing, Martius began to sense a subtle shift in the Force surrounding them; though the feeling was no doubt less acute than in most of the other students, he could feel the Force was stronger here, and not only that, but as they entered he could sense the darkness in the Force around them give way to a veritable beacon of light. That sensation would soon make sense as it became clear that this particular clearing was home to a gravesite and memorial for fallen Jedi. As Master Ganthor began to speak, Martius listened closely, though he of all people certainly needed no reminder that the Jedi were anything but infallible. As Master Ganthor finished, Martius turned to Master Katarn as he began speaking and gave the group their instructions.

While meditating on the crystals would doubtless forge a quick connection for most, Martius knew his still weak connection to the Force would necessitate a different tact, and so as most other students proceeded to immediately open their containers and begin to meditate, Martius instead worked his way back some 25,000 years to the beginning of the markers. Once there, he opened his container and began focusing on the crystals and soon started moving systematically forward, using the collective consciousness both of his crystals and all those crystals within the clearing to guide him back to their rightful places. He examined the names on the various grave markers as he moved forward, and recognized quite a few of the names from his studies back on Coruscant many years ago; he also noticed what seemed to be large gaps in time between many of the markers, though given how much mystery surrounded the early days of the Jedi Order, and even more so the Je'daii before them, even in the days before the Purge it was hardly surprising. As he walked, Martius also soon noticed that he'd acquired a new shadow in the form of Padawan Xin; he suspected likely either to ensure he was still capable of connecting with the Kyber crystals at all, or to ensure he remained on task when he inevitably came across the grave of someone he once knew.

After some time walking, Martius eventually began to feel one of the crystals echoing through the Force as he neared the grave marker of the Jedi with whom it had bonded. Pulling the crystal from its container and returning it to the marker, the crystal dimly glowed a light green, and with its connection now strengthened, Martius knelt down and attempted to meditate. After some time, a few images from the crystal began entering in his mind; though fragmented he could begin to make out some details: in a flash he recognized the Temple on Coruscant, familiar and yet different from how he remember it. Another flash, and a shuttle suddenly came crashing through the Temple wall, devastating the Temple architecture as it skidded to a halt across a long hallway. Another flash, the bright glow of yellow, green, and blue lightsabers all around him with a sea of red glowing in front of them; a sudden sense of adrenaline as the lightsaber of a masked and badly scarred figure clashed with his own. Next, a narrow miss, another clash, and then a sudden pain searing into his abdomen, followed shortly by a final flash of the massive cityscape burning in the distance as attack ships descended on their targets.

Martius opened his eyes and placed his hand over his abdomen; the searing pain now replaced by the familiar ache left by the Separatist artillery at Garos IV. He sat for a few moments and pieced together the images, concluding that if that was indeed Coruscant than the Jedi had most likely perished during the infamous sacking of the planet during the Great Galactic War. He looked at the name on the marker, one "Ven Zallow" and made a mental note to read up on him at the next available opportunity. Standing up, Martius continued moving forward in time through the clearing, returning two more crystals to their markers, one glowing a faint yellow, the other a faint blue, and in each case was met with a few fragmented images of a Jedi's final moments. As he came down to the last two crystals, he found himself now crossing the marker into painfully familiar territory; into the graves of those who died during the Clone Wars.

Knowing his new shadow would doubtlessly keep a very close eye on him here, Martius made every effort to focus on the task at hand, and concentrated solely on the crystals, doing his best to avoid looking at the names on the grave markers before him. Despite his best efforts, he would occasionally look down and find the name of an old friend, and though he knew he could not stop for long, he would briefly place his hand on their markers and whisper a remembrance of better times with them before moving on. Eventually he felt another echo in one of the crystals which began to glow a dim green as he approached the grave marker of the all-to-familiar Cin Drallig. With a heavy sigh, he returned the crystal to its marker; he didn't meditate on the crystal this time, as he had no desire to see the death of a man who had been both teacher and friend; instead he closed his eyes, and thought back to his lessons with the old Battlemaster; grinning briefly as he recalled some of their sparring sessions in the Temple. Opening his eyes again, he softly whispered "Rest well, old friend" and continued moving through the clearing.

As he approached the end of the grave markers however, he still had one crystal remaining in his container. Unsure how he could have missed its Jedi's marker, Martius picked the crystal up and held it in his hand; to his surprise he felt a connection to the Kyber himself, a connection which must have obscured its connection to its true owner. Figuring that likely meant it belonged to someone he must have been very close to, Martius took a deep breath and steeled himself as he began more slowly working his way back through those who had died during the Purge and the Clone Wars. He moved past countless grave markers to no avail, his heart beating faster as the list of possibilities around who the crystal belonged to began to narrow, until Martius had returned back to those 179 markers belonging to the Jedi who perished in the First Battle of Geonosis. Now visibly shaking Martius continued on even more slowly now, as he began to realize who the crystal most likely belonged to.

The final echo and dim glow confirmed his worst fears as he came to a dead stop over the grave marker reading "Meetra Fenni." Kneeling before the grave, Martius placed his hand on the marker and softly whispered: "I'm so sorry Master" before returning her crystal to its rightful place. Unlike the other crystals however, as this crystal was slotted back into place it began to glow a bright blue, and Martius felt as though it was calling out to him. Hesitant as he was, Martius felt obligated to answer, and so began to meditate; remaining knelt there for some time, uncertain of how long exactly, as he began to lose track of time.

Though Martius was not aware, as he meditated the crystal in front of him began to glow brighter and brighter, until finally emitting a brilliant, almost blinding, light. Rather than being met with a series of images as he had previously, this time Martius began to see a form in the distance walking towards him, and stood up to get a better look at their face. As she grew closer, he could make out her glowing silver hair and piercing grey eyes, and despite all the years that had passed, he recognized the woman immediately...

"Master..." he barely managed to utter when she came to a stop in front of him.

"It's good to see you again Martius" she stated with a friendly smile. She stood still for a moment, looking Martius over in a manner that felt as though she was peering into the core of his being. "Though you've changed since last I saw you. Whatever happened to the optimistic, curious, and confident young Jedi Knight I trained?"

Martius looked down towards his feet, too ashamed to answer in honest detail, and quietly replied simply: "He grew up..."

"Well, now that's a pity" Meetra replied, placing her hands on Martius' shoulders "I certainly hope he isn't gone entirely; I'll have you know I worked quite hard to train that young man, and I was very proud of the Knight I saw when he first completed his Trials..."

Further back along the path, a green crystal would being to glow faintly, as another figure approached and stated: "Indeed, I remember well the tenacity and perseverance of a young Padawan, always willing to spar with his elders time and again, even following loss after loss, to learn from his mistakes and improve his form. I had such high hopes for that young man..."

"And I failed you!" Martius interjected, briefly looking at the old Battlemaster before looking back down at his feet again and continuing: "I failed to honor your teachings, failed to honor the Order, failed even to honor my family name."

Meetra moved her hand under Martius' chin and lifted his head far enough that he had to look her in the eye, then asked: "But what did you learn from your failure?"

"Learn?" Martius replied "I ended the lives of thousands of innocent people in the vain attempt to preserve a Republic that was doomed to die; to protect a legacy that my actions only served to help destroy. What is there to learn from that?"

A second green crystal, closer to the end of the grove, began to glow as a small figure walking with a cane approached and stated: "Remember you nothing of our teachings? The greatest teacher, failure is. By refusing to learn from failure, only then does one truly fail."

Back at the Praxeum, the holocron Martius had presented to Luke now began to faintly glow as well, and a raven-haired woman with bright blue eyes approached and stated: "And do you truly believe you're the first Shan to have ever failed to live up to expectations? To have felt as though you failed a legacy? As the Grand Master, I failed to stop the Empire of Zakuul's attacks against the Republic, and renounced my title as what was left of the Order I led was forced to scatter to avoid destruction."

Far in the distance, in a long since buried courtyard of one of the many ancient Sith temples dotting Yavin IV's landscape, a damaged mask and two ancient lightsabers lay, within which, for the first time in millennia, the crystals began to glow; the one purple, the other red. A bearded man with distinctive scars on his face whom Martius had never met, yet immediately recognized approached and continued: "For everything I accomplished, in the end, even I failed when I released the spirit of the Sith Emperor from its resting place but could not destroy it. Our family has never been free of failures, but you cannot allow yourself to become defined by them; no matter how egregious. You must learn from your mistakes; use that knowledge to help prevent them from happening again, or you'll find history can quickly repeat itself."

"Terrible your actions were, but reverse them you cannot. Live for the living Jedi now you must."

There was a short period of silence as Martius dwelled on what the Masters told him. After a few moments, the silence was broken as Meetra put her hands back on Martius' shoulders and stated: "And Martius, you must let go of the anger and hatred you feel towards yourself for what you did, or you will never be able to move on."

The raven-haired woman stood closer and continued: "You have made progress since finding my holocron, but you still have far to go. It is often hardest to forgive oneself, and it will take time, but you must find a way."

"Time for us to go, it is, but mourn us do not. Miss us do not. One with the Force now are we. Our lessons to you, now remember..."

The Battlemaster began: "There is no emotion..."

To which Martius replied: "There is peace." As he did, the Battlemaster faded away, and his crystal ceased its glow.

Next, the raven-haired woman: "There is no ignorance..."

"There is knowledge."

As she faded, the scarred man continued: "There is no passion..."

"There is serenity."

"No chaos, there is..."

"There is harmony."

Finally, only Martius and Meetra remained, and the Echani stated: "There is no..."

"Wait!" Martius interjected before she could finish, a tear streaming down his cheek at the thought of losing her again "Master, before you go, I never had the chance to tell you..."

With a motherly smile, she wiped the tear from his face and interrupted: "I know Martius. I always knew." Then she continued: "There is no death..."

Taking one last look at his Master, Martius replied: "There is the Force."

With that his Master faded away, and Martius opened his eyes to find himself back in the clearing looking at Meetra's stone with its crystal no longer glowing. As he stood back up he could feel a pain shoot up from his knees through his back, the curse of getting older, but he noticed another sensation as well. Reaching up and touching his cheek he could feel a slight dampness, as though someone had really brushed a tear across it. Placing a hand on Meetra's stone, he quietly stated: "Thank you Master" and after spending a few moments regaining his composure, he started working his way back towards the Masters to turn in his container, or to help out any of the other students if they asked for assistance...

[Mandicoria]

"You heard that huh," she said softly, hoping none of the other students were eavesdropping. "I had asked for a private room, given my... afflictions. But there were none available. Or at least, that's what I was told."

A few moments passed before Ethora spoke again, her voice heavy.
"And they are not night terrors. I mean they are, but they aren't. I dont really know what they are if I am honest, but I have had them for as long as I can remember. They are more like visions, dreams of things that were, and sometimes of things that have yet to happen. Since leaving Coruscant, they haven't been nearly as bad, the Master's there gave me a few exercises to do and that seemed to help for a while."
The Togrutan bit her lip.
"Until last night."

"Ah, I see..." Kaitha could only respond. Actually managing to give their full attention to their fellow apprentice. Nodding along while trudging along with the rest of the group. "I just assumed night terrors, since well... They give me a little bit of trouble when trying to rest. It's... exhausting to say the least." Taking a moment to awkwardly cough, they turned once more to the Togrutan.

"Im sorry if I kept you awake," she continued to the other student, turning back to glance at the human. "Im not the easiest person to bunk with. I am Ethora, by the way."
She extended a red-orange hand, smiling awkwardly.

She offered a warm smile over to Ethora, meeting the Togrutan's hand with her own. Their grasp being gentle, yet firm as they shook hands. "Kaitha... The name's Kaitha. Hey, uh, if you need someone to talk to if you have another night of those visions messing with you. I'll be around. Not like I'm usually sleeping anyways... heh..." She chuckled a little warmly, but evolved to sad realization of what they admitted.

She would have continued trying to converse with what appeared to be a new friend. Yet she would remain awkwardly silent for the rest of the trip. That was until the Master Jedi finally broke the silence. Kaitha letting our a nervous sigh when the Masters spoke.

It was then Ganthor said the first words since the trip's beginnings, in a low tone respectful of the dead present, "Take this as your first lesson. Jedi, are not infallible. As you can see when you look around, many Jedi have died, in the pursuit of peace and justice across the galaxy. 38 years ago, Chancellor Sheev Palpatine commenced the Second Jedi Purge. The markers in this field are simply those whose names we could reclaim from the heavily damaged and corrupted systems of the archives on Coruscant. What it's survivor's could remember from memory, and what we could garner from ruins of smaller temples on other planets." he gestured at the central marker behind him, "This marker is dedicated to the Jedi from the previous twenty five thousand years before the Second Purge."

Katarn cleared his throat, "Those containers you all grabbed, they contain the kyber crystals from a small number of the Jedi entombed here. If you can, I wish for those of you to find the pedestals in which are missing the kyber crystal from their faces. All that must be done is to pull a crystal from the container and meditate on it." a pause as he looked at the various apprentices, "I will warn you. Kyber crystals have an intricate connection to the force with their former users. As such, some of you may receive some rather... abrupt visions, typically of the Jedi's final moments. When you are done with your container, or believe you can no longer find their proper master, please return here. If you're so inclined, you can also ask amongst yourselves for assistance."

Looking down at the small container she held, she could only begin looking at it. For a name or something to give a hint? No, nothing. Must've been part of this small test just to even find out where to go. Some sort of force training. While not particularly adept with the force, she at least knew it enough that this wouldn't be too challenging. She was already able to sense something through the container itself, but nothing more than just that.

Sighing as she realized what she had to do. She place her hand firmly on the container, relaxing her senses as she tried to sense something through the container. Some sort of path, a message maybe of where to go. It didn't take long for a small vision to overtake her mind, a grassy path. Not too far. Opening her eyes and taking a deep breath, Kaitha looked around. Oh goodie, the vision was vague. All the paths were grassy and overgrown. Sighing with a hint of frustration she began to move, trying to look for the right path that matched her vague vision.

It shockingly only took a few minutes of searching for her to find a path matching that of what she envisioned. Smiling down to the container before raising her head back up. Calmly going down the path she had faith in. The path itself giving way to small pools of water overtaking the ground, and leaving only firm stones paving the way. A small patch of land at the very end with a pedestal upon it. Finally ending her small trek, she could only look around for a possible name on it. There was none, yet she could feel it. This was it, she could almost feel the crystal calling out to her.

Kneeling down and sitting down on her knees as she set down the container in front of the pedestal. Reaching her hand out to the container, ready to place the crystal where it belonged. With the container itself opening at the very movement of her hand. A bright, amethyst glow greeting her as the light collided with the crystal inside. Kaitha's eyes locking with the beautiful color, staring for a few seconds before blinking and lowering her gaze. Sighing, she reached her hand for the crystal. Sure she could just try to use the force to move the crystal, but she just couldn't quite help the urge. She had to connect with the past, to learn of the fate of this Jedi. To know their pain, and link their minds together for just once.

Grasping the crystal, she let out a gasp. Her eyes sealing shut as she was thrust into a deep vision.

---

Mace Windu
A Master's Final Moment...

The blinding arcs of lightning blasted into his light saber, and the sickening screams of Chancellor Palpatine below being struck by his own power. The fury rushing in the Master's heart knew no end, knowing that he had to end this horrible man once and for all. Yet when he had the Chancellor within his grasp, he was oh so far from finally putting an end to it all. With the Chancellor below calling out for help as the Master Jedi resisted the attack to the end.

Yet there was another one in this situation. A younger man than the Master Jedi and the Chancellor. He was a new arrival, having context to almost everything. Seeing the Chancellor strike at the Master Jedi with such horrid power. Yet even with context he wanted to give the Chancellor a chance. He needed the Chancellor to live. Yet the Master Jedi was not going to listen to this. He had to end the Chancellor's life, to save the Republic!

Fate decided this would not occur. With the younger figure striking the Master, slicing off the Master's hand in the process. Excruciating pain shot through. Then the realization hit, he lost. The realization then being replaced by the horrid arc of lightning striking the unprotected Jedi. Filling every last nerve with the worst pain imaginable. Being fried head to toe as the Chancellor screamed.

"UNLIMITED POWER!"

The words rang in the mind of the Master Jedi for just a brief moment. Before his charred, mangled body was thrown out the window with extreme force. Screams silencing as he fell down to the abyss of Coruscant. Blackness overtaking the blinding lights of the great cityscape.

---

Kaitha's body sat still in an almost meditative like state. Her hands slowly beginning to tremble as her head lowered. A deep, pained sigh coming from their nostrils as they slowly opened their eyes. A few tears rolling down her cheeks as she eyed the crystal in her hand. "Master Windu..." She mumbled to herself. Blinking away some of the tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands finally calming down as she took another deep breath. The crystal slowly rising away from her hand, and flying above the pedestal. Resting itself where it belonged.

He arms moved onto her lap, her hands calmed down and firm. No longer pained by the vision of the Master Jedi's fate. She could relax, think about everything. The pain, the humiliation. To have the future so horribly destroyed when you had it all secured. She could understand, no, she knew this. She was tortured by this.

"It all hurts so much. The hatred, the pain, and the humiliation. It bears down upon you as sickening trauma. Even in death it plagues your memory... Yet... There is hope. Hope in that you can withstand it all and know peace eventually." She whispered to herself. Looking up to the canopy above, the beautiful light shimmering through. "Even if you fail, you can be remembered as a hero. One who at least bothered to stop the dark..."

Sighing as she finally stood up, Kaitha stood above the Pedestal. Giving a respectful bow of her head to the crystal. "You will be forever honored, Master Windu..." Giving a light smile before turning around, and beginning her way back down the stone path. Albeit slower this time. Her smile gave way, and her mind went from calm to contemplative. Could one really keep fighting against their pain, their own torment?

[Urran]

[quote="Urran";p="38095901"]Zam Thrace
Yavin IV
Jedi Praxium

Peace. Justice.

Some beings seemed made to suffer. It was their lot in life. Born to die horribly without help, without comfort. Mere lab rats. Fodder for the Imperial war machine. Where was the peace and justice in that? Thrace wondered to himself.Peace and justice were also not absolutes. The only absolutes that truly existed were life and death.

Meditate. Just what did that word mean? The young man slowly let his visored gaze fall to the container he was carrying. His knuckles were white with the pressure. He hadn't realized that he had been holding onto it that tightly. It suddenly felt heavy in his hands.

He swayed slightly from side to side, studying the other students, watching their movements. He was a survivor whether he wanted to be or not. Conformity and keeping a low profile were the easiest ways to get by. To go unnoticed. That was the goal.

Uncertainty. Fear. Confusion

The words echoed again. Was this life truly worth living, even as a Jedi? He had not been told he could be killed trying to uphold peace and justice, ideas that he did not believe in. But, on the other hand, if they ended his life here, the suffering would end. The voices would stop.

Almost as quickly as he had lapsed into into it, Thrace broke from the trance. He felt guided to a simple monument with the name "Tera Sinube" written upon it. Glancing about him to see what the other students had done, he used shaky hands to open the canister and place the crystal into a small cleft built into the alter.

He sat before it as the others did and closed his eyes. Nothing happened. The other students seemed to be having troubling experiences of some kind. Even his unrefined perceptive abilities could feel the swirlings of emotions. They were almost tangible.

That is when it happened. It was foggy and difficult to see, but Thrace found himself in a small, sparsely furnished room. There was a plump cushion of simple red fabric for sitting, a low bed with comfortable looking pillows and sheets deep grey in color, and a small metallic pillar for a table. It was comfortable. Peaceful. Calm. The most comfortable place Thrace had ever been.

As Thrace looked around, the images came more clear. A window appeared to his left. It was partially closed off by widely spaced shades that sent slanted beams of light towards the far side of the room. Crimson clouds rolled past silver spires and monoliths. Speeders flew by in semi organized lanes. That was, until the smoke started to rise.

Suddenly there was a boom in his ears and a feeling of dread began swirling, churning, welling up from the deepest parts of his core. He gripped his stomach, bending over with clenched teeth, trying to silence the feeling of indescribable horror. It was as if everything dear to him was burning, dying, screaming for help. Tortured screams of terror filled his ears and he clasped his hands to his head to keep them from coming in, but they seemed to be in his head, coming from every direction like the air itself.

A door Thrace had not noticed whooshed open behind him. He turned to be confronted by the frowning face plate of what looked like an early stormtrooper, clad in white armor with blue markings. Without warnings, the trooper opened fire, pouring sizzling hot blaster bolts into Thrace's body. There was the gut wrenching agony and the smell of charred flesh.

Thrace reentered reality as he fell over backwards, staring in blind horro at the stone. "Get away! I did not do it! I swear!" he promised the nonexistent trooper.