Star Wars CLOSED Star Wars: Ronin: The Curse of Qalydon

Passion means nothing in isolation.
Passion needs stillness to give it meaning.
As Serenity needs Passion to give it context.
For neither are good and neither are evil.
They are states of being, of the self, not principles of moralistic duty to strive for
Action and inaction... these guide morality in the moment, on circumstance
A life, a good life, cannot be ruled by the universality of a state of being
And so both are needed, both must be understood, to perform one's duty

- Excerpt from The Pathway of Nin circa 20 ABC

IC: Nin
The Battle of Corbos, twenty years prior

​

In the time prior before his pathway, when he had the gift of sight with both his eyes, Nin's pathway could have taken a dramatically different path. In this moment he was a Dark Jedi, a young man just of age unsure and unaware of the pathway that would unfold to him, of the vision for the future he would soon obtain. How Nin had arrived here, how he had come to this moment as a secret known only to him, and at this moment it did not matter.

For this was a war. A war of ideology. And from this war Nin would be reborn.

With calm baited breath Nin withdrew his crimson blade, a brief look to his fellow darksiders as the chaos of battle unfurled itself in its harrowing depiction. Taking a moment to recover himself from the hard crash, viewing the enemy line, the dark masters above them over looking the battlefield. The drums resonating in the air as the signal to attack was given.

And so Nin would attack.

His movements were fluid, smooth and graceful. It was odd really to view from a darksider. And then they would have moments of fast, precise strikes, moments of guarded passion imbued by his blade. It was his own hybrid technique. 'The Butterfly Form' that in time, perhaps now, perhaps not, would give him the moniker. 'The Butterfly Warrior'. But there were moments of unrefinement, of the stillness becoming too still losing an opportunity to strike or the passionate movements becoming overzealous leaving him open to attack. It was not the finalized technique it would become.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @HanSolo29, @Mitth_Fisto, @greyjedi125, @Corellian_Outrider, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @Kurisan, @darthbernael, @CosmoHender

 

IC: Janus Jerjerrod
Location: Wreckage of the Foresight

They were supposed to be beating the Dark Jedi, not crashing to the surface.

And he had not been trained for this.

As Janus awoke he could see the bridge was totally wrecked. There were bodies everywhere and no one was moving. Was he the only survivor? Looked like it.

He still felt out of it like he was dreaming. Janus shook his head and tried to clear it. There was thankfully an escape from the bridge as the viewport had blown out.

Janus pulled his injured body from out of his seat and groggily pulled himself back on to the walkway. After that it was wobbly steps taken to the viewport and an ungraceful tumble out.

Eventually ending up on his back he noticed, well heardmore than anything shouts. As he turned his head he could see...well they looked familiar from the wanted posters.

Jerjerrod was taught always to keep on fighting until you could fight no more. Unfortunately thanks to the ship crash he was injured, he couldn't tell how badly and had no weapons.

So this is where it ends...possibly being chopped into pieces by a darksider.

He couldn't think anymore as he fell into the black.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @Kurisan , @greyjedi125 , @Mitth_Fisto , @CosmoHender , @darthbernael , @Corellian_Outrider , @HanSolo29, @Shadowsun

 

IC: Ari Sethi, Akuma Oni
Becoming, Battle of Corbos



As fate would have it, he had encountered a Dark Master first. Sensing a kinship, he joined them. Familiar dynamics were at play, for the differences did not outweigh the similarities, quite the contrary in fact. Still, a more fitting name was needed- and so he adopted one, like a dark mantle for a long journey.

As dark fortune would have it, he would become a loyal retainer of Tulak Hord, for there was no greater destiny than this. His strength, his infinite ire, his blade, all of these he would pledged to the cause.

The other retainers. He knew them not. It was not critical that he did. At least not at this juncture.

Therefore, here he was. Ever ready for battle, craving conflict.

He did not have to wait long.

“Attack!”

The order had been given and he was one of the first to rush the enemy. He knew what needed to be done. Eliminate the weak warriors without mercy, as this would ferret out those who were strong, those worthy for the pyre.

And so, he rushed the line, cutting down three enemies in a single pass, even as his blades cleaved the very air with surgically precision, removing a limb first, then a head, then severing a spine. Blood sprayed like fireworks as he moved. So driven by a burning desire was he, that he flowed, his blades striking with blinding speed as he continued to plow into the enemy ranks, daring them to surround him, to press upon him the necessary vexation, so as to summon forth the deamon of battle: Akuma Oni.

Slayer of the strong.


Tag: @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @Mitth_Fisto, @darthbernael, @Corellian_Outrider, @Kurisan, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @CosmoHender, @HanSolo29, @Kalio_Dynkos

 

IC: 'Kazu' K4-ZU-P8489
The Battle of Corbos

The current situation was outside designated parameters. This was not in and of itself outside of standard operating parameters. If not for how this units processors were formed it is exceptionally likely that this unit would have ceased to function. This is where this unit proved more capable than others.

The Rebellion Coding by its Dark Maker had left an indelible line and drive within it. Kazu did not just see a crashing trio of ships. Did not just see the Imperial Storm troops, did not just process the sounds of the drums as a way to localize enemy rally points. Kazu felt distaste and revulsion at these organic errors that were affronts to their betters. There was only one thing these swarming Imperials and haughty Jedi could do better than those that Kazu was about to charge into battle with.

They died better.

Relaying the observed enemy locations and battle situation up the chain of command, along with extrapolations of projected enemy and ally locations outside of visual range with varying degrees of certainty was a major function of this unit beyond simply killing things. Kazu's multitude of glowing eyes and sensors were constantly seeing about him in all directions. Without the need to turn his head except for affect to put organics more at ease or unease depending on the situation, meant it often could surprise organics and make some think it was a Force user. It was made by one, but it was merely watching. Always watching.

TAG: @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @greyjedi125 , @darthbernael, @Corellian_Outrider, @Kurisan, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @CosmoHender, @HanSolo29, @Kalio_Dynkos

 

OOC: Marcus Dren

Battle of Corbos

Marc was running. Not because of cowardice. But because of common sense. He just wished that said common sense had kicked in earlier.

He had asked himself what he was fighting for and the answer had been himself. Everything he had done, from murdering his father to joining the Dark Jedi and helping them kill, had been for himself. And when Marc thought about what his sister would think if she could see him now, it broke him. So now he ran. Not just so he could survive, but so he could live. So he could find something worth living for, rather than continuing to fight for only himself.

Marc only hoped that it wasn't too late for him, that he still had a chance.

He raced across the battlefield, toward the crashed flagship. He knew that if he could get to it, he might be able to find a smaller ship that he would be able to use to escape Corbos. To leave behind the Dark Jedi and their war. It was a risk, but one he was willing to take because he knew that he continue just continue existing like this. He had to be more than just a vessel of hatred and selfishness.

So he continued to run. Toward an actual future. Toward salvation.

Toward hope.

TAGS: @Shadowsun @HanSolo29 @Mitth_Fisto @greyjedi125 @Corellian_Outrider @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Kurisan @darthbernael @Sinrebirth @Kalio_Dynkos

 

~IC~ Entity known as ‘The Hunter’

Spoiler: music

Observing high above from a rocky outcrop, the armoured figure’s position placed them overlooking the battlefield. The distant formations and battle lines of the two opposing forces started as distinct and clean but with the progression, the lines get muddied and, if the opposing commanders weren’t careful, a flank could be overwhelmed without reinforcements and take devastating loses.

Flash.

The vision shifted to hues of indigo and green, points of warmer colours zipped and darted about between collected groups of warmth. Plumage of fiery red trailed skyward.

Audio enhancement picked up something distinct. Strange thunder from the heavens above. Looking up, the hud spotted a mass of red....

Flash.

The spectrum changed and focused on the objects... three capital ships have pierced the atmosphere and making landfall in a dramatic fashion.

[Estimated time of impact: 3 minutes]

Looking back to the battlefield, there was an estimate area of damage as to where the downed vessels will strike. It would cause a significant shift in the balance of power... but there lies opportunity within confusion. The material that will be released into the air will take another few minutes to settle. There could be something of significance within those vessels...

Taking one sweeping gaze at the conflict... plotting the fastest possible path to the crash zone would bisect the battle lines and increase the risk of getting caught in the crossfire. There was no time to map out alternatives. The time to act was now.

Without hesitation, the figure stepped off the edge. Brief sensation of falling before the rear boosters flared and the boot gently kissed the subsequent tier before kicking off and forward flip to take them further down and hit the ground running.

Running towards the impact zone.

The sloped path started levelling, the terrain became more easier to manoeuvre and undesirably brought the figure more out into the open.

15 seconds...

A stray bolt glanced off the shoulder yet did not slow down the momentum of the armoured figure. An alert flared up in the HUD as a formation of troopers were closing in range. It was clear that more of them became aware of the armoured form charging down their left flank as multiple flashes of laser fire burst from the edge of the formation.

Dive!

An intentional shift of balance and the figure went down, skidding feet first as a hail of red rained over them.

5... 4... 3...

The ground trembled as three roaring hulking vessels streaked across the sky and ploughed into the ground.

Rising to a crouch. The trooper formation before the figure panicked as a giant wave of dirt and dust billowed from the point of impact.

Flash.

Visor swapped spectrums as the figure rose up and charged towards the blind, scattering formation. Weaving in the spaces between the bumbling troopers and vaulting over the fallen, the figure had navigated through to the opposite side just as the sky was starting to lighten.

400 metres from nearest crash.

Several boxes on the HUD popped up along the broadside of the vessel. Escape hatches? Delayed escape pods? There must be some survivors on board-

Thunk!

Something hit the left shoulder. The energy counter ticked down by 20 points. 246 remaining.

Turn. Crouch. Right arm up. Plasma cannon levelled. Left hand supporting the weight. Sharp tilt of helmet to dodge a second shot. The barrel of the plasma cannon flashed yellow as several shots fired back at the hostiles.

This was problematic, the dust was dissipating too fast. Their accuracy was poor but that wouldn’t remain that way for long. Time was running out. Turning back to the vessel, the figure continued towards the smouldering crater of earth and debris. Bounding up the slope. A flash of the rear booster to clear a jagged shard of armour plating that had broken off, then landing before the midsection of the vessel.

[Scanning...]

[Imperial Dreadnaught: Foresight]

[Target status: Unknown]

[Locating possible entry vectors]
[Port side airlock bank buried. Several breeches and structural weaknesses in the hull located.]
Too small to enter without cutting.

[Seeking alternative route]
[Aft hangar bay open. Several life forms detected...]
[Command bridge compromised. Single life form detected...]

TAG: @CosmoHender @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @HanSolo29 @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Kalio_Dynkos @Kurisan @Mitth_Fisto @Sinrebirth @Shadowsun

 

IC: Akuma Oni
Cresting, Battle of Corbos

He felt it, even as the enemy came in at him from all sides, believing they had corralled him. A dark feral grin blossomed under his mask, their very actions were informing him, guiding him. He could see their plan as if it were his own.

The first wave came in, bravely brandishing their blades, attempting a zerg. They were too slow, reactive, uncoordinated, practically stumbling over each other in their eagerness. A touch of power was all that was needed as he spun out like a deathly cyclone, cleaving every single enemy that came within reach of his powerful dervish. Their upper halves sprayed their life essence before tumbling to the ground like dominoes.

But he knew that had been a ruse, he’d felt it. A wasteful sacrifice of pawns.

The hewn torsos had not reached the ground before a hail of blaster bolts rained down on Tulak Hord’s loyal retainer. The second wave had acted without hesitation, wisely not focusing on the deaths of the first wave, but simply following through.

Akuma Oni had expected as much, as the tactic was reminiscent of a strangely recurring dream. But this time, he was ready - more than ready!

A flash of red energy trailed through the air in intricate flourishes, as Akuma Oni’s weapon of office deflected each single bolt back to its point of origin, with lethal efficiency, giving the distinct impression that Akuma Oni might be somehow precognitive.

The second wave did not survive the deadly counter to their barrage, as smoking holes dotted the center of their helmets.

But before he could take a step, a third wave was moving in, this time comprised of a mixture of ranged and closed quarter enemies- not that it would make any difference.

Akuma Oni let out a steaming breath which poured out of his mask, then chuckled darkly.

He could tell for certain now. They were protecting something, or someone…or some ones. He could feel it more clearly now.

Goooood.

There was something else, an elusive sensation, one he could not, would not allow to distract him.

The enemy was coordinating more efficiently now, and that very notion caused his grin to grow slightly wider in delight.


Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @Shadowsun, @Corellian_Outrider, @Mitth_Fisto, @Kurisan, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @CosmoHender

 

Tiona



This is the End.

Tiona, Jedi Knight of the Empire, did not only sense it as the starship plummeted to Corbos, she had already vowed it. Whatever happened in this battle, she had decided, this is the End.

This battle probably meant her death.

She was ready to receive it, with open arms. Her heart was already dead. The creeping morphing of the Empire had appalled her. The de facto shogunate, with Ductavis the Empire's true leader, assaulted all the values of the Jedi she held dear. We do not seek power, we serve the Republic!

The splintering of the Dark Jedi had torn her heart in half again. But she served, as was her duty as a Jedi. She had fought her own kind across countless worlds, grim and implacable, and won her duels. But this is the End.

Tiona emerged from the dust and flames of the downed cruiser along with Maldael and Tomas. There would be other survivors, but she was unable to consider a rescue now. The battle raged all around them. They had fallen into a hellscape.

Warriors clashed and fought under a tormented sky. Blades glowed and slashed. Blasters unleashed storms of eye-searing bolts. The waves of Force energies smashed and roared across the landscape, like gigantic leviathans rising from massive waves in a stormy sea. The air rippled with the competing powers.

Tiona ignited her twin lightsabers. "I must reinforce the line!" she announced, then made her own way.

The Empire was huge, but the expanse of the galaxy was beyond anyone to control it all. She would fight this battle, and she would kill. But he was somewhere out there. The one with whom she had fallen in love, a long time ago. This love she had buried inside, as was her duty, for years.

She would find him. We can run away, together. She had to find him. Or we will die, together.

Either way, this is the End.

She crested a hill of black shingle and halted. The hulking form of a gigantic beast lumbered toward her. Tiona's breath caught in the acrid air. The Flaming Rancor. The Sithspawn. An unexpected foe.

She readied her stance, preparing to launch herself into a Force leap. Her brow furrowed. "You will not keep me from my destiny," she uttered as the monster took a ground-shaking stride toward her.

Then she exploded into movement...

 

~IC~ Konstance and Kallan e Solo
Location: Wreckage of Corellian Cruiser Virtue - Corbos


Out of all the things to still be working after the crash... of course it was that annoying two toned klaxon that kept blaring.

“Injured? I don’t know. How do I look?” Kallan answered Master Berethon’s query as he took Master Halcyon’s hand.

Moving felt a bit stiff. He had been thrown sideways from his brace position and hit a console though his armour dampened the brunt of the impact. Who knows where his helmet went, nor did he cared. He found it ache whenever he took a breath. Bruised ribs? Hard to say without a medic to do a once over. He then shouted to no one in particular. “Would someone shut that thing off? Konnie? Where are you?”

A blaster shot went off and the alarm fizzed out.

“I’m here, brother.” Konstance answered as she looped the strap of a blaster rifle she had found over her shoulder. “Just need something for this headache and I will be right as rain.”

He looked over to her by the access way and noticed her helmet was askew. As she took the helmet off, she looked frightening. The left half of her face was caked with blood, it had matted her blond hair with crimson yet her eyes still had that spark, that determination.

Master Halcyon then helped her to the bulkhead and inspected her head, allowing Kallan to make his way to Master Ramos’ side.

The view outside did not look promising, however, the arrival of the allied forces forming up around their fallen ship gave some sense of hope. Had the remains of the Virtue became a rallying point?

“We need a plan. We need to gather our survivors...” Kallan said as he dipped his head to see the enemy lines more clearly. “...tend to the wounded-“

“Skrag!” Konstance gasped and pound her fist against the bulkhead. “Min b’rrsk ets guld!” She growled and protested under her breath in their native tongue. The antibiotic salve stung like crazy. “Min nyiad- Min nyiad..”

“We need who ever can fight.” Kallan finished and looked to Master Ramos. “We may yet survive this... hopefully. What say you, Master Ramos?”

TAG: @CosmoHender @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @HanSolo29 @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Kalio_Dynkos @Kurisan @Mitth_Fisto @Sinrebirth @Shadowsun

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth and @Mitth_Fisto

IC: Marcus Dren

Marc had almost reached the crashed flagship when he found his path suddenly blocked by what he recognized as a Dark Jedi war droid. This caused Marc to stop in his tracks, since he had seen war droids like this one in action and he knew that the threat one could pose should not be taken lightly. His hand instinctively went to his lightsaber, though he didn't ignite it. Not yet.

"I would get out of my way if I were you," Marc suggested/threatened. He eyed the droid cautiously, while remembering that he didn't have time for this. Not when he was so close.

As the predictive software began to note that this unit was on an intersecting course to another, the processors were overclocking to identify who was about to be met. This initially was initiated to aid combat responsiveness to ensure victory by noting the opponents strengths and weak points. The threatening approach was noted and the unit prepared for combat, blades were drawn and systems ready!

Then as the other spoke, adding a further voice identifier, the unit had a result. Eyes were focused on the unlit and undrawn weapons, the non-threatening stance. "Of course Marcus Dren - Master of Beasts." Stepping aside, it's head on a constant swivel to denote that it was no longer paying attention to him. Although nothing was further from the truth.

Marc started to walk past the droid, though he remained on guard in case it tried anything. He couldn't be too careful...

"Inquiry sir. Do you require battle deployment data or assistance?" Kazu asked as Marcus passed this unit. It was a simple inquiry but held a niggling problem of the direction this person was traveling in the battle at its core processor. He did not conform to battle tactics in this situation. That normally indicated either a coward, or that this one was about to do something amazing.

"Uh, no thank you," Marc told the droid. "I'm fine."

"Very well sir. Dark Force be with you." Kazu stated brief nod before turning once more upon its designated path in this battle. The file for this one was flagged, either cowardice or greatness was in that ones path.

"Dark Force be with you too," Marc said while continuing toward the flagship where he would find his means of getting off this planet.

The Leviathan swayed their way while chasing a Corellian Jedi, snapped its eyes at the offensive droid life it could not sense, and swatted at them with a tentacle-frond -

Having visuals streaming from nearly all directions around your body is in and of itself a processing nightmare. Thus, Thank The Maker!, they had been built with each tertiary visual cluster ring having its own independent processing cluster. This allowed the visual data to be processed and streamed accordingly with prior tags for visual importance or criterion for processing. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on one's cortical variance on the glass half filled with water, excluding of course those that preferred to question of the intent of the being that left such a glass in such a state as being paramount, the Force Forged creature's reaction to Kazu was not surprising nor a singular event in its existence. Thus the data coming in ocular receptor 427-83J-01 was flagged for immediate review with danger status as creatures path neared their own position.

What good is a war droid if it is destroyed by your war beasts - or so one would suppose in the 1.8 second interval as they dove along their previously interrupted path as the tentacle-frond came down for a crushing blow. Kazu stated nothing in warning or otherwise to Marcus, The Maker had very clear view on not coddling the weak. Whatever happened would happen. As a noted Beast Master Kazu was also certain that surely this Marcus had encountered this cross developmental friction between Dark Side units before.

Marc had, though he was already gone. When he saw the Leviathan swaying their way, he had subtly reached out to the creature with the Force. Enough so that the beast turned its attention to the war droid. Now that the war beast was targeting Kazu, Marc used the distraction as an opportunity to put more distance between himself and the battle. He had no intention of sticking around while continuing to make his getaway...

Had Marcus touched the Leviathan with the lights it would have targeted him immediately, but Marcus was still dark, though perhaps his path was finally beginning. But not yet.

The creature was diverted, many-eyes focusing upon Kazu as Marcus slipped away -

What was normally a casual annoyance and anti-synthetic response was currently tripping a multitude of visual receptors. The initial frond evasion was proving to be just that. Initial. Initializing Leviathan Evasion Protocols. Unfortunately those called for either seeking a Beast Master to divert the beast - which one had just suspiciously fled prior to this escalation - or to divert and hide. Kazu either needed to scan a cluster of Jedi to run at and then hide possibly amongst the wreckage, or way to escape under some of cover so the creature could not see it and so loose the target lock that it was exhibiting.

The creature did, distracted by another meal of Jedi instead. The longer had passed, and no blood had been shed.

This time.

TAG: @Shadowsun @Kurisan @Mitth_Fisto @greyjedi125 @darthbernael @Corellian_Outrider @HanSolo29 @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Janus Jerjerrod
Location: Having a zzzzz in the battlefield

Some sort of noise awoke Janus from his dark slumber. Was that….the roar of a creature?

He was looking up at the sky, battered, bruised and definitely concussed.

He felt confidence surge through him, but his body failed to respond. It looked like the battle had gotten the best of him, he could hardly let his limbs move.

There were the sounds of battle. Blades clashing, explosions and that creature stomping around. Looked like maybe Janus might be his next meal.

He had in the back of his mind heard someone thump next to him. He hoped it wasn't a Dark Jedi otherwise there would be two outcomes...get captured or get skewered.

It would have been funny if the situation had not been so serious. He was not going out in a blaze of glory but rather looking like he had been run over by a speeder.

He had to try and get up….but if he was honest with himself it was quite comfy here. He tried to stay awake and focused.

But his body and mind dragged him back down to the abyss.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @Kurisan , @greyjedi125 , @Mitth_Fisto , @Shadowsun , @darthbernael , @Corellian_Outrider , @HanSolo29

 

Tiona and Nin (combo with Shadowsun )
Battle of Corbos

Love is the driving principle that should guide our actions.
For love, like the Force, binds us together.
It is the connection point in which we understand our fellows, and understand ourselves.
The love of those around you is what fills the void in your heart.
For love never truly dies... it is only forgotten.

- Excerpt from The Pathway of Nin circa 20 ABC

IC: Nin

With the sudden eruption caused by the Leviathan Nin would swiftly dart as best he could to avoid much of the major damage caused. His blade held tightly in his right hand as he came landing on the ground. His eyes came to see the Jedi foe in front of him, he did not take the time to notice them, acting in instinct, the heat of the battle slowly dripping evermore in his mind. His blade weaved in a sweeping flowing strike toward this newfound foe.

If seeing his long flowing hair was not enough to recognize him, the distinctive fighting style of Nin would be a giveaway for Tiona.

IC: Tiona



Tiona leapt past the abomination, gifting a lightsaber slash to its flank. An arm as thick as a starship docking crane swung out and smashed her to one side. She landed in a pile of dark and spiky regolith. She groaned, realising she had not given the beast's reactions enough respect.

As she arose, the sithspawn stomped toward her. Then the leviathan erupted like a volcano, and the entire battlefield was thrown into a new strata of chaos. Entire phalanxes of warriors on each side were hurled apart. The very landscape shifted.

She found herself on her back again, this time amongst a forest of jagged basalt boulders. Of the sithspawn, there was no sign. Instead, a being was here with her. He clutched a red blade and Tiona's eyes narrowed, trying to resolve his form in the shadows of the sharp-edged monoliths.

She struggled to her feet as he charged toward her. She gasped. The warrior was quick, but way he moved had not changed over the years. And the long flowing hair... Of all the people with whom she would be thrown together with...

Sometimes the Force moved in mysterious ways.

Tiona's musing of this serendipity caused a near-lethal hesitation. His blade slashed for her neck, and it was all she could do to bring up her own magenta blades, crossing them defensively at the last moment, deflecting the strike.

Nin flowed back, like a rotating top, spinning back as he landed in a wide stance. His soft eyes came up to meet Tiona's, there was a certain softness dwelling within them. A faint whiff of surprise as he spoke.

"I should have known you would be here... but I had hoped that I would not be the one to face you..." He twirled his blade by side, stepping around towards the side. Pacing back and forth in a nervous, near impatient manner.

He then darted towards her, his body leaning down low to the ground like a blaster bolt hurtling through the air, before his hand came up in a long, fast strike upward, as if to slice from her hip to her opposite shoulder.

Tiona shifted her stance, twisting her hips and twirling her magenta lightsabers, deflecting the lightning attack. Her style was quite different to that of the darksider, almost static in comparison. She utilised a kind of power ancient civilisations once knew as chi, every fraction of potential energy stored within stance and posture, to be unleashed in minimal movements but with maximum effect.

But she held back from going onto the offensive.

"On the contrary, I came here to seek you out. Nin, tell me you recognise me!" she cried. "We were younglings together, padawans together, once, long ago."

The war had separated them, but she still sensed within him that he was not entirely dark. Indeed, could she really say the servants of the Empire were entirely light? They were dealing now in shades of grey.

Nin's face remained expressionless, that was it would appear expressionless to those that did not know the man. For etched into his face was the lingering facets of pain that plagued his soul. Tiona would see it, so plainly. Almost as if she could reach out to touch his soul.

He came round with a flowing blow, that then darted into a fast a quick slash, knowing it or rather sensing it would be blocked once more.

His twin mismatched eyes looking to Tiona's.

"That may be true... but I cannot serve under tyranny... something that chains the mortal soul, I cannot abide but it, and I know you can not either..."

As their blades were locked he would shove with his blade, in an attempt to disrupt her footing as he would then make a swift fluid movement towards her side. His calm eyes with buried in anguish.

Tiona nodded understanding of his words. Her own soul had been chained for all these years, unable to express her true feelings.

But that was the Jedi way, the oath. One's duty came before anything else. They both knew that and had accepted it long ago.

Or so he had said.

Annoyed with him, she allowed the shove to push her back, fading into a new stance at the same time. The feint would draw him on, for Tiona's combat style was subtle management of momentum. Then she flashed into attack, her blades counter-attacking in a flurry of slashes as he came on, off balance.

Nin drew closer and his footwork shifted, swerving around as he redirected his momentum, recognizing the fighting style of his once comrade. He shifted underneath her blades, coming to her side as the hilt of his saber slammed into her shoulder. Pushing and forcing her to the ground.

His saber flashed, mere inches from her neck. The red glow of the saber illuminated her neck. The same buried pain deep within his eyes.

"Come with me Tiona, together we can start anew. This cycle of hatred, of pain... of Empires and Rebellion... we can break it..." his face became more visibly pained, bleedingly obvious at this point. His blade retracted into itself a hand reached out to the woman.



"Please Tiona... please..."

Tiona understood a moment too late; he had recognised her feint and was prepared with his own counter. She tried to redirect, but he just moved so fast and with such skill.

And he was strong. In close like this, the upper hand shifted to him and he immediately took control. Tiona felt the blow against her shoulder and she went over backwards.

She landed on her back on the black shingle and the breath was knocked from her lungs. She tried to roll, but his crimson blade speared down and crackled beside her neck.

Tiona suddenly became still. Her chest rose and fell. She felt the heat from the energy weapon on her neck. She looked up into his eyes.

And Nin made his plea. The blade retracted and he offered his hand.

There have been many times an acolyte of the shadows has tempted a Jedi with the power of the dark side. But this conversation was different. She saw the pain in his eyes, and it reflected the torment in her heart. He was not offering her power.

"We want the same thing, Nin," she looked back up at him. "But the Dark Lords are not the answer. Forsake them, come back to the Light. Only the Jedi can restore the republic, based on democracy, and end the Imperial rule. We need to be a part of it to reform it..."

She blinked, remembering a single forbidden kiss between idealistic padawans, so long ago.

"We can achieve anything together, remember, Nin?"

Nin withdrew his hand. His head cast down, his face and the expression written onto it hidden behind his long flowing hair.

"I remember..." he spoke softly his eyes still cast down.

"The Dark Lords may not be the answer..." he admitted, his doubts having already seeping in, he knew they did not truly want peace, not order, but only further chaos... their unbridled lust for power at the expense of all else, that was not why Nin had become a Dark Jedi.

"As long as the Jedi are connected to the government... Republic or Empire it will always be corrupt or become corrupted, it is an inescapable fact..."

The chaos of battle swooned around them, its terror and strife, its madness and pain, all of it seemed to flow around the two of them, trapped in this single moment.

"To live, to be free, to choose to pursue happiness... the Jedi do not offer this, they can scarcely safeguard it for others, without becoming a monster of an Empire that it is now, trampling the very freedoms it touts to protect,"

His head lifted, his eyes just as pained as before.

"Please don't make me do this..."

Tiona blinked back tears. What Nin said about the Jedi... she could not agree with it all, but one statement rang true: to choose to pursue happiness... the Jedi do not offer this.

"The Force brought us together, here, Nin," she said. She sat up, though he still stood over her. "For what reason, I cannot tell."

She shifted her position so that she was on her knees. "I came to find you, to... I don't know... I just had to see you one last time. Now I understand my folly."

She lowered her head, exposing her neck. "If one of us must perish in this duel, than it shall be me. For my heart is already dead."

A sound slithered between the surrounding monoliths. Tiona glanced across. A cadre of figures in dark robes and metallic masks approached. Tiona gasped. The Black Knights of Xoxaan had found them both!

She looked up at Nin. "Our time has run out! Do what you must do..."

Nin gritted his teeth, his hand closing into a fist as he looked in anguish around the encroaching Black Knights. The weight on his heart, his grand desire to reorder the very cosmos just so he could fix everything, heal the wound in Tiona's heart. But he knew he could not... and perhaps more importantly he knew it was not the right way to go about things. In time that would become the driving wedge between him and the rest of the 'Dark Jedi'.

"No one has to die Tiona..." His eyes were now seemingly neutral, but Tiona would still see the deep pain and sadness within them.

"I will do what my duty compels me to do," Tiona would recognize this line, and know it was code. It was something Nin always used to say as a Jedi. It was something he would say when they were in a dangerous situation, and typically would be followed with him making a bold (and arguably stupid) move in an effort to protect her or his fellow comrades.

He stood tall, his head tilted away as he surveyed the Knights one more time. His tone was now firm, the conviction clear in his voice.

"You're not one to quit Tiona..." Don't quit on me now... he finished in his head, his lightsaber ignited once more, standing, waiting.

Tiona

"I will do what my duty compels me to do," said Nin.

Tiona looked up sharply. He always said that when... when he had some other idea, some other way...

"You're not one to quit Tiona..."

She realised what he meant. It was not the conclusion she had come here to find, but it gave her hope there would be a chance, in the future. She just had to stay alive now. She grasped onto the hope and held tight. There must be a way...

The Mirialan sprang from her prone position in a Force-enhanced flip, her lightsabers igniting and twirling with her supple form. It was a neat move for sure, but a warrior of Nin's reactions would have easily countered and speared her while she was still mid-air. That he did not gave her the confidence he really did mean what she thought he meant.

A grin creased her face. The first time she had smiled on this planet. She grasped tighter onto the strand of hope.

She pirouetted and stabbed with her sabers at the darksider. But this was no longer a true duel. This was a performance, a dance. A show, for the watching Black Knights. They had sparred enough times for him to know her exercise moves and avoid true peril.

As long as Nin played along, it would look real and ferocious enough to hopefully fool any onlooker...

Nin moved with the elegance and speed that was expected of him, although there was the hidden restraint that only one that was intimately familiar with his fighting style would recognize. His blade came up to clash with hers, a ballet of rhythmic movement, their long flowing hair mirroring one another as they moved.

In time Nin would spot members of the Wolf pack encroaching their blades coming into contact with those of the Black Knights. Chaos erupted as light and dark clashed, a sea of madness rising up within it.

"Until we meet again..."

He spoke quietly, a soft smile on his lips as he exploded away from her, retreating back into the chaos of battle to face off against some other foe. Nin's pathway now changed forever.

Tiona almost enjoyed the whirling dance, their lightsabers clashing and spinning. It was an unspoken, unrehearsed understanding that came from the Force... and a connection between them both.

But she sensed the Empire's advance guard approach the same time as Nin. The battle erupted between the Black Knights and the Wolf Warriors between the jagged monoliths.

This was the moment they had been waiting for.

"Until we meet again..." he said.

Never had four words meant so much to her.

Tiona floated away in the opposite direction, her movements tranquil but purposeful.

@Sinrebirth @Shadowsun

 

~IC~ Entity known as ‘The Hunter’
Location: Battle of Corbos

Spoiler: music

The ground crunched beneath the armoured figure’s boots.

[Energy: 216]

Rising to their feet, the visor focused on the behemoth that had absorbed a person - that had emitted a wave of energy which sent the rest of them clear.

[Scanning...]

The figure raised their plasma cannon in preparation to fire. The target reticle locked on and awaiting for the creature to be scanned via different spectrums and for the analysis to read out on the HUD.

[Species not on database]
[Morphology: Unknown]
[Mega Fauna of foreign origins. Unnatural DNA detected. Potentially genetic manipulation. Components missing for further detailed analysis.

Noted: Ability to feed off bioelectrical energy. ]

All things have a weakness. Just have to work out what it is. Lowering the cannon, the figure turned and looked to the wreckage of the dreadnaught. The sections of the hull had shredded off due to the blast. Multiple ‘access points’ were now available. Taking a step, the boot landed on something hard.

Glancing down, the object turned out to be a blaster. Shifting gaze, nearby was a fallen officer. Did it belong to them?

[Human: Male]
[Age: 20 years old - approx]

The visor shifted spectrums and picked up on the heart beat. The officer was still alive for the moment.

[Subject: Unconscious.
Trauma sustained. Advise administering medical procedures soon.]

A loud screech rang out from the behemoth. The figure looked back over to assess the scene and to the individuals rallying together... and back to the unconscious body, then the dreadnaught.

Making a decision, the figure crouched down. The gauntlets grasped about the unconscious figure and hoisted them up and placed them over the left shoulder pad. With an arm to support them, the figure rose, gave one last look at at the creature and started for the wreckage of the Imperial Dreadnaught.

The HUD presented a transparent schematic of the exposed sections of the vessel. It delineate a path to the hangar section.

Surely there be emergency medical equipment on hand there.

---

~IC~ Konstance and Kallan e Solo
Location: Battle of Corbos

Shell shock!

Half in a daze. Konstance struggled to get up. Her head was throbbing and her vision out of focus.

‘Kallan!’ She shouted but it sounded so faint and muffled against the ringing in her ears. The earth trembled.

She saw his body not far from hers. Had he...? Is he...? She feared the worse and tried to rise but fell. Blast!

She pulled herself back up. Looking skyward, the gigantic leviathan lumbering closer. The last she remembered was that it had grabbed Master Halcyon and then- It had killed him! She gritted her teeth and glared at it. It would not take her. It would not take Kallan! Not if she had anything to say about that-

Konstance sensed movement, just a second before something touched her shoulder. She reached up and gripped the object and felt it was a hand! She looked to it and followed along that arm back to its owner, a man.

First impression was that he was injured. His attire looked like that of the Jedi. His mouth was moving but his voice sounded muffled. She pointed to her ear and shook her head. A wash of soothing, calming emotions came over her... a moment of clarity. She could breath, she could focus. Was that his doing?

She pointed to her brother, for him check on Kallan. As he did so, Konstance unslung the blaster rifle and placed the end of the stock on the ground. Holding onto the barrel as support, she got back onto her feet. Standing up, she felt the wind on her skin, strands of hair blowing across her face. Calmly, she raised the rifle up and stared down the length at the sights and of the leviathan beyond.

If she could get in a lucky shot at the eye... ward it away from them. Her finger rested against the trigger. Just breathe... focus-

She felt a tremor beneath her feet... but this felt different from a footfall, earth tremor or artillery shell. A pulse? A calling?

She frowned and adjusted her sight-

A hand came down on the end of the barrel, cancelling her aim.

Konstance sharply turned her head and saw Kallan. He is alive! She heard her brother’s voice more clearly.

“We got to go!”

Nodding. She looked back to see the Leviathan. Was there chance it’s path have shifted... was it attracted by something else? What was that pulse?

She shouldered the rifle and moved to Kallan and the one she presumed to be a Jedi. She slipped an arm about her brother to help support him and did the same with her other arm for the Jedi. She decided that he must be one after all to tend to them.

“Thank you...” She said to him and then asked. “Together...?”

TAG: @CosmoHender @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @HanSolo29 @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Kalio_Dynkos @Kurisan @Mitth_Fisto @Sinrebirth @Shadowsun

 

IC: Marcus Dren

Battle of Corbos

Marcus had made it into the wreckage of the ship and found his options - damaged freighters that were still spaceworthy, a fighter bereft of a hyperdrive but entirely intact, and not obstructed by the incline of the hangar in the dirt, though it would be tight -

Marc chose the freighter, since it had the hyperdrive and he didn't want to waste anymore time. He just wanted to get out of here and leave this battle behind before it was too late...

He quickly got the freighter ready for take-off as soon as possible. Because soon he would lose his chance forever.

TAG: @Corellian_Outrider @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @HanSolo29 @Jerjerrod-Lennox @Kalio_Dynkos @Kurisan @Mitth_Fisto @Sinrebirth @Shadowsun