Private Come Dawn, the Darkness Lingers

[Falentra]

More than determined to complete her training, Nouqai had tried and tried gain. Yet again and again, she failed. Unlike the four other trials, this was simple, she had to tap deep down into her spirit through meditation and face her darkness. However, that darkness was overwhelming, an entity with a silhouette large and formidable, that aroused terrible fear, accompanied by a winged creature in the shadows. Nouqai always found herself running, running till her hearts gave out, up till the point her body spiralled into a seizure that Grrwunhoool had to pull her out of the vision.

They had went to different temples, in hopes that the outcome would be different, to no avail. Patience, Grrwunhoool had always taught her, but Nouqai was getting desperate. The 17 year old had been training under the wookie for 3 years, now completely understanding his native tongue completely without the help of a vocoder. If she passed this trial, then she would become a knight, and the wookie would get the role he deserved after all these years: the rank of master.

Days ago, the padawan proposed a solution to this hurdle, an idea that was perhaps influences by her pet crow, Corvus when confinding it the avian. It was to attempt a more practical method - all of her other trials had been completed in action on the field. They were to go to Thral, a planet just outside sith territory, that she might have a better chance with facing her darkness. The wookie agreed.

It took 3 days on the ship to arrive to the destination. Nouqai piloted the ship, the Wookie having taught her the skill a couple of months ago. The vehicle entered the atmosphere and lowered on the clearing on a cliff, although landing was slightly bumpy and could use some work, it was decent enough. Still casting a glance at her master looking for any expression of approval. Corvus hoped on her shoulder as they left the ship - the bird was almost inseparable since it had followed her from Myrkr 3 years ago. "We should find a cave." The teen said, clearly a little impatient. Also believing she had read up enough about the planet before hand not to need a briefing.

Grrwunhoooll Agaburry

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

The burden of a masters is to watch their students needlessly suffer. You would think this only applied to physical suffering but there was alot more to it. Over the years of their relationship Grrwunhoooll and Falentra had grown. How they had grown exactly was hard for the wookie to describe. There were many phrases or sounds for it in Shyriiwook, but when translated to basic the meaning seemed to elude most. You see the wookie was concerned and had been for a long time. Nouqai had learned to be strong, determined and if anything more stubborn, a trait she and the wookie shared and it was for the better. But there was something that Grrwunhoooll felt between him and his apprentice that was the issue and he feared that he was failing her. In some way all her toils and struggles could somehow of been linked back to him and his style of teaching. As a young wookie male, Grrwunhoooll was fiery, direct and springing with energy at best. At worse he was inflexible and stoic with emotions. He knew how to have fun, but his standards for others were too high and he knew it and yet it was his own hurdle he had to get over.

Sadly Nouqai, at times, felt like the key to getting over this hurdle and it proved difficult.

So when a new strategy for the Trial of Spirit was suggested. Grrwunhooll listened and began putting into practice letting go of control and letting his padawan taste leadership. This was her trail and thus her mission. I am just here to support and guide when asked or needed. That was what he told himself at least. This time she will succeed. She has to.

Still casting a glance at her master looking for any expression of approval. Corvus hoped on her shoulder as they left the ship - the bird was almost inseparable since it had followed her from Myrkr 3 years ago. "We should find a cave." The teen said, clearly a little impatient. Also believing she had read up enough about the planet before hand not to need a briefing.

Grrwunhoooll approached and after collecting a few items and finishing a some Bantha Jerky, he simply nodded. Returning his gaze to his padawan he briefly spoke in his native tongue. " Whatever you need we will get. Be patient. I have faith in you." Everything was in order and he was ready to go.

 

[Falentra]

The assurance, while comforting to know that her master had faith in her, did not help her much. Nouqai was far too stressed and under pressure. The padawan had long lost her patience - there was only one thing on her mind and it was to succeed. Now trying to fortify it as she let the force guide her. It was about a 25 minute trek before the reached the mouth of a cave.

This would be her place of trial today, whatever she would find in this cave, would test her spirit. She took a deep breath and letting out a slow exhale to calm her nerves. She couldn't fail this time. Nouqai entered, cognisant that the large wookie was following behind her and corvus still perched atop her shoulder.

The mist or fog was thick, bleeding out the light from within the futher they ventured deeper into the cave. While her vision was well adept to the night and absence of light, she still found it hard to see through the fog. She could feel the darkness within like a sense of a heavy weight in its atmosphere. It sent a chill down her spine.

"Grrwunhoool, I have a bad-" Nouqai turned, only to realise that the wookie was not behind, only an immensely thick fog. "...feeling about this." The rest of the sentence came up in a mumble. "Grrwun?" Her voice echoing through the expanse of the cave. The padawan attempted to retrace her steps, however, the path was not familiar, it hadn't seem like the route she remembered going down.

"Just you and me now." She told corvus with a lingering apprehension in her voice, giving the pet raven a scratch under the chin.

This was the trial. A challenge. This was no place for fear.

<<Nouqai?>> She heard the voice echo... it was all too familiar... a voice she had not heard in years yet it sounded so distinct and real. "Kephi?" She called out, her voice restrained. It couldn't be. Kephi was dead. As if corvus heard it too, spreading its wings, the avian took of in the direction of the voice. "Wait. Corvus!" Nouqai didn't want to be alone in a place so unfamiliar. Her foot steps pattered as she rushed forwards, chasing after the bird.

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

The mist or fog was thick, bleeding out the light from within the futher they ventured deeper into the cave. While her vision was well adept to the night and absence of light, she still found it hard to see through the fog. She could feel the darkness within like a sense of a heavy weight in its atmosphere. It sent a chill down her spine.

"Grrwunhoool, I have a bad-" Nouqai turned, only to realise that the wookie was not behind, only an immensely thick fog. "...feeling about this." The rest of the sentence came up in a mumble. "Grrwun?" Her voice echoing through the expanse of the cave. The padawan attempted to retrace her steps, however, the path was not familiar, it hadn't seem like the route she remembered going down.

She is stressing way too much. This was Grrwunhoooll's primary thought as the two approached the cave that his apprectice had insisted on going to. It was no issue for the wookie, but the Jedi Knight did ponder why such a location and planet was chosen. This was an area that he did not understand though as well. For the Trial of Spirit was far easier for him to confront than it was for his apprentice. My toughest trial was the Insight trial and for good reason. Maybe this is Nouqais equivalent then? The wookie shrugged to himself and the dreadful feeling that he was some how to blame for Nouqais stumbles in this matter came to bear once more. Shaking his head, distracted by the thought, A furry foot sank into a deceptively deep puddle of mud with a plopping squish that irritated the wookie to no end. Its gonna take days for this to come out! A burst of his youth came out as he pulled his foot out and shook off the thick mud.

It was when Grrwunhoooll looked up to check on Nouqai ( Falentra ), That the Jedi Knight blinked and looked around. There was no one there. Just a stone like arch that greeted him and more cave tunnels. Hairs on the back on his neck and shoulders stood up and then he felt it. The darkness and from experience he knew what had, maybe, occurred.

Nouqai's trial had begun.

If she has already started it then maybe she can still hear me?

The wookie let out a cry and hoped his apprentice could still hear him.

 

[Falentra]

As Nouqai chased after the avian, she heard his call echo loud and clearly - the wookie was around but no where in sight. The fog was thick and the force around too ominous to navigate through, she could barely see even with her light sensitive eyes, merely follow the sound of flapping wings ahead of her to lead on. Foot turning to come to a erupt halt as a cave wall of crossroads suddenly came into view - that she would have ran into face first if it weren't for her quick reflexes.

There were two tunnels. Two paths for her to choose. Aside from Her heart was racing from the sprint, she was feeling anxious, desperate even feeling that stemmed from the expectation of the trial and the dark and dreariness of the cave. Nouqai closed her eyes, taking two deep breaths to calm her self down. It was eerily silent, save for the dull pinks of water dripping from the stalactites above. The padawan reached out to the force, through the darkness, searching for some light, she listened.

That familiar voice of a woman, that of her late guardian sounded again in a barely audible whisper calling her. <<Nouqai Veil.>> Then a laugh malign as if trailing off in the distance. Cyan eyes now opened, ever so determined, she would take of in a sprint in the direction. What ever she was searching for, she didn't quite know what it was, but she would face it. She would not fear.

Nouqai slowed down into a trot as she ventured deeper into the tunnel. The air incredibly musk and humid. With a click, she activated her lightsaber. Dots of light shined in front and above her, reflecting the intense glow emitted from the saber. Eyes. Those winged critters hanging from the cave's ceiling, grew agitated and in pitched screams and squeals, they flew at her in the dozens. Nouqai turned her saber off, ridding of the light that aggravated them. Both hands joined together, her thumb and first two digits connected pointing upwards, she created a force barrier around herself, diverging and sheilding herself from the assault of bats.

Eventually the flood of bats passed. The teen finally exhaled a shallow breath, willing herself to calm down yet again. At first unsuspecting, but confusion washed over her when she saw it, a small dark heap on the ground infront of her. Breath hitching in her throat as she bent down onto her knees. Corvus. The raven laid on the cold stone surface. "No, no..." She uttered desperately. To witness this, she let out a soft sob as tremblig hands reached to scoop the bird up. It's presence was unfamiliar, the force surrounding the fallen bird exuding with such unusual darkness.

On a throne @Darth Malum of House Marr sat tall, dark haired and red eyed with an amulet on his neck glowing crimson, crows and ravens alike surrounding him. All that came as a vision so fleeting.

Back in the dark cave she was, blinking away tears that was starting to brim at the tragedy of her pet, the large bird that had been with her since myrkr now laid unresponsive. Myrkr - the place she had first encountered the dark. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as bugs - swarm of spiders - began to crawl out from the beak. She instantly dropped the bird, gradually the body disintegrated into ash, smoke and arachnids. Corvus was now gone, and the girl was left entirely confused, upset and lost.

Across at a distance the same laugh sounded down the tunnel. Sinister. Resentment simmered within her. Nouqai stood, she sprinted down the tunnel, following the fading cackles. Then amidst the thick fog it appeared, a large silhoutte, the one shed seen countless in her trials chasing her, that shadow she always ran from. But not today. She ran fowards with intent. There was no warning of her agile approach... no battle cry. the distinct hum of the lightsabber resonated through the serene as she activated the blade and the area around glowed bright magenta. In a sturdy grip, she swung in an underhand upwards strike.

This was her trial. Grrwunhoooll Agaburry