Crystal Hunt on Ilum!

[Ardeo Sophos]

I waited patiently in the hanger bay on alderaan for Jedi Knight [member="Rael sul B'an"] . He was going to be my escort to Ilum so that I could gather some light saber crystals. Even though I felt I was perfectly capable of making the journey myself, since I had been a padawan for over 9 year now, it did bring a sense of relaxation knowing I wouldn't be going alone. There had been reports that the sith were planning to make a move to capture Ilum, and so now I was making a last minute trip to not only get crystals for my lightsaber, but to make lightsabers for my jedi equipment shop. I put my hand on the issued lightsaber, and jedi Master Hun'ar O'nur's lightsaber, that I had gotten when he died. I had no attachment to the training saber, but even one I make my new lightsaber, Master O'nur's lightsaber would have a special place in my jedi Quarters.

 

[Garik Reed]

[member="Ardeo Sophos"]

A Ardeo waited, a small corvette would slowly glide its way into the hangar. As it touched down on the floor, a large hangar door slid down, and out walked Rael. At lot was changing for the Knight, and if his face wasn't hidden behind a mask of bone, you could see it. He thought being a Knight would be all fun and games. Alas, no. First he was asked to help train a Padawan, and now he was escorting another one to Ilum. Which made Rael very nervous. The Force was already starting to act wonky, and the Crystal caves of Ilum could be even more treacherous. As he walked to Ardeo, he smiled, and held out a hand. "Hi there. Knight Rael sul B'an. I hear you're ready to make a lightsaber?"

 

[Ardeo Sophos]

I smiled kindly. "Yea I am. I have all the parts I'm just not sure whether I'll be able to assemble it or not, you know with the force being all out of wack. I'm Ardeo by the way, Ardeo Sophos. I am studying to be a Sentinel, but I am hoping to establish a new jedi sect., once we get back to Ossus. I won't bore you with that though. You'll hear about it when the time comes. Any ways if your ready we can get going. I can change into my cold weather gear on board." Rael was certainly intimidating to say the least, it was comforting to know he was on my side. I had heard that there were monsters that nested around the crystal caves. I didn't want to have to deal with that alone. Besides this might be fun. Not having a master sort of limited any training I got, so it would be interesting to go on a trip with a higher level jedi. [member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Ardeo Sophos]

I walked onto the ship that Rael had landed in, and went to a room to change. I shook of my robe, and undid my upper garments one layer at a time. In place of that I put on a wool lined under tunic, tabard, and obi. Over that I put on a lined jacket, with a lined hood. I replaced my thin pants with warmer lined ones, and put on boots made for the snow. Once on Ilum I would put grip spikes on the bottom. I added a white and silver utility belt, and hooked my lightsabers on. onceI had all my gear on, I stepped back out of the room, and looked around. I didn't see anyone.

​"Rael? You here? I am changed and ready to go when you are! Hmm Maybe he is already on board and in the cockpit. I'll go look."

[member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Garik Reed]

Rael had some trouble setting the ship down on Ilum. He hadn't brought Sunrele along, his usual pilot. He thought it was best if only Jedi went on this one. The twi'lek would only be a distraction to the Jedi. As soon as the ship was on the ground, he stood up, and moved to his gear. He threw on a thick fur cloak, and pants. As he was strapping on a thick, Jedi belt, Ardeo came in. Rael clipped his lightsaber onto his belt, and took one last glance at the stations around the bridge. Finally, he looked back to Ardeo, and smiled.

"Alright, I'll take you gear. Anything none essential. Lightsaber, etc. You can keep rations, but that's it." Rael held his hand out. He knew the trials that awaited inside those caves. The ice would close over after eleven days, an no one ever made it back out. Plus, Ardeo would have to go it alone. This journey was his, not Rael's.

[member="Ardeo Sophos"]

 

[Ardeo Sophos]

I handed over my comlink, datapad, and both my lightsabers. "I can't keep my sabers? Can I atleast keep the grappling hook. What if I am falling, and need to... I don't know grapple something" I was prepared for this test, but it still made me nervous to hand over everything. "What about glow rods. it is gonna be pretty dark." This was a right of passage for jedi. I just didn't know we would have to leave everything behind. It made me uneasy. What would I meet in here. The past? The present? The future? I've heard that sometimes you must face who you truly are, or something you fear more than anything. I try to prepare for these things, but as i try to think what all these would be for me, it is as if the thoughts are stolen away. [member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Garik Reed]

"Fear is unbefitting of a Jedi. If you are falling, there is the Force. If it is dark, there is the Force. There is no death, there is the Force." Rael stood there, patiently waiting for Ardeo to hand over his gear. "It's a paraphrase of the Jedi Code, but it suits the situation. I'm afraid I cannot give you much advice. I remember traveling here as a Padawan, but each Jedi's experience is individual. Each Jedi has a different lesson to learn, and only the Force can teach it." He paused, hoping the words sunk into Ardeo's mind. Rael knew that every Padawan who entered those caves had the potential to make it through. But only Ardeo could prove if he had more than potential. "Shall we?"

[member="Ardeo Sophos"]

 

[Ardeo Sophos]

Victoria Undomiél

 

[Ardeo Sophos]

I handed over the last of my gear, that was considered unnecessary. This would be a difficult task. "Very well. I am ready. Lead the way."
I waited patiently for Rael to lead me to the cave entrances. I was slightly nervous, but I would see this through to the end, even if I never made it out again. I would trust in my abilities, and the force. In a battle situation, I always had martial arts, and hand to hand combat. Even without a lightsaber I was not defenseless. I will succeed, and I will come back. I know I will.

[member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Garik Reed]

"Alright, come on, Padawan." Rael slowly walked out of the bridge, headed for the ice of Ilum. As he walked towards the cave, he began talking to Ardeo, filling him on the caves. Inside, there was a vast number of crystals. The Padawan wouldn't want to pick the first one he saw. He would know which crystal was his, as it was almost like the Force inside the crystals chose each Jedi. Normally, blue and green crystals were the only colors found, but there were rumors there were more colors the deeper into the caves you went.

As they approached the massive door leading into the caves, Rael stopped, and looked up. He remembered coming here for the first time. The planet still amazed him as it did then. His yellow eyes looked to Ardeo, and he smiled. "Well? Go on now."

[member="Ardeo Sophos"]

 

[Ardeo Sophos]

I gave one last glance to Rael, letting the worry, and anxiousness flow out of me. "I'll be back in a flash." I say smiling. With absolutely nothing but the clothes on my back, and the force flowing through me. I turn away, and enter into the dark tunnel leading into the crystal caverns. I must find what I need. I won't stop until I get what I came for.