Stormbringers

[Leina Snowfire]

Location: Malachor V

THe world was dangerous and dark even after the vong had reformed the world for use. The silver jedi had constructed three temples and facilities on the world while she was bringing friendship one in towards the world with her padawan. There was a place here they had discovered and she'd been a part of it while working on some of the things that was used to test master and student alike as well as the silver temple carved in one of the valley's that she was docking them on. The rangers and jedi here a lot tougher looking then average as she knew they kept a ghost prison here somewhere int he world and this was the only entrance to it. Leina smiled to the jedi there while they stood in the guard armor with rangers wearing the same. "Come along padawan, there is a place here I want to take you to. It was set up as a way to test padawans."

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

She hadn't told him where they were going so he'd only prepared in a general way. Malachor V still felt dark to him, in spite of countless years and the presence of Jedi Temples. In fact, the Temple felt like an island in a sea, standing alone among shadows. This was a place to build such a Temple, he decided upon reflection, a bulwark against the encroaching menace.

"Yes, Master," was all he could say as the hardened-looking guards appraised him then nodded, following her down the ramp. He had no idea what awaited him. Some test, of course, but beyond that he couldn't say. It made him uneasy, not knowing how to ready himself exactly.

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

Leina kept pace through the temple, letting her eyes wonder around as she checked in and there was some droids there showing information. Where there used to be nothing it was now just them and they tried to maintain some monitoring. Allowing themselves to check and recheck all the dangerous parts they were doing before she looked at her padawan. "This is the silver temple, where the jedi shadows constructed a circle to keep watch over sith space. Not the greatest given how many of the worlds are back in the hands of darksiders but for a time it did work effectively. Now though it houses the toughest jedi in the order who stay here,"

She nodded and then went to a window as the mountain in the distance gleamed silver and shined in the sun. "THat is where we are going, the remains of the ancient academy. It is a testing ground for padawans to see if they can resist temptationas well as their masters. Just be careful though as the shadows here are trained on this world among the sithspawn and dangerous creatures. THey aren't friendly like some of the others and they don't give more chances if you give in or bring hostility. Their duty is to protect the prison they have hidden somewhere in the world under miles of rock and metal."

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

Dune took in the surroundings, feeling the readiness in the air. Not fear or anger, but a determination to stand to the last against the Dark. It was a grim feeling of resolution unlike the Temple on Lothal. There, it was serene like the eye of a storm. Here it was the calm before the storm.

Dune nodded gravely at Leina's words, knowing if he failed, he would very likely die.

"Better to die, than to fall."

His answer was grim but calmly resolute, like the Jedi around him.

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

Leina looked at him and while serious she spoke with a smile. "Yeah but there is also the part where, have fun. I was in there, it is strange but not impossible. I've seen some jedi masters make it an impossible test because they wanted their views as the standard. Last time that happened the order split, now it is alright and you could do worse then just go through an old temple filled with traps and puzzles." SHe nodded though as she knew a few of the dangers and they had imported some things. "But it all goes towards protecting and here there are secrets they forgot about that are worth protecting down below... somewhere."

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

Nodding, he secretly wondered just exactly what was going to happen. This prison, the sense of foreboding, it was all a bit unnerving. It felt all very un-Jedi but then, when wasn't his life a paradox the last fourteen years.

"I'm as prepared as I can be. Let's go, Master."

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

Leina looked at him and her padawan seemed down or conflicted about some of the things while she was walking and heading down the steps of the temple to the open plains leading the way while she skipped and sang to herself. It takes a lot to sing on a world deep in the darkside... the power of drugs more then likely but she was just being happy as the massive darkside temple loomed in the distance. Sounds of stormbeasts as they roamed around and other sithspawn that had been brought to the planet since its reconstruction by the vong were fighting against each other and the shadows that kept their numbers from getting to high.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

Dune could hear the Sithspawn clearly to either side of them. They were fighting amongst themselves for whatever reasons such abominations did. As to why the Yuuzhan Vong had thought to bring them here, he couldn't understand. Then there was the Dark Side Temple looming ahead.

His mentor singing and skipping made him question if she really knew what was ahead of them. She had to, he thought, there's no way she cannot see it or feel it. Dune would wager someone Force dead would still feel like the Temple was looking though thousands of meters away. From here, even with his nearsightedness, he could see the wrongness.

The shapes were twisted or too sharp, like they'd been melted or broken. It was dark and seemed to suck what natural light there was into it. It loomed like a maleficent giant. It had been made to overawe, to cow beings.

Dune might've been one such if he didn't remember his purpose: to combat such evil....

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

As she got closer the twi'lek stopped standing across the metal expanse, she would and could say bridge but it was more just there and thick rock and metal while a narrow pass was there leading to doors that a tyrant rancor could walk through and still have room. The silver metal with spike protrusions while she was allowing herself a moment before walking through and opening the doors as they moved smoothly revealing the massive entryway of the temples carved into the moutain. Twisting staircases, red carpets and walls as well with black marble and runes along the walls. Leina was moving in and spoke as her voice echoed in the halls. "ECHO echo echo.."

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

Across the silvery ribbon, wind howling they walked. Through the massive doors, into the antechamber large enough for one hundred easily. The carpets were a sinister blood red, the marble was black. The runes carved therein fairly radiated evil.

Leina's voice echoing broke him out of his dour mood. He looked at her in confusion which her child-like smile did nothing to help. "You're the most conf-," he began but broke off with a start. "I apologise, Master, please excuse me," he said in genuine embarrassment.

He sighed and studied the surroundings before commenting.

"Rather opulent. Not to mention gloomy."

His remark of course referring to the heavy luxuriance which seemed a tad over done. If by a tad, you meant severely.

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

Leina was looking at him as he spome and she nodded her head. "It is okay padawan, I know it isn't for everyone but if there is a lot of gloom in the galaxy you got to look on the sunny side of life... Otherwise you end up like all those other padawans and jedi who brood and stand in the corner using the the black robes to show their mood and soul." She made a mock serious face crossing her arms under her chest and the top while looking like a brooding emo jedi."Arg I be special and able to use the darkside and emotions because I am better then thousands of years of teachings and practice."

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

Dune laughed at the Twi'lek's verbal jabs.

"Very true, Master. The Order has existed for over ten thousand years in some way. Some Padawans apparently believe that they know better. It doesn't work out for them, in the end."

He gestured to the black marble.

"Such an oppressive colour to use everywhere, black."

"Also, the Dark Side consumes you. A Jedi knows this, even a Padawan."

He sighed and shook his head at their silly, misguided emotion.

"At any rate, now that we're here, what is the test, Master?"

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

Leina looked at him and then at the marble while she was curious with a smile on her face before she motioned with her head and lekku twitching off to the side. "Well there is the good news of some things but you are getting to go through the large doors over there. I'll be in the upper levels and meet you at the end of the trials you go through. Be careful these will show you all the main trials the jedi must face. Flesh, spirit, skills, insight and all the rest. You'll see things and there are creatures that are in the maze like halls. Be careful, they like to sleep and can be hard to detect. I barely survived them just choosing to run away instead of trying to find some of the more dangerous mysteries."

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

"Yes, Master. I will see you there."

Dune bowed formally before he turned and walked to the doors. There was nothing more to say. He paused to place a hand on the door and they opened before he even pushed. He regarded the doors before looking down the hallway.

It looked like more of the same, black marble and blood red hangings. Stepping through, the doors closed behind him of their own accord. He looked behind himself. Dune sighed and shook his head before setting off down the hall. Nothing felt right here.

As the Bith reached out, the corridor felt real but...not real? A melding of the two. More and more of the same for possibly hundreds of meters. Or was it, he thought, no it's best not to think about it. This place could tie your mind into knots.

Finally, something different ahead. The corridor broke off both left and right. It didn't take him long to choose to go right; his reasoning making as little sense as the Temple. It seemed like the Temple itself began to speak.

The voice came without words, but it sounded like himself. It questioned him, every niggling little doubt rising up. Could he really do this? It would be better to simply give up and return to Clak'dor VII. He could lead an easy life, comfortable in mediocrity. Why was he anymore special than any other Bith?

"I'm not better than other being," he answered aloud "But I've been given a connection to the Force. I have a responsibility to help those who I can."

Every Padawan knew he or she had to serve all beings. A gift with the Force was uncommon and powerful. Therefore, he couldn't afford to squander it. That was that, no more and no less. The voice went away for now.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

He kept walking, walking and walking. Exactly how long that he walked, he wasn't sure. Was he going in circles, maybe, it all looked the same to him. It could've been all in his mind and down one hallway.

To the left this time when he came to another fork. Or perhaps it was the same one as before. There waited a figure all in black, it's visage hidden within a good. Dune stopped short and examined the figure, silent with it's hands within the wide sleeves of the robes.

"Who are you?," the Bith asked the figure and it laughed maliciously.

"You know who I am better than anyone."

The voice was deeper, more resonant but he recognised it. His own voice. Dune nodded.

"I know what drives you, Padawan," it said with the last word sneered "But you will NEVER bring peace and order. The Jedi are too weak!"

"Then how can it be done?"

"You must IMPOSE peace and order, they're too inept otherwise!"

The Bith remained silent.

"Yes," it laughed again "You know it's true! So take the necessary step. You know what to do. Kill her, the fool."

"No," Dune shook his head.

"YES! She only holds you back. All of them only hold you back."

Dune shook his head in disbelief.

"This is how you truly feel. So join me and take that step!"

"I will not."

"Then you are a fool! If you won't do what is nessecary, then I WILL!"

It thrust out it's long fingers and jagged bolts of purple lightning crackled. They struck the apprentice and he screamed in agony, spasming uncontrollably....

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

The pain was unimaginable, his world was fire. He screamed until he had no breath left and he found more to cry out again. On his back, he thrashed. The Bith wanted the pain to end more than he'd ever wanted anything.

"This can all be over if only you do what you must," came the deep voice. It sounded so calm, so reasonable. It was right, that insidious part oh himself...wasn't it? A growing part of him wanted to submit.

No, he told himself, I would rather die than betray what I stand for. He was calm and he accepted the end. But it didn't come as he'd expected. It was over, the unimaginable pain. He lay there, supine, starring up at the vast ceiling. Slowly, he sat up expecting to see the figure.

Part of him flinched in memory of the pain only to find empty hallway. Dune stared in disbelief as his heart thundered in his chest. Letting out a long sigh, he laid back down for just a minute. Weariness settled in on him and he wanted nothing more than to lay here.

With a groan, he pushed himself back to his feet. It wasn't over yet.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

This was beginning to become tedious. The mental fatigue did nothing to improve matters. Dune was finding it harder to focus on his surroundings. At this point, he had no idea where he was not how long he'd been.

The silence was only broken by his soft footfalls and the rustle of clothing. It felt eerie in this almost vacuum, being so accustomed to the sounds of Lothal Temple as he was. He'd checked for burns that he'd been sure were there once he made himself stands. It seemed hours ago but part of his mind cringed at the memory of excruciating pain despite no physical damage.

On and on, step after step. He wanted to sit and rest but didn't let himself for fear of falling asleep. His Master had warned him of the dangers of this place. So far, it had been in his mind, but that didn't mean something physical wast lurking.

At first he assumed his tired mind was playing tricks on him as the hallway became progressively dimmer. Then he was jolted to full alertness as he felt two presences ahead. His ears picked up soft, regular breathing as if whatever these creatures were slept. Dune stopped as he heard rustling.

From the shadows emerged sounds of beings waking up. The Bith gathered the Force, just in case. In this place he could not afford to lower his guard. The shadows began to speak.

"Something comes," said one voice.

"Yessss," the other voice answered softly.

Dune heard them scenting the air, like some animal.

"Not human. A scent not experienced in many years."

The other voice agreed.

"I am Bith," Dune finally replied.

"Ahhhh, yes, that smell. We have met your kind before, long ago."

"Who are you?," the apprentice asked.

"We were brought here so long ago, we do not remember. Only that we have slept. Who are you, why do you come here."

"I am a Padawan learner. My Master brought me here to travel through this place."

"Jedi," came a soft hiss full of hostility.

Dune shifted his stance subtlety, gently placing his hand on his lightsaber hilt. He didn't draw it but was ready to in case things went badly. There'd been something decidedly unfriendly in that voice. The Padawan was still ready to try to talk.

"Have you had dealings with Jedi before?" The Bith's question was spoken in a calm voice.

"Yessss. They hurt usss!"

The snap in the being's voice made Dune close his hand around the hilt.

"Jedi don't hurt beings unless they attack us."

"Enough talk! We've slept long and we are hungry."

Two shapes emerged from the shadows. Huge, nearly three meters tall, Dune saw they were covered in thick fur. They also had pointed ears with hooves instead of feet. The Bith stepped back and unhooked his weapon, bringing it up into a guard stance but not yet igniting the blade.

"Stop! Come no further; I have no quarrel with you and I just need to pass. Let me do this and I will not hurt you."

The giants leered at him hungrily and still came forward. Dune hit the activation button and the blue beam hissed to life, it's sudden radiance causing his aggressors to cry out and shield their eyes with huge hands....

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

"Ah, turn it off, Jedi!"

Dune stepped forward and he saw them glare through splayed fingers as they were made to step back.

"I won't hurt you, just let me through," he said again.

He had no idea how long before their eyes adjusted, or if they would. The Bith assumed it would be very soon, and so, he seized the initiative. Stepping forward again, he threw out his left hand and released the energy he'd gathered in a hard Force shove. The dark furred giant grunted in pain and surprise as it was sent staggering back into the wall. He felt the others fingers clumsily grab at him as he sped past.

Dune dashed between them, a bnot. to the naked eye. With the Force aiding him, he dashed down thnot.all. He could hear his pursuers shouting after him, their steps heavy behind him. The Padawan didn't stop running until even his ears couldn't hear them.

Only then did he slow himself to a walk, panting as he looked over his shoulder and strained to hear. Still nothing but he kept going as he hooked his deactivated hilt to his belt. Were the only two, he wondered. Probably not. He redoubled his pace.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Leina Snowfire"]

This was to be the last of his encounters here, though Dune didn't know it. He'd been so preoccupied with listening for the huge creatures that he didn't notice the mirror until he was practically on top of it. It just stood there in the middle of the hall, unsupported. At first, it just seemed like any other mirror as he circled around it (except it being apparently freestanding).

Even when he physically touched it, nothing happened, just his reflection reaching back. Finally, he brushed it with his Force awareness. Then something began to happen. The image of himself began to swirl and went black.

He continued to watch as the blackness soon resolved itself. A flood of images, sensations and emotions all came to him. Dune saw them as much in his mind as in the mirror. The Padawan was rapt in attention.

He saw his ascension to Master and many daring raids against the Sith forcing them back out of the Core. He saw the myriad of beings cheer and celebrate him as he strode at the head of the Jedi procession to the Great Temple on Coruscant. Great joy filled him as they finally returned home in triumph. Dune Rhur had led them in this great victory and many others, why not make him the leader of the liberated world's? Was he not a powerful, wise Jedi Master? Who better!

So he saw his election by popular acclaim. The new leader's first great plan was a bold one, to finally drive the One Sith out of existence forever! So legions of soldiers boarded ships beyond counting. Led by the Jedi, they drove deep into Sith space.

Many battles were fought on this great crusade with many losses until finally Dromund Kaas was the last stand. Dune Rhur went into the Emperor's stronghold and confronted the nexus of darkness himself. In the end, after a titanic struggle, the Jedi Master emerged victorious. As he walked from the stronghold, the battle around him slowly died.

They fell to their knees, hailing him their saviour. Sith and Jedi, soldiers and civilians alike. Truly, peace had been achieved at last. Dune Rhur was the greatest hero in the history of the galaxy.

The Padawan blinked, still feeling his triumph. He could hear their acclaim and see the awe on their faces. No, not his triumph, he shook his head. "Not real," he whispered.

"None of that happened. It's a trick."

His voice began to take on it's normal timbre. The confidence came back too.

"Like everything else you've shown me here, it's a lie," he said to the Temple itself "Lies of the Dark Side, full of vainglory. I do not believe because violence will never bring peace by itself."

The mirror shattered into a thousand shards and Dune threw up his arms, turning away his face. He felt the razors slice into his flesh, burning with fiery pain. He gasped, stuck with dozens of pieces of glass throughout his body. His blood began to seep through the cloth of his robes from multitudes of slices.

He tried to draw in breath but the sting made it ragged and uneven. Dune blinked as he thought he saw a doorway just ahead. The Bith thought it another illusion at first, but he began forward while he grimaced in pain. He reached the door and it opened.

There on the other side was his Master. Dune looked at her with disbelief for a few seconds before the pain, weariness and exhaustion all struck. Collapsing to hands and knees, the Padawan knew it was over for now.

 

[Leina Snowfire]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

There had been a lot going on and Leina true to her word had walked through the door in the hallway and taken the stairs as she was standing in the room looking at some of the things. Her padawan was doing somehting very special and very important before the jedi here. So she had made it a party with cake and ice cream and streamers and candles saying. "Great work on the trials Dunes." Spelled out on the large cake while the other jedi masters and knights there could get to do the most important thing of all. Hold their lightsabers up and around as they sliced that dangling thing from the side of her padawans head. "Shhh look at him he is doing it." Leina was excited and well a big ceremony was one thing with them. Oh it was going to be so exciting and the jedi knight bounced. "Oh it is almost time, he has been doing so well and awesome. Time for my padawan to get his surprise." She had invited well masters but Corvus in the end was one of the better judges... the shadows were just here because this was a shadow temple and they fit the definition she supposed... minus hunting down cults and artifacts of the darkside or answering to the one council. "Yay Dune." She clapped her hands.