The Bastion of Ren (KoR)

[Samka Derith]

The temple was tantalisingly close now. Sam yearned to be there and seize it for herself, the sooner the better. The facility she had spent her teenage years in on Dosuun was impressive, state of the art and held all she could wish for. Areas for acolytes to train, study, rest, dine and even a few places solely for leisure, she had fond memories of practising her singing before the other acolytes in the leisure rooms but as her time there ticked on she grew envious of the grand temples used by the Jedi and Sith orders. This citadel would be their grand temple to equal anything those other groups had built, she would make sure of that. So the delays were coming as some frustration to her.

@Iroatas had vanished up ahead. His voice chirped over the com that he had been off to track down and destroy a nest of vornskr and set off at such a determined pace that Sam could only keep up with him if she jogged, a pointless activity which would rob her of any energy in this heat. [member="Darth Veles"] had disappeared with him, no doubt some Sith trickery was involved, so she stood in place to wait for the rest of the party to fully catch up with her to resume their trek. Besides she could sense... something in the jungle. The effects of the yaslamir lizards had dulled her senses so she couldn't be certain what but it made her feel uneasy.

Iroatas spoke over the com again, claiming he was about to wipe out the vornskr nest. This time she saw it fit to reply. "We have a scout for precisely this sort of situation," she said briefly glancing at [member="Jaron Lesan"]. "Pest control can wait until we have ascertained whether this citadel is truly worthy of becoming the base for our order." With no immediate reply from the creature Sam let out an exasperated sigh and tightly gripped her parasol with both hands, twirling it around to express her irritation.

Whatever Sam could sense before suddenly exploded with the power of the Dark Side. Anger, hatred and a trace of fear emanated from the jungle. "You feel that, don't you? How could you not?" Sam spoke loudly to address all the men and women present yet kept her eyes fixed on where she could sense this new presence coming from among the trees. "We are being stalked."

A few beasts could have been ignored without delaying their journey but a sentient being, a Force user at that, could not. They could have been a spy for their many enemies. [member="Anor Ren"] then moved swiftly to where the signature had come from. Sam walked back to speak to [member="Isla Ashen"]. "Will he be safe alone? I feel I should give assistance just to be sure." She asked with a raised brow. The red haired Ren knew the capabilities of the others more than Sam but it didn't change that this new presence had capabilities unknown by any of them.
[member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Misha Ren"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Nabrina Vao"]

OOC: post was written before last two, edited from Anor and Misha. Edited to reflect that

 

[Progflaw99]

He had trekked after the young woman, her purple hair quite eye catching to the S'kytri. His long strides aided him in keeping up but he left a short distance between them, it was rude to crowd. The Force was thick here, he could feel it moving around him without any effort, it just was. His senses weren't trained to the level that many of the Knights of Ren had been and thus did not sense the disturbance behind them except at the very edges of his mind and had brushed them off until now. As the fair skinned woman ahead of him turned he stopped, following her gaze behind them. At this point she had been only a few strides ahead but now she began descending towards the fiery haired Knight. As she spoke, his eyes narrowed, the grip on his large force-pike tightening. If there truly was something lurking back there, the group may have to split up. Already the golden clad Knight of Ren had disappeared into the brush after the Vornskr he'd wounded. Behind them he watched as the Zabrak of their order had cloaked himself, fading into obscurity. With curiosity he watched as the young woman spoke to the other Knight.

He was naturally wary, as his training had taught him to be but that only went so far. Now he was genuinely nervous, enough that with a rapid unfurling and strong flap of his wings he was in the air. In all likelihood it would be somewhat shocking to anyone unprepared, his large leathery wings able to displace an excessive amount of air. Clutching the force-pike in his hands his wings flapped harder, taking him a good twenty feet into the air where he hovered. Phenex was in peak physical condition, both in part to his personal philosophy as well as his genetic predisposition for a high metabolism. He narrowed his eyes as he looked backwards to where the disturbance had tugged at his consciousness. He couldn't see anything with his eyes but he knew something or someone was out there. He shouted down from where he hovered, towards the young woman and the red haired Knights of Ren.

"I cannot see anything from here... perhaps it is best I continue towards the peak?" He used the length of his pike to motion up the remaining stretch of steps.

It seemed somewhat awkward to him to be hovering in place, among his people all could fly. It almost felt as if an invisible tether had been placed on him, unable to truly be free if he wanted to stay with the group. Perhaps it could be an advantage however, it would allow him to travel quickly up and down the stretch of stairs they were on without having to climb. They were close now and he was eager to reach the summit of the Path of Jagged Stones, it would truly mark the beginning of their journey. The journey into the Bastion of Ren, a monument to their power and glory to the Supreme Leader.

[member="Jaron Lesan"] | [member="Nabrina Vao"] | [member="Iroatas"] | [member="Anor Ren"] | [member="Misha Ren"] | [member="Isla Ashen"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Darth Veles"]​

 

[Jaron Lesan]

"He will not listen," Jaron said once [member="Samka Derith"] had finished her communication with @Iroatas. He was about to say more but then an explosion of dark side energy rippled through the force. There was none of them which did not feel it. Even with the ysalamiri on the planet it was unmistakable the level of hate and rage which had been released. It was raw, lacked shape. Jaron knew this was what he had sensed earlier. His attention was needed with @Darth Anor. This was a delicate situation. Had this person meant harm to the group they would have shown themselves by now. Jaron was curious and knew pest control was no longer the most important use of his time.

The solution came when [member="Phenex Ren"] offered to push ahead. Jaron nodded as he looked to the hovering disciple. "You may scout ahead. As soon as you have discovered the condition of the Bastion return here and give a full report to [member="Isla Ashen"]. If Iroatas does not heed the warnings to return then his fate will be left to his own hands."

Jaron's attention turned to Isla as she would be the most senior of the Ren still around. The amphibian annoyed him. He was not Ren and yet he insisted on being around them, and when his help was actually needed, he disappeared. Should the time ever come Jaron would ensure he knew precisely how dissatisfied he was. "It seems [member="Darth Veles"] has disappeared yet again. His aid is of no use to us, and he will be more of a hindrance than he will be help. I will follow @Darth Anor and ensure that he does not snuff out a candle that could be of use to us. As soon as Phenex gives you his report reach out to me."

No one should be bounding off alone at this stage, not even Anor. Jaron followed behind him and happened upon the same scene. A Twi'lek, scarlet in hue, and covered in Sith tattoos. He pondered her story and what would bring her to this place, and furthermore what would have her following them. He debated helping her to kill the beast which had attacked her, but then he thought better of it. If she survived without aid then the Jaron would have found a pupil perhaps. With curiosity he remained hidden from her sight, but saw need to mask his aura from her. How would she react if she knew there was an audience?

[member="Misha Ren"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Nabrina Vao"]

 

[Isla Ashen]

Isla was pleased to see that [member="Misha Ren"] could still move about with a fair amount of ease, but she worried about the outcome she would face if danger found them. Her gloved hand reached down to touch the hilt of her saber, almost for the reassurance that it was still there at her hip. “Sarkhai,” She had echoed softly, it was an unfamiliar world to her. “I see.”

It would have been nice to continue their conversation, Isla was still curious about her new companion. But it seemed that small talk would have to wait.

There was an unmistakable pulling at the back of Isla’s mind, a warning of things to come. Isla stood tall, her emerald eyes casting a cautious glance around. Indeed, the others were right to assume that they were being followed. While the source of the dark presence had not followed closely on their heels, it was near enough now to feel – it was unmistakable and distinct.

Isla turned just slightly as [member="Samka Derith"] approached, but her eyes were fixed on [member="Anor Ren"] as he sped off in pursuit. She did not doubt his skill and capabilities, but it was unwise to go alone. Just as the flame-haired Ren was about to form an answer, she heard the voice of [member="Jaron Lesan"]. A moment later, she felt the brush of cool air against her cheek, and she gazed towards the sky to see that the S’kytri had taken flight. For a brief second, she could only revel in the sight - [member="Phenex Ren"] was quite majestic silhouetted like that against the sun. Back where he belonged, no longer bound to the solid ground.

“We will continue up,” She said, finally looking back to Samka and Misha. “The three of us should try to get to the Bastion. I am sure the others will be joining us shortly.”

For now, Isla would carry her saber hilt firmly within her grasp. The eyes of the S'kytri above had not gleaned any troubles ahead, they would just have to carry on.

[member="Darth Veles"], [member="Nabrina Vao"], [member="Iroatas"]

 

[Visser Chernykh]

[member="Isla Ashen"], [member="Samka Derith"] and [member="Misha Ren"]
[member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Nabrina Vao"] [member="Iroatas"] [member="Darth Veles"]

Ignore this post. I'm done with this.

 

[Darth Veles]

Their lips moved, another message played over his comlink, yet the world had turned deaf for the Darth. All sounds that might have stood a chance of reaching his ear canals suddenly met an impenetrable barrier, shattering like glass and utterly failing to deliver their message to the Mon Calamari. Veles simply heard nothing – while the powerful technique bending sound ensured he produced no audible noise, it also meant the amphibian could not perceive anything in return.

A fair trade.

Not entirely good, but he could not complain when even the hum of his lightsaber produced silence itself instead of the loud and characteristic hum. Fortunately for the master assassin, the same did not apply to his wretched power to conceal one’s presence and signature – feeling others through the Force without being felt by his prey, the man had turned into a predatory creature that stalked its prey unnoticed until it was too late for the victim.

Raging fury exploded through the Force, violent and uncontrolled spasms sent in all directions and alerting Veles just as he swiftly took the steps by two at a time. The invisible Mon Cal firmly planted his feet on the solid rock and stopped, spinning to see the source of the disturbance and employing his cybernetic eye to the fullest in a furious search through the green sea that was the jungle. Another Dark Jedi? Somewhere down there, below the Ren?

The brief flash of unrefined rage suggested so, plus the presence did not belong to any Ren he had met previously. The sudden revelation perplexed him – why do that? Flooding the Mon Cal’s mind, the thought of attacking Sith occurred to him and Veles furiously switched through all available vision modes present inside the cybernetic wonder planted inside the empty eye socket.

Which issue to address though? The new, angry Force sensitive battling the Ren or the wild beasts doing the same? He could not bear witness to both spectacles at once. Ultimately, spying on more techniques utilized by his temporary allies in a fight against another with the powerful blessing in their veins won over the alternative and the Sith Lord soared through the air as he ran back down the stairs, passing the oblivious group determined to climb the mountain and secure the temple.

Not even this amount of activity threatened to ruin the assassin’s techniques, thus he remained hidden, free to stalk the Ren and their crimson-skinned Twi’lek prey as they all appeared in the Mon Cal’s sight. He soundlessly cursed under his breath upon gazing across the woman's tattoos. Definitely very Sith-like, and thus the amphibian removed his own lightsaber and readied himself, concealed and determined to stay so unless the Ren needed assistance.

The familiar curved shape grasped by his left hand soothed his worries with certainty and confidence.


[member="Misha Ren"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Iroatas"] [member="Nabrina Vao"] [member="Isla Ashen"] [member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Nabrina Vao]

In the distance behind her, Nabrina could only faintly make out the silhouette of a seemingly winged biped taking flight as she turned her back to it, now turning to face the Vornskr before her - the more pressing concern surely as of now. Still blissfully unaware of the new spectators and the possible threat to herself from behind, she loosened the grip on the hilt of her blade to release some of her tension, allowing her to clear her mind and properly channel the raw, primal emotion that fed her passion, and thus her strength. Almost in sardonic vain she tried to raise her free hand again to control the beast, but still to no avail. She could begin to detect the bubble that appeared to shroud it - like a shield against offensive capabilities by means of the Force. Unfortunate.

While keeping her blade raised diagonally with her lead hand, she started walking to the side, in a wide circular fashion as the Vonrkskr, now starting to foam at the mouth, kept distance at the other side of the circle's diameter line. The Twi'lek had to occasionally step over some larger or sharper bumps in the ground, but that was secondary - the Force-attuned mutt before her was of primary importance. She recalled her training - those many solar cycles endlessly drilling forms and being made to spar with the pathetic old man, she herself starving, sleep-deprived and vexed by the time. There was little to no difference - she stared the Vornskr down, seeing that same paltry, carnal madness that drove the beast foaming at the mouth now - a resistance that denied the Will and Totality of the Force around it. Admirable, but mistaken. Admittedly she'd made a critical error by so blatantly giving herself away, but the novice found little time to strategically draw out an order of battle in the face of death on a hostile jungle world - caught between Darksiders and a Force fiend.

Nabrina made a grim, devious smile as she could feel her pupils constrict, at once focusing on the target and internally channeling her rage. Her nostrils flared, and the muscles in in her arms, her back, her sides, her shoulders and down her jaw and the side of her neck began to simultaneously tense and relax. She made a mental note not to flatter herself either: however impressive the Vornkskr was, it was but a mere beast of the wild - far removed from an intelligent opponent with a weapon, even if it displayed a remarkable resistance to the Force. The Knights behind her, for instance notably, and unlike this Vornskr, actually understood tactics, and the could manipulate the Force. And so by the time the Vornskr lowered its body, chambered its legs and began to leap up to strike, Nabrina had already been ready and waiting.

It all happened so slowly, yet so quickly.

As the beast leaped into the air and towards her, the Twi'lek took a laarge diagonal step back with her rear foot, strafing to her rear and to the left as she quickly vacated the spot where she once stood, and the Vornskr immediately pounced onto. A quick thrust of her lightsaber followed in riposte, but the beast easily dodged it by cocking its neck to the side, moving clean out of the way. It pressed forward again, then attempting to swat the Twi'lek unconscious with its front paws and maul Nabrina with its claws, but that in turn was parried as Nabrina quickly drew her blade back and, with a flick of the wrist, brushed it off along the center of her lightsaber's beam. The Vornskr snarled and barked once as the smell of burning flesh began to fill the air.

Nabrina smiled - she had it figured out. To compensate for her earlier amateurish mistake of coming to this would without prior knowledge of what a Vornskr was, or that it could repel Force abilities used on it, she now adopted a more defensive stance, choosing now to put both her hands on the hilt as she focused. The beast's whip-like tail would come next, barreling down on her like a crackling whip as she then parried it again with her lightsaber. It leaped forward again, possessed by a certain calculation in its own respects as it once more tried to hit Nabrina with its paws, only to be parried again and countered.

This time, the riposte worked.

Beasts have a touching way of not understanding how conditioned techniques work, and this one was no exception. What Nabrina could not tap into with the Force against such a peculiar beast, she made up for in guile. As she repelled the Vornskr's second paw-strike, she quickly took a sidestep to step out and away from that paw, to the side as her lightsaber quickly spun. Her forearms now crossed each other as both hands remained on her weapons hilt, the blade now stretching outward to the side, away from both her and the beast as she then quickly and decisively cut downward, and with the very tip of her lightsaber burning a searing cut across the Vornskr's face to which it howled and whimpered in pain before finally dropping. It was over, for now.

Nabrina quickly deactivated her lightsaber, and as her buffs began to wear off, the fatigue and vexation of channeling the Dark Side in such pure, unadulterated methods began to kick in. Her breathing grew heavy and her pupils dilated in the aftershock. Her sensibilities returned once more, but not so completely that she'd forgotten about the Knights of Ren ahead of her. It was a return to sanity that came in the nick of time as she sensed the beings closer nearby. She then looked around, still holding the hilt of her lightsaber but with her hands down, a gesture that she had no intention of combating other Darksiders. In a decision that seemed both of mad arrogance and an act of faith, she'd let them come.

The same stoic expression returned to her face - seemingly indifferent, but noticeably guarded.

[member="Darth Veles"] [member="Mael Ren"] [member="Isla Ashen"] [member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Samka Derith"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Iroatas"] [member="Misha Ren"] [member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Was it rage which had given her strength or the mere will to survive? Both were heavy motivators when it came to what one had to do. Jaron was driven by the desire to survive, the rage he felt against a galaxy which was tearing itself apart, even the fear he would be powerless to stop it from happening again. He was drawn to the Twi'lek as though their paths lie together for a time. In what way, Jaron was unsure of for the moment. What he did know was her signature was what he had felt, so raw, and without shape. She needed to be shaped, and Jaron was the one to do it lest she simply become a monster consumed by the dark side. She was at a crossroads.

Her awareness to the Knights which surrounded her was keen. However, Jaron was the only one making himself fully public. He had felt the aura's of two others for a brief moment, but they were long masked by now. His hand was fast to the draw of his saber if he needed it. Should the female decide to attack he would not hesitate to strike her down. Wild beasts were meant to be put down, and he hoped she was not so far wild that he fate would be the same of the beast she had just killed.

"You carry a lot of rage for one so slender and small," Jaron said by way of revealing himself completely. "Powerful, yet raw. Precise yet lacking shape. You lack definition, yet you chase after us. Why?"

Us, the word would fall on her ears as informative. If she was not aware that Jaron was not alone she would now. The rest had pressed ahead. They would be arriving to the Bastion soon, and [member="Isla Ashen"] would know what to do when they arrived. Their last scouting mission she had proven an invaluable ally, and a natural choice for a partner if his life depended on anyone. If ever he needed someone to accompany him on a scouting assignment she would be his first choice.

Dark eyes regarded the Lethan Twi'lek. Her posture was guarded, her features stoic. She seemed unmoved by what she had just done. The woman had certainly piqued Jaron's curiosity in many ways. He waited for her answer.

[member="Nabrina Vao"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Mael Ren"] [member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Samka Derith"] @Darth Anor [member="Misha Ren"] [member="Iroatas"]

 

[Susanoo Tsukuyomi]

She was watching the others that were there while she noticed Isla touch her saber before heading up to join with the others. She was going up watching what they were doing heading off before she remained in the back seeing some of them planning but the sarkhai stayed quiet. Prepared to help where and if she needed to but was staying quiet to now add a lot to the discussion or the situation beyond being prepared to head in and attack anything that was coming after them to endanger her compatriots. A strange sense of camaraderie was overcoming her before she moved quickly to follow them using the force to reach out with her senses to feel out for threats or dangerous problems.

 

[Nabrina Vao]

Nabrina was initially stunned at the stranger who approached her and actually bothered himself with her affairs. There was a guilty pleasure for her in being acknowledged by another, particularly after living the life of an outcast and a maverick for so long. A few seconds passed as she said nothing; simply looking back at him with her amber-orange eyes as she panted and tried to catch her breath. She'd managed to teach herself Force Hatred and Force Rage, but by no means were either mastered skills in her arsenal. To tap into her emotions, the Dark Side and the raw passion of her suppressed self was exhausting and vexing to her spirit - had there been another Vornskr in the area, she would already be a goner by now. Light beads of sweat dripped down from her face and her headtails as she took a gulp and finally managed to utter something in between the heavy breathing.

"Your ships came up on radar as I was crossing the sector", she began as she slung her lightsaber back to her utility belt under her cloak. She looked around, trying to see if anyone else was there before continuing - her pupils dilated from the adrenalin afterburn of facing down a primal beast. She continued, "There are several of you, aren't there? I felt it from your ships. I still do." She then sighed in an effort to unwind and slow her breathing, and slowly but surely enough she calmed down and she could feel her pulse rate lighten up. She was almost leaning on one of the larger rock formations along the Path of Jagged Stones as she kept trying to explain her case to [member="Jaron Lesan"].

"That temple up there - in the mountains, I saw it", she simply spurted out as she cut to the chase, now wiping the last few pearls of sweat from her forehead and rallying herself refreshed once more. "You, and your companions, I've heard of you. You're-you're the Knights of Ren. Even back on Korriban before the planet fell to the Silver Jedi, there were stories about you." She then sighed once more, as if letting some of the melancholy behind the rage inside her bleed out as she faced the ground.

"To be honest, I don't know why I followed you", she began again as her steely, feral eyes turned back up to meet Jaron's. "Some say you're the last hope this galaxy has for peace. Others say you're just like the old Sith and are out for power."

She then managed to stand up straight; her calm, composed but expressively disdainful aura returned to her.

"I want both."

[member="Misha Ren"] [member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Mael Ren"] [member="Isla Ashen"] [member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Samka Derith"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Iroatas"]

 

[Graf's Archive Account]

Anor continued to pace silently behind the Twi'lek in his Force Cloak considering all that she had said and done, she could be a valuable student for the Order, but they would need to purge the Sith ideology within her, and if she would not do so, then she would die. The Ren himself was choosing to stay in his shadowy disguise until the snarl of a vornskr alerted him, time felt like it had slowed down as he turned to see one leaping for the weakest member, her. With the flash of a double-bladed lightsaber and his revealed presence, the vornskr was quickly cut into two, its corpse unceremoniously falling to the ground for the other predators to eat once night had fallen.

"To seek power but want peace is not an easy path to follow." Anor warned her, giving her a grimace as he returned into his Force Cloak. He would remain like that if the situated any further and someone was in need of having their back scratched with a lightsaber, hopefully he wouldn't have to resort to that, as that would be a waste of someone with such determination.

[member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Isla Ashen"] [member="Iroatas"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Samka Derith"] [member="Misha Ren"] [member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Nabrina Vao"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Veles remained stationary, watching the scene unfold after his booted feet brought him even closer to the deadly trio. Curiosity and excitement alike flooded his body in hopes of seeing the Ren duo battle against the mysterious Twi’lek; a clue into their strengths, such as the Zabrak’s use of bending light. Exchanging a few words with the intruder appeared to be a distracting maneuverer – while the human Ren talked with the Twi’lek, his fellow Ren used this to creep behind the woman’s back, followed by the Mon Cal’s cybernetic eye that had also checked their surroundings in search for more intruders waiting to spring their ambush. He had uncovered nobody before his attention snapped back to the trio, alerted by the crimson flash, a deadly hum, and yet the woman continued to draw breath while a freshly killed beast spilled on the ground like a lifeless sack of flesh and blood.

Without any sign of conflict between the two parties so far, Veles decided to reveal himself; a single thought to erase the effects veiling him under a cloak of invisibility and there he stood, leaning against his cane that once again clicked against the stones underneath. Three seconds later, his large mouth opened and calmly spoke in thick Imperial accent, offering the woman a sweet smile.

“I bid you welcome, noble traveller,” started the Darth with a subtle bow, tone formal and overly polite, “Please, forgive our lack of hospitality – we have a long journey ahead of us still, but rest assured that as soon as we reach the outpost, you will be provided with fresh water and standard food rations.”

As all prisoners.

Unafraid, yet knowing about the deadly cylinder sleeping beneath her cloak, the amphibious Sith Lord approached the woman, swift strides filled with confidence carrying him right up to her, finally getting a good look at the tattoos. The black lines burned into her blood-red skin strongly reminded him of similar fashion found among the Sith.

“I trust you won’t mind parting with your weapon for a moment?”

The palm of his right hand opened and came forward in an all-saying gesture.


[member="Anor Ren"] [member="Nabrina Vao"] [member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Nabrina Vao]

The now-familiar snarl of a Vornskr was enough to give her a small rush again. She was about to turn and grab for her weapon again and ignite it, but was soon greeted by the Zabrak de-cloaking for what only seemed like a heartbeat - goring the animal with his own lightsaber and then cloaking again before her eyes. In vain, her eyes tried to scan the area but could not perceive or sense him anymore. It then dawned on her that she wasn't as guarded as she would have liked - these Knights were professionals, and had the skills to make assassins of them as well. She could have been dead minutes ago, and it seemed only her determination stayed their hands.

Make no mistake, Nabrina, you are in no place to negotiate.

"What's a goal worth if it isn't just beyond an arm's reach", she replied as her head lightly swayed from side to side, seeing if the Zabrak [member="Anor Ren"] would appear elsewhere. "There's are infinite greys between black and white - the Sith are no different. I didn't say I wanted peace though. I want Order. With that order, comes the power necessary to implement and enforce it." There was still that tinge of disdain in her voice, but one could tell she was genuinely trying to explain herself properly - the awkwardness of actually having to talk to others probably just unsettled her more than she liked. It certainly wasn't thrilling to know that she could drop dead in the next few seconds with one wrong move or word. Personally though, she spoke only the truth and her heart's content - she longed to see the ancient Sith society returned, in how it culled the weak and kept the rest in line by the fists of the strong and the wise. If the Zabrak attempted to walk through her mind, he would have seen, sensed and felt just that - a vision of a galaxy that protected and disciplined its denizens, but also culled the weak, insipid, impotent and unworthy from the ranks of leadership; even those that merely aspired or craved for it. Peace, on the other hand, she considered a lie and a delusion - she had been raised to believe and understand that growth -genuine growth-, could only arise in conflict. In conflict, she found strength, and in pursuing her strength in turn, she found purpose.

Now turning back to the Mon Cal, Nabrina was still none the better in knowing how to properly show social graces. She said nothing, merely bowing her head and turning her eyes back up at [member="Darth Veles"] as she finally replied, "I understand. You did what was necessary. Anomalies like strangers or stragglers can sometimes be daggers in the night." She maintained eye contact with the Mon Cal, paying no mind that he might have been closely inspecting her tattoos. Only the exotic markings on her face, neck and headtails could be seen now, but the sinister-looking aesthetic ran all across her body. She could almost still feel the sting all over.

She hesitated at first, but Nabrina did eventually end up handing over her lightsaber. The surprise though was that she had pulled out a second - more exotic by design, and both the hilt and the blade emitter seemed a little larger; with vents on the side. It seemed like an ancient design; perhaps a homemade project.

"This second one hasn't been tested", she said as she handed it over as well. "Does this make me your prisoner now?"

[member="Mael Ren"] [member="Phenex Ren"] [member="Misha Ren"] [member="Samka Derith"] [member="Iroatas"] [member="Isla Ashen"]

 

[Samka Derith]

Back on The Path of Jagged Stones, the other Ren were still moving up to the Bastion, their number now reduced by distractions. Sam bit her lip in mild indignation during the walk, she should be down there helping to deal with whatever had been following them. However it did mean she would have the distinction of being among the first to reach their new home so she shrugged the feeling off to look at the positives.

[member="Phenex Ren"] had taken off into the sky a little while ago. As he took off, Sam had given him a quick warning to be aware of the Drexl she'd been watching earlier. The airborne predators had been watching the group with increasing interest the further they climbed up the mountain but so far everything seemed reasonably calm for them, there'd been no word from the winged man warning of dangers ahead so she could presume things were clear.

Trotting a couple of meters ahead of her companions, Sam decided idle conversation was better than walking in silence. The power of pleasantries were so often denied by the arrogant who thought themselves above such things. It was a way to gain trust and understanding among your peers and as such increase your effectiveness in combat together. If you were good enough, a simple conversation about the weather could bring clues about just how well someone would handle themselves in battle.

"How are we coping?" She called back to [member="Misha Ren"] and [member="Isla Ashen"]. "I'm willing to take another short break if you need it." Sam wasn't tired, her legs were aching a bit yes but nothing she couldn't ignore for now. She was aware though that the heat would likely be affecting the other two women more because of her shaded parasol. "What do you suppose it was down there?" She added, curiosity getting the better of her.

[member="Nabrina Vao"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Anor Ren"] [member="Jaron Lesan"] [member="Iroatas"]

 

[Isla Ashen]

The three female knights continued on their way up the ancient stairs, each step bringing them closer to the bastion. Isla glanced up, her hand shielding her emerald eyes from the sun – still quite a trek ahead of them. Her boots climbed at an even pace, the power of the dark side coursing through her limbs to aid in the journey up. There was already fatigue and soreness making a home in her bones, and Isla knew that it would likely remain come tomorrow. However, considering the impact this location would have for the Ren, it seemed a small price to pay.

Isla’s attention shifted at the sound of [member="Samka Derith"]’s voice, and she looked up. The Ren with lavender hair was shaded beneath a parasol, a practical choice – even if it was a bit ladylike. She aimed a sidelong glance over at [member="Misha Ren"]; she supposed that the two of them were coping well enough.

“Tired, but able.” She answered, looking briefly to Misha. If the other woman needed a break, Isla was sure that she would speak up. It would probably be best for them to keep moving at this pace, for there was still a great distance to close before the sun disappeared. Samka’s second question made Isla pause and turn to look back down behind them.
No word from those that had gone back, not yet at least.

Either they had engaged with whatever was down there, or their chase had led to a fruitless search. Isla merely shrugged, she figured that they would have called if they had encountered anything that was cause for concern. They were all capable Knights, she did no doubts. However, this side-journey would delay their arrival to the Bastion.

“I am not sure,” She said, blowing out a breath. “But I am sure that we will hear all of the details later on.” Isla nodded, a hint of a smile present now. “We should focus our attentions ahead of us.”

There was no telling what was waiting for them as they finished the climb. With the others seemingly occupied, they would need to have their wits about them.

 

[Progflaw99]

As soon as he had received the go ahead Phenex's powerful wings had propelled him skyward. He'd heard Samka's warning and had responded with a curt nod, it wouldn't do him any good to let himself become prey to the beasts. Grasped firmly in his hand, the lithe force-pike was held close to his body as he soared through the air. If the environment hadn't been quite so dangerous it might have been relaxing, enjoyable even. The ground fell away beneath him and for a moment he was teleported back to Skye, soaring through the air, looping and spinning. Just like that he was back on Virgillia, a loud shrill screech drawing his attention farther skyward. Yet above him were the cliffs where the Drexl had chosen to roost. As he narrowed his eyes a particularly dark skinned Drexl had launched itself from its perch, wings outstretched as it glided above. A strange thought occurred to the S'kytri. He yet had things to learn... before traveling down that path but he made a mental note to himself to revisit his private thoughts at a later time.

It was strange for him, being surrounded by other force users. Among his people there were few force sensitives and even then they kept to themselves. He'd found a home with the Knights of Ren, even as a disciple. Their words were as good as law, their teachings and philosophies now his own. He was just as eager as the others if not more so to explore the place that was to be their new home their bastion. The Bastion of Ren. The fortress, even from where he hung in the air, was enormous. The sheer rock face provided protection from prying eyes, the remote location only adding to its privacy. Not only were the jungles filled with dangerous creatures and natural hazards but the trek alone was more than most average individuals could complete without significant effort.

The drexl above stirred, he could see their shadows as several appeared to launch off, away from the fortress. Perhaps these drexl could be tamed.. used. It had been done in the past, history was full of examples of force users taking creatures and using them to their own ends, perhaps the same could be said of the Ren in their efforts to enact the will of their Supreme Leader? Only time would tell, though he would do his best to prevent the complete annihilation of the creatures. As dangerous as they were, they provided a natural defense to the Bastion as well. On his way up the Path of Jagged Stones, Phenex himself had seen over five different types of poisonous plant and ten different poisonous bugs. Perhaps this new fortress of theirs would be best suited to contain a vivarium for creatures... poisons had their uses, as did the creatures themselves if they could be manipulated through the Force. The sword and the spear were not the only weapons at a Ren's disposal.

Carefully he let himself glide towards the large entrance, the doors to the fortress left eerily open. Equally inviting and repulsing he let his feet touch down on the landing at the top of the stairs, the forceful flapping of his wings disturbing a few pebbles resting on the ground. With a rustle and shake of his wings they were once again folded. Looking down the stairway he saw the others were not far behind. Soon they would arrive and they could delve deeper into the fortress, from where he stood it was dark. Squinting slightly, he saw a small rack of torches. They looked ancient but he could see the sheen of the oil around their tips. Fighting the urge to press on alone he waited, spear in hand and eyes carefully watching the shadowy forms above.

[member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Nabrina Vao"] | [member="Darth Veles"] | [member="Anor Ren"] | [member="Misha Ren"] | [member="Jaron Lesan"] | [member="Isla Ashen"]​

 

[Susanoo Tsukuyomi]

[event distracted me]

[member="Samka Derith"] [member="Isla Ashen"]

"I am well." She looked at the two of them with a look on her face seeing over at what they were talking about. Everything here was setting them up for it to be a treat. She was ready really for all of it and prepared for what would be coming ahead once she was near the other two. "We can learn all we need ahead hopefully and continue along this path. Hopefully the others are not going to be distracted with us back here or bothered with the timing." She was wondering and carefully planning it but she knew there was some very important changes compared to the Knights of Ren and what would be the sith. Culling the ones in the back wouldn't help them which worked to their advantage now as she started going forward

 

[Progflaw99]

He could feel it through the ground. A darkness not disturbed for ages. Warily Phenex eyed the looming entrance, just within he could see a metal rack mounted on the wall, torches still slick with oil. Perhaps they would still burn. The others were yet behind, still climbing the steep stone stairway towards the entrance. They would arrive soon but progress must be made. As he stepped across the threshold of the large doors he felt a piercing pain in his mind, as if someone had pinched a nerve. He let out a shout of surprise and took two steps backwards. His mind momentarily filled with fear, fear so overpowering that he was frozen in place, his vision darkened. Catching himself with his spear he took deep breaths, blinking rapidly. Several seconds passed before his vision began to return to normal, his breathing normalizing once more. Almost frantically he searched the doorway, looking for a trap, a sign of something there.. he saw nothing but stone.

The S'kytri's heartbeat had begun to return to normal, his mind now searching, encountering a barrier as he attempted to sense anything past the threshold. There was a darkness here, something protecting this place. Perhaps this is why the bastion had long gone unoccupied. The tall man took a knee, bowing his head in concentration as he opened his mind. In the shapeless void he began to focus thought on a solitary point, gathering energy from within and around himself. The energy took shape, forming a jagged spear. With a forceful exhale Phenex sent the dark side energy thrusting forward into the invisible barrier only to be forcibly blasted backwards by an unseen force. It must have looked comical from below, the winged S'kytri shot out into the air, the long steep stairs below. Another shout as this time the Disciple of Ren frantically began flapping his wing to no avail.

"Aaaagghhh!"

At first it had been a horizontal line but then he began to fall, his wings extended but doing little to slow his downward fall. He could see the small group of three below him, rapidly approaching as he struggled to get his spin under control by forcing his wings tight to his body. If he didn't recover soon, he'd go crashing into the stone stairway or even into the other knights. He grit his teeth as he tried his best to calm himself and focus on what needed to be done.

[member="Misha Ren"] | [member="Isla Ashen"] | [member="Samka Derith"]​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Isla continued up, her lungs pulling in the air that was growing thinner the higher they went. She looked up, feeling like she could almost reach up and grab the clouds right out of the sky. Her green eyes had also seen the winged form of [member="Phenex Ren"] finding the ground once more. He had likely found the entrance to the Bastion, his wings visible to them at the top of the stairs for a moment or two before moving out of their line of sight.

“Not much longer,” She said, nodding over towards [member="Misha Ren"]. “We’ll be there soon.”

She aimed a glance over her shoulder, eyes following the path back down the mountainside. There had been no word from the others. For now, they could only wait and wonder. With a deep inhale, she turned her attention forward once more, her boots moving steadily up... one stair at a time. Her feet were quite sore now, but she pushed the feeling of pain to the back of her mind.

The three continued on their way, silent for the most part, save for the sounds of labored breaths and boots on the stone steps. But then, a sound broke through the quiet. Isla’s eyes went wide, immediately finding the winged man that was now in the air. Had something thrown him? Well, it certainly told the three women that there was something waiting for them up ahead. She watched as Phenex began to fall, he was coming down fast and right into their path.

Options presented themselves to Isla – each one had pluses and minuses. But there was hardly time to think. She threw her hands out in front of her, drawing upon the force and extending a domed barrier around herself, Misha and [member="Samka Derith"]. They wouldn’t be harmed if he was unable to gain control, but it would not be a very gentle way to break a fall. Not at all.

“Quick! Try to catch him, slow his progress!” Of course, she had not meant them to try with their hands... but with telekinesis.