Private To fight ignorance through knowledge

[Asmundr Varobalder]

THE_WARDEN
THE NEW JEDI ORDER | TYTHON | HALL OF THE SUN
To fight ignorance through knowledge;
To act as the guardians of life;
To bring light to the darkness;
To serve others, rather than rule;
To always seek betterment;
To be the light in the dark

HEIMDALLY

​

His Padawan had shared troubling glimpses into his fall to the darkside with Asmundr that kept him in a place of unease. The Warden was in a troublesome place of wanting to help and correct, while guiding the whippersnapper to a place of understanding and balance without forcing it. He didn’t want to cramp nor hinder Dagon’s natural affinity to want to help. He had so many qualities that sang of potential but his boundaries were undefined and raw and Asmundr was stuck observing the paradox that was the Kaze boy. He was like a walking contradiction, seeking something while at the same time retreating from all he was worth. And Asmundr only wanted to show the value he saw, to empower the boy like a son.

But he was stuck. Reached an impasse. Limited by his own morality that refused to tread into the memories of his Padawan without his consent. For all he could see, he was purposefully blinding himself.

And therefore he had to get another perspective. Sardun had witnessed and rebuked Dagon’s fall...so Asmundr sought him out. All the way to the impressive nexus on Tython.

A hot, irritating itch prickled along his bicep, under the cloak that folded over the tops of his arms, and he reached up to scratch. It was a benign reaction to the swell of light here, in all Ashla’s purity. Had Asmundr visited Sardun’s sanctum before Korriban, the sensation might not have existed.

It existed only after collapsing into Oneness with The Force, he was aware of the spaces that existed within the layers of light and darkness. The intersections and lattices that created the pattern and foundation for all living things, which gave him an ounce of impurity by the nexus’ standards.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough to draw too much unsightly attention from The Companions or other security forces. Largely because Sardun knew he was coming.

And his arrival was further announced by the thunderous knock of his knuckles to the doorway of the sky-threatening tower.

Michael Sardun
​

 

[Michael Sardun]

Asmundr Varobalder

Asmundr did not have to wait long.

Not long at all.

Only moments passed before the doors swung open and gave way towards a large hall behind it. The hall was a bustling sensation of activity. Companions moving back and forth. A clockwork machine ticking perfectly with one man at the center of it. Sardun was studying a map on the table and for once was without his armor.

This was no battlefield after all.

"Master Varobalder," He called out before tearing his attention away from the map (the Netherworld, or at least a region of it) and strode over to the fellow Jedi Master. "I received your missive. You are welcome in my Hall."

"Are you in need of refreshments, food?" His face remained neutral, but there was some humor in the eyes. These days it was a rarity to encounter a fellow Jedi from the old days. Asmundr and him did not have much in the way of interaction. But Michael knew of his duty. The time he had spent with the Jedi Order.

There was nothing to be proved here.

"If not, I admit I am curious for the reason of your visit. Care to offer me clarity?"

 

[Asmundr Varobalder]

"Water would be welcomed, thank you for your hospitality." Asmundr admitted, giving a low, short, baritone chuckle. And as if he had to explain his request for refreshment, he added in good humour: "You've got quite a stairwell to get here."

He allowed a moment to appreciate the architecture inside. All the details the present had to offer. How tangible their world was, and how marvellous the design and interactions a mind can make it. The intricacies that made the unique rhythms and interactions. His eyes wandered to the map his host had been speculating, and instantly realized he didn't recognize it. For all he could see –– the world of death was blind to him.

He hummed.

"But, yes –– I'm here for.." he paused, considering the words before they evidenced. "Insight.

You were with Dagon and Padawan Arden above Ziost. Dagon admitted to me he fell to the darkside, what's more, I felt it. I was hoping to get your council on the events."

Michael Sardun

 

[Michael Sardun]

He had just ordered some water to be brought to Asmundr, when he led with that.

Sardun paused there.

It did not prevent his guest from sensing the spike in the Force. Not anger, not entirely. Something sharper and laced deeper under the skin. It tasted of unfinished business and a promise for a future reckoning. Whenever that would be. "Walk with me?" As he passed a glass of water to the fellow Jedi and started walking out of the hall.

Funny enough again up some stairs.

"Apologize for making you walk more steps. But this seems like a private matter." Michael said over his shoulder, before leading Asmundr into a smaller room furnished with books and seats.

A cursory glance would reveal the books were all about the Force. Not in the sense of esoteric scrolls, but instead historic tomes that studied the conflict between the Darkside and the Lightside. "Make yourself comfortable." Indicating towards one of the seats near the fire. There was a small table with another pitcher of water, if his guest wanted a refill.

"Knight Arden-" He finally corrected without revealing any emotion on that note. " Kaska Arden has left my tutelage some time ago and is now following her own path."

"But yes, I was there, in a matter of speaking. I had my own battle, elsewhere, but by tapping into the connection I still have with my former Padawan I managed to manifest myself in the heat of the duel."

He rubbed his jaw there, one eye thoughtful.

"What would you like to know?"

Asmundr Varobalder

 

[Asmundr Varobalder]

Asmundr vocalized his appreciation before taking a grateful sip from the glass offered to him. Despite the warmth the building exuded, the water was cool and almost delicate. A reprieve at the very least as they went through the expected pleasantries of acquaintances who had served through a lifetime of trial but not struck intimacy.

Sardun's legacy did not escape him ––– as much as the seer could peer into the future, he had the same access as anyone to the past. To the stories, the archives, the brief glimpses of mutual memories and shared experiences. Perception through it all may have varied, but that common denominator was shared regardless.

"But this seems like a private matter."

Something in his gut shifted, but he nodded and followed his fellow Master up the stairs. Each step brought another bout of heaviness to his body. Dagon was a complicated character that tolled on his mindset far more than he'd admit to the boy. To show he was still engaged, he made a sound at the back of his throat. Not agreeing, not disagreeing, just a noncommittal click.

The seats around the snap and crackle of the fireplace looked inviting, but the large space viking felt too uncomfortable to revel in their plushness. He didn't deserve it.

"What would you like to know?"

Weariness crossed over his countenance. Every note of exhaustion suddenly evident as he chewed the inside of his cheek, before wrapping his massive mitts entirely around the glass in his grip. Holding it as if it were the hilt of his impressively sized sword's hilt. He drew in a long breath, before exhaling with a slow, somber nod.

"As much as I can."

The words felt plastic on his tongue, inadequate.

"Padawan Kaze is...a living contradiction. His potential and worth –– I can see it. But his current state is blinding. I'm blocked by it, where he is, and where he's been. But I'm hoping you can help me fully comprehend how it came to be, how real it was.

Did you feel him fall? Did he feel like a threat?"

 

[Michael Sardun]

Asmundr Varobalder

Sardun watched, one eye seeing Asmundr and smoky stone seeing the track the fellow Jedi made in the Netherworld.

It had disturbed him at first.

To see that every living creature made its impact in the Nether. Even when they weren't there physically. Now, however, Michael found it useful. The things they hid in meat, they had a far harder time hiding out there among the spirits. He tried his best to stay impassive here, but found it increasingly difficult however.

Right now Michael wished he had been wearing his armor.

It was easier to hide your emotions behind golden mask and plate.

"Potential... worth... kind words." Michael murmured thoughtfully and careful. "Dangerous, uncertain, two more words I would add, Master Varobalder."

He finally moved to pour himself some water as well. At the very least it would let him do something, while he pondered the request. "I was there, as I said, as Dagon Kaze fell to the Darkside at the height of his weakness. I saw him imperil my former Padawan. Through his actions he almost got her killed and lost himself to temptation of power."

None of these words could truly be a surprise.

His reputation, cold and unyielding to the Darkside, was known at this point. Perhaps the greater surprise was that Asmundr had not heard of him trying to eliminate Dagon or call for his execution after the fact.

"There is a demon inside of him. When I moved myself into their room and forced Dagon back to the Light I saw it clear. Something, I am not sure what, is sunk deep inside of him. It tempts him. Offers unlimited power, if only he'd give up his control. And in that moment he allowed it free rein."

A shrug there.

"You know my stance on the Darkside. I broker no exceptions, none."

And yet, Dagon Kaze was alive, why?

 

[Asmundr Varobalder]

It was no surprise that Michael's evaluation of Dagon was far more severe than his own. At this, Asmundr only made a non-committal sound at the back of his throat. Danger and uncertainty though...both those certainly loomed about the Padawan. On the peripherals, stalking about every action he took, like a leering shadow that skulked and taunted. He could see it. The past, the present...the future.

He looked to the snap, crackle, dance of the flames. The warm glow the fireplace offered was as ferocious as it was beautiful. As deadly as it was helpful. As necessary for survival as it was likely to bring harm. It just..had to be contained. Watched.

Many parallels could be drawn back to Dagon.

"And yet..." Asmundr prompted, looking back at the battlemaster. Stripped of his armour, Michael Sardun looked as average a man as Asmundr. Neither were boastful beyond their sheer mass when it came to physical appearance. Both were worn, tired, weary in their own ways. Balancing between seeing too much and not enough.

Shaking his head, the master sighed.

"There are two kinds of light -- the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures. This demon within...he can control it. I foresee him succeeding it's taunts –– but I'm...I'm blind on how. Do you have suggestion?"