Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Sept 4, 2020 0:54:23 GMT -8
Ashara nodded to her apprentice. It would be good to have someone watching her back and good experience for Kalene. But she could also be a liability. Whether the risk out weighed the benefit was yet to be seen. The Forcespawn lead the way from the ship and followed her instincts into the slums. She could feel the Force pulling her toward their goal.
It wasn't long before the pair were standing in front of a boarded up store front. The Darkside was palpable here, many evil deeds had been done behind these sealed doors.
=Ashara= Hmmm, I'd rather not force our way in, lest we give up an element of surprise. Do you see a way in?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2020 8:42:45 GMT -8
With the choice made, Kalene followed behind her master as they progressed further into the city. The nicer buildings slowly began to give way to a more run-down section. With each step, she could feel the darkness growing around them. Was it from the cult members or the nature of the area and the people living in it? She couldn't imagine how rough life was here in comparison. And if the cultists were here, how much they affected the lives of others. In the end, it didn't really matter. She knew what their goal was and trusted her master's senses to lead them forward. And in silence, she stayed closer behind Ashara.
It was when they finally stopped that Kalene felt the greater build of darkness, an obvious sign of Dark-side Force-users and not a nature of the world around them. Her fists tightened as she swallowed a bit. Standing here now, she wondered for a moment if coming was a smart idea. But with a shake of her head, she pushed that feeling down. She might not have had the experience, but she couldn't let fear overtake her. She had to be brave and vigilant.
When Ashara spoke of not wanting to simply break in to ruin any surprise they had, Kalene couldn't help but agree. She wasn't, however, expecting to be asked if she saw a way in. Taking a breath, the girl looked around. The front was completely boarded up. From the doorways to the windows, there seemed to be no entrance. At least, none that would allow them to enter quietly. But next to the building was an alley, to which Kalene pointed. "I don't see a way in from the front, but perhaps there is a way in from that alley. Either a side or back entrance. The cultists would need their own entrance, after all."
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Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Sept 21, 2020 20:22:00 GMT -8
Ashara smiled at the cleverness of her apprentice. She herself had been so focused on the end goal she hadn't considered the ally way.
=Ashara= Very perceptive, my padawan.
She lead the way down the side ally, quiet and stealthy. Her hooves didn't seem to even make a sound on the concreate and metal bellow. And their it was, a heavily reinforced door with a lock on it that hadn't been seen since the Clone Wars. It required a Force User to manipulate the lock and tumbler system within. Without knowing the exact combination, it would take time to trial and error the lock, and perhaps alert those within. All the same, it was the best chance they had.
Ashara stood before the lock and held out her hand. She could feel the mechanism within, all it's intricate parts some how felt familiar to her. Then it happened again. Flashes of a long buried past. She saw herself, on the other side of the door in a dark hallway. This Ashara wore a medical gown and panicked expression, but after several attempts opened the door and made an escape. When present Ashara came to, she had dropped to a knee and sweat was rolling down her gray face once again. But she had remembered the combination her previous self had used. She hid the worry of what this vision implied from her pupil with a forced smile.
=Ashara= I think I've got it.
She turned the lock and the door slid open.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2020 11:26:18 GMT -8
Kalene followed her master as they made their way down the alley. Deep inside, she hoped that this suggestion would bear fruit and not leave her looking stupid. She certainly wasn't the best in such a situation in which she was keeping herself focused on what was to come.
Yet, all seemed well as they discovered a door. She saw the lock, but unlike Ashara, had no clue as to what it was or how it worked. As she gazed upon it, her eyes watched as the Forcespawn dropped to a knee and saw the sweat building up. Was she still not recovered from the earlier encounter? Or did she see more memories as she had before? There was no telling as to what truth it was, but it was for only a few moments before she stood to her feet.
Though Kalene was worried, she worked to keep her composure at the moment, her eyes turning to the lock that Ashara messed with. Not even a single touch as the gears pulled out and shifted around by way of the Force. It was a fascinating device, one she didn't have the time to admire as the door slid open. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "I'm ready."
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Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Sept 27, 2020 2:19:37 GMT -8
Ashara pushed herself up off the ground and looked down the hallway. She could feel more memories trying to flood back into her mind, but she pushed back. As much as she wondered what had happened to her here, it would only distract her. And with Kalene with her, that was something she could not afford. Her gaze shifted to Kalene and gave a reassuring nod and half smile, before taking the first steps into the building.
The passage way was dark, though that seemed to be by design. Light fixtures were small and infrequent. Ashara pressed forward, reaching out as far as she dare, not wishing to trigger another memory or perhaps alert someone to their arrival too soon. That seemed a moot point as the pair rounded a sudden turn in the hallway and came face to face with a pair of red robed beings. They seemed as surprised as Ashara. They acted before the Forcespawn could, drawing daggers from their robes, one went after the Master while the other loomed over the apprentice.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2020 13:18:15 GMT -8
Kalene's eyes stayed focused upon her master as she pushed herself back to her feet. A ping of concern existed within her eyes and the state Ashara was in. Would she be ok? Did they need to turn back? Though she didn't attempt to voice her concern, it was a moot point as the Forcespawn pressed inward. Taking a deep breath, the girl moved in behind her, removing the lightsaber hilt she had been given for this mission. She wasn't the most skilled with it yet, but she had utilized a training saber enough in her own practice that it could provide some semblance of defense.
As they went, Kalene worked to stay as close as possible so as not to lose Ashara in the darkness that mostly encompassed the hall. It wasn't long before they found what they were looking for, though it wasn't in the manner they were hoping. Kalene stood there stunned for a moment as the two parties stared at each other. Yet, the guards were the first to move.
Tension rose within the girl, the drive that had ignited the girl's courage and strength earlier not present. Though she took a step back as one of the guards approached her, dagger in hand, she wasn't gripped completely by fear. Taking hold of the hilt with both hands, the blue blade came to life before her, working to separate the two. Whether or not it would cause him to step back was uncertain, but she wasn't going to leave herself open to an attack.
She would be strong. She would be brave.
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Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Oct 3, 2020 20:01:30 GMT -8
Ashara was busy dodging the jabs from her own assailant to focus to much on Kalene. She had to trust that her padawan would hold out till she was able to intervene. The man closing on Kalene was surprised by the appearance of the lightsaber, but only for a moment as his eyes quickly assessed that the girl was a novice at best. And so his step back became a lunge, ready to deflect the blade with his vibroknife and the other hand reaching to grab the girl. Ashara and her foe found themselves locked , both had hands on the knife as he tried to stab down at the Forcespawn and she held him back. Then their was a sickening crack as she had brought her horned head back and collided it with his skull. Both parties went reeling back to where they started. A trace of gold blood dripped from Ashara's forehead, mirroring the red from the human opposite her. Her golden eyes then shifted to see how Kalene was doing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2020 14:43:37 GMT -8
She might have he barely any skill with a blade, but the knowledge Kalene held was still something worth using. Keeping her movements basic and only moving when necessary was the key to this battle. She just had to pay attention and react accordingly.
When the assailant stepped back, it allowed her the split second to better establish herself, planting her feet, lowering her center of gravity, and overall making herself seemed more skilled than she was. When he made his lunge, Kalene focused upon the movements he made. With a knife in one hand and his free one coming at her, it was difficult for her to properly follow but she made her attempt with what seemed to be the bigger threat: the free hand. Using some semblance of tactics she could, she side stepped the man, moving to the side that had the blade as it would be harder to grab her. For now, she stayed defensive, her blade ready to parry an attack the knife made against her.
He had made the first move though not with his weapon, with both of them seeming to favor waiting for the other to strike or create an opening in which to make their attacks.
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Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Oct 14, 2020 10:07:28 GMT -8
As her vision cleared from the headbutt, Ashara saw that Kalene was holding her own for now. That allowed the Forcespawn to turn her focus fully on her opponent, who had also recovered. He lunged forward again, trying to stab the woman in the abdomen. But as he struck out, Ashara also side stepped, and grasped the hand that held the knife. Before he could break free though, Ashara called upon the Force to utilize her abilities in Pyrokinesis. The man let out a pained shout as the heat became too intense for him to hold the knife any longer.
The man attacking Kalene steadied himself after the missed attack. But now he was trying to come up with a plan. It seemed he had brought a dagger to a lightsaber fight, and was none too pleased about the situation. He considered breaking and running for help. But then she would likely just stab him in the back. So he started to swing the knife at her, trying to get her to back up, or at the least give him an opening to disengage.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2020 2:34:30 GMT -8
In the end, neither chose to engage in the moment, uncertain of what the other might have done. It did fill the girl with a bit of confidence believing that her actions brought pause to her opponent. A second or two passed as they stood firm against each other, eyeing each other wondering who would make the next move. A game a patience in which the one who moved first could have lost the fight.
However, that notion was short lived as the cultist began swinging wilding towards her. It was sudden and chaotic, which disrupted Kalene’s thoughts. All she could do was suddenly back herself up in attempt to avoid getting slashed. Uncertainty once again began to surge within her as a hint of fear began to rise. But it was all drowned out by a sudden flash of pain as she moved too slow and the knife met her arm. A faint cut and hardly a real concern, yet the former fear followed by pain caused a shift in her.
Just as it had when the man had attacked her master before, her mind sharpened as the darkness began to reappear. Her eyes focused on the cultists as he began to back up, feeling her had his opportunity to kill her or run. Neither came to pass as a free hand lifted up and took hold of him, gripping him with the Force as he was hoisted into the air and bound tightly enough where he couldn’t move.
Despite the surge of darkness, the girl retained some control of herself, which kept her from lashing out and killing him.
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Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Oct 26, 2020 18:54:52 GMT -8
As Ashara's opponents dropped his knife, she continued to build the heat in her hand until an open flame formed. She could feel the Darkside surge through her. Something about these men made them particularly easy to hate, almost personally, though the Forcespawn couldn't guess why. And she didn't bother to ask. The man was gripping his burnt hand and then Ashara gripped his face with both hands. She willed the fire she had summoned down the cultist's throat. With him unable to scream any longer and dyeing slowly on the ground, Ashara swung about to aid her apprentice but saw that she did not need it. Though wounded, she had found the strength to grip this fleeing man. The Forcespawn smiled as the fire in her hand disappeared.
=Ashara= Very good. Finish it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2020 23:00:44 GMT -8
As Kalene held the man within the air, it allowed her to breath and look around. Since the battle started, she had been too focused to take in her surroundings. The screams had not met her ears but she watched as her master's opponent slowly died to the flames Ashara held. It was the first time she had seen someone die before her, especially by the hands of another.
But that wasn't what brought her pause. It was the order her master had given her. It had been something to expect, coming into hostile territory like this. But now that the moment was here, even the stirring darkness couldn't so easily compel her to take a life. After all, she had spent her time learning to heal, learning to save and enhance life, not end it. It caused visible conflict, so much that she simply stared at her master for nearly a minute, her eyes on the verge of going wide.
Finally regaining herself, her head turned, first to look at the ground, then at the cultist. Could she do it? Should she do it? The questions swirled in her head as the growing darkness pushed her forward with its temptations while the light sought to stay her hand. Her hand lifted to point at the man held there, her hand pale white from gripping the saber so hard. Another few moments passed with a faintly shaking blade as she resigned herself to the task, closing her eyes and swinging. It was smooth and when she opened her eyes, the man lay dead, his body cut in two.
Her arm fell to her side, the invisible weight of the action making her unable to hold it up any longer. She stumbled back with a few slow steps. Her eyes were distant, the disbelief of her actions hanging there. Yet, there were no tears. Perhaps she carried no remorse for it after all. Time would only tell.
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Ashara
The Knights of Karabor
Posts: 89
Affiliation: Order of the Temple of Karabor
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Post by Ashara on Nov 6, 2020 14:17:41 GMT -8
It was easy for Ashara to see the struggle happening in Kalene, but the girl did carry out the command. It was good that she was still willing to follow an order so contrary to her nature. But that is not to say Ashara liked doing it. But now was another learning opportunity. Ashara moved over to her padawan and wrapped her slender gray hands around the wound on Kalene's arm. The Force flowed from her to the wound and began to mend it. While she did this she attempted to gain Kalene's eye contact.
=Ashara= You took a very hard step. I know you have the nature of a healer, but sometimes the best way to protect the innocence is to end the life of those who would harm them. This man for instance. We lacked the tools to restrain him, nor do we have time to call the local authorities to take him. He had to die, or he could have fled and caused more harm later. I intend to do the same to all the followers of this cult, but as for what you do. I trust your judgement. If you feel you would rather turn back, I will not stop you, but know I am proud of you.
Ashara held her gaze, waiting to see what her padawan's response would be. This lesson would of course need to be expanded upon at a later time, when their was not such immediate danger.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2020 23:04:43 GMT -8
Kalene didn’t so much as flinch as her master placed her hand upon the girl’s arm. Even as the scratch began to knit itself back together it was as if she didn’t notice the Forcespawn’s presence. Yet, she was listening, her mind taking in each word that was spoken, adding it to the furious storm that raged in her mind.
She still couldn’t believe what she had done. Ashara made it look so easy. Her words made it seem inconsequential at first. Even now, while stating the hardships of the actions, she didn’t sound as broken up about it. Was it truly justified? Yes, the man was evil by what she could tell, but did that mean he had to die? Even in the flowing darkness, she had no desire to take his life. Could they have not held him and turned him him to the soldiers that had accompanied them? She had been capable of holding the man in place, a girl still learning how to use her power. Surely someone like her master could have done even better. So why?
Then came those last words: I’m proud of you. How could anyone be proud of taking life? The regret, the uncertainty weighed in heavily upon the girl’s mind and heart. This...this wasn’t what she had signed up for when agreeing to join the Knights of Karabor. At first, she had no idea about even learning to fight, but was completely for it in the idea that she could protect others. But never in her wildest dreams did she think that would mean taking a life.
All she wanted to do was break down and scream, cry until their was nothing left. But she didn’t. Her mind was attempting to reject the idea it had happened, seeking a means to protect the girl’s spirit. However, that meant disconnecting herself a bit from reality. When Kalene finally lifted her head, it was slow and the truth could be seen in her eyes. Once filled with vibrant light was now hollow. Even when she spoke, her tone came back empty and monotone. "I’m fine, master. I can continue."
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