Entering the Jedi Temple, Corvus let Keira take point, whilst he acted as the rear guard.
The facility itself looked almost identical to the one on Coruscant. It possessed tall ceilings, fabulous mosaics, and gave off a monastic air.
Given how strong in the Force Ilum was, and how monk-like the Jedi were, it surprised him that there weren't any hermits, or year-long Jedi living here.
Traversing through these wide empty halls, the party walked down some long, winding stairs until they reached a cave entrance.
Walking inside, Corvus noted that the temperature had started to warm up, and the environment somewhat resembled a mild sauna.
Temperature aside, Corvus was wowed by the numerous crystals he saw. Blue, and green were everywhere. Occasionally, he would see a purple or yellow. These crystals ranged in size from being no larger than a finger-the ideal size for a lightsaber-to being as large as an SUV. And they were going to the deepest, largest hall in the entire complex. Corvus could hardly wait as he could only imagine its beauty.
"First time on Ilum?" Keira turned back and asked in a critical tone.
"It is. No matter how many times I see a crystal cavern, it always brings joy to my heart. Such beauty, ah, we are blessed to make friends with such brilliant things." Corvus patted his hand on a large green gem, and smiled.
"Friends?" Linyin asked, cocking her head.
"When you found your kyber crystal, it was no accident. The gem reached out to you as much as you reached out to it." Corvus explained.
"Hey, I'm not dumb, I know that much!" Linyin hotly responded, and she blushed purple.
"What do you mean by friends, master?" Jax asked with brimming curiosity in his eyes.
"He means they can kill better!" Yon added.
Corvus scratched the back of his head as he thought about how to answer the kids.
"I mean what I say. You chose the crystal, but the crystal chose you too. They aren't sentient, not exactly, but they resonate in the Force, and are non-organic life forms. Beings that experience emotion and share it with their user. Why do you think the color of a Jedi's lightsaber is often considered a judge of personality?"
"So it's true! I had read about such a phenomenon, but had never had my theories expanded upon!" Zork wagged his lizard-like tail, and added something more to his notes.
"Yes, what all of you did when you found your kyber crystal was establish a basic relationship. However, should you form a Force Bond with it, your abilities within the Force will more than double, as the lightsaber acts as a focus." Corvus continued to explain.
"You speak of us as if we were magic practitioners, like the Nightsisters of Dathomir." Paratus clicked his tongue.
"Now that, is a debate for another time." Corvus playfully shook his head.
"How does one create a Force Bond?" Jax asked.
This question seemed to pique the curiosity of even Keira & Paratus, not to mention the overtly eager Padawans. As much as they may turn their noses, the promise of power often tantalized even the most stalwart of Jedi. Why else would there be so many Dark Acolytes?
Corvus nodded his head.
"Trust."
This one word answer didn't seem to sit right with Yon, as he scowled, and rapped his knuckles along the cavern wall.
"But Master Corvus, if that were the case, wouldn't all Jedi have-" Zork got out, but was forced to choke on his words as Corvus cut him off.
"No. Trust is born through conflict, or through long grueling hours of bonding. One cannot know who to trust until bantha-shit hits the fan, or a relationship has formed over time. Naturally, a Force Bond will form between people who accept and trust one another." Corvus-almost unkindly-made sure he was taken seriously, and shot Zork's enthusiasm down.
He knew that the dragon-like alien was likely asking, because he wanted everyone present to bond. It was a noble goal, because Jedi were monstrous when they fought in a group, and had their wills merged as one. Not that Zork would know that. From what Corvus could tell, the teenager was young and wanted friends or acknowledgement.
Seeing that Zork had lowered his head, Corvus sighed.
"Remember, you always have the Force. None of you are alone. The lightsaber has been with each of you for years. If you listen to the song of Ilum, it is resonating with the kyber crystals. Perhaps today is the day each of you will form a Force Bond?" Corvus spoke positively in an attempt to bring up the mood.
His words seemed to engender a contemplative atmosphere, and the group of Jedi remained silent as they continued their trek through the crystalline caverns.
Eventually, after what felt like hours spent walking, they entered an absolutely massive chamber. The medley of colors and crystals were breathtaking, and a large waterfall reflected this light, creating a rainbow.
"E-excelsior!" Zork exclaimed, and flipped through his book excitedly. "Who would like to j-join me?"
Corvus glanced at everyone present, and if he were to lock himself into a five hour ritual, he would choose Keira, Jax, Zork, or Linyin. As for Paratus and Yon, ehhh, not exactly the kind of guys he would trust with that responsibility.
"I volunteer! This experience is sure to bring me closer to my kyber crystal." Yon stepped forward, and volunteered himself.
"Me too!" Linyin was quick to follow up.
"I have participated in something like this before." Paratus stepped forward.
Corvus shared a look with Jax, but shrugged his shoulders. At least they were enthusiastic about it.
"V-very well, now we join hands, repeat the hymn, and think of reaching Tython. Whilst we are under this effect, we must close ourselves off to the outside world, and only focus on the rainbow of light generated by the waterfall. Otherwise it will not work. Then once we have reached harmony, the way will be revealed." Zork said, and started the procedure.
Corvus was a little jealous, as he had similar thoughts as Yon. He hadn't spent much time with his lightsaber, and wished to bond with it. Afterall, what was a Space Wizard without his focus?
Shaking his head, Corvus ignored the chanting, and started to look around the cavern. Something had been niggling at the back of his head ever since he heard Paratus's idle comment about the panthers unusual migration.
"Something troubles you, Master?" Jax, observant as always, questioned as he followed from behind.
"The Ashral panther's. I do not think they were at the temple as a result of that massive darkside energy." Corvus speculated.
"I do not know history like Zork, but I know animals. Perhaps they were drawn here to find sustenance?"
"Hrm." Corvus replied noncommittally, and furrowed his brow in thought.
'But what are they going to eat, some bird that small and well camouflaged is never getting caught by something as large as those big cats…heck, with how long the ritual is taking, it's almost like I'm partaking in an escort quest…!!!! Wait a damn second!'
Corvus's eyes went wide as he put the pieces together. It was just a hunch, but it felt like someone else must be here in this cavern with him!
Actively searching the ground with his Awareness, he spotted the evidence he was looking for.
"Ah, Master, it seems there might be other survivors of Order 66! Look, I found four distinct, fresh sets of footsteps." Jax softly intoned.
Corvus narrowed his eyes, as up ahead, he saw much more than the imprints of boots, there were alien-looking footfalls that were clawed, and no lesser in size than an elephant's tracks. These track marks vastly outnumbered those left by shoes.
Closing his eyes to focus on the Force, Corvus felt that his intuition was right. Danger was in the air.
"Remind me again of the creatures that roam these halls." Corvus said in a quiet tone.
"I recall three of them. The blismal is a rodent with sonic abilities, and is believed to be a Force sensitive creature. The gorgodon are savage furred omnivores that occasionally cause trouble, most Padawans carry lichen on hand when exploring, to distract them with food. Rumor has it they have a blaster-proof hide, and can even resist a lightsaber for a time, but also possess a weak fleshy spot on the back of their necks. Lastly, is the razhak, a powerful worm that tunnels through rock & ice by superheating its body." Jax matched Corvus's quiet, serious attitude, and lowered his volume.
"These tracks must belong to the gorgodon, I fear a colony is nearby." Corvus whispered.
As if on cue, a thick glob of brownish saliva dripped down from the ceiling, and splashed onto the ground in front of Corvus's boot.
Looking up, Corvus saw the sleeping forms of dozens-if not hundreds-of gorgodon's.
These grey furred, bipedal reptilians had two eyes, four nostrils, and two arms that ended in massive claws. Standing at 10-12ft tall, these monstrous creatures could give the Incredible Hulk a run for his money in terms of bulk!
Jax realized what was going on, and his expression turned into one of grim determination. The look he gave Corvus was one that held faith.
Corvus wanted to scratch his head as he entered Pause to think up a solution.
While these animals were sleeping for now, that didn't mean that would remain the case for the next five hours.
Mentally frowning to himself, Corvus realized that killing all of them before a single one reached the Jedi completing the ritual would be unrealistic.
Oh sure, he could spam mines and thermal detonators, but who was to say that that noise wouldn't disrupt his companions' concentration, and create a terrible backlash due to a lapse in focus? Regardless of medium, rituals were notoriously finicky, and to suddenly stop midway was a risk Corvus wasn't willing to take.
Besides that, as a Jedi, he didn't want to needlessly kill. These gorgodon's were natives to this planet. Just like those two Asharl panthers he let escape, Corvus didn't want to slaughter his way through everything.
'Hmm…Jax said that Padawans would often feed them to escape. Perhaps I won't have to kill my way out.' Corvus thought to himself as a plan began to come together.
During his escape from Coruscant, he had taken some supplies into his inventory from Bail's estate. Among those items he had 'stolen' was a literal ton+ of food.
As he intended to strand himself on Tython for a month or so, Corvus didn't want to be sustaining himself off rations or local wildlife.
Collecting ingredients, snacks, and canned food, Corvus was well prepared for the doldrums of a boring monastic planet.
It turned out that his over preparation once again worked in his favor. As the son of a Coastguardsman-his dad held many roles in life-Corvus had learnt their motto growing up.
Semper Paratus
Always Ready.
Un-Pausing, Corvus turned to Jax.
"Update Keira regarding our situation. I'll head deeper into the cave, and gather a large quantity of food. Once it looks like the gorgodons will rouse from their slumber, I'll lure them away from here." Corvus stated.
"Yes, Master. Is there anything else I can do?" Jax nodded in affirmation, and then asked.
"Stay safe. Now go." Corvus shooed Jax off, and then took a deep breath.
Getting chased by 10ft tall lizard-men and feeding them instead of killing them. Corvus idly wondered if this would count towards his Path of the Jedi quest.
Shaking his head, Corvus went invisible, and started to leave a trail of food in the opposite direction of the Jedi.
Whilst he did so, something couldn't stop bothering him.
Those boot imprints, the snowfeather bird's warning to Linyin, they all pointed to something.
Only Jedi should be aware of this location. Perhaps it was a survivor of Order 66, or an accidental smuggler. But then again, former Jedi had knowledge of Ilum too.
Whoever they were, should they be an enemy…Corvus glanced between the trail of food, and the slumbering gorgodons. An evil smirk spread across his face.
Well let's just say the Path of the Jedi was one some might consider to be unnatural.
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AN: Read up to chapter 106 at: patreon.com/KarpQQ
I update there every Mon, Tues, Wed, Th
Publicly on Fridays