Corvus buffed himself up, then Paused as he assessed the situation.
Kina Ha was an ancient Jedi who had lived thousands of years. From what he could tell, she had met Revan at some point, and her overreaction right now must be due to some hidden fears or latent PTSD.
And who could blame her? At one time, Revan was the baddest Sith in the galaxy, and had been the catalyst for the Jedi Civil War. That was an event that was just as bad as Order 66, and saw the majority of the Jedi Order slaughtered to the last man, woman and child. Regarding such information, Corvus couldn't hate Kina Ha for reacting in such an intense manner. If Corvus suddenly saw a guy identical to Genghis Khan leading a band of horsemen through his city murdering, raping and burning everything down, damn right he would be terrified!
Understanding her sense of peril, Corvus decided he would try to diffuse things by taking his mask off, and explaining the situation.
Un-Pausing, Corvus did just that.
"Your name is Kina Ha, correct? My name is Corvus! See, my face is nothing like his. I'm a Jedi just like you! I came to Derem City in exploration of some ruins. It's rumored that the lost knowledge of Ossus is stashed here. Please, we mean you no harm." Corvus shouted up at her, and said in a desperate tone practically begging for parlay.
If he could avoid a fight with a Jedi Master who could apparently control plants-a skill officially known as consitor sato-then he would do everything he could to foment a peaceful resolution.
"I never saw him without the mask, yet your aura is the same as his. If not Revan, then you must be some clone or progeny." Kina Ha said in an aged serene-yet imperious-tone. The vibes Corvus got from her, was as if she were an old lady holding court at family dinner.
"..." Corvus was momentarily speechless at this startling statement.
His current appearance had been generated by the Kotor 2 System when he was in character creation…good God, he really could have an appearance identical to that famed man! It wasn't something he really thought about too much, but her words rang true. In a cosmic sort of way, everyone who played Kotor 2 was 'Revan.' But here and now-at least appearance wise-he really could pass for Revan!
'What the fuck!' Corvus thought to himself as his eyes began to widen.
"Loth-cat got your tongue?" Kina Ha softly laughed at Corvus's naked befuddlement, and cracked her eyes in amusement, reminding Corvus of a grandmother.
Corvus could only shake his head, as this was a stunning revelation to him.
"I heard rumors that Revan had forgotten his memory, and helped reestablish the Coruscanti Jedi Order. Perhaps you had forgotten once more?" Kina teased.
All the while, Kina had refrained from striking during this conversation, yet the vines under her control swayed and snuck around his flanks, slowly beginning to encircle him. This old lady didn't play fair, didn't she know she wasn't supposed to act during dialogue?! Damn people in this galaxy for actually using their brains during combat!
This wasn't some arrogant Anzat high on his own success, but rather, a hermit Jedi Master that had survived to old age through several galaxy ending wars by playing it safe!
"Perhaps I am his progeny. In truth, I took this mask as a symbol of rebellion. One for the Jedi to rally behind in this dark hour against the Sith." Corvus boldly proclaimed.
"Yes, I hadn't felt a Force Storm in millenia. Oh dear."
Corvus raised his eyebrows once more. A Force Storm?! Palpatine wasn't known to have created those until near the end of his reign. To manifest one so early into his rule…how pissed had he made the bald prune?!?!
Gulping at the implication, Corvus gave Kina Ha a nervous smile.
"Yes, Darth Sidious has taken over the Republic from the inside by manipulating both the Jedi and the Senate. He is now Emperor of more than half the known galaxy, and wars against a group that had rebelled against the Republic." Corvus spoke quickly, giving a swift TLDR, and nervously eyed the creeping vines.
"That's nice dear, but I didn't participate in the Great War, nor do I intend to involve myself in these matters. As far as I can see, a potential Sith, the Spawn of Revan desires my inclusion in yet another conflict. I refuse." Kina stated succinctly.
"Master is no Sith! Master is the greatest Jedi alive!" Yon's voice came from the top of the five story building, somewhere behind Kina.
Corvus had a bad feeling about this, and raised his voice in warning.
"Yon, no!"
However, it was too late, as despite being invisible, Kina must've had some means to track him, and Yon was wrapped up so tightly in vines, it was like he was laid on a crucifix.
"And so the apprentice reveals himself. I had wanted to give your words credence, Revan but unfortunately you have shown your true colors." Kina tutted as if she were genuinely disappointed in him, as if Corvus were one of her grandchildren that had gone astray, and landed in prison.
There was hurt in her voice, a sit seemed she really did want to believe, but she had accepted that Corvus was a failure in her eyes, and she would move on with her life.
"You've got it wrong!" Corvus hastily replied in an effort to defend himself, but Kina kept talking, ignoring what he had to say.
"Breaking this child from your poisonous teachings shall be a challenge I do not look forward to, but you need not worry, Sith, as it is not a day you will live to see yourself." Kina threatened Corvus's life in a neutral, level tone that was no more exciting than a granny discussing a change in the weather.
Then all hell broke loose as the vines advanced at him at rapid speeds, and Corvus was forced to dice them up.
Twin lightsabers twirling, Corvus was mindful of his surroundings, and was constantly in motion during his attack. Just one small trip would seal his fate, and condemn him to death!
He wanted to argue his case further, but his focus was entirely directed towards the threat before him. The amount of vines surrounding him was mind boggling, and even with his precognition, enhanced speed, and attributes thanks to his buffs, it was barely enough not to get caught.
From what he could sense, Kina Ha wasn't just strictly manipulating the plant that coated the derelict building, but she was also forcing it to grow at an enhanced rate. Theoretically, she could keep doing this until she ran out of stamina!
Spawning in a dozen wrist rockets-like the kind Jango Fett used-Corvus [Force Pushed] them towards Kina, but she deflected them all with a wall of green. This brief interlude temporarily distracted her, and gave Corvus time to cut down the other vines near him, as they had-for about 1 to 2 seconds-gone limp with inaction whilst she prioritized defending herself.
Entering Pause, Corvus began to theory craft his path to victory over such a troublesome opponent.
Obviously he didn't want to kill her, and would not accept murdering a fellow Jedi for what essentially amounted to a misunderstanding. His mission goal during this encounter was to make the kaminoan Jedi yield to him. Should that idea fall through the cracks, then he would have to rescue Yon, then retreat to the Falcon. That would mean abandoning the treasure trove of knowledge/artifacts, but making sure Yon was safe was his number one priority. Besides, as much as he coveted those items, and the potential information, he wouldn't be too mad, as he had already collected the sum of Coruscant's library and other artifacts. What mattered most in this situation was deescalation. Then, perhaps he could convince this wisened Jedi Master to join them, or part ways. Either way, those were his two objectives during this fight.
As for how he was going to accomplish said tasks? Well, in terms of convincing her, he wanted to make an attempt with the Crown of Verity. That artifact that he had looted from the Jedi Temple allowed the wearer to tell truth from lies, but also prevented them from lying. Keira as a matter of fact, owed him a session where he could ask her anything, after he defeated her sexy green ass on Ilum in a spar.
Besides that, there was the option of overwhelming Kina, and forcing her to submit. Such a prospect was looking rather grim at the moment. She was a bonafide Jedi Master, and seemed to possess skills consummate with her rank. Although she didn't appear to be much of a warrior on the surface, such an estimation could be deceiving when dealing with a Jedi. Master Yoda, for example, appeared harmless, but was in fact one of the biggest badasses in verse. So despite Kina being a hermit, she could also be quite skilled with a lightsaber or have other abilities that Corvus wasn't privy to.
Firstly, he had to find a way to deal with these vines.
Attacking Kina directly could serve as a diversion, but even if he dumped his entire stock of explosives on her, he didn't think he could move her from her meditation. Possibly he could go for the foundation of the building, but theoretically, she could support the structure with the vines, so that idea was out. If he was going to move her, there was always the potential of sonic weaponry, but Corvus wouldn't rely upon this. Still, it was something worth exploring.
Of course, he could always try to sneak up on her, but Corvus wrote this off as a lost cause. Sure, he could discount Yon's capture as a fluke due to inexperience, however, he wouldn't count on it. It was much more likely that the kaminoan Jedi could sense vibrations through the vines like a spider did through a web. Perhaps he could use intermittent or strategic uses of invisibility so she wouldn't see his next move, but he would in no way rely upon this skill to sneak up on her.
Alternatively, he could try to [Force Push] her, or do something like blast her with [Force Suppression], but likely she could resist his Knight-level abilities, or block it with the plant.
There weren't many items or Force powers he had left, that would help him close the distance. He did have three in mind, however, that might help him seal the deal.
Amongst his arsenal, he had a limited supply of poison & cryo related mines, grenades, and rockets. They were limited because the materials needed to craft them were in a higher quantity, but more truthfully, Corvus hadn't put in the time to make them like he did with explosives. After all, 'thing goes boom' is 90% of the time, the more valued item. But in niche scenarios like this, it really showcased how Corvus needed to put more time into his contingencies. Clearly, he needed to study more under the Batman rule of thought.
Jokes aside, poison and cryo were both his go-to idea when it came to dealing with a magical growing plant. For one, he didn't go with fire because he was currently on top of an ocean, and moisture filled the air. Instead, he went with both cold and poison for their abilities to snuff out life, and for basically being super effective against plants.
As a fan of nature documentaries, and part-time hobbyist gardener, Corvus was well aware of these two weaknesses.
In conclusion, this would be his primary means of attack so that he could close the gap.
That just left his third, and final option.
[Force Lightning]
Considering he was facing a Jedi who had lived for millenia, she had 100% seen lightning hands at some point, and would likely be opposed to their use. Should he deign to use this technique, it would all but out him as a Sith in her eyes. As such, it would be as a last resort if he was to find himself in a perilous position. After all, she wanted him dead!
In some ways, using [Force Lightning] would be the easiest path to victory, because all those water filled cables would conduct the electricity beautifully. But it would also be the most cruel weapon to use against this ancient hermit who-until moments ago-had been enjoying her retirement.
No one said it would be easy to be a Jedi.
Plan set in motion, Corvus primed his cryo weaponry, and Un-Paused.
This kaminoan Jedi thought he was Revan? Well, even if he wasn't, he sure as hell wouldn't be going down without a fight!
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AN: (Wears the mask. Preaches balance, dual wields lightsabers, uses Form VII, yeahh totally not Revan~)
Read up to chapter 142 at: https://www.patreon.com/c/KarpQQ
I update there every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (That's like 5-6 arcs ahead, 100ch dif, and the reveal of a certain asthmatic.)
Updated publicly every Friday