Jedi Insurgency 269

Upon slaying Malgus, the trial ended, and the illusion faded away. Once more standing beneath the emblem of the Jedi Order, Corvus was pleasantly surprised that zero damage whatsoever had been done to him or Keira. 

Much like the ‘danger room’ from the X-Men series, except much safer, this trial room would be a great boon to the future of the Order. 

Entering Pause, he briefly analyzed his fight against the famed Sith Lord, and realized that he still had a long way to go. Much like his duel against Vader, Corvus's base stats were simply not enough to keep up with a top tier fighter. If not for the siege against him, Malgus would have destroyed him in the 1v1. Even with the [Shadow Wrath State] active, it only placed him in a somewhat similar tier, where anything could have happened. 

Besides reaffirming what he already knew, this fight was an eye opener. From what he could tell, Keira was extremely proficient in several saber Forms of combat, and seemed to have mastered Ataru, the same style that Yoda was most proficient in. This display of power certainly solidified her role on the High Council. Her rapid growth was similar to Maul, Ventress, Krayt, and other important characters, leading him to hope that this wasn't her ceiling. 

Lastly, he had made some progress on his Jedi Shadowmaster quest during this expedition. No, sadly he still had to influence one more Master/Darth without their knowing. However, during the heat of battle, when he tested out [Force Attract], a feat combining the destructive properties of [Repulse] & the soothing spirit of [Heal], he had satisfied one of the quest's conditions. 

Jedi Shadowmaster:

1) Cleanse 100 Shadow Hearts from Force Adepts, cleanse 10 Master/Darth Shadow Hearts at once. 

2) Combine a pair of Force powers: 1/1

3) Gather five followers in the Path of the Shadow

4) Influence five Masters/Darths without them discovering your involvement: 4/5

5) Travel to the highest peak, lowest valley, and flattest point on a planet, meditate during Dusk & Dawn all within the same day relying upon oneself for transportation.

Having already speculated upon this ability, there had been no better time to attempt it than within a simulation. Stimulated by combat, he had put his prior knowledge to the test, and completed part two of the Jedi Shadowmaster quest. Part three was practically all but guaranteed, requiring a few conversations, whilst part four was all but completed. As for the first and last sections…those would take some time to grind out. 

Finishing going over what needed to be gone over, he Un-Paused, and turned to Keira. He was going to say something sarcastic or perhaps witty, but silently raised an eyebrow instead. Glistening with a sharp sheen of sweat, the well toned, short haired Mirialan both cut a nice figure, and somewhat unnerved him. Typically stoic, a wide, white smile was on full display. 

“Thank you, Corvus, for helping me conquer that trial. There are dozens more. Which should we take on next?” 

Corvus blinked. The woman in front of him was trying hard not to show her excitement, but like a kid eager to play a videogame, that level of energy was impossible to mask. 

“...let's call it a night. It's dark outside, and I've been on Tython since morning. The battle for Coruscant was just the other day, and I haven't slept.” Corvus said in a deadpan, then turned to walk away after explaining himself. 

He might find this Mirialan to be quite beautiful, but he wasn't going to sacrifice his precious sleep to play in the trial realm all night long. Even though he didn't technically require sleep, as he had a System body-did he even age?-that was besides the point. Sleep was the cornerstone for mental health. 

As he strolled along, he was somewhat surprised that Keira followed along. Walking beside him, she rested her hands behind her head, a refreshing Spring-like aura spread out from her like a clean bar of soap. Although he was grumbling a second ago, this level of positivity couldn't keep him mad for long. 

Comparing Keira to the other three ‘sunny’ Jedi he knew, she was like someone who never gave up, who always had that ‘victory’ mindset, no matter how down the odds were. In comparison, someone like Omega was cheerful just to be alive, like someone who had overcome a so-called 100% lethal disease, and had a new fresh breath on life. Omega's innocence was precious, and never failed to make him smile. Then there was Shaak Ti, she was a kind soul who wanted to see the best in everyone, and heal the world. Lastly, of course, there was Yoda, who although they never met, left a large impact on how Corvus perceived Jedi. Simply by feeling his grandfatherly aura, and his peaceful death after conjuring the purity that was the [Wall of Light]...he was truly something special. 

Whilst yes, Keira was a puritan Jedi through and through, that was from 7 months ago. Infected by his occasional ‘pokes’ through their [Force Bond], and experiencing life as the ancient Jedi did, she wasn't quite so cloistered as a celebate monk. This open display of emotion warmed his heart, and reminded him what he fought for. Saving the entire galaxy, that was too far away, too vague. But the people right here? Those in the Order? They would rise once more, and do good across the universe. Even the smallest ripple could influence a shift in space. 

Whilst he was walking, he made sure to follow his-often unused-map feature. Typically, there was no need, but this time, he truly needed it to find the Order Master's quarters. 

Walking through the ancient Temple, he bypassed many different, unique rooms that he couldn't wait to explore. Internally, he felt like he had arrived in a magical land, like Hogwarts or Narnia. Tython was truly a planet swimming in the Force, and so many chambers had been sculpted by his Jedi forefathers of old to harness this spectacular vibe. 

Sighing to himself in wonder, he eventually made it to the door of his room. It was a simple wooden thing at the top of a spire. Upon his approach, he felt some connection-like he had when the ghosts of the Force had witnessed Windu passing the torch to him-and the door opened of its own accord. 

Turning to Keira, he was about to thank her for escorting him this far, when she strode past him, and entered his quarters. 

Stone lights automatically illuminated the room from the ceiling, and a fire lit up in a fireplace. Following after her, he made several discoveries. The Order Master's room was a circular chamber with three separate stories. The bottom floor was an office space with a desk, chairs, terminal, and a plaque that held the names of past Order Masters on it. Much to his shock, his name was already on it. When he focused, the letters seemed to rearrange themselves between Revan/Corvus. Behind his name was Windu, and before that was Yoda. It appeared to be an artifact recording a brief history of the Order Master's. 

Brushing a finger over his own name in idle curiosity, his mind was transported to an all black space. A clone of himself stood before him, and began to lecture him with his own wisdom. That if he wished it, he could consult with this ‘clone’ and seek his advice. With a thought, he was out of that mindscape, and glancing at Keira felt like almost no time at all had passed. 

Taking a deep breath, he inspected the plaque again, and felt that whichever name he brushed up upon, he would experience something similar. Although this wasn't a place to learn combat techniques, he saw it as an invaluable tool. To be able to call upon the combined wisdom of previous Order Masters was a truly remarkable thing. This plaque's value was incalculable! 

Drawn by a noise, he saw Keira go up a flight of stairs, and followed after her. 

‘Just what is it that she wants?’ He frowned. 

The second room was actually a rather spartan bedroom. There was a nice, large bed, a pair of rocking chairs facing a beautiful view of the valley below, and several empty bookcases. 

As if it was her target all along, the green skinned alien beelined for the rocking chair, and closed her eyes in contentment. The tomboy looked like a cat that had just got its milk. 

‘???’ 

Corvus was slightly disappointed that they hadn't moved towards the bed, but it wasn't like he had that kind of energy in him anyway. Shaking his head, he explored the third floor, and discovered an almost completely  empty room with a very tall ceiling, carved from a pure white stone. The coloring strongly reminded him of the after effects of [Wall of Light]. 

He said it was almost empty, because a pillar was in the center, and a black cloth covered something spherical. He felt a convergence of Darkside energy from that shroud, whilst the Light almost seemed to act like a prison. 

For a moment, he felt a smidgen of trepidation. Like an adventurer that discovers an obviously suspicious treasure chest in a dungeon, he felt like once he removed that cloth, something foul would be released into the universe. This object-whatever was hidden-was an artifact no lesser in power than the Infinite Gear. Perhaps it was even greater. 

Previously, the Infinite Engine had tempted him, and was likely one of the reasons why Tess had betrayed him over a month ago. Needless to say, he had a somewhat cautious opinion towards artifacts. Especially those he did not create himself. Power borrowed and not gained through training was not power that belonged to himself. In the Star Wars galaxy, such items often went missing, corrupting their user, or became conduits for evil. 

Time seemed to come to a still, and sweat coated his gloves. Buffing himself, and mustering up his courage, he eventually stepped forward, and removed the cloth. 

A boundless bright light shot at him like the beam attack of a turbolaser. Faster than he could move, it struck him, yet did not damage him. Instead, it was as if he were being shined upon by the ray of a flashlight. And what lied beneath the cloth? Why, it happened to be an orb, a scrying orb! 

With but a thought, the image of the valley below came into his minds’ eye. Unconsciously, he thought of Palpatine, and he came to see a decrepit old man wheezing in his seat. White spots pulsed along his form like cancer, weakness gripped him tight. It was clear he had tanked more than just bodily damage, likely his very soul had been corrupted by Lightside energy. Just as Corvus was about to celebrate at Yoda's crippling of the Dark Lord, he saw something that made his heart stop. 

Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader, Heir to the Empire…was whole, and without a suit! 

The handsome young man heard a whisper from the old man, then turned his yellowed eyes towards the direction Corvus was spying in. Gripping his fist, the curly haired man radiated a cold fury. 

Blinking his eyes, Corvus took a knee, and spat out a mouthful of blood as the connection was forcefully severed. Breathing heavily, his FP bar was completely drained, yet the orb continuously sucked at him, greedily going for his life essence! 

Hurriedly tossing the black cloth on top of the orb, he collapsed on his back, and stared up at the ceiling. The cool floor calmed him down, and he clenched a fist. 

Memories of the duel with Vader surfaced, and he realized that this was a demon of his own construction. In his zeal to destroy the Infinite Gear, he must've overhealed Vader, restoring him to his perfect form. 

Fuuuuuuck. 

All jubilation over Palpatine's weakening had disappeared now that Vader was in his prime. 

As countless scenarios and worries for the future clouded his mind, he heard the creak of a rocking chair being plopped down next to him. 

Keira lifted him up, and sat him down. Then the pair of them looked out a grand window at the twin moons Ashla & Bogan. She said nothing about his pathetic state, and he was glad for her silence. 

Sometimes, the measure of liking someone, was whether or not you could enjoy being with them, and not needing to say any words. That aura of hers, that never-lose mentality, it was what he needed most this very moment. 

Closing his eyes, Corvus entered a meditative state, unknowingly falling asleep. 

Gently placing a blanket over him, Keira stared down at him for a moment. 

“Thank you…!@#$” She whispered, stating his true name from Earth that had appeared on the plaque. 

Corvus seemed as if a weight had lifted off his chest, and entered a much deserved deep sleep.