Jedi Insurgency 272

With Keira gone, Corvus once more delved into the secrets of the Tython Temple using the help of the scrying orb. 

Exploring the massive, palatial sized mountaintop complex, he discovered countless underground rooms, hidden chambers, research facilities, forges, meditation rooms, and all sorts of unique locations. 

One place had the rules of direction completely inversed. Gravity was a suggestion, and there were staircases on the roof. Clearly this was a place to practice abilities related to space, or alternate modes of thinking. 

Another room was like an endless void, with a path that narrowed in both visibility, and width the further one traveled. He had no clue as to the purpose of this, but his curiosity was piqued. 

Besides the miraculous botanical garden Kina Ha had made as her home, there was also a vast workshop full of mechanical parts, anvils, hammers, and a giant smelter that radiated untold power. Working alone within this place, Kazdan Paratus-the once upon a time insane Master, now mech-suit wearing Council Master-was using the Force to wield a dozen hammers. Each one of the instruments had been imbued with special characteristics, making them more durable, which was one of the abilities of a Jedi Artisan. As they worked, a set of armor began to take shape. The tiny shark-like alien was sweating within the sweltering heat, a look of glee spreading across his face. 

Under his ministrations, the armor was inscribed with various ‘mystical’ patterns, and took form. Standing at two meters tall, there were few in the Order who met its requirements. Perhaps it was for Master Tapal? 

Watching for a second later, Corvus felt his heart palpitate as he realized that this was no armor at all! Master Paratus removed a kyber crystal from a bag, and caressed it lovingly. Whispering to it like a friend, he carefully inserted it into the chest of this construct. Seconds later, a yellow light glowed in its eyes, and it stood up of its own accord. Appearing like those Jedi Sentinels, it clasped a double lightsaber in its hands, from which, twin jets of yellow plasma burst forth. 

“Go, join your siblings. Protect the Jedi, bathe in the Light.” Paratus said in a solemn tone as he slumped into a nearby chair, passing out due to exhaustion. 

The living armor, or perhaps a better phrase was Force Golem, bowed towards Paratus, and then marched towards an adjacent room. 

Following it with the scrying orb, Corvus saw about 150 other golems of this type training together, and mimicking an ancient-more exquisitely crafted-construct. The lead figure seemed to notice Corvus's intrusion, and bowed towards him. Caught by surprise, Corvus felt like he was a guy caught peeping, and was going to shift his view. However, he felt a subtle connection form between him and this ancient protector. That as Order Master, he was qualified to command these Sentinels in defense of the Jedi Order. Sending a pulse through the Force, he gave his thanks to the lead golem. 

Custos greets thine Order Master. May the Light shine upon thee.

Upon receiving this mental message, the construct then resumed its-his-training, and began to instruct the newly forged brother into his ranks. 

Corvus was both astonished, and pleased. Although he was barely able to understand Custos's thick, ancient accent, he understood what this meant for the Order. He shifted his vision back to Paratus's sleeping form, and this time, saw Zork enter the forge, and carry the tiny master to a nearby cot. 

Who could have imagined that the borderline insane, guilt ridden Jedi Master he had dragged along from the Coruscant Temple sewers would transform into such a significant craftsman? Previously, Paratus had lost most of his hope when his Master disappeared exploring the Unknown Regions, then during the Clone Wars, his entire Legion perished due to his incompetence. As a result, he had built a group of battledroids to follow him into war. Even then, he was an insecure fellow. However, it appeared that he had discovered some legacy on Tython, and had taken to it like a fish to water. 

From the brief glimpse of Sentinel training he had witnessed, Corvus gathered that they were each about as talented as a standard Knight. Which, all things considered, was a mighty feat. However, what most interested him, was how intelligent they were, and if they could use the Force. Powered by kyber crystals, it wasn't unimaginable that they could harness this universal power. In fact, the connection with Custos made him believe it was possible. 

He almost wished he had pathed into the Jedi Scholar Prestige Class way back when. If he had come straight to Tython, this class would have transformed him into a crafting king. Ultimately, however, it was thanks to the invisibility, and resistance to Darkside corruption of the Shadow Prestige Class that allowed him to free Tann, raid the Temple archives, and assassinate several key Imperial personnel. Although he yearned to live in an era where he could peacefully explore the mysteries of the Force, the truth was, a Shadow would always be needed. As evidenced by the many Skywalkers who came after Luke, this galaxy was too dangerous, even when the Jedi were reborn. 

Sighing to himself at what could have been, he resumed his exploration of the Tython Temple. Several more standout locations drew his eager attention. 

One place was a circular room no larger than the High Council Chamber in width, but the verticality of the place marked it as an all hollowed-out spire. Green light continuously bathed every last inch of the spire, and a refreshing healing aura emanated from inside. Shaak Ti, along with a nervous looking Omega were meditating inside. The red-skinned Togruta was patiently explaining some concepts to the short blonde girl. Meanwhile, Shaak Ti was calmly levitating in place, and after a minute, Omega slowly, awkwardly joined her. This room apparently had a floaty quality to it, making one take on qualities similar to a bubble. 

From what he could tell, this location was a more advanced healing room than the one on Coruscant. As someone who prided himself on his healing skills, Corvus marked the spire down, intent on visiting in the near future.

Next, he discovered a cantina-style room. Inside, Quinlan Vos was using the Force to sweep up large quantities of dust. Curiously, this appeared to be the only location within the entire Temple that accumulated grime or filth. The rest of the campus was completely spotless, and bereft of filth. It was as if the Force itself kept the Temple clean. However, this cantina was quite interesting in that regard. Remarkably, it also had access to the Holonet-despite zero satellite broadcasters being in the Tython system-and several games & news channels were being played on a few big screens. 

Quinlan had a sour look on his face as his fellow Councilor sat on a bar stool doing fuckall. The middle aged man-Rahm Kota-was complaining about his Padawan's indecisive nature, belching after swigging on his alcohol, and grumbling about the clones within their midst. As for said clones, the men of the Bad Batch had taken over a corner, and were enjoying their vacation at the pool table. Hunter had a big cigar in his mouth talking shit with Kota, Wrecker was pumping iron, Crosshair lining up a shot with his pool cue annoyed by Kota & Hunter's conversation, Tech was analyzing angles to hit the ball, and Echo was watching some GNN. 

Seeing Kota reminded him about his Shadowmaster quest, he intended to recruit the ornery Master's fully fledged Knight student, Falon Grey. During his look around, Corvus would have to find an opportunity to recruit him. 

After glancing at Kota, he saw that the men of the Bad Batch were having fun. A small smile spread across his face at this sight. Amongst his many promises, one of them was to teach Omega about the Force. With Shaak Ti stepping in, he knew the girl was in good hands. Recruiting those guys had been something of an accident, but they had been with him practically since the beginning. A Jedi was most effective on the battlefield when surrounded by competent support. In the future, he hoped they could help train a new generation of commandos so he could finally make good on his promises of retirement. 

He just hoped that they would live that long. Corvus still had to find a cure for the accelerated aging process. Nearly seven months had passed since he recruited them to his cause, yet for their bodies, it might as well have been two or three years that passed. It didn't seem like much, since they were biologically in their early 20's, but ten years from now, they'd practically have the body of a 50 year old. Add on the wear & tear of frequent special forces activities, and that body would be torn to shreds. With a heavy heart, he renewed those promises he had made in his heart, then resumed his exploration. 

Up next he saw a ‘stairway to heaven’ type of place where a staircase led to seemingly nowhere. The end scene was shrouded by some clouds, and his scrying orb couldn't pierce the veil. Through this vision, he sensed that each step would bring a new trial upon the climber. Perhaps it was a mental scene one must persevere through, or maybe an increase in weight that a Force Adept must counter. Whatever the case, this appeared to be another trial ground, but was much more public, and easily accessible than the other one. 

During his exploration, he discovered many other trials, and unique places. So much so, that the magic of the Temple began to become almost overwhelming. It was his latest discovery, however, that made him most excited. 

Behind an unassuming painting in a seemingly empty corridor was a place where one's vision would become black & white. An artificial sun hung in the orbit, and an expanse of sand, snow, grass, swamp, beach, and lava expanded in six different directions. Each one of these domains touched one another, yet was separated on a gridlike pattern, almost like traversing biomes in a videogame. 

This white-black land carried with it a heavy elemental feel, one affixed with the Lightside, Darkside, life, death, and everything in-between. A location so primal, it felt like the ingredients for a planet were gestating here, that creation was on the verge of making something new. Conversely, this place also felt like it could fall apart at anytime, like it was held together by the thinnest of paper clips, that catastrophic destruction was one sneeze away from obliterating the universe. 

Fortune & danger intertwined, displaying a place bereft of logic. Through his scrying orb, Corvus sensed a secret. That this hidden place wasn't created by the Jedi, nor was it something made even by the Je'daii of old. No, the Temple itself had been built to contain this miniature universe. That each of those unique and amazing rooms created thus far were linked to this domain. 

Upon witnessing this most wondrous secret, Corvus took a deep breath, and decided to hold off on visiting it. He felt that given his current strength, and frankly miniscule understanding of the greater Living Force, it would be wisest not to enter. Although he sensed great power and opportunity if one was willing to seize this power source, he also knew that-much like the temptations of the Infinite Engine-he was unprepared for the deeper mysteries of the Force. 

Even Revan of old had set an example, limiting his use of the Star Forge. Malak, his student, had believed himself invincible and gone mad for his arrogance. Just because he had achieved a victory of sorts, and been dubbed Order Master, did not mean he had the capital to be arrogant himself. 

Anakin had already shown him the cost of such arrogance when he rebuked Corvus through the scrying orb. Now was a time for steady development, to recover what had been lost. 

With that thought in mind, his focus turned to Jax & Yon. Upon imagining them, the scrying orb shifted its view, and pulled them on screen. 

Smirking to himself, he hadn't spoken to either of them since the raid on Coruscant. It was time for some student teacher training!