Garo Conquest of Makai
ESKK: Well here we go the new chapter so let's start.
(Start Illum)
After making the side stop to Coruscant to pick up the Gold Storm the group were quick to take off to Illum once properly prepared. Thus after a long trip they had arrived on Illum in full protective gear from the extreme cold of the planet. There outfits were mainly white to account for any needed camouflage. The Makai Group normally has there Madou Robes for this stuff but certain extreme temperatures requires specialized gear for them to traverse. Andros and Logos brought the ship to land in a rocky area of sorts that had sturdy ground and was well placed for a defensive position from a Horror incursion. So as they embarked Logos was the first to complain about it.
"Put a Tomb on Illum the Force equivalent of Hoth what were they thinking?!" Logos complained as he hated the cold on any planet like Hoth.
"Oh stop your complaining, Logos." Churi began as she walked out of the ship followed by Shara and Barriss. "Andros survived on a planet like this for a month with nothing but training gear." Churi said as Ahsoka was surprised to hear this.
"He what?" Shara asked surprised to hear this.
"Yeah it wasn't that big of a deal." Andros said remembering how he got his Khyber Crystal at the time.
"We best hurry I doubt any of us wishes to be here long." Obi-Wan said as he looked to the group.
"He's right Horrors love cold locations it makes it easier for them to hunt and depending on how bad a storm is they can even be allowed to hunt in the day." Churi said as she looked around to which Anakin agreed.
"Ok first things first let's try to set up a base camp of sorts." Andros said as he looked around the group.
"On it!" Churi said getting to work.
"I should start trying to locate the Tomb." Ahsoka said as she looked for a good spot to meditate on it.
"We'll stay here and keep watch." Anakin said as he and Andros were in agreement on this.
"The rest of you will look around for anything that may suggest a Horror. We shouldn't expect much but be on guard." Andros added and thus the other members of the group agreed.
"I shall go with Jinga then." Barriss said to which Jinga nodded in agreement.
"Then I'll take the Padawan A Jedi and Makai per pair right?" Logos said and thus nearly dodged an arrow from Phonon when he put an arm around Shara's shoulder.
"Mind your hands." Phonon said as he went with Obi-Wan on this small scouting excursion.
"Killjoy." Logos scowled as everyone got to work on their own tasks.
(Later)
Anakin and Andros were sitting and waiting as Ahsoka meditated on the Tomb to reveal its entrance. Now that she knew what to do it shouldn't take as long as it did last time but there was still a wait time after all. "So... how you and Padme doing?" Andros asked looking to Anakin feeling awkward seeing as this was like talking to your girlfriend's father after sleeping with said father's daughter.
"Oh it has its ups and downs but things are going good." Anakin said as this was also awkward for him.
"Most relationships are." Andros said as Churi was working on the camp. "Ok this is awkward." Andros said as he had to say it.
"Glad one of us said it." Anakin said not used to others knowing about his secret.
"No kidding." Andros added while they stood and talked. "I got drinks stashed in the ship... wanna grab a few?" Andros offered as he looked to Andros.
"Well I would but as a Jedi I'm required to stay sober for this mission." Anakin said as Andros smirked a bit.
"Not that drink just cold soft drinks." Andros said and thus Anakin looked to him.
(Later in the ship)
The two tapped the opened bottles to each other and took a swing of the bubbly drink. Clearly these two found a way to bond a bit while on this mission despite what happened on Zygerria.
(Meanwhile over with Barriss and Jinga)
The two were seen walking through the snow scouting around alone with no one to see them. As they walked Jinga finally spoke looking to his hidden lover who smiled to him. "The Snow looks good with you." Jinga said and thus Barriss began to laugh a bit at how awkward that came out.
"It appears sweet nothings are not your strong suit." Barriss joked as the two stood together.
"I suppose so." Jinga agreed as he wasn't good with the romance of his life. "But in all honesty I've been meaning ask something Barriss." Jinga began as Barriss paid attention. "After all of this is over, when the War ends what will become of us?" Jinga asked as he looked to Barriss wanted to hear her thoughts.
"If we managed to end the war and peace reigns we continue just with less worry of discovery." Barriss said as she looked to Jinga.
"And that's it we just keep it a secret and hope no one finds out assuming we both come out of it." Jinga asked as he wasn't so sure as to the result.
"No it's just... if I leave the Jedi Order it would be like betraying all I strove for with them to be with you. If I stay it feels like I'm hurting you worse then I try to avoid." Barriss said as she didn't want to think about it.
"Let's wait on it ok." Jinga said as he looked to Barriss. "At least until after this tomb." Jinga offered and thus Barriss agreed with her lover.
"Of course." Barriss said as they continued to scout about.
(Later back at the Camp)
The group eventually got back to Camp and in turn saw Ahsoka was already standing as she stretched a bit after her meditation. "I got the location." Ahsoka confirmed to everyone's unasked question.
"Then let's get moving." Jinga said looking to the group. "The Sooner we move the sooner we can find the tomb." Jinga said before the group began to walk off.
"It's not too far from here." Ahsoka said and thus with a nod they all headed out. As they all got moving though Ahsoka grabbed her head lightly and stumbled before regaining herself quickly. Once she did so she jogged a bit to catch up with the others.
(Scene Break Tomb)
The Horror opened her eyes as she felt it they were coming for her. She knew this well enough and in turn was ready for them. With a gesture of her hand she made the preparations as her elite gathered in her throne room. As they gathered the lesser Horrors were on the move and the Tombs natural defenses were activating to expunge those entering the tomb in question. "Now then let the game begin." The Horror said ready for what was to no doubt come.
(Scene Break Tomb Entrance)
The group arrived at a wall of sorts as they made their way here via Ahsoka's guidance. "This is the place." Ahsoka confirmed and thus Andros nodded.
"Jinga your up." Andros said and thus Jinga got ready. As he walked to the wall he got his gauntlet ready activating it and using the Force to charge it up. It wasn't long until he used it and blasted a hole into the wall tearing it down and opening the path into a cave of sorts. When the hole was made a blast of sealed air shot out of it causing the group to shield themselves from it to protect themselves from the onslaught of it. But once it died down though the group saw a darkened cave only lit by the light of the ice inside the path.
They in turn ignited there Sabers to act as light for themselves before making their way inside the cave. "I have a bad feeling about this." Anakin confessed as they walked into the cave.
"It feels just like the last tomb only this time it feels more alive." Obi-Wan added as they traversed the cave in question.
"We aren't in the actual tomb yet." Churi said holding a holo map of the tomb showing they weren't even at the entrance.
"Oh great good to know." Logos said with a bit of sarcasm as he stayed close with the group.
The group continued their journey down to find the entrance while going down this darkened cave. It was clear the deeper they went the stronger the cold became as the walls were soon being lit by ancient Runes of the Makai. Evidence that they were getting closer to their intended destination. As they entered the hollowed dark place they soon arrived into a large chasm and were met with the sight of the tomb itself only this time the whole tomb surrounded by a dome made from the planet's surface and ice keeping it hidden under it all.
"Wow looks like someone has been busy here." Logos said as he saw the place as the tomb itself almost looked like a castle of sorts.
"And what we're looking for is deep inside it." Obi-Wan said as Shara all but gulped at what she saw before her.
"So it's like were raiding a temple for its riches." Shara offered to which Obi-Wan chuckled.
"I'm afraid it's not so simple my young Padawan but the analogy is the same." Obi-Wan confirmed as they were raiding it yes but to stop the dangers within from being unleashed.
"Ok but Logos don't touch anything like you did last time." Churi said as she looked to Logos who scoffed.
"Oh come on I'm not THAT stupid." Logos countered and thus Churi smirked.
"Really could have fooled me seeing as you never seem to learn your lessons." Churi said taunting her friend as Andros made a chucked in response to this.
"Come on." Andros said and thus they began to approach the tombs entrance. Once they got to it Jinga proceeded to open the door with the gauntlet allowing the group entrance into the tomb. In turn they began to enter no doubt fearful for what they may find inside the tomb and what horrors, both creature and images, may await them inside.
(Tomb Entrance Hall)
The group entered the tomb and saw it looked like a welcoming hall of a castle which was surprising in of itself. As they entered they took a small look around for anything that may be suspicious to them that needed to be dealt with. While they explored Ahsoka then sighed as she looked and once more saw the Son and Daughter there no doubt to once more guide her through the Tomb in question.
"They are here, aren't they, the ones?" Andros asked her as he notice her reaction, no doubt as only a few reason why people would make the look Ahsoka is giving right now, and that is seeing people that they didn't want to see with Ahsoka giving a nod as the Son said, "Do you find our present displeasing or something young one?"
"You know we have to come otherwise you would be lost without us," The daughter said as she started walking down the path before the group as Ahsoka said, "They're leading now."
"Alright everyone stay close, watch out for any traps, and don't touch anything, that's meaning you logos," Anakin said as he looked at the Mirialan Makai knight as he said, "Why is it everyone is telling me this?"
"Because you're you," Phonon said as he walk ahead of him as the group was going on ahead with Logos grunted by this as he catch up with the group.
AS they keep walking down the halls, they were taking in the sites of the tomb itself, seeing it was build similar to the last one, with a few different details to say, soon coming up to a wall on the side as Ahsoka said as she pointed it out, "Hey another inscription just like the last one."
"Yes, but it seems different from the last one," Barriss said as she remember and everyone else the last one being the Jedi code but the Makai symbols are different and there were extra lines as well as Ahsoka asked, "What does it say?"
Andros step up and started reading it as he said, "Hu, this is way different from the last one, and seem familiar somehow."
"No kidding," Churi said as she as reading it herself as Anakin asked them, "What does it read?"
Andros soon read it out loud and said-
"Sadness is not abandon. Anger is not hatred. Affection is not fixation. Difference is not hostility. Gallantry is not arrogance. Life is not illusion. Death is not nothingness. Talent is not craftiness. Longing is not greed. Resistance is not frantic struggle. Adoration is not jealousy. And light is always alongside darkness."
To most of the Jedi of the group, they were surprise by this, with the first tomb walk about the Jedi code, but what Andros read wasn't like any of the Jedi code, but a new code of itself, and some of the wording does make sense, even when death is not nothingness, as to a Jedi when they die, they become one with the force itself, but the rest of it is way different from the Jedi code and they wonder what this code is meaning.
"What does any of that mean?" Shara asked as she knew the Jedi code by heart, like any other Jedi but what Andros was strange to say, and as confuse about it, as she barely getting started with them not to long ago because of Obi-wan Kenobi wanted her as his new padawan.
"I think its talking in a neutral sense, with the last part, the light is always alongside darkness, this is talking about a balance of light and dark," Phonon said as he understand his training well as it's not always about combat, but learn about one's self, as there are goodness within people there is always a darkness as well and some lives in harmony with it alongside the light.
Ahsoka didn't know if that is true as it seem there are other meaning to this code, as she looks at "Affection is not fixation", and "Longing is not greed" they sound like attachments are alright to have as long someone doesn't become totally obsess with said attachment and she thought, "Are these lost codes of sorts?"
"We should keep moving, no doubt whatever is in this place is active or not," Phonon said as he had enough philosophy and knew they have to stay focus on the mission to shut down this tomb and move on as Obi-wan said, "I fully agree with you."
Soon enough the group moves on from the wall of the strange new code and keep moving on as they soon came to a larger area with many different paths around as Jinga asks, "Where to next?"
Ahsoka looked around for the Son and Daughter… but for some reason she didn't see them anywhere as she said, "I don't know, I don't see them anymore."
"What?" Logos said as he didn't believe what Ahsoka said with Shara said, "You sure they couldn't have gone down one of the halls?"
"If they did, they would have stood by it until we arrived," Ahsoka said as Barriss asked, "What do we do now?"
For some reason Andros was on guard as he felt something, with Zaruba feeling something too, as Inga was surrounding them as Andros said in a low tone, "Stay calm everyone… steady your hands, we maybe not alone here."
After that Everyone slowly reach for their weapon after Andros said that, even with phonon had a few hidden arrows up his sleeves just in case something like this might happen, with logos slowly reach inside of his coat touching his knife ready to fight if needed, Jinga put a hand on his sword, with all the other Jedi grip their madou sabers Churi handed their out before they came inside the tomb.
Everyone stay silent with mostly everyone were staying calm, other than Shara, as she was never train for a situation like this, she can feel a heavy darkness around her, closing in as she feel like something wants to eat her, as she grip her madou saber like her life depended on it, with Andros putting a hand on her shoulder as he said, "calm yourself, breath, and focus. I will not let you get hurt, I promise you that."
Shara felt a bit touch by his words and felt his feeling, calm and bold, also strong as even in the darkness around them, she can feel the like she was next to a star that was shining over everything which made her relax and calm herself.
"Can you tell where it's coming from?" Anakin asked as he look down every hall and didn't see a thing as Andros said, "No… it's just surrounding us fast, but I can't get a lock on it, no wait… I'm feeling something."
After a moment as Andros close his eyes and focus his empathy abilities and use the force to sense all around him as the feeling got closer and closer, he soon open his eyes and yell out, "Above us!"
Everyone looked up with the Jedi lightsabers raise so shine in the dark to see what was up above and to their shock, they saw many lesser Horrors around on the celling that show many holes in it to tell where the horror came from.
Some began to drop down as the group back away from the horror before it charge at them with a screech until he meet with a green energy whip wrap around its neck and was shock before it was pull forward with the removal of its head before it turn to dust and absorb by the energy whip.
With Churi who held up a newly made whip weapon that seem like a modified Zygerrian whip, no doubt she taken one for herself as she said, "Perfect, the Zygerrian knew how to make a good whip, and the Makai energy is flowing through it so well."
"Can you hold off on trying out your new toys, as if you didn't see, we're being surrounded," Ahsoka said as more horrors came down and screech out to the group as the Jedi had their madou saber out with the Makai group held up their weapon too with all of them in a circle formation with Phonon taking care of the center area, as Andros said, "Stick together and watch the others back, no one get inside the circle!"
They all nodded as they stood ready and strong as the horrors came at them as the Jedi of the group test out the madou sabers for the first time, with one horror came upon Anakin, as he raise his saber and cut it down before it could touch him, cutting it in half while Cauterization the slashes so no blood will come out as the horror cry out before dying and absorb into the saber like the first horror did with the whip as Anakin smile to this as they have a way to combat against horror now.
The horrors came at them with the Makai knight not bothering to summon forth their armor to deal with horror grunts and with everyone having each other back while being skilled fighters.
Shara held strong and remember her training as she use the madou saber to defend herself well and using the force to push back some horrors that came too close while resuming her saber stance.
Ahsoka was doing fine as battling droids, race and groups with skilled that could kill a Jedi, and other horrors that she became strong enough to fight against before this was a piece of cake, same thing can be said with Barriss, and Obi-wan as well as they held themselves well.
With the Makai members they held their own as well with Phonon take care of the horrors above still, while aiming for the holes in the ceiling, firing trick arrows that stuck to the side of a wall and created a small barrier with the horror scream out in pain as they could not get through the barrier that is somehow harming them as well.
"Keep it up, their numbers are dropping," Jinga said as Logos soon saw a horror going over to somewhere as he called out, "Hey, that one is doing something!"
With Andros looking over where Logos was pointing at and saw the stray horror going away from the group, but it wasn't running away… it was going for some sort of lever as Andros look down at the floor and saw what it was going for as Andros called out, "Everyone get off this spot! Now!"
The group wonder what he meant with the Makai group look down as well and they notice the floor seem to be… one giant trap door as each of them grab someone and pull them away from the area with the horror reaching the lever and pulling it, with the group suddenly shakes and the floor suddenly started to come apart.
Andros and Ahsoka were seen together as they ran to a random pathway together. Meanwhile Obi-Wan ended up following Phonon and Churi down a random path themselves.
Jinga, Logos, Barriss, and Shara ran together as well before suddenly the floor broke apart and separated the 4 of them into 2 groups. Now it was Jinga and Logos away from Barriss and Shara.
Before the two groups can try joining back up again, horrors came down between them, leaving them little to no choice but to split up. The two smaller groups ran down different paths from each other to get to safety.
Lastly Anakin was by himself as he ran down random path himself with the horrors coming after him until he give them a strong force push. The Force Push made them crash into the walls and ceiling, soon created huge cracks. Seen how old the tomb was and somewhat how unstable the tomb itself was, it started to collapse with Anakin said, "Ah great!"
He ran down the path to avoid being crush by falling debris, and just hope he can find his way back to the others soon.
(Later with Anakin and Ahsoka)
"Well this is just great." Andros said as he saw they were basically sealed in.
"So what's the plan?" Ahsoka asked as she looked to Andros.
"We make our way to the main room and lock this tomb back up." Andros said focusing on the mission at hand.
"Be careful." Zaruba spoke as he got the duo's attention. "It will be best to exercise caution you don't know what awaits you on this path." Zaruba urged and thus they knew they needed to be as careful as possible.
(Meanwhile with Barras and Shara)
The two stopped there run to catch their breath as they saw the path behind them was now a no go. Not only was the Horrors back there but now they had to deal with that ominous shaking down there. "What is the plan now, Master Offee?" Shara said to the Jedi Knight.
Barras looked to Shara knowing she was a young impressionable Padawan learner and needed her to guide her properly while separated from Obi-Wan. "First we need to regroup with the others. But we also need to take note of anything that may prove useful for us later." Barras said to which Shara nodded in acknowledgement.
But as they walked though they quickly began to realize where they were. It looked like a dining area of sorts as they saw old remains of who knows what or whom they were and began to grow nervous. They kept there guard up for anything that may appear and in turn got ready for the worse. What they failed to realize was a Horror was roaming seeing the two enter his den of their own volition despite being unaware of the dangers involved.
Just then the two heard something charging and went to the source only to see an energy net hit them both. The two got hit and cried out in pain from it as they felt the electrical current go through them before there world was all darkness. From the source a large creature came out wearing old armor pieces with his face the most grotesque aspect of him. He was missing his mouth and his nose revealing the fangs and bone inside where said organic components should be. As he came out he grabbed the two Jedi and began to drag them away making sure to take their Lightsabers as well. He was sure these two shall make fine food once properly fed. If he can catch one of the males he can breed them for long term consumption. Hopefully his mistress will be pleased with his initiative in his duties as the official cook of this tomb.
(Over with Churi, Obi-Wan, and Phonon)
Churi swung her Madou Whip about hitting any and all Horrors that came at them while Phonon fired off his arrows at them. The Horrors were quickly dealt with as they made their way through these dark halls to their destination. "Geez for once Logos was innocent." Churi said with a smirk knowing the idiot didn't cause it this time.
"Yes but that is hardly the focus right now." Obi-Wan said as he kept their priorities straight.
"I know but it's worth noting." Churi said not at all bothered by their current situation.
"Hello." Phonon said as they entered another room and saw what looked like a giant game board all set up and everything.
"Well isn't that a familiar sight." Churi said as she remembered a smaller version of this game.
"You know what this is?" Obi-Wan asked now also curious.
"Yeah it's a War Game from the Order, but never seen a life sized one like this." Churi said as she looked to the game in question. "Better question who went out of their way to set it up?" Churi asked as she knew something like this is never one that should be stumbled upon unless someone else intended it.
But before they could proceed Obi-Wan felt it and thus got on the defensive with the others. They all looked and saw a little girl there dressed in an exquisite despite the place she was in. "Have you come to Play?" The girl asked surprising the group here as she walked torts them. "The board is ready for you." The girl said pointing to the board in question as her glowing red eyes and deathly pale white skin did not hide what she truly was. She didn't seem at all bothered by the fact a Makai Knight and Makai Priestess stood before her with a Jedi Knight.
"Do you like it?" She asked an almost taunting tone that showed that whoever she was she was quiet well taken care of if not spoiled rotten.
"This child, she is…"Obi-wan began to ask with Churi said to him, "Yes, a horror but right now we need to keep our defense up, no telling what sort of ability she may have."
With Phonon was careful, and wonder if they can somehow get this horror to work with them, as some younger horrors are a bit more ease to negotiate with as he said, "we're looking for-
He stop as the child suddenly vanish from site in a blink of an eye as everyone looked around for her until the child voice appeared behind them as they turn when they heard, "Don't you want to play?"
"We're here for the horror that controls this tomb," Phonon quickly said before the girl could vanish again as the little horror girl said, "I'll tell you where she is, if you play my game."
"She?" Obi-wan question as the child horror said, "Mother doesn't like visitors. But I'll show you where she is if you play."
The horror child was getting angry with them as it seem she really want to play the game with them as Churi said, "We don't have time for this. Let's try find the next path in this room on our own."
Churi soon walks away to go across the board to the other side before she could , but before she could, suddenly horrors came forth from the pieces that was lay on the other side, roaring out as they block her path of getting across the room itself.
She quickly pull out her weapon and try to slash at them with her whip weapon but it suddenly vanish before the whip could touch it, as then a horror that was near her swipe at her, taking a step back to dodge the attack and find out the horrors are real as the horror that attack her made a tear in her outfit.
"You won't go any further, unless you play my game, and I won't help you, any of you," The girl said as she suddenly appeared behind the line of horrors as Churi back away as it seem she has no choice but to go back as the three of join together as Obi-wan said, "Well this is predicament we got ourselves here."
"We have no other choice but to play her game to get out of here and find the horror, and the others as well," Phonon said as Churi said, "I maybe good with card games and stuff but this game is way out of my element."
"I don't even know how this game goes either," Obi-wan said as Phonon sighed as it seem the only one who knows this game well enough was him as he said, "I'll play then, meanwhile see what you two can do, talk to the child and maybe we can get moving again quickly."
They nodded as Phonon soon step up and said, "Alright then, I'll play your game, how you like to go about this as I have no ability to the force?"
"Easy enough," the little girl said as a smaller version of the board is seen with ghostly piece on both side as the girl demonstrate, "Just choice the piece you want to move and slide it across like this."
The girls show how the game work as she point to a piece and slide her finger across the small board, with one of her pieces moves across the huge board all by itself in the same spot the girl had her finger on the smaller board.
Phonon understood what he's supposed to do, as he hit a phantom piece on his small board and move it one spot, as the block on his side did.
Churi looked at Obi-wan for a moment as she gesture to him to go first of asking a question as she got the message sense Churi may have left a bad first impression as he started to say, "So young one… this mother of yours, what is she like?"
"Mother? Well she is kind, and gentle, keeps me warm and feed, and there no one else like her," the girl said as she move a piece on her side now with Churi said, "I guess that she takes care of just about everyone around here then."
"No just me." She said surprising the group. "All the other ones if they displease her badly enough she normally makes them part of her many experiments to amuse herself." The girl said surprising the group to no end. "Mother doesn't tolerate failure." She added as the group saw this.
"I see." Phonon said as he focused on the game being the most used to this game.
As Obi-Wan observed her he saw this girl wasn't exactly normal in fact from what he gathered he could all but feel it the Force surrounded her but it was warped corrupted... just like that Jedi Horror from the Citadel. In turn Obi-Wan had a running theory as they all seemed to align in his head as from what Churi revealed Horrors can't reproduce their very nature as beings who feed on life would prevent them from creating life. The only way a Horror could 'have a child,' is if their host was already pregnant to begin with and even then the child would just be the Horrors first meal.
The game continued as Obi-Wan kept a close eye while he continued this little bout of 'negotiations,' though it was odd to be negotiating with a Horror child. "So mind answering me how long you've been here?" Obi-Wan asked hoping to narrow her down to any missing reports of a child.
"I've been here for a very long time... I... I can't remember exactly how long all I remember before being here was... being cold... alone... lost." She said as she tried to put the pieces together for a moment but then stopped.
"I see." Obi-Wan said noting her memories was fragmented suggesting she couldn't accurately recall how long she had been trapped here. It was then the child took note of Obi-Wan's lightsaber and in turn had a brief flash of another similar to it.
"Are you a Jedi?" She asked catching Obi-Wan off guard.
"Why yes I am." Obi-Wan admitted as he looked to the girl.
"Mother doesn't like Jedi, she says their too narrow minded and annoying to deal with." The girl said revealing the Horror who commanded this place didn't like Jedi. "She often commented that it was because of the Jedi that I ended up in her care." She added showing she had some memories of the past.
"So she says." Obi-Wan said as he knew this child wasn't kidnapped but he also knew she wasn't here on her own volition either.
"How did you end up in her care though?" Phonon asked knowing full well the Horror couldn't have found her recently.
"I'm not sure she said I was found in the caverns all feral and starving she fed me well and I never had to go hungry again she has a chef that prepares all of her food and she taught me many useful tricks with the Force." The child said as the pieces kept moving across the board with a few attacking each other every now and again.
"I see." Obi-Wan said noting something amiss in this but also noticed that Phonon was on the verge of victory now. "Tell me what do, you remember before the Cavern if it's not too much trouble." Obi-Wan said as he looked to the child. "Was there another Jedi with you or others your age?" Obi-Wan asked as the girl looked to be thinking it over for a moment.
"What does it matter now I'm here, warm, and powerful." She said to which Phonon smirked a bit.
"Perhaps... but." Phonon began as he then took another of her pieces to which the girl glared at him. In fact she looked ready to throw a fit over it but none the less kept playing until she noticed something. "I win." He added and thus to her utter shock and annoyance Phonon took her last remaining piece.
"It's not fair I want to win!" She yelled stomping her foot down like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Now then the terms of our agreement young one." Obi-Wan said and the child nodded and pointed to the side.
"Just go that way climb up the steps and if you can avoid mother's guards and her homes natural defenses the hallway upward should take you right to her throne room." The child said as the group nodded but Phonon then had more to add.
"Thank you... but that's quiet an interesting pendant you have there." Phonon said going off on a hunch.
"Of course... mother made it for me." She said looking to the glowing rock in her hand. "She said it was my gate long ago it was what..." She trailed off as her gaze then went over to Obi-Wan's lightsaber once more before returning to her stone. "This gate... was a Khyber Crystal..." She trailed off and in turn she went wide eyed as the memories began to flash back to her and with it an unbridled rage from long ago.
"That's not a good look." Churi said as she looked to the Horror girl.
"They left me behind because I wasn't fast enough getting my Khyber Crystal." The girl said as she began to shake as the massive game pieces began to rumble with her rage. "They left me to freeze as day turned to night." She said and thus she remembered it and then glared at Obi-Wan her Eyes turning Sith colored with horror markings mixed in. "The Jedi Left me... The Jedi Left... the Jedi... JEDI!" She roared in fury and thus the statues reacted and charged at the group.
Phonon acted fast with Churi as he swung his bow about to force them back. Churi then sent a small blast shot to the ground creating an opening to them. The Child then fired off force lightning at them as Obi-Wan acted by using his Lightsaber to block it. She didn't stop there as she then freed one hand to in turn to use the Force to lift and toss a massive bit of rubble torts the group. They were in turn forced to dodge and avoid it as Phonon fired off a few arrows at the Horror.
The arrows flew fast and true as they hit the Horror causing her damage when the attacks grazed her. She didn't stop there as she glared at the group and with a silent order the Statues went after the trio forcing them to fight back hard. "The Jedi Left they me to die they all left me to freeze to death!" She yelled showing her grudge against the Jedi Order.
"Stop I'm sure if we had known a rescue attempt would have been made!" Obi-Wan tried to reason but the Horror Girl glared at him.
"LIAR JEDI ALWAYS LIE!" She yelled and thus her game pieced went at the trio only for Phonon to fire off his arrows hitting each of their heads.
"These are just constructs we need to go for her!" Churi called out as she glared at the Horror girl in question.
"Clearly she won't listen to reason." Obi-wan said to which Phonon spoke up.
"Horrors never do." Phonon said as he then looked to the two. "Let me handle this one... I want to make it quick and painless." He said showing right now for him this is a mercy killing of a higher order than any other. To spare a child of the pain and agony that comes from the life as a Horror.
"Alright we'll cover you." Churi said surprising Obi-Wan.
"Oh you're going to protect the Jedi. He and those like him need to die Jedi don't love or care for anything other than themselves." The Child said but Phonon then glared at her.
"I'll make this as quick and painless as possible." He said taking a battle stance.
Just then veins grew on the girls face and in turn something began to move behind her. It then rose up and opened its chest part to show an organic looking cockpit of sorts suggesting this was for her. She levitated torts it and when she did Obi-Wan found himself sick when the organic components grew spikes and stabbed into her body as the rest of her was wrapped up in organic wires that covered her entire form in a cocoon of flesh. The chest piece then closed over her as her face was then covered by an armored mask that roared out like that of a Horror.
"Fine then if you want to save that Jedi then meet my toy." She said as in turn the massive armor spread its arms out and from the wrists to saber blades ignited as the form took a battle stance.
Phonon responded by removing his glasses and in turn summoning his armor. From the two portals on either side of him the armor pieces came out and attached to him turning him into Gai once more. Gai glared at the Horror with pity and pure intentions to end this quick for the child's sake.
Once both parties were ready Horror Child charged at Gai who then jumped back and fired off his arrows at the Horror aiming for the joints. Seeing it coming the Horror deflected them with her Lightsabers and then went after Gai. Gai seeing this maneuvered his body to land on the Horrors offending arm and used the blades on his bow to slash up the outer form. This in turn caused the Horror to roar and force Gai off her. But as Gai flipped her managed to notch up maybe 5 or 7 Arrows while using his foot to help pull the string. He then fired them all off and thus the Horror responded by used the Lightsabers attached to her arms to knock them all away.
Once this was done she in turn Force pulled the Makai Knight torts her and held him midair. When that was done she then brought in all the debris around them and force the Makai Knight into it. Gai seeing this twisted his left hand to reveal a talisman like bomb that then glowed for a second. Once Gai was covered in all of it the bomb went off blasting himself free of it. Gai glared at the Horror knowing it was making things harder for him here. But he had to make do with what he currently had available so he can attain victory.
The battle continued as Gai tried to fight off the girl as despite this possibly being her true form she was still a hurting child. But the hunger and darkness of the Horror had overtaken any humanity she may have had. Gai in turn saw her come at him with an attack and thus he split his weapon in two and blocked her attack. When the attack met his make sift shield a small shockwave was made as Gai glared at the Horror with his visor like eyes. He in turn used a burst of strength to push her back and backflip away from her next attack.
Once he had gotten distance he jumped at her and stabbed the blades of his weapon at her going for the joints. Clearly he was trying to overpower her as best he could but she was powerful and in turn tossed him off with ease. Gai slid on the ground as he glared at the Horror and charged back at her firing off his arrows going for the joints once more and smirked at how he saw them freeze up from being lodged in there.
Meanwhile over with Churi and Obi-Wan the constructs kept coming at them as it was clear until the Girl was dealt with they would keep on coming. Churi then looked over to Gai and saw him struggling to which she had an idea to utilize. She then reached into her pouch and pulled something out by the ring.
"Hey jerk ass catch!" Churi called out as she threw the object to Gai. Gai hearing this caught it and looked at it in confusion. "New invention of mine trust me you're gonna love it!" Churi called out and in turn much to Gai's surprise an energy blade shot out of it but clearly not that of a Lightsaber.
The Horror attacked and thus Gai blocked the attack with his own. Much to his shock the Horror cried out in pain as she felt a burning sensation course through her from the weapon. "It's not a lightsaber the blade is made Madou energy that's vibrating at a ultra-high frequency its course unit is made from Soul Metal and in the Hands of either you or me capable of cutting down a Horror, but its works better in your hands. It gathers up the Inga of your foe purifies it and adds it to its own power. Once it gather's enough... well enjoy." Churi said as Gai understood her meaning.
In turn he went on the offensive against the Horror as she tried her best to fight off Gai but Gai was fast with his new weapon. He went for quick hit and run tactics as he was intend on beating this Horror. He kept going as he noticed the more energy the weapon gathered the brighter the blade shined. This repeated for several more runes until in the end the blade was bringing light to the room.
Gai smirked at this as the Horror then went at Gai only for him to back flip away. He then drew his Bow once more and grabbed the new weapon by its ring and to the shock of many notched it up like an Arrow. "Your pain ends here!" Gai called out as he then let loose the arrow upon the Horror all before she could retaliate and in turn it pierced the chest piece and hit the child under it.
She then went wide eyed as she felt her Crystal shatter upon impact and in turn her body turned to dust. Yet as she burned she closed her eyes and smiled with tears streaming from her eyes. "Thank... you." She let loose at last being freed of this living Hell as a Horror. The constructs cut off from their mistress vanished as well as Gai reverted to Phonon.
"You don't seem so proud of your victory." Obi-Wan said as he and Churi walked up to him.
Instead of responding Phonon turned to the passage and continued on forward. "Let's keep moving." Phonon said to which Obi-Wan looked to where the Horror child was. He then closed his eyes and lowered his head for a brief moment to pay his respect to the fallen Youngling. Once he was done he turned his attention back to Phonon as Churi was already walking ahead. As they left Obi-Wan wondered how any Knight can handle such things especially at a young age... alas he may never know the full truth. Thus in turn he could only have faith and thus began to follow after the two knowing their best shot at surviving this tomb was to stick together.
But even then Phonon hated that he did that. Yes his duty demanded it of him and yes it was a mercy what he did to her but it didn't make it any less painful. Sometimes its things like this that make him and other Knights question why they even bother fighting. But he banished the thought from his mind and in turn focused on the task at hand in the tomb. He only hoped that the others were doing ok in comparison to himself, Churi, and Obi-Wan wherever they ended up.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here you go the newest chapter finished at long last. I hope you all enjoyed it and leave us a review for this chapter. So until next time folks I will saw ja-ne.