Yavin IV

[Vox]

Reaching the planet of Yavan, the jungle world was simply a beautiful emerald sphere that remind Jedi Vox of his homeworld Trandosha. Albeit, there was a pull of sorts, the closer Alcmènes ship drew toward the planet the closer Vox felt to the Force itself. There was a richness in life when he reached out to the Force of the world, unmolested by large traffic or cities, in only it's natural state at the utmost complete form of life. Something tugged at him though or rather his essence, almost beckoning him to join the natural life. 

 

Vox's sudden trance was interrupted when Romulus walked up and was staring at the Yavan as well, "Didn't think there were other place like home, huh Vox?" 

 

"No... I didn't think there would be either." Vox's response seemed distant as if he was focused on something else. It at least caused the smaller Nudono to frown and start gathering equipment that be would need for a wilderness trip. To Romulus it was a run of the mill adventure, but to his larger friend it was more than a trip. 

 

"Fates, old gods, I have begun my destiny." Vox immediately thought, the words almost coming out of nowhere and echoed through the chasms of his mind like a single voice. He didn't believe in fate nor destiny, nor their people's gods Maccond, Lina, Una, Sare, Acheron, Dedanna, nor the first father Sultefeign. His belief in the Force was witnessed, however the same voice he heard in his head whispered to take that leap. No, no prophecies, their people would suffer enough from religion. 

 

Once on the planet Vox had his Puncture raised as did Romulus with his custom weapon, a spike pistol of sorts, and once they felt the area was secured Vox relaxed. Relax was something that wasn't resonating well with the Trandoshan, the planet was overwhelming with life, with the Force and he tried to fight it internally. The area they landed in perfectly hid the ship, near a massive stream and near a waterfall surrounded by a canopy of trees. The sun pierced through the leaves and created plenty enough light to allow the group to see just fine. 

[Vox]

The power, the flow, and tinge of life that teemed on the planet was all the more to take in to the Trandoshan. He gazed around until Alcmène said something, then realized he allowed himself to get out of hand. Vaux focused and closed the Force and reception his mind and spirit were receiving and bottlenecked them until he could finely focus on the task at hand. He looked to the direction of the Sith temple, and though it was a sage bet to try there, something told him that was not the place of choice. Instead, Alcmène also pointed out the soul-crushing depths of the planet that naturally made the crystals. That was where it would take his instincts and thoughts. 

 

"Against better judgement, I would like to retrieve my own saber crystal and not one already founded. What I found trouble with the one I used during the spar was... My inability to connect through it, almost like it already had an owner. No, it would seem almost pointless to pull one from the ruins, it would be the same as asking the Naboo Queen for one, and I wouldn't want to steal one and claim it my own." Vaux spoke truly and freely, it was his honest opinion- damned be the dangers and trials ahead. He was no thief, it was laziness to grab someone else's work and to say it was his. 

 

Romulus rubbed the back of his head and said, "I dunno... I mean... It doesn't belong to anyone if they're dead, ya know? I don't it'd be safe-" 

 

Vaux was quick to interrupt his smaller companion, "It is my choice, Roamaulus, the Force-" Vox looked into the direction of the outline of the Gas Giant Yavin; that shone a blue-orange in the dusk sky, "It guides me there. I don't know if we have the equipment, but if we need to go it slow then so be it. I wouldn't do this if it didn't feel necessary." 

[Vox]

On 3/17/2022 at 6:30 PM, Alcmène said:

The thick atmosphere buffeted the light shuttle as they made the short hop from the jungle moon of Yavin IV to the gas giant of Yavin itself. It had long been a place where dreams and visions had coalesced. Only a few decades ago, the duel worlds had been a part of the illusive League of Augrey. Whose jedi knights had planned their great strike at the Last Death Star. Though those knights had brought an end to Deton’s empire, none of them had ever returned. Their bodies remaining in the ruins of Helix Station, and a swath of prophecy left unfulfilled. Alcmene let her eyes drift closed as they began the dive towards the pale red surface of the gas giant.

 

What doom did this system hold? Stretching back the centuries, the first rebel alliance had made the system their base of operations for both the strike on Sacrif and the First Death Star. With The first Jedi Academies returning a few years later. And before that? Massassi and their master Exar Kun. 

 

Now here they were. Prospecting for corusca gems in the depths of the gas giant itself. They were outside history. Walking as tiny ants in its great shadow. 

 

The ship shuddered as they passed from one layer to the next, buffeting through the swirling winds. She reached out and thumbed the autoglide feature and flicked open the cargo bay doors. Then she walked back to where her apprentice was waiting. She gave him a grin. 

 

“So do you want to learn how to fly?”

 

The ship seemed to groan and shudder as they exited and entered from atmosphere to atmosphere. From one planet with life to another that had none and the difference in life force between the large orbs was felt by the Trandoshan. Nonetheless, Vox kept his eyes gazing about in wander and amazement as he scanned the great differences in sizes and colors. Upon entry of the gas giant Vox unintentionally shuddered as a new energy could be felt. Was this what he was meant to experience? 

 

The cargo door opened and Vox turned his head to the outside, then back to Alcmène as she asked him a curios question. Did he really want to fly? He could handle a gun and blade no issue, but an actual craft? He turned his full body to her and said, "Well... Better sooner than later, show me how this craft works."

[Vox]

On 5/20/2022 at 3:30 PM, Alcmène said:

Alcmène felt a grin creep over her face. . She reached down to her utility belt and did a quick check for her rebreather, and finding it, she looked back up at the Trandoshan. It was time for him to dive into the force face first. Learning a lesson the same way she had when she had been a youngling on a crashing starship. 

 

“Not fly like that Vox.” She took one step forward. “Like this.” 

 

Her booted foot lashed out and slammed into his chest and she kicked him bodily out of the transport into the swirling gasses below. Then without another hesitation she lept after him. The Transport banking and veering slowly after them.

 

The Force felt strong, pure but different due to this planets life force. It felt lighter but stronger at the same time, a testament to the goliath of the gas giant of course, however things would take a swift turn. Vox thought for a moment, thinking why he would fly a ship from the cargo bay until a solid kick to the armored chest of the large heavy Trandoshan surprisingly launched him over the platform. Vox's mind was filled with a flurry of thought wondering why Alcmène kicked him over the edge, had he outlived his use? Was there no potential to his power,m

 

Those questions would rapidly shut down as he witnessed Alcmène join the armored lizard, now a slew of more questions entering his mind. Everything seemed to spin as gravity was pulling him down, there was chaos only as the equilibrium was of no use. That was until there was one voice that struck through the mess of thoughts, one Vox felt familiar with although he knew not who it was. Focus, the voice spoke softly, Calm your nerves, ease your mind, and focus on what you want to do instead of what you can't do. 

 

Vox eventually gained his control in the air with his belly facing down toward the surface of the planet, he gritted his teeth as he pushed every thought he had out of his head and tried to focus. Concentrate on the wind, let the Force bend the air around you. Vox eased his body, instead of fighting the currents of the wind he let it take him, instead of trying to control he simply allowed all to happen. He reached out to the Force and it reach back, empowering and filling his body with energy. The first thing 

 

The first thing the Trandoshan did was slow his free fall, not immediately but to a crawl as to not destroy his muscles nor innards. Everything felt like it came to a slow halt, with the Force slowly shimmering around his body he allowed it to keep him afloat almost like water. His breathing was ragged but I the end the Apprentice had achieved what was needed to be done, albeit unexpectedly. 

[Vox]

On 6/2/2022 at 6:13 PM, Alcmène said:

She kept perfectly still as the fierce winds buffeted her small form, tearing at the edges of her crimson tunic and whipping her hair free from its containing golden circlet. She kept her eyes closed, relying on the force itself to guide her through the storm. She could feel her apprentice, the way his mind was working to conquer fear, and how he reached out to the force. He was doing well, better than she had thought. But she had always underestimated him.

 

She projected her voice through the storm, guiding it to his ears as she did so. 

 

“You are doing well apprentice. Now find the flow of the winds, feel how they pull you, follow their current.”

 

Everything in nature had a connection to the force, and he would find that they would guide him to where he wanted to go, to what he wanted to find, if he trusted in them and in the force.

 

That was much easier said than done. Vox learned quickly indeed, but his focus was starting to grow more and more chaotic. It wasn't thought process or comprehension instead it was the energy all around him and how the charged energy flowed all around and through him. It was growing tinge too much. Vox tried to focus again this time with a little more succession as his body slowly rose in the air, not particularly flying by any means but elevation was something at least. 

 

Letting loose a rough sigh, Vox focused his efforts this time doing exactly as he done before when he was free falling. And slowly with success, he started to inch forward until inches grew into feet... And once he got it the Trandoshan unexpectedly zipped off like cannon fire. It wasn't so much he couldn't handle, the Force flower through him a bit too much and now he was darting up with an overcharge of power. His mind couldn't adjust in time, so he replied on the Force as should, and tried to slow his speed, his body had grow too used to his efforts and now that cracked door was wide open. He needed control. 

 

Forcing that door close and starting to close himself off Vox could feel the Force start to dwindle until it was, again, coming through a cracked door. He could feel it in the air and through the planet itself, but it was too much. Now his speeding had stopped to a crawl, he panted not from the loss of every but from the overwhelming feeling he had of it. And after a moment of recollecting himself Vox moved forward again, oy this time at a fast walking pace. 

[Vox]

Vox's control of the Force was certainly a wonder to behold, but a chaotic wonder, as he couldn't quite get the hang of flying. It was still working though as he seemed to go at a slower pace than what he should have, hesitance crawling in instead of just letting his power to the rest. It was only natural that someone who was still new to the Jedi abilities struggle to keep them steady, although Vox had done well with everything until now. Careful to keep his focus on trying not to fall, Vox also paddled slightly and turned to face his mentor who would bolster his courage. 

 

"Very well..." Vox replies carefully, pushing himself upward and into a soft cloud of... Something, that spanned beyond the horizon yet the sun shone through it's thickness at the same time. He honed his focus and allowed the Force to carry and guide the lizard to his destination. Almost immediately did he find what he was looking for and like a blood hound he shot off again, just not quite as fast as he did. 

 

The cloud was without a doubt different in pressure, as the longer Vox stayed in it to more he felt his scales grow cold with condensation, his head filled with pressure whilst oxygen seemed to thin out. But this was an experience and path the Force chose for him, even though it seemed suffocating, his whole life had been hardships but that was how he preferred it. Not as some sniveling politician but as a warrior, as all of Trandosha should be. Vox felt like something was nearing him or he was nearing something, as he came upon a green hue of light in the cloud he slowed his pace to a crawl. 

 

Approaching slowly even as his body begged for more air, Vox's gaze states right into a green crystal. The piece seemed bigger than he anticipated, but it's glow was unlike the average grass glow he's seen from other lightsabers. The crystal itself was of deep forest green, white and black speckles scattered from within the small gemstone that also cast their own colors, not proudly but allowing them to stand out. But it wasn't like some diamond or sapphire, nothing like an ordinary crystal, a calm energy washed over the Trandoshan that seemingly emanate from the stone itself. In the moment before Vox slowly pulled the crystal into his hand, it was as if the Force opened a floodgate of emotion, pooling everything from his inner being and connecting his energy with the crystal, almost binding himself to it. But he pushed these emotions down and finally grabbed the stone, hushing all emotions that would have escaped. 

 

What felt like ages was only seconds, but holding in his hand and gazing at it were the Corusca gem in the palm of Vox, a soft glow of the lively item still shown around the lizards hand. He looked to Alcmène with achievement in his mind, a small victory he was rightfully proud of even if a child could accomplish it. Vox then said as he moved out of the thick cloud and into open space, retrieving the vital thing called air, "It seems I have completed my task," Ever so calmly did the Trandoshan speak, inwardly he fought back loud cheers and howls of victory, why he felt like this he didn't know but it was only natural... Although, it wasn't his style to do such things, "Will this be all? Or are there more tasks?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Vox]

It was like holding aspects of life and death in his palm, though Vox didn't show it, he could feel that this crystal was indeed very, very old. Almost like an old tree that had survived the many conflicts of nature and societies, the crystal had its story to tell, one that would be etched and splintered into the essence of the Trandosha Jedi. Vox nodded to his mentor as there was only one thing to do now: build the lightsaber to make the crystal an official home, give it duty, and allow the Trandoshan warrior to become more than a Chieftain that he once was. There was a sense of self fulfillment in this scene that allowed Vox to feel the joy and sense of accomplishment he hasn't had in some time. 

 

After boarding the ship, Vox breathed in real air, the Force around him still shimmered and flowed delicately as it qas still needed to help him with one more task. After allowing Alcemène to the cockpit Vox would head to the work station to start rebuilding his prefabricated saber hilt, not realizing how big the crystal was until actually sizing it up. To Vox it was only a few minutes of taking his time crafting this piece, redesigning it and reassembling as the Force guided him. In reality, it took most of the trip to get the job done as one could tell he had moved quite slowly but was also in a trance-like state of meditation.  

 

What exactly was Vox doing that it took so long to build a Saber? In truth his meditative state was much deeper as he etched his essence, his very being into the crystal itself as it glowed dully but with a brilliant shine to it. The Force guided his steps much like astral projection but more in the state of the third eye, looking into the beyond and connecting with the rare gemstone. Ko ahau tawhito, He could feel it "speak," I kite hoki ahau i nga tau kua pahure ake nei, nga wairua, nga wairua, me nga rewera, Vox kept in tune as the crystal told its story, depths of history and all ot had seen. Every image burned in his eyes of conflicts and pain, gatherings and rejoice, all through both good and malevolence, Jedi and Sith, but there was only one deciding factor in all of this: Nature. 

 

Na ratou ka whiriwhiria e au tenei Tamariki o te Kaha, Tamariki o te natura i whanau mai i te kaha me te nanakia. Maku koe e arahi, e Tama, pera me te tokomaha i arahina e ahau. Tuwhera koe, kia kotahi. 

 

The saber clicked shut, Vox snapped from his deep focus. He slowly looked down to see the delicately crafted piece of himself forged into completion. The Teandosha pick the long saber hilt up, a slight curvature at the bottom but overall as straight as it could get, the item he held lokkedvto be hewn of old dark oak. The series if grooves were that of wood almost, but swirling in a seemingly neverending cycle almost taking on a tribal aesthetic. Vox held his weapon upward but lowered it, the Force around him writhed in excitement,  his power excited without him even realizing it. The lights of the cargo hold flickered as all noises became silent, and finally when the lights flickered off Vox activated his lightsaber. 

 

From the hilt came a deep green blade, speckled with white and black as of it were its own galaxy. The Force around him dissipates as the job was complete and as soon as it did the cargo lights came back on. Vox looked the blade over in amazement,  the energy itself was longer than most designed for his size and usage, and finally clicking it off the Trandoshan warrior sighs as exhaustion came over him. He nodded to himself and walked into the cockpit, seeing one Romulus fidgeting with a pad and Alcemène, he spoke finally,  "It is done."