revivalproject | One More Stranger

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One More Stranger

WHO: Ikora Rey & Others
WHERE: Around Coruscant
WHAT: A little temple and a little fighting
WHEN: The Coruscant trip.
WARNINGS: Some violence

I. The Jedi Temple

When she asked the locals where to go for help almost every single person directed her to a place called the Jedi Temple. "It's a beautiful building," she said as she ascended the steps with Ophiuchus floating at her shoulder.

"And heavily guarded," he pointed out with a nod in the direction of the guards at the entrance.

"If it's as important as the people here say it is it makes sense for it to be guarded." Ikora continued up the steps with her hands folded behind her back. "Perhaps you should stay more hidden for the time being."

"... as you wish." With a little hiss of Light Ophiuchus vanished though Ikora could tell he wasn't happy with the suggestion. She would rather her ghost was out of sight if these temple guards didn't turn out to be as friendly as everyone suggested.

When she reached the top the guards asked her what her business was with the Temple. Ikora explained she had recently arrived on the planet and was seeking knowledge of where she was and in what system. The guards exchanged looks and then seemed to have a conversation without speaking. One stepped away with a nod and Ikora watched him pull a communication device from his robes and speak into it.

She waited patiently for them to decide what to do with the stranger at their door Ikora looked out over the endless city. Golden Age Earth might have resembled this place at one point, she imagined. Flying cars, spaceships, and technology as far as the eye could see.

It was beautiful in a way but Ikora couldn't help but wonder what sort of secrets this place hid.

"Come with us," The guard said.

"Of course." She only raised an eyebrow as the two guards flanked her and led her inside the temple.

"Wait here." They left her in some sort of waiting room.

Apparently, her presence had caused some sort of stir. Ikora wondered just what sort of stir that was.

II. Pit Fights

After arriving in the strange seemingly endless city, Ikora found herself exploring the deeper, more dangerous parts. She was drawn to the secrets hidden in the shadows and unlike some other Warlocks she was not afraid to take physical risks as well as mental ones. Ophiuchus was against the plan, of course. He felt they could stay on the surface and find a way to contact home. They could feel the Traveler out there somewhere even though it felt very far away. There had to be a way to get a signal into deep space.

Instead, Ikora found herself in the middle of a pit with shouting voices in seemingly hundreds of different languages. Some cheering for her. Some against her. She tuned them out and focused on her opponent who looked like a large green pig humanoid.

There were no firearms allowed in the ring which suited Ikora fine since she hadn't arrived on this alien planet with any. She held a mid-sized staff with a hook on the end tipped with a sharp pike. Her opponent had a large bladed weapon and his form was awful. So open. So easy to read. He would have never lasted long in the Crucible.

He charged, clearly relying on his size and muscle mass to overpower her. Ikora sidestepped, hooked the staff around the alien's leg and pulled. He landed on his face as Ikora stepped back. When the alien got up a charged her again she threw her hand forward and a blast of Void sent him reeling back. Ikora followed up with a swift drive of the staff into the alien's gut and then a blow to the side of the head.

She put the spiked point of the staff to the alien's throat. "I recommend you don't get up."

III. Wildcard

Want something else? Go for it.

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She closed her fist and dismissed the Void. Reaching for the Light too much exhausted her, a feeling she was not used to. She had yet to try for the other elements as well. It might be that she couldn't change them.

"The Light and the Darkness are both paracausal powers," she explained as she once again folded her arms behind her back. "They allow the Guardian that wields them to change their fate. Those who wield the Light change it for the better. Those that are corrupted by the Darkness use it selfishly."

At the question about the Traveler Ophiuchus floats forward and projects an image or a large sphere. "The Traveler arrived in our solar system hundreds of years ago and through its powers humanity ushered in a Golden Age. When other alien presences began to overwhelm us it was only through the Traveler's sacrifice that we were able to survive. It grants us Guardians powers over the Light and our ghosts as companions. What it is depends on who you ask. Some think it is a large vessel. Others an artificial intelligence. Or a living being. No one is certain."

Edited (one of these will work i can code i swear) 2021-03-30 14:50 (UTC)

"Actually, that does sound remarkably similar to ours," Obi-Wan said thoughtfully, a hand resting on his chin. Even if not from the same source, it wasn't all that different from the light side and dark side. "However, Cayde mentioned that there are those with ill intent who also wield the light." Was that incorrect? An exception? Or somehow a contradiction?

When the ghost projects an image in front of him, the Jedi blinks. That's certainly a curious looking thing. "So the traveler gave humans an advantage. But to what purpose? And how did it sacrifice itself? That would at least imply that it has some form of intelligence."

"Yes, sometimes those with the Light can use it for the wrong purpose. There is always a chance power will corrupt whether it is Light or Dark." Ikora knew that perhaps better than some being a Warlock. Her kind were vulnerable to such things.

The Traveler wasn't as impressive as it once was having been destroyed and captured and currently in the middle of repairing itself. "It is sentient but whether that's living sentience or artificial we don't know. We know that it has chosen various races over the years and has abandoned them as well, taking its power with it. The Eliksni, for example, used to worship it as the Great Machine before the Darkness came to attack the Traveler and drove it away."

A future that looked more and more possible in her reality. "We don't know why it chooses or what its purpose is. We only know without it we would be lost."

"That seems like a rather precarious relationship," Obi-Wan points out. "If there's the possibility of it leaving, it would seem unwise to rely fully on it." Granted he understands they probably don't have much of a choice, but surely they would at least be looking into a way to become more independent of it? If they didn't, it could lead to their ruin.

"I suppose we are fortunate in that we don't have that worry. The power of the Force is from life itself. It's simply that some beings are more sensitive to that power and are able to wield it."

"Not everyone is a Guardian. And we proved ourselves capable of protecting our home without the Light during the Red War." Ikora understood his concern. It was something that slept in the back of every Guardian's mind since the Red War. They might have to fight without it one day.

The Force did sound more... reliable. She would give Obi-Wan that point. "And what do you do with that power? How do you help your system with it?"

Because she was curious what the Jedi order did besides study in a temple.

Nodding in understanding, it was at least good to know that they were capable of defending themselves without the light. Obi-Wan certainly doesn't know what he would do without the Force. He would survive certainly, as other humans do so, but he can't imagine not being a part of his life.

"The Jedi have been defenders of the Republic and guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy for millenia. There are many things that we do. Some are scholars, some are diplomats, others are medics and some help struggling planets to fend for themselves. We are also warriors who can defend those that cannot defend themselves. Whatever good we can do, we do it to the best of our ability."

That wasn't to mean the Jedi Order was perfect. No organization made of living beings would ever be perfect. But Obi-Wan had always felt proud to be a member and had great faith in his people as a whole. It was evident by the way he spoke.

The Jedis sounded very much like Guardians though more organized. It had to be easier to defend the peace when there was still a lot of infrastructure and government in place.

"It sounds like a noble order," she said with a little incline of her head towards him. "My biggest problem with some Warlocks is their lack of interest in the real world. They're scholars that never leave their libraries. Full of power and help no one."

She hoped her leadership had changed that attitude. In some ways it had. In others... not. "I think we are obligated to help when we're given power. To do otherwise is thoughtless."

"I agree," Obi-Wan says easily. "There is a time and place for learning, but also one for action." He motioned ahead of them as they came upon the entrance to the archives. "We have a library here. Considered to be the most extensive one in the galaxy. I spent much time here in my youth."

He smiled a bit wistfully as they entered the hall with its seemingly endless shelves of books, holocrons, and data storage.

"My master was more of a scholar, and often had me work on projects for him while my peers were out having adventures and doing good. I resented him for it until I came to realize the importance of it all. One can not focus too much on one or the other. As in all things, there must be balance."

With a slight tilt of her head Ikora signaled her ghost. He flew off on his own and started to scan the shelves for any data he could download. Hopefully... that was allowed. Ikora wanted to learn all she could while on this planet.

"My master was a scholar as well. And something of a rebel. He ended up leaving the Vanguard to study more dangerous subjects." Ikora could smile a little now when she thought of Osiris. They had fixed things before coming here. Thankfully.

"Balance, yes, but one can't be afraid to learn from the Darkness. To defeat your enemy you must understand it."

At the mention of her master being a rebel, there was a bit of a twinkle in Obi-Wan's eye as he chuckled softly. "My master was a rebel as well. It was very frustrating at times." Though he speaks of it fondly despite that.

"That is true, to an extent," Obi-Wan says as he watched the ghost zoom off. "There is information about the ancient Sith here. They use the darkside and have been enemies of the Jedi for generations. It's this information that is used to teach us why we must never touch the darkness. It has only ever ended in tragedy."

And he spoke from experience on that one.

"Osiris is... considered a heretic. He was exiled and at the time, I believed it was right. He was studying a dangerous enemy and I thought him lost to it." Ikora bowed her head for a moment. She raised it again with a little shake. "But he always said he was meant for that fate and he's become a valuable ally even in exile."

There were some in the Last City who still didn't trust Osiris. They weren't even swayed by the return of Saint-14, who was without question Osiris' biggest advocate.

"I wouldn't say we should use the Darkness. It is dangerous and consumes everything in its path. Including anyone who would use it." Ikora hoped Ophiuchus would pull the information on the Sith for further study. "But we cannot escape the Darkness. It is in all of us."

“Oh I see.” Certainly a strange twist and Obi-Wan isn’t sure how he would feel if his master did something like that. “Qui-Gon never went that far, though he often defied the council. I think he enjoyed it. Instead he found a boy he thought to be the chosen one. Unfortunately, he didn’t live to train him.”

Obi-Wan sometimes wondered if things would have turned out differently if Qui-Gon had lived. Surely he would have done a better job in training the boy and not failed the way he had.

“You are right,” Obi-Wan says quietly. “Each Jedi has ways of dealing with their own inner darkness. One contemporary of mine developed an entire lightsaber style to answer his.”

"Osiris was part the Vanguard, which I imagine acts very similarly to your Council. He could not balance his responsibilities with his research." Ikora had thought she could save him but in the end she had to accept that Osiris chose his own path. It had been difficult. She could understand some of Obi-Wan's struggle. "So, he left and I took over for him. He never found a chosen one, though, he did bring someone back from the dead."

Her ghost wizzed around their heads for a moment, shell spinning rapidly. "There's so much here!"

Then he was gone again to scan more data. Ikora would read it herself slowly once she was not in the Temple.

Ikora chuckled briefly at her ghost. "Lightsaber? Is that a type of power?"

His brows rose at that. “Back from the dead? That’s... quite impressive.” He’s not sure if that’s a good thing or not. No Jedi has certainly been able to do it. “Like you, I took over for my master. I trained the boy he found.”

Though he leaves it at that since talking about Anakin was still very painful. Plus he had failed his master in not preventing him from turning to the dark side. The ghost’s sudden exclamation being a nice diversion from those thoughts and drawing a little chuckle from the Jedi.

“No, it’s a weapon.” Obi-Wan pulled back the him off his cloak so that Ikora could see the hilt that hung at his side.

"Death is... a suggestion to a Guardian. We can always be brought back as long as we have our ghost." Ophiuchus spun his shell as he was recognized for his abilities. "Warlocks even die on purpose to study the moment between life and death. Thanatonautics, we call it."

She had dabbled in it when she was young. It had taught her a few things but in the end life taught more than death. Death had only brought her grief.

Ikora looked at the... flashlight? hanging from Obi-Wan's belt and raised an eyebrow. "Forgive my ignorance, but it doesn't look like a weapon."

The Jedi looks a bit horrified upon hearing that particular part of it. “While I understand the appeal in wishing to study such a mystery. Isn’t that a bit excessive?” It doesn’t sound at all pleasant to purposely kill yourself.

Her skepticism is met with amusement as he understands that the hilt itself is not much to look at. “I would be happy to give you a demonstration, but this is not the place for it.”

"He gets it!" Ophiuchus called from a distant shelf.

"We are fundamentally changed by the Light," Ikora explained, ignoring her ghost's comment. "Not only does it make us tougher, more agile, and able to control great powers it changes our minds in some ways. Hunters are driven to explore the wild places of the world and hate being tied down. Titans are driven to stand watch, protect and to protect with extreme prejudice. Warlocks, we are driven to find knowledge wherever that knowledge might be even in death."

She could not explain that drive to anyone who did feel it. It was a pull like a magnet always there. Even know, she felt it. Her ghost was taking data for a reason.

"I would like that. There was a time when I was quite the fierce combatant." Ikora still was but she did not let it drive her like before. "I could demonstrate some of mine but my connection to the Light is... strained. It would leave me powerless for a long time I believe."

Glancing towards Ophiuchus, Obi-Wan can’t help but think he’s coming to like that little droid thing.

“Well, even though we are taught not to fear death, somehow I think I might not make a good warlock if death is a prerequisite.” He’s joking. Somewhat. He still doesn’t see himself wanting to take his own life to gain such knowledge. Some things were better left as mysteries.

When Ikora expresses her interest in a lightsaber demonstration though, he chuckles. “I’m willing to bet you still are. And while you’re perfectly safe here I wouldn’t ask you to make yourself that vulnerable. We can go to the training halls once your ghost is finished here.”

"Not everyone studies thanatonautics. Besides, you don't choose what the Traveler makes you into. When you are reborn a Guardian the Light chooses." Ikora didn't remember her life before being a Guardian. That was the price of it. She knew some heard whispers or had dreams of their former lives but... she didn't have any memories. She was just... Ikora Rey.

"I could leave him here."

"You're not leaving me here."

Her ghost circled back to them and floated in front of her. She could tell he was glaring at her. Ikora pushed down her initial wave of annoyance. He shouldn't worry. This temple was safe. No one would hurt him here. No one would hurt her. But... she was trying to be more understanding of her ghost.

"Alright, then we'll wait for you to finish." She inclined her head to her ghost. He hesitated before floating away slowly like he expected her to run. She might have in her younger days.

"I see. So it is fate that decides. But do you at least decide to become a Guardian?" He certainly isn't judgemental in these questions. It's clear that Obi-Wan is merely curious. He's come across many cultures who do many things differently. He's generally not one to question the ways of people unless they are genuinely harmful.

The Jedi then glanced between guardian and ghost as they seemed to have a bit of a disagreement. The amusement not hidden on his face as Ikora finally relents. What an interesting relationship they two had.

"And all of you have one of those?" He motions towards the ghost as he floats away again.

"No, Guardians are chosen by their Ghosts. They find us dead on battlefields, forgotten ruins, and other places then resurrect us with the Light. They decide who is worthy. A Guardian doesn't have to join with the Last City and the Vanguard but most do." There were some that saw the lack of choice in Guardianship as a problem. Ikora thought of the Drifter who had only just come back to the Tower and wasn't really there to help. No matter what he said about Gambit.

Interesting was one way to think of it. Complicated and messy was perhaps more accurate. But she was trying these days which was better than her youth.

"A Ghost helps us. They can interface with almost any technology including Hive magic, send signals across the system to communicate with other Guardians and the Tower, and can bring us back from death if we fall in battle. To kill a Guardian you first kill their Ghost." Ikora thought briefly of Sundance and Cayde but pushed that aside. "They maintain our shields, weapons and armor, sparrows and ships. They are... very impressive pieces of technology."

Obi-Wan's brows raise curiously at this explanation. "So you have already lived your life and died when you are chosen." That's strange to him, but fascinating at the same time. There were differences and yet notable similarities between their two orders. "It is a calling, much like it is being a Jedi. We believe that the Force chooses us as well from birth."

"Your ghosts sound very useful indeed, and are quite literally your life," the Jedi muses as he continues to watch the little machine dart around the library. "Our lightsabers, while not literally so, are considered to be the same. Our weapons are the heart of who we are and we are connected to them."

It was very taboo for a Guardian to search for this past. Ikora didn't know who she was before being chosen by her ghost. She had never looked even in her most rebellious years. "Most accept it as a calling. Some see it as a burden. It depends on the Guardian."

Ophiuchus floated back over to Obi-Wan and studied him with his single eye for a moment, sell spinning slowly. Then he dropped down and scanned the lightsaber.

"It appears to amplify a crystal into some sort of plasma," he said after a moment of study and then floated back up. "The exact mechanism is unknown to me. Theoretically it should stretch on forever but... it doesn't."

Listening to Ikora, Obi-Wan nods quietly in understanding. He could understand that. Fortunately if one felt that being a Jedi was a burden they could simply leave. He imagines that the Guardians might not have such a luxury.

Then Ophiuchus was checking out his lightsaber and that drew his attention back to the ghost. “That is correct. The crystal is called a kyber. They are force sensitive, semi-sentient stones that are attuned to the light side. As for the plasma blade, it retains its shape and length due to an adjustable force field around it.”

"Semi-sentient? Sounds like Hive magic." But Ophiuchus had a goal now. He zipped through the archives looking for how to assemble one of these lightsabers. They sounded like very useful weapons to bring back home.

"Guardians use swords as well," Ikora explained so Ophiuchus' behavior wasn't so confusing. "Not ones made of plasma but steel and occasionally imbued with elements. Ghosts rarely encounter technology they cannot interface with. I think he sees your weapon as a challenge."

Her ghost also liked to know things.

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