[EM5 - Ashla Caverns] Tribulation

[Ender]

Pantoran | Cannot be Sensed | Savage Witch

The Witch had consulted the signs. They had led her to this place. She could feel it, amongst the permeating darkness, the Ashla. Purifying her soul, this had to be the place.

Calling out through the Force, she waited for the young one. She had a promise to keep to Quinn.

[Quinn Largo]

Quinn had prepared as best she could; the last couple of days had mostly just been about waiting until the time came. And that time was now. With her trusty stick by her side, Quinn arrived.

[Ender]

"Quinn." The Witch spoke, looking at the entrance to the cavern, breathing in deeply. "I don't know what is in here. I only know that it is different for everyone who enters. This place will call to you. Whatever happens, will happen to you alone." The Pantoran turned, her eyes gleaming in the early morning.

"Just remember that. The Ashla will guide you."

[Quinn Largo]

"The Ashla, that's the Light side, right?"

She took a deep breath, looking at the entrance for a moment and then back to the Pantoran.

"So... I just go in? And wait to see what happens?"

[Ender]

The Witch nodded. "I'll be here. Just... trust in the Force."

[Quinn Largo]

"Well... alright."

She nodded, took another deep breath, and then headed inside.

[Ender]

Almost immediately upon entering the cavern, it seemed all light faded away. It was dark, yet something was guiding Quinn. She could feel the walls without seeing them, feel the essence of the place. It was soothing, especially considered with the oppressive darkness and fear that seemed to creep into everything outside of the cave. There's a feeling in the cool air within the cavern leading you deeper and deeper.

After what seemed an eternity of walking, you find yourself at an opening bathed in... is that sunlight? In the center of it, a large tree, verdant and teeming with life, surrounded by a crystal clear stream. The tree sways in a gentle breeze, but where that was coming from you could not tell. The sounds of bird chirping fill the air around you.

[Quinn Largo]

Quinn took a moment to gaze upon the marvel of the tree. It was not what she was expecting, at all. A short while later, she slowly approached the tree, a hand reaching out toward it; a gentle touch, almost as if she wasn't certain the tree coudl survive being touched.

[Ender]

Warmth burst through Quinn's hand, as if she was overtaken by life. The vibrancy of it, the sensation of just basking in the glory of creation. Light radiating down upon her, as a tremor was felt throughout the grotto.

"Why have you come here, Quinn?" A voice whispered on the wind behind her. A glowing form, taking the shape of an almost featureless woman.

[Quinn Largo]

She took a step back; for a moment uncertain. And then another moment of uncertainty as she pondered the ghostly presence and its question. She needed the right words. And she needed to say them the right.

...

"To finish what was interrupted. To find what I need to make my own weapon. So I can be prepared when the darkness comes..."

She took a step forward again, once more reaching out.

"Are you the light side of the Force? Is that how you know who I am?"

[Ender]

The form turned, regarding the young girl. "The quest for the monster slayer. Is that what you feel this is?" The spirit, or avatar, or whatever she was, moved ephemerally, almost gliding over the water without so much as a ripple. Her hair, more tendril like than actual hair, seemed to flow freely, without heeding gravity, as if she was in water. "I am one with the Ashla. But I am not the Ashla. To think one can be that as a whole is folly." Her voice was melodious, as wind chimes in a summer breeze.

"You've been fighting your whole life, young one. Is this all you wish to be? A weapon against the darkness?"

[Quinn Largo]

"I don't... know. I don't know what I want to be... I just know that I don't want to be like... my parents. Or like that dark thing that's woken up."

She paused for a moment, trying to find more words.

"The weapon is just... I know how to use a lightsaber. It was what I was training for before someone came and separated me from my teacher. If I have one of my own, I can defend myself. Maybe others too. I think that's a start."

[Ender]

"That is but one aspect, young one." The Spirit stepped behind Quinn, phantasmal hands resting upon her shoulder, in a maternal way. "Not knowing what you want to be, can lead to someone turning you into what they need you to be. To live a life without agency." The words whispered. "That is a very real fear that could be had. Even if Fear is what feeds the Bogan, Quinn." The leaves rustled in the wind, as colors exploded from them, flowers instantly blooming in vibrant pinks, yellows, and purples.

A shriekhawk swooped down from the sky, talons splashing into the water, before flying off with a fish. "Do you think that shriekhawk was evil, for taking the life of another creature?" The voice asked, calmly, reassuringly.

[Quinn Largo]

She watched the display before her with detached eyes.

"No? The bird just needs to eat, and doesn't understand what the fish is feeling."

[Ender]

"Good..." The hands slipped away from her shoulders, as the spirit began to walk. As she did so, the tree began to grow, thicker and taller, until a cavernous opening began to appear, light pouring from it. "Follow me, Quinn. Your test is at hand..." The words whispered, before the spirit turned, extending an arm to the doorway.

[Quinn Largo]

I thought this was the test...

She looked at the spirit for a moment, then to the doorway... and walked in.

[Ender]

The light was blinding, for a moment, before there was darkness. The room she entered was cavernous, the sound of dripping water echoing like a storm raging around her. Mist filled the place, as the doorway behind her disappeared. Then, footsteps, moving closer, and closer to Quinn. Coming from behind her, no the side! All around her! The mists breaking apart. Before, standing in front of her, a woman, immediately recognizable. Mikkian, wearing refugees clothing. She smiled softly, at Quinn. "It's been a long time, Quinn. Look how much you've grown since we last saw each other."yet

The voice was soft, distinct, yet demure. "It is good to see you continue on this path, my student."

[Quinn Largo]

She blinked.

"What?"

She blinked again.

"...Master? You can't be here."

[Ender]

"But I am. I'm with you. You carry me with you, every where you go. You've brought me here." He placed a hand on Quinn's heart, looking down at her, the sensory tendrils swaying slightly in the mist. "And you'll always carry me, as long as you keep worrying and not trusting the Force. To not believe in the abilities you already possess, to feel you always need something more." Her smile was soft, and sad. "You're afraid. Afraid of losing things to the darkness, afraid of your past. You... you can't be, anymore. It isn't the time for that."

[Quinn Largo]

"I had a vision," she said. "In the forest here. Of a bounty hunter. A mandalorian maybe. I think he's coming for me, to take me back. I don't want to be afraid of that anymore. That's why I'm here. So I don't have to rely only on the people around me while I run away. Again."