10 Before the temple entrance. Traveling and talks.

After a brief discussion, the group split from the base heading off. In the speeder transport, the troopers and Inferna travelled with a few supplies. Master Windhu, Knight Kirell, Master Myr, Padawans Tonu a green skin male twilek, and Konell a subspecies human joined them. They traveled on foot. The speeder was cloaked very quickly. It was the only available one in time. Master Windhu rather not wait.

"The problem on hand. How do we start when arriving there." Alex said as he led upfront. Out of everyone around traveling, he was the most excitied. To see inside one of the original tombs will be amazing. In different circumstances, things could be better. But beggars can't be choosers.

Mace moved up to join him on point. "How do you know they are heading that way? Finding that information buried deep in the archives is one thing, but knowing there is a temple buried underneath is another matter."

"If you don't, believe me, you can ask my Master. I am sure she is willing to clarify any doubts." Seeing her nod towards Mace Alex continued. "The temple is remnants of the Sith. Not When they were still Dark Jedi but when they took the mantle of Sith. This not a place with little teaching in Dark force abilities. This place is steeped in the Dark Side. Full embraced teachings and practices. What we find might be disturbing or it may just be boring as a standard senate meeting. I know that if you are unsure of yourself, the force energy here will beat you apart and spit you out as a darkspawn. If you are lucky."

"If we are unlucky?" Kirell asked from the mid location.

"If you are unlucky I will cut you down myself or die trying. Me failing is not that bad. However, I will not allow any new Sith running around out of control. If you come out, and you are in control of yourself, so be it. But if not…"

"I understand." But do you think you can resist the pull of the dark side so easily?" Windhu asked. "So struggled with most of our life. You spent a majority of your time in a trance learning from hold pads and just listening to lectures. Frankly, I am surprised you succeed as you have so far."

"Yes. Without a doubt."

"What makes you so sure my padawan?" XoXann asked. Speaking for the first time since leaving the base.

"Because I am not a child. I am an adult. The state you all saw me aIlowed me to view things some of you will only experience in death. I have felt the pain of life and mostly all it has to offer. I can't allow myself to change for small inklings of power. That would be absolutely ridiculous. It will take a lot more than a few whispers and promises of desires from my inner psyche to change my views. Besides," falling back towards her Alex kept pace while he faced her. "Do you honestly think someone you trained all these years would fall so easily to temptation?" Watching her blue eyes expand in shock XoXann saw the confidence he had.

Not just in himself, but in her. If the others weren't around Alex would have embraced her. Cursing himself in his head about how easy it would be to help her in modern times compared to this place. 'We will have a talk later XoXann this I promise.'

As if she could read his thoughts XoXann smiled at him. "I would say you are overconfident. But since you remember my teachings as well everything should be fine. I will shield the few troopers that have come with us. Focus on stopping the rest."

Alex kicked the ground and twisted back ahead taking point once again. Entering a conversation with mace about the lightsaber form he used and how to effectively fight more. He surprised Mace with his knowledge of the forms, but Mace was able to help clarify things to him as well. As the two chatted, Master Myr made her move.

"Hmm, what is it?" XoXann moved her eyes towards the Jedi Master.

"You and your padawan are close. Very close. I understand the Council has not pushed for any secrets with all you have done. But.."

"But what?"

"What are you? I know your race but it feels different than what it should be. You are not the same as other Sarkhai. If it was not for Alex and the forced merging he shared with me, I don't think I would have ever known you were.. off."

"I am a Force Master and Alex's Master. I am also a teacher to those of the force. As well as a few none force adept. I am a lot of things child. I know who I am and what I am. Do you know for yourself what you are?"

"I.. thought I knew. But since the merging, I feel different.

"That is the problem with what he did. Also the problem with the technique. Unlike with force bonding what he did was purposefully make a connection. All for what? Just to bring you back from the brink of death. In time you will go back to who you use to be. Only a little worse around the edges is all. Is that not what you want?"

"Yes, at least I thought so. I have never been so attuned to the force. I feel so alive again. As if my eyes have been opened for the first time in forever."

"That is also because of this place." Gesturing outward, XoXann pointed towards the temple entrance up ahead. "You are so intuned to the light that you miss what the dark side is trying to show you. Since you see with one eye per se, you miss everything else the other eye can show you." Seeing the look on the young Master's face she decided to take pity on her. "When this is over if you survive this. Come find me. I will help you end the bond between you and Alex before it can influence you anymore."

"No!" Master Myr yelled louder than she wished. A few of the other's looked back at her. Alex and Mace did not. But they heard the noise nonetheless. Ignoring the looks she continued to talk with XoXann. "I do not want the link broken. In fact, can you strengthen it?"

"Why would I allow you to endanger him? As well as yourself." XoXann questioned her with a little anger.

"How would I endanger him?" Thinking for a bit Master Myr tried to remember what the force bond does from her own memory. Her understanding was sparse at best. "Is there something else to the bond I don't know about?"

"Plenty! That idiot should not have done it." Shaking her head XoXann understood one thing. She and Alex would have a long conversation. For a split second, Alex felt his hackles rise. Looking around he thought he was in danger before relaxing and continuing his conversation with Mace.

"As a Jedi Master, your emotions are suppressed. Not gone. But buried for a more logical approach. Alex is not trained that way. I was trained as a Jedi master myself before turning to a different path and then again to another." Seeing Master Myr expression, she continued "we embrace everything the way people would naturally, Alex much more than myself. It is why he makes jokes and is no different from anyone else that is not part of the order. Wants and desires... he has them. Can you say the same?"

"No. like you have said. We are taught there is no emotion only peace. It has lead to much debate amongst the Masters and the young Padawan. One thing that has mostly been agreed upon, is that one must have full control of their feelings." Myr gripped her hands tightly. "Feeling attachment to someone is it really so wrong?" Her eyes traveled to her former padawan who became a great Jedi Master in his own right. With all her training she knew if she had to make the choice of saving him or others she would choose him. For that matter, anyone in the order over a stranger. 'This is not the Jedi way. But is it so wrong?'

"Hah. That is true. It is what we were taught. But ask yourself this. If the force is a living conscious entity, that we all are apart of. Should we not experience everything life has to offer. Shutting ourselves off from certain emotions. As well as attachments, to family and friends will most likely damage our connection to the force. We all are connected in the force. We cannot just close it off. It is unnatural at the least."

"Tell me then, do you love Alex?"

"What in.. the..I.."

"You have never thought it about, have you? As in really thought about it?"

"No. He is my student. I have not thought that way about him. Ugghh I cant get over the stupid face when he made when he was little. All I know he is family. The only family I have left. That is good enough for me." Looking to master Myr smirking face, XoXann became a little angry. "What is with that look?"

"Nothing. I just know something you don't." Master Myr said in a singsong voice. She felt youthful and refreshed talking to Master XoXann. It was easy talking to the woman openly without having to worry about the stuffiness of the temple.

Something inside Master Myr changed. A powerful light side energy enveloped her. Radiating with light side energy she felt a deep peace. For now, she had much to think about it. Enough to keep her busy in the coming days.

Ignoring the change in her, XoXann wanted to know what she knew. "Well tell me then."

"Hmm, I will tell you after this mission. Thank you, for the help." Jumping forward Master Myr joined Alex and Mace in there talk about the lightsaber form. Considering how they all practiced the style each of them had much to discuss.

A stunned Master XoXann smiled as she thought about it. Unlike her apprentice she loved surprises. As long as they were good ones. Now noticing the light side build up in the woman she didn't mind it too much. With the bond between her and Alex and now this woman, she felt the light side move about them.

'With this increase in light energy, she will do better inside the temple. Less to worry about.' Looking at Alex her mind started to wonder. 'Your Darkside energy has grown tenfold. How did you achieve it? You have not changed a tall. In fact, you look a little more relaxed.' Watching the three converse her eyebrows raised a little. 'Did you just become stronger in the force just now? Oh, my apprentice, I wish you awakened a decade ago.'

(Understanding of light side combat has increased. Lightsaber form can now draw on the opponent's light side energy to cause them to drop their guard in combat.)

(Level up x1)

(Mace Windhu Loyalty increased) (View: Respected)

'Well, that is neat. I think I should spend this all on force and resistance. I don't want any mental devices like the rest of them getting on me.' Finishing up the conversation Alex focused on the task at hand.

They made it to the outer area of the entrance for the temple. A force of Darkside energy washed over them. A small barrier appeared in front of them blocking the path. Alex felt the force pull him up to the barrier. One of his troopers tried to stop him but was stopped by Inferna who jumped off the transport.

"Hold there. Let the foolish one play around a little bit." Seeing the boy look back she was surprised to see his quick acknowledgment.

Alex placed his hands against the barrier and allowed the force to dictate his actions completely. Slowly the barrier disappeared and flowed around him. Radiating with dark side energy for a moment before disappearing. The padawans watched in wonder before turning to the present Masters. Seeing their eyes paying close attention they looked back as well.

"Aaarrghh." Expending the energy back out a wave of light energy passed through the slums before disappearing. Alex stepped forward to test the water's so to speak.