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Post by ippo on Sept 27, 2009 1:09:51 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There was no denial among the ranks of the Jedi. With their dwindling numbers and a Sith-instigated genocide and subjugation of those sensitive to the Force, those of the sacred Order went into self-imposed exile. Generally, when one goes into hiding, a beggar cannot be a chooser. He takes what he gets and runs with it. So if a beggar were to look upon the Jedi's enclave on this green world, he might be rather jealous. Tython, the ancient Jedi homeworld, still held many of its original temples and landmarks, living history of their past. To those investigating the Order, it would be a historian's proverbial goldmine. In their exile, they returned to their ancient holdings, taking their knowledge, their holocrons, their legacy with them. They refurbished the grand temple they now reside in, a beautiful piece of architecture. To this day, they remain in hiding, undiscovered by the vast Sith Empire.
Nestled inside one of the towers, looking over the temple and the woods beyond, a hologram plays itself out on a tabletop. It is a visual of a grand battle, soldiers on both sides of a field, firefights igniting the sky, lightsabers of all colors ignited against a tide of red sabers, crashing into each other. Seated plaintively in his chair, his hood down, was Master Gnost-Dural, a Kel Dor on the Jedi Council as well as Head Keeper of the Jedi Archives. He hrumbled in thought, watching the miniature battle play out, witnessing history from an age gone by, an age no one else would care to pay attention to, at least nowadays.
Why he bothered to review such out-of-place history, only he seemed to know.
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Post by Cachot Maître on Sept 27, 2009 2:29:31 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To most, Tython was a blessing.
The Jedi found refuge here, to hide away from the Sith, and to meditate in the peace and quiet. There was no stress, no worries. They were all sure the Sith would never find their temple. But as history has shown, the Sith had found the main temple of the Jedi, many years ago, along with every other temple and enclave. They had done so again, leaving only one lost remnant of the past to shelter the guardians of the past.
To Tsuya, however, that wasn't the case. Being the Padawan learner under Master Gnost-Dural, Tsuya was sent scattering all over the place for different holocrons. When she wasn't fetching a holocron, she was studying from one. There was never a break for her, and, it wasn't until now that she was starting to feel the stress and pressure of it all. All she really wanted was to be able to sit down for once and meditate without the buzzing of a hologram recording in the background. She wanted to be able to feel her lightsaber clash with her master's, and to feel the Force flow through her while her master supervised. Nowadays, however, such things sounded impossible.
Nonetheless, Tsuya did as she was told. She didn't mind doing it, but, she was desperate for change. She was probably the most lore educated Padawan in the temple. But the least in other subjects.
She hoped, as she gently knocked on the door, holocrons in her arms, that her master would have something more interesting for her to do. More than that, she hoped he wouldn't have her fetch any more holocrons. The library was a far away place from his room, which, made no sense at all to her.
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Post by ippo on Sept 27, 2009 3:17:10 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hearing the door behind him swing open, Gnost-Dural sighed, waving a hand over the holocron in front of him. The picture fizzled into nothingness, the room quieting significantly. His chair turns so that he may look upon his Padawan. He could feel her ambition, her restlessness. Anyone would get cabin fever if holed up in a single place for any long period of time. It especially applied to those working in the Archives. He admitted to himself, as he got out of the seat to help Tsuya with the pile of holocrons, that he had been enamored in his work recently, and he had only managed to drag his Padawan into his studies. Heaving the pile into his arms, he turns around to set them onto his desk. His back turned, he sighs with a grunt, gaze turned towards the view of the woods and the rest of the complex outside. Turning back to see his devoted Padawan, he heaved a breath before falling silent for a moment.
"Perhaps," he said suddenly in that low, raspy voice of his, the voice of a master storyteller, "we could use some fresh air, Tsuya." He nodded once. "The report will come in its own time, so we shouldn't be too wrapped up in it."
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Post by Cachot Maître on Sept 27, 2009 3:28:48 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have her prayers been answered?
Oh, by the Force, they have.
With the burden of countless ages of lore lifted out of her disorganized arms, she let out of a sigh of relief, wishing there was a chair behind her that she could slump into. There wasn't, so, she would just have to make due with straightening out her back by standing up straight and leaning backwards slightly, popping a few parts of her spine and back with another sigh of relief. Most of the popping however was due to her shapeshifting abilities. After all these years, it took her this long to learn that she could will her joints to move in nearly any position, so long as she wasn't snapping her neck from front to back.
"That would be a great relief, master, and, a welcomed change." She wanted to suggest so many things for them to do. Maybe some lightsaber practice, or some peaceful meditation. Perhaps even a little exploration with a friendly conversation on the side. Anything, so long as she didn't have to talk about the past. She was a very curious individual, and, she loved to try and guess what was going to happen next. If one kept dwelling in the past, they could never step forward and see the new day.
At least, that was her motto.
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Post by ippo on Sept 27, 2009 3:40:21 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gnost-Dural nodded affirmatively, motioning a hand for them both to exit his quarters. His robe flowed rather easily, at least compared to his Padawan who chose to forego the formal wear for her more, well, sleek look.
"My apologies for bringing you into my work, Tsuya," he apologized in a moment of humbleness as they both descended the spire's repulsorlift to the ground floor. "It was not my intent to pull you into my task and forego all your training elsewhere. It's my hope, as your teacher and guide, that I can make that up to you."
They exited the lift out into the main courtyard of the enclave. Several Jedi of various colors and genus milled about, some holding conversations, some practicing saber movements. Looking up, the forest towered around their clearing, the trees and greenery washing their vision. It's nothing on the grand scale as the titanic timbers of Kashyyyk, and perhaps that's for the better. Hands folded behind his back, Gnost-Dural pulls an about-face and looks straight ahead upon his apprentice.
"Is there anything in particular you would like to do, Tsuya?"
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Post by Cachot Maître on Sept 27, 2009 12:39:14 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - She shook her head as they descended from the tower.
"Don't be, master," she turned to face him, and flashed him one of her famous reassuring smiles. "I'm glad to be able to help, and you know it. But, I'd love to help with more than just... you know, dusting old holocrons."
As they stepped out of the elevator, Tsuya found herself staring off at all the other Jedi in the courtyard. So many things she wished she had been doing these past few weeks. Not far away, a master and his padawan learner were laughing about something that only they could understand. That's what Tsuya really wanted. A relationship with her master, other than him being her master. She wanted to view him as a friend, as her best friend even, and for him to do the same. Alas, that didn't seem all that possible, what with his position and personality.
"I'm... not all that sure, master." She thought for a moment, and found herself absentmindedly fiddling with her lightsaber. That thought came to mind, and she motioned towards it with a grin and a nod as she removed it from her belt. "How about a quick training session? To warm up for the day, and wake our minds up?" Tsuya always loved a good fight. Contrary to popular belief, her master, head librarian he may be, was a great saberist, and quite possibly one of the best in the council. Of course, he would never admit that, being the humble old man that he was.
Still, Tsuya loved a good fight, and she held her saber in her signature unorthodox counter-balance Shien stance. Her saber wasn't even ignited yet, but she found herself slowly lowering closer to the ground in a leg-spread crouch.
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Post by ippo on Sept 27, 2009 15:22:24 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gnost-Dural stood silent for a moment, watching his student take her stance before him. He had taught her to do what is most comfortable and right for her, and she seemed to take that to heart, having forged her own rendition of a traditional style. A rather formidable rendition at that, if her spars were anything to go by. If he could show a smile, he would. Instead, he nodded.
"Very well," he agreed, pushing the front of his robe aside to reveal the saber at his left hip. He unclipped it and held it idle in his right hand. "Sitting in that tower all day hopefully haven't put my feet to sleep." Dry joke aside, he brought his saber in front of him, unignited, while his left hand folded itself behind his back, tight against his body. "We shall start with Makashi and work our way from there." The blade ignited, a warm yellow glow flashing to life in front of him, point towards his pupil. "Prepare yourself."
With a short pause, he leapt forward, saber coming around into a deft overhead strike. From there, the fencing of Makashi was upon her, striking and darting from several angles. While not his preferred style, he did not discount the value of any saber style. Makashi's focus was on finesse, striking with accuracy and quick movements. It does not overpower by way of raw strength. Rather, it seeks superiority through precise strikes from various angles in an attempt to overwhelm the opponent. If Tsuya were as sharp and tempered as he expected her to be, she could repel the onslaught with relative ease. She always demonstrated admirable skill in her lithe movements, a skill any saberist could wish for.
Then again, this was a test for Gnost-Dural as well. Hopefully, all that studying hasn't made him rusty. Tsuya had a point, though. A good training session could invigorate any Jedi.
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Post by Cachot Maître on Sept 27, 2009 23:51:56 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Prepare yourself, her master had warned.
Settling into the opening Makashi stance, rather than her own take on Shien, Tsuya was the first to ignite her blade.
With her strong hand holding onto the saber in a low guard and at her side, pointed down, and feet shoulder width apart, Tsuya quickly assumed the opening stance of Makashi. She faced her master side on, so her blade was pointed in his direction, and held with her thumb pointing down the length of the blade, to allow for smaller, tighter, more accurate movements of the saber. The rest of her fingers wrap around the hilt tightly, but not so tight as to limit the fluidity of the movements.
Despite being out of practice what with all her duties given to her by her master, Tsuya still found time to at least study the forms of lightsaber combat. Experience may prove more handy than knowledge, but, without knowledge, you could never experience. Once again, this was her motto.
She gave a quick salute, bringing her saber up to her face, then slashing downwards with a Makashi flourish, drawing an 'X' in the air with the tip of her blade. She was slightly surprised to see her master neglecting such a performance, but, in a battle against a Sith, it would have been rare for them to understand honor, and follow through with the traditions of the art.
She used his attack as an opening to a Contentious Opportunity. When one made the first move, typically, they gained control of the battlefield. However, with Makashi, the tables can quickly be turned, if you know how to maneuver correctly. She sidestepped and batted her master's saber away, then swung upwards with a rising-right-diagonal slice, followed by a falling-left-diagonal slice, only to finish the combo with a left sweep.
If her master knew what he was doing, and, she was sure he did, he would follow up with a feint, to which she would reply with a parry, a feint, then a riposte. Such was the way of Makashi. You never planned what you were going to do next, rather, you planned what your opponent was going to do next, and you exploited that. Tsuya was a quick learner, and, very observant when it came to her studies, and in combat. She constantly claimed that she could feel the vibrations in the Force, bouncing off of her opponent, and rattling through her, before her opponent even had time to think of what he was going to do next. Of course, she could never prove this outside of combat.
Nevertheless, they were locked in a stalemate of fencing. Every move was easily countered, only to have that counter countered, leaving the two in a constant clash of twirls and lunges, until finally, Tsuya feinted and leapt backwards, adjusting her saber into a counter-balance position, and crouching slowly, assuming her infamous take on Shien.
Much like the predatory feline native to Cholganna, the Nexu, Tsuya slowly circled around her master, waiting for an opportunity to reveal itself, or, for him to make the first move. "You're pretty good, for a bookworm, master." She grinned at him as she lowered herself closer to the ground.
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Post by ippo on Sept 28, 2009 13:21:43 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pop. Pop. Zow.
Makashi being a light and precise style, there was little impact behind each strike and parry. All that could be done was to dance a duet, tossing a feint and swinging a blow from an opposite angle, only to parry and riposte in turn. Whatever the case, Gnost-Dural grunted in what appeared to be approval. Sure enough, his feet hadn't fallen asleep, and he still had his edge. The intensity of the spar had sparked life in him, though his face didn't overtly show it. On top of that, he could feel his student coming up to speed. She hadn't forgotten her skills, as much as she hoped she didn't. As the spar progressed, he could feel a connection to the Force welling within her. Indeed, her theory on the "rattlings" of the Force was not lost upon him. Her aura seemed to spread out and press against him, probing and feeling him out.
With her parry and his flourish, both broke the heated engagement and reset. As Tsuya dropped down into her personalized Shien stance, Gnost-Dural nodded at his pupil. Even slightly out-of-practice, they both had gotten up to speed so quickly. He was satisfied. Watching her enter her style, it seemed to make sense that he should use his style. His left arm, earlier folded behind his back, came back around, gripping the saber hilt at the bottom end, his dominant right hand holding the top. The base came to his right hip, while his dominant right leg came forward. Held at an angle, the saber sat in a neutral position, the hum and warmth of the saber cooling his head, so to speak. This was Form VI: Niman, the diplomat's style. If ever a Jedi had such a thing as a "preferred style," then this was the Kel Dor's.
By this time, two or three idle Padawans who were only hoping to walk past had slowed down and paused at the exchange. Perhaps it was because Master Gnost-Dural himself was putting on an exhibition. Maybe it was that the exchange itself had caught their eye. They also recognized young Tsuya, his chosen Padawan, and her unorthodox stance. Some made passing remarks they never expected to see her outside of the archives, let alone swinging a saber.
Speaking of which, Gnost-Dural had taken note of Tsuya's stance. Truly, she did pose and posture, as well as move and strike, like the Nexu she identified with. They had discussed her style previously and why she chose such a design. Gnost-Dural had warned her to be aware of her style's dangers and shortcomings, to identify them and work upon them. Hopefully, in the time between their last bout, she had time to reflect and do as he asked.
The master, on the other hand, was not without his own self-scrutiny. He was already well-aware of his style's points and shortcomings. Form VI, known as the "Way of the Rancor," was acknowledged as a proverbial "jack-of-all-trades" style. Combining many tenants of most of the previous forms, Niman is acknowledged as a style with no strengths to speak of. In a way, that is a strength in itself. No outstanding strengths means there are no outstanding weaknesses either. To excel at nothing is to excel at everything,
[/i] as he had put it. It was a truly versatile style. That in itself, however, was also a point to be wary of. Niman stressed balance in its methods. As a result, compared to other styles, it may be lacking in different fields. By itself, it did not match the overwhelming speed of Ataru or the crushing power of Djem So. It is at that point that it falls to the saberist himself to adapt and grow in the style, working his way around such weaknesses to compensate. To use one's skills and abilities to work around any such shortcomings is a vital tool. In some cases, it is up to the duelist to grow and mature the style to the point where his version of Niman, as a whole, could outdo the other forms. Everything must grow in tandem when improving upon Niman. As a former Jedi Master had described it, "Is Form VI the most worthy of study? No, but in general it is the most practical."Niman had been known as the diplomat's style because the teachings of Form VI aren't completely set in stone, so to speak, compared to the other forms; this allows its practitioners to focus on other points, such as social skills and diplomacy. In addition, those who practice Niman have been known to achieve a great connection with the Force, sometimes entering a meditative state in the middle of a skirmish, allowing for heightened awareness and sense of being. Gnost paused, holding his base steady and taking the defensive. He merely laughed aloud at Tsuya's snippy remark. Slightly readjusting his stance, he nodded at her. He'd be smiling if she could see it. "Pot, meet kettle."[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]
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Post by Cachot Maître on Sept 28, 2009 20:03:16 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Niman. It's strength was that it had no strength.
With it, there was no doubt that her master could easily switch between forms and counter whatever she threw at him. It had a perfect defense, and a perfect offense. However, it also had no defense, and no offense. It was amazing in the fact that it wasn't. It was a true contradiction, in every way imaginable, and her master put it to good use.
Tsuya, however, had a very straightforward style. It was like Niman in the fact that she constantly switched from holding her saber in a counter-balance position, to a regular Shien position, and back again, with no visible warning signs. She could preform the same combo at least fifteen different ways, all depending on when she switched from the traditional to the unorthodox. Niman was known to be able to be used as any of the other forms, while Tsuya's take on Shien was known to be able to do the same, only with more rapid movements.
To prove the point, Tsuya made the first move. Leaping into the air from her crouch, like a Nexu pouncing on a bark rat, she began spinning in midair as she shifted her weight to face her master horizontally, rather than vertically. With her saber held out in it's backhanded position and cutting into the air with her spins, it would end up meeting her master's as he blocked her attack, only to thrust into it with all her weight, effectively pushing off afterwards, sending her back with another spin to end up touching the ground, only to dart forward in a crouch and slice towards her master's kneecap up.
She didn't bother holding back, as she knew her master would be able to best her. However, being out of practice, there was still a small chance that she may end up singing his robes.
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Post by ippo on Sept 28, 2009 20:28:43 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Just like a Nexu. Tsuya's muscles were taut and primed, and when she took off, she sailed as beautifully as any bird would. She seemed to freeze in the air in that swan dive, her silhouette splayed against the illuminated sky overhead before tucking in and becoming a whirling dervish in the air. Her saber spun in every which direction, an attempt at misdirection, and at a speed one might confuse for Ataru. Sure enough, the saber came down upon his head. Using only enough motion, his yellow saber rose above his head and blocked her overhead slice as she crossed over his head.
Tsuya lowered herself again, the Nexu preparing to pounce, and she was upon him once more, darting left and right with low- to mid-height cuts and stabs, each one repelled with a quick jerk of his blade to intercept her. At several times, she'd bound past him, reangling herself and staying low, crashing into him again with more blows. He'd respond with a parry and quick bap of his saber, which she'd of course block, push away and retaliate against. For a slow and methodic style like Shien, she sure didn't look like it.
"Very good, Tsuya," Gnost-Dural remarked a couple minutes later, knocking her saber aside and stepping back a moment. Looking down at his garb, his sleeves were singed from saber burns. "Your stamina has improved since our last bout. You see? Carrying all those holocrons back and forth has its perks." His saber reset to his standard stance. "Shall we continue, or are you satisfied?"
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Post by Cachot Maître on Sept 28, 2009 20:45:35 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - She sat on the ground, sweat on her brow and her breath ragged.
She offered a smirk at the remark, then slowly stood up with a grunt. "Well, I'm glad you noticed, master." It was then that she noticed the crowds of padawan learners and masters alike standing around them. During the whole bout, she was so focused on her master, that she never once took the time to note the increasing number of spectators.
She grinned slightly and stood up straight, then waved a hand towards the crowd. "I'm glad you all enjoyed the show." She then bowed like one would for the curtain call, then motioned for her master to do the same. She doubted that he would, but, she was a natural joker, and she loved to be in the spotlight, to get the attention of her fans.
Even though she swore she would give up those fantasies of becoming a stage performer, she still held on to her dreams she had as a child. She was a Jedi now though, but, as famous as they once were, if anyone found out what she was, they were bound to slap cuffs on her wrists and haul her away to the Sith.
Nevertheless; she rose from her dramatic bow and looked at her master. "Feeling warmed up now, master?"
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Post by ippo on Sept 28, 2009 21:07:23 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gnost-Dural's arms dropped, the saber deigniting, as he suddenly took note of the crowd as well. Tsuya took it as a show and bowed to the crowd. Well, in a way, it was. While it was nothing more than a training session between master and Padawan, it had garnered enough attention to bring around many Padawans, several Knights, and even one of the Council on which he served. He stood silent for a moment before bowing in turn, one in each direction. It was immediately met with great applause. Tsuya's smile was bright as ever, and seeing it made him very satisfied. Watching his Padawan enjoy himself brought him a great deal of joy.
As the crowd slowly parted, Gnost-Dural stepped up to Tsuya, placing a hand on her shoulder. She was indeed sweating, although not unlike a stage performer giving a grand show. Though she tired, she smiled. It pleased him.
"I'd say we're plenty warmed up, my young Padawan. As always, you move and attack like a prowling Nexu. A good role model, if I'd say so myself." He paused for a moment, thinking on what to do next. "I felt your connection to the Force grow stronger as the battle continued. Your body is trained and primed. Are you prepared to test your spirit and trust in the Force now?"
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Post by Cachot Maître on Oct 3, 2009 16:50:38 GMT -5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - His compliments did not fall upon deaf ears.
If anything, they made her smile grow wider.
Many Jedi thought of her fighting style to be something that danced along the border between the Light and Universal sides of the Force, perhaps even the Dark Side. Unlike the passive styles, which many Jedi used because of it's diplomatic qualities, there were those that were focused on pure combat. Even then, however, there were those that showed a more primal side to lightsaber combat. The will to win at all costs, to not be afraid to play dirty. To use your emotions to fuel the strokes of your blade.
Though that was how most Jedi saw her style, that was far from the truth. Tsuya used the blade to disarm, never to kill. When faced with a foe far more powerful than her, she gave it all she had, and, hoped that the Force would assist her.
Nonetheless, saber combat was done for now, and, her master suggested something that was closer to his forte. "More than ready, master." She clipped her lightsaber onto her belt, and stood up straight, positively beaming.
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Post by ippo on Oct 3, 2009 17:26:58 GMT -5
TO THE WANDERER, THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Then, let us go for a walk."
The backdrop of the hidden enclave faded behind Gnost-Dural and his pupil, slowly eaten up by the treeline. Blue skies framed the lush green canopy of the Tython forest. The smell was most obviously earthy, the scent of wood and dirt flooding him. Grass and dead wood cracked beneath his boots, the bottom of his robe gliding over the surface. Chirping rattled through the air, the occasional fauna darting this way and that. The ground beneath him was firm, yet it always yielded under his boots slightly, steps sinking slightly. His hands folded against his chest as he walked, Tsuya close behind.
"As you well know, Tsuya," Gnost-Dural broke the silence between them as they hiked. "The Force flows through all living things. We are thankful to have chosen an enclave on a planet such as this. Truly does it show how the Force breathes life into our world. You would not see a sight such as this on a world such as Korriban." His gaze wandered. "But, that is neither here nor there. As your connection to the Force grows stronger, you will slowly understand your galaxy more and more. You will realize connections you never knew you had. You shall understand more. Only through understanding do we stand to grow and become greater."
The enclave out of sight, Gnost-Dural stopped in his tracks, turning around to look upon young Tsuya. Whether the sweat was from the hike or the previous performance, he wasn't sure.
"Stay here, Tsuya," he ordered. "Recall your connection to the Force. Feel it, both in yourself and through this forest. I shall return shortly." With the sound of one set of feet instead of two, the Kel Dor took careful steps further into the woods, disappearing behind a few tree trunks.
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