After dealing with Xizor, Corvus left the palace, and took Bail's private elevator down to Coruscant's lower levels.
Thanks to his map feature, he could find his way back to his hideout, however, it was a few dozen miles away.
Corvus was in no hurry to return, as he figured he should have at least a day or two before Palpatine returned.
During his trek back, Corvus drank in the cyberpunk-like vibes that the city gave off.
Neon signs were everywhere, near humans, cyborgs, aliens, and droids commingled.
Drugs, prostitutes, cyborg enhancements, weapons, and more were openly peddled on this lower level.
Heat was constantly churning through grates as the air from factories pooled into the area.
The places without these neon signs were abysmally dark, and bereft of venta. Temperatures away from the main street dropped to bone chillingly cold levels, and life for any homeless or street vagabonds seemed horrible.
In fact, 90% of the life forms he came across appeared to be miserable. To Corvus, it was like they were no different than men from the 1800's who lived their lives working in mines. Battered, hunched, and oil stained, these unfortunate low lives likely didn't make it past 40 on average.
It was a dismal scene, one that made him both angry, and disappointed by the Jedi.
As much as he found bleeding hearts like Padme to irk him, he couldn't help but agree with her when it came to the safety of average people.
Because what he was witnessing right now was but a small slice of what was going on around the entire planet. Hundreds of billions of people amongst the trillions that called Coruscant home underwent back breaking labor, and lived amongst toxic, piss poor conditions.
It really ticked him off.
He didn't know how to fix this catastrophe, but if the Jedi ever came back into power, he'd be enforcing labor laws.
Violently if he had too.
Shaking his head, Corvus traversed this entire area invisibility, and cast AOE [Heal] on literally everyone he passed.
Along the way he would slip tiny pins with the Jedi Order into their pockets so that he could generate a little good will.
Passing through miles and miles of morose, overworked people, Corvus witnessed all sorts of terrible situations nearly every block, yet he did nothing as he had to grab his Jedi companions and leave Coruscant.
He somewhat sympathized with the Jedi, and understood that with their small numbers it would be difficult to clean up the planet, but they had super powers, access to Mind Trick, and influence over many facets of society. Allowing the Ruusan Reformation to neuter their power base was the worst thing the Order could have done.
Shaking his head in disappointment, Corvus could at least feel a little satisfied with what he had done in this short span of time.
As a bonus, he had farmed a rather substantial amount of exp after helping relieve the aches and pains of thousands.
His Path of the Jedi had gone from level VI to X in no time at all.
[Path of the Jedi X: Help the Innocent, Vulnerable, Pure, Just or Weak: 789/10,000. Reward: 80,000 EXP]
The prior levels had granted him: 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,000 exp per quest completion.
Adding onto the exp granted by Xizor and Guri, he had netted 260,000 exp, and leveled up to 20.
Glancing at his current exp bar, he was resting at 84,730/210,000 to lvl 21.
Each level up was requiring exponentially more experience, but healing people had proven to be an excellent source. In Corvus's opinion, it was much better than disabling mines.
For one, he got to see the people perk up, walk without limping or back pain. It felt good to know he was making a positive impact on people's lives. Secondly, it was way more efficient for farming or grinding exp, and wouldn't drive him to madness. Lastly, he got to explore the world of Star Wars, to actually walk the land, and breathe in this sci-fi fantasy.
It was dark, gritty, and full of all sorts of opportunities. One day, he'd come back to the underbelly of Coruscant, and he'd follow up on those leads.
Shaking his head, disappointed that he couldn't put an end to all the unethical nonsense with the snap of a finger, Corvus finally arrived at the tailor shop.
Stepping inside, Corvus made sure his Revan mask was put away, and came face first with a lightsaber.
Corvus recognized his assailant as Yon, and easily battered away the green saber with his own. He then lowered the power on his second saber, and slashed at the young teen's wrist when it looked like he wouldn't back down.
"Corvus. You were gone for a long while? Kill any Imperials?" Yon said in a hate filled tone, whilst massaging his wrist.
"It is good to see someone has been guarding the entrance, good job, Yon. As for my activities, I shall tell everyone myself." Corvus simply stated, then began to move towards the hidden rooms in the back.
Yon pouted, but was quick to follow behind him.
Hearing lightsaber combat down the left hall, Corvus assumed Keira and Linyin must be sparring. Reaching out his senses, he noticed Zork was in one of the side chambers meditating, and off to the right, Jax was in the workroom with Master Paratus.
"Summon Zork, Linying, and Keira to the central room. I shall be but a moment." Corvus instructed Yon.
Curiously, the kid was a spike of vitriol in the Force once Corvus had mentioned Linying and Jax. These last three days had not been kind on the boy's psyche it would seem.
"Sure." Yon replied with a barely repressed scowl, then turned to depart.
"Yon." Corvus said, halting him in his tracks.
"What, you're not going to call me a Dark Jedi too?" Yon but back, and crossed his arms.
"I will not tell the others this, but I slaughtered over two thousand clone troopers during my mission. One day, if you choose to heed my council, you too may be capable of such a feat."
Yon searched his face for any deception, yet he found none.
Corvus knew it was dangerous to offer a guy like this power, but it was the easiest way to get his attention. Once he had Yon under his tutelage, then he could hit him with teachings out of an old kung fu movie. The Jedi were always so cryptic, but Corvus would be direct. Yon had suffered so much when his master died, Corvus owed him that much.
"That feeling of powerlessness gnaws at you, doesn't it? That in some way, you may feel responsible for not being strong enough. I know that feeling all too well. I want to teach you, but first we must have respect for one another. Are you willing to work with me, Yon?"
"...yes…Master Corvus." Yon dropped the petulance from his voice, and slightly bowed.
"Good. We shall discuss your training at length later. Now go along, I have a promise to keep." Corvus shooed Yon away, then moved towards Jax & Paratus.
Entering the workshop, Corvus let himself be known in the Force.
"Ah, Knight Corvus, are you finished with your meditation?" Paratus snidely remarked.
"Master Corvus." Jax nodded, yet hope was sparkling in this white haired teen boy's eyes.
"My apologies, gentlemen, my meditation was necessary for what I had to do on the surface. The details of which, I shall share with you two shortly. However, we have something much more important to attend to." Corvus said with warmth, and looked down at the stumps where Jax's arms used to be.
"Very well, this shall be a painful operation. Are you ready, Padawan?" Paratus questioned.
Jax held Corvus's gaze, then silently nodded his head.
"I have prepared a sedative, let us begin." Corvus said, and then injected a sleeping tranquilizer into Jax.
He then cast [Valor] on all three of them-particularly focusing on Paratus due to his unstable mental state-then took a step back.
"Stand back and remain quiet please, this is a delicate procedure. I will call upon you when your services are necessary." Paratus sternly intoned, and then he began to hook up the cortosis weave arms onto Jax.
The operation was surprisingly swift, and Paratus was finished within an hour.
Zork-the dragon-kin alien Padawan-had come in to watch at some point, and stood besides Corvus. Whilst Paratus was conducting the surgery, Corvus had slipped Zork the star chart to Tython, and silently asked him to translate the ancient text.
The green scaled dragon-kin took the old document with glee, and silently began to decode it.
Time passed, and Paratus was all sweaty as he pulled back from Jax. The teen was looking a little paler than usual, and had lost a decent amount of blood, but he was healthy!
"Now, if you would, Knight Corvus." Paratus said, and took a step back.
Corvus nodded, and cast [Heal] a couple of times.
Zork looked on with unconcealed awe, and even Paratus showed some interest in one of the Lightsides best techniques.
"Master Corvus?" Jax woke up, and said with some fatigue.
Tossing another [Valor] on the boy, Corvus hit him with a shot of energy, and he was wide awake.
"Try making a fist." Corvus softly intoned.
Jax opened and squeezed his hands, moved his fingers like playing a piano, and proved himself to be highly dexterous.
[Quest Complete: Restore Jax's arms. Reward: 1,000 exp, Ability: Mentor]
[Mentor: Pass on 1% of any skill during a 5hr teaching session, thus value is increased to 5% to a student who has acknowledged you as their teacher, and 10% for personal disciples.]
!!!!
The reward for completing this quest was HUGE!
Corvus low-key had been kind of worried that he might be seen as a fraud. However, with this new ability, he could pass on core techniques!
If he ever held a group lecture, he could theoretically raise an entire generation of Jedi single handedly!
Corvus was so caught up in the moment, he was shocked when he saw Jax taking a knee before him, and bowing his head.
"Master Corvus, please take me as your Padawan learner." Jax asked in an incredibly serious tone.
At the same time, Corvus felt hurt through the Force. Zork-who was standing behind him-seemed as if he also held such aspirations.
Well, having only one apprentice at a time was an old idea, Corvus wouldn't mind accepting Zork, but that would have to wait for later.
Looking down at the often quiet, yet observant boy, Corvus sensed nervousness, hope, and a hint of fear.
Corvus warmly smiled, and placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, causing him to look up.
"I would ask the two of you to grant us a moment of privacy, please."
As soon as Zork and Paratus left the room, Corvus turned back to Jax.
"Before you so readily rush to become my student, know that I wield both the darkside and the lightside with the goal of seeking balance. Knowing this, do you still intend to take me as your master?" Corvus questioned in a candid tone.
"Yes I do." Jax boldly, instantly replied.
"Very well then, repeat after me:
I am at Peace; for I know Emotion.
I have Power; for I also have Knowledge.
I have Passion; for I am Serene.
I can embrace Mortality; for I know Death.
I am balanced through the Force.
I Corvus Corax, take you as my disciple. To watch over, guide, fight for, and protect until the day the Force dies.
Do you, Jax Noir, promise fealty, obedience, and loyalty to your master."
"I promise."
"Then rise, my apprentice!" Corvus lifted Jax with the Force, and then inclined his head.
Jax bowed, and responded with a reserved smile.
"My philosophy on the Force is somewhat unique, but not foreign to the Jedi Order. I shall instruct you in the days to come. For now, we must gather with everyone else." Corvus explained, and then turned to leave.
"Yes, master." Jax nodded, and followed behind.
Entering the hall, Corvus saw that everyone was waiting outside.
"Jax, Corvus!" Linyin ran forward, and excitedly stepped uncomfortably close to the two of them.
"The operation was a success, congratulations, Jax." Keira nodded, and let out a calm serenity throughout the Force. "Yon was saying you had an announcement to make?" Keira said to Corvus, and pulled Linyin away.
Corvus smiled at the young Twi'lek teen, then smiled at the short haired, green skinned tomboy Jedi Knight.
"Yes, I have accomplished a great many things during my absence, as well as secured transport offworld.
"Well, since we're all here, I'll cut to the chase. Darth Sidious is due to return to Coruscant sometime within the next 48hrs. I have secured transport off-world, and intend to take us to Tython."
"Tython?! I thought that place was just a myth!?" Linyin exclaimed in shock.
"So were the Jedi Shadows, yet here one stands right in front of you." Yon taunted.
"Tython, this is a surprise. My own master had gone in search of the fabled planet, yet the hyperlanes had moved beyond reach, and he was never heard from again. It is a fool's errand." Paratus dismissed.
"Zork?" Corvus confidently pressed the teen forward.
"Uh-ah, yess! This star chart that you gave me doesn't actually detail how to reach the Tython System." Zork embarrassedly replied.
"Master wouldn't give you anything useless." Jax said in a defensive tone.
"Master?!" Yon & Linyin both exclaimed in shock at the same time.
"W-well, it isn't useless! The scroll is ancient, and hard to make out, but it lists a ritual for finding hyperlanes, it says that it needs a kyber crystal cavern to operate, like the one on Illum!" Zork eventually got out.
!!!
Corvus was initially disappointed that he had to go on a side quest to reach Tython, however, if reaching ancient mystic planets were so easy, everyone would be doing it. Besides, a ritual that discovered hyperlanes was huuuuge. Lost planets, and Systems that never connected to the wider galaxy could become ripe for the picking! Depending on how he played it, Corvus could not only reignite the Jedi Order, but he could secretly construct a new power base entirely!
Tapering down on his excitement, Corvus turned to address Zork and the rest.
"If memory serves correctly, Illum is in the outer reaches. Unless someone knows the coordinates based off memory, I know of a cave at Dantooine." Corvus supplied.
"I-I know! I memorized the route." Zork said, raising his hand.
"Very good Zork." Corvus praised, then turned to regard Keira and Paratus. "Will you come with me to Illum, to Tython? To rebirth the Jedi Order?" Corvus asked each person present, and looked them in the eye.
"I will follow master wherever he goes." Jax was first to speak up.
"Sounds interesting." Yon crossed his arms.
"Y-yes, I want to g-go to Tython!" Zork repeatedly nodded.
"Master, please!" Linyin begged Keira.
Keira had her arms crossed, and was regarding Corvus with suspicion.
"You often speak about reforming the Order, of reforming the Republic. Each time you allude to fixing corruption or righting some wrong. Before I decide to travel with you, I want to hear specifics. Enough with the vague generalities, enough with the charlton act. Speak, Corvus, or depart without me." Keira calmly said, and laid out her ultimatum.
"Master!~" Linyin begged again.
"No, Linyin, she-you all have a right to know.
To start, let us all understand how the Jedi came to be in this dire situation. You are all familiar with the Ruusan Reformation, so I will not go over that event. However, the Jedi prior to the reform held office, married, had children, and formed attachments. For tens of thousands of years, this was the norm. The thousand years since then have proven to be a dismal disastrous experiment.
Jedi often wish to form attachments, and are stronger for it. Members of our Order who are strict adherents become closed off, and end up like Mace Windu. Even compassion, one of the core Jedi tenants has been shoved to the wayside due to this constraint.
Master Obi-Wan channeled his emotions when he defeated Darth Maul, and yet he sat on the council. Mace Windu hypocritically developed his own fighting style, Vapaad, which called upon emotion.
Instead, we are told to ignore such feelings, instead of working through them. Master Yoda failed Count Dooku. Dooku, once a herald of the Lightside, fell because he cared too much. He wanted to pursue justice against those who murdered, raped, and stole, yet the Order held him back because it went against Republican law. What is more important to a Jedi, their principles, or the law? Look at what following the law has done to us! It has been used, and abused by the Sith. Acting as Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine took advantage of the Jedi, and exposed the Republic's corruption to us.
The Jedi once fielded Watchmen in every System secretly weeding out the corrupt and vile. Jedi Lords governed worlds, and acted as the judiciary arm of the government. I would see us resume those roles, and enforce justice upon the murderer, the slaver, and the thief.
Just two hours ago, I walked the streets of Coruscant, and witnessed unimaginable suffering, and abject corruption. All this within the supposed cultural center of the galaxy, beneath the very seat of the Jedi's power! Our strength is used solely for the senators, and to mediate between the wealthy elite. The common man only thinks of us as oppressors.
If we are keepers of the peace, it is high time we started acting like it.
I ask you once more.
Will you join me?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Palpatine POV next week, this is the last chapter on Coruscant for the MC.
Read up to chapter 82 at: patreon.com/KarpQQ
I update there every mon, tues, wed, th.