New Je’daii Order Temple Akar Kesh Rebuild

REBUILDING THE JE'DAII ORDER

"series of one shots about rebuilding the nine great temples of Tython."

Akar Kesh: The Temple of Balance

IC: Grand Temple Master Bathor

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160 ABY: Akar Kesh, Tython.

At the top of the towering pillar-like rock formation, Mab sat on the steps of the ancient Je'daii temple of Balance, Akar Kesh. She wasn't alone, at the edge of the plateau a group five humans were inspecting the rockface. Only a month ago, she and her betrothed, Terrogate, had arrived on Tython for the first time, after years of searching. But finding it was only the beginning, now they had to rebuild what was left of the Je'daii. Nine great temples, including Akar Kesh, scattered across the continents, each with a different purpose.

Watching the five workers doing their job, Mab leaned back against a stone pillar of the temple. She smiled as she thought back on that evening she and Terrogate had spent at the Temple. How the sun had lowered below the clouds, how he dropped to his knee and asked her "Mab, my stars.. will you marry me?" She remembered how she froze, even forgot to breathe, but of course, said "yes.." Just thinking about it again made her heart flutter in her chest, she couldn't wait to finally marry the man she loved. But they had to wait, as rebuilding the Order would take much time and effort. Some temples only needed to be restored as over time they only had minor damage, while others needed to be rebuilt entirely as they lay in ruins.

The Iktotchi stood up and walked down the steps and across the temple. A soft breeze rippled the surface of the pool as she walked by, making it glitter in the bright sunlight. Akar Kesh wasn't more than a flat pavilion with eight stone pillars and a circular pool of water at the centre. But still, this open air temple had been a place of importance for the Je'daii, it was where the intellectuals from across the galaxy first arrived on Tython. Brought on the Tho Yor, nine massive pyramidal ships that would scatter across the planet and form the foundations of the great temples.

Mab looked up at the blue sky, the largest of the Tho Yor used to hover above Akar Kesh, but now it was gone, disappeared. The witch wondered what had happened, 'where did they go?', 'would they ever come back?' she thought to herself.

In the past the Je'daii Master's would come to Akar Kesh and philosophize about the balance between Ahsla and Bogan. Even now, during the day the Iktotchi was able to see the two moons that symbolized the light and the darkside or the force.

Once,  those moons were colonised by non-force-sensitive Tythan's, who had built cities on the surface. Later, when they had abandoned the moons, the Je'daii Order  used them as places of exile for those who were out of balance. Those who had strayed too far to the light side of the Force would go to Ahsla and meditate on the darkness of Bogan, while those sent to Bogan for veering too much to the dark side meditated on Ashla in return.

"And Esbern?, is it possible?" Mab asked as she approached the five humans that stood at the edge of the plateau. A tall man with greying hair and green eyes turned around and made a small bow, "we believe it is, your Majesty" Esbern replied. "The east face seems to be most suitable for a lift, but to be sure we have to inspect the foot of the monolith." Mab nodded, "ofcourse, I'll take you there now" and motioned to them to follow her back to her ship. "We could make a landing platform, your Majesty" a young woman holding a datapad said as they walked across the grass. "No Elisif, this is a sacred place, I do not want any ships landing here in the future." Mab responded as she was determined to keep Akar Kesh just the way it was, how the first Je'daii built it. Her plan was to build a lift that would take any pilgrims up to the temple. "The landing platform will be at the foot of the mountain, near the gatehouse" the horned witch added as they entered the Busted Plugga. "Of course your Majesty." Elisif responded.

Moments later, at the foot of the tower, the engineers from Prakith began their work while Mab wandered off along a nearby path. Overgrown with moss it was barely visible between the natural vegetation, between the tall trees and greenery the witch felt at home. At a slow pace she walked towards the edge that overlooked the biggest waterfall and looked up at the massive monolith. With a roaring sound water cascaded down the tower and slammed on the rocks below creating a vapour. Gazing at the thundering waterfall she noticed something next to it on both sides, a structure overgrown with moss and vines. It was clear that it was a statue, although with the vines and the vapour in the air it was impossible to make out of what. "Another thing to add to the 'to do' list" she said to herself and with a smile on her face she continued her walk.

Walking alongside the river, she followed the path to a large boulder with a flattened top. Mab climbed on top and sat down with her legs crossed. Looking at the thundering waterfall she took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air and closed her eyes. The cool damp air brushed over her skin, fluttering her hair as she focussed on the sounds surrounding her. The river bubbling by, the booming waterfall, there was a power and a brilliance in the tranquillity, a place of stillness even in the roar of the water. Mab smiled, she was at peace….

~\*~

The Iktotchi let out a sigh and opened her eyes, in the doorway stood her son with an excited smile on his face. "We just broke into orbit" he said. "Thank you Kas'Sparr, I'll be ready in a minute." Mab responded as she rose up to her feet. With a nod the boy turned around and left her quarters. Quickly she grabbed her shoes and sat down on the bed. It had been several months since the project at Akar Kesh began, to preserve rather than restore the open air temple at the top of the tower.

After Mab left her quarters she went straight to the bridge, where her son sat in the co-pilot's seat with his eyes on the front porthole "woah." She heard the teen say when the giant monolith came into view. "That is Akar Kesh, the Temple of Balance" Mab said as she took place in the passenger's seat. "Do you wish to see the Temple from above Master?" The droid in the pilot's seat asked. "Yes Korg that would be nice, circle the ship above and then take her down the landing platform. "Yes Master" the K-0R9 replied and took the Busted Plugga closer to the monolith.

Slowly busted Plugga glided through the air, circling above the ancient temple at the top of the massive pillar. From the air they were able to see the newly built elevator shaft, neatly placed against the cliff with waterfalls pouring down on each side. The glass structure shimmered in the sunlight as the ship flew by. "That looks pretty awesome," the blue Iktotchi said. With a sense of pride Mab responded "It sure does… now let's take the ship down and have a closer look "Of course Master"

Moments later the ship stood on the new landing platform at the base of the tower. Together with her son, Mab walked down the ramp to meet Esbern. "Your Majesty, welcome back." The Praithian human said and made a bow. "Esbern please, no need for formalities. We're not at the Keep" she responded with a faint blush on her cheeks, "don't think you've met my son, Kas'sparr." "Ah..  Prince Kas'sparr, Please let me introduce myself. I am Esbern, head building engineer and architect, in service of your mother, the Queen." The tall man said with a smile and made a bow. Awkwardly Kas'sparr replied "ehm… hi.. nice to meet you…" "it would be my pleasure to show you the work we have done in the past few months" Esbern continued as he straightened up again, smiling proudly as he spoke. The witch nodded  "Yes, please.. I am excited to see the results." And motioned to him to take the lead. "Follow me your Majesty, we'll start at the waterfalls"

Esbern led them away from the landing platform, towards the waterfalls. The stone path was cleared from any moss and the greenery was nicely trimmed. Kas'sparr walked next to her and nudged his mother's shoulder "prince Kas'sparr?" he asked with a chuckle, assuming it was a joke. "Well, you are my first born son" Mab responded without looking at him, instantly sensing his shock when he realised what she meant "Wait...wh..wha... what?? I'm actually a prince?" the boy stuttered. "I laid claim to the Throne, the people of Prakith have accepted me as their Queen so…." She looked at him with her golden eyes "that makes you a prince" she added with a wink. Kas'sparr froze on his tracks "woah…. Sweet!". Mab heard him say behind her as she continued to follow Esbern. Catching up with her he asked "So.. does that mean I can.." but before he could continue Bathori interrupted "Don't get any ideas Aro, I'm still your mother" she chuckled.

As they continued to follow the Prakithian engineer the forest witch noticed some new plants that weren't originally from the region and smiled. With her fingertips she brushed over the bushes, making flowers pop open. Esbern stopped at the ledge overlooking the tallest waterfall "As you can see we cleared the statues." Mab stepped onto the ledge and gazed at the waterfall. The statues alongside the thundering waters were cleared and now they were finally able to see the faces of the first Je'daii masters. "Beautiful" she said softly, inhaling the damp air. "From what I understand these gardens were used for meditation due to its isolated nature" Esbern said. "That is true, after the Despot war Je'daii Master Rajivari lay down his weapon and chose to live in isolation, here, on the islands surrounding Akar Kesh.. being one of the wisest Masters, many came here for his counsel and meditation" the Witch explained as she continued to gaze at the magnificence of the waterfall that fed the many rivers in this region. "Indeed my Queen, we did find a small house nearby, I believe it might be where Master Rajivari lived, there were several small buildings scattered around the region which we all restored and are ready for use" the engineer told them enthusiastically.

For a while Esbern led them around the gardens before making way to the main project, the elevator. At the foot of the giant monolith, not far from the landing platform stood a new building. "As you requested a gatehouse, the only way for pilgrims to reach the top of Akar Kesh" Esbern said as he pointed to the building. "Made from volcanic stone quarried from the mountains at Talss" he added as they approached the entrance. "Guards will be posted here ofcourse to make sure no one gets through without any permission." The door opened automatically, leading them into a spacious hall with on the far end the elevator.

Moments later the doors of the elevator closed as Esbern pressed the button for the top and at once the lift started to move. Being made from glass they where able to enjoy the scenery as they traveled up. "How did they get up..  the first Je'daii I mean?" Kas'sparr asked as he gazed at the beautiful view of the many rivers and islands of the region. "I have read about Je'daii riding Wingmaw" Mab responded with a smile "what's that?" Her son asked, intrigued to find out "large winged reptilian beats." "Are they still on Tython?" The boy continued. "Probably, there are many beasts that live on this world, better not wander off on your own my dear" the Iktotchi replied with a sinister chuckle.

It took quite a while for the glass elevator car to reach the top, as the monolith literally touched the clouds. The door slid open and Esbern stepped outside on a durasteel platform. "As you can see we build a platform lower than the plateau, so that the elevator is out of sight." He explained as the two Iktotchi stepped outside. "We used the natural bedrock to carve out these steps" he pointed at the stairs that lead up to the plateau. Esbern stepped aside "please, your Majesty." Indicating she was to be the first to climb the carved out steps to the top.

For some reason her heart started racing as she approached the stairs, she felt nervous. Gracefully at a slow pace the witch ascended the steps. Like the gardens below they had added more greenery to the temple plateau. Trees that would provide shadow and beautiful flowers surrounding the lawn. Kas'sparr and Esbern followed her over a newly paved path that led towards the temple. "We have only made minor repairs to the structure itself, as requested" the Prakithian said with a calm voice, not wanting to disturb the peace. "You've done well my friend" the Witch responded as she stepped onto the pavilion towards the circular pool. "It's beautiful mom" the blue-skinned Iktotchi said as he stopped next to her gazing around the temple. "Woah" he so softly added as he noticed the two moons up in the sky and then turned to his mother and asked "What's next?".

With a smile she looked at her son "we go on. To the next project" she paused for a moment realising how much work still had to be done. "But we are not alone, your Father has already started rebuilding Stav Kesh, with help of our old friend Yeg Sunar and workers from Cathar." Kas'sparr grinned "now that you mention him" he paused for a moment, looking at the temple and then continued "when are you going to get married?" The witch started to blush, "I don't know…we still have so much work to do." She responded as she gazed at the horizon, thinking about the future

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To be continued...