The minutes ticked by as the Sith waited for any sign of the Jedi. Rixar joined Saila and stood watch over the entrance to the tunnel. He was a tall, medium built Miraluka who wore a dark cloth over his face where his eyes should have been. His strength in Force Sight was the strongest of all of them, so he was the ideal choice to join Saila in guarding the entrance. While they stood guard over the entrance, Titus and Cain watched the outside perimeter of the temple, just in case. It may be more likely that the Jedi would come through the tunnels, but it was still possible that they would find one of the other tunnel exits and make their way to the temple another way.<br/><br/>Aeris and Jax had resumed their studies in the archives while the others kept watch. It had been nearly half an hour since Saila had found their visitors outside the tunnels. Aeris had returned to poring over the data in the archives nonstop since they’d returned. She was more exhausted than she cared to admit. It had been so long since she’d gotten a decent night sleep and at this point it had been a while since she’d stopped to rest or meditate either. She’d stopped to go into the tunnel to investigate, then she’d come straight back here.<br/><br/>After a short time, without even realizing it, she drifted off to sleep. It was far from intentional or desirable, but it happened nonetheless. She didn’t sleep long, not even half an hour, but it was long enough for her to slip into a nightmare. It was the worst kind of nightmare, too. The kind that seems like a dream in the beginning, giving you everything you want only to take it away again. He was there, they were reunited, and for a short time she was happy, but then it turned dark. He, along with several other Jedi, began to attack her, surrounding her and trying to kill her.<br/><br/>It was then, as her dream-self fought for her life, that she woke up suddenly. Her mind was still caught in the dream, so the moment she sat up, she threw her arms out to her sides, sending a massive Force wave in all directions. It was strong enough to shake the temple and even the ground below it, nearly knocking all the others off their feet. In the archive room, everything around her was thrown hard against the walls, including Jax, who had once again come to make her take a break, since she hadn't actually done so last time he'd asked. He used the Force to prevent himself, and everything else, from hitting the walls too hard, but the force with which he hit the wall was still enough to knock the breath out of him. Thankfully, though, it prevented the archives from shattering into bits when they hit the walls. They still took some damage, but not as much as they otherwise would have.<br/><br/>“You fell asleep.” Jax observed. Aeris wore a frown as she did her best to calm the racing of her heart and clear her mind of the nightmare. “Yeah.” She replied simply as she stood from where she had been sitting on the floor. Jax crossed the room towards her, glancing around the room as he approached her. “I see why you don’t sleep.” He turned his attention back to her. “I don’t think the temple could handle more than a short nap.” He made an attempt at humor and Aeris cracked a small smile, “Yeah, no kidding.” She replied before glancing around the room and sighing. “Guess I’d better clean this up.” And with that she began using the Force to put everything back in its rightful place.<br/><br/>Thankfully, none of the others had abandoned their posts to try to find out what happened. That was a small relief, anyways. Then again, with the way everything had shook, they might be a tad bit distracted. The force of the wave had probably been felt even in the tunnels below. If it was and it shook some rubble and such loose, it was likely to be somewhat distracting for those guarding it, and she doubted any of them would dare leave their posts one way or another.<br/><br/>Jax was just about to suggest that she take some time to rest when her eyes suddenly went wide and she took a small step backward. “What is it?” He questioned. Aeris swallowed hard as she stepped back instinctively the moment she felt that familiar presence. This wasn’t like when she’d felt the presence before. This time it was unmistakable. He was here, and he was close. She ignored Jax’s question and reached out into the Force. This time the others weren’t masked. She could feel them clearly. There were five others with him.<br/><br/>She fought to keep her breathing normal as she felt them through the Force. There were six of them. Just like in her nightmare. She felt a hint of fear creep up inside until Jax spoke again, bringing her back to reality. “Aeris. What is it?” he asked, shaking her arm just a little. She took in a sharp breath when he shook her, looking at him. “They’re coming through the tunnels. Six of them.” She informed him. He frowned, “So much for rest.”<br/><br/>“The Jedi are in the tunnels. There are six of them. Prepare yourselves.” She called over the comm, looking at Jax. “Go. I’ll join you shortly.” She instructed. He looked for a moment like he would question her, but decided against it, nodding in acknowledgement and heading out to join the others near the tunnel.<br/><br/>Aeris let her calm exterior fall the moment Jax left the room. She ran her fingers through her red hair and took a long, shuddering breath. Her mind was racing, fears creeping up inside, and old wounds opening, bringing with them the pain she’d thought she’d forgotten. Why? Why was he here? Why now? And why did it still matter? She felt too many emotion rushing through her, and to add to that, she also felt everything the others felt, from fear to confusion to anticipation, everything.<br/><br/>The emotions weighed heavily on her, threatening to overwhelm her. For a brief moment, she thought about doing as the Sith were taught, taking these emotions and using them to fuel her power, but she couldn’t. Instead, she took a seat in the middle of the room, closing her eyes and drawing on the Force, banishing the thoughts and emotions and calming herself. She needed to be calm to think, to plan, to lead. Unlike many of the other Sith, she preferred a more level-headed approach, rather than choosing to draw purely on passion, anger, and other emotions.<br/><br/>Once she’d calmed her mind she focused on the Force signatures of the Jedi, trying to gauge their strength. From what she could tell, they were all fairly strong. Some more than others. Once she was done with this her mind drifted to Dren and she instinctively read him, just as she’d always done. She wondered if he knew she was here or not, what he thought and felt right then, and what he might think and feel once he realized she was there. She didn’t linger long, not wanting to give away her presence if he didn’t already know she was there. After all, unlike everyone else, he’d always seemed to have a knack for knowing when she was reading him.<br/><br/>After another minute, she opened her eyes and stood, striding across the room and then leaping down to the ground below. She strode over to where the others waited and filled them in on what she knew. She left out the part where she knew one of the Jedi. That was information they didn't need at present, so she opted to keep it to herself, lest they ask questions that she was neither prepared, nor anxious to answer.