Private A Serious Craving

[Darth Nwul]

Nwul had worked tirelessly on the weapon. Silent moments in meditation as each piece slid into place. Centuries of knowledge and experience going into the various interwoven pieces. There were parts from the distant past and some at the cutting edge. Whatever he could get his hands on. The result was a wicked instrument of death, one that he hadn't expected to create. But the force had guided him through the process, and so he was pleased. He named it Derriphan.

"Father, we've arrived at the coordinates that Darth Strosius gave you, we've been invited to dock. Are you sure about this?" Darya asked, rubbing her hands together. She glanced over her shoulder as if she were visualizing her sister in the bridge of the Aftermath. The various AI systems assisting her in piloting the monstrosity that their master had constructed to live in.

Nwul tilted his head and looked up at her with a gentle smile, "He's a friend. And I offer neither Empyrean nor Carnifex my allegiance. Neither have proven to be Sith'ari as far as I am concerned," He said and ran his fingers over the blade. "He has no reason to instigate with me."

He got to his feet and brushed himself off, "Anyway! I owe him so I figured I'd swing by. I managed to get my hand on a present for him," The sith laughed, snatching up a satchel on his right and throwing it over his shoulder. "I'd hate for it to go to waste..."

Not long after that, the Aftermath docked with the much larger vessel. The heavily modified raider-class corvette offering itself up to a beast. The boarding ramp dropped when the vessel settled, Nwul striding down the ramp with purpose. Instead of the ratty clothes that Strosius had found him in. Nwul wore his cassock and red sash, the robe-like clothing fitted tightly around his body. He looked more like a priest than a Sith. His lightsaber hung loosely at his belt and his eyes gleamed brightly with the delight of seeing someone he cherished. He kept his hands in front of him and at his waist in a reverent posture, not wanting to draw any ire from security as he stepped down the ramp. Strosius was a man of ironclad sith principle, and Nwul did not insult him. He broadcast a portion of his newfound knight-level strength across the docking bay, letting all know that a powerful Sith had arrived.

As he did, he kept his eyes open for the approach of the man who had brought him into the fold.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"Knight Inquisitor." Alisteri looked up as the soldier offered him a small salute and bowed head, the officers alongside the Sith in the meeting room also directing their gazes away from the holoprojection at the center of the table they surrounded. "A ship has arrived, broadcasting the name of Nwul. They say you've invited them." The masked man nodded and tapped on the table's console, the projection shutting off as he stood from his seat. "Grant them permission to land. All of you return to your posts and duties, we will resume our meeting after I tend to our guests."

The officers and messenger offered the Sith salutes or bows respectively before they filed out, some of them chatting with one another about the meeting that had been put on hold. Normally he wouldn't have done such but when it came to Sith matters they had to be addressed first. He idly gestured for a pair of the Legionnaires guarding the meeting room to follow him as he made his own exit, the guards marching behind the Knight as he strode down the hall towards the docking bay.

"Nwul hm?" He had heard that Wake Nayne had adopted a new name of sorts but the exact one chosen had eluded him. His intelligence in the Kainite ranks wasn't exactly the best after all, especially not regarding Darth Caedes and his entourage. He felt the presence of the Sith the moment he stepped into the docking bay, being basically the only other Dark Side presence aboard the ship aside from his own.

The other guards and soldiers in and around the docking bay were standard Inquisition Troopers, merely casting a glance or salute to Alisteri as he passed them by on his approach to Nwul. The pair at his back however were his personal Legionnaires, more familiar from when the two Sith had first met. The masked man spread his arms wide in a welcoming gesture as he approached Nwul and offered him a nod of respect.

"Welcome aboard the Indomitable my friend!" He stopped a few steps away and briefly glanced the other Sith up and down as he planted his hands on his hips. "I see you've been busy." He idly gestured to the ship before crossing his arms. "Do tell me how you've been settling into the Sith Order, I heard you took part in the reclamation of Holy Korriban not too long ago."

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

Nwul strode down to the base of the boarding ramp just as the doors opened on the other side of the docking bay and a familiar masked figure strode out to meet him, arms spread out wide in greeting. Nwul's eyes sparkled as the twins fell into step behind him. The white-skinned rattataki wore their hoods up and their eyes partially closed in reverence, their hands at their waists. With them behind him, the man looked transformed. He was no longer the fallen-jedi vagrant who Alisteri had found on that barren world. Rather, he was an established Sith with a growing foundation and powerbase.

Nwul threw his arms open wide, drawing a side-eye from his daughters as he burst into delighted laughter, "My Lord! It's so good to see you! Hahaha!" He crowed, approaching and clapping Strosius on the shoulders after the man crossed his arms. He stepped back to a respectful distance with an easy step. He smirked and glanced over his shoulder at the Aftermath and the twins standing at the edge of the boarding ram. He shrugged a little and cast the Sith Lord a wink. "It's all thanks to you, sir. The Aftermath was my ship for a while before I met you, but getting it back wouldn't have been possible without joining the Order," he said with a shrug.

He let out a breath, "You suggested I meet with Caedes, that his input might help in the development of my powers. You were right. I met with his fleet and assisted in the reclamation, it was a moving experience for sure," He enthused, "I ate my fill for certain," He laughed and put his hands on his hips before glancing down at the strap hanging from his wrist. "Right!" He wrenched the bottle up, "Seedling wine, distilled with korribani spring water, the first batch made since the reclamation. All yours," Nwul said, handing him the large bottle by the leather strap wrapped around it's neck.

He scratched his head, "I've been in isolation since the reclamation and the battle on the caldera. I had much to reflect on and develop my powers. I finished my meditations not long ago," he said with a shrug, "So I've returned to Sith Space and wanted to see you first, my friend. What about you, though? You've been busy yourself! The Indomitable is a magnificent vessel!" He enthused with a bright smile and sparkling golden eyes, the emerald green all but gone.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri regarded the pair following in Nwul's footsteps with a slight incline of his head, perhaps in a mixture of surprise and acknowledgement. It was difficult to tell given the mask of course but he did seem to be pleasantly surprised by the new visage that the younger Sith sported, especially taking note of the change in eye color. He did so enjoy seeing such clear indications of the Dark Side but he didn't mention his observations any further, not when there were far more important things to discuss.

The two Legionnaires behind him shared a quick look not unlike the twins across from them but the masked man himself offered a small chuckle and a nod in agreement. "Pleasure to see you as well, and do feel free to drop the formalities. A simple 'sir' is fine if you wish." Even during formal events he always shied away from the term 'lord' over other titles. Darth, Knight, and especially High Priest were far more applicable in his mind.

"Well I'm glad that you recovered it then. Familiarity is always valuable in a ship. Although I doubt I'm the only reason you got it back, I'm sure you would have found your way into the Sith on your own eventually." It was only natural that those blessed and tempted by the Dark Side be drawn into the ranks of the Sith, no matter their previous alignments nor the exact form of the Sith they came across. Such was the will of the Force.

His interest in the journey and conflicts of the younger Sith thus far was apparent but his curiosity and surprise at the gift was even more obvious. Alisteri took the wine and looked it over, idly running his hand along leather strap and the bottle itself as Nwul continued his recounting. "Thank you for the gift Nwul, I must admit I have nothing material that I can offer in return though." He'd have to look through his artifact collection at a later date to see if he had anything suitable.

When asked of his own business his gaze shifted back to Nwul as he handed off the bottle to one of the Legionnaires behind him. "Ah the Indomitable? She's ancient but she's been a bit of a pet project for some time now. We only recently reclaimed her from the dockyards to put her into service. As for myself...busy is not the word I'd use but I suppose it's fitting." He turned from the younger Sith and gestured for him to follow as he began striding towards one of the doors lining the docking bay.

"Much of it has been the same until very very recently. Keeping an eye on the worlds of the Sith, stomaching the Kainite and Eternal presences, the usual." Normally his remarks regarding the factions of the Sith Order would hardly be so antagonistic or blatant but given the state of affairs he felt very confident in speaking his mind. Perhaps standing aboard a Star Destroyer under his command and far away from the fleets of the Sith had something to do with it. "I am glad that you chose to visit me first though, it's rather flattering in fact."

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

Nwul nodded along, it was something he respected about Strosius, or rather, Alisteri. That he preferred to drop formalities between the two of them. He was a man of principle. He waved a dismissive hand at the concern about finding something to return, "Oh please, don't even think of it," Nwul laughed, "I'm visiting you it's only right I bring a small offering with me," Nwul said with a dramatic sigh, "My daughters thought it was silly to bring a man of your stature some booze but it's the symbolism of it I think, wouldn't you say?" He winked and fell into step with the man.

"Galactic Empire era, yes? Same as the Aftermath. She's actually a remodled raider-class corvette. Put a lot of work getting her modernized but at this point she's a tank with rockets on one end," He snickered, his own posture more relaxed than it had been when they'd first met. He twisted the ring on his finger thoughtfully and glanced back at Strosius, "The Kainites and Eternals. They certainly have their way with branding," Nwul chuckled, "The Dark Side isn't interested in the trivialities of factionalism."

Those last words came out a bit colder than the others, his eyes fixed forward. "I had a vision I will be meeting Carnifex soon," He said simply as they walked, "His men will escort me to Dromund Kaas, I will likely be tempered there but I will survive the experience."

He didn't look directly at Strosius for a few moments as he let the words hang in the air. Silently walking through the doors that the other sith had made way for. His unflappable smile never fell, wicked and smug, but his emotions were a different story. He was excited to see Strosius again. Elated even. He felt joy. But also a measure of trepidation about his vision. He crossed his arms behind his back and glanced towards his ... friend? "You were my introduction to the Sith, it's only right I visit you first."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"I have no desire for offerings Nwul, but it is appreciated." Alisteri wasn't one for tribute after all, and the last thing he wanted was for such a thing to be seen as a requirement when he occasionally met someone. Even if he did like the gift. "To have something crafted from Korriban once more? Oh yes, the booze was indeed a good gift symbolically." It was something that sparked hope and reminded him of the struggle for the ancient world. Both in the past against the Alliance and the Sith Eternal and in more recent days against the Ashlan remnants. He idly glanced back at the pair of women, evidently Nwul's daughters in some form, with a slight nod.

"The Galactic Empire may have been flawed but it's technology and legacy are nothing if not durable and long-lasting." His arms crossed behind his back as his gaze ran along the ceiling of the docking bay, recalling what seemed so long ago now when he and his forces had captured the Indomitable. "Fixing and updating everything took quite some time due to a lot of meddling from its previous occupants but it is quite the marvel still." Not to mention it was far and away the most powerful ship in the Tsis'Kaar and Inquisition's fleets, no matter how old it may be.

Alisteri let out a neutral hum at the mention of the other two large factions within the Sith Order. Of course there were many, as there would always be with the Sith, but the most prominent and poweful among them were hard to debate these days. "That it is not." The Dark Side clearly cared little for such things as factions and ideologies so long as it was fed power, as the Kainites and the Eternals themselves with all their flaws and heresies yet so blessed with power proved. His stride paused for a moment at the mention of Carnifex, allowing the younger Sith to get a few steps ahead before he quickly resumed and caught up with Nwul. "Be on your guard. The Dark Lord of the Kainites is a corrupt tyrant and brokers no room for dissention. My apologies that you must suffer his presence soon."

They crossed the threshold that separated the bay from the brightly lit halls that they now found themselves in in almost total silence. Thankfully Nwul broke it with a remark that hinted fondness and Alisteri replied with a nod. "You were a Sith before I found you Nwul, I simply gave you the opportunity to learn of the methods of the Sith. The intent was already yours." What exactly he meant was vague but he chose not to elaborate on it further. Not for now anyway. "I would hate for your visit to be wasted on simple talk though, do tell me if there is any way I can aid you in your learning and travels?"

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

Nwul nodded slowly at his warning about the Dark Lord of Dromund Kaas. He held no delusions that the man would try to take advantage of his power, that he would try to bend him to his will. Nwul was not strong enough yet to push away, but the force told him that this meeting was coming whether he liked it or not. So it shall be, then, another way to temper himself. He sniffed as the silence of the hallway greeted them, his eyes casting towards Alisteri. His smile widened and he inclined his head with appreciation at the compliment. It felt good to have his hard work regarded in such a way. Not the look of impassivity that his old master had given him with each step forward.

He broke into a grin, "Well, if you're offering," Nwul said with a laugh, "I do have something I wish to gain from this visit, if you'll indulge me," He said.

"When we parted ways I hadn't had the opportunity to explain my unique... gift," Nwul began, examining his right hand, "I consume minds with a touch, their memories, their knowledge, their emotions, mine to digest. I feasted well on Korriban," He turned his head towards the hallway again, "There are drawbacks, of course, the emotions that come from those memories increase my power in the force for certain, hence my rapid growth. However," He clicked his tongue, "They do nothing for my body. I know many lightsaber forms, academically speaking. But my body simply cannot keep up. Sure, you can call that knowledge a form of personal experience, but I myself do not possess it. I need to ingrain it in my body and training alone has shown painfully little progress," He sighed and shrugged.

"I built myself a new lightsaber, but I fear I am unworthy of it until my body catches up," Nwul admitted, drawing the nightmare blade from his belt and showing it to Alisteri before looking him in the eyes, "Hone me, my friend."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The masked man perked up and turned to face Nwul as he spoke in response to his offer of aid. Despite his relatively solitary nature within the Sith he did have a habit of helping his fellow Dark Siders. Even in turbulent and dangerous times such as these, it was better to help than hinder one another. As long as they weren't outright enemies of the Sith themselves of course, like the Eternals and the Kainites had proven to be,

Alisteri was intrigued by the apparent 'gift' that the younger Sith possessed but it admittedly wasn't something that he had never heard of before. He himself knew how to Consume Essence from the Dark Side and subsisted off of the lifeforce of other beings after all, but to actually take knowledge and memories was new. New to him at least. "Fascinating..." And potentially very dangerous if one were to find themselves or their close confidantes at the hands of Nwul.

He idly made a note to keep the younger Sith far away from Formos and his Inquisition officers.

"I see, all that knowledge and no real way to express it hm? That must be rather frustrating." Frustration that could be put to use during training of course. Alisteri nodded and gestured for the younger Sith to follow as he resumed his stride down the hall, veering off down one corridor after a short distance to stop before one of the many doors lining the hall.

The door opened to reveal what appeared to be a makeshift training area made out of what had once been a simple cargo storage room. A shooting range occupied roughly half the room, with Inquisition Troopers firing away at targets lining the wall in front of them. Crates and racks of ammunition and various weapons lined the rest of the room, with officers inspecting and handing out blasters for the regular troopers to then practice with.

A sparring arena took up most of the center of the room and was empty until Alisteri stepped into it, gesturing for his Legionnaire entourage to stand aside as he rolled his shoulders and turned to face Nwul. "Alright then, let's see what you can do first before we get to the honing." With a flick of his wrist he summoned his lightsaber from his belt and ignited it as his other hand drew his sword.

"Come at me like you're trying to kill me."

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

Nwul shrugged, "Frustrating, among other things," He admitted. There were other drawbacks too. Though he'd managed to consume most of the remnant personality traits, there were some that clung on like dirt on a shoe. His daughters had pointed out that his personality went through shifts at times, and that he seemed to have different personas for different duties. His lackadasical manner was the only consistency among everything.

When they stepped into the training area, Nwul chuckled. Wow. It was so close to the docking bay, that implied just how militant and focused on being ready for everything Strosius and his people were. The Tsis'kaar were fascinating people. He scratched the side of his head, he knew this was coming, after the topic had been broached, the idea of Strosius testing him was nothing short of a foregone conclusions. He grinned and stepped into the sparring area, using the force to draw his weapon into his hand.

"Don't be too disappointed," Nwul said with a sigh and grinned at him, activating Derriphan. The weapons blade simply appeared on the end of the weapon, no sound, no extension. The weapon was basically designed for the Trakata technique. One that Nwul would have to master the other lightsaber forms before even considering using.

He entered his Shii-cho stance, it was the form he was most comfortable with. He had knowledge of the others, but he wanted to demonstrate his strengths first before going into his weaknesses. He eyed his opponent, dual wielding. He darted forward, and raised his weapon up in an overhand slash, bringing it down with lethal force. The white mist around the blade hissed and screamed with the movement. He didn't instruct Strosius to avoid the mist, the man was more than intelligent enough to know something wasn't right with the weapon.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"Disappointed?" The masked man chuckled and rolled his shoulders for a moment before firming up his stance once more. "Never." The sudden appearance of the blade was a bit surprising but Alisteri didn't let it distract him for too long. It was something that he most certainly noted but not something that needed to be addressed at the moment. Not when he had to worry about said blade coming towards him soon anyway.

His focus shifted to examining the stance and form that Nwul adopted, his gaze flickering to the potential strong and weak points of the fairly familiar Shii-cho stance. Shii-cho had been his form of choice for much of his time in the Sith after all, making his knowledge and grasp of it very relevant. It was basic but it was a solid foundation with the mastery of which could be the deciding factor in a duel. His own ignorance of lightsaber forms in the past had been proof enough of that, even if the scars from those mistakes had long since healed.

Suddenly Nwul rushed forward and aimed a slash down at him with some strange mist following in the wake of the blade. He had no idea what it was nor what it could do to him but he knew that he didn't want to find out the hard way. It was simply another thing that he had to ask about afterwards and account for at the moment. Alisteri's lightsaber swung up to meet the downward slash but his sword was not idle in the movement. While the red blade moved up the metal one shot forward in a quick motion that could cut into the upper chest or even throat of the other Sith.

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

Nwul knew the move was coming, a follow up stroke was an obvious move from a dual wielder. The thrust came at hard arc that Nwul sidestepped, angling his body to face his side to Strosius. He didn't have time to consider his next move, instead he took into consideration the difference in strength between himself and Strosius. He was not using the force to augment his own physical power so had no choice but to separate himself. He slid his lightsaber down his opponent's blade and continued his movement, drawing his weapon back up with the rotation of his body and bringing it back down with two quick strikes; one from the upper right and then one from the lower right, his mind attentive to the warblade.

"I have become quite comfortable with Shii-cho," Nwul said, his smile widening. He appreciated that the other man had respected his unspoken word about not using the force.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The quick sidestep and shift to the side was enough to make his quick slash at the younger Sith fail, a move that caused a slightly amused hum to escape the masked man. Alisteri shifted in tandem with Nwul's own movement as he pulled his sword and lightsaber back as the other's weapon moved to strike him again. The two strikes were enough to occupy both of his blades as he shifted to deflect and block them, giving Nwul a few precious moments to breathe before Alisteri continued.

"I can tell." Even without augmenting his body with the Force the masked man was strong and fast, due to both his own body and his decades of experience. "You seem to have a decent grasp on the basics, let's step it up then shall we?" He drew his blades back before thrusting them both forward towards Nwul's gut.

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

A twinned thrust, from this position, that was far more difficult to manage than what they'd been doing so far. It seemed that Strosius was already content with Nwul possessing a grasp of the basics. He wanted to see more. Nwul obliged him. He rotated his weapon from the blade pointing upward to pointing down in a wide rotation, blocking the thrust towards his abdomen. He tilted the blade of his lightsaber and stepped into the follow up, trying to step around Strosius' left side to perform a turning back-hand.

The strike was aimed at Strosius' temple. This movement was significantly more daring especially against an opponent with two weapons. He could score here, but it was possible that he would get slashed if Strosius reacted properly. "Very well, more complexity it is!"

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The thrust was easy enough to block given that both blades were level and coming at the same target, but the step and strike was somewhat unexpected. It was bold after all and left Nwul open to a slash in his side, one that would prove dangerous if he got the angle right. But maiming the younger Sith wasn't his intent nor did he want to be predictable in his response. So instead of moving his blades against Nwul once more, Alisteri responded in a far more physical manner.

After the back-hand did little to phase him the masked man threw his head forward in an attempt to headbutt the other Sith, at the same time his left knee shot up to hit the abdomen that his blades did not. They weren't unavoidable of course but to get away from them would mean putting more distance between the pair of them, distance that his blades could occupy at a moment's notice.

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

The sudden movement of Alisteri's head caught Nwul off guard. He didn't have much time to react, with the distance so short between the two of them he was borderline helpless against the abrupt assault. Nwul's head jerked to the left as the helmet of his opponent collided with his temple. He kicked off the ground and finally put some distance between the two of them for the first time since their combat, narrowly avoiding the knee to his abdomen. He reached up with his free hand and brushed the blood dripping down his temple from the ruptured point of impact.

He grinned, "Well shit, it seems that I've been thinking too formally with my combat style," he admitted, "You've taught me a lesson already."

Nwul darted forward with his eyes going a bit wider, more of the wisdom of the years of memories syncronising with his brain, his muscles starting to struggle to keep up with the knowledge that overrode muscle memory. He swung low this time, a wide arc that aimed for the knees before curving up towards the waist in a one-two stroke.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri rolled his shoulders and readopted his defensive position as Nwul backed away and composed himself. "Every clash of blades could be your last young one, no weapons are restricted when survival is on the line." Of course that meant that the Force was open but he refrained from using it. This was meant to be a test of the physical after all. "If your lightsaber is an extension of your body, then your body is just as much of a weapon as it is." A simple yet effective rule.

When Nwul went back on the offensive the masked Knight did not wait idly by and let him approach, rather he charged to meet him. He sprang forward as the other Sith neared and leapt up into the air to narrowly avoid the strike, his body twisting in the air to land behind his opponent with his front facing the other's back. He threw his right leg up in a kick at the back of Nwul's knee this time, keeping his blades held defensively in front of his body just in case a quick turn was made.

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

It was that sudden movement that drove Nwul's eyes open. The words hanging in the air as he felt more than watched Strosius leap over him and land with his back to him. Nwul's instincts screamed in response, if he didn't move the instant he landed, he was in trouble. Without thinking he dove forward rather than counter the attack, spinning and getting back to his feet, facing Strosius' back. He knew that the man would be turned around and ready before he responded, so he improvised.

Overthinking gave way to instinct, instinct gave way to experience. Not his own experience. But despite his muscles protestations at using the form, he switched from Shii-cho into Makashi. His body had far less experience with the form despite his rigorous training, but his mind had already mastered it. The styles of the warriors he had consumed merging together to form his own approach. He danced forward on light steps, pirouetting once to create a visual distraction before driving the weapon down at Strosius' left shoulder. He knew that Strosius would be ready to block, so he allowed whatever deflection came to happen, instead bringing the weapon back down for a second stroke towards the wrist after the rebound.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri's kick hit the metal floor with a fairly loud thud as Nwul dove forward, with him quick to pull himself back into a more steadied stance as the other Sith spun around him and got his footing back in return. With the roles now reversed and him being the one that had to turn he had but a few moments to respond before he found a blade in his back. As he turned and readied his defensive stance once more Nwul came at him again, with quick steps that made his movements slightly harder to track until he got close enough to hit.

His sword was thrust forward to try and stab at the other Sith but it was merely stabbing at the brief distraction and struck nothing but open air as Nwul's blade dove towards his shoulder. His lightsaber came up and batted away the strike without much fuss while his sword was pulled back in order to attempt another thrust, this one properly aimed at Nwul's side, right before the blade of his opponent came back down onto his wrist.

His wrist was severed with a pained hiss from the masked man, his lightsaber falling down with it still gripped in his hand despite the separation. Alisteri recoiled in pain, but only for a moment. In the next moment he stepped forward once again with his sword stabbing straight at Nwul's center mass with seemingly no concern for his bleeding wrist as the hand that once occupied it hit the floor with a bloody smack.

Darth Nwul

 

[Darth Nwul]

When Nwul felt the attack land, his weapon passing through flesh and bone, Nwul's eyes widened for a moment in surprise and confusion. There was no way he had bested Alisteri, that was impossible, even with all of the experience he had absorbed, his body was not able to produce the momentum and force necessary to overcome a foe like the fully realized Sith Lord before him. And yet, the hand hit the ground with a wet sound that momentarily distracted Nwul. His mouth opened in surprise only long enough for the blade of his opponent to come driving at him center mass. Nwul's eyes widened as the moment caught up with him. Did he take such a painful blow just to land his own mortal hit?

Nwul's body groaned in protest as the power he had learned from the Gammorean Sith Lord forced his muscles to achieve greater heights than they were capable of. Sweat beaded on his brow instantaneously and his veins pulsed in his throat as he whipped his body backwards, completely stopping his own momentum and throwing himself to the side. Still, it wasn't fast enough. The Sith Warblade in Alisteri's hand drove forward and clove through Nwul's side, digging in a deep gash that drew a gasp out of the mind-eater.

He staggered and felt a numbness wash over him as his weapon nearly fell from his fingertips. He threw himself back to the other side of the room and let out a shuddering breath, "Brother, your hand," Nwul blurted, using the pain to strengthen himself and force an unnatural wave of power through his body, encouraging the wound to begin the process of healing. He bore his teeth, then his eyes twinkled with mirth, his toothy expression breaking into a mad smile, "You son of a queen, brilliant."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The moment of surprise and hesitation on Nwul's part was all the opening that Alisteri needed for his strike to land. His blade stabbed forward and met the skin of his opponent, but not where he had intended for it it. In a blur of movement that only a Force Sensitive could manage the younger Sith threw himself out of the blade's direct path and managed to save his core from being pierced. A good wound in his side was still managed though, the masked man was rather quick himself after all.

Alisteri pulled back and rolled his shoulders as Nwul staggered and dropped his weapon, glancing down at the still bleeding stump as the other man called it out. "A simple scratch." With all the casual nature of kicking aside a piece of trash on the pavement he kicked his severed hand away and out of the little sparring are without much fuss. The handful of Troopers that had paused to watch the duel were rather horrified and disturbed for their part though.

"Had this been a real fight you would've been skewered like a freshly slain beast being roasted over a fire." He sheathed his weapons as he spoke, having to retrieve one of them from the floor, before making his way over to where Nwul lay. The sight of the deep gash in his side not spewing blood everywhere was somewhat surprising but his wrist had similarly quit dripping so it was of little consequence. "You should've pressed your advantage with me being a hand down. But you performed well nonetheless." He reached down to pluck Nwul's weapon from the floor and flip it around until the handle was facing the younger Sith as he offered it to him.

Darth Nwul