Cultivation of a Monster

[Darth Sibilus]

Bastion, the home of the ever growing Sith Ascendancy, the home of the most powerful and famed Sith Lords of the galaxy. The Sith Lords who could crush moons and planets just by commanding the bacteria within their veins to do so. The Sith Lords who's names were spoken only in hushed whispers in the farthest reaches of the Galaxy as to avoid their expanding army of Ears.

And there was Drios Rapux. An outspoken, cocky little Epicanthix fuelled with arrogance after being promoted from training en masse with other young Force Users to one on one mentoring under real Sith as opposed to mindless pawns of him.

The Acolyte stood motionless in the centre of a huge, windowless room. The only relief from perpetual gloom arose from the hundreds of candles floating like buoys around the space. Scattered lazily across the setup were inactivated sparring droids and upon the furthest wall from the single entrance (a heavy wooden door) was a number of unpleasant looking blades and weapons of torture.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

There were Sith known for their gluttonous demeanor, devouring worlds as they traveled by. There were Sith known simply as God, coming back to life again and again stronger each time. Some who made legions of dead, some who none knew save for whispers of fear that they would come to strike them down if they spoke their name. As a figure stepped into the room where [member="Drios Rapux"] stood, there was no doubt.

Krest was none of these.

With both hands behind his head dressed in the clothing of his people he called out. "Yo, you must be the acolyte I'm to train." He spoke casually, a complete contradiction to what many expected from a Sith Lord. His blue gaze traveled over the room, and a frown would form on his lips. "Dark enough, eh?"

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Drios looked the Zabrak before him up and down slowly, silently cursing his face for making his surprise and shock so blatantly obvious. All of
a sudden, the acolyte felt a small pang of disappointment well up from his chest. Was he not talented enough to be awarded a real Sith to train him?

Disregarding these feelings for a few moments, Drios replied to his question with a simple nod before continuing to stare down the man with a nod. Upon his next dialogue, Drios gave a bemused smile to contradict the other's frown. "I suppose it is, there should be a switch behind you - I myself prefer to avoid it, that should give us enough light. "

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

The smallest hint of a smile formed at the surprise of [member="Drios Rapux"] to Krest's appearance. A lesson Rapux would learn soon enough was to never judge a book by it's cover, but the Lord was always hiding his true power and strength in his false mannerisms and lethargic attitude. At the mention of a switch he reached out with the Force to turn it over, letting the room brighten to a much more visible degree.

His hands would fall from the back of his head, revealing a phrik cane that he immediately leaned upon, peering up and down at the Acolyte as he studied him. It was exaggerated and Krest took his time, not to see more of Drios, but to unsettle and perhaps anger or annoy the boy. Krest knew exactly what the boy wanted to learn and both of the forms needed concentration and control, both aspects the Lord planned to push to their limits.

"You sure you're fit for a lightsaber? You're pretty young by the looks of ya. Maybe too green to be holding these sorts of weapons. Why not stick with a Sith Sword or something similar? Won't burn yourself that way."

 

[Darth Sibilus]

An indignant look swept across the Epicanthix's face like a tide as the words of Krest registered in his mind. His eyes flickered subconsciously toward the phrik cane the Zabrak rested upon, battling the urge to sweep it from beneath him the moment his words finish pouring from his mouth.

"Youth is but a temporary restriction, a restriction I have overcome in the halls of Vain Hollow. Lightsabers do not faze me." the aspirant promised [member="Krest"] with a dismissive wave of his hand. His over hand reached across his body and took a bleak looking from his belt that was wrapped around the tunic he wore. A swift tweak of a few buttons activated the blade with a 'training' preset, or the hurts like feth but won't cut your arm off preset.

"Now, with all due respect, I would appreciate if we could get things rolling."

 

[Darth Ferus]

A deep sigh escaped the Zabrak as he watched [member="Drios Rapux"] . He had confidence, but to a degree of arrogance. Krest continued to lean on his cane as the setting was reduced, but he held up a hand to stop him. "My boy, I assure you you're going to want to come at me with lethal intent. You won't learn anything any other way." It was as he spoke that his demeanor changed. The weak old man facade was beginning to fade even as a smile remained on Krest's face. Still he remained leaning forward on the cane, but a new danger had formed within his eyes.

"Take your stance. We'll see what suits you best after a couple strikes."

 

[Darth Sibilus]

A barely detectable hint of amusement twinkled within Drios' eye. He had realised that this man was no fool, and he had exposed himself as the arrogant Initiate he was. [member="Krest"] was a dangerous and intelligent Sith, and Rapux was only just becoming aware of it. The Epicanthix's blade was once again a lethal weapon and eager to be used as one. He adjusted his feet so that they were shoulder-width apart, and placed his blade diagonally across his body to guard his core and head from attack. He would defend himself as well as he could until Krest's attacks become more desperate. Then, he would strike.

"Your move."

 

[Darth Ferus]

"I had meant from you, but I suppose I can start it off." The smile widened into a grin as the red man spoke and his once soft blue eyes deepened to a shade of blood as the Dark began to flow through him. With only the lethal intent his aura gave off as a warning he rushed forward, freeing the hidden saber within his cane and letting the vermilion blade burn into existence. His first strike was predictable, aimed right for the blade within [member="Drios Rapux"] 's grasp.

But as he closed in he darted to the boys side and quickly pressed the switch on his saber. The red blade ceased to exist just long enough to pass by the boys guard if he was caught unprepared, and ignite once again for a lethal blow for his chest.

 

[Darth Sibilus]

The Force warned Drios of Krest's intent not a moment too soon, and his enemy's blade snapped back into existence inches from his side. The Initiate had leaped sideways out of harm's way and managed to avoid injury. Still, the heat radiating from the saber threatened to burn him, so evasive action was sought by the boy to hit it away from him. The attack had done little more than strengthen his resolve to maim the Zabrak, and his tactic suffered a complete flip in the moments before his next attack.

Defence was out of the window, Krest was simply too nimble and cunning to be able to absorb his attacks for long. Instead, he would go on the offensive and put him on the backpedal. Drios pulled his weapon back and then forward again with a vicious stab aimed for Krest's sternum. Adrenaline began to course through his veins, and he struggled to control the small jitters he felt within his stomach.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

A grin met [member="Drios Rapux"] as the thrust came towards Krest. The surprise strike had forced the boy on the offensive as intended so the Zabrak switched to the defense. He too listened to the Force, acting upon it's whispers with a fluidity even Jedi had a hard time mastering. With a quick twist of his wrist and another step to the side he would change the direction of the stab away from his chest. It was with his metal hand that he held his lightsaber, and with a wide swing of his left arm he would aim a punch for Drios's throat.

It would be an insulting move where energy weapons and the mystics of the Force could have been used, and that was the intention. Anything and everything Krest could do to unsettle Rapux would be done to see how well he could control himself, if he could at all.

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Frustration seethed within Drios as his attack was effortlessly dismissed by the Sith Lord and the blade he wielded stabbed only air and not the chest of @Krest. Before he could issue a counter attack, a fist connected powerfully with the throat of the Initiate, making him gag and stumble backwards. Drios gaped his mouth open as pain radiated from his trachea to the back of his neck.

"You are powerful, yet you are a fool if you think a mere punch will finish me." coughed the boy, and with a guttural growl he pushed out with the Force and attempted to send the man flying backward. His eyes had transformed into a picture of hate and evil, his irises burned a deep orange, fuelled by anger at himself for allowing the punch to connect, and hatred for the skills that the Sith he was duelling possessed, which he did not.

 

[Darth Ferus]

There was a smile to respond to [member="Drios Rapux"] as the Sith straightened his posture, waiting for the boys next attack. What he had expected was another angered strike, but the Force sung a different tune. Before he could change his stance he found himself soaring backwards through the air. He used the Force to right himself for a landing, but he was all too aware of how easy of a target he would be while he tried to regain his balance.

Part of him wanted to frown for his own foolishness, and another smile for Rapux being more than he had appeared. What would be next? So far the boy showed no tell tale signs for one form or another, but that could change.

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Drios was far from a fool, and knew not to let this advantage go unexploited. In a swift and agile leap, the boy cleared the space the telekinetic attack had created and pummelled Krest with a succession of blows with his blade, each one crafted with considerable care, and executed with surprising speed. His jabs and arcs were well placed, less rushed and more controlled than his previous attacks.

Now, Drios had exhausted the use of his wrath as he felt a great deal less of it now he had managed to catch Krest off-guard. Instead, he was able to channel the Force itself to augment his attacks and demonstrate that he was more than just another cliché. For the first time since the beginning of the duel, he had managed to find his footing and relax, he could only hope to himself that it would last.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest was caught defending immediately, his blade lashing out to strike the blows [member="Drios Rapux"] was sending his way to try and get space. So far, he found nothing.The frown settled on his lips as he found himself being pushed back to a corner. Not ideal, but the precise strikes Rapux was sending his way gave more than enough insight in what the boy should learn. Now, to at least try to regain command of this fight to begin. His saber burned against Rapux's again as he deflected another thrust, and this time he brought his hand around to grip the boys foot and pull it. Force him to deal with an unsettled footing again, and to begin the lesson fully.

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Rapux stumbled backward and narrowly avoided a date with the floor by retreating a few steps and disrupting his concentration. He allowed himself a small chuckle before awaiting whatever [member="Krest"] would send his way. He wanted to try and defend again, and if it failed he would have to find another escape route. His boot connected with one of the switched off droids cluttered around his feet to clear the area of any obstructions.

It would take every once of skill and control he possessed to continue sparring Krest, and meaningless droids only hindered his chances.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Good! Very good. You keep your composure well, and know how to focus even when being insulted. Most acolytes choose rage then to fight as you do." Krest took a much needed breath as he reset his footing and pulled up his saber in a simple guard. "Focus and planning is key to Makashi, a form for a duelist who would rather work around their foe with their skill than their strength. You don't catch an opponents attack so much as redirect it, and always put yourself in an advantageous position." As the Zabrak spoke he began to circle [member="Drios Rapux"] , never once letting his eyes leave the boys form. "We will drill into you now how to redirect your opponents strikes. Footwork is important, you must always keep yourself in a better position than your opponent. Begin!" That was all he said before he stepped in close, his blade cutting straight down. It would be lethal, as all training under the Sith should be in some form.

 

[Darth Sibilus]

The Acolyte lowered his head momentarily, acknowledging the praise the Lord was giving him. "Thank you." he spoke between breaths, as the effort exerted during the first part of their training had knocked the air out of him completely. His flank rose and fell like a ship upon an ocean and sweat trickled down his brow. Drios listened intently to the knowledge pouring from [member="Krest"]'s lips, adjusting his feet ever so slightly to try and prepare himself for what was to come, an inevitable assault.

Armed with the most potent weapon of all, knowledge, Drios sent his saber upward to meet the Sith Lord's. The two weapons shrieked as they clashed and parted, Drios had absorbed the brunt of Krest's blow better than he had done at the start of the duel, and forced his lightsaber from above his head.

 

[Darth Ferus]

A frown settled on the Sith's lips as he watched [member="Drios Rapux"] 's actions. "Do not absorb the blow yourself. Redirect, re-position. You control where your blade and your opponents blade goes, but simply absorbing the attack will have you quickly overpowered. The less strain on you, the better." As he spoke he struck out again and again, always in a different way, always at a different angle. They were fast and powerful blows, easily able to overpower a block that would take them head on.

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Drios' lightsaber soon become an extension of his wrist as he became more adept at deflecting the strikes. Crimson upon crimson, the two duelled for a few minutes, their blades dancing together beautifully, and the room came alive with the sounds of plasma impacting upon plasma. Sweat dripped down the face of Drios as the relentless onslaught [member="Krest"] dished out become too much for him, and a simple mistake in his footing sent him tumbling to the ground. Instinctively, he rolled upon his back and pointed his blade straight at the Sith Lord to prevent an attack in his most vulnerable of positions.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest had stopped when [member="Drios Rapux"] fell back, his red eyes watching his form as he quickly rolled to a defensive position. At least he could recover from a mistake. "Like I said, your footwork is important. Without it you have no balance, and can easily be knocked down as you've just experienced. Practice is all you need now, real practice. Against Jedi, against other Sith. New opponents will force you to evolve and adapt, or die. So keep this in mind when you next fight someone and do what you can, alright?"