Private Frostbite

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Tired grey eyes focused on Kito as the Sangnir frowned. Both of them would rather not be here, but it seemed neither was willing to back off and forget this happened. But there was merit to the Shaper's words. If one of the other member of the Court had found her first, what then? Would they have attacked her with the intent to kill? Valaine counted her blessings that it was her that found Kito first, at least that way she could ensure she lived through this.

"I wish you were here for another reason…"

Such words gave Valaine a smile that was bittersweet, apologetic even as she nodded in agreement. "Me too, Kito... We both knew something like that happen eventually, though..." she spoke, taking a step forward as she kept the saber pointed at the Shaper. She could tell that her stance was ready, that she was anticipating a thrust, but just how well did she understand the Sangnir and her intent? Did she believe Valaine could actually hurt her?

"I'll make it up to you, I promise." was all the acolyte offered, a promise that Kito at least would survive this. With that in mind she made to lunge her first thrust of the saber forward, but it was shallow and weak, a feint as she'd anticipate the Shaper to try and swipe it away as she had done before in prior duels. She hoped so, because that feint immediately twisted into a parrying strike that would try to open up such an anticipated defense if she was lucky.

After the strike a second was taken to remind the Shaper, something she perhaps hadn't considered; "You'll be in more trouble than me if they find you talking to me, so fight, Kito." she declared. The Court? They'd just think the Sangnir was trying to corrupt a Jedi, but for Kito? Valaine's understanding of her order was one that was dogmatic and rigid, they would likely only assume the worst...

 

[Darth Virelia]

"Breaking and Entering."

Tags - Thea Nyko ,

Virelia's laugh was low, indulgent, the sound of a queen amused by her subject's defiance. "And yet," she murmured, circling closer, "you still speak of ropes, of bonds, of names that bind. You cannot escape the language of chains, Jedi. It is written into you. Even your defiance is a tether."

The lightning dimmed, folding inward, coiling tight around her gauntlets until it kissed the bladed claws worked into Tyrant's Embrace. Each talon shimmered with that same violet hunger, humming with violence and seduction alike.

She moved then—suddenly. A predator's opening measure. Her body was a seamless blend of elegance and brutality, one hand feinting high with a sparking rake of claws, the other tracing low in a curve meant to tempt Thea's guard wide. Every motion, calculated to draw the Jedi into her rhythm.

"Come, little Jedi," Virelia purred, her smile cruel as the arcs danced from claw to claw, "let us see how long your serenity resists the taste of steel."

 

[Kyric]

They moved through corridor after corridor in a hurried race for the hidden shuttle. It awaited them atop the temple, overlooking a sea of ice and snow, half-buried in the flurry. Their drills instilled a sense of urgency into the moment, but Kyric knew fear had a way of unraveling even the most disciplined among their ranks. And these children did not number among them. They were scarred from years of ongoing conflict. Forgotten by their illustrious heroes in their mad dash for the far reaches of space.

When Iskera materialized from the shadows ahead of them, Kyric held up a hand to signal those behind him to shift course at the coming intersection. He pushed through the crowd as the Sith monologued.

"Don't stop," Kyric said quietly, though his voice carried over the group. "Take route B to the ship. Activate the astromech when ya' get there. It'll know what to do."

He stepped past the lead Padawan, his prosthetic hand moving to gently squeeze the girl's shoulder. "Steel yourself. This is the reality of this fight. No amount of preparation will ever be enough when faced with danger." The kiffar drew his blade from the sheath at his side and a current of wind coalesced around his frame.

Kyric pressed forward without a word to the assassin. The short-blade in his hand blurred forward, his body rocketing forward behind a powerful gust of cold air. He aimed to blast the assassin away and catch her with a swift decapitation all in one movement.

The students hurried after him. They took a hard right at the intersection, scurrying forward into the unknown. Fear settled within some, while others yearned to follow the Jedi Knight into battle. But they listened and continued on, for many of them had the feeling this nightmare had only just begun.

---

Iskera Valest

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

d e a t h . w i s h

A part of her hated the hope that swelled in her chest when the promise was made. It meant that, despite being forced into this situation, they still had a connection. Kito held onto that as she exhaled softly, trying to quell the fire in her stomach. She could hear the others fighting around them.

She hated this.

Kito saw the opening attack; it was the same way Valaine had begun every duel of theirs. Instinct screamed at her to swat it aside, as she'd done countless times before. Her saber lifted, ion meeting ion, but the moment the blades touched, she realized it was different — too shallow, too light.

Damn—

Her delay cost her. Her lightsaber caught the feint, but Valaine was already twisting, her blade sliding past Kito's in a smooth redirection. Before Kito could reset, the Sangnir's saber snapped across the narrow space and caught her near the ribs. The loose fabric protected her skin, but the heat was a sufficient warning.

The scent of scorched cloth filled her nose as she staggered back, grip tightening on her hilt to keep it from slipping. The Shaper's breath escaped through clenched teeth, steam and flame flickering at her lips as her body jerked back.

Her eyes snapped to Valaine, jaw set against the strike. She hadn't fully expected the Sangnir to land it, but there was a sting of pride in seeing how far she had come.

Before Kito could speak, Valaine reminded her of the truth. She wasn't wrong — the Jedi, the Lightsworn, all of them. Their hatred of the Dark Side ran deep. If any of them saw Kito hesitate now, saw her face soften, saw her blade falter, they would know. And then it would be over for both of them.

Her heart sank. It was the truth of their situation, and Kito realized something about herself and her devotion to the light.

It wavered like a candle in a gentle breeze.

Her eyes shut tightly, trying to shove the thought away. This could all be fixed if she just…

Kito stepped forward, her saber rising to meet Valaine's again.

"Fine, I'll fight. Just make sure you do as well."

The words caught in her throat. She almost said more, but stopped. She knew Valaine was right. At least here, facing each other, they were safe from everyone else.

The Force surged through her as she drew upon it, strengthening her limbs and quickening her steps. Faint whisps of smoke curled with her exhale as flame churned in her gut. Kito felt pain flared along her ribs where the tip of Valaine's saber had connected, and fresh blood stained the dark cloth of her tunic with each breath.

Kito slid her foot back, planting firmly, before she exploded forward. Enhanced speed carried her into a dive, aiming to slip beneath Valaine's guard. Her blade swept upward in a brutal diagonal slash, meant to force the Sangnir's guard high. Without breaking stride, she pivoted on her back heel, bringing the saber around in a tight horizontal arc at her midsection.

Each strike came heavy, testing Valaine's footing. Kito pressed in with every blow, closing the space and refusing to let her breathe. Her ochre eyes never left Valaine's as she bore down on her, blade rising again, ready to crash down the moment the woman faltered.

She prayed she never would. Despite everything, Kito still held something back. Even if ordered, she could never truly harm her.

If they saw, she would defy them.

"Don't hold back."