Good Fortune in the Wars to Come

[Aryn Teth]

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Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

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Aryn and the rest of the Alliance had been undergoing a great degree of preparation for the perceived conflicts which were threatening to begin between the Alliance and the Imperial states of the galaxy. Aryn and a small Strike team of Jedi had been travelling across the Alliance's territory, doing what they could to neutralize or weaken dark-side nexuses in preparation of the coming battles, in order to deny any potential boons they could give their opponents. Dagobah had been their next target, and Aryn and his three Jedi companions were on their way through the thick swamps of the world. They had arrived in small craft, keeping their presence minimal in case there were any Imperial forward scouts.

The group moved in silence through the swamps. Aryn had picked them all, many were members of the New Jedi Order, but there were also among them members of the other Jedi organizations around the galaxy, ones who had chosen to defy their own orders to assist the Alliance. All had reasons for being there and goals to fulfil in this war, and all had been tense as they awaited the beginning of the fighting. As they drew closer to their goal, all of them remained unaware that they were about to engage in the first real battle of this war.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik remained on his knees, focusing on swelling up his emotions. The Dark side wasn't something he tended to be familiar with, and admittedly, he had shied away from it due to his experiences before with anger. He knew he could not ignore it forever, though. Rather than let his anger control him, he would direct it and control it, building it up inside him as he focused on the tree in front of him. Many without the force would dismiss it as a simple tree, old and gnarled, but even he knew better. This tree was touched by the force, and that was why he was here.

He would not be so forward into Galactic Alliance territory without a reason; he had to help the Empire be prepared, give them what advantages he could. The Alliance was a massive power, and to fight a giant, you must take his legs out from under him. Varik continued to focus on the force, on his anger and guilt, the hatred that had all built up inside him ever since he was a boy and had only gotten worse since he had become an adult and seen the worst of the galaxy.

He knew it wasn't all bad, but that wasn't what he needed to focus on right. The Jedi could not be allowed to purify this tree. It could be used to take power from, to soothe and calm the minds of those against them. True, there were those in the Alliance that used the Dark Side; but if they looked to the tree for power, it would corrupt them, confuse them; cause more trouble than it was worth. The asset would still be there; simply barbed.

Varik opened his eyes as he felt four presences approach. He felt them through the force; one much more significant than the others, though the other three were not to be underestimated. He slowly stood up, his back to where they were approaching as he waited, looking up towards the tree, his helmet still obscuring his face as he spoke loudly. "You won't be getting any closer."

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

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As Aryn and his allies drew nearer to the tree, Aryn was able to feel the dark side radiating from it. It flowed strangely, more vibrantly than it should have, but it was not until he was close enough to see with his own eyes that he understood what was wrong. As his gaze fixed upon the kneeling figure, so did his focus of the force. From a distance it was near indistinguishable from the nexus of the tree, the dark side radiating from the man as he knelt and focused on his anger in a dark meditation. He understood quickly what was transpiring, it seemed as though their enemies had held similar plans for the nexus as they, similar and entirely opposed.

Hearing the voice, Aryn and his team halted a few paces back, lightsabers hanging on their belts as a few took a moment or two to shift their robes so they'd be easily accessed. Aryn took a moment to step forward once more, looking over the figure, over the armour. The Dark side radiating through the figure was enough to indicate to Aryn that this individual was indeed one of his enemies, but there was something unique about this particular individual. Ah, yes, he'd sensed them before - many months ago when confined to an Imperial prison, this presence was among the first which Aryn had seen through the looking glass of the force. An Inquisitor.

"Varik Ice." Aryn greeted plainly, glancing past the man and up to the tree, he'd made an effort to know his enemies as well as he could, especially those among the Imperial Inquisitors, Varik had been a name that stood out, a distinguished name, and he was not surprised to know that the man was there alone, with his reputation. "I've got no qualms if you wish to leave now, there'll be plenty of bloodshed soon enough, we need not add to it."

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik almost smirked beneath the helmet as he heard his name spoken. He stood still, with his back still turned to the group as the last of his anger and hate that he'd let out seeped to the tree, and an eerie calm took over him. It wasn't warm, like that of a Jedi, but was still held back from a Sith's burning rage. It was a bitter and cold calm, of something immovable and solid. "Aryn Teth." He finally turned around to face them, his tone rather flat. His eyes glanced between each of the four as he stood still. He only knew the obvious leader's name.

He was well-known enough, after all. A Jedi Knight, and a General at that. He was a notable standout even among the Alliance, and someone that piqued Varik's interest. Teth was a potentially worth adversary; the Iktochi, Echani and Human with him, possibly as well. Though more likely as a group, he could tell they didn't have the battle sense or instincts like he did. He knew from the way they stood, how they were examining the environment and adjusting their stances. They may have a second's hesitation, and that would kill them.

"I'll leave when I'm done." He was sure they were both aware that Aryn had no time for that, though; the Tree was already corrupted over centures of influence, and Varik's direct action had accelerated it significantly. They would need to work fast if they wanted it purified, and fighting at the feet of the tree would only make things worse - He assumed they would want to kill him fast. He began to take note of the different stances the Jedi took, what their most likely preferred 'classic' style was. Whatever form it was, he had in mind what he would do.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

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Aryn didn't give any reaction as Varik spoke his name in kind, he wasn't surprised that he had been recognized as well. In his days as a rebel Aryn had worked up enough of a reputation, but his rapid rise to the rank of a Jedi General in the Alliance had not gone unnoticed by seemingly anyone in the galaxy, especially among his enemies. The silence lingered for a good while as they stood there, the strike team behind Aryn focusing on the force within them, on their calm, unknowingly feeding their strength to Aryn as he drew upon them for his own unwitting gain.

As Varik spoke once more, Aryn gave an almost apologetic smile. He knew from the tone of Varik's voice that both sides understood fully the reality of their situation, there would be no peaceful resolution today. Aryn had no direct grievance with Varik, even if he served the Empire, the man could have still held good in him, and been manipulated like so many in the Empire were. What he did regret most of all however, was that this would be the beginning, he knew full well that no blood had been drawn yet in the conflict that had shaped up, and he had hoped dearly to delay things as long as he could before such violence was necessary. Yet, now it seemed such a thing was out of his hands.

With a regretful sigh, Aryn nodded, locking eyes with Varik. "I wish you good fortune in the wars to come." He spoke simply, sincerely. However, as the Jedi finished his words, his allies behind him wasted no time in drawing their weapons. The Iktochi drew his saberstaff, igniting the green blade while the Echani drew her two yellow sabers. To Aryn's right, the human woman ignited a purple-bladed lightsaber, and the three began to charge as Aryn drew his own blade, igniting the pale blue blade.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik's saber flew off his belt, gripping the hilt as a white blade ignited out of it, the Inquisitor still holding the blade low. Everything almost seemed in slow motion as the three charged, and a crack flashed in front of his eyes - a Shatterpoint. He saw Teth, connected to all the others, and he didn't understand. Morale was one thing, but it wouldn't be that closely connected. He couldn't have known these three for that long, either; not according to reports. In fact, now that he looked at it...Teth's power was swelling and growing, more than he expected.

He had no time to mull on it. The two women were faster, the Iktochi's saberstaff slowing him down just enough. Varik's blade blocked one strike, sending it back with more force than the Jedi expected and making her stumble back before he used it to divert the second. The Iktochi finally arrived, charging at him alongside the Human. Thinking fast, Varik diverted the Iktochi's stab with his staff, bringing the Jedi's blade up into the way of his comrade's, stumbling him with the force used to yank him. With the seconds he had, Varik glanced to his left and saw the Echani coming at him, her blade raised back and high.

His instincts worked for him as he suddenly spun, kicking out his foot into the jaw of the pale-skinned humanoid. With the force empowering his strength and speed, she was sent tumbling off to the left, clearly disoriented as she rolled down the slope into one of the cavernous openings of the Great Tree. Varik ducked with his back turned to the Human woman as she swung at his head, noticing a low swing coming from the Iktochi coming his way as he turned. He jumped forward in a roll, his saber jutted out to his left.

The Inquisitor had managed to dodge between the high and low swings, rolling right through the middle. As he did so, his saber cut deep into the thigh of the Human, not enough to sever anything, but certainly enough to slow her significantly. As she fell back with her wound, Varik stood and had to block another stab from the Iktochi, his saber up straight as he diverted it to his right, slowly tilting his saber to force the staff down. He let the Iktochi naturally lean forward into the struggle to try and power out, using the opportunity to flick his wrist and strike the horned sentient hard in the jaw with the hilt of his saber, stunning him.

Varik spun again, his leg low this time as he roughly sent the Iktochi in the air and on his back, landing hard on the ground. Standing over him, Varik wasted no time swinging downward, aiming straight for the Iktochi's neck.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzVBqBosf5w​

Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

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As the fighting began, Aryn lingered back, not wishing to get in the way of his allies as they engaged with Varik. He wished to see Varik fight as well, to Aryn - the best strength of all came from knowing one's enemy, and he wished to see just how Varik fought. As he blocked and dodged all of his allies' attacks, it was no surprise to Aryn why he had heard Varik's name spoken so highly of, he was a prodigy in the force, he moved with a grace and skill that Aryn had only rarely seen. As he watched him, Aryn did his best to take in every moment, to mentally counter and meet each individual movement.

Aryn's conflicts with other Force Users had been limited since developing his strength as a Jedi, but he had faced dark-siders before, though none he had faced were quite like Varik. The man would be Aryn's strongest and most dangerous opponent of all, as was clear by the way he kicked down the Echani and wounded his Human companion. Moving to the woman, Aryn took a brief moment to tend to her, but as a result, found himself just out of reach when he heard the loud groan of pain from the Iktochi as he was knocked down onto his back.

Seeing as Varik's blade went high and began to lower towards the Iktochi, Aryn thrust his hand out, calling upon the force. Aryn's abilities with telekinesis were strong, stronger than most, but even he had struggled to utilize those powers on other force users. However in that moment, Aryn felt and utilized the force of his allies flowing through him, and compounded by the natural aura of force energy flowing from the nexus around them, he was bolstered far more than usual, focusing on Varik's body as a whole as he worked to bring the man's movement to a complete and utter standstill, allowing the Iktochi to roll away and recover from certain death.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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As his saber came down towards the Jedi, Varik felt his body unwilling to respond, unwilling to move. His eyes darted over beneath the helmet, staring towards Aryn. He was powerful in the force, then. Varik's eyes could be felt staring a hole through the General as the Iktochi rapidly kicked up to his feet, slashing towards Varik's neck. The Inquisitor didn't feel any nervousness as he broke free from Teth's grip, having just enough time to block the slash from the Iktochi and stare the alien Jedi in the face, letting him grimace for a moment before he thrust his head forward, blood shooting from the Iktochi's nose as Varik's helmet struck it with serious force and sent him onto his back once again.

Varik wasted no time, leaping over the Jedi and slashing at him as he did, though his own attempt was parried. Landing with a roll, he began stepping back towards the entrance of the tree. The human woman went for him again, more deliberate in her actions as her saber locked with his. Using his brute strength, Ice forced her back a few paces as he suddenly felt something behind him. The Echani was right at him, approaching up the incline and slicing at his legs.

Pivoting around, Ice blocked low and caught the swing before it took off a foot. Holding her saber in place, he used that same foot to kick right in the face again, much harder this time and sending her tumbling back down. He only had seconds to react as he was attacked from behind again; this time, the Human Jedi was leaping through the air down towards him, one arm extended outwards to prepare for an attack. Varik, to her surprise, did not step back and lose his footing on the incline. Rather, he pivoted again and moved toward her, his lightsaber slashing upwards swiftly as his pivot took him to the side of her.

The Jedi only had moments to understand what was going on as the Saber cleaved cleanly through her arm, sending her weapon and everything at the elbow and below sailing from her body. Varik gave her no time to react, enhancing his speed even more as he switched to a reverse grip; stabbing backwards, he still stood at the side of her as the white blade went through her back and began protruding from her chest. The Inquisitor, not wanting to waste his opportunity, turned and used the force to send the body flying into the Echani, who was just starting to get up.

Knowing that the Iktochi and Teth would be on him in moments, he decided the fight would be done on his terms. He leaped, flying far as he landed right at the mouth of an entrance to the tree, glancing back to the group of Jedi as he deactivated his lightsaber and disappeared into the darkness. He didn't know these caverns like a native, but he was at his best in a savage environment; and he knew what kind of things this tree could do to a user of the Force. If he kept his head and planned accordingly, he was confident he could handle this alone.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

Aryn groaned as he felt Varik slip from his telekinetic grip, and saw him knock the Iktochi away. He had hoped to restrain Varik further, but he was at the very least pleased that he had given his ally enough time to escape the Inquisitor. Shifting his lightsaber briefly in his grip, he narrowed his gaze at the Inquisitor, focusing on his essence in the force. He again focused on studying his opponent, learning when and where to strike, before his ally, the human, jumped in. She had always been rash, he'd known this since before they formed the strike team, but this time she was acting far too brazenly. Before Aryn could even call out to her, he saw as her arm was severed and the blade pierced through her chest. As the bond was severed, he felt a sharp twisting feeling in his gut, but blocked out the response, focusing instead on Varik once more as he moved forward.

Aryn and the Iktochi had closed to make their attacks as Varik expected, but neither had expected him to move into the tree. Glancing back to the Echani, Aryn saw as she rose, carefully laying the body of the human down with her saber as the Iktochi twirled his blade. The three gave a gentle nod of silent acknowledgement to one another, before they split up, taking different entranced into the immense tree. Aryn followed suit with Varik, deactivating his lightsaber as he stepped into the darkness, allowing it to engulf and surround him as he moved, the soft hum of his allies' lightsabers slowly disappearing as he pushed further into the darkness.

The force echoed as he stepped further into the darkness, and though it was inherently of the dark side, Aryn felt no anger or pain, the nexus here was an incredibly unique one, and he could feel the draw on his connection to it as he stepped through the darkness in search of his prey. As he stepped further through the darkness, he saw the ignition of a red lightsaber, and the familiar face of the first inquisitor he had ever met. She had haunted him time and time again in places such as this, and after so many times facing this trial, he knew better than to fall prey to his fears as the nexus tempted him. Watching as she approached, Aryn simply moved down onto his knees. Setting his lightsaber down before clasping his hands together.

Closing his eyes, Aryn blocked out the vision entirely, blocked out the darkness of the place he was in, and focused on the echoing light within him and his allies elsewhere in the trees depths. As he focused, revitalizing himself and his power, his own light began to radiate out from him, counteracting the very work that Varik had undergone only a short time before they had arrived, and similarly calling out to Varik himself. He would lure the Inquisitor out of hiding, or he would complete his own goal and purify the tree of its dark-side energies.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik had experienced these visions before. As he saw his mother down a cavern and a spear enter her chest, a pang of guilt and anger ran through him, but it was no different than what he'd seen in his dreams so many times over. He believed that what he suffered through made him stronger, and this would be no different. The Inquisitor began to take the high ground within the tree, using the higher roots to climb above and approach where he felt a strong presence; it was the Iktochi, he could tell. Their movements were too deliberate and seasoned to be the Echani.

Ice suddenly felt a call - Teth. He was purifying the tree. He'd made a connection to it already, something that even more highlighted Varik's thoughts. He reached out again for the shatterpoint, and it still connected to the two living Strike Team members; he focused more as he approached the Iktochi. Teth was...it almost seemed as though he was siphoning power from his comrades. What an odd technique; he didn't seem to be focusing on it, either...was he even doing it intentionally?

Varik shook the thoughts from his mind as he landed behind the Iktochi. He activated his saber once more, the bright white and green meeting as the Jedi turned around, the sabers acting as beacons in the pitch black cavern of the tree. Varik pushed the offense slightly, taking small slashes and stabs towards the Jedi to prod his defense. He didn't expect the rapid response of strikes, having to block his front and then his back as the Jedi pivoted to rapidly strike with both ends of the saber. He was pushed back by the impressive offense, and found it a bit difficult to stand his ground.

The Inquisitor continued backing up, keeping in mind his footing as he continued circling, noticing a small root near his feet. He quickly used it as backed up, kicking it to move it into the Jedi's way and tripping him. Varik sliced at the Iktochi's face, only managing to slice one of his horns in half as the Jedi leaned back and struck forward; the saber staff was barely held back, the green blade digging into the side of Ice's cheek. He winced in pain and stumbled into the wall on his right as the wound on his face glowered and steamed from the heat of the weapon.

Varik was put under more pressure as the Jedi pushed forward, blocking low strikes with surprising proficiency; intentionally, he began to seem to lax more on upper strikes, trying to goad him. Successful enough, Ice found his opportunity. He slashed upwards and diagonally, cutting the Jedi's saber in half and slicing up through the middle of his torso, from waist to opposite shoulder. The Iktochi stumbled, trying to respond in kind before he fell to his knees and simply collapsed on the floor.

With his opponent dead, possibly the most experienced at that, Varik began approaching the centre of the Tree - and Teth. He kept his lightsaber ignited now, listening carefully through the force for the Echani. He knew she was around here somewhere, and he didn't care to be ambushed. Stepping forward, his saber lit up the room as he stared towards Teth. "You're wasting your time here." It was a genuine comment; this was a General, after all. He had soldiers to prepare, and Varik was confident this was a doomed cause.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

As he focused on the force, Aryn's attention in his meditation was only momentarily shattered. He felt as the Iktochi fell elsewhere in the tree's interior, the severing of their connection was noticeable enough for Aryn, but the Jedi continued to block it out as he focused on his goal, on reversing the damage and corruption which had been done by Varik. As he knelt in the centre of the tree, he split his mind in two. One part of his mind focused on the purification of the tree, on its revitalization, the other part reached out to the remaining Echani. She had been among the freshest of their team, and she would need his assistance, as Aryn knew all too well now, following the loss of both his other companions.

He heard the footsteps approaching, but his mind was not focused on them, and indeed as Varik spoke there was no response from the meditating Jedi, his mind and his focus were elsewhere. In his efforts, Aryn had done his best to mask and cloud the force signature of his Echani companion, allowing her to get much closer to Varik than likely would have been possible otherwise as her two yellow blades ignited, piercing the darkness of the chamber around them. Whilst Aryn remained still and focused on his efforts, the Echani moved with a grace and speed she had not held before. It was as if she now fought with two minds, as if somehow Varik's severing of Aryn's other connections had deeply strengthened this one.

As the Echani made her attack on Varik, the second section of Aryn's mind focused on her, doing everything he could to keep her in the fight for as long as possible while he counteracted Varik's own damage to the tree. He did not even bother to consider the possibility of his companion's death, their mission was his focus in that moment, denying the corruption of this nexus could have eventually become a key factor in the war, and he assumed if the Empire had sent Varik there beforehand, it would be important soon enough.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik's helmet clearly showed where the saberstaff had struck; he was sure the Phrik used in its make had saved him from a worse scar. As he approached Aryn, he didn't feel the Echani coming up on him, but he heard her loud and clear. Turning around in time to save his life, he horizontally blocked his saber across both of hers, staring back into her eyes as he held her in place. As she broke the lock, it was all Varik could do to block and narrowly dodge the slashes and stabs of the yellow blades constantly aiming for his neck and midsection.

Ice saw now the connection he had with her. Aryn was using their abilities to grow stronger, like a leech. Through connections he made with them, he siphoned from them and was able to almost...control them in a way, granting them the ability to be greater through his own power. Was this....Teth, truly a Jedi? From everything he understood of them, that was not what they were. However, if he was doing it unwittingly, and it was a simple talent that he was unaware of - it could be a devastating weapon of war. A General that gains strength from his army, and is able to confer it on them.

As he continued to parry and dodge, Varik knew he wouldn't be able to find an opening naturally here; he had to create one, and use the Echani's inexperience against her. He began to manouver carefully and methodically, stepping back and allowing her to push him in the direction he desired. He feigned weakness in his stance, that he was beginning to falter. As he expected, she began putting the pressure on, and he sensed some frustration, even some anger from her as she began swinging more swiftly at him. As he backed up one more step, he knew. He was there.

Varik feigned that his guard was broken, and let her swing for the final blow. In what seemed like a moment, he gained sudden speed and dodged around the swing, surprising the Echani as she realized her sabers were now going towards Aryn. Having moved around her guard now, Ice waited for her to hesitate, for the shock to take seconds to kick in. As she stopped her sabers instinctively, his had found its way between them, and her neck. He sent the saber sailing up, and the white blade cleaved gracefully through the Jedi's neck, sending her head and body tumbling limply to the ground.

Ice stood for a moment, his back to where Teth sat as he knew the death would likely strike him; he had felt that connection. After giving him those few seconds, Varik suddenly turned and took a downward slash towards Aryn's neck, aiming to do the same to him. He had confidence the General would be able to block or avoid such an attack, but lethality wasn't the point; it was to affect his concentration, to prevent any more purification of the tree.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixjd_GvNRu8​

Aryn Teth

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Near the Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

​

Aryn kept his focus on the Echani in his meditation, allowing her to feel his own strength and feeding it to her as she fought with the Inquisitor. As his power flowing into the Echani, Aryn knew that she was stronger now than both the human and the Iktochi had been, capable of facing off against the inquisitor. However, Aryn could not have granted her his wits, and Varik knew this. There was little that the General was able to do as the Echani fell right into Varik's trap. He felt the heat of the approaching blades, but Aryn made no move as the sabers drew nearer. He had hoped the Echani would have been able to avoid the coming blow still, but as he felt the severing of his connection to her, he knew it was not the case.

He lingered for only a moment on the feeling as he heard the body fall. The feeling was forced from his mind as he took in the last of what he could draw from the severed bond. He had enough time to return the tree to its original nature, it would not be the beacon of corruption Varik had hoped for, but he lacked the time to purify it fully, to turn it into a beacon of light. However, Aryn knew it would have to be enough. Varik had forced them to lose a great deal, and the sacrifice of his comrades had ensured that he could reverse what damage Varik had already done. Now he owed it to them all to survive, to live on, and most of all, to prevent Varik from doing any more damage.

As he felt the movement of Varik's saber, Aryn erupted into a flash of movement. His saber flew from the ground to his hand, activating in an instant as he brought it up to block the blade. He did so with a degree of slack, and as the blade pushed forward, albeit slow, Aryn pushed himself up to his feet and lept over the swing, trailing his blade along with Varik's until he was clear and over the Inquisitor. He landed a few feet behind Varik, his blue blade shedding light all through the chamber of the tree they stood within.

Aryn focused now on the force within the nexus, and the force as it flowed through Varik, letting it all empower him and drawing upon its strength as he drew nearer to Varik. His blade moved in a cross-slash towards the Inquisitor, a similar attack that many of his allies had begun their own attacks with, but he knew that Varik expected such a blow. Deactivating his lightsaber mid-swing, Aryn rolled low under his anticipated parry from Varik, activating the blade again in an upwards slash towards Varik's back.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik thought that attack was a bit too simple; too standard of a Jedi, for it to be Teth's true opening gambit. He'd done what he could to understand his enemy, and he knew this one was wily before knowing of his own abilities. As he heard the lightsaber's blade retract, he insctinctively moved back and then lowered his saber, catching Teth's slash just before it went up into him. His eyes stared down towards the General's through his helmet as he deliberated his next move. There was more manouverability outside, however; somewhere that suited his style more.

Ice firmly held Teth's saber in place for a few more seconds, his freak physical strength keeping the blade from him before he suddenly jerked his arms aside, trying to throw Aryn's arm out wide along with his saber and kick the Jedi in the chest, to knock him to the floor and the breath out of him at that. Regardless of the result, Varik pulled back and began retreating, backpedalling through the winding caverns of the tree. He had seen where an exit was before, and he planned to use it.

The Inquisitor backed up in the direction of the entrance, keeping his guard up to block and parry any attacks Teth put on him, though he didn't make any aggressive counters yet, as he often did to keep an opponent under pressure. This was a rare occasion where Soresu served him well, and he silently thanked that he had trained it despite not planning on utilizing it. As he approached the exit to the cavernous tree, what qualified for sunlight shining in, he waited for his opportunity. Another fallen tree was leaning against the one they were in, leaning just above the exit.

As he approached the outside, with the opening actually being about a dozen feet off the ground, Ice turned, slashing the tree through the middle and pushing the severed part with the force, hurtling it towards Teth's head. It was only to keep him occupied, however. Varik leaped from the edge, landing down on top of a crashed freighter that lay in its final grave; the Swamps of Dagobah. Varik stared up at where Teth would likely attack from, but he also checked his flanks, examining other areas of attack. This Jedi was a thinker, someone with an analytical mind - he would have a game plan.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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The Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

Aryn was not surprised as he felt his blade meet Varik's, he figured it would have been too much to hope that the Inquisitor would have fallen for his first gambit. He was impressed by Varik's strength as he pushed back against him, and he flowed through with the movement as he was suddenly thrust back. Spinning to the side, he managed to avoid the kick, balancing himself properly to see as Ice began to move off. Following close behind, Aryn kept the pressure on Varik as they moved, slashing high and low in constantly shifting patterns, keeping the Inquisitor on the defence as he retreated through the dark interior of the massive tree, getting progressively closer to the outside.

Just as they reached the outside, Aryn saw as Varik swung his blade once more, it was wide, too wide to have been intended for him, and he heard the cracking and crunching of wood as it impacted. He felt it through the force before he saw it, and his hand flew up as he halted his assault, focusing on the tree which was now hurtling down towards him. He stopped it in mid-air, only a few inches from the top of his head as he lifted it up slowly away from him. Looking down, he saw the direction in which Varik leapt, towards the freighter. He focused on the tree he was holding up with the force, it was a great deal of effort, but as he focused he slowly began to shift it lower and in front of him.

Deactivating his saber, Aryn focused on the tree with both hands, thrusting them forward as an immense amount of force launched the tree in the same direction Varik had gone. Charging up after it, Aryn lept high into the air, using the force to amplify his strength in the jump, staying as close behind the tree as possible. He didn't reactivate his blade until the tree hit the freighter, swinging it towards wherever Varik had been, hoping that the Inquisitor had not been expecting him, or had not seen the Jedi so close behind it.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik wasn't sure if he should consider himself lucky, or if Teth was just careless. His force signature was easy to spot; almost too easy to sense, actually. He would've suspected it as a trap, but his instincts told him otherwise. Whatever this Jedi's abilities were, they made him powerful within the force, and seemed to latch onto others. Ice knew he wasn't going to beat him in sheer power, not like this. So he would have to rely on his experience of fighting in close quarters, of understanding the behaviour of a combatant when their life was in danger; the killer instinct he'd had his whole life.

Ice knew that Teth would come into it with a plan, so he worked to unravel it. Sensing him behind the tree, he waited and found his opening. Cocking back, he suddenly tossed his lightsaber straight, almost like a spear as it seared through the tree and directly towards Aryn, attempting to impale him straight through the abdomen. With the Jedi in the air and hurtling towards him, Varik expected he wouldn't be able to completely dodge; ideally it would kill him, but it was more likely to graze him, but that may be enough. It could potentially slow him or throw off his focus.

The Inquisitor rolled to the side, away from the falling tree as his saber travelled upwards. He knew he would be without it for a short time after Aryn landed, but he was confident in his abilities to fight with his body as a weapon.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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The Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

Flying through the air towards Varik, Aryn remained close behind the tree as it flew, unaware of just how openly and easily Varik was able to sense him until he felt the nagging feeling of danger flow through him. Acting quickly, Aryn let out a burst of energy as he spun his body to the side and tried to roll away. He saw the light of the saber and heard it breaking through the wood as it suddenly burst through from the other side of the tree. Had it been thrown in the more traditional way, Aryn might have been more than just seriously injured, instead he only felt a slight burn as the blade of Varik's saber cut through his chesplate, leaving a scar, but it was only a flesh wound as the Jedi continued to fly along with the tree, landing firmly onto the freighter as the tree itself slammed against it and flew back off its other side.

Landing firmly on his feet on the freighter, Aryn ignited his saber once more and charged right for Varik, shutting the pain out of his system as well as he was able. The sharp feeling echoed through him, but he blocked it out as best as he was able as he continued his assault against Varik. He knew now that at least for a time Varik would be disarmed, the deficit that came with throwing his saber as he had is that it didn't come back to the user so easily. Aryn was going to be sure to take as much of an advantage of that time as he could, swinging his saber in a routine of near-constant attacks, hoping to keep Varik on the backpedal, and exploit his now weakened defences.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik focused, and only watched. He saw Aryn's stance, the way he moved and what he communicated with it as he charged towards him, the saber ignited. He remembered the training he'd received in the Echani arts, the way to understand an opponent through the way he moved and stood. Varik let go of his thoughts, and allowed his instincts to guide him as the saber came barreling towards him. His body moved in an unusal, almost graceful way as he began to dodge and avoid strikes just barely, though even one could spell his end. Allowing himself to relax and not think so hard suddenly made things clearer- the shatterpoints were far more obvious now.

It was not any metal to break apart, but just small places in the Jedi's defense...they were tiny, only available for moments. He was good to avoid having any real large holes in his technique - he had no doubt more experienced swordsmen did, so perhaps he was just a natural. It didn't matter now, though. Ice waited for his opportunity as the strikes came his way, suddenly darting under a slash to go forward and left, driving his fist up towards Teth's gut.

Regardless of whether or not it hit, Varik popped up, thrusting his head forward to smash into Aryn's and kicking his foot out in a thrust kick, towards the Jedi's hands - he figured that the natural fighter's instincts would come in and Teth would swing for him if he had managed to daze him properly, hopefully kicking the saber from his potentially loosened grip. If not? He would simply have to make distance quickly, to avoid being sliced in half.

[member="Aryn Teth"]

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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The Dark-Side Tree, Dagobah, Sluis Sector, The Outer Rim Territories​

Interacting With: [member='Varik Ice']​

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Varik's ability to dodge and avoid Aryn's attacks was admirable, the force was clearly strong with him, Aryn could see that as his saber continued to slash in seemingly random attacks towards the Inquisitor. No hint of frustration or anger came across Aryn's face however as he continued his attack, only the sort of unshakable calm which was common among those who used the light side. He figured that with the frequency of his attacks, and with Varik having no weapon with which to counter him, it was only a matter of time before his opponent made a mistake that was likely to be fatal. Of course, Aryn was underestimating his opponent, having no idea of his skill at seeing shatterpoints.

And so, when Varik suddenly ducked below a slash, and slammed his fist into Aryn's gut, the Jedi was caught off-guard. His grip opened, and his saber flew from his hand to deactivate and clatter against the hull of the freighter they stood upon. Aryn didn't let the attack go without retribution however, his hands flew down, catching Varik before he had a chance to stand back up properly, the flat of Aryn's hands resting firmly on Varik's back and head as he tried to keep the Inquisitor low. He knew it was a position from which the Inquisitor could go for another punch, but Aryn sought to prevent such an attack from occurring. Focusing on the force, drawing it from the world around him and even from Varik himself.

Suddenly, the force rippled out from Aryn's hands into Varik, a blast of energy flying out with the intent of launching the Inquisitor at force down into the very hull they stood upon. He hoped that the impact would be enough to knock the Inquisitor clean out, or cause some other significant damage, but that remained to be seen, and Aryn doubted he'd be so lucky.

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber - Armour​

Location: Dagobah, The Dark Side Tree​

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Varik hadn't entirely been expecting this move from Teth; but he supposed that was the point of it. More and more, he could see the force flowing through Aryn from various sources. If he looked hard enough, he could see that it came from himself, as well. As he felt himself forced down, he bubbled up the force within himself, holding it all back inside to try and prevent Teth's access, to cut it off from him. Varik's face struck the freighter's hull with a brutal clang, having no real protection.

The Inquisitor took a moment and seemed shaky, but began slowly pushing up to his feet, resisting the force Aryn was putting on him. His face had been busted open just above the bridge of his nose, and blood was streaming down the middle of his face, down his nose and mouth. He stared at the Jedi for a moment, never breaking eye contact before he suddenly broke free of the hold and charged forward, ducking and using his upper body like a battering ram, barreling it into Teth's gut.

As he moved forward, Ice tried to use his arms to sweep Aryn's legs from under him and take him to the ground. If that was successful, he would push the Jedi's guard and up his posture to rain down measured punches to the young man's face, trying to do as much damage as possible. This was the place where he thrived more than anything; the fight was becoming more like base instincts, and less of a precise duel. As he did it, he tried to slip his other hand under to wrap it tightly around Aryn's neck - he continued to focus the force in himself, to try and stay in position and prevent Teth using the force to push him off, more than anything.

[member="Aryn Teth"]