Mushrooming Knowledge

[Dune Rhur]

Nikias grabbing the droid through the Force allowed his own push to land square on the droid. The impact sent the droid reeling and the female was made to release her hold on it, landing nimbly below. With a brief glance at the Padawan, he nodded in appreciation at his quick thinking. Then he was off to cover the distance and his good mood was suddenly swallowed by a miasma of fear and uncertainty.

It was harder to focus as he drew closer, he noted with a frown. Some kind of mental attack with the Dark Side, he reasoned out slower than normally. Drawing up some ten meters away, he took a two-handed fighting stance with his blade angled up. The Bith grimaced as he expended energy to focus and fight off the esoteric attack.

"You have a holocron and it belongs to the Jedi Order. Give it to me and you may leave unharmed."

[member="Azlyn Ike"]
[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10pt]The rancor slid to a stop as the aura of darkness and unease fell upon the clearing in which the women stood. Beneath Nikias' hands he could feel the creature shivering and its anger and rage at Dune seemed to have given way to a much greater fear that caused the beast to whimper and turn in retreat. Confused by what was happening Nikias jumped off the creatures back wondering just what had caused the beast to retreat[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] though that wasn't of any true importance to the Hellyni. Dune currently was up there facing the thief alone and Nikias couldn't leave him there without assistance. Two heads were better than one in many situations and this could be just one of those. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Jogging up next to the knight[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] Nikias drew his own saber from his belt activating the weapon. From the hilt sprang a violet saber that cast a dim glow that mixed with the blue from Dune's saber. Looking over at the master though Nikias was able to piece that something was wrong. The frown and soon grimace on Dune's face told Nikias everything he needed to know. Something was happening that the padawan couldn't sense. The Hellyni people had a natural immunity to mental attacks that left Nikias in the position of not being effected at all by whatever was going on. Maybe if he had more abilities in the sensing or telepathy aspects of the force he would've been able to feel the darkside aura that permeated the area. So instead of standing next to Dune[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Nikias began to work his way around in a circle to the other side of the thief to block her in so she couldn't leave till after she'd returned the holocron. [/SIZE]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Nikias"]

She remained there and the one stopped in front of her... the other heading around as her thoughts remained mostly on projecting fear and unease but she could push for more. Crystal wanted her able to be strong and when a four thousand year old sith invades your mind attacking it..... You learn how to fight back. The one speaking about the holocron brought her attention up to him as she hopped off where she was sitting and had a more fluid flexible motion. Zeltron physiology for the win in moving all flexible like. "Ah come on now that is a strange claim when the ones going after it were treasure seekers and not jedi." Looked like it had been there for a while." She moved a little closer keeping him in her range while noting the one behind her with her senses. Her smile on her face though while she kept her saber deactivated but at the ready for a few tricks and surprises letting the darkside crystals within. "Are you so certain jedi that it is really yours?"

 

[Dune Rhur]

As Nikias circled, Dune held his ground in front of her. He frowned as she spoke because there it was; not only did she look much like Matsu but she even sounded something like her too. Was this a member of the extensive Ike clan of Emberlane? Something to ask Matsu at a later time. Now he had to focus on things here, especially so with this Dark miasma.

"That is the holocron of Sochi Ru, a Master of the Order," he replied tersely "So, yes, it does belong to us."

He stepped forward deliberately, blade never dipping, two more meters.

"If you wish to leave unharmed, I will give you one last chance. Place it on the ground and go."

[member="Azlyn Ike"]
[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10pt]Nikias circled behind the women as a pack animal would and his eyes were intense watching the thief for any sign of making an attack or even trying to make a run for it. Nikias had been a warrior and general long before a jedi and those very same instincts had been drilled into his mind long before the ideals of a Sith[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] Nikias simply would've suggested that him and Dune take the holocron instead of trying to talk things out. Talking simply led to one of the parties having time to think and plan how to deal with the others. Though from what he had seen almost all the members of the Silver Sanctum preferred doing things the peaceful way[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] even if in the end it would lead them to more pain and strife. It was nonsensical and was Nikias' main problem with the code and the conduct of the jedi. When one's life was possibly on the line trying to make peace wasn't the best option as it was one that could lead to death.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Noting the thief moving closer to Dune[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] Nikias also moved closer to shut her in and keep her from escaping. Considering how on edge Dune had seemed something was wrong[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] and Nikias would still need him during the fight to give them an edge over the the thief. "Dune..." Nikias said in warning trying to be sure that the jedi knight was on his guard for an attack if it came. While Nikias wasn't being hindered or even effected by what was happening[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] he didn't know if it was the same for the Bith.[/SIZE]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Nikias"]

She stayed there for a moment when he was getting closer and could hear the other coming in behind her, a small smile tugging at her lips more like smirk before she raised her eyebrow. "So that is whose holocron it was.... Didn't she go all darkside obsessed? You sure it is a jedi holocron and not a dark jedi's holocron. Full of rantings and ravings?" She could talk with some of the best in the crusade and that was easy... but here she had been in the shack where someone had been living prior to the people she had killed. It stank of the darkside and one thing that happened she had noticed along with others was... jedi master who died usually appeared a few days later as sith or darksiders because secretly they were resurrected or they gave in at the last moment to survive.... Really spoke to the character of many of them before she moved her foot a little to circle with Dune to get to his side a little carefully not in a hostile motion. "Perhaps it would be safer to let someone who isn't afaid of the darkside open it to see if she isn't going to try and corrupt you... Or are you like many other jedi and are secretly the one who can use the darkside, use emotion to be stronger while being a servant of the light? Are you special?"

 

[Dune Rhur]

"All the more reason to have it back in Jedi hands," the Bith replied "And no, I'll not betray the Light. I know I'm not 'special' and I don't have any intentions of playing at being a Sith."

He knew she was trying to distract him and to sow doubt. That combined with this distracting mental fog threatened to overtake him. He heard Nikias' quiet warning and caught his eye for just an instant. She'd had her chance to surrender. Enough!

With that mental impulse, Dune launched himself at the would-be thief with a diagonal slash at her left shoulder. She brought her blade up suddenly with blinding speed in order to parry. With that clash, the furious exchange began....

[member="Azlyn Ike"]
[member="Nikias"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Nikias"]

Azlyn felt it, that rush of combat and fighting coming to her as the jedi lunged forward towards her with her hands gripping the sabers hilt. Rising up as her movements came by instinct over by thought. SHe wasn't focusing on where he was going but going where the force told her to move. The crossguard activating as the blood red beam came out smaller and focused. She held it there to lock sabers with the jedi while speaking with a small grin on her face for him. "This blade, it looks different doesn't it? I hate its look jedi. It reminds me of a blade made for reaping lives." She looked up towards him keeping her eyes as the small blink she did moved the contacts to show the pinkish white irises and she pushed back with her arm. To break the lock but also make a small opening as she kicked off to bring her feet up in a cartwheel. The saber going onto the ground between his feet while her feet went to try and kick the jedi in the head and ear. Bith prided themselves on being able to hear and some strikes there could be helpful while she was coming around and pulled on the fiber cord activating the crossguards and pulling them up to try and cut him at the kneecaps before she landed in a crouch holding the blade when it returned to her hand finally activating the main blade with the crossguards for defending and pushing any blades up before she spoke a little ready to parry and defend and then counter attack. "Careful now jedi's, you don't want to get into a situation you might not be ready for."

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10pt]Sith [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Nikias thought as the red blade left the women's hilt. So far they were the only beings that he'd seen to use a red blade. Nikias didn't immediately join the battle instead waiting to see what Dune did. Nikias was somewhat surprised with the ferocity that the Jedi had attacked with. Preparing himself Nikias made sure to keep on the move so he could stay behind the Sith but was on guard for any attacks that were thrown in his direction[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] though it seemed all her attention was on Dune. Twirling his own saber in his right hand Nikias' eyes narrowed. He truly didn't have a good feeling about the Sith and her taunts were doing nothing but deepening his dislike of them. How could one simply expect to commit evil deeds such as murder and not be brought to judgement for it?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Thankfully the ploy she had tried on Dune hadn't worked. The thought of having to face Dune and the Sith were two things Nikias did not want to have to do. He didn’t even want to think about it as the chance of surviving such an encounter was small. As the Sith cartwheeled away from Dune[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] Nikias offered his own retort. "Its two against one. You're the one who's gotten into more trouble than you've expected." Pushing out his left hand Nikias summoned the force from within himself then pushed out kicking up dirt[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] rocks[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] and twigs turning them into projectiles to pelt and blind the Sith with while offering Dune a distraction to strike out at her. While Nikias had been taught to use a saber since a youth he would leave the saber combat to Dune till the knight needed him[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] if he needed him. [/SIZE]

[member="Azlyn Ike"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

The thief's foot brushed up against his face as he barely had time to move out of the way. She was smart, targeting a Bith's vulnerable auditory organs. Then she dropped and attempted to cut him off at the knees. All Dune could do was leap back, landing in an awkward stumble.

Nikias attempted to strike out, sending missiles at her but she sidestepped. Dune flung up a hand, sending a Force push out to protect himself. It helped...somewhat; he was still struck with several small objects causing him to grimace.

This blasted woman seems to have an answer for everything!

Dune knew he had to do something different but he also had to be careful. So, through the Force, he made a grab at her heels....

[member="Nikias"]
[member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Nikias"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

Azlyn moved staying in her crouch and presenting a smaller target for the padawan sending things at her while she mirrored the knight. Push to make something from her hand and deflect. One piece slicing under her eye as a thin line of crimson trickled but she stood up. Getting back a ways to have tem both in sight and her arm. THe knight had closed the distance, the padawan staying back.... So she could keep it up if the padawan was going to keep sending attack. The closer she was to the bith the more likely he was to be placed in the line of attack or be her meat shield.

Her eyes flicking back and forth between the two while she was waiting for something. "I might be outnumbered but.." She was cut off when something came to her feet. Gripping them and sending her legs back while she tucked and rolled forward. Tripping her up was one thing but no follow through while she gripped the hilt and it adjusted back into a sickle like saber. The main blade deactivating and the second crossguard leaving only the first with a pulse of the darkside energies from the crystals inside when she rolled back into the middle of the two. Preparing and entering the stance for Djem So while switching the saber hilt in her hand to a reverse grip.

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10pt]Nikias kept his distance from the battle and moved sideways following it to keep both Dune and Azlyn in his sights so he could know when to release his own attacks[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] but they were both to close to each other for Nikias to not be able to employ a similar technique again as Dune would possibly be caught up in the attack. Though there were plenty of things that came when you put all your time into training telekinesis[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] especially when you lacked talents in other areas of the force. Nikias had become quite adapt at gripping objects and other beings often times tossing them aside. Though he did not make his move just yet waiting to see how Dune would handle himself first. Soon enough the question was answered as Nikias was able to see the Sith trip and have to re-balance herself. Taking note of how she used her saber Nikias stored the information for later. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]With the Sith being able to fight Dune on even ground Nikias automatically thought that she had to be a Master or at the very least a knight which meant that she would probably be able to deal with Nikias on her own[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]though that wasn't a complete guarantee. However[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]the time she spent focusing on Dune gave Nikias enough time to delve into the well of the force within himself. Feeling the cool energy spread into himself Nikias focused it harnessing it and released it not in a push but in a grip aimed for the Sith's legs to lock her in place while Dune engaged her. [/SIZE]

[member="Azlyn Ike"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

Once again, she recovered her composure quickly, a clear natural talent in the arts of combat. The Bith himself was a decent swordsman but her next move came as a surprise. With a deft twist of her wrist, the cross-guard weapon became something like a sickle-and-chain he'd seen in historical accounts. Fortunately, the Padawan acted quickly and likewise grabbed at the thief's legs.

He took advantage of the distraction, leaping into the 'falling leaf' attack of Form IV. He came down with all his weight behind the slash....

[member="Nikias"]
[member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Nikias"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

Azlyn was watching them both while standing there and felt something for a moment... her boots tightening as the Bith moved leaping up and spinning. She knew the technique but few used it going for the dangerous spin to generate more power as she moved. Her body pumping the blood throughout her body and she could heart her own heartbeat in her ears as it thumped with a stomp. Force energies going to break the binding on one of her legs and the jedi was coming down. Shifting Nizarashi so she could do it her sickle came up to work and catch his blade for a saber lock behind her head. Arms up, bent with elbows almost pressed to her ears and she was going for the hook with his momentum from gravity.

More blood pumping through her body, the rushing in her ears when the blade was coming down and her arms gave a little going backwards with her biology for being flexible a saving grace while her body folded up. One side was going down but the other was going up rebounding the speed and force to add to the impact while she focused downwards with the energies to tuck herself into a smaller ball and backflip in place. Boots to catch the bith in the head again and try to kick out to launch forwards towards the padawan should she connect. Using his head and shoulder more like a springboard while she whips out forward with the saber in a large corkscrew slash to add some power to the strike.

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10pt]It seemed like the Sith had learned her lesson and instead of leaving Nikias on the outskirts to do as he pleased she continued to engage Dune[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] and broke off in the padawans direction. Nikias didn't know specifically why she did it but it was probably because of Nikias pelting her with objects and using telekinesis on her from a distance. If she left things like that she'd indeed be in a losing predicament. Now however as she flew through the air at him after breaking off from Dune[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] Nikias smiled. While he may have been a padawan that didn't mean he'd be that easy to take down. Raising up his left arm Nikias activated the shield that was built into the gauntlet. Springing to life similar to a lightsaber the ground was bathed in a gold glow now. The shield itself was easily large enough to protect Nikias from the kick and the thing was being that the Makrosian shield was made out of the same technology as lightsabers. Thus making the shield a great defense and an even better offense[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] and with the scarcity of such lightsaber variants the chances of the Sith expecting the shield were incredibly low. Nikias didn't even have to move and would instead stay still letting the Sith continue on with her kick[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] if she didn't want to lose a limb though she'd maneuver herself out of the way. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt][member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Azlyn Ike"][/SIZE]

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune's head snapped back as the thief's boot connected with her kick-push. Only training kept the Bith together, quickly gathering himself after stumbling back a step or two. He pushed the pain down and looked to see her launching another kick at the Padawan.

Nikias did something unlikely, activating a shield. Dune felt a sense of surprise at seeing one in use but decided to attempt to capitalize with her attention likely diverted by it. He came forward again with a horizontal slash directed at her back....

[member="Nikias"]
[member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Dune Rhur"] [member="Nikias"]

[guys corkscrew not propeller her feet are still pointing towards Dune]

Her eyes went a little wide in surprise. She had thought only Nico would use such a weapon as the blade went to it, her speed and energies going to flip up and over while she sensed the bith tucking in again. Higher into the air and going backwards as the sounds of the blades deactivating and only the crossguard going. She didn't know if they''d knock together but that wasn't the goal as she launched with a flick of the wrist and force energies the saber into a mushroom cap and once there was a feeling moment of resistance she pulled to propel herself up and past it speaking. "Tell my brother Nico his style is being used to poor effect." She gave a salute to them while landing on another mushroom head as she took off running.

Why fight when the goal was to escape, their small confrontation was just an excuse to get a work out while she was running. Her saber returning to her hand with the cord retracting. She could feel them but wasn't worried leaping to another mushroom and then kicking off to go into the trees. Her fear and unease dissipating in favor of clamping down on the force to suppress her presence in the darker shadows. Her sickle styled saber blade deactivating while she held it and jumped to deeper parts she couldn't be seen or felt from. Hmmm maybe some arkley are home for them to deal with. It was allowing the knight time to either distract them enough and sneak away or she could use the narrow parts between the trees to signle them out.

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune grimaced in frustration as his blade caught air, the woman now sailing on fiber cord into the treeline. This was getting them nowhere and fast. The Bith knew he was not a blade-master, his greatest abilities lying elsewhere. Her mental assault too made it that much harder to fight.

Something had to be done before she managed to escape. As she slipped into the trees, he deactivated his weapon and hooked it back onto his belt. Though she was out of sight and hearing, the Bith understood that she was in proximity. Her telepathic aura of fear and uneasiness still lingered about. He thrust his palms in the direction of the treeline and sent a wave of Force energy towards her approximate location, seeking to flush her out.



[member="Azlyn Ike"]
[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10pt]Nikias didn't know a Nico or if the name was of any importance or if it was meant to be aimed at Dune[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] but he simply smirked at the thought it had been aimed at him. She'd been the one caught off guard and Nikias didn't even have to do anything but stand there. Anyways as the Sith began to flee Nikias growled looking back at Dune and giving chase. Waiting for Dune to release the wave of Force energy Nikias would quickly move to give chase[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]if they waited too long the Sith was sure to escape. While Dune could offer his protests Nikias didn't intend to listen[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] he was a warrior and a general before he was a jedi. The thought of simply letting someone go that had what they needed was not something Nikias was willing to do. He'd already listened to Dune when he spared the rancor its life[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]but that was one time to many. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Breaking into the trees and tall fungi Nikias ran at a dead sprint his violet lightsaber active in his right hand. The forest was now alive with life and the screeches of the wildlife became louder. Exploding from his right and left Nikias saw two large green creatures. Their six[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]sharp legs like stilts and their heads adorned with a trio of eyes. Opening their mouths to release another screech Nikias saw their rows of teeth. Skidding to a stop Nikias simply threw his saber guiding it with the force the blade whirled through the air with a humming sound. With a wave of his index and middle finger Nikias controlled the blade as it sliced straight through the first Acklay's neck[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]and then as though passing it on he rose the same two fingers on his opposite hand. The Acklay to his left had wasted no time in trying to attack the Hellyni its maw opening wide. Bringing down its jaws to eat Nikias the creature stopped as the saber disconnected its head on the return journey. Falling to the earth with a heavy thud Nikias looked at the corpse and caught the saber his hand and moved to go finish the chase of the Sith. The smell of dead Acklay's and their burnt flesh would repel the other creatures from moving in on him and Dune if the Knight followed. [/SIZE]

[member="Azlyn Ike"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Nikias"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

They were still following her and well she had to admit she was impressed while holding onto the tree. THe padawan seemed obsessed with displaying his manliness but the knight was playing it smart... not rushing into the dark overgrown forest as the padawan had. His blade showing where he was while she watched carefully feeling the force blast and jumping into it. What better way to move along and if need be make a sound then with the thing making sounds in the trees. She could navigate it on the crux while tucked and grabbing a tree limb to swing. Jumping off of it to another while she swung using her speed to arc up away from the ground with creatures.

No force powers needed to sense them just her natural empathy and eye sight when black shadows moved against the black ground bringing her attention back up while she sank into the foliage of the canopy keeping herself hidden. The thicker branches she could crouch on keeping her attention on a few of the different things. Slowly touching the smaller branches and stripping them with her hand where she could before snapping them to collect in her hand. From her belt she could get a spool of fiber cord attaching it tot he thicker end of a branch with the smaller ones nice and sharp in it. She could do a lot with it and was lining it up with enough cord to reach down as she tied the cord to another branch going the distance.

Another spool against the place she had it set up while going down to the forest floor silently and crouched low while she was setting the cord carefully. Leaving tracks and enough that it looked like she had gone through the are but no real direction. The small little satchel the only thing she really needed to keep with her cord and saber. Tossing towards the knight she was letting a rock go out to get his attention before leaping back up and grabbing the branches of the tree to swing around into the higher levels. Away from all of them with a few more sections and attention to the small stuff. Mainly going in a semi erratic pathway away from them and deeper for what gear they had to weigh on them.