Private The Reckoning of Lavria Xedrim | Invite Only

[Gerwald Lechner]

Rebuild.

It was the one primary task of the Obsidian Council since the event known as the Cataclysm took place. Every Lord Marshall, every Master, and every Knight, had all been tasked with the same assignment. Train new squires. This was the only way they would regain the numbers they once held. More squires meant that more knights were needed, and there was one who had been overlooked for far too long.

Lavria Xedrim, apprentice to Darth Metus , had been long overdue for her ascension to Knighthood. There was only one thing which stood between her and the rank she deserved.

The Reckoning.

It was the first of two sets of trials a Knight Obsidian faced on their journey to the rank of Master designed to test three of the four pillars exemplified in a Knight, strength, will, and the law. Gerwald knew with little hesitation where Lavria stood with two of those three. He did not anticipate her problem would be with demonstrating her skill in the force, or her prowess in battle. His concern was what she would do when faced with a decision regarding the law. Could she make a judgement which conflicted with her idea of morality and what the laws of the Confederacy demanded. The Reckoning would be her true test, and would be Gerwald’s final answer.

Adjacent to the Council Chamber in the Arx Obsidia stood a lone room. On appearance it was plain with little decoration or elaborative design. It served a simple purpose, to test. It was to this place the squire had been summoned and where Gerwald waited for her at the center. His arms were folded across his chest. He would be found wearing his battle armor, the final gift which had been crafted for him by the previous Lord Commander Kyyrk . As much as the lupine hated formality, this was a formal process. It demanded Gerwald’s respect and adherence. On this day the only thing he was to the woman who had been summoned was the Lord Commander.

“Thank you for coming,” Gerwald said as he motioned for her to step forward.

His eyes fell to her. Whether she asked the reason for her summons or not, Gerwald would not answer. The words which came out of his mouth next held purpose. It would begin the thing they had gathered for.

“The time of your Reckoning is now.”

 

[Felix Aquila]

R E C K O N I N G​

Felix stood within the antechamber, his eyes a multitude of yellows in excitement, dimly resonating within his eyes, not shining, but in such a manner that no matter how dark the room were to get, one would feel like they would always be able to see the colour. Arms folded as he would await the newcomer, he'd heard of Lavria Xedrim, apprentice to Isley, honestly it had been a position that he had attempted to garner after the salvation of his sister, but it seemed that Isley was still out of his reach, he'd need to do more to earn the eyes of those above him, aim for higher heights. Though it seemed that after embroiling himself into wars, creating a veritable arsenal to better defend their homelands and shaping into, in his estimation, one of the better duelists seen by the Knights Obsidian have seen in modern memory wasn't quite enough.

But it was enough to have him summoned here, by the Marshal and lord commander of the Knights Obsidian themselves to take part in a Reckoning for another Squire meant that at least he had not entirely faded into obscurity. Though judging others as opposed to being judged had hardly been the plan when he had asked Isley for him to have done the same. Yet again seeming to have aimed his sights too high. You'd think there would be some gratitude.

Felix Aquila would be wearing his usual Knights Obsidian attire sans the helm of the armour weave light armour that was afforded to their ranks, though it could not be helped but to notice the modification of one of the CIS symbols into the shield of House Aquila that lay adjacent to them. At his side the scabbard of a vibroblade hung with an ornate antique basket guarded hilt protruding from it. The bladeless lightsaber that had belonged to the Huntress Shaela Nuur hung like a medal of pride to the Knight. On his left arm, there was the only aberrant piece of equipment was that of his thunderclaw talon, the sleek piece of armour that acted as his saber guard.

It felt like an age since he had been through his own reckoning, a sordid affair under the mediocre knight that he had done his training under. Unambitious, unenlightened and lazy in comparison to the affair that Gerwald Lechner seemed to be aiming for this time. Felix was certain his former master was stationed at a door somewhere in this building, happily clinging to their knighthood without any intention of furthering their studies into something more... It was an embarrassment, one that Felix had always hoped to undo.

As the woman entered the chamber, the noble would say nothing in greeting other than smile warmly, bowing his head in respect. It wasn't his duty to introduce himself, merely to be here until he was called upon. Eyes watching the rituals as they underwent, any questioning that would occur as well as the tenants that needed to be recited. As much as it may have bored others, Felix rather enjoyed the pomp and ceremony of events like these. The air of anticipation always hung heavy brimming with nervous excitement.

It was time to see what the teachings of Isley Verd could accomplish, and what Felix Aquila had missed out on all those years. And in so doing, he was going to give this damnable person the trial that he always wished he'd received. ​

 

[Lavria Xedrim]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner | Felix Aquila | Oleander Webb

DEEP WATER​

Arx Obsidia.

How many times had she walked these halls since her initial induction into the Knights Obsidian and Apprenticeship to Darth Metus ? She had lost count.

Hers had been a bloody past filled with hunts that the Confederacy would frown upon on a good day. Very few, if any, knew the full extent of her past. One of the few that had an idea of her past, had sent out a formal summons to the KO headquarters.

Formal.

Not a friendly or telepathic invitation this time.

The Zabrak felt cold as she made her way to the designated chambers she had been summoned to. Lavria had the slight fear of having to run again - that her past had caught up with her once again, despite Gerwald Lechner helping her from the vice grip of that past.

She feared being shunned once more.

As Lavria stepped into the barren chamber, she was met by an armoured and stoic Gerwald. The dread sank to the pit of her stomach. To mask this, a frown creased her brow as she narrowed her eyes. She was used to him being all broody and to the point. His demeanour now, however, was out of place for her. And alongside him was another Knight whom Lavria only knew from sight.

Was this it?

Excommunication? Extradition?

Handed back to the Sith Empire whom she had narrowly evaded twice now?

And then her squad leader spoke.

Her golden orbs landed coolly on the Lupine's face as he spoke. His formality had rendered her speechless. And then he said the words. She had heard the words before, but she never knew what the Reckoning actually meant.

With a lift of her chin, she matched the Lupine's blue gaze with her yellow-gold one.
"What does that mean?" she asked, placing snarky emphasis on the "that". Yet, the fear was gnawing at her stomach, sending a cold up her spine that had nothing to do with the ever present Darkness that surrounded her.

How she wished for one friendlier face at this moment, seeing as Lars was detained at the door.

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Lavria Xedrim | Gerwald Lechner | Felix Aquila

There was a third in that room Lavria entered, though he'd remain relatively unseen. Hidden in shadow, the last corner someone would think to look in (though whether that be by happenstance or other factors in play was anybody's guess), the Waking Nightmare leaned against a wall, arms crossed over his chest.

Oleander had grown to see Lavria as an ally of sorts. A confidant, even. But he was also a knight of the order, Gerwald's shadow, and death incarnate. And while he was half tempted to shoot her a quick text, a '<Your trial for knighthood, Lav> in response to her question, he remained silent in his hiding spot. If Gerwald wanted to partake in dramatics, it wasn't his place to ruin the fun.

For the moment, his place was to observe. Perhaps he'd play a role later on in the trial, but for the time being, he'd aim to remain unseen, observing how the trial would go while Lav was unaware of another familiar face in the room.

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

​

Felix Aquila had arrived, Oleander Webb was there as well. Both of them would be integral in testing the Squire. As the woman entered the room her usual habit of mocking the Lord Commander seemed to be gone. It was clear from her countenance she understood this was a formal meeting. Her question was to be expected, it was not like the reckoning was something which was usually made public. Gerwald had felt the need for them to be in order for others to see how advancement in the ranks took place. The Lord Commander wanted the Knights to grow and this was one way to do it.

Should he toy with Lavria Xedrim a little? No, it would not be appropriate now.

“Your reckoning. Your trials, as the Jedi might put them. Today we determine if you are ready to advance.”

Gerwald motioned to Felix.

“This one is a competent duelist from everything I have read and observed. There are three pillars every Knight must have to hold strong. Strength is one of them. Show me.”

With a nod of his head he indicated that Felix should engage the Zabrak.

“Fight him.”

 

[Felix Aquila]

R E C K O N I N G​

Tag: Gerwald Lechner / Oleander Webb / Lavria Xedrim
Equipment:

• Light-saber
• Personal Shield
• Armourweave Clothing

Felix would kick off from the wall he had been placed on, mood fouling a little more as that chip on his shoulder grew a little wider with Gerwalds attempt at recognition. Though he didn't know his mannerisms, perhaps he complimented little, perhaps his praise was something hard fought for. But something didn't sit right with being called competent. Similar to being called passable, alright or satisfactory, all of them implied barely meeting the mark in which a person was required to meet and little more. Though they were not mutually exclusive.

Puffing out his chest The boy would move into the center of the room, detatching the relic of the Sith hunter that sat at his side with the respect that Shaela Nurr deserved as he would first activate the shield which covered his taloned left hand. Flaring to life the knight like kite shield glittered with golden light, basking the area around it in a light glow as its interconnected hexes which composed it layer upon layour were defined by thin red lines.

Shield arm behind his back, and bringing his heels together he would hold his Saber down and to one side, ejecting the blade to a length somewhere between that of a Shoto and a standard lightsaber. A two foot long blade that afforded him control, but not necessarily reach... yet. With a small flourish of his weapon, spinning it to the outside he would whirl it into position in parallel with his body, holding the hilt close to his chest as the thin blade beamed between his eyes in a fencer's salute before getting into stance.

One foot would slide back as his weapon would point directly at Lavria's chest with an extended arm, the golden light of his matching sunlight golden blade would let a tinge of marmalade orange tint the enclosed chamber they stood in. Though it would seem that the room would feel... brighter than it was before. Anything steel in the room would begin to glitter with renewed luster, whites seemed whiter and colours would begin to pop and attract they eye just that little bit more as the room irradiated as if touched by the morning sun. All the while Felix's eyes among them drained of colour into the steely focus of a metallic silver.

No sooner than Lavria would draw her own weapons, Felix would lunge to the attack, the force empowering his speed as he would rush her, stepping to her right with his blade poised to his side to strike as he would faint, darting low and to the left instead as he would twist with his intended strike for her side, to fall to a knee at the last possible second, shield raised to cover her gaze and his body as he would pivot and strike for the outside of her knee instead of her side.

Expecting a block with her own weapons from a crouched position, covered by his shield should she still remain within an arm or two's reach and their blades lock Felix would thrust forward with his shield, intending to slam it into her torso. One of the Layers of the CROSS shield would detonate with enough concussive force to lay out a Trandoshan on its tail. Layer stripped from his shield as another would slowly begin to regenerate. The words of the Lord commander fueling his fire as the room and all within it would fall away from his perceptions, leaving only him and Lavria in the room. all of his focused honed in on her, her movements, the slightest of micro-expressions laid bare for him to witness with his absolute focus.

I'll show you competent...
​

 

[Lavria Xedrim]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner | Oleander Webb | Felix Aquila

RAISE HELL​

Oh he did not.

He seriously thinks that her fighting expertise needed testing? Lavria's dull gold orbs flashed bright yellow as the Darkness took a solid hold in her hurt pride.

She'd show his Lupine butt.

Removing her tonfas from her belt, she ignited the red blades as she watched the so-called knight's movements as he approached her. He sure had flair. Her dark, horned head nodded at both him, then Gerwald Lechner , before the Sith crouched into a battle stance and she waited, the red blades parallel with her arms. In the back of her mind she wondered briefly what Oleander Webb 's role in all of this would be. That made her more uneasy than squaring off against a guy in lightsaber combat. A brash one at that.

And there it was.

He moved toward her with lightning fast movements, which she was very much expecting. Crouching down low, she span with a sideways, Force-induced leg sweep at his feet while keeping her blades defensively, before getting up straight behind him. Swinging the backhand saber at the back of his neck in a feint, she was ready with her forehand saber to parry a blow to her side. Continuously moving, she danced. Expecting a parry to her feint, she'd disengage her saber to swipe past the parry before igniting the blade once more in a sudden downward slice.

Keeping the Dark Side close, she kept moving, jumping out of reach as Felix thrust forward with the shield. In retaliation, she harnessed an ancient power that her Master had taught her and his other apprentices with a bug once. Lifting two fingers from her one saber, the Force Push thrust forward in a powerful blast. If there was one thing she knew how to use, it was the Force.

If Gerwald wanted her to fight, then he better be ready for the consequences.

​

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Lavria Xedrim | Gerwald Lechner | Felix Aquila

As Felix and Lavria started to engage, Oleander's stone-cold expression cracked a slight grin as he caught the yellow glow in her eye. Oh, she was mad. Good, hopefully it'd aid her in the coming fight...and make his job a tad easier, though he also wondered if it'd make the aftermath of his portion a bit difficult. Ah well, Lav was an excellent fighter, no doubt, but he was fairly confident he could handle her in the end.

Observing as the two fought it out, the Waking Nightmare slinked away from his place in the shadows, coming forth to stand next to the Lord Commander with hands lazily shoved in his pockets. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, inhaling as he savored the energy in the room and all the soup to one day feast upon. There was a brief moment, as there always was, where instinct suggested he forgo all the formalities and pretenses of allies and feast on them all now. But just as quickly as the thought came, survival suggested otherwise. He would have a taste of their soup, in time. And he had all the time in the world to prepare for that day.

That didn't stop him, however, from allowing his focus to zero in on Lavria, his penchant for telepathy making it quite easy to slip into her mind like he'd done so many times on the battlefield. He didn't say anything, didn't offer any support be it tips or a bolstering through the force, just maintained that connection in that little brain of hers, waiting, should she pass this trial.

And with that connection formed, his focus turned back to the fight as a whole. "What do you think?" He asked Gerwald, voice barely above a whisper. "And how long do you intend to let them have at it?"

 

[Felix Aquila]

R E C K O N I N G​

Tag: Gerwald Lechner / Oleander Webb / Lavria Xedrim
Equipment:

• Light-saber
• Personal Shield
• Armourweave Clothing

The second Lavria turned on her sabers there would be a blinding flash that filled the room, the brightness of the weapons amplified a hundredfold in a wave as though a kilogram of magnesium erupted into brilliant coloured phosphorescent flame before their very eyes, possibly blinding everyone else in attendance as the plot behind Felix's subtle manipulation of the colour saturation in the room became revealed. The initial spark of a red lightsaber roaring into reality within this room without Felix's express exemption would create a flash like the birthing of a scarlet star. Sadly as the only light in the room was cold, unnatural, the flash would carry no heat that could burn the eyes or skin on a physical level beyond the simple overloading of the nerves in the eyes of everyone in attendance, and especially Lavrias due to proximity. As the beams of light curved around the eyes of Felix who wove the ever-flowing rivers through sapia filters draining the excess colour of her lightsabers from the world to him and him alone.

She would sweep as he approached with the extended reach of her leg as he would charge her, Felix's feint to one side of her, spinning as he would cut just outside the apex of her intended interception as it would cut across the front of his body, presenting her exposed side as he would move in for his attack. Shield above and weapon below he would swing for her legs to find one of the tonfa blade's waiting. The other aimed for the back of his neck to find the shield between them already there and waiting for a strike from above as the contact with it would repulse the weapon violently should it make impact. But as Felix followed up, rising with spring-loaded step the strike was aborted and its user danced away from range.

Curling her hands as the force gathered within her, Felix would charge. The wave of Telekinesis would be thrown toward him with the force of a missile, raising his shield however, the kinetic impact would slam into the plates of the reactive armour shielding. Two layers of the shield would detonate, creating a cone of anti-force which would tear the telekinetic push in half not stilling the momentum of the duelist as his shield depleted still... doing exactly what his shield was made for, to take singular massive impacts, like that of rocket explosions or high powered weaponry fire with almost no impact on himself.

Hoping to catch his opponent unaware he was upon her with a deadly flurry, bringing his weapon down on the arm which had outstretched to deliver her force push he would intend to pressure her with precise strikes still using his force enhanced speed. Slamming his weapon down, raising with a thrust, feinting away from a parry to strike at the parrying arm with a flick of his wrist. Should she attempt to counter-attack, Felix would once again present his shield with gusto. The emanating blast from it intending to throw her guard off allowing him to switch his stance from the fluid dueling of Makashi into the horrifying counterattacks from Djem-so. Hoping that the blinding attack to her eyes would be uniquely effective against the Zabrak, assuming they were from a dark low light planet like Dathomir.

She may be an elite warrior, but Felix's true talent was always to surprise others, and to never let them recover.
​