The Ways of Combat

[Valin Stryder]

While Valin had known combat for a time when he was a Jedi Padawan, he had all but forgotten such ways in his isolation on Korriban, and now only having been released his wished to conduct his training as a Sith, while he could spend hours into sacred texts and ancient texts on Sith Magic. Accounts of beings of old who could peer into the future, while he waited to hone his powers to tell the future, to see into the flowing currents of the Force. Learning the magic that the Sith of old once possessed, and to one day have the infamy to be called "Prophet of the Empire" While no doubt his ways in mysticism would stretch far and wide, during his time on the tomb world he knew one thing.

One day he would have to fight as a Sith, he would have to wield a Lightsaber, even his own hands in defeating those that had dared threaten him, be it both Jedi, Sith, anyone who would get into his way, which is why in the academy on Korriban the whispers of one instructor crossed his mind. One of whom would teach him ways to defeat his enemies if magic could not. That name was Vaulkhar, it was rumored the man was to be the bastard son of the Emperor himself. Yet if that was true even he did not know, but to learn from the son of the Emperor is a great honor to many Sith. One step closer to serving him.

He waited for the man to appear, having not earned the right to build a lightsaber, for such weapons are for taking. He brought a simple Vibroblade with him, excited adrenaline filling him as he stood among the courtyard of the Academy, wondering what skills he would learn and if it would help against any foes that may challenge him in the future. It was something Valin looked forward to on this day.

[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

Screams filled the halfbreed's sleep. Visions of warfare swam through his dreams. Conflict was coming to the Empire and his nights were littered with horrific amalgamations that assaulted his brain. All around him the dead littered the fields of war. Faces he recognized, twisted and distorted in his mindscape stared up at him. His elder brother reached out for his aid but he was already dead. The acrid scent of burning flesh made his flesh crawl as he sought a reprieve from the terrible sight all around him. His father loomed forward from the smoke and ash, covered in head to toe with blood and gore. Corpses were dragged behind him before being dropped at Vaulkhar's feet.

The smoke soon cleared to reveal a broken planet littered with the dead. Only the two men were left standing. The dream slowly shifted and the dead changed to resemble the faces of his loved ones. A scream welled up from beneath him as he fell to his knees...

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Vaulkhar slammed into the hardy durasteel floor beneath his cot. A grunt escaped him as he took a moment to familiarize himself with his surroundings once more. His small room within the Sith Academy on Korriban was just as he left it the night before. Clean and sparsely furnished, just as he liked it. He pushed himself to his feet and stumbled over to the trunk at the foot of his bed. Clothes were pulled out and hastily thrown over him to cover his scarred flesh. He finished taking care of his basic morning routine before moving out of his room and into the halls of the academy.

Korriban was by far the planet he hated the most within Sith Space. His nights were spent in force filled dreams. Visions and nightmares plagued each and every night, leaving the man tired each morning. Nothing yet had been found to quell the mental intrusions he faced, so he was forced to deal with them head on. In the past, the dozens of Acolytes and Warriors on the planet sought to curry favor from the Dark Lord's son, but they all realized it was a waste of time and effort alike. Those who didn't get the memo often weren't seen or heard from again. Rumors spread rather quickly that Vaulkhar was neither a patient or forgiving man.

Heads remained down as the inhabitants of the temple chose to avert their gaze from the prince as he strode into the courtyard. Vaulkhar took a moment to search for his assigned pupil before his dull gaze settled on Valin's lone form. He approached the young Acolyte and cleared his throat.

"Attention, acolyte."

[member="Valin Stryder"]