Trials of Fate

[Ken]

[member=Neesa]

The glow of the lightsaber lit the dark path ahead of him as he descended down the steps in complete ignorance of what waited for him at the bottom. There wasn't even an assurance that there was even a bottom for him to reach, especially when considering just how far reaching the forward path he'd veered off seem to go. Yet still he continued forwards, perhaps only due to having nowhere else to go, but the goal within his mind remained the constant which pushed him down into the darkness.

And so he walked, taking every step slowly as to not miss a step and send himself into a tumbling fall down into the nothingness beneath him. He couldn't shake the feeling, although, as he was being watched. The feeling had actually lingered on him since their entrance into the temple, but just as the dark energy of the force that overwhelmed them the further they got inside, that feeling had also increased in intensity the further in they went.

Forward.. The word seemed to echo into the back of his mind in, almost as if it was projected into his thoughts. It was his goal to continue regardless of the suggestion, therefore he continued on, out of sight and out of mind of the voice which spoke to him. Continue...forwards... It continued to further suggest thoughts to him, and perhaps it did influence him a bit as his pace would eventually pick up from the slow and methodical manner which he previously walked.

Very good... Coming to a halt, Kel was intrigued, if not outright perplexed by what was going on. The voice which suggested these words was...familiar. It was so familiar that he felt as if he knew who it was, but there was something which held back his thought process from calling out the identity which it was behind. He steeled himself for what would lie ahead, then marched down the steps once again, the darkness creeping up on him with each moment that passed.

As he reached the bottom of the steps, darkness had once more filled his vision and his senses became blind to the world around him. It lasted for what felt like minutes, but in reality it was no more than perhaps a dozen or so seconds that passed. When his senses returned, Kel was standing in the center of another chamber much like the ones they'd encountered before. This one was different, as there was only one way out of the chamber to his north.

Yet between him and the chamber there was a figure draped in a black-hooded cloak, standing there ominously, almost as if it was some sort of specter. It removed the hood covering its face and revealed itself to be an individual who Kel had grown to know well. In fact, it was the same individual whose voice he couldn't quite recall from earlier. "Good...very good, Kel..." It was his master, the Pureblooded Sith who had introduced him into the world of the Sith. From beneath the long-sleeved arm it would extend its hand, the metallic object within its grasp letting loose a dark red blade of plasma.

"You will defeat me...or you will die."

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

Walk.

Neesa did so, but she paced back and forth across the threshold. At the end of the corridor was nothing. No ground visible below, no cavern walls ahead. Just nothing.

What kind of test was this? A test of confidence? How could she possibly be confident about stepping into an infinite abyss. That was pure stupidity. In a moment of immaturity she kicked at a few loose pebbles, sending them into the darkness. She saw them fall a few feet before they vanished. There was no sound of them striking anything.

If she was her own master, what would she need to learn?

It didn't take long to connect that thought with the test before her. The sith culture was strictly hierarchical and disciplined. She was used to neither notion. This was a test if following orders.

Her chest was tight with fear, but she was presented with no alternative but waiting down here for the end of time. Neesa calmly stepped out into the abyss.

 

[Kel Novastar]

-Theme-​

[member="Neesa"]


Light brown orbs tinted with orange as he fortified his resolve to take upon his former master in the only way that this could proceed. His options were simply limited to defeating the man in single combat, or die. The latter wasn't acceptable by any means, although it still perplexed him that his trials would involve facing the man who had prepared him in the first place. Kel couldn't figure out if it was a ruse or not, but whatever it was would reveal itself sooner than later.

He slid into the base stance of the form which he was more-so trained in than the one taught to him by the man in front of him. Feet spaced evenly apart, the lightsaber in his hands being gripped by both of his hands to start out the duel. The cloaked Sith in front of him camly circled around the chamber, moving ever so closely towards his apprentice as he curve his steps inwards. The gap between the two Sith slowly began to close down to an acceptable level to begin combat, and soon there was no turning back from the fight which was to begin.

Beginning the battle with an overhead somersault towards his master, Kel would bring the lightsaber down upon the Sith with merciless intent, but his master's quick movements had not surprisingly blocked the blade before the strike managed to connect. The Sith's free hand shifted forwards, the open palm causing the airborne Acolyte to fly backwards from a strong wave of energy in the form a force push. Kel responded in kind, using the force to further enhance his abilities as he applied the kinetic motion of his movements to throw his weight backwards into a flip, his feet striking against the ground and skidding across the dusty floor until he came to a stop.

Kel wasted no time in pressing the offensive once more, a force-assisted leap through the air sending him forwards at his master, blades crossing across his master's forward position once before Kel unleashed a series of wild and untamed strikes all across his master's defenses. The acolyte's footwork wasn't great, yet the force-assisting motions which followed allowed him to glide and throw his body in several directions in order to try and overwhelm his master's guard. Yet the man was tough, and his skill was the lightsaber was not to be taken lightly. He blocked and parried the multitude of strikes as if they were effortless, and he'd not even bothered to press an attack of his own.

Only another wave of force was shot forwards, sending the Acolyte flying across the chamber this time around. He pushed himself up to his feet and switched his stance, assuming the one which his master had began to teach him during his apprenticeship. "Good...good...you're learning, Kel." He cackled beneath his breath, holding the lightsaber off to the side of him as he activated the dual-phase ability and caused the blade to begin cutting into the stone floor to his side. "Now come at me once more... or you shall die."

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

Neesa actually stumbled because as the darkness instantly receded it revealed the smooth corridor carried on exactly as it had been. She had reflexively braced for at least a small drop. The pebbles she had kicked were spread across the tunnel floor.

She grunted. The test had succeeded in making her feel particularly foolish, if nothing else. If their magic could overwhelm her so easily, what place did she really have alongside them? Perhaps that was the lesson more than anything to do with obeying commands.

The sound of lightsabers clashing reached her ears. Without further delays she set off at a brisk pace, still keeping her senses attuned to her surroundings. The corridor became stairs which dropped her down to a junction between several corridors. A quick survey down each direction revealed she had come down to a complex set of catacombs. Hopefully this was as low as the tunnels went. She was already uncomfortable with the amount of rock over her head already. Even though the sound was bouncing off the walls, she tried to follow the sound of lightsabers.

 

[Kel Novastar]

[member="Neesa"]

The sizzling sound of the end of the lightsaber charring the floor beneath it was only somewhat distracting, as the presence of the man he once called master was more than enough to keep his undivided attention. The Sith Pureblood began a slow, almost methodical forwards march, a blackened line trailing beneath the end of the blade as it pressed into the edge of the stone flooring.

It was nerve-wracking having to stand there and await what could be one's impending death. Yet he could not run craven, that was for sure, even if death was the only option he had left on the table. But not discounting his abilities in spite of the overwhelming odds, Kel stood his ground with that same impassiveness spread across his face that hid the true emotions beneath the facade.

The Sith approached closer, reciprocating the emotionless visage, and it wouldn't be long until the distance between them was danger close. At the very last moment, his master's lightsaber reverted back to its normal length, the man beginning a series of wide-arced albeit extremely fluid strikes towards his apprentice. Kel guided his lightsaber with both hands to knock away the first strike, then proceeded to rely on his acrobatics to dodge and roll out of the way of the wide range of attacks being thrown his direction.

The dual-phase activated once more, and the wide strikes became even more deadlier than before. Kel barrel-rolled out of the way of a heavy strike which aimed to bisect him in two, then a force-assisted leap forwards through the air would allow him to somersault clear over the top of his master. Immediately following up with his own series of strikes, albeit wild in motion, his master simply spun on heel, whipping the long-bladed saber within his hands around and once more forcing Kel to go on the defensive in order to dodge the large, sweeping motions of his master's weapon.

He leaped backwards once he was clear of the previous assault, placing a dozen or so feet between the two combatants. In spite of the cold visage he managed to hold, he was visibly tiring from the affair. His style of combat wasn't the most energy-saving, and dealing with an opponent so overwhelming had not afforded him the privilege of holding back anything. While not panting just yet, he was definitely breathing rather hard by that point. Something had to happen, or something had to give. Either way, the fight wouldn't last much longer at the route it was going.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

Each step was a careful placement of a foot. Toes touched down, then she rolled the foot back to the heel. Only then did she shift her weight from the trailing leg to repeat the process. The catacombs didn't seem as structured as the upper layers. As if a madman had hewn through the rock on a random charge.

As she stepped into a darker section her eyes caught a subtle glint. Neesa reacted on instinct. A clang rang out down the corridor. She found herself braced, the straight blade of the Pureblood acolyte wedged between her pair of curved blades. The tip was just inches from her brow.

Neesa dropped her weight and pushed back. One blade deflected, the other swiped low to put some distance between them. As soon as the Pureblood stepped back she sheathed her sword.

"Good enough," she grunted.

Neesa stared after her incredulously. "Good enough?"

The Pureblood shrugged. "Only the worthy will survive this. If I do not determine you so, someone else will."

"And who determines if you are worthy?" Neesa snapped back.

The Pureblood reached for the hilt of her weapon again. "Would you like to decide?" She asked threateningly.

Neesa considered this. So far the other acolyte had helped them get past the obstacles. And also tried to kill her. But to fight now would seem a waste when there was more ahead. Neesa pursed her lips before lowering her blades.

The sith indicated for Neesa to go on ahead, but she waited for the Pureblood to walk alongside her. They headed for the sound of a lightsaber.

 

[Kel Novastar]

[member="Neesa"]


"I've taught you better than that, Kel." The Sith methodically stepped towards Kel, the blood red lightsaber hanging off to his side and swaying slightly as he moved. "Release your anger...that emotion you're trying to hide. You will die right here and now if you don't." Slow steps, almost as if the man was taunting Kel into a reaction.

Kel's grip on his lightsaber tightened, and beneath that apathetic visor his teeth clenched as the rage within his threatened to reach that boiling point of spilling out into the open. His master had always struggled to force the adolescent to channel the anger within him, and such was always the biggest weakness when attempting to train him in attaining the powers of the dark side of the force.

It wasn't something which Kel wished to rely upon, just as he refused outright to attune to the opposite spectrum of the force. He sat at a comfortable median between the two, although in moments where his anger began to grow it was hard for him to hold back the rage within his mind. Kel assumed another stance, specifically of the style known as Vaapad that his master taught him to channel that anger that could potentially benefit him in times of crisis.

It was fitting, especially since his ineptitude to bring forth the dark side of the force would prevent him from using the other style of the form known as Juyo. He preferred the acrobatics of his signature form, but it was proving to only further tire him out against the impenetrable defenses of his master.

Bending at the knees, he lunged into the air with a force-assisted jump, both his hands gripped tightly around the hilt of his lightsaber. Coming down into a fast descent, his arms cocked backwards as he let out the anger he'd previously held back in a loud grunt. The lightsaber crashed forwards with everything he could muster, the strength put forth behind the attack causing his master's feet to slide a few inches backwards.

Pressing the attack without stop, the anger he'd been holding inside was let loose behind each and every blow, and surely enough he began gaining ground, but still not landing a blow. That being said, his master didn't actually attempt to counter-attack. Instead he remained on the defensive, albeit the rage-filled blows being sent his direction were causing him to backpedal if not outright being forced backwards by the sheer strength being thrown into the attacks .

For roughly a minute straight the acolyte had let out all of the rage and anger that had been building up inside of his body into every last attack he could throw at the man, but with a single swipe of that blood-red saber, he'd completely break the acolyte's guard. A wave of energy erupted from the Sith's hand, forcing Kel backwards before throwing him off his feet.

"Good...not pathetic...but decent. If you wish to survive, you must learn to channel that anger within your heart. Release that rage, or die. The path ahead of you is clear...continue."

The words seemed hollow, almost as if they were being said over a loudspeaker as they slowly descended into an echo that bounced between his ears. The form of his master began to dissipate slowly, his body becoming translucent and until it turned into nothingness. Standing to his feet, he was curious as to what exactly he had been fighting. He was quite sure that the man he was fighting was his master, but the question remained to be unanswered.

For now, the path for him to continue was right ahead for him to take if he so choose to do so. Yet the sound of approaching footsteps would halt his step, and he'd wait in the middle of the chamber to see who exactly was coming his way.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

"You're alive," the Pureblood who had still not revealed her name said. It was relayed in such a matter of fact tone. Neesa was watching her carefully now.

"My challenge did not seem threatening," Neesa whispered. "Apparently I had to make a leap of faith. To obey."

"They used Runes inlaid on the walls to cast spells and separate us. If they did that then they likely had individual challenges in mind," the Pureblood stated matter-of-factly. Neesa liked her less and less, even accounting for the fact that she had tried to kill her.

An empty space was left for Kel to speak into, bit Neesa was peering ahead. Another chamber, this one vast. Once again no sign of the floor, bit hexagonal pillars that jutted up from far below. Each barely had enough space to place two feet on, yet they were too far apart for a short hop between them.

The Nagai smiled. This she could do.

 

[Kel Novastar]

[member="Neesa"]

His breathing had evened out to acceptable levels by the time the footsteps which he'd heard were revealed to be the two Acolytes he'd formed somewhat of an alliance with. The Sith woman hinted at him being alive in that matter-of-fact tone of hers, which left Kel to assume she expected him to have died.

Not surprisingly, at least once he counted in that superiority complex which seemed to be a common trait among their kind. Neesa chimed in as well, informing him that they had all been separated and provided with various tests. Hers sounded rather easy in comparison to the one which he'd been put through, but he wouldn't complain.

It was a learning experience in spite of the deadliness to it, and Kel had picked up some helpful tips that would hopefully help him survive whatever tests the trial might throw at them next. While he secretly hoped it didn't involve another specter, ghost, or life-like illusion, at the very least it was comforting to once more have strength in numbers.

Clipping the lightsaber back onto his utility belt, Kel let out a rather audible sigh as the group proceeded forwards to the next chamber. He had little to say in response to what they said, mostly because he was a bit busy attempting to calm his nerves after the harrowing test he'd apparently passed.

The chamber ahead of them was different, indeed, as the floor was mostly gone except for variously arranged hexagonal pillars which seemed to lead to the opposite end of the large room. Ahead he could see the dimly lit light eminating from the next passageway for them to head down, but it would be a bit of a task to get there.

Rolling his neck in preparation for the test, he bent at the knees as a force-assisted leap would send him flying towards the first free-floating pillar. He pushed his weight forwards as he was airborne, descending into a graceful somersault which followed with both his palms landing on the pillar first.

Bringing his lower half down towards the pillar, he carefully got up to his feet, narrowed eyes gauging the correct path to take in order to get towards the platform at the far end of the chamber. Another leap followed, this time his feet hitting the edge of the pillar for a brief moment before he managed to push his weight forwards and stabilize himself on the platform.

The previous battle had left him a bit drained, but he'd manage as long as the task didn't involve another winding battle against a superior foe. He'd only look back once to see how the other two were doing, instead choosing to focus on getting himself across before turning his attention elsewhere.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

The rooftops of her home city had become her own personal playground over the last year. Even in the height of summer the air was cool at night when it was rushing over your skin. She fixed her eyes on a chosen pillar and sheathed her swords. Five quick steps accelerated her forwards as she gathered the Force around her. A leap was caught by the Force and she was propelled upwards.

There was nothing extravagant in Neesa's technique. She kept her eyes on the target. One foot caught the pillar below the ledge to halt her forwards momentum, the other found purchase on the top. Now she had to leap from a standing start, choosing a much closer pillar. This was more taxing and she decided it would be best to take a breath on the next one and gather her strength.

As she repeated the landing process, however, the pillar started to move. Her weight tipped it, almost as if it wasn't secure at the base but free standing. It started to lurch forwards and she dropped to grasp it with hands too. She looked around frantically for another target.

 

[Kel Novastar]

[member="Neesa"]


Knees bent forwards once more before springing forth into another force-assisted leap that sent him flying through the air. His feet touche down upon another pillar, although not all was as it seemed as he'd soon find out.

The pillar itself began to rock back and forth, almost as if it were barely being held in its place. The motion was almost enough to cause Kel to loose his balance, but another leap forwards would prevented him from falling to his death this time around.

Once more his feet would land on another pillar, which would also soon begin swaying upon the force of his weight pressing down on its base. He attempted to center his body to the best of his abiltiy, carefully bending at the knees and leaning forwards in order to bring the pillar forwards with his weight.

He succeeded in doing so, but not before the pillar continued forwards more than he wished, the sudden sound of a snapping crack alerted him that it was in his best interest to continue on forwards. His body sprung forwards once more, a single foot touching down on the pillar to his front before he was already in the motion of leaping towards another.

The previous one which had snapped and cracked had crashed into the one he was on, but not before he was already in the process of jumping off to the next one. He moved with a purpose from that point forwards, and eventually he'd make it to the platform on the other side, but not without leaving a pair of broken pillars and a dust of debris in his wake.

His view would turn towards the other two by that point, although his eyes would narrow towards the Sith. There was something about the Sith he didn't trust, but for now he'd keep it to himself. They were all in the trial together, for the most part at least.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

Pale fingers grasped the very lip of a pillar. Another set joined them. It took all her remaining strength to haul herself up. She was light and strong, but the trials already seemed to stretch out behind her. When her midriff was above the edge the pillar started to move. This had been the only one she could reach from her precarious perch and as she looked around she realised it was a bad choice.

the nearest pillar was a long leap away. If she tried to jump now the spring in her legs would move the pillar as much as it moved her. A flare of panic became that ice cold focus. The pillar was going to topple, but perhaps she could aim it towards the others. If it went the other way she was heading down into the void. She called the Force to her, reaching out and brushing against the pillar. Normally the Force flowed through inanimate objects as if they not exist. It took effort to connect the two.

The pillar juddered and started to topple. Neesa held one hand out, fingers splayed wide. Every ounce of concentration was put towards steering that fall towards the nearest pillar.

 

[Kel Novastar]

[member="Neesa"]


Force-assisted leaps through the air had done wonders at allowing the Acolyte to further put himself closer to reaching the platform at the far end of the chamber. The distance was being covered with ease, but the real trick came in making sure he didn't fall to his death after planting his feet on the shaky pillars that rose from the darkness covering their base.

The leap that followed his initial jump off of the previous pillar would find a foot planting solidly on the pillar beneath him. It swayed with the extra weight placed on top of it, but Kel did his best to center his weight, as well as sway in a pattern which would use that weight to keep the pillar steadily balanced.

It would allow him a few extra seconds at best, and Kel used this time wisely enough to make his way on to the next pillar in his path. Another leap sent him soaring through the air, his eyes having targeted the pillar in his way but already moving forwards to analyze which one would come next.

The tips of Keel's boots planted on the pillar, his body motioning to sway in that same pattern as before as to give him that extra bit of time before he lost his balance completely. Right before the pillar itself felt as if it were to collapse beneath his feet, he leaped forwards once more, his body twirling through the air as an extended palm firmly placed down upon the pillar to his front.

Throwing himself forwards once more with assistance from the force, his body would flip once more, this time his legs planting firmly on his next target in mind. And to his luck, his feet would touch down on the platform itself this time around. Kel had a clear view of Neesa and the other Acolyte from where he stood. He could've continued forwards without them -- as he assumed they both would probably do in his situation -- but once more the clearer part of his mind won the battle.

He felt as if the temple itself was starting to seep thoughts of darkness within his head, if only due to the overwhelming presence of the dark side surrounding him. Yet this was something he just couldn't prove as of yet. He'd just have to finish the trials as soon as possible so he could rid himself of the place.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Kel Novastar"]

It seemed she had managed to wrest control of the stone tower. It fell straight and true towards her intended target and Neesa prepared to leap, lifting her hips and getting ready to explode upwards. Yet suddenly the pillar started to veer. Almost as if another external force was acting upon it. She didn't have too long to consider what that meant. Instead she had to flatten herself down to the pillar just to keep from falling.

Barely a moment to spare. With no finesse she slammed the pillar from the side to push it back on course. Her timing was as good as could be as she pushed back to her feet and ran up the side of the falling pillar. Her jump came late, fingers missing the lip of the top of the next post. Instead her chest slammed into the stone. Her teeth clacked together and the skin was grazed from the tip of her chin. Desperately she clung to the side with her arms wrapped around the post. Fortunately this pillar seemed to be stable.

Inch by inch she pulled herself up, alternately anchoring with her legs and arms. It was slow, strength sapping work but she finally reached the top. She stayed on that pillar for nearly half a minute, filling her lungs back with oxygen. Then one final leap made it to the other side.

"Thought you weren't going to make it," the sith shrugged. She turned her back and started to leave. Neesa sprung into action. Her sword whipped free from her belt and she swung for the pureblood's arm. The Sith saw it coming, drawing her own straight blade. They clashed and the clear sound rang out.

The pureblood grinned.

Then that expression faded away. The strike had been a feint. Neesa doubted she could have won a fair sword fight with the woman even when she was fresh. Arrogance was the acolyte's undoing. Neesa's knife protruded from the centre of her shoulder blades. As the pureblood crumpled Neesa rounded on Kel.

"She tried to kill me twice," she said, keeping her sword in her hand but gesturing with the other for calm. "She would have done so again."

 

[Kel Novastar]

[member="Neesa"]

As the three Acolytes reunited on the far side of the chamber once more, a brief battle would ensue between the two who'd just arrived. Kel took a step backwards, his hand instinctively moving towards the lightsaber at his hip as he watched the exchange occur.

Neesa's blade moved to strike at the pureblood's arm, but the easily avoidable strike was a mere feint as the sharp end one a knife pierced through the back of her shoulder blade. He raised an eyebrow as the pureblood acolyte dropped near his feet, either dead or dying.

"Hm." He took another step back, his stance indicating a distinctive defensive posture as he cocked an eyebrow in Neesa's direction. She explained what had happened; about the times the other acolyte tried to kill her multiple times during their journey through the temple.

He sensed truth in her words, especially since he'd gotten an ill vibe from their previously standing companion. His hand moved away from the lightsaber dangling from his utility belt, both his hands once more casually at his side. "Then we're down one more companion." Was his initial response, eyes peering at the now seemingly lifeless corpse at his feet.

A quick nudge with the side of his boot would reciprocate no reaction, and Kel would turn his attention back to Neesa once more. "I'm making a risk here, but I'll put my trust in you that your blades would shy away from me." It was a risk, but he didn't sense any ill-intent coming off of Neesa towards him... for now at least. A hand moved towards the opening leading down the next path, a thumb protruding in its direction. "With that in mind, we've got more trials to complete."

 

[Neesa]

"Having more competent blades around is why she had only been taking the odd chance to kill me so far. But she would have tried harder before this was all done," Neesa said. The sith was lying on her back now. Her mouth was bobbing open. Like a fish gasping for air. She often wondered what went through people's minds as she killed them. In this case Neesa had no real interest in finishing it quickly. She stalked away, leaving the Pureblood to finish expiring.

Shouts came from ahead. They turned to screams. Neesa drew her other long blade and kept them at her sides. She was tired of these games. Her will to remain stealthy had fled.

Several passages converged on a wide, domed chamber. For the first time they saw another group of acolytes as well as a Lord. A scream came from one of three passages that seemed to head downwards. As Neesa watched the other group were directed down the right tunnel. As Neesa and Kel approached the Lord silently pointed out the tunnel on the right.

"This all seems a little final," Neesa remarked, but the Lord stayed silent and stony-faced.