First Reply Warrior Rage Is Never Sated

[Kassim Veyr]

The dry heat of Jaguada came down very heavily on Kassim as he stared down into the pit at the five men he had selected from the transport. His fingers curled inside his gloves as the orbital station above him was long abandoned due to the Sith warfleet entering into hyperspace to reinforce the long-awaited invasion of the Republic.

He had been left behind as his master insisted he wasn't ready for Jedi, he spat into the dirt at such a notion. Moving his foot forward to kick a heavy crate filled with confiscated vibroblades over the edge, the box coming apart upon hitting the floor with weapons spreading out along the sand.

The prisoner's glance up at him then to the weapons as no explanation was needed. He unfastened both hilts from his belt, igniting the crimson blades and entering into a Jar'Kai stance. He was most comfortable with this form giving his extensive training in it and it would serve him well as he gestured for them to to come forward with two fingers.

A Zabrak with a partially missing ear came at him with a dagger shaped blade. The other four quickly spreading out to attack from every direction in order to even their chances of emerging alive. The Zabrak charged with his weapon raised, but Kassim thrust his left saber forward, halting the red tip just inches from the man's throat.

His opponent came to an abrupt stop to avoid impaling himself though he simply drove the blade straight through the man's chest by stepping forward. The body fell to the ground though it did not satisfy his lust for violence as he turned to confront the others.​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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Jaguada was not the first place Xan had in mind when entering Sith space following their recent engagement with the High Republic, but it was where the Force had guided him. He was not widely known in either the Order or the Covenant, but he intended to carve his name and legacy out through his mission. Scorched sands and dry winds greeted the renegade Sith like an old friend as he approached his destination. ​

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It would not be long before Xan found himself overlooking a fighting pit. Blurred memories flashed in the back of his mind, painful recollections of his past and being forced to fight to the death in gladiatorial fighting pits, never knowing if that day would be his last. But here he was, still alive, still breathing, yet still fighting a never ending war of attrition against his past. ​

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The renegade Sith watched from above, eyes focused on the Devaronian below as they took on the ill equipped prisoners. It was a slaughter, as expected. For the prisoners, it was little more than suicide. Xan sensed arrogance and superiority in the way they paused before each kill, as if chastising a young student for rushing their instructor. It stirred something in Xan, though it was neither anger nor malice.​

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There was nothing to learn from fighting helpless sheep being led to slaughter. A Sith should never be allowed to grow fat on an inflated sense of superiority. Such ego would breed complacency, and complacency bred weakness. Weakness resulted in death. Xan would offer a lesson to correct that.​

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A hand gripped the railing of the pit as Xan vaulted over the edge, landing in the dusty pit. There was no introduction, no words or quips to announce himself as he approached the Devaronian, letting them finish off the other prisoners. ​

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He held his hand out to the side, his saber called from his belt and into his grasp as a crimson blade ignited. He marched forward with the bravado of someone ready to kill.​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim removed the lightsaber from the Zabrak's lifeless body, keeping an eye on the remaining prisoners as they positioned themselves around him. Even though they were inexperienced in battle, he remained cautious, lowering both of his sabers and stepping back, intentionally exposing his chest.

He allowed his shoulders to droop slightly, pretending to be fatigued from his earlier movement. A heavyset prisoner took the opportunity, rushing in with a thrust aimed at his ribs. The man's eyes grew wide with shock when Kassim sidestepped and cleanly severed the man's head in one swift motion. He did the same to the next two, toying with them just enough to give them hope before taking it away.

As he faced the last man, the air in the pit grew colder, and he felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. A strong force user had arrived nearby, causing his chest to tighten. His eyes widened as he turned to identify the source of this disturbance. The immense power of Xan Atropus was overwhelming, prompting him to step back and create some some distance as the man walked towards him.

Although he felt fear, he chose not to flee in panic, instead harnessing his natural Instincts to strengthen the dark side within him and steady his nerves. "Very well," he whispered to himself as he prepared to confront the intruder with his twin lightsabers. He swung his first blade to the left of his opponent while using the other to sweep cleanly at his legs.​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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He didn't run at Xan's approach. Good. At least the Devaronian wasn't a coward kicking swaddling infants and pretending to be stronger than they acted. Instead they took the initiative and swung first.​

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Jar'kai. It had been a while since he dealt with it, and the fundamentals of dealing with it may have been rusty, but such was the point of his engagement. Only through battle did one hone their edge, and only against an opponent who had a fair chance at killing him would keep him sharp. The inverse was the same. The Devaronian chose to fight aggressively with it, two blades striking one after the other to divide the renegade's attention - but it came at the price of a weaker swing.​

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Xan did not retreat from the attack, instead moving forward to close the gap as his blade swung out, using his own strength to meet the first strike, violently redirecting it off to the side. His lead foot lifted from the ground as the second blade swept beneath it. Once the blade cleared where his foot had been he'd stomp it back down against the dusty ground, leaning his body weight into it as he pressed forward throwing a brutal shoulder bash into their central line to force them backwards and off balance, following it with a vicious lateral slash toward their midsection.​

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If they wanted to fight with aggression, then they needed to commit to it. There was no retreat or time for respite. ​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim was caught off guard when his opponent's lightsaber deflected his to the side, causing their plasma blades to lock momentarily. His attempt to strike Xan Atropus 's legs was easily dodged as the man charged into him, making him stumble backward and lose his balance.

His boots slid through the dirt as he noticed a lateral slash aimed at his midsection, threatening to cut him in half. He quickly crossed both lightsabers to block, stopping the red blade just inches from his waist. The powerful blow pushed him back another step, sweat dripping down his face from the heat being so close to his body.

Understanding that he couldn't overpower the man in a contest of strength, Kassim momentarily weakened his grip on his second lightsaber and used the Force to lift sand from the ground, creating a whirlwind. He directed the sand into his opponent's line of sight, then quickly sidestepped to the right to swing both lightsabers from different angles, this time targeting his opponent's arms. ​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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Xan's blade clashed with Kassim's as they barely managed to halt his attack. He leaned into the strike as he continued to push forward in an attempt to destabilize their stance. Their blades squealed as sparks flew, crimson blades skittering against one another in an attempt to overpower the other.​

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Kassim conjured a sand flurry to temporarily obscure Xan's vision in an attempt to relieve the pressure, but such cheap tactics would only get the Devaronian so far. The sand obscured Xan's vision, but it did nothing to mask their killing intent, giving the renegade just enough information to know which direction his opponent had sidestepped off to as honed instinct took over. ​

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Xan turned toward the movement as the first blade came for him. His saber snapped up violently, batting the weapon away. He stepped through the motion, shoulder turning with the strike as the second blade came from the opposite side. He brought his saber around hard, catching the second blade and forcing it away before driving forward again. There was little finesse to the movement, Xan refusing to yield ground, using each parry to carry himself closer. ​

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Xan stepped into the space between them, his saber drawing back as his weight shifted forward, bringing his blade down in a heavy diagonal cut towards Kassim's upper body.​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim's heart was pounding in his chest as Xan Atropus deflected his attack and moved forward to strike again. He took quick steps back into the sand allowing his shoulders to drop slightly to make his opponent think he was untrained and running out of options to win the present engagement.

A heavy strike came for his upper body, and rather than trying to withstand the blow itself, Kassim used the second blade to deflect the weapon away from him just enough to protect his chest from harm. As he created space, Kassim activated the quick-release catch on his hilts.

The internal fibercord unfurled, linking his dual lightsabers into one weapon. He flicked his wrists, sending the connected hilts spinning through the air as the red blades formed a circle of plasma swirling around his torso and shoulders in unpredictable movements.

Kassim thrust the Lead Hill forward, aiming a quick strike at Xan's head, then immediately pulled the cord back and directed the second glowing blade toward his ribs. He kept the weapon in constant motion, using the spinning cord's momentum to strike at his opponent from unexpected angles, allowing the speed of his swings to deliver the force he couldn't achieve with sheer strength.​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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Xan flourished the blade after it was deflected, the crimson blade thrumming as Kassim continued to surrender ground to him. It was almost disappointing watching the Sith Knight continue to retreat, so much that Xan stood there briefly with his saber at his side - was this really the state of the Sith? His thoughts were interrupted as he watched Kassim's movements start to switch up. He tilted his head to the side as he watched the Devaronian transform his weapon into a linksaber. An exotic weapon for sure, and not one frequently used by either Jedi or Sith and potentially a problem - if the Knight actually knew how to use it that was.​

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How unorthodox...Perhaps he might have some skill after all.​

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Xan moved, tilting his head out of the incoming arc of the first strike, his hand whipping out as he moved to defend against the second strike that rapidly came for his ribs. The speed was not what he was ready for, just having barely enough time to react to the sudden pace of the attacks. He held his ground, using minimal movements to deflect the incoming strikes he couldn't avoid, his eyes tracking the speed of every swing, as if waiting for something. ​

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He was curious. He assumed that the cord would be at least resistant to lightsaber strikes cutting right through it, otherwise it would be the easiest way of disabling the gimmick. Xan was well aware that not closing the distance would be ideal for Kassim as he would be able to exploit the space to generate more momentum and use the range to their advantage, but he wanted to see what he would do with his newfound advantage and the element of surprise at his disposal. ​

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For now he kept on the defensive, biding his time and dodging what he could and blocking what he couldn't.​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim dropped the charade as soon as he saw Xan Atropus begin to hesitate, knowing that his fellow Sith had misjudged him as weak by giving up so much ground by constantly retreating backwards. Now, his opponent was on the defensive, forced to use his lightsaber to block and prevent the spinning cord from striking him on the next swing.

He kept moving through the sand, continuing to whip his link saber around his body in small circles to minimize his more vulnerable areas. For a moment he smiled as the lightsabers continue to clash with with one another, each blow sending sparks to the ground. As the hilt whipped around for a third strike towards his opponent's legs, he abruptly pulled back and snapped his wrist.

Shortening the slack on the fibercord and moving into the rising whirlwind stance of Jar'kai, driving both blades upward in a fast, continuous flurry of attacks. The red arcs cut through the dusty air one after another, aimed at knocking Xan's weapon out of position and breaking his defense wide open.​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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The slightest flicker of a smile on the Devaronian's expression brought a sense of irritation to the renegade. They were certainly pleased with themselves it seemed, but the element of surprise only lasted for so long before the novelty of it was seen through. Xan kept his blade close to himself as Kassim began to generate more momentum with his linksabers, increasing the speed and frequency of their attacks against him.​

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With the strike aimed for his legs, as Xan turned his blade against it, a diagonal parry to send it skittering upwards towards his shoulder before flicking his wrist to deflect it away. The Devaronian immediately moved to attempt to barrage him with a flurry of strikes, the renegade Sith shifting his stance as he sidestepped and began to circle his opponent, keeping himself just out of its deadly reach, making the Devaronian turn with him as he watched and waited.​

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There...​

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He had watched the rhythm long enough as the timing and speed revealed itself to him. ​

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He dropped low as the first blade passed just above his shoulder. Xan tightly gripped the hilt of his own saber with both hands, widening his stance as he let loose with a powerful and vicious upward swing. Crimson blades collided with a low reverberating crack, sparks flying as the force of Xan's blow drove the incoming hilt away from its intended path. The second blade was coming to follow after the first, but the whirlwind's rotation had already been broken by his calculated disruption.​

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Xan twisted his wrists, bringing his saber across his body just as the second blade came through. The blade collided to less effect against his, though he moved with the impact rather than resisting it. His boots dug into the sand as he held his ground, blade held between himself and Kassim, ready to strike - but no strike came. Instead his condescending vocoded voice finally revealed itself.​

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You lack the aggression to make use of your advantages. That arrogance of playing with your opponent will get you killed.​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim felt the fibercord slacken as his opponent's heavy strike disrupted the weapon's momentum. He was forced to pull back as the rising whirlwind stance crumbled from being pulled out of alignment, leaving his attack useless against Xan Atropus blade work. He had to admit to himself that his opponent was able to keep up with his movements better and he had expected, making the difference in their power level all the more apparent.

He grimaced at the thought of his master being right that he was not fit to head into battle, though his thoughts were broken by the sound of a vocoded voice coming from behind the mask in front of him, it offered little wisdom except that he lacked aggression and warned him that playing with his opponents would get him killed.

"Death is the natural progression of all those who follow the dark side," Kassim said with conviction, as a true practitioner of the Sith would understand that living forever was against their traditions. He followed up his response by pressing the quick release button on his hilts to separate the link saber back into two blades. Stepping forward to close the distance before his opponent could reset his stance.

Kassim lunged with his right lightsaber aimed directly at the man's chest, intending to draw his guard up. As soon as his first blade moved, he swept his left lightsaber horizontally toward Xan's midsection, committing fully to the attack to force his opponent back onto the defensive.​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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Death comes for us all. The only thing we control over it is how it takes us. ​

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Xan pulled back his hand as he returned to a one handed stance, his body shifting to dodge the incoming thrust as his now freed arm cocked back. His saber arm shifted with him, wrist rotating as he brought his blade vertical to the ground to block the second swing. A brief clash as sabers whined and sparks skittered before he pushed back against the strike, torquing his body as his cocked fist let loose at the Devaronian's temple.​

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So will you face it on your knees in submission? Or on your feet in defiance?​

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Xan's fist moved without restraint. He was not the kind to pull his punches. Every strike was aimed to maim or kill, to push Kassim to his limits and force them to tap into their inner emotions. Fear of death was a powerful motivator after all. He would become hardened through strife and become a wolf amongst sheep, or die a sheep like the rest. ​

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The choice was left in Kassim's will to seize control of his own future rather than let the will of others dictate it.​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim saw the fist coming just in time to react, but the force of the blow still clipped the side of his head. The impact sent pain through his jaw, as his feet began to slide sideways through the sand as he stumbled back to regain his balance. He shook his head briefly to clear the sudden ringing in his ears, keeping both crimson blades raised in front of him to cover his exposed side.

Xan Atropus words echoed in the air alongside the heavy hum of their lightsabers, directly challenging his resolve. Kassim spat a trace of blood into the dust, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the masked figure. He didn't answer with words this time. He knew that arguing over philosophy was meaningless if he couldn't back it up with his weapons.

Instead, he channeled the sudden surge of pain and humiliation straight into the Force, letting the dark side burn away the numbness in his face. Rather than giving Xan the space to follow up with another heavy strike, Kassim immediately closed the gap again.

He stepped inside the reach of Xan's saber arm, bringing his right lightsaber in a diagonal slash aimed at the man's throat to force his blade out of position. Without pausing to see if the first hit connected, Kassim spun on his back heel, using the momentum of his movement to drive his left saber in a low, thrust toward Xan's knee, determined to take out his opponent's leg to cripple them. ​

 

[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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The Devaronian stumbled from his strike as Xan held his ground. He didn't advance as he watched Kassim try to regain their bearings. He could sense the subtle shift in the Force, the change in demeanor as they began to tap into themselves. Xan watched as Kassim surged forward, moving to close the gap rather than give him the chance to press him back and corner him against the wall of the arena.​

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Good... Come at me with all your hatred and anger. Show me what you are capable of.​

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Once more he tilted his body, keeping his blade close to make sure that the blade did not find its mark and letting the diagonal slash skim past his face, a fierce red glow reflecting off his mask. He withdrew the leg that Kassim targeted with his second thrust, pulling it back as he pivoted sharply on his planted foot, quickly swinging his saber to swat the thrust off to the side away from his legs.​

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It was a good attempt, and had finally made Xan give up ground, but more importantly it gave the Devaronian an opportunity to press his attack. ​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim sensed the change as Xan Atropus 's boot sank into the sand, the slight movement providing him the chance he had been waiting for. The red light of his left blade flickered out as it was brushed aside, but the force of his turn propelled him forward. He didn't waste time trying to recover the thrust, opting instead to take advantage of the small space he had created.

He firmly planted his back foot in the dirt, using the resistance to halt his spin and shift his weight back toward his opponent. As Xan retracted his leg from the last attack, Kassim swung his right lightsaber in a quick backhand cut aimed at the man's exposed shoulder, trying to catch him mid-pivot.

At the same time, Kassim lifted his left hand from his hilt, curling his fingers into a claw as he focused a burst of Telekinesis. He sent the invisible force directly at Xan's chest, aiming to disrupt his opponent's balance just as their blades met and prevent him from launching a counter-attack.
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[Xan Atropus]

X A N . A T R O P U S

| Location | Jaguada​

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It seemed the renegade's words finally got through to the Devaronian as Kassim was beginning to commit finally, moving to press their perceived advantage. It wasn't false confidence that he was trying to foster, but rather the raw, unbridled emotions that made the Dark Side a fearsome weapon. ​

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Xan watched as the blade came for his shoulder, his eyes catching the subtle hand gesture of the other arm. He turned into the swing, bringing his saber around to catch the blade coming for his shoulder. The unseen burst drove into his chest, but Xan held fast, refusing to yield and let it unbalance him. His heels dug into the ground as he leaned into the bind, sparks skittering as the crimson glow of their locked blades reflected against his mask. ​

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He drove forward with his weight, intent on turning the saber bind into a contest of strength in an attempt to push them back under a ruthless advance, the fingers of his free hand beginning to curl and ball into a fist. The Devaronian was given a taste of what it meant to take ground, now it was time to see if they had what it took to maintain it. ​

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It was key to dictate the pace of the fight, to control the flow of battle and force opponents to play out on one's own terms and strengths. It was a battle of attrition, and a clash of wills - a contest to see who truly held the resolve to dominate the other. ​

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Kassim Veyr

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[Kassim Veyr]

Kassim felt the heavy resistance as the masked man absorbed the Force push without giving up an inch of ground. Their lightsabers locked with an ear-piercing screech of plasma, the intense heat making sweat form across Kassim's face as the opponent leaned into the bind.

The pressure pushed him backward through the sand, arms straining to keep the red blade from being forced into his chest. Then a clenched fist caught his attention, signaling another attack was coming.

Rather than risk taking the blow head-on, Kassim angled his hilt and let Xan Atropus blade slide along his guard with a loud hiss, using the sudden release to redirect his momentum. As his opponent likely stumbled to the side, he ducked beneath the incoming fist and brought his left lightsaber upward in a thrust aimed at the man's ribs.​