A Brewing Storm (Darth Ferus)

[Veino Garn]

Thunder rumbled in the distance. Veino looked up from the table where he was studying and and grimaced. Great. Just what he needed. A storm to blow in now while he was alone. He shut down the holocron and stood, running through a checklist of open windows. He'd better hurry.
Jogging, he ran through the room, pausing to close each window to prevent it from raining in, and then out into the hallways, doing the same. It was an eerie place. His footsteps echoed ominously, and strange creaks came from the walls. He paused to double-check his lightsaber, and then went on again, slower. Thunder rumbled again, closer, and the hair on his neck rose up. Was there something wrong with the polarization in this building? They might need to have someone look at it.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

The Zabrak stood before the Temple itself, a deep frown creasing across his face. His hands were outstretched, reaching into the ground itself under the building. He caused it to shake, creating an earthquake to tear the building down. With the cover of the storm outside, it would be hard for those not looking for something to realize what was actually going on until it was too late. Well. That was the plan at least. Ferus more often then not just acted without thinking, assuming it would go for the best.

This was one of those times.

[member='Veino Garn']

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Veino staggered and fell as the building started to shake and collapse. He managed to break the fall with the Force just enough to catch himself without injuring anything. Had to get out. He got up and ran for a recently added door and dove through, managing a rough roll when he hit the ground, stopping in a crouch. The Dark Side was active here. Powerfully as well. He took a deep breath, focusing, and then withdrew his lightsaber, activating it, comforted by its yellow glow and the sound of the first rain drops turning to steam on its blade. He set off running around the compound, following the Dark Side taint, not sure what he would find.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Ferus continued, seemingly ignorant that someone had taken the time to notice him. But he had. He released his connection with the Earth, already pulling Deus from it's sheath as he called out in the stormy night. "I can sense you boy. Come to fight?" There was a playful edge to his voice, a dangerous one. He had hoped another would come, but who ever this presence was would do. Perhaps he would mount his body on a spire and leave it for the others of the Grey to see.

@Veino Garn

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino tilted his head, recognizing the voice somewhat. He slowed, and turned a corner to see [member="Darth Ferus"] standing there. Or, as he slightly knew him, Krest. Or whoever he had become. Veino wasn't sure what was going on anymore with various people in the Order. He'd only met them all once that he could think of. Odd, really, given its small size. A small knot of fear tightened in his stomach and settled around his spine. His last duel had not ended well. He was better now, but still. He suppressed a shiver and took another breath before reaching to the knot, teasing it out and untangling, using it to strengthen his focus.
Was he here to fight though? He didn't really like fighting, to be completely honest. Not anymore. He'd seen their results often enough. Death and sorrow. Worse, he'd felt the results, both from himself, and from others. It was not something he wished to engage in unless necessary. Odd how quickly people could change.
"Only if I have too, Krest." His voice was a little sad, and tired, even. He'd considered Krest an ally, and hopefully a friend eventually. But, it was not to be, apparently, unless he could be won back.
[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

A frown formed over the Sith's face as he watched [member="Veino Garn "]. "Only if you have to? Weak." His hand would rise, calling upon the Force to reach out to the boys figure. He would attempt a choke, attempt to lift him into the air. Ferus had o time to waste on someone who would choose not to fight. He would show no mercy to the boy, not this day.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino shrugged and stepped into the Soresu stance, slowing his breathing, until the choke set in, slowing it much more than he had intended. He reached out to the rock fragments and lifted them, and then sent them hurtling towards [member="Darth Ferus"] at slug-thrower speeds with a snap of his wrist. The blood started pumping faster through his ears, and bruises were forming on his throat. The world went a little wobbly.

 

[Darth Ferus]

His eyes would dart to the rocks first, and his grip would be lost to [member="Veino Garn "]. His hand would move instantly towards the rocks themselves, blasting them to the ground before him. So, the boy was able to keep up at least, thinking quick. Ferus let a grin form on his face before he took off, the Force propelling his figure right for Garn. The burning blade of Deus would come around, but for once heat could be felt from the blade.

Leaping over the boy he would bring the searing metal down thrice, aiming for both shoulders and head before landing behind him, spinning on a single foot to face Veino. He would be testing the boy for now, curious on how much he had improved. Time was limited, the fight surely wouldn't go unnoticed. But why not test him? His initial plan was over, so now another.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino fell to his knees, gasping for air as the grip on his bruised throat disappeared, but rolled to the side at the prompting of the Force, and twisted around, blade leaping up to block any attacks with a blade before sending a blast of the Force to try and knock his opponent off balance, which if it worked, he would follow by leaping after him, using the Force to augment his speed, to attack with his saber.

He was probably outmatched here, so a duel of skill would probably end badly. He might be able to pull off a victory by outthinking him. Outlasting a Zabrak physically was most likely out of the question as well. Brains, or assistance, would probably become the deciding factor.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

The Zabrak took the blast, for he was still midair when it was launched. He flew back before landing on the ground, using his robotic hand to keep him balanced. With his hand in the ground he focused on it, then ripped his hand upwards, tearing a sizable chuck of the dirt into the air through the Force. The chunk of Earth would be used as a shield to block the initial attacks before it would crumble, forcing him to use Deus once again.

Step by step Ferus would go back, deflecting the attacks launched by [member="Veino Garn "]with apparent ease. But behind the calm exterior he was focused, effort put behind each parry and dodge. The kid may be a Padawan, but he was trained well, and it showed. Ferus forced a saber lock however, pressing against Garn's saber. With a wicked grin the purple flame around Deus would flicker, spreading suddenly to engulf the boys form in it's burning embrace.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino frowned in confusion at the earthen shield. That was certainly unexpected, but he kept at it, blade slicing through chunks until [member="Darth Ferus"] forced the saber lock. Sweat was dripping down Veino's brow now, stinging his eyes and messing with his concentration, so the flames seared the hair on his arms and his eyebrows before he realized what was happening and diving backwards from the purple flame. He frowned. What was that? What type of sword had purple fire on it? It was weird. He stepped a few steps farther back, panting, and started circling wary, waiting for other surprises.

 

[Darth Ferus]

The Zabrak brought his blade back, the purple flame receding. The color was an illusion, made from the steel of the blade itself. But the flame was real, manipulated by the Darth. The flame would begin to engulf Ferus, his form slowly turning to that of a purple burning man. Without a word he would lift his free hand, and the flame would move to his palm, slowly leaching across his form to the open hand. The flame would condense, then burst outwards, firing at the speed of blaster fire, the burning sphere flying right towards [member="Veino Garn "].

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino frowned, confused at the change in shape, but threw himself out of the way, gasping in surprise as it seared his side, sending the scent of burnt skin into the air. He stood, swaying slightly with tears leaking out of his eyes but then gritted his teeth, and pushed the pain away for the moment. The Order was counting on him now. He would not fail again.

He wiped his forehead with a sleeve quickly, and then stretched out a hand to throw a chunk of rubble at [member="Darth Ferus"] and then sprinted towards him, using the Force to augment his speed, and hoping he wouldn't trip and break an ankle or anything.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

(Invited by [member="Darth Ferus"]) @Veino Garn

Alexandra's presence peaked as she stepped out of the forest and looked at the two, her face glaring at the Zabrak and her hands closed on her blades that remained in her hands. Watching as Veino charged his opponent and without warning Alexandra let her mind shut off and let Hel surface. Fear, pain, and hatred swarmed her instantly and she attempted to grab both Veino and Krest, using surprise as her boost to doing this.

 

[Darth Ferus]

The grin that had been plastered on Ferus's face throughout this entire exchange faded as soon as [member="Alexandra Cinthra"] came into the picture. Instead of remaining, his figure lept back, away from the two. For a moment, his eyes would drift between the Echani and [member='Veino Garn'] before he would simply turn to leave. The others of the Grey would be around soon enough, and he had no intention on fighting all of them. Through the Force he would burst away, into the woods and out of sight.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino stopped as another Force grab took hold, from someone else. He turned his head to see [member="Alexandra Cinthra"], but whirled around as [member="Darth Ferus"] left. This was an unexpected turn of events. He spoke slowly, wincing at the various injuries he'd garnered. "We can catch him, perhaps, if we hurry." He was a little hesitant though. There seemed to be something different about Alexamdra now than when they had met before. Something much darker.


(Sorry for the delay. Traveling and little wifi access)

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

@Veino Garn

"Let it go, that thing can go an burn in the pits that he came out of somewhere else... And what were you thinking not running, why did you stand here and fight without help Veino, you are -Not- that stupid." She turned on him, anger at [member="Darth Ferus"] clear though there was only worry for Garn, her eyes looking over him before she spoke again and stopped him from answering the first question. "Are you ok, any major wounds?" She seemed to soften, more worried now that he was ok rather than why he had fought the Zabrak, she would see Ferus dead for hurting a student of hers and she would make sure of it but later.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino raised an eyebrow at the beginning of her tirade, mouth opening to respond, but then he shrugged. "I don't run." Youthful stubbornness, perhaps, but not in the reckless manner that he originally exhibited it. More confident now. More able to back up that conviction. He gave a quick half smile and gestured to his side. "A fireball caught me. Not sure how serious." He frowned. Studying some medical skils would probably be a really good idea.

[member="Alexandra Cinthra"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

"Sit down you idiot, and next time run before you get yourself killed, i cant even hope to fight Ferus and you h- how did you survive that?" She walked over to him and forcibly sat him down before moving to look closely at his side, removing parts of robe that got in the way before breathing in and starting to mend what she could with the knowledge and practice in healing she had been able to do. Her mind though focused on his words, had he actually held his own against Ferus... maybe she underestimated her friend's abilities far more than she had thought.

 

[Veino Garn]

Veino let himself be pushed down and did not argue with medicating, although he did grimace as whatever she was doing sent occasional hurts of pain up his side. "The Force allowed me to survive." Easy enough answer, but true, certainly. "And I think you would probably have a chance. Not an easy one, but a chance." He winced and frowned, "Espech if you can expect the fireballs."

[member="Alexandra Cinthra"]