A singular trial of Competency.

[Shaddi]

With that Erebos moved to be in dueling distance from [member="Dar Moraal"], then he moved to hold his saber right in front of him angled upwards. "Follow my movements for now, I'm going to go slow so that you can absorb all of the strikes and movements of this form." With that he nodded and began to go through the few strikes of Shien and then took two steps back to show all the other movements that would be blocks and maneuvers. He made sure to go through them as well as he could so that Dar could absorb them as well as possible. "If you want I can go through it again if you missed anything."

 

[Dar Moraal]

After watching it a first time Dar asked for him to demonstrate again. This time he copied his master's movements to the best of his ability. He would master this as well. So much to learn so little time. Maybe he would remedy this as well with time. The art of battle was truly the one of the only arts in this galaxy deserving of respect. Besides mastery of the force isn't an art its a science. One he intended to master. "Master may we practice these on something?"
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

"Of course." He said and walked towards a crate marked ZTI and opened it. Inside were two Zuguruk Tyro Saber droids, two Zuguruk Typhojem Saber-droids and six Ty'ee remote training droids, a compliment of droids Erebos used himself when he was training in the art of saber combat. Throwing a Zuguruk Tyûk Saber to [member="Dar Moraal"] and taking one of his own he activated one of the tyro saber droids and set it upon Dar. "Use the training saber so that the droids aren't damaged, that way you can use it again." He said as he activated a single Typhojem droid and moved it a bit away from Dar so that both of them could have their space.

"Droids set to Shien." He commanded and both droids activated, the Typhojem droid immediately attacked Erebos in the style who responded in kind with a defensive stance of the very same style. The Tyro droid however simply turned on it's own tranining saber and observed Dar for a second. "Are you ready to begin acolyte?" It then said as it moved into a stance to show that it too was ready to begin.

 

[Dar Moraal]

Giving the tyro droid a quick once over he replied "I am ready" Immediately after this he lunged and attempted to imitate the stances and moves his master showed him before. With a twisted sense of eagerness he did his best to use Shien to the best of his capabilities. His movements were awkward seeing as he was still learning but he continued to watch his opponent for any openings. Seeing as this was a droid he doubted he'd find any. Also any taunts used would be useless against a droid. That and droids don't truly get tired in any normal sense of the word. Greater the challenge.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

While the tyro droid was easy on beginners like [member="Dar Moraal"], the Typhojem droid was a nightmare incarnate to beginners. It not only moved with the ease and speed of a force user on the verge of becoming an expert in one of the two programmed forms inside it's memory but it attacked so relentlessly that your only option was to defend if you weren't ready for it. Given that Erebos was fighting in a form he hadn't mastered like Shii-cho this came as quite the difficult task for him to accomplish as he fought against the droid. Bobbing and weaving he avoided some of the blows and defended or countered others as he tried to gain the upper hand over the droid in this training session.

The Tyro droid not only did the maneuvers perfectly but it also audibly told Dar if his form was off or if his stance was weak. In effect it was a great teacher with unlimited patience for it's student. As they began it outlined that to win he'd have to duel it until either he or it got three hits on one another at which point the droid would shut down as his training had either failed or completed. It's repulsor pads made it quite agile as it moved around Dar and tried to get hits on his perceived blind spots.

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar listened to the droid's words and corrected himself where he failed. However his goal was to defeat this thing. This was frustrating. The droid seemed to predict exactly where his next moves would be. Deciding to take the offensive he quickened his movements and made and sudden jab for its arms. Too late he realized he over reached and was tapped harshly on the arm. His vision turning red he made an instinctive decision. He tried to kick out it's legs from under it and follow it up by jabbed and slashing at it as it fell. After this he lept back in preparation for it's inevitable counter attack. This droid was really effective. He wanted one.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

Erebos had to admit that [member="Dar Moraal"] was quick to get used to his opponents movements and capabilities but he had already lost one of the three precious points he'd need to not loos with two more hits on his person the droid would simply say it's good byes and shut down. However this slight moment of concentration used for his apprentice caused him to loose his advantage against the droid he was fighting at the moment. Dodging the sweeping slash towards his head, he took a few steps back and brought his saber up to block the secondary attack that came at him after that.

The droid against Dar seemed to flip in the air, as it's legs were essentially small repulsor lift thrusters that kept it off the ground. The jab missed but the slash didn't and the droid let out a small ping to indicate Dar had now a point in his favor. Spinning it's saber in a circle similar to what Grevius did so long ago it then turned to a stab towards Dar as it engaged him with seemingly renewed fervor.

 

[Dar Moraal]

He growled triumphantly as his slash earned him a point. However quickly he regretted it. While he was distracted the droids jab tapped him on the arm. He needed to step up his game. The droid agreed as it too began to be more agressive and quick in it's movements. This droid while annoying was a great way to build up muscle memory. Leaping back several times to increase the distance between them he took the extra seconds this bought him to regain a sense of things. As the droid quickly advanced he roared with a sadistic sense of pleasure as he lunged at the thing. He sacrificed accuracy and precision in exchange for speed and strength. The droid being a droid was unsurprised and also being a master of Shien it was superior in the form. However Dar had the force on his side and predicted some of the droids movements. Using this to his advantage he took the initiative and advanced targeting it's center of mass with a powerful downward slash. Of course he was unsure of how effective this would be but he hoped it may swade things in his direction.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

Erebos fought his droid opponent blow for blow, even as he augmented his body beyond the physical peak of what it already was at, the droid was able to not only keep up but almost able to out maneuver Erebos at some moments. Moving through the blows from his side to a counter jab and into a sweep against it, a ping made Erebos smile under his mask. 1-0 for him. The droid took a few steps back and with a cocked head to the side it slipped out another saber and brought them up in a sideway's cross and then came at Erebos with even more fury than before.

The Tyro droid placed it's saber in front of [member="Dar Moraal"]'s downwards slash but it's arms weren't able to block it fully and he had his second point against the droid but in turn it began to flip in a circular sweep around it to try and make him back of. Once the spin was done it turned to a very defensive stance and would now focus on using his own attacks to counter himself.

 

[Dar Moraal]

As the droid swept he was nearly tapped again before he leaped away a few seconds before it landed. Seeing it's new defensive stance he immediately paused. He didn't trust this. Going full offensive right now may bite him later. After a second or two of just staring at the droid he finally made a decision. Completely ignoring his earlier trepidations he lunged at it with a ferocity liken to a beast. Beginning to regret it he only tried to beat back its defense. Getting tired he pulled back and observed for a second longer. With a small grin he leapt back and also took a defensive stance.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

Slice from the left, slice from the right and two from above in quick succession came crashing into his defenses as T'zanith faced against the droid. As the second volley of downwards strikes was coming down towards him he weaved to the right and spun as he sliced into the droids side and ended up behind it with his guard up. 2-0 for him and the droid looked none to happy about that as it let out a slight wirring sound and began to spin it's hand to create saber barriers at the ends of it's hands.

The Tyro droid was so close to deflecting [member="Dar Moraal"]'s incoming lunge but then he moved back into a defensive stance, it seemed to annoy the droid a little. The droid decided to do a lunge of it's own towards Dar with a stab aimed directly at his head.

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar smiled as it lunged. It's defensive plan doesn't work if the enemy won't attack. He attempted to parry the droid's oncoming attack followed by him slashing at it's neck. This was quite invigorating to be truthful. Testing ones skills is the purpose of training. After all why train in the arts of combat if you won't use them.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

Moving to a crouch to avoid the large arch of the droid as it tried to take Erebos out of the picture with it's superior strength but his speed kept him out of it's reach with the occasional deflective blows but he then took a change jumping over the droid and striking it's head. 3-0 for him and the droid moved back to the crate and shut down. Looking towards his Apprentice he turned his saber off and placed it back onto his belt and crossed his arms.

The tyro droid's lunge was a two handed downwards slash aimed towards [member="Dar Moraal"]'s head. Of course it seemed that the droid had switched from Shien and had gone into a juyo style against him, probably thinking he already had a good grasp of the foundation of shien.

 

[Dar Moraal]

With the sudden change of forms Dar was caught off guard as the blow met its target. His helmet made it feel more like a rough tap than the combative blow it was but at this be believed the match was over. All three of the tallies were stacked against him. The stink of failure disgusted him. Turning to his master he stopped to watch him fight. Truly a sight to see Dar thought as he patiently waited for his master to finish. Maybe one day he will have the power to best his master. Until then he shall wait.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

After Erebos had finished he looked towards [member="Dar Moraal"] and walked up to him. "I see you lost to the droid Dar. It is no matter to lose in training is a small thing just make sure that when you are out of training that everything counts and you win." He said hoping to reasure his apprentice that even though he had failed it was a step to help him grow. "To be a sith is to always improve yourself, always look for your own weaknesses and improve upon them. As such I wish to give this droid to you." He said while gesturing towards the shut down droid now hovering slightly off the ground. "It will be able to bring you up to at the very least adept level of competency in lightsaber forms when I am not around to be able to teach you. Now if you wish we can continue training in the other lightsaber forms if you are feeling up to it or we can go on a little expedition." He said this as outside beyond the glimmering rayshields in the hangar the ship came out of hyperspace above a frozen planet.

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar didn't take long to think it over. He was anxious to do something. "The expedition Master." With a simple gesture he donned his cloak and stood at attention. Turning his head ever so slightly he could see the ice planet they were hovering above. He'd never been to such a world. It would be an invigorating experience he was sure. Turning back to his master Dar nodded respectfully. "I'd would also like to thank you for the droid master I shall put it to good use." He meant it. One day he will beat it. Until he can beat the droid consistently with any form he will not stop training. For now he'll wait.
[member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

Erebos smiled under his mask and nodded towards [member="Dar Moraal"], he liked his apprentice more and more. "Once you've grown tired of that one by all means let me know and I'll give you the more advanced model later." With that however a crew member came to them holding a winter expedition outfits to help them survive on the winter planet bellow. "The planet bellow is called Illum, long ago the Jedi went here to get the crystals for their lightsabers and even though you could find a crystal down there. That isn't the reason for this expedition you see a week ago a probe I sent here found the wreckage of a space station buried under the ice for perhaps millennium ago, I wish to look inside it as it seems to be from one of the old sith, republic conflicts that have littered galactic history." Erebos explained as he put on the cold weather survival gear with his robe around the gear.

A pilot went towards a drop ship in the hangar and began to ready it for departure. "We should land near the closest point towards the station. Now any questions?" Erebos then said as he pointed towards the drop ship with his thumb and finished putting on the gear.

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar gripped his sabers as he looked at his master. "How far under the ice master?" This actually sounded intriguing. After all such a historically significant planet would always be a joy to see. Especially one his enemies used so frequently. Well used to anyway. Also the station may hide something of value. Not monetary value of course. More an academic value. [member="Darth Erebos"]

 

[Shaddi]

"According to the probe, it is 260 meters under the ice but there is a path to it. Through this planets many ice canyons there is a path and you will light the way." Erebos said as behind him the drop ships bay doors opened for them to enter as it's engines roared to life. "So then [member="Dar Moraal"] ready to brave this icy world?" He said as he took the first step into the drop ship.

 

[Dar Moraal]

"I am ready master" Dar said as he walked into the drop ship. Hands on his saber hilts he glared at the frosty landscape below. Quite different from the urban hellhole that is coruscant. It was very exciting. Quickly he made small adjustments to his suit to survive the cold below. "Master speaking of cold. What if you slowed down or stopped the movement of the molecules in front of your hand? Wouldn't that create the opposite effect of the fire manipulation?" [member="Darth Erebos"]