An Eye Opening Experience

[Leliana]

Maena​

Institute​

​

The journey to Maena was not overly long, but nor was it a particularly active one either. Leliana had mostly kept to herself beyond the occasional question towards Ophidia. Although she didn't ask nearly as much as she wanted, there was a whole list of things swirling around in her mind. But Leliana wasn't a child, she knew restraint and assumed the Rattataki assassin preferred not having a constant barrage of questions.

Or for all Leliana knew, talking in general.

But for her it was a time to reflect. She was free. This wasn't just another mission where she'd end up returning to the same facility. No longer would she be chained to that prison - kept away from her potential, from reaching out and grasping ahold of it.

She had no idea what Ophidia had in store for her.

Maena was the first planet where Leliana could feel the Force as she walked across its surface. It felt as though it moved through the very wind, caressing like fingers against her skin. But it washed over her like water, unable to find a hook to sink into. Leliana was in limbo, not dark enough to feel a connection, but neither could see feel the nausea of being aligned to the light.

Her forced exclusion had benefited her in that moment. But it was soon to change with each step she took toward the lion's den, or the serpent's in this case.

Ophidia had led Leliana to the living quarters, instructing her to pick a room before disappearing into the shadows. It didn't take long for Leliana to find sleep, the physical exhaustion had finally caught up with her after the adrenaline had finally settled. She would be lying if she didn't recognize waking up in the Institute was like having cold water poured over her. Everything was new now, treading through unknown territory in more ways than one. But it didn't stop her, there was no hesitation as she walked the corridors until finally reaching the hall.

From there, she stepped through into darkness.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The hour was late by any clock when Leliana was brought back to the Maena institute.

While the interior was spartan and sleek in design, the beds were comfortable enough, and despite being under ground it felt fresh and there was light for the skin to absorb. These halls were made to support life over the course of months, if not years in isolation. However, Darth Ophidia herself had not gone to sleep. There was too much at stake; too much to plan.

And when Leliana found her way into the main hall, she would find the Pale sitting there, eyes in a thousand yard stare and fingers steepled in front of her nose. She did not look tired, but immensely focused as her brows furrowed and the muscles around her eyes moved. Then, her focus shifted; the ember-like eyes turned to look directly at Leliana.

"You are awake. Good."

She stood up, leaving the long, black woolen cloak on the chair in favour of shorter and lighter garments in shades of charcoal. Her arms were bare and the collar short, showing the black tattoos running down over her head, neck and arms, cut with the dark grey branches of the electrocution scar blooming forth from her sleeves and collar, reaching up over the base of her skull, even her right cheek, and down over her upper arms. Perhaps most strikingly was the left hand, the way it changed colours from chalk white to tar black half-way down her lower arm.

"Come."

Stepping down from the dais with purpose, she did not slow down for Leliana to follow, but expected her to follow just behind on her own volition. Ophidia led her down under the main halls, passing by the odd person of various origin rushing the other way with a handful of data or bruises and scrapes on their face.

Finally, they arrived in a simple, square room held up by four metal pillars. Each pillar was inscribed with writing in Aurebesh. A walkway of cut stone framed a large pit of mixed sand and ash, allowing spectators to walk around the pit without partaking. It was notably lacking in any kind of padding.

"This is where you will be tested." she walked out into the pit. "Where you will answer one simple question."

[member="Leliana"]

 

[Leliana]

It was impossible for Leliana to not draw comparisons as she walked through the Institute. With no eyes following her; at least to her knowledge anyway, Leliana allowed herself to explore slightly. Never stepping away from the beaten path, but her eyes did wander. At a glance it shared similar qualities to the Overseer's facility, the design and the distinct lack of anything unique. It was all sleek and uniform, yet it didn't feel as cold Leliana's old home.

But then again, that place never was warm to begin with.

Stepping into the main hall, Leliana's attention was immediately on Ophidia. Like a magnet her focus was drawn to the Rattataki. She had no delusion that it was anything but intentional, knowing the assassin could just as easily vanish before her eyes if desired.

Leliana followed moments after Ophidia had instructed, following just behind her as they passed through more of the institute. The scars intrigued her, wondering what exactly could’ve done such damage. But she was admittedly more fascinated with the tattoos the assassin had. Such things had been forbidden by the Overseers, refusing to allow any of the trainee assassins to have any uniquely identifying traits. Leliana had always been convinced that if they could’ve gotten away with it, they would’ve had everyone’s heads shaved.

But some psychological analytics had determined the students needed some identity, lest they became nothing more than robots. It was what had eventually resulted in a ‘hobby allowance’.

As they walked, Leliana didn’t allow herself to be distracted for more than moment. Her eyes followed as far as they physically could, looking at those that passed by, but her head never turned. Not until they arrived at their destination, where Leliana looked towards the pillars before stepping into the pit.

“What is the question?”

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Ophidia turned sharply, ashen sand was kicked back by the sudden movement, but Ophidia herself looked utterly calm. Well, as calm as one can look with eyes like burning coals.

"Why you?"

The question invited a blanket of silence as the Rattataki let her hands detach from their clasped position behind her back and fell to her side. A gold disk appeared between the fingers of her right hand, the one that still had its ashen colour.

"Why are you standing here?"

Her legs parted slightly, the left taking half a step back and planting itself firmly in the sand. The right leg bent slightly as she slipped into something of a fighting stance. Her hands coming up to protect her centre line, the gold coin between her finger and thumb.

"What makes you worthy?"

It was clear, she invited some sort of contest. The coin was the prize, or the goal? The sandpit was the arena. or perhaps it was the whole room? The door had closed behind them, sealing it off from the outside world. Light flooded in from above, its source indistinguishable.

[member="Leliana"]

 

[Leliana]

Leliana tensed up as the atmosphere in the room shifted. Her attention was fixed solely on Ophidia, noting the sand being kicked up but not letting it distract her for a moment longer. There had been no mistaking in Leliana’s mind that she was going to be tested. Her time in the Overseer facility was going to pale in comparison to what Ophidia had in store.

Provided Leliana could prove herself.

She wasn’t going to lie and say she didn’t feel some measure of trepeditation. This was the first time she was facing against a Force User - one that no doubt had decades of experience.
And she had heard of The Pale.

Who in the world of assassins didn’t know of those four?

But it didn’t make Leliana freeze, or hesitate.

"Why you?"
"Why are you standing here?"
"What makes you worthy?"

Questions that Leliana could easily answer verbally, but to her that wouldn’t be the answer. Action would be.

As the door closed soundly behind them, Leliana shifted into a stance. Boot shifting through the sand, body angled clearly for offense. Then there was nothing, just a stifled silence as Leliana stared into Ophidia’s sulfur eyes

The second her left foot disturbed the sand, Leliana darted forwards, sand kicking up into the air as she moved towards the Rattataki.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

So she chose to answer with fists.

Ophidia had indeed invited it, but it was not the only way forward. She did not judge the acolyte for this decision, but made sure to make a mental note of teaching Leliana that there was more to any situation than what met the eye. For now, she would teach her what good kicking looked like.

She stared back into Leliana's eyes, as still as a statue. Her eyes were fire and fury, but her intention was nothing. Her stillness in body made her look slow, ridgid; her aged, scarred muscle looked frail and weak.

As Leliana darted forward, Ophidia looked like she was taking a step back. However, it was a ruse to fool Leliana's sense of perception. Rather than take a step back, she simply shifted sides in her stance and instead pushed a half-step forward.

As she moved forward, the knee of her left leg raised to her chest then extended forward. Even with her step forward it looked like it would be just short of a touch, but she turned the heel on her standing foot and extended her hips. The heel of her foot came rocketing for Leliana's solar plexus at a terrible speed, carrying her weight and pressure from the opposite leg.

[member="Leliana"]

 

[Leliana]

There had never been a focus on open combat, none of the assassins were trained for it. Basic hand-to-hand combat was taught, but there was nothing more beyond that. The Overseers had seen a priority on stealth and remaining unseen. If one of their numbers were sighted, the order was to disappear rather than fight. For a group that was meant to be 'all knowing', they were certainly shortsighted.

Leliana realized this as she sent flying backwards.

She hadn't anticipated the move, mostly expecting her opponent to use the Force right from the get-go. The Rattataki's foot struck her stomach hard, and Leliana was surprised it hadn't broken anything. Well, at least it didn't feel like it had.

The assassin hit the sand, a small trench being dug up around her as she landed. Leliana groaned, immediately attempting to move only to wince as she felt her stomach flare in pain. That was going to leave a mark, but she wasn't going to let it keep her grounded. She gritted her teeth, trying to focus the pain down as she slowly stood up. Leliana stared at Ophidia for a few moments, gauging the woman's stance.

She approached more carefully this time. Feet moving lightly across the sand, stepping closer and keeping to an angle as she moved towards Ophidia's right flank. There was no immediate rushing this time, only caution. Trying to gauge what Ophidia would do next before acting. Leliana knew the woman's speed was far superior, but she still needed to try, to prod the defences for an opening.

A punch was thrown, but it never connected as Leliana pulled it back and attempted to slide into Ophidia's space. Digging a foot into the sand, and using the other to try and hook around one of the Rattataki's legs.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The initial charge was made short process of. It was expected, both the action and the consequence. Leliana had clearly not been taught what to do if she was discovered, other than flee. Fleeing was good and all, but you did not always have the opportunity. At there would come a time when someone would try to kill Leliana as well.

As Leliana crashed into the sand and got back up, Ophidia spoke in a flat tone.

"That was not worthy of much."

Her leg lowered and her body fell back into the same stance as before. her legs were approximately shoulder-width apart; one arm was low, nearly horizontal, one was higher and held the gold disk at about chin height. Her shoulders turned slightly so the right shoulder faced Leliana.

She watched Leliana closely as she now moved much differently. It would seem the apprentice was thinking about her movements now, trying to outsmart rather than simply rush in and get the hit. It was a good improvement, but it bid the question: Could she actually outpace the Rattataki.

The lower hand twitched up to defend against Leliana's jab, leaving the already raised one to counterjab, but the punches never fell as Leliana instead took advantage of the opened defence to dive in for another move. She saw the movement of Leliana's legs and anticipated some sort of kick or sweep. The Rattataki found the best way to deal with sweeps was to dive into the opponent's centre.

So while Leliana's foot found its purchase behind Ophidia's front heel, she would suddenly find that the knee of that same leg bent. Sand kicked up behind her as Ophidia launched herself forward in a short jump from the back foot to plant in an attempt at planting her knee in Leliana's chest.

[member="Leliana"]

 

[Leliana]

"That was not worthy of much."

Leliana's brow twitched upon hearing that, but it was the extent of her external reaction, internally was a different question. The words were reminiscent of her former instructors, always stating something along those lines even when Leliana had come out at the top against her peers. It had infuriated her as a young child, but she developed an understanding for it as she got older.

It was a double-edged sword in a sense, with one side being used when one truly didn't meet any worth in their actions. While the other side was used even when the person succeeded, in order to ensure they didn't become complacent; ensuring a drive the student would always seek to improve no matter what. It still stabbed you either way, you just learned to deal and adapt.

Although she was sure Ophidia's words were more leaned towards the first, rather than the latter.

The assassin felt her foot hook around her opponent's front heel, only to be surprised upon the realization that the leg was also bent. Leliana acted on instinct, pulling her foot away and calling upon the Force - for the first time since the fight started. She let it flow through her body, focusing towards her hands and her overall balance. Leliana had already felt the strength behind Ophidia's attacks, and knew she couldn't likely take another.

Couldn't really afford to.

She brought her hands down to meet the Rattataki's knee, stopping it in its tracks with the Force's aid to dull the impact. But in that moment Leliana was at an immediate disadvantage, standing on one leg 'n' all. So she continued to let her instincts guide her, and Leliana shifted her body to the left and fell off balance towards the sand. However as she was about to strike it, Leliana kicked against the ground and rolled around Ophidia's flank, maneuvering so she was behind the Sith Lord.

Leliana winced, letting out a hitched breath as the pain in her stomach burned. It was a second pause in her movements, before Leliana used the Force to blast sand in Ophidia's direction and lurch forwards once again. This time though, there was no attack but rather an attempt to swipe the coin from the pale woman's grasp.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Leliana minimised the damage and got out of her range of attack. It was good, but not quite good enough yet. As Leliana rolled to the side, Ophidia managed to plant her feet firmly in the sand again. A solid foundation was the basis of all combat. Without a solid foundation, nothing could be built, and even the most powerful structure would collapse under its own weight. Even the lightest, most fleeting motion was entirely reliant on it. This was something she expected Leliana's former masters to have taught her. If not, they were fools.

"Feel the Force within you. The power."

Darth Ophidia turned, just in time to see the sand coming at her face. Her eyes closed just in time to keep the sand from hitting her eyes, but for that time she was blinded. Still, she did not curse or berate. She simply had her eyes closed. She could still hear, still sense Leliana's presence and the pressure of her feet as it shifted the sand. It painted a vivid image in Ophidia's mind.

"Use it."

Leliana's fingers were mere millimeters away from the coin when it suddenly vanished. Or rather, when it suddenly slipped between Ophidia's fingers and into her palm by a movement of her thumb.

"It is yours to command if you only use it."

Her other hand made a swipe, sending a pulse of the Force out from her body. It threw sand in the air and had the power to send most humans tumbling back, but it was not so powerful that it would slam one against the wall with much effect. More than anything, she was demonstrating and simply giving Leliana a push to spark her creativity, while also giving herself room to move as required.

[member="Leliana"]

 

[Leliana]

So close, yet so far away at the same time. Leliana cursed under her breath as Ophidia shifted the coin out of reach. The frustration continued to build, but it was knocked aside by her opponent's Force pulse. It sent Leliana flying, not necessary towards one of the walls but it was enough to pull the assassin off her feet. She attempted to correct herself, shift her body so she'd land on her feet. However a sharp twist of her abdomen sent a dull pain across her body, crippling Leliana in that moment and leading to her crashing into the sand away from Ophidia.

Leliana wheezed, slowly pushing herself up onto her knees. The Rattataki's words rang in her ears, repeating over and over again like a mantra.

The Force...

She had only ever used it sparingly before, to give herself a subtle advantage against her fellow assassins-to-be. They had always been reactionary habits, never letting it flow free out of fear that she'd be caught. Her escape from the facility had been a breath of fresh air, using the Force without much concern...yet she still pulled it back behind the curtains every time.

But now she could.

Leliana stood up, eye affixed on Ophidia before closing her eyes. She blocked out a sense but focused on the Force, listening out for any potential movement her opponent might make. The assassin let the Force flow free from her body, curling through the air and into the sand beneath her. She could feel tethers in every direction, dark and malleable; calling to her. She reached out, pulling several to her form. A whisper echoed in her ears, but Leliana ignored it and focused on the now.

"It is yours to command if you only use it."

Eyes snapped open, Leliana threw her arms down towards the sand. It and the Force followed in her wake. Swathes of sand were scooped up from the ground and sent towards Ophidia, wrapping around her legs in an attempt to bury them.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​