Public LOTS │ Tenets of the Lightsaber (Open to all Sith)

[Arcturus Dinn]

Space acquired.​

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The question now was what to do with it.​

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He seemed to have pressed on one of the boys nerves. That, or he simply hadn't noticed that the lad had already been stewing before they initiated combat. Malice dripped from his voice as he reiterated Thesh's earlier words, and had the Lorrdian been a particularly proud man he might have succumbed to it, considered it a carefully placed use of Dun Moch.​

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Instead he shrugged, rolling back his shoulders, and waited for the young one to make the first move once more. Thesh was in no rush.​

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He danced back as the boy launched swung forward, bringing his blade in a vertical arc from ground to air, returning to the Makashi practices he'd forsaken since they began their leg of the training session. It was only then that he brought his blade up once more, flourishing it into a light riposte that was more intent upon getting their blades locked once more than it was to knock his opponents aside.​

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As he had been hoping, that Thesh's came up last, and at a similar enough angle to Rax's own, his was the lower. It kept his guard down by mere virtue of that fact, nothing tangible lay between Rax's blade and an upward motion toward his upper body.​

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While blades struck and locked, Thesh once more began to draw upon the Force. It was time to take a page out of Quintus' book, he reckoned. He didn't much want to resort to grappling with a child, after all. And Force knew he'd need to do something off the cuff to avoid a direct hit in the near future.​

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Rax Tremira ​

 

[Rax Tremira]

He didn't like that... When Thesh displayed such saber skill, he realized two things concurrently. One, this made had more raw talent than him in saber forms, and two... He was using the Force to accentuate his moves. Rax didn't like that either. If he wanted to play dirty though, the boy could do that. As their sabers locked yet again, Rax felt it; this time he also would display knowledge of the Force and at this range....

His mouth opened, a piercing Force Scream unleashed on Thesh from point blank range. In the small room, it had the capacity to deafen anyone that didn't have the ability to defend against such tactics (including himself), wasn't paying full attention to the battle, or for that matter ignorant on how intent Rax was on injuring the other. To elaborate, what Rax had attempted was dangerous only because he had only ever used that ability on training droids, and had no idea how to limit what he was doing; therefore, he had channeled a serious amount of Force into it. Beyond that, other than when he had discovered this ability, he had only ever practiced it outdoors.

Inside, he himself would feel immediately discombobulated as the warbling wave of hatred reverberated seemingly endlessly off the walls. His face softened as his hearing fell to nothing but a dull white noise. He stood back from the other, saber dropping as his hands moved to cover his ears. He took a few steps back, his eyes showing the shock of what had happened.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

SITHSPIT!​

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For all his body-reading capabilities, what the boy had done here truly caught him off guard. There was no real warning for it, save for the mounting rage which bubbled up within the boy and radiated from him in thick, unseen, smoke-like tendrils. The music Thesh had become so accustomed to hearing when confronted with such a Forcely feat was only present for a few moments, but it was not enough to anticipate what had come next.​

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Like the boy he too dropped the training saber and latched both hands directly over his ears. His teeth grit against the primal pain which blasted through the air between them, forcing him to stagger backwards several feet with disorientation. He might have bumped into someone else, one of the other pairs, he did not know, did not care.​

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He could hear nothing more than a ringing. The rest of his senses struggled to fill the gaps but they too felt overwhelmed in the aftermath. He could taste blue, smell the lullaby of the Force. Head span, even as he clutched the ears and fought against the messed up equilibrium inside. No doubt he had cried out in pain, but without hearing to regulate it who knew how loud that had been.​

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Through it all he felt a certain warmth running down his left arm. That sticky ichor of life drip, drip, dripping from beneath the pressed palm... And an unending, stabbing ache ricocheted down his ear canal with a vengeance.​

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Rax Tremira​

 

[Rax Tremira]

He could see fine, and as he watched the blood run from Arcturus Dinn , he would remove his hands from his own ears to reveal he as well was bleeding, though only from one. Was he deaf now? Panic set in, the boy beginning to hyperventilate. Rax closed his eyes, and dropped to his knees, his forehead hitting the floor with a dull impact. What kind of a fool did he make himself out to be. His body coiling from the still deep ringing in his ears. Secretly, he swore he'd never do it again if only he could maintain his hearing.

No... No, this was his chance. Foolishly, Rax showed his card, his facial expression going from one of shock, surprise, and pain, and into one of determination. To hells with his ears, if he could protect them, his mission wasn't failed. The only problem now as that if Darth Empyrean had something to say, Rax couldn't hear him. He HAD to press on. From his kneeling position, he reached for his saber again, truly noting how off balance he was as his hands patted against the ground. He was dizzy. In his mind, he was putting his hand right on the saber, but what he saw and what was happening seemed galaxies apart.

With that, he would remain kneeling, eyes locking on the other. It was his fault in the first place! Had he not drawn on the Force, Rax would've had no need to use his own abilities; albeit Rax felt like an idiot for effectively defeating himself... No... Not yet. He closed his eyes, and tried to wait it out. Again, with his lack of training, there was no way for him to speed up this process, so for now he kneeled. Relieved when finally one of his ear drums would pop, the sounds of the world slowly returning. The other, still a dull white noise.

Still dizzy... Just a little more time... He could still win, he thought to himself.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Those that were going to fight him seemed to need a break, so Maliphant waited patiently as they caught their breath. His attention danced between Velok Brokentusk and Quintus Varro , then to Chasianna and Grundark - but it eventually settled on Rax Tremira and Arcturus Dinn . Their battle was one that was quick, intense, full of mediocre faints and attempts at overpowering one another - until Maliphant watched as the younger of the too began to feed on the darkness of Korriban just a tad too much.

"Fool...", he said with disgust as he tapped his staff on the ground. The impervium spike clicked, and with the sound wave that came off of it a form of electrocution would fill the muscles of Rax - holding him in place with a painful spasm throughout all of his muscles. Tight, restricting, and more than anything painful.

Maliphant's staff clicked in times with his steps as he moved to the two, glancing between them for a moment before raising a hand to one of the medics in the distance - always on standby when it came to lessons where the Dark Side was involved. Whether it was temporary or not, he wouldn't have either of them permanently harmed under his tutelage - so the droids and the bacta would be there's soon, but not before Maliphant could explain how utterly disappointed he was.

"The lesson is about lightsabers, Rax Tremira . You would do well to remember that - but more over, you are to show control when you're in this academy. 'Winning' will earn you no favors but a cold death in your bed. Do not mistake these grounds as a war zone.", he said with disgust before he tapped the ground and released his arcane spell.

His gaze fell on Thesh then, likely surprising him -

"And you.", he said with the same teacherly malice, "You should have been able to control the situation. For Typhojem's sake, Thesh, cover the boys mouth next time."

The latter was likely a half jest, the point stood that he expected Thesh to better handle the situation.

"If you are both good to fight, continue, but focus on Control. If you lose your bearings, I will do more than send you to the Berserker Corp - I'll simply kill you myself. We have no use for rabid dogs in this academy; so mind yourself before I put you down.", Maliphant said - mostly to Rax.

And then he walked back to where he stood - but they would see his golden eyes watching them closely from that point forward.

Arcturus Dinn

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Slowly, slowly, the world around him began to right itself once more. The blur of colours softened away to true form, his shaking limbs regained control of themselves, tastes returned to his mouth, scents to his nose, and there, just barely, as the ringing in his ears subsided to mere tinnitus, Thesh found himself capable of hearing again.​

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If only slightly.​

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His left ear, for now, was completely hopeless. The hand pressed against it was coated in blood, thankfully the right was not in a similar state. A slow exhale of breath brought him spiraling back down to earth, as his senses finished righting themselves and the room around him opened up once more. Those he had stumbled into were thankfully nothing more than droids, and as he pushed away from them he forced himself back toward the region of the room he and Rax had been sparring in.​

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The boy was on the ground, held still, and Maliphant was stood before him. Thesh didn't hear what was said in totality, but he certainly felt the bite of his Master's tongue when his malice was turned his way. Even as he strained to listen, even as he forced his eyes upon Maliphant's lips to ensure he didn't mishear a single word, the tone used was more than obvious to him.​

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Thesh could not recall the last time he'd been on the receiving end of Maliphant's wrath.​

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Had there ever been a time?​

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He began to shrink in on himself, the way he had when he was a boy first brought to Bastion, before steeling himself. He hardened his gaze in resolve, though there was no sign of contention or rebellion against Maliphant himself. Instead he nodded once, even though it made his head swim anew.​

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"Yes, Ma-- Darth Maliphant," He caught himself before he could earn more of the man's wrath, "It... It won't happen again."​

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He had to focus to ensure he didn't yell the words, or whisper them so faintly that none could even hear them said. His hand still clutched the left ear, almost afraid to find out what would happen if he let go. Would his brains fall out?​

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No. What a stupid thought that was.​

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Slowly he released his hold, though his palm was reluctant to be separated. His ear was in one piece, at least on the outside, but as the flow of air entered the canal he immediately knew something more was going on inside.​

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"If I may, I would like to take two minutes. Then... Then I'll be ready. If you are."​

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The first part was said to Maliphant, the latter had his eyes shifting to Rax. Would the boy be willing to continue, after all that had happened?​

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At his age, Thesh didn't think he'd have had it in him.​

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Rax Tremira Darth Empyrean ​

 

[Rax Tremira]

That gripping pain caused him to roll and double over, he had experienced all manner of pain; but honestly nothing quite like this. It took away ones ability to reason, or think clearly. A pure lock on his body, and senses. He screamed in pain till the point his other ear drum had popped from it. That was perfect, considering he could hear Darth Maliphant speak his peace in full. Rax listened carefully, the words hitting hard, and at his heart. Though he wouldn't show that here. He felt as though he had failed, until he mentioned continuing the fight.

Body still twitching, and jerking as his nerves were firing off, he would nod a few times; eyes moving to observe the other. Maybe he hadn't learned the lessons he thought he had. He wanted to be seen by the Darth....

He looked over at Maliphant, who was looking right back at him... Eyes averted. "I understand, Darth Maliphant.." he said, apologies enough, as far as he was concerned. A hand clasped around his saber as he listened to what his opponent was saying, his body shivered some still, and hearing exactly what Thesh said, he would maintain his kneeling position. "Two minutes then..." Rax said, seeming to calm himself after Maliphant had chewed him out. He wouldn't take it to heart. Irregardless of what the Darth said, they weren't training for diplomacy here. That being said, he made an assumption based off of his feelings, and it was wrong. He had to eat that.

Rax closed his eyes, seething over that failure. He was supposed to avoid shaming himself, and he went right ahead and did so. Was he ready to continue? Of course... Unlike most around him, Rax had no one. His behavior a direct result of his upbringing. Maliphant may have been right, maybe he was a dog. But he wasn't an old dog... So he could learn. He would get better. That was all that mattered.

Rax continued seething silently from that kneeling position, pressing the lightsaber against his thigh to the point it started making light incisions in his flesh.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina chuckled a bit as their spar was cut short by Darth Empyrean 's summon. She was still raring to go, excitedly bouncing on her heels. At least until Darth Arkanus snatched his saber back. "Aww come on. It was fun! You needn't be so sour about it." A quick quip, but she didn't let that thought linger. The adrenaline slowed as she stepped over to the Lord. For once she actually looked around the room, taking in just who actually had show up.

Much to her surprise, there was Rax Tremira . Fighting against Arcturus Dinn huh? She watched with mild amusement in her gaze. He was the good sort of the boy to fight against. Someone who wasn't needlessly cruel. Though the scream changed everything. Her eyes narrowed at the result, but it was the Lord of this lesson that intervened.

She said nothing. But she was watching. Rax needed to learn control before he consumed himself with the Dark. It wasn't her place to teach him that. Not here. Not now.

Her gaze trailed back to Darth Maliphant. Her saber ignited. He said surprise, right?

As soon as he finished his lecture Alina had leapt for him. Saber held high, yellow eyes narrowed in focus. The enjoyment wasn't there this time around. She knew just how much of a threat the Darth was. How one sided the three against one fight actually was. But this was the lesson, and she wouldn't pass up a chance to show she was listening.

The Asphodel

 

[Darth Empyrean]

As Maliphant walked back to his spot, he felt Alina's intention before she committed to it. For the seconds leading to it, forcing himself to remain still in the face of aggression, he could almost feel a momentary pride for her - attempting a moderate attempt at the game of logic with him. It was true that his mind was likely on the acolytes, that attacking him amidst his frustration with them would offer her the opening she sought - and were he to simply miss a beat she'd have landed her strike.

But Maliphant was a Lord of the Sith, and one of the most dangerous men in the Galaxy.

Just as Alina Tremiru came within range she would find herself suddenly jerked to a standstill. Maliphant's hand, outreached, hand caught her by the throat and began to squeeze and looked up to her - and she would both feel it in his grip and see it in his eyes just how much of the Dark Side had settled in the man. Golden eyes rimmed with crimson stared back at her, and despite the pride Maliphant held on the inside for her, she would see nothing but hatred.

His fingers would tighten, bruises forming beneath the pads of his fingers as he continued to walk to his place, The Force holding her arms still despite the likely effort. As he came back to where he stood, he'd let go - and allow her to catch her breath as he turned to face them together.

"All of you will have to strike me together. Out of step, out of rhythm, and I will easily strike you down.", he said with a frown, notably staring at Alina.

His staff's dragon headed mouth opened slightly - and then they would feel it, a beam of pure Dark Side energy breaching from the teeth a solid few feet from the tip of his pike. There was no doubt it would kill them if it touched them - but Maliphant knew that already, and the power of it seemed to diminish like a boat with a hole. In the matter of a few seconds, both the color and the radiating energy of the staff had mellowed out - enough to insure it would hurt to be hit with it, but would not kill them.

"Now, begin.", he said, as thought it hadn't already started.

Alina Tremiru │ The Asphodel │ Darth Arkanus

 

[Chasianna]

Location: The Royal Academy of Korriban
Equipment: White Sith Robes │ Miniaturized Double-Bladed Spinning Lightsaber │ XXXS Training Saber
Tags: Grundark (Focus) Darth Empyrean Rax Tremira

After her initial strikes found their marks against the massive creature’s trunks, the Sister let herself fall gracefully to the ground, landing a good distance from the Cragmoloid as the beast readied his next attack. It arrived in the form of a powerful, ear-splitting bellow which the Sister could only answer by calling forth a shield of Force energy to protect herself from what otherwise would have been a debilitating blow. And yet, at almost the same time came another scream that had been cast forth from the other side of the room, immediately disrupting the Sister’s focus and thereby breaking her projected barrier. Doubling over, her world was sent spinning as the taste of blood filled her tongue, before suddenly erupting from her mouth and splattering onto the ground in a short series of painful, hacking coughs.

While her injuries were doubtlessly more severe than what she had sustained in the previous duel, nevertheless, this time, the Sister did not make the same mistake.

Harnessing her pain as a font of power, the Sister pushed herself back up onto stumbling feet, her eyes taking on a glowing cyan hue as she channeled the Dark Side within her body to maintain her endurance where otherwise, she might have simply collapsed. Regaining her bearings, she listened in simmering silence as Maliphant dressed down the fool who emitted the scream. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to electrocute the boy where he stood for his lack of discipline. However, in hearing Maliphant advise control, her rage was tempered, then harnessed to sustain herself before she inevitably succumbed to exhaustion and blood loss from whatever injuries, presumably internal, she had sustained from the combined assault of Force-amplified screams.

Then, the Sister turned her attention back towards Grundark, launching herself towards the beast with violent, spinning acrobatics, which were then segued into an arcing strike which was aimed for the Cragmoloid’s neck, delivered with the training blade in her right hand from the same side of her body...

 

[Grundark]

With the utmost annoyance bordering on anger Grundark looked over to the sparring match of that likely had stopped the entire class. It was only a chance of fate that he'd been channeling his own focused sonic attack at the same time. She'd done a good job of blocking it off as well until the sound had broken her concentration. Still she stood determined, something he could respect. Still courage could get a person killed.

Again she jumped like a crazed bird into the air and dove at him. Reaching deep into that anger the screaming boy had created he felt the beat of the drums wildly in his head and with a speed that was shocking for a creature of his size he simply wasn't there anymore. It was a trick that always worked best the first time. People just didn't expect anything his size to move like that, but the force didn't care about expectations. "The small can be might, and the large can be like quicksilver in the force. You already know that though don't you?"

Swinging in now he sent a blow angled downwards, because well that simply just couldn't be helped. Then something just occurred to him, and as he swung if he could catch the way she moved he'd just fall. Eleven hundred pounds of meat if possible would just fall on the girl as he focused the beat into his hide strengthening his body against the sabers.

Chasianna

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Two minutes indeed.​

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Under the stoic care of the medical droids, his ear was made quick work of in so far as it could be in that very moment. The bleeding, at least, was stemmed, and a temporary covering was placed at the very start of the canal to keep anything from getting through the perforated eardrum. It would heal, they said, but he'd need to give it time. And bacta. What a miracle cure.​

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Still his balance was beginning to return, and the stabbing pain had been subsided some. He didn't know exactly what they'd given him for it, but he didn't rightly care. They knew what they were doing, he presumed. Now it was time for him to return to his own duties.​

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He made his way back across the room and stood before the acolyte. Immediately his eyes fell upon the blade which was singing the boys flesh, and he shook his head slowly. Crouching down, before he could hide it, Thesh reached out slowly and tried to push aside the hand holding the lightsaber.​

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"There are better ways to harness and control it, Rax. This method only harms you, weakens you in the long run... How long before your thigh's a mass of scar tissue, too tight to move?"​

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He let out a very light sigh, and pushed himself back up to a full stance. As he'd spoken his words had been quiet, meant only for the ears of the boy. Rax had already been publicly scolded, and making it appear as though the same was happening again would only make matters worse he reckoned. Passion, emotions, there was nothing wrong with any of it. They were not Jedi, they did not have to deny themselves things so intrinsic to sentience, but learning how to control it into a fine point, to weaponize it without completely losing control, was a necessary skill to be sure.​

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They were not rabid animals.​

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And Rax would prove that in time.​

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"Come on, if you're ready," he tipped his head up, indicating for the lad to rise if he hadn't already, and then took up the Makashi opening stance once more.​

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Rax Tremira ​

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Standing in the line, watching as the other pairs went out and began their sparring sessions with their new partners he watched Darth Empyrean as he stood there watching the other acolytes as they trained, if only for a brief moment. What is going on here? I thought we were supposed to be dueling him? Why is he just ignoring us? Drals thoughts would wonder as he stood there.

Out of the corner of the eye he watched as Alina Tremiru sprung towards the sith lord, and before Dral could react Alina was mere centimeters from the Darth when she stopped in midair. He had caught her in a force choke. The words of the Darth hitting his ear as he noticed the staff by his side begin to open, the power of the darkside flowing out from it as he felt the crashing waves hit him. He wasn't the strongest when it came to perceiving the force, but the waves that hit him were unmistakable.

Throwing Alina off as if she had been some common street thug, Dral ignited the crimson blades, spinning them in his hand as his yellow eyes focused on the man. The crimson veins that sprawled out from his pupils contracting on the surface of his eyes as his attention was on every movement of the man in front of him. Only unity will allow for us to win. Together we will conquer a foe much stronger than any single one of us.

Clearing his mind of anything else he focused on strengthening his body, the force flowing through him his jaw clenched as he prepared his body for the spar that was mere moments from commencing, his muscles ready to explode with movement, only barely holding them back. Wishing for Alina, The Asphodel and himself to strike together.

 

[Rax Tremira]

It was hard for him. All he knew was that constant search for more power. Not just to impress, but to survive. Before Rax had entered the academy he lived out in the wastes for a time. He knew what happened to those that didn't have enough strength to defend themselves. He had even killed, for no other reason than to see what it felt like... What it looked like... Having Thesh whom he had almost deafened moved the hilt of his saber away from digging into his thigh (not activated, just sharp, and uncomfortable). He would look up at him with surprise, moving to stand immediately. It was clear the boy didn't understand why he was being... Was it, kind to him?

Usually, people were horrendous, only looking out for themselves. A facet of life that he hated, but understood all the same. And yet, here in a place that he least expected to find any sort of remote care, it was there all the same. "M-.." his face suddenly contorted in rage, almost reluctant to be anything other than full of anger; though, that boys face softened, if only for a moment. Lightly pulling his hand back from the other.

"My leg is fine..." he said, the confusion visible on his face. Rax took a single step back, a crack of plasma audible as he activated his weapon. He'd lost his aggressive edge, though after a bit of fighting Thesh could be sure it would return, albeit greatly damaged by Maliphants comments. From the outside looking in, he always thought giving into his anger was the only way... He supposed Alina Tremiru had tried to warn him of that back then. He was just too stubborn to listen.

His hand had been mended, and here he was gripping tightly onto that saber again. Eyes focusing on Thesh. It was noted he preferred to hold the saber in one hand, but the reality of this all rested on the weapon of choice. With its jagged edges, and crude construction; it was impossible to properly maneuver with both hands. That was fine for him though, considering he swung it like a bat mostly. For now, he waited for Thesh to activate his weapon, and as soon as he did he would attack, unless Thesh attacked first, to which he would be prepared to mount a defense.

Arcturus Dinn

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

"Good."​

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He could tell that the boy was understanding at least some of what Thesh had to say, but to try and push further now might only have him dig his heels in further, and where would that get them? An Acolyte dead before he could even make something of himself? That simply would not do. What wasted potential...​

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This time Thesh did it right. He took a step back to give himself a little more time in case the boy decided to pounce at him again, and with a snap-hiss he ignited the saber into an immediate flourish. A light cross in the air between them, loosening up the limbs which had stiffened in the aftermath of the Force Scream. He bounced lightly on his feet, building up that momentum again, and felt his muscles ease. Poised, ready to defend, but limber enough that sudden movement was possible.​

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He didn't make the first move. The boy before him was deflated, he needed to find his rhythm once more. Nay. A new rhythm.​

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Rax Tremira ​

 

[Rax Tremira]

Deflated, that was a proper word for how thrown off he was. Though he was mature enough to know his place. He was there to learn, he didn't have to like the lesson, he only needed to obey. Rax stepped forward, a little sluggish, as his saber hand (right) was brought up into a heavy horizontal strike against the opponent. In comparison to his earlier movements, it was clear he wasn't thinking fully about what he was doing. Feet planted, he also locked himself into a situation where he was susceptible to side-stepping and pretty much anything else Thesh decided to do.

It wasn't that he was necessarily broken in spirit, simply disappointed that he wasn't as far along as he thought. Brute strength was one thing, along with raw power in the Force. It got you nowhere though, not unless you could roll with the punches... He was starting slow, but he would up the intensity when the other did...

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Thesh did not sidestep, he slid back and continued with the same forward-backward motion he'd been exhibiting thus far. Dancing back away from the heavy slash, watching the arc of light as drifted in front of him, and bringing his own blade up in a brief riposte to knock Rax's out of the way.​

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"Chin up," he said, easily picking up on the boys new state of mind, and literally intending for the boy to pick up his chin and hold his head higher. "One set back does not erase all you know. Get out of your head, Rax. Either let it go, or put it to use. If you're going to let it drag you down then you've already failed. Get your head in the game, man..."​

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To emphasize his final point, and making use of the gap created by the riposte, he slashed his own blade toward the boy's chest. Unlike Rax, Thesh was southpaw, held his saber in his left, which meant each was battling against a saber which lay much closer than it would have had they been against an opponent who fought with the same hand.​

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A strange realization, to be sure.​

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Rax Tremira ​

 

[Rax Tremira]

The blade was knocked back, and the other was speaking to him again. This time, words of encouragement. No.. Even more, they were words of truth. It was one set back... He was better than this... Better than letting something like that get to him. Rax was in a fight, and he needed to get his head in the game. One thing about him was that he listened, something most took for granted, he considered a survival skill; he was always listening to what people said, even if they weren't speaking directly to him.

That was the true failure... Letting one get to him, and keep him down. He wanted to be a Sith, and Sith did not let their failures get to them. It was fuel... After all... Darth Maliphant had noticed him right. A sudden grin plastered his face as he realized though it wasn't the attention he expected, it was attention. Someone had noticed him. He wasn't a nobody.

His own saber was used to attempt a riposte in turn with Thesh's own. The spark of the lightsabers contact seeming to bring new life into him as his feet came alive, a step taken back and he would raise his saber to quickly deliver a vertical chop aimed at the ground; of course, it wouldn't be the ground that was hit with Thesh standing right in front of him.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

And there it was.​

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That spark.​

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No more a defeated boy, the Acolyte came back to life as their lightsabers met and spluttered against one another. It was not another test of strength though, no Rax was using Thesh's moves against him, attempting rispostes of his own in order to angle Thesh's blade away. Adapting to the competition.​

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But he took too long to capitalize on the opening. Stepping back had broke their lock, and though it was not his preferred method of defense Thesh brought both hands together and lifted his saber upward into the arc of the swiftly lowering blade. The height of Rax made it difficult to maintain for the taller of the two, who had to bend his knees in order to catch it before it barreled right into his skull.​

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He used that bend to his favour, pushing up and out of it with all his might in an attempt to knock the boy back. To return some ground between them, lest they remain stuck that way, sabers locked, forever.​

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A grin was back upon Thesh's lips. So too was a sheen of sweat upon his brow.​

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Rax was definitely making him work. That was for sure.​

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Rax Tremira ​

 

[Rax Tremira]

Rax noted the bend of his knees, and had no intention of giving him time to reset himself. As he pushed Rax's saber back, he took a half step, and altered the angle of the blade, this time lowering his own form and making another haymaker of a sweep, aimed at slicing both of Thesh's ankles. Rax didn't notice it, but he as well was sweating profusely. The blood caked on the side of his face ignored for the moment. Whoever this man was... What was it? Actus? Arctic? Thesh... Thesh was one worthy of respect. Still, he couldn't let him just beat him. He had to have some purpose in this life, and here fighting in close proximity in the other seemed to bring that purpose to life.

In another setting, he would've probably tried to sweep his legs with a kick instead, but Maliphant had made it electrifyingly clear this training was focused on saber work. Something he knew he wasn't the best in, but would Master eventually. One day, he too would be a Master. He simply needed to remove this one obstacle.