Sacrifice, Clear Sight, and Really Big Explosions (Open Fringe Training)

[Ashin Varanin]

The Spires of Hell

On the side of the immense Bluespire, twenty thousand kilometres long, ancient atmospheric fields kept raw space at bay. A flicker of thought from Ashin or any of her students, and the field might fail, killing them all. A reminder, if they needed it, that life was finite, and that a Darksider generally had a good reason to strive against finity.

The training ground was, functionally, a large round disc without a railing. The platform balcony offered a wonderful view of the moon Athelvai, at the base of the spire, twenty thousand klicks down. The Spires of Hell ranked among the more comprehensible Celestial artifacts, which wasn't saying much.

A class of Lords of the Fringe came out onto the round platform to join her. She was known here as Grand Admiral Shira Karrde, the quiet or absent ruler of the Fringe, much as the Sith Emperor had been four thousand years ago. Her former identity as Empress Ashin Varanin of the Sith Empire was known to relatively few among the Fringe -- a state of affairs she would change in due course.

@[member="Kayvaan Niveus"]
@anyone who wants in

 

[Isar]

The ground rumbled as Faenrovon moved his enormous serpentine bulk across the ground, having to take care lest he step on one of these ants. His enormous, ancient yellow eyes stared maliciously at the humanoids underfoot. He detested undergoing accumulation of knowledge with such... Nerfs. Toothed nerfs, yes. How could he forget the sight of his brood lying butchered and flayed in the diamond mines of Arkania? His belly grew hot with the urge to burn them all.


Faenrovon snorted. Tendrils of smoke rose from his nostrils. He lumbered on, towering over the one known as Shira Karrde. How exactly the sixty eight foot dragon managed to get on the Bluespire, or anywhere else built at humanoid standards, was a wonder. Faenrovon followed the nerf herder's gaze and surveyed the circular arena, then turned those giant, paralyzingly yellow orbs on @[member="Ashin Varanin"]. But he did not speak. He had forgotten the common tongue millennia ago.

 

[Shinju]

Shinju had arrived, when news of the commander wanting and offering another training course she couldn't just refuse. She was one of the few who knew who she was and where Kaine had believed it would turn them against her if anythign it had seemed to simply strengthen her followers. The fringe was loyal to its commander while the sith had chased several of them away, so she had come and now she stood in the Exedō Armor that had been formed by her people. Or at least by her adopted people, the Rakata really liked her for her ways bu if it hadn't been for Ashin setting up the wedding of Dranok she wouldn't have what she had now and that was an entire planet of cannibal slave raiders who caught and made little happy meals.

The spires were even something beautiful as she stood there and let out a breath enjoying it. She let the armored corset gleam with the iron skin under it and the silk cape behind her. There was something to be said so showmanship she had learned now and while still a constricted bodysuit with an even tighter corset and her mask. This was the most conservative look she had had, since Arcis/Dranok had found her wandering around that planet and put her in some clothing after she massacred those villagers. Their relationship beginning there with a tight bodysuit and a saber instead of her bare hands. Now she was here learning from the great empress of the sith and all she really hoped was that it would not be like last time with half of them trying to fight each other.

"Commander." Shinju bowed offering the earned respect but also enjoying the feeling of it all, she hadn't cared so she called the woman what she was. Their commander and thankfully unlike some she hadn't grown an attraction to her. It clouded the judgement or just made you crazy since no one could beat the Yun-Harla to claim the woman and just because your insane didn't mean you couldn't have common sense. She had fought the Yun-Harla and it had mangled her hand. If it hadn't been for medics and surgery plus the wonders of the force for healing she might not have been able to keep it. Then the sound of something larger then her came as Shinju looked up and saw.

Faenrovon The Radiant as he lumbered around and she moved about the circular area with a face working to avoid his feet. it was a wonder he of all was here and it grew her interest to see what he could do beyond simply burn things. There was a great many uses for him and not all of them involved having food cooked or slaughtering towns, he could be used to protect the riches of an empire or be fire and death. Maybe if he was special talk and give half his heart to empower others saving them from the brink of death. Or maybe that was all a fantasy as it were she didn't really know and had never cracked a text or holonovel to look and see what was fact and what was fiction.

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

@[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"]@[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"]

How, exactly, did one train a dragon? She had once helped teach a Gorax, whose simplest Force push had been to a whole different scale, strong enough to take down forests. The Force was in all things at all scales. From a cosmic perspective, there was no difference between that and a push that could knock over a man. Or, put another way, if the wielder was bigger, the effect would generaly be bigger too. At least, for the simple things.

"Shinju, do me a favor. Attempt to connect with the Duinuogwuin on a mental level to overcome our apparent language barrier."

 

[Matreya]

Zaiden stood silently near Ashin, eyes glowing a scarlet red from behind his mask. He wore his Demon Armor, with http://starwarsrp.net/topic/15442-lola/]Lola[/url] held against his back via her strap, both Layla & Lilith held snug in their holsters on opposite hips, Golden Claw - the saber received from Ashin herself - as well his Cyan and Crimson sabers all held directly next to Lilith on his left hip, while Thorn wrapped himself up like a whip near Layla. Also on his left arm lay his Conquerors Lanvarok, found during his days of the Dark Harvest; all in all he was prepared for near anything. However, his looks didn't matter, for few among them could see the Master Stealther while his Force Cloak was held in place.

He wondered, could his ex empress and friend see him? Since his Master nominations he had spent nigh every waking hour hidden from sight - he had as well since long before, but ever more the more recent time got. She was the most devastatingly powerful woman he knew, bar none...and he had proved himself worthy of the title, but did that make his most powerful ability better then the Lady of Lightning's (Shut it -_-..couldn't think of anything less corny.) own eyes and abilities? These thoughts were what burdened his thoughts as he gazed off into the distance, unwilling to turn to find whom else could indeed see the man.

Despite the fact the man hid himself from the sight of man, he made no attempts to do the same with his Force Signature, instead did his best to have it expanded to surround as much of the arena as possible, giving those whom sought his position the bearing he came from all angles...

@[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"] @[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"]

 

[Kayvaan Niveus]

There was a man lying face down on the training ground. He was trying to grad something he could hold on to, even though there was nothing in he could reach. He had a fearful expression on his face. Probably because he was on a flat round surface many thousand kilometers above the surface of a small planet and everywhere he looked was just empty space. If he were to fall off the edge, not even his padawan training could save him. it would just be a very, very, very long drop until he would finally hit the surface of the planet below.

When the ground began to shake slightly, his fear began to grow even more. He didn't even notice the approach of a giant Dragon who was causing the shaking, nor did he notice the presence of any other beings. All of his thoughts were concentrated on not falling of the edge. Even if lying face down on the ground while twirling around his tails made him look laughable or pathetic, he didn't care. It was the only thing keeping him alive.

@[member="Shado"] @[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"]

 

[Isar]

Glittering, white scales rippled in response to @[member="Ashin Varanin"]'s words. While Faenrovon could not speak the language known as Basic, a vague understanding, once forgotten, was returning to him. He recognized a few words. Among them, Duinougwuin. Faenrovon's maw opened slightly, releasing a blisteringly hot breath - though if the heat did not affect Karrde, the stench would - and revealing rows of enormous teeth, longer than knives. Stretching out with his senses, Faenrovon sent flashes of images directed at Karrde, but due to the infantile nature of his control over the Force any within the area, including @[member="Shado"], @[member="Kayvaan Niveus"], and @Shinju Ayasha would be able to see these images.

Snippets of scenery flashed across the mind's eye. A stark white terrain, snowfall: Arkania. Tunnel shafts full of glimmering jewels: diamond mines. And then an enormous mountain, whose peak was clouded by dozens of immense, winged dragons of all hues. The sound of their calls as they met for the Althing, the centennial gathering of the dragons, shook snow from the mountain top. Flames roared from their maws. Wings flapped with gusts like a winter storm. Claws grated. Teeth gnashed. These were not the wise travelers of space whom Karrde thought. These were the Arkanian Dragons as they once had been: proud lords of the sky. Faenrovon had been little more than a hatchling then, at the twilight of their era, before the dark days came. It shone bright in his memory, just as the day he had first seen that wondrous sight. Though he was the last of his kind, he made it clear: he was no Duinougwuin.

 

[Arage Bao]

Jared Ovmar, Lord of the Fringe, stood on the disk a bit separate from the other people. Just watching for the events to unveil themselves. He had been invited to participate in the training session by his Empress and as such he had been obliged to join. Not that he did not want to do it, the last time he had participated in a training session hosted by @[member="Ashin Varanin"]; he had learned much. So doubt was something he had not felt when she asked him along. Softly he murmured a old song he used to listen to while drinking in the cantina, waiting for the lesson to start.

He wondered what Spencer was doing right now, would she join the lesson as well? She did not need it, that was for sure. The raw power emanating from her, scared him mindlessly. Fragments of his memory churned through him, reminding him of the first night they had met each other. She had not seem that much to him, just a pretty girl walking through the understreets. Thinking about it now, Jared wondered why he had not suspected a thing then. Only the strong survive in the Understreets, the strong and smart. And the way she had subdued seven strong men, all on her own? Well, strong she was indeed.

A couple of persons had already assembled here, a strange bunch that was for sure. For one.. there was a dragon, @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"], then there was @[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"] the Empress of the Infinite Empire -- which seemed to be quite finite these days. For the rest he could only see @[member="Kayvaan Niveus"] a white haired youth, he had never encountered before. Oh.. and of course, @[member="Shado"]. He was invisible to the eye, but Jared had learned to pick up the very feint Force signal he sent off. His disguise was a good one, but it would not fool the Lord of the Fringe.

 

[Kitt Solo]

BambambBAM BAM BAM. Dun dun, DUN DAH DOOOooooo. Kitt sung along to the music that was playing loudly in the sealed-helmet of her snug spacesuit. Snug, but not too tight. Head bobbed slightly in beat. Until the space-surrounded blue-spire training station thing had an earthquake! Legs wobbled beneath her as the ground shook and the…dragon?

Holy kriff sticks, it WAS a dragon.

Guitar chords amplified almost in rhythm to the lumbering strides of the beast as it ambled by. She managed to catch herself on one knee, neck craning up to get a good look at its scales. Hitting a button on her arm, the music finally stopped and the face-plate to her helmet retracted back so she could actually hear the others. Pointy-nose crinkled beneath the scarlet mask that was her MO, catching a whiff of what she assumed was Mister Dragon doesn’t bathe much. Then again, it could very well be that of her instructor (@[member="Jared Ovmar"]). The man always wore those big dark robes and when did he even wash them or how many did he even own, one or twenty? OR, that fox person lying on the ground, which looked like a great idea. Then again, with Shinju’s diet to consume babies, it could’ve been her breath.

The young, Corellian Solo remained kneeling in the middle of the spire, glad she was wearing her big-girl spacesuit pants.

Dragons, warlords, and sith, oh my, my, my. What have I gotten myself into?

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"I apologize for my assumption," said the Dark Lord evenly, meeting the dragon's eyes. Her gaze flicked over to @[member="Kayvaan Niveus"], and she raised her hand as if to choke him at range. Rather than close her telekinetic grip around his neck, though, she lifted him to his feet.

"So, we can begin. Mastery of self, ladies and gentlemen, is a prerequisite to mastery over the Force. Self-discipline is crucial to understanding the Force, whatever your path may be. A true Jedi and a true Sith will both tell you the same thing.

"The atmospheric field extends up the spire -- for miles. There's another platform half a mile up. To reach it, you'll need to use the Force to enhance your stamina, strengthen your grip, and control your body temperature. More to the point, you'll need to cultivate powerful focus."

She led them, over the next half hour, through the Force powers and tricks of focus that would give them the power to enhance stamina and strength, and use the Force to keep warm against the cold stone of the spire.

And then she began to climb the wall.

 

[Kitt Solo]

@[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"]

Remaining in a kneeled position, she cocked her head at their leader. "What about the dragon?" Voice-deadpanned. "A half mile would be, like, a hop for that dude -er-chick, beast. Shouldn't the dragon have a bigger challenge, or could I just team-up with scaly?"

Wasn't the saying work harder not smarter? Oh wait, switch and flop that. Hopefully she wouldn't get her ass kicked on the first day of class.

 

[Matreya]

Shado ignored the comment of the other, once his command was given he was off. Running straight up the pillar for nearly 15 feet the Legate launched another ten feet in a minor jump, ended by his feet kicking the tips of his boots into the spire. From there he slowly but surely began a steady climb up, his mind now on the climb and still remaining unseen. Thus he now drew his presence back inside of himself, rather then expend the energy to keep up the charade. To those about, it would seem as if the Master had been everywhere at once, then simply vanished all together.

Pausing for a moment he looked over his shoulder finally to ask telepathically, Without my essence spread about, do you know my position? As he sent the thoughts, his eyes remained glued to the Admiral in a curious fashion. For all he knew she would look directly at him, that would be humiliating. But it gnawed at his mind, had his control grown that far? If he could fool Ashin...

He pushed the pride from his mind, ifs did not matter. Nor did his success at besting the ex empress. He was here for a reason, not to play hide and seek. Resuming his climb with a slightly more vigorous step, he looked ahead rather then back. But he could not deny keeping his mind open for a response.

@[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"] @[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"] @[member="Jared Ovmar"] @[member="Kitt Solo"] @[member="Kayvaan Niveus"]

 

[Shinju]

@Ashin Varanin @Faenrovon The Radiant @[member="Shado"] @Jared Ovmar @Kitt Solo @Kayvaan Niveus

Shinju stood there and looked at the other came while she listened. The dragon sent images and others things to her but it was muddled as she only listened to the commander. The other for the moment weren't important while she looked at the spire and went over the techniques the commander was detailing. The undersuit she was wearing was good for working on the cold and the heat but she had to admit using the force would be needed while she looked up and popped her neck, then pushed the force into her muscles and bones. Oh so much climbing to say the least and Shinju started to climb as she slid her hand along the spire finding that sweet spot for the moment with some grip.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"I'll be using the Force to hold him back, increasing gravity for him. Trust me, the climb will be as difficult for him as it is for you."
@[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"]

"Go."

 

[Isar]

Faenrovon stomped over to the wall and dug his claws in. His footsteps thunder, claws against spire, the splitting of rock. Immediately, the white dragon felt a resistance against him as he started the climb, yet he continued to scrabble up the wall, wings spreading to either side and assisting in his climb. But gravity and the weight of the unseen power proved too much. Faenrovon began to slide down the wall, his claws creating deep gouges as he fell faster and faster until he smashed hind legs first into the ground with a noise like an earthquake.

Once more, Faenrovon attempted to climb and once more he fell. Angered at the seeming impossibility of the task and the humiliation in front of these lessers, all of whom he could surely crush with a swipe of his tail, smoke began to curl from Faenrovon's nostrils. Whatever reinforcing powers Karrde was teaching these ants, it seemed Faenrovon could not learn them.
@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

 

[Kitt Solo]

Craning her neck, she looked at what looked like an impossible task. Some of the others were well on their way. She wasn't even on the wall and her legs were already trembling. Cocky-smirk behind the scarlet mask faltered.

You can do this, Solo! There have been worse situations that you've survived, much worse! Skiing with the hutts, facing that sith master and...and...centering her resolve and using the magical, invisible tendrils to strengthen her muscles, she reached up for her first hold. The next second she was lying unceremoniously on her back, the floor still rumbling from scaly's tumble.

Note to self: don't climb near a dragon.

Waving her hand, she tried to blow the sudden accumulation of smoke away, staring up at the wall. Yup, she was going to die. Curling into the fetal position she waited there for a moment, shoulder against the wall and face pressed to the floor. Eyes squeezed closed as she gathered her thoughts and resolve.

 

[Matreya]

Shado continued his steady climb, accuracy his main goal. He did not place a hand nor foot without checking with both his physical senses as well as his Astral senses. Realizing he held such a massive lead, the Master slowed and then stopped. Turning his eyes over his shoulder he watched the dragon attempt to climb and failed multiple times. Eyes flaring for a moment, Shado made a Telekinetic vice grip on both front legs of the behemoth. When he next began to climb, Shado felt himself slide down, the pull of gravity yanking the dragon made him falter.


Concentration held, his power flared even further and he sent the feeling of comfort to the beast, hopefully letting it know the feelings it was witnessing were not an attack. He finally dropped his hold on his force cloak, dug the tips of his boots in deep and fully concentrated on raising it higher. The Dragon would feel as if a reversal pressure was coming from beneath him, sure Ashin pushed it down however now he was doing his best to balance the gravity.


The exercise was clearly to get to the top as a group, else it would be an individual lesson. Thus he would aid any whom needed it. Including those who would drain him before he could even rise to the top. As he battled the literal gravity, as well as the added extra weight of Ashins Force Push, Shado realized the true effort he would need to give. It would be tiresome..


@[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"] @[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"] @[member="Jared Ovmar"] @[member="Kitt Solo"] @[member="Kayvaan Niveus"]

 

[Isar]

A foreign power suddenly grabbed Faenrovon's forelegs and attempt to assist him as he tried once more to climb up the wall. Giant yellow eyes narrowed and spouts of flame rose from his nostrils. Abruptly, Faenrovong stopped, letting himself slide back down to the ground. A low hissing growl emanated from his throat. He would not accept the help of a mere mortal ant.

@[member="Shado"]

 

[Kayvaan Niveus]

Something started lifting the young man to his feet. At first he didn't realize what it is, but when he recognized he was safe and after his fear had left him, he recognized what had pulled him upwards. It was the Force, or rather someone who had used the Force. He looked around and just then noticed there were other people around him. There were three people on the ground, one sitting next to the tower, two just standing there and ... A DRAGON? The young man had never before seen a real dragon. There were so many questions he had, now that he got the chance to talk to a dragon, so he ran over to him and started asking ''Hello? Are you a real Dragon? Where do you come from? Are there more of you around? Why are you here? Can you talk?'' His childish nature had once again taken hold of him and he would not stop asking questions unless he would get his answers, or something were to stop him. He was so focused on the Dragon that he didn't realize that he had a task to complete.

@[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"] @Shado @Kitt Solo @[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"] @[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Matreya]

Shado eyes flared a darker red for a moment from beneath his mask, the weakling beast wants to deny the Legates aid? Kark him then. Cooling his anger down, he looked about at the others around the spire. Shinju was the only other one whom moved up with him...reaching a hand out Shado aimed to use his telekinesis to lift Shinju as well as Jared whom was nearby. They could for all purposes deny the aid and fight against the pull, just as the dragon had. But he figured those that he knew, wouldn't mind his aide shifting to them.


If they did fight back he would release them, and if they didn't they would find that they were yanked high to near his own position - swiftly. The three would be his goal, instead of the heaviest body, he would make sure every one of them made it to the top. He could do that far easier then the beast anyway. The rest of the people around him did not matter, they were able bodied and would do what was necessary to survive - or they'd die trying.


@[member="Shinjū Aÿasha"] @[member="Jared Ovmar"]