Sith in Training

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Ray had been trying to become a Sith knight for a long time, and was becoming restless. He had tried to join a group training thread, but the teacher seemed to be asleep most of the time. He wanted an active master, and Jake seemed like the right person. Force telekenis and telepathy, Shii-Cho and Makashi seemed like awesome skills, and he barely even knew how to turn a saber on. He sent a message to Jake requesting to become his apprentice.

 

[Jake Daniels]

Darth Gravis sat in his office, quietly staring down at a newly prepared folder with a single name on it; Raylan Aviar. Adjusting his red, black and white robes slightly, Jake jotted down a few notes onto a piece of a paper. The young man had been in search of someone to train them. Gravis hadn't taken on Apprentices before and he would not be starting today. To call someone their Apprentice; that had a special meaning. That created a bond between Master and Apprentice. This Raylan Aviar would simply be an Acolyte that Jake trained so he didn't get killed on his first day outside of Glee Anselm's Training Academy.

The One Sith had decided that it was best for Jake to begin training. It was his new assignment. The man didn't participate in world invasions simply because he had no interest in conquering people. He had been there. He had done that. So someone incredibly high up decided they needed to keep the man known as the Eternal Apprentice busy. Was this a test of Gravis? Perhaps. If it was then the Knight was going to pass with flying colors. Ultimately though; this all boiled down to the man whose name was written on the folder.

The order had gone out. Raylan had been summoned to Gravis' new office. The training plan was set. The first step was to see how green this man was with the force. The next would be basics with telekinesis and telepathy. No point using a lightsaber if they didn't know how to have a basic handle on the force. Then and only then would Jake train the man in lightsaber combat.

Before any of this could happen they first needed to meet.

​

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Raylan Aviar knocked briefly on the door to Jake's office. He entered, and saw him holding an important looking folder with his name on it. Hi... do I call you Jake? Or Darth Gravis? It was a bit of an awkward introduction, but we had to start somewhere. Raylan was pretty nervous, and Jake's sinister robes didn't help with that.

 

[Jake Daniels]

Gravis peeked up at the young man, "Darth Gravis." The Knight motioned for the man to find one of the chairs in front his desk. "Take a seat. I have a couple of quick questions for you before I try and ensure you don't get killed on your first excursion into combat." The Knight began to shuffle through some of the papers here in the folder.

"Before we begin, I will not be giving you a speech about my experiences, how much training I've had, or how awesome I am. I am here for one singular purpose. I am to ensure you are prepared to serve the One Sith with the utmost loyalty." Darth Gravis explained.

"How did you find out you were gifted with the force?" Gravis asked before flipping to another page. "What sort of combat training or experience do you have?" He then flipped to a third page, "Do you have any experience with tactical survival? Say I drop you behind enemy lines, would you be able to survive a night on your own and without support?"

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Gravy obviously wasn't here to mess around. Raylan took a seat and answered the questions. Basically, on my home planet Kiribi, as a child I discovered a trick where I could focus on an abject and make it move slightly. He then went on to explain how he was attracted to the dark side and looked up to powerful Sith in the galaxy. The next question reminded him of the hard physical training he had done all those years ago. As I was inspired to become a Sith, I thought I would reach my goal faster by training myself in hand to hand combat. I have also been in a few small fights but nothing too significant. The last question hit a nerve as he remembered his family had always wanted him to learn survival skills which had been passed down through their species, but he wanted to leave to become a Sith. He simply answered No tactical survival skills. This gravy guy was getting straight to the point and Ray knew he was going to be a great master.

 

[Jake Daniels]

Gravis perked a brow at the young man, "You said you were inspired to become a Sith. That is not something I often do not understand. What inspired you to be a Sith? If you could move objects with your mind, you could just as easily be trained by a Jedi or some other competent force user. Why Sith? What specific incident caused you to think you are even worthy of being a Sith?"

Gravis wasn't trying to dissuade the man from accomplishing his goals but to understand someone whom had no real tutelage before he had to figure out what this man wanted to be a Sith and what set him on his path to be before Darth Gravis, here and now. "I'm not asking to be a hard ass. If I train you and you make it to Knighthood. If after Knighthood you suddenly betray the One Sith; people will look at me. I will be forced to answer why you fell. If there is any reason for anyone within the One Sith to doubt your loyalty; they will kill you and try to kill me. Are you going to give me a reason to doubt your loyalty to One Sith?

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Don't question my force orientation. Every time my father and siblings left for hunting, I feared the day that I would lose them. Also, I felt a connection to the Sith, as if they were calling to me. My family forced me to contain my anger and fear. If you believe that I would even think of betraying the One Sith, I might need to get a different master The questioning was getting pretty annoying and Ray wanted to begin training immediately.

 

[Jake Daniels]

"That pretty little mouth of yours might be used for something different with some of the more lonely men around these training grounds. I suggest you watch it and your tone when you speak to me, Boy, or you might just end up a bunkmate with someone whole teach you some respect." Gravis growled.

DIsrespect was not something he would tolerate. Gravis' questions may have seemed a nuisance. They may have even seemed a bit unnecessary. They were ever important. All the Knight needed to know about this pupil was learned in his response to Gravis' inquiries. A call to the Sith? His family had him try and control his fear and anger? This Boy was about to learn what true fear and true anger felt and looked like.

"Head to the training grounds. I'll be there in ten minutes." Gravis barked as he slid the folder a side drawer of his desk. "On your way stop by the infirmary. You'll need to get some bandages. You'll be needing them."

[member="Raylan Aviar"]

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Ray decided to take Gravy's advice, and left the room without a word. It sounded like he was going to give Ray some sort of punishment, or possibly it was part of his training, or maybe he was just bluffing. Whatever was coming, Ray would have his bandages by his side in case he got hurt. As he wondered around the building waiting for ten long minutes to go by, he thought about how cool it would be to swing a light-saber. He would feel so much safer and would look awesome as well.

 

[Jake Daniels]

Darth Gravis emerged on the training grounds. The first lesson was simple telekenisis. The Boy had mentioned he had been able to move things with his mind. It was time to see not just if he could actually move something but how. Every Sith and Jedi drew on the force in different ways, each as unique as a finger print.

When he spotted Raylan, the Knight came to stand next to him. "This training ground is where I received light saber training from Darth Erebos; one of the most feared and respected Lords within the walls of One Sith. Your first lesson is to not disgrace the grounds those whom have come before you have walked."

Gravis then turned his attention to a far end of the room, "Down there are two objects. One if a simple rock, no heavier than a human toddler. The second is larger, half the weight of a standard speeder. You stated you had moved things with your mind. Show me."

​

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Although Gravy's fancy language was getting kind of annoying, at least they were getting to the fun stuff. Ray started by focusing on the smaller rock. As a child, he taught himself to focus just on the rock, and to push out all other information from his mind. It took a while but soon he was able to harness his concentration. In his head he pictured the rock moving upwards into the air and spinning around. The rock floated up into the air and Ray looked at it, impressed at himself. As soon as he lost concentration, the rock jolted towards the ground, making a deafening WHACK. Ray turned and looked at Gravy for guidance.

 

[Jake Daniels]

The boy could do as he claimed. There wasn't denying that. He did as he said; he could lift objects. The problem Raylan had was his lack of concentration. He lifted but couldn't hold. That would be a fatal flaw if the boy didn't correct is.

"When you reach out with the force, concentration is key." Gravis explained. "You lifted the rock and got pleased with your action. Though its a feat many new pupils can't do when they come to the One Sith, its not something to get excited over. Your objective was to show me. You completed half the task. The best lesson I can offer you is to never be content with what you can do; strive to do what you can't. Now lift that same rock again. This time bring it so that it floats directly above your head. If you fail in controlling it, it falls on you. You probably get a mild concussion as a result. If you succeed; you wont need to use the bandages you brought."

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Ray turned back towards the rock, taking in Gravy's advice. He focused on the rock and it levitated above his head. For a moment he became overwhelmed and the rock began to descend, but he quickly gained concentration and the rock floated down into his hand. He looked at Gravy, the rock resting in both of his hands. "What should I do now Gravy?"

 

[Jake Daniels]

The icy blues of Darth Gravis's eyes were overcome by a fiery blend of yellow and red. Rage filled the Knight as he stared at the down right pain in the arse Acolyte, "I'm not allowed to kill you. That does not mean I have to train you. If you refer to me as anything other than Gravis. I will walk away now. If you even look at me with the slightest hint of disrespect, I will walk away now."

Gravis got right into the acolytes face.

"Now, if I of all people reject you. I will guarantee no one else will take you. If you got turned away by a heap of crazy, what makes you think anyone else will waste their time?" The warning was pure. It was simple. The Acolyte was being put into his place. "Now lift the second, far heavier rock, and do the same thing."

If only the Lords would allow Gravis to literally beat respect into this man, as his own Master had him, then all would be right.

​

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Ray was too shocked to think. The word Gravy had just slipped out of his mouth. Pale-faced, he turned towards the larger rock. It was hard enough to lift the small one, and now with the added pressure of his anger it would be impossible. He could feel Gravis' presence to his left. There was no way Ray could lift that rock. He turned to Gravis and said "I can't. It's too big."

 

[Jake Daniels]

"If you can't learn to work under pressure then you will not survive your first encounter with a Jedi." Gravis explained. "A Sith must draw on their anger. They must draw on the darkness."

Gravis looked at the rock, his eyes focusing on the sizable object. Extending his arm, the Sith Knight lifted the object and pulled it through the air towards the pair. While Gravis held the rock near them, his voice changed ever slightly.

"Raylan. A Sith can use the force in whatever they want. That's why some Sith can create lightening while others can crush the innards of the enemy without causing outward signs." Gravis explained. "If you say you can't, then you won't. Now be a Sith and make the force work for you."

"I have this rock floating here. Reach out and take it." Gravis ordered.

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

[member=Jake Daniels]
Ray could take the rock from Gravis and so he did. He aggressively ripped the rock from the air, but the speed of it flying towards him outweighed his physical reflexes. It was as if time itself had ceased to exist, and it gave Ray just enough time to think. Time resumed and he arched his back, swinging his arms back to touch the ground behind him. Although beyond his physical ability, he had pulled a full arch and the rock plummeted centimetres above his stomach. He stood back up, his face red with exhaustion. He turned around to face the wall where the rock smashed into the wall. Although the sound was ringing in his ear, there appeared to be no damage. Those walls where strong.

 

[Jake Daniels]

"You have failed your first lesson." Gravis scolded. "I asked you to take the rock; not sling it around like it was a toy. Though you seem to have some agility to your body, it will serve you no use if you cannot control what you hold." The Knight rubbed the bridge of his nose irritation.

"Perhaps this is just a bit too advanced for you." Gravis griped. There had to be something that this Boy could do that wouldn't be a complete failure. He had promise with telekinesis but no control in handling objects that could kill him.

Then the Knight had an idea. Perhaps he was going about this all wrong. Perhaps he should start with whatever the Boy felt he was best at, "Tell me. What is it you wanted to being training in first. Telekinesis may be just a little bit too much for you. I shoved you in the deep end of the pool and you nearly drowned so perhaps if we do something you think you can do successfully; then we might have more success here in the future."

​

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​

 

[Raylan Aviar]

Ray agreed with Gravis. Well... I wanted to learn how to fight with a light-saber.
[member=Jake Daniels]

 

[Jake Daniels]

.::. Ten Minutes Later .::.

Gravis returned after having left Raylan alone. The boy wanted to be trained with a lightsaber. A lightsaber was Gravis' forte. Its truly was what the Knight had Mastered throughout his four decades. In Gravis' hands were two training lightsabers; both identical in appearance.

Gravis tossed one of the training sabers to Raylan. "On the handle is a button, push it." Gravis pressed his own and the metal lightsaber buzzed to life. Small electrical currents could be seen from the top of the training blade.

"This is a non-lethal weapon. When I was but a pupil I was given an actual lightsaber. In my time it was life and death from the beginning. It seems the One Sith don't want me trying to kill Acolytes so for your safety I am forced to train you with a childs toy." Gravis explained.

"Attack me." The Knight instructed. If the boy wanted lightsaber training; he'd get it.

[member="Raylan Aviar"]​