The Awakening

[Komo]

Not too long after the Sith Invasion of Telthi, Greta was back in the field again, leading her troops on yet another valiant operation. She was happy to lead, and her men happy to follow. Unfortunately, things don't always go according to plan. The mission was a bust, and the troops under her command had fallen under ambush by Republic forces. The swift and tactical strategic thinking of Republic commander had gotten past her guard and struck it where it hurt. The Sith soldiers were decimated as they fought tooth-and-nail towards their extraction point.

Only a handful of the company survived, and the young officer herself, gravely injured. She was medically evacuated to one of the priority military hospital in Coruscant. Placed in a Bacta tank to recover, it would be a while for she did anything again.

While in the tank, she had dreams or visions. These dreams were persistant and intrusive and it threatened to take over her mind. They were about a roaring fire, powerful, seductive yet dangerous. She could feel the pull of it, its influence dragging her slowly towards it as she was helpless to resist. She tried to move, but her body refused to listen and it was as though she was trapped in a body she had no control of.

She was frightened, terrified even.

In her mind, what she saw was a black powerful force threatening to engulf her entire body, and she was powerless to stop it. She struggled internally, trying to escape from the strange force, but it was to no avail. What others saw, was something completely different entirely. There were no black fires present to them, instead they saw objects in the room floating about in the air around the tank threateningly as if to attack.

The medical orderly in charge of monitoring the progress of the room was mortified at what he saw on the screen in front of him.He was in an adjacent control room, and he began to record down the footage of what was going down in the ward via the holocameras installed in the room. Greta was still asleep, unconscious, yet somehow this strange phenomenon was happening.

The orderly immediately contacted the medical officer on-duty who in turn reported to an unnamed Sith Lord who happened to be in the premises. The Sith Lord arrived at an opportune moment, as the floating objects came crashing towards the tank she was in, over and over again, until crack marks began to show on its surface.

More crack marks began to appear, branching off from the existing ones, running down the entire surface of the glass. The tank, unable to withstand the assault any longer, gave out a loud crack as the glass shattered, spilling its contents onto the floor along with Greta in it. The orderly was utterly flabbergasted by what he saw, his mouth held aghast, unable to shut it without assistance.

That was clearly a manifestation of the force!

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The Dagobah Sith, Darth Venefica, was overseeing the care of some of her men that had foolishly walked into a gundark's nest when she felt the disturbance in the Force. She was unaware of any other Force user, minus that Sith Lord who paraded around like he owned the place, in the medical facility. Quickly and efficiently she reached out into the Force to determine the source of the disturbance was radiating from. She found herself somewhat baffled when she felt the Force signature of an unknown person. The Force was there but the Darkside was lacking; as well as the Lightside. But pain and fear were clearly present. Curiosity got the best of her.​

​

She followed the signature as if she was seeing arrows pointing out the destination to her. She stepped inside a control room, standing in the shadows as she witnessed several objects crash into a bacta tank. Her cold eyes, mesmerized, followed the ensuing cracks, seeing small trickles of fluid escaping the cracks before the sound of an explosion broke her from the spell. A girl, along with everything inside, came rushing out onto the floor. Nobody reacted to the act played out before them, earning everyone in the room a heavy sigh from her.​

​

"I'm no expert on medical protocols....but I can assume leaving this girl laying in broken glass and surrounded by the tank's fluids is not in your manual," she spoke with a tinge of anger in her voice. ​

​

The orderly, after calling for assistance from the staff, ran toward the room with Darth Venefica walking slowly on his heels. She wanted to see this girl up close. Clearly the Force had decided to make it's presence known and she wanted to be there to ensure the girl was properly taken care of. ​

​

"Who is she," the Sith Lady inquired.​

​

"An officer in the Sith Military, my Lady," the orderly responded as he dropped to his knees to check on the girl.​

​

"Not anymore," she said.​

​

This girl, willingly or unwillingly, had now brought attention to herself. Her life as she knew it was over. And a new future awaited her when she awoken.​

​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

The medical orderly looked at the Sith Lord, clearly stunned by the entirety of what had just happened. This type of things didn't happen to him. His work had always involved long boring hours of sleep-inducing work with nothing of particular note. Now this woman had came crashing out of the tank after floating objects who appeared to have a mind of their own broke it. And now a Sith Lord wanted posession of his patient. What in the world was his life coming to? "Not..anymore? What do you mean my lady? I was tasked to see about her recovery."

-----

Greta could hear voices. Voices murmuring around here. The murmurs grew louder and louder as they eventually turned into voices as fresh air rushed back into her lungs. She coughed out puddles of tank fluid as her body adjusted back to the room environment. The image of the flame earlier still burnt within her mind, and she struggled with what she had seen before, trying to figure out if it had just been a dream, when her attention was brought back to the voices once more. Looking up, she saw a man dressed in the uniform of a medical orderly, and another figure, female, the air around her signified that she was a Sith. Still somewhat disoriented, she simply stared between the two figures in front of her.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Her eyes slowly turned from the girl back to the orderly, that cold, venomous stare poisoning his soul. It was fortunate for him that she was not like most of her peers, killing him for his ignorance but there was no fault to his questioning. He was unaware that this girl was gifted with the Force, though the display of moving objects should have been a dead give away. However, few people, minus soldiers and those finding themselves on the wrong side of a Sith's anger or Jedi's holy crusade moment, actually saw the Force in action which led her to believe that he had just witnessed some sort of unexplained phenomenon. ​

​

"What you saw was the Force in motion," the Sith Lady pronounced slowly for the Orderly to understand. She hated repeating herself or explaining in detail to those that didn't understand how the Force worked. So she simplified it for him, then added, "She will now be taken to the Sith temple where she will receive proper care....and perhaps a new path in life....for her old life has died the minute she exposed herself to us."​

​

The orderly turned back to the girl, rubbing his chin just as the girl opened her eyes. Darth Venefica knelt down next to the girl and ran her left hand through the girl's hair. She leaned over toward the orderly and whispered short orders to him, spurring him to run back to the control room; where he would notify the Sith temple they would be receiving a new guest.​

​

"That was an impressive display," she spoke in a soothing tone. "I'm assuming by the look on your face you have no idea what I'm talking about."​

​

The Dagobah Sith helped the girl to a sitting position and called for a medical robe to cover the girl's body. The change in temperature from tank to room could cause a shock to her system, which at times could be fatal. Darth Venefica had no desire to let this girl die like some pauper in the streets, weak and defenseless. When it was time for this girl to die, it would be with a lightsaber clutched in her hands fighting the fight legends are written about.​

​

"Allow me to curb that confused expression on your face. You...my sweet girl...have the Force."​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

Greta's mind was whirling. Her thoughts were all over the place, and it felt like her life had gone haywire. But somehow compared to most people in these situations, she wasn't even a tad upset. In fact, she felt refreshed, invigorated. She felt that something powerful within her had awakened, and she felt better than she had ever felt before in her life.

The Sith had advanced towards her with a rather motherly approach, something that surprised her. The soothing tone was not one she had associated with the Sith, definitely not ones she had worked with or seen in the past. That was not to say that she did not like it. She did. Especially considering her seperation from her mother at a young age.

Greta was told that she had put up an impressive display. At first she was puzzled, what display had she done? The last thing she remembered was the burning fire, and before that, the failed battle. Looking around for any clues as to what the Sith Lord was talking about, her gaze fell upon the many broken shards of class and the remnants of tank fluid that lay scattered around her. Did I do this? Was this me?

When the older woman asked if she had any idea as to what was happening, she shook her head. Some accident? She was then helped to a more comfortable, sitting position by the Sith. Greta liked this woman. She was kind despite being a Sith, very much unlike what she had been exposed to in the past. What she did not know however, was that there was a perfectly logical reason why Sith don't usually smile. They relied on something other than happiness for power.

Now in a warm medical robe, Greta looked attentively towards the older woman as she told the her that she had the Force. The Force?! So that was what that unknown presence was. She had heard plenty of the Force before, but had never thought she was gifted enough to possess it, considering most people started from a very young age. To say that she was excited was a gross understatement. Her face breaking into a shock-awed smile, and she said

"So what happens now?"

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

When Darth Venefica was just a little Vahla girl, and answered to a different name, she had no knowledge of what the Force was. The Hepsalum Tash tribe that raised her since an infant referred to her own personal manifestation of the Force as 'witchery'. To them, her actions were both unnatural and haunting. So even after her banishment from their village she too, referenced her abilities as 'witchery'. It wasn't until the Sith Knight Ryi Olaap found her, thus opening her eyes up to the new name of her powers; the Force. So the Sith Lady was relieved that she wouldn't need to explain that to this girl when a shock-awed smile appeared on the girl's face.​

​

"What happens now is we see how strong the Force is with you," she answered. "To some that the Force touches is nothing but a faint whisper inside them, to weak to be used. While others it is a raging wave of energy threatening to overwhelm them until they can learn to master it....control it."​

​

The Sith Lady helped the girl to her feet. When it was apparently clear the girl could stand on her own power, Darth Venefica gestured her to follow, leading the girl out of the womb and into a galaxy she will no doubt perceive with different eyes. There was so much this girl would need to learn if she could pass the trials, but for now there was no need to overwhelm her. Darth Venefica had no idea of the injuries this girl had sustained prior to winning an all-paid holiday in a Bacta tank.​

​

"First and foremost we will go to the Temple about getting you some proper clothes then some warm food and drink into your system."​

​

They entered a small transport shuttle that would graciously take them to the temple, sparring them the energy to walk the several blocks. Once safely tucked away, it was time for her to learn more about this girl. It was not in her nature to involve herself in these matters. Normally the Inquisitors or Knights led the recruitment charge, a long and ongoing battle against the Jedi to pluck every Force user from the galaxy to bolster their ranks. But for some reason, this girl had appealed to her.​

​

"While we take in the sights of this....city...please tell me about yourself? And please include any experiences you have had that birthed no viable explanation to satisfy your own curiosity."​

​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

The force. She had the force. The knowledge of that still washed over her like a blanket of warmth on a cold chilling day. It provided her with a sense of comfort and security, just with its presence alone. She felt a sensation better than any she others had felt before. So many times before had she seen the Sith and Jedi fighting away with their sabers and their fancy force techniques. She was excited to finally be considered among the ranks of the them. Force users.

The Sith had replied her, informing her that the next step would be figuring how strong the force was within her. Greta was told that not all force users could become Sith or Jedi. Only those strong enough in the force could harness it properly to use it at will. Well she had a good feeling about this, she know she was.

She could feel it resonate within her.

The older woman helped Greta to her feet, though it was not in the least bit necessary. She followed the Sith Lord as they began to leave the medical facility, leaving her old life behind. Greta the military officer was no more. A new chapter in her life was about to begin, and she would take it by the scruff of the neck. It was hers. There was no way it would be escaping from her. She had recovered from her injuries, and was more than excited to begin.

The Sith Lord stepped into a small transport shuttle, and she followed, sliding into a seat beside her. She was then told that their destination would be the Sith Temple, located not too far away from here. The Sith then asked Greta about herself. She replied while gazing out at the city view of Coruscant, a view no stranger to her, a view she had seen countless of times before in her life.

"I'm nothing special really. My name is Greta Kohler and I was born to a scientist father and a nurse mother right here in Coruscant. My father eventually became a mad scientist and signed my life away to the One Sith military, and I spend the life in the various military academies and became a officer. No one ever knew I had the force. Not I, not my parents, not any of my instructors at the various academies. It must have remained dormant until the incident earlier. How about you my lady, what name do you go by? "

As Greta replied, she could see the magnificent sight of the temple structure looming in front of them through the shuttle windows, and in hardly any time at all, they would soon be at the temple itself.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

She listened as the girl gave her a brief history of her life while looking upon Coruscant with disdain. She had no love for this planet and the people she loved even less. She had spent some time in the famous Coruscant Underworld on a couple of occasions, one to destroy a swoop bike gang that had been harassing Sith military forces and the second time to kill an obnoxious crime lord that had made the foolish mistake of selling Sith citizens into slavery. Both adventures had left her feeling more contempt for the planet than she had before arriving here. However, that was the past and she never danced with the past a second time.​

​

"Incorrect," she replied when the girl had finished. "You are special. Not because you have the Force at your fingertips but because you are an individual who survives in a galaxy riddled with pain, death, and injustices. And from what you told me....risen above a poorly dealt sabacc hand. Never count yourself among the downtrodden...not now....not ever. And sometimes it takes a small flicker of pain or a date with the balance between life and death for the Force to decide to appear before you."​

​

As the temple's spires grew closer to them, Darth Venefica fell silent. She wasn't ignoring the girl or brushing away her question. Names were a powerful thing. Some names installed hope into people's hearts while other names installed fear into people's souls. Her original name, long dead and forgotten just as the little girl that answered to it, had transferred into one that indeed installed fear. Fear was her ally. ​

​

"I go by many titles. Dagobah Sith...Queen of Madness...and what one foolish Jedi...now dead...bestowed upon me, Witch of the Darkside. But my real name is Darth Venefica, Voice of the Dark Lord."​

​

The shuttle gently touched down on the temple's roof, allowing for the duo to enter the temple without distractions. The first order of business, was to get the girl properly outfitted in the garments of the Sith Order. Once they girl was properly dressed, they headed to the cafeteria where they enjoyed a small meal together. ​

​

"So tell me....what is it you hope to achieve as a Sith?"​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"] ​

 

[Komo]

The girl's question was firmly rebuked by the Sith as she finished. Her mistake had lied in associating herself those the group that were the downtrodden and ordinary. She was told now that she was special. A survivor, from a poorly dealt sabaac hand. Greta liked that analogy. It was a nicely worded one. Her respect for the Sith rose. Figures of eloquence was always a quality she looked for in those that she offered her respect. There weren't many people in particular that she held in high respect personally, but this Sith was beginning to become one of them.

Although they had but merely met, she couldn't help but feel an indescribable bond between them. The older woman grew quiet as the grand structure of the temple loomed menacingly in front of them. She finally spoke once more, answering the question she had posed earlier about the Sith's identity. The girl gasped at the thought of the fact that she was conversing with the Voice of the Dark Lord herself. She gave the voice a quick bow in respect.

She noted through the shuttle's windows, that they had touched down gently on the roof, not its usual landing site she presumed, but one of the many requests granted to the high ranking Sith Hierarchy. As the pair entered the building, her master ordered one of the temple's staff to fetch her a pair of Sith training robes. The staff bowed and promptly left, before returning shortly with said outfit. Now properly attired in the garment of the Sith, she was once again by her masters side as they proceeded to the cafeteria where they would have a meal together. It was on their way there that Greta was posed with a question.

"What is it that she hoped to achieve as a Sith?"

After a quick thought, she replied with much gusto. "I hope to be able to better my skills and enhance my knowledge towards defeating the empire's enemies. Learn the ways of the Sith. Those who oppress and defy us must fall. The Sith are the backbone of the empire and only through their malevolent justice to the deserving, will the people take note. The Jedi must fall, and with them the Republic." The girl spoke, the propaganda imprinted within her since young clearly visible in her statements.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The girl, her new Apprentice, had answered the question with wisdom. Most Acolytes wished to pursue only powers that could lend them strength, but even the strongest of Force users needed to understand wisdom. It was easy to kill. It was easy to destroy. It was easy to see how both the Jedi and the Republic should fall. However, it was the third topic, making the Jedi and Republic fall, that had been the downfall for the Sith since the time these two legendary Orders clashed. If the Jedi and Republic was to ever be defeated, utterly and absolutely, then it would take more than just strength to achieve this. It required wisdom.​

​

"Before you can strike a crippling blow into the hearts of the Republic...and there Jedi allies....you must take your first steps down a greater path. Come," Darth Venefica replied before removing herself from the table.​

​

Darth Venefica never approved of training her Apprentices in the confiding walls of any Sith Temple or Academy. Here, there was to much safety and comfort to be had. No, her Apprentices would train and complete the tasks she put forth to them using the galaxy as their training ground. And this Apprentice would be no different. Any Sith, proper and true, could only learn to become powerful, wise, and strong in the Darkside of the Force if everyday death was stalking them from every corner and every shadow. But for the first lesson, they would remain at the Temple. Besides, the girl needed time to allow for her wounds to heal.​

​

"Sit," she ordered pointing to the floor as they entered one of the training rooms. "Your first two lessons will be on how to control and use your emotions to enhance your power in the Force. Overtime I will teach you the basics of commanding the Force. The second lesson will be in learning how to construct your lightsaber. The Force is infinite but your usage of it is not. Thus, you will need to master the art of lightsaber combat...and through this find a form or two that suits you best."​

​

"The base emotions of pain, anger, hatred, and suffering is the backbone that holds every Sith upright. Each could be called upon to fuel your Force energy to make your Force abilities much more powerful. Are you ready to learn how each of those emotions I've mentioned can benefit you?"​

​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

Her new master, [member="Darth Venefica"] had looked impressed with the revelation of her statement earlier. With nary but a statement, she told the girl of a greater path before one can strike a crippling blow towards the Republic and its allies, the loathed Jedi and its order. Greta followed the Sith Lord down many a corridor, its long and empty passages, grand with its high-fitted ceilings.

After what seemed like eternity, the older woman stopped as they reached their destination. The training rooms. It would look like her training was about to begin immediately. That was great, Greta thought to herself. She did not wish to waste any time at all. The quicker, the better. She could not wait, and excitement flowed through her enthusiastically. There, the girl was told to sit. And sit she did.

There on the floor, she was instructed on what her first two lessons would be. The first, the controlling and mastering of her emotions in enhancing her power in the force. She had heard mention of these in the past, but just mentions they were to her, as she had no use for such thoughts then.

The second, she was most excited about. Lightsaber combat. She had drooled over the thought of fighting with one ever since she had seen one used in action. Now, her dream was about to become reality. Greta grinned to herself at just the thought of her using one.

The girl was then further informed about the base emotions of pain, anger, hatred, and suffering, and how it was the backbone that holds every Sith upright. Each of these emotions could be called upon at anytime to fuel the force powers to enhance its abilities. She was then asked if she was ready.

"I am more than ready. Let's begin."

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"Anger is your greatest emotion....not hatred," she began. Misguided Sith believed hatred was what gave you strength, but how foolish they were to believe such a lie.​

​

"Anger is the first thing you feel....the first emotion to present itself. Anger can come in many forms, but anger is pure. From the smallest annoyance to the greatest betrayal, anger is the first emotion to attract your attention. Using anger not only fuels your passion, but it adds reason to your actions....even justifies it. It give you purpose....and focus. Focus to direct your hate, the second most powerful emotion."​

​

Far to many Sith gave into their anger, but none truly knew why. To the uneducated, anger was what made a Sith. The truth, anger was the only but the foundation that gave a Sith it's passion. And passion was everything.​

​

"Hatred in it's purest from is nothing short of infancy. One can hate the world....their lives....their standing in the galaxy. But hatred can lead to weakness. To truly understand how hate gives you strength....you must first understand what you hate. And hate, at times, can fool you into believing lies. Hating the Jedi doesn't make you superior than them. Hating the Republic doesn't make you superior than them. If you truly hate something, or someone, then hate them with with absolution. Hate them or their causes because truthfully, what they believe is weak."​

​

There were many things Darth Venefica hated. She hated cowardice. She hated compassion. She hated the misunderstanding of what is right or wrong, good or evil. But what really gave her hate, was knowing that as an infant her own mother had abandonded her to die. How the tribe that saved her had in the end exiled her. Her hate was absolute, purposeful, meaningful, and most of all, gave her focus. In time, her Apprentice would come to know such hate. In time.​

​

"Pain....pain can come in many faces. Loss of a limb. Loss of a loved one. The Jedi preach against attachment because pain can open their eyes to their own shortcomings. The loss of a loved one.....why did they die? Because I wasn't strong enough to save them. Why did they die? Because I didn't have the courage to make the greater sacrifice. Regardless of your view on love, pain can boost your passion. To a Jedi, a wound is just a wound that can heal. To a Sith, a wound is cause to inflict pain twice-fold. Remember, whatever pain you feel, physically or mentally, can be used as a motivator. Never allow pain to be your enemy!"​

​

Many Jedi, and enemies, had made the grisly mistake of thinking wounded her would slow her attack. The scars on her body, each named and remembered, on her body were a reminder that she lived and they no longer did. Pain, in her eyes, was the turning pointe in all fights. Sadly, her foes realized only to late that she enjoyed, encouraged, the infliction of pain cast upon her.​

​

"Suffering. That is the misunderstood emotion of all. The Jedi preach that suffering, or loss, is a path to the Darkside. Suffering for the loss of a loved one. Fools, no wonder they fall blindly into the unknown. Suffering is about losing and mourning what YOU lose, or could lose. Power....knowledge....strength are just some examples of suffering a proper Sith can face losing. When you suffer, you feel the sun of reality shining on your face. Is it okay to suffer? Absolutely! Is it okay to lose a part of you? If you did not, then you would never know what you need to reclaim!"​

​

Everyday she would suffer in her madness. But did it handicap her? Nope. It only made her embrace it and strive to conqueror it.​

​

"Do you understand what I have just taught you?"​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

Greta sat calmly on the training floor as she listened the the teachings of her master, [member="Darth Venefica"]. First, she was schooled on the primary and most important emotion of all, anger. How important it was to her life as Sith, and the many uses it had. She also learnt that anger worked hand-in-hand in the second most important emotion, hatred.

Moving on to the second most important emotion, hatred, the girl learnt that hatred, although powerful had its own fair share of weaknesses as well. Not controlled properly, it tdoes more bad than good. Unfortunately, due to past and upbringing, she did not really had anyone to hate other than the Republic and the Jedi. But of course, that now will change. More would be added to her to-hate list, that was to be sure.

Pain, the third emotion her master touched upon was a different beast altogether. There were many aspects of pain. Pain could be physical or emotional. Both the Sith and the Jedi related to it differently, and with good cause. The Jedi looked upon wounds as injuries that would heal in time, while the Sith saw them as an opportunity, to further damage the area, spreading destruction and havoc in its wake.

The Sith most often tend to use pain as a motivator to inspire them to perform better and excel. The usual rabble who inflict pain of them expecting them to shrivel and grow weak would find themselves sorely disappointed. That was the way of the Sith. Turning something used against you into a weapon.

Darth Venefica then finished off with the last key subject, suffering. Suffering along with pain served as motivators for the SIth to perform better. Only by losing something or someone would you be able to fight for something harder. Most people who not not view suffering the same as the Sith do, tend to take it as a bad thing, which will only make it all the better to inflict such on them.

The girl had learnt alot today, and for that she had the older woman to thank. But there was still so much more, and she welcomed all of it with a steely gaze in her eyes. Greta replied to the Darth in front of her.

"I understand completely, master."


[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

It was refreshing to have an Apprentice that quickly caught the gist of what she had just taught. Most Acolytes she had encountered wanted to take the quick route, to grow without learning. To run before learning to walk. To form sentences before understanding the basics of language and words. So she had been very selective in who she took on as her Apprentice. Legends were not created based on one's individual performance in the universe but by their teachings they passed down. Her Master had taught her everything she knew, the foundations upon which to construct her path on, and from there passed it along to her Apprentices; which in turn will pass it down to theirs and so forth.​

​

Darth Venefica didn't suffer from egotistical thoughts. She was far from perfect, something she sought to correct everyday, and did not expect her Apprentices to be perfect either. Failure, although despised in the eyes of the Sith, was actually a blessing. Success could only be measured through one's failure. Everyone, regardless of their connection to the Force or how well they conducted themselves with a lightsaber, failed in their lessons. Unfortunately for most Apprentices, failure came with punishment from their Masters. Darth Venefica didn't punish failure. She only assisted in correcting it. ​

​

"Good," she replied. "When we begin your training of commanding the Force....remember your emotions are your ally."​

​

The Sith Lady, without turning her head, called to her hand a training blade from one of the metal racks against the wall. She hated using these lesser based weapons. Her Master had taught her lightsaber forms and combats using the real deal, not make believe toys. But since the girl's eyes had just recently been opened, there was no rush to toss her into the mix of fighting with real weapons. Not yet anyway. Besides, a lightsaber in an untrained hand was a recipe for disaster.​

​

"The greatest misconception about Jedi and Sith is that the Force is our greatest weapon. Wrong! The Force is our greatest ally to call upon....the lightsaber is our greatest weapon. The Force, as I have said, is infinite but your use of it is not. Right now in your stage of understanding the Force, it is weak and limited to you. Of course over time as you progress and grow, so will the energy that is available to you."​

​

She ignited the training sabre, it's faint blade humming and crackling in the air, and twirled it around a few times. This gesture wasn't meant to show off but for her to get use to holding this crude weapon in her own hands.​

​

"You have fought alongside Sith....and fought against Jedi....tell me, Apprentice. What do you know of lightsaber combat? Or better yet, lightsaber forms?"​

​

​

[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

With the lesson in emotions completed, the pair then went into the next stage of the training. Greta was told by the Sith Lady to always keep in mind that in commanding of the force, your emotions are your ally, despite what the Jedi may claim. With an outstretched hand, her master called a training sabre to hand. Looks like they were getting to her favourite part. Actual fighting. The girl could not wait to one day wield a lightsaber of her own. Seems like they were starting with the basics first, very well she thought. It was great anyhow to eventually progress from one stage to another. The girl was fine with that. She had often heard that using a lightsaber without any prior training was a recipe for disaster.

Greta was then informed about one of the greatest misconceptions about the Sith and Jedi. The force was not the greatest weapon at their disposal. The lightsaber was. The force was merely an ally to call upon to aid their in their endeavours, alongside their mighty weapon of choice. The force is of an infinite quantity, but one's control of it is not. Not even a master of the force can control it for an indefinite amount of time. There was a limit to everyone's control over the force. The force is absolute. Right now in her current state, the force and its powers may be weak and unknown to her, but that too will change in the coming times as her lessons and training progressed.

The Sith Lady ignited the training sabre, which glowed yellow and hummed calmly in response. Several twirls were done as she did some warm-up exercises. The apprentice was then posed a question. What did she know about lightsaber forms? Greta replied her master enthusiastically.

"I have never used one before, nor held one in my hand, but I have done up plenty of reading on them. I know that there are seven different forms, and all of them have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Form I is called Shii-Cho and was the most basic of all the forms. Form II is Makashi and most predominantly a dueling form. It focused on precision, simple footwork and flair. It was also a one handed form. Form III is Soresu, and it was the main defensive form. It was primarily used to deflect blaster fire and characterised by tight, efficient movements that shielded the user's body. Form IV is called Ataru and was a fast and aggressive form with a long history behind it. It was fast paced and effective against single opponents, but weaker in prolonged combat and in confined places. It was also not recommended against blasters. Form V is Shien/Djem So, and was more of a offensive fighting style about using one's brute strength to overpower the opponent.

Form VI is Niman, which is a synthesis of elements from the first five forms. It is mainly about combining force powers with lightsaber combat, making it easy to master and execute. The last form is Form VII, Juyo/Vaapad, and is the most difficult of all the forms, both physically and emotionally. Rather than ridding themselves of emotions, practitioners of Form VII channel them into the fight, attacking with chaotic, furious, and unpredictable moves to catch their opponents off guard."

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Once more the girl had impressed her. Her knowledge of the lightsaber forms would prevent the sith Lady from having to explain them to her. She had no issues with doing so, but most already had an idea of what form they thought suited them best. However, one can begin to understand another form early on only to switch to another later in life. For Darth Venefica, Makashi was the only form she ever required. And because she had elected to stay with this one form, she had easily mastered it over time. But she would never restrict nor preach against her Apprentice wanting to seek out different forms.​

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"Very good! There are two important aspects about lightsaber combat. Footwork and hip movement."​

​

Imagining she was facing an opponent, the Sith Lady began to dance and move gracefully while turning the blade this way and that way. She was using no particular form but just demonstrating the basics. Each form had strengths and weaknesses, but that was a lesson for another time. For now, fundamentals. As quickly as she had begun the exhibition of the mock fight, she just as quickly ended it.​

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"Footwork or foot placement is key. The strength of your strikes...not slashes or sweeps...is all in your legs. Plant foot first then strike. Never attempt to make a powerful strike if your feet are not balanced. Also, keeping your feet moving to avoid them being tangled with one another or that of your opponent. Always be aware of your surroundings when moving your feet....obstacles such as stones, boxes, and dead bodies can cause all manners of problems."​

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She powered down the training blade and handed it to her Apprentice.​

​

"Hip movement. This involves your opponent, not yours. Everything begins and ends with the hips. No matter where they move their body....left...right....front....or backwards, the hips are the first to move. Force Leap and those that utilize Ataru rely heavily on the hips. The only time hips remain stationary is when the body is not in motion. Always be aware of your opponent's hips but don't focus solely on their hips or you will be slow to react to defend yourself. During a fight, causally glance at their hip movement....nine times out ten their hips will betray them."​

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Darth Venefica pointed to the training blade and added, "Before we move to forms and find one or two that suits you....first you need to be comfortable with not only holding that weapon, but learn footwork...then to study hip placement. First, footwork. Feel the Force work through you, guiding you from one destination to the next."​

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[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

The Sith Lady seemed impressed with her show of knowledge. The girl was glad. Ever interested in lightsaber combat, Greta had taken it upon herself to learn up on the seven forms of lightsaber combat. Her favourites among the forms were Makashi and Djem So. She knew that there were those that stuck to one form while others tend to use two to three forms in a single battle. She wanted to become one of the latter, eventually. For now, the fundamentals.

The apprentice was informed about the two important aspects of lightsaber combat, footwork and hip movement. A demonstration followed after the rather brief explanation. Greta observed the way her master moved, her moves gracefully swift and elegant while she made the blade dance in the air. She could not recognise the form that was being used, but later thought that maybe she was just doing random strokes for show. The demonstration ended as quickly as it started. But that was just the beginning.

The apprentice was further schooled on the important of footwork. She was thought that the strength of the strikes lied not just in your arms, but in your legs as well. A powerful strike with unbalanced footing will result in either a miss, or a poorly aimed attack. She was told to mind her surroundings, and to be fully aware of the environment that she was fighting in.

It was through a combination of the two that went into a well-executed attack. The training sabre was then powered down as the master handed the weapon to the apprentice. She was then instructed on the importance of hip movement. She was taught to keep an eye out for enemy hip movement. After all, like the popular saying goes, hips don't lie.

The Sith Lady pointed to the training blade, indicating that the girl try out the moves that had been explained and show to her earlier on. Recalling what she had observed earlier on, and reached into the force, feeling it ebb and flow within her as she took a step, confidently displaying the footwork she had been shown earlier on and she twirled the training blade in equal precision.

She was no stranger to intricate footwork and observing key details. Her previous life in the many military academies had seen her drilled well in such movements, and she now displayed the movements with ease and confidence, with a dash of excitement, aided with the force.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Her eyes closely observed her Apprentice's footwork while her right index finger tapped gently on her pursed lips. The girl's movements were fluid, a testament to her training at the Sith Military Academy. Her balance was flawless. Her control impressive. There was no doubt in the Sith Lady's mind that this girl would rise up through the ranks with a reputation of being a master swordsmen. If her Apprentice kept at this pace, very few would be able to stand against her. Sith and Jedi alike. Mentally, she was growing proud of this girl.​

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"Excellent! You grasped the concept of footwork easily. But let us see how well you can stay focused when...."​

​

Without a second thought, Darth Venefica began to grip several training orbs and hurled them towards the girl's feet. The lesson was not about deflecting objects with a blade; that would come later. For now, she wanted to see how well her Apprentice maintained her footwork and focus when objects threatened to tangle her up. Training rooms never fully prepared one for the true dangers in the galaxy. Mainly distractions. It was distractions. such as these orbs, that were responsible for the deaths of Jedi and Sith. Distractions was the unsaid killer of many a Force user.​

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[member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

The brief demonstration seemed to have been successful as it had earned the girl a praise from her master. The Sith Lady had spoken, indicating her pleasure about the display. Her following speech was left hanging in the air as her words were left unfinished.

She had spoken about maintaining one's focus when her words were left in the air just like that. The Sith Lady's fingers went into action as she gripped several training orbs in her hands before sending them hurtling towards the direction of her apprentice's feet.

Greta's mind went into overdrive as she analysed the possibilities and objectives of her master's sudden action The orbs. They were aiming for her feet. Perhaps this was an attempt to trip her somehow? To see how she coped in situations like these. She was sure to encounter such occasions in battle, where she would face distractions as well as attempts to trick her, and what better time to start practising than now?

As the orbs came towards her, the girl moved into action, leaping aside to the right, avoiding a couple of them, while swinging up her training sabre in the direction of the approaching orbs, batting them aside a series of swift swings.

Greta then leapt to the left, avoiding another series of training orbs hurled towards her as she used her training sabre as a critical tool in addition to her agility to prevent any of the objects from touching her. The exercise had worked up a sweat, but she was reinvigorated, excited by the prospect of action.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"Very good. Remember there is no such thing as a fair fight," she said placing the orbs back to their original starting position via the Force. "Even a Jedi...the good nature brown robes...will even resort to such tactics when their lives are threatened. That's the nature of things."​

​

With the basics of footwork done and hip placement taught, that only left lightsaber forms. Her Apprentice had knowledge of them by studying up which spoke volumes of the girl's desire to learn. But in order to master one or two, she would need to see what worked for; and that was where trial and error came into play.​

​

"What do you see as your greatest asset....defense with counter-attacks....all-out attacks....acrobatics? Never seen you in combat, I trust you know yourself better."​

​

She was not one to force or suggest that any of her Apprentices should learn this form or don't learn this form. That was placing restrictions on them, and all Sith need to break the chains of restrictions placed upon them. It was in the Code of the Sith; 'My chains are broken.' Instead she preferred that they sought out what forms they wanted themselves. If a form didn't work, there were others to learn.​

​

"Just understand that not all forms may work for you. Look at me....I'm small framed and not very strong physically. So a form like Shien/Djem will not work for me. The basis for that form is using one's own natural strength to defeat an opponent. Or if oen is a very tall and bulky individual...Ataru would be more cumbersome than graceful. However, the choice is yours."​

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[member="Greta Kohler"]​