The Contention Form

[Darth Ophidia]

The manner in which the Zabrak did use the Force was just as stunning as his force-fist. The first one cracking her straight on the jaw and sending her toppling back a few steps, the other blows hurt, but did not leave as clear a mark. She turned her face to Ferus again, wiping blood from her lip with her thumb.

"Duly noted, My Lord."

Her voice was a snarl, but there was no direct anger. Rather, it was like an underlying furnace, drawing fuel from her pain and supplying her with passion. She put her weight on her toes again, and flicked her sabre into position. Her off-hand was held ready, as she gathered the Force around it. The next time Ferus punched, she would throw up a temporary barrier and advance. Fluent footwork, use the Force with your free hand, read his movement.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Ferus would begin again, his fists flying out towards [member="Saiah"] 's form. Just as before, the force swelled at his knuckles, sending a blast the force of his punch right for her. They were quick, much faster and stronger than before. Before was just a test after all. Now that she knew what she was suppose to be doing, he wasn't about to hold back.

He kept his footing light, almost bouncing on his heels as if to move without a moments notice. Such was the way of his unarmed now that he had learned some new tricks. This had become as much of training for the Rattaki as the Zabrak himself. With a grin renewed, he awaited to see how she would defend herself.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

She danced to the sides, swaying her body like a serpent to avoid Ferus' blows. Some of his strikes, she swept away with a momentary shield of the Force. It was a skill she had learned of necessity. She noted that his movements were quicker, more fierce. more powerful. Yet Saiah smirked too, this was a dance she quite enjoyed. A dance with death, and pain was as much her teacher as Ferus.

As she ducked and weaved some punches came through, but never at full power. Her force barriers had a tendency to crack at the first blow, it was a skill she would have to practice. She advanced upon the Sith lord, trying to get close enough within reach without getting properly hit to slash at him.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Duck and weave. Ferus's form was almost a blur as he moved backwards from [member="Saiah"] . Yet, as he moved he didn't just go back and forth like Makashi was. Rather, he went side to side, constantly trying to force her to turn and change direction. He focused on evasion more than offense, but as he did he would throw out the occasional punch in an effort to keep her constantly on her toes.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Saiah had finally become used to the straight lines of Makashi, and now she had to adapt once more. Then again, it was to be expected. Very few opponents walked in straight lines, Saiah too preferred to work the angles. She had once glanced at an advanced Makashi module that worked eight lines emitting from the centre of the practitioner, She hadn't understood it at the time, but it made sense now that she faced Ferus and saw his ducking and weaving.

Saiah was fast, but Ferus was faster and Saiah struggled to maintain her attack and defence. Using fleet footwork and an an improving defence in the Force, she kept most of his blows just out of reach, or keeping the damage of his strikes to a minimum. She pivoted, turned, shifted and stepped in straight lines from to Ferus' position in relation to her own position. Her lightsabre flashed in quick strokes and thrusts.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Ferus kept on weaving, but without his saber and the relative newness he had to the unarmed he was using, [member="Saiah"] would find the Zabrak's attacks lessened, and eventually halting all together. His flesh arm, where the bracer wasn't, slowly began to get covered with burn marks from the younger Sith's saber, and eventually the Lord would leap abruptly backwards, sending out a wave of the Force meant to keep the girl from continuing her assault.

"Good! Good. Any more, and I would have to re-ignite my saber and actively try to end your life. And that would only be a waste of your potential and possibly my time. This lesson is over with, you've learned all I can show you for now. What you must to next is simply use the form and constantly train when ever the chance comes up. Use it until it becomes second nature. Understand?"

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Again, she was thrown back. This time, she landed on her feet, sliding backwards on the sandy floor. Yhe lesson seemed to be over, which saddened her a little. It had been such a thrilling subject: Trying to stab her Master. She deactivated her lightsabre and bowed her head in respect for her teacher.

"I understand. Thank you for your time and tutelage, Lord Ferus."

She still kept her eyes on him, and a sly smile was spread on her black lips. It was a pleasure to use the learned form against opponents. Perhaps some day, she would fight Darth Ferus again and force him to face her seriously. In her current state she would be killed, but one day.

"I will take my leave for today."

She stood back up, her slender figure tall and erect, her pale eyes focused on the Sith Lord in front of her. She twirled her lightsabre in her hand and slipped it into a hidden compartment in her clothes. Then, nodding a farewell she hurried out of the room.

[member="Darth Ferus"]