The Master and the Apprentice (NPC Thread)

[Vandal Saar]

To be among the darkside, to understand and fully use it's power, was a dream made real for the young Vandal Saar. His entire life was told of the story of how his blood shared that of the powerful Count Dooku and how greatness as his destiny but to ignore it as so many other generations of his bloodline had was unacceptable. This was more than a gift or a genetic design but a calling. The young man wanted more. He craved more. And he would do whatever it took to have it. That was why he was here, among the First Order, to gain that power and learn to use it.

While young Vandal proved ambitious to the commanders of the First Order. He was willing to fight whoever or whatever it meant to gain the recognition and power he deserved. While no proper knight of Ren felt the need to teach someone they felt was "a lost cause" there was one who was considered for the role. He had a way of dealing with "special cases" like Vandal. He was contacted and agreed to undertake the role.

After only a week of being among the First Order Vandal was already growing anxious. He needed to train if it meant becoming stronger all the sooner. At times he found himself out in the training areas and chopping down dummies with his family's scared sword. Not a lightsaber but a pure blade which cut blunt but swiftly through the dummies that had been set up for him to fight. He jumped about and chopped like a wild man, his anger driving him with every move he made.

 

[Vandal Saar]

"Not bad." someone had said, having watched Vandal's performance. "But your form is terrible, lad. You'll just give your enemy more chances to cut your limbs off before you actually strike fear into them."

Vandal looked to see an older looking man covered in robes walking out from the shadows. He seemed feeble in appearance, his robes all rags and his head mainly covered by a hood. He even sounded old and weak, making Vandal think all to likely of him. Even as he walked he more slid gingerly over towards him. Vandal was sneering as he came closer until finally pointing his blade to stop him.

"I don't know who you are, old man, but I don't need any advice from someone who can't even keep themselves up on their own feet." he near hissed at him.

"Oh my. Such strong words from such a small boy." the man near chuckled. "That anger in you may yet have the better of you."

Vandal blew him off by saying "You know nothing of me."

 

[Vandal Saar]

"I know a fool when I see one." the old ma chuckled, making Vandal turn back to him and this time confront him.

He walked up and boldly proclaimed "The only fool I see is you, you feeble waste of space! I am a descendant of the great Count Dooku. And I have more to my name that you have to the clothing on your back."

"Such a grand title you claim to have." the old man said. "If this is true then perhaps you should end me now, before I prove how much of a disappointment you are."

In his anger Vandal pointed his blade at him before saying "I doubt anyone will miss you, which will make this easier for me!"

He charged his blade towards the man as he just stood there, Vandal thinking he too weak to move in time. To his surprise however the old man stepped aside and, as Vandal still kept moving, was easily tripped by his out-stretchered leg. In the confusion of him falling forward the man grabbed his hand and managed to remove the blade from his hand, now pointing it at his eye the moment Vandal hit the ground.

As Vandal laid there the man spoke, now sounding less weak but ore strong in his voice, and coyly asked "Not feeling so strong now, are we, boy?"

 

[Vandal Saar]

Angered Vandal demanded "Who are you?" while barley moving with a blade pointed down towards him.

"Congratulations, boy." the old man said as he began to pull his hood away. "I'm your new teacher."

When his face was revealed, in a sense, Vandal saw that the man wore a mask with one eye hole, half orange and black. As he pulled the rest of his robes away he revealed he wore battle armor, of a sort, with a lightsaber on his belt and two other sword on his back. Vandal was surprised that this man was able to conceal himself so well, spite of the fact he had weapons on him as well.

The man, still keeping the blade pointed, said "You're angry. Good. You'll need it if you hope to survive."

After that he brought the sword down, driving it into the ground right next to Vandal's head. After that he stepped over him and gave the boy a chance to recover himself. Once Vandal was to his feet the man had his back to him while he tried to pull the sword out from the stone ground. he was still surprised the man was able to do so easily.

"Are you one of the knights of Ren?" Vandal asked, finally retrieving his blade.

The man didn't turn to him as he answered "If you want information, boy, you're going to have to earn it."

 

[Vandal Saar]

Since he was presenting him with a challenge Vandal was ready to attack the man, drawing his sword at the ready. However his mind soon clicked as he realized that it would lead to only another defeat. He wasn't anywhere ready to face off against a full trained fighter like him. He dropped his blade which actually made the man turn to see him.

"Good." he responded, surprising Vandal a little. "You understand a losing battle. A fool would have tried to keep going until giving up or I killed him. You'd be surprised how many cocky whelps kept it up until I put them out of their misery. For that first lesson I'll tell you who I am, and why I'm here." He walked up towards Vandal, his hands behind his back, while explaining 'My name is Kalus Ro. The First Order has instructed me to instruct you. Therefore you will come to call me master." He stopped, looking him in the eyes, and asking "Is that understood, boy?"

Vandal glared at Kalus, giving that he kept calling him 'boy'. He felt he deserved better given his heritage but knew it would gain nothing. He may have been cocky and arrogant at times but he wasn't a fool.

"Yes....master." he near forced himself to say.

Kalus chuckled before saying "Bet that took a lot out of you, eh?" He paced around him again while asking "So tell me, all great and honorable descendant of Count Dooku, why I should bother with the likes of you?"

 

[Vandal Saar]

"Because I seek power." Vandal answered.

In response Kalus lashed out, punching him in the face and forcing the boy to the ground while saying "Wrong! Everyone seeks power. From the lowest of scum to even the Jedi. Tell me why?" Vandal, in his anger, tried to kick him but was caught by the foot and punched back. "Attacking in anger is the way of the darkside, but it only works when you can use it. Now tell me why you should be trained?"

Vandal spat blood out of his mouth before getting to his feet and yelling "Because I am the Blood of Doku!"

"Wrong again!" he said, coming at him.

Vandal tried to brace himself and dodge the attack but Kalus proved to be quicker than he thought. He tried to dodged a punch but instead walked into a kick, barley having time to bring his arms up and defend himself.

"You're making excuses for yourself." Kalus said as he walked over to the coughing boy. "Anyone can claim to be the heir of anyone. You think because you share the blood of some Sith Lord from ages ago that means you're entitled to something?" He stomped his foot on the boy's chest, pinning him down before saying "You've got one last chance to tell me the truth. If you lie again I'll end this here and now and find a real knight to train. Now tell me why."

 

[Vandal Saar]

With Kalus' foot pressing down on him and his wounds starting to get to him it was hard to answer right away. He coughed more as he could barley keep focus while seeing the looming figure of Kalus Ro over him.

With another loud cough he finally said "Because....because I don't want to be nobody!" He felt an even greater weight in his gut as he confessed "I...I want to believe that what my family has said is true. That I AM the descendant of Count Dooku. I want to be more than just another child who wants to be the best. I NEED to be the best... because I want to be someone."

A tear ran down Vandal's cheek as his confession came to light. Given that his face was hidden it was hard to tell if this had phased Kalus Ro at all. His answer finally came when Kalus removed his foot, allowing Vandal to roll on his side and cover himself to try and regain his strength. Kalus stood back watching the boy try to stand despite his wounds. He didn't move to help him but instead watched as he tried.

"If you want power you first have to accept your reasons for it." Kalus finally said. "The path to true power is truth. Remember that, boy." He walked away, making for the entrance, before stopping to say "We start tomorrow." and finally leaving.

 

[Vandal Saar]

It had taken time for Vandal to finally pick himself up and walk out of the training room. He dragged his sword in his hand before finding a medical officer. She brought him to a recovery bay to rest off his wounds, even though she told him he needed days to heal. Despite this he kept quiet, knowing he'd be on his feet tomorrow regardless in order to train. This Kalus Ro was already proving to be a strong master. His motivations, however, remained as much a mystery as the face behind the mask.

It bothered in Vandal's mind what would be in store for him tomorrow. He managed to sleep but only thanks to the sedatives the medics provided for him to heal faster. His sleep was restless as he tossed and turned. He dreamed of Kalus standing over him again, showing how stronger he was by constantly stomping him further and further into the ground until he was buried.

When Vandal woke he picked himself up and fought against the sore feeling over his body. He pushed passed any of the medics who tried to stop him as he made makeshift bandages for himself and carried himself to the training room. When he arrived he found Kalus sitting there, as if waiting for him.

 

[Vandal Saar]

"Good to see you're up." Kalus said, already having sense Vandal approach. "Come. Sit."

As Vandal came to the other side of Kalus he realized there was a small area laid out with bowls of food. Kalus had already begun eating, the part of his mask where his mouth was lifted up so that he could eat. He gestured for Vandal to sit before also offering him anything he wished to have.

"Why?" Vandal asked.

"Because you're no good to me weak. Even a Sith had to eat sometime." Kalus replied bluntly. "Now hurry. Unless you want to train on a empty stomach the whole time."

Slowly Vandal took what he could, sometimes hesitating as he thought it was just another test by Kalus. However it became more and more clear that wasn't the case and that he did want Vandal to eat. The boy did, grabbing a handful and having it o his plate.

As the two sat in silence for a moment Vandal felt the need to ask "Are you one of the Knights of Ren?"

Kalus was quick to answer "The name of 'Ren' isn't in my name, so naturally that would mean I'm not."

"But then why did they call upon you to train me?" Vandal asked.

 

[Vandal Saar]

Kalus had halted his eating to say "I told you before, if you want information you'll have to earn it." He saw Vandal retreat from his question before rubbing his chin and continuing with "But I suppose, since this is breakfast, I can oblige this once. I trained to be a knight when I was a little older than you. And like you none of the knights had the need nor want to train me. So they called upon my master, who was something of a taskmaster in the First Order. He was trained in the ways of the force but never took the name of 'Ren'. He was never knighted but he'd attained the right to be called a master in the Order." After that he removed his lightsaber from his belt, Vandal noting the unique design to it, before adding "This was his. When he did he passed it on to me, identifying me as the next master to carry on his traditions."

Vandal was quiet for a moment after hearing that before asking "Is that what you intend for me? To not join the knights and just become a taskmaster for the next unwanted student?"

"What you do is entirely up to you, boy." he answered. "Whether you are knighted or not, or even go on some other journey down the dark path, I am only here to ensure that you are ready for what is to come." He leaned forward and added "You may think I'm rough. You may come to hate me. Hell, you may even find the time to kill me in my sleep if it comes to it. But what I do is for your sake. Remember that. The Jedi are strong in the Force. And there are others who are trained in the darkside who may not be your friends. So you must be ready for anything and everything. Understood?"

Taking all that to heart and mind Vandal, indicating he was done eating, dropped his bowl and answered "Yes, Master Ro."

 

[Vandal Saar]

Before pulling his mask down Kalus had smirked, Vandal noticing. He stood, making Vandal follow, before drawing one of the sword from his back. He revealed it to be a training saber that was simple in design yet the hilt was slightly altered.

"Let's begin." he said. "We'll start with your technique. Yesterday you wielded your blade like it was a blunt knife on a slab of meat. But with the proper training you could cut through fifty men like carving a cake. Be it with that sword you have or a proper lightsaber. To start you need to know the zones of attack." He began to circle Vandal as he explained "Each part of the body is a zone." He suddenly swung his saber down, stopping right at Vandal's head, making him flinch. "That is zone one." He pulled his blade back and added "Keep your senses open, boy. Otherwise anyone could come up behind you." He continued to pace as he pointed his blade at different parts of his body from his arms down to his torso and finally to his legs. "Zone two. Three. Four. Five. And finally six. Each form of saber combat focuses on one or more of these zones and how you defend or attack them. Understood?"

"Yes, master." Vandal nodded, still trying to keep in mind which zones were what again.

"Good." he said pulling back before shouting "Zone 2!" swinging his blade.

 

[Vandal Saar]

Vandal acted quick, bringing his blade up and blocking at the right. The blades made contact but from the force Vandal could tell Kalus had put a lot into the swing. Had he not reacted in time Vandal would have been serious wounded yet again. That reminded him of how sore his body already was from the last meeting between the two.

Kalus held back and said "Good. Zone...4!" He swung, aiming at Vandal's torso before he blocked. "Good. 6!" He swung, Vandal blocking. "1... 3... 6...5... 5... 3... 2... 4!" All but the last had Vandal managed to block, and those he'd barley made. A hard smack hit his stomach as Kalus said "Quick. But not quick enough. If I were a Jedi I'd probably start taking pity on you and try to turn you towards the light."

Angered Vandal stood and attacked, Kalus easily blocking his attacks. However as he did Kalus counted the zones as if trying to test Vandal with how he was attacking. The young boy ignored this and continued to lash out before finally Kalus had stopped him. Their blades locked but Kalus used the Force to push Vandal back, his hand pointed right at his face when he did.

After Vandal slid he got to his feet and shouted "What was that? You never told me you'd use the Force!"

"Do you think your opponents will be that ice about a fight? If they were we'd have nothing to fear from the Jedi scum. You need to be alter. Prepared for anything. And when you attack in anger don't just lash out. Feel that anger! Let it be your driving power! It will guide you as you attack." He fixed himself to a fighting position and said "Now try again. Only this time you count."

 

[Vandal Saar]

After getting himself ready Vandal attack, counting "5...6....5...4...2....3...1....1..5....6...4....3..."

Kalus was just as quick to block but kept up the same pace as Vandal did. Slow but quicker with each swing Vandal made. Eventually Vandal stopped counting and just swung at the zones one after the other. He took his Master's words in advice as he felt his anger inside but he did not unleash it. Instead he controlled it. He felt the Force welling inside his body and guiding his actions as Kalus had told. It felt better this way. Vandal actually smiled a little as he felt his blade banging against Kalus' all the harder with every swing.

Eventually the two stopped and locked blades, Kalus saying "Good. Very good, boy." They broke away as Kalus continued with "I can already feel it from here. You're letting emotion drive you instead of tranquility. The Jedi think that gives them power when in reality it blinds them. Makes them soft. But emotion, pure raw power, that has been what drives everything in the galaxy to fight."

After hearing this Vandal couldn't help but say "You seem to know a lot about the Jedi."

"To beat your enemy you have to know them." Kalus replied, tapping his head for a moment. "But there's another story to that. After you earned it." he enforced.

"Understood. Master." Vandal replied, a little curious on what the deeper story was behind that.

 

[Vandal Saar]

Kalus continued the lesson with "Now for defense." He circled yet again and explained "There are three rings of defense that you'll need to know." He stopped in front of Vandal and demonstrated "The first is the Outer Ring, focusing on the more powerful sweeps and wider attacks." He showed the proper stance for defending from attack in this ring. "Next is the Middle Ring. Focusing on quicker strikes and blows. You need to be fast when it comes to this sort of defense." When he demonstrated this defense he also showed how to hold the blade and at what angle was correct. "And last in the Inner Circle. This one is most important. Your opponent will come in close for a luge or stab." He held the blade in the proper position before continuing with "It's more about blocking in this case. It's a matter of getting them away from you or close enough for the kill. But if you slip even the slightest it could mean your end either way. Try less of a block and more of a parry. Use their body and movements against them with the Inner Circle."

As Vandal watched he was subtly mimicking how Kalus held the blade and where he positioned it. The teacher didn't stop despite noticing how and where he was doing it. If anything he was glad to see the boy wasn't so arrogant as to think he'd get it in the next round.

"Now brace yourself." Kalus warned. "No warnings here. You have to let the darkside reach out and help predict where I will strike. Trust your sense first and then your eyes."

With that Vandal nodded and waited for Kalus to make his move, putting himself in the Inner Circle position.

 

[Vandal Saar]

Kalus nodded before taking a fighting stance. It only took a moment for the two to breath, reaching out with their inner feelings, before Kalus finally stuck. He swung at his left, Vandal quick to block, before following with an overhead strike and following that a blow for the stomach. Vandal was quick to block each one but it was clear this was just a starter round. Kalus was being slow on purpose. Vandal seemed to notice and, after getting in position again, seemed to visually show on his face he didn't want to play child's games.

Kalus advanced again only he was much faster. Quicker jabs and strikes here-and-there, Vandal blocking a handful of them before some managed to breach his defenses. He shook off the blows before getting in stance again as Kalus continued to keep up the pressure. They moved about as they continued to train going from one section of the room to the next. It proved to worked somewhat into Vandal's advantage as he size helped keep Kalus a little off-balance. However the darkside master proved before he was good at adapting to any and all sorts of situations in fighting.

 

[Vandal Saar]

After a while of the continuous practice fighting it ended with the two locking blades yet again. There were fresh bruises on Vandal's face from the shots he'd missed and he was panting hard from exhaustion while Kalus barely seemed to waver from all the action. The two seemed to lock eyes for a moment before finally breaking away.

"Not bad, boy. Not bad at all." Kalus said, putting his training blade away. "You're still a little sloppy but we'll clean it up in due time." After that he could see Vandal was trying to force himself to stand, making him say "Don't try to act tough with me, boy. You skills are pointless if you're body is cripple. Sit down and rest. You'll need it."

Vandal used his sword as a crutch as he carefully laid himself down on the ground. He breathed deeply while trying to fight the sore feelings around his face and body. He wanted to cry but was holding back. No time to look weak in front of Kalus Ro and make him think he wasn't worth it anymore.

"Pain can be a chip in the armor for some." Kalus began. "But to fully use the darkside is to accept pain and use it as a weapon, not a handicap. You'll understand in time."

"Is this...how your master taught...you?" Vandal struggled to ask.

 

[Vandal Saar]

"I was taught what was needed." Kalus explained. "Other things, however, I learned on my own. Not all experiences can be taught by someone else. Remember that, boy."

Vandal gave a little annoyed huff and asked "Are you always going to keep calling me that?"

"For now. Like I said, you have to earn a few things before you can appreciate them. Besides given how ambitious you seem I'm half surprised you haven't wanted to be called by your intended Sith name. What will it be a wonder? Dooku Ren? Or maybe take up your ancestors name of Darth Tyrannus?"

"I have....something in mind." Vandal replied, obviously keeping it a secret for now.

Kalus only chuckled as he took a seat in front of the boy and said "Don't let ambition get the better of you, boy. Too many have made that mistake in the past and it's only ever lead to downfall. There may be others taught in the darkside who'll tell you to take power as soon as you find it but some like me agree to hold true power you must let it accept you. Give yourself time to understand real power and then you can use it."

For a moment Vandal thought on his words. It was true the more he thought about it. So many had often let themselves get ahead of what they wanted and it often lead to them being killed or the tables being turned on them. Vandal was ambitious as Kalus said but he was't an idiot. He nodded as he truly understood that he would need to understand power before having it.

 

[Vandal Saar]

"Now you've one last lesson to learn for today." Kalus explained before asking "Tell me how many weapons does a normal person have in this universe?"

Thinking on it Vandal answered with "Does it depend on how many they can carry?"

Kalus chuckled a bit and replied "No. But a good way of trying to figure it out. The answer it two. They have whatever weapon is in their hands and themselves. Their body can act as a weapon all on it's own. That's how we all started out fights, with bare fists and beating them until the other man was dead. But now ask yourself how may weapons do you and I and others like us have?"

"Three." Vandal surmised. "Our bodies, our weapons, and the Force."

"Exactly. The Jedi try to claim that their use is a means of peace when in fact they can be just as brutal with it as we can. Controlling the minds of the weak. Moving objects at will. Creating raw power in our hands. Even destroying a body and entrapping a soul. That is what the Force can offer us. But the Force is still another weapon you must learn to properly use."

 

[Vandal Saar]

"How?" Vandal asked.

"The Force is always around us, boy. Every part of the galaxy, all the way up to the big wigs of the Republic and the masters of the darkside to the lowest of scum and scroungers. But for those like us the Force can be manipulated. While you used it as a guide when we fought I also used it against you before, remember?"

Rubbing the part of his back where he'd fallen after taking the Force push to the face Vandal answered "Yes..."

"Exactly. In truth the Force is the only weapon you will ever need for the rest of your life. If you can use it to it's full potential. But not everyone, even the strongest of Force users, have ever reached that point. It takes a lot but requires just as much."

"So what do you intend to show me? What it costs to reach that point?"

"Not just yet. For now you need to know how to properly tap into it first."

 

[Vandal Saar]

Kalus stood and walked to the other side of the room opposite where Vandal stood. He stopped at points to see how far he was before stepping back little by little. Eventually he was on the other side, which was about fifteen feet away, before deciding that it was a good distance. After that Vandal watched as Kalus raised his hand and used the Force to grab hold of his sword, trying to rip it from his grasp. Vandal held on tight to where he felt himself being dragged along with it. Eventually Kalus' Force grip won out and the blade flew into his hand.

"Give that back!" Vandal demanded.

"Take it then." Kalus taunted. As Vandal walked towards him Kalus pushed him back with another blast of the Force before saying "Not like that. Take it the way I did."

Vandal gave him an angered look as he stood before seeing it was clear Kalus would have it no other way. With no other choice Vandal looked at his blade and held his hand out, trying to summon the Force to bring it back to him. For a moment he tried to Focus, almost seeming to struggle, before dropping his hand with no effect.

Kalus looked at the sword before quipping "Is this your way of saying I can keep it?"