This is my lightsaber. There are many like it but this one is mine.

[Viktor Noali]

[SIZE=10.5pt]It was unnaturally cold in the stone walled chamber Viktor found himself in. [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Why was it so cold?[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] He had found this slightly odd especially with the large open brazier roaring with life in the middle of the room. As he started to walk closer to the brazier in hopes of gaining some warmth quiet the opposite happened. He began to feel colder.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] This is strange... [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]He began to pace about the room and rub his arms. If he would have known it would've been this cold he would have dressed appropriately. The outfit he wore was made for movement and flexibility, paying no mind once-so-ever to the elements. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Aside from the brazier the chamber was lit by several torches and candles which lined the walls. Viktor assumed that at some point in time this chamber was quite frequently visited. Perhaps it acted as a gathering place or as as a place of ritual. Viktor could almost feel the history in the room, it was a odd sensation for him. Regardless of what it once was it had since fallen to neglect. The obsidian stone walls which were once smooth and flawless now bear obvious signs of destruction. Large gouges, clearly made by a lightsaber, are visible in several places throughout the chamber along with entire portions of the wall which have begun to cave in on themselves. [/SIZE]


Viktor paused from his pacing and let his hand drop to his lightsaber hilt. He had recently just finished constructing his first lightsaber and it was an awkward device for him to wield. Growing up a fighting slave Viktor had been trained in all manor of weaponry and excelled at combat with a sword. This wasn't a sword. Viktor had learned that the hard way. This is why I am here.

Excuse me, this is why WE are here. You learn, we learn... Are we going to hack someone to pieces? We haven't done that in awhile and I'm getting rather anxious.

Viktor clenched his jaw, "Not... now." Since becoming more in tune with the Force Viktor had been able to do something he had never thought he'd be able to do, quiet the voices in his head. It took mediation and constant focus on his mind to quiet them completely and even then they were never very far. A constant itch in the back of his mind. Viktor walked toward the brazier again and stopped short only a few meters from where it sat. The cold was almost unbearable but he would bare it. Dropping to his knees Viktor gripped his lightsaber in his right hand and placed his hands upon his knees. With a deep breath Viktor closed his eyes and began to meditate as he waited.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

The cold. Ferus absolutely hated the cold. He was a being of fire, a man built to last with heat, rather than this frigid environment. He would descend into this room with a blistering inferno surrounding his form. The purple flame seemed to hug his form, keeping him nice and warm in this desecrated place.

Slowly he walked, dressed in his usual outfit of hard leather meant for warm environments such as Tatooine and the like. Of course, it wasn't always the best choice. He was here to meet [member="Viktor Noali"] , another acolyte looking for training with the blade. What specifically, he wasn't sure.

He would step up behind the boy, clearing his throat once.

"Are you prepared?"

 

[Viktor Noali]

He felt the Sith Lord's presence before he even entered the chamber. Though he was considerably new at sensing others through the Force, Darth Ferus' signature was impossible not to feel. It hit Viktor like a shock-wave.

Whoa, big time Force tingle! Will you stop calling it that... Hey! He can call it Force tingle all he wants. I'm giving up...

As he heard the footsteps begin to echo throughout the chamber Viktor opened his eyes. The glow of the brazier's flame slowly began to retreat as the Sith approached him covered in purple flames. Hearing the sound of him clearing his throat Viktor rose to his feet and turned around to face him.

Is he on fire? It would appear so... Can we do that? I don't really know how comfortable I'd feel being on fire. Let's not...

Viktor had done his homework. Since his years as a child the only thing that's mattered to Viktor is self preservation and self gain. Darth Ferus was a master of all seven forms of lightsaber combat. If there was anybody worthy of learning from it would be him. Viktor also knew that the Sith Lord didn't particularly care for the cold. He chose this venue purely out of personal amusement but wasn't expecting the Sith to enter bathed in flame. Viktor nodded once to [member="Darth Ferus"].

"I have a lightsaber and an eagerness to learn. You tell me, Darth Ferus. Am I prepared?" Viktor did his best to hide the grin that tugged at the edge of his lips. Though quite aware of his own inadequacies in his abilities with a lightsaber he was eager to begin.

[member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Usually, such disrespect would warrant a much worse response from the Zabrak. But rather do so, he grinned, nodding once. [member="Viktor Noali"] was indeed ready, and he would bring out his own unique golden blade, flicking it up to point at the man. "Then come at me, show me what you already know. I'll use it to determine what I will continue to train you in." Of course, Ferus wasn't exactly too happy about the idea of the cold room. While he wouldn't outwardly show his annoyance save for the flame, the red man made a mental note to punish Viktor for it at a later date.

 

[Viktor Noali]

Hesitation is for the weak... Yeah, what he said! Let's just get to the slicing and dicing! You are aware he is a Sith Lord correct... Yeah, so? We'll be lucky if he doesn't kill us.... Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just watch and learn 'wise' one.

The grin Viktor had been struggling to conceal was now worn openly on his face. [member="Darth Ferus"], like himself, appeared to be a man of action. I like action. As the Red Assassin lowered his golden blade and pointed it at him Viktor tightened the grip on his own bladed hilt. As a pit fighter Viktor had been trained in several weapon styles but he had excelled at using swords. The lightsaber was a similar weapon though considerably lighter. It had proven a troublesome weapon for Viktor to handle. When constructing his own blade he had designed it so he could fluidly flow from lightsaber combat to hand-to-hand. The durasteel bladed hilt had proven a rather useful addition to the blade already. Forming the synthetic crystal in it's hilt had been a rather difficult task for Viktor. It had required several hours of meditation during it's forming to give it power. The voices in his head thought they were helping. They definitely did not. Aside from the violent HISSING and CRACKLING sound his lightsaber made constantly it had a problem maintaining a balanced charge. When ignited the blade visibly flickered with energy. With the occasional POP would come tendrils of electricity that would dance its crimson length. However it had proven itself to be rather unreliable, often shorting out for several moments before he was able to activate it again. It also proven to be a bit of an issue. Because it operated like a form of bladed brass knuckles it was impossible for him to maneuver the hilt in his hand. It would make this fight interesting to say the least.

As the Sith Lord finished speaking his last word Vikor acted immediately. Igniting the lightsaber to a series of POPS and HISSES he swung it up instantly at Darth Feru's own blade in an attempt to knock it away from his body. If the blow was successful Viktor planned to use brief moment of surprise to lunge forward and kick the Zabrak in the chest, flames or no flames. Viktor planned to press his opponent.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Action, good. Ferus couldn't help but smile as [member="Viktor Noali"] came at him. There was no hesitation in his movements, and it showed to Ferus that this wasn't some random acolyte hoping for an easy lesson. No, this was a man who had fought before, knew what it was like to kill.

Of course, these hopes were almost shattered when he struck his saber. What was he doing? This wasn't a simple game where you hit swords and call it a day. This was a fi- Oohh. What almost became a frown turned back into a grin as foot planted against chest, sending the Sith stumbling back. Another moment of underestimating the Acolytes. How long would it be until one of them took his remaining flesh arm and he learns that they're not all just talk?

Regardless, he would continue back from the kick, regaining himself to flick his sword back up. For now, Makashi would do, and with a single grip on his saber he brought his free flesh hand behind his back, just watching with his own enthusiasm.

 

[Viktor Noali]

Is that... Amusement? Is he toying with us? Look at him, he has one arm behind his back. Does he look like he's toying with us? Yes. Then he probably is... That son of a BITH! He doesn't look anything like a Bith. I'm fairly certain he's a Zabrak. ...

Taking a quick glance around Viktor made a mental note of the nearest torch along the wall behind the Zabrak. Moving instantly as the Sith Lord recovered Viktor closed the distance. He had an idea. Viktor hissed venomously, baring his teeth. Let him be cocky.

Is he gonna use the Quiet... Let us watch...

If [member="Darth Ferus"] was going to sit there and let him attack then he would do just that. Viktor planned to play Ferus' game and be the aggressor. He would attack slow, deliberately and with power while he waited in anticipation for the Zabrak to press back. If and when the moment presented itself the opportunity Viktor would not hesitate to rip the torch from the wall with the Force and direct it at his opponent. Perhaps it would give him the opportunity to land another kick to the Sith Lord's body or perhaps it would infuriate him to the point where he would become the aggressor. Either way Viktor pressed forward.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Without hesitation the Zabrak shifted backwards, never once letting his eyes leave [member="Viktor Noali"] 's form. As the mans blade came around, he too would swipe, aiming to bash away the powerful strikes with a single hand. This was, however, not a normal hand. The mechanical limb exuded the strength of two as he applied the force to it, allowing him to redirect Vikor's strikes to the side. It was during one of these parries however that the torch was thrown for him.

His right flesh hand that he had been keeping behind his back was not from cockiness. No, it was to build up the force, to keep an off hand ready to be used at any moment. As the torch came, his right hand came ripping around to his front, going to grip the burning stick and redirect it to hit his opponent instead.

The once red flame by this point would turn into a dull purple, and the heat it put out was far more than the regular flame. Ferus was a man of fire after all, and with a grin he would go to show this student why.

 

[Viktor Noali]

You know, I like having our hands but this mechanical arm of his is something else. It is... exceptional... Exceptional? Viktor, don't listen to him. Keep you arms!

As Viktor lashed out violently with his lightsaber looking for an opening, any opening, it started to seem like a fruitless endeavor. No matter how much strength he put into his swings the zabrak would deflect them easily with his own blade, the enhanced strength behind his blows sending tremors up Viktor's arm. It radiated throughout his body making even his core feel like it was vibrating. It was a most uncomfortable feeling. The moment came when Viktor thought he saw an opening and ripped the torch from the wall. It took him not but a second after his action to realize the mistake he had just made.

Viktor watched as the zabrak deftly snatched the torch from the air with his free arm, instantly directing the torch back at Viktor. Is that... purple? Viktor wasn't sure what had happened to the once bright flame that had engulfed the torch but after it had left the Sith Lord's hands and flew at his face it had become something else entirely, warped by the dark side.

Viktor was mesmerized for a moment, taken by surprise. Though he prided himself on his quick reflexes this was something he did not anticipate. Seeing as this was his first duel with a Sith Lord he figured it would be an entirely new lesson in combat. He was right.

Oooh, prettttyy! It is a nice color of purple isn't it. You think it hurts? You... imbeciles... Right, right! Slice and Dice!

He sneered. It was the only thing he could do as the purple torch collided with his chest, knocking him onto the ground and engulfing his robes in purple flame. Viktor deactivate his lightsaber as he fell, letting the blade drop to the floor as he sat himself up and tugged at his flaming robes.

With haste he removed the top layer of his robe and tossed it to the side where it continued to burn and smolder. Reaching out and gripping his lightsaber in his right hand Viktor rose to his feet, now wearing only his boots and pants.

Viktor wore his history on his body. There was almost no part of his visible flesh that remained unmarked and scarred save his face. Large, discolored scas clearly made from bladed weapons covered his chest and abdomen. On his left side of his stomach resides a large area of twisted skin where it appears an entire chunk of his flesh had been removed and allowed to heal improperly. His back, once visible, showed the familiar scars of a whip which gave his back a textured appearance. It was evident that Viktor knew pain.

Keeping his lightsaber un-ignited he stared down the Sith Lord, his eyes burning with contempt. Viktor prided himself on his combat skills and this was proving embarrassing. It called for a change of pace. Keeping his eyes locked on the zabrak, Viktor lowered himself slowly into a teräs käsi stance known as riding bantha. With his legs spread wide he rose his left arm above his head with his hand flat in the traditional teräs käsi knife-hand shape. He slowly raised is right hand in front of him with the bladed portion of the hilt facing his opponent.

Viktor hadn't had much training in the Force. His abilities were substandard to say the least. He had however had extensive training in teräs käsi, a martial form created to combat Force users. Now felt like a good time to put his skills to practical use. Viktor grinned, and without a word gestured for the Sith Lord to come at him.

[member="darth Ferus"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

As the robes came off [member="Viktor Noali"] would find the golden saber of the Sith Lord thrusting for his throat. When he fell, Ferus had taken the opportunity to press forward, now on the offensive as the opportunity would arise. It would still be a single hand gripping his blade, but he lunged out with a full killing intent. Viktor was no new acolyte or green horn of sword play, and it was with respect that the Sith tried to end his life now.

 

[Viktor Noali]

Well, it sounded like a good plan... It was, don't discredit yourself. To much talking, I think we're distracting him. I don't think that we should be distracting him right now. I'd like to survive this.

The scenario played through his head as the voices in his head talked it out among themselves. Their plan, however promising it may have sounded in his head, never had the chance to be put into action. Before Viktor could gather his composure after throwing the burning robes from his body, the Sith Lord was a top of him with golden blade coming straight for Viktor's throat.

With a wicked HISS and an ungodly POP his lightsaber ignited once more, blue tendrils of electricity dancing the length of the blade. He brought the blade up in front of him in anticipation of the Red Assassin's attack. Simultaneously he reached forward with free hand and puled with the Force. Without much time to concentrate or gather his energy he doubted the pull he directed at [member="Darth Ferus"]'s legs would be strong enough to rip his feet out from beneath him, but Viktor hoped it would be enough to catch him off guard and cause him to stumble on his approach. If successful Viktor planned to kick at the Red Assassin's right kneecap with as much strength as he could generate from his back as their lightsabers collided. Viktor knew he would only need the briefest of moments to propel himself from the ground and back onto his feet, he just needed to create the moment. If that failed Viktor only hoped that he would be able to defend himself on the ground well enough to keep his head attached to his shoulders.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Pulling on the Sith's leg normally would be very effective, but it had happened one to many times to the Zabrak to make him stumble. It did, however, cause the power behind his thrust to falter as he shifted his foot to keep his balance, and [member="Viktor Noali"] would find the Sith's sword easily knocked to the left of his form, leaving the Zabrak's chest rather exposed.

The kick would connect with Ferus's right knee cap, but possibly to Viktor's dismay, the metallic limb wouldn't hunt from the attack itself. It would, though, upset his footing enough that the red man would have to move with it, stepping to the right. His saber, still caught against the initiate's own, would deactivate as he went to pass around Viktor, hopefully to escape any more counter attacks and regain his own footing once more.

The brawler within the boy was already proving much stronger than the Darth had anticipated, and he was enjoying himself immensely.

 

[Viktor Noali]

The Force pull hadn't had nearly the effect Viktor was hoping for, but it was enough. With careful placement of his own blade Viktor was able to deflect the Red Assassin's blade and deliver a kick to his kneecap. Viktor instantly regretted the move as his foot collided with the metal limb, sending a painful vibration throughout his body.

Ouch,ouch, ouch... How much of this Sith is made of metal? Seems to me its kind of the Sith thing to do. How about we attempt to keep as many of our limbs as we can. Agreed....

At least the kick hadn't been a complete failure. The Red Assassin's momentum had been altered enough that stopping would prove difficult for him. It came as a shock to Viktor as [member="Darth Ferus"] deactivated his lightsaber, breaking their clash and continuing to pass by him attempting to regain his footing. Rocking back on the ground, Viktor kicked up and used his momentum to propel himself from the floor and onto his feet. Simultaneously he brought his lightsaber spinning around his back, turning with the blade ready to parry the Sith Lord's assault if he decided to press immediately. If not, it was quite the flourish.

It had become evident to Viktor rather quickly that the zabrak had him easily bested in lightsaber combat. Landing a blow with his blade would be done out of sheer luck and deception as opposed to his skill with the weapon. The Lorrdian held his lightsaber in front of him, deciding to concede the offense to Darth Ferus and focus on defending himself. He would watch as the Sith attacked him, studying his form, down to the smallest of muscle movements, as best as he could while properly defending. It would be quite the surprise when Viktor revealed to the Sith Lord that he had quite the knack for mimicry.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Now, as he regained his footing, the Zabrak would relight his golden saber, turning to see [member="Viktor Noali"] 's flourish. A brow raised as he watched, for it seemed like a useless gesture. Ferus knew better than that however. It was a defense, one that only a skilled combatant would know. More and more, this boy was beginning to seem like Ferus during his early days.

The Sith would keep back now, eyeing the dark Jedi as he was sure the Dark Jedi was eyeing him. He had taken on the roll of the defender, but even the Zabrak knew not to foolishly rush in. But he couldn't just stand there forever, and with a quick wave of his hand he would go to do the same thing Viktor had done to him sooner.

Put him off balance.

He would try to not grip and move, but simply push the man's back leg farther back as he suddenly sped his way forward. His golden blade would come up for another quick thrust, but to ever push this acolyte to his limits a second snap hiss filled the air. A blue saber similar in shape to the gold would come to life in the Lord's off hand, quickly swiping upwards. The blade itself was only half the length of a normal saber, but that's how the twin blades of Ferus were made. They could go from shoto's to full at the switch of a button.

 

[Viktor Noali]

Viktor stared at the Sith Lord as they circled each other, both seeming to want to play the role of defender. As Viktor began to decide whether or not to press his attack once more he felt the blow of the Red Assassin's Force push on his back leg which re-positioned him into what appeared to be a rather awkward attempt at doing the splits. In an instant [member="Darth Ferus"]'s golden blade was bearing down on him.

That's our move! Apparently we're not the only ones who like to mimic others. Sneaky son of a...

The zabrak's lightsaber thrusted for Viktor's chest causing him to bring his own crimson blade to his defense. The Sith Lord's artifical arm had so far proven quite powerful, enhancing the strength of his blows significantly and sending vibrations through Viktor's body with every strike. Viktor was counting on that strength now, and the Sith Lord did not disappoint.

As their sabers met Viktor slid his front leg back and absorbed the strength of the zabrak's strike, allowing the momentum to propel him towards his back foot. At the sound of Darth Feru's second lightsaber igniting Viktor was already used that momentum to catapult himself from the ground into a backflip, swinging his red blade back around to intercept the tip of the blue short blade of Feru's second lightsaber.

Upon landing on his feet once more Viktor would reach out instantly with his free hand and extend his will through the Force. He would attempt to rip at Feru's flesh hand in an attempt to pry his lightsaber from his grasp and follow up the attempt by lunging forward with an upward slash of his blade.

 

[Darth Ferus]

A brow raised on the Zabrak's face as [member="Viktor Noali"] flipped backwards and deflected his blade. It was a grin worth on his face that would show the real enjoyment he had now. The opposing man had shown a sudden adaptation towards Ferus's own preferred style. When he came back, the red man let his blue saber go when Viktor called for it. Instead of trying to keep the blade, he would shift his grip back towards his golden one. His blade would go to catch the upwards slash and shift it's arc not towards his body, but away with a quick parry.

The goal was to make the humans blade run along the edge of his own, and with a quick lift upwards send the crackling saber over his head, with the golden blade underneath. And with the blade underneath, the Zabrak would take a quick step forward and rip his blade down for Viktor's chest.

If this worked, it would be lethal, and because of this the red man's saber would shut off just a second before it could do any real damage. The Acolyte would still find a new scar, but it would only be painful, not deadly.

 

[Viktor Noali]

With his Force pull successfully ripping the [member="Darth Ferus"]' lightsaber from his hand and into the corner of the room, Viktor confidently pressed his attack charging the Sith Lord and slashing upward with his blade. With ease Viktor’s blade was parried by the Zabrak and manipulate as such to position Viktor’s blade above his head leaving his chest open for attack.

Oh, what are you doing! Parry, PARRY!! We’re dead… He killed us… Fantastic… I won’t miss any of you… Don’t say that. I’ll miss you. I love you. Who me? Both of you I can't stand. I was talking to Viktor.

Viktor realized his mistake almost instantly, but it was already too late. Without hesitation the Red Assassin expertly drove his lightsaber down across Viktor’s chest, the blade being shut off at the appropriate time as to not cut him in two. Viktor dropped to his knees and clutched at his chest, searing pain surging through his body. Hitting the activation switch he shut off his lightsaber and let the hilt drop from his hand onto the ground. Keeping his head lowered and staring at the ground Viktor remained quite, waiting for the Sith Lord to finish it.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Heavy breaths came from the direction of the Sith Lord, and rather than turn to [member="Viktor Noali"] it seemed the Zabrak was taking a moment to collect himself. He was tired, he was hurt, but that wasn't what he was trying to hide at this point. It was the large grin plastered on his face, and the slowly darkening skin on his body. The darkside clawed at his conscious, wanting to continue, wanting to make the boys breath his last.

But that wasn't the goal. With a deep breath the darkness would slowly fade, followed by the grin as he turned on a heel, looking over the man on his hands and knees. A frown now formed as he spoke, motioning once for him to once more stand.

"You've proven amazing skill with your blade. But it was that jump you did so perfectly that truly spoke of your talents. I shall be teaching you in Ataru, the acrobatic form. Any protest will be ignored."

 

[Viktor Noali]

Viktor rose, letting his hand fall from his chest. He hadn't remained on his knees out of some false sense of obedience, he had merely assumed he had made a fatal mistake and that death was near. That was his mistake.

Hey, we aren't dead. Do you smell that? What's cooking? I think... that... it's us.... Fantastic. Spectacular.

With a subtle manipulation of the Force Viktor called his lightsaber back to his hand. As the Red Assassin spoke he scanned the room subtly with his eyes, locating the lightsaber that he had Force pulled from [member="Darth Ferus"] earlier.

Aahh... Oh, this is going to be interesting. Finally!

The Sith Lord continued to speak, but Viktor hadn't really paid much attention. He had begun to visibly tremble. His rage consumed him, the smell of his own flesh blinding him to reason.

Last time this happened, that poor rodian got torn to pieces. Poor rodian? He deserved it! He has... a point.. The Hutts... Really didt't... like that... He wasn't allowed back on Nal Hutta for a year.

As [member="Darth Ferus"] finished speaking Viktor acted instantly. Lunging forward he sent a right kick to the Sith Lord's chest while igniting his lightsaber. With his left hand he reached out toward's the Red Assassin's lightsaber on the floor, calling it to him with the Force. When that lightsaber reached his hand he would ignite it as well and bring both blades down on the Sith Lord.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Time seemed to slow for the Zabrak as [member="Viktor Noali"] leaped for him. So, the boy wasn't finished yet. Perhaps he was angry, spiteful for being unharmed. Honor and pride often made one do stupid things, and Ferus was no exception to this rule. But this wasn't a time for such foolish actions. There was no sound of a lightsaber activating as the Zabrak turned his body. With two simple steps he would move his form out of the way of the kick, but it was the two lightsabers that were much more dangerous than any kick.

A bemused smile formed on the Sith's face as his own discarded saber was brought into the attack, but as both blades came down his right hand went up. He would block the blades with his forearm, aiming to catch them on the durasteel plated limb. But even durasteel was no match for the plasma, and it would be quick that the blades burnt through the outer layering.

Only to find a cortosis layer underneath. If the attack continued, the blades would find Cortosis Ore underneath, the very metal that was known to cause lightsabers to short out upon contact. Should the blades be shorted out, Ferus would bring around his left hand, balled into a fist, and launch it for the mans throat area.

The force was built up in his knuckles, and upon contact it would explode outwards, sending raw telekinetic force to empower the punch that much more.