When an existence has no meaning

[Perth Levov]

Liu seemed to be everywhere at once-in front of Perth, beside her, behind her, circling low, leaping to come in high, deflecting Perth’s blade with one of her own then stabbing three quick times in succession at Perth’s eyes. The Force user's head ducked and bobbed, twisting and turning to avoid the blows as she tried to mount a counteroffensive. But she was unfamiliar with the saber and it was all she could do to keep Liu at bay.

Liu's mastery of her blades was unparalleled, but even with her talents she wasn't able to land a telling blow through Perth's defenses. Still, the ferocity of her new strategy had turned the momentum completely in her favour.

Perth continued her retreat, circling away from Liu's blades, then suddenly turned and ran straight toward Liu.

Liu's blades hummed and sang as she engaged Perth again, but up close this time, unable to pick Perth off at distance.

But the change in momentum was brief. Between blocks and parries, Liu continued to cut and stab Perth, her efforts finally forcing her enemy back into a defensive stance.

 

[Perth Levov]

Even on the receiving end, Perth marvelled at the speed and savagery of Liu's blades. Her reactions were so fast, her combat instincts so pure, that she was able to sense and anticipate what Perth was going to do even as it happened, then use those attacks to her own advantage.

In theory, Perth knew she could attack Liu’s mind – to take control of her and end this fight in a matter of short minutes. But that could only happen if Liu stopped attacking. Perth’s lack of control of the Force meant she needed total focus to attempt a mental assault and if she tried it now, she’d be cut to ribbons before she was able to complete the attack.

And despite the fact that in many ways the fight was even so far, Liu still struck with clean, elegant blows, her form as perfect as it was in the beginning. Perth on the other hand was becoming harried – something both combatants would recognise. To her credit, however, Perth was able to hold her ground, Liu couldn't drive her back or defeat her.

In many ways they were at an impasse, none of Liu’s attacks able to connect significantly with any part of Perth's anatomy. In fact, the more surface wounds she received, the more Perth was able to draw on the dark side. It was an odd yet entirely fortuitous by-product of the fight. Then Liu obviously feigned a blow but instead of switching her attack, revealed it to be a double-bluff as she slashed at Perth’s wrist.

The contact wasn't perfect; her vibrosword glancing off the hilt of Perth’s saber which meant she only made shallow contact with the skin beneath. Instead of severing the hand, she merely sliced deep enough to sever nerves and tendons.

Perth bellowed in rage as her weapon slipped from her grasp, the wound leaving her fingers limp and powerless. But before Liu had a chance to finish off her unarmed opponent, she was blown forcibly backward by an explosion of dark side energy, Perth’s power seemingly fuelled by the sharp, sudden pain of her wound.

Lying on the ground some twenty metres away, Liu watched helplessly as Perth reached out with the Force and one by one stole the very life from the guards that surrounded her. They fell like dominoes. It wasn’t a perfect attack, more of a savage mauling that killed them but left a lot to be desired if she were being judged by a purist.

But she cared little for judgement. She only wanted to live and unlike Liu, she didn’t want anyone left alive to tell of the fight. Her advantage had to remain a secret. Oddly she noted that her wrist no longer hurt, it had someone repaired itself – surely some by-product of the lightning that fluctuated from red to blue as she drew on the dark side. She’d need to consult her notes. Once she’d dealt with Liu.

 

[Perth Levov]

But despite her success, Perth now felt her strength and energy plummet, A wave of exhaustion and fatigue overwhelmed her. But she wasn’t going to give up and pulled the saber from the ground with the Force and felt it smack into her open palm.

She waited for Liu to regain her feet and as the warrior advanced, Perth began to spin her blade – faster and faster. The spinning weapon redirected the first blade of her enemy away from her throat and harmlessly up over her shoulder. Its twin came in quickly from the other side at her hip, and she threw herself into a back handspring to avoid it, landing nimbly on her feet.

Liu had elevated the act of combat to its purest and highest form. She moved with the fluid grace of a dancer, her blades singing a deadly song. She executed her moves with a perfect elegance born of obsession.

But the woman before Perth, as skilled as she was, would still die if the lightsaber caught her. She had to guard against counterattacks. And Liu came at her again, her blades changing directions so quickly in mid-stroke that they seemed to bend and curve. Perth defended stoutly but realised that now was the point of no return. She needed to do something desperate or die.

So she picked up a rock with the Force and threw it at her opponent’s head. It was a clumsy attack. Slow even. But that was Perth’s ruse. Liu hesitated, casting a quick glance at the rock before swatting it away. She had judged she was far enough away from Perth’s saber to avoid any obvious attack. Seizing the opportunity, Perth's fingers flickered in strange patterns as she unleashed her dark sided sorcery at her foe.

Liu’s eyes went wide and she stumbled backwards, her vibroswords swinging wildly at the air around her as he was beset on all sides by imaginary demons. Flailing in half-mad terror at the invisible monsters, she ignored Perth as the Force user swooped in and delivered one long, diagonal stroke across her chest.

As she fell to the ground, her face frozen in a mask of rage and hatred, Perth stood over her. Then a strange thing happened. Liu looked up at her with pleading eyes, but the Force users only response was to bring her blade crashing down, ending Liu’s life.

And then she crumpled to the floor, utterly exhausted.

 

[Perth Levov]

Perth woke hours later – she had no idea how long had passed – or why she felt so tired. She dragged herself to her feet and picked up her vibro blades and saber. Then she dropped the blades and only clipped the saber to her belt.

She glanced around. There was no way of telling if the warriors were part of a larger party or travelled alone. But there was no way she was going to take the risk that she wouldn’t be discovered by a larger force at any moment.

She sighed. This meant her access to the library was ended – at least for some while. One day she might return, but it would be no time soon. Sooner or later more Echani would come – that was guaranteed. The only question was when. So, without a backwards look, she began the long hike to where she’d left her ship.