Rites of Passage (Krox, Kell, Any other Sith who want in)

[Kell Sangros]

The Lightstaff jab was easily avoided by a simple sidestep, he could sense that there was more to this attack but he was not sure how to defend against or even counter. As he dodged the jab the telekenetic blast hit Warvanus full on, even mustering his command of the Force did not make a difference, it literally sent him backwards, he landed on his back his lightsaber deactivated as it rolled a short distance from his hand. Warvanus knew there was more power to the dreadlord then he was letting on. He was one of the strongest Sith in the Empire he had to be if he held the title of Dreadlord.

However he was not about to give up or lose resolve because he was out on his back with his lightsaber out of his reach. He only had half a moment to react and react he did. Warvanus rolled to the side now able to grab his lightsaber, He re-activated the blade and got to one knee as the blade came down he still was not out of it’s range so he brought his own blade to block the strike. Through the Force his determination shone like a supernova. He had trained for situations like this but the difference is this was a Master and not a droid. He was also mindful of the other blade from the lightstaff. Warvanus did not know what to expect and his senses were alert and ready for the unexpected though that did not mean that he would be able to counter or defend against. But one thing about the Apprentice of Darth Tormentous, he would do his best.

He had never sparred against anybody as powerful and deadly as the Dreadlord. Tormentous had done well in choosing him as the Dreadlord.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

The boy was fast but not as fast as others his frame or stature, he seemed to be fighting to impress, attempting to match against the Zabrak’s strength at every turn. Although he admired the boys courage he would be battling only to end with outcome of defeat and this is not what the Dreadlord wanted with this challenge. He wanted to show why the Red Cauldron would be the most deadly Sith that had ever struck the galaxy, not beat down a pup that sought to impress those further higher up in the pack.

The Dreadlord placed more pressure on his locked blade, despite his usual sense of honour to allow his opponent any edge of advantage but neither could he leave without feeling anything had been gained. He reared his head closer to Warvanus as he pressed down his Lightstaff with even more force, “You fight with nothing held back, but you forget what you face! Find your strength do not try to match mine!” These words were not a taunt but in itself a training session. He disengages once again spinning around with his twirling double bladed lightsaber seeking to unleash another barrage of attacks to keep Warvanus from ever gaining the upper hand or even a second to process a plan of attack, for he knew how dangerous this Sith could be.

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus had been on the defensive, he was facing someone who was more experienced and more powerful than him. He knew that this was a fight he would not win but that did not mean he was going to accept and admit defeat which was inevitable. No Warvanus would do no such thing. His persistence could be confused for vanity or attempting to impress a superior. Warvanus entered each battle spar, or real with the same intensity and ferocity, he would hold nothing back. He would not treat the spars or training as something that kept him safe. No he would soak everything he could and learn and use the knowledge to his advantage. After all You did not truly know someone until you fought them. A saying Warvanus took to heart. The Zabrack was strong, both physically and in the Force stronger than he was and his words he did not take as a taunt but what they were meant to be, a lesson, advice. When the blades disengaged Warvanus would change his tactics. He swung his blade, and surrendered his movements to the Force. Before Warvanus was aware what he himself was doing, Warvanus went on the offensive, charging keeping his blade close to him until the moment of impact. He unleashed a barrage of swings and jabs with this lightsaber, never overextending his reach. His stamina nor his strength waned, he felt himself getting stronger as the adrenaline and the Force flowed through him. During the clashes as the strikes were block-able. There was nothing nefarious in his attacks. It was to keep the Dreadlord from delivering the winning blow.

One of Warvanus’ strengths was persistence, which is one reason why he would not quit, nor would he give up. He would take the Dreadlord’s advice and immediately put to practical use.

Though the tactic once worked against Lord Blood it was at that time a moment of desperation but he was stronger now than back then. Through the Force he extended his senses around him and the Dreadlord and through the Force (Alter) He attempted to hit the activation switch on the Dreadlord’s lightstaff. He didn't expect it to work like it had with Lord Blood but he hoped it would buy him a moment and maybe even distract the Dreadlord enough so that Warvanus could do the impossible and claim a victory.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

The young Sith had finally broke from his chains, the flow of the Force no longer swung the way of Kroxata, they noticed the new rising warrior that opposed the Dreadlord, seeing someone worthy and capable enough to harness its strength, to act as a host for its divine power. The Dathomirian was instantly put on the defense, the agile and persistent Warvanus had taken advantage of the Dreadlord’s tiny brief moment of hesitation a move he should have anticipated from giving him the advice to face him as a true enemy.

His strikes were true, they shared the same master so he expected nothing less, but that also served a disadvantage for the more adequate lightsaber duelist, for Kroxata had indeed even proved to be a threat to the Emperor himself with his mere knowledge along. Despite this glaring shadow that followed Tormentous, Kroxata’s honour would not allow himself to succumb to such petty and pathetic needs to gain power, no, he would earn that right, a mindset he hopes to engrave into Warvanus. His offense became more of a challenge than his defense ever did, analysing his strong suit and what he prefers the tide of battle to be in his favour, it became clear that the two followers of the Dark were more similar than either of them came to think. Recognising his own master’s maneuvers, Kroxata was able to parry each and every attack, falling back to his heels no longer in a crouched stance but instead for more jagged and stiff. A position he did not feel comfortable, twirling a double bladed Lightstaff whilst simultaneously avoiding the clear indicator of his hilt to be a very eye bulging weakness. The young Sith was even capable of breaking the Dreadlord’s stance, forcing him to rely on his knowledge of combat my memory and experience other than what he was taught from the Sith, something he has not needed to do in a long time.

Until a single moment of weakness shined through, a sign of confidence and hope in one's ability to execute a move that has worked before but on another more reckless Sith. Kroxata’s combat sense guided his mind, the force suddenly jolted forward something or someone had altered it and judging from where the Dreadlord’s eyes had observed, Warvanus had very briefly shot his own gaze to his lightsaber, a clever trick but not witty enough, although the Zabrak could not interpret the exact maneuver, he could feel a small clutch grab one end ever so slightly, Kroxata played along for the meantime. He positioned his crimson blade like a spear looking to issue a quick jab, the instant strike would seemingly spring the trap laid for him, but in the moment, Kroxata brings the other blade over the top of his head bringing it crashing down to Warvanus, the true battle had finally begun.

[Kell Sangros]

One thing Warvanus would later come to say about the Dreadlord’s style, was that it was head on, in your face no tricks to gain the upper hand skill upon skill. Where as Lord Blood the only other Sith Lord he had dueled used any means at his disposal to gain the upper hand. He had to admire that too but it was not Warvanus’ way only when extreme measures called for it. He definitely felt like his style was similar to the Dreadlord’s in this fashion. He knew that his skill was not superior to the Dreadlord’s but he would later be pleased that he gave him a good fight. His focus was on the duel. Which Warvanus felt like he was just getting warmed up that was the fever of battle settling itself upon him.

The fact that Warvanus’ little trick did not work pleased him, he was formidable indeed. He was ready for anything and this only doubled his resolve and determination. He quickly blocked the jab by swiping it to shift to the left. However the other blade coming down was a bit different He could swing upward to block that but then that would leave him exposed and surely he would take advantage of it and the battle would be over. He was smarter than that. He held his blade close to him and raised it enough to block the second blade’s strike but still keeping the rest of him guarded. It was the same as leading with your shoulder when throwing a punch. It left the shoulder and neck open to counter attack. This was the same concept and as he has proven he was no fool. The blades held he knew the Dreadlord was the stronger of the two. So he held it not to try to match strength but to throw a kick to his knee. He would not aim higher as that would leave the limb open for a decapitation. It was an unexpected move whether it would connect would be another question but the idea was to hit the leg causing someone to get a bit of distance then Warv can execute another attack.

He was focused but not over focused as that too would leave him open to attacks. Though the telekinetic attack he did not expect and further more he had no defense for it yet. He had been practicing Telekinesis with no real success , at least not yet. That time was quickly approaching though.

The Battle was indeed just beginning; the previous exchanges nothing more than merely a warmup. In this arena, this ring, this gym two warriors clashed testing each other’s skill, they would both learn something from this as Warvanus believed you don’t truly know someone until you fight them. It was an old Manadalorian proverb. One that he could relate with. He was not Manadalorian but he was a warrior with the heart and lust for battle. As he was a student of war. He would become the Embodiment of War hence why he was named Warvanus. It was a destiny he openly embraced. And he would not stop or yield until he had no choice to. He would not quit

[Kroxata Akhoi]

The blades connected once more, he could feel the resilience of Warvanus trying to fight back against the inevitable losing battle but the Warvanus continued to impress Kroxata. After each strike each blow that he threw out of thin air, in complete utter surprisement and after everything he tested the human on, he kept himself on his feet. From his enormous strength physically to strength in the Force now narrowing it down to his final feat, his skill with a Lightsaber. The positioning he placed himself allowed him to only resort back to his roar strength.

Pressing his blade harder with much a much stronger force to force the young Sith to his knees, almost kneeling before the Dreadlord in submission. He continued to press harder kill he felt a light prick knock back his leg, then again and finally a massive crunch could be felt crashing against his shin, an agonising pain travelled up through his leg, passing into his nerve system. The Dathomirian Zabrak race was known for being able to withstand a higher tolerance of pain but this was something even the Dreadlord could not simply withstand. He backs away, disengaging the lock between the two taking a few steps back to retreat from his assault leaving a good few seconds to allow Warvanus to finally gain some advantage in this bout of legends.

[Kell Sangros]

The titans clashed, to the untrained eye it looked like a flurry of red light and sparks. Warvanus was surprisingly doing well for himself. He had to remain focused or else he would lose, and lose quickly. Warvanus was not masterful with the Lightsaber he was no beginner either. Then finally that one solid clash that did force Warvanus to his knees, but he was not going to match strength with strength to his surprise and maybe a little bit of luck the leg sweep did it’s job and it gave Warvanus the advantage and he would now press his advantage. He took a step towards Kroxota and brought his lightsaber in a mid level strike aimed for the upper chest. When he blocked that he would quickly make a swing to the torso. He would change up the attacks, he did everything he could do to remain unpredictable. In the end though, He was a Master swordsman,and knew the winning stroke would be coming, he would not quit though not until he had no choice. This was the way of the warrior. This was his way, and no doubt this was Kroxota’s way as well.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

Kroxata spun his blade to keep his more main left arm the forebearer of the hilt unknown to what awaited him from the latest success of his master, he had played his part and now it was time for the apprentice to show the master his full potential. He observed his footwork carefully, sloppy but it will suffice for the meantime, the amber gaze setting onto his eyes watching every fraction of movement they made, the Force doing the rest, the cluster of a bad omen rested around his chest, indicating to him the next impending strike (Combat Sense) he raises his blade in an upwards motion, with on balde meeting his with the other darting backwards sitting very comfortably next to his long jagged crown of horns. The two blades clashed for a second before Warcanus quickly siengaged moving instantly into his next designated target, one he did not use his training with a lightsaber or the mighty higher being that was the Force, but something more enriched into his past, skills he had earned without the need of training.

The change in pace nearly caught the Dreadlord off guard, arching his back heavily to suck in his torso as much as he could watching as the crimson saber’s heat glazed a line through the armour, shimmers of steam disperse from the close miss with Kroxata stumbled backwards. Sensing the running footsteps of the young Sith Acolyte charging forward. Handing himself completely to the Dark Side, he could only use the Force to guide his blade with his back facing him, he balanced the hilt over the back of his head meeting the single blade before spinning back round to face him, using his Lightstaff to guide Warvanus to his left where he could deliver much stronger strikes. If Warvanus could keep his balance then Kroxata would begin to tap into his expertise and experience in Vaapad, laying blow after blow to connect against his, trying to wear out the small soul to exhaustion.

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus saw he had him on the defensive that strike he attempted from behind blocked by the Dreadlord and then spun to face him. Now Warvanus found himself on the defensive. Blocking his attacks which were getting stronger and stronger, Warvanus needed to change his tactics up. He had been using his right hand as his primary in this duel. With a quick switch he switched to his left hand. He recognized what the Dreadlord was doing

“Vaapad” he said almost in awe.

He had read about the forms and had been working on learning Vaapad but one can only learn so much from texts and holos. Some of his strikes threatened to strike Warvanus off his balance but he would do the best he could to keep his balance. He was still going strong. If anything he was getting more amped with this duel. With each strike was harder and stronger than the last , until one about knocked Warvanus off his feet, his lightsaber knocked out of his hand. He was in a very dangerous predicament indeed

[Kroxata Akhoi]

Beaten, at last, the weapon flown from his fingertips from a fool's errand of changing their style in the midst of combat. The further he pushed through the defense the more he saw weakness and faulter within the young Sith he could not keep up with the durability the might Zabrak had held throughout this bout. The form of Vaapad was one little knew how to combat against if they were not Adept in the other six forms for it utilised each and everyone one in spits of random engagement, each moment being changed from the basic but effective Sho-Chii to the chaotic Ataru, his version of Ataru anyway, his size could not allow too much mobility but instead relied on the technique of his Lightstaff, twirling like a tornado to act as a perfect threat to even the most disciplined master.

The clashing of Light against each other even sounding far more aggressive, one full of energy with the other losing its will, the sound becoming more drawn out, his balance fails him. Kroxata lunges his blade to Warvanus’ quickly swiping to the top right corner watching as the single crimson blade flies from his grip spinning out of control before deactivating far away. The Dreadlord ceases his advance, he brings the other end of his blade close to Warvanus vulnerable flesh neck but stopping at the final moment, no, he would not win like this, this was a victory not earned but taken. There was little challenged, little sport, he needed both warriors to take something from this, not one to awe in the other’s strength. He darts his blade back, his plated boots scuttling across the field before setting in a defense point.

“This is not all you have, come on! Prove to me that you are Sith!” If he were to win, it would be against all Warvanus had left in his will, -all- the strength and fire that burns within his soul. He would not allow such a victory to be easy, he wanted to feel the strength through the pain, an outcome he was willing to take in order to ensure this lesson was not wasted.