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

[Kell Sangros]

During Operation Red Cell, Warvanus had been staying on the ship that was commanded by the Dread Lord himself. He had not really met the Sith Lord yet, but from the things he had heard about him, in some ways were cut from the same cloth as Warvanus. He hoped this Sith Lord was more stable than Lord Blood. This Sith essentially was the right hand of his Master Darth Tormentous. Oh How strong Warvanus had become in his Master’s absence. He wondered if he would be pleased with his progress. One day he would know the answer.
The time was coming, he could feel it. He had been training long and hard and his power seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. He needed a proper lightsaber. He had most of the pieces. A few he had collected on various missions, but most from a recent prize from none other than Lord Blood himself. He only had to get a hold of a metal cylinder that would serve as his hilt , and a crystal, once he had these two things it was a matter of assembly. This was a rite of passage. He was ready. The Cylinder he could secure from one of the depts. That dealt with repairs and materials. The crystal would be the challenge. He had been getting the layout of this vessel since his arrival and today was no different but as always he had found himself in a training arena where he ignited the training saber and began his drills.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

“Warvanus; Full name Kell Sangros, Apprentice to Emperor Darth Tormentous.” An interesting case, Kroxata had never heard of this chosen of the Red Cauldron till the extermination on Kesh. From the records it appeared he had accomplished dozens of personal missions issued by his master, with nearly all appealing to success. Described as vicious, soulless, thrilling the taste of blood on his lips, the more he read the more he became intrigued with this Sith. His skills were admirable of what he observed, training archives, lessons being taught, targets eliminated and a rage, a rage he could see in his mere look, in his fighting style.

Tormentous had much to deal with as current ruler of the Sith Empire, and upon seeing the worthiness of his latest apprentice, he could not let this Kell float around at his current state as a pathetic acolyte, he was beyond that. He needed the one thing that would rise him further as a force user, something that shows the galaxy his badge of pride and what he stood for, a Lightsaber. Many pieces were left scattered in Kroxata’s relic display, where he placed all the stepping stones of his training which lead to his current role as Dreadlord, a reminder of his journey and his choice to take glory and conquest.

He brought holographic monitor screen which revealed many of the key points aboard the flagship, Maul, one such area was the training grounds, noticing Kell continued yo test his abilities facing the many programmed Magna Guards that used random algorithms to form very obscure and dangerous forms of lightsaber combat. A demonstration he could use as Warvanus’ final test, his final trail to be worthy to hold a lightsaber.

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus trained hard, every spar, every battle he fought as if it was the real thing. He did not slacken up because it was training if anything he fought harder in those fights. The beast had been unleashed , he had that primal rage in his eyes. One could tell that he fought with a rage, it fueled his power and command of the Force. Suddenly as fast as it had started he had defeated the last of the droid magna guards. He powered down his training saber, he was getting better he had not even broken a sweat. Where as weeks ago he would have been exhausted. He couldn't help but notice the security cameras. He smiled inwardly he hoped he gave a good show.

He did not know the Dread-lord very well, but he knew of him. His Master had often compared him to the Dread-lord. Tormentous was not one for complements but he couldn't help but take this comparison as a compliment. He knew that Kroxota much like himself was a warrior. One who did not like political machinations. Warvanus not only liked this but respected it as well. He wondered if he was watching him even now.

He clipped the training saber to his belt and began to stretch, he would now practice his hand to hand combat skills. Martial skills was just as important. Not to mention he was a fighting machine and if he was to indeed become the “Embodiment of War” he had to be on his A game and beyond razor sharp so his skills would be beyond contestation.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

Technique, sloppy but blossoming, the limited use of a training saber had shown its ugly appearance. There was no consequence with what he recklessly waved around in front of him, the Magna Guards simply allowed the cracks of beginner slide, not showing of their true prowess with their programming. Yet nonetheless the seeds of potential were indeed present, it only required one to force the dive into the unknown with someone at the helm to push him, one that shared the same intense training and teachings of none other than the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Tormentous. Even directly after Kell had finished his little exercise, Kroxata had already left the Lair of the beast, proudly marching to his training arena to meet with this chosen.

A small squadron of heavily armed and armoured Sith troopers, alongside two of kroxata’s fully programmed Magna Guards follow behind, marching all in parallel in two columns creating a thumping sound across the ship, marching all in unison. Reaching the chamber doors to uprumply sensing the rage and anger emanating from the next room, he places his hand upon the door sending massive pulsewaves through the Dark Side into the training arena reminding his presence to Warvanaus whilst also receiving a much better understanding of the Sith that lies beyond.

Tormentous chose well, but the aura felt limited, held back by something, something unknown, perhaps a rite he does not feel he has completed yet or maybe a bound he does not even realize he has surpassed. The roar power he could feel was being blocked, and he had only one trial he knew that could unleash it, trial by combat. Kroxata did not want to face the Acolyte, he wished to face a warrior, and there was only one thing that could grant such a rank, a lightsaber of their own.

The Dreadlord taps into the Force to bring the door to, sliding it swiftly upwards allowing his men to quickly fill a line that spanned out evenly over both sides, with the two Magna guards being either side of the Dathomiri Hammer, finally entering himself presenting the Dreadlord to the ascending Sith that trained before him. Behind him two officers came bearing gifts, one being an empty lightsaber crystal, the other being a metallic hilt left as a simple shell to be altered however the Sith would take it however he may chose. “Warvanus, Kell, whichever suits more to your liking, you have proven yourself to be taken by the master of the Red Cauldron. This is something only those worthy to be the true wielders of the Dark Side, the embodiment of what the Sith once stood for. I wish to see this for myself, but I cannot fight you as a mere Acolyte, no, I want to fight you, one warrior to another, to show me what Tormentous saw in you. Your remaining pieces have been gifted to you by your master as I will take the place as the witness. Go, now, claim your prize, earn your right to stand by us as a true Sith!”

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus was snapped out of his thoughts with the opening of the doors and when the Dreadlord himself entered he bowed his head in respect and when presented with these gifts, he bowed his head in gratitude to the Dreadlord and then set off to the task that he gave him. To construct his lightsaber.

-Begin Lightsaber App-
Warvanus was alone in the workshop; he took the newly received gifts and laid them on the bench, a lightsaber crystal and a metal cylinder. From there he took out the other pieces he had gathered on his missions and the ones he had been gifted by Lord Blood, he laid them all out on the bench. He closed his eyes and opened himself to the Force, he reached out with his senses to the pieces in front of him. With each piece he bathed his senses in each component. He needed to be intimate with each piece that would become his lightsaber, his symbol of status. He had spent 2 hours just doing this through the Force.

This would be the weapon that would bring him glory and power. Finally he came back to himself and without missing a beat he got to work. First the cylinder, he took it, cut the needed holes in it, smoothed the cuts out, he had cut grooves for decorative purposes, he had also taken Sith runes and engrave them on his hilt. These runes held no special power nor did it give any advantage he had chose these because they best represented who he was as a warrior and as a Sith. He took great care he engraved them. He had also created an unknown symbol near where the blade energy channel would be. The symbol was 2 lines criss crossing each other, and underneath it he had put the rune that would mean in the common tongue “Legendary Warrior” the other runes that adorned the hilt meant “Battle”, “War” , “God Of War” “Victory”, “Strength” and “Power” .

After his alterations to the hilt were complete, he took the cylinder and bathed it in a metallic finish wash something that would preserve his alterations. While that was drying he set about the other pieces. Next, he assembled what would be the cycling field energizers that would go right above where the crystal would be seated. The Blade energy channel would fit right alongside it. Next he prepared the inert power insulator that would be installed near the bottom of his lightsaber. There was not much to it. All this would take Warvanus 30 minutes to prepare. The hilt was ready he took the cylinder which was long enough to grip with two hands but easily used with one. He installed the power insulator first, then the housing for the crystal, would slide in next just above where the insulator stopped. Next went in the power cell that Lord Blood had gifted him.

He was very content to hear the snap click into place. Next in the crystal into its housing, it rested perfectly. The Focusing crystal chamber slid right above where the main crystal rested. He stopped and at this point verified everything was secured. He had studied lightsaber design but this was his first real attempt at it. When he double checked his work he continued. Next went in the cycling field energizers along with the blade energy channel. That whole assembly looked almost like wired copper, nothing was out of place. Next he placed the Blade emitter shroud which connected with the modulation circuits. Once installed he once again double checked his work he was very pleased so far. He then installed the power activation switch which through one of the holes he had made was a perfect fit the wires connected with ease and it was no time when it was secured. He was nearing completion he took the material he would use as a handgrip and wrapped it carefully around the cylinder. It was almost like black leather string tightly woven around the hilt. He secured it with screws and then that left the belt ring, which would close the bottom of the saber off.

Once it was completed his lightsaber laid on the bench completed but untested. Warvanus took the training lightsaber and laid it next to his new lightsaber. He once again extended his senses out bathing them in the completed lightsaber, he bathed his awareness in each nook and crannies of his creation. He came back to himself and picked up the weapon.

Holding its grip , felt right, felt natural in his hand. He then wrapped his other hand on the grip and that too felt very natural. One thing now remained. Would the blade activate? He released his hand so he was now holding it with one hand and pressed the activator switch. The Red blade came to life with a squeaky snap hiss but the blade hummed healthily he swung it testing it. Warvanus smiled and with no warning he swung the lightsaber and put it through the training lightsaber destroying the weapon. It served him well but he had to cut that tie the future laid ahead of him now.

With that he hit the switch again and the blade retracted and was deactivated. Warvanus was pleased with his work. Now one thing remained…

-End Lightsaber Construction App-
Word Req: 500 Actual: 834

He walked lightsaber clipped to his side now back to the training room where the dreadlord he was sure was waiting. The doors slid open as he stood before the Dreadlord having completed his task. “Dreadlord, I Warvanus will answer your challenge” The man known as Kell was gone. Only Warvnaus remained. He unclipped his lightsaber and brought the red crimson blade to life. He was going to enjoy this, fighting someone who seemed to be cut from the same cloth as he himself. A real test. One he hoped he would survive.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

The dreadlord took this time, resting on both knees, in a meditative state but he did not reach out to the Force or the Dark Side, he simply allowed the silence to wrap around him, taking in the final moments before a true Sith would re enter the arena. A true challenger, a worthy opponent that both contained the lack of empathy with the makings of an ultimate weapon, one that the jedi and the rest of the galaxy would fear alongside the Dreadlord’s tyranny through his eventual conquest. Yes...the Dark Side of the Force nowe came to Kroxata, greeting him with open arms without the Zabrak even beckoning to it.

A bright light momentarily blinded the Dathomirian, a black silhouette emerging from the narrow tall column, a figure that marched with pride. The glowing amber gaze of Kroxata’s stomach wrenching gaze now fell upon a worthy challenger. In his arms bestowed a lightsaber,not one craftedquikcxly to be used as a pathetic training staff, producing the same effect as a wooden stick, no, a lightsaber that marked the ascension of an Acolyte to a warrior, a rite of passage through the gates, into the kingdom of those that harness the Dark Side, the Sith.

The Dreadlord rises from his meditative state, his full height although clearly outmatched that of Warvanaus, he could only see an equal before him. He did not stray, he did not resort to insults and intimidation to break down the honorable warrior, he camer for one thing, one thing they both knew would eventually come to pass. “Dreadlord, I Warvanus will answer your challenge.” A wide grin appeared on the Dreadlord, not that of evil intent but that of pride, he did not even teach this Sith and yet he felt as if he was one of his own. A challenge he gladly accepted.

Kroxata bows his head, closing his eyes reaching to his Lightstaff that was neatly tucked away in the holster around his waist. He gripped the blades with one hand, igniting one end, spinning the blade to the opposite end, igniting the other, two crimson sparking spears of red energy illuminated the dark gap in between the two Sith. Kroxata then began to swiftly spin the blade gracefully out in front of him swapping hands with his stronger left side, the spinning blade spinning at such a fast rate it looked like nothing more than a wheel, being played around like a new toy, he takes the Lightstaff in both hands now, kneeling slightly with his knees, the twin bladed weapon held high above his head, in a slashing position but he did not move. He would allow his worthy opponent to make the first strike.

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus watched and the Dreadlord rose and ignited his lightstaff. He had never dueled anyone using such a weapon. First time for everything he thought to himself. He raised his mental shielding (Force Shield) He smiled this was going to be a good test, this was different than the duels with Lord Blood. He had always felt Lord Blood was out to get him but he really could not prove it, as it was just a feeling. With the Dreadlord this was two warriors.

“You don’t truly know somebody until you fight them” he began “and today you honor me” This warrior was strong with the Darkside he was the commander of the armies of his Master. He commanded respect and Warvanus was no fool. If anything from what he had known this was an honor and he would treat it as such but that did not mean he would hold back.

Warvanus took a couple of steps further inside , he swung the blade in a figure eight. Almost as if he was brandishing it but he was testing his grip afterall this was the first time he would be using the newly constructed weapon. He opened himself to the Force and leapt (force jump) where he landed just a few feet from him as he brought the first strike, a short handed mid strike he would not over extend his arms in the attack, if this were Chess this would have been the first pawn moving into play. And so began the battle…..

[Kroxata Akhoi]

The Dreadlord waited, watching the young Sith’s every move and maneuver, observing his familiarity with a real lightsaber before, studying every detail to even the preferred hand he held the blade in. This was no battle that he could predict the outcome to, he had never seen Warvanus in combat save for a few clear moments in the fray of battle the two shared on Kesh, this challenge would be a new experience for both Sith. He made the first move, Kroxata’s arms tensed tightly, his legs firmly planted into the ground, alternating the double bladed staff out in front of him, looking for the perfect moment to strike back.

His opponent leaped into the air to heights even he could not reach,feeling the intervention of the Force to further boost his strength in the opening move taking the high ground for all he knew, to bring down a devastating attack with the added strength of gravity guiding his fall to crash into the Zabrak. With any other humanoid being this would be hugely effective, but then again, the Nightbrother was nowhere near a usual humanoid being, considered a giant of a man to many, built with a frame and physique of a god, he welcomed the attack.

He quickly positioned himself, twirling the blade high in the air meeting Warvansu blade as it struck down towards him. The pressure was indeed heavy upon his arms, the momentum used caused his body to jolt back, skidding across the ground briefly before he pushed back with his towering strength. Breaking the lock if the two, Kroxata would begin to dance the Lightstaff around his body, striking in very random positions, testing the young force wielder’s reaction time, his defense and most importantly, his stamina.

[Kell Sangros]

That block from the Dreadlord was thunderous, and strong Warvanus expected nothing less from the Dreadlord he could feel the struggle as the blades locked but he didn’t keep that up very long, a small jump backwards gave him some distance not much but enough to not be locked into a struggle he would lose he twirled his blade and then the Dreadlord’s attack came, each one he blocked swiftly and perfectly the blades clashed as if in a dance. Some he blocked one handed some he needed both.

To Warvanus this felt like a proper warm-up, other apprentices after a bit would start to tire out, Not the Chosen of the Emperor, No it was the opposite for Warvanus. Now it was time for Warvanus’ retaliation and he swung the blade aiming for a mid-strike but as the blade was moving he directed the angle lower feigning a mid strike when going for a lower one aimed at the knee. He was testing the Dreadlord, as much as he was being tested himself. When he blocked that which he knew he would, Warvanus went into a series of random strikes, switching sequences and forms as he did so and even switching sword hands, he trained equally using both left and right hands. A tactic he never deployed with Lord Blood, but somehow he knew that the Dreadlord would appreciate the skill in being able to do this. Like Him he was a student of war.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

A surprising resistance to Kroxata’s offense, the young apprentice to Tormentous had indeed impressed him, others at his skill range would simply deflate into a broken mess before his strength, being foolish enough to try and match his power. But this warrior, actually contained some sense of combat, some intelligence to analyse an opponent and not focus on your own prowess or abilities but see how they match up to who stands on the other side of the battlefield. The distance created may have been a wise move but with each moment the two circled the arena, the Dreadlord had a far greater advantage, for he used something he had learnt in the temples of Yavin IV, a technique he would soon show Warvanus if all goes to plan, his every move was monitored by the Force, each intention giving rise to pulses in specific areas around him of where he sought to strike.

Though this process was not yet complete, he needed to fully understand the technique and style of that he faced in order for the Force to guide his movements. He continued to swing his blade over and over again, keeping his amber gaze solely on Warvanus, he charges once more the Nightbrother plants his feet once more, he held his blade to block the first maneuver but caught at the final moments with his eye, the curling of Warvanus’ hand changing the trajectory of the blade to focus on his knee, in a last second attempt, Kroxata awkwardly set his hands in such a way to block the attack unable to give himself much movement from this point be managing to block it nonetheless.

It had been many months since the Dreadlord faced an opponent who knew how to truly fight, it may have been a mistake on his behalf to allow such a strike to be delivered but he would no longer play to Warvanus tune. The contact was made, but only for a brief second, Kroxata disengaged spinning around before forwarding the blade like a spear in an attempt to jab Warvanus, this would be easily avoided but not with what followed, he let one hand off his Lightstaff and thrusted it out to him. An energy shot out like a bullet from Kroxata’s hand, crashing into the Sith apprentice like a boludor, a burst of telekinetic power phased through the Sith in hopes of knocking him back. If successful, the Sith Lord would leap into the air his blade frantically twirling before bringing the blade mere inches away from Warvanus head.