Temperance {Saalia}

[Xyndar Galadan]

Xyndar sighed as He looked down from the Plateau he'd chosen for his training at the Temple. It was, in his mind atleast, a monumental thing and of beauty like no other. He'd spent a while there now, and He had trouble holding some things back as He saw the constant influx of initiates like himself. Some of them had no idea of what they were doing, and He'd nearly cut one in half the last time they'd bothered him during his meditation.

Turning back, He reached around to his back, unclipping his saber and igniting it, basking for a moment in the crimson glow before He settled into a basic Shii-cho stance. Quickly he lunged into the forms, knowing that this could be the difference between life and death some day. Training on one's own wasn't as effective as a real fight, but it would have to do....for now.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia walked along the cracked pavement preparing to begin his daily training, Walking closer to the initiates, He stopped and turned to face a group of them. Smirking Saalia offered them to a spar, Believing training on a dummy was beneath him. The initiates agreed.

Saalia spun out his hilt from his belt, ignited it and began to stand within the Shii-Cho stance, The initiates closed in towards saalia, As they did Saalia stood up straight and snarled. The initiates looked at him strangely, Saalia's plan had worked. Saalia quickly got back into his stance and leaped forward at his targets, Slashing down at them quickly he sliced down through the flesh of their legs. The slashes ripped through the skin and flesh and Saalia landed on his feet, The initiates dropped to the ground and surrendered, Saalia had won.

Saalia lifted his head and mumbled, "Is this the best any of you can do?". The challenge was out there, But would anyone accept.

[Xyndar Galadan]

As He'd danced with death, Xyndar had been for a time lost in his own world, each slice dismembering an intangible target, each block stopping a phantom blade. All that had existed then was His blade, and The Force. There was no reality, there was no false-ness. Slowing, Xyndar stopped and moved to the plateau edge as He sat to catch his breath.

Hearing the sound of lightsabers, even after his own had been extinguished, He took a quick scan of the area for possible threats before noticing a small, and rather pathetic, spar going on near the bottom of the plateau. One man had dealt with several of the pathetic imitators, and rather quickly. A small smirk spread across his face as He saw the man still standing there, blade at the ready. Standing, Xyndr ignited his own blade before using the force as He jumped down from the plateau, bouncing from rocky outcropping to rocky outcropping, landing just behind the man. "How bout you enjoy a real challenge, and leave the imitators to their own inadequacies?" This was what He'd been looking for, After all, Training on one's own only helped so much.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia stood still as he heard someone land behind him, Slowly turning around as he heard the words of the man Saalia smirked once more. "With pleasure" muttered Saalia, Sensing a stronger force aura around this man than what he could sense within every other initiate in the vicinity Saalia had decided it may be wise to try alittle. Shrugging off his robe which fell neatly to his ankles he took a step forward.

"We're not going to be begging for mercy any time soon i hope?" Said Saalia while trying not to laugh. "I really wouldn't like to embarrass you". He then smirked once more, Standing within makashi stance twirling his lightsaber from side to side. Awaiting the response of the initiate.

[Xyndar Galadan]

Xyndar's smirk wavered for a second as He saw the man settle into an unfamiliar stance, realizing that He might be outmatched with his saber but, thankfully, His own talents did not lie directly in that path. He had his own ability's there, but He specialized in the Force. This would be...Interesting. "Begging for mercy? Most certainly not, Mercy is for the weak. If you beat me, It will be clear who's won and who's lost. I want you to remember something though...My name is Xyndar Galadan and I shall be the one who humbles you."

With that said, Xyndar launched himself forwards, bringing his saber up and thrusting it forwards, intending to spear the man or atleast engage him enough He'd have an adequate distraction. 'Come now, Do as I expect, block and allow me the opportunity to hurt you...but not too quickly, I'm hoping for a bit of fun after all.' He thought to himself.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia's morale raised as he saw the smirk of Xyndar waver, Preparing for an attack Saalia spoke, "You have much confidence Xyndar, But you shall fall to me, Saalia Dreth, And my blade". Saalia raised his saber to chest height and awaited an incoming attack, As he saw Xyndar launch himself forward Saalia ducked and twirled down under the blade and around to the back of Xyndar. As he did he sliced towards the knees of Xyndar, Hoping to immobilize him immediately.

[Xyndar Galadan]

Xyndar snarled as He saw the man move out of the way instead of blocking, That would complicate things, before He noticed the blade heading for his legs. Thrusting his hand out towards the ground near Saalia, He let out a blast of the force, sending himself a foot in the opposite direction, barely dodging the blade as He rolled and regained his footing. Settling into his stance He looked at Saalia, noting the way He held the blade and how He had moved. This would be...annoying.

Curling his fingers into a ball, Xyndar lunged forward again, feinting a thrust, as He thrust his hand out, a small current of lightning arcing out towards Saalia. He'd get him sooner or later, If it took him hours to do so.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia raised himself back to full height from the duck and watched as Xyndar used the force to avoid the attack, Holding his saber in a stable position and stancing within Makashi once more. Sensing the force being channelled within Xyndar, Saalia himself quickly tapped into the force and cast down a feint force speed, As the lighting came close to Saalia he quickly span around to the side of it slicing strongly towards of the advancing Xyndar's throat while at the same time thrusting his foot towards the kneecap of Xyndar.

[Xyndar Galadan]

To Xyndar, It wasn't hard to decide which strike to take if he had to. Lowering himself as much as possible, He slipped under the blade by an inch, taking a small burn along his neck from the heat, as He felt an explosive pain in his knee as His body rolled from the kick. Rolling ot his feet, Xyndar put most of his weight on his good foot as He stood and stared at his opponent. Few among the initiates that He'd seen would have been able to even detect the blast of lightning, let alone dodge it so easily. Cursing to himself, He considered for the first time that his opponent might have more training in such things than He did, and He'd lived with a group of Dark Jedi for several years!

Lowering his blade, He nearly rested it on the ground as He considered his options. He could rush again, but that'd been costly the last time and nearly so the time before. He could try to out-last him by making him keep wasting energy to avoid his strikes, but that would take far too long. Crouching, Xyndar considered another option...Stepping forwards he spun, His blade slicing up diagonally as He finished towards Saalia's stomach, His free hand following and kicking up a wind with the Force to send some of the disturbed sand towards his face. He couldn't resist the chance to converse during this. "Oh, I havn't had nearly this much fun in a long time...In fact...The last time was when I killed my teacher, Traitorous coward that he was. You having as much fun as I am, Or are you starting to tire allready?" His smirk returned as He let the taunt slip.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia twirled his lightsaber backwards and gripped it tightly, Smirking at Xyndar. Watching as Xyndar began to once again launch himself towards Saalia, Saalia slammed his saber into a lock agaist Xyndar's blade, The sand that Xyndar had used the force to blow into Saalia's face did so. This caused Saalia to lose focus for a few split seconds, The blades inched closer to his stomach and Saalia sensing danger spun his had to the side and quickly tapped into the force. Emitting force energy from his hand he blasted it towards the saber blades, The blast slammed into them sending the sabers back towards Xyndar.

Saalia quickly flipped backwards, Now out of danger for the moment from an attack. Listening to the words of which Xyndar spoke Saalia laughed uncontrollably for a few seconds before talking, "Tiring me? Please... The dumb jedi that fell to my blade back on my homeworld was more of a fight than you, And he was weak and pathetic.". Saalia laughed once more then spun his saber down and tapped into the force once more, Drawing the energy to his feet he quickly used the force to aid him leap highier into the air and began his descent down towards Xyndar, His blade aiming straight for Xyndar's head.

[Xyndar Galadan]

The blast unsteadied him, Allready having trouble to stand as He was, forcing him to stumble back as He lashed upwards at the aerial Saalia, slashing towards the blade while gathering the force into his hand once more, thrusting it up after his saber letting another current of lightning arc outwards towards his opponent's face.

He couldn't help it, The manic grin stretching across his face as He felt the thrill of battle, and the abyss coursing threw his veins as He let loose for the first time in a long time. "Your comparing me to a Jedi? They're all weak and pathetic, So I do take offense to that, Let's see how you enjoy a nice electrical burn!" He was laughing as He lost himself in his emotions for a moment, only focusing on his opponent.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia came crashing through the air slamming his saber into Xyndar's, Blocking the saber strike from Xyndar. The lightning bolt seared into the face of Saalia, As he was unable to avoid it. The lightning bolt seared into his right cheek, Into his Sith marking. Saalia began to stumble backwards pulling his left hand to his face as his body twitched from the lightning. As the lightning seared through the body Saalia focused on resisting its effects, The twitching effect came to a stop a few seconds after and Saalia was became angered.

Saalia began to pace alittle as he looked at Xyndar, Slightly enraged Saalia tapped into the force once more. Emitting the force from his palm he gripped a few of the nearest rocks and hurled them towards Xyndar, As the rocks was mid air Saalia charged at Xyndar with his saber raised above his head. Saalia had also became slightly drained from his excessive force usage, Possibly being unable to use the force again within this duel without doing himself harm, He'd have to end it quickly.

[Xyndar Galadan]

Xyndar couldn't help the smirk as He saw Saalia stumble back twitching, All thanks to his strike. It was one of his best gifts, The ability to command the force during a duel, while still striking at his targets. That smirk filed as He saw Saalia steady himself, and more surprisingly, hurl several small rocks at him while still having the energy to try and rush him. Closing his eyes for a heartbeat as He took a couple steps back, He reached out towards Saalia, and His smirk returned as He could feel the Force straining around him. He was running on empty, and trying to end it.

Taking a quick step to the right, He moved out of the path of the rocks while reaching out thrwe the force and grabbing a couple of his own, Hurling them into Saalia's path while tossing his saber into the air as He gathered the force into his palms, Thrusting them slightly to each side of Saalia releasing an arc of lightning to prevent him from side-stepping the rocks, before catching his saber as it fell, Settling into a defensive posture as He prepared for whatever his opponent would come up with to avoid him this time.

[Saalia Dreth]

Saalia began to stop charging at Xyndar as he saw him side step the rocks he threw, Saalia became alittle shocked as he noticed Xyndar grab his own rocks and hurl them at Saalia. Saalia smirked and thought of side stepping them as he then saw Xyndar throw his saber and cast another bolt of lighting to the side, Saalia had mere seconds to react and did so quickly. As the first rock came in Saalia leaped into the air and kicked off of the rock, And then the next and continued to do so till he got past all of the rocks, With the lighting bolt shooting to the side it crashed into one of the rocks and shattered it into dust.

At the end of the rocks Saalia saw Xyndar kneeling down on one knee, Taking his chance Saalia kicked off the last rock and was about to slash down through the skull of Xyndar who was not aware of Saalia's presence. As Saalia was about to hit Xyndar with his saber, A powerful wave of energy emitted from a man to his right which threw him a few feet mid-air and slammed him into the ground. Saalia looked up at the dark robed figure and stared unknowingly.

Saalia rose to his feet and continued to stare at the man, Who then began to speak. "That is enough, You both did extremely well. But it shall not end here". The man lowered his hood and Saalia reconized him as a Sith Master from the order, Saalia lowered his head in respect as the man continued to speak. "You both are extremely skilled, And i will not watch you destory each other. Not when that skill, That rage and passion and lust for battle can be used against the Jedi and the Republic.". The Sith master walked up to Xyndar and helped him to his feet, Then continued to talk. "I watched your battle and i have to admit i was impressed with both of you, You both are extremely skilled. But right now you are both servely weakened, Head to your quaters and get some rest." . Saalia and Xyndar both nodded and headed to their quaters to rest after the exhausting battle.

[Xyndar Galadan]

Outwardly acquiescing to the Master's words, Xyndar couldn't help but snarl at himself for his own weakness. He was going to be the one to delve furthest into the darkness, He was going to revolutionize the usage of the Force, and He'd nearly been beaten by this man? The mere thought of it almost made him physically ill! Straightening, and managing to hold his footing, He de-activated his saber before returning it to it's spot on his back, running over what had gone wrong in the fight.

Looking over at Saalia, He noticed He wasn't fairing much better than He himself was. While He came out the worse for wear, with a knee that was sure to be tender and bruised within a few hours, Saalia looked like He was drained to the core and his face was still smoking from that blast of lightning. Limping slightly, Xyndar made his way over to Saalia, stretching out his hand when He neared him. "Most definitely better than solo training...We'll have to do this again some time, next time though, It won't be a draw. Now, Mind helping me get somewhere I can get this knee looked at? Think you mighta done some damage to it, and we can get that burn looked at while we're at it." He queried, not intending to let someone with as much promise as himself get lost in the sea of inadequacy which ran rampant here.

[Saalia Dreth]

As saalia walked alongside Xyndar, Hearing the words he spoke. Saalia's respect lifted alittle for him. When xyndar has finished talking Saalia began to speak, "Yes indeed it was alot better than solo training, And alot better than what most of the pathetic wimpy initiate's here, I am ashamed to be classed as the same title as them. And I believe there is a medical droid, And a doctor within the medical quarters. We could head there now, Then head for a drink in the cantina while we recover if you wish?"

Saalia held out his hand and shook Xyndar's hand, Then raising his hand to his own face feeling the smoldering tattoo. He smirked alittle as he continued to walk on.

[Xyndar Galadan]

Xyndar nodded to Saalia as he limped towards where the Medical Droid was supposed to be, Inwardly wondering how things had gone from quiet and peaceful, to such an interesting day so quickly. Frowning slightly from the pain in his knee, that increased with every step, He eagerly looked forward to that drink.

[Saalia Dreth]

As Saalia and Xyndar had reached the medical facility the doctor was no where to be seen, Most likely drunk in the cantina. However the medical droid's was there to help them with their injuries, Saalia sat down in the nearest chair and waited for the droid to come and attend to his smouldering face. The droid eventually came across and injected a fluid into his face which eased the pain and stopped the smoke from flowing from it.

Saalia waited in the chair untill Xyndar was ready to head to the cantina, Examining his saber he spoke across to Xyndar, "So, Whats your story? Everyone here has a story, Most of them are stupid and pathetic stories. Others just come for the lust of powers, What are you here for Xyndar?". Saalia itched at the back of his ear as he noticed a water container that he could get a drink from. Walking up to it he got a cup and put it beneath the tap, Pressing the button the water began to pour into the cup. Lifting the cup and taking a sip he returned back to his seat awaiting a response from Xyndar who was still being attended to.

[Xyndar Galadan]

Thinking back as the droid started working on his knee, Xyndar felt the bile rise in his throat as He considered his time in Coronet. Debating whether He should trust Saalia with it or not, He grunted as the droid prodded him in a rather sensitive spot, before turning to Saalia. It might come back to bite him in the ass, but He'd have to trust someone eventually, They weren't all his Teacher. "I was born in Coronet, the largest city on Corellia. I don't know if you've ever been or not, but unless your in the "Upper Class" parts, It's filled with slums and some of the most despicable people you can think of...All younger than I am. Most of the life I can remember I spent alone in the slums, fighting and stealing to survive. It continued like that until my Teacher found me, and took me to an enclave He and some others had set up to try and raise an army to destroy the Jedi. We were attacked by members of the Order, and when my Teacher tried to run I cut him down, before being utterly humiliated by the Knights, They obviously saw some form of potential, since they brought me here. What about you?" He was genuinely interested in this, After all, So very few could even pose a challenge to him around here.

[Saalia Dreth]

Taking another sip of his drink while listening to Xyndar's story, Feeling as though Xyndar wasn't telling him everything, Saalia wondered wether or not to question him about it, And thought that maybe it was best if he gave it time. Saalia needed to build friendships with some people, Or atleast a small trust bond. Saalia then spoke, "I don't know much about other planets, Although my story is in every way different to yours. I was born on a distance planet in the far outer rim, My parents told me it was called Stoga. It is totally abandoned and there is no sentient-beings living on the planet now that I am here..

Saalia paused for a moment as he took another sip of his drink, He then looked over at Xyndar and continued his story. "My parents was Dark Jedi Masters, They fled to the planet of Stoga in exile. They raised me, They trained me for my entire life, I trained with my father and on the animals within the dunes of stoga. Untill the jedi came for them,", Saalia paused again and took another sip of his drink, Remembering back to the day that his parents was cut down by the Jedi Knights, Anger rising within his body once more for those he hated.

Saalia took a deep breathe and continued on with his story, "The Jedi swarmed my house and killed my parents, Although my parents took down a great number they could not continue the fight. I was away when the fight began, But i was there to watch them fall, The last Jedi who stuck them down perished at my hands, I gave him a very slow death, I tortured him for months and he deserved it!". Saalia slamed his hand onto the side of the chair his anger for the Jedi becoming uncontrolable.

Taking another sip of his drink and calming himself once more, Saalia stared over at Xyndar then spoke again. "I may tell you more another time... But my main purpose is to get revenge for my parents, Those idiotic-al jedi do not know what will hit them once i have completed my training.. Saalia stood up from his chair, Crushed the cup in his hand and then threw it over into the bin. He then sat in his seat and closed his eyes in an attempt to reduce his anger for the time-being.