The Apprentice

[Arcadia]

Felran sighed. He was told to go to Korriban to meet his new master but they hadn't shown up yet. Maybe he should just leave? No, the most likely situation was that they had business to take care of. But five hours seems awfully long for simple business. Was he at the right place, no the coordinates stated to come directly to this spot! Just as Felran was doubting himself he felt a powerful presense. Someone was there. Jedi? No, there was hatred. His master had arrived.

[Harukei]

The prospect of an apprentice wasn't something that she had ever thought after her ascension into Knighthood. After all Syrin did not consider herself the sort of individual that was capable of teaching. But the way the Sith instructed their acolytes and disciples was different from that which the Jedi would instruct theirs. At least it was her experience. Her master had being cruel and unrelenting. Where the Jedi would bring a balm from a lecture and the Sith would often rub salt into the wound. 

In the sanctity of her own quarters in Korriban, she would revise the file of her soon to be apprentice. Just a standard year younger than her, yet he seemed less skilled in many facets of the Darkside and lightsaber. If much he was a warrior whose best used was aimed at the enemies of the Sith Empire and the Order. But as while the files were useful to indicate the areas of major skill, she would prefer a most direct sample. An actual demonstration of his skills.

With deliverance she would type a message on her personal terminal. Detailing the location of her choosing and the time of their meeting. On that day she remained inside her quarters, deep in meditation. Allowing her own fury to be sharpen and directed, totally under her control. A part of her hoping that her apprentice would grow impatient. Once she deemed that it was time to confront the half-Zabrak she would rise from her kneeling position. Fetching the lightsaber that rested from her desk using the Force. 

Her descent into one of the training areas was a silent one. Most acolytes and instructors were already in their own quarters, either shared or private. Although, even with a curfew in effect, it was more than likely that someone else was studying documents at the archives or planing to assassinate a rival. With the silent hallways and burning hearths as her only companion she finally reached unto the training room.

Syrin sensed his movement. As an assassin it pained her that she had not infiltrated as much as she wanted. But this was not assassination, this was a test in the shape of a fight. With every step, she took a breath, the inhalation of the cold air fueling her in the Darkside as the violet of her eyes changed into crimson. There was no announcement, no hint from her, as her hand formed into a fist, yanking the hybrid male from his sit and driving him against a wall. Her blade came to live, dispelling the shadows around her. 

"Fight." She instructed and stood her ground.

[Arcadia]

Felran faintly grunted from getting bashed into the wall. So this was his master. Felran wasn't surprised by the greeting, he had gotten used to cruelty in and out of training. He smirked and grabbed his lightsaber from his belt "As you wish." He then activated both of the blades on his saberstaff. He sensed a great power coming from his master. He would need both of his blades if he wanted to stand a chance against her. Just like training he thought. He channeled all he could of the dark side and force pushed Syrin.

[Harukei]

Syrin could sense his intention. The Darkside hinting the intent of the attack that Felran was about to do. The Sith Knight would only stand her ground, feet firmly planted over the smooth surface of the floor as she gathered her strength, creating a bubble that shielded her from the telekinetic blast of her student. The ubiquitous shelter would clash against the invisible force, barely moving Syrin an inch.  

If this was all that he could do, she was sorely disappointed. She would consider for a mere instant what to do. Perhaps it was not in his skills with the Force that he had being given the position of apprentice to her, but on his capabilities with the lightsaber. It was also in her mind that it was such a rarity to face an opponent that wielded a double-bladed lightsaber. Perhaps this could be a test for herself. 

With no warning, the woman would speed forward, zigzagging a trace through the training room to avoid his attempts of attack. Each step empowering her every muscle and sinew with the Darkside until she jumped against her apprentice, landing before him and mounting an offensive in a blur that would aim to harass his defenses with precise strokes and flourishes from her part.  

[Arcadia]

Felran held his ground as he blocked the attacks with both blades. He was lucky he used a double-bladed lightsaber, it would very difficult to defend from her flurry of attacks if it was single bladed. After the last strike he regained his stance, she was fast and strong, though not as strong as him. Felran twirled his lightsaber as he thought of what to do. He was stronger than her, maybe he could use that to his advantage. Without warning Felran sprinted towards Syrin. When he got close enough he unleashed two powerful slashes at Syrin, each using a different blade.

[Harukei]

His attack was predictable. It had being something that she had expected from him. After all she could not sustain an offensive with Ataru forever. Once her strikes were met by his, she knew that he would attack. However she once again met the twin pronged attack from her apprentice. The motions of Soresu meeting with Shii-Cho as she would move her blade, holding the hilt with both hands to negate the first of the twin strikes, her strength holding just enough against his superior fortitude.

The half-Zabrak was not half bad after all. She could discern care and work in his form and technique. And she had to admit that he was clever, more than some of the new acolytes that where thought by the massive Jaull. However he was not as clever as he thought. It was then, during the split second that separated the first and the second attack in which she ducked under the assassin swing of the second blade of the lightsaber. 

Plating her foot firmly she jumped forward, sliding behind him with great speed. He was indeed stronger but her speed was greater. Instead of raising her blade to his neck, she would raise her hand, the power of the Darkside fueling her as she would unleash a telekinetic that promised to send her pupil to the other side of the room flying. It wasn't simply enough. Syrin needed to see more of him. 

[Arcadia]

Feldman rammed into the other side of the room. His master was tough but she hadn't seemed to have dealed with someone with twin blades before. If that was true he could easily use the trick he learned. Felran slowly got up and deactivated one of the blades on the twin bladed lightsaber. The trick was risky with her speed but he may stand a chance. "Come on that all you got?"

[Harukei]

Syrin remained motionless at his provocations. They were feeble at best and a easily spotted trap for her. After all, why would he decide to give up his advantage with such an exotic weapon and style? While the hybrid indeed had commendable skill and ability, one that she could mold as she saw fit. But she supposed that it was past time that she stopped the charade that this mock duel was. 

The woman would remain silent, reaching unto the Darkside, feeling how the invigorating power within her felt magnified by ubiquitous ancient power that emerged from the beating core of Korriban. Her mind perceived all the details of the room. The soft breeze of the wind that came from the open windows. The breathing and perspiration of her apprentice. The warmth that emanated from the burning coals in the hearth.

"As you wish." Was her only response.

Her steps would resume, in a slow and calculative way. The violet of her eyes replaced by a shinning bloody crimson that augured anger and hatred aimed against the apprentice. It was then that she felt her body energized as with a solid step she leaped forth. The strikes of her own blade would become faster than the pace used before and more energetic as the rotations common to Ataru would take reign in her offensive barrage as she would launch pinpoint strikes at flaws from his form on shoulders, torso and forearms, aiming to overwhelm her student and then truly begin his training.

[Arcadia]

Felran thought the last attack on him was as quick as she was. He never had been so wrong, when Syrin attacked her speed was incredible casuing Felran to be caught off guard. The strikes were everywhere, Felran could barely catch up. The speed of the last strike was incredibly strong because of the speed it was going at which caused Felran's lightsaber to fly out of his hand and clattered to the ground. Felran stared at his master for a second, she was a true knight of the Sith. Felran knelt and bowed his head "What do you bid of me, my master?"

[Harukei]

The mock duel had being over even before it has started. It only took time for the apprentice to comprehend the difference between their abilities and connection in the Force. It was odd for her to be in this position. Having lived years as the pupil for other individual who had used her as a mere hitman to remove those that opposed him during the tenure of her master as a crime lord on Nar Shaddaa. Would she be the same as him.

With a flick of her hand, the Sith Knight would recall the lightsaber of her student. Taking a moment to admired the craftsmanship of the weapon before igniting it. Holding it inches a way from the throat of the half-Zabrak, along with her own blade. Mentally she reached unto the mind of her students, in an attempt to sense fear in him. But there was none and she was pleased for that.

It was with a subtle gesture that both crimson blades deactivated. Syrin placing her own weapon strapped to her belt, relinquishing the spare weapon to the apprentice and stepping back to give him room to raise to his feet and met her eyes as she would direct a word to him.

"You are strong Felran." She began with a nonchalantly tone. "But you can be stronger. I will train you, but if you fall behind, I will not aid you."