Loose Ends...(Ash)

[Deleted]

Zexva had to admit that while he enjoyed helping train new initiates on Korriban nothing quite beat the thrill of being out in the field. The rush of hunting down worthy prey pumped into his veins, as he had heard rumors of a former Sith taking residence on this planet. He hadn't been ordered to come here, but he needed something to do, and tying up loose ends was better than battering down the helpless initiates on Korriban. He remembered a time when he had been like them. Well not exactly, but his Master had made sure to teach him that no matter how strong you thought you were, there was always someone stronger. However he hadn't felt that in several years since he left on his on personal mission.

Combat became boring when he realized how weak willed his enemies were, and instilling them with the hopelessness of death barely brought a smirk to his face anymore. So here he was on this planet searching every farmstead that he came across looking for this supposed Sith deserter. Maybe if he got lucky the man would try to fight him, after all he was tasked with bringing him back for questioning. The rumors he had heard, had said that a man fitting the description he was given was here under the guise of a farmer. People rarely lied to him, especially when he could reach into their mind, and threaten the things that they cherished most.

So here he was traveling to every farmstead that he had been told about, hoping to find this man, and bring him back. His twin lightsabers on either side of his belt swaying lightly as he came up to the next home. Closing his gauntletted hand he knocked heavily on the door hoping that a man matching the description that he had been given would answer the door. He was growing impatient...

[Ash]

Zexva was so close to his mark that the Sith should have been able to taste it. However, though the man knew who he was looking for, he should have been on the wrong planet. Darmid, however, was here on this planet for business of getting stuff for new crops back on his farm on Kinyen. He did take the chance to go visit other people he happened to know from here. It wasn't his first time outside of Republic space.

He always took a chance by coming this far out as well. It was right up against Imperial space, and he was sure he would get figured out soon enough. Still, if he could get what he needed at a discount, then it was worth it. And if he was found, he could take his happy ass off planet and back into hiding.

The man walked down a main road coming back from a farm whos owner he knew, a backpack with some seed and supplies on his back, and his spear was hidden inside of it. He was never without a weapon when out and about here, and he kept himself hidden from the force while out and about.

His trip took him past a speeder way, and looking over, he saw that something bad was happening. Or rather he had a feeling. He carefully reached out with the force, every so gently prodding around the house, and easily felt the sign of darkness. Quickly, the man withdrew, pulling the hood of his heavy cloak over his head and walked on, hoping the sith didnt feel his prodding. It was time to get off planet time now.

[Deleted]

While he was waiting for the owner of the home to answer him he felt it. Just the tiniest of nudges, like a little prick on his skin as someone reached out with the force. His golden eyes narrowed in the direction that it came from, the tiny wisp of a thread recoiling just as quickly as it had reached out. Something told him that, who he was looking for had sensed him, and he smiled at the thought, leaving the door of the random farmer and heading towards the direction of the disturbance. His feet carried him quickly as he started to close in around his prey, he wondered what kind of person had the ability to turn their back on their beliefs so easily.

He also wondered if the man would try to fight him, part of him wanted to see how strong the other was, and part of him didn't wish to cause to big of a fuss while he was mostly incognito. Being a Zeltron caused him to always stand out, however he could at least minimize the impact...Maybe it depended on his mood, and how this man acted if he was being honest. Walking a little ways behind the man he called out.

"Hello...Perhaps you could help me? I'm looking for someone you see, and it is very important I find them, and bring them back with me. I'm looking for someone with the name of Darmid. Have you heard of them?" he asked out to the man his tone polite as he slowly caught up.

The questions were simply a formality however he was almost certain this was the man he had been looking for, the physical description for the most part matched. Not to mention that this man was a force user to some degree, there were many signs pointing at this humanoid. What kind of story shall I weave today... He thought to himself with a bit of amusement.

[Ash]

Darmid didn't like this feeling. His fight or flight was telling him to run, even if he didn't know if whatever force user he felt discovered him and was chasing after him. He forces his heart rate to stay normal, taking even, calm breaths as he walked on casually.

It was very quick when he caught the subtle landing of feet, and knew someone was around him. One person, far enough back to not invade anyone's personal privacy. He kept his ears and senses open, everything but the force, and trusted decades of experience to save him if whoever this was tried to attack him. When he was called out, he slowed his walk and did a quick, casual, friendly turn to see who spoke to him.

Natural red eyes took in the sight of a Zeltros, but instantly knew that he was tainted by the darkside. Not everyone could have seen it, but being around them for so long, he could feel the air of them, even if he wasn't feeling with the dark side. To others, his skin was pale enough to perhaps be a half breed maybe. Darmid had a friendly smile on his face, hiding his obvious large canines that would show he may not be a human.

"Sorry, I wish i could help. I don't live around here, and was just picking up some more seed crops. Name's Felix. You got a name yoruself?

Maybe i could help you out a little before my transport leaves. Still got a few hours though. You said this man's name was Darmid, right?"

By now, Darmid has stopped walking, letting the stranger catch up to him so he wouldn't be in his blind spot. Plus it was more... friendly to walk along with someone to talk.

[Deleted]

As he caught up to the man, he listened to his words carefully. Gauging what the man was saying to him, and reading his body language as he spoke. Hearing the mans name, forced a twitch to his rosy lips as he took to a casual stride next to him. Zexva seemed a bit taller than him, though their bodies were of a similar design with build. The man was definitely dressed to be the part of a farmer, but Zexva was certain that this man had reached out to use the force earlier. Despite his many faults, his senses were sharp, and it only made him curious as to what he was trying to hide. Tilting his cloaked head to the side as if in boredom, while the man tried to pander to him.

"Yes Darmid...He is a deserter, and I am going to bring him back one way or the other...I have a description of him if that will help. He's fairly tall, and I have heard that his looks make him quite the lady killer. And he wields some sort of polearm in combat." He said with a hint of boredom in the words, his golden eyes darting over to meet the mans face as they continued to walk. "I was told he was a formidable warrior once, though I would guess he isn't so much of one anymore." He stated simply as he stretched out, with a lazy yawn.

"As for my name you can call me Zexva." The words flowed from between his lips while he pocketed his hands, and continued to walk beside the man. He was becoming increasingly bored at the charade, and if this was the man he was looking for he would be entertained soon enough. "So Felix...Do you come to this planet often?" he asked the question simply.

It was actually a nice day out on this backwater planet, the rays of the sun glittering across the sky like hundreds of mirrors refracting the same beam of light off of one another. It would be such a waste of a day if he didn't get to stretch his legs out a little bit more.

[Ash]

Darmid half expected the Sith to stay behind him and start a fight, but instead the other kept walking and both were now side by side. Slightly taller than Darmid one, he could tell they were both warriors, and he had the same cautious air about him. Red eyes fell upon the Sith as he spoke about Darmid casually, saying he was a deserter and some other things. Darmid had to hold back a sigh.

"Zexva." Darmid repeated, taking the name to memory. He don't think he ever heard of that name before. This kid was young still, probably around the age of what his former Sith Apprentice would have been if they were both together. His very last question what the nail in the coffin, and Darmid knew he was found out. Well, more or less. The routine would be the same: the Sith would attack, he would defend, there would be a right, and this kid would probably be killed and Darmid would leave the planet for a while.

"Nah, not too often. Also, there are a few things wrong with what you said earlier. First, this Darmid fella was once captured by the Jedi. Not anymore, though. He escaped. Second, you're not going to bring him back. You can let all your little Sithies know he is alive and kicking, but bring him back? Nah bruh."

Darmid let out a small chuckle, that turned into a yawn, dropping the cloak around him and feeling the force in, and he pushed it out, relishing the sensation he didn't feel often enough these days. Being in hiding was absolutely a bummer. He breathed out a sigh of relief, comfortable again.

"So, you going to try to attack, or keep today civilized, Zexva? I hope you dont, at least yet. It would be a shame if my pack and seed were ruined. Id rather set it down. Its expensive.

[Deleted]

Zexva listened to the man patter on about how he wasn't a deserter, and gave his case on how he was captured. A smirk formed on his lips as the man continued to speak telling him how he wasn't going to be brought back. A slight tilt to his head as he observed the farmer beside him. Everyone always prattling on about how strong they were, and how they couldn't lose to him. Zexva would be the first admit that he didn't seem very intimidating, people with a pink complexion were rarely taken seriously. It was something he had grown accustomed to, but his master had made the same mistake once upon a time, and didn't realize that Zexva's real talents were not in his presence, or appearance very quickly.

A bored sigh escaped his lips, angling his his head so he could see the man for a brief second in his peripheral vision, and then it started. Darmid would feel something akin to hundreds of spears attempting to smash their way into his mind. Zexva had many talents, but this was the one that he specialized in. The unseen blade was often the most deadly, as he pressed a very forceful, and sudden mental assault on the man who had been boasting a few seconds prior. For every spear that found purchase through his defenses, Darmid would be filled with dread, and hopelessness as memories of his worst nightmares would be brought to his waking moments.

"You know...Everyone always talks, belittles, and threatens me...It's very tiresome after a while..." his speech pattern had changed to become colder, and more measured almost like a machine. "I was hoping you would be more cooperative, but you had to threaten me..." the words left his lips like honey dripping from a jar.

He was ready for whatever the man would potentially throw at him, and that was if he could properly defend himself against his mental attack. Even his own master had been taken off guard by the strength of his fear power, and he had only grown stronger since then. A half smirk, and half snarl appeared on his lips as his mental spears continued their assault against this mans psyche.

"So come on...Let's see what you've got deserter..." the words were almost taunting as he stared at the man, and wondered how strong he truly was.

[Ash]

This Sith really should have given Darmid more credit. For years, he had been on the run, dodging both Sith and Jedi after he escaped his... Guess you would call it captured service. He worked hard to block his mind, and throw up the strongest defenses he possibly could without thought, and if he consciously forced the action.

When Zexva started his mental assault, the mental barriers Darmid had started to 'flex' and 'spin', so to speak, while not completely blocking out the attack, it was enough to deflect it. His red eyes scanned back over to the man, perfect physical control not showing on what was going on in his head.

He felt some mild pain, and he had thoughts... dark thoughts... Taris... Dantooine... these came back, but he could only smile. His tornado of a mental barrier was helping him, and his fortitude was doing the rest.

"I see... thats an interesting trick, but it isn't something that would affect me as much as you would think."

Darmid lived with his fears, but he accepted them, and rationalized them. His cool gaze focused on the pink man, the air around him starting to blow and circle around him as his mental barrier did the same.

"I'm not going to cooperate with you and I'm going home now."

He kept his tone even, eyes calm and steel hard, but he didn't move his body yet. The majority of his concentration was focused on his mental defenses and keeping a rational mind. This mental attack was good, very good, and if he didn't constantly keep up a mental barrier before, he may have been at his mercy, but old habits die hard, and it was good for him. As soon as the man gave up, he could make his break for it and leave.

[Deleted]

Zexva smiled as the man defended himself from the mental onslaught, and he tilted his head to the side curiously as his attack didn't let up at all even at the mans words. He tapped his cheek thoughtfully as the man stopped in his tracks seeming to focus intently. The body language that the zeltron gave off was just as casual as before, there seemed to be no apparent strain on his part. He seemed to be lost in thought as he tried to think about the best way to handle this situation. It just wouldn't do to let the man go home, he had obviously deserted the Sith. While he couldn't pass judgement on the man, having a rogue agent in the world wouldn't do as he held secrets of their order that he could expose to others.

"Unfortunately you no longer get that choice...You abandoned the order, and possess knowledge that others could seek to exploit to gain a further advantage against us. And well I personally hate loose ends..." an out of place smile pierced his features as he continued to look at the man. "So I'm curious...How far can you stretch your focus? My master can stretch his focus quite a ways without losing strength. What about you I wonder..." his worlds held a cold inflection as he continued to simply look at the traitor before him.

"If you falter for a moment mentally I win, and you know this...Your moments are quite numbered, as it is just a matter of time really, and that is something I have plenty of." he continued talking simply to the man. "So we can do this the easy way, as to not ruin the goods you just bought, or we can do it the hard way...I will let you choose Darmid. And do make it quick.

[Ash]

"I have no choice? I have every choice. Im choosing to ignore you now and go about my own business."

There was no need for a brawl here so close to town. It would cause much more trouble than was necessary. Darmid pushed up his mental defense, his gaze hardeneing as he focused on him. His other was testing him. Too bad Darmid had years to work on his mental strength while hiding out on a Republic world. And after meeting a certain old man... this wasn't too much trouble as he adapted.

"More than you think. Sorry buddy. I have things to do. People to see. That doesn't include little Sithlings."

Darmid started to walk away now. He had been getting distance from Zexva already, and that distance was growing now as he was more open about it.

"Go pick a fight with some other kids. Waste someone elses time."

[Deleted]

Hubris...It was a strange thing that all sentient creatures possessed. All those who could think for themselves all had some sort of pride that kept them going. Even Zexva himself was not an exception to this, but there was a difference between pride, and ego. To be prideful of ones abilities was one thing, but to think you were above another when you had no idea what they were truly capable of, well that was ego. He had met many people with egos during his seven year mission to hunt down, and kill his old master, and each one of them had fallen prey to his abilities. The mans mental defenses were formidable he would give him credit for his attempt. Darmid had earned that much...

The swirling chaos of the mindscape where they were having their unseen battle would soon be brought to heel. The hundreds of spears that were once present soon dissipated fading into nothing apparently buffeted off by the other mans defenses. Then it happened in a single moment, like a bolt of lightning sent from a vengeful god he attempted to tear through the mans petty defense. One after another he rained down unholy power against this mans mind, his liquid gold eyes glowing fiercely as he displayed a power not even his Master knew he had now. In his mind Darmid would hear Zexva's disembodied laugh echo off the mental walls of his psyche.

"You seem to have gravely misunderstood the situation Darmid...Let me reiterate...You have no choice..." his voice was cold almost machine like while he spoke.

The emotions of hopelessness, and panic would begin to settle within Darmids mind as Zexva ushered them in. The attack before this one would seem more akin to a gentle caress, as he ravaged against everything within his enemies mind. Tilting his head to the side he waited to see what effects this latest assault would do to Darmid, while at the same time preparing himself for the inevitable fight that he knew would break out after this. Fear brought up the fight, or flight instinct, and he knew that this man would definitely fight him. It would be a fun bought.

(Permission to use Force Horror granted OOC by Ash)

[Ash]

Mental fortitude and defense only went so far to someone who was specialized in combat. Darmid reached behind his shoulder, grabbing something strapped to the side of his pack before the technique this man was using began to overwhelm him. It was a familiar sensation, one he didn't relish falling back into. Unconsciously, Darmid froze up, his eyes dilating and his breath began to heave.

It felt like it was years ago... so long ago... The fear gripped him hard and he froze up. He heard laughter, but he didn't comprehend it being Zexva. Rather, to him, it was the laughter of as a red skinned zabrak man. Or thats what he believed. He never fully saw the man's face except for once.

Darmid was trapped. Hopeless. Panic. Pain. Anger. Fear. Everything came flooding around him once again, all of it pushing up against his mind. His willpower faltered. His mind was having difficulty even keeping itself together under this mental attack.

Darmid saw the man's body once again, the form of a woman seemingly materializing next to him. He didn't hear their words, but he knew what was coming. This same attack. Lightning. Physical wounds and cuts. Anything to get Darmid to crack and break and submit himself. Due to his healing factor, he was constantly under physical assault to keep his body on edge while his mind was assaulted. Slowly. Darmid began to slip, until, as loud as can be, or so Darmid perceived it, there was a crack. Something broke or snapped.

Back in the land of the living, it would have felt like some sort of dam burst,and darkside waves began to roll off of Darmid. Zexva's attack seemed to have broken Darmid in some way. The pole in his hand extended, showing itself to be a green colored spear two meters long. His mental attack was still hitting home, but Darmids reflexes and muscle memory were taking over. The force rolling off Darmid continued, each moment it feeling darker and darker.

[Deleted]

He felt the break happen, the mans defenses were good, but this was Zexva's arena, and there weren't many who could match him on it. The mans presence in the force suddenly manifested, and he couldn't help, but smile. Today would be entertaining after all, holding out his hands his twin sabers flew to his palms, and ignited. One of them was a deep crimson red, and the other was a molten gold color that matched his eyes. The lancer had already ignited his weapon, and he stayed in a casual fighting stance. He wasn't stupid enough to just charge headlong at this man, that spear would be problematic.

The mans darkness was rolling off of him, but he wasn't to perturbed by it, his own force presence was still within the mans mind making sure to keep him in this unstable state. His technique had vastly improved since he had first sparred Master Aurelius for the right to be his apprentice. He wondered how well he would hold up against this mans prowess in battle, it was going to be a fun time figuring it out as he simply waited. Everything around him seemed to become quite, as if nature itself was holding it's breath in preparation for this spar.

"No matter how dark you are...The light that taints you, serves to make sure that you will never live up to your full potential..." he said the words simply the mental spear digging hard into the mans psyche. "Come lancer...Let's see what you've got." he snarled the words, as his heart beat frantically in his chest, excited at the thought of finally having a worthwhile opponent that wasn't his master.

[Ash]

"You say the light taints me? You may be right. Or maybe you are just an idiot who is so drawn to darkness you can't see the bigger picture."

Lancer's red eyes fixed themselves on Zexva, a spark of insanity in them. The pain that the man was causing half went ignored now, him succumbing more to rage and reflex than pure thought. He was subjected to tortures such as this before, when he was turned to the Dark Side of the force. lancer was much weaker then, and someone like him always sacrificed something for power. Even Lancer had to.

He could have worked to be stronger in his force powers, instead he focused on anything that could be useful in combat that didn't fully reside on getting into someone elses head in a cheating way. A feral smile grew on Lancer's face.

"Have fun."

Lancer spun his spear, keeping it vertical as he spun it, and the tip curving back. As the tip was at its lowest, he let it dip into the ground, it catching a bit of dirt and flung it at Zexva's face. The spear itself, though it looked like it would fallow the same path, it didn't, instead it went for the stomach. Most people would flinch at something being tossed in their face and leave themselves wide open. Lancer wanted to know if he would do the same.

[Deleted]

People were so fragile, letting their past traumas haunt them, letting those monsters that crept at the edge of their minds to rule them if enough pressure was applied. Applying that pressure was his specialty, and it often didn't take much. This man was a let down, for all of his talk Zexva had hoped that he would be able to withstand his mental force better. However like every other time he was let down. Though this Lancer still had some fight in him as he began to move his spear throwing dirt at his face. He didn't wait for a follow up, instead he leapt into the air above his opponent, letting the spear that would have hit his stomach instead hit air.

Drawing the force into himself he aimed a force push downwards at the man, the goal being to knock the Lancer straight into the ground. However he didn't stop with just a single force push. No he bombarded the Lancer that was below him with them. He hoped that some of them would fight purchase against his opponent, gravity however was still in effect, and he didn't stay airborne long finding himself landing soon after his barrage ended. Keeping his guard up as his attacks had kicked up a lot of dust, and he didn't wish to be caught off guard, by this man.

[Ash]

Lancer's eyes watched as the man before him jumped up into the air, avoiding the initial jabs that Lancer let out. The thing about that was, even with the force, was the trajectory was set. Lancer kept himself safely on the ground, taking a step sideways out from under where the man was jumping, and deflected the force blast Zexva used with his own bubble.

Lancer continued on with his step, angling his body towards the landing point of Zexva, holding his spear strongly in his two hands. He twisted sharply, sending the point slashing towards Zexva, planning on catching him off guard after his landing. In a fight, time could pass slowly to the ones in it, a quick exchange lasting a few seconds seemingly go on forever to those in combat. It was a Rush Lancer hadn't felt in years, and he was relishing it.