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Apr 9, 2010 19:46:26 GMT -5
Post by Deceit *Drinker of Jawa-Juice* on Apr 9, 2010 19:46:26 GMT -5
Hsi stared for a few moment, his eyes locked on to Bunta's awkward expression, his own expression in itself awkward, eyes squinted and lips pursed in a sour face. His mind was still trying to comprehend what Bunta was saying, the words running meaninglessly through his head like a mouse through a maze, no true purpose, driven only by the enticing smell that it vaguely smelled somewhere in this confusing world.
And then the mouse found the cheese.
It just didn't make sense. Why? Why was there cheese here, in this of all places? SHE'D LIVED? His cheese was that she'd liveed? He was expecting a little green corpse and another Lightsaber in his grasp soon. A low, frustrated hiss came from his lips, and he looked at his weapon. It hadn't failed. His aim was true, he was sure of it. He wasn't the best, but his targets weren't too far. How did she leave? Nobody could have survived that shot!
"You missed."
"I missed?"
"Well, she dodged."
That made even less sense. "You can't dodge a bullet coming at you from this distance, that fast. This little thing is magnetic propelled, a worked of art that causes absolute devastation no matter where it goes. She couldn't have dodged."
"She's a Jedi." Bunta replied, "Jedi don't follow the rules of logic."
Hsi tapped his foot and folded his arms, "So we can't follow the rules either."
Hsi scooped up his sniper again and started aiming forward, "I don't care for games anymore, kill them all!"
The Raiders started joining in the fight more accurately, putting more spirit into their shots, nudging out of cover just a tad bit more. Still relatively protected, but now each and everyone of them were trying to channel Hsi's new-found hatred.
And it was just Hsi's lucky day. He looked down the barrel of the scope and found three Republic soldiers unfortunately lined up. From their position, it seemed as though they were safe, but Hsi's advanced perspective allowed him to defy that.
They still thought they were safe when the single bullet tore through one man's skull, through the next man's neck, and down into the chest of the last Republic troop. A perfect shot. Hsi was almost humming with delight and glee. Not for the kills, exactly, he wasn't evil. But for his efficiency and excellence. He smiled with such confidence that he almost glowed, and the pain in his shoulder from the newest shot was almost gone...
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
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Apr 28, 2010 17:29:31 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Apr 28, 2010 17:29:31 GMT -5
Though for the moment she knew it was their best plan at the moment, Xierra was gradually tiring of the continual "defending their ground without moving" situation that she and the other Jedi and Republic soldiers were engaging in. She knew that if they moved much closer, the enemy soldiers would be able to pick them off more easily and quickly. She knew that they had to keep casualties to their side down as low as possible. But the Falleen Jedi also knew that they would get nowhere if something didn't change. It might be safer but here, but sometimes safe wasn't always best.
A refocus of her Force senses told her that she wasn't the only one in the group that was feeling the seed of impatience planting a hold on her. Most of the Republic soldiers wanted to get into the fray, instead of dutifully laying down fire, hoping to get a lucky shot on the Sith soldiers. Here and there a Jedi was feeling the anxiety of being trapped in their defensive position, almost feeding themselves to the enemy. Xierra wanted to change all that, but she wasn't in charge here. She had merely come down with her shuttle with her padawan, and joined in with them from other transports. Her authority wasn't any more weighty than most of the Jedi around her. She and the others, even the soldiers, had to be under command of someone, or else it would be chaos. If she could find the commander of these Blades, if she could convince him or her...
Xierra felt a tingle, almost like a coldness creeping down her spine, snapping her out of her thoughts to engage the commander into a change of battle plans. She threw that out the proverbial viewscreen and focused back on the battle, thinking past her spinning blade and on towards the Temple where the enemy was hunkered down. It was subtle, but she felt it through the Force all the same. The enemy was more... determined, was the sense she was getting. A quick glance told her that most of the Jedi around her hadn't felt the change; they were still feeling their impatience to move on or their resolve to keep defending their position. More than ever, Xierra knew they had to do something, and quick, or they would all die right here without having even cracked the surface of their mission.
And she would not die without a fight. Would not allow the enemy soldiers to merely wear them down, mowing all of them down eventually before they could get inside. Xierra didn't care if she would be disobeying orders. She was a Blade of the Jedi; that in of itself could be taken as a betrayal from a certain point of view. But as a Jedi, she could not let this go any farther. The way things stood, they were putting each other in danger and no Jedi could allow that, Blade or no.
Still deflecting the bolts that came towards her harmlessly into the snow or the stone of the Temple, she gathered the Force to her in order to be heard over the din of the battle. But just loud enough for those around her to hear, not for the enemy. "This isn't working! We can stand here all day and not gain anything. Instead, we will just lose members. Blades, we have to go on the offensive. Use your training. Use surprise. Use something! There are Jedi inside the Temple who need us. And we are doing no good to them out here." Xierra paused and weaved her dark eyes around those around her. She hoped they were actually absorbing her words and not just listening to appease her. Hopefully they would sink in, though she knew she wasn't exactly skilled in the oratory arena. "To the Temple!"
With that said, she started ahead at a slow run, dodging around Jedi who hadn't moved forward yet, drawing on the Force and praying to whoever would listen that she wouldn't be the only one moving ahead. Thankfully, she wasn't, as the Republic troops had been waiting for such an excuse as this and headed forward themselves, giving up their meager cover. They would listen to any Jedi who sounded in charge, no matter how official in capacity. Xierra didn't feel any sorrow as one soldier running in front of her was cut down; they knew what they were getting into. Plus, she just hadn't the time to split her focus between her lightsaber, the Force and the enemy and their fire ahead.
Through the Force she could feel other Jedi also following her, a couple of them yelling an unintelligible war whoop as they ran forward. Xierra was glad for them. Now the Sith would know the fury of the Blades, that they were different than other Jedi they might have encountered. They all adhered to the same code; some of them just interpreted it differently. The Blades favored action over diplomacy is how she saw it. And now they were all action, as they as a group ran ahead following the soldiers, continuing to deflect fire thrown at them.
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Apr 28, 2010 21:36:18 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Apr 28, 2010 21:36:18 GMT -5
Xerron continued stalking towards the two Republic Pilots, He circled around the padawan, still unaware of the Dark Jedi's presence as far as he could tell, before shedding his Force Concealment, revealing his presence in the force but, keeping himself cloaked visibly. Xerron was teasing the boy, seeing just how far the young man had come in his training in the Force, so that he could start to get to know his enemy's capabilities.
Xerron teased the boy further, moving left and then right, circling around and then dissapearing in the Force as he brought up his Force Concealment, only to reappear somewhere else, he kept up the game for a few minutes until he tired of the charade.
It was then he noticed the cry of the other Jedi and the soldiers that followed them. Xerron didn't know that he was still for the moment undiscovered, the cries of both faction's soldiers, their emotions as they fought or cowered, and both faction's force users too focused on deflecting the deadly blaster fire from them and their allies covering his presence in the force. Thinking that he'd been discovered, Xerron threw off his Force Camouflage, appearing visibly out of thin air like a ghost. His black clothes blew about as the wind picked up but, the half mask remained untouched and unmoved. The Dark Jedi's clothes stood out in bright contrast to his white surroundings, there was no way anyone would miss him now. Xerron flipped both lightsabers around in the backhanded sub form of Jar-Kai, and smiled.
It was here that Xerron would get the answers that so plagued him, one way or another. Xerron stalked toward the padawan, determination etched on his face. If anyone bothered to expand their senses in his direction they would read determination, but, it was only a cover for the doubts that were still upon his mind. It was to these doubts that Xerron was hoping to find answers. Xerron stood with his left arm facing the temple and his right arm facing the onrushing Republic soldiers. The Dark Jedi brought his right arm out, deflecting and redirecting the blaster fire that came his way, his movements in sync with the Force.
"Come Jedi pawn, come and fight a true Sith!" Xerron challenged the young padawan, his voice rising above the wind. The sudden appearance of a Dark Jedi in the path of the onrushing Republic soldiers, had made some of them halt in their tracks, while others continued on blindly, only to be cut down by laser fire and Xerron's dancing red blades.
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last online Jul 11, 2018 23:15:20 GMT -5
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May 16, 2010 14:18:55 GMT -5
Post by Deceit *Drinker of Jawa-Juice* on May 16, 2010 14:18:55 GMT -5
The Jawa saw the emergence of the Sith, and two conflicting emotions suddenly struck him. The first one was frustration; he didn't like the idea of being 'saved' by the force users. He would rather be useful in his own ways, independent. What ever happened to soldiers doing the soldiering?
The next emotion was more solid. It was a sudden relief. The image of that many Jedi charging in had been quite terrifying. One jedi was bad, but a whole battlefield of them? It was then and only then that Hsi had realized just how ridiculous this mission was. He'd come here on the prospect that there would only be a few Jedi fighting at the bottom level, he'd never expected enemy reinforcements. It was almost enough to make him throw up his weapons and flee. Given that light, the appearance of a Sith to combat the Jedi was relieving. However, Hsi was still nervous. One Sith, twenty some Jedi. The odds were bad.
Once those Jedi reached the stairs, they would simply cut the soldiers down. It was at that point that Hsi planned on retreating into the temple and finding a nice nook for him and the raiders to hide in while the Jedi ran passed. He wasn't giving his life here. They'd won plenty of glory for the Dominion, and this wasn't technically the Dominion's fight, it was the Sith's. Hsi would be plenty happy with letting the Sith die and taking plenty of kills in the end. He'd just...leave the retreating part out of the battle report if at all possible. Perhaps delivering these two lightsabers would make Shard happy?
Hsi perished the thought for the time being, stood straight, and ordered, "Concentrate fire *around* the Sith. He can handle any straight forward assault, we'll massacre anything trying to skirt around him."
To punctuate on the idea, Hsi put down his rifle and pulled out his heavy blaster pistols, the enemies now getting in range. He unleashed a flurry of shots at Republic troops skirting around the Sith. One of them was hit in the leg, falling down wounded.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
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Jun 8, 2010 17:33:38 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Jun 8, 2010 17:33:38 GMT -5
(((Since Casual is basically MIA for the foreseeable future, I suppose a bit of tweaking is required... )))
Halfway to the Temple and the enemy, the Jedi ran ahead, lightsabers lifted high, deflecting bolts as they forged closer to the battle. Xierra, the Force focused so closely on what she was doing and what was to come, didn't immediately notice the arrival of a new player. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a couple of Knights off to the right of their running mass dart off even farther to the right. Since all the enemy was directly ahead, she spared a second glance as to why these two, a Togruta and a human were leaving the battle.
With the strain of everything she was trying to do, even with the Force, she only could look for a couple more seconds, but that small amount of time told her everything. There was now a Sith standing to the side of their snowy battlefield. And his focus was not on them, but on a smaller figure who she recognized as her padawan, the Zabrak Zorn Arcron. Still charging ahead with the other Jedi, she had a hard decision to make: loyalty to her padawan or loyalty to the cause. Yes, two Jedi had gone to head off this new threat, and hopefully save Zorn in the process. But he was her responsibility. No matter the fact that he had disobeyed her completely. That no longer mattered. Only his life did.
Xierra swallowed hard and continued on her present path, only because to dive out now could render herself injured from a friendly blade. As she was in the middle of all the Jedi, though steadily nearing the front, it would only create chaos if she stopped in her tracks. And the Falleen Jedi wasn't sure if she could Force leap at such an angle to reach Zorn's side. She would just have to divide her attention in the Force for now, keeping watch over the two Jedi and her padawan with the Sith, with the rest of her attention on the enemy soldiers ahead. And it pained her to reach such a decision. She resolved to get to the Zabrak as soon as she could extract herself from the main fight.
Her decision made, she directed focus back to where she was headed, still keeping a small hold on her padawan through the Force. If there was any change in his emotions, she would be by his side quick as lightning. For now, though, she had more pressing matters to attend to. The soldiers ahead were beginning to shoot more accurately and more rapidly, the shrinking distance between them and the Jedi was helping them. Xierra's blade moved even more swiftly, deflecting bolts, no longer trying to direct them harmlessly into the snow. With all the commotion, a few of the frontrunners, Republic soldiers and Jedi, about to engage the enemy, it was too chaotic to do so. So she just batted the energy bolts back to where they came from. It was the easiest and most effective method. Though, she was a Jedi and hated taking a life, she was also a Blade, realizing that sometimes violence was the only path.
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Jun 10, 2010 0:25:17 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Jun 10, 2010 0:25:17 GMT -5
Xerron felt the presence of two Jedi draw nearer to his position in the Force and took a quick glimpse. A Togruta and a fellow human eh? Good, the more the merrier Xerron thought, a smile spreading on his face. This was gonna be fun. He turned upon his two on rushing opponents after balling up the force between his two hands and throwing a force push towards the padawan he'd been stalking. Xerron ignited his two lightsabers once again and met his opponent's rush. He right arm swept to his side as the Human went for a horizontal strike while he simply raised his left arm in front of his face, to counter the more powerful overhead blow the Togruta prepared for him. Their lightsabers met in a dazzling shower of light and sparks.
The Human stepped away a scowl on his face before plunging in again, this time with a flourishing faint. Up, left, down and finally with a quick swipe to the right with the aim of disarming the Sith Acolyte. Xerron was no amatuer though, he saw the faint clear as day and manuevered his own weapon into position to block the Human's attack, a simple downward horizontal stroke. The counter block knocked the Human force user off balance, sending him face first into the snow as Xerron continued to play with the Togruta.
The Togruta at the same time lept to the right and swung his lightsaber in a diagonal upward strike intended to take Xerron's left arm and his head from off him. Xerron though, simply bent his arm back and caught the blow squarely as he easily moved into the style of Jar-Kai. He settled into a rythem quickly as the trio of force-users danced in swordplay. For what had to be atleast five minutes, no one seemed to go anywhere. The Human went in a low sweeping arch which Xerron caught easily with a downward stab of his scarlet blade. The Togruta though came in from the left, sweeping his arm at an angle that would've surely pinned Xerron through the heart, had he not force jumped and batted his opponents lightsaber away. Xerron landed easily and smiled "You Jedi are tougher than I thought. Good. I'd hate to end your meaningless lives too easily."
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last online Jul 11, 2018 23:15:20 GMT -5
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Jun 12, 2010 19:39:40 GMT -5
Post by Deceit *Drinker of Jawa-Juice* on Jun 12, 2010 19:39:40 GMT -5
"I suggested a tactical relocation of position." Bunta told Hsi, "Preferably, out of the way of the charging Jedi."
Hsi tapped his foot a few times, still firing his dual pistols, then conceded, as the Jedi drew near, almost upon their first troops now. "Alright, fine."
He shouted out to his troops, "Raiders, fall back into the temple and find a nice place, Bunta and I will remain with the Sith troopers with a few Raiders, the rest of you find another exit and double back out of the temple; we'll hold off these reinforcements as long as we can, but we'll not lose the whole detatchment doing so."
So, as the other Dominonites filed through the temple doors, Hsi remained with Bunta and three other Dominionites, along with the Sith troopers, bravely fighting ( and soon to be dying ) on the steps. "Fall back up here!" Hsi ordered to the closest bunch of troopers. They quickly followed orders, leaving about half of the forces on the stair, and the other Sith troopers falling into the more defensible position at the top of the stair, "Give 'em all you got!"
With that, Hsi pulled out a flash-bang, cooking the grenade. He arched the shot as high as he could, timing it so that it was just above his charging foes went it exploded, and hopefully no Jedi would be able to deflect its course too badly by the time it exploded, blinding the front runners of the charge. And behind that bright ball of light, would be quickly followed by a hailstorm of blasters, less accurate due to not looking at the pretty explosion, but just generally aimed at the huge mass of life ahead of them.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
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Jun 25, 2010 17:43:49 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Jun 25, 2010 17:43:49 GMT -5
Converging on the mass of bodies, Jedi, Republic and Sith, all together, Xierra had to slow down her charge, as did the others. Her tactics hadn't changed, though, and she continued to defend herself, the pale green light from her weapon spinning through the air, enemy fire ricocheting back towards its origin. The troopers had stopped as well and began working on semi-permanent defensive positions, digging into the snow and preparing for a long day, or days if it took that long to regain the Temple. The Jedi, for the most part, stayed behind them, standing, deflecting fire, as the Republic troops crouched and knelt their weapons focused on taking down as many enemies as possible.
But Xierra knew this wouldn't get them anywhere. Sooner or later, something had to give, or this would become a stalemate, and they would all die, leaving the Temple in the hands of others who were already inside, slaying her compatriots of the Force. In the brief respite of knowing they needed a new plan--charging towards the enemy worked briefly but no longer--she spared an inner glance through the Force towards her padawan. Zorn seemed unsettled but alive. She spread her awareness to find the Sith, and was content to see that he was currently busy yet with the two Jedi who had gone after him. Her padawan was still safe. For now.
Now her mind returned to the task at hand -- how to regain the entrance to the Temple her set of reinforcements from Commander Took had been sent to do. And preferably without destroying the building itself, or taking too many casualties on their side. Still almost mindlessly deflecting fire, ideas swirled throughout her head, none of them taking purchase. Xierra regretted not having taken more strategy courses back at the Coruscant Temple while a padawan, or learning such techniques from Master Revisc. She really hoped another of the Jedi would stand up, someone with more battle experience, and that they wouldn't look to her just because she had decided to lead the charge. The Falleen was uncharacteristically used to being led, instead of being the leader. Of following orders and fighting for the good of the group. Whatever happened, though, they had to remain as one, otherwise everything would erupt in chaos, and the Sith would have won that easily.
Xierra was surprised then when suddenly about half of the enemy forces in front of them up and retreated, going through their blockade of the entrance and disappearing into the Temple proper. Not for one second did she believe these Sith were giving up. There had to be some kind of trick or plan, a sinister one at that. She couldn't feel anything to that effect through the Force. Stretched as she was in the Force, focusing on the battle at hand, keeping a Force eye on her padawan and the Sith and also on the immediate environment around her, there was no more concentration left to delve into the minds of her enemies. But she had a sense that things were going to get real bad, real fast.
And there it was. She saw something come flying high in the air from the other side of the battle, spherical in shape. By the general aura of the Force around her, she knew that the other Jedi with her knew as well, and probably knew what it was. All Xierra knew was it had to be a weapon of some sort, a kind of grenade. No telling at this height what kind it was. A couple of the troopers must have noticed it as well and began shouting orders, of which she couldn't hear of the melee of the battle. All she could do was just continue on, hoping other Jedi in the group, those towards the back more suited to dealing with this volleyed threat could move it, perhaps even destroy it harmlessly.
They noticed it too late, though, sufficiently distracted by the enemy's half-retreat and continued blasterfire. Xierra prepared herself for the worse as it exploded up in the air a couple meters behind her and threw up a quick Force shield, meaning to keep any shrapnel off of her. A couple moments later she released it and opened her eyes. To a mass of chaos. She set her green reptilian jaw and did what she could; there was nothing to do for her blinded fellow Jedi. They would recover soon enough. But now the enemy was going full force, and as long as she was standing, she wouldn't let down the mission.
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last online Jul 11, 2018 23:15:20 GMT -5
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Jun 27, 2010 4:23:44 GMT -5
Post by Deceit *Drinker of Jawa-Juice* on Jun 27, 2010 4:23:44 GMT -5
Hsi stopped firing for a few moments, letting his heavy blaster pistols cool down. The effect of his grenades was awesome, more than he could have hoped for. Soldiers were stumbling, blinded and worse, stunned. Some were just standing there holding their eyes, the more hardened veteran troops had jumped down to the ground. Hsi smirked, and quickly found himself leaving his cover, "What the?" Bunta asked.
Hsi's little legs brought him swiftly forward, heading down the stairs, his pistols raised forward, blaster fire going down. It was frenzied and inaccurate, shots landing up and down, floor and sky, a few of them hit where they needed, only to be deflected or miss by a few feet. Hsi suddenly stopped, taking a few rapid but more accurate shots. He saw a flash of red in his eye and went to one knee, rolling on the stair-case to his left and coming up on one knee, taking more shots, this time he hit one, a Republican going down on his back.
His ridiculous bravado bolstered his Sith troops, and their morale and performance increased in small degrees, but small degrees was plenty enough for Hsi. That, and it was terribly exciting for him, a glint in his eye.
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Jun 29, 2010 16:50:48 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Jun 29, 2010 16:50:48 GMT -5
Xerron continued to play with his opponents in a lethal dance of swordplay. Xerron's right arm tucked in and his wrist flashed a quick upward movement that stopped the Human's blue lightsaber blade in an instant, while his left arm went in a circular sweep that caught the Togruta's yellow blade up high and forced it out into the open. Xerron sliced back in a quick horizontal move, taking a slice out of the Togruta's shirt but, rendering no harm upon him.
The Sith Acolyte was beginning to get annoyed, the fight should have ended five minutes ago in his mind. Xerron calmed himself though coming to a cold calculating calmness once again. Emotion would only get him killed now. The black hooded figure slashed brutally, forcing his opponents weapons away from him. Suddenly something caught his attention and a warning flared in his head, he ducked and rolled, slashing in a circle as he spun. He felt his lightsabers hit home and heard the grunt of his would be attacker. Xerron's eyes glanced over the asundered form of a Jedi in the snow, steam still streaming from his prone body as it rapidly cooled in the cold air. His lightsabers crossed at an X, blocking both the Togruta's and the Human's blades, renewed hatred on their faces at the easy slaughter of their ally. Xerron kicked out, catching the human in the ankle, the impact stunning him. The Togruta withdrew his blade and jumped back a step, then twirled his lightsaber and stabbed. Xerron's lightsabers now free, cut down the Human Jedi, first cutting his lightsaber in half and then taking the Jedi's head in a quick V- motion. The headless body fell back into the snow.
Xerron side rolled again and came up onto his feet, the Togruta's strike hitting nothing but air. The hooded Sith struck out again, but, the Togruta knocked his lightsaber aside with a strong sweeping stroke, the impact sending a tingling feeling up his arm and stumbling him a little. The Togruta jumped into the air and swung, his aim clear, to take Xerron's head off. The assassin ducked and rolled, coming up behind the Togruta. Xerron's left arm struck in horizontal slash which the Togruta blocked, while his right arm stabbed forward catching the brave Jedi in the chest and dropping him. "Thank you for the warm up" he said mentally saluting the fallen warriors and using the force to grab their weapons and stuff them into his belt. Xerron looked once more to the Falleen and the padawan he'd originally been after and wondered if they would be more of a challenge.
Xerron shrunk his presence in the force to the best of his ability and stepped forward, and then cloaked himself visibly, dissapearing it seemed into the frozen wind.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
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Jul 16, 2010 17:55:22 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Jul 16, 2010 17:55:22 GMT -5
(((Since Cas is still AWOL, I'm gonna sort of 'write out' Zorn in this thread... This way if he returns, at least he'll have something to work with later. Basically, I'm gonna have Zorn disappear.)))
Her pale green blade lept in the air in front of her, it and her body as one weapon melded together. There was no time to check on her fellows; she could only fight on. With only half of the enemy in front of them to battle against, perhaps they would be able to push forward closer to the entrance. But the Sith still had the advantage of cover, land and uncaring determination. This would not be an easy task by any measure. And that was the only thing Xierra knew for sure.
She had to make a decision and soon. With still some of the Jedi recovering from their blindness and chaos all around her because of it, their organized battle front was no longer. The Jedi standing around her were doing as she was; relatively untouched by the grenade they were deflecting bolts back into the enemy. But the ones who had taken the blunt of the blast were still stumbling around, lightsabers swinging around, possibilities of friendly limb-slicing. But Xierra had no idea what to do, other than what they were currently doing; holding their ground, waiting for an opportunity to push through. If Master Revisc were here, what would he tell her?
The Falleen Jedi forced herself not to think that way; if she began to feel overwhelmed, her emotions would eek into the Force, and the Jedi around her would also start cracking. And then it would be all over. No, she had to try to focus. Focus. Think of something, anything. A hard challenge for her, with her attention stretched so thinly, worried about herself, the Jedi, the mission. Her padawan.
Zorn. Xierra gasped before she realized she was doing so. She couldn't feel her padawan in the Force! Against all her better judgment she allowed herself to glance back behind the chaotic melee of Jedi to look for her padawan, the two Jedi and the Sith. And she saw none of them. She knew she should have gone immediately to the young Zabrak's assistance. It didn't matter that he had disobeyed and landed on Rhen Var. Xierra had let him down, allowed him to be... No, she had to believe he was somewhere, still alive. Just because she couldn't feel him, didn't mean he wasn't there. They had only been together for a few months, and among all these hundreds of beings, it would be logical that she couldn't pick out Zorn.
And then she saw them, the human and Togruta laying in piles in the snow back behind the battle. She risked a touch of the Force, and discovered no life. Gone, saving her padawan. Xierra just had to hope that they were successful, though she didn't see the body of the Sith. He had to be still around somewhere, hiding himself. Why he hadn't been with the others they were fighting struck her as odd, but then again, why did Sith every do something logical?
Again Xierra was torn between duties, duty to her padawan, duty to the Jedi and to the mission. Though she considered herself a strong fighter, the rest wouldn't miss just one Jedi, would they? It would be only for a few minutes while she looked for her padawan. Then she could see him safely back on the shuttle and return to the battle. And then, hopefully, help the other Blades turn the tide. The enemy was fighting with renewed energy now, but they would soon tire. They had to. Without the Force, as she had felt they had no more ability than anyone else, they would be no match for Jedi.
With a deep breath and few more deflected enemy fire, she slowly made her way to the outside of the battle, weaving among the Jedi. So intent on their own fights, they didn't really notice her leave. The ones that did, she sent them encouraging thoughts through the Force; she wasn't deserting, just helping out another Jedi, her padawan. Finally away from the battle, nothing more to focus on at the moment besides Zorn, her adrenaline crashed, and she started feeling the effects of the cold planet as the wind ripped through her sparse clothing. Xierra drew on the Force to aid in warmth and started towards the spot where she had last seen her padawan.
Unfortunately though, the wind had washed away any trace of his footprints there might have been, leaving only a few muddled tracks from the battle of the Sith and the two Jedi, nothing of the young Zabrak. Her lightsaber still lit, she kept at it, looking for any clue to Zorn's whereabouts. She kept her senses alert, aware that there could be an ambush while she was out here, basically alone. But she didn't care; she only wanted her padawan.
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Jul 17, 2010 19:26:31 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Jul 17, 2010 19:26:31 GMT -5
Xerron looked over the scene of the battle, momentarily caught off guard. During his battle with the two Jedi, he'd lost track of the padawan he'd been after. His dissapointement was lifted however, as the padawan's master was also looking for him. Ofcourse this was all based on the fact that the Jedi had run through her forces and come to the edge of the battle, where he resided, though still cloaked. She was looking high and low for something, Xerron assumed it was the padawan he'd been tracking.
He smiled and crept closer, intent on testing her senses. Let's see how well she does against me" Xerron thought as he plucked up a snow ball and rolled it with the Force, so that it was a perfect spherical ball. Then he sent the snow ball flying through the air, the frozen missle aimed for her head. He laughed inside himself as he watched the snow ball soar towards her. Oh, how he enjoyed his job! It was all a test of the Jedi's abilities ofcourse, but, that didn't mean he couldn'ty have a little fun now and then.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
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the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
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Sept 1, 2010 9:31:43 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Sept 1, 2010 9:31:43 GMT -5
Xierra's dark eyes kept scanning her surroundings as she slowly made a sweep of the area, hoping to find at least a little trace left behind of her padawan. If they had been together longer, perhaps he would have left her a sign, but no, they hadn't really developed a fully relationship yet, and she wasn't sure that he would do something like leave clues for her, even if he was in trouble. She still cared for the young Zabrak, though; he was her padawan, and she would find him, no matter how long she had known him or not. It was her duty as his master not to desert him, even leaving the main body of the battle to do so. The Falleen knight kept looking, knowing she dare not stay from the rest of the Jedi for too long, but also not being able to help wanting to get Zorn safe.
The growing wind made her have to use the Force more and more as a blanket of warmth. Without her cloak, having foolishly removed it before dropping from the reinforcements, thinking it would hamper her movements in battle, the rest of her Jedi clothing was no match for the unforgiving Rhen Var climate. Her only saving grace was that the planet's sun was still shining brightly among a few clouds; the light was keeping her reptilian blood pumping warm. But she knew the conditions could change and take away the sun. Xierra had to hurry to find Zorn and get back to the battle.
She had just wandered to a patch of snow a dozen meters or so from where she had found the scattered snow dust from the duel of the Jedi versus the Sith when suddenly she felt the Force nudge her in the back of her mind. Though focused as she was on looking for her padawan's presence, she had been leaving enough of the Force in a general sense around her, as she had been wary of an ambush away from the group of Blades. Something was coming towards her, but she didn't know what it was. Instead of turning to look for it, she swung her lightsaber towards it, hoping to deflect it it was a projectile weapon of some sort. And belatedly hoping it was not some kind of animal.
When the blade hit the snow, there was a hiss as the weapon ignited the snow and turned it to water and evaporated it. The sound was not one she would have readily recognized, so she turned then to look at what had been thrown at her. Having been vanquished with her pale green lightsaber, she still hadn't the slightest clue. What she did know, though, was that someone had been aiming at her. Her best guess was the Sith who had been around her, trying to get to her padawan. Xierra didn't think that Zorn would throw something at her, even something harmless like snow, if the quickly freezing puddle had anything to say. No, it had to be an enemy, though his means of tactics was a bit confusing to her.
Quickly she refocused her grip on the Force, this time pulling all its energy to searching for the aura of the dark side that would signal the whereabouts of the Sith. It pained her to give up on Zorn for the moment, but if this Sith was after her, it either meant the Zabrak was gone, or he was far enough away that she made a better target. She just hoped it was the latter, that her padawan had made it somewhere safe to wait out the battle. She spread out her awareness even farther, but still could not find anything out there except for the wind and the snow. The Temple far behind along with the ensuing battle a blur of the Force. But he had to be somewhere. She knew it.
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 13, 2010 23:44:10 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Sept 13, 2010 23:44:10 GMT -5
Seeking TruthXerron smiled, truly amazed at how effortlessly the Jedi had blocked his snow ball, though she seemed a bit confused as to what had transpired. That was only natural and he didn't think of her any less for it. She seemed to recognize that there was someone in the area that she couldn't detect, so her guard was up even more now. That was also to be expected. He decided a moment later that he would confront her finally, and silently send the message that he was playing with her. They were both out of the battle area far enough to where if anyone noticed their duel, it'd be a little until he had company. It was almost funny. Beyond today, he'd never had any interaction of any kind with anyone from the Jedi Order. It would be good to find out exactly what he was dealing with. So far all he knew was that they were trained in sword-play like him, and that they apparently hated him for just being part of the Sith Order. Xerron had no feelings toward the Jedi Order, positive or negative. They were simply an anomaly that he was unfamiliar with. As he began to circle around the now wary Falleen, creeping as quietly as his environment would allow, some of the questions he'd been wondering about before began creeping back into the front of his mind. Xerron's memories went back to his origins. He knew his Uncle, Xerxes, had once been a Jedi Shadow but, he'd been cast from the order for experimenting with the Dark Side. Three years into living with his Uncle, Xerron's parents had died at the hand of a Bounty Hunter. He still didn't know the name of the Bounty Hunter that killed them. He'd have to do that sometime. He brought himself back to the present, maneuvering himself behind the Jedi as she continued to look for him. He was growing weary of this dance of hide and seek. It was apparent to him that he was winning anyway. He didn't just want to walk up behind her and kill her. That would be no fun and it wouldn't get him the answers he sought. So, he decided to reveal himself instead, throwing a wave of force energy at her as he cackled in delight. Tell me Jedi, how seriously do you hold to the name "keepers of the peace"? Xerron said to her in a force message, appearing out of the thin air and loosing his grip on his Force Concealment, allowing her to find his force presence at last. He stood there in broad day light, the cold winter wind blowing his black cloak about making him look like a half masked wraith. His lightsaber remained unlit as he slowly walked forward "tell me Jedi. What do you fight for?" he said audibly this time, his voice raising over the rushing wind. He approached her and stopped about ten feet away, in stark contrast to the blinding white colors of the frozen world. Outwardly he smiled, looking like he truly enjoyed his work, and he did but, inwardly she'd be able to tell that a part of him was truly interested in her reply. He stretched out his senses in her direction, probing her mind to get a better clue as to her reaction and her thoughts. He didn't expect to get much but, any glimpse into the mind of his enemy was worth the risk he was taking.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
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the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Sept 28, 2010 18:23:58 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Sept 28, 2010 18:23:58 GMT -5
With all her attention focused on finding the source of the snowball attack on her, Xierra had no idea how the main battle was going, whether or not the Blades were making ground or if the Sith troops were fighting back, gaining advantage from holing up at the doorway. All she could do was hope that the loss of just one Jedi wouldn't stop them from doing all they could. She would rejoin them soon enough, once this situation she was currently in was taken care of. The presence of a Sith, and her lost padawan.
Her Force awareness stretched out as far as she could reach, as the Falleen knight stood there, slowly moving around in a circle, keeping her blade in a ready defensive posture. She knew from her studies that it was possible for some Force users to hide their Force signature, so the fact that she saw and felt nothing did nothing to ease her feelings Someone, something, had tried to provoke her. The being would have to show himself to Xierra eventually. Now that she was obviously aware of him, he had no choice, except to leave. And Xierra didn't think a Sith would back down from a possible Jedi target.
Just then it happened. But not the way she had thought. There was a voice in her head; something she could have blocked if she had even considered the tactic. Xierra had assumed he would just uncloak himself and run at her in fury. He was supposed to be Sith, after all. But this method of attack was confusing to her, though she didn't let it show in her face. She remained standing still, listening, reaching out with the Force. Even if she had had a way to find the other Force user, there was no way she would have answered his question. It was a taunt, if she ever saw one.
Almost simultaneously after she felt the voice in her head, the figured appeared before her. The one she had seen from afar battling the other two Jedi protecting her padawan. With his clothing, she still couldn't tell who or what he was; Xierra didn't much care anyway. He was an enemy, and she had to stop him. There was no time to call in reinforcements from the main battle. The second she split her attention would be her downfall. Sith were not very trustworthy.
Xierra's dark almost-black eyes hardened and narrowed as the male figure approached her, holding her ground. She would not let his words loosen her focus on the Force and her coming opponent. The Falleen knight would not dignify the Sith with an answer. If he knew she was Jedi, obviously he had his own knowledge of what the Jedi fought for. Why would one single Jedi fight for anything different than the whole? He himself had brought up the term 'keepers of the peace.' That would have to suffice for now.
She did think it was odd, though, for a Sith to just want to talk about Jedi philosophy instead of attacking her outright. Keeping a grip on her surroundings with the Force, she decided to get a feeling for her enemy. He seemed to have a block up, but she got a glance of his true self, and it was a blending of different feelings. Feelings she wouldn't expect to see in a Sith. At the same time as she was trying to look into his psyche, she felt the same presence as the voice from earlier doing the same to her. Xierra shut down her mind, putting up a barrier; he would get no such satisfaction. Even though her species was resistant to mind tricks, they were not resistant to general mind probing.
It took everything she had not to bite back a reply to the dark figure. Xierra knew if she did, she would just be giving in to him. She pulled strength from the Force to keep her tongue steadfast, still using part of the Force to keep an inward eye on her enemy and more on her surroundings. She wanted to be prepared once he did strike. As she knew he must, eventually. Sith were nothing if not predictable. Even though this one presented as unusual, Xierra felt sure that he would resort back to his roots. They always did (so she had learned and read).
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Oct 1, 2010 18:07:40 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Oct 1, 2010 18:07:40 GMT -5
Xerron chuckled audibly when she didn't respond. The sound of his amusement would sound quite normal to her ears, no blood thirsty tint, no evil mirth under that light tone. He passively probed her surface thoughts and emotions, he could tell she was confused. He could also tell that she was fighting to hold her tongue.
That just made him smile broader. She expected to be in the middle of a fierce-some fight for her life right now. It was apparent to him that she might have thought that they were all blood thirsty savages with force abilities. The fact that he was confusing her meant that she had to re-evaluate her opinion of the Sith as a whole. That thrilled him to no ends, as it meant that he might just get the answers to the questions that so plagued him. Namely, did the Jedi actually do all they could to protect the innocent lives in the galaxy? Did they try to save his parents from the wrath of the Hutt Lord that killed them, and fail? Why did they exile his Uncle?
A few moments passed between them. Xerron's lightsabers remained in his hand but, un-powered. He made no move towards her, seeing if she would actually answer his question or ask one of her own. His senses spread out to the Falleen and washed over her as he continued to probe her surface thoughts, testing for weaknesses with minor pushes of invisible energy. He chuckled again as the silence grew.
"What's the matter Jedi? Sith got your tongue? Did you really think that all of us enjoy bathing in blood?" he said, the tone of his voice making it very apparent that he enjoyed her confusion.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Nov 8, 2010 18:38:11 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Nov 8, 2010 18:38:11 GMT -5
(((I'm assuming that his probing of her mind is BEFORE she puts up her block...)))
She waited, then, standing still, the only movement the corners of her Jedi attire blowing in the wind. Her blade was held solid, unmoving, her gaze unwavering. She waited for this dark figure, a Sith, to make a move, not allowing herself to even dwell on the fact it was her first meeting with one such as him. Xierra needed all her strength and confidence for when he did strike. But she also knew she could not let herself get overly confident. The Force would be her ally and her guide.
Taking calming deep breaths, making sure they were indiscernible to the other, she mentally prepared herself for what she knew had to come eventually. As much as she just wanted to jump and strike the first blow, she knew she had to wait for the Sith to move first. Jedi had honor. Even the Blades of the Jedi. They were shallow breaths, but aided with the Force, they sufficiently sustained and calmed her, looking all the world to anyone else that she was breathing normally as she stood there.
Her thoughts no longer lingered on any slight confusion she may have had about his actions, or lack thereof. Nor on his questions or even the sight of him. She poured herself into the Force, allowing it to flow around her. Though she still kept a bit of focus on her eventually opponent, so she believed, most of the Force she had grasped was used for herself, preparing herself for battle. Battles she had so recently begun to fight and was still not entirely used to. But that would never show outwardly. Xierra was a warrior, a Jedi warrior.
The Sith spoke again, but she barely heard him. She was busy looking inwardly on herself, continuing to draw in on the Force, her eyes looking but not seeing. The Knight did not move at all yet, still standing still in front of the cloaked figure. Xierra was calm, prepared, at peace with herself. All thoughts of the battle near the Temple, her missing padawan, anything made of distraction, were gone. It was only her, and the Force. And the Sith, in the background of her mind.
Thus prepared for anything that would come after, her eyes refocused and saw again the man standing in front of her. Xierra still did not answer; there was no reason to. She did not wish to stand here wasting time prattling on about some Sith's silly notion of philosophy. She stood there, waiting.
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Nov 24, 2010 16:53:31 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Nov 24, 2010 16:53:31 GMT -5
Xerron's senses lapped over the Jedi like waves from the ocean but, he felt nothing. She'd blocked him with some kind of mental sheild. He sighed with resignation, it seemed that he would not get his answers this day and that all he had heard about the Jedi were wrong, and thus his feelings towards them were reinforced. It seemed they cared nothing for anybody but themselves, and their own way of life. In refusing to answer his simplist of questions, she had sealed his fate.
Anger welled up within him. He'd had no say in how his life had unfolded around him. Unlike many that chose to be Sith, Xerron had been driven by necessity. For survival. For acceptance. The Jedi had refused him just as he'd thought they would. The Sith, it seemed were the only ones that were going to accept him now. The answers to his questions would remain a mystery. His anger grew and his fists grew tighter around the hilts of his lightsabers. It was hopeless, fate had deemed him to be a slave to it's will and there was no escaping it. All he could do now is accept this fact, move on and grow in knowledge and power of the dark side of the Force, to strengthen himself.
Xerron looked up into her eyes as his own glowed a fiery red, not bothering to hide his suddenly renewed hatred for her order. "Ironic isn't it that the "guardians of peace" want nothing but to battle? Fine then "Jedi", you will have your wish" he said igniting his lightsabers and stalking towards her with a sense of renewed purpose. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of finding his true talent of the backhanded arts of dueling yet, so he held his lightsabers normally. Then when the moment was right, he'd suprise her and end the fight. She'd die like so many others before her had. Alone and in the cold biting winds of Rhen Var. When he came within striking distance he thrust one lightsaber at her to distact her and then swung the other in a horizontal swing meant to take her head from off her. It was a test only, to see if she would be a worthy opponent.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 15, 2010 19:41:12 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Dec 15, 2010 19:41:12 GMT -5
Though completely calm and focused, her body and soul given into the Force, her mind intent on the figure in front of her, a small thought still passed through. A thought that these next few moments could be life-changing for her. And that all the duels and battles she had been in up till now had been mere practices, preparing her for this moment. A moment she wasn't sure would ever come, but had felt in her gut that as a Blade, she would have to eventually encounter. This fight would be different in every way possible, even far-fetched from her encounter with the group of Blades and Republic soldiers nearer the Temple against the Sith soldiers. This was her life now. Despite her grip on the Force, all its goodness and lightness surrounding her, strengthening her, she couldn't help but feel a chance radiating off the Sith. Darkness, anger. Xierra knew this was the dark side, the tempting side that all Jedi thought was better, but knew was not. The emotions and feelings that had played with her conscience when she had lost her master, pulling her towards revenge. She had fought them back, though. And hopefully she would do the same here, though it would be a much more difficult task. But she was a different Jedi than she was then; now an experienced Knight, no longer a sad and mournful padawan. Xierra pushed back by drawing still more from the light side of the Force, letting it aid her with its persistence and strength, everything good. Not letting any evil thoughts betray her into thinking she could gain more power by giving into them. Only darkness and suffering lay that way. Her eyes kept watching the dark man before her, her body and weapon not wavering. She forced everything from her mind that was not vital, again trying to keep her focus single-minded on the task at hand. Xierra could feel through the Force that he was preparing to strike, and she needed to be ready for it. Ever so slightly she prepared also, moving onto the balls of her feet, bending her knees, moving her arms from her sides. Her mind tuned onto the other's Force signature for as much foresight she would be able to gain from his future actions. For all intents and purposes, she felt ready for this. And she wouldn't think otherwise. His words washed over her and vanished into the icy Rhen Var wind, the Force keeping her from shivering and her body warm enough for the present. Xierra knew he could taunt all he wanted, but it wouldn't help him. She had gotten used long ago to ignoring such things, able to focus on what was necessary for her survival, whether it was her master's lectures or hand-to-hand combat training or even lightsaber lessons. The Falleen stood there with her pale green blade, steady as the rocks she was standing over. She couldn't let any fear show as she saw that this Sith had two weapons instead of one. And the fact that very quickly her one blade would prove to be useless, even with her acrobatic Niman-influenced Ataru moves. Xierra again drew on the Force, wanting to feel its security, power and strength. She would not falter; if this was to be her last day, she would go down fighting. It could be no other way. Letting him come towards her, she stood her ground. In the flick of her mind's eye, she saw the attack, nanoseconds before it happened and had barely enough time to react, thinking that he would be using just one lightsaber at first, keeping the other in reserve; it's what she would have done, and would do, if the other hilt resting at the small of her back would do her any good while lit. Her arms swung up to block the first attack, pale green shining against red. Simultaneously she ducked, avoiding the second. As she came up, she sprung into the air and completed a backflip, landing a meter or two from where she had stood. Generally she would have countered, but that was when she was used to attacking against a single-bladed attacker. This was different... and Xierra knew revisions were in order. But she also knew she could not avoid him forever, forever defending. Eventually she would need to strike herself and pay the consequences. (((Sometime during their duel, Rug is going to bring in his Jedi to help out... One, so Xierra doesn't die and two, because I promised Deceit I'd eventually get back to Hsi and fight him. Hope you don't mind.)))
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Cirith An'Gol
"You got something for me? or are you just another slack jawed arruetti admiring my armor"-Cirith
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last online May 31, 2020 19:14:38 GMT -5
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Apr 1, 2011 17:04:01 GMT -5
Post by Cirith An'Gol on Apr 1, 2011 17:04:01 GMT -5
Xerron's eyes studied his opponent intensely as he drew nearer, the Jedi's stance and countenance had not wavered in the slightest as he drew his two lightsabers. He saw the courage in her eyes, the confidence that she was ready for this fight. Nothing denoting arrogance or over-confidence. Her green blade met his fiery red one, sending sparks flying from the impact of the two weapons. She ducked as his second blade whipped around for her head, making him miss. He only smiled as she backflipped to get some distance between them.
She was good but, he was better. Xerron's hood whipped left and right as a gust picked up around them, whipping his black robes like some kind of phantom or wraith. His burning red eyes met hers for a brief instant and the same determination remained in both opponents. She would see this through win or lose and he would do the same.
He started forward slowly at first then went into a dead run, he'd need to press his advantage to keep her off balance and tire her out. A single blade was usually fast enough in a fight but, wielding two at the same time required greater movement and stamina. He'd spent years training his body and mind for an occasion such as this; he couldn't falter now. Xerron had trained his movements to be short and quick, a quick flick of the wrist here, a short jab there, nothing over reaching or wasting energy with wide sweeping movements, and he would use much the same strategy now.
He raised his lightsaber in his right hand slightly and struck forward in a stabbing motion, while with the other hand he attacked in a fast upward-diagonal strike meant to sever her arm and continue on through her chest. He stepped forward and brought his left hand forward, his wrist flicking the red blade in a blurring faint that seemed to aim for her right leg but then suddenly lept for her heart. His right hand stayed in reserve in a mid-range guard, in case she tried to strike back but, his smile remained.
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