Altering the Flow of Self

[Omnis]

Participants: Ysamor, Kes, Ark

---

Deep within the gut of a Korriban mountain, connected to the expansive Sith Academy, a new complex awaited the students of Crusader Nox's next class. The complex was tall, wide, and held many rooms and chambers. Each training room was dynamic, varied from all of the others. Some were multi-layered, others were one floor. The Noghri had built the complex himself, all to his design, with the help of some droid labor.

The chamber that Nox had chosen was far away from most of the others. A long, cramped tunnel led to it way to one extreme side of the underground complex. The tunnel had not been finished, but luckily the training chamber itself had. However, when the new arrivals got inside they could see why maybe they would not feel so fortunate after all. Giant steel cages hung all around the room, suspended by long chains, high in the air. In each of them, a shyrack waited with gleaming, predatory eyes.

Nox stood in the center of the chamber, a wide, long room laid with stone. He had his arms clasped behind his back, but he was facing the tunnel entrance. He did not break his silence until all three Acolytes had arrived.

 

[TheSilentWind]

Many things had pass since meeting Crusader Nox. His duel with TheKid made him lose his arm, his force connection grew stronger, his lightsaber prowess was at its ''purest form'' and he had learned 3 new lightsaber forms all of them becoming adept to them however he prefered only to use Makashi in combat and not to use Soresu or Ataru. but he wanted to return to Alter basics. He walked into the complex and saw a tunnel. He could feel a powerful force presence inside the tunnel saw he went to check on it. As he continued to seek the presence he saw Crusader Nox facing the tunnel entrance."Acolyte Kes." Kes stated as he bowed down deep enough to show respect to the Crusader. He then went and folded his legs as he began meditating for the next class.

 

[LordOfShadows]

Ysamor was prepared for an alter class which he signed up under the illustrious Crusader Nox. He knew that the crusader didn't take slack from anybody, or so he heard. There was no telling what would happen when he met the Sith. Moving through the academy, became somewhat vigorous with the groups of acolytes moving from their classes. Some of them looked at him with contempt as others kept their distance. He reached the far end of the academy opening up to a hollowed out tunnel. The tunnel didn't seem safe, but he'd seen worse. Reaching the opening to the chamber almost passing it, the crusader stood in the chamber waiting. He apparently reached there on time and was excited to be taking this class.

Walking into the chamber reminded him of a downsized tortured room. Cages dangled from the ceiling and held creatures which he knew right off to be a shryacks. The look of the cages reminded him when he was a slave. How his former Rodian masters use to lock them in chains and hang them by their limbs as punishment. The utter thought of it sent complete rage through him. His arms started shaking and a tear ran down his left eye. The feeling that he wanted to kill anything in sight swelled up within his chest. He had to calm down and didn't step any further until he did. You didn't just present yourself in front of a Sith any kind of way. Sudden thoughts that he probably showed signs of weakness in front of the crusader bothered him some. Not wiping the tear from his eyes and still full of anger, he respectfully bowed to the Sith.

"Crusader, I am Ysamor Velcono," he greeted now standing erect and he stood back. He began to meditate on the dark side focusing on his anger and hate.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark seems to have been the last to enter the chamber where the Crusader Nox was patiently waiting for his arrival. It is highly unusual for him to be the last to arrive anywhere, but a series of events caused him to arrive only on time. Unfortunately, he would accept no excuse form himself for not being early, and he expects that the Crusader would not either. Ark hadn't enjoyed the walk through the tunnel. Tunnels are his least favorite types of paths, due to their lack of escape routes, which is continue on or go back. Usually both are poor options in the event of an emergency, an emergency that looks like it could actually occur at any moment based upon the tunnel's lack of completion.

Ark strides into the chamber, unhappy at his tardiness, but showing nothing on his face. Only one with knowledge of a Kushari's unspoken language would be able to see that the subtle flicking in his tail meant that he was annoyed. Though, the swishing of his tail seemed to take a turn,and he find it beginning to wave fluidly. This would indicate he is interested in something. Those somethings happen to be the cages above him.

Walking to the middle of the chamber allows him to absorb his surroundings before something surprises him. he doesn't care much for surprises, but he rather enjoys things that keep him on his toes. Several predatory bats, known as shyracks, climb about barred cages above their heads. They were eager for something, and he guesses they crave freedom, but what point do they serve in here?

Ark is arriving for a class on Alter basics. He could see very little reason for his training room being decorated with the animals, but he has a bad feeling about it. he hasn't taken any classes with this particular Crusader as of yet, but he has a feeling, by the presence of these predators, that he is a particularly... creative teacher. Ark's thoughts are abruptly halted upon arrival into the chamber.

He can feel the others' presence around him, and he guesses that they too can feel his presence. The only thing left to do is announce his name for the teacher. Many have their own way of showing respect. A bow, a subtle nod, or saying sir before and after everything addressing an individual. As a Kushari, respect is shown in the body. Posture is a good indication of respect, and Ark's body is strait and ready at attention.

"Arkteleus Krayzen," he lets the Crusader know just who is present.

Ark doesn't move a muscle until addressed by the Sith. Ark is drenched in an unseen excitement. His anticipation for the contents of the class plague his mind with ideas. Ark can only wait for his superior's orders.

 

[Omnis]

Two Humans and a... Kushari. Nox had never encountered a Kushari personally before. The tall beast was impressive in stature, if nothing else.

So far, all three students appeared to be well disciplined and respectful. That would bode well for their class that day. Nox was growing increasingly impatient with the more eccentric and foolish of the Acolytes. He taught many classes, had much training of his own to accomplish, and had very little time to suffer idiots. It was his greatest pleasure to meet Acolytes that were already well formed as Sith assets. It spoke a great deal to each individual's potential that they had already chosen the higher path of the Sith just by heeding wisdom rather than arrogance.

The Human that introduced himself as Ysamor Velcono, though. He had an inordinate amount of anger welling up inside, considering their current circumstances. Nox could only imagine that something in the room had triggered the young Acolyte off on some internal tempest. The room was austere, excepting the cages holding the shyracks. So it was either the cages, or the shyracks. Or himself, but he doubted that. Crusader Nox's presence was rarely so infuriating as it was chilling, foreboding.

"Welcome, students." Nox said. His voice sounded like shifting sands, but it was loud enough to be heard over the near constant little noises made by the restless shyrack above them. "You have come to learn the art of Alter. There are two techniques I will teach you today. They are the most basic of the art, but also the most crucial. Almost any other technique you use in this school of the art will be framed in the mindset of these two techniques. Without the groundwork of these abilities, you will prove useless in anything more advanced."

The Crusader's blank silver mask turned to each of them for a moment. Once he had looked all three of them over, the black clad Crusader turned into a blur. Before they could fully register it, Nox was gone. They heard the instructor clear his throat behind them, where he had stopped.

"That was a demonstration of augmenting one's physical motions by using the Dark Side as a sort of fuel source. Some simply call this speed or accelerate. Now I will demonstrate the ability to augment one's physical power in respect to gravity and weight. Some call it leap or jump."

Once again, the Crusader turned into a black blur. He streaked up into the air this time, near one of the shyrack cages. However, this time the Acolytes could feel Nox's powerful burst of Dark Side energy. It flowed out of him like a sonic wave, sweeping down and across the floor powerfully as it also helped to propel him skyward. Nox landed on top of the cage, causing the shyrack there to shriek for a moment before settling down. He clung to the chain on the top of the cage, leaning outward so he could look at his students again.

"It can also be used to safely land a great descent." The little Noghri jumped down, slowing down the closer he got to the floor. His feet touched the floor soundlessly. "That is of greater importance than most students give credit. Never forget to guarantee a safe landing. Broken ankles and legs make survival difficult."

He strode back to his students, gloved hands disappearing into the folds of his large cloak.

"All of those demonstrations were far more advanced than any of you will be able to accomplish for some time. For now, be content with learning the basics and striving to master those. You will be far better served by reaching for the possible rather than the improbable."

He moved to one side and gestured for each of them to line up on the far wall.

"We'll start by teaching you to run with the Force. This technique is fairly simple, once you understand how to draw the Force down into your body. First, start by dwelling on your muscles. Think of all the parts of your body that you use to run, then fill as much of the energy from the Force into those parts as you can. Let the energy suffuse your body, acting as a fuel. When you begin running, let it flow through you like blood. Don't forget to let it expel outwards, so you don't harm yourself. Expel it backwards from your direction of motion, so that it can further propel yourself."

Nox drew one of his hands out from his cloak and gestured to the other side of the room.

"Begin now. If any of you fail to accomplish the technique, do not fret. We will continue to go over it until everyone understands it properly."

 

[LordOfShadows]

Ysamor watched as the crusader show them a demonstration of two techniques that they were to learn. He looked like a blur moving across the room. It was something Ysamor had seen a few times here and there, but never up close and personal. The crusader gave them permission to attempt what he showed them. Though very angry, he watched and listened closely to what Nox had to say. He first visualized what he was trying to do. Focusing on his anger, Ysamor felt his connection to the dark side strengthen. He concentrated on his muscles letting the dark side saturate him. Leaning forward, he took off in a blur for a couple of seconds and started to run as normal across the room. He stopped and gathered himself to try again.

Failure wasn't an option and it showed in his face. He tried again focusing on the muscles in his body. He started running like a blur for a longer period of time now. While running he jumped into air with his force enhanced body and landed a few feet away from where he started. Though proud of his small success he maintained a straight face. Now trying to regain some of his strength, the force moved through like water coming out of a fountain. He leaned over forward a little attempting to try again.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark was pleased to hear the Crusader address them. His anticipation of this very moment was a tantalizing delight kept out of reach until now. Ark is actually going to be trained by someone who knows what they are doing. he has seen others teach him without a full grasp on what they were teaching him themselves. This time is different. Ark has heard stories of the teacher. Ark knows he is good at what he does, and his success rate is staggering.

When Nox first saw them, he could feel his gaze looking them all over to study them. Who is he dealing with. If even for a fraction of a second longer than the rest, Ark could tell that he hadn't seen a Kushari before. Ark gets that a lot. The Kushari are incredibly scarce as force sensitives outside their own culture let alone as Sith. Ark is certainly the black sheep of the heard in regards of species.

Ark would like to thing that because he is a Kushari, his physical abilities don't need altering, and that he is perfectly capable of killing just about anyone with his normal, unaltered abilities. Unfortunatley, Ark knows that he cannot rely fully on his natural abilities, where there are others that would alter what they are capable of to match or exceed Ark's own abilities. Ark is usually hesitant to draw on his most potent ability, the force, but in the case of augmentations and altering, he can see fit an exception. Ark knows very well that enhancing abilities that are already as powerful as his own, would be more than deadly. It would be terrifying.

Perhaps this is the reason he is taking the class, but he knows it isn't the only reason he's taking the class. Ark thinks of himself as better than the rest of the Acolytes and better than the very few Crusaders, but he cannot pass up any opportunity to be instructed by anyone who he considers better than himself, and thus worthy. It's certainly a funny way of looking at things considering most would think they should be the ones deeming him worthy to be taught by him, it has always been Ark's way of looking at things that gives him an advantage over the average mind.

One of the other reasons that Ark is taking this class is because he worships the capabilities the force allows. Ark prizes his mind above all else, which is surprising considering his physical appearance. Ark sees the force as an extension of his mind, and thus is by far his most powerful ability. The force, after all, is more powerful than his most powerful physical strike. Any way to enhance his grasp on the knowledge of and performance with the force would make him more powerful than he could possibly imagine.

Ark's eyes couldn't make out what it was he was now seeing. The blur is the only thing left of what the Crusader made of himself. The speed is far more impressive than he had imagined. Moving fast enough to be only a blur in the eyes of even a Kushari, is extremely formidable. The sheer power of it all is more impressive than the fact that he can perform it in the first place, but that's not to say it isn't impressive he knows the ability in the first place.

Ark's muscles twitch at the very thought of being able perform such a feat. The Crusader clearing his throat, allows him to know where he ended up, and Ark quickly turns to see. In such a small amount of time, the Crusader made amazing time. A fraction of a second could land him on the other side of the large room, and that is most impressive to Ark. He so desperately wants to attempt it, but he doesn't know where to start or how to go about it.

It's frustrating to Ark that he doesn't know how to perform the task, but it certainly shouldn't surprise him. Only watching him perform the act shouldn't give the secrets away too easily, but that's why he's taking the class, so that he may be taught. Such a skill can't and should never be taught by example. He simply wouldn't get what he needed out of observing. explanation, however, would allow him to make the ability really come through.

The Crusader continues explaining his lesson plan, and He leaps high into the air. The leaping Ark knows he is already capable of on his own physical abilities. What a Kushari is capable is quite amazing, but the leap the Crusader made was not only much higher than he could achieve on his own, but it is was much less straining than the winding up of his legs. The Kusshari knew he wouldn't be able to jump as high as the crusader without using the force to assist him.

Ark, suddenly feels belittled by the impressive stunt. On top of that, he is hurt by the fact that he safely lands from that height without making a sound. Ark couldn't hear anything as his feet touched the ground. he may have made an ever so subtle sound upon landing, but if he did, Ark would never know because of the rattling of the cages above him. Ark had at one time prided himself in his ability to move silently and sneak around, but the display of the landing is far beyond what Ark has ever seen.

Ark was motioned by the Crusader to line up on the wall behind him. Ark, being the good little soldier he has always been obeyed and listened for the go ahead to attempt, and he particularly listened for the explanation as to how he managed to feats. To Ark's dismay he would have to learn how to us the force to enhance his running capabilities before he learns how to leap and land beyond his own abilities.

Ark soaks up every last detail the Crusader had to offer, and he sits await while he attempts to figure out what each puzzle piece of information meant and where it fit. Ark closes his eyes as to imagine how it is supposed to be done. By the time he opens his mind, he can see another Acolyte already attempting, but not quite managing to sustain the run. Ark doesn't expect much from his own first attempts, but he's hopeful to put the information given to him by the Crusader to good use.

Ark breaths steadily, and he searches within the thick barriers in his mind for the connection to the dark side of the force he needs to be able to perform this task. He calls upon this dark side energy often enough when using other force abilities, but it is usually not as deeply immersed in the dark side as he would wish. Ark can tell that ht troubles of retrieving the connection to the dark side he desires so desperately will be more of a challenge than he would prefer.

Ark's lack of emotions is a setback, but it's not like the emotions don't exist. He only keeps them locked away in the depths of his mind so that they don't interfere with his mind's delicate work of strategizing. Perhaps, as a Sith this is an impairment, but that doesn't explain the Jedi. He truly believes that the dark side isn't necessary to perform such a task, but it is incredibly useful. Ark will attempt to connect to the dark side from deep within himself.

Ark realizes it isn't necessarily the fact that he puts up the barrier that prevents him from fully utilizing the dark side, but rather that the barrier isn't permeable. He will have to spend time outside of the class playing with this idea, but for now he will have to make a makeshift solution to the problem for now. By changing the wall into a funnel, he can channel the dark side energy through the barrier and into his body. This isn't to limit the rate or the quantity of the dark side he can tap into, but rather that it heightens the concentration. For now, the thought is only a thought, but can be fixed later to fit his needs of tapping into the raw power of the dark side.

Ark has never needed such a great amount of energy before, and now that he does, he finds that such changes are necessary to per for =m what may seem to be a simple task to others. But for him, the mind and the connection to the force is an incredibly delicate flower. It is beautiful, dangerous, and fragile.

Ark's newfound power flows into his body, but it isn't focused yet. He can feel the muscles he would normally use to sprint. It's as if he is moving them, but he knows otherwise. He focuses the energy into those muscle, the muscles that would move him forward faster than any others. He can imagine the force enhancing their strength and speed, but he doesn't let it take control just yet.

Finally, he lets it unleash itself, and his muscles activate, but unfortunately the force doesn't do anything. It's as if the energy is only along for the ride. Again he will try, but he will focus more on unleashing the power of the force via his muscles' activation. Ark's emotions are still safe, and locked away in his mind, but he can feel the power flowing from the dark side through his mind and into his body. The power pleases him, but he pushes that feeling down.

Ark activates his muscles once more and with the first two steps he dashes faster and farther than he would ever be able to imagine, but he cannot sustain the energy past the first burst. His next obstacle is that of controlling the energy in a flowing manner. Ark wants so desperately to be able to use the power to turn into the blur he had previously observed in his teacher, but it seems just so far away for the time being.

He knows that he must look foolish, but at least he isn't alone, he remembers the Acolyte doing the same thing just minutes before himself. Now that Ark has gotten a taste, he wants to attempt once again, but the issues arising pose a threat to his confidence. He wants to perform the speed, but he isn't completely sure whether or not his next attempt will even be more successful than his last attempt, but he will try regardless. The worst that can happen is that he will be left where he started unable to perform it, but the best is that he can completely utilize the power within himself to succeed in the task set before him by the Crusader. Ark is ready to try again, but his time, he is determined not to fail!

It's funny that the Crusader is able to perform it so easily. Ark cannot imagine him being in the same position as they currently are, but he knows that everyone starts somewhere. Why is it so unlikely that he had started in just the same manner? Ark is hopeful for being able to one day do the same has the Crusader. With such an ability, he can't even imagine the damage he will on e day be able to do, but he welcomes the thought.

 

[TheSilentWind]

Kes saw a Kushari and another human. The Mandalorian could feel their strong connection to the force that could present a future threat to Kes's plans. And then their was Crusader Nox he thought quietly in his mind, his body showing no signs of him thinking. The Crusader was strong in the force as well as a famed assassin. From what Kes heard, he was strong in methods assassin used to eliminate their opponents. Kes didn't know what path to take between Socerer and Assassin. Being a Warrior presented no interest to him as he saw warriors as mindless fools in some sense. He would need to pick a path quickly.

Kes saw as the famed Crusader turned to a blue as he attempted to focus on the Cursader's black mask. He had never seen a pure demonstration of force speed before and wished one day to reach the same level as Crusader Nox in that ability. Kes then saw a sudden burst of energy as the Crusader leaped near one shyrack cages. Once again the Crusader did not hesitate to impress as he seemed like a blur leaping at incredible levels. He was impressed by the Crusader's grasp at the ability. Kes then listened to the Crusader's instructions carefully as Nox ordered for the acolytes to demonstrate force speed as well as force jump.

Kes considered force speed to be his ace card, his first and last resort in battle. That would mean he was proficient in the ability although that did not mean that Kes also worked on his other abilities as well. The acolyte quickly began to prepare to use the forces reserves he built up during the meditation before the class. He began recollecting all the past experiences that had happened to him from the killing of his parents towards the killing of his master. Kes remembered one group that was responsible for this, the Jedi. His hatred for the Jedi had grown immensely as a result as he used his negative emotions to give him a fuel that he would use in force. Kes used force speed reaching inhuman levels as result. The acolyte now needed to use force jump. As Kes was using force speed, he began reducing his speed as reaching an exact point where he was able to jump and so he did, jumping a few feet in the air. He then landed impressed by his accomplishment but showing no hint of arrogance..

 

[Omnis]

Nox watched as each of the students took their turns performing the task. A couple of them elected to try some jumps, weak and small as they were. Over all, their attempts weren't bad. He had certainly seen far worse, with some Acolytes running headlong into walls, knocking themselves out, or jumping too high without control and breaking their ankles. Each of the students here showed some restraint, which was good.

"If I let one of these Shyracks out of its cage," Nox mused aloud. "Do you think it would simply fall to the ground? No. It would exert force downwards in order to slow its descent, forcing resistance against the direction of gravity. So, in turn, you will need to find a way to do the same in order to land safely."

Nox once again leaped into the air, this time catching the side of one of the lower cages and hanging from it. The Shyrack inside shrieked its displeasure and surprise, winging back further in the cage to get away from Nox. The short Crusader hung there for a moment before dropping down, expelling a hissing breath as his knees took all the force of the landing. He collapsed into a low crouch, his palms slapping the floor.

"The difference between a leap and a fall," Nox said, rising slowly. "Is intent. Never let yourself be caught off guard, never let yourself be thrown without even some slight issuance of intent. Bend your knees, push off, bend your knees again, push down. That is how you make a successfully Force fueled jump. Try it now, if you think you've gained enough insight."

At best they would reach the same height as one of the lower cages. Of course, he probably should have warned them against touching the cages. The Shyrack were not afraid of the Acolytes like they were Nox. They were fast creatures with sharp teeth.

 

[LordOfShadows]

After getting his speed to a decisive point, he stopped his attempts to listen to what the crusader had to say. He mentioned about falls after a force jump and demonstrated how to fall correctly while also disturbing one of the grisly creatures in its cage. Ysamor didn't want to have any broken limbs when he tried this exercise. He stopped to think about what the crusader said and thought about combining the training he had taught them. 'What if I focused my power in my lower body to break the fall, while using the form the crusader taught us,' he thought. Though not totally sure, he tried it out for himself. The shyracks didn't scare him, but he didn't want to accidentally lose a digit or an arm to one of those things. Then he started to wonder, 'When was the last time they fed these abominations.'

Ysamor bent his knees focusing his dark side energy within his legs and thighs, then eventually pushing downward to raise himself off the ground. He rose about a couple of meters in the air close toward one of the lower cages and the shyrack began to rattle and swing the cage in his direction. Almost losing composure, he started to fall and bent his knees on returning to the hardened floor with the power still focused in this lower body. It wasn't as bad as he thought. His landing wasn't the best, but not the worst either. A small sting emerged in his left shin, but not enough for him to be bothered by it. The shyrack seemed to be laughing at him. Only thing he did was glare at it with contempt. A lowly beast wouldn't get the best of him. 'It's teeth would make a nice necklace,' he thought with a grin.

He decided to try the force jump again and repeated what he did earlier with a little more power within his legs. Trying about three times before he had real success. This last force-enhanced leap was even stronger than the last ones. The leap was higher than the shyrack's cage now. The shyrack swung its cage toward him again and this time he propelled himself off of the side of the cage with his right foot, reverting the energy of the shyrack's swing into a backflip. The back flip ended with him landing on his feet bent taking upon the force of the fall. A evil grimaced graced his face. This was very pleasing to him. He new his power would only continue to grow and his enemies would eventually cower in his presence. First things first. He had to successfully complete his training and actually become Sith himself before he would be able to think about ranking power. He was only just a nobody trainee who was learning simple things that would help him complete his goals.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark hadn't quite gotten the hang of correctly applying the use of the force to enhance his movements, but the good little soldier he was, perked up to what his superior had to say. Ark now knows the core concepts behind each ability, and his attempts to try the jump will come after he deems himself proficient enough in the running.

Several attempts leave him doing a version of the splits that is far more painful or stumbling over himself, but he has mainly made admirable attempts that are improving with each attempt. Soon enough, ark makes it through his hiccups, and manages to find a pattern in the force as he runs that allows him to take multiple steps before forcing himself to slow down again.

Moving at such speeds is certainly new to Ark, and will take a great deal of getting used to. Viewing his surroundings at the same time as running, is a new sensation, but he is already making it past the blurriness, and managing to see his surroundings already more clearly. Ark can already think of a few uses for the new observational ability. Ark wants to experiment further with the ability to perceive his surroundings, and with his speed enhancing abilities, but he can already see he is falling behind on the lesson, though not without a higher understanding of the ability tag he guesses the others have achieved.

Ark like to practice until perfect, and search for new things he had missed in repeating an activity, though this wasn't the time for that just yet. He will have plenty of time to explore the extent of the ability later.

Ark's task for now is to exceed his already staggering ability to jump. Ark thinks of how he ran, and attempts to apply the ability in a similar manner, but his first attempt only brings him up a few meter, which is actually normal for his jumping. Ark focuses on what he had missed, and instead of focusing more on speed, tries to create a more power-based jump. The force flows through his every muscle, and Ark attempts again. Ark flies into the higher depths of the room, and finds himself approaching the ceiling of the sagging heights of the room. The height he managed to reach was nearly impossible he thinks to himself, as he braces himself for the powerful impact on the ceiling of the cave. Ark's hands manage to negate the force of the jump as he reaches out for the chain where it is hooked to the ceiling.

Ark's view is incredible as he can see the full size of the room, and the Acolytes and Crusader below seeming so minuscule. The cages hanging far below him retain the predators that shake against the bars of the cages. Far below that is the distant ground. So hard, and so far away, yet only one way down. Ark's understanding of landing without hurting himself is only in words. he has no experience, and nothing to compare the experience to. It's sink or swim now.

Ark lets go of the chain, and lets himself drop to the ground. Faster, and harder, he falls. At some point he would have been able to land without hurting himself, but even a Kushari cannot safely land a distance as high as the ceiling of the cave without injuring himself. That's beyond his capabilities. his only option is to figure out how those words relate to actions. Ark pushes out with the force, and tries to slow himself any bit before reaching the ground.

His eyes are closed, and his heart beats evenly. His tail is motionless in the air, and Ark can actually feel himself slowing down, and nearly hovering to some extent. HE could feel the force pushing down in the action to slow his decent. Ark was wrong. He opens his eyes to lose concentration, and he falls the rest of the way without the force to assist him, but by that point, he is already at a height that he can easily survive without the aid of the force, and hi Kushari body easily takes the landing.

Excited to make a second attempt, Ark immediately leaps back into the air. The jump was possibly one of the easiest things he'd learned, and was a pinnacle to his the force's enhancements on his body. It is something that he had taken for granted in the past, but now that he has applied the force to the action, it is far more than it has ever been previously. though he still has a lot to understand about it, and has a lot to see moderation in it, but he enjoys it none the less.

The leap was instantaneous and was more of a reaction to the recoil in his landing, rather than an intentional leap altogether. He flies at an able, but with a great force that he can tell kicked up dust in its wake, and he crashes into one of the hanging cages. The Shyrak in the cage flutters its wings upon impact, and is thrown against the cage where Ark lands on it. Ark looks into the predator's eyes at it recuperates, and he can see how vicious it is within the bars, and he can tell that it desperately wants out. The cage swings across the room, unbothered by the other hanging cages. A few of them still jiggled from previous encounters with the Acolytes or the Crusader.

The cages begins to swing back in a long arc, and the creature regains itself in the cage, and attacks Ark, but his reflexes outmatch even how fast the creature is. Ark lets go of the bars, and falls back to the ground at an angle, but falling faster than he'd normally fall, due to the swinging of the cage. This time, though Ark concentrated more and focused on slowing his decent. Ark doesn't open his eyes until he feels the ground on his toes.

He knows he was in the air for a good long time, but it was necessary for him to get used to the ability. He knew he was falling in slow motion, but he promises himself that he'd perform the landing better the next time he fell to the ground. For the purposes of stealth, though, it was perfect. Not even Ark's sensitive ears could pick up any sound despite the clanking of chains and subtle shrieks of the beasts above him. Ark knows this is because if the extent he used the ability, causing him to fall in slow motion, but also, because of his already extensive knowledge of landing without using the ability, and because of his biology creating the soft pads on his feet that simply absorb any excess sounds made upon contact.

Ark's only mission is to speed up that landing process without sacrificing the stealth abilities it offers.

 

[Omnis]

Nox gave them a silent nod as they finished up, waiting for them all to turn back to him. He stayed silent for a moment, letting the slowly decelerating cages come to a stop before speaking again. Their chains clinked and creaked for a minute, the only sounds in the room as the angry Shyracks inside watched the Acolytes with bloodlust filling their eyes to the brim. One of the more indignant creatures tapped a talon against its perch impatiently.

"Good. You have shown that you understand the basic principles of these techniques. Now, I will give you some more detailed knowledge of these abilities before putting you through a test.

When you are utilizing the Force to augment your speed, pulse the energy through your body with every motion you make, accompanying every swing of your limbs and expelling in the opposite direction that you are trying to push your body. Expel the energy, using that power to push you even further. Do not ask of the Force, but instead take. Even as you are expelling its energy, draw more in from the other side. Pull it, and let it pull you. This is the most effective way to utilize the Dark Side in augmenting your running. Additionally, it will somewhat aid in increasing your airspeed during a leap. However, that is not something I recommend focusing on until you are more advanced in both techniques.

When leaping, keep in mind that you will need as much energy for your descent as you put into your ascent. Don't overreach, as you will cause a sure failure. Measure your distance, the necessary energy, and make a calculated jump. Wildly throwing yourself into the air will get you killed. Set aside an amount of energy for the take off, then another set for landing, use the first, then use the second. Compartmentalize those sets of energy somewhere in your body and mind, use them one at a time."

Nox waved a hand in the air and three cage doors swung open with loud screeches. The Shyracks inside stared at the open portals, quivering with anxiety. Then Nox dipped his head backwards some, and the avian monsters took wing.

"Survive for a full sixty seconds, Acolytes, and your test will be complete. Don't touch or harm these Shyracks. I need them for other classes."

Sixty seconds being chased by a Shyrack was a long time. It didn't sound that way, out loud or mentally, but in experience it was grueling. It was a test designed to test the Acolytes' physical endurance. Normally running for sixty seconds, even at a dead sprint, would not be a problem. But inexperienced as they were with augmented speed and leaping, the Dark Side would chew through their physical reserves in no time at all. In addition, their bodies would overheat extremely quickly. It would be interesting to see how well they fared.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark felt confident that in time he would be able to hone his abilities so that he may actually use them effectively, and without exhausting himself so quickly. He has a lot of kinks to work out in both abilities, such as the flow of his running, not to mention the extent of his running. He found that he could only sustain a run for only a few moments, and the resulting use of energy was rather disappointing to his usual conservatism in using the force.

As far as his force enhanced leaping was concerned he had no problem with leaping the greatest distances, but he could feel that he had a severe lack of moderation conceding the leaps. He needed to control the strength of his leaps so that he didn't go barreling head first into a wall or ceiling, though gauging distance will be something done with practice. His landing, however was severely lacking.

The amount of time it took to utilize it would be best accompanied with stealth, though use in a battle field would make him a favored target, since it took him so long to land along with the higher levels of concentration necessary while performing the action. Ark's progression through his newly learned skills was less than satisfactory, but it seems that Ark grades himself the harshest when it comes down to expectations. Even Nox seemed to think higher of Ark than himself regarding his grasp on the skills.

Crusader Nox began to explain the finer points of the skill, which Ark knows will greatly assist him in the understanding of this skill. It will help him last longer while using it, and help to moderate the aspects that are too much or too little. Ark would like to have had the time to practice this a great deal, since the new information would hone the skill to be one of Ark's more valued skills, but by the waving of the Crusader's hand, Ark knew that he wouldn't be granted the time to do that.

The Shyrack were released from their hanging prisons in a startled pleasure that Ark could tell he would rather have not seen. The predators were certainly pleased with their freedom, and took to the air in a frenzy. Wings fluttered briefly before shooting them like darts at the Acolytes, though they seemed to avoid their teacher. It must be the reason the Shyracks hadn't attacked him while hanging on the cage while attacking Ark when he did just the same.

Ark can tell that the next few moments will be more than he bargained for, though it is rather perfect to hone his skills on the run. Nothing can teach you better than experience, and is why the Crusader chose to release the bat-like creatures. Their teeth bare as they screech to the ground where they all sat. razor claws gleam off the little light in the room, while Ark waits until the last second to move, but not because he's frozen with fear,but rather because he knows that moving anytime before may prove to be fatal for himself.

Though he hasn't had much experience at all with the winged beasts, he knows just how fast, agile, and dangerous they are. They are practiced predators in the depths of caves, where agility is a necessity. Turning on a dime is hardly a problem for them and is precisely the reason why Ark would need to move at he last possible second.

Ark can already feel the first blows of exhaustion hitting him from his initial encounters with the force abilities, and thus he knows that he won't be able to go on very long. 60 seconds is a very long time in a high energy environment! Ark has proven to have a higher level of stamina than most human counterparts, but only by a little if even at all. His high density in muscle makes him lack the stamina needed to continue a full on chase... or retreat.

Ark's experience with being chased is next to none, though chasing is ingrained in his mind. he would have to replace himself in the place of the prey in order to know just how to move in order to avoid the claws of the Shyrack. If it weren't for the order of his teacher, he would have leaped toward the Shyrack the moment it was released from the cage, though he seems to need it for other classes. He would have to pretend to be afraid of them, for now.

Ark's suppressed emotions makes this act rather difficult, but his mind tells him there is a way around being chased. If he doesn't want to be chased, he can just be apart of the impending chaos. He doesn't need to be chased, but rather just be. Timing and environmental awareness will be his ally since he will not be able to hunt the Shyrack.

The moment has arrived, and Ark dashes out of the way to a wall where he intends to try to lose the Shyrack chasing him. He doesn't sustain the run, and rather tries to conserve his energy as much as possible, but the beating of wings growing on his back force him into a dash once again as he approaches the wall. Upon reaching the wall, one leg up helps to angle his force leap to shoot directly across the room. His moderation is still not present in his leap, though he had made a conscious note in his mind on just how far that unhindered leap sent him.

The Shyrack, however was not shaken, and held fast on his tail. The other Shyrack seemed to be after their own prey, and Ark was faced with a single Shyrack for the moment. Landing against the wall, he lets himself top down to the ground where he forces himself to concentrate, but to also keep his eyes open as to absorb the incoming events around him. he manages to slow down briefly, but he couldn't quite grasp the ability to slow down. he falls to the ground. Perhaps he's trying too hard with his force leaps? He tends to have a natural ability with the leaping, and maybe that's what's making them so much more powerful than they need to be?

Ark's feet touch the ground next to the wall, but he wasn't slowed nearly as much but he force than he would have liked, and the landing was rather hard. Ark can see the Shyrack closing in fast as he glances ever so briefly above himself. A quick dash and a leap is his next coarse of action, though with the leap, he focuses more on hindering is leap than letting it loose. The flow of the force is rather slower than he had previously felt upon learning the ability, and while he's in the air, he coasts gently to his intended target, and though it wasn't nearly a perfect leap to his target landing zone, it was much better than he had intended.

Ark lets himself fall as the Shyrack quickly catches up to his position, and again he tries to land, but hinders his exertion of the force just enough for him to fall faster than the previous slow motion falling he had displayed previously. The fall was still quite slow, and the Shyrack above him managed to knick him as it easily caught up with him. The razor sharp claw sliced over his left shoulder at skin deep, and thus Ark barely noticed it, though he did look over his shoulder for a quick glance to the predator, and found that the knick happened to be right over one of his already established markings. The scar tissue may be a bit thicker, but anyone who doesn't know him intimately wouldn't notice that he'd even been scratched there.

The memento Ark's feet touch the ground, he leads into a sprint, where he manages to keep the running going for much longer than he's ever done before this moment. he zigs and zags across the floor in an attempt to lose the bat, but the creature holds fast behind him, blasting his back with the force of its powerful wings. Ark's stamina is minimal now, and he guesses he's only half way through the timer. Ark will have to slow things down, but the predator so close behind him will make that more than difficult!

Ark watches the other's while continuing his dashing zig zag pattern, to watch as one of the Shyrack head directly down towards his target. Ark leaps at a very carefully calculated angle just before the Shyrack. He concentrates on the level of his leap in order to not leap too fast, too slow, nor too far. Ark flies through the air, and he can see the Shyrack ahead of him where they are seeming ly on a collision coarse. The shy rack behind him is focused so much on Ark that it hold fast to his tail that literally flails in the wind behind him.

*Thump- Phwiff*

Ark barely manages to clear the collision coarse just in from t of the Shyrack he was heading for, The Shyrack behind him manages to clip the other, which damages him more than the other. It is now disoriented and hasn't a clue where Ark had gone. Ark then begins to take his time between leaps where he leaps at intervals where all three Shyrack are in the middle of the room at once, and he crosses the room with a dash or a leap. With each leap, he moderates it all the more. Each landing is faster, but still safe. Each dash is sustained, and Ark can feel the time running out fast!

 

[LordOfShadows]

Ysamor listened carefully as the crusader gave them further instruction. The instruction was that they were to pulse the force through them and not ask for its permission. He understood what was required of him. It would also be the reason why couldn't hold the technique as long, but he found how long he could hold it close enough without the pulsing it. He wouldn't take the advice for granted. Given the chance, he would apply it to himself. The technique would improve overtime. As long as he continued to use it and train himself. One thing he wasn't expecting was for their instructor to release the shyracks and also adding in that they were to survive for 60 seconds without hurting the shyracks themselves.

A smile was wiped off of his face when he heard they couldn't harm the creatures, but he would take this opportunity to help him. Maybe it would even give him an advantage in battle. You never knew what you might be up against and survival was key. In all, he kept focus that this training could help him get out of a tight bind. He hoped to be a Sith assassin one day and he knew that killing everything in sight would not necessarily keep him alive. This was a brilliant idea by the crusader, or so he thought.

Upon the cages opening, the shyrack that he taunted sprang from the cage heading his way. Ysamor pulsed the dark side through him like the crusader taught them. He turned to a blur and ran straight at the shyrack barely missing a stray talon. The shyrack changed its course and started to gain on him. This seemed to be a little ridiculous. He knew the creatures were fast, but not that fast. The only thing he could figure would to be to run around in circles. Eventually, the creature was starting to get the better of and scratched his left arm. He quickly formed an idea. He felt his force reserves being drained and it currently was the only thing he could think of.

He force jumped into one of the cages and shut the cage using telekinesis. The shyrack swatted at the cage with fury and aggression. Some slight blood dripped from his arm, but it wasn't too bad. Though he hated that the beast ruined his robes, the slight pain of his arm was nerved him. It had been a long time since he felt pain. The feeling was intriguing. The beast continued to harass him, but he wasn't about to let that thing get to him anytime soon. At least, they only had about a few seconds left to spare. Their instructor told them to survive. Though, he didn't explain how to survive.

 

[Omnis]

Nox watched in silence as the Acolytes bounded all around the room, doing their best to stay out of harm's way. More importantly, out of the Shyracks' way. Those two things were at least partially exclusive from one another. After all, the Acolytes were nearly as much danger to themselves as the Shyracks were. However, it didn't appear that they were going to be eaten or killed. At least not within that sixty seconds that Nox had allotted.

He watched with distaste as the large one, Ark of the Kushari, outmaneuvered two of the winged beasts and caused them to crash into each other. It was a cheap way of avoiding blame for their harm, but Nox had been unspecific. His own reticence was to blame. Besides which, their injury wasn't major. The beasts could still well serve.

One of the Acolytes, Ysamor, jumped into one of the cages and closed the door. It was an amusing tactic, as again Nox had been unspecific. It might have worked, too, if the Shyrack hadn't been able to bring sonic assault to bear. The Shyrack were infamous for their ability to scream at unnatural volume using the Force, a technique more technically labeled as Force Bellow when used by sentients like the Sith or the Jedi. Just as the Shyrack sucked in a breath to unleash its sonic fury on Ysamor, Nox made a sharp but brief click with his mouth. The beast turned its head to look at him, whereby Nox gave a small gesture with his head. The Shyrack winged back a few paces, snarling at Ysamor.

"Good." Nox said once the sixty seconds was up. He opened all of the cage doors, including the one Ysamor was in. Releasing a few quiet squeaking sounds, Nox whipped his arm in a circle in the air and then pointed at the ceiling. The free Shyracks responded immediately, going to their cages. Including the one that made its home where Ysamor currently stood.

Ysamor was not the only one that could be cheeky. Nox had some humor of his own, though it was rarely so funny to others.

"Are there any questions now, Acolytes?"

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark had managed to disappear in the chaos of the chasing after falling out of the shy rack's targets. That had given him the leeway to slow down his pace just a enough to last the last few seconds. Ark had noticed the other Acolyte hiding away in one of the cages and the sight was hurting Ark's eyes in the manner that the Acolyte would result to the only other survival tactic. There is fight, flight, or hide. Hiding derives from desperation or fear, and Ark finds it rather difficult to see how an Acolyte could succumb to fear. It also shows a lack of confidence. A lack of confidence in his own abilities and perhaps an overestimation of his environment.

If Ark wasn't so out of breath he would have sighed, but he finds that the air that at one time was rather normal in temperature as grown as cold as ice, but it somehow burned his lungs. Despite the window to relax that he had given himself, Ark still found it rather difficult to preserve his energy. The experience was rather beneficial, because the active application of his new ability would cause him to draw upon the power, though newly learned, from instinct, memory, and quick thinking on the field of action. Ark has always enjoyed these 'Learn by Experience' lessons. He's always learned more by doing in the field that doing in a classroom setting or just in theory.

Throughout the experience, he hadn't managed to use the pulsing that was described by the Crusader, but through further training and perseverance, he would soon be able to. These, however, would have to be done on his own time, because it seems that the Crusader has more to do than keeping the students. Ark loves the opportunities to encounter a Crusader and to learn as much as possible, but any higher ranking Sith is always more popular, and they don't always have the time to give to the individual.

A click left the Crusader's mouth and the Shyrack's immediately obeyed their master by replacing themselves inside their cages. Ark immediately stood in attention before his teacher while watching the creatures' obedience. Ark noticed the Shyrack that must have been chasing him making himself at home in his cage. It looked as though it was taking more care not to involve one of its wings in its movements. Though, it may have taken the collision quite hard, Ark knows the resilience of animals, and he knows that they are more resilient than most of the Acolytes he's encountered in the temples. It's sad to see that the bulk of the student body of the Sith temple could be replaced by animals, but perhaps with time, they could come to be where Ark is standing now.

The Shyrack the other had hit mustn't have taken the hit so badly, because the other two were nearly indistinguishable. Neither of them are hurt, so the way that Ark sees it is if the Shyrack weren't as confident in their abilities as Ark was, perhaps they shouldn't have given him chase. Their collision is the result of their own failure to observe their surroundings and their own failure in their ability to outmaneuver the obstacles before him. That's what is so unnatural about a predator that's lower on the chain of dominance hunting an apex predator. That's how Ark sees himself, is as an Apex Predator. Perhaps it's his confidence in the power of the Sith, but he knows that there is Very little that can even compare to even himself as an Acolyte, let alone any higher ranking Crusader or Master.

Ark's view returns to face that of the Crusader as he keeps his body in attention position. He controls his breathing as to not show his lack of strength at the moment. Appearance, after all, is everything. Ark's breathing slowly returns to normal, but he knows that the lesson has yet to end.

"Are there any questions now, Acolytes," the Crusader asks them.

Are there any questions? Of 'course there are a hundred questions, but Ark would have to limit them to the best of the questions. Though the question Ark thinks is best is rather complicated in the answer, he expects a rather simple answer in response. It isn't necessarily about the abilities he'd just learned, more of what they can provide for him beyond the surface of their capabilities.

Ark tries to address him as formally as possible, "Crusader Nox. I have a question." Without wasting any moire of his time with any sort of pause between speaking, he continues his inquiry.

"What do these abilities lead to?" Ark asks in the simplest form of the question. He expects that the Crusader must know what the true meaning of the question is, due to having been asked it at least a few times, but just in case, he would expand he question.

"I'm sure that these abilities have further applications than just running, jumping, and landing. What abilities will be be able to learn on the foundation of these abilities?" He hopes that the question wasn't out of bounds for the subject of the class, but he thinks it's more than not necessary for the enthusiasm of the class. This will bolster the anxiousness to strive for the better, and to look to the future, by focusing on the present. If he was lucky, he'd gain a demonstration.

Ark's suspicions are that the speed ability may be applied to more than just running in the form of enhancing movements of the upper body, with enough practice of 'course. Could he apply this to his lightsaber combat, or even his unarmed combat? The movements of running are pounded into his mind, and the action of running is only an after thought, and based off of habit and reflex, but he rather has to think a great deal about his lightsaber combat. Perhaps at the point that he'd be able to apply the ability to his lightsaber techniques is more of an application to take place after his lightsaber training is more or less complete... When it's all reflex.

The technique used in jumping, he assumes, can certainly be applied to a lightsaber strike or a physical strike with a foot or fist. Perhaps that may be easier to apply than the speed, but he doesn't yet know if it's even possible. It's merely a suspicion at this point, and hopefully one that the Crusader will confirm. The last ability to slow. What might a further application of that be? Could slowing apply to objects traveling toward Ark? Slugs? Objects thrown with telekinesis? Is slowing just an advanced form of telekinesis? Perhaps the Crusader will tell him of an advanced application of the slowing ability.

HTe part of his answer that Ark most anticipates though, is his answer as to what these abilities may lead to. Will he be able to use his teaching of the force slow to create a voce barrier or even use tutaminis? It's not too likely that these abilities will apply to many other abilities than what they truly are, but it's a good questions that will satisfy a great curiosity regardless.

 

[LordOfShadows]

The screech of the shyrack about made his ears bleed. He even temporarily lost his hearing. This was not the predicament he wanted to be in, but you never know what you're going to expect out on the battlefield and on missions. He wished that he could have attack the creature instead of closing himself in a cage like an animal. His left ear started to drip blood on his robes. The shyrack gave what he thought was a death stare, so he stared back. The creature was suddenly radiated with fear. Though, it wasn't from him. Ysamor looked down and he had to figure that it was Nox. The only person these things are were afraid of was their instructor.

The cages suddenly opened and Ysamor took his first chance to bail when the shyrack attempted to make it's way back in. He landed on his feet, bending his knees slightly to partially absorbed the shock of what his dark side energy didn't. The acolyte Ark seemed to be fine for the most part. At the moment, he couldn't really tell. His loss of hearing somewhat threw off his other senses. He appreciated what the crusader did, nonetheless. The class was prominent in his studies to become an assassin. The eagerness within him was a reminder that he wouldn't stop until he'd gotten what was due to him. Power and glory were to be his one day. It was promise to himself that he would not break.

His hearing started to clear up when the crusader ask if they had any questions. From the training he had just received, if any questions he had were already answered. Out of respect, he stood quiet as the other acolyte asked a few questions. There were convenient enough questions. Ysamor already knew the answers to the majority of the questions. The last question Ark asked started to lead him to become curious. To add on to the foundation would be pivotal in their improvement as force users. Hopefully, these skills would lead him to become Sith. He wondered how his instructor would answer the questions.

 

[Omnis]

"Technically speaking," Nox replied. "There aren't many abilities that come directly out of these. Though there are a few, such as levitation, flight, and what some refer to as Force Body or Rage. Those abilities, however, are all advanced in some respect and require intense study for a great period of time. You won't be entering that study for a while." Nox gestured with an open palm, as if giving the students something else to think about. "However, there are many more advanced abilities in the Alter class that stem from telekinesis, which is definitely enhanced by one's knowledge and expertise in these abilities. You probably already know of many of the other telekinesis abilities, such as repulses and waves. A few more abilities that retain some foundation from these instead of telekinesis would be Weapon, Alter Environment, and Alter Damage."

Nox took a few steps back, then gave his class a light bow.

"I will be moving to the nature room for some meditation. Those that wish to can join me. Once I am ready, I will be engaging in further practice of the abilities you've learned today. Should you remain and be willing, I would be pleased to offer you a second session today. But we will be practicing far more than studying theory."

 

[Flamjetxx]

Incredibly pleased by the response that he was given, Ark didn't really expect that he'd be able to learn many of the abilities listed by his teacher. It is just fun to know what you can aspire to, and it's always motivating to see what practicing your current abilities, no matter how weak they may seem, can benefit you in the future. Ark has been more than satisfied with the class, and he feels more attuned with his physical self now that he has his mind to back him up in the way of the force. Ark's immediate response to the Crusader's bow was an accentuated nod that included a barely noticeable bow, but he is immediately returned to attention.

His teacher's offer was more than convenient to the Kushari, and he wouldn't pass the opportunity up. Ark would follow the Crusader closely as he didn't really know where he was going, nor did he like to travel through the tunnel, given its potential to be a death trap for an ambush. Though he would never think anyone or thing would be foolish enough to ambush any of them, the thought was still in his head. the nature room sounded exponentially more pleasing a place to study and practice, and Ark highly anticipated the room. He could already smell the room, though it's only his imagination, he relished the thought.

The chance to train with a teacher is highly valuable to Ark, more in part that he's never had a master, but more rather due to the fact that any mistakes or imperfections in his form could be spotted and rectified by the more experienced individual. Ark is still a little out of breath from the longest minute of his day, but the mere thought of this nature room was enough to make him forget about that moment completely. Ark would lilt to think that this new environment would be far more relaxing, though with all the creatures the Crusader kept in the cave, he wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find he keeps more about in other locations of this compound.

 

[LordOfShadows]

The responses that Nox gave were expected as much. Though he mentally received the things the crusader mentioned. It looked like the lesson was over. Ysamor was tired, but not tired enough to do more training. Th best time for more training was when you had already exhausted a lot of energy. You could condition your body to do more than it would normally be able to do. His blood was flowing through vessels empty of adrenaline. He decided that he would follow the crusader and continue training to increase his capabilities to hone his skills. Since they were going to meditate, it would give him time to replenish his strength and force reserves. He took even breathes to control his heart rate. Passing out was not an option. It would also have been more or less embarrassing.

He followed the crusader out of the training room because staying in the room gave off bad vibes. It had been the first time he had stepped in this part of the academy and it already nerved him. Some thoughts casually crossed his mind. Similar to that of, when was this wing of the academy built, how long would this next training session going to be, what is the nature room, does it have deadly plants? The latter question is the one that concerned him the most. Not being too fond of plants, he didn't like plants that constantly moved or that tried to eat him. It was just one of those things that got under his skin. He would prefer the shyracks than the plants, but that wasn't saying much.