(ASK) Past Lessons Future Knowledge

[Vexillar]

It was almost hilarious, funny to the point of insanity, to him that he was doing this. That he was here, exposing himself in this manner. But he felt it appropriate to share his one weakness with the woman he had taken into his home. She was learning and he was sure this would be a valuable lesson for her. Regardless of how she used the power, it would be a humbling experience for her to understand that no matter who you met, or how powerful they seemed, everyone had something to learn. Even he, who had attained the rank of Arcanist through his skill in the Force and with silver tongue, had something to learn. Not just any power. But one of the most basic powers in the Force. Something students are usually taught day one, but his mentor felt it appropriate to hone Raith's telekinesis instead.

Today he and the Jedi Padawan would be learning how to protect themselves from the Force's physical powers and from other such attacks. Today they would be studying the technique known as Barrier.

There was another reason for him learning this now, of course. For when he had taken Erchitu into him, or rather during their fight, it became clear to him he lacked proper defensive techniques. He could heal himself through almost any encounter, and was quick enough to defend against most attacks. But what about others? Had he been able to shield his Apprentice maybe this could have been avoided. Had he been able to properly protect himself...But that was neither here nor there. All he could do was correct past mistakes and hope to move forward. Raith had another assignment for them to go on but he wouldn't go without knowing that she could properly defend herself and that he could defend her if she could not.

He had managed to learn the basics by fighting against it and by watching it be done. He knew the path but wasn't sure how to weave it all together. For that he had recruited a Crusader to aid them in this lesson for today. It was taking place in Raith's private quarters. He hated training in public. Too many eyes, too many minds. No. This was more private and he felt it'd be more comfortable for his Jedi companion.

 

[Alaisia]

Alaisia hurried toward V's room, curiosity filling her. She had received his message only moments before of him wanting to do a lesson with her. He didn't say about what, but it still filled her with excitement over learning a new skill. She tried to calm herself as she walked, hoping no one would notice her, until she reached V's door.

She knocked twice on the door and waited for his response.

 

[Vexillar]

He ushered Alaisia in, instructing her to stand as the Crusader spoke. The female Crusader wasted little time waiting, and the moment that Raith gave her the okay she flew into her lecture.

"Barrier is not unlike other Force Powers. It relies on will, it relies on your own raw power. Every blow against your defense takes a toll on you. You can deflect blaster bolts, gases, sabers, and explosions. You can create a barrier to block off passageways in your nostrils to allow you to hold your breath even longer, or filter out poisonous gas for the sake of breathing. Master this technique and you'll find your survivability increase ten fold. But as I mentioned. Each attack against your barrier will drain you of power equal to the magnitude of the incoming force. A single blaster bolt might feel like nothing, but a dozen, or two dozen will begin to have an impact. An explosion will certainly have an effect on you as well. Oh. It should also be mentioned that barrier is best used when remaining still. As moving while maintaining something of this concentration level is highly improbable."

She bowed her head and rolled her wrist silently asking if there were any questions.

Raith had none. He knew the ins and outs of this technique. Nearly everyone in the Order of Crusader and above knew this ability. It was some miracle he had lasted this long without it. He was an anomaly for sure, but he would be one no longer.

 

[Alaisia]

Alaisia paused. This was a stronger skill than she was expecting. As the Crusader explained the essence of the technique, she stayed quiet. She had no questions about the skill as the woman had answered them all in her explanation so when she motioned for questions, Alaisia shook her head and waited.

In her mind, though, she wondered the possibilities of the skill. Breathing underwater or in a poisonous environment would definitely be useful in the future. Even if she didn't have to actually use the skill, it was a good one to have. Alaisia nodded at V, trying to hide her grin, and waited for her chance to actually try it.

 

[Vexillar]

"If there are no questions. Then feel the Force around you. Grab it with your mind and bend it around you. Make your will physical. Manifest it into a shield imagine your will surrounding you like a blanket, and then push it outwards to surround you."

Raith took a deep breath. He found that spark inside of him, the pool of his will power. He reached our to feel the Force around him as he had done countless times before. He tugged on this pool of power, willing it to expand outwards. He found it...odd, but not unlike telekinesis. Just instead of affecting an object or person he was imparting his will on the Force. A gentle blue light formed around him as he focused, but he indeed found it difficult to think of little else, and in fact it didn't last very long. He frowned a bit and the Crusader nodded.

"Tis okay. It's a basic ability, but it's toll is not to be misunderstood."

 

[Alaisia]

Alaisia paused as she watched V try the skill. The smiled as she saw a shimmer around him and before she tried the same thing herself. She felt outwards, feeling the Force swirling around herself. But using it to make her will physical, it was difficult.

She focused hard, choosing to stare at the ground in front of her, but still no shimmer appeared around her. She fought back disappointment and tried again, this time noticing a slight shimmer to the air. It wasn't much. She doubted it was even a true Barrier, but it was something at least.

 

[Vexillar]

The Crusader smiled at Alaisia as she gave it her all. Her eyes flicked to Raith for a moment. She could see why he took such an interest in her. She was determined, filled with potential yet untapped. Oh the Arcanist was smart, he had a good eye. She was jealous, but she'd find her own diamond eventually. The woman stepped closer to the 'Acolyte' and nodded as the shimmer faded.

"You have the potential. It's there. Like I said, it's a difficult thing to learn. You are physically manifesting your will. Something Arcanist Vi'kaar can do easier because he has skills that are similar. This is your first one. Try this; imagine using your telekinetic ability. But instead of moving that power outwards to move something, imagine your will filling a space between you and the rest of the world. Flatten it, fold it over you like a bubble, and maintain it. Can you do that? Close your eyes, focus the Force through you."

Raith took a seat on the ground and held his hands out in front of him, he focused his energies again. The Twin Gods would see him through this. They wouldn't let him down, right? He focused on them, prayed to them silently and pulled their call through his body. He pushed their power out through his hands, directing the Force around him. He imagined it as threads to be woven together and again the Force materialized that. Threads coming together suddenly and solidified to form a wall around him. He fell into a meditative state, trying to hold this for as long as he could. It was hard, but as long as he was focused only on this he felt he could do it. At least that's what he thought. A few minutes later he had to stop it, as his head was pounding from the raw concentration he had put into it.

 

[Alaisia]

"Yes," Alaisia said, concentrating again. Closing her eyes, she looked inward to her own bubble of energy. Poking at it, she willed it to expand outward using the Force as she would have using Telekenesis. She felt a draw on her energy and opened her eyes for a moment to see a dull blue shimmer around her.

A smile cracked over her face and, suddenly, the shimmer was gone. She grimaced at herself for loosing her focus so easily and stole a quick glance over at V. Now seated on the ground, she watched as he held his barrier for a few moments and nodded to herself before she tried again.

 

[Vexillar]

Alaisia was truly something special. He flashed her a smile as she completed her first barrier. "Well done."

The Crusader nodded and motioned for them to bring their eyes forward. Raith did as instructed and watched as the woman created her own barrier. "In order to better understand the technique, you must fight against it. Come. Strike me." Raith looked to Alaisia and motioned for her to go up first.

 

[Alaisia]

"Come. Strike me."

Alaisia paused, but only for a moment as she saw V motion for her to go first. She quickly drew her lightsaber, igniting the blade quickly, and stepped toward the Crusader. She wasn't sure how to strike first, but she didn't want to hesitate too long.

As Alaisia approached, she feigned left but then swept her lightsaber to the right. She knew the barrier would without a doubt take the attack, but she still wanted her attack to be unpredictable, so she followed it up with another attack that, if the Crusader wasn't protected, would have hit her left side.

 

[Vexillar]

The younger woman would find her blade bounce of the rounded shield as she swung at the right. The Crusader was about to speak but found her barrier assaulted again on the left. She grinned at Alaisia and nodded. "Well done. I was not expecting such an...aggressive assault. But it seems you're as quick to take the initiative as you are to pick up a skill. Hm...Master Vi'kaar, sure you can't share her?" She chuckled as Raith arched an inquisitive brow. Waving him off she looked back to Alaisia. "As you have just seen, Barrier is an extremely useful technique. It will circle your body and protect you from all sides. At higher stages of skill, you can even use it to imprison enemy's by investing the power and causing the enemies attempts to break out to reflect back on him."

Raith a stepped forward and touched the shield. It felt complete for sure. "Arcanist Vi'kaar I'm sure you could break the shield if you desired. Which is the only thing to be aware of Alaisia. Your barrier will remain active for as long as you can maintain it. However, every attack is a direct hit on your energy reserves. So be wary of when exactly you decide to use it."

She nodded to Raith and the Arcanist held a hand out, lightning sparked around his fingers before lashing out at the sphere around the Crusader. It held up for a few moments before shattering. With precise control he cut off the lightning before he Crusader was damaged too badly.

The woman panted as she leaned against the wall. "Now. Alaisia, form your barrier and Master Vi'kaar will carefully strike it. We don't want to force you to pass out."

 

[Alaisia]

Grinning at the unexpected praise, Alaisia watched as V attacked the Crusader with a burst of lightning. It was no surprise to her when the barrier cracked so easily. She saw the Crusader lean against the wall and took note. When it was her turn, she'd have to either drop the barrier or faint for sure.

Alaisia nodded as the Crusader said that she would go first, cutting the blade to her lightsaber and stowing it before turning back to the Crusader. It only took a moment for her to focus and draw her barrier around herself. She waited patiently for V to attack her, trying to focus on maintaining her barrier for as long as possible.

 

[Vexillar]

"Dont hit her too hard." The Crusader warned as V stepped forward.

He drew his saber and ran it along the barrier. "Relax yourself, Alaisia. Tensing will only make it hurt more." Raith raised his hand and struck the barrier once...twice, and then put the blade away. He didn't wanna cause her too much pain. He was sure that the Crusader simply wanted Alaisia to feel what it was like to have her power siphoned like this. Raith wanted her to know too. That cash had taught Raith all he needed to know about the effects of having your barrier assaulted.

 

[Alaisia]

Gasping, Alaisia sagged a little as V hit her barrier. It was an unfamiliar feeling, the barrier drawing out her strength. It wasn't painful, not entirely. But it was enough to leave her dazed. Then V hit her barrier again and even more of her strength fled from her body. It wasn't enough to break her barrier. She was sure he did it on purpose... Seconds later, though, she had to let it go as she started to feel weak. As the last of the shimmer disappeared from around her, she leaned against the wall to steady herself.

 

[Vexillar]

The Crusader nodded.

"Very well done. Well you both can conjure the shield now. From here on out it is truly just about getting it down. Remember. When the shield is up, you'll be unable to move, or attack. It is the ultimate defence with the heaviest price. So be careful when and how you use this. Are there any questions?"

 

[Alaisia]

Alaisia shook her head, staying silent. She was happy about being able to keep her barrier up, and now sure that she could hold it if she did manage to be attacked by someone other than V. She would practice on her own, trying to keep the barrier up longer and longer each time.

She looked to V, wondering if the lesson would continue with him being assaulted this time.