Contention vs Aggression

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance loved his data-pad. On it he could do just about anything he wanted from researching Sith philosophy, to sending out a general challenge to any and all acolytes in the Korriban temple. The latter of which he did, and he had just gotten a response from one of the acolytes. The challenge was simple enough, a duel between two acolytes to see which was better at saber work. Vance was at the clear disadvantage here despite all the training he had done since meeting No-Eyes, the Miraluka who had taught him the basics of Makashi. Vance was more comfortable using his fists rather than a saber still. This however, was exactly why he had issued the challenge, to gain experience and practice his skill at his chosen art. Perhaps this acolyte was just as inexperienced as he in saber combat, or perhaps not, he would see when he came.

No-Eyes had told him that Makashi was not so much focused on blade work as it was on fluid foot work. So Vance had practiced every chance he could since their meeting, in the halls, in his quarters and even now in the training room he had picked for this spar. The rules were simple enough, anything goes, no killing and first to make contact won the duel. As he waited, he maneuvered throughout the sparing ring in the arts of Makashi. His feet glided across the matt, though his movements still seemed stiff to him, as he tried to empty his mind and just move. His movements were still simple, but he knew there was a certain strength in simplicity. He advanced, retreated, sidestepped and advanced again as his mind slowly started to clear. He wasn’t sure how others meditated, but for him constant movement made it easier to calm his mind rather than sitting still and doing nothing.

 

[Kaminari]

Never one to turn down an opportunity to hone his abilities, Rayfe burned for a trial by combat to test his Ataru form. A relative novice, he had spent the past month practicing his blademanship and focusing the force into his movements. Ataru form was the perfect addition to his arsenal as he found himself to be strong in the Force and relatively lacking in other areas. When the dueling challenge went out from a fellow Acolyte, one Vance Ren, Rayfe saw the opportunity to improve whilst scouting out his competition. He made his way to the training room, and upon entry met the eyes of a fellow human practicing his footwork. Rayfe checked his surroundings, noting the relative space the training room provided, and stepped forth.

"Fellow Acolyte... I accept your challenge," he said softly with a determined gleam in his eye.

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance didn't have to wait long until his call was answered. That was one of the things Vance loved about the Sith, if he wanted to fight someone, he didn't have to go far. He gave the fellow acolyte a quick once over before acknowledging him.

"Greetings," Vance said gesturing for the acolyte to join him in the ring, he took his lightsaber and activated the orange blade with the familiar snap-hiss and gave the traditional Makashi salute before getting into the stance he had been taught. His left shoulder was facing the acolyte as Vance got into a comfortable crouch ready to either strike or retreat as needs be.

"The challenger gets the first move."

 

[Kaminari]

Rayfe acknowledged his opponent and ignited his standard red Sith lightsaber. "A Makashi user, eh? Let us test the boundaries of his defense," he thought to himself. Momentarily, Rayfe held his lightsaber vertically in the Ataru ready position as he entered dueling distance. "The challenger gets the first move," said his opponent. That was all it took to set Rayfe in motion. The words had barely left the mouth of his foe before he began his assault. Ataru is not known as the Aggression Stance for no reason, after all! Rayfe channeled the Force through his limbs, feeling it empower him, and sprinted forward. He began with a rotational slash intended for the opponent's torso and followed it with a low sweep at the legs. Rayfe's speed enhanced by the Force would be difficult to contend with, but not impossible considering his relative inexperience. This would be an interesting test of skill for the both of them.

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Multiple scenarios entered Vance's mind as the acolyte charged him, but Vance discarded all to allow his freedom of movement. So far Vance had been taught in combat by two powerful sith. The first had taught him to move without thought, the later had taught him how to use the force in combat. Vance noted the tension in the acolytes muscles and as he moved, so did Vance.

Vance lowered his blade and charged forward, calling upon the force to enhance his own speed. Vance intended to interrupt his mark of contact and in doing so, Vance would bring his blade up in a diagonal slash from the hip to shoulder.

 

[Kaminari]

Rayfe was nearly caught off guard by the attack of his opponent. Perhaps he expected a more defensive opening from the foe? Either way, actions would need to be taken to end this duel as quickly as possible before the Force drained him of his energy. A quick spin, signature to Ataru Form, allowed Rayfe to narrowly avoid his opponent's blade and unleash a back hand slash aimed at the exposed torso. "Reaction time is key to any defense! The victory may lie with me..." he thought.

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance was already ducking as the acolyte spun in signature ataru form. Textbook attacks like that were fine and all, but they were easily readable. Then again, had Vance not been boxing since the moment he could make a fist, had he not been force sensitive, he probably would've been sliced in two with the acolytes attack. He had deactivated his lightsaber as he slipped under the red one so as not to have his bashed away. Continuing with his momentum he again activated and sprang up at the same time, jabbing with his saber at the acolytes waist.

 

[Kaminari]

A quick backward leap enhanced by the Force was all that kept Rayfe from being skewered by his opponent. He stood, somewhat in awe, and took a moment to compose himself. Rayfe was running out of stamina quickly, a major downside to his chosen Form. He knew that in a few more moves he would begin to tire and the fight would be decided. "This cannot be my limit..." he thought. He channeled his anger, fueled by his inability to end this as quickly as he'd hoped. Rayfe felt the Dark Side coursing through his veins. "Your reflexes are superb, but I'm not quite finished yet!" bellowed Rayfe as he leaped forward intending to bring his blade to bear on the head of his foe. If successfully blocked, Rayfe would attempt to batter his way through the defenses of his opponent with a rain of blows in an attempt to gain the edge.

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Smooth footwork was key for a Makashi user and Vance used his to side step the over hand blow. That was the problem with styles like ataru, all the acrobatics would quickly tire out an inexperienced user, even the masters had to carefully watch their stamina. It was less so with Makashi. Vance swept his back leg around to avoid the blow and brought his blade up to slash across the acolytes chest.

 

[Kaminari]

It was quickly becoming obvious that Rayfe was low on stamina. He tried his best to avoid the slash, but the wear and tear of Ataru on the body had left him flatfooted and tiring. The sting of the lightsaber was an unwelcome feeling as it tore across his chest. Even on the lowest setting, a saber strike could be intensely painful. Rayfe staggered back, reeling in pain. He felt his chest and realized it was going to be burned and bruised for quite some time. He couldn't stop himself at this point. His alter-ego kicked in. His manic state was experiencing rage unlike it had felt before. "HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" shouted Manic Rayfe. He felt all of his anger and rage coming to the forefront of his being. Deactivating his lightsaber, Rayfe channeled all his remaining force into a massive Force Push intended to slam his opponent against the training wall.

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance's blade met its target and the duel was won. However his victory was short lived as his opponent bellowed in outrage and sent a powerful force push at him. It was so unexpected that it caught Vance completely off guard and hurled him into the wall behind him with a painful thunk. As he got up his own anger bubbled forth fueled by his pain.

He stormed up to his opponent with murder in his eyes, "If you have a death wish, you know where to find me," he spat at him, "Next time read the rules before losing your temper." He pushed past him and stormed out of the room.