The Selection

[Kalanda Tishire]

Location: Dathomir, Selection Testing Grounds

Kalanda wasn't sure what to make of all this, in all honesty. Eithni had told her what would be asked of her, and yet standing here it seemed a bit unreal. She looked around, taking note of how many of the sisters had gathered, and the number of men that were slowly gathering around her. Eithni had mentioned something about Nightbrothers, but she didn't quite understand what that meant. Perhaps these were the warrior fodder that the witches used. Very practical of them, Kalanda had to credit that idea, but it was a little messed up as well. She was really looking for Eithni, knowing that the Witch was out there and that soon they would have to fight one another. Whenever that was to come, Kalanda would have to get over her feelings and manage this. Standing unarmed, adorned in the robes of her beloved witch, Kalanda awaited for the trial to start. She tapped into the force, feeling a small bit of the ichor reach out to her as well.

Eithni had given her a bit of training and information about what was to come, she could only hope that was enough. She dug into the well of hate that boiled in her gut and let that fuel her as well, enhancing her strength and speed for the battle that was to come. If they were expecting her to fight several opponents at once, she was certainly going to need it. Failure meant the end of this adventure, and the end of her friendship with Eithni. She wasn't going to let that happen.

Dice Thread
@Raven_41

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

A lot from the clan had shown for the test of Kalanda Tishire, many with a different reason for why they wanted to witness this specific trial. Kalanda was told to stand in the middle of the ring that had light poles spread out within the ring and around the ring. All the elders stood gathered with Clan Mother in the centre, looking at Kalanda while Eithni stood beside her mom. The ones that hadn't shown was the sentries, children and a few Nightsisters who took care of the children.

A lot of whispers went around the ring as the crowd of Nightsisters had spread out in a half-circle around the ring. A lot of whispers went around and Kalanda could be certain that quite a few of them wanted Kalanda to lose the Selection. Eithni stood silently and waited for her mom to speak, "Sith Kalanda, you have upheld the bargain that was struck 2 days ago, but training is only as good as the one who practices it" Called out, to get everyone's attention.

"My daughter states you have learned our gifts, but it will be the trials of the Selection, that will determine if you truly have learned what my daughter said you did," said Mother Usara. By so, Eithni stepped forward and entered the ring, locking eyes with Kalanda. But, unlike their time together, showed Eithni no sign of excitement or cheerfulness, but a signs of seriousness. Eithni threw Kalanda's weapon of choice to her, which Kalanda had been asked to choose before the whole trial began and was either a spear, a mace or vibroblade daggers.

"The test of Fury, the test of Night and the test of Elevation. Defeat your instructor and the next test will begin, but be defeated by your instructor and you will fail it all, no matter how far you are and you must leave Dathomir at once" Explained the Matriarch.

"Begin!" Announced the Clan Mother.

Eithni dashed forward and jumped into the air coming in for a kick straight at kalanda's head. But instead of sending Kalanda in the ground, she miscalculated and the hight of her attack and went just over the Sith's head. When Eithni landed again, a loud popping noise came from Eithni's ankle when she landed again, followed by Eithni let out a loud hiss and a short cry out in pain. In high pain, Eithni stood, humping a bit, trying to find the most comfortable position to stand with her sprained ankle. They were a bit closer, but around ten to twenty feet from each other's position.

No shocking gasping noise came from the other Nightsisters when Eithni sprained her ankle or the fact that the girl just gave herself a huge disadvantage. Not to mention, made it easier for Kalanda to win if she used the Eithni's mistake to her own advantage.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

The time had come, it was time to do battle. Kalanda would take the spear from Eithni, a tad unsettled to see the girl so uncharacteristically serious. This meant a great deal to both of them, and Eithni must have known that if she didn't take this seriously, Kalanda would never be allowed back within the sisters or the village. Taking up her stance, Kalanda took in a breath, regaining her focus as she was prepared to do battle with a very dear friend. When the battle was to start, Kalanda paused, waiting for Eithni to deliver the first strike. Indeed the girl did just that, as she leapt forward, trying to land a blow on Kalanda, to which the Sith side stepped out of as the girl overshot her, only to hear the snap as Eithni had injured herself. It took all Kalanda had to not drop what she was doing and rush to the girl's side.

There was an opening to take, as Kalanda looked to her downed opponent, the woman slowly getting back to her feet, Kalanda's brain told her to smack the girl back down with her spear, but she frozen, instead dropping the weapon and rushing forward as she attempted to force the girl back to the ground by her arm. But she failed, as by the time she was about to set herself upon Eithni, the girl was already back on her feet. Now Kalanda had just ensured that they would be within arms reach, the Sith and the Nightsister circling one another, as Kalanda was still having doubts about striking the girl unconscious.

Roll: Failure

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Getting ready for another attack at Kalanda, Eithni accidentally puts a bit too much pressure on her sprain ankle and released a shriek of pain, hissing profusely, tumbling down to her knees giving keeping herself completely open for an attack from the Sith woman a few feet from Kalanda. The surrounding Nightsisters was still quiet, not even Mother Usara said a word as they all watched the fight unfold before their eyes. It really showcased how brutal the selection was as once a person took the trial it was a win or lose situation.

Kneeling on one knee, Eithni tried to shake off the jarring pain, striking up through her entire body, but it was impossible to do it in time before Kalanda would attack. Eithni would just have to hope, that she could get to counter the attack or block it some way or another.

Roll: Major fail

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

It tore at Kalanda to feel the pain of her friend, but this was far too important to let emotions get in the way. Kalanda pulled back, as she expected an attack, only for the girl to stumble and fall down, hissing in pain in the process. Kalanda leapt at the opening, leaping onto Eithni's back as she pinned the girl's arm down with one hand, locked another arm up with her knee, and pinned down the one functional leg with her other arm.

Kalanda had the girl pinned, straining to keep the hold despite the amount of discomfort she was inflicting upon the girl. "Submit!" Kalanda snarled, struggling as Eithni wasn't about to just tap out so easily; she wouldn't expect any less of the woman. Kalanda secretly wished the girl would just give, because if not she was going to have to actually injure the girl next. She could sense the pain that Eithni was in, but giving in now would just prolong the suffering for the two of them. The eyes of the coven set upon the pair, as the two women struggled in the dirt, quite literally fighting for the sake of their relationship.


Roll: Sucess
@Raven_41

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Eithni fought wildly, despite the great pain from her sprained ankle she tried to get free from her friends lock but without success. The witch actually snarled by the word of submitting from Kalanda as she tried to twist and turn even though the discomfort and stress on her arms added to the pain. Eithni closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again, and instead of her clear ruby-coloured pupils, they were engulfed fully in the familiar green glowing mist with smoke coming out of the outer corners of her eyes. Eithni's hair acted strangely as if she was submerged in water and as Eithni looked straight up at Kalanda as if she was looking into the Sith's soul, released the girl powerful green lightning directly at Kalanda. Kalanda's entire upper body was struck by Eithni's lightning, hitting the Sith with all her might.

If Kalanda by some divine chance managed to react and get out of the way or even try and block the force, Eithni would continue to release a force of nature in green lightning and blast her might at her friend.

If not, and Kalanda would jump away to avoid the lightning attack, managed Eithni to get up and placed herself in a position again, though mostly putting pressure on her healthy food.

Success

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda had thought she had Eithni restrained, thinking that maybe she could keep the witch pinned, she hadn't thought that the girl would trigger her powers like this. That strange energy from before took over, and before Kalanda knew it her friend was gone. The Sith noticed the change, her eyes widened as she felt the shift in the air, the change in the girls muscles. Something bad was about to happen.

Kalanda tensed up, attempting to conjure up what power she held to stop the attack from coming, only to fail completely and utterly. Eithni's power slammed into her, as lighting seared into her flesh. Kalanda let out a tortured scream, as she was blasted by the lightning, her skin tearing away as she was knocked off the witch and sent trembled onto the ground. She hardly had a moment to think in the brief pause she was given, before Eithni continued the torment, flaying into the Sith now as she was unable to escape. A sense of satisfaction swelled through the sisters, as they would wait for the Sith to give up or die. Preferably it would be the later.

Roll: Major fail
@Raven_41

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Getting Kalanda off her back, Eithni was able to get a quick breather as she managed to get up, even with her painful sprained ankle. Efter though Eithni had stopped using her lightning, its effect seemed to till affect Kalanda a bit, granted, Kalanda did receive a full blast of force lightning directly to the face and body within few inches of Eithni. The witch looked down at her ankle, still tapped into the Ichor fully and watching Kalanda on the floor, levitated in the air Eithni came down hard, maybe a bit too hard on Kalanda. Upon landing with her knee hitting Kalanda's chest, Eithni managed to kick the Sith's weapon out of her grasp but accidentally used the foot, where her ankle was sprained, causing Eithni to wince in pain.

her mistake of using the wrong foot, while Eithni did manage to disarm her friend, also completely gave kalanda an opportunity to strike back as Eithni was for a short moment focusing on the jarring pain from her ankle.

Barely a success

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

When the lightning stopped, the Sith gasped in pain as her body still smoldered from the onslaught, her skin burning as if she had just been assaulted by a sun. Her body felt numb all over, and not even the good kind of numb, just the achey stingy type. As she was coming around, she felt Eithni strike her with her foot, well more accurately a knee to her chest, as all that air she was so grateful for taking in was kicked right out of her.

She had tried to pull her weapon back to her, but Eithni knocked the spear away, though she had left herself open in the process. Still trapped on the ground, Kalanda dug in deep, reaching for that cold power that rested within her. Her hands tensed up, as she would force an array of lighting out of her hands, directing it into Eithni, aiming to push the girl back, hopefully it would be enough to end this fight. The tips of Kalanda's fingers would begin to burn however, as she had put just a little too much into the blow. Hopefully the next section wouldn't involve climbing, or she would be having a hell of a time trying it. Once the adrenaline wore off, she would be feeling terrible for what she had done to her friend, but Kalanda had shoved that part of her mind away for the time being, as she would pick herself up off the ground, ready to continue the fight as needed.



Roll: Barely a success

@Raven_41

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Eithni was too late to react and she felt the exact same force slam into her, electrocuting her to a painful degree of torture. Flying through the air, she landed hard and rolling a good few feet, before lying still on the ground. The Clan Mother Usara stared from her adoptive daughter to Kalanda with an unreadable look, before a hint of a smile formed. "Very well, Kalanda Tishire, let the test of Night begin!" Called out the matriarch and instead of Eithni getting back in the ring, as she was being pulled out to be healed, entered six Nightbrothers.

All weapon a mix of axes, spears and maces of some crude designs. Slowly the men started to circle kalanda until she was surrounded on all sides. It was a 'silent before the storm' kind of moment as the Nightbrothers looked to the closest brother, quietly forming a plan of attack with the ones to the side of them. Beating the first test, if Kalanda would look at the onlooking Nightsister, that a few of them nodded in approval to her victory of the Test of Fury.

While Eithni had told Kalanda the name of the second test and a few more details, she never got around to mention the big reason for its name. Just before anyone of the fighters in the ring could attack, fell strange darkness over the ring, as if night had befallen the area. What was even stranger, Kalanda could still see the sun behind the nightly darkness, but the light just couldn't pass through the nightly darkness.

Shrouded in darkness as if it was night time, it suddenly became extremely difficult to see much further than ten or so feet before things started to become blurry and unclear what was what. Out of the shrouded darkness, first one Nightbrother charged Kalanda's left side with a big threatening crudely made mace and swung it at her torso. Then right after, another one entered, but from behind Kalanda, going for a quick thrust with his spear, aiming for her thigh in order to incapacitate her moment, making her an easy target.

Success

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

To Kalanda's eyes, it was a sight of relief, and a bit of horror as she looked at Eithni's still body laying there motionless. Kalanda took in a breath, still feeling numb and rather weak from her ordeal, only to learn that it was just the start of the woman's trial. Eithni would be okay, Kalanda could still feel the woman's life force was intact. She took a degree of relief in that, only for mother Usara to begin speaking. Kalanda glanced up at the woman, as she announced the start of the trial of night, the several night brothers that had been waiting for their time to shine, took the stage. Kalanda took a moment to pull her fallen spear back to her hand. She winced as her burned fingers touched the hard surface of the weapon, but she prepared to defend herself regardless of the situation. Reaching out with the force, she kept her stance wide, leveling the spear before her, as her senses pushed to the small extent she had been able to conjure forth.

The six men stopped however, as they formed a circle around the Sith and looked as if they were waiting, but for what? Kalanda waited in between her tired breaths, trying to make sense of what it was they were plotting, only for an inky darkness to sweep over the battle ground. Kalanda scowled at what this meant, and had her suspicions were proven true, when she sensed an attacking coming from her side, another striking from behind. Kalanda leapt up, and over the attack to her side, as she spun to face the five men attacking her, with one to the back. She would need to get rid of them fast, because even in her state they threatened to overwhelm her.

Roll: Success

@Raven_41

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

The moment kalanda landed to face five of the six men, the Nightbrothers changed position, so they were spread out in order to get the Sith to lose the overview of the situation. However, their tactic didn't quite fly the way they wanted it to go, as two of the Nightbrothers threw their spears at kalanda, the spears, unfortunately, missed their target. Instead, Kalanda would hear the two Nightbrothers fall to the ground, hissing in pain as the two spears instead managed to wound his upper arm and the other Nightbrother's thigh.

Although it was a good thing for Kalanda, that two of the Nightbrothers that tried to attack her earlier, got wounded, three more appeared almost out of the thick darkness. One with an axe swung a wide and wild attack trying to go for Kalanda's head, however, he had a far too exposed front. The second Nightbrother came in jumping high for an overhead swing with his mace, trying to crush Kalanda's head to pieces, making him an easy target if Kalanda is able to react quickly enough with the force. The third Nightbrother went in for a low thrust with his spear, trying to incapacitate the Sith as his brothers had attempted just a moment ago.

Mild fail

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda took in account all her foes with her force senses, their weapons, their posture, their movements, it wasn't exactly a fair fight but she could certainly manage it. Two spears flew towards her, so Kalanda ducked hearing instead the anguished cries of two of the brothers. It wasn't over though, as Kalanda found another stomping towards her, his axe swinging wildly as he missed, though Kalanda drove her spear home right into his chest.

The man screamed out in pain, but it wasn't over yet, as Kalanda re-actively threw her hand upwards to stop her second attacker. The second brother took this moment to leap down with his mace, only to feel a force thurst slam into his gut and send him backwards landing onto his own weapon. Kalanda's force senses kicked in a third time as she leapt back from a spear thrust towards her midriff. Kalanda waved her hand before her, taking hold of the spear briefly and pushing it out of the way long enough for her to thrust her own spear into the man's rib cage as he shouted out in pain, before withdrawing it and swinging the haft of the spear upwards and knocking the man in the chin; sending him stumbling backwards, unconscious. She spun back, having taken down three of the six brothers, but it seemed the other two were injured as well. She was nearly done, not much longer now.

@Raven_41
Roll: Rousing success

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Seeing their brothers either get killed by mistakes on their end or heavily wounded, made the Nightbrothers wary of it and gave each other some worrying looks, before throwing their weapons to the ground as a sign of forfeiting the battle. Following the fight with her eyes, watching Kalanda fought and defended herself against the Nightbrothers, made her disappointed the Nightbrothers performance against the Sith girl. However, Kalanda won fairly and would pass on to the third and last test of the trial, test of Elevation. It wasn't just the Clan Mother who was disappointed, but a lot of the other Nightsisters and Elders, though a few more started to respect the girl in the ring a bit more for her persistent, if nothing else, her will to not give up.

"Well done Kalanda Tishire, by passing the test of Night, you are one step closer for your victory, and the third and final test will begin" Explained Mother Usara and stepped aside, revealing a fully healed Eithni. Silently the fully healed witch entered the ring with her two vibroblade daggers drawn, carrying the daggers in a reverse grip. A silent went over the area, no one spoke a word as everyone waited for the Matriarch to give to word for the test to begin.

If Kalanda looked to Eithni, she would be met by a cheeky smirk on her lips, as if she knew something Kalanda didn't. There was no wind at all in the area they were in, which was unnatural, due to how high up above the ground they actually were. The fatal words were released, "BEGIN" and Eithni did not waste any moment as she charged kalanda's position. One would think that charging a person with only daggers, when that person had a spear was crazy, but it never got to that. 'Cause, a sudden wide square formed pillar shot out of the ground, which Eithni jumped and grabbed the edge. The Witch looked down at kalanda, giving Kalanda a much more flirtatious smirk, however, even though Eithni was successful in her little stunt, she did lose her second dagger.

With a quick pull with her arms and the witch was on top of the square, looking down at Kalanda before disappearing out of her view. More pillars started to raise from the ground, one was even a few feet behind Kalanda. All the pillars in the ground, however, didn't rose at the same time and what kalanda would notice, was that after a bit of time, the pillars would descend into the ground again and then shoot up again.

Barely a success

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

To Kalanda's surprise, it seemed that the brothers didn't want to continue the fight. She relaxed, as they seemed to pull back, the darkness withdrawing as well. She could practically sense the disappointment coming from the onlookers, but she didn't care, there was just one more trial left to go. She looked to Usara, her gaze hardening as she could feel she was a tad drained from her efforts, her hands were a stinging mess from holding onto her weapon. To Kalanda's surprise, Eithni leapt down towards her, the little witch took off with her daggers, before a pillar shot upwards, taking the witch with it as she leapt onto it. Several other pillars began to rise up behind Kalanda, as she was left trying to make sense of what was occuring, but soon she recalled what Eithni had told her about.

Levitation was a key to this trial, she had to do it in order to succeed. Being able to use such a power would eliminate the environmental issues, but Kalanda was rather fatigued at the moment. She attempted to tap into that power she had before, the same one that Eithni had shown her just previously, but it was no use. She briefly made it off the ground, before failing, falling to her knees as gravity slammed into her full force. Her body was aching all over, her joints still throbbing in pain from the lightning strike. Kalanda would be in a very vulnerable position now from Eithni, as she struggled to get off her knees and get back into the fight.

@Raven_41

Roll: Minor Failure

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

The pillars went up and down in a random order of timeframes, never giving the people inside the ring a moment to figure out the system. With that said, Eithni had really luck on her side. While Kalanda was overwhelmed by the sudden change in the area, were Eithni flanking the Sith by wall jumping from pillar to pillar. Though at first, she had to time her action exactly the right moment as she easily could miscalculate the pillars and while she would jump for the next, it could fly back down into the ground.

Eithni jumped from the pillar she was hanging by with one arm and feet to get her balance and a way to jump to the next. She timed the two pillars perfectly and jumped just as the one she was hanging from went back down and the second one rose from the ground. The moment the Nightsister's foot touched the side of the second pillar, a third pillar started to ascend from the ground, while the one she was on at the moment was beginning to go back down again.

Pillar to pillar the witch jumped, graceful and silently she danced through the air without a single mistake on her footwork. Her mom would be proud if she saw Eithni move with such a silent precision towards her target. When the Nightsister got to the third pillar, she saw kalanda still stood the same spot as when Eithni used the pillar to get up and jumped at the Sith woman on the ground of the arena.

Like a spider, watching its prey, Eithni ambushed Kalanda from behind, knocking the woman from her knees to her stomach, knocking her down prone. Eithni had pushed off Kalanda's back and landed elegantly on her feet a few meters behind the Sith, jumping for an attack with her dagger.

Success

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda had thought she had more time to fend for herself, but as per usual she was wrong. As she was attempted to continue on, Eithni struck, slamming into Kalanda's back and knocking her onto the floor. The Sith groaned as she struck the ground, all that strength she had been gathering up now wasted as Eithni knocked it out of her. The acolyte felt so tired, so drained. Her body had lost so much energy from the lighting attack earlier, she wasn't sure if she could actually manage to keep going. In that moment of hesitation though, her mind lingered back to how satisfied these women were in watching her fail, watching her be beaten like an animal by someone so dear to her. That realization might have gotten to a weaker person, but to Kalanda it only served to full her rage. She felt a moment of clarity break through the pain and discomfort she was drowning in, as she pressed deep inwards and let the myst take her.

Kalanda would feel the connection once more, as she managed to get herself off the ground for a time, long enough to find a perch on one of the pillars. When Eithni leapt to strike with her dagger, Kalanda was already floating upwards and beyond the girls reach, as the Sith took up a defensive position on her new position, her strength would be temporarily returned, as she found the will to keep going, the desire not to lose. She wasn't going to give these 'sisters' the satisfaction of watching her fail. Kalanda would kept herself ready, preparing for Eithni to try and leap up at her once again.

Roll: Success

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Seeing her dagger connected with air, she followed kalanda with her eyes as the Sith levitated out of danger and finally used the powers they spend so much time on training her. It actually for a short second, made Eithni smile proudly of her Kala finally embracing the Ichor, before Eithni returned to focus. Glancing quickly around her surroundings and the moment the two pillars rose from the ground beside Eithni, the witch took a few steps away to get speed. Jumping from the ground she levitated to get the extra kick out of her jump and wall jumping back and forth between two pillars gaining the height of Kalanda's position.

It was a rather impressive display of control and grace the way she moved up between the two pillars, just to get to Kalanda. The moment Eithni pushed off the top of the first pillar, she launched herself at Kalanda with her dagger, going for a wide slash from the right. All the spectators looked on, watching the trial with great interest now, as they saw how determined the Sith was at winning. If there was one thing that gave respect among the Nightsisters, but specifically Nightbrothers was the display of power, willpower and endurance.

Rousing success

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Eithni indeed had a level of athleticism to her that Kalanda sorely lacked. Kalanda was ready, so when Eithni made herself known to the Sith, Kalanda reached out and caught the girl mid air, pulling her onto the pillar as she kept a firm grip around the girl's throat. She could have done some serious damage if she wasn't careful, but she would put just enough pressure to make Eithni pass out; that would be the ideal outcome. The witch would find that her offensive was brought to a halt, as Kalanda halted her with the force, aiming to end this contest with her force usage rather than by weapon. Eithni's weapon would clatter to the ground, before bouncing off the edge of the pillar they were standing on.

Kalanda would keep the girl's feet off the stone, letting her linger in the air, hoping that the girl would relent and the trial would be over. Kalanda had pushed past the issue of fighting the woman, but now she just wanted to end this fight with as little pain as possible. She wasn't up for exchanging in a prolonged hand to hand fight, especially not after Eithni had her wounds fully mended. "Submit." Kalanda said firmly, her body still aching from their engagement just a few moments ago. Victory was close, she could feel it. But knowing Eithni, she'd have to knock the girl out before such a thing was accomplished.

@Raven_41
Roll: Rousing Sucess

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

The force choke took Eithni by surprise as Kalanda got a hold of the witch's throat. It actually made some of the Sisters that Eithni grew up with, react by taking a step forward in shock for just a second. Hanging in the air as if an invisible hand held her by the throat, which forced Eithni to choke, feeling the air in her lungs screaming in pain. But despite being choked, kept the Nightsister her gaze with Kalanda. Those very familiar ruby-coloured eyes that Kalanda got to know quite well by now, and what was even crazier, Eithni was actually smiling.

Eithni wasn't begging or closing her eyes or even attempting to break free, she just hung there in the air. However, she started to move her lips as if she was trying to find the words, but mostly it was because she tried to get enough air to form words. "K-K...Kalanda, I-I... I re-re-really like you!" Said Eithni to her friend that was literally choking Eithni into unconscious state. "Y-you're a-a-are the most fun person I-I-I've met f-f-for so long!" Added Eithni and Kalanda could hear how much the witch wanted to show her excitement and joy for having met Kalanda, but the choking kept Eithni from doing it.

@Algarus

Success