A Master Exists?

[Ser Yorick]

OOC: I won't go nuts and argue, but I would like to point out using your own physical pain to fuel the dark side will only help so much, seeing as your character was being hit with lightning for quite a little while, and his physical body should be just about broken. This boost of energy will quickly burn out as the Force can only sustain someone for so long when near death. Even the awesome Darth Bane would have died had other people not stumbled upon him allowing him to steal their life energy.

IC: Serpentis would have laughed had his years of combat training not taught him to react on instinct. Instead, the moment the Crusader's lightsaber ignited, he sprang into action once more. This despicable creature was only delaying the inevitable. What did it think would happen here? That it could overcome the skills and power of one of the most revered Dark Masters? Then again, it's possible the thing was acting purely out of instinct and the will to survive. Its will would not be strong enough.

The Dark Master didn't miss a beat. Instead of allowing the Crusader to back off, Serpentis used the Force to somersault over the creature and slashed downward to cut it clean in half.

 

[Ru the Boatswain]

You insist on my death? In lacking the strength to speak it used the force, it was sustaining it's body on the force now, adrenaline and hate could only sustain one so much. It's motions reflected that of the first lightsaber form with experience in the use of the second form. It's strength was waning quickly. Mask would last a short time against it's superior at this rate.


As the lightsaber came crashing down the creature hopped almost gingerly to the side and raised it's lightsaber in both hands to parry the corrections Serpentis would make in his aerial attack.

 

[Ser Yorick]

He didn't even bother responding. Words were for the living.

Serpentis then shut off his lightsaber. He wouldn't need it any more. The time for games was over, and this little exchange had gone on long enough. The Dark Master just closed his eyes and let himself go; let the hate wash over him and engulf him in the power of the dark side. And then, he shot open his eyes and lashed out with the Force. The Dark Master would choke the life out of the Crusader, who would be too busy concentrating on keeping his body animated to be able to fully defend against an onslaught by one much more powerful, and much more experienced.

 

[Ru the Boatswain]

As invisible forces grasped It's neck, Mask knew it was fruitless to fight it. The strength of this master was far beyond the capabilities of itself. It allowed it's body to go limp, sustaining it under this stress was pointless. Misplaced vertebrae popped as they were shifted throughout it's misshapen neck, time would end this creatures life, time enough for oxygen to be wasted on he body and for the brain to die.

Mask waited, controlling it's instinct to lash out fruitlessly. There was oxygen in it's lungs and that meant time to prepare for a 'last stand' of sorts. It allowed a sense of calm, like the sea preceding a water spout, it would show few signs of it's coming.

 

[Ser Yorick]

Serpentis only watched with what seemed like cruel satisfaction on his face. Still he kept his arm outstretched, choking the Crusader. As the creature started to go a bit limp, as if it had finally realised its existence would soon end, the Dark Master clamped down even harder. He was determined to not only choke the life of his victim, but crush its neck.

 

[Ru the Boatswain]

As it felt the lifeline to it's body crack, Mask shifted into action. Without so much as a motion it's lightsaber sprang to life towards the forearm of Serpentis. Maybe the master would lose a limb, which could end their battle with the realization of little gain for a greater loss. This was the last chance to live, it would be upon the whim of the Master that this deformed creature should live. It was spent, there was little life left in it and no more energy or will to fight.

 

[Ser Yorick]

As the Crusader's lightsaber flung toward Serpentis, he stepped forward and ducked under it, catching the hilt with his outstretched hand. His hold on the creature's throat had been broken due to his loss of concentration. He thumbed the activation switch off and smashed it against the stone wall off to the side.

The Dark Master was furious. Still the creature attempted to fight back. 'WHY WON'T YOU DIE?' he screamed inside his own mind. But then something occurred to him. This Crusader had been a nuisance from the moment he stepped foot into the Dark Master's dungeons, and yet, however infuriating it was, the young man had shown great promise and a good deal of potential when faced with his almost certain death. He may not have been very bright, and it was his stubbornness and self-entitlement that led to this, but he had displayed the philosophy of one key tenets of the order.

And with that in mind, reluctantly, Serpentis decided to spare him. 'On one condition,' rasped the Dark Master. 'You leave that mask the way it is. Let it be a constant reminder of your failings. Never again will you fail to comply with any of my orders.'

 

[Ru the Boatswain]

'Yes, my master.' And with that, rest.