Battle of Alsakan: The Ark of Xenvaer

[Wolf231]

The alliance soldiers running up the stairs didn't make it. A few were vaporized by the grenade, the rest thrown back and down the stairs, leaving just two men up top to hold in cover and try to hold back the intruders - which wasn't going well. The men downstairs were hard pressed as it was. It seemed that the imperium didn't care how many soldiers they lost, and even though they were killing at a five to one rate - they had only fourty to begin with. It wouldn't be long before their defence faltered and the imperials won their way inside. They started to retreat towards the stairs, to make their final stand there and buy the men above as much time as they could.

The gunships outside were still making their strafing runs, but could see that pretty soon they would be fairly ineffective as the battle moved inside. They pulled back and started to circle instead, flying over rooftops to keep them clear of imperials. They didn't want to be shot down when it was time to pull out of this hell-hole. They hoped to be bringing some friends with them as well, but things were looking increasingly bleak. Where was that damn Jedi with the other relic already?

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Stolatos played his part well, it seemed. The Sith looked prime to take the bait. The worried look didn't leave his face, another glance given towards the door - and here he came, right on cue. He waited until the strike was almost upon him, to make sure that the Sith was going all in with his attack. He wasn't going to be able to use this ruse again, so he had to make it count this time. As with most traps, however, the longer he waited before springing it, the more entrapped his prey would be; he was also more at risk the longer he waited. A moment before the Sith's saber contacted his arm his head turned fully back towards the man.

The Force he had been gathering in himself moved to his right arm and solidified as he brought it up to block the oncoming saber, taking most of the blow and heat and deflecting it away. His left came in hard and fast at the same time as he turned, a rising vertical slash that sought to cut the man's lightsaber wielding arm off. He followed through with a spin that was meant to bring him around behind the man and dropped the lightsaber back down, this time in an attempt to cut off his other arm. If both of these worked he would release the hardened Force in his arm into a push to throw the dismembered man away. It wasn't a killing blow, in fact would be easy to survive with medical attention and the use of prosthetics, but Stolatos couldn't bring himself to go for a killing blow.

The soldier on the ground with the Relic let out a groan and started to stir.

 

[Butler]

Upon the floor these boots did stride with darkness. Again and again, unrelenting as they pressed. Encroaching as they patiently patted, the soldier knew not what terror overshadowed his reawakening. Though doom it was, this soldier's death it was not. Test. Without a weapon in his hand, the soldier was not befitting of the term. And so, this cautious one yet to claim his name as Sith, ceased just behind the soldier's regaining strength. Devoid of aggression towards the soldier, Noster was anything but the brother of Vysteth. He was calm, when Vysteth was jittery. He was strong, while Vysteth was weak. Noster was dependent only upon himself, having been thrown into the deepest descent until he chose to claw his way back into power. By his own sweat and blood was he made whole, not yet. Not yet. Not until he saw this Jedi's end beneath his feet would he be made whole.

"Aaaaaaaaah!!!" the cruel Crusader cried.

Vysteth, as cunning as he was, had rushed in with overconfidence even in his own intellect to predict what the Jedi might attempt. His first arm flew free from his body, and his second turned down as Stolatos' lightsaber swept through the side of it - carving off a slice of elbow and flesh instead of a clean dismemberment. Vysteth screamed again, frozen to his surprise in pain and losing the use of his second arm entirely as it dangled; looking disturbingly wrong.

Noster welcomed a breath of satisfaction as he heard it, intoxicating as it fed him; watching the soldier beneath him if he so chose to stand up. It mattered not to Noster, as he had yet to see the relic or any sign of threat. The soldier was a blade of grass in his eyes, one he could either step on or pluck from the soil if he so chose. Or he could let it grow and die on its own. Eden would stand unchecked by the small presence of the incapable human and watch him run if he so chose. But Noster saw the doorway behind the Jedi and Vysteth, determining that where Noster stood was not suitable for keeping the Jedi engaged. After a fight with Vysteth, though Noster had not seen the entire event, the Jedi would be tired and prone to flee rather than stand and fight. He quickly assessed what must be done to ensure a conflict with this man.

Vysteth was then thrown across the bow, hurled onto his face and tumbling over and back onto his chest; limp in his dismemberment even as his remaining arm detached during the fall.

In absence of sound, in the void of speechlessness bound by voluntary vow, the air shook with a terrorizing tremble of audible power flexing - proclaiming its foretold ferocity that would inevitably unleash upon the Light within this Jedi's soul. He who wielded it stood menacing as stone, Darkness embodied in its budding potential. This Jedi would begin it all, the first mark of hundred that would be put to his skin in honor of these deeds of death. Now was the final moment, the end to this segment. It would end with these who yet remained while all else stood still around them.

 

[Wolf231]

He had won - somehow. The Sith had fallen perfectly into his trap, and of he looked down right now he'd see a severed arm laying on the floor. His second strike had not connected fully, but he was fairly sure he had done enough damage to keep him from using that arm either - or think about getting up any time soon. Stolatos briefly considered going and finishing him off, but rejected it quickly. That wasn't the Jedi way. A smile found his lips as he took in a deep breath, closing his eyes and taking in a moment of well-earned rest.

That breath was interrupted as he felt a surge of Dark-side energy behind himself, where he had left the soldier. His eyes shot open and he spun to face the newcomer, his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance. He had thought there would only be one Sith here, not two. So, was this one stronger or weaker then the man he'd just beaten? He had expended some considerable energy in the fight, especially with his Force usage that had ended the fight. He wasn't sure how he would do against another Sith. On the other hand, he noticed that the soldier was still alive and had grown still.

The Sith hadn't killed him, and the way he was laying had him on top of the relic. So the Sith wouldn't even know it was there. Very well - perhaps it was time for another ruse, though this one would only help in getting himself and the Sith away from the relic. It was worth it, he decided, even if he did turn out to be too exhausted - or the Sith too good for him to fight. Nothing ventured, nothing gained he thought to himself. "Sorry Sith, but you're too late. The relic is already on its way to the roof." With the pronouncent he would leap through the air, using the Force to propel him to the base of the stairs leading up, his lightsaber trailing in case an attack was sent towards him.

He paused just a moment at the base to send a comment back at the Sith before continuing up them. "You might as well retreat. If you follow, I'll kill you." With that he would start quickly up the stairs, hoping his bait would be enough to draw the Sith after him. Even though it would likely mean his death, he could buy the life of the soldier and the relic he was carrying with it, if he was lucky.

 

[Butler]

The Jedi's declaration warped a frown onto Noster's face, the official reason he was here apparently being lost to him already. So, since he had already allegedly failed in his mission, Noster felt inclined to seize the joy from the Jedi's tone; and even quite possibly call his bluff. Noster couldn't know just how close the relic was, but could sense the exaggeration in the man's performance. Just maybe he hadn't lost yet. Or perhaps he was a slave to his own mistrusting nature.

The Jedi leapt into the air. Noster's left arm lashed out, spitting a tight ball of telekinetic energy that would catch the Jedi as he landed; to hit his lungs with a solid punch, just to gently inform him of whom he now faced. For Noster didn't just kill anyone, and he needed this to be something greater. His desire bit into the parchment that sealed his words, that he might consume its seal and free his soul. But the Jedi would land regardless of how the Force knocked the wind from him, luckily being close to the wall that framed the stairway; a crutch which was intentionally used to keep him on his feet so that he would not escape the realization of his end. Escape he might, flee for his life lest the fearsome lion gorge himself on his flesh this day, but this reaper of bone and blood would not relent. And he savored the moment if and when the Jedi's head rose to the grim revelation after his back smacked against the wall, not allowing him to sit this death out.

And rise it should, for there he would find Noster's limitlessness revealed. A single red beam sparked down over the soldier's back, reaching within an inch from burning through the cuirass. If the Jedi was so willing to turn his back on the weak, to pull out and release his ridiculous dominion over all others, then perhaps Noster was wrong about them. But he knew the Jedi well, how they always meddled. For it was this Jedi's fault that this soldier's life was in danger. Noster found no fault, no reason to kill with this overturned blade, until the Jedi gave cause. And it was this Jedi who would answer for his crimes against nature, for those who force him from his home and clan, and those who taught him through shame. The tangling entrails of the Jedi disease would be hacked clean from these poor wretches, and from Noster himself.

And Noster just watched to see if the Jedi would return, stay and trade his life for the soldier's as he expected the Jedi would despite what he knew was right and reasonable. What a smart man, a wise man, would do was leave the soldier and trade that soldier's life for a thousand others. But what a Jedi would do, a fool who played at being God would do, was come back and muddy the waters for generations without gain or even passing victory. All they knew was how to lace their troubles with and heave their responsibilities onto others. The Jedi, they are a virus that must be cured.

It's spread stops here.

 

[Wolf231]

Stolatos had been expecting the Sith to follow, not to attack him in mid air - but he supposed a cheap shot was to be expected from Sith. He landed with a grunt, catching his weight with his right arm into the wall. It made him wince slightly, but all he was focused on was the lightsaber pointing at the downed man's back. He shook his head slightly - He officially disliked the Sith. "I wasn't running from you, Sith. The battle below will catch up to us soon if we stay here, and I'd rather defeat you without interruptions." He put forth a confident aura as he took a few steps away from the stairs, bringing his lightsaber up into a high guard.

He waited then, eyes intent on this new Sith, not looking at the blade pointing down at the man. All he had to use was bluffs, and perhaps playing at the man's pride. Or rather, making him choose between a fight on his own terms or one filled with enemies for one or both of them. "If you would rather fight here, where one or both of our forces can appear at any time and steal a victory, then so be it. I am ready for you." He remained still in his defensive posture, slowly catching his breath from the exertion and how the Sith's latest force usage had winded him. He hoped the Sith would take the bait and they could move up a floor or two. He needed to but space between the Sith and the relic, and quickly.

If the Sith did decide to start the fight here though, a plan was formulating in his mind. Push the downed man with the Force as he defended himself towards a window so that he could climb out and hopefully make an escape from there - but that was just his backup plan. His main plan was the bait, nice and juicy and just waiting to be bitten. If he was a true warrior, Stilatos figured he would rather win or lose the battle on his own, not let it be determined for either side by outside forces. The only problem with his plan was that he didn't really know how Sith worked. If there was no humanity left in the man, then his bait would fail - but Stolatos suspected there was, at least a little. After all, he hadn't killed the man on the floor yet.

 

[Butler]

Noster's chin tipped, interest peaked. He squinted as he recognized his own mistrust, knowing himself and those he had faced. There were few he could trust, and even they had their limits in his mind. But the Jedi had struck a nerve.

Noster had been taught to forget his misshapen sense of honor, to use advantage by any means rather than give equally what is given. To fight an ill trained unarmed opponent with his bare hands, he was punished. For he could have used his lightsaber and the Force to defeat him. He had understood this, taken this, and employed this fully. But here, now, was something else entirely. Noster needed this moment to tell a grand tale, to be a proud moment that would break the chains of his life thus far. He couldn't allow anyone to interfere. He couldn't allow anything to take this moment from him. He drooled for this feeding, burned for this bleeding. His hatred bubbled up, and it Revitalized him; presenting the platform, providing the alter, in which to hail his corpus - its grand reawakening.

The saber lifted up from the soldier. Two fingers flexed and circled over the butt of the hilt, and he flourished the blade across his body, over, around his side, and upright. There was the Jedi's answer.

And as the battle raged on around them, Noster slowly encroached on the Jedi. He'd follow the Jedi up to the roof, where they would not be disturbed. And if they were, this Jedi would truly pay with a long life of suffering without end; all others would die by his mistake, but not him. He would watch as he wrought a fools decision and its effects down upon those he cared to survive.

But he would allow the Jedi to lead in silence, leaving the soldier behind and all other interference for what he desired; his speech.

 

[Wolf231]

It was almost unexpected, but it had worked. The Sith signalled that he would follow and Stolatos began the trip to the roof, his lightsaber still active in his hand because he wasn't fool enough to give a Soth his unguarded back. They made it to the roof without incident, and once out the door he would continue moving for twenty feet before turning to face the Sith. The walk up here had let him cath his breath some, which was good. He had a feeling this fight wasn't going to turn out well for him. At least not for him personally; yet the greater prize of the relic would escape. That was all that mattered in this moment.

He brought his lightsaber up defensively, held in a high guard above his head and pointing back behind himself at the ground. He was no master, but this was easily the style he was best at, so it was the style he would keep to. It was the only thing that made sense. His eyes studied the Sith carefully, trying to figure out what style he used just from looking at his opening stance. That could be dangerous at times, but could also give valuable insight into an opponent. He gathered the Force slowly into himself, not wanting to tax himself but at the same time wanting to be prepared, because to be unprepared was to die.

Meanwhile, the soldier left behind stood only after the Sith had been gone for twenty seconds, still clutching the relic tightly. He spoke into his comm that he needed a diversion out back and moved to a window. Five alliance soldiers burst out the previously blockaded rear entrance under his watchful eyes, making it look like they had the relic by huddling up and looking around suspiciously. They were the bait, the ones who would draw fire from anyone who might be posted back there. Once they had, the man with the actual relic would either pop out to shoot the ambushers or reassess and decide to go another way. For now it was simply the waiting game.

 

[Butler]

Noster crept callously close behind, so utterly focused on the glow of his opponent whom held his key. This man, this Jedi was to be his salvation. He'd waited so long, he could not bare to wait much longer. But he was a patient hunter, and he would saver this moment for the rest of his natural life.

Up the stairs they went and across the rooftop towards where, Noster did not know. His mind started to wonder, started to second guess and distrust the Jedi, but he still followed. Until finally the Jedi chose his place to stand, turned around, and assumed his stance.

Noster's eyes twitched.

He recognized the stance almost immediately; not with a studious eye, but with symbolism. The Way of the Krayt Dragon, how perfectly fitting... For it was a Krayt that he and his founder slayed upon his initiation, his rebirth, into the Sith. And it would now be another Krayt that he slayed today to mark his second coming to once again join the recognized living.

With his aggression, his use of power moderated by his balance, he would toy with the Jedi.

Noster lowered his lightsaber down to his right side and began walking forward. Step, step, then wide step out to his left, twisting his right shoulder forward with the blade hung down there within reach of the Jedi's right foot; bent the elbow and struck up left-to-right into (rather than through) the Jedi's midsection with both hands claiming the hilt, then arced the saber from his nine o'clock over and down to three o'clock with a slash through the Jedi's left ankle, shifting weight back onto his right foot around the Jedi's left, and Force Pulled with his freed left hand to yank him off balance and passed Noster's left as Noster stepped right.

 

[Wolf231]

Stolatos was nearly ready for the end. All he needed to hear was his comm buzzing to life with the news he had traded for. It was a trade he had made willingly, and upon studying this new opponent of his he knew it was one he would have to pay for. If he hadn't just been in a fight where he was lightly wounded and now running out of energy, he sensed that this fight might be close, perhaps tilted some in the Sith's favor. As it stood, he wasn't sure he could fight long enough to provide the appropriate distraction he needed to provide.

The Sith came towards him then with intent, though he didn't think this was his full potential. Good, then. Let him waste time feeling me out then, he thought. The more time it took, the better for him and more breath he regained. His own lightsaber came down from its high guard to meet the Sith's, pressing back against it even as it retreated to strike again. Again his saber came up to parry, weight shifting onto his right leg to brace himself as he caught the full force of the swing with it. The force pulling at him was unexpected, but he had no choice but to go with it. He tried to turn it into a diving roll, but he was tired and it was an exceedingly sloppy Stolatos who made that clumsy roll back to his feet, leaving him in a hardly defensible position as he was at first crouched. If the Sith came at him right then he was probably dead.

But that didn't bother him, as partway through his roll that comm he had been waiting for spat out the words he needed to hear. The second relic had been secured and was on its way back to the base; his ruse had paid off. The man on the comm even thanked 'The Jedi' for saving him from 'That Sith with the saber to my back'. Noster would likely clue in to the fact here that he had so narrowly missed the Relic he had been searching for, a fact that brought a smile to Stolatos' face. Against the lives and livelihood of all the innocent people on this planet, what was the life of one Jedi anyways?