Black Sands

[Xan]

"Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious." The words spoken by a wise man several centuries before Xanthus was born, words which Xanthus unknowingly echoed a variant of everytime he set foot anywhere near the infamous spaceport. The occasions were rare wherein the Assassin found himself willingly approaching the dread place, yet here he was, entirely of his own free will. Fate, or perhaps the Force, truly had a twisted sense of humor. 'Then again...' He began to muse to himself, 'I believe that I already knew that, all things considered.' After the truly intriguing events that occurred on Tython, it seemed that Xanthus had acquired another student, yet another young mind eager to learn the secrets of the dark side from him. How many minds did that mean he was currently teaching?

Zaerus, Xotomi, and now Jason Kole, so three in total. Two Sith Acolytes, and one former Jedi Padawan. If Ben Losan were still a technical 'apprentice,' he would have been simultaneously attempting to teach four, though truth be told the Sith Order would have only counted to two of them, considering that the other two were being trained on what Xanthus liked to call his 'personal time.' Irony sang therefore, at the thought that Xanthus would have the sudden thought to experiment with mixing his 'Sith time' with his 'personal time.' Inside of a seedy little cantina that just looked to be ready to erupt in violence at the slightest opportunity, Xanthus awaited the physical response to a message that he had sent out quite some time ago. A summons, to be specific, to his powerful darkside apprentice, Xotomi. As he recalled, the message was worded along these lines: 'Come to Tatooine, Xotomi. To the Mos Eisley Spaceport specifically. Tis time to continue your training. Be prepared, for this task shall not be simply completed.' Yes, that sounded akin to what he had said in his message. Knowing his apprentice, she was well on her way, tearing apart the Galaxy in order to reach him all the faster.

With a chuckle, Xanthus turned his attention to the one of his three apprentices that was actually physically with him at the moment. As the Assassin was dressed in a simple black armorweave hooded robe and wore his lightsabers rather freely on his belt, he imagined that the reason why people were giving him and Jason such a wide berth was because they suspected the two of being force-wielders. Observant lot, the people of Mos Eisley. "Well, this place has changed little." Xanthus said in a drawl as he took a sip of something that smelled terrible and burned even worse as it went down. "If it wasn't for the nostalgia, I doubt that I would ever come here at all." He said with a slight chuckle in his voice. Doubtlessly, Jason would likely be growing impatient with him soon, considering that the Assassin had neglected to tell him exactly what they were doing in this seedy little tech-tavern. The lopsided half-smile probably did not help matters, but Xanthus always wore it when he figured that he had someone else's thought patterns guessed at least semi-correctly.

 

[Mistress]

Xotomi was already there. She came in within just hours after Xanthus notified her. But she certainly wasn't going to inform him of that fact before her arrival and risk not pulling through. She was already seated inside, at a table in the far corner from the entrance, where she could see every area of the bar, especially the door. From the moment she stepped foot inside this dive, she commanded the room. She found it disgusting how weak men are, when she's so much more than the girl you'd like to take home to Mother. But she would play the part of their Queen as long as the drinks would be her homage. Over the last few months she became an expert closet drinker. But she can't seem to remember the reason behind why she took to more heavily drinking in the first place. Isn't that odd? No bother; so long as its workable.

She had been intently masking her presence when she saw her Master step in. She didn't know who the new guy was that was with him, but she thought she'd just sit back and watch his show for now. She'd gotten away with entire evenings just this way in the past. Become the wall. There weren't any given rules of engagement in a place like this. She wouldn't just rise up and rush right over to them now that they've just walked in, drawing further attention to them than they already earned for themselves. And also her present subjects which surround her are likely to be rather covetous of her, as well as suspicious if she left them so abruptly. Sure she could just control them to do her will, but it could be a long night, why so soon should she cut her suppliers off at the...

 

[Arisalin]

((OOC: Sorry about the short post. Don't have much time.))

Jason sat in silence. Xanthus murmured several things that Jason decided were there to either aggravate him with their useless drivel, or maybe the Sith really was trying to make small talk. Not that it made a difference either way. No matter what the meaning was it still frustrated him. He had come with the Sith to learn. To gain knowledge. Here he was on Tatooine sitting in a bar, doing nothing. He tried to hide it but he needed something to do. Stretching out with the force he focused on everyone's actions in the room about him, listening to private conversations and struggling against his anger.

 

[Xan]

Though he was amused at the anger radiating from the form of his newest student, Xanthus inclined his head ever so slightly to the left, his attention having left the boy for the moment. It was as though he had heard a sound, a faint sound that had captured his interest. 'Ah.' He thought to himself with a small half-smile. Looking back to Jason, Xanthus began to talk in a calm drawl. "I realize that you must be frustrated. After all, here we are doing nothing when I promised to train you. I always keep my promises however, and today will not be the day I break one. Open your mind and pay attention to me, Jason. Or more especially pay attention to the way I manipulate the Force." Xanthus said before closing his lambent silver eyes and taking a deep breath. When he next opened his eyes, they were not the usual silver color, but the color of molten gold.

For those with the senses to feel such things, the Force notably darkened around Xanthus, and began to move outward in waves of darkness that were not seen so much as they were felt. A sickening grip of fear could be felt within the wave, and though it passed over both apprentices, it did not affect them. The wave washed slowly over everyone within the cantina, and though the effects were subtle and slow to take, when the effect became apparent it was unmistakable what had occurred. First one, then another conversation abruptly broke off, and one by one, people within the building began to become obviously nervous, looking over their backs for unseen threats. Some began to sweat profusely, while another began to shake uncontrollably. Then, one left the cantina, and it was as though a floodgate had been opened; in ones, twos, and threes, men and women began to leave the building, suddenly in a hurry to be elsewhere. When the last sentient had left the building, Xanthus blinked, and in that instant his eyes returned to their typical silver color. "That was a mass application of Force Fear. A mind trick used to instill or augment fear within a person's mind. As with any mental technique, it strikes at the psyche, making it rather useful in combat and even out. Now come, for there is someone whom I would like for you to meet." Walking over to where Xotomi sat, Xanthus stood next to her with what passed for a boyish smile on his face, something made more unnerving for the fact that it was present upon his lips. "Apprentices, I hope that you appreciated the...ah...subtle application of the Force. Something to look forward to perhaps, for I intend to teach you some entertaining Force applications today. Introduce yourselves as you will, then come with me." Xanthus said before turning on a heel and walking towards the cantina doors.

 

[Mistress]

Xanthus didn't seem to be masking his Force signature in the least. He was dripping with it, portraying a sense of absolute control. It felt damn refreshing to Xotomi, a sensation that radiated from him, which never seemed to ever die down any time she met with him. It stirred in her a morbid sense of security.

Her little private party quickly came to an end. "Damnit!" she cursed aloud. "Does he even care how much drinks cost me back home?" she asked more for her own sake of venting.

Upon his approach, Xotomi rendered her Master a brilliant smile, infused with a mixture of annoyance over being discovered too soon, and shyness over being caught fooling around in such a manner also so early in the day as it is. "Master," she nodded in acknowledgement.

After his usual blunt to non-existent introduction to another Apprentice, as if announcing no stunning individuality or difference between them, which would signify Xanthus doesn't socialize much, -which he really should,- Xotomi spoke to the fresh face. "My name is Xotomi. If you do not survive today, how would you like your marker to be addressed?" she referred to his grave stone. Then she held out to him the remainder of her drink. "You feel you are a man, no doubt. Try your luck with that, kid. That's not Mother's milk." The drink alone could be the death of him. "It's Death Wish No. 9," she announced with a taunting glare in her eyes. It is a local concoction of her hometown. She'd been growing accustomed to its poison for the past few years. To watch it effect him for the first time will be amusing.

"Master, I am deeply disturbed by you," she said as he seemed to want to exit so soon. "So what is your desire for me, oh great weaver of mayhem and destitution?" She rose slowly, gracefully, looking up at him, her eyes lit with a comedic smile and self amusement when she asked him, "I would have enjoyed a more dramatic exit. Here I sat contemplating the best case scenario, that being that you would have desired everyone here dead..." She would have loved to do it for him. Xotomi turned to look over at the boy before facing the Master again. Her lip twitched. "I suppose you would require present company excluded?" She stared at her Master for a moment. "How...sad." Xotomi's brow furrowed as she shook her head at Xanthus. She dropped her voice low as she stepped close to him, practically against him. "You can be such a softy at times. You do see that about yourself; yes?" And she could not stop herself from reaching up to run a finger under the rim of his hood, to steal a glimpse of his face in its entirety. It was a brazen move, but she found herself surprisingly teasingly playful at the moment. "And...you have a knack for sucking the fun out of my would-be amusement..." she stated as she studied him.

Her tone changed to one of severity, "My! I would have thought you as pale as the desert glare before the sunset, My Liege, hiding under your armor and helm for an eternity as you do." But an almost indescribable expression stole over her expression next. She knew his face, but she cannot remember when she first saw it. Her jaw dropped a bit, giving up a slight gasp upon realization. The drink coursing through her veins made her wonder if his presence was nothing more than the phantom of a dream! And Xotomi crept back to lean against the table for a moment, pondering how her usual drink Death Wish No. 9 has just perhaps claimed her too as its victim. She stared downward in thought.

"Your creep factor has just escalated in my book, Great Master O' Mine." Truly though, the discovery is absolutely unsettling.

 

[Arisalin]

Jason felt the force ripple in a wave through him extending throughout the room. Suddenly it was empty in only a couple minutes and he found himself awed by the technique. He considered the implications of spreading fear and messing with the minds through the force and the power it could give you over groups of people. He was so deep in thought he barely caught himself from looking off towards the door where so many had funneled out before the other figure in the room spoke to him.

He regarded her cooly and without emotion his dark eyes shooting over the offered drink. She was testing him, or he thought she was. Her eyes obviously held emotions that would be felt with contempt, and her posture seemed haughty. Maybe she wanted to even poison him. Either way, the drink was not important. If she wanted him to prove himself he would do it in another way. One where he was unhindered by alcohol. He wouldn't have taken it under friendly terms. Just as the young man feared the power of the force and what it could do with the mind he held a high distaste for how loose your tongue and how slow your thoughts became after a meer drink.

He took it anyways and set it on the table in front of him. Xanthus had said to introduce themselves. This... Xotomi had done so but Jason found himself held back. There was something strange about how she moved and talked. It was alien to him. He mentally shook himself and stood, leaving the drink where it was and turning to follow Xanthis. Whoever this woman was he did not find important. She was an obstacle.

One that in time, he planned to overcome.

 

[Xan]

As the Sith Assassin finally reached the cantina doors, he reached a hand backwards and kept it there for a few seconds before a drink found its way into his grip. It was Xotomi's Death Wish No. 9. Without even looking at the drink, Xanthus downed the concoction and placed its former container upon a nearby table. Taking a deep breath, Xanthus exhaled, burped once rather lightly and continued walking away out of the hive of scum and villainy. "A marvelous thing about being a Force-sensitive Assassin. Your body grows accustomed to dealing with poisons." Xanthus said without the slightest change of pace in his step. As the suns of Tatooine became visible and the heat of the outdoors became palpable, Xanthus led the two apprentices towards a small building that sported a few light hoverbikes in its front. With a hand signal that apparently meant 'wait here,' Xanthus walked into the small building for a few moments before coming back out again with a half-smile. "Come Apprentices. Mount up on a bike, we are leaving this place for a much hotter and less friendly location." As he sat down on his own bike and activated it, Xanthus threw in as an extra comment: "I hope that you both enjoy desert trips, because we are going hunting in the desert today. Follow me, and try not to hit too many pedestrians. My friend wants these back in...ah...operable conditions." With that, Xanthus was gone, hopefully with Xotomi and Jason following on their own hoverbikes. Briefly Xanthus's imagination flashed an image of them sharing one, and he almost fell off of his own bike with laughter. 'I wonder which one of them would survive that experience? Damn, I should have made that an order.' Xanthus thought to himself with a half-smile.

 

[Mistress]

The boy, whatever his name is, didn't reply. 'Good,' she thought. He just might not earn himself a slow death by her hand afterall. The tongue is often a big culprit for such retaliation. That's a rare gem, the silent type. No bother, she'll read his mind if she gets bored enough. But she is quite capable of entertaining herself, usually.

Xotomi grabbed at the drink as it passed through the air, a little too late however, as Xanthus caught hold of it. "You'd better appreciate it," is all she had to comment under her breath through gritted teeth. "I put up with being in the company of swine for that drink." It was only partially adequate payment. But she smiled brightly, because its one drink that can cause volatile intestinal reactions when mixed with another alcohol. It was a happy thought indeed.

Then Xanthus put up a hand signal that apparently meant 'wait here,' so determined by Xotomi. She was on her A-Game today! Xanthus' smile and his comment had her wondering if he planned on sacrificing a virgin to some Sarlacc Pit Monster...she knew she would be safe there!

As Xanthus sped away, he might not have been aware that he left Xotomi behind, standing directly behind him, wriggling her fingers with the intention to climb on the back of his hover bike. She turned abruptly... contemplating how maybe she'll institute that virgin sacrifice on her own. "Blue...I like blue," she announced a bit pleasantly inebriated as she walked over to one of the two bikes, hoping to beat whatever-his-name-is to that particular vehicle.

 

[Arisalin]

Jason watched Xanthus take the drink and down it swiftly. He was portraying his power in minor ways, first with clearing the room, now with this. It was impressive, but Jason refused to be caught up in it. He would have to work on the same skills so he would not be a weak link, but he would not do it in any obvious ways. Asking questions was also, out of the question. Jason could tell the less Xotomi and even Xanthus knew about him the better. Xanthus would end up being the exception in the long run, since he was his Master, but anyone else was a target, or something that needed to be deflected or overcome.

Jason listened to the order to mount up, and he watched Xanthus speed off quickly. Xotomi paused also just long enough to speak commenting on the blue vehicle. Jason was already on the move. He mounted the second bike which seemed to be a dark brown, nearly a black. The other apprentice could have her preferred color. It meant nothing to him.

The ex-Jedi started the vehicle and shot a glance towards Xotomi before speeding off. He would not let her know anything she could use against him. Even his name. If Xanthus let is slip it was a loss he would have to absorb, but even something as simple as his name could lead to her learning about him. He had to focus on learning about Xanthus and her.

'Keep your friends close, but keep your enemy closer.'

Jason was still trying to figure out which one his Master was. He figured it was the latter as he sped up to catch him.

 

[Xan]

The desert sands melted away in tan streaks of light as the hoverbike tore through the air at great speed. Though there was not much to see, the flatness of the landscape provided quite a view for kilometers in every direction. It was not exactly a straight shot to arrive in the location that Xanthus had in mind. Every once in a while, the three would cross over a dune or turn at a great pit in the desert sands. After some time, the trio would stop in what appeared to be a rather small valley, with small mountains rising on either side of a great pass in the earth. Parking his hoverbike at the edge of a mountainous wall of earth, Xanthus leaped off of his vehicle and looked directly up, apparently searching for something along the rock face. By the time his apprentices parked their bikes and walked over to him, he would have found it and started pointing almost directly up on the nearly vertical cliff face.

"Ah, and here I wondered if I would be able to find it." He began with a half-smile. "We leave the hoverbikes down here for now, but don't worry, we won't have to climb. It's hard to see, but there is a trail to where I want to go." With that, Xanthus began to walk towards the cliff face and just before it seemed that he would walk directly into the rock, he made a sharp turn to the left and began to step along a path of rocks. The path was rather difficult to see unless one was staring directly at it, but a path it was and it looked almost like a naturally-made stair that went up the steep side of the cliff face. "Come on students! And try not to fall, because if you break something during the fall, I'm sure that there are plenty of things that will enjoy eating your broken form whole." Despite the cryptic message, Xanthus spoke in cheerful tones. He almost seemed...excited about something.

 

[Mistress]

Well the desert sand nearly burned up her eyes within their sockets. It would take a full day to be able to see indoors again. Hot or not, she drew up her hood. Xotomi would have wanted to ride the hover bike up the trail, rather than walk it. 'Did the cliffy thing just shift when he stepped on it?' She isn't certain, or maybe it was she who shifted.

Why Xan's social interaction today is spot on! Not. Xotomi could probably zap him in the arse and he wouldn't even comment on it. He's obsessed with whatever is on his agenda.

Perhaps Xotomi should have done her homework about this planet before she arrived. Maybe it would have been good to read about its mysteries and urban legends, because Xan seems off his rocker today. 'Let me guess, not stairs but teeth!' she thought to herself.

Now Xotomi possessed a good sense of intuition, but Xan himself always seemed unsurpassable, or at least he changes his mind in a flash and thus is difficult to anticipate. But this situation she could probably have understood at least, were she not to have earlier entertained the drink. But even under the influence, Xotomi's sense of fear is magnified.

She entertained her earlier thought and asked aloud as she followed him upward, "Master! I say, you don't worship any strange ancient godds; do you? One who demands strict restitution, for finding all subjugation inadequate? Hmm?"

 

[Arisalin]

Jason rode with a well practiced skill eyes at a slight squint as they watched Xanthus speed ahead of him. He slowed where his Master stopped and pulled to the left descelerating perfectly to a controled stop. He slid off the bike and watched Xotomi speed to a stop. She followed Xanthus, and he followed her a couple yards behind watching his step but keeping pace. The wind was eerily moaning as they got higher on the path but they had not stopped yet. Xotomi asked a question, and he found himself suddenly aggravated with her. It was something about how she talked, the wording of her phrases, and the strangeness of the questions.

Jason shook himself mentally throwing away his annoyance. She wasn't even talking to him and he was angry. She wasn't even saying anything wrong and he was angry. He hoped they reached their destination soon.

Jason tried to focus himself with knowledge,, the one place he could always hide. He stared out across the landscape below and focused his senses. Maybe he could feel what was closeby with the force. Even if this failed, he was glad for something to think about besides the acolyte ahead of him.

 

[Xan]

After what might have felt like a small eternity, but what counted as only roughly a quarter hour worth of a climb, Xanthus found what he was searching for along the wall of the valley. A massive hole in the side of the valley, the entrance to a cavern that promised relief and shelter from the burning sun. Looking into the cliff-side cavern would hardly be of assistance, considering that it fell to pitch darkness at a respectable distance inside. "Here we are." Xanthus said, practically humming as he walked into the gloomy looking maw of darkness. It was large enough to support a column of stormtroopers marching without difficulty, and tall enough to support an AT-ST comfortably. The air inside was notably cooler, as one might expect, considering that neither of Tatooine's suns could shed light within this little earthen hole. If one were perceptive, they might notice that the air had a particular scent to it, though unless they had been to Tatooine before and had lived in its deserts for a decent amount of time, they would not recognize the musty scent for what it was. "To answer your earlier question, Xotomi, I worship only one being, and that is the power that comes from the Force. To answer the inevitable question: there is a reason why I brought you both to this cave. I have a tradition, you see, that I seem to have acquired from my first master." Xanthus spoke as he walked deeper into the cavern, past the point where the light of the suns would reach. Raising his palms, Xanthus conjured two balls of fire and projected them out a few feet in front of himself to shed light on the path. The will-o-the-wisps flitting around provided a sense of low-light, but it was better than no light at all. "Every apprentice that I train has to undergo something of a trial by fire, and in so doing, they gain a sense of appreciation for the power that the Force offers in all of its forms, both dark and otherwise. I figured that instead of bringing you both separately, I'd simply have you combine your efforts." Xanthus was beginning to wonder if either of his apprentices had yet gathered the point that he was getting at. Personally, he had his doubts, but he would not have been surprised either way.

 

[Mistress]

Xotomi wasn't exactly sure if some omnipotent creature was going to get a human sacrifice anymore. It was pretty disheartening actually. Her spirits sank a little. But she pushed onward, shuffling her feet sadly as she followed after Xanthus, the Fun-Sucker-Outer. Well, if the kid, whatever-his-name-is faltered, she still had the chance to pretend he were a sacrifice! That was a hopeful thought. A little smile found its way to her lips just then.

So...she had so far, a smelly cave...yadda-yadda...the promise of fire. Yawn! Cavemen had realized the concept of starting a fire. That wasn't exactly the most difficult task in the universe! BORING! She should have tripped the kid when he was still climbing up the side of the cliff. 'Damnit!' Xotomi needs to become a much faster thinker on her feet if she's ever going to get anywhere in life.

"Master Xanthus, I rarely ever have a clue what your surprises involve. Usually they just amuse you. You are aware of that character flaw; aren't you? Maybe a lesson in communication is needed; it really could improve your relationships with people. If not, I suggest you allow us to vote next time we go anywhere. I don't like this smell. My retinas are perhaps permanently damaged. And walking is for babies. As was I rather enjoying myself at the bar...at least considering the drinks."

 

[Arisalin]

'Combine your efforts.' Jason stared face like a stone into the cave. He hated the idea of working with Xotomi. She spoke up while he thought; rambling once again about the unimportant. Jason felt out with the force calming himself into a state of higher focus. He closed his eyes and felt the force seeping from him. He closed it in, using all of his power to heighten his senses, speed, and strength. When he finished Jason's eyes snapped open and he focused into the darkness and the mystery that the cave offered.

"Master, what must I do?"

He did not ask 'we.' He would only consider using the help of the other apprentice if he was on the brink of death. Jason also spoke coldly, and calmly. A stark contrast to Xotomi. His voice, soft as it was, surged with the force just as wanted it to.

Jason knew when speaking, first impressions were everything. He did not joke. He did not laugh mirthlessly. He went straight for the target.

 

[Xan]

'Apprentices truly are amusing.' Xanthus thought as he listened to Xotomi's complaining and Jason's comparatively cold demeanor. Apprentices were truly amusing indeed. He would have to begin training more if they would all be as entertaining to listen to as these two. "Xotomi, by now you should know that my caring for the opinions of others is rather low. My communication skills are fine. You simply are not the...ah...crowd that I reserve my more eloquent abilities for." Xanthus said with a smile that could be heard.' Soon after, the trio stepped into a rather large area, a massive 'chamber' within the cave system. The air immediately became cooler, and any potential feelings of claustrophobia would be immediately erased entering into this area. It appeared large enough to fit the Temple of Korriban within its rocky interior. The 'ceiling' hung high enough above their heads that the stalactites were mere pinpricks. Where the stalactites and the stalagmites joined, a tower was formed that looked taller than most of the buildings on the surface world. In short, they were within a massive cave. Light that had no apparent source illuminated the cave, a wonder of light. When Xanthus spoke, a wonder of sound became noticeable; there was no echo within this chamber. "You asked earlier what your task was, Apprentice." Xanthus said, pointing to what appeared to be a large hill with stalagmites growing out of it within the chamber. "You are going to work together to kill that. No weapons until I give the go-ahead though, or else you fail." Xanthus said without giving an exact idea of what would happen if they failed. With that, he pointed his finger and the wisp smote the hill in the side, causing it to roar angrily and rise up. Thirty meters long, ten meters high, teeth sharp as razors with claws like knives... "Apprentices, like I did before you, you are going to kill a fully grown Krayt Dragon. I almost doubted that one would be here, but they just can't resist this particular cave for some reason. Be glad that this one is alone." Xanthus said cheerily before disappearing from view and Force sense, as though he had never been there at all.

 

[Mistress]

"Ah! Frak nuts!" Xotomi exclaimed.

So the Master lead them to a dragon's lair, and told two of his students who don't know much about being a Veterinarian or a Taxidermist, or about Anatomy or Archeology, to slay it without the use of any weapons! Then he just had to piss off said dragon, before he disappeared into thin air. Xotomi was starting to get a real headache about now. She never just abruptly stops drinking in he middle of the day like this! This afternoon is becoming a real drag!

"Master, don't take this the wrong way, but screw you!" she announced to the air. He shouldn't take her remark the right way either. She didn't feel she needed to prove a damn thing to nobody. Where is the glory in it? Nowhere! The Sith Imperium ain't gonna give her any personal accommodation for slaying no dragon. They got no cable wires, no harpoons, torches, anvils, pianos, nothing! And the Master demanded that nothing is to be used! "And screw this!" she added finally.

'Where the heck was that bar again?' she pondered. Xotomi turned around on her heels and began her trek back towards the opening of the cave. She was thinking, Xanthus could kill her if he liked. Anything is better than being chewed to a paste by a beast from Hell. "I bet you was thinking I was crazy! This'll show you, I'm not crazy! That's right. I am NOT crazy!" she said twice, just to be sure she believed it herself.

 

[Arisalin]

Xanthus disappeared as the Krayt Dragon rose. He had given one restriction on the monumentous task of killing the Krayt Dragon; a beast that Jason had never laid eyes on before. They were not to use their weapons. Xotomi almost immediately started towards the cave entrance and Jason barely shot her a glance before turning back to the beast. He refused to falter, though every instinct he had screamed to run. It's going to kill you. Run! Hide! Don't let yourself within it's reach! Pray it does not give chase! Despite all of these thoughts he stood his ground as the beast turned it's great head towards him.

The eyes stopped locking with his for a slit second and a wave of sickness rose from him. Jason collapsed to one knee head hanging chin in his chest. His eyes unfocused and he steadied himself. His fingers grasped the dust off the ground and he was sucked back into reality. A roar exploded out of the beast yet Jason did not stir as he watched the dirt spill through his fingers as he raised the hand up. Through the force, you will have victory. His eyes flew back to the beast and the fear that had previously unsettled him flying from his heart.

 

[Xan]

A jarring crash shook the insides of the cavern as a multitude of rocks cascaded down the wall of the cave and crashed down in front of the cave entrance that Xotomi had just been approaching. A hollow chuckling sound echoed from seemingly nowhere, a sound that sounded suspiciously similar to the sound of Xanthus's chuckling voice. Apparently there would be no escaping from this trial, unless being eaten by a Krayt Dragon counted as escape. "You know, I did forget something." Xanthus's hollow voice rang out, though whether from inside of their minds or from within the caves as an echo the Apprentice's would likely be unable to tell. "I was allowed the use of a weapon. Just not my main weapon." Two dull thuds echoed in the cave as two weapons became visible, one landing in the ground in front of each apprentice. The weapons sunk half-way into the ground, emphasizing their sharpness. They were each only slightly shorter than the average lightsaber, but to the hands would feel almost as weightless even though they were made of metal. Being sharpened by Xanthus's will, they would be able to cut even into the Krayt Dragon's flesh if they were swung with ferocity enough.

"Since you two don't have hidden blades, you can use these: darkside enhanced ancient Sith swords. Now, kill the beast or die." The voice speaking went silent, apparently having never spoken in the first place. Only the presence of the blades remained as proof of the voice and its commands. Naturally, Xanthus was somewhere within the cavern, watching with a half-smile and amusement flowing in his eyes. It was not quite as difficult as his version of the test, however it was plenty difficult enough that it should make for a good viewing. Two apprentices who dislike each other being forced to fight together against something fifty times their size trying with all of its considerable might to eat them. Not for the first time, Xanthus chuckled to himself as he prepared to enjoy the show.

 

[Mistress]

"Son of a _____!" she cried out as the cave entrance caved in before her eyes. She could have just blasted through it; sure! But the dragon already saw where they are, thanks to the Master for having awoken it, and that kid for having stood there like a fool just begging to become its appetizer! Xotomi would be the main course of course, as she's already marinated with Liquor! "Waah!" she exclaimed. "You sick sadistic ______er - _____er!" He knows what he is. Everyone knows it.

Then some primitive smelted mineral butter-knife sliced into the ground at her feet, and the kid's. "What the ____ are these supposed to be?!" Only a complete moron would stay the use of her perfectly good lightsaber which hung at her side, for some tin stick. Xotomi is no caveman! She wants to tell Xanthus what she thinks about him right now before she dies! And she'd do it, just after she actually has a second longer to live enough to DO it! She wanted to throw everything she had into nowhere until she hit Xanthus with something. He is afterall, somewhere! She'll so do just that...when she gets to live another moment where she doesn't need to defend her life from a non-sentient carnivorous beast!

When Xotomi saw the dragon coming for whatever-his-name-is she felt bad. She felt bad because once the kid is no longer standing in front of her, the dragon will already know how good people taste! And right now she can't even yell out his name to get his attention in order to make him flinch as she tells him to stay there...because she refuses to die first, of course!

At a loss, "Fine!" she cursed at their predicament, and Xanthus' fun-sucker-outer-ness. Xotomi sighed heavily and turned on her heels. Her eyes flashed as she tromped forward, down the path to the belly of the cave once again. "Work! Work! Work!" she complained, "If I absolutely must!" She really wanted to get the heck out of here to get herself back to the bar. "You think you're funny? You're not funny!" she yelled to Xanthus, wherever he was hiding. Xotomi stood next to the kid and glowered at him, eating up his inner fears. Even Xanthus was probably fearing getting squashed by the Dragon somewhere. She liked that idea a whole lot!

As the beast charged, Xotomi threw out a Force Push with a vengeance, sending the creature hurling through the air, smashing its body across the fused rock formations. Then when it landed, she repeated her assault upon it.