I will make a man out of you

[Richie B.]

Jungle of Tund
​

It wasn't pleasant, it wasn't what Asher was used to. Hell he never been outside of Nar Shadda and so far he has seen more colors and more of nature then he had ever seen before. Some would be awestruck because of it, Asher, just wished he had some damn bug spray. Why did his supposed master ask to take him to such a horrible place? Clearly torture was a thing everyone enjoyed, since his master found it fun to have him here. One of the many reasons why one day he couldn't wait to get a chance to do the same to him. If he ever found a way to take on such a man, despite Asher's lack of understanding with almost everything he could tell that Darth Cain was a man of much dark power. Almost sure of it, Asher doubted the man's being a man, more like a dark entity.

Asher didn't know a way of getting back to civilization and no doubt the only way of surviving was to get though whatever Darth Cain had him doing here. Though a small part of him was glad to be away from the mass of people, where the only thing he needed to worry about was animals and bugs. Something that was clear in its hatred of you, felt far more alive and comforting then when it pretends to care for you. In some twisted sense Asher enjoyed the isolation from the rest of civilization but, the bugs and lack of sentient contact wasn't something he was used to. It sucked but it seemed like Asher would need to trust he wasn't set out here to die by the man he now called master. Though the Annoo-Dat didn't see the logic in it, his paranoia push the thought in the forefront of his mind. He quickly looked around at the tree's and flowing water all around him, making the air smell funny, or at least to a city person like Asher it smelled weird; unnatural. With his usual attire he wasn't left with much protection, though being a Annoo-Dat did have some advantages like strong muscles and large form.

"I swear if he just took me here to kill some beast." Asher spoke in a low voice hoping it would not be detected.

In truth he wasn't told for the specific purpose, being a lonely student and a new one at that meant he wasn't capable of getting much in the way of respect. Most likely he would need to learn about this stupid force thing that everyone talks about now. It was strange for him but also familiar to the Annoo-Dat. Asher was picked up because of what he could be thanks to his species, now he was picked up thanks to what he might become, and in the end a weapon was his supposed new purpose. Asher just needed to find a way of making himself a weapon that only he had control over.

For now he needed to play the student and learn or no doubt he would be left behind at best, at worst killed for not meeting what they want. And the threat of death was a good way of pushing Asher to doing what was needed.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

Cain had trained his fair share of force users. Sith and Priests alike. His own daughter had been a student at his feet, learning the ways of the force from a young age. Yet this case was special. He had never taken on a neophyte of such an advanced age. He was well over a decade behind almost all of his peers in terms of instruction and training. Yet he had so much raw potential, it was hard to ignore the possibilities of what he could become-given the appropriate grooming. So Cain sat amidst the trees and underbrush of the jungle, miles away from the Dark Basilica that marked the center of instruction for the Priesthood of Tund. He had given the young man no instruction, yet, nor had he given him direction.

His legs still crossed, he reached out with the force. Cain had a great many skills with wielding the force-arguably second to none in terms of ability to manipulate it-yet his greatest strength was in mentalism. It was why he was known as Lord of the Mind. So he touched the mind of his young student, reaching into him and projecting his words through the force. His new pupil had not earned the right to train face to face, not yet.

"You have much to learn out here in the wilds before you have earned the right to study at my temple, Asher." Cain's voice echoed. "You must first come to understand the nature of the Dark Side, deeper than the violence inherit in traditional Sith Teachings. As I educate you, you will have to survive these wilds, infused with the Dark Side that they are. Should you fail to defend yourself or meet my expectations, you will die. Do you understand?" The Dark Lord's voice hissed.

Just past Asher, lurking in the shadows of the brush, a solitary predator lays in wait. Watching.

 

[Richie B.]

The only thing worst then a master with a tight control over you, is one that gave vague instructions. He wasn't given anything in the ways of a guide to what he needed to do. But as he sit around waiting he could feel something off about the jungle and the animals inside. Like the place was cold and heavy more so then should be, maybe it was just how it was out in the wild and that was the reason or cities. Or that this was connected to what they called the force, more importantly the dark side. Though he never felt anything like this before he was unsure if he should get closer. Maybe this path wasn't one he should go down?

Then of course the sound started in his head, like someone talking directly into his skull. It wasn't a comforting thought. If Darth Cain was supposedly able to communicate with him from far away what else could he do to the Annoo-Dat. But apparently he need to learn the dark side from this place. And that violence isn't the only thing he needed. Which he just thought was strange that a group which supposedly got this big because of violence would look down on it. And now of course the master wanted a response, but how much would Asher submit to. Should be take the knee as far as that path would go, or show some backbone and not be afraid of questioning the man's mental function. Probably a middle path would be best, just something that should keep him alive but keep some sort of dignity though Asher doubt he would have any remaining for long.

"Fine but I hope this is worth the time." Asher could only hope the Darth wouldn't do anything to mess with his mind, but Asher couldn't be sure of what the Dark man's intentions.

And so using both his vision and the ability to use the air to guide him, the Annoo-Dat found the lone predator stalking him. Asher wasn't sure if Darth Cain wanted him to fight beasts or just defend himself. Yet the Annoo-Dat was far more comfortable in a fight then lessoning to a man talk in his head. So assuming that in a fight he wouldn't have to listen to the Darth talk Asher approached the creature, keeping his two upper arms up prepared to take a hit while he crouch slightly. Ready to spring into action for full force, few sentient creatures were on par with a Annoo-Dat prime, Wookies and Trandoshans being some of the few. So Asher was ready and eager to do something familiar in this environment that he could control.

He would stop around 5 meters away from the creature picking up a rock from the wet ground, before chucking it at full speed at the creatures head. Hoping to land a hit, but prepared for some sort of retaliation. There was little in between the two creatures, a few trees which to get cover but nothing that should be of any hindrance in case of a brawl. Maybe Asher would get to eat something if this goes well.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

The beast's muscles tensed as Asher moved to grab the stone. Twin tails whipping in the air as it planned where it would land and how it would dig it's fangs into his succulent flesh. Cain watched from afar, probing quietly. He had no interest in manipulating the mind of the supplicant. That was far too risky and could result in resentment. He wanted Asher loyal. That was what was most important. His words continued to reach the annoo-dat's mind, seeping into his thoughts. If the prospective Sith wanted to survive, he had to be able to act and listen at the same time. Basics.

"The Sith Code: Peace is a lie, there is only passion."" Cain began as the stone hurled through the air. The beast leapt, the stone clipping it's thigh. It let out a roar of pain and landed just off to the side, stepping around it's prey. Asher was now considered to be dangerous, and the creature would be more cautious and precise. "Hate, Fear, Lust, Pain, Rage, Devotion, Love, Fanaticism. All of these are passions. Some are stronger than others. You must feel it, that fire in you, feed it like you would a furnace with fuel. Visualize a crucible inside of you and let the fire grow." Cain continued.

The Beast prowled to the left, now in full view. It was a large cat-like creature with black fur and twin tails ending in wicked looking barbs. It's eyes were red-gold with corruption. It snapped it's teeth and growled, bearing wicked fangs that appeared to be blackened with some kind of ichor. It lunged again, hurling itself low this time at Asher's leg. All the while it's twin tails whipped at his chest.

 

[Richie B.]

Asher watched as the rock fly towards its target, but a voice managed to take such a proud moment and bring it down. Yet Asher for all his anger at the Darth, felt some pull on the words, like he could agree with it. In and reality Asher did he just didn't like the fact that Cain was the one saying it. He was never a man in peace, his mother abandoned him, he was used simply because he could grow to be strong by a gangbanger. And when that was done he lost everything when that same man betrayed him, and now Asher without anywhere else to go was fighting a giant feline beast in the jungle. Not out of his own will but because he didn't have any other option. This angered him, this gave him a fire inside him. Knowing he didn't have control of himself that he was nothing more then a pawn. It hurt him, made him lust for more and freedom, and this created a rage in him that he usually felt in the back alley.

But this time it felt like more then just a blind anger that his blood pushed him to do, but something deeper, stronger. Darker in fact, like a thing of nature was bringing him to fight, making him angrier and more brutish. Asher wasn't in full control but he didn't care, he enjoyed the rush the blood pounding and a small smile grow on his lips. He notice the teeth and their weird look but thought nothing of it, not like he could tell what it could be, but the tails that was something he would need to deal with. And so he watched the beast slowly circle him, and Asher did the same for the creature. His two upper arms up and his lower arms close to his stomach prepared to fly in a punch at the beast.

"You want fire, I will GIVE YOU FIRE!" His words were low at first before growing loud and intense a anger in him one brought up by lack of control and the feeling of fear that is in everyone when a fight is about to start.

And as the beast jumped, Asher thought about his passions, he didn't know why but he figured his instincts were what caused him to return the lung, but over the beast as Asher almost allowed himself to get stabbed by the tails. Yet his two upper arms grabbed hold of the two, pushing it to either side of his chest, as he legs which would be about a foot over the feline's mouth and bent up would come crashing down. Right into the skull of the creature, if it didn't move, but with the quick moment and both lunging at each other there wasn't much it could go to.

There was never peace, Asher had known this and was now realizing he never needed it. As his feet went to stump the creatures skull, he was sure his hands would be bleeding and cut up from the barbed tail but the pain only added to his anger. It was strange but he felt more powerful for it, if everything was to work out, Asher would quickly try and snap the tail in his hands by swiftly bending the tails in a awkward angle, while he picked up his right foot and stump down on the spine of the feline thing.

He wanted to survive, he needed to get stronger and more powerful. And if this thing would get in his way, Asher would simply crush it under his foot, letting it know its place under him. He watched as his pent up anger pushed him further, and he didn't just see the cat under his foot, no he saw everyone that ever tried to use him and betray him. He saw the galaxy that didn't care, saw the mother that never loved him and he knew his future was to put them all under his foot just like this feline cat.

Asher's tail would be pointed up away from the mouth the whole time not wanting to risk getting a piece of him inside the beast.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

Cain shook his head slowly even as he sat amidst a pack of the same vicious cats. They all slept quietly around the Dark Lord, strangely soothed by his presence. Already, Asher had been a fool. He had assumed to much about the creature and it would cost him. The bladed barbs that tipped the twin tails of the cat were not nearly as poisonous as it's maw, but they would make the annoo-dat begin to feel numb in a few minutes. Cain did not bother to tell his new student the news, it was irrelevant, he would survive or he would not. Wasted potential was one thing, wasting Cain's time was another. He did not tolerate waste in any form.

"And what a ... pathetic fire that was." Cain growled into the hopeful's mind. "Peace is a Lie. There is only Passion. Through Passion. I gain Strength. Through Strength. I gain Power. Through Power I gain Victory. Through Victory my chains are Broken. That is the sith code!" Cain recited into the Sith's mind. "Strength is not only raw physical power. Those thoughts are the ideas of fools and imbeciles, primitive thoughts reserved for things without minds of their own. The Dark Side gives you FOCUS!" He roared into the Sith's mind, like a cracking whip across the cosmos.

The cat, however, mewled pitifully in it's bass tone and crumpled beneath the young student's heavy boot. Power had prevailed but at what cost in the long term? Cain licked his lips as the creature's life force faded and the other great beasts around him shifted, eager to hunt Asher themselves. ""Do you burn bright like an explosion and fade away into nothing? Or are you a mighty reactor? Do not be an idiot, boy. Focus! Use that fire to harden you like tempered steel, let it give you focus, precision, raw power as you draw it steadily! Do not waste your strength on demonstrations that impress no one." He chastised.

Two great cats left Cain's side, darting into the forest to find and if they had their way-destroy Asher.

 

[Richie B.]

Asher felt the cat's life drain from its body, the head deformed which brought a smile to his face. That was until he heard his master's voice in his head, and that joy was taken quickly away. The acolyte felt powerful even if he didn't do it the way his supposed master wanted he did kill the beast. But Darth Cain felt necessary to finish the code, like it contained some great secret. But yet he was being judged for his use of physical power, it was what he was born with, what he was gifted so many years ago by a uncaring mother.

But he was talking about focus, Asher was focus. Did he mean about getting hurt? Did the man not understand the best way of limiting the damage in any fight was taking the wound that one could to finish off the foe. Every fight was complex and random which was why Asher knew that a few wounds are fine so long as ultimately your in control of the fight. Dictate how you get hurt so you can ensure the death of the enemy.

"You speak as if that was a demonstration. But has it accord to you that maybe that was just how one who enjoys a challenge fights." Asher felt angry and it did give him power but focus, that was something he never had.

His only goal till now has been surviving, though now it was power, just pure power. Maybe he did associate it with raw physical power but that was all he knew, the Annoo-Dat has only ever won fights by being stronger. But what was the point, what should he focus on? Cain keeps on speaking about it as if there was just something out there he should focus on but he knows not what it is. Was it the dark side? The dangers in this jungle? Something else? Asher knew not.

"But you tell me to focus, what should I focus on, the dark side? These beasts! I focus better when I have something in front of me something I can break. Is that not power, is that not strength. When one can ensure victory though any means, when one is able to dictate the course of a fight and limit the wounds to only what you allow. The beast died quickly because I sacrificed and I am willing to do whatever it takes for that victory." After Asher finished that half assed speech, he felt it.

His arms were starting to go numb, it was slow at first but now they were becoming sluggish and slow. Asher had been drunk and high before but this was different, and he realized now that something most have happened when he grabbed the tail. For a moment Asher figured that Cain meant the acolyte should have figure the tails were dangerous and that is why he said to focus, but the man didn't want to admit it.

Taking off his shirt the acolyte did the only thing he could ripping it so that it was able to cover his four hands. The bandages and rapping wasn't perfect but it should allow him to grab hold of the tails better if it came to it. He continued to walk though, he wasn't sure where Cain was he felt it was away deeper into the jungle. No doubt more creatures would come but the acolyte needed to move before bigger predators come for the body.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

Cain narrowed his eyebrows, his eyes closed in concentration. The young man had much to learn if he was to truly embrace the dark. Cain made no comment as he sensed Asher's moment of realization. He could not fully perceive the inner thoughts of the young sith, but he knew that the poison would have kicked in by then. Instead he watched and waited, his mind open to the dark side. It was only when the pair of beasts leapt into the clearing that Cain finally spoke, intentionally working against his young student's concentration.

"Victory by any means more often then not is phyrric." Cain said patiently into Asher's mind. "A phyrric victory is one that, because of the losses incurred by the victor, is rendered pointless. Your victory over the first beast has left you hampered before you even fought the second wave. The actions of a fool. Tell me, are you a fool? I do not abide fools in the Sith. Asher. Prove me wrong, show me that you can focus that passion of yours into something useful!"

The Beasts waited only long enough for Cain to begin his lecture when they too lunged. Both creatures, their barbed tails whipping wildly, charged at either side of Asher from the front. One went high, one went low. Their powerful muscles rippling beneath dark fur, long claws extended to rip and tear and ichor covered fangs gnashing.

 

[Richie B.]

The acolyte had began to look around to hopefully find some sort of means in defending himself, only finding two nice size rocks around the size of his fists. So the Sith knew he was going to have to fight his way though the beasts on this planet. And just as he figured he will be able to get some rest, two more cats jumped out of nowhere. This was going to be difficult then of course the voice came back into his head. It seemed the Darth was not happy with the way he did things. Which was good since it did bring some satisfaction though so long as he didn't die he was sure to continue pressing buttons. Still as the man spoke slightly distracting the acolyte, he watched as the two creatures lunged at him.

The acolyte didn't have the time to annoy the Dark lord as he was too busy defending himself, as the two cats lunged once more the Annoo-Dat responded but this time jumping away from the cats. While throwing two rocks at the cat on the left. Hoping to hit the head, but the acolyte was moving just slightly slower and no doubt the feline creatures could sense his slight hesitation. Which was only cause of the poison still in his system.

"I won't die here just to be food." Asher remarked as he continued to jump backwards away from the cats hoping to put some distance between the two though he doubt he could outrun them.

No he just needed a better position or something to give him a edge in the fight. He kept his eyes on the cats the whole way hoping to see some way of fighting back, but not yet seeing about asking the dark lord for help. Knowing that such a request would not be taken kindly plus, Asher knew the only one he could trust was himself.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

Cain narrowed his eyes and smiled. Good. The boy was learning a bit. Consider your surroundings, find a way to gain an advantage, seek a path that empowers yourself. That was Sith thinking, but it was still very basic-there was so much more to the way the Sith thought now. Cain bore his teeth and urged the cat's forward. One took a rock to the shoulder, letting out a pained cry and shuddering. It shrugged off the blow, its slavering maw gaping hungrily at it's intended prey. The other kept prowling forward, snapping it's teeth and rolling it's head. Tails whipped about and the creature lunged again-this time to undercut Asher by snapping at his ankles and whipping it's tails at his face.

Concentrate

"The Dark Side is a dangerous path. True mastery demands walking the edge of a precipice of which there is no bottom." Cain's voice hissed in his mind. "Find your ideal, find something to believe in, even if it is yourself. FIND IT! Find that belief and let your desire to achieve it fill you. Anger will not help you on my world! Rage will not fuel you enough to survive! Only a higher passion will save you! Find desire! Find devotion! Give yourself to what you believe in and cling to it with every ounce of strength your will has. Let it burn like an inferno!" Darth Cain encouraged.

The injured cat got to it's feet and began to advance.