Path to Enlightenment

[Gambler]

(( <_< I was referring to your post before mine))

"Good morning.... Master." Ash said as he descended into the room where Anaru was waiting He looked as fresh as if he had slept for three nights and his raven black hair was slightly damp. The crimson streak still made its odd countenance with the rest of his hair and his wraparound sunglasses once more hid his eyes. He almost yawned but he stopped himself from doing so. Pulling out a chair Ash straddled the back of it with his legs and put his chin on his arms as he faced Anaru.

"What do you have planned for me to do today?" He tried patiently. He almost laughed as he concealed the events and revelations from the previous night as well as the emotions that raged just under the surface for him. Rage. Confusion. Hatred. All of them were there, but undetectable unless one saw Ash's swirling mercurial eyes. Which was impossible given his wraparound sunglasses. So he hid his emotions from his master and played the part of a willing student. And it had only taken three hours of preparation after he couldn't get back to sleep last night.

 

[Flame]

((Yeah, I see whatcha mean. It was a little melodramatic, but hey who isn't yah know? ;) Oh, and for now I'll play along with your character. Will you make Ash will turn to the dark side? If so, tell me ahead of time and don't spring it on me all of a sudden kk?))

Anaru was slightly suspicious of Ash's sudden happy demeanor and change in attitude. But then he remembered his own master's wise words and mantra. "No one is too far gone for repentance and redemption." So he figured he would give him a chance.

"Today, as I implied yesterday I will teach you to dive deeply into the depths of the water using the force. One can only go so long underwater without having an external means of breathing and transpiring. So I will teach you how to handle yourself under water. I will go with you, and give you instructions through mental telepathy. Be very careful down there, because one wrong mistake could be the end for both of us. Is this understood?"

 

[Gambler]

((Yeah, I was thinking about him turning sometime either before or after he became a Knight. Which shouldn't take more than a few weeks at this rate. And I'll give you a little heads up before I turn Ash since I'll probably strike against you to turn him anyway.))

"Diving deeply into the water... I don't see why I would need it in this current state of affairs but I suppose it could be useful in the right circumstances. Maybe hiding or searching for something." Ash said aloud in his slightly upbeat tone. It sickened him to use such a tone when his insides felt like molten steel with the acidic dripping of poison and he couldn't keep a slight sneer off of his lips. He blanked his expression before his master could notice. Even if Anaru did see it Ash hoped that it appeared to be distaste for hiding or the water itself.

"Where will we begin? I would guess somewhere there is a lake or deep body of water, but I don't know where one such place would be. And how is this technique used? A subtle manipulation of the air in one's lungs to make it seem like the oxygen is flowing and renewing itself or a manipulation of the air around oneself to create a self renewing oxygen rich environment?" Roiling emotions or not Ash didn't have to fake interest here. He truly did want to know how to get stronger. How to control his powers. And unlock his mind.

 

[Flame]

((You should turn before you become knighted. Anaru doesn't know what failure is like yet, and it'd be interesting to have you go to the dark side. Although, play it out how you want.))

Anaru noticed Ash's sneer on his face temporarily. It was that reaction that confirmed his beliefs that something was indeed wrong. He would adjourn class until he could figure it out.

"Ash, pardon me but we will have to adjourn class for today. I have a bad feeling, and I don't know where it's coming from. I feel the dark side here today, but I need to further my investigations. I do notwant to risk anything terrible that might happen today."

Anaru bowed to his apprentice and walked away. He couldn't explain what it was but he did not feel well at all. Something was wrong with his apprentice, and he was certain about that at least.

 

[Gambler]

"You old fool," Ash whispered darkly, out of Anaru's hearing. It wasn't evil that had taken root in him. It was memories. His lip curled at what he realized he must do. He didn't plan on staying with the Jedi for very long anymore. No, just long enough for him to regain a semblance of his former strength. And then he would cut down his fool "master" and leave this pathetic order. But how long would that take? He still needed to learn how to use more complex powers and maybe a background knowledge of the Jedi. He had heard whispers of the Ospion... an offshoot of the Jedi. He wondered if they followed the same "idealistic" ideas as the Jedi. He would have to ask Anaru about that right now then.

"Wait! Master, please hold on!" He said in a tone that sounded simpering to his own ears but was probably pleading. "If you will not give me a lesson in the Force, could you not give me more knowledge of the Jedi? On my way here I heard rumours-no, whispers-of an offshoot of the Jedi. An order that called themselves the Ospion. What are they? What is their history with the Jedi order? Do they follow the lightside or do they let anger and hatred rule them as minions of the darkside?" This time his tone was genuine; he truly wanted, no, needed to know more about the Ospion if he was going to try to manipulate them as pawns soon.

 

[Flame]

Anaru was deaf to Ash's pleas for advice and information on the Ospions. His young apprentice was incredibly ignorant on the fact that he believed that his feelings, his hatred, and his rage were not detectable. Anaru sensed them and that was what he feared. After all, Anaru was not a master for no reason whatsoever; he had been trained to identify people's feelings and position himself so that he almost see into their mind. It saddened him that he was having to turn his back on his apprentice for now. But it was the necessarry course of action to take for the survival of his padawans character.

He would not let him turn to the dark side as long as it was within his power to prevent him from doing so. Even if that meant giving Ash a new master.....

((Sorry about the long delay. Recently, I haven't felt up to role playing Star Wars. It kind of got boring to me after a while. Oh, and is there anyway that you could do that citation thing for me? I am uberly confused lululz.))

 

[Gambler]

"You stupid old fool!" Ash growled in frustration, flaring orange lightsaber igniting in his left hand. He whipped his sunglasses off of his face violently. "You could have made this so much easier on yourself. But instead you will find out who I was. I am Archeron Dalon! Sovereign of the- No, I will not tell you that. Not yet. You'll find out when I revive my order and bring back the true meaning of power. But first you will die." The scary part was that there was no anger in his voice. Only cold certainty like he didn't need anger. Like he was above it somehow.

"Do you know what it is like to fail, Anaru? Have you ever had your apprentice turn on you and try to kill you? I have. My apprentice tried to kill me because I was too powerful. But my power is gone, stripped of my mortal body. Soon it shall return and with it the name Archeron Dalon. Both will strike terror and true fear into the hearts of all in this galaxy. And when that time comes you will know what it is like to truly fail. Yourself. The Jedi Order. The galaxy. Already you have failed. He laughed tauntingly. His swirling eyes didn't show mirth though. Only cold arrogance. Not arrogance. Something deeper. Forgotten power just under the surface but unreachable.

"But you won't have the chance to speak of your failure. No. You will die by my hand. This lightsaber is a meaningless weapon. I would much prefer your blood on my hands as I wipe that false patient look off of your face. Strike at me, master. Show that you aren't above such emotions as anger. I know you aren't. No one is. This time his taunt didn't come alone. Indeed, Ash flung his body forward in a lurching sprint. Each footstep pattered lightly against the ground. He slashed once to the left. Feint. And finally he stabbed just above Anaru's kneecap. A blow that could hamstring the Jedi Master if it hit. Ash didn't think it would.

((Those last two sentences were to clear up the "stab" part. I couldn't think of a better way to word it. So he is stabbing at your leg right now on the backlash of his feint))

 

[Flame]

Anaru listened to his apprentice's madness. It was hard to believe the poppycock that was coming out of his aprentices mouth....but he had never before seen him this angry and furious. He listened quietly (without turning around) as his apprentice told him of how his padawan had tried to overwhelm him in strength and take over. Then he spoke of his hope for Anaru's failure and his heart was downcast and morose. He had never heard such hateful words spewing forth from any of his apprentices's mouths.

His arrogance and his hatred combined formed a funnel through which Ash could channel his rage towards Anaru. When he had finished his tirade, he charged at Anaru. His first strike was carefully timed, because it was a feint to his left. Then he brought his blade down in a lower-cut swinging position. Anaru felt a blip in the force as his life was put in danger.

The jedi master moved apropriately and precisely by doing a back handspring and landing a ways away from Ash. Anaru had still not drawn his lightsaber. For the first time since his departure, Anaru spoke boldly and precisely

"This is not you Ash. You do not have to listen to your power-lusting and hateful identity. You have good inside of you, it is not too late to turn back."

 

[Gambler]

Ash laughed unctuously. His smooth tone never altered even with the growing sneer on his face. "You have no idea how late it is for me, do you? Have you ever heard of Zolan? There was once an embassy there. Peaceful people. Didn't do anyone harm. But they abused and shunned me because of my eyes. So I killed them. With the Force. I ordered them to kill themselves and they did. That kind of power sent a thrill through me. And then I killed my apprentice as he leveled the building with explosives that forced me into a coma. Only my connection to the Force being cut off saved me. And that is all I remember right now. Imagine what else could come with time. Good? There never was good in me. Ever. I was born an abomination and I fulfill that epitaph." There was no pain in his tone. Nor was there anger. Only understanding. And a sneering laugh.

"As I once told you: the Jedi are fools. Always you believe your way is the right one and that everyone should live with the consequences your actions cause inversely. Help one family from thugs and that same groups terrorizes another two. Defeat on crime group and a hundred more pop up. Always your actions hurt. Not in the first few days or even years, but the long term outcome of your meddling is catastrophic. Not that I care what happens to the galaxy. Right now I suppose I'll just kill you. An example if you will." This was said once more in that same eerily calm tone befit of anger or any emotions. Matter-of-fact.

"I suppose your pride is too great to accept failure. Here, let me assist you!" Ash jumped forward, a burst of anger allowing him to close the entire distance in one bound, and landed three feet away from Anaru. A laugh tainted the moment as he drew back his saber once more and flicked his wrist. The gleaming orange blade slashed once and then again at Anaru's midsection and left arm.

 

[Flame]

Enough had been said, and for once Archeron was right. At this point in his life, he was beyond redemption for the moment. Despite what he said, if he was willing to listen to his own feelings he would know that no one is beyond redemption. But, since he was blinded by his anger and his pride, and his lust for self-glory and power he could not see it now. But Anaru saw how adamantly Ash believed what he was saying, and how he really stuck to his guns with his beliefs. "So at this point I'll have to adopt my defensive position." Thought Anaru as he drew his blade while his apprentice was talking.

"If that is the case Ash.....then I am afraid I will have to hinder you!! Said Anaru as he dodged the middle section and then tworked his wrist away from Ash. He went for a shot at Anaru's lightsaber handle. If he could dismantle that, then the battle would be over. This was more like a nightmare then anything. This whole fight......it didn't even seem real. Never before had a padawan turned on him like this. It was mind-splitting and harrowing. But since Ash had done the inevitable he decided to end this fight even before it began. While he was going for the strike at Ash's lightsaber, Anaru summoned the force from inside and around him and prepared to push him out of the building.

 

[Gambler]

The swirling blast of Force energy slammed into Ash's chest with enough power to force him into the wall. His back slammed against the metal plated wall with a sickening crunch. Normally he wouldn't have been able to rise from the impact, but the adrenaline was racing through his blood, empowering him to a new degree. And the pain... it did nothing more than exhilarate him more. He took a deep breath of the delicious scent of blood. The pain. The euphoria. It was sickening yet disturbingly it assuaged his fears of losing.

"Now you are confused, Master." Ash laughed roughly, wiping a tendril of crimson blood that dripped from his mouth with his sleeve. His swirling eyes danced with forced anger and decadent exhilaration. His laughed echoed hollowly in the large halls. He stood up and picked his saber off of the ground. He hadn't realized it fell from his hands. The blade ignited once more with a sizzling hiss.

"Peace is a mask used by the Jedi to contain fear. Fear is what strength originates from. This was what I used to teach I believe. Not to many. Only a select few were strong enough to find me. Even then I only truly taught my craft to one. One who betrayed me to keep the secret of my power. A secret I have yet to uncover." Ash laughed again though his brow was furrowed in concentration behind his hair. A moment later it became apparent why. A blue tinted wave of energy soared across the distance and towards Anaru. One single bead of sweat dripped down to his chin from the effort. But he wasn't done. Ash came at his master then. The only way Anaru would be able to avoid the push would be to walk right into Ash's attack. He slashed to cut off Anaru's arm or leg. He didn't care which. As long as his Master didn't die. Ash wanted Anaru to live with his failure.

 

[Flame]

Anaru ignored his apprentice's taunting words. His words whisked past him as if he was just speaking into thin air or yelling a brick wall. Everything around him seemed numb and the force warned him of his apprentices charge towards him. Yet he didn't react quickly enough. Soon he realized that his only action would have to be a reaction against his apprentices strike.

In order to save his arms and legs from harm he tucked them in as his apprentices slice came towards him. Anaru did the unexpected and charged at Ash instead of backing away. He used his back as a battering ram to run into Ash. His padawans lightsaber hit his back with a searing white-hot pain. If it had not been for Anaru's rough up-bringing and endurance for pain it would have knocked him out then and there. But after the strike went through he had enough of the force inside of him to ram him into the glass wall with his bleeding back. The glass broke and they both fell through the window. Using the adrenaline in his body and the force, he managed to force land and he waited for his apprentices next action. He was ready to die and be with the force even if his apprentice killed him.

Blood was everywhere and it was both on Ash and Anaru. There was a long scar along Anaru's back that streched from his shoulder blades down to the end of his spine.

 

[Gambler]

Glass shattered into millions of shards all around Ash. Slicing into his robe, cutting into his flesh. His hands were thrown up into the air to prevent the glass from cutting his face. Luckily, Anaru had enough self preservation to throw them out of the smaller window. The other one, one the opposite side of the window they had been thrown through, led down for a long time. They would both be dead right now if that had been the case. But luckily that wasn't the case.

Blood freely poured out of his arms, legs and back creating a steady fall of blood, staining his robes. He brought a hand numbly over his back, brushing a few loose shards of glass out. When he brought his hand up to his face he wasn't surprised to see it coated in dark red liquid. With a gasp for breath Ash felt the impact for the first time. Struggling to his knees he ignored the glass that punctured both hands and his right knee, causing pain to spike once more in his body. Endorphins were the only thing that prevented him from collapsing into the ground at that instant. They numbed the pain like adrenaline had with shock.

With a start he limped to his feet. The Jedi would find them like this in a matter of minutes. A few more ragged breaths and he burst forward in a limping run. Blood dripped onto the ground occasionally from his hands and knees, but he ignored it. He had to find a ship. Something. Anything. And then he would worry about the glass scattered throughout his body.

 

[Flame]

Fortunately his padawan had taken most of the blow, because Anaru was on top of him. But even so, Anaru looked like a demon from hell boiled over. Blood poured down his face too, shards of glass were punctured in his hands; but because of the force the pain was numbed through him. He felt no emotion, or anger. Merely pity. Pity for what had happened and what he had caused, for if he had been more compassionate then perhaps his padawan would still be with him. But that was not the case now.

He simply spoke one sentence as he ignited his amethyst lightsaber. "You will soon be united with the force Ash." With that, Anaru charged at his apprentice with every ounce of energy he had. He felt as if he was being pulled and carried on by something other than himself. Some other force stronger than he. It was the force moving through him and pushing him onto greater heights.