Star Wars CLOSED The Labour of Darth Erebus

*** The Labour of Darth Erebus ***​

There comes a time when a Sith Master requires to know what his Sith Apprentice has learned. He has the need to know if the lessons taught were properly assimilated. If, perchance, there was more that needed to be taught, before the Apprentice was considered ready for the next level.

This is such a time.

High Lord Manticore requires to know if the one who is currently his Apprentice, one Darth Erebus, is indeed ready and worthy to ascend to Mastery or be rewarded with a different fate.

To that end, the zabrak Sith Lord has enlisted the services of Sith Emperor Insipid’s very own Apprentice: Darth Azathoth.

The initial test is clear and to the point. The two Sith Apprentices will engage in a duel, one where they would push each other like no other has before. However, the fact that Darth Manticore presided over the encounter, clearly meant that there was more to the contest than what was apparent.

For such was the way of the Sith.

****************

As for the location of the duel…

The encounter is to take place within a ziggurat, not too far from the main Sith temple. A place where Sith warriors often train. The design of the training area was fairly basic as the eye could see, but again, this was a test for trained sith.

And so, Lord Manticore summoned both Sith Apprentices to the place of trial, in order that the preliminary test of ascension could begin.

As for the rules, they were fairly simple.

No Killing.

That was all.





Tag: @Quinlan Vos, @Shadowsun, @Sinrebirth *( Triumvir, Lord & Ladies of the Sith and all sith members are welcome to view remotely )

 

Approved

Name: Azathoth
Sex: Male
Age: Inconsequential
Species: Human
Homeworld: Taanab
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: Approximately 180lbs
Physical Attributes:


Clothing:


Abilities: As a sorcerer, Azathoth favors the use of Force abilities rather than the blade, his greatest ability is his intellect and figuring out how to maneuver out of a tight situation.
Weapons/Tools: A crimson lightsaber that once belonged to Marasiah Fel, gifted to him by Insipid, he corrupted the crystal until it bled red, now it serves his will. He also carries a metallic box filled with six thin beskar needles.
Faction: Sith Empire
Occupation/Title: Apprentice
Family: Mikh Brug - Adoptive father, now deceased. Actually parents unknown.
Associates: Emperor Insipid
Biography:
Born and raised on an Taanab, destroyed by an unknown force. He never knew his true parents, they abandoned him shortly after he was born. He was raised by the strong, firm, and cruel hand of Mikh Brug. A grotesque and despicable creature who frequently enacted his own rage on the young boy. He did however teach the boy important lessons. The usefulness of knowledge, the allure of power. It all rung an accord with the boy.

He would often steal and collect books, whatever he could get his hands on. If it contained information, he devoured it. It was the only thing that gave him an escape from the pain.

Eventually, he grew tired of his 'father's' torture. One night he had a vivid dream of him killing his father in a vast assortment of horrific and shocking ways. Over and over they played in his head, stuck in a never-ending loop. That night was the best he had ever slept.

The following morning he awoke to find his father slain, dead from unknown causes. His body contorted in the way he had imagined.

Now independent and alone he roamed across his homeworld, stealing, killing, doing whatever he had to do in order to survive, but one-day tragedy struck. His planet was destroyed in a mysterious cataclysm. Filled with bitterness, anger, and ambition he was able to escape, hurtling across space to somewhere unknown. He was lost, with little knowledge of the greater galaxy or its events.

He was fortunate however, Darth Insipid, Emperor of the Sith noticed him, and decided to take him as his apprentice. Why was unclear, perhaps because of the dark potential within or maybe because his body would make a suitable host. One thing was clear, like his homeworld the person being was dead, shattered, and forgotten he would be reborn a new. Thus he took a new name.

Azathoth

From destruction comes reconstruction. From death comes life. The force has set Azathoth free.

Class: Apprentice
Level: 4

Tier I Skills:
Force Push/Pull
Force Shock
Force Drain
Force Choke
Chill
Fear
Affect Mind
Tutaminis
Eye of Madness

Tier II Skills:
Force Wave
Force Lightning
Dark Side Healing
Probe Mind
Force Wound
Freeze

 

Approved

CHARACTER SHEET

Name: Ietro Duros (ee-et-trow doo-row-ss)
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Species: Zabrak
Homeworld: Dathomir

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190 lbs
Physical Attributes: Muscular build, albeit small for a Zabrak, with years of training and punishment prominent across his features. His yellow eyes are the only color on his body that isn’t white or black (see profile picture).
Clothing: Tends to underdress, normally only wearing a utility belt and a pair of black pants.
Abilities: Years of being an assassin have made him a nimble and stealthy opponent.
Weapons/Tools: One lightsaber, white in color, and a singular Westar-34 blaster pistol, holstered in his left boot are his weapons. He also carries three smoke grenades and a grappling hook on his belt.

Faction: Sith Empire
Occupation/Title: Apprentice
Family: None, all perished in a purge of his village by witches
Associates: Father figure, Joskeo Itkmas; his master, Darth Manticore
Biography: At a young age, Ietro was orphaned in a purge of his village, and was taken in by a smuggler, Joskeo Itkmas, who raised him as a child. When he was 15, he joined an underground insurgent group on Mustafar, which was where he learned his skills as an assassin. Realizing his force potential, he was recruited by the Sith at 19 years of age, and has been under the tutelage of High Lord Manticore since.

Class: Apprentice
Level: 4

Tier I Skills:

Force Push/Pull
Force Shock
Affect Mind
Force Stealth
Fear
Ignite
Chill
Meditate
Eye of Madness

Tier II Skills:

Probe Mind
Conceal Essence
Mind Shard
Freeze
Force Sight
Touch of Chaos

Tier III Skills:

None

 

​

Darth Azathoth​

Azathoth gripped his hand into a fist and opened it, looking down into the palm of his hand contemplating on the duel ahead and that of his opponent, Darth Erebus.

In truth, the two apprentices had little contact with one another, mostly in passing within the halls of the Sith Temple. Azathoth wondered if the two had even spoken before this moment. Not that it mattered Azathoth had done his research as such was his way, he kept tabs on everyone on the Sith Order, digging through the Sith Archives to find any useful information that could be used in the future.

The most obvious factor would be that Erebus was an assassin, Azathoth was used to fighting warriors but more ones of brute strength, not ones the snuck around trying to find that perfect opening, he would not be able to leave himself so open as he had done with opponents in the past.

He reckoned the assassin was the stronger of the two when it came to lightsaber combat, as was often the case against most opponents Azathoth faced. Azathoth's lightsaber abilities were sufficient but nothing to admire. No, he had far more interesting techniques that he would employ to dispatch his opponent.

He gave a wry smile to himself, a shame he would not be able to kill him, understandable, but a shame. He had always wanted to dissect a zabrak, perhaps if he asked nicely afterward he would let him borrow an arm. Unlikely but it would not hurt to ask.

He strode forward into the ziggurat, he breathed in deeply, the distinct smell and feel of the Sith apparent in every fiber of its construction. The meticulous and back-breaking sweat to build such an immense structure, the number of Sith slaves that had died to bring it about, a testament to the supremacy of the Sith Order.

The Emperor's apprentice took several calm quiet steps, standing directly in front of where Darth Manticore sat. The High Lord of the Sith had always inspired awe and as his master had made clear oh so long ago fear as well. He felt the Zabrak scrutinize his every movement as such was his nature. Thoughts had raced through Azathoth's mind ever since Darth Manticore had informed him that he would be dueling his own apprentice.

He was sure that there was more to this trial for Erebus than appeared on the surface, after all, Azathoth himself was reaching the tenure of his time as an apprentice as well, while not officially he saw it just as much as a trial for his own pathway to becoming an Underlord as much as it was for Erebus too.

The dark apprentice looked up once more, nodding to himself as he bent his knee, his head bowed in reverence.

"I am ready High Lord Manticore,"

TAG: @greyjedi125 @Quinlan Vos @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Erebus​

A thick mist had fallen over the landscape surrounding the foreboding Sith temple, sitting atop the mighty precipice in the distance. Rainfall could be heard in the distance, though this wasn't an acidic rain, as was often the case on the dark planet. The stench of fresh meat lingered in the air, as not far away, the story of predator and prey drew to a close and prepared to start anew, an infinite loop of the strong versus the weak, kill or be killed notion that plagues the universe.

Ietro was certain that he would never fall to the wrong end of that spectrum.

The figure of the small Zabrak assassin waded through the mist, a mere hundred meters from the ziggurat in which it was arranged for him to duel the apprentice of Emperor Insipid himself. His mind quickly shifted from the thought of the creature enjoying its meal to his soon-to-be opponent and potentially fellow Under-lord of the Sith Empire.

Ietro knew of Darth Azathoth, but merely as a passing figure, as the two had never truly met in the temple. He had done research, however, and understood that his peer was powerful in the force, having been trained by one of the greatest Sith of all time. He contemplated how his opponent would take on the duel, assuming that he would try to shy away from close-quarters, as doing so would allow the smaller-yet-stronger assassin the upper hand.

However, Ietro was certain that Azathoth had never faced an opponent such as him, as most of the scrolls he had uncovered regarding the escapades of the Emperor's apprentice revealed that he had won most of his engagements through his intellect and out-thinking opponents that used brute force and power. Ietro was no such fool, and wouldn't treat this engagement as many of Azathoth's former opponents had.

As he approached the ziggurat, Ietro could feel the pull of the dark side emanating from the structure, coursing through his veins and rejuvenating his spirit. Upon reaching the entrance, he concealed his essence through the force, slipping inside and down the dark tunnel ahead of him. Feeling the familiar presence of his master, he took turn after turn, and soon emerged into the light, facing his master, Lord Manticore, and directly behind the kneeling Azathoth.

Approaching slowly and quietly, the young Zabrak came up to the right of his soon-to-be opponent, and knelt beside him, bowing before his teacher.

"Awaiting your order, my Lord," spoke the assassin, no longer Ietro Duros, but instead, Darth Erebus.

Tags: @greyjedi125 @Shadowsun @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Darth Manticore
The ziggurat



And so, they came, summoned to this place of trial, to undergo what seemed to be a singular labour, one designed to test them to the fullest. The Sith Sorcerer and the Sith Assassin. These two apprentices, one to a Sith High Lord and the other to the Sith Emperor himself, have attained a point of maturity in their training, a ceiling in their evolution as sith - one that would determine if they were worthy to ascend to be called: Sith Masters.

Darth Manticore regarded them both. The Sith High Lord leveled his ever measuring, ever scrutinizing fiery gaze at Darth Azathoth and Darth Erebus. No words were needed in that moment. In the Force, he could feel their focus, their readiness, their Force of Will.

A hint of a smirk creased the zabrak’s black lips, before it vanished.

This is where it would begin. Here in this chamber. With its eight heated columns, the shallow pool of water surrounding them, the stoney ground beneath their feet, the charged air tickling their nostrils. They were well trained. They possessed both intellect and skill, and truth be told, there was no better opponent for them, than each other.

“Rise….” Manticore rasped, having dragged the moment on purpose. He waited for them comply.

“You both know why you are here. You know what is expected.”

He let those words hang between them. It did not need to be explained, not to these two.

“No. Killing.”

This, he said with all the gravity he could muster. His gaze now taking a penetrating intensity as he searched their faces directly, almost daring for either of them to defy his edict. Indeed, they were tasked to duel with all the passion they possessed, and yet, they were also tasked with showing the greatest level of control possible. Truly, too much had been invested in these two apprentices to lose them so foolishly.

“You have thirty second to take your places….” To each he nodded respectfully, then added:

“….beginning, now.”

At that pronouncement, Lord Manticore turned, his black cloak snapping the air like a whip, before he moved himself outside the area of engagement.


Tag: @Quinlan Vos, @Shadowsun


*( the scene is yours my friends )

 

IC: Darth Azathoth

Azathoth arose, gazing up at Darth Manticore heeding his every word. Upon the command to move, he quickly darted off to the side, taking his place among the shadows. During this time he reached inside his robes to retrieve the metal box that dwelled within them. Six thin beskar needles sitting within it.

He would do Darth Erebus the honor of not going easy on him. Against such an opponent cockiness and blind arrogance could easily cost him the match. The thought did cross his mind that the no-killing rule would affect Erebus more than himself, after all, he was an assassin, many of his techniques were built around dispatching his opponent which was not the case for Azathoth. Still, it was a hindrance but a necessary one.

Once the thirty seconds had elapsed Azathoth whipped around, four of the six needles floating around him in each of the cardinal directions. Himself reaching out to feel where Erebus had gone, the longer this duel went the more it would go in Azathoth's favor or so he at least thought, so his main objective would be to delay and wait for Erebus to make the first move. Breathing in deeply, the needles continued to hover, Azathoth raising his head, a small sadistic smile spreading itself over his face.

"Come Erebus, let me taste death,"

TAG: @Quinlan Vos @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

OOC: Apologies for the massive delay friends...

 

IC: Darth Erebus

As his master gave the starting words, Erebus remained where he was for a moment, watching his opponent out of the corner of his eye in order to gauge where he was headed. Once confident he could figure where Azathoth would be, he shot to his feet, silently running to the nearest angled wall.

Pulling his grappling hook out of his pack, Erebus began to swing it around, gaining speed. Nearing the wall, he released, using his own strength and strength granted to him through to force to launch the hook towards the top of the wall. As the metal tip clanged against the stone at the top before finding purchase, Erebus winced, hoping his opponent was too deep in thought to hear the clatter.

Quickly adjusting his belt, he began to run up the wall, using his grip on the rope to pull himself upwards. As tall as the structure was, Erebus reached the top with just a few moments to spare. Hurriedly, he grabbed the rope and began to wrap it back together while he began to run silently again, this time atop the ziggurat.

Nearing the spot where he assumed Azathoth to be, he heard the human speak, calling for the assassin to show himself. In his ability to hide himself through the force and move silently from his training as an assassin, Erebus was confident that his opponent had no idea where he was.

Looking down, he finally found the man standing below him, needles hovering around him in every direction.

Every direction but one, that is......

"Were you really never taught to look above you, friend?" the young Zabrak shouted down.

Tags: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Azathoth

Azathoth gave a small smile, a typical assassin move he had expected nothing less.

"On the contrary..."

With that he flicked his wrist upward, the four needles that had been in the four cardinal directions, turned in an instant their points now focused on the body mass coming toward them. They flew through the air, the distinct sound of beskar metal pushing the air aside as it sang through the air, aiming for the Zabrak's chest. As this happened Azathoth rolled over to the side, dodging any attack that would come down from above, another motion as the final two beskar needles came whistling to either side of his shoulder, waiting in anticipation for the assassin's next move.

"...have you never seen a trap before?

TAGL @Quinlan Vos @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

OOC: Gonna try and be faster, sorry been super busy!

 

Darth Erebus

As the needles flew up the wall towards him, Erebus shifted backwards, using the wall itself as a barrier between him and the needles. He cleared it just in time, as one of the spikes missed him by mere centimeters, nearly striking him in the ear.

As he rolled to the side, he reached once more into his pack and pulled out a small, metal sphere. Taking a second to inspect it, he pressed down on the small trigger button on the side and dropped the smoke grenade down the side of the wall, hoping to disorient his opponent.

Preparing to leap off after the grenade to catch his opponent from above while the man was distracted, he paused. This was a moment he had trained for, though not just in his career as an assassin. In his few years under Lord Manticore, he had picked up on a few tricks.

Putting up a quick force barrier inside his head to protect his own mind, Erebus let loose a Mind Shard towards his opponent, hoping that the unexpected move would pay dividends while his opponent couldn't fully focus...

Tags: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

(OOC: Apologies for the delay, was held back by a hectic week of work!)

 

Darth Azathoth

The dark apprentice leaped back in anticipation, seeing the smoke becoming released from the grenade. He knew if he stayed within the smoke's grasp the advantage would go vastly to his opponent. Dropping down his eyes scanned the area of smoke, waiting to see his opponent emerge from the shadows. He flicked his wrists the initial four beskar needles whistling back towards him as he stood tall, clearing his mind as he focused on the task at hand.

And then it hit him. It was like a knife had been plunged into his mind and had been twisted in it, swirling and swishing up his brain. It was not a move he had expected from the assassin, well played indeed. Manticore had taught him well.

He focused in on the pain, flashing thoughts rising up, a tingling sensation of pleasure as it continued to ravage his mind. He focused in as he attempted to probe in Erebus's mind, but it appeared he had put up a force barrier in his mind.

How cute.

Azathoth rammed into the barrier, slamming into it with his full intent, the pain, and anguish fueling him in his assault, but he was unaware of his physical surroundings. Not that it would matter.

TAGL @Quinlan Vos @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Darth Erebus

As the young assassin flung his mind against that of his opponent, he concentrated harder than he ever had before to break his opponents defenses down. At a point, he held the upper hand.

For just that one moment, he appeared to be winning.

Then, the full force of Azathoth's mind smashed into his own barriers, shattering them almost instantaneously. It was then that Erebus had realized his mistake, and that he would never defeat an opponent of Azathoth's intelligence in a game of minds. He was vastly overpowered in this department, as what had seemed like massive waves of force energy that had been sent from the young assassin towards his opponent had returned a thousand fold upon his own mind.

He needed to find a way to escape this onslaught from Azathoth and return to the physical battle, as he held no chance in this form of duel. Desperately, he gathered what reserves he had left and sent another wave towards his opponent, not to defeat him this time, but rather to try to find a chink in the armor so that he could distract Azathoth long enough to break the connection between their minds.

Tags: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Azathoth

Azathoth continued the assault into Erebus's mind, feeling the barrier shatter with the sheer force of his will. He felt out the corners of the Zabrak's mind, the dark energies imbued within, his thoughts, his desires, his fears, his aspirations. Azathoth began to feed off it, suffocating him from the inside out. A maddening laugh echoed from Azathoth as he leaned back, his long dark hair falling behind his shoulders.

He was enjoying this.

​

Intoxicated by his own power and at the level of control he had in this situation he did not notice the Zabrak preparing himself for a counter-attack, pushing back with his might to rid himself of the eldritch force that was Azathoth, and in that one moment, he had it. His force met with Azathoth's own, pushing back the veiled madness of the Emperor's Apprentice.

Azathoth broke himself out of the battle of minds, realizing it was no longer of use, he gritted his teeth, annoyed that his fun had come to an abrupt end. He would not allow this moment to go unwasted, however. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the beskar needles, which were now strewed all over the ziggurat floor, flying to Erebus hoping to get a hit in before the assassin was able to morph into the shadows.

TAG: @Quinlan Vos @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125

 

IC: Darth Erebus

As the young assassin broke free from his opponents onslaught, he stumbled slightly, mentally and physically drained from the engagement. Sensing the needles coming back his direction, he fell to the side, unable to muster enough energy to roll away. Due to this, he ended up taking one of the needles across his left bicep, leaving a long gash as the Beskar whistled off past him.

Reaching for his left boot, he grasped the grip of his blaster and began to pull it out, before pausing and returning it to its concealed location once he remembered the singular rule of the battle:

"No. Killing."

Calling upon his Eye of Madness, the assassin listened carefully for any approach from his opponent as he sat and began to meditate to regain his strength. He would not be caught unaware, but he did wish his opponent would be incapable of mounting the wall regardless so he could have as much time as possible to rejuvinate.

TAGs: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Azathoth

Azathoth gathered himself for a brief moment as he began to race through the options in his head. Erebus had evaded him and was likely trying to recover. He could not allow this, the advantage was his and it needed to be pressed.

Without taking a single step he focused for a moment as he released an omnidirectional wave of the Force. Regardless of how well Erebus could hide himself, the Force wave would hit him and when it did Azathoth would be upon him like a shark drawn to fresh blood.

Unless of course...

TAG: @Quinlan Vos

 

IC: Darth Erebus

As Erebus bathed in the force surrounding the ziggurat, calling upon its power to restore his own, he sensed the pulse emanating from his opponents body, an attempt to locate the assassin. Removing himself from his meditative state, Erebus quickly stood and launched himself off of the side of the wall, drawing his saber into his hand as he did so.

He would allow his opponent to discover him, but he would have just a split second to react once he had, as by that point, Erebus would be upon him.

Igniting his saber, he fell quickly towards Azathoth, ready for battle...

Tags: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Azathoth

Azathoth whipped round to where Erebus emerged from, igniting his own blade in anticipation as their blades clashed. The red glow illuminating his face, a wicked smile spread across it as with his other hand he extended his hand towards the assassin's gut.

"That's the best you can do?"

Lightning then leaped from his fingertips commanded to electrify the Zabrak, aggression that was needed. Although it was likely the longer this fight continued the more it swung in Azathoth's favor. Very good, he would take his time enjoying this.

TAG: @Quinlan Vos @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Darth Erebus

As the young assassins blade met his opponents, he sensed a burning smell in the air. Seconds later, the electricity hit his body, and he recoiled backwards, away from Azathoth, and fell to the ground. Had he been further away, the pain would have been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. At point blank range, the effects were devastating.

Falling to the ground, Erebus quickly sent a wave of cold through the air, hoping to break his opponents concentration for a moment so that he could gather himself. Rolling off the ground, the Zabrak was still dazed, but called upon his Touch of Chaos and lunged back at the sorcerer, infusing a vast amount of his reserved energy he had gained through his meditation into his blow, and brought his saber down at his opponents head, at the last second changing directions to avoid maiming Azathoth.

Tags: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Azathoth

Azathoth gave a rue smile, his lips tantalized by the pain inflicted upon his opponent. Oh, how he enjoyed this. Azathoth felt the cold waft towards him, a wave of his hand as he redirecting it around him, a cackle as he saw the Zabrak roll his saber swung towards him.

The Emperor's Apprentice brought his blade round to block the strike from above. So painfully predictable, so simplistic... such wasted talent.

​

The Assassin's blade diverted, Azathoth had been too cocky, his eyes widening in disbelief. The blade sliced into the man's shoulder, digging deep into the human. He hissed in pain, his hand reaching up the grab the Zabrak, reaching to life essence to suck it away for himself, attempting to use his enemies energies to heal himself.

TAG: @Quinlan Vos @greyjedi125 @darthbernael

 

IC: Darth Erebus

The young assassin had expected his blade to be met by that of his opponents, and thus had pulled back slightly in order to keep his feet beneath him. He hadn't expected his blow to land, slicing deep into Azathoth's shoulder. Shocked, he pulled back, but not before the sorcerer could grab his wrist.

He felt his energy start to drain as his opponent healed himself, and quickly recoiled away, pulling himself from his opponents grasp. The damage had already been done, however, and Erebus knew that he had very little energy remaining, even as he watched Azathoth begin to heal himself before his very eyes. He was not coward who would strike down a defenseless opponent, however, and would wait until his opponent was ready before continuing their duel.

TAGs: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth (Push: @darthbernael)

 

OOC: Sorry I thought I went.

IC: Darth Azathoth

Azathoth squinted his eyes in anger as the wound mended itself at a rate that would be normally impossible for the human.

​

He tightened the grip on his blade, angered that Erebus had waited for him to heal.

"You do not ignore an opportunity for victory like that so frivolously, that error will be your doom."

With a renewed grasp and his energies refilled he let out a strong barrage of Force abilities out towards his opponent, designed to overwhelm him into submission. First, he unleashed a torrent of frozen air, attempting to slow any initial movements from Assassin. Second, he unleashed a wave of Force to disturb his balance, followed by a maelstrom of Force Lightning.

It was a risky gamble if it did not succeed Azathoth would have depleted much of his energy in his little stunt, but he was eager to punish his opponent for allowing him to recover.

TAG: @Quinlan Vos @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125

 

IC: Darth Erebus

Time seemed to slow as the young apprentice's mind took in the attack sent forth by his opponent. It was a devastating combination of force powers, intended to slow him, hinder him, and harm him. He might not be able to escape all three attacks.

But then again, he might not have to...

He quickly dodged the blast of chilled air headed towards him, and immediately rolled with the wave of the force, using its power to propel him to the ground, just barely sliding below the lightning that blazed above him moments later. In all, the attack was powerful, but it was more of a lash of anger rather than a thought-out attack. There was very little finesse behind the trifecta of attacks, it was more of a blind swing than the type of calm and collected assault he had expected from the sorcerer.

Quickly rolling to his feet, he could tell that the attack had drained his opponent, though Erebus was in no strong state himself, still trying to recover from the energy that was sapped from him by Azathoth. It seemed as though they were at a stalemate, with neither apprentice in a position to finish the duel.

Tags: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Darth Azathoth

While drained of Force Abilities, this is how Azathoth had foreseen it to be. He wanted his opponent to be drained physically, just as Azathoth could likely not call on the Force with the same tenacity he had a moment ago.

But there was one last aspect Erebus had failed to see.

Perhaps because Azathoth preferred not to use it.

Lightsaber Combat.

With a quiet breath, Azathoth gripped his blade, the sweat from his forehead collecting in a pool.

Neither combatant would see it, but they would both feel it. The collection of dark energy that floated above their heads. An Eye of Madness.

Azathoth closed his eyes, his mind connected to the Eye as he let it guide him. With his blade gripped in his hand, he came in to attack the Zabrak. Lightsaber to Lightsaber.

Azathoth's movements were precise. Surgical. Looking for weakness. The battery ferocity lingering behind each blow as he sought to make his Master proud.

And to be a worthy adversary to the Sith Assassin.

TAG: @Quinlan Vos @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Darth Erebus

As his opponent strode forward, lightsaber in hand, Erebus grinned. In a battle of the wits, he was at a disadvantage to the vast powers of Azathoth. In a battle with an experienced warrior, Erebus would likely fail in a straight-on lightsaber duel. But Azathoth, despite his best efforts, would be highly unlikely to best the assassin in one-on-one lightsaber combat. He had been trained well, but his time in his studies and strengthening his mind had pushed his technique and physical might to the backburners.

Quite the opposite, Erebus was in prime physical condition. His time as an assassin prior to joining the ranks of the Sith had made him extremely nimble and light on his feet. That served him well when he was given a blade, as, although he wasn't as strong as many opponents, he was much quicker than most, and could wear his opponent out by evading and dodging, conserving energy until his opponents had worn themselves out.

He used that tactic now, weaving and deflecting blows from Azathoth. The sorcerer was far from inexperienced at sword play, as his blows were technically sound and precise, although lacking true power behind them and, to put it simply, less advanced than many opponents the assassin had faced before. However, he was surprised at the level of skill shown by Azathoth, as he had expected far less in a duel of lightsabers from the man. The emperors apprentice got close to making contact multiple times in his early attack, before Erebus accounted for his skills.

But it was a battle of attrition now. Erebus knew he just had to outlast Azathoth, and that he could do so. His opponent was already seeming to slow, likely due to the lack of force reserves on both sides of the duel.

Deftly ducking under a slice and parrying the follow around, Erebus stayed on the defense...

Waiting...

Biding his time until the moment was right...

TAGs: @Shadowsun @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth