Malice walked in the dimlit dojo, his apprentice in close pursuit. The large Sith wore black, tight-fitting clothes from head to toe. Only his saber hilt stood out against the darkness of his attire. He headed directly to the center ring and turned to face his apprentice.
"Now we will begin the physical part of your training. If you wish to become a member of the Royal Guard, you must be able to handle yourself in hand-to-hand combat. No Force Powers will be used during today's duel, simply your knowledge and skill with a saber." As Malice spoke he eased the muscles in his body, becoming totally relaxed. He held one arm straight out from his body and drew his saber hilt to his hand by way of the Force.
"Your task at hand is to simply defend yourself. Allow as little contact from my blade as possible. If less you allow, the less painful your next few days will be." The large Master simply stood in front of the apprentice, waiting for him to settle into a defensive posture.
Jericho
Jericho followed his master closely to the dojo. Gaining his focus as he approached to door
to the dojo. Out of instinct and habit he scanned the room as he entered. Jericho was
wearing a black robe and his usual black attire. Jericho removed his robe and next his head
band. Jericho then pulled his mask from his belt and pulled it over his face. Jericho stepped
into the circle before his master. He then pulled his lightsaber from his belt and took a deep
breath and remembered his past and let it build his anger as he always did when about to enter
a battle.
Jericho then bowed.
" I am ready my master"
Jericho then ignited his saber and held it to his side at a 45 degree downward angle.
Darth Malice
Malice then walked straight into his apprentice's stance, stopping only a few inches in front the tip of Jericho's saber. He then raised his own saber above his head, both hands firmly gripping the hilt, and crashed it down on top of the waiting apprentice. Jericho met his saber and held his master in check.
The lock was held for a few moments before Malice shifted his weight and began to force Jericho's saber back. The full force of Malice's body was now pressed against the young Sith's saber and he couldn't help but lose ground inch by inch. Malice then quickly released the lock, causing Jericho's hands to spring into the air. This opened up his midsection and Malice couldn't help but take advantage. He flipped his blade away from Jericho and jabbed the hilt firmly into his stomach.
"You must be able to read the eyes and muscle movement of your opponent. You cannot always simply rely on the Force, as there have been a select few people who were impervious to it's effects." Malice backed away as he spoke, allowing his apprentice to regain his composure.
Jericho
As Jericho stood the regaining his composer from the strike he pondered his masters words.For
they made complete sence to him. He knew he would have to have more then just force ability
to fend off all attacks.
After Jericho was ready again his master again stepped to him and with lightning speed unleashed
another overhead blow to see what Jericho had learned from the last attack. As Jericho was losing
ground again against his masters strength he thought back to the last attack and remembered his
last mistake. Just then Jericho let his lightsaber lower and he made an outside spin around his
masters right side. As he completed his spin he made a swipe at his masters leg, but was met with
his master force jumping away from the blow.
Jericho then returned to the circle hoping his master was pleased with his technique this round.
Darth Malice
Malice landed a few feet back from where he had jumped. His apprentice was already making progress. He was using his previous mistakes to further his knowledge in battle. This was something he MUST master if he wanted to ascend to greatness within the Royal Guard, or any Sith Order for that matter.
"Do not expect praise from this Sith. You should expect your own growth in battle. It should not come as a suprise nor should you feel any degree of satisfaction. You still have far to go apprentice. Next time I sense any hint of accomplishment within you without myself acknowledging such an act, then you will see my wrath." With that being said, Malice disengaged his saber and reattached it to his side.
Slowly the Sith began circling to the right, removing his cortosis-weaved mace from it's place on his back. He kept constant eye contact with his apprentice. He read the movement in Jericho's legs and saw the readiness in his eyes. Now Jericho seemed to understand that he must always be ready to defend himself. Peace, indeed, WAS a lie.
After completing a full circle, Bane closed in on Jericho. His mace remained at his side and no indication of an oncoming attack was noticeable. Again, however, just before he came face to face with his apprentice, Malice acted. He spun to his left, pivoting around on his right foot. The movement was lightning quick, but smooth and graceful at the same time. One may have trouble taking their eyes off of the Sith as he fought. He extened his left arm, which wielded the large mace. Once his back was to Jericho, he grabbed the other end of the mace with his right hand, adding to the force the impact would make. Planting his feet, Malice thrusted his arms forward and pushed the mace directly into Jericho. That's when even the Sith Protector was suprised. The young apprentice, having spent not hardly a week under his guidance, blocked his attack.
"That, my apprentice, is all for today." Malice again kept eye contact with his new apprentice as he placed his mace on his back. He then turned and headed for the exit, calling out one more thing before he left.
"Challenge another, Elric De Oden. If he is willing." And then he was gone.
