Terri could feel the snarl on her face but she didn't care this was too important she had to get past the togruta. Terri slammed down with her saber three times against the yellow saber in front of her each time sparks flew off creating little spots in her vision. Every time she slammed the blade down the togruta somehow managed to perfectly counter every move with that annoying calm expression on her face, didn't she understand how important this was! how could she be so calm about this? She had to break her Jedi serenity or whatever it was, she just had to get past the commander was gonna hurt Lusari she could just tell. She could see Lusari's yellow blade keeping the Kaleesh busy The Lady seemed pretty capable in lightsaber combat from what Terri could tell, Terri wished she could say the same for her. Terri decided it was best to pretend she was still attacking while she thought of a plan, giving strikes that were believable, but ineffective at least she hoped so. She had to get to the togruta's emotions then she'd slip up but was she really gonna manipulate someone that felt wrong. As she pondered she caught a second of Lusari screaming, she had to do this morals be damned Lusari was in trouble.
She took her lightsaber back "I don't understand why you follow her?" she was technically still telling the truth but she knew her motives were corrupt
The togruta frowned at her seemingly taken aback "I don't follow her but this a matter of great importance we can't let you complete that ritual" damn it that was still rational she'd heard this speech from her before and she was starting to not believe it.
She could still push the apprentice angle though "is that why she is stopping the ritual and you're here fighting me" Terri paced as she spoke fully aware the togruta could still attack at any moment.
She sighed shaking her head "we have a plan and I'm playing my part" she grinned raising her eyebrow "if you think you're gonna bruise my ego you have sorely misjudged me Terri" Terri stepped back wide eyed how did she know her name? was this some Jedi trick?
No matter she had to deal with the problem at hand the ego thing wasn't working maybe try a different cord "so you trust her not to take advantage of the ritual?" Terri noted a sudden twitch in the togruta's cheek trying to brush off the comment "she is a sith after all are you sure she wouldn't want the power to herself" she'd clearly struck a nerve with her now as the togruta frowned maybe this was her chance
The togruta's eyes went wide as she thought about the question "well I uh- I think they cert-" Terri knew this was her chance she lunged forward ready to at least stun her with a slash. She saw the togruta look up in surprise but to Terri's surprise she felt herself stop as the togruta held up her hand. She tried to fight against the force but seemed to be unable to move forward
She felt the muscles in her neck tense up as she seethed in anger she swung forward with the lightsaber unable to reach the togruta "NO NO NO just let me pass" She pushed against the force using this new anger to force the togruta's hand back down. She continued to lunge but the element of surprise was gone as the togruta lifted up her lightsaber effortlessly blocking the blade. Terri began wildly striking at the togruta any way she could trying anything to hit her, she could feel tears beginning to well up in her eyes as she futilely swung the blade at the togruta over and over to no avail.
A softer expression took over the togruta's face "now why do you want this so bad you're helping out a bad person" no she was wrong she was tricking her or just didn't understand she had to do this right she had to.
Terri continued to slam the blade against the togruta's her head spinning from the mix of emotions "I have to go in I-I-I have to save my friend" she could feel the togruta's blocks getting less and less quick but she could also feel herself running out of energy.
She continued to hit the blade with a barrage of strikes feeling the tears trickling down her face as the togruta spoke up seemingly short of breath "I promise we don't plan on harming either of you" Terri was breathing heavily as she held the saber against the togruta's blade, maybe she was right mayb- wait she couldn't hear Lusari anymore! something had happened she couldn't afford to wait around.
She looked the togruta dead in the eye her hair covering her face and vision blurred by the tears "NO YOU'RE LYING, you don't care about us JUST LEAVE US ALONE!" as she said the words she felt all this anger and power build up all at once going for a horizontal slice and to her surprise it wasn't blocked. Seconds later she could see the togruta stumble back a noticeable diagonal burn across her shoulders and the end of her montrals cut off falilng to the floor. She stumbled back further holding the now stub at the end of her left montral, this was Terri's chance she began running towards the entrance but suddenly she felt a huge force pulling her back. She turned to see the Kaleesh snarling with rage trying to pull her back with the force, NO not this time she felt the power within her taking the pull from the kaleesh and turning it back against him throwing him into the wall. She could see the togruta now stumbling to the floor she hoped she would be ok she only meant to maim. No time now she turned back to the entrance an eerie quiet in the air, she had to save Lusari!
Kyradia was frozen in place as the form of Lusari stepped towards her with an evil grin on her face. Kyradia was sure that was Zash there was no doubt from the familiar eyes to the way she cockily walked towards her, this was what Kyradia was afraid of, damn it she had failed but there was still a chance to end this.
Zash began to cackle to herself another yellow lightsaber entering her hand "I have to say this form is much more ideal than yours ever was or that stinking Dashade" she flicked her new long blonde hair around and stroked her chin "I may have to cut the hair but I think I wear it well, what do you think apprentice?" her words were laced with malice she had been waiting years for this moment but Kyradia wasn't gonna give her the satisfaction
She stood up scowling and igniting her lightsaber "don't you dare call me that" Zash grinned flourishing her two lightsabers as they made eye contact "and if I have anything to say about it you won't be wearing that form for long"
Zash gave a sarcastically innocent look "oh I see that's how we're playing it" she clicked her neck moving towards Kyradia like a beast stalking it's prey
Kyradia stood up ready to fight "yeah it is you bitch you killed that girl and I of all people know what you deserve for that" Kyradia was ready if she could do one good thing in this life it's get rid of Zash again.
Zash's new face extended into an almost unnatural smile "oh she knew what she was getting into apprentice I've learnt from my past mistakes" Kyradia's snarl broadened she hated that name
She moved up to Zash "call me apprentice one more time and I'll shove this lightsaber so far through you no holocron could save you" they stared each other down for a few seconds in complete silence tension thick in the air "and you and I both know she didn't know what she was getting into" Zash tried to stifle a laugh but then let out a loud cackle
"I may have left out a few details but you know all too well sacrifice is key to victory" a cocky grin curled on her face "but I forget you've gone soft" alright that's it no more preamble she's dead
Kyradia moved back entering a combat stance "You wanna test that theory" Zash mimicked her movements entering her own stance
"gladly" she grinned as they lunged towards each other
their blades clashed pushing against each other the mix of purple, yellow and red filling Kyradia's vision. Zash pushed Kyradia back and went for a high and low slash with her two sabers, Kyradia held her saber vertical stopping both blades and proceeding to kick Zash back. Zash caught herself kneeling down looking like a hyena ready to pounce, she jumped forward with a flurry of strikes causing Kyradia to stagger back as she blocked each successive strike. She went for her own set of strikes clashing with each of Zash's sabers separately before jumping causing Zash to have to block Kyradia's attempt to cleave her in two. Kyradia could feel Zash reach out with the force using it to push her into the air, Kyradia wasn't so easily confused however using the momentum flipping over and landing in the middle of the chamber.
Zash smiled at her swiftly turning around "very impressive you haven't lost your touch" she got into a stance ready to run at Kyradia "and I must say Lusari's ability with two lightsabers is brilliant I should've chosen someone like her to begin with" She began to speed towards Kyradia ready to strike, Kyradia wasn't going to allow this reaching out with the force she shot out bolts of lightning making their way to the sith in front of her. She saw Zash try to block the lightning with her sabers forming an X, Kyradia continued to press the lightning as it jolted around the sabers and into her enemy. She could see Zash gritting her teeth in pain and the lightning coarsed through her, Kyradia savoured every second watching Zash convulse in pain, but then she saw Zash suddenly shift positions damn phantom stride.
She took a second to compose herself "two can play at that game apprentice" as she brought her arms up a volley of lightning shot out, Kyradia barely anticipated it as the blue light sped towards her but just managed to redirect her lightning to stop it, they both snarled as their lightning began to push them further apart. The light blue energy clouding Kyradia's vision she could barely see Zash but she could feel her anger as well as her own this was it and Kyradia had to stop her. She began to walk forward but it was useless any ground she made she was just pushed back, she had to stop this stalemate. She knew what to do she began to crouch down ready to jump, she sprang into the air spotting where Zash was then focussing and striding over to her location but when she arrived she was no longer there. Kyradia looked around panicked as she saw a form flipping over her head she readied her saber and blocked the downward strike as Zash landed and went for a couple more swipes. Kyradia wasn't so easily fooled as she effortlessly parried each manoeuvre, she noticed something in Zash however she looked agitated maybe she hadn't anticipated Kyradia's competence with a blade.
She grinned at her "what's the matter Zash not up to the challenge" Zash snarled at her and Kyradia tried to use that opportunity to sweep the leg but was met with a knee to the face. She staggered back in pain feeling blood running from her nose damn bitch where was she, Kyradia's focus returned just in time to stop her as she went for a running jab.
Zash held her sabers against Kyradia's while leaning forward "no apprentice just not getting overconfident" she was so close Kyradia could feel her breath "there's still so mu-" Kyradia knew she had to fight dirty as she head-butted Zash driving her horns into Zash's face. Zash cried out in pain as she fell back wards. Kyradia could see her holding her face in pain her sabers dropping to the ground this was her chance she could stop her just had to go for a stab. She raised the blade but as she did she felt it pulled by the force, NO she pulled against the force whatever it was and tried to drive it down. She overcame whatever force pulled her back hearing a scream as she drove the blade down but her saber was suddenly stopped with as sharp jolt as Zash grabbed the blade by it's end.
Her face rippled with pain as she ripped it out of Kyradia's hand standing up suddenly and slashing across Kyradia's stomach. She felt the searing burn as the saber cut deep forcing her to stumble back against the wall, she began to cough and felt a strong iron taste in her mouth. She was having trouble breathing as she looked up to see Zash bleeding from the face but ready, holding her own saber over her. No she couldn't lose like this she couldn't it wasn't right Zash deserved to die
Zash smiled deviously "you lose Kyradia" but as she raised the blade Kyradia saw the milirian enter her vision grabbing Zash's shoulder
Zash looked to her confused "Lusi we need to go now the others will be here soon and I don't know if we can hold them off" Zash's confusion faded nodding but looking agitated at the same time, Kyradia lifted her arm trying to say something to the milirian about Zash but only more blood came up she couldn't stop her. She tried to move but it hurt to much she felt tears enter her eyes trying to hold back the pain.
Zash seemed to take on a strangely warm expression "ok Terri sure we gotta go" Kyradia could see a twinge of disappointment in her face as she acted like Lusari before turning back to Kyradia "well it's a good thing I enjoy the chase looks like you get off easy this time" Terri began leading her out of the chamber in a sprint leaving Kyradia unable to move of the temple floor, she'd lost she'd be dead if not for the Milirian, she'd failed…
Terri began running back out of the chamber with Lusari in tow, she was not only ok but it looked like she had fought off the commander maybe all her worry was misplaced. As she began to run through the courtyard she could see the togruta still on the ground seemingly not a threat and the Kaleesh making sure she was ok. She guessed they could just run out but as they began down the steps she saw the Kaleesh turn to face them ready to fight. But then a few seconds later she saw him flung against the wall slumping down seemingly unconscious. She turned to Lusari "um did you do that" Lusari turned to her a bit absent minded
she nodded smiling "yes I did I uh think I still have some residual force energy or something" Terri couldn't help but notice she was speaking a little more like she was from the empire, Terri guessed with high tensions she'd forgotten to disguise the accent.
Terri frowned as they reached the edge of the courtyard "did we succeed then I don't see the Lady?" she had wondered about that in the ritual chamber but saving Lusari from the commander was her only concern at the time
Lusari seemed to be miles away "huh oh right no it was a success I'll uh explain later" Terri nodded that was fair, their part in this was done now what did she care their favour was complete. They reached the edge of the lake seeing their escape vessel on the other side of the lake, Terri headed for the stones ready to cross but stopped when Lusari didn't follow "I'm gonna do something crazy but remember I'm still teaming with force energy" Terri frowned at her a little confused but none the less she trusted her, taking her hand prepared for what she was about to do. Lusari took a deep breath and Terri felt herself lifted up into the air jumping across the entire lake landing on the other side with a roll. Terri got up taking a deep breath wow that was incredible this force energy was great she helped Lusari up as the ship moved in. They both readied themselves and jumped up on to the descending landing ramp, Lusari quickly dashing to the cockpit, Terri followed ready for what came next.
Lusari shouted "get us out of here!" to the mercenary in the pilot seat as they arrived in the cockpit Terri couldn't believe they'd actually done it
The mercenary turned to them "will do but we have a small problem a ship has been harassing us we've avoided it for now but I think it's on it's way for a second attack" Lusari gritted her teeth turning and walking back towards the landing ramp
"leave the fury to me" Terri watched from the cockpit as a ship she assumed the fury came into view but as soon as it was there heading towards it she saw it spiralling off course as it began to fly down into some part of the forest. With that the ship began to rise from the surface of the planet and fly above the clouds leaving Yavin IV. Lusari came back to the cockpit and let out a deep breath smiling at Terri "we did it Terri" Terri had no idea how they had but hopefully would find out once they were alone, she none the less smiled back at Lusari glad they had survived the complications.
Now she had a clear look at Lusari she saw how the ritual had messed with her, her eyes were much yellower and her hair was all curled up it was kinda nice "I like your hair by the way" Lusari grinned at her running her hand through her hair
"yes I like it too I think I might keep it"…