Chapter Fourteen: Forces
Day four of training. Korriban. Exterior. Midday. Tepid. The eight students stood in standard formation as they were burdened by the continuing stare of their master a short distance in front of them.
Lord Syrosk paced back and forth as he gathered his thoughts. "You all faced your first trial of the body. Some were victorious. Some were not. But in the end you were tested. You all faced your first trial of the mind. Some of you proved intelligent. Some wise. Others wallowed in silence. But in the end you were tested. Now. On this hill, you face your first trial of the spirit. I'm sure you all hold your individual outlook upon that word. Others know it by one of its numerous names. Spirit. Willpower. Soul. One's connection to the Force. Like before, some of you will be victorious. Others will not. And in the end you will be tested."
Without another word, the Sith Lord walked into the center of the ancient dueling circle that lay a short distance away. The students did not budge from their standing positions without expressed consent from their master.
"Everyone, make yourselves to the circle's edge and stand there, equally spread out."
The students hurriedly complied. Each duo took themselves to a cornered position before spreading out creating an octagonal pattern with each student standing on the precipice of the circle. Lorrik studied the peculiar situation. Jresh stood a short distance to his right. Isorr a short distance to his left. An equal distance separated each student, who stood the same distance from the master's central point.
"A Sith must know how to draw upon forces that will ensure their victory," Syrosk rasped. "Passions fuel our physical strength. Cunning broadens our mental capacities. But to bolster one's spirit, one must meet a force with superior force. You must be challenged, and you must overcome said challenge. And I will be the one to challenge you. For the first time, I will be directly opposing you, not your fellow students. Your challenge, is to be the first to lay a hand upon my person. First to do so wins a free day for them and their companion. You may begin."
The students all hesitated, unsure of how exactly to proceed. Seemingly a test of speed, but the acolytes knew better. The master was equally surrounded, and yet he stood with his usual casual pose, arms folded behind his back. Still the figures stood unmoving, no one willing to make the first motion, perhaps jeopardizing their chances of success.
Ryloh was the first to finally break the tension. One careful, calculated step toward Syrosk was all he could take before he found himself drug to the ground. As the Twi'lek lay flat on his front, he struggled to raise himself with his arms. As Kar'ai took a step forward to investigate, she too was overwhelmed by an oppressive downward force washing over her, bringing her to her knees.
One by one the acolytes entered the circle toward their master, only to be met with the same force. Looking up from the ground on which he now lay, Lorrik gazed into the visage of Syrosk. What he witnessed was a countenance of pure concentration. The Sith Lord was actively forcing the students down.
Slowly being crushed under their own weight, each student tried their best to inch toward the master and grasp victory for themselves. The warriors proved less affected, able to stay standing or upon one knee, but could not hope to take more than a single step every several seconds. The inquisitors tried to move forward in their own special way. Keeping low, Vurt began to crawl ever so slowly. Arlia dug her training saber's tip into the ground, using it as a lever to slowly drag herself forward.
Lorrik and Jresh moved forward, slowly and anything but surely. Jresh remained standing while his partner lie to his side, prone, his digits digging into the Korriban dirt. The oppressive weight upon them intensified as each student drew ever closer to the epicenter. Eventually, the force was too much to bear and Jresh was forced to the ground. Individually, each student tried their best to reach Syrosk, but none proved capable of surpassing the master's superior will. As Lorrik lay next to his companion, he was all but sure that it was hopeless for him to continue forward, but still he looked on as Jresh clawed himself forward. Looking around, a feat he was barely capable of at the moment, Lorrik saw that Isorr and Nesk were ahead of them.
The inquisitor envisioned defeat, stewed the idea over in his mind's eye. He would not have it this day. But Lorrik's body was physically unable to continue. He knew that he had to rely on Jresh to succeed. And with that knowledge, came realization. Using his last bit of strength, Lorrik lay his outstretched hand upon his companion's pant leg. Looking back, Jresh saw his partner bearing a determined look in his eye, and his mouth silently preparing him for an upcoming action.
The duo readied themselves. Lorrik concentrated and let loose a primal howl, thrusting his hands forward. Jresh matched his partner in voice, but not in action. The warrior instead put all his energy into one final surge forward. The inquisitor put all his energy into propelling his partner forward with the Force.
Finally, with his companion's telekinetic assistance, Jresh flung past the final stretch and lay his right hand upon Syrosk's right ankle. As soon at the contact was confirmed, the forceful field dissipated, each student writhing upon the ground as they regained control of their bodies.
"It would appear we have our winners," Syrosk stated, his soft admission barely audible over the student's exasperated breathing. "Rise my students."
Slowly, each student arose, lest they attract the ire inherent in disobeying their master. Jresh returned to Lorrik's side, not bearing any overt positive emotions, but definitely filled with a sense of accomplishment.
Syrosk cast his sharpened gaze upon the successful pair. "It would seem that these two have learned much from my teachings. Your test only required a single person to touch me to succeed, and yet you each pressed on as individuals. When Lorrik saw himself incapable of accomplishing a task, he lent his strength to the more powerful Jresh. In the end, it matters not if you hold on to your pride if you are unable to attain victory. As a Sith, you must be willing to do what it takes to succeed, even if it goes against your precious sense of self-importance. Now, we are going to try again, and now that you know the answer, expect the question to be much harder. Jresh, Lorrik, you may return to the Academy."
"Sir," Jresh spoke up. "I wish to train as much as possible. I would like to continue the trials up here rather than have a day off."
"Who's to say your training for the day is complete? You and your partner have simply moved beyond this task," Syrosk firmly stated. "You have the day to yourselves, now your task is deciding on how to utilize it."
Jresh hesitantly accepted his master's wishes. With Lorrik by his side, the duo began walking the return path to the Academy as the other students reset to their positions surrounding the circle.
"Look, I understand how the prospect of free time is abhorrent to you, so what would you like to do for the rest of the day?" Lorrik asked with characteristic pleasantness.
"Today was a test of the spirit, it is only right that I continue along that line."
"How do you suppose we do that?"
"I'm not sure. I will probably return to the suite to meditate."
"That sounds reasonable. Might find some insight. Dwell on the Force. That sort of thing. I might join you later."
"Later? You have plans?"
"Well, our kitchen stock wasn't exactly plentiful. I was going to see if I could procure us some more supplies," Lorrik said. Jresh emitted a soft hum of uncertainty. "Don't worry. I'd be glad to join you in meditation afterwards. I'm not going to waste the day. I'm as serious as you about this training thing… okay, maybe not as serious as you, but pretty serious."
Lorrik walked the familiar halls of the Academy interior while Jresh returned to the suite. The inquisitor pondered how he might get his hands on supplies. It was something he never had to do in his years of study. Occasionally, he would barter or trade with a fellow student in order to procure a meaningful text or datacard. But foodstuffs were absolutely out of the hands of anyone Lorrik traditionally dealt with.
Korriban imported practically all of its edible supplies, which meant if he wanted something of significance, he would have to go to someone close enough to influence those dealings. The inquisitor tumbled the idea around in his head, and could only come up with one person who might fit that description. The quartermaster.
With calm, Lorrik approached the same quartermaster who oversaw the underhalls, the one who had given the eight acolytes their new accommodations. The dull Human still bore the same dull visage he had on that day as well as every other day. As Lorrik drew near, the inquisitor's presence was enough to warrant the quartermaster's attention.
"I remember you. Acolyte. Under Lord Syrosk. I see the robes were delivered successfully. Are you enjoying your new accommodations?" The Human's words seemed almost hollow, the quartermaster putting as little effort into emoting as humanly possible.
"Yes, yes. Everything is going great. I do have some questions about the suite, and its supplies…"
"Amenities are restocked every ten days at midday," the quartermaster plainly stated.
"I understand that, but I wanted to know more about the food-"
"Edible supplies are replenished as part of the standard restocking arrangement."
"Yes, but the type of-"
"The varieties of food are dictated by Production and Logistics, specifically the Domestic Supply Office."
"So you have no control over the resupplying process?"
"Now, I wouldn't say that," the quartermaster stated after a pause, practically dropping his monotonous facade. Panning his gaze around the Academy halls, the Human finally began to show some interested in his company. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
"Well," Lorrik began, "I've recently discovered my talents as a cook, and I was wondering if there was anything to be done that could maybe expand the supply of food that made its way to my suite." The quartermaster stared at the acolyte for a brief moment before succumbing to a short fit of laughter.
"Ha! Is that it? I thought you were conspiring to poison someone's food, or redirect some vital supplies. All you want to do is cook?"
"Well, when you put it that way…"
"Oh, the others are right, you are different."
"Wait, others? Who's been talking about me?"
"All of the students Syrosk took have become the hot topic around here. I hope you didn't think your new position would go unnoticed."
"I suppose I didn't put too much thought into it. Oh, well, I suppose it was a stupid thing to ask."
"Whoa, wait a moment, acolyte. I do have some influence over the moving and directing of supplies around here. If you want a few extra goods or something a bit exotic, I think I can send it your way."
"Really?" Lorrik asked, giddy with delight overcoming any skepticism.
"Sure. It's not often I'm privy to such un-malign machinations. I'm tired of having to deal with the usual miscreants the Academy sends my way. I'd be happy to give a favor for a favor."
"Sure, what favor?"
"My brother, the weapons master, has been working on my lightsaber. Can't leave my post, so it would be great if you could retrieve it for me."
"That's my mission? Fetch an item from someone a few halls down?"
"If you think it beneath you, oh great student of Lord Syrosk…"
"No, wait, I got it. Fetch your lightsaber… wait a minute, you're a Sith?"
"Yeah, began my training back toward the beginning of the war. Wasn't exactly fit for the frontlines and… they needed people to tend the Academy, so that's how me and my brother ended up where we are. Honestly, if it weren't for the Academy rules, we'd probably be the primary cause of death amongst annoying acolytes."
Lorrik digested the quartermaster's words with grim realization. The acolyte's face prompted another bout of laughter from the Human.
"Don't worry, it takes a lot to annoy us. We're good though. We'll be better if you can get me my saber. We'll be even better if you send me down a meal once in a while."
"Heh, you got yourself a deal," Lorrik said, shaking the man's hand.
Lorrik turned from the quartermaster with a grin upon his face. Amidst all the clashes and quarrels that happen within the confines of the Academy, the inquisitor was happy to make the acquaintance of someone not utterly corrupted by the place's darker influences.
The acolyte continued his trek toward the dueling rings and the stationed weapons master. Passing through the narrow halls, Lorrik noticed that the Academy was sparsely populated at the time. Little of the hustle and bustle of students looking to prove themselves. No screaming or shouting of pains or pleasures.
Curiosity got the better of him, as Lorrik turned the corner he did not notice the figure to his back. He also did not notice the blow about to be delivered to the back of his head.