She stepped out into the dripping light of the Dromund Kaas sky. She could smell the swamp, even inside the small, sheltered city. At least today had managed to be warm. She rubbed her brow and rolled her shoulders back, attempting to get comfortable in her armor. She let her hand fall to the single saber at her side and let its company calm her. It wasn\u2019t exactly obvious when another Sith would decide to attack her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you ready, Jade?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade\u2019s eyes flickered up and met the orange-tinted pair. She arched a brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get this thing over.\u201d Jade stepped down, looking at Kotrana darkly from underneath her short red hair that moved in front of her eyes with movement. She brushed it away carelessly, feeling the three scars touching the tips of her fingers. The scars traveled from her forehead, across her left eye, and to her chin. She frowned at its touch and stepped outside the bounds of the Kaas city. Kotrana turned to her, opening her arms wide.<\/p>\n
\u201cPick your arena, scarface.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever heard that creative name before,\u201d Jade chimed, looking around.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd how about we make this interesting?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade\u2019s green eyes flickered back to her with mild interest. Keria smirked darkly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about\u2026oh, I don\u2019t know, we don\u2019t use the Force?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade\u2019s eyes narrowed. She knew this game. She knew what Kotrana was trying to goad her into giving up. The single advantage Jade had over Kotrana was her mastery of the Force. In strength, no other female could match Kotrana. She practically looked like a man with her muscled arms and tall figure. But Jade also knew that if she refused, it would show her own weakness. She\u2019d have to go about this carefully, skilled and crafted words to confuse the hulking rancor of a girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d Or just stiffly say a single word. Jade figured that\u2019d have to do for now as she gestured to a small hill to their right. \u201cDown the hill there\u2019s a rather flat place. We could fight there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout the Force?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Can\u2019t you use the Force? Are you scared of me defeating you without even getting in arm\u2019s length?\u201d<\/p>\n
Kotrana scowled. \u201cOf course not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gently, Jade smirked at the Sith, having to almost look up to her due to her daunting height. \u201cThen I wouldn\u2019t think that\u2019d be a problem. You can just use your brute force to run right on through my Force, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA battle of strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019m plenty strong, gizak. How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re strong, then fight me with no Force to aid you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTempting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that a yes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt certainly isn\u2019t a \u2018no\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kotrana grinned then headed down the hill. Jade\u2019s smirk grew smug at her crafty word play. She strode behind Kotrana and the two stepped off the beaten path and wandered down the hill a little way further. Eventually, they paused in some land that was relatively dry and turned to face one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be her apprentice, Jade.\u201d Kotrana hissed as she fell into her fighting stance, Shien Form, ready to use her strength and offensive abilities to bring an end to her opponent. Jade simply shrugged and chuckled softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see, I suppose.\u201d Her stance fell into the aggressive Ataru stance, focusing on agility in offense rather than strength. Her lightsaber hummed to life and she moved the tip towards Kotrana.<\/p>\n
\u201cReady to die, you annoying little acolyte?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot quite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kotrana snarled and charged forward, slamming her single lightsaber into Jade\u2019s. The strength that followed the blow made Jade stagger before she dived to the side, her opponent\u2019s saber slicing the ground swiftly before she turned on her heel to attack once more. She leapt into the air, coming down directly. Jade ducked under her, turning to land a back kick to Kotrana\u2019s spine. She simply grunted and turned around with a grin. Jade blinked and quickly leapt back to avoid Kotrana\u2019s swing. Right, so, brute force clearly isn\u2019t going to work on brute force.<\/i> Jade scowled. She had wanted to see if she could beat Kotrana without the Force even before Kotrana mentioned it. She was now realizing that was easier said than done. How could she have forgotten how strong this moron was?<\/p>\n
Kotrana jumped forward, Jade quickly lifting her lightsaber to block the attack. The force sent Jade flying backwards, slamming into a tree with a bitter grimace. She cursed bitterly before pushing away from it. Kotrana came with a heavy swing, slicing just above Jade\u2019s head as she ducked skillfully under it. Jade jabbed forward with her lightsaber, stabbing at Kotrana\u2019s stomach. The gizak moved to the side, the humming blade just slicing the edge of Kotrana\u2019s skin. Kotrana scowled and came down with a heavy elbow to Jade\u2019s shoulder. Jade could feel Kotrana draw from the Force, pulling at it with her anger and hatred. She ground her teeth together with the pain and jumped away before her opponent could bring her lightsaber to follow the attack up. Kotrana clucked her tongue and looked to Jade who fell in the more defensive Soresu stance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just getting warmed up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade wiped her brow, grinning wildly back at the Sith. \u201cYeah? I haven\u2019t even started doing that yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the one getting beaten up.\u201d Kotrana objected almost childishly.\u00a0 Jade rolled her eyes and scoffed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow cute. It talks.\u201d<\/p>\n
With annoyance and rage, Kotrana dashed forward then jerked to the side, catching Jade with a strong hook to the face. Jade staggered, frustrated her slip hadn\u2019t worked. She wiped the blood from the corner of her lips and sighed. She uttered another curse and ducked under Kotrana\u2019s wild swing. Kotrana, however, then followed up with a knee that clocked Jade in the nose. Jade cursed louder and landed a swift kick to Kotrana\u2019s gut, shoving the brute back. She rubbed her nose and straightened.<\/p>\n
Note to self: stop being an idiot when you\u2019re fighting, <\/i>Jade thought bitterly. She rolled her shoulders back then immediately regretted it. It was cut open. She forgot that. Time to get serious.<\/i><\/p>\n
Kotrana lunged forward, slicing downward with her lightsaber. Jade sidestepped, carefully out of range of another hook or knee, before stepping forward and landing a blow with her left hook to Kotrana\u2019s nose and jumping back once more.<\/p>\n
Jump in and quickly jump back out. That\u2019s how you win a fight. Don\u2019t be open. Don\u2019t be a bloody moron.<\/i><\/p>\n
Kotrana scowled, using her weight to throw her saber with a giant swing towards Jade\u2019s head. Jade leaned back, the blade\u2019s tip narrowly missing her neck before stepping forward again and kicking at Kotrana\u2019s knee. She heard a sickening snap but was too slow in moving out, and Kotrana came with a backhand to her chin. It was as if Jade hadn\u2019t just blown out Kotrana\u2019s knee.<\/p>\n
Jade rubbed her new injury, having moved out once more. She eyed Kotrana and the amount of weight she put on the injured leg. It\u2019s true\u2014Kotrana hadn\u2019t seemed to notice that terrible pain should be burning through every nerve. With a frown, Jade turned back to Kotrana.<\/p>\n
Another note to my idiotic self: start working on your muscle mass.<\/i><\/p>\n
Jade let her red saber fall to her side, watching Kotrana with keen eyes. The two of them circled each other, Kotrana\u2019s knee moving in unsafe ways, frequently echoing pops and snaps. Jade let her lip curl upwards with disgust.<\/p>\n
The blonde Sith jerked forward with a kick towards Jade\u2019s leg. Jade successfully moved away from it just in time for Kotrana to throw herself forward with a punch to the face. Jade sucked in her breath, knowing full well it was going to hurt. She took a step further back and realized Kotrana had her lightsaber under the feint of a punch. This dawned on the Sith a moment too late, and Jade was awarded with a large gash across her gut, slicing clean through her armor. Luckily she was able to move back slightly and the armor softened the blow. Nevertheless, blood trickled out from the opened hole and Jade grabbed it with anger.<\/p>\n
\u201cScrew you.\u201d she hissed. Kotrana snickered as Jade stepped back again. How was she only an acolyte, again? Did she do some serious squats and bench presses when she was three weeks old? Jade frowned at the thought. Kotrana must\u2019ve been a gross muscle baby.<\/p>\n
\u201cReady to die, little bug?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade held her wound and then smirked. \u201cNot quite yet.\u201d She threw her hand up, the Force slamming against Kotrana and throwing her into a tree. It quickly gripped her neck and lifted her further off the ground, her back grinding against the bark of the tree. Jade straightened with a grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever said I wasn\u2019t going to use the Force. Besides, you should\u2019ve been able to block part of that, if you were a true Sith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kotrana grabbed at her neck, her lightsaber falling to the ground as she gasped for air. Jade waited until she passed out before letting her fall to the ground. She looked at her wound and put her hand against the blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cMed bay. Right. We have one of those, don\u2019t we?\u201d she muttered as she started back to the city, grabbing Kotrana\u2019s lightsaber in the process.<\/p>\n
As she strode into the Academy nestled deep within the city, many apprentices and acolytes paused to witness her arrival. She felt a swell of pride and stood a little straighter, though her hand remained pressed against her bleeding gut. Whispers and murmurs filled the halls.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have defeated the she-rancor!\u201d Jade cried a bit dramatically, throwing Kotrana\u2019s saber to the ground. \u201cShe is passed out in the woods for all to see! This is her lightsaber, for any who doubt me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could you have defeated her?\u201d objected one student, stepping forward. Jade\u2019s cruel green eyes glinted and turned to him. He wavered in his stance.<\/p>\n
\u201cSimple,\u201d she took a step closer, pulling her hand from her wound. \u201cI just reached out,\u201d she moved her bloodied hand to the boy\u2019s neck, who shivered slightly and wished he hadn\u2019t spoken. \u201cAnd grabbed her neck.\u201d Her fingers closed around his flesh when someone called her name.<\/p>\n
\u201cJade!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade\u2019s bloody fingers brushed his throat as she whipped around and wrapped it back against her oozing side. Her eyes found where the voice had come from swiftly, and one brow arched.<\/p>\n
The woman was only slightly shorter than Jade, with brown, wavy hair pulled into a bun atop her head. Intense brown eyes stared Jade down, her body small and lean. What her body seemed to lack in physical presence, her attitude and authority made up for.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you came back, hm?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t talk to me in such a manner, Jade. You are my apprentice now, you must speak to me as your Master.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re the one we fought over.\u201d Jade sized her up, wondering how on earth the small little woman was able to make the title of \u201cMaster.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am indeed. And let me say, I am quite impressed with your performance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah. You, like everyone else, didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Master blinked. \u201cHow perceptive of you, Jade. No, I did not think you\u2019d be coming back. If you did, I assumed maybe in a body bag. But you did, as I had been secretly hoping, and proved the lot of this Academy wrong. You are proving to be quite a Sith, Jade.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKneel, now, Jade, to your new Master. Declare your allegiance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade didn\u2019t move. \u201cI\u2019m not the kneeling sort.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m sorta bleeding. Kneeling to you? I\u2019m not sure if that\u2019d help all that much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow dare you! Apprentice, you will\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this acolyte bothering you, Master Vryn?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade glanced to the newcomer. He stood tall, taller that Jade\u2019s 5\u20199\u201d. His face was smooth and un-cracked with the presence of the Dark Side. Raven hair was ruffled on his head, and a curled strand would occasionally fall before his green eyes. A small goatee sat under his lip, resembling the sharp teeth that sprouted from his armor along his shoulder blades. He was clad in black and his eyes bore into Jade with a smile on his lips. Jade immediately hated him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing, Darth Thaddeous, we were simply talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop looking at me.\u201d Jade growled. Thaddeous smirked and arched a brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop looking at you? Why would I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s weird. Stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJade! That is no<\/i> way to talk to a Darth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is quite all right, Master Vryn.\u201d His eyes turned back to Jade. \u201cAnd what is your name, acolyte?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApprentice, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade nodded and smiled smugly, motioning to Master Vryn. She didn\u2019t look all that pleased with Jade, and almost looked horrified when she gestured to her so flippantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen, apprentice<\/i>, what is your name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll give it to you when you\u2019ve earned it, gizak.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGizak?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJade, we\u2019re leaving.\u201d Vryn said sharply, grabbing Jade\u2019s arm and yanking her back. Jade smirked darkly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, gizak,\u201d she cried as she was being dragged down a hallway. \u201cIt\u2019s that small little obnoxious lizard that eats everything and is such a pain in the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
The door slammed shut and Vryn threw Jade inside her office. Jade stumbled, her hand catching against the table and being pushed hard against her wound. She winced and jerked away, whirling to face Vryn.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow dare you,\u201d her new Master hissed with bitterness and anger. \u201cYou completely humiliated me and muddied my name!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Jade look at Vryn with shock. Sure, she acted sort of like a stuck up jerk, but hell, the ground was dirty and she wasn\u2019t about to kneel to someone she didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t kneel, you spoke out against a Darth! You continued taunting him even though you\u2019re simply an acolyte!\u201d She jerked her finger into Jade\u2019s face. \u201cYou scum! You\u2019re no better than the witches from your planet! You\u2019re no better than Republic waste! I could very well just send the execution order to your family now\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Jade was on her knee in an instant, still holding her bleeding side and wincing as the muscles around it tensed and folded over the open wound. Her breath caught and her pride threatened to choke her out. She swallowed hard and her angry eyes glared at the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaster. Please. Have mercy.\u201d She did her best to keep the hatred from her voice and her eyes looked up to Vryn. The hatred had vanished in a moment\u2019s notice, sewn with fake tears and a startled look. Inwardly, Jade hated herself for playing this game, but found no way around it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will be your sword, Master Vryn. I will follow you and go where you point. I pledge my allegiance to you. I will not soil your name anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vryn arched a brow and scoffed. For a moment, Jade thought her disguise had somehow failed her.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery good. Stand, apprentice. We shall discuss your first mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade nodded and stood, wiping under her eye as if worried there was a tear underneath it. She pulled her anger inward, keeping it from touching the Force and tipping off her new-found Master. With dutiful eyes hiding her chilled bitterness, she listened to Vryn\u2019s plan with not a sarcastic word on her lips.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Star Wars universe. Before I seek to publish Saber, I will meet the necessary requirements and contact Lucas Arts. I own Jade Cavvar’s story, do not steal. Also, if you have ideas for the titles of these chapters, I’d gladly hear them.)<\/p>\n