Adept Tasha'Vel Versea vs. Adept Mihoshi Keibatsu

Located on Sepros, the ancient Temples of Orian have served as the home for Clan Naga Sadow since the Exodus. In particular, the Temple of Sorrow was selected to become the base of operations for all of Clan Naga Sadow. The Temple has been rebuilt upon a once withered base, creating a hybrid of ancient stone and current era technology.

Within the shroud of Sepros' jungles, the spire of the Temple stands tall and menacing. It is constructed at the heart of a large clearing within the trees, with an impressive courtyard flanking it. The courtyard itself is a testament to the ancient origins of the Temple, littered with remains of the previous temple. Vines grow like slithering snakes throughout the crumbling architecture as if trying to strangle what stone remains and drag it into the dirt once more. Moss coats the stones in defiance to the elements that have stripped the stone bare throughout the courtyard. A grand staircase leads from the grassy ground to the main entrance, with secondary platforms on either side that house landing platforms. Several transport shuttles are settled upon the platforms in varying states of readiness as droids see to their maintenance.

Inside the Temple lies the main hall. The walls are shaped from a marble-like structure with elegant, flowing curves as if molded in clay. Columns line the walls leading away from the entrance towards the central chambers, supporting a balcony that stretches along the walls of the hall as a second level. Multiple corridors are seen between the columns, leading towards the Temple proper. Within these pathways reside the quarters many call home, in addition to various training rooms and small libraries.

This is the Temple of Sorrow, the heart of Clan Naga Sadow.

Inside the Temple lies the main hall. The walls are shaped from a marble-like structure with elegant, flowing curves as if molded in clay.

Tasha’Vel led the newly arrived Mihoshi Keibatsu to the main hall in the Temple of Sorrow. The marble-like elegant curved walls were still solid as the floor was covered with a large black bordered purple rug.

“I brought you here, because we need to bring back the Keibatsu that is dormant within you.” She pulled out both of her lightsabers Varactas and Vilruna, igniting them causing a brilliant violet hue to shine out and illuminate the hall.

“What better way of bringing you back into the fold than a test of might.” Immediately, she pointed at one of the old chairs within the hall with Vilruna and sent it flying towards the former Odanite.

“Show me you are a Keibatsu, you weak pathetic Jedi!”

A sudden rush filled Mihoshi’s senses as she smiled, stepping to the side to avoid most of the chair and deflecting the remainder with Kurotsubaki already in hand. Twirling it deftly in her hands, she smirked at the Marauder. Then Pips, her backpack droid began chirping a bit and poked out its head.

The Twilek smirked back and snapped her fingers upwards, her hand forming a circle as her ascendant and nightsister daggers rose up, and went flying towards the Disciple. Taking the blunt Beskar end of her staff, Mihoshi swung at the daggers, batting them back with the guidance of The Force right towards Tashavel. Pips quickly ducked his head back into Mihoshi’s backpack.

Laughing, Tasha’Vel halted her blades right before they struck and let them hover around her.

Like a predator now, the elder slowly began to circle the human at a distance. Her instincts screamed to keep Mihoshi at bay as she proved already that this wouldn’t be a simple overpower. She was in the presence of a far more formidable and feral individual. She always did love a challenge.

“Impressive Mihoshi, so what else can you do besides bat my blades back at me? Just what is that staff of yours capable of doing?”

In a flash of surprising lightning speed, Mihoshi had leaped for one of the side pillars and flipped off of it. She landed behind Tashavel and whirled her blunt end towards her back. The Twi’lek immediately spun around just in time to place her lightsabers up to block the attack, but missed the sweep of Miho’s leg, causing her to stumble a brief moment. Cursing, she quickly sent out a bolt of telekinetic energy, causing the fellow Marauder to dodge to the side, allowing the Twi’lek just enough time to rise and move back quickly. Analyzing the field, Tasha'vel moved her left hand and sent a nearby table flying at the Human, hoping it would distract her enough to formulate an attack. Bringing her staff down, Mihoshi split the table into pieces. As it fell apart leaving Mihoshi unharmed, she grinned from ear to ear.

The thrill of battle was rising within her.

This is what she wanted.

A fight that came to her. A fighter that would never simply yield. Violet eyes flashed with the first real excitement she had felt in what seemed to be ages.

Weak Jedi, She scoffed to herself softly. For a long time now, she had been trapped waiting within the chrysalis for the moment to spread her wings again.

Mihoshit leveled Kurotsubaki at the Twi'lek with a grin. She dusted off her jacket and adjusted the broad brimmed hat. “Pips, you should get down now.” He didn't need to be told twice; the small droid hopped off her back and scarpered off to the side of the large room to watch from a safe distance. Tasha watched curiously, a light smile as the droid exited the field of battle.

In the same moment the Human struck, her feet carrying her across the intervening space in moments with the odd black staff in a side strike towards Tasha's side. The Twi'lek's reflexes were just as good if not slightly faster than the Human's own. One of the sabers she held lightly in practiced hands dipped down to intercept the staff, the violet blades casting a shower of sparks as it struck the beskar haft.

The impact of the blade on Kurotsubaki was enough to halt the advance and push the staff down as the second violet blade whipped out and forward for a strike that would end the fight. But, that strange black haft was there, the momentum accepted from the other blade pushing the other end into position to be used. The blade pushed into the air beside her, Miho grinned from beneath her hat into the face of Tasha'Vel.

“Surprise.”

The end of Kurotsubaki gave the tell-tale snap-hiss a heartbeat before the obsidian blade shot forward aimed at Tasha's shoulder. Ending the fight didn’t mean killing, just disabling would be enough.

And the loss of such a fighting partner would be depressing.

Time froze the way it does when adrenaline kicks in, giving the illusion of having all the time in the world. The exultant look on Miho's face. The flashlight of surprise from Tasha as the warning through the Force found her. Few ever learned the secret of the Keibatsu's staff. Fewer still lived to tell of it.

Time caught up to the pair as Tasha broke free and jumped clear of the black blade that sought her blood.

“Careful, these things are sharp,.” Miho said with a grin. “I'd hate to mar such lovely colors.”

It wasn't likely Miho would get another opening like that, but the look of surprise was more than enough for her. Off to the side, Pips trilled softly and tippy-tapped as the two fighters squared off with one another again.

“And I would hate to lose such a great sparring partner.” She smirked back as her emerald eyes kept a vigilant watch on the human. “Love that design, elegant, practical, and marvelously deadly. I was thinking about a short lance blade myself. You really just sold me on that.” The Twi’lek, now seeing the full length of Miho’s Kurotsubaki, began to formulate a plan. She quickly charged forward towards Mihoshi and stopped just short of the blade’s eight-foot reach as the Elder brought it down to defend herself. A thin smile crept up on Tasha’s features. Yes, the blade did make up for keeping melee fighters on their toes, but as with anything, she just needed to find the right time to strike,but finding that timing, well, was just another challenge, and she relished it.

Both of them danced around the room as they sought to gain the upper hand against each other. Mihoshi attempted to goad her into striking distance by sliding forward and twirling Kurotsubaki deftly in her hands. Tasha’Vel, however, was proving to be a more intelligent opponent than some she had faced. She watched the quick Sith prancing just out of her striking range. It was exhilarating to have someone who put in equal effort, though she knew prolonging this fight would be detrimental to her winning.

One of them had to do something.

Analyzing the field, the human observed Tasha’Vel was moving to the left. Swiftly, Mihoshi deactivated Kurotsubaki’s blade for a single moment, catching Tasha’vel’s attention. Quickly, she zig-zagged towards the Twi’lek. Her right hand began glowing blue with crackling lightning surrounding her fingers. It arced from her hand and straight out towards the Sith. Immediately, Tasha dodged to the right side to avoid the bluish-white streak coming at her. Now grinning wildly, Mihoshi then swung Kurotsubaki and activated the black blade. Tasha'vel saw it coming, but it was too late to move out of the way. The Elder drew Vilruna’s violet blade upwards, but the strengthened force of Mihoshi’s power swing tore into her left shoulder, forcing her to use everything to stop the blade from cutting further. Excruciating searing pain ripped into her, causing the Twi'lek to cry out.

Mihoshi didn’t waste time and rushed forward, kicking her to the ground before bringing her full weight down on the Twi’lek’s chest, knocking the wind out of her and pinning her to the ground. She then placed Kurotsubaki’s blade end near Tasha’vel’s throat.

“I wouldn’t move if I were you, Tasha’Vel.”

Looking up into Mihoshi’s feral eyes, the fellow Marauder spotted a cold, steeled, murderous look.

Her job was now complete. Grinning ear to ear, the azure Twi’lek lay on the ground and, despite the pained breathing, began to laugh.

“I would be dead before hitting the ground if I moved an inch. Welcome back home, Mihoshi. Perhaps, we can spar again later after I heal.”

Having seen Mihoshi triumphant, Pips chirped a high-pitched, squeaky victory cry as he wheeled himself back to his master’s side. He then climbed up behind her shoulders again.

Tasha then sighed painfully. “Well, my defeat just means I have more to learn. Thanks for showing me.”