Ali looked down at the metallic interior of the mask, its surface cool and unyielding to the touch. He held it in one hand, turning it slightly to study its intricate engravings. With a slow, deliberate movement, Ali raised the mask toward his face.
Before it could fully touch his skin, however, the mask began to vibrate faintly, emitting a low hum as if awakening from a long slumber. Without warning, it wrenched itself from his grasp and flew onto his face with an almost magnetic force, sealing itself firmly in place.
Startled by the sudden movement, Ali instinctively reeled his head back, his body tensing as he adjusted to the strange new sensation. Yet, within moments, an intense surge of energy coursed through him, washing over his senses like an electrifying tide.
The improvement in his Force sensitivity hit him almost instantly, overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. His perception of the Force deepened, becoming sharper and more vivid.
Raising his hand experimentally, Ali willed the case that had carried the device to float into the air. To his amazement, the mask's effects were more profound than he had anticipated.
'It costs even less of my spirit to use the Force now', he thought, marvelling at the newfound efficiency in his abilities. The strain he once felt while manipulating the Force seemed to have diminished significantly. The ease with which he could now wield it was almost intoxicating.
"It's working," Ali said aloud, his voice slightly distorted and deeper under the mask's influence. The metallic timbre of his words carried an edge of authority that hadn't been there before. He turned toward Vrixor, who nodded with an expression of interest, his sharp yellow eyes studying Ali intently.
"Describe the effects in detail," Vrixor demanded, his tone laced with curiosity and the faintest hint of envy.
Ali took a moment to gather his thoughts, focusing on the sensations flowing through him. "It's as you said, Lord Vrixor. My connection to the Force feels stronger—more natural. It's as if I've tapped into a deeper well of energy. And it takes far less effort to use the Force now. I'd estimate the improvement is somewhere between ten to fifteen percent for both my sensitivity and efficiency."
Vrixor stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze scrutinising every inch of the mask as though trying to discern its secrets. "I see," he murmured, his voice tinged with an almost imperceptible mix of fascination and frustration.
"Acolyte, what you have on your face is no ordinary artefact. That mask is an ancient, Force-enchanted relic. The enchantment imbues it with power and practical abilities—such as the Force holding it in place on your face."
Ali tilted his head slightly, intrigued by the revelation. "Is there anyone in the academy capable of enchanting weapons or armour like this?" he asked, the prospect of learning such a powerful technique was very attractive to him.
"To my knowledge, no," Vrixor replied, his voice carrying the weight of finality. "Force enchantment is an ancient and exceedingly difficult technique. It's practically a lost art. However," he added, his tone turning contemplative, "there may be some of the old Sith out in the desert who still know the secrets of such methods."
The conversation came to an abrupt end as Vrixor turned back to his machines, a clear signal that Ali's audience with him was over.
Taking the hint, Ali left the laboratory, the mask still firmly affixed to his face. The lightweight metal seemed almost to mold itself to him, becoming an extension of his being rather than a mere piece of armour.
'I like it', he thought, the corners of his mouth lifting into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile beneath the mask.
An hour later, in the desolate red expanse of Korriban's desert, a massive purple-skinned alien rode a colossal speeder across the barren terrain. The horn atop his forehead gleamed under the harsh sunlight, and his muscular form dominated the vehicle with ease.
He pushed the speeder forward with practiced precision, navigating the endless dunes until his sharp eyes caught sight of another speeder parked in the distance. An acolyte sat atop it, waiting patiently.
Drogath brought his speeder to a stop beside the parked vehicle, his heavy boots kicking up a cloud of dust as he dismounted.
"Ali!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the howling desert winds. The acolyte turned to face him, but Drogath immediately froze, his muscles tensing and his Force energy surging in response.
The figure's face was obscured by a menacing red-and-black mask that exuded an unmistakable aura of power.
Drogath's hand twitched instinctively, his Force senses screaming caution. "Who are you?" he growled, his tone low and threatening.
"Hey, calm down. It's me," Ali said, his voice darker and more resonant under the mask. The distorted tone only added to Drogath's unease, but a moment later, the mask flew off Ali's face, floating gracefully into his hand.
Ali's familiar features were revealed, calming down the suspicious giant.
"Since when did you start wearing a mask? And where did you even get it?" Drogath asked, his suspicion giving way to curiosity as he approached his companion.
"I got it just now as a bonus from the Sith who issued the Vorrath mission. It's special," Ali replied, flipping the mask in his hand before allowing it to hover in mid-air. With a subtle motion, the mask snapped back onto his face, fitting seamlessly once more.
"You gonna tell me what happened on Vorrath?" Drogath asked as they walked toward the centre of their usual sparring area.
Ali smirked beneath the mask, his confidence palpable. "If you beat me in the spar, maybe," he replied mockingly, his tone playful yet challenging.
The two took their positions, the tension between them growing as the desert winds picked up. Ali stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture relaxed but imposing.
The mask added an intimidating edge to his presence, making him appear even more ruthless and calculating.
Drogath, in contrast, bent down to scoop up a handful of sand, rubbing it into his hands as he took a deep, grounding breath.
The battle began without ceremony. Drogath's massive frame charged forward, the Force surrounding him in a protective, shimmering aura that stretched from his horn to his boots. Ali's sharp senses, enhanced by the mask, could see the intricate web of energy enveloping his opponent like a second skin.
'He's improved', Ali thought with approval, though his expression under the mask remained impassive.
As Drogath advanced, Ali raised his hand subtly, releasing a Force push that met Drogath head-on. The giant slowed sharply, his boots digging into the sand as he grunted with exertion.
"This cannot stop me!" Drogath roared, his voice booming across the desert. His determination fuelled his power, and with a surge of anger, he shattered Ali's barrier and continued his charge.
But Ali was ready. He attacked with precise Force strikes, aiming for weak points in Drogath's armour. Each blow destabilised the protective layer surrounding him, creating small openings. When the largest gap appeared, Ali seized the opportunity. Using telekinesis, he lifted Drogath into the air with little effort and hurled him back toward his starting position.
The impact shook the ground, sending a shockwave through the sand. Drogath clenched his fists, his anger palpable as he summoned a second, thicker layer of Force armour around himself. Rising to his feet, he let out a furious roar and charged again, his movements even more determined.
This time, Drogath anticipated Ali's attempts to halt him. Raising a massive fist, he punched forward, releasing a shockwave that shattered the Force push aimed at him. The explosion of air scattered the sand, briefly obscuring Ali's vision.
But Ali didn't need to see—his heightened Force sensitivity allowed him to track Drogath's every move especially with the Force covering him.
'He's gotten stronger, but there's still much to improve', Ali thought as he watched Drogath close the distance. The giant's fist, larger than Ali's head, came barreling toward him with lethal force.
Ali waited until the last possible moment, his focus razor-sharp. As the punch neared, he exploited a gap in Drogath's defences, using telekinesis to slam him into the ground.
The sand erupted around them as Drogath lay flat, pinned under an immense weight of Force energy. He struggled, his muscles straining and sweat dripping from his brow, but he couldn't budge. Every time he tried to gather the Force, Ali disrupted his concentration with a flick of his power.
"You lost," Ali said, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"At least you're not unconscious," he added, a trace of amusement creeping into his voice.
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