Raezyr suddenly poured on a flurry of unexpected attacks, driving the Chiss Jedi backward but the momentum lasted only a moment. He tried to infuse himself, draw more energy from the Force, but his last burst had drained him.
Quickly the tide began to turn. Val, sensing that his opponent's fatigue was beginning to overwhelm him, began to make his own careful, well-chosen attacks. The impact was immediate and Raezyr began to give ground as the Jedi's thrusts and strikes came at him from what seemed like all sides at the same time. His two lightsabers moved quickly, but not as fast as the Chiss' double-bladed weapon.
Val's precision strikes weren't aimed to kill, but rather limit his opponents area of maneuverability, drive him back and force him to surrender if at all possible. "Raezyr, please listen," he pleaded. "There's someone you should meet and listen to. Even Tyr would beg you to listen. It will change everything you think you know." He tried to subtly manipulate Raezyr's mind with the Force. He doubted a full on mind trick would work, but hoped the Sith might be tired enough that something like that might at least allow the human to receive what he said with an open mind.
It was of no use. Despite his physical exhaustion, the big Sith warrior's mental defenses were strong although he gave no indication of having noticed the subtle attempt. Raezyr managed to laugh and even speak between panting for air. "As if I'd listen to you, a brain-washed Tyr or anyone else who might spew Jedi or Republic propaganda."
The talking distracted Val's opponent and he landed a well-placed kick to the Sith's midsection, sending him flying backward into the snow. He had hoped the move might disarm Raezyr, but no such luck was to be had.
Raezyr tried to draw on the Force to help him leap to his feet, but it was gone. It was taking all he could muster just to keep his mind focused on anticipating the incoming attacks. He scrambled clumsily to his feet and stood swaying as he flicked the switches on his blades, igniting them once again.
Val allowed a momentary reprieve, and the Sith looked around to take stock of his surroundings. For the first time he realized how hopeless the situation was. The edge of the cliff was only a few meters behind him now and all three ships were on the other side of Jedi. He estimated his chances of getting past the big blue Chiss, but they were nil. No matter which direction he broke, the Jedi could easily cut him off from escape. He thought about trying to leap over his opponent, but he was too tired. The ability to draw on the Dark Side had all but left him.
He glanced over his shoulder toward the edge of the precipice and into the white invisible depths beyond, blotted out by the driving wind and snow. Raezyr had see this place before when the visibility was good and knew it was hundreds of meters to the jagged rocks below.
The Jedi tried one more time. "If you won't listen to me, listen to logic," Val proposed. "You can see there's no escape, but don't throw your life away. If you will lay down your weapon, there's always a chance you can escape and live to fight another day."
The midnight blue helm of the Sith shook back and forth signaling no. "I'll escape, and we'll meet in combat again some other day... but I'll never surrender to a Jedi," Raezyr said, spitting the last word like a curse.
Suddenly he spun on his heels, ran and dove over the edge of the cliff.
"No!" Val yelled, extending his free hand as if to catch the airborne Sith. He moved forward a few steps, then stopped. He began to sense that something wasn't right. He took few steps in retreat from the edge of the cliff just moments before he heard the whine of the repulsor lifts, then spun on his heels and ran.
The Jet Razor lifted from below. Val looked over his shoulder to see the armored Sith sprawled out, clinging to the dorsal section of the hull. Lasers lanced out from the ship's cannons, the sound roaring as the snow exploded all around the Jedi.
And as quickly as it had appeared, the ship was gone, disappeared into the raging blizzard. Val stood up and took stock of his situation. All three fighters had taken severe damage. They wouldn't be flying any time soon.
The big Chiss ran over to where Nal Talla lay, crouching down and gathering her into his arms. He could still feel her life force, and it was much stronger than he had expected. She looked up at him. "Did we save him from himself?" she asked.
Val smiled one of his rare smiles. "Not today, Nal. Not today."
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