As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods.

[Amaethon]

Standing among the pits of the training grounds was the Acolyte, Amaethon. He had secured the lessons of @DarthVenefica in Makashi and perhaps other skills. Venefica was also known for her ability to break the minds of enemies. A useful ability, he thought. She was perhaps insane some had said. Some had said that of him too; he laughed, a gurgling noise....

 

[Via Dolorosa]

[member="Amaethon"]



For the second time now she had been sought out by another Acolyte wanting to learn from her. And for the second time it was from an Acolyte she had never formally met, but from some reason she seem to be drawing them to her like mynocks to a power source. Part of her felt appreciated that others not only wanted to assimilate her knowledge into theirs, but actually wanted to spend time with mentally unstable Sith form Dagobah. However, the other part of her felt annoyed by the prospect of teaching someone that was not one of her Apprentices. Her time was precious. But despite this, she knew that if the Sith Order was to flourish then they had to be a strong community, which meant assisting others in their growth.

"So you have brought us here so you can learn and perfect the form Makashi," she said entering the training ground. "Some believe that this form is inferior to the other forms...but those people are fools. While they dance, over exert themselves, and react without thought...a master of Makashi is patient, observant, and calculating."

She had survived countless encounters with more superior opponents in terms of lightsaber combat because she was a tactician when it came to fighting. There was more to dueling than simply hacking and slashing. "Tell us...what do you know of Makashi?"

 

[Amaethon]

The Acolyte inclined his head to [member="Darth Venefica"] when she entered.

"My Lord," he began in his raspy whisper "Makashi is Form II. Created to duel. Quick, precise. Unlike Shii-Cho."

He paused for a moment, for it was unusual for him to speak so much. Indeed his mutilated throat made it nigh impossible to speak above a whisper. Like an unused muscle, protracted speech made his throat sore.

"The purest style. Efficient. Made to kill, not defend or disarm."

 

[Via Dolorosa]

[member="Amaethon"]


"First...we are no Lord...yet. Second, It is not designed to kill." She scanned the Acolyte up and down for a few silent moments. Was this Acolyte destined to be just another mindless killing machine she wondered to herself. It seemed of late that the new generation of Acolytes were forgetting one of the most aspects of being Sith; self-preservation. Since this Acolyte was not one of her Apprentices, he would need to discover that for himself.

"Makashi is a defensive style to draw your opponent into a false sense of security and force them to exert their energy to defeat you. It also allows you...and this important...to dictate the flow of combat. Lose that advantage and you are dead."

She had fought along other Sith and observed how they went for a quick kill, neglecting to hold the advantage in the fight; and found themselves with a blade in their chest. Or fall victim to exhaustion.

"Unlike the other forms, Makashi requires the use of one hand to wield; opting for parrying attacks rather than blocking them. That is important when facing an adversary that is physically stronger than you. Other than what we just mentioned...do you know the advantage of using only one hand to hold your lightsaber?"

 

[Amaethon]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

Amaethon tilted his head, considering a moment her words. She was correct. He had often dictated the flow of sparring matches with initiates, allowing him to toy with them. Allowing others to dictate the pace had caused him rare defeats. The Acolyte thought still more about his answer before he rasped,

"Control. Precision."

Indeed that had been the whole point of his opting for a curved-hilt saber. It let him manipulate his blade just so, all wrists.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"That is only partly correct. Notice when another is using their lightsaber...they are holding it with two hands. In order for them to use the Force, they have to take a hand off their hilt...tipping off what they are about to do." She let that soak in for a minute or two.

"With Makashi we already have a free hand...no pulling it from our hilt and no tipping our next move. In essence, we have the element of surprise. Your opponent will have to split their attention between your weapon and watching your hand. Distractions. Distractions are everything."

She removed her weapon and ignited it. Then with her right hand she held it up. "With a free hand naturally given to us by the form...we are free to unleash the Force against our enemy. There are many options open to you with this form." After shutting down her weapon and replacing it back on her right side, she spoke an activation code that bought to life a training droid.

"Spar that droid and see for yourself."


[member="Amaethon"]

 

[Amaethon]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

Amaethon bore a thoughtful expression under his mask at her words. Yes, it was true, Makashi did allow for a free hand. He hadn't thought much on it, taking it for granted. Using the Force multiplied your possibilities and futher confused your enemy. A new tactical avenue, then.

As she instructed him to do, the Acolyte unhooked his lightsaber and ignited it whilst facing the droid. He took a stance with arm extended out and blade angled down. The droid had both of it's hands on the durasteel blade in a Shii-Cho middle guard. Amaethon moved lightly on the balls of his feet as he flicked out a probing cut.

The droid made a high angled block as expected and Amaethon made a backhanded flick. Again, the droid made the expected drop-parry. Then the automaton began it's offense with a heavy sweeping horizontal slash. The human combatant quickly stepped back and parried. He allowed the droid to continue pressing the attack.

Finally, after several steps straight back, Amaethon parried, pivoted and thrust where a humanoid's heart would usually be.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

[member="Amaethon"]



While the Acolyte dealt with the droid, she observed his feet and hips. Foot placement was key. It granted strength in attacks and balance in movement. As for the hips, everything began with the hips. Any movement could be almost predicted by the swaying of the hips; lunges, strikes, slashes, or any combination of the three.

"Two things," she began the moment the droid was defeated, "Always be aware of your surroundings. Everything from the smallest object to the largest can be used as a weapon against your opponent. You will due wise to remember that. And we can assure you that your opponent will be thinking the same thing. The second, strategy. Never go into a fight headstrong...always know what you want to do and never veer from it unless you have no other choice. Plan your moves."

 

[Amaethon]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

The Acolyte listened in silence after he thumbed off the lighsaber. Strategy, tactics, planning. Yes, very good, he thought. Awareness of one's surroundings, using it to your advantage. Not just physical ability, mental prowess also.

He inclined his head "Yes, Darth Venefica."

 

[Via Dolorosa]

[member="Amaethon"]



"The final two things you need to understand is footwork and hip movement. Footwork is vital to balance and success. Keep stepping either back or to one of the sides to keep your opponent from lining you up. Also, do not allow yourself to tangle up your own feet or your enemy to entangle theirs with yours."

There wasn't much more she could teach him. With practice the Acolyte will learn to grow comfortable with the style, even adding or subtracting his own ideas to the form.

"The last part is your opponent's hip movement. Everything begins and ends with the hips. Be aware of how the hips are moving and it will tip you off to what they are trying to do when they attack. That is all I have to teach you in regards to Makashi and lightsaber combat. To truly master the form...you must practice constantly."

 

[Amaethon]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

Amaethon answered her with the Makashi salute before hooking his hilt back onto his belt.

"I understand, Darth Venefica," he croaked.