"There are quite a few forms," Braze said, watching Kaelos back away.
"Some say it takes a lifetime to master just one. I like Makashi because I favor my strengths which lie in speed and flexibility. " Braze practically purred as he sprang forward, launching several quick attacks—high arcs toward the head, a low strike aimed at the leg, and a sweeping back swing toward the torso, followed by a forward thrust. He was trying to observe how Kaelos naturally reacted to different situations. It could be easy to be distracted by something just at the edge of your sight as it moves, but it was good that his student seemed to keep his focus.
"All of them are good for different situations..." he continued, stepping back and moving around to Kaelos's outer flank. He pressed the attack in a catlike manner, toying with him a bit, but in truth, he was testing his students defenses now.
"If you want to understand how they work and when they're used, I'll give you the rundown."
Braze said,
"Form I: Shii-Cho. This one's your foundation. If you're just starting, this is where you begin. It's basic, but essential—wide, sweeping strikes, big moves, and it's ideal for facing multiple opponents. Think of it as the crash course to lightsaber fighting. It doesn't take much to learn, but it'll get you to the point where you can do more. Its simplicity is its power."
Braze demonstrated Form I as he prodded and poked at Kaelos, slow enough to give him time to think, block, or counter.
"Form II: Makashi. Now, this one's all about precision. A duel? This is your go-to. Clean, efficient, no wasted movements. You want to fight one-on-one and leave your opponent with no space to breathe? Makashi's your answer. The focus is on control and finesse, not strength. You need to think fast and be fast."
Braze seemed to slip into Makashi with ease. His movements were quick and precise, his blade snapping into position as he pointed out target zones.
"Form III: Soresu. Defense, defense, defense. If you're in a tough spot and under pressure, this is the form you need. It's built for surviving, deflecting blaster fire, and wearing your opponent down. It might not be flashy, but if you need to stay alive, Soresu's got your back. Block, deflect, counter. Use this to conserve energy and try to outlast your opponent."
Braze moved to a defensive stance, stepping back as Kaelos pressed the attack. He gave Kaelos space to gain ground, backing up toward a garden wall.
"Form IV: Ataru. Then, there's Ataru. If you like speed and flair, this one's for you. Acrobatics, agility, fast strikes—this form is all about overwhelming your opponent with sheer aggression. You need to move quickly, disorient them, and keep them on the back foot? Ataru's your style. Just keep your balance, or you'll burn out fast."
He pressed the attack with intense, wild strikes, incorporating spins and sudden attacks from advantageous angles. He feinted, side-stepped, twisted, and bounded off the surroundings, landing after an intense volley where he had picked up the pace. Breathing heavily once or twice, he slowly exhaled, steadying his blade at mid-guard.
"Form V: Shien and/or Djem So." Braze took a deep breath. "Here we get into power. Shien's for deflecting blasters and launching them back at your enemy, while Djem So's all about counterattacks. You need strength in your strikes? This one's for you. It's designed to turn your opponent's strength against them, making sure you're the one in control. It's a more aggressive, power-heavy attack pattern, and it's a bit more like a hammer, whereas Makashi is a scalpel."
Braze lunged forward, moving to parry or bind with Kaelos. He swung his saber blade with a loose grip, tightening his hand just before impact to amplify the strike.
