Let the Games Begin (Xander Carrick)

[Baalagor]

To say he was enthusiastic about beginning his training would be an understatement. Chi’Yara had been waiting days in silent anticipation for his first formal lesson, and now it was finally time to begin.
He entered the courtyard as per his master’s request, studying the area carefully and reaching out with the Force using what little experience he had, able to sense the faint presences of the other Jedi in the Temple, but not that of the man who was to train him.
After a moment of walking he paused, now relatively in the middle of the courtyard and able to see in all directions with a simple turn or two of his head. Content with this new vantage point he simply stood there, too keyed up to sit and not experienced enough to begin training on his own as he waited.
He breathed deeply, exhaling slowly and softly, reaching out once more with the ethereal tendrils to the best of his ability, his brow furrowing in concentration. Once again he relaxed, slightly frustrated that he was still unable to pinpoint the presence of the senior Jedi. He flexed his hands, not accustomed to be unoccupied for this long, whether he was talking, focused on his studies, or simply observing the others in the Temple.
'He did say to meet him here around this time...maybe I was mistaken after all.'

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

Being a Jedi Shadow meant I could hide. And I could do so oh very well. With the ability to hide visibly and through the force, I instead resorted to simply form the force. Making myself feel as though I was a Jedi Padawan. I had come early. about 15 minutes early to be exact. It was from here that I held my Master Saber. Created out of Electrum and made into the shape of a olden Jedi Temple guard Saberstaff, The double bladed lightsaber was long enough to be considered a full sized one. But not quite short enough to be a simple double bladed lightsaber.

Taking it, letting the golden colored saber roll in my hands and flip around my fingers, I activated one of the blades. Allowing the yellow Sentinel blade hum in the courtyard. Here many practiced, so it was normal to see one standing there with a saber on. However, I watched the man as he walked in. Knowing already that he was the student from the saber that he carried. I smiled as I activated my battle helm. WIth a series of sliding leaves that sounded almost like a sword sliding from a scabbard, The helm formed over my head and to indicate that the HUD was on, the eyes flashed with a bright yellow.

Walking forwards as I sent the saber into a flurry of swings and moves that could only be from the form of Djem-so, I stood before the student. Smiling under the helm. Watching to how he would react to a faceless Master, I wanted to see how he could handle not in my face, or in the ideals of what I had, but rather focus on his teachings. My voice deep and almost thrumming from the helmet, I spoke.

"Tell me Apprentice, What is the best way to combat a faceless man?"

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

As soon as the man revealed himself Chi'Yara was able to pinpoint his presence in the Force, and he made a mental note to become familiar with it lest they meet in a similar fashion the next time.
He took his own blade in hand at the sound of the other igniting, though his was a singular blade and a training weapon at that, set on a much lower setting. There wasn't any training blades in the style of a saberstaff, as far as he'd known.
With a snap-hiss and a quiet hum of concentrated light energy the blue blade ignited. Unlike his Master's display he simply twirled the blade once with a flick of his wrist, holding it at his side in a loose grip, studying the form and style of the senior Jedi to perhaps get an idea of what he himself would be taught as their lessons progressed further.
At the man's question Chi'Yara paused for a moment, mulling over all possible answers. "I would say that there isn't a particular strategy. Fighting a faceless man would be no different from fighting anyone else. It isn't necessary, in most cases, to see an individual's face in order to predict their next move. You'd rather want to watch the way they move and how their muscles tense to guess at exactly how they'll decide to strike next. Some would argue it easier to fight a man without a face. It's much easier to dehumanize someone whom you can't or don't want to recognize as one of your own."

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

I smiled as the young man was smart. Thinking that by telling in a person's body form of how they would attack. Once he finished his words, My body became a blur and rushed him. Going to swipe at his legs, and as the saber was about to reach him, it turned off. It became silent only to be turned on once more with the saber pointed towards his throat. A form of combat called Trakata. Or the act of turning off your saber to make your foe become unbalanced. "Then tell me, now dead Jedi, How could you tell that I was going to turn off my saber, when my fingers are smaller than my hands, or my arms and legs?"

I questioned him not because I thought he was stupid, but to learn of his thinking, to understand his cognitive processes to where I could continue from. This lesson would be interesting none the less.

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

A small smile turned up the corners of his mouth. "Such a technique isn't as useful when fighting a Jedi, or any other Force sensitive, for that matter. In that situation you would have to rely more so on the Force and instinct. Techniques akin to those are privy to Force users, which is what ultimately gives us our edge in combat."
Chi'Yara stood calm with the heat of the blade at his throat, trusting in the man not to harm him. He still hadn't shifted his own blade from the resting position at his side, knowing that as the lesson continued he would learn skills that would give him his own edge in combat.
"And if one has fought the same individual before they would be more familiar with their own chosen techniques, which, when used correctly, could ultimately give them the upper hand. In the end, the Force is what ultimately gives us an extra boost of skill in regards to the other sentient beings of the galaxy. That is our ultimate upper hand."

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

I smiled as the student spoke. Referencing that the Force was what gave us an upper hand in battle. My head nodded once as the saber turned off with a pop. I stood up straight and faced him. My bright yellow eyes of the helm would stare directly at him as though I was thinking, Really, I was smiling brightly. "Good choice of words." Attaching the saber to my belt, without looking away from him, I continued, "Now tell me this. If the force is what gives you an edge in battle. Or let me say it this way.... If your instinct gives you the edge you need to overcome your foe, What of your opposition that has the same tactics and instinct as you?"

Before the young man could answer, I held up a hand in a stop motion, "Don't answer. I want you to think about what you should do. Then, we shall test your idea to see if you are right." In a battle, you had to think fast. And I was sure that this young man could, however, I wanted to see how his mind worked and to try and spring it on me. A real foe would not know of his abilities unless they had studied him before hand. So, to allow him the element of surprise on his foe, I wanted this exercise to be as real as possible.

Taking about four steps back, I drew my lightsaber once more, leaving it off for now. "When you feel that you are ready to act on your instinct, you may do so."

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

So the lesson would begin with something akin to a sparring match. Though he hadn’t had much of a chance to really test his skills in that aspect, he’d had plenty of chances to observe the other students and Masters alike. Now would be the chance to put that to the test.
Chi’Yara exhaled slowly, drawing on the Force and focusing it into himself, adjusting his grip on the saber and flexing his free hand as he thought. ‘I probably shouldn’t attempt the technique he used earlier. But perhaps something similar, with less advanced techniques…a shame I haven’t had the chance to begin training in the use of a saberstaff. But yes, that could work…’
Having made his final decision he darted toward the man with the saber still held at his side, making a quick cut towards the man’s side but not quite connecting, instead ducking to the side and turning so that he was behind him now, swinging this time towards his midsection. He had no doubt that the highly-trained and skilled Master would be able to match his attack for one of his own, but it was worth trying anyhow.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

[member="Chi'Yara"], (Sorry thought I was waiting for you. lol)

I smiled as the young man came for me. HIs was fast, and that would help him, but so was I. HIs saber came for my midsection where my saber came to defend, however, he moved at the last second to be behind me. I brought my saber over my head and down towards my back with a one handed grip. As his saber connected to mine, My left hand gripped the hilt, and with it, swung up over my head.

The apprentice might not have a firm grasp on his saber, and with a pull more so than a push, one can lose their saber easily. However, as I flung my saber overhead, I twisted my body around to face the young man. and bringing the saber point to be aimed at him. Ready for his next strike should he have one, or simply have my saber daring him to attack me again.

 

[Baalagor]

As the man brought his saber around Chi'Yara raised his in preparation for a block, turning it into something akin to a parry as the point of the golden saber came around, rolling his own azure blade around it to stab towards his chest. It was a technique he'd only witnessed in use, though he'd watched it executed rather successfully at that.
From simply watching the senior Jedi he was learning different tactics, and he made a mental note to ask about a few of them later.
But for now, there was the sparring match to worry about. Through his use of the Force, however amature it was, he was able to anticipate some of his movements, though not enough to act beforehand as he'd heard of it being utilized.

[member="Xander Carrick"] (You're fine. I've been busy with school lately anyhow.)

 

[Garza]

With a stab to my chest, it was easily smacked away. One of the things that I used the most was a form of battle precognition. The ability to anticipate your enemies movements. I had become so well at this, I could see his move, and my move after in retaliation. However, the future was ever changing. So it was not always accurate that many steps ahead.

With the saber smacked out away from me, as well as a chance for it to be away from the apprentice, I came in with my own, and with a twist of my wrist, and hips, and even the position of my feet, I sent my elbow straight for his chest just after the stab was finished. Getting well within the man's saber arc.

If he wanted to continue then he would have to deal with my fist, and elbows first, before my saber. While the man wanted to be trained with a saberstaff, I wanted to see how well he did with one blade. If he could do well with one, then I could begin on the advance things with a second end to his saber.

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

Instead of attempting shorter arcs or shorter stabs with his blade in an attempt to reach at the man Chi'Yara settled for deactivating his blade but keeping it in hand, falling back on his more extensive knowledge of unarmed combat to redirect the attack, stepping away with his blade still extinguished to evaluate the scene.
Taking a moment to reorient himself he drew on the Force to clear his rationale and allow him to view the situation through clearer eyes. With what very little experience he had in wielding his own saber he drew on the Force without even being aware of it himself most times, the energy field providing him with the knowledge he needed to fight with the weapon correctly.
He swung the blade unignited into an upwards arc, the weapon snapping to life in his hands halfway through the motion that was cutting towards the joint between the man's arm and shoulder. It was a sort of mimic of the technique that had been used against him earlier, but far more simplified.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

The form the boy used, Trakata, was one that I had found out through simple thinking when I was an apprentice around his age. Now that I am a Master, and have used it for years now, I could see him using it as he swung the saber at me. Even while it was off, I smiled. he was learning fast. Just like I did.

Sidestepping to avoid the blade to cut my arm off, well more so just burn me. I sent my own blade towards his stomach in retaliation. Followed this time by my left hand coming in for a punch to the stomach. I wanted to see more of him. I wanted to see how he would react to someone who played dirty. Well, somewhat dirty. There was still more for him to learn before the lessons over a Saberstaff would even begin.

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

Both attacks coming for his stomach allowed him to group the block and counter together, letting him keep his saber ignited. Had he wanted he supposed it would have been viable to move away from the encounter and come in at his own angle, but before the sparring match of sorts even began he'd been told to act on instinct, and he was set on doing just that.
Instead he blocked the saber with the blades crossing closer to the hilt of his own than he would have liked, but in doing so he was able to block the punch in using his own momentum, coming in with an attack of his own that was aimed first towards the man's feet, then his midsection and finally up towards his head.
As the lesson progressed Chi'Yara was becoming more comfortable not only with the other Jedi but also his own skills in directing the Force and combat with a lightsaber.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

Oh was that close. My own saber was close to burning my fist, and with a quick retraction of my arm, I yanked it back in just enough time to let the hairs on my arm be singed while my saber came across my body from his defensive tactic.

However, as I could see the saber of the man rounding about, I could feel in the force as though he was gathering more confidence in his abilities. That was good. I wanted that from him. But not so much that he would loose sight of the spar we had.

I jumped up as the saber came for my legs. bending at the knees to let the saber slide under my form, Once my legs landed, I went into a flurry of moves to protect myself, as well as aim to make my next attack. Gathering the force within my off hand, I needed time to gather the energy I needed. While his saber came for my midsection, I spun with my saber pointed down letting the my saber ride the length of the blade as I turned. Flicking my wrist out and coming up to defend my head and neck from his next attack, my feet landed on the ground, and with a sidestep TOWARDS his own saber, I was effectively pushing the saber away from his own reach while my off hand, still colleting energy as I had performed the spin, Released the energy in the form of a Burst. Coming at almost point blank, I didn't expect him to have the ability to block it.

However, I was testing him. Going above his limits to see if he could overcome his obstacles. So far, I would be training him with a Saberstaff. I just wanted to see how far he could go now.

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

While many would have resisted the energy wave Chi'Yara rolled with it, pushing off of the ground with a hand and turning the roll into a flip backwards that allowed him to land on his feet, azure blade still ignited in one hand. Taking time to collect himself he slowly straightened, studying the elder's stance for a moment as he pondered his next move. It was obvious the basic tactics he'd been using weren't very effective, but as it were he didn't have much else at his disposal. Improvisation it was.
With a quiet exhale he drew on the Force, taking a moment to simply feel the presence of the malleable energy and shape it within himself.
Satisfied with that he turned his focus to how he would attack with his blade first, to bide him time to attack with the Force as well. After a moment he darted at the man again, moving to the side just before his attack met and harnessing the ethereal energy once more inside of himself before releasing it in a concentrated Force Push.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

I smiled as the apprentice was now taking his time to think, rather than react out of need. His move to overtake my force burst was one I rarely saw. Some could not be so lilthe to get out of a situation like that. Smiling greatly under the helm with yellow glowing eyes, I brought my blade down as he came at me. A dodge was in order, from him, and with a smile as he came to my side, I already had an idea.

my left hand lashed out as did his. sending force pushes at one another. Turning the spent energy into naught. With a flash my saber came for his legs and back up to his chest in one smooth move, with my left hand once more sending a force push. Testing his skills further.

[member="Chi'Yara"],

 

[Baalagor]

A Force Push headed his way, and another cut from the yellow saber as well. The blade was dodged far easier; he jumped the low cut and brought his own saber up to block the slash at his chest, though just barely, feeling the heat of the blade even through the robes he wore. He could faintly sense the man's happiness and perhaps even appreciation, though there was nothing more to tell him what was going through the other Jedi's head.
The Force attack in and of itself was more challenging to dodge. Being unfamiliar in bending the Force to his will he wasn't certain that he'd be able to manage another Push quickly enough to counter the other. Instead he settled for sidestepping the attack, their blades breaking apart with his movement before Chi'Yara struck again, this time opting for a simple overhead strike as he pondered his options.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

I smiled as the young man was now playing in the defensive side of battle. Avoiding my strikes and attacking when I would be off guard. Once more, as the young man came in for an attack, overhead, it opened him up. Twisting my body and pulling my head back in just enough time, I could feel as the training saber went right in front of my chest. My own saber came out to stab him as he did so. His saber was out and away from him. Trying to attack me while my saber was going for his gut.

it was a training saber, meaning that the best he would get if hit was a jab in the stomach and maybe a burn from the high heat. However, I was not done. Pulling back on my saber, it was flung around with the flick of my wrist to come at his left side.

[member="Chi'Yara"]

 

[Baalagor]

With a quiet curse at the burn of the blade Chi'Yara stepped back. Not one to make the same mistake twice he brought his saber around to block the yellow blade, coming in with another attack of his own; short strikes instead of long, sweeping swings that would only leave him open for more attacks. If he'd learned anything from their lesson thus far it was not to use any unnecessary movements that would leave any parts of his body exposed for more than a few seconds at a time.
He reached inside of himself to channel the Force once more, able to feel the presence of the energy field, but finding marginal difficulty in managing to create another Push such as he had earlier. For the time being he didn't bother to concern himself with it, knowing that part of his training would come soon enough. If he focused too much on other things he would leave himself open mentally, and that could prove just as dangerous as doing so with his saber.
Instead he did his best to use the Force to sharpen his view of the situation and give himself clarity, pushing past the faint sting he could still slightly feel from the burn of the training blade.

[member="Xander Carrick"]