Duel Peace Through Superior Firepower

[Lanik Dawnstar]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena

Standing in the sparring arena, Lanik looked across the tiled flooring to the other apprentice Aaran Tafo . He only knew of the other by reputation. Examining the other padawan Lanik noticed that he was a few years older than the other. The sad part about it was that Aaran would possibly be knighted well into his early twenties if not earlier while Lanik was approaching his mids. There was no jealousy or contempt from Lanik, he’d made his bed when he originally left the Silver Jedi. Years spent away from the light would, of course, mean he’d have to prove himself once more, demonstrate his skills which was part of what the duel was for.

Around the two was a small gathering of other Jedi, apprentices all the way to a few masters watched in what would be both a demonstration of both padawan’s skills. Glancing down at the fresh bandages that were wrapped around his torso. The ribs still repairing and healing after his battle with a fellow Jedi on Kuat Lanik winced. At least in the ring, there would be no attempts to kill each other. Hopefully?

In Lanik’s left hand the silver cylinder that was the hilt of his lightsaber sat, unactivated. Twirling the weapon between his fingers his eyes rose once more to gaze into Aaran’s. Dropping into an unorthodox fighting stance for saber use. Lanik’s knee’s bent, his chin lowering, while his right foot came forward slightly to take the lead and at an angle. His left foot pulled back pointed off to the side. The left hand wielding his saber was lower, closer to the Jedi’s waist while his right was raised slightly beneath his chin. A slight smile was all the Jedi gave to show his readiness.

 

[Aaran Tafo]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena
Dance Partner: Lanik Dawnstar

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

This temple was different fro anywhere else he had been before. He was used to peaceful, calming locals that resonated with the Light side of the Force. But this station was different. There was no everpresent feeling of life teeming around him. No insects burrowing in the earth. In birds in the sky. Or even the everpresent sensation of other sentients wandering around. In comparison to a world filled with life. This station felt... stale. He could still feel the sense of harmony and peace that permeated the walls. But it felt inert, weak. Like someone just struggling to wake themselves up.

As more life began to spread through the station and it found itself in use once again. It would once again awaken. As more feelings, more thrughts began to sink into the station around them. It would once again sping to life.

And so, when the opportunity to spar was presented to him. Aaran was more than happy to accept. Kneeling on his side of the sparring ring. He regarded his opponent carefully. It was honestly refreashing for him to be sparring against someone of his own skill level. So far, whenever it was that the Padawan wandered out into the wider galaxy. He always found himself battling other Force Sensitve that were far superior to him. Kyrel Ren, Kavessk Ziracch, the masked Cordu-Ji martial artist. And while the meeting was not a hostile one, evenScherezade deWinter, an adept his own age was far superior to him in terms of raw power. All of them far more skilled than him in weilding the Force.

But Aaran had survived each time. And grown stronger because of it. This bout would be no different. A test of his skills and a means to better himself. A small smile appeared on his face as he regarded Lanik. "May the Force be with you." He said, before the mental gears shifted. And he allowed himself to explode into motion. Launching himself from a sitting position. His hands grasped t the Electroblade Training Sword that had been resting on his knees. This was, after all, a spar against a fellow Jedi. There was no way he Aaran would allow himself to bring a lethal weapon against his comrade. A simple training weapon would suffice in this instance instead.

Letting his body flow into motion. Aaran quickly dashed towards Lanik. Holding his training blade low and delivering a quick horizontal slash to the other Padawan's midsection. Merely trying to test his sparring partner. Trying to figure out how their unusual style operated. And how best to defeat it.

 

[Lanik Dawnstar]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena
Opponent: Aaran Tafo

“May the force be with you as well.” The mantra repeated back to Aaran the fight began. The other Jedi springing up from a sitting position and darting forward. In these moments Lanik could fully take in Aaran’s physical features. Despite being a few standard years younger the other Jedi was already a few inches taller than Lanik, not only that but he outweighed the Jedi as well from the appearance of his bulk that moved with surprising speed. Lanik was impressed so far, but he did not yet know anything about Aaran’s skills or form.

With no room to doubt himself Lanik moved forward pushing off the ground with his left foot, the Jedi’s feet barely left the ring floor as he darted forward to meet Aaran’s horizontal slash. In his left palm, the saber’s hilt spun between his fingers a final time before being grasped tightly in a reverse grip. The snap-hiss of the weapon was heard as from within an aquamarine blade sprang to life. What was usually a lethal hum of the weapon was dulled as instead of the full power it was set to stun. Blade angled behind Lanik, his body turning to the side he merely lowed the saber to meet the horizontal slash from above pushing Aaran’s weapon down and into the ground, locking them together. Sparks flew as the weapons met, the electricity from Aaran’s weapon dancing along the plasma blade of Lanik’s saber.

While both of Aaran’s hands were on his weapon, only one of Lanik’s wielded his. While a lightsaber could in fact be an extension of one’s self, Lanik never neglected his body. One’s entire being could be a weapon, wrists, elbows, knees all as viable in a combat situation and he would prove it. Without hesitation, his right palm shot up towards the base of Aaran’s chin to send the Jedi’s head reeling before quickly pulling back down into an elbow to the center of their collarbone to send them sprawling to the arena floor.

 

[Aaran Tafo]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena
New Best Friend: Lanik Dawnstar

Aaran was a skilled swordsman. Certainly in the upper percentile of his generation in terms of raw prowess. But in the end, that is all it was. Raw. He was untempered by war, inexperienced with common fients and misdirections. Or even something as unexpected as his opponent bringing a fist to a swordfight. Perhaps if the spar between them both was limited to bladework then the more physically imposing of the Padawan would hold the advantage.

But that was not the case. So Aaran was caught flat-footed as Lanik's palm slammed into his chin. Or as the elbow then slammed into his collarbone in an attempt to drive him to the floor. But in those split-seconds before impacting the unforgiving ground. One hand was released from his practice sword. Managing to catch itself on the ground. And through an incredible display of physical performance. Only possibly through the assistance of some sort of poorly defined Cosmic Energy Field. Aaran's arm tensed and then flexed, allowing him to quickly spring away from the martial artist before he could fully bring his opponent to the ground.

Letting his momentum carry himself away. Aaran sprung back up to a standing position now taking the opening stance of Soresu. This time awaiting Lanik's own offense, a soft chuckle escaped from his lips. "Thank you." He said, his voice sincere. Glad that his haste was caught and punished, branding the lesson into him thought rattled skull and aching collarbone. Grateful for the opportunity to learn, to grow, to improve himself.

The smile on his face was a genuine one. He was enjoying this. Not for the conflict, not for the pain. But for a chance to learn, to make a bond through mutual growth with a comrade.

With a quick flourish of his practice saber. He invited Lanik to show him what he could do offensively, as opposed to reactively.

 

[Lanik Dawnstar]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena
Opponent: Aaran Tafo

Lanik had been prepared to deliver a kick to the padawan as they fell to the tiled floor, but a brow raised in silent amusement. The other padawan had managed to catch themselves before retreating backward, it was a commendable feat if nothing else could be said about it. Lanik made no move to chase after the other apprentice after they escaped and rose to their feet. He simply stood there patiently, watching, examining, viewing Aaran through the force.

"Thank you."

Cocking his head quizzically to the side Lanik eyed the boy as if he were more of an oddity than another Jedi. Never had he been thanked for hitting someone in the jaw and then their collarbone. “If you’re thanking me for something like that you might as well save it. This is only the beginning.” The words weren’t cold, but they were detached. There were those that felt pleasure in battle, that enjoyed dealing out wounds and violence. For Lanik he learned to detach himself from fights, to think with his head more than with his emotions.

Both hands grasping the hilt of the sky blue saber Lanik moved towards Aaran at a measured pace counter to how the other had rushed in. Each calculated step brought the Jedi closer together. The orchestra the lightsaber sung was one of predicted victory, of a deep-seated confidence. Belief in oneself, something all Jedi should have. Lanik brought his saber down into a low guard, his left leg forward, bent slightly at the knee. From this position, he brought the blade up and into a thrust towards the center of Aaran’s collarbone where his elbow had struck mere moments before.

 

[Aaran Tafo]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena
Opponent: Lanik Dawnstar


His smile only remained as the other Padawan moved towards him. Because as it was, Aaran was not taking this spar as seriously as he should. He was not here to train after all. The growth was just icing on the cake. Allowing him to get to know his fellow Padawan. That is what he was interested in. How one handled themselves under stress. Their aggression, their footwork, their economy of motion. So much of it told Aaran bits and pieces as to who his opponent was as a person.

As Lanik moved in to advance. Aaran's footwork and stance changed on a dime. Switching from Soresu to Makashi, he angled his body to the side. Practice blade flashing downwards in an attempt keep his fellow Padawan's blade pinned. Using his superior brute strength to halt Lanik's momentum. He had seen his opponent's skill in combat. And so far his Padawan had shown himself to be quite capable.

Now it was time to test one's knowledge of The Force. With his free hand, he lashed outwards. A blast of kinetic energy erupting to slam into Lanik's chest and knock him backwards. The sudden eruption of energy was timed with Aaran's pressure on the blade increasing, testing his fellow Padawan's grip on his weapon in an attempt to disarm Lanik through a two pronged strike!

 

[Lanik Dawnstar]

Peace Spacestation
Sparring Arena
Opponent: Aaran Tafo

The switch in footwork was noted, a surprising maneuver to take considering shunting off the blade would’ve been far easier and left an opening. Lanik felt as Aaran’s training blade came down from above, the weight of the sword apparent. Something the Jedi didn’t fight, and while Aaran had halted the forward momentum of the thrust all he’d done was leave an opening for the Jedi to capitalize on.

Lanik’s sky blue eyes took in every motion, the numerous openings and forms of attack he could take, a flying knee, a disabling kick, a nice strike to the other padawan’s neck. All of these viable options but none of them the simplest and most effective. The moment the training blade came from above Lanik stepped out and to his left bringing him to the outside of the Jedi of Mirialan heritage.

The blade of blue plasma shifted riding up the electroblade past the hilt into a diagonal slash across Aaran’s chest and open hand. Completely within the other padawan’s guard. The force push thankfully missed catching Lanik in the center of his chest dude to the step off to his left. Instead, it met his right pectoral, the force of it causing the entire right side of his body to skid backward.

Without even fighting the pressure Lanik road the wave of energy backward. The bottom of his booted feet skidded across the tile before coming to a halt less than a meter away from the other padawan. “I’d suggest not doing that on a well trained sith my friend. The last thing I’d want is to see you cut down due to such a maneuver.” Lanik called out for the first time since the duel began the ghost of a smile touching his lips.

The saber in Lanik’s hands still hummed, the Jedi drawing a figure eight in the air with the blade motioning for the other Jedi to come at him once more. Left-arm tucked down, elbow near his ribs Lanik’s right which now wielded the saber was pointed down and off to the right. Much like how a spar between shockboxers transcended a schoolyard scuffle, so to did a duel between two Jedi go far beyond the common martial prowesses of others. It was a much more intimate dance than one could even perform with a lover. It was a view into one's very soul and what Lanik saw was another padawan sure of their own skills.