The Perseverance Form

[Lilla Syrin]

“I prefer more straightforward tactics.”
“Master of understatement.”
― Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Lilla’s development with the various Forms was progressing well. She’d gained a basic understanding of the first four, but was now showing sufficient wisdom to see what the final two had to offer before committing to one as her preferred choice. She’d already decided that the seventh was not one she would learn for some time – if at all.

She arrived at the class at the same time as her Master. The Cerean was usually early, so Lilla was surprised to bump into him outside of the training room. Lilla was often late – the result of back-to-back lessons and the travel distance between classrooms.

Today she was on time and bowed politely as they entered the room and she put her bag and cloak down on a bench under the large window, that allowed light to flood into the room.

Mei always preferred this room – for that very reason.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla started by sharing with her Master what she already knew.

“Form V, also known by its two primary disciplines of Shien and Djem So, as well as The Way of the Krayt Dragon or The Perseverance Form, is the fifth of the seven forms recognised by the Jedi Council at that time.”

“It was developed by practitioners of Form III who felt that the defensively-minded form would unnecessarily extend time spent in combat by forcing its users to wait for an opportunity to strike rather than create their own openings. Form V combat was characterized by power attacks and defence immediately followed by a counter-strike.”

“Shien, considered the classical variant of Form V, is more adept at blocking blaster bolts than for blade-to-blade combat, whereas Djem So was developed later and is specifically intended for use in lightsaber combat.”

“Both Shien and Djem So were designed to use an opponent’s attack against them. This can be evidenced by Shien’s focus on returning blaster bolts to their origin and Djem So’s emphasis on counter-attacks.”

“The Form was – and I believe is – not universally appreciated. Some Jedi feel it encourages aggression and domination – especially Soresu users.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

“In essence, the Form was created to combine the defensive manoeuvres of Form III with the more aggressive philosophy and tactics of Form II. It is fair to say that Form V requires a higher level of physical strength than the other lightsaber forms, due to its focus on complete domination of its practitioners’ opponents. Which makes it the most physically demanding of all the forms.”

“I have heard it described as a Form that was designed to actively keep the peace. Clearly that is a view held by supporters. Those less enamoured refer to it as an inappropriate focus on controlling one’s assailants. But most appear ambivalent and there is no doubting it is an effective and powerful tool.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

As Lilla fell silent, Mei took over, tossing her a training saber and beginning the lesson.

“We’ll start with Shien. As you noted, you will find it a Form well-disposed to deflecting blaster fire. And it is also useful in protecting you against critical strikes by your opponents.”

“It works very well when countering attacks from multiple opponents, and is typically less effective against a single adversary. It owes its roots to a time when Jedi were often outnumbered by their opponents and needed to defend themselves while retaining offensive capability.”

Mei showed Lilla the opening stance, which she mirrored. It consisted of a high guard position, with the lightsaber hilt held in a two-handed grip above the user’s head and the blade angled upward and behind the user.

The dominant leg was held back, enabling powerful step-through strikes to be utilized.

“Good,” Mei said. “Now a particular move of note is the ‘Barrier of Blades.’ Use this to defend against blaster-fire and in time you’ll learn to redirect some of the incoming blasts.”

Mei activated a few remotes and demonstrated.

“Next comes ‘Shien Deflection.’ Here you deflect weapons fire and leap toward an opponent simultaneously.” Again, Mei demonstrated.

“Some users use the reverse Shien grip, an unorthodox variation of Shien where the wielder would hold the lightsaber hilt in a backward position, exposing the front. This grip allows you to perform long, sweeping strikes to take down several enemies at a time, whipping the blade forward with the movement of throwing a punch. This variation is rarely seen and is to this day a matter of some controversy.” Mei demonstrated the grip.

“Now your turn.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The following day they met again. “Right,” Mei began, once they’d said their introductions. “Djem So.”

“This is almost entirely about lightsaber duelling – if not entirely.”

“The key is to utilise a combination of blocks and parries, to maintain a proper foundation of defence against both ranged and melee attacks. But whereas a Soresu user stayed on the defensive and only counterattacked when necessary or when an opening appeared in the opponent’s defence, a Djem So practitioner would not be as passive.”

“Immediately after defending against an opponent’s strike, a Djem So stylist would follow with an attack of their own, bringing the force of the opponent’s own blow against them and seeking to dominate the duel.”

“Djem So places a heavy focus on brute strength and pure power, with wide, powerful strikes and parries followed immediately by a counterattack.”

“And unlike Soresu or Ataru, Djem So requires the user not only to counterattack, but also to press the assault, combining Force-enhanced strength with powerful blade combinations to overpower and overwhelm an opponent’s defences.”

“Djem So’s sheer power, when combined with physical and Force-imbued strength, was capable of defeating a user of Makashi. But let’s get down to some practical application.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Mei demonstrated the Djem So attack stance and Lilla copied it. It consisted of holding the lightsaber above the head, angled back and down at an approximately forty-five degree angle.

“The characteristic Djem So attack is dubbed the ‘Falling Avalanche’ and is an overhand power blow that crashes down upon an opponent with exceptional force.” Mei performed the move and Lilla felt the power as she deflected her Master’s blade.

“Djem So users also employ a tactic known as the ‘Fluid Riposte,’ which allows a smooth transition from parrying an attack to a counterstrike.” Once more Mei performed the manoeuvre and Lilla witnessed its effectiveness first hand.

“Whereas a failing of Shien is its weakness against a single opponent, Djem So’s is a lack of mobility.”

“Jedi of large stature often chose to use Form V, because it required less agility than other forms of lightsaber combat and made use of their natural strength and reach advantages. A user’s power attacks are often able to knock their opponents back just through sheer kinetic force, throwing them off balance and leaving them vulnerable to further brute-force strikes and power blows that seek not just to penetrate their defence, but also to push them back and leave them unable to counter blows.”

“And many Jedi merely enhance their strength to be able to use the Form.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

After a few weeks of training, Mei decided to end the lessons. “When we next meet, it shall be to learn the sixth Form. Tell me, what are your thoughts of this one?”

Lilla reflected on the question. She was expecting it and gave it an appropriate amount of consideration.

“It has strengths. And weaknesses. As they all do. Is it the one of me? I cannot rightly say. But I will know soon. That I am sure of.”