And So Hardens the Clay of the Body

[Emperor Xhinx]

Today was the final day Xhinx would train his partners if light saber combat. He knew their training would be fast, just not this fast. The progressed quickly. Xhinx readied the last touches to the training room, and called forth the group one last time for martial training. "I hope you have rested well, tonight will be an extended training. We will practice the last three forms: Shien, Niman and Juyo. We will of course start with Shien. Utilizing this form is a way to counter your opponent. While also being proficient at defending against ranged attacks, Shien is meant to use your opponents own attack against them, punish them. This form is ultimately designed to dominate a target. This stance is often used by more larger practitioners because of its more immobile stance, it requires much less agility. Specific moves are more rudimentary, as in pushes, over powering, and sheer force. One could demolish someones guard, leaving them vulnerable, and cleave their head off. I shall demonstrate on these training dummies equipped with shields." Xhinx walked over looming over the dummy, and slowly yet powerfully hacked the shield to pieces of red hot scrap and plunged his saber into the center while pulling up through the dummy. "With this power you can completely demolish any who stand in your way. Also watch your opponents stance, try and use his attacks to counter and negate. Now make scrap of that metal."

[member="Korogum"] [member="Etheriud Yvvera"]

 

[Korogum]

As Korogum had been reflecting on the past weeks of his training, he heard Xhinx call for him and Etheriud. As he made his way to his comrades, he reflected on the forms and techniques he had learned thus far, feeling more potent with the aggressive styles he had learned, and he could tell Etheriud would master the defensives.

As he made it to the training chamber, he watched and listened to Xhinx as he performed Shien on the standard training dummies they had set up in this room, and afterwards, he himself stepped up to the inanimate opponents, and activated his Blade.

Imitating the Stance of Shien, with his dominant hand higher up on the weapons hilt, he quickly rushed towards the dummy, letting off a quick succession of shifting and sweeping strikes, cleaving the dummy in numerous directions before quickly impaling the center of the training object. He then deactivated his blade, and stepped down from the mat, allowing Etheriud to practice next.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud had once again spent his days practicing the forms he had been taught with a specific focus on the Soresu form due to his love for using defensive and technical forms. Etheriud was fascinated with the unique nature of the form in relation to the others he had learned. Not only was it based solely around defense, it was meant to wear the enemy out and steal their energy from them. He forsake practice of many of the other forms in favor of Soresu when he had the time. He had learned much about himself from these past few training sessions; specifically that he was a more defensive fighter and pacifistic than he had previously thought. No matter, he wasn't planning on embarking on a crusade quite yet.

Upon hearing Xhinx's call to training, Etheriud hurried over to the training center and awaited instruction. The Shien form once again left Etheriud bored and uninterested. Not only was it once again an offensive form, it was meant to be brutal and unrelenting. Etheriud watched as Korogum preformed a series of quick, precise strikes that quickly and cleanly slashed through the training dummy. Upon his completion, Etheriud activated his lightsaber and moved towards the remaining dummy. He got into the Shien stance and opened a quick series of slashes across the chest of the dummy with a final spin that decapitated the dummy, making its metal head roll across the floor as Etheriud deactivated his lightsaber and awaited further instruction.

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

Xhinx noticed Etheriud's lack of interest in the form, and started to move things along. "Onto the next form, Niman. This form combines each of the preceding lightsaber forms, this is a more balanced form. No weaknesses, no strengths. One of the more easy forms to master, as it operates in a relaxed manner, and covers what I taught you before. This form is generally used for those that prefer a different lifestyle, one you pursue Etheriud. This form often enlists the use of force abilities, such as telekinetics. This will be a good warm up for our later training. As for specifics, the stance is wide, the blade is held out from the body. Moves include slashing or stabbing while simultaneously force pushing or pulling. I am looking forward to see our force capability in operation. As usual I will demonstrate then enable you." Xhinx stood with his feet a shoulder width apart, saber out a foot. He ripped one of the dummies out of the floor and cleaved it into two unsymmetrical pieces, afterwards stabbing one while pulling the dummy upwards leaving a shear. "Now you will begin."

 

[Korogum]

As Korogum watched Xhinx perform the pushes and pulls with the Force, he realized he himself had never actually attempted to use it in such a manner. This would be good practice, he thought to himself.

Korogum stepped onto the mat, and, with his activated blade in one hand, held his open palm towards a dummy, willing himself to yank it from its resting spot, towards him. After several seconds of next to nothing happening, he let his hand drop in frustration. He looked over to Etheriud and Xhinx, and understood that he would HAVE to gain this power, in order to fight with, and alongside his comrades. He then closed his eyes, and reached towards the dummy once again, willing the vestiges of his power to pull the dummy towards him, and with great strain, the dummy began to creak and moan before jumping off its stilt, to which Korogum sent his saber cleaving through the arcing dummy as it passed him.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud listened intently as Xhinx explained the next form on their agenda; Niman. He had heard a little about this form when he was studying by himself but hadn't bothered to go into specifics. He knew it was a jack of all trades form and incorporated many elements of the other forms they had learned into it. What he hadn't realized, however, is that he would have to use the force in order to succeed. While Etheriud had had some experience with using the force and some of its techniques, it had been a long while since he had practiced and thus he doubted he would do as well as he hoped. As Xhinx showcased what the form would look like, Etheriud knew there was no way he would be able to replicate this form in an accurate manner. He stood idly as Korogum stepped up to the plate and used the force to rip the dummy into the air and slashed it to pieces with his lightsaber. Cautiously, Etheriud activated his lightsaber as Korogum finished and assumed his position. Copying Xhinx's stance, Etheriud focused on the dummy he was positioned towards and imagined it coming out, and up. He could feel his long unused gears turning as the force once again flowed through him; his will getting stronger and stronger as he focused harder on the dummy. In an instant, the dummy came out of the ground and flew towards Etheriud, which he then used to slash into two pieces that flew to his left and right. Then, he moved towards another dummy and proceeded to spin, slashing at the dummy as he completed his turn and pushing it after he slashed across its chest; causing it to fly across the room. Feeling satisfied, Etheriud returned to his position and awaited further instruction.

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

"Now, we will move on to the final lightsaber form, Juyo. This is a high action and high aggression form. This form is generally practiced by followers of the Dark Side, giving it the most offensive form. Practice of this form uses a more fearless and bold mindset, also keeping the battle in favor of you. To properly execute this form to its full potential, one must have the passion and will to do so. This form is not about how hard you can strike, but how... 'efficiently you want to deal with a nuisance.' The stance is as follows, blade held upwards pointed towards your target. In this form you must let your emotions flows and strike accurately and deadly. Further moves include dashes and jumps landing with a quick concealed strike. Mastering this form will enable you to conquer the battle field in martial combat. For this last test, I will pit you against each other in this duel. Keep in mind your training and harness this so far." With those final words, Xhinx signaled the others to begin their final test in lightsaber combat.

 

[Korogum]

As Xhinx explained the last of the forms they would be learning, Korogum understood that this one in particular could be of great use to him with both his natural fighting style, and with his spear. As he noted this, and absorbed the last bits of what Xhinx had explained, Korogum turned to Etheriud and readied his stance, blade pointed upwards, both of his hands firmly placed on the hilt as he prepared to begin. When he knew Etheriud was ready, Korogum quickly came forward against his opponent, thrusting his blade towards Etheriud's center in an effort to control his movements.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud listened intently to Xhinx's words; analyzing the form in his head as it was explained to him. He knew he would have little use for this form as its entire concept was built around combat and forceful attacks to overwhelm an opponent. While useful for any practitioner of the dark side, Etheriud was not interested in becoming the best duelist in the galaxy. As Xhinx finished up his lesson, Etheriud activated his lightsaber and awaited Korogum's strike. As Korogum struck at Etheriud's center, Etheriud utilized Soresu principles and used Korogum's momentum against him; flowing with Korogum's lightsaber to deflect it and sidestep to the right. Quickly moving behind Korogum, Etheriud let out a strong swing of his lightsaber towards his back, almost as if swinging a bat.

 

[Korogum]

As Etheriud parried his blow, Korogum quickly spun to catch the orange hue of his partner's saber against the scarlet and black of his own, utilizing his strength to knock away Etheriud's blade before launching a flurry of strikes against his opponent, aiming at his arms and legs in an attempt to catch him off balance. Putting his power into every strike as Xhinx had explained, he could see why the Sith favored this technique, it's raw power combined with the lethality of a lightsaber would let only carnage ensue behind whoever uses it to its fullest.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud felt as his strike was easily knocked back away by his partner's superior strength and capabilities. Etheriud knew instantly that he would have to stick to his defensive capabilities; finding it hard to preform such quick and powerful strikes. As Korogum began releasing his flurry, Etheriud barely managed to sidestep the first few strikes as he began once again using soresu principles to use Korogum's momentum against him. Etheriud would carry Korogum's strikes and have him go forward as Etheriud side stepped and deflected the attacks. Finding an opportunity, Etheriud deflected one of Korogum's strikes to his leg and brought his saber up in a slashing arc with as much force as he could towards Korogum's face.

 

[Korogum]

As the humming blade of Etheriud's blade soared up towards his face, Korogum managed to back step, regaining his composure. Realizing linear movements would only get him beaten faster by Etheriud's masterful use of Soresu, Korogum dashed forward and to the right of his adversary, determining that he would be able to strike more safely if he did not move straight towards his opponent. As he dashed past Etheriud, Korogum brought his saber low in an attempt to strike at Etheriud's waistline.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud grew agitated as Korogum once again dodged his attack and prepared for the incoming strike, only to find Korogum dashing to his right and striking at his waistline. Attempting to react quickly, Etheriud turned as fast as he could and met his lightsaber with Korogum's; just barely catching the strike as he backed away from his partner. Etheriud deactivated his ligthsaber to mark that he was finished with the training exercise. Looking around, Etheriud found no trace of Xhinx. Etheriud figured he had just moved on to prepare them for their next training module and motioned for Korogum to follow him out of the practice room to find Xhinx's whereabouts.