Jedi Brat!
The blade of the lightsaber hissed through the air. Braze ducked, feeling the passing heat overhead, using the Force to sense where his opponent's attack had come from.
"Good," Aether's somber-toned voice praised as they continued their bout.
Spurred by the praise, Braze became more excitable, lunging forward on the attack. His blade was parried, and a sharp, quick counter connected with his thigh as Aether smoothly passed him. "Keep your guard up. You're letting your excitement guide you. Patience," Aether coaxed.
The hiss of pain that escaped the snowy-haired youth was tempered by a sour reflection at the admonishment as he whirled in Aether's direction, correcting his stance.
Following the harsh events on Tython, Braze had wanted to give his Master Jasper a well-deserved rest and had requested that Pyf not wake him up so early. A fine breakfast had been prepared by the small, white-haired youth, and he set it aside to wait until his master rose so they could enjoy a meal together. Initially, Braze sought to try his hand at the same old routine of his typical relentless regimen, practicing Fallo's cadences, but Aether had other ideas to occupy the tenacious youth for the time being.
Aether watched Braze's movements with a critical eye as his photo receptor adjusted, the young apprentice's fervor mirrored in the intensity of his own stance. As a prospective mentor, Aether had seen many young combatants come and go, each with their own flame of potential. Yet, Braze was different. His raw talent was immense, but it was his relentless spirit that set him apart. Aether knew that with the right guidance, Braze could become a force to be reckoned with.
After the brief exchange, Aether paused, allowing the moment to settle. The air around them hummed with the energy of their lightsabers.
"Braze," Aether began, his voice calm but firm, "Your passion is your strength, but unbridled, it can lead to recklessness. The path of a Jedi is not just about the mastery of combat but also the mastery of self."
Braze's somber jade green eyes, alight with the reflection of his training saber, met Aether's blue light gaze. It was a look of respect, mixed with the frustration of the lesson at hand. Aether knew this look well; it was the look of a student on the cusp of understanding, yet struggling against the constraints of their own nature.
"You need to work on your footwork," Aether mused, pacing back and forth. "It's sloppy and needs refinement."
Braze's brow furrowed at the critique, and he adjusted his stance once more. "How so?" he asked.
"Your attacks are predictable and telegraphed. Your movements need to be more fluid and less rigid. Your speed is good, but you rely too much on your brute strength rather than the finesse of your footwork. You need to trust the Force and let it guide you. Just like with your blade work, you need to let go of your attachment to the outcome. If you try to control everything, you'll end up losing control over the situation."
With a sharp nod, Braze straightened his posture and held his lightsaber in a defensive position, ready for Aether to strike. The Iron Knight Jedi did not disappoint as he lunged forward, their blades clashing in a flurry of quick movements.
Despite Braze's size and strength, Aether was stronger, quicker, and more agile, anticipating the Force-sensitive boy's every move. With a flick of his wrist, Braze's lightsaber was sent flying from his grasp, landing several feet away.
"You're still too eager and impulsive," Aether chastised, shaking his head as he turned away from Braze. "Remember what I said about patience. You can't rush things and expect them to fall into place."
Braze felt a surge of frustration rise within him as he retrieved his lightsaber. He wanted nothing more than to prove himself to his Master
Jasper Kai'el
and the Jedi Council. However, his progress seemed to be stagnant, and he was eager for Aether to show him the way."How am I supposed to learn if you won't teach me anything useful?" he asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.
"I am teaching you. You just need to listen," Aether replied.
"Let's try something different," Aether suggested, deactivating his lightsaber. "Focus not on the blade or where you think the next strike will come from. Focus on your center, on the calm within the storm. Let the Force flow through you, anticipate but do not predict."
Braze nodded, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He could feel the Force around him, flowing through his body. He focused on Aether's presence, feeling his movements and his intent.
Without warning, Aether lunged forward, striking at Braze's side. But the snowy-haired youth was ready. He parried the attack with ease, spinning out of the way before retaliating with a flurry of quick jabs that Aether easily avoided.
The two continued their exchange, each attacking and countering, moving seamlessly from one move to the next. Aether could see Braze's movements become more fluid, more effortless. He was learning.
"That's good," Aether said, breaking the silence. "Remember, the Force is your ally. It's a tool, not a weapon. Don't let it control you. Control it."
Braze nodded, his face set in a look of determination. He was eager to learn more, to hone his skills and prove his worth to his master
Jasper Kai'el
and the Jedi Order."Again," he said, raising his lightsaber. Aether obliged, and they resumed their sparring session, each of them feeling the flow of the Force guiding their movements.
