Peace Through Superior Firepower

[Romi Jade]

---

​

---

EIRA PECHAL​

Jedi Praxeum, Training Course​

WITH: [member="Kaleleon Seleare"]​

Spoiler

[youtube]

Spoiler

https://youtu.be/aBjj4pXvZ9E[/youtube]

​

---

---

​

---

​

The humid air was enough, but she phased through it pretty quickly as her path led her towards the center of the courtyard.

"Alright."

She dug her off hand into her hip, shifting her weight to one side as she casually swayed to her right a bit. Her lightsaber was tucked between her fingers in her other hand almost as if she were about to draw it. "We've been spending quite a bit of time in the field, how's that been for you so far?" she wondered...Kale was very laid back; he didn't say too much.

"But we can't have you just watch me do things" she giggled. "First, welcome to the Praxeum. Today, I just wanted to go over some basic lightsaber techniques and lay some sort of foundation. I know the ability aspect of the training isn't necessarily the easiest to grasp nor the most comfortable to learn, but I figure maybe doing some martial training in the meantime could be useful."

She motioned for him to grab his saber with her head. When she was coming up, she was inundated with scholarly text and theory before she ever began the actual application of saber work -- her Master was a scholar first. Her methods of teaching were different...she preferred the actual act. One could talk about it constantly but, no one would actually pick it up without doing it.

"Combat is all about controlling conflict, putting the battle on your own terms. You should always be acting -- extended time in these scenarios can be costly. The end goal, suppress violent opposition as quickly and as effectively as you can. Peace through superior firepower." that last part made her giggle, it seemingly rolled off the tongue like she'd discovered it right then and there.

"Form V is one of the most physically demanding saber forms you could ever practice -- but we'll work up to that. It's largely characterized by a basic formula of attack, defend, counter." She emphasized each one with a designated finger. "Lets start with some simple blast deflection so you can get a feel for it all...and then we'll try out some sequences"

Whipping out her hand, she called for three training remotes via the force. Heeding her call they descended upon Kale, hovering around him in sheer curiosity.

"These remotes are going to be on the lowest setting, I want you stand right here..." she motioned with her hand, and it would place him just out in front of the group of remotes. "They're going to charge up and fire a non-lethal bolt at you that will sting at the most. You'll be able to physically see and hear the charge before its released, so just focus on getting your footing right and nothing else. We'll focus only on the defend and counter. Block the first two, and redirect the third -- or try to at least. I'll guide you along."

She stepped back. "They'll start as soon as you draw your blade."

 

[Kaleleon]

Saying that I was prepared for this would have been a lie. Yes, I still did everything I could to prepare myself for whatever situation that my master may have given me. All she said, is that we would be doing a very much crash course of Lightsaber combat. I was not sure if she knew I had been a Paladin of the tower. I trained in some form of combat with swords and bladed weapons. Training with glorified sticks. However, that was it. I knew that Lightsabers were much lighter than your average sword. Hell, even a stick would be considered easier to wield than a Sunfire sword.

Ahck! No. Not Sunfire Sword. A Lightsaber. Physically shaking my head as we made out way out to the location, I tried to rid my thought of the past. I needed to learn the new terms for the weapons, and the magicks known as the Force. Looking up to Romi as she spoke up. Clearing the air for me to listen.

She explained that while in the past I have been a Shadow of her, watching, learning through example, and barely participating in the actions required, I now needed to be more proactive in situations. Understandable. As one of the Jedi, I should be doing more. I need to be active in my role as one of these protectors, and a policing force of the galaxy. As much as I had a deep down fear of being in such situations. Listening to my mentor as she explained what would be going on, I had the feeling this would be new for me. Instead of fighting her, or training in combat against a person, it was instead about defense. Specifically defense against blaster weaponry.

A couple of the little machines perked up to life. Zooming around and began to hover around me. Turning on one another, almost as though they were inspecting my every move. Looking for an opening. Romi Finally explained that these bolts would hurt, sting, but not much more. I accepted that fact, and grabbed the training saber. Holding the hilt in my hand, I thought back to the Ghost that had attacked Garron when we were captured. Sticking him through with a red blade. Closing my eyes, I forced the memory from my mind. Slowly letting my thumb hover over the switch to activate.

I opened my eyes as the blade snapped to life. The all too becoming familiar hum of the weapon followed as the machines began to intensify their desire to inspect me. Letting my left foot slide back to take an isosceles stance, holding the saber with two hands just forward of me. The blade tipped ever so much towards the general direction of the three droids. Block the first too, and send the last one back.

The first bolt came from the left. Twisting my hips, and pushing the bottom portion of the blade towards the bolt. However, I missed it. While the bolt missed me as well due to my stance, I could have gotten stung. Second one followed not even a moment later from the far right. Twisting back around, my right hand alone took a hold of the blade. Smacking into the bolt with a surprising amount of force. I could feel the shock in my hand due to the loose grip. Quickly, I learned that purely defense against blaster bolts would be okay in short bursts. However, longer bouts would be troublesome.

I couldn't think much more than that with the last bolt already being sent at me. Without twisting, without much movement, I instead swung the blade into the direction of the bolt. The two collided with more force, but I expected it now. What I didn't think, was where I was swinging the blade. Romi had been standing right infront of me. Now that the last bolt was fired from the center, and sending it away, it was hurled into the direction of my mentor.

All I could say, and think at that one moment was,

"Chit."

[member="Romi Jade"],

 

[Romi Jade]

She watched on,

"It's alright. Focus on the next one." He'd missed the first and that was fine. It happens. "Good" She praised his efforts on the second one. The last one though, he'd changed its trajectory but now it was coming for Romi. She was caught largely unaware and even though she saw it coming, she was focused enough to properly react. In fact she really didn't need to thank to her vest...but these rounds only stung at worse anyway.

Regardless, her hands came up in a natural guard. But the round pretty much dissipated into the padding of her vest. "Well..."

She came back up chuckling, "That was really interesting. First, good job!" She began to slow clap as she began a slow pace towards him. "Second, it's alright. This is actually a good lesson, something I try to teach all of my students. Adversity is a constant in combat. Things are gonna get chit crazy and things are going to happen. Let them...just keep pushing. You did really well for this to be your first time."

She stepped behind him, and placed her hands on his hips. "Loosen up a bit in your waist. Your pivots are good but your waist is a bit stiff." Then she stepped around and gripped his wrist. In her other hand she pushed her wrist through a cycle of twist and turns "Allow your wrist to free up a bit more. You want tighter motions, that stem from the wrist. Defending in this scenario is all about moving with the flow, and expending as little of your personal energy as possible."

She took a few steps back, "Especially when it comes to redirection, the blade should be moving closer to the body. Flow from one move to the next. Maximize your energy output and keep control."

She folded her arms into one another, "Breathe, and try again."

[member="Kaleleon Seleare"]

 

[Kaleleon]

She praised me for what I had done so far. Considering this was the first time I had blocked blasters. Understandably, I still had quite a bit to learn. After she mentioned my stiffness with movements and form, I found myself relaxing just a bit. I paid attention to her lesson. Stiff hard movements will not be good. Its small fluid that will be the determining factor. Even forcing my own wrist to move about and be more free flowing. I had been holding the lightsaber with two hands as well. Yes, it was good for direct blocking a heavy impact, or when wielding a heavier weapon. However, a Sunfi- Lightsaber I had to be in a much more easy state.

I thought back to the lessons with Melding as Romi took a couple steps back. She mentioned then about clearing your mind and focusing upon just one aspect. Namely for the Meld it was a single though that was in conjunction with others. However now, it was moreover the idea of clearing the mind of distractions. Hard thoughts and movements meant they could be acted upon, but should they fail, would break and crumble. I had to flow.

As I looked to Romi, she simply stated for me to move the blade closer to my body. Instructing me to breathe, and then begin the trial again. Three shots. I kept the blade off for the time being. Once more closing my eyes. Breathing deeply within my chest. Opening up my lungs as much as I could. Breathing in till it burned, and releasing it all slowly. Letting my mind drift. I needed a focus. Something for me to find my center. To find a spot in which I can start from. One thought I could relate to and easily drop back into at any time.

Water.

I thought of my time on the farm where I would get water from the well. The cool spring water being drawn up bucket by bucket into the trough for animals. Some was delegated for our drinking water. I remember using the water for washing clothes. Water. It was not ridged. Free flowing and yet still close. Water meant everything to us on the farm. It was the source from what we did everything. So now, it would be the source from which I would fight. Opening my eyes, I moved the saber hilt forward of me. Holding it horizontally. Squeezing the handle tightly before releasing it.

Water.

Snapping the blade to life once more, the blade hummed within my hand. Droids picking up pace to sting me with their bolts. Buzzing around, I paid them no attention. Only focusing upon the hum of the saber. Focusing upon the bright light which it sent scattering into the air. I closed my eyes for a moment more. Listening for the que.

I could hear the blaster go off. My eyes snapping open and my body moving to interact with it. The bolt came from the center this time. Taking a step forward with my right foot, I pulled my arm close, flipping my wrist around to slap into the side of the bolt before it made contact with me. Sending it flying off to my left. Holding that position, the left side came screaming at me. Twisting the blade around, and smacking a second time into the bolt. Flying off towards my right this time. The saber held directly in front of me, but the tip pointed to my left and at a slight angle down. My left hand barely hovering near the blade just in case I had to use it for whatever reason.

Finally, the third bolt flew at me. Far right. Separating my hands from within close proximity, I flipped my hand once again. Twisting the blade from a more downward position, to be up, and brought down just enough to angle the blade. The bold simply slamming itself into the bar of energy and redirecting into the ground at my feet. Holding it for just a second more, I realized I forgot to do something.

Breathe.

I almost gasped in air as I was so focused on my task that I wasn't breathing for any part of the measure. My vision was slightly filled with sparkles due to a lack of oxygen to my brain, and I felt a slight lightheaded feeling. However, I tried to wave it off the best I could, and shut down the lightsaber.

[member="Romi Jade"],

 

[Romi Jade]

Snapping the blade to life once more, the blade hummed within my hand. Droids picking up pace to sting me with their bolts. Buzzing around, I paid them no attention. Only focusing upon the hum of the saber. Focusing upon the bright light which it sent scattering into the air. I closed my eyes for a moment more. Listening for the que.

Her head habitually rose, and she swayed a bit in her stance after shifting her weight onto her opposite leg. She watched on, with her curiosity peaked when he seemingly began to center himself -- their was a little less tension in the air this time around. So he was finding his own pace? She was glad.

Theory. Technique. Application. All of those things were important aspects of the training process. But, having your own method of operation would be the thing to carry you over. There's been plenty of time where she had to color outside of the lines in order to make things happen in the field -- the rules were different in those scenarios.

That's what she wanted Kale to be prepared for.

I could hear the blaster go off. My eyes snapping open and my body moving to interact with it. The bolt came from the center this time. Taking a step forward with my right foot, I pulled my arm close, flipping my wrist around to slap into the side of the bolt before it made contact with me. Sending it flying off to my left. Holding that position, the left side came screaming at me. Twisting the blade around, and smacking a second time into the bolt. Flying off towards my right this time. The saber held directly in front of me, but the tip pointed to my left and at a slight angle down. My left hand barely hovering near the blade just in case I had to use it for whatever reason.

She bit down on her lip to help maintain her excitement. Good thing was, he was picking it up rather well.

Finally, the third bolt flew at me. Far right. Separating my hands from within close proximity, I flipped my hand once again. Twisting the blade from a more downward position, to be up, and brought down just enough to angle the blade. The bold simply slamming itself into the bar of energy and redirecting into the ground at my feet.

"Woo!" She cheered before jogging over, "That was grea--are you alright?" he started to gasp for air and she reached out to catch him if he was going to possibly topple over.

"Forgot to breath?" She teased. "That was great Kale. You've picked up on this rather well."

She patted him on the back, "Now, you know I'm going to push you. So let's try to go through the course this time." She pointed with her left hand, "That's the novice entrance. The process is the same, except while being pursued by the remotes...you'll also be going through an obstacle course. It'll test you saber skills, basic force applications and perception. I'll be following your progress and guiding you...but I won't be there to physically help you out."

[member="Kaleleon Seleare"]

 

[Kaleleon]

Breathing rather heavily, it was the body's way of trying to get oxygen back to the brain due to a lack of if previously. Romi had come over and provided some support for me. I was glad of her doing so. Making it just a little easier. I picked up my arms to be raised behind my head, with my elbows flying sky high. I remember my father teaching me that opening your lungs would help to breathe more deeply. Surely this would help as my mentor began to go into an explanation of what my next task was. Namely, an obstacle course. One that would require me to use the force, lightsaber skills, and quick thinking to get to the end.

With a curious look over to the entrance. I was... doubtful of my ability. Hearing Romi in the background of my thoughts, I simply nodded my head. Not that I was trying to ignore her. I just.. I haven't been able to use the force at all. Meld, Telekinesis, Barely anything of Sense, and the best I could do was just think fast with what I had. The problem? It was like doing a race, with only one leg. I was missing something that could have made this easier for me. However, I had to do thi- No. I NEEDED to do this. Looking down at the training saber, I just... couldn't bring myself to say it to her. I couldn't say that to my master who was trying so hard to help me.

I didn't want to fail. I couldn't fail. But every time that I have had the chance to show my prowess in this gift that I apparently had, I couldn't do it.

Shaking my head, I tried to rid it of those thoughts. Albeit, not enough as I nodded my head.

"Obstacle course... Yeah."

It was all I could do to let her know that I understood. Taking the steps forward to lead myself into the course that was presented before me. Getting close enough the entrance, the metal doors that held together the premise of its course. All surrounded by brick and stone. Opening, I walked through to see a fairly large area. One where a couple pillars stood skyward. Not holding up anything. However, they were in different sizes due to erosion or being broken. My eyes wandered around the area. Watching as one particular droid came out from the other side.

Brandishing a rather large blaster weapon. Before I could ask any questions, it opened fire.

[member="Romi Jade"],

 

[Romi Jade]

Every Jedi had areas where they were naturally skilled, and areas where there was room for improvement -- this was especially the case when they went through training. It was a matter of self-discovery really. Her hope for Kale was that he'd tap into his potential, and she thought exposing him to different scenarios at varying levels would somehow awaken that inner power.

The course was manageable with limited abilities, but it'd be difficult as it was meant to test you all-round. But Kale had great analytical skills like she did; he could think quick on his feet and play to his strengths.

He'd walked through the first set of doors, and they'd shut right behind him; the figure of his Master would fade just then. But she had a datapad that would allow her to communicate with him if she needed to.

A few swipes and finger clicks put her on the right panel; now he was alone.

Her voice resonated through speakers largely hidden throughout the course itself, "Remember, combat is all about controlling conflict, putting the battle on your own terms. You should always be acting never reacting. The droid you're facing has bombarded you with a frontal assault, designed to pin you down and keep you on defense. Think this through...changing fighting styles, manipulating the environment, using anything and everything at your disposal in order to break his sequence and create an opening for yourself is likely the way to go."

[member="Kale Seleare"]

 

[Kaleleon]

The doors closing, sounded a lot louder than I would have ever imagined. Maybe it was just the finality of being closed within the course. Of course, accepting Romi to be my master, and teacher of all things Jedi-like was similar. There was no turning back by accepting it. I was taking on responsibilities that I would only learn of after getting the job. I guess this slamming of the door just hit me harder than I thought it would.

Hearing the familiar voice play over my thoughts, she brought forward what I had to do. Combat the droid, gain the upper hand in however I saw fit, and above all, to be active, not reactive. I nodded my head. Then shook it as she might not be able to see me nod it. Responding to her that I got what she meant and understood what was ahead of me.

"Crystal clear."

Breathing in, and out for a second, going back to the "centering" that she had me perform earlier, I brought myself to my current situation. Standing in an arena akin to Ruins, and a droid that was in the center. Deactivated for now, but would very likely be on in mere moments. I breathed in one last time and released what I dreaded saying at the moment.

"Ready."

I waited a moment. Hearing, and seeing the droid come to life. Photoreceptors brightening up as it turned its attention around the room. Coming to life, it held a training blade in one hand. That too came to life as it honed its focus upon me. I didn't wait though. I didn't wait for it to move. I was told to be active in battle. I needed to control the battle. Not let my opponent keep me on my back foot. And she was right. Stepping backwards, never allowed you to gain a foothold. At best, they should only stop forward movement. Push and continue to push. Never be reactive. Reaction lead to failure. While in training it was a good teacher, in battle, it meant death.

The brilliance of the "Sunfire Sword" came to life within my hand. Illuminating the area around me to a degree in a wash of blue and white light. That light came from out of my peripheral vision and in front of me. Cleaving at the droid as fast as I could. Coming from the downward position on my left, and through to the right shoulder. However, the droid was much faster than I. Even preparing by taking a step inward to the fight. Full stop to my blade before it got even close to it.

Clenching my teeth within my mouth, I... I can't explain it other than a gut feeling that he would strike out at me. Specifically my abs. Shutting down my lightsaber so I wouldn't be hindered by the blade's length, I almost jumped backwards. And what surprised me, was that my gut was right. The droid while holding my blade down, was intending to lash out at me to get me in my side. But, there was no time to think on it. My blade snapped back to life as I came in for a stab towards the droid, Lunging forward, only for it to sidestep me with an ease that baffled me. Followed with by a mockingly foot held out to trip me if I continued.

That wasn't going to work.

The droid sidestepped onto my right. The arm I was wielding the saber with. If it was moving to my dominate side, then I found my opening. Pivoting on my left foot away from the droid, it stepped forward. Attempting to keep the distance between us close. Twice is a coincidence. Shutting the saber off, I legitimately jumped back a good foot away with the droid following me. I smiled brightly with what was going on. It closed the distance when ever it could. Even swiping at me while I jumped backwards.

I made an about face and ran for the wall. Hard and fast. Even as I started to run, I could hear the clanking of the metallic feet slamming home onto the ground. Ahead of me was a broken "pillar" that was supposed to act as a surrounding environment. However, the droid was hard on my heels. An itching on the back of my head surfaced. It felt... wrong. Dangerous. Coming to a full stop, I ducked my head and crouched ever so slightly to have the droid pass me with a running swipe. Barely missing my head. What I didn't expect, was the backhanded swing that came right back at me with unrivaled speed.

I barely got my saber up in time to defend myself. Clashing blades so close to my face, I could smell ozone within the air. Pushing outward to leave the saber lock, I twisted to my right away and ran at the pillar once more. I don't know what I had in mind, I just ran. The droid followed me again. Drawing even faster than before, but I knew it would.

Once more, it tried to come with a strike at me. A small head tilt backwards showed me it was an overhead strike. I planted my left foot hard. Jarring my knee in the process, but pivoted on it. Using my hilt, I made my first strike. Using the baseplate as the weapon to smack the droids armed hand away as it came down. Crouched knees to lower my center of mass compared to the droid, my body seemed to move of its own accord. Off hand reaching much akin to an uppercut, only grabbing hold of the droids chassis. Saber hand coming in to aid my off hand and used it's forward momentum against it. Lifting with legs and arms, twisting over my back, the droid was flung around in a throw down into the ground just in front of me.

The blue blade finally activated once more to stab home into the body...

But I missed. Kicking out with it's leg, the droid smacked my shin hard. Winching and yelping in the sudden jolt of pain to my shin, it's frame rose from the ground. Nearly getting me in an uppercut. I came at it with an overhead strike. The Clashing of the weapons sent a couple sparks as everything kicked into play. Advantage, action not reaction, and environment. Pushing down with my blade on it's own, I suddenly released the pressure on the lock. Resulting in an unbalanced swing out where I had been standing. I pushed past it, and ran at the broken pillar for the last time, Taking a leap from the ground, one foot landing hard onto the base of the pillar. I pushed off and twisted around. Both hands gripping the "Sunfire Sword" with white knuckles as I brought it down hard.

The attempt of the block from the droid was not quite enough. I pushed hard enough with my own strength, and gravity to overpower the tip control of it's blade. It's defense fell apart with my own blade finding its home by cutting down into where a neckline would be, and into the chest cavity.

[member="Romi Jade"],

 

[Romi Jade]

Romi watched on from her datapad --

But I missed. Kicking out with it's leg, the droid smacked my shin hard. Winching and yelping in the sudden jolt of pain to my shin, it's frame rose from the ground. Nearly getting me in an uppercut. I came at it with an overhead strike. The Clashing of the weapons sent a couple sparks as everything kicked into play. Advantage, action not reaction, and environment. Pushing down with my blade on it's own, I suddenly released the pressure on the lock. Resulting in an unbalanced swing out where I had been standing. I pushed past it, and ran at the broken pillar for the last time, Taking a leap from the ground, one foot landing hard onto the base of the pillar. I pushed off and twisted around. Both hands gripping the "Sunfire Sword" with white knuckles as I brought it down hard.

She was highly impressed with his ability to think through stress, and with how well he was handling his weapon. Her method of teaching was different, and it could be difficult for those use to being told what to do step by step in sticky situations. Though, to her that method was a disservice to students who all had different approaches to how they solves problems -- and being out in the field worked in a similar matter.

"Good job. Kudos for remaining leveled and processing the situation as it changed and presented itself differently. You're progressing rather quickly in this area, let's try to keep that same level of confidence going forward."

She plucked a few digits and swiped for the next screen "When you're ready, exit through the next door. In the next area you'll have to locate and pull a level in order to progress, but you won't be able to get to the lever with your hands. Remember to examine your environment carefully. Most students utilize the Force and then they're on...but there are other methods of doing things. Stay on guard...when in the field, sometimes the longer methods take a bit of time and draw attention..."

[member="Kale Seleare"]

 

[Kaleleon]

Breathing heavily, my hands and arms shook from the adrenaline dump into my system. Breathing through my diaphram, I allowed as much air into my lungs as I could. Replacing what oxygen I had spent in that short combat. In truth, it felt like hours went buy with just that fight. How each thought seemed forever but in truth, lasted merely a couple seconds. Romi's voice came over the system. Telling me that now the door was open to the other room. I shut the lightsaber off. The humming of the weapon ceased, causing a exploding deafness over the current room.

I gathered myself for a moment and walked onward. Placing a hand on the frame of the door as I looked into the room, it looked every bit identical as the next one. My eyes scanning the room quickly to see anything else. While I did see a couple doors leading elsewhere, they were closed shut. Keeping me from leaving the room. Almost as soon as my hand left the frame after entering, the door rolled shut behind me. While the thud wasn't as resounding as the first door, it still hit me hard. I had progressed and there was no retreat.

The smooth voice came back over the system. Telling me that there was a lever in this room, that I couldn't reach simply by grabbing for it. I had to find it, pull it, as fast as I could. The longer I would take, the higher chance that there might be something showing up. Likely more droids like the previous one. That made me slightly fearful of this current test. If there was going to be more than one, then it would be even more difficult to overcome this.

As soon as her voice ended, I knew the trial had begun.

Clipping my lightsaber to me, I instantly turned around and looked to the door, and eyes playing over the wall above it. Nothing. Every so often along the wall were sets of bars. Nothing seemed to be behind them other than maybe a couple vines, or plant life that had found its way through the cracks. I didn't mind them for now. Instead looking on the ground. She said I wouldn't be able to climb for it. Maybe crawl? Direct opposite of what she said. Yet, I could see every brick of the ground, and nothing. Looking around the room as I slowly shifted towards the center of the room, I soon found where it was. Much like the other "windows" that had bars on them, this was one. However, it was much higher than the others. In fact, there were no other ones like this within the same spacing as the others. Clearly you couldn't use the lower window to jump to the next. Somehow I had to reach it.

I was barely six foot. Walking over to the wall, I found out I was about three bricks tall of the walls base. Looking up, I counted Nine bricks. So it was close to thirty feet into the air. Actually, just shy of that. I closed my eyes. Thinking. Just taking a second to breathe so that I could focus on the task. Not caring how high it was, I needed to find a way up there to pull it or make it go off. However, at that time, I could hear a door opening. It rumbled out of my left side. Still standing still, I focused. I would need something to make it easier for me to climb. I couldn't use my lightsaber, I had only one. As soon as I turned it off, it wouldn't work. The brick layout wouldn't even let me have hand holds. Being in the middle of a wall, I couldn't just rebound off of either side of a wall to where I needed to be.

A Lightsaber snapped to life behind me. Instinctively, I ducked, the saber was thrown by the droid behind me, and had slammed into the wall in front of me. I reached for my own. The brilliant blue saber ignited as the mechanical being rushed at me. Wordless and without emotion it attacked. Sidestepping it as much as I could, I tried to get my back out from between the droid and the wall. However, I neglected the saber. It easily grabbed the saber it had thrown with force.

Wait... It had thrown the saber.

I smiled deeply as I knew exactly what I had to do. I didn't have much more time before another droid would show up. Once more, I turned around and ran. No saber was thrown this time, it just chased me. I had hoped that was the idea. I removed the droid from the wall for just a moment and then as it was closing the distance on me, I dropped to the ground. Swinging the blue blade at it's feet, the droid jumped high above my head. Even performing a somersault over me. Landing with a knee in the ground and a saber in a defensive position.

While I had not expected it to do that, it meant my job was just slightly more easier. Once more I ran. Running straight in a line at the wall. The hole I needed directly above me. The distance from us was just enough. And with a straight line, I hoped...

The whirring saber was thrown at me. I took a single stride to my right. Letting the blade find its home about two and a half blocks high into the stone. I pushed hard. Sprinting now for the saber, I shut mine off just as I lept. Slamming my foot onto the handle of the saber, I pushed off the saber blade. Hearing it shut off with my boot pressing the off switch somehow. However, the second saber was thrown as well. Reaching to my right, The saber ignited with the emitter almost thrust into the brick itself, My momentum and the sudden hold to my right, pulled me just barely out of the path of the incoming saber. Once more, slamming home. I reached up and grabbed a hold of the second saber. A shoto actually. Green bladed by the glow within the brick.

I pulled myself up as the droid finally reached the wall. Yanking the saber out of the brick, It looked directly at me, and I to it. We stared into each others eyes, for a split second as it began to back up. Likely getting a better angle to throw it at me. I took that time to start using both sabers to act as my hand holds. Turning them on and off as fast as I could while climbing. I was so close. Almost there.

But I failed.

I failed to pay attention to the droid, I didn't notice the saber until the very last second. I tried to move to the side, but it still hit me. The blade getting me on my left side. Directly above the hip. I knew it was there from the searing heat as it burned through the clothing I had, and in my skin. While it wasn't completely in my side, it was half way between a graze, and a stab. Likely taking a chunk out of my side. Every part of my body wanted to let go of the sabers in my hands. Just so then I could press on the wound. To ball up into the fetal position and call it a day. My face was wet with tears and sweat as I screamed in pain.

I had not expected it to be so painful. To be honest, what did I really expect of a Sunfire Sword? The Sun is heat, and the flame. Of course it would burn. I knew instantly was Romi might do, so I just yelled out without any kind of remorse in my voice.

"Don't! I am.... I'm Not Done!"

Leaving the shoto into the stone, I reached down. Shaking and sweaty palm gripping the saber half way in my side, and turned off the blade. The abrupt end was met with the saber falling from my hand. I couldn't quite get a grasp on the saber. So it fell to the ground. Clanking against brick on the way down, and then smacking into the ground.

Rapid heavy breathing through my mouth, My eyes stung with sweat, maybe tears I was not sure. Nor was there any care. Reaching back up to grab the shoto, I could barely keep a grip on it as I turned it off and reached up. Barely being able to hold myself with my left arm. I just, I couldn't. I'd fall as soon as I shut off my saber. Looking down, I saw the droid picking up the saber. Ready to throw for another round with me, and my side.

"Put that down!"

No response from a droid, but it merely looked up. Taunting me with the thought that it could get another go. I laughed to myself. How could I put myself in this situation. Screw it. I needed a leg up. Literally. Replacing the shoto to be at about my thigh, I rolled to my side against the brick. Using both hands on my own saber as a hold, then placed my right foot onto the hilt.

Breathing heavily as every thought knew this would hurt. Every ounce wanted to not move. However, I pushed. Kicking back with enough force to rock back and forth. The saber shutting off, I landed on the saber. Stabbing again into the brick, Using my saber to steady myself. Looking out, prick over here was looking up at me, and my efforts to reach the top. A quick peek up showed me I was less than a foot away. I was so damn close. I was...

"GWWWRRRRAAAAAHH!"

A bent knee to give me some spring, I pushed off. Stabbing the lightsaber into the base of the "window." The last saber going hilt deep into the brick where I had been. Hanging with white knuckles on the saber, every part of me shaked and vibrated with adrenaline, and pain. Now to pull myself up.

That is, if I wasn't now focused on the Second Droid that was walking out towards the other with a lightsaber pike. Shaking of the head to remove all other thoughts, I moved back to trying to get up. I remember something about people who work out. Pull ups? One handed ones were done somehow. Wait, no. Reaching with my left hand on my wrist, I pulled up myself to have my head just in line with the window ledge. Seeing the bars with the handle just behind them. Inching so close, yet it seemed miles away. I couldn't let go of my left hand. It was supporting me and all of my weight. My right was the one holding me up as well. This was a one time deal.

I dropped low just for a moment, then yanked myself back up. Using my weight and momentum to keep moving up just enough to let go of the saber. Letting it drop to the ground as both hands reached for the bars.

My right hand barely grabbed it with my fingertips. My left completely missed. All of my weight slammed down upon the right hand. It was slipping. Four fingers.... Three fingers...

"AHHHHHHH!"

I threw myself up one last time. My left hand slamming hard into the bar, but barely passing it. Grabbing hold of the lever, I let my weight do the rest of the work. Pulling the lever down with whatever I had left. I felt elation for doing so, but was evaporated with dread as I felt myself falling, and the sudden stop.

No scream. No yell. All the air was taken from me, and vision was clouded by pain.

[member="Romi Jade"],