Time to step up

[Kriel Firin]

The Knights of Ren was known to be part of the First Order. Yet little was actually known beyond that. Unlike the Sith, that he had been reading about, the Knights were more akin to the Jedi — in that they were more of a monastic order.

His training thus far had been sporadic and he took full responsibility for that. He’d been playing at being part of the Knights, not devote himself fully to it. But that was about to change. He decided to limit missions and solo excursions until his training reached the next level.

So he pored over every document he could in the archives, accessed every holocron he could and spent time with as many Knights of Ren that he could — aiming to glean as much knowledge as he could to advance his knowledge and his power.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Before his intensive training had started in earnest, he’d been evaluated. The Knight performing the tests wouldn't tell him what he had uncovered. Instead he added a new element to his training day. Every two or three days he would put Kriel through a series of rigorous tests and challenges designed to evaluate his command of different aspects of the Force.

Despite being asked, the Knight had refused to discuss the results of his experiments with Kriel, and the young Disciple was beginning to fear he had somehow failed.

Finally the Knight broke the silence. “Some possess raw elemental power; they can unleash storms of lightning from their fingertips, or move mountains with their mere thoughts. Others are more gifted in the subtle intricacies of the Force, blessed with the ability to affect the minds of friend and foe alike through the arts of persuasion or battle meditation. Not my words, those of a man with far greater control of the Force than I. But I am wise enough to consider all teachings and you should too. The Sith, the Jedi, the Nightwitches, anyone and everyone that can help you grow. Do not be proud when it comes to learning about the Force. We have great teachers here, but to grow to your maximum, search far and wide for learning.”

“Your strength is in combat. Not just your abilities with the Force or your fighting prowess but your mind. It is rarely qualified to understand the complexities of the duel and excel.”

“Is that my path?” Kriel asked. “Am I to be a duellist?”

“You have the potential,” the Knight told him. From inside his robes he produced a thin leather-bound manuscript. “Hidden deep inside one of the Holocrons I have studied, I discovered a range of abilities that are suited to you. I transcribed the teaching into this tome. It will help you focus and channel your power for maximum effect... but only if you study carefully and don’t neglect wider knowledge.”

“I will,” Kriel promised, his eyes gleaming as he reached out to take the book from the Knight’s hands.

 

[Kriel Firin]

It was not to be an easy path that he had set himself upon. To be a truly superior being, apart from and above the senseless herd — even other Force users — required absolute devotion and dedication.

He had had to learn self-sufficiency, both in body and in mind. He understood the Knights of Ren would accept nothing less than the absolute best that he could offer.

And as he pushed himself, he had soon learned to think of pain as his teacher. It was common amongst those that used the dark side. From initially fearing it, it had become something he’d learn to tolerate and finally to embrace, because he knew it would test his willpower and his courage; it would make him stronger. To be content, to be comfortable, was to be complacent. No one learned anything from pleasure. Pain, on the other hand, was a most efficient instructor.

 

[Kriel Firin]

For the past year, after each training session with one of the Knights of Ren, his anger had known no bounds, even on those occasions when his body didn’t bear wounds from his training. He had been advised to expect as much. It was explained to him that through pain, the dark side would begin to recognise him as an ally, someone worthy to wield its power, and begin to lay claim to his thoughts and emotions. To guide and counsel him. It had been a very difficult time for him, something of a rite of passage, though still not the trial the Knight’s promised would ultimately break him or earn him membership of the Knights of Ren.

From that moment he learned to detest the title Disciple. To him, it meant he was not a Knight, merely a pretender to the title. And he resolved to put it right.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Kriel did not mind waiting. The past year had taught him to be patient. He learned to use the time wisely. Waiting time was training time he’d learned. Every minute of his life was devoted to learning. Of the Sith, the Jedi and the Knights of Ren. This was of course in addition to the extremely physical training. He had learned to keeping himself in a constant state of readiness. When he faced an opponent in combat he planned to be at the peak of his power. To be the strongest duellist in the galaxy.

Every training exercise had value, even the most basic ones. Many were copied from the Sith — lessons from the infamous Rule of Two days.

One of his earliest training exercises taught by one of the Knights consisted of running up a wall. He would start from one end of the training room and run towards the wall. He learned to take several steps up the wall with his momentum and then flip over to land on his feet. He would do it over and over, even as his leg muscles burned with fatigue. If he missed, he could have broken his neck. Still, he continued. There is no fear for a Knight. Training drives out fear. The greatest thing he learned was to be prepared to lose his life at any time.

 

[Kriel Firin]

The simple lesson did not always work out. Early on, he suffered many blows on the head and shoulders as, without the necessary strength, he fell backwards. He would try to cushion his fall with his hands.

Never break a fall, his teacher would say. If you are prepared to break your fall, you are prepared for the fall itself. It was an old Sith saying apparently. Do not fall. Do not fail.

So, unable to break the fall, the next time he would fall more painfully than before. Soon his body was covered with bruises.

But he learned the mantra. There is no pain where strength lies. So he did it again.

His head spinning, his bones aching, his legs trembling, he would do it again. And again he would fall.

There is no pain where strength lies.

So he did it again!

 

[Kriel Firin]

Each part of his training prepares him, and now he reaps the benefits of his struggle. Now he never falls. He never fails.

He runs, and takes four, five, six steps up the wall, and flips through the air to land on his feet.

When he completes his basic daily training exercises, he powers up his lightsaber and practices manoeuvres.

Now his body, augmented by his armour, is as strong as durasteel and as fluid as water. Through daily practice he is able to shift from one position of attack to another. Training routines follow training routines. Some are imaginary duels, others ones he’d studied, others are merely moves chosen at random. Yet more are learned by rote.

He performs ten thousand slashes, lunges, attacks. His blade skills are honed — but he knows he has so much more to learn, yet he also knows not to forsake training in his primary weapon.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Like all Disciples, he had begun by learning the basic techniques common to all seven traditional lightsaber forms. His first weeks had been spent in endless repetitions of defensive postures, overhand strikes, parries, and counter-strikes. By being observed as he learned the basics, the instructor would determine which form would best match his style. For Kriel he chose Djem So, Form V. The fifth form emphasised strength and power, allowing Kriel to use his size and muscles to his best advantage. Only after he was able to perform each of the moves of Djem So to the satisfaction of his teacher, was he allowed to begin the real training.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Then he spent the better part of an hour each morning practicing his techniques with his training saber. A solid blow could still inflict serious damage. But such thoughts were far from his mind, he was simply focused on the repetition of drills until the moves became instinctive.

And when he made a mistake, he was chastised. “Strike with malice and precision!” he was told once. The instructor reached out and seized Kriel’s wrist, turning it roughly and changing the angle of the training blade. “You're coming in too high! There is no room for error!”

After several hard thrusts by Kriel with the altered grip, the teacher nodded in approval.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Kriel repeated the single move over and over, careful to maintain the height and angle of the blade exactly as he had been shown, teaching his muscles through countless repetitions until they could replicate it flawlessly each and every time. Only then would he move on to incorporating it into more complicated manoeuvres.

Soon he was breathing heavily from his exertions. Physically and mentally he was being drained but each day felt the same. It was a while before he realised that although he was growing in ability and fitness — as well as mental strength - he was pushing himself harder each day. In particular he was able to adapt to the intense mental focus, the attention to detail that went far beyond what was visible to the naked eye. True mastery of the blade required a combination of both body and mind.

He was learning that to fight properly, everything had to be done on instinct; the body had to be trained to move and respond without conscious thought. To accomplish this, he learned to practice sequences, carefully choreographed series of multiple strikes and parries drawn from his chosen style. The sequences were designed o that each manoeuvre flowed smoothly into the next, maximising attack efficiency while minimising defensive exposure.

Using a sequence in combat allowed Kriel to free his minds from thought as his body automatically continued through the moves. Using sequences was more efficient and much quicker than considering and initiating each strike or block on its own, providing an enormous advantage over an opponent unfamiliar with the technique.

However, ingraining a new sequence so it could be properly executed was a long and laborious process. It would take two to three weeks of training and drills. And even the tiniest mistake in the smallest of moves could render the entire sequence worthless.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Eventually, his lightsaber was no longer a separate weapon, but part of his arm. He could move in the time it would take his opponent to blink. He could move in the time it would take to raise a weapon. An opponent would only see the space where Kriel had been. He would feel the sudden shock of the blow that would knock him to the floor.

He performed his training manoeuvres a hundred times a day. He did them even though his body knew them intimately. He repeated them until the memory of the movement was part of the muscle itself. The goal was to fight without thought.

There is no pain where strength lies.

He ends his session with a triple backward flip. Despite his intensive physical training, his breathing is ragged, his muscles on fire. But he refuses to quit. He will never quit. He is just beginning.

 

[Kriel Firin]

His power was growing. In only a few months of training he had learned so much about the Force. Physically, he was now stronger than ever before. In morning training runs he could sprint at nearly full speed for half a dozen kilometres before he even began breathing heavily. His reflexes were quicker, his mind and senses were sharper than he possibly could have imagined.

When necessary he could channel the Force through his body, giving him bursts of energy that allowed him to do seemingly impossible feats: perform full flips from a standing position; survive falls from incredible heights uninjured; leap vertically ten meters or more.

He was completely aware of his surroundings at all times, sensing the presence of others. Sometimes he could even get a feel of their intentions, vague impressions of their very thoughts. He was able to levitate larger objects now, and for longer periods. With each lesson his power grew. It became easier and easier to command the Force and bend it to his will. And with each week, he realised he had surpassed another of the apprentices who had once been ahead of him — trained from a young age.

 

[Kriel Firin]

His training was extensive. Learning was concerned not only with physical and intellectual perfection, but also mechanical skills. Over time he developed extensive knowledge of starship engines and various communication devices and weapons.

One day he learned of a new training room and was instantly curious to see it. He wondered how it would be different to what he was used to. As he wondered how soon he would be shown the new training room, a young Knight sauntered into the room he was in.

“Come with me,” he said. As the Knight took him along a corridor, he waved his fingers at a picture that hung against one wall. The painting slid silently sideways and revealed an open doorway built into the wall. The Knight walked to the doorway, which Kriel assumed was a passage that led to the new training room.

The training room exceeded all of Kriel’s expectations.

 

[Kriel Firin]

“Begin!" the Knight said.

Kriel ran fast across the training room floor, heading straight for the wall. Several months after his arrival in the training room, he was familiar with the routine. He launched off the floor with his left foot, hit the wall with his right, and ran several steps up the wall before he kicked away, flipping his body backward through the air. He landed on his feet, then sprinted back toward the wall and repeated the exercise again. And again.

And again and again.

The Knight watched each move, making sure he performed the exercise exactly as he had instructed. The exercise was designed to build strength, agility, and muscle memory. The Knight had pointed out that if Kriel’s timing was off and he flipped away from the wall incorrectly, he could wind up with a broken neck.

Kriel listened but blocked out the thought. He continued the exercise until the Knight told him to stop. He had learned early on that the learner never asked if it was time to stop. He still bore the scar from asking that impertinent question.

As he landed on his feet, he felt his heart hammering within his chest. He wanted desperately to rest on the floor, but resting was not allowed until the Knight said so.

 

[Kriel Firin]

“Your timing has improved,” the Knight said.

The room had special exercise equipment and weapons, as well as computer consoles that had been programmed to educate and challenge Kriel’s mind and mechanical abilities. He could identify hundreds of star systems, assemble complicated three-dimensional puzzles, and pinpoint the vulnerabilities of nearly every native creature on the most populated planets. And in addition to running up walls, he could walk on his hands, swiftly climb a rope, trot across a taut wire, and leap headfirst through an energy ring and come up standing.

“Now go to console five,” the Knight commanded.

 

[Kriel Firin]

Kriel went to the computer and seated himself before the holoprojector. As he inserted both hands into the console's grip sockets, he wondered what the test would be about this time.

The holoprojector displayed a sequence of three different star systems and rotated each display so the Disciple could see the holographic stars and their respective orbiting planets from various angles. Then the computer cut off the projector, leaving Kriel staring at empty air. The computer said, "Identify the second, first, and third systems, in that order."

Kriel answered quickly. He hoped the computer would next ask him to name the trade route that linked all three systems, because he knew that answer too.

But the computer said, "The first system includes four gas giants. Name the remaining planets that have more than one moon."

Once more Kriel answered without hesitation. Then the computer's audio speaker erupted with a recorded beast's roar.

"Identify the species," the computer droned.

Yet again he answered without hesitation.

 

[Kriel Firin]

The questioning continued. From stellar maps to ship layouts, to droid schematics. All things he’d learned and was supposed to have remembered. He was even tested beyond what he’d been instructed to read, so it was a good job he took each subject so seriously.

Then the topic turned to saber combat and he was repeatedly quizzed on the various Forms. Their strengths and weaknesses. What other Form worked best or worst against them. Duels were played on the holoprojector and he was asked to spot mistakes or predict the next move.

Finally he was tested on Jedi and Sith Lore, as well as the standard Knights of Ren teachings.

The questions continued for several hours. Kriel made only one mistake. As he rose from his seat, the Knight said, “Now go to the ring."

 

[Kriel Firin]

The Knight led Kriel to the ‘ring’, a circular platform that was elevated above the training room floor. Kriel hopped onto the platform while the Knight selected a slender staff made of wood from a nearby rack. Gripping the staff with a single hand, the Knight jumped onto the platform and faced Kriel. “I will attempt to strike you. You will attempt to dodge the strike. Each successful strike or dodge counts as one point. Knocking an opponent off the platform counts as three points. The exercise ends when one of us has scored five points. Understood?”

“Yes.” The word was barely out of Kriel’s mouth when the staff connected with the side of his left leg. He grunted in pain but mostly anger and frustration.

“You forgot to jump,” the Knight said sarcastically.

The Knight swung again, this time angling for Kriel’s right leg. The Disciple jumped. The Knight let the staff's tip bounce off the platform and brought it up sharply to strike the bottom of Kriel’s right foot. The young man tumbled across the platform and came up standing, his eyes burning with fury.

The Knight made a quick jab toward Maul, but Kriel threw his body to the side and rolled, careful not to go over the edge of the platform.

"Your point." the Knight said as it tossed the staff into the air. Kriel ignored the airborne staff and kept his eyes on the Knight. The Knight caught the staff with his other hand, then leaped forward. Kriel dived under the man, and as he somersaulted across the platform, he heard the staff whoosh past his head.

 

[Kriel Firin]

"Your point again," the Knight said. "We are tied." The Knight now rotated his arm so the staff spun like a propeller. He increased the speed of the rotation, transforming the staff into a barely visible blur.

Expecting the Knight to advance toward him. Kriel braced himself to jump away. He was not prepared when the Knight threw the spinning staff directly at him, and he felt the slap of hard wood against the side of his face. The staff fell away from Kriel and landed between him and the Knight.

"I hope you are learning from this," the Knight said. "The score is three to two."

Kriel felt a rush of anger. The Knight’s hand was still descending for the staff when Kriel pulled it to him with the Force. He caught the staff with both hands as he glared at the Knight.

“You win,” the Knight said. “I consider your actions to be worthy of a victory. No Disciple has ever tried that before.”

 

[Kriel Firin]

The next day Kriel arrived at the training room to be greeted by a number of odd rock formations.

“What do you see,” the Knight asked.

“I see rocks.”

The Knight frowned. Then he pointed to the centre of a flat circle of many hundred stones and said, “Go stand over there.”

Kriel did so.

The Knight’s voice was level and had the tone that Kriel associated with the Disciple about to be taught an important lesson, so he paid full attention.

“Disciples always say what you have just said. And not only that, but like you, I expect, you do not think much about rocks. I had hoped for more from you. So I'll ask you again. What do you see?"

Kriel’s eyes scanned the floor, hoping to see something he missed first time around. He saw only rocks. Some were pebbles, others large stones — but they were, at the end of the day, rocks. He did not want to appear foolish but he had no other answer. “I see rocks.”