Private Training with the Diarch

[Aknoby]

Aknoby was in one of the smaller arenas of the Crucible. He looked around the small empty arena but could hear the distant sounds of other training sessions taking place throughout the Brotherhood temple. The sounds of lightsabers, murmurs, and the Force filled the place.

He was wearing his lightsaber with the golden hilt at his waist, but in one of his hands was his double lightsaber, still turned off. He spun slowly, waiting for Reign to appear. He was going to train with him, something the boy had wanted since he saw the combat in the area. The way Reign fought made it clear that he was Djem-so. Aknoby knows Shiem, so there's nothing like completing his training in the V form, and not only that, the way Reign fought was incredible!

Aknoby turns when he hears Reign entering the arena, smiles, and nods his head.

"Thank you for agreeing to train me."

He gives a friendly smile, but inside he's almost freaking out with fanboy excitement.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

The request had not been unexpected, Reign had meant to seek the young Chiss out himself. Though at first it was to chastise him for his behavior during the Diarchs’ duel with Laphisto.

Yet, the fact that the boy wanted to be trained had softened Reign’s ire. He had learned some about the Chiss from Laphisto prior to agreeing to this training session.

Intrigued by the young man, Reign consented, realizing he could also use this time to train restraint and control into him, as he had done with Gavin Vel

Reign entered the arena in training attire this time, more akin to traditional Sith robes once worn by the Sith Lord Darth Maul than his usual military uniform.

As he saw Aknoby the double bladed hilt in his hands and his age reminding him suddenly of his daughter.

As the youth spoke, the Diarch smiled.

“I wouldn’t thank me yet, I’m not as kind as Laphisto. Though I wonder, you may make a good sparring partner for my daughter too.. we shall see”

 

[Aknoby]

Aknoby gave a crooked smile.

"Kind is relative when it comes to Laphisto. He still trains any of us as soldiers."

He tilted his head slightly to the left.

"Daughter?"

He spoke in surprise, as it was the first time he had heard about her, then frowned as he remembered the girl when the Jedi came.

"Ah! Yes."

He smiled slightly and positioned himself, his legs slightly bent at the knees.

"Is there anything I should know before we begin, sir?"

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

Reign assumed his ready stance, his saber not yet lit. The black and gold hilt held at about his belly button, legs spread shoulder width apart and slightly bent.

His eyes locked on to his opponent, for Reign, every duel was a battle of the mind as well as the body. And his stance reflected that, it was dominance, as befitting of the dominion form, Reign’s own variant of Form V.

“Your master advised me of your aptitude for Shien, but know, that’s only half of Form V. You won’t be blocking blaster bolts today, remember that”

It was then the Diarch activated his lightsaber, the snap-hiss accompanied by a blade the color of molten bronze. Reign’s newest saber.

His posture relaxed slightly, attempting to fool his young opponent into thinking he wasn’t taking the session seriously.

“Begin”

the kindness in his voice was gone, replaced by the masterful tone of the teacher.

 

[Aknoby]

He keeps smiling.

"Shien? Laphisto decided to keep my training a surprise then."

One last strong breath as both bronze blades are connected. Strength runs through the young Chiss's body as he advances with speed, spinning the double saber. He quickly changes direction, moving the blade to Reign's right, but without giving him time to steady his footing, he jumps over him without stopping his attack, accelerating.

This is Ataru: attacks in large numbers and fast, without a firm base but moving to make the opponent think and against forms such as Makashi and djem-so, trying to end the combat as quickly as possible, not letting the opponent steady his stance.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

As expected, the young Chiss charged his older opponent. The foolishness of youth.

As his sparring partner pivoted from a swing on his right, to leaping over him, Reign chuckled softly.

“Ataru”

He said as he blocked the attack as it came from above.

Pivoting as Aknoby reached the ground, Reign advanced with a heavy overhead swing. The start of the Falling Avalanche Djem-So move.

Speaking as he did

“Ataru is useful, as a tactic mid battle when I’m already moving. Not when I’m stationary”

Utilizing his far larger frame, he brought several strikes down on his younger opponent.

“Lesson one. Falling Avalanche”

 

[Aknoby]

The young man looks surprised, the blow was not only heavy but fast, he turns off one of the blades and dashes low using his strength, making an arc attack at the height of Reign's legs, now more out of curiosity as to how he would protect himself from the attack than with any chance of hitting him.

Then he jumps, activating the other blade and spinning the double saber, now starting to sweat as he jumps around, sliding low and attacking. The attacks are fast, gauging Diarch's reaction and also his reach.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

Reign turned his blade sideways as the strike came at his legs, blocking the low attack.

As the young man leapt again and came at the Diarch, Reign opted for a more “uncivilized” approach.

Turning barely to the side, Reign dodged the lightsaber strike, but grabbed the young man’s wrist.

Using his own momentum, Reign tossed the Chiss away from him. Creating space to reset.

“You’re sweating”

was all the Diarch said

 

[Aknoby]

"Oof!"

The boy is thrown away, but not far enough to hit a wall. He spins in the air, landing on his feet but leaving a trail behind him, turning off his double lightsaber and putting it away, grabbing the saber that has a guard. It's time to change tactics, but not to show everything yet.

His leg stance changes, Aknoby advances with Ataru's speed and attacks with a lunge, and after Reign's defense, he attacks by advancing, but not with Djem-so's strength, but with Makashi's technique, still maintaining Ataru's style of consecutive attacks, but with lunges, which are faster than cuts.

He smiles, and Reign realizes that this smile shows that the boy enjoys combat. It is not a smile of contempt or of not taking it seriously, but rather of someone who loves lightsaber combat.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

As the attacks come, Reign’s eyes narrow. He recognizes the blade work of Makashi, yet the speed is that of Ataru.

“Interesting”

As the Diarch bats away the lunges, he can’t help but commend the youth in his mind. The combining of forms is essential. However, the footwork of Makashi is a delicate thing.

As he blocks another lunge, Reign goes on the offensive. Utilizing the lightning fast switch from defense to offense that Djem-So is known for.

Reign begins with a series of attacks probing the youth’s defense. Showcasing both the terrifying speed and power of Djem-So.

 

[Aknoby]

Aknoby grits his teeth, maintaining the Makashi stance for a few more strikes, then jumps back, grabbing the other lightsaber. Reign notices that the double saber is actually two sabers joined together.

Aknoby advances, letting the next blow slide off the blade and hit the golden guard, which the older man notices is made of some metal resistant to lightsabers.

The young Chiss moves quickly, using a Force Push not to throw Diarch away but to hinder his movement. He advances, attacking with both sabers, and takes a small leap to the left, attacking with both weapons, then does it again, forward, then to another diagonal, to the side. This time it's not Ataru, the way both blades move in sync. Jar' Kai, and not only that, this time Reign can see that despite his age, the way Aknoby used the blades in unison shows that he is a master in the art of using both sabers together. he mixes in Shiem's restraint and Ataru's sequence of attacks, and shows a certain aggressiveness that is not purely Djem-so's but probably comes from some training in Niman. That said, Aknoby pushes Reign with the Force once again to unbalance him.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

The boy has some training, the subtle use of force powers to attempt to keep the Diarch off balance while he attempts to be more aggressive with Jar’Kai was impressive, if unrefined.

Planting his back foot, and utilizing the force to plant himself there, he again went on the offensive. Starting in a low position, Reign would bring his saber up vertically to force his opponent to block him. Then while they were within the saber lock, Reign would pull back on his hilt, only to push it forward.

As they separate, the Diarch brings his saber in a horizontal slash, starting a brutal series of strikes. Advancing, the force would pour from the Diarch. The youth would feel an overwhelming sense of dread as the Diarch leaked his power into the space between them.

 

[Aknoby]

Aknoby grits his teeth at the first block, and takes a few steps back, but taking advantage of the open space, he parries the next attack and steps to the side, reducing the impact.

Feeling the Force coming from Reign, he is impressed, yes, but also frightened by so much power, yet this fuels his ambition; he wants to reach that level.

He exhales sharply and begins to attack at the same time as Reign, giving it his all, willing to show how far he is willing to go in the training that the Diarch gives him, now mixing Jar'Kai, Ataru, Makashi, Shiem, and Niman. He would lose, but he would not go down like just anyone.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

The boy’s final gambit brought a smile to the Diarch’s face. The first since the training session had begun.

However, while it was an impressive showing, it showed that he was near the end of his rope.
No longer prolonging the fight, the Diarch attacked with his full strength.

As he batted away one of Aknoby’s strikes, the Diarch brought down an overhead strike, only to twirl his lightsaber and leap into the air. Bringing his saber crashing down in a powerful strike known as the Sundering Fall. A move of Reign’s own creation for use in his Dominion form variant of Form V.

 

[Aknoby]

Taking one last deep breath, Aknoby saw the blow coming and smiled, letting the Force pass through his body. If he was going to fall, it would be on his own terms.

He blocked the blow with both sabers, using the Force to strengthen his own strike/defense. He felt his body shake for a few seconds before falling to his knees, breathing deeply.

"Incredible!"

He said with a smile and admiration, ignoring the pain in his arms.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

Reign would immediately deactivate his lightsaber, holding his hand out to the young warrior.

“You did well, rise”

After Aknoby rose to his feet, Reign would clasp his hands behind his back as he walked around the young man.

“The integration of multiple forms is a smart tactic, however, if you are going to do so, you need to control the tempo of the fight.”

He would pause for a moment before continuing.

“The galaxy is full of people more powerful than even myself. Yet that matters not if you can control the fight”

 

[Aknoby]

He stood up, feeling his body tremble, but forced himself to remain standing, slowly letting the Force flow gently through his body, breathing slowly and nodding his head as he listened to Reign.

"I can understand you."

He began to think and review the mistakes he had made in the duel.

"I also understand that Djen-so is very good at controlling the Tempo of combat, correct? I also noticed that there is a difference in your style."

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible | Training Arena
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

Reign watched the youth as he spoke, he had an eye for lightsaber combat, that much was apparent.

“You are correct, yet Djem-So extracts a heavy toll on the user. It is a versatile form, with both the capability of strong defense and incredible offense”

He began walking towards the entrance to the arena, motioning the young Chiss to follow him.

“That is very astute, you are correct. Upon my mastery of both variants of Form V, I set out to truly make the form my own. Leading me to what I call the Dominion Form.”

The training robes the Diarch wore flowed as he walked.

“However, that form is regulated to a singular few. My apprentice Gavin Vel is one such user”

 

[Aknoby]

Aknoby listened attentively, followed Diarch, and pondered the explanation of the form.

"Well, I'm here to take it one step at a time. I need to learn Djem-so, and with time, I hope to learn its variations. I admit that you are an inspiration to me... I want to reach your level of power with the Force and the Lightsaber."

He speaks with a slight smile, his eyes shining with ambition, very Chiss of him.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Crucible Hallways
Tags: Aknoby
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather

---

Through the hallways of the crucible they walked. Passing by students going about their day.

“One step at a time is best, I heard about your little trip to the battlefield on Artisia”

His voice seemed firm but there was a twinkle in his green eyes.

“War is brutal. Painful and awful. Yet I will help you. If you can maintain the discipline I require, I will teach you Djem-So.”

Reign nodded his head to a few of the older students that had taken a battlefield tactics class with him.

“But you must be ready to work”