If You Can Dodge A Wrench, You Can Dodge A Lightsaber

[Xan]

It had been some time since Xanthus had last trained other Force adepts, though he was strangely eager to return to that particular method of passing the time. It was interesting to impart knowledge to others, considering the fact that you then got to see how they would use said knowledge. Though today's particular training session was not to be anything overly groundbreaking, it would at least be entertaining for the master. Entering into a decent-sized room that he assumed was meant for some form of recreational activity aboard the Rebel Dawn, Xanthus set down a large bag that he had brought with him with a solid -thunk- sound. While true that today's training session would be nothing groundbreaking, that did not necessarily mean that it had to be boring. After all, learning to enhance one's reflexes through the Force sounded promising even before one considered how entertaining one could make that particular lesson. "Now let's see..." He said as he bent down to open the bag and search through its contents, checking to make sure that everything that he required was inside. A lightsaber he pulled from within he attached to his belt, though everything else he left as it was. "Right. I guess that all that's left for me to do now is wait." As was his habit, Xanthus had arrived to the designated area early, about half an hour early to be exact. It was his opinion that spending some time thinking about the subject that one was to teach just before the actual lesson improved the quality of the lesson, and so he sat down for a moment and began to think about the various fine points of enhancing oneself through the force with an emphasis on agility and reflexes.

 

[Minuteman75]

Wearing tan combat fatigues, Forim Viridux made his way across the Rebel Dawn's hallways. His destination was a recreational room being used for a training session. Of course, this wasn't just a any normal lesson about how using a gun or fly a starfighter. Far from it, the upcoming session dealt with the Force, something that was still very much a mystery to the Duros pilot despite his affinty with it. Months ago Forim had found out that he was a force sensitive, a very disturbing revelation it had been for him considering his past experiences with the Sith.

He still had horrid nightmares sometimes when he slept, remembering how the Sith viciously slaughtered his people and their Jedi allies during Duro's genocide. The way they used force powers to commit the massacre were sights he couldn't forget even after eight years.. Needless to say the experiences had shaped Forim's view of the Force as something to fear. Yet to be honest with himself Forim knew he couldn't hide away the fact of what he had within him and wish it away.

Despite his natueral hesitation about it, the ace pilot knew he had used the force sensing danger before many times in his young life by instinct though wholly untrained. Then there is the reality of that the rebellion was going to have future clashes with the Sith Imperium eventually. As such Forim concluded he needed to prepare for it, knowing he won't be always be fighting the cockpit of a starfighter. So in essence the young Rebel signed up with the force training offered by an ex-imperial knight as a military necessity noting more.

In the back of his mind Forim wondered who else will be at this session becuase there was likely others strong in the force yet untrained. Thinking those thoughts he arrived at his destination and opened the door then entered inside. There he look up and saw a human with a lightsaber attached to his belt and large bag on the side. Realizing it was the former knight, Forim nodded in repesct to Xan and said.

"Reporting in as instructed sir."

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Jahairal Val Kharon walked through the halls of the Rebel Dawn, listening to the soft hum of power coursing through the ship and the clack of his footsteps as he paced over the hard metal floors. The kaleesh wore his usual off-mission attire, a closed tan jacket and pants, cloth wrappings around his feet and hands, and of course a painted skull mash and head wrapping around it. The abundance of white clashed with the dark reddish brown of his skin, and the two golden slit eyes that peered behind the masks empty sockets. Those golden orbs watched where he walked nervously, venturing towards the training area as he memorized the route to the recreational room.

It had been some time since the kaleesh called this ship his home of sorts, yet was still not entirely used to living in an artificial bastion of life such as this station. He no longer dreaded seeing the dotted blackness of space or was kept up by the constant tone of the ships noises, but it still unnerved him somewhat to stay on this ship, preferring the vastness of an open world to the confines of a space station or ship. He'd done his best to spend as little time aboard as possible, joining whatever activities allowed him travel off this vessel and onto solid atmospherically friendly worlds as he could.

As such, Jahairal was more then a little on edge as he made his way towards his current destination, into the ships interior, in order to address a problem of his. He was force sensitive, in tuned to the great power which coursed through the galaxy, if not the universe. Yet his skills in using the force, the gift he'd been lucky enough to receive, left much to be desired. It left him feeling like a Qosarkhi, someone who had a rank but didn't deserve to have it. And it was for this reason that Jahairal had been so eager to sign on for this lesson, for he would be learning how to use the force more. Better yet, his instructor would be someone familiar with the Imperial Knights, the order he'd joined just as they'd fallen on hard times.

And if anyone could teach him how to live up to being an Imperial Knight, it'd be this force practitioner, this Xanthus, who could do it.

The thought perked up the kaleesh's spirit as he finally arrived at the training area, spotting two people already there as his eyes travelled between the two. A human and a Duros, the human standing next to a bag and carrying a Avar Aesha Parthavash, a sword of mornings light, on his belt. He'd rarely seen a lightsaber, having had the privilege to hold one only once before, and made it clear who would be instructing the pair of trainees this day.

He walked towards the two with his head held up high, making sure to look xanthus in the eye as he bowed to him. "Greetings to you, Ser Xanthus. "My name is being Jahairal Val, of clan Kharon. It is an honor to be meeting you." He said as formally as he could before rising from his bow. His grasp of galactic basic had improved much since he first arrived, though there were still a few ticks and quarks he'd need to work out. His optics looked towards the Duros as he bowed his head, less low then he had to Xanthus, "Greetings to you as well, Anjaabi." He said, using the word for stranger to address the man.

 

[Xan]

When the first of the two individuals entered, he would find Xanthus with his eyes closed in concentration. The sound of the man entering would cause the ex-Imperial Knight to open one eye however, followed by the other when he saw who it was that had entered the room. "Ah, hello there. You must be...Forim, if I'm not mistaken." Xanthus said as he rose to his feet and dusted off the clothing on his legs. For a moment, he looked at Forim with a strange expression before he simply laughed quietly. "No need for the formalities. When you train with me, just call me Xanthus." A hand was extended for the shaking as the ex-knight made his declaration, though whether it was accepted or not the extremity would soon be placed behind Xanthus's back to clasp the other. "And now we're simply waiting on...aha, here he is." A few moments later, Jahairal stepped into the room and greeted Xanthus and his training partner. For his part, Xanthus simply nodded towards his other student of the day before speaking. "And greetings to you as well, Jahairal, though there's no need for the 'Ser.'"

A cloud crossed over Xanthus's eyes for a moment as looked off into the distance, though he returned to the business at hand swiftly enough that there might have been doubt that the event had even occurred. "I haven't considered myself to be a 'ser' anything for quite some time. At any rate, go ahead and introduce yourselves to each other, as I find that it's always better to know the name of the person that you sweat next to." After giving the two men a moment for introductory purposes, Xanthus reached once more into his bag and pulled out two cylinders very much akin to the one that he carried on his waist. He placed both of the devices in the air and allowed them to simply hang where they were for the moment, though he did gesture towards them when he next spoke.

"Well alright! Welcome to basic force reflex training. Let me first begin by giving you a breakdown of my teaching method: first, I will provide a short lecture about the topic at hand. Then I'll demonstrate the topic, which is in this case increasing one's reflexes and agility through the power of the Force. I'll then walk you through performing the technique, and finally you will demonstrate a basic version of what you have learned." Here Xanthus paused to allow what he had just said to 'soak in.' As well, he pulled the lightsabers from the air with his hands and handed each of the students one of the weapons. "I don't know your background with lightsabers, but I will recommend that you always have one during training exercises concerning the Force. Perhaps you do not primarily use lightsabers, but if you ever cross a Sith then it would be good to at least be familiar with the feel of the weapon. For now, you'll use these that I've set onto training mode, but don't activate them just yet since we haven't gotten that far. Alright, any questions so far? Comments? Declarations?"

 

[Minuteman75]

Forim was sliently relived that he didn't have to stick to formalities with Xan and small smile escaped his face? Then as he suspected would happen another student appeared and it was a Kaleesh, a member of the species that the infamous General Grievous hailed from. Of course this fellow wasn't cyborg like the dead warlord and Forim was mindful enough to not bring up that subject.

The Rebel pilot had seen a couple of Kaleesh before during one smuggling job a year ago, they were a unit mercenaries that his former boss hired to protect a shipment he was trying keep some two-bit pirates away from and by the Force they not only saved the cargo those mercs killed all the pirates too.

No doubt this guy right here was a warrior though a young one but Forim had no intention of pissing him off if he can help it. He return the bow his fellow rebel gave and said

"Same to you mister, the name's Forim Viridux."

Once the introductions were out of the way, Forim notice the metal cylinders Xanthus brought out and hung them in the air through the forice then listen to what he had to say. Forim had something similar to this once or twice with his last trainer, ex-Jedi Saul Perth though that was while ago and he haven't really been practicing due to the work-load in the rebellion. Thankfully that going to change now.

Then after a pause, Xan further explain the need to of being familiar with lightsabers like them once before as he handed the weapons to him and Jahairal. The more Forim thought about it, the more he realize it made sense. By the time Xan asked if they had anything to say Forim flash a new confidant smirk and simply stated.

"Bring it on."

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Jahairal gave a nod to Forim at his introduction, still taking everything in and working to keep himself focused. Questions buzzed in his mind, about both the man training the two of them, and the person he'd be training besides. He'd seen a few of his species members before, but never learned their names. He'd need to ask later, in a way that wouldn't come across as rude.

His yellow eyes went to Xanthus, curious as to the mans background and why he favored less formal means of address. He burned with curiosity but all thoughts were phased out of his mind the minute he saw the cylindrical hilts floating in the air, pupils going a bit wider then normal as he looked to the weapons. Even with how lousy at math Jahairal was, it didn't take much brains to figure out that there were two of them, and two sabers hanging before them.

Jahairal was always fascinated with weapons, and with lightsabers especially. Hearing tales of Qymaen jai Sheelal's use of 4 such weapons in battle used to be his favorite tale as a lad. Now he was actually going to use one, for training! And as Xanthus handed jahairal the saber, the kaleesh looked over the weapon with fascination, turning it over in his hand and making sure to keep the blade end facing away from him.

"Incredible..." He muttered to himself, stopping himself from igniting it just as he heard xanthus's instructions not to do so. Hearing xanthus ask for questions and declarations, the kaleesh paused a moment as he found himself talking aloud.

"I have never used a lightsaber. I have ever been holding one once..." He said as he looked from Forim to Xanthus, slowly nodding his head as a look of steeled determination blazed to life in his eyes. "I understand and am ready. I will not dissappoint." He said, making it sound much more like a vow than a declaration and burning with anticipation before a smile began to play behind his mask, fingers tapping lightly as he shifted the hilt in his grasp.

"So Exciting..." He said to himself under his breath, sounding eager and giddy to get started.

 

[Xan]

"Excellent." Xanthus said as he cracked his knuckles and rotated his neck in an attempt to stretch and crack that as well. When finished, he nodded and took a rather deep breath, the kind that prepared one to do a large amount of speaking all at once. It was well that the students at least seemed to be excited and interested about learning about the Force. It was, after all, always good to go into a new subject with enthusiasm if one could at all help it. It would help with the sweating that was to be done later.

"As you may perhaps be aware, those who are blessed enough to wield the powers of the Force are said to have reflexes that border on the supernatural. In fact, the reflexes and agility of the Jedi Knights are legendary. Though a relationship with the Force will hone one's reflexes over time automatically, the most well-known examples of Jedi speed and dexterity have been the direct result of their learning of this technique. At its utmost mastery, it is even possible to use the Force Reflexes technique to move faster than the average human eye has the capability of perceiving. There are some Jedi Masters and Sith Lords who have attained this degree of skill, though don't worry; they started out just as you will start today. There has never been any such thing as a born Master. Just pay attention to me and I'll walk you through the technique in a moment."

At this point, the ex-Imperial Knight once more reached into his bag and pulled out two medium-sized bags that made the sounds of small things crashing against each other as the bags moved. One bag he tossed at each of the men standing in front of him, at which point it would likely be obvious that the bags were filled with small rocks. "But first, a demonstration, followed by an explanation on how I perform the technique." The demonstration was fairly obvious, to the point wherein Xanthus actually doubted that an explanation was required, though he would give one anyway just out of pure habit. "Whenever you're ready, go ahead and attempt to hit me with a few rocks. Do whatever you want in the attempt, just hit me." Xanthus said with his arms crossed at the chest and his feet spaced evenly.

 

[Minuteman75]

The lecture about the Force reflexes was interesting to say the least. To be able to use such speed was very exicting and familiar since he raced on speeder bikes for years. Though the bit about having a relationship with the force was strange and less appealing, it reminded him of the time he had to take his former boss' niece for dinner to keep him happy or be else be fired.

Some things don't change. Oh well at least I don't have to a pay a dinner bill for this date.

The thought amused Forim who smiled until he saw Xan pull out two smaller bags and tossed one to Jahairal and him. Opening it, Forim saw the pile inside was little rocks and the instructor then pretty stated for them to throw these babies at him to prove his point. Grabbing a chunk with his left hand Forim put the bag down and then afterward as fast he as can threw the rocks right at Xan.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Jahairal looked to the bag of rocks in confusion, looking back up to xan to see if he were serious about his request. And sure enough, he was, jahairal picking up one of the rocks as he looked back to the duos trainer.

He wasn't sure how this was going to demonstrate what Xanthus had told them about their connection to the force, and the relationship therein. But he trusted the knight as he tossed the rock underhanded like a skipping stone, aiming for the knights body as the rock soared through the air towards him. He threw another and another, tossing them in a sideways snapping motion to give them rocks some momentum, hoping he was doing what the knight wanted them to as he aimed those for his waist.

 

[Xan]

Of matters of Light and Dark, Xanthus being well practiced in a perfectly balanced concentration of the two, has no focus requirement to lean towards one or the other in order to properly raise the Force; whereas for others drawn towards either Light or Dark, would need stir like emotions to succeed. On the Battlefield under duress Jedi would need be calm, focussing on the Light, Sith would need to focus on the darker natures of his inner demons. Upset either Force Sensitive with the emotional influence of the other extreme, and the Jedi and Sith will falter in their concentration in the Force. For Xanthus, it is nothing to successfully utilize the Force with whatever he is currently feeling at the moment, so much that many would not even sense him to be one practicing anything of the Force at all.

As Forim and Jahairal tossed their rocks at him, he brought every molecule in existence around him into focus through Force Reflex. Xanthus' visual perception increased, in regard to follow how the rocks propelled through the air, and estimate their trajectory. Electrical impulses surged through his heightened nerve endings to ready the potential of every muscle, to contract and bend his body at just the right moment in order to evade them.

Watching him, the two would witness what appeared to be no more than the man standing still. Perhaps the jerk of his body to one side or the other would hardly be believed, as it was so extremely quick, one would have only suspected that he moved and disbelieved their eyes. More to disbelieve, would be the fact that the rocks appeared to have travelled directly through him.

Xanthus rightfully understood how they would physically perceive his actions, therefore he did not ask them to speak of this, but immediately began to explain how the Force is used to achieve this incredible outcome. "One of the most important things the Force provides you is an additional Sense. It's a keen intuition. It's tied into you and everything around you, unifying us. Control the Force, and control your surroundings. Control your surroundings, and control your particular circumstance."

Xanthus knew he could do this very thing if they were to come at him with the Lightsabers as well. Bullets on the other hand, are certainly not something one would truly know wether they have mastered the ability to evade or not, as practice would prove quite reckless! When you have no other option but to be in the path of a bullet, better to try Force Reflex rather than simply stand there as a target!

"Let the Force lead you. Intuition is not restricted to our concept of time. Listen to your intuition. In battle it is our ongoing perception, of a lot of information. Hone in on the vibrations of your surroundings. Finally, react on instinct. This is the same process we use when we reach out into the air with one hand, and grab a traveling stone out of the air. You know how to do this, even if you do not understand the complex mathematical formula for the Physics. What I hope to teach you, is to broaden your concentration on your surroundings, learn to follow your instincts and react to an increasing number of physical confrontations, and finally increase your speed."

Xanthus opened his palm and commanded the rocks which had been chucked in his direction a moment before, to be called into his hand. "Force Reflex is allowing instinct to grip your mind, reacting to what approaches you without thinking, until the world within which you fight for your continued existence seems to slow, just as with tunnel vision. In reality it is your reaction speed that is increasing."

Xanthus would begin to slowly toss the stones back towards the two men, to either grip or deflect. He would whisper to them at first quietly within the mind, "Control your surroundings." He aimed at lending his power to help them achieve the proper mental focus needed to learn the task.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

'This power...this is what the ancients meant. This is the power of a force user.' Jahairal thought wide eyed as he tossed a rock towards Xan, only for it to apparently phase through him, as if he were merely a mirage. And yet, he was solid, jahairal could tell he was really there, and he could feel it, in his gut, that this was no trick of the mind or eye. Every so often, he'd seen xan make the smallest of movements, but it was surely not enough to dodge these rocks. Yet it was, every time, and even when jahairal threw his rock with as much strength as he could muster, aimed for Xan's throat with the precision of a true marksman, the rock did nothing, nor did Xan, before it hit the wall behind him and clattered to the ground.

His people's ancestors spoke of force users, both jedi and sith, as possessing the power of a god. Spoke of them as if they were living gods. Jahairal had assumed they meant it in the most sincerest of ways as a compliment, to tell others that their skills were above those of their clans alone. Yet for jahairal, seeing what he was seeing, there could be no doubt that this was skill beyond what any mortal could accomplish, even with a lifetime to train. This was the power of the force, a power he had within himself as well.

The kaleesh rose to stand tall, breathing a bit heavily from his fruitless efforts, and looked to the lightsaber within his hand. He could not envision himself with such power, not even now, not even with what he'd accomplished. It just seemed too fantastical to believe, to unlikely that one as unworthy as him had such a gift within himself. He perked up when he heard his instructor talking, listening to his explanations intently.

'An extra sense...that feeling...' Jahairal thought back to some of the harder fighters or situations where he'd been lost, where he didn't know what to do, and the odd feeling he'd get sometimes. A sense, as if he knew what it was he was suppose to do, without having known himself. It was beyond a simple gut feeling, and he tightened his grip on his saber as he nodded along, trying to understand. 'So it's like that feeling, but stronger. I need to make it stronger, and follow it...' At least, he thought that was it.

It was hard for him to really grasp, controlling the force, and yet allowing it to control his actions in this exercise. As his mind tried to wrap around the idea, one that seemed at odds to himself, the first rock was tossed out, and jahairal stepped out of the way of it on instinct. He did so again, and again, his mind wondering how he was suppose to control and be controlled as in his head, something Xan said seemed to stick.

'Control your surroundings.' It was such a simple part of the whole speech, and yet for a reason Jahairal couldn't explain, he kept coming back to it as his mind wandered to trying to solve his problem, as if it were refocusing him on the task at hand. 'Maybe...maybe I'm not suppose to control the force. Maybe I'm suppose to control what the force does for me...' He thought as he continued to dodge the rocks, ducking, or weaving, and for a moment one rock seemed to get slower for a split second, before snapping out of it faster then he could blink. 'Control what the force does, and let it guide me to the goal. The goal...what's my goal?' he thought only for an instance before the answer came to him, 'Controlling my surroundings. Control my surroundings, let the force guide me to it...'

Jahairal than did something he hadn't thought to do, and closed his eyes. 'Let it guide me. Help me control my surroundings...guide me to it.'
, with the thought in mind, jahairal seemed to glide into action as his eyes remained shut, letting his gut feelings and impulses tell him what to do as he activated his saber, the loud hum of the blade wishing as he brought it up quickly to catch another rock, stopping it from heading towards his face. He held the pose, shifting only when another rock was thrown as he let whatever strange feeling that nagged at him to do something do its job, and move his blade where it needed to be to catch the rocks as they came.

 

[Minuteman75]

Even though Forim was by now well aware of how powerful the force but to see the sight of the rocks phasing through Xan a new one. The Duros was stun to say the least, his widen eyes were of proof of it. For a second he thought the instructor somehow had attained ghost powers, but he quashed that thought, finding it embarrassing to think of such a thing. The fact is Xanthus dodged the rocks so fast that it only looked like the projectiles phased through him seemly not moving an inch.

If he can do it imagine what fully trained Jedi and Sith can do? Come to think of it, I have witness something similar to this before in my few encounters with force users.

Xan explained further how to prefect this kind of reflects and it was amazing just to think about the possibilities. By the time it was his and Jaharial's turn to dodge when Xan summoned the rocks through force grip, Forim tried to concentrate but then he remember it was about instinct not thinking. Still it was very hard to not ponder considering what going. Plus he remembered the past lessons he recieved from Commander Perth that reinforced what Xan just said. Yes despite his hesitation about relying completely on the Force and trying to control sounded daunting and even scary.

No don't think just feel you idiot!

Then the projectiles came right at him and the Kaleesh. He heard a whisper that said control his surroundings. Like his partner, Forim activate his saber as he tried to dodge the rocks. One got him in the left shoulder but the Duros open himself to the force and let instinct guide him. Though not as fast as Xan was, Forim twist and turn dodging one rock coming at his head and then blocking another aiming for his center chest with the training blade.

 

[Xan]

Xanthus remained focused. He felt Jahairal begin to grasp the concept of the Force, as it seemed something dormant slipped within reach of his understanding. The truth of his past unknown to those of the Rebellion did not limit his thoughts. He realized how this wasn't like teaching the Crusaders, or the young Acolytes who were brought into the Imperium, sometimes against their will, but always those progressively becoming hungry for power. This is a grown man unlocking his inner potential for the first time in his life. This gave Xanthus an amazing and sudden sense of self worth on a level he had never before experienced. This was a feeling that only coming into a new life path can generate within a man. Maybe an old friend recently passed knew this about life too, and maybe this is what she had hoped for Xanthus to discover by example. Sometimes we do not understand how the events of our own lives, fashion the paths of those whose paths we cross. Following the Force, one can feel like naught but a Pawn to a greater mystery, and question their own sense of purpose. Xanthus may meditate on the Force long and hard, but perhaps not adequately seek answers specific to the purpose of his own existence, leaving him secretly feeling a bit of an outcast today.

The ex-knight knew that eventually, the Force would lead the two men to slip into a particular mode of understanding, and that their learned perceptions of their physical senses would continue to fall away. Jahairal closed his eyes as he diverted the rocks projected at him, to which Xanthus smirked with satisfaction. "Let go of the limiting understanding of your physical senses. Don't fight it, Forim." Xanthus knew it as a lot to ask of any who has been living the life of an average mortal man.

"It is not impossible for a Force Sensitive. Your actual understanding in the Force is most likely beyond what you are mentally aware. Visualize the path of the objects which head towards you, within your mind. Anticipate their destination already determined by the Force. Allow the Force to guide your reaction. The outcome is already determined for you. Tune your body to react to this new realized perception."

The next word, Xanthus spoke into their minds is, 'Sense,' as he let the rocks to spiral now as they made their approach through the air towards Forim and Jahairal. He could see the Force moving around them, ready to gather into a controlled pulse. He knew they would understand better, once they reach this plateau of control.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Jahairal kept his eyes closed, an urge to open them growing as he tried to let go and let himself be guided by the force. He'd done well, better than he could have, but the urge to open his eyes, to see his work rather than leaving it up to fate, was still there. He remembered lessons from his father about how to fire a rifle, to use your eyes and wait for the right moment to fire. His lessons in swordplay, where you always watched your opponent and saw the opportunity to strike with instinct.

This was different, this was almost the opposite in truth, he was not watching anything and allowing instincts to guide him, rather than watching and directing his instincts to strike. The thought made him lose focus for an instant, as his saber went too far past where a rock would have been, and smacked jahairal right in the eye. Pain, followed by a smoldering anger, flashed within jahairal as he processed the blow. He grunted in pain, but kept mostly silent, re-centering his stance as the stinging pain continued to fill his senses.

Senses. The word struck jahairal like the previous thought of control, and jahairal frowned as he tried to get himself back into the swing of things. Letting go had been what he'd had to do, but letting go now, with a constant distraction on his mind, was difficult. His grip tightened on his saber as he tried to raise and block, barely managing to deflect the rock as he tried to recover from his previous blunder. Than jahairal remembered something from long ago, advice he'd learned when first figuring out how to use the force.

"Relax, focus on your breathing. Feel your stress build up and release as you inhale and exhale. If your attention wanders simply return it back to your breathing."

Jahairal breathed in and out, in and out, his breaths slowing with each exhale as his mind began to drift away from the pain in his eye, shifting to his breathing.

'Focus on your breathing, let your instincts do their job...' That one had been from his father, the first advice he;d been given when learning to hunt food. The memories extinguished the anger he'd been building up, and his grip loosened on his saber, shoulders relaxing and eyes unclenching from their struggle to keep closed.

The next rock came spiraling, and in a turn of his wrist, Jahairal spun his blade and blocked the rock in flight, saber turning in the same arch as the rock had as he knocked it aside. It had taken a detour to get through, but jahairal was starting to 'see' it, and sense what it was his instructor was telling him to sense.

 

[Minuteman75]

Forim somehow knew that Xan meant for him to close his eyes, after finishing his newest lecture. It was like Commander Perth said months ago to him, Forim recalled. Still the concept of willingly letting a mystical entity control his body continue to be a forgien notion in his mind. Could he really rely it in such a way all the time? Was not the same thing that lets itself be used abused by the Sith, what if he became like the monsters he hated doing so.

Yet he remember the times where the force aided him over the years without even knowing so until discovering the truth later. Perhaps

He heard Xan's new command in his mind, taking a deep breath then exhaling Forim shut his red eyes still struggling to do so. Suddenly a new thought came through.

Forim let it all go. Forim knew that voice, it was not from his instructor but of a Jedi he brefriended long ago, whom he knew was certainly dead... In reaction, Duros ceased all thoughts for the first time and bind his will to that of the force once again, this time completely. When some of the spinning rocks came at him, Forim was able sense their exact approach and then spiral himself and his saber in an rapid rate that his saber bash away one rock each to the wall on his left. A spilt second he was blurring from right to left and vice versa as another two objects came at him.

When it was over Forim was sweating and breathing hard but smiling nonetheless as he opened his eyes, knowing he had succeed.

 

[Xan]

Xanthus grew increasingly impressed with how much the two grown men could grasp so quickly. They were serious about what they wanted to learn, unlike the commonly self centered, power hungry youth he used to teach. These men understood why they wanted to learn to improve their reflexes; that is to gain a better chance at surviving on the battlefield. Xanthus lead them through the steps required to gain awareness of their true connection with the Force and to heed it's often subtle nudge, intent to set the body into motion. The introduction phase of the lesson is over. Xanthus stopped systematically pelting the men.

"You're both successfully attuned to the Force, I sense this. More importantly, it is clear that you sense this. At best for the moment, you will instinctively react to an attack, action for action. Your adrenaline is peeked, but unlike your non-force sensitive comrades, your mental capacity remains sharp. Throw mental agitation and fear into the mix and you will not fair well; this is why it is key that you relax and learn to trust in the Force. Through the flow of the Force, everything is connected, your enemy's attack and your counter reaction alike."

Xanthus paused for a brief moment, his mind racing to put together what he wanted to reveal next. "Adrenaline is physiologically designed to quicken the reaction response of your muscles, as well as intensify all of your senses. The next step in your lesson is to help you to gain speed. Not just add speed to your muscles, but also to your mental perception of what is approaching you. With Force Reflex when fully developed, the elements surrounding you are perceived by you, to seem as if you become caught in a time warp. Now I do not expect you to achieve this state of mind with complete success, as its forthcoming often feels surrealistic, because it is in complete opposition to the world you experience every day. At first, your mind will be truly startled by what occurs, so much that you will most likely lose the achievement the instant you realize you have successfully tapped into this Power. Remind yourself, that your sixth sense, your Force Sense, is very real, and it has remarkable concepts available to you. All you need is the dedication to unlock, -and opportunity to be taught,- your full potential."

Xanthus stroked his thumb and forefinger over his chin in thought about their next step. It quickly became apparent that his attention became drawn to the corner of the room, where a young woman in a short hemmed dress, took to the task of washing the windows from within the corridor. She dried the glass by pressing her bodice against it, then gave a little wink before strolling away. All but his eyes froze as Xanthus stood and blinked in...disbelief? Surprise? 'Did the Force ever have a hand in the fashioning of...' Xanthus found his inspiration. "Anywho..."

His attention returned to his responsibility. "The aspect of Force Speed is fortifying your reflexes with vigor." Xanthus drew the Force internally. "Focus your energy into your muscles for speed, at the same time you anticipate what your attacker is about to do." He drew and ignited his Lightsaber, moving far more quicker than an average mortal man. After a brief display, he stopped and fastened his weapon again to his utility belt.

Xanthus reached into the duffle-bag at his feet and after shuffling through a few items he withdrew a Training Remote. He turned the generated output down to emit only that of a shock. He released it into the air, and it whirled around in tight circles taking in its surroundings. Then the Master drew a second, and arranged its limitations in like manner. "For this, you definitely want to use the Lightsaber!" he said as a knowing smile crept across his face.

"The Remotes will begin at a slow pace, and progress once you seem to get the hang of it. When you feel a keen sense that your surroundings seem surreal, like your focus is suddenly intensified, raise your hand. You will lose it, rest assured, but focus your mind and try again." Xanthus waited for the students to initiate the Remotes. "Initiate the Remote by igniting the Lightsaber."

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Jahairal watched the small ball curiously, tilting his head as he watched it bob and weave in its circles like some kind of highly obese bug. He wasn't sure what it would do, but he was certain if it was anything like the rocks, that it would require him to continue letting the force help guide his actions. Jahairal drew his saber as soon as Xanthus had told him it was needed to begin, eager to get started and see what would happen. He was finally feeling a bit comfortable, more confident, and he planned to use his new skills well in this trial.

Jahairal didn't close his eyes this time, feeling like he'd need them open to tell what his master was talking about. He felt a sense of anticipation, an itch in his right forearm, a strong feeling in his gut, and pulled his saber up just as the first blast came form the spinning and moving training remote. It was knocked away, and Jahairal looked to his saber and back to the remote with a look of intense surprise, followed by glee. Another strong sensation to his left, and he moved the saber in time to block the next shot, starting to laugh a bit as he did so. This was, well, it was fun. It felt good, and more than that it felt right, like he was relearning how to use a sword again, and all the emotions and memories of home it brought.

He blocked the next shot, and his laughter stopped when the next shot came much quicker, the training remote ramping up its pace as Jahairal reminded himself to keep his mind clear and focused. He had to watch out for what Xanthus had said, as he worked to keep up with the pace the Training Remote was starting to set, as it began to get faster both in movement, and firing speed.

 

[Minuteman75]

Oh more training remotes. Those things should be renamed torture remotes instead. Forim mentally joked upon seeing the flying sphere making its rounds like an out of control asteroid. He had enough experience with it's kind during his past sessions with Commander Perth. But this next lesson added more to it.

In this case it involved a combination of speed, reflex, and senses. This all sounded almost like more like science than mystical, perhaps it's both he considered. Anyway Forim centered himself once more and reignite his saber. Unlike the first time he done this the Duros Rebel was a bit more prepared, it reminded the time he started out learning how to fly. The memory made Forim smile for a second, recalling how he wet his pants after crashing the starfighter he was in years ago.

Yet after suriving the incident Forim learned from his screw-up and became a better pilot for it. In similar way Xan was letting him and Jahairal go through a trial and error phase in this lesson to which the ace actually approve of. Forim once more center himself as he got into his fighting stance again then ingite his own saber. As he done block several shots but as the remotes quicken their rate of fighting Forim felt his defense being stretched.

For a moment doubt threaten to overwhelm but his inner voice screamed no and then surrender himself to the Force like the last time

Utilizing what Xan had added in his intstructions and became even faster than before and began to follow Jahairal's lead. His blocking moves advanced rapidly as his senese increased tenfold. Forim was became like a blur, letting the force guide him. Soon Jahairal and him were about to reach the point that Xan mentioned. If Forim could think about it in that poimt he would be utterly thrilled but instead instinct and the Force had full control over him now.