Iron Sharpens Iron (Mk. 2)

[Brand]

History.

Jedi of old, ancestors of the protectors of the Republic, they cried out to Elk, as real as the physical materials he walked on. He strode quickly through the hallowed halls of the Jedi Monastery of Tython, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was dressed in his typical grey robes, the cowl thrown up, concealing his hammerhead face, which concealed the light battledress he wore underneath. His large blue eyes gazed solemnly out of the shadow, his blue eyes a lone light in the darkness.

Elk felt the last wisps of sleepiness draining from his weary muscles; he called on the Force, feeling its warmth and power spreading over him like a warm blanket. Dumaw was secure in it's grasp as he headed to a training session with a completely new master. Elk knew he would need the strength and comfort only it could provide him.

Elk's feet slapped lightly against the cold stone, his feet clad only in comfortable bantha leather flip flops. His dual lightsabers rested reassuringly against his waist, attached to a utility belt secured around his midsection. Dumaw turned a corner, surprised to see he was this close to his new master's personal quarters. Elk pulled himself up to his full height, an imposing 7'2", and depressed the small tan button to the side, alerting the occupant he had arrived.

Elk recalled hearing that Adam Delenzik was a skilled combatant, a member of the Republic Marine Corps. He was a hardened war veteran, and skilled practitioner of the Force, and Elk wondered how that would translate into their training.

 

[Mars]

Tython.

The world was the epitome of serenity despite being located in one of the most dangerous parts of the galaxy. A planet of rolling plains and calm forrests in the Deep Core, an area characterized by the supernovas of colliding stars. It was here, in one of the Order's oldest temples, that a particular Jedi Master made his home.

Although the young Master had gotten his start and done most of his initial training at the main temple on Coruscant, he had moved to the Tython facility as soon as possible, which ended up being after he served his term in the RMC. His brown eyes shone a soft blue as he floated a couple feet off the floor in a meditative position. It was one of his favorite activites. It was an absolutely amazing feeling uncomparable to anything else, to lose one's self in the flow of things and wander their surrondings in the Force. The light side was a truely beautiful thing. The calm comforting nature of it was what he adored, not its power to destroy the wicked, something that further sheltered him from any potential fall to the Dark Side.

A small buzz awoke him from the meditative trance and he lifted himself up to stand on his legs, cutting the flow of power that kept him levitating and returning his eyes to their usual brown color. This one's connection to the Force was the stuff of legend. He wore standard brown Jedi robes over a white shirt and grey pants with grey boots, the only thing remarkable about him would be the lightsaber clipped to his belt. He knew who was at the door already and opened it by telekinetically flicking a switch on the other end of the room. Outside stood his newest student, Elk the Ithorian.

"Greetings Master Dumaw. I'm Adam, how're you on this fine day?"

 

[Brand]

The doors slid open smoothly, revealing his master. Delenzik was on the shorter side, but physically fit and handsome by human standards. Elk bowed deeply, barely reaching Adam's level, before stepping inside. His standard Jedi robes betrayed a simpleness to the man that Dumaw immediately liked. "I'm doing well, master. It's nice to finally meet you in person. How are you?"

Elk stepped inside, taking in his simple surroundings. The room was like most Jedi's, modest and small. Reaching out with the Force Elk could feel the concentrated and focused power of Delenzik; this man was a calm storm, a peaceful storm, but capable of unleashing devastating power. This was a man to be respected. This was a man of power.

Elk threw back the hood of his cloak, revealing his green brown skin. His huge blue eyes trained on his master, intent on his coming words.

 

[Mars]

Adam had been told his new student was an Ithorian and he had dealt with the race before, but never one so large as his new student. He gave the padawan a once over to check his equipment. What a man wore and carried could tell you a good deal about him. A pair of lightsabers and the light battle dress he wore beneth his robes suggested a more warlike nature. Not neccesarily a bad thing, it seemed to be the route the Order was heading in this conflict filled time.

"Likewise. I've noticed that you wear armor and a pair of legitimate lightsabers, have you ever seen real, live combat?"

Delenzik, much like his father, had seen combat in numerous areas following completion of his training during his time with the Marine Corps. He'd climbed up the officer ranks to Captain by the time Denon had happened and currently held the position, only having served six years in the Corps. It was important to him to know if the man had seen live action or merely dressed the part.

 

[Brand]

Elk dipped his head. "I have. My master was killed in an engagement on Honoghr." Dumaw flicked his eyes shut but opened them again, fighting back the flood of memories. It had only been three months, three long, hard, months. "I've participated in numerous skirmishes and such, but that was a larger battle, by my standards, anyways."

"I am most comfortable as a warrior, a guardian of the Republic. I feel that is the path the Force has led me down, and I embrace my role, whatever that may be." A small, Ithorian smile crested his face. "I'm sure my experience pales in comparison to yours, though, master. Your reputation precedes you."

 

[Mars]

Adam nodded his head forward, acknowledging the grief of his student about the death of his old master. It was sad when one you're close with passed away, but his Master had likely found peace in death and passed on to the light, to become one with the Force. Delenzik did not fear death as the end of his time, he embraced it as the next step in life.

"Death, yet the Force. Never forget this Elk."

The young man continued to speak, explaining that he felt most comfortable as warrior and guardian. His experience in battle was nothing to sneeze at but he'd yet to be involved in a full scale battle. In due time however.

"Do not become so comfortable as a warrior that you forget your other roles. We seek peace first and foremost, if that peace must be accomplished through superior firepower, then so be it."

Adam cracked a small smile and winked as he spoke. Whilst the Master took his job seriously one would go insane if they didn't have some sense of humor. He'd spent enough time in the Corps to learn that much.

"Tell me, what do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you hope to accomplish as a Jedi? Merely the elimination of the wicked in defense of the Republic is a goal that will end you, I've seen it happen to men greater than I, and ultimately result in falling to the dark side as you seek to level the playing field."

 

[Brand]

Elk nodded, taking in the Master's comments. His advice was pertinent, and Elk would endeavor to take it to heart. Adam's smile was an easy, confident smile, one that radiated a calm readiness.

"Tell me, what do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you hope to accomplish as a Jedi? Merely the elimination of the wicked in defense of the Republic is a goal that will end you, I've seen it happen to men greater than I, and ultimately result in falling to the dark side as you seek to level the playing field."

Elk thought for a moment before responding. Composing his words in his deep, rumbling voice was always a challenge, especially for a language that was not easily pronounceable to his physiology. The Ithorian chose his next words carefully but with assuredness. "I believe that while my primary role will be as a physical defender of the Republic, peacekeeping and the goals that I strive for must also be upheld with integrity and negotiation. I think that my skills like in oration, putting things smoothly into words, and upholding the law. I am a skilled warrior, but humility has always been something I have struggled with. My creed as a Jedi has always been to defend the weak, maintain the Republic union, and be seen as a representative of the Jedi Order as a classical weapon of the Force. I have worked to achieve this by honing my abilities with the Force but especially the lightsaber."

Elk paused. "I will admit to you, though, that manipulating the Force in combat and out is not my strong point. I can meditate on the Force for hours and hours, but I've never felt called to dedicate my life to spreading peace and harmony throughout the galaxy. Especially after the death of my master, I have seen the highest and lowest points of our existence, and as I'm sure you know, it is not pretty, or beautiful. I have always been a man of action, not prone to stand idly by, and I cannot see that changing in the near future."

 

[Mars]

Adam focused on what Elk said, taking in the words and trying to put together a lesson plan based around what he could do. Delenzik was wise beyond his years according to most masters and this new student in front of him showed a small flash of that by being able to admit his weaknesses. He had put a good deal of effort into working with his lightsaber through the years because of how versatile the weapon was, his mastery of Soresu provided him with a nigh impenetrable wall of defense against others. Something told him Elk would have a different stance on the weapons though. If trained correctly he could be the hammer to Adam's anvil.

That right there was a scary thought for most dark siders.

It worked out nicely the way their abilities lined up. If Elk was capable of penetrating Adam's defense then he could do so against most other's he'd face and whilst he may not be too talented with the Force yet, that was his master's strongest area. Before long, Elk had finished.

"You are capable of admitting your weaknesses, I like that in a person. Those who think themselves invincable are the first to fall in battle. The desire to bring peace to others will come eventually. You're still young and were forced to deal with the death of a loved one early. A man of action is what is needed in today's galaxy where war is everything but one who acts without a moments thought ends poorly. Note, I'm not suggesting you sit waiting while you debate your options, but know the consequences of your actions."

Adam took a breath and relaxed his tone a bit as he started to speak again.

"In other news, I'm glad you like lightsaber combat, it's not an area I'd found particularly pleasure in early on but I've mastered the defensive aspect of it quite well. I almost feel bad for the wicked that shall face us together in the future Elk, almost."

He smiled towards his Ithorian apprentice and patted him on the shoulder as he made his way towards the door. Now would be a good time to see how good the student was. They'd head outside to a small meadow near the treeline where they could practice in relative peace. On his way towards the door Adam tugged a trio of training sabers towards them and took one whilst holding two in the air in front of Elk.

"Take those and follow me. We'll run some lightsaber drills to see how good you are."

 

[Brand]

Elk smiled back at Adam, the semblance of his expression compared to Delenzik's almost frighteningly alien.

Dumaw fell in quickly behind Adam, slowing his long strides to keep pace with his master. He took the lightsabers calmly, twisting them and turning them in his hands, becoming familiar with their feel. He left his two personal lightsabers sitting on a bench, confident in the integrity of his fellow Jedi. The two men stepped outside, a peaceful meadow in front of them. Elk stepped forward, grateful for the soft grass on his bare feet. He strode forward, his long legs propelling him quickly onwards to about 20 feet away. He turned and faced his master, calling on the Force. It swirled inside him, picking up speed and strengthening his muscles. The Ithorian felt strong, powerful, and he pulled himself up to his imposing full height.

Elk felt his opponent out, beginning to circle around the meadow. He took up a Niman fighting stance, igniting his dual training sabers with an intimidating snap hiss. He brought them into a typical but aggressive battle stance after swinging them experimentally, his long arms arrayed in a precise fashion. He looked for any weaknesses, faults he could find in Adam's defense early on, and knew he could easily be worn down by the defensive style Delenzik would employ. Elk would have to be reserved at first, not giving away too much, before hitting hard and fast. Adam had the advantage of defensive skill, but Dumaw had the stamina to withstand.

 

[Mars]

Adam watched as Elk called the Force into his sizeable frame and begin to size him up. His opponent had long limbs, and therfore a long reach, but if Adam got inside the Ithorian would be in for a world of trouble. The Jedi Master wasn't against causing an injury or two during training as there was little the skilled healer couldn't fix.

He wouldn't be the first to attack though, at least with his lightsaber, Elk would have the honors in that regard. The training saber in Adam's right hand ignited with a snap-hiss and he held it with his right hand, the blade running vertically parallel to his body. His first display of the Force in front of his newest student would now occur.

Adam too called the Force to his body.

The omnipresent energy inundated his body and a grin crossed his face as a tingle went down his spine. The Force was like a blanket around the body of the Jedi Master, his control of it shocking if witnessed for the first time. A small ball of energy came in his hand as he balled it into a fist and aimed it in Elk's direction. As his palm was revealed again a blast of telekinetic energy roughly two meters wide hurtled towards the Padawan, strong enough to drive the large Ithorian onto his arse but still possible to avoid. However, this required very little energy in the deep reserves of the Commandant's son, a drop in the pond.

 

[Brand]

Elk felt the Force rush into Adam, filling him. The ball of Force energy surged into existence, and instinctively he threw up a protective shield around himself and began to dodge to the right. Elk leapt to the side, but the ball moved quickly, catching him in the legs. He performed landed, but shakily, watching Delenzik. He let out a powerful sign, impressed at the man. He was a powerful Consular of the Force, and Dumaw knew he would do well to be wary of his abilities. He could see he needed to make the first lightsaber strike, to take the initiative set forth to him and run with it.

Elk intended to. Literally.

The Ithorian charged forward, the powerful muscles of his long legs propelling him forward at great speeds, aided by the Force's strength. He reached his master in a matter of seconds, and brought his right blade in with a thrust that was designed to attract his master's attention away from his left blade. If his master was quick he could bat the blade away and block his sidecoming blow, which only fueled the strength in Elk's left blow. He brought his blue lightsaber in quickly, and like a viper to the pray it soared up, aimed directly for Delenzik's kidney area, the perfect bisection blow with real lightsabers.

 

[Mars]

Adam reacted quickly to his speeding apprentice, as fast as Elk was, he was much faster. A combination of his time spent on Carida and Delenzik's refinement of Force Speed ensured that he was little more than a blur in combat when needed. Adam's blade flashed forward to deflect the second strike whilst he caught the first blade....with his hand? Yes, Adam stopped the first training saber in it's tracks with his palm, using a bit of tutaminis to block the energy from actually making contact.

They stood face to face for but a second, Adam leaping over his apprentice and using the force to create a scissor with Elk's own lightsabers heading towards where his neck met his shoulders. It'd be difficult for the Ithorian, to say the least, to resist his strong telekinetic grip on the sabers combined with Adam's momentum of leaping over him.