The Kjoil Heritage

The area of the temple which they used for combat-training had been cleared out of all the usual training-equipment. All the bars and mats had been shuffled aside, leaning against the wall. Skar took notice of all the candles.

A circle of red candles burned around the center of the room, illuminating the domed ceiling. Skar walked into circle of lights, admiring the scene. Taking in the feel of the room, it was prepared for his test. His combat-training was almost complete he knew, yet Master Bo-Hi had told that he needed one more test. And that test was to take place any minute now.

Skar removed the dark-brown cloak, and settled into a crouch. His hands rested on his knees as he patiently waited for the test to begin.

Skar knew that he had been destined to complete this test. His heritage from his family had been the gift of the Force, and that gift required him to use it as best as he could, as a Jedi. His Ka’ckak blood had once been one the most memorable of the Jedi in the days of the Old Republic. He had a lot to live up to, and a lot to learn still. Though he felt the Force, and was able to use it fluidly, gave him some sign that he was on the right path. He felt he was doing good in his training. Master Bo-Hi’s training had been a great asset alongside the Holocron. He doubted he would have advanced as much as he had, without the aid of Master Bo-Hi.

Bo-Hi had given him the physical side of the Jedi Knight’s role, he had taught Skar the use of the lightsaber, and the methods of how to use the Force in such dire situations as close combat. Skar had learned much history from the Holocron, but it would never have taught him close combat as well as Master Bo-Hi had.

Skar’s hand waved through his newly cut hair. He had grown fond of the old Jedi Apprentice-style much more than his old hair. It made him feel more fresh and clean, since there was less to tangle with. The long hair would have obstructed his view in close combat, while the short hair gave him more maneuverability. He felt more like a Jedi. In most of the pictures he’d seen of his uncle Skind, Skind had very short hair. Skar looked very similar to his uncle with the short hair, along with the goatee that Skind had. Skar had shaved off his facial hair, also as a sign of his Apprentice-ship.

Skar rested his hands again on his knees. Waiting for Master Bo-Hi.

"Do you believe you are ready?".

Master Bo-Hi stepped in, dressed in full cloak and hood. He stopped a few paces from Skar, at the edge of the candles. Bo-Hi’s presence always showered Skar with respect. His presence was so strong and wise, everything Skar envisioned a true Jedi to be. Bo-Hi let the hood fall back over his shoulders. He seemed to study Skar for a long time, judging him. Skar remained calm and patient.

Skar replied softly, "Yes, Master".

Bo-Hi smiled, a smile of superiority but also of recognition. Bo-Hi took off his cloak and let it fall without a sound to the floor. Bo-Hi’s right hand fell down on the cylinder, attached to his belt. He held it at his side.

Skar stood and clipped his lightsaber from his belt too.

In perfect unison and coordination they placed themselves in their ready-stance. They stood in the same stance, their handles beside their faces with a clear view of the adversary.

"The goal is to find control of the Force, use it to your best need, in situations where your life may be threatened. The Force, when in battle, can be used for many things. You can predict my moves, feel my intentions, sense where I’m going, when I’m going and where I will strike. If your confidence in the Force is strong enough, you shouldn’t have to worry about my blade. Do you understand?".

Skar rested his shoulders, and gripped hard on the lightsaber. "I understand, Master".

"Then show me".

Bo-Hi bent down in his knees, and jumped at Skar in a leap that brought him several feet above Skar. Bo-Hi’s yellow blade lit up in midair as Bo-Hi let out a quick strike at Skar’s head. Skar bowed and threw himself on his back, lighting up his flame-colored blade and parried the strike. Bo-Hi landed a few feet from Skar. Skar jumped to a stand and then leaped sideways, leaving the area Bo-Hi wanted to attack. Skar circled around to strike Bo-Hi in the back, but Bo-Hi immediately leaped forward and left Skar’s target area.

Bo-Hi landed on his feet and turned to meet Skar head on. Bo-Hi parried Skar’s blow, and slashed at Skar’s side. Skar ducked and again cut at Bo-Hi’s open area. Bo-Hi ducked too and jumped backwards, landing a few meters away. Skar stood still moment calming the rouse he felt, then gripped his weapon better and closed in on Bo-Hi.

Bo-Hi attacked with a series of fast, low cuts, that Skar had little difficulty in deflecting. Skar sidestepped and lunged at Bo-Hi who again circled and deflected the blade. Their blades meshed and sparked together for a while, as Skar and Bo-Hi both pressed against each other. Skar smiled through his teeth and used all of his strength to try and tip Bo-Hi over. Bo-Hi didn’t move.

Finally Skar saw the futility, and disengaged his blade. Instead he placed a foot on Bo-Hi’s chest and kicked him back.

Bo-Hi hadn’t expected that and took two steps back, but never lost control. Skar jumped after him, cutting sideways in midair. The blade hummed and swooshed as it flew right over Bo-Hi’s head. He circled the cylinder in his hand and leaned perfectly into a right cut which Bo-Hi evaded. Skar became more and more impressed with himself.

"Your only weakness is your haste".

Skar took a deep breath and set himself.

Concentration and focus. Pride is of no use in combat.

Skar set himself. He lifted his blade back up and instead of running, he slowly closed in on Bo-Hi using careful steps. Their blades touched once, and were quickly drawn back. Once again they touched and then retracted.

Bo-Hi nodded behind his lightsaber. "Improvisation is important, but think your moves through".

Skar attacked with a long series of easy-to-parry hits that Bo-Hi had no trouble in deflecting. Skar could sense that Bo-Hi was confused with Skar choosing such an easy tactic. Bo-Hi ended the scene with a strong parry, and a kick to Skar’s side. Skar fell down on the mat, his tactic had not worked quite as he planned.

Skar exhaled and laid there for a while. Breathing hard.

"Why such a tactic?".

Skar grinned. "It wasn’t what I had in mind. I was trying something else".

"A diversion?".

Skar jumped to a stand and readied his blade. "Something like that".

Skar joined the battle again, as their session continued for some time. Neither ever got the upper hand, nor did any of them try, before the right time came. Skar had impressed Bo-Hi greatly, still he longed for the battle to end. He longed to know if he had proved himself, though he had a feeling he had. He felt amazing, his moves were cleaner, faster, and more precise than ever. His defenses were perfect. No one could get past him.

The fight reached its close, as they merged in a series of close combat-situations, they could practically touch each other, but their blades would have got their hands off, if they tried.

Bo-Hi reached back with his blade to push Skar back, but Skar pulled up his blade and parried the attack with his lightsaber held vertically. As Bo-Hi’s blade struck against it, Skar pushed the blade forwards, leaning it along Bo-Hi’s blade towards his chest. Bo-Hi realized this a little too late and pushed Skar back with a kick.

Skar fell two steps back. Skar’s face was dripping with sweat, and little droplets of sweat ran over Bo-Hi’s forehead. Skar shut off his lightsaber, and felt the fatigue conquer him.

Bo-Hi shut off his blade too, confused. "Why did you shut off the blade? You’re not finished yet".

Skar raised a finger to point at Bo-Hi’s chest.

Bo-Hi looked down to see a burnmark from the tip of Skar’s lightsaber on the fabric of his clothes.

If Skar had gotten one centimeter closer, Bo-Hi would have been dead.

Bo-Hi’s fingers felt the burnt fabric. His yellow lightsaber shut off and he placed it on his belt. "Close enough".

Skar smiled, laying on the stone floor, grasping for a breath. "I succeeded?".

"Skar, you are one of the best combatants I have ever encountered. Though you must remember to stay focused. You had perfect control at first and you were quick to apply your moves later, to improve them once you sensed my pattern of defense".

Bo-Hi laughed softly.

"Of course the fact that you burnt my clothes, says a lot. I’ve never been that close before".

Skar rose to his feet and clipped the lightsaber to his blade. Skar picked up his cloak and donned it. He bowed once. "Then I think it is time I retie to my bed, Master".

Bo-Hi stepped over and squeezed his shoulder. "Me too, my young friend. Though I think this will take some time to heal". Bo-Hi smiled a warm smile.

"Do you mean the fabric or your pride, Master?", Skar joked.

Again Bo-Hi gave a warm smile.

"Both".

...Skar Kjoil

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