Chapter Ten (Patreon)

Jedi Master Yan Dooku stared at the paper. The painting did not change, nor did the ornate calligraphy below it.

“I told you she’d be a good match for you,” his traitorous friend chuckled.

“She’s nine.”

“Good, you already know her age.”

“Sy, I’m still recovering from Qui-Gon. I still look over my shoulder whenever I hear a loud bump, I’m just getting back to taking the interesting missions--”

“Just promise me you’ll think about it.” Sy sighed. “I’m not Yoda. I won’t try and force anything on you. I just think the two of you would be well-paired.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her for the next few years,” Dooku acquiesced. “But no promises.”

“Of course,” Sifo-Dyas smiled. “I could ask no more.”

*

As much as Ali’ya enjoyed Makashi, she knew the style wasn’t going to be her primary one. It was exact and exacting, precise and cutting. It pulled at her heart, but not at the Force, and for that reason alone Ali’ya knew there was something else that would speak to her more.

She found the answer in Soresu. Initiate-level classes in the Third Form of lightsaber combat were rare. The only reason they were being offered at all was due to the fact that Battlemaster Girova was looking for someone to train as his successor. The Temple’s rumor mill claimed that there were three knights he was looking at: the Human Cin Drallig, the Twi’lek Anoon Bondera, and the Weequay Sora Bulq. That each of them were offering classes encouraged the rumors. Drallig offered classes in Ataru and Bulq in Soresu, while Anoon Bondera went the unorthodox route of offering Teras Kasi classes. A highly lethal form of unarmed combat, Teras Kasi was said to have been created specifically to oppose Sith and Jedi during the Sith Wars of Revan’s period.

On her way to her Soresu class, Ali’ya passed Master Drallig’s Ataru session. The salle was crowded, so much so that only a handful of the initiates and junior padawans could practice at a time. The sight made Ali’ya glad she chose to take the Soresu class instead, for upon entering she was one of only a handful of students. There was Initiate Trevor from Dragon Clan, Padawan Koth (the padawan of the famed Herglic Jedi Guardian Kosul Ayada, who was off-world settling a border dispute along the southern Corellian Run), Initiate Tri’len from Clawmouse Clan, and herself. The smaller class allowed for much more in-depth training. Almost as good as the one-on-one sessions she occasionally had with Master Dooku.

From her first kata, Ali’ya knew Soresu would form the basis of her lightsaber style. The movements felt natural in a way Makashi never had. They came easily to her, the Force aiding her form before she could even ask. It felt like breathing. As they sped up the exercises, moving through the katas at double speed, Ali’ya felt herself slowing down. Not in her movements, which remained fast as ever, but in her mind. She calmed, letting the Force flow through her. It guided her movements, slipped through her limbs and training blade, shifted her feet and lifted her legs. She closed her eyes and embraced the Force. Here she was protected from the past and the future, caught in the eternal present as the Living Force guided her actions. She moved faster, dancing the the internal beat. She heard drums, flutes, and stringed instruments. She heard singing, songs in Togorian, in Dai Bendu, in a language she did not yet know but perhaps one day would. She danced faster and faster, losing herself to the rhythm of the Force.

*

Sora Bulq couldn’t help but smile at the sight. It was a rare one, even amongst the Jedi. He had not expected to find such a sight in one of his classes, let alone with a youngling. There was a reason he elected to teach Soresu. It was important, yes, and the foundation of his own preferred style of Shien. But more importantly it was a defensive style. A calm, enduring style that was ill-favored by the more hot-blooded of their order. Sora had little time for them. He knew he would not become Battlemaster. He had not the patience for such a task, something he shared with his friend Yan. He had hoped that Knight Bondera might take the job but choosing to teach Teras Kasi--something that was none of the approved lightsaber forms, and yet more intent of lethality than almost any of them--had all but destroyed that chance. Drallig would be the next battlemaster. He was calm, steady, and traditional. He would not advance the Order, but neither would he let it decline. Sora supposed that would have to do.

His students left the salle quietly. Though they did not understand what they saw as the initiate danced, they could feel its weight in the Force. The young Togorian, not yet ten, was finding her inner form. It was Soresu, mostly, though a few Makashi moves were thrown in as well, some Djem So and Shien--forms she could not have yet learned--added in. The Force did not give everyone this chance. Most Jedi needed to develop such a form for themselves, though only the Guardians usually bothered to do the work required to create their personal style. Nor was this gift--the Battle Trance--a substitute for such work. It was merely a beginning, a hint at what one ought to study. Sora Bulq had such a trance when he was younger and it was likely the only reason he was approved to learn Juyo before attaining a Mastery.

Sora watched as the initiate danced. There were unorthodox moves to be certain--kicks, for instance, and claw attack, both of which took advantage of the initiate’s natural abilities--but for the most part it seemed to be well within the standard traditions of the Jedi. Heavily reliant on Soresu, with the occasional Shien deflection for more full defensive covering. On rare offensive katas--perhaps one out of every fifteen or twenty--she used Makashi with infrequent Djem So elements that (once the style was fully developed) would allow her to take advantage of her species’ natural strength and size. It would take decades for her to fully learn the various forms and methods her Force-decreed style would require, but once she did . . .

There was a reason Soresu masters were among the most long-lived. Soresu could not win a fight on its own, but it could survive anything. And true to the form’s nickname, the initiate was enduring. Sora’s timer went off, signaling the start of her third hour. Even at triple speed the initiate was managing to continue and though her breathing was heavy it remained steady.

*

Ali’ya stumbled. Her foot caught on something and she tripped. The Force retreated, and she felt soreness extending throughout her body. It was a sensation she was familiar with, even if her current body wasn’t.

“Easy there,” a voice stated. A pair of hands caught her before she fell, steadying her as she sat. “You’ve been at it for five hours. Take a breath.”

That, as Ali’ya swiftly discovered, was easier said than done. She was breathing heavily, her fur soaked with sweat. She panted, hastily drawing in breath and forcing herself to hold it long enough for the oxygen to be fully absorbed. Slowly, the world came back into focus. The hardwood floors of the training salle. The sweat-drenched robes she wore. The scent of work, peace, and salt. “Master Bulq?”

“Yes,” the Weequay smiled. “Good. You are aware of where you are?”

“I’m in the training salle of the Jedi Temple,” Ali’ya stated. “At your Soresu lesson.”

“That lesson ended four hours ago.”

What? Ali’ya looked up sharply.

Master Bulq smiled at her, pressing out with a sense of calm-tranquil-peace-safety. Ali’ya, despite herself, found herself relaxing. “You experienced what is called a Form Trance.”

“A form trance?”

“A phenomena where, upon discovering the bulk of what will make up their combat style, the Force grants a person insight into the rest of it. They are rare, but not unheard of. I myself experienced such a trance, as have numerous other Jedi.”

I don’t remember that from the wiki, Ali’ya thought. “So, the drums, the music, the singing--”

“Each of us experience the trance in our own way,” Master Bulq interrupted gently. “You may share what you felt if you wish, but it is not necessary. What is necessary is that you continue learning the foundations of what will, when properly combined, become your combat style. I was able to identify certain elements, but I will need your help with others.”

“I’m guessing Soresu is most of it?”

“Most of it, yes. You will also need to continue your studies of Makashi, and eventually add both Djem So and Shien, though that is a ways off. There were a few kicks in there as well, I was hoping  you could perhaps shed some light on those?”

Ali’ya felt herself blushing, and was grateful for the fur that hid her skin. “I--I came to the Temple late,” she prefaced. Jedi generally didn’t approve of family connections, no matter how important they could be. A girl from the depths of Coruscant certainly wouldn’t be given the same dispensation someone like Master Dooku was. “I lived in the down-stacks. Level 114.” Master Bulq’s presence showed surprise in the Force, though he remained calm. Hoping it was safe, Ali’ya continued. “One of our neighbors was a Cathar couple. I traded some fresh fruit I got for my birthday for lessons.”

“Fresh fruit?” Master Bulq asked.

Ali’ya shrugged. “Most food down there is rations. When it isn’t rations, it’s dried, or synthetic. Fresh fruit--real, tasty fruit like they have in the food hall here--is a luxury. We had it for birthdays, before Ebor cut their pay. One year I saved some, traded it for lessons. Probably wouldn’t have worked if I wasn’t also a felinoid. Species matters less down there, and more at the same time.”

Master Bulq hummed. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t know, I can’t say I’ve spent much time on Coruscant outside the Temple. But if it is Cathar martial arts that forms part of your style, I know of several teachers who would be willing to instruct you. Knight Kotha is one, as is Master Juhai. I will ask if they are willing to instruct you.”

“I--thank you, Master Bulq,” Ali’ya managed.

“Think nothing of it,” he replied, but Ali’ya knew she would not. For the second time since Master Sinube pulled her from the wreckage of her home, an adult was offering her help for no reason other than because he felt like it. And unlike with Master Dooku, she didn’t even need to ask. “Now, back to the dorms with you. Evening meal will be soon, and you shouldn’t miss that. Not after a training session like that.”

As Ali’ya headed back to the Initiate dorms, she activated her notifications.

Skill: Lightsaber (Soresu) Increase: Novice 5 → Adept 20

Skill: Lightsaber (Makashi) Increase: Adept 73 → Adept 90

Skill: Lightsaber (Shien) Increase: 0 → Beginner 60

Skill: Lightsaber (Djem So) Increase: 0 → Beginner 25

Skill: Force (Trance) Increase: Trainee 1 → Adept 6