The Passage of Time(Maddox's Training)

[Dread]

Pointer finger, middle finger on his forehead and his thumb on his cheek - Maddox sat in thought on a cement bench in the halls of the Jedi temple. His silver-blue eyes had taken over from his pupils retracting due to the brightness that filled the temple. This is new... Maddox let his eyes shut to rest them from the light as he thoughts revolved around the settings. Yesterday had been a long day, he had transferred temples from Coruscant to Ossus. It would take awhile to adjust to the new settings and leave his past behind.

Maddox noticed he was slouching and pushed back his shoulders - they cracked as he had been sitting in the position for quite awhile. He let his hand uncover his face and eyes open again. Well, he'd better warm up before his new master arrived. If his new master saw the Padawan a little lost in thought over the settings change would he not be amused? The human boy placed his hands on each side of him and pushed himself off the bench - throwing his arms in the air as he did to to stretch and warm up his muscles.

When his arms fell back down his eyes scouted the area around him for any sign of his new master, "Why's it always the padawan waiting for the master?" He said to himself half-joking and loud enough for anyone to hear.

 

[Will]

''Because the master often has much to do, padawan.'' Huang replied, coalescing from thin air opposite the boy. The Sephi Sword Master fixed his yellow eyes on the human padawan.

''Come. We will walk to the training halls. Tell me, what has your previous master, knight Xalph taught you?'' Huang enquired, walking off into the confines of the temple to the area where they were to train.

 

[Dread]

A chill went through his body as he heard a voice answer back to him. Whoops.. Maddox turned to face his new master, giving him a sheepish smile.

"Xalph taught me mostly about the force and skills to aid others in battle, such as battle meditation..." Maddox paused for a second then walked a few steps behind his new master. "I didn't get your name, by the way." He commented in a casual manner like he did with his last master, whom he had dubbed "pops" instead of "master" on many occasions.

 

[Will]

They entered the halls, and Huang opened a chest with the force.

''Knight Xalph seems to have taught you much, Padawan Maddox. But, to know what I need to do, I must assess you.'' A velvet bag floated across the room from the chest.

From the bag, six orbs floated over to Huang, where they orbited him.

''Grab them with the force, then make them move around you, each in its own unique orbit.''

Huang threw the spheres with the force.

''And I am Master Huang Karasu, the Sword Master of the Order.''

 

[Dread]

"Huang, huh?" Maddox left out the master part and he probably would unless scolded. "Right." The young padawan held up his left hand in the air, palm up. He gathered the force around his hand then reached out with it - wrapping it around each sphere. The spheres themselves began to spin slowly, then each went their own way around Maddox. One around his torso going clockwise, another just above that going counter clockwise. The third went around his crown and the last around his chest. The fifth around his right leg well the sixth one around his left. He had gotten use to moving objects with the force - he knew this but he worried slightly about his swordsmenship skills with his new master. Of course, Maddox didn't show his discomforted, he just smiled as the objects floated around him.

 

[Will]

''Excellent, Padawan Maddox. More.''

More wooden spheres erupted from the bag, another six, taking the total to twelve. Again, Huang hurled them at the padawan, meaning that before he could control them, he would have to catch and slow them with the force, meaning multiple complex motions with the force.

''While doing this, recite the code, then the tenants.''

Huang knew the padawan would know them, but it added to the challenge of the task, as it meant the mind was not allowed to truly focus upon the task of moving the spheres.

 

[Dread]

As the other ones came towards Maddox he used his second hand now, right, and face it's palm in the air. Quickly using the force he had gathered he pushed it out to slow them down. As they slowed he then wrapped around the new spheres and began to spin them as well. It was getting harder to keep focus on all of the spheres, a few of them slowed down around him as he went to move the others. "Why do I feel like a clown now?" The spares each joined with the others, only slightly under each, one near his crown, two below his torso, one to his chest and the other two around his legs.

"Emotion, yet peace
Ignorance, yet knowledge
Passion, yet serenity
Chaos, yet harmony
Death, yet the force.

..All of the tenants, every word?" Maddox questioned him.

 

[Will]

''Every word of the tenants, padawan.''

Huang was still observing the boy. He could see strain there, it was certainly harder. Huang drew three more spheres from the bag, throwing them at the boy. His methods of training were often seen as harsh and unusual, but they got results.

Huang had produced some of the finest Jedi in the order, for that was why he was sword master.

 

[Dread]

This time Maddox didn't move to stop the spheres, he had to just focus on them as they came towards him. He was able to slow them again - but he took a moment to think where he would have them go. He decided to let them just float around his stomach after a moment, nothing to complex as he was already getting slightly dizzy from trying to focus on all the spares.

After stressing a bit about having to recite all of the tenants, Maddox decided to try to calm himself. He closed his eyes, still focusing on the spheres. His chest expanded as he breathed in air - then let it out as if to let all his frustration go. The spheres that had lagged behind started to speed back up to the point they had before.

"Jedi are the guardians of peace, justice, and order in the galaxy. We fight for all life, no matter how intelligent or how unintelligent, no matter how big or how small, no matter how significant or insignificant on a galactic scale. We defend civilization, as well as the freedoms and liberties of all people. The Republic shares these goals and they have become a close ally of the Order, as we are of theirs. We support them to maintain peace and stability enjoyed by this main galactic body and the people throughout the galaxy. When the galaxy is split, a Jedi will side with the Republic, even if there are disagreements with the Republic’s leadership, as we defend the people of the Republic. To rebel against this tenet is to create disorder and chaos.

Emotions are unavoidable, but lessons may be learned from the feeling of these emotions. However, emotions of such strength as to cause a Jedi to act or behave in a manner different from rational thought are dangerous, and must be avoided at all costs for a Jedi to truly master the Force.

Feelings of attraction and love are to be explored carefully and with rationality in mind. Romantic pathways must be treated with care so as to avoid pain and anger. A Jedi must not, however, explore the realm of marriage. To love another is dangerous yet acceptable if treated with care, but attaching oneself to another life in the bonds of matrimony cannot be allowed. Attachment leads to the dark side, and to commit to the way of the Jedi means giving up personal desires and living for the benefit of all life.

The Jedi are to respect life, in any form, and only take life when necessary. A Jedi must put the need of the community over the needs of individuals. A Jedi is not to act for solely personal gain or greed - the good of all must be his goal.

A Jedi is to protect the weak and defenseless. A Jedi may not kill a defenseless individual. Should a Jedi be in a position where aid may be given to the weak or the poor, then the Jedi should do what they can to aid the situation within the guidelines of the Code, the Tenets, and of course the law.

All Jedi are to respect the decisions of the Jedi High Council. While conclaves are held for all members of the Order to air concerns, the Jedi High Council is the governing body of the order. Centralized leadership is important, and this council of equals, led by an equal designated as Grandmaster, was chosen with trust to make these decisions for the Order. Jedi may disagree with the High Council but they must never openly oppose it, for we have seen the dangers in open opposition. Jedi are free, however, to make personal decisions on their own, so long as they do not conflict with standing Jedi policy.

Ruling power and financial wealth are not permitted for a Jedi, as these lead to arrogance and self-pride. Self-pride is a complex that eats the heart and mind of all, including Jedi. If a Jedi thinks he or she is greater than other beings, equal to other beings, or less than other beings then they have succumbed to self-pride. Guard against these three complexes night and day.

A Jedi must consider the living and cosmic manifestations of the Force - one must be mindful of the present, but also look to both the future and the past for guidance.

A Jedi does not fight for adventure or glory. A Jedi fights for the survival of civilization and the survival of the people within it. The greatest Jedi is not the one who defeats an army of thousands, but the one who triumphs over himself. Your importance lies in your devotion to life."

 

[Will]

''Excellent. Now, more.''

Huang threw more spheres to Maddox. There was strain on the boys features, but not exhaustion. To truly know the force, Jedi had to be able to work with it no matter their state. This would also aid in teaching his padawan techniques to fortify the body beyond pain and exhaustion.

 

[Dread]

"But, Huang, I can't..."

Focusing again to stop the spheres he let them just stay in the air before him. He was not sure exactly why his new master was making him take so many when he had just been able to keep these was moving.

 

[Will]

Huang took the spheres from the boy, placing them back in the bag.

''This is an important lesson about the force. You may be exhausted, but you can still use it. The force can be tapped into at any time. Even in this state of exhaustion, you can use the force. It can replenish you. You can keep going beyond your normal limits. Feel it. Do not control it. The way of domination is the way of our dark cousins. we work with the force. Let it flow through you, and revitalise.''

Huang drew a glass orb from the bag, by hand. He held it in his outstretched palm.

''Use what I have told you. Float this orb, padawan.''

 

[Dread]

When his master took away the spheres Maddox let out a sigh of relief. He listened to his master but tuned in the most to certain words. "Dark cousins?" It wasn't really phrased as a question he intended to be answered, more like he was talking to himself. Maddox's mind instantly went back to the experience he had in the dark side filled cave his ex-master had made him face.

Pulling his mind back into the now then letting it get lost in the past the human boy held out his hand towards the glass orb. "I think I understand, I just don't know how far I can go. I've only practiced short amount of times." The orb began to float, but only slightly above his masters hand then slowly it moved near Maddox.

 

[Will]

''With practice, padawan, you will unlock the secrets of the techniques known as Crucitorn. You will be able to push your body far beyond pain and exhaustion with the power of the force. That is enough for today, padawan. Return here tomorrow. I need you to rest for sabre testing.''

Huang took the orb back, placing it in the bag. He left the arena, travelling through the maze of corridoors to where he called his home, behind the tapestry of a great battle, he had carved out a room for himself. A pallet, with a jug of water, and some bread, meat and cheese sat on one side of the room. On the other, a great collection of blades, all force katanas either owned by ancient masters of the order, or replicas Huang had forged himself. At the back wall, Huang had set a small forge, where a sketch sat affixed to the wall.

A plan for a sword.

 

[Dread]

Maddox just listened to his master and nodded to answer him. Resting sounded like a all too good idea - but he planned on meditating for awhile. He needed to center himself and adjust to the new surroundings

He made his way back to his room, one suitable for a padawan. There was not much in it that could tell anyone about Maddox rather then he didn't attach himself to any object. He focused less on objects, and more on his mind and thoughts. Maybe it was strange for someone his age to be so dull but he had always had so little growing up and when traveling he never had much either.

As the next day came around, Maddox got up just as the sky began to show signs of the sun. He made his way to the training room and sat down in the middle, he crossed his legs and closed his eyes. He would take the extra time in the morning to focus himself for training.

 

[Will]

''You are well rested, padawan?'' Huang asked, again coalescing from the air.

He held a pair of training sabres in his hands.

''You have read of the lightsabre in the archives, I trust? It is the great symbol of our order. The blade is a metaphor of our order. It has no edge, yet the whole blade can cut. Is there a form you wish to learn, padawan? Any one of the philosophies that have seized your mind?''

 

[Dread]

Maddox paused and suddenly opened his eyes, "Oh," It was a reaction to the sudden voice again, it seemed his master enjoyed doing that. He uncrossed his legs and stood up to face his master in a bit of a hurry. "I did..."

"Xalph taught me the basics of Soresu, once before...but I haven't exactly practiced yet." The padawan shrugged, acknowledging the fact he practices more on one part of his training then the other. He swayed much more towards using the force to aid others in need then using it to help him use a lightsaber to fight in combat, but he knew he must learn both.

"I also built a lightsaber with him that I have used once or twice." He held out his left hand to the air, palm facing his hip - from underneath his hooded robe a hidden Dual-Phase lightsaber hilt levitated around the robes then to above the boys palm.

 

[Will]

''Soresu...''

Huang's index finger twitched, and Maddox's lightsabre flew across the gap, hovering over Huang's outstretched hand. He examined it with a critical eye.

''An admirable effort for your first lightsabre. Dual phase was very...bold of you.'' Huang said. With a flick of the hand, he placed the hilt on a rack on the wall.

''Soresu is a form for the less aggressive of our order, and its primary use is for deflecting ranged attacks back at a foe, making it complex to learn. First, take the opening stance. Thus.''

Huang threw Maddox a training sabre. He stood before the padawan, blade held back in a one-handed grip, extended forwards, with the opposing arm held parallel to the blade in challenge. The dominant foot was held back

 

[Dread]

Maddox caught the training sabre in his left hand without any use of his force powers. Simultaneously his left arm and leg went back. The padawans left hand grasped tightly on the training sabre well he pointed it forward, slightly angled down. Right hand extended forward with his palm pointed up into the air, his fingers curled slightly as they relaxed.

"Like this?"

 

[Will]

''Yes. A very good opening stance. Get your legs wider.''

Huang then drew a blaster pistol from a holster on the wall.

''The best way to learn this form, as with any form, is practice.''

He pointed the pistol at the padawan, aiming squarely at his chest.

''It is on the lowest stun setting. It will simply numb the area I hit. Deflect them anywhere for now, we will work on deflecting them in certain directions after you have mastered this.''

He shot a bolt at the padawan.