Star Wars: The Lost Episode

Entry 7

The next form I learned was Form III. Nycomé explained the form to me in full detail.

"Form III is the form of defense. To master this form, you must enter into a walking meditation. I know that you have much aggression in you, my young padawan. This form is against your natural inclinations. But, if you stick with it, Sorisu will aid you greatly in almost all situation. After your training is complete, you will be able to hold out against twenty shooters at a time."

As she instructed me, the moves and stances of Sorisu scream a defensive strategy. And also as my master stated, I didn't commonly use the defensive form in my personalized fighting form. The only time I use Form III is a last ditch effort when I understand the chances of winning a fight are stacked against me, although Nycomé says that I'm a natural at the form.

The next form Nycomé taught me was Shien. She exposed me to the other variant, Djem So, but the slow footwork and power based attacks made me only learn a minimal amount, devoting all my time to learning shien. Like Sorisu, Shien had many tight moves made primarily for defense, although Shien has considerable less effectiveness against single, lightsaber weilding opponents. Where Shien really shines is in blast deflection with many targets. Turning the blast deflection of Form I and III into a different attack altogether, Shien used an aggressive approach. Will there is a greater risk using blaster bolts to counter attack than simply deflect, the reward was also higher. It was also at this time I stopped training in traditional Niman altogether and dabbled in the practice of duel weilding, commonly known as Jar'Kai. While I'm only an amateur at the technique, I feel like it will serve me well in the future.

Up until this point I placed the time devoted to each form like so: Shii-cho, Jar'Kai, Shien, and Sorisu. Until what my master showed me today.

"Form IV of lightsaber combat is known as Ataru," said Nycomé. "It banks itself on the rotations of the body. Although not as strength based as Chii-cho and Djem So, Ataru relies on overwhelming aggression and speed." I could feel her see the eagerness on my face. "This form comes at a cost. It was meant to get around the defenses of Sorisu practitioners. However, it drains your energy extremely quickly. As such, I advise you to only use the form as a supplementary form to your style. A Form III and V combo with supplement of Form IV may not be flashy, but you will live longer in a fight."

After teaching me the basics, I began experimenting with Form IV. The speed. The fluidity. The power. It suited me well. After I had finished practicing, I spoke to Master Nycomé.

"I wish to make my main form Ataru," I said confidently. She gave an agitated look.

"I guess I knew that you would," she gave a sigh. "This form's defense is almost negligible. Without proper use of supplemental tactics of your other known forms, you will be overtaken in a light saber battle. I sense that you will one day face the Sith. Are you okay with this?"

"I am," I replied back confidently.

"Well then," my master began, "We better get started on endurance training."