The midday sun was stronger here than what I was used to as we were led to the courtyard. Its rays were casting long shadows from the towering stone columns surrounding the grounds, but we weren't standing under them for long, as we had to gather out in the open. What was worse than the heat was the extreme humidity, making it hard for me to breathe the same way I was used to. Still, I never once thought about complaining, as I was just as excited as the others. We were standing in two rows, facing the sparring circle at the center of the grounds. The sound of faint alien animal calls from the jungle not far from us added a natural rhythm to the moment, amplifying the weight of our coming exercise and giving me the feeling we had spectators amongst the trees. As if they were watching us all. It was... making me nervous, although I should be used to it.
When our teacher, Master Kyle Katarn, arrived, looking at him up close, he was tall and carried himself as a warrior, even though he was clearly older, maybe even older than the Grandmaster. Without showing his age in his movements, he stepped into the center of the circle before us, his stance casual but commanding. The brown robe he was wearing was pushed back, revealing a practical tunic and utility belt under it. His lightsaber, more weathered than our training sabers, hung at his side, and I could sense the history within it. I knew of him... He was a legend or a headache if you would ask my father for opinions. His short beard and the creases on his face gave him a slightly weathered look, but his sharp eyes twinkled with a more rebellious energy. It was what set him apart from the other Masters, I think.
"All right, listen up," he began, his voice rich, mixed with a natural kind of authority but not devoid of closeness. "If you think today's lesson is all about swinging these glowing sticks around, you're in for a surprise. Lightsaber combat is more than just flashy moves or jumping around like a worrt! It's about control, discipline, and strategy. Start stringing together nonsense sequences, and you will find your head separated from your neck quicker than you can say pazaak!
"Oh..." I blinked my eyes, realizing... so someone did play that game besides me, huh?
"So," I listened as he continued, "from today on, you're going to start learning Form I: Shii-Cho until I say you are ready to experience the rest and choose your own style."
I reflexively glanced at Vila, who stood beside me. Her violet eyes narrowed slightly, her lekku twitching as they always did when she was tensing up. I couldn't tell if she was excited or anxious—or both.
"Pick a saber, one for each of you, no fancy dual-wielding yet!" Master Katarn gestured toward a rack of training sabers placed nearby as he instructed us. "Don't worry; these are practice models with low-power settings. You won't lose any limbs... unless you're really careless." He added with a grin right as we were to take the identical-looking weapons for ourselves.
His last comment drew a nervous laugh from some of the younger Padawans, but I noticed Vila's lips tighten, her breathing just slightly quicker than mine. I stepped forward with the others, retrieving one of the simple hilts, my heart pounding. This was a weapon of a Jedi... It was lighter than I expected, the weight evenly distributed, and its design was stripped of any unnecessary ornamentation. It was nothing like I was used to, as when I was taught fencing, it was with a vibroblade, which was much heavier.
Once we had all returned to our spots, Master Katarn continued.
"Form I is the foundation. It's the most basic, yes, but also the most universal. It's not about flair; it's about survival. It is the perfect one to start with and build upon! You master this, and you've got the groundwork for every other form. Now, let's start with the stance."
He moved fluidly into position, his feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly back, knees bent. He waited like that until we copied him, holding the position as long as he needed to. Then, he held his saber horizontally at chest height, both hands gripping the hilt firmly, his fingers wrapping around it.
"This is the ready stance. It gives you balance, stability, and the ability to react quickly. Your feet are your anchor—without them, you're nothing."
We mimicked his stance, some of us wobbling as we adjusted, trying to copy him down to every twitch of his muscles. I found myself instinctively leaning forward too much, an old habit from fencing practice at home... Something I picked up to compensate for the weight of the blade, which was much lighter now. I had to correct myself three times.
"Not bad. Now hold it!" Master Katarn said as he straightened and walked down the line, inspecting us one by one. When he reached Vila, he tilted his head slightly. "Straighten your back, keep your weight balanced. You're leaning forward too much." She adjusted immediately, her expression determined, unlike when it was about meditation.
"Yes, Master."
"Good." He returned to his spot after he finished inspecting the rest of us. "Now, the first movement: the horizontal sweep. It's the simplest attack, designed to push back your opponents. Active and hold your saber steady and sweep from left to right in a controlled motion." He demonstrated with his actual blue lightsaber, humming loudly as it cut through the air. "Don't swing wildly. A controlled strike is a powerful strike."
We followed suit, imitating his movement. The drone of our sabers filled the courtyard as we all flicked them on. It was... making me feel goosebumps all over my body. It was a sensation I can't describe, but it was the most incredible experience I had here yet. As we practiced, the sound of our swings grew louder with each pass, creating a kind of weird music.
I felt my muscles adjust to the rhythm, the motion becoming smoother with each attempt. Vila, however, was ahead of everyone else. Her strikes were sharp and precise, her grip was tight but loose enough to not hinder her movements, and her sweeps always ended at the same momentum and started anew, expending the least energy possible.
"Very good, Vila," Master Katarn called out, his tone firm, filled with encouragement. "But you need to ease up! This form is all about control, not aggression. Your saber is an extension of yourself; your swings tell everything to your enemy, and right now, you are telling me that your movements are too aggressive. It can be exploited as you would overreach, giving me the opportunity to counter you and finish you in one move."
She exhaled sharply and nodded, modifying her grip slightly. Her next attempt was better—smoother and more deliberate. I didn't even notice the issues with her style; in my eyes, she was doing it perfectly from the start. Not that I had enough time to look at the others, as I had to focus on my own swings.
"Nice," Master Katarn said with a faint smile. "See? You're getting it."
Vila didn't respond, but I noticed a flicker of satisfaction cross her face. When our eyes met, I smiled a little, nodding at her. After several repetitions of the horizontal sweep, we moved on to learn the form's defensive blocks and basic counter. Our Master demonstrated each technique with precision, his movements fluid and effortless.
"Defense is just as important as offense," he explained. "If you can't block, you won't last long. Form I emphasizes simplicity: step into the strike, absorb the impact, and redirect."
For this to work, we paired up to practice, and I found myself facing Vila. Her expression was unreadable as we took our stances. Her eyes were not looking at my face but at my legs and arms, and her muscles were tensed, ready to react to anything I may throw at her.
"Ready?" I asked.
She nodded in answer, raising her saber. She did not answer me with words but only invited me to start.
We began slowly, taking turns attacking and blocking. When it was my turn to block, Vila's strikes were fast and sharp, giving me barely any time to raise my saber and redirect her attacks as instructed. Many times, I could only block her because I already learned fencing. If I was an absolute beginner, I would be disarmed already. She was... a dangerous opponent. But... I also noticed her anxiety returning when it was about blocking my offense. Her blocks were effective, yes, but she often overcompensated, leaving herself open to counters that I held back from exploiting. This was training; I reminded myself every time my instincts told me to push on.
"Focus on balance," I reminded her, parrying one of the strikes she launched, trying to counter me after blocking my first swing. "Don't overextend."
"I know what I'm doing." She frowned when she heard me... but adjusted her stance nonetheless.
"Good! That's what I like to see—helping each other improve. But remember, this isn't a sparring match but a training exercise. Save the grandiloquent moves for later." Master Katarn's voice interrupted us.
We both nodded respectfully, refocusing on the basics.
As the lesson progressed, the sun climbed higher, its rays filtering through the jungle canopy. Sweat dripped down my brow, but I felt a growing sense of accomplishment. This was nothing like the fencing drills back home—this was much more real. I could feel the weight of the saber in my hands, and I mean the weight of its significance. I felt the hum of its energy resonating with the pulse of the Force, inviting me in as if it wanted me to become one with it. It was... exhilarating.
By the end of the lesson, Master Katarn had us form a circle around him.
"Not bad for your first time," he spoke, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. "But remember, this is just the start. Mastery takes years and decades of hard work. Not just some swish-swash exercise every morning, no. So don't think you can face off against anybody yet! C-3PO would beat you all up!" He chuckled, making some of us giggle, "Shii-Cho may be the simplest form, but it's also the most enduring. Don't underestimate it." Then, he scanned our faces, his gaze settling briefly on Vila before moving on. "You'll practice these moves daily. The basics aren't just for beginners—they're for life. Got it?"
We all nodded, some more eagerly than others. Who wouldn't want to wield a lightsaber every day? That was not even a question.
"Good," Master Katarn said with a grin. "Now, go get cleaned up. You've earned it. But don't get too comfortable—tomorrow, we move on to sparring with those of you who have enough confidence!"
As we filed out of the training grounds, Vila walked beside me, her expression thoughtful.
"You did well," I said, offering her a smile and breaking the silence between us.
"I could've done better." She shrugged, her eyes fixed ahead.
"You will," I replied, confident in her determination and that it will bring her success. For the first time since I'd met her, she smiled faintly, glancing at me.
"Thanks, Kael."
I felt a sense of happiness. She seemed more open, even if just a little bit. Maybe she needed to feel she was good at something after the 'failure' with meditation. I was glad for her. I really was. Also... I couldn't wait to learn more, to be tomorrow so we can study once again. If every day was like our first, I never wanted to stop learning.