Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Jul 27, 2018 10:28:21 GMT -8
He continued to watch the younglings for a few minutes, letting himself grasp their progression. For the most part, their movements were clumsy and rigid, though a few fluid movements could be seen. It was expected, but they were working their way forward. Some did move too far back, occasionally there was the block, and then, of course, the actual hit. Surprisingly, though, no one was falling over from losing balance. But for the moment, it could be said none of the attacks were pushing the blockers into tighter spots yet. Either way, it was a solid start.
Turning to Nidana, he moved his way in front of her. "Now, your turn." Standing in front of her, he turned the right side of his body to her and outstretched his arms, fingers extended. Right off the bat, he measured the extra foot he'd allow her before stepping back on on his right foot and bit, letting his body settle on itself and brought his arms up to his chest. they were close to his body and the way he held his hands were more like the claws of an insect instead of fists. He waited only a few moments in silence to let Nidana find a stance before attacking.
Suddenly, his left hand turned on its side, pinky side down as it closed into a fist. Using his right foot, he pushed off to close the little distance between them as he punched at her head with his left hand. The first attack would be enough to see he was starting as the students were: slow and without power. Still, his attacks were much faster than theirs. He saw Nidana as having skills, much further in her training. He could push her harder.
The second attack came shortly after, allowing only enough time for Nidana to evade, to which he'd make a jab at her head in whichever direction she went. From there, h continued to flow through his attacks, his left hand having been pulled back a bit in his second attack, allowing him to make a chop, aimed just above her waist, set to move from her right to left. Going with the momentum, his left leg followed his chop, seeking to sweep from her right to left, aimed at her knees. From there, he'd let the kick flow up into the air and come straight down on top of her.
His movements, whether she'd catch on or not, were deliberate in their speed, being slow enough to move, yet fast enough that he make a move which each evasion, timed to only give her a moment to choose her path and go before having to move again.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 27, 2018 10:52:10 GMT -8
Nidana was not surprised that he was not as slow as the other students, but it was still faster than she would have liked. Though who really likes being punched at in the first place? She knew that the less movement, the less likely she was to lose her balance. So she simply moved her head to her right. She thought herself very clever, this would make his next attack, as she guessed would come from his right, have to cross his body, giving her a fraction of time more to think about the next move.
She then kept moving to the left to get out of range of his right hand. The chop at her waist was more difficult to avoid. She bent over backwards as the hand passed over her, though this absolutely ruined her balance, and so she decided to just turn it into a back flip. This ended up working out to avoid his attack on her knees, but left her all too vulnerable to the follow through. Only just having time to put her hands up and catch his leg, Nidana, ended up crouched on the ground holding one of Gavin's legs, keeping it from colliding with her head.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Jul 27, 2018 11:52:54 GMT -8
Gavin watched as Nidana worked to avoid his hits, doing well enough to start. There was still a little ways to go before she found her rhythm and could flow through her movements, but Gavin was well aware of the truth behind it. It wasn't her lack of knowledge, but the typical mindset behind a fight in general. It didn't help that in a regular fight, one tended to block and attack as well, so being forced to only evade required a solid shift in one's mindset. No doubt it would be more difficult for her than the younglings due to having previous combat experience. Still, he had already seen her movements from the previous exercise, so he knew it to be there. It was merely a matter of getting her to that point.
When she blocked his final kick, he lifted his foot a stepped back to allow her to regain her stance. "Remember: evade only. It is a natural state of mind to block and attack, but you need to be capable of each form individually. There will come times when blocking an attack could be your death and making an attack could be pointless. This leaves you only able to evade until you can lead them into a place where you can beat them." He then took his stance again, this time more relaxed with his back foot back and his arms raised below his chest. His right was close to him and his left was out in front a bit, both held in fists. "Let go of your restraints, Nidana. Let the tension running through you fade. Relax. Find your calm. Trust in your body to know what to do. Steady your breathing and let your instincts guide you."
He gave her another few moments to grasp his words and take her stance. He wouldn't wait until she was completely ready as she needed to find this place and learn to settle into it quickly as an enemy on the battlefield would not grant her such luxuries. As such, his training had to reflect that truth. Once again, he came in quick. He punched with his right fist in a cross towards her head, angled more towards her right, the idea to force her movements to her left. Following that came a cross from his left hand at her head. Letting his body flow through attacks, his right hand came up in an uppercut, starting close to her stomach with his left following behind in a undercut into her stomach. Pulling back his left arm his right foot came straight up the center before he twisted to his left, letting him bend his knee and make a second kick at the left side of her head. Finally, letting his foot come down, he let his body twist to the right, bring his left fist into a stronger, faster punch straight at her chest.
Despite not coming at her with full strength and form, it was clear he came at her with a different form of combat. The previous carried more jabs and seemed to extend
his attacks while focusing on speed and precision. This form, in utilizing his fists, focused more on power. Still, he was able to let his attack roll and flow with their momentum, letting him move quicker than expected for a combat form focusing on strength.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 27, 2018 12:17:44 GMT -8
As Gavin removed his leg, Nidana was hurrying to get back to her feet. Sorry. She said it like a child who had done something wrong and not meant to do it. It had been a natural reflex, not wanting to get hit. But she knew she put herself in that spot by being needlessly flash with a back flip. But she listened to Gavin's instructions and closed her eyes.
Nidana relaxed as Gavin had commanded. She reached out once more into the Force and her body, combining the two. Or trying to. Her breathing steadied, and she found her calm. When she opened her eyes, her feet shifted into a sturdy and balanced position. This time his strikes where fast and more powerful. Nidana decided she would treat this like a dance, as she had earlier. A dance she would make up the moves for as her 'partner' dictated. And like that she weaved in and out of his strikes ranges and zones. There were a few close calls, but she always regained her balance before the next strike. Finally, to avoid the finale powerful strike to her chest, Nidana utilized Kouho Haiho, and stepped behind Gavin, or attempted to.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Jul 27, 2018 12:40:21 GMT -8
Within the confines of his mind, Gavin smirked at how well she improved simply by letting go and remaining calm. She had quickly improved and he knew she'd only get better. The few close calls were expected, though Gavin was still holding back the full depth of his speed and power. But it was good and promising to see her catching on that well. And thus showed her advantage over the others students. Once the barrier held on her mind faded, her experience and skills could show through and help her progress all the faster.
When she performed the stepping method on him, his eyes followed her as she slipped around his left side. It wasn't the speed he wanted them to achieve, but it had been executed almost perfectly, leaving him open. Had this been a normal spar, she would have been able to land a strike in and with, the knowledge to be gained from the later classes, critical one at that. The effectiveness of the move showed through when Gavin made his next attack on her. Despite being able to follow her with his eyes and expecting the techniques appearances, there was little he could do. Despite what many thought, his fist was already flowing through its motion and couldn't be redirected, even with Force Speed. It had to run its course. The slower speed of Nidana's evasion could have allowed him to run with his own momentum and let him turn to the right and attack that way, but the forward momentum would cause him to "fall back," making his attacks weaker than they could be or possibly fall out of range as he would attempt to regain his balance and footing, possibly leaving him open.
A possible choice, but not what he went with. When she learned to move quick, leaving no time to grasp her movements, he wanted her to see the kind of opening that could be granted to her. So his attack continued until his left move forward and he could completely stop his momentum. At this point, an unaware opponent would be open longer, but a skilled opponent would quickly gather where she went. Following the latter's approach, he stepped back with his left foot as he turned to his left, seeking to move in close to Nidana as his left elbow came for where her chest should have been. It wouldn't be until his elbow would have reached his target that he would have had a full visual on her. Still he followed up, with the unfolding of his left arm to possibly back hand her then the open handed swipe at her neck as his left hand circled around behind his back.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 29, 2018 8:04:50 GMT -8
She felt herself letting go even more. Nidana was no longer in control, it was the Force and her body propelling her. Though this began to show in other ways. As she stopped herself out of the way of the thrown elbow, she spun with all the grace of a ballerina, and then stepped back, hoping that this quick turnaround, combined with his already made attack, would through Gavin off. Gavin would notice, small strands of lightning leaping from finger to finger on the Echani's hands. Nidana was unaware of this happening as she was barely in control at this point. Purely focused on evasion, paying no mind to the other students, or anything else.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Jul 29, 2018 8:42:51 GMT -8
With Gavin's final attack on her, already planned to come, he noticed the sparks of electricity coming from her fingertips. It was an odd appearance in his mind. By letting go, even the use of the Force was calm and collected. Yet, the presence of lightning was starting to form within Nidana. Was it an awakening of the power? Or was the spar setting in like a normal fight, meaning she would soon attack? If the prior, he summed it up that by letting go removed the barriers that held her back, letting to Force flow and touch on new abilities. If it was the latter, however, it meant that she had slipped from the control of her own mind, instinct starting to take over. If that was the case, all the more reason to stop for a moment to let her regain control of her mind as it was counterproductive to what he was trying to teach them.
Taking a step back, he stood straight. "Alright , Nidana. Take a little break." His intention was to stop at this point to stop the other students and switch their roles. "Alright, everyone. That's enough. We are going to switch roles now. The 'B' group will now attack. Extend out your arms to determine a foot from their maximum radius and begin. Remember to start slow and let the others get adjusted to the movements." Gavin watched the students as they began, all the while keeping watch on Nidana from the corner of his eye.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 31, 2018 13:19:55 GMT -8
Nidana suddenly snapped back into control of herself. Blinking for a moment, unsure fully of where she was, though that feeling was quickly passing. But something she did notice was the slight tingling in her fingers. She lifted them and looked at them as if they had blood or something else covering them. Then she quickly looked around, looking for anything she may have unconsciously hit. Visibly relieved when she realized she had not hit any one or anything, she stepped up next to Gavin. In a quite and timid voice she spoke.
I- I'm sorry for that. It is something that usually only happens when I have a nightmare. I lose control and will hurl lightning.
She bowed her head low, in shame. She was no where near as in control of her Force powers as she should be. The lack of formal training, combined with her powers and her years of delaving into Sith and Dark Side ruins and tombs, make for a hard to control cocktail of Force potential.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Jul 31, 2018 13:56:26 GMT -8
Gavin said nothing as Nidana came up beside and spoke, keeping his attention upon the other students to ensure they were moving along well. Once he was certain they found a go flow, he turned so that he was beside her and facing the other way as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "There is nothing to be sorry for, Nidana. And if lightning is all that comes from you during this state, then there's nothing really to be worried about."
He gave a small chuckle as he thought for a moment. In her current state, it seemed that going through his process would be dangerous to the other students if not properly handled. So, as much as he wanted to wait until later, he knew he'd have to alter the training he gave her. He already had intentions of keeping Nidana after class and discussing the possibility of giving her extra training after the younglings left, but figured it'd be a good idea to inform her now. "Stay after class. We can discuss some extra training to help you out." Stepping away from her a bit, he turned back. "Think you can hold enough control to go another round, or would you prefer to call it quiets for the time being?"
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Jul 31, 2018 14:14:49 GMT -8
Nidana nodded and gave a weak smile in response to Gavin's chuckle and another nod in affirmation of staying after class. As he asked if she was ready for another round, she glanced over at the younglings. If she agreed, she would need to be careful of not harming them, she figured Gavin would be able to survive an attack from her in that state, but even that she was worried about. The struggle was obvious on her face as she thought about what was best for her. She didn't want to seem weak, but she also didn't want to harm any of those present. Finally she decided to leave it up to Gavin.
I am ready to try, though I can not guarantee keeping control. Looking back to the younglings, I don't want to hurt any of them... Or worse...
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Jul 31, 2018 15:22:00 GMT -8
Gavin smirked at her worry. He understood her, though. Raw, untamed power that could surface without warning was something worth concern. However, he had lived a long time, experienced many methods of training and power, and witnessed great surges of potential. Still, he knew he could handle anything that came from her as well as protect the other students. But he’d watch her carefully with the next session, watch for any possible outbursts and stop the spar. Despite knowing he could handle the situation, he wasn’t quite ready to reveal the depths of his power and skills just yet.
Taking stance, his smirk faded as his eyes and senses sharpened. "Look at this as an additional lesson. Learning to control your power while in the midst of combat. Prepare yourself. Remember to relax and stop the water. Be calm and clear. Give nothing to the Force that can be used without your command."
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Aug 2, 2018 7:12:18 GMT -8
Nidana nodded as she took up her stance. Breathing in and out in a steady and fluid rhythm. She started to let herself go again, but this time, not all the way. She could still feel herself and where she was. But her physical body was once again guiding itself.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 2, 2018 17:04:47 GMT -8
Once she was ready, Gavin leapt forward kicking out with his right foot. He then followed by a right hook at her head, then a kick with his left foot at her waist. As his foot touched the ground, he dropped, spinning to his left to sweep at her legs with his right foot. As he came around, he shifted the weight from the left foot to his right as he brought his left foot around and up to her waist before bringing himself up enough to punch straight out at her stomach.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Aug 4, 2018 21:37:02 GMT -8
As Nidana felt all of his swift strikes coming, she dodged, them, one after another, Though she felt herself slipping more and more out of her control, and as she forced herself back, she felt a sudden and painful strike land in the center of her stomach. Feeling herself fly back a couple couple of feet and land on her butt, she felt herself snap back to reality and looking around seeing a number of students looking at her now almost prone form. Thank goodness for practice mats.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 5, 2018 13:27:01 GMT -8
Gavin stood straight after his punch sent Nidana to the ground. In that moment, he had to resist the urge to keep pushing her and stay on the attack. He couldn't go easy on her or any of the students, but he couldn't yet drive them into a corner and keep them going until they dropped. They weren't ready for that. Taking a breath, his ice blue eyes focused hard on the woman, almost seeming to glow and pierce her being. "Back on your feet. We are not done. An enemy will not grant you such luxuries, so neither should you expect them in training, especially from me. When you go down, you get back up and keep going and you do it fast."
He then turned towards the rest of the students. "That goes for the rest of you. If you have time to gawk, you have time to train. Don't worry about how another is doing or if they went down. You have your own lessons to learn, your own fights to contend with. Now, back to it." For the first time, Gavin's voice truly displayed a darker tone, one more serious than before. Yet, it still wouldn't have been as threatening or dark as most of the masters in the academy.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Aug 13, 2018 7:34:22 GMT -8
Nidana could here the tone change in Gavin's voice. Now he was sounding like the Sith she knew, but it was still far gentler than another instructor would have been. She waisted no time getting back up off the floor, once again reaching out to the Force and letting it connect with her body as she gave a nod and signaled that she was ready to resume the training.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 13, 2018 8:24:32 GMT -8
Gavin gave a nod of recognition as she stood once again. He then took his own stance, crouching down as his right hand lifted in the air behind him and his left lower out in front of him, palms up on both. Once she was ready, he made his move, quickly moving in. His attacks shifted into jabs at particular points of her body as he alternated his arms with each strike. Starting with his right, he attacked her throat, then spot just under her rib cage. Moving outward from her central body, he jabbed at her left side then the front of her right shoulder. He then crossed his right over over to his left in attempt to strike her bicep then followed up with a curved jab to try and hit her right temple.
This pattern of attack was easily faster than the rest. It could also been seen that his attacks had actual targets in pressure points or weak spoke on the body instead of just trying to land blows. It was a style of combat that could be deadly when performed right with successful hits.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Aug 15, 2018 13:03:19 GMT -8
She was almost overwhelmed by the flurry of attacks Gavin unleashed, but Nidana ducked, dipped, and dodged her way though. She noticed what areas where being targeted and with her own guess work coupled with the Force flowing though her, she was able to evade the opening assault. Nothing fancy, nor energy intensive, Nidana was hoping to be able to keep this up until Gavin decided to halt this current spar session.
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Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 15, 2018 17:04:31 GMT -8
Gavin smirked slightly to himself as she went. She was beginning to get it, be it consciously or not. To move in fluid patterns with minimal amount of movement and energy expended. It would not only preserve her stamina for when she truly needed it, but allow her more openings for her own attacks with little the opponent could do to save themselves.
But he wasn’t done with his attack. He dropped down a bit to jab into right quadricep with his left hand before coming back up to strike with both hands at the bottom of her lungs, just below the rib cage. With a swift motion, he brought his right hand up to jab directly underneath her jaw where the bone began to disappear under the muscles. In and instant of the attack, his left hand cane around, aiming for the side of her face, or more importantly, the spot just behind her jaw.
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Post by Spectres of Midnight on Aug 25, 2018 13:55:31 GMT -8
As they had been instructed, the students went back to their own spars, diverting their attention away from Nidana and being dropped by Gavin's attack. The last thing they wanted was to be the ones on the receiving end of any punishment. The running pairs were two Zabrak males, two separate pairs of humans, each with a boy and girl, then a female Togrunta and female Zabrak, a male Nautolan and male Echani, a male Falleen and male Cerean, and finally a female Arkanian Offshoot with a female Twi'lek. A unique group brought together under different circumstances, each on a path to a different future from each other, though all still tied within the Blackguard Reborn.
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