I shift into a firm Ataru stance, as sweat dripped down my face. My breathing was heavy as my chest moved up and down. I was in the middle of a fierce training duel with Mace Windu. I had spent the last hour having my forms brokens and pushed back.
"Padawan Cain, we should stop here. I understand you want to progress in your saber forms, but your not ready yet. I can tell you have improved, and your convictions are stronger, but know when to stop and rest."
I shook my head. "Please let us continue master I feel like I' am close to a breakthrough. Just a little bit more until lI hit the realization."
Mace nodded calmly with a hint of respect showing on his face. "Very well Padawan. Prepare yourself." Master Windu returned to his Vapaad stance.
I narrowed my eyes, and controlled my breathing. I then launched myself at Windu. I continued with my fast and precise attacks using Ataru. Each strike had more precision then power behind them. Windu just parried my strikes like they were predictable blaster bolts. Each strike was pointless Infront of him.
I then weaved to his side, and aimed for a left side strike to his ribs. He just blocked and push me off. His strength felt incredible. Then in he blitzed me with incredible speed.
Three strikes followed in succession. One to my left side, It broke my defense. Another to my right leg. I tried to parry, which I barely managed. My stance was unstable.
Then from above. It sent me to the mat, I was on one knee and defending from a overhead strike as Windu pressed down.
In this moment as I was struggling to hold on, I started to remember the past few weeks and how intense they were.
Master Windu was right I spent the last few weeks in none stop training. I never stopped to breathe once.
Master Plo put me through Jedi Guardian training with great intensity like I asked. I was starting to learn Form V: Shien/ Djem So, and Tutaminis. Plo made sure to slow me down every now and again when I was to caught up with my training. My piloting skills were starting to improve as well. I'm not as good as Anakin or Master Plo, but I felt like I could at least keep up with them.
During the night and my free time, Master Fay and Mother Talzin were showing me new Force techniques. Fay was showing me how to use Force Valor. A Force power that increases the resolve, accuracy, and speed of one's self and allies. Along with Force Meld, a technique where a Force-sensitive joined others in their minds together, drawing strength from each other.
She said that I instinctively displayed similar techniques before, so these should help me improve on what I can already do. She added that every time I'm with one or all my friends. I show the same abilities, but in a different ways.
I felt like she was right whenever me and the others are together we tend to sync up. Not just in the Force but like were are the same being and yet different ones at the same time. The only problem is I can never control when or how it happens.
Mother Talzin just reinforce what she was already teaching me, along with controlling and understand the Void realm with the Force lights. She wanted me to control my power so I wouldn't be a beacon for those in the beyond shadows.
Master Kuro, helped me as well, and by helped. I mean she sent me and Derren into the lower levels without our lightsabers, and made us go bounty hunting for the worse of the worse criminals. It didn't help that she followed us in secret, and made our training even harder. Either by tripping us or using the force to slightly weaken us. Sometimes we weren't even allowed to use the Force. It was hell, but somehow it kept me on my toes and help me find new ways to solve difficult problems, without relying on the Force.
I then began to focus back on my sparring session. I was still struggling to hold off Windu's strike.
"Do you yield. Padawan?"
I paused for a moment. Then I breathed deep and reached even deeper into the Force. I calmed myself, and I allowed the Force to revitalize my muscles. As my mind cleared and my breathing steadied, I then began to see cracks form in the world and on Master Windu. I saw his Shatterpoints.
I then began to stand slowly. I was able to withstand Windu strike a little bit better. I was able to stand up my lightsaber. A Golden yellow with a black hue colliding against Windu's deep amethyst saber.
I then broke the blade lock and push forward. I began to use form V. Every strike Windu sent my way I used Tutaminis to conserve my energy and turn his back onto him. Each strike, he sent my way, I deflected back at him with double the power. This was just enough to keep me standing toe to toe with him. But I know he was still holding back a lot.
I was slowly starting to see the cracks in Windu's attacks and defense. The shatterpoints were clear as day. But I couldn't land a clean strike on any of them. I then decided at that point to try something. I reached even deeper into the Force and into myself.
I found my inner anger, the anger that I always had in my past life. Not having enough money or power. The anger of feeling like I wasn't enough. Then I felt it, like a wave of energy hit my muscles. I then imagine Master Windu's movements for Vaapad.
I knew I could do nothing compared to his years of training and combat for this form. But I felt like I could actually keep up and understand the way he fights and not just imitate it.
Windu's eyes widen just slightly at the sudden realization of Cain's change in saber form.
Soon strike for strike the two reflect one another. It was a storm of fast and power strikes. A overwhelming force of unpredictable blade movements, but me and Windu seem to know what the other was going to do.
Five minutes later since the new collide of our Vappad's started. Windu, suddenly stopped his side of the assault.
"I paused my Lightsaber in surprise. "What's wrong master?"
I said with heavy breathing and my robes soaked in sweat.
"Padawan Cain, you have had your realization. I would say you hit your limit as well."
I raised an eyebrow in confusion. Then I started to wobble. As I was about to fall, Windu caught me and help place me gently on the benches towards the side.
"Vaapad is very physically and mentally exhausting. You surprised me Padawan, I don't remember teaching you that saber form?"
I nodded. "You didn't master. I as were for sparring I started to dive deep into the force and myself. I was able to see your Shatterpoint so clearly. But touching them was the hard part. Then I realized I wasn't using all of me, So I reached deep in myself to the part of me I repressed so hard."
"Your inner Darkness." Windu said.
"Yes. I tapped into it, but I turned it into a current of power in my body. Not to control me but to control the part of me I repress. That way I strengthen myself with the dark side from within myself and use the darkness of others without being consumed by it."
"That is a very dangerous thing to do Padawan. Not only using Vaapad without proper guidance and instruction. You could have fallen to the darkside. But it's not to similar to how I use the saber form myself."
I know that very well. Windu your one of the strongest fighters in the entire order compared to the old and new era's. I studied you in my world almost religiously. Considering he's the only black Jedi in the entire Series with the most screen time and feats. Besides Anakin and Luke. I truly felt like I could relate to you the most. But I have to remember not to get caught up my memories of these characters. They are living breathing people with their own life's and stories.
"Cain?"
I focused back on Master Winud. "Yes?"
"Are you okay you were in deep thought."
"Yes master. Sorry I have a tendency to do that. What did you say."
"I said it was dangerous for you to use this Lightsaber form without proper training and instruction from me. But considering you used it so naturally along with being able to fully use shatterpoint, I believe this is a sign from the Force."
"What type of sign master?"
"A sigh to teach you Vaapad. I believe if it is you. The lightsaber form can grow to something even more then it is now."
I stared at Master Windu with confusion. "What do you mean master?"
"I mean Padawan Cain, When you used it. I felt like you were forming into the eye of a powerful storm. It felt different from my Vappad, not so much ones dark side being channeled, but a balance of light slowly mixing into it. Don't you also train in Jar'Kai as well?"
I nodded. "Yes Master"
Master Windu nodded. "Can you image using Jar'Kai and Vaapad in one?"
My eyes widen. I had thought about it at one point, but I didn't know if I would have to skills to pull it off.
"Do you think I can actually do that master?"
"Yes I do. I can't say I have can use Vaapad as well with two lightsabers then I do with one. But you with your abilities. I believe you can evolve into move it into something more then just that."
I think he is right. I should start trying to use other inspirations to grow my saber styles. I always did like that concepts of the sword styles from the Mushoku Tensei series. Sword God Style, Water God Style, and North God Style, would fit if not evolve lightsaber forms completely. I just need to see if Aura is a actual thing here like in this Universe. Or find out how to use the Force like that, but that shouldn't be hard considering mana and Force magick isn't to different.
"Padawan Cain?"
Oh wow, I was doing it again.
"Sorry master, I was thinking of ways to improve Vaapad with Jar'Kai." I said with a small grin on my face.
Windu placed a soft hand on my shoulder. "You are fine Padawan. But for right now go and rest. Also let your master know about your progress and Idea's. I believe his insight will be vital to helping you."
I bowed slightly. "Thank you Master Windu. I will do that. Have a good night."
"You as well Padawan."
As the door hissed closed behind me. Windu stood in the sparring hall by himself reflecting on the duel, and what he felt.
"He grows so much, but something is holding him back. Does he not realize it himself? His self doubts and overthinking are what's stopping him from reaching his full potential? No it doesn't seem like a simple issue just self doubt and overthinking. A possible inferiority complex may be the cause as well. But why? And that feeling... It felt like I was looking in the eye of a forming storm. The storm's outside was the raging darkside. Powerful and uncontrollable, but the eye... It was so calm a peaceful. I felt a bright light. It felt so bright like it could engulf everything around it. Padawan Cain what are you, and more importantly what are you becoming if your not the chosen one?"