Lambert's POV
Standing in the doorway of the training room he watched with interest as Kavar went through his forms. Like Izuku he preferred Form II: Makashi. Every movement was perfect. Unlike Lukas he seemed to follow through with them. Lukas on the other hand always fought an invisible person. Someone only he could see.
Then he switched to Form VII: Juyo. It was a strong fork that Lukas knew but he rarely used. It was considered the most vicious of the seven forms. That wasn't what kept him away from it.
Part of Lukas wondered what would happen if he fought with Kavar. The master had years of experience on him. Even with having traveled back in time he had the feeling that he wouldn't be much of a challenge against Kavar. Kavar was back in his prime. Old injuries that would have held him back on Onderon and Dantooine were no longer there.
Still the battle hardened part of him mind wanted to test himself. To see if he stood a chance against the man. That part of him was what sung every time he fought. He had to fight against it. Already he had fought against Kavar and lost. There was no need to test the man's goodwill a second time.
A calm cool voice commented from behind him, "I'm sure Master Kavar would allow you to practice with him, Padawan Lambert."
Lukas turned to face Vrook. The older man was watching him with cold blue eyes. A flash of anger filled him at the sight of the Master who had tried to cut him off from the Force.
Then he remembered when he was and forced down the anger. This was not the same Vrook who had done those acts. While this Vrook didn't exactly like him, he did accept him as a student offering advice as needed.
Turning Lukas greeted with a bow of his head, "Master Vrook, good morning. I can't go in there and interrupt Master Kavar. I'm sure he wishes to go through his forms alone."
There was a small snort from the elder man. It took all of his control not to gape at the Master. Even when he was young he had never seen such a display from Vrook. The man had always been stuck up and rarely allowed for public displays.
Then the man said, "I have known Kavar since he was a young apprentice. There are many things younglings like yourself don't realize about him. Such as the fact that he hates practicing alone. Kavar would much rather have a sparring partner."
A sense of longing went through him. It had been too long since he properly sparred with Kavar. The last time they crossed blades it had been when he retaught Lukas the Juyo. And that hadn't been a proper spar.
Vrook sighed, "If you do not go now you will regret it," suddenly the old master with more force than Lukas thought he had in him shoved the boy into the training room, "Good luck to you. Maybe Kavar will stop pouting."
Lukas didn't get time to argue with the man. Kavar questioned surprise and confusion marring his face, "Padawan Lambert? What are you doing here?"
Rubbing the back of his neck he said, "My apologies, Master Kavar. I did not mean to interrupt your practice."
Kavar gave him a grin as he said, "Grab a practice blade and join me. Your not interrupting my practice at all. I prefer having a sparring partner."
Lukas was going to kill Vrook. The man knew exactly what he was doing when he pushed him into the room. Still the carefree smile and child like light in the master's face had him going to the practice blades.
He chose a weighted regular blade on for his right hand. For his left he chose a shorter blade that would be roughly the same size of a short lightsaber. Then he checked the balance ensuring they were the right fit for him.
Kavar raised an eyebrow at him as he switched his lightsaber for similar training blades. It took Lukas a few moments to realize why. In this time he preferred a single lightsaber rather than two. It was only after the Peragus incident did he start working on two handed fighting style.
Kavar questioned his eyes sparkling with intruige, "Are you interested in learning two handed lightsaber dueling?"
Lukas dropped into the first stance of Form II in way of answer. Kavar eyed him critically but followed suit. He dropped into the third stance of Juyo.
Then as if a bell had been run Kavar lunged at him. Lukas immediately parried the harsh blows. Refusing to give any ground he focused on giving a strong defense. He would wait for an opening for a strike of his own.
There was a flash of confusion and surprise through the Force. Kavar had not expected him to hold his own. It had been awhile since they sparred in this time period.
Blades clashed and sparks flew across the training room. The main part of their bodies barely moved a few inches at a time. It was simply their arms that moved as neither wanted to give any ground. Or to show any sort of weakness.
Then Lukas switched forms to one of his lesser used forms. It was one he had been practicing with Visas before the unfortunate time travel. This was Form VI: Niman also know as Jar'Kai. He knew that Kavar used this technique as well. It would be his best chance to receive corrections on it. Visas like him was too much of a novice to help much with it.
According to the Archives of the Order, Niman, the dual-blade style developed by the Royale Macheteros of the Kashi Mer, was named for the dual triumvirate of the Kashi deities. The style was adopted by the Legions of Lettow, a group of Dark Siders responsible for the First Great Schism of the Jedi Order. After the defeat of the Legion at the hands of the Jedi, Niman was adopted by the Jedi order, eventually being refined into the sixth form of lightsaber combat, referred to by the same name.
Both styles predated the invention and usage of lightsabers, but being designed to be practiced with swords, they were easily adapted. In addition, the word "Jar'Kai" became a blanket term for dual-blade combat in general, leading to the birth of the term "Jar'Kai tactic", which was to simply employ two blades in combat, regardless of whether one had received training in any dual-blade fighting style.
Despite the advantages offered, Jar'Kai was not without its drawbacks. Firstly, as both hands held individual lightsabers, two-handed blows were impossible, and the duelist was unable to put all his or her weight behind blocks, weakening the defensive capabilities. Thus, an enemy with a single hilt could simply assault a Jar'Kai practitioners defense with brute force, battering away until the dual-blade duelist's guard gave way.
Kavar suddenly let out a breath and switched forms expertly. He didn't even seem surprised or fazed by his switch to such a rare form. In fact he seemed to be excited by it.
Out of all the forms he knew this one in particular was his most sloppy. And it showed as he and Kavar fought. No longer could he stay in one spot and and he was giving up ground swiftly. More than once he narrowly avoided losing his head to the sword. It was only thanks to instincts born from war that he was able to dodge.
After almost half an hour of sparring he was drenched in sweat as was the master. Though Lukas was the worst off of the two. Small cuts were bleeding across his arms and one across his cheek.
Exhaustion was filling the younger man. His guard was slipping and his attacks were becoming sloppy. No matter how much he would like to deny it. He couldn't keep this up much longer.
To his surprise however Kavar was the first to lower his practice blades. He was eyeing Lukas critically. On instinct more than anything else he tightened his guard in preparation for another attack. Forcing his body to obey him when all it wanted to do was collapse into a boneless heap.
Kavar said calmly catching his gaze, "I think we're done for now. Let's look at those injuries so they don't get infected."
Lukas blinked in surprise for a moment then agreed, "Alright."
