Chapter 4

For the following days Alex reported to master Amicus for his lessons in the training chambers, and most of the time Alex took the chance to observe Elexis. He found that she was quite fierce for the woman he had first assumed to be so gentle and sweet, she also had this urge to beat him in every challenge that they were tasked with. Together, Alex and Elexis would fight simulated battles against drones, undergo force exercises where they would move large objects using only their Jedi powers, but most of the time was spent meditating and learning how to control their power. When they first competed, Alex was careful not to fight so hard, for he enjoyed seeing Elexis in her moments of triumph. Later though, he found that he struggled against and even lost to Elexis, even when he focused his best effort into the task. Alex admired her skill with a light sabre, and despite her strong personality, Elexis handled her weapon with ease and her movements were as graceful as flowers floating in the wind.

Abruptly Alex was shaken from his thoughts by the voice of master Amicus, "Alex, you need to focus on what you are doing and stop dazing off!"

Again Alex was back in the small chamber, holding his laser sword, "Sorry sir." He apologised, "It won't happen again."

"I trust that it won't," Amicus said, then called over to where Elexis was practicing, "Elexis, join us!"

Elexis switched off her light sabre and paced over to join the group.

"I have now seen both of you show your worth with a light sabre," Amicus started, then the old man held out his hands and gave both his students a new laser sword. "These are complete replicas of you own weapons, however they have been designed to deliver a blow that will only stun an opponent. They are entirely non-lethal."

"Do you expect us to duel?" Elexis asked, eager to compete with Alex again.

"Yes, but for you own sakes, I hope that neither of you will ever have to face an enemy who knows how to use a light sabre. However with the sith gradually crawling their way back into power, I fear that our enemies are growing more resourceful by the day."

Alex and Elexis looked at each other, and Alex was able to see past Elexis' confident glare and witness the doubt and fear within. Alex didn't blame her, for he too was scared but too afraid to show it, especially in the presence of his partner.

Amicus led his students onto the practice floor and placed them five paces apart. Alex was determined not to be bested by his female competitor, and he sensed that Elexis felt the same way about him.

Sustaining their distance, the two opponents circled each other. Elexis flicked back her hair and tried to intimidate her opponent. The look in her eye was a clear marking of her determination, like that of a predator as it stalked its prey. There was something else, that competitive fire that Alex had seen so many times before, the look was a threat alone, but it did not shake Alex's confidence. At the same time they ignited their light sabres. To their surprise the students found that the blades did not have their usual blue glow, but instead were white. Alex focused his energy and looked Elexis in the eyes, and she returned the stare as once again she flicked her long hair out of her eyes, then with immense speed she struck at Alex's torso, much like the strike of a cobra. Alex was just able to dodge the blow in time and then counter it, going for Elexis' lower abdomen. She deflected the attack with a simple twist of her wrists and their blades slid, one across the other. The two opponents found that they were pressed up against each other, trying to break the others stance, their faces only inches apart.

"Are we fighting, or dancing?" Elexis taunted.

Alex smiled at the remark, and then used his strength as opposed to her swiftness and pushed Elexis back. He shifted his weight and managed to throw Elexis off balance, then swung his light sabre at her unprotected left arm and struck her in the shoulder before she could defend herself. There was a quick zapping sound and then Elexis dropped her light sabre and fell to her knees, clutching her arm.

"Great work," Amicus said as he stepped up and walked towards his students, "Give yourselves a moment to rest, and then try again."

Both students sat down by their master, Elexis was still holding her arm that was now beginning to throb a little. Alex, never before having used the new light sabres, had no idea about the impact of his blow. Elexis still made an effort to hide her agony.

"This time when you fight I want you to take no chances. Your enemy will certainly not hesitate when he sees his chance to kill you, and neither shall you. I also want you to truly look at who you are fighting, observe their stance and their movements, find their weaknesses and their strengths, being able to anticipate when and how your opponent moves will give you a great advantage in battle. Now, do it again."

As she stepped onto the floor Elexis swung her arm through the air a few times in an attempt to rid it of the terrible sting. This time when Alex faced Elexis on the practice floor he looked at her stance instead of her eyes. Alex observed her clothes, she wore close-fitting white trousers and a loose cotton shirt covered her torso. Alex knew that he was stronger than Elexis, but what he gained in strength she matched him equally in agility. Elexis was right handed, and so the weakness of her left arm was of little advantage to him, in all it seemed that they were still quite evenly matched.

Alex was the first to strike, performing a swift little spin as he tried for Elexis' head, but Elexis was too swift for him and averted the attack then countered with a quick strike for the neck. The duel became a game of counter and strike for a long time, neither opponent being able to land a hit on the other until Alex finally sighted a flaw in Elexis' footing. In one swift movement he swiped her blade to the side and used his shoulder to knock her down. With Elexis on her back Alex appeared to have won the duel, but instead of finishing his opponent off, Alex stood over Elexis in triumph and held his sword to her neck.

"I guess I overestimated you," he smirked, but Elexis was not defeated yet. She shot Alex a mischievous smile, almost child-like, and then she managed to hook her left foot behind Alex's left leg and trip him over. Elexis then took up her light sabre, rolled to the side and struck Alex's right hand, the shock caused him to drop his own weapon to the ground, leaving him at her mercy.

Elexis held the glowing white blade at Alex's throat and then responded to his previous observation, "Hardly," She said.

"Alright Elexis," Amicus intervened, "Lower your weapon, he has lost."

Amicus turned to Alex, who lowered his head shamefully, "Let that be a lesson to you, your enemy will have no time for chat while they are busy trying to kill you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, master." Alex replied.

"Good," Amicus collected their replica weapons, "I will be expecting both of you here tomorrow and do not be late this time."

Alex found that he could not hide his sudden embarrassment or his desire to gain revenge on Elexis. Alex and Elexis left their chambers together but no one spoke, and then they went about the rest of their day separately.