A month later, the competitors of the Saber Masters 1 class held a pre-tournament contest in preparation for the end of the year. Zel Tal'ok had increased confidence following her training with Arman Clash. She and the zabrak Tomac were on the spotlight. They were at the center of the arena with the others watching from the bleachers. Unlike her human companion, she thrived on this kind of attention. She looked forward to every opportunity to prove herself against the best of the best.
Zel Tal'ok happily ignited her lightsaber and stepped into her signature stance; a crowd pleaser in which she twirled her limbs and lekkus into a lowered reaching warrior stance. The Zabrak facing her pressed his hands together, palms squeezing his hilt, his chest bulging forward. Tomac's blade ignited inches from his nose, between his eyes with his horns seemingly holding the whole together. It was a menacing sight.
Zel smiled her big smile and the battle began. They were allowed to use force abilities in accordance with the tournament regulations, making the zabrak's strength less imposing and possibly even outmatched by Zel's speed. Besides, according to Arman and master Tal himself, she was well trained against the strongest opponent. It was time for her Achilles' heel to burden her no more.
She charged at him fiercely, her strikes quick and agile, putting Tomac immediately on the defensive. Tomac gave her some room and unleashed a force push with a quickly freed hand. The pulse was powerful and unexpected, but Zel had her shield up. Arman struck her many such blows during their training and insisted that she kept up a strong defense throughout her matches. Arman was a healer with a very deep pool of force power. The Zabrak was no challenge at force manipulation, not like Arman and the masters were. Up until now though, Tomac was undefeated at saber combat. As soon as he realized his assault had no effect on the twilek, he came at her with his lightsaber, trying hard to get her on the defensive.
Zel laughed in excitement and deflected his attack with ease. A few strikes in, Zel saw an opening in his technique. She kept her speed in reserve until the opportunity presented itself again. She pounced at the exact time and stabbed the zabrak in his midsection.
The match was over quickly. Zel had won. The crowd was ecstatic. Zel was immensely proud of herself and the moment she had finished receiving praise, she left the arena in search of her human companion.
She found him in the fleet simulator heading up a team of war adjutants in a grand battle. She couldn't go in and tell him of her victory, so instead, she just watched through the window. Arman was giving out orders and remained deep in thought. He worked out what the enemy fleet was trying to do and coordinated an attack to counter it. On the viewscreens, it was just a garble of fighters, cruisers, frigates, the iconic hammerhead corvettes and capital ships engaging each other with barrages of laser-fire. The real show for Zel was how the adjutants responded to Arman Clash; how they perked up at every order and scurried about at his every move. The battle raged on a good twenty minutes with Arman's fleet defeating the other. The human officers roared in triumph and praised their commander.
Zel intercepted one of the adjutants leaving the room. He was still feeling the thrill of battle. He paused in salute to the twilek Jedi.
"How was the battle officer?" Zel asked.
"Epic, commander." The human stood at attention, but turned his head to see Arman and the others still conversing.
"Can I help you Jedi?" He asked hesitantly.
"No, carry on officer." Zel dismissed him with a smile.
Arman finally shut down the simulator and dismissed the officers. The pink twilek was finally able to get to his side.
"Success?" She held her hands behind her back and bent at the waste to get closer to his ear. Arman smiled at his friend in surprise.
"Great success." He said humbly.
"Your human officers practically worship you Mr. Standard Form." She smiled in astonishment.
"I have quite a few records in the war-room." Arman explained.
"I bet." Zel looked at him attentively in the eyes.
"So why is it you haven't picked up a commission yet? Why are you hanging around here on Coruscant?" Zel asked seriously.
"I'm not ready yet." Arman said.
"Ready to command?" Zel didn't understand.
"Ready to leave Coruscant." Arman clarified.
"Walk with me Zel." He smiled and guided her by the waste softly in the direction he was heading. The twilek smiled at the gesture.
"My research is my primary concern. Picking a command in the fleet right now would keep me from reaching my goals... but, my time will come." Arman explained. He gave the twilek time to absorb what he was saying. She was lost in her thoughts.
"So, you're like a big deal here too, huh?" Zel asked in a friendly, but serious way.
"I don't waste time. I take my studies here very seriously." Arman confessed.
"So, what brings you here Zel?" Arman asked happily. Zel's posture and face lite up like a lightsaber as she remembered what she wished to share with her friend.
"I did it Mr. Clash: I defeated the zabrak... and it was a quick and decisive victory." Zel said with glee.
"Oh my gosh, Zel: I'm so proud of you!" Arman gave the twilek a big hug and kissed her on the cheek. Zel felt at home in his arms. She tried not to let it show.
"I have you to thank for that Arman. Our progress together has already brought me to the top." Zel was ecstatic.
"Just two and a half months left to the competition and I have only a few moves to work out, but I'm ready Arman!" Zel said.
"I knew you would be." Arman said proudly as he continued his walk slowly to the infirmary.
"What's going to happen to us Arman? I mean after..." The twilek asked worriedly.
"Given that we both wish to confront the Sith, I'm certain we'll get a chance to go on a few missions together." Arman said.
"And, in between missions?" Zel asked.
"I'll be pestering you for that ship you promised." Arman said as he paused. He could sense the twilek was worried.
"Is there something wrong Zel?" Arman asked seriously.
"I don't like the idea of us being apart." Zel confessed sadly.
"We do make a good team, you and I. A wise council would recognize that and put us together in a heartbeat." Arman tried to console his friend.
"Do you mean that? Really Arman?" Zel asked worriedly.
"I believe it's possible." Arman answered hopefully.
The pair reached the infirmary, where they reluctantly had to part ways.
"Are we practicing together tomorrow?" Zel asked.
"Same time, same place." Arman confirmed.
"The works." Zel nodded.
"The works." Arman bowed and watched Zel walk away. A decision had to be made and soon. He also feared what it would mean to them.
Zel walked into the works. Her smile grew at the sight of her human opponent standing at the ready, hilt in his palm.
"Let the fun begin." Zel smiled as she activated her blade.
"Are you officially ranked first?" Arman asked.
"Yep. After today's class. Get ready to officially get your ass whopped." Zel teased. Arman giggled and approached her, bringing his lightsaber into his combat form.
"Let's go human!" Zel shouted and attacked fiercely. After a few strikes, she hastily summersaulted to her favorite catwalk: up high with the wall to the side, where she felt at her best.
She beckoned him over to her and he happily obliged. The twilek charged him, keeping him at as close range as she could manage, back sideways to the wall of the catwalk to open up all of her moves against the man. Arman refused to allow her the upper hand and blocked her exceptionally well. In a moment of frustration while their blades were locked together close to each other, Zel gripped the human's right wrist with her left hand. She held onto him tightly and propelled herself and Arman towards the guardrail of the catwalk, hoping it would throw him off-balance.
They both came crashing against the railing, mostly with their shoulders. Both their hilt hands slammed into the lower railings. Metal against their knuckles and hilt in their palms, they both lost their grips and dropped their lightsabers down below into the pool of water.
"Ha!" Zel shouted in triumph. She didn't let go of his wrist, dragging the man over her shoulder and lifting him clean off the ground. She rolled him over her shoulder and brought him slamming down on the catwalk next to her, preparing to climb over him and strike at him with her forearm.
Arman evaded her and kept his momentum, rolling him harmlessly away from the assault in a fluidic move. The moment he stood up, she swiftly kicked him with one leg, then the other. She came closer for a fist fight, but Arman blocked her every move effortlessly. Suddenly, her mouth fell agape as she saw the human in a new light.
Confusion, fear and panic rushed into her, twisting her stomach in a knot. She reached both hands onto the guardrail and steadied herself firmly looking down in shock at the water below.
"Are you ok?" Arman rushed to her side in worry.
"Don't!" Zel stopped him with a completely extended arm. She couldn't bear to look at him. She breathed in and out, trying to center herself.
"There is no passion, there is serenity." She said out loud the Jedi mantra that she hadn't needed since she was a teenager.
"Did I hurt you?" Arman asked worriedly.
"What the HELL Arman!" She shouted furiously at him. She dropped to the ground in exasperation. She breathed heavily. Zel sat at the edge of the catwalk, feet dangling calmly out into nothingness.
"Did you think I wouldn't find out? I told you I was raised by an Echani!" Zel said as she finally gathered enough courage to face the human. Arman humbly and delicately sat next to her, desperately hoping for her forgiveness. Her face was hot with anger. Tears were dripping down her cheeks.
"There's not much I could do." Arman said honestly.
"You're a liar Arman! All year long, you've been playing me. You've been playing us all!" Zel cried.
"I never meant to hurt you." Arman apologized.
"Stop. Just stop. I don't want to hear it. You lied to me. TO ME Arman!" Zel said angrily. She stared out into the distance. The twilek tried to calm herself down.
"Do you have any idea how much that hurts? I've had the most fantastic year Arman. As it turns out, I've been sharing it with someone I don't even know." Zel explained.
"It's a secret I have to live with. What do you expect people would think if they knew?" Arman said defensively. Zel didn't respond. She shook her head and wiped her tears away. After a moment of being lost in thought, she looked the human in the eyes.
"Just how strong are you Arman?" She asked. The man pondered how best to respond. He looked down into his hands, closed his fists and looked back into the twilek's eyes. While he had her attention, Arman reached over the top of the rail with one hand, fastened himself with his thighs against the bottom rail and pulled down. The railing screeched as he brought it all down towards him. The metals separated on one end and bent awkwardly on the other, the whole railing bulged outward towards the emptiness over the water.
Zel gasped in shock and backed away from the railing.
"Like a machine." She said in disbelief.
"Something like that." Arman agreed.
"All this training with me, all of this time practicing; it's all just a joke to you." Zel sighed and shook her head.
"You're not a joke to me Zel. Not ever." Arman reassured her.
"Not me, Arman. I mean my skills. I don't even understand why you would bother showing up to class at all. All of my dreams of becoming the best... worthless, meaningless... you mock it all." Zel said in frustration.
"Don't say that Zel." Arman said.
"I saw it in you Arman. The tournament, all those Jedi masters, they are no challenge to you. They never were. None of us are." Zel was exasperated.
"Don't go there Zel; Lightsaber combat is your baby, not mine. I wouldn't dare take it from you." Arman said.
"What difference does it make Arman? You're the best, not me. The way I see it, the whole tournament is a joke now. Less than meaningless." Zel said in resignation.
"I'm sorry Zel." Arman said softly.
"I can't believe you Arman. You were supposed to show me what you can do... We had a deal and you broke my trust. You promised Arman!" Zel struck him once in the shoulder in furry.
"I'm sorry." Arman repeated, flinching in pain.
Zel stood up hastily, looking down on the man.
"Tomorrow, we duel again. This time you forget about your tiresome workout and you give me all you got, or so help me Arman! I will tell the whole temple just how deadly you really are." Zel shouted and walked away furiously.
"You don't know what you are asking Zel Tal'ok!" Arman shouted back; the twilek froze in her steps.
"What are you talking about Arman? I deserve the truth." Zel said without looking back.
"If we duel tomorrow and I show you all I can do, we will become bound together forever." Arman said very seriously.
"What do you mean Arman?" The pink twilek turned around to face the human.
"I'm talking about the bond we have. If we do this, it will grow and forever link our destinies." Arman clarified.
"You're talking about a force-bond? Like between Jedi lovers?" Zel asked curiously.
"Lovers? Sure... but I was talking about the bond shared between master and apprentice." Arman said. Zel frowned at him, still angry.
"What are you saying?" She asked in resignation.
"Master Salekki taught me all about force-bonds. Is it so hard to believe? You, who want so desperately to learn to be the best, me who secretly knows just how to defeat anyone you've ever met?" Arman said.
"Bullshit Arman! You're just scared. Scared that I'll be afraid of you, just like master Salekki was!" Zel yelled.
"Do you honestly believe that? Do you think I would ever bother with you if I knew you would fear me?" Arman asked defensively.
"I'm not afraid; Arman I'm furious!" Zel shouted as she came intimidatingly close to the sitting human.
"You're different Zel. You're not like the others." Arman confirmed. Zel didn't respond. She reached out with the force and caught both lightsaber hilts out of thin air, still dripping water from the works below. She looked at the sabers and handed one over to Arman.
"Tomorrow Arman. Tomorrow, you show me." She said softly.
"It means forever Zel." Arman repeated.
"It's my choice to make." Zel said simply and left.
"It's your choice." Arman whispered as he watched the twilek leave.
The next class, Zel sat out overlooking the arena from the bleachers. It was the very first time in her entire life that she refused to participate in lightsaber combat. Sensing her trouble, master Olis Tal sat next to her. Her mood was dazed and distant.
"What happened to you Zel Tal'ok?" He asked carefully.
"I made a mistake yesterday: I didn't take your advice. I fought Arman in hand-to-hand combat. It was a spur of the moment thing. I wasn't thinking." Zel confessed.
"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Master Tal asked.
"Hurt me? No. Not in the physical sense." Zel said as she finally looked at the other twilek in the eyes.
"I see. It was an accident." Master Olis understood.
"How long have you known about Arman Clash?" Zel asked.
"About his physical strength? Seven years." He answered honestly.
"Have you ever told anyone?" Zel asked.
"I took it upon myself to keep an eye on him. I owed it to his master; she meant a lot to me." Master Tal confessed.
"Is he dangerous?" Zel asked.
"I think of his as the next Revan; not the charismatic leader mind you, but just as deadly." Master Olis said.
"And yet, you keep his secret?" Zel was confused.
"He's not like the Revan who defied the council or the Revan who came back to conquer the republic; he's like the Revan who was redeemed and brought down Malak and the starforge." Master Tal explained.
"You believe in him." Zel said.
"He is the most gifted Jedi I have ever met." Master Tal said honestly.
"What do I do master?" Zel asked.
"Are you afraid of him?" Master Tal asked.
"No master." Zel answered honestly.
"Then, forgive him. Allow him the courtesy of making his own choices." Master Tal said.
"I always believed in him. It's just that suddenly I feel like I don't know him." Zel explained.
"Has he really changed in your eyes?" Master Tal asked.
"No master; it's everything else that changed." Zel said.
"You are both at the threshold of true progress. I ask you, Zel Tal'ok: Why stop now?" Master Olis said as he pointed at all the students that practiced hard in the most advanced class of lightsaber combat a Jedi could ever attend.
"It's always been my dream to succeed master." Zel confessed.
"Can it still be done?" Can you win the Tournament of the Order?" Master Olis asked.
"Of course I can." Zel said instinctively.
"So, I ask again: why stop now? Our journey is a continuous one Jedi; every end is a new beginning. Perhaps your journey with Arman Clash is not at an end, but at a beginning." Master Tal said.
"I know exactly what you mean master." Zel got up hopefully.
"I can't walk away from what Arman and I are becoming. Not after all of this." Zel explained.
"Then be the Jedi Knight you have always wanted to be. Forgive him. Be understanding of the burden he carries and together, you can accomplish anything." Master Olis Tal said.
"Thank you Master Olis. I won't forget this." Zel left master Tal at the bleachers and warmed up her body for the fight of her life.
The poorly lit humid catwalks felt different this time. Zel was almost nervous to face Arman after his display the day before. She needed to relieve her stress as soon as possible. The pair faced each other, lightsabers humming. The blue blade made Zel's skin glow purple. The human focused on the twilek's eyes.
"No holding back Arman, like you promised." Zel said seriously.
"I promise." Arman bowed.
"Are you certain about this? There is no turning back now. This secret will be yours to keep. Our future depends on it." Arman asked seriously.
"I've made my decision." Zel affirmed.
"As you wish." Arman bowed humble once more.
"Show me what you got Mr. Standard Form!" Zel smiled once more as she charged at the mindful human.
Arman Clash had his force speed charged up. His muscles were fed by the force, his mind raced. He ran to her in a blink of an eye, slapped the blue blade clean out of the twilek's hand and knocked her down on her back... a flawless victory.
Zel Tal'ok blinked, disoriented from her fall. She was on the floor of the catwalk, stunned. The human hovered over her, offering his hand. Zel smiled and accepted his help to get up.
"I wasn't ready." She said in excuse.
"Very good Zel. Let's go again." Arman smiled.
He charged at her again at ridiculous speed. This time Zel unleashed a powerful force push towards the blur that approached her. No effect. The man slammed her down again.
"How is this possible?" Zel couldn't understand.
"I had my shield up Zel." Arman said as he helped her up again.
"You were using your power to go super fast; that push should have stopped you." Zel said.
"My speed is not a drain on my power Zel. I've built all of my body and skills in tandem with this one basic power, carrying it over to a level that has never been reached before." Arman explained.
"How Arman?" Zel was impressed.
"Using my healing abilities, I made modifications to my body. Without them, my strength and speed would drain my power and shatter my bones." Arman explained.
"You mean you can be this fast for extended periods of time without becoming vulnerable to force attacks?" Zel asked as she inspected the man in front of her.
"As long as I need to, yes." Arman said.
"That's incredible Arman." Zel was astounded.
"It's a very painful process though. I wouldn't recommend for a non-healer to push it very far. Taken as far as I have and the effects are permanent power and speed, but also permanent pain with plenty of healing breaks." Arman confessed.
"It hurst you to do this?" Zel asked.
"Very much so, yes." Arman confessed.
"Why? Why do all of this?" Zel was confused.
"You know why Zel. I am like you." Arman said.
"Not like me Arman; So much more advanced." Zel said.
"I mean in the sense that I wished to be the best at something, just like you do. Now I am." Arman explained.
"How many of us can you defeat all at once? Four? Five? Ten?" Zel asked puzzled.
"I have no idea Zel." Arman said.
"Take a guess." Zel suggested.
"I don't know, ten" Arman shrugged.
"You are properly scary Arman. Really. But you're also my best friend. I don't want this to get between us, ok?" Zel said worriedly.
"It's no problem Zel. I've got this." Arman smirked.
"You want to go again? Maybe take it easy on me this time?" Zel asked.
"Ok Zel." Arman agreed.
Zel was happy again.
The human put on a show, letting the twilek feel confident and dragged the duel just as he used to, only this time, he didn't hide the fact that he could blur into any pose or move he wanted as if time stood still for him. She had no idea a Jedi could be so powerful and no one knew it but herself and her best friend.