Once Obi-Wan exited the sparring mat and joined his master in the viewing area, Torm stepped forward, calmly taking his place. Kyle closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing himself to fully embrace the Force, seeking its aid to counter his fatigue. The energy responded willingly, though that strange shadow he had sensed before still lingered faintly, subtly limiting his full connection.
His strength renewed, Kyle exhaled slowly and opened his eyes, bringing his training saber up in a ready stance.
This time, however, the duel began differently. Torm advanced deliberately, cautiously testing Kyle's responses rather than launching an immediate assault. He had observed the previous duel carefully, noting Kyle's speed, adaptability, and instinctive counters. Rushing in against a seasoned opponent would only result in defeat.
But Kyle wasn't interested in a protracted assessment. Sensing hesitation, he quickly closed the distance with swift, decisive movements. Torm, momentarily forced onto his back foot, quickly recovered and smiled faintly—he had anticipated this. His blade shifted into a practiced, precise stance: Form II—Makashi.
Kyle's brow furrowed slightly in surprise. Makashi was a form dedicated purely to lightsaber dueling, elegant and precise. Few Jedi trained seriously in it, as formal dueling had become a relic of the past. Yet Torm's choice proved wise, as his smooth, calculated strikes efficiently parried Kyle's attacks, maintaining a careful balance between offense and defense.
As the duel progressed, Kyle adjusted, carefully analyzing Torm's patterns. Experience sharpened Kyle's instincts, allowing him to predict and counter the Makashi style. The dance between the two combatants intensified, blades flashing, each countering and adjusting, the tempo rising.
But Torm was resourceful. Just when Kyle thought he had deciphered Torm's strategy, the young Jedi fluidly transitioned into elements of Form VI—Niman—introducing adaptability and balance to his previous focused offense. Kyle immediately adjusted his tactics again, drawing on the depth of his experience and training, turning the duel into a continuous flow of shifting styles and strategies.
The spar stretched on far longer than any observer had anticipated, each Jedi refusing to yield ground. Kyle recognized his own exhaustion building again, his muscles straining with each clash of their blades. Realizing that he had to conclude this before fatigue fully reclaimed him, Kyle reluctantly chose an option he usually reserved for dire situations.
Reaching out subtly with the Force, Kyle extended a precise telekinetic push aimed at Torm's footing. The younger Jedi's eyes widened slightly as his feet betrayed him, unexpectedly losing their stability. Torm fell backward, his stance compromised.
In an instant, Kyle moved forward, swiftly guiding his training saber to lightly tap Torm's exposed back shoulder. The match was decisively over.
"Point," Master Bondara announced clearly.
Kyle immediately offered a hand to help Torm up, a touch of apology in his expression. "Sorry about that," he murmured.
Torm, accepting the hand with a good-natured smile, shook his head. "No need. It was a good tactic. I'll remember to watch for it next time."
The viewing area filled with polite applause as the two combatants stepped off the mat together, breathing heavily but smiling.
"Nicely done, both of you," Qui-Gon commended warmly.
Qu Rahn nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It seems we all have much to learn from each other."
Master Bondara spoke quietly with his fellow Masters for a moment, and then turned to the assembled Padawans and observers, his voice carrying authority but warmth.
"This is a valuable opportunity," he began, eyes moving between Obi-Wan, Torm, and the other Padawans watching. "Observe closely and learn—not just from your own duels, but from every match you witness."
Then, with quiet confidence, Bondara stepped onto the training mat, facing Qui-Gon Jinn. The two Masters bowed respectfully, their movements graceful and precise. They drew their lightsabers simultaneously, blades igniting with synchronized snaps of energy as they exchanged salutes.
Kyle leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as the duel erupted.
Qui-Gon struck first, his attacks strong and steady, reflecting his reliance on Form IV—Ataru, Kyle recognized immediately. Qui-Gon's movements were fluid yet powerful, each strike carrying a purposeful grace. Bondara, however, flowed seamlessly through an intricate dance, his Form IV blending defense and counterattack so smoothly it appeared effortless.
Kyle studied them intently, his battle-honed instincts picking out subtle openings and tactical shifts. Qui-Gon's strikes were formidable, yet Bondara's strategy was clear: wait for an opening. The Twi'lek Jedi Master shifted subtly, continuously redirecting Qui-Gon's momentum.
Then it came—the opening Bondara had anticipated. With sudden precision, he lunged, using a Force push aimed precisely at Qui-Gon's balance. Qui-Gon stumbled backward, but even as he fell, Kyle sensed the surge in the Force, and Qui-Gon swiftly retaliated with his own powerful telekinetic blast.
Bondara flew across the arena, hitting the wall hard enough that the entire chamber seemed to shake from the impact. Before anyone could react further, Qu Rahn stepped forward decisively.
"Enough," Rahn announced firmly. "The duel is a draw. Both combatants have demonstrated excellent control and adaptability."
Bondara rose slowly, giving Qui-Gon a respectful nod. "Well played."
Qui-Gon returned the gesture, a slight smile touching his lips. "And you."
A brief pause allowed both Masters to recover. Kyle watched carefully, appreciating the subtle exchanges, the unspoken lessons exchanged between two skilled warriors.
After half an hour had passed and Bondara had fully regained his strength, he stepped forward once more. This time, he signaled toward Qu Rahn, inviting the older Jedi to the mat.
Rahn met Bondara's gaze and nodded. Without hesitation, he removed his outer robe and stepped onto the training mat.
The two Jedi bowed deeply, their respect for one another evident. They activated their lightsabers in unison, blades humming as they saluted each other.
Then, with practiced discipline, their duel began.
Kyle leaned forward, absorbing the details of their exchange. Rahn fought methodically—steady, calm, patient. But his technique lacked Bondara's polished elegance and Qui-Gon's dynamic agility. Instead, Qu Rahn relied on practical simplicity—a style honed by decades of real-world encounters.
Bondara quickly took control, his strikes precise and swift, exploiting openings Kyle himself hadn't immediately noticed. Rahn defended stubbornly, adapting on the fly, and Kyle found himself impressed by Rahn's resilience.
Still, Bondara's prowess was undeniable, his blade moving in sharp, calculated arcs, gradually wearing Rahn down. The match continued longer than Qui-Gon's had, Rahn's experience allowing him to adapt longer, but even his formidable skill wasn't enough to overcome Bondara's methodical pressure.
Finally, Rahn faltered, Bondara's saber slipping neatly past his defenses, stopping just short of contact—a clear signal of victory.
The match ended.
Rahn, breathing heavily, smiled warmly as he lowered his blade. "Impressive as always, Master Bondara."
Bondara inclined his head respectfully. "Your adaptability is remarkable, Master Rahn."
As the two Jedi stepped off the mat, Kyle caught Bondara's glance.
Bondara addressed the Padawans again. "Remember these lessons. Skill alone will never be enough. Adaptability, resilience, and understanding your opponent—that's what sets a great duelist apart."
Kyle absorbed those words carefully, already considering how he could integrate what he'd learned into his own technique. The journey ahead was still uncertain, but one thing was clear:
There was much more to learn, and the Jedi of this era had much to teach.
Master Bondara turned toward Kyle, his expression thoughtful. "We'd appreciate your perspective on what each of us can improve upon," he said, gesturing toward the others gathered around.
Kyle nodded, gathering his thoughts. He began with Qui-Gon. "Your offense is powerful, Master Jinn, but it's also relentless, leaving you little room to defend or regroup. Over a prolonged fight, that style drains your stamina too quickly. You might want to consider incorporating a few defensive techniques to balance things out."
Qui-Gon stroked his beard thoughtfully, taking Kyle's words to heart. He was already aware of the limitations imposed by his advancing age, but hearing it spoken openly by another seasoned fighter solidified the need for change.
"Thank you, Kyle," Qui-Gon replied, sincerity evident in his voice. "I appreciate your insight."
Next, Kyle turned toward Master Bondara. "Your skill is exceptional, Master Bondara. The only suggestion I'd make is to refine your control slightly—there were moments when your strikes relied purely on your strength and speed. A little more precision and you'll leave fewer openings."
Bondara nodded appreciatively, a faint smile crossing his lips. "Noted, Kyle. I'll work on that."
Finally, Kyle faced Qu Rahn. "Master Rahn, your fundamentals are strong, but it's clear you haven't spent as much time recently on the dueling mats. A bit more consistent practice would go a long way."
Qu Rahn chuckled softly, accepting the advice with good humor. "Duly noted, Kyle. Perhaps we'll practice together sometime."
With Kyle's assessments complete, the group dispersed, each Jedi contemplating their own strengths and weaknesses—and how best to address them in their future training.