Niman was a discipline he had not learned much about, and in the end he knew it might cost him.  On he had pressed Alethea in his precision lightning strikes of Makashi, and the occasional defensive Soresu to block her counterattacks.  Even so, Niman was something he had not learned much over the years of training.  Djem So was something he understood, and to be fair...it had been something he had thought about learning.  Yet, the discipline did not really reflect his natural strengths...for it relied on physical strength more than agility...though agility came into play neatly.  Thus, he continued to hold his own against her when she returned to blending Djem So in.  The problem with Makashi was it simply lacked the kinetic energy to withstand such power from Djem So.  It was said that this was one of the few forms that could really take the fencing style with a chance of great success.  Weaving Soresu had allowed him to keep Alethea at bay...until the Force strike from her Niman style at the end.<br/><br/>Pushed back - Thal-ion found himself swiftly letting the Force guide his shove backwards into a balanced stance while waiting for her to leap in.  She didn't.  Instead, he found her switching off her blades, and complimenting him on his style and the excellence of the duel.  He had to admit it was one hell of a fight.  Both of them had acquitted themselves rather impressively, and Thal-ion found her blend of styles to be rather a powerful combination...one that likely outstripped his own.  He switched his own lightsaber off, and took in a deep sigh...letting the Force flow through him to replenish the energy he had spent.<br/><br/>"I admit," Thal-ion said after taking a gulp of the water she had offered him, "that your blending of styles is a powerful combination.  I have never seen the like of it among the Masters.  If you ever have to face a Dark Jedi or a Sith; I think they would find themselves in trouble."  His words were complete sincere admiration.  He did not believe in handing out compliments that weren't earned.  Such things always seemed to be rather silly to him.  You earned the praise...or you did not.  It was that simple in his mind.  "I have the distinct feeling we are going to make a rather incredible team.  I, personally, would hate to be the ones who had to fight us while were united," he added with a bit of a chuckle before taking some more water.<br/><br/>For just a moment, he saw in his mind's eye a tall tattooed Zabrak male with a blazing crimson blade attacking the two of them in rapid succession with a blend of martial arts and Juyo lightsaber form.  He saw the Zabrak send a roundhouse kick connecting to Alethea's head, and snapping her back to sail and land hard in the sand even as the strange warrior blocked a savage strike from Thal-ion's own emerald blade.  Then, the image was gone, and it left the young Jedi with sweat beading his brow...his eyes narrowed as the headache came a moment later.  He shook it away, and wondered what it meant.  By the image, if it was to be trusted, it seemed to be an event that would happen soon.  For the image of Alethea and himself was no different from their age now.