Then Seris spoke, her voice carrying a note of concern that made everyone turn to look at her. "You do know why the Jedi haven't used Tython anymore, right?"
I nodded, leaning back against the couch. "There's a long list of reasons, I believe. The shifting hyperspace routes in its region made the planet increasingly isolated and difficult to find. And when the Order's numbers grew and they became more involved in the Republic's affairs, they needed to be on a planet that was easily accessible through stable, well-trafficked hyperspace lanes. That led them to establish hubs on different worlds, mainly Coruscant now."
I paused, gathering my thoughts.
"Oh, and Tython is a highly Force-sensitive planet that can react violently to disturbances in the Force. This volatile nature made it a less stable and secure location for a growing order compared to other planets."
"That last one is exactly why, Cain!" Seris said, excitement breaking through her usual composure. Her gray eyes were bright, her ears twitching with the intensity of her emotion. "You could explain your reasoning as the Jedi wanting to start over and have a world where we connect to the Force deeply, and that would be fine. But that planet is beautiful and harsh. It's not suitable for everyone to live on, especially if you want to bring families who are non-Force sensitives."
I nodded in agreement. She was right, the planet was very harsh when it could violently change because of a shift in the Force. The ancient texts I'd studied mentioned storms that appeared from nowhere, earthquakes triggered by dark side corruption, entire regions becoming uninhabitable when the balance was disrupted.
"You're right, Seris," I admitted. "But I still believe that Tython is a good place for us to establish our new order. Among other planets we can use as well, of course. But Tython will be our rebirth. Our foundation."
That's when Anakin's voice rang through the room, clear and confident.
"I think it's a good idea."
Everyone, including myself, looked at Anakin in confusion. He rarely spoke up so definitively in these planning sessions, usually content to listen and absorb.
"Cain, no one disagrees with having attachments and starting families," Anakin said, his indigo eyes serious. "I think I speak for all of us when I say..." He paused and took a quick glance at Seris, a knowing smile crossing his face before he looked back at me. "We want you to find happiness, and it helps that I can relate because I myself have attachments, and you never judged me for that. You actually supported me the entire way. All of you have."
His voice grew stronger, more passionate.
"And I believe everyone should be allowed to have and find love and families. The current Code, the way it denies basic human connection, it's wrong. I've always felt that, but I thought I was the only one."
"Not to mention it has been proven that when Force-sensitive people have children, the likelihood of them being Force-sensitive is even higher," Derren said abruptly, his analytical mind cutting to the practical implications. "So there's less reason to recruit children by taking them from their families."
Seris and Barriss looked at Derren like he'd said something both factual and insane.
He's not wrong at all, I thought. If Jedi had children born into the order like the Corellian Jedi do, then the order's numbers would be different than they are now. Not to mention separating families is a hypocritical act that needs to end.
Before I could finish my current thought, my holo communicator vibrated against my chest. Everyone began to quiet down, watching as I brought out the circular device from my robe. A blue hologram figure appeared in my hand, flickering slightly before stabilizing.
It was Bo-Katan in her armor, her helmet still equipped. "This is Owl reaching out to Noctis. Do you read me? Security code 06021980."
I felt everyone's eyes on me as I responded, keeping my voice level and professional. "I read you, Owl. This is Noctis. Security code 11122019."
"I read you, Noctis. It's good to hear from you again after so long."
"It is good to hear from you as well. Tell me, Owl, how go things on your end?"
Bo's voice carried a note of satisfaction mixed with concern. "Thanks to your connections, we were able to infiltrate the city of Tipoca. We were welcomed to the Kamino facility with no issues. But when we have time in person, we will talk about what you've been up to. Gene therapy, body enhancements, and Force-sensitive hybrid cloning..."
She paused, and I could hear the weight in her silence.
"The scientists thought we were there to check on the progress of your funded research and experiments. I will say I was surprised to find out everything you were paying for. What are you trying to do?"
I paused for a moment, taking in everything she said. The weight of my plans, the scope of what I was attempting, suddenly felt very real with my friends watching me. I know not everyone will be on board with the changes I will bring to the order, I thought. But I swear it will be worth it. I won't make anyone do something I myself won't do.
"Speaking of which, what did the scientists say?" I asked, redirecting the conversation.
"I don't know all the technical jargon, but she said hybridizing clones, especially with certain alien and human DNA, is possible. And the gene therapy that you presented is viable with great success toward clones and non-clones. The nanotechnology is progressing well in the studies of physical enhancements."
Bo's voice took on a slightly frustrated tone.
"Force sensitivity hasn't made any progress without a sample to study from. After that, she said she's waiting for the samples or the whole specimen of this Ysalamiri-something. I don't know how she pronounced it, but she said from your communications these things are needed for your plans for the Force-sensitive part of your hybrid clone research."
The Ysalamiri, I thought. The creatures from Myrkr that create Force-neutral bubbles. They're the key to stabilizing Force-sensitive clones and potentially even stabilizing Tython itself.
"Yes, they are," I confirmed. "But we can worry about them later, after we secure the facility and stop them from making more clones of Fett. Did you locate Jango and the other Mandalorians yet?"
"We did. But no contact was made, like you requested. We just watched. We didn't go to the planet in our armor like you suggested. And I dyed my hair so I wouldn't be recognized, per your suggestion."
Bo pulled off her helmet, and what flowed down wasn't her signature short red hair but raven-black hair that made her green eyes pop even more intensely.
"Okay, can you confirm the targets?"
Bo nodded, her expression serious. "A group of Mandalorian mercenaries hired by Fett. They're called the Cuy'val Dar. So far, from what we can tell, they're responsible for the specialized training of clone commandos. Two of them we identified were Kal Skirata and Walon Vau. Your intel is spot-on as usual."
Good, I thought. So things are the same as in Legends. All I need to do is get the Ysalamiri from Myrkr. Once I give them to the Kaminoans, my plans for the hybrid army with Force-sensitive clones will become a reality. Not to mention how they could help stabilize Tython if I use them correctly.
"What about Pre and Death Watch? And that errand I asked you to do?"
The air in the room began to get tense. I noticed everyone looking at me with cautious eyes, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Pre has been focused on his duties and gathering more supporters in secret," Bo said, her voice carefully neutral. "He confronted me about me taking you in as a foundling. Said it was your birthright, and when you're ready to fight him, he will accept your challenge at any time."
My eyes widened with confusion. He knew, and he's choosing to do nothing? Plus he's not hurting or doing anything to Bo either?
"Did he say anything else besides that?"
"No. If you want answers, you will have to find them for yourself."
Now I'm more confused, I thought. What does he have planned? Is this his pride talking? Or is he giving me a chance for revenge because we're related and he killed my mother? It's hard to tell with Pre. He would always have a plan, and if you were on the other side of him, then you would never see the knife coming.
"Sounds like we have time then, so let's not waste it. And the errand?"
Bo nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her expression. "I managed to find it. I almost got lost a few times, but I mapped out the hyperspace lanes. I'm sending you the coordinates now. Me and some members loyal to me are camped out by an old Jedi temple. When do you think you will be here?"
Lights flashed as a holo-map appeared where Bo's figure had been. It showed coordinates and hyperspace lanes to take, a complex route through unstable space that would require careful navigation.
"Give me three days and expect me to arrive with company," I said. "Inform the princess and tell her Noctis and I will be dark for a while."
"Will do, but why not tell my sister you're Noctis already? She would take you seriously at this point."
"No, I don't have enough accomplishments yet for my true identity to have weight," I explained. "After I arrive, we can begin my training, and after that, spend some time making a plan for the next three years."
"If you say so, but don't take too long."
The transmission ended as Bo's blue holo-figure disappeared, leaving us in silence. I looked up to see everyone's eyes on me, their expressions ranging from shocked to concerned to curious.
"Cain, what was that?" Seris asked, her voice carefully controlled but her ears twitching with barely suppressed emotion.
I gave a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "Well, you remember Bo-Katan. My mentor. She was investigating the cloning facility for me. That's also where a lot of my money has gone, stuff for research, experiments, and other things for the hybrid army."
Even though I've also been bankrolling Bo and her Death Watch unit, I thought. From starships to supplies and more. I swear I had to work double time to release my other books and games just to get enough money to keep up. How is it that I'm making more money now than before, but between Kamino research, Death Watch being my errand crew, and buying mercenary groups or spies for intel, I'm more broke than when I started all this?
By broke, I don't mean I'm penniless. I mean I basically can't afford what's outside of my already planned budget. My books are going to be turned into holo-movies soon, which means I have to oversee their productions at some point if I want those royalty checks to get bigger.
Worst case, I'll go to a casino world or something and just win a few thousand or million credits if I have to. If I take these guys with me, I can definitely make even more money and keep fewer eyes on me.
"Hey guys, are your masters on planet, and are they free?" I asked suddenly.
Everyone in the room looked at me with confusion and curiosity. Then the tension in the room began to build as I stepped forward toward the door to leave the apartment. The front door whooshed open with a soft hiss.
Derren was the first one to speak, his voice breaking the long, paused silence. "Why do you want to know if our masters are on planet?"
I turned back, a grin spreading across my face. "That's because we're going on a field trip, guys. And I doubt our masters will let us go disappearing for a few days, so let's bring them. Let me explain the details."
THREE DAYS LATER....
The Jedi cruiser Voyager Dawn hummed through hyperspace, its engines creating a steady thrum that resonated through the ship's corridors. The vessel was a Paladin-class corvette, smaller than the massive Venator-class ships but perfectly suited for our purposes, fast, maneuverable, and equipped with enough space for our group.
The four of us, myself, Anakin, Derren, and Seris, sat in a meditative circle in one of the ship's training chambers. Master Fay and Shaak Ti led the meditation, their presences in the Force like calm pools of water, deep and still. Master Kuro and Master Plo were piloting us toward Tython, their combined expertise ensuring we'd navigate the treacherous hyperspace routes safely.
Unfortunately, Barriss couldn't come. Her master, Luminara Unduli, wanted to oversee her training personally. Obi-Wan and Depa Billaba were in talks with Mace Windu about other matters.
I'd had to explain to the masters at the Temple where we would be going and why. I'd told them I had another vision, saying it told me to commune with the Force at the Jedi's birthplace, and that I, along with others, would receive a revelation. I'd told them it would also be a good chance to have a retreat and connect with the Force more openly.
Master Plo and Master Fay had been on board immediately. While Mace Windu, hearing the location, had agreed surprisingly quickly and brought Depa Billaba with us as well.
At first, there had been a lot of pushback from the other Council members. But having Masters Plo, Mace, and a few others thinking highly of me made it easier to convince them. Mace had said he would take responsibility and that it would be good to see how the planet had been after so long.
So the masters coming were Plo, Mace, Shaak Ti, Kuro, Depa, and Obi-Wan, along with their Padawans.
I would use this opportunity to start making my move, I thought, to get some Jedi on my side. Besides Plo and Obi-Wan, Master Fay and the rest I can't say for sure. But I would need Fay if I was being honest.
When my new order starts, I need certain individuals who everyone will look to for guidance and leadership. In time, I know Seris will be one of those people. Anakin, he can stick to the front lines of fighting or relief efforts for now. Unless he matures a lot more than he currently is, I don't want him as a leader. Well, good thing Ahsoka exists here in this universe. So let's see the improvements he's been making with her when he becomes her master.
Derren, I feel, would be a great leader, but he would also be good at anything he puts his mind to. I need to figure out what fits him best. Barriss knows what she wants to do. Helping and healing others will be easier if I can make strides in the healing arts with technology and the Force, with the help of the Dathomir Witches, Kamino, and the Ones.
Now me. I don't want to be a leader or grandmaster. I will make the plans and get them done in secret. That way, the galaxy will be ready in the next hundred years or so. After that, I'm taking a long vacation.
I needed to get Fay on my side. I needed three great leaders to lead the new order I was creating. Master Plo was my first one. He was long-lived, and with his background, I believed we could get the other Baran Do Sages to come into the new order, or at least work with us. Seris would be a good point of contact to speak to the Corellian Jedi as well.
I wanted Fay to be the other chair. Like Plo, she listened to the Force, and even though she didn't have a lightsaber, that didn't stop her from being active in the galaxy. I thought Mother Talzin would be a great fit for the third seat. I was kind of hesitant about that, but I believed it could work. But first, we had to get her to release her male slaves and have the women and men be open to change.
That reminds me, the Bendu. I need to find him and see if he will come to Tython. Speaking of which, it was time to see what the planet looked like.
While in a meditative trance, I entered the void realm. The transition was smoother than it had been in the past, I'd been practicing this technique with Mother Talzin and Master Fay, learning to navigate the space between spaces with greater ease.
Around me, the darkness was vast and infinite. I was surrounded by numerous Force lights, shimmering points of consciousness that represented living beings. From my fellow Padawans to our masters, they were bright, each one unique in its color and intensity.
I could feel Anakin's presence, a blazing sun of raw power, tinged with shadows at its edges. Seris was a cool silver moon, steady and constant. Derren was a warm amber glow, grounded and reliable.
I then began to search the void for the planet. From time to time, I'd noticed certain planets had a light or personification in the Force. Just like with Barriss, when she would manifest a forest-like illusion when she was in deep meditation, some planets would glow and show a sparkle or a pulsing light.
I wonder what I might see with Tython. I searched and searched in the dark void, looking beyond the lights and sparkles here and there. But I couldn't find anything. The darkness seemed to stretch on forever, empty and cold.
Then I heard a soft, melodic voice speak into my ears. "Stop trying to look with your eyes."
I turned around, but no one was there. The void remained empty, the darkness absolute except for the distant Force lights.
It sounded like Master Fay, but different?
Then the voice spoke again, closer this time, as if the speaker was standing right beside me. "Look with your heart. Reach into the Force and feel it. Let it welcome you into its embrace."
I paused for a moment, considering the words. I've always known I would never understand the Force on a straightforward level unless I was on the level of the Ones. But is just opening myself really going to help?
Well, it doesn't hurt to try. No....not try. Do.
I closed my eyes, even though I was already in a realm beyond physical sight. I let my Force light, my golden radiance with its shadow hue, shine bright. The void filled with a bright golden light, pushing back the darkness, illuminating the space around me.
I could feel the shadow hue that always surrounded my light start to reach out into a line, extending like a tendril into the infinite darkness. It guided me, pulling me gently forward.
I let myself drift through the void, following the guidance of my own power. It felt like hours passed, though time had no meaning in this place. The sensation was both peaceful and unsettling, like floating in an ocean where you couldn't see the bottom.
Then I felt it and my eyes opened.
Before me was a sphere of clouds, beautiful, swirling masses of silver and white that seemed to pulse with inner light. Through the clouds, I saw jungles, mountains, and oceans. And from each region, a translucent line expanded out into the void, connecting to other points of light scattered throughout the darkness.
There were so many connections. Hundreds. Thousands. Each one a thread in an impossibly complex web. I see, I thought, understanding dawning. This is why Tython is so sensitive to changes in the Force. It's basically like the Spirit World in Avatar. It's connected to almost everything in the Force.
The planet wasn't just Force-sensitive, it was a nexus, a focal point where the Force itself seemed to concentrate and flow. Every disturbance, every shift in the balance, would ripple through those connections, affecting the planet itself.
I definitely need the Ysalamiri to help make this world more stable, I thought. Well, that's my plan anyway.
The Ysalamiri created bubbles where the Force couldn't penetrate, Force-neutral zones. If I could strategically place them around Tython, I could dampen the planet's violent reactions to Force disturbances without cutting it off from the Force entirely. It would be like installing shock absorbers on a vehicle, allowing it to handle rough terrain without breaking apart.
I reached out with my consciousness, touching one of the threads that extended from Tython. Immediately, I felt a rush of sensation, ancient memories, echoes of the Je'daii who had once walked the planet's surface, the balance they had maintained between Ashla and Bogan, light and dark.
I saw flashes of temples rising from the jungle, of students meditating in perfect harmony with the planet's rhythms. I felt the peace that had once existed here, before the schism, before the Jedi and Sith split into opposing factions.
This is what we lost, I thought. This is what we need to reclaim. The voice spoke again, warm and approving. "You understand now. The planet remembers. It waits for those who can hear its song."
"Who are you?" I asked into the void.
"I am the echo of what was and the whisper of what could be," the voice replied. "I am the Force itself, speaking through the memories of this place. You have been chosen to restore what was lost, young one. But the path will not be easy."
"I know," I said. "But I'm not alone."
"No," the voice agreed. "You are not. And that is your greatest strength."
The vision began to fade, the threads of light dimming as I was pulled back toward my physical body. But before I fully returned, I felt a final surge of warmth from the planet—a welcome, an invitation, a promise.
Tython was waiting for us.
A few hours later, we reached Tython with no problems. Our ship descended through low-hanging silver clouds, and I stood near the viewport, my eyes fixed on the surface below.
I saw an ever-expanding vista of landscapes. Long, giant trees with vines appearing between them, their trunks so massive that entire ecosystems existed in their branches. Large waterfalls and flowing rivers cut through the terrain like silver ribbons. Large mountains and ravines that went on for miles stretched across the horizon.
"It's so beautiful," Seris said beside me, her voice filled with wonder. "It feels so good and tranquil, like..."
"Like we were meant to be here," I finished. "It's the birthplace of the first Jedi Order. We should feel at home here."
Master Fay stood at the cockpit, radiating calm. Her ancient eyes took in the view with an expression that might have been nostalgia. "So this is the birthplace of the order. It feels like the Force is radiating here. I can feel it in every breath, every heartbeat."
I turned to the other masters. "Masters, what do you think?"
Master Plo knelt as soon as we landed, feeling the long grass in his hands. The blades were a deep emerald green, soft and cool to the touch. "I can say it is an amazing feeling to be here now. I would have never thought Tython held such beauty and such majesty just by looking at it from orbit."
Mace nodded, his expression serious but not disapproving. "I agree with Master Plo. This place is beautiful, and I feel something amazing with every breath I take. But we should be mindful of this planet. No Jedi has been here in a long time, and the environment could shift with the Force at any time."
Obi-Wan looked to Anakin, who stood a few paces away, his eyes closed and his face turned toward the sky. Anakin was in awe of the planet. He felt like he was on another jungle-like world, but this one was different. He closed his eyes, lifted his head, and outstretched his hands to his sides.
In that moment, the air around him shifted. The air circled around him and me, sending a gentle, warm breeze toward us both. Everyone stared at us in awe, feeling the Force move in ways they'd rarely experienced.
Only Mace and Depa could tell what was happening.
"Master, the Force and Tython, they are embracing the two," Depa said in shock, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mace, who was watching everything through shatterpoint, just stared. Deep down, he knew she was right. For the first time in a long time, he had a strong revelation, that these two could change not only the order but the entire galaxy.
He stepped forward to Plo and gestured for the master to follow him. Plo nodded, understanding passing between them without words.
"Knight Kenobi, a word," Mace said.
Obi-Wan walked toward the two Jedi Masters, curious about the calling. "Yes, Master Windu?"
"Would you mind if we take Anakin with us for a hike in the nature?"
Obi-Wan was surprised by the question. Normally, Master Windu only took an interest in Cain. Occasionally, he would train both of them, but his main focus was always on Cain. He could tell Mace had no problems with Anakin, but he wondered what was going on.
"Of course not, Master, but can I ask why?"
"I believe it's good to allow the Padawans to learn from other teachers when they get a chance," Mace explained. "Plus, I would like to challenge the order's prodigies. Both of them."
Obi-Wan nodded, understanding. "Okay, Master."
A few minutes later, Master Plo, Mace, Depa, Anakin, and I departed into the Tython jungle at great speed. We all ran, jumped, and swung between the trees, our movements enhanced by the Force. Me and Anakin were told by the masters to follow them as best as we could.
Through the jungle, we moved like we were one with nature. Mace and Plo ran with great speed at a consistent pace. Both were fast and unbothered by the nature around them, branches that would have struck us in the face simply moved aside for them, roots that would have tripped us seemed to flatten beneath their feet.
It took almost everything Anakin and I had to keep up. We augmented ourselves with Force speed, pushed our bodies to their limits, used every technique we'd learned to maintain the pace.
But Depa, she just ran behind us the entire time, and she didn't look like she was struggling at all. Her movements were effortless, graceful, like she was dancing rather than running. Her breathing was steady, her expression calm.
She's not even trying, I realized. This is nothing to her.
Then we exited the long jungle to find ourselves at a river at the bottom of a waterfall. The water was crystal clear, so pure you could see the smooth stones at the bottom. The waterfall itself was massive, easily a hundred meters tall, the water crashing down with a roar that filled the air.
"Now, Anakin, go with Master Plo," Mace said, his voice cutting through the sound of the waterfall. "Cain, you will be with me and Depa."
Anakin and I looked at each other, both with a small bead of sweat dripping down our brows. We'd pushed ourselves hard to keep up, and now we were being separated for individual training.
Anakin followed Plo to the footing at the bottom of the waterfall. They began to sit and meditate, the water crashing down just meters away from them, the spray creating a fine mist that surrounded them like a veil.
Mace tossed me a lightsaber hilt. I caught it reflexively, looking at it with confusion. It was different from my own, lighter, with a different balance. Depa stood across from me and ignited her lightsaber. The green blade hummed to life, casting emerald light across her face.
"Master, what is going on?" I asked.
"You will be training with Depa," Mace explained. "I want you to use Jar'Kai along with Vaapad against her."
"But Master, I technically don't know Vaapad. I just managed to copy you in the spur of the moment."
Mace nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, but when you copied me, I saw you slowly refining the style into something balanced and adaptable. Depa is exceptionally strong in Vaapad. You should be able to learn from each other."
I looked at Depa. "Do you think so?"
Depa nodded, a slight smile on her face. "I believe there is much to learn here from one of the order's brightest future Jedi, Padawan Cain."
Well, I'd be lying if I didn't want to test myself against Depa, I thought. From what I remember from the lore, not only is she strong in Vaapad, but Mace believed she would surpass him and take it to new heights. I guess after last time, he thinks both of us should spar together.
The sound of lightsabers hissed to life as my goldish-yellow blade appeared, its black hue more intense than usual. The second lightsaber came to life, it was an indigo shoto blade, shorter than a standard saber but perfectly balanced for off-hand work.
He gave me an indigo shoto blade? I wonder why one of these rare colors of all things?
The clouds in the sky went gray as rain around us started to pour. The drops were warm, almost pleasant, but they came down hard, creating a constant drumming sound against the ground and the leaves.
Depa was in her stance, ready. Her green lightsaber reflected off her light brown skin, creating patterns of light and shadow. In an instant, I rushed at Depa.
She blocked my attack like it was nothing, her blade meeting mine with perfect precision. In the background, lightning and thunder roared with intensity, the storm building in response to our duel.
In that next moment, through the flashes of lightning, we exchanged numerous strikes between each other. I was digging deep in the Force, and with every strike, I aimed for a shatterpoint on Depa, those critical junctures where the smallest application of force could create cascading effects.
She just reflected and parried my strikes off her blade, her movements economical and precise. She wasted no energy, made no unnecessary movements.
The flashes of green, gold, and indigo reflected off the waterfall, creating a light show that would have been beautiful if I'd had time to appreciate it. Each strike she sent, I was able to block and parry just enough to find an opening for the next strike.
But Depa gave me no room to breathe. She was just as aggressive as Mace but more agile, her smaller frame allowing her to move in ways Mace couldn't. She would duck under my strikes, spin around my defenses, attack from angles I didn't expect.
I began to augment myself with Force speed and Force valor, feeling the power flow through my muscles, sharpening my reflexes. I then met Depa's strikes head-on. I blocked what strikes I could and parried the more important ones, turning the exchanges of parries into counterstrikes.
Nothing serious, but just enough to slowly match her pace.
Depa didn't hesitate. She just matched my pace and pushed me even more, increasing the intensity of her attacks. Her green blade became a blur, striking high and low, left and right, creating patterns that were almost hypnotic.
In that moment, I couldn't tell if I was wet from the rain or my sweat, but I knew one thing. I was starting to enjoy this fight.
The rain came down harder, the storm intensifying. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the jungle in stark white light. Thunder rolled like drums, providing a rhythm to our duel.
I could feel Vaapad flowing through me, not the way Mace used it, channeling his inner darkness, but something different. Something balanced. I was using the aggression, the intensity, the overwhelming force of the style, but I was tempering it with the light, with control, with purpose.
Depa noticed the shift. Her eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, I saw her smile, a genuine expression of joy and excitement.
"Yes," she said, her voice carrying over the sound of the storm. "That's it. You're not fighting against the darkness. You're dancing with it."
She increased her pace even more, her strikes coming faster, harder. But I kept up, my two blades working in harmony, the longer goldish-yellow blade for power and reach, the shorter indigo shoto for quick parries and unexpected angles.
We moved through the rain like dancers, our blades singing, the Force flowing between us. I could feel her intentions through our connection, could sense where she would strike a split second before she did. And she could sense mine.
It was like the Force Meld I'd experienced with my friends, but different, more focused, more intense. We were learning from each other in real-time, our styles adapting and evolving with each exchange.
To the side, Mace stood like a solid tree, rooted in the Force and in the planet. The rain came down hard on him, but he did not move or even blink. He was watching through shatterpoint, seeing not just the physical duel but the deeper patterns, the potential futures branching out from this moment.
Cain is becoming the eye of the storm again, Mace thought. And in front of him is Depa, a tornado with lightning. I want to see what will happen when the two fully grow and collide.
He could see the shatterpoints forming around both of them, critical junctures where their futures could branch in different directions. But there was something else, something he'd never seen before.
The shatterpoints around Cain weren't just about him. They extended outward, touching Anakin, touching the other Padawans, touching the future of the entire order. It was as if Cain was a nexus point himself, a place where countless futures converged.
What are you, Padawan Cain? Mace wondered. And what will you become?
Back by the ship, Master Fay was meditating with Derren. This wasn't normal meditation, Fay was floating in the air, completely still, the rain stopping inches from her body as if hitting an invisible barrier.
Derren barely levitated in the air, wobbling slightly, his concentration evident on his face. The rain was hitting him hard, each drop feeling like a small impact against his skin. His training was to make it past the storm without a single drop of water touching him.
"Feel the Force around you, Derren," Fay said, her voice calm and patient. "It is not separate from you. It is part of you, and you are part of it. The rain is not your enemy, it is simply water following its nature. You must convince it to follow a different path."
Derren gritted his teeth, focusing harder. He could feel the Force, could sense the rain falling around him, but creating a barrier was proving incredibly difficult. It required a level of fine control he hadn't developed yet.
A drop hit his forehead, then another on his shoulder. "Do not force it," Fay continued. "Do not try to push the rain away. Simply... suggest that it might prefer to fall elsewhere."
Derren took a deep breath, trying to relax. He'd always been good at the physical aspects of being a Jedi, lightsaber combat, acrobatics, strength. But this kind of subtle Force manipulation was new territory.
He reached out with his senses, feeling each raindrop as it fell. Instead of trying to create a solid barrier, he tried to gently redirect them, to nudge them slightly to the left or right. One drop curved around him. Then another. Then several at once.
"Good," Fay said, approval in her voice. "You are learning."
Seris was with Shaak Ti and Kuro on the other side of the clearing. She was practicing Form Zero, the philosophy of conflict avoidance and resolution, using the rain as her medium.
She was using the Force to create a barrier around her while performing saber-less forms, her movements fluid and precise. Shaak Ti and Kuro would throw rocks at Seris while she was blindfolded, testing her ability to sense and react without sight.
Seris was getting hit from different angles, rocks striking her shoulders, her legs, her back. The rain was touching her as well, each drop a small failure in her concentration. Her assignment was to use the Force to block the rain and anything else coming her way, and she could not use her lightsaber.
"You rely too much on your eyes, Padawan," Kuro said, her voice sharp. "In a real fight, you may be blinded. You may be in complete darkness. You must learn to see without seeing."
A rock flew toward Seris's head. She sensed it at the last moment, tilting her head to the side. The rock passed by, missing by inches.
"Better," Shaak Ti said. "But not good enough. In combat, 'almost' means death."
Another rock came from a different angle. Seris raised her hand, using the Force to deflect it. But while she was focused on that, two more rocks hit her from behind.
"You are thinking too much," Kuro said. "You are trying to track each threat individually. You must expand your awareness. Feel everything at once."
Seris took a deep breath, trying to calm her frustration. She'd always been good at lightsaber combat, at using her agility and speed to overcome opponents. But this was different. This required a different kind of strength.
She reached out with the Force, not trying to focus on any one thing but trying to feel everything at once. The rain, the rocks, the presence of her teachers, the life of the jungle around them.
The next volley of rocks came. Without thinking, without analyzing, Seris moved. Her body flowed like water, bending and twisting, each rock passing by without touching her. At the same time, she created a subtle Force barrier that redirected the rain, keeping her dry.
"Excellent," Shaak Ti said, genuine pleasure in her voice. "You are beginning to understand."
Anakin sat with Master Plo underneath the waterfall, meditating. The water crashed down around them, creating a constant roar that would have made concentration impossible for most people.
Anakin's training was simple: wait and listen for a sign from the Force. And for the fourteen-year-old Chosen One, it was almost near impossible.
His mind raced with thoughts, about his mother, about his friends, about the future Cain had hinted at. He couldn't quiet the constant stream of consciousness, couldn't find the peace that meditation was supposed to bring.
"You are trying too hard, young Skywalker," Plo said, his voice somehow carrying over the sound of the waterfall. "You are treating meditation like a battle to be won. But it is not a battle. It is a surrender."
"I don't understand, Master," Anakin said, frustration evident in his voice.
"You are the Chosen One," Plo said. "You have more raw power in the Force than perhaps any Jedi in history. But power without control is meaningless. You must learn to be still. To listen. To wait."
"But there's so much to do," Anakin protested. "So many people who need help. How can I just sit here when...."
"When what?" Plo interrupted gently. "When the galaxy is in danger? When people are suffering? Young one, the galaxy has been in danger for thousands of years. People have been suffering since the dawn of civilization. You cannot save everyone, and you cannot fix everything."
Anakin felt tears prick at his eyes. "Then what's the point? What's the point of all this power if I can't use it to help people?"
"The point," Plo said, "is to learn when to act and when to wait. To learn the difference between helping and interfering. To learn that sometimes, the greatest strength is in doing nothing."
Anakin sat in silence, letting the words sink in. The water continued to crash around them, but slowly, gradually, he began to hear something else, a rhythm beneath the chaos, a pattern in the noise.
The Force was speaking. He just had to learn to listen.
Back at the river, my duel with Depa had reached a fever pitch. We'd been fighting for what felt like hours, though it had probably only been thirty minutes. The storm had intensified, lightning striking the ground nearby, thunder shaking the earth.
I was exhausted. My arms burned, my legs trembled, my breathing came in ragged gasps. But I couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop.
Because I was learning. With every exchange, every strike, every parry, I was understanding Vaapad on a deeper level. Not just the techniques, but the philosophy behind it. The acceptance of darkness. The channeling of aggression. The balance between control and chaos.
Depa was teaching me without words, showing me through action what Vaapad truly meant. And I was teaching her something in return, a different approach to balance. I could see it in her eyes, in the way her style was subtly shifting, incorporating elements of what I was doing.
We were creating something new. Something that was neither pure Vaapad nor pure Jar'Kai, but a fusion of both. Lightning struck nearby, so close I could feel the heat, could smell the ozone. In that moment of brilliant white light, I saw it, a shatterpoint, not on Depa, but on the storm itself.
Without thinking, I reached out with the Force and touched it. The storm paused. For just a moment, the rain stopped, the thunder silenced, the lightning frozen in the sky.
In that moment of perfect stillness, I struck. My goldish-yellow blade came down in a perfect arc, aimed at Depa's shoulder. My indigo shoto came up from below, aimed at her ribs. Depa's eyes widened. She couldn't block both strikes. She had to choose.
She chose to parry the main blade, letting the shoto come through. But at the last moment, I stopped. The indigo blade hovered an inch from her side, humming softly.
"I yield," I said, deactivating both blades.
The storm resumed, the rain coming down even harder than before. Depa stared at me for a long moment, then smiled—a brilliant, genuine smile that transformed her face.
"You could have won," she said.
"This wasn't about winning," I replied. "It was about learning."
Mace stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Padawan Cain, you have done well. You have taken your first true steps into understanding Vaapad. But remember, this is only the beginning. The path ahead is long and dangerous."
I bowed, feeling the weight of exhaustion finally catching up to me. "I understand, Master."
"Do you?" Mace asked, his dark eyes boring into mine. "Do you truly understand what you are attempting? You are trying to walk a path that has destroyed countless Jedi. You are trying to balance light and dark in a way that the order has deemed impossible."
"I know," I said. "But I also know that the old ways aren't working. The order is stagnant, disconnected from the people we're supposed to serve. If we don't change, if we don't evolve, then we'll fall. And the galaxy will fall with us."
Mace was silent for a long moment. Then, surprisingly, he nodded. "Perhaps you are right," he said quietly. "Perhaps it is time for change. But change must be guided carefully, or it becomes chaos."
"That's why I need teachers like you," I said. "To keep me grounded. To make sure I don't lose myself in the pursuit of power."
Mace placed a hand on my shoulder, a rare gesture of approval from the stern master. "Come," he said. "Let us see how the others have progressed."
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, we all gathered back at the ship. Everyone looked exhausted but satisfied, their training having pushed them to their limits.
Derren had finally managed to create a stable Force barrier, keeping the rain off for a full minute before his concentration broke. Master Fay had praised his progress, saying he'd accomplished in hours what took most Padawans weeks.
Seris had successfully defended against a barrage of rocks while blindfolded, her movements becoming more fluid and instinctive with each attempt. Shaak Ti and Kuro had both expressed approval, a rare occurrence from the strict master.
Anakin had found his moment of stillness under the waterfall, finally hearing the Force speak to him in a way he'd never experienced before. Master Plo had said nothing, but the approval in his posture was clear.
And I had taken my first real steps into understanding Vaapad, learning from Depa and beginning to forge my own path. As we sat around a small fire that evening, eating rations and sharing stories of our training, I felt a sense of peace I hadn't experienced in a long time.
This is what the Jedi should be, I thought. Not politicians in a tower, but students and teachers learning together, growing together, connected to the Force and to each other.
Master Fay sat beside me, her ancient eyes reflecting the firelight. "You did well today, Cain," she said softly. "But I sense you are troubled."
"I'm always troubled, Master," I said with a slight smile. "It comes with knowing too much about the future."
"Perhaps," she said. "But remember, the future is not fixed. Every choice we make creates new possibilities, new paths. You are not bound by what you have seen."
"I hope you're right," I said.
"I am," she said with certainty. "The Force has brought us here for a reason. Tython remembers what the Jedi once were. And it will help us remember as well."
I looked around at my friends, at my teachers, at the planet that surrounded us with its wild beauty. This is just the beginning, I thought. The real work starts now.