Chapter 317
**Dagon POV**
To be honest, seeing Yoda remain perfectly calm while Mace Windu was practically vibrating with outrage was rather enjoyable. The supposed "voice of the Order" was acting like a child because I had done the impossible — well, impossible for the current generation of Jedi, but something galactic-war-era Jedi might have managed on a good day.
Eventually Zule cut in, her voice sharp but respectful. "Are you finished? Because there is still a war going on."
Aayla Secura, standing quietly beside her, simply nodded. She had wanted to go after Vos herself, but at least she now knew his killer was dead. That brought her some semblance of peace, even if her eyes still carried shadows.
Yoda finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of centuries.
"A decision, I have made."
The chamber fell silent.
"As Grand Master of the Order and Supreme Commander of the overall Republic forces, many responsibilities fall to me. Even in this war, it is hard to find the light. As such, I have made a decision. Jedi Dagon shall be promoted to Vice Supreme Commander of the Republic."
I kept my face neutral, but inside my thoughts raced.
*What that means… I could basically decide what to do and when I do it, and only answer to Yoda if there are any problems.*
"Thank you, Master Yoda," I said calmly, bowing.
"Win this war quickly, we must," Yoda continued, ears twitching. "As such, many compare you to Jedi of old. That is good. At least now, as we are under attack by both the Senate and the people of the Republic, to finish this war. Dark side, I fear, grows. Win, we must, before our enemy's plans become whole."
I bowed again, as did Zule. Aayla followed a moment later. We left the Council chamber in silence.
Only after the doors had closed behind us did Mace Windu finally speak, his voice tight with frustration.
"Are you sure of this decision?"
Yoda's reply was soft but firm, carrying through the Force even as we walked away.
"Around Dagon, the light side shines brightly… but also the darkest side. A personification of balance. Not the Chosen One, I believe Dagon is, but similar to the late Qui-Gon Jinn. The boy is much of his personality, though they never met. At least with this, we could find peace."
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**Scene 2**
**Zule POV**
"So that was interesting," Dagon said as we walked near the fountains in the Temple gardens, Aayla walking quietly on his other side.
"So remember, Padawan," he continued, glancing at me with a small smirk, "just because I am Vice Commander does not mean you get a promotion. Aayla still outranks you."
"A wise decision, Dagon," Aayla said with a faint smile.
"Oh, and Aayla also — Blam, the Marshal Commander of the 13th Legion, outranks you, as do most admirals and Moff Terbon of the 12th Sector."
"Oh, sorry, you still under rank," Dagon added playfully.
"Well, at least I am more mature than you, young one," Aayla replied, a teasing edge in her voice. "At twenty-six, like your master."
"Well, I am nineteen, but I have age and grace," I shot back.
"Grace?" Aayla raised an eyebrow.
"Calm down, you two," Dagon said with a chuckle.
"Uh oh."
"What?" I asked.
Ahsoka, Visenya, Stella, Flare, and Kayla were standing in front of us, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in perfect synchronization.
"Looks like you're gonna get an earful," Dagon muttered under his breath, clearly amused.
Ahsoka stepped forward first, lekku twitching with barely contained energy.
"You died. Again. On Tatooine. We all felt it. And instead of coming straight back to us, you went and got promoted to Vice Supreme Commander?!"
Visenya crossed her arms tighter. "We were worried sick. Zule had to restart your heart, and you're already making deals with Yoda like nothing happened?"
Stella's voice was softer but no less firm. "You can't keep doing this, Dagon. We're supposed to be a team."
Flare and Kayla exchanged a look before Flare added, "Next time you decide to play hero and almost die, at least warn us first."
I couldn't help but smile a little, even as Dagon raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright," he said. "I'm sorry. I really am. But the promotion… it gives us more freedom. More control over how we fight this war. And yes — I know I scared you. Again."
Ahsoka poked him in the chest. "You're not allowed to die anymore. That's an order from all five of us."
Dagon laughed softly, pulling Ahsoka into a quick hug with his remaining arm before doing the same with the others, including me and Aayla.
"Deal," he said. "No more dying. At least not without permission."
The six of us stood together by the fountains, the tension slowly easing into familiar warmth. The war was still raging. The Senate was still watching. Palpatine was still scheming.
But for this moment, surrounded by the people who had become my heart, the weight felt just a little easier to carry.