Dantooine

[Stormhelm]

"Thud"

 

My head rang of this sound as it collided with the durasteel floor that laid beneath me. Feeling the ship sway and rock did little to help my balance neither as i rose from the floor to the sound of the blaring horns of the comm's alarm system. This was a bad combination. A blind man trying to exit a room with the ship quickly losing altitude and control. And had it not been for my experience, it could have even been dangerous. Thank the stars that my twin pilot droids had been programmed rather well. It could have been worse.

 

"Report?"

 

I questioned as i entered the command deck of Dragonus, my white blind eyes staring into the dark abyss of nothing. And for a few moments, i had yet to receive a reply from the two's automated systems. I felt this odd, possibly even strange, until one spoke up not from in front of me, but behind me.

 

"Educated Guess: It seems that the hyperdrive has been tampered with. Apparently, Master, someone didn't want you making it to Theed."

 

Why someone would even bother with a blind hunter like myself, i held no clue. Could one of my many rivals had done it? No, none of them could think of such things, their minds incapable of processing anything even close. Imperial? Possibly. I wouldn't have put it past them. It could have even been a Sith, a creature of darkness and stealth. I would never truly know. And as Dragonus came to a unusually hard landing on the backwater planet, Dantooine, i knew only one thing to do. Replace the necessary parts and continue on my way. If it had been an Imperial or Sith, their day was not far upon the horizon. I would see to that.

 

But Dantooine, though civilized and inhabited by Humans, was far from the greatest place to find the parts i had needed. I had not landed far from Khoonda, so this capital city would be the likeliest place to look. Climbing aboard my Nightfalcon once again, i set off, Khoonda my next destination. It wouldn't take long for me to get there, but the ride seemed longer than expected. Though, my enjoying the crisp breeze of the planet did not help. I even heard Kath Hounds and Voritor Lizards off in the distance, though i paid them little heed. And after nearly a galactic hour, i arrived at my destination. What laid here awaiting my arrival, i could not foresee. Nor could i figure where my life would go here. For at the moment, i simply thought that Theed would be my next destination.

[Stormhelm]

When i arrived at Khoonda, i dismounted from my speeder and headed into town. It had not changed much in appearance, the last few millennia, as i gathered from holovids of the place from Coruscant's many archives. But it's hard times and death shown brightly, even to a blind man such as myself. You could smell it's stench of war, hear the echos of it's many lost souls, even without such gifts as the force. Such was many planets, or so i was told.

 

My first stop was a local repair shop, the man located on a hill near the edge of town. Laid upon an old cloth were his merchandise. I reached down felt around for the needed part, finding it off to the side near a hyperscanner. Paying the old coot his money, i left before his conning ways would be forced upon me, something i didn't have time for today. I just had one more part to get and i could be on my way. Theed was growing closer so to speak. Or so i thought.

 

My next stop was an exotic parts store in the center of town near the market. Just my luck that a part on my ship would cost so much, but it wouldn't hold an aftermarket part. Hopefully they had it, or i was up a rapid creek without a paddle. Entering the shop, the doors hissing open and close as i stepped forward. It was a big shop, so i couldn't just feel around for the part i needed. Handing the Rodian owner the model's ID number, he went to work looking for it as he spoke of not knowing if he had it or not. Standing near the counter, i waited, my ears listening closely as patrons entered and left. Couldn't be too careful.

 

"Ah, got it." He spoke, grabbing and headed back to the front. "An expensive part to say the least, traveler."

 

Sliding over the needed credits, i said not a word as i grabbed the part and exited. It may have came off as rude. But my manners were the last thing on my mind. Whoever grounded me was the current train of thought. Making my way back to my Nightfalcon, i placed the parts in containers and fired her up. it was going to be a long ride back, and the sun was beginning to set. I didn't want to be out here when night fell. Giving the Nightfalcon everything it had, i shot off into the distance. I needed to make it back.

 

After a few hours, i arrived back at the ship, parts in tow. The remaining droids were waiting near the rear from me as i pulled up. Sending the first off into it's innards to work on it, i got off and took the other around and opened it's hull. The part needed to be put in from the outside. Laying down underneath it's hull, i began my work. And as night began to set, i was still at it. But noise broke my concentration, my blindness a weakness when it came to placing a part in correctly without the aid of my droids. Engines roared as they set down in the distance and a strange voice echoed within my mind.

 

"Brother?" I questioned what i guess was a thought at first, my experience with what the Sith called the Force limited at the time. "I have no brother."

 

Turning to view a dark shadow approaching, it became all too clear.

 

"No, but i could use a friendly hand." I said, placing my hand upon the sword that sat idly by upon my backside. "Or end any family ties we have stranger. Your choice."

 

I wasn't sure if he was Jedi or Sith, but i couldn't take too much of a chance. I was ready for a fight should he have chosen such a path. it was too much of a coincident that a Force User shows up not long after my hyperdrive failed due to sabotage. My time spent in Desolation Alley had taught me more than that.

[Stormhelm]

"A Jedi Master, you say?" I questioned, my finger rising up and into my ear as it began to painfully ring. "Maybe you could use some of that mumbo jumbo to align this part here so i can get my ship back to full capacity."

 

I felt strange around this fellow that stood before me. Despite my ability to see him, i felt strangly comfortable with him. I couldn't shake it neither. I had always wondered why the Sith took such interest with me on Coruscant and why my gift in the force was so valuable to them, but never went in search of those specific reasons. Now my chance was right here in front of me, and for the strangest of reasons, i couldn't help but wonder if he could give me such an answer.

 

"I have a question, if you don't mind my asking." I said, my blinded gaze shifting in his direction. "A few years ago i came across a Sith who spoke of my force sensitivity. Why was it so valuable to him that he killed all i cherished?"

[Stormhelm]

"What good would a blind man do with a gift like the force?" I questioned, as his words ran through my mind, potential merely sand within an hourglass. "If it weren't for my two droids, my great hearing, and quick reaction, i wouldn't even be able to hunt."

 

Making a quick feel over the now reattached part, i closed the hatch and sealed it shut. It was true that i wanted a better life for myself than hunting, the constant killing growing old upon my youthful soul. I would like to save a life for once instead of ending them just to pay for next meal. But what could i do even if i was able to use the force. It's not like the force could give me back my sight. That would be impossible, even for something as powerful as i had seen the so called Force make possible. The Empire had burnt out any possibility of me seeing again.

 

Letting Master Kyrell's words settle on my mind, allowing my brain to function in an understanding fashion, i wondered on what life i would lead as a Jedi. A foolish thought for someone such as myself, ye of little faith on a belief that had never been my own. I had hunted for years now despite my disability, that was true. But with the Force, i would be playing on a whole different ball field. So much had been taking from me by the Sith and their Imperial counterparts. But it wasn't revenge that i sought. I knew all too well that very road.

 

"They need not to worry about using me for anything." I said, nearing the rear of my ship. "Even if i could forgive them for what they have taken from me, it's not like the Force could give me back my sight, right?"

 

Turning and stepping onto the ship's ramp, i ordered the droid to run preflight diagnostics and fire it up. Everything seemed to check out, and in moments, she sprang back to life. Admist the soft near silent hum, i turned what i thought would be the last time i'd talk to Master Kyrell.

 

"I thank you, Master Kyrell, for your assistence." I said extending my hand in a gesture of appreciation. "If we ever cross paths again, i'll be sure to return the favor."

 

Never would i have guessed what i was about to hear next. Never would i had thought it possible....

[Stormhelm]

Stopping mid-way up the on-ramp, i turned and listened to his words. The Force could actually do such things? I found it hard to believe, despite what i had saw the Force do and was exactly capable of. But for the strangest reasons, i felt his words held truth. Don't know why, only that i felt that i could trust him despite having just met him. I had met beings with such feelings in the past, but never quite this strongly.

 

"So, through the Force, it's possible for me to see again?" I said, coming back down the on-ramp to gaze blindly at his form at an eye level position. "Just not as i once could."

 

It was a secretly hidden dream of mine to see again, or was before my previous action. I yearned to see shapes, colors, to view upon another's face.... anything besides the pitch black abyss of nothing that i had saw for so long now. And his words promised of seeing something, whether or not it was what i had wanted for so long. I would be crazy to pass up such a chance. Thinking on it long and hard, a paused moment of silence growing thickly in the air around us, i said but a few words.

 

"Teach me, Master Kyrell." I said, an almost yearning tone erupting along with my voice. "I wish to learn."

[Stormhelm]

"Genesis, please." I spoke, formally announcing that i had a name. "Or Kenshi, if you prefer"

 

Following Master Kyrell, i took quickly in 'suit. I crossed my legs, carefully assuming the same position as my ears twitched from the high pitched sounds, my only way of 'seeing' since my eyes were burned out. I listened carefully, his words carrying a mellow and relaxed tone of it's own as an eerie feeling of peace fell upon the surroundings.

 

Inhaling, i cleared all thought from my mind, letting go of everything and focusing fully on the words he spoke. And Exhaling, i searched within me, focusing on his word's descriptions and feeling for what it contained. My hands fell to my side, running the tips of my fingers across the tops of the grass and trying to imagine what it would feel like. Slower and slower i felt my breathing decrease, my heart beat slowing with each breath.

 

Deeper, i delved into his words. Thoughts completely disappeared from my mind and i felt total freedom on mere feelings. Peace had entered deeper levels of my heart, releasing pain i had long forgotten without a care flowing through my mind. And that's where i first felt it's spark. At first i thought i was about to pass out or something, feelings of slight panic rushing over me as i felt it's awakening. I ignored it at first, still focusing on his words.

 

But it came on stronger as a feeling of forgiveness came forward, forgiveness for my father's actions which led to my Imperial capture in the first place. Noise erupted within my head, causing me to nearly break my concentration, loud howls of wind which normally would have been silent to even my ears. But voices came next, voices miles away by what i could feel. And then i could see.

 

Moving like memories upon my mind, i saw Khoonda, and even it's people. Even the happiness of the local drunks as they partied the night away at the local Cantina. I could see dark hearts in some, and even the kindest in most. It was too much for me. Tears flowed from my eyes, my emotions running wildly through-out my form. It was just too much. I couldn't handle seeing this much all at once.

 

"No!" I yelled loudly as i jumped to my feet, completely breaking my concentration and sending such a ripple in the force that my uneasiness was felt by every force sensitive being for miles around. "The Force. It...It's too powerful."

 

My face, pale white at first and littered with drying tears that sparkled like diamonds under the bright moon light, suddenly turned blood red with happiness, myself nearly jumping with glee and excitement. At last my dream had been seen as a reality. My dream was attainable. I was scared of it's power. But i could attain it.

 

"But i saw, Master Kyrell. I saw it all." I said, nearly running over him as i grabbed his hand in an excited handshake. Realizing how unprofessional i was acting i stepped back, slightly embarrassed.

 

"I wish to learn to control it. I want to be to able to contain his power."

[Stormhelm]

I couldn't help but wonder upon Master Kyrell's 'condition' as i resumed my previous position. What had he meant as being dangerous to me? What kind of condition was it? Was it that easily caught? Clouded by such thoughts, i found it hard to concentrate at first. And they weren't easily removed. Breathing in and out, i tried to calm my mind. Minutes passed, maybe even hours, i could not tell. Finally, after my curiosity got the better of me, i verbally erupted with little control.

 

"I'll make you that promise, Master Kyrell." I said, a sly but innocent look upon my face. "But you have to tell me a little bit more about this 'condition'."

 

In truth, i was just curious about it, and he really didn't have to tell me anything if he didn't think it was relevant. Turning back to my meditations, now having asked about the subject helped clear my mind. I was able to concentrate now. I knew he wouldn't answer right away, or even upon this day. But one day he would. And then my curiosity would be fed. But now was the time of training, and i needed to get back to it.

 

Following the same path as before, i opened myself to the calming effect of Master Kyrell's aura. Letting his inner peace combine with my own, it fell completely to the Force's will. But i did not fight it this time, despite my natural instincts to do so. No, this time i took his words to heart and let my soul flow freely upon it's gentle current and embraced it fully with all that i was.

 

There came a small spark at first, same as before. Then it came on stronger until my heart nearly jumped from my chest as it's tides flowed to and forth from me lives gentle waves crashing upon a near by shore. I still had fear for it, but blocked such emotion as i let it go. Stronger and stronger it came, my vision reaching further and further across the planet's surface. Voices erupted through-out my mind, nearly causing the breaking of my concentration once again. My head ached, so many voices, so many lives, filling my thoughts.

 

But they grew fewer and fewer as my determination became my will and soon grew near silent as i released myself and gently flowed down it's raging river. And that was when it became all clear, it's watery effect growing calm and collected. Almost like floating upon a slowly drifting creek, i felt calm and alive, almost care free. I saw that i could control what i saw, and devling deeper, could know one's true nature. Master Kyrell had not led me wrong.

 

Letting go and opening my eyes, i saw that it's gift had not left me. Though i still could no longer see with my eyes, i could feel it and all my surroundings. With each sound, i could feel it's echo moving about me. And through it, i could see. By the Force, i could indeed see. Turning to Master Kyrell, gazing upon his form as if i could truly see it, i spoke but two words.

 

"Thank you."

[Stormhelm]

I listened carefully to Master Kyrell's every word, my ears twitching like that of a Iriaz staying alert during it's graze, hanging to his every word and soaking in the knowledge he was granting to me. His words made sense to me, despite the fact that i held no experience or knowing of which he spoke. But yet, for the first time in my life, something actually made sense. I had always heard of the Jedi, and of their Force. It was well known, the miracles which they could produce. But only after touching the force, after feeling it's warm embrace, could my mind have comprehended such a thing.

 

My blind eyes broaden beneath the fold that covered them at first, feeling Master Kyrell's movement in the force as he used it to lift the small leaf. I could feel it's harmony through the force, a perfect combination of understanding and will. Before today, i had never thought such a thing to be possible. For i had always thought such things as fairy tales. But now it did little to surprise me. And in fact, i was very confident that even i could preform such a feat. Maybe even a bit conceded. I hadn't normally given off such an emotion. But now that i possessed the power to see, i felt anything was possible.

 

"Here goes nothing." I thought silently to myself as i focused once again, this time solely on the leaf. "Surely if i could see half way across an entire planet, it was possible to lift a single leaf."

 

The small spark came stronger and faster this time, taking only mere meters of a second to establish a connection. And it no longer felt like that of the spark i first felt. No. it felt more like the wave i felt shortly after. It still took my breath away as it washed over me, but i had started growing used to it. Slowly that of my breathing, i tried to reach outward, trying to will my own connection to the small singular leaf. I tried to imagine it's touch, the texture of it's velvety leather like skin, it's existence before me. But no. I could not do it.

 

I stopped, despair and embarrassment filling my thoughts and heart as i found that i had failed. I had even considered possibly giving up those small few seconds as i pondered back on my Master's words. But no, i wouldn't. He spoke of faith and belief, which i would need if i was to succeed at it. But what had i missed that caused my failure? I hadn't though. I had followed his words nearly to the tee. I started concentrating again, feeling for the connection Master Kyrell spoke of. Time passed, minute by minute flew by upon the wings of time. But yet no connection could be established.

 

But just as i was growing near to giving up a second time, i finally felt something. At first i could not tell what it was at first, merely a feeling of uneasiness settling over me. Then came a feeling of imbalance, as if the world around me was adrift upon an unearthly sea. I panicked slightly, fighting to stabilize it and myself. And in doing so, finally felt it. I felt it strongly, as if i could feel it's form completely engulf that of my own. And then i could see it being lifted from my Master's own connection, wavering at first, but growing more stable with each second that i held it. I did indeed have to fight to hold such a connection. But i was succeeding at it very well.

 

I had learnt one of the more valuable lessons that day. Not one of the force, but a lesson all would learn while training to become something. That lesson was patience. In due time, all things came to meet. It was only a matter of time before i was to succeed.

[Stormhelm]

"Thank you." I spoke to Master Kyrell, his words of praise and congratulations uplifting my spirits just a bit. "I could use a little bit of nourishment myself."

 

As Master Kyrell went about fixing the meal, i continued my meditations, thinking back upon the things i had learnt so far. Patience was a big key to it all, but confidence and self belief would play an important part as well. Such had i first learnt during the lesson of my connection with the Force. Fearing such power had only hindered me. But allowing it subside and growing self confident, i had learn not only to forgive, but to see. And with an understanding for patience, i had grown a better understanding for many things.

 

Taking the handed ration bar and shake from Master Kyrell, i sat idly across from him, listening to his words and slowly eating. Again i wondered on the skin disorder, his appearence no different than my own, or so felt through the Force. But that was thrown afoot, a small oat flake from the bar going down my windpipe and causing me to briefly cough. Quickly drinking down a big gulp of the shake to relieve the slight tickle at the back of my throat, i finished both and rose with him. Opening myself once more to the Force, i watched and listened closely to his movements and apparent thoughts.

 

"So you also increase your strength and speed with the Force?" I questioned curiously as he jumped from the ground onto the ship's wing. "Interesting. What else can one do with the Force?"

 

The Force was coming to me easier and easier with each lesson and understanding, a Jedi's power coming not only from the Force, but his knowledge and understanding of it as well. I could feel my body growing lighter and stronger as i devled into it's mystical properties, searching for the truth of it's lesson and allowing it's knowledge to take hold. And as i trusted it's path, i attempted to copycat my Master's instructions. Letting the Force's will guide me, i too jumped into the air and after a brief somersault, and landed a bit rougher upon the glistening wing.

 

It seems my having been blind for so long did enhanced my senses naturally. And with the Force, i could actually mimic one to a degree.

[Stormhelm]

I joined Master Kyrell shortly after, listening to his movements both through the force and by my natural senses, allowig myself to feel his every gesture. I too, flipped over onto my two hands, searching myself for the connection and gazing upon his own as i attempted to mimic him. Though it came easy, i still had difficulties with my balance and trust, often falling to my knees with a loud thud against the dursteel plating of the wing. But despite my failures, i kept picking myself up and trying it again.

 

"So one can essentially use the force to increase his natural senses and reactions at will, then?" I spoke, the slight blood rush to my head slowly coming to a halt as the force took over my form completely. "Much like you taught me when seeing throught the Force."

 

But i was caught completely off guard when Master Kyrell's voice entered my mind, just as the voices of Khoonda had earlier. My head throbbed at first, but easily subsided as my natural mentality faught against the intrusion. I fell hard, the wind within my lungs being rushed outward from the fall. And even though my mind stood strong and nearly unwavering, Master Kyrell's connection came stronger. Maybe it was because of the connection that was growing between the two of us, or perhaps even the fact that i chose to listen. Whatever the reason, his words came through crystal clear.

 

Concentrating on his own aura, mimicing his connection, i attempted to return the favor. His mental block was strong, nearly unbreakable at first. My head ached even more as my attempts failed at establishing what it was he seemed to wish for me to do. But still i continued. Resisting the notions of pain, i allowed the force within me grow, the connection between my Master and I flourish. Searching for the key within, i delved deeper. This is where i got my first glimpse of my Master's mind, of his past. His minor distraction allowed the access i needed. I had heard his simple cry.

 

Through the force, i spoke but one thought, the echoing of confusion and wonderment present upon it's tone as it reached Master Kyrell's mind. "Kirana?"

[Stormhelm]

::OOC: Sorry Robbie. Work got to me in RL. New job and everything. I should be freed up now.::

 

I listened to his words, remembering back to the moments i had saw when i gained momentary access to his memories as i memorized them to heart. I held a particular skill, an extreme version of the photographic memory, able to feel or see something and remember it forever. Down to ever detail. But with his, it was more so, even able to remember the feelings he felt in every moment. Even though i could feel the love he held for this woman, and even the pain of knowing she could never touch him, i could never understand it. At Least not until i experienced it for myself. Simply nodding, i made motion that i knew of Vader's tale. But my mind was elsewhere.

 

"I feel what he means, but how can i understand it?" I questioned myself with despair as i listened to him speak of love and dedication, my feelings and thoughts unintentionally reaching out and connecting with his mind. "But i've never felt it before, my life spent alone first with political parents and then with the Empire. All i have ever known is my lust for revenge."

 

I stood just as he did, true questions finally erupting from my mouth, as i grew ready to continue with my training. Whatever the lesson, i felt the need to learn. Almost bounded by an urge for knowledge.

 

"So theoretically, the more stubborn one is, the stronger the will power he will be granted over his mind." I questioned, my mind processing the data of the lesson almost like a computer, my mind acting like a hard drive as it's memories were etched into it's mind frame. "But it is not without balance, causing the ones who cannot control it over the edge and allowing them to fall to the darkside."

 

Clearing my mind as Master Kyrell's thoughts flowed into my mind, including the doubts i had perceived earlier on whether or not i could find such dedication, i allowed a side of me previously unknown to be revealed. Most would expect a man of my size to be strong and solid, a duracrete wall of power and strength. But no. My form was agile and loose, nearly mimicking a much smaller fighter. Even my hands shown that my blade would typically hang loosely in my hands until just before contact. And my weakness in the beginning stages just confirmed what most would think. My biggest strength would be the Force.

 

Releasing myself, i felt the Force grow and develop, it's formless extension escaping my my mind, fingers, and body. But it grew even more, extending as it surrounded me in a brilliant flame like encasing enveloping my form thickly. My sight quickly zoomed across the sierra, my smell gasping the tasteful aroma of a fresh berry cobbler freshly baked within a community not far. Even my hearing sounded of the grass crunching beneath Master Kyrell's feet as he moved about. But as my mind and thoughts focused even more, it all snapped back in one fluid motion, it's full attention falling solely upon my Master.

 

And in one quick second, my mind barricaded it's self into a lock-down that very closely mimicked a Super-max Prison. Reaching out into the Force, only one thought jokingly erupted into the air and found it's destination upon his mind.

 

"See if you can tell me, Master."

[Stormhelm]

Sitting down, i idly listened to Master Kyrell's words. Though at the time, they have been more so riddles to me, i could relate to. Since my training had began, i felt more at peace than emotional. I craved for more knowledge, rather than ignore it. I even found myself more serene, my thirst for revenge silently slipping away with the wind. But Desolation Alley was a hard place to forget, especially for a child who was dumped there, accused of treason and imprisoned by his own father because he chose a different cause. But there was a different reason, a different look within my soul as i removed the sash that covered my white blinded eyes.

 

I reached into my pocket, pulling out a small container from within my pocket and proceeded to clean my blinded eyes. Scars littered my face around my eyes, revealing the pain i had endured as they playfully burnt out my sight . Looking into them could give even the most sadistic men a slight tingle of coldness down their spines. After a good rinsing, i wiped them with a small bandage like cloth, removing the access pus and drainage. Even though it many years since that fateful day, they still grew infected every now and then.

 

"You'll have to excuse the eyes." I spoke jokingly, my blinded gaze shifting over to him and catching his own gaze. "After all these years, they still like to be bothersome at times."

 

Replacing the sash and giving the knot a quick tug, i answered his question.

 

"Anything i wish to learn?" I questioned in return, my mind drifting silently to another time and another place. There was one thing i wished to learn above all else. And as i thought back to Desolation Alley, i wondered on something else. My gaze shot toward Master Kyrell's form, the force extending like an explosion of galactic proportion from within the tiniest of duratin cans. It was an unexpected intrusion to say the least, but not one Kyrell would have necessarily fought off. It was a memory of my past, the key to everything. This would lead to my defining moment.

 

There... there was a man, Imperial dressed, a patch over the left eye and above a sadistically smile. And so was i, a mere boy of sixteen gazing in a small cracking of a durasteel hatch at a girl. The girl, my age, was a dear friend, and my emotions showed it. Love could be what i held for her was called, but youthful emotions were never known truthfully. I watched silently many times as she was brutally molested, tortured, and beaten. I was afraid, scared that death awaited me if i intervened, scared that both of us would die.

 

But then came the day, the day i could no longer sit by and allow it to happen anymore. Busting in on the sadistic Colonel, i attacked. In a fit of rage, i managed to take down one of attending Sergeants, and incapacitate the other with a sharp blow to the back of the head. But i was... i was too late. Jewel.. Jewel was dead. I took my eyes off the Colonel and scooped her limp body into my arms, tears swelling up within. And then came nothing. The Colonel had cowardly pistol whipped me and knocked me unconscious.

 

The last scenes Kenshi revealed, spoke of the moment they burnt out his eyes, and the reason behind it. For the price of interrupting the sadistic Colonel, and for attacking an Imperial Officer, my sight was to be taken from me. But mainly, i knew the Colonel wanted me to suffer. He wanted to leave his mark upon me. And so he had.

 

Letting go, i slumped back, the energy required for what i had just accomplished draining me rather well. I was weak, and growing rather tired. My training had been going exceptionally well, but it still had been awhile since the last time i had slept. But there was a reason i showed Master Kyrell what i did. He needed to see what i once had. And even though i didn't know it then, this would be what led me to the day i graduated. This path would lead me to walk the path of a Jedi Knight. Colonel Price would one day be forgiven. Jewel would one day be forgiven. It would be something i never expected.

 

"Oovo IV" I said as i reached over into my own satchel, pulling out a rather delicious looking sandwich and offering half of it to Master Kyrell. There was no better energy than real food. " Desolation Alley. I must return to where it all began if i am to ever learn to.... move on. Grant me the knowledge to achieve this goal."

[Stormhelm]

It wasn't uncommon for my reaction as Master Kyrell made motion toward me, my senses aware of his naked hands moving toward my form. And as simple as the reaction was, it still showed the distrust i held for anyone and everyone. I jerked my head back briefly, reaching out in the force and searching for his true intentions. Even though in the panic, i found it hard to locate any ill intentions, i found none. And as i followed his orders, it still sat idly upon my mind. As i listened to his words, i took them to heart, his offer to speak of such private matters not having sat upon deaf ears. I felt his power upon my mind, the slight coldness and dark taint upon it's core feeling very vibrant upon my soul.

 

I suppose it feels different for each person, but there came a feeling over me, much like what i experienced for many years within the prison of Desolation Alley. And in the end, caused only but more distrust and uneasiness. But i held strong in trusting what i could, allowing his power over me to continue. I could feel the deadening of the nerves, the sickly infection disappearing beneath it's scarred surface. And as his hands motioned back from whence they came, i found slight pride that i had entrusted myself and him. Standing up, i brushing the grass from upon my backside and leggings.

 

"It isn't where a man comes from that defines him..." I spoke with a believing tone, almost as if i believed the words with such accusations. "It's what he does with his future that defines him and what he'll become."

 

I found it strange what i just had spoke in the smallish outburst, my beliefs of such things once having been fueled by revenge, vengeance for both my father and Jewel. And it filled my thoughts as i walked away and returned to my own ship. Why had i still held those words to be true even after my lust for revenge had all but disappeared completely? Was it still a truth among so many lies? I thought heavily upon it as i had the twin F5-A pilot droids fired my ship back up, and soon followed in suit behind my Master. Soon the Corellian YV freighter rose from it's humble perch, and shot off toward the Jedi Temple.

 

********

 

By the time i had arrived at the temple, Master Kyrell had already arrived and was gaining entrance. I waited near the ship's on ramp as it sat down and quickly caught up to Malin as he entered the temple. I had nearly forgotten my previous questions by the time i had arrived, and for now my mind solely rested upon Oovo IV. It was a place i dreaded in returning to, but knew my choices was limited. It was almost as if i was being called there if not by the force, then something.... or someone, else. As Master Kyrell entered the training room, i stood outside in the hall, leaning my back against the wall and placing my the bottom of my left foot against it as well.

 

"So this is the Kirana Master Kyrell spoke of..." I thought silently, finding myself intrigued at the turn of events that led him to her. "Interesting that she was here, on Dantooine, where he and i met by mere chance ourselves. Could our fates be preordained by the force it's self?"

 

Stepping forward as Kyrell made my introduction, i kept my thoughts upon my mind. I simply bowed in respect for the woman, their affection, or rather his, apparent for each other. "As am i, Master Sunrider" I spoke in reply, silently reaching out into the force and viewing upon her through my only 'sight'. "It is interesting to meet someone Master Kyrell holds in such.... high regards."

 

I kept it well hidden that i knew a little bit more about their relationship than i gave off, since it was truly none of my business for starters. She would be able to tell if she decided to search my thoughts for it, but Master Kyrell's teachings over the mind would pay off well to those oblivious to the fact. Silently, i turned my attention to the other present padawan as the two Masters went about their schemings. "Pleasure to meet you as well, Padawan Zeur. I hope that we can truly test the others skills."

 

I turned away, my head beginning to hurt. Silently i let something fall over me, my attempts in hiding what happened next empowered by my new found skills over my own mind. First headaches came, then perspiration and stomach aches, and finally a voice as clear as day. It held such power, a taint of evil upon it's life. But not of the force, no. This voice held an evil taint of war, and in the vision that came next, it spoke of one thing. "

 

"Return, you must, to the place of your birth. There you will find your path of truth, Revanchist."

 

Catching my breath, and calming my nerves, i returned my blinded gaze upon my Master's presence. Placing my hand upon his shoulder, i felt as if i could throw up. Only words came forth from my mouth, a tone of importance with it. "Before Oovo IV, i must return to Coruscant. Something.... Someone, is calling me there."

[Stormhelm]

"You stand correct, Master." I spoke, rising front over bent position back into an upright stance, the feeling leaving just as briefly as it had came. What it meant? I had the slightest clue. But it was shrouded in darkness, no trace of the light to be found within it. Whatever it stood for, my training would need to escalate profoundly. "I will need to train farther if i am to find it's true meaning. Whatever it is, it's power in the darkness is stronger than i can dare to face."

 

But it's importance was not easily over looked, whatever it's true meaning may be. It was calling me home, and would not quit until i stepped foot back onto the soiled planet and investigated. If i ignored it, it would only intensify and harm me in the end, if not others as well. i couldn't allow it to happen, nor would i. But with a lightsaber? That just wasn't my style. Lightsabers were dangerous weapons, despite having stood as a symbol of both Orders for over many a millennia. I should know. It was by the hands of a Colonel with such a training saber, that my eyes had found the darkness within the galaxy. Was there any other way?

 

"But only in the force if you please, Master." I spoke, my tone aimlessly mellowed in a soft, persistent, tone. "Unless you know a way to make normal weapons lightsaber resistant. It just isn't my time yet to wield such a weapon."

 

I knew Master Kyrell only thought for my safety, and in truth, i secretly hoped i had not offended him by refusing his offer. But lightsabers held a burning and painful memory within my past, one i had yet to forget and move on from. There was a high chance i never would. I turned briefly, properly thanking the kind silver haired Miralan for her unspoken offer, and then returned to face my own Master. My face seemed to hold an expressionless tone. But underneath the red sash that sat upon my scarred sight, it spoke of another emotion. I was eager to learn whatever my Master wished to teach.

 

"But i supposed a friendly duel of the Force would gain us a better footing in combat." I spoke, finally revealing publicly that i was still eager for such a contest. "After all, one learns the truest lesson by simply doing."

[Stormhelm]

I listened to my Master's words, memories of my childhood training in the art of the sword under Master Cho Ghandel, an Echani Master living on Coruscant. Calligraphy had been my training for the most part, the slight brush of a lose grip, the tightening around the twists and turns of the stroke, and the quick pivots of the wrist. And because of it, despite my sight having been taken from me, such teachings had kept me alive since. I had implanted such traits into everything i studied. I knew well the art of it in which Master Kyrell spoke of.

 

"I will Master Sunrider." I spoke, turning my blinded gaze from my own Master to Kirana, my words holding truth despite my not knowing where to access such things. I had yet to even know a Jedi Library even existed. "But i am curious on something, if you'll indulge me for just a moment. What made her change her decision to wield lightsaber?"

 

I watched silently through the force, my sight of the force zooming about the lone temple. I reached outward more, allowing my sight to sharpen and hone it's self, and define it's boundaries. To me, it came as quick blurs, slowing down only momentarily as it zoned around beings and things of interest. I saw forms such as Master Kyrell standing idly by, Master Sunrider walking to and fro her padawan, the small container which she pulled forth two blindfolds, and even idly off into a nearby woman's refresher. Blushing a bit, i settled my sight down, zoning back into the present room. It seemed my mind had wandered a bit too far from me.

 

Realizing that Master Sunrider was a bit busy with her own padawan, i indulged in the training Master Kyrell had proposed, all the while my attention still awaiting her answer. My fighting style was much like my stance when i wielded a sword. Loose, controlled, and graceful, was my form as i stepped forward into the section of pad. My blows came slow at first, loose and well precise as they came forward. But as the grew closer and closer, their speed and power would double, providing a staggering and loudly thud. And the more i opened myself to the force, the harder and faster they came.

 

But it was unexpected slightly, Master Kyrell's switching of the tactics into him returning the blows with the padded shield. I chuckled briefly as his first attack caught me off guard and found it's self connecting to the right side of my body. It was never a good session unless something unexpected occurs. I turned and attacked again, aiming for specific points on the body that could disarm one's self briefly. And then, as if naturally, i quickly followed with defenses, protecting my own faults and weak points. But i had my own tricks up my sleeve. If Master Kyrell wanted to test my proficiency in lightsaber combat, why not now, but with a blade. Even though i held no knowledge of it then, Form I was originally created for bladed combat. To me, it just seemed plausible that swords could replace lightsabers.

 

"Are you ready, Master?" I questioned, making sure i held the guard up upon my thoughts, not wanting to ruin the fun of what i was about to conjure. "Shall we take it up a notch?"

 

Without warning, my kicks and punches grew more quickening, mere blurs upon the eyes of an untrained being. And then, without word, my blade flew forth from it's uncontested sheath, the dull backside connecting with the pad, quickly followed by an unusual metallic thud. Even when i used my sword, forced or willingly, my unwillingness to kill shown brightly. I had rarely ever used the bladed edge of my custom vibrosword, or any sword truthfully, because of what it had brought upon me that day i lost Jewel. But i was not necessarily down, even while using the backside of it's blade. Though one's use of the certain form was nearly unheard of. Only active practitioners of full out defense used such a form as an attack.

[Stormhelm]

Dantooine.... my homeworld, if you wanted to call it that. It was the world upon which I was born, upon which I was raised, upon which I watched my family murdered by local fauna and in which I first felt the pull of my own darkness. But more importantly, it was the world of which I had ran to escape from, my very arrest here my first grasp at freedom from it. And here I was, a Jedi Padawan, returning to it. So many mixed feelings of sadness along with happiness, mostly the previous rather than the latter betraying that i had not even glanced at Armiena until she spoke, my own fixation upon the marbled world before us.

 

My hands trembling less now, most likely due to my knowledge of Dantooine and its wide open savannas, I nodded and began entry. I remained careful, rarely moving my hands against the planet's pull and keeping the ship leveled once the atmospheric pressure began to pull upon us and gravity took its hold, keeping the ship like a pebble upon the air streams and flowing with the currents. Something I had picked up here years ago while listening to visiting spacers. But as we cleared the upper atmosphere and hit the stillness of the air, I gazed out the viewport over the plains in the direction of home.

 

It was a small farming estate, likely in ruins now since my orphanage. But it wasnt far from the ancient Conclave the Jedi once held a presence within. Part of me wanted to visit it, and perhaps would once we were done with the caves. But for now, I focused on keeping the ship level as we neared our touchdown. With a deep breath and slow exhale, I pulled back on the accelerator and let our decent drop slowly until the ship's landing gears settled with a near soft thump.

 

Letting go of the controls, I turned to Armiena, finally seizing a chance to speak. "You know the crystal shards we both possess came from the caves you brought us here to visit. So what is our real reason for visiting?"

[Stormhelm]

 Why am I doing this?

 

It was a question I had often asked my own self, even beyond this moment. I did not relish the moment of betraying my beliefs of building a weapon, let alone, use it. I attempted to justify it behind tradition, which partially felt right. But the truth of the matter laid deep with my own psyche as well as my own heart. And as I found out, it held no simple answer.

 

As Armiena question me this day, I realized how much I had betrayed my own beliefs. But in the same aspect, I had grown to understand the singular truth. As a Jedi, I was expected to uphold the integrity of the Order as a whole, not simply my own. I was not required to weild it, but I was expected forge it in my trials as a Jedi to show my resolve, that if it came to it, then I would defend the freedom of all life even if it meant my own.

 

This was a risk I had now found myself to trust and believe in, even if deep down, i held a notion to disobey. If i, as a Jedi, wasnt willing to walk the extra mile, then how could i set an example for others to follow. This was my reason for choosing to take up arms, to be willing to take a life as much as i was willing to give up my own. If I was to be a Jedi, I needed to present myself as one not just before the Order its self, but to any that saw me as one. That was the simple truth of my reality. It was something I needed to come to terms with.

 

As I gazed across the savanna, the realization fresh upon my mind, I thought back to the day I took a life out of anger for the death of my parents, a spot not too far from where we had made land fall. I was but a boy, and misguided by my emotions as much as my pain. But now that I had matured and grown not only as a person, but as a Padawan, I realized the truth of the moment, a moment brought to clarity by Armiena. It was simply a natural reaction, nothing more, nothing less, and for it and though I was to carry such a burden, the innocence of the moment was corrupted.

 

I sighed, my gaze shifting to meet her own. "Why am I doing this? Not just for own redemption, but the redemption of those who came before me, those whom faced my life and could not overcome it alone. I do it for them, with hopes that one day they will not have to. If I am to be a Jedi, I must accept my duty and responsibility, even if I disagree with it, because i must lead them by example, not just focus on my own transgressions."

[Stormhelm]

I was taken aback by Master Armiena's disbelief, her tone shallow and blunt. If she had not known me as well as she did, it wouldn't have stung as deeply as it did. But as her words resounded within my mind, a sense of pain and betrayal withered its self into my heart. After all, when I spoke, I spoke from my very core, the essence of my being. And in a single line of words portrayed by an indifference expression, had drove a figurative dagger into it. All I could do was look back at her in shock and disbelief of my own.

 

This was a life I had chose, even if it had been forced upon me in the beginning in a manner of speaking. Ours paths did not cross in mere coincidence. And as such, I would face whatever hardships came my way like I had my entire life. I carried many scars across my spiritual form, some that would drive most to the brink of darkness, and despite having crossed that line briefly, here I stood before ready to stand against it with everything that I was. But her words, as much as they were meant to make me see the picture she saw, felt more like a spat to the face than anything. And I could not grasp why she would do such a thing.

 

I hung my head briefly, unable to look at her as I sorted through reasons for the why, unable to grasp at the knowledge from the shock. My chest felt hollow as my hand reached up to it and tugged at my shirt, an emptiness aching within that I haven't felt in many years. And in that brief moment, that moment of hurt, sorrow filled anger flushed forth in my words. "Why? ... How could you?... Do you think?...

 

My words were scrambled, incoherent. My thoughts were jumbled, coming across as blank slates. So I took a deep breath, focusing my mind and taking a second to get past the initial shock before my gaze turned my singular eye toward her, my composure returning as evident upon my face. And for the following moments, all I could do was stare at her, studying her face and body language. Was she testing me? Did she take me for a fool? Such questions crossed my mind as i sat there in silence, attempting to even comprehend her bluntness. I knew in my heart what life i faced, and what it could lead to if i wasn't strong enough. But not everyone is the same and life had a way of designing sentients for the challenges they were fated to encounter. So does she just not trust me?

 

"Then you are as foolish as you believe me to be." I said when I finally spoke, the tension around me so thick a lightsaber blade could barely slice through it. "I may be a child, but I am not innocent to the world around me. I was at Coruscant with you. I saw what it brought to Borleias and Nar Shadaa. You may think my stance to be young and naive, and perhaps it is. But to me, right now in this moment, it's as true to me as you are. I want to be, no, I am a Jedi. And I will follow my duties into the darkest abyss if I am called to do so. It's as simple as that, believe it or not."

[Stormhelm]

As her words came across my hearing, they stung at my heart. Partially because she questioned me, but also partially because, in truth, I held no true answer. When I came to the Jedi, it was join or prison for me. So I joined under Master Armiena, taking the position of her Apprentice and never looking back. It was the truth of my childhood.

 

Ever since I lost my parents all those years ago, it's how I had reacted to life. I acted first without thought, and never questioned the reasoning or the why, steadily moving forward so I didnt have to look back at my past. My gaze still staring at her, I realized that it was time to question everything I had done and become. Was it truly just to survive? Was it truly just to make my way in life? Was it truly the only option? Was it truly to redeem myself? Did I truly wish to be a Jedi?

 

I asked myself these questions over and over as I hung my head in thought. I survived, yes, but at the expense of others. I made my way in life, but as a thief and vagrant. I chose this option, but only to remain free. I am redeemed, but at the expense of my freedom. I do want to be a Jedi, but I dont know what it means to be Jedi. These were the answers I found hidden within in me. And as I discovered them, it only pained me more.

 

I gazed back at Armiena, the confusion in my eye glazing it over with tears as I looked at her for guidence. But what I saw in her own was a feeling similar to my own.  I hadn't noticed it much before, but the signs were there all along. She held the eyes of a soldier, marching into battle without thought of consequence, distancing herself from those within the Order as well as her family, and constantly put herself in harm's way with little care for herself or those that treasured her with little regard for Order. She was no more a Jedi than I.

 

"Master..." I started to question, an understanding begin to form in my mind and echoing its presence in my own gaze. "Are you asking for me? Or for yourself?"

 

As I let the question linger in the air, I turned back to my own thoughts. Ever since I joined her as her Padawan, my life had been one rollercoaster ride after the other. But I enjoyed it. It completed me in ways that I had never felt before. The help I had aided with, the lives I had saved, it brought joy I had never felt before. But despite not truly understanding what a Jedi truly stood for, I knew deep down that this was the life for me whether it was originally one of choice or not. Not out of personal gain, nor for the fame and glory.

 

No. I wanted this life because of what I was able to do. Like aiding those on Borleias, Coruscant, and whatever planet the war would lead to next. If I could bring a smile to someone's face or protect another from ending an orphan like myself, then it was worth it. It wasnt the duties of a Jedi that made me want to become one. It was that I was now choosing to be one so that i could perform those duties. So the answer to her question was simply. I wanted to become a Jedi to be a Jedi.

[Stormhelm]

I sat in subtle silence long after Master Armiena departed, the remnants of her reaction playing over and over in my head. Her words, the clenched jaw, the emotionless tone, the guarded mentality, even if she did not present it or speak it, I knew for certain that I had accidentally touched a nerve. And because of that, I felt guilt knotting up in my shoulders and plaguing my mind. I had never been one very good at properly expressing myself.

 

So I left her to her devices, at least, for the moment being, unsure to where she had went off to. Perhaps she simply needed a breather. Or perhaps she simply needed a moment away from me. I wasnt quite sure, but I left it as is, still sitting within the cockpit with worry in my eyes. I wondered if I had crossed a line. I worried with whether or not she would still wish to be my Master. I even worried whether or not I deserved to be her student. But what plagued me more than the worry were the words she spoke before she even left the room. She was a Jedi, a former Grandmaster of the Order. How could she not be a Jedi anymore? Had conflict caused her soul to become so weary, so exhausted?

 

My thoughts were abruptly pushed aside as the large sounds of impacts above, startling me to reality as my gaze shifted upward to them. And then the growing familiar hiss and humm of an activating lightsaber before it began striking something aboard caused my to react and I quickly went after her. Following the sounds of her strikes amidst the crimson glow of emergency lighting, I passed the common areas of the upper deck and ran straight toward the seized portal now vibrantly glowing with the molten metal where the saber had struck. And within, Armiena knelt, tossing wires and circuit boards, metal plates, and anything that her hand gripped behind her like garbage.

 

"Master?..." I spoke, extending my hand before quickly drawing it back, unsure of how to approach the situation, before I simply extended my hand completely and gripped her shoulder. "I am sorry if my words hurt you. I know you're not like other Jedi, and I know you mean well. But you are a Jedi nonetheless." I spoke carefully, letting my heart guide my words as the room settled to the same subtle silence I sat in below. "I just ask that you allow me to be the Jedi that I am destined to be, just as your life guided you to be the one that you are."

[Stormhelm]

I smiled half heartedly as Master Armiena finally acknowledged my choice, but I could still tell that she wanted more from me, more for me really. But I was young and naive, and wanted life to define me. Perhaps not the wisest choice, but still better than most. So as she left, I contemplated on her previous words.... words about her previous Padawan and how she spoke of him in a past tense, making me wonder of his own fate and what he was like.

 

Like she said, most of the parts that the data listed were easily found. The descriptions made them vividly recognizable. But the hardest part was the frame and angle I was looking for, as well as the sleeve, just among a few other parts. And after nearly an hour of trying to force pieces together and makeshift a few items I felt would work, I frustratedly tossed aside yet another failed attempt. I sighed briefly, sitting back from my perched position over the pile of scrap onto the floor and bit my thumbnail as I thought about her last words and what she was going to focus on.

 

Master Armiena obviously had more experience than I did at forging a lightsaber than myself, especially considering I had only recently considered forging one in the first place. And that's when I remembered her words about the Force guiding me, causing the lightbulb above my head to vibrantly shine. So I sat there, opening my mind to the Force with the vision I held of my saber in my mind and saw its pieces strewn about. I felt the design I wanted and wondered how to properly fit to together, from the emitter and focusing lens down to the curved hilt and cylindrical casing being as smooth as the ice of Ilum, with the leather of its forward grip sitting seamlessly beneath its casing. And that's when it hit me.

 

The parts were there, and I could see everything as if I knew the ship inside and out. Just behind the paneling Armiena had been stripping held a wire fuselage frame that would fit the angling perfectly. And back in the cockpit, sat a lever with the same angle that the frame would fit perfectly in made from Ultrachrome. And down the hall in the common area sat leathered seat that could easily provide the grip where the lever once had one. Everything, though strewn about, was there, just as she had said. Running about, the constant clanking of my hurried feet from one side to the other, up and back down, could be heard as I went about collecting the parts. 

 

And once that was done, I quickly found Armiena, the panting of my breath recognizable by my previous rushings with all in my hand. Yet I spoke not a word as I stood there, gazing at her lost in her moment, and waited for confirmation.

[Stormhelm]

I nodded my head in agreement, taking my place next to her at the work station as I laid the parts out before me as they fell from their hold with both my crossed arms, falling upon it with clanks and sounds of metal scratching against metal as they spread out. Next to me, I laid the datapad with design sprawled across its screen, a nervous pit in my stomach as I realized that I had never really put anything together, having always did stripping and separating as a scavenger and what little skill I did possess in making anything was no more than primitive means. But if I was going to do this, I was going to make sure I did this right. And so I began, first by separating the parts from the wiring and components, placing the sleeve and casing aside for last.

 

And so my work began, carefully zooming in along each section to inspect how each fit together, where each part connected to the next, and where possible modifications would need to be made. Hours would pass as I made mental notes here and there, scrolling from one page to the next, searching for the design I had embedded into my mind until a full picture began to unfold in my head and I slowly began to grab parts and components and began to put them together, the fumes of soldering wires and the sounds of frustration filled the air. Then next came the framing, using the fuselage I grabbed earlier to fit the pieces in place as I meticulously followed the design I envisioned. From placing the emitter and lenses at the forefront to the power cell containment at the rear, it began to strangely form the inner workings of a semitrically curved hilt. But I still didn't seem to feel right to what I envisioned, so I set it aside and took out the Pontite crystal that I had carried for so long, its swirling color mesmerizing my gaze as it pulsed with life.

 

They say Kyber Crystals are living crystals, born of the Force and intune with those it chooses as its weilder. And the Pontite variant is even rarer, able to enhance its weilder's affinity in the Force its self. But whether or not that this was true, I could not say. All I knew was when I looked at it, I felt the presence of home within it, like the plains of Dantooine lived within it, its color reminiscent of the its turquoise glow from space. And as I looked deeper into it, I could feel the Force flowing from me into it as if it was a part of me, my memories of my childhood, my adolescence, and even my time of under Master Armiena flowing through my mind and through it. It was a strange feeling to behold, but it brought me a sense of clarity as I stared at it. And in that moment, I decided to shift my design slightly.

 

Grabbing the tools needed, I began to carve away at crystal. More hours would pass and before I even realized the time that had already passed, I was alone in the moment that took me. Like Dantooine its self, and the life that had forged me and came full circle upon the very planet that I tried to run from, I slowly carved the crystal from it's natural state into one of crystal clarity, a jewel of Dantooine, a orb of life, and finally into a gem that glowed like the planet its self: a perfectly circular crystal to fit into its proper place within the hilt.

 

And when it grew time to place it in its proper place, I had yet to realize that I had been at it already for three days, lost within the moment of forging the weapon it ached to be. Now would come the moment of truth, all parts properly aligned as much as physical touch could perfect, and the test of a Jedi came to call my skill. Opening myself to the Force, I opened myself to its call. The casing, the sleeve, the frame, and the crystal all began to encircle my form as I pressed the etched vision in my mind to bring it to life. First the frame hovered before me, the imperfected alignments shifting to perfection, then the crystal taking its place at its heart near the ignition switch cut from a sliver of the crystal that would lay beneath its sleeve and casing, activating only upon the call of the Force and not by the hands of outsiders. And then the insulated sleeve wrapped its self around the frame, ensuring that even lightning could not harm its contents, a lesson that I had learned upon Coruscant. And finally, it shifted into the casing, the lever I had taken from the cockpit made of Ultracrome with the sliver of leather replacing the former metallic grip that once adorned it removed with the leather providing the forward grip for such a hilt. Sleek and sophisticated, I felt the hilt fall softly into my hand as the final piece fell into place, a circular clip at its bottom, adorned with smaller crystal orbs salvaged from the very crystal at its heart. It was finished.

 

Shifting my eyes around for Armiena, I did not realize the toll the whole experience had taken upon me nor my form as the shifting of my eyes caused my head to grow light and my stomach to feel queasy from hunger, still unaware that a total of five days had past since I began. As I laid back and gave into my weakened state, all I could do was tell for her, unsure whether she was near or far. "Master"

[Stormhelm]

Unconsciousness, it was a lingering feeling as I laid there trying to pull myself from upon the floor. It was a state in which I flowed to and from as hunger and sleep deprivation took its hold, the times I could awaken to see blurred by. And so, occassionally, all I could do was give in, letting the moments of darkness take me and fly by until i could manage to open my eyes again, attempting to fight to regain my reality.

 

Day break finally pierced the veiled gaze i managed to look through as the Force began to slowly return through my moments of sleep, my lips coarse and my throat dry as my voice once again called for her by name. But Armiena was far, and I too weak to reach her or find her through the Force. So I managed to crawl myself from the room I was in. It felt like hours had passed before I finally made it to my gear, reaching in and pulling forth a few nutrition bars from it and nearly choking as i scarfed them down in large bites, using the water i had to wash it down before i regurgitated it all back up due to the haste of my hunger. But grabbing another, I slowly began to eat my fill.

 

Before I knew it, another day had passed. I felt my strength returning well enough that I managed to make it to the cockpit in order to see if i could locate Master Armiena, but I instead found her note. I chuckled as I sat there reading it. Typical of her, but I felt the pain this planet held for her, so it was understandable. Dantooine held a similar pain for myself, and i soon found myself outside the ship as well looking in the very direction to where it laid. I supposed to myself that since I was here, and had a little time, it warranted a visit if only to see the old homestead. I needed to find closure in my old life if I was to truly move into my new one. And so with a bag packed, and my addition to the note that @ObliviousKnight had left that simple spoke 'Going Home for a quick Visit', I departed.

 

The Stormhelm homestead wasn't but half a days walk through the tundra of Dantooine, past the ancient Jedi Enclave and past the old  Caves where my whole journey had began, and sat not too far from the old outpost where DSF had stationed themselves many years ago outside the Ruins of the Builders. When it came into view, it was almost nostalgic. The scents, the feel of the breeze rushing through the nearby crevasse that tunneled it across the plains, even the squeaking of the old swing, all brought back painful but memorable memories that brought both tears from my eye and a smile to my face. And as I sat my bag down on the rotted timber of the front steps and sat down, I stared out into those memories as time began to fly by.

 

Sitting there, I pulled the saber from my hip, my mind pondering if my mother and father were there with me, wondering if there was a sense of pride within their spirits, at the man I had become. And a part of me knew that it was true. Rising, I got up and walked inside, carefully treading as the old boards creaked with the pressure of my weight, my gaze shifting around as I strolled down memory lane. The sight and smell of my mother's cooking. The laughter of my father as he came in from work and kissed the love of his life like he hadn't seen her in months. It was almost picturesque, and memories I had not remembered in so long that they felt not of my own. And then I turned toward my old room, dark and closed off. Opening its door, I could barely see where I once laid my head, taking my saber in hand and activating it. But it did not ignite, a confused look crossing my face. Did I not assemble it correctly? It didn't explode, so that was a good sign. Shaking my head, I flipped the switch back off and clipped it to my hip, figuring I would have Armiena inspect it upon my return and instead ignited a flare.

 

My bedroom was just as I had left it that morning, toys still strolled about on the dusted sheets. Over on my desk were parts that could only be described as trinkets from the spaceport I called home after their deaths. And on the shelves were books, mostly children books about Jedi and Republic war heroes, even a few science fiction ones about Galaxies not of my own, one noted as Terra Nova, a planet once called Earth that my writer decided to throw in to relate with me. Closing the door as I departed, I noticed that the sun had began to set, so I settled in for the night, taking the couch where mother used to bounce me on her knee when she wanted quality time with me. Taking a bar out of my bag, I ate at it, making sure to finish regaining my strength that had been waning since the construction of my lightsaber. And after a few swallows of water, I tossed the flare out the window and let the setting sun grow dark as did my own world.

 

Memories would take hold and plague my dreams that night, horrifying and dark. It was the memory of that day, the memory that I had been fighting since I chose to walk the path of the Jedi. It always started out the same, my father's smile, my mother's laugh, my mischief and their enjoyment of it despite the harsh repercussions that I usually brought upon myself at the hands of my mother's switches. But for some reason, that day, she did not scold or discipline me, rather smiling and laughing instead with a bittersweet enjoyment of the day. But then came the blood, the death, the darkness of it all as the Krath Hounds slew and tore them apart, my mother's sacrifice that saved me and my ending the lives of the Krath's and their pup.

 

"Genesis..." I heard my mother cry as those moments flashed over and over in my mind, my form tossing and turning in a cold sweat upon that familiar couch. "Genesis.... run. Get out of here!"

 

These were the last of her words I remember from that day as I grabbed father's blade, but this time, it resounded too realistically and I jumped awake with deep gasps from my slumber. I looked outside into the star filled sky, throwing my legs over onto the floor and wiping the sweat from my face as I buried it into my hands. The flare had long gone out, and the house was as dark as the emptiness of space. So I stood up and walked to the door, stopping short of its frame as I heard a rumbling growl just outside. It was a growl I was all too familiar with, and my heart raced with the reality of it just as it did that day.

 

Kath Hounds.

 

Grabbing my bag, I searched desperately for a weapon of any kind, something to defend myself. But I had left all that behind and only brought my lightsaber. I cursed silently under my breath, placing the bag over my shoulders as I tried to locate the hound. I could use the Force to defend myself, but at this time of year and given the solace of my location, it was a pack of them and they were hungry. Not even a blaster would deter them against one singular being of prey. My only choice would be to run, and I would have to run fast to escape the likelyhood of at least three. And as silent as it was, I could hear two of them on the porch, which meant I couldn't get an accurate number. Whatever plan I was going to come up, I would have to come up with it fast. I knew they could smell me, but a simple creak of the wood beneath my feet would give away my position.

 

And sure enough, as i leaned back to try and get a view out the window, it did. Before i knew it, one of the two came crashing through the window, causing me to rush out the door and into view of the other. So I ran. I ran as fast as I could as the two bulls began their pursuit. Opening my mind and body to the flow of the force, my form became as light as a feather, crossing the plains in a haste I had never charged before. But with the sounds of snapping branches and horrific growls behind me, I did not choose to look back nor slow down, the fear and panic within me echoing of that day so many years ago.

 

One managed to keep up, the other only lagged by the beast in front of him, and i could feel its intent to pounce just as it did, causing me to zag to the right and out of instinct, I shoved the beast aside with a luckily well placed push of the Force. But it caused me to slow and the second beast closed the gap. Picking up speed, I darted toward the crevasse ahead of me, hoping that I could make it and bottleneck myself in instead of dealing with the two beasts on both sides, possibly causing them to collide and loose enough ground for my escape. But I hadn't learnt my lesson years ago, Kath Hounds albeit beasts, were abnormally intelligent and the third waited for me there. This was why they stood as some of the best hunters this side of the Galaxy and now I was pinned.

 

I stood there, encircled, the fear of death gripping as my heart, as they playfully circled me. But I had already chosen that I would fight even if I died this day, just as my parents did so long ago, and as they each took turns charging at me, only to be brushed away by my touch of the Force, I finally understood why my parents fought and died that day. It wasn't just ensure my survival like I had always believed. But it was to feed the hungry by offering themselves up as sacrifices so that their bellies would be full by the time it came my turn. They wanted me to live, wanted me to become the man that I had become. It was in that moment, standing off against the darkness of nature, that I understood the life they saw for me. And it was in that understanding that my views began to shift. For so long I felt that my living was a mistake, my life no more important than the next. Even the pup I had slaughtered that day in anger. But now I knew, just as Master Armiena had said, that we fight until our fight is done and only then can we truly rest. And in that moment, I felt the presence of my mother and father upon the passing wind, the scent of them flowing within, and as the three attacked in an almost unison pattern for the final kill, I grabbed my saber, pulling the force within me and unleashing it in all directions as the turquoise blade sprung to life. Guilt free and realizing that my fight had just begun, I attacked.

 

Charging up the backside of the closest Kath, I spun myself, feeling the curved hilt of my blade shift within my palm as it struck the hide of the beast before i landed head on with it, my gaze revealing my intent to fight until i could fight no more. In that moment, I saw its hesitation just as one of the other's charged from behind me, my form twirling and twisting as I ran the tip of my blade across it's back, blood spewing across my form in its passing. And lastly, I turned toward the third, running up it's face and striking its horn as I cleaved it in two. And as I turned, all three took off and left me beaten and bruised, a couple of ribs cracked and my robes torn where one managed to slice open my arm. Deactivating my blade, I fell to one knee, aching in pain, watching as the sun began to rise. 

 

After applying what little healing I could muster, and bandaging the rest, I would arrive a day later after Armiena's own return, covered in blood from the battle the night before, wounded, and tired. But in my hand i held the Kath's horn. And on my hip, my saber, humming upon the flow of the Force with my newfound resolve. I may not have to kill, but a Jedi is forged to fight against whatever odds they may face. That is the path of the Jedi. That was the path i was meant to walk. I, Jedi.

[Stormhelm]

Walking up the ramp, I grabbed hold of the loading rail and let my exhausted form slid down onto the durasteel flooring as I rested, my gaze shifting out across Dantooine's savannah. There was almost a serene feeling flowing across me as I watched the first of it's sun rise above the distant plateaus as I caught my breath. It had been a long night, and despite still capable of mustering the energy to eat the last of my meager rations, I felt drained and tired. 

 

I could hear that Master Armiena had returned, but felt compelled to leave her to her tasks as I sat in silence, the memories of the night before and what led up to it still fresh in my mind. I had ran away from this world, determined to escape its grasp. And yet, here I was, a Jedi Padawan who walked it's grasslands once again and justly confronted the very thing that drove me away. I chuckled silently at the irony as I sat there, lost in those thought.

 

Before I knew it, my mind had given way to my exhaustion, and when Armiena would come to investigate the loud growling sounds, she would find me fast asleep, the growling sounds being my exhausted snoring.

[Stormhelm]

The realm of dreams was a tricky place to tread, especially for a Jedi Padawan like myself, a place where visions could plague the mind and become contorted and twisted, where dreams could feel like reality, and a place where serenity could become a nightmare. Like myself and my homeworld, me and the crystal which now resided in my lightsaber were not just connected, but conflicted as well, one side trying to overcome the will of the other, trying to find a balance of harmony as one. And even though I had found a semblance of it with the blade, the harmony had not completely taken.

 

Dreams of my past were usually hauntings in my sleep, memories of days past swirling in and out of my subconsciousness at times, causing me to constantly second guess myself. And I suppose, for someone like myself with the past that i had lived, it was an rare but normal occurrence. But the dream i had this day was unlike any I had ever had before. 

 

A figure stood before me, draped in a blackened robe, rain pouring off him like rivers of constant tears, his red hair shifting in the hollowed wind. His gaze shifted toward me, his white glazed eyes looking back at me with sadness in his heart as his turquoise saber sprang to life, illuminating his face.

 

I gasped, realizing the visage that I gazed upon was that of my own, a darkness in my heart and eyes that weren't eyes at all, but were bled crystals, void of life and connection, cut off from the very Force that once weilded them. I could see his, or rather, my mouth move. Yet no words came out or I could not hear them. I reached my hand out to him, trying to grasp at the fallen soul I saw before me, weeping in sorrow. But the farther I reached, the farther he, or I, became, until he blinked from existence completely and i stood alone.

 

Reaching up to wipe my tears, I noticed the color red upon my hands, and in a panicked haste, realized that I was covered in blood from head to toe. I screamed, calling my own name, but neither words nor sound escaped my own voice. And then blackness covered my sight, and I gazed once again on the figure, this time, seeing him just as I was, covered in blood that darkened the robes ever more. And once again, I gazed at his illuminated eyes, seeing the sorrow within.

 

And I woke, the feeling of being pulled from the dream by another presence, almost as if a hand had grabbed my psyche and dragged me from murky waters. And there, upon the grassy plains before me at the bottom of the ship's boarding ramp stood Master Armiena. Seeing her standing there, I smiled, pushing the dream back into my subconsciousness, and stood. "Forgive me Master. It's been an eventful week and it got to me."

[Stormhelm]

The breeze was blowing gently across the plains, myself taking in the serenity that home seemed to present its self as this time around, even going as far as enjoying the moonlight as it shown the landscape. But Armiena's words confused me, this growing more frequently as of late. I could see the shimmer of her smile in between the pulsating flickers of illuminated crimson, the hair upon the back of my neck wanting to stand up as I did. But I pushed it from my mind, and as she approached, handed over my saber.

 

Like my writer had previously described, the saber was of the curved hilt variant, the casing forged from ultrachrome and held a leathered grip at the forefront that seamlessly fell beneath the casing. Inside held an internal switch that required the use of the Force to activate, and the crystal itself had been shaped into a orb that nearly mimicked Dantooine from space with the remaining shards used to align and focus the power input, and had insulated the entire innards to protect from electrical interference. But even as flawless as it was, it didn't seem to want to activate unless my will and it's own became one in my defense. Such is the imagination of my writer I suppose.

 

"Forgive the time it took to forge it." I sincerely spoke in regret, the overall process taking nearly six days and once I recovered from my exhaustion, a current endeavor still in process, I hadn't been able to present it until now. "What do you think Master Armiena?"

[Stormhelm]

A sense of pride began to swell within me as praise from Master Armiena reached the lobes of my ears and resounded throughout the encased drums of my middle ear. Especially at her amazement with the Ultrachrome hilt, though truth be told, I had taken it from the ship's forward cockpit looming above. But lost in all that pride and praise, I failed to mention one thing, and it was due to that, that what happened next could have been avoided.

 

I felt the weight of her form connect with mine before my attention drew to what was happening, her pause in her speech and throwing of my blade causing my gaze to follow with confusion and a blank train of thought that followed. Before my mind even had a chance to draw anything together, she was atop me, squeezing me with her own form and my head aching from its brief but firm connection with the earthen soil beneath us.

 

In the moments that followed as my mind began to rather its thoughts both from the confusion and the brief blow, I noticed that though her form was frail in outer appearence, it was muscular and strong. And despite that neither of us had hit the refresher in quite some time now, her sweaty scent held an almost flowery essence in its trail. After a few more moments passed, I felt her form ease and she rose to looked at my blade, my gaze looking at her differently than I had before.

 

Yes, I was a boy. But it wasn't that. Even as her questioned slipped out her lips, I realized how long it had been since I felt another's embrace, let alone one from a female. And in truth, it felt warm and comfortable, and in that brief second, part of me wanted it to continue, if only to remember the similar embrace of my mother's, the embrace of one who chose to protect their child with everything they were. And in that moment, a tear streamed down unnoticed until I felt it begin to roll down my cheek.

 

Rising from the ground, I wiped it away and gazed in the direction of my blade. With a chuckle and a smirk, I spoke. "I installed a internal switch to prevent just anyone being able to activate it. It just felt right that a weapon of such power should have one, even if it was meant to protect lives by taking them."

[Stormhelm]

I nudged my head in a slight thankful bow as she praised my considerate thought and climbed upon my feet as she rose off me, dusting the wet grass from the general area I could reach, and with a quick thought, reach my hand and my mind out with the Force, urging my saber back to me, careful not to beacon the ignition switch in the process. Until it became second nature, I would have to be careful with it, and that could very well take awhile given my previous stance upon wielding one in the first place.

 

As I clipped it upon my belt, I gazed upon her own as she showed it. At first glance as she ignited one blade after the other, I pondered the aspects of her wielding a double bladed lightsaber, as in truth, it seemed to fit her. But as the expulsion of gas and blade tethered to liquid cable snapped my attention and nearly stopped my heart, I found myself quite mesmerized by her ingenuity. There was nothing like it in the archives I had studied nor was it listed in what I had downloaded onto my datapad for ideas and study. 

 

I had heard tales of her prowess with both combat and machines alike, most notably her inventiveness with the wolfspiders used in previous wars. But this, seeing it in action, removed any doubt I may have previously held. But as she spoke, I returned to reality and my mind grew briefly dim.

 

War. It wasn't a term I had came to terms with yet. At least not fully. I saw first hand what it wrought to Coruscant, the devastation, the chaos, and in truth, it was what pushed me to fully commit to my choice of following the Jedi's path. But I had only seen it, not experienced it like she had. And part of me doubted that I would ever know the experience with it that she truly understood. Especially with the real world of my writer being plagued by a pandemic known as COVID-19 that was running rampant like wildfire across his globe. If only he could escape it into our world, perhaps he could avoid his own reality. But that wasn't possible.

 

With a nod as Armiena took off, I quickly followed in suit. It was time for my training to become rigorous, this i knew. So i kept pace, letting my lungs expand to match, pacing myself. But after a few minutes, the brisk walk turned into a jog, my pacing hastening behind her. I could not tell where she was leading me, but i had come to trust her. Where she led me, i would surely follow.

[Stormhelm]

As we jogged across the grassy plains of my homeworld, I gazed upon it in a different light. No longer did it feel dark and gloomy, nor did it feel oppressive and prisoning. No. Today I gazed upon the first healthy view of its humid sunlight with joy and excitement. As if I had faced my darkened past and come out of it rejuvenated with an entire new outlook upon it. For it was home, and home had always been where my heart truly laid.

 

Where Armiena was uncomfortable and dreaded, I was complacent and found enjoyment. But then again, I grew up on this world, and was accustomed to its weather all year round. I grew up facing its elements with very little protection. But not was all as it seemed, her voice trailing behind her and catching my ears with techniques I did not know. I watched in awe as she quickly sped away and nearly out of sight with only her words echoing in my mind.

 

Pushing myself harder to try and play catch up, my mind wondered on her words. Better? Stronger? Faster? I knew I saw the Force work upon the displaced Citizens I worked on back on Borleias. But how could I apply such a technique on a healthy living person? Closing my eyes, I turned inward into my own body, flowing the rapid beating of my heart, the pumping and flowing of the blood and cells within me, and expanding and falling of my lungs.

 

That was when it hit me. Like my using the Force to heal those on Borleias by hastening their natural healing, I could do something similar with my own form. But I had to be careful, as it was a fine line to walk. I could increase the oxygen flow from to blood and cells to my muscles, increasing their own dexterity, but too much could cause me to faint just as too little would. And hastening my heart to match could leading to even more dangerous scenarios. I could see what she meant, but I had to focus and apply the right amount to each addition, balancing it over all to match perfectly, making sure not to overdo it.

 

And so i attempted to try, slightly altering the flow of my blood to spread up the dispersal of the oxygen to my muscles while simultaneously increasing the intake of the oxygen through my lungs and the rate of my heart ever so slightly so that i wouldnt overload my system and cause my body to exhaust too quickly. And before i knew it, i was doing it, my gaze falling upon her as i began to quickly catch up.

 

Only one problem. Now that i was doing it, how could i stop as i grew closer and closer? My mind briefly flew into a panic as i tried to stop myself, but before i knew it, i had tripped on my own two feet and came rolling past her as i past her now stopped form. Yeah. I would need a little more practice.

[Stormhelm]

As I took Master Armiena's hand up, I nodded my thanks and dusted the now drying grass and dust from my form, taking in the breaths that refilled my lungs after the wind was literally knocked out of me. By now the Sun was beginning to glare down on us, and despite my having grew adapted to this world and its environment, even I could feel the heat of the day beginning to come on in its opening. Wiping a bead of sweat beginning to form on my brow, I watched as Master Armiena chugged off in the direction we came from, shaking my head, my mind trying to wrap my head around the purpose.

 

Grabbing her robes, I took off behind her, using the same mentality I used before, concentrating the flow of the Force through me to balance and enhance my speed. But as I did, I kept watching her own form slowly beginning to fade into the distance as my form began to hinder and fault to my inexperience. I could feel the burning of my muscles even over the heat that was beaming down on me, could feel the exhaustion of my lungs as my breathing attempting to keep up with my exertion. But this was new to me, and my body held a long way to become used to it. Especially the last leg of it, my mind praying to see her or the ship before I gave into the need to simply lay down and rest.

 

When I finally did arrive at the ship, still at a faster pace than my usual full run, my exhaustion was self evident as I buckled again, albeit this time simple onto my stomach before I rolled over in an attempt to catch my breath as I looked up at Master Armiena atop McShipface as I waved her robes and held up my pointer finger, indicating that I needed just a moment. And as I played there basking in the sun, more than just a moment past as I finally struggled to rise and took a breath so deep that I weaved and my head felt light.

 

I exhaled, beginning to feel my form regain some semblance of strength as I unclipped my lightsaber and ignited it in turn, feeling my next lesson delved into its use. Placing my free hand over my eyes as I glared up to her, keeping the glaring sun from my eyes, I poised a simple question. "How do you expect me to get up there, Master?"