The Legend of the Jedi Queen

28. Darkness Rises

The next morning, Nellith reported to the meditation room, where Jaina was waiting for her. Looking a little weary, but otherwise the same as usual, the Jedi Master sat cross-legged in her black jumpsuit, ready to meditate.

Fountains abounded the room, to help create a more calming atmosphere. Nellith sat down across from Jaina, who smiled.

"Sorry about yesterday," Jaina said. "I like Dialaman Blue, but Dialaman Blue certainly doesn't like me."

"It's alright," Nellith said. "I didn't mean to make you that worried."

A flash of guilt passed over Jaina's face. "I shouldn't have let that happen to you. I wasn't a responsible teacher. Luke would be disappointed."

"To be fair, you can't be as disappointing as Dad was to Luke," Nellith said.

"Oh, Ben had that talk with me yesterday too," Jaina said. "I'm not supposed to tell you about Snoke anymore."

"That's stupid," Nellith said.

"Honestly, Ben's really stupid sometimes," Jaina agreed. "But I think we're going to have more than a friendly duel if I say anymore."

"Then tell me about Grandma Leia," Nellith said. "I know she was a politician, a general, and a princess. I know she was as loved by the galaxy as Padmé Amidala was. But Maz said she rejected the Jedi."

Jaina sighed. "Mom and I didn't get along. I was more of my dad's kid. But Mom. . . Mom was amazing. Even though she never joined the Jedi, Luke did teach her the ways of the Force. And she could do some pretty cool things with it. I think she never joined, though, because of Darth Vader."

"Her father," Nellith said.

"Not in Mom's eyes," Jaina said. "Sure, he was biologically, but as far as she was concerned, her true dad was Bail Organa, who died with the rest of Alderaan."

"Wow," Nellith said. "And Vader was there, when it happened."

"Even if Tarkin was the one who pushed the button, Mom always held Vader responsible," Jaina said with a shrug. "I don't entirely understand all of it, myself. Come on, we better start some meditations. Gotta keep up with the training, and not just the fun stuff."

Nellith nodded, and prepared to clear her mind.

Being able to practice dueling with her husband was the most Rey had had in years. Her blue saber-staff on the training mode, she twirled it into a blue whirling shield as Ben attempted a strike, only to be sent stumbling backward a few steps.

Rey laughed good-naturedly, and reached over to help him up. Ben smirked and accepted it.

"I haven't figured out how to get past that, yet," Ben admitted as he got to his feet.

"Someday you will," Rey said with a shrug. "Want to go for best two out of three?"

"We should probably return to our duties," Ben said.

"I need to check on Tallis," Rey admitted. "I left him to duel with Kiernan, but I think we need to have a talk."

"He doesn't look good," Ben admitted. "Are you sure you don't want me to—"

"I agreed to teach him the ways of the Force," Rey interrupted. "It's my responsibility to save him from his fate."

"I don't want you putting everything on your shoulders," Ben said, placing his hand over the exposed scar on Rey's right shoulder. Shaped like two hands reaching out for each other, it reminded him of how long she had waited for him. He cursed his stupidity over and over again— for making her wait, yet again.

"I can handle it," Rey said. "We both know I'm good at waiting, and fixing things."

Ben nodded. He was about to lean in and kiss her when he sensed Kiernan's presence. He stiffened and pulled away to see Kiernan dragging a rather sorry-looking Tallis behind him.

"What is the matter, Kiernan?" Rey asked, exasperated as she whirled around.

"Do you want to tell her, or are you going to make me?" Kiernan demanded.

"I didn't do anything!" Tallis protested.

"I sense great darkness in this boy!" Kiernan shouted, pushing Tallis forward. The boy fell over, but quickly scrambled to his feet. "You need to do something!"

"Wait, what?" Rey and Ben exchanged a look of fear.

"I was teaching him how to peer into another's mind during a duel, to predict the next move, and I found a great darkness," Kiernan said, much more calmly. "It was greater than what I once sensed in your daughter."

Rey could feel Ben stiffen even more, and realized Kiernan and Ben were in the middle of a glaring contest.

"Alright, everyone, let's calm—"

"You've been suspicious of everyone since you came here," Ben accused. "You've come with accusations about the Knights of Ren, about my daughter, and now another Jedi Apprentice. My question is, do you really not see any darkness in yourself, or are we so lucky to be graced with the most pure of Jedi?"

"We're talking about a great propensity for evil beyond average!" Kiernan yelled. "The Knights of Ren were traitors to Luke Skywalker, and I cannot understand what you, Rey, see in these people!"

"What are we doing?" Rey demanded. "We cannot seriously be arguing about this! Kiernan, let me take care of Tallis, Ben, go do whatever you need to be doing right now, and Kiernan, go take the rest of the day off! Is that understood?"

The training room went silent at hearing their leader yell.

"Darkness is rising," Kiernan said quietly. "In all of us, if we're not vigilant."

He turned on his heel and left, leaving the training room to speculate on what he meant.