𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱☪ - Taegyu

Episode XV

Only the Jedi Temple was assailed. But the whole galaxy was well aware of what the Sith was capable of. The Sith would have annihilated the entire Coruscant, if not he had a greater priority– an 18-year-old boy, the prince of a once robust planet.

To rebuild the Temple was no feat for the Jedi, however, as they gathered in the conference room, it was evident that their concerns lay elsewhere–

"We should observe Padawan Taehyun."

One of the Jedi Masters brought out the topic that they all worried about.

"The boy was too close to Beomgyu. He may distrust the Jedi Order or follow Beomgyu's footsteps," another added, the fear of Taehyun succumbing to the dark side spreading among the room like wildfire.

Sitting among them, Master RM gritted his teeth. He couldn't tolerate their bullshit anymore and stood up, "You misjudged the crisis when I was away. My son, a Padawan, shall not be made a scapegoat. And mark my words– he will not turn his back against the Jedi."

Beside him, Master 8 rose from his seat, too, defending the boy, "You underestimate him. Taehyun is my Padawan. Give him time, and he will find his way back to us."

The two Masters exchanged a knowing nod. They had foreseen this day– when Taehyun's attachment on Beomgyu finally took a toll on himself. But they both had faith in Taehyun, and were ready to assist him in their respective ways.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✭,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

"Beomgyu!!"

Taehyun screamed in the silent room, waking up to dreams of burning roses and Beomgyu leaving him. It had been two consecutive days that he was haunted by these recurring nightmares. He reached for his pillow, to find a rose petal from the burnt bouquet lying beside it.

If only I was stronger

He pulled the duvet, wrapping himself back to dark. It's been a while since he returned home. His bed seemed to be the only solace he found at this moment.

As a pre-Jedi, he was prepared to make sacrifices for the greater good, perhaps a limb or two. But not Beomgyu.

Anything, but Beomgyu.

How could he lose Beomgyu? To a Sith?

He groaned, turning to bury his face in the pillow, trying to drown out the accusing voices in his head. At times like this, he was still mindful of the weight of his thoughts. The Jedi way had rooted in his blood.

The sudden ringing of his communication device broke the silence, jumping to TC-14's announcement directly, "Master Taehyun, a visitor."

Reluctantly, Taehyun squeezed his head out of the comforter, answering her, "No, I'm not meeting anyone." He retreated further under the covers.

Before he could protest, the door to his room slid open on its own. He heard footsteps coming closer. Warmth left him and he was seeing light again.

"Leave me alone!" He yelled at Hueningkai, grappling with him over the ownership of the duvet. "TC-14, why did you let him in?"

Standing by the door, TC-14 responded in monotone, "Your father mentioned that the companionship of a friend would be beneficial for Master Taehyun."

Taehyun sighed and gave up the fight. But he had no intention to leave the bed any sooner, with or without the quilted blanket.

"Yeonjun and Soobin are safe. They are under the Jedi's protection to make sure the Sith will not connect with them again," Hueningkai started, though Taehyun remained facing away from him.

"So, I brought this. Soobin recorded a message for you." Hueningkai fished out a coin-sized hologram projector from his pocket, activating it to reveal a miniature figure of Soobin standing on the coin.

"Taehyun, I'm so sorry-"

Hearing Soobin's voice, Taehyun seized the coin from Hueningkai, tossing it against the wall with rage. The hologram flickered at the impact.

"You know it wasn't his fault. They were trying to warn the Jedi Council. But the Masters were skeptical." Hueningkai interjected, trying to reason with the fury emanating from Taehyun.

"I know," came Taehyun's cold reply.

"Soobin was just thinking about Yeonjun, and he wasn't trained like us. The Sith easily had him," Hueningkai explained, still hoping to alleviate some of Taehyun's anger.

"I said I know."

The coin, undamaged, switched on once more after landing on the floor. Soobin's voice resumed– "I'm so sorry for all the troubles I caused. Even if the Sith was behind this, it was me who couldn't control my anger..."

Taehyun let him talk, his expression unreadable as memories of them– him, Beomgyu, and Soobin flashed before his mind.

"Beomgyu is a silly little kid."

Even if he was yet to forgive Soobin, Taehyun's ears perked up at the name mentioned.

"We grew up in the same foundling home. He used to be shy and quiet before joining the Jedi Order. I couldn't see him for years because of his training, so I was happy that he decided to live with me. He looked a lot brighter than when he was a child, and soon I knew the reason. Every time I was able to meet him at home, he never stopped babbling about you. I'm glad he found someone he loves..."

"Too late, Beomgyu is not here anymore." Taehyun interrupted. He pressed the pause button of the coin, couldn't bear the mention of Beomgyu without scarring his heart.

"He is still here," Hueningkai countered firmly. "It's YOU who are giving up on him." He dragged Taehyun's upper body to make him sit upright.

"I can't do this." Taehyun avoided his gaze, fixating his eyes on the floor. "The Sith is too strong. Not even my father had once defeated him..."

Hueningkai grasped Taehyun's shoulders, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You're a Jedi." The blonde stated. "Remember your oath."

Upon that, memories seeped through Taehyun's mind– the day he vowed at the Jedi Order, was also the day he met Beomgyu. Since then, his Earth revolved around Beomgyu. That boy was the reason he'd endured tough days.

"Beomgyu needs you. He needs us. We will become stronger and bring him back!" Hueningkai's voice grated after he put up with all his strength.

As those words sank in, Taehyun's resolve cracked, and the dam holding back his tears shattered. He cried openly, allowing Hueningkai to envelop him in a tight embrace.

Taehyun had never felt such pain since the day his mother joined the ancestors. It was as if all the grief he had ever experienced came crashing down on him at once.

Jedi were taught to be stoic, to keep their emotions in check. He was a Jedi, but also a boy, a boy who lost someone he loved deeply for twice– except Beomgyu was still alive, unlike his mother. And he recalled making two oaths on his first day at the Jedi Temple– one: to live the Jedi way, bring balance to the universe; two: to protect Beomgyu at all costs.

The following day, Taehyun's tears dried. He said bye to his comfortable bed and traveled to the mountain, where he could visit his mother's grave. It was his sanctuary whenever he needed a push. He came here to talk and receive guidance. Here, amidst the whispering winds and rustling leaves, he felt his mother's presence in the Force.

Kneeling before her electronic tombstone, Taehyun looked vacantly at the photo of his beloved mother. "Mum..." He muttered, heart so heavy that he didn't know where to begin.

"Just as I thought, you're here. But how come you're empty handed?"

A familiar voice chipped in, causing him to turn around.

His father stood behind him with a bouquet of white Amaryllis, his mother's favorite flower.