Consequence of Oversight

Bo

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SIX MONTHS LATER

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The twin suns dipped lower into the Tatooine horizon, painting the barren training circle in shades of amber and crimson.

Hazel stood in the center, her feet planted firmly in the dirt, her breathing steady as she faced Qui-Gon Jinn's ghostly form. Her hands were extended, palms open, as she focused on lifting a small pile of rocks into the air. They hovered shakily, wobbling under her uncertain control.

"Focus, Hazel," Qui-Gon said calmly. "The Force is not an opponent to be wrestled with. Let it guide you, and the balance will come naturally."

Hazel exhaled sharply, gritting her teeth. "I'm trying."

But just as she began to steady the rocks, a sudden, sharp tug in the Force shattered her concentration. The stones clattered to the ground, and Hazel spun toward the disturbance, her heart pounding.

"There's someone here," she whispered.

Qui-Gon frowned. "I feel it too. Be cautious."

Hazel grabbed the training staff she had fashioned for herself—she was too impatient to wait on the Force—and gripped it tightly. She stepped toward the edge of the training area, her senses straining to pinpoint the intruder.

From the shadows emerged a figure in Mandalorian armor, the blue and gray plates scuffed from countless battles. The woman moved with precision, her hand resting lightly on the blaster at her hip.

"Who are you?" Hazel demanded, raising the staff defensively.

The woman stopped a few paces away, her piercing gaze locking onto Hazel. "Your senses are quicker than I expected. I'll give you that."

"Answer me," Hazel said firmly, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.

The stranger tilted her head, a faint smirk playing at her lips. "My name is Bo-Katan Kryze. I've been looking for you."

Hazel's grip tightened on the staff. "Looking for me? Why?"

Bo-Katan's smirk faded, her expression turning serious. "It's a long story, ad'ika. But I will say this: you're important. And I need to know if you can defend yourself."

Without warning, she lunged forward. Hazel barely had time to react, swinging her staff in a clumsy arc. Bo-Katan sidestepped easily, her movements fluid and precise.

"Stay back!" Hazel shouted, her strikes becoming more desperate as the warrior closed the distance.

The Mandalorian didn't draw her weapon. Instead, she disarmed Hazel with a swift, calculated move, twisting the staff from her grasp and tossing it to the ground. Before Hazel could recover, the woman grabbed her wrist and spun her around, pinning her arm gently but firmly behind her back.

"A bit of advice," Bo-Katan said, her voice low but playful. "Don't overcommit to your strikes. It leaves you wide open."

Hazel struggled against her grip, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Let go of me!"