Eventide of a Jedi

VII

Four years earlier.

The morning sun rose slowly over the horizon, bathing the skyline in soft, yellow light. The tall buildings of Coruscant reflected the sun's dazzling light and for a moment, the urban city appeared beautiful. I never liked the chaos or the business of Coruscant, but sometimes when I came out at dawn I could almost pretend like I was alone. I leaned against the railing of the balcony and closed my eyes, pretending I was far from the bustling crowds and humming speeders.

The sound of footsteps made my eyes snap open and I turned to see my master striding across the courtyard toward me. I smiled in greeting as she stood beside me and rested her forearms on the balcony rail. "I thought I might find you out here," she said, looking out at the buildings that looked like jagged teeth on the horizon.

"We normally don't begin training until two hours from now," I said, frowning. "I didn't think you would be looking for me this early."

The twi'lek laughed and shook her head. "I didn't come up here to chastise you, Septima. You are not the only one who enjoys watching the sun rise."

I chuckled. "It's worth waking up early for a few moments of peace." As I got older, training got more rigorous. I was constantly under enormous stress, both physically and mentally. I could feel my muscles aching now from yesterday's combat training, and every day it seemed impossible that I could keep going. Between my academic studies and training with Master Secura, I got no rest.

"I know sometimes success seems impossible to reach," my master said, suddenly breaking the quiet stillness. "Sometimes it is impossible to see why it's worth enduring hardship; impossible to see the light in the darkness. I push you because I know you can take it, Septima. Only through fire is a strong sword forged."

"I know, Master."

"The Force is strong with you, and you need to be challenged more than the other padawans. You have all the potential to become a skilled Knight...a Master, one day." Aayla reaches into a pouch on her belt and pulls out a string of small polished stone beads.The brown and gold stones glisten in the sunlight as they rest in my master's blue palm. "On a padawan's thirteenth birthday, they receive a special gift from their master. This bracelet is made from stones that Master Vos gave to me on my thirteenth birthday. These stones are from Tython, the homeworld of the Jedi Order, and are incredibly Force-sensitive. I hope in times of trial you can find strength in the Force and remember that you are not alone. I will always be here to guide and support you, even in the darkest of times. This is my promise to you, and I hope this bracelet will always remind you of that." She drops the bracelet in my hand and I slide it over my wrist. I can feel the Force flowing through the stone beads, as if they were alive with energy. "Happy birthday, Septima."

I delicately trace my fingers over the polished stones, searching for words. The path of a Jedi is a lonely road to walk. But in this moment, my human emotion overcomes the militant nature the Jedi had tried so desperately to drill into my head. I wrap my arms around Master Secura, embracing her in a hug. She pauses, surprised, then returns the gesture. Jedi were not emotional beings, and the embrace felt foreign, yet it had seemed the right thing to do. I knew, as a Jedi, I had a greater destiny waiting for me. I had duties and responsibilities; a power that obligated me to always remain diligent and disciplined. And yet, all I had ever wanted was family. But now, after years of solitude, I had found a sister.

I step back and pull the sleeve of my cloak over the bracelet. Though it was out of sight, I could still feel its energy pulsing through the Force. "Thank you," I say to my master, bowing my head slightly.

Her eyes narrow slightly, as if she is weighing options in her head, contemplating her actions. I recognize the look. She makes a decision, unsure that it is the right one. "You are my sister, Septima," she says quietly, her voice nearly lost in the faint morning breeze. She speaks quietly so that even the stones that make up the temple will not hear her words. "Even when the stars turn to ash and there is no light left in this galaxy, we will still be sisters."

I am shocked to hear my master utter words that so blatantly conflicted the Code, and for the first time I question what I had been taught. For a moment I catch a glimpse of remorse on my master's face. A momentary crack in the facade, revealing something like regret. I frown, but before I can say anything the twi'lek turns and faces the rising sun that signifies the start of the day. "Come, my padawan. It may be your birthday, but that doesn't excuse you from morning drills," she says with a smirk. I chuckle and shake my head, taking one last look at the Coruscant skyline before heading back inside for another grueling day of training.

By the end of the day I am too tired to remember the look of worry I had caught on my master's usually calm face. I fall asleep content, unaware of what Aayla Secura had seen in her mind that morning.

Attachment was a dangerous thing for a Jedi.