Fight or Flight

Trial of Skills

Turning around in the darkness I have no idea of what to expect. The air is tense, electric almost, as if anything could happen. A pervading sense of danger surrounds me. I begin to run, finding myself flying over cavernous openings and lifting myself up onto platforms. My emergency senses kick in and I no longer fear if I will fail. Setting my mind to the task at hand, I continue to run and leap, as if something evil is chasing me. Suddenly, the floor drops out from under me. Before I can lift myself out, a door closes over it. Ok. I guess this is part of the test...

Concentrating on the door above me, I close my eyes and lift it very carefully. After what seems like no less than five seconds, light hits my eyelids, and I shoot up out the pit. But something is wrong, for the air is once again tense with danger. I pull out my lightsaber. The hum of the blades is soft for now, the blue intertwining with the white. Suddenly, a dark figure springs at me from nowhere, a red blade flashing before my eyes. I quickly deflect the attack, moving out the way to get a good look at my attacker. "Soler is the name."

"Nice to meet you Soler. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."

"Nah, I'm not in the mood to let that happen." With those words, Soler begins raining blows. I block all with my double lightsaber, and then pull out my single as well. With three sabers humming at the same time, I begin to gain the upper hand. Maybe, just maybe, I can win this battle. But my trial is far from done. A laser shot comes from out of nowhere. Without thinking, I put my hand out and stop the bullet shot mid-air, while blocking an attack from Soler's lightsaber. The strain on my body is exhausting, and my muscles scream for rest. I pull myself out and let the laser shot enter Soler. He falls to the ground, and for a moment, I am pulled back to my past. Shaking my head, I turn to see droids marching towards me. Flinging a host of them into a wall, I turn the others towards them and have them shoot their fellow droids. When the droids are gone, I take a deep breath. The way out is clear now, but it involves a lot of gymnastic work.

My muscles can't take anymore. Come on, Kiria, get a grip. Just focus.

Focus on what, failure?

Oh, it's you again is it? Yeah, great timing on your part. Mind if we do this later?

Of course, but you're so exhausted, you just want to sleep.

Ok, shut up. I'm in the middle of my first trial and I'm not going to mess it up.

But what if you have?

I quickly turn my thoughts off before this creepy guy can get to me anymore. Taking a flying leap, I land on the first platform, and begin flipping to different platforms. Finally, I step into the bright white light. Exhausted, I look through tired eyes to see the looks of the Jedi Council members. Most of them are shocked in expression. "Um, hi masters. Did I do something wrong?"

"Uh, no. No, we just never have seen anything like that. A lot of padawans give up. You didn't. Why?" Mace Windu looks confused and proud?

"I just knew I had to keep going. My instincts told me I needed to keep fighting." And I didn't want to feel failure again. Not after...stop it! Don't go there.

"You did excellent, young padawan. There's no question that you passed the first test." I breathe a sigh of relief. "That was the most physically exhausting test. You still have the trial of courage, flesh, spirit, and insight. These will be emotionally exhausting and one of them may be physically painful."

"I understand."

"Go, you must be exhausted. Prepare for tomorrow. We are sending you out on a mission with Even Piell to Endor. There's been rumors of a Jedi assassin there." I turn to Master Piell who nods.

"Understood. I will be there by dawn."

"Perhaps before dawn."

"Of course masters." I bow respectfully to the council and leave the chamber, wishing I could just pass out! As I walk down the hallway towards my room, I hear Master Secura calling out to me.

"Padawan Shano!" I turn around, wondering what she could want.

"Master Secura...what can I do for you?" She runs to catch up to me, lightsabers swinging by her sides.

"I wanted to ask why you paused in the middle of your training. You looked frustrated, even upset. Was everything ok?"

Oh no...she can't find out! "Um...yeah, everything's fine. I was just exhausted and needed to give myself a pep talk."

"That explains the pausing but doesn't explain your facial expressions."

"Yeah, well, I just had a memory come into my mind that was from a long time ago. It was while I was living at ho...I mean on earth."

"Ah...I see. Good luck tomorrow. Master Piell is good but be watchful for the assassin."

"Understood." Once I am alone, I breathe a sigh of relief. Just don't let it show, Kiria...