A few months have passed. I turned 10 not to long ago. I still don't know much about my family history or background. I will just have to ask about that later. But first I need to make some moves. The clone army is in production. The senator's I reached out to responded back, and I been feeding them info every now and again.
But they are going to want to meet me at some point. I need to also figure out the path I want to take when I become a Jedi knight. "Hey Cain what are you thinking about?" Anakin said as he and the rest of the group entered the meditation gardens.
"Hey guy's I'm thinking about what type of path I'm gonna focus on when I'm a Jedi knight." I said.
Derren chuckled. "Shouldn't you be worried about becoming a padawan first and having a master."
"With how talented and strong Cain is, that's not going to be a issue. I bet all the master's even some from the council will want to pick you." Anakin said.
"I agree with Anakin. Cain, but your not wrong to have a ideal path that you want to follow. Do you have a general idea of of what appeals to you?"
I nodded. "I do. I want to focus on the Jedi Sentinel path. Mainly a Jedi Shadow."
"That's a hard but nice path." Derren said. "I want to do something same path or be a Jedi Investigator." Then Derren looked at Seris. "What about you ice princess, what path you want to follow? Probably a Jedi Consular right. Just like the rest of your family?"
That's when Seris elbowed Derren in his side. "Oww why do you always use violence on me." Derren said kneeling on the ground holding his side. Seris in a calm reserve tone spoke. "It's not violence. It's discipline, for your smart mouth."
Then Seris looked paused and spoke again. "Derren is correct I want to take the path of the Jedi Consular. Mainly focusing as a Jedi Shadow or Jedi Watchmen."
The Barris spoke. "Wow that's amazing that you three are considering the same path. I want to be a healer. Since I specialize in force healing. I also been researching the Jedi Sage path. Which only three jedi currently hold the position of in the order."
Then Anakin spoke. "I haven't heard of those other paths what are they?" He asked. That made Seris and I, sigh while rubbing the bridge of our noses.
"We literally went over all this in class for the last three months. Did you zone out and just focused on the Jedi Guardian?" I asked knowing the answer already.
Anakin smirked. "Not my fault I knew the Guardian fit me best, when I learned about it. I wanted to be a Jedi Guardian."
I looked at Seris. "Can you please explain the other path's to him. Your good at this stuff."
That made Seris ears twitch and she nodded. "Of course Cain. that's no problem." Seris said happily.
"Now Anakin I will keep it short and brief. You remember the three main classes a Jedi can take?"
"Yes a Jedi Guardian, Jedi Sentinel, and a Jedi Consular. Guardians specialize in roles like the Jedi Ace (pilot), Jedi Peacekeeper (law enforcement), Exotic Weapons Specialist (using non-lightsaber weapons), or Lightsaber Instructor. While the Consular focuses on the Force like abilities and techniques. Also including diplomacy, research, and healing. And the Sentinels can take paths specializing in investigative work, security, recruitment, technology, and even espionage." Anakin said smugly.
Seris with a calm expression said. "Good Anakin you can read holonet description of the roles the Jedi roles are for the public." She said in a knowing, mocking tone. That made me and the other's break out into a laugh. "Haha. She got you there Anakin." Derren said.
"Haha. Fine Seris, your the smartest person here. I answered the question. can you please explain the paths already."
Seris had a cute small smile on her face. then after looking at Cain for a moment. She flicked her a loose strand, of her silver platinum hair behind her ear then spoke.
"Okay so I will get straight to the point. Jedi Shadow's are essentially dark side hunters. Their mission is to track down dark side or Sith relics. From corrupted artifacts, cults or hidden Sith disciples. They work in secrecy, keeping their mission hidden from the republic and other jedi besides the council."
"Sounds cool in a dark mysterious way." Anakin said.
"It is." I said. "I like it cause it gives you the most freedom. You can see the galaxy, and come and go from any planet or the temple as well." Which is what I need to help further my future plans.
"Wait. You get that much freedom? And you can come and go as you please?" Anakin said somewhat surprised.
"Yes." Seris said. "But hunting or stopping the spread of the dark side is not their only job. Sometime they go undercover long term. In these cults or various organizations. They are permitted to study dark side techniques. But they are watched carefully because, falling or losing oneself is at a higher risk."
I agree, but it is a perfect job for the chosen one. If I can get Anakin to train between as a guardian and shadow. Then I believe he would become the chosen one I believe he should have been. Derren and Seris wanting to be ones would be helpful to my plans as well.
Especially for Derren, the kid is a true prodigy. He is perfect for the hardest mission I would ever ask anyone to do. But if he can do it then the galaxy is closer to being saved in Anakin's time. I want to make sure that if Luke and Leia are born. That they can grow up in the new golden age of the Jedi Order and the galaxy.
Then Anakin spoke. "That's crazy amazing. I would be able to..." Then Anakin stop his thought mid sentence. But I new what he meant. He wanted to go see his mom, and I wouldn't blame him.
I placed a hand on his back. "I know Anakin, you don't have to say it but I think we all get it." I said gesturing to the others. Barriss, and Derren nodded with a smile. Seris with her elegant, calm face just nodded.
Anakin just smiled "Thanks guys. Go on Seris I want to hear the rest."
Seris showed a brief smile. "Of course. Now Jedi investigators, or Jedi detectives, are a subgroup of Sentinel. They rely on their intuition and connection to the Force to perform detective work. Mainly preventing crimes, it's an extension of the Order's traditional role as guardians and peacekeepers. Now a Jedi Sage is a little different."
"How so?" Anakin asked.
"Well technically master yoda is one. It's just a fancy title. Meaning a powerful jedi who manipulates telekinesis, heals with the Force, and utilizes foresight. Meaning someone who has achieved a high connection with the force."
"Oh okay I understand now. Man these paths are so interesting. I might rethink which one I will take." Anakin said.
I smiled. "Well Anakin besides Barriss, it would be nice if all of us were Jedi Shadow's. Not to mention you are allowed to switch between paths. There is no rule you can't change later on. It is just difficult to do because, unless that discipline mirrors your current one. It will take decades to master just one. So unless you have the lifespan of me and Seris that will be difficult. Even for the chosen one."
"Oh I didn't know that?" Anakin said. "Wait what do you mean, by yours's and Seris's lifespan?"
The group looked at Anakin with surprise.
"Anakin, you know Cain and Seris are Sephi right?"
"Oh I don't know much about their race. Is that why they have thse long ear's?"
Seris nodded. "Yes I come from a long line of Sephi and Echani hybrids, but my main lineage is Sephi. I just inherited the hair and eye color. We can live between 200 to 400 years old. Cain I believe is half Sephi. That is why his ears aren't pointy as mine, but his life span will still be long."
"Wow." Anakin said. "I can't imagine living that long. But that gives you a lot of time to do what you want."
True but that's also the problem with long-lived species. They live so long that complacency is a big problem. They view other species not as long lived as them to be children. Repeating the same problem doesn't normally occur in their civilization. But advancement pretty much stops, and so does increasing the number of their population. Well that depends more on the species.
I nodded. "Yeah I guess Me and Seris will be stuck with each other for a few hundred years. Sorry if I annoy you Seris ." I said cracking a smile. Seris ears twitched somewhat, and her calm demeanor broke somewhat. "You don't annoy me Cain, your actually pretty nice to be around. So I wouldn't mind being around you for a few hundred years." She said flustered.
Anakin and Derren looked at each other with a knowing nod. Barriss smiled "Aww Seris you do have a soft side. It just so happens that it's Cain. She said giggling. "Barriss not you to? It's bad enough when Derren does it." Seris said flustered with her cheeks red.
One day above the Great Training Ring, several Jedi Masters observed Cain and other Initiates. They were in the middle of sparring sessions, each pair rotating in a seamless display of discipline, precision, and unity.
Cain and Anakin sparred with the Darth maul programs Anakin developed. The two individuals fought better then most in their age group, and some who were older . Seris and Derren gave each no room to take advantage of in their match. They fought with great skill and precision.
Fay stood quietly, arms folded, her gray eyes glowing faintly.
Windu stood beside her, observing carefully. " Cain and Skywalker keep improving It's hard to ignore. Especially when they grow, so do those around them."
Plo Koon's visor reflecting the movement from the ring below. "Yes the two are very gifted, and they bring out the best in others as well."
Master Shaak Ti, curious but wary, added: "Outside of their training and skills. Their conduct is questionable? They question our rules and break them but in creative ways. Like they're trying to tell us something. Or they are just breaking the rules for their own fun.."
Fay nodded. "They are not rebels. I just believe they are not afraid, to stand up for what they think is right. From helping a friend who misses their home and family. To guiding others who were losing their way. And show others there is more than one way to do things."
MasterLuminara Unduli entered silently, glanced down at the sparring group. Her expression was unreadable. She was focused on Barriss. That younglings connection to the force has improved so much. It's like I'm looking at Master Yoda sometimes.
Then Yoda spoke. "Ready they are for the next step. Padawan trials they will take." he said.
Windu then spoke. "Are you sure Master Yoda. I understand Cain, Seris and Derren. Barriss has shown significant improvement as well. I believe she can take the trial. But Skywalker has barely been a initiate for a whole year."
Then Yoda spoke again. "Skywalker was given a chance to advance to a padawan a few months ago. But turn down he did. Still more to learn he said. More learning he did, ready he is."
Windu paused for a moment looking at Anakin then to Cain ,still sparring and dominating the training droids that looked like Maul. "What about youngling Cain? with his skills and abilities why wasn't he offered the same choice?
Plo Koon spoke up. "Actually master Windu, they both were. You were away on a mission around the time. So it wasn't brought to your attention since Cain turned it down as well."
"He turned down becoming a padawan as well?" Windu asked.
Plo nodded. "Yes. He said he still had much to do. Helping the other younglings grow. He said when Anakin and his friends feel ready then he will take his Padawan trials. So master Yoda respected his decision."
"I see, that is quite unusual. What is that youngling thinking?"
Fay kept her eyes directly on Cain the entire time.
I sat beneath the meditation tree in the temple gardens. The moonlight of Coruscant shining through the tree onto me. I began to float while meditating. My mind was at ease as I reached out into the Force. I was then surrounded by the black void surrounded then the Force lights of the force users around me appeared.
Over the years I noticed Anakin and I were becoming enveloped by our force lights. I noticed other things. Like when two of the three crimson force lights, in the far distant disappeared. I new what that meant. Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis were dead. The crazier part was that Sidious's light got a little bigger, and the lightning surrounding it became more intense.
I never tried to stare to long or deep at it. Not knowing if he would see back at me like Master Fay. I learned to see flickering specks of lights with shadowy figures next to them. I took it as those who either have a weak connection to the Force. From disconnecting from it or they haven't completely awakened their abilities.
I reached deeper into the void to find one person specifically. Maul. and I found him But it was weird. His light was flickering like he was close to death. The light was a crimson but has small traces of yellow and green like mist mixed in. I noticed a small trail of green mist. A faint line reaching deeper into the void.
I followed it, and that's when I saw something I never seen before. Not a flickering light, but a sphere of green mist. It was huge I couldn't see anything in it. That's when Mother Talzin appeared in the center of the green mist. Then she opened her eyes, and looked directly at me.
"Well what do we have hear?" She said with her ancient sounding voice.
"You can see me?" I said.
"Of course I can see you child. In this black void where I can barely see anything most of the time. You shine bright like a golden star. It goes to shows how powerful you are. But that can also be a bad thing here."
I looked at her confused. "What do you mean?"
She paused her eyes moved like she was looking at something in the black void beyond the lights. "There are things out here that have existed long before your order, the galaxy could comprehend. They twist and bend logic and those around them like toys. They sleep in a void like this. And your bright light will be like a beacon that wakes them from their long slumber."
I understood what she meant. But I wondered what laid dormant here. I turned my head to look past Talzin.
"I warn you now child. I don't know who you are but, you shouldn't look to deep into the abyss or it will look back." She said.
As I stared deep into the void past the lights, I felt something deep in my spirit. The force around me trembled like it was in fear. Then I saw something. Eyes horrible putrid eyes appeared. They were so devoid of light, that it made the black void look bright. Dark nightmarish tendrils slowly expanding underneath the eyes. Then I saw them. It's teeth. Sharp thin and pointy all around its mouth in the shape of a deranged smile.
Every second I stared I felt like I was going to go insane, but I couldn't look away. That's when Talzin said. "That's enough child." She shielded me in her green mist. and Pressed a finger to my forehead.
Next thing I know I fell to my meditation mat. I was covered in sweat, and my body was trembling.
Was that Abeloth? How the hell did Luke face that thing?