How interesting... I licked my lips again. So the Lorm I fought initially was just an illusion? No... I felt danger coming from him... Which means he was quite real.
"You said," the man spoke, tilting his head slightly, "that you would defeat me as many times as it takes. And that would count as passing the trial. You trained for this. You lived for this, exhausting yourself with training, battles, learning. But is all that enough to see the truth? Or do you think you see the truth just because you've become strong?"
"Cut it out, Mentor. If you're fighting an illusion, then all I have to do is kill illusions until they're all gone," I assumed a stance I preferred for attacking in Jar'Kai. The saber in my left hand was held right above my head, mimicking the Soresu position. The saber in my right hand was in front of me, mimicking the Ataru position.
"Your stance reveals your preferences," the trial object said thoughtfully. "You'll prefer to parry attacks with your left hand and strike with your right. Considering you're right-handed, focusing on your right hand is the logical choice. Achieving ambidexterity is the logical goal for Jar'Kai adepts. But a true master can use both hands equally, without any particular preference. Didn't Ezar teach you that?"
What? Why do his words seem so strange to me? Ezar? Magister Jonal Ezar?
"Are you analyzing your opponent out loud, trying to teach them something?"
"We're both in the Trial, and I was once your mentor," he brought his saber above his head, assuming the Djem So stance. "You remember what I usually do from this stance, don't you? Time to show you what a real Jedi Knight is..."
And yet—there was a certain surreality to it all. No. Lorm was fighting as usual. He usually tried to confuse you with feints that could actually work even against enemies of his level. Instantly switching from Djem So to Makashi and back, and then using Niman—that was second nature to him. And at the same time. If this is my mentor, he knows perfectly well that against me, his student, all his tricks barely work. Blocking his strike aimed at my shoulders with the saber in my left hand, I immediately tried to stab him in the face with the saber in my right. Lorm ducked and executed a classic sweep; when I jumped and tried to attack him mid-air, he caught my strike on his saber, deflected both my sabers, throwing me back with a hard block, and, leaping up, landed a kick to my head. A high kick, using inertia and a Force-assisted spin? That's not like him at all. He usually used telekinesis, after which several fireballs of pyrokinesis would fly at my head.
But a high kick in the version he used against me—that's something I would do myself. Taking the hit on my vambrace, I gritted my teeth. The strike was precise, saturated with the Force through and through. Even if it's a Trial, maybe an illusion, maybe I'm in meditation... But it hurts like hell, for real. Flying back about two meters, I immediately lunged back into the attack... But... Something strange was happening. Even Jedi with precognition, like me, can't react that perfectly. Lorm was like a supercomputer. He calculated every one of my strikes and reacted perfectly. I gradually sped up, changing the angles of my attacks. The green blades disappeared, leaving only flashes of green light weaving a battle picture against the cyan lightsaber. I attacked, couldn't break through his defense, and retreated, simultaneously blocking and dodging Lorm's strikes. The worst part was that he struck perfectly. He defended perfectly against every one of my strikes, every thrust, and attacked just as perfectly. He was like a master of Ataru, a master of Soresu, a master of Jar'Kai, able to see every tiny hole in my fencing, my fighting, and strike exactly there. As fast and hard as possible.
"You're confident in your abilities, aren't you? You know a lot, you don't expect a trick?!" I suddenly dashed to the side, trying to get behind him, but Lorm cut me off, blocking the maneuver and striking with his saber again. Ducking under the strike, I prepared to end it with a double strike to his torso. But my mentor interrupted my attack again, in the most effective way possible, simply landing a high kick with his left foot right into my head, which he had no trouble reaching. I was thrown back by the powerful strike, seasoned with the Force to the absolute max.
"Tch," I spat angrily. "This crappy illusion can even simulate blood."
"Are you even listening to me?" Lorm Decer asked, pointing his saber at me in the Makashi style.
"What's the point?"
"There's always a point, my negligent student," the man grinned. "Because you haven't finished your formation yet. The formation of that new Light you think about so proudly. You haven't yet faced... those very fears that you thought had receded, 'changing' you."
"You are my fear," I said calmly. "Look what you've become. Just a tool for my Trial."
"Ah, I remember. Obstacles on the path become the path itself. But that's far from everything, it's not the end, and not even the beginning," the Zabrak said. "Because what did you do after my death, student? You—just ran from fear, and most importantly—masked your bitterness with 'knowing how to do it right.' But you didn't see the truth staring you clearly in the face." He nodded behind me.
"There is no truly right path," I spun around sharply. A gentle voice, perfect facial features, black hair... Everything about her figure was so familiar. The features, the hair... Except her clothes were different. "And there never was. You thought everything was so simple. Sacrifice this and that, and happiness will follow. But are you ready not just to sacrifice something, but also to accept all those... consequences of your sacrifices?"
"I don't understand anything," I shook my head. "You're clearly an illusion. Just like my mentor. But if my trial was a fight with my mentor, how did you end up here?"
Mila Karnur just smiled mysteriously.
"Arrogance, the knowledge that only your path is truly correct, and others are wrong, stemming from knowledge obtained from a source previously unavailable to anyone," came from Lorm's direction. Shit... If the Magisters are hearing this... "Don't worry, they can't hear. For them, your Trial hasn't started yet. Or has it?"
"Come on, answer, Light. Do you agree to let countless Sentients die, just to bring your ideals to life? How cynical... Quite in the spirit of the miserable, world-hating nobody you were back then. But have you grown into anything more than that..." My gaze caught on her belt... Wait... How is this possible?
I didn't let her finish, lunging from my spot. An instant and I was in front of Mila Karnur, another instant and I nearly took her head off. But immediately, a blade as crimson as blood flared up and blocked my attack. I stepped back, not taking my eyes off Mila. Her pupils... Were filled with a golden color... A sure sign of the Dark Side of the Force... A fall.
"How rude, attacking an unarmed lady," she said with a smile.
"You're not unarmed. And you're not Mila," I replied. "Who are you? Another illusion?"
"I am only what you see," the girl answered laconically.
* * *
Two Magisters watched the trial of the promising Padawan. Magister Yan Dooku did not hide his interest in Light. The boy was talented, incredibly talented. No wonder his old teacher, Grand Master Yoda, had taken notice of him. Wise beyond his years. Except maybe naive... He was. In principle, he would have made a decent Guardian, or Sentinel, with effort. A Consul... Light hadn't been very sociable with his group from the start.
"What do you think, Yan?" Jonal Ezar simply asked him. The Head of the Jedi Temple Shadows and another Council Master. The man evoked a distinct dislike in Dooku. Jonal—had made a name for himself by killing Force-users of all kinds. Zeison Sha, Matukai, Potentium. Many had fallen... Many towards whom Dooku had no particular grievances. Jonal Ezar... Another fanatic and champion of the Great Light. He would kill anyone who didn't meet his internal criteria, or if someone couldn't be 're-educated,' in his understanding. The Shadows under him had turned into a kind of punitive instrument. Lately, they had started cutting down almost everyone. Not just Dark Siders, but sometimes they attacked Gray Jedi too, towards whom the Council's policy was 'they exist and that's fine, as long as they don't try to conquer the galaxy.' And right now, Yan could clearly feel Ezar's interest in Light. The boy had exceptional data and wonderful abilities. If only his personality were a bit more balanced. If he were a bit more attentive and prompt, he would have taken him as his Padawan. It would certainly have been better to train him than Qui-Gon Jinn.
"He could become an excellent Jedi... However," he glanced at the floor of the hall. "He collapsed unconscious immediately. If he doesn't get out of it," Dooku peered at Light's body, or rather at the dark figure standing nearby, "the Trials will be considered a failure."
"Who even came up with this?" Jonal asked the aristocrat. "Conducting the Trials jointly, summoning the Mistress of Illusions. What a creature that was," the man cracked his neck. "Darth Phobos. A Lady Sith, another madwoman from their Order, for whose destruction both Sith and Jedi united. What nonsense."
"The Trial was designed by the Grand Master himself," Dooku replied arrogantly. "It's not for you to judge it. And yes. If he succeeds, it will be a strong statement. Master Yoda knows what he's doing." That was for sure. His former Teacher's patronage over this boy was obvious to anyone versed in the inner workings of the Temple. Yan Dooku—an aristocrat, diplomat, and politician, plus a Jedi. If only he had understood everything immediately. "Have you read the reports of his psychological tests? You wanted to take him into the Shadows, I heard? Before the death of his first mentor, Lorm Decer, he was a slightly insecure, persistent, and intelligent young man. But death crippled him. The death of loved ones changes Sentients. But it affected him. He remained as withdrawn as he was. However, in the latest tests, they found self-confidence, pride, and arrogance. I heard the Shadows are ascetics under you, Magister."
"I can re-educate him..."
"No," Dooku shook his head. "Not anymore. He has clearly defined his Jedi Path. I saw it in his eyes. The death of his loved ones made a fighter out of him," Dooku wrapped himself in his cloak. "He is willing to listen. Willing to ask questions, to reconsider his views. But you won't re-educate him. You can only guide him... Darth Phobos... She plunged him into an illusion and is now playing with him in his mind. But he is capable of breaking the illusion, defeating it, condemning it to failure. Demonstrating his growth... And then—the trial will be complete. Both trials... A new Jedi Knight will be born. And it will be interesting to watch his successes. You will, of course, try to force him into the Shadow Corps. To 'control' his potential. Don't fool me with your 'he has talents for the Shadows.' He's radiating the Force like the center of Coruscant on New Year's."
"What a brilliant rebuke, Dooku," Jonal Ezar laughed from behind his mask. "But that's if he conquers his 'fears.' Understands how he was shaken and clearly sees his path. Only then will he realize the truth and pass the Trials. Only someone stable in personality can understand Phobos's illusion. But what if not? How do you like that future? I will complete his training in case of failure, taking him from Kuro. And I will make him my new successor."
"More precisely, a new fanatic," Dooku corrected him with disgust. "I cannot interfere in the Trials, but I hope he succeeds. May the Force be with him."
"I'd be careful. Your views are already leading you along the edge," the Head of the Shadows' voice turned icy calm.
"You can summon me for an interrogation—at any moment. However, keep in mind. The Grand Master will come with me. He will judge between us."
"Tch," Magister Jonal snorted. "That can wait, Dooku. But know—I am watching you. The slightest hint and..."
Yan ignored him, returning his gaze to the Trial Hall. Well... The trial truly suited the boy. They couldn't allow a Jedi of his abilities to walk around with such personality problems. The Trial Hall could be observed from a special room located next to it. This way, the Magisters could interrupt the Trials at any moment, as well as evaluate the participant. And yes... No matter what sympathies they had for the trial participant, they could only watch.
* * *
What the hell is going on here? Life definitely didn't prepare me for this. I was spinning like a top, raining strikes in both directions, deflecting attacks from Lorm Decer, wielding his cyan blade, and Mila Karnur, wielding a crimson one. And while Lorm Decer attacked in the way I was used to, adjusted for the fact that he was weaving in my own habitual movements, Mila completely copied my Ataru style. They were pushing me back... Unfortunately—I had to admit that my Trials might not end in success.
"Have we sown seeds of doubt in your mind, Light?" Mila threw me back with telekinesis.
Doing a somersault, I landed on my feet, immediately dodging to the side, barely avoiding a 'sai tok'—the move Kenobi used against Maul on Naboo, namely, a cut across the waist. Damn... No time for reflection. Do I need to analyze right now? They stand in my way... So I have to remove them from it. Without any hesitation... What difference does it make what's right and what's wrong? If I decided to go, then go. I counterattacked Lorm, Mila attacked me from behind... Shit... Spinning harder with the Force, I started using the Rising Whirlwind. The blades flickered around me like flashes of lightning.
Mila... She wasn't a Jedi or a Sith at all. Where did this weapon come from? She was too weak a Force-user. But she's showing decent Ataru skills... And Lorm... Well, nothing surprising there. If only he doesn't use Force Lightning... Suddenly Lorm jumped back, pointing his left hand at me... Wait... No way. A crackling sound rang out. Green Force Lightning flew from my mentor's hand toward me. I threw Mila back and caught the lightning on my crossed sabers, saturating them with the Force. The lightning strike was deflected.
"The foundation of everything is accepting the consequences of your actions," Lorm said. "Do you agree to give something to the Galaxy? Yes, you do," the man nodded. "But do you agree to learn the price of your actions? After all, nothing is perfect. And no matter how much you think 'something is better than what you saw before'—everything has its consequences..."
"I am ready," I snapped irritably. "I am ready to accept the consequences of my actions! Whatever they may be. Isn't that what you taught me, Mentor?"
"I taught you many things," the man smiled. "And I also taught you confidence. But in your abilities, not in your infallibility."
"What makes you think," Mila said, "that just because you 'know how it was in the written history,' that is the inherently correct version? Isn't it just the 'best version' in your own opinion?"
I grimaced... Do I really think that all those sacrifices I intend to make in the name of my views will serve to build something truly superior, without flaws? Flaws... They are everywhere, so...
"Realizing that you are not infallible is a difficult thing, but possible. The most important thing is to be able to accept the consequences of your actions."
Consequences... These two are literally a reflection of my fears. They died because of me. And now I'm forced to fight them in the Trial... Their current state is a consequence of my actions. I am the only one to blame for what happened to them. Which means—I am the one who must answer.
"Now I see," I said. "All I need to do is accept what I've done. No one is infallible. The Path... And the consequences of walking it are inseparable. I can only believe in the rightness... And accept the consequences of my faith and my path..."
"Yes? You believe?" Mila asked, approaching me.
"That's right. You are consequences that formed because of my stupidity and weakness. Naivety. I pity you. All I need to do is accept you and move on..."
Mila raised her saber and struck right at my neck... An instant and the blade passed through me.
"It really hurts to see you like this. But what truly hurts—is realizing that I am to blame for it. But what can I do about it? I've passed this segment. Now I just have to learn the lesson from it. Lesson one—no viewpoint is infallible. No matter what it is. And if I succeed—the Order, the Republic will be built. But even they won't be perfect. You can strive for an ideal endlessly, but never reach it. That very thought scared me... I must keep going, no matter what, bring my views to life... But I must not fear the consequences, both good... And such as you... And lesson two," I said, deactivating my sabers. "You are just illusions. Now I understand that this isn't just another piece of my psychology. But also that you—are creations of MY mind. Lorm Decer never saw the ambidextrous form of my fencing. He started using my techniques, even though we had completely different views on combat. The real mentor—always tried to break through the opponent's defense. When I remembered that, he acted that way. And when I didn't—you acted like me. Like I would act in a fight with myself. And you, Mila Karnur," I looked at her with a heavy sigh, "never wielded a lightsaber at all. But you started using Ataru... And clearly with my peculiarities... All of this is nothing more than an illusion. I was locked in with my fears, which I was supposed to fight endlessly... That's the reality... And now—I really want to wake up... Wake up and make that creature who thought of this—pay dearly!"
The world began to crumble... Thank you for the lesson... Yet again. 'Confidence in your abilities, but not in your infallibility' ... Well then. Time to test it. Consciousness, the real one, came instantly. I woke up right on the cold floor of the Trial Hall. Immediately jumping to my feet, I leaped away from where I had been lying a moment ago and ignited my lightsabers.
"You bastard! How did you do that?!" Before me stood a beautiful, tall Twi'lek woman with greenish skin and half-open clothing. Her body was toned and alluring, almost perfect. Six horns were visible on the sides of her face, three on each side. A golden color burned in her eyes...
"I know you," I said, pointing the saber in my right hand at the woman. "You are Darth Phobos. You existed before the Fourth Schism." So that's what it was. This isn't the Trial of Body. It's the Trial of Body and Insight, but reversed! No one forbids combining Trials. And that's what they did here. Using Darth Phobos, they plunged me into an illusion made of my regrets. The point was for me to reshuffle myself through self-analysis and realize that what was before me was an illusion. That's the Trial of Insight. And the Trial of Body—is to kill this bitch. "You made a mistake showing me your illusion, Phobos."
"Interesting, why?" the Twi'lek licked her lips, igniting a double-bladed lightsaber. "Did you see scary memories?"
"No. I figured something out for myself. And now I know that I am stronger than you."
"You talk too much!" She attacked me. Pretty fast. However... I blocked the first attack, the second, the third... She changed her attack angles, but it didn't help her. One of the obvious downsides of a double-bladed lightsaber is that while one blade is pointing at you, the other is definitely pointing away and can't hit you. Which means she just has one saber, with only special attacks. A double strike... The attack was aimed simultaneously at the Lady Sith's head and legs, but she positioned her saber in such a way that she blocked the attack.
I was thrown back quite hard. I dropped the sword from my left hand. Devil, she's good with telekinesis. In mid-flight, I caught the sword from my left hand with telekinesis and hurled it at her. She deflected the attack, and I, performing a somersault, landed on both feet and immediately rushed back into the attack... Spinning the sword in my right hand in a figure-eight pattern, I unleashed a flurry of strikes. She parried them and counterattacked, but I vaulted over her, pulling my second sword back to me. She pointed her right hand at me, holding the sword in her left. More telekinesis? No... This is Force Lightning! Crossing my blades, I took the lightning strike, then after a couple of moments, deflected it to the side. To the right? I see... She's capable of creating illusions right in the middle of a fight. I was surrounded by several copies of Darth Phobos at once... But those are just illusions, she can't do anything to me... No. She's a master of illusions. If I take the hits, thinking they're only illusions, there's a chance my mind won't be able to handle it and I'll suffer mentally, which means... Time to cosplay any Rinnegan user from Naruto — a telekinetic blast around me.
The telekinetic wave spread in all directions, throwing back and dispelling the illusions. What? And the real body isn't here either... Where is she? I turned my head, scanning the surroundings... Calm down, Light. Calm. Focus. You know your abilities. Don't be arrogant, thinking you're right and the strongest in everything. But don't doubt yourself either. Suddenly I heard a strange noise... Below? Was she hiding underground? That's it exactly. She herself is just an image summoned by the Temple's Artifact. Which means she can break the laws of physics far more than an ordinary Jedi or Sith. She leaped up from under the floor and tried to impale me, but I sidestepped, letting the thrust pass in front of me. Her next attack — she changed direction and the blade, now pointing downward, tried to split me in half. I tilted my body, raising my left leg, and kicked her precisely in the hand holding the hilt, thereby deflecting her attack. The woman jumped back...
"Quick, aren't you," she spat.
"I'm full of surprises," I shook my head. Her reflexes are top-notch. Catching her off guard won't be easy. Although... When has it ever been easy... But that's not the main thing. Now I feel this is a real fight. Not the kind I had in my mind, when feelings for my mentor and Mira kept me from cutting loose and feeling that intoxicating sensation, the pleasure of a real battle. I'm starting to like battles themselves. The main thing, of course, is not to get carried away. But a tiny bit... it won't hurt, right? "But I think it's time to finish this." I'd like to spar with her a bit more, but alas, I can't drag it out. A little of something good.
"I will destroy you, Jedi!" she snarled, attacking with the fury of a krayt dragon.
We clashed again. She changed directions, angles of attack, tried to throw me back with telekinesis, and even hit me with Force Lightning a couple of times. But all to no avail. I wasn't just enjoying the battle. I was reading her, seeing her attacks a split second before she made them, dodging at the last moment, counterattacking. Phobos's face twisted with rage. I suspect... If the real Lady Sith were here, not the version they loaded for me, there wouldn't be a wet spot left of me by now. But we're in the Trial... Which means they weakened her so that, theoretically, I could pass. If only I knew by how much... Still, I still couldn't stop her. I couldn't, until I noticed a gap in the blade switch she performed when turning her body. There it is... Lunging forward, I sliced the hilt of her sword in two with the blade in my left hand. Meanwhile, my right blade was swung toward her shoulder line. And since the attack came as a double strike, I couldn't stop the finishing blow in time. They might scold me for finishing off an unarmed opponent... Though... This is a Lady Sith, with the skills of a Sith Sorcerer. She has a masterful command of the Force; ideally, she'd have smeared me with the Force. So how is she unarmed? Jedi are disingenuous with many warriors: [weapon]. In her case, the Force can also serve as a weapon.
"This is the end," I said calmly, cutting through her shoulder line.
"Brilliant," came Yan Dooku's voice after what seemed like a moment. I watched the girl's body disappear. "You've shown excellent results, Light Flyingstar."
"Yes," came the voice of Jonal Ezar. "Excellent. As emissaries of the Jedi Council's Will, we have witnessed your completion of the Trial of Body and Trial of Insight. I see you understood that we combined them."
I deactivated my lightsabers.
"That was wise, Masters," I acknowledged. "Such a Trial not only gave me the chance to prove my worth, but taught me something as well."
"That is gratifying to hear, Light Flyingstar," said Dooku, stepping closer. Jonal followed his example.
"Passed the trials you have," came a familiar voice from behind the Masters. "A Jedi Knight you will become, by the will of the Council and by right of the completed Trial. Kneel, Light Flyingstar."
I noticed, besides Yoda, Even Piell and An'ya Kuro had entered the room. Evan looked serious and grim, as I'd always seen him. Kuro, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear. Glad she got rid of the burden? Or no... How could I think that? She... She's glad she helped raise her friend's Padawan... In any case, I knelt. The Masters activated their lightsabers. Yoda and Jonal Ezar stood to my right, raising their blades. Jonal activated only one of his two. Even Piell and Dooku stood to my left. An'ya Kuro approached me as I knelt.
"By the will of the Council," Kuro's purple blade nearly touched both my shoulders, "rise, Jedi Knight." With one motion, she cut off the braid I'd been growing from my hair. It fell at my feet. And I rose, looking at my mentor.
"Where you will go, you must decide," said Yoda. "Or know you do, where you must go."
I took a deep breath. I'd decided which specific Jedi path to take after defeating Shilazh.
"Grand Master," I addressed him. "I would like to join the Shadows." A sigh came from Dooku's direction.
"Shadows?" Master Jonal asked me. "You conceal yourself in the Force quite well. And what do you plan to do in my corps, Knight?"
Everyone looked at me curiously.
"I intend to head to the Outer Rim, Master. The Galaxy is still full of dangers and ancient Sith Artifacts, and not just them. For me, the point of the Shadows is to find them and protect Sentients from them."
"And not just that," Piell grumbled.
"So be it, Knight Light Flyingstar. I will accept you. But keep in mind — being a Shadow is constant forward movement. We are the true shadow of the Order, aiding it from the shadows. The shadow must always be ahead of the main body," Jonal Ezar stated importantly. "And since you intend to head to the Outer Rim, we have a couple of tasks here that are well within your abilities."
"I am ready," I said calmly. Or I believe I'm ready... It doesn't matter. I must walk the path, whatever it may be... It's not necessarily the right one, not necessarily the perfect one. But I must go. Go without retreating.