I woke up from my sleep to see the light of the morning sky shining into the temple. Three years had passed since then. I just turned nine, a few months ago.
Over the past few years, I had spent my free time doing a lot. One was writing a novel. Six, to be exact. I recreated Frank Herbert's Dune series from memory, with a few adjustments. On my datapad, I submitted a synopsis with the first ten chapters on the holonet.
I submitted under the name Dawnstar. A Coruscant publishing company reached out to me through messages. They were asking me to meet with them to discuss officially publishing my book. I told them I would only do meetings through messages and that I wanted them to send a contract. And once I reviewed and negotiated the terms for my payment, royalties, and merchandising, then I would give them the rest of the books I wrote.
Soon after that, I received an email from the publisher. Once I made adjustments to the contract, we went back and forth with negotiations. I signed the contract and sent them the full novel for book one. Within six months, the book sold millions of copies. Coruscant and Mandalore, especially, loved the book. I heard Tatooine had bought a few copies as well. My publisher said it gave the people, especially the children, hope or dreams of being Paul Atreides, and leading their people against the Hutts and other crime organizations.
I had my publisher set me up a financial account and place all my earnings there. Over the years, I released the other two books a good amount of time apart from each other. This helped build my assets significantly for the future.
When I had time, Seris and I sparred with Serra Keto. Serra would show me and Seris training in Jar'Kai techniques. Through this, I noticed Seris opened up more. Well, to me anyway. She was still very reserved and an overachiever. But in our small group, I felt like she was more of her truer self.
Sometimes Derren and I would spar with each other. Master Plo Koon would come and observe us sometimes. He never said anything. There would be times between my spars with everyone when I had a similar feeling, of being able to predict and read my opponents' techniques and moves before they made them. I had a similar feeling that I could stop and break their form. But I never dove deep into that feeling. I just kept it to reading the rhythm of the duel and my opponent.
Sometimes I would go with Barriss to the meditation gardens. There we saw Master Fay in her usual spot in the Garden. Barriss asked if we could join her, and Fay said, "This garden is for all those who seek to embrace the Force and learn from it in peace. So do not let me stop you two." She said in an almost angelic tone. As Barriss and I sat by Fay under a tree, we began to meditate. After some time, I managed to enter the black void realm, with the shimmering star-like lights around me.
I noticed my golden shimmering light was closer to me than before. Its shadowy dark hue still surrounded it. When I focused on the lights around me, I noticed two shimmering lights by each other. One blue as a sapphire, and the other was white with a golden hue. When I looked beneath them, I saw Derren at the blue one. His light flickered so strongly that it was beautiful. Then, next to him, under the white one was Seris. Her light looked magical, like it wasn't something of this world.
Then I noticed something right behind me. I turned around and I saw something so beautiful that it was hard to describe. A bright shimmering light, no one should be called a star. The light was bright and had fluctuating colors of white, yellow, and blue. The presence of the light felt alive and almost like it was divine. When I looked closer to the inside, I saw Master Fay. She was meditating, and then she opened her eyes. They glowed faintly like there were cosmic stars behind them. Then she looked towards me in that void realm.
That made me exit my trance. My mind was racing on what just happened. I opened my eyes slightly, trying to peek at Master Fay. She was already looking at me with a calm, peaceful smile. She then closed her eyes and returned to her meditation. Does she know about the realm?
After that happened, I tried to ask Fay about what I saw. But she never answered my questions, and just told me to keep looking inward and to the Force for my answers. Then tell her what I find. Only then will she answer my questions. I was tired of these Jedi, especially the long-lived ones and their mystic wisdom. I would appreciate it if one of them were more straightforward.
Then I remembered Anakin should be coming to the Order soon. I needed to prepare because, when he got here, that's when things got serious. I needed to ensure he didn't feel isolated or alone. I needed to make plans and moves to ensure his mother lived. That was one of his main catalysts, which contributed to his fall to the dark side.
I couldn't really do anything about him liking Padmé, but Sidious was another problem. In more ways than one, from Dooku, the Senate, and the clone army. Let me get through today's training session first, and focus on that stuff later.
Later that day, soft sunlight streamed down through the open skylight of the training room. Derren, Seris, and I circled each other, with our training sabers in our hands ready to begin our training duel.
Seris moved first. She was fast and direct, testing my reflexes with fast feints before switching to Derren with a backstep slash. Derren parried and spun, catching my attack in advance. I didn't press my attack. I chose to match the pace of the two, analyzing and watching for a perfect opening. If it took too long, I would make an opening, no matter how slim my chance for victory was.
My lightsaber dipped low, redirecting Seris's strike, with a follow-up and tapping Derren's elbow. Causing his attack to be redirected. Then Derren ended up on the defensive as Seris and I focused our attacks on him. Derren used Form III to deflect and parry all our strikes. I felt like I was fighting a future Obi-Wan. No matter how strong or fast our strikes were, Derren stopped them all.
I was happy he really improved over the years. It was like I was fighting an impenetrable shield. Then Derren broke what little momentum Seris and I had with our attacks, and sent us moving back with a parry counter strike. Then in an instant, he went after Seris. His strikes were powerful and fast, but Seris was faster. She moved elegantly as she dodged and redirected his strikes away from her.
Barriss and Serra were watching us in awe. "They are all improving so much," Serra said. "Derren has a strong foundation in Form III." Barriss nodded. "It was his worst form not too long ago, but Seris and Cain have been helping him to build a solid foundation in the form. Then Derren made his worst form one of his best. Too bad he doesn't think so."
Then Serra observed Seris more closely. "She is more fluid in her duels than ever. I swear it's like I am watching a fairy with a sword dance."
"I agree," Barriss said. "Seris has always been talented, but over these past few years, she has been more open and welcoming. It translates into her techniques, especially when she is dueling Cain. She probably sees him as a good friend and rival." Then Serra stared at Cain and Seris, with a questioning expression on her face.
In the coming weeks, rumors had spread around the temple. Master Qui-Gon Jinn was bringing a slave boy from Tatooine with a high midichlorian count. I knew who it was, and I had to get ready for the fallout that was about to happen. I managed to run into Master Jinn along with Obi-Wan Kenobi and the young Anakin Skywalker, just leaving a meeting with the council.
"Master Jinn, can you please spare me a moment of your time?" Qui-Gon saw me as he was leaving and turned towards me. "Youngling Cain, it is nice to meet you in person. I have heard a lot of great things about you."
"Nothing good, I hope," I said, trying for levity and failing."
He smiled slightly. "On the contrary. Master Yoda speaks highly of your potential. As does Master Fay." He gestured to Anakin. "This is Anakin Skywalker."
"Hello," Anakin said. "Hello, Anakin, my name is Cain, it's nice to meet you." Now that I think about it, I never actually knew my M count. Everyone always said mine was bigger than Yoda's. I honestly didn't care. Whenever I heard midichlorian count, I thought of power level like in Dragon Ball, and to me, they were absolutely irrelevant.
"Youngling, what is it you need to talk to me about? Can it not wait until I return from a mission to Naboo?" I know, and I'm trying to save your life and the lives of millions of people if I can keep you alive to raise Anakin.
"Master Jinn, I had a Force vision about you." Qui-Gon's eyes opened widely in surprise. "Tell me, young one, what did you see?"
"I saw you getting cut down, Master Jinn, by a man with the yellow eyes of a Sith." Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's eyes opened wide with surprise. Obi-Wan had more of a skeptical look on his face. "That is a bold claim to make, young one. Have you told the council about this?"
"No, Padawan Kenobi, I haven't." Not like the council would listen to me anyway if I did tell them. Then Kenobi spoke again. "Exactly, youngling. You should not go around speaking of visions from the Force involving others. Especially without informing the council. They have warned us to be wary of visions from the Force."
Sometimes I forget how much of a stick in the mud Obi-Wan was before he took over raising Anakin. Somehow, the stress of raising Anakin over the years helped loosen the stick up his ass. I ignored him and focused back on Qui-Gon. That's when Qui-Gon spoke.
"Obi-Wan, you shouldn't ignore visions from the Force, but I do agree you shouldn't blindly follow them either. Cain, did you see anything else?"
I thought carefully of what to tell him next. If Qui-Gon lived, so much could change, but I wouldn't know how much my future knowledge would matter at that point. I knew he would be the father figure Anakin needed. I needed to say something that could help him survive.
"Master Jinn, I say you should believe in the Force, and fight for Anakin." I didn't know what I could say to help Qui-Gon survive. Then Qui-Gon nodded. "I understand, thank you, Cain. We must go now, but I will take what you said to heart. May the Force be with you."
I bowed in a gesture of respect. "May the Force be with you as well, Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi, and you as well, Anakin." The three then left the temple.
That evening, I stood alone on one of the high meditation balconies overlooking Coruscant's endless cityscape. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet. I was lost in thought, replaying the conversation with Qui-Gon, when I heard footsteps behind me.
"You carry a heavy burden for one so young."
I turned. Qui-Gon Jinn stood there, his expression calm but curious. He approached the balcony railing and stood beside me, looking out over the city.
"Master Jinn," I said, surprised. "I thought you'd already left for Naboo."
"We leave at dawn," he replied. "But your words stayed with me. A vision of my death is not something I can simply dismiss." He glanced at me. "You spoke with such certainty."
I didn't know what to say. Part of me wanted to tell him everything—warn him about Maul, about Sidious, about the fall of the Republic. But I knew he wouldn't believe me. Not fully. And even if he did, what could he do?
Qui-Gon seemed to sense my hesitation. He smiled gently. "You don't have to explain, Cain. The Force works in mysterious ways. Sometimes it shows us glimpses of what may come, not to change it, but to prepare us."
"But what if I can change it?" I asked, frustration bleeding into my voice. "What if I could save you, and by saving you, save so many others?"
Qui-Gon was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "The Living Force teaches us that we cannot control the future. We can only be present in the moment, and trust that the Force will guide us where we need to be."
"That's not good enough," I said, my hands gripping the railing. "Not when I know what's coming."
"Perhaps," Qui-Gon said thoughtfully. "But tell me, Cain, if you spend all your time trying to prevent what you've seen, will you be able to see what's right in front of you?"
I looked at him, confused.
He continued, his voice gentle but firm. "The Jedi Order teaches us to let go of attachment, to avoid emotion. But I have never believed that to be the true path. Emotion is not the enemy. Attachment is not weakness. It is what makes us alive. It is what connects us to the Living Force."
I stared at him, absorbing his words.
"You care deeply, Cain. I can feel it. You care about Anakin, about the future, about those you haven't even met yet. That is not a flaw. That is a strength." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "But you must also learn to let go. Not of your care, but of your need to control the outcome."
"How?" I asked quietly. "How do you let go when you know what's at stake?"
Qui-Gon smiled, a sad but peaceful expression. "You trust. You trust in the Force, in those around you, and in yourself. You do what you can, and you accept what you cannot change."
He looked out over the city, his gaze distant. "I have lived a long life, Cain. I have seen much, done much. And if my time comes on Naboo, then I will face it with dignity and grace. Because I know that my life has had meaning. I know that I have done what the Force asked of me."
"But Anakin needs you," I said, my voice breaking slightly. "He needs someone who understands him. Someone who won't try to suppress what he feels."
Qui-Gon's expression softened. "Anakin is strong. Stronger than he knows. And he will have people who care for him. Obi-Wan will do his best, even if he doesn't always understand. And you, Cain, you will be there for him. I can feel it."
He turned to face me fully, his eyes kind but serious. "Promise me something. Promise me that you will not let fear guide you. Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of the future. The dark side thrives on fear. But the light thrives on love, on hope, on trust."
I swallowed hard. "I promise."
Qui-Gon nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then I have no regrets." He looked back out over the city. "You know, the Jedi Code says there is no emotion, there is peace. But I have always believed that peace does not come from the absence of emotion. It comes from embracing it. From feeling deeply, and then choosing to act with wisdom and compassion."
"That's not what the Council teaches," I said.
"No," Qui-Gon agreed. "It is not. But the Council is not infallible. They are wise, yes, but they are also afraid. Afraid of change, afraid of the unknown. And fear, as I said, leads to the dark side."
He smiled at me. "You remind me of myself, in some ways. Questioning, searching, unwilling to accept easy answers. That is good. The Order needs people like you. People who are willing to challenge the old ways, to find new paths."
"I don't know if I'm strong enough," I admitted.
"Strength is not about power, Cain. It is about heart. And you have more heart than most Jedi I have known." He squeezed my shoulder gently. "Trust in that. Trust in yourself."
We stood in silence for a while, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Finally, Qui-Gon spoke again.
"I should go. Obi-Wan will be wondering where I am." He turned to leave, then paused. "Cain, one more thing. If I do fall, as you have seen, then know this: it will not be in vain. Everything happens for a reason. Even death has its place in the Force."
I nodded, unable to speak.
Qui-Gon smiled one last time. "May the Force be with you, young one."
"May the Force be with you, Master Jinn."
And then he was gone, his footsteps fading into the temple corridors. I stood there for a long time, staring out at the city lights. Qui-Gon's words echoed in my mind. Trust. Let go. Embrace emotion, but act with wisdom.
I didn't know if I could do it. But I knew I had to try.
Over the next few days, a lot happened. The rumors came back that Qui-Gon died along with the Sith. Or as I knew him, Darth Maul. I was frustrated. I wished I could have done more to save Qui-Gon, but apparently, the Order did accept Anakin, and Obi-Wan became a Jedi Knight. Just like in the original timeline.
Over the next few weeks, I saw Anakin in the introductory classes. I could feel the sadness flowing off him. The kid left his mom in slavery and lost the only person who believed in him. So I did what I could.
Anakin was in the sparring chamber practicing his saber form. He was gifted indeed; he moved with such speed and grace. He made it look so easy. "Hello, Anakin." Anakin stopped mid-swing with his practice saber, looking at me. "Hello, you're Cain, right?"
I nodded. "I'm glad you remember me, yes, I am Cain. I met you when you and Master Jinn went to the temple. I heard what happened, and I am sorry for yours and Kenobi's loss."
"Thank you, you're one of the only people besides Master Yaddle who has said anything to me about that. Everyone else looks at me weirdly. Some said I was too old to be accepted. Others say I'm too emotional cause I have a connection to my mother."
Of course they did. The Jedi here, especially the children, don't have empathy. "Don't worry about them, Anakin, not everyone is like them," I said confidently. "People talk, especially about things they don't know. I learned to do what I think is right. Even if everyone else doesn't agree."
Anakin looked at me with curiosity. "Won't you get in trouble, and won't they kick you out?" Anakin asked. I smiled. "If helping others from slavery, the poor, and those who can't defend themselves is wrong, then I don't want to be right. Or in this Order." I said confidently.
Then I noticed Barriss, Derren, and Seris enter the training room. "Listen, Anakin, don't let this Order fit you into a box. I know you don't like how they treat you. Trust me, they're not perfect. Especially when you're in a class of younglings who are younger than you. Please be patient. My friends and I will help you."
"How will you help me?" Anakin asked.
"We will help you study the basics," Seris said, then she continued. "I know it must be frustrating, but those lessons can be helpful. And if you're anything like Cain, you will outpace that class within a month." Seris smiled, looking at me.
Derren put a hand on his shoulder. "Until you get moved to our age group, we will help you with your saber forms and Force technique training, and how things are in the temple. As well as how to break the rules without getting caught. Just don't tell Seris she is a bit of an ice princess, and likes to follow the rules until Cain breaks them." Seris came from behind and put Derren in a reverse chokehold and brought him to the ground.
Barriss came up next to Anakin as he looked at the two play-fighting. "I know it will be boring, but you will have us to keep you company. So don't think you're alone, Anakin." Barriss said softly.
Anakin was clearly surprised by the friendly atmosphere. Then he looked back at Cain. "Why are you doing all this? You don't even know me?"
I smiled. "Because Anakin, I want to be your friend, simple as that. And my friends are your friends, so if you have a problem, come to us, we will help you." I swear I will save you from falling, Anakin.
"Thanks, Cain, I appreciate that. Would you mind helping with my saber form?" I grabbed a practice saber from the side and ignited it. "Of course, Anakin, we can start whenever you're ready."
A month later, Anakin was brought to our age group for training. A lot of younglings in the class were not happy to say the least. But the month we spent with Anakin helped to make those stares and rumors bounce off him. He bowed to Master Cin Drallig, who was guiding us through saber instruction.
Mind you, Anakin was still a nine-year-old kid, so his self-control was not perfect. Whispers moved like wind through the Initiates, watching close and far.
"That's the slave boy from Tatooine."
"I heard he's the Chosen One."
"Really him? Not Cain?"
"Isn't he too old to be accepted for training?"
I stood upright, lowering my saber. My eyes locked onto Anakin as we started our drills. I felt it was not just the raw strength, but something heavy behind Anakin's stillness. Pain wrapped in pride. A heart already preparing to wall itself off. I knew one month wouldn't be enough. I would have to pay attention.
As we finished our drills and got into sparring duels, I took a breath and stepped forward to Anakin. "Ignore them, they know nothing."
Anakin nodded. "I know, it doesn't make it any easier though." Then Seris approached. "I understand why they are upset." That made Anakin look at Seris with a frustrated look. "Are you saying they are right about me?"
Seris put her hands behind her back like an elven scholar ready to preach knowledge. "Anakin, look at it from their point of view. This random slave boy comes to the temple and takes the spot of Cain as the Chosen One. He is someone whom everyone likes and who has been here for years. While you came here way past the age the council allows for training."
Then Anakin spoke. "So you're saying that because I took Cain's spot as the Chosen One, that's why everyone is skeptical of me?"
Seris nodded her head. "No, it's because to them you are a great change. And people don't like change. So, to them, you represent change that they have been told to abstain from for generations. You did nothing wrong. The deck was stacked against you to begin with."
Wow, I'm surprised she explained it so well and simply. Look at Seris, she is growing. Now, if only she could take that stick out of her butt and make more friends, then things would be perfect. "She's right, Anakin," I said. "Don't worry about the little things, just work hard and shine brightly by being you. If people want to talk, then let them talk. You're with us now, and we let our actions do the talking."
Anakin smiled. "Thanks, guys."
That afternoon, Anakin and I went through the Temple Library. I sat him down and taught him the history of the Qel-Droma brothers. Anakin absorbed everything. From their feats to their falls and the part of the story I knew the Order left out. I hoped that my lesson about brotherhood and relying on others would help to plant the right seeds.
Later that month, Serra Keto ran a four-person duel with me, Anakin, Seris, and Derren. The moment we began, something shifted. It wasn't just the four of us moving, it was the Force itself, resonating between us like a living current. Anakin moved with raw power and speed, his strikes fast and strong, barely refined but devastating. Seris flowed like water, her movements elegant and precise, as if she were dancing rather than fighting. Derren's Soresu defense held like an unbreakable wall, absorbing every strike with calm efficiency. And I, I entered that flow state again, reading their movements before they happened, redirecting attacks, finding openings in the rhythm of the duel.
We moved as one. When Derren blocked Anakin's strike, I was already there to redirect it toward Seris. When Seris launched a flurry at me, Anakin intercepted without hesitation. The Force resonated through all of us, binding us together in a way I'd never felt before. It wasn't just synchronization, it was resonance. We were four separate notes creating a single harmony.
The duel lasted longer than any of us expected. By the end, we were all panting, grinning, alive with the thrill of it. Serra watched us with wide eyes, clearly impressed. For Anakin, I could feel it, this was a moment of belonging. Of being part of something whole.
In the quiet corridors above the sparring floors, Master Fay stood beside Master Plo Koon, overlooking the chamber from a wide observation balcony.
"He pushes others to grow," Fay said.
"Yes," Plo replied. "He has a way of gathering others to him."
"He might not be meant for this old Order, that is clear," Fay murmured.
"…No, he might not," Plo said quietly. "But maybe he be what it needs."
"Only the Force knows," Fay said. Plo nodded. "Then may the Force be with him and with us all."