The air in the corridor was similar to that in my cabin, and it also carried a serene stillness that made me hesitant to disturb it with the sound of my footsteps. Yet, my curiosity tugged at me, pulling me forward. I didn't know if that was just my imagination or if this was what they meant by letting the Force lead me.
I had left my room intending to explore its immediate vicinity, to at least find my way around the Temple, when I was inevitably called for something. Though there was no clear path, I allowed my instincts—or perhaps the Force itself—to guide me. I hoped it was the latter... I knew this feeling from before, and it wasn't the first time I had relied on my feelings to find my way through unfamiliar places. Each turn brought something new: I saw tapestries depicting ancient battles, alcoves where soft chants echoed from hidden meditation chambers, and walls etched with intricate carvings that seemed to shimmer faintly when touched by the light. I barely recognized any of them.
The Temple was old, far older than I had imagined, but alive in its own way. I was intrigued, and I wanted to find out its history.
While walking, I found myself drawn toward a faint hum resonating somewhere within the Temple. As I moved toward it, the sound grew clearer, like a chorus of whispers blending into a harmonious tone—not singing, but close. The hallway I took after a few turns opened into a vast, circular chamber where light streamed down from an oculus above, casting intricate patterns on the floor and creating natural symbols scattering about. Some of those spots were occupied by multiple people, sitting, kneeling, and meditating.
Their robes pooled around them as they knelt on their own little symbols throughout the chamber, each one surrounded by softly glowing lines etched into the stone floor, lit up by the sunlight. The patterns were unlike anything I had ever learned about, and they swirled and spiraled like the currents in a flowing river.
I approached cautiously, my steps silent and slow. The moment I got closer, the hum intensified, resonating within me, calming my thoughts and softening the lingering tension in my chest. The fear of disturbing them gradually disappeared, making me stop and listen to the hum that I realized was not really present, only a feeling within my mind. I paused near the edge of the room, watching. I never meditated before, so I wasn't prepared to fully enter the room as I didn't know what it really meant to meditate.
One of the Jedi, a human woman, suddenly opened her green eyes and glanced at me. She quickly assessed my look and my robes and offered a small smile before returning to her meditative state.
The moment our eyes met, I stiffened, and when hers closed back down, I exhaled quietly. For a moment, I was afraid I still managed to disturb them... But none of them seemed to be angry about it. Haaah... Move on, Kael, before you start annoying them. That was the only thing I could think of afterward, so I left the meditation chamber, a place that I was sure to visit multiple times in the future.
A few minutes later, following the path towards the left, the buzz of activity greeted me. I recognized the atmosphere as I stepped into an open courtyard surrounded by tall stone columns. The training grounds. This was something I was acquainted with, and they were alive with activity, just like back home. I watched as older Padawans sparred with yellow training sabers, their movements fluid and deliberate, guided by the stern instructions of a zabrak Jedi who observed from the sidelines.
The air was filled with the rhythmic drone and crackle of sabers clashing, each blow measured and precise, following a pattern that was clearly part of some kind of learned form. I could recognize that much from watching. I lingered at the edge of the grounds a little longer than in the meditation chambers, my eyes wide as I watched the duelists. Their movements were mesmerizing, each one blending grace and power in perfect harmony. I was familiar with fencing, but that was nothing like this, and deep inside, I couldn't wait to learn their techniques.
One of the Padawans, a zabrak girl with striking red and black skin, executed a flawless spin, her training saber arcing through the air before coming to a halt inches from her opponent's chest. The other Padawan, a human boy about her age, raised his hands in surrender, laughing as he stepped back, rubbing the back of his head. I never once felt either arrogance or anger in the two, unlike when I was sparring with my seniors or brothers at my family's training grounds. Whenever I lost, I felt the mocking glee behind their smiles... or when I won, the anger that boiled inside of them.
Maybe... I got a bit too excited, as I could almost feel the weight of a saber in his own hands, the anticipation of a duel, the thrill of honing my skills while wielding a lightsaber. I wondered when I would get my chance to train like this, to wield the famed weapon and truly feel like a Jedi... and that probably got noticed by others.
"Impressive, isn't it?" I shuddered and blushed at the same time when I heard the voice and turned to see a tall togruta Jedi standing nearby, walking up to me. She smiled knowingly, her expression kind but reading me as an open book. "They make it look easy, but it takes years of practice to get there," she continued.
"I know," I replied, trying to be polite, though my voice betrayed my eagerness. "I just... I can't wait to start."
"Patience, Padawan. The Force will guide you when the time is right." she chuckled, reaching out and rubbing my head, further intensifying the blush on my face. I was totally busted...
There was no opportunity to mask it, so I just nodded, letting my excitement show, making her nod with satisfaction. I stayed a little longer, letting her describe the Jedi lightsaber forms the Padawans were practicing, telling me that one day, I would also find my own form. When she was called away, I also decided to continue my exploration.
The corridors grew quieter as I wandered deeper into the Temple. The sound of training sabers fading away behind me, replaced by the soft buzz of machinery and the soothing rustle of pages being turned.
Following it, I finally entered a grand auditorium lined with towering shelves, each one filled with holobooks, datacrons, and hundreds of ancient texts. The Jedi Archives. I didn't need anyone to tell me where I stumbled into. The space was vast, almost overwhelming, with light filtering in through massive windows placed high above, casting its golden beams onto the polished floor that was decorated with... Names? Events? Even dates? Huh...
After looking at them, I shook my head to refocus my senses, and I took a hesitant step forward, my eyes wide as I took in the sheer scale of the library. It was more than a collection of knowledge; it was a monument to the Jedi's legacy. It had to take an incredible effort to collect all of this, especially after they were almost wiped out once.
"Ah! A new visitor!"
The sudden, somewhat mechanical voice startled me once again. I will need to hone my senses, really. I am making myself look bad here, am I not? As I turned to see who it was, I noticed a golden protocol droid coming towards me. Protocol droids are nothing exquisite, but this one? With Grandmaster Luke around? Only the clueless would not know his name.
"Welcome to the Jedi Archives!" He exclaimed, his photoreceptors glowing as he gestured grandly. "I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations, and temporary caretaker of these sacred halls while Master Luke is present on the planet. How may I assist you, young Padawan?"
Hearing him introduce himself, I was still... surprised. So I had to blink my eyes, momentarily stunned by the droid's exuberance.
"I was just... exploring."
"Well, you've come to the right place! The Archives is a treasure trove of Jedi history, philosophy, and... oh dear, I suppose I should let Master Penin explain. He is far better suited to teaching than I am!"
Before I could respond or ask who he was talking about, a figure emerged from between the shelves.
This human, named Penin, was of average height. His frame was lean, and his face and eyes carried a kind of understanding that only experience would bring with it. His dark hair was streaked with gray, and I saw that one of his hands was gloved, a sign of an artificial arm, something that I had learned to notice. He wore the simple robes of a Jedi Consular, a green sash tied neatly around his waist, signifying his rank within the order, just as Ben Skywalker's blue stripes told of his knighthood.
"C-3PO, I think our young friend might be overwhelmed by your enthusiasm," he spoke with a wry smile, making the droid tilt his head.
"Oh dear, I do hope I wasn't too forward."
"No, no! I... I wasn't troubled!" I stuttered a little, wanting to make sure they knew I wasn't annoyed at all.
"Don't mind him. He's been a tremendous help in organizing the Archives, though he does have a tendency to... over-explain. My name is Rosh Penin, caretaker of the Archives." He introduced himself, and I also answered by giving him my name.
"Kael Varo," I bowed towards them. "It's fine. I'm just... trying to find my way around."
"Well, you've found one of the most important places in the Temple," Rosh continued. "The Archives aren't just a library; they're a gateway to understanding the Force and the Jedi's place in the galaxy. Everything you need to know about the Jedi, past and present, is here."
"Everything?" I asked, looking at the rows upon rows of knowledge.
"Almost," He admitted, his expression turning thoughtful. "The galaxy is vast, and the Force is infinite. There's always more to learn. But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? The pursuit of knowledge never ends."
"That... I see. You must know a lot, Master Penin!"
"No," He answered as his smile faltered slightly, but his gaze remained steady. "And that caused me to fail when I was in your shoes. There was a time when I... lost my way. I thought power and recognition were what mattered, but I was wrong. I made mistakes—mistakes that cost me dearly. But I was given a second chance, and I've spent every day since trying to make sure others don't fall into the same traps I did. It isn't a secret, and you can read about my folly yourselves and learn from the mistakes I made."
"I'm... sorry..." I muttered, not knowing what to say to him for being so blunt and open right off the bat.
"Come," Rosh chuckled, gesturing for me to follow. "Let me show you something as your first venture into the library."
Following along, he led me to a section of the Archives where holobooks and datacrons glowed faintly in their alcoves. He picked up a small, cylindrical device and activated it. A hologram of a galaxy map appeared, with countless points of light representing stars and planets, descriptions and names of who and when visited it, documenting its status.
"To understand how vast our world is... How much there is to learn, look at this." Master Rosh Penin said, pointing at it. "This is a map of the known galaxy. Every star, every world, is a part of the Force, just as you are. You will visit many of these worlds, and all of them will hold an experience that will shape you. Whatever happens, one of your stories will be added here to the archives. Because we must learn from each other, be it our successes or failures. Young Kael. You must learn that failing is never something to be ashamed of... We all fail, but then, we get up and do better."
I stared at the hologram, taking in the myriad lights and listening to his words. It felt... overwhelming, but I also felt like I understood something. I don't know what it was yet... but I was sure that I would know when I came face-to-face with it.
"Thank you," I said quietly while I felt as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You have a long journey ahead of you, Young Kael. But I can tell you're on the right path. Remember, the Force will always be with you—if you let it. When you are unsure, feel free to come here or to any of our Masters and talk about it. Help is always given to those who ask for it."
I looked up at him as I nodded again, a faint smile crossing my lips. For the first time since... Well... maybe forever, I did feel... at home.