The morning sunlight filtered through the towering trees of Yavin 4, their leaves casting shifting patterns on the Temple's stone floor as I walked towards the training grounds. The air was fresh but heavy with humidity, a sensation I had grown used to over the months, no longer bothered by it. Still, today was different because excitement and a bit of nervous energy dominated the Padawans and, of course, my feelings. Arriving, I already noticed that not all of us were there, only a handful. So... Not everyone was invited, huh? I wasn't the last to arrive, luckily, but even when everyone was there, we were only eight people. And, of course, the one who sent us the message the previous night: Ben Skywalker.
He waited until we were all assembled before speaking, his presence almost unnoticeable until he moved, but then, he was the focus of all of our attention. Vila stood next to me, her violet eyes narrowed in curiosity, fidgeting a little out of pure excitement. We gathered around him in a loose semicircle, standing straight the moment he finally moved. I quickly stole a glance to memorize who was invited, noting a mix of familiar faces and a few I didn't interact with much.
"Today marks an important step in your journey," Ben said, his voice steady and with a surprising intensity. Through it, I managed to pick up on the fact that he was also excited. Huh... "You've all made progress in your training—both in the Force and in your studies. And now, the time has come for your first true trial: the construction of your own lightsaber."
A collective murmur swept through the group at once. I felt my chest tighten and my heart quicken. This was it—the moment we'd been waiting for. So this is why not everyone was here... only those who were ready! To wield a lightsaber wasn't just a symbol of being a Jedi; it was an extension of oneself, a mark of trust and responsibility. And the proof we were indeed skilled enough to be chosen for this trial!
"You will travel with me," Ben continued, his piercing blue eyes sweeping over us. "To a place known only to us, to the Jedi. It is a world untouched by the galaxy's conflicts—a world where the Force is strong, and the kyber crystals you need for your lightsabers grow in abundance. It is called Kyrenas."
I tried to think back to the planets I learned about, although it was futile. He said enough; it is an untouched world, so of course, nobody would have mapped it.
"We leave this afternoon," He continued, "so take the next few hours to prepare. Bring only what you need. This will not be an easy journey, but it will be one of the most important steps in your training."
"How long will we be gone?" Vila asked suddenly, but Ben just smiled, answering with something that was not an answer.
"As long as everyone passes. Or fails." With that, he turned around, leaving us there a bit... gobsmacked.
As our group dispersed, the energy among us shifted. The previous pure excitement was now mixed with tension and apprehension of the upcoming trial. So... We could fail... Vila nudged me as we walked back toward the living quarters, her lekku twitching as she whispered.
"A lightsaber," she murmured, her tone caught between disbelief and anticipation. "I thought they'd make us wait years for this."
"Guess they think we're ready," I replied, though the weight of the announcement hadn't fully settled on me yet, but I pushed the fear of failing down deep, trying to ignore it.
"It seems like! You know, I was worried I wouldn't be... Phew! Thanks!" She chuckled, punching my shoulder.
"For what?" I asked with surprise, but she just rolled her eyes, entering her room and closing the door behind her.
I wasn't alone for long. I was about to open mine when Jalo jogged up to me, panting, his voice so excited, I could barely understand him through his accent.
"Can you believe it? A lightsaber! This is going to be epic!"
"Epic if we succeed," I muttered, shaking my head. "I doubt they'll just hand us a crystal and say 'good job.' Prepare yourself, Jalo, I don't know of Jedi trials and their nature yet, but I had my own trials back home. The normal ones, designed by and for humans, were dangerous enough... So..."
"You... Think? Even worse?!" He asked, gulping, "R-r-really? But if we can work together..."
"If we can." I stopped him, patting his shoulders, "There is a high chance it will be an individualistic test. And one, that is dangerous."
"They wouldn't put us in danger, no?"
"They will," I said, finally opening the door to my room. "It's not just about finding a crystal. It's about proving we're ready to wield the weapon. I am sure that the test starts the moment we leave the Temple. Or," I faced him before closing the door, "It had already begun."
...
....
...
By mid-morning, I had packed what I thought I would need on an alien planet. Only the essentials—a change of robes, some rations, and a datapad—fit neatly into a small satchel that wouldn't slow me down. It felt surreal to think that I was preparing for something as monumental as this... By now, all my fears were gone, replaced by pure excitement, as this would be different than the tests back home. The thought of crafting my own lightsaber filled me with a desire, the first actual step of becoming a Jedi. With that thought, I flung the satchel over my shoulder and left for the meeting point.
Being amongst the first to return, I watched the faces coming after me, recalling their names as they arrived.
There was Rane Kall, the nautolan boy who had struggled with meditation during our first lesson. His headsails jerked almost the same way as Vila's lekku while he quietly sorted through his things, his usual energetic demeanor subdued, double and triple-checking his belongings.
Then, there was Tenar Tevryn, a zabrak boy with striking red and black skin, one of the few who was also close to me and Vila. He quickly sat down cross-legged nearby, sharpening his focus with a meditative exercise. He was similar yet different from Vila, as he was known for his disciplined nature and skill in combat, although he was less aggressive than her.
Just after he arrived, Jarin Sedran, a quiet human boy with sandy hair, adjusted the straps of his pack, masking his nervousness as best as he could. He rarely spoke during training but had a knack for problem-solving that often surprised the rest of us. I think I only exchanged a few words with him since arriving, but we did nod at each other as our gazes met.
Not everyone was eager, though. I caught Aren Drelis, a corellian Padawan, throwing a skeptical glance my way when arriving. Aren wasn't unfriendly, but he often kept his distance, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't trust me. Since I had my talk with Vila, I guessed he disliked the way I acted, and I wouldn't blame him for it... So, I never tried pushing it, keeping a respectful but distant attitude towards him.
"Ready for the big adventure, Varo?" Aren asked as he walked past me. His tone was light, but there was an edge to it that made me tilt my head. I... I didn't expect him to say anything to me, so I blinked my eyes, remaining silent for a moment or two.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I answered, keeping my voice even. In response, he smirked, shifting his pack over from one shoulder to the other.
"We'll see. It would be funny if you, the most helping one of all people, fail."
"Failure is never the end," I answered instantly, something that just came out of my mouth without thinking as I watched his face darken and his smile disappear.
Haaah... I think my thoughts reacted to his feelings automatically. I quickly learned that even though I can attune myself to others and be naturally friendly... when I wanted to insult someone, I knew exactly how to do it with just a few words. To speak in a way they would find most irritating... No wonder he said nothing back, just scoffed, walking to an empty spot.
The hours passed quickly, and soon, we were all assembled. It was C-3PO who led us to the landing platform, where a sleek Jedi transport waited for us. The ship glistened in the sunlight, its design minimal but elegant, looking like a polished, silver arrowhead. It wasn't the same ship we had come in, and this one looked much faster and more elegant. Ben Skywalker stood at the base of the ramp, his hands clasped behind his back.
"This journey is as much about the process as the destination," he said as we filed onto the ship. "Trust in the Force, and trust in yourselves. Only then will you pass it."
Vila nudged me as we stepped aboard, her expression showing a brief nervousness before she managed to hide it even from me.
"I still can't believe this is happening," she whispered.
"Start doing so." I answered in a hushed voice, "We are already boarding the ship."
The interior of the vessel was spacious but utilitarian. Ben led us to a central seating area where we secured ourselves for takeoff in multiple rows. I ended up between Vila and Jalo, with Tenar and Iryssa sitting across from us. The hum of the engines vibrated beneath us as the ship lifted off, and I couldn't help but glance out the viewport as Yavin 4's lush jungle receded into the distance. It only took us a few seconds, and the Temple was no more, while the moon became invisible a second later as we flew away at a neck-breaking speed.
"Kyrenas is a sacred place," As the ship was getting ready to jump to hyperspace, Ben came in and stood in the center of the room, steady even as the ship shifted, settling into course. I didn't see anyone else coming along, so... who was driving it? Was it automated? I had no time to think about it because he continued his explanation. "When Father rediscovered it, he described it as a sanctuary—a world strong in the Force, hidden from the galaxy's chaos. Since its discovery eighteen years ago, every Jedi coming to the Temple has sought kyber crystals there, each one unique to its bearer."
"Why hasn't anyone else found it?" Tenar suddenly asked, his curiosity cutting through the moment.
"The Force hides it," Ben explained. "Its location isn't charted on any standard galactic maps. It exists outside of conventional hyperplanes, so it remained obscured. Only those attuned to the Force can navigate there, so it will take time for us to reach it."
"Sounds dangerous," Vila muttered under her breath. Of course, Ben Skywalker was still the son of our Grandmaster, catching her comment.
"It can be, but that's why you're ready. This isn't just about finding a crystal—it's about listening to the Force, trusting it to guide you. The crystal chooses the Jedi, not the other way around."
That statement settled over us like a weight. The idea that a piece of this journey was out of our control was... unnerving.
The travel through hyperspace stretched into hours, giving us plenty of time to reflect. Our group's usual chatter faded as everyone turned inward, preparing themselves for what may lay ahead. Vila leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling, while Jalo fiddled nervously with a small trinket he always carried with himself. I tried asking him once what it was, but he avoided the topic... so I never brought it up again. His feelings were... hurtful when my question reminded him of its origin.
Trying to ignore the silence, I found myself lost in thought, the hum of the ship lulling me into quiet contemplation. Previously, I thought I was simply used to it, growing up the way I did... but no. I guess I really like space travel and being on a ship. It gave me a sense of... familiarity. The Force felt closer here, its presence more tangible, as if I was closer to it out here in the vastness of space than on a planet. When I glanced toward Vila, she caught my eye. Or she was watching me... one of the two.
"What do you think it's going to be like?" she asked softly.
"The planet?" I asked, and she nodded. "I don't know," I admitted. "But I think it's going to test us in ways we don't expect."
"Great," she muttered, crossing her arms. "I have been running away, chased by monsters my whole life... I am not fond of the idea of repeating it."
Despite her words, I could sense her resolve beneath the surface. Vila might have her doubts, but she wouldn't back down. Neither would I.
"I don't know how it was before," I said, touching her shoulder and gently squeezing it. Although she usually brushed away anybody who dared touch her, even me, this time, she didn't. "But now you won't be alone."
"Only if you can keep up." She joked, and I didn't mind her dark little jab.
I was about to say something when the ship's comm system crackled to life, and Ben's voice came through.
"We're approaching Kyrenas. Everyone, secure yourselves and prepare for descent."
Excitement rippled through the cabin as we buckled in. Vila and I exchanged a glance, a subtle understanding in our eyes, knowing each other well enough to work together as an efficient team.
As the ship broke out of hyperspace, the viewport revealed a world unlike any I had ever seen. Kyrenas was a tapestry of color—vivid green forests blanketed the surface, interspersed with crystalline, almost sparkling or glowing mountains that shimmered in the light of its blue sun. A sense of serenity radiated from the planet, yet beneath it, I felt something deeper.
Something waiting. For us all.