The Academy was alive with activity, especially the training fields where most of us were testing our new sabers, dueling with each other under the watchful eyes of Master Katarn. For many, the recent kyber crystal expedition had been an experience they would not forget. Ever. We were now armed with our own lightsabers, and more than that, by speaking to many of the others, I also learned that it wasn't just me who had an... experience. Although it made Vila frown, why didn't she have a weird dream? Not everyone had. Like Jaro, he also missed out on getting knocked out by the force and reliving something from their past.
They didn't ask about my experience, and to be honest, I didn't want to speak about it either. I could somehow sense that most people here were not really fond of the Remnants, even if they were no longer at war with the Republic or their other neighbors.
Today, Vila and I stood at one end of the sparring arena, our sabers ignited and casting a bright, vibrant glow across our faces as we charged at each other. My blue blade met Vila's deep orange in a flurry of strikes and parries, clashing multiple times before separating once again. I could feel that our movements were fluid and focused, probably a showing of our growing bond as partners in training. I could feel what she would do next and anticipate her move, but unable to counter-attack her because she did the same with me. Since coming back, all of our matches were an actual draw.
"You're holding back again," Vila said, her voice sharp as our sabers locked once again. The clash of energy illuminated her fierce expression, making me smile wryly at her stubborn pouting. "Stop doing that!"
"I'm not holding back. You're just that good!" I grunted, letting my smirk show because it was the truth.
Vila's lekku twitched in irritation when she saw my grin as she spun into another attack, her strikes swift and precise.
"I mean it, Kael. Fight me properly, or this won't mean anything!"
Damn it, girl... I am doing exactly that! Of course, I didn't say that out loud. Instead, I met her strike with equal force, our blades clashing in a burst of light once again. Vila's aggression was unrelenting, her style bold and fiery. I could only rely on my instincts, redirecting her power with measured precision, using my Form to its fullest. Once again, the intensity of our sparring drew the attention of a few other Padawans. Still, we remained focused on each other, pushing ourselves to the limit, unable to care about who was watching.
When our session ended, it was because Master Katarn separated us via the Force, pushing us to our corners from far away, signaling it should be enough... and that it was another draw.
"Tsk... Another draw." Vila grunted, though her gaze flicked toward the far side of the arena. "I should be pummeling Aren to release this frustration..."
"Are you trying to let the dark side in?" I asked jokingly, watching her roll her eyes while I also followed her gaze to where Aren stood, deep in conversation with a few other Padawans. Aren had been avoiding Vila since our return, refusing her repeated challenges. I could sense her frustration, her desire to prove herself against him simmering beneath the surface. No... it wasn't to prove anything; she just disliked him and wanted to beat him.
"He'll have to face you eventually," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to placate her feelings. "Give it time."
"Yeah, maybe." Vila huffed, but she nodded, letting out a calming breath. "Let's go and eat something. I'm starving!"
"Let me take a shower first." I chuckled, wiping my forehead.
"You don't smell bad," she ignored my protest, grabbing my hand and dragging me along like a pet. "Come! Let's try something spicy this time around!"
...
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...
Across the Academy, in a quieter section of the training halls, Iowi Mer'tak was gathering his group of followers. They sat in a semicircle around him, occupying one of the meditation alcoves, their expressions attentive and respectful. Iowi's charisma was undeniable. He was a Padawan who arrived five years ago, and since then, he has established a small group of others who believed in the Jedi code of old. His presence commanded attention, and his words carried the weight of someone who believed sincerely in what he said.
"The Jedi Order stands for discipline and control," Iowi began, his tone measured and deliberate. "Our emotions must serve the light, not dictate our actions. Yet, there are those among us who forget this truth."
His gaze swept over his group, lingering on each of them. Among them was its youngest member, Aren Drelis, his arms crossed as he listened intently. Another was Lira Syndal, a Mirialan Padawan whose calm demeanor belied her firm belief in Iowi's ideals. Just like them, the others nodded in agreement, their trust in Iowi evident and growing stronger with each passing year.
"Kael Valtherion," Iowi continued, his voice steady but carrying an edge. "His ability to influence others is unnatural. It's not connection; it's manipulation. Especially because I can feel he is hiding something... He speaks about being honest while he himself is lying. A hypocrite. Then there is Vila Saresh—her aggression clouds her judgment. They are risks to the Order, and if we fail to act, those risks will grow. Our Order suffered a lot, and we were even exiled from the Republic once... We can't risk what the Grandmaster built. The peace we worked so hard for!"
"But the Masters must see it, too," Lira said, her voice quiet but firm. "Surely they're aware." Iowi's jaw tightened, his frustration flickering for a moment after hearing her words.
"Perhaps they do. But they're allowing it to continue, thinking it's a lesson for us all. They're wrong. It's dangerous."
"Kael defeated me in the duel, but there's something about him…" Aren spoke as he shifted in his seat, his gaze meeting Iowi's. "Something I can't shake. It's like he's always one step ahead, but not in a natural way. While we fought, it was as if he was in my head."
"Exactly," Iowi said, his voice gaining momentum. "He doesn't fight like us. He doesn't act like us. The Force is not a tool to be used for personal gain, yet he wields it as if it is."
"What can we do?" Lira frowned. "The Masters won't act unless there's proof."
"Then we give them proof," Iowi said, his eyes narrowing. "We show them what Kael and Vila are capable of. Not through lies or manipulation but by letting their actions speak for themselves. To disperse the darkness, we must shed light upon it."
"How?" Aren asked, leaning forward. "They're careful. Kael especially. He's too measured, too… calculated. That is the issue, is it not?"
"Everyone makes mistakes." Iowi's expression hardened. "We just need to be there when they do. And if they don't, we create the conditions that reveal their true nature."
Listening to Iowi, the group exchanged glances, a mixture of uncertainty and resolve to pass between them. Iowi's confidence was infectious, his belief in their cause unshakable. Without realizing it, he was influencing them in the same way Kael influenced his friends. Still, to Iowi, this wasn't about rivalry or jealousy. It was about protecting the Jedi Order from what he perceived as threats from within. In his mind, the Masters were too preoccupied with focusing on the outside, welcoming anyone who was gifted in the force... creating and fostering danger inside the Order.
"This isn't about harming them," Iowi said, softening his tone. "It's about the truth. The Masters will thank us when they see what we see. Their weakness is that we are too numerous for every Master to watch every one of us individually. We must help them out! And... Kael and Vila will either adapt or… face the consequences of their actions."
"We'll follow your lead, Iowi." Lira nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "But we have to be careful. If we're wrong…"
"We're not wrong," Iowi said firmly. "Trust in the Force. It will guide us."
The group fell silent, and their decision to commit to their strategy finally sank in as Iowi's words sank in. The seeds of their plan were planted, and Iowi's confidence in their mission fueled their resolve. In his mind, he wasn't acting out of arrogance but out of duty. He honestly believed he was doing what was best for the Order.
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.....
It was the same day, the same night, and the same main training field. I stood at the edge of the arena, watching Vila practice her Form IV techniques, this time alone. Her movements were sharp and aggressive, a stark contrast to my more fluid style. She caught my eye, of course, and smirked, twirling her saber before deactivating it.
"Wanna go a round? A quickie." she teased, walking over.
"Not tonight. You know we are forbidden to do it without supervision. So, you'll have to wait until morning to test me again. I'm done for now!"
"You've gotten better, you know. I can no longer push you down! Aren't you proud of yourself?" Vila's smirk softened into a genuine smile.
"It's not about pride," I mumbled, pursing my lips as she was speaking if she had always won in our previous bouts. She did not! Hmph... "It's about getting better for the right reasons."
"Good answer." Her expression turned more serious all of a sudden, "But don't forget, you're not alone in this. Whatever Aren or anyone else thinks, we've got each other's backs! I trust you, Kael, and you can trust me. I'll stand with you!"
"Same." I nodded, the weight of her words settling over me, making me feel... warm. I didn't know what would happen in the future, but I knew one thing for certain: Vila would be my truest friend. My first friend, really. "Whatever happens, I'll back you up, too."