Kael's second day aboard the Executor was as cold and unforgiving as the first.
The Star Destroyer stretched on endlessly, its halls echoing with the sounds of his footsteps as he walked through the sterile, metallic corridors. He hadn't had time to adjust to his new surroundings, and the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on his young shoulders.
His mind still spun with everything that had happened—being taken from Dorvalla, learning about the Force, and now, being a part of Lord Vader's Empire. It was overwhelming, and yet, there was a flicker of something in him—something he couldn't quite name—that burned with curiosity and fear. He had never imagined he would end up here, and the uncertainty about his future only seemed to deepen with each passing moment.
As Kael approached the training chamber, he steeled himself. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he knew the session would push him further than before.
The door to the training room slid open, and Kael stepped inside, his gaze darting to the figure waiting for him.
A tall, thin man in a dark Imperial uniform stood at attention by the training remote. His face was gaunt, and his expression was pinched with an almost unbearable disdain.
"I am Commander Virel," the man said coldly, his voice sharp. "Lord Vader has tasked me with your education today."
Kael glanced at him briefly but said nothing. He wasn't in the mood to argue, and in truth, he had no idea what he was supposed to do with this new instructor.
Virel's eyes narrowed. "Do you not respond, boy? Your silence means nothing to me. Activate the remote."
With a slight nod, Kael moved to the console and activated the hovering training droid. It whirred to life, its small blaster barrels blinking with readiness.
Virel stood silently for a moment, watching Kael with a critical eye. "You've wasted enough of Lord Vader's time," he muttered. "Now, we will see if you can prove you are more than just a failure in the making."
Kael felt the sting of the words, but he didn't let them show. He wasn't sure whether Virel's assessment was harsh or fair, but he knew one thing for certain—he was going to prove himself.
"Focus," Virel snapped as the remote began to fire, its bolts streaking toward Kael. "Move, or you will be nothing more than target practice."
The first blaster shot missed him by a fraction. Kael ducked, twisting his small frame to avoid another bolt. His heart raced, but his instincts pushed him forward. The Force inside him stirred as if responding to his panic, guiding his movements as he dodged, rolled, and slid across the floor.
The remote fired again. This time, Kael was prepared. He leaped to the side and twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the shot. His body seemed to move faster than his mind could comprehend, as though the Force was pulling him along. He landed gracefully, then sprang into action once more.
Virel's gaze never left him, and Kael could feel the commander's silent judgment.
"You are slow," Virel said flatly, stepping closer. "You cannot simply rely on the Force. You must control it."
Kael gritted his teeth. It wasn't just about avoiding the shots—it was about mastering the power within him. He had no choice but to learn quickly.
As the remote continued to fire, Kael pushed himself harder. His movements grew more fluid, less hesitant. He could feel the blaster bolts before they were even fired, using the Force to anticipate their path. He was no longer reacting in panic; he was learning to control his own body, to work in harmony with the Force rather than against it.
The remote's shots became less of a threat. Kael dodged them with ease, weaving between them as if he were dancing in the air. The remote's energy was relentless, but Kael's focus had sharpened.
Virel didn't seem impressed. "You are still weak. Your control is laughable. You do not move with purpose."
Kael's body ached, his muscles protesting from the exertion, but he refused to back down. He focused harder, channeling every ounce of his energy into mastering the Force's subtle currents.
In a sudden burst of will, he reached out with the Force, not just to dodge but to guide the remote's movements. He could feel the droid shift in the air, its blaster barrels swinging to a new angle. Kael forced the remote to spin in place, then sent it crashing into the far wall.
For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint hum of the damaged droid.
Virel stood motionless, his eyes studying Kael with an unreadable expression. The boy's chest was heaving with exertion, sweat dripping down his face.
"You destroyed it," Virel said, his tone flat.
Kael was caught off guard by the lack of praise, but he remained silent.
"You still have much to learn," Virel continued, his gaze unyielding. "But perhaps you're not entirely useless."
The words stung, but Kael didn't let them show. He was learning, slowly but surely. And that was what mattered.
Later that evening, Kael lay in his small quarters, the hum of the ship's engines filling the silence. He stared at the ceiling, his mind still racing. He had expected to be praised for his progress, but instead, he had been given nothing but criticism.
He wasn't sure what to make of it, but one thing was certain: the Force was growing stronger within him. He felt it—alive, pulsing with energy at the very core of his being.
Kael closed his eyes, reaching for it once again. The power was there, waiting for him to seize it.
It wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about mastering the Force, learning to use it to shape his destiny. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew that if he was going to survive in Vader's world, he had to keep growing stronger.
And no matter how harsh the lessons, no matter how much pain he endured, he would do whatever it took.
The next morning, the presence of Darth Vader himself filled the room. Kael stood at attention as the Sith Lord entered, his black armor gleaming under the harsh lights.
"You are improving," Vader said, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder.
Kael swallowed, unsure of how to respond. The Sith Lord's approval felt like a weight pressing down on him.
"Today," Vader continued, "you will learn to use the Force as a weapon."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. A weapon? Was he ready for that?
Vader raised a gloved hand, and a small metal sphere floated into the air. It hovered before Kael, rotating slowly.
"This droid is your enemy," Vader said, his voice like ice. "Destroy it."
Kael swallowed hard. He didn't know how to destroy it, not yet. But Vader had already shown him that the Force was a tool to shape his reality. This was his test.
"Focus your anger," Vader commanded. "Let it fuel you."
Kael closed his eyes, reaching for the Force. This time, he didn't fight it. He embraced the anger, the frustration, the helplessness. The power surged within him, and without thinking, he lashed out.
The droid exploded in a flash of light, its remains scattered across the floor.
Vader regarded him silently for a moment, then spoke. "You are beginning to understand."
Kael felt a rush of exhilaration, but he was careful not to show it. He had taken the first step, and there was no turning back now.
That night, as Kael lay in his quarters, the feeling of power still thrummed through his veins. He had destroyed the droid, used the Force to shape his will, and survived.
But there was still so much more to learn. The galaxy was vast, and it would not bend to him easily.
Kael closed his eyes, focusing on the path ahead. His journey was just beginning.