Peace, Serenity, And Harmony (Prologue IV)

~~~(POV: Jedi Initiate Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Training Room, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 8 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 577 BBY)~~~

Left.

Right.

Right.

Left.

"Very good Initiate Azure. Let The Force guide your blade. Sense where the next bolt is coming from."

Lessons today encompass blaster bolt deflection. We're not allowed to use our eyes to train. It's harder for others when we train like this. It's not easy for me, but not hard either. It's difficult to put into words.

The Force comes easier for me compared to others. My friends and clan members tend to make fun of me or become jealous. It's never bad, and they always get over it.

Ezark always comes to my aid. My oldest and closest friend. He's been with me since I can remember. After a few more exercises, we're allowed to take off our helmets and have a break. I walk over to a bench and sit down.

My feet don't even reach the floor. Everyone is tired, some more than others. Even I'm a little winded after that. In three weeks, the Gathering for my clan will happen. We'll be heading to Ilum to get our kyber crystals.

Master Yoda will be taking us. He's usually the one that takes all Initiates to undergo the ancient tradition among our Order.

The thoughts going through my head are interrupted as some low whispers take my attention. There is a group of Jedi looking over the training room from a balcony above. Watching the progress and scouting future padawans.

Master Yoda is with them. He spends most of his time with the Initiates. He's been a part of most Jedi's training for the past 500 years.

"How come it's always when you're practicing they decide to come here and watch?"

Ezark makes his way over to me and takes a seat next to me. The joking tone in his voice does make me smile. His words aren't true; it's more like an inside joke. Older Knights and Masters are always watching over a group of Initiates training.

Whether it be my group or another one.

"Not funny, Ezark. Training is always a time when they come and watch. The Knights and Masters observe every clan."

He gives me a sideways look telling me he already knows that.

"Are you excited for the Gathering?"

The question leaves him as he leans back and relaxes. All the Initiates are looking forward to getting their kyber crystals. It's a major step in our process of becoming a Jedi.

A couple of years after getting our kyber crystals and constructing our lightsabers, we'll be selected by Masters and Knights to continue our training.

"Of course I'm excited. But there is still time before we leave for Ilum. Three weeks of training, meditation, and lessons. Yoda will be taking us to the Jedi Archives for a lesson in a few days. That's something I'm looking forward to."

My friend looks to the balcony where the Knights and Masters are watching. Yoda among them. He sees the two of us looking at him and smiles at us.

Yoda and I spoke yesterday about the nightmare I had. He says it was a vision. Many among the council felt something similar or seen what I had seen. So many different Jedi rarely see the same thing.

Even rarer for an Initiate to see what they're seeing and feel what they're feeling.

"When we're done with training today, do you want to head to the Gardens and meditate with me?"

That sounds fine to me. Meditation helps me a lot. The Force always puts me at ease and peace when I meditate. After what happened yesterday, it'd be good for me to do more of it.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

He smiles at me as I give him my answer. He's soon taken by some of his other friends waving him over to where they're at. Leaving me on my own.

Our break goes on for another few minutes before we're called back to the center of the room, and our helmets are back on.

~~~(POV: Grandmaster Aleya Zana)~~~

~~~(Location: High Council Chambers, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 56 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 577 BBY)~~~

The meeting is adjourned, and my fellow council members are standing up to leave. I've yet to rise from my seat and do the same. I'm in thought at what transpired yesterday. It's been centuries since the Darkside was this strong.

Master Larkor and Master Yoda are still sitting in their seats along with me. Master Hendi has his eyes locked on the view of Coruscant out the window, lost in thought of his own.

"Investiage this disturbance, we should. The source of this growing power, we must find."

Master Yoda isn't wrong. Our council meeting that ended just a moment ago was about the increased pirate activity in the Rim. The Senate has requested the help of the Order. We've yet to come to a decision.

"Where do we even start in our search? Our oracles can't give us anything, to begin with. All we have to go on at this point is someone out there is falling to the Darkside."

Tezor and I are in agreement when it comes to how we start this. We have to find out how to start it first. Master Larkor has yet to contribute anything to this conversation among us left in the room. His eyes are closed, and a breath enters him.

"Until we know more, we're left with the knowledge the Darkside is growing. My suggestion is to help the Senate and Republic until we know more. Thousands of people are dying due to the increased pirate activity."

That's our only option, and I'm a little surprised Haden agrees with us. He's usually arguing with us on every decision we make. It's my understanding that I need someone like him on the council.

Someone that brings a perspective the rest of us don't have. Master Larkor has that. It took time to convince everyone that he needed to join the council. Ultimately, they've come to accept and agree with my way of thinking with this.

"Our Jedi in the field should be alerted about what's happened. We might be fortunate enough to have something from one of them."

That's the best idea I've heard. I look at Yoda and Hendi, and they agree with Master Larkor. That settles the issue about whether or not we should commit effort to finding out what's going on.

There is another topic I wish to discuss with them. Krayla is one of the strongest and wisest young members of our Order.

I can't raise the topic of her joining the council until the next meeting and when we have an opening for her. She's grown a lot in the last eight years. I can sense she still hurts from losing her son, but she's come as far as she can go with that.

Taylor, her daughter, has the highest midi-chlorian count recorded. Higher than Master Yoda's. Higher than her Mothers. She has the same temperament as her Mother and is an excellent Initiate.

"Amongst us, and us alone. When the time comes, should Krayla be allowed to train Taylor? It'll come up in the next couple of years, and I'm considering it could work."

Taylor is the future of our Order, and Krayla will soon be the present.

"Hmm... Several years ago. I would've been against it. With this recent disturbance in The Force and the growing problems in the galaxy, I think it's something we should indeed consider. I don't think a better teacher for Taylor can be found."

All of us look at Master Hendi. Wondering why he's taking this stance. Master Yoda is the only one that doesn't look surprised.

"Well, color me surprised, Tezor. Here I'd think you would be against such a thing until the day you become one with The Force."

Master Hendi releases a sigh at the joking tone of Haden.

"Meditate on this, we should. Reveal the answers, The Force will."

I sense the growing Darkness will not simply fade away with time.

~~~(POV: Jedi Knight Krayla Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Meditation Gardens, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 28 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 577 BBY)~~~

I'm finding meditation difficult today... What happened yesterday is still fresh in my mind... Taylor described what she saw, and it was precisely the same as mine. I've never felt or experienced a vision like that before.

It felt so real to me. What stood out to me more than the pain and anger...

Was hatred... Pure hatred...

It was so cold and ravenous. That was all that was left in the end.

"How are you doing, Mother?"

My eyes shoot open, and I look to my left. There, I see my daughter. Her friend Ezark Olidare standing next to her with a calm expression on his features.

"It's good to see you, Taylor. Would you like to join me in my meditation? You're welcome to join as well, Initiate Olidare."

Taylor is quick to sit next to me, given the offer. Ezark hesitates for a moment. However, he does the same and sits next to Taylor.

"I've been having a hard time with meditation myself. It's been difficult to clear my mind."

I might as well speak with them since they're here with me. I like it when I get to spend time with my daughter.

"Meditation has been a help to me since yesterday. I'm sorry it's not helping you the same way."

She's always been good at relaxing and channeling The Force.

"That's good to hear. I was worried that you'd have a difficult time with this. It seems you're handling it better than I am."

The boy here with us is silently listening to our conversation. Taylor is the only one with a parent among the Initiates. Her clanmates often ask what it's like since they've been raised alone in the Order.

His curiosity isn't hidden, but he's doing well controlling it. Not letting it get in the way of meditation.

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Haden Larkor)~~~

~~~(Location: Walking Around, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 44 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 577 BBY)~~~

Times are changing from the peace we know and protect. The growing unrest and piracy in the Rim prove the Senate isn't solving the problems that need solving. For a while, this has been my main concern.

More and more systems in the Rim are calling for the help of the Senate. When they're not helping, Jedi are being sent at the request of these worlds.

What happened yesterday... That surge of Darkside power... The strength... Something is on the rise, and whatever or whoever it is. I know they'll be a problem for us eventually. It's unavoidable conflict on the horizon.

I don't like sounding like a cynic. I try to find options where it's not about good and evil. But I'm aware of myself enough to know something is different. It's been over five centuries since a large-scale conflict.

Nothing good lasts forever...

As I continue my thoughts, I eventually reach the Meditation Gardens. As I look out and see the Jedi connecting with The Force, my attention is taken by the sight of Krayla and Taylor meditating together.

The council decided a long time ago we wouldn't interfere in their relationship. Any bonds or attachments that formed between them were okay in our eyes. We recognize there are some unique circumstances that are okay.

The Jedi Code states many things, and it's changed several times throughout our history. Exceptions have been made before.

Instead of just standing here and watching, I make my way over, and Krayla opens her eyes at my approach.

"Master Larkor. It's good to see you. From what I sense, a council meeting must've just ended, no?"

A chuckle escapes me as I sit beside my late friend's old padawan.

"The endless debates and discussions of the council are unavoidable. As much as I try to keep us on track with problems, much has changed in recent years..."

The solemn tone in my voice isn't lost on my friend. Taylor is in deep meditation. She's not even listening. It's just the two of them. Meditating and communing with The Force.

"Roland would know what to do. He was always connected with The Force in ways I never was. He could sense problems forming before they were ever known to us..."

She smiles at the mention of her old Master.

Old Garn would've had my council seat now if he'd not been killed all those years ago. It was freshly after Krayla was Knighted. It hit her hard. Roland was a role model to many, including me.

"Master Garness would've already taken a ship and followed The Force."

We both begin laughing at what she's brought up. Roland would jump into his ship many times and go to where The Force called him. He was someone that had more harmony with The Force... More than anyone on the council.

"Who's Master Garness?"

The sudden question comes from the daughter of Krayla, who opens her eyes to look at me. Turns out she was listening. A small smile appears on her Mother's face, and I have a matching one to go along with it.

Roland would've loved Taylor. Krayla and Old Garn had a bond that was rarely seen, which would've been shared with Taylor.

"Master Garness was the man who took me as his padawan. He taught me everything he knew. You would've liked him a lot, Taylor. He was a Father to me and would've done the same for you."

Memories of our time training together rush through my head. He was always better when it came to using his words. A man that truly used violence as a last resort.

He's one of the reasons I speak adamantly with the Jedi High Council. He'd have never suppressed or hidden his thoughts. He'd already have a solution to the problem we're facing today in the Rim and the Senate.

"Sounds like a great Jedi... Can you tell me about him, Mother..."

This is when I know my time with them is up... Not wanting to interrupt some rare quality time together...

Watching them together... It does make me wonder if I'd be a good Father... There have been Jedi who've had children in the past, and it still happens today. Most of the time, a relationship that Taylor and Krayla have isn't allowed.

Their unique circumstances allow them to have such a relationship. Taylor is a gift from The Force, and Krayla never broke the Jedi Code.

~~~(POV: Jedi Initiate Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Bear Clan Bunkroom, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 8 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 577 BBY)~~~

It's been a tiring day... I hadn't expected to run into Mom at the Meditation Gardens. Ezark had to leave after a little. A prior engagement with other friends took him. It left me time to bond with Mom.

Roland... Master Garness was an amazing Jedi from the stories I was told. I would've enjoyed meeting the man. Seems the type of Jedi to do what The Force needed of him.

Mom must've been really hurt when he died... I could sense she was having difficulty talking about him near the end... When the memories they built together came to an end with his death.

Perhaps one day she'll tell me how he passed...