Chapter 33

(Posting this tonight instead of morning so my Argentian readers can go to sleep lol)

"Through Knowledge, I Gain Strength. From Strength, I Seek Knowledge

Through Wisdom, I Gain Serenity. Through Serenity, I Seek Wisdom

From Knowledge, Strength, Wisdom, and Serenity, I Gain Control and Power

From Control and Power, I Gain Balance. Through Balance, I Seek Freedom

The Force Shall Set Me Free."

Master Fay and the Jedi were surprised by the Code. Although it had some portions parts that resembled the Sith Code, it also had parts that resembled the Jedi Code, and the parts about wisdom, control, and balance being part of neither. But if they wanted to find fault with what was said, they would basically be denying the basic and deeper truths of the galaxy. 

Without the correct amount of strength, seeking certain knowledge was just foolish. And to gain knowledge with the strength to protect it was also foolish. 

Can one study when one is not at peace and serene? No! And would that new wisdom give them additional serenity in new situations? Of course, it would. 

When all 4 were combined, one indeed gained both power and control. If one had enough of each, they could have balance in their lives. And through that balance, one truly could seek the freedom that they desired.

And although the Code hinted about using the Dark Side of the Force when it mentioned balance, there was nothing overly violent in the Code as it was with the Sith's version. This code simply acknowledged the other side and that it had its uses as long as one had enough power and control. 

"Your Master is very wise," Master Fay commented, shooting Jial a smile before looking back at his students. "I think you have both gained an initial understanding of the Force and while there is some influence of the Dark Side, I believe that it is not nearly as bad as what the Sith use. You can consider this portion passed."

The other Jedi Masters also felt the same way as Master Fay, to varying degrees. Even though what they said sounded a bit dangerous, it was nowhere as bad as the Sith or even the Nightsisters who had been left alone for hundreds of years.

Jial then brought everyone to the underground training area where the girls had been practicing earlier. Each of the Jedi made sure to stay by the door, acting wary of Jial. The latter just shrugged his shoulders. He could tell that no matter what Master Fay said or what he did, there would be distrust between them.

'These fools have a Jedi of Master Fay's caliber praising me and they still have this attitude? I would have definitely burned down the Jedi Temple if I ever joined them,' Jial thought to himself, forgetting that he casually mentioned killing all of the Jedi to motivate his students

"Who will be fighting them? Are you gonna send some Masters over?" Jial asked the Jedi, provoking them once again. "They have only been studying under me for less than a year."

"No need!" Lonye, the recently promoted Jedi Knight shouted out. "I'll take them both on at the same time."

"Are you sure?" Master Fay asked. She knew that the twins had been fighting the arena for the past 6 months after doing some research. In single combat, she wasn't sure Lonye could beat either of them. Together, she was sure that they would lose.

"No need to worry, Master Fay," Lonye brushed off Master Fay's concerns, barely showing her any of the respect that she deserved as a Jedi Master and elder who was in her hundreds. 

"Do both of you girls mind battling her together?" Master Fay asked the twins. She did want them to feel like she was looking down on them.

"No problem!" Nott ignited her lightsabers, showing off their silver blades. "We can end this even faster then."

The three young women walked to the center of the room. Lonye ignited her lightsaber and took the standard Form II stance.

'Makashi? That girl is going to have a lot of issues,' Jial felt sorry for Lonye for once. He knew just how powerful the twins were, at least physically. Makashi's biggest weakness was fighting opponents who were physically stronger and could blow away their form. 

Nott lowered her body into the same position that she had when she battled against Jial while Hash stood behind with her stance being the Form VI opening stance. 

"Begin!" Master Fay shouted

Nott kicked off the ground hard while spinning her blades between her fingers. KLonye was shocked when she saw Nott appear before her face. The Jedi wanted to strike at her face but the spinning blades made the young woman back off.

And that began to beginning of her downfall. 

Nott stopped spinning her blades before swinging them one at a time right after the other, forcing Lonye on the defensive. Even though she was only using one arm with each blade, which would usually make the hits much lighter, Nott was unconsciously using Force Rage which was enhancing her physical strength. And the more that she attacked, the stronger that Nott got.

Lonye tried to hold her ground at first but she kept taking steps back after each hit. When she nearly touched the wall, Lonye felt a piece of cool metal touching the back of her neck, forcing her to pause. The moment she lost focus, Nott knocked the blade out of Lonye's hand before pointing both of her swords at Lonye's arms, threatening to cut them off if she moved. 

"Remember, you wanted it to be two-on-one," Hash teased from behind. She has used altus sopor to reduce her presence and while her attention was focused on her younger sister, Hash managed to appear behind her back and defeat the Jedi without even igniting her lightsaber. 

"Comments?" Jial asked the Jedi

"Although Nott used Force Rage, many individuals that use the Dark Side of the Force use that technique as well as some Jedi who lose themselves in battle. But either way, I did not see any sign of Sith fighting styles," Master Fay gave Hash and Nott her seal of approval

"Glad to hear. So you Jedi can go now," Jial told them plainly. "Except for you, Master Fay. We would love to have you for dinner."

Master Fay smiled when she heard Jial's invitation. He was showing that while he had a dislike for those particular Jedi, he did not have hard feelings for all Jedi. 

"Another time, Master Jial. I have matters to attend to," Master Fay rejected politely. She truly felt that the Force was calling her elsewhere and she had to follow its will. 

"I understand. Then let me show you all to your ships," Jial led the way up the stairs

[Congratulations, Host. Your reward has been sent to your storage.]