Chapter 1

The soft hum of distant machinery pierced through the veil of unconsciousness. Kaedan's eyes fluttered open, immediately squinting against the unfamiliar brightness. The ceiling above him was not the popcorn-textured expanse of his apartment, but a smooth, pale surface that seemed to emit its own gentle glow.

Confusion gave way to panic as he tried to sit up, only to find his body unresponsive. His limbs felt wrong – too short, too weak. The sheets beneath him were crisp and cool, nothing like his well-worn bedding at home.

"Where am I?" he tried to say, but the words came out in a high-pitched squeak that sent a jolt of terror through him. That wasn't his voice. That was the voice of a child.

Heart racing, Kaedan managed to push himself up on shaky arms. The room around him was sparse but elegant, with curved walls and unfamiliar technology blinking silently. A gentle breeze carried the scent of something floral through an open window, beyond which he could see the glint of sunlight on towering spires.

"This isn't possible," he whispered, the childish voice sending another wave of disorientation through him. His mind raced, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The architecture, the distant hum of speeders, the very air itself – it all felt eerily familiar, yet completely alien.

A sudden realization struck him like a physical blow. He knew this place. He'd seen it countless times on screen, pored over every detail in books and online forums. But it couldn't be real. It was impossible.

He was in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

Kaedan's breath came in short, sharp gasps as he looked down at his small hands, turning them over in disbelief. He was no longer the 28-year-old Star Wars enthusiast from Earth. Somehow, inexplicably, he had become a child in the very universe he had spent his life dreaming about.

The sound of footsteps in the corridor outside snapped him back to the present moment. Panic surged anew as he realized he had no idea who he was supposed to be or why he was here. How could he possibly explain this to anyone?

The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a tall, serene-looking Twi'lek woman in Jedi robes. She smiled warmly at Kaedan, seemingly oblivious to his inner turmoil.

"Good morning, young one," she said, her voice gentle and melodious. "I trust you slept well? It's time to join the others for morning meditation."

Kaedan opened his mouth, a thousand questions on the tip of his tongue, but no words came out. He simply nodded, his mind reeling as he tried to process the impossible situation he found himself in.

The Twi'lek Jedi's expression softened with concern. "Are you feeling alright, Kaedan? You seem troubled."

He had a name here. He was known. Expected. Whatever cosmic accident had brought him to this place, it seemed he had a role to play. Swallowing hard, Kaedan forced a smile.

"I'm fine," he managed, the childish voice still jarring to his ears. "Just... had a strange dream."

The Jedi nodded sympathetically. "The Force often speaks to us through our dreams. Perhaps you can discuss it with Master Yoda during today's lesson."

Master Yoda. The words sent a thrill of excitement and terror through Kaedan. This was real. Somehow, impossibly, he was about to step into the world he had only ever imagined.

As he climbed out of bed, his small body moving with an awkward unfamiliarity, Kaedan's mind raced. He was in the Star Wars universe, in the Jedi Temple, apparently as a youngling in training. And if his suspicions about the timeline were correct, he was here at one of the most pivotal and dangerous moments in galactic history.

He followed the Twi'lek Jedi out into the corridor, every step a wonder and trepidation. The enormity of his situation threatened to overwhelm him, but a tiny spark of excitement burned in his chest. He was living every fan's dream – but he also carried the terrible burden of knowing the tragic future that awaited the Jedi.

As they approached a large meditation chamber, the sound of young voices drifted out. Kaedan took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever came next. He didn't know why he was here or how long this would last, but he knew one thing for certain: nothing would ever be the same again.

The Twi'lek Jedi gestured for him to enter the chamber. With one last moment of hesitation, Kaedan stepped through the doorway and into his new life as a Jedi youngling, the fate of the galaxy potentially resting on his small shoulders.