Chapter 11: Academy Days Episode XI

Nomi Sunrider.

My ancestor.

Here we are, face-to-face.

And I know it's really here and not some illusion created by the caves, for I feel it through the Force.

I also feel through the Force Nomi's presence. Her spirit, Force ghost, soul, whatever you want to call it. I can feel it's truly her standing in front of me in the crystal wall.

There are so many things I want to ask her, but I feel we don't have time for that long of a conversation, so I'll need to keep this short and sweet.

"First off, a pleasure to meet you Nomi." I said to her. "Secondly, do you know where my Khyber crystal is? Since as you likely know I am on a clock."

"Oh yes, I do know that Van." Nomi replied. "As to where your Khyber crystal is I have no idea."

"I see. Then can you please help me find it?" I asked her.

"There is no need for me too. For you already have everything you need to find it." Nomi spoke. Giving me a knowing smile that many Jedi do when saying cryptic words like she just did.

"Okay." I said. Resisting the urge to sigh. "If what you say is true then why have you appeared before me?"

"As I said earlier, to chat." Nomi said. "Namely about the path you have chosen to walk. And your plans concerning the Jedi and the Order."

The moment Nomi finished speaking I put a serious expression on my face and looked her straight in the eyes. "If you are here to talk me out of either of those things then don't bother. I won't back down nor will I be dissuaded from my current path. For I truly believe it is what's best for the Jedi, the Order as a whole, and the galaxy." I spoke with conviction.

"Stop you. Oh no, you have the wrong idea my young descendant. I do not wish to stop you, I merely wish to give you some advice to aid you." Nomi spoke.

Which caused me to get the suprised Pikachu look on my face once she finished.

"....Huh?"

Nomi isn't here to try and stop me. But aid me.

"I can see the confusion plane as day on your face Van." Nomi spoke. "So I will answer the burning question you have on your mind. I am helping you because I believe in what you are going to do. The Force has shown me glimpses of the future you will create, and although I don't agree with some of the ideas you wish to implement I can say with certainty it is much much better than the current future the galaxy and the Jedi are headed towards."

"How much do you know exactly?" I asked.

"Not much. The Force only showed me glimpses, but it was enough." Nomi said. Getting an angry, and yet at the same time sad, expression on her face. "The galaxy under the rule of the Sith once more. Young children broken and battered to become nothing more than attack dogs. The galaxy embroiled in conflict after conflict with the remnants left from the time of Sith rule. Beings from parts unknown laying waste to hundreds of world's and claiming billions of lives. The Jedi fractured on what to do about these extra galactic invaders. A black swarm that will sweep across the galaxy. Finally an ancient and twisted being, whose name I dare not speak. That is what I have seen will come to pass should you not keep to your current course Van." She explained to me.

Nomi having just revealed to me the Force gave her visions of the major threats from the EU. The Imperial Remnants, Yuuzhan Vong, Black Swarm Crisis, and Mother.

All of which will be prevented if I follow stay my current course.

Well not prevented but at least not as horrific from what Nomi is implying.

Which is a lot to take in.

Like I didn't feel pressure before. Now it seems like I have the literal fate of the galaxy on my shoulders.

"Nomi, how am I going to do this?" I asked her. "I'm scared. If what you just said is true then my actions will shape the lives of many. So tell me, what am I supposed to do?"

I thought I was prepared for what was to come and what I had to do. But it looks like I was sorely mistaken.

"Van. What you're feeling is perfectly normal. Having doubts is natural. Even I had them." Nomi spoke. Getting a nostalgic look in her eyes. "From the time I joined the order as a Padawan to the time I became the Grand Master of the Order and called for the Conclave on Exis Station I had doubts. Though I came to realize if I let those doubts hold me back then I would not only let down the people who looked to me for guidance but also myself. So Van, keep believing in yourself. For you will have people that believe in you and I believe in you." She said.

Nomi then smiled at me.

When she did I felt a little better and then eventually I put a small smile on my own face.

"Thank you, Nomi." I told her.

"Its no problem Van." She replied. "Well it looks like my job here is done. It is time for us to part ways. Goodbye and good luck in everything. It was certainly interesting meeting you. Especially for a descendant of mine who didn't exist until recently."

Hearing Nomi say that my eyes widened in shock.

For it looks like she knows I'm a reincarnate.

I got ready to ask her if she knew, but before I could her entire body was engulfed in a brilliant light.

The intensity of the light became so much I had to shut my eyes and move my left arm in front of them to block it.

The light only lasted for a few seconds before it died down.

When it did I removed my arm from in front of my eyes and opened them.

Seeing Nomi was gone from the crystal wall.

Where numerous cracks were now forming.

The cracks rapidly kept spreading until the entire wall was covered in them, and then in an instant the crystal wall shattered.

Revealing a tunnel behind it.

The moment the tunnel revealed itself the buzzing from earlier returned to my ears.

So when it did I started down the path in front of me once more.

Now more sure of my path than ever.