JEDI TEMPLE – TRAINING CHAMBER – LATE AFTERNOON
The warm light of the setting sun filters through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. I'm standing in the center of the training chamber, eyes closed, focused on the rhythm of my breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Slow. Calm.
Around me, the air hums with tension. Dozens of training drones hover in a wide circle, all waiting for the signal to attack. I don't ignite my saber. Not yet.
I extend my perception through the Force—not just instinctively, but with clarity. With control. Now, it flows through me like a steady current. No longer wild or overwhelming as before. It listens. It responds.
The first drone fires.
I raise my hand, not with effort, but with ease. The shot freezes in the air, suspended before me. Another follows—then another. I deflect one with a simple gesture, send another spiraling back into its emitter. Each movement is fluid. Natural.
' I've improved. I can feel it. What once felt like fighting a storm now feels like guiding a river. '
When the final shot is fired and the drones shut down, I open my eyes. I'm not even out of breath.
SOME TIME LATER – SAME CHAMBER
Ahsoka enters the room, her lekku swaying gently as she walks toward me with her usual confident smile.
"Ready for another round, Ravan ?"
I nod, grabbing one of the training sabers from the rack.
"Let's see if you can keep up this time."
We stand side by side. At first, it's just basic movements—blocks, strikes, spins. The soft hum and clash of sabers echo through the chamber. But soon, something shifts.
Without planning, our strikes begin to mirror each other. My blade moves left—hers follows. We spin, block, attack. Our steps align perfectly. I don't even need to look at her. I feel her through the Force—as if she were an extension of myself.
It's like we're dancing. One movement. One will.I don't know how long it lasts until I realize we've stopped following drills. We're just moving—completely synchronized. As if we've trained together for years.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a few younglings watching us, their faces full of awe. And farther back, two Jedi Masters whisper to each other, their eyes fixed on us.
The room seems quieter now. The younglings have sat near the edge of the arena, their chatter reduced to curious murmurs. Even the Masters remain silent, observing.
Across from me, Ahsoka twirls her training saber with a mischievous smile.
"Sure about this, Ravan ? Would be a shame to hurt your pride in front of the audience."
I smile back.
"I'll take the risk."
We bow to each other. The moment we raise our heads, our sabers ignite. Blue and green light floods the chamber.
Then we begin.
Her strikes are fast—agile, precise. Her blade flickers in a blur of motion. But I match her, blow for blow. Our sabers clash repeatedly, the sharp crackle of energy filling the room like thunder. I block a side strike, duck under a spinning kick, pivot behind her and strike—but she blocks.She's good. Better than I expected.
We circle. Feint. Advance. Retreat. The duel stretches on. We press each other harder and harder, but neither yields. It's a test of endurance, of instinct.
Of control.
Minutes pass. Still no hit.
We break apart, both breathless now. Sweat runs down my forehead.
"Tired already ?" she asks between breaths.
"Waiting for you to slow down."
She charges again, and this time I meet her halfway. Our sabers crash in midair with such force that a shockwave ripples across the chamber. We lock blades, staring into each other's eyes, both grinning.Then, finally—I see the opening.
When she spins to strike low, I pivot with the Force guiding my motion. My blade pushes hers aside, and before she can recover, I tap her shoulder with the tip of my saber.
A clean hit.
She freezes, looks at the point where the blade touched her armor, and exhales sharply.
I step back, lowering my weapon.
For a moment, she just stares at me. Then—
"Nice," she says with a smile. "You've been secretly training with Master Yoda in your dreams, haven't you ?"
I laugh.
"Just focus. And maybe a little talent."
She laughs too and pats my arm.
"Well done, Revan. But next time, I'm bringing real sabers."
The younglings applaud. The Masters exchange looks and give a subtle nod.But all I can feel is this connection—this bond between us, still humming beneath the surface. Strong. Balanced.
The sound of applause fades, and soon the chamber falls silent again. I notice that two of the Masters who had been watching—Plo Koon and Shaak Ti—remain in quiet conversation. But it's not just casual talk. They're... analyzing. Considering.
Ahsoka notices too. She leans toward me as we walk side by side, leaving the arena.
"They're whispering about us," she says in a playful tone, but with a hint of curiosity.
"You think it's because of the fight or the synchronicity ?"
"A bit of both, maybe," she replies, shrugging. "You felt it too, right ? That moment when the Force sort of... aligned everything?"I nod.
"It was like I knew what you were going to do before I even saw it. Like our thoughts were linked."
She smiles, but this time it's different—softer. Almost contemplative.
"That's not common, Revan. Not even between Padawans who've trained together for years. And we don't even know each other that well."
"Not yet," I reply, glancing at her.
She raises an eyebrow with a smirk.
"Was that your way of saying you want to know me better?"
"I said 'not yet', didn't I ?"
She laughs, gently bumping my shoulder with hers. We approach the back of the room, where the Masters are waiting. Shaak Ti steps forward.
"Revan. Ahsoka." Her voice is calm, but there's a spark in her eyes. "What you demonstrated today was more than technique. The Force was with you... in harmony."
Plo Koon inclines his head slightly.
"Such synchronicity should not be overlooked. Training together could be... instructive. For both of you."
I exchange a glance with Ahsoka. She looks just as surprised as I am.
"Was that a compliment ?" she asks lightly.
"It was more than that," I say, smiling. "Maybe it was an invitation ?"
"An invitation... or a training ?"