JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER
The Jedi Council chamber was more crowded than I expected. Besides me, Ahsoka, and Barriss, there were five more young initiates gathered at the center of the great circle of masters.
I recognized some faces: Teren Kai, a Zabrak with piercing eyes; Lira Valon, a human and one of the best with a saber among the younglings; Joril, a curious and always silent Rodian; and the Twi'lek brothers, Rava and Kel Teyin.
We had all completed the trials. We all hoped to be chosen.
The ancient statues watched us from the shadows of the temple, as if the Jedi of the past were judging this moment. The silence was so deep I could hear my own heartbeat.
Master Yoda spoke with his soft yet commanding voice:
"Gathered, young ones strong in the Force are. Now, the bond between master and padawan shall be formed."
Master Windu stepped forward, his expression serious:
"Let the masters who wish to take a padawan come forth and make their choice."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then, Master Luminara Unduli approached. Her steps were silent, as if each one were guided by the Force itself. She stopped in front of Barriss, her gaze firm yet kind.
"Barriss Offee… I accept you as my padawan."
Barriss bowed respectfully. I couldn't help but smile for her. She deserved it.
Right after, Master Plo Koon walked up to Lira Valon. He observed her with that firm but protective look.
"Lira Valon… I accept you as my padawan."
She bowed, emotional. I could feel how hard she tried to contain her smile.
Two chosen.
Master Ki-Adi-Mundi came next and stopped before Teren Kai. The Zabrak kept his usual serious expression.
"Teren Kai… I accept you as my padawan."
The choice was received with a slight nod. Teren was always reserved. Three.
Master Shaak Ti walked gracefully to the Twi'lek brothers. She looked between the two before addressing the older one.
"Kel Teyin… I accept you as my padawan."
Rava's eyes filled with disappointment. I felt his sadness like a punch. He tried to hide it, but it was difficult.
Now, only Ahsoka, Rava, Joril, and I remained.
And then, he came.
Obi-Wan Kenobi approached me. His steps were calm, almost solemn. When he stopped in front of me, it felt as though the entire room had disappeared, leaving only the two of us and the Force.
"Ravan… I accept you as my padawan."
I bowed deeply, feeling something inside me align, as if a piece that had been loose finally found its place. When I stood up, there was pride in his eyes. And responsibility in my heart.
But then I looked to the side. Ahsoka was still there. Steady. Silent. Waiting.
Master Yoda turned to her, leaning on his cane.
"Ahsoka Tano… assigned, already has been. To a knight on a mission, you belong. Wait, you must. Soon, he will come."
She simply nodded. There was sadness, but also acceptance in her expression. She knew her time would come. Just as I knew she was destined for something great.
Joril and Rava were not chosen either. I saw the shadow in their eyes as they left the circle. Not everyone finds a master in the first selection. Sometimes, they wait months. Or are never chosen.
As I walked away alongside Obi-Wan, my new master, I glanced one last time at those who remained behind.
We walked through the long stone corridors of the Jedi Temple. Each step echoed softly, accompanied by the distant whisper of the Force flowing through the place. I walked beside Obi-Wan, trying to seem calm, but inside I was still processing everything — the choice, the commitment, the future.
He seemed at peace. He observed the temple's details as if they were already a part of him — every wall, every lamp, every memory.
"Master Obi-Wan..." I said, breaking the silence.
"You can just call me Obi-Wan, Ravan. We're partners now."
I smiled a little at that. It felt strange to think that this experienced Jedi Knight saw me as an equal in some way. Taking a deep breath, I gathered the courage to ask something that had been burning inside me since he spoke my name in the chamber.
"Why did you choose me ? There were others. Lira… Teren… even Barriss. All strong. Why me ?"
He paused for a moment by a tall window, the sunlight filtering through the openings, casting patterns on the stone floor. He looked out, then turned to me with a gentle smile.
"Because I saw something in you that is rare, Ravan. You're strong, yes. But it's more than that. You listen to the Force with humility. And you don't deny the difficult parts of yourself. You have the courage to face them. Many younglings try to ignore their fears... you confront yours. And that… is something not easily taught."
His words hit deep. It wasn't about strength. It was about who I was.
Before I could answer, we heard approaching footsteps. One of the Temple attendants — an elderly human in simple robes with a respectful gaze — approached, holding a rectangular metallic box.
"Master Kenobi," he said, offering the box with a small bow.
Obi-Wan nodded with a slight smile.
"Thank you. I've been waiting for this."
He took the box, and as we continued walking, he carefully opened it. Inside was a beautiful Mandalorian helmet. It was a light silver, almost reflecting the light like a soft mirror, with golden details forming elegant lines along the visor and sides.
I froze in place, surprised. My eyes couldn't leave the piece. It was… incredible.
"It's Mandalorian…" I murmured, almost breathless.
Obi-Wan looked at the helmet for a moment, then at me.
"I have a Mandalorian friend," he said with a nostalgic tone in his voice. "And I know how much that culture can mean. I know there's a part of you tied to it. I don't want you to forget who you are, Ravan. I commissioned this helmet from one of the finest smiths in the galaxy… as a gift. To remind you that your past is not something to leave behind. It's part of what makes you… you."
I was speechless for a few seconds. I slowly ran my hand over the smooth surface of the helmet. It was cold to the touch, but radiated a sense of strength, of honor.
"Thank you… Obi-Wan. Truly."
He simply placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"We're going to train hard. But never let anyone make you forget who you are. Jedi. Warrior. Mandalorian."
I held the helmet in my hands for a moment longer, feeling its weight. It wasn't just a gift… it was a connection to something older, deeper. Part of my story.
Part of who I am.
I took a deep breath and, carefully, lifted it to my head.
When I put it on, the world changed.
The light around me was softened by the thin layer of the T-shaped visor. The temple's outlines became more defined, as if details previously invisible now jumped out at me. The golden trim on the inner edges of the visor caught the light subtly, creating an almost sacred glow.
The sound changed too. It became muffled, but more focused. I could hear my own heartbeat clearly. Each breath felt closer, deeper. The Force whispered more clearly within me, as if the helmet didn't block my connection to it — but concentrated it.
For a moment, I stood there, breathing slowly. Feeling.
The helmet didn't hide who I was.
It revealed it.
t felt like wearing a forgotten part of myself. As if, for so long, I had only been a piece of something — and now, with a Jedi's saber at my side and the Mandalorian helmet on my head, I had become whole.
I turned to Obi-Wan.
He watched me with a faint smile, but his eyes showed something deeper: pride.
"It suits you," he said.
I nodded slowly, still absorbing the sensation.
"It feels… right."
"Then keep it, Ravan," he replied. "Whenever you doubt who you are, put on that helmet. And remember: you're a Jedi. But you're also much more."
The sunlight streamed through the temple's stained glass, reflecting off the silver and gold surface of the helmet. In that moment, I didn't feel torn between two worlds.
I felt like the bridge between them.