“So, guys, allow me to introduce myself: Bagiran Naron…” began a tall man in a blue cloak, with a sword at his belt and a fitted combat suit — if not armor.
But…
“You’re the guy who was standing in the corridor!” I immediately called him out, stepping forward.
The man clearly hesitated but recovered.
“You must be mistaken…” “Not at all!
I clearly remember your aura.
You were really surprised then, and now you’re outright shocked.” Snickers ran through the group, but…
“Alright, calm down.
Even if so, how did you see?” the man narrowed his eyes.
“Like I’d tell you everything,” I crossed my arms and turned away demonstratively.
“Why should I give personal information to someone who not only doesn’t greet people but also disappears into thin air and won’t even admit it?” He choked, and I continued.
“I don’t deal with shady characters!” “Shady?” “Shady.
Now Master Garos is a different matter — at least he’s polite.” “Pha-ha-ha-ha-ha…” a ringing female voice echoed in the hall.
Turning, we saw a young Sith woman doubled over by the wall, laughing wildly.
“Ha-ha-ha…
oh amana lusa…
ha-ha-ha…
asara khalun.” “Tsikuna, that’s enough,” the newly-minted Master of Disappearances cut in, but the girl couldn’t be stopped.
“Oh, I can’t…
Bagi, whatever names they’ve called you, but hearing something like that from a child…
where did you stand out like that?” wiping away tears, this enigmatic being asked.
“I just came to see what the newcomers were like,” the Master returned his gaze to us.
“And he saw you, didn’t he?” The man didn’t answer, but I earned a crowd of bewildered eyes.
“What’s your name, kid?” “Shade,” I answered, squinting at this mysterious lady.
I didn’t know who she was, but her Force level was enormous.
Maybe like my mother’s…
“And your surname?” “Aero.” “O-oh…
Well, Bagi, pray.
You just made a fool of HER son!
MWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!” “Where have I ended up…” I whispered silently.
“Sorry, you’re probably confused?” she addressed me.
“Relax.
My name is Tsikuna, Aara is my best friend.
We made a pilgrimage together through all nine temples.
Qigong Kesh is my temple.
And also, if this ‘shady character'” she looked at the man — “bothers you, just say the word.
I’ll rein him in in no time.” “Uh…” “Alright, guys, I see you’re settling in gradually.
Basically, I wanted to say — welcome to Qigong Kesh.
I hope you like it here,” she addressed the stunned group.
“Well, I’m off.
Good luck, Bagi.
And remember, he’s HER son.” The last words sounded like a curse.
Or a verdict.
“Yeah, I already got it,” the man grumbled, hiding the lower part of his face under his protective collar.
Silence settled in the hall.
People exchanged glances and looked at the Master, while the Master himself stared at the passage where the Sith had disappeared.
Taking a few steps, I tugged his sleeve.
“Master Bagi, can I ask something?” He looked at me as if ready to kill me right here and now, but after a deep breath in and out, he answered.
“Ask away.” “What’s your specialty?” “Manipulating auras and one’s own body using the Force.
Also maintaining your physical condition.” “I see.” “Listen, kid.
How did you see me?
I hid my aura — I couldn’t even be sensed in the Force.” I thought for a moment.
Strange — in my “echolocation” I saw him clearly.
Or rather, his outline, behind which was emptiness with emotions.
“By accident,” I shrugged and smiled.
“Is that so?” He looked at me like Müller looked at Stierlitz.
“Yep,” with the most innocent eyes I could muster.
Behind me, I heard my classmates laughing.
* * * You know, this place isn’t bad at all.
At least now I understand why Mom insisted on this temple specifically.
Master of the Temple Tsikuna is a very active girl…
woman, I mean.
It turns out she has a husband and a couple of sons, but they’re already serving as Pathfinders.
And the most interesting part — she’s approaching forty.
FORTY in the local timeframe is like seventy in the one I’m used to.
And the main thing is, Mom is the same age, though you wouldn’t give either of them more than twenty-five or thirty physically.
But that’s all lyrical digression — we’re talking about the temple.
After arriving on the planet Tython, the ancient starships “Tho Yor” scattered across various regions of the planet, near which they founded the temples.
One of the Tho Yor landed in a mysterious desert, whose sand absorbed any sounds.
Absolutely any.
Completely.
If you shout at someone a hundred meters away, they most likely won’t hear you.
Closer — maybe, but farther — no.
Here, near the ancient ship hovering in the air between curved stone spires, the Je’daii Order founded the Temple of Force Comprehension.
The temple’s enormous size boggled the imagination.
The main structures of the temple were located in a complex system of natural underground tunnels and caves.
The walls protected the cave entrances from the desert sand, and the cave walls protected from the scorching sun.
The mild climate inside the temple was maintained by six giant air conditioners in its depths, running on a combination of electricity and the Force.
At the center was a spacious inner courtyard, above which hung the Tho Yor.
By the way, this was the first time I’d seen such a ship.
The ship itself resembled a huge three-dimensional rhombus with four main engines and eight maneuvering thrusters.
No windows or doors were visible, but the ship radiated the Force like crazy.
It was like standing next to a reactor, no less.
It was physically impossible to get inside the ship, and no one dared to damage it, so the vessel became something of a monument.
“Shade!” suddenly one of the Twi’leks hung on my neck.
“Why are you standing aside, friend?
Come with everyone!” As soon as people learned my level of authority, I instantly jumped from the “mama’s boy” step to the “best friend” step.
Damn, it even made me sick.
Though not with everyone, I’ll admit.
“Va’al, get off.
Enough.” “What’s got you so angry?” “You guys annoy me.” “No-o-o, with that attitude toward your neighbor, they’ll send you to Bogan.” “What if I punch you?” I raised an eyebrow.
In the few Taked days at the temple, I’d already managed to get into a couple of fights and come out the winner.
Yeah, I got scolded afterward by Tsikuna and the Masters, but at least many realized they shouldn’t provoke me.
“Oh, someone’s calling me, gotta go, see you!” And he bolted.
He’d already gotten it once when he pushed too far — he doesn’t step on that rake again.
He bails earlier.
Sighing, I turned to Ramira.
The most problematic Zabrak you can find in this world, believe me.
Shy, soft, insecure.
Master Garos bends over backward trying to rid her of her inferiority complex, but it’s not working out.
It’s true what they say — children are like clay; whatever you mold, that’s what you get.
Her parents were not only powerless but also from the lower class, and that’s trauma for a child on whom others’ lives depend…
will depend.
The twins keep their distance from her, considering her a pseudo-Zabrak, and the others aren’t exactly friendly either.
Lina is the only one who genuinely befriends her, and Vessira kind of supports her.
At this rate, they’ll literally beat all the potential out of this little one — and she has it.
“So what are we down about?” I asked the Zabrak girl hanging her head.
Who, by the way, was a cute Zabrak girl.
“Marti told me to get lost.
Shade, tell me, I’m a disgrace, not a Zabrak, right?” “Oh, come on, will you?
You are who you are.
And anyway, Marti — which one?” I put one arm around her and pointed with the other at a trio of guys whispering among themselves in the corridor.
“Ah?
Th-thanks.
But…
why do you need to know?” “I just want to find out who’s bullying such a cutie.” “Shade, don’t, you’re already…
not very liked.
By some.” “Rami, either you tell me yourself, or I’ll go ask them.
No third option.
Well?” She blushed, but redirected my hand toward them.
“Him over there.
From the senior groups.
They say he can read others and talk about their talents.” “He can read others, you say?
Well, let’s go, let him read me.” I took her hand and pulled her along like a tractor.
“Wh-where?!” the Zabrak girl was taken aback.
“What do you mean where?
I won’t let my comrades be insulted.
Especially such sweet, beautiful, and simply wonderful ones.” She blushed even more but stopped resisting.
“…and he says, ‘You should’ve slept less,’ and laughs.
Instead of helping clean up.” “Are you Marti?” I asked the man point-blank.
“Well, let’s say I am.
And who are you?
A friend of this little one?” he pointed at the girl behind me.
“You can read, can’t you?
So read me,” I snapped back.
“You’re bold, acting like that.
Didn’t they teach you how to address your elders?” “Nope.
And anyway, my respect has to be earned.
And you, ‘pal,’ insulted my friend.” The people exchanged glances and laughed.
His group numbered four individuals.
“So you’ve come to dispense justice?” “Bingo!” “And you can?” At that moment, the whole group radiated a threat.
But simultaneously, I saw five figures approaching me.
The twins, Vessira, Lina, and Gris (the Wookiee.
I was actually learning the language, and my ward was my teacher.) They came up and simply stood behind me without a word.
“I can,” I replied confidently, literally crushing the mental barrier with the Force.
A small scuffle is one thing — a full-blown brawl between two groups is another.
The offender hesitated briefly, then gave in.
“Fine.
I apologize to this young lady for my words.
Satisfied?” “Completely.” I turned around and looked into Ramira’s astonished eyes.
“What?” “I thought you’d fight.” “Why?” we both asked at once.
We exchanged glances, I winked at the guy, who just snorted, and turned back to the girl.
“If you remember, fights are forbidden in the temple,” Mark spoke up.
“And since you’re relatively new, the main blame would fall on us.
And your friend knows that perfectly well.
Right?” “Yeah,” I nodded.
“A conflict isn’t worth bruises, but this psycho…” they pointed at me.
“Would definitely have pushed it to that point, wouldn’t you, Aero?” “Bingo!” I snapped my fingers.
“Because you don’t pick on the little ones.” “I wasn’t picking on anyone, I was just stating a fact.” Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out, interrupting our dispute.
“I think it’s time for class.
See you, Aero.” The group literally vanished into the temple’s corridors, along with the other students.
“…” Ramira stared after the senior students.
“By the way, why did you all come?” I asked the gathered group.
“They forced us,” one of the twins grumbled.
“Gru-u-u.” “Like hell!
You threatened to tear our arms off if we didn’t come!” the second twin exclaimed.
“But he was joking,” Lina sang softly, lightly hitting the Wookiee.
“Ru-gu-ra-ar.” Gris happily patted the Miraluka on the head.
“Don’t make excuses, you fur rug on legs.
We would never have gone to save that klutz.” I felt a burning wave of hurt from Ramira, and my arm was squeezed a little tighter.
“If I were you, guys, I’d carry her on my hands,” I put in my five cents’ worth (the local variant of currency).
Hurt gave way to surprise and confusion, and the second emotion came from everyone.
“Why’s that?” “To answer, I have to ask.
What do you see her as?” “What a stupid question?” “Well?” I pressed.
“Weak, without any talents.” “A worthless klutz.
She can’t even speak properly — how’s she going to survive on Tython?” A new wave of hurt, but now directed at me too.
I felt the desire to hide and cry.
“Well, you’re partly right.” The desire intensified; tears appeared in her eyes, and even the female part of the group looked at me reproachfully.
“Yes, as a fighter she’s so-so, but she’s not supposed to fight.
Her strength lies elsewhere.” Everyone listened attentively, and Ramira seemed to stop breathing.
“Healing.” The twins exchanged glances and grinned, but the little one…
She radiated such a cacophony of emotions that I didn’t even try to sort them out.
“Don’t smirk.
If my instincts don’t deceive me, Ramira has tremendous potential in that area.
More than you’ll ever see.
And now a question: you’re wounded, you’re lying there bleeding out — who do you turn to for help?” The group quieted down, and from Ramira came an even more nuclear cocktail of embarrassment, hope, joy, and indignation.
“Exactly.
She will fight just like you.
But while you battle monsters and enemies, she’ll battle death for your lives.
You insult her without even wanting to know her.
But I did.
Every day, studying shiriivuk with her, I saw the books she reads.
I saw where her talent lies.
And you know what?
I can say with all responsibility that despite all your words and insults, this girl will still fight for you.” By the end of my words, it was painful to look at the Zabraks.
I’d never seen such guilt in anyone before.
As for Ramira, she had wrapped her arms around mine and was just clinging to me.
“Now, your turn,” I whispered, freed my limb, and nudged the shy girl toward the twins.
“Oh…
um…” she turned to me, then looked at the twins.
“Listen, Ramira…” the first began.
“We got…
a little carried away.
With our words.” “Yes.
And…
we admit we were wrong.” “Can you forgive us?” “Well…
it’s okay.
I’m not offended,” the future medic, blushing to the tips of her horns, looked down.
“Really?” asked Feng, raising his head.
“Really.” “Thank you!
We…” The guys started chattering and surrounded Ramira, trying their best to engage her in conversation, giving too much attention to a girl unaccustomed to it.
The Wookiee didn’t stand aside and simply swept the Zabrak into a hug, while Lina tried to save her friend from suffocation.
Vessira sidled up to me.
“You surprised me,” she whispered quietly.
“As usual.” “Can you be more modest?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Nope.
That’s no fun.” “You’re incorrigible,” she rolled her eyes and punched my shoulder with her little fist.
“I don’t recall us becoming such close friends.” “You passed the test.” “Test?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.
A probationary period, so to speak.
I thought you were one of those golden boys…” she waved her hand in the air, “you know, the ones from Shikaakwa, the clan types.
After all, you have…
special ‘acquaintances.’ Like your mother.
And those don’t come out of nowhere.” “Well, tha-a-anks.
I don’t even know whether to be offended by that or, on the contrary, happy…” At that, I turned and headed toward the meditation room.
“Where are you going?” Vessira was surprised.
“Did I offend you?” There was even more surprise in the last question than in the first.
“No, it’s just that the bell already rang, and we have class with Master Runa now.” Hearing that, everyone immediately scrambled and ran up.
“Why aren’t you hurrying?” Lina cut in, walked around me, and went backwards facing me.
Miralukas sometimes kill me with their three-sixty vision.
“Hurrying to a meditation lesson?” I made a skeptical face.
“Nah.” After thinking it over, the others agreed with me.
After all, it’s the most hated subject in the entire academy.
And it’s not about sitting and meditating being mind-numbingly boring.
No.
It’s that the entire lesson is accompanied by the grumpy muttering of the old Twi’lek who teaches it.
His monotonous voice just freezes you out.
Like an old record, he spins the same words over and over.
At first you don’t notice it, but then students enter a state of meditation for the sole purpose of not hearing him.
I’ll bet they keep him precisely for that reason — because falling into meditation in such a short time takes real skill.
* * * BOOM!
An explosion thundered in one of the halls for Force proficiency.
My attempt to create ball lightning and direct it at a target resulted in something that didn’t look like lightning but had far more destructive potential.
“SHA-ADE!!!” Master Uval roared.
“Oh…” I got up from the floor, surveying the hall.
My group was also coming to their senses.
“Yes, Master Uval?” “I told you to focus a Force lightning in your hand!
And what did you do?!” “Um…
tried to complete the assigned task?” “Idiot!
How many times have I told you, to generate Force lightning you need to concentrate on the Force while giving it the right structure!” Thud!
— he hit me on the head with my own notebook.
We don’t have notepads, but we have books where we write notes and personal observations.
“But I tried!” “You created a Force burst, you idiot!
You still need to set the polarity!
Who was I explaining the process to?” “Master, forgive me…” I got flustered…
I might be a brat, but the Master was right.
“Forgive you?!” “Master, breathe deeper, try to keep your balance — you’re already sparking, and your eyes are yellow…” “I’ll—” Thud!
— another blow with my book to the head.
Yes, Master Uval didn’t like me before, but once he started teaching me, it really took off.
But what can I do if I can’t change my focus?!
I just don’t understand how it’s done — Mom taught me the Force completely differently.
“And what are you staring at?!” he glanced at the others, and they immediately busied themselves cleaning up.
“Master, I understand you’re angry…” he looked at me again.
“…very angry, but I’m not doing it on purpose!” “Not every single lesson!” he flared up and raised the book again, and I tucked my head into my shoulders, ready for another blow of fate.
“I’m a fool, I admit, I repent, just spare the book!” The funny thing was, from the other side, I was provoking him myself.
Just in my own way.
I was interested in Force proficiency and ways to transform it into various forms, which Master Uval excelled at.
So I would specifically pester him, extracting as much material as possible.
The problem was it came to me with difficulty, and not a single damn thing came out right the first time.
At least in his classes.
Plus, I had problems stabilizing accumulated energy.
For example, when the task is to accumulate the Force in a certain sphere without releasing it into the surrounding space, I constantly lose stability.
Honestly, that’s bad.
Not terrible, but bad.
If I can’t stabilize the bursting energy, then Uval was right to some extent — I really do need to meditate more to restore balance.
I remember Yoda said something about the “quick” and “easy” path.
Well, shorty, come here, I’ll show you the “quick” and “easy” path.
After all, the trouble with the dark side isn’t that it flatters you.
No.
It’s the equivalent of motion.
The light side is a brake.
Speed up too much — and you won’t be able to stop.
But if you stop, you’ll never get going.
My problem is the brakes, but I understand that and try to “brake” when I really start to skid.
Go ahead, shorty, tell ME it’s easy when you’re periodically thrown into an arena and told “defeat the beast,” just so you know how to fight it.
What peace?
What are you talking about?
Only adrenaline and hardcore!
And if you really accelerate, you can fall into the planet’s field, so to speak — resonate with it — and then total chaos starts.
Force storms, earthquakes, fire tornadoes formed by the same storms…
and all of this could start at any moment, because of you or someone else.
“Well, I see you’re busy creating a storm,” Uval said, calming down.
“Let’s try meditation.
Maybe you’ll manage to calm your inner energy.” “Meditation?
Now?” “Yes.
Sit down and try to feel the flow of the Force within you.
Don’t try to control it — just be an observer.” I sighed, closed my eyes, and let my senses sink into my own energy flows.
It felt like dozens of streams were moving inside me, fast and chaotic.
I tried to just watch them, not interfere.
Gradually, they began to slow down, merging into a more stable current.
The tension in my chest subsided.
Uval watched in silence, then nodded.
“Good.
You managed.
Remember this state.
You’re not fighting the energy — you’re letting it flow.
That’s the key.
Now try to create a small discharge again, but don’t push — let it form naturally.” I opened my eyes, raised my hand, and concentrated on feeling the slow stream inside me.
A small spark flickered between my fingers, then grew into a steady bolt of lightning, hitting the training dummy right in the center.
Not too strong, but stable.
* * * Uval’s eyebrows rose.
“Well…
that’s better.
Much better.
Keep practicing that state.” I grinned tiredly.
Finally — progress.
The lesson continued, but I no longer felt the pressure of failure.
I had found the rhythm.
After class, the group dispersed.
Ramira caught up with me, still blushing a little.
“Shade…
thank you.
For what you said earlier.
I…
no one has ever stood up for me like that.” “Don’t mention it.
You have potential — I’m just sorry others don’t see it.” She smiled, and for a moment looked more confident.
“You’re strange,” she said softly.
“But…
a good strange.” “Thanks, I think.” The Wookiee, Gris, lumbered over and clapped me on the shoulder, nearly knocking me over.
He let out a series of growls and roars that, with my improving shiriivuk, I understood as: “You fight well.
You have honor.
If you ever need help — just say the word.” “Thanks, big guy.
Appreciate it.” Lina appeared at my other side, her Miraluka sight fixed on something far away, but her smile was warm.
“You’re making friends fast, Shade.” “Or enemies.
Depends on the day.” “Knowing you, probably both,” she laughed.
I shrugged.
That was probably true.
The rest of the day passed in routine: more lessons, more attempts at Force techniques, and a few more arguments with Masters.
But by evening, as I sat on a balcony overlooking the desert, the twin suns setting over the endless sands, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: a sense of belonging.
Maybe this temple, this world, could become home after all.
But the night brought new thoughts.
The memory of that face in the corridor — the one only I saw — lingered.
Who was he?
And why had he been watching us?
I was about to head inside when a ripple in the Force made me stop.
Someone was nearby.
I turned slowly.
In the shadows of the colonnade, a figure stood — tall, cloaked, unmistakable.
“Impressive,” a low voice said.
“No one has noticed me in years.
And yet a boy fresh from the shuttle sees me on his first day.” I tensed, but didn’t reach for a weapon.
“Who are you?” “Someone who has been watching this temple for a long time.
And someone who has been waiting for someone like you.” “Waiting?
For what?” The figure stepped forward, and the fading sunlight caught his face — ancient, scarred, but with eyes that burned with knowledge.
“The galaxy is changing, boy.
Old powers are stirring.
And the Jedi — the Je’daii — are not what they once were.
They need a new kind of warrior.
A new kind of balance.” He extended a hand.
“I can teach you what the Masters here cannot.
The true nature of the Force.
Not just the light or the dark — but the unity beyond both.” I stared at his hand, feeling the weight of the offer.
Everything in me screamed caution.
But another part — the part that had always felt restless, that had always sensed there was more to the Force than the temple taught — was curious.
“What’s your name?” “Names are dangerous things.
For now, call me…
the Watcher.” He smiled, and it was not entirely friendly.
But it was honest.
I didn’t take his hand.
Not yet.
But I didn’t walk away either.
The suns set fully, and the desert darkened.
Somewhere in the temple, a bell chimed for evening meditation.
I had a choice to make.
But first, I needed to learn more.
And maybe, just maybe, I had just taken the first step off the beaten path.
And Master Drags — one of the local luminaries of science — shared with me ‘in secret’ that any machine is actually alive.
Unless, of course, it’s a dry conveyor-belt assembly.
A master, creating a device no matter what it is, puts a piece of his soul into it, so such equipment will, in a certain sense, glow in the Force.
Just a little.
You still have to be able to spot it, but the fact remains.
And if the master is also its owner, then a bond forms between them.
So devices you’ve personally modified, assembled, or at least talked to, will be alive to some degree.
As an example, he cited a case from his own life.
Master Drags didn’t have a left arm — he had a mechanical arm powered by the Force, and he’d lost it in an accident.
He was a pilot himself, and in one conflict, he came under fire.
Being linked with his ship, he didn’t even realize what happened — the plane just suddenly veered sideways, and the burst that should have torn the cockpit apart only shot off a wing.
Later, he found out that right before the impact, one of the stabilizers had malfunctioned, which is why the ship swerved.
But the timing of it…
In short, he loaded me up good.
And not just me — my friends, who were initially trying to get me out of here, also got interested.
So sometimes you could find us there, say, dismantling or assembling a communicator, sharpening weapons, or some other small but useful household task.
Also, they showed me how a Holocron works.
A phenomenal device!
At the intersection of technology and the Force.
Only someone who wields the Force can open it, but once it’s open, ordinary people can interact with it by connecting it to a special terminal connector.
And even though they showed me, explained it, and even let me hold it, I didn’t figure this thing out.
Too complex.
Too over-engineered.
Just too much.
Granted, when we accidentally wrecked one of the machines…
and a few other small things, but that’s not important — they were mad at us, of course, then they forgave us, but the punishment was terrible.
It all helps promote the story.