The moment I entered the room Master Garos had indicated, I stopped dead in the doorway.
Ahead, behind the desk, sat her…
the one I quietly feared.
I was basically afraid of only two beings in the world.
Mom, and…
“Shade.” “Master Tsikuna.
I…
I’m sorry…” I bowed.
This woman had not just earned my respect — she’d become a rock-solid authority.
And I didn’t even understand how…
she just knew how to find the right approach.
The tranquility that radiated from her was calming, her Force demanded respect, and the hint of playfulness added a positive note, reminding me of Mom.
“Hm?” She tilted her head.
“Ah, no, come in,” she waved dismissively, putting some parts of an unidentified device into her desk.
I got curious and walked over.
“Not going to punish me?” I raised an eyebrow.
“No — after all, the Greatest Monster of Qigong Kesh has its charms,” she smiled, turning her gaze back to me.
“I’m a monster?” “Well, yes.
Don’t you know what the teachers call you behind your back?” “Nope.” “Now you do,” amusement radiated from her.
“…” How does she do it?
Mocking me so subtly.
Embarrassed, I dropped my gaze, my hands clasped behind my back.
“But that’s not why I called you here.” “Huh?” “Shade, do you remember our conversation about the Force?” the Temple Master asked, turning her gaze to a wall painting depicting two elements: Light and Darkness in the hands of a Je’daii.
In one hand he held a dark sphere, in the other a light one.
“When you argued that the Force comes from within ourselves?
And that there’s no point in delving into just one side, because they’re already within us, with all their flaws and advantages.” “Yes, Master.
Master Runa nearly tore my head off then, calling me an apostate.” She smiled.
“Yes.
Master Runa is quite conservative in his views, but that’s his personal opinion.
What I’m getting at is that your point of view has a right to exist alongside the generally accepted one.
You’ve already accepted it, and there’s no point in retraining you.” “Retraining me?” I made the dumbest face I could muster.
“Stop playing dumb, Shade.
I can see that you do things your own way.
The way you think is right.
And I can see your methods sometimes diverge from the generally accepted ones.
Take meditation, for example.
While we try to sense the world around us, you try to hear the Force within yourself.
I can see that.
Besides, you don’t follow the temple masters’ advice completely like others do.
No.
You process the information and adapt it to yourself.
And it’s not like the method is bad.
Take the Force Roar, for instance.
While padawans spend takedas trying to master this ability, you created it in a matter of days.
You didn’t copy it — you took it, analyzed it, and made it your own.
That’s commendable, don’t you think?” “Yes…
I think so too.” “Then why are you still being punished all the time?” “Because…
well…” I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
“You don’t make an omelet without breaking eggs?” “Shade.” “Fine, I just enjoy it.” “Enjoy what?” “Studying the structure of the Force.
The way it behaves when interacting with a living organism.
And if, during these studies, I accidentally break a workbench or cause a small explosion…” I spread my hands.
“That’s science.” “That’s vandalism.” “Science!” I insisted, and she laughed.
“I won’t argue with you.
You’re still young, you want to learn.
Your mother was the same.
That restlessness of hers…
it was contagious.” “You knew my mother?” “We were…
acquainted, yes.
A talented Jedi.
But a terrible mother.” “I wouldn’t say that,” I frowned, but she raised a hand, stopping me.
“I didn’t say it as an insult.
She gave you freedom.
She trusted you.
In her own way, she raised you correctly.
But she also gave you too much freedom at an early age, and now you’re…
like this.” “Like what?” “A chaos agent with good intentions,” she said with a sly grin, and I snorted.
“So…
you’re not going to punish me?” “I’m going to give you a new task.” “What kind?” She reached into her desk and pulled out a small, sealed container.
“There’s an archive room in the lower levels that was sealed after the last war.
I need you to go there and retrieve something.” “And you’re sending me?
Not one of the senior masters?” “Because the archive reacts to the living Force.
Too many masters in one place create an imbalance, and the security systems there are keyed to disturbances.
One person, especially one with your…
unique signature, will pass unnoticed.” “That sounds suspicious.” “It is.
But you’re the only one who can do it.” I sighed heavily.
“Fine.
But I’m taking my friends.” “No.” “Just Gris.” “…
Fine.
Just Gris.
The Wookiee.” “Deal.” I grinned, taking the container.
“Where exactly is this archive?” “You’ll find out when you get there.” “Great.
Love the clarity.” She laughed again.
“You remind me more and more of her.” “Of Mom?” “Of your mother, yes.
Exactly the same insolence.” “I take that as a compliment.” “Get out of here before I change my mind.” I bowed quickly and slipped out of the room, pocketing the container.
An archive.
Sealed since the war.
Just me and a Wookiee against the dark unknown.
What could possibly go wrong?
“…” I stand, stupidly staring at the Master, who’s blazing with mischief.
“Surprised?” “Honestly?
Yes.
I expected you to scold me for my… uh… uh?” I didn’t have time to finish before she burst out laughing.
“Master?” “…Ha-ha-ha… sorry.
No, I won’t scold you for that.
You’re simply curious, and a Master’s job is to answer the questions asked.
Who’s to blame if no one took you seriously, and then it was too late?” She shrugged.
“But you didn’t answer the question.” “Well… yes.
I’m surprised.
Until now, I thought my perspective significantly changed some notions about power.
But this…” “Could lead to exile,” she nodded.
“Yes, you’re right.
It could.
But the thing is, unlike your father, you’re not saying anything radical.
The essence doesn’t change, you’re just using a different approach.
Besides, someone is needed who can bring a fresh, new perspective to our faith.
I think that someone will be you.” “Optimistic.” “More likely no than yes,” she answered with a sigh.
“Sad as it is, not everyone will acknowledge it.
Your mother sent you here specifically because of me.
In any other temple, they’d have tried to retrain you.
Teach you to do things the ‘right’ way.
The ‘proper’ way.
They’d have destroyed your talent.
And that’s the best-case scenario — the worst, you already know.” “Sorry, you mentioned talent.” “And?” “What kind?” “Tell me, what drives you forward?” she suddenly changed the subject.
“Well…” I hesitated.
“I want to be worthy.
I want my mother to be proud of me…” Her gaze turned somewhat skeptical.
“…and I want to be free.
I want to live and see the joy of friends and family, want to hear their laughter, rejoice with them.
I want to be strong enough to protect not just myself, but them too.
I want to find my father…” I finished quietly.
“Your talent, Shade, is that you won’t back down.
You’ll dig in with your montrals, but you won’t give in, won’t surrender.” “I don’t have montrals,” I shrink back.
“You understood me.
And your goals are clear to me.
If that’s the case, how about I help you a little?” “Hm?” “Let’s go.” Rising from the table, she led me after her.
“Where to?” “You’ll see.” How interesting.
What did they want to show me?
Walking through the temple corridors, we ended up in a spacious hall.
Various beings were depicted on the walls, all in robes with blades in hand.
I was genuinely stunned by the sight, because the concentration of the Force here was higher than in the temple’s other halls.
“This is the Hall of Knowledge,” Tsikuna drew my attention.
“Master?” “Here they study more… advanced forms of the Force.
Since you’re leaving in six months, I decided to personally take charge of your training.
You’ve already learned all the simple techniques, thanks to Aara, and what you hadn’t — you’ve refined here.
Now I’ll show you deeper techniques.” I tilted my head questioningly.
“You’ve already studied the general principle of the technique, Tutaminis, haven’t you?” I nodded.
“Yes.
It’s a technique for absorbing, dispersing, or redirecting energy.
Without it, Master Uval would have made mincemeat of me with my own diary long ago.” Tsikuna laughed.
Brightly, but not loudly, to the point of tears.
“Oh…” She wiped away a tear.
“Yes… you two definitely get along.
But how about you practice with me now?” “Huh?” In response, she lit a fire in her hand.
“Oooh!” “The Force has far more facets than one can imagine.
It’s capable not only of vibration, but also of change and interaction with anything, including at the molecular level.” “I’ve heard about that.
From Master Drags.
They actively practice this direction at Stav Kesh.” “Correct.
That’s where it was first discovered, but here it has evolved into something more.
For example, the technique I’m about to use is called ‘Pyrokinesis’ control over fire.
If you learn this technique well enough, you’ll be able to walk through any flame unharmed.” She was already preparing to throw a sphere at me when I raised both hands.
“Wait, wait!
Why am I being honored like this?” “You’re different, Shade.
You may not notice it, but I see how much you stand out from the other students.
And I’m curious.
Curious how you’ll master unfamiliar and rather complex techniques — the kind mastered on the path to becoming a Master.” After these words, a huge, goddamn fireball flew at me.
“‘R’K-har!’ a cry escaped me in my native tongue.
I only had time to raise a barrier, which the ball ricocheted off into the wall.
There wasn’t even a scorch mark on it.
“Again!” “No-no-no, I don’t want to-o-o!” I dodged the next ball, but the third I had to absorb using the Tutaminis technique since it flew straight at me.
But the fourth broke through the technique and slammed me into the wall.
“Oof… this isn’t help, it’s a beating… khakh…” “Get up, Shade.
We’ve only just begun…” “I’m afraid I won’t live to see the end…” I rasp, nevertheless getting up.
* * * From that moment on, I was in hell.
Tsikuna drilled me every day as if preparing me for war.
What we went through in the first half of the year was nothing compared to what she was giving me.
Well, that was a general course, while this was already specialized and focused for those who had decided to follow the path of studying the aspects of the Force through techniques.
Pyrokinesis, which allows control over fire.
Force Stun, capable of taking down a non-Force-sensitive, and if hit hard enough, even a Force-sensitive won’t fare well.
Ionization, which is a directed pulse that disables technology.
Something like an EMP grenade, but cooler.
You can adjust the density, range, and direction of the stream.
About the Force Masking, which Master Bag actively used, I’ll tell separately, because I’m still playing the “Who finds whom” game.
And about the “Force Weapon” I’m not even mentioning!
This technique allows you to imbue a weapon in your hands with the Force to such an extent that the blade will cut through steel like a knife through butter!
Even if it’s made of the exact same material.
As one moose used to say, “phenomenal!” They also briefly told me about something called “Hibernation Trance.” This ability allows you to sink into a very deep kind of sleep for healing and survival.
Particularly effective in low-oxygen conditions.
Such a “sleep” can last a Takedu or even a year, depending on how much stamina one has.
They told me about it but didn’t teach me, since that’s taught at the Healing Temple.
However, they did teach me a primitive form, so that if I end up in a radiation or acid zone, I won’t die immediately and will have a chance to get out.
They also taught me primitive Force Healing and “Crucitorn.” The latter is a technique for overcoming physical pain beyond the normal threshold.
The technique allowed blocking one’s own consciousness from external influences.
Through mental penetration, one could either focus on a different sensation or increase the target’s pain to such an extent that a simple touch would feel like hellish agony.
Incidentally, the latter already fell under “special” skills, if you could call them that, and the fact that she was teaching me them… frankly, I didn’t understand.
I simply refused to understand why she would do this.
But since it was given, it would be a sin to complain.
I also learned a technique called “Vulnerable Point.” This technique allows you to sense vulnerable points in mechanisms, organisms, and material in general.
Example: there’s glass in front of me.
I sense the point, place my hand on it, give a small impulse.
CRACK!
The glass shatters into fragments.
Minimum effort, maximum profit.
There was also telepathy.
I ended up having to tell her about my special innate talent, which provoked a whole storm of positive emotions.
This maniac started testing and selecting different supplementary properties for my talent, trying to develop and simultaneously study it.
The sessions progressed to the point that when my wave contacts an object, I began to sense its emotional background better and can now easily determine whether it’s lying to me.
Alas, I won’t learn to hear thoughts, because that’s a completely different science.
But the worst part was that I had to experience all of the above on myself.
Oh, how many times I got burned, how many times I gritted my teeth from unbearable pain, and how many times they tried to revive me from an incorrect entry into the Hibernation Trance.
Even Master Uval, who sometimes dropped by our training sessions, initially looked ha-a-a-appy, but eventually even he started feeling sorry for me.
In a word — horror.
But there was a result, and it was visible to the naked eye.
* * * “Oof…” I groaned, collapsing onto the bed.
“Where do you keep disappearing to?!” Ramira fumed, beginning to heal me.
Simple applications of the Force perfectly relieved fatigue and healed minor wounds — exactly the ones Master Tsikuna had missed while patching up my fractures.
Yes, I have enough nerve to crash into the girls’ room, regardless of anything.
Well, where else is one supposed to rest after brutal training if not here?
Especially since my room is even further away, and right now every step is an effort.
“Having extra sessions with the Force,” I grumble, staring at the ceiling.
“And aren’t you tired of it?
There’s not a spot on you that’s unharmed.
And who even teaches you LIKE this?!” Ramira fumed, nevertheless working her magic on me.
My muscles gradually relaxed, the pain subsided, and my complexion returned to normal.
“Unfortunately… it’s necessary,” I sigh and suddenly feel a light prick in my arm.
“Ow!” “Oh, how delicate we are,” Ramira remarked, putting away a small cylinder with my blood.
“Hey!” “Necessary,” she shot back simply.
“Why?!” “I want to check something…” “Instead of hanging out with us, eating together, talking more, you’re off training somewhere,” Ves grumbled, settling in beside me.
“With you all?
Or with you?” A sardonic smile crept onto my face.
“With me, of course.
Uh, I mean… idiot!” A light fist thumped into my shoulder.
Only, judging by emotions, the indignation was very skillfully feigned — the cat was laughing inside.
“A complete one, not on speaking terms with my head.” I wrap an arm around her and brazenly flop onto my side.
I feel a bright shock mixed with a storm of joy.
“Strange,” Ramira drew our attention.
“Mmm?” “Your midi-chlorian count has grown,” she stated, thoughtfully nibbling on her thumbnail.
“Very strange.
No, it’s logical, but the oscillation readings are too high…” “Ramira, please explain it for a layman.” “When we first arrived here, they took blood from all of us.
Since I spend a lot of time in the medical wing, they let me see our group’s test results, so I know everyone’s levels.
Right now, your midi-chlorian count is fifteen thousand, but when we first arrived, it didn’t exceed twelve.” She paused and looked at me.
“What kind of training are you doing?!
To increase your connection with the Force like that, you need to regularly do something serious.
Very, very serious.
And not only that, you yourself must be constantly bathed in the Force, like X-rays.” “Wait, wait, wait,” I stop our medic, having singled out one of the main questions.
“First answer this…” “Well?” “I don’t get it, don’t these midi-chlorians regulate your connection to the Force?” “No.
Where did you even hear that?!” “Uh… never mind.
So how does it work?” “Your connection to the Force is yours and yours alone.
Midi-chlorians need beings with high Force sensitivity to survive.
And the higher the sensitivity, the more comfortable they feel, so they multiply.
Their count is used to gauge a being’s Force level.” “Ahhh…” and mentally I add: “Anakin, you cheater!
Born on a desert planet, grabbing over twenty thousand right from the start — that’s just insane!
And I don’t even know what pisses me off more.
The fact that he started with such a buff, or the fact that he f*cked it up!” Shaking myself off, I return to the real world.
“Okay, fine, I understand, thanks.
But what’s the problem with your complaint?” “The difference in your readings is too large,” she returned to the monitor.
“It shouldn’t be like this.
Usually such growth is observed in those who delve too deeply into one or another aspect of the Force.
In that case, midi-chlorians start multiplying like yeast.
But that’s not your case.” A sideways glance at me, accompanied by a flash of disbelief.
“You’re in balance.
And here, I confess, I can’t understand how… how exactly did you raise your Force sensitivity so much?” “Uh…” I recalled how they’d been pounding me flat, and with completely honest eyes answered: “I have absolutely no idea how.
Maybe it’s the effect of the training.” “Let’s say that’s true, but tell me, what kind of training?
What are you doing?” “I’m going through an advanced training course.” With these words, I peel myself away from Ves, raise my hand, and ignite a small ball of fire in it.
Clenching my fist, I extinguish it and look at the excited girls.
“Don’t get excited, it’s pure masochism.” “Why?” Ves looked extremely interested.
She’d always been drawn to the idea of becoming stronger and achieving some success, becoming a recognized Master.
Understandable — she was a girl from a distant, small colony.
“Normally, this material is covered in a safe environment without harm to the student, but it takes years, if not decades.
I, on the other hand, am being run through an express course, forced to experience the full power of these techniques on my own body.” “That’s insane!” Ramira exclaimed.
“It’s effective,” I answer with a sigh.
“Don’t get excited, guys, it really hurts.
But with my lifestyle, there’s no other way.
If I leave here without training at an ‘above average’ level, I’m signing my own death warrant.
Fortunately, my mother provided me with minimum training, and here I’m getting medium-level… if you could call it that.” “Actually, after graduation, we’ll each get a personal mentor anyway.
They’ll take over our training.” “And here my gut tells me there’s an arctic fox waiting for me ahead.” “Arctic fox?” The girls exchanged glances.
“A fluffy little animal with white fur.
It lives on another planet.
Its peculiarity is that it comes completely unexpectedly, silently.
You’re not expecting it, and there it is.
It’s often used as an analogy for trouble — trouble comes from where you least expect it.” “Interesting creature… first time I’ve heard of it,” Ramira murmured thoughtfully.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
“Yes?” “Ramira, are you ready?” The door opened and Zeng appeared in the doorway.
“Oh, I’m coming!” Our healer instantly grabbed her bag, threw a couple of things into it, tossed a tube of healing alchemical ointment at me, and ran to the door.
“That’s it, I’m off.
See you later.
Leaving the room to you, Ves.” She waved at us and disappeared through the door with one of the twins.
“Whoa!” I turn to Ves.
“Am I missing something?” “Zeng started dating Ramira, and Feng is with Ayana.” “Ayana?!
I thought they didn’t get along…” I stare thoughtfully at the ceiling, remembering how those two were constantly at each other’s throats.
Ayana is a Twi’lek from Shikaakwa with a far from peaceful temperament.
On the other hand, I can be happy for my friend.
“Yes.
Apparently even Gris has started seeing someone,” Ves finished me off.
“‘O’valik!’ I exclaim in surprise in Togruti.” “Well, not so much dating as corresponding, since she’s from Ska-Gora.” “Ah… that makes sense,” I nod.
There are a lot of Wookiees on Ska-Gora, so it’s not hard to guess that our shaggy friend found a partner of his own kind.
“Need help with the ointment?” Ves changed the subject, picking up the tube and turning it over in her hands while examining my face.
“I’d appreciate that.” When I turned face-down onto the pillow, she pulled off my shirt and, straddling me, began applying the healing ointment to the marks on my skin.
“I’ve kind of fallen behind on life with all this training,” I grumble into the pillow.
“Only just noticed?” Ves giggled.
“Uh-huh.
People are dating, doing stuff… and I’m completely clueless.” “Shade, do you realize that you have more drills and private sessions than actual classes?” Ves flared with indignation.
“I find it amusing,” I snort.
“Well, I don’t.” “Hm?” “Where’s the Shade who came to the temple with us?
A day didn’t go by without you teasing me, and I’m not even mentioning your habit of scratching behind my ears.” “You have very cute ears,” I smile.
“Yeah,” she got flustered.
“But now I barely see you.
You’re always disappearing somewhere.” “And that’s a good thing!
Ouch!
Ves!” I protest from a hit to a bruise.
“Is my company really so unpleasant for you?” She pouted at me.
“I didn’t say that.
I said that for safety reasons, sometimes it’s better to keep your distance from me to avoid, so to speak, an unfortunate accident.” “You’re an idiot.
A complete idiot.” “I’ve never denied it.” “Heh.
So, with all this training, you’re not dating anyone at all?” “Only with my bed and pillow,” I smile, and Vessira laughed too.
“What, not even anyone in mind?” “Well… how should I put it?” I turned my head and looked at that sly little face.
“Why do you ask?” “And who is she?” Whoa, how Ves flared up.
Indignation, anger, regret, resentment… no, dear, where are you going with this?
Let me try… “Sweet, pretty, pointy-eared… I’ve also scratched her behind the ear.” The Cathar blushed, and not a trace remained of that storm.
“Honestly?” “Absolutely.” “So you do like me after all?” “You already know the answer.” I close my eyes, melting from the shoulder massage.
Ves herself leaned closer and whispered in my ear: “But I want to hear it.” “Yes, Ves.
I like you.” And more quietly I add, “Not every girl could even put up with me, let alone be in a relationship.
You said it yourself — I’m always disappearing somewhere.
I don’t show signs of attention.
Almost.
And even those are… unconventional, let’s say.
But you… you not only tolerate it, but you also make sure I have a full refrigerator and a clean room.
Thank you, Ves.” “If that’s the case, then why do I have to wait so long?!” She pounced on me, digging her little claws into my back.
“Aaaaow!” I twitch, almost jumping, but the Cathar sitting on top pressed me firmly to the bed.
“What do you me-e-ean?” I raise an eyebrow questioningly, managing with difficulty to turn onto my back.
Ves didn’t even intend to get off — on the contrary, she pressed her paws into my chest and peered into my eyes.
And she was peering in a way that didn’t bode well; there was also something in her emotions I couldn’t understand.
“Exactly what I said!
Where’s the romance?
Where’s the courting?” “Uh…” “And where, finally, are my deserved kisses?!” She dug her claws into me like a predator ready to gut its prey.
“I did kiss you!” “I meant real kisses, not your little ‘mwah.'” Her paws closed around my neck, and for a moment I thought I was about to be killed.
“I’ll… make it right!” “You?
And you’ll make it right?” Ves repeated in a voice full of venom.
“Mmm, fair point.
But this time I really will!
For such a cute little charmer, I’d do anything!” “And I don’t want to wait.
You’ve been tormenting me for the last few Takedus as it is.” “Huh?” Those last words knocked the wind out of me.
“Oh, great Force, everyone else has normal guys, and you’re the only one… a unique specimen.” She groaned wearily, casting her eyes to the ceiling for a moment.
“And why do I have to do everything myself?” At these words, she leaned in and kissed me.
Passionately, very deliberately, and completely unskillfully, carefully running her palms over my skin from my neck to my cheeks.
Surprise paralyzed me no worse than Force shackles.
Pulling back, I saw a crowd of little devils dancing in this devil woman’s eyes, and in her emotions, very specific feelings began to dominate.
First and foremost was Passion, followed by a possessive desire to own me.
“Ve-e-es?
Wha…” “Shh,” she pressed a finger to my lips.
“No words.” After that, she pressed herself to me again, her chest against mine.
That was the last straw, and all my years of trained self-control went straight to hell.
Embracing this beauty in return, I ran my palms along her arching back down to her hips.
A moment, and I saw a slight ripple in the Force, and a click of the door lock echoed in the room.
She was drowning me in her emotional background.
Besides desire and passion, there was also timidity, confidence, and assertiveness — the latter evoking an association with a person who had thrown themselves into an abyss.
As if there was no turning back for them.
And all of it was seasoned with a hint of fear, which managed to sober me up a little and help a thought reach my brain.
“Ves,” I pull back slightly, barely regaining control of myself.
“You don’t want to?” She flared with surprise mixed with offense.
“Nonsense.
I do, but…” “Then enough words,” she breathed languidly, licking my cheek.
The slightly rough tongue left conflicting feelings.
Even now, even at such a moment, reason tried to reach me, but this time, alas.
Ves herself crushed the last spark, quietly unbuckling my belt and slipping her hand underneath.
It all helps promote the story.