A Jedi's Path

Chapter Two

I took another mouthful of the bland food feeling the soft texture tingle my taste buds without any sense of excitement, my hand clenched onto the utensils I held and with a brief sigh I looked over to the much shorter man on the opposite side of me. He took a gentle sip of his tea as he continued to eat, his eye remaining focused onto the plate of food, I frowned biting the inside of my cheek he hadn't spared another glance as he took a mouthful. His wrinkly green fingers moving in my view, "your just going to ignore me." I lowly spoke.

My eyes remained trained on him, "Nora. You must understand." He calmly spoke, I sighed taking another mouthful of the food. Moments, before I had been eager to devour the food though it hadn't seemed to be much appetizing, my eyes wandered around the room seeing as countless different kind of people, were in the building, varying from different species as they talked among themselves. Looking carefully around I had noticed a large group of humans, they seemed to be looking through blueprints of some sort, most likely for an upcoming project seeing as this city was undergoing most of the construction.

The bracelet on my hand shook in the air creating a sound of a night chime, clicking in the light atmosphere where voices easily seem to be more superior that us. I looked up watching the green man, "Nora. It's the first time you would ever treat me for this meal, "he said as he looked up taking another casual sip. I narrowed my eyebrows, "Master. With all due respect, I finally had gotten my chance to buy the perfect armor, though you seem to know that and instead want me to buy you lunch." I lowered my voice attempting not to draw no sort of attention.

"Nora. It's either this or you have to go back to training with that man again." I shivered as he mentioned the man I had recently trained with, he was a good opponent though Master had taught me well enough to fend for myself, the man was specifically creepy with his moments and the way he looked at me with his eyes. Master could easily sense it, therefore, he wished to us it as a weakness against me, "that man was no problem at all." I watched a small smirk fall on his lips.

Suddenly with surprise, I watched as a hand slammed down onto the table, my plate flying into the air as the food touched the ground. I looked over to Master Yoda seeing as he had already had lifted both his plate and cup and then rested it back on the table, I looked over to the figure who stared down at me with interest, "newcomers?" He tilted his head, the scar becoming more visible on his eyebrow with a sly smile. His red hair shined in the dark yellow light above his head.

I kept my lips sealed, "you two look interesting." He peered over to Master Yoda, he remained calm and continue to eat his food. I sighed as looked up at him with blank eyes, I watched as his eyes then made eye contact with mine, surprise laced in his expression. I took a deep breath as I watched his gaze lower and remain on my chest, I proceeded to cover my chest up with hardened eyes. He was much worst than the hungry beast at night that prowled the forests.

I adjusted my hood as I tugged it more down making it hover over my eyes, "an old man and a young girl." He spoke slowly, his lips coming closer to my ear than did I feel the pressure on my shoulders. I glanced seeing as he placed his hand over my shoulder, his face then came into view as he peered at me with a sly smile. "Why don't me and you head to the back room, together?" He questioned me, the laughs in the room echoed around me as Master Yoda continued to eat.

He wasn't going to interfere unless he seemed it would be necessary. His hand crept onto my face and took hold of my chin, I glanced over to Master Yoda seeing as he gave me a light hopeless sigh with a slight nod. I took hold of the man's hand and twisted it, I then shoved him back. He let out a low gasp as shock overtook his features, the man was handsome with raven black hair and dark brown eyes as well with a tall and built physique.

He grinned, "I like a fighter." He took another step forward, "here he goes again, Corbin. You know you shouldn't fight in the bar." A casual voice spoke behind the bar, he waved his hand back at the woman as she was wiping the clear glass cups. "I'll pay for the damages." I got up slightly moving my shoulders against feeling the uncomfortable cloth against my skin, he looked at me with a bright grin. I glanced over to Master Yoda seeing as he sipped his tea lightly, he wasn't one for violence, but it was on clear display this man was acting wrongly.

I took a step forward, "alright. You really wanna fight." He lowly spoke as he took another step forward, his fists raised as his steps became more confident. He dashed towards me letting the people around us cheer, was this a fight club? I took a deep breath as I ducked his strong quick punches, he retreated back with a frown but then lunged forward using his feet as an extension of him. He performed an efficient roundhouse kick to my side though I blocked it with my forearm.

The sound of the block in the room echoed, he pulled back with a confident grin and proceeded to continue. I raised my fists hearing as the shouts began to become louder and the eyes were on us, "I see you're getting serious now." I sealed my lips tight as I looked at the man. My fists closed as I kept a calm mind, I was planning on teaching him a lesson, I breathed out feeling the brush of the wind touch my skin as I dodged his strong punches.

My eyes danced along his statute, looking for a weakness I narrowed my eyes seeing as he had rather left his legs more opened and free, I spun and landed onto the ground and with quick actions I reached out kicking his feet harshly. He groaned as he fell to the ground, I got to my full position as I stared at him, he looked at me more surprised than shocked, "wow." A person breathed out, Corbin quickly scrambled to his feet as he lunged towards me anger in his movements.

I sighed as I easily brushed away his attacks, he was frustrated with his movements and seemed to have second thoughts about his abilities, therefore he was unable to fully concentrate on his actions. He seemed to be easily swayed and looked to be admired by others, though looking around now it seems he fails to do so, pressuring him even more as he lunged his unfocused and uncontrolled punches towards me with anger and a fierce attitude.

I adjusted my arms as I knocked his away and with a quick turn I slammed the hilt of my shoe against his chest, he let out a loud groan as he flew into the front of the bar. My eyes than danced to the woman holding the glass as she dropped it, I breathed out turning around seeing as Master Yoda's figure already heading for the exit. The sound of the bottom of his cane echoed in the room as we exited, I tightened the hood onto me as my hand held onto the bracelet Zeno had given me.

We exited the bar with a threatening silence and moved out into a busy and local street, there was a more joyful vibe as the people around me laughed and resonated with each other, sites of food stalls having steam from the freshly cooked food flutter into the air. I quietly followed behind Master Yoda unsure of what his reaction would be like, I trailed after him seeing as the brightness from the sky fade and soon resulted into a dim darkness, the night was arriving quicker than expected.

Master Yoda then climbed upon a gray hard rock, his eyes trained on me as he gently pulled his hood down. I sighed as I followed after him gently pulling my hood down, my hands then ran through my hair as I reached back and let the rest of my hair flow down my back. He placed his hands in his lap, "patience, you must." His voice was lower and calm than expected, "I have taught you for very long, yet you've lack patience, you do." I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Do not worry Nora, you will become a Jedi Knight, I had confidence that you surpass my expectations." I smiled brightly at him. I looked up to the stars that shined brightly, I narrowed my eyes when I heard a loud scream. I looked over to Master Yoda, he immediately began to dash forward into the woods, I managed to pull my hood up in the scramble through the thick bushes. I looked ahead seeing as Master Yoda pushed out into the open, from the minimum distance I spotted the small fire.

The color itself tainting the air as the black smoke arisen from the houses, I grounded my teeth as I broke into the open. A large group of battle droids had been in a circle, inside the circle were seeming to be people, the people of this small village away from the city. One of the droids raised their weapon pressing the barrel to the sobbing woman as she cradled her infant in her bruised arms, "where are they." Stormtroopers had been walking around as they shot flames towards the houses.

I crouched down beside Master Yoda as we took cover, "we are going to protect them?" I looked over to him for confirmation, he nodded. "Violence is not the Jedi way, though these people are innocent." He claimed lowly, the battle droid pressed the gun harder to her forehead. "Where are the rebels." I furrowed my eyebrows at the droids words, I stood up as I looked down at Master Yoda he nodded.

At the same moment, we took a leap, I flipped forward into the circle as I activated my lightsaber I twisted within the air as I landed directly behind the battle droid. I quickly spun my blade in my hand, hearing the buzzing sound as my lightsaber connected with his neck successfully cutting the head off. I looked around seeing as the battle droids and stormtroopers had fallen down, I looked over to Master Yoda seeing as his hands were up. He pushed them all back, I gulped as I spun my lightsaber avoiding the bullets from the other battle droids.

I heard a gasp from the woman, "Jedi." I raised my hand as I slammed the group of battle droids back, they stumbled to their bottoms. I breathed out as I glanced behind me seeing as my Master had already defeated half of the group of enemies, I jumped over the group flipping as I did. I landed in front of the group of battle droids, with a quick click I heard the buzzing sound I held the lightsaber in front of me as I looked to the battle droids, releasing the air constricted in my chest as I wielded the double edged lightsaber.

The bullets rang in my ear as I lunged forward, my movements nimble and deadly my hair danced in the wind. I flipped over the next droid as his own comrade shot him directly, I then jumped forward slicing him in half with a swing, I flipped back as two more battle droids remained. Their bullets aimed for me though I spun the lightsaber in my hands as I walked forward, "uh-oh." One of them spoke as I sliced their gun off, I leaned forward and twirled the lightsaber in my hand slicing both of them.

I sighed as I looked around me, the group had consisted of battle droids varying from twenty. I frowned as I looked down to them, I would have to work on my efficiency for cutting them apart, I ran a hand through my hair feeling the turns of the braid on me. I licked my lips as I made my way back to Master Yoda, "a village, hm?" He looked around seeing as the people assisted in taking the fires out quickly, I followed his eyes seeing the smoke soon died down.

"I am sorry, Master." I lowered my gaze as I bit the corner of my lip, "why are you apologizing." He asked lightly, "it seems that my skills haven't enhanced at all." I tucked my lightsaber away as I looked over to him. He responded with only a light smile, "you do not realize it padawan, but you have grown more than I could imagine." My heart thumped as it swelled with pride, I fiddled with my fingers behind my back as a man and woman rushed up to us.

They bowed to us with bright smiles, "Thank you, Jedi. We appreciate how much you helped us." The woman softly spoke, I easily took my hood off and smiled lightly to her she looked at me with awe and smiled even bigger. The man beside her looked at me dazed, she nudged him in the shoulder as he looked down then back up again, "the female Jedi's have become more admiring." The woman joked about as she looked at me, I looked away it was unusual to receive compliments with someone I hadn't been familiar with yet.

She swooned as she leaned further looking at me, "and such beautiful eyes." She spoke with a smile, "Zyra!" There was a shout as a group of people dressed in dark camouflage proceeded through the tall lanky trees, I looked to Master Yoda who seemed intrigued by the new people. He had already been holding his cane as he awaited to see the people with soft eyes, I looked over to them seeing as two guys and a girl met with 'Zyra' I looked in the other direction and quietly walked away not wanting to bother them.

I gulped when I heard them, "they attacked again." Zyra breathed out, "it seems you guys already handled the problem." A deep voice from the two spoke, "well-it wasn't actually us. Two Jedi's helped us." There was a brief pause and then I heard my Master's voice, "such young ones claimed to be rebels." My master lightly spoke, his tone seemed to be addressing the reaction of them. I breathed out as I heard the woman talk, "aren't you a bit small?" I looked back seeing as she tilted her head at him.

When I looked at one of the boys he looked at me, his shocking blue eyes locking with mine for a moment. "Is that the other one?" He asked I looked away. "Padawan, she is." He spoke, "Annora." Master Yoda called for me, I turned around and began to walk towards them. I kept my eyes lowered until the familiar voice urged me to raise my head, "Nora?" I looked up locking eyes with Lux. He dashed towards me and before I knew it I was embraced into a tight hug.

I gasped out loud as I wrapped my arms around him, he pulled back looking at me with a bright smile. His hair that was usually styled upwards remained to give a more messy appearance though his eyes remained the same, with softness and kindness he held inside him the blue orbs that shine brightly even the darkest time of night. "I can't believe it is you." His accent rang, I bit the inside of my cheek as I nodded feeling the eyes of my Master I slowly pulled away.

"It has truly been a while." I brushed away my hair from my eyes, I slowly watched as a woman with sharp blue eyes approached us along with a boy sporting similar features to her, she seemed to be slightly aggravated but smiled brightly when her eyes looked over to Lux, I furrowed my eyebrows. "You're a Jedi, hm?" She looked me up and down, her eyes reached mine and I could feel the slight envy and jealousy in her eyes. I nodded then turned towards the other voice.

"Not bad." The other man spoke, his bright blue eyes doing the same as the woman did. Master Yoda then approached us along with Zyra and the previous man from before, "late it is." He looked to me, I nodded with a brief sigh. "We were supposed to head to the temple." I tilted my head a bit, "I know this may be weird but why don't you guys stay the night, take this as our thanks for saving us." Zyra spoke with a smile a boyish grin on her face.

I looked over to Master Yoda, "grateful, we are." He nodded his head, "well. The houses her may be damaged why don't we take you to our base." Lux spoke with a smile, "that would be great." I spoke with a smile. Together with Master Yoda, Lux and the two siblings I met Saw and Steela Gerrera, we walked for what seemed to be a half an hour though I was shocked to see another small village though this one seemed to be built more differently.

Sights of packs of bullets laid on a table along with guns and heavy duty equipment that seemed to be used for a war, I spaced out seeing as the site slightly frightened me. I glanced at Lux's back, he hadn't only gotten more attractive though it seemed he himself has changed, the way he walked and carried himself was different from the time I had previously seen him. "I'll take you to your room." Lux looked back to me with a smile, I nodded briefly before following him.

I entered the room behind Lux, I was presented with an average sized bed and a coffee table located at the side of the right-hand side of the bed. I looked around the room before hearing the voice, "how have you been?" He asked me gently, I looked over at him for a moment before running my fingers over the coffee table, "I suppose alright." I breathed out, the burning memory of that neverending memory had been burned into my head including every single detail.

"What about you?"I asked as I sat on the bed, he sat by my side as well our hands close to each other. I chewed on my lower lip, "everything is slowly coming together. Once we finally get the king back to his original throne everything will be better." I took a deep breath, "so that is why you are all called rebels." I turned to look at him, his eyes were staring ahead, "I finally found others who believe in the same cause as me." He turned to me giving me a breathless smile.

"It was really great to see you." I watched as his hand was placed over mine, I was slightly taken back but smiled seeing as he done the same. "I could s-" I was halted in my words as Steela and Saw came into the room, I pulled away from my hand from his seeing the sharpened eyes of Steela. "Are we interrupting anything?" Saw asked as his eyes flickered back and forth between me and Lux, I shook my head, "no you are not." Lux then got up as well I did.

I slowly took off my robe as placed it gently on the coffee table, "were your eyes always that color?" I froze at Steela's words, my body became stiffer as the silence in the room was on for a few more long seconds. I took a deep breath, keep calm, I told myself as I turned to her. My fingers remained behind my back as I stared at her, "no. They were not." I turned away as I had gotten ready my bed, feeling the eyes all on me. Her tone was lower indicating her curiosity.

"How did you lose one of them?" Her tone was soft, she was giving both sympathy and pity to me. "A battle with my friend and Darth Vader had caused the loss of my eye." My voice was quiet, I looked to them seeing as they were all stiff, "if you'll excuse me I would like to go to bed." I pulled the sheets back and watched from the corner of my eye as the three of them retreated out the room. I rested my head against the pillow as I looked up to the ceiling, my fingers ran through my hair deeply.

Flashback To The Past

I laughed, "Rosa you know better to never wake Aladdin from his sleep." The slightly taller girl had given me a sharp sigh and roughly ran a hand through her short dark hair, the boy beside her yawned as he walked with closed eyes his arms over his chest. I huffed slightly frowning as I done so, the girl in front of me glanced back with her sharp green eyes that calculated me for a moment, Rosa Jims, someone who had been an idol within the same rank at the time.

She was known for her being exceeding the potential of other Force-sensitive children and rose to the ranks quickly, though she had seemed to halt from being promoted to a Jedi Knight and remained a padawan, this had been one of the main reasons I looked up to her she yearned to teach others to become one with the force and assist in the training of us. Despite her attire, she had graced everyone with kindness and concern when needed, "Rosa." Lynda groaned as she followed behind her.

I quietly followed behind the three feeling the four presences behind me, I felt the large hand on my shoulder, Lucas's gaze locked with mine. As the trio behind us mingled into a conversation, "are you worried?" He asked me gently, his tamed light blue eyes locked with mine in a sense of concern I gave a small sigh, he flashed me a grin exposing the dimples on his cheeks. "Don't worry we have two Jedi knights with us, it is, after all, a small mission, not a large scale one." I nodded again at his firm words.

The hallway was filled with buzzing conversations, ones that I will forever remember in my memory, my eyes glanced over Lucas as I noticed the mark on his neck. I cringed at the sight but couldn't help admire him to the most, Lucas was known for being the most gentle amongst us he was talented in both the force and wielding his saber though he excelled in intelligence and was the highest ranked among us along with Rosa. Lucas and Rosa had both been padawan for a year more than us meaning they had gotten more experience than the rest of us.

"Caleb." I called out to him, he craned his neck to me as he looked at me with interest within his eyes, "hm?" He responded lightly with a smile on his lips, "thanks for everything." He smiled brightly at me, I had never thought in those simple minded moments that I would come to realize that those were my last words to him in his state of happiness. Caleb nearly stumbled forward as Urya hooked his arm around Caleb's neck, "hey you're mean. Leaving me behind like that." He frowned lightly.

I smiled at the goofball of the group, his grin contagious as it spread to the ends of his lips. He raked a hand through his messy hair before looking over to me, "Caleb, don't be hogging Nora to yourself." Caleb's cheeks flushed for a moment as he glanced over at me, his eyes averted quickly once they met mine, my chest tightened with shock. I bit the inside of my cheek as the two buried themselves into a conversation, I looked over to Hyra, her bored eyes remaining forward.

Like Urya she sported similar features, the two were simply known for being the rising siblings when it came to be a Jedi, "morning." She grumbled as she tucked her hands in her pockets, clearly showing her interest in the mission was something she never done but today it seemed different as if she knew something interesting was going to happen during this mission. Following behind everyone I was the smallest and weakest among them, everyone excelled in either the force or their weapons, though I remained to be lacking in both departments.

Master Yoda had often reminded me that I will have a day were I master everything and being a Jedi was one that had required a single being to completely submit to the force and eventually the true powers of being a Jedi will arise. Breathing out I sat onto the seat feeling as the belts were wrapped around me, locking eyes with Rosa she flashed me a smile as she fixed it, "gotta make sure you are taken care of first." She clicked the belts with a smile before ensuring everyone was carefully seated.

I glanced at her admiring her actions but hating it, because of her actions I had felt like the baby and she easily noticed that. Sure she wanted the best for me but it had made her see me as the weakest, curling my fingers around the belt I felt the ship take off as we entered hyperdrive, my nervousness increased as I heard a slight cough from one of the two Jedi Knights. Facing the front two Jedi Knights stood tall, the gentle and kind one was known to be Cobalt and was known to have great battle skills.

The other one who looked in the distance and was quieter was Ivan, his dark blond hair matted on his forehead as his dark eyes glanced back at us. Cobalt smiled lightly at us, "so as all of you are aware of we are going on a mission. One that requires effective teamwork and communication. We are going to get intel from a tower that is run by General Grievous on the upcoming attacks on one of our main bases." Hearing the lower tone from Rosa as she spoke, "aren't we suppose to given a different task. This one seems too large." Cobalt nodded, "we are but it seems we are the only group available for this mission." She nodded and leaned back.

Lucas across from me sent me a light smile as he noticed me biting my fingernails, "since we have a large group we are going to split up." He looked around the room, Ivan than had managed to find his voice as he spoke, "Lucas. Hyra. Aladdin and Annora will be with me." Cobalt nodded as he looked over to the rest of people, "that means the rest are with me."I gulped as I shakily crossed my arms over my chest, I was way too nervous over something the others seemed to brush off as normal.

Gulping I yet again looked out the window seeing as our destination was reaching closer and closer than it seemed and my nerves appeared to be jumpier than, huffing I closed my eyes resting my head against the wall. Taking a deep breath I attempted to calm myself, "actions aren't you strongest weapon it is your thoughts." The words Obi-Wan Kenobi had spoken to be as he seen me before my first mission.

He was right.

Opening my eyes I furrowed my eyebrows, here I come Grievous.