(Ezra pov)( 5 months later)

It's been five months now. Five months since I blew up the black hole generator. Five months that I been stuck inside the Nexus with the Ardelan people. Their leader, James, had trained me during those time in the ancient art of ninjutsu. Every day was the same routine. I wake up early in the morning, I run around the training court and do body lifting to warm up before each training session. The warm-up exercises have helped me build my body. I'm stronger now, I can see the beginning of abs, It's not fully there yet but with time I bet it will be more defined. After my morning warm-up, I trained with James in hand to hand combat. He taught me many technics on how to defend myself against my opponent attack and on how to better anticipate his intention. And with the book that James had let me borrow, I learn many pressure points on the body. When I wasn't training with him, I was reading that book for hours until my eyes were too tired to continue. During the end of my training session, I would always ask him if I could practice on those pressure points on his body. He was glad to see me eager on learning ninjitsu on my own. So practice the technics that I read in my book on him. In the beginning, I had a hard time performing these technics, The accuracy of my hits or the among of pression I did weren't enough to freeze parts of his body. But with time and his help, I improve my accuracy. Now I can twist the arm of my opponent with enough pressure to lock him into place. And also, every night, I will meditate in my room and focus on the Force around me, lifting items in the air life my book, the chair and sometimes with a lot of concentration I lift my small bed in the air. After meditating, I will concentrate on moving my body energy to one place to another. I still feel my body going limp when I transfer my energy. I have to sit down on the floor when I do it or else my legs will give up and I will fall to the ground. I try once to break a rock with my fist by transferring all of my energy in my hand. I manage to crack the rock, but not without breaking my hand. I spent two weeks without training, recovering from injured hand. He put some kind of cream made of special herbs on my hand to accelerate the healing process.

During those five months, I kept thinking about the ghost crew. I miss them terribly. I wish I could see them again. I wouldn't mine anymore to sleep with him and his snoring, if I could see them again. Out of all of them, Sabine is the one that I miss the most. Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking about her. I always wonder what she thought when I confessed my love to her. Was she surprise, touch, sad or maybe she didn't feel anything. I wish that I could have known her reaction when I told her the truth about my feelings. If return back, I wonder how our relationship will be. Are we still going to be friends or do I have a chance to start something new with her? Maybe something more intimate. Like James told me, only time will tell.

" Today I'm going to teach you, how to disarm your enemy," James told me.

We were in the training court. I was holding a sword in which I learn that it's called a Katana. It's really light like a lightsaber, compared to the other's weapon that I hold before. James was standing in front of me with his hand in front of him, in a fighting stance.

"The key to disarming your enemy is to anticipate where they will want to strike you. For the last five months, you showed me that you could predict your opponent attack by using only your eyes to observe his body language. Now I want you to do it again but this time your opponent has a sword. Once you know where he's gonna strike, you will have to dodge it and close the distance between each other. It's harder to strike someone with a sword when he is centimeter away from you. Use this closeness to grab his sword and steal it. I will show you how to do it." He said while the 'come' signal with his hand.

I took a fighting stance with both hands on the Katana pointing at him. I launch at him. I raise the sword in the air to do a vertical strike at his head. He saw this move coming and took a sidestep, avoid the sharp blade. He took a step toward me, closing the distance before grabbing my wrist and twisting it enough for me to drop the blade without breaking my wrist. He grabs the katana and put it near my throat.

" Now it's your turn to do it" I step back and put my forward, ready to disarm him.

" Remember, the eyes are the key to know where your opponent will strike. Once you know, you can use the knowledge from your book to disarm me." A smirk appears on his face. "Try to surprise me if you can" and with that he launch at me.

As he ran toward me, I see his eyes shift toward my chest. "Gotcha, I know where you're gonna strike" I thought with a small smirk on my face. He went for a straight strike with his right hand. I took a sidestep to the left while shifting my body to avoid the blade. I grabbed his hand, twisting it until I could see his elbow and did a quick hit on it. Sending a electric shock to his arm, making him drop the Katana. I grab the blade in the air and send a kick to his stomach. He took a few steps before looking at me with proud smile.

" Good work Ezra! It seems that all the hours you spent on this book is finally rewarded" He said as I throw back his sword to him.

" How about you spice things up a bit" He asks. Feeling up to the challenge I accepted his offer.

He ran at him at full speed while I look at his body for any sign on where he would strike. He closes his eyes making it harder for me to anticipate his attack. He jumps high in the air while spinning diagonally. I roll away before he could hit me on my head. "shesh, Is he trying to kill me or what"I thought. The moment his foot touch the floor, he launches instantly. As he was about to strike me, he turns the sword around and uses the handle to hit my stomach. I gasp for air before he sweeps my legs, making me fall to the ground. As I was about to congratulate him for winning, I saw his sword coming to my chest. I close my hand together, grabbing the sword between them. "What the hell is he doing" I look up at him to see that he had a blank look on his face. Like if his mind was elsewhere else while his body was here in front of me. As the blade was slowly sliding toward me, I felt a burning sensation at my hands. Blood was coming out of it, dripping down on my face. I was scared shitless. With adrenaline took over my body, I raise my foot, kicking the sword away from me. I kick his kneel, making him stumble back. I raise myself off the ground.

" What are you doing" I ask with panic in my voice. He ran at me with his fist, completely ignoring my question.

"You can use your enemy momentum to throw him off balance" I heard James voice inside my head. It was one of his advice when we were training together for the last five months. As he went to punch me in my face, I did a sidestep before grabbing his wrist in motion. I use the momentum from his punch to put his arm on my shoulder and throw him on the other side of the training court.

" Uhhh What...happen" I heard James voice. He was scratching his head while trying to stand up. I think he hit his head on the floor when I throw him above my shoulder because he was moving like a drunk guy. While he was gaining composure I was walking up to him slowly, ready to defend myself if he tries to attack me again.

"Are you Okay?" I ask. I was concern for his well being. I know that he was right in the head when he attacked me. His mind was somewhere else, he probably didn't know what he was doing.

" Yes... I'm fine. I... just need a break...We're done for now. You can rest if you want." he said before walking into the temple, still holding his head with his hand. As he was walking I saw his other hand turning a bit black while his fingers twitched.

"I hope he is alright"? I thought to myself

I went inside the temple to get alcohol to disinfect my wound and wraps it with bandages. Since we finish my training earlier because of this strange event, I decided to stay in the training court and continue to practice on my punch and blocks on one of the dummies near the wall.


I was in front of James's bedroom. I was wondering if should knock or leave him alone. I wanted to know if he was Okay or not. The way he reacted during my training session wasn't normal. Usually he was calm and tender but firm at the same time. He didn't want me slack off during my training. He always reminds me of the high stake of finishing my training and becoming a ninjutsu master. " If you ever hope to defeat the Tengu or his followers you need to concentrate on your can slack off" He told me this the day when I missed my morning practice because I was still sleeping in my bed, dreaming about Sabine. He made do 50 push-up and 15 laps around the court as punishment. I was completely dead from exhaustion afterward, but I at least I wasn't late anymore. He made sure that I will always be on time for my training. Even if he could be hard on me sometime because he wanted discipline with his students, I know for the fact he wouldn't try to hurt me intentionally. Something was wrong and I needed to know why. But still I didn't want to pry into his privacy. With reluctance, I knock.

Knock*

Knock*

"Come in" I heard Jason's voice through the door. I open it and see him on his kneel in the middle of the room with his back turn to me. There wasn't any bed in sight. He was sleeping on a carpet where he is currently sitting on. As walk up to him, I see that he holding a bracelet with his hand. He had tears in eyes, pouring his cheeks. His eyes were fulling red. I could sense sadness inside of his heart.

I sat beside him. "Are you alright?" I ask

He wipes away his tears while clearing up his throat. " Yes... I'm...fine" He said. I know that he is not fine but I don't want to force him to spill up if he doesn't want to. We just sat there without moving a muscle or talk.

"I'm sorry" I heard him whisper

" What?" I raise my eyebrow

"I'm sorry for trying to kill you back there. I wasn't fully in my mind. For years, I've been fighting off against the Tengu followers, trying to defend our world against wrath. During those battle I saw awful things that I wish could forget but I can't, they are stuck inside of my , I get visions of these events and the fight against the Tengu which will make me lose control of my body and attack anyone near me because I see them as Yokai, not fully realizing that I'm dreaming. Over time these visions have decreased but still see them sometime during the day." he said. I grab his shoulder and squeeze it while giving him a reassuring smile. He turns his head to me and smiles back.

" It's Okay, It's not your fault, you went through tough shit. I can't even imagine the horror you must have seen." I said.

I look down and see that he is still holding the bracelet in his hand. "it belonged to whom" I ask referring to the bracelet.

" It belonged to the love of my life" he said. He had a sad smile on his face with a single pouring down his cheek.

"Who is she"

"Her name is Maria. Maria Rentall" He said

"What's the story between you and her, If you don't might me asking." I said. I didn't want to force him to talk if the memories were too painful.

She is the daughter of Jacob Rentall. He was one the most powerful and influential people in the galaxy compare to me who was the son of a poor farmer. I remember like it was yesterday, I was walking on the street of Coruscant. My mom had sent me to do some errands for her. As I was walking I bung into a girl, making her drop her grocery bags. When I look up my eyes go wide. I never saw a thing as beautiful as the view I was watching now. She was absolutely stunning. She had long blond hair coming to her shoulder. She was wearing a beautiful red dress with flowers on them. I think they were rose but I can't remember. What caught immediately my attention was the innocent look on her face. She had those beautiful blues eyes that could reach deep into your soul. I just stood there motionless, staring at her without care if I look creepy or not.

"Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to help me with this." I was snap back into reality. I crunch down and help her put her groceries in her bags.

" I'm.. Sorry" I stuttered. I didn't know how to talk to a girl. I spent most of my time on the family farm with my brothers, helping our dad on cultivating the land. My mom was the only interaction I had with girls.

" It's Okay, I wasn't looking either" She knew that I was really nervous because of my stuttering but she didn't bother her. It wasn't the first time that men were stunned by her beauty.

Before grabbing her bags and leaving, she turned my face to the side and kissed my right cheek. I was holding my cheek where she kisses it as I was watching her leave. I couldn't resist the urge of looking at her behind as she was swaying her hip.

During the night I kept thinking about her. She just wouldn't leave my head. I knew that I couldn't be with her because of our social difference. She was part of a rich family whereas I was just a farmer boy struggling to get food on the table. But I needed to see her again. Even if we couldn't be a couple, I still wanted see and talk to her. Maybe we could even be friends. Since that day I went every to the city, hoping to find her again.

One day while I was searching for the girl of my dream, I heard an scream coming from an alleyway on my right. I look around and see no one around me. This was secluded part of the city. Not too many people came here. I decided to enter the alleyway to investigate the source of the scream. When I enter the alleyway, I find a girl on the ground, crying. Around her was three guys laughing at her. One guy with a red tomohawk, who had presume was their leader, dropped his pant on the ground. He pinned the girl on the ground as he was ripping her dress.

"Please... don't do this... I will pay you anything" She pleaded. She tried to stand up but the weight on her back from the guy, made it impossible to break free. The leader had remove the woman's pantie and was lining his cock into her pussy. He was about to penetrate her.

" AAAAHHH, SHIT WHAT WAS THAT" The leader screamed. Before he could rape the woman, I threw a broken glass that I pick up on the ground. I was furious, I couldn't that these thugs were about to rape an innocent woman. I needed to stop them.

The leader was clearly furious at me for interrupting his fun. If you can call raping a girl fun. His buddies came running at me, fortunately for me I had few experiences in street fighting. My friends and I used to be fighting against the other kids of the neighborhood, which mean I learned how to defend myself in the early years of my life. One guy from left went to deliver a hook punch on my face. I ducked down and punch his ribs, cutting off his air supply before gripping his head and smashing it on the wall next to me. His friend hit me on my face, making stumble back a few steps with blood pouring down my nose, but at least it wasn't broken. He went for a kick me on my stomach but I managed to grab it with both hands before kicking his others leg, making him fall on his back. Put my knee on his chest, pinning him to the ground. With a roar, I punched him three times in the face, knocking him unconscious. He will probably have to take a visit to the dentist for the broken teeth I gave him.

" WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE. I WILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAD DONE TO MY PALS." The leader was running at me with a knife in his hand. He had managed to put back his pants before charging at me. Scare of his knife, I look around to find anything I could use to defend myself. I saw a trash can and grabbed its cover to use it as a shield. I charged at him with the trash cover in front of me, breaking his hold on the knife. Push him into the wall until he was pinned against it. Once trap, I punched him in his face, breaking his nose. He fell on his knees, holding his nose as he tried to stop the bleeding.

" You and buddies should leave now." I send a death glare at the leader who was trying to stand on his feet. He went to help his buddies off the ground before running away from the alleyway.

I turn around and went to check on the girl if she was alright. When I was near her, my heart stop. The woman in distress was the same woman from yesterday who I had made her drop her grocery bags by accident. She was looking at me with gratitude in her eyes.

" Thank you" She said as I was helping her up. Once she was off the ground launch at me wrapping her arms around my neck. I was completely stunned, it was the first time that a girl hugged me except for my mom. Without knowing I should do it or not, I wrap my arm around her waist, holding her body close to mine. She was warm and soft. I could even smell the shampooing on her hair. While I was enjoying the moment, she suddenly pulled back and gave me a quick kiss on my lip "Omg god, she kiss me" I scream inside of my head. My heart was beating faster now. I didn't know what to do. Then she grabbed me by the hand and we started walking toward her house.

When we arrived, she thanks me again and before entering her house, she gave me another quick kiss on my lips.

"By the way my name is Maria. What's yours"

"James" I stuttered

When she was gone from my sight, I start to walk back to my house with a stupid smile on my face. I thought that I was the happiest man in the galaxy. Suddenly, I felt something weird inside my pocket. I reached inside and found a letter. It contained a message from Maria. It read "Tomorrow at 10 am come find me in the national park of Coruscant." I read. I was excited. She wanted me to see her again. I couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Tomorrow at 10 am, I was there waiting for her. I couldn't contain my excitement for seeing her again. As I was waiting, I was caught by surprise when I felt someone wraps their arms around my waist from behind. I felt the person breath near my ear as he whispers " Did you miss" I recognized that voice it's was maria's turning I said yes. My body was reacting to her closeness to me and I didn't want turn around, afraid that she caught my excitement below my waist. But she didn't care, she just grabbed my hand and pulled me deeper into the park. For the rest of the day we walk everywhere around the park, we had a picnic for dinner. I ate a ham sandwich while she ate a salad. Afterward, I bought her ice cream for which she thanks me with a kiss on my cheeks. We had so much fun.

We were sitting on the grass near the lake, watching the sunset. I had my right arm wrap around her back as she was snuggled against my chest. We were both enjoying the view. She turned her head to look at me

"Thank you for today I had a fantastic day" She grabbed my head by my hair and pull me close to her. Our lips collapsed together in a passionate kiss. I never felt so alive as I was kissing her.

Since that day, we became couple. Every day, she would sneak pass her parents and meet me at the park. Since I was from a poor family, we needed to keep our relationship in secret. Her parents will never have accepted me to date their daughter. For years, we were dating each other, she even took my virginity. I won't go into the detail of that. Just know that I was in heaven.

I was foolish to think that everything will go well in the end. One day as we were walking in the park, she told me that she was engaged. Her father wanted her to marry Larry Reader. He was the son of her father's bestfriend. With reluctance she accepted it, she had to do it for the honor and respect of her family name. She was crying as she told me. As for me I was devastated, I knew that our affair wouldn't work forever but I was still heartbroken when it happens. It was the last that I will ever see her again. But before leaving, she gave me her favorite bracelet, as a memory to remember her by. When I enter my house, I had tears in my eyes. My parent asked me what was wrong but I ignore them and went straight to my room. I spent days It took me an entire year to move on.

For years I didn't see her but I was still in love with her. I dated a few times, but none of my dates felt right. I kept comparing them to Maria and find that they couldn't compare to her. They weren't as smart or beautiful as her. So I decided to quick the dating scene.

The first time that I saw her after so many years was after the war against the tengu. I was a hero for defeating the Tengu, everybody of the galaxy knew about me and my exploit. The chancellor of the old republic wanted to throw a parade for my honor and heroics acts for protecting the people of Coruscant. There were a lot of fireworks during the parade. Everyone was dancing, singing, laughing and overall enjoying themselves. I didn't care about the parade because I didn't deserve it. Without the Ardelan, the Chiss and the soldiers who fought during the war, I wouldn't be able to fight off the Yokai. They are the real hero, I'm just a man in the millions who sacrificed their lives to create a future for the generations to come. In the capital, many Senator came to shake my hand and to thank me for defending our world. As every Senator came to congratulate me I saw her, the same long blond hair, the same beautiful eyes, the same white face. She was there, Maria the love of my life. After all these years, she still looks as beautiful as I saw her the first time. My love for her had never decreased. When our eyes were locked on each other I froze, I was nervous. I didn't know how to react after so many years. Will she be mad at me for contacting her for that long or will she be happy to see me? I didn't know. While walking toward me, she had me that sexy smile which meant that she got something naughty in her mind. She grabbed my hand and thank me for saving our world. When she released my hand I thought that it was over and she would turn back and leave. I was wrong, as she let go of me, she grabbed the back of my head and pull me toward her face. We were lock in a deep and passionate kiss. I was completely stunned by her action. I look around and see everyone looking at us with wide eyes. In the corner of my sight, I saw her father. My heart stop, I started to panic. "Shit, I'm so fucking dead" I thought. But my panic started to diminish when I saw smile to us. I couldn't her father who was one of the most powerful men in the galaxy, was okay for me to kiss her daughter in front of everyone. When our kiss ended her father came in front of me and invited me to supper with his family.

So at seven pm, I was eating steak with Maria family. Everyone was there except for Maria's husband; Larry Reader. When I asked where he was, they told me that Maria divorced him years ago. When I tried to know why, they just ignore me and change the subject. With Reluctance, I decided to let it drop, plus it wasn't any of my business which means that if they didn't talk about it then I will stop asking. When supper was done, Maria grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me inside of her room. Once inside, she started kissing me, I kiss her back. It's been so long since I felt her lips against mine. I was so happy and also nervous because I didn't know where this was going. Was it a one-time thing for old memories or was it something much more. Once our kiss ended, She started to cry. I was puzzled, I haven't expected this kind of reaction. Without knowing what to do I hug and tried to comfort her. Even if I didn't know why she was crying I wanted to comfort her and to keep her safe from whatever was causing her distress While crying, she told me that she was sorry for dumping me for someone else even though she didn't want to. Marrying Larry was one of her biggest regrets and mistake that she ever did. After two years of marriage, she divorced him. When her parents ask why, she told them everything. Everything about our secret affair, her sneaking out of her house to meet, us kissing each other during the sunset. While crying, she told them that she was in love with me and didn't want to marry Larry. She told them that she didn't care that I came from a poor family. She just wanted me back into her life. Seeing her daughter distress and sadness, her father wrapped his arms around, telling her how much he was sorry for forcing her to marry his bestfriend's son. He told her that whoever she chooses to marry, he would support her as long that she is happy with the person she chose. Maria was so happy that her father accepted that she could marry anyone she wanted as long that she was happy. So when she came to my house to see me, she was horrified to learn that I was taken away by the Ardelan who were searching for men to train them for the upcoming battle against the Yokai. She told her parents that she would wait for me no matter how long it will take before I will return. If I never came back, then she would never date someone else except for me. I was dumbfounded, after all these years she still loves me. I couldn't believe my good fortune. Suddenly, she kneeled on the ground and took a box small box inside the pocket. When, she opened my mouth dropped. It was a ring, she was asking me to marry her. During my time it was unheard of a woman proposing to a man. But she didn't care, she just wanted to show me how much she loves me. I immediately accepted, I took the ring and put it on my finger. Them she grabbed me by my arm and pushed me on the bed before crawling toward me with a mischevious smile. She reached my face and started kissing my lips. This night will a night that I will forever cherish in my mind. I finally got the woman of my life. Six months later, we were married. Every member of her family came including my family. We said our vows and we kiss. It was the best day of my life.

Years later, I told her that I needed to return to the Nexus to protect our world against the Yokai. She accepted to come with me. She didn't care that she wouldn't be able to live the life of a rich woman if she came with me. The only thing that she cares about was that she was with me no matter what. She would follow me everywhere, even when she learned that she couldn't ever have kids because of infertility. Since I was a hybrid between the force and the Demon's blood, I couldn't have children. She was committed to our relationship until death, do us part. And she kept her prise to the end. As time went by, I saw my Maria getting older as I stay the same way for thirty years without aging.

I remember her final moment of her life. She was sick in her bed. She couldn't walk anymore without help or eat without assistance. During the finals minutes, I was holding her hand, tears were pouring down my cheeks as I saw the light in her eyes fading away. Before dying, she told me to move on in life and not to dwell on her death. She wanted me to find happiness in life after her death. As for me I told her that I will always remember her and that she would always be my one true love. There will be no woman in this galaxy that could match her in her beauty even though she was old now. When she passed from this world, I took her in my arms and bury her at the park where our relationship had started.

Now the only thing left of her is her memories from our time together and the bracelet that she gave me before she left me to marry her ex-husband.


(Ezra Pov)

"So every time I look at her bracelet, all the memories of us come back inside my mind. And I cry for all the happiness, sadness and challenge that I endure for making this relationship work" He told me as his eyes watered up but with happiness this time.

" I'm happy that it turned out great for you two" I said

"Thanks, me too and I'm grateful for all those years of love and care she gave it to me." He told me. Now a mischevious smile appears on his face. " What about you, do you have any girl in mind that you wish to spend your life with.

I started to blush. "Yeah... I have a girl... in mind" I stuttered.

" What's her name?"

"Sabine Wren"

" Do you miss her" He gave me a reassuring smile when he saw my face fall

" Yes. There is not a day that goes by that when I'm not thinking about her. She is everything to me. She is the most feared, independent woman that I never saw. She can be really stubborn sometimes but this what makes her really attractive to me. She will take no shit from anyone even me. Also she is an artist. Her paintings are real masterpieces, she put all the efforts and time to create them. I spend so many hours looking at them and admiring their color that she used. I find out that it helps me calm my mind. It's easier to for me to meditate when I look at her painting." My expression saddened. " The first time that I saw her, I knew that I wouldn't find any other girl like her. I fell immediate in love with her, Unfortunately, she didn't feel the same way as I did. Every time that I tried to make a move on her she always rejected me. Looking back, I could see why my advancement didn't work. My attempt to flirt and to impress her was pathetic. I thought at the time that could win her heart by showing off my Jedi trick or by sometimes trying to act like a hero, just to show her that I could be a warrior just like her. But she is not the type of girl that you could impress her by showing how much you're better than other people." I exhale "I just don't know what makes her tick inside of her. You know... what does she want from a guy? What is the perfect man for her? All I know is that she is my dream girl."

" Did you ever try telling her your feelings for her?" James asked.

I sign sadly before speaking " Yes I did, once, When we infiltrated the Star Destroyer to destroy the black hole generator. Before I destroy the power cell, I called my friends through the comms to say my last goodbye. As telling my last words to them, I confessed my love for her. My only regret is that I never knew her reaction on my confession. I don't know if she surprise, shock, did she feel the same way as I did for her? I don't know. I wish I had the definitive answer on whether she loves me or not. During our last mission, I noticed that she was acting unusual towards me. When my lightsaber exploded on my hand, she decided to treat it. Usually, It's Hera who helps me patch me up. Or the fact that she slept on my chest. Can you fucking believe it? Sabine Wren, the same girl who rejected me for almost a year and a half is same girl who slept on my chest. I thought that I was dreamy when this happens." James just stood there and listen to Ezra, who was trying to figure out if Sabine had any feelings for him. James had a huge smile on his face because of the way Ezra reacts to a girl. It reminds him of himself when he used to sneak past his parent to meet Maria.

Once Ezra is done talking, James said "Don't lose hope, maybe one day you could be together. Remember that it took me ten years to get my love back when she dumped me. You may still have a chance, in the future, with her. Sometimes life can bring you unexpectant, but pleasant, gift in your life."

"Yeah... maybe" I didn't quite believe him since it will take me a couple of years to finish my training and to be prepare for the Tengu's followers. Unless... "You said that the Nexus is a passageway between our world and the world of chaos right?" I ask. With hesitation he nods his head. He knew what I was thinking.

"Then how do I teleport myself back into our world" I ask

" There is three dark Kyber Krystal at the end of the Nexus in which you need to activate. The dark matters in these crystals will create a wormhole that you will able to teleport yourself back into your world." he said

" Where is it?" I ask. I couldn't hide my excitement. Finally there was a way for me to be reunited with my family. I could ask Sabine if she loves me or not. So that I could finally ease my mind.

"Those crystals are here. The two statue in front of the temple gate, contains two crystals inside of them. The third one is inside a statue, located at the garden behind the temple." He said.

I stood up quickly to find that Kyber crystal, but before I could leave the room I heard "You can't leave, not now at least. And you know" he said with a sad tone in his voice which makes me stop in my tracks.

"He's right" I thought. Since I'm a hybrid the Tengu and his followers want me dead. If I go back to my family, I will put them in danger. This is not their fight, it's mine. I will not let them die for me. I need to do this without them. Once I will defeat the Tengu, then I will return back to them but not before.

" How long will my training take" I ask

"To be honest, it will take you a couple of years" he said. I sigh sadly. For years, I wouldn't be able to able seen the ghost crew which means I wouldn't see Sabine for a long time. The possibility that Sabine will find a guy to love or that she will be married when I see her again, makes my stomach turn upside down. A wave of sadness takes over me, realizing that Sabine will never be mine.

"You're thinking about the girl" James sais, referring to sabine. He had a hand on my shoulder as to comfort me. I nod in response. "I know what you're thinking. Just remember that there still hope for you two to be together. Maybe without you knowing it, she loves you as much as you love her, she just didn't know or she didn't want to admit it." He said

"Maybe..." I said before leaving his room.


My sensei and I came down from the fountain, near the lake of the demolished Star Destroyer. I was lifting a human size rock with both of my hands.

" Good Ezra. Your connection to the Force had increased in those last five months. Now remove your left hand and keep lifting the rock with your right hand" he told me

Gentle I start to lower my hand and only focus on the Force with my right hand. My hand starts to shake up, I can feel its weight on my hand. Vein starts to come out as I'm struggling to keep the rock in the air. Eventually, the weigh of the rock is too much for me to handle. I drop it and collapse on my knee. I held my bicep with my other hand. It felt like my muscle was tearing up.

My sensei came towards me while shaking his head at my bad attempt to keep the rock in the air. "The problem with you is that you tried to lift the rock as if your lifting an apple with your hand. When lifting something by using the Force, you can't see it as a physical object, you have to see it as an extension of the Force. You must think beyond the physical realm and concentrate on the Force flowing inside the object. Your hand is only a way to guide the Force toward the object and not a mechanism that you can use to lift the rock"

After taking a few deep breaths, I stand up and face the rock. I'm determined to complete this task. "come on Ezra, you can do it." I extend my arm toward it and focus on the rock. I try to lift but the weigh of the rock is stopping "Remember what sensei told you. Stop thinking as a physical object and think it an extension of the Force". Now instead of focusing on the rock, I focus on the Force inside the rock. I feel an accumulation of the Force toward me. I wrap it in a force shield, locking it in my possession. I move the Force accumulation in the air in which the result make the rock raised above the ground. The rock is now ten feet into the air.

James had a smile on his face while watching me raise the rock above the ground with no physical effort except for his mind. " Finally he understood" James's thought.

Now Ezra, I want you to lift the rock behind you" James said

Ezra extended his other hand toward the rock behind him. He focuses and traps the force inside the rock. The rock starts to be lifted off the ground just like the other one.

" Perfect Ezra, you did it. You can now drop the rock" Ezra removed his grasp on the rocks, making them crash on the ground.

Let's focus on the Demon's blood inside of you. I want you to gather all of your body energy on one hand and use it to break the rock into pieces. Focus on the Demon's blood inside your body to enhance the power of your hit." James told me

I stood in front of one of the rocks and close my eyes. Just like I learn during those months. I concentrate on my body energy. I feel it flowing inside my muscles, vein, tissues. I transfer all of my energy toward my hand while a small part of it spread it throughout my body to keep my legs standing. While gathering my body energies toward my hand, I focus on the Demon's blood flowing in my vein. I feel its unbalance, the chaos, the destruction, the pain, the chaos, everything that the Demon's blood could do on this. It's messing with my brain. I can feel my anger raising for no reason. When I open my eyes, they are pure back. I see everything red. I pull back my fist behind and with one swung I hit the rock hard.

CRACK*

The rock crack but it did break into pieces. Infuriated by this, I took a kunai from my pocket and stab myself in the stomach. I didn't know why I did this, I wasn't completely myself. The Demon's Blood is demanding more pain and blood to achieve its power. With the extreme pain in my stomach, I feel the Demon's blood raising in me. My blood is boiling, it feels like my body is on fire. With rage consuming me I hit the rock, sending a powerful shock wave in which the rock completely fell apart in pieces. Once my anger fuels down and my came back blue, I realized what happens.

"Whatt.. was.." I stuttered. I was afraid of what I did

"The Demon's blood took over your body for a few seconds. The Demon's blood can give you great power, but it has a price. Every time you used it you start to lose your mind. You need to learn how to use it better so that it could never have the complete control of your mind. You need to control your anger and rage." James said.

All this talks about the Demon's blood make me wonder what is the difference between the dark side of the Force and the Demon's blood.

" What's the difference between the dark side of the Force and the Demon's blood." I ask.

James looks at me before answering. "The dark side is just one side of the Force while the Demon's blood is whole. There is no good or bad side of the Demon's blood. It's the only purpose is chaos. Compare to a dark user whose goal is to gain power by using its emotion like fear and hatred. The Demon's blood doesn't care about power, It only wants destruction and chaos in our world and also on its. It doesn't matter if its world and creature living in it are broken as long as there is peace somewhere, it will try to destroy it. That's the major difference between the dark side of the Force and the Demon's blood." I nod my head in confirmation that I understood.

I'm a bit afraid that wouldn't be able to control this evil essence inside my body. If the Demon's blood took over my body, I will become like the ones who I want to fight off to defend my world but more importantly my family. I'm afraid that I will hurt the ones that I love if I fail to control it."I can't fail. I have to do this" I thought.

"Meet me on training court at midnight for one last lesson for today."

"WHAT" I was snap back into reality. "wait a minute, we're not done. What do you want to teach me at this late hour, it's already sunset. Usually we end our training at this time of the day." I said

" I will teach you one of the most important of being a ninja; Stealth"

"But..." I tried to argue but he interrupted me before I could say anything.

" Training court, Midnight, understood?" He said calmly and firmly. Telling me that there is no room for discussion.

"Hai Sensei" I said frustrated that I have to stand up late for training. Tomorrow morning will be horrible to wake up.

" Also good luck for the climb" He said before leaving

I look up at the mountain. I only had a word running in my mind "FUCK"


(Midnight)

(Ezra Pov)

I was in the training court hiding in the shadows. My sensei was in the middle of the court with candle on the palm of his hand. My goal was to extinguish the light undetected. There were a few carpets lying around which help cover the nose of my feet. But there were also broken glasses on the floor which will attract his attention if I step on it. While I was hiding in the shadows I was trying to figure out what was the best approach. I move around him silently until I was behind him. I slowly start to walk toward him, making sure that I don't create any sound around me. I was getting closer. The closer I got to him, the anticipation was growing. I was about to sneak behind Ninjitsu master. Unfortunately because of my excitement, I fail to realize the broken glass underneath my feet.

crack* "Shit"

James turns around and throws three kunai in my direction. I take a few steps back while dodging every Kunai. I gasp for air. I haven't expected him to try to kill me if I was caught.

"Remember, a ninja must always be aware of hIs surrounding" My sensei told me.

I just got an idea. I grab one Kunai, that he used to throw at me, from the ground. I jump on a carpet, which covers the noise from the jump and start walking silently until I was on his side. I grab the Kunai and aim it toward the candle. Since for months, have been practicing with my shots, I feel rather confident that I could aim the tiny candle on James's hand. After calculating the trajectory of the kunai I throw it. James's had sensed his intention and grab the knife with two fingers before the candle was extinguished.

"A ninja must divert his enemy attention before striking" He said.

"okay what do I do now? How the hell am I suppose to distract him?" I thought

I have an idea I don't know if this gonna work. But fuck it what else can I do. I grabbed another Kunai from the ground and start running toward him. I create a lot noises in my footsteps that even a deaf man could hear me. James throws two other Kunai at me. I did side jump for the first and a roll for the second one, dodging those Kunai. After dodging them and once I'm close to my sensei I throw my Kunai at him. He grabbed it with his hand. I used this little moment of distraction to slide under his legs. I stand up, jump and grabbed the candle off his hand. I extinguish the flame, letting the darkness taking over the training court.

clap clap clap* I heard James clapping in the shadow

"Very good be honest I thought that you were stupid enough to run toward me without any plan" He chuckled before lighting another candle. Now I could see him clearly but not me, I'm still in the shadow. However he probably senses where I am "You completely surprise me with this move. You're bold and creative which is good in some cases but not all. You can't always rush into your enemy and expect him to fall into your trap every time."

"Hai sensei" I was pretty proud of myself even though I knew that I will need to train a lot if I want to master the art of stealth. I just hope that our training wouldn't at midnight every day.

Suddenly a mischevious smile appears on James's face. " And by the way, you're stealth training will be every day at midnight" He said with a laugh, leaving me alone in the dark with terrified expression.

"Karabast"


Author's note:Sorry if you found the last two chapter a bit boring. I wanted to focus on Ezra's training and James's past. For the next three or four chapters Ezra will need to do different trials if he hopes to be strong enough to defeat the Tengu's followers and to stop is resurrection.

PS: For the next two weeks, I have a lot of exams and homework to do. It will take more time for me to write these next chapters. Sorry, school is more important to me.