Hey guys, here is the new update of this fic.

Hope you have enjoyed the read so far.

Chapter Eight

The Gathering part 2

The Moon clan entered through the doorway that Master Carlyle indicated them to and walked through the pathway for a few minutes together until they reached a literal fork in the road. The paths were split into many different ways and as Ellana gazed at the different paths for a few moments.

"It's one for each of us," Aslan spoke out, "Our individual path."

Ellana counted the paths and saw that the Atlasian had the right idea in thinking it so. It made her wonder if this was part of the test that Master Carlyle was talking about.

"Do you think it's a good idea for us to get separated in here?" Tara asked, a worried tone in her voice.

Aslan glanced at her.

"Didn't you hear what Master Carlyle said?" he asked her, "Only a single kyber crystal will resonate with one of us in this place and he said that we will be tested. Did any of us ever took a test together? Well if you're afraid, you can always turn back."

With that, Aslan walked forward and into a pathway and disappeared into the darkness.

"Do he always have to be like that?" Scott said shaking his head.

"He is Atlasian," Ulush said, "Natural in his people to be logical."

"Yeah, but he didn't need to be a dunkat about it," Scott said frowning.

"Despite how he said it…Aslan is right," Ellana said drawing everyone's attention toward her, "This is our test to become Jedi and have our own lightsaber. I believe it is only a task we must face alone."

"Right Ellana is," Ulush spoke out.

The group nodded at each other before making their way toward their own way. Ellana glanced at Tara who looked nervous by herself but she gave the girl a reassuring smile before stepping into the pathway she had chosen.

The young woman continued down her path. She had expected it to be dark but strangely enough, it was a well light as if light was coming from the very walls itself. She continued on her path touching the walls to keep her balance given the uneven floor.

Then she reached a great cavern that was littered with stars of many different colors. She stood there agape for a few moments as she stared. The Force felt strong within this area and it was like Ellana was listening to a song almost like a whisper of wind but since she can't feel anything against her skin, it must be…somehow the kyber crystals that were around her were making that song.

It's really pretty.

She reached out with her hand, focusing upon the flow of the Force around her and reaching out toward the cavern around her, seeking the crystal that would be her own…

Ellana…

The girl opened her eyes in surprise, concentration broken at what she had heard. Ellana glanced around herself in the cave, eyes searching around herself. For a moment there, she thought she had heard someone calling out her name.

The girl shook her head and refocused again, to try what she needs to do again…

Ellana…

The girl jumped at the voice. Ellana glanced around herself. She was sure now, she had heard the voice but it was simply impossible. Only her clan were supposed to be within the caves and the voice she heard didn't sound like any of the group she was part of.

Ellana…

"Who are you?" she asked, looking around herself.

Then her eyes spied a shadow at the end of the corner. It was a person, she remarked almost like they were crouched upon the ground. The shadow then stood up revealing themselves to be a man and the long ears they have, they were Elvhen.

"Who are you?"

Blood of my blood…the shadow whispered to her, Blood of the Evanuris…

The shadow then suddenly started to aim toward her but it was more like she was been brought toward him despite her not moving an inch. Ellana's eyes widened in shock and in fear as she was pulled toward the shadow and a large hand was coming straight toward her.

"No," she yelled, throwing both of her hands forward drawing upon the Force to push the shadow away.

The shadow was pushed back but it drew forth once more aiming straight for her once more…

"I am one with the Force," Ellana whispered, drawing upon the Well from within, "And the Force is with me. I am one with the Force and the Force is with me…"

She repeated the mantra over and over, trusting the Force and blocking out the shadow that was coming for her. The shadow never touched her and a sudden quiet had completely filled the room. The song of the kyber crystals was gone as well as the shadow that was attacking her.

She opened her eyes once more and saw that the entire room was completely dark and all the crystals which were shining as bright as stars were gone. Ellana glanced around herself, surprised at what had happened around her before a single light started to shine in front of her.

She raised her hand to shield her eyes from it, but the light was persistent shining brighter and brighter. She can feel the Force singing and with it, so was the crystal but this new song resonated within her, like it was thrumming in unison with her heartbeat.

She made her way toward it, staring at the crystal before picking up. It came off the stone wall quite easily and as she held it within her hand, she can almost feel like a small heart was beating within it. It was like the crystal was alive in a way…not truly sentient like she was but, alive and connected to her through the Force.

Ellana smiled to herself.

She had found her kyber crystal.

Ellana was surprised to see the others waiting for her with Master Carlyle when she stepped out of the caves. They were all holding their own kyber crystal and Sara was the first one to notice her.

"Hey, Ellana, you're finally out."

She was confused.

"You guys already finished?" she asked surprised.

"Yeah, you've been gone for an hour," Sara said, "I was getting worried."

Ellana was shocked.

An hour?

"But it felt like I've been in there for a few minutes at best," she mumbled.

"Time has no meaning inside the Kyber caves," Master Carlyle spoke out drawing their attention toward him, "Tested you the caves has to see within you. Some of you have seen their own weakness," his eyes directed toward Aslan, "Tested of your own patience" he glanced at Scott and Ulush, "Tested to see the strength hidden within," he smiled at Sara and Tara, "And of the secrets hidden in your future" he met Ellana's eyes at this, "By passing those personal tests, you have shown a mettle needed to be a Jedi and have connected with your own Kyber crystal. Tomorrow, you will be starting the process of building your own lightsabers to complete your Gathering Journey."

The man glanced toward Knight Salem.

"Knight Salem will lead you to your rooms," he said, "Meditation and reflection you need on what you have seen and experienced for better understanding and to further your connection to your crystals. May the Force guide you, Younglings."

He gave the group a deep bow to them and the group responded in kind.

"May the Force guide you Master."

It was a quiet walk back to their quarters. Ellana found herself thinking back to the strange apparition she had seen and couldn't help but wonder exactly what she had seen back then. Ellana knew that the Lavellan clan had adopted her as one of their own after her mother had died during the childbirth. She had felt no attachment toward the woman who brought her into this world since she had been dead for so long and now, she had never really thought about where she came for as far as she was aware, Clan Lavellan was her family.

Taking a seat upon her bed, with her crystal in her palm, Ellana went to her meditation. Sinking herself into the Force came much easier to her now than it had been at the beginning of her training years ago. Now the sensation was similar to one being submerged in water as she could feel them Force within her. She could even feel the crystal within her palm, pulsing excitedly along with her own heart as she continued to meditate, focusing on connecting with the crystal who had called out to her.

Thought the image of the shadowy figure still plagues her mind, Ellana chose to not dwell upon it. She already had a family in the Lavellan clan.

She didn't need another.

I am one with the Force and the Force is with me…

The next morning, after breakfast the group were guided down into another part of the Temple by Knight Salem who had both of her hands behind her back. The part they were in smell more like a mechanic shop with the smell of oil in the air as well the Asari that was in front of them.

She wore a mechanic outfit upon her body, with orange pants and a leather jacket upon her top. A lightsaber hung at her waist marking her as a Jedi, thought it was much more different than any Jedi Ellana ever saw from the Temple.

"So, this is the new batch this month," the Asari said tilting her head lightly, "They seem younger than the last clan that was sent through."

"They are promising Master," Knight Salem said with a light smile.

The Asari glanced at her.

"Well, Salem it had been a while," she grinned, "A Knight already? Sheesh, the years truly do go by in a flash. Not too long ago, I remember you and that friend of yours were just as wide eyed as this group of Youngling in front of me…How is he by the way?"

"Oz is doing fine Master," Salem smiled lightly, "He is on the Frontier right now."

The Asari chuckled, a light whimsical tone her voice, "Well now Younglings, let's get to the meat of the reason why you're here. You're here to build your very first lightsaber. I am sure that you already have an idea on what type of saber you need."

"Type?" Ulush said, confused, "I thought all lightsabers were the same?"

"You are not wrong," the Asari told him, "All lightsabers are in basic term the very same weapon but they are not all the same to those who use them. Some Jedi want their weapon to have a bit of flare to them…"

She opened up her Omni-tool and tapped something upon it. Right in front of them, a hologram of many different sabers started to float in front of their eyes. Ellana caught many different versions of saber some were simple; some were folded almost like they were two blades while some were longer than the general sabers. They were even some of them that had a cross guard shape.

"For centuries I have been helping Jedi to form their lightsabers," the woman continued, "and I must say that when you leave this temple, it will be with the lightsaber that you will held to help protect the galaxy. My name is Mira V'Sol, lightsaber designer and expert, pleasure to make your acquaintance Younglings. Now let's get to work, shall we?"

Then for the next half hour, everyone was excitedly looking at the basic design that they had chosen and were given the parts they need to build the lightsaber they had chosen to have. However, Ellana find herself having some trouble choosing what type of lightsaber she needs. None of the designs jumped out toward her as she continued to scroll through the contents in front of her.

"Having trouble choosing what you need?"

Master Mira was there standing beside her with a light knowing smile upon her lips. Her gray eyes warm, and curious.

"I'm sorry," Ellana said, "It's just…none of them jump out to me."

Mira let out a small hum before speaking again.

"What type of lightsaber then…do you see yourself holding?" she asked.

Ellana looked at the woman in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Mira smiled gently at her taping the side of her head.

"What do you see within your mind child. How does it feel within your hand? It's weight…it's form?"

Ellana stayed silent for a moment thinking to herself. She reaches out toward the Force, feeling the crystal humming within her hand…

"White…," she whispered, the picture slowly appearing within her mind, "white like the horns of the Halla…"

"Ah…," Mira said, "the Halla are from Elvhenan correct? The Dalish are always very attached to their home…You are from a Dalish clan then?"

Ellana nodded.

"I think I have what you might need," Mira said, "The parts you need to build your lightsaber."

The woman left her going in the backroom for a few minutes before walking back with the parts that she had in her hand. She placed the white piece in front of her and Ellana can feel her heart jump lightly at the sight of it. It really was just like the horn of the halla.

"What is this?" she said shocked picking it up.

It was much lighter than it looked, bone white and yet had a subtle elegance that she can't deny.

"I remember some years ago, another Dalish born wanted the same thing you do," Mira answered her, "while I know that the Dalish hold the Halla in deep reverence, this was part of the horn of an Halla who died long ago. Only a single lightsaber was built out of it in the past and it seems you are the one that will build the other with this."

Ellana looked at her.

"Can see the design?" she asked.

Mira smiled knowingly.

"Of course," she said taping something away in her tool.

The hologram of a single lightsaber appeared in front of Ellana. It was thin, much thinner than the regular lightsaber, all white with some gold and silver decorating the body with a light curve at the end.

She knew by just looking at it, this was her lightsaber.

Ellana had found what she needs.

"This is it," she whispered.

Mira chuckled.

"I had a feeling that it would be your choice," she said, "I procured the pieces you will need."

"Thank you Master," Ellana said.

The woman simply gave her a light smile and then went toward Tara who seemingly was having some trouble with her lightsaber. Ellana then refocused upon the pieces in front of her and started to work examining and cleaning the pieces, making sure that they were all in perfect condition before starting the process of building her lightsaber.

She placed her crystal upon the table as well, feeling the hum within the Force from it and then slowly started to sink into the meditation she needed to build the weapon that she had within her mind. Within her mind, she could see the pieces floating as well as the kyber crystal which also pulsed from the Force. The pieces were starting to take their places around it, forming the lightsaber that she had within her mind, the soft clipping sound echoing in the air in front of her as she worked.

And then she opened her eyes, gasping softly as she observed the shining weapon that was floating back down toward the table in front of her. The lightsaber was thin as it looked in the holo but instead of the gold running on the side, it was a soft green, lightly curved at the end of the weapon which was golden in color. She picked it up the lightsaber, feeling the weight against her palm. It was just like how she had imagined it to be.

The sound of a lightsaber activating drew her attention toward Aslan who was holding his own silver and black hilt in his hand, the blueish white blade shining from the hilt he was holding.

"Very good," Master Mira said with a light chuckle, "And I see that most of you have finished with your work…you weren't joking when you said they were a talented bunch."

Knight Salem only chuckled softly as she stared at them all, and there was a light pride within her gaze as she observed them. Ellana took notice of Scott and Sara both of them holding their lightsabers hilt in hand and with matching smiles, the twins powered up their weapons.

Orange and green blade shone from the hilts they were holding and Scott's was a cross guard shape and he had a big grin upon his lips. The hilt he was holding was black and silver where the orange blade was rising from.

Sara's hilt was simple with and sideguard upon it as the green blade shone from it and it was all chrome, reflecting the color of the blade as well as the person holding it.

Ulush and Tara light up their lightsaber as well as yellow and violet blade were joined the group as they were all holding their blades together. Knight Salem glanced at her.

"How about you join them Ellana?" she asked, tilting her head toward the group.

Ellana walked toward them, holding her lightsaber in her hand coming to stand beside Sara who grinned at her. Master Mira gave her a knowing smile again as Ellana raised her lightsaber and then activated it.

A silver blade sprung from the hilt, the same shade as her eyes, humming within her palm as the power surged within, humming with the Force from the crystal. All of the members of the Moon clan stood together with their lightsabers aimed toward the ceiling, thought Scott was holding his with both of his hands.

Master Mira chuckled looking at them all.

"Rise, Protectors of the Galaxy." She smiled looking at them all.

It never gets old seeing new lights being born within the Order.

Ellana has her lightsaber...

Hope you have enjoyed that.

Next Time: Sun and Moon

Jacques0 out.

R&R