Bright and early the next morning, Grandmaster Akto sent out a message to the newly appointed Padawan's and their Masters. He ordered for everyone to come to the Kuddaka Chamber at noon as he wished to see firsthand how connected to the Force each Padawan was. Not known to them all, Akto did this for two reasons: the first being he desperately wanted to see what Knol could do given the huge tremor in the Force he caused the night before. Second, to see if any of the Masters were close to his level as well, including himself.
Back in Knol and Kun'da's room, they sat together eating in silence after cleaning up the tragedy of the night before. Despite the tragic occurrence and blow to their relationship, the two had grown stronger through the bond they now shared and were now even holding hands. As a matter of fact, they began to do everything together since they awoke. Whether it was getting dressed, making breakfast, and showering, they did it all. Even when he awoke in the middle of the night shaking or mumbling in his sleep, Kun'da was there to soothe him.
Although, something did weigh heavy on Kun'da's mind and she knew the rest of the day would not go well unless she spoke. Putting down her fork, she squeezed Knol's hand to get his attention. The Padawan offered her a smile and looked up at who he now considered the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Knol...I-I, last night. I just...I feel terrible that she, did that...to you. I should have fought her more, do anything else than...that. I truly hope you can forgive me." She found herself unable to look towards him and closed her eyes, sighing regretfully. Knol took his time, trying to formulate a proper response as he muddled through his feelings. He touched his cheek with his free hand, musing on how his birthmarks were still glowing, how he was forced to bed Jia, and how Kun'da was as emotionally vulnerable as he was, no matter how tough she thought she was.
Worried that his continued silence was a bad omen, she started to ramble on how she would make things right, never let him out of her sight if she could help it, and to even be closer to him in public even though it would be incredibly embarrassing for her. She would have kept going if the Padawan had not started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Kun'da asked puzzled, leaning her head in towards him.
"It's so cute how desperate you are to please a man half your age, haha. But, I forgive you, you know. I'll be honest and it might hurt to hear, but yes...I still have some doubts about you, Master. Still have some resentments from how you nearly broke my body and for letting Jia...well, never mind." Kun'da sank into herself, apologizing for what must have been the thousandth time. "But, when I was...this close to losing my mind and going berserk from my rage and grief, one thing stopped me."
"Oh?" Kun'da perked up.
"It was you. When I was at my lowest, the one person that prevented my fall was you, Master. I don't know how you did it, but I've fallen for you. Hence the bond we forged the night before. I know we're officially dating now, but I think you needed to hear it. So, sorry if anything I said hurt you. On the upside, you're so cute when your moping and sad, so much for the tough and unkillable Kun'da huh?" Knol chuckled as he teased her.
"Oh, shut up." She kissed him a good while before releasing him to express how she felt about his statement. "One more thing, Knol. Will you be okay? Jia will be in attendance within the chamber too."
"Hmph. As it stands now, I think I could even best her in lightsaber combat purely on my speed alone. Hell, you could barely keep up with me before. I'm gonna show that cunt up." Kun'da rubbed his back.
"That's my boy," she then took his hand and kissed it, "Do not worry about the night either, I will protect you from her even in your dreams, Dear."
"Thank you, Ke'leh. Well, I think it's about that time then." Knol said standing up. "How do I look?." Knol took a few steps back and spread out his arms. He was now wearing the same sleeveless black tunic his Master wore and had it tailored to fit his much smaller and sleeker form compared to Kun'da.
"I think you look lovely, strong. It's a wonder what seamstress droids can do in such a short amount of time. Although, many will probably take interest in our shared fashion." The Togruta snorted, much to Knol's surprise. Kun'da cleared her throat and pretended it didn't happen. "Well, let's get going then. Stand stall Padawan, let us show them what you can do." She leaned down, resting her hands on his shoulders, and kissed him, reaching deep into Knol's mouth with her tongue. "Impress me today and you can do whatever you want to me tonight." She winked as Knol nodded vigorously. Awkward conversations and their morning routines completed, the two attached their sabers to their hips and made their way to meet Grandmaster Akto.
"Hello and good afternoon Padawans! I hope the short amount of time you have spent with your new master has gone well. If not, I'll personally take care of them." Akto let out a boisterous laugh that turned to a violent cough, laughter spread throughout the small crowd in response. "Ahem, pardon me. As you know, I have invited you all here to see where you all stand in terms of skill and connection to the Force." He paused for a moment to see the faces of everyone. While he did this, he noticed that Kun'da and Knol were standing quite close and nervously looking over at Master Jia and Be-io from time to time. Be-io on the other hand waved to Knol without a care in the world. Getting an idea from this observation, he put it into action immediately. "As you know, behind me stand the Muntuur Stones. Pretty hefty things are they not?" He waddled over to one and placed a hand on it. "Many Jedi are tested to see how many of the seven they could levitate at once, legend has it that only one Jedi has lifted all seven. Personally, I've only made it to six. But do not be afraid young ones, I only expect most if not all of you to only be able to jostle a single stone." A collective sigh of relief went through the Padawans as their Masters looked at each other with knowing, happy, looks. "Before we begin, how about a demonstration, hm? Master Jia, Master Kun'da, please show the group how it's done." The two Masters stepped forward and bowed before Akto. "Master Jia, you may go first."
"With pleasure, Master." She smiled at Kun'da as Kun'da returned a faux one in return and took a few steps back. Jia walked to the center of the stones, sat down, and crossed her legs before swiftly entering a meditative state. Nothing happened for around a minute until the ground began to shake and one of the stones began to move back and forth. Several Padawans gasped as Be-io cheered his Master on. Jia's eyes opened as she began to float in the air, the behemoth of a stone rising just as she did. This continued for a few more minutes before two more stones began to shake as well, but she could not lift them. Satisfied with this, she returned to the ground exhausted from the intense concentration as the crowd clapped for her performance. She returned to her spot next to Be-io who was begging her to teach him how to meditate like that and 'so darn fast!'
"Well done, Master Jia. With practice, it appears three stones are not far from the realm of possibility. You have much to learn and gain from the force." Akto complimented her.
"Thank you, Master, and Master Kun'da I believe it is your turn." She said between breaths. "Unless you're too tired for some reason, a headache perhaps?" The Mirialan teased as Akto raised an eyebrow at the unexpected taunts.
"I am fine," Kun'da said, bowing yet again before walking towards the center of the stones. And unlike Jia, she did not sit, she did not meditate, instead, she focused her mind and tensed her body. Her muscles bulged as she entered a horse stance, fists at her sides, and did something completely unexpected. "Raaaaaahhhhhh!" She began yelling, startling the Padawans as the Masters rolled their eyes or shook their heads. But, their disapproval of her method faded away as she extended her arms outward to the sides. "Hahh!" She screamed, and on command two of the stones shot up into the air with great speed and began circling above Kun'da. She was relaxed now, moving her right forefinger in a circular motion, her lekku levitating slightly. Everyone's eyes were on the monstrous stones flying around in the air, while Knol's were on hers. She smiled, feeling his gaze and satisfied with her display of power returned the stones to their places and bowed. Nobody said a word as she walked back to Knol and took up her place behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders, bewildering everyone around them. Master Jia, however, did not share the same feeling of awe and bit her lip in anger.
"My my! Your raw strength is something to marvel at Master Kun'da! I can only imagine what you can do given time to focus. Extraordinary." Akto clapped, prompting the others to clap as well, only not as fast. "Now then, as we did with the Jedi Trials, Knol will be the first to attempt to lift a stone. And remember young one, I do not expect you to even lift one, so don't feel too pressured. Understand?" On the inside, Knol called his bluff, but bowed respectfully and thanked Akto. "Hm, your birthmarks...they glow?" Akto asked as he cocked his head.
"Yes, now." Knol excused himself and started to walk towards the stones when Kun'da grabbed his arm and pulled him close. She knelt slightly and touched her forehead to his, whispering to him that he could do it and that she believed in him.
"I see! The battle-crazed Kun'da has finally melted in the face of having a Padawan!" Akto teased her as she blushed and returned to her space looking away from the others. "Now then, Knol if you please?" Akto gestured to the stones and Knol nodded. Just like his Master, he entered a horse stance, put his fists at his sides, and paused for a moment to close his eyes. He thought about the rollercoaster of emotions and pain that had been inflicted upon him over the past week and a half and instead of anger, sadness or grief, he found resolve, perseverance, and love well up in his soul.
"Raaaarrrrrhhhhhhh!" He started screaming just as Kun'da had, the ground tremoring before him as the Force pulsed through the air from his body, sending shivers through everyone there. He stopped after a few moments and stood up straight, beaming happily as the stones around him remained motionless. Master Jia began laughing.
"That's it? All that show of power for nothing to happen? Take note Padawan, you are not Kun'da, able to will the Force through brute strength." Knol ignored this and extended his arm out, palm facing the ceiling, and pointed a single finger upward. In an instant, three stones shot into the air as two others shook violently.
"Holy shit!" Be-io shouted above the commotion. Except no one chastised him for his language as they were too entranced by what had just occurred.
"That's my boy...I'm gonna wring that fucking cock dry tonight." Kun'da whispered to herself, her pussy already leaking. Knol looked to where Master Jia was standing and hoped this display of his was enough to serve as a warning to never cross paths with him again.
If only it worked out like that.
Dishearteningly, she had a perverted grin plastered on her face and winked towards him. It appears this show of strength only furthered her infatuation with him. Remembering the events of last night much more vividly now, his concentration faltered and he dropped the stones causing a thunderous crash. Thankfully, no one was hurt but Knol was stuck in the same spot, unable to move from fear and apprehension. Concerned, Grandmaster Akto approached the boy.
"Knol, my child are you alright?" The elderly man asked to no response. Seeing this, Kun'da rushed over to him and grabbed his face with her Padawan recoiled back. Kun'da shushed the boy and pulled him into her bust, muttering that everything would be alright. "Master Kun'da...is there something I need to be aware of?" Akto asked, genuinely concerned for his student. The Togruta wanted to tell him how another Jedi had forced herself on her student, but she decided it was not the time with so many eyes and ears around.
"No. No, Master. He is just a little fragile after his injuries, perhaps he was reminded of what I did to him somehow. Forgive us." Kun'da bowed and picked up Knol and carried him on her back to their room.
"Get well soon!" Master Jia called out after them, to which Kun'da grunted in response. After a long walk back to their room, she sat Knol down at the table and sat next to him. He stared down at the table, arms crossed, and was trying to not hyperventilate. Feeling for her student, Kun'da put an arm around him and began singing a song from her native planet. Even though Knol was unable to understand the words, it broke him out of his silent darkness during Kun'da's second time singing.
It was hauntingly beautiful, ethereal actually. Pretty soon, around the fourth repeat of it, his spirits had lifted and he exhaled a sigh of contentment. Seeing the life return back to Knol, Kun'da smiled and patted his back.
"Welcome back, Dear. Are you alright, can you tell me what happened? You were doing so well out there! I was very proud of you." Knol thanked her for the sentiment but became glum again as he recalled how Master Jia looked at him. His Master grimaced her lekku twitching from anger. "Shall I inform Grandmaster Akto? Surely if anyone can do something about this it is him. After all, it is highly unlikely that woman actually intends to keep her promise."
"I-I don't know. I know it's the right thing to do but as stupid as it sounds, but I'm afraid to...say something. It's embarrassing you know? To be taken like that, used and abused, forced to do something like that."
"I know Dear, I know. But, you have to think of your friend, Be-io. What happens if she turns her sights on him if she can not have you? Only you can protect him. You're in so much...but you have me. If something happens to Be-io, who will he turn to?" A surge of anger shot through Knol's body, she was right. As distraught as he was, he didn't want his new friend to experience what he went through. So, with his determination restored Knol asked Kun'da to go with him later that night to speak with Grandmaster Akto about what happened. For now, they took a shower which ended up with Kun'da getting her pussy stuffed with cum.
Up next, the big showdown that will end this arc!