Last time: Cien has become the Empress of her own Empire in the Unknown Regions.

Now: See what Sasha, Viran, and Oppie have been handling the six year gap.

Chpater 2- Sasha's Knight Trial

Watching the swirls of hyperspace go by, Viran sat in the pilot's chair of the Forerunner as it traveled to where Oppie had taken his Jedi Knight exam. About a week ago, Oppie had brought up that he believed that both Sasha and Viran were ready to take their knight trials and become a Jedi Knight like him. Especially after everything that happened in the world between worlds nearly a year and a half ago. It was still hard to believe that they were gone for six years in the void. There was an assumption that they may have gone through the wrong portal. But there was also the theory that the mysterious white owl may have led them to that particular portal for a reason. Whatever the reason was, they never got the answer to it.

But still, six years away from the galaxy was hard on them. When they had returned to Artemis it was emotional for everybody. So many tears were shed, hugs were given constantly, and a lot of alcohol was consumed that night as they caught up on what they missed. And even though a year and a half has passed, they still found themselves catching up on what had happened over the last six years. The biggest things they missed were the rise of the Rebellion, the powerful weapons that were the Death Stars, and the fall of the Empire. And that was just the start.

Of course, catching up isn't the only thing they did in the last year or so. Viran had properly proposed to Sasha about a month after they returned and then the two of them ended up getting married about a month after that. Soon after, they started going on jobs and missions with Kyr or Kitsu and Illara or just themselves. It was kind of like a "helping the galaxy" sort of thing. And it was something that they could do as Jedi and not feel like the Empire was going to stop them. Because with the Empire gone, they were finally free to be Jedi. To be themselves. So after a year and a half of doing that is what finally prompted Oppie to suggest they finally take their trials.

Viran couldn't believe that this day had finally arrived. The three of them decided to go together to the temple so they could be there to support the one who was testing. However, according to Oppie, this wasn't something they were going to knock out in a couple hours. He said it could take days per trial. So they prepared to be there for a couple weeks, giving at least a week to both Viran and Sasha.

The controls beeped as it informed Viran that the ship had reached its destination. Sitting up in his seat, Viran started bringing them out of hyperspace.

"We're here," Viran called back as he dropped them out and started guiding the ship toward the planet.

Footsteps approached from behind him as he moved the ship closer to the planet. Oppie took a seat in the co-pilot's chair and Sasha placed a hand on the back of his own chair as he glanced up at them.

"Are you two ready?" Oppie asked, excitement apparent in his tone.

"More than ready," Sasha said, beaming. "How about you, Vir?"

"Honestly, a little nervous," Viran said but then smirked. "But that makes it more exciting."

Sasha rolled her eyes at him. "Just take us down there, hotshot."

Viran chuckled as he flew the ship down the surface below. He followed the coordinates Oppie had provided to the temple. As they grew closer, the small set of dilapidated ruins that Oppie had described as being what the outside of the Jedi Temple looked like came into view. Viran set the Forerunner down in a clearing next to a small creek just outside the Temple. As soon as they touched down, Viran started shutting off the engines. Oppie rose from his seat and started toward the ramp. Sasha waited for him to finish with the power down sequence by the hatchway between the passenger compartment and cockpit. With that done, Viran rose from his seat, turned to face Sasha, wrapped an arm around her, and together they headed for the ramp. As they descended the ramp, they found Oppie had already crossed the clearing and was waiting patiently for them just by the entrance to the temple. Viran dropped his arm as they approached Oppie.

"Before you stands the very Jedi Temple where my Master, Redika, and myself took our Knight trials," Oppie started to explain. "Inside you will face three trials that will test you. Take your time with each challenge and learn what the lesson is that the test is teaching you. When you finish with your final trial, you will find out if you have passed or not. Take only what you need with you. We will stay here until both of you have finished with your trials. However, only one may enter at a time." He then smiled at them. "Now which of you will go first?"

Viran and Sasha exchanged a glance. They both shrugged as they weren't sure who should go first.

"Flip a coin for it?" Viran suggested.

"Sure," Sasha said with a nod. "Got a coin?"

Viran produced a small silver coin that had designs on both sides of it. On one side was the clan Xiv sigil. On the back was something written in Mando'a.

"Where did you get that?" Sasha asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Kyr gave it to me," Viran said as he twirled the coin between his fingers. "He said you never know when you may need a challenge coin. Especially in a bar."

Sasha shook her head. "I know how it works. I used to work in cantinas, remember?"

"Who said I forgot?" Viran smirked as he asked that.

"That works. I'll flip it for you," Oppie offered as he held his hand out for the coin. Viran handed it over to him. "Alright, Sasha what's your call?"

"Tails," Sasha said.

Oppie flicked the coin up into the air. It spun end over end until it hit the dirt at their feet. Kneeling down, Oppie examined the coin. "It's tails," he said as he gathered the coin up. He looked to her once he was standing again. "Looks like you're up first, Sash."

Sasha smiled. "Alright, wish me luck then."

Viran pulled her in for a brief kiss. "For luck. Even though you won't need it. You've got this in the bag," he said encouragingly.

As they pulled apart, Sasha looked up to the entrance. Oppie placed a hand on her shoulder.

"May the Force be with you, Sasha," Oppie said with a smile.

"With you guys as well," Sasha said, looking at both of them again. "See you on the other side."

With that, Sasha made her way towards the temple's entrance. Oppie and Viran stood, watching, until she disappeared into the temple.

Sasha made her way towards the entrance to the temple, leaving the guys behind. She took a deep breath as a hand hovered over her lightsaber. She couldn't believe she was about to take her Knight trial. It was so surreal to believe it was happening now, but she was so ecstatic to finally take it. Sasha reached the entrance only to discover it was sealed behind a stone slab embedded in a track that let it only lift vertically. She looked around to find no sign of a switch or control panel that would open the stone slab. So she closed her eyes and centered into the Force. She then raised both hands towards the door and started to use the Force to raise it up. The door was quite heavy, even with the Force. Sasha shook as her face contorted into an expression that matched the strain she was feeling in her body as she used the Force to lift the stone slab higher and higher up the track. However, she was able to raise it fairly quickly and without breaking much of a sweat.

As soon as it was high enough for her to sneak under and inside, Sasha opened her eyes and moved under the stone slab. Once inside, Sasha gently lowered the door back down. It landed with a soft thud onto the ground. Releasing a breath she didn't realize she was holding, Sasha took a second to gather her bearings before turning to regard the tunnel before her. It was pitch black with no source of light. Sasha grabbed her lightsaber from her belt and turned it on. Her green saber illuminated the space and showed the tunnel more clearly as it stretched further down. With that, Sasha started to enter into the temple.

She walked along in the tunnel for several moments before she reached an octagonal chamber. It looked just like Oppie had described, but instead of paintings of Jedi on the ceiling, Sasha noted that there was only one set of markings on the walls. On the far wall, Sasha spotted what looked like a riddle scribbled across the stone. Entering into the chamber, Sasha approached the riddle. She ran her fingers over the words as she read over it.

I hold a million stories, but I cannot tell them.

I am never empty, but I am always silent.

The world's wisdom can be found inside, but I am ever growing.

People use me to seek knowledge and freedom.

I am teacher, friend, and occasionally foe.

What am I?

Sasha read the riddle over and over again until she was sure she understood it. This was supposed to be her first trial? This was super easy.

"It's the holonet," Sasha said aloud in the chamber.

However, nothing happened. Sasha looked around to see that she was now trapped in this chamber and there was no way out. She furrowed her brows and looked back to the riddle. Was she wrong? Thinking it over again, Sasha tried another answer.

"An elder?" Sasha guessed.

Again nothing. Sasha broke down the riddle, line by line, until she could think of something that matched the riddle. However, nothing was coming to mind for some reason. Sasha actually found herself pacing back and forth through the chamber trying to figure out the answer. Suddenly, as she turned around in her pacing path, one of the walls had disappeared to reveal an opening that led into a brightly illuminated room. Sasha had to do a double take to see if what she was seeing was real. It looked just like the Jedi Temple archives on Coruscant.

Deactivating her lightsaber, Sasha strode forward towards the entrance.

"Am I supposed to find the answer in here?" Sasha asked the empty chamber as if someone was going to answer her. Which, of course, no one did.

With a sigh, Sasha entered into the temple archives. She looked around the large room with a puzzled expression.

"Guess I better start searching for my answer," she mumbled to herself as she made her way to the nearest shelf.

Shortly after Sasha had disappeared into the temple, Oppie and Viran had returned to the ship to gather some items to make a small camp just outside of the ship and within view of the temple exit. During their wait, Viran pulled out a Sabacc deck and they played several rounds of the game. They were actually tied with each other by the early evening. As the sun started to set, they put the game aside and made a small dinner over the fire Viran had started. They ate in silence for a moment before Viran spoke up.

"How do you think she is doing in there?" Viran asked.

"You're worried about her," Oppie observed.

"Well yeah, she is my wife," Viran said with a chuckle. "It's my job to worry about her."

"I know it's been a year already, but I'm still getting used to you two being married," Oppie said, smiling before taking another bite of his food.

"Same, oddly enough," Viran admitted. "But everytime we call each other husband or wife or even say we are married, I can't help but smile."

"Does Sasha know you are a romantic?" Oppie teased.

Viran grabbed an unopened ration bar and threw it at Oppie. Laughing, Oppie moved his arm up and let it hit him in the arm.

"Thanks for the snack," Oppie joked as he grabbed the bar from the ground.

The two shared a laugh before returning to their meal.

With a groan, Sasha laid on her back on the floor of the archives with several datapads scattered around her. She had searched through as many texts and documents that she could in this illusion in the hopes of finding the answer to the riddle. But she had found nothing in regards to it. Looking up at the ceiling, Sasha repeated the riddle once again, this time out loud.

"I hold a million stories, but I cannot tell them. I am never empty, but I am always silent. The world's wisdom can be found inside, but I am ever growing. People use me to seek knowledge and freedom. I am teacher, friend, and occasionally foe. What am…" Suddenly it hit her. Sitting up straight, Sasha looked around her surroundings. "Has it really been that simple this whole time?" she asked herself, irritated by the thought of it.

Hustling to her feet, Sasha rushed back into the chamber and activated her lightsaber again to reveal the riddle.

"It's a library," Sasha said aloud.

Suddenly, the archives disappeared and another wall moved away to reveal a tunnel that led deeper into the temple. Sweat dropping, Sasha groaned as she smacked herself upside the head. It had really been that simple and she had severely over thought it. She had been known to overthink many things in her time. She guessed now this was punishment for doing so. And she had to admit that was one habit she needed to stop doing. Taking a deep breath and releasing it in a long sigh, Sasha turned her attention back to the newly opened tunnel and started to make her way down. With this challenge completed, Sasha was ready for whatever else this temple threw at her.

This tunnel stretched for a lot longer than the last. Sasha could already feel her body growing tired as she was sure she had been there for a day already. So slowing to a stop in the middle of the tunnel, Sasha made a small camp for herself against one of the walls. Turning off her lightsaber and turning on her light torch, Sasha pulled out her water bottle and took a big swig of it. She then took out a ration bar and downed it. After taking a brief nap, Sasha gathered her belongings and continued down the tunnel.

About another hour or so of walking, Sasha entered into a large chamber that had a huge vaulted ceiling, a series of tall walls that maybe stood about ten feet tall, and a balcony that overlooked the whole room. It was also well lit enough by a few torches that Sasha was able to see all of that and deactivated her saber. Before her there was a tall wall that had what looked like instructions written on it. Just like the riddle from before, Sasha read over the instructions. The rules seemed simple enough. Follow the indicated path listed below and reach the exit. Sasha took note of the path listed.

For one to find their way out, they must follow the path.

Left, right, right, left, straight, left, right, straight, right.

Looking to her left, Sasha could see a path leading towards another wall. She then looked to her right to see a wall that connected to the tunnel entrance, preventing any way of going to the right. Turning back to the left path, Sasha started walking that way. She walked until she reached her first fork in the road. While following the instructions, Sasha turned the last corner and found herself right back at the beginning.

Stopping short, Sasha did a double take. She looked from the way she came to see that the path was gone and there was a wall there, preventing her from going backwards. Furrowing her brows, Sasha moved at a faster pace and tried going through the maze again. Maybe it was a timed thing. And just like the first time, Sasha ended back up at the beginning.

"What the…" She started to ask when suddenly a chuckle came from the balcony above.

Glancing up, she noticed a hooded figure standing on the balcony. The figure was chuckling at her. Sasha looked at the figure, confused.

"Who are you?" Sasha asked the figure.

"Just an observer," the figure said, the voice obviously male.

"Then are you able to see the exit?" Sasha asked.

"I am," the figure answered simply.

"I figure you won't tell me how to get there, but would you be willing to tell me why I keep ending up back here at the beginning?" She asked, curiously.

"As the instructions say, you must follow the path," The figure said simply.

Sasha frowned at him. "I did that twice now," she said, a little irritated. "And yet I returned here. Why is that?"

"This is a labyrinth," the figure explained. "For one to find their way out, one must follow the path."

Sasha huffed and looked back at the instructions on the wall. Maybe I am overthinking this too, she thought to herself. Placing her hand against the wall, Sasha closed her eyes and focused in on the Force. She could see the labyrinth clearly and she could see the exit, but something felt off. Something she couldn't quite explain. Opening her eyes, Sasha looked back to the figure.

"I'll try it again," Sasha said.

Taking a step forward, Sasha followed the path yet again. And just like the first two times, Sasha ended up back at the beginning. Taking a second to look at the order again, Sasha made the decision to follow the path, but backwards. Not physically going backwards, but following the order of the path that way. Once again though, she ended up back at the beginning. Her face turned sour as she now tried a different tactic. She decided to do the opposite of what the order said. So instead of going left at the first turn, she would go right and so on. And yet again, she was back at the beginning.

"One must follow the path in order to find their way out," the figure spoke up after a while of her trying various different tactics.

"I have done that and yet I still end up back here at the start," Sasha told the figure, her irritation very apparent in her tone. "How am I supposed to pass this test if I cannot even reach the exit? I have seen it for myself through the Force."

The figure tilted its head to the side. "Who said you had to pass this test? You just had to follow the path."

Sasha was taken back slightly by that. She narrowed her brows at that first statement. Of course she had to pass or else she wouldn't become a Knight… right? She took a moment to think that over before turning her gaze back to the instructions. She had followed the path forwards, backwards, and in the wrong direction, and each time she ended up back at the beginning. But she could see that the exit was directly beyond the wall before her, at least according to the Force. So maybe, she had to break the rules and create her own path. Activating her lightsaber, Sasha pierced her saber through the stone wall where the instructions resided. However, the wall did not burn. In fact, her arm and her saber phased straight through it.

Her brows shot up as she stared at the fake wall. Taking a step forward, Sasha phased completely through the wall and found herself staring at a singular path with no turns or connecting paths that stretched out before her. And at the end of it, Sasha could see the exit she had seen when she had used the Force against this very wall. Glancing up at the balcony, she noticed that the figure was gone. But she could hear his voice echo through the chamber as she stared up at the empty balcony.

"Sometimes, one must fail in order to pass," the voice said then started to fade. "By finding their own way."

Sasha blinked a couple of times at that. Slowly nodding at the statement, Sasha turned and walked forward toward the exit. Whether she agreed with the figure or not, she had to admit she did learn something new here today. Once she reached the exit, she found herself back into a tunnel. Glancing back, the wall closed behind her, sealing away the chamber she was once in. Taking this moment to have a brief break and breather, Sasha sat down with a sigh on the ground and had another ration pack and some water, thinking over the previous two challenges in the process.

About twenty minutes later, Sasha got up and continued down the tunnel. After a moment, Sasha found herself in a room that was filled with fog. Entering into the mists, she looked around and immediately lost all sense of direction. Staying calm, she slowly moved forward in an attempt to find a wall. However, the further she walked, the deeper she went into the fog. Losing track of all time while trying to find some solid standing mass, Sasha, at some point, noticed a dark figure standing in the mist. Slowing her pace down to a halt, she narrowed her eyes at the figure.

"Hello?" Sasha called out into the mist. "Who is there?"

The figure moved forward and then soon stood before Sasha. A gasp escaped her lips as she immediately recognized the tiny figure before her. Standing there was a little girl dressed in Jedi robes. Sasha felt her knees shake as she looked at the little girl.

"T'sar?" Sasha gasped.

"Hi Sasha," the little girl responded with a smile. "Long time no see."

"How are you here?" Sasha asked the girl.

"I'm not quite sure, but why are you here?" T'sar asked innocently.

"I'm taking my Jedi Knight trial," Sasha said.

"You think you are ready to become a Knight?" The girl asked coldly.

Sasha's eyebrows shot straight up. "What?" she asked, taken back.

"It's your fault we all died that day," T'sar accused. "You had to keep asking questions, stopping the group. If you had just been quiet, we all could have survived."

Shaking her head, Sasha knelt down before the girl. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't understand what was happening. I'm so sorry," she apologized profusely as she felt tears escape her eyes and start streaming down her cheeks.

"I don't forgive you," T'sar said. "You are the reason I am dead. Why the others are dead."

"No… you need to understand how sorry I am,'' Sasha continued to cry as she looked at T'sar.

"But it's all your fault," T'sar seethed.

"NO!" Sasha cried out as she collapsed onto her knees and buried her head in her hands. She sat there sobbing for a few minutes before finding her voice again. "No… I was just a child. The alarms were blaring. The troopers were suddenly against us. I honestly had no idea what was happening. I just wanted to know. I just wanted answers like everyone else. But I was a kid. I was an innocent, naive kid who was stuck in the middle of something I didn't understand. I am so sorry that you died that day… but only now do I understand my mistake and I cannot fix it. I know that. And I am so sorry, T'sar."

After another moment of silent sobbing, Sasha felt a small hand rest on her shoulder. Looking up from her hands, she saw T'sar smiling softly down at her.

"You don't need to apologize," T'sar said. "We were all scared and afraid that day. No one should ever blame you for what happened. And you shouldn't feel guilty about that day either. Like me, you were only a youngling. So please, stop crying and stop bringing yourself down. You will make a great Jedi Knight, Sasha. Be a Jedi Knight for us."

Sasha nodded as she looked at the little girl. She reached out and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, T'sar." For the first time in her life, Sasha felt like she had closure from that dreaded day.

A slow clap was heard as the mist slowly started to fade from the room. Sasha's eyes shot open to see that she was hugging nothing. T'sar was gone and she was still on her knees. Whipping her head towards the clapping, Sasha sat there frozen as she watched the hooded figure from before approach her. Soon the figure stopped mere feet away from Sasha before removing the hood. A breath escaped Sasha's lips as she stared up in shock and awe at the figure.

"Master Redika?"

He smiled down at her. "Hey, little Sasha. It is great to see you again."

"How…" Sasha started to ask him, but he held a hand up, cutting her off.

"Just like I told Oppie, I have become one with the Force and learned to show up like this thanks to another Jedi named Qui-Gon Jinn. So I'm a ghoooossssttt." He said as he waved his arms in front of him. A giggle passed her lips as he did that. "See? I knew that was funny, but Oppie didn't think so. Serious as always."

"So you were the one in the labyrinth earlier, weren't you?" Sasha asked him as she wiped her face.

He held a hand out to her to help her to feet. "Yeah, I thought I would observe your trials. Oh, nicely done by the way. You passed," he said as she grabbed his hand.

Redika pulled her to her feet.

"I passed? Seriously?" She asked, shocked.

"Yes, seriously," he said, smiling at her. "I am very proud of both you and Viran, Sasha. I have watched over the three of you for years. You have grown into a beautiful young woman and a very strong Jedi. I'm curious to have seen how you would have done if things were different. But proud of you nonetheless. And now as a Knight, I believe you will do a great job passing down what you have learned if or when you get... an apprentice of your own." He paused slightly at that, almost hinting at something to come, but Sasha didn't seem to notice.

"Thank you, Master Redika," Sasha said with a bow.

"Please, call me Sen," Redika said.

"Alright, thank you, Sen," Sasha said again, but using his first name.

He beamed at her when she said that. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. Tell Oppie and Viran, I say hi."

"I will," Sasha nodded.

"And may the Force be with you," Sen said before disappearing with the rest of the mist.

Once the cavern was clear, a tunnel appeared with light at the far end of it. Sasha realized that it was the way out. Feeling a smile spread across her face, Sasha started for the exit. As soon as she was outside of the temple, she took a deep breath of the fresh air. It was about mid-morning when she exited the temple. Looking around, Sasha spotted Oppie and Viran sitting at a small little campsite they made in the clearing by their ship. Taking off into a run, Sasha grinned from ear to ear as she returned to them.

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