"…Poor thing… You've been through more traumatic events than your step-sister," murmured Suki.
The Mirialan turned, hearing Kayla approach and walk inside of the room.
"How is he?" asked Kayla.
"…He's still healing," said Suki, "I've only taken a few peeks into his mind… I've never seen someone who's Force Sensitive to be afflicted with so many nightmares… So many demons."
Kayla looked over at the healing pod and placed her hand on it.
"How have things been going with you? Did you manage to graduate?" asked Suki.
Kayla made a face and looked away.
"No, huh?" asked Suki.
Kayla sighed and sat down.
"My master basically told me that Revanites aren't allowed to surrender when they have their backs against the wall," she said, "he said we either have to try to escape or go down fighting."
"That… Basically is the gist of things," said Suki, "what you don't agree with that idea?"
"I'm not saying that," said Kayla, "it's just that… Well… This feels like I'm back with the empire."
"How so?" asked Suki.
"Because that's how a lot of the inquisitors were trained," said Kayla, "we weren't supposed to know the meaning of surrender. My master also mentioned how if I was captured, the enemy would do everything they could to extract every bit of sensitive information out of me…"
"They can, and will," said Suki.
"Well, that's the thing," said Kayla, "what could I have that would be of any value? I haven't been with you all very long."
Suki gave Kayla a look.
"…Oh, come on, you know what I mean," said Kayla.
"Well, if you want my two cents Kayla… Don't think of us as not really giving you a choice, because you do. If you find yourself backed against the wall and you see an exit, then go for it. If you don't see an exit, then the best thing you can do is go down fighting. Because if you end up captured… If the enemy doesn't end up killing, you once they have everything that they need… We will," said Suki.
Kayla was quiet for a moment, then she looked over at her Vaukel, who was still healing in peace. With a simple, sigh, Kayla got up and left.
Later that night, High Master Clacrum entered The Grandmaster's chambers, for a private meeting.
"You wanted to see me, Grandmaster?" asked Malakam.
"The time is nearly upon us, my friend," the Grandmaster said as he looked over the entire stronghold, "though it has taken us many years, it is nearly time to begin our ultimate crusade."
The Grandmaster looked over his shoulder.
"Tell me… What news of our fleet?" he asked.
"Loading is at seventy-five percent Grandmaster," said Malakam.
"And our warriors?" asked the Grandmaster.
"Many apprentices have completed their training and moved onto their advanced training," said Malakam, "though some still struggle to complete their trials."
The Grandmaster said nothing, instead he looked back out the window.
"Keep me apprised of our progress," he said.
"Yes, Grandmaster," said Malakam.
/\/\/\/\/\
The following day, the training room was filled with the sounds of sputtering sparks and the high-pitched hum of lightsaber blades. Filled with a new sense of determination, Kayla had come before Ersanan and requested to do her trials again.
"Don't think of us as not really giving you a choice, because you do. If you find yourself backed against the wall and you see an exit, then go for it. If you don't see an exit, then the best thing you can do is go down fighting."
Suki's words echoed through Kayla's mind as she and her master hashed it out in the mat.
"Remember what he taught you… Remember what father taught you," she thought as she dodged another swing.
Though the power level of their weapons had been dialed down, Kayla still utilized the Force Talent she learned from her father in order to bolster her speed, strength, and agility; combined with the fact that Ersanan still didn't go easy on her, this felt like a true duel for Kayla.
Ersanan locked blades with his apprentice and pushed her on the backfoot. Thinking fast, Kayla threw herself over to the right and rolled across the mat, then she came to a stop and sent Ersanan sliding back with Force Push and came at him again. Kayla jumped and went for his head, but Ersanan blocked her jump attack and threw her off; Kayla stuck the landing and drew her offhand lightsaber, igniting it quickly and swinging on Ersanan's right.
"What the!?" he thought with alarm, quickly blocking the attack, and sending Kayla tumbling back with Force Push when she delivered a follow-up to his left.
Kayla came to a stop and deactivated her lightsaber, then she clipped it to her belt and assumed a ready stance.
"She's learned," thought Ersanan.
The Revanite Master gave his lightsaber a quick flourish and came at Kayla again, the two of them began to cross blades.
"That talent doesn't work on someone who has much greater control over their fear," Kayla thought as she blocked three strikes from her master.
They locked blades down low.
"But it'll at least help me stand toe-to-toe with him," she thought.
Ersanan and Kayla broke away and delivered six one-handed strikes, with Kayla stepping back for the first three and stepping forward for the second three, then they locked blades again and broke away. Kayla stared down her master, her breathing was heavy, sweat poured from her forehead, her muscles started to ache and her grip on her lightsaber began to weaken.
Ersanan could sense his apprentice starting to tire.
"Escape or die," he said.
Kayla looked at her master for a moment; she looked down at her hands and then back at her master.
"…If I'm going down… I'm taking you with me," she said.
Kayla let out a battle cry and came at Ersanan once again, but the Revanite Master held up a hand, forcing her to stop.
"…Good," he said with a smile and a chuckle.
"Huh?" she asked.
"You made a smart move, my apprentice," said Ersanan, "had it been someone much weaker, then escaping might've been a viable option. However, much more fierce adversaries would not give you the luxury of escaping and instead would try to capture you should you try to run."
Ersanan deactivated his lightsaber and walked up to Kayla, giving her a pat on the head.
"…You're ready," he said.
"Ready?" she asked.
"For your final trial," he said, "come…"
Kayla deactivated her lightsaber and followed Ersanan out of the stronghold. Together, both Kayla and Ersanan made their way to Ersanan's land speeder, then they took off from the safety of their walled city.
"…Where are we going?" asked Kayla.
"Patience child," said Ersanan, "rest, we will be there in a few."
Kayla sat back in her chair.
"Not really sure why I need to rest," she said as she stretched, "I mean sure we got finished trading blows in the training-"
Kayla passed out. Ersanan chuckled. Kayla wasn't sure how long she was out; all she knew was that she was awakened to light nudging and her master saying her name.
"…Kayla, wake up… We're here," said Ersanan.
"Mm?" she murmured.
Kayla sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Ugh… How long was I out?" she muttered.
"Six hours," said Ersanan.
"Six hours!?" sputtered Kayla.
She climbed out of the land speeder.
"Where the hell did you take me that's six hours away from-"
Kayla stopped and looked up at the mountain they were parked at.
"Welcome to Dacarres Summit," said Ersanan, "the sight of your final trial."
Kayla didn't say anything, she just kept looking up at the mountain in silence.
"…You sense them… Don't you?" asked Ersanan.
"…What's up there?" asked Kayla.
"Only the most ferocious beasts on this entire planet. They keep to themselves, only ever coming down to wage war with the other packs that are located at other mountains," said Ersanan.
The Revanite Master looked at Kayla.
"They are the Force Beasts. Erusian Dragons," he said, before looking back up at the mountain.
Kayla suddenly felt a cold chill go up her spine.
"…You mean…" she started to say.
"Yes," said Ersanan, "you're going up to the mountain to face one of these beasts and bring back one of its head"
Kayla blinked.
"Its… Head?" she asked, "why do I need to bring back its head?"
"Ah, ah, ah… That answer is to be saved, until you bring back the beasts head," Ersanan said as he booped her on the nose.
Kayla swallowed and started to head up the mountain when, Ersanan had more to add.
"Your weapons. Do not draw them unnecessarily, or you will provoke them," he said.
Kayla stopped and looked back at her master.
"You must steady your breathing and keep a calm mind. Wait until one of them chooses to face you in battle," said Ersanan.
Kayla gave a slow nod.
"Thanks for the advice," she said with a small smile.
"Kayla," said Ersanan.
"Mm?" she asked.
Ersanan gave her a smile.
"May the Force make you strong," he said.
Kayla was quiet for a moment, but then she took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Thank you… My master," she said, with a hint of confidence.
Kayla resumed heading up the mountain without another word. It was quiet, but the Force felt incredibly strong here. Kayla put a hand on her chest as she moved through the foliage, her breathing became labored, she felt a sudden chill wash over her, she felt her hands become clammy.
"I know this feeling," she thought.
Suddenly, there was a faint crunch that made Kayla stop. She slowly looked down, and what she saw made her blood go cold: It was a Revanite skeleton.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" she thought, stumbling back, and falling over in fear.
Another crunch. Kayla jumped to her feet and backed into a tree, seeing a second skeleton. Kayla started to panic, there was a reason for this familiar feeling; there were dead Revanites on this mountain.
"What kind of final trial is this!?" she thought, "I can't do this! I can't! Th-This is insane!"
Kayla raced down the mountain as fast as she could, she didn't stop until she grabbed hold of Ersanan's land speeder, climbed inside, sat down, and put her head against the head rest, panting heavily and covering her eyes.
In all of her years… No… Since her time as an inquisitor, the young woman had never been so terrified in her entire life. Ersanan sighed and walked over to his side of the land speeder, he climbed inside, fired up the engine and headed back to the stronghold without another word.