"Remember, Tyridac, it is your duty to be an active member of the force. You are a Jedi. A guardian. A peacemaker, that is your role within the Galaxy." Korin watched as Tyridac levitated his body. Lines of concentration creased Tyridac's knotted brow. Korin applauded the young Padawan. As Tyridac pointed out weeks ago, very few Jedi Guardians were able to use such taxing abilities.
Here he is, Korin thought, doing in two weeks what took me ten years! Korin sighed, Joran was correct, Tyridac was a true Guardian. Long ago, Joran and Korin had learned of the ancient Jedi and how they possessed many varying powers; each unique to a certain Jedi. Over time, he and Joran had learned that Vandaar was able to dominate the will of those he faced in combat. He had done so when he had rooted out the leader of the same Pirates that left Kyle Adaffa for dead.
Other Jedi, such as Yokit the Whill, were able to see the living force. This allowed him to track and observe the movements of people that were going out of their way to stay hidden. This also made them deadly soldiers.
The power that Kyle Adaffa wielded, aside from the fact that he was still connected to the force even though most of his body was machine, was the ability to see the future in isolated bits. Thus making him an oddity amongst the Jedi. Not quite a Seer, but not quite blind to the events that would take place; a sort of precognition.
Tyridac's power, a power he also shared with his twin brother, was the power to channel the force in such a way that he became the force embodied. It was amazing, the way he could manipulate the force with such ease. Korin had been told that every force sensitive was a possible conduit to the river that was the life-giving force, the only thing that differed from Jedi to Jedi was the size of the conduit they could be. For Tyridac and Ithica, it was as if the conduit concept didn't apply at all to the twins. They could, for lack of a better phrase, become the Force.
As for the ability that he and Joran shared, well, that was too much to reveal to anyone.
Tyridac's eyes opened and he locked Korin in a stare. "You were right."
Korin cocked his head to the side.
"This is amazing. Thank you for teaching me!" Tyridac bubbled with shear joy.
"Thus is my duty." Korin smiled back at his Padawan.
Tyridac lowered his body back to the ground and stretched out his legs. He and Korin had already been training for 5 hours today and he was growing hungry. As evidenced by the rumbling in his belly.
Korin was hungry as well but didn't quite feel like going back to the Ral just yet. Korin stretched out and let his eyes gaze up at the violet and blue sky. Dantooine was a tranquil and beautiful planet. In addition to those things, it was also isolated. Korin could hardly believe that, not more than an hour's flight away was a full Jedi Training Sanctuary.
"How long?" Tyridac asked.
"Until we head in for food? Not too much longer, I just want to sit for a moment."
"No, that's not what I meant." Tyridac sighed and looked at the Jedi Mark in his hand. "How long will it be before I can see him again."
Korin stared for a long moment at Tyridac. He felt for the young knight, he truly did. When he and Bender were separated it was torture. The bond they shared, much like the bond that Tyridac and Ithica shared, suffered as a result. Korin could still recall the pain and fear he felt inside. The twisting in his insides each day he would go through his exercises. Causing him doubt every time he called on the force. Only his gift got him through. His gift, and the knowledge that it brought.
Finally, keeping what he knew in mind, Korin answered. "I- I don't know for sure."
"I thought as much."
Korin sat pondering for a long moment. "I've been teaching you a lot about duty. Hell, I don't think I have ever taught you anything that didn't tie back into duty. But for all of this talk about duty and commitment, there is something I haven't yet broached with you. A subject I haven't been too forthcoming with."
Korin stood and unclipped his lightsaber from his hip. "You know how long I've been in this order?"
Tyridac sat upright and watched Korin. The Jedi Knight's eyes were riveted on the Electrum Lightsaber he held. The gold, silver, and black handle gleamed in the waning sunlight and was reflected in Korin's own dark eyes. "I know you've been in it since infancy. Shortly after you were born."
"That's right," It made Korin happy to know Tyridac remembered. "I've been in the Order since before I could remember. My parents gave me up to the Jedi because they couldn't afford another child. I have a brother and two sisters that I have never met. Lorrd has never been a very wealthy planet. Thus I assume that my parents were never that wealthy. Strangely enough, the fact that my parents gave me up with little or no compunction has never bothered me that much."
"The point of what I am trying to tell you is, I've always had knowledge that my destiny lay with the Jedi order." Korin turned and handed his saber to Tyridac. "That's what my other lesson to you is. Destiny. Since I came to the order, I have always been sure of mine, now it is time for me to help you find yours."
Tyridac stared down at the saber in his hand. Lightsabers constructed with Electrum were rare and valuable within the Jedi Order. It took a certain amount of proficiency with the techniques used to construct the casing and the emitter. As a result, Jedi Masters were usually the ones that constructed such a lightsaber. It wasn't Korin's original saber, but it was his pride. Just letting Tyridac hold it was a stretch.
Tyridac smiled, A Jedi knows no attachment.
"Do you know my destiny?" Tyridac asked as he turned the saber over and over in his hands.
Korin didn't look at Tyridac and he kept his reaction very moderated and controlled. "If I said I did, would you want to know?"
"Of course!" Tyridac forgot the valuable saber in his hand.
Still not turning, Korin continued. "Tyridac, there is something you have to know. Something about me, something about Joran, and something about you and your brother. I'm not sure how to tell you-"
Korin didn't have a chance to finish his sentence. Suddenly, Tyridac doubled over into a ball and cried out. Pure agony split the air and Korin kneeled next to the Padawan.
"Tyridac? What's wrong?" Korin plucked the lightsaber from Tyridac's hands for fear that his convulsing may activate the blade. He unceremoniously tossed it away to land in the grass at a safe distance. Tyridac shook once more and then screamed. His hands knotted up and Korin grabbed him by the shoulders.
Even though Tyridac was shaking and convulsing, Korin still had enough strength to turn the Padawan over on his stomach. Clearing his mind, which was quite a challenging task, Korin placed a hand in between Tyridac's shoulder blades and took a deep breath.
Korin called on a well of memories. He remembered the time that he and Joran had been standing on the roof and had seen a shooting star. He remembered his first time working with Vandaar. He called to memory the feelings he had during his Knighting Ceremony. All of these memories were happy and soothing. Passing them into Tyridac had the desired effect and soon the Padawan calmed. Korin kept his hand on the young Padawan's back to continue to comfort him.
"What is it?" Korin asked again.
"Ithica." Tyridac sighed.
Korin didn't have to ask anymore questions. He knew what had been happening. He knew what was wrong. Something had happened to Ithica. Something bad enough to affect his brother across the vast distance that separated them. Korin hoped that it was just a training accident, though in his mind scenarios were playing out; none of which were very good.
"Come on, can you walk?" Korin slipped Tyridac's arm over his shoulder and lifted the young Padawan off the grass.
Tyridac shivered and his breathing was ragged. Korin carried him a few steps then remembered that his hip felt rather light. Turning and extending his hand, Korin called his saber from the grass and it shot up to meet him. Smiling Korin clipped it to his waist.
It took the pair some time to reach the Fearless Ral and by the time they did Tyridac could, more or less, support himself. They entered the ship to the soft tooling Vee.
Korin helped Tyridac into his bunk and made sure Vee was watching over him before heading to the cockpit. Settling into the communications chair, Korin patched into the Galactic Holo-net and dialed in the Viller.
After a couple of minutes of beeping, Korin switched off the communications console and leaned back in his seat. That was odd, if anything had happened to Ithica, being in such a remote place, Laurune would have surely been trying to get help.
Flicking the dial, Korin was soon greeted by the sight of Jedi Master Nicshka. "Ah, Korin Nayreese. Ready to call it a night? I have prepared a place for you to stay and it will be dinner time soon."
"Not right now, Nicshka, thank you. I wanted to know if you have received any communications from Master Laurune."
Nicshka turned in the holographic display and searched something unseen. He turned back with a puzzled look on his face. "I'm sorry, Korin, but I'm not allowed to tell you that."
Korin raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"
"This is most odd, I have direct orders from someone in the Republic not to divulge the information on Laurune's whereabouts." Nicshka shrugged. "Though I don't know what all of the fuss is. I don't have any information to keep from you."
"Hmm." Korin sat back in his seat and pondered.
"Is something wrong, Korin?" Nicshka asked.
"I'm not quite sure yet. I will contact you when I have more information. I don't think I will be joining you for dinner tonight." Korin offered a weak smile to the Jedi Master before switching off the feed.
Gathering an idea, Korin switched over to the frequency of one of his long time friends and Republic confidants. It wasn't long before Senator Kreekek's image fluttered into view.
"Senator, it has been a while." Korin smiled at the light blue hologram.
"Korin Nayreese, you old Kubaz! How are you?" The Rhodian Senator approximated a smile with his fleshy snout.
Korin returned the smile, exaggerating big so the Rhodian couldn't mistake the gesture. "It's nice to hear from you, Senator."
"What ever could you want this late. You know us bureaucrats turn in at dinner time! I was just about to head out to this nice Twi'Lek restaurant near the Jedi Temple. If you would like to join me I could hold a table-"
Korin cut the friendly Rhodian off. "I'm afraid I couldn't be there within a day's time. I am on Dantooine at the moment."
"Oh, well, I don't want to wait that long for dinner." The Rhodian chuckled as if remembering some long lost joke; Korin simply stared. Composing himself, Kreekek continued: "To what do I owe the pleasure of this long distance communiqué?"
"I was wondering if you have heard from Master Laurune lately?"
The senator stuttered for a moment. "I-I'm afraid that isn't a subject that I can discuss very openly."
"Please, Senator. I have reason to believe that either Ithica Rohadz or Master Laurune, or maybe even both of them, may be in trouble."
"How could you possibly know such a thing?" Kreekek asked incredulously.
"Shall I bore you with details on the force, or will you take my word for it?"
Kreekek put up his hands in defense. "Forgive my reluctance, Korin. I'm just shocked that you would even have knowledge of who to contact within the Republic regarding Laurune."
"It was, more or less, a guess on my part. I just went to the only one I have had dealings with in the Republic."
"Ah." Kreekek sighed. "Keep this privy, Korin, but Laurune was contracted out by the Republic to investigate the disappearance of a D-15 Cruiser, The Hindsight." Kreekek's hologram shifted nervously. "That order went out about 4 days ago and we have received no report from Master Laurune since then."
Korin's heart began to sink. His fear had been confirmed and now he had a choice to make. Events were in motion that neither he, nor any other member of the council had any control over. Wheels were turning, and the more Korin thought about it, the more he felt like he was getting swept up in their motion.
"Senator, can you do something for me?"
"Of course, Korin, anything."
"Put Magenta Squadron on high alert and find out where they packed away my fighter." Korin began to stand. "Oh, and Senator, don't leave Courascant for a while."
Kreekek stuttered again. "This is most odd. What is going on, Korin?"
"Believe me, Senator, when I have more information you will be one of the first people to know." Korin clicked off the console and turned from the cockpit. There was so much to think about, so much to do, so much to tell. Before he could do any of it, there was one very large loose end to tie up; one final duty. He had a destiny to start.
Korin stalked back through the ship, his mind awash with questions and ideas. Before long, he was standing in front of Tyridac. The young man seemed to be getting along better than a few moments previous.
"My friend." Korin looked into Tyridac's eyes. "We are going to go and find your brother."
Tyridac straightened in his bunk.
"But there is something we, you, need to do first."
"What, Korin?"
"My friend, my brother. You have a lightsaber to construct."
Tyridac stood at the entrance to the cave. A soft breeze of cool air wafted from the entrance. Along with the slight breeze, Tyridac could almost detect a scent. A slickly-sweet scent, like ancient blood.
Dantooine, like most planets in the Republic, was steeped in mystery and ancient history; long forgotten to this day and age. This cave predated even the Galactic Republic. No one knew when it was made, how it was made, or even what it was made of. It simply was. Now, as Tyridac stood at the entrance he suddenly felt out of place.
"The crystal is at the end of the cave, you can't miss it, it dominates the entire room." Korin spoke softly into the earpiece Tyridac had secured to his head. The headset, designed to be worn without the discomfort of a larger communications device, still drove Tyridac crazy.
"There is nothing you have to do to the crystal, simply touch it and it will issue you a crystal."
"Just like that?" Tyridac asked hesitantly.
"Yes, just like that. The crystal, some speculate, has existed since the dawn of this planet. It's what drew the Rakata here, It's what drove the Jedi Order to build a training academy here."
"What does the crystal look like?"
"I cannot tell you that. You must discover it for yourself. I will tell you that it is different for everyone. Just be ready when you see it. Whatever you do, make sure your mind is clear when you face the crystal." Korin warned.
"And if it isn't, if I have a great deal on my mind?" Tyridac's hand clenched instinctively.
"The result isn't desirable." It was Korin's turn to hesitate this time. "I've seen Padawans driven mad by the crystals power. I've seen Masters minds clouded by its defiance. No one can know the crystal and no one can control it. We can only trust it."
Trust, the word echoed in Tyridac's mind. It was so hard to trust. So hard.
"Ok, Korin, wish me luck. I'll be back soon." Tyridac stood for a long moment, his eyes closed. In his mind, he searched for his younger brother. Searched for the spark that was Ithica; always in his mind, always in his thought.
"Good luck, stay safe, Young one." Korin, not more than 50 yards away, watched as Tyridac stepped into the cave. The darkness seemed to swallow him. Eat him up like a great, yawning beast.
It took Tyridac's eyes a moment to adjust to the gloom of the cave. Behind him, by contrast, the outside sunlight seemed as bright as a nova. Ahead, only the light green glow of lichen waited.
The cave was indeed unlike anything Tyridac had ever been in. Although, he didn't actively go spelunking, so there was no frame of reference for this. Still, the cave retained a quality that Tyridac couldn't place. It seemed familiar, yet alien, simple and organic, yet complex and artificial.
"Can you hear me?" Korin's voice crackled in Tyridac's ear.
"Barely, there is a lot of static." Tyridac returned.
"Then I will keep this short. Remember, keep your mind clear and simple. The crystal will guide your way." Korin cleared his throat. "Be safe."
The earpiece crackled one last time, and then Tyridac was plunged into complete silence. Only his breathing kept him company in the dark, dry cave.
Tyridac crouched and ran his hand along the floor of the cave. The lichen wasn't bright enough for him to actually see what the floor looked like, let alone what it was made out of. It felt like shale but wasn't as brittle. There were no harsh cracking sounds as he walked and, indeed, he couldn't pull it up and crumble it in his hands.
Standing, Tyridac stretched out with his senses. His eyes were open and he could feel the cave wall around him. That was the most amazing thing. He could feel the wall in the force.
Most inanimate objects felt like a simple absence in the force like a literal wall or like the literal stone it was made from. Machines created tiny oscillations as parts whirred and moved. The walls of this cave felt alive. If he concentrated, Tyridac could almost use the force as sight.
Continuing deeper into the force cave, Tyridac noticed that there was none of the usual stalagmites or stalactites. The cave, from walls, floors, to ceiling were completely barren. Stranger still, there was a layer of mist that seemed to envelop his feet.
There is no moisture. Tyridac affirmed as he dipped his hand into the gray, roiling cloud at his feet. No moisture at all.
A strange clacking noise caught his attention ahead. His head was up within an instant and his eyes searched every part of the corridor. Nothing. Nothing was up ahead. Still, the clacking came closer.
Tyridac stood his ground as the corridor shimmered up ahead. His mind was awash with possibilities and fear. What was doing this? Tyridac's heart leapt as he realized that the corridor was actually growing brighter. Up ahead, a single pinprick of light was floating.
Tyridac's legs and heart told him to run. The muscles in his upper thigh twitched in anticipation. In his mind, however, an urging told him to stay; as if a presence was speaking to the young Padawan.
"Hello." Tyridac finally mustered the courage to speak. The light wobbled as if disturbed by his very voice. The wobbly pinprick floated closer and closer still to Tyridac. His legs positively burned with agitation.
The light was within arms reach now. It still bobbled and made no move until Tyridac took a step forward. He didn't know what compelled him to step forward like that; only a vague sense of direction and, for lack of a better word, purpose.
Tyridac reached out to touch the light but his hand passed right through it. He suddenly felt very sad, as if something had been denied.
The light grew faster and Tyridac had to jog to keep up with the thing. What is it? Tyridac thought. Where is it leading me?
After making another left turn and coming into wide room, Tyridac realized where the light had led him. Ahead, hundreds of the lights danced around. So many lights, Tyridac felt light headed. They were beautiful. Each one wove a complex pattern of dips and dives and spins. Their dance was one that Tyridac had never seen before, and would never see again.
The lights seemed to invite him, drew him forward and embraced him within their dance. No matter how far he stepped forward, the lights parted for him and beckoned him. They were so delicate.
Pure, unadulterated joy filled Tyridac's senses his very mind. He had never felt so complete, so, loved. The lights danced around him and the stars wheeled overhead. Tyridac never wanted to leave this place. He never wanted to go and fight again.
Nothing mattered anymore. His brother, Korin, Joran, Vandaar, Adaffa, none of it meant a thing to him. Here, amongst these lights, he was whole. Not a Jedi, not a person, a creature of the force.
With that thought, Tyridac realized something he had failed to notice earlier. These lights, he wasn't seeing them through his eyes, he was seeing them through the force. Creatures of the force.
"What are you?" He asked aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.
The creatures of the light ignored him, save for one. The one that had led him here, Tyridac didn't know how he knew, he just did. We are. A voice spoke in his mind.
"Are what?"
Are simply.
That was enough, he needed no more explanation. They were, just as Tyridac was.
What are you? The soft light asked.
Tyridac didn't hear the light with his ears, for they were made of crude matter, he heard within the force. Within his mind, within his soul. "I am a human."
That is your shell, what are you?
Tyridac thought for a long moment. He stared at the light, all the while feeling like he could fall within and never return to the surface. Finally, an answer came to him. "I am a Jedi," he stated, "a child of the force."
The light bobbled for a moment and others around him ceased their dance. Tyridac suddenly felt all eyes, if they could be called that, were upon him.
Why are you here?
"I came for a crystal. To construct my lightsaber."
Tyridac felt a shudder in the air. All of the lights now stopped their dance and were watching him. He could hear faint glimmerings of words. Hate. Murder. Destruction. Death. So many words, all in his mind. Tyridac shuddered back.
You come for death.
"No!" Tyridac shouted. Some of the lights shifted away from him. The one that led him here remained still. "I have no want of death. I am a Jedi. A protector of life, that is what I am." Tyridac echoed Korin's words.
Some of the lights floated closer; still others remained at a safe distance. Tyridac felt foolish for crying out earlier; like a child that had disturbed his parents' conversation.
You believe in life?
"Yes, so much. Life is precious in the force. We are all children of it."
Yes. The creature echoed. Much strife surrounds you, much yet will come. Will you remember what you have told us? Will you remember that life is important?
"Always," Tyridac whispered, "life, the force, is beautiful."
Go and claim your crystal, Jedi Friend. The lights started to float away from the Padawan.
"No, I don't want to leave. I want to stay with you all." Tyridac pleaded with the light.
You cannot; not here, not now.
"Will I ever come back?" Tyridac asked, tears welling up in his eyes.
You are a child of the force, when it is time, you won't need to come back.
With that, the lights began to blink out of existence. One by one, they left, until only the one that led Tyridac remained.
Jedi, Padawan you are not.
Then, it was gone. Tyridac was plunged into pure darkness. A dark so dark that Tyridac feared he would never return. Never, even without Ithica, had Tyridac ever felt so alone.
Tyridac sunk hard to his knees. The pounding that created was like a final report. It echoed around him and brought him fully back into his own mind. He was alone. Alone. That word echoed like the impact from his knees.
Tyridac put his face into his hands and wept.
Having regained his composure after a few minutes, Tyridac continued through the cave. After the room of Lights, the cave began to become more natural. Mineral deposits and a general wetness began to cling to everything. Including Tyridac.
It wasn't long before he emerged into a wide sweeping chamber. The ceiling disappeared overhead and only one thing stood in the cavern: the crystal.
Untold eons ago, ages even, this crystal must have been formed. Tyridac suddenly felt like the entire world of Dantooine was created from this crystal. The crystal was a bright blue and resonated in the hollow chamber. The object amplified every noise that Tyridac made.
Tyridac closed his eyes and reached out with the force. As he expanded, his force-sight picked up again and he could see so many colors; all of which emanated from the crystal. The origin, Tyridac thought, that's what this thing is.
"A very apt name." A voice echoed in the dark.
Tyridac dropped into a defensive stance and searched the darkness. "Who's there."
"No one you need to fear, young one. I have long since been denied my mortal body." The air shimmered again and Tyridac thought, for a moment, that the lights had returned. Instead, a figure emerged within the force. This one was distinctively human. He even wore robes. Tyridac assumed he was a Jedi, though the robes were none he had ever seen before.
"You're astute. I was a Jedi. Though that was quite some time ago. You don't recognize my face?" The phantom asked.
"No, Master, I am sorry." Tyridac apologized.
"No need to be sorry. Time has probably erased my memory on the physical plain. I am, was, Jedi Master Lorudi Unduli. I trained all of my Padawans here and the Jedi Council saw fit to establish the Training Temple here." The phantom bowed low.
Tyridac mirrored the bow. "I am pleased to meet you, Master Jedi. It is an honor."
"The honor is all mine. Tell me, are you here to get a crystal?"
"Yes." Tyridac answered.
"Where does your heart lay? With the order, or with yourself?" The ancient ghost queried.
Tyridac had to think for a moment. "Is it alright if I do not know?"
"Of course, uncertainty is part of life. Recognizing your own shortsightedness is a useful skill within the Jedi Order. Who is your Master?"
Tyridac smiled. "My Master is the force. My teacher is Korin Nayreese."
The ghost returned the smile. "Correct." The phantom turned towards the crystal. "Soon, my task as the guardian of the crystal will be complete. I will be able to become the force. The Jedi will have no more use of this soon. It is an honor to serve you, young Tyridac."
The ancient Jedi passed his ethereal hand through the crystal and came out holding something. He presented his flat palm to Tyridac. Tyridac looked at the outstretched hand and became puzzled.
Instead of one crystal, the hand held two. One was visibly gold, the same hue as Korin's own saber. Tyridac became pleased but then more puzzled. The other crystal was red. Not just any red, blood red; darker than any crystal he had ever seen.
"What is this?" Tyridac asked the ghost.
The phantom looked up at Tyridac and dropped the crystals onto the ground. "Leave this place." The ghost's voice boomed. "Leave and never return. You are no longer welcome, child of death."
"What are you talking about?" Tyridac stepped towards the ghost.
"Never before has the crystal granted two to one Jedi. This is a sign. You have been marked." The ghost shimmered violently.
"Marked for what. I don't understand." Tyridac was furious, it always irked him when older Jedi would speak in riddles. This Jedi had existed for thousands of years; no telling how cryptic he was by now.
"It isn't your place to question destiny. It is your duty to walk the path it lays out for you."
"I don't even have the chance to question my own destiny?" Tyridac stepped right up to the ancient spirit.
"Such questions do no good in the long run of the force." The spirit argued.
"You can't be serious. How can we understand our destiny if we don't question the path? It's all well and good for us to trust in destiny, but that can never be enough." Korin pleaded.
"Your view of the force and destiny are skewed. We will speak no more on this. Take your crystals and leave this place. You are no longer welcome in this bastion of the light-side, child of darkness, child of death." With that, the ghost of the ancient Master Unduli winked out of existence; just as the creatures of the force and light had.
Tyridac stooped and gathered up the fallen gems. Everything felt dull. The crystal no longer pulsated. The entire cave seemed to press in on the young Jedi. Feeling colder than he has ever felt before, Tyridac stalked out of the place, never to return.
As Tyridac stepped into the light Korin's voice crackled over the comm. "The crystal will guide your way, Be safe."
Tyridac cocked his head to the side and stared at the Ral.
"What are you doing?" Korin asked. "What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Tyridac returned.
"I mean, why are you wasting time, get into the cave and get your crystal." Korin sounded agitated but Tyridac knew he was just worried.
"Korin, I don't know what you are talking about. I already have my crystals." Tyridac froze. Crystal, you idiot.
"What?" Korin sputtered into the comm.
"I've already been in and out. It's taken me at least two hours."
"You haven't been gone more than 2 seconds." Korin came strolling out of the Ral. Tyridac jogged to meet the Jedi Knight.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Korin. Look!" Tyridac held up the Golden Crystal as he approached the Knight. Korin's mouth fell agape.
"That's not possible. It took me so long to return from the cave." Korin looked back at the cave. "There were always stories about bizarre time fluctuations, I never thought they were true. Stories of creatures that existed in an alternate dimension."
Tyridac shuddered. He suddenly didn't like the cave very much. He wanted to leave very badly. "Let's get out of here. We need to find my brother."
It took a long moment for Korin to respond. "Yes, we do." Turning he smiled to his Padawan. "I'm glad you have a crystal. Have you decided your path yet?"
Tyridac's mind told him not to answer, but his heart spoke anyway. "Yes, Master." He smiled at Korin. "I am a Jedi Guardian. Born and bred.
Korin's smile grew wider.
"We have a long flight ahead of us." Korin and Tyridac began walking towards the Ral. The entire stroll, Tyridac couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was building in his gut.