Kira Bridger and Ben Solo are in the distant past, training with former Jedi Grandmaster Bastila Shan, who now leads a secret order called the Knights of Revan. This order is based on the planet Tython, the world on which the Jedi began.
Kira and Ben have begun their time with the Knights of Revan by participating in a practice duel with Bastila. Despite her advanced age, Bastila easily defeated the two young knights. Now, on the morning after the duel, Kira and Ben have been summoned to speak with Bastila and the senior members of her order.
Kira and Ben are now in a large, circular room, standing before Bastila, Inara, and three other people- a bald man in his 70s, a black woman in her 60s, and a green skinned twi'lek man in his 60s. The five are seated semi circular, with Bastila in the center chair.
"Kira and Ben… welcome to the council chambers. You already know Inara Shan, our Training Master and second-in-command. These three are my council of advisors- Evaren Shul, Tanna Saleel, and Toth Okana. They are what remains of my original students." Bastila says.
"Hello." Kira says.
"So… you are from the future. Bastila foresaw your arrival some time ago, and thanks to the seeing stone, she now has the insight needed to guide you on your quest." The bald man says.
"Seeing stone? What's that?" Ben asks.
"They don't know about the stone yet, Evaren. I had planned to tell them later today." Bastila says.
"My apologies." Evaren says.
"Think nothing of it. Now, to answer your question, Ben. The seeing stone is a powerful nexus that allows a very unique connection to the Force. Those who sit upon it will see and learn things that would otherwise be unknown. When the Jedi left Tython after the Force Wars, the power of the seeing stone was left behind, and eventually lost to history. Now, the Jedi are only a fraction of their true potential." Bastila says.
"If that's the case, why not tell them?" Ben asks.
"I left over fifty years ago. With the exception of a very small number, the Jedi are now of a generation that does not know me. They revere me as an historical figure. But, if I were to suddenly appear to them, there would be… doubt. Suspicion. And questions I am not prepared to answer. They would not understand, or trust my intentions. I have foreseen this. That is why the seeing stone, and the Knights of Revan, must remain secret." Bastila answers.
"The seeing stone shows us only the truth. It never lies. The Jedi are doomed. No intervention on our part will change that." Inara says.
"Of course, these two very likely already know the fate of the Jedi." The black woman, Tanna, says.
"In fact, we do. The Jedi manage to stick around until…" Kira says.
Bastila raises her hand, and Kira stops speaking.
"Don't tell us. We are not meant to have knowledge of your time other than what the Force shows us. If you give us foreknowledge of future events, then you could inadvertently create an alternate reality." Bastila says.
"I… understand. I don't like keeping secrets or being dishonest, but… you're right." Kira says.
"I know this will be difficult, but I believe it is necessary. Inara, please inform the rest of the order that no one is to ask our guests any questions about the future." Bastila says.
"I'll take care of it, grandmother." Inara says.
"Very good. Now, onto business. Kira and Ben… I asked you to appear before us so that we may discuss why you are here. I know that you are here to learn from me. I also know that you are here to obtain an artifact of great power." Bastila says.
"It's a staff… identical to this one." Kira says. She takes a ring off of her finger, and the ring transforms into a long, white staff.
"A staff of Dai-Bendu? You… actually have one!" Inara says.
"These staffs are legendary objects of great power! How did someone so young obtain it?" The twi'lek man, Toth Okana asks.
"We don't need to know that, Toth." Bastila says.
"Of course." Toth says.
"Kira has the staff, and that is all we need to know. The other staff… will be for Ben." Bastila says.
"Assuming he is worthy." Inara says.
"Worthy?" Kira asks.
'During your time with us, you will be tested. You will face trials together, as well as on your own. Kira, you may have that staff, but I suspect you have yet to master it." Bastila answers.
"I've only had it for a day. I know a few tricks, such as what you just saw. That's it." Kira says.
"I will help you with that. The seeing stone… may also help. However, it's impossible to predict exactly what the stone will show you. Every individual's experience is unique. Speaking of the stone, I think it's time you were introduced. Kira, Ben, please come with me. The rest of you may continue the meeting without me." Bastila says.
"Why don't you let me take care of it? You don't need to be walking up and down those hills." Inara says.
"I may be old and a little slow, but I am no invalid." Bastila says.
"At least use a hoverchair." Inara says.
"Very well." Bastila says.
Bastila leads Kira and Ben outside of the temple, taking them to a nearby hill. Upon this hill is a large round stone, surrounded by massive pillars. Heeding her granddaughter's request, Bastila takes the journey using a hoverchair.
"This… is the seeing stone. Its exact origins are unknown, but it predates the Jedi, as there are references to it within the records of the Dai-Bendu and the Je'Daii." Bastila says.
"What are the Dai-Bendu anyway? All I know is that they were an order that existed before the Jedi." Kira says.
"Correct. They existed… right here on Tython. They built nine temples, including this one, and we believe they built the seeing stone, but… we don't actually know. The scrolls are very old… and incomplete I'm afraid." Bastila says.
"What do we need to do?" Kira asks.
"Sit upon the stone, and enter into a deep meditation. Then, the stone will connect with you. Your body will remain here, but your mind will be… elsewhere. Within the living Force itself. What you will see… I cannot say. You may see the past. You may see the future. You may see something that makes no sense at all. The stone… is unpredictable." Bastila answers.
"This kind of power… why did the Jedi abandon it?" Ben asks.
"I honestly don't know. There's no record of this stone in the Jedi Archives. I had no idea it existed until I encountered an ancient force user on a planet called Atollon. He knows many things that the Jedi have forgotten." Bastila says.
"His name wouldn't happen to be Daak Tarfor, would it?" Kira asks.
"Indeed it would. You know of him?" Bastila asks.
"My father taught me about him. Neutral force user. Also called himself Bendu." Kira answers.
"Correct. The word Bendu… derives from the ancient Dai-Bendu order. My order… tries to follow a similar path." Bastila says.
"Such as refusing to participate in war?" Kira asks.
"Exactly. This is why the Republic can never know of our order. We would be expected to fight for them. Also… if the Jedi knew of us, there would be conflict. They would try to force their views upon us. Convert us to… the light. That is why the stone, and Tython, will remain unknown to the Jedi… until the proper time." Bastila says.
"I know that the Jedi will find Tython again within the next few…" Kira says. She stops speaking when Bastila raises her hand.
"Stop." Bastila says.
"Right. Sorry." Kira says.
"I appreciate your desire to be honest with me. But, in this case, too much honesty could have dire consequences. Please keep that in mind." Bastila says.
"I will." Kira says.
"Before you take a seat… there is one more thing you should know about the stone." Bastila says.
"What's that?" Kira asks.
"Yesterday, you asked me how I could still be alive at the age of one hundred and eight. I told you I would explain." Bastila answers.
"It's the stone, isn't it? It extends your life somehow, doesn't it?" Ben asks.
"Essentially, yes. As I said earlier, when you connect with the stone, your mind goes elsewhere, while your body remains here… in a sort of stasis… unaffected by the passage of time." Bastila answers.
"You must have used it a great deal to extend your life by almost twenty years." Ben says.
"Indeed. I found Tython fifty one years ago, and I've been using the stone regularly ever since. But… there's a price for that. I've lived too long. My granddaughter is nearly forty. My son… my son… I buried him last year. He was eighty three years old. No parent should live long enough to see their son die of old age. It should be me in the ground. Not him. But… this is how things are. I am still here because my task is not yet complete. So be it." Bastila says.
"You'll see your son again. You'll see Revan again. Everyone we lose… we'll see them again." Kira says.
"We will, won't we? Alright. That's enough of me. I'm sure I've bored you to death." Bastila says.
"It's important to you. Regardless of what version knows me better, you… are my friend. So, it's important to me too." Kira says.
"I… thank you. I am beginning to see why my other self took an interest in you. Now, come. Have a seat." Bastila says.
Kira walks to the seeing stone, and looks at it hesitantly. Then, she looks at Ben.
"It's alright. Do whatever you have to do. However long it takes. That's what we're here for, right?" Ben asks.
"Yeah, I guess so. It's just… I'll be on this thing for who knows how long… frozen in time. Life will go on for you." Kira says.
"I'll be fine, Kira." Ben says.
"While you are away, Ben will have his own task to carry out. And you need not worry about him being alone. We will do our best to make him feel welcome." Bastila says.
"How long will I be… away?" Kira asks.
"I don't know. That's up to the Force. It could be a few hours. It could be several days. Perhaps even longer." Bastila answers.
"Longer?" Kira asks.
"I once spent four years on the stone. It will take… as long as it takes." Bastila answers.
"Four years? I can't be here for four years! We have to get back and…" Kira says.
"Does it really matter how long we're here? Four hours? Four years? We're done… when we're done. Then, we go home and fight Umbra. And… we win." Ben says.
"We win. And we do whatever we have to do." Kira says.
"I love you." Ben says.
"I love you too." Kira says. She walks to the stone, and slowly takes a seat. She assumes a meditation posture, and closes her eyes. After a moment, a blue barrier emerges, surrounding the stone.
"What just happened?" Ben asks.
"This means she's connected. There's nothing we can do here now. The barrier is impenetrable. She will return to us… when the Force wills it." Bastila answers.
"So, we just… leave her here?" Ben asks.
"There's no need to worry. I'll have someone stand watch here at all times. For now, we go back to the temple. It's time for you to get to work." Bastila answers.
Upon connecting to the seeing stone, Kira's surroundings change, and she now appears to be in the cockpit of her ship, The Ghost.
"What the hell? I'm back here?" Kira asks.
"Actually, no you're not. You are still on Tython. We are within your mind. What you see around you… was created to give you more familiar surroundings." A female voice says from behind. KIra turns around, and sees a familiar face.
"You're… my Bastila. At least, I hope you are." Kira says.
"Hi, Kira." Bastila says.
"So, not a vision." Kira says.
"No. I told you there would be a way for me to contact you, and that's the seeing stone." Bastila says.
"Your… other self…" Kira says.
"Not what you expected, is she?" Bastila asks.
"No. Not at all." Kira answers.
"She's in a dark place in her life. Age is taking its toll, and she's outlived her son. A part of her… wants to die. But, she holds on. For Inara's sake. Then, there's this mission I gave her. Help the two of you. She didn't want it..I had to do a great deal of arm twisting to finally get her to agree. Damn, I used to be so stubborn." Bastila says.
"She's been through a lot. I'll help her in any way I can." Kira says.
"I know you will. It will be difficult for her, but she has to see this through to the end. My other self will teach you. But, you will also teach her. You'll learn many forgotten things, while she will learn how to become me." Bastila says.
"I… help her with… that?" Kira asks.
"I am who I am because of you. In a time of darkness, you were my light. We have been friends… for a very long time." Bastila says.
"You've known me since… before I was born. Hell, thousands of years before! I just… can't even comprehend. I had no idea. You couldn't even give me a hint, could you?" Kira asks.
"This is your journey, Kira. These are your experiences. I am here to help, but if I tell you too much, it could alter the course of… everything." Bastila answers.
Kira stands in silence for a moment as she considers Bastila's words.
"If you had told me that I would be going to the past to train with you, you would have had to explain why." Kira says.
"Exactly. If I had told you beforehand that Umbra was going to kill everyone you knew, how would you have reacted?" Bastila asks.
"What do you think? I would have tried to stop it!" Kira answers.
"You would have warned your friends, and all of you would have confronted Umbra much earlier. The outcome would have most likely been the same. Perhaps even worse." Bastila says.
"Worse?" Kira asks.
"You could have been captured. Tortured… until you broke. You would have either died… or turned." Bastila answers.
"I would never… " Kira says.
"You can't guarantee that! No one can! Bastila says.
"I suppose you're right." Kira says.
"I took what I believed to be the best course of action. And… that course has led you to this point. You are alive, and for the moment, you are safe from Umbra. You have the time to learn what you need to know to beat her. Then, when you're done here, you'll go home. You'll destroy Umbra, and you'll get back everything you've lost." Bastila says.
"Looking forward to it." Kira says.
"Before you go back to Tython, there is one more thing." Bastila says.
"What's that?" Kira asks.
"I didn't know who she really was. None of us did. The Whills kept it from us. When she reemerged in your time, they were finally forced to reveal the truth." Bastila answers.
"The Whills? I've seen that term before in the old records, but… they're so… mysterious. I actually thought they might be a myth. Who exactly are they?" Kira asks.
"Powerful, ancient Force entities. They observe, but take no direct action, other than to offer guidance to those that they deem worthy." Bastila answers.
"Worthy?" Kira asks.
"Of eternal life. If the Whills consider someone to be worthy, they teach them to retain their identity after death, and also teach them how to appear to the living as spirits. The first was an ancient Dai-Bendu master who lived thirty thousand years ago. His purpose was to guide and instruct those that the Whills deemed worthy. Over the centuries, a very small number were chosen for the same role, including myself and Revan." Bastila answers.
"This ancient master was the first, yet… you seem to be their leader." Kira says.
"I am the leader at the moment. There are a few of us that take turns." Bastila says.
"I see. Now, you were about to tell me something that the Whills had kept secret?" Kira asks.
"It's about Umbra. How she came to be what she is now. As I said, the Whills chose to keep this from us." Bastila answers.
"Why?" Kira asks.
"They made a mistake, and… they're ashamed." Bastila answers.
"What mistake?" Kira asks.
"About two thousand years before the Great Hyperspace War, a young woman lived and died on Korriban. The Whills sensed the potential for great power within her, and she presented herself as kind and respectful. They believed her to be sincere, so… they offered her the chance to retain her identity after death. They wanted this woman to appear as a spirit to guide the worthy to enlightenment. She agreed, and the Whills fell for her act." Bastila says.
"Umbra tricked them." Kira says.
"Indeed. She used her newfound knowledge to access the dark side of the Force. She then tried to use that knowledge to destroy the Whills. In turn, the Whills attempted to banish Umbra to the Netherworld, where she would be unable to use her power. The Whills failed. Umbra proved to be too strong for them, and returned to the world of the living as a spirit. The first darksider to become one with the Force. A very dangerous threat indeed." Bastila says.
"Why didn't the Whills fight Umbra?" Kira asks.
"They can't. The Whills… exist on another plane. They can't interact with the physical world. The only way they can communicate with the living is through visions. Because of the nature of their existence, the Whills cannot fight Umbra. Me, and others like me- the ones you call 'Force Ghosts', are agents of the Whills. We guide and advise, but… we are not supposed to fight. Not directly." Bastila answers.
"So… this is literally our fight." Kira says.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Kira. I wish there were another way. But, there isn't. You and your friends… are our last hope." Bastila says.
"Then, I guess… we'll just have to do the best we can." Kira says.
"I know you will. It's… time for me to send you back now. I'll be in touch, Kira. Stay strong, and have faith." Bastila says.
Kira's surroundings change, and she finds herself back on Tython. However, she immediately notices that it's now nighttime. Nearby is Ben, seated on the ground, meditating.
"Ben!" Kira says.
"You're back!" Ben says. Kira gets up from the stone, and walks to Ben. She helps him to his feet, and the two embrace.
"It's night? How long was I gone?" Kira asks.
"Twelve hours." Ben answers.
"Twelve hours? How? It wasn't more than a few minutes for me!" Kira says.
"I don't know, Kira. But, I'm not kidding. It's been twelve hours." Ben says.
"Alright. I'll take your word for it. It's just… I had a conversation, then I came back." Kira says.
"What kind of conversation?" Ben asks.
"It was Bastila. Our Bastila. She told me about how Umbra came to be. It was a very interesting conversation." Kira answers.
"I bet. You can tell me all about it during our walk back to the temple." Ben says.
"Of course." Kira says. She takes Ben's hand, and the two start walking to the nearby temple.
Apologies for the long delay with this chapter. Things have been chaotic the last two months, including a death in the family. Now, I'm getting back on track, and plan to more frequently update this story going forward. The next chapter is almost done, and should be posted within a couple of weeks unless something comes up. Also, a note about this story. I have it completely mapped out, and currently expect it to be 33 chapters. This is subject to change if I decide to add or remove things later on, but as of now, we're looking at 33 chapters. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for taking the time to read this.