AN: KXR DOES NOT OWN STAR WARS
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Star Wars
Legend of Thaigarus
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Trials and Tribulations: Chapter 5; Way of the Blade
In the forest of Tython Zaaron heard the whimpering of an animal not too far from his position. As Zaaron made his way through the brush he found a lone Akk Dog pup with a broken hind leg. Zaaron approached slowly trying not to startle it. Zaaron had never seen an Akk Dog before. It's reptilian hide and wide blue eyes were a sight Zaaron had never seen before. Kneeling down beside the Akk Dog Zaaron used Curato Salva to heal the pup's wounds. While this power was normally used to heal one's own injuries it could also be used to heal others, but initiates were warned only to use it internally until they reached the rank of padawan, and for good reason. As the pup's wounds healed before Zaaron's eyes he felt his own energy drain. As the last remnants of the wound disappeared Zaaron collapsed from the exertion of his powers.
When Yuuzahn came upon his son that evening he was surprised to see an Akk Dog pup standing over his son's body in an aggressive stance. The pup showed no signs of attacking his son, but instead protecting him. Due to the pup's presence Yuuzahn knew he couldn't get any closer than he was, or else risk being attacked by the pup.
When Zaaron regained conscious he heard what sounded like the rumbling of thunder, but when he opened his eyes he saw the yellow underbelly of the Akk Dog pup he had saved. Turning his head side to side he saw his father sitting a few feet away. Before Zaaron could say or do anything the Akk pup was already sitting down at Zaaron's side. Sitting up from his position Zaaron petted the pup's head before he ran to his father's embrace. When the two broke their embrace they saw the pup in front of them wagging his tail and a smile on his face.
"Can we keep him?" Zaaron asked his father as he hugged the pup.
"You promise to take responsibility and care of him?" Yuuzahn said with a smile on his face at well.
Zaaron could barely say yes as the pup sat over him licking.
The first few weeks were a bit difficult with the new pup. It would always follow Zaaron everywhere, even when he went to bed it was right there at its foot. Master Kaeden almost died when he saw the pup following Zaaron through the halls of the temple. But after hours of work and training the Akk Dog pup was well trained, all he lacked was a name.
"You know we still haven't given you a name." Zaaron said as he sat on the front step of his homes with the pup at his side.
The pup gave a bark in response.
"How about Palpatine?"
A snort was given in response.
"You're right. It does sound a bit creepy."
"How about Cander, after Mandalore the preserver?"
The pup barked with a smile in his face at the name.
"Alright, Cander it is." Zaaron said with a smile as he petted Cander.
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"Zaaron get in here right now!" Yuuzahn yelled as he inspected his son's hunting rifle. It had been four years since Zaaron's first hunting trip and he had been quite the marksmen for nine years of age. As Zaaron came running into the small room where all their weapons were kept he saw his father with his rifle disassembled on the table, with an angry look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Zaaron asked.
"What's the first rule for taking care of your weapon?" Yuuzahn asked raising his right eyebrow.
Realizing his mistake Zaaron responded dejectedly. "A clean weapon is an efficient weapon."
"Exactly. Now why has your rifle not been cleaned?" Yuuzahn asked as he saw Zaaron's shoulders slump.
"When we got back I had a lesson at the temple and forgot." Zaaron answered honestly.
Eyeing son for any deceit Yuuzahn gave his verdict. "Since you forgot to clean your weapon you'll have to clean all the rifles and blades in this room or no supper to tonight."
At this Zaaron's eyes widened to the size of saucers, but one look at his father's face told him there was no arguing. As his father left the room Zaaron took a look at the weapons in the room, a total of three hunting rifles, two blaster pistols, a heavy repeater, three vibro-swords, and one Echani Ritual Brand Staff. With a sigh Zaaron began what he knew would be a tedious process. His father had a strict set of rules when it came to weapons, especially when it came to maintenance. In the Great Galactic War, his father was in the midst of battle when his heavy repeater malfunctioned, and engulfed his left hand in flames. While his father had no serious damage done to his hand miraculously enough, his hand was heavily scarred and discolored in angry red and white scars. As Zaaron sat down he began to work on his already disassembled rifle. After his parents had their dinner, Yuuzahn came into the weapons room and saw Zaaron passed out on the table with a perfectly cleaned and sharpened vibro-sword laying a few inches away from his head. Putting the sword away Yuuzahn picked Zaaron up and carried him to his room.
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The next morning Zaaron met with his mother for his training in the Echani martial arts. The Echani the martial arts were a way of individualizing one's self within their culture, but it could not be denied that Zaaron was one of a kind, but Zaaron took great pride in his warrior heritage and was more than happy to learn every aspect of the art. At the age of four his mother had taught him the basic forms of combat and he had just recently entered the intermediate stages.
In their sand arena Zaaron's mother wore loose fitting pants and a shirt that exposed her midriff and arms, and Zaaron wore his training pants with no shirt as was Echani tradition. In Echani culture use of armor was rare in combat, so in most sparring session you would see the combatants wearing normally very few articles of clothing.
"Today you will learn the art of moving meditation. We shall use the very first of the intermediate forms for today's exercise." Teraja said as she began the form's sequence.
"Empty your mind; allow everything to be removed by your actions." Teraja said as the two went through the form's movements with both eyes closed.
"Now that your mind is emptied, focus your mind on one goal. As you continue focus and hone your mind on that goal."
As the two continued they seemed to enter a deep trance within their movements. Each kick, punch, and stance seemed to flow with energy as it slowly built up. At the end of the form both were renewed with the power of the Force. As both opened their eyes they had a smile on their faces.
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In the training halls of the Jedi temple Zaaron and the rest of his clan study the lightsaber form Shii-Cho under the watchful eye of Grand Master Satele. The clan had been practicing the form for several weeks, and today they would be tested on their execution of the form. Every member of his clan had gone up; Zaaron passed Kymen as he stepped up onto the performance platform. Drawing his training saber Zaaron took his stance. With a deep breath Zaaron began the form sequence. Every strike every block was performed with as much power and intensity a nine year old could hold. By the time he had finished his chest was heaving from exertion. When Master Satele gave him her nod of approval his fellow clan members applauded his success, all except one. Kymen sat on the side with the others of Dragon clan and looked back and forth between Zaaron and Aurora. The young Kaleesh had a childhood crush on the young Twilek, but he was misinformed of thinking she liked Zaaron. In truth none of that mattered, all the young Kaleesh felt was an immense anger towards Zaaron, for the source of his affections had never given him a smile like she was now. Turning his attention back to Zaaron Kymen simply stared at Zaaron as the rest of his clan members surrounded him and gave them their praise.
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The masked Jedi appeared in Zaaron's mind again that night. His presence had become a welcome feeling in his mind after so many years.
"You are the light to bath the galaxy anew. You are the one to preserve the galaxy. You shall defeat the darkness."
But yet as the Jedi came again so did his Sith counterpart.
"You shall rule the galaxy. All shall kneel before your wrath. You shall preserve the galaxy in your image."
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AN: As always I'd like to thank you all for reading. I'm always looking forward to what you guys have to say, but you have to review first. So please leave a review, and continue to read Trials and Tribulations.-KXR