Chapter Eleven

Kyra woke from a knock on the cabin hatchway, "Rise and shine, Padawan. The Force is waiting for us," Aedan said through the door.

"Coming, Master,"

"There's a crate outside your door that contains a variety of athletic and leisure wear. Since its just us, you don't have to wear the typical tunic and robes, but that decision is totally up to you," he said. "Take your time, and meet me on the stone plateau."

Kyra climbed out of bed more quickly than normal and opened the door for this mysterious "crate." She pulled it inside the cabin and opened the top. Inside was over a dozen different articles of clothing, all neatly folded. She felt herself smiling as she rifled through the clothing, her heart beating fast. This was definitely a new experience. She wouldn't have to wear the same manner of clothing she'd worn for the past sixteen years or so. She began trying on some of the outfits, and using the refresher mirror, modeling herself in the reflection. The smile wouldn't leave her face. She hadn't been this happy since those bantha-butter pancakes at Tauntaun's. She settled on a pair of black pants that were made of a stretchy fabric. They weren't as revealing as leggings, but would provide her with optimal mobility, and they were just so comfortable. And then she put on a black tank top that left her arms and shoulders bare.

The form fitting pants that hugged her defined legs were almost too much, so there was just no way she could wear a tank top as well. It was too revealing. She put a long-sleeved blue shirt that consisted of the same stretchy soft material over her tank top. She stared at herself in the mirror, and couldn't help but blush. She even started panicking. Could she even go out there looking like this? She hadn't given much thought to her appearance, but she couldn't deny that she looked pretty good. The previous three months of hard work had really paid off. Her arms had gained a decent amount of muscle from all those pushups and pullups, which could be seen through the skintight fabric. Her stomach was flat, but her legs were the most noticeable. Her quad muscles were well defined, and looked powerful even, she turned and noticed her calves and was pleased by those as well. Then she looked at her backside and if she was blushing before, she was absolutely red faced now. The pants did not leave much to the imagination, and the well-formed shape of her rear was accentuated.

The self-consciousness was overwhelming. Almost. The freedom of wearing something new, and the expression of all her hard work won out. At the bottom of the crate was a pair of shoes Kyra had seen on others when she was out in Coruscant. They were grey, with black accents, and laces that went up the top of her foot. They had rubber soles, were unbelievably light, and molded to her foot when she put them on. She moved around the cabin in them and felt like she was walking on clouds. While she loved her typical high brown leather boots, this was something else. Ecstatic with her new outfit, but still nervous, she made her way out of the ship and walked up the steps to the stone plateau where Aedan sat.

Aedan Kahl was deep in his meditation when he felt Kyra exit the ship, and draw closer. He opened his eyes and nearly lost his breath. Oh, he thought. I may have made a mistake. Kyra looked stunning in athletic wear. Too stunning. While he had known she was in shape and slender, Jedi-wear normally hides curves and contours. Now for the first time he was able to see just how fit her tall frame actually was. Her legs were long and powerful looking. Her stomach slim. And her arms and shoulders toned. And that was just the fitness aspect of her looks. He wouldn't dare look at the other accentuated feminine facets of her body. He didn't think he would survive that. She looked incredible. He closed his eyes, "Force, help me," he thought.

"Master, thank you so much for the clothing," Kyra said with a big smile.

"You're welcome, Padawan.," he said, gathering his wits. "We are going to be working very hard here in this hot climate, so traditional Jedi garb will actually be a hindrance to our goals. Plus, it's nice to wear something else, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes. I have always loved our tunics, but this is great," she said as she sat down in front of Aedan in their customary arrangement.

Aedan nodded his head once, "So," he said, "This is Tython. I'm sure you've heard quite a bit about, and we'll get even more into the lore and lessons that this planet has to offer. But right now, before we do anything, we'll meditate for a bit. I want to show you something, so I'll guide you through it."

"Yes, Master," she said.

"Close your eyes, Kyra," he began, infusing all the serenity into his voice that he could, "close your eyes and reach out with your senses. We are close to the water. Do you hear the waves crashing against the rocks down below? Feel the ebb and flow of the tide, and modify your breathing to match it. Breath in as the water pulls itself back, and breathe out as the waves surge forward. Become that rhythm. Are you there?"

"I am, Master."

"Good. Keep doing it until you don't have to think about it. Until its automatic."

Aedan was so proud he almost yelled. Kyra was doing it. She was deep into the force now; her concentration supreme. They had been sitting there for ten minutes and the determination she was displaying was astonishing. He could feel she was into her breathing trance now, and began to speak again, "Now that you are one with Tython. That you breathe as Tython breathes, reach deeper. Reach into the heart of the planet. What is there?"

Aedan watched as Kyra's brow furrowed, attempting to achieve awareness through might. "Easy, Kyra. Nice and easy, awareness cannot be forced. We must open our hearts and minds so that enlightenment and wisdom can come in. And we do that by remaining calm, opening ourselves to the force, and inviting it in." He felt her relax once more and try again, and reach deeper.

"Power," she whispered, "So much power. The planet is full of it."

"Yes," he said

"How?"

"The Force works in mysterious ways. Perhaps it chose this planet to be strong here. But it's the same as when we meditate in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, or up in our secret spot at the top of the temple, and we feel a better connection to the force. Only here, the source of the power is tangible.

"That power, what can you sense from it?"

"Its…its troubled. Conflicted."

"Exactly, and do you know why?"

She thought for a few moments, let herself remain open, and finally sensed it. "The moons," she said, "Ashla and Bogan."

"Yes, Padawan. They are constantly at war, and Tython is the battlefield. It is said, though I have never witnessed it, that force storms occur when the balance here is tipped to either side. And that a sole individual can be the cause of that tipping. The Tythans took this information and made it their code, that a Je'daii, as they called themselves back then, must be balanced in light and dark. The order was plagued by civil war and nearly wiped out because of this philosophy. We must not follow their path. Ours is of light, and light alone."

He brought them out of the meditation slowly, and then he stood up. Kyra blinked several times as she came back to her surroundings. Aedan held out his hand to help her up. She stared at the offered hand for a moment, and then grasped it.

Why on earth did I feel the need to do that? She's clearly capable of getting up on her own. He shook his head, and re-centered his thoughts.

"Our schedule will not be much different here. We'll wake up at sunrise and workout first thing to get the blood flowing and our minds awake. Then we'll meditate. Then its swordplay. That should bring us to about ten in the morning, so you'll do your classwork for two hours, we'll have lunch, and then you'll have two more hours of class work or studying, and that will bring us to the afternoon activity. Typically consisting of a long run or hike or a swim. And then we'll work more on force techniques and saber techniques. The evening you are free to do as you will until dinner. After dinner we will spar. Every single night. How does that sound?"

Kyra couldn't help but smile, "It sounds like the most perfect vacation ever."

"Even though you're going to work harder than you've ever worked before, and most likely be sore and hurting every single day."

"That is why it sounds perfect."

Aedan found himself nodding, "And here I thought I was the only crazy Jedi around."

She grinned, "Nope, we're in this together, Master."

Aedan laughed, "Through each of the day's activities, I want you to draw on the force. When we exercise, use the force. When you're studying, use the force. At all times. Call out to it as often as possible. Can you do that?"

"I can," Kyra said, nodding, but then she bit her lip, and winced. "However, there is one problem."

"What's that?"

Kyra looked down, and then covered her face. "I'm embarrassed to say it,"

"Tell me," Aedan said, noticeably amused.

Kyra slowly spread her fingers so Aedan could see her eyes, "I can't swim," she said, and then quickly covered her face back up.

That made him laugh up at the sky, "Don't worry, Padawan. I'll teach you."

"Is it scary?"

"It will be at first," he said, "But eventually, I'm willing to wager, you're going to love it."

She tilted her head up to the sky, and feigned hysterics. "I'm gonna drown."

"You're not going to drown, I'll be there"

"What if a Sando gets me?"

"We'll be in a lake, Sando are too big for it?"

"Ok, well what about Jodakan Needler Crabs," she said, turning her hands into pincers and snapping at the air, "What if a swarm of them comes out of the lake?"

"Those are only on Jodakan," he said, shaking his head.

Kyra scoffed, "Oh, right, and Sullustans only live on Sullust."

"Padawan, you'll be fine."

"Hey, I'm worried for you too, Master. I mean have you heard what a Great Tythonian Shra'akan can do to a person."

"No, I haven't, because there's no such thing."

"Oh, I didn't realize you were a zoologist as well as a horticulture-ologist?"

Aedan's cheeks were burning at this point from smiling so much. "You're going to love it, Kyra."

"We'll see about that."

They went through their morning routine, neither of them having any trouble getting in the groove of training. Kyra was full of joy in this new environment, but she knew all too well how serious this was. Balance, Aedan thought. Balance, already. Aedan began introducing Makashi to her,

"This is your favorite form, isn't it Master?" Kyra asked, as they were going through a moderately difficult kata, the synchronicity of their movements would have amazed any onlooker.

"Initially it was. It has the most flow and…elegance to it. But it's limited."

"How so?"

"Makashi is great for dueling, but bad against multiple ranged attacks."

"Then what's your favorite?"

"We'll get to that."

While Kyra was dialed into training with Aedan, she had no mind for her classwork today. And it was only the first day. It seemed absolutely frivolous to her, and she couldn't focus on the datapad's lessons no matter how hard she tried. She stopped trying and went up to the temple for lunch. Aedan was once again meditating on the raised dais.

They had one of the Republic MRE's for lunch. While not the tastiest of meals, it wasn't too bad actually. And it was filling. After another two hours of half-hearted studying, it was time for their afternoon workout. Together they lifted the boulder up, walked under it and through the passage, and then let it drop.

"Be on your guard," Aedan said, "These lands are filled with dangers,"

"As long as a Sando doesn't attack, I'll be alright."

"Sando can only survive under water,"

"There you go again being an animal expert. Have you ever even seen a Sando?"

"No, but Obi-Wan has."

Kyra's mouth dropped open, "No way."

"Yea, he and Qui-Gonn nearly got eaten by one on Naboo."

"Get out of here!"

"True story,"

"Yep, definitely not getting in the water."

"Oh, stop."

Their run took them along the coastline, under the tall trees, and over the green hills of Tython. It was beautiful, and Aedan took them at a relatively slow pace so she could take in all the sights and not be so focused on the run. Both carried their lightsabers, and both were constantly tuning into their surroundings. While Tython was beautiful there was a multitude of threats on this planet, many of which love the idea of humans for a late lunch. After five kilometers, they turned around and headed back to their fortress.

After the run they practiced using the force, working with balance and telekinesis by doing one-handed hand-stands while levitating several rocks. Typically, Aedan would just instruct Kyra, so she was surprised to see him kick up into a perfect handstand next to her. And while she levitated four rocks, he picked up six, and then began to move them in a circle around him. Kyra, stunned by the concentration, nearly lost her own, but then began to move her four rocks around her, but found it was too difficult.

"Try it with one rock first. Once you have that down, then add another, and then another," Aedan said, with his eyes still closed.

Within ten minutes she had all four rocks revolving around her. She couldn't help but smile at the accomplishment. "Very good, Padawan," Aedan said. "Now, catch."

One of Aedan's rocks floated towards Kyra, "Oh," was all she managed before she caught it in a force grip, causing her four other rocks to fall to the ground. "Kriff," she said.

"Good catch, but try keeping the others up as well. That will be the lesson tomorrow. Enough for today."

Kyra, kicked down and landed on all fours. She moved to stand up, staggered, and then sank back down to the ground, collapsing onto her back. "Oh, look," she panted, "I'm exhausted. That's new."

"Very funny, Padawan. But," he intoned seriously, "good job."

"Thank you, Master," she said, propping herself up on her elbows. "What's next?"

"Now you get to do whatever you want," Aedan said, "But how about we set the ground rules as no going outside the rock perimeter on your own just yet."

"Understood" Kyra said, but didn't really know what she wanted to do. She could read on her datapad. Explore more of the area. Check out the temple. "What are you going to do, Master?"

He gave her a smirk, "I'll show you, but once you see this place, you may not want to do anything else."

"Well, obviously I have to see it now."

"Alright, you asked for it." Aedan walked to the ship and went inside. A few minutes later he came out with two bundles in his arms. Kyra eyed the items and then recognized them, "Hammocks?" She asked.

"Yep," Aedan said, and then began walking up to the temple.

"Hammocks, in the temple."

"I deliberately held off in showing you this part of the temple because, well, its…you'll have to see it for yourself."

"They went up into the grey stoned temple, Kyra admiring all of it. They walked through the front entrance and it opened up into a large unadorned sanctuary room. At the two far corners of the room were doorways. The doorway to the left leads to a stairwell leading down into some rooms that were used as sleeping quarters. I'll show you that later. The doorway to the right leads up."

"Up?"

Aedan walked to the stairwell, and then extended his hand, palm up, towards the door, "After you," he said.

Kyra raised one eyebrow at him, but walked up the stairs which appeared to go up about thirty feet or so, where light shined in at the top. Kyra made her way up and once she exited the stairwell, and set foot on the stone floor she gasped. To her left was the exterior wall of the temple. Above her was uncut rock. Laid out before her was a stone ledge, with three stone pillars spaced evenly across the ledge. To her right was nothing.

She walked out onto this ledge that had been carved into the cliff face, and then stood and gazed out over the blue ocean, where white capped waves swelled, and she could see land masses far off in the distance.

Aedan stood next to here, "Something isn't it?"

"Its…everything."

Aedan then set one hammock on the ground while he began attaching the end of one to a metal torch holder that had been set into the wall. He attached the other end to a steel ring that was set into the middle stone pillar. Kyra smiled widely and then picked up the other hammock and did the same with it, attaching the front end to the middle pillar, and then attaching the other end to another torch handle a few feet away. The hammocks made a V with their feet aimed together pointing towards the vast blue ocean. Both judging that the steel supports were sturdy, they eased themselves into their respective hammocks.

Aedan let out a sigh, as Kyra said, "Oh, Force, this is just…" unable to finish the sentence, just sighed as well.

"You said it."

They had a quick dinner of MRE's, though these were of the "Premium Selection" line, and did in fact taste a little bit better. And then Aedan began making a campfire in the flat, grassy space between the ship and the stairs leading up to the stone plateau. There was plenty of small twigs and sticks around so he had a nice pile of kindling gathered. And using his ultimate tree cutting tool he had a stack of logs positioned a few feet from the fire pit which he made by putting a number of palm sized rocks in a circle. Placing the logs in a teepee formation over the kindling, he used his instatorch to ignite the small pile. He knew in about an hour all of this would turn to hot coals, and then they'd really have some heat to work with. The sun was just getting below the horizon as the campfire was now blazing. Kyra had been observing the entire time, watching Aedan's every move. This was stuff they had never taught in the jedi temple, but stuff, nonetheless, that all jedi should know. Well, everyone, not just jedi, should know how to do this. Perhaps even without the instatorch. "Where did you learn this?" she asked.

Aedan looked up from the fire at her, "Qui Gon taught me, well Obi-Wan and me."

"I didn't realize you were that close with them."

Aedan nodded solemnly.

"Can you tell me about them? About how you grew to be close with them?"

Aedan looked into the fire for a long moment, as if the fire ignited memories, "Qui Gon saved me from Krayn on Nar Shadaa. He had been tasked with bringing me to the temple, Krayn and his minions had somehow known about my force sensitivity, and were going to kidnap me. Qui Gon fought them off, and took me to the temple. I was very troubled those first few years at the temple. At five I was old for crecheling, and just having seen my parents slaughtered in front of me, well, I was somewhat problematic. They didn't really know what to do with me. Then Qui Gon began to talk with me, then instruct me and teach me. He became the father figure I wanted, needed really. And then Obi-Wan became an older brother. We became pretty close, Qui Gon would take us on training retreats, even took us here at one point. I love coming here, maybe more than anywhere in the galaxy, but it is bittersweet returning." Kyra just nodded, not wanting the story to stop, "I trained with them constantly, and it was presumed that I would be Qui Gon's padawan, once Obi-Wan was knighted. But then some ridiculous trade dispute happened, a Sith Lord shows up, Qui Gon is…gone, and Obi-Wan returns as a Jedi Knight and with a new padawan.

"Skywalker," Kyra says.

"Yes."

"And you resent Anakin for that?"

"No, of course not. But that was very tough for me. Obi-Wan's hands were full with Anakin, I mean outrageously full, so he no longer had any time for me. So, I essentially lost the two people closest to me."

"What changed? What did you do?"

Once again, Aedan hesitated, "Two things. One, Qui Gon had always spoke of the Force as something that had a will of its own, he even referred to it as the Living Force. So," Aedan shrugged, and ducked his head, "I began thinking in that regard. As if it was a living thing." Aedan looked over and saw that her mouth was open in surprise. He continued quickly, "And two, I put everything I had into my swordsmanship. Qui Gon gave me a great foundation, and so I built on top of that, and it came to me like…like breathing. It was the easiest thing ever, but also the most thrilling. Then I became an apprentice under Gennady, and he continued my training." Aedan turned away from the fire, and saw that darkness was upon them. "Speaking of which, it's time to spar."

"Yes, Master," Kyra said, "But can you tell me more about the Living Force."

"Later."

Kyra groaned, "You and your secrets."

"Let's just refer to them as lessons. Lessons that can only be progressed through in a particular manner."

Kyra rolled her eyes, "Whatever you say, Master Jedi."

"Now," Aedan said igniting his blade, "give me your best."

Kyra's blue blade snapped to life with a hiss, and she surged forward. She had learned so much in the past three months. Her Soresu had become very solid, and the few times she sparred with her friends they had great difficulty scoring points, but her offense was definitely lacking. Aedan knew this and thus wanted her to focus on her attacks.

She poured on the pressure, striking with quick, whip like attacks, and the next moment, changing to long, powerful sweeping cuts. Each move was easily intercepted. Aedan nodded, "Good. Varying attack speeds and strengths is a sound tactic," he said. She changed her style to Ataru, spinning, rolling, flipping and cartwheeling around, in attempt to overwhelm Aedan with dynamic movement. After two minutes straight of that, she found herself tiring. It was way too difficult to keep up that level of activity, and Aedan was just too smooth for that technique to work on him.

She next switched to Makashi, hoping elegance and fluidity would prove more effective.

"Really," Aedan said, inclining his head, "Makashi against me?"

"I'm just trying all manner of options."

Aedan help up a hand, stopping her for a moment. "While you gave an impressive display of those forms, as well as improvisation, but your weakness is not your technique."

Kyra bobbed her head while he was speaking, but when he finished, she charged forward and attacked again. Slicing and cutting in an impressive show of swordsmanship. But was having trouble finding the balance between reckless and relentless. If she tried too hard, she'd over extend, become sloppy, or leave herself wide open for counter attack. And if she didn't put enough force or swiftness in her movements Aedan would just batt them aside.

After another few minutes she was just too fatigued to continue. Aedan noticed and held up his hand once more, stopping them. "Good, that's enough for tonight. Not bad at all, Padawan."

Kyra collapsed onto the ground, "I couldn't even get close to you," she said, still breathing deeply, "And you weren't even trying that hard."

Aedan sat down as well, "Not to be boastful, but I am a very experienced swordsman, and I did have to try tonight. You are showing remarkable improvement."

Kyra nodded, "I know, Master. It's just frustrating."

"Just stay with it," he said.

Kyra sat there deep in thought, and finally voiced her numerations, "Earlier you said Makashi is limited."

"I did."

Kyra's lips pouted and her eyelids closed a fraction as they sometimes did when she was trying to figure something out. As it often did, this expression bothered Aedan, like many of her others, causing something within his chest cavity to twitch. Or melt. He could never figure out the things that this girl caused his body to do. All he knew is that they were happening. And it was simultaneously thrilling beyond measure, and terrifying. This was not a path he could go down.

"All lightsaber forms are limited then," she said.

Aedan nodded, "How so?" spurring her on.

"Well Shien is just too basic and limited. Makashi is typically only good for dueling. Soresu is great for defense, but incorporates no offense. Ataru is the most taxing, and impractical against several foes. I don't know much about Form Five, but it sounds like it lacks mobility and footwork. Form six is a good balance of all the previous forms, but lacks refinement and specialization. And well Vapaad is too…angry."

"I seem to be rubbing off on you. Very astute assessment."

"Why would Jedi create forms that had limitations to them? Or why create forms at all, wouldn't that hinder most Jedi?"

Aedan couldn't believe it, "I asked that same question when I was seventeen."

"Well, did you find an answer?"

"No. I made my own."

"Your own answer?"

"No, my own form."

"What?" Kyra said, nearly shouting.

"I made my own lightsaber form."

"Why haven't I heard of it?"

"I haven't told anyone. Jedi, particularly the council, don't do so well with change,"

"Tell me about it," Kyra muttered. "Well can you teach me, Master?"

"I can," he said, "while there are certain stances, and a few basic moves, its mainly a mindset, and not a form with a series of governing characteristics. Kind of like with Vapaad, how one has to sink into the thrill of the fight."

"What is the mindset?"

"Be water."

"Be water?"

"Yes," Aedan said. "You put water in a cup it becomes the cup. You put water in a canteen, it becomes the canteen. Water flows into whatever space it needs to be, therefore it's…?"

"Formless."

"Exactly. You can't cut water. It just part around the blade. You can't burn it, or blast it. You slap it, and it just splashes back up at you. It can cool. It can flow. And it can crash. So be water."

"It sounds...simple," She said.

Aedan smiled, "It is. The main thing to remember, however, is it's all about adapting. While it can be simple, its difficulty lies in analyzing an opponent, and then adopting the best way to counter his or her attacks. Awareness of the opponent's tendencies and knowledge of probable moves and systems of moves are vital for it to be effective."

"Oh, and you have great awareness and knowledge?" Kyra asked, teasing.

"Possibly," responded with a smirk.

"How were you able to come up with that?" Kyra asked, "As a matter of fact, how are you able to come up with any of this, Master? How do you know so much? How do you see all of this and no one on the council seems to be aware of it? You're half the age of everyone sitting up in that tower, and not only could you beat more than half of them in a duel, but you seem every bit as wise, or wiser, than they are."

"You know I don't believe any of that, Padawan."

Kyra threw her hands out, "Which is even more support of my point. You have all this wisdom and skill and power, and yet, you're still humble. And you're Twenty-two?"

"Three actually."

"What?"

"I'm twenty-three. My birthday was yesterday."

Kyra's eyes narrowed, her nostrils flared, and her eyes grew dark, "Your. Birthday. Was. Yesterday." Her voice stayed halting and soft, but the last word she yelled. Causing Aedan to step back.

"Yes," Aedan said, wincing.

She turned around abruptly, took two steps away, and then turned back around. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

"Well, no."

"But it's your birthday."

"The order seems to neglect birthdays."

"Well, the order doing something doesn't always make it right."

Aedan put his palm to his forehead, "Oh no," Aedan said, "I created a monster."

"Oh, stop," Kyra said, "Well, can we celebrate?"

Aedan thought about that for a moment. "Your birthday is in six weeks, right?"

Kyra froze, "How do you know that?"

Aedan shrugged, "I'm a Jedi. I know things."

Kyra smiled against her will, and looked for something to throw at him, but couldn't find anything, so she settled for a slight force push. Aedan saw it coming, crossed his arms in front of him, put his head down, and braced himself in the force, so the push just brushed past him.

Kyra stood shocked once more. "Ok, you're going to have to teach me that one. But yes, my birthday is in six weeks."

"How about we celebrate together. We'll take the whole day off and do birthday stuff?"

Kyra let out a cheer, "Oh, can we please!"

"As long as you work hard."

"Deal."