Burning Shadows
Chapter 4
" Gently now. Use long, Smooth motions to evenly polish the armour. " Kalina watched as Yumikaya held the polishing buffer tenderly and gently made long smooth strokes as instructed. " Good. I'll watch and correct you if you make a mistake. "
A Few Hours Later
" Well done sweety. Your armour looks great. " Kalina smiled sweetly before Arsaor walked over with the finished helmet.
" The bodysuit is ready. I will work on the helmet next. Come back tomorrow and I should have most of the armour ready. " Arsaor placed the bodysuit onto the workbench as Yumikaya looked toward it. On most of the bodysuit were what appeared to be small panels with wiring and small points that looked like they attached to something.
As Yumikaya motioned to speak, Kalina petted her head gently before speaking softly.
" Let's go get some food and rest sweety. Tomorrow, I want to start teaching you hand to hand combat and Orgus wants to continue your form training. " Kalina smiled as Yumikaya nodded and yawned sleepily before walking out of the forge and back to Larkhan's ship to eat and sleep.
The Next Day
Yumikaya yawned as she woke up and stretched out before getting dressed and leaving her and Kalina's quarters. After eating breakfast, Yumikaya left the ship and walked to the hill where Orgus was once again meditating. As she approached, Orgus spoke calmly.
" Are you well rested? " Orgus hadn't opened his eyes as Yumikaya sat across from him and spoke softly.
" Yes. And I am ready for more training. " Yumikaya sat patiently while Orgus finished meditating. As he opened his eyes, Orgus spoke softly.
" Good. Today I will teach you Form two. Makashi. " Orgus handed the training lightsabre to Yumikaya before standing and activating his lightsabre to demonstrate the stance and moves as Yumikaya activated the training lightsabre and mimicked his movements.
An Hour Later
" Excellent. Now on to the remotes. Remember, Do not use anger and frustration as fuel. Focus only on your senses. " Orgus handed Yumikaya the blindfold before watching as Yumikaya breathed slowly. After activating the remotes, Orgus watched with a smile. Despite still getting hit, Yumikaya blocked more shots than the previous day.
A Few Hours Later
" Excellent. The pace you learn is truly a wonder to behold. That is enough for today. I believe Aratarus wants to teach you next. Tomorrow, I will teach you Form three. " Orgus smiled before sitting down and returning to his meditation as Yumikaya handed him the blindfold and lightsabre before walking down the hill. As she reached the bottom of the hill, Yumikaya saw Aratarus, Who was wearing basic clothes, Mako and Shae waiting for her. Upon walking over to them, Yumikaya listened carefully as Aratarus spoke.
" Kalina told you that she wants to teach you hand to hand combat. I do to but I will teach you a different style. I studied Echani Martial Arts when I was younger and have used them ever since. That is what I will teach you. Firstly, The Echani Arts make no use of armour, Weapons or Jedi tricks. So all of those are off limits during my lessons. Clear? " Aratarus spoke sternly before Yumikaya nodded and he continued. " There are three tiers of Echani Arts. Each tier relies on different foundations of the Echani Arts. The first is basic techniques, Body conditioning and endurance training. Let's begin. "
" But where do we start? " Yumikaya spoke softly and nervously before Aratarus chuckled and spoke.
" That is the easy part. We start with basic strikes and blocks. Follow my movements. " Aratarus display the basic strikes as Yumikaya slowly followed his movement.
Nightfall
Yumikaya breathed exhaustively as Aratarus spoke.
" You're quick kiddo. You have the basics down. Your technique is fantastic. Let's call it a day. I'll teach you more tomorrow. Mako knows a good place in the city to get decent grub. " Aratarus grinned as Yumikaya smiled and nodded.
Meanwhile
" Larkhan, I get it. You don't want me giving her anything fancy until you teach her to fly and I get that you have Flash-fire scout fighters she can use but I want to build her something special for after she has learned. You're telling me that you won't let me build her something? " Kalina spoke disappointingly as Larkhan sighed loudly.
" That's not what I am saying. Build whatever you want. All I am saying is that I don't want you to deconstruct my entire hangar to do so. Yes, You can use whatever parts we have lying around but don't take apart any of my working fighters. " Larkhan sighed loudly before Kalina spoke.
" Can I take apart the broken ones? " Kalina smiled as Larkhan groaned but nodded. " Then I don't need the working ones. I would have thought the hyperdrive would have taught you that I don't need new things. "
" It did but that doesn't mean I fully trust you. " Larkhan spoke calmly as Kalina grinned devilishly.
" I guess I will have to work on my feminine wiles then. " Kalina winked playfully before walking toward the hangar as Larkhan groaned tiredly.
The Next Day
Yumikaya groaned softly as she awoke with a dull ache weaving through her muscles before getting dressed and walking to the mess hall of Larkhan's ship. After eating breakfast, Yumikaya left the ship and walked to the hill for more lightsabre training. As she arrived, Master Orgus was waiting and handed the training lightsabre to Yumikaya as he spoke.
" Form three is called Soresu. This form is stylised toward defence. It caters towards facing many opponents armed with blasters. Follow my movements. " Orgus activated his lightsabre as Yumikaya activated the training lightsabre and followed Orgus's movements as he demonstrated the stances and motions.
An Hour Later
" I envy how quickly you learn little one. In the Jedi Order, You would excel as a student and quickly rise through the ranks. Now, Use Soresu against the remotes. " Orgus handed Yumikaya the blindfold and smiled as he activated the three remotes and watched.
Yumikaya took a few hits but managed to deflect the majority of the shots from the droids as she used the movements Orgus had shown her.
A Few Hours Later
" Very good. You are learning far faster than any other student and each form you learn, You quickly grasp. Tomorrow we will move on to Form four. Keep in mind, Until you display at minimum, A decent understanding, You will not build your own blade. Go to Aratarus. Continue your physical training. " Orgus smiled as Yumikaya walked down the hill before speaking quietly. " It is a pity that Master Shan is overlooking your talent little one. You would change the galaxy as a Jedi. " Orgus sat down before meditating as Yumikaya reached the bottom of the hill.
As she got to the bottom of the hill, Yumikaya was hit by a strong kick to the side of her stomach, Throwing her through the air and crashing to the ground with an unceremonious thud as Aratarus spoke.
" Fight for your life kid. Enemies will not wait for you to be ready. Fight. " Aratarus rushed forward and threw a punch as Yumikaya darted out of the way before rolling forward, Stepping up on to Aratarus's knee before pushing off and slamming a kick into the side of his head, Forcing him backwards as Yumikaya landed and moved into a different stance as Shae Vizla gasped loudly and spoke.
" That stance... How... " Shae's jaw dropped before Yumikaya darted forward and gently pressed several pressure points on Aratarus's legs and arms as he stood, Causing him to fall to the ground as he spoke.
" What the... " Aratarus groaned as he struggled to move his arms and legs with no result as Shae spoke.
" I recognise that fighting style! That's Teräs Käsi! Where the hell did you learn that?! " Shae looked shocked as Yumikaya walked over and pressed the pressure points again, Relieving the effect as she spoke.
" Life as a slave gives you an opportunity to observe others. I spent a few months on Nal Hutta. There were a pair of prisoners that were taught Teräs Käsi at a young age. They used to spar using basic techniques and pressure point strikes to pass the time in their cell. I learned this by watching them but it is all I know. They never used other techniques. " Yumikaya sighed softly before speaking. " Even though I was close with them, They refused to teach me. Saying I was too small and weak to learn. "
" Maybe you were before sweety. But I am glad you know the basics. Teaching you will be much easier with a starting foundation. " Kalina giggled softly as Yumikaya looked startled by the sound of her voice before speaking.
" Wait... You know Teräs Käsi?! " Yumikaya looked shocked as Kalina smiled and spoke.
" You sound surprised yet it was your mother that taught me. She was taught Teräs Käsi from age five until a month before joining the Jedi. I have never seen anyone more talented in the art than her. And yet, You displayed the same level of precision that she does. It is going to be an absolute pleasure teaching you. For now, Finish your training with Ara. I am working on a personal project. When it is done, I will teach you what I know. " Kalina kissed Yumikaya's head gently before walking away as Aratarus spoke.
" While impressive, That art is not part of our lessons. Try to resist the urge to use that alright? " Aratarus smiled as Yumikaya nodded before speaking again. " Given that you know the foundations of Teräs Käsi, I think it best that we refocus on muscle conditioning and endurance. To that end, I have an exercise for you. Go to my ship and run circles around it until I come and get you. "
" WHAT?! " Yumikaya looked thoroughly irritated before Aratarus pointed toward the hangar with a look that dared her to object. After a moment, Yumikaya growled irritably before running toward the hanger as Shae giggled.
" Her mother... Who is she? " Shae spoke calmly as Aratarus chuckled.
" Her name is Zanira. My aunt. " Aratarus grinned as Shae giggled.
" That explains a lot. " Shae smiled as Aratarus looked toward her with curiosity before she continued. " Zanira was one of my best friends in my early teen years. During the early years of my Mandalorian training, The three of us were inseparable. "
" Three? Who was the third? " Aratarus spoke calmly but looked taken aback as Shae Vizla shook her head.
" It is not my place to speak of it. I have said too much already. Ask your aunt when we see her. " Shae sighed sadly as she walked away before Aratarus walked to Arsaor's forge. As he walked in, He saw Yumikaya's armour on a stand, Gleaming as Arsaor spoke from the workbench.
" Kid did alright. For a Foundling, She displays a unique level of skill. She picks up new things as fast as she gets taught. " Arsaor thought silently for a moment before continuing. " It's... Unusual. I haven't met anyone that learns as fast as she does. Keep a keen eye on her boy. "
" I intend to. I want to know how she learns so fast as well. For now, I need to focus on her training. " Aratarus smiled before leaving the shop and walking to the hangar bay where his ship was. As he entered, He heard beeping and shouting before noticing Yumikaya chasing Ziyo around the hangar.
" Get back here you cheeky little bucket! " Yumikaya laughed as Ziyo ran circles around Aratarus's starship while Yumikaya chased him happily. After several minutes, Yumikaya noticed Aratarus watching before sitting down as the strain of the laps she had done kicked in. " I'm so tired... "
" How many laps did you do? " Aratarus spoke calmly before Yumikaya shook her head.
" I wasn't counting. Too busy catching Ziyo. " Yumikaya smiled sheepishly before Aratarus chuckled.
" All that matters is that you did as you were instructed. Let's go get some food kiddo. " Aratarus smiled before leaving the hanger with Yumikaya in tow.
The Next Day
Yumikaya quickly walked to the hill to train with Orgus after waking up later than usual. As she arrived, Orgus chuckled softly before speaking.
" Did you sleep well little one? " Orgus opened his eyes slowly as Yumikaya looked away sheepishly as she nodded. " Good. Than you will be more than rested enough to learn Form four. It is called Ataru. Ataru is an aggressive form. It combines strength, Speed and agility. As always, Follow my movements. " Orgus activated his lightsabre as Yumikaya picked up the training lightsabre and activated it before following Orgus as he demonstrated the movements and stances of Ataru.
An Hour Later
" Excellent. Though, I must ask... Have you ever wondered why you learn so fast? " Orgus deactivated his lightsabre before sitting down and holding the blindfold out to Yumikaya as she deactivated the training lightsabre.
" I have been curious since I was little. But I stopped trying to figure it out and just made it work. " Yumikaya smiled before standing and putting on the blindfold before reactivating the training lightsabre as Orgus activated the remotes.
" Then keep making it work little one. " Orgus watched as Yumikaya used Ataru to fight the remotes.
A Few Hours Later
Yumikaya panted heavily as she deactivated the training lightsabre and fell to her knees as Orgus spoke.
" Well done. Go and rest. Ataru can be very tiring. " Orgus returned to his meditation as Yumikaya placed the training lightsabre and blindfold on the ground before walking down the hill to where Aratarus was waiting.
As Yumikaya approached, Aratarus spoke calmly.
" You are too tired from training today. Go and rest kiddo. We can train tomorrow. " Aratarus smiled as Yumikaya nodded and walked toward the hangar.
Late Night
Yumikaya tossed and turned as images and voices filled her mind.
" You have no place among us. You are not pure. "
" Who cares?! I am a person! We are all people just like you! We have the right to live as well! "
" You are nothing but failed experiments. You will leave the cities and towns or you will be executed. "
" You can't do this! We have rights! "
" You have nothing. This is your last warning. Leave. "
" How can you all just sit there and agree with this?! How can you all live with yourselves when you treat your own people this way?! "
" You are not our people. Guards! Escort the experiments out of the city. "
" Damn you all! Damn you and your pure blood! I hope you drown in it! "
Yumikaya groaned loudly as images of fire and death filled her mind as the same voice echoed through the scenes filling her mind.
" Bastards! Why are you doing this?! We have done nothing to you! "
" You are a waste of resources. It is logical. "
" How is killing millions of people logical?! Have you lost your minds?! "
" Your opinion of the situation is irrelevant. Extermination reduces the strain on our people. You are all just failed experiments anyway. Why should we regret doing what is best for our people at the cost of removing failures from the equation? "
" We ARE people! Not numbers! You have no right to decide our lives or decide if we die! "
" Ofcourse we do. We created you. We own you. All of you. The only right you have now is to die so others will live more comfortably. The least you can do is die quietly. "
" You are all scum. Every last one of you. Worthless, Self important slime. I hope all this death is worth it to you. One day I will see you and your precious pure blood burn. "
" Perhaps. Perhaps not. Guards, Put this child in a stasis chamber. Let her die slowly in the emptiness of space. "
" No... NO! You can't do this! Let go of me! "
As Yumikaya awoke and quickly sat up, She held her head gently before loud crashing sounds echoed through the ship before the door opened and Orgus rushed into the room.
" Are you alright? " Orgus spoke calmly as Yumikaya quickly descended into tears.
" No... No... I saw a white city... People with white eyes and hair... They were sending people that looked like them but were different somehow out of the cities. Then it changed... They were killing them all. Except for one. They put her in a stasis pod and sent it into space. Then I wok... " Yumikaya cried out in pain as her head felt as if it were going to explode as a loud voice filled her mind before echoing through the ship as Yumikaya screamed in pain.
" HELP ME! "
As the voice faded, Yumikaya fell unconscious.
Two Days Later
Yumikaya awoke slowly and stretched before getting dressed and leaving the ship. As she walked out of the hangar, Mako walked over and spoke.
" You okay cutey? " Mako smiled soothingly but her smile faded as Yumikaya shook her head.
" I can hear her Mako. I can feel her. I don't even know who she is but it's like she is part of me. It hurts so much. " Yumikaya groaned softly as she rubbed her head gently.
" I wish I could help. But I didn't even know that hearing voices was a thing. Even for Jedi, It tests the limits of what is real. There is so much I don't understand. But if you need anything, Let me know. I will help however I can. " Mako smiled before hugging Yumikaya gently. As Mako walked away, Yumikaya sighed and spoke softly.
" I am not sure anyone can help. I don't even know how to help myself... " Yumikaya sighed again before leaving the hangar and walking to the hill where Orgus was waiting. As she sat down, Orgus spoke calmly.
" Are you sure you want to continue? You haven't been sleeping and that voice is quite concerning. " Orgus looked worried before Yumikaya sighed irritably and spoke.
" Just stop, Okay? I don't need everyone worrying. It isn't helping. Just let me train. " Yumikaya turned away as she folded her arms before Orgus sighed softly.
" Very well. But remember that your emotions are not to be used as fuel. " Orgus spoke calmly as Yumikaya groaned.
" I know. But please just leave it alone. Let me train. I don't need anything else right now okay? " Yumikaya turned away again as Orgus sighed and stood.
" Very well. Pick up the sabre. " Orgus waited as Yumikaya bent down and picked up the training lightsabre before activating it as Orgus spoke. " Form five is called Shien. There is a variation of Shien called Djem So. Shien, Focuses on defending against many opponents while also being able to launch powerful counterattacks. It also often utilises a reverse grip on your lightsabre. The variant however, Focuses on single combat. While being able to defend and deflect, Djem So caters more toward pressing the attack using brute force. Seeking to not only penetrate defences but force opponents back. Follo... " Orgus froze as Yumikaya screamed before the voice in her head echoed all around her.
" Please... I can't go on much longer... Please help me... "
As the voice faded, A shock wave of Force Energy exploded out of Yumikaya, Throwing Orgus down the hillside before Yumikaya fell backwards and rolled to the bottom of the hill, Unconscious.
A Few Hours Later
As everyone sat around the main hall of Larkhan's ship, The doors of Yumikaya's room opened and she teetered out slowly but appeared to be in a daze. As Kalina motioned to speak, Yumikaya turned and teetered slowly toward the hanger.
As everyone followed her, Aratarus motioned to stop her but stopped as Orgus held his arm up and shook his head. When they reached the hangar, Yumikaya clumsily wandered in, Bumping into stacks of crates before standing still for a few moments.
As everyone watched silently, Yumikaya began teetering over to one of the nearby fighters before climbing into the cockpit, Powering it up and flying out of the hangar. As her fighter disappeared from view, Aratarus rounded on Orgus and spoke sternly.
" Why did you stop me?! Letting her go off on her own is insanity! " Aratarus growled as Mako put her hand on his arm before Orgus spoke.
" Did you not see her eyes? She is being guided. She is not even aware of what she is doing. Do you not understand how dangerous it could be to disturb her? " Orgus spoke calmly before Shae spoke up.
" He is right. Her mother went through something similar when we were young. When I touched her... It was like she was a different person. She nearly took my arm off. " Shae brushed her arm slowly before continuing. " We can't interfere Aratarus. Whatever she is being guided toward, We have to let her find it. "
" Just because we can't interfere doesn't mean I can't follow her. Letting her go alone is madness. " Aratarus rushed to his ship with Mako, Kalina and Shae close behind. As they took off, Kalina activated her commlink. As Larkhan answered the call, He spoke gruffly.
" What is it now Kalina? " Larkhan groaned softly before Kalina spoke hurriedly.
" Yumikaya was in that fighter! I need a way to track it! " Kalina spoke with concern in her voice before her commlink beeped softly before the small holoprojector showed what appeared to be a code.
" That's the code for that fighters tracker. Good luck. " Larkhan ended the call as Aratarus put the code into the console of his ship. As the navicomputer beeped softly, Aratarus powered up his ship and took off.
A Few Hours Later
As Aratarus's ship dropped out of hyperspace, They saw Yumikaya's fighter circling what appeared to be a large tube. After circling, Yumikaya's fighter moved over to the tube before attaching a tow cable and jumping into hyperspace.
" Well... I guess we head back then. " Aratarus spoke calmly before his ship entered hyperspace.
The Next Day
" She is quite beautiful for someone that young. " Kalina examined the young girl as medical droids tended to her in the medical bay of Larkhan's ship. " She is alive yes? "
" Yes. Though she is suffering from cryogenic poisoning due to an imperfection in the stasis cycle. She has been in stasis for three weeks according to the stasis chamber so it will take some time for her body to recover. " The medical droid returned to tending to the girl as Kalina sighed and left the room. After walking to the main hall of Larkhan's ship, Kalina saw Yumikaya sitting in a shadowy corner looking depressed. As she walked over, Kalina spoke softly.
" You doing okay sweety? " Kalina smiled warmly as she knelt down but her smile faltered as Yumikaya looked up at her with exhaustion in her eyes.
" Her voice is quiet but I can feel her pain and heartache. I can't sleep... I can't eat... " Yumikaya groaned softly as Kalina picked her up and took her to the mess hall.
After managing to force down some food, Yumikaya teetered outside sleepily and sat on the soft grass outside the space port. As she yawned sleepily, Yumikaya sighed softly as Aratarus walked over.
" Hey kiddo. How you feeling? " Aratarus spoke calmly as he sat down next to Yumikaya.
" Tired. Can't sleep... " Yumikaya sighed sleepily as a soft ache weaved through her body.
" Still feeling her pain huh? " Aratarus spoke gently before Yumikaya sighed.
" It's more than that though. My whole body feels heavy and I feel so emotionally and psychologically drained. I don't even know what I am feeling Ara. I'm just... Tired. " Yumikaya groaned softly as she stood. " But I need to finish my studies with Orgus. I can rest later. "
" Don't overdo it kiddo. You need to rest eventually. " Aratarus tousled Yumikaya's hair gently before walking back to the ship as Yumikaya walked up the hill to where Orgus was sitting.
" Back to learn Shien? Despite how tired you are? " Orgus sighed softly as Yumikaya glared at him disapprovingly. " Very well... " Orgus stood slowly before tossing the training lightsabre to Yumikaya. " Follow my movements. "
An Hour Later
" Excellent. Now use Shien to defeat the remotes. " Orgus activated the remotes as Yumikaya sighed loudly before putting on the blindfold and activating the training lightsabre.
A Few Hours Later
" This is so much more exhausting than before... " Yumikaya groaned softly as she deactivated the training lightsabre and fell to her knees before taking off the blindfold as Orgus spoke.
" You have been quite exhausted lately. Perhaps a few days of rest will do you good. " Orgus spoke calmly before Yumikaya sighed.
" It might. But I try so hard to sleep and I just can't. It is better to use that time for something rather than lay on my bed doing nothing all day. " Yumikaya groaned softly as she placed the training lightsabre and blindfold on the ground before walking down the hill to where Aratarus was waiting.
As she approached, Aratarus spoke softly. " I would tell you to rest but it would be meaningless. You would not listen. So instead, We will move on to tier two of Echani Martial Arts. Tier two focuses on precision and awareness. Precise strikes are just as important as reading your opponent and anticipating their actions. Let's begin. "
Evening
" Excellent. Your precision speaks volumes of your abilities. Teräs Käsi, Even just the basics has given you a keen edge on martial training. Let's get some food and sleep kiddo. The last tier of training is the hardest. " Aratarus tousled Yumikaya's hair gently before they walked back Larkhan's ship.
The Next Day
After another sleepless night, Yumikaya groaned exhaustively before walking up the hill to meet Orgus. As she approached, She noticed Orgus speaking with a woman over holocall.
" She is very gifted. She learns things faster than she is taught an... " Orgus paused before chuckling and continuing. " And is here for more training despite her lack of sleep. "
" Let me speak with her Orgus. " The woman in the holocall smiled warmly as Orgus turned to face Yumikaya and held the holo-communicator out to her as the woman spoke. " Hello little one. My name is Satele Shan. I am the Grand Master of the Jedi Order. "
" My name is Yumikaya. It's... Nice... To meet you. " Yumikaya shivered slightly as Satele giggled softly.
" Even through the call, You are nervous meeting new people. Master Orgus tells me that you are a fast learner. I would be interested to witness your training for myself. " Satele smiled soothingly as Yumikaya nodded. " Proceed Orgus. "
" Very well. Today we are learning form six. Niman. " Orgus handed the training lightsabre to Yumikaya as Satele spoke.
" Niman? She has only been training for a week and she has already learned the first five forms? Astonishing. " After speaking, Satele watched as Orgus demonstrated the style as Yumikaya followed his movements.
An Hour Later
" My word... An hour of following your movements and she is as precise as you are. Magnificent. " Satele had an impressed look on her face as Yumikaya put on the blindfold and Orgus activated the remotes.
A Few Hours Later
" Most impressive. What a remarkable young warrior you are. I look forward to seeing your story unfold. Keep me apprised of her training Orgus and again, Do not coerce her choices. " Satele ended the holocall as Yumikaya spoke calmly.
" What does she mean? Coerce my choices? " Yumikaya had a confused look on her face as Orgus sighed softly and spoke.
" She is concerned that I might try to convince you to join the Jedi. Which in her opinion would be against your mothers wishes. " Orgus spoke sternly before sighing and speaking calmly. " For now it doesn't matter. Focus on your training for the time being. "
" If my mother does not wish for me to be a Jedi, Then I will not be one. No matter who asks. " Yumikaya spoke sternly before placing the blindfold and training lightsabre on the ground before walking down the hill as Orgus sighed audibly. As she reached the bottom of the hill, Yumikaya saw Aratarus and Mako with four other people waiting for her.
Chapter 4
End