Chapter 26: The Lesson

"Good luck, Cinder."

Djarin suddenly disappeared, leaving Cinder alone with Obi-Wan. She knew he wouldn't leave without the new Razor Crest, but she didn't need to run to the ship to see him again. She didn't have anything left to say to her father at the moment.

She instead looked to Obi-Wan when he put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said. "But don't worry. He'll come back."

"I know," Cinder said. "He always comes back." Feeling ready to begin, Cinder asked the Headmaster where they were going to start with her training.

"I think I know what to start with," said Obi-Wan. "Come with me."

"So, what did you say was in this room?" Cinder asked as Obi-Wan began to unlock a wooden door.

"This room contains everything I was able to save from my home," the Headmaster answered. "Ancient text, art, and everything else related to the Jedi are behind this door. Feel free to have a look around while I get what we need." Obi-Wan unlocked the door and opened it, gesturing for Cinder to take the first steps. Once she did, she wasn't very impressed. Given the fact the room was completely dark, there was nothing interesting to see. "Oh, let me get the lights."

Once the room filled with electric light, Cinder's initial judgment was cast aside. "Wow," she whispered as she looked across the room.

The Headmaster's earlier notion was an understatement for the room's potential, as Cinder stared in wonder at the paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts that the room possessed. It was almost like visiting a museum, which Cinder had never done before. "Look at all this stuff," she said as she approached an intriguing mask, white with golden accents. Right below it was another lightsaber, also white with gold accents. Once she picked it up, she surprisingly had trouble with its weight. The young girl had doubts about her ability to wield it if the blade was activated.

"Yes, I was surprised by the weight too," said Obi-Wan, who seemed to have read Cinder's thoughts.

Heat rose to her face as Cinder asked an embarrassing question. "Does it... come in kids size?"

"Of course." Obi-Wan moved to another shelf and picked up another lightsaber, one much smaller and less decorative than the last. "This was the first lightsaber I constructed when I was a few years younger than you." He handed her the cylinder and Cinder took it in an instant. The weight was much better, and Cinder felt confident in her ability to wield it like she could wield her Beskar swords. But once she pressed the button, nothing happened. So she shook it up and down and tried again. No light escaped from the top.

"Oh, I'm afraid you won't find much use for it anymore," said Obi-Wan. "Remember what I showed you in my office? The metal is just an instrument for my Aura. That's when it becomes the weapon of a Jedi Knight."

Cinder handed the cylinder back to Obi-Wan, who instead used the Force to put it back in its proper place. "Do you have any books?" she asked curiously.

"Right over here." Obi-Wan led her to a bookshelf with glowing covers. Each cover seemed to give off blue light, lighter than Obi-Wan's Aura. "I just need to find one book I'll need to start our training." He began to scroll over each book with his hand. Cinder didn't join him, she instead moved parallel to the shelf as she looked at each book, wondering what was inside each one.

But she stopped wondering when her body bumped into a wooden desk.

Cinder looked down at the desk to see that she accidentally knocked over a picture frame. She picked up the picture and looked at it closely. It was a photo of four people, Human and Faunus, dressed in robes similar to the Headmaster. What caught Cinder's eye was the young man who had a striking resemblance to her new teacher. Once she heard him walk over to her, Cinder asked Obi-Wan another question. "Is this you, Headmaster?"

"It is," said Obi-Wan, who pointed at the younger version of himself. "This was taken the day I joined the Jedi Council. Most Jedi had very little contact with the outside world, but some like the Council left our island when we were needed." Obi-Wan began to point at each person in the photo. "That's Master Windu, Master Gallia, and Master Fisto." Obi-Wan smiled fondly at the memories of his fellow Masters and friends. They were all there when he was a mere Padawan and helped him on his way to be a Jedi Master. He owed them all his life and chose to remember that every day.

Cinder's curiosity about the Jedi grew just by merely looking at the picture. Judging by Master Fisto, the fish Faunus in the picture, the Jedi seemed to accept any and all people who shared their unique gift. And it seemed that Ozpin had been around for a long time, given the amount of Jedi Obi-Wan described. She couldn't wait to learn more in the room, so she moved to put the picture back and see what other treasures were waiting to be discovered.

But just as she moved the picture into the light, Cinder noticed something hidden. "Who's this?" she casually asked as she pointed to the picture.

Obi-Wan looked at the spot Cinder was pointing to. In the corner of the room the picture was taken, there was a shadow covering the corner. And in the center of that shadow was another figure in robes. Only, his robes had a hood that covered part of his face, and they were black. Obi-Wan could make out part of the facial features, they showed a man that was slightly older than the rest of the Jedi. Obi-Wan tried to think of someone who matched the description he was seeing, but nothing came to mind. "I... don't know," he replied honestly. "I'm not sure I ever met him."

"Oh. Okay." Cinder put the picture down and looked at the book Obi-Wan was holding. "Is that what we need?"

"Yes. I was hoping we could start by going outside. I know a place where we won't be disturbed."

After going on a hike from the academy, Cinder found herself sitting on a rock in a field of trees. Obi-Wan was looking through the book he brought with them while talking to Cinder. "Before we begin, I'd like to do a small test," he said as he flipped through the book.

"What kind of test?" Cinder asked.

"Just something I feel will help me know you better." Obi-Wan put the book down as he explained his plan. "Cinder, I want you to close your eyes. Focus on my voice."

"Why?"

"As I said, I wish to know you better. Now close your eyes."

"..."

Cinder wasn't sure what was going on, but she decided to go along with the Headmaster's plan. So she closed her eyes and waited for the next instruction. "Good," said Obi-Wan, who was standing next to her. "Now, reach out."

"..."

Cinder quickly shot her right hand out towards the environment in front of her.

"Um... not literally. Try reaching out differently."

Cinder put her arm down and opened her eyes. "Huh?" she asked.

"Perhaps I should explain better," the Headmaster suggested. "I'd like to test your connection to the Force. Concentrate on the area around you, and see if the Force reaches out to you."

Cinder's new understanding caused her heart rate to increase. "I can use the Force?" she asked, excited at the possibility.

"That's what I'd like to find out. Would you like to try again?" Cinder quickly nodded with a smile. "Let's try again. Close your eyes." Cinder shifted her position on the rock and closed her eyes. "Now, reach out."

"..."

Cinder tried to focus on the area around her, she had a mental image of the trees, the grass, and the blue sky above her. Obi-Wan could tell that she was concentrating, so he decided to see what she felt. "What do you feel?" he asked.

"...Warmth," Cinder answered. "Just... warmth." The sun above the two warmed them greatly, and it caused Cinder to feel relaxed. The sun wasn't burning her, but it made her feel at peace with nature.

"Anything else?"

"...No."

"Alright, you can open your eyes," said Obi-Wan. As she did, Cinder could see that the Headmaster was slightly disappointed. "I'm... sorry for getting your hopes up."

Cinder began to feel more disappointed than Obi-Wan. It was only the first day of her training and she already failed at learning. For all she knew, this was the easiest lesson for her. But now, she was going to fail Headmaster Kenobi's next-

"No, Cinder. This wasn't part of your actual training."

Cinder looked up at the Headmaster. "How did you-?"

"I'm sorry, this was just for me," Obi-Wan continued. "Don't feel disappointed, there was a slim chance of success with matters like this."

Cinder was still wondering how Obi-Wan seemingly read her thoughts, but she had an even better question. "Suppose I was able to use the Force," she began. "What should I have felt?"

"Everything." Obi-Wan stepped in front of her and lifted his hands. "The Force is not a power I have. It is a connection to the world around us." Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he reached out into the world. "I feel a connection to all things. Like this forest. I can see life, death, and decay that feeds new life, warmth, cold, peace, and violence." Obi-Wan opened his eyes. "And between it all... balance."

"You can... see all it?" Cinder looked around, but couldn't find any signs of death or violence. "How?"

"Come with me." Obi-Wan walked deeper into the forest and gestured to everything he saw. "Here is life." He pointed to the large trees and taller grass. He then kneeled to a smaller piece of grass. "The animals buried here can feed the soil and bring new life." He stood up and looked at the sky. "The sun and wind bring warmth and cold, the wind crashing on the leaves disrupts their peace."

Cinder had been in the forest a few times in her life. Each of those times, she was only focused on her immediate surroundings, along with Djarin. But now, she had a new perspective on things. Common people would have said Obi-Wan was crazy about what he said, but the points he brought up and Cinder's willingness to learn made her believe everything he said.

It even made her feel that she had much more to explore. Cinder now wanted to explore the forest, the tall trees, and especially the cave that was a few feet in front of her.

"No!"

Obi-Wan stepped in front of Cinder, blocking her path to the cave with arms wide open. The child immediately stopped walking. At first, she assumed that Obi-Wan wanted to go back to her training. But by the look on his face, Cinder could tell he was afraid of something. That there was something in that cave he didn't want her to see.

"Wh... What is it?" Cinder asked, looking into the dark chasm.

Obi-Wan looked behind her for a moment, remaining silent. When he turned back, he put his fear aside. "You can't go in there."

Cinder stared at Obi-Wan. "Why not? Is there Grimm in there?"

"All you need to know is that cave is forbidden." Obi-Wan began to walk back to the clearing, but Cinder stayed behind. She looked back into the cave, curious as to why Obi-Wan seemed to be afraid to go in. This was the first time she saw him afraid, and Cinder knew she had to learn why.

"Is there something to be afraid of in there?" Cinder asked as she rejoined the Headmaster.

"There is something in there, Cinder," Obi-Wan replied. "Something you're not ready to face yet."

"You mean I'll see it soon?"

"At the end of your training, when you're ready. So listen to me." Obi-Wan kneeled to Cinder and looked deep into her eyes. "You must not come back here without me. It's essential that you do as I say."

Cinder looked back in the direction of the cave. "But what's in there?"

Obi-Wan took Cinder's shoulder. "Only... what you take with you. Now come along."

"..."

Cinder was annoyed at Obi-Wan's constant avoidance of her question about the cave, and it only made her curiosity grow. So she promised herself that she would find out what was in there when she had the time. But right now, Cinder's attention was on Obi-Wan leading her back to the same rock. Gesturing for her to sit down, Cinder did so as she listened to Obi-Wan's lesson. "Cinder, when you first came here, I sensed much fear in you. There's much you're afraid of, do you deny it?"

"...No," Cinder honestly answered.

"The Jedi came to understand that our fear leads us to anger. Do you agree?"

Cinder thought back on the time she hurt Djarin. She wanted to learn more about her powers to have the slightest chance of growing stronger and defeating Salem. She believed Ozpin's refusal was standing in her way to conquering Salem once and for all, and that made Cinder see her own teacher as her enemy. But she was wrong, and she was too blinded by her anger to see that. "I do," she answered.

This confirmation allowed Obi-Wan to conduct his lesson. "My master Qui-Gon's first rule was to possess the right thinking. Only then can someone receive the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace." He sat down on a rock across from Cinder. "Anger clouds the mind. Turned inward, it becomes an unconquerable enemy." Cinder remained silent, trying her best to understand herself and her anger. "I don't know much about the Maidens, but I can tell you're unique among them."

Cinder's eyes grew wider when she heard this. "I am?"

"Most people choose to face their anger by blaming others and the world. But from what Ozpin told me, you're trying to face this enemy by self-improvement. You want to grow stronger, be the best of the best. Your ambition is remarkable, but it will be a reality once you become a master of all things." Cinder smiled at Obi-Wan's praise and began to feel some of her self-respect return. "You're on your way to becoming a master of the power within you and the elements around you. Now it's time you become a master of yourself."

"I... I understand." Cinder fixed her position on the rock. "Where do I start?"

"Through a simple act of meditation. Close your eyes." Cinder did as she was told and Obi-Wan began to guide Cinder through the exercise. "Meditation is a common exercise for the Jedi. Along with training our bodies and our Auras, we train our minds to gain an easier connection to the Force. While you cannot use the Force, you are capable of training your mind."

"To do what?"

"Be honest with yourself. Focus your mind on whatever emotions you're feeling are the strongest. Once you understand that emotion, you have the power to let it go."

Eager to make any sign of progress, Cinder focused on her anger. She thought about all the things on Remnant that made her feel angry. Naturally, her first thoughts came to the orphanage in Mistral. Her first taste of being a slave and a punching bag quickly made Cinder angry. And she only got angrier when the same thing happened at the Glass Unicorn, and all the abuse she faced for simply existing. Her last thoughts were on herself, how her failures caused her to hurt Djarin and waste time while Salem could be preparing for another attempt to steal the power of the Fall Maiden.

Obi-Wan's meditation wasn't on his emotions, but Cinder's. He could feel her anger, feel the burden she carried on her shoulder. Her attempts to focus on her anger were successful, she knew what it was about the world that made her angry.

And so did Obi-Wan.

"Very good," the Headmaster noted. "We know what angers you, and you will be reminded of these tragedies. You cannot let go of the past, so you must let go of your feelings. Let go of your fear, let go of your hate."

Cinder thought back on her sources of anger again, but the only place her emotions seemed to be going was her heart. Every bully, enemy, and failure she faced drove an invisible knife into her heart, which caused Cinder to open her eyes and take sharp breaths. "I... I can't," she confessed.

"I know," said Obi-Wan, who was more than sympathetic to her inner turmoil. "This technique takes a long time and the right teachers to guide you through the struggle. That's why you're here."

"But I don't need just a teacher. I need my dad."

Obi-Wan took a breath and sighed before replying. "Cinder, I fear that your father's presence may hamper your training, make you more vulnerable to-"

"But he's been with me all this time." Cinder stood up from the rock. "He's done so much for me, and I've tried to be there for him too. Doing this alone just feels... wrong."

Obi-Wan didn't bother trying to fight with the young Maiden. She didn't understand his way of thinking and experience, and maybe she had a point or two. "I understand. You feel you already have what you need, and that it's unwise to let it all go."

"Exactly!" Cinder was happy that she was finally being understood. "You said the importance of this meditation was to let go of emotion. I need to let go of my anger, but I can't stop loving my father."

"Maybe," Obi-Wan said as he stepped off his rock. "It's true that the Jedi detached themselves from emotions such as love. But they did this because they knew there were forces on Remnant that used love to hurt people." Obi-Wan walked over to Cinder. "I know that's hard to understand, and I know you must be frustrated from reliving your times of anger. How about we go back and start smaller? We can get some food as well."

Cinder's stomach suddenly grumbled when she heard about food. So she eagerly followed Obi-Wan back to Haven Academy.

When night came, Obi-Wan suggested that they start Cinder's meditation with just one source of anger rather than multiple. He knew the process would be long, so he told Cinder to practice long and hard before going to bed.

And that's exactly what Cinder did when she seated herself on the only chair in her new bedroom an hour ago. She reflected on her orphan years in Mistral, scrubbing the floors and struggling with starvation and bullies. Rather than thinking about them all at once, Cinder decided to go even smaller and think about all the cleaning she did. Rather than the children taking turns, everyone thought it would be best for Cinder to be the only one in charge of cleaning. Rather than face any punishment for disobedience, Cinder silently worked.

And to this day, Cinder hated being used as a slave. She hated wiping the floors and being told what to do without any choice. She could never forgive the people who chose to take advantage of her.

And yet... those days were over.

Cinder was free. Free to make her own choices, such as cleaning up a mess if she wanted to. Besides, cleaning was a natural part of life. As Cinder breathed deeper and took time to think hard about it, the chore didn't deserve any hate. Just the people who subjugated her. A dirty wooden floor and a brush couldn't hurt her.

Cinder quickly opened her eyes. She looked down to her hands to see that while she was meditating, her fingers were moving back and forth. It was almost as if she was still cleaning the floors of the Glass Unicorn.

But rather than swelling with anger, Cinder felt calm. Her motions felt natural and soft against her clothes. The memory of washing each floor and doing multiple chores was in no way pleasant, but they weren't hurting Cinder either.

"Did I do it?" the child asked herself. "Did I just... let it go?"

Cinder thought back on cleaning once again. She didn't feel any pleasure or anger, she just saw herself cleaning. Of course, when she thought back on a mistake and was punished, she felt angry. But on an average day when she wasn't watched very closely, Cinder felt calm and collected. There wasn't any hate in the simple act of cleaning.

Cinder tested her theory by taking a glass of water and spilling it on the floor. She then took a rag and moved it like she would her brush to clean the spill. She thought hard about comparing it to her time at the Glass Unicorn, but couldn't feel her anger.

She did it.

She let some of her hate go.

Cinder felt proud of herself and happy that she made the slightest hint of progress. Eager to continue her efforts, Cinder decided to think back on all the times she was hurt.

But it didn't work.

The Maiden thought long and hard about her suffering, trying to let go of any hate she had towards being punched, kicked, thrown, and electrocuted. But the pain from each blow lingered in Cinder's mind and she began to feel phantom pains in her body.

After being electrocuted once again, Cinder gave up trying again. She instead took a break and opened the small window in her room. The air cooled the sweat on her forehead and gave her time to think. Maybe she took a giant leap after her first victory, maybe she needed to start even smaller.

But that would take much more time. More time away from Beacon, her training, and the bigger picture. Having Djarin come would ease the burden since the reason she was free in the first place was because of him. She managed to make progress, but Cinder knew in her heart that more progress would come once Djarin arrived.

Progress such as... facing whatever was in the cave.

Cinder's eyes fell in the direction where the dark cave was. Obi-Wan seemed afraid of the idea of someone going inside, and the child still didn't know why. There was something he was hiding, even though he promised to show her later. Cinder believed that maybe all she could do was wait until the bulk of her training was over.

Or maybe... she could find out now.

Cinder stopped leaning on the windowsill when the idea found its way into her mind. Rather than thinking of a reason why the idea might be a bad one, Cinder thought of what could happen if she completed a huge part of her training. She could advance further in her training, and be ahead of Obi-Wan's schedule. She could refocus on Salem quicker and be back on her way to being the best Maiden Remnant had seen.

Her resolve led Cinder to closing her window and picking up her swords, ready to face whatever it was that scared the Headmaster.

Sneaking out of Haven Academy wasn't completely difficult. Although Djarin's lessons were mainly of strength, defense, and attack, he taught Cinder a thing or two about keeping her presence hidden and being extremely quiet. It was those ideas that led Cinder to exit the academy undetected.

She then made her way to the forest, a small fire in her hand lit the way to where she wanted to go. As she walked, she began to make a plan. First, she would go to the cave, her swords drawn. Then, she would find whatever creature or force Obi-Wan feared. Once she killed it, either by sword or Maiden power, she would go back to Haven victorious. And finally, she would be back at Beacon, where she belonged.

The first part of the plan was easy, as Cinder found the cave in no time at all. Before she entered, Cinder began to feel cold. It wasn't the cool air of the night, but something about the cave made a chill go down her spine. For a brief moment, she considered going back, to return in the morning.

Cinder quickly put her doubts aside. She said she would conqueror the cave, and she wasn't going to back away easily. This is the Way.

So, making her fire grow larger to warm herself, Cinder entered the mouth of the cave. There was nothing in the entrance of the first five feet. Short stalagmites and stalactites seemed to be the only residence of the cave, save for a few bugs.

After walking deeper into the cave for another minute, Cinder's fire flowed on something new; she arrived at the end of the cave. Unable to understand her discovery, Cinder stopped in her tracks. All this time, there was nothing? Just an empty cave?

No.

This couldn't be it.

Cinder looked around the walls of the cave, trying to find some kind of clue. Obi-Wan wouldn't tell her about the cave, but he knew something was in here. There was something he felt the child wasn't ready for.

Cinder suddenly got the idea that maybe there was something alive in here. Maybe it prefers to come out at night, and it slept during the day. And since there was no telling when it would come back, Cinder felt that the night turned out to be a waste of time. So she put her swords on her back and made another fire to light her way out.

She didn't even make it five feet before the chill returned to her spine.

But this time, the cold wasn't internal. Cinder felt something blow onto her back, something from behind. She quickly turned around to face the end of the cave once again. The chill came to her face this time, there was definitely something she wasn't seeing.

That's when she noticed a crack in the natural wall. Not very large, but noticeable. Cinder approached closer and felt the cold grow. But it didn't feel like the wind was blowing through. This cold was different, and not very strong. Cinder found herself determined to find out what exactly was causing this feeling. When she brought her fiery hand closer to the wall, Cinder couldn't see anything. The crack looked like it could be broken, so she took her other hand and touched it.

A white flash blinded Cinder right as she made physical contact with the natural wall. It died down to reveal a completely different environment. Rather than a natural cave, Cinder was back at her old training room, the large corridor beneath Beacon Tower. She didn't know how or why, all Cinder knew was that she was back at Beacon. She was home.

But something was wrong. Just as she remembered, Cinder saw the light green glow mixed with the darkness all around her. But the room was completely covered in a foreign mist. Not thick enough to blind her path, but visible enough to notice. And the room was cold. So cold that Cinder could see her breath in front of her face. Making another fire in her hand to warm herself, Cinder could see the orange light was doing something else; it was shining on a large rock close to the tower's elevator. And just below the rock were two feet.

"No," Cinder whispered. She remembered this day, remembered this very moment. She had just lashed out at Ozpin for not advancing her teaching and accidentally hurt Djarin. But she had no memory of doing it again or any memory of coming back to Beacon. Rather than dwelling on how this was possible, Cinder rushed over to the rock to help her father.

Just as she was about to try moving the rock with her hands, a dark blade found its way to the surface. It came out of the rock dangerously close to Cinder, so she quickly moved away. The Darksaber began to move down the rock, cutting it in half. Once it was split, the rock halves fell to the side and revealed Din Djarin.

"Dad?" Cinder called out.

"..."

Djarin's silence felt unnatural at the moment, and it made Cinder worried. "Dad, are you-?"

The Mandalorian suddenly raised his arm, releasing a wave of fire toward Cinder. Acting quickly, she jumped out of the way and rolled under the jet of fire. Once it died down, Cinder looked up to ask Djarin what he was doing. But she didn't get the chance, as the Mandalorian was in the air and prepared to stab the Darksaber into her chest. Rolling again, Cinder dodged the attack and pulled out her Beskar swords.

"Dad, what are you doing?!" Cinder finally screamed out.

"What I should have done months ago," Djarin coldly replied as he swung the Darksaber again. Cinder blocked it with her swords but wasn't prepared to hear that her father was ready to hurt her. Or worse.

Cinder tried to push the sword away from her, but Djarin's applied force was stronger. He continued to speak as he pushed his sword. "Your fear nearly cost me my life once. I'll be damned before I let that happen again."

"What? No, I didn't mean-"

A kick to her gut caused Cinder to stop talking and roll on the ground. She quickly reoriented herself and blocked another attack. "Dad, please! I didn't mean to hurt you! And I don't want to hurt you now!"

"That remains to be seen!" Djarin yelled as he removed the Darksaber and swung again. Cinder blocked each careful swing as the Mandalorian continued to scream. "Why are you holding back? I thought you wanted to be a Mandalorian!"

Cinder continued to block each strike and tried to block out what Djarin was saying.

"You are just a scared little girl!"

Djarin's words were knives in Cinder's heart. It was a pain she was familiar with, but she never got used to it.

"The only thing worth a damn about you is the power you're too weak to control!"

And once again, the empty holes were filled with nothing but anger. Cinder acted on her impulses and began to fight back. Putting the Mandalorian on the defensive, Cinder used her Maiden powers to keep him on the run. Fire blasted in each place the Mandalorian jumped to, and Cinder swung her swords again. Djarin blocked with the Darksaber, so Cinder changed strategies. Grabbing his hand and using her Semblance, Cinder burned the Mandalorian's hand and made him drop his blade. With a yell, Cinder thrust her sword just below Djarin's armor, stabbing him in the stomach.

Silence followed after that.

The silence gave Cinder time to calm down and realize what she had just done. She looked down at the sword in shock, unable to fathom how she could do such a thing once again. Before she could pull it out, Djarin's hands grabbed the sword and held it steady. "Yes," he coldly said. "My blood will be on your hands. You're a threat. A menace."

"No," Cinder whispered, on the verge of more tears. She tried to pull the sword out again, but the Mandalorian's grip was strong. So she tried to reason with him. "Dad, I didn't mean-"

"You're no daughter of mine."

"..."

Djarin finally let go of Cinder's sword, but grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up. The child seemed to forget that she still had her Maiden powers as the only thing she could think of doing was struggle in the Mandalorian's grasp and desperately try to breathe. And as she looked into the Mandalorian's black visor, which she once looked at with hope and love, Cinder's fear returned stronger than ever.

Djarin let go of the young Maiden and threw her across the room. Cinder crashed into a wall and fell to the floor. However, something was different about the ground. Rather than the carved stone of Beacon Tower's underground room, the floor was made of square tiles. Cinder began to stand up while continuing to look at the ground, but then she noticed something else had changed. She was wearing a white shirt and gray pants, a uniform that was very familiar to her. As horrible as it was, Cinder was starting to have an idea as to where she was now. And when she looked around the room to see shelves of food and dining utensils, cabinets of more supplies, and a chalkboard with a list of chores, Cinder knew her theory was confirmed; she was back at the Glass Unicorn, her own depiction of Hell.

Her first instinct was to run, to get as far away from this place as possible. Although her path was blocked by a Mandalorian, Cinder was more than determined to escape. If even the slightest chance of escape existed, Cinder was prepared to take it in a heartbeat. So she quickly ran towards Djarin once again.

But an intense pain around her neck caused Cinder to yell and fall to the floor, clutching at her neck.

"There you are," a familiar voice said. Cinder's heart rate began to increase as cold sweat ran down her forehead. Turning around, she came face-to-face with the Madame of the Glass Unicorn, who was holding the remote for the shock collar that was around Cinder's neck once again. "I was wondering where you had gone." She looked up at the Mandalorian. "I'll take it from here."

Djarin wordlessly began to walk out the door, and Cinder reached out to him and made one final plea. "Dad... please..."

Djarin stopped in his tracks and looked back at Cinder. "Good riddance," he said as he left the room, leaving a heartbroken and hopeless Cinder. She tried to run away again but fell to the floor again as the familiar jolt of electricity traveled across her neck.

"Yes," said the Madame. "I hope you remember this. I hope you remember your place. Without that 'father' of yours, this is where you belong. And without me... you are nothing!"

"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

As the defying and disbelieving scream escaped Cinder's mouth and left her with a sore throat, the room disappeared.

The collar disappeared.

The Madame disappeared.

And instead of the isolated room, Cinder found herself back in the cave. The ground was coarse, the ceiling was nothing but sharp stalactites, and the only sound she could hear was water dripping on the ground. It seemed she never left the cave, she never went back to Beacon or the Glass Unicorn. Rather than wondering what just happened or how her vision was even possible, Cinder's instincts told her to run. She ran out of the cave and into the forest, where darkness continued to envelop everything.

As she ran, the voices of Djarin and the Madame continued to ring through Cinder's ears. They told her she was dangerous, that she was a menace, that she was nothing. She didn't bother trying to fight the voices, the child just continued to run.

And that running led her to colliding into a tree.

The pain traveled across her face as she fell to the ground. Rather than getting back up or using her Aura to heal herself, Cinder laid on her back and started to cry. She didn't want to get up or do anything else, she just laid on the ground and started to cry. Cinder cried because she repeated the same mistake when she promised she wouldn't.

Because she was weak.

Because she was afraid.

But most of all, because she was alone.

"It's very tempting, isn't it?"

Cinder opened her eyes to find a hooded figure looking down on her. The hood was removed to reveal Obi-Wan, who was extending his hand to her. "We should talk," he said.

"He said... He said I wasn't his daughter. That I was back where I belonged."

"And then?"

"He... left me. He left me with her. She... She..."

Cinder couldn't explain her visions anymore, she was unable to hold back her sobs. As she described what happened in the cave, Obi-Wan had a comforting hand on her shoulder as he patiently listened to Cinder. Now, he was doing his best to calm her down by hugging her.

"I'm sorry, Cinder," the Headmaster said. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that alone. What you described... is exactly as I feared."

Cinder removed her hands from her face to look at Obi-Wan, still unable to control her tears. "Why is this happening to me?!" she demanded.

Obi-Wan sighed before he explained the tragic situation. "I tried to tell you earlier, but you didn't understand at the time. I'm afraid your attachment to your father makes you more vulnerable to your fears. To your anger." Before saying anything else, Obi-Wan used the Force to summon a handkerchief to let Cinder dry her eyes. "And there are forces in this world that are capable of exploiting them as the cave did."

Cinder dried her eyes as she listened. And it was hard to disagree with Obi-Wan, she was so angry and afraid in that cave. Something in there turned her emotions into playthings and made Cinder suffer. "This never happened to my father," she said. "Why am I the only one who's afraid?"

"It's not a matter of who it happens to, Cinder. It's a matter of control. That's why you chose to come here. But I need you to make another choice."

"What do you mean?"

Obi-Wan kneeled down to Cinder. "At first, I was unsure of my ability to train you. I didn't believe I could convince you this was necessary."

"So why did you say 'yes?'"

"...I was recently reminded of an old fairy tale. A young girl flees the consequences of a choice... to a magical place. But, never having learned from her initial failure, she only succeeds in spreading it." Obi-Wan placed a hand on Cinder's chin and gently pushed it to move her head to make eye contact. "Cinder, I'm proud you chose to come see me. But I need you to make another choice; you can stay here and let me train you, or you can leave. Your training won't be easy, but it will be necessary."

Cinder took a moment to think about the opportunity presented to her. Making the choice to stay with Obi-Wan or leave would both have consequences. If she stayed, she would spend time training her mind and heart, but leave Salem open to make another attack. But if she left now, nobody could feel safe being in her presence. Cinder knew she would be closer to becoming a Maiden if she chose to leave, but at what cost?

With her mind cleared, Cinder knew she would make the choice to stay at Haven and train with Obi-Wan. But she had some final questions for him. "If I continue my training... I have to do it alone, don't I?"

"I'm afraid so," Obi-Wan confirmed with a heavy heart. "I made the mistake of ignoring one Jedi's attachment to someone he loved dearly, and it cost me everything. But you can return to your father once you're done with your training, I won't keep you away from him. I learned much after my failure, and the knowledge you'll uncover with me will keep your attachment pure and unconquerable."

"This Jedi... was like me, wasn't he?"

"..."

Obi-Wan never thought about it, but he could see some similarities between the Jedi he kept talking about and the young girl before him. Rather than beat around the bush, the Headmaster decided to be honest with the girl. "He was." Just as he said that Obi-Wan sensed some distress from Cinder. "But listen. It doesn't matter how alike you are, what matters is-"

"I'll do it."

Cinder quickly stood up and made close eye contact with Obi-Wan. "Headmaster, I'm ready to listen to you. Teach me whatever you feel I need. I know, I might be like that Jedi, whoever he was. I don't know what it was that he took from you, but now I know what my fear and anger are capable of taking from me." Cinder lowered her head in shame of her past actions. "Please... help me."

Obi-Wan was amazed at the new resolve Cinder had, even though he still sensed the distress from her. But he never turned away anyone who needed his help. And the Headmaster wouldn't start now. "Cinder, of course, I'll help you." He stood up and led her out of the room. "We'll begin tomorrow morning if you like."

"Thank you. I just... need to do one more thing before we start."

Cinder woke up later than usual the next morning. Even though she was still exhausted from last night, Cinder was ready to do what had to be done. After getting dressed and making her bed, she made her way to the Mistral CCT to make a very important phone call. The tower was on Haven's campus, so it wasn't a very far walk. As soon as she stepped inside and got into the elevator, an electronic voice rang out.

"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?"

"...Communications room, please," said Cinder.

"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity?"

Cinder took out the Scroll Djarin gave her a while ago. After placing it on the terminal, the automated voice called out again. "Perfect. Thank you, Cinder."

"..."

Cinder's elevator ride was as silent as ever. She wasn't going over what she would say to her father, she knew it would be hard enough. But like she realized last night, it was necessary. When the elevator stopped, Cinder walked out to see dozens of people sitting at computers, talking to people on the terminals. She walked up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appeared in the seat.

"Welcome to the Haven Cross Continental Transmit Center," the hologram said. "How may I help you?"

Cinder pulled out the paper Djarin gave her yesterday. "I need to call this number, the owner should be at Beacon."

"Absolutely." The hologram looked at the number and a few soft beeps ran out before it spoke again. "If you head over to Terminal Three, I'll patch you through."

Cinder did as she was told and moved to her assigned computer. Once she sat down, she mentally prepared herself for the conversation that she was about to have. The preparation, however, wasn't very long, as the recipient of the call answered in less than five seconds. Cinder quickly came face to face with her father and felt surprisingly calm seeing him again. So without further delay, she began the conversation. "Hi, Dad."

"...Hi, Cinder," Djarin replied. "I was on my way to see you, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. A little tired, but I'm fine." Cinder suddenly yawned. She was still tired from her ordeal last night but didn't want to go into full detail. "I'm sorry, I just... had a really long night."

"Well, how did it go?" Djarin asked.

"The day was hard, but, I think last night opened my eyes. I'm glad I came here."

"So it worked? Your training's over?"

Cinder stopped smiling. She didn't know how to tell him that she wasn't coming home, and it broke her heart. She did her best to hold back tears as she answered. "I wish it was, Dad. But it's like Ozpin said... it's not that simple. I know what I need to do, just..."

"Just not how to do it."

A tear began to escape Cinder's left eye, but she dried it quickly. Smiling again for Djarin, she gave him an answer. "Eventually, I will. I took the first step, but it's going to be a long walk."

Djarin's next question shook Cinder to her core. "Do you... Do you need me to take it with you?"

Cinder's smile vanished again. She wanted to say "yes," she wanted her father to watch her and help her through the bad days she would experience. But she knew what she wanted couldn't happen right now, and Djarin staying at Beacon was for the best. So she took a deep breath and told the truth. "Dad... this is something I need to do alone. I don't know how long it will take, but I can't come home until this is done. Until I'm ready to be a Maiden. I..." Cinder looked away for a second and took a few more breaths. But tears began to pour down her cheeks as the heartbreak hurt even more. And now there was a chance she hurt her father once again. "I know that's hard to hear, and I don't want you to think I don't need you. I also don't want you to be mad, but I-"

Djarin suddenly took off his helmet before talking again. "Cinder, I'm not mad," he said honestly. "There's never been a time when I was mad at you. If anything... I'm proud you're able to make a choice as hard as this. Believe me, I've had to make hard choices too. And I know it will be a while before we see each other again. So for now, just know that I'm going to wait for you. As long as it takes."

Cinder had no idea how much she needed to hear those words. They may have left her speechless, but they also managed to undo some of the damage her heart had taken.

"Cinder?"

The child's focus was captured by Djarin's voice. "Yes?"

"...You know that I love you, right?"

Cinder's felt a hundred times better than before when she heard that. It was comforting to know that what she saw in the cave was ultimately a lie. So she smiled again as she nodded. She cried again, but these tears were nothing but joy. "I love you too," Cinder reminded the Mandalorian.

"...Goodbye, Cinder."

"Goodbye, Dad."

The call ended.

Cinder was glad the conversation went better than she thought and was proud of herself for being honest. But she was still upset about not being able to see Djarin again for a little while. Even though he said he would wait for her, neither member of the clan of two knew how long the wait would be. But Cinder was determined to follow through with her new training. Not to get it out of the way and see her father again, but to be ready to become a master of herself.

Cinder walked outside the CCT to see Obi-Wan waiting for her. The first things he saw were her wet eyes, but he expected the conversation Cinder had with Djarin to be emotional. "You did well, Cinder," he said with a smile.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Cinder said as she returned a smile. She joined him as they walked back to the academy. They came into a separate room with two cushions across from each other. They each took one and Obi-Wan used the Force to pour a cup of tea for himself and Cinder.

"Before we begin, I'd like to say how proud I am of you," said the Headmaster. "The choices you've made here have been the bravest I've seen a child your age make."

Cinder used her Semblance to warm her tea before saying anything else. "I... really needed to hear that," she said before taking a drink. "I still feel stupid about going to the cave alone."

"Bravery can lead us to foolishness." Obi-Wan smiled. "I've seen that happen one too many times for my liking." He took another drink, but Cinder didn't follow. She had a strange feeling each time the Headmaster talked about his closest friend. And it was telling her his friend was the one Obi-Wan talked about last night, the Jedi who was like her. She knew it might hurt Obi-Wan, but Cinder wanted to take this opportunity to learn from this Jedi's mistakes. If they were really alike, she could see what he did wrong and use it to help herself.

So Cinder decided to be brave once again and make a request. "Headmaster, I think I might know how I should start today's training."

Obi-Wan looked up at her. "You want to hear about him, don't you?"

"..."

Once again, Obi-Wan Kenobi's intuition caught Cinder completely off guard. But that didn't stop her from taking back her request. "If we're really alike, I should know his mistakes, how I can avoid making them."

"An interesting idea. But I should warn you, the story isn't for the faint of heart."

Cinder quickly took out her father's necklace. "Neither is walking the Way of the Mandalore."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Your father would be proud of you." Finishing off his tea, Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "The Jedi I keep referring to was my best friend. His name... was Anakin Skywalker."

Author's notes: hey everyone. Sorry this chapter's a little short, the next one will be longer. Thanks for reading this and thank you so much for all the comments I got on the last chapter. I was really happy to read each one, and I was even happier to see that you all like what I've been writing. Once again, thank you so much for the support, it means the world to me.

To GojiraFan455516, I had a feeling you would like the reference there. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

To Mandalorian00, another happy letter. I've missed them, thanks for making me laugh once again. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, thanks for reading.

To 54godamora, I'm really glad you think so. Thanks for your comment and for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you enjoyed the last one.

To Blueghast900, I think this is the first comment I've seen you write. Thank you so much for showing your support, and I'm glad you like Obi-Wan here. Hope to hear from you again soon.

To aklike95, hold your horses, my friend. I have a few surprises down the road I think you'll like. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

To I Fredric I, so good to hear from you again. Thank you for your support, I'm glad you think I'm doing great things here. Hope I didn't make you cry too much in this chapter. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

To 1228248, I'm really glad you liked my idea for the Jedi. No, Obi-Wan didn't fake the call, but I can see why you wouldn't have been surprised. Thank you for reading and reviewing, I hope to hear from you again.

To joeyginise, it's good to hear from you again. Glad you liked the Jedi and Kenobi, you'll see more of it soon. Yes, the Jedi are gone, but you'll find out why later on. I hope you won't be too disappointed about Anakin, but you'll see why I included him later. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

To an unknown guest, only the masters of evil. Glad you like the little meme references, they were fun to do. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

To FlashFreeze0, I'm glad you're enjoying my ideas. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

Once again, thank you all for reading and leaving your reviews. It was a vast improvement since the last chapter, and it made me really happy. Please don't hesitate to leave more reviews, even if you haven't already or if you didn't like the chapter. Hearing from you all is always a pleasure. That's all I have for now, so I'll see you next time!