Location: Devaron
Date: 4 ABY
Luke stood on the edge of the plateau, a faint breeze stirring the air around him. His recent afternoon walk had given him a sense of peace, but now his thoughts were interrupted by the small comm device clipped to his belt. The soft chime alerted him to an incoming message, and with a gentle flick of his hand, the device floated to his palm.
The hologram of a Devaronian male appeared, flickering slightly in the sunlight. His brow was furrowed, his red-skinned face a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"Master Skywalker," the Devaronian greeted. "I don't mean to bother you, but a group claiming to be Force-sensitive has gathered in front of the Temple of Eedit. They said they've come seeking guidance."
Luke raised an eyebrow. It wasn't unusual for people to seek him out these days, but the Force-sensitive angle piqued his interest. The Temple of Eedit was not far from where he stood, just a short walk across the stone path that led deeper into the cliffs.
"Thank you for letting me know," Luke replied, his voice calm. "I'll be there shortly."
The hologram blinked off, and Luke clipped the comm back onto his belt. He stood for a moment longer, letting the feeling of the Force wash over him. The breeze picked up again, and he could feel the presence of something… or rather, someone. More than one. They weren't hostile, but they were unfamiliar.
With a quiet determination, Luke made his way down the stone path toward the ancient temple, its spires rising like the bones of an ancient giant. As he neared the temple's entrance, he saw them—a small group of three figures standing in front of the weathered stone steps, gazing up at the temple as if they were taking in its history.
The oldest among them, a human male in his mid-30s with rugged, auburn hair, stood tall with a determined posture. Beside him was a pale-skinned woman, her sharp features and white hair marking her as a Dathomirian, her presence calm but watchful. The third was a younger woman, perhaps in her early twenties, with short black hair. She held an air of curiosity, her eyes darting from the temple to Luke as he approached.
"Greetings," Luke said as he stopped a few steps away from them. "My name is Luke Skywalker. What are your names?"
The older man stepped forward, offering a polite nod. "I'm Cal Kestis," he said. "This is Merrin, my partner, and our companion, Kata." He gestured to the Dathomirian woman and the young woman beside him.
Luke's eyes softened as he looked at each of them, sensing the layers of their pasts. There was strength here, but also weariness, a long journey marked by trials and hardships. Kata smiled faintly, her expression almost playful as if she were probing Luke, trying to understand the man standing before her.
"I welcome you all," Luke said, his tone warm but measured. "You must have heard the New Republic's announcement about the new Jedi Order I'm trying to build?"
They nodded in unison, their expressions becoming more serious.
Luke tilted his head slightly, studying them. "Are you all Jedi?"
There was a pause, a moment of hesitation. Cal's gaze shifted to Merrin and Kata for a moment before he broke the silence.
"I was a Jedi Padawan," Cal explained, his voice tinged with the weight of memory. "But because of Order 66… I was stuck on a junkyard planet for years. Eventually, I ran into Jedi who were still on the run. We found a hidden path, a network that helped hide force sensitives and give them new identities."
Luke listened intently, his face betraying no surprise. He'd heard similar stories before—survivors, people who had lived in the shadows after the fall of the Jedi Order, forced into hiding or worse.
Merrin, the Dathomirian woman, spoke next, her voice smooth and accented with the lilt of her Nightsister heritage. "I am not a Jedi, but I was once in Dathomir. I joined Cal on his journey, and we've been together ever since."
Luke's gaze shifted to the youngest of the group. "And you, Kata?"
Kata hesitated, her eyes flicking to Cal for reassurance before speaking. "My father was a Jedi. He tried to keep me safe, but he became an Imperial agent. Papa was killed after my father betrayed Cal and his friends. After that, Cal and Merrin helped hide me on Koboh."
Luke studied her carefully. There was no anger in her tone, just the bare facts. She seemed at peace with her past, but Luke could sense there was still much for her to process.
"I see," Luke said, nodding. "Kata, have you been receiving any sort of training from Cal and Merrin?"
"Mainly self-defense, shielding, and meditation," Kata replied, her tone soft but eager. "But not much outside of that. I'm open to learning more from you."
Luke smiled gently, a rare but genuine expression. "Eagerness to learn is something I admire, Kata."
Kata smiled back, her posture relaxing slightly under Luke's approval.
"Let me give you all a tour of the reconstructed temple," Luke said, gesturing toward the entrance.
The three newcomers followed Luke as he led them through the stone corridors of the ancient building, its interior restored with care to reflect the solemn majesty of its original purpose. As they walked, Luke couldn't help but ask, "Where were you all during the Civil War?"
Cal and Merrin exchanged glances before Cal answered. "We were in hiding, mostly. Moving from place to place, trying to stay off the Empire's radar. The Path helped us, but it wasn't easy."
Merrin nodded. "And... we were cut off from most of the galaxy. We didn't know what was happening for long stretches of time."
Eventually Kata chimed in, her voice lighter. "Like I said before I was on Koboh for most of it, hidden away. It was a little lonely, but safe."
Luke listened without interruption, nodding thoughtfully as they recounted their experiences. He felt their isolation, their need to stay in the shadows, but now they were here, seeking something new.
After the tour, Luke stopped in front of a large stone doorway. "You must all be hungry after your journey. Come with me. A lady I know cooks excellent food."
Cal chuckled, turning to Merrin with a grin. "Sounds like we should bring Greez along for this."
Merrin smiled, a small but fond laugh escaping her. "He wouldn't want to miss out on a nice dinner."
They followed Luke to his living quarters, the atmosphere light and filled with the warmth of camaraderie. For the first time in a long while, they felt like they were on the verge of something new—an opportunity to rebuild, to learn, and to find a place where they truly belonged.
As they settled around the table, sharing a meal and conversation, Luke could sense the bonds forming between them. It wasn't just about the Force or the Jedi; it was about survival, trust, and the hope for a future where they could live without fear.
The night stretched on, and as the stars began to twinkle outside the window, Luke found himself smiling. The New Jedi Order was small, fragile even, but with people like Cal, Merrin, Kata, and others seeking the same purpose, he knew they had a chance to build something truly lasting.
XX
The wind rustled through the trees, carrying with it the soft scent of autumn. Leaves, tinged with the colors of orange and red, fluttered to the ground like tiny ships lost in a gentle storm. The park was empty, save for two figures sitting side by side on an old stone bench. Cal Kestis and Merrin were alone, save for the sound of nature around them—a rare peace that settled in the air after so many years of turmoil.
Cal leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Hey," Cal said softly.
Merrin turned her head slightly, her eyes still distant. "Yes, Cal?"
He hesitated, the weight of his thoughts pulling at him before he continued. "I've been thinking… Kata's been stuck on Koboh for most of her childhood. Now that she's grown… now that she has the choice…" His voice trailed off as he glanced toward Merrin. "Do you think we should leave her here? With Luke? Let her train?"
Merrin's expression softened, but her eyes remained faraway. She folded her hands in her lap, contemplating the suggestion.
"When she was younger," Merrin began slowly, "she said she wanted to be so many things… studying plants, being a chef, pilot, dancer, celebrity…"
She let out a small chuckle at the thought, remembering the innocence of Kata's childhood dreams. Cal watched her for a moment, then pressed forward.
"She rarely mentioned wanting to be a Jedi," he added quietly.
There was a pause, a moment of shared silence between them, as if they both remembered Kata's uncertain path. Merrin turned to face Cal, her expression more serious.
"I see now," she said, "you want her to become a Jedi?"
Cal shook his head slightly. "Not necessarily a Jedi… but to study the Force. You know, from someone who has been thru a lot."
Merrin's eyes narrowed, her mind piecing together what Cal was hinting at. "Anakin Skywalker was his father? Did you know him?"
Cal nodded. There was another pause as they both sifted through the echoes of history.
"I seen him a few times around the temple. But I didn't know much about him growing up," Cal said, almost in a whisper. "Just whispers of how powerful he was. A hero of the Clone Wars, someone who fought against the Separtists."
Merrin's voice was quiet, yet sure. "When researching, I read about his death during the Jedi Purge. From what I've seen of Luke, he restored that legacy."
She paused, letting the weight of her words hang in the cool air, and looked back at Cal. "From everything we know about Luke—outside the Imperial propaganda—he became a hero."
"That's why I think he's the right person for her to learn from," Cal continued, his voice stronger now. "Not just to study the Force… but to understand its potential. How to use it to help others. I couldn't give her that."
Merrin tilted her head, studying Cal's face. There was an intensity in her gaze, but her tone remained gentle.
"Cal," she said softly.
He turned to her, a question in his eyes.
"Why didn't you train her much in the Force? All these years… you only focused on self-defense, patience, but you held back from teaching her more."
There was a pause. Cal looked away, guilt creeping across his features.
"I thought it wasn't the right time," Cal admitted, his voice low. "I didn't want to put her in more danger than she already was. We were always on the run. Hiding. I didn't want her to live a life fighting."
Merrin reached out, her hand gentle as she placed it on Cal's cheek, turning his face toward her. She smiled, her expression filled with understanding.
"Very well, Cal," she said, her voice steady. "I trust your judgment. If you think she's ready… then I believe she is."
Cal leaned into her touch for a moment, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Thanks… I just want her to have more than we did."
Merrin chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eye.
"And what about us?" she teased. "You don't want to stay here on Devaron? A home to return to?"
Cal grinned, shaking his head. "It's not that I don't want to… but Luke travels. He doesn't stay in one place for long. And we're not exactly the settle-down type either, are we?"
Merrin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You're saying we can't just become quiet farmers here?"
"Farmers?" Cal laughed. "Us?"
They both shared a laugh, the sound of it mingling with the whispering wind. Merrin's laughter faded into a warm smile, her hand still resting on Cal's cheek.
"And besides," Merrin added, "we wouldn't want Greez waiting around forever."
Cal nodded with a grin, their thoughts turning to their old friend. "Yeah, I can already hear him grumbling about how long it's been since he's had a good meal."
"And a decent brew," Merrin quipped, her smile widening.
They fell into a comfortable silence, the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park. Merrin stood, stretching her arms above her head as she gazed out at the horizon.
"But… maybe it wouldn't be so bad to slow down for a while," Merrin mused, her voice softer now. "Just for a little."
Cal stood beside her, their arms brushing against one another. "Maybe."
They stood there for a long while, just watching the sky as the last rays of sunlight began to fade. The air was cool, but it felt comforting—like an exhale after years of running. Merrin turned to Cal, her voice soft.
"So, do you think Kata will want to stay?" she asked. "Train with Luke?"
Cal's brow furrowed, his tone thoughtful. "I don't know... I think she's curious. But she's always been more free-spirited. We can't force her to stay. It's her choice."
Merrin nodded slowly, her eyes still on the horizon. "Her choice…"
The weight of that idea lingered in the air. Freedom. Choice. It was something they had fought for, but never had time to consider.
"It feels strange," Merrin said quietly. "All these years, we've fought to survive. We never thought about what we'd do after."
Cal's gaze turned inward, reflecting on the years of struggle. "Yeah… it feels like there's finally space to think about what comes next."
Merrin smiled, stepping closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Whatever comes next," she whispered, "we'll face it together."
Cal wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.
Kata sat near the window, her back against the wall, watching the horizon. She held a small, metallic trinket in her hands, turning it over and over. She was lost in thought when Luke approached, quiet but curious.
"You alright, Kata?" Luke asked.
She looked up, startled, but then nodded. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
Luke sat across from her, his expression calm. "About what?"
Kata hesitated, her eyes drifting back to the trinket. "About… what it means to be here. About what I want."
Luke waited, sensing there was more.
"I never really had a choice before," Kata continued. "We were always on the move. Or in hiding. Now... I don't know what to do."
Luke's gaze softened, his voice patient. "Choice can be overwhelming. But it's also a gift. You don't have to decide everything right away."
Kata smiled slightly, appreciating his words. "I guess… I'm just afraid of making the wrong one... wasting years of my life on it."
Luke leaned back, thoughtful. "There's no such thing as a perfect choice, Kata. Only the ones we make and learn from. The Force will guide you."
She nodded, letting his words settle in.
"Yeah. I guess it will," she said softly.
And for a moment, they sat in silence, the last of the daylight slipping away into twilight.
XX
The soft hum of the house was new to Luke Skywalker. Recently, he'd decided to have his own home in the village. It was a modest, modernized house, something stable, somewhere he could call his own.
Of course, he enjoyed his time with Farnay, the female Devaronian, but Luke wanted something more. A place to return to that was his and his alone.
His thoughts were interrupted by loud, thumping music. Funk music, blaring from the kitchen, broke the quiet morning air. Luke blinked himself awake, rubbing his eyes.
Something was different today. The house felt... alive.
Luke pulled on a tunic, brushing his hair back, and headed toward the source of the commotion.
When Luke stepped into the kitchen, he found Kata Akuna, sleeves rolled up, standing by the sink with soapy water up to her elbows. She was scrubbing the dishes from the night before, humming along to the music that bounced around the room. The kitchen counter was already cleaned, and she was halfway done with the pile of dishes.
Kata was wearing a long-sleeved thermal shift, baggy pajama pants, and fuzzy slippers after a night sleeping on the couch.
Luke smirked, leaning against the doorway. "Kata… you woke me up."
Kata turned down the music, her eyes wide for a moment, then sheepishly smiled. "Oh, I wasn't thinking, Luke. Sorry. Force of habit. I like playing music when I do stuff I don't like doing—chores, workouts… exercise or dancing… other things."
Luke raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to the counter. "You know how to dance?"
Kata shrugged, rinsing off the last dish. "Yep. Auntie Merrin taught me when I was younger. We used to dance when things got boring. Holovideos helped too."
Luke chuckled softly, watching her dry her hands. "Maybe you can teach me someday?"
Kata grinned, a spark of playfulness in her eyes. "Of course, Luke. Just like you're going to help me train to be a Jedi, I'll teach you some moves."
Luke smiled at her, appreciating the lightheartedness. It's been a while since there was this kind of energy around.
Kata finished drying the last dish and glanced over. "Does training start today?"
Luke crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. "We can take a break for today. I want you to get familiar with more of the village and the rest of the temple. We'll be using those places a lot in your training."
Kata wiped her hands on a towel and nodded. "Makes sense."
Luke rubbed the back of his neck. "And hey, I appreciate you cleaning up this morning. You'll probably hear from someone in the village that I'm… well, kind of a mess."
Kata laughed softly, shaking her head. "Is that so? Well, no problem. If you're going to be training me, I want to help out however I can. With practical stuff… like chores, cleaning, cooking…"
Luke raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, you can cook too?"
Kata grinned, nodding. "Yeah. I don't know if you've met our pilot, but Greez—he taught me all sorts of recipes. He's really good at it. Showed me how to get proportions just right."
Luke smiled again, feeling something unfamiliar but pleasant—the ease of company.
They shared a brief moment of silence, just standing there in the kitchen, watching each other. Finally, Luke cleared his throat, breaking the stillness.
"Well," he said, "since you're already doing all this, how about I help out? It's my place, after all."
Kata smiled and waved him off. "No worries, Luke. You can clean the bathroom, and I'll finish up the kitchen and the living room. Teamwork."
Luke nodded, a small laugh escaping him. "Alright. Deal."
XX
Luke led Kata through the village, pointing out key places—the markets, small vendors, and the areas where most of the villagers lived. He noted how some of the older temples still remained in ruins from ancient times, but the Temple of Eedit had been restored.
They reached the small plaza in the center of the village, a peaceful spot where children ran about and played games in the afternoon. Luke could tell Kata was taking everything in—the open space, the vibrant colors of the village, and the relaxed way the villagers interacted.
"We'll start some training there soon."
Kata glanced around, eyes wide with curiosity. "It's… quiet. Peaceful. Similar to Koboh."
Luke nodded. "It is? The village here has its own rhythm. You'll get used to it."
Before they could move on, Luke's commlink chimed. He pulled it from his belt, holding it up to his ear.
"Luke, it's Cal. You free for a quick meetup?"
Luke exchanged a look with Kata. "Yeah. We're just finishing up a tour. Where are you?"
"We're by the Mantis. Got some news."
XX
The Mantis gleamed under the sunlight, parked in the open field just outside the village. Cal Kestis stood at the base of the ship's ramp, arms folded across his chest. Merrin stood beside him, her gaze wandering, as though lost in thought.
Kata and Luke approached, and Cal offered a soft smile. Merrin looked over, her usual quiet intensity softening as she saw Kata.
"Kata," Cal began, "Luke." He paused, glancing at Merrin before continuing. "We wanted to meet you to… well, say farewell for now."
Kata's smile faltered for a moment, but she kept her expression steady.
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Farewell?"
"Yeah," Cal said, glancing back at the Mantis. "Merrin and I… we're going to be traveling again. We'll stop by here and there, but for now, we want to give Kata the chance to train with you. You've got a lot to teach her, and we trust you."
Luke gave a solemn nod. "I see." He looked between Cal and Merrin. "You'll help out when you can? Even though you're still dealing with the Path?"
Cal nodded, his expression firm. "Yeah. We're gradually gathering everyone, asking if they want to return to the known galaxy."
Luke's face lit up with understanding. "Well, if you want to tell them about the temple here on Devaron, I'd appreciate it."
Cal smiled. "I'll be sure to spread the word. Thanks, Luke."
Luke added, "And also… we're building a temple on Chandrila. If any young Force users are out there and their families are looking for a safe place, we can offer them accommodation and work."
Cal's smile widened. "That's great. Thanks for the heads up."
As they spoke, Greez Dritus suddenly appeared at the top of the ramp, his familiar grumpy-yet-soft voice echoing across the open space.
"Hey! Don't think I'd leave without saying goodbye to my best apprentice in the kitchen," Greez called out, hobbling down the ramp with a determined look. His large four arms moved in sync, and a hint of sadness was hidden behind his usual bluster.
Kata beamed, her smile returning in full force as she saw the Leporine pilot. She rushed over to meet him halfway.
"Greez!" she exclaimed.
Greez shook his head, a little huff escaping his throat. "Kid, you're really gonna make me miss you, aren't you? When I was used to having you around."
Kata smiled, her eyes bright, though a hint of sadness flickered there. "I'll miss you too, Greez. Thanks for teaching me all those cooking tricks. I won't forget."
Greez's gruff demeanor softened as he leaned in and hugged her—well, as much of a hug as his smaller frame could manage. His arms wrapped around her waist, and he patted her back with a tenderness that betrayed his usually cantankerous attitude.
"Hey, listen," Greez said, his voice quieter now, "if Luke here doesn't provide proper ingredients, you call me. I'll whip him into shape if I have to."
Kata giggled. "Deal."
Greez pulled back, his large eyes studying her face for a moment. "You take care of yourself, alright? And don't forget… the galaxy's got a lot more flavors than you've tasted. When you're ready, I'll show you a few more."
Kata nodded, wiping her eyes as a tear threatened to fall. "I'll be ready."
Greez straightened his vest and shot Luke a pointed look. "You take care of her, Jedi. She's family."
Luke nodded with a small smile. "I will. You have my word."
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
With one last pat on Kata's arm, Greez turned, making his way back up the ramp with a gruff sigh. "Ah, blasted farewells… never get easier…"
Kata watched him go, her smile fading only slightly as Cal and Merrin stepped forward. Merrin embraced her first, whispering something in her ear that Luke didn't catch, but it made Kata nod and hug her tighter. Then Cal stepped up, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"You'll do great, Kata," Cal said softly. "We're just a comm away if you ever need anything."
Kata smiled, though her voice wavered slightly. "I'll miss you both."
"We'll be back," Cal assured her. "This isn't goodbye. Just… see you soon."
After one last embrace, the trio separated, and Luke watched as Cal and Merrin made their way up the ramp. The Mantis' engines roared to life, the ship lifting off as it prepared for departure.
Luke stood beside Kata, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder as they both watched the ship ascend into the sky. The Mantis grew smaller and smaller, until it was nothing but a distant speck.
Kata let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing as the silence returned.
Luke glanced down at her. "You okay?"
Kata nodded. "Yeah. Just… ready to start."
Luke smiled, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Alright. Let's get back to the village."
Together, they turned and began walking back toward the village. The future awaited them, and in a long time for Kata, it felt wide open.