Sorry for the delay. I had major writer's block. I simply couldn't figure out where to take this story next, even though I had an idea of where it would go. I think I've got it now, after some rewrites.
To give some idea of where this chapter begins, it begins at the very last chapter for my fanfic, The First World, and the beginning of its sequel, The Order of Seven, hence the chapter title. :) So yes, we're beginning to expand the story and develop the characters! :) Should be fun. :)
With that said, let's continue with the story. :)
The second Janus was discharged from the healer's tent, the first thing she wanted to do was flee. Flee from God, flee from her old life. Everything she knew was crumbling! And yet, it was Jock who slowed her down, pinning her to the ground, in an effort to calm her.
"Relax, Janus," Jock said, stifling to contain himself. He chuckled, telling her, "Are you trying to run. It won't work."
Janus struggled under his weight. The very notion of running away sounded better than anything Jock had planned. "Let go of me! Get off me! You're not—"
"Not what? You may think you're a Sith, but your actions prove to me that you are a Jedi." He paused for dramatic effect. It didn't work. So, Jock thought of something better. "Listen, if you are a Sith, then why do you still feel guilt towards Maximus, what you did to him? Surely, you must see by now that you are a Jedi. A Jedi who can do great and mysterious ways that no one saw coming."
Janus struggled, but found herself exhausted. She calmed down, allowing Jock to loosen his grip on her. Jock rubbed her arms gently, before saying to her, "Look, Janus, you may not see your purpose, but God does. Trust him. You may be surprised what he can do for you." He patted her on the back, allowing her to move.
Janus sighed. She hated this. She looked up at Jock, demanding from him, "What if I can't do this? What's in it for me?"
Jock shook his head. He told her, "Do what you have to do. God didn't make you a Jedi for no reason. There's always a reason behind what God does."
Janus tilted her head to the side. She admitted, "Oh, I know that." She sighed, "But still, I don't know if this is right for me."
"Meeting soon! Meeting soon at the Grand Pavilion!" a dodo bird cried, getting everyone's attention.
Jock shook his head. He faced Janus, telling her, "Come on. Let's see what God is up to." He ran off, noticing Janus trail after him.
~o~
God settled everyone down. Anxiety boiled in Janus' veins. She sat down next to Jock, debating on what to do next. She looked at God, who was busy telling everyone their roles and talents, as well as professions they could take.
There was something else, too, that God added, "We are beginning a new organization. It is called: the Order of Seven." Gasps resounded throughout the pavilion, at which God relaxed everyone. "I know, calm down! The Order of Seven is not just for evacuations, even though that is a last-minute decision, should this world be destroyed or become devoid of life."
God paused to catch his breath. He added, in all seriousness, "No. No, this organization is meant to shelter you all as an overarching organization. I'm sure there will be many other groups forming outside this organization. But this particular organization will focus on assigning you your talents, professions, and roles, from which you will live by. From there, the Order of Seven will dissolve, branching out to form different organizations, from which you will all become a part of. No need to fear about evacuations, for the First World shall prosper.
"So, with that said, now I will allow you to continue choosing your talents, roles, and professions. Whichever ones suit you will be up to you to decide, as well as Me. Good luck, everyone. Good luck," God nodded. He dismissed the meeting, allowing everyone to split up and choose their vocation and talents.
God turned His gaze to Janus and Jock, while He interacted with everyone else.
"Janus," God looked at Janus in wonder, asking her, "I see you are not pleased with your role as Jedi. What's wrong with it?"
Janus shrugged. "Why did you choose me to become a Jedi? I'm not worthy of that title. I've done… wrong, haven't I?"
God stared at her, sternly, "Janus, you will learn from your mistakes. What this means is that, yes, you are a Jedi." He smiled, adding, "But yes, I think you'll do well as a Jedi. It is part of your destiny, much like it is Jock's destiny is to become a Sith. A Sith Lord." God smiled at Jock, shaking His head and laughing.
Jock laughed, too, enjoying himself. "It's good to see God so happy and smiling!" He patted Janus on the back, at which she said nothing for a moment.
"But still, why me?" Janus asked. "What did I do to deserve to become a Jedi?"
God sighed. He pointed out Janus' chest, saying to her, "Your heart. Your heart is kind. It knows the ways of the Jedi. You'll do fine there."
Janus sighed. She had no say in the matter whatsoever, neither did she have a choice. She looked at God, asking him, "Will Jock and me be separated? I don't want to be without him."
Jock patted her on the back, saying to her, "You'll do fine. Trust me. I won't be far away from you. The Sith temple is within the Kyber Grove region."
"The Kyber what region?" Janus asked, confused.
Jock laughed. "It's where we're traveling to. You'll have your own temple with the Jedi, mine is with the Sith. And yes, your temple is the Jedi's temple. They own the temple."
"But… what? My Lord?" Janus asked, whipping her head around to God, who laughed.
"Come now, Janus. Your future awaits you," God said, leading Janus out of the pavilion, towards the edge of the campsite and out into the lush green plains, where a shuttle awaited them.
Janus looked back at Jock, before she entered the shuttle. Would they ever meet again?
"Good luck, Janus. You'll need it," God said, loading Janus into the shuttle, before it took off. Janus looked out the window after the door was closed.
There was no turning back now. But could Janus ever go back to her old life? No! That part of her life was gone… for now.
~o~
Janus sat inside the shuttle, seated on a silver metal chair with soft red cushions. She looked towards the window at the green plain countryside, even as the shuttle neared its destination.
And there, coming in towards a lush, dense, forested countryside, with its own crystal-clear river, long-standing bridges made from metal and wood, was the Jedi temple. The temple was elegant with many rounded outer walls, scores of windows and balconies embedded to the building. A landing pad could be found just outside the temple, at which the current shuttle Janus was sitting in parked.
Janus sighed. It was her turn, wasn't it? It was her turn to become a Jedi. She wasn't anywhere near ready for the task… at all! Just what was she doing here?
At last, she climbed out of her chair and headed towards the shuttle door, where her fellow students, humans and creatures, left the shuttle, and entered the training grounds.
The wind wisped across Janus' spotted white coat, leaving her shivering. She looked back at the shuttle, as it took in another couple of students and staff. It was enough to send Janus reeling, even as she followed the students to the temple, where their Jedi instructor awaited them.
Their Jedi instructor happened to be an alien with long green ears, short in stature, and facial features that meant maturity. He wore brown robes and looked as though he was ready for battle.
"Ah! Young Jedi. The Younglings! Welcome to the Jedi Temple on Kyber Grove region. I am Master Yuvon and I will be your new teacher for your early training. If you will come with me, we can begin your training," Master Yuvon said, leading the way inside the temple.
Janus shrugged. There was no choice, was there?
Master Yuvon looked at Janus, allowing her to approach him. He whispered in her ear, "We'll find you some robes to wear."
Janus sighed. She knew this was coming. "Thank you, Lord!" She said, looking up in the air in vain, hoping God would answer her. There was no reply. Only a gut feeling telling her this was right.
Did she have a choice? No? Darn it all!
She sighed, trailing after Master Yuvon, as he led her into the dressing room, while the other students waited for her outside in the hallway.
Master Yuvon closed the door, leaving him alone with Janus.
"Here. These robes will be suitable for you," Master Yuvon said, passing Janus her new robes. Master Yuvon left Janus alone in the dressing room to dress herself.
Janus changed into a brown robe, a brown tunic with a V-neck, brown pants, and brown boots. There was also a silver metal utility belt, which Janus kept strapped to her waist. It was the first time she dressed herself, and she admitted it was a nice change.
The moment Janus stepped outside the dressing room, meeting the students and Master Yuvon, Master Yuvon looked at her, pleased with her. "Well done." Master Yuvon looked the rest of his students, saying to them, and Janus, "Let's go, Younglings."
Janus smiled. She supposed it was time to press on.
Disclaimer: Inspiration for the Jedi Temple on Kyber Grove region comes from the Jedi Temple on Tython, from Bioware and Electronic Arts' video game, "Star Wars: The Old Republic".