Master and Padawan
Continuing through the cave, Daniel seeked to find the exit to the forge. The ambience of the cave really didn’t help that the only light was coming from the lantern. After some time, he realized he had started to walk up hill. Eventually, he reached an exit and he saw that he was high up in the mountains with the valleys far below. In front of him was a path that stretched on for a while and at the end was a large ancient structure. The forge.
It didn’t take long for him to reach the forge. The forge itself was an ancient structure created during the time of the first Jedi. Looking around he didn’t see any of the other younglings,they must have still been looking for their crystals. Deciding to not lose any time,he climbed the stairs and entered the forge. The structure itself is quite large,while the forge itself is more like a room. Setting the components down on the forge’s construction table,he then moved to the center of the room and meditated. He focused on the crystal,the parts,the forge,and the blade itself. The parts soon lifted up into the air and started to put themselves together. When he felt it,Daniel reached out and pulled the lightsaber towards him. Igniting the blade he saw that he had a black blade with purple effects,he had never seen anything like it before.
Suddenly,the strong feeling entered the back of his mind. A disturbance in the force. To his right a large boulder smashed into the wall of the forge. Turning around Daniel came face to face with what threw the boulder, a jurogan. He had heard tales about the forge guardian but he never believed them. Unlike the narglatch,he would have to face this beast in combat. Taking his stance,he closed his eyes and once again felt the force around him and then he struck. Launching himself at the beast,he quickly took a swipe at the jurogan’s leg with his saber causing the beast to fall to its hands. Angered by Daniel’s attack, it swung its claws trying to grab hold of him. Before the claws could seep into his flesh,Daniel jumped up into a backflip bringing his lightsaber down into the beasts head. The Jurogan let out one last roar as its body fell to the ground,dead. Daniel jumped off the jurogan’s body and deactivated his lightsaber.
“Wow...that was incredible.”
Turning around Daniel was face to face with his friend again. Sheyo had the most awestruck look on her face,like she had just witnessed something life changing. Daniel noticed that she had her crystal in her hands.
“I see you found your crystal Sheyo.”
“Don’t ‘ I see you found your crystal Sheyo’ me Daniel Stark! You just took down the forge guardian in a couple bounds! That was incredible!” Sheyo practically yelled.
Daniel shook his head and let out a little laugh. “Well don’t let me stop you,go forge your lightsaber. I should head back to the temple.”
“You’re right,good luck and congratulations. You’re about to become a padawan. I’ll be back when I’m done with this lightsaber,but I think you’ll be gone already.” Sheyo’s face falters a little. “Be careful Daniel.”
“May the force be with you Sheyo Wune.”
The journey back to the temple went by slower than he thought it would. He was walking towards his future and yet...it felt like he was leaving everything behind. Finally he arrived at the temple,he headed towards the council chambers where he was told to return to. He took note that he had not seen any of the other younglings that also went for their crystals,besides Sheyo who should be on her way back. He entered the empty council chamber and signaled that he had returned. He waited for a little while until the council gathered. Master Shaak TI was the first to speak.
“Welcome back padawan. You are the first to return,I can sense another is close behind. Congratulations are in order on the creation of your lightsaber, be warned your lightsaber is both a tool and a weapon. You should only need to use it in defense of yourself and others.”
Daniel had heard all of this before. The Jedi were the defenders of peace and embrace the light,while the Sith use their hatred and anger to reach their goals. However, Unlike the other Jedi he felt it was important to take the offense sometimes...they are at war after all. Shaak Ti continued on. “To help continue on your trials,you have been assigned a master.” The door of the council chambers opened and another person entered. He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was, He had a strong bond with them. His mother. “ Master Udera will be your master, she will teach you the ways of the Jedi beyond this temple.”
Janai bowed a little. “I shall teach him well masters.”
Daniel also bowed. “Thanks you masters,I shall head my master’s words.”
With that the two left the council chambers. Janai lead him towards her office. He had only met with his mother a couple of times since he arrived on Tython, with the Jedi not allowing relationships a Jedi with a child would not go over well. He knew his mother loved him and he loved her, but they would never have a proper relationship. Janai’s office was more like a meditation chamber than anything, it seemed perfect for a Jedi master.
Janai turned and faced him, she gave him a bright smile and hugged him. “My son...I am so proud of you.”
That definitely surprised him,his mother never was one to stick to the jedi way but that wasn’t expected.
“I am sure you already suspect why we got paired together. I asked the council to have you as my padawan,it has always been my intention to do this ever since you arrived on Tython.” She paused and her face faltered. “I hoped that when you were born, you wouldn’t have the force and we could have lived a different life...with your father. That didn’t happen and we had to be seperated...but not anymore,I will teach you the ways of the force and finally get to be with you again.”
Daniel hadn’t really been told of his early life before the temple. He still doesn’t know who his father is or if he’s still alive,he wished he could meet him. Daniel wished he could pretend like everything was okay and they could be a family,but the reality is they couldn’t. Not yet anyways.
“Thank you...master for choosing me. However I think it would be better for both of us if we stayed a master and padawan for now. I just...need some time.”
Janai was disappointed,but understanding. “I understand. I will teach you everything and when you are ready. We’ll talk.”
“Thank you master,so where do we begin?”