Star Wars: The Age of Peace

The hum of our ship's engines vibrated through the hull as we left Valkyss's space elevator, ascending away from it, heading towards the edge of the system to jump to lightspeed. It was good to sit there and feel the ship traveling. Knowing we were about to head back home, I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding back, watching through the viewport as the planet shrank behind us.

All that color, the swirling blues and greens of its surface, makes me think about their future. Will they be able to adhere to the change they need and to their promise? I didn't know, nor did I have any Force vision of it, but according to Ben, if it felt right, it would work out in the long run. Or it would be what the Force deemed good—a kind of balance. I didn't feel that either, but there was no sense of unease or danger in me.

All things considered, the mission was done. Finished.

The last few days had been filled with long and tumultuous negotiations, with Master Ben taking the lead while we observed, learning from his well-placed words and patient mediation between the parties. He never forced them into anything, but he always knew how to lay out the options in a way that showed which was the correct path to take. In the end, the leaders of Valkyss had left the final meeting with a reluctant but fundamental understanding that couldn't be denied. Change was coming, and they would have to decide how they would embrace it. Ben had assured them that he would return, continuing to guide them as they worked with their neighboring systems, working towards preventing a bloody war.

I never realized they were so close to it. But, the sabotage was almost a perfect spark to set a fire so close to the Academy. In the end, it didn't happen, but these sectors would need to start working it out and smooth things over. If there was one thing I understood, it was that if they erupted in a war, there was a huge chance for another party to jump in, offering order and swallowing these independent systems.

For now, though, it wasn't something I had to worry about. We were headed home, and my focus should be on improving myself. Keep growing as a Jedi.

With that in mind, I leaned back in my seat, trying to shake off the weight of the past days and instead turning it into experience. Something that I can mull over and learn from. With that in mind, my muscles relaxed from the tension I had barely noticed. Following it, I managed to trace it back to my speech, realizing that I had been on edge since that, only relaxing now, listening to the ship's engines. I couldn't help but smile at the realization while my mind buzzed with the echoes of the conversations, decisions, and suggestions of the Force interwoven into their feelings. When I reopened my eyes, I saw Vila sitting across from me, arms crossed behind her head, eyes half-lidded in a similar kind of exhaustion. She caught me looking and smirked, winking at me.

"Told you it would be fine."

"Heh," I huffed. "You had your doubts. I felt it."

"Well, yeah, I still do," she teased, but there was no real bite to it. "But it is up to them to solve it. I think we did plenty!" 

Yes. I think so... And, blinking my eyes, I knew that she was satisfied with the trip. I could feel it in the Force without trying to tap into her feelings. Then... there was... Iowi.

He was sitting close to us and had been silent for most of the journey so far. I think he was lost in thought for most of the time—not just now but also when the talks were taking place. Before this mission, he would have wasted no time dissecting my every move, criticizing my methods and gifts, and warning me about the dangers of those abilities. He would have probably gone after Vila for being nothing like a Jedi, at least not a Jedi he thought we all should be. But... Now, he was a bit different. His usual sharp edges on his face, especially when looking at us, were gone. He seems more softened, as if the mission had sanded his features down. Or simply, he found a bit of peace.

"..." Noticing my gaze, he finally spoke up since we left the planet. "You handled yourself well."

"Oh?" I turned to him, raising a brow. That was a surprise.

"Yes." He met my gaze and remained unflinching, but without reaching out, I knew he was no longer carrying that recoiling distrust he had for me before. "I misjudged you both," he admitted, which now surprised not only me but Vila, too. "I assumed your emotions would be your downfall," He said straight to her before looking back at me, "that your gifts would lead you down a dangerous path." He shook his head slightly. "I see now that isn't true. Not yet, at least."

"Hmph..." Vila snorted. "High praise. Thanks," she added with tangible sarcasm.

"..." Iowi gave her a flat look before faintly smiling and continuing. "I still believe you must be cautious. Vila, your temper will get you into trouble if you let it. That part... did not change. And Kael…" He met my eyes again, considering his following words a bit longer before speaking them. "The way you used the Force back there... It was effective, but it was also dangerous. I know now that you can control it... But you must never forget how easy it is to cross the line from persuasion to manipulation."

He wasn't wrong... I knew that. So, I nodded, absorbing his remarks and viewing them as not attacks but genuine warnings from a senior. It made me think a little, imagining what else I could have done. What if I had less guidance from Master Skywalker? What if I indeed crossed a certain point? If I thought it had been necessary to do so... Yes. It could have happened even if I had been careful with it. If I ever let myself push too far, if I ever justified it beyond what was right…

"I won't," I said firmly. "I know the risk," I answered, not just to him but speaking to myself.

"..." Iowi studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good."

After our brief exchange, a quiet calmness settled over us. It was not tense like when we left Yavin 4, but peaceful. All three of us knew that something had shifted, and hopefully, for the better.

...

.....

....

Returning to the Academy felt right.

The temple was just as we had left it, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun as we stepped onto the landing platform. I didn't realize how much of a home this place had become after only a year... The air was thick with the Force, something I could taste much better now than when I first arrived, following Ben Skywalker down from the ship. It was so much livelier, and even with everything that had happened in the past months, it was much more welcoming than my old home ever was.

It was nice to head back to my alcove, rest for real, and sleep unbothered. Honestly, just that one trip made me appreciate this return even more. But there was something neither Vila nor I expected to happen the next day.

When we walked through the halls heading to the cafeteria, the wary glances that had previously followed us were fewer and softer. This time, no one turned away when I passed or avoided my eyes, fearing I would suggest something they didn't want to. Some nodded in greeting, just as before, as if nothing had happened. Vila noticed the change, too, her usual guarded posture easing slightly as she caught sight of a few younglings who used to flinch in our presence. Of course, she wasn't ready to just forgive and forget, but at least she wasn't throwing a tantrum either or calling them out. But... I knew that most of the others, except Jalo, would have to try hard to regain her trust. Or friendship...

And then, in the main dining hall, Iowi made it official.

"A moment, please. I must say something before everyone." He stood before the gathered Padawans, his voice steady, apparent. "I was wrong."

The room quieted in an instant, and my jaws slightly opened while Vila's even dropped to the ground. This... Okay... This I did not anticipate. Even Master Katarn, who had been observing from the side, tilted his head slightly, intrigued. Proud even. The air seemed to be still, as if the temple itself was holding its breath, watching on with curiosity. Or... was that the feeling of the other Masters and their senses locking on us all?

"I judged too harshly," Iowi continued. "I let my own fears cloud my judgment that I was late to realize. I mean my previous ideas of Kael and Vila. I believed they could not control their emotions and that their abilities were dangerous to us all. But I have seen them tested, and I have seen them endure. I was mistaken when I made a judgment. I am sorry."

"I-its... Okay?" I answered, trying to ask with my eyes and tone about what was going on. I didn't expect him to make this thing so public... but Iowi simply continued, his voice collected and firm, making Vila click her tongue after hearing his following words.

"I do not take back my advice of caution, but I will no longer stand against them." His gaze swept across the room, looking at those who he called his own followers. "And neither should you."

A wave moved through the gathered students, especially among his friends. Some were exchanging uncertain looks, others nodding in quiet acceptance. Huh... Thanks.

"A lot had happened, I guess." Master Katarn watched with a slight, approving nod before turning to me. "Welcome back, Kael."

I stood a little taller, hearing him speak, returning the nod. As the crowd began to disperse, Vila nudged me with her elbow, finally coming back to her senses.

"Don't let it go to your head," she said, not really knowing how to handle the current situation.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied, smiling faintly, not about to tease her.

As we continued towards why we were here, to eat something before going to train, the meaning of Iowi's warning stayed with me. Yes... The Force was a powerful ally, but it was also a dangerous tool. I had read a lot about what it could do in the wrong hands. I had to be conscious about not giving in to those temptations. The mission had proven I could handle it, for now, that is. I must strive to keep it that way... now and in the future.