Star Wars: The Age of Peace

The sunlight filtering through the dense jungle canopy felt much friendlier than before as Vila and I left the chasm behind us. I couldn't help but smile as I could feel her happiness after finally finding her own crystal, knowing she didn't fail. I could understand it well, as I was also gripping mine just the same. Despite the fatigue weighing down my limbs after helping pull her up, the sense of accomplishment quickly raised my spirits, chasing the tiredness away.

"We should keep moving," I said, gesturing toward the forest ahead. "The others are probably back by now, and we need to return before they leave us here!"

"They wouldn't..." Vila nodded but then became a bit uncertain, thinking about it more. "Wouldn't they?"

"Probably not. Still, best not to risk it!" I added in a joking manner.

"Ugh... true..." She muttered, looking one more time at the deep orange kyber crystal. "Yeah. Let's go!" Slapping her face, shaking away her remaining doubts, her voice was steadier now, the earlier worries and fears replaced by her usual determination.

As we walked, I relied on the Force to guide us once again, and this time, I was sure where I was heading. It was as if the jungle was no longer obstructing my senses. Instead, it started guiding me. It wasn't long before I began to recognize familiar landmarks—a peculiar tree with twisting roots and a shallow stream cutting through the undergrowth. Vila's pace quickened behind me, and her steps grew bolder, picking up on my lightening mood just the same.

After nearly an hour, the jungle began to thin, and we heard familiar voices ahead. Relief surged through me that I was right as we stepped into the clearing where the rest of our group had started our journey. A handful of Padawans were already back, milling about, some practicing basic maneuvers of their finished lightsabers, others meditating, still in the middle of building them. Watching their parts float before their chests, slotting into places, putting it together via the Force... I knew I was going to do the same only a moment later. The thought alone sent a thrill through me; I couldn't wait to start.

"Kael! Vila!" A familiar voice called out, and I turned to see Jalo Vreek bounding toward us, his green skin gleaming in the sunlight. "You made it!"

"Of course we did," I replied with a grin, patting Vila on the shoulder. "We had a few detours, but we found what we came for."

Vila held up her crystal, its orange glow catching the light. Jalo's eyes widened, and he let out an impressed whistle.

"Nice! That's going to make one incredible lightsaber." He chuckled, showing his own greenish-colored to us.

"Where's Master Skywalker?" I asked, scanning the clearing.

"Over there," Jalo said, pointing to a figure seated beneath a large tree. The moment I noticed him, our current Master's calm presence stood out amidst the bustling Padawans, yet previously, it was hidden until I looked directly at him. As if he had timed it, his blue eyes snapped open while meeting mine. With one fluid motion, he rose to greet us, walking up to us in only a few steps despite the fact that he was about a hundred meters away a moment ago.

"Kael, Vila," he said warmly. "I'm glad to see you both returned safely. Were you successful?"

I nodded, holding up my crystal. Its cool, mostly blueish hue shimmered in the sunlight. Vila followed suit, showing hers with a small, proud smile.

"Excellent work," Ben said, his voice filled with genuine pride. "You've taken an important step on your journey. Now, it's time to take the next one." He gestured toward a set of supplies laid out on a nearby table. "Everything you need to build your lightsabers is here. Take your time, and let the Force guide you by choosing the appropriate materials."

Vila and I exchanged a glance, excitement sparking between us. It was not a race, but... the feeling was similar. We approached the table simultaneously, which was covered with various components: emitters, power cells, focusing lenses, and more. Each piece seemed to have been created with care, pristine, and waiting to be brought together into something greater. To be a lifelong companion of a Jedi.

I selected my parts carefully, feeling the subtle pull of the Force, letting it guide my hand in picking them out one by one. As I worked, I couldn't help but glance over at Vila. Her movements were straightforward, her expression one of deep concentration, and the determination in her eyes was inspiring. I almost chuckled, as while I was taking them slowly, she was snapping her hand out and back, like a fishing bird, standing still until its prey got close enough to grab the correct part.

"What do you think yours will look like?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Hm?" She flinched but didn't look up at me while answering. "Strong. Practical. Something that feels right in my hands." She held up a reinforced emitter, turning it over thoughtfully. "What about you?"

"I'm not sure yet," I admitted. "I want it to feel balanced. Something that reflects who I'm becoming."

She nodded, her gaze looking at the side of my face before returning to her selection process. Then came the crucial part. Parting, we found a place to sit, placed the components into our laps, and began meditating. When we were taught about the procedure of making a lightsaber, it was more intricate than I'd expected, each component needing to fit perfectly with the others. But our Masters taught us that a Jedi lets the force guide their hand when building their lightsaber. It isn't like the manufacturing of a blaster rifle... It is part of a Jedi's being, after all.

I didn't know what to expect, but as I slumped into my meditation, everything became clear and obvious. As if I always knew perfectly how to do it. While I assembled my lightsaber, I felt a sense of clarity I hadn't really experienced before. The Force flowed through me, guiding my hands and filling me with the required confidence in slotting the pieces at the right place, floating right before me. Without thinking about it, it seems like I copied the holovids I watched, and my lightsaber had a slightly curved hilt... I just hoped that the Masters wouldn't chide me for it.

Taking a deep breath, it was for the last part. Finally, I placed my kyber crystal into the chamber. As I secured it, locking it into place, a surge of energy coursed through the hilt, and I knew it was ready. I glanced over at Vila, who was just finishing her own at the same time. Of course, she immediately caught my eye and gave me a slight nod.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready," she replied.

Together, we stepped back into the clearing, the anticipation palpable. The other Padawans also paused their activities, as it was also a moment of curiosity for them too. Even if they didn't do it obviously, they still turned to watch as we ignited our lightsabers for the very first time.

I pressed the activation switch, and a brilliant blue blade sprang to life with a resonant hum. It was perfect—the weight, the balance, the way it felt like an extension of myself. I couldn't help but grin, the excitement bubbling over. As I began testing it... I noticed that it wasn't exactly a clear blue. It had a... pinkish afterhue? Or was my eyes playing tricks on me? No, it had a pinkish-blue, almost violet gradient to the blade. Was... Was my crystal defective? I quickly glanced at Ben Skywalker, but he didn't seem troubled, so... it should be fine? Still, I will have to ask him for advice. To mask my sudden uncertainty, I chased the thoughts out of my head, glancing at Vila.

She had also activated hers beside me, and her deep orange blade lit up the clearing. The color was striking, a vivid contrast to the other sabers around us, including mine. She was right; it would be strong as its color and power were clearly palpable. She stared at it for a moment, her expression a mixture of awe and pride, giggling. Then she gave the blade a few experimental swings, its hum cutting through the air. While smiling to myself, Jalo was the first to approach, his own green saber already ignited.

"Nice work, you two! Let's see how well you can handle it!"

"Oh? You asking us for a duel?" Vila raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You want to spar already?"

"Why not?" Jalo replied, twirling his blade. "It seems finding my crystal gave me the courage! And we've got time before everyone is back."

"Do you hear him?" Vila looked at me, chortling, and I couldn't help but shrug.

"Might as well give them a test run. Just... be careful, these are no longer training sabers." I quickly added, finally making Jalo realize who he challenged in his sudden, courage-filled excitement.

There was no backing out of it, not when Vila's lekku was twitching in such excitement. So, the three of us moved to a cleared area, and the sparring began. Her movements were swift and precise, and her natural agility gave her an absolute edge over Jalo. Her orange blade clashed against the rodian's green saber, the two of them exchanging a rapid series of strikes. It didn't take long for Jaro to be on his back feet, not against Vila, heh! I watched for another moment before jumping in, my blueish blade intercepting Vila as she tried to press her advantage against Jalo's Form III, Soresu. Jalo's defenses were still not impenetrable as the Form would suggest, and Vila was about to be too much for him to handle.

Tagging him out, Vila didn't even flinch; she kept pressing on even stronger as I began dueling her in earnest. It was... different. With my own saber, I felt that it was part of my hand, part of my body. Every move came out much more fluently, stringing my counters in rapid succession, just as Vila's strikes were also much more fierce than ever before.

The mock duel was exhilarating. Each of us pushed the other to improve, ending when we separated for the seventh time. We were just standing there, gasping for air, facing each other without a clear winner decided yet. Before we could continue, it was Ben Skywalker's voice who snapped us out of the weird battle-meditation-like feeling, powering our sabers down.

"Excellent work today," He said as we gathered around him, and by now, everyone was back, holding their own lightsabers. "Building your lightsabers is a significant milestone, but it's only the beginning. From here, you'll learn to wield them with skill and responsibility. Remember, a Jedi's strength comes not from their weapon but from the Force and their connection to it."

We all nodded, his words reminding us of the lessons we were taught. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, I looked down at my lightsaber. It indeed felt like more than just a weapon; it was a symbol of everything I had accomplished and everything I still had to learn.

"Thank you," Vila said quietly, her gaze fixed on her own blade. "For helping me back there. For believing in me."

"That's what friends are for," I replied the same way as I did before, smiling at her. "And besides, I couldn't let you have all the fun."

"Sure, " she chuckled, punching my shoulder. "But back at the Academy, we still need to finish our duel."

"I knew it..." I grunted, making her laugh, and I couldn't help but also let myself show a wide smile.