The hatch was opening just as I got there, and I could feel Yavin's hot air rushing in, filled with the scent of fresh water that probably came pouring down just last night. Even the landing pad had some puddles, reflecting the blue sky. Well, all things considered, after being away for a few weeks, it felt relaxing to be back home. My Master was also already here, waiting at the bottom of the ramp, hands behind his back, and of course, he wasn't alone, as beside him stood Master Katarn, watching Vila as we trodded down from the ship.
"Welcome home," Ben said, looking at me, and his tone was calm, but I could feel the pride behind it through the Force, even when his eyes caught my missing hand. "We have received transmissions from both Christophsis and Mandalore. You did well. Both of you."
"Best of all," Kyle added, smirking at Vila, "you didn't start a galactic incident. I'm proud of you."
"Not for lack of trying," Vila muttered, pursing her lips. "The last part was very close to me kicking the nest... But they would have been at fault! I also decided that I am now against the Mandalorian's way of governing."
"Let's keep it between us," I muttered, "We don't need to start anything, especially not after we managed to avert a crisis."
"Don't worry about it," Ben's hand clapped my shoulder, "Let's get your report to the Council. They're already assembled, and it is best to get it over with so we can take a focus on your hand."
"Thank you, Master," I said while HK clanked down the ramp behind us, carrying our packs.
[Observation: Local humidity still exceeds the tolerances for civilized beings like myself. My servos will rust before we reach the door. Addendum: I am not a pack mule either.]
"Kael is injured," Vila said, "He got your stuff back, at least help out."
He wanted to say something, but looking at Ben and Katarn, he just held his mechanical tongue and followed us anyway. The walk through the temple never gets old, especially now that we are older. As we walked by the others, I watched as younglings practiced in the outer courtyard, just as we did not that long ago. As we headed forth, a few paused to stare at us, and I caught snippets of their thoughts. It was mostly about curiosity, awe, and envy when they looked at our lightsabers... I wonder... One day, I will have my own Padawan... Will I be a good Master? Haaah... What a weird feeling.
As I was thinking about that, we entered the old temple and passed through the central arch into the Grand Hall. Inside, the morning sunlight came in like thick, amber-colored shafts through the narrow windows, painting it all warm and cozy. Master wasn't joking, because as we stepped in, I watched as the entire Council waited for us at the far end. Jaina Solo stood at their center, her presence overtaking the others, at least that was how I felt it when I looked at the group, sensing them through the Force. Everyone was here, from Master Rosh Penin to Master Vaelin Caedryn and Master Aren Solara, the latter tinkering absently with a datapad... But, my eyes stopped on the figure who, even before my senses were... invisible. The Grandmaster... Luke Skywalker.
I could only have one explanation why I couldn't even perceive his presence... He was so much above us all that I wasn't able to even sense the chasm between me and him. Yet, despite it all, he simply occupied an unadorned chair off to the side, his hood flicked back, his expression faintly amused as though he'd seen this ceremony a thousand times, yet still being interested in it... and maybe, well, no... Not maybe. He indeed had seen and hosted it a lot. Thinking about that, we also stopped, and Ben gestured for us to kneel on the circular inlay at the center of the floor, then walked a bit forward and faced us, joining the other Masters. My knees creaked, making me almost curse and blush... But looking at Vila, she wasn't that much better, as her lekku twitched with restless energy, too. As for HK, he parked himself against a column, pretending to power down.
[Statement: Commencing low-power mode. Wake me when the applause starts.]
Damn you... You had to say something, didn't you? Haaaah... But, nobody seemed angry... I think.
"Please," Kyle ignored him, too, and looked at us, waving a hand towards Master Solo, "Give your report first to the Jedi Council."
"Yes," I told them straight, explaining everything from the start, even if they had already been informed. Mandalore, Christophsis, Dhar's execution, and the peace deal that we brokered between the parties. Vila filled in the details where I left them open, making sure to show she was just as integral a part of this. When we reached the details of the duel, Jaina's eyes sharpened. I kept my mouth moving and speaking, but I was also reaching out to get a feel for why... Luckily, it wasn't due to disapproval but because of how I got dragged into an 'impossible' situation. She had more knowledge of the Mandalorians than I did, and I think she noticed more clues that could have avoided such a duel... But in her mind, I wasn't to blame for not knowing those methods... She blamed the Mandalorians for exploiting it. When we finished the full report, the hall was silent except for the faint hiss of the jungle wind outside, making us wait while they exchanged wordless glances for about a minute.
"You were tested in more ways than one," Master Solo said in the end. "You both embodied what this Order stands for now, which we want to acknowledge. Your choices were guided by compassion, and they prioritized the safety of the blameless innocents. We are proud of you, both of you."
"Kael," Ben looked to me. "Do you feel ready to stand without a master's guidance?"
"Yes, Master," I nodded. "I believe that all the lessons you imparted to me are now part of who I am." He didn't say anything else, simply gave me a satisfied nod.
"Vila," Master Katarn turned to her next. "And you? Are you able to keep your impulses under check?"
"I... think," she answered, pursing her lips, "But if not, I'll take responsibility for everything, without flinching."
"We are not emotionless droids," Master Solo stepped forward with a half-smile on her face, unhooking her lightsaber. "Then stand."
We rose together. When I did so, my balance was steady despite missing a hand. Glancing sideways, I noticed that Grandmaster Skywalker also rose from his seat, his eyes focused on us, looking like he was now wholly present, and I finally managed to glimpse a little of him in the Force... I can't describe it. It was... As if he himself was part of it already. Existing both here and in the Force... It was at a level I couldn't comprehend. While thinking, Master Solo ignited her lightsaber, painting both our faces with its purple light.
"By the judgment of this Council," She declared, "and with the blessing of those who taught before us, we acknowledge your growth. Kael Varo, Vila Saresh... Both of you have faced your fears, shown compassion, and proven wisdom in action. From this day, you stand as Jedi Knights of the Order."
The light reflected off the synth-skin covering my stump, and for a moment, I thought about everything that had led here. Both the family I'd left, the years that I had spent here, the Rakatan world, the hand I had lost. All of it was now nothing more than experiences, forming me into who I am today. I felt proud of myself, thinking of it all. Then, just as I was ready to look away, Grandmaster Skywalker was standing beside Master Solo, smiling at us.
"Remember," he said to Vila and me, "a Knight's first duty isn't to fight but to listen to the Force. It will guide you both forward." Nodding at us both, he slowly turned and began walking out of the Grand Hall as every other Master also began dispersing, returning to their duties.
"Congratulations," Master walked over to me as he placed a small silver clasp in my remaining hand. It was a simple circlet bearing the emblem of the Order, and while I examined it, Master Katarn did the same for Vila. "Just a little souvenir to remember today."
[Observation: Two new Knights created, while there are zero fatalities. Statistically, that counts as rare in my memories.]
"Times have changed," Master Katarn laughed, looking at him, "Let's keep the new ratio, hm?" Then he looked at me, "You scared half the Council by volunteering to fight a Mandalorian warlord in public. That could have made it... complicated."
"When the message returned, my aunt almost flew into a rage," my Master added with a low chuckle. "I rarely see her like that nowadays."
"Part of my charm," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Also, I felt it was the correct decision."
"If you did, then it was." Ben smiled, crossing his arms. "I told the same thing to the Council, too. Anyway... Rest for a few days. Then come see me in the forge. We will have your hand ready by then."
"From the helmet, I hope?" I lifted an eyebrow.
"That is the idea." He nodded.
"One more thing," Kyle pointed his finger at Vila's nose, "Don't act like you can now go and teach the new younglings."
"No promises, Master," she said with a grin.
When they were gone, the chamber felt suddenly even bigger and quieter than before. But then, Vila slipped her hand into mine, into my good one that is, and tugged at me gently.
"Come on, Knight Varo. Let's get back to our rooms."
"Did we get a new one? I didn't ask."
"I don't think so, but we can stay in yours," she giggled.
[Advisory Statement: Rolling on the bed immediately after promotion statistically leads to injury of the back. Also, the humidity level remains appalling, and I don't want to get stuck in the same, sweaty room as you two meatbags.]
"Then wait on the ship," I told him.
[Happy Acceptance: Gladly.]
He wasn't joking... he left immediately, not even looking back. Damn. Well, we were also on our way, heading towards our room, but taking one detour, going on a slow walk through the gardens. We were now proper Jedi... As for what we would do next, that would depend on what we want to do. We were free to pursue our own interests, between missions, that is. Because if something came up, the Council could still send us out on trips and missions.
"So," she said, looking up at me, reading my thoughts, "What would you want to do? I mean, now that we are proper Jedi?"
"Good question," I shrugged, having no honest answer to the question.
"Go back home, flaunt it to your family?"
"No." I grimaced, "Predominantly no. If anything, I think I would want to travel a little. Exploration sounds fun! What about you?"
"Hmm..." She grunted, her eyes moving back and forth, thinking, "I wanted to say, we should bring down the Huttese crime syndicate and empire, but, eh... That wouldn't be allowed. Sooo... No idea. Search for Vestara and their missing Sith?"
"Revani?"
"Revani, Sith," she rolled her eyes, "It's the same. Yeah, I agreed with some of their sentiments, but after everything? Yeah, no. I don't think they are right. Anyway, they disappeared, so we could go and catch them again. We have HK! It could lead us to them through the Force, no? He is still touched by the Dark Side, even if he was scrubbed clean."
"Hmmm." I nodded, thinking, "I think we can combine it all. We do need to help HK to get his memories sorted... So it all could be combined. Help him look for Vestara and the rest in the meantime, and we can also explore the places our search takes us to. But first..."
"Let's get you a hand, yes?" She chuckled, leaning against me as we walked, "You do need a bit of training. I don't want you to lag behind me, fufufuf~!"
"Someone's confident." I chortled, looking down at her, "Just wait until I'm back to full.. I'll show you who is lagging behind~!"