The meditation chamber of the Jedi Temple was silent except for the slow hum of Coruscant's repulsorlifts far below. Moonlight spilled across the floor in soft, silver waves as Kaelen knelt at its center, the golden-bronze holocron floating before him.
He breathed slowly, letting the Force settle within him.
Then the holocron opened.
Light unfolded like a flower blooming in the dark, and Bastila Shan's figure emerged — calm, composed, her presence warm and firm like a guiding hand.
"We begin."
Kaelen steadied his breath. "I'm ready."
Bastila studied him with a gaze both gentle and penetrating.
"Battle Meditation does not begin with power. It begins with clarity."
Her holographic hand moved, and the room around them darkened, the air shifting like water. Kaelen suddenly felt as though he were standing in a vast, starry void.
Particles of light drifted around him — tiny motes representing soldiers, pilots, fleets.
"This is the mind of battle," Bastila said."Not chaos. Not fear. But possibility."
Kaelen reached toward one of the motes — a tiny light pulsing with frantic energy.
It steadied when he touched it.Brightened.Aligned with the others.
He gasped softly. "I can feel them."
"Good," Bastila said. "But feeling is only the beginning. The key is intent. Your intention guides the hearts of others — confidence, trust, unity. Without purity of motive, this power corrupts."
The lights swirled faster.
Kaelen felt the rhythm of their movement, the heartbeat of a united will.His will.
He exhaled deeply, letting the Force flow outward.
The scattered lights aligned as one.A formation.A fleet.A singular purpose.
Bastila's expression warmed.
"You are learning swiftly. As expected of my lineage."
Kaelen bowed his head. "Thank you, Master Bastila."
But her tone grew firmer.
"Do not thank me yet. Battle Meditation is a weight, not a gift. To lead others… you must first master yourself."
The starry void vanished, replaced with a training platform.
Bastila stepped back, igniting a yellow blade from her hand — a projection of what once was.
Her stance shifted: elegant, refined, precise. The movement blended Juyo's drive with Makashi's sharpness and the sweeping circles of Form VI.
"Now, your blade. A Jedi with this gift must fight as clearly as they think."
Kaelen ignited his amethyst blade.
The duel began.
Bastila moved like light on water — her strikes graceful, deliberate, but each one carrying a purpose that made Kaelen stumble as often from technique as from the emotion he sensed behind them.
He adapted.He shifted footing.He let the Force speak rather than chasing prediction.
Their blades met in a cascade of sparks.
"Again."
They clashed.Kaelen circled.Bastila slid past his defenses with impossible precision.
"Again."
He breathed deeper, letting her movements guide the lesson.
"Better."
His blade caught hers.He pressed.She flowed around him with a dancer's grace.
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Once more, Kaelen."
He spun, used her momentum, redirected the angle—
Their blades locked.
Bastila smiled faintly.
"Good. You are beginning to understand."
She stepped back, extinguishing the projection of her saber.
"Enough for today. Master your heart, and your blade will follow. Master your fear… and the galaxy will follow."
Kaelen bowed deeply.
The holocron folded shut, its glow fading to a quiet heartbeat.
Obi-Wan's Warning
Kaelen left the chamber to find Obi-Wan waiting in the hallway, arms crossed.
"You were practicing again," Obi-Wan said.
Kaelen blinked. "How did you—?"
Obi-Wan pointed to Kaelen's sweat-soaked tunic. "You're glowing, Padawan. And sweating." He leaned closer. "Mostly sweating."
Kaelen rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Right."
Obi-Wan nodded toward the chamber. "So. How much has she taught you?"
Kaelen hesitated. "The foundations. Battle clarity. Emotional resonance. And… her saber technique."
Obi-Wan's expression tightened. "Kaelen… Battle Meditation is rare. Powerful. Dangerous." He stepped closer, voice lowering. "If you use it without discipline, you could change the outcome of battles — not through skill, but by overpowering the wills of others."
Kaelen swallowed. "I know. That's why I'm training."
Obi-Wan looked at him long, assessing. "Then remember this: use it only to protect. Never to dominate."
Kaelen nodded soberly. "I won't fail that."
Obi-Wan's expression softened. "I believe you."
He placed a hand on Kaelen's shoulder.
"And now… I have new orders."
Kaelen straightened. "What is it?"
"You're being reassigned temporarily."
Kaelen blinked. "Reassigned?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Anakin and Ahsoka are launching a mission near the Quell system — urgent relief for Jedi Master Aayla Secura's fleet."
Recognition flashed through Kaelen's mind.
Kaelen took a breath. "I'm joining them?"
"You and your… droid," Obi-Wan said with audible reluctance. "Apparently HK is now listed as your official companion."
HK stepped forward proudly.
"Boastful Declaration: I am indispensable."
Obi-Wan muttered, "That is not the word I would have used."
Kaelen smiled despite himself. "I'll meet up with Anakin and Ahsoka immediately."
"Good," Obi-Wan said. "And Kaelen?"
He paused at the corridor's end.
"Yes, Master?"
Obi-Wan met his gaze seriously.
"Use what Bastila teaches you wisely."
Kaelen nodded.
"I will."
Departure
The Temple's landing pad bustled with activity as transport ships came and went. Kaelen approached a waiting gunship, HK-47 clanking behind him.
Anakin and Ahsoka stood at the ramp.
Ahsoka greeted him with a grin. "About time you joined our missions, Kaelen."
Anakin smirked. "Hope you're ready. This won't be easy."
Kaelen smiled softly. "Wouldn't be worth it if it was."
HK stepped forward.
"Enthusiastic Threat: I will protect Master Kaelen from all meatbag harm. Including you, Jedi Skywalker."
Anakin raised a brow. "What?"
Ahsoka burst out laughing.
Kaelen groaned. "HK, no. Not them."
"Annoyed Obedience: Fine."
Anakin chuckled. "This is going to be interesting."
Kaelen looked back one last time.
Obi-Wan watched from the Temple steps, arms folded, expression proud and worried in equal measure.
Kaelen nodded to him.
Obi-Wan nodded back.
The gunship lifted off.
Kaelen's next chapter — and Bastila's training — awaited him in the stars.