Chapter Text
The noonday sun gently bathed the treetops in one of the temple courtyards. Every possible noise from the inside was easily overshadowed by the roars produced by the clash of lightsabers. A teacher and an apprentice finished the practices of the day, the most expert launched fast and precise blows against the supposed impenetrable defense of his opponent. The emerald-colored blade finally managed to break through the guard after a series of diagonal cuts, instantly dissolving the barrier of bluish light.
Cassandra let go of her saber as she fell backward. Cin Drallig pointed the saber at his apprentice's chest, marking his victory for a second before turning it off. -Remember to hold the saber firmly. - He said extending a hand to help her up. Cassandra knew it, she had known it for years, that was one of the first lessons she learned in the temple chambers, it was strange to receive such a comment having fought against one of the best fighters of the order every day of her life since she was a teenager.
- You're more distracted today. - The battlemaster told her.
- Yes master, sorry master. - Cassandra said as she finished reviewing her movements and ordering her ideas. - The force, it has felt different since the morning, also in my sleep, it is trying to tell me something, I just don't know what ...
- You don't have to worry. His teacher put a hand on his shoulder. -Today is an important day, you will finally finish the tests and become a Jedi Knight.
The two of them, walking side by side, left the gardens to enter the vast halls of the temple. Daylight filtered through the large windows in the corridors highlighting the aurodium details on the columns and floor plates where statues of knights and ancient masters made entirely of the same material were occasionally erected. Red and blue flags and carpets stood out against the cream stone of the old structure. After switching between several elevators, Cin Drallig and Cassandra found themselves in one of the hangars.
- Master, what are we doing here? I thought we were going to finish my tests.
- All in good time, there is one last matter to deal with.
The metal gates opened to reveal a ship approaching on the horizon. The white coating on the wings showed the ancient symbol of the order. When the vehicle finally landed on the platform, a strange sensation flooded Cassandra, the same pulse that pulled her in her dreams moved her inside. Two silhouettes emerged from the craft. One was a tall man with a prominent beard with white markings along it, what most attracted the individual's attention was a band on his forehead with a sun engraved on it. On the other hand, next to him was a much shorter woman with brown hair, although somewhat golden against the sunlight, all her hair was short and loose except for the Padawan braid. She wore a traditional set of clothes, although her robe contained purple embroidery on the entire surface of it. The girl exuded a strange warmth to which Cassandra was drawn; the force was pulling her slowly.
- Welcome to Coruscant Master Der Sonne. - Cin Drallig said
- It is a pleasure to visit the temple. -She said before bowing. - Let me introduce you to my apprentice, Rapunzel.
The young woman took a big step forward before shaking hands happily and energetically with both. - It is an honor to be able to finish my training here in Cosruscant! -Cassandra was confused, finish her training? was she going to accompany her in the last test?
- Hello! My name is Rapunzel, although you already knew that. As we were arriving I felt a strong power in the force, at first I thought it was Master Cin Drallig, but it turned out to be you! Anyway, it's exciting to do my last test with you, finishing it we can walk through the temple and get to know each other a little better. - Said the girl all while smiling.
Without further delay the four of them made their way to one of the metitation chambers on the upper levels. On the way, Cin Drallig explained to Cassandra that Rapunzel was indeed going to accompany her in the last test, adding that despite her age, she had impeccably overcome all her teacher's challenges and had won the recognition of the council in Tython.
This was not a good thing, the last thing Cassandra needed was to distract herself even more in the most difficult test of all. While she was also one of the best fighters in the order, her connection to her strength had always been ... complicated. Having a hyperactive girl in front of her during meditation could ruin everything she had worked for. The meditation chamber was large, with a huge mat in the center and several cushions on it. The windows had been closed leaving the room illuminated only by small lights on the walls and a set of incense in the center. Cassandra was the first to sit down, she did so on one of the cushions. She crossed her legs and closed her eyes. Before going into the depth of her thoughts, she heard Rapunzel sitting in front of her.
- Remember. - Her Sonne's voice rang out. - The test of the spirit consists of facing the inner darkness, ignore the rest of the world, that your very essence guides you both. The mirror is yourself, only with a strong will can you overcome it.
The noise gradually became clouded, Cassandra felt her eyes open. Everything around her was darkness, grains of sand crunched at her feet, a sound began to emerge from the distance. As she followed the noise more, it began to change, for a moment it seemed like words, then songs, finally sobs.
- Wait. - She whispered.
A flash suddenly blinded her, after a few seconds she saw a person sitting, the cringy penetrated to the depths of her being. Still trembling Cassandra decided to get closer, little by little she noticed the different characteristics of the person. Her wavy black hair was instantly familiar, her clothes not so much, but her hazel eyes only confirmed it. It was herself. In her hands she had a red crystal pyramid that emanated a glow of the same color, it had dark patterns all over the surface with four golden tips. And as she touched her mirror, a chill ran through Cassandra, forcing her to fall to her knees. A series of images flooded her mind. A desert, statues without faces, screams of agony. Tears began to flow from her eyes.
On the verge of crumbling, she felt a warmth on the tip of her fingers. When she looked up, she saw Rapunzel on the other side of the void, her hair was totally black, blending into the background. She was crying too, but the tears were evaporating within seconds. With the last of her strength, Cassandra reached out her hands and managed to reach the other padawan. When they touched a wave of tranquility washed over them. Their breath, from being broken and out of rhythm soon became serene. The same warmth from her dreams, the same warmth that she felt when she saw Rapunzel for the first time covered Cassandra again, but now it was stronger.
They both opened their eyes at the same time, the room was the same as they had left it, excluding the incense that had already run out. The two teachers who were waiting patiently by the door approached once they saw them wake up.
- Congratulations, you made it. - Cin Drallig said.
Cassandra responded by nodding her head. On the other hand, Rapunzel ran over and hugged her teacher.
- We will begin preparations for your ceremony immediately, as will the celebration. - Der Sonne smiled. – So, for now enjoy the rest of the day.
Both masters then left the room, not before opening the windows and congratulating their padawans again. Cassandra stood still a few steps from the door, her eyes staring at the control panel, her fingers deciding what to do but her mind concentrating on the only other presence in the place. She inhaled deeply and before taking the first step out of the room a voice called out to her.
- Cass, Cassandra? can I call you Cass? -The girl with brown hair was standing behind her, hands behind her back and rocking her body from side to side to side, trying to calm the chinks of anxiety that the test had left. - What happened during meditation, I know you felt it too, after all you helped me...
- I don't know what happened. Turning, the Jedi found herself face to face with the bright green eyes of her partner, the warm feeling from her never gone away. - I was lost, there was so much suffering and suddenly...
- I found you. - Rapunzel finished
They both looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds, Cassandra's mask cracked a bit to reveal the beginning of a smile, Rapunzel imitated her and even a small red coloration appeared under the freckles on her cheeks. The force really worked in strange ways, there were no suitable words for the moment, a chorus of silences flooded the room, and yet both clearly understood what the other wanted to say. It was not the simple telepathy of a Jedi, it was like feeling yourself, like meeting a person with whom you lived a million past lives. For a moment, they were both the cloud that the other breathed.
Force works in miserious ways.