The Present

[HK-2E]

Algent Elus nodded at his master's motion towards the second pebble that was twice the size as his first pebble. Like the last time, he shut his eyes tightly, and began to focus. He pointed his entire arm at the pebble as he tried to get the pebble to float. In his mind, he imagined something almost akin to a blue light grabbing the rock and gently lifting in the air. Algent was hoping that the same thing, even without the blue light, was happening in reality.

Once again Algent called out to his master, "Am I doing it this time master?"

(Sorry I had a lot of stuff I had to do offline.)

 

[Dmitri]

"Yes," acknowledge Zolotoy. He stood up. "While I'm gone, I want you to continue practicing. Once you feel like you're able to levitate a certain sized object for a while, move to something a little bit bigger. Continue this process. When I get back, we'll try numerous objects. Okay?"

Zolotoy walked to go fetch a meal for them to have for the evening. He left his number in case the Padawan needed to contact him.

 

[HK-2E]

The young Padawan nodded as his master left. Turning to a find a rock that was three times the size as the first one, Algent focused in on it like he did the last two. There was little difficulty with these minor pebbles as they were just small and lying around. It would be the larger stones that get up to fifty pounds that would be difficult. Algent continued to practice and peak to see if the rock was floating for a great many more times. He had lifted about twenty rocks with the Force, and the twenty-first one was plenty heavy. By the time that Algent was at the rock he was on, he was already standing up, and directly facing the rocks. With both hands and eyes completely centered on the rock, he imagined what it would look like if the rock lifted off the ground. After some mild concentration, the rock lifted off the ground.

After the rock lifting, Algent had to rest for a second as he was emotionally if not physically drained in some way. He attempted to meditate and regain some calmness. Algent was putting himself into a deeper state of relaxation until his master had gotten back. It was a soothing place that the Padawan had entered in. It was dark and only a blue, dim mist was seen in the blackness. Suddenly, Algent began to receive a Force Vision. The vision was vague, but understandable. There was a woman, she was a Jedi Master, and she was on the ground and at the mercy of another. The other person there also appeared to be a Jedi. The lightsaber wielded was blue, but had two sides. The male Jedi appeared ready to strike the female Jedi down, but he was hesitant. The vision faded before the male Jedi's ultimate decision. It was a very odd vision to Algent, but something about the black cloak that the male Jedi was wearing seemed familiar.

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy had finally returned with food for him and Algent to eat. However, as he arrived at the oasis, he noticed that Algent was silent. It was strange.

"Algent?" inquired Zolotoy. "Are you okay?"

 

[HK-2E]

Algent heard a familiar voice and turned to see his master had returned. Algent thought for a second and decided to respond to his master. He actually had little of a clue to what he had seen, and it was quite odd to him. Algent had many assumptions to what it could have possibly been and how it could have related to himself.

"Master, I had a vision during my short meditation," announced the Padawan, "I don't know what it was about."

 

[Dmitri]

"A Force Vision," Zolotoy identified it as. "A very rare gift. Your talents will be much appreciated amongst your peers. Force Visions glimpse of what can happen. Remember, destiny can change. Still, if you can do this, then Farsight may be a good ability to develop, for both you'll have the talent for it and may be useful later on when you try to master Force Vision."

Zolotoy used telekinesis to grab balls of water from the oasis. The bubbles floated near him.

"Let's try to see if you can dodge these," said Zolotoy.

Zolotoy shot three bubbles. Two aimed towards Algent's head and chest. The third shot above Algent's head, with intentions of swirling around and striking from behind.

 

[HK-2E]

Algent Elus still did not fathom the full understanding of Force Vision he had just had. It was so odd to him, that he continued to ponder it even when his master had conjured several water balls. When Zolotoy when to tell Algent about the test of dodging the water balls, Algent's mind was too clouded to have been paying attention.

The Padawan went to reply to his teacher, "Master, the vision had-" and then was slammed with several several shots of water from right behind.

The bubbles had slammed young Algent Elus right off the rock he was sitting on, and right into the lake that the waterfall mysteriously emptied into without overflow. The Padawan was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained his composure under water. While under water, he noticed an opening in the wall underneath the water fall where the water seemed to be going. Algent swam into it to look around. When he came up inside the underwater cave, it looked like an inside island with the water swirling to another opening. It was beautiful, and Algent was drawn to sit on the large slab in the middle. He climbed up and sat on the rock, and entered meditation while completely forgetting about his master momentarily.

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy realized he had acted too quickly. Algent was knocked down. The Padawan swam behind the waterfall, eventually meditating.

"I guess it's only natural that he'd want to take a break," said Zolotoy. "Once he's ready, he'll come back."

 

[HK-2E]

In the underwater summit, the Force Vision continued where it had left off. The entire event was finally revealed. The man in the black cloak was still a mystery, but the woman had seemed to be the Jedi Grandmaster of the Order. Algent Elus was looking from his third-person point of view. The hooded character was symbolically silent, but the Grandmaster of the order had so much to say. The hooded man was trying to convince and help understand his philosophy to the Jedi Grandmaster. However the vision ended once it appeared that they were at another impasse. Soon Algent Elus's vision was over and he had come back to the surface.

As he came back up and latched onto the rock, Algent called out to his master, "Master, I had another vision!"

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy was surprised. Force Vision was rare. Not only as a gift, but it rarely occured. Two visions within an hour was miraculous.

"Strange," purred Zolotoy. He focused his attention on Algent. "What did you see?"

 

[HK-2E]

The Padawan climbed back up onto the rock and sat down. While shaking the water off of him, he spoke to his master about what he had seen in his vision. The vision was really vague, but the message seemed completely clear to the Padawan.

"The assassination of the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order," yelled out the Padawan, "I could catch no identification of the man, and I could not hear his voice in it, but he had a double bladed lightsaber. He had the Grandmaster at his mercy!" The Padawan waved his right hand through his hair quickly to get the water out, "We have to tell Council immediately!"

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy handed Algent a datapad.

"I'll go report this to the Council," said Zolotoy. "In the meantime, I want you to refresh your studies over the Jedi Tenets. When I return, I will be expecting your paraphrased version of the Jedi Tenets, what they imply, and your evaluation over them."

Zolotoy began jogging back to the monastery.

OOC: Have Algent go over them and when you're ready to begin, either post or let me know and I'll double post.

 

[HK-2E]

Algent Elus's mind raced as he tried to concentrate on his studies. No matter how much he tried, he could not get his mind off of his vision. He thought that the vision was about the possible assassination of the Jedi Grandmaster, but it could have meant something more. As the Padawan's mind finally calmed down, he began to focus on the tenets. It was not hard to remember the tenets of the Jedi Code, he had spent most of his childhood remembering them. The datapad however was most useful if it was to be a refresher. Even as the young Padawan read, he could not keep his mind off the vision. He kept thinking about the other possible meanings of the vision.

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy returned two hours later. The sky was beginning to make way for twilight. The Jedi Knight had brought with him flashlights.

"So, what can you tell me about the Jedi Tenets," asked Zolotoy, after informing Algent that he had submitted his report to the Council.

 

[HK-2E]

Algent was surprised by his master's return. Algent had studied the datapad carefully of all the tenets. He had about the concept behind the tenets memorized, and was ready to repeat them, but Algent still wanted to know of what the council said to his master.

"What did they council say," quickly questioned the curious Padawan, "Are they going to do something to protect the Grandmaster?"

 

[Dmitri]

"I was not privy to their plans," explained Zolotoy.

 

[HK-2E]

Algent Elus thought about the situation for a moment and was rather questioning of what the council would do for the safety of the Grandmaster of the order. The Padawan decided that they would do something "wise" about it as they were the council. Algent had no fair understanding of what the council thought was wise and Algent was always impatient with their response times. Either way, it was truly out of Algent's hands so he decided that he should continue his training. Algent put his datapad down and began to think about the task at hand.

"I guess they will do something in the mean time then," Algent Elus responded to his master. With the Jedi tenets in mind, Algent replied to a previous question, "Well, I have studied for years. In regards to the first of the tenets: 'emotion to peace' as I say. With an understanding of emotion, a Jedi must set them aside. No one is immune to emotion, but everyone must come to terms with it. Emotion cannot take away my peace."

Algent's understanding of the tenet of emotion was well practiced and remembered. He always studied his tenets carefully as to make sure he remembered them. As a Padawan, he had to learn about the tenets to ensure that he would be a true Jedi. Algent had always felt indifferent to the use of the tenets, as he had little experience in use, but he regarded them as important steps in becoming a Jedi.

Algent thought about the next tenet he had memorized, "Ignorance to knowledge master." The Padawan paraphrased most of his tenets into his easier to remember version, "As a Jedi, we must always try to circumspect our surroundings to understand. Ignorance does exist and always will, and to ignore facts that do not fit one's viewpoint is foolish. Ignorance should not be feared in life as even the foolish can be wise. Use of rational and intuitive in balance is a must."

The tenet of thought was Algent's most valued tenet as he cherished knowledge and forethought. His love of wisdom and intuition was perhaps one of, if not, the best part of Algent Elus. Algent always attempts to put wisdom, knowledge, and general intuition into his actions. By following his wiser senses, he has usually come out on top.

Algent thought well about passion in the third tenet, "Passion to serenity." Passion was always something Algent slightly struggled to understand more often than not, "Stress can potentially cause us to react too strongly. With passion, we may think more about the task than the actual goal. Reacting too strongly may force us to draw upon our force too quickly. If we draw our lightsaber, we have eliminated all else before hand. Emotions and intuition, as stated in previous tenets, must be understood, but kept in check to prevent rash actions. 'When in doubt, stay your hand.'"

Passion was something that Algent had control over, but not particularly much knowledge over. He had always chosen passion over the serene for he had much passion over his values. The Padawan did not seek the darkside, but his passion had a hold over him. It was something that he could not truly fight as it would always be with him.

The next tenet was one that Algent could not tell if he was in agreement or disagreement which was appropriate for the tenet, "Chaos to harmony." The tenet was related to Algent and his late sister's life goal, "As Jedi we understand the interconnectedness of all things. Even that which is humble, can be the key to greater things. It is a never ending cycle of balance. A Jedi can interpret and understand even the most painful of life events as part of the cycle of balance and the circle of life. All things are a realistic view of balance and life."

The words tasted bitter in Algent's mouth. He truly believed that all things in the galaxy were interconnected, but that events, such as the death of his sister, are not to be part of balance. While it was not an opinion that Algent shared, and until it became a true fact, Algent would not agree with it. The Padawan would, however, acknowledge the opinion's existence.

The last tenet was the tenet Algent had the most hope for, "Death to the Force." The transition that he hoped his sister was apart of, "As Jedi, we must be ready for death at all times. We acknowledge that death is apart of life, and that death will only lead to becoming one with the Force. Without death, there is no life. The Force within us lives on long after we die. All things lead to death, but death leads to the Force, which leads to life. The Force gives us life and provides for us, and our deaths provide to the Force. 'All for one, and one for all.'"

Algent valued the tenet in the hopes that with death, his sister found the freedom she craved in life. The Padawan hoped that his death would too bring him peace if he could not find it in life. It was a hopeful tenet, not a tragic one in Algent's eyes. It was the hope that all things would become one, and be at peace.

 

[Dmitri]

"Excellent," praised Zolotoy. "Now, since training won't last forever, what would you like to try to work on now?"

 

[HK-2E]

Algent thought about the way training with the Force worked, and remembered that after control comes learning Sense. The Padawan had little experience with Force Sense and the living Force, so the Algent believed he should start there. To use the Force as a sixth sense was Force Sense training.

"Well how about learning Force Sense, master," curiously questioned Algent Elus, "I have not gone through much training with it."

 

[Dmitri]

"Okay," said Zolotoy. "Clear your mind. And try to feel those around you. Closing your eyes seems to help. Let me know if you can sense my presence. Once you can, try to find any other life nearby."