Cain heard the hiss of the medbay door sliding open. He turned his head slightly, slowly, because everything still hurt, and there he saw Seris step through the door. Her silver eyes widened when she saw him sitting upright. "Cain…." She rushed towards him, "I didn't think you'd be up so soon."
Cain gave her a tired, crooked smile. "Hey, Seris. I'm up. Well in a way. How've you been?"
She walked toward him quickly. For a moment, from the look in her eyes, he thought she was going to hug him.
Then...Smack.
Pain snapped across his cheek. Cain's golden eye went wide. "Ow...what the...?"
"What is wrong with you, Cain?" Seris said, voice shaking with anger. Her usual icy composure was gone, replaced with something raw and human emotion...well, as human as a Sephi, elf-like-princess could be.
"Why would you and Anakin do something that reckless and stupid?" she demanded. "If it weren't for Master Plo, Master Fay, and everyone else, who knows what would've happened to you two?"
Cain opened his mouth, then closed it again. She was right. There wasn't a good excuse, and he knew it. He watched her, really watched her. Her tense shoulders, her tightly pressed lips, the way her fingers curled like she was stopping herself from shaking.
She was scared.
He couldn't help it; a soft smile tugged at his lips. He liked seeing this side of her, the Seris who cared enough to be furious. And not hide how she felt.
Then another smack hit Cain. His other cheek stung. "Just because you're injured," she snapped, "doesn't mean I won't kick your ass if you keep smiling at me like that."
Cain put his hands up in surrender, his long, pointed ears twitching nervously. "Okay, okay...truce. No more smiling. Very serious and remorseful." Damn I think I was like this side of her. It's very sexy, Cain thought.
She exhaled slowly, her anger cooling into concern. "So… how are you feeling?" She asked sitting at the foot of Cain's bed.
Cain just sighed. "I've been better. Not as bad as the time I actually died, but…" He gestured vaguely at himself. "Definitely not fun, but some cuts and possibly losing a eye is better then dying. Plus I did learn something from this."
"Oh really?" Seris said as she folded her arms, and arching her eyebrow . "Besides 'not dueling one of the best duelist of the Order alone'?"
Cain nodded. "I learned not to bite off more than I can chew, until I can make sure I can devour my enemies whole." Cain said quietly, hand drifting up to the left side of his face, feeling the rough texture of bacta-soaked bandages. "I still have a long way to go, but I will make sure to never enter a situation like this again."
Cain started unwinding the bandages and gently peeled off the bacta patch. Seris moved closer, watching in silence. Cain could feel her gaze on him as the last strip came free.
A jagged scar carved from his eyebrow down to just above his cheekbone. The skin still pink and angry around it. The eye itself was still golden, pupil and iris intact. Cain blinked his left eye open. "How does it look?" He asked.
Seris leaned in, so close that Cain could smell her. It was something faintly sweet, clean, and strangely calming. His heart gave an odd little lurch in his chest. She brushed a loose strand of silver-white hair behind her long, elven ear, cheeks almost but not quite flushing. "Your iris is still as golden and beautiful as ever," she said softly.
Cain smiled in relief. "That's good at least. Feels… weird, though. Looks normal, but I actually can't see out of it properly." He blinked a few more times, letting the light settle. "It's like… I can see and I can't at the same time. It's blurry, but there are… colors and cracks."
Then the door hissed open again. Master Plo Koon entered with Master Fay beside him, a medical droid levitated Infront of them.
Cain straightened slightly. "Master Plo. Master Fay."
The droid began a immediate scanning of Cain vitals, its photoreceptors flickering. "Patient Padawan Cain status: Stable. Multiple superficial and moderately deep lightsaber lacerations healing well. Muscular fatigue and nerve stress detected. Primary anomaly: left ocular function."
Plo folded his hands behind his back. "How does your eye feel, Cain?"
Cain touched the scar lightly. "Physically? Sore. Vision-wise? Strange."
He looked at the droid. "I can't see you properly. Just… fog. No real detail. But when I look at you, Master..." he turned his head toward Plo "...I see this bluish aura, with… yellow mixed in. And tiny cracks. Faint shatterpoints."
He shifted his gaze to Fay. "Master Fay's aura is pure white and so calm. Barely any cracks at all."
Then he looked at Seris.
Her aura flared in his left eye...silver and gold intertwined, bright and sharp, with small fractures dancing along its edges like starlight breaking on glass.
"Seris," he said slowly, "you're… silverish- gold. And there are cracks, like shatterpoints as well. Everything is so different"
Seris blinked. "Different how?"
Cain frowned. "I'm not controlling it really. It's like it's happening on it's own. When I focus It's like I can see force lights in focus."
Plo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It sounds as though your eye has… evolved its relationship with the Force."
Cain stared. "Evolved?"
"It is speculation," Plo said, "but a reasonable one. Your physical sight appears to be partially gone in that eye. The Force, however, abhors a vacuum. With your high affinity, your body may have adapted, replacing lost physical sight with enhanced perception of the Force by using your other sights in combination. The Force lights and shatterpoints. You are not blind in that eye… merely seeing differently."
Master Fay nodded. "Such transformations are not unheard of, The Miraluka people were known for having similar sight abilities.."
Plo's tone turned stern. "But constant exposure to shatterpoints is not without danger. Even Master Windu only uses that sight deliberately, with years of discipline. For you to be immersed in it at all times… would be overwhelming, perhaps maddening."
Cain swallowed. " I agree. So how to break things constantly would be to tempting without the right control. So… what should I do master?"
"Until you can master it padawan," Plo said gently, "you should keep the eye covered. Learn to open and close that sight at will. Even improve it so it becomes a strength not a liability."
Cain nodded slowly. "Yes Master."
The droid moved forward. "I have appropriate ocular coverings available, Padawan Cain." It extended a tray. A simple black eyepatch lay atop it, sturdy but comfortable.
Cain took it, feeling the weight of it in his hand. He glanced at Seris once more with both eyes, then slipped the patch on, tying it behind his head.
The world snapped back to normal—flat, physical, solid. He exhaled.
"Better?" Plo asked.
"A little," Cain said quietly. "It will take a lot to get use to seeing with one eye."
The door hissed open a third time.
A tall, hooded figure stepped in, wrapped in dark robes and armor Cain recognized instantly, the Revan, inspired black mask, flowing dark cloak, the whole Noctis persona brought to life. To anyone else, it looked like the infamous shadow broker of their new alliance had just walked into the medbay.
The figure reached up, released the clasps, and removed the sleek black-and-gray mask.
Beneath it was a polished metallic face of shifting silver and black alloy. Familiar photoreceptors glowed amber. "Master Cain," the droid said in a refined, calm accent, "I am pleased to have finally located you."
Cain smirked. " Same to you Threepio. Did the summit go as projected?"
"Yes, Master Cain," 3PO replied. "The modified protocol-and-logistics you and Master Anakin gave me was convincing to all who don't know who Noctis truly is.."
Seris stared. "I still can't believe you used Threepio as a Noctis double."
Cain shrugged. " What can I say, I'm not big on speeches in front of large crowds. I new after the improvements me and Anakin made Threepio was the perfect stand in. Not to mention if I was to get attacked my identity would still remain hidden."
3PO continued speaking "Regarding the summit: it was a measured success. Many senators from the Inner. Mid and Outer Rim, as well as representatives of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, have agreed, tentatively, to join your proposed alliance."
Cain straightened, focusing. " Any big conditions?"
"They are… cautious," 3PO said. "Several have opted for contractual cooperation rather than full membership...for now. However, after hearing of your plans for a reformed Jedi Order, a new government, and strict limitations on corporate enterprises interfering with politics, they are… quite intrigued. With the assistance of your trusted senatorial allies, I estimate we will be able to formalize the new alliance structure within a reasonable timeframe."
Cain nodded. "Good. That's better than I hoped for, this early."
3PO inclined his head slightly. "Additionally, upon receiving word of Master Skywalker's injury, I contacted Josa on Coruscant."
Seris' eyes narrowed. "Her again."
3PO continued. "She has been fully briefed on your and Master Skywalker's 'ailments,' and has agreed to travel to Tython to assist with… repairs."
"Repairs?" Seris repeated sharply.
Cain scratched his cheek. "Yeah. I paid her in advance or, well for emergency custom prosthetics if any of us lose a limb. Or need serious gear work done."
Seris huffed. "I still don't like that Twi'lek girl."
Cain gave her a flat look. "Seris, I thought we agreed we're above using people's species as names. Her name is Josa. And she's extremely good at what she does."
"She overcharges you," Seris shot back.
"And her work is worth every credit," Cain countered. "You'll understand when you see what she does for Anakin."
Seris blinked. "So you're getting a new eye?"
Cain shook his head. "No. If my eye's shifted into a Force thing, I'm not messing with it. But Anakin needs an arm. I'll help Josa design it."
He looked over at the still form in the bed beside him. "When Anakin wakes up, we need to go over everything that's happened this week. All of it."
"No need to wait for me," a familiar voice croaked.
Everyone turned. Anakin was sitting up, wincing, but awake. His right sleeve was rolled and bandaged where his arm used to be.
He gave a strained grin. "I'm already up."
Seris rushed to his side. "Anakin, how are you? Are you okay?"
Anakin smirked. "Well, besides being a few pounds lighter, I'm better than Mr. Ugly over there." He jerked his chin at Cain. "I mean, I knew you were having trouble with the ladies, Cain, but getting scarred up this bad just makes me look better. You shouldn't have Cain." Anakin said with a smirk.
Cain snorted. "Glad you can still make jokes." Cain expression darkened as he looked at Anakin stump. "I'm sorry about the whole 'losing an arm' thing. I shouldn't have got you involved in that situation to begin with."
Anakin reached over with his remaining hand and smacked Cain in the back of the head. "Don't be. I knew what I was doing when I jumped in. I saw what you were trying to do and decided to meet you halfway. So don't worry next time we will pay the Count back twofold."
Then. Smack. Smack.
Seris' hands came down on both their skulls.
"You're both idiots," she snapped. "Stop trying to be 'The Oh Great Chosen One' and ' Mr. Champion of the Force' and actually ask for help next time. You both can't do everything by yourselves. You have friends and a Alliance for a reason. I swear one day it will get you both killed. "
A new voice came from the medbay entrance. "She's right, you know."
They all turned to see Obi-Wan standing there, arms folded, expression a mix of exasperation and relief.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, stepping closer, "I don't know why you did what you did… but I am very glad you're alive."
"Master, I—" Anakin began.
Obi-Wan held up a hand. "But you made a grave mistake. How was I supposed to explain this to your mother?" His voice hardened. "She just got you back. Am I meant to tell her her son died because he was reckless? That everything she, Qui-Gon, and I went through to free you meant nothing?"
Anakin's smile faded. His head bowed. "You're right, Master. I'm… sorry."
Obi-Wan's shoulders eased, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "I'm just happy you're alive, Anakin. Just try your best to stay that way...."
"Yes Master.. I will do that..."
A few hours later, in one of the half-repaired conference rooms of the Tython temple, many gathered.
Cain stood at the circular stone table with an eyepatch covering his left eye, robes thrown loosely over his bandaged torso. Anakin sat beside him. Seris and Barriss stood opposite them. Around the table sat Obi-Wan, Plo Koon, Master Fay, Shaak Ti, and a handful of other Masters and Knights. Bo-Katan leaned near the wall.
Holoprojections of star charts flickered faintly in the background, the temple walls still half-cracked and scaffolded.
Plo was the first to speak. "There are several matters to address, but I will begin with one: the Bendu."
Cain's brow lifted. "Were you able to speak to him Master?"
"Yes," Plo said. "He is… Something I have never encountered before. I think he even surpasses Master Yoda in the force. After spending sometime He made himself present to Master Fay and I. To put it short he is willing to come to Tython. To join the new order's council is another story. He has one condition before he gives a answer."
Plo looked directly at Cain. "He want's to meet you first."
Cain swallowed. "He wants to meet me first."
Plo nodded. "He did not say why. Only that he must weigh you with his own senses before he chooses to involve himself."
Cain leaned back, thoughts flashing briefly to the massive, shifting from the show he remembered. The one in the middle. The storm between light and dark. There wasn't much lore on the Bendu. He might have some extreme insight, hell he might even know I'm from another world. There's no telling with these ancient force beings.
It Figures he'd want to size the new anomaly.
Bo-Katan stepped forward and spoke next. "Speaking of people who want to meet you… some of the senators are asking about the man behind the mask of Noctis. Some won't want to trust you completely until they know who you are truly."
Cain grimaced. "That's not surprising, but I will make due. I will let my achievements do the talking."
"And," Bo continued, "on the Mandalorian front… my Death Watch contacts still loyal to Pre Vizsla say he's moving more aggressively. He'll likely try to pick a side early. Undermine this new alliance of yours. And find out everything he can about you."
Cain's eye narrowed. "What do you mean, 'pick a side early'? You think he'll move against us?"
"It's always a possibility with him," Bo said flatly. "He's impatient. When Vizsla wants something, he takes swings until he gets it. There are… rumors going around Mandalore about you."
Cain's gaze sharpened. "What kind of rumors?"
"That he wants to claim you," Bo said. "As the next heir of house Vizsla. You're a blood member of House Vizsla, whether you like it or not. Since you are also a powerful force sensitive, he will tie you to himself. Adopt you, or sponsor you. Whatever term he chooses, then when you rise, he rises with you." She grimaced. "Some idiots are already calling you the next incarnation of Tarre Vizsla. He believes he can convince you not to seek vengeance or take it after he grooms you for success."
Cain stared at the table in silence. Vengeance. He didn't want it for a mother he never knew. But to Kill Pre because it was a necessary actions. Cain knew in order for the new way of Mandalore to thrive the old parts that held it back need to Die. And Pre was one of those parts.
"Great," he muttered. "Reincarnated Tarre Vizsla. That's exactly what I don't need."
"We'll have to deal with him when he makes his move," Bo said. "But for now, we watch. And we prepare."
Master Fay folded her hands. "On another matter—you sent messages across the Outer Rim seeking settlers, Cain. One of those messages made it to Ryloth."
Cain's attention snapped back up. "They responded?"
"They did," Fay said. "A Twi'lek settlement leader wishes to discuss relocating some of his people here, to Tython. He brought his daughter with him. They are in an adjoining chamber, waiting for you."
A spark of excitement lit in Cain's chest. Cham and Hera Syndulla… He could already see the roles they'd play, logistics, resistance training, organizing refugees and merchants.
"Thank you, Master," Cain said. "I'll speak with them once we're done here."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "There's another concern. You said earlier that Darth Sidious is in the Senate. That he knows about all of this."
Cain nodded. "He does. I told Master Yoda and Windu about Dooku and the clone army. But Sidious?" He exhaled. "Palpatine knows were moving. Tython, the alliance, the new Order. We have to assume he's already make moves."
"Easier said than done," Obi-Wan said. "We have more people now, yes, but most of them are Padawans and AgriCorps transfers. Many lack advanced training. Others are rusty. We're still repairing the temple, mapping the planet, and cataloging the wildlife. Our defenses are thin or none existent."
"Good," Cain said.
Obi-Wan blinked. "Good?"
"We're forced to grow," Cain said. "We don't get to sit in a polished tower and pretend we're above the galaxy anymore. Everyone pulls weight. All of us."
He looked around the table. "We're going to re-teach the younglings. Retrain the Padawans. Reinforce the AgriCorps members until they can stand on their own again. Not just as fighters, but as healers, researchers, builders, mediators. We're not a training camp. If we are gonna end slavey and the high crime organizations. We are gonna need to do more then go in with a lightsaber and kill or lock up the bad guys. We need to help the people rebuild their societies and teach them how stand on their own two feet. We must a presence in every sector of the galaxy. Not soldier's or conquers. Wandering knights and protectors. "
"Our main concern," Cain continued, "is helping the people around us. Self-defense is a given. But if we don't get out there. To different planets and systems into the villages, the settlements, the trade routes, then we're just replicating everything the old Order did wrong."
He took a breath. "We also need more members. Carefully chosen ones. And we need to move on the Kamino situation. Stop production of the Jango clones, and begin work on the hybrid template instead and the gene modifications. That means negotiating with the Kaminoans, after a basic hostile take over. We also locking down funding, and…"
He glanced at Anakin with a small grin. "…and I think our little excursion to the Krayt Graveyard just gave us the start of our war chest."
Plo nodded. "The pearls and bones you brought back will fetch a significant sum. Used wisely, they will fund much."
Cain turned to Seris. "What about the Corellian Jedi sect? They're not fully aligned with Coruscant's Order, but they're not fully with us either. Can we reach out?"
Seris' expression tightened. "We can. But… there's a problem."
The room's attention shifted to her. Master Fay then spoke. "I believe what Padawan Seris is trying to say is that her family situation on Corellia is… complicated."
Cain frowned. "How complicated?"
Fay inclined her head. "I am her relative. The Corellian Jedi maintain old traditions. Noble Force families, dynastic lines, political arrangements. Seris' family is one of them."
Cain's eye widened. "You're related?"
"Yes," Fay said serenely. "My sister is the current matriarch. Seris was… intended for what you might call a 'political marriage in the Force.' A union between houses to maintain their old structures. Some participate for spiritual reasons. Others for power. Either way, by leaving the traditional Order and aligning with you, she has altered those expectations. It is not uncommon but if you want their alliance, you will have to talk to them."
Seris stared at the table, ears twitching in embarrassment.
Cain and Anakin exchanged a look, then both narrowed their eyes in unison.
"Let me guess," Cain said slowly. "She's the princess. Or heiress."
Fay smiled. "Yes."
Cain blinked once. Twice. "Of course she is."
He rubbed his forehead. "So what's the problem, exactly?"
"Now that she's no longer bound to Coruscant's Order," Fay said, "she will have to answer to her matriarch. There will be demands. Questions. Expectations. I intend to accompany her to Corellia when the time is right. And I believe," she added mildly, "it would be wise if you came as well."
Cain pointed at himself. "Me? Why me Master?"
Shaak Ti spoke up gently. "Cain, you are someone whose presence she values. That support will matter." She paused, searching for the right words. "You inspire… strong bonds in people. That can be helpful in delicate matters."
Seris' ears flicked, and she glanced at Cain from under her lashes.
Cain felt his cheeks heat, just slightly. "…All right. Just tell me when we're going, and I'll be there."
Seris gave him a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Cain."
He exhaled, then turned to Plo. "Master… I need to push my training further. Deeper than before. I can't face someone like Dooku again and be that outmatched. I need to become stronger."
Plo placed a hand on his shoulder. "I understand your frustration. But power sought for its own sake, or out of fear of loss, leads nowhere good, my Padawan."
"I'm not seeking it just to be strong," Cain said quietly. "I'm seeking it so I don't watch the people I care about lose limbs, or lives, while I stand there, too weak to stop it. That's the only reason."
Plo studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Well said. When your body has healed, we will resume your training. With intent. With clarity."
Cain nodded back. "Thank you, Master."
He took a breath. "There's one more thing. Two, actually. It's time to properly bring the Dathomirian witches into this. Both the Singing Mountain Clan and the rest. And…"
He hesitated.
Anakin's eyes narrowed. "And?"
Cain exhaled. "And I've been keeping something from you. From all of you. About Darth Maul."
The room went very still.
Anakin grabbed Cain by the front of his tunic with his left hand. "Are you telling me… Maul is alive? And you've known this entire time?"
Cain winced. "Yes. And..."
Anakin slammed his forehead into Cain's.
Both boys staggered back, clutching their heads.
"Force, Anakin—use your words," Cain groaned.
"Stop hiding things from us then!" Anakin snapped. "How many times do we have to tell you? Secrets like that get people killed."
"I wasn't hiding it to betray you," Cain said, rubbing his forehead. "If I'd told you sooner, you would've run off to finish what you thought Obi-Wan didn't finish."
Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, 'what I didn't finish'?"
Cain blinked. "You… didn't defeat Maul?"
Obi-Wan shook his head slowly. "I fought him, yes. But in the end, Master Qui-Gon seized Maul with the final strike. They died together. In his final breath, he told me to train Anakin."
Cain's eye widened. That's different. That's… very different. Qui-Gon taking Maul with him. Dooku being stronger The timeline is shifting more than I thought.
Anakin's voice broke through his thoughts. "What else are you hiding, Cain? What else aren't you telling us?"
Cain glanced briefly at Plo and Fay. The only ones who knew what he truly was, where he came from. He swallowed that truth back down.
"Anakin," he said softly, "you're my brother. I'm not hiding anything to hurt you. Maul is… a piece. A big one. Proof of what the Sith are doing. Proof of Sidious' plans. If we handle him right, he's evidence and leverage."
"And you think he'll help?" Anakin demanded. "That he's the best piece we have against the Sith?"
"He is one of many paths," Cain said. "But with Dathomir, Mandalore, and Tython together and the others. We need to use everything we have."
Anakin eyed him, then huffed. "If you hold back on something like this again, I'm not just headbutting you. I'll get more creative."
He extended his left hand.
Cain smirked and took it, letting Anakin haul him back up. "Noted."
Cain looked around the table. "We need the Dathomiri witches. We need Maul. We need the Mandalorians. And we need the Kaminoans to stop churning out Jango Fett copies and start working with us on the hybrid line. We need more credits. More training. More time."
He exhaled slowly.
"But first things first," he said. "We finish building our base here. We secure our defenses. We make this place livable for the people coming to us. The Twi'lek settlers are part of that solution."
He rested his hands on the table. "We start here. Then we move outward. One step at a time."