The starship cut through the atmosphere of Atollon, its hull rattling as pockets of superheated wind slammed against its sides. Jagged rock formations stretched across the planet's surface. Steam hissed from fissures in the ground, and the air shimmered with heat distortion.
The ship touched down, it's landing thrusters kicking up clouds of gray dust and ash.
The ramp lowered with a hydraulic hiss.
Derren was the first to step out, immediately wrinkling his nose. "Yeah, no," he said flatly. "This place sucks."
Anakin followed, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders, his gloved hand flexing with ease. He smirked as heat washed over him. "Really? Feels pretty nice compared to Tatooine."
Derren shot him a look. "You grew up on a desert hellscape. Your standards are broken."
Anakin didn't respond. He smirked and took in the weather like he was at peace.
Cain had already moved away from the ship.
He stood near the edge of a cliff overlooking a massive rift valley, the land split open with large valleys and mountains covering the surrounding terrain. Cain dropped to one knee, resting a hand against the ground as he removed his eyepatch.
The world shifted as the void world and physical world overlapped. Force-light bloomed across the landscape. From the animal life, to the particles of the living Force around him.
There it is… The Bendu's Force-light dominated the valley. It was immense—larger than anything Cain had ever seen before. Not larger than Anakin's or his, but it's even larger then Yoda's. It feels just as mystical as Talzin's.
And its color—
Most beings appeared as familiar hues—blue, green, yellow and red. With the occasional rare ones. Mace Windu's was violet, Plo Koon's had shifting colors of blue and yellow. Anakin's silverish white with a sky blue hue. Or Cain's own golden light. But what Cain saw now made his breath catch in his throat.
The Bendu's Force light . It was a pale gray, so faint it bordered on white, yet constantly shifting beneath the surface with subtle waves of muted violet and deep shadow, like twilight trapped inside fog.
It felt… so ancient and mysterious. But Cain also felt like what he saw a form of balance. Like looking at a immovable object in the Force. It didn't shine like someone like Luke's, it was just there, like you would never notice it until the Bendu wanted you too.
Cain swallowed.
Anakin approached quietly, crouching beside him. "You see something."
Cain nodded, not taking his eyes off the horizon. "Yeah. I do." Cain said nervously.
Anakin saw Cain's face and felt a shift in his energy. "You nervous?"
Cain nodded. "…A little."
That alone told Anakin, and Derren everything. If Cain was nervous then this was serious.
"It's a good thing we are here with you then," Derren said smiling.
Cain stood and replaced his eyepatch. "Come on. Follow me." The three descended into the valley, navigating narrow stone paths and broken ridges. As they moved deeper, movement stirred ahead.
Along the way, Atollon spiders appeared. large white and gray colored, six-legged, spider-like predators with blaster-resistant hides, beaked mouths, and fanged pedipalps. Their bodies clung to the rocks, legs clicking softly as they shifted into defensive positions.
Anakin and Derren both reached for their sabers.
Cain raised a hand. "Don't."
They froze.
"That won't be necessary," Cain said calmly. "Just… be at peace, and trust the Force. These creatures are highly sensitive to negative emotions."
Anakin raised an eyebrow. "You want us to be at peace in the Force with giant alien spiders ready to eat us right there?"
Cain didn't answer, he simply walked forward. His stride confident and his mind relaxed and calm.
The spiders relaxed as he walked by. Anakin and Derren watched Cain pass, unmoving.
Anakin stared, then glanced at Derren. Derren shrugged. "I guess he's right." The two followed Cain's lead. The spiders didn't attack and simply let them pass unharmed.
When they reached Cain again, he stood before a massive stone formation—an enormous boulder riddled with ridges and cracks, its surface weathered smooth by centuries of wind.
Anakin frowned. "Okay… now what?"
"We're here," Cain said.
Derren squinted. "What, is the Bendu a boulder?"
Cain shook his head. "Not a boulder."
The ground began to tremble. The "boulder" shifted. Stone cracked and slid away as something enormous rose from the earth itself. A towering figure unfolded—tall as a cliff face, broad as a fortress. Skin the color of weathered stone. A massive, beard hanging from a face carved by time. White, pupil-less eyes opened slowly, glowing faintly.
Anakin and Derren both stared in awe.
Anakin broke the silence first, smirking. "Okay… you were right. He's big. "
Derren chuckled. "I think that's an understatement."
The Bendu's voice rolled across the valley like distant thunder.
"Hello, Cain. Anakin. Derren."
Derren's jaw dropped. "…You know who I am?"
The Bendu inclined his head slightly. "Yes. I know of you. Just as I know of the Chosen One before me."
Anakin crossed his arms. "Yeah, that checks out."
The Bendu's gaze settled on Anakin, distant and heavy. "I know much of you, Skywalker. I knew what your future once was, and how little it has changed."
Anakin's smirk vanished.
"And I know," the Bendu continued, "that it has changed only a little. You haven't lost your darkest future… but only postponed it."
Anakin's eyes widened. "What did you just say?"
"You stand between paths," the Bendu said calmly. "Your connection to the Force is unmatched—but power does not prevent one from falling. You may still descend into darkness at any time… just as you may yet rise into light again. Balance is a constant motion. Like your choices it must be consistent or you fall. And you may cause a even worse future then the one I saw before."
Anakin bristled. "Who are you to judge me?"
"I am the Bendu," the being replied. "The one who stands between the Ashla and the Bogan. I do not judge. I merely see and speak the truth."
Cain watched silently. Taking it all in.
The Bendu is just like how I remember him from Star Wars Rebels. It's almost scary how much clarity he has to see events and people.
Then the Bendu turned to Cain. "You asked me to join your new Order," the Bendu said. "To help guide it as one of it's leaders."
Cain exhaled. "Yes I did. I believe one as wise as you can offer so much to our budding order, we want to return to old ways of learning, listening and walking along side the Force. Without forgetting the lessons of the past. So will you please come and help lead us to a new age?"
I figured I new what was coming, but it doesn't hurt to have hope.
The Bendu's ancient gaze looked down on the three. "I will not," the Bendu said.
Cain nodded. "I thought so. But…can I ask why?"
The Bendu looked to the sky, his white eyes gazing distantly into space past unseen stars. "It is not time. I am not needed."
Cain frowned. "What does that mean?"
The Bendu didn't answer.
Cain continued. "What about guiding and helping others find balance in the Force?"
The Bendu looked back at him. "I already am. Those who need to find me will find me"
Cain blinked. He was frustrated to the point he couldn't even speak.
"Look at yourself," the Bendu said simply. "And at your friends."
Cain lowered his gaze. "…Will you at least come to Tython?" he asked quietly.
"No." The Bendu said
Anakin scoffed. "So you dragged him all the way out here, just to say no?"
"No," the Bendu replied. "I called you here to see you and your friends. And to give you a message."
Cain stiffened. " You knew I was gonna bring them? And what message?"
The Bendu straightened and spoke. "The chaos moves in shadow," the Bendu intoned. "A horde of nightmares gathers unseen. Your light alone will not be enough. Nor will the Chosen One's."
Anakin frowned. Derren squinted. "This is not comforting."
The Bendu continued "Only with those who walked the skies before, and those who will walk after. Uniting the forgotten legends of old, with the present will balance be restored."
Silence.
"…What does that even mean?" Derren asked.
Cain rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Don't bother asking. Force beings as powerful and old like him never give straight answers." He muttered under his breath.
I swear the Sith are less of a headache. At least they are more straightforward enough. Either a prideful monologue, or breaking you with the dark truth is always easier to understand.
Anakin shook his head. " Forget this. I'm heading back to the ship."
"So am I," Derren said quickly.
The Bendu spoke, his words stopping them.
"I have words for you two as well."
They paused.
"Anakin," the Bendu said. "Love is your greatest strength, and your greatest weakness. When you learn to protect without clinging to it… and learn to let go you will find true control in your balance."
Anakin swallowed. "What does that even mean?"
The Bendu turned to Derren. "You walk a path few will ever understand. Your heart is true. Your reasons will remain unseen by many… but know this: your friends will love you to the very end."
Derren's eyes widened as he looked to Cain, but he said nothing.
Cain stepped forward. "Just so you two know. He has powerful Force sight, to see the future and read his visions," Cain said.
Anakin turned stiffly. "Yeah… I'm heading back to the ship." Derren turned to leave without saying a word.
The two left, clearly shaken by the Bendu's words.
Cain lingered. He still had something to figure out with the Bendu.
"Do you know?" Cain asked softly.
"About your soul not being from this Universe. I do," the Bendu replied.
Cain jaw tightened. "Does it last?" Cain asked. "My Order… and my plans for the future?"
"That is for you to discover," the Bendu said. "Walk your path regardless of what I have seen."
Cain nodded, he expected as much but it didn't hurt to ask. He then turned to leave. "Thank you."
"One more thing," the Bendu said.
Cain paused.
"Jasen," the Bendu said gently. "Your life will shape those around you. They are your galaxy. Through them, you will know whether you succeeded or not."
Cain smiled as he walked away.
Behind him, the Bendu gazed skyward. "It will be a long, bloody road for you… but you can walk it. Just like you did thousands of years ago."
Back aboard the ship, Anakin lounged in the co-pilot seat, boots up, fast asleep. Derren piloted in silence, while Cain meditated nearby.
Maul laid unconscious, restrained, muttering in his sleep.
The comm console pinged.
Cain eye snapped opened. Anakin jolted upright. When Derren answered the call. A blue hologram flickered to life.
It was Bo-Katan.
"Cain, do you read me?"
"I read you," Cain said. " What's your status on Kamino?"
"The facility is locked down," Bo-Katan said. " The scientists are secured. Clone production has been halted. We placed fake explosives around the facility to keep the ARC troopers busy. The Mandalorian's are secure and were wait for you next step. It wasn't easy at all but we managed somehow."
Cain smiled. "Excellent work Bo."
"Don't celebrate yet, we secured these babies as well before arriving." Bo-Katan added, lifting a small glass containment unit. Inside, a ysalamiri coiled lazily.
Cain's eyes widened. "Bo… your team is worth every credit you suck out of me."
Cain then rerouted the ships coordinates to Kamino. "We're en route," Cain said. "ETA four hours."
The transmission cut.
Cain leaned back in his seat.
I may not have the Bendu. But I know Seris had passed Talzin's test. Now with Kamino under our control. The hybrid army was closer to happening.
"Buckle up everyone were hopping into hyperspace" Derren said, as the ship leapt into hyperspace.