Cailen was trembling now, the pain and suffering he witnessed before him so visceral it almost seemed real. The Sith swung his crimson blade, striking down the innocent people of Anaxes Station. Cailen could hear their screams and feel their anguish through the Force.
These emotions were not something the Force had conveyed to him before. He knew the Force to be peaceful, calming even; Not the chaotic power he saw now, destroying his people and his home.
The ‘second sense’ he had growing up was a strong connection to the Light Side of the Force, his Master told him. It was something to embrace, but also something that commanded deep understanding and respect. And focus.
Lots of focus.
”Will you just watch them die?” the voice continued, trying to provoke the young Jedi.
The Sith was now moving to his parents, who knelt to the ground and held each other, at the mercy of the Sith’s wrath.
”This can’t be right,” Cailen thought to himself.
Why would the Force, a song he had only known to sing pleasantries and comfort, taunt him with the Dark Side? It had to be a test, a part of his trial. But still…
"Mom, Dad!" Cailen called out in a shaky voice. But they did not answer.
He couldn’t tell if they were too frightened to speak, or if he couldn’t yell loud enough to get their attention.
”This can’t be real,” Cailen thought.
He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the Force, tuning his senses to hear its call again. It was faint, but it was there, as it had been the whole time. And like before, it called him deeper into the caves. Away from the awful scene playing out before him.
Cailen took a deep breath, and recalled once again the comforting words Master Noble imparted him with before he entered the crystal caves:
”Countless Jedi have been right here, where you're currently standing. They succeeded in this trial, and you will too.”
His mom and dad gave up so much for Cailen, as all families do. But they wanted a better life for their son so badly that they gave him to the New Jedi Order to ensure the boy would never go hungry, would never scrounge a rusted A-wing for parts, would never sit on his terrace alone because the other kids didn’t understand him.
Cailen wasn’t going to let this be in vain.
"I love you!" Cailen shouted as loud as he could before turning around and moving forward, deeper into the caverns.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he went, but the sweet song of the Force grew louder inside.
He knew he made the right choice.
Valery Noble