Trial of Spirit/Part 7

The halls were still dim as Karalin and Daerith walked through the Jedi Temple. Outside, the sun was barely peaking over the horizon, and few Jedi wandered the halls this early. All night the two Padawans had meditated in an attempt to find tranquility—that which could never be found before a trial such as this. Especially for Karalin, whose entire existence was the definition of discord. They now strode through the halls with tired looks on their faces as they approached their final test.

“Did they really have to choose a time like this?” Karalin asked as he rubbed his eyes.

A yawn escaped Daerith as he responded, “At least they issued the trial…”

Karalin simply grunted in response. They could’ve started later…or sooner, for that matter.

They approached a T-shaped intersection at the end of the current hall. Once they reached the end, they glanced in opposite directions. At the end of their respective hallways was a single doorway, illumined by a single light overhead. They could make out a rather small chamber just beyond.

Karalin turned to face Daerith, who did likewise. As he lifted his hand to shake the other’s, a voice sounded from down the hall.

“Wait up, you two!”

They stopped and watched as Erithos ran down the hall. As he slowed to a halt, Karalin asked, “What are you doing here, Erithos?”

“I wanted to wish you good luck,” Erithos responded with that everlasting smile upon his face. “And perhaps provide some advice.”

“Advice?” asked Daerith, squinting his eyes interestedly.

Erithos nodded, “Yes. The Trial of Spirit will test the strength of your willpower and stress your emotions. To succeed you must remain vigilant. And always remember: stay true to yourself. Remember your morals and beliefs.”

“The Jedi are usually strict about their ‘morals’ and ‘beliefs,’ you know,” Karalin said.

Erithos let out a laugh, “Indeed they are. But the Trial of Spirit tests your personal beliefs.” He paused a moment before continuing, “Karalin, you have an unbreakable determination to claim retribution. Remain fixated on what drives you.” He turned to Daerith, “Daerith, you are not much different. You want to deliver justice upon your enemies, but in order to do that you must become stronger. Maintain focus and you will succeed.”

The two Padawans lifted their chins, mostly out of respect for the man. Erithos was quite perceptive; it seemed to them that he could understand any man by simply looking at them. Their past, their motivation, every detail about any man. Even now, as he spoke to the two with charisma in his voice, his pale eyes gazed not at them, but into them. Indeed, he knew who they were.

“I know you will succeed. Both of you.”

“How do you know?” Karalin asked, raising a brow.

Erithos responded, “I know because both of you have unbreakable wills. You have always prevailed in times of adversity, and you always will. Of that I’m confident.” He placed a hand on Karalin’s shoulder, sending images of the past through his mind. “Maintain your own confidence, and there is nothing that can defeat you.”

The two nodded in response, with little more to say.

“Well, I’d better be on my way now,” Erithos stated. “Good luck to you both.”

“Wait, Master—I mean…” Karalin trailed off with a sigh.

“No worries, my friend. What is it?”

“I wanted to ask you about…about your trial.” Erithos’s smile faded as he raised an eyebrow. “What was it like?”

Erithos simply stared at Karalin for an uncomfortably long moment before smiling once again. With a nod of his head, he said, “The Force be with you both.” Without an answer to Karalin’s question, Erithos turned around and began walking down the hallway again. Karalin knit his brows, less so out of annoyance and more so out of curiosity. Why had the man chosen to not answer him?

“Suppose this is where we split up then,” Daerith sighed.

Karalin faced his friend again, “Yeah. Good luck, Daerith.” He lifted his hand.

“You too, Karalin,” Daerith replied as he took the Zabrak’s hand.

The two released each other then turned their backs on one another. They began marching down their respective hall towards the chamber on the far side, unsure as to what to expect beyond.