Location: Tython – Garden of Stillness
Date: 24 BBY
The sun filtered through the white-leafed trees of the Garden of Stillness, where waterfalls whispered over smooth obsidian and the air smelled faintly of mountain herbs. It was here—surrounded by peace—that the Trial of Flesh would take place.
Not in blood.
Not in battle.
But in truth.
Cain stood beneath the arching boughs of an ancient tree, his friends nearby, the temple quiet behind them. A small circle had been marked in the stone—the Reflection Ring—where the Force would lead them into the visions they needed most.
Master Fay and Plo Koon sat quietly to one side, no judgment in their eyes—only presence. Letting the Force do what must be done.
Cain stepped into the circle first.
Scene 1: Cain's Vision – Farewell to Jasen
The wind turned cold. The light dimmed.
Cain stood in his old living room— Earth.
His old world.
He turned to see himself—Jasen—sitting on the couch drinking coffee in his old condo, headphones in, lost in the world he once loved and tried to understand.
Jasen looked up.
"So. You came back," he said softly.
Cain walked toward him and sat beside his past self.
"I didn't know I needed to."
"Does it… hurt?" Jasen asked. "Being someone new? Losing it all?"
Cain took a breath. "It did. At first. I wanted to cling to it. To prove something."
"Yeah," Jasen whispered. "You always tried to save people. Even when they didn't want saving."
"I still do."
Jasen smiled faintly. "That's what makes you you."
The air shimmered. Cain looked around—seeing flashes of memories. People he loved. People he lost. All fading like smoke.
Jasen stood and turned to him.
"You don't need me anymore, do you?"
Cain smiled gently.
"No. But I'll always remember."
They embraced.
When Cain opened his eyes, Jasen was gone.
And the wind was warm again.
Anakin walked through a garden of Naboo.
The sky was gold. The air filled with flowers.
Padmé Amidala stood at the edge of a veranda, smiling softly.
"I knew you'd come," she said.
Anakin stepped forward, his heart heavy and full all at once.
"I've… had these feelings for a long time," he said. "Before I even knew what they meant."
Padmé nodded. "You were always kind. Brave. Loyal."
"I wanted to protect you. Be with you. But…"
She turned, eyes soft. "You know it can't be that, Anakin."
He nodded.
"I'm not meant for you," she said gently. "And you're meant for something greater. Not above love—but different."
Anakin stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, burying his face in her shoulder.
"You'll always matter to me," he said.
"And you to me," she whispered. "But we were never meant to be a story. Just… a moment."
They held each other.
And let go.
When Anakin stepped out of the vision, his face was wet—but his chest was light.
Seris walked alone beneath the trees, eyes downcast.
She found Cain sitting near the stream, golden eyes reflecting the water.
"Hey," she said.
He looked up and smiled. "Hey."
She sat beside him, close—but not too close.
"I wanted to tell you something," she said, barely louder than a whisper.
Cain waited.
"I think… I think I've been in love with you. Maybe not always. But for a long time now."
Cain's breath caught.
"I see you," she continued. "The way you carry everything. The way you try to save everyone. And I don't know if it's love or admiration or something in between, but I needed to say it."
Cain turned, his voice soft. "Seris…"
She met his gaze—and already knew the answer.
He took her hand. "You're one of the best people I've ever known and I cherish you. I'm sorry I cant respond to your feelings"
Seris smiled—just enough to show it wasn't fake.
"I figured," she said. "Still glad I said it."
Tears welled at the corners of her eyes. Cain gently reached up and wiped them away.
They leaned into each other—foreheads touching.
"I still have your back," she whispered.
"And I'll always have yours," Cain promised.
The three stood side by side once more in the Garden.
Master Fay rose from her seat, walking toward them as the trees rustled faintly.
She looked at each of them, eyes glowing slightly.
"You gave up what weighed you down. Not by force. But by choice."
Plo Koon joined her, his voice deep and resonant. "The Force does not disagree."
Fay nodded. "You have passed the Trial of Flesh. Not by injury. But by truth."
Cain closed his eyes. He felt it—the wound that didn't bleed, but healed something deeper.
They hadn't just passed a trial.
They had grown.
Codex Entry 032 – To Let Go Without Hate
To grieve and still walk forward.
To love and still set it free.
To be seen… and still say goodbye.
That is the real courage of sacrifice.