The Calm - Prelude to the DE Invasion of GA Held Coruscant

Balun Vale sat in one of the meditation chambers of the Training Wing, the room vast yet empty. There were no longer any students remaining, save for those able to fight in defence of the heart of the New Jedi Order. Despite disagreements with the clandestine establishment, Balun grew up within the New Jedi Order, within this very Temple he had once called home for fifteen years.

He held fond memories here, memories of friends such as Nouqai Veil , who went by her birth name, Nouqai Veil, back then. Balun had never been popular. He'd struggled to make friends and often felt like an outcast among the Jedi, yet Nouqai had always understood him. Even if the two did not agree, she always made time to hear him out, and they could speak of subjects that would often lead to arguments with the others.

Then there were the tutors, those who Balun was often too eager to judge. He did not enjoy the rules and restrictions of Temple life, but that was not the fault of Masters like Kahlil Noble, who taught some of the classes over the years. Balun had been given up to the Order, and he knew nothing of his parents nor where he came from. He resented the fact that he had not been given a choice, so he often lashed out at the adults when they would attempt to steer him in what they considered to be the right direction. It wasn't their fault, but he wouldn't admit that aloud.

His presence there was an act of loyalty. Though he had left, he had also returned with the knowledge of the Dark Empire's looming attack against Coruscant. Balun wasn't one for politics, but he knew enough about the Galactic Alliance to know that life was better under their leadership than it would likely be under the Imperial Blocc.

This was the calm before the storm, so Balun meant to use the meditation chamber to mentally and emotionally prepare himself for the traumatic and chaotic battle. He had never stepped into a battlefield, not one of those scales, yet the prospect of Sith and Soldiers breaching the Jedi Temple wasn't something Balun could stand by and do nothing about.

Inhaling slowly through his nostrils, his eyes closed whilst holding his breath for but a moment, soon to exhale between lightly parted lips. He would repeat the process, attempting to slow his heart rate and stop overthinking the looming threat. Seeking to hold back the fear of what he might face, looking instead to the Force for guidance and reassurance.