It Starts with Curiosity

[Makari Valeal]

“Oh, I know the Jedi Code,” Makari chuckled. He thought back on the endless times he had polished that plaque of the Jedi Code in the hallway. That was his only saving grace in this situation.

When she activated the machine and the turrets came down, Makari braced himself. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to dodge all of them, but his goal was to dodge a few. He could try to do that much at least.

When she said begin, Makari tried to will his body to get with the program. “C’mon move”, he told his legs when the beanbags started shooting at him. But it was no dice. The beanbags lit up his body like a firing squad. He could barely say a line, without being interrupted by a punishing blow to the stomach.

It was unreal, he thought. Why was he doing this when he knew he wasn’t going to be quick enough? He didn’t know, but he didn’t want to give up yet. Not this easily. Not this quick. He tried a little harder and he put a little more energy into it. “There is no passion, there is-” He got a little further in the sentence, before his words were cut off.He was trying and he was slowly improving.

But was it enough?

He wasn't quite so sure.

The bar had been set real high, and he still had a ways to go. But he would keep going forward. He would keep taking this one step at a time.

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was watching him begin and well this was only slightly different from her masters methods. Heavy gravity room but instead of a soldi platform it got smaller when she messed up and reduced how much space she had to move when the turrets fired. Also no beanbags but she could work with those while standing there on the side on the same side of the turrets. She had failed many times before and her master was harsh, taking after the dark woman in treating the padawans so they knew and she had found her limitations at the time. Now she was watching him and keeping up with it before speaking and crossing her arms over her chest. "Again, continue until you can say it without being hit. This is when it is easy."

 

[Makari Valeal]

She said this was the easy part, but Makari felt like he was going through the trial of his life. His face. His arms. His shoulders. There wasn’t a part of his body that didn’t feel beat up. He ducked and dodged while reciting the creed, but he was always too slow, always too sluggish. He knew he was doing something wrong, but he didn’t know what. He closed his eyes and thought of the options. He obviously wasn’t strong enough for this gravity yet, but there still had to be a way to dodge these beanbags. He thought of all of the training he’d seen the Jedi go through. He had never participated of course, but he had watched as he cleaned the hallways and maintained the gardens. He knew there was something they did for times like this, but it was slipping his mind. It was eluding his focus for some reason. Just when he thought he was on the cusp of figuring it out, a beanbag smacked him in the face, and he suddenly got angry.

Focus!

It was a voice in his head that wasn’t his, but he listened. He gritted his teeth and he narrowed his eyes with determination. The beanbag shot at him like a bullet, as it always had, but this time something was different. He could see it. He could actually see it this time. The beanbag trajectory. It was only for a brief moment, but he had saw where the beanbag would hit him, and he almost dodged it.

“Again,” he told himself with a smile.

He didn’t know what this power was within him, but he tried to harness it again. Again and again, as he tried to anticipate where he would be hit, and try to move his body accordingly. It would take some time, but Makari was determined to see this test through. He had come this far, why not finish?

​

​

***​

“There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.”

That is what Makari said, as he dodged the beanbags. He wiped the sweat off his face and gave Cathbodua a wide smile.

“I have completed your task, master. It took a while, but I’m ready for the next step.”

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

Completed... Raising an eyebrow under the mask she was looking at him and almost had a laugh come up from her belly as he was standing there. All of the time passing would make him tired, would make him feel the pain in his bones and all of the muscles while she stood there near the wall. "Completed, that was the easy part." One hand came out as she touched the controls and the beeps ticked away as the gravity raised. "We haven't even started the real things. That was to give you an idea of how it would feel." She was touching it as the controls let the little sections open up to release fiber cords that would break away if struck hard enough but had strength to hold you up. The real work was navigating them while dodging and... She turned up the gravity to five times looked at him while more turrets came down. "We were just warming up so you could stretch those muscles. Go again."

 

[Makari Valeal]

Makari closed his eyes and let out a groan. “You got to be kidding me?”

She wasn’t.

As more turrets came down and the gravity intensified, Makari was reintroduced to a world of pain that he thought he had already conquered. It was humbling. It made him realize that he should never be comfortable with his strength. There was always another level, another obstacle, another trial that Cathbodua would put him through. He couldn’t afford to be complacent.

He told his body that, but his body was defiant. He couldn’t move his legs quick enough. He couldn’t muster the strength to raise his arms.

As it was when he first started the training, Makari was back to square one, and he wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to advance to the next step. There was a fear in him that even when he managed to conquer this gravity level, should would keep increasing it and keep increasing it, until there was nothing left but to match her own. It was flattering to think that he might be able to train at fifty times gravity one day, but the road to get there seemed long and painful.

Makari wasn’t sure he was up for that type of journey. But he looked at his hands and he couldn’t shake the desire to keep moving forward. There was something in him that was calling to him.

And he wanted to find out what.

He continued forward and kept at the training. No matter how hard it got, he wouldn’t give up. Not yet. Not before he figured out what was singing to his ears.

“There is no emotion, there is peace.”

He managed one line, but there were still four more to go.

The path ahead was difficult, but he was slowly becoming prepared.

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

He was learning and doing a great job of it despite well despite her making sure he knew there was going to be a lot of pain. The life of a jedi was adventure as some put it, others thought of it as a way to get through with some of the problems. They join and they get all of their things handled and then can leave. She didn't really know how to deal with all of the others but found the jedi to be about the service instead of the glory, one of the many reasons why she didn't announce herself as the best or greatest of the healers in the order. "Continue." Staying with it she could watch him going over it while he seemed to really be working on his resolve in this and digging to find that pit jedi had. Some ignored it doing what they trained to do and not pushing the limits because their ego might be bruised if they try and fail the first time, others relished going to it so they could work to preform the impossible looking at the failure as learning. "You are improving for the most part."

 

[Makari Valeal]

She said he was improving, but Makari didn’t let himself get excited. He continued to train hard and he stayed diligent, as his body slowly adjusted to the gravity. He learned to rely on that unknown power that lurked within him. The one that had helped him conquer the previous gravity setting. He knew he was using the force, but he wasn’t sure what force ability he was using. All he knew was that time seemed to slow whenever he used it. It wasn’t by much, but it was enough for him to feel like he was moving faster. Enough for him to see the trajectory of the beanbags.

He continued to hone that skill, and bit by bit, he started to get better.

After a while, he finally reached the point where he could recite the creed without making a mistake, and he took pride in it. He wanted to beat his chest and gloat, but he knew better. This was just the beginning, and he still had a long way to go.

He gave Cathbodua a smile and told her he was ready for the next step. “I can handle whatever you throw at me,” he said confidently.

He knew there was much he had to learn, but he was slowly getting the hang of this padawan business. He may not have been a prodigy, but with hard work, there was always a payoff. Or at least that’s what he wanted to believe.

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

He seemed to getting most of the idea, always be looking forward and towards an ever moving goal. Anyone who said they were done learning didn't really understand the concept so as she was watching him get use to the gravity and able to move she stood there letting the turrets stop firing. THe gravity staying the same though while looking over him and some of the things settling while others like the rings shifted. Small circles opening to show different training sections including the bars she was using when he first entered and burners in the middle of another one. "Good then we can go to the other things, a jedi is skilled physically but there are other aspects you must learn. One of which is who to train your body, how to enhance it with the force so you can survive in dangerous situations. From shielding yourself from intense heat to warming yourself in freezing temperatures. All of this can be done here in this room to protect you. You have already been using the force unconsciously, your body responding to the higher gravity to protect you. Now you must learn how to use it normally so you have an understanding of where it comes from."

 

[Makari Valeal]

When the turrets stopped firing, he finally let out a sigh of relief. He was done. At least for now.

When the gravity also stayed the same, he allowed himself a little smile, and thought maybe the worst was over? Maybe it was time for something easy? He shook his head. He couldn’t afford to think like that around Cathbodua. He had to stay on his toes. She could always make things worst.

As she spoke, Makari found it hard to concentrate on her words. She said things he understood, but it was the burners that had captured his full attention. What was she going to use them for? Were they having a cookout? A barbeque? He tilted his head. They weren’t going to use them for training were they? Un uh. No way. Wait………..way?

Makari’s suspicions were confirmed when Cathbodua said “From shielding yourself from intense heat”

He shook his head. He wasn’t going to like this. It was easy to train with beanbags, because if you messed up, all you got was a little love tap to the face. With this burner stuff, if he messed up he might just get burned to death. He felt a shiver go down his spine. What was he getting himself into?

He didn’t know, but he still had to go forward. He patted his face a few times and told himself not be so negative. He had to think positive. He had to feel positive energy.

He looked at Cathbodua and gave her a nod, “You’re right, master. I do think I need to learn how to use the force normally. Thanks to your gravity training, I’ve managed to experiment a bit, but I still have much to learn from you.” He slammed his fist into his palm. “Hold nothing back in your instructions, master. I’m ready for whatever.”

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

"Well we have to hold a little back." She said it as the burners went on but were low just barely visible. "When you are done and able to the fire will be able to be near your skin and even touching it but for now it will just be the heat it creates. However you still need to get the proper measurements." She stood over by it while showing where two small bars came out and a small area in the other side. "You do push ups over it, hands there on the two areas and you will be able to control the intensity with your knuckles. If you want it to go higher and hotter or if you need it to go lower and shut off. There are some safety sensors built into it and the metal of the tubing dissipates high heat easily so it will not brand you if you fall on it. Feet go there and when you are ready to begin."

 

[Makari Valeal]

Makari let out a whistle when she finished explaining. “This place is a treasure trove of torture devices isn’t it?”

It was a joke to lighten up the mood, but Makari knew he needed the joke more than she did. He never thought he’d be doing push-ups in such a peculiar way, but he said he was ready for whatever. There was no point in complaining. All he had to do was put one foot in front of the other and do as he was told.

[SIZE=11pt]“Hands go here. Feet go there.” [/SIZE]Makari started to maneuver himself in position. As he started doing push-ups, he asked,

“So how can I use the force to enhance my body?” He could already feel the heat on his stomach. He knew he was supposed to use the force to protect himself from the heat, but he wasn’t sure how.


[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was watching him and moved it adjusting the burners so they were a safe distance from him when he came down, ir wasn't supposed to be walking across flames so they licked your skin but you were working on some of the things. She might be as some said sadistic and uncaring... which could be kind of true but she also taught her students how to heal themselves so they could do it. "To start, when you inhale is when you will take in the force. Feel it in the air, feel it enter your lungs and go throughout your body into your muscles. It will allow them to stay refreshed instead of growing tired. Then you exhale and repeat the process. From your core where you can feel the force you need to push it outwards, not as a repulse, we are not attacking or stopping someone... but as a layer of skin. Something just above the surface that can protect you from everything that is harmful around you. The heat of the flames being the most pressing."

 

[Makari Valeal]

She told him to take in the force when he inhaled. He took a deep breath and tried out the method. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine his body filled with a radiant energy. It was in his chest, and it was in his lungs, and it snaked its way through every part of his body, until he felt like he was experiencing something divine. It was unreal, he thought. Was he even feeling the force right now, or was his mind simply playing tricks on him?

He didn’t know, and honestly he didn’t care.

He continued to do push-ups, and he slowly felt a power giving him strength. Giving him energy. Giving him a drive to keep moving on. He focused his attention on the heat of the flames, and remembered Cathbodua’s words.

He had to coat himself in the force like it was a layer of skin.

He attempted to channel the force in such away. It took practice and practice and practice, but after awhile, Makari managed to envelop himself in a protective bubble.
It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was just enough to smother the heat from the burners.

He looked at Cathbodua with a gradual smile. “I think I’m ready to up the heat just a bit? What do you think, master?”

He waited for her instruction, and while he waited, he felt like this gravity room was becoming more and more like his real home. How long had they been training here?

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

Was he now? She was watching him and the padawan had some skill but it was a dangerous thing he was in right now. She was wondering the most important thing with how much stamina he really had. Still at the heavy gravity and all of this working out was going to make you hurt. It still did to her but she knew the techniques to manage her pain as it were with full attention on some of the bigger things and a wicked looking grin. "Alright then." Turning the burners up for the flame was higher and hotter while she crouched down and pulled out one of the canteens that they had made for the field. THe hot air reacting with the super cooled rod to help create water... it allowed them to have well almost a bottomless canteen for traveling in the desert.

 

[Makari Valeal]

As the flames started to lick his skin, Makari thought he was prepared for it. There was something about the force that made him feel he could take on anything. It was arrogant perhaps, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling that the force with him. He didn’t think he was some chosen one destined to save the galaxy, but he knew the force wanted him to use it for a purpose. And right now that purpose was to survive Cathbodua’s training.

He looked at his arms and willed them to stay strong. “Just a little more,” he told himself. He knew he was getting close to his limits, but there was still much he could do. There was still more training his body could handle.

“Not yet.”

Despite his earnest wishes, he found those limits quicker than he would have liked. It was harder to put up a barrier against this type of heat. It wasn’t that he couldn’t, but he didn’t have the stamina for it yet; he had used up all his energy into channeling the force to rejuvenate his strength to keep doing push-ups. Now that he tried to use the force to rejuvenate his strength, and also put up a stronger barrier at the same time, Makari found himself at a standstill.

He looked at Cathbodua with a defeated expression. “I think I might have bitten off more than I could chew, master. Should I listen to my body and take a rest.......or should I push through the pain?"

He was embarrassed to admit this, but before Cathbodua there was no reason to hide anything. They were master and padawan, and it was job to confide in her his every doubt.

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was looking at him and crouching there while one hand hit the emergency shut off to let the room return to standby and normal. "You have done more then enough for one session, there is a time to push and a time to rest. You will have to learn how far you can go before you are going to put yourself into a dangerous position." It can be a tricky thing to discover but she was working on some of the things and standing up. "For a first timer you stuck with it and pushed yourself further then most will do, they will generally stop once it gets hard." She motioned towards the wall where there were some bottles and the rations for having some food while the room was sealed. "You can do much but your body still needs food and water to keep going."

 

[Makari Valeal]

“I understand,” Makari said.

He was grateful for her words, but he was still embarrassed about admitting defeat. “I’ll do better next time,” he said quietly. He didn’t think he said it loud enough for her to hear, but she might have caught it anyway.

He headed for the rations, and his shoulders were dropped a little. He was tired. More tired than he had ever felt in his life, but he still found a way to stand without collapsing.

He looked at Cathbodua and nodded towards the rations, “You’re not going to make me eat alone are you? Stuff like that makes me uncomfortable.” He sat down on a bench. “Let’s eat together. Maybe trade a few stories?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe listen to some music if you don’t feel like talking. I don’t know, I just need something to distract myself from the pain right now. I have a throbbing headache and there’s this ache in my back that’s killing me.”

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She looked at him and was used to eating alone, the perks of being usually down here but sure why not while she lowered the lights so they could work on things. Pulling the hood back and the mask off while working on some of the things. Sitting down while grabbing some of the rations and bottles with a look at him. "I suppose some would find it uncomfortable." She was ready for anything and there was a number of other things they could work with on the walls, some of the robes they had to work with bringing some attention to it. "You have done well, as good as some of the others but we shall have to see what can be done. I know the researchers are making some new things to help the jedi where they need it."

 

[Makari Valeal]

Makari opened the blue container of his ration kit and licked his lips a little. He didn’t think food like this normally appealed to him, but he had had worst while traveling through the wilderness. He said a quick prayer over his food and turned his attention to Cathbodua. He smiled a little while she spoke, and he was glad to see that she was already planning ahead for what he could improve on.

When she spoke about some of the researchers working on a new project, he tilted his head a little and said, “New things, you say? That sounds kind of interesting.” He took a bite out of his energy pudding. “What are you guys working on? Something top secret or can you share it with a padawan?”

He didn’t mind if she didn’t tell him, but he was curious if the Jedi were planning anything serious against the Sith. Maybe something like a superweapon, because god knows the Sith were long overdue for a butt kicking. He looked at Cathbodua and asked her another question, “Have you ever been in combat by the way? Against the Sith, I mean?”

[member="Cathbodua"]

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

Looking at him and well without her mask she looked like a normal person, something people forgot which made it always strange. The jet black eyes and ghostly pale skin while she spoke. "We have been working on some of the things, better ways to protect people in combat. We built up one or two things such as robes to resist sabers and blasters while being highly protective to the force and darkside. To protect padawans who don't want to wear armor. We've already worked on creating better medical tech and gear." Turning some of the attention to a few of the things though she ate the food before going over several things. "As for me, yes I have been in combat against the sith as both a healer and a soldier. It is nice to preach all about healers and how they don't fight but sith don't care if you are a healer and don't know how to fight... that just means you are easier to go after."