Timeframe: Two days after returning from Kastavel
Setting: Jedi Temple – Grand Sparring Hall, Meditation Ring
Whispered Rumors, Quiet Tension
Cain had barely stepped out of his quarters when he felt the shift.
Whispers from Knights. A few Masters.
"Windu asked for him directly."
"The new padawan who saw the assassin's mind snap."
"He can use Shatterpoint and differently evolving."
Cain ignored it. He'd never asked for the attention. But if Windu was asking for me, that means his ability had become something worth noticing.
He entered the Grand Sparring Hall, where Anakin and Seris were already warming up.
Seris looked over. "So. The rumors are true."
Cain sighed. "Unfortunately."
Anakin grinned. "You're basically famous now."
Mace Arrives
The atmosphere shifted like a stone dropped into still water.
Master Mace Windu entered the chamber, cloak flowing, eyes razor-sharp. There was no aggression in him—only command. The kind that made your posture straighten even if he said nothing.
"Padawan Cain," he said simply, "Join me in the meditation ring."
Cain bowed without hesitation and followed.
Meditation Before the Blade
In the quiet circle of the Jedi Meditation Ring, Windu and Cain sat cross-legged, eyes closed. The air thrummed softly with the Force.
"You see fractures," Mace said.
"I see turning points," Cain replied.
"Do you see them in people? In objects?"
"In… moments, Master. In emotions. Decisions. Sometimes I can feel the thought before it becomes action."
Windu opened his eyes, studying him.
"That's rare. Dangerous. Most Shatterpoint wielders see cracks. You're… guiding the flow itself."
Cain was silent.
"You're walking the edge of influence and manipulation," Windu warned. "What separates your intentions from the forces. Never forget that."
"I won't," Cain said quietly. "I didn't come here to control fate. Just to give people a better chance."
Mace nodded once.
"Then let's see how far that insight carries in battle."
The Duel Begins
Back in the hall, Windu took center ring. Cain stepped into position.
But then—
Anakin stepped forward. "Master Windu—let us fight with him."
Seris followed. "As a team, we can learn. From his skill and yours."
Windu considered them for a moment.
Then stepped back.
"Together, then."
Anakin and Seris joined Cain's flanks. Three Padawans. One Master.
Windu raised a single hand. "Begin."
The Weight of Mastery
It wasn't a duel.
It was a lesson written in motion.
Windu didn't attack wildly—he moved with perfect economy. His Vaapad form was not chaos; it was the eye of the storm, absorbing their aggression and turning it back.
Cain struck first, using Shatterpoint to read Windu's rhythm—but the Master broke it mid-beat, shifting tempo.
Seris flowed like lightning, intercepting and redirecting—but Windu outpaced her with his sheer understanding of form.
Anakin lunged—bold, brilliant, impulsive.
And that's where it turned.
Windu feinted a retreat, then collapsed Anakin's momentum back onto Cain, forcing Cain to block both.
Seris tried to recover the opening—but Windu slipped past her guard and ended the fight with three gentle taps to all their torsos.
Match over.
Reflection and Honesty
The three Padawans sat, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on their foreheads.
Anakin scowled. "We had him."
"No," Cain said gently. "We could have. But we didn't move as one."
Seris wiped her brow. "We lost our rhythm the moment Anakin charged in."
Anakin turned to her, bristling. "So it's my fault?"
"No," Cain said. "It's your instinct. Which is powerful—but undisciplined."
He met Anakin's eyes, not with judgment—but brotherly honesty.
"Instinct is good. But when honed, it becomes clarity. Until then—it's just reaction."
Seris nodded. "You are incredible, Anakin. But sometimes you burn too hot."
Anakin looked away, jaw clenched, but said nothing.
Windu's Verdict
Windu stepped forward.
"You three are stronger than most padawans your age. But power unbalanced is power wasted."
He turned to Cain.
"I'll be keeping an eye on your development. Your gift is unique. And we've lost others who misused such sight."
Cain bowed. "Thank you for the opportunity, Master."
As Windu turned to leave, Anakin spoke up.
"Master Windu… do you not trust me?"
The chamber grew still.
Windu didn't stop walking—but answered.
"I trust the Force to guide you, Padawan Skywalker. I don't yet trust you to follow."
He left.
After the Storm
Anakin stood quietly, expression wounded beneath his bravado.
Cain stepped beside him. "Don't take it as rejection. He's not the kind who believes in people easily. He watches actions, not feelings."
Anakin looked at him. "So what—you think I'm dangerous?"
"No," Cain said simply. "I think you're fire. And he's been burned before."
Seris added gently, "Let it make you better—not bitter."
Anakin gave a slow nod, anger fading. "Thanks."
Cain looked out the training hall window as the sun rose.
Every victory, every loss—it shapes us. He may not see it yet… but Anakin's future