Kial found a message left by Master Crular in her quarters:

Having finally gotten used to her prosthetic leg, Kial had been getting in her early morning exercises again since a few days ago. She found Master Crulars message upon her return.

After reading the message, then rereading it, she hit the showers. She had worked up quite the sweat and needed to get rid of the smell and the sticky feeling. Afterward she oiled the joints of her leg and fingers.

Returning to her room, Kial didn't really know what to do with herself. She took her time cleaning her lightsaber. She had little to do afterward. How did one prepare for a possible knight trial?

Kial decided to meditate and reflect on herself. So much had happened in her life she could have never anticipated. Looking back, however, with what she knew now... things made more sense. Especially her death, even though it was less than half an hour of being clinically dead. The only thing she remembered from the ordeal, after being revived, were feelings. Some of which she had experienced during her time with the jedi so far. The feeling of doubt she had right now was among them as well.

Her death had been struck from any official records, per Kials own request. She didn't want the reverence or the sympathy, even if she still got it from some among her people.

Taking a deep breath before slowly exhaling, she acknowledged her feelings and let them fade away. There was no changing the past, so Kial focussed on the future instead. She contemplated how she would explain her motivation for choosing the Unifying Force and tried to anticipate what kind of questions the Council would ask her and how best to answer. She also wondered what sort of trial she would get.

Eventually she came to the conclusion that the best course of action was to be truthful and consider the possibilities for the future.

And with that she ended her meditation. She seemed to be perfectly on time to report to the Jedi Council. So she got up and headed for the Council Chambers.

Kial bowed deeply, after she had been given permission to enter.

"You wished to see me, Masters."

The Council Chambers were up on the third floor of the Ziggurat. Upon entering, Kial found the room had a relaxed atmosphere and a mild lingering scent of incense. All three Jedi Masters who held a place in the council were seated along a semi-circle, with several empty chairs of different sizes making up the rest of the arc. It was clear none of them were meant for Kial - at least not at this time.

"Welcome Padawan Kial" Master Crular smiled warmly, motioning for the Padawan to stand in the focal point of the semi-circle of chairs.

"How have you recovered from your injuries?" he inquired, though it wasn't clear if that was an actual question or a rhetorical question, as the Jedi Masters had of course kept an eye on Kials recovery and knew quite well how things had gone.

Master Mutnesh spoke up before she could answer regardless.

"Spiritually speaking. It is clear to us that you have gotten used to your new leg."

"Indeed" Master Crular confirmed, looking at Kial. "Has the Force given you guidance in this?" he inquired.

This time, at least, the three Jedi Masters all looked at Kial, patiently awaiting her answer.

Kial just stood in place for a moment. She then took off her right glove and rolled up her right sleeve. Holding her arm out for the Council to see. The prosthetic pinky and ring finger plainly visible, along with the plasma burn scarring that travelled up her arm.

"As you can see, master, I am no stranger to serious injury. While I would be lying if I said losing my leg didn't affect me. Compared to what I have already been through, losing a leg is relatively minor."

Her voice was neutral, almost detached. She looked at her hand as she continued.

"Giving up, wallowing in the loss or quitting... I don't know how to do those things. Moving on is all I know how to do." She balled her hand into a fist. "Regardless of what I want."

She started putting her glove back on.

"Getting used to the prosthetic is part of moving on. Whether that is the Force giving me guidance..." Kial rolled her sleeve back down. "I'm afraid my knowledge of the Force is insufficient to either confirm or deny that."

Looking at the council with a determined look, she continued.

"I do feel the Force is guiding me towards something, though. Even if I don't know what that is. Does that answer your question, Master?"

"Though one may move on from an injury, the scar often remains." Master Mutnesh noted "Both the physical, and the spiritual one." she added.

The three masters exchanged looks, nodding to one another.

"What do you believe the Force is guiding you towards?" Master Dhahlee interjected "I understand you do not know what it yet, but do your feelings show you any insights? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Is it a location or a state of being you are heading towards?"

The red eyes were not as bright as Kials but definitely as intense.

"I have meditated on that many times, Master." Kial started, looking from Master Mutnesh to Master Dhahlee. It wasn't clear which she was addressing.

"But I firmly believe we give shape to both the past and the future through our actions in the present. Learning lessons from past trauma, allows us to avoid them in the future."

A pause.

"Be better." She stated. "Those are the words I try to live by. To do that I follow the guidance of the Force. For I trust it will not lead me astray. Even if I don't understand why it guides me in a certain way. I feel that the Force will guide me to my destiny."

Kial took a deep breath.

"For that reason I follow the Unifying Force philosophy."

"Her trust in the Force is strong" Master Dhahlee observed, clearly talking to the other Jedi Masters now.

"I agree" Master Mutnesh noted "Despite hardships endured..."

"Hardships overcome." Master Crular corrected, giving a nod of acknowledgement to the Padawan. "Tell me Kial, what are the lessons that you have learned as part of your journey as a Padawan?" he inquired. "And what would you impart upon those who follow in your footsteps?"

That question was part of the custom of knighthood, though there was no truly wrong answer, it was a chance for the Padawan to share the wisdom they had gained and impress the Jedi Masters.

"I have learned many things as a Padawan, Master." Kial replied. "But if I had to name one thing that has stood out to me, it would be trust in others. I learned to trust not just my own abilities, but those of others as well. Their willingness to help if needed. I also believe this has strengthened my trust in the Force."

Kial paused a moment to think.

"What I would impart to those that follow is that in every situation there are possibilities you cannot foresee. And that because of this it is best to avoid any action that are final. Do anything that cannot be undone."

"Injuries can heal. Damage can be repaired." She gave an ironic smile. "Even missing limbs can be replaced. Some things, however, can only be lost once..." Kials tone made it clear she was talking about death and taking a life.

Master Crular nodded, seemingly pleased with the answer - though with the Jedi Master it was sometimes difficult to be certain.

The other two masters exchanged a look, and Master Dhahlee posed one final question, which seemed to be one all three masters wanted an answer to.

"You have chosen to spare the life of one inhabited by the dark side. This was a good thing. Have you conquered the darkness within yourself?" she inquired.

Master Mutnesh interjected "Or have you merely suppressed it?"

From the gravitas, it seemed this was the final question they would ask of the Padawan.

Kial replied slowly, weighing each word before speaking it.

"I have learned to recognise it and because of this, have been able to avoid its influence. I wouldn't define it as conquering or suppressing, but rather keeping it at bay. I believe I have reduced the darkness within myself significantly."

She took a deep breath.

"But I must admit it is still a part of me, if only a small part."

"Can Tooka be redeemed from the dark side, Master?"

"That will be up to Tooka." Master Crular noted "She will need to decide if she is capable of walking away from the dark side. Once she has recovered physically, we can determine what her mental state is and if it is something we can seek to help her with."

It wasn't a very clear answer, but it was clear at least that the Jedi would make the attempt.

"For now, I believe we have heard what we needed to." he paused a moment to check with the other Jedi Masters, then motioned towards the exit.

"Padawan Kial, please wait outside while we discuss some final matters."

As Kial exited, the doors closed behind her, leaving the Jedi Masters time to discuss.

Several hours passed as Kial quietly waited outside the door. Finally, Master Crular, Master Dhahlee and Master Mutnesh exited the chambers together to address Kial.

"Padawan Kial." Master Crular spoke.

"We have decided that you have shown you are ready to take the Knight Trials. After careful deliberation, we have decided to send you on a mission." he explained

"You will not be going alone." Master Dhahlee added "Though there will be a part of the mission that you must face on your own. It will become clear once you reach that point."

"As part of your trial, you will be responsible for the others on the mission" Master Mutnesh concluded "It will be up to you to ensure their safety." he gave a look to Kial, as if he knew that that would be easier said than done - especially since 'responsible for' was something very different than 'in command of', yet that was obviously intentional and part of the challenge.

"May the Force be with you" the three Jedi Masters stated in unison, before moving on. Kial would receive her instructions the next morning.

Kial bowed before exiting.

As she waited outside the council chambers, she stood at a more relaxed form of at ease. If she had stood like this back with the Military Caste, she would certainly get yelled at by a superior for her lax posture. Fortunately the jedi weren't as strict, aside from her posture still being firm.

When the jedi masters exited the chambers Kial listened carefully. She wondered how they knew she would face part of the mission on her own. She felt tinge of disappointment when she heard she wouldn't be going alone, but accepted it.

As the jedi masters moved on Kial bowed.

"And with you, Masters."