**Chapter 836: The Relic of Ossus**
**Scene 1: The Awakening**
Her awakening was... strange, yet expected. Even despite all the failures and falls in her life she always rose and moved on, sooner or later achieving results. She wasn't used to giving up—nor did she give up when a grave-like chill gripped her heart at the moment when the dying Audrista Pina focused all his Power on one action—Morichro...
After the Jedi settled on Ossus, in an attempt to systematize all the knowledge they had managed to bring back from Tython, they began to give various phenomena and abilities their own unique names, lumping them together into a general category—Force powers. This was quite convenient, simplifying both understanding their essence and learning how to use them. One such technique was morichro—a powerful technique that allowed one to suspend biological functions including breathing and heartbeat. Initially, it was used only by doctors on their patients—in those severe cases where minutes and seconds were at stake. Applying it to oneself was much more difficult. It required intense concentration and attention, as well as an understanding of all aspects of one's own body.
And what was certain was that morichro was forbidden to be used as a weapon. There were far simpler methods of killing. However, morichro was one of the most effective. And it was precisely this that the Jedi used against her when they realized the duel was lost.
What hypocrites...
But she survived, overcame the morichro—even if she spent a considerable amount of time in the healing sleep granted by the Dark Side. Why so long? Though her mind was still fuzzy, Arden couldn't help but notice that the shape of the Jedi's robes had changed... Yes. How ironic. The last person she saw was a Jedi. A Jedi was the first one at her side the moment she woke up. Quite young.... A little older than her—maybe a year, no more. But his youth was deceptive, like an outer mask. Inside, he was much older. You could tell he'd seen a lot in his life, endured a lot. And yet—both sides of the Force were present in him. Both Ashla and Bogan. Just as it was in all ordinary living beings. Just as it was supposed to be in all gifted ones.
But most importantly, his gaze. At once firm and soft… brimming with emotion—and serenely calm. Blazing with power and wisdom. Knowledge. Not even Xendor had such a gaze. Though this Jedi is nothing like him, something in common between them slips through.
**Scene 2: The First Conversation**
"So you're that same Arden Lyn? From the Legions of Lettow? The Steel Hand of Palawa?" the man asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
"You're right." It was a little difficult for her to understand the man, but fortunately not so much that the meaning of the words eluded her.
"Then I have bad news for you: you slept for a very long time. A very long time."
"What… What year is it now?"
The Jedi opened his mouth, but after a pause, closed it and began counting something on his fingers, and only after that said:
"Yoros."
"It is now thirty-six thousand four hundred and thirty-second year since the arrival of the To."
"It's impossible," Arden felt herself starting to panic, "What are you… So much time couldn't have passed…"
"I'm afraid so. You've slept for twenty-four and a half thousand years, Arden Lyn. The times of the First Schism have long since become the stuff of legend…"
The young woman shuddered involuntarily. "The first schism? So, you mean there were more?"
The Jedi, however, paid no attention to her question. Instead, he stood up, removed his sand-colored cloak, and draped it over her shoulders.
"Perhaps now is not the time for talking. You need to see a doctor—you've been sleeping for so long…."
"No!" Arden grabbed his hand, "I'm perfectly fine! And I want to know what happened!"
"Well, if that's the case," the Jedi sank back to the floor, "then this place isn't suitable for such a long conversation anyway. But to put it briefly… After you fell asleep, your remaining followers retreated—only to return and seek revenge… Well, and seize power. They completely rejected the Light Side, calling the Jedi their sworn enemies. The war lasted… a hundred years, it seems. They lost—for behind the Jedi stood the full might of the nascent Republic, which the Jedi had undertaken to defend and protect."
"No… What have they done?" Lin dropped her head onto her knees. Traitorous tears rolled down her cheeks. "This isn't what we fought for…"
"We simply wanted the Jedi to embrace the dark side. Yes, Ashla is more creative, and Bogan is more destructive—but every tool should be used for its intended purpose. A healer can heal a wound either by using their powers or by taking the enemy's life. Does the remedy matter if the wounded survive? But focusing on only one aspect of the Force is an unacceptable crime… Yes, maintaining balance was vital on Tython—but they were no longer on that planet…"
"Well… not many facts about those times have come down to us… Ah, yes. What happened next? The remnants of the defeated were exiled; they wandered the galaxy for long thousands of years, forgotten. The Order grew and developed along with the Republic. But the problem of the Dark Side remained. Eventually, new renegades, emerging after one of the difficult periods in history, called Pius Dea, settled on Korriban and declared themselves Sith. Seven thousand years have passed since then—and all these years, the confrontation between the Sith and the Jedi has raged. Bloody wars broke out many times. The Jedi prevailed—but the Sith rose again, time after time. Their Empires were powerful—and sometimes almost brought the Republic and the Order to their knees. Once, they even nearly destroyed both. But still, the Jedi were victorious—though each victory was not easy. And each time, the Order changed. The last major round of conflict occurred a thousand years ago… It seemed the Sith had been destroyed forever. But they returned… And now a new war is underway."
Arden felt sick at the shocking news. She couldn't imagine their fight could escalate to this. "I…. have to… I have to fix this!" She jerked, trying to get up, but the Jedi's hands held her back. "I need to go… I have to…"
"Here…" the Jedi cursed and hugged her tighter, "Are you even thinking? Where are you planning on going, especially in this state?"
But Arden only thrashed harder, frantically trying to break free from his grasp. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the Jedi muttering, "Why not?" before she was roughly pinned to the floor. And then—she felt something on her neck… Something…
Lin realized she was calming down. No, all her emotions and worries remained—but they no longer clamored to escape. Now she could control them. At that moment, the Jedi released her. Sitting up, the woman ran her hand over her body—and discovered a small medallion, shaped like a cross. Such a familiar material. And the sensations…
"Where… Where did you get the stone from Ashla?"
"What?" the Jedi was clearly surprised.
"I'm saying, where did you get this? Such medallions were rare even in our time… Ashla stones imbued with the Light side of the Force—and therefore help maintain calm, allow one to control one's thoughts and emotions… To shut out the outside world, focusing inward… But one cannot wear such a medallion for long—for it is very difficult to exist without emotions… And then one can lose control… very, very quickly… Not even all masters dared to use such medallions for long periods of time…"
"Oh right—the Grand Master scavenged a few ancient battlefields. It was built in the armor, and it seemed decent for an installment of a shield generator."
Arden looked at the young man again.
"Why are you helping me? I mean, I'm an enemy of the Jedi."
"Helping and protecting others is the destiny of the Jedi."
"It seems the medallion helped you, but you're still slow on the uptake. Are you still itching to run into the unknown?"
"I don't know," Arden replied, matching the Jedi's tone. "I don't know anything. I don't even know where I am now, much less where I should go."
"Then… I think you need time to rest and get your bearings. Then you can think about what to do. Although I can't imagine what you'll be able to change. I'm afraid that if you don't renounce your beliefs—and you won't—then the Jedi… No, they're unlikely to kill you—but they might imprison you or cut you off from the Force. The Sith… I'm afraid death is much more likely. However, they might also force you to serve them. They can be very persuasive…"
"What about you?" Lin interrupted him.
"Me? Well… I'm a special case. I have my own reasons for acting the way I do—even if it might seem strange to others."
"What is your name?"
"Oh, my apologies. I am Anakin Skywalker, high master of the Jedi Order, high Jedi General of the Grand Army of the Republic engaging Cato Neimoidia—a planet part of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, with which the Republic is currently at war… It seems that of everything I said, you only understood my name."
"You're right. It seems the world has changed a lot," Arden sighed heavily, "And I… really need help."
"Then…. We have to go. You were found on some renegades' ship, and, suspecting them of smuggling, they became interested in the strange cargo. I came to check it out—but it's time for us to go back." The Jedi suddenly snatched something from the floor, then picked her up. Arden grabbed him by the neck. "Why are you carrying me anyway?" the woman belatedly protested. "I can walk on my own…"
"Well, I still think you shouldn't strain yourself just yet."
"But will you tell it to me?"
"Absolutely," they said, walking down the corridor and exiting into another ship. It was obvious from the design… I guess. Standing near the airlock were… humanoids, in black armor, holding some kind of small arms at the ready. They were unlikely to be blasters or lasers—they were too small. Lin saw the weapons of ordinary soldiers—large, half-meter-long tubes, ten to fifteen centimeters in diameter, connected by a thick cable to a shoulder-mounted power cell. Their faces were hidden by helmets, but the woman had the feeling they were related.
"Sir?" an officer in unusually cut clothing stepped towards them.
"At ease, Lieutenant. The cargo has been inspected. There's nothing dangerous there. This woman needs help, so I need to take her to the flagship…"
"It seems the world has really changed."
**Scene 3: Reflections on the Bridge**
Anakin carried the ancient Jedi woman carefully through the connecting sleeve back to the *Devastation*. Arden Lyn—Steel Hand of Palawa, survivor of the First Schism—felt impossibly light in his arms, as if the weight of twenty-four thousand years had hollowed her out. Her golden eyes flickered with a mix of wonder, grief, and determination as she took in the sleek corridors of the modern warship.
"You fight with machines of war," she murmured, voice still weak. "And yet… the Force flows strongly through you. Both sides. How is this possible in your time?"
Anakin didn't answer immediately. He stepped onto the bridge, where officers snapped to attention. "Medical team—now. She's been in stasis for over twenty-four thousand years. Treat her gently."
As medics rushed forward, Arden clutched his arm. "You haven't answered me, Skywalker. The Jedi I knew would have slain me on sight. Yet you… help. Why?"
Anakin met her gaze steadily. "Because the Order has changed. We're not what you remember. Attachments, balance, families… We're trying to be more than just guardians. More than just warriors. Dagon—the Grand Master—he's leading that change. He sees both sides of the Force. Light and dark. He believes true strength comes from embracing both without letting either consume you."
Arden's eyes widened slightly. "A Jedi who walks both paths… and the Order accepts this?"
"Not all of it," Anakin admitted with a wry smile. "But enough. The war forced our hand. The Sith returned, stronger than before. We needed every advantage. And Dagon… he's something else entirely. He's seen things no one else has. Other worlds. Other wars. He's trying to end this cycle once and for all."
The ancient Jedi woman leaned back as the medics began their scans, but her gaze never left Anakin. "Then perhaps… the dream wasn't in vain. We fought for balance. For the right to use both Ashla and Bogan as tools, not masters. If your Order has finally understood that… then maybe my long sleep was worth it."
Anakin placed a hand on her shoulder. "Rest now. When you're stronger, we'll talk more. The galaxy's changed, but some things remain the same. The Force still needs guardians. And maybe… you can help us remember what we've forgotten."
As Arden Lyn was taken to the medical bay, Anakin stood on the bridge, staring out at the ongoing battle around Neimoidia. Fighters and capital ships clashed in the void, but his mind was elsewhere—on ancient schisms, lost orders, and a woman who had slept through millennia only to wake in the middle of another war.
The Force worked in mysterious ways. And today, it had brought a piece of the Order's forgotten past straight into the heart of the Republic's greatest campaign.