Revan Returns (Ch 35) (Patreon)

(3rd Person POV)

Word has spread throughout the Temple of the visitor who has challenged the Jedi. They speak of his abrasiveness, as well as his arrogance. They whisper of teaching him his place, of knowing that the Jedi are above his level.

Those who think otherwise are few. Grandmaster Yoda. Master Qui Gon Jinn. Master Quinlan Vos. And Padawan Aayla Secura.

Having heard news of the challenge, she can’t help but pace inside her room, muttering to herself. “I can’t believe that he’s been here for so little time and already has everyone in an uproar! I knew that it would happen, but I was hoping that it would be more about his achievements. Not due to him challenging our organization!”

She stops pacing and sighs, squeezing the spot between her eyebrows. “Of course, if he was predictable he wouldn’t have taken down an entire blockade with a handful of people!”

She shivers, remembering her first encounter with his crewmates. “Master Vos and I were easily taken down by two of his crewmates. And I saw his own prowess during the fighting on Naboo. I’m worried about his opponent. If he’s not careful, he might kill them! But if he is, and still beats his opponent, what does that say about the Order as a whole?”

She turns to the person standing in her doorway. “Do you understand, Obi Wan? No matter the result of this fight, it will have consequences for the Order.”

He looks at her blankly for a moment. “... Are you alright? I was simply asking if you were interested in watching the spar.”

She snorts at his words. “Spar? A spar!? This isn’t a simple spar, this could affect the future of the entire Order! No, it is a Battle of Fate!” She clenches a fist as her eyes blaze with passion.

“... Ok. But it will be starting soon, so if you want to watch it you’ll need to leave now.”

She whips her head around and stares at the clock on the wall, seeing that he’s right. With a sound of surprise she grabs her lightsaber and clips it on, pushing her fellow Padawan out of the door as quickly as possible.

“Hurry it up, we need to get there soon! Who knows what we’ll be able to learn from this fight. I hope he doesn’t end it too quickly, I’d love to see what I can learn from seeing him use his lightsaber in combat.”

“Huh?” Obi wan can’t help but let out a surprised noise while getting dragged to the sparring room. “What do you mean see him use his lightsaber? Didn’t you see plenty when you were on Naboo with him?”

She snorts. “I did, but that was only in Force techniques. He didn’t draw his weapon a single time while we were there.”

That gives him pause for a few moments. Long enough for them to almost reach their destination.

“So if he didn't use his lightsaber, perhaps he’s not skilled in using it? There are a few Jedi who are similar. Powerful Force techniques, but low close combat capabilities.If that’s the case, then he won’t last very long against his opponent.”

She barks out a laugh full of derision, startling her friend. Her laughter is… darker than it was before. “I doubt that very much. It was more that nothing on that planet could threaten him enough to get him to actually draw his weapon. I still don’t even know what color his lightsabers are!”

Before Obi Wan can try and convince her to stop worrying, they enter the sparring room only to see a Jedi Knight go flying into a wall. The silence that fills the room is broken by a sigh of disappointment.

“I was hoping to get a few decent warm-ups done before my official match. But it doesn’t look like there are any challenges to be  found. Maybe if the lot of you rushed me at the same time…”

When the voice dissolves into barely heard muttering, the two of them decide to ignore what just happened, and instead find places for them to watch. Of course, the other Jedi aren’t as cavalier about his words.

Three of them stand on the training mat opposite of the man, training blades ignited. They approach him in the most common lightsaber form, Shii Cho, and encircle him in a triangle formation.

Revan chooses to adopt the fifth form, Djem So, confusing those watching. The jeer at him, saying that he doesn’t even know what form to use for the situation. For a hesitant moment, Padawan Secura think about what Obi Wan said. How he’d forgone skill in a lightsaber for skill in the Force.

But when he makes the first step forward and brings his saber down on the rodian Knight in front of him, she realize the truth.

He’s looking down on them.

The rodian brings up their blade, more than prepared to deflect the powerful swing. Too bad for them, Revan didn’t plan to hit the blade.

His saber easily cleaves through the handle of the blade, striking the rodian’s chest as he continues his swing. They fall, and he wastes no time in stepping over his downed form and turning to see the surprised faces of the two human Knights.

They hesitate for a moment, looking at the groaning form of their ally on the floor. But they firm their resolve and take cautious steps towards him, though he hasn’t even bothered to raise his blade again.

They try to strike at him at the same time. Instead of raising his saber to  try and deflect the strikes, he simply leans back, letting them pass harmlessly in front of him. And then he strikes.

He flicks his saber up and strikes the extended wrist of the person on his right causing the saber to drop from their hand as they hiss in pain. Not letting such an opportunity go to waste, he steps to the left and kicks his other opponent in the stomach, taking them off guard.

They fall to the ground, coughing. Turning back, he turns his body to the side, letting the retrieved saber glide down his body, the glow casting him in stark relief.

He doesn’t give him the honor of being struck down by his blade, instead opting for a simpler take down by virtue of a fist to the face. They go down soundlessly, that single punch strong enough to render them unconscious.

He turns to the last person, who’s struggled to their feet. Though unsteady, they’re able to raise their saber with a determined glint in their eyes.

Revan stops for a moment, simply watching them. When it’s clear that they aren’t going to approach him, he strides forward. As he approaches, their blade begins to waver. By the time he stands in front of them, the tip only an inch away from his chest, it’s positively shaking.

To the surprise of everyone, he does not strike him down. Instead he grasps the blade, ignoring the shock that it’s designed to give him as he pulls it from their hand. He tosses it to the side and reaches out a hand.

They close their eyes, knowing that they’ve lost. But instead of pain, they feel a gentle pat on the shoulder. Their eyes fling open in surprise as Revan speaks.

“The determination to stand up when the odds are against you, even you could have simply laid down to accept the loss. That showcases a strong will.” He turns and walks back to his starting position. “You can go far with that. But you’ll need to train more in the meantime.”

He takes a seat in a meditative pose, waiting for the opponent Grandmaster Yoda is meant to send him.

Padawan Secura turns to Obi Wan, his mouth gaping in surprise. “What were you saying about him being unskilled in close range combat?”