Who am I?

Collan Eiso's apartment occupied one of the highest levels on Coruscant. The structure was made of glossy permacrete and metal columns, with large transparisteel windows that provided a view of the city's endless spires. The interior boasted polished floors with intricate patterns, furniture upholstered in exotic fabrics, and lighting panels that cast a soft glow on rare artwork collected from across the galaxy. Expensive sculptures and delicate pieces of art lined the shelves. For most visitors, it would have been a stunning place to admire. Yet right now, Collan Eiso was doing his best to destroy it all. He stormed from one corner to another, upending a decorative table that held a platter of fruit imported from Naboo. He grabbed a shining vase and hurled it at the far wall, where it shattered into fragments. Precious ornaments crashed to the floor, scattering pieces of color and glittering shards across the polished surface. Collan let out a yell, gripping his hair and kicking a toppled chair.

"Amidala, that stupid stuck-up bitch!" he shouted. "Jaden, that damn thief!" He punctuated his words by seizing a small piece of art from a side table and smashing it to the ground. His breathing came in ragged bursts. Fury twisted his features.

Two of his followers hovered near the doorway, dressed in expensive attire. They exchanged anxious looks, unsure whether to approach. One mustered the courage to speak. "Sir, please," he said, voice low. "We can find a solution. No need to—"

Collan swung around, his eyes wild. "Shut up," he snarled. "You think I need your advice? I pay you to carry out orders, not to whine at me!" His voice rose to a near scream. He seized a small sculpture, then hesitated, turning his glare on them instead. Before either man could move, Collan drew a sleek blaster from the holster at his side.

The first follower lifted his arms in alarm. "W-wait—!" he stammered.

Collan fired twice, one bolt catching the speaker in the chest, another cutting down the second man before he could flee. Both men collapsed to the floor. The room fell silent except for the hum of the city outside. Collan stood there, blaster raised, breathing heavily. He then lowered the weapon, letting out a slow exhale.

"Pathetic," he muttered. He strode to a small cabinet stocked with liquor, ignoring the two lifeless bodies. He poured himself a glass of aged Corellian brandy, knocking it back in a single go. Then he poured another. He marched to the large balcony doors, swinging them open and stepping out. The balcony overlooked Coruscant's skyline. Towering structures glowed in the distance. The air carried a faint chill at this altitude, Collan drained half his drink, letting the sharp taste center him. A figure stood at the railing—a Mandalorian in dark armor.

Collan swallowed the rest of the liquor. His voice was rough. "I want Padmé Amidala too," he growled, crossing to the railing. "Don't tell me it won't be easy."

The Mandalorian turned slightly, helmet reflecting the city lights. "She's well guarded," came a distorted reply. "The Jedi won't let her out of sight after what happened. The Senate is on high alert."

Collan slammed the glass onto the balcony ledge, nearly shattering it. "I don't care!" he snapped. "Bring me Jaden. Bring me Padmé. I'll pay whatever it costs. I'll bribe whoever I need to. Just get it done!"

His words echoed in the open air. The Mandalorian watched him, offering no immediate reassurance. Collan's anger still spilled over. He gritted his teeth, eyes narrowed. "Jaden, that fucking thief," he hissed. "He will return what he stole from me." His voice dropped, dark with rage.

He took a moment to gather himself, breathing in the cool air. But a new wave of anger rose as he remembered the chase, the resources he spent, and the humiliation of losing his prize. "When it's done," he continued, tone dripping with hate, "I'll celebrate by fucking that stupid stuck up cunt Padmé over and over again, and then—" he pointed a finger toward the city below, "—I'll toss her from this balcony."

The Mandalorian shifted at those words. Disgust stirred under the visor, but she hid it. "It would be simpler to neutralize them both if I knew what the boy stole," she said, voice tight. "If it's an object, I can recover it without dragging him back in one piece."

Collan's face twisted. "No!" he shouted, pounding his fist on the ledge. "I want him alive. He doesn't deserve a quick death. But..." He paused, pouring another shot of brandy from a container he had brought out. He took a long sip, letting the alcohol calm him. "You're right," he said at last, setting the drink down. "What I need matters more than his worthless life."

He leaned forward, hands pressing against the railing. He stared at the night sky, his anger still visible in the tightness of his jaw. "What he took," Collan began, voice low, "was a holocron."

___________________________

Aubrie sat in one of the smaller gardens within the Jedi Temple, her thoughts filled with uncertainty about the path ahead. The area was quiet, with a few neatly arranged plants and a small, reflective pool at the center. SD8, the little droid Jaden had asked her to look after, scurried about on the stone bench next to her. Its square-shaped top clicked and whirred as it surveyed the surroundings. SD8 hopped onto Aubrie's lap, making a series of chirps and beeps. Aubrie let out a soft laugh. She hadn't spent much time with droids before, especially not ones as excitable as this one. The droid's tiny claws latched onto her sleeve, and it bobbed its head, giving another set of cheerful tones.

"You like it here, huh?" Aubrie said, patting SD8's metal shell. "I guess it's more peaceful than out in the galaxy."

SD8 beeped in reply, twisting its chassis side to side. Aubrie wondered how the little droid displayed such a high degree of sentience. Especially considering Jaden made him when he was younger with nothing but the scrap of the undercity. 'He really is a genius,' she thought to herself.

Aubrie sighed, glancing around at the trimmed bushes and smooth pathways. "I have to figure out what's next," she murmured. "I can't stay here much longer. I'm not part of the Order anymore, and they'll want me gone soon." She ran a hand through her hair. "I already flew Jaden's ship into the Temple's landing yard. Probably a bad call. My clearance will be revoked soon. I'll have to move it somewhere else."

SD8 let out a high-pitched warble, as if asking a question. Aubrie smiled at the droid's innocence. "I'm not sure where we'll go," she replied. "Maybe we'll regroup with Jaden once he's done with... whatever it is Master Fay wants from him." Another beep followed, making her chuckle. "Yes, you'll come too."

She did wonder if she'd be able to stay with Jaden, as she knew he had to stay with Padmè. She could only hope she'd allow her to stay—and possibly Zule. Based on their conversations over the last few weeks while she was on the Defender she didn't think it would be an issue. Padmè was as kind as they came and she hoped to get to know her better regardless of what happens. Zule would do well to be around people like her right now. Her smile dimmed as she thought of Zule. "I'm worried about her," Aubrie admitted. "She took leaving the Order the hardest. I was sure she'd come with us, but she seems so lost. I hope she'll change her mind."

SD8 climbed higher on her arm, making light scraping sounds as it went. It looked at her with its little sensor, beeped once, then hopped back down. "Alright, alright," Aubrie said, standing up carefully. "I guess we should head to the docking bay soon. At least to check on the ship and see if it needs anything before we move it." She paused, feeling the gentle breeze that passed through this part of the Temple. It felt different now, knowing she was on borrowed time here. She glanced at the entrance, half-expecting a Jedi Knight to appear and tell her to leave. Instead, she heard quick footsteps. A moment later, a familiar Togruta came rushing in.

"Ahsoka?!" Aubrie said, her eyes going wide.

"Aubrie!" Ahsoka shouted back. She launched herself forward, throwing her arms around Aubrie in a tight hug. Aubrie almost lost her footing as the younger Padawan clung to her.

"Hey," Aubrie said softly, returning the embrace. "It's good to see you."

Ahsoka pulled away, scanning Aubrie's face. "I've missed you so much. We heard all this crazy stuff about Jabiim, how everything was going to crap there. I was worried."

Aubrie gave a small nod. "It was a real mess. But we got through it."

Ahsoka let out a sigh of relief, then seemed to recall something else. "But wait," she said, her voice tense. "Is it true you're leaving the Order? I heard rumors."

Aubrie's eyebrows rose. "That was only—" She glanced at the chrono on her wrist. "It's been four hours since the meeting. How'd you hear about it so fast?"

Ahsoka folded her arms, a troubled expression on her face. "So it is true." Her lekku twitched, and sadness showed in her eyes. "I don't want you to go. You're, like, one of my best friends here."

Aubrie frowned, though a part of her felt touched by the concern. "I'm sorry. I didn't exactly want things to end up like this. But it feels right. I can't stay here anymore."

They had been close. Long hours spent training in the Temple, sometimes pranking each other, or sneaking to each others rooms for late-night holovids. Aubrie had often joked that Ahsoka's energy was off the charts. So now, seeing her so upset brought a knot to Aubrie's chest.

"Why?" Ahsoka pressed, stepping closer. "Is it because of the war? Because you can get some time off to recover. Master Yoda or Master Windu would allow it if you asked. You don't have to leave for good."

Aubrie gave a slow shake of her head. "It's not just the war. It's everything. I don't feel like I belong here anymore. My destiny is with someone else now."

Ahsoka clenched her fists. "Kriff," she muttered. "This sucks."

Aubrie rested a hand on Ahsoka's arm. "I know. But it's not like I'm disappearing forever. We'll stay in touch. We can comm-call, meet up if we're on the same planet. I promise not to vanish."

Ahsoka stared at the ground, breathing hard. Then she looked back up, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, okay. But that still doesn't fix the fact that you're gone."

Aubrie sighed. "I'm sorry."

After a moment, Ahsoka cleared her throat, trying to sound chipper. "We should at least get lunch or something. Me and a few of the others were going to hit the cafeteria. Please? I want to hang out a bit before you run off."

Aubrie gave a sad smile. "I'd like that. Let's do it."

Ahsoka's face brightened. "Cool," she said. "Let's go."

They started walking toward the exit leading back into the Temple's main corridors. SD8 beeped from Aubrie's side, and Ahsoka glanced down at the small droid. "Where'd you get the little guy?" she asked.

Aubrie shrugged. "A friend left him with me. SD8 is pretty much glued to me now." The droid chirped in agreement, rolling close to Aubrie's legs.

They stepped through a set of tall doors that led into the hallway, passing a pair of Jedi Knights who offered polite nods. Ahsoka gave a quick wave, then turned back to Aubrie. Her eyes flicked to the saber still hanging from Aubrie's belt. "I guess you didn't turn that in?"

Aubrie's expression tightened. "The Council said to keep it, in case I needed it. The galaxy's not exactly peaceful."

"That's an understatement," Ahsoka muttered. "But at least they gave you that much."

Aubrie nodded, lost in thought for a moment. She wondered how many times she would see these halls again, if at all. Still, she had a promise to Ahsoka. One last chance to enjoy the Temple cafeteria's questionable food and sit with old friends. She owed them that much before leaving. They continued walking, the hum of distant voices growing louder as they approached busier sections of the Temple. Ahsoka walked close, as if worried Aubrie might slip away at any second. Aubrie felt that pull of guilt, wishing things were different. But she also knew her decision stood. There was no going back now.

Ahsoka shot her a look that tried to be cheerful. "I heard they got in some new shipments of fruits from Naboo. Maybe we can grab a few. Or—there's a rumor some senators visited and left fancy pastries, I'm starved."

Aubrie gave a short laugh. "Sounds nice."

Behind them, SD8 let out a string of chirps. Ahsoka grinned. "Sounds like your little friend wants in on the action too."

Aubrie nodded. "Yeah. I guess we could all use a good meal right now."

___________________________

Master Fay walked beside Jaden through a broad corridor in the Jedi Temple. She kept her pace steady, though worry pressed on her mind. She had known strange Force manipulations before, but Jaden's condition unsettled her. He appeared like a normal human in his late teens, above average height, lean build, casual if handsome appearance. Yet the facts around him made no sense.

He had once been blocked from the Force, yet he managed to break that block. His Force presence shifted from one moment to the next, sometimes feeling tiny, other times feeling like a mountain was pressing against her. Fay suspected deep tampering by a Sith lord or some Dark Side cult, enough that it left her uneasy. She had spent the last few hours searching her memory for any case resembling Jaden's. Nothing matched exactly. If a Sith had experimented on him, she expected disfigurements, odd scars, or visible implants. She saw none. She also considered the possibility that someone had used advanced gene-splicing. Again, no obvious signs other than his blood. She felt a growing fear that the manipulations lay hidden beneath his normal features. Perhaps only advanced Jedi healing instruments could unravel the truth. That was why she was taking him to the medical bay.

Jaden said little. He wore a guarded expression, as if steeling himself for more unsettling news. Fay understood that feeling; she too suspected more revelations lurked around the corner. She gave him a quick glance. His eyes flicked toward her, but he said nothing. They continued in silence until the corridor opened onto a wide set of doors. Fay touched the panel, and the doors slid open. The medical bay greeted them with bright overhead lighting and a faint smell of antiseptic. The main floor held several beds equipped with monitors. A handful of droids sorted supplies, and a few Jedi healers conferred in low voices. Each station had advanced scanning devices as well as a few other machines Jaden only partially recognised. .

A Mirialan girl, Barriss Offee, approached with a respectful bow. "Greetings," she said. "How can we help you today?"

Master Fay offered a slight nod, keeping her voice calm. "We require a thorough body scan for Jaden here, along with a purification process. We suspect certain anomalies that might not show under a normal scan."

Barriss looked at Jaden and then back to Fay, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "A purification? That's specialized. I'll have to call Master Allie. She oversees all high-level healing and purification protocols."

Fay inclined her head. "That is acceptable. Please bring her quickly."

Barriss gave another short bow and hurried away, leaving Fay alone with Jaden near a free bed. Fay gestured for him to sit. He complied, settling on the bed's edge.

"What exactly did you ask for?" he asked. His tone was guarded, yet she sensed a flicker of nervous interest.

She stepped closer to him. "A full body scan. That's standard enough, but the purification is more advanced. Jedi healers use special tools to locate hidden Force manipulations. Even a decent healer who isn't a master can trace subtle tamperings. The device channels Force energy in a focused manner, letting us detect changes normal scanners miss. It can also direct healing to specific areas."

He nodded, eyes shifting to the ring overhead. "So it's like a more precise healing device that merges the Force with tech?" That sounded interesting, Jaden made a note to look more into that when he had the chance.

"Yes," Fay said. "We developed it over centuries. It won't fix every problem, but it can show us if someone used a Dark Side method to alter you. It also can cleanse certain residual energies, though that depends on the severity."

Jaden exhaled, scanning the room. "I guess it'll be interesting."

Fay sensed a heavy tension in his words. She could tell he braced himself for more unpleasant discoveries. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, hoping to convey some reassurance. He didn't pull away, but he didn't relax much either. Soon, Barriss returned with a young Tholothian woman in Jedi robes. Upon seeing Master Fay, her face lit up with warmth. "Master Fay," she said. "I haven't seen you in years. Not since I was a youngling."

Fay dipped her head, returning the smile. "Time passes swiftly, Master Allie. I'm pleased to see you leading the medical corps."

Allie bowed slightly, then looked toward Jaden. "I'm told you need a detailed scan and a purification. Anything else I should know?"

Fay cleared her throat. "Jaden shows many anomalies. His midichlorian reading is zero, yet he can wield the Force. A Force Block was placed on him though he seems to have broken through it. We're concerned about further effects from that block or other manipulations. We need to ensure no lasting damage."

Allie's eyebrows rose. "A Force block is vile. I'm sorry you went through that," she told Jaden, stepping toward him. "Let's begin. I'll do a basic pass, then we'll engage the purification. If that's alright with you."

Jaden nodded. "Yeah, sure."

Allie waved Barriss over. "Switch on the scanner. I'll channel the Force through it." She turned to Jaden. "Lie back, please. Try to stay as still as you can."

He slid onto his back, eyes flicking to the arch overhead. Barriss tapped a control panel, and the device gave a low hum. Soft lights emanated from it, Allie closed her eyes, holding her hands a few centimeters above Jaden's chest. The Force began to flow around them, tethered by the scanning device. Fay observed him from the side, hoping he wouldn't become alarmed by anything they found, it might push him further toward anger or despair.

Allie moved her hands slowly across different points, monitoring the readouts on a side console. Barriss occasionally adjusted a dial, controlling the flow. The hum grew slightly louder as the device's data fed into a small screen. Allie's face looked focused, but not distressed. Fay let out a quiet breath, taking that as a small comfort.

After several passes, Allie frowned. She tapped a key, running a more targeted sweep around Jaden's head and torso. Jaden noticed her shift. He opened his mouth to speak, but remained silent, letting her finish. A few more seconds passed, and Allie stepped back, the machine winding down to a lower hum.

"Now the purification," she said softly, nodding at Barriss. "Engage the secondary array. Don't push it above level four unless I say so."

Barriss complied, flipping a switch. Another wave of energy coursed through the scanner. Jaden's arms tensed, and a flicker of discomfort crossed his features. Fay stepped close, resting a hand on the foot of the bed. "You alright?" she asked.

He gave a short nod, though she saw tension in his jaw. "Feels odd, like something tugging at me."

Allie murmured, "The purification can cause strange sensations. Bear with me."

It lasted about a minute. Fay watched the readouts. Nothing spiked, no alarms sounded. Allie looked at the results, expression pensive. Then she turned off the second wave. Barriss released a breath, powering down the device. Jaden exhaled, relaxing a bit.

Fay studied Allie's face. Something was off. The woman stared at the screen, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. She looked to Jaden, eyes wide with shock. That alarmed Fay. She stepped forward, pressing a hand to Allie's shoulder. "Allie," she said, voice low. "What is it?"

Allie made no response at first. Her eyes stayed on Jaden, horrified. Fay gave her shoulder a light squeeze. "Allie," she repeated, more firmly. "Tell me."

The Jedi Healer swallowed, cheeks pale. "I... maybe we should discuss this in private," she whispered.

Jaden, who had just sat up, shook his head. "No. This is about me. I want to know."

Allie flicked her gaze to Fay, seeking permission. Fay nodded. She had promised Jaden they wouldn't hide the truth from him. Allie sighed and faced him.

"Your body is stable," she said. "No lingering ailments, no damage from the block. That's all clear."

He narrowed his eyes. "But?"

Allie paused, her voice quiet. "But a Force block wasn't the only thing done to you. The scans indicate you've also been Void Branded."

Fay felt a surge of revulsion. She muttered, "Those monsters," under her breath. She remembered reading about Void Branding. It was an ancient Sith practice that turned living beings into shells.

Barriss stared, confused. "Void Brand?"

Allie's hands shook slightly. "Yes. A very old, cruel method. The Sith used it on Force-sensitives who failed in their academy, rather than kill them. They recognized that slaughtering them might hurt their numbers in the war, so they found a way to strip away identity, turning them into tools."

Fay stepped in. "It lobotomizes a person, removing their sense of self. It leaves them open to commands... now that I think wvout it, that might explain your unusual neutrality in the Force."

Jaden stayed silent for a moment, absorbing the words. Then he spoke, voice quivering with anger. "So you're telling me my entire life—my lack of interests, my inability to stay pissed at anyone, my only real goal being basic survival—it's all because some Sith lobotomized me?"

Suddenly, the medical bay vibrated. Instruments clattered on tables. A few droids beeped in alarm. Light fixtures swayed, and the floor felt unsteady. Jaden's anger burst through the Force, shaking the surroundings. Fay rushed to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Calm down," she pleaded, voice steady. "We'll fix this."

He breathed heavily, fists clenched. After a moment, the shaking subsided. The room stilled, and the rattling items settled. He pressed a hand to his face, frustration clear. "Kriff," he muttered. "Damn them."

Fay nodded slowly. She spoke in a softer tone. "It's not that simple, Jaden. A Void Brand targets certain brain segments, the ones that handle higher thought. But you're a special case. It's clear that the brand didn't fully take."

Allie took a small holoprojector from a cabinet and set it on the nearest table. She tapped a button, projecting an image of a standard human brain. "This is the a standard human brain," she said, then inserted a chip from the scanner. Another image appeared, showing a far denser configuration. "And this is your brain, Jaden."

He frowned, peering at the display. "That's my brain? Why does it look so... complicated?"

Fay stared at it, a heavy unease gripping her. The folds were three times more dense than a normal human brain, the neural pathways more twisted and layered. "I've never seen anything like that," she said quietly.

Allie nodded. "Nor have I. It's no wonder the brand was partial. Whoever attempted it didn't account for these differences. The result is incomplete."

Jaden let out a mirthless laugh. "Lucky me."

Fay turned to Allie. "Is there anything we can do to reverse it?"

Allie shook her head, shoulders tense. "I don't know. The technique is ancient. If it had been fully applied, he'd be a mindless soldier. Reversing it is unheard of, especially if the brand is deeply rooted. That said, his unique brain structure might offer a chance, but I'm not aware of any procedure to fix this."

Fay felt her heart sink. She thought about how Jaden had lived all these years with part of his mind stripped away. She also considered the danger that might remain if the brand had hidden triggers. She reached out, touching Jaden's arm gently. "I'm sorry. We'll do all we can. The Temple archives might have something on removing Void Brands. We can't dismiss the possibility that an old record or holocron references a cure."

He took a breath, eyes lingering on the bizarre hologram of his brain. "Great," he said, voice flat. "So I get to hope there's some obscure fix out there. Meanwhile, I live with the knowledge that I'm half-lobotomized."

Barriss placed a hand on a stack of medical supplies, looking uneasy. "We can monitor you. If anything changes, we can try to catch it in time."

Allie exhaled, turning off the projector. "We'll keep searching. For now, at least you show no sign of permanent physical harm beyond the brand. No infections, no hidden implants, no lethal toxins. The brand is the main issue."

Jaden ran a hand through his hair, then slid off the bed. "Thanks, I guess." He glanced at the dented tray near the wall. "Sorry about the mess."

Allie forced a faint smile. "I've seen worse. Just... be careful. I can't predict how your incomplete brand might affect your emotions or Force usage."

"It's been fine so far," Jaden commented, but didn't argue any further.

Fay touched his shoulder. "Let's go. We should give you time to process all this."

He nodded, turning away from the bed. Barriss moved aside to let them pass, offering a respectful nod. "I hope you find answers," she murmured.

They stepped out of the medical bay and into the corridor. Fay walked with him, feeling her thoughts race. She needed to investigate old Jedi records, see if any mention of partially branded individuals existed. She also worried that the one who performed the brand might still be out there, possibly wanting to complete it—her thoughts drifted to Count Dooku but she disregarded that as he was likely still a member of the order when Jaden was Branded. The idea made her feel protective of Jaden. She refused to let him fall prey to such monsters again.

Jaden walked in silence, fists tight at his sides. Fay could sense his frustration, anger, and sorrow swirling together. The brand had shaped his entire life, from his lack of personal ambitions to his disinterest in most things unrelated to his survival. He must feel robbed of the chance to form normal attachments or find passions. She felt a painful empathy for him, though she knew no words could fix it right now. They continued toward one of the Temple's quieter wings, Fay wanting to get him away from prying eyes. A few Jedi Knights passed them, giving curious glances. Jaden ignored them. Fay kept her head high, though her heart ached. She thought of the records describing Sith experiments. Many test subjects ended up as mindless husks or twisted beasts. Jaden had escaped that fate, but only barely.

When they reached a small antechamber with a row of seats, she paused, guiding him to sit. He sank down, eyes on the floor. She sat next to him, maintaining a respectful distance. Neither spoke for a long moment.

Finally, she cleared her throat. "If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them. I know this is a lot."

He clenched his hands. "Questions, sure. Like who did this? Why? Was I abducted as a kid, or did my parents sell me? If I even had parents." He let out a short, bitter laugh. "Maybe I was grown in a tube for all I know."

Fay considered each possibility. "It's true we don't know your origins. But we can investigate. We have records of missing Force-sensitives, data on known Sith labs, anything that might link to your situation. The Temple Archives have restricted areas with older data. We can look there."

He shook his head. "I can't say I'm feeling optimistic."

She placed a gentle hand on his forearm. "We won't stop trying. You overcame a Force block on your own, which is impressive. The brand is partial. That means you still have free will and the capacity to feel. Those are positives."

He exhaled, looking at her with weary eyes. "Small comfort, but you're right."

"I'll arrange the search for any leads on reversing or mitigating a Void Brand. There must be something," she said.

He stared at the floor, voice low. "What if there isn't?"

She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Then we do what we can to help you adapt. You're not alone. I and others will stand by you."

He glanced up, an eyebrow raised. "Yeah, well, a lot of Jedi want me gone or locked up. They see me as a threat. Now they might have an actual reason."

Fay sighed. "You're not a threat unless you choose to be. The brand might dull your emotions, but your free will remains. That means you can decide your path. Don't let fear drive you into hiding."

He said nothing, turning his gaze to the window. The skylanes of Coruscant flowed by, dotted with speeders and transports, somewhere out there, a Sith or a group of them might have done this to him. He had every right to be angry.

Fay sat quietly, letting him process. The minutes passed slowly. A few times, she considered speaking, but she sensed he needed silence. When he finally looked at her again, he seemed calmer, though exhaustion lined his features. "What do I do in the meantime?" he asked in a subdued voice.

She thought it over. "For now, you can remain in the Temple if you wish. You have a place to stay so it's your choice. No one will force you to leave while we figure this out. If you feel uneasy, contact me right away. If you want to do independent research in the library, I'll see if we can grant you limited access."

He nodded. "I appreciate it."

She rose, sensing that he might prefer solitude. "I'll go consult with a few archivists. Maybe I can find a clue on partial Void Brands. Wait here, or roam if you prefer, but keep your comm open. Try to rest or meditate if you can."

He stood as well, though less eagerly. "Alright. I'll wait around," he said. "If I get bored, maybe I'll walk the halls. But I'll keep the comm on."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'll get through this," she said softly. "Don't lose hope."

He gave a short nod, not fully convinced. "Sure."

With that, she left him in the lounge. The door slid shut behind her leaving him alone.

(AN: So Jaden discovers that he's not who he thinks he is and we get a surprise appearance from Ahsoka. Jadens issue with his brand was something I've had planned for a long that though tbh I don't want it to be a problem that lasts a while so I'll be solving it as soon as tbh I kinda want to move on with the story as there is a lot to do but this needs to happen as it'll move Jaden on and have him develop more of a personality. Anyway I hope you enjoyed it.)

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