17. Cave 2

There was a deep silence in the cave.

Kael was out of breath and full of adrenaline. Excited and tense from the successful completion of his second battle, he was still in the grip of the creature's terrifying presence.

"Master Windu, that was... that was incredible," Kael said, trying to catch his breath. Although he had been wounded in the earlier battle, he had now skillfully dodged the dragon's attacks.

Mace Windu put a friendly hand on Kael's shoulder. "You did well, Kael. That creature was very dangerous and you did a good job." But his experienced expression was still serious. "But we are not done yet. We need to check the cave."

They were determined to find traces of the missing people in the depths of the cave.

Kael felt an inner flow of energy. This energy was familiar. "Master, there is something here. The Force is very strong in this cave," he said.

Mace Windu looked around him carefully. "There is something in this cave, but we don't know what it is yet. Let's follow the energy and see what we can find."

Kael and Mace Windu moved deeper into the cave.

 The darkness inside the cave was filled with a deep silence, only the echo of footsteps could be heard.

Kael examined his surroundings carefully. "Master, there is a strong energy here. It seems to be leading us somewhere," he said.

Mace Windu, who was carefully scanning his surroundings, confirmed Kael's words. "Yes, Kael. We must be careful in places like this. Come on, let's keep moving," he said.

As they moved deeper into the cave, they came upon an old and worn door.

On the door were ancient symbols and some unfamiliar writing.

Mace Windu examined the door carefully and tried to read the inscriptions. "This door is very old. There must be something important inside," he said.

Kael activated the mechanism on the door and used the Force to open it. The door opened slowly, revealing a large and magnificent room. In the center of the room was a large platform with an old man sitting on it.

The man's eyes sparkled and he radiated a powerful energy around him. The energy he radiated did not resemble the Force.

Kael cautiously approached the man. "Master, who might this man be?" he asked.

Mace Windu cautiously approached the man and examined his eyes. "This man has very powerful energy, Kael. But we do not know who he is. Let us be careful."

The man suddenly opened his eyes and looked up at Mace Windu. The coldness and determination in his eyes was striking.

Mace Windu said carefully, "We are Jedi. We are looking for the people who disappeared in this cave.

The man was silent for a moment. Then a smile appeared on his face, but there was no warmth in it. "I'm not leaving anyone behind who recognizes me," he whispered, suddenly charging Mace Windu.

Mace Windu drew his lightsaber and took a defensive stance against the man. The man was extremely fast and strong, but he had no lightsaber.

 He used his strength and speed to deftly dodge Mace's moves and counterattack. While Mace Windu parried the man's attacks, Kael used the Force to make various moves. He lifted rocks into the air and threw them at the man, trying to distract him.

Distracted by the rocks Kael threw, the old man turned his attention to Kael.

The man lunged at Kael and slammed him against the wall, knocking him to the ground. Kael quickly recovered and attacked again, but he was overwhelmed by the man's speed and agility.

Mace Windu saw what was happening and came to Kael's aid.

Mace used a Force surge to knock the man backward. The man was knocked off his feet and crashed into the wall. He quickly recovered and attacked again. This time his target was Kael. Kael tried to counter the man's attacks by bringing his lightsaber into a defensive position, but the man was incredibly fast.

 Kael's lightsaber fell from his hand, and the man grabbed Kael and held him tightly in his arms. With Kael unable to move in the man's arms, Mace Windu cautiously stepped forward. "Let him go!" he shouted as the man held a knife to Kael's neck and looked at Mace Windu. "I'm taking this boy, you can't take him from me," he said, and suddenly a portal opened.

Mace Windu tried desperately to save Kael, but the portal had closed.

All that was left of Kael was a lightsaber on the ground.

Kael suddenly found himself in a rapidly rotating portal filled with light. As he passed through the portal, the images around him blurred and began to fall from a high place.

Kael panicked as he fell, but instinctively used the Force to slow himself. He felt the energy of the Force, but was unable to stop the fall completely because he could not fully control it.

The man was in critical condition, having been wounded in the chest by Mace Windu, and was unable to slow his fall.

 He hit the ground hard, moaning in pain. Kael quickly managed to slow his fall and landed more easily.

He was still a little shaken and gasping for air, but alive.

The man, writhing on the ground in pain, was in no condition to get up. His weakness was compounded by the blood pouring from the wound in his chest.

He was lying right in front of Kael, but he couldn't move.

"You are still very young," he said, breathing heavily. "But you seem open to learning."

Kael forced himself to his feet and tried to catch his breath. "You... who are you?" he asked, his voice still shaking.

The man didn't answer, just took a deep breath and reached out for Kael. But he had no strength left and it had no effect. Kael gave the man a cold stare. He felt no pity for this enemy he had just fought for his life.

"I'm through with you," Kael said in a determined voice. Ignoring his enemy's pained look, he looked around, trying to figure out what to do in this strange and dangerous world.

The man made a last effort to speak to Kael, but no sound came out. As Kael watched his enemy's last moments, he felt the determination and toughness of a warrior. He would have to be strong and determined to survive in this new world.

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