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As Torbin's boots sank into the soft, brown dirt of Brendok, a strange sense of relief washed over him. The journey had felt longer than most as he was so filled with unease, yet they had arrived in one piece. Since repairing the ship, his unsettling dreams had ceased and, although he wanted to return to Coruscant as soon as possible to be reunited with Kandra, Torbin was determined to see his mission through.

He took a deep breath, happy to take in a planet's fresh air once again, and stretched his weary limbs. Travelling and adventure had always been something he wanted as a youngling but now that he was actually being sent away, he realised just how much of his life was waiting for him back on Coruscant. Kandra, his friends, even the rest of the order. He couldn't shake the feeling that his place was there or, at least, far far away from Brendok.

And then he felt it again, that deep feeling that they shouldn't be there. It wasn't like that chill you get up your spine when something feels wrong but rather this repellent force that seemed to be as though the entire planet was trying to push him away.

Torbin approached his master with his hands clasped behind his back, trying to show a stronger and more certain front to hide the unease and doubt that was once again creeping into his bones. "Master, may I take a moment? I need to clear my mind."

Indara regarded him with a knowing look and nodded. "Of course, Padawan. Take the time you need while we set up."

With his master's permission, he walked until he found a quiet spot beneath one of the twisted trees, its vibrant leaves rustling softly in the breeze. One look at this planet and you wouldn't think it had only just come back to life, it was as though it had been thriving for thousands of years.

Taking a deep breath, he sat amongst the soil and closed his eyes to drown out the world. As he focuses his mind to connect with the Force, the sounds around him slowly faded away until all he could hear was the quiet flow of air in and out. Then everything went still.

As he meditated, his mind was flooded again with visions. He saw the familiar halls of the Jedi Template, bathed in such a welcoming and warm light. Younglings, taking a break from their recent lessons, laughed and played. And there, amongst them, was Kandra. She moved with grace, her cloak gliding behind her as she chuckled and chased the children, her entire face lit up with the most beautiful smile. She looked so happy and content, so at peace.

This vision, unlike his last, brought with it a strong sense of comfort. Kandra was safe and thriving, fulfilling her role within the Order. She was at home on Coruscant and she was safe. Soon, they would both retire the role of Padawan and become Jedi Knights. When that time came, they would be free to venture the galaxy together. Or, if they so wished, remain on Coruscant.

When his vision came to fade, Torbin opened his eyes. For the first time since they left the temple, he felt a deep sense of peace and clarity. The heavy weight of his anxieties lifted, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. With a strengthened resolve, he rose to his feet ready to do whatever his master needed of him.

The Jedi Masters had set up their equipment around the ship, laying out their scanners and sensors as they prepared for their mission of assessing the surrounding area. Master Indara approached the young Padawan with a steady gaze as she handed him a small device.

"Let's get started," Torbin spoke with a smile as he took the small scanner and turned it on as he readied to head out and take readings. The screen flickered to life with a bleep and he began to examine the wildlife in the perimeter set by his master.

The landscape of Brendok was quiet and peaceful, a stark contrast to what he was expecting after so many turbulent feelings and shadowed dreams. A planet that was once devoid of life now filled with twisted trees and bright, colourful foliage dotting the horizon.

Perhaps it wasn't so bad a place to be.

As he worked, Torbin found solace in the routine. His thoughts grew more focused on the task at hand and he paid heed to his teachings. He could all but hear his master's voice even though she was out of sight. Patience, padawan. Patience was all he needed. And in that patience, his anxieties would begin to lift.

The scanner beeped intermittently in his hand, alerting him to minor fluctuations and readings of the environment. He catalogued each one, nothing their locations and magnitude in case it was of any importance. Only to meet disappointment when his master examined his findings with a sigh. Not what we're looking for.

"Then what are we looking for?"

"You'll know when you see it," Master Sol answered with a smile, his voice carrying a tone of quiet certainty. 

Torbin only furrowed his brow as frustration began to yet again gnaw at the edges of his concentration. The endless search, the vague instructions—none of it made sense to him. He wanted to trust in the wisdom of the older Jedi, but the lack of proper answers was wearing him thin.

The Wookie Jedi Kelnacca, sensing Torbin's unease, patted the young Jedi on the shoulder. "Whrrraaargh, wrahgh."

Sol put his scanner aside with a sigh. "What Master Kelnacca is trying to say is, what we're doing here is important. Have faith in your masters and the Force. Most of all, have faith in yourself."

"We've been here for three weeks, surely they can't expect the four of us to survey the entire planet."

Master Sol's expression softened as he looked at Torbin, understanding the frustration in the young padawan's voice. The dense forest around them had become an all-too-familiar landscape, each day blending into the next with the same routine, the same unanswered questions. He was right to be frustrated but it is the duty of a Jedi to work through that feeling and to carry on with their mission.

"Of course not, Torbin," Sol replied with a firmness to his calm tone. "What we're looking for should be on this side of the planet. We just have to be vigilant and keep looking."

Torbin glanced down at his scanner, its persistent beeping a reminder of how elusive their target had been, whatever that target was. "But what if it isn't?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if we're wasting time? What if we miss it?"

Kelnacca let out a low, reassuring growl, his deep-set eyes filled with quiet wisdom. The Wookie's presence was a steadying force, a silent reminder of the strength and patience required of a Jedi.

"Patience, padawan," Sol reiterated, his tone unwavering. "The Force has brought us here for a reason. It's not about how long it takes or how difficult the search becomes. The Force reveals what we need to see when we are ready to see it. Trust in that."

Torbin exhaled slowly, trying to absorb Master Sol's words. His doubt still lingered and he was sure that a part of it always would, but Sol's conviction was like a beacon in the murky fog of his uncertainty. He looked around at the trees, their twisted branches reaching out like fingers toward the sky. They had been on this mission for weeks, but somehow, Sol's assurance made the task seem less daunting.

"We're not alone in this, Torbin," Sol continued, his eyes fixed on the padawan. "Kelnacca, Indara and I are here with you, and so is the Force. We will find what we're looking for, but we must remain focused and open to the signs around us. The galaxy doesn't always reveal its secrets quickly or easily, but they are there for those who are patient enough to seek them."

Torbin nodded and forced himself to refuel the fire of determination within him. If not for his sake, then for Kandra, whom he wished so dearly to see again soon. The search was far from over, but perhaps it wasn't just about finding their objective. Perhaps this journey was also about learning to trust—in his masters, in the Force, and in himself.

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