The faint pulsed that released from two sabers clashing filled the room. Mace stood tall over Cain as he pressure Cain into a blocking his strong and quick strikes. Cain focused on remaining centered and pushing through the intense attacks Windu sent his way.
Depa and Cin Drallig saw Mace wasn't giving Cain any room to breathe. Depa could tell Mace was conflicted as she saw his shatterpoints intensifying with more time.
Cain broke the stalemate, and proceeded to analyze Windu. He could see that Mace's shatterpoints which were normally not easily seen. They were more visible then he has ever seen them before. Cain was confused to why he was able to see so many cracks in Mace's being.
Then Mace continued his next attack, but Cain didn't defend this time. In a mixture of Makashi and Djem So, Cain deflected Mace's powerful strikes. Each deflect was just a hairs breath close to a strike but Cain maintained the tempo.
Strike after strike was met with parry's. After a constant back and forth Mace started to increase the intensity. His Vapaad strikes became faster and stronger, his saber movements started to become amethyst blurs in every motion. Cain did not falter under the raging storm that was Mace's vapaad strikes.
Witha deep breath and a calm heart Cain cleared his mind. Both his hands on his curved saber hilt. He blocked and deflected each of Maces strikes. Minimal movements were made as Amethyst blurs were blocked by a golden blur.
Depa and Cin Drallig were amazed by Cain's ability to take the relenting pressure from Mace's strikes. Not many could accomplish this feat, especially one so young and a padawan no less.
Depa was the first to speak. "Cain is truly amazing. But he cannot win this conversation if he stays on his current path."
That's when another voice spoke. " Cain is only listening to Mace's concerns."
Depa and Cin looked to thier side and see Master Plo entered the room.
"What do you mean Master. You said Cain is only listening to Mace's concerns?"
Plo nodded. "Yes Depa, I cannot see shatterpoints like you but I can sense Master Windu's feelings. I can tell even Mace, the orders most convicted and disciplined Jedi. He Is in the this very moment conflicted by my padawans decision. He probably see's Cain has a lot of potential and doesn't want the Order to lose him."
"I understand wanting to guide the next generation and wanting to not lose potential Jedi to the dark and unknown. But I don't understand why Mace is this conflicted?" Cin Drallig said.
As Mace continued to send strike after strike to Cain. His each strike trying to break Cain's momentum and stance. Mace could see Cain's shatterpoints but little by little Cain's shatterpoints slowly began to become harder to perceive.
Mace in that very moment doubted why he couldn't perceive Cain's shatterpoints in the Force. Through this one moment Cain's felt the shift. A shift in the Force. A shift in the tempo of Maces strikes. And a shift in their conversation.
As mace sent a powerful downward strike, Cain shift his lightsaber block ever so slightly. Maces lightsaber slide off Cains as Cain shifted forward towards Mace. Cain began his counter attack. A mixture of Ataru, Makashi, and Djem So began to form in Cain's saber strikes. This time he met Mace's strikes head on.
For ever strike Mace sent Cains way, Cain would deflected and counterstrike with pure precision and power. A conversation of blows were sent.
Cain could tell what the feeling he was sensing earlier was. It was Mace, Cain could now tell clearly that Mace was conflicted in their battle. Each strike Mace sent his was his way of not trying to lose Cain. He wanted to stop Cain from leaving the order, and stay. Mace wanted to guide Cain the way he thought was correct.
Each strike sent to Cain wasn't one of stern coldness and discipline. They were ones of love and concern. The love a father shows their son when they don't want to lose them.
Cain understood this, but he knew no matter how much he wanted to continue to learn under Mace and the rest of the Jedi Order. Cain new the galaxy was in danger and the only way to stop it was by leaving the order.
As Cain continued to exchange blurred strikes with Mace. Mace noticed more and more Cains shatterpoints slowly disappeared.
Cain in this exchange reflected on his past life. He loved the jedi growing up. He knew they weren't perfect, but he still looked up to them. Mace, Anakin, Plo and more. Cain new how the Jedi's story were gonna end and he wanted to change that. But if what Mother Talzin told him to be true then he is at the point of no return. So Cain must keep walking forward even if he has to leave somethings behind. In this case the place he called home for the last decade.
Through the exchange of Mace and Cain nothing was said the entire time. Until Cain decided to speak. " Master Windu, I will never forget the order and your teachings. But the Republic's time has past. It along with the Jedi order have become complacent and it does not grow anymore. The Force is not a organization and democracy is not balance. It is your reflection of all livings in harmony. If you try to command it like a weapon, it will rebel. If you flow with it, you can shape hearts and history alike."
Cain deactivated his lightsaber. He stood tall as sweat dripped down his face. His breathing heavy.
Windu's eyes narrowed.
"Padawan Cain. Why can't you see your throwing away everything you worked for. You could become a knight and Master withing another decade with your talent. You could guide the order to greater heights not seen in 400 years. Why not work together with the Order and with me. If you see the flaws of the Republic then work with me, and I will help you to make change. But this talk about attachments and the dark side cannot stand."
Cain breathed deeply. "But Master that's the point. What the Jedi are missing is
Connections and understanding. To the whole galaxy and it's people. By staying here the order has stagnated and losts it's way. By rejecting the dark side we fail to understand both sides of the Force. Without destruction creation is limited, and without creation destruction goes on until nothing is left. To use the Force you must understand both sides, and use them in balance. "
Cain knew deep down what needed to be done. He must move forward no matter how much it hurts.
Cain then bowed while presented his lightsaber to Mace. "Thank you master for your lesson's. I will take them with me into the galaxy and use them to help and protect others."