Chapter 59: Cessation

                                    

                                          
Carrying the last of the white branches to the third and final pyre, I used the flexible bark to tie and stabilize it. Checking to make sure it was good to go, I turned when the sound of footsteps approached from behind to outside. Khosuh was carrying Cere's body, still covered by the white sheet to be placed on the pyre I had just finished. Bode and Cordova's bodies already occupied to first two. I took a step back, allowing the Selonian to place the final figure gently on top of the pyre. 
The night sky cascaded over the entire landscape that we could see, casting a blue hue to everything, even the white trees. It was respectfully quiet tonight, with only the sound of the approaching rest of the group to start the burning ceremony. Retreating quietly over to the side, I leaned back against a rock, and watched from afar as Merrin stepped forward. Green light emanated from her fingers as she thrust her hand upward, lighting up each pyre from the bottom. The flames flickered from green to orange as the bark caught fire, slowly licking its way toward the bodies. 
The rest of the group silently paid their respects, before the flames got too big to go near, and watched the pyres burn for a while before they left to go back to the ships to share fond memories of their comrades. I had not moved from my spot as Kata, Merrin, Khosuh and Greez all began to walk back to the two ships. I jumped a little when a hand tugged on the sleeve of my grey robe, yanking my gaze away from the entrancing flames. Kata stood there at my feet, face placid, yet worry dancing around in her eyes. 
"Are you coming back with us?"
I shook my head, giving her a soft smile before ushering her to follow Greez with a hand on her back. "I'll stay out here a little longer. Go get some sleep." Kata relented, retreating and leaving me and Cal alone. 
My gaze turned back to Cal and the flames, silently watching from behind him as the late night sky turning into early dawn, the pyres now reduced to nothing more than piles of ash. A caught glimpses of something shiny within each pile, realizing that it was the lightsabers of all three Jedi. Opening my mouth to say something to Cal, who didn't seem to notice my presence, I cut off the urge to speak once I heard words leaving his mouth. He was addressing Cere, and the moment felt too intimate to interrupt, so I relaxed back against the rock and waited, distracting myself with thoughts as to not listen in on what he had to say to her. 
When he stood, he turned and glanced at the place where Cere had laid before making his way past me. Cal stopped on a toe, realizing I was there and approached. "Have you been here to whole time?"
Pushing myself off the rock, I stood and brushed smooth the back of my robe. "I didn't want you to be alone."
Cal responded with a thankful squeeze of my hand before walking off, leaving me to stand there alone. I watched him walk away before venturing over to Cere's grave. Crouching, I gently picked up her lightsaber, using the force to create a shallow hole in the ground before placing it in and covering it up. Finishing the task with the remaining lightsabers, I erected small stone piles on each place and took one last look at my handiwork before venturing to the Tyrant. It was empty, everyone must having been in the Mantis for the time being. 
I wandered into the cargo hold not wanting to join the rest of the group just yet. Picking up a small crate and placed it stomach level before opening it. I pulled out the glowing holocron and carried it to the holotable, placing it on the scanner near the button panel I stood in front of. 
"Come on...please be functional," I muttered, having finally been able to get to looking into whatever information that hopefully had managed to get transferred. Leaning back on my heels, I kept my eyes on the table base before a beeping noise made me look up. On the holoprojection, things began to continuously appear as it displayed every single file, untouched and noncorrupted. I grinned, giving a self-satisfied single clap of my hands. 
I ran quickly jogged out of the Tyrant, intent of sharing the news with Cal first about what I'd discovered. Peaking my head inside the Mantis, I saw everyone but Cal sitting around the table eating one of Greez's famous meals. Backing away, I wandered the proximity of the terrain between the Temple and the two ships, finding Cal sitting alone on the steps leading up to the entrance of the Temple. He had his elbows resting on his knees, head bowed in thought. 
Scuffing my feet a little to announce my presence on my ascent up the stairs, he lifted his head in acknowledgment to watch me sit down next to him, mirroring his body language. "How'd you know where to find me?"
Giving a half-hearted shrug, I turned and faced the spectacular morning view in front of us. "You like to go off on your own a lot when you need to think, just like me," Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him nod, "what are you doing all the way back here?"
"Thinking about the future." 
"What about it?"
"About building what Cere wanted, to recreate what we have to to fight back against the Empire."
I nudged him with my shoulder. "We will, Cal."
"But, I'm scared."
"How so?"
"I don't want to end up like Dagan. I don't want to lose myself in the mission to get stronger against the Empire."
Reaching up a hand, I pulled his chin in my direction to look at me, feeling his facial hair tickle my palm. "And you won't, not with any of us here to help make sure that doesn't happen. I'll be the first one to help. But right now, it's our time to finally rest. Everything can wait until tomorrow."
For the first time, Cal nodded in agreement, reaching up a hand to take mine away from his face, but intertwined our fingers together between us on the step. 
"But," I added, "something that I think would make today better would be to tell you that I have finally gotten a chance to look at the holocron I'd offered Cere."
"And?" His green eyes were full of anxious excitement.
"Everything is there. Untouched."
Cal wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him. I laid my head on his shoulder, feeling it rise and fall with a relieved sigh. "Thank god. I was so worried we had nothing left."
I could feel him getting excited again at the anticipation of progress. "Take a moment to relax, Kestis. I know this will be exciting for everyone but you need to learn to take time to breathe," I poked a finger hard into his side. "Yesterday you rescued me in Jedha, today we found sanctuary. Let's leave tomorrow alone for a while longer, please?" 
Cal pulled me closer to him, resting his head on mine as we stared at the morning sky. I relaxed into his hold, and for the first time in several years felt at peace. Knowing it wouldn't last, I relished it as best I could for the time that it would be allowed. 
"Thank you for everything, Y/n." He whispered into my hair.
"You're welcome, Cal."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
                                                                      
                                                                                 END