"The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills."
—Earnest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

The long, tall archways and hallways spread out in front of me. The Temple displayed itself in my head like a map. I was always good about memorizing things, even when I didn't mean to.

Master Plo and I acknowledged several passersby. Most of them were Jedi, but a few workers paid their respects by either nodding in our direction or casually greeting "Master," as they passed.

Despite his initial appearance, Master Plo was one of the kindest Jedi I had the pleasure of meeting. I had had the misfortune of being in a Council meeting and, during the session, Master Plo was either neutral of his opinions or was swayed to whatever would benefit the people.

In short, he was a large humanoid with an even bigger heart.

He had a habit of walking with his hands behind his back when he had somewhere to be; he walked with his arms crossed when he walked leisurely. I matched about five steps to every one of his.

"Master," I said at last. I struggled for a moment, trying to formulate the words in Basic. "Where—are?—we goes?" I asked, the language being mutilated by my foreign mind.

"'Where are we going?'" He corrected. "We are headed to a private room upstairs to meet with Master Yoda."

I nodded. Somehow, my voice was slowly developing an accent similar to his. He was the one who I usually spoke to and corrected me. That was the only explanation I could think of.

I cleared my throat, slightly embarrassed. "Why are we... seeing him?" I paused. "Is there a better way to ask that?" I had sadly memorized that question after asking it several times every conversation.

Master Plo did not look at me as he answered. He just forged ahead up the next flight of stairs. "You could say 'Why are we going to see him'. That would be best, probably." I could hear no impatience in his voice.

"Why are we going to see him?" I repeated, pushing away a few strands of hair that had fallen after I had had to run to catch up.

The room became colder as we got closer to the top of the flight. "Master Yoda would like to speak with you. He has a few questions about a... unique opportunity." He chose the word carefully, like he needed something stronger, possibly more dangerous, but nothing could describe that.

My nine-year-old non-native mind could not comprehend his meaning. "How so?

Later, I grew to realize how grateful I was of his willingness to teach me Basic. "Be more specific," he said. We often said that to each other to help me practice, but it was not easy.

I thought a moment. "How is what he will speak about a unique opportunity? Am I... special?"

I could have sworn a heard an amused laugh. He used to tell me that I was very direct with my speech. I guess nothing has changed since then, though. "You are more special then you realize, young one." He refused to say more as we entered into the small chamber.

It was dark except for the light streaming in from the blinds. I hated with the panels faced down; then the light blinded you every time you opened your eyes. But it cast a solemn tone upon the three of us: Master Plo, Master Yoda, and me. The Jedi were always dramatic like that.

"Young Skywalker," Master Yoda greeted. I braced myself to interpret his difficult way of speaking. Well, are you?"

I nodded. "Yes, Master. And you?" I had been told it was common curtesy to repeat a question about one's physical wellbeing. Doing so had yet to fail me.

The master smiled warmly as if that gesture answered everything. He made a shrill noise like he was mildly amused. "Know why you are here, do you?"

"Master Plo says you have questions about—" I racked my brain to remember, "a unique opportunity?"

"Yes, young Skywalker," he said. Master Yoda had a way of saying my last name as if it were a title, like it was something great. "Know that, whatever your decision, judge you, the Council will not."

I look back on those words now and I think, Ha!

Instead, I simply became more intrigued. I glanced at Master Plo and he nodded.

"A very special gift, you have been given," Master Yoda continued. "Train to use it for good, you should, lest the Dark Side consume you." He sighed. "A special place, there is, for Younglings like you to learn."

"I do not understand," I said quickly, the phrase quite familiar.

"Arrai," Master Plo said. "Some select Force-sensitives have been granted something very special: to call upon the Dark Side of the Force as well as the Light."

Up until that point, the words "Dark Side" were usually followed by "evil" and "chaos" and "Sith". The only thing I could do was stare more confusedly at the two masters.

"Take this ability lightly, we do not." Master Yoda warned. "Dangerous, it is, if unable to control it, you are."

I wanted to say that I did not understand, ask how I could possibly use the Dark Side when it was inherently evil, and figure out how any of this was possible. My tongue remain glued to the bottom of my mouth, and Basic words would not form.

My expression must have given me away, because Master Plo said, "There are many mysteries of the Force. We cannot tell you much unless you agree to our offer."

I felt compelled to jump away and run from that small room. A feeling of impending doom washed over me. Something tugged at my gut, telling me even then that I would never be happy. I would suffer much.

But something immediately challenged my own thoughts, like You think you can hurt me? Bring it on.

Somehow, I felt drawn to the offer, even though the details were scarce. I had barely even thought about what they were saying, and my answer came forced itself out.

"Okay," I agreed. I look up expectantly at the two masters.

They exchanged a silent conversation between them. I could almost hear their unbelieving and nervous thoughts.

"Once you start," Master Plo warned. "There is no turning back."

I nodded my head, somehow already knowing that. I couldn't wrap my mind around why, but I felt urged to agree with everything they said. It was if I was starving, but I could only eat certain food, and they had just offered me a full meal.

Master Yoda sighed. He did not look disappointed; he seemed sad, like he could sense the future that awaited me.

Impending doom.

Unimaginable suffering.

Bring it on.