Chapter 76: Prelude To Schism

The moment after I said I resigned from the order the entire room went deathly silent.

I sensed the emotions of everyone in the room were in complete disarray, but that's there problem, not mine.

I am at peace with what just happened and do no regret my decision.

Several minutes of utter silence passed, before finally someone broke it.

Master Yoda.

"Knight Sunrider, sure of this decision you are?" Yoda asked me.

"I am, master Yoda." I easily replied.

It's one of the easiest decisions I've ever made in my life.

But I left that unsaid.

For now that I am no longer apart of the order I figure antagonizing the council anymore right now would only hurt me in the long run.

So I decided to restrain myself a bit.

"Well knight Sunrider, since it looks like you have made up your mind to leave the order we will need your lightsaber." Master Mundi spoke.

"Sure." I replied.

I then unclipped my first lightsaber from my belt and handed it over to master Mundi.

Having already removed the kyber crystal from inside it and placed it in another lightsaber I forged just a few days ago.

After I handed over my lightsaber I left the room.

Wondering if the council would look past their fears and allow Anakin to be trained or if they would once again let their fears control their actions.

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(3rd Person: POV)

The moment Van left the room whispers began being exchanged amongst the high council.

"The arrogance of that boy." Tiin spoke.

"It is good he left of his own free will, otherwise we'd have had no choice but to expel him." Master Mundi said.

"But his words held some truth." Master Koth said.

"The first Jedi to encounter and defeat a Sith in close to 1,000 years just left the order. What a tragic day this is." Master Yaddle said.

The high council members discussed Van's speech and actions more and more, all of them eventually falling into two camps.

Those that supported Van, and those against him.

All except for master Yoda.

Who was deep in thought over Van's actions.

' In flux the Force is. Sense many changes will befall the order I do, because of young Sunrider's actions.' Yoda thought.

Having never dealt with a situation like this in his many centuries as a Jedi, and his long years as the orders leader.

It was things like this that made the little green Jedi master feel how old he truly was.

A few more minutes passed as Yoda was wrapped up in his own thoughts.

But eventually he got out of his own head and tapped his cane several times on the ground.

Drawing the attention of the other members of the high council to him.

"Enough that is. The place this is not for further discussion of young Sunrider's actions. Much more urgent matters we have to attend to. Such as the Sith." Yoda spoke. "Correct young Sunrider was on that matter. Always more than one Sith there is. A master and an apprentice. Determine we must which one was killed. The master or the apprentice." He said.

"Before that master Yoda I would like to here the council's decision regarding Anakin and Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon spoke up.

"A decision has been made." Windu said.

"Allow your apprentice Obi-Wan to take the trials we will. But allow young Skywalker to be trained we will still not." Yoda spoke.

"But master's Anakin is the 'Chosen One'." Qui-Gon spoke.

"Once more, true that may be but grave danger we sense in his training." Yoda replied. "Final the council's decision on the matter is." He said.

"I see." Qui-Gon mused. "Well then master's I am sorry you feel that way. But I believe Anakin must be trained, and I will do so." He said.

"You do and you will no longer be a member of this order." Windu warned.

"No need for threats master Windu." Qui-Gon said. "Because just like young Sunrider a few moments ago I resign from the Jedi Order." He said.

Stunning everyone in the entire room.

Except for Obi-Wan.

Since he knew his master would do something exactly like this.

Taking his lightsaber off his belt Qui-Gon handed it over to Mace Windu and then left the room.

At peace with his decision to leave the order, just like Van.

Just like with Van the council was at a loss.

In one day they had not only lost a promising young knight but also one of the orders most experienced and respected Jedi masters.

It was a challenge none of them had ever faced before.

Deciding he needed some air Obi-Wan left the room the high council was in.

His mind lost in thought.

For on one hand he was getting ready to face the trials and become a Jedi Knight, but on the other his master, the man he thought of as his father, had just left the order.

And honestly, Obi-Wan felt the slight urge to accompany him.

Yet he wasn't sure.

As he wrestled with the dilemma he suddenly heard a familiar voice speak to him.

"So, just as I suspected the council would not allow Anakin to join the order. Stubborn fools, allowing the fear of what could happen to blind them."

Turning around Obi-Wan saw Van leaning against the wall, his gaze overlooking the city.

"Van, you were listening?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Sure was." Van replied shamelessly.

"So you know then that master Qui-Gon..." Obi-Wan trailed off.

"Yeah, he decided to resign from fhe order as well." Van said.

Though from Qui-Gon's personality he could tell that was something the older Jedi master would do.

The two of them stood there in silence for a minute before Van spoke up. "Hey Obi-Wan why don't you join us?"

"Us?" Obi-Wan questioned..

"I mean me and Qui-Gon in leaving the order." Van clarified. "I know you're about ro face the trials and become a knight, and I certainly can't tell you what to do but there is one thing you should consider. Satine Kryze. Leave the order and you two can be together."

"How do you know about that?" Obi-Wan immediately asked.

For he had never told Van about his "close" relationship with the now duchess of Mandalore. He hadn't even told his master.

"You know Quinlan can get very talkative in the right circumstances." Van said.

Which is not a lie.

Quinlan Vos did mention to him Obi-Wan and Satine relationship during one of the pairs many talks over the years.

For Van found he and Quinlan had a lot in common.

So before they knew it they were good friends.

Facapalming Obi-Wan groaned, knowing Van was telling him the truth.

For Quinlan was the only one in the order he told about his feelings for the duchess and knowing how the Kiffu Jedi can be at times...

"I'll make sure to wring his neck the next time I see him." Obi-Wan grumbled.

"Please don't." Van replied. "So as I was saying, you and Satine. Don't throw that relationship away. As I said earlier you can still follow the principle tennants of being a Jedi and have attachments. But not while staying within the current order. Anyway, just think about what I've said." He spoke.

Van then walked off.

Leaving Obi-Wan alone with his thoughts.