"Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" is a short story set during the High Republic Era, written by George Mann and published as part of The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment series in Star Wars Insider 215[5] on December 6, 2022.[2]
Publisher's summary
Keth Cerepath meets Whool, a member of the Path of the Open Hand who tells him about the Path's beliefs on the Jedi's abuses of the Force.[6]
Plot summary
The Market
Keth Cerepath, an adjunct at the Church of the Kyber on Jedha, finds himself wandering through the market on a chilly day after a long, hard day's work. The city is busier than usual as a result of the inaugural Festival of Balance organized by the Convocation. This new celebration has attracted tourists, pilgrims, and adherents to the various Force sects from all over the galaxy to Jedha. In addition to the festival, delegations from the warring planets of Eiram and E'ronoh are arriving in the neutral city of Jedha to settle their differences and sign a peace treaty.
With this influx of diverse disciples from across the galaxy, tensions are running high. Protest groups are marching across the city. The Path of the Open Hand who believes 'The Force Will Be Free' marches through the market as Keth considers what to have for dinner. He settles on a bowl of curried tip-yip from Old Maddia's stall.
Before he can enjoy his dinner, he witnesses an out-of-control speeder hurling through the market directly for the procession of protestors from the Path of the Open Hand. Before it can slam into the group, a human Jedi with pale skin and red and white streaks through her hair stops the speeder using the Force. The members of the protest disperse, leaving one fallen Abednedo behind.
The Jedi introduces herself as Maeve Cuilinn and attempts to help the injured Path member up. The Abednedo responds with startling distrust and fear and attempts to scramble away which causes him to fall a second time, hitting his head hard on the ground. He screams for the Jedi to leave him alone and refuses her help. Keth steps in to help the obviously injured Abednedo. He gladly accepts Keth's help when he confirms that he is not with the Jedi and begs him to get him away from here. Maeve Cuilinn reluctantly leaves, letting Keth help the injured disciple to his feet and claims he knows a place nearby they can go.
Enlightenment
It's a quiet night at Enlightenment when Keth and the Abednedo arrive. Madelina is playing a sad song on the electro-harp on stage and a few patrons are scattered around the establishment nursing their drinks. Keth leads the Abednedo to a booth in the corner where Kradon, and enthusiastic Villarandi barkeep, immediately greets them. The Abednedo introduces himself as Whool and orders a glass of water. Kradon decides on resta for Keth.
Once Kradon leaves, Keth inquires about Whool's well-being. He admits to being a little woozy and sore and thanks Keth for his assistance. Keth can't help but ask why Whool was so afraid of the Jedi. Whool uncomfortably admits that it was because she used the Force to save him. Keth thinks that's a good thing, but Whool disagrees strongly - if the Force willed him to die, then he should die. Keth asks if Whool believes in destiny and that everything is predetermined by the Force. Whool then explains that the Path of the Open Hand believes the Force flows freely and it should not be disturbed. If it is abused and used like the Jedi do, there are consequences. He continues to explain that if a life is saved in one spot by using the Force, it must find balance and take a life elsewhere.
Keth finds this explanation uncomfortable. It is not what is taught at the Church. Whool argues that the Jedi do not commune with the Force as Keth suggests, but abuse it without thinking of the consequences and don't stick around long enough to witness the aftermath of their actions. Whool admits that the reason the Path of the Open Hand are on Jedha is to stop Force users like the Jedi from using the Force and others similar to them.
Kradon returns with their drinks, and Whool recognizes that Keth does not seem to agree with his teachings. Keth admits that is not how he understands the Force. Whool then tells a story about his brother, Grael.
Grael
Whool grew up in a family of miners that searched for adelyne crystals which were buried deep in their planet's crust. After generations of exploitation, they were forced to dig deeper into the cave systems to find more seams of the crystals.
Grael has always been a special child. When he was angry, anxious, or confused, strange things would happen around him. Keth recognizes this as being Force sensitive and Whool confirms his suspicion.
Whool goes on to explain that their family feared the Jedi would Grael away like they did other Force-sensitive children. Because of this, they taught him self-control and to suppress his powers and they never spoke of it again.
One night when Whool and Grael were working the same shift deep in the mines with eight others, Whool drilled too deep into an unstable seam and the mine collapsed. In his fear and desperation, Grael reached for the Force and managed to hold the collapsing ceilings back long enough for all ten of them to make it out alive. They all celebrated Grael and his miraculous feat that night. The next morning they found out that another more stable seam had collapsed while they were celebrating and thirty people were crushed and died.
Keth argues that is something that happens in mines and it was just a terrible accident and not Grael's fault. Whool believes that the death of the thirty miners was a consequence of the ten making it out alive because of Grael's use of the Force.
Therefore, Whool believes that since he did not die today in the market, someone else will die because of the Jedi's actions. Whool sees he will not convince Keth otherwise and stands to leave. He asks Keth to think on his words. He reassures Keth that he is fine, thanks Keth, and leaves Enlightenment to rejoin his people at the Path of the Open Hand.
Piralli
Keth leaves the booth to join Piralli, a Sullustan regular at Enlightenment, at the main bar. Piralli gets a drink and tells Keth and Kradon about the freak accident that just happened outside the Dome of Deliverance. A speeder went haywire and crashed into pilgrims, killing four people. Apparently, it was the same speeder that almost hit Whool in the market. Piralli laments that the Jedi wasn't there again to stop it from slamming into the pilgrims.
Keth is clearly shocked by the revelation and looks back at the door to see if Whool is there, but he is no where to be found. Deep in thought, Keth downs his resta and when Kradon asks if he would like another he responds with “Whatever the Force wills”.
Media
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Locations
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Sources
"Tales of Enlightenment: New Prospects" — Star Wars Insider 213–214 (reprinted in Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment)- From the Pages of Star Wars Insider: Read an Exclusive Excerpt of The High Republic Original Short Story, "A Different Perspective" on StarWars.com (backup link)
- This Week! in Star Wars The Bad Batch Trailer, Nicholas Britell Talks Andor Music, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- "Star Wars: The High Republic: Phase II Companion" — Star Wars Insider 221
- Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2
"Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" — Star Wars Insider 215
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
Star Wars Insider Subscription Information on Titan Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
STAR WARS INSIDER #215 NEWSSTAND ED on Previews World's official website (backup link)
- ↑ The events of "Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" take place after the Path of the Open Hand arrived on Jedha, which The High Republic: Path of Vengeance establishes was after the death of Kevmo Zink. "Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" also takes place before Keth Cerepath's death during the Battle of Jedha. As Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia dates both Zink's death and the battle to 382 BBY, the events of "Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" must take place in the same year.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Tales of Enlightenment: New Prospects" — Star Wars Insider 213–214
- ↑ "Star Wars: The High Republic: Phase II Companion" — Star Wars Insider 221
