We arrived at the base of a mountain in the middle of Colorado.
I looked around at the rocky landscape.
"Why are we here?" I asked.
"To train," Kanan replied.
I stared at the mountain.
"How exactly are we supposed to train inside that little mountain?"
Kanan chuckled.
"We aren't."
"What?"
"This mountain is only a gateway."
He walked up to a perfectly smooth section of stone and sat down. Then he reached into a tiny bag hanging from his belt.
The bag was so small it looked like it couldn't hold a sandwich.
Yet somehow he pulled out two full-sized chairs.
I blinked.
"How the hell did you do that?"
"Bag of Infinite Holding," Kanan said casually. "One of your father's finer creations."
I stared at the bag.
"Of course it is."
"Don't worry. You'll learn about magical artifacts later. Right now, we wait."
"For what?"
"The gateway only opens at midnight on the first day of every month. Unfortunately, we just missed it."
I groaned.
"So how long do we have to wait?"
"A month."
"A month?!"
Kanan nodded before reaching into the bag again.
This time he pulled out what looked like an entire library.
Books.
Scrolls.
Papers.
More books.
I counted them.
"One hundred and twelve?"
"Correct."
"You expect me to read all of these?"
"That is your first training assignment."
I picked one up.
They were books on mythology, ancient languages, monsters, weapons, gods, and demigods.
"Every great warrior sharpens his mind before his sword," Kanan said.
I sighed.
"Fine."
The month passed faster than I expected.
The books were surprisingly interesting.
By the third week, I had finished all one hundred and twelve of them.
Whenever I wasn't reading, Kanan taught me basic combat skills.
How to properly hold a sword.
How to move my feet.
How to fire a bow.
Oddly enough, I was naturally talented with archery.
By the final night of the month, I was actually smiling.
Kanan noticed.
"It's been a while since I've seen you smile."
I looked away.
"Sorry my father dumped all this on you."
Kanan shook his head.
"You don't need to apologize."
He looked toward the mountain.
"Your father saved my life a long time ago. I owe him a debt that can never truly be repaid."
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"His request was simple. Teach my children to be strong."
I smiled.
"Well... thanks."
Kanan smiled back.
"Little did I know that assignment would introduce me to my best friend."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Kanan looked up.
"Jericho."
"Yeah?"
"It's time."
The moonlight illuminated the mountain.
Slowly, glowing white lines appeared across the stone.
A massive doorway formed where there had once been solid rock.
I stared in amazement.
The door looked ancient and elegant, carved from pure light.
Kanan grinned.
"After you."
We stepped through.
The world vanished.
When my vision returned, I found myself standing inside a massive hidden valley.
A village stretched across the landscape.
Training grounds filled every corner.
Archery ranges.
Sword arenas.
Libraries.
Obstacle courses.
Mountain trails.
Everything seemed built for one purpose.
Creating warriors.
I slowly looked around.
Something told me my training was going to be long.
And painful.
Kanan laughed.
"Your training has only just begun, my friend."
"How long are we talking?"
"Four and a half years."
I nearly choked.
"FOUR AND A HALF YEARS?"
"Normally it takes nine."
"Nine?!"
"You learn quickly."
I groaned.
Kanan pointed toward the village.
"Come. We have work to do."
And so began the hardest years of my life.
Three Years Later...