**Chapter 480**
**Jedi Temple Arc – Part 1**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
The halls of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant felt both familiar and alien. The grand architecture, the soft glow of the kyber-infused crystals, the distant echoes of training sessions — it was all exactly as I remembered. Yet walking through these corridors now, surrounded by my bonded group, felt like stepping into a different world.
*They are all staring at us,* I thought, keeping my expression neutral. *I get the fact the armor we have is probably worth a few hundred thousand credits each, but that's only because it's beskar.*
Through the Force bond, Shin's voice came back clearly, calm but slightly amused. *No, it's not just that. I think they are jealous. Or envious.*
*Why?* Kayla interjected, her Zeltron empathy picking up the undercurrents of emotion around us. *I guess it is strange finally seeing legendary Knight Ashara and Sith Lord Darth Nox walk in the Temple again.*
*No, they're watching all of us next to Dagon,* Stella added shyly, her presence in the bond warm but nervous.
*Last time it was just Ahsoka with me,* I replied through the bond. *And the last time they saw all the girls together was when I first returned to the Temple after Jabiim.*
Erictia's voice chimed in, a hint of mischief. *That's probably because Master Shin is now holding your hand while walking, even though there are rules, Master.*
Shin squeezed my hand a little tighter, her purple eyes glancing sideways at me with quiet defiance. *What? I allowed this as a Master, and another Master is allowed to share talks about their Padawans.*
Zule's presence in the bond was a mix of amusement and concern. *That reminds me — Kayla, Stella, Flare… aren't you guys supposed to eventually have Padawans?*
*Not really,* Kayla answered. *I mean, we were in different fields before we even met each other. It wasn't for you, Dagon, I don't think we would be here.*
*Yeah,* Flare added. *I was a member of the Starfighter Corps — though mainly Temple-bound. Kayla was a lightsaber instructor, and Stella was with the Temple Security Force.*
I felt a surge of warmth through the bond — affection mixed with the lingering fear from recent events. These women had become my family, my anchor. But walking openly with them like this, in the heart of the Jedi Order, was walking a razor's edge.
**Scene 2**
We had barely reached the central atrium when a familiar voice cut through the ambient noise of the Temple.
"Well, well, well… if it isn't the famous Starkiller and his lovely harem."
Master Nhon Arto — one of the few Balance Corps instructors still active — leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, a mischievous grin on his face. His robes were slightly disheveled, as if he had just come from a particularly intense sparring session.
Kayla immediately bristled. "We are *not* a harem."
Nhon laughed, a deep, genuine sound that turned several heads. "A Zeltron trying to say she's not part of a harem is the most believable part of this entire situation."
I sighed. "Nhon…"
"Look, Dagon," he continued, stepping closer, "you and I both know only folks who went through that odd training I put you through — or basically any common-sense Jedi who's seen the real galaxy — will see through it."
Shin's grip on my hand tightened. "I don't understand, Master Arto. Are you accusing me — a Master from one of the Order's most ancient families in charge of the Prism — of breaking the Code?"
Nhon raised an eyebrow at their joined hands. "Uh… Shin, you're still holding Dagon's hand."
Nhon coughed. "Hhmm… two Zeltrons, a Pantoran, three humans, a Togruta, and a Falleen-Zeltron hybrid. Given that the Togruta and Falleen are your Padawans, Zule's case might be leveraged, but the Zeltrons and the fact you've got another Jedi and her apprentice… good luck explaining that one."
Nox, walking a few steps behind with Ashara, let out a low chuckle. "I like him."
Ahsoka groaned. "We are doomed."
Nhon's grin widened as he looked at the entire group. "Relax. I'm not here to lecture. I'm just saying the Council is already on edge. Between the Senate breathing down their necks and the growing public discontent, the last thing they need is a walking scandal in beskar armor with eight very devoted Jedi trailing behind him."
He clapped me on the shoulder — the flesh one, thankfully. "Just be careful, Starkiller. The Temple has eyes everywhere. And not all of them are friendly."
With that, Nhon gave a casual wave and strolled off, whistling an old Republic marching tune.
The group stood in silence for a moment.
Shin finally spoke. "He's right. We need to be cautious."
I nodded, squeezing her hand once before letting go. "Let's keep moving. The Council is waiting."
As we continued down the corridor, I felt the weight of countless eyes on us — some curious, some disapproving, some outright hostile.
The Jedi Temple had changed.
Or perhaps… we had.