A/N: This is it folks, the final chapter of Destiny's Call! I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been reading, even through my rather unregimented posting schedule. Every view, follow, favorite and review means so much to me, and it makes me want to keep doing what I do. I hope you've enjoyed Destiny's Call as much as I enjoyed writing it! And may the Force with you all.

Chapter 30: Old Chapters and New Beginnings

Ben opened his eyes many hours later. He didn't remember how long he'd been sitting there, he'd been in such a deep meditative state. And there was no chrono in the room; part of the point of this exercise was to separate oneself from the passage of time, and to concentrate only on his mind.

Ben took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He'd been anticipating this moment for a long time. For a while, he hadn't even realized he'd wanted it, but he had. The Knighting Ceremony. Today.

And now it was actually happening. Ben stared out the window. Although Coruscant didn't slow down much at night, it was starting to come to life with the crowds of ordinary beings; those who worked average, daytime jobs and went home to be with their families.

Ben smiled. He didn't want that type of lifestyle for himself, but it was for those beings that he did what he did. Why they all did what they did. Why protection and justice was so important.

Ben stood, and left the mediation chamber. This high in the Temple spire, there wasn't much activity, so he walked down the hallway towards the turbolift alone. But as he drew closer to the heart of the building, more and more Jedi appeared, on their way to perform various tasks. Most nodded and smiled at Ben; it was no small secret that the Grand Master's son's ceremony was today. He grinned. It was nice having a day all about him, especially since his last few birthdays had been rather…stressful. To say the least.

He entered his quarters, changing from his tunic into his formal Jedi robes. This was the kind of occasion when they were required, and Ben didn't mind. Though he preferred not to wear the heavy robes on a daily basis, he liked tradition. It gave him a strong, pleasant connection to the Jedi who had preceded him, whose legacy he now carried on.

A beep resounded through the room just as Ben had lifted the robe over his shoulders. "Come in," he beckoned, turning to see his father stride through the door.

"You all ready?" Luke asked. He too was clad in his formal robes. It was difficult to envision Luke Skywalker looking any more like a Grand Master than he did when wearing those. Ben smiled; he liked the fact that his father was respected.

"Yeah, I think so," Ben replied, trying not to leak any of the intimidation he felt into his voice. But Luke could see through his bravado, and he smiled down at his son.

"It's alright to be a little nervous. Even though you've technically already received the rank, this makes the commitment so much more…I don't know, concrete."

"Agreed. I'm not that nervous really, just properly intimidated I guess."

"Well, if you weren't, we'd have a problem," Luke joked, then his face turned serious. Luke walked up to Ben and found that they almost stood face to face now. Ben had grown so much over the last year, both physically and mentally. Luke felt his throat tighten in pride.

Luke put his hands on Ben's shoulders. "You mother would be so proud of you right now."

Ben couldn't help the moisture that clouded his eyes when he thought of Mara.

"And I am too." Luke finished, pulling his son into a hug. Ben returned the hug, holding onto his father tightly.

"Thanks, Dad," he managed to whisper through the emotion. There were two people he wished with all his heart were here to see this, but the joy at having his father welcome him officially into knighthood overwhelmed him with joy.

Ben realized, as his father stepped back to look at him, that there was one more person he wished could be here today, and the thought surprised him a little.

Jacen.

The old Jacen. The Jacen who had helped him when Ben hadn't been able to trust anyone else. The Jacen who had guided him in so many things, and had taught him so much about the Force. The Jacen who had made Ben open up to the Force in the first place.

Ben realized that no matter what had happened, who Jacen had later become, he would most likely not be standing here a Jedi today if not for him.

Thank you, Jacen.

This time, the name didn't bring a sense of gut twisting pain, but of gratefulness and hope. The past could be untainted if Ben chose to look at it that way, and the realization freed him.

"The Masters have all gathered in the council chambers. I'll see you in there, son."

Ben nodded, and Luke left to join the others. Ben took a deep breath and followed a minute later, making his way to the chambers. His hand fell to the lightsaber that hung from his belt. The lightsaber he had so carefully and lovingly crafted all those months before. The feel of the cool metal against his skin was comforting.

Ben stood before the entrance to the council chambers for a few seconds before he reached out his hand to wave them open.

Almost every Master was here. Ben's eyes found Corran Horn, Saba Sebatyne, the Solusars, Kyp Durron, Cighal, and Jaina. So many familiar faces, all here to support him.

Ben kept his emotions even as he walked with a steady pace to the center of the room where Luke waited.

Ben faced his father as Luke began the ceremony.

"We are all Jedi. The Force speaks through us. Through our actions, the Force proclaims itself and what is real. Today we are here to acknowledge what the Force has proclaimed."

The phrase dated back to the Old Republic, and was repeated at all ceremonies such as these, but the words still sent a shiver of excitement up and down Ben's spine.

This was it.

Luke held out his hand, and Ben gave his father his lightsaber. Luke ignited it, and the blue blade had never looked so beautiful, so full of hope.

"Ben Skywalker."

Ben knelt before Luke, and his father brought the lightsaber down above both of Ben's shoulders.

"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee, Jedi Knight."

Luke deactivated Ben's lightsaber, and handed it back to him. Ben rose solemnly, bowed his head, and clipped the saber back onto his waist. All of the Masters rose as a gesture of respect as he turned and walked silently out of the room.

The door slid shut behind Ben as he stepped out of the council chambers. Such a short ceremony, but he somehow felt differently than he had upon entering the room – as though his life as a Jedi was now carved into stone. There was no turning back now, and Ben knew that he never wanted to.

Ben began walking down the hall; he could just see Mara's proud smile, and feel Caliya's soft hand in his. They would always be there with him, in his heart, etched permanently onto his soul.

An old chapter had ended, but a new one was just beginning.