By G. P. Avants

Walking the narrow road is a hazardous journey. It requires a balance of one’s resolve and oftentimes brings you to many relective moments along the way.

Just as Asoka Tano. She became the unexpected padwan of Anakin Skywalker. Asoka fought along side he, Obi-wan Kenobi, and many illustrious Jedi, while facing down Darth Maul, vengeful Sith or dark side users, while in the midst of a galaxy-wide conflict. As the tide turned she was villified by the Jedi and for a short time fought alongside once sworn enemies. All the while Asoka stayed true to her own character and convictions. In many ways, she is not only kept the everyday person’s view of the Star War galaxy, but in some people’s opinions the greatest Jedi that ever lived.

What makes Asoka such a beloved and memorable  character to the fans? In many ways she has achieved what few Jedi and Sith have accomplished. Both sides of that Force “coin” have each taken sides in all facades of faith, family, culture, and politics. Asoka appears to walk the way of the Grey Jedi. That would infer that she taps into both sides of the Force. To a Jedi that would be the seduction into a path of unpardonable sin. To the Sith, hmm, I am not sure, but I would assume they would see that as weakness and compromise. Eiher way, Asoka Tano walks a lonely road and is probably misunderstood by a lot of people.

Yet, isn’t that ultimately what we should find in our lives, some sort of balance? Before you start thowing those sticks and stones, listen carefully to my words.  We can easily be polarized by political parties, great cultural movements, and wide-ranging opinion, but believers, in my opinion have a different path to walk. It’s one of bringing people to a place of faith, hope, and love. This path is not bound up or twisted into the issues of time, but rather freed for eternity. In a fallen galaxy of turmoil, there is a lighted path that passes through the threat of death into the life meant all for all people.

Like Asoka it is a narrow path beause it keeps true to one thing. The truth. She sees lost souls, like her former master who needs to come back to the truth. Want to see something really hard to imagine? I think she inspired Darth Maul to do the same. What an influence a balanced person can be on those who wander to extremes.  

In a time when Empires rise and spawn rebellions, friends become enemies, and loyalties are questioned, don’t we need more people who walk that narrow road? We either admire them and want to be like them or we don’t see why they can’t join a side. It could very well be that they know how to hold on to the center of a spinning world that is not slowing down anytime soon.

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All heroes have their own journey that defines them and the people in orbits. Like Asoka, Levy Roarke is beginning his own journey of discovery in time. While your waiting for the new Star Wars show or movie to hit, why not stop by our fandom universe and check out Chronolocity: A Fistful of Chronotons? No matter how this story turns out, no one will ever look at history the same.