Born to a poor Miraluka couple on Coruscant, Steila’s life before the order was full of conflict and uncertainty towards the future. Though she cannot remember much from that time, Steila still feels uneasy talking about her origins. However, due to her natural connection to the Force, Steila was discovered by Jedi on a mission to the lower levels of Coruscant. Her parents willingly agreed to give her up, realizing that they could not raise a child at the moment and that their daughter would be safer in the hands of the Jedi.
In the Jedi Temple of Coruscant, Steila began to live a much more peaceful life. She treasured the safety of the temple compared to the dangerous life of the lower levels of Coruscant. Often times, the girl would find herself near the library, trying her best to read whatever she could reach. Even if she couldn’t understand most of the words, she was still invested in the book.
When the time came for her lightsaber training, Steila was taught the first lightsaber form, Shii Cho, though she often found herself acting more defensive during fights. This further intensified during her time learning blast deflection, as Steila showed strong promise in being able to deflect incoming fire due to her natural ability to see with the Force. Once her training with Form I was finished, Steila soon found herself being trained in Form III. Practicing more and more, the young girl soon found herself deflecting away incoming fire with ease.
At the age of thirteen, Steila began her Initiate Trials on her way to become a Padawan. Having a slight love for books and other texts, Steila found herself easily passing the Trial of Wisdom. The Trial of Skill, though tough, was eventually completed by Steila who had managed to construct her own lightsaber through use of telekinesis. All that was left was the final trial: The Trial of Insight. She was tasked with helping to console a fellow initiate who had done poorly in training and was beginning to believe they were no use to the order. She could sense their pain, for it was similar to the pain she could still feel in her chest when trying to remember her past before the Order. It was then that Steila discovered her desire to help people.
After passing all the trials, Steila had finally become a Padawan, and on that day she let out a small smile and promised that she would try her hardest to protect the Republic and its people. Even if it was a unrealistic, adolescent thought, Steila held tight to it. On the same day, she was assigned her first master: Jedi Master Ryn’nalei. He was an imposing man with broad shoulders and a muscular build, yet Steila saw a gentler side in him, hidden beneath the scars and other memories of war that were apparent on Ryn’nalei.
Throughout their travels, Steila began to learn more about her new master. While Steila focused more on defense, Master Ryn’nalei was a man who prided himself in being a heavy hitter. It was because of his willingness to attack that the young Padawan found herself realizing that she could not delay the inevitable, and that sooner or later she would have to strike. Seeking help from her master, Steila began to focus on learning the fifth form of lightsaber combat: Djem So. Still, it pained Steila to hurt others, and she often doubted her skills in Form V.
But throughout it all, her master was there for her. He had seen enough battles to know how battle could take its toll on a Jedi, so he did his best to console Steila.
“Everyone needs a reason to fight for,” He’d say in a low voice, “You want to protect people, right? Well think of all those people back on Coruscant; think of that kid that ya’ helped out during your trials. If you fight for them, you’ll feel all that bad stuff just wash away.”
Those words were so precious to Steila. They had reminded her of the promise she had made two years prior, and so she added onto that promise.
However, things were not always so pleasant. The war was beginning to tip towards the Empire’s favor and the battles began to become more and more intense. Still, the two would head straight into battle, and Steila would remember her master’s words: Fight for the people you wish to protect. Clutching her lightsaber, the Miraluka stood by her master’s side as the blaster fire rained towards them. But the torrent of fire was too much for the young Jedi, and after being struck by a bolt on her leg, Steila felt her lightsaber slip out of her hand. Injured, the two were forced to retreat with Steila having lost her first lightsaber. Eventually she would rebuild a new one, but the pain felt from losing the pain felt from losing her original was like losing a limb.
Eventually, the war reached its peak, and the Treaty of Coruscant would be forged. Steila was outraged at the attack on Coruscant. It was her homeworld, and she had grown up in the temple there. But her master reminded her of the Jedi Code: There is no emotion, there is peace. And peace there was, or so it seemed. The treaty was signed but tensions remained high. The cold war had begun, though the days of hectic battles against Imperials for Steila and her master were done for. As the years went by, Steila and her master found themselves traveling across the galaxy to help worlds ravaged by the war. It was work that she enjoyed, but she could tell that her master still longed for the days of fighting.
After several years of accompanying the man, Ryn’nalei knew that Steila would eventually reach the status of Jedi Knight. She had already proven herself in combat with him, yet he knew that one could not become a Knight so easily. Near the end of their time together, Steila found herself learning more about the Knight Trials; her master helping her to make sure she would pass with flying colors. Though through the training, Steila couldn’t help but feel a bit of sadness that her time with Master Ryn’nalei would end.
At the age of twenty-two, the Padawan had finally completed her trials of knighthood. She had survived through combat before the treaty, and afterwards had helped to try and restore what was broken. Now, she was alone; a Jedi Knight. Even if the war was at a standstill, there was still much to do. People to help; people to protect. And perhaps, people to heal. Steila pondered for a moment, before a small smile appeared on her face.
Yes, there were people to heal, and perhaps she would be the one to do it. With a smile on her face, the Jedi made her way over to the library.