The moment we step through the door, a freezing wind cuts through the air like a knife. I gasp, pulling Nikko close to me, instinctively wrapping my arms around her small frame to shield her from the biting cold. The wind howls around us, carrying with it swirls of snow that sting my cheeks and blur my vision. I can barely see through the flurry, the world around us blanketed in white.


    Nikko shivers in my arms, her small body trembling against me, and I tighten my grip, trying to keep her warm. My breath comes out in sharp, visible bursts, the icy air stealing it away as soon as it leaves my lungs. It''s unbearable—this cold. My skin prickles, my fingers growing numb even as I try to shield Nikko from the worst of it.


    Llamiryl, calm as ever, stands beside us, her eyes closed, her lips moving in a soft incantation. The words are foreign to me, whispered in a language that feels ancient, powerful. And then, as if in response to her magic, the cold begins to fade.


    I blink, feeling the sharpness of the wind ease, replaced by something warmer. The biting chill is still there, but it''s distant now, as though Llamiryl''s spell has wrapped us in a protective barrier, softening the harshness of the storm. The wind still blows, the snow still whirls around us in a blizzard, but it''s almost... pleasant now. Like a cold breeze on a winter''s day, rather than the brutal force it had been moments before.


    I let out a long sigh of relief, loosening my hold on Nikko, who looks up at me with grateful eyes. Her small shoulders relax, and I can see the color returning to her cheeks. "Thank you," I whisper to Llamiryl, my voice carrying a note of deep gratitude.


    Llamiryl opens her eyes and nods, offering a faint smile. "It will hold for now," she says, her voice calm, though there''s an edge of focus in her gaze, as though she''s still maintaining the spell even as we stand there.


    I take a deep breath, feeling the warmth fill my lungs, and let Nikko go, though I keep her close by my side. Together, we begin to look around, taking in the strange, surreal landscape of this world.


    The surface is... unlike anything I''ve ever seen before. The ground beneath our feet is covered in a thick layer of snow, but there''s something almost crystalline about it. The snow sparkles faintly in the dim light, as if tiny shards of glass are mixed in with the ice. It crunches underfoot, but not like the soft powder of snow I''m used to—it feels more solid, more brittle, as though the ground itself is made of frozen crystal.


    Jagged ice formations rise up all around us, towering spires that gleam in the cold light of the sky. Some are translucent, their sharp edges catching the faint light and scattering it in all directions, casting long, eerie shadows across the snow. Others are opaque, dark and foreboding, like frozen mountains that have been carved by the wind over centuries. The wind whistles through these icy towers, creating a haunting melody that echoes across the landscape.


    In the distance, I can see what looks like a massive ravine, its edges lined with sharp cliffs of ice. The snow swirls through the air, carried by the relentless wind, but there''s something almost beautiful about it—the way the snow dances, swirling and twisting in the breeze, like white tendrils reaching out toward the sky.


    Above us, the sky is a pale, muted blue, streaked with thin, wispy clouds that seem frozen in place. There''s no sun, no warmth, just an endless expanse of cold light filtering through the clouds, casting a soft, ethereal glow over everything. It''s both mesmerizing and unsettling, like we''ve stepped into a dream—one that''s beautiful and dangerous all at once.


    Nikko clutches my hand, her small fingers wrapped tightly around mine. "It''s... strange," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the wind. "But... pretty."


    I nod, though I can''t shake the feeling of unease creeping up my spine. The beauty of this place feels otherworldly, almost unnatural. Like something so pristine and untouched shouldn''t exist in a world as harsh as this. But despite its beauty, the cold reminds me that this place is unforgiving. It''s not meant for life. It''s meant for survival.


    "This place," I murmur, my eyes drifting over the crystalline landscape. "It''s... surreal."


    Llamiryl walks a few steps ahead, her gaze scanning the horizon, her eyes narrowing as she surveys the distant cliffs. "This is Ilum," she says, her voice low and steady. "A world of ice and crystal. But also... a world of secrets."


    Her words hang in the air, carried by the wind, and I feel a shiver run down my spine—not from the cold, but from the weight of her words.


    Nikko suddenly brightens beside me, her voice cutting through the biting wind. "I know this world," she says, her face lighting up with recognition. It''s the first time I''ve seen her smile in a long time.


    I look down at her, surprised. "What did Ryu tell you about this place?" I ask, curiosity momentarily overtaking the cold that''s digging into my bones.


    "It''s where Papa got his crystal from," Nikko says matter-of-factly, her breath visible in the frosty air.


    "Crystal?" I repeat, my confusion growing. Even Llamiryl raises an eyebrow, clearly just as curious as I am.


    Nikko nods, her little face serious. "Mhm. For his lightsaber."


    "Lightsaber?" Llamiryl mutters, as if she''s turning the strange word over in her mind, trying to understand it.


    "You mean that yellow-bladed weapon he uses?" I ask, the memory of Ryu''s weapon flashing in my mind.


    "Yes," Nikko confirms, her smile fading slightly as she huddles closer to me for warmth.


    A cold shiver runs through me, but not because of the wind. I glance around, my eyes scanning the icy landscape. The wind howls through the air, carrying snow that stings my face, but then I see them—Ryu and his master—standing a little distance away, facing what looks like a massive structure made entirely of ice.


    It''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen. The building, if I can even call it that, rises out of the frozen ground like a giant shard of crystal. The walls are smooth and reflective, the ice catching what little light there is and casting it in strange, shimmering patterns. Massive pillars of ice and stone support the structure, and intricate carvings—symbols or runes, perhaps—are etched into the surface. The whole thing looks like it was carved by the planet itself, molded by the wind and the cold over centuries.


    Ryu stands there, shivering in his dark training robes. His arms are wrapped tightly around himself, and his face is pale, his breath visible in the freezing air. He''s trying to stay warm, but those robes offer little protection against this cold. His lips are blue, and I can see the way his body trembles.


    His master, on the other hand, wears thick, layered robes over his body, clearly made for this kind of weather. The cold doesn''t seem to affect him in the same way. He stands tall, imposing, his pale cloak billowing slightly in the wind, but his face... his face is colder than the air around us.


    My blood boils as I watch them. It''s because of him, Ryu''s master. He''s the reason Ryu has done such terrible things. He''s the one who molded him into someone capable of the horrors we''ve seen. And now, he brings Ryu here, to this frozen wasteland, with no extra protection from the cold. Ryu is barely able to stand, and his master just stands there, unaffected. He doesn''t even seem to care.


    I clench my fists, my body shaking with anger. How can he do this to Ryu? How can he be so heartless?


    "Master..." Ryu''s voice breaks through the wind, shaky and weak, and I can hear how cold he is, how much he''s struggling. "Why are we here?"


    His master turns slightly, his cold eyes locking onto Ryu. "You know where we are, don''t you?"


    "Ilum, Master," Ryu says through chattering teeth. "This is where the Jedi find their kyber crystals—through trials in this temple." He pauses, rubbing his arms in a futile attempt to stay warm. "But... why are we here? Isn''t it the way of the Sith to take their kyber crystals by force? To defeat a Jedi and claim the crystal from their weapon?"


    Ryu''s voice wavers slightly, his confusion clear as he glances toward the looming temple. "I thought I was trained to be a Sith... trained to take what I need, not seek it out like a Jedi."


    His master watches him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Under normal circumstances, yes. But you are different, Ryu." His voice takes on a darker, almost hypnotic tone, layering each word with intention. "Your path leads elsewhere. You are not bound by the ways of the Jedi or the Sith because you are destined for more."


    Ryu''s brow furrows, his face a mixture of confusion and discomfort as he fights against the cold. "Elsewhere, Master? I don''t understand."


    "You will," his master says, his voice smooth and confident. "In time, the truth of your purpose will be revealed. For now, the temple will test you. Use everything I have taught you, and you will succeed."


    There''s something in his tone that sends a chill down my spine—colder than the wind. His words feel loaded with some deeper meaning, something dark.


    Ryu looks at the entrance of the temple, its massive archway looming ahead. His breath comes out in shaky, foggy puffs, and I can see the uncertainty in his eyes. "And... if I don''t?" he asks, barely more than a whisper.


    The master''s silence is more powerful than any words. His cold, unflinching gaze says everything that needs to be said. There is no failure. There is no other option.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Ryu''s shoulders slump slightly, but he nods, understanding the unspoken message. He looks up at the temple''s entrance, a deep breath fogging the air before him, and then starts walking toward it. His master, without even offering a word of encouragement or support, turns and begins walking away.


    I watch him, fury rising in me again as I see him make his way toward a ship parked nearby. The ship''s dark, metallic hull gleams against the icy landscape, a stark contrast to the world around it. The wind whips around it, howling as the ship''s hatch lowers with a hiss, allowing Ryu''s master to board.


    I can''t believe it. He doesn''t even glance back at Ryu. He doesn''t offer a single word of support, not even the smallest sign that he cares. I want to scream at him, to grab him and make him understand how much damage he''s done—how he''s twisted Ryu into this. But I can''t. All I can do is watch, seething with anger, as he walks away, leaving Ryu to face the cold and the temple alone.


    ?????


    Ryu takes a deep breath, his face tight with focus as he steps through the entrance of the temple. I follow close behind, with Nikko clinging to my side, her wide eyes scanning the frozen walls, and Llamiryl just behind us. The air inside is frigid but somehow quieter than outside. The wind''s howling has been reduced to a dull whisper as we cross the threshold. My breath catches at the sight before me—the sheer scale of the temple is overwhelming.


    The walls are made of shimmering ice, but it''s no ordinary ice. It''s alive with light, reflecting and refracting in ways that almost seem unnatural, casting long, eerie shadows that dance across the frozen floor. Massive pillars rise from the ground, their surfaces etched with symbols and runes I can''t recognize. They reach upward into the dark, vaulted ceiling far above, where the light grows dim, and the temple''s immense height seems to stretch into the heavens. Everything about this place feels ancient, untouched by time. There''s power here; I can feel it in the air, humming softly, reverberating through the walls.


    Ryu presses forward, each of his steps deliberate. I can see his breath, the tension in his shoulders as he moves deeper into the temple. The cold is biting, but it''s more than that. There''s something alive in this place, something that tests him with every step. I follow him, my heart pounding, unsure of what lies ahead but feeling the weight of this place.


    We enter a chamber, but it seems empty at first—just a vast, icy space with a single pedestal in the middle. Ryu stops in front of it, and his expression hardens. He kneels before it, his hands resting on his knees, eyes fixed forward. For a long moment, nothing happens. I glance at Nikko, then at Llamiryl, both just as puzzled as I am. What''s happening here?


    Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. Ryu remains still, his breathing steady but strained. The cold deepens, the air around us heavy, pressing down on him. His body tenses, his fingers twitching, but he doesn''t move. He''s waiting, testing himself, and it''s clearly wearing on him. I feel my chest tighten as I watch, feeling like there''s something I''m missing.


    "What''s going on?" I whisper to Llamiryl, unable to take my eyes off Ryu.


    Llamiryl watches with furrowed brows before answering, her voice calm but filled with insight. "It''s a trial," she says quietly. "The temple is testing him—his patience, perhaps."


    I stare at her. A trial? It makes sense, but why? I''m beginning to understand what this place is—some sort of challenge, but for what purpose?


    Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the pedestal in front of Ryu begins to glow softly, and I let out a breath I didn''t realize I was holding. Ryu rises slowly, his legs shaking slightly, but his resolve is clear. He''s passed the first test.


    We follow him into the next chamber. The air here is warmer, but it''s not a comforting warmth—it''s thick, suffocating almost, as if the room itself is closing in on us. Ryu steps forward, and I feel a strange tension in the air, like something is about to happen. I can see Ryu''s posture shift, his body tensing.


    Then, without warning, the shadows in the room begin to move, forming figures in the mist around us. I gasp as the shapes solidify, becoming people. People from Ryu''s past. At first, I can''t tell who they are, but I can see the pain in Ryu''s eyes. He knows them.


    A tall, imposing figure steps forward, dressed in dark robes—the same robes his master wears. "You are weak, Ryu," the figure says, his voice low and dripping with disappointment. "You always fail when it matters most."


    Ryu''s face tightens, his hands clenching into fists. I can feel the fear radiating from him, the way his body trembles not from the cold but from something much deeper. This trial isn''t about physical endurance. It''s forcing him to confront his failures, his fear of disappointing his master.


    The figure continues, circling around him like a predator. "Do you really think you''re worthy of this path? You''ve failed at every turn, Ryu. You''re not strong enough." The words cut deep, and I can see how much they hurt Ryu. His loyalty to his master is undeniable, but this... this is breaking him.


    I glance at Llamiryl, who watches in silence, her expression unreadable. "What is this?" I whisper, my voice shaky.


    "It''s another trial," Llamiryl replies, her tone somber. "The temple is testing his inner mind, his deepest fears."


    My heart aches as I watch Ryu stand there, helpless against the words of the figure who resembles his master. Nikko, sensing the tension, clutches my hand tightly. She''s too young to fully understand what''s happening, but she knows her father is in pain.


    Ryu stares at the figure, his breathing heavy. "I won''t fail," he mutters, but there''s doubt in his voice. "I can''t fail."


    The figure laughs, cold and mocking. "You already have, Ryu. Over and over again. You were never meant for greatness." The words echo in the chamber, and I see Ryu''s shoulders slump, his confidence wavering.


    I want to scream, to tell him it''s not true. But I can''t. This is his trial, his burden to bear. The figure leans closer, its voice a chilling whisper. "You are nothing but a tool, a vessel waiting to be discarded. You have no purpose beyond that."


    Ryu''s face hardens, and for a moment, I think he''s going to break. But then he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and when he opens them again, there''s fire in them. "No," he says firmly. "I won''t let you control me."


    The figure snarls, but its form begins to fade, the shadows retreating as Ryu takes control of his fear. Slowly, the room grows quiet again, the mist dissipating. He''s passed another trial, but the strain is evident in his face. He''s fighting more than just physical challenges—he''s fighting his own mind, his loyalty to a master who only seems to break him down.


    We move on to the next chamber, but before we even reach the end of the room, I feel a ripple in the air. Ryu stops abruptly, his body tense, and I follow his gaze. There, just ahead, is a lone figure—young, robed, and kneeling on the icy floor, with a small, glowing object floating before them.


    "A Padawan," Llamiryl whispers beside me. Her tone is quiet, but I can hear the weight of the word. "They must be here for their own kyber crystal. There must be others nearby."


    My breath catches at the sight. A Padawan—one of the legendary Jedi. This child, likely here for the same purpose as Ryu, seems so serene, so peaceful. But Ryu''s face darkens. I see the tension in his jaw, the way his hand moves toward his belt, fingers brushing the hilt of his knife.


    I freeze. My heart pounds in my chest as I watch Ryu grip the handle tightly, his eyes locked on the Padawan, a cold determination taking over his features. I can feel the darkness in him rising, that same emotionless mask he wore when I watched him commit terrible acts before.


    "No... don''t..." I plead silently, my breath caught in my throat. He wouldn''t—he couldn''t. Not this. Not a child.


    But his gaze doesn''t waver. His knuckles whiten as he tightens his hold on the knife, and for a terrifying moment, I think he''s going to do it.


    I can''t bear it. My body tenses, every part of me screaming out for him to stop, to spare this child. The fear churns in my stomach, and I feel Nikko''s tiny hand squeeze mine, her own terror seeping through as she watches her father.


    Then, a flicker of doubt crosses his face. His expression changes, the anger receding slightly. Slowly, agonizingly, he lets go of the knife, releasing the tension in his hand. My heart races as I watch him slide the knife back into its sheath. I let out a breath, my knees nearly buckling with relief. He''s not going to attack. Not today.


    Ryu remains still for a moment longer before he silently moves, slipping back into the shadows to avoid being seen by the Padawan. But as he inches away, the Padawan shifts slightly, their head tilting in his direction. My pulse spikes again. I hold my breath, watching in horror as the Padawan turns just enough that they might catch sight of Ryu.


    Ryu freezes, his body rigid. Time seems to stretch endlessly, the silence in the room deafening. The Padawan''s gaze lingers for a moment, their brow furrowed slightly. I can feel my heart pounding in my throat, willing them not to notice him.


    And then... the Padawan looks away, turning their focus back to their trial.


    I exhale, the tension flooding out of me as Ryu slips away into the shadows once more, moving quietly but quickly. He''s done it. He''s avoided detection. But the risk... the danger... I can''t believe how close he came to something terrible.


    We follow him into the final chamber, and the cold here is unlike anything I''ve ever felt before. The wind howls through the cracks in the ice, biting at my skin, but Ryu pushes forward. His pace is slower now, his steps heavier. He''s nearing his limit, I can see it in his eyes. This trial is testing his endurance, pushing him to the very edge of what he can withstand.


    He stumbles, but he doesn''t stop. His body is fighting against the elements, but his will is stronger. My heart aches for him, watching him suffer like this, but I know he won''t give up. He''s come too far.


    Finally, at the far end of the chamber, I see a faint glow. Ryu''s eyes lock onto it, and I can feel his determination rise again. He moves toward it, every step a battle against the cold. The light grows brighter, and finally, I see it—a crystal, glowing softly within the ice.


    Ryu reaches out, his hand trembling as he touches the crystal. The moment his fingers brush against it, a wave of warmth floods the room, and I can see the relief wash over him. He''s done it. He''s passed the trials.


    Ryu holds the crystal up against the light, and I can see its brilliance from where I stand. It''s clear, but the way it catches the light is breathtaking, as if it''s holding a piece of the very sun itself within its core, radiating warmth and brilliance like no gem I''ve ever seen. For a moment, time seems to stop as he gazes at it, the weight of what he''s achieved reflected in his eyes. The crystal gleams in his hand, more than just a prize—it feels like a symbol of everything he''s endured, a piece of his soul crystallized in the frozen temple.


    I can''t tear my eyes away. In this moment, I see something I haven''t seen in Ryu in any of the other memories—hope. It''s subtle, buried under the layers of pain and darkness, but it''s there, flickering in the way he looks at the crystal.


    Nikko''s small hand squeezes mine, and I glance down at her. She''s watching Ryu too, her eyes wide with awe.


    "Papa..." she whispers softly, her voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the temple.


    I give her a gentle nod, feeling a strange mixture of pride and sadness welling up inside me. This Ryu, the one standing in the temple, holding that crystal... he''s so far from the cold, emotionless warrior we''ve seen in other memories. And yet, he''s still so distant, locked away in a past that I fear might consume him.


    Llamiryl steps forward, her hand outstretched. With a soft murmur, she summons another door. It materializes slowly, the edges of the frame glowing faintly before the door slides open with a soft hiss. The warm light beyond spills into the frozen chamber, and it feels like a beacon pulling me forward, but I hesitate. I can''t leave yet.


    I turn back, my gaze lingering on Ryu. He''s still staring at the crystal, his face unreadable, but I can sense the storm of emotions beneath his calm exterior. I want to reach out, to tell him that we''re here, watching him, ready to help. But I can''t. This is a memory—a fragment of his past that we can only witness, never change.


    "Come on," Llamiryl urges softly, her voice firm but understanding. "We have to keep moving."


    Nikko tugs on my arm gently, and I force myself to tear my gaze away from Ryu. The door looms ahead, glowing with a quiet, almost inviting warmth, but my heart feels heavy as I take a step toward it. I glance back one last time, watching as Ryu lowers the crystal, his expression unreadable once more.


    With a heavy sigh, I take Nikko''s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. We slip through the door together, leaving Ryu and his crystal behind, the cold air of the temple fading as we cross into the unknown.