We continue forward, following Ryu as he strides towards the massive temple. The moment we step inside, the sheer grandeur of the place hits me. The walls are smooth, adorned with intricate carvings that seem to tell ancient stories—tales of long-forgotten battles and victories. Soft, glowing orbs attached to the walls cast a warm light across the polished stone floor, their glow reflecting the meticulous artistry etched into every surface. The air feels heavy with history, like the temple itself is alive with the weight of countless ages.


    Lining the hall are towering statues, each holding long spears. They are unlike anything I''ve ever seen. Tall, with elongated limbs and heads, they almost seem otherworldly, their silent presence making the temple feel even more imposing. Their hollow eyes seem to track our every movement, and it sends a shiver down my spine.


    "Look at this place," I whisper, awe in my voice. "It''s magnificent."


    Nikko clutches my hand tightly, her wide eyes fixed on the statues. "Are those... statues? They look so real."


    Ryu, however, remains unaffected, his focus unwavering as he continues forward. Suddenly, with a mechanical whir, the statues'' heads begin to turn toward him, their eyes glowing as they come to life. The sound echoes through the vast hall, ominous and unsettling.


    In a flash, Ryu''s yellow lightsaber ignites, casting its eerie glow across the hall. He dodges the first swing from one of the statues, its massive spear slicing through the air with a terrifying speed. He counters, striking the leg of the towering guardian, but the blow barely leaves a mark. One of the other statues strikes, sending Ryu tumbling back through the air. He manages to catch himself mid-flight, landing on his feet with a grunt, his expression hardening with determination.


    Suddenly, several of the statues'' chests open, revealing a glowing core. The energy within pulses ominously before beams of light shoot toward Ryu. He darts between them, the beams leaving scorch marks on the temple walls as they miss their mark.


    "Ryu, be careful!" I shout, my heart hammering in my chest. Nikko presses closer to me, trembling as she watches, her fear palpable.


    Ryu moves with the grace and precision of someone who has fought countless battles. He dodges, blocks, and counters, but the guardians are relentless, their spears and beams forming a deadly web around him. For a moment, I feel torn—after all we''ve seen, part of me is still terrified of what Ryu has become. But another part of me can''t help but feel a deep, painful concern for him.


    "He''s... incredible," Llamiryl mutters, her voice a mixture of awe and fear. "But these guardians... they''re not going to stop."


    With a swift motion, Ryu clenches his fist. Several of the cores within the statues crack and shatter under his power, sending shockwaves through the temple. One statue fires another beam, but Ryu deflects it toward another guardian, destroying it in the process. The remaining statues attempt to fire again, but Ryu is too fast. He charges forward, slicing through their cores with a series of swift, decisive strikes. One by one, the towering guardians crumble, their once-imposing forms reduced to rubble.


    As the dust settles, Ryu stands among the remnants of the battle, breathing heavily. He deactivates his lightsaber and moves on, unfazed by the destruction. Nikko and I let out a collective sigh of relief, the tension slowly easing from our bodies. Llamiryl remains quiet, her expression contemplative, as if she''s trying to reconcile what she''s just witnessed.


    We follow Ryu into a massive chamber, more beautiful than I could have imagined. Waterfalls cascade down the back wall, the soft sound of rushing water filling the space and adding to the serene ambiance. The glowing orbs illuminate the room, casting a tranquil, almost ethereal light over everything. In the center of the chamber is a pedestal, and resting atop it, a glowing cube hovers in mid-air.


    "What is that?" Nikko asks in awe, her eyes wide with wonder.


    Ryu approaches the pedestal, and with a simple wave of his hand, the cube floats into his palm. He kneels, focusing intently on the object as it hums with energy. Compartments in the cube open, revealing red glowing elements that pulse ominously as Ryu concentrates, his face emotionless but intent.


    We watch in silence, unsure of what''s happening or what that strange object could be. After what feels like an eternity, the cube''s compartments close, the glow fading. Ryu places the cube into a pouch at his side and turns to leave, but before he can take a step, a shadowy figure emerges from the other side of the chamber, blocking his path.


    The figure pulls back their hood, revealing a woman with red skin and dark, menacing armor. Her orange eyes glow with fury as she pulls out a weapon similar to Ryu''s—a lightsaber.


    "I take it you''re the one who slaughtered my troops and destroyed my ship?" she sneers, her voice dripping with disdain. Ryu remains silent, his hand gripping his lightsaber hilt as he faces her, unflinching.


    The woman eyes him, her gaze sharp and calculating. "Most impressive. But there''s something different about you. You wear the armor of a Sith, you fight like a Sith, yet you are not Sith. Nor are you Jedi. So, tell me... what are you?"


    Ryu charges without warning, igniting his lightsaber in mid-stride. The woman barely evades his initial strike, her arrogant expression shifting to one of irritation. She retaliates swiftly, her strikes precise and deadly, but Ryu matches her blow for blow, blocking and parrying with ease.


    She raises her free hand, tearing chunks of the stone wall and flinging them toward Ryu. With fluid, almost effortless movements, he slices through the debris, advancing relentlessly.


    "You are strong," she admits, her voice laced with frustration. "But strength alone won''t save—"


    Before she can finish, Ryu launches a ferocious onslaught, his strikes relentless and swift. She struggles to keep pace, her earlier confidence faltering with every missed blow. Desperately, she forces him back with a surge of energy, but Ryu lands gracefully, his stance unshaken.


    "I''m not surprised, you are qui—"


    Her words are cut off by Ryu''s renewed assault. His attacks come faster, more aggressive, driving her back with every strike. With one final, decisive move, he severs her arm—the one holding her lightsaber. She lets out a piercing scream, collapsing to the ground as she desperately tries to push him away with a forceful blast of energy.


    Ryu advances, unaffected by her desperate attempts. Fear fills her eyes as he raises his lightsaber. "Please, no!" she begs, but her plea falls on deaf ears. With a single, merciless stroke, he decapitates her, her head rolling away as her body collapses lifelessly to the floor.


    The chamber falls into a deafening silence, the echoes of the battle still ringing in my ears. My heart pounds in my chest as I stand frozen, staring at the scene before me. I can''t look away, even though every fiber of my being screams for me to turn, to shield Nikko from this nightmare. She clutches my hand, her grip tight, her small body trembling with fear. I glance down at her, her wide eyes reflecting the same horror I feel deep inside.


    Even Llamiryl, usually so composed, stands in stunned silence, her usual sharp gaze softened by the brutality we''ve just witnessed. The woman''s scream still reverberates in the air, her severed arm lying discarded on the ground like some terrible reminder of Ryu''s cold efficiency.


    Ryu deactivates his lightsaber, the hum of the blade fading as quickly as it had sprung to life. He moves without hesitation, hooking the weapon back onto his belt with practiced ease. With a simple motion of his hand, her discarded lightsaber flies into his grasp. I watch, numb, as he stashes it in his pouch, his movements methodical, without a shred of hesitation or remorse.


    He doesn''t say a word. He doesn''t look back at her. Without a glance or acknowledgment, Ryu turns and strides out of the chamber, leaving us behind in the aftermath of his destruction. My heart aches as I watch him go, unsure of who he truly is anymore.


    Suddenly, the world around us shifts violently. The ground beneath our feet trembles, and the walls ripple like a reflection in disturbed water. The air itself seems to shudder, and the chamber transforms before our eyes. I instinctively pull Nikko closer, her small hand clutching mine tightly as the once crumbling and battle-scarred temple morphs into something far more sinister and imposing. The floor beneath us smooths out, polished and pristine, while the chamber takes on a grander, more ominous shape.


    We find ourselves in a place that feels like it has seen centuries of dark power. Banners hang from the ceiling, each aligned perfectly on either side of the vast hall. Every banner is different—ripped, torn, or scorched—each a symbol of a world, a tribe, a culture now lost to history. They loom overhead like the silent witnesses of forgotten wars, their colors faded, their emblems scarred. Llamiryl, normally composed, speaks in a voice barely above a whisper, her words trembling with horror. "Those banners... they are from conquered worlds and tribes... all destroyed by Ryu''s hand."


    Her words hit me like a physical blow. I turn slowly, my breath catching in my throat as I take in the sheer number of banners, the weight of their silent testimony pressing down on me. How many lives? How many worlds? The doubt I had fought so hard to suppress begins to seep back in, cold and unrelenting. The man I thought I knew—could he have truly done this? What other horrors lay buried within him? My heart tightens, fear gnawing at the edges of my resolve. Nikko''s grip on my hand tightens, her eyes wide and filled with fear and confusion. I want to comfort her, to tell her everything will be alright, but even I am struggling to believe that now.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    At the far end of the chamber, my eyes are drawn to a set of wide stone steps. At the top sits a massive throne, carved from dark stone and looming like an ominous shadow over the entire hall. And there, seated with an air of authority that chills my very soul, is Ryu''s master. His figure is cloaked in heavy, dark robes, the dim light reflecting off the cold, polished surface of his armor. His eyes are hidden, but I can feel the weight of his gaze from across the room, as if he is sizing up not just Ryu, but us as well.


    From the other side of the chamber, a massive set of doors opens with a low, echoing groan. The door parts in the middle, and through it steps Ryu. The sight of him sends another shiver down my spine. His dark armor, the same armor I''ve come to associate with bloodshed and destruction, gleams under the chamber''s dim light. His cape, tattered at the edges, flows behind him like a shadow clinging to him. He walks with purpose, his posture strong, but there''s something unsettling about his calmness. He approaches the throne and, with a graceful fluidity, kneels before the steps leading to his master.


    The master''s eyes lock onto him as Ryu reaches into his pouch and pulls out the very same cube we saw him obtain earlier. It hovers in the air above Ryu''s hand for a moment before floating gently toward the master, suspended by an unseen force. The cube hovers above the master''s outstretched hand, and as it does, the engravings across its surface begin to glow a deep crimson. It hums with an energy that feels ancient and malevolent, the light reflecting in Ryu''s emotionless visor.


    The master''s voice breaks the silence. "Did you come across any... resistance?"


    "Yes, my lord," Ryu replies, his voice steady as he reaches into his pouch once more, pulling out the lightsaber he claimed from the woman he killed.


    "And witnesses?" The question lingers, each word dripping with authority.


    "No, my lord," Ryu responds, his tone cold and unwavering. With deliberate precision, he begins to place lightsaber after lightsaber before the steps of the throne, a total of thirty-seven, their hilts clattering against the polished floor.


    I feel Nikko tug on my sleeve, her voice barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief. "So many..."


    As if that weren''t horrifying enough, he then pulls out two banners. Both are torn, stained with the blood of those who once fought under them. I stare at them, confused. The first banner is emblazoned with a symbol I don''t recognize—a large, intricate design, bold and authoritative. The second bears a different emblem, one I only faintly recall from earlier memories—the Sith Empire.


    Llamiryl''s eyes narrow, her expression darkening as she stares at the two banners. "The first one," she says softly, her voice laden with understanding, "that''s the banner of the Republic—a massive government that spanned countless worlds. The other... you''ve seen before. It''s the symbol of the Sith Empire, the very one that Ryu served under."


    My heart sinks as the weight of her words hits me. The Republic. The Sith Empire. Two massive powers I barely know anything about, and yet, their influence has shaped Ryu''s entire life. I look back at the banners, my mind racing.


    "So, that battle we witnessed... the one with the soldiers and warriors clashing," I murmur, piecing it together. "They were fighting for dominance, weren''t they? Two opposing sides. But... were they also fighting for something else? That cube, perhaps?" I wonder aloud, my thoughts spiraling.


    The idea takes root in my mind—the possibility that the horrific battle we saw wasn''t just a fight for control, but a struggle over something even more powerful. My eyes drift back to the banners and the lightsabers strewn at Ryu''s feet. How much blood had been spilled over that one mysterious object?


    Nikko, still clutching my hand, whispers quietly, "Why did they have to fight? Why did Papa have to fight?"


    I have no answers for her. None of us do. Only the haunting memories of Ryu''s past, the atrocities he had committed, and the powerful forces that had shaped his life remain. I feel the chill of the hallway settle over me once more as Llamiryl gives me a grim look, acknowledging that the battle for dominance and power had long since consumed the galaxy Ryu came from. And now, it threatens to consume us all.


    "You kill without mercy," the master''s voice fills the chamber, dark and resonant. His gaze shifts between the pile of lightsabers and the kneeling figure of Ryu. "Yet, I sense turmoil within you." His words hang in the air like a threat.


    "No, master," Ryu denies immediately, but before he can finish, he suddenly grasps at his throat, his breath cut short by an invisible hand. He gasps, choking as he claws at the unseen force constricting his airway.


    "Fork your tongue at me, Ryu?" the master hisses, rising slightly from his throne. "Do not lie to me. I can sense it. Your doubt, your fear. And if you allow such weaknesses to fester, they will consume you. The Dark Side does not tolerate hesitation. If you falter, even for a moment, you will be lost. Doubt leads to defeat, and I will not allow you to become weak."


    I watch, horrified, as Ryu''s body writhes in pain, his hands still clawing at his neck. My heart races, each second of his suffering filling me with dread and anger. How can someone be so cruel? This isn''t training—it''s torture.


    Llamiryl looks equally shaken, her face pale as she watches Ryu struggle for air. I see it in her eyes—she''s beginning to understand, just as I am, how deeply the shadow of his master has sunk into him. There''s a flicker of something else too—hope. That spark of resistance within Ryu, that guilt, that fear, might be the very thing that could save him one day.


    Finally, the unseen grip around Ryu''s throat releases, and he falls forward, gasping for breath, his hands trembling as they press against the cold floor. The silence is suffocating.


    "Go to Dagobah," the master commands coldly. "There you will find a cave, a place where the Dark Side is strong. Go there and meditate. Channel the power of the Dark Side and rid yourself of these weaknesses."


    Ryu, still on his knees, nods, his voice rasping. "Yes, master."


    With a simple motion of his hand, the lightsabers float back into Ryu''s pouch, and he stands, his movements stiff as he exits the chamber without another word.


    A brilliant light suddenly fills the room, blinding us for a moment, and when it fades, we find ourselves once more in the endless hallway. The weight of what we''ve just witnessed lingers heavily in the air. I can feel Nikko trembling beside me, and I wrap my arm around her, offering what little comfort I can. But even as I hold her, my mind is racing. The atrocities we''ve seen—what else is buried deep within Ryu''s past? What else has he tried to hide? And, most terrifying of all, is he strong enough to overcome it?


    ?????


    Then, everything shifts. The ground beneath our feet shakes violently, and the walls seem to ripple, as if the darkness itself is coming alive. My heart pounds, and before I can say a word, a deafening roar reverberates through the corridor. It''s not just a sound—it''s a presence, an overwhelming force of malevolence that crashes into us like a tidal wave.


    Suddenly, my head explodes with pain. It''s worse than before. My vision blurs, and I can barely stand. I press my hands to my temples, trying to keep my head from splitting apart. The cry... the voice... it echoes directly in my mind, its words like shards of glass slicing through my thoughts.


    "You think you can stand against me, little shadows? Pathetic, broken things, clinging to hope. But I see you, every weakness, every fear. You are nothing—frail sparks in a void too vast for you to comprehend."


    The voice, the Shadowfell''s voice, twists through me, each word sinking deeper into my skull. I try to block it out, but the sound is everywhere, inside and outside, as if the very air is vibrating with its malice. My legs tremble, and I lean against the wall for support, but even the wall feels unstable beneath my touch. Nikko screams beside me, her hands clutching her head, tears streaming down her face as she drops to her knees. The agony is unbearable, and I feel helpless—powerless to protect her.


    "You, Talia," the voice hisses, "I will enjoy watching you break. You fight so hard, but for what? For a man who is already mine? You tread in my domain, thinking you can pull him from the abyss. You fool! You will only fall with him. You think you can defy me? Do you not see? He was lost long before you ever knew him!"


    Llamiryl''s face contorts with pain, her hands pressed tightly to her temples as if trying to block out the voice, but I can tell it''s useless. Even she, the High Priestess, can barely stand against the torment. Her breath comes in ragged gasps, and she stumbles forward, trying to focus, but her strength is waning. The Shadowfell''s presence is everywhere, oppressive and suffocating, dragging us down into a pit of despair.


    "Your defiance is nothing but a whisper in the void, Talia. I will tear him apart, piece by piece, memory by memory. And you will watch, powerless, as he succumbs to the darkness he was born to serve. I will strip away every shred of the man you thought you knew, until there is nothing left but my will. And when he is mine, you will beg for mercy, but there will be none."


    The voice claws at my mind, each word twisting like a blade inside me. The pain intensifies, and I grit my teeth, feeling as if my head is being crushed. Llamiryl drops to her knees beside Nikko, barely able to keep herself upright, her face drenched in sweat as she fights to stay conscious. My heart pounds in my chest, and all I can hear is the Shadowfell''s voice, echoing and twisting, breaking my resolve.


    "You thought you could protect him? You thought you could save him from me? How laughable. I will devour him, consume every part of his soul, until there is nothing left but a hollow shell. And when I am done with him, you will be next. I will make you feel every ounce of the pain he endured, and you will beg for death long before it finds you."


    The ground shakes harder, and the air itself feels like it''s pressing down on me, suffocating me. I try to scream, but the sound is swallowed by the force of the voice. I can feel the despair creeping in, the sense of inevitability, of failure. Nikko sobs, her voice broken, and Llamiryl''s strength seems to be fading. We''re trapped, caught in the grip of something far more powerful than we could have ever imagined.


    Then, as quickly as it began, the shaking stops. The violent tremors cease, the oppressive voice fades into the silence, leaving only the dull, lingering throb in my head. Slowly, I unclench my hands from my temples, the unbearable pressure easing. But it''s not gone. I can still feel the ache, a reminder of the Shadowfell''s presence. Beside me, Nikko sobs, clutching her head in agony. I pull her into my arms, holding her tight, whispering soothing words. She''s trembling, her small body shaking against mine, and I can feel her fear.


    Llamiryl stands a few feet away, her face damp with sweat from the effort of resisting the Shadowfell''s assault. But to my surprise, she''s smiling. A strange, knowing smile that unsettles me.


    "What''s so funny?" I manage to ask, the pain in my head slowly receding. My voice is shaky, but I manage to meet her eyes.


    Llamiryl''s smile widens, her gaze steady. "Ryu is putting up a decent fight," she says, her voice calm, almost amused. "The Shadowfell is getting desperate."


    I blink, surprised. "You think so?" I ask, glancing down at Nikko, who is starting to breathe more steadily.


    Llamiryl nods, her expression confident. "Did you hear it? The anger in its voice, the way it lashed out at us... That kind of fury? It''s a sign. Ryu is resisting, and the Shadowfell doesn''t like it."


    A flicker of hope stirs in my chest, something I haven''t felt in a while. Maybe we really can do this. Maybe we can save him.


    Llamiryl''s face softens. "But we can''t stop now. The Shadowfell is losing control, yes, but it''s still strong. We need to move quickly. I don''t know how much more Ryu can endure."