At the far end of the chamber, sitting on a high, stone throne, is Ryu''s master. His posture is rigid, but there''s no fury in his gaze. No anger. Just that same cold, calculating stare as he watches Ryu step forward. His eyes pierce through the dim light of the chamber, settling on Ryu with a familiarity that makes my skin crawl.
The silence hangs thick between them, broken only by the distant hum of the temple''s machinery. Ryu stops in the center of the chamber, his shoulders tense, but there''s something different in the way he holds himself now. He isn''t kneeling. He isn''t submitting.
"I see you''ve made your decision, my young Acolyte," his master says, his voice slicing through the silence with an unnerving calm. There is no anger, no disappointment—just a cold indifference, as though addressing a trivial matter. "You''ve succumbed to your inner turmoil."
He shakes his head slowly, almost mockingly. "Such a waste."
My heart pounds in my chest. The way he speaks to Ryu, the absolute authority in his voice—it''s suffocating. I glance at Nikko, whose hand tightens around mine. She doesn''t say anything, but her wide eyes speak volumes. She''s scared. So am I.
Ryu doesn''t flinch. He stands his ground in the middle of the chamber, surrounded by the banners of his past sins, by the man who forged him into the weapon I''m only just beginning to understand.
Then, from the shadows, Sith Acolytes begin to step forward, one by one. They emerge from either side of the chamber, their dark robes shifting as they move with purpose. I count five, no, seven—each one igniting a red lightsaber with that ominous, unmistakable hiss. They surround Ryu, forming a circle around him, their crimson blades casting an eerie glow on the stone floor.
I feel a knot form in my stomach. They''re going to kill him. I look at Llamiryl, but she remains calm, her eyes sharp as they track every movement.
"No," Ryu says, his voice steady and resolute. He reaches for his own lightsaber, and the moment it ignites, its yellow blade shining like a beacon of defiance, I see something in him that I hadn''t before. Not fear. Not doubt. But determination. "I saw the truth," he continues, his voice strong, unwavering. "And now, I will break the chains of your control."
His words echo through the chamber, reverberating off the stone walls. My breath catches in my throat. There''s a weight in his voice that I can''t ignore—something final, something that speaks of a battle not just with his master, but with himself.
"Talia, he''s doing it." Nikko''s voice is a quiet whisper in my ear, filled with disbelief and hope. I feel her grip tighten, but my eyes are glued to Ryu. This is it. He''s made his choice.
The Sith Acolytes close in, their red lightsabers humming ominously as they prepare to strike. But Ryu doesn''t back down. His yellow blade is raised, and I can feel the tension, the charged air thick with the anticipation of a deadly clash.
"Ryu..." I whisper, my heart pounding.
The Sith Acolytes stand in a circle around Ryu, their dark robes swaying slightly as they ignite their lightsabers in unison, the red blades casting a crimson glow across the chamber. Their masks—fierce, predatory, and without emotion—hide their faces completely, making them seem more like phantoms than men. The chamber feels cold, the oppressive energy building in the air, crackling with danger. I can hardly breathe as I grip Nikko''s hand, watching as Ryu stands alone, his yellow lightsaber igniting with a sharp hiss.
Ryu doesn''t flinch. His eyes are cold behind that mask, his stance unwavering. The Sith Acolytes circle him like predators, waiting for the moment to strike. My heart races, fear gripping me as I try to imagine how Ryu will fend off so many at once. But he doesn''t move, standing there, waiting, letting them make the first move.
Suddenly, one of them lunges at him, his red blade aimed for Ryu''s chest. With a swift motion, Ryu deflects the attack, his yellow saber flashing through the air as he spins, barely dodging another strike from behind. The sound of lightsabers clashing echoes throughout the chamber, their red and yellow hues dancing together in an intense blur of light and shadow.
My breath catches in my throat as the others join the fray, coming at Ryu from every angle. But Ryu''s movements are sharp, calculated. He dodges, parries, and counters, each movement a precise balance between fluidity and aggression. His yellow blade cuts through the air with terrifying precision, but the Acolytes are relentless. I can see how much effort it takes for Ryu to keep up.
"He''s... he''s fighting all of them at once," Nikko whispers, her voice shaking. I feel her trembling beside me.
"Yes," Llamiryl replies quietly, her eyes fixed on the battle. "But it''s too many..."
One of the Acolytes slashes low, aiming for Ryu''s legs, but Ryu leaps over the attack, flipping in mid-air to land behind his opponent. With a swift strike, he cuts through the Acolyte''s back, sending the masked figure crumpling to the floor, his lightsaber flickering out.
My heart pounds as I watch Ryu fight, his yellow blade moving in a deadly rhythm, cutting through the air with deadly grace. He''s fast, but the Acolytes are skilled. Their red lightsabers flash dangerously close to him, narrowly missing his chest, his legs, his arms. At times, it looks like he''ll be overwhelmed, like there''s too much to handle all at once.
Another Sith Acolyte charges at Ryu, swinging his saber in a wide arc, but Ryu catches it mid-air, their blades locked together in a clash of red and yellow. Sparks fly between them as Ryu forces the Acolyte back with sheer strength, disarming him with a quick flick of his wrist before delivering a lethal blow. The masked figure falls to the ground, motionless.
More Sith Acolytes rush in, their attacks fierce, unrelenting. Ryu pivots, dodging a near-fatal strike from behind, using the Force to push his attacker away with a powerful blast. The Acolyte flies across the room, hitting the stone walls with a sickening thud. But even as he fends them off, the danger is growing. The Acolytes are closing in.
Talia''s breath catches, watching as the Sith Acolytes surround Ryu. The red glow of their blades is reflected off the stone walls, casting a grim light on the banners of conquered worlds hanging above.
"He''s going to be overwhelmed," Nikko whispers, clinging to Talia''s arm. "There''s too many of them!"
For a moment, it looks like Nikko''s words will prove true. One of the Acolytes swings down hard, forcing Ryu into a block that nearly falters. The red blade is just inches from Ryu''s face, and Talia''s heart stops.
But then, Ryu''s free hand stretches out toward the masked Sith Acolyte. With a sharp burst of energy, the Acolyte is lifted into the air, his body thrown backward with such force that he crashes into one of the stone pillars lining the chamber. Ryu''s movements blur as he spins, knocking back another strike with ease before slashing through the chest of the next attacker.
The sound of clashing lightsabers fills the air. Red and yellow streaks move like lightning, each deadly strike sending sparks flying. The air is filled with the hum of energy as Ryu cuts down another Sith Acolyte, then another. But still, they keep coming.
"There''s no end to them..." Llamiryl murmurs.
Then, from the shadows, a hulking temple guardian steps forward, its massive spear glowing ominously. It charges at Ryu, the ground shaking beneath its weight, and for a moment, it looks as though the spear will pierce him. I cry out, unable to look away.
But at the last moment, Ryu raises his hand, stopping the spear mid-thrust. The guardian freezes, its enormous form trembling as Ryu focuses the Force on it. Slowly, with a sickening creak, the guardian begins to crumble. Its metal body collapses in on itself, folding and breaking under Ryu''s power until it is nothing more than a heap of wreckage.
Ryu doesn''t hesitate. He throws the crumpled remains of the guardian into the remaining Sith Acolytes, their bodies flung across the chamber like ragdolls, crashing against the walls with devastating force.
It''s horrifying. The sheer power that Ryu unleashes is unlike anything I''ve ever seen, a force so unstoppable that it''s terrifying. My heart races in my chest as I watch the Sith Acolytes crumble before him, one after another, their numbers dwindling.
But it''s not enough. More troopers and droids pour into the chamber. It seems endless.
Ryu stops, his chest heaving as he surveys the battlefield. His lightsaber hums softly, casting a pale glow on the dark stone floor. Then, in a sudden motion, Ryu deactivates his blade. He takes a deep breath, the energy around him building.
I watch in shock as Ryu leaps into the air, hovering just above the battlefield. For a moment, everything goes still, and then—
A massive shockwave of energy bursts out from Ryu, rippling through the chamber with an incredible force. The Sith Acolytes and droids closest to him disintegrate on impact, their bodies reduced to ash in the blink of an eye. Those farther away are hurled across the room, their broken forms slamming into walls and columns.
The force of the blast shakes the entire chamber, the ground trembling beneath my feet. Nikko gasps, gripping my arm as the aftershocks reverberate through the stone walls.
When Ryu lands, there''s nothing left. The chamber is silent, the bodies of Sith Acolytes and shattered droids littering the floor around him. He stands in the center of the room, his yellow lightsaber flickering out.
"He... he did it," I whisper, barely able to believe what I just witnessed.
Nikko nods, her voice shaky but filled with relief. "Papa won."
Llamiryl is silent, her eyes fixed on Ryu, the aftermath of the battle hanging heavy in the air.
Llamiryl turns to me and Nikko, her voice low and firm. "It''s not over yet."
I look back at Ryu, my heart pounding in my chest. His gaze is now fixed on his master, still sitting on the throne, calm and collected amidst the carnage of the battle. The chamber is deathly quiet, but the tension is so thick I can feel it pressing down on me like a weight. My breath hitches when I see Ryu''s master rise slowly from his seat, his dark eyes locked onto Ryu with a cold, calculating stare.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
"Very impressive," the Sith Lord says, his voice a smooth, chilling whisper that somehow carries through the entire chamber. I can barely believe he''s offering praise, and for a moment, I feel a pang of hope that maybe—just maybe—this confrontation won''t end in bloodshed.
"You''ve come a long way since Kessel," Ryu''s master continues, his tone almost... nostalgic. But then his words twist, cold and venomous. "But in the end, you were nothing more than an accessory. A tool to serve my purpose."
The way he says it sends a wave of fury through me, and I clench my fists at my sides. How can he speak so calmly after all that Ryu has done, all that he''s endured? But there''s something about the way he stands, so composed, exuding a dark, oppressive authority that chills me to the bone. His very presence oozes with an overwhelming sense of control, like the room itself bends to his will.
Suddenly, before I can process it, Ryu''s master moves with lightning speed. His arms shoot out, fingers extended, and from them bursts a torrent of crackling blue lightning, arcing violently toward Ryu.
My breath catches as the lightning courses through the air with terrifying speed. But Ryu is ready.
In a flash, Ryu shuts off his lightsaber, raising his free hand just in time to meet the incoming storm of energy. The blue lightning surges toward him, but with a swift, fluid motion, he directs the flow of power through his body, channeling the lightning along his arm and twisting it back in a graceful arc. The energy pulses with a blinding light, crackling with intensity as Ryu redirects it toward its origin.
The redirected lightning strikes at Ryu''s master with explosive force, sending a cloud of dust swirling through the chamber as the energy collides where the Sith Lord once stood. My heart races as I watch, straining to see through the haze.
For a moment, everything is still.
?????
But then Ryu looks up sharply, his eyes widening as his master—no longer at the center of the room—suddenly appears above him, descending swiftly from the air. The Sith Lord''s dark robes billow around him, and in one fluid motion, he ignites a brilliant red lightsaber, the crimson blade cutting through the dust as he brings it down with deadly precision toward Ryu.
Just before the red blade can strike, Ryu ignites his yellow lightsaber in a flash, meeting the attack head-on. The two lightsabers clash with a fierce hiss, sending sparks flying between them as the two warriors lock eyes in the heat of battle.
The air between them is electric, the hum of their lightsabers filling the chamber as Ryu''s master regards him with a cold, predatory gaze. "Very good, Ryu," his master praises, his voice smooth, almost mocking. Their blades remain locked, but while Ryu grunts with the strain, the weight of his master''s force pressing down on him, the Sith Lord remains calm, as if the battle is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Ryu clenches his jaw, muscles straining as he tries to push back, but his master barely flinches. And then, with a sudden surge of power, Ryu''s master shoves him forward, the force sending Ryu staggering backward. He barely catches himself, his boots skidding across the smooth floor, but before he can fully regain his balance, their blades clash again, the sound of lightsabers crackling with fierce energy filling the air.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I watch from the side, frozen in place. Ryu is giving it everything he has, but I can already tell... his master is stronger. Much stronger.
Their lightsabers flash and whirl, the glowing blades casting eerie reflections off the walls as they move in a deadly dance, each strike more intense than the last. Ryu swings his lightsaber in a wide arc, aiming for his master''s chest, but his master parries the blow effortlessly, his expression never changing. It''s as if he''s barely exerting himself, while Ryu is fighting for his life.
"Come on, Ryu..." I whisper under my breath, clenching my fists as I watch, praying for him to find an opening.
But his master moves with terrifying precision, dodging and deflecting every strike as if he knows what Ryu will do before he even makes a move. Ryu grits his teeth and thrusts his free hand forward, summoning the Force in a desperate attempt to push his master back, but the Sith Lord merely waves his hand, deflecting the energy as if swatting away an insect.
"It''s futile, Ryu," his master says, his voice calm, almost bored. "You''ve grown stronger, but not enough."
Before Ryu can react, his master reaches out with the Force, and with a flick of his wrist, large chunks of stone and debris break free from the walls of the temple. The massive slabs of rock float ominously in the air for a moment before hurtling toward Ryu with deadly speed.
"Watch out!" I cry, my voice barely audible over the sound of the debris crashing toward him.
Ryu dashes out of the way just in time, the stone slamming into the floor where he stood only moments before, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the polished surface. But his master isn''t done. Another wave of debris flies toward Ryu, and though he dodges again, the strain is clear on his face. He''s being pushed to his limit.
The two continue their fight, moving with blinding speed through the vast chamber, their lightsabers slashing and clashing in a flurry of strikes. Ryu tries to counter, swinging his lightsaber in a powerful arc, but his master sidesteps with ease, his movements fluid and precise. Then, with a swift motion, Ryu''s master extends his arm, and an invisible force slams into Ryu with the power of a crashing wave.
Ryu flies back, his body crashing into one of the temple''s stone pillars with a sickening thud. I wince, my heart skipping a beat as the impact shakes the entire chamber. But Ryu isn''t down yet. He pulls himself up, breathing heavily, his lightsaber still ignited in his hand.
"Ryu..." Nikko whispers, clutching my arm tightly, her eyes wide with fear.
He doesn''t stop. He charges again, his determination unwavering, but his master meets him head-on, their lightsabers clashing with an ear-splitting hiss. They move together, their blades a blur of light, but it''s clear that Ryu is struggling. Every time he tries to gain ground, his master counters, forcing him back.
And then, with a sudden burst of power, Ryu''s master unleashes a powerful Force push. The energy slams into Ryu like a battering ram, sending him hurtling across the chamber. He crashes through the wall with a thunderous roar, breaking through stone and mortar, and disappears outside into the open air.
"Ryu!" I scream, my voice raw with panic as I rush toward the shattered wall.
Llamiryl grabs my arm, stopping me. "Talia, remember. It''s just a memory."
But even though I know that, my chest tightens with fear. Seeing Ryu like this, watching him struggle against a power so much greater than his own... it''s terrifying. I glance at Nikko, who looks just as shaken, her small hands trembling as she clutches the fabric of my sleeve.
Through the gaping hole in the wall, I see Ryu land hard on the rocky ground outside the temple, the wind knocked out of him. But he forces himself to stand, his chest heaving as he reignites his lightsaber. His master steps through the hole with slow, deliberate steps, his presence as overwhelming as ever. The moonlight casts a cold, pale glow on the desolate landscape outside, illuminating the deep ravine that looms just beyond the temple''s edge.
The fight continues, more brutal than before. Ryu slashes at his master with everything he has, but the Sith Lord is relentless. He sidesteps, parries, and counters with precision, every movement calculated to wear Ryu down.
I can see the exhaustion setting in on Ryu''s face. His strikes become more desperate, his breathing ragged. His master, on the other hand, remains calm, his expression unreadable as he methodically breaks Ryu down piece by piece.
At one point, Ryu manages to land a glancing blow, the yellow blade of his lightsaber slashing across his master''s arm. But the Sith Lord barely flinches, as if the pain means nothing to him. He retaliates with a vicious backhanded strike, sending Ryu stumbling toward the edge of the ravine.
"No!" Nikko cries, her voice trembling with fear.
Ryu catches himself just before falling, but his master is already upon him. With a swift, brutal motion, the Sith Lord slashes at Ryu, the red blade cutting across his chest. Ryu gasps, his body jerking as the searing pain takes hold, and he stumbles back, his hand clutching at the wound.
I feel my heart drop as I watch, frozen in place. Ryu... he lost.
The sight of him, bloodied and beaten, fighting with everything he has, only to be outmatched by the sheer power of his master... it''s too much to bear.
The memory is brutal. Ryu collapses to his knees, barely holding himself upright with one trembling hand against the ground. His lightsaber clatters to the stone floor, its once-vibrant yellow blade flickering out, leaving him defenseless. Blood drips steadily from the deep gash across his chest, staining the ground beneath him in dark, crimson splatters. He clutches at the wound, his fingers slick with blood, and I can see his strength waning with every shallow breath he takes.
Ryu''s master stands over him, towering, unyielding. The red glow of his lightsaber hums menacingly, casting long shadows across the ground as he steps closer. There''s no sympathy in his expression—just cold indifference. The way he looks down at Ryu, defeated and kneeling before him, sends a shiver down my spine. It''s a horrifying reflection of that first memory we saw, back on Kessel. The same cruel dynamic, the same merciless power exerted over Ryu, and my heart aches to see him like this, broken and vulnerable.
Then, with deliberate slowness, Ryu''s master extends his free hand. My stomach drops. Ryu''s body jerks, his eyes widening in shock as he''s lifted off the ground, clutching at his neck as an invisible force wraps around his throat, choking him. His feet dangle helplessly as he struggles for breath, his face contorting with pain.
"This is my use for you ends," the Sith Lord says, his voice as frigid as ever. He raises his lightsaber, the red blade glowing with lethal intent, ready to deliver the final blow.
"No!" I want to scream, but my voice catches in my throat. It''s happening all over again, and I''m powerless to stop it.
But then, in a last desperate act, Ryu reaches out with the Force. His fingers twitch, and his lightsaber, still lying on the ground, jerks into the air, spinning towards him. It ignites mid-flight, the yellow blade humming to life. Ryu''s master notices just in time, releasing him from the Force choke. Ryu drops to the ground with a painful thud, the air leaving his lungs in a ragged gasp, just as his lightsaber whizzes past the Sith Lord''s head, narrowly missing him.
Ryu hits the ground hard, his body rolling with the momentum, and I can''t help the gasp that escapes me as he tumbles towards the edge of the ravine. His form disappears over the edge, vanishing into the darkness below.
"Ryu!" I cry out, my voice raw with fear.
But before I can move, the memory shifts. Everything around us darkens—like the world itself is folding in on us. I blink, my heart racing, and the next thing I know, we''re standing back in the endless hallway. The cold metal walls and shadowy void surround us once more, the silence deafening after the chaos of the battle.
I can''t contain it anymore. The tension, the fear, the anger—it all comes crashing down. "That monster!" I shout, my voice trembling with rage. "How could he? How could he do that to Ryu, after everything?" My fists clench at my sides, and I feel the tears stinging my eyes. I can''t stop picturing the way Ryu was thrown around like a rag doll, the way his master seemed to enjoy every moment of it.
Nikko''s sobs cut through my outburst. She''s trembling, her tiny hands covering her face as she breaks down completely. "Papa... Papa''s dead... He fell!" she cries, her voice choking with grief. "Papa''s gone..."
I freeze, the anger in me fizzling out as I see Nikko''s tear-streaked face. The raw fear in her eyes makes my heart twist painfully. I kneel down, pulling her into my arms, holding her tightly against my chest. "Nikko, no, he''s not dead," I whisper, trying to soothe her even though I can barely hold myself together. "It was just a memory, remember? He''s not dead. He''s alive... somewhere."
Nikko sniffles, looking up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes. "But he fell... he fell so far... How could he survive?"
I don''t have an answer, and I feel the weight of the uncertainty pressing down on me. How did he survive? I saw him tumble into that ravine, his body broken and bleeding. It didn''t seem possible.
Llamiryl''s voice is steady, though I can sense the tremor beneath her calm facade. "We''ll find out," she says, stepping forward, her eyes fixed on the dark corridor ahead. "There''s more to this... more we haven''t seen." She raises her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, another door materializes before us, glowing faintly in the dim light.
I look down at Nikko, her tearful gaze still locked on me. "Are you ready?" I ask softly, brushing a few stray hairs from her face.
She nods, though I can see the fear still lingering in her eyes. "I want to know what happened to Papa."
"So do I," I say, squeezing her hand gently as we rise to our feet.
Llamiryl pushes the door open, the soft light spilling out into the hallway. She looks back at us, her expression serious but filled with a quiet determination. "Let''s go," she says, stepping through the doorway.
I take a deep breath, giving Nikko''s hand a reassuring squeeze before we follow. The uncertainty gnaws at me, the fear of what we might find next—but there''s no turning back now. We need to know. We have to know how Ryu survived