He doesn''t scream. He doesn''t flinch. He merely stares at the stump where his hand once was, his expression cold and unfeeling, as if the pain is irrelevant. His eyes shift back to Ryu, and for a moment, everything feels still. The world narrows down to just the two of them, standing there, the fight seemingly over.


    "You have grown stronger, Ryu," his master says, his voice low and almost approving. He drops to his knees, the sinister calm never leaving his face. "Now, finish this. Strike me down."


    His words send a shiver down my spine. There''s something in his tone—something dark, something twisted. The way he says it, as if this is what he''s wanted all along.


    Ryu steps forward, his lightsaber raised, the yellow glow casting shadows across his face. His expression is hard, but there''s conflict in his eyes. I can feel it—the battle raging inside him. He wants to end this. He wants to kill the man who took so much from him. I can see it in the way his grip tightens on his lightsaber, in the way his breathing quickens.


    "Ryu," August''s voice cuts through the air, sharp and commanding. He''s just finished cutting down the last of the Sith Acolytes, and his lightsaber is already off. He takes a step forward, his voice laced with urgency. "No. Don''t."


    Ryu hesitates, his arm still raised, the yellow blade hovering above his master.


    "This man took everything from me!" Ryu shouts, his voice shaking with emotion. His lightsaber trembles in his hand, as though the weight of the decision is too much to bear. "Why should he live?"


    "Because that''s what he wants," August says, stepping closer, placing a hand on Ryu''s shoulder. "If you strike him down, he wins. He''ll always win. Let it go."


    Ryu''s arm shakes, his eyes darting between his master and August. I can feel his turmoil, his need for vengeance, for justice. His master kneels before him, a wicked smile curling at the corners of his lips.


    "As long as I live," the Sith Lord taunts, his voice smooth and dripping with malice, "I will always control you."


    I feel a cold wave of dread wash over me, my heart pounding in my chest. Ryu''s face tightens, his breathing ragged. He''s teetering on the edge, and I don''t know what he''ll do. My own hands clench into fists at my sides, anxiety twisting in my stomach as I wait, as we all wait for Ryu''s next move.


    "Letting him live—breaking free from his will—that''s how you truly defeat him, Ryu," August says softly. "That''s how you become free."


    Ryu''s eyes flicker to August, then back to his master, the battle raging within him visible on his face. For a moment, I don''t know what he''ll do. Nikko squeezes my hand so tightly that it hurts, and I can hear her breath catching in her throat. Llamiryl stands beside me, her sharp eyes fixed on Ryu, tense with anticipation.


    Then, finally, Ryu takes a breath—a long, deep breath. Slowly, he lowers his lightsaber. The yellow blade flickers off, and Ryu''s arm falls limply to his side, the hilt clattering against his leg. His shoulders slump as if the weight of everything is too much to carry.


    "Weak and misguided," the Sith Lord hisses, the smile never leaving his face. "I expected nothing less from you, Ryu."


    I want to scream, to yell at him to shut up, but before I can say anything, August steps forward, his voice calm but firm. "Let''s get out of here."


    Ryu nods, his face hard, but before we can move, something happens—something terrible. The Sith Lord''s lightsaber lifts off the ground, ignites in midair, and in a flash, the crimson blade pierces Ryu''s chest.


    I hear Ryu gasp, the sound cutting through the chaos like a knife. My heart stops as I watch him stagger, his hand reaching for his chest as he drops to his knees. Blood pools beneath him, and I feel the world tilt, my vision blurring.


    "NO!" I scream, my voice filled with panic.


    Nikko cries out beside me, her grip on my hand crushingly tight. Llamiryl tenses, her eyes wide with shock.


    August reacts in an instant. With a fierce wave of his hand, he unleashes a powerful Force push that sends the Sith Lord flying off the platform and into the burning city beyond. The dark figure disappears into the flames without a sound.


    Ryu slumps forward, the Sith Lord''s lightsaber still humming in his chest. But with a shaky hand, he shuts it off, the hilt clattering to the ground beside him.


    "Ryu," I whisper, my voice trembling.


    August moves quickly, kneeling beside him. He slings Ryu''s arm over his shoulder, supporting his weight as he pulls him to his feet. Ryu groans, clutching his chest, his face pale and pained.


    "We need to move," August says, his voice steady but filled with urgency. He helps Ryu toward the ship, their steps slow, but purposeful.


    We follow close behind, my heart racing, my hands shaking.


    ?????


    The ground trembles violently beneath us as Ryu stumbles over to the wall, pressing a button with his free hand. The landing ramp begins to rise, the ship''s mechanics groaning as it seals shut. I can feel the ship shift under our feet, and the tension in the air is thick, as though the entire planet itself is unraveling in chaos outside.


    I follow closely behind as Ryu and August make their way to the bridge, my heart still pounding from everything we just witnessed. The sight through the ship''s large viewport is nothing short of horrifying. Sith fighters scream through the skies, their sleek black forms darting through the thick smoke that now blankets the city. Every so often, a burst of red blaster fire tears through the air, striking buildings, streets, and anything unfortunate enough to be in their path. The entire city looks like it''s been consumed by flames—towers collapsing, debris scattered everywhere, and flashes of fire lighting up the night.


    Dropships—large ships to my eyes—begin landing across the city like monstrous invaders descending from the heavens. I watch in helpless terror as one of the ships lands directly atop a large tower in the distance. Its hatch opens, and dozens of armored Sith Troopers pour out, their faceless helmets gleaming as they march with military precision into the fray. The sight sends a shiver down my spine, and I have to look away, the sheer cruelty of it all too much to bear.


    Ryu, clearly in pain, slumps into the pilot''s seat. He''s breathing heavily, one hand still clutching the wound in his chest while his free hand moves across the ship''s controls. I glance at August, who has taken the co-pilot''s seat, and frustration flares in me. Why isn''t he helping Ryu with the ship? Ryu''s injured, struggling to breathe, and yet August just sits there, doing nothing.


    But then, I remember. He''s blind.


    I feel a pang of guilt for my earlier frustration, and I turn back to watch Ryu as he messes with the controls, his brow furrowed in concentration. The ship rumbles beneath us, and a loud roar fills the cabin as the engines come to life. Ryu grips the control stick with both hands now, his teeth clenched in pain as the ship begins to lift off the ground. Outside, the city continues to burn, but the Sith fighters seem to ignore us as we pass the massive dreadnoughts hovering menacingly above the skyline.


    For a moment, I think we''re going to make it. But then the entire ship shakes violently, and I nearly lose my footing. A loud screech fills the air as a Sith fighter zooms past the window, its green blaster fire narrowly missing us.


    "That didn''t take long," Ryu grunts, wincing as he grips the controls tighter. The ship continues to shake, but we''re moving fast now, breaking through the atmosphere and heading toward the vast expanse of space.


    "Engage the hyperdrive, Master," Ryu says, his voice strained.


    August turns his head slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. He gestures to his eyes. "Blind, remember?"


    "Right, almost forgot." Ryu manages a weak chuckle, despite the situation. He leans far to the right, pressing several buttons with one hand while still clutching his chest with the other. The ship hums loudly, vibrating beneath our feet as it prepares to jump to hyperspace. But then, another tremor rocks the ship as more green blaster fire slams into the hull, shaking us violently.


    I grip the back of Ryu''s seat as the ship shudders under the impact, my heart in my throat. Through the window, I see several Sith fighters darting around us, their blasters lighting up the space around us in a deadly dance of green energy.


    "Hurry!" I can''t help but whisper under my breath, fear tightening in my chest.


    Ryu grits his teeth, pushing forward a lever on the control panel. The ship roars, and suddenly the stars around us stretch into long, brilliant streaks of light. The blue tunnel of hyperspace forms around us, and for a brief, fleeting moment, I think we''re safe. But then, the ship shakes violently once more, and the comforting hum of hyperspace disappears, replaced by a high-pitched alarm that blares in the cockpit.


    The ship spins uncontrollably, and I barely have time to cover my ears as the alarm rings out, Nikko doing the same beside me, her face pale with fear. My stomach lurches as the ship twists and turns, throwing us into a dizzying spiral. I grab onto the nearest seat, trying to steady myself as the ship finally slows, coming to an unsteady stop.


    "What happened?" August asks, his voice calm despite the chaos.


    Ryu groans, still clutching his chest. "We got hit just as we jumped into hyperspace. Almost all systems are down. We have little power, engines are out, hyperdrive''s offline... we''re drifting."


    August nods slowly, leaning back in his seat. "Where exactly are we?"


    Ryu shakes his head, his brow furrowed as he checks the controls. "I don''t know. The entire system''s down. We''re blind, deaf, and drifting somewhere in space." He lets out a heavy breath. "Luckily, life support''s still running. If it wasn''t, we''d be dead already."


    August leans his head back slightly, his expression unreadable. "A sliver of hope, then."


    "Someone might find us," August adds, though his tone is neutral.


    Ryu huffs, glancing over at him. "That someone could be the Sith Empire."


    "Could be," August agrees, nodding. "Could also be the Republic. But let''s not dwell on the what-ifs. Let''s tend to your wounds first. Can you stand?"Stolen story; please report.


    Ryu exhales sharply, his face pale. "Barely."


    They both rise, and I follow closely behind as we make our way through the narrow corridors of the ship. The walls are sleek, lined with blinking lights and strange devices I don''t recognize. It''s so foreign, so advanced. I''ve never seen anything like it before.


    We enter a larger room, filled with machinery I can''t begin to understand. A large tank, filled with some kind of glowing blue liquid, stands at the center of the room. It''s big enough to fit a person inside, but I don''t know what it''s for. Strange devices line the walls—metal boxes with blinking lights, tubes running from them into the ceiling, and small dials and levers that I can''t make sense of.


    There''s also a strange droid standing motionless in the corner of the room, its body sleek and covered in blinking lights. It looks... dormant. Ryu limps toward it, his face set in determination, and tries pressing several buttons on the control panel. But nothing happens.


    "Damn it," he mutters, his voice filled with pain and frustration. He moves to the glowing tank, trying to activate it as well, but the controls are unresponsive. His breathing grows more labored, and he lets out a painful grunt of frustration, slamming his hand against the console.


    "Nothing''s working," Ryu growls through gritted teeth. "But I bet..."


    He limps over to a set of sealed doors, waving his hand in front of them. They hiss open, revealing a stash of medical supplies—various tools, syringes, and devices that are completely foreign to me. I watch as he grabs a few items, his movements slow but determined.


    I can only stand by, unsure of what to do as he begins tending to his wound.


    Ryu sits on the edge of a medical table, his breathing ragged as he holds a thin, clear bottle in his hand. At the end of it is a long, needle-like tube. He clenches his jaw, his face pale, as he positions the needle against his chest. I watch, my stomach twisting, as he winces in pain, driving the needle through the scorched skin of his chest wound.


    Clear liquid moves through the thin tube, disappearing into his body. I can see the tension in his jaw as he pushes the contents of the bottle slowly, forcing himself to endure the pain. It''s difficult to watch. Nikko clings to my side, her small hands gripping my arm tightly, and I can feel her fear mirroring my own.


    Llamiryl stands beside us, her eyes fixed on Ryu with a quiet fascination, as though every movement he makes is a puzzle she''s determined to understand. She watches as Ryu pulls the needle out and reaches for another strange device from the shelf, this one metallic and curved, with handles on both sides. I have no idea what it is, but Ryu moves with a certainty that suggests he''s done this before.


    He presses the device against the scorched hole in his chest, and I flinch as he squeezes the handles together. A loud click echoes through the room as the device stitches the edges of the wound together, sealing it. Ryu winces but continues, repeating the motion until the wound is closed. His breathing is heavy, sweat beading on his forehead, but he doesn''t stop until it''s done.


    With a final click, the device snaps shut, and Ryu repeats the process again with the exit wound before tossing it to the side, the metal clattering against the floor. He leans heavily against the wall, his chest rising and falling as he slumps to the ground, one hand still clutching his wound. His face is drawn, tired, but there''s a small glimmer of relief in his eyes.


    "How are you feeling?" August''s voice breaks the silence, his tone calm but concerned as he sits down beside Ryu, his blind eyes seemingly focused on him.


    Ryu lets out a breath, his eyes half-closed. "Hurts like hell," he mutters, his voice strained. "But the medicine... it''s working. Doesn''t hurt as bad as it did before."


    August nods slowly, his expression calm as he, too, leans against the wall. "Good," he says simply, his voice steady. For a moment, the two of them just sit there, side by side, the tension in the room easing just a little.


    "What now, Master?" Ryu asks after a long silence, his voice low and rough. He clutches his wound, breathing deeply as if trying to gather his strength. "We''re stuck, drifting in space. What do we do now?"


    August doesn''t answer right away. Instead, he closes his eyes, a small, almost thoughtful smile playing on his lips. "We wait, of course," he finally says, his voice carrying that calm wisdom he always seems to have. "Someone will come across us eventually."


    Ryu lets out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "That could be weeks... months... maybe even years, Master. If someone finds us. We''ll run out of food and water before that happens—if we get found."


    August tilts his head slightly, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Thinking negatively won''t get us anywhere, Ryu. There is always hope. The Force works in ways we cannot always see. I have a good feeling that we will be found."


    "I wish I shared that same optimism," Ryu grunts, though there''s a flicker of amusement in his tired eyes. "This isn''t exactly the best situation we''ve found ourselves in."


    They both fall silent after that, the air between them heavy but not tense. They seem at ease with each other, even in the midst of this impossible situation. I watch as they sit together, side by side, August''s calm presence somehow keeping Ryu grounded, despite the pain and uncertainty.


    My heart feels a little lighter watching them, but it''s hard to shake the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind. Nikko presses closer to me, her small body trembling as she clings to my arm. I give her a reassuring squeeze, though I''m not sure how much reassurance I can offer in this situation.


    The silence stretches, the dim lights of the medical bay casting long shadows across the room. And then, slowly, the edges of the room begin to blur. The walls, the lights, the machines—all of it starts to fade away, dissolving into nothingness.


    ?????


    In the blink of an eye, the memory is gone, and we''re back in the endless hallway once again. The quiet hum of the strange space surrounds us, but for a moment, I can still hear the echo of Ryu''s breathing, the weight of the memory lingering in the air.


    I let out a breath, my heart still pounding in my chest.


    Nikko''s small voice breaks the silence, her wide eyes searching for reassurance. "Is that horrible man actually gone?"


    I glance down at her, my heart heavy with uncertainty. I wish I could give her a definitive answer, but even I''m not sure. "I hope so," I say quietly, though the doubt lingers in my mind. I can''t shake the feeling that something is still unfinished—that Ryu''s former master might not be truly gone. Not yet.


    Llamiryl, ever focused, steps forward, her fingers weaving in the air as she summons another door. It materializes before us with the same ethereal glow, and with a nod, she gestures for us to follow.


    We step through, the air around us shifting once more. The familiar surroundings of the ship greet us again, but this time, we''re in what looks like a cargo room. It''s dimly lit, the walls lined with various crates and containers. The space feels colder, more industrial compared to the rest of the ship.


    Talia and the others spot Ryu and August standing before a strange machine, one that instantly draws my attention. It''s large, towering above them, with a sleek, metallic surface that gleams under the low lights of the room. The design is unlike anything I''ve ever seen, but far more ominous in its appearance. The front of the machine is encased in thick, transparent glass, revealing a hollow interior.


    Inside, I can see nozzles arranged in a circular pattern, all aimed inward, as if they''re meant to inject something into whatever—or whoever—would be placed inside. The machinery hums faintly, a low, almost mechanical growl, and there''s an unsettling coldness that seems to radiate from it.


    I watch in silence as Ryu and August stand before the machine, their expressions unreadable.


    Ryu''s gaze darts across the strange machine, confusion etched on his face. "Why have you brought me to this carbonite freezing chamber, Master?" His voice is filled with unease, and I can sense the tension rising between them.


    Carbonite? I ask myself, the word foreign to me. What could that be?


    August''s voice is steady, unnervingly calm. "Because this machine will be our solution to our predicament."


    Ryu''s eyes widen in disbelief, and I feel my heart drop at the same time. "You want us to freeze ourselves in carbonite?" His voice rises, incredulous. "That''s crazy, Master! The side effects alone—if we even survive the freezing..."


    August cuts him off, his voice unwavering. "Not we, Ryu. Just you."


    Ryu stares at him, eyes wide, trying to process the weight of what August just said. "Just me?" His voice falters. "Master, you can''t be serious. This is insane. Surely, both of us—"


    But then, as if a dreadful realization hits him, Ryu stops mid-sentence. His expression darkens as he pieces it together. "There''s only enough power to use this machine once, isn''t there?" he asks, his voice soft, filled with a sinking realization.


    August shrugs, and his response feels almost too casual. "You tell me. I''m blind, so I wouldn''t know."


    Ryu''s expression tightens, and there''s a flash of desperation in his eyes. "But if this machine gets used, that''ll drain the last of the ship''s power, and you will... will..." He trails off, his voice cracking, the pain in his words clear.


    "Die?" August finishes, his tone calm, as though he''s merely discussing the weather. "Yes, Ryu, I would. But my time is nearing its end, and your journey is only beginning."


    "No... no," Ryu mutters, shaking his head. "There has to be another way. We can figure something out—fix the systems, send a distress signal. Maybe someone will find us."


    August''s expression remains serene, but his voice is firm. "Ryu, look around. The ship''s systems are dead. Our supplies have dwindled. We are drifting in the vastness of space, and every hour that passes brings us closer to the end. This machine is your only chance."


    "I... I can''t leave you behind," Ryu says, his voice shaking. "You saved me. You''ve been my guide, my master—how could I just walk away from that?"


    August steps forward, placing a firm hand on Ryu''s shoulder, his gaze unyielding despite his blindness. "The Force brought us together, Ryu. And now, it has shown me that it is time for me to let go. You have to learn to walk your path alone."


    Ryu''s shoulders slump as he glances at the machine, then back at August. "I can''t do this without you."


    "You can. And you will," August says, his voice filled with quiet wisdom. "The Force will be with you, guiding you, as it has always been. Even in darkness, it will light your way."


    Ryu''s jaw clenches as his eyes fill with tears, the weight of everything pressing down on him. "But this isn''t right," he protests, his voice thick with emotion. "There has to be another way. There must be."


    "If there were another way, I''d have taken it long before now," August replies, his voice unwavering. "You know this is the only choice we have left. The supplies are gone. The ship is failing. We cannot survive here much longer."


    Ryu''s face hardens, frustration and grief battling in his expression. "I don''t want you to die. This... this isn''t fair."


    August smiles softly, and for a moment, he looks almost peaceful. "Life isn''t fair, Ryu. But it is full of choices. And right now, you have a choice to make. You can hold onto the past, or you can let go and step into the future."


    Tears spill down Ryu''s cheeks as he lowers his gaze, the conflict raging inside him. He tries to speak, but his words catch in his throat.


    August''s voice remains gentle but firm. "You have to trust in the Force. Trust in yourself. You are stronger than you realize, Ryu. I''ve always known that. But now, you must believe it too."


    Ryu closes his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "Thank you, Master," he whispers, his voice breaking.


    August gives him a small nod, his hand resting on Ryu''s shoulder. "You don''t need to thank me. Just live. That''s thanks enough."


    With a heavy heart, Ryu steps toward the machine, his feet dragging as though weighed down by an invisible force. The glass door parts with a soft hiss, steam curling around the edges. Ryu hesitates, his hand trembling as he places it on the side of the machine.


    "I''ll never forget you, August," Ryu says, his voice low, filled with pain.


    "You won''t need to," August replies, his voice steady. "Look for the Force, Ryu, and you will always find me."


    Ryu steps inside the chamber, the glass doors closing behind him with a soft click. I watch, my heart racing, as the steam fills the small space. It''s like watching someone step into a tomb, knowing they won''t come out the same—or come out at all.


    The steam obscures Ryu from view, and I feel Nikko grip my arm tighter, her body trembling. "Talia... is he going to be okay?" she asks, her voice small and scared.


    "I don''t know," I whisper, my own fear creeping into my voice.


    As the steam begins to clear, my breath catches in my throat. Ryu''s body is suspended within the chamber in a solid block of metallic material, his body frozen in a state of calm resignation. His arms rest at his sides, completely still, as if he has accepted his fate. His face, though frozen, carries a profound sadness. His eyes are gently closed, his brows relaxed, but his mouth is set in a faint frown, the sadness etched deeply into his features. It''s as though he''s caught in a moment of reflection, locked in a place between resolve and sorrow.


    The material encases him entirely, capturing every detail of his form in unnerving precision. His clothing, his features, even the lines of his face are preserved perfectly, as though sculpted into the cold surface. His hair, tousled slightly, is pressed against the smooth texture, every strand visible. The expression on his face is calm, but it carries the weight of the decision he''s made—an air of finality that haunts me as I look upon him. The material feels like a tomb, preserving his figure in a moment of stillness, as if he''s been taken from life and placed into a state of eternal quiet, unreachable and locked away.


    Nikko gasps, clutching at me even tighter. "He... he looks like he''s gone."


    Llamiryl steps forward, her eyes wide with shock. "By the spirits..."


    I can''t speak. The weight of the moment is crushing me, making it hard to breathe. My heart aches as I stare at Ryu''s frozen form, and for the first time, I feel truly helpless. There''s nothing we can do. Nothing any of us can do.


    Then, just like that, the memory begins to dissolve. The walls, the machine, Ryu—everything fades away, slipping into the void. But before the memory fades completely, August''s voice echoes one last time, soft but filled with certainty.


    "Look for the Force, Ryu, and you will always find me."


    With a blink, we''re back in the endless hallway. The memory is gone, but the weight of it lingers, heavy and oppressive. I glance at Nikko, still clutching my arm, her face pale and filled with fear. Llamiryl stands beside us, her expression unreadable but tense.


    None of us speak. The silence is thick with everything we''ve just witnessed.