The memory shifts again, and I find myself in the dimly lit galley of the Crucible, the hum of the ship filling the silence between Ryu and Lyra. There''s an undeniable tension in the air. Lyra is seated at the small kitchen table, her arms crossed and her eyes locked on the steaming mug that Ryu placed in front of her. But she doesn''t touch it. Her fingers tap rhythmically against the table''s surface, a clear sign of the emotions bubbling just beneath the surface.


    I swallow hard, feeling the weight of the moment settle over me. Nikko presses closer to my side, her usual curiosity replaced by concern. I can see the confusion in her wide eyes as she watches Lyra, so unlike the cheerful woman we''ve come to know. Even Llamiryl remains unusually quiet, her sharp gaze flickering between Ryu and Lyra, sensing the storm about to unfold.


    Ryu sits across from her, his own mug untouched. His face is tight with worry, his gaze occasionally shifting to the lightsaber hilt resting between them. That single object holds so much of his past—a past he''s about to reveal, and I know just how much that weighs on him. My heart tightens, knowing what''s coming. We''ve witnessed his journey, his secrets. The truth he''s carried all this time.


    Suddenly, Lyra draws in a sharp breath, her body stiffening as she finally breaks the silence. "Start talking," she snaps, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. Her eyes, usually so full of light, are now filled with pain and anger, locking onto Ryu like she''s daring him to say something that could make it all make sense.


    I flinch at her tone, and Nikko clutches my arm. "Why is Lyra so mad at Papa?" she whispers, but I don''t have an answer. I only know this moment must be excruciating for Ryu, and as he takes a deep breath, I hold mine.


    Ryu''s voice is soft, but clear, carrying the weight of years of secrecy. "My name isn''t August Sinclair."


    Lyra''s face twists with confusion and betrayal, her knuckles turning white as she grips the edge of the table. I can see the thoughts swirling in her mind—questioning everything, wondering if any of it was real.


    "My name is Ryu," he continues, his gaze steady on her. "Ryu Chikara. August... August was my master."


    Lyra''s reaction is immediate. Her eyes widen, lips parting in shock. It''s as if the very foundation of their relationship has been shattered, and for a moment, I wonder if she''ll walk away. The silence that follows is thick, and I feel my own breath catch in my throat.


    "I''m not a Jedi," Ryu says, his voice lower now. "But I''m not a Sith either."


    Lyra''s gaze hardens, her expression a strange mix of disbelief and guarded curiosity. "Then what are you?" Her words are sharp, but there''s something underneath them—a desperate need to understand.


    Ryu takes another breath, his heart heavy as he continues, "I''m an Acolyte of the Force. An Acolyte isn''t bound to the Jedi Code, nor to the ways of the Sith. We use both the light and the dark sides of the Force. We seek balance between them."


    "Balance?" Lyra repeats, her tone still sharp, but I can sense her mind working to piece it all together. "What does that even mean?"


    "It means," Ryu explains, "That I''m not swayed by one side or the other. I walk the line between light and darkness, drawing strength from both, but letting neither consume me." He watches her closely, noticing the change in her emotions. "The Jedi believe in the purity of the light. The Sith crave power through the dark. But I believe that true power comes from balance—understanding both sides, and maintaining equilibrium."


    Tension hangs in the air as Lyra leans back, crossing her arms over her chest, still clearly skeptical. "So you''re neither good nor evil?" she asks, her voice quieter now but still laced with doubt.


    Ryu''s face darkens for a moment, and my chest tightens. I know what''s coming next. "I''m human, Lyra. I''ve made mistakes. I''ve done dark things." His voice is thick with regret. "But August saved me. Before I met him, my path was much darker... crueler."


    I wince at the words. We''ve seen what he means. The darkness that consumed him before August''s intervention, the things he did... I can feel Nikko''s tiny fingers tighten around mine, her face scrunching up in sadness. Llamiryl''s face remains impassive, though I can tell she''s reflecting on what we''ve seen.


    Lyra doesn''t react right away. Her gaze softens a little, but there''s still so much hurt. "What happened to him?" she asks, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow.


    "He died saving me," Ryu replies, his voice tight with emotion. "He gave his life so I could live. After that... I became a Temple Guard, hiding in plain sight, trying to atone for my past."


    The silence that follows is heavy, as if the air itself is weighed down by the history Ryu is sharing. I can see Lyra processing it all, her emotions swirling beneath the surface. The sharp edges of her anger seem to soften, but doubt still lingers in her eyes.


    "And then came the Empire," Ryu continues, his voice softer now. "The Jedi purge." He pauses, and I feel my own heart twist at the memory of what we witnessed—Order 66, the massacre, the betrayal. It all comes rushing back in a flood of images, and I can''t help but steal a glance at Nikko. Her small face is scrunched up in confusion and sadness, remembering the horrors we''ve seen through Ryu''s memories.


    "To hide from them," Ryu continues, his voice softening, "I became August Sinclair. I worked wherever I could, taking jobs and hiding from the Inquisitors. But... I grew tired of running. Tired of being cheated, lied to... I was at my lowest. I even considered..."


    Lyra''s eyes widen, and I can almost feel the surge of worry from her. Her body tenses, and she leans forward slightly, her voice quieter but filled with concern. "What happened?" she asks, her tone betraying her lingering care for him.


    Ryu glances down at his hands for a moment before he speaks. "I met a certain pushy mechanic who wouldn''t leave me alone," he says with a faint smile, his gaze lifting to meet hers again. "You, Lyra. You saw the good in me when I thought there wasn''t any left."


    Lyra''s breath catches, and a blush creeps across her cheeks. Her lips tremble slightly as she wipes away a tear that threatens to escape. "Why didn''t you tell me?" she asks, her voice shaky, the anger still there but now tinged with sorrow. "Why keep this from me all these years, Ryu?"


    "The Empire isn''t kind to those who help people like me," Ryu says, choosing his words carefully. "I didn''t want to put you in danger, didn''t want to make you a target. But mostly..." He reaches out, gently taking her hand in his. "Mostly, I didn''t want to lose you."


    Lyra stares at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions that even I can''t fully understand. The galley feels smaller, the weight of the truth pressing in on all sides. I watch her, my heart aching for both of them—Lyra, hurt and confused, and Ryu, burdened by a past he''s tried so hard to keep hidden.


    "Lose me?" Lyra finally says, her voice a whisper. "Why would you lose me?"


    Ryu squeezes her hand, his gaze locked onto hers. "I''ve wanted to tell you for so long, Lyra. I love you... and everything we have together is real. But I was afraid. Afraid you''d be afraid of me, afraid you''d walk away."


    "You should have trusted me," she says softly, but there''s no malice in her tone.


    Ryu lowers his gaze, feeling the sting of her words. He nods, knowing she''s right. "I should have. And I''m sorry I didn''t. I''ve wanted to tell you for so long, Lyra," Ryu says, his voice raw with the emotion he''s been holding back. "What we have, how I feel about you—it''s real. But I was afraid. Afraid you''d walk away, afraid you''d see me differently. Afraid you''d be afraid of me."


    For a long moment, Lyra doesn''t respond. Her eyes search his, as if trying to find something that will make all of this make sense. I hold my breath, unsure of what she''s going to say, unsure if she''ll forgive him.


    Then, slowly, Lyra pulls her hand away, standing up from the table. Ryu''s face falls, and I can see the panic flashing across his features. He thinks she''s going to leave.


    But instead of walking away, she takes slow, deliberate steps around the table, coming to stand right in front of him. Ryu watches her, frozen, his breath catching as she looks down at him. I don''t know what''s going to happen. None of us do.


    Lyra crosses her arms over her chest, her brow furrowing. "You thought I''d fear you?" Her voice is sharp, almost biting. "After all this time, all the battles we''ve fought together, all the moments we''ve shared, you think I''d just... leave?" There''s a flicker of hurt in her eyes, but beneath it, there''s something deeper. "Do you think so little of me?"


    Ryu flinches at her words, his breath catching. "Lyra, I—" he starts, but she cuts him off with a raised hand.


    "You thought I''d be afraid of you?" she repeats, her voice hardening. For a moment, it feels like the weight of his secret is too much, that she''s about to push him away.


    But then... something changes.


    Lyra''s expression softens, her shoulders dropping as she lets out a long, shaky breath. She takes a step closer, her voice still firm, but warmer now. "August," she says softly, shaking her head, "We''ve been through hell and back. I''ve seen you at your best, and I''ve seen you at your worst. You think some secret—no matter how big—could change how I feel about you?" Her voice breaks slightly, but she presses on, her eyes never leaving his. "After everything, after all these years, do you really think I''d just... stop loving you?"


    I glance at Nikko, who''s watching with wide eyes. "Is Lyra still mad?" she whispers to me, her little voice filled with concern.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    I shake my head slightly, sensing the shift in the air. "I don''t think so," I whisper back. Lyra''s tone, her words... they''re not filled with anger anymore.


    Ryu looks stunned, unable to speak. I can almost see the weight lifting off his shoulders, the tension that''s been gripping him easing away. He watches her, his chest tight, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    Lyra takes another step closer. "You''re an idiot for thinking I''d be afraid of you. I''ve seen the worst the galaxy has to offer. And you? You''re not even close." Her voice is soft, but her words carry so much weight. "You''ve never lied to me to hurt me. You''ve always done it to protect me, even if I hate it."


    I can feel the warmth returning between them, the connection that was almost severed slowly being rebuilt. Lyra''s eyes soften further as she looks at him, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile.


    "I know you, August," she whispers. "And nothing—nothing—is going to change that."


    Ryu''s eyes widen, his body still as her words sink in. He looks like he''s about to break, the relief flooding through him so intense that I can feel it from where I''m standing.


    Without another word, Ryu pulls her into an embrace, wrapping his arms around her as if he''s afraid to let go. Lyra doesn''t hesitate. She wraps her arms around him, too, resting her head against his chest.


    "I love you, you idiot," Lyra murmurs, her voice muffled slightly against him. "And nothing is going to change that."


    Ryu''s arms tighten around her, and I see a tear slip down his face, though he quickly wipes it away. I feel my own eyes misting up, and when I glance down at Nikko, she''s watching them with a soft smile, her earlier confusion replaced by something much warmer.


    Llamiryl remains quiet, her sharp eyes observing everything, though I can see a faint smile on her lips as well.


    After what feels like an eternity, Ryu pulls back just enough to look down at Lyra. "You''re not hiding anything else from me, are you?" she asks, her tone still firm, but playful now.


    Ryu shakes his head, a small, almost bashful smile tugging at his lips. "No," he says softly. "I promise. No more secrets."


    They stand like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other''s arms. No more words are needed. They''ve found their way back to each other, and the air around them feels lighter, warmer, as if the weight of the galaxy has finally been lifted from their shoulders.


    I let out a breath I didn''t realize I was holding, my chest feeling lighter as I watch them. It''s not perfect yet. There''s still so much they need to work through, but for now, they''ve taken the first step. And I think, maybe, they''ll be okay.


    I can''t help but feel a familiar sting in my chest though. The depth of their connection, the way they speak to each other, it''s so intimate, so personal. The warmth they share feels like a heavy weight pressing against me. I watch them embrace, Ryu''s arms wrapped around her like she''s his entire world, and the jealousy grows. I know this is just a memory, that it happened before we ever crossed paths, but that doesn''t make it easier.


    Nikko shifts beside me, her ears twitching, but she doesn''t seem to understand the complexity of what''s happening. She''s seen how much Ryu cares for Lyra, and yet, it doesn''t bother her like it does me. Maybe it''s because she''s still young, too innocent to grasp the pain of being an outsider in someone''s heart. I can''t help but wonder if there''s any place for me in Ryu''s life when it''s so clear that Lyra already holds such a special part of it.


    Even Llamiryl, standing silently next to us, seems more composed than I feel. But I can''t shake the feeling that no matter how much time I spend with Ryu, no matter how much we''ve shared, I''ll never reach that level of closeness they have.


    I swallow hard, trying to push the thought away. This is Ryu''s past. It''s not something I''m a part of. But as I watch them stand together, their foreheads touching, their silent understanding shared in that moment, I can''t help but wonder if I''ll ever be able to mean something to him like Lyra does.


    I force myself to look away, focusing on the distant hum of the ship instead, doing my best to quiet the emotions swirling inside me.


    The memory shifts, and we find ourselves standing in a room, unlike anything I''ve ever seen before. The walls are cluttered with objects, strange devices scattered across various surfaces. This space feels more personal than other areas of the ship—a place of work but with a sense of attachment and familiarity woven through it. There''s something in the corner, a tall object, covered by a cloth, but what lies beneath is a mystery to me.


    The room is small, intimate, but the scattered tools and mechanical objects give it a lived-in quality, like whoever spends time here has a deep connection to it. It''s nothing like the simple and straightforward rooms I''m used to—everything here seems to serve a complex purpose. The table, the shelves... all of it speaks of a life dedicated to machinery, to creation.


    Ryu and Lyra step into the room together, their presence shifting the atmosphere even more. I glance at the object in the corner, sensing that it''s important, but I can''t make out what it is yet.


    "You don''t need to hide," Lyra says softly, addressing the hidden object. "He knows."


    At her words, the cloth shifts. I take a step back, startled, as a droid steps out from beneath the covering. The fabric falls away, revealing a tall, sleek figure made of polished metal. The droid''s imposing frame is painted a matte gray, its limbs long and precise, designed for something far more advanced than anything I''ve ever encountered. Its head is angular, almost helmet-like, with glowing optical sensors that sweep over the room.


    I can''t help but feel uneasy as I take in the droid''s appearance, but there''s something familiar about its design, especially the head. I glance at Nikko, who looks at the droid with the same sense of recognition that stirs within me.


    Ryu crosses his arms, his gaze locked on the droid. "This is what you spent six thousand credits on?" he asks, his tone stern but curious.


    Lyra gives him a sheepish smile, clearly not ashamed of her choice. "He''s more than just a droid, Ryu. He''s my passion project."


    "Passion project?" Ryu raises an eyebrow, his arms still crossed as he watches the droid with cautious eyes.


    Lyra nods, her excitement bubbling up in her voice. "I found him while walking by Vallus'' stall at that little market place."


    Ryu lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head in disbelief. "From him? Of all the people, Lyra... Vallus is known for ripping people off."


    "I know!" Lyra defends herself, holding her hands up. "But trust me, I studied the droid thoroughly before making the purchase. He''ll be an extremely useful asset to our team, I promise. His frame, his capabilities... I modified him, upgraded him even further than he was originally capable of. He''s not just some ordinary droid, Ryu. He''s going to help us in ways you can''t even imagine!"


    Despite myself, I can''t help but be drawn into Lyra''s enthusiasm. She''s so passionate about this creation, and the way she speaks about it reminds me of her love for tinkering with machines and improving them.


    Nikko''s eyes brighten with curiosity. Her tail flicks as she looks up at the droid, and I can feel her excitement growing. I recognize that spark in her—she''s infatuated by this droid, just as she was with Apollo.


    The droid in front of us seems to sense our curiosity. It turns its head slightly, the glowing lights from its optical sensors flickering as it observes us.


    Ryu sighs again, but I can see the edge of his frustration softening. "Alright, but no more purchases behind my back," he mutters.


    Lyra grins, her joy palpable as she wraps her arms around him in a hug. "I promise." There''s something intimate about the way she pulls him close, and it sends a familiar pang of jealousy through me. I look away, trying not to let the feeling fester, but it lingers at the edge of my thoughts. They share a connection that I will never fully understand.


    Ryu, though still cautious, turns back to the droid. "So, what''s it capable of?"


    Lyra beams with pride. "This was once an ST-series military strategic analysis and tactics droid from the Clone Wars era. Few were made, and they were known for adapting in combat and overcoming any scenario."


    I glance at the droid, now understanding why it feels vaguely familiar. Its head reminds me of Apollo, but this one is more imposing, more advanced.


    Ryu inspects the droid''s chassis, running his hand along its metallic surface. "It looks like it''s been through a lot," he comments.


    Lyra nods, her excitement bubbling over again. "He was in terrible condition when I found him. Only the head and chassis were intact. I had to replace almost everything else, but I made sure to keep the memory processor. That was the key. Remember the cargo we were supposed to deliver?"


    Ryu looks at her, his curiosity piqued. "The one we never actually dropped off?"


    She grins. "Yes! That was a shipment of advanced droid chips. I used them on him. There''s an IG-100 chip designed for combating Jedi, a learning software chip, and the processor chip of a protocol droid."


    At the mention of Jedi, I feel a chill run through me. The memories of Ryu''s past, of the wars he fought in, rise to the surface. I glance at Nikko, wondering if she''s remembering the same thing, but she''s too caught up in the excitement of witnessing this droid.


    Ryu''s expression shifts, showing a hint of surprise. "Learning software?" he asks, his tone laced with suspicion.


    Lyra nods eagerly. "He can learn! Every battle, every interaction—he adapts and grows more efficient. Just think of how valuable he''ll be!"


    Ryu seems impressed despite himself. He steps back, looking at the droid more closely. "So, it''s fully functional?"


    "Fully," Lyra confirms, her eyes gleaming with pride. "I''ve already uploaded everything I could find from the ship''s database—star charts, history, manuals, combat protocols. He learns fast."


    Ryu crosses his arms, his skepticism slowly giving way to admiration. "That is incredible."


    I watch the exchange, fascinated by the level of detail Lyra has put into this creation. It''s clear that this droid is more than just a machine to her—it''s a symbol of her skills, her passion, and her dedication.


    As Lyra proudly explains the droid''s upgrades and modifications, I try to follow along, but most of what she''s saying about chips and learning software goes over my head. I admire her skill and passion, but the technical aspects are lost on me. However, the fact that Apollo is even more capable than before—that is something I can appreciate.


    "What''s its designation?" Ryu asks, still studying the droid.


    Lyra''s smile widens. "He picked out his own designation."


    Ryu blinks in surprise. "Droids aren''t capable of that."


    "This one is," Lyra replies confidently.


    She steps closer to the droid, placing a hand on its arm. "Go on," she encourages softly. "Introduce yourself."


    The droid''s head tilts slightly, its optical sensors flickering for a moment before it speaks. "Greetings. I am Apollo. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ryu."


    Nikko''s face lights up, her tail wagging with excitement. "Apollo!" she squeals, I can feel a spark of recognition. The name, the voice—it all clicks into place. Apollo. Nikko''s eyes widen in awe, and she almost jumps with excitement, her tail twitching with delight. I can tell she''s beyond thrilled to see him again, her guardian, the droid who has been by our side through so much.


    For me, it''s a mix of surprise and respect. We haven''t spoken much before, Apollo and I, but I''ve seen him in action, and I know his capabilities. He''s been a valuable ally, and seeing him here, reintroduced through Lyra''s enthusiasm, fills me with a strange sense of relief. Apollo has always been reliable, even if not always a conversationalist.


    Ryu, too, seems taken aback. "Apollo?" he repeats. "Why that name?"


    The droid''s optical sensors brighten as it explains. "In my readings, I discovered an ancient civilization that worshipped many deities. One of these deities, called Apollo, was the god of knowledge and learning. Since I seek to learn and gather knowledge as their deity did, I have chosen to adopt that name."


    Ryu raises an eyebrow, impressed by the droid''s manner of speaking. "You don''t talk like a typical droid," he notes.


    "I have been programmed with extensive linguistic capabilities, integrating protocol droid software," Apollo replies. "This allows me to communicate more effectively."


    Lyra grins, clearly proud of her creation. She suddenly has an idea. "Ryu, although I''ve uploaded many combat protocols, Apollo hasn''t actually fought anyone before. What if you two sparred?"


    Apollo''s optical sensors flicker as it turns to face Lyra. "Is that wise? Given that droids are stronger than humans, I could easily injure or kill Ryu."


    Lyra chuckles. "The goal isn''t to harm anyone, Apollo. This spar is just to see your capabilities. Ryu is a skilled fighter. He can handle himself."


    I glance at Ryu, remembering all the battles he''s fought, the way he moves through combat with the grace of someone who''s trained his whole life. But the idea of him sparring with a droid like Apollo still makes my heart race. I know he''s strong, but... I can''t shake the worry that something could go wrong. Nikko, though, seems utterly captivated by Apollo, her eyes wide with admiration. For her, this is a reunion, a chance to see her beloved guardian again even if this is just a memory.