The memory shifts, and we find ourselves in a dimly lit cantina, where the air feels heavy with a strange mix of smoke and sweat. The low hum of murmured conversations surrounds us, but my attention is drawn to the hulking figure sitting in a booth nearby. He''s unlike anyone I''ve ever seen before—a massive creature with four thick, muscular arms resting on the table in front of him. His face is wide and flat, with deep-set eyes and a grin that manages to be both welcoming and intimidating. I can''t help but stare, startled by his sheer size and appearance. What kind of being is he? I wonder.


    Nikko, standing beside me, tugs on my arm, her own ears twitching in curiosity. "Talia, what is that?" she whispers, her voice filled with awe. I have no answer.


    Ryu and Lyra step forward, heading toward the strange being, who waves at them with one of his massive arms. They sit across from him, and soon, a service droid rolls up to their table. Lyra orders something to eat, her stomach clearly rumbling. "I''ll have a nerf steak with a side of roasted nuna legs," she says casually.


    The strange being in the booth leans forward, his demeanor shifting as the droid rolls away. He places a small device on the table, and suddenly, the image of Ryu''s face flickers to life.


    "You need to leave," the large being says, his voice low and serious. "I got this from a bounty hunter that''s been snooping around my station. If he knows you''re here, so do many others."


    I gasp softly, the realization dawning on me. There''s a bounty on him. This is dangerous. I tense up, feeling a growing sense of dread. My heart skips a beat when Ryu''s eyes narrow, his distrust obvious. "How do I know you''re not playing me, Varek?" he asks.


    Varek lets out a deep, rumbling chuckle. "If I were gonna betray you, August, I''d have done it by now."


    Suddenly, an alarm blares through the station, the loud sound making me jump. Lyra drops her fork in surprise, and the station shakes violently, plunging everything into darkness. My heart races as the emergency lights flicker on, casting an eerie red glow over everything.


    Varek reacts quickly, activating something on his wrist. A new hologram appears in front of him—an enormous, menacing-looking ship hovers near the station. It''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen before. It''s... terrifying. Nikko grips my hand tightly, her face pale. "What... what is that?"


    I can''t speak, too shocked by the sight. The ship feels oppressive, a force of impending doom. Dozens of smaller ships are leaving the larger one, and I can''t tear my eyes away from them. Each of these smaller ships looks like deadly birds of prey, their wings angled sharply like knives. Everything about this scene feels wrong. What kind of power are they up against?


    "The Empire has found you," Varek states, oddly calm given the situation. "The station''s defenses are down at the moment, and we''ll be boarded soon. If you want to escape, you need to do so now."


    Ryu''s voice cuts through the rising tension. "Lyra, we need to get back to the Crucible," he says urgently.


    Lyra''s expression shifts, the fear creeping into her eyes as she nods. "What about you, Varek?"


    The hologram from Varek''s wrist shifts, showing an overview of the station. Multiple red targets flash across the image, but one by one, they begin to turn green. A smile spreads across his face. "I will buy you some time. Now hurry!" he shouts, rushing out of the cantina.


    Alarms continue to blare as Ryu and Lyra sprint through the station. Nikko and I follow closely, the panic around us overwhelming. People are everywhere—running, shouting, pushing each other in desperation. The stalls we passed earlier are now abandoned, merchandise scattered across the floor. Is this what happens when people are truly afraid? I think, feeling my own panic rising.


    Ryu activates his communicator. "Apollo, IG-22, ready the Crucible for takeoff. We''re on our way."


    IG-22''s voice crackles through the device, its tone as dry as ever. "Currently, the station is under attack by the Empire. Multiple boarding parties are breaching various sectors. Panic has ensued among the station''s population, and the structural integrity of the station is compromised. Preparing the Crucible for immediate departure seems prudent."


    Ryu snaps in frustration. "Just do it!"


    I can feel the fear growing in Lyra. She''s barely holding it together as we run. My heart races alongside hers, the danger closing in with every step we take. But then, we''re stopped. Figures appear in front of us—dark soldiers in black armor, their helmets sinister, their red visors glowing ominously in the dim light.


    A cold shiver runs down my spine. Something about them feels... wrong. Their armor is sleek and black, reminding me too much of the Sith Troopers we''ve seen before. And when Ryu ignites his yellow lightsaber, the scene becomes even more surreal. The crackling of his weapon, the snap-hiss of the blade lighting the corridor—it all feels like a nightmare.


    The troopers fire their blasters, the red streaks of light flashing through the air. But Ryu is faster. He deflects the bolts with ease, his movements fluid and precise. Lyra, in a moment of panic, grabs Ryu''s blaster from its holster and begins firing as well, her shots joining the fray. Blue bolts mix with the red as the battle intensifies.


    There''s a second group behind us. We''re surrounded.


    Ryu reaches out with the Force, ripping metal panels from the walls and hurling them at the advancing troopers. The force of the impact knocks them down, but more take their place. There''s no end to them.


    Lyra''s voice shakes. "There are too many of them, Ryu!"


    I bite my lip, feeling helpless as we watch the scene unfold. Nikko trembles beside me, her wide eyes fixed on the chaos. How can they win against this?


    Ryu doesn''t answer. His focus is entirely on the fight. His strikes are swift, deadly, as he cuts down the troopers in front of him. Behind us, he crushes the ones advancing from the rear with the Force, their black armor crumpling like paper. The corridor is filled with the bodies of fallen troopers, their weapons clattering to the ground, and finally, silence falls.


    I exhale a breath I didn''t realize I was holding. They made it through.


    Ryu extinguishes his lightsaber, his breath heavy. He turns to Lyra, concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?"


    Lyra nods, though her chest heaves with exhaustion. "I''m fine, just... shaken."


    Ryu places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Let''s keep moving. We''re almost there."


    We continue running, the alarms still blaring in the background, reminding us that the danger is far from over. We need to get off this station.


    ?????


    We race through the chaos of the station, and my heart pounds in rhythm with the alarms echoing around us. The screams, the blasts, the heavy footfalls of fleeing people—it all blends into a frantic noise that makes it hard to think, let alone keep up. I catch a glance of Nikko beside me, her little ears flat against her head, her tail twitching anxiously. She''s scared—how could she not be? I want to comfort her, but there''s no time. We have to keep running.


    Ahead, Ryu''s communicator buzzes again, and Apollo''s voice comes through. "The ship is ready for immediate departure."


    IG-22''s dry, mechanical tone follows, "Currently, the station''s defenses have been compromised. Imperial forces are making significant progress in their boarding operations. Civilian evacuation is ongoing, but the station''s structural integrity is at risk. Immediate departure is advisable to avoid capture or destruction."


    I swallow hard, my throat dry. Capture or destruction. We need to move faster.


    As we round another corner, Lyra suddenly speaks up, her voice trembling with confusion. "I''ve never seen these kinds of stormtroopers before," she says, her breath still ragged from the run.


    Ryu glances at her briefly, his eyes scanning for more threats. "That''s because they aren''t stormtroopers," he explains between breaths. "They''re Purge Troopers. Their purpose is to hunt Jedi."


    At his words, a chill runs down my spine. Hunt Jedi? It makes me think of the Sith, of the darkness that always lingers just beyond the light. The thought that there are soldiers designed specifically to hunt people like Ryu fills me with a cold dread.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Beside me, Nikko shudders, clearly rattled by the revelation. "They hunt people like Papa?" she whispers, her eyes wide with fear. Llamiryl, running on my other side, speaks quietly to calm her.


    "They do," Llamiryl says with a grim nod. "But he''s not a Jedi, Nikko. They''re probably hunting him because they don''t know the difference."


    Nikko tilts her head, confused. "But... why do they think Papa is a Jedi?" she asks innocently.


    Llamiryl shrugs lightly, her voice calm despite the situation. "Maybe because they can''t tell the difference. Maybe they just don''t care."


    I glance at them both, my stomach turning as I think about what''s happening. This is bigger than us. Bigger than any of us could have realized.


    We finally reach the large doors leading to the hangar bay. Relief surges through me, but it''s quickly overshadowed by the fear of what still lies ahead. Ryu''s communicator crackles to life again. "The ship is ready for immediate departure," Apollo''s voice repeats, sounding urgent now.


    IG-22 adds in its usual tone, "Currently, the station''s defenses have been compromised. Civilian evacuation is ongoing, but the station''s structural integrity is at risk. Departure is highly advisable."


    We reach the large doors leading to the hangars, and my heart starts to race. I can feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, but nothing could have prepared me for what happens next. The doors slide open with a hiss, revealing the vast hangar beyond.


    My heart sinks.


    Instead of the Crucible waiting to take Ryu and Lyra to safety, a legion of black-armored soldiers stand in formation—Purge Troopers. The lights reflect off their dark, sinister armor, casting sharp glints as they raise their blasters, spotting Ryu and Lyra.


    I freeze. My breath catches in my throat. Nikko gasps beside me, her tail stiff with fear. Even Llamiryl, usually so calm and collected, looks shaken, her eyes narrowing in uncharacteristic unease.


    Ryu turns with Lyra, trying to escape, but more Purge Troopers block their path. Trapped. Panic rises inside me as I realize they have nowhere to run. This can''t be happening.


    But then, something strange happens. The Purge Troopers lower their weapons.


    A figure steps forward from the ranks, towering and terrifying. His armor is dark, adorned with crimson accents, and his helmet—stars, that helmet—it looks like a demon''s face, with glowing red visors. A long, tattered cloak billows behind him. There''s a menacing authority about him that sends a chill down my spine. Nikko presses close to me, trembling.


    Lyra whispers, her voice full of dread, "Who is that?"


    Ryu''s voice is tight, filled with recognition. "That is an Inquisitor. A former Jedi turned Jedi hunter."


    Inquisitor. Jedi hunter. The words make my stomach lurch. I feel my pulse quicken, fear gnawing at me. Nikko''s ears twitch, her little hands clenching as she mirrors my nervousness. Llamiryl''s fingers twitch slightly, her usual calm almost cracking. She understands. She must.


    The Inquisitor speaks, his voice deep and distorted by his helmet. "I am the 12th Brother, and I have been looking for you, August." He pauses, the red visors on his mask flashing as he looks directly at Ryu. "Or should I say, Ryu Chikara. It''s been a long time, brother."


    Brother? I feel a jolt of shock, but it''s Ryu''s face—his expression—that makes my heart sink further. He knows him. This... this monster in front of us. He knows him.


    Lyra''s voice trembles. "Ryu... you know him?"


    Ryu''s jaw tightens, and for a moment, the air between them feels heavy with memories neither of them want to face. "Yes, I do."


    The 12th Brother continues, his tone laced with mockery. "He never told you of his past, has he? Long before he knew you, he and I were Temple Guards of the Jedi Temple. I offered you the chance to fight with me that day, don''t you remember? You turned on me and betrayed me."


    The words hang in the air, dripping with venom. My hands tighten into fists as I struggle to understand. Nikko looks up at me, her wide eyes full of confusion and fear.


    Ryu stands firm, his voice steady but grim. "It was you who turned traitor, Majel. You cut down our brothers and sisters when the clone troopers attacked the temple."


    Majel? The name strikes me, a name I''ve heard before. The traitor from Ryu''s past, the one who betrayed the Jedi. My breath catches in my throat. Nikko''s ears fold back as the weight of the revelation sinks in for both of us. Even Llamiryl looks startled, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    The Inquisitor''s voice drips with contempt. "You''ve been wasting your talents, Ryu, hiding as a simple smuggler. Your abilities are far better suited for a higher purpose."


    I can feel the tension in the air, my heart pounding faster. The Inquisitor—Majel—what is he trying to do? My eyes flick to Ryu, standing tall, his expression unreadable. Nikko''s tail twitches nervously. I can feel her tension.


    "And what purpose would that be?" Ryu asks, his voice calm, though I can sense the storm beneath.


    Majel sneers. "As an Inquisitor, of course. Join us, and your talents won''t be squandered. No longer will you have to hide who you truly are!"


    I clench my fists tighter, the fury rising inside me. He''s offering Ryu the same deal again—the same one that tore their world apart. My heart races, but Ryu''s response is instant, his resolve unwavering.


    "I''ll never join you."


    Majel tilts his head, his gaze sliding toward Lyra. "I can sense your fear, Ryu. But it''s not for yourself—it''s for her."


    The words hit hard. My stomach tightens with dread. I glance at Lyra, who grips Ryu''s arm, her eyes wide with terror. Nikko lets out a soft whimper, pressing herself against me. The Inquisitor''s voice drips with mockery. "The Jedi are forbidden to love," he says, his voice dark and cruel. "How touching, yet so predictable."


    With a sneer, Majel draws his double-bladed lightsaber. The red blades ignite with a terrifying hiss, bathing the hangar in an eerie glow. The sound of it alone sends chills down my spine.


    Ryu lets go of Lyra''s hand and ignites his own lightsaber, its yellow blade casting a warm light in stark contrast to the Inquisitor''s red.


    The Purge Troopers surge forward. They grab Lyra, and before I can fully register what''s happening, they bind her hands with cuffs and start dragging her toward a nearby ship—one of those strange, wedge-shaped craft I''ve never seen before. It looms in the background, its engines starting to whine, its menacing form adding to the dread growing inside me. Lyra''s scream rips through the hangar. "Ryu!"


    I feel the panic rise in me. Nikko''s claws dig into my arm as she watches helplessly. My heart hammers in my chest—Lyra''s in danger, and there''s nothing we can do. Nothing.


    Ryu moves to intervene, but the 12th Brother is already blocking his path, their lightsabers clashing with a flash of light. My heart races as I watch the fight unfold—Ryu and Majel''s blades whirling and crackling with energy. The air feels thick, heavy with the tension of their duel, and all I can do is watch, helpless.


    "The years have made you weak," Majel sneers, his red lightsaber striking down on Ryu''s yellow blade. The clash sends sparks flying. Nikko grips my arm tighter, her small body trembling. "A failed Jedi... hiding behind a smuggler''s mask."


    I wince at Majel''s words, feeling the sting of them even though they''re aimed at Ryu. He''s trying to tear Ryu down, to make him doubt himself, and it''s working. Ryu stumbles, his defenses weakening, and I feel my chest tighten in fear. Nikko''s ears flatten against her head, her little voice whispering, "He can''t lose... Ryu can''t lose..."


    Majel presses his attack, his strikes relentless, driving Ryu closer to the edge. I watch in horror, unable to do anything, my heart pounding in my chest. "You''re nothing but a shadow of your former self," Majel taunts, his voice dripping with venom. "Lost, clinging to scraps and false hope."


    Ryu falters, his movements slowing, and I feel my throat tighten. He''s losing. Lyra''s scream echoes in my mind—her desperate call for help—and I can''t shake the fear that this is it. She''s gone, and Ryu is losing. Nikko clings to me, her breath shallow and panicked. Even Llamiryl, who has been so calm through all of this, looks grim, her eyes fixed on the battle with a deep worry she can''t hide.


    But then something changes.


    Ryu closes his eyes for just a moment, and I see it—the shift. His breathing steadies, and when he opens his eyes again, there''s a clarity in them that wasn''t there before. He''s letting the Force guide him. I feel the tension in the air shift, and for the first time since this nightmare began, there''s a flicker of hope.


    Suddenly, Majel''s strikes seem slower, less precise. Ryu dodges to the side, his movements fluid, his yellow blade moving with a newfound sharpness. He blocks a sweeping blow, countering with a swift strike that forces Majel back a step.


    Majel snarls, his arrogance faltering. He swings harder, but Ryu is quicker now, more deliberate. Their lightsabers clash again, but this time, it''s Majel who is being pushed back.


    "You''re wrong," Ryu says, his voice calm but firm. "I haven''t lost anything."


    With a powerful strike, Ryu slashes at Majel''s helmet. Sparks fly as the mask splits, revealing part of Majel''s face—green skin, face tattoos and an eye twisted with rage. The sight of his exposed, furious expression sends a chill down my spine. Nikko gasps, her eyes wide with shock. "That''s him... that''s Majel..."


    Ryu presses his advantage, disarming Majel with a precise slash that sends his crimson lightsaber clattering to the floor. The Inquisitor stumbles, his broken mask sparking. He''s vulnerable, exposed.


    For a moment, I think Ryu is going to end it. He stands over Majel, his yellow blade raised, breathing hard. My heart is in my throat—part of me wants him to finish it, to end this nightmare once and for all.


    But just as Ryu is about to strike, Majel sneers. He raises his hand, and with a powerful surge of the Force, he sends Ryu flying backward. My heart jumps as Ryu crashes into a pile of crates, but he quickly gets back on his feet, his yellow blade still ignited.


    "Ryu!" I whisper, but of course, he can''t hear me. None of them can. We''re just observers in this memory, trapped in the horror of watching it unfold without being able to intervene.


    Majel takes the opportunity and dashes toward the dropship. With a single leap, he vaults onto the landing ramp just as the TIE Reaper''s engines roar to life. My heart sinks again, watching him escape. The ramp rises, sealing him inside the ship as it lifts off.


    "No..." Nikko whispers, her voice full of fear and disbelief. "He''s getting away..."


    I feel the same dread, the same frustration. Llamiryl''s calm facade has fully cracked now, her lips pressed into a thin line, her fists clenched. She knows the danger, and she feels the same helplessness that I do.


    Ryu''s voice cuts through the air, filled with desperation. "NO!" His eyes are locked on the dropship as it ascends, taking Lyra away. His heart must be breaking, just like mine is. I feel my breath catch, a horrible thought creeping into my mind.


    Is this the source of Ryu''s guilt?


    The dropship disappears into the sky, and I feel a cold pit of dread settle in my stomach. Lyra is gone, and I can''t help but think that she''s at the center of all of this—the reason Ryu feels so broken, so guilty. My concern for her life grips me like a vice, and I can''t shake the horrible thought that maybe... maybe she didn''t survive this.


    Ryu stands amidst the debris, his lightsaber still humming in his hand, his eyes filled with despair. My heart aches for him, for Lyra, for all of us. I glance at Nikko, her face pale, her ears flattened, and I know she feels the same. Even Llamiryl, who has always been so strong, looks deeply worried, her eyes shadowed with concern.


    Majel got away. Lyra is gone. And we''re left with the crushing weight of uncertainty.


    Ryu pants heavily, his gaze fixed where the dropship disappeared, his pulse racing. The weight of everything that just happened bears down on him. I can feel it too—his desperation to save Lyra, his frustration at being unable to act. But there''s no time to dwell on it, not with the Purge Troopers closing in, their blasters trained on him.