Nikko and I undress by the water, leaving our clothes in a neat pile. I retrieve a bar of soap from my bag of holding, its familiar scent a small comfort. We step into the water, which is very cold at first, but soon becomes refreshing.

  I start to wash off the grime from our journey, feeling the cool water soothe my skin. Nikko follows suit, though she stays close to me, her eyes darting around as if expecting another attack.

  "It's okay, Nikko," I reassure her. "Ryu and Apollo are nearby. We're safe for now."

  Nikko shivers beside me, but I realize it isn't just from the cold. She's been through so much, more than any young girl should have to endure. As I begin washing her, her small frame trembling, she looks up at me with wide, fearful eyes.

  "Talia," Nikko's voice is weak, trembling slightly. "Is this what Papa had to go through?"

  I pause, the question hanging heavily in the air. "What do you mean, Nikko?"

  "When he was hunted by those Inquisitors. Is this what it was like?"

  Her words strike a chord deep within me. I've never been a fugitive, never had to run like this. No, I think to myself, this is different. The Inquisitors who hunted Ryu had the same abilities he possesses. These are just soldiers, not Force users.

  "No, Nikko," I say, resuming my gentle washing. "Papa is very strong and capable, as am I. Those are just soldiers, they don't stand a chance against us."

  "But I'm scared," Nikko admits, her voice trembling. "I don't like running."

  I sigh, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. "Neither do I. But we'll get through this together," I reassure her.

  Nikko's shivering gradually subsides, her small body relaxing slightly in the cold water. The forest around us remains eerily quiet, the only sound being the gentle rippling of the lake. We continue to wash, the cool water washing away the grime and some of the fear, if only for a moment.

  By the time Ryu and Apollo return, the sun has started to set, casting a golden hue over the forest. The wash was refreshing, but I can't shake the feeling of despair. Being hunted like we are criminals leaves an uneasy feeling in me. I took the liberty of washing both mine and Nikko's clothes; they stank so badly. Now donning cloth pants and a shirt while Nikko wears a simple white dress, I'm hanging up our wet clothes over a low branch when Ryu and Apollo return.

  Nikko runs up to Ryu, embracing him tightly, but she quickly steps back, clenching her nose. "Papa, you stink!" she exclaims.

  Ryu chuckles and ruffles her hair. "I'll wash too, don't worry," he assures her. First, though, we set up camp. Apollo and Ryu begin taking out camp supplies from their bags of holding, and I decide to gather some firewood. When I return with a large bundle of sticks, Apollo has already finished setting up a large tent.

  Ryu, nearby, tells me to toss away the firewood. "No fires," he says. "It would be visible from great distances."

  I sigh, knowing he's right. He then tells me he'll wash up and be right back. Before leaving, he instructs DP-7 and Apollo to take watch and patrol the perimeter, contacting him immediately if they find anything out of the ordinary. Apollo nods, DP-7 beeps, and they split off in separate directions. Once Ryu disappears, it's just Nikko and me.

  We sit in silence, and I struggle to find the right words. What can I say? I glance at Nikko, who sits beside me, her ears drooping and tail limp, clearly worried. "I'm hungry," she says softly.

  I realize I'm hungry too. Remembering the supplies Elandor provided us with, I look around but don't see the sack. Then I remember Ryu gave them to those hungry villagers. I sigh softly, not to alert Nikko, and I dig through my bag of holding and find a small amount of dried meat, just two strips—not enough for both of us. Searching through Apollo's and Ryu's bags, I find some fruit and a loaf of bread. I hand the dried meat, fruit, and small loaf of bread to Nikko, who grabs a strip and starts chewing.

  "Are you going to eat?" she asks, noticing I'm not eating.

  "Oh, no, I'm good," I lie. "I'm not that hungry."

  Nikko, however, holds out the second strip of dried meat to me. "It isn't fair if only I get to eat," she says.

  I smile at her kindness and accept the strip. After eating, Ryu returns, still in his usual gear. "You didn't wash your armor and clothes?" I ask.

  He nods. "I did."

  "Then how are they dry?" I wonder aloud, but then it dawns on me. He can manipulate objects, of course he can draw out the water from his clothes and gear. He chuckles and asks if I would like him to dry our clothes too. Both Nikko and I nod eagerly.

  Ryu nods and does so. He approaches our clothes and using his abilities to draw out the moisture. Nikko and I retreat into the tent and change back into our gear. "Much better," I say. "I felt so naked without my armor."

  Nikko nods in agreement. "Me too," she says, and we sit back down near the tent. The sun has disappeared, and the full moon lights up the lake and forest. Nikko hands Ryu the loaf of bread.

  He declines at first, but Nikko insists. "You need to eat too, Papa."

  Ryu looks at me, and I tell him we've already eaten. He nods and accepts the loaf. A strong wind blows by, bringing a chill. Nikko and I begin to shiver. Ryu rummages through his bag of holding and pulls out two thick fur blankets, handing them to us.

  I wrap myself in the blanket, and Nikko does the same. Ryu pulls out what looks like a lamp. "I thought you said no light," I say.

  "It's not a lamp," he explains. "It's a heater." He twists the top, and the glass begins to glow a soft orange, emitting warmth as he sets it down before us.

  The forest is eerily quiet, with only the gentle rustling of leaves breaking the silence. Nikko cuddles close to Ryu, her ears twitching slightly, her tail wrapping around her legs as she relaxes. Ryu pets her head, and she purrs softly. Watching them, I feel a sense of calm. For now, we are safe.

  ?????

  The night is quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind outside the tent. It's been a long day—escaping from Arroyo, surviving the crash, and finally finding some peace in this makeshift camp. After we cleaned up and took turns bathing, we settled in for the night, the tent offering a small reprieve from the chaos.

  Ryu is lying beside me, his body relaxed but his brow furrowed, as if something is bothering him even in his sleep. Nikko is curled up close to him, her small body snug under the blanket. She seems peaceful, her tail occasionally twitching in her sleep. I watch her for a moment, smiling at how at ease she looks. It's a relief after everything we've been through.

  But then Nikko stirs, her ears perking up suddenly, her eyes blinking open in the dim light. She looks up at Ryu, her expression turning from calm to concerned in an instant. "Talia," she whispers, sitting up slightly. "Papa is having a bad dream."

  I glance over at Ryu, frowning. "A bad dream?" I whisper back. "How do you know?"

  Nikko doesn't answer right away. She places her small hand on Ryu's arm, her gaze focused on him with a strange intensity. "He's dreaming about... the bad thing," she murmurs. "The shadow... the dark thing that hurt him."

  Her words send a chill down my spine. How could she possibly know that? I stare at her for a moment, puzzled, but then my attention snaps back to Ryu. His breathing has become uneven, his brow furrowing even deeper, and his body tenses. His hand twitches, gripping the blanket tightly.

  "Ryu?" I whisper, reaching out to touch his arm. "Ryu, wake up."

  But he doesn't respond. His breathing quickens, and a soft, almost pained sound escapes his lips. Nikko leans closer, her small hand still resting on his arm. "He's scared," she says softly. "He thinks he's going to hurt us again."

  The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I realize exactly what nightmare he's reliving. The Shadowfell—the moment when he wasn't himself, when he turned against us. I swallow hard, my heart racing as I place a hand on his chest, trying to wake him gently. "Ryu, it's just a dream," I say softly, trying to soothe him. "You're safe."

  But he doesn't wake. His body jerks slightly, his face twisted in anguish. "No... no..." he mutters, his voice low and rough. "Stay away... don't come near them..."

  I feel a wave of fear grip me as I watch him struggle, caught in the throes of whatever nightmare the Shadowfell has trapped him in. I've never seen him like this—so vulnerable, so lost in his own mind. It frightens me, seeing him like this.

  Nikko glances up at me, her wide eyes filled with concern. "Can we wake him up?" she whispers.

  "I'm trying," I reply, my voice shaking. "Ryu, please, wake up."

  Suddenly, Ryu's eyes snap open, but they're unfocused, wild with panic. He sits up abruptly, gasping for breath, his eyes darting around the tent as if he doesn't know where he is. For a moment, he looks... lost. His hands tremble as he presses them against the ground, trying to steady himself.

  "Ryu?" I whisper, reaching for him again.

  He flinches at my touch but then blinks rapidly, his eyes finally focusing on me. The panic in his expression fades, replaced by confusion and exhaustion. He looks at me, then at Nikko, and his shoulders slump as he lets out a shaky breath. "Talia... Nikko..." he whispers, his voice hoarse. "I... I'm sorry..."

  Nikko crawls closer to him, her small hand reaching for his. "It's okay, Papa," she says softly, her voice soothing. "It was just a bad dream."

  Ryu stares at her for a long moment, as if he's trying to process what just happened. He looks down at his hands, his expression darkening with guilt. "I almost... I almost hurt you," he mutters, his voice cracking with emotion.

  "You didn't," I say firmly, leaning closer to him. "You're here with us now. You're safe."

  He closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as he tries to steady himself. "The Shadowfell..." he whispers. "It... it still haunts me. I thought I could push it away, but..."

  I place a hand on his cheek, turning his face towards mine. "You're stronger than it, Ryu," I tell him softly. "You fought it before, and you'll keep fighting it. We believe in you."

  Nikko nods beside me, her eyes bright with determination. "I believe in you, Papa."

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Ryu looks at both of us, his expression softening. Slowly, the tension in his body begins to ease, and he wraps an arm around Nikko, pulling her close. She snuggles into him, her small body fitting perfectly against his side. I watch them for a moment, my heart swelling with a mix of relief and love.

  We sit together in the quiet of the tent, the night once again still around us. I can feel the weight of everything pressing down on him, the guilt, the fear, but I know he won't carry it alone. We won't let him.

  And as we settle back into the blankets, Ryu's breathing begins to slow, the nightmare finally losing its grip on him. I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling his warmth beside me, and for the first time since we escaped Arroyo, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

  ?????

  I awaken in the tent, the moonlight streaming through the small opening, casting a pale glow inside. Nikko still sleeps beside me, her peaceful expression a small comfort in this chaotic world, but I notice Ryu isn't here with us. I quietly slip out of the tent, careful not to disturb her, and step into the cool night air.

  The forest is bathed in silver light from the moon, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Shadows stretch long and dark, but the scene is tranquil. I look around and spot Ryu sitting by the lake, the water reflecting the moon's glow like a shimmering mirror. His silhouette is still, yet there is an intensity to his posture. I notice his hood his down, something I'd never thought he'd do.

  I walk over to Ryu, my footsteps soft against the damp ground. As I approach, the moonlight reflects off the lake, casting a tranquil glow around him. He's seated near the water, deep in thought, his shoulders heavy with the weight of everything we've been through.

  "Ryu?" I say gently, not wanting to startle him.

  He turns slightly, acknowledging me with a small nod. "Couldn't sleep?" he asks, his voice low, almost lost in the quiet of the night.

  I shake my head and sit down beside him. "No, I noticed you weren't in the tent and came to check on you. Are you alright?"

  Ryu sighs, his gaze drifting back to the lake. "Just thinking. Everything feels... heavy. Like we're carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders."

  I place a hand on his arm, offering him a reassuring touch. "You don't have to carry it alone, Ryu. We're all in this together."

  He looks at me, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "I know. But it's hard not to feel responsible for everything that's happening. The Shadowfell, us being labeled criminals... it all seems to circle back to me."

  I reach out, placing a hand on his arm, trying to offer some comfort.

  He glances at me, the moonlight catching the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "It's hard not to feel responsible. Every time we face danger, I can't shake the fear that I might lose you and Nikko, just like... just like I lost Lyra." His voice breaks slightly at the mention of her name, the vulnerability he rarely shows seeping through.

  I squeeze his arm a little tighter. "You're doing everything you can to protect us, Ryu. You can't blame yourself for things beyond your control. You've given us hope when we needed it most."

  He meets my gaze, the tension in his expression easing a little. "I just... I can't bear the thought of losing either of you. It terrifies me."

  I lean closer, my voice firm but gentle. "We've faced danger before, and we'll face it again, together. What matters is that we stand by each other, no matter what comes. You're not alone in this."

  Ryu's eyes soften, gratitude and something deeper flickering within them. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you, Talia. I don't think I could handle it."

  Warmth fills my chest, and I smile at him softly. "You won't have to. I'm not going anywhere. You have me and Nikko, and we're with you every step of the way."

  We sit in silence for a moment, the tranquility of the night enveloping us. The moonlight bathes us in its gentle glow, and for a brief moment, the weight of our journey feels lighter. I lean my head on Ryu's shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breath.

  The night continues to surround us, but within our small circle, there is a sense of peace and unity that gives us hope for the challenges ahead.

  After a few moments of quiet, I sense Ryu shifting beside me, like there's something still weighing on his mind. He hesitates, and then finally speaks. "Talia," he says softly, his tone uncertain, "about what you saw in my memories..."

  I place my hand over his, offering a gentle squeeze. "Ryu, I don't judge you for what you've done. You've been through hell. We all carry our burdens."

  He nods but his gaze remains distant, haunted. "It's just... reconciling who I was with who I want to be now, it's not easy. Those memories... they never leave me."

  I tighten my grip on his hand, wanting to offer him more comfort. "Then tell me, Ryu. Let me understand."

  He takes a deep breath, his eyes reflecting the moon's soft glow. "I was trained by someone ruthless... forced to become something I hated. I did things I can't undo. For the longest time, I believed I wasn't worth saving. But then I met you and Nikko. You've given me a reason to fight for something better."

  I pause, then ask gently, "And Lyra? Did she give you that reason too?"

  His expression softens, turning almost wistful. "Lyra... she was my light in the darkest time of my life. She was my anchor when I had nothing else. But I regret so much... not standing up to the Empire when I could have. With the abilities I have, I should've done more. Maybe saved some Jedi on the run. Maybe stopped more innocent people from getting hurt."

  His voice cracks slightly, and he looks at me, eyes filled with guilt and sorrow. "The Empire was merciless... maybe even worse than the Sith Empire. And instead of fighting, I hid. I tried to live a normal life, as if none of it had happened."

  I gently cup his cheek, forcing him to meet my gaze. "Ryu, you can't change the past. What matters is what you do now. You have the power to make a difference, and you're doing it. You're not the same person you were back then."

  For a moment, his eyes search mine, as if he's looking for something—some kind of reassurance. And in that moment, it feels like the world narrows down to just the two of us. "Thank you, Talia," he whispers, his voice full of emotion. "You don't know how much your words mean to me."

  I smile softly, leaning a little closer. "We're in this together, Ryu. We'll find a way forward, no matter what."

  He holds my gaze, and I can see some of the weight lifting from his expression. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he murmurs.

  ?????

  Suddenly, Ryu's glove starts beeping, interrupting our blissful moment. It's DP-7. Immediately, I start to get worried. "More soldiers?" I ask.

  Ryu shakes his head. "More like a wake-up alarm. We have to leave. It's best to move at night. Harder to see us."

  I nod, still a bit tired and even a little annoyed that we have to keep going. And that our moment got interrupted. We head to the tent where Ryu gently wakes Nikko. She groans a little but gets up, a bit confused.

  "Are we in danger?" she asks.

  Ryu shakes his head. "No, but we have to move."

  Nikko gets up, rubbing her eyes. "I'm hungry," she says.

  Ryu rummages through his bag of holdings for a bit, then sighs.

  "Are we out of food?" I ask.

  He shakes his head. "Worse," he says, pulling out two, thin pouches. "Ready-to-eat meals. They don't taste great, but they are filling," he says as he opens one and hands it to Nikko along with a spoon.

  She takes a sniff and then a bite. Immediately, her face contorts in disgust. "I don't want to eat that, Papa," she says.

  "I know," he says. "But it's all we have. Just take a few bites."

  Nikko looks at the bag and winces as she takes a few bites while pinching her nose. "Atta girl," Ryu says, then hands the bag to me.

  I grab it and take a peek inside. The food looks like gray mush and entirely unappetizing. I take a bite, and the taste is horrible, like something barely edible.

  "This is awful," I say, barely able to swallow the food. "You ate this regularly?"

  Ryu nods. "You get used to the taste," he says as I hand him the bag, and he begins eating, digging into the bag with the spoon.

  After such a 'delightful breakfast', we pack up the camp and head out, DP-7 approaching us from behind and Apollo from the tree line. Carefully, we traverse the forest.

  ?????

  The next couple of days are a test of endurance and stealth. The forest is alive with the constant movement of soldiers. Patrols weave through the trees with alarming frequency, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig sends us diving for cover. We hide behind thick trunks, in dense underbrush, and sometimes even underground, thanks to Ryu's abilities. Each close call leaves my heart pounding in my chest, the fear of discovery always looming.

  Adding to our woes are the crows. They perch on high branches, their beady eyes scanning the forest floor. These avian spies seem to be everywhere, and their presence is unnerving. Thankfully, DP-7 has proven invaluable. The little droid zips through the treetops, taking out the birds with pinpoint accuracy before they can alert the soldiers to our presence.

  Nights are particularly harsh. The forest grows colder with each passing evening, and our blankets and the heater doesn't offer enough heat. The chill seeps into our bones, making sleep difficult and fitful. We huddle together for warmth, but it's never quite enough. The ready-to-eat meals are another trial. Their bland, unappetizing taste is hard to stomach, especially after long days of marching and hiding. Every bite is a struggle, but we know we need the sustenance.

  Despite these hardships, Ryu remains steadfast. He does everything in his power to make the nights bearable, especially for Nikko. He tells her stories, teaches her little tricks to stay warm, and even manages to coax a few smiles from her despite the dire situation. His dedication to her well-being is admirable, and I find myself looking at him with newfound respect and admiration.

  Nikko, however, is my biggest concern. The constant fear, the terrible food, the freezing nights—it's a lot for anyone to endure, let alone a child. I see the toll it's taking on her. She tries to be brave, but I can see the exhaustion and fear in her eyes. It breaks my heart, and I wish I could do more to ease her burden.

  Finally, after days of grueling travel and constant vigilance, we reach the vicinity of Ryu's ship. The dense forest begins to thin out, and the familiar sight of the landscape tells Ryu we're close. He stops us in a small clearing, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. The sight of him finally relaxing, even a little, is a relief.

  "We're close," Ryu whispers, his eyes scanning the area. He kneels down and sends DP-7 out for reconnaissance. The droid beeps in acknowledgment and zips away, disappearing into the trees.

  As we wait for DP-7's report, I can't help but feel a mix of hope and anxiety. The end of this part of our journey is in sight, but what awaits us at the ship remains uncertain. We can only hope that our luck holds out a little longer.

  DP-7 returns, emitting a soft beep before projecting a hologram of a large, green landscape. The sight of Ryu's ship smashed into the ground is a sore reminder for me. I remember how it looked when it was intact, a symbol of hope and escape, now reduced to a dismantled wreck.

  The hologram reveals the true extent of our predicament. A vast military encampment sprawls around the wreckage of the ship, fortified by a high stone wall. Watchtowers punctuate the perimeter, manned by archers whose eyes never stray from the horizon. The encampment itself is teeming with soldiers, but something feels off.

  Hundreds of tents are scattered across the field, and though the soldiers appear organized, their armor is darker than that of the Eldorian soldiers we've encountered before. It's not just the color—it's the way it gleams, as though the metal itself is tainted with something sinister. Their shields are emblazoned with a foreign emblem—a jagged black crescent moon, framed by twisted thorn-like branches. The emblem is unsettling, as if it were designed to instill dread. On the flags that flutter in the wind above the watchtowers, the same dark crescent looms, shrouded in the deep crimson of the banners, adding to the ominous air.

  Ryu narrows his eyes at the sight, his hand resting on his chin in thought. "These... soldiers. They don't look like they're from Eldoria," he says, his tone low and cautious.

  I study the armor and flags closely, my stomach twisting with unease. "No... they're not. That emblem—it's not from any kingdom I know," I reply, my voice shaking slightly.

  He looks at me with concern. "Are you certain?"

  I nod, my heart racing. "I've never seen a symbol like that. The crescent moon and those thorns... it feels wrong. Like it doesn't belong here."

  Ryu's jaw tightens, and he turns back to the hologram. "Whoever they are, they're trying to dismantle the ship, but look," he says, pointing. "Their tools aren't making a dent."

  Sure enough, the soldiers swarm around the ship, their hammers and chisels barely scratching its alien hull. The soldiers' frustration is palpable, but their persistence is unnerving.

  Scattered around the encampment, I spot crates and work tables piled with various objects taken from the ship. At first, I don't recognize them, but then I see familiar items—kitchen utensils, the holo-game projector, and various tools. They're stripping the ship of everything, and we somehow have to take out this entire encampment.

  Ryu lets out a heavy sigh, his frustration palpable. "It is just as I thought," he says. "I count over two hundred soldiers in that encampment. They also seem to be expecting our arrival. I see large amounts of patrols and over there—" He adjusts the hologram, showing the sky filled with a large flock of black birds, circling like ominous sentinels. "We have these birds to deal with too."

  Feeling a wave of defeat, I plop down on the ground. Nikko walks over and gently places a hand on my shoulder as if to comfort me. "What do we do now?" she asks, her voice tinged with worry. "We can barely handle those patrols, let alone two hundred soldiers."

  But Ryu remains determined. "I'm not proud of this," he says, "but it wouldn't be the first time I had to deal with an entire camp of soldiers. But that was with Force users and soldiers wielding blasters." He looks over at me, his hood down, face obscured in shadow. "We can do this," he says, but I notice a hesitation in his voice as he watches the hologram again.

  "What's wrong?" I ask, sensing his unease.

  "I'm just worried," he admits as the hologram disappears and DP-7 lands on his shoulder.

  "You're worried about us, aren't you?" I ask, reading the concern in his posture.

  Nikko approaches Ryu, grabbing his hand. He nods. "I've taken out many encampments by myself. But this will be different. I suggest—" he continues, and I cut him off.

  "We can handle ourselves," I say firmly. "Nikko will remain here with Apollo, and you and I will take care of the soldiers."

  Ryu starts to protest, but I stand my ground. "No buts, Ryu. I can handle myself. And you'd be crazy if you think I'll let you fight this many soldiers by yourself."

  He nods, finally giving in. "Alright, but we'll wait till nightfall. For now, I'll keep observing the camp."

  Ryu sends DP-7 away again, the droid zipping off into the trees. A hologram of the encampment is projected from Ryu's glove, and he sits down to observe. I join him, feeling the weight of the upcoming battle settle over us. The air grows colder, but determination burns within me.