Another Way: A Mandalorian Story

Ret'urcye mhi

Ret'urcye mhi - [ray-TOOR-shay-MEE] - Goodbye - lit. *Maybe we'll meet again*
Summary: Bo-Katan's arrival on Nevarro marks the start of preparations for war.y for the delay! 

A crash of thunder pierces the air, forcing your eyes open as it echoes around you. Confusion sets in as you find yourself surrounded by nothing but torrents of moving sand crashing into you, as if the universe unleashed a horde of torment all over you. The whole surface of the planet seems to rise in obedience to some upthrusting force, while monsters of great size and power hurl sand at you from every direction. Not knowing what else to do, you push doggedly on into the sea of sand, battling your way to shelter.

Suddenly, blaster fire sounds above you, causing you to pause and look up. The sky is shut out, masked by the haze enveloping the world. The sound of roaring applause and cheers can be heard in the distance, muffled by the swirling sand. Looking forward once more, you make out what appears to be helmeted figures. Cautious, you move in their direction, growing more confused with each step, the cheering growing in intensity along with it.

The haze lifts, revealing a grim visage in front of you: the helmets of fallen Stormtroopers driven into spikes, many cracked and damaged, all crusted with blood. You stand still, watching confusedly as the pieces of cloth attached to the spikes blow in the wind.

The war... you think, trying to make sense of it all. It's over. We won!

You turn swiftly, a mixture of hope and relief swelling in your chest, expecting to find the celebratory crowd. Instead, you're confronted by an army of troopers, a perfectly aligned swarm of black and white soldiers standing stoically, their weapons pointed at you.

There she is, one says.

Don't move, comes a second voice.

No, you think, backing away, fear and confusion flooding your brain. The celebratory roars turn into bloodcurdling screams, piercing your ears. No! We've won... You're gone. You're supposed to be gone!

You turn to look at the spikes, as if to remind yourself of their defeat...but the Imperial helmets are no longer there. Instead, they've been replaced by the helmets of Mandalorians. Dozens of them, lined in offset rows. Blood drips from the various colors of beskar, staining the sands below crimson in color.

The helmet at the forefront is not immediately apparent to, blinded by your confusion and denial. You stare blankly into the familiar T-shaped visor, which is devoid of any sign of life behind it.

Din...? No...No!

You fall to your knees and erupt in a primal scream, blocking out everything around you, including a voice that seems to whisper inside your head.

Riduur...

[LINE BREAK]

"Riduur."

Your eyes flutter open, blinking rapidly as light harshly floods your vision. Your heart beats swiftly beneath your skin, as if trying to tear free. Confused, you turn your head to see if there is anything that can tell you where you are.

Din is sitting beside you on the edge of the bed, lovingly staring down at you. He seems to have no idea of the horror you just witnessed.

"Sorry to wake you, but it's time to get up," he murmurs before bending down to kiss you softly on the forehead. He stands and walks across the room, giving you space to get out of bed.

Swinging your legs over the side of the bed, you push yourself up, your eyebrows knitted in confusion as you stare blankly at the floor.

It was a dream. But it felt so real. The bloodcurdling cries coupled with the sounds of blaster fire echo in your ears while the ghost of your scream haunts your throat. Touching the base of your throat lightly with the tips of your fingers, you seem to notice a pain when you swallow. An ache in your belly tells you that something isn't right.