Surrendered

Chapter 34 : Shadows

When we disembarked off the ship the thick humid air hit me as we made our way into the swampy terrain. The dense canopy of the forest hung low, obscuring the sky and pushing the forest floor into a permanent darkness. There was a tangible feeling of the force, it was so strong it was almost as if it was clinging to me, weighing me down. 

Kylo moved swiftly beside me, each step was deliberate as he navigated the treacherous terrain how graceful he was able to move despite his size and weight amazed me. 

As we trudged deeper into the heart of the swamp, it felt as if the atmosphere was so thick it was choking us, the Force whispered through the gnarled roots and twisted branches, a chorus of voices urging us to continue. 

"Are you certain this is the right path?" I was anxious to not get lost in the deep murky mist. 

Kylo cast me a glance, his gaze penetrating even beneath the mask he'd put on before we left the ship.

 "Trust in the Force," his voice a low rumble in the stillness. "It will guide us."

His words offered little comfort to me as I fought through the dense undergrowth clawing at my cloak, occasionally pulling my cloak against my throat. With each step, I felt the presence of the relic drawing nearer, its pull growing stronger with every passing moment.

A rustle nearby brought us to a halt, and I instinctively reached for the hilt of my lightsaber. But instead of an threat, a small frail cloaked figure emerged from the shadows, his eyes twinkling with a wisdom that belied his humble appearance.

"Master Yoda," Kylo greeted with a respectful nod.

The ancient Jedi regarded us with a knowing gaze, as if he could see into the depths of our souls. "Here for the relic, you are."

I nodded, the gravity of our mission settling like a lead weight in the pit of my stomach. 

Yoda's eyes crinkled with amusement, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Cost, there is. But choose wisely, you must."

With a wave of his hand, Yoda led us deeper into the heart of Dagobah, where the secrets of the past awaited, shrouded in the mists of time. 

"Patience, you must have," Yoda's voice echoed through the dense foliage, his form disappearing into the mist only to reappear ahead, beckoning us onward.

Kylo and I exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges that lay ahead. The relic we sought was close, its presence a palpable thrum in the Force, but navigating the treacherous terrain of Dagobah would test both our resolve and our abilities.

With each twist and turn of the path, the swamp seemed to come alive, its murky depths concealing hidden dangers that lurked just beyond sight. I wondered how many people had lost their lives into the deep murky waters below. I shuddered worried about the thought of being trapped on this dark planet. 

We finally reached a clearing, the dense foliage parting to reveal a crumbling stone structure nestled amidst the tangled roots of ancient trees. It was a temple, forgotten by time and overrun by nature, yet still radiating with the power of the Force. It was beaconing to me to reach forward and touch it, but I held back waiting for my next instruction.

"There it lies," Yoda announced. "The relic you seek."

I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as we approached the temple, the very air vibrating with the raw power that emanated from within. With a glance at Kylo, I took a deep breath, readying myself for what lay ahead. 

The entrance to the temple was shrouded in darkness, seemingly swallowing the feeble light that dared to penetrate its depths. Yet, as we stepped across the threshold, a faint glow illuminated the chamber beyond, revealing the relic we had come so far to find.