Arani Jakal was not prepared to be stranded on an unfamiliar planet, causing her whole life to change. But in the chaos, a friend or two popped up - seemingly from nowhere - wishing to help. Ari gladly accepted and quickly became part of a small tow...
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DRUMS ECHOED THROUGH THE CAVERNS of Mandalore, the still waters aiding their thunderous sound. Arani's heartbeat matched the systemic rhythm, feeling the pounding instrument rattle her bones. Din took her hand as they walked towards the Living Waters, and they shared a glance. She was no longer shaking; her cuts had stopped bleeding, and her vision had righted. Every few steps, a pain burst through her, but it didn't stop her; she pushed through it.
Entering the large cavern, her gaze fell on the lake. Somewhere within those waters was the Mythosaur, waiting patiently for her. Yet, she wasn't Mandalore's leader anymore, if it appeared to her or not.
The drums stopped when Paz Vizsla's son knelt on the steps before the Armouror, and a wave of sadness hit Ari. Paz had sacrificed himself so that Bo-Katan and the rest of the party could live and fight. Now, the boy was taking the Creed that had once been interrupted.
"I swear on my name and the names of the ancestors . . ." said the Armouror, a small bowl of water in her hands.
"'I swear on my name and the names of the ancestors . . .'" Ragnar repeated.
"That I shall walk the Way of the Mand'alor . . ."
"'That I shall walk the Way of the Mand'alor . . .'"
"And the words of the Creed shall be forever forged in my heart," The Armouror finished.
"'And the words of the Creed shall be forever forged in my heart.'" Ragnar then bowed his head, allowing the woman to slowly pour the Living Waters over his helmet.
"This is the Way," the Armouror stated proudly, and the others repeated together. Rangar then stood and made his way into the crowd of Mandalorians. It pained Ari that his father wasn't here to see the ceremony.
Din squeezed her hand and made his way down the steps, and Ari hurried to follow, not wishing to be dragged. They stopped at the top of the stone steps beside Bo-Katan, and she nodded, giving her approval for what Din was about to do.
Ari slipped next to Bo-Katan, and a hand was placed on her shoulder. Glancing behind her, she found Haro beaming down at her. An ugly scar trailed down the length of his face, making his smile look crooked, and she could tell it pained him. She patted his hand and returned her attention to Din. She and Haro had a lot to talk about, but not here.
Din placed Grogu on the lowest step, the waterline brushing the edge. "Grogu is my apprentice. He is no longer a foundling," he told the Armouror. "Add him to the Song."
"He is too young to speak, so he is too young to take the Creed," she stated. Grogu babbled sadly, and his ears dropped at her disapproval. "He must remain a foundling."
