𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙃𝙔𝘽𝙍𝙄𝘿, clone wars ²

Rising from Shadows

After a while, I emerged from Mother Talzin's cave, my mind swirling with the revelations I had gathered. Obi-Wan and Anakin were waiting for me, their expressions eerily calm but their eyes full of concern.

"Are you okay?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice steady yet laced with curiosity. I nodded, a small smile breaking through the tension. "Yes, she didn't harm me. But I learned something crucial about our monster. He's linked to the same lineage as Maul."

Obi-Wan's eyes flickered with an intense understanding. "I see. Did she reveal anything else?"

I nodded again, feeling the weight of what I had uncovered settle in my chest. "Yes, he was taken by Ventress to serve her. The men believed she would want him as her partner."

A shiver ran down my spine as I envisioned Savage Opress, a powerful creature now entrapped in a web of dark ambition. "If my instincts are correct, Savage is on Serenno."

The words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. I could feel my stomach tighten at the thought of facing the past.

"That's your old home, isn't it?" Anakin asked, his voice softer now, understanding the turmoil brewing inside me. He sighed, his gaze filled with a mix of empathy and concern. "Look, we're so sorry. You don't have to come with us the rest of the way. I know Serenno brings a bad taste to your mouth."

Their kindness pierced through the shadows of dread that loomed within me. I appreciated their concern, but I also knew that turning back was not an option. Steeling myself, I replied more firmly than I felt, "I have to face it. I can't let fear dictate my path. We must confront Savage and Ventress before they wreak further havoc."

As we prepared for the journey ahead, I could feel the threads of fate pulling us together, urging me forward despite the fear gnawing at my insides. It was time to face the darkness lurking not only in the galaxy but within myself as well.

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We arrived on Serenno, the shadows of its grandeur casting an ominous pall over our mission. As we stealthily navigated the opulent gardens surrounding the main palace, I caught sight of Count Dooku himself, a figure both regal and terrifying. His presence commanded attention, but it was the yellow and black Zabrak beside him that truly set my heart racing. Savage Opress, a hulking figure filled with raw power, struggled to lift a series of imposing monuments from the ground, his frustration palpable.

I exchanged a glance with Obi-Wan, Anakin, and the clone troopers we had brought along. There was a silent acknowledgment and understanding between us. I would face Count Dooku alone, a risky gamble in our game of shadows, but necessary if I was to gain any insight from the man who orchestrated so much of the chaos surrounding us. Yet, should Savage turn hostile—as our reports indicated—Anakin and Obi-Wan would be ready to spring into action, descending like hawks upon their prey.

With a deep breath, I steeled my resolve and stepped forward. Each sound seemed magnified, the crunch of gravel beneath my boots echoing my heartbeat as I approached the duo. As I drew nearer, I focused on the task at hand, pushing aside the apprehension that threatened to consume my thoughts.

"Count Dooku," I called out, my voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside. The dark lord turned, a sly smile creeping across his lips, as if he had been expecting me all along. The air crackled with tension; Savage paused, glancing at his master, sensing the impending confrontation.

"Ah, a welcome surprise," Dooku replied, his tone smooth yet laced with condescension. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

I could feel Dooku's piercing gaze assessing me, and I knew that every word mattered. This was not just an encounter; it was a strategic chess match, with lives hanging in the balance. "I've come to discuss the paths we have chosen, Count, and the inevitable clash that awaits us."