Legacy of the Shadow of the Jedi | REMAKE |

35. Tragedy of The Shadow

|| Location: Esstran sector, Horuset system , Korriban||

|| Timeline: 23 BBY ||

The ancient stone walls of the Sith Academy loomed around us, their cold, dark presence like a suffocating weight on my chest. I led the way, moving silently through the dusty corridors, with Isaac and the strike team close behind. My senses were heightened, attuned to every shift in the Force, every distant whisper of danger. Korriban's oppressive atmosphere gnawed at the edges of my mind, its darkness relentless, but I kept it at bay with an iron will honed over years in the shadows.

Ahead of us, Teluron Thacker motioned for us to stop, his eyes narrowing as he listened intently. The Jedi Knight was our contact here, an experienced scout who had been monitoring the movements of the Commerce Guild forces. His presence was a reassurance, a familiar anchor in this treacherous place.

"Kodo, something's not right," Teluron whispered, his voice barely audible over the faint hum of the ancient ventilation systems. "I've been tracking the droids' patrols, but they've changed their patterns. They're moving faster, more organized. It's almost as if they're anticipating us."

I nodded, feeling the cold tendrils of unease coil around my spine. "We move with caution, but we can't afford to lose momentum. The dark side is strong here, but we must press on."

Isaac, at my side, was quiet, his features a mask of focus. I could feel his tension, the way his thoughts flickered with a mix of determination and unease. The recent news of the attack on Coruscant weighed heavily on him, as it did on all of us. The gravity of the situation had not been lost on me, but I had to push it aside, focus on the task at hand. There would be time to process everything later, if we survived.

Suddenly, a harsh clanking echoed down the corridor, followed by the rhythmic thuds of heavy metal feet. The sound was unfamiliar, but it triggered a primal instinct within me—danger. I raised my hand, signaling the team to prepare.

Without warning, the darkness ahead of us erupted into chaos. A hulking figure emerged from the shadows, its crimson eyes glowing with malice. It was massive, nearly twice the height of a man, its frame armored with thick durasteel plating. This was no ordinary droid—its design was menacing, built for war.

"Get down!" I shouted as the droid's arm cannons whirred to life, unleashing a hail of blaster fire. The corridor lit up with the flashes of red plasma bolts, the sound of impacts reverberating off the stone walls. I ignited my lightsaber, its blue blade humming as I deflected the incoming shots. Isaac mirrored my actions, his own saber spinning in tight arcs as he protected the team.

"Move, now!" I ordered, pushing the strike team into action. We were outgunned and outmatched in this narrow corridor; staying here would be suicide. "Into the academy, find cover!"

Teluron nodded, understanding immediately. He led the others down a side passage, but as we turned to follow, another droid emerged, cutting off our path. This one was smaller but no less deadly, its multiple limbs tipped with wicked-looking weapons. We were pinned, the two droids herding us like prey.

"Isaac, with me!" I barked, determination steeling my voice. "We'll draw their fire. Teluron, take the others and find another route."

"Understood," Teluron replied, his voice tight with tension. He led the rest of the team down another passage, disappearing into the shadows.

Isaac and I stood our ground, our lightsabers deflecting the relentless barrage of blaster fire. My heart pounded in my chest, not from fear, but from the sheer intensity of the situation. These droids were unlike any I had encountered before—powerful, relentless, and disturbingly intelligent. There was no telling how many more were waiting for us deeper within the academy.