Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
𝟶𝟶𝟶. The Sith walked through the dense forest, treading over the lifeless bodies of Master Sol's team he had defeated in the recent battle.
The sun's rays pierced through the foliage, casting long shadows on the ground and bathing everything in a warm, golden light. The Sith moved silently, his footsteps muffled by the layer of fallen leaves that blanketed the forest floor.
The Sith paused in his tracks, his hand reaching down to pick up his fallen mask that lay discarded on the ground. He clutched it tightly, the cool, smooth surface of the mask a stark contrast to the roughness of the bark and leaves around him.
As he continued down the path, he found himself drawing near the spot where he had tossed Kaye aside earlier. A pang of regret shot through him, as he realized that he had not meant to harm her; he had only acted out of need, a desperate attempt to save her from the imminent danger Mae had caused.
Even though he knew he had hurt her, he couldn't shake the thought that he should have held her in his arms instead, as though his actions had been a betrayal of the protective instincts he seldom acknowledged.
He saw Kaye lying motionless on the ground, her wavy hair spread out on the carpet of leaves like a dark halo. A small, almost involuntary chuckle escaped his lips as he took in the sight of her, his eyes lingering on her every feature, finding beauty in the way her long lashes rested against her cheeks and the serene expression on her face that spoke of a peaceful slumber. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of protectiveness towards her, Kaye's vulnerability stirring an unexpected tenderness within him.
“What extraordinary beings we are.” he murmured.
He knelt down on one knee, his mask laying forgotten on the ground as he gently placed his hand on the wound that marred her side, just below her breast. He closed his eyes, focusing his mind and using a touch of the Force to assess her condition, seeking to determine the state of her soul. He could feel the pulse of her life force, faint yet steady, a subtle rhythm that reassured him that she still clung to life, despite the severity of her fall and injury.
“Even if the revelation of our triumph, you see the depths of our despair.” he spoke, his words echoed in the quiet of the forest, a soft, almost reassuring murmur.
