Dark Ascension

CHAPTER 2- The Shadow Rises

Luke Skywalker woke to silence.

The agony was gone, replaced by an eerie stillness. His body felt weightless, as if he were floating in a void. His eyes fluttered open, revealing a darkened chamber bathed in the faint crimson glow of Sith architecture. He lay on a cold slab of metal, his arms and legs free yet too weak to move.

"You are awake."

Vader's voice filled the room, a deep, mechanical cadence that sent shivers down Luke's spine. The Dark Lord stood at the foot of the slab, his towering figure cast in stark relief against the faint red light.

"What... what have you done to me?" Luke rasped, his throat raw from screaming.

"We have shown you the truth," Vader replied, stepping closer. "The Jedi lied to you. They filled your mind with empty ideals and false promises of peace. But now, you are free to see the galaxy as it truly is."

Luke turned his head away, his eyes shutting tight as memories of his torment flooded back. He remembered the pain, the despair, the whispers. He remembered the moment he had spoken those fateful words: I obey.

"No," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't me. This isn't who I am."

"On the contrary," came a new voice, shrill and taunting. Palpatine emerged from the shadows, his face a mask of twisted glee. "This is exactly who you are, young Skywalker. The Jedi's lies blinded you, but now you stand on the brink of your true destiny."

Luke tried to push himself up, but his arms buckled beneath him. "I won't... serve you," he said, though the words lacked conviction.

Palpatine cackled, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "Ah, but you already have. The darkness is in you now. I can feel it—coursing through your veins, igniting your soul. Soon, you will embrace it fully, and together we shall bring order to the galaxy."

Vader stepped forward, his imposing frame casting a long shadow over Luke. "Your training begins now. You will learn to control your anger, to wield it as a weapon. You will become more powerful than you ever imagined."

Luke looked up at his father, his vision blurred by tears. "You call this power?" he spat. "Torturing me until I break?"

Vader's voice softened, ever so slightly. "Pain is a teacher, my son. It shapes you, strengthens you. You will understand in time."

Palpatine raised a hand, and the restraints around Luke's wrists and ankles reactivated, lifting him into the air. "Enough talk," the Emperor said, his tone commanding. "Show him, Lord Vader. Show him the price of defiance—and the rewards of submission."

As the restraints tightened and fresh pain surged through his body, Luke felt the darkness rise within him once more. It whispered promises of strength, of vengeance, of peace. And though he fought to resist, a part of him wondered if they were right.

+With the Rebellion +

Far from the Emperor's throne, the Rebellion was in disarray. On the bridge of the Millennium Falcon, Leia Organa stared at the hologram of Mon Mothma with grim determination.

"Luke's been captured," Leia said, her voice trembling but firm. "We need to mount a rescue mission."

Mon Mothma's expression was grave. "We don't have the resources for a direct assault on the Emperor's stronghold. It would be suicide."

Leia slammed her hand against the console. "So what? We just leave him there?"

Han Solo, standing off to the side, crossed his arms. "Leia, we don't even know if he's alive. And if he is... what if he's already turned?"

Leia shot him a glare. "Luke wouldn't betray us. He wouldn't."

Chewbacca growled softly, his tone mournful. Even he seemed unsure.

Mon Mothma sighed. "I will authorize a reconnaissance team to gather intelligence. But until we know more, we cannot act."

Leia turned away, her heart heavy. As the hologram flickered off, she whispered, "Hang on, Luke. We're coming for you."

(637 Words)