𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈

One

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Four years later. 

Slave I's engines rattled as they shifted down to the sandy ground. The exhaust engines rippled through the golden grit, debris tearing from beneath the vessel. The back hatch gradually began to open, revealing the deserted planet we floated above. I stood fearlessly on the edge of the hatch's ramp, kneeling down as I observed the sand and stone beneath us. From my robe, the loose strands of my golden hair lashed along the hot winds, mimicking the motion of the sand.

The ship landed with a rickety crash, resting among the wild moving desert. From the shadows of the still shuttle emerged faint footsteps. They clunked against the cool metal of the ship, growing louder as the second figure approached. He stayed within the shuttle where the tortuous rays of the sun wouldn't strike him. 

I stood up and faced him when he neared, fixing a blaster into my leather holster. When I was done, the bounty hunter placed an object in my hand then ordered clearly, "Get in, get out."

I clutched the object in my bare fingers, looking at it closely. It was a commlink. I couldn't bite back the smile I felt- my first mission, on my own. "I'll see you soon, Fett." I turned back towards the open hatch, courageously springing into the turmoil of flying sand and dust. I could feel him watching me as I left and I wondered if he was worried. Not a chance, I laughed to myself. Boba Fett was never worried.

The heat of Jedha was suffocating. It had my lungs encased in a thick blanket, squeezing them short of air. The blinding light of the sun couldn't blister my skin through my robe, though I could feel the heat worse. Beads of sweat clung to my forehead, drops occasionally dribbling down into my eyes.

Finally and breathlessly, I made my way to the stone steps of the Holy City. I used the sleeve of my robe to clear my watery vision and at once, everything became much clearer to see. The City was surrounded by a vast, sandstone wall. The only entrance would be to fly in with a ship, there was no way a person could climb in. I cursed internally at Fett for making me walk all the way up here- I was about to press the commlink before my ego stopped me. I didn't want to ask for his help, not just yet.

Grinding my teeth down in determination, I gripped my fingers into a loose slot of the wall. I slowly began to climb up, using the detached bricks to support me. Just as I neared the top, a picture flashed behind my eyes. It was a memory or a dream- I wasn't sure. I was climbing what seemed to be a tree and the branch snapped. I was tumbling to the ground- the flashback faded as quickly as it came.

I stumbled, out of breath and in shock. My foot scraped against the wall, helplessly looking for an open place to sit. My fingers anchored in but with each fleeting second, I could feel the strain growing stronger and stronger. Their heads turned red and I knew I was about to fall.

Having grown weak, I slipped from the wall, about to plummet to my death, when something lifted me up. It was a force- some sort of energy guiding me up with gentle hands. I was placed on the top of the wall, scrambling to regain my balance.

My head spun with confusion and fear. What was that? But when the mission came back to mind, I realized I couldn't let anything put me off track. I inhaled a long breath, whatever that force was, it was gone now.

The view of the Holy City was magnificent. It was bustling with merchants and common folk below. Aliens and creatures went on with their daily lives; the city was full of rousing. But over them, like shadows of the past, stood stunning temples and statues. The one I had my eye on was the tallest out of the rest; the Kyber Temple. It stood out amongst the rest of the city; jagged in its architecture and boldly piercing the air.

I clambered down from the wall, which wasn't too far of a drop once one is within the city. Remembering how I got to the top would soon be forgotten- the Holy City was a strange place. I figured that meant strange things would happen too.

I was soon misled in the busy streets. Crowds of aliens, droids, and occasionally humans shuffled in all different directions. It was near impossible to walk through. I fell lost within the crowd, my shoulders bumped into strangers and my feet staggered carelessly through mobs. But I kept sight of the Kyber Temple above, never straying too far from it.

Eventually, I drew akin to the large temple, sensing the atmosphere around me stir with each forthcoming step. It was strangely violent around here. I received glares and hateful looks from every creature I passed. I figured the unkindness was birthed from greed: everyone wanted a piece of the temple. My finger drifted down to my holster.

I walked up to the entrance to one of the tunnels that lead into the Kyper Temple, feeling the harsh gazes of the temple guardians like thorns through my skin. I exhaled, letting go of the breath I now realized I was holding onto. I dropped the hood of my robe down to my shoulders, revealing my feminine, golden hair and my dainty face.

A temple guardian stood up when I neared. He was much larger than me, covered in dark hair, and he had a snarling expression. "I don' think a pretty princess like you should be entering our tower. Why don' you turn and go back home?" His low grumble resonated in my ears. Though he was asking me to leave, I knew he meant it more like a demand.

I didn't listen to him. I lifted my head to stare at him defiantly. "This tower is not yours, it belongs to the Jedi. So, get out of my way." My bold words sent a shock through the air. I could see he was hit hard. It gave me slight satisfaction to see offense plain and bare on his face. While in his moment of stunned silence, I ducked my way past him.

The guardian growled madly like he was an animal hungry to kill its prey. His large hands dug into his holster, drawing his darkly colored gun. He lifted the weapon to point at my backside, his thumb clicked the trigger. There was no forgiveness in his voice when he ordered, "Leave now."

I kept walking down the darkening tunnel, keeping my own fingers locked onto my blaster. Pushing away the terror I felt crawling up inside, I continued my pace. I would not stop now.

"I warned you, blondie." The guardian clicked the trigger down, releasing a bullet and a loud bang. The area was surrounded by smoke from the gun; so much it was hard to tell what had happened at first.

Standbys crowding the area gasped in horror as they watched the cloud of soot slowly fade into the air. They ached with anticipation, expecting to see Jade's dead body crumble to the ground. But as the smoke lazily cleared, the standbys were stunned to find a bullet hole between the guardian's eyes. Not only that, the girl had disappeared.