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— OUTER RIM TERRITORIES
⠀⠀⠀ NOTHING BUT THEDEAD AND ENDLESS HORIZON WAS AHEAD OF HIM. Ever since the Phindian invasion, Gala had lost most of its life and now all that Obi Wan saw was a lifeless scenery. Three days, he promised three days to find the princess and he felt like a fool for it.
He felt a disturbance, or what he thought a warning that this wasn't a good idea to encounter her again as he knew she changed in his absence. But it had been a while, almost a month and it made sense to him, yet he was not prepared to meet her, nor the hill people and Elan. Obi Wan was aware of how hostile her people are and knew that Milada was at risk hiding with them but at least she will be out of harm's way rather than with Jyu. If not the Jedi Code, Obi Wan would've swore he hated that sentient to his core.
Leaving Galu was not hard for Obi Wan as Jyu provided him a speeder, fast enough to ensure the Jedi fulfils his promise. It was foolish of Obi Wan to agree to help the Phindian, he could've just fled and had the Galactic Republic's fleet intervene with the annexation of Gala but he was blinded by his love and determination to see Milada.
The city ruins were replaced with decaying greenery and the polluted ocean on the coast. The same fog making it hard to see thus Obi Wan had to rely on his Force and the invisible string of faith which connected him to her. Maker, he spent too long without her and felt as if his whole world was out of place and he wanted now was to embrace her and promise that everything will go back to the way it was.
The Jedi Master knew he was entering the ruling of the Hill people and was alert of what might encounter him, surely he did meet Elan and had a good talk with her, but he still did not trust the tribe and chose to avoid any progression with the relations.
Steppes. Endless steppes were hiding cravings in the ground which stretched meters, or kilometres down. Settlements of the hill people were different to the ones of the other tribes and it was understandable — they had to hide from the residents of Galu to stay alive. The air was not as polluted here and Obi Wan was able to see clearly now and indeed he was in the main settlement of Elan and her people.
The speeder abruptly stopped before the gate and Obi Wan proceeded to search for any sign of entrance and he succeeded as the gate was not locked. He gently pushed it and it opened, allowing the Jedi to enter. He rushed back to his speeder and drove past the gates, feeling the gates close behind him before he could do so himself, he saw two male Galacians push the gates shut, not paying any attention to him. Without waiting any longer, he continued his journey further into the settlement in search for Elan who knew where Milada was.
Streets were empty, no one but those two men were seen by Obi Wan and he concluded that they hid from the possible threat of the Phindians, choosing to stay in the shadows for their own sake. He believed it was selfish of them, but he knew they had their reasons and they never wanted to be associated with the capital and its surrounding settlements.
The city was dusted, wind softly blew the dust and fog around it.
He stopped before what seemed the main house, tall walls and pillars towered, jumping off the speeder and slowly making his way towards the entrance. Walking in, he was met with an empty interior, so dusty it seemed no one had been here in a millennia. And there he saw a painting of Elan, hanging on the wall. She wore the cultural dress of the hill people, hair hidden behind the scarf of an ultramarine shade and silver jewellery decorating her.
Then, he realised that there was something behind the tall painting as the shadows around it did not look as of the object's. Moving it to the side, he was met with a cave. It was dark and endless and he had to ignite his lightsaber to see at least something, thus he proceeded to walk in there. It was humid and smelt like rain in the cave, soft ground under his boots seemed to never end while the tunnel seemed to shrink until he had to crawl through certain parts, careful not to wound himself with his weapon.
After what seemed ages, he was met with a bright light at the end of it. Did he die all of a sudden? No, that is foolish of him to think. He continued his way and soon found himself in what seemed a bunker. Corridors were illuminated by white lights powered through the solar panels he had seen over the city and yet no soul around.
"Jedi Master Kenobi?" A familiar voice called out and Obi Wan turned around to come in face to face with Elan. She wore a white tunic and simple maroon loose pants, silver necklace of her mother and a nose ring which was adorned with a pearl.
"Well hello there," he smiled warmly, "it has been a while,"
"It has," she nodded in approval, eyes not leaving Obi Wan's face, "I believe you are here for Princess Milada?"
"She is here?" His face lit up and his eyes began to sparkle with joy.
"Well yes, if not her, then who would've killed my most trusted man?" She joked bitterly, folding her hands at her chest. Obi Wan's face fell. She what?
"She killed Dana?" Obi Wan did not believe the woman.
She chuckled, "and wanted to kill me, though something stopped her,"
Obi Wan's right hand made way to his face as he stroked his beard, processing the information he had received now. Why would she attempt to kill someone who was protecting her? Most likely someone pushed her to do so, if not, then she might've been hurt by Elan or Dana, "why so?" He dared to ask.
Elan sighed, hands dropping to her side as she looked down at her feet, "I caught them in an affair, which lead to an outburst of my emotions as all I felt was betrayal of the ones I truly cared for,"
Obi Wan felt his heart shatter. Affair? Milada and Dana in an affair? He couldn't believe it — they swore to each other! She let him down just like that, the empty promises of love and devotion was all he knew of now. He forgot how to breathe, paralysed he stood, eyes never leaving Elan who now was maintaining eye contact with him, worry written over her features.
"Take me to her," he finally breathed out, voice low and evidently pained.
Elan nodded, knowing better not to argue and lead him to the chambers where Milada had been resting now. She felt how tense the Jedi Master was, felt the suffers he bore and she felt terrible for it. But he asked to be taken to the one who broke his heart, and she complied. Reaching the door, she stopped, motioning for him to continue by himself and that she will no longer be present around until he himself seeks her out. Nodding and muttering a 'thank you', he placed his shaking hands on the doorknob and slowly pulled it down, taking a deep breath before stepping in.
He was met with a dim, small room where on the bed near the wall was sat Milada. Her skin pale and hair disheveled as she fumbled with her fingers. Her head snapped as soon as she heard the chair being pulled by Obi Wan so he can sit. She stood up, a weak smile making its way to her fragile face, "Obi Wan—"
