Within the confines of the Eye of Sion, a hollow hum reverberated through the walls. The massive vessel, engineered to traverse the vast reaches of space, glided with a ghostly grace. Inside, Baylan Skoll stood in silent contemplation, his armored figure imposing yet calm. Beside him, Shin Hati moved with sharp precision, keeping a watchful eye on Grogu as the small creature attempted to complete yet another exercise.
The soft thrum of the ship underscored the quiet conversations exchanged in the training chamber. Grogu was suspended mid-air, using the Force to maintain his balance as he bounced between floating metal plates arranged in erratic patterns by Baylan.
"Focus, Grogu," Baylan's gravelly voice resonated through the room. His tone carried both guidance and sternness. "Feel the flow of the Force. It is not just power, but patience."
Grogu wobbled slightly on one of the plates, his small green hands raised as he attempted to center himself. With a swift leap, he moved to the next, barely catching himself.
Shin, standing nearby, observed with her usual focused intensity. But this time, there was something softer in her eyes—like a mother watching over a child, a far cry from her usual cold precision. She stepped forward when Grogu faltered again.
"You're doing well," Shin said softly, crouching near the edge of the plates. Her voice was calm, almost nurturing, a side she rarely displayed. She extended her hand, not to help, but as an anchor of comfort. "Remember what we practiced. Breathe. Slow your mind, and the body will follow."
Grogu glanced at her, then back at the next plate. With a quiet grunt, he jumped again—this time landing with perfect grace. Shin allowed a small smile to flicker across her lips.
A slight knock on the door interrupted the serene atmosphere. It slid open, revealing Morgan Elsbeth. Her presence brought with it a shift in the room, a quiet unease that neither Baylan nor Shin acknowledged openly.
"We're approaching the system," Elsbeth announced, her tone measured but laced with anticipation. "Prepare yourselves. There's much work to be done."
Baylan turned his gaze from Grogu to Elsbeth, nodding slightly. "We'll be ready."
Shin helped Grogu down from the plates, the child landing softly on the floor. He looked up at Baylan with wide eyes, sensing the change in the energy of the room. Baylan approached the duo, his expression unreadable.
"Remember, Grogu," Baylan said, resting a hand on the child's head, "power comes not from forceful control, but from mastering the self. Patience. Agility. These will be your weapons in time."
Grogu cooed in response, tilting his head as he absorbed the words.
XX
The Eye of Sion descended into the atmosphere of the uncharted planet, cutting through the thick clouds with a graceful precision. Below, the wilderness stretched out for miles—untamed, ancient, and brimming with secrets. Jagged mountains framed the horizon, their peaks obscured by swirling mists. Forests, dense with towering trees and dark foliage, covered most of the terrain. There was a palpable sense of age here—an ancient force that hummed just beneath the surface.
Baylan stared out of the viewport, his mind swirling with a strange sense of familiarity. Something called to him, deep in the wilderness. But for now, he kept that feeling buried.
The Star Destroyer loaned to Elsbeth by Thrawn landed smoothly in the clearing near the ruins of an ancient temple. It had stood for millennia, untouched by any known civilization. Elsbeth stepped out first, her presence commanding as she approached the temple with a determined stride.
Shin, Baylan, and Grogu followed, their eyes drawn to the colossal stone structures around them. The air was thick with the power of the Dark Side. Grogu, still cradled in Shin's arms, instinctively reached out toward the temple, his small hands grasping at the invisible currents of the Force.
"Calm, Grogu," Shin murmured, gently lowering his arms.
Baylan's eyes flickered with interest as they approached the entrance. "Morgan, what are you hoping to find here?"
Elsbeth's expression was unreadable as she ascended the temple steps. "My ancestors once walked these halls. Their power sleeps, but I intend to awaken it. The Great Mothers have long been silent... until now."
They entered the temple's heart, an expansive chamber lined with intricate carvings and symbols. At its center was an altar, blackened and worn from centuries of decay. Elsbeth approached it, whispering in a language unknown to the others.
The air in the chamber grew colder. Grogu's ears twitched as he watched in awe, his instincts telling him to reach out toward whatever Elsbeth was conjuring. Before he could, Shin placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, grounding him.
"Not yet," she whispered.
A low hum filled the air. Elsbeth's incantations grew louder, echoing through the chamber. Slowly, the shadows around the altar shifted, coalescing into the forms of three ancient beings—The Great Mothers. Their ghostly forms glowed faintly, their eyes opening as they gazed upon the scene.
"Your efforts have not gone unnoticed," one of the Great Mothers intoned, her voice like a whisper carried on the wind. "What do you seek, Morgan Elsbeth?"
Elsbeth bowed her head, her voice reverent. "I seek your guidance. Your power. I seek to restore what was lost."
The Great Mothers exchanged glances, their ethereal forms circling the altar. "The path is not easily traveled, but you have done well. We will assist you... for a price."
Shin watched the spectacle in silence, her grip on Grogu tightening slightly. Baylan stood still, his mind drawn elsewhere. The call he had felt earlier tugged at him again, this time more insistently. His gaze drifted to the wilderness beyond the temple.
XX
Later, as they stood outside the temple discussing the next steps, Baylan turned to Elsbeth, his brow furrowed. "I need to explore this place. Something calls to me... from the wilderness."
Elsbeth glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. "The planet is dangerous. I cannot guarantee your safety out there."
"I'll take my chances," Baylan replied. His tone left little room for argument. "There are forces here—powers that are beyond even your understanding."
Shin, who had remained quiet up until now, stepped forward. "I'm coming with you."
Baylan's gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. "This is a journey you may not be ready for, Shin. There are things out there... things even I don't fully comprehend. I understand your fear, but sometimes, fear is a guide."
"I'm not afraid," Shin responded, her jaw set. "I don't want to be left behind."
Baylan gave a slight nod, understanding her determination. "Very well."
Morgan stepped in. "A transport will return in one or two months' time. I'll make sure a beacon is left for you in case you need it."
"That will suffice," Baylan replied.
He turned to Shin and Grogu, his expression stern but not unkind. "Remember, patience. If you rush toward victory, you will fall into your own ruin. There is no shortcut to what we seek."
Shin's eyes met his, a mixture of resolve and fear flickering within them. "I understand."
Baylan looked down at Grogu, who stared up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Take care of him," Baylan said to Shin. "He will be important in the time to come."
Shin nodded, pulling Grogu closer to her. The small creature snuggled into her arms, content in the safety she provided. They stood there for a moment longer, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them.
Baylan Skoll, Shin Hati, and Grogu stood in the shadow of the towering Star Destroyer, their eyes watching the massive craft as it prepared for departure. Its engines roared softly, sending ripples of air through the clearing. Around them, the air felt thick—charged with the ancient, untamed energy of Peridea. The wilderness stretched out before them, an endless landscape of rolling hills, jagged mountains, and thick forests. It was as wild and mysterious as the Force itself.
"These should last you over a month," Morgan Elsbeth said, her voice firm but not without a touch of concern. She handed Baylan a heavy satchel filled with provisions—dried rations, water, and basic survival tools. She knew better than to leave them underprepared in such an unforgiving place.
Elsbeth motioned to the two native mounts tethered nearby. The creatures were tall, their reptilian bodies sleek and agile, perfect for traversing the dense and uneven terrain of the planet. Their scaled hides shimmered in the fading daylight, their large, dark eyes observing the trio with curiosity.
"These mounts will serve you well," she continued. "They know the land and will carry you as far as you need. Treat them well, and they'll keep you safe."
Baylan nodded, his gaze thoughtful as he accepted the provisions and supplies. His eyes briefly lingered on the mounts before turning back to Elsbeth. "You've been generous, Morgan. But what lies ahead for us is something beyond your assistance."
Elsbeth's expression tightened for a moment before she composed herself. "I know, Baylan. But this world is ancient. Don't underestimate it." She glanced at Shin and Grogu, her gaze softening for a brief moment before turning back to the ship. "Your transport back to the galaxy will be here in one to two months. Make sure you activate the beacon when you're ready. May the Force guide you."
Without another word, Morgan turned and made her way up the ramp of the Star Destroyer, the hiss of hydraulics filling the air as the doors sealed shut behind her.
Baylan, Shin, and Grogu watched as the enormous vessel lifted into the sky, its thrusters roaring to life. Slowly, it ascended through the atmosphere, becoming nothing more than a gleaming speck in the twilight. Moments later, the Star Destroyer disappeared into the depths of space, leaving the trio alone on the ancient planet of Peridea.
XX
They set up camp that evening near a cluster of boulders, the massive stones providing some shelter from the elements. Baylan knelt beside the small fire they had started, the flickering flames casting long shadows against the rugged terrain. The night air was cool, and the wilderness hummed with the sounds of nocturnal creatures.
Grogu sat close to the fire, his large ears twitching as he observed the flames, his small hands occasionally reaching out to the warmth. Shin sat beside him, her expression neutral as she stared into the distance, her thoughts unreadable. She had grown accustomed to the weight of silence in Baylan's presence, but there was a quiet tension in the air tonight.
"We'll head north in the morning," Baylan finally said, breaking the silence. His deep voice rumbled softly as he stood, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "There's something out there... a calling. The Force is strong here, stronger than I've felt in a long time. I need to understand what it is."
Shin's eyes flickered toward him, her expression still calm, though there was a flicker of uncertainty beneath the surface. She had followed Baylan for years, trusting in his guidance, but this place—this world—it was different. There was a danger here that she couldn't quite place. But if her master felt a calling, she would follow.
"North it is," she said, her voice steady, though her eyes betrayed a sliver of doubt. "We'll see what this place holds."
Baylan turned toward her, his gaze softening for a moment. "I know this place feels... unsettling. But trust me, Shin. The answers we seek are here. The powers of this world have been dormant for too long."
Shin gave a slow nod, her fingers tracing the edge of her lightsaber hilt. "I'm with you, master."
Grogu, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised his small arms toward Shin, making a soft cooing sound. His wide eyes glistened in the firelight, looking up at her expectantly.
Shin glanced down at him, her hardened expression melting slightly. Without hesitation, she scooped the small creature into her arms, holding him close. Grogu nuzzled against her chest, his small body warm against the cool night air.
"Always needing to be carried, don't you?" Shin muttered softly, though there was no malice in her tone. It was as though she had taken on a protective, almost maternal role with the child. In moments like this, Grogu reminded her that even in the face of uncertainty, there was still innocence. There was still life to protect.
Baylan watched them for a moment, his expression unreadable. But there was something in his eyes—something soft, a flicker of an emotion that he rarely showed. Perhaps it was the sight of Shin holding Grogu, or perhaps it was the way the Force seemed to swirl around them, thick with destiny. He turned back to the fire, lost in thought.
XX
As the night deepened, the trio settled down to rest. The fire crackled quietly, its embers glowing faintly in the dark. Grogu was fast asleep in Shin's arms, his soft snores barely audible. Shin leaned against one of the boulders, her eyes half-closed but still alert. Baylan, however, remained awake, his mind turning over the pull he felt from the north.
The wilderness was silent now, save for the occasional distant rustle of leaves in the wind. Baylan could feel it—the calling. It was an ancient force, older than anything he had encountered before. It whispered to him in the night, a promise of power and knowledge long forgotten. But it was not an easy path. He knew that whatever lay ahead would test them all.
He stood and walked to the edge of their camp, his eyes scanning the horizon. The darkness stretched out before him, vast and foreboding. But there was something there—something just out of reach, pulling him forward.
"Tomorrow," Baylan whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "We'll see what powers lie within Peridea."
XX
As dawn broke, the wilderness of Peridea was bathed in a soft, golden light. The sky stretched endlessly above them, the air cool and crisp. Baylan and Shin packed their supplies onto the native mounts, their reptilian bodies shifting restlessly as they prepared for the journey north.
Grogu watched from Shin's arms, his wide eyes taking in the landscape as they prepared to leave. He was curious, but also calm—there was a sense of purpose in the small creature that mirrored the determination of his companions.
Baylan mounted one of the creatures, his movements swift and confident. He turned to Shin, who had secured Grogu on the other mount, her eyes meeting his as they exchanged a wordless understanding.
"North," Baylan repeated, his voice firm but measured. "We'll follow the call of the Force. And we shall see what this planet hides."
Shin nodded once, her resolve unwavering. She gently nudged the creature forward, and Grogu, perched in front of her, cooed softly as they began their journey into the unknown.
Together, they rode into the wilderness, the endless horizon of Peridea stretching out before them. The ancient planet seemed to breathe with the Force, and as they moved deeper into its heart, the whispers of destiny grew louder.