The sun had barely risen, casting a pale orange hue across the horizon as Varan worked on maintaining a few of the droids in the small repair shop in Aurora's Reach. The last few weeks had been relatively quiet, and he'd been trying to stay busy, keeping his mind focused on the mechanical tasks at hand. He could hear the hum of the tools in his hand as he adjusted the circuits, the sounds comforting and familiar. It was the kind of routine that had helped him push away the dark memories that still lingered from his time as a fugitive.

But the peace wouldn't last. He sensed the shift in the air long before Daran Kor, the Marshal of Aurora's Reach, stepped into the shop. The man had a certain way of carrying himself—a purposeful stride, shoulders squared—that Varan had learned to recognize over time. Daran was never here without a reason.

Varan looked up as the door opened, his amber blade of a lightsaber catching a glimmer of light on his belt. Kor's sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on Varan with a heavy sigh. He didn't waste any time getting to the point.

"I need your help," Kor said, his voice low and tense, his usually composed demeanor cracking just slightly under the weight of the news.

Varan didn't speak immediately, his brow furrowing. He set down the tools and wiped his hands on a rag, taking a long, measured look at Kor.

"What's happened?" Varan asked, his voice calm but laced with the edge of concern.

"The Crimson Reavers," Kor replied, his face taut with frustration. "They've hit a supply shipment that was bound for Aurora's Reach. We lost vital supplies—food, medicine, tools. They took everything and disappeared into the Spirewood. We've got reports of them making camp there, and they're getting dangerously close to the Jedi Temple."

Varan's heart tightened at the mention of the Jedi Temple. The ruins had been quiet for years, a place of reflection and history, but also a place that remained undisturbed. The thought of the Crimson Reavers so close to it felt wrong—unsettling.

"How close?" Varan asked, already reaching for his gear as he began to understand the gravity of the situation.

"They're too close," Kor muttered, a deep crease forming between his brows. "I've sent a few scouts, but they're all gone. We can't risk them making a permanent base in the Spirewood. The temple can't fall into the wrong hands, and those Reavers—" he paused, his jaw tightening, "they're not just thieves. They're a threat to everyone. It's risky. And that's why I need your help. Your... expertise."

Varan nodded, already reaching for his gear. He had no intention of leaving the Marshal to handle this on his own. He had seen firsthand how dangerous the Reavers could be.

"I'll finish up here and meet you the next hour," Varan said, glancing down at his lightsaber. He could already feel the pull of the Force, the faint stirrings of something deep within the Spirewood, something connected to the old temple. As Varan prepared to leave, the last thing he expected was Asa's voice calling from behind him.

"I'm coming with you," Asa said firmly, stepping out from the shadows of the workshop. Her eyes were wide with determination.

Varan stopped in his tracks, his heart sinking. He turned to face her, his expression stern.

"No," he said sharply, his voice a little too harsh. "You need to stay here."

Asa crossed her arms, her jaw set. "You're not going without me," she insisted. "This is my home too, Varan. I'm not going to sit here while the Reavers tear everything apart. I can help. I'm ready."

Varan's brow furrowed, and a tight knot formed in his chest. This wasn't the first time Asa had wanted to join him on a dangerous job, but each time, he had made sure she stayed behind. She wasn't ready. Not yet.

"I don't care if you think you're ready," Varan said, trying to keep his voice calm, though it was strained. "This isn't a training exercise. This is real. The Reavers are ruthless. They won't hesitate to kill."

"I know that," Asa retorted, her voice unwavering. "And I'm not going to sit in this workshop, waiting for you to come back. I want to protect the people here. I want to help. I've been training for a year now, Varan. You can't keep me locked up forever."

Varan sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "This isn't about you being locked up," he said. "This is about you being too young and inexperienced for what's out there. You've seen what the Reavers can do. You're not ready for that kind of fight."

"I understand you want to help," Varan said quietly, his tone softening just slightly. "But I'm not going to put you in harm's way just because you want to prove something. You have to trust me on this, Asa. You're not ready for what's coming."

"I am ready," Asa shot back, her voice trembling with the weight of her conviction. "You taught me to control the Force. You taught me how to fight, and now you want me to just sit here and wait?"

"I'm not going to argue with you anymore," Varan said with a sigh. "You're staying here and that's final."

What he didn't realize was that Asa had decided to take matters into her own hands. As he walked out of the workshop and into the streets of Aurora's Reach, he failed to notice her quietly slip into the shadows, following behind them without making a sound.

The Spirewood was alive with tension. The trees, ancient and towering, swayed with the wind, their leaves rustling softly, unaware of the chaos about to unfold. A heavy fog blanketed the ground, casting everything in a dim, ethereal light. Birds called out sporadically in the distance, their cries eerily still as if they, too, sensed the impending violence. Varan's senses were alert, tingling with the weight of the moment. The Force whispered in his ear, urging caution, warning him of what was to come.

Kor moved through the fog with quiet confidence. His boots barely made a sound as they pressed into the damp earth. His sharp eyes were fixed ahead, scanning the camp. A group of Reavers had ambushed a supply shipment meant for Aurora's Reach, and they hadn't just stolen the supplies—they'd also left a trail of destruction. No one could be sure what they'd do next, but Varan's gut told him that the Reavers were planning something much larger.

"Stay focused," Kor's voice was a calm anchor, even amidst the silent tension. "These Reavers are smart. They'll try to draw us in, and when they do, we hit them hard."

Varan nodded without speaking. His grip tightened around the hilt of his lightsaber. His mind kept straying back to Asa. She was back in Aurora's Reach, waiting like she always did. But this time felt different. His protective instincts roared within him. The thought of her out there—facing danger, unprepared—felt like a weight pressing against his chest.

He glanced at Kor, his thoughts clear. "Let's move in from the left. We'll take them by surprise. We need to hit hard and fast."

Kor's eyes met Varan's, a brief flicker of understanding passing between them. They'd worked together before, and the trust was there. But there was no time to dwell on anything else. The Reavers were out there. And they were dangerous.

The group moved swiftly through the dense woods, their path silent and deliberate. Varan's sharp eyes scanned every shadow, every flicker of movement. The further they went, the more the air seemed to thicken, the forest growing heavy with the knowledge of what was about to happen. His mind kept drifting back to Asa—he'd told her to stay behind. He'd told her it was too dangerous. But it was harder and harder to ignore the nagging feeling that she might not be so far away after all.

A sudden crack of a twig broke through his thoughts. The Reavers had spotted them. Blaster fire exploded from behind a nearby tree, and the night shattered with the sound of violence. Varan ignited his amber lightsaber in a single, fluid motion, its glow illuminating his face for a moment before he spun into action. He moved like lightning, his blade deflecting blaster bolts with deadly precision. Each movement was a calculated strike, his focus , without warning, a flash of blaster fire sliced through the air, followed by another, and another. He deflected the first bolt effortlessly, but the second grazed his shoulder, the searing heat of the blast sending a shock of pain through his body. He gritted his teeth but didn't falter.

The Reavers had set up an ambush, and now the battle was on.

Blaster bolts flew in all directions, the crack of the shots punctuating the tense silence of the forest. Varan spun, his lightsaber a blur of motion as he cut through the air, deflecting more shots, moving with the precision and grace of a seasoned warrior. His shoulder throbbed with the fresh wound, but he ignored it, focusing only on the fight.

Then, the second shot hit.

This time, the bolt struck him square in the side, right through his ribs. He felt the searing pain explode across his chest, and for a moment, everything went dark. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, the world spinning around him as blood seeped through his tunic. The heat of the blaster bolt cauterized the wound, but the agony was immediate, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Varan!" Kor shouted, his voice rising above the chaos as he and his men continued to fire at the retreating Reavers. But it was too late. Varan's vision blurred, his body refusing to obey him as he struggled to stay conscious.

"Get up, Varan!" Kor's voice came again, but the world felt distant, muffled. Varan tried to lift himself but couldn't. The pain was overwhelming, and he collapsed once more, his body screaming for relief.

Just as everything started to slip away, he felt something stir in the Force—Asa.

He looked up, his gaze scanning the misty woods, but he didn't see her. She shouldn't be here. He'd told her to stay back. She was supposed to be in Aurora's Reach, safe from the violence.

But then, the sound of a lightsaber igniting shattered the stillness, its brilliant green glow cutting through the fog.

Asa emerged from her hidden perch within the shadows of the forest. Her green lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss, its vibrant glow cutting through the chaos of blaster fire and shouts. The Reavers, emboldened by their ambush and the sight of Varan injured, barely registered her approach before she charged into the fray like a thunderbolt.

Varan's heart skipped a beat, and despite the overwhelming pain, he pushed himself to one side, barely able to lift his head. Through his blurry vision, he saw her—standing tall, her green lightsaber alight, her face set in determination. She moved with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

"Asa!" Varan tried to call out, but his voice was weak, hoarse. His heart raced with fear, and the panic clawed at him. She shouldn't be here. He told her to stay behind. She wasn't ready for this.

The first Reaver turned toward her, raising his blaster. Asa didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, she brought her lightsaber up in a diagonal arc, deflecting the incoming shot back toward the attacker. The blaster bolt struck his shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground with a cry of pain. Pivoting on her heel, Asa moved fluidly into the next motion, using the Force to propel herself toward another group of Reavers who were regrouping near a stack of stolen crates.

"Who in the void is that?!" one of them yelled, his panic evident as Asa closed the distance.

She didn't give them time to react. Asa reached out with her free hand, channeling the Force to grip one of the crates behind the Reavers. With a sharp gesture, she yanked it forward, the heavy container slamming into their legs and knocking them off balance. They fell like dominoes, their weapons clattering to the ground. Seizing the moment, Asa dashed forward, her lightsaber slicing through the barrel of an enemy's blaster before he could reach for it.

Her movements were precise, almost dance-like, as she weaved through the battlefield. The green blade spun and struck with purpose, carving an elegant path of controlled destruction. One Reaver attempted to flank her, aiming his rifle at her exposed side. Asa sensed the threat before it materialized, her connection to the Force heightening her awareness. She dropped into a low crouch, sweeping her leg out to knock him off his feet, then rose swiftly, her lightsaber slashing downward to disable his weapon.

Another pair of Reavers rushed her, one brandishing a vibroblade while the other fired sporadically from a pistol. Asa deflected the blaster shots with calculated precision, each bolt ricocheting harmlessly into the trees. The Reaver with the blade lunged at her, but Asa sidestepped gracefully, her lightsaber flashing in a tight arc to disarm him—literally. He screamed, clutching the stump of his arm as he crumpled to the ground.

"Stay down," she warned, her voice firm and commanding.

The Reaver with the pistol hesitated, clearly unnerved by her skill. Taking advantage of his hesitation, Asa extended her hand, using the Force to rip the weapon from his grip and send it flying into the underbrush. Before he could retreat, she gestured again, sending a wave of Force energy that knocked him flat on his back.

Nearby, the Marshal and his men were gaining ground, emboldened by Asa's intervention. The remaining Reavers were scattering, their cohesion shattered by the young Jedi's relentless assault. But Asa's focus remained sharp, her senses attuned to the flow of the battle.

One of the Reavers, larger and more heavily armored than the rest, charged at her with a vibro-ax, roaring with fury. Asa met his advance head-on, her lightsaber clashing against the weapon in a burst of sparks. The impact sent a jolt up her arms, but she held firm, her feet planted as she pushed back against his strength.

"You're just a kid!" he snarled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can take me?"

Asa didn't answer. Instead, she shifted her stance, using his momentum against him. With a swift pivot, she sidestepped his next swing, allowing the ax to bury itself in the dirt. Before he could recover, she thrust her free hand forward, unleashing a Force push that sent him hurtling backward into a stack of crates. He hit the ground with a heavy thud and didn't rise again.

Breathing heavily, Asa turned her attention to the remaining Reavers. Those who weren't incapacitated or captured were retreating into the forest, their confidence thoroughly broken. She deactivated her lightsaber, the green blade disappearing with a hiss, and took a moment to survey the battlefield. The stolen supplies were still intact, and the Marshal's posse was securing the scene. But her focus quickly shifted to Varan.

When she finally deactivated her lightsaber, the battlefield grew quiet save for the sounds of the Marshal's men rounding up the prisoners and securing the stolen goods. Asa turned her attention to where Varan lay propped against a tree, his face pale and strained. Her determination from the fight shifted into a surge of worry as she knelt beside him, her hands already reaching for his wounds.

"You shouldn't be here," Varan rasped, his voice weak but firm as he tried to push himself to his feet. "I told you to stay in Aurora's Reach."

"Stay down, Varan," Asa said firmly, as she helped him steady himself. Her voice was strained, but her determination was clear.

"What are you doing here?" Varan's voice was hoarse, his chest tight from the wound. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but it was hard to concentrate with her standing there—her lightsaber dimmed, her face filled with worry. "I told you to stay behind, Asa." His voice softened just enough for her to hear the deeper emotion beneath his words, the desperate urge to protect her.

Asa knelt beside him, her lightsaber now clipped to the back of her belt. Her brow furrowed as she surveyed his injuries, her hands trembling slightly before she steadied them. "I wasn't going to let you fight this alone," she said firmly, her voice tinged with defiance. "You can scold me later, Varan. Right now, you need to stay still."

"Asa, listen—"

She cut him off, her tone brooking no argument. "You're losing blood. Let me help."

Varan's protests died in his throat as he felt her hands hover over his wounded side. Her expression shifted, her focus sharpening into something profound. Closing her eyes, Asa took a deep breath, reaching deep into the Force. Around them, the air seemed to still, the sounds of the forest dimming as if the galaxy itself held its breath.

Varan felt it first as a tingling warmth, spreading outward from her hands. He watched, astonished, as the bleeding slowed and the raw, charred edges of the wound began to knit together. The searing pain dulled, replaced by a soothing warmth that resonated deep within his body. Asa's brow glistened with sweat, her jaw tight with concentration as she poured her energy into the healing process.

The process wasn't instant. Asa's breathing grew heavier as the Force responded to her will, weaving his torn flesh back together with painstaking precision. Varan could feel her strength wavering but also her determination holding steady. She wouldn't stop until she'd done all she could.

"Asa," Varan murmured, his voice softer now. He could sense the effort this was taking from her, the strain it placed on her connection to the Force. "You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I can do this," she replied, her voice steady despite the fatigue creeping into her features. "Just... stop talking and let me focus."

The wound on his side, while not completely healed, was now closed enough to stop the bleeding and alleviate the immediate danger. Asa exhaled sharply, opening her eyes as she sat back on her heels, her face pale but determined. "There," she said, her voice tinged with relief. "That's better."

Varan looked down at his side, astonished at the transformation. The pain was still there but muted, manageable. He turned his gaze back to Asa, his emotions a tangled mix of gratitude, frustration, and something deeper.

"You shouldn't have come," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "It's my job to protect you, Asa. Your life is more valuable than mine."

Asa's expression darkened in an instant, her brown eyes flashing with anger. "Don't ever say that," she snapped, her voice rising in defiance.

Varan blinked, startled by her intensity. "I'm just—"

"No," Asa interrupted, leaning closer. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, trembling with barely contained emotion. "Don't you ever say that again. Your life isn't less important than mine, Varan. How can you even think that?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but the words caught in his throat. Asa's voice cracked as she continued, her anger giving way to something raw and vulnerable. "We're a team. You don't get to decide that your life is worth less than mine. I need you, Varan. This... this isn't something I can do alone."

Varan stared at her, the weight of her words settling over him like a heavy cloak. He had spent so long trying to shield her from danger, convinced that it was his responsibility to bear the burden of protecting her. But now, seeing the fire in her eyes, the strength in her voice, he realized how much she had grown.

"Asa..." he began, his voice softer now. He reached out, his uninjured hand brushing against her arm. "I just… I didn't want you to get hurt. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you."

"And what about you?" Asa shot back, her voice breaking. "What do you think it does to me, seeing you like this? Do you think I wouldn't feel the same if I lost you?"

The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the distant sounds of Daran's team corralling the last of the Reavers. Varan's shoulders sagged as he exhaled, the tension draining from his body. He looked at Asa, really looked at her, and saw not the child he had taken under his wing but a young woman standing tall in the face of adversity.

"You did well," he said finally, his voice filled with both pride and humility. "You saved my life back there. And... you're right. We are a team."

Asa blinked, the fire in her gaze softening into something warmer. "Does that mean you're done trying to leave me behind?" she asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Varan chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "I'll try. No promises."

Asa grinned, the tension between them easing at last. But the moment wasn't lost on either of them. They both knew that this was a turning point, a moment where their bond had been tested and strengthened in ways neither of them had expected.

"Come on," Varan said, wincing as he pushed himself to his feet with Asa's help. "Let's get these supplies back to Aurora's Reach. I think we've earned some rest."

"And maybe an apology?" Asa teased, arching a brow.

"Don't push your luck," Varan replied, but the warmth in his voice betrayed his affection.

As they walked back toward the clearing, side by side, the air between them was lighter. The galaxy might still be a dangerous, uncertain place, but in that moment, they knew they could face it together.

Author's Note: If anyone is interested, the music that plays when Asa fights is "Zoltrak" from the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End soundtrack.