Shadow was on his knees, his spider-like legs skittering erratically against the floor as he clutched his head with both hands. His horns glinted in the firelight, and his face was a mask of torment. His growls and screams were guttural, primal, as though he were fighting against something inside himself.
Towering over him was a figure who looked both alien and eerily familiar. A massive Zabrak with yellow skin and black tattoos stood before Shadow, his broad frame casting a long shadow in the firelight. His golden eyes glowed with intensity, and his voice was firm yet laden with desperation.
"Brother," the yellow-horned one said, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "It's me Savage. I've come to take you home. To fix you."
Firefly's stomach twisted at the sight. Brother? The word echoed in her mind, but she couldn't reconcile it. All she saw was a stranger a towering, dangerous stranger standing over Shadow as he writhed in pain.
Shadow's screams grew louder, his claws digging into his scalp. "Home?!" he snarled, his voice cracking with rage and anguish. "There is no home! There is only pain! Only betrayal!"
Savage stepped closer, his massive hands reaching out as though to steady his brother. "I know, Maul," he said, his tone softer now. "I know what they did to you. But I found you. You're not alone anymore. Let me help you."
Shadow's body convulsed, his head snapping up as his fiery yellow eyes burned into Savage. "Help me?!" he spat. "Help me?! I don't need help. I need… revenge." His voice dropped into a guttural snarl, the word reverberating through the room like a dark promise.
Savage hesitated, his expression flickering with unease. "Revenge? Against who? Brother, you need—"
"Revenge against them all," Shadow hissed, his anger coalescing into deadly clarity. His trembling stopped, his hands lowering from his head as his lips curled into a feral grin. "The Jedi. The Republic. Kenobi. They will all suffer. And you—" he pointed a clawed finger at Savage, his tone shifting. "You will help me."
Firefly's breath hitched as she watched the transformation. Shadow's agony gave way to a sinister resolve, his demeanor changing before her eyes. But her focus snapped back to the yellow-horned one Savage whose sheer size and presence made her blood boil.
She didn't know who he was or what his intentions were, but he was too close to Shadow. Too dangerous. Her instincts screamed that she had to act.
Steeling herself, she crouched low, her glowing form casting sharp shadows as she prepared to strike. Her spear trembled in her grip, her wings fluttering weakly as adrenaline surged through her veins. This man this Savage might claim to be Shadow's brother, but she wasn't about to trust him. Not when Shadow was vulnerable. Not when her Shadow needed her protection.
She shifted her weight, her muscles coiling like a spring. If this Savage so much as twitched toward Shadow wrong, she would bury her spear in his chest without hesitation. Shadow was hers to protect. Hers to defend. No one else had the right to stand over him like this not even someone claiming to be family.
Savage leaned forward, his massive frame imposing as he whispered something to Shadow, his voice so low that Firefly couldn't catch the words. Whatever he said, it set Shadow off. A guttural growl rumbled from deep within his chest as he straightened to his full height, his spider-like legs clicking against the ground as he loomed over the yellow Zabrak.
Despite Shadow's towering presence and palpable fury, Savage stood firm, refusing to back down. His expression remained steady, his body taut with tension but unflinching. The two brothers were locked in a silent battle of wills, a storm brewing in the air around them.
"I will make the decision on when we leave, Brother," Shadow snarled, spitting the last word like venom. His clawed hand shot out, stabbing a pointed finger into Savage's chest with force that would have made a lesser being stagger. But Savage didn't flinch he merely growled, his golden eyes narrowing as his lips curled into a snarl.
Shadow's jab was met with Savage rearing back, his massive fist cocked, ready to strike. The tension snapped like a taut string, and Firefly's fury ignited. Her body burned with protective rage. She couldn't allow this this stranger to hurt Shadow, and she certainly wouldn't let him take Shadow away. Shadow was hers.
Standing nearly twenty feet away, she didn't hesitate. Drawing on the full force of her anger, she hurled her spear. It left her hands with a whistle, the air slicing around it as it shot straight for Savage's chest with lethal intent.
The strike was perfect. True. It would have impaled the yellow Zabrak, killing him instantly if not for Shadow.
At the last second, without even turning his head, Shadow's hand lashed out like a coiled snake, catching the spear mid-flight. The motion was so fast, so precise, that it defied belief. The spear halted a mere breath from Savage's heart, the tip just barely grazing his skin and drawing a thin line of crimson. A single bead of blood welled up and dripped down his chest, staining his black tattoos.
Savage recoiled slightly, startled by the sudden strike, his eyes darting to the weapon that had nearly ended him. Shadow, however, threw his head back and let out a dark, guttural laugh that echoed through the ruined chamber like a thunderclap.
"Come, my Firefly," he commanded, his voice deep and resonant, carrying a cruel amusement. "Do not harm my... Brother."
Firefly froze, her heart pounding as Shadow turned his head slightly toward her, though his eyes never left Savage's. The casual power of his actions left her awestruck, a vivid reminder of how far she still had to go. She had come a long way from the trembling girl she once was, but Shadow her Shadow was still far beyond her reach, his strength and skill untouchable.
Swallowing hard, she stepped out from her cover, her golden hair shimmering in the firelight, her pale skin glowing with an ethereal sheen. Her bare feet glided over the jagged, broken metal scattered across the floor as though it were nothing. Her eyes, sharp and full of fire, never left Savage as she approached.
Savage's gaze snapped to her, his expression shifting to one of surprise as he took in her luminous form. The glow of her skin, the confidence in her step, the raw power in her presence it was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
"Who is this, Brother?" Savage asked, his voice heavy with suspicion as he stared at her. His eyes flicked from the spear still held in Shadow's grasp to Firefly, darkening as realization dawned. This glowing woman had thrown the weapon meant to end his life.
Shadow didn't hesitate. The spear jammed under Savages yellow and black chin hard enough to clack his teeth together and make blood drip down his throat, but his voice was sharp and full of possessive menace as he snarled, "She is mine." His yellow eyes bored into Savage's with a feral intensity, a clear warning of pain and dominance. The air between them crackled with tension as Savage's jaw tightened, his expression darkening further.
Savage let out a low growl, his teeth clacking together as he slapped the spear away from his throat, blood dripping down his chin. He didn't argue, but the grudging nod he gave Shadow was full of restrained fire.
Firefly moved to stand beside Shadow, her pace slow and deliberate, her every step gliding over the floor like a phantom. She stopped just behind and to the side of him, her presence a silent testament to her allegiance. Her bright blue eyes never wavered from Savage, burning with quiet defiance.
Savage shifted his gaze back to Firefly, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied her. "You've chosen your company well, Brother," he muttered, his tone a mixture of grudging respect and thinly veiled contempt. But Firefly didn't flinch under his scrutiny. She stood her ground, unwavering, her trust and loyalty to Shadow written in every line of her body.
Savage stood tall, his massive frame almost blending with the flickering shadows cast by the fires around them. His golden eyes bore into Shadow's as he spoke, his voice low and measured. "I've come to take you back to Dathomir, Brother. Mother Talzin can heal you, restore your mind and your strength. You can be whole again. But you must come now."
Shadow's yellow eyes narrowed, his clawed fingers twitching at his sides. For a moment, silence stretched between them, taut with tension. Then, slowly, he nodded, his voice cold and deliberate. "We will go. Both of us." He gestured slightly toward Firefly without breaking his intense gaze on Savage. "And then I will have my revenge. I will grow stronger."
Savage's jaw tightened, his displeasure evident in the slight flare of his nostrils. But he gave a sharp nod, unwilling to challenge his brother on this point. "The ship is ready," he said simply, his tone clipped. His gaze briefly flicked to Firefly, lingering on her glowing form with thinly veiled distrust. "But bringing her is a mistake," he muttered under his breath.
Shadow turned his head slightly, his eyes glinting dangerously as they locked onto Savage. "I decide what is a mistake. She stays with me."
Firefly's heart fluttered in her chest, relief washing over her. He wasn't leaving her behind. She stood still, her glowing form trembling slightly with suppressed emotion. Her pale blue eyes found Shadow's, and she realized he was watching her closely, studying her reaction. When he saw the relief on her face, his expression shifted, his possessive gaze softening but only slightly. His yellow eyes burned with a mix of triumph and something deeper something darker.
Firefly felt her light intensify under his gaze, her inner glow brightening like the first rays of dawn. She couldn't look away, her chest tightening as a warmth spread through her, ignited by the way his eyes lingered on her. She had never felt so claimed, so wanted.
Shadow smirked, the corner of his mouth curling upward as he turned back to Savage. "Lead the way," he commanded, his voice dripping with authority.
Savage grunted but turned without a word, his broad shoulders tense as he began to lead them toward the exit. Firefly noticed the way he carried himself, stiff and almost bristling, but she didn't care. Shadow was taking her with him choosing her and that was all that mattered.
As Savage walked away, Shadow turned to Firefly, holding her spear out to her. The tip of the weapon still glistened with Savage's blood, a dark red droplet threatening to fall. Firefly hesitated for a brief moment before reaching out to take it, her fingers brushing against his clawed hand.
Shadow's voice was a low growl, rich and dark, as he murmured, "Good girl."
Her breath hitched, and a rush of heat coursed through her, setting her skin aflame. The primal approval in his voice, the way he growled those words it ignited something deep within her. Her cheeks flushed as she looked up at him, her glow shimmering brighter as her emotions spiraled.
Shadow tilted his head, his yellow eyes glinting with amusement as he caught the scent of her arousal in the air. He chuckled darkly, the sound low and resonant, sending a shiver down her spine. His laughter was full of satisfaction, the kind that came from knowing he could unravel her so easily.
Without another word, Shadow turned, his spider-like legs clicking softly against the ground as he followed Savage. Firefly trailed behind him, her bare feet moving lightly across the broken floor. She followed him like a falling star drawn irrevocably toward its destined point of impact her Shadow.
Savage glanced back at her once, his expression unreadable but full of tension. It was clear he didn't trust her, nor did he approve of her presence. But as his gaze shifted back to Shadow, he seemed to accept it, though his shoulders remained stiff with discontent.
The three of them moved through the wreckage in silence, the fires casting flickering shadows on the walls as they headed toward Savage's waiting ship. Shadow's presence was magnetic, his aura commanding and dark, and Firefly stayed close behind him, her heart pounding in rhythm with her steps. She didn't know what awaited them on Dathomir, but she knew one thing for certain: wherever Shadow went, she would follow.
The path through the metal graveyard was treacherous, a maze of jagged wreckage and shadowed passageways. Firefly trailed behind Shadow and Savage, her glowing form casting faint light on the twisted ruins. Savage moved ahead with steady purpose, his hulking frame maneuvering through the wreckage like a predator on a mission. Shadow followed close behind, his spider-like legs clicking softly against the broken terrain. Firefly could feel the weight of their presence ahead of her, but her attention was divided.
Somewhere in the darkness, she could hear Morley. The slimy creature's whispers slithered through the air, barely audible over the sounds of their steps.
"One of you will fall... Oh, Morley will feast well tonight. The scraps, the blood... the leftovers."
Firefly's jaw tightened, her fingers gripping her spear as her irritation grew. She cast a glance over her shoulder, her luminous blue eyes scanning the gloom for the source of the voice. She didn't like the way Morley's glowing eyes darted in and out of view, the way his laughter echoed faintly, sending chills down her spine. He was stalking them like prey, waiting for a moment to strike.
As they moved deeper into the graveyard, Morley's presence grew bolder. He darted through the wreckage, whispering vile promises that made Firefly's skin crawl. The fact that neither Shadow nor Savage seemed concerned only heightened her tension. She was the last in the line, the easiest target, and she knew Morley was trying to separate her from the group.
Suddenly, Shadow's voice rang out, low and commanding. "Render it."
Two simple words, but they ignited something within her. Firefly's patience finally snapped. She stopped in her tracks, her head whipping around as the whispers grew louder. Pivoting hard on her feet, she readied her spear and shield just as Morley lunged from the broken ceiling above her, his grotesque form aiming for her with its mouth extended.
Firefly moved with precision and fury. Her spear shot forward, the tip piercing Morley's slimy body with a sickening squelch. The creature screeched, writhing against the weapon, but she didn't stop. With a savage cry, she yanked the spear free and thrust it again, driving it deeper into his flesh. Morley's glowing eyes widened with terror as her shield followed, slamming into his twisted form with brutal force.
She struck again and again, her movements a blur of controlled rage. Blood and ichor splattered across the wreckage, staining the ground beneath them. Morley's shrieks turned to gurgles as she rendered him small, breaking his form into lifeless pieces.
As the creature finally stilled, Firefly straightened, her chest rising and falling with exhilarated breaths. She could feel Shadow's approval radiating through the room, a dark and possessive satisfaction that made her blood sing. She turned to see him watching her, his yellow eyes glinting with pride.
Savage's gaze was harder to read. The yellow-skinned Zabrak had stopped ahead, his massive frame turned slightly as he watched her with an appraising look. His golden eyes lingered on her as she wiped her spear clean and adjusted her shield. She could feel his scrutiny, the weight of his judgment, but she refused to acknowledge it. Her focus remained on Shadow, his approval all she needed.
Without a word, she hurried to catch up with the brothers, her glowing form cutting through the gloom as she fell into step behind them. Her heart pounded, not just from the kill but from the way she felt alive during the fight. The thrill of the hunt, the sharp clarity of combat it was intoxicating.
Savage and Shadow were speaking as she approached, their deep voices low and gravelly. She caught Shadow's words as he glanced back at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Like a Valkyrie."
Firefly tilted her golden head, her pale brows knitting together in confusion. "Valkyrie?" she murmured, the unfamiliar word rolling off her tongue.
Shadow's gaze lingered on her, his yellow eyes gleaming with something dark and possessive. Savage's expression was harder, but even he seemed to appraise her differently now, his golden eyes briefly locking onto hers and then her broken wings before shifting back to Shadow. Whatever a Valkyrie was, the way the brothers' eyes lingered on her with that word made her light brighten. She liked it.
Shadow's smirk deepened as he turned, leading the way through the wreckage. Firefly followed, her steps light and purposeful, like a falling star drawn to its destined path.
The surface of the rusted metal planet stretched out before them, an oppressive wasteland of decay and despair. For Firefly, it was both alien and exhilarating. The air, though heavy with soot and smog, felt alive compared to the stifling tunnels below. The heat clung to her skin, and the faint shimmer of sky, though obscured by the planet's toxic atmosphere, was like a revelation. For the first time in months, she stood under an open expanse, unconfined. The sensation was almost overwhelming.
She paused, her wide, luminous eyes taking in the vastness above her. The broken, polluted sky seemed endless, and a strange ache tugged at her heart a yearning she couldn't quite place. For a moment, she was lost in the freedom of it, the memory of stars and open skies whispering to her soul.
"Firefly!"
Shadow's sharp voice cut through her reverie. Her head snapped toward him, and she saw him standing by a hulking starship, its dull, battered hull a beacon of escape amid the wreckage. His yellow eyes locked onto hers, unreadable but intense. His massive frame shifted restlessly, his mechanical legs clicking and hissing, betraying his unease at being exposed under the open sky. The tension in his body was palpable, like a storm about to break.
She ran toward him, her golden hair catching what little light managed to pierce the soot-choked air. Savage stood near the ship, lowering the ramp with mechanical precision. The hiss of hydraulics was a welcome sound, signaling their imminent departure from this forsaken place.
Firefly's steps faltered as they reached the ship. Her gaze swept over its exterior in wonder, taking in every detail. To her, it wasn't just a machine; it was a symbol of freedom. The thought of leaving the suffocating planet behind made her heart soar, and the reality of being at Shadow's side only strengthened that feeling.
As they ascended the ramp, Shadow's tension grew. His frustration was a tangible force, coiling around him like smoke. She felt it in the way his claws flexed and his legs twitched, his mind already slipping under the weight of too many memories. Savage led them to the ship's hold, a space large enough for Shadow's spider-like body to settle, though the passageways beyond were too narrow for him to navigate.
Firefly followed, her awe of the starship mingling with concern. The faint hum of the engines as they powered up filled the air, but her attention was on Shadow. His claws dug into his face, sharp points leaving shallow gashes as he gripped his head. His breaths came in ragged bursts, his yellow eyes wild and unfocused. Memories, torment, and anger tore at him, dragging him into a spiral she had seen too many times before.
Her heart clenched as he shouted, his voice a guttural roar of anguish. "Rendered small! Reduced to nothing!" His words were laced with fury and despair, his body trembling under the strain.
Firefly stepped closer, but one of his mechanical legs lashed out, striking her hard in the shoulder. Pain shot through her, but she raised her shield instinctively, deflecting the next strike. She didn't retreat. Instead, she pressed forward, weaving through the chaos of his flailing limbs. Each step was a battle as she dodged and blocked, her determination unwavering.
"Shadow!" she called, her voice trembling but resolute. He didn't hear her. The engines roared louder, the vibrations rattling the ship, drowning out her words. She clenched her shield tighter, dropped her spear, and pushed forward. Another of his legs slammed toward her, and she bashed it aside with all her strength, her body aching from the impact.
When she was finally close enough, she wrapped her arms around his head and neck. His claws tore into her skin, drawing blood as he raged against her grip. His teeth latched onto the scar on her throat, reopening the mark he had left there before. Pain bloomed, but she didn't falter.
She began to sing.
Her voice, soft and melodic, struggled to reach him over the cacophony of the engines and his thrashing limbs. She sang their song, the one she had always used to soothe him when his mind fractured. At first, it seemed futile. His metal legs continued to slam into the walls, shaking the ship violently. Savage's voice shouted from the cockpit, but she couldn't make out the words.
She sang louder, her voice steady despite the chaos. Her blood mingled with his, her light dimming as her energy waned, but she refused to stop. Calling on the faintest spark of power within her, careful not to awaken the collar around her neck, she poured her soul into the song. Her fingers tightened around his head, cradling him against her neck as she hummed the familiar melody.
Slowly, his movements became less erratic. The strikes of his legs grew weaker, the tension in his body easing. His trembling claws remained buried in her arms, but his grip loosened. His teeth stayed at her throat, but the pressure lessened, no longer a bite of pain but something else something desperate and grounding.
Her voice carried through the hold, filling the space with warmth and light. Shadow's ragged breathing steadied, his body shuddering as he leaned into her. His legs stilled, the ship falling into an uneasy silence save for the hum of the engines. Firefly didn't stop singing until she felt his weight shift against her, his rage replaced by something quieter.
Savage appeared in the doorway, his golden eyes narrowing at the sight. "Is he...?"
Firefly didn't answer, her focus entirely on Shadow. His claws withdrew, leaving her arms bloodied but unbowed. His yellow eyes opened, meeting hers with a glimmer of recognition. She rested her forehead against his, her breath warm against his skin as she whispered, "I'm here. Always."
Shadow's voice was hoarse, but there was a flicker of his dark humor as he murmured, "Like a falling star... landing where it belongs."
Savage grunted, his expression unreadable, but he stepped aside, giving them space as the ship lifted off the cursed planet.
Firefly's song wrapped around Shadow like a protective cocoon, her voice soft and unwavering as she held him close. Even after his violent shaking stilled, she didn't stop. His breath was warm and deep against her throat, each exhale fanning over her skin as though she were his lifeline in the cold darkness of space. Her arms remained firm around him, her presence anchoring him in a reality that had threatened to slip from his grasp.
But even as she focused on Shadow, something tugged at the edges of her consciousness. A faint buzzing, like a distant hum, whispered to her from the back of her mind. The ship seemed alive around her, its cold metallic walls vibrating with secrets, inviting her to delve into its mysteries. Yet that was not the only call something beyond the confines of the ship, vast and unknowable, reached out to her through the void of space.
The pull was intoxicating, a symphony of power and yearning that threatened to fracture her focus. It took all her strength to block out the growing hum in her mind and concentrate solely on Shadow. His grip on her shifted, his claws trailing down her arms, leaving faint lines of warmth in their wake before settling at her waist. Then, with surprising gentleness for someone so broken, his hands moved to her back, wrapping around her broken wings as though shielding them.
Her voice faltered for a moment, the raw intimacy of the gesture making her heart stutter, but she recovered quickly. Her melody softened into something more ethereal, a haunting tune that spilled from her lips like the whispers of a star. It wasn't the familiar song she shared with Shadow, nor the ones forced upon her by the scavengers. She refused to sing those ever again. Instead, she allowed the hum in her head to guide her, weaving a new melody born from the ache and power it evoked.
It hurt to sing it her heart ached with every note as though she were channeling some distant sorrow but she couldn't stop. The song flowed unbidden, haunting and otherworldly, and she felt its resonance settle over the ship like a veil.
Shadow's body, so tense before, fully relaxed against her. His eyes drifted closed, not in sleep but in a haze of quiet surrender. She ran her fingers softly over the crown of horns on his head, tracing the ridges of his red and black skin. Each touch was careful, grounding him as much as her song did.
She wasn't alone in her vigil. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Savage standing in the doorway. His hulking form leaned casually against the frame, but his sharp golden eyes betrayed his keen observation. His tattoos seemed to ripple in the dim light of the hold, black lines stark against his yellow skin. She tried to ignore him, focusing instead on the melody and the weight of Shadow in her arms.
But Savage lingered, his presence a heavy shadow against the atmosphere of her song. When she dared glance his way, his eyes were closed, his expression unreadable as he listened. The doorway groaned faintly as his body shifted, and his eyes snapped open, fixing her with a hard, piercing gaze.
"I see why he keeps you around now," Savage said, his deep voice rumbling through the quiet hold.
Firefly stiffened at his words, her back straightening involuntarily. She didn't want to interpret the meaning behind his tone or the intensity of his gaze. Whether it was approval, curiosity, or something more calculating, she didn't care. Shadow was the only one who mattered to her in that moment.
Her fingers continued their soft exploration of Shadow's head, brushing along his horns with delicate care. She didn't respond to Savage. Instead, she let her song slip into a low hum, one that vibrated gently between her and Shadow. Her light pulsed faintly, dimmed but steady, as if mirroring the rhythm of her voice.
Savage's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned away, his massive frame moving back toward the cockpit. The door groaned but didn't close fully, leaving her alone with Shadow once more.
Firefly's attention returned entirely to the man in her arms. His breathing was steady now, his body still but no longer tense. She pressed her forehead lightly against his, her voice lowering to a near-whisper as she continued to hum the melody born of the hum in her mind. For now, it was enough to keep the shadows at bay.