"What is this place?" Prisa said in awe, as they descended deeper beneath the civic center to the mines of Mandalore. The air was cool, and the echoes of their footsteps reverberated against the ancient stone walls where the living waters were.
"These are the mines," Din replied as a dim light flickered off his helmet. Wyb noticed there was an unusual bounce in his voice. Din Djarin was excited for once.
"Looks like a good place to take a bath to me," Wyb said. Din turned his head toward him. Wyb regretted his joke and quickly apologized. "Sorry."
"These mines have been here for thousands of years. Long before the New Republic. It's where we take our creed."
"Creed?" Prisa asked curiously as she touched the surface of the water with her finger.
"I swear on my name and the names of the ancestors... That I shall walk the Way of the Mand'alor... And the words of the Creed shall be forever forged in my heart. This is the Way," Din spoke reverently with Grogu looking up at him as if to agree.
"That is beautiful," Kyla remarked while studying the mines. "You can feel the history here, the warriors long gone, everything here in one place."
Beep beep beep, R3 hesitated to roll any closer to the end of the waters.
"Mind the ledge R3," Wyb warned. "I'm not the best swimmer."
"I am,"Prisa reminded the group and patted R3 on the top of his dome. "I'll come in after you."
"Thank you for sharing this with us," Kyla thanked Din. Din nodded and remained silent waiting for the group to finish taking in the sight of the mine.
"Has Grogu taken the creed," Prisa asked as she gently pushed him back from leaning too far over the ledge.
"No, he is too young to speak," Din explained. "But I've been tasked with showing him the way as my mentor did for me."
"There's something down there," Prisa said with a slight fright in her voice. She picked Grogu up even though he struggled against her.
Din took a step closer to the ledge and peered down into the dark waters. He had fallen into them once. If it hadn't been for Bo he would have drowned. During the rescue she swore she had seen the mythosaur, but Din was not convinced. Not much had survived the Night of a thousand tears. It was unlikely.
"Perhaps we should move on," Kyla suggested.
Beep Beep beep, R3 agreed, tired of the cold shadowy mines.
"The armory is next," Din informed them and led them away as Prisa lingered behind for a moment sensing Grogu was right. Something was in the waters.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
The group watched the armorer shape a new set of beskar for the new inductee set to take the creed next week. Her rhythmic clanging of the hammer echoed through the armory. With each strike against the beskar, sparks flew and flickered revealing the age of the kiln.
"I wanted to say," Wyb whispered to Kyla, "You handled our arrival surprisingly well."
"What part was surprising?" Kyla asked, slightly offended as her face was lit with a soft glow from the forge.
"I mean," Wyb flustered now, "most politicians would have lost it during that air chase, but you seem calm…steadfast, not to mention handling the Queen of Mandalore with such grace."
"Believe it or not, Ranger Tersu, this is not my first diplomatic mission to the Outer Rim. I can hold my own" she said coyly but slightly flattered by his words.
"Wyb, call me Wyb," he corrected her as he turned away from the glowing metal being formed in front of him.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
Din stepped toward the forge to observe the armorer's work, nodding in appreciation. Prisa followed along, hoping to get a closer look.
"Here," Din wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her in toward the armorer.
"Each piece of armor is more than metal; it is a testament to our journey. Just as we forge the beskar in the flames, we forge our destinies through trials. Know that, the strength of the Mandalorian lies not in the armor alone but in the spirit that wears it." The armorer said to Prisa who was fascinated by the information.
Grogu remained back near R3, his eyes widening and his ears twitched as he watched the sparks dance in the air. R3 beeped softly, turning to Wyb and Kyla, slightly annoyed by their private conversation and lack of attention to the forging.
"We should focus on the artistry in front of us," Kyla replied.
"I am," Wyb said with a smirk, as he studied Kyla's face. Her expression shifted, the hint of amusement breaking through her initial annoyance. He cleared his throat, "Sorry about the rough start we had on Nevarro. I'm committed to helping the New Republic expand and remain peaceful."
"I'm glad to hear it," Kyla smiled. "I'm sorry too. I should have heeded your advice during the funeral. It's rare to have someone on my side from the military branch. But know that my mission is always to ensure peace and equality for all citizens of the galaxy, and I am willing to do whatever it takes."
"Glad to hear it, ambassador," Wyb echoed.
"Kyla," she corrected.
Wyb smiled, feeling the tension between them lift, as they continued to watch the creation of armor.
The palace banquet hall was everything Wyb had expected from Mandalore—a space of rugged beauty. Down the hall was lined with tall dark stone pillars, each cracked and partially covered by tapestries bearing Mandalorian symbols. But the centerpiece of the room was the mythosaur skull. Proudly displayed at the front of the hall.
"Look at the size of that thing," Wyb studied it, feeling a mix of awe and reverence.
"According to ancient folklore, the mines were once the lair of the Mythosaur. Mandalore the Great was the first to have tamed the beast. It is from these the skull signet was adopted and became the symbol of our planet," Din informed him. He watched Wyb marvel at the skull, reflecting on how much the boy had grown since he first brought him to the New Republic years ago.
Bo-Katan took her seat at the head of the table and instructed Wyb to sit to her right and Kyla to her left. Din sat next to Wyb, while Grogu, attached to Prisa, eagerly occupied the opposite end of the banquet table, stuffing his face with rolls. Prisa sat next to the young boy who would wear the armor she saw forged one he took the Creed.
"Why are some of you wearing helmets and others not?" Prisa asked, as more Mandalorians took their seats, some removing their helmets, others not.
The boy, chewing his food, replied, "There are different ways to walk the path of the Mandalore, but they are all the same."
Prisa tilted her head, still puzzled. "So some of you can show your face, and others can't?"
"Yep," the boy answered with a casual shrug.
"That doesn't seem fair," Prisa said, glancing at Grogu, who was eating quickly. She nudged him gently. "Don't forget to chew."
The boy gave a knowing smile. "It's hard for outsiders to understand us," he said,"but this is our way."
"So ambassador," Bo said to Kyla, breaking the silence at the head of the table. "After your guided tour, what are your thoughts on Mandalore?"
"I don't think I have the vocabulary to do it justice," Kyla began, scanning the room filled with watchful eyes.
"Try," Kosha Reeves pressed from across the table.
"It's very different from Bespin," Kyla remarked, her voice steady despite the scrutiny. "You can sense the history, the beauty, the suffering, the softness of the landscape and natural resources all coexisting at once. Yet I dare say there is no other place in the galaxy that has a stronger display of strength and craftsmanship once I saw the great forge."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Ambassador Vancil, but I do appreciate the compliment," Bo took a sip of ale, eyeing Kyla with intrigue.
"Then let me further compliment you: your success and innovation here have not been recognized to the extent it should beyond the rim," Kyla continued, her gaze shifting toward Wyb and Din, gauging their reactions. "I won't bring up politics as instructed, but I must say, after seeing everything Din showed us today, the New Republic has greatly underestimated your accomplishments and the value you would bring by forming an alliance with them."
"How so?" Bo asked curiously, though Kosha shot her a look.
"I hesitate to continue," Kyla replied, her brow furrowing at Kosha's defiant demeanor.
"Lady Kryze asked you a question," Kosha scowled. "Answer."
"The New Republic offered Mandalore military protection, yearly economic aid, and a seat in the Senate," Kyla stated, her voice firm.
"Military protection?" Bo laughed. "As you can see, Vancil, we don't need the New Republic's military. No offense to Ranger Tersu. But weaponry is our religion, and beskar is still one of the most coveted metals in the galaxy."
"The offer is a reflection of how ignorant the Senate is, which makes my position all the more important," Kyla replied, her eyes narrowing as she sensed her opportunity arise.
"Important? Ha! You are nothing but a mouthpiece," Kosha retorted, her skepticism sharpening. "Or at best eye candy. You aren't bad to look at. Are you negotiating with more than your fancy words?"
"She's here to survey the situation," Wyb defended, his tone protective as he glanced between Kosha and Kyla. Kosha shot him a disapproving look, ready to pounce.
"You could counter," Kyla continued, her voice steady but edged with urgency. "I urged and assisted the High Magistrate of Nevarro to negotiate a treaty that benefited his people and made their alliance conditional."
"And what great pact would you suggest?" Kosha asked sarcastically, her arms crossed defiantly.
"I'd begin with the Senate seats. You need to have a voice in the Republic. I'd ask for four, which means they would probably counter you at two. The military aid is not necessary for ground support, but your air force should be considered," Kyla explained.
"What's wrong with our air force!" A Mandalorian slammed his fist against the table, the sound reverberating through the hall as he turned his attention to Kyla.
"I understand you have suffered and your numbers have diminished. But if a New Republic Ranger was able to outrun your pilots in a barely refurbished VCX-100, that's something to be considered," Kyla said, her voice unyielding.
I"Or maybe I'm just that good," Wyb whispered to Din with a mischievous grin on his face. Din shook his head warning him this was not the place for jokes.
"Enough!" Bo commanded, her voice cutting through the rising chaos. "As I said, there will be no discussion of politics. Mandalore is independent and will remain that way."
"This is the way," the Mandalorian declared, his voice ringing with conviction.
"This is the way," the table replied in unison.
"I don't think we should be down here," Prisa said, following Grogu back through the mines toward the living waters.
Beep Beep beep, R3 agreed and rolled in front of Grogu and shook side to side protesting the adventure. Grogu frowned as his ears twitched with annoyance and pointed to the water.
"Ok, but if we don't see anything in five minutes we're going back, ok?" Prisa gave in.
Grogu's ears perked up and hurried to the edge of the stairs. R3's nervous beeps echoing across the ancient stones. Prisa patted his dome and followed the child reluctantly to the edge of the water. She leaned forward, watching as the surface rippled gently.
The cave felt colder than earlier. A faint tremor vibrated through the stone floor, sending a shiver down Prisa's spine. Grogu remained fixated on the water, raising his tiny clawed hand out.
"What are you doing?" Prisa questioned, puzzled by his actions. R3 beeped again and she knew it was best if they headed back to the banquet hall.
"Okay, that's enough," Prisa said, reaching for Grogu, but he leaned forward even more, his hand inches from touching the water. Slowly, the water began to swirl, tiny bubbles forming at the edges. Prisa's eyes widened. Beneath the surface, a dim, ghostly shape moved—vague and distant. A deep, resonant hum vibrated the stones around them.
"Let's go," she said, her voice shaking. She grabbed Grogu and turned to the entrance.
Beep beep beep! R3's lights flashed in panic, as he spun around toward the exit. Prisa's heart pounded as she hurried after the droid, holding Grogu close to her chest. She glanced back one last time, as the walls began to shake, loose pebbles skittering down from the ancient stone.
"What did you do?" Prisa murmured, half to herself, half to Grogu, who only blinked up at her, calm and serene despite what was happening.
Mrwahra!, resonated through the mines.
Grogu squirmed in her arms, staring back at the living waters. With a sudden surge, water erupted, cascading down in a massive wave at the trio. Prisa's gasp turned into a startled cry as she turned back, clutching Grogu tightly. R3 wailed, rolling back at the sight of the Mythosaur's colossal head.
It's dark piercing eyes locked onto Prisa and Grogu. The creature towering over the pair as it approached. Prisa stood firmly as she could uncertain what to do against the creature. Grogu's tiny hand reached out, as if drawn by some connection to the beast. His gaze unwavering, and the Mythosaur, willing to meet the being that had summoned it. It lowered its head slightly, to the child in Prisa's arms.
Grogu giggled at the creature's rumbling exhale that made the stones they stood on tremble. The water around them stilled, shimmering with an ethereal light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Grogu extended his hand once more toward the creature's snout, when R3 let out a panicked wail. A bright flash of blue light shot out from the droid's front panel—a desperate attempt to protect his friends.
RWAR!
"No!" Prisa yelled, but it was too late. With a roar that seemed to tear through every stone of the mines, the Mythosaur lunged forward, sending pillars of stones crashing down toward them. Prisa fell back and lost hold of Grogu.
Zap Zap! R3 let out another anxious screech and rolled back, still flashing with alarm. The Mythosaur's gigantic maw snapped down, jaws missing R3 by inches. The creature dove back into the waters.
"R3, stop!" Prisa shouted, scrambling to her feet to see where Grogu was. He was in the water.
As the mines began to collapse —water splashing, stones rattling, and the creature's bellow echoing a war cry, Prisa dove headfirst into the frigid water and grabbed Grogu's cloak. Holding tightly, she pulled Grogu deeper and deeper beneath the surface to miss the creature's massive swinging tail.
Prisa kicked hard, searching desperately for a way out —A tunnel. She swam toward it with all her strength, Grogu clinging to her shoulder as the mines shook above from the Mythosaur's fury. R3's faint, distant beeps echoed down to her, swallowed by the cold, rushing current.
Roar!
"What was –" Wyb asked as the dining hall shook and a roar was heard echoing outside the mandalore palace.
"It can't be," Bo stood and went to the window looking out into the river that ran through the civic center and saw what she had seen in the depth of the living water - the mythosaur.
"Where's Grogu?" Din asked frantically.
"And Prisa?" Kyla added. As the table of Mandalorians began to stand, the armorer entered the hall.
"My lady. The mythosaur has awoken. You once saw it before you took the throne and now you can solidify your reign."
"R3 is missing too!" Wyb said. He looked out the window and saw Prisa in the river. "Oh no…"
The river churned as Prisa fought to stay above the water, struggling to keep Grogu safe in her arms.
"Help!" Prisa screamed. "Somebody help!"
The Mythosaur's massive form loomed beneath her, its shadow creating a dark, ominous shape growing in definition as it came to the surface.
Pew Pew!
Blaster fire rained down toward the creature.
"Get them out of there!" Din yelled, his voice filled with urgency as he activated his jet pack.
"Be careful not to hit the girl and Grogu," Bo ordered, gesturing to her warriors. They moved quickly, flying above the Mythosaur in an attack formation.
Prisa gasped as the creature's massive maw opened, revealing rows of jagged teeth. She ducked underwater, pulling Grogu with her just as the Mythosaur's jaws snapped shut, missing the two of them.
A bright flash split the darkness—Bo-Katan's blasters erupted in a barrage of red bolts, each shot aimed at the creature's hide, but the Mythosaur barely flinched.
"Prisa, hold on!" Din yelled, looping through the air, diving toward her. He extended his hand, fingers inches away from hers—when suddenly the Mythosaur lunged upward.
Roar!, it snapped its jaws, forcing Din to veer off course.
"Keep firing!" Bo-Katan barked. Her squad of Mandalorians fired their blasters in synchronized bursts.
"Now, together!" Bo-Katan called, lifting a rocket launcher from her back. The rest of the Mandalorians followed her lead. As one, they fired—a torrent of missiles and blaster bolts, all converging on the Mythosaur's exposed neck.
The Mythosaur growled—turning his eyes flared with a bright, unearthly light to Bo. It twisted, shaking off the assault like a beast enraged.
"Watch out" Bo-Katan warned, eyes widening in disbelief. The Mythosaur lunged at her, head snapping down. Wyb suddenly raced across the skyline riding a hoverboard and pulling Bo to safety.
Din swooped down again, this time managing to grab hold of Prisa's arm.
"Got you!" he shouted, yanking her and Grogu out of the river. They soared upward. "Hold on."
"Let me go!" Bo commanded Wyb who placed her on the shore of the civic center.
"That beast was going to kill you!"
"I am a mandalorian. Queen of Mandalore. It is my destiny to tame that thing," She shot back.
"At what cost?" Wyb yelled. "Your city will be in ruin, your people hurt. Some killed."
"You don't get it," She said.
"I don't need to. You have nothing to prove. You are already queen. Please…for your people's sake, let it go" Wyb cried out. Bo looked at her people and the damage the mythosaur had done.
"Fall back! Regroup!" Bo-Katan ordered.
The Mandalorians retreated. Din landed with Prisa safely clinging to his chest.
"Prisa!" Wyb raced to his cousin and embraced her.
Roar! The Mythasaur cried out. Bo held her hand up initiating a ceasefire. The massive creature paused, its great head snapping up, confusion by the sudden attack's end. The Mandalorians watched in astonishment as she knelt to the beast. With a sudden shift, the Mythosaur lowered its mighty head, the furious roars turning into deep, resonant growls that reverberated through the air. It bowed in return to the queen.
With a final, reverent glance at the mighty beast, the Mythosaur retreated into the river. The Mandalorians, kneeling to their queen in front of them.
"I want to go home," Prisa cried burying her face into Wyb's chest. He squeezed her tightly.
"I'll take you to the farm," he said, knowing exactly what his cousin meant.