"I will not let that happen," I say, my voice steady but edged with defiance. With a resolute snap, I ignite my lightsaber, the yellow glow casting harsh shadows across Vitiate's darkened form.

  Talia stands beside me, her hands steady as she draws her bow, the arc of energy glowing brightly as she aims it directly at Vitiate. "We'll fight you together," she declares, her voice fierce yet measured, as her gaze hardens with determination.

  Apollo steps forward, his towering form a silent but steadfast presence. With a mechanical whirl, he raises his A23 rotary blaster, aiming it directly at Vitiate with unwavering precision. "Target acquired," he says, his voice calm and unyielding, and the faint whir of the weapon's energy spool fills the silence.

  Rebecca, on my other side, brings her two blasters up in a defensive stance, her grip tight as her eyes flash with a mix of anger and determination. She's bracing herself, yet there's a newfound steel in her gaze as she holds her ground. "You're not going anywhere," she spits, the anger in her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

  Nikko, her smaller frame dwarfed by the rest of us, steadies her own blaster. Though her hands tremble slightly, I see the fire in her eyes as she aims with focus. Her tail twitches, and her ears are tilted back in fierce concentration.

  Vitiate regards each of us in turn, his twisted smile never faltering. "Fools," he sneers, his voice laced with disdain. "Do you truly think you have the strength to face me?" His gaze settles back on me, his eyes glowing brighter, a haunting malice flickering within them. "Come, then, if you wish to delay the inevitable. Let me see how long your defiance lasts."

  He flicks his wrist and a lightsaber handle falls into his hand, but it's unlike any I've seen before. He holds it up for a moment, relishing in the reveal, then ignites it.

  The saber is unlike anything I've ever encountered. Its blade crackles with unstable energy, a pitch-black void surrounded by a jagged, white edge, as if light itself is struggling to exist around it. The sound it makes when it ignites is unsettling—lower than a typical lightsaber hum, more of a deep, throbbing pulse that vibrates through the air and into my bones.

  A chill races down my spine. This isn't just any lightsaber—it's a dark saber. A weapon of legend, its power unmistakable, and in Vitiate's hands, it feels even more sinister.

  I try to suppress my fear as I watch him twirl the dark saber effortlessly. My grip tightens on my own lightsaber, its familiar hum not nearly as comforting as it should be.

  "Let's even the odds a bit," Vitiate says, his tone filled with malicious glee.

  He snaps his fingers, and the air around us distorts with dark energy. In the blink of an eye, dozens of cloaked figures appear around the chamber in perfect formation. They remove their hoods, revealing their skeletal metal heads. IG-100 droids, magna guards—tall, imposing figures clad in dark cloaks, each wielding deadly electro staffs crackling with electric energy. Their soulless red photoreceptors lock onto us as they twirl their staffs in anticipation. The sound of their weapons crackling echoes ominously around the room, adding to the oppressive tension that fills the air.

  But there's something off about these droids—each one has been infused with Vitiate's dark power, their movements unnatural, fluid but jerky, like puppets being controlled by invisible strings. Their armor is black as night, etched with dark Sith runes, and the glow of their electro staffs casts eerie shadows on their frames. Every movement they make hums with deadly precision.

  Talia tenses next to me, her energy bow drawn, its pink energy string taut and ready to fire. Nikko, though trembling, understands the gravity of the situation and nods at me before rushing behind Apollo. Apollo shifts slightly, keeping her within his protection as he hefts the A-23 heavy rotary blaster, its barrel spinning up with a low whir. Rebecca grips her blasters tight, her face a mixture of determination and fear. Even though we've been through hell, I can feel the dread settling deep within her.

  Vitiate stands there, smiling as if he's enjoying every moment of this confrontation. He revels in the tension and fear. I can sense his excitement in the Force. It disgusts me.

  "Now, let us begin," Vitiate says, his voice calm, smooth, and terrifyingly confident.

  My heart pounds as I glance around the room. There's no turning back. I grip my lightsaber tightly, its yellow blade casting light around me. But even in the glow, I can feel the encroaching darkness tightening its grip on my soul.

  I've faced death many times before, but this... this feels different. This feels like the end of everything. But even with that fear creeping in, I know one thing—I have to protect them. No matter what. Talia, Nikko, Rebecca... they are my anchor, my reason to keep fighting. And Vitiate? He's nothing but a remnant of the dark past I refuse to be a part of.

  My grip tightens on my own lightsaber. The weight of everything presses down on me, but I steady my breathing. This is it. Vitiate's eyes burn with malevolent glee, those glowing orange orbs promising agony and destruction. He steps forward, each movement deliberate, his dark robes sweeping the floor like the shadows themselves are following his every step. The tension in the air is unbearable, and I sense my companions tense up behind me.

  "You think you can stand against me?" Vitiate sneers, his voice dripping with condescension. "Your fear betrays you, Ryu."

  "I'll never be your vessel," I growl through clenched teeth.

  ?????

  My muscles tense as Vitiate lunges forward, the darksaber in his grip flashing towards me with a hum that's deeper and more sinister than any regular lightsaber. The moment their blades clash, I feel the force of Vitiate's strike ripple through my arm. He's powerful—far more powerful than I expected. My lightsaber barely holds against the sheer weight behind his swing. Vitiate isn't just strong in the Force; his raw physical power feels almost unnatural, and it's clear he's toying with me.

  Vitiate steps closer, locking our blades together, leaning in with a smirk that makes my stomach churn. "What's the matter, Ryu?" His voice oozes with condescension. "You've trained for this moment your entire life, yet you're still so... weak."

  I grit my teeth and push back with everything I have, managing to shove him away. I take a breath, feeling the sweat trickle down my face. But before I can recover, Vitiate is on me again, spinning the darksaber in a deadly arc. I barely dodge it, his blade slicing through the air where my head had just been.

  We trade blows across the chamber, our sabers illuminating the darkened space with every clash. Vitiate's strikes are deliberate, precise, and overwhelming. His eyes, glowing with the same malevolent power that courses through him, track my every move, watching, waiting for me to make a mistake. He's not fighting to kill me—at least not yet. He's toying with me, pushing me to my limits, waiting for me to break.

  As I parry one of his strikes, I catch a glimpse of Talia and the others. The Magna droids are advancing with terrifying precision, their electro staffs spinning in rapid, fluid motions, deflecting blaster bolts left and right. They're relentless—machine-like, but with a strange grace to their movements, as if they're moving in perfect harmony with one another.

  Apollo is a whirlwind of firepower, his rotary blaster glowing red-hot as it unleashes a barrage of deadly bolts. But even he is forced to dodge and weave as the Magna droids close in, their electro staffs crackling with energy as they swipe at him. One Magna guard rushes him, spinning its staff with such speed that it creates a barrier of electricity, but Apollo brings his rotary blaster down like a hammer, knocking the droid to the ground in a shower of sparks.

  Talia's energy bow gets knocked aside by one of the droids, its staff crashing down with brutal force. She rolls out of the way, drawing her twin short swords in one fluid motion. She dances between the Magna guards, her blades cutting through the air with a speed and precision that matches their mechanical efficiency. But even Talia is being pushed back, her strikes barely finding purchase against the heavily armored droids.

  Rebecca is behind Apollo, firing rapidly at the droids, her hands shaking with the intensity of the battle. A bolt from her blaster catches one of the droids in the chest, sending it collapsing to the ground in a heap of sparking circuits. But another droid rushes her, its staff aimed for her midsection. Apollo steps in just in time, deflecting the blow with the butt of his rotary blaster. The weapon, now overheating, clicks loudly before he discards it, switching to his wrist blasters and a vibroblade.

  I turn my focus back to Vitiate just in time to block a strike aimed for my throat. His darksaber hums angrily against my blade as he leans in close, his orange eyes burning with malevolent delight. "Your resistance is amusing, Ryu," he sneers. "But you cannot escape your fate."

  I push him back again, panting. "I make my own fate," I growl, stepping into a swing aimed at his side. Vitiate parries effortlessly, spinning his blade around to counter with a quick strike at my legs. I leap back, narrowly avoiding the searing energy of the darksaber. He's faster than I anticipated—too fast. Every move I make, he's already one step ahead.

  I can feel the anger bubbling up inside me, fueled by his taunts and the memories he keeps dredging up—Lyra's death, the Shadowfell's manipulations, the destruction Vitiate has caused. He wants me to lose control, to give in to the Dark Side. But I fight against it, clinging to the teachings of August, to the balance I've tried so hard to maintain.

  Our sabers clash again, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "You think you can resist me?" Vitiate hisses, his voice slithering into my mind like poison. "You're already mine, Ryu. You always have been."

  I shove him back with a burst of the Force, creating a momentary gap between us. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to calm my racing thoughts. I can't let him win. Not like this.

  Across the room, I see Talia get knocked back by a Magna droid's staff, her short swords clattering to the ground. She rolls to her feet, but before she can retrieve her weapons, the droid lunges at her. Nikko, standing behind Apollo, sees this and fires her blaster at the droid, hitting it square in the chest. The Magna guard stumbles, giving Talia the chance to recover and strike back.

  Apollo is locked in a vicious duel with two Magna droids, his vibroblade clashing against their electro staffs in rapid succession. His wrist blasters fire in bursts, taking down one droid before it can strike, but his movements aren't fast enough. The fight isn't in his favor, even with all of his tactical precision.

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  Rebecca suddenly screams as one of the Magna guards lands a blow on her arm, sending her crashing into the wall. She crumples to the ground, clutching her arm in pain. Apollo immediately steps in, slicing through the droid before it can land another strike. He pulls Rebecca back, shielding her with his body as he continues to fire at the remaining droids.

  I have no time to dwell on their struggle as Vitiate renews his attack with brutal ferocity. His dark saber hums through the air, faster and faster with every swing. I can barely keep up, my arms burning from the effort of deflecting his strikes. Every time I try to counter, he's already there, parrying my blows with effortless precision.

  "You are nothing," Vitiate taunts as he forces me back toward the center of the chamber. "A mere puppet, clinging to the delusion of free will."

  His words sting, and for a moment, I feel the weight of them pressing down on me. But I push the doubt aside, focusing on the light within me—the memories of those I've lost, of those who still depend on me.

  Vitiate presses his advantage, sending a powerful Force wave my way. I'm thrown back, skidding across the chamber floor, my lightsaber knocked from my grip. I scramble to my feet just in time to dodge another strike from Vitiate's dark saber, the black blade leaving a trail of crackling energy in its wake.

  "You were always meant for a greater purpose," Vitiate says, advancing with deliberate steps. "The only question left is how much longer you'll resist before you accept your true destiny."

  I dive to the side, narrowly avoiding a strike that would have cleaved me in two. My mind races as I search for a way to turn the tide of this battle. I need to stay calm. I need to remember why I'm fighting.

  Across the chamber, I hear the clang of metal as Apollo takes down another Magna droid. Talia is back on her feet, her energy bow in hand as she fires precise shots at the remaining droids. Rebecca, though injured, manages to get a few shots off from behind Apollo, her determination shining through the pain. Nikko, though scared, clings to her blaster, firing whenever she gets the chance.

  Vitiate is upon me again before I can even fully stand. His strikes are faster, more brutal than before, as if he's growing tired of the game. Our blades crackle as they collide, the hum of the lightsabers punctuated by the echo of each impact. Vitiate moves like a predator, graceful yet filled with malice. His dark saber hums, a low, menacing drone that grates on my nerves as its black blade slices through the air, casting eerie shadows around the room. The blade is different from anything I've faced before—it seems to consume the light around it, leaving a dark trail in its wake.

  "You have no idea what you truly are," Vitiate taunts, his voice calm despite the fierce battle raging between us.

  I push forward, feeling the Force surge within me. I send a powerful push of energy toward him, hoping to knock him off balance, but Vitiate absorbs it, laughing as if it were nothing more than a gust of wind. He counters with a blast of lightning, but I pull my saber onto my hand in time, the energy crackling against the blade.

  Behind me, I hear the sound of blasters and metal striking metal as the others engage the Magna droids. Their steps are quick, precise—Rebecca's blasters ring out in rapid succession, Apollo's wrist blaster whining and his vibro blade clinging as he takes on several Magna droids at once, and Talia blocking an electro staff swung at her with both short swords, the crackling energy of the electro staff cutting through the darkness. Nikko's blaster joins in, and I feel her determination even from here.

  Yet, I can sense Rebecca's pain, and it pulls at me. I can feel her blood dripping to the ground, her injuries worse than she lets on. I shove the concern aside for now—Vitiate is my focus. Our lightsabers clash again, but I finally manage to twist my blade in a way that disarms him, sending his dark saber flying across the chamber.

  ?????

  For a moment, I think I've won. My heart pounds, adrenaline flooding my system as I raise my lightsaber to strike him down. But before I can move, I feel an invisible force tightening around me, freezing me in place. Vitiate's smile widens as he holds me there effortlessly with the Force.

  "Your power is impressive," he says calmly, amusement dancing in his orange eyes. "But lightsabers are just tools. It's the Force that makes you strong."

  With a flick of his wrist, he sends me flying backward. The impact against the wall is bone-jarring, pain shooting up my spine as I hit the ground hard. My lightsaber hilt clatters to the floor, and with another squeeze of Vitiate's hand, it crushes into pieces, the yellow kyber crystal falling to the ground with a soft clink.

  "Ryu!" I hear Talia and Nikko cry out. But I force myself to get up, ignoring the pain coursing through me.

  Vitiate looks at me with something almost like admiration. "You are strong, Ryu. But you are also predictable," he says as he snaps his fingers. More figures appear—cloaked and sinister, their emblems glowing faintly on their shoulders. They unsheathe their swords and charge at us.

  Talia raises her short swords, Rebecca grips her blasters with bloodied hands, and Apollo readies his heavy blaster once more. Nikko readies her blaster, standing tall despite her smaller stature. They meet the cloaked figures with everything they have, cutting through them, each slain enemy dissolving into puffs of smoke as they hit the ground. But the figures keep coming, endless in number.

  I turn my attention back to Vitiate. With no lightsaber, I have to rely on the Force. Summoning all the power I can muster, I thrust my hands forward and conjure a torrent of flames, sending them roaring toward Vitiate. He blocks them effortlessly, manipulating the fire with his own dark energy and hurling it back at me. I sidestep just in time, feeling the heat sear past my skin.

  He raises chunks of rock from the ground and flings them toward me with deadly precision, but I raise my hand, stopping them in midair before sending them hurtling back at him. Vitiate raises his own hand, deflecting the rocks with ease.

  Electricity crackles between us as we unleash streams of Force lightning. Our energies meet in midair, sizzling as they collide, pushing against each other. The power surges through my body, making every muscle tense with strain. I push back with all my might, the lightning growing brighter, but Vitiate only grins, clearly enjoying this.

  I change tactics. Instead of pushing against his lightning, I absorb it, feeling the raw energy coursing through me. It burns, but I grit my teeth and let the energy flow. I guide it through my body, shaping it, twisting it—then, with a swift movement, I hurl it back at him. The energy crackles like a bolt of lightning released from a storm and Vitiate barely has time to react before it strikes him squarely in the chest.

  The force of the blast sends him flying across the chamber. At that same moment, I hear the final clash of metal behind me. Talia, Rebecca, Apollo, and Nikko have finished off the last of the cloaked figures. The silence that follows is deafening, broken only by the sound of our heavy breathing. Talia, Nikko, and Rebecca look battered, their bodies marked with small cuts and bruises. Apollo's armor is dented and damaged, but he still stands tall.

  I turn my attention back to Vitiate, who slowly rises from the ground, laughing as if this were all a game. His orange eyes gleam with delight.

  "You truly are ready," he says, his voice low and filled with dark satisfaction. He raises his hand once more, and I brace myself for another attack. But instead of sending the lightning at me, his gaze shifts to Talia.

  "No!" I scream as I see the shift in his eyes, the twisted grin forming on his face. Time seems to slow as I see him draw the dark energy into his hand, preparing to unleash a powerful wave of lightning.

  "Let's see how well you can protect them," Vitiate sneers.

  I move without thinking, my body instinctively surging forward with every ounce of strength I have left. I know what he's going to do. In that moment, nothing else matters except protecting Talia.

  He unleashes the lightning, and I barely reach her in time. My body crashes in front of her just as the energy strikes. The pain is unimaginable—searing, burning through every fiber of my being. My muscles lock up, my vision blurs, and I hear nothing but the crackle of electricity and my own pained grunts.

  "Ryu!" Talia's voice cuts through the haze of agony. I can hear the panic in her voice as I feel her presence behind me. I try to shield her, but the force of the lightning is overwhelming. Vitiate's laughter echoes in the chamber as he watches me struggle under the onslaught.

  I grit my teeth, refusing to give in. The darkness is trying to claim me, but I push back. This isn't how it ends. Not like this. The lightning courses through my body like molten fire, every nerve burning as I stand between Vitiate and Talia. My arms feel like lead, the force of the electricity threatening to break me apart piece by piece. But I push back with all the strength I have left, planting my feet firmly into the ground, grounding myself in the here and now, refusing to let go.

  "Ryu!"

  Talia's voice cuts through the haze of pain. She's calling my name, panic in her voice, but all I can do is stand my ground, refusing to give Vitiate the satisfaction of seeing me fall. My muscles tremble, my vision swims, but I keep my body between Vitiate's power and her, taking the full brunt of the attack.

  "You're a fool," Vitiate sneers, his eyes glowing with sadistic pleasure.

  I can sense Talia wanting to place my hand on my back, trying to pull me away, but I can't—won't—move. I glance over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of her face, her eyes wide with fear and determination.

  "Ryu!" she shouts again, but I can't respond. All I can do is hold on.

  The pain surges through my chest like a thousand needles piercing every nerve, hot and sharp, relentless in its intensity. Finally, Vitiate ceases his onslaught. My muscles tremble as I force myself to stand, each movement a battle against the agony coursing through my body. I clutch at my chest, where the searing bolt of lightning struck, feeling the raw heat beneath my skin. My breaths are shallow, ragged—each inhale sending sharp, stabbing pain through my ribs.

  Talia's hand finds my arm, steadying me. Her touch is warm, grounding, and despite the pain, I manage to give her a nod, assuring her that I'm still here, still standing. Her eyes are wide with concern, the weight of the battle etched into every line of her face. She's worn down, just like the others.

  I glance over at Apollo. His armor is a mess of dented plates, deep scratches, and scorch marks. He's still standing, but just barely. Nikko, small and terrified, clings to her blaster behind him, her wide eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. She's never seen anything like this before—none of us have. Rebecca is clutching her shoulder, blood seeping between her fingers, her face pale but determined. There's fear in her eyes too, but she's fighting to keep it at bay.

  And then there's Talia. Her usually elegant form is hunched, exhaustion pulling at her limbs. Her breathing is labored, her platinum hair clinging to her sweat-soaked face. She's pushed herself to the edge for us, for me, and now she looks like she might collapse at any moment.

  I drag my gaze back to Vitiate. He stands at the far end of the chamber, calm, unbothered. His robes don't even have a speck of dust on them. There's no sign of exertion—no heavy breathing, no beads of sweat. He looks untouched, like this has all been a mere exercise for him. It's infuriating.

  My chest heaves as I try to catch my breath, the pain still gnawing at my insides. I can feel his eyes on me, watching, waiting. His voice slithers through the air, calm and condescending. "You can sense it, can't you?" His tone is smooth, almost gentle, but it drips with malice. "It's over. You are delaying the inevitable."

  I force the words from my lips, though each one feels like a struggle. "Never," I rasp, reaching for my sword. My hand trembles as I grip the hilt, the weight of it suddenly unbearable. I pull the blade free, but my arm feels sluggish, weak. My whole body protests the movement, every muscle aching as I stagger toward him. Each step is a battle of will, every ounce of strength drained by the pain that radiates from my chest.

  Vitiate watches me with an amused smile, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction. "You're not a quitter," he says, almost with admiration. "I like that."

  I grit my teeth and push forward, but it feels like I'm walking through molasses. The sword feels impossibly heavy in my hand, my limbs shaking as I force myself to keep going. Each step is a monumental effort, and I can hear my own ragged breaths echoing in the chamber, my vision blurring around the edges. But I don't stop. I won't stop.

  Vitiate sighs, a sound of indulgence, as if he's grown tired of the game. He raises his hand, his fingers twitching ever so slightly. A small wave of force lightning arcs from his palm, crackling through the air before striking me square in the chest.

  The pain is instantaneous. My muscles seize, locking in place as the electricity courses through me, twisting and writhing beneath my skin like a living thing. I collapse to one knee, the sword slipping from my hand and clattering to the ground with a dull thud. My body trembles uncontrollably, and I bite down hard, forcing myself to stay conscious through the onslaught.

  "Now, Ryu," Vitiate says, his voice smooth and assured, "it is time for your ascension."

  He raises his arm, his eyes closing in dark concentration. The air around him shifts, darkening, twisting into shadows that swirl and writhe like living smoke. It grows thicker, darker, turning into a purplish-black cloud that coils around him, pulsing with malevolent energy. The chamber grows colder, the very light seeming to dim as the darkness engulfs him.

  And then, with a rush of wind, the cloud explodes outward, twisting and spiraling through the air before it hurtles toward me. I can only watch, frozen in place, as the swirling mass of shadow descends.