"What seems to be troubling you, Child?"
I looked up from the dark corner where I was curled up. The streaks of tears had already dried up on my cheeks as I stared at the small, green creature sitting on a branch.
The halls were gone, and both of us were surrounded by darkness that wasn't there a few minutes ago. I wasn't in the temple anymore. I had no idea where this place was, no idea what was happening to me right now, as I stared at the weird creature holding a tick, staring down at me with a smile that seemed out of place for the situation I was in.
"Who are you?"
I muttered my voice horse from crying. It chuckled, its green eyes boring into mine.
"My name is irrelevant, child, what's important is who are you?"
I furrowed my eyebrows, my gaze raking over his body, seeing if he had any weapon on him that could pose a threat.
"I'm Ezra..."
I said wearily, still cautious. He could be with the stormtroopers that were chasing me, I couldn't be too sure that I was safe with it.
"Well, Ezra, you seem to be in quite the predicament... Tell me, what do you want?"
My eyebrows furrowed further, as I pondered.
"I... I want my brother back..."
I whispered as the thing hummed curiously before shaking his head.
"I'm afraid that's impossible for me to do, he seems quite adverse to interference right now..."
The darkness shook. I felt the nonexistent floor below me shake as I felt the force tremble around me. My body tensed as I stumbled to my feet, looking around, trying to see anything past the pitch-black surrounding us.
"Worry not, that's him..."
The creature hummed thoughtfully, looking to his right, his eyes narrowed as he seemed to be looking at something I couldn't see.
Frustration bubbled up inside me. Who was "He" what was he talking about?
"But that's not what you want, child, tell me the truth..."
I took a breath through my nose, my frustration slowly turning into anger as I glared at him. I just watched my brother die in front of me, and I ran like a coward, not being able to do anything. I wanted revenge, to make the empire pay for taking another member of my family from me.
"I want power..."
I grit out, getting its attention to turn back to me. it looked curious, tilting his head in thought.
"Power? Why would you want that?"
My eyes narrowed further. I didn't want the cryptic responses anymore. I was angry and it seemed to only add fuel to the flame with the way it was talking.
"I want it to protect what's dear to me! I'm tired of losing everything!"
The shout that left my mouth only seemed to hurt my throat more, but I didn't care right now.
The silence descended upon us for a few seconds as I panted, trying to get more air into my lungs.
"Very well then..."
The creature raised its hand, his three fingers outstretched. I watched, confused as a blue rock floated down from seemingly nothing, coming to a stop between the two of us.
"Now go, your brother needs you..."
My head snapped up, from the rock to him, but before I could even speak, he was gone, leaving me with the floating rock. The darkness seemed to seep away, as the stone walls became visible again.
I was standing in the middle of the room with the doors, the same ones that my brother and I entered. I reached out, grabbed the stone, and rushed into the same one from before, my feet carrying me forward.
The halls were a blur as I ran past, the force buzzing warnings getting louder each step.
I came to a halt as soon as I got close, looking at Colt for a moment. He was alive, just standing there, in a room, like nothing happened.
I rushed over, practically tackling him, my arms squeezing him to my body with all my strength.
I felt him tense up before his arms wrapped around me, hugging me back.
"Let's get out of here..."
The whisper was so quiet I barely heard it, but I nodded nevertheless. I didn't want to be here any more than he did.
I let go of him, watching as he grabbed the purple crystal floating in front of him and turned, grabbing my hand as he started walking back to the exit.
We never got far into the temple, either, a five-day trip for a few steps inside.
But at this point, I'd much rather leave than go deeper into the Temple, and Colt seemed to be of the same mind.