A Life Without Meaning

ℝ𝕖𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 (𝕀𝕀)

When their feet hit the watery ground, the sound echoed loudly off of the stone walls.

"We need to move." Cara said urgently.

"Where to?" Greef asked.

But no one had an answer. They had no choice but to travel forward with hesitant steps.

As they walked, investigating each path, Ellia glanced down at the pendant in her hands again. Trying not to think about the image of Din bleeding out the ground, ordering her to leave him.

"He's going to be alright." Cara said suddenly from behind her.

Ellia glanced over her shoulder. She could feel that her eyes were still a bit glossy, but she tried to nod confidently anyway.

"I know. I just-"

"You love him."

She blinked in surprise, her mouth parting slightly. An objection already prepared in the back of her throat.

"Don't even think about denying it." the shock trooper said confidently. "I may have only fought with you two twice, but it's clearer than kyber." she said so matter-of-factly that Ellia let out a near-gasp of disbelief as they continued walking.

"And..." the trooper continued, "I wanted to say, I'm sorry." Cara said seriously. "When Gideon said who your parents were...and what they did. I just got so angry." the woman admitted.

Ellia pressed her lips together,

"And you had every right to be." she replied, her voice small.

"Yeah. But not at you." Cara said, somehow managing a smile. "You're alright, Imp girl." she said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

They continued on down the tunnel, Cara wielding a flashlight, when suddenly a muffled explosion could be heard from the surface above them, causing the walls of the sewer system to shake violently.

Ellia held her breath as the group paused, waiting patiently in the center of the darkened hallway. In the distance, there was a clang of metal that echoed out from the other end of the tunnel. It was followed by a few low grunts, and then eventually...footsteps.

As her head whipped down towards the far end of the hallway, she took in a sharp breath of relief. In her arms, the child gave off a noise in excitement.

The Mandalorian stumbled towards them, under the guidance of the IG unit, a small spotlight emanating from the top of his helmet.

She immediately ran forward to meet them. When they came to a stop in front of her, Ellia gently passed the child over to the waiting arms of the IG unit before turning towards Din, instantly slinging one of his arms over her shoulders.

"I got you." she said quietly.

Din looked back down at her for a second longer than was probably necessary before allowing her to help him walk forward and rejoin the group, IG-11 bringing up the rear.

"Do you know which way to go?" Greef asked him immediately.

"No." Din answered, still clearly in a lot of discomfort. "I don't know these tunnels. I've only entered from the bazaar." he informed.

So instead they continued to walk down the tunnel they originally picked.

"Well, if we get the smell of sulfur and we follow it, it'll lead us up to the plains where the river flows." Greef offered.

"And the Imps will catch us before we make it to the ship. We need the Mandalorian's to escort us to safety." Din argued.

They turned down another corner, the next hallway looking far too similar to the one that they had just left.