Forged by Darkness

Chapter One

Arianna's POV:

I sighed, crossing my legs as I made myself comfortable.

It was just barely past midday, the sun blaring brightly overhead, and I had decided for it to be a good idea to take a break from the dark rooms within the base. We never really had much to do, and ever since my training had been completed, there wasn't much for me to do other than explore and wander. The base I was staying at hardly had many Resistance members, and if anything, it seemed more likely that they were just here for the mere company.

My lightsaber and blaster remained by my side, tucked away safely in their respective holsters. Despite this planet's lack of activity, I knew better than to go anywhere unarmed. Beside me was my robe which, due the heat, I had taken off. I had figured that it wouldn't matter whether I wore it or not after the four years of my being here anyway. By now, they all knew who I was.

Master Luke was still gone, having left for a mission he hadn't bothered to inform me on, and I hadn't the mind to pry. Sometimes, it was better to know as little as possible. Nonetheless, he had told me he wouldn't be long, and since he hadn't asked for my presence, I could only assume it was simple enough.

It was rather lonely without him. Even with the half dozen of Resistance members present, none of them were really interested in conversation.

But it was alright, I had gotten used to being on my own.

As I lifted my hand above my eyes, I tilted my chin upwards, looking towards the sun. It had begun to descend from its highest peak, indicating that I had been lounging around long enough. A sigh left my lips as I moved my hands behind me, untucking my legs so they now dangled off the roof. But I wanted to stay longer.

Squinting, I glanced towards the sun again. It was about time that I reported back to the base. It wasn't that they'd be worried, they all knew that I was the strongest among them, especially so now that Master Luke was gone, but rather to ensure that I hadn't wandered far.

With a sigh, I leaned over, grabbing my robe from the roof to drape it over my arm. It was time for me to leave, I had duties to report to. Boring as they were, I was still obligated to fulfil them.

My hands moved to rest on the edge of the roof, and I looked down before pushing myself off. I landed on the ground, swiftly rising back to stand. Dust and dirt had managed to catch onto my clothes, and with a sigh of disdain, I brushed off as much as I could from my white blouse.

The heat kept me from putting my robe back on, but I didn't mind keeping it on my forearm as I started the trek back to the base. None of the others would have cared if there was a little muck on my attire.

It didn't take long before I could make out the familiar peak of the hill our base had been built in, the thin path I had been following between trees filling out into an open field of grass.

Absently, my hand strayed to brush the hilt of my lightsaber. Something felt wrong. My hand moved to wrap around my blaster just as my gaze lifted, and my blood turned to ice as I froze in my tracks.

In the sky, moments away from landing, was a stormtrooper transport.

I was moving before I could even begin to wonder why they were here. It wasn't fear that coursed through my blood as I bolted forwards, and I swiftly tugging my dark robe over my clothes, pulling the hood over my head. The members inside wouldn't be able to fight back, especially if that ship wasn't the first, but maybe they had managed to evacuate.

Silently, I edged my way closer towards the main entrance, keeping myself hidden from view of the landing transport. My fingers wrapped around my blaster, pulling it free from its holster as I peered around the edge of the hill. There was another ship there, clearly already empty.