Heart Of Darkness (Star Wars)

Chapter 16: Back To Corellia

My smile widened at his words. "Yes, I'd love to."

He let out a sigh of relief. "Good. You've made me the happiest man in the galaxy."

"And you've made me the happiest woman in the galaxy for asking." I replied.

Din then placed his helmet against my forehead as he gave my hand a squeeze. After a few moments of silence, he spoke up. "Where are we going to go to find these other Jedi?"

"I'm not exactly sure. There are no Jedi left but a few." I explained.

"It doesn't matter where we go as long as you're by my side." Din mentioned.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." I assured him.

•••

The next morning, I woke up in the cargo hold. Ani was laying down beside me. But I didn't see Kaytia anywhere in sight. My stomach dropped. Where was she? I quickly climbed up the ladder and into the cockpit to find Kaytia sitting in the pilot's seat with Din standing beside her.

"Can I fly the ship?" Kaytia questioned.

I noticed Din tense up as he stumbled over his words, searching for an answer. "Maybe one day, but you're too young right now."

Kaytia turned around to face me. As soon as she saw me, her eyes lit up. "Mom! Mando said he'd teach me how to fly."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did he now?"

An amused smile appeared on my face. I would love to see Din teaching Kaytia. I wondered if he would have the patience to teach her.

"Only if you agree." Din mentioned, before changing the subject. "Have you decided where we should go?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I was thinking Corellia."

Din tilted his head. "Corellia?"

Kaytia's eyes lit up. "That's where mom's from!"

Upon hearing Kaytia's words, Din turned to face me. Immediately, I glanced over at Kaytia. "Kaytia, why don't you check on the child?"

"But mom, I wanted to stay here a little longer." Kaytia protested.

"You can some other time. Right now, your mom and I need to talk." Din urged, using a gentle tone.

Surprisingly, Kaytia listened to him. She climbed out of the seat and walked out of the cockpit, leaving Din and me alone. I turned back to face Din, ready to open up to him. It's time he sees where I come from along with Kaytia.

"Din, we should go to Corellia. I want to show you where my home was before my adopted mother was killed." I confessed.

"Delmira, we don't have to go back if you don't want to. The last thing I want is to put you through something uncomfortable." Din mentioned.

"It's all right, Din. I must face my past, instead of hiding from it, like I've done all these years." I explained.

Din placed a hand on my shoulder. "Then I shall be there with you."

I couldn't help but smile at his words. "Thanks Din."

Din and I leaned our foreheads against one another. After a few moments of silence, Din spoke up. "You should know that Kaytia's been asking who I am and why I've taken you and her into my clan."

"And what did you say?" I questioned.

"I told Kaytia that you would explain it to her." He mentioned.

For once I was unsure of what to tell her. Do I tell her that Din's her father? I looked up at Din for help. "What do I tell her?"

"Well, you are part of my clan now. I'd like to think that Kaytia is my daughter...if that's all right with you." Din commented, placing a gloved hand on my cheek.

My smile widened. "It's perfect."

•••

Once we landed on Corellia, Ani, Din, the child, Kaytia, and I left the Razor Crest at the spaceport. As we walked through the streets, a wave of nostalgia hit me. The smells, the sounds, the sight, it was all the same. It was as if I had transported back in time. But this time, I wasn't alone. I have Din, the child, Ani, and Kaytia. As soon as we reached my apartment, I walked inside, finding the place abandoned. Furniture was tossed around, it was just like the day I returned home from the academy. My heart clenched. I could remember that day as if it was just yesterday.

There were five stormtroopers and a man in an Imperial uniform that surrounded my mom. Her face was covered in many bruises and blood that I could barely make out her face.

"We know you are holding a Force-sensitive child, Kycair. Tell us where the girl is and we'll let you live." The Imperial officer ordered.

"Kohira, that's her name. She's just a child, Rath. Please let her stay with me." She begged. "She didn't choice to be this way."

"I don't care. Tell me where she is or we will force the answers out of you!" The Imperial officer snapped.

"I'd rather die before I tell you where my daughter is!" She rebuked.

The Imperial officer clenched his jaw. "That can be arranged."

He then raised his hand and the stormtroopers lifted their blasters. As soon as he lowered his hand, the stormtroopers fired blasts at my mom.

"Delmira, are you all right?" Din asked as he gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

At his words, I snapped out of my thoughts before looking up at him. I nodded. "Yeah, just remembered what happened the last time I was here."

"Is this where you lived?" Kaytia questioned.

"Yes, this use to be my home." I confirmed.

Kaytia furrowed her brows. "What happened, mom?"

"The Empire was looking for me, Kaytia. They found my adopted mother, but she would refuse to tell them where I was...so she was killed." I explained.

"I'm sorry." Din said. 

"Don't be. This isn't your fault, it's the Empire's." I corrected.

The child, who was in Kaytia's arms, extended his arms out towards me. I couldn't help but smile as I gently picked him up before carrying him in my arms. He raised a hand towards my face in an attempt to comfort me. I had forgotten that the child could sense my emotions. And despite feeling sad for what happened here, I was happy that I wasn't alone. After we left my old home, we made our way to the golden beaches, which weren't far from Coronet City.

Din and the child were not far from us. I watched as the child rushed towards the water with an excited look on his face. Din ran after him to make sure he wouldn't drown. A smile appeared on my face as I continued to watch them both. At that moment, Kaytia spoke up. "I know I never asked, but what happened to my dad?"

"Kaytia, your father...he's the Mandalorian." I informed her.  

Kaytia's face immediately lit up. "That's why he wanted us in his clan! He's my dad!"

My smile widened upon seeing her so excited. I wanted Kaytia to have a normal life, a life I couldn't have. And I would do anything to make sure that Kaytia was safe. She will not end up with Gideon or anyone from the remnants of the Empire.