"Everything in your galaxy has a price."
her words Echoed in Kai'lyn's mind, the weight of those words settling heavily upon him. He thought about the implications of the statement, referring to the harsh realities that seemed to extend across the universe, irrespective of the planet or species.
He watched the figure before him, feeling both a mix of vulnerability and defiance as Sofiel seemed to intentionally skirt around the question of their location. Despite his uncertainty and unease, his focus remained sharp on her words.
Sofiel's words resonated with a cold truth that sent a shiver down his spine. Her casual disregard for his question about the place they were in only intensified his unease. He studied her, his gaze unwavering as he attempted to gauge the motives and intentions behind her ominous words.
"But you have everything to barter with. Your mind. Body. Soul.
She continued, her words cutting to the core of his being. The reality of his situation was undeniable—he was trapped. Trapped now within a web of transactions and exchanges, each commodity a piece of himself that he might have to relinquish. That seemed to be the 'game' here.
Everything and anything can be bought and sold if you know the right client."
she concluded, her words carrying a sense of calculated detachment that sent a chill down his spine. The notion of being treated as a mere commodity, a pawn to be traded, was a disturbing thought that challenged his sense of autonomy and identity. It challenged him in a way that left him bewildered and uneasy.
"But now? Stories. Your life, and it's story. That can buy you some comfort before your tests begin."
Her words pierced the air, and he felt a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. The idea of sharing his story as currency was both curious and disconcerting. He had stories to tell, tales of survival, escape, and the untamed wilds of Ryloth. His life's narrative held secrets, fears, and dreams that were his alone to bear. The thought of offering that in exchange for even a modicum of comfort in this unfamiliar setting was a choice that weighed heavily on him.
"And what happens after the tests?" he questioned, his tone laced with a blend of curiosity and caution.
He thought about his past considering it for a time, taking a bit to let the memories wash over him... In the shadowy depths of a moonless night, tragedy struck Kai'lyn's peaceful Togruta tribe. Slavers, driven by greed and malevolence, descended upon their village like vultures seeking prey. The moon's gentle light, which once illuminated their paths, was now replaced by the harsh glare of torches and blaster fire. Kai'lyn's family, like others in their community, fought fiercely to protect their loved ones, but the slavers' cruelty and advanced weaponry overwhelmed their desperate resistance.
Kai'lyn's parents, the pillars of their tribe, were captured and dragged away in chains, destined for a life of unending torment in the mines. The brothers, mere children at the time, were torn from the comforting embrace of their home and thrust into the abyss of a world defined by cruelty and despair.
Transported to Coruscant, the sprawling metropolis of towering structures and neon lights, Kai'lyn and his brother found themselves entangled in the merciless grip of the slavers' web. Forced to navigate the city's crowded streets, they were transformed into tools for thievery and pickpocketing, tasked with snatching credits and valuables from unsuspecting citizens. Their days were a cruel blur of fear and exhaustion, their nights a chilling reminder of their lost family and freedom.
Battered by the callousness of their captors, the brothers clung to one another, their bond serving as a source of strength amidst the dark times in this bizarre new world that was frightening. The slavers cared nothing for their well-being, treating them as commodities to be exploited and discarded. Yet, despite the harshness of their circumstances, Kai'lyn's spirit remained unbroken.
Amidst the oppressive gloom of their existence, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of Jedi intervention. A swift and decisive strike by the Jedi Order shattered the slavers' hold on Coruscant. The chaotic clash between lightsabers and blaster fire created an opening for escape, and amidst the turmoil, Kai'lyn seized the opportunity.
Amidst the chaos and confusion, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination, Kai'lyn managed to slip away from his captors' clutches. The city's sprawling labyrinth became his refuge, and he evaded capture through a combination of agility, intuition, and luck. In the end, he had emerged from the urban maze, free from the shackles that had bound him for so long.
With newfound freedom, Kai'lyn embarked on a journey to try and find his family. Drawn by a whisper of destiny, he found himself on the planet Ryloth, a world as vibrant and tumultuous as his own past. Here, amidst the sweeping landscapes and vast horizons, he was following that quiet drive that lead him to hear striving for survival. He wasn't sure if he should share any of this with Sofiel.
"I am lost... I don't have any pleasant story to tell. " He concluded softly thinking about it.
"Suffering, misery, and action. That is the life I know. "
Sofiel