A brilliant fire


The Mandalore morning broke over the horizon.
In one of the old training courtyards nestled between sun-warmed stone and watchful towers, Valery moved with the kind of rhythm that came not from discipline, but from habit — muscle memory burned into bone. Sweat gleamed along her collarbone, catching the light as she pivoted on bare feet, breath controlled, body coiled.
Her violet blade flared to life with a sharp hum.
Across from her, a hovering training remote darted erratically through the air, red targeting sensors pulsing.
Zzzt!
A bolt fired.
She caught it clean on the angle of her saber, the plasma dissipating in a bright flash off the violet edge. Another shot — this one lower, faster — and she twisted, deflecting it away without even looking. Her eyes were forward. Focused and calm.
The hum of the saber and the sharp pew-pew of incoming fire filled the courtyard. Around her, the city stirred — engines rumbling in the streets, armor clinking in motion. But in this ring of stone and dust, Valery was alone with the Force and the fire. She stepped forward, blade angled down. The remote fired again. She didn't hesitate.
This was her language. This was her breath.
And if the Mandalorians were watching?
Let them see.