They called it the “tree tunnel”. It was a tunnel composed of broken branches, leaves, and tree bark, woven together so its thick layers blocked out most sunlight. Jade had trekked miles into the forest to see it. Finally here, she peered into it and stepped inside. Filtered patterns of light shaded stick figures on her body. Petrified hummingbirds spun round in webbed cocoons from the ceiling. The outside world seemed muted, slowed down.
She put a hand to her heart. Its strong, steady rhythm was the only comfort here. She wanted to run away and curl into a little ball or cower in a dark corner. She wiped some dirt off her face, knowing the dark side would not go as easily.
The further she walked, the more she seemed to lose control of her senses. Sweet, warm smells filled her nose. Voices called to her ahead. Dreamy images passed before her eyes, little kids playing tag, constellations swarming with stars. She rubbed her eyes and gripped an overhead vine for balance. Voices called out– girlish teases and crying pleas– echoing around her.
“Jade,” came a voice from the shadows ahead. “Jade, are you lost?”
“Who is that?” Jade cried.
A white light lit up the cave as a figure stepped forward. They glowed golden, clothed in flowing robes, bandages wrapping their face.
“Wouldn’t it be so much easier, Jade, if you took the path not taken? So much heartache avoided.”
Jade’s eyes widened, breathing heavily.
“The dark side,” said the figure. “It is your nature. Who you were always meant to be.”
At that instant, Jade ignited her lightsaber and struck the cave wall in an arc of sparks.
“Shut up! Just shut up!”
The figure pointed at Jade. “The dark side can teach you how to use your anger to gain real power. No longer a helpless child.”
Jade hesitated and took a step back. “Who are you?”
The figure stepped forward, arms outstretched as if they were going to scoop Jade up and cradle her like a baby. The bandages unwrapped from their face. It was Jade’s mother.
Jade brandished the blue lightsaber. “Mom–” she reached forward, then jumped back. “Stay back.”
The figure walked forward– through Jade’s lightsaber– sliced in two. Instead of spraying molten blood and guts, the body transformed. It grew taller, fur replacing skin, becoming a Wookiee. It stared at Jade with hard cold eyes, before melting into the dirt. Then all was dark once more.
She put a hand to her heart. Its strong, steady rhythm was the only comfort here. She wanted to run away and curl into a little ball or cower in a dark corner. She wiped some dirt off her face, knowing the dark side would not go as easily.
The further she walked, the more she seemed to lose control of her senses. Sweet, warm smells filled her nose. Voices called to her ahead. Dreamy images passed before her eyes, little kids playing tag, constellations swarming with stars. She rubbed her eyes and gripped an overhead vine for balance. Voices called out– girlish teases and crying pleas– echoing around her.
“Jade,” came a voice from the shadows ahead. “Jade, are you lost?”
“Who is that?” Jade cried.
A white light lit up the cave as a figure stepped forward. They glowed golden, clothed in flowing robes, bandages wrapping their face.
“Wouldn’t it be so much easier, Jade, if you took the path not taken? So much heartache avoided.”
Jade’s eyes widened, breathing heavily.
“The dark side,” said the figure. “It is your nature. Who you were always meant to be.”
At that instant, Jade ignited her lightsaber and struck the cave wall in an arc of sparks.
“Shut up! Just shut up!”
The figure pointed at Jade. “The dark side can teach you how to use your anger to gain real power. No longer a helpless child.”
Jade hesitated and took a step back. “Who are you?”
The figure stepped forward, arms outstretched as if they were going to scoop Jade up and cradle her like a baby. The bandages unwrapped from their face. It was Jade’s mother.
Jade brandished the blue lightsaber. “Mom–” she reached forward, then jumped back. “Stay back.”
The figure walked forward– through Jade’s lightsaber– sliced in two. Instead of spraying molten blood and guts, the body transformed. It grew taller, fur replacing skin, becoming a Wookiee. It stared at Jade with hard cold eyes, before melting into the dirt. Then all was dark once more.