The Rebel base erupted in celebration as the surviving pilots made their return approach. The hangar buzzed with life, crews rushing out to greet the incoming X-wings and the battered Falcon.
Kai's ship touched down with a gentle jolt, the landing struts hissing beneath him. He opened the cockpit canopy and climbed out slowly, exhaustion settling into his limbs like lead. T9 warbled quietly, still shaken but operational.
Cheers met him as he descended the ladder. Someone clapped him on the back. Another handed him a canteen of water. But his eyes searched the hangar until they landed on Luke's X-wing coming in next.
When Luke stepped out, the two locked eyes across the hangar. No words were needed. Kai simply nodded, and Luke returned it—mutual understanding and quiet victory passing between them.
Leia rushed forward, embracing Luke tightly, relief and joy mingling on her face. She turned to Kai next, pulling him briefly into a hug.
"You both did it," she whispered. "Thank you."
Kai gave her a faint smile, but his eyes were drawn past the celebration, toward the jungle shadows outside the hangar. That dark presence—Vader—had escaped. The Force still trembled with his survival.
Han sauntered in, arms raised, Chewbacca roaring in triumph beside him.
"What'd I tell ya? Piece of cake!" Han grinned, catching Luke in a headlock and mussing his hair. Luke laughed, shoving him off.
Kai allowed himself a quiet chuckle, but the weariness was beginning to catch up. For now, they had won. But the war was far from over.
And somewhere, deep within the ruins of the Force, ancient powers still stirred.
The grand hall of the Great Temple had been transformed. Rebel soldiers, officers, technicians—everyone who could fit—stood at attention beneath towering stone arches. The air buzzed with pride and awe, the ghosts of the jungle temple seemingly silent in reverence.
Leia stood at the head of the gathered crowd, regal in her white gown, a quiet smile on her face as she watched the trio approach down the central aisle.
Luke walked first, freshly uniformed but still carrying the weight of what he'd done. Kai followed beside him, quiet and composed, though his eyes lingered a moment on the massive stone carvings overhead—reminders of something ancient that still whispered in the Force. Chewbacca brought up the rear, towering and proud.
The music swelled. General Dodonna stepped forward beside Leia, nodding solemnly.
Leia turned to Luke first, placing a gleaming medal over his neck with care.
"For bravery, for hope, and for the light you brought into the darkness," she said.
Then she moved to Kai. He lowered his head slightly, and Leia placed the second medal over him. Her voice softened just enough for only he could hear.
"I think Obi-Wan would be proud of you."
Kai nodded, his throat tight. "I hope so."
Leia then turned to Han, who stood slightly off to the side as if unsure he belonged among the heroes. She stepped toward him with a raised brow and the hint of a smile.
"You came back when it mattered most," she said. "You earned this."
She placed a medal around his neck. Han raised an eyebrow and grinned, clearly trying to play it cool, but the faintest hint of emotion flickered across his features.
Finally, Chewbacca let out a roar of pride as the room burst into applause. The great Wookiee grinned as Leia presented him with a nod of honor.
As the fanfare rose, Kai looked out over the assembled rebels—faces worn, tired, but triumphant. He caught Wedge's grin, a mechanic's thumbs-up, even Han's satisfied smirk from the side of the crowd.
For a fleeting moment, there was peace.
But somewhere deep inside him, Kai knew this was only the beginning. The Force pulsed with future storms, distant echoes of Sith temples and ancient legacies.
But today, they had hope.
And for the first time, that was enough.
A day had passed since the celebration. The jungle air around the Great Temple was still and heavy, the high of victory slowly giving way to the weight of what came next.
Leia sat with Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Kai around a stone table inside one of the side chambers. The map of the galaxy glowed above them, pinpoints of light marking potential relocation zones.
"We'll need to move the base," Leia said firmly, eyes scanning the map. "It's only a matter of time before the Empire traces the location of the Death Star's last transmission. Yavin IV will be compromised."
Han leaned back, arms crossed. "Yeah, that sounds about right. We should be gone before Vader gets his act together."
Luke looked over at Kai. "You coming with us?"
Kai hesitated. He stared past the table, past the room—as if hearing something distant and wordless. Finally, he shook his head.
"No," he said softly. "I think I need to stay. There's something here... I can't explain it, but the Force is pulling me toward it. I think there's more to this place—something buried, something important."
Leia frowned, confused. "I've explored nearly every corner of this temple and the surrounding ruins. I've never felt anything like that. Never even knew that archway existed until you found it."
Kai glanced at her, his expression steady. "That's just it. I think it was hidden. Or waiting. Whatever it is, I'm not ready to leave it behind. Not yet."
The others exchanged glances. Chewbacca grumbled a low note of concern. Luke studied Kai for a long moment, then gave a small nod.
"Alright," Luke said. "Just promise you'll stay in touch."
Kai offered a faint smile. "I will."
Outside, the jungle stirred quietly in the wind, as if listening.