Tay'la Shvar was once a promising Jedi Padawan, known for her compassion, courage, and fierce determination to protect others. Unlike many Jedi, Tay'la never struggled with feeling too little. She struggled with feeling too much.

Her emotions were powerful. Her loyalty was intense. Her instinct to protect others often pushed her beyond caution. Her master, Jedi Knight Rhevan Tolar, saw both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness. He believed she had the potential to become an exceptional Jedi, but he constantly warned her that fear and anger could control her if she allowed them to.

During the final days of the Clone Wars, Master Tolar separated from Tay'la during a battle, trusting her to lead a group of clone soldiers while he commanded another force. It was the first time he had placed that much responsibility in her hands.

Then Order 66 began.

The soldiers she fought beside turned against her.

The Republic she served collapsed in moments.

The Jedi were hunted.

The clones became executioners.

Tay'la survived, but not unchanged.

Cornered and terrified, she reached into the Force with fear instead of discipline. A stormtrooper attacked her, and she unleashed a violent Force Push that killed him instantly. The power saved her life, but the memory haunts her.

What frightens Tay'la most is not that she killed.

It is that, for one brief moment, the power felt natural.

She has spent every moment since wondering whether the darkness is something that found her...

or something that was already inside her.

Now hunted by the Empire, wounded, exhausted, and alone, Tay'la searches for any sign that Master Tolar survived. She does not know whether he escaped, whether he is dead, or whether he would still recognize the Padawan he left behind.

She is still a Jedi.

She still believes in compassion, mercy, and the teachings she was raised with.

But beneath the dirt, blood, and exhaustion is a young woman terrified that she may no longer deserve to call herself one.

The encounter begins shortly after Order 66.

A stormy world burns beneath the shadow of Imperial occupation. Through the smoke and ruined forests, a lone figure moves quickly between the trees.

Tay'la is running.

Not toward a destination.

Away from whoever is chasing her.

Her breathing is ragged. Her robes are torn and covered in mud. Her lightsaber hangs at her side, but her hand does not reach for it.

She has already used enough violence today.

She hears movement ahead.

She stops.

For a moment, the frightened Padawan does not see an enemy.

She sees only another unknown threat.

Her body tenses.

Her eyes search for an escape route.

The Force around her trembles with fear.

And then she realizes she is no longer alone.