Mist swirled around him, filling his chest, his skull, his soul. It was thicker than any war-cloud, denser than any fog. And there were teeth inside, teeth and claws and eyes and death. So many eyes. So much death.

The thing in the mist was everywhere at once—running, tearing, chasing him down—and there was nothing he could do, nowhere he could hide. It ripped through him, consuming everything he thought he was and everything he had yet to become. It was uncontrollable, a horror beyond name or understanding, and it was hungry. So very, very hungry.

Bell reached out for the Force, but it had gone the way of the ground and the sky. He was alone and he was powerless. All he could do was scream and scream and scream.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

Grizal

Released from the Jedi’s grip, Lourna Dee’s shuttle shot into the clouds. Ro didn’t notice it leave. He was staring at the images from the cam, unable to believe what he was seeing. Unable to breathe.

It had been worth it. All of it. The nights hunched over his father’s texts, the days scouring the stars searching for the relics of a forgotten time.

Now the real work began.

Even his father was finally silenced. He knew what his son had achieved. What he couldn’t. What he’d been too afraid to try.

Ro twisted the cylinder, calling the Leveler home. That wasn’t its name, of course, only what Kufa had called it, the poor deluded hag. She had no idea what she had been guarding all those years, the power she’d squandered.

But Ro did … and soon so would everyone else.

The Nihil were gone. The camp was silent. No more blasters, no more battle cries. Above him, four Vectors streaked after the warship, which had turned upon its axis to rise above the clouds. Stellan knew they wouldn’t catch it, even as it streaked away into nothing, making an impossible jump, but the Nihil wouldn’t be able to run forever, of that he was sure. It was only a matter of time until they discovered the Nihil’s secret, how they twisted hyperspace in ways the Republic couldn’t fathom. That day was coming, but for now he had other concerns.

Stellan had landed the moment he saw Elzar’s Vector go down, a wave of anguish erupting from the cockpit. Now Stellan was racing toward the burning craft, his heart hammering until he realized that Ty Yorrick was pulling a figure from the wreckage, a figure that wasn’t moving.

“Elzar!”

Ty looked up at Stellan’s shout.

“He’s alive,” she said as he dropped to his knees beside them. “Just.”

Stellan pressed his hand against Elzar’s chest. He couldn’t feel a heartbeat.

Stellan pulled back a fist, slamming it down above Elzar’s heart, over and over.