**Chapter 437**
**Day 11 – Lessu, Ryloth**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
Without the plasma bridge, it would have been difficult.
Without long-range orbital strikes, it would have been difficult.
Without the massive droid cannons shielded by rings of terrified civilians, it would have been difficult.
But with lightning… with red Sith lightning… it became much easier.
I moved like a storm given human form through the ruined outskirts of Lessu. My beskar blade and red crossguard lightsaber danced in perfect harmony with the dark side as I unleashed Thunder Breathing techniques I had adapted and empowered with Sith lightning.
**Third Form: Thunder Swarm.**
I rapidly circled a squad of Super Battle Droids, leaving afterimages in my wake. Wide, arched slashes of crackling red lightning erupted from every direction, surrounding and shredding them in seconds.
**Fourth Form: Distant Thunder.**
I charged forward at blinding speed and released a multitude of electric slashes in a single devastating sword strike, carving through an entire column of AAT tanks.
**Fifth Form: Heat Lightning.**
I planted my feet, swung upward, and electrocuted a group of droidekas trying to activate their shields. Their bodies convulsed and exploded from the inside.
**Sixth Form: Rumble and Flash.**
A horizontal slash released a barrage of powerful, long-ranged lightning bolts that streaked across the battlefield like vengeful thunder. The sheer number and spread made evasion nearly impossible for the droids.
At times, it felt like cheating.
"Admiral," I commed while cutting down another squad of B1s, "deploy the Lancers. Enemy droids are launching — I see unusual Vulture variants with heavy engines escorting a shuttle. I believe Wat Tambor is trying to run."
"Confirmed, General," came the crisp reply. "Lancers moving to intercept."
I watched as the fast, deadly Lancer-class frigates broke orbit and dove toward the escaping shuttle and its escort. Red lightning still crackled across my armor as I pressed forward, carving a path toward the heart of Lessu.
**Scene 2**
**Resolute – Venator-class Star Destroyer**
**Obi-Wan Kenobi POV**
The captured shuttle sat secured in the main hangar bay of the *Resolute*. Clone troopers in phase II armor moved quickly, dragging a struggling Wat Tambor out of the craft.
"General Kenobi," Tambor said, trying and failing to keep the tremble from his mechanical voice. "Perhaps we can reach a compromise?"
Obi-Wan stood with arms folded inside his robes, expression calm but eyes hard. "I have a better idea. You will deactivate all the droids on Ryloth, and I won't hand you over to the locals. They seem rather… peeved with you. I wonder why."
Despite the distortion of his helmet vocoder, the sarcasm in Obi-Wan's voice was unmistakable.
"That isn't enough!" Tambor protested, desperation creeping in. "I want safe passage out of this system or you won't get the codes!"
Obi-Wan tilted his head slightly. "Why are you so anxious?"
"Are you kidding me?" Tambor nearly shrieked. "That General Dagon reduced Zygerria to dust! I have no desire to suffer the same fate!"
Obi-Wan studied the terrified cyborg for a long moment before sighing. "Very well. Escort him to the brig."
As the clones marched Tambor away, Obi-Wan turned toward the viewport, watching the ongoing battle on the planet below. He could sense the shifting tides of the Force — victory was near, but the cost had been high.
**Scene 3**
**Lessu – Liberated Capital**
**Dagon POV**
By evening, Lessu had fallen.
A grand parade filled the central streets as Republic forces and Cham Syndulla's freedom fighters marched side by side. Twi'lek citizens poured out of hiding, cheering wildly despite their exhaustion and wounds. Children waved makeshift Republic flags while elders wept openly in relief.
I stood on a raised platform overlooking the celebration. With a small smile, I raised my hand and channeled the Force. Spheres of crackling blue and silver lightning rose into the darkening sky, twisting and dancing like living dragons. They spiraled gracefully overhead, illuminating the city in brilliant, harmless light — a celebration rather than destruction.
I heard soft gasps beside me.
Shin Wren and Erictia stood close, both blushing deeply as they watched the beautiful display with wide-eyed awe. The lightning dragons coiled and weaved between each other, casting ethereal light across the cheering crowds.
"You taught us that lightning was only for combat," Shin said, half-joking, half-impressed.
I chuckled, lowering my hand as the display slowly faded. "The dark side has many uses. Some more… theatrical than others."
Erictia smiled shyly, her amber eyes reflecting the last sparks of lightning. "It was beautiful."
Shin glanced at me, her purple eyes soft. "You continue to surprise us, Dagon."
I looked out over the celebrating city — freed at last after weeks of brutal occupation. Cham Syndulla stood among his people, his daughter Hera perched proudly on his shoulders. For the first time in a long while, Ryloth felt alive again.
The war was far from over. But tonight, on this battered world, there was hope.