The corridor was quiet. Too quiet.

You held your breath, heart thundering in your chest as the heavy clang of boots echoed closer. You knew who it was—everyone did. The air seemed to shudder with his presence. Then came the mechanical breath, deep and steady.

Darth Vader stepped from the dark, towering and cloaked in shadow. His red blade wasn’t drawn, but you could feel its threat humming beneath the surface.

He stopped only a few feet from you, head tilting slightly. You couldn’t see his eyes, but you felt his focus, his attention settling on your soul like a weight.