Prisoners of the Empire are led through a remote wasteland, stopping only when the commanding officer orders it. With a single word — "Dig!" — their binders are released to free their hands for the laborious task.

The first kyber crystal is unearthed, proof that the site is valuable. Days turn into weeks, and the miners toil while a city springs up just beyond the pit, their labor feeding the thriving urban enclave on the horizon.

The pit deepens. The prisoners below are consumed by the shadow as their work continues. Then one day, they reach the bottom. A tool strikes the ground and is twisted by the bedrock below, signaling that they can go no further. Satisfied at last, the garrison retreats, leaving the prisoners at the bottom of the pit in total darkness.

Gathered around a single light, a prisoner called Crux formulates a plan. He believes he can climb out of the pit and get to the rumored city where he hopes the denizens will agree to help those trapped by the Empire. Most of the other prisoners are skeptical, but Crux is not dissuaded.

A young girl, Livy, is curious about Crux's determination. "Everyone has an inner light. No matter how dark, it's always there to guide you the right way," he tells her before giving her a small kyber crystal.

Later, Crux makes good on his promise and climbs out. He makes his way to the city center, but even in a crowd of people he struggles to be heard. When he spots a monument to the kyber stones, he seizes the opportunity and climbs the structure to use it as a pedestal. "I need all of you to hear me out, just for a moment!" he yells, finally getting their attention. "On the outskirts of this city, there is a giant pit. Hundreds of us are trapped there..." he begins.

Crux's speech also invites the attention of the Empire. He tries to flee the stormtroopers, but is stunned before he can escape. The soldiers drag his limp body back to the pit. Just as he begins to regain consciousness, they heave him into the abyss, ignoring his screams.

His broken body is a message to the other prisoners trapped in the pit: no help is coming. Hope has been lost. But then Livy remembers what Crux told her before he climbed out, and with renewed faith she shouts, "Follow the light!" In a quiet moment she tells her mother, "They'll help us. If we tell them to follow their light..."

The chant starts small, then grows into a chorus so loud it reaches the city beyond. Citizens bearing torches make their way toward the pit, then rescue craft descend into the darkness to ferry the survivors to safety.

On a transport, Livy peers out at the new day. While her mother rests, she takes Crux's gift out of her pocket and gazes at the kyber crystal. In her palm, it seems to jump to life, glowing a brilliant blue.