**Chapter 400: The God's Allegiance**
**Dagon's POV**
"Are you sure about this plan?" Ethan asked as the shuttle prepared for descent.
The droid's photoreceptors flickered with what passed for concern. "From your memories that you still refuse to share those exact parts with the girls — and now-living Nox, who seems to forget those parts — both Vader and Kylo Ren, when they approached these guys, always led to killing and fighting until they eventually killed their god."
I chuckled. "Ethan, relax. We have a fellow Zillo Beast with us, and I can now talk to animals like Master Yoda did those times — with the Force."
Benath was a rocky planet, the homeworld of the Benathy. It was located in the Benath system in grid square I-7 of the Standard Galactic Grid, considered part of Wild Space though it fell within the usual borders of the Mid Rim Territories. It was connected to the planet Ansion and the Utegetu Nebula by a hyperspace route.
On Benath, the Benathy were ruled by a monarchy and worshiped a Zillo Beast as their god.
Their current king was named Bjor. While I had gained the loyalty of certain admirals, I decided to play it safe. I took only Fleet Admiral Dittmar with me and a small force of five Acclamator-class assault ships and two Venators, crewed only by clones of proven loyalty. I needed to make sure my plan didn't leak.
**Scene 2**
The Benathy were massive compared to the average species, with brown hair covering their bodies. They also had two tusks protruding from their faces. Roughly about four meters in height.
"Dagon, are you sure?" Nox asked as the assault ship landed and the Zillo Beast exited.
"Of course."
The group headed to a large tent where King Bjor waited. He told Dagon to have a seat, but Dagon declined, saying it would make him look like an infant. The king laughed.
"I never had a Jedi here before. Oh wait — a few thousand years ago the Jedi and Republic came here, or was it the Sith Empire? Eh, they came to conquer but we sent them running. Now our planet was forgotten to the legends."
"Yes, I can see that. Anyway, I want the loyalty of your people to me and your eternal allegiance. As you can see, I have already defeated your god."
The two Zillo Beasts nodded to each other and left to their private affairs.
"Hah! Don't think that changes anything. I am the king, and I challenge you—" Bjor started to choke, as did the other Benathy nearby.
"Look, as a Jedi I am more powerful than your entire army, but I didn't come here for corpses. So I proclaim a challenge to you, King. You choose the challenge and I will fight fairly."
The king got up. "Give us a moment."
**Scene 3**
As we waited outside the tent, Ahsoka crossed her arms. "Master, are you crazy? Wait, never mind — Flare, talk some sense into him."
"Right, since Padawans can't argue with their Master… are you crazy challenging them to a fight, Dagon?" Flare said. "We love you and your plan to finish this war requires sometimes disobeying the Council, but are you—"
"Relax, girls, and Nox and Ethan and Dittmar. I am very strong now, so nothing wrong could happen."
Zule stepped closer, golden eyes worried. "But Master, the Benathy are huge. Even with your power—"
"I know," I said gently, pulling her into a quick hug. "But this is the only way to get their true loyalty without slaughter. Trust me."
Kayla smiled, her Zeltron pheromones calming the group. "We always trust you. Just… come back to us in one piece."
Stella nodded. "We've seen you do the impossible before. This is just another one."
Nox crossed his arms. "If it goes bad, I'll pull you out. I owe you that much."
Chewbacca roared his support.
Ethan's voice came from the comm. "Odds of success currently at 68%. I have prepared evacuation protocols."
I laughed. "See? We've got this."
The tent flap opened. King Bjor stepped out, his massive frame towering over us. "I accept your challenge, Jedi. Single combat. No weapons. No tricks. Just strength and will. If you win, my people will swear eternal allegiance to you. If you lose… you die."
I nodded. "Agreed."
**Scene 4**
The Benathy challenged me to the Strength of the Gourd.
We were then told of a technique involving very hard, hollow gourds, with the aim being to break them just by blowing into them.
"Really? The basics of breathing techniques started with this technique? Why was it a challenge here? Still, at least I now know that if I wanted to train the girls with the more advanced breathing techniques, I could just come here," I thought.
"I accept the challenge."
A giant meter-tall gourd, three inches thick, was brought forward.
The Benathy elder appeared first to crack wins.
The king and I nodded.
He started blowing. His cheeks puffed out, veins standing out on his neck as he poured all his strength into the breath. The gourd trembled… but held.
Now it was my turn.
I stepped forward, placed my lips on the opening, and took a deep breath. Total concentration breathing. I swallowed a large breath of air and blew.
The gourd shattered instantly, exploding into fragments.
The Benathy elder stared in shock. The king's eyes widened.
"The Jedi Dagon has won!"
All the Benathy suddenly bowed to me, lowering their massive bodies in complete submission.
King Bjor rose first, grinning widely. "You are stronger than any warrior I have ever faced. My people are yours. Eternal allegiance."
I helped him up. "Thank you. Together, we will end this war and bring honor back to your people."
The king laughed, a booming sound. "You have already given us back our god. That is more than enough. Tell us what you need, and it will be done."
Ahsoka stepped forward, still looking a little stunned. "Master… that was incredible. But was it really necessary to challenge their king?"
I smiled. "It was the only way to earn true respect. Force alone wouldn't have done it. They needed to see strength they could understand."
Zule hugged my arm. "You're impossible. But that's why we love you."
Kayla grinned. "The more the merrier. Now we have an entire race of giant warriors on our side."
Flare shook her head, laughing. "Only you would recruit a Zillo Beast and then win a gourd-blowing contest to seal an alliance."
Stella chuckled. "Next time, can we skip the part where you almost get challenged to a death match?"
Nox crossed his arms, smirking. "Impressive. Reminds me of old Sith trials. Brutal, but effective."
Chewbacca roared approvingly.
Ethan's voice came over the comm. "Odds of alliance success now at 98%. I have updated the fleet manifest with Benathy auxiliaries."
I looked out over the bowing warriors. "This is just the beginning. With them, the Benathy, and the Zillo Beast… we have the start of something the galaxy has never seen."
King Bjor clapped a massive hand on my shoulder. "Lead us, Jedi. We will follow you to the end of the stars."
The alliance was sealed. The Benathy would join us.
Next stop — the final preparations for malachor.