The Warrior's Path

Epilogue

Author's Note: I hope that all of the fluff in here makes up for the pain in the rest. ^-^ Also, there is, again, a brief mention of graphic violence. You have been warned. 

This is the end of the story, but not the end of this universe. I have quite a few plans in mind for possible future books in The Path series, as I call it, but I'm not sure when I will get to writing them. Just know that the third installment I'm considering is called The Dyad's Path, and it focuses on Obi-Wan and Custos who absolutely deserve to have more content with them, exploring their relationship.

If you liked the relationship drama in the first book, you'll definitely like this third one, too, whenever I write and post it. :)

PS. If any of you have any ideas at all for things that you would like to see or stories that you would like to be told in this universe, please do not hesitate to let me know! :D

Thank you all so much for reading, voting, and/or commenting on this fic! ^-^

~ Amina Gila

It isn't until late afternoon that Obi-Wan and Custos come for them, and by then, Anakin, Vader, and Ahsoka are all in the room where she's staying in the medbay. She needs time to heal from her burns, from the damage she suffered from her extensive electrocution. And then, she needs to be fitted with a prosthetic to replace the arm she lost.

They talk about it, and Anakin assures her that he'll help her modify the limb so she can truly make it her own in the same way he did his. It won't be easy for her, but Anakin can only take solace in the fact that she'll be able to recover with her family. She'll have all the time she needs, since she won't have to deal with a war like he did.

"I'm grateful," she replies, smiling. They joke about it a little, and though Anakin is relieved to see her – and Vader, too – acting so... optimistic, he doesn't miss the haunted look lurking in her blue eyes. Vader has it as well, though it's not quite so prominent for him. Or at least it's not much more prominent than it was in the past.

"I hate to say this," Obi-Wan tells them when he and Custos arrive, "But we need to go to Coruscant."

Silence follows his declaration. "What?" Vader blurts out. "Why?" His reluctance is obvious, and it's a reluctance that Anakin shares as well. Leaving will mean having to leave Ahsoka behind with the rest of their family and after nearly losing them, all he wants is to stay with them for the indefinite future.

The eldest two exchange looks. "Sidious is dead," Custos explains, reaching out and gripping his son's shoulder. "We have made a deal with Dooku and the Rebels cells run by Satine, Sabe, and Barriss. The Empire will be in chaos, and now is our time to strike. If we launch an attack now, we might be able to take Coruscant. We might be able to end this fight. I am sorry for I know this is not what you want to do. I will not push you, but we could use your help."

As he speaks, Anakin can't help but admit, grudgingly, that Custos is right. It would be easier for them, even if he isn't terribly keen on meeting Dooku again. If they succeed... all of this could be over. They could finally move back to Naboo. They could live a peaceful life in idyllic surroundings. They could recover from the losses, from the things that have happened, especially recently, and he knows that Ahsoka and Vader will need the time to recover. They will always bear scars – literally in Ahsoka's case – but they can still heal and move forwards.

"I don't want to go," Vader murmurs, reaching out to lay a hand on Ahsoka's arm while leaning into Custos' touch.

Custos cups his cheek, lightly brushing the skin. "I know, dear one."