Peace

iv.

It was late, and Zera was supposed to be asleep, but something gnawed at her. She could feel it-something was wrong. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed to her door, peeking out into the dimly lit hallway.

Through the crack of her door, Zera saw Padmé standing by the window, gazing out with a distant, worried expression. The soft hum of C-3PO's footsteps echoed as the droid approached her.

"The Chancellor's office indicated that Master Anakin has returned to the Jedi Temple," C-3PO said, his voice trying to sound reassuring, but Zera could see the unease in Padmé's face.

The droid hesitated, noticing her expression, and added, "Don't worry. I-I'm sure he'll be alright."

Zera stepped out further into the hallway, the sinking feeling in her chest growing. When she finally looked past Padmé, her breath caught in her throat. The Jedi Temple... it was burning. Flames licked the night sky, and thick smoke billowed upward, staining the stars.

Tears welled up in Zera's eyes. Terror gripped her heart as a dozen questions flooded her young mind. What was happening? Why was the Temple on fire? Where was Anakin? Was he safe? Were the others?

She looked up at Padmé, who stood frozen, tears streaming silently down her cheeks as she stared at the devastation. Zera felt helpless, rooted to the spot as she watched the Jedi Temple burn, the flames reflecting in her wide, frightened eyes. All she could hear were the crackling of distant fires and Padmé's quiet sobs, as fear and confusion wrapped around them both.

Eventually, Zera found her legs could move again, though her heart felt heavy with dread. She hurried back to her room, wishing desperately that it was all just a terrible dream. But deep down, she knew it wasn't.

As she collapsed onto her bed, tears streamed down her cheeks. She was too young to fully understand what was happening, yet the weight of fear and confusion pressed heavily on her small chest.

Meanwhile, Padmé spent the early hours of dawn staring out over the city, her gaze fixed on the dark plume of smoke rising from the Jedi Temple. The first light of day began to break, but it brought no comfort; instead, it deepened her despair. She felt lost, haunted by the uncertainty of what lay ahead for her.

Zera watched as a ship touched down. The cockpit opened, and there he was-Anakin. Her breath caught as she saw Padmé sprint toward him, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" The worry in Padmé's voice was palpable.

"I'm fine," Anakin reassured her softly. "I came to see if the three of you are safe. I heard there was an attack on the Jedi Temple; you could see the smoke from here."

"What's happening?" Padmé pressed, her eyes searching his face for answers.

"The Jedi have tried to overthrow the Republic," he said, his tone severe.

Padmé's expression shifted to disbelief. "I can't believe that."

"I saw Master Windu attempt to assassinate the Chancellor myself," he replied, his voice heavy with conviction.

"Oh, Anakin, what are you going to do?" Her concern deepened as he looked away, avoiding her gaze.

"I will not betray the Republic," he said firmly, meeting her eyes again. "My loyalties lie with the Chancellor, the Senate, and with you."

"What about Obi-Wan?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know. Many Jedi have been killed. We can only hope he's remained loyal to the Chancellor."

"Anakin, I'm afraid," she admitted, vulnerability evident in her tone.

He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Have faith, my love. Everything will soon be set right. The Chancellor has given me a critical mission." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The Separatists have gathered in the Mustafar system. I'm going there to end this war. Please wait for me until I return. Things will be different. I promise."

Padmé nodded, though doubt lingered in her eyes. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a fervent kiss before stepping back. "Please wait for me," he said, turning to return to his ship.

Once he had gone, Zera walked over to Padmé, sensing the unease hanging in the air like a storm cloud. Something felt deeply wrong, a chill creeping up her spine as she looked at Padmé, whose face was a mask of worry. Zera couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows were closing in around them.