The Force Betrayed: Cal Kestis x OC

13.

Six Months Before Present-Day

Sakana came to from her meditation in a calm state, and a smile quickly made its way onto her face. She was proud of the progress she had been making, even if her motivations were less than perfect. She knew that Anakin had become a Jedi Knight years ago; if that was still true, she wanted to know why her father had never returned to Kashyyyk.

She laid back against the gentle incline of the hill behind her, breathing in the scent of the dirt to ground herself. The ground was real; she was here and alive at this very moment.

After she took a few minutes to breathe and calm herself down, she set the journal down next to her and closed her eyes, focusing on the feeling of it. She opened it with minimal resistance and became transported out of reality, out of her safety.

The light that surrounded her eyes was green this time, to her surprise, and the image faded out quicker than usual.

Sakana was asleep in her bed as her mother walked over, her face red from crying. It was so weird to see her mother looking sad; when she was alive, she had always either been focused or frustrated, and there hadn't been much that Sakana had seen in between.

Her mother sat next to her daughter's sleeping body and pulled the covers up to her neck, covering her arms to make sure she was warm enough. Her hand gently caressed her daughter's hair as she leaned down to kiss her forehead, her eyes still glistening with tears.

"One day, young one, I'll be able to tell you the truth, I promise," she said, her hand still softly resting against her daughter's skin. "It's just not safe yet."

She sat next to Sakana in silence for a few more minutes, admiring the peaceful beauty of her daughter sleeping soundly next to her. Sakana began to stir slightly and Eryyyn sat up quickly, leaving her daughter in peace as she climbed into her own bed, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Sakana couldn't believe her eyes as the entry faded before her, the white light filling her vision as the journal transitioned into another entry. The white light became the Jedi Temple, where her mother was walking alongside Obi-Wan with serious expressions on both of their faces.

"Master Yoda believes the Clone War has begun," he sighed, looking down at her. "I think he is right."

"Unfortunately, I agree," she replied dejectedly. "I...I will speak to Master Yoda about what he wants from me, but I don't think there is much I can do. The Wookies can defend themselves but the Separatists will, without a doubt, come for Kashyyyk. It is an essential trade hub in the Mid Rim."

"The Wookies will never join them," he said, stopping next to a pillar and crossing his arms.

"Of course not," she said, stopping alongside him, "but we can't let the Separatists think they have a chance. You forget there is more than just the Wookies to protect."

"I forget?" he said, uncrossing his arms as frustration filled his veins. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about her, Eryyyn. You are the one who insists I forget."

"That's not...I'm sorry," she sighed. "That's not what I was trying to say."

"I...know," he said, looking past her. "I am quite worried for our future...for the future of the Republic."

She reached out and subtly touched his hand, softly rubbing his fingers to comfort him . "It will be difficult, this war, but...we will prevail. I will speak with Master Yoda."

There was a flash of maroon light as the image shifted quickly, and Master Yoda appeared in the Council chambers. Her mother was standing straight up, towering over the short Jedi Master as she pled her case.