The Shadows Star: Book 2

50: Focus

Around her, Jedi continued to fall, and those that remained were corralled into the center of the arena. She remained kneeling alone in the sand unaware and uninterested in the events around her.

Like many others, Anakin had experienced the powerful force she exuded, and he had heard the ear splitting scream that hung in the air. However, through their bond, he felt more than just the external manifestations of her distress. He felt the shattering of his own heart and the darkening of his soul. The impact was so profound that he crumpled to his knees, and it forced Obi-Wan to defend him.

Anakin had always been able to sense her emotions, but he was aware that she purposefully restrained most of them. It wasn't until now that he felt her completely, every last ounce of her pain and rage infiltrating his senses, making it challenging to focus on breathing.

The only thought that pulsed through his mind was an urgent need to get to her, hold her close, and somehow ease her pain. He searched the area frantically, desperate to stop the suffering. In the distance, he finally spotted her, surrounded by a menacing array of droids. His heart stopped, and without a second thought, he pulled himself up from the ground and sprinted toward her.

With a lightsaber in hand, he moved with an almost primal determination, slashing down every last droid that stood between him and the woman he cared so deeply for. The hum of lightsabers, the crackle of blaster fire, and the clatter of metal against metal became a chaotic symphony as he fought his way to her side.

His movements were fueled not just by the skill of a trained warrior but by a desperate need to shield her. The air crackled with tension as he ferociously carved a path through the droids.

Finally reaching her side, his eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. Sombra knelt on the battlefield, cradling the broken remains of C-1 in her arms. His metal limbs lay scattered, his optical sensors dimmed and lifeless.

She murmured desperate pleas, her voice broken.

"Please, wake up. You can't leave me, C1. C'mon, we have to go..."

Her fingers ran over the droid's shattered form as if trying to will life back into the husk.

Anakin's heart ached witnessing her pain, and a surge of helplessness washed over him. He remained above her, deflecting every blast he could.

"Sombra, we need to go!"

She didn't move or even acknowledge him. Her eyes glazed over, and her hands shook. The world around her was a chaotic swirl of lightsabers, blaster fire, and the distant roars of creatures. The once impenetrable spirit that defined her seemed to have dimmed, replaced by the realization that the last of her family was gone.

Anakin tried to get her attention again, concern deepening. Without waiting another moment he lifted her off of her feet and carried her away. Reluctantly, she allowed it and buried her face in his neck.

Anakin carried her within the protective circle of Jedi and placed her behind Padmé in the fallen chariot.

Padmé, amid the relentless blaster fire, caught sight of Sombra. Something in her stirred, she ceased firing immediately, her attention wholly consumed by her friend.

Diving in, Padmé took over caring for Sombra. Anakin, kneeling in front of them, assumed a defensive stance, his lightsaber deflecting attacks that came their way.

Padmé held her hands within the shelter. Sombra, lost in the haze of grief, seemed distant, her gaze unfocused.

"Sombra!"

Sombra's response was a vacant stare, cold hands, and shallow and gasping breaths. She lost all feeling, and the sounds of the battle drowned out with only a ringing pulsing in her ears. Her mouth was dry and her chest felt hollow and carved out.

Padmé, undeterred, shook her slightly, trying to bring her back to the present. "Sombra, listen to me. We can't fall apart now. We need you. You need to fight through this!"

Her eyes, distant and haunted, finally met Padmé's. The vacant stare shifted, and a flicker of recognition crossed her eyes. The trembling lessened, replaced by a profound stillness as her eyes froze on a certain purple lightsaber in the distance. Her lightsabers flew into her hands, her voice coming out growled and broken.

"I'll kill him..."

Before she could act, Anakin felt his rage bubble up and he knew it wasn't his own. He quickly slid back into the chariot and took Padme's place. He saw the hilts in Sombra's hands, the burning in her eyes, and her shallow breaths. If anyone could recognize the need for vengeance, it was him.

He quickly took her wrists in one hand and tilted her chin up to look into her eyes. "Sombra. Breathe for me, please."

Her teeth chattered and her shoulders shook but she managed to match her breaths to his.

"That's it," he soothed, carefully letting go of her wrists, "Good job, angel."

He carefully brought up her hands to his face. "Focus on me. Not out there."

She delicately traced the contours of his face. His cheeks, pouted lips, and piercing blue eyes pulled her in. Her touch lingered, fingers brushing against his skin tenderly. Caught in the soft caress, Anakin felt himself crumble under the warmth of her touch.

It was then that realization hit him—undeniable and powerful. His heart raced, nerves fluttering in the pit of his stomach. He grappled with the tugging feeling that he couldn't let another moment pass without telling her how he felt. He had wanted to say it for so long, but the reality of such a confession made him tremble, his heart only beating faster and fiercer. But before he could speak, Padme dove back in breathless.

"Listen," she gasped, "I know I'm a good shot, but I think you two would do better out there."

Sombra tucked his braid behind his ear, she steeled her resolve, a renewed fire burning in her eyes.

"We can do this."

She stood up and out of cover and wasted no time. With each swing, each strike against the droids, she channeled her fury into strength.

"Sombra wait!" Anakin called after her. But when he stood, he watched in awe as she wove through the battlefield with a grace and ferocity he had never witnessed from her before. Her movements were a seamless dance, an opus of skill and precision. Each swing of her blades cut through the air with a purpose, meeting the onslaught of droids with an elegance that belied the fierce determination burning in her eyes.

Speechless, he marveled at the fluidity of her combat, the way she effortlessly transitioned from one strike to another. Unable to remain a spectator any longer, he ignited his lightsaber and joined the fray beside her.

As they fought side by side, their movements synchronized, each strike complementing the other without fail. Despite never actually training or fighting together, their bond allowed them to anticipate each other's actions with precision.

As the last droid near them fell, they both stood in front of Padme, ready to deflect the incoming blasts. Once again, he found himself entranced by her, captivated by the furrow of concentration on her brow and the subtle tension in her muscles as she fought. His quickened heartbeat and frequent glances at her did not escape her notice, though she misinterpreted it as fear. Tilting her head towards him, she spoke up slightly.

"Anakin," she said, "Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid to die, Sombra," he responded, whipping himself around to wrap an arm protectively around her, deflecting an oncoming blast. In the closeness, he noticed the glints of amber in her eyes and the freckles on her cheeks.

"I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life," he whispered.

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

Her eyes widened, and for a brief moment, her heart seemed to pause. Yet, the imminent threat of blaster fire forced her to whirl behind Anakin, seamlessly slipping back into the rhythm of battle. Unyielding, Anakin mirrored her movements, and they resumed their intricate dance of combat. When his lightsaber swept left, one of her blades instinctively covered his right.

Obi-Wan observed from a distance, his gaze captivated by their movements. At that moment, he recognized how helpless their bond really was. The two padawans were ensnared in a connection far too strong to sever, and he couldn't shake the premonition that their heart's desires were now beyond their control.