A CHANGE OF HEART ☆ LUKE SKYWALKER

PROLOGUE

THE LOOK OF exuberance that was often plastered on the girls face was no longer. Over a decade had passed since she'd last seen the universe through light eyes, now she was merely a puppet. Years and years of fighting the psychological battle, her mind had slipped away, succumbing to the dark that infested her thoughts. It wasn't like she had a choice, she was tired of fighting it.

A Jedi knight, Alyvia Kantale was destined to be, along with her youngling peers.

Until that doomed day, she worked hard from a young age to train— learning to control her abilities for best use. She was very young, just four years of age, yet had the spirit of an angel, and plenty of determination. But alas, crippling affliction bit at her character.

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There Alyvia was, laid emotionally paralyzed in the High Council Chamber. Her state could not compare to her peers, as their bodies scattered around her showed they had already met their fate. Unable to sense anything but the tears running down her cheeks, she stared at the ceiling reliving the horrid experience in her head. It was too much for the young girl to handle.

"Master Skywalker, there's too many of them! What are we going to do?"

Alyvia recalled the last words spoken by one of the friends, until he was slaughtered by Anakin Skywalker, or really, Darth Vader. Alyvia could remember the look in his eyes; it wasn't right. From the moment he walked into the room, she found his presence unsettling. Though she couldn't do anything about it in time, nor would she had been able to.

She felt weak. Defenseless. The events consistently infusing tremendous guilt in her mind. Yes, she was just a child, she couldn't have possibly had the strength to take down the powerful Jedi, but the anger and grief that raged through her mind left her no choice but to beat herself for it. In her eyes, she could have done more.

Considering Skywalker showed no mercy slaughtering the children, Alyvia was quite lucky she was able to hide from him with no harm inflicted upon her. That was until Alyvia's blur of visions rippled back to reality, as she sensed Anakin's presence enter the room again.

She took a sharp intake of air, praying to all the Jedi she wouldn't be found hiding behind one of the chairs. The sound of footsteps triggered goosebumps to emerge through her skin, despite the warm temperature. Alyvia's mind was clouded with fear. Fear that her life would be put to an end just like everyone else she knew. Fear that her life would mean so little in history. She still had so much she wanted to accomplish.

"Alyvia. I can sense you there." Her heart dropped at his voice, as she tried everything in her power to prevent a whimper escaping her mouth. Strength was everything Alyvia needed in that moment.

"Do not hide from me," His voice deep, the dark side of the force taking a toll on it to a great extent, "If you come out now, I'll consider sparing your life."

What if he is lying? She thought, the dilemma sending shockwaves of anxiety through her system. He already knows exactly where you are, he's Anakin Skywalker, of course he does. The voice in her head replied. The distressed youngling became well aware that she would be subject to suffering no matter what she chose to do at that very moment. Nonetheless, his proposal of survival made it tempting for the girl to expose herself to him. So, she did.

With all the courage in her joints, Alyvia pushed up from the ground with her arms, every limb shaking. Her head shared the same effect. Vision blurred with tears, she felt as if the whole room was crumbling down around her. Anakin turned slowly towards the young girl's place behind the seat, conscious of the uneasiness that made her knees buckle and hands tremble. This new side of him shared little to no empathy for the child, as he completely disregarded her tear soaked skin.

"I can sense your anger, you don't need to be afraid around me." Alyvia wanted to scoff, don't need to be afraid? She was completely entitled to such emotions considering he murdered all her friends before her eyes, a sight that she would do her utmost to make sure it never happens to her again.

"Why me?" She stuttered looking at him, not bothering to grant him any respect with the use of a title, "Everyone is gone, but I'm still here."

Anakin listened to her words, knowing he wouldn't be able to give her an answer for her young mind to comprehend, "I advise that you refrain from asking any further questions, and you will never speak of this day ever again in compensation for your survival."

He held no emotion in his voice, not that he generally had. Anakin entered the mind of the young girl in front of him, her state causing herself to weaken.

"Do you feel it?" Alyvia still remained confused at his words. "The anger, the pain. Taking over? I will help you."

Alyvia let out a shaky breath, looking down at her feet. The voice in her head told her to go with him, otherwise there was no doubt she wouldn't make it out alive. The Jedi had her pinned down in a situation she had no chance of escaping. She felt weak, again.

"I'll do whatever you want me to, just please let me live." Alyvia pleaded, as her mouth became drier and drier by the second.

Anakin lips turned into a smirk, he had succeeded.