MIRA

It takes me a while to get over the pain coursing through me. The only sound I can make is a choked cry as I struggle to catch my breath. Anakin is nearby, frantic and desperate, but I can't find the words to reassure him. It feels like my tongue has been ripped out, and all I can do is watch as he rushes to the ship nearest us.

Shaiska is talking to Rex, her voice steady as she relays what happened. Obi-Wan stands nearby, his expression a mix of concern and determination. But I can't join in their conversation. My mind is a chaotic swirl of emotions—fear, anger, and despair.

I catch snippets of their discussion, words like "Seraphine" and "the queen" slicing through my fog of pain. I want to scream, to tell them what she did to me, but all I manage is a whimper. The memory of her dark vines and that chilling laugh replay in my mind, threatening to drown me in despair.

Anakin returns to my side, his eyes wide with worry. He kneels down, his hands hovering near me, unsure whether to touch me or not. "Mira, can you hear me? I need you to stay with me," he urges, his voice low and soothing, cutting through the haze.

I nod slightly, my throat dry and scratchy. "Anakin..." I manage to whisper, my voice barely above a breath. "I'm... I'm here."

The pain in my wings is sharp, and I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I force myself to focus on him. "We have to stop her. We can't let her hurt anyone else."

Anakin's expression softens, a mix of relief and determination washing over him. "We will. Together, we'll find a way to fight back."

As I lean against him, I can feel his strength and warmth, grounding me in the midst of my fear. I know that the darkness is still out there, lurking, but with him by my side, I feel a flicker of hope.

"Let's warn the others," I say, my voice trembling but resolute. "They need to know what we're up against."

Anakin nods, his grip tightening around me as he helps me to my feet. "Right. We'll face this together."

With each step, I feel the shadows recede just a little, and I'm reminded that even in the darkest moments, we can find the strength to fight back.

-

When we finally return to Coruscant, I'm barely aware of my surroundings. The medbay looms ahead, a familiar sight that offers both comfort and dread. The lights are dim, but I can see the hustle of medical droids and the soft beeping of machines that create a rhythm of life amid chaos.

As soon as I'm taken inside, I'm directed to a bed, and I barely register the gentle hands of the medics as they assess my injuries. I can feel the exhaustion pulling at me, the weight of everything that has happened pressing down until I can't keep my eyes open.

"Just rest, Mira," one of the medics says softly, their voice a soothing murmur. "You've been through a lot. We'll take care of you."

I nod faintly, but it feels like an eternity before I finally allow myself to succumb to the darkness.

The moment I close my eyes, I'm enveloped by a deep, restful sleep. The pain begins to fade, replaced by a hazy dream where Anakin and I are together in a sunlit meadow, far away from the battles and darkness that plague us. In this dream, I'm free, my wings stretching wide and unfurling into the warm breeze, unbound by the vines that had once ensnared me.

But even in my dreams, a shadow lingers at the edge of my consciousness, whispering warnings I cannot ignore. The fight isn't over yet, and as much as I wish to stay in this blissful state, I know that when I awaken, I will have to face the reality of what's to come.

For now, though, I surrender to the peaceful void, hoping that when I wake, I'll be strong enough to stand beside Anakin and confront the darkness that threatens our world.

4o mini