Chapter Fifty
Mira

The world swirled around me. I felt myself floating between reality and dreams, as if I were trapped in a limbo. I tried to shake off the dizziness, but when I opened my eyes, I was not in the room I knew. I was somewhere else—a place that felt both familiar and foreign.

Golden rays shone outside the window, and I stood up to look closer. As I laid a hand on the windowpane, it felt as though an invisible force was pulling me toward the unknown. "What you see now is the ancestral plane here," said a voice, soft yet majestic. "Souls linger when they die."

I turned to my left and discovered my parents—my father and mother—standing there with warm smiles. "Mom! Dad!" I cried, my heart swelling with joy and longing. I walked toward them, each step filled with a mix of nostalgia and unreality.

"Mira," my mother said, her voice like a melodic whisper in the wind. "We have been waiting for you."

I reached out to touch them, and it was like touching a dream—they were there, yet not entirely. "Are you really here?" I asked, unsure if I could grasp the circumstances surrounding me.

My father smiled and nodded. "We are always with you, no matter where you are. You must remember that love never dies."

"But what's happening to me? Where am I?" I asked, my gaze searching. It felt like I had just been in a battle—the memory of the suffocating darkness that had enveloped me before I lost consciousness was still fresh in my mind.

"You are in a liminal state, Mira," my mother replied, stretching out her hand to stroke my arm. "You have been in danger, but this is a place for rest and reflection. You must be strong, and you must find your way back."

"To whom? To Anakin?" I could feel the tears welling up, mixed with hope. "I can't leave him."

My father nodded. "The love between you is powerful, stronger than even the darkest of forces. But it is up to you to take the next step."

I felt a wave of emotions—a mixture of fear and strength. "What should I do?" I asked, my voice fading with uncertainty.

"Follow your heart," he said. "It will guide you to the path you must take. But remember, Mira—if you wish to return, you must fight against what holds you back."

I looked into my parents' faces, where love and support radiated from them. I felt a spark of strength fill me. "I will come back. I promise."

"We are always with you, no matter what," my mother said, and slowly they began to fade away. I felt panic rising within me. "Wait! Don't go! I need you!"

"Remember, Mira, love is always stronger than fear," my mother said, her voice growing fainter.

And with that, they vanished, leaving me alone in the golden glow of the ancestral plane. It was now up to me to find my way back—to Anakin, to reality.

I closed my eyes and began to concentrate on the love I felt for him. With every breath, with every thought, I felt the power of the light flowing through me. It was time to fight my way back.

- 

I woke up in a bed within the Jedi Temple, my surroundings still hazy from the remnants of my dream. The air was thick with a sense of calm, yet I felt a weight pressing down on me. I turned my head slightly, and a medical droid hovered nearby, its mechanical eyes glowing softly.

"Take it easy, Master Jedi. You were poisoned," it said in a monotone voice, the words sending a shiver down my spine. Poisoned? The memories flooded back—dark figures, a sense of danger, and my desperate plea for my parents. I grasped the sheets tightly, trying to gather my thoughts.

"How long have I been here?" I croaked, my throat dry and scratchy. I could feel the remnants of fear clawing at the edges of my mind.

"Approximately three cycles," the droid replied, its voice steady. "You were brought here after your encounter with Senator Lot Dodd. Your condition was critical, but you are stable now."

I closed my eyes for a moment, the weight of what had happened crashing down on me. "Anakin? Is he okay?" I asked, my heart racing. I needed to know if he was safe.

"Master Skywalker is currently in a secure location. He has been informed of your recovery," the droid assured me, though the mechanical tone did little to ease my anxiety.

"I need to see him," I insisted, trying to sit up. My body protested, weakness flooding through me. "Please."

The droid paused, analyzing my vitals with a series of beeps and clicks. "It is advisable that you rest. Your body needs time to heal."

"I can't rest! Not now!" I urged, my voice rising in urgency. "There are things we need to discuss—dangers that are still lurking."

"I will contact Master Yoda for guidance," it said, and I watched as it glided away to fulfill my request. Alone once more, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. The weight of the dark forces surrounding us pressed heavily on my heart.

What would I say to Anakin when I saw him? How would I explain the threats that loomed over us? I could still hear my mother's voice echoing in my mind, urging me to be strong. I had to be strong for him, for all of us.

Moments later, the droid returned with Master Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi in tow. Their faces were a mixture of concern and relief. "Awake, you are," Yoda said, his eyes narrowing as he approached my bedside. "Much danger you have faced."

"Master Yoda, I need to speak to Anakin. There's something he needs to know about Senator Dodd," I urged, looking from him to Obi-Wan.

"Rest first, we must ensure your health," Yoda replied gently. "What you have seen, we will discuss. Important it is."

Obi-Wan stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You gave us quite a scare, Mira. We're just grateful you're back with us."

"But I can't rest now," I insisted again, my voice barely above a whisper. "There's a threat—dark forces are at play, and we need to prepare."

Yoda's gaze was penetrating, and for a moment, I felt the weight of his wisdom pressing down on me. "Know this, we do. To the dark side, Dodd is connected. Protect those you love, you must."

As I lay back against the pillows, fatigue washed over me, but the urgency within me burned bright. I had to prepare for what was coming. For Anakin, for the galaxy. For all of us.