In the living garden of my heart, I wince, burying my head under my talons. The world outside feels distant, yet its echoes reach me still, stirring the shadows of my soul.

Moonwhisper, with the grace of a spirit untethered, is quick to her feet. She lays a wing over me, a shield woven from the threads of understanding and concern.

"What's wrong?" she asks, her voice a melody in the quietude of our sanctuary.

"Here, sweetheart, tell us what's wrong," she presses, her words dipped in the honey of empathy.

I shake my head, the turmoil within refusing to be shaped into words. "Just... something happening back in the living world, I guess," I grunt out, the admission a stone in my throat.

Moonwhisper rolls her cerulean eyes, a sea of wisdom in their depths. "Of course, I feel that connection with my friends too, before I died and before I became the leader here," she confides, her gaze holding the flicker of stars long gone but never forgotten.

Her presence is a balm, her understanding a bridge across realms—a reminder that even as leaders of spectral gardens, we are forever entwined with the world we once walked.

"It'll keep doing that until you're fully immersed like the rest of us," she says and stands, her silhouette a comforting constant against the flux of ethereal light.

But I stare at her, wide-eyed, a tempest of denial brewing in my gaze. "But I want to go back; I'm not dead yet!" I protest, my voice a desperate whisper clawing at the veils between worlds.

Moonwhisper laughs, a sound like the chime of wind through autumn leaves, and nudges me to my feet. "Oh, you will, dear, you will. We just have to go to the Elder Moonfall, and you'll be on your way," she assures with a knowing smile that seems to hold the secrets of the universe.

I stood up and followed Moonwhisper to a grand oak tree laden with ripe fruit. The poor Indoraptor was desperately trying to climb, but the bark was too smooth for her claws to gain any real purchase.

"Frost, what on earth are you doing?" Moonwhisper snapped as we approached. Frost turned her head towards her big sister, her eyes wide with longing. "I want a ripe mango. I haven't eaten one in years, sister, please help me."

The big white Night Wing smiled, her eyes softening as she flicked her tail. With a graceful leap, she reached up and plucked the ripest fruit from the branch. She dropped it down to the Indoraptor, who jumped up with surprising agility and caught the fruit in her mouth. The Indoraptor ran off, the mango dangling from her jaws, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you!" she called back, her voice filled with joy.

Moon Whisperer's silvery mane caught the starlight as she shook her head, a weary sigh escaping her lips. Her gaze swept over the assembled group, lingering on each face in turn.

"Anyway, girls," she said, her voice carrying a mix of determination and resignation, "we're going to need both of you if Nyx and I are going to travel to Elder Moonfall."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. Skyfall, ever the eager one, was the first to break the silence. She sat up, her lithe form practically vibrating with excitement. Her tail, a blur of motion, betrayed her enthusiasm even before she spoke.

"Yes, I can do that," Skyfall chirped, her eyes bright with anticipation. The wagging of her tail intensified, as if to punctuate her willingness.

Moonwhisper's smile radiated warmth and reassurance, nodding eagerly at her sister's words. "Good, we need your enthusiasm," she said with a gentle pat of her tail. Turning to face me, she continued, "You will ride on my back for the journey, as we must fly to reach Elder Moonfall who resides atop a towering mountain peak." I nodded in understanding, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness building within me. "I am ready," I declared confidently. Moonwhisper's smile widened at my determination as she leaned down to nuzzle me lovingly. "I know you are, Nyx. I know you are." The anticipation of our adventure swirled through me like a whirlwind, filling me with eagerness and wonder.

We then began to prepare ourselves, the warm sun beating down on our skin as we readied for the day ahead. Suddenly, Skyfall came bounding back towards us, her face covered in sticky mango juices. I couldn't help but smirk at her messy appearance. "Having fun eating your mango, Skyfall?" I asked playfully, and the Indoraptor bobbed her head enthusiastically. "Yeah! But where are you going?" She asked, looking at her two elder sisters with curiosity and excitement in her gaze.

Moonwhisper lowered her head, meeting her sister's gaze with unwavering determination. "You need to stay here," she said firmly. Skyfall blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her features at the gravity of her sister's words. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, searching Moonwhisper's eyes for clarity. Frost, standing nearby, turned his attention to Moonwhisper, realization dawning on him. "You're taking her to Elder Moonfall, aren't you? So she can rejoin the realm of the living once more."

Moonwhisper nodded solemnly, her silver mane shimmering under the moonlight as Frost gracefully retreated, her pristine tail coiling protectively around her. With a contemplative gaze, Frost murmured, "I sensed your return to that place would come, Moon, but I didn't anticipate it to be tonight. Why must Nyx venture back to the realm of the living? Isn't she content here?" Concern etched deep lines on her face as she turned towards me, her eyes brimming with worry. "You find joy in this realm, don't you?" I met her gaze with a melancholic expression. "I do, but this land isn't where my heart belongs... not yet."

She drew in a slow breath, her head lowering in a gesture of acquiescence. "Alright, I had hoped we would have more moments together. There aren't many other hybrids in this realm," she remarked, gesturing with her tail towards her sisters. "But you'll grow weary of them soon," she added softly. Offering a gentle smile, I moved closer to her, reaching out to touch muzzles with her. She nudged me back affectionately. "Someday, we will be united as one trio," I vowed solemnly. "Yet that time is not upon us now."

Frost nodded. "Alright, but come back as soon as you can," she said. I hummed and brushed her forehead with my lips. "That's not for me to decide," I replied. Turning towards Moonwhisper, she nodded and extended a foreleg for me to climb onto.

Soon, we were all in the air, frost the only thing left on the ground. I waved to her, and she waved back before the ground became too far away for me to see anything. Now, only the sky and the clouds around us mattered.

"Why didn't we bring Frost?" I asked Moonwhisper as the white dragon flexed the spikes on her back. "Because she's not a flyer like us; she has only been to Elder Moonfall once in her life when she was young," she replied.

"That was our last chance to fly there whenever we wanted. Besides, Skyfall and I are strong," she added with a flick of her tail. "I fail to see how this is relevant right now," I muttered. "Fair enough." Soon, Skyfall dipped below the clouds. "Where is she going?" Moonwhisper didn't answer; she just soared on her large white wings, almost blending with the clouds. The clouds soon parted, revealing a long row of trees stretching out before us in what resembled a dragon's eye view.

"There it is," Moonwhisper said with a smile before diving down hard, causing me to scream as I slid on her smooth back. "Hey, take it easy!" I yelped. "I could slip off here!"

Moonwhisper rolled her eyes, "You can't do that, your claws are too sharp. I feel them all the time. Now be quiet, Moonfall doesn't like to be disturbed more than necessary," she whispered, scanning the forest canopy.

After a moment, I saw Skyfall emerge from the woods below and unfurl one of her swan-like wings towards us. Moonwhisper took it as a signal and dove downwards. I clenched my teeth to stifle any screams as the wind whistled past me like howling cats.

Soon, we landed on the ground and I dismounted from Moonwhisper's back, shaking myself off. "That won't happen again," I gasped, collapsing onto the warm grass. Moonwhisper snorted, "It wasn't so bad. Imagine if you had to keep your claws guarded between my scales."

I shot her a sharp look, my tail swishing before I rose to my feet, my gaze sweeping over the dense forest stretching ahead of us. "So, is Moonfall's cave hidden in there?" I inquired of Skyfall, who responded by elegantly flicking her tail and unfurling her majestic wings. "Yes," she confirmed before gracefully trotting towards the forest. Exhaling heavily, I turned to Moonwhisper, who nudged me in the flank. "Go after her; she's more agile than I am and can guide you well," she urged, prompting an eye roll from me as I reluctantly followed Skyfall. The trees closed in around us, enveloping me in darkness with only a glimpse of Skyfall's white tail leading the way until we emerged into a breathtakingly luminous clearing.

Gasping at the sight before me, my eyes widened as a figure emerged from the shimmering waters of a circular pool. It was a sinuous being resembling a long snake, adorned with scales of deep ocean blue and glimmering patches of golden hues dappling its sleek form. Its eyes, almost gelatinous in texture, fixed piercingly on us. "Skyfall, you bring a new companion," it intoned with a voice like rumbling thunder, bowing its head slightly as droplets of water cascaded from its body. "And what might your name be, Indoraptor?" it directed its attention towards me.

"Nyx," I stammered in response to this enigmatic creature that seemed to hold the secrets of the depths within its mesmerizing gaze.

The ethereal being's melodic hum resonated through the air, its delicate form swaying gently as it inhaled deeply. "I understand now why you seek me," it whispered knowingly.

"I... I desire to return to the realm of the living," I managed to say, my voice faltering with uncertainty, my gaze averted in a mix of fear and shame. The monstrous creature lurking in the depths let out a contemptuous snort. "Back to the land of the living? Quite an unusual request, but indeed possible. You are not yet beyond salvation." With a graceful movement, she extended a clawed hand from the shimmering pool and placed it lightly on my forehead.

"Visualize the place you wish to return to, envision the faces of those awaiting your return, then close your eyes," she commanded softly. Drawing in a deep breath, I locked gazes with Skyfall one final time before delving into memories of my companions, thoughts swirling around battles fought and bonds cherished. "Farewell, Nyx. May the stars illuminate your path and destiny guide your steps," were her parting words before darkness enveloped me entirely, leaving me weightless and adrift in the void.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

With a sudden jolt, I awoke to the sensation of hard panels beneath me, causing me to let out a grunt. Peering down, I observed the Chancellor's chamber, its once pristine floors now littered with scattered sparks. Suppressing a surge of memories and determination, I reminded myself of my purpose: to return to the realm of the living, seeking redemption and aiding my friends. With a mental command, I retracted my claws before assuming my human form, though feeling slightly disoriented.

Startled by distant voices echoing through the chamber, I tilted my head in curiosity as no one entered. Releasing a quiet exhale, I inspected myself—my clothing torn and a still-healing cavity in my chest, remnants of past battles. Noticing the pool of blood around me had ceased flowing, I shook off the discomfort and realized the urgency to seek medical attention; appearing like this was not an option.

Stumbling out of the chamber and navigating through corridors leading to the lower levels of the Senate building, I finally arrived at the medical bay. Clones glanced in astonishment at my disheveled state but hesitated to approach. My gaze fell upon Kix diligently tending to someone who resembled Rex—a sight that momentarily froze me in place as I stood there, contemplating what lay ahead.

Soon, honey blonde waves cascaded over my shoulders as they glinted under the dim light of the room. "Nyx," Rex grunted with disbelief, his hazel eyes widening before dropping the tool he held with a clatter. "It... it can't be," Rex's voice quivered from the bed as he struggled to sit up, blood seeping from a gash on his shoulder. I met his gaze, my own eyes wide with shock before shaking my head in a daze. "Y-yes," I stuttered, stumbling towards them until Kix caught me gently and guided me to sit beside Rex. Rex hesitantly reached out to touch my injured shoulder, causing me to inhale sharply. "What happened to you? General Skywalker reported you as dead."

"I was," I wheezed, each breath a struggle as the pain in my chest flared up. Rex's amber eyes flickered to the wound, his own breath catching in his throat. "Kix, you have to fix this," I pleaded, desperation lacing my voice.

Kix swallowed, "I-I will do my best," he stammered, reaching out to touch my chest. I flinched and leaned into Rex, who immediately wrapped his arm around me despite his injured shoulder. "Lie down, I'll find another bed for Rex," Kix said, assisting Rex to stand up. His eyes, the color of golden honey, never left mine as I released a long breath. It felt as though my heart was ablaze.

"Stay vigilant," Kix whispered, his voice a gentle murmur as he led Rex to a secluded burrow nestled among the roots of the ancient oak tree. My mind teetered on the edge of consciousness, caught between the realm of dreams and the harsh reality surrounding me. With sheer determination, I clung to awareness, refusing to succumb to the tempting embrace of slumber.

In the dim glow filtering through the foliage above, Kix reappeared at my side, his fur brushing against mine as he deftly applied a healing poultice crafted from fragrant marigold petals and delicate spider silk. The soothing mixture worked its magic, staunching the crimson flow from my grievous wound inflicted by General Skywalker's relentless saber strike.

"The wound is deep but small," Kix observed softly after a while, his amber eyes reflecting concern. "General Skywalker's blade pierced your heart with precision." I nodded in silent acknowledgment, memories of that fateful duel resurfacing in my mind like haunting echoes. "I was consumed by vengeance... ready to end him," I confessed wearily, "but in ending me, he unwittingly safeguarded the future of our Clans."

Kix tilted his head. "Negative, that wasn't the optimal choice. He was in insane agony all week after your demise, commander. It truly pained him."

I gasped heavily and spoke slowly, "Do not... address me as commander anymore, Kix. I will not... return to the army." My head tilted to the side, and Kix groaned. "But, but all Jedi generals, most of them are leaders for us," he said, staring at the wound that had stopped bleeding, then at my body on the verge of collapse. I had been a week in the realm of death, seen my sisters. This was what I encountered when I woke to the world of the living. I sighed and reached out, grasping Kix's hand and pulling him closer. He looked at me, meeting my red eyes. "Tell Anakin that I am alive, tell him..." I took a deep breath. "That I am not going anywhere. The Council will decide what to do with me."

Kix nodded solemnly. "The 501st legion's troopers miss you, Nyx. We..." He paused and glanced to the side. "What you did for us that night, it felt like something out of a holovid." I chuckled softly and reached up to caress his cheek, making him meet my gaze as my thumb traced over his cheekbone. "And I will do it again one day." He blushed and averted his eyes. "Ah, it's - it's not necessary, Commander - I mean, Nyx."

I chuckled, then coughed sharply and shook my head. "For you boys, I'll do anything," I said before releasing his hand and finally allowing myself the pleasure of sleep.