Chapter Text
I sense great fear in you ….
You were in an unfamiliar place, fighting to get to somebody. Somebody very important was going to be harmed if you couldn’t get to them in time. Somewhere else, somewhere behind you, your master lay on the ground; but this person was more important than your master. Between this person and you was an obstacle that you could sense would soon be removed. You tried to look around, to see this obstacle, but you couldn’t control yourself. Glimpses of a wide, dark room with black walls - you were drawing closer to that important person, but flashes of blue and red light distracted you. The Obstacle stood in your way, defeated but not entirely removed.
Do it…… DO IT!
You were out of bed before your eyes were fully open, kneeling on the floor for a moment with your hand pressed to your mouth to keep from vomiting. There had been so much rage in you just moments before, and it left you feeling sick and afraid. Who had you been, you wondered, in those tense moments? Who were you trying to protect, and what master did you abandon to do so? You rose, knees shaking, to a knock at your door.
“Just a moment,” You said loud enough for the visitor to hear, untangling yourself from the thin sheet that had come off of your bed with you. Once disengaged, you stood for a moment, sleep and residual anxiety slowing your thought process. Gradually you made your way to the chest in the corner of the small stone room that served as your private quarters. Your possessions were sparse, and your only choices in readying yourself were to choose between your blue and black tunic; you chose the blue and pulled it over your head, quickly donning soft brown bantha-leather pants and boots, and pinning your thick woolen shawl at your neck with the symbol of Hiereiai. By the time your morning ritual had been completed and you were washing your face in the basin of cool, fresh water which sat by your door, your nerves had subsided and you gave the vision very little thought as you greeted Iraes, who drew himself up at your greeting.
“Good morning, Pytha (Y/N).” Iraes greeted, his hand placed dutifully on the short vibroblade that hung from his belt. “You’re up late today.”
“My sleep was … fitful,” You replied lightly, falling into step with him as you ascended the long stone corridor that led up to the living area of the palace under which you lived.
“Are you unable? There are plenty of remedies…”
“I fall asleep easily,” You smiled, “It’s what happens after that troubles me.”
“Bad dreams?”
“Visions.” You could tell that Iraes wanted to ask more, but you were grateful that he held his tongue. Speaking about such things in the company of others who had no business knowing the content of your visions was something you tried not to do when you could help it. It was embarrassing enough that the entire Royal Congregation had to be present when you made any announcement at all, but being pestered about it at the breakfast table had lost its novelty around a week after you had been elected Pytha, and had never made a reappearance. Even without questions, the few present members of the Congregation eyed you with curiosity when you sat down at the long, U-shaped table in the dining area and took a small loaf of bread and a scrap of fatty, cured meat onto your plate.
“(Y/N),” One of the women that sat near you greeted. “You’re up late today.”
“Yes,” You said, “So I've heard. I slept in. How are you this morning, Borea?”
“Dreadful.” She replied drearily. “Eurus no longer wants to see me. I don’t mean to be a bother, but can you see when I’ll meet someone that’s right for me?”
“I’m sorry.” You replied, putting the still-warm bread into a pocket in your shawl. “They don’t work like that. I’ll let you know if I see something.” Borea began to say something and you stood up quickly. Iraes stood up at once, taking a piece of bread with cheese on it with him. “Goodbye, Borea, I’ll see you at the announcement tomorrow.”
On your way to the reception hall, you met with Eurus as he walked toward you. He quickly changed his course upon seeing you, a smile lighting his face. Eurus was one of the youngest members of the Congregation, but you secretly thought that he was the least likable and didn’t have the slightest clue why Borea wanted to be with him so badly.
“Greetings, (Y/N)!” He called, quickly changing course upon seeing you and falling into step with you and Iraes. “I was thinking about investing in some farmland outside of the city. Do you think now would be a good time to do something like that?”
“I’m sure it would be an excellent time. What do you plan to grow?” You asked.
“I don’t know,” He said, “Lamta, maybe. I prefer them to most other vegetables. Did you know that no one grows them on this entire planet? We have to import every one that we eat!”
“I think that’s because they grow in the desert…” You replied thoughtfully, tapping your lower lip in thought. “Pick a vegetable that grows well here, and I’m sure you’ll do splendidly.”
“Well, I was really wondering if you maybe had some insight – Oh, you probably have a meeting, don’t you? Goodbye, (Y/N)!” Eurus called when you took a sharp detour through a nearby door and into another corridor.
“Goodbye,” You replied, and you thought that it was a very ‘good’ bye, indeed. As you walked together - swiftly, although that wouldn’t prevent any more people from approaching you with their problems - you glanced sidelong at Iraes. “I thought you were supposed to be my protector,” you teased.
“Unfortunately, Pytha (Y/N), I can’t protect you from the Congregation.” Iraes’ smile was barely restrained. “As much as I may want to, at times.”
“Well,” You said, “I appreciate the noble sacrifice of your breakfast.”
“I am sworn to carry your burdens.” Iraes ate the last bit of his, now cold, breakfast and you lapsed into a comfortable silence.
“What shall we do first today?” You asked eventually. “The library, or exploring the grounds?”
“It’s wet out,” Iraes wrinkled his nose in disgust. He hated trudging through the mud, although he knew that you loved it and wouldn’t have complained if you had simply decided that was the activity of the day. “The Library first, if you please.”
“The library it is.” You smiled, glancing slyly at him. “I heard that they recently acquired a book about Pythan Guard lineage.” Iraes’ face lit up, and you couldn’t help but smile wider. “And that it has already been reserved in your name.” The two of you stopped outside of the small back entrance to the reception hall, and you faced him. “It’s been seven years since my gift presented itself.” You touched his hand, “You practically raised me, Iraes.”
“I – “ He looked down, allowed himself a moment of emotion, composed himself. When he looked up, there were tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Pytha (Y/N). I am honored.”
“We’ll go right to the library after we’re done here.” You took your hand away from his and opened the door. “It shouldn’t take long at all.”
You knew the moment that you opened the door and felt several sets of eyes shift to you that it would. Half intuition and half being able to read the room, you slowly rounded the throne and stood beside it, looking down at the two unfamiliar faces that had entered the reception hall. One of them, taller and with longer hair, stood midway up the stairs that led to the throne while the other stood below, where visitors typically stayed. They, along with your brother, had stopped speaking when you entered and were watching you. All three of them appeared wary.
You greeted your twin silently, putting your hand on his shoulder. “What’s going on?”
“We don’t need to involve anyone else in this,” The one midway up the stairs said, his gaze trained on you, “Please, we just need a moment with King Eos,”
“Anything that you have to say to me, you can say in front of my sister.” Eos shrugged off your hand not unkindly and stood up. “Please, Master Jedi, continue.”
“This is a delicate situation,” The one further below said slowly, “Perhaps it is not appropriate to involve your family in this…”
“(Y/N) Is the Pytha of Hiereiai. She may have more insights than even I can provide,”
“Forgive our ignorance,” Said the one further below, “What’s a…?”
“An oracle.” You replied, “I receive visions regarding Hiereiai and its safety.”
“Visions,” The longer-haired one said, “Like, Force visions?”
“You could call it that.” You said noncommittally. “What’s wrong?”
“Have you received any visions about an attack on your planet?” The long-haired one said urgently.
“I haven’t.”
“None at all? Not even a clue that it might happen?”
“Hiereiai has been peaceful for many years,” You frowned, “We aren’t involved with the republic or any other planet. We want to be left alone; which, I believe, was exactly what we told the last Jedi representative who came here.”
“And who was that?” The other was now coming up the stairs, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“His name was Dooku.” You replied evenly. They looked at each other, then back at you and your brother.
“ Dooku ?” The longer-haired one asked, “You’re sure he said his name was Dooku?”
“I can show you the record of Dooku’s entire visit to Hiereiai.” You offered.
“It’s already been written?” Now that he was standing before you, you could see that he wore a strange weapon on his hip, the same as the other one.
“Of course.” You replied, “It happened many years ago. He spoke with our mother when she was Pytha.”
“So Dooku came here on a diplomatic mission…” The shorter one said, brows furrowed in thought.
“When he was actually a Jedi.” His companion finished. He looked at you.
“Please,” He said, “Show us the record.”
Dooku’s visit to Hiereiai had not been particularly interesting. The Hiereian people had been hospitable enough, and welcoming of him - especially the Pytha, who had served as his guide. He had attended several religious events and a festival, and dined with the Royal Congregation for several nights. He had also been very popular with the children of the Congregation, for whom he performed ‘magic tricks’ and feats with his lightsaber. Then he left, and nobody had been back since. There were no videos, but there was one picture of Dooku standing with some children and members of the Congregation. He looked familiar in a way that you couldn’t quite place. Midway through reading this account, the one that had introduced himself to you as Obi-Wan had become very thoughtful, and he excused himself to a deeper part of the library. You had sent Iraes further into the library, as well, to retrieve the book that you had gotten him; which left you and Obi-Wan’s taller companion alone. The datapad remained on the page with the picture of Dooku, and you stared down at it, trying to place why he looked so familiar.
“My name’s Anakin, by the way.” He introduced himself when Obi-Wan had gone, leaning back against a bookshelf so that he could consider you. “Sorry about all the confusion. We just want to make sure Hiereiai isn’t in danger…”
“I appreciate it,” You replied sincerely. “But I’m … confused. If your Separatists are plotting to attack Hiereiai, as the Pytha, I should be able to foresee…”
“Relax,” Anakin laughed, coming over to put a hand on your shoulder. “We don’t doubt your abilities. The dark side of the Force… it can make things hard to see. We’re just checking up; if everything’s okay here on Hiereiai, we’ll leave. But, you know…. Being alone, with no way to contact the Republic, is really dangerous now. Your planet is in disputed space, on the borders of the Confederacy and the Republic.”
You thought about that for a moment before responding, “The issue has not been raised in a long time…. I’ll talk to my brother.”
“So you’re not opposed to joining the Republic?” Anakin’s brows rose.
“It’s not the Pytha’s job to have an opinion on such things.” You replied, “We’re supposed to remain neutral in all things. We’re only messengers.”
Anakin sat across from you at the table where you had brought the datapad loaded with historical records. “Kind of sounds like being a Jedi,”
“You aren’t happy to be a Jedi,” You observed.
“What? No, I am. It’s just…” He furrowed his brows, looking off into the distance. “You can’t have certain things when you’re a part of the order.”
“But you gain others.” Another observation, but one he seemed to appreciate much more. He relaxed a little, the tension in his shoulders momentarily disappearing. “You get to travel all over the galaxy, and learn to use a laser sword.”
"Ah,” He laughed, “I saw your interest when we read that part.”
“I’ve never seen one. I wasn’t born yet when Dooku came.”
“Well, I can show you mine,” Anakin seemed eager to make you happy and you laughed a bit as he unclipped the alien device from his belt and held it out to you. “Be careful - this button ignites it, and we don’t want to do that here.”
“I’ll be careful.” You promised, and he put its full weight in your hands.
I sense great fear in you ….
You stared into familiar eyes, but this time they were full of fear. He was helpless, and someone was talking to you. The black walls had strange green streaks on them, and you didn’t understand what was going on.
…Knew you could do it…
“I shouldn’t…” You said in a voice that wasn’t yours
DO IT .
Fear, anger, hate coursing through you.
“I… I couldn’t stop myself,”
“(Y/N)... (Y/N)!” Anakin’s hands were gripping your shoulders. He stared into your eyes, fear in his own, his lightsaber lying forgotten on the table. You were standing up, your chair pushed back and overturned on the ground.
“What happened?” Obi-Wan rushed back into view, taking in the sight with wide, confused eyes. Seconds later, Iraes arrived, his vibroblade drawn. He recognized the look on your face instantly and turned it off, sheathing it as he went to you. Iraes put his arm around your shoulders, taking you out of Anakin’s grip.
“It’s a vision,” He said, “Nothing to fear; but Pytha (Y/N) will need to rest.”
“What did you see?” Anakin asked at once, “Was it the attack?”
“No,” You said, feeling cold and sick, “It was Dooku, I killed him.”
“ You killed him?” Obi-Wan asked. “In your vision, you struck him down?”
“No… no, they weren’t my hands.” You looked down at yours as if to make sure. “I need to think about this … Iraes,”
“Of course.” Iraes led you to the door, “Please excuse us, Master Jedi.”
Obi-Wan and Anakin stared after you and Iraes as he walked you out of the library.
“What did she say? What triggered it?” Obi-Wan asked.
“Nothing… I gave her my lightsaber to hold – “
“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said at once, exasperated.
“I know, but listen. While she was having the vision, she spoke to me.”
“ To you?”
“Well, she spoke .”
“And she said…?” Obi-Wan prompted.
“She said she shouldn’t do something, then that she couldn’t stop herself.”
“Hm…” Obi-Wan crossed one arm over the other, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll have to call the council back.”
“Maybe we should wait until she can talk to them, too,” Anakin suggested. Obi-Wan conceded without argument; telling them second-hand about a vision that he and Anakin didn’t fully understand was not ideal. They would have to wait for the council to be able to speak to you, although he wasn’t sure how long it would take for you to be capable. Master Yoda seemed to need no recovery time at all after his visions.
“All right,” He sighed, “Let’s go back to the ship. I have a feeling we’ll be here longer than expected.”
You stayed in bed until morning, although you slept very little. The vision plagued you every time you shut your eyes. Why now, you wondered? A vision had never bothered you in this way. For most of the night, you paced your room, occasionally splashing your face with cold water, sometimes meditating. Finally, when dawn’s light peeked over the treetops outside of your window, you slipped into a dreamless, exhausted sleep. Every so often, you would awake, startled, to knocking at your door, but you did not answer. The morning slid into the afternoon, and you forced yourself out of bed. The Announcement Ceremony had not been skipped in decades, and you wouldn’t be the first person to do so. You dressed in your black tunic today and exited the palace through the kitchens to avoid notice, taking some bread and cheese with you. Twenty feet beyond the door was the woods, and you were free.
You wandered for a few hours, aimless, before you stopped and sat in a hollow at the base of a large tree to eat your breakfast. You wondered what the Jedi had done after your abrupt exit, and what they planned to do with what little information they had on it. You wondered what you would do with what little information you had on it if you were being completely honest with yourself. You had no idea whose eyes you had seen through in your vision or when it would take place, but something fundamental had changed if you were having visions of people who weren’t even Hiereian. You took a deep breath, shutting your eyes.
Tell me what I should do… you projected your request into the ether, the Force that surrounded you at all times.
The vision, like the one where Dooku was murdered, was more abstract than it typically was. Perhaps that was the influence of the dark side like Anakin had said?
The flashes of light came first, blue and red; A man in a hood watched you from the shadows; you knew that he had great power, but you couldn’t make out his face, only his laugh; vast space battles, terrifying in scale; a world with many layers; a temple full of light. It didn’t fully make sense to you, but you knew that these things were not on Hiereiai. Seeing them would require leaving.
“You want me to go?” You asked aloud, frustrated at your unfocused vision. You felt guilty at the very thought, how could you leave your home? Leaving them would mean they were defenseless.
You saw yourself enveloped and followed by darkness even in that temple full of light; heard that laugh; your brother and his Congregation planning in a more intimate setting than you had ever seen them interact in before. The message appeared more clear. The danger would follow you, and leaving Hiereiai undefended was the best thing you could do, for both you and Hiereiai.
“Feeling better, I see.”
Your eyes popped open. Anakin was standing nearby on a fallen tree, reaching up to steady himself on the branch of another.
“Hello,” You said, startled.
“We were trying to find you in the palace, but they said you weren’t there.” Anakin hopped down and took long strides toward you. He offered his hand to help you up, and you accepted “Figured you’d be out here… it’s where I would have gone if I didn’t want to talk to anyone.”
“Does that happen frequently?”
“Yeah,” He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, “But there’s nowhere like that on Coruscant. The whole planet’s a city, with – “
“Layers,” You finished.
“You read about it?”
“I had a vision.”
“Oh.” He lapsed into silence. “I’m sorry if, yesterday, I …”
“It wasn’t your fault.’ You assured him. “I’m sorry I disappeared without an explanation.”
“We’d really like to talk to you about the vision you had,” Anakin admitted, “Dooku has hurt a lot of people, but he has a master - we don’t know who he is, but maybe with your abilities…?”
“I can try, yes.” You said. “I still haven’t had a vision about this attack, but I have had one about what I need to do to avoid it. I think I need to leave Hiereiai. I’d like to do that with you and your master.”
‘Are you sure?” Anakin seemed startled. “It seems like you’re very important here.”
“I exist to protect Hiereiai. If leaving protects Hiereiai… I have to leave.” You concluded. “I plan to tell the Congregation at sunset tonight. If you’ll have me.”
“Where will you go?”
“In my vision, I saw Coruscant and, I think, the Jedi Temple. I’d like to go there and tell your council about my visions in person.”
“Based on our conversation earlier today, I think they’d welcome that,” Anakin replied. He glanced up at the sun, “We have some time before sunset - come with me to talk to Obi-Wan.”
Obi-Wan looked at both of you like you were crazy.
“Come with us?” He asked, “To the Jedi temple? Pytha (Y/N), you appear to be an integral part of your brother’s rulership here, I don’t believe that separating you from your home is…”
“I’ve had a vision.” You stated simply. Obi-Wan floundered. “I believe I must leave Hiereiai for its safety. I saw a city-world with deep layers and a temple with guards that have weapons like yours; but double-bladed… the Jedi temple?”
“Yes.” He replied, amazed.
“I’d like to speak to your council about all of this.” You continued. “Will you take me?”
“The council wants you to come… I simply didn’t think you would go,” Obi-Wan stroked his beard in thought. “I’ll have to call them again. Will the Congregation be upset that you are leaving?”
“No,” You replied, “Well - maybe - but my brother will understand and he’ll make them see.”
“You won’t be missed?”
“None of them know me or like me personally,” You replied.
“And your things?” He asked with some small amount of pity.
“I only have a couple of things, really…. I’ll pack them after the Announcement.” You smiled. “Then we can go.”
They seemed both relieved and pitying that leaving seemed to be so easy for you. Anakin seemed like he wanted to say something to you, but he wasn’t sure how to. Finally, he asked, “Do you want us to go with you to the Announcement?”
“No.” You replied simply, “It’s my job to do this.”
That night when you approached their ship with your bag slung over your shoulder, you tried not to be emotional about it. You were simply doing what had to be done; something that the Congregation recognized and that your brother, privately, expressed his appreciation and respect for for. The two of you had packed your small amount of things with Iraes guarding the door, his face grim. They had granted you a datapad connected to the library at home, as well as a holocom that the Hiereians could contact you on if they needed guidance or in case they had a vision. Every item you owned, including these new gifts, fit neatly into a small bag. Your brother hugged you and said simply, “Goodbye, sister.”
“Goodbye, brother,” You replied, your arms tight around him. You didn’t need to say more; it was expressed through your bond with one another.
Saying goodbye to Iraes had been harder. He walked you through the woods, his hand on his vibroblade, intent to protect you to the very last moment that he handed you off to the Jedi. The moment that you saw Anakin and Obi-Wan waiting at the top of the loading ramp made your heart swell and your throat tighten.
“Keep the book,” You whispered when you hugged him, “Tell them I gave it to you.”
“Nicest thing anyone’s ever given me,” Iraes said gruffly, his voice hoarse.
“You deserve it.”
“Take this.” He pushed something small and leather into your hand. “Don’t look now. I’ll see you when you come home.”
“Okay,” You said, “I’ll see you when I get home. Thank you.”
“Go on.”
He watched the ship rise and leave the atmosphere. You knew without having to look. You hoped he knew that you watched until you couldn’t see him anymore, either.
“Doin’ okay?” Anakin asked, swiveling in his chair when the ship had finally cleared the atmosphere and you were in space. Obi-Wan’s hands, typing coordinates into the onboard computer, slowed. It appeared he was listening, even if he didn’t chime in.
“Yes.” You replied. “I’d like to rest for a while if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Anakin picked up your bag for you, “You can take the spare crew bunk.”
“Thank you,” You smiled until the door of the crew quarters slid shut. Only then, in secret, did you open your clenched fist and reveal a small wooden pendant carved with Iraes’ house crest. Come home safe , read the short note that was wrapped around it.
You cried yourself to sleep.
In the cockpit, Obi-Wan leaned back in his chair, sighing heavily.
“Well,” He muttered, “ That went well.”
“I think it went great, Master.”
“We took that poor girl away from everything she’s ever known,” Obi-Wan glanced towards the crew quarters, where he was sure that he had heard something suspiciously close to their new companion crying in a moment of quiet that passed between himself and Anakin.
“Is that so bad?” Anakin asked, “She said herself, they didn’t even know or like her. Even her brother was…distant.”
“Twins share a unique bond, we likely couldn’t sense what they shared.”
“She did this for them.” Anakin observed, “And no one even saw her off except for her guard. At least she’ll make friends at the temple. Ahsoka. Me. You. Maybe she’ll help us win this war.”
“Maybe.” Obi-Wan said thoughtfully.