Empire of Gold

by N.L. Nameless

The war is far from over. Anakin has changed for the worst and the galaxy is falling apart. The only way for Obi-Wan to cope, is to write letters to the one he has lost to darkness, and the one who, most likely, will bring him to ruin. Rated T for very light swearing and violence.

3. Letter 3

Chapter 3

19 BBY, Tatooine

Dear Anakin,

I am sorry for what I said to you in the last letter, I didn't mean to come off so rude, but I got so angry all of a sudden. I shouldn't have called you those things, I got carried away. This is my third letter now, and you still have yet to respond. I am starting to think you haven't even read the first, but alas, what do I know?

I had a dream last night.

No...a nightmare.

It was on Mustafar (because apparently I cannot stop bringing that up), it was when...when I jumped off the platform we were on and onto the black sand. You flipped to cut me in half from behind when I—

I—

I could feel your pain. Your hate and anger. I could feel everything. That lack of limbs, the searing pain, the flames licking at your back, the inky smoke clogging your lungs and burning your eyes. You were screaming too, hot tears streaming down your face. Anakin, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'msorrryi'msorryi'msorryi'msorry. I—you were dying, but not...not physically. Despite being on fire, I felt this...cold weight in my—your gut, hanging like there like lead. I felt your desperation for me to—to end your suffering.

And then nothing.

Silence.

Then I heard something.

It a heavy breath, the sound of a respirator going KUH-KURR.

I felt...cold.

I woke up in drenched in sweat that night. Ended up downing several interesting 'beverages' to get that sound out of my head. I eventually hacked it all out in the 'fresher anyway. Then for the rest of the day...I...I don't remember. I remember snapping back into existence around dusk, still trembling. I know I was still trembling because my hand wouldn't stop shaking. But I was able to drag myself out of my pathetic state to write you an equally pathetic letter about said pathetic state.

I am sorry, Anakin. I know, no matter how many times I say it, you will never forgive me, not entirely at least. And it's not like I can waltz into the Imperial Center and shout at the top of my lungs,

"I am sorry Anakin! I hope you don't kill me!"

But if we do meet again, old friend, you will kill me. That, I can guarantee. But there's a desperate part of me that hopes. Hopes that there still may be good in you, and you may not kill me immediately in our next encounter.

But hope is a dangerous thing.

-Obi-Wan Kenobi