Eternal Balance: Chapter 3

By The Al Bhed Slayer

A/N: I finally found something makes me want to finish this…besides all the great reviews I've been getting:

"Seek the Light, always. Shun the dark, always. These words I hope will stay with you forever." – The Jedi Way

To shun the dark is to let the dark control us.

Damn Jedi.

Akaia…That's what Obi Wan had told her. Her name was Akaia. He looked more worried than before after Anakin gave him the news. She didn't know who she was…Considering how important they knew the girl was, how could she help anyone if she didn't understand her own power? They had barraged her with question after question. The responses she gave were relatively the same each time: 'I don't know, I can't remember, I'm not sure…'

They had finally landed back on Coruscant and now stood before the council. The young woman's eyes scanned each face in the room. The green…what ever he was had left his seat and slowly, with his cane, made his way over. "A long time, it has been. Glad to see you again, I am."

Akaia looked bewildered and felt a bit odd. What was she supposed to say? "Um, thank you?"

Obi Wan kneeled down beside Yoda. "We have a bit of a problem…" He began. "She seems to have lost her memory."

Yoda looked from the Jedi to his old friend. She did seem…different. He sensed no recognition at all from her. Sadly, he nodded. "Troubling, this is." He thought for a moment. Would it really be wise to keep her here, where she knew no one? Of course not. He glanced back at Obi Wan and Anakin. Her presence affects the destinies of all around her…what if…? "Hm…perhaps, time, she still needs." He paused. "With you and your padawan, she will stay."

"But…master…" Obi Wan tried to speak.

"Very much alike, she and young Skywalker's prophecies are," Yoda explained. "Connected, their destinies may be."

Obi Wan stood and glanced at both Anakin and Akaia. Was this really a wise idea? But he could not go against the order of a member of the Jedi council. Looking down at the Jedi Master, he reluctantly nodded, knowing it was best if he did not refuse.

"What must we do?"

After getting the girl cleaned up and at least somewhat properly dressed – considering now she wore tunics as if she were a padawan herself and of course got at lest enough clothing for a week– they were finally almost home. She recalled Yoda telling Obi Wan that she must be tested to see if she still had the skills of a both a Jedi and a Sith, something she wasn't necessarily looking forward to. Only a few steps away from the apartment, millions of thoughts rushed through Akaia's mind. Reaching her temporary home, the door slid open as the three entered and Obi Wan went to a different room. Is this really a good idea? What if something goes wrong? If I never get my memory back, this would all be in vain…

Anakin glanced down at the young woman who seemed rather out of it. Something seemed familiar about her, he just didn't know what. "Akaia?"

She didn't respond and kept staring ahead, lost in her own thoughts. He raised his arm a bit lightly touched her shoulder as she blinked and looked up. "Huh?"

"Are you alright?" He asked cautiously. She smiled reassuringly and nodded, soon taking a seat and returning to her thoughts. He studied her for a moment. How did someone who seemed so helpless be the guardian of the Jedi? He sat beside her silently.

"This may sound odd, but," She started, breaking the silence. She turned slightly toward him, finding him staring back, mirroring her curiosity. She then asked, "What's a Jedi?"

Seeing she was a bit embarrassed at the question, he grinned. Seeing this reaction, she threw him a glare. "It's not funny! What are they?"

Still grinning, he really didn't know what to say. "I think my master could explain better than I could…"

"Is it really that complicated?" She wondered out loud.

He thought for a moment. "We're the guardians of peace in the galaxy…"

"'We're'?" She questioned, her brow furrowing. "So you're a Jedi?"

His eyes moved to the floor, a tinge of resentment in his tone. "I should be, but…Obi Wan feels I'm not ready."

"Are you?" She queried.

He looked her in the eyes, his gaze now intense. "I know I am. I just wish others could see that."

Not tearing her eyes away, Akaia thought of anything to change the subject. "So then, if Jedi are guardians of peace, a Sith would be…?"

"Those who harness the power of the dark side of the Force," Anakin replied, imitating his master.

"…The Force?" she asked.

He sighed heavily, his eyes moving back to the floor as he tried to think of a way to explain. "I still think Obi Wan could explain things better."

She stifled a laugh, again embarrassed by all her questioning. "Well, odds are we'll be talking a lot and seeing as you understand everything here and I…don't, what better to talk about? Besides," she continued, mimicking Yoda, "connected, our destinies may be."

He broke out into a smile, glancing back at the girl. Long moments passed before either spoke again.

She thought for a second. "Why does he talk like that?"

"Hm?" He spoke up.

"Yoda," She began, thinking out loud now, "The way he talks…it's odd. Kind of…backwards. He puts the predicate before the subject. It's very strange."

"I'm not sure," he answered, thinking back. "I asked my master once, when I was younger."

She arched an eyebrow curiously. "And what did he say?"

"He doesn't know either," he responded with a laugh.

Obi Wan entered the room, arms folded. He stood in front of the two, causing them to look away from each other and up at him. "It's been a long trip. We all need some rest." He stopped for a moment. "Akaia, you can take the guest room."

"Alright then," Akaia replied, getting up while she realized how tired she really was. "…which room would that be?"

"The last, straight down the hall," the Jedi answered, motioning toward the hallway.

She nodded and went on her way. Before entering the hall, she stopped. "Thank you…" She turned around and glanced at them both. "For saving me, I mean."

Obi Wan nodded in response and Anakin stared inquisitively. She just gave a grateful smile in return and went to the room.

She knew she was tired…very much so in fact. But she couldn't fall asleep. All she could think was…there was so much she still did not understand. Most of it was about herself. All she understood of herself was that her name was Akaia. She had been told she was immortal. She was made up of the souls of a Jedi and a Sith. She wasn't even born! She was created. She had no childhood, no parents, nothing normal. She was two thousand years old! She was meant bring balance to the entire galaxy! How could she do such a thing when she could barely find a balance within herself? There was no doubt she could sense the darkness in her. But, then again, she sensed darkness in everyone she had met! It just seemed further away…except in, of all people, Anakin. In all the people she had met, the darkness seemed insignificant and far off. But Anakin, on the other hand…the darkness in him seemed to be growing, though it was still small. When he spoke of not being a Jedi yet, he seemed a bit angry, even hateful. He was in so much pain…it seemed like he always was, from the moment they met.

"No!" she heard someone scream, chasing all her thoughts away. She sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed as another scream was heard. She rushed out of the room, only to here another scream. Realizing it was coming from behind the next door over, she immediately rushed in. Reaching the side of a bed, she stopped in her place. It was Anakin. He was asleep. It must be a nightmare…She could feel all the pain he was feeling; it tore at her. Numbly, she sat on the edge of the bed, not sure what to do. What could he possibly be dreaming that would cause so much pain?

((Complete darkness. It was happening again…there was a presence. The same voice pleaded, just above a whisper, please…help me.

There was so much pain. A deafening scream pierced the still air. Images of millions…dead. Brutally murdered. He could smell the blood. His own hands were stained with it.

Fate is inevitable…

A beautiful young woman looked him in eyes, her expression saying, 'I'm sorry.' He recognized her now. It was Akaia…

Face the darkness, learn from it. Do not become it.

He couldn't feel his limbs, everything was numb. Two blue lightsabers clashed as someone yelled, You were my brother, Anakin… and another screamed in pain, I HATE YOU. It was his own voice.))

"No!" He sat up in bed, startling whoever was sitting next him. His vision cleared, only to see the very woman that seemed to be apologizing in his dream. She looked on worriedly, ignoring his questioning stare.

Suddenly realizing what was going on, her eyes widened, her embarrassment evident even in the darkness. Cheeks burning, she stood and backed away. "Sorry," she began nervously. "I just heard someone screaming. I got worried."

"I'm fine. Are you okay?" he asked as she continued backing away.

"I'm okay," she replied all too quickly.

He continued staring as she made her way out of the room. "Sorry I woke you."

"It's fine. No harm done." She edged out of the threshold. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," he answered back right before the door shut, returning his thoughts back to his dream. There was so much death…What was Akaia apologizing for? Why was there blood on his hands? Why could he smell it? Who did he hate? And who needed his help? Why was any of this happening at all?

So many new questions…what was happening to him?

She quietly went back to her room and sat down. What just happened! Why was I so nervous? Her thoughts went back to the nightmare he had obviously had. What was causing him all of that pain? How could she feel that pain? Was that part of whatever she was? Whatever was going on, she would have to ask him in the morning for her own sanity. She laid back down, letting more unsettling thoughts enter her mind.

Maybe coming here wasn't such a great idea.

TBC

A/N: Chapter 3! Done! Akaia and Ani got some alone time…Damn, Anakin's having dreams 3 years before they happen! Is Akaia the cause? Could be. R'n'R!