Welcome once again to a galaxy in ruins.

The Jedi Order is but a memory. Its teachings forbidden, its knights eradicated. Only one remains. The last Jedi: Obi-Wan Kenobi. And now, the final guardian of the light walks alone through a galaxy on the brink of the abyss.

But with the fall of the ancient masters, new dangers have emerged. The Inquisitors, sadistic hunters of the Force, rise in the shadows. Formidable warriors like Savage Opress, Asajj Ventress, and Maul, the latter finally eliminated by Obi-Wan's hand, avenging the death of his own master.

Meanwhile, the seemingly unshakable Empire begins to waver as Darth Sidious betrays his right hand, the powerful Count Dooku. Now, discord festers in the shadows of the regime.

However, the battle is far from over. A promise weighs on the last Jedi's shoulders, and with it, the hope of the entire galaxy.

The fire of rebellion has yet to ignite, but the spark has already been lit.

The story begins, and destiny awaits.

STARS DESTINIES – VOLUME 1

THE TWILIGHT OF THE REPUBLIC – CHAPTER 6

Unaware of the fierce battle that had just erupted between the last Jedi of the galaxy and one of the first Sith to rise from the shadows, marking the dawn of a new era of conflict, Anakin Skywalker was in a workshop on Tatooine, inspecting some spare parts. His attention drifted when he overheard two veteran pilots conversing nearby. Their voices, filled with tales of stellar adventures, piqued his curiosity.

"I swear, I saw it with my own eyes. I've never seen anything like it in all my years of flying. They were... beautiful. Unlike any creature I've ever seen on this side of the galaxy."

"Another one of your stories, Vek? You probably ran out of oxygen and had a hallucination."

"No, not this time. It was real. Their faces… it was like looking at something beyond human. Perfect. As if the galaxy itself had created them to remind us that there's something greater out there. They say they're angels."

"I've heard those stories. The Angels of Iego, right? They say their beauty is so dazzling that you can lose yourself in their eyes. That just by looking at them, you forget the rest of the universe."

"That's exactly it. For a moment… nothing else mattered. Not business, not credits, not the emptiness of space. Just that light. That pure beauty."

"Some say that if you see one, your destiny is bound to change forever, for better or worse."

Anakin, unable to contain his fascination, pondered those words. Angels? Beings of light that could change fate? The idea that something so beautiful could exist beyond the sand and scrap metal of Tatooine was etched into his mind, a glimmer of hope in such a harsh and barren world.

Elsewhere in the galaxy, a battle raged, not between light and shadow, but between two entities forged in the purest darkness. The duel between Dooku and Savage intensified, the thunderous clash of lightsabers echoing through the vast, dimly lit hall.

The Zabrak charged with the brutality of a predator, launching devastating strikes with his double-bladed saber, forcing the Count to retreat with every impact.

Dooku, however, was the embodiment of precision. With an elegant flick of his wrist, he deflected a blow that would have cleaved a man in two and countered with a swift thrust that grazed Savage's side. The dark apprentice roared in fury, extending his hand to unleash a Force wave that shook the ground and hurled Dooku against a column.

But the elder Sith was no easy prey. Before Savage could press his advantage, Dooku sprang to his feet with inhuman speed. With a calculated move, he severed one of the blades from his opponent's saber, partially disarming him.

"You are strong… but you are not a refined warrior" Dooku stated impassively, his gaze cold as steel "You have always been nothing more than a mere pawn."

"That's something we have in common" Savage growled.

"From now on, I will follow my own rules and look out only for my own benefit, with no master to serve."

Savage snarled and lunged in a final attempt to finish his prey, channeling his rage into a devastating strike. But Dooku, with the finesse of a seasoned duelist, sidestepped gracefully, evading the Zabrak's attack.

Just then, Count Dooku felt a disturbing tremor in the Force. A void. An echo of pain and loss. Qui-Gon had fallen. Despite all his efforts to save him, Sidious had achieved his goal.

Rage consumed him. A furious roar escaped his lips as he unleashed his dark power in an explosion of energy. Savage Opress was sent flying into a window, which shattered into a thousand shards. The Zabrak crashed to the ground, covered in bleeding cuts. He groaned in pain, struggling to rise, but his injuries had weakened him just enough to give Dooku the time he needed.

"Not so fast, old man!" Savage bellowed, charging once more.

Dooku raised a hand and stopped him with a brutal blast of Force lightning. The Zabrak screamed in agony as electricity coursed through his body.

Wasting no time, Dooku turned and boarded his ship.

"Today is not the day I die. But yours is near."

With one final surge of power, he hurled Savage away, just long enough to take off and vanish into the vastness of space.

Back on Naboo, the last Jedi Knight of the galaxy emerged from the palace's energy generators, his gaze dim and his body still trembling from battle. Obi-Wan Kenobi looked up and saw the Naboo soldiers, ready to provide support.

Captain Panaka was the first to approach.

"Did you succeed?" he asked urgently.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath before responding.

"The Sith has fallen… but so has my master."

A heavy silence fell over the gathering. The soldiers bowed their heads in respect.

Panaka nodded solemnly.

"I'm sorry, Jedi Kenobi. We will ensure he receives a proper burial."

Obi-Wan clenched his fists but forced himself to remain composed.

"I must take the queen. She is not safe here."

"I understand. I will personally see to Master Qui-Gon" Panaka replied.

With one last glance at the place where his master had fallen, Obi-Wan nodded and boarded the ship.

Jar Jar stood beside Padmé, who had yet to stir. The medical unit had assessed her and determined she was not in danger, but her condition still worried the Gungan.

Obi-Wan approached, his expression grim.

"Qui-Gon is dead."

Jar Jar looked at him, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"No! Master Qui-Gon… is gone?"

Obi-Wan nodded slowly.

"Before he died, he knighted me as a Jedi. Now I must move forward… and ensure that his sacrifice was not in vain."

Jar Jar lowered his head in respect.

"Mesa so sorry… He was good. Mesa will miss him."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to feel the pain before focusing on what needed to be done.

"We must leave as soon as possible."

R2 emitted a melancholic sound, almost as if he understood the sorrow in the air. Without further delay, the ship took off, leaving Naboo behind, with no clear destination… but with a new mission.

As the ship traveled through the emptiness of space, Obi-Wan silently contemplated his master's lightsaber, motionless in his hand. The cold hilt felt heavier than ever, not because of its material, but because of the legacy he now had to carry on his shoulders. In that instant, he understood with absolute clarity that his life had changed forever. He was no longer a Padawan. Now, he was a Jedi Knight. And with that, he bore his master's promise… and the fate of the galaxy.

While Padmé remained unconscious, her mind drifted into a state between dream and vision. In the depths of her subconscious, a soft, childlike voice called to her tenderly. She could not distinguish words, only the sensation of a presence, close, familiar, though she had never known it before.

Before her, a blurry figure materialized, small and luminous, hesitantly reaching out as if wanting to touch her. Padmé felt a comforting warmth emanating from the figure, an unbreakable purity, a love she had never experienced before yet somehow filled her heart with an inexplicable peace.

Time and space seemed to dissolve around her. This was not just a dream. Something within her whispered that this connection was real, that this mysterious being had significance in her destiny. But before she could understand it, the vision began to fade like sand carried away by the wind, leaving her with an unexplainable longing and a sense of loss as she began to wake up.

When Padmé opened her eyes, reality hit her in distant waves. At first, everything was an echo, blinking lights on the dashboard, the hum of the ship's engine, the sound of a voice speaking to her softly. She blinked several times, trying to focus. Beside her, Jar Jar looked at her with evident relief, his smile friendly but tinged with concern.

"So much joy, Padmé! Mesa so happy you opened your eyes. Mesa was very worried! You hit your poor head very hard!"

The words reached her as if from underwater, distant and muffled. But little by little, her mind cleared, and the dull pain in her head confirmed that she was not dreaming. She forced herself to sit up slightly, observing the ship's interior.

At the pilot's seat, Obi-Wan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the star-filled void of hyperspace. His expression was somber, his posture tense, as if he carried the weight of a thousand stars on his shoulders.

"What happened?" Padmé murmured, bringing a hand to her head in pain "Where is the man who attacked us?"

Obi-Wan turned slightly, his eyes reflecting a weariness that went beyond physical exhaustion.

"Welcome back, milady" he said gravely "You have been unconscious for a while. Much has happened… and none of it is good."

There was a brief silence before he continued, his tone heavy with sorrow.

"Qui-Gon fell in battle against that man. He was no mere warrior… he was a Sith. I managed to defeat him, but… it is not a victory. We had to flee Naboo, and I don't know when we will be able to return. Perhaps… never."

A shiver ran down Padmé's spine. Her home. Her people. Everything she had sworn to protect, left behind.

"Obi-Wan… that's terrible," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can't believe that… that I have to abandon my home, my family…"

Tears welled in her eyes, but she fought to hold them back.

"And you… now you bear the responsibility of the galaxy alone, without the guidance, the experience, and the support of your master…"

Obi-Wan pressed his lips together and looked away.

"It is the reality we must face. But no matter what happens, it is our sacred duty to prevent the galaxy from falling completely into darkness."

Padmé wrapped her arms around herself, trying to process the weight of his words.

"But how? We are alone… against a rising empire, against thousands of planets that may already be lost."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on hyperspace, as if searching for something beyond the stars.

"There is still hope" he affirmed with conviction "My master believed it… and so do I. We just have to find it."

Padmé looked at him uncertainly, feeling the magnitude of the tragedy surrounding them.

"What hope can there be… in a situation as desperate as this?"

Obi-Wan did not answer immediately. He only tightened his grip around Qui-Gon's lightsaber, as if seeking the answer in its weight.

"The same hope that has guided the Jedi for generations: the certainty that darkness is never eternal. There will always be light, always those who fight for it. I know it seems impossible now, but as long as there are those who believe in the light, there will always be a way."

Padmé lowered her gaze, her hands trembling slightly.

"Then are we destined to run? To hide forever like shadows in the galaxy?"

Obi-Wan shook his head, his expression calm but resolute.

"No. Only until we are ready, until we have the strength to rise. A rebellion is not built in a day, but if we all do our part, we can bring the light back."

Obi-Wan looked into her eyes with conviction.

"You, Your Majesty, will be the inspiration that moves others to resist. I will be the spark that keeps the Jedi Order's light alive. And even Jar Jar, with his loyalty and bravery, will play an important role in this. Together, we will find a way forward."

Padmé exhaled slowly. The thought of losing her home and being trapped in a seemingly impossible fight hurt her, but something in Obi-Wan's words lit a small spark within her.

"If we are going to survive together, if we are going to depend on each other, then I believe there is no need for formalities anymore" she said, her lips curving into a faint smile "Please, call me Padmé."

Obi-Wan nodded softly, appreciating the gesture.

"I promise you, Padmé" he said in a quiet but determined voice "No matter how dark the path becomes, we will find a way forward. Together."

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the ship, sending everyone into alert.

"What was that?!" Jar Jar exclaimed, his eyes wide with panic.

"An engine failure…" Obi-Wan responded, quickly checking the systems. His expression hardened "It looks like it was sabotaged."

"Sabotaged?" Padmé asked, frowning "By the Sith?"

"Most likely."

"R2!" the queen exclaimed, turning to the small droid "Go outside and see if you can repair the damage!"

The astromech beeped in confirmation and rolled toward the ship's exterior. From the cockpit, Obi-Wan struggled to stabilize the trajectory, but the damage was more severe than he had expected.

The minutes passed with unbearable tension. Finally, Padmé's voice broke the silence, concerned about what the monitors were showing.

"Obi-Wan… R2 can't fix it."

The Jedi clenched his teeth.

"The ship has suffered structural damage to the engines. Too many parts are unusable."

"So…" Padmé took a deep breath, the anxiety growing in her chest "If we can't fix it, what do we do?"

"We need to land on a planet before the systems fail completely."

Jar Jar looked out the window and pointed with one of his hands.

"What about that one over there? Although, uh… maybe not, because it looks like just sand."

Obi-Wan observed the planet through the viewport and made an immediate decision.

"There's no alternative. If we get stranded in space, we won't last long."

Padmé activated the holomap and frowned as she read the name.

"Tatooine… It doesn't sound familiar. It doesn't seem to be in the Republic's records."

"It's not" the Jedi confirmed, adjusting the approach controls "It's a planet under Hutt control."

The queen paled.

"A world ruled by crime? Obi-Wan, we need to find another option."

"There's no time, Padmé" His tone was firm but not harsh "I know it's not the ideal destination, but precisely because of that, it's the perfect place to hide from the Empire. No one will look for us there."

Jar Jar swallowed hard and shifted uneasily in his seat.

"Meesa has a very bad feeling about this…"

Obi-Wan didn't respond. The ship was shaking more with every passing second. Safe or not, their destination was decided.

"There's something about this planet that doesn't seem so bad… in fact, I feel it might be the opposite, though I can't quite understand what it is" Padmé commented, looking out the window with a thoughtful expression.

"We'll find out soon" Obi-Wan replied calmly, keeping his eyes on the controls.

R2, in his relentless efforts, managed to stabilize the ship enough to make the landing less rough. Finally, they touched down on the outskirts, next to a massive cave.

Everyone disembarked and paused for a moment, taking in the vast, desolate landscape stretching before them.

"Excellent work, R2" Padmé said, gently stroking the droid, who emitted a satisfied beep in response.

"As I said, this is a desert" Jar Jar muttered disdainfully "Nothing like Naboo, that's for sure."

"Unfortunately, as long as the Empire is out there and remains a threat to us, this will be our home, for now, at least" Obi-Wan replied, lowering his gaze as he reflected on the gravity of the situation.

"I hope we can find something good here, something that makes this stay a little less unbearable" Padmé said, her tone carrying a hint of hope.

"Maybe we will" Obi-Wan answered thoughtfully "I feel a call… from the Force. It's stronger, different from anything I've experienced before."

"Is that call a good thing?" Jar Jar asked, visibly nervous.

"It's not dangerous, at least" Obi-Wan assured him, though his eyes held a shadow of uncertainty.

"Over there, on the horizon… I see a city" Padmé pointed into the distance "Maybe we can find the parts we need to repair the ship."

"I'll hide the ship inside that cave. That way, at least, it won't be visible to just anyone" Obi-Wan said, concentrating as he used the Force.

In the blink of an eye, the ship began to levitate smoothly, moving with almost perfect precision into the depths of the cave. Once hidden in the shadows, it seemed protected—an unexpected refuge in the vast desert.

"That was amazing!" Jar Jar exclaimed, astonished "You Jedi have incredible magic."

Obi-Wan gave a slight smile.

"Remember, Jar Jar, it's not magic. It's the Force."

"Well, to me, the Force feels like magic" the Gungan replied with his characteristic enthusiasm.

Obi-Wan couldn't help but chuckle softly at the comment before regaining his serious demeanor.

"Let's go. The sooner we familiarize ourselves with the surroundings, the sooner we'll know what to expect from our stay here."

"And we better not trust anyone for now. We don't know who we might run into" Padmé added cautiously.

Meanwhile, in Watto's shop, the Toydarian was going through some accounts, his expression soon twisting into a grimace of fury.

"Blast it! I'm missing ten parts for today's big order. Not only will I disappoint my client, but they'll go to the competition."

"I warned you" Anakin commented, arms crossed "You knew we were running low on parts and that you needed to take precautions, but you didn't listen. You should have ordered more in advance."

"Shut your mouth and fix this situation!"

"And what exactly am I supposed to do?" the boy retorted "It's too late for suppliers to bring us more."

"Go to the market and get the parts at the best price possible."

Anakin sighed, but before leaving, he added with a mocking smile:

"It's going to look pretty bad for a great junk dealer like you to have to buy from the competition because you don't have enough parts."

Watto growled, floating closer, his eyes burning with irritation.

"For that comment, I'm increasing your work hours. Starting today and all next week, you won't leave until the floor is spotless and the windows shine."

The boy clenched his teeth and lowered his head. On one hand, he was satisfied to have annoyed Watto, but on the other, he regretted it, he was in for an exhausting punishment.

As he passed by his mother at the counter, she gave him a mildly disapproving look. She didn't need to say anything; he understood the message. She always advised him to be prudent and respectful to his master, but once again, his impulsiveness had cost him.

Upon leaving the shop, Anakin quickly ran into his friends, Kitster and Wald, other slave children like him.

"Something's happening out there" Kitster murmured, his tone more serious than usual.

"Why do you say that?" Anakin asked, intrigued.

"My father says the Hutt families and the local rulers are worried. There are rumors that the galaxy is changing, and no one knows what's going to happen."

"Do you think that means the end of slavery?" Wald asked in his dialect, a spark of hope in his eyes.

"That would be amazing, but my father doesn't believe it" Kitster sighed "He says this planet has always been like this, and no decision from the outside has ever changed that."

Anakin frowned.

"It's strange… Not long ago, I had a very strong feeling. I can't explain it, but something isn't right. It felt real, like something huge is about to happen."

"Like a punch in the stomach or what?" Wald asked, confused.

"No, it wasn't something physical... it was more like... a feeling. Something trying to warn me about something, but I don't know what."

Kitster crossed his arms, thoughtful.

"Maybe it has to do with what my father said."

"Could be... I asked for a sign, something that would show me the exact moment I needed to be ready."

"And have you received it?" Wald asked.

"No... not yet."

"And what kind of sign are you expecting?" Kitster insisted.

Anakin smiled with a hint of impatience.

"Something that only existed in my dreams and suddenly becomes real before my eyes."

"Like a three-headed monster that breathes fire?" Wald suggested excitedly.

"Or it starts snowing, and we get a whole day in the snow" Kitster added with excitement.

Anakin rolled his eyes with a light chuckle.

"Although those are good options, I think it will be something different. Something related to hope, to kindness... but honestly, I have no idea."

The children continued on their way after saying goodbye. Despite their young age, all three had duties to fulfill and couldn't afford to play like other children in more favorable circumstances.

Meanwhile, Jar Jar had stopped and clung to a desert tree, moving his feet desperately.

"Meesa can't take this heat anymore! The sand burns like fire!" he complained, shaking his limbs.

"I know it's hard, Jar Jar" Padmé said patiently "But we can't stay here. We must keep going."

"Couldn't you get me some shoes? My feet are going to be covered in blisters!"

Padmé thought for a moment and then removed a cloak she had been wearing to conceal her identity.

"Maybe this will help."

Without hesitation, she tore the fabric in two.

"And what if they discover you?" Jar Jar asked with concern.

"No one knows I left Naboo, so there's no reason for them to look for me" she answered confidently "On the other hand, Obi-Wan is in real danger if they find out he's a Jedi. He can't go without his cloak."

Obi-Wan nodded.

"That's a good point. Thank you, Padmé."

With some makeshift fastenings, Padmé secured the fabric around the Gungan's feet, forming a pair of rudimentary shoes.

"Thank you, yousa very kind."

"You don't need to thank me, Jar Jar."

With his new footwear, the Gungan was able to continue without further discomfort, and soon they arrived at the bustling marketplace of Mos Espa.

Nearby, Anakin was negotiating with a vendor. Despite his young age, he displayed remarkable confidence and charisma, bargaining with cleverness and skillfully dodging the merchant's attempts to take advantage of him. In the end, he sealed the deal with a triumphant smile.

Padmé, watching with interest, smiled at his boldness.

"He's just a child, but he seems sharper than many adults" she joked.

Obi-Wan, with a serious expression, replied:

"Here, children have no choice. They either grow up fast or they don't survive."

As Anakin bid farewell to the vendor and turned around, he immediately noticed the small group standing out among the locals. Their clothing, their bearing... they weren't from around here. Outsiders. And outsiders often meant opportunity.

But when his eyes landed on the last member of the group, his world seemed to stop.

His gaze traveled over her from head to toe, unable to look away. She was mesmerizing, a vision that left him breathless. She looked like no one he had ever seen before on Tatooine. There was something about her, beyond her beauty, beyond the grace with which she moved or the sweetness in her expression. It was as if she didn't belong to this arid and dusty world, as if her very presence clashed with the harshness of the marketplace.

The sleeveless dress left her shoulders bare, her pale skin contrasting with the desert's relentless sun. Her hands, delicate and graceful, were covered by long gloves reaching her elbows. Under the flowing fabric of her dress, fine stockings covered her legs, ending in elegant boots that complemented her distinguished presence. It was as if every part of her was carefully shielded, except for her face, except for those eyes that captivated him effortlessly.

The fabric of her dress molded subtly to her figure, outlining every curve with an elegance that wasn't meant to be provocative, yet still enthralled him completely. Stirring within him a feeling unknown, intense, and overwhelming. He didn't know how to name it, but he felt it burn in his chest, spreading like a soft yet persistent fire that left him breathless. It was more than mere admiration; it was a discovery, a revelation that both dazed and drew him in.

Everything about her was harmony, a perfect painting in shades of blue, as if the sky itself had decided to take human form and descend before him. Her hair framed her face with natural perfection, and her lips, barely curved in a subtle smile, seemed to hold secrets Anakin would give anything to uncover.

For a moment, he forgot where he was, who he was, even what it meant to breathe. He only knew that he had never felt anything like this before. He didn't know how to describe it, but he knew with absolute certainty: in a single instant, this beautiful girl had become the center of his universe.

And then he understood. She was the sign he had been waiting for, the proof that his destiny was already unfolding. It was as if she had stepped out of his most beautiful dreams, a vision made real, tangible, undeniable. It wasn't just her beauty that enthralled him—it was the certainty that her presence meant something more, something immense, inescapable.

She wasn't just a chance encounter. She was the silent warning that everything had begun, that the path leading him to his true purpose had already been set. And he, without knowing how or why, felt that he had to be ready. Because his destiny awaited him… and she was the key.

At last, the moment had arrived. Anakin Skywalker, the slave boy from Tatooine, must prepare to face his fate. We have seen him waiting for a sign, for certainty to show him the path he must follow. And now, he has found it. Not in ancient prophecies or Force visions, but in the gaze of the beautiful Padmé.

That encounter, so brief yet so intense, has awakened in him a feeling stronger than any other he has ever experienced. Stronger than his need for freedom, stronger than his desire for adventure. A bond that defies time and space.

With this new fire burning inside him, the destiny of the galaxy has begun to unfold.

The journey is just beginning.

Thank you for joining us in this chapter. What did you think? What are your thoughts on the story so far?

Leave me your comment, and see you in the next chapter!