Between Life and Death // A Gray Jedi's Legacy Sequel

Epilogue {Part Two} // Her Savior

Here y'all go! 😁

The darkness that had rested upon Ahsoka was slowly melting away. Finally, after several minutes of passing between awake and unconscious states, she managed to pool together enough energy to open her eyes. Bright, clean light poured into her eyes, snapping her out of her drowsy state.

"Ahsoka."

    The Gray Jedi turned to see the Daughter. As soon as her vision stumbled across the glowing goddess, she began to panic.

    "No! No, I can't be dead! Please... please... you have to take me back!"

    "Ahsoka dear, there's no need to take you back," she hushed her, then stepped forward and lovingly placed a hand on the side of the Togruta's lekku. "You're still very much alive."

    "How? The explosion..."

    "I managed to reach you in time," the Daughter assured her. "I was able to take you to Takodana on my own. Although, I'll admit, the change of heart did startle me a bit. What caused you to become so frightened of it?"

    "There's something I've begun to truly understand recently," Ahsoka started, pausing and looking away from the Daughter's face. "Dying for your people is a good sacrifice. It shows that you're willing to put anything on the line for them. But living for your people? Your loved ones? That's the greatest sacrifice. It represents your stability in their life, and how you'll always be around for them and endure every bit of pain together."

    The celestial hummed quietly in agreement. With a wave of her hand, two chairs faded into existence before them. The Daughter took a seat, then gestured for Ahsoka to do the same. "You've grown wise beyond your years. Typically a realization like this doesn't come until a much later point in life. You should be very proud of yourself, Gray Jedi. Especially for nearly mastering the art of hibernation trance and Force-teleportation so quickly."

    "Thanks," Ahsoka smiled. "It wasn't easy though. You saw that first-hand."

    "Indeed," the Daughter nodded. "But nothing will come easy in life. Despite the fact that you have all of the power of the galaxy at your fingertips, you'll always have to work in order to earn it."

    Ahsoka's mind began to wander after this quote. Where exactly was she? In her conscious? "Can I return to my body?"

    "It's possible, but your physical state needs a substantial amount of time to mend and heal. You won't be able to wake up for a while. For now, I need to discuss something with you."

    "About...?" Ahsoka probed. For the first time out of their exchange, the Daughter's pleasant facade crumbled into a face disconcerted with anxiety.

    "There's a possible threat much greater than any of us could imagine lurking," she explained, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. "I've been following it, but there isn't much I can do at the moment. However, I have reason to believe that you've come into contact with some form of it."

    Ahsoka tilted her head in confusion. As far as she knew, the only issues she had been delving into revolved around the Sith organization and Palpatine.

    "I believe it had to do with a woman named... Catherine?"

    "Catherine?" Ahsoka repeated, just as dumbfounded as the Daughter. "Oh, I think you mean Caceryn."

    "Yes! Her," the celestial nodded. "She was on her death bed, but you cured her."

    The Togruta remained silent and allowed all of the memories to consume her. She was taken back to a time of less pain. Fewer tears. Less suffering. The days before she had killed Palpatine. The Daughter had been right: Remno had brought Ahsoka back to Caceryn, who was dying of an unidentified illness. After guidance from the Force, the Gray Jedi was able to determine that there was some form of antibody attacking the woman's midichlorians.

    "So how is her illness relevant to the issue?" Ahsoka commented, resting a hand on her hip.

    "I have reason to believe that the microorganism is a by-product of an alien race," she paused, her lips curled down into something between a frown and a scowl. "An alien race that doesn't originate from our galaxy."

    "How are they here, then? Intergalactic travel isn't possible yet."

    "Not in the way you think it is," the Daughter corrected. "The species has come here in a fashion that is simply not comprehendible to our minds yet. They're more advanced in ways that one wouldn't even consider as an area to be more advanced in. And, unfortunately, it appears that they're out for blood."

    "You've got to be kidding me," Ahsoka cried out. "I just kriffing saved the entire galaxy twice! Can I not get a break?"

    "We've still got time," the Daughter reassured her. "They're still in their experimentation phase of travel. At the rate they're currently going, it will be a couple of years before they successfully transport enough of their species over to be declared a threat."

    "That's... relieving," Ahsoka admitted. Perhaps if they had time to prepare, they would be able to design counteractive measures.

    "However, it does mean that I'm going to be consumed in my studies. I won't be able to guide you as much, Ahsoka. I believe that you're ready for that, though."

    The Togruta raised an eyebrow-marking at the last comment. "Ready?"

    "You've proved to me that you're capable of handling yourself. Your maturity, strength, and skill have all improved since we initially joined forces. So now, the time has come for us to step back and allow you to use the advice that we've given you."

    "I don't know if I'm ready for that," Ahsoka quietly argued, biting her lip softly. "What if I make a mistake? What if my judgment becomes clouded?"

    "It's unrealistic to believe that you can't make the wrong decision. Everyone has to be imperfect. However, I have faith that you will rise to this challenge spectacularly. You're Ahsoka Tano, the Gray Jedi's successor for Force's sakes."

    She smiled at the Daughter's encouraging words. The celestial was right: everyone makes mistakes, so sooner or later things were bound to get complicated. She would just have to stick to her morals and straighten issues back out again.

    "Before I go, there's something you must have," the Daughter outstretched her palm to the air, then allowed a pole of sorts to materialize out of thin air. The celestial wrapped her fingers around it, then presented it to the Togruta.

    "The Staff of Light and Balance," she announced, placing it in the Togruta's palm and closing Ahsoka's fingers around it. "A symbol and weapon of the ages."

    Ahsoka drew the staff in closer to her body and studied it. It was constructed of sturdy, metal-like material, yet wasn't too heavy for her to handle.

    "And, a protector," the Daughter outreached her hand again, yet this time with her palm facing down. A small, white bird faded into view before perching itself on the One's hand. She smiled and lovingly caressed its feathers, then lifted her hand and commanded it towards Ahsoka. The bird flitted about, then landed on the Togruta's shoulder. "Her name is Morai. She shall watch over you and provide companionship when needed."

    The Gray Jedi couldn't help but smile at convor. Its personality matched the Daughter's impeccably: kind, radiant, and regal.

    The celestial rose from her seat, then extended a hand and helped Ahsoka up as well. The chairs slowly crumbled to dust and faded away, as did the staff and Morai. With a soft smile, the Daughter rested her palm over Ahsoka's heart.

    "Return to your people, Ahsoka. It's time you live the life you deserve."

These next couple of parts are going to be hard for me to write. If it takes a while, just know that I'm probably crying again 😔✊