AKwxlady Obi Wans Daughter Part one Chapter thirteen

By the time Ki’tia reached the age of 17 she was very strong in the Force. “Ki’tia,” Yoda called one morning. “Time it is for you to reach for someone in the A’nir to continue your lessons.” They were in the clearing near Yoda’s home where Cherral had landed his ship. Ki’tia came and sat by Master Yoda. “Who is the greatest A’nir you know of?”

“My mother always said her grandmother, who I am named after, was a great A’nir,” Ki’tia answered.

“Know you what she looked like?” Yoda asked.

“Yes,” Ki’tia replied. “Like my mother. Like me, except with dark eyes.”

“Good, good,” Yoda said. “Picture her in your mind, and call to her. Do not your eyes close.”

Ki’tia stood and centered herself in the Force. She had never seen the woman, but she could still see her mother in her mind. With her eyes opened and looking before her, she called, “Grand-grandmother Ki’tia, I am a daughter of the A’nir. I need your help.” Ki’tia reached out her hand and held it before her. Presently, the air started to shimmer. The shimmer began to take the shape of a person. Within a few moments a luminous copy of Ki’tia was standing before Ki’tia and Yoda. The luminous copy was obviously older, with dark eyes, but otherwise the two women were very similar.

“Hello Ki’tia,” the luminous Ki’tia said. “I am your Grand-grandmother, but why don’t you just call me Grandmother.”

“Hello Grandmother,” Ki’tia replied. “Thank you for coming. Will you be able to teach me the ways of the A’nir?”

“I will do what I can in the time I have,” Grandmother said. “You must thank Master Yoda for bringing me here. It has been many generations since an A’nir has been seen as a Force ghost. I thought we had lost the power.”

“The power was Ki’tia’s,” Yoda recounted. “Very strong she is in the Force. Now she needs to learn A’nir the ways of. This I cannot instruct.” Yoda contemplated the two women. He felt much more strength in the younger Ki’tia, but there was an essence about the older that was more than he could comprehend.

“Be seated child,” Grandmother gestured to Ki’tia. “We will begin today. My time with you in this luminous form will be no more than a year. You will continue to discover the ways of A’nir for the rest of your life.” Ki’tia sat down in front of her elder, Yoda made himself comfortable a little behind the girl. “You are welcome to join us, Master Yoda. You have brought great salvation to our family. I would be honored to have you listen to my teachings.”

Yoda nodded, “Thank you, Grandmother Ki’tia. Curious am I as to the ways of the A’nir. A better guide to their paths doubt could I find.”

“You flatter me, Master Yoda,” Grandmother replied with a coy smile and a nod of her head in his direction, “but it is welcome after all these years. And, now, Ki’tia this is the history of the A’nir that I know. It is intertwined with those of the Sith and the Jedi, and what I say may not agree with what Master Yoda has already taught you, but since my time here is short, please listen to my version without interruption, and later come to your own conclusions as to the variations.”

Ki’tia smiled and nodded, “Yes Grandmother, I will listen carefully, and with all my heart.” She folded her hands in her lap and took a deep breath to center herself in the Force. Yoda also settled himself to listen to the A’nir.

“So, Ki’tia,” Grandmother began, “the Force has existed as long as our Universe, and Force users have survived nearly as long. The Force requires balance and for that balance there have always been three sodalities of Force users: One sodality of Force users access only the Dark side of the Force; one sodality of Force users access both the Dark and the Light sides of the Force; and one sodality of Force users access only the Light side of the Force. They have been known by many names over the eons, and at times have used more than one name for the same sodality, but all exist. All must exist somewhere in the Universe, somewhere in the Force, for there to be balance. The major Dark side users of this time are the Sith. Those that use both the Light and the Dark are the Jedi, the Gray Paladin, and the Aing-Tii, among others. The Force users of only the Light are the A’nir, of which you are one, child.” She stopped and smiled at Ki’tia. Yoda’s ears were noticeably flat and his lips tight.

Grandmother looked at Yoda, nodded and continued, “Master Yoda may have told you the Sith feed off the Dark side of the Force. They exist to dominate and destroy. Sith seek gratification in the pain and suffering of others. The more the Darkness surrounds them, the stronger they become. If a Sith senses the Light of an A’nir, it will see that Light as an anathema to its existence and it will seek to kill the A’nir. Ki’tia, you must avoid contact with Sith. They will react to you like a primitive animal sensing danger. The Sith will hold nothing back to destroy you.” Ki’tia shivered and her hands went to cover her face. Her eyes wide above her hands, it was easy to see Ki’tia was terrified of the truth she sensed in her elder’s words.

“That is enough for today,” Grandmother said, her luminous form starting to fade. “I will return tomorrow and we will continue.” The luminous Grandmother Ki’tia faded away leaving the younger Ki’tia and Yoda sitting in silence.

“Are the Sith really that evil?” Ki’tia asked, still looking at the place where her grandmother had been.

“Worse,” Yoda replied. He placed a hand on Ki’tia’s back and let the calming influence of the Force flow into her.

The next day at the clearing Ki’tia called to her Grand-grandmother through the Force. The luminous Grandmother Ki’tia appeared before the waiting Yoda and the younger Ki’tia. “Welcome back Grandmother,” Ki’tia said. “I am ready to learn from to your teachings.”

“Hello again Ki’tia, Master Yoda,” Grandmother said, smiling at them both. “Let us get started.” Ki’tia and Yoda resumed their places from the day before, Ki’tia looking expectantly at the older woman.

“To continue, I will discuss those Force users who touch both the Light and Dark sides of the Force, although the Aing-Tii see their use of the Force as more of a spectrum and I do not claim to fully understand their teachings. These Force users, like the Jedi and the Gray Paladin, rely mainly on the Light side of the Force, they dip into the Dark side when they do battle, and when they use the Force to control or manipulate other beings. Perhaps this is what the Aing-Tii mean by their Force spectrum. When the Jedi use the Force in such ways, they are using some of the Dark side. They must pull themselves back from that temptation, and over the years many have been lost to the Dark side. Like the one who killed your mother, Kerawyn, and destroyed our village. Perhaps, later, Master Yoda will tell you about Darth Vader.” Grandmother stopped and looked at Yoda. He nodded at her. “It is my theory, Master Yoda, that the reason so many good Jedi have fallen to the Dark side in recent centuries may be that the Jedi have shunned the true gifts of the Light side of the Force. Those found with the A’nir.”

At this, Yoda’s ears flattened, but he did not interrupt. He knew there had been a failure in the role of the Jedi. It had cost them everything. Now was not the time to challenge what might be a path to the future of the Jedi.

Grandmother took a deep breath and smiled at Ki’tia. “The Jedi shunned love, and it is love that is the true Light of the Force. It is love that is the gift of the A’nir.” She paused again, looking away from the two listeners. “Perhaps Master Yoda can explain the Jedi reasoning at some other time. It is not critical to my discussion. You only need to understand that when the Jedi took Force sensitive children away from their parents, they also took children of the A’nir. The Jedi sensed the Force in the A’nir children, the same as in the children that would become Jedi. During the Jedi training process, the children of the A’nir could not touch the Dark side of the Force. They failed to become Jedi and were sent off to work in gardens and other menial jobs. Had they been returned to their homes, they might have developed into A’nir. Under the shame of Jedi failure they never flourished. The A’nir disappeared from the Galaxy, except on remote planets, many thousands of years ago.” A sad look came across Grandmother’s face. It was almost as if she was starting to cry. She began to fade away.

“Grandmother!” Ki’tia called, “Come back!” But, Grandmother Ki’tia was gone.

“See her tomorrow you will,” Yoda said. “Sad memories have exhausted her spirit.”

“Yoda, will you tell me about Darth Vader?” Ki’tia asked. “Who was he before he fell to the Dark side?”

“Home let us go, now,” Yoda replied. “After dinner, Vader’s story will I tell.”

They went home and made dinner. After the meal Ki’tia sat next to Yoda. She could tell this was not something he was looking forward to. Yoda twitched his ears and tapped his fingers. “I’ll make us tea,” Ki’tia said, getting up and putting the kettle on the fire. While she gathered soothing herbs for the tea and selected a few others she knew were Yoda’s favorites, he began to tell the story.

“Darth Vader began life as Anakin Skywalker. He and his mother slaves were on Tatooine. Freed Anakin was by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. At the time Qui-Gon’s Padawan was Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Yoda paused a moment. Ki’tia looked over to him from where she was making the tea, as if to ask the question he knew she was thinking. Yoda nodded his head and continued. “Strong in the Force was Anakin. Master Qui-Gon wished to train Anakin to be a Jedi, but killed he was by a Sith. Later Obi-Wan killed this Sith. Obi-Wan a Jedi Knight became. Permission he was granted to take Anakin as his Jedi Padawan. Very close the bond between Jedi and Padawan, always there is, but especially so between Obi-Wan and Anakin. Sometimes like brothers, sometimes like father and son were they.” Yoda looked at Ki’tia, wondering if this revelation would cause her pain, but the girl simply continued to prepare the tea. “Quickly Anakin ascended to Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan became Jedi Master. A dynamic team were Kenobi and Skywalker during the Clone Wars. True heroes of the Republic.”

Ki’tia handed Yoda his cup of tea and sat down next to him. “I’ve heard some of this,” she said. “The Wookiees said Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was a great warrior during the Clone Wars. That’s a tremendous complement for a Wookiee.” Ki’tia thought a moment, then added, “They never said anything to me about Anakin Skywalker.” She shrugged and looked at Yoda.

“At about your age, or a little older,” Yoda began again, “Anakin fell in love and then secretly married. Commitment forbidden was by the Jedi Order. Soon a child was expected. Anakin feared for his wife’s safety. Unknown to all, the Emperor was a Sith Lord in disguise and used Anakin’s fear to tempt him toward the Dark side. The Emperor christened Anakin as the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Anakin and Obi-Wan fought a terrific battle. Obi-Wan nearly killed Anakin, but could not. The Emperor rescued Anakin. In saving the man, Anakin died, and Darth Vader was born.” Yoda bowed his head. “Obi-Wan, Anakin failed, much as failed I the Jedi Order.” He reached out and placed a hand along the side of Ki’tia face. “Correct your Grand-grandmother was Ki’tia. So often over hundreds of years have I seen love denied wrench at the hearts of good Jedi. Not only their hearts, also their connection to the Force. Blind was I.” Yoda sat down his tea and walked to the door. He went out into the Dagobah night.

Ki’tia sensed the immense pain the Jedi Master was feeling. It wasn’t a pain she could heal. It was a pain of great suffering and great loss. More than that, it was a pain brought to hundreds of other’s lives by his counsel. Ki’tia felt warm tears flowing down her cheeks.

The following day Yoda joined Ki’tia when she went to the clearing to call her Grand-grandmother. Before starting, she reached out a hand to the Jedi Master. Yoda took her hand in both of his. “The past is knowledge for us to learn from,” he said. “The future is ours to use that knowledge to improve. More A’nir will there be, and more Jedi. We both work have to do.” With that he released her hand and sat down.

Ki’tia cleared her mind and took a deep breath. Without even calling her name the luminous form of Grandmother Ki’tia appeared before her. “Hello Child,” Grandmother said. “It seems you and Master Yoda shared a disquieting evening.” Ki’tia and Yoda both looked toward the ground. “No matter,” Grandmother continued with a wave of her hand. “Today we will move on to the beautiful aspects of the Light side of the Force, and the A’nir.” The brightness in her voice caused both listeners to raise their eyes.

“We of the A’nir,” Grandmother began, “live within the Light of the Force. If an A’nir tries to access the Dark side, the Force is cut off from us. This disconnect from the Force may last for a moment, or it may last forever. It may cause us to simply lose consciousness, or it may end our life. It is the choice of the Force. In exchange for this obedience the Force bestows upon those of the A’nir grace and empathy. It is through these gifts that we of the A’nir have become great healers. I have seen you already have skill at healing. We will work on these skills in the weeks to come.”

“Thank you Grandmother,” Ki’tia said, with a slight blush, remembering overextending her Force abilities while healing Kerrithrarr. “I know I have much to learn.”

“For now, let us concentrate on what the Light side of the Force brings to us,” Grandmother started speaking again. “The Jedi know the Light is the side of peace and tranquility, of devotion and intuition, of compassion and conviction.” Yoda nodded in agreement. “The Light is also the side of the Force that brings us joy and love, understanding and tenderness, affection and elation. On special occasions, when two beings share a love that is strong and true, the A’nir may grant to them a very special gift, the ecstasy and rapture.”

“Did you ever experience the ecstasy and rapture, Grandmother?” Ki’tia asked.

“Oh most certainly,” she answered, a warm smile lighting her face, “with my mate, your Grand-grandfather. As I’m sure your mother did with the man who is your father. I feel the love of your mother and father within you, it is very strong. I am amazed he was able to leave her so easily.” Her smile faded to a questioning gaze.

“Easy was not Obi-Wan’s heart at leaving Kerawyn,” Yoda said with an obvious frown. “Imperative the decision to go was. Obligations to the Force and an oath to Kerawyn required the outcome. Obi-Wan removed from Ki’tia’s life he stayed to protect her from the Sith. Not an easy choice.” Yoda’s face was grim. His ears flat.

“Now it is my turn to apologize Master Yoda,” Grandmother said with a bow. “I spoke out of turn, not fully understanding the circumstances. I am sure you made the best choices possible for Kerawyn and Ki’tia, and I thank you for your actions on their behalf.”

Ki’tia thought about what Yoda had said. “Is my father still alive?” she asked.

“No,” Yoda answered. “Very recently was he taken from this existence in a battle with Darth Vader.” Ki’tia gasp and fell to the ground starting to cry. The luminous Grandmother rushed to comfort her, but with Ki’tia’s concentration gone, the older woman quickly faded from view.

“There is more, Master Yoda,” Ki’tia cried. “I can feel it. You’re not telling me something about my father’s death. What are you keeping from me? Who was my father fighting to protect when he died?” Tears were streaming down Ki’tia’s cheeks.

“The Force is strong in you little one,” Yoda said, his hand on the crying girl’s back. “This pain will bring you to know.”

“Please,” she sobbed, her body shaking with the tears. “I have to know. Who was it he died for? Please!”

Yoda sighed, “Luke Skywalker. The son of Anakin. Luke is the Jedi your father swore to protect.”

“I don’t understand,” she said, looking at Yoda, tears turning to anger. “The man who killed my mother, destroyed our village and killed all our friends, has now killed my father! This man has a son who is the reason my father left my mother and me, and my father died for him! Why?” Ki’tia was yelling, “What’s so special about Luke Skywalker!”

“The future of the Jedi, he is.” Yoda answered, quietly. “Possibly the future of the galaxy.” Ki’tia understood. She knew what sacrifice her mother and father had made for the life of Luke Skywalker. Her anger abated as quickly as it flared, but not her sadness, she collapsed into sobs. Yoda knew from Cherral she had never cried over the death of her mother, the destruction of her first home, and the slaughter of all their friends. She had born those losses and survived. Cherral called her Wookiee strong. Now that she had also lost the father she would never know, perhaps it was time for her to cry. Time for her to mourn.

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