(y/n) POV:

"So, how does this work again?" I asked to the three concerned-looking Jedi Masters in front of me.

We were in the training room, and I was holding the silver bracelet in my now gloved hand. Just like Obi-Wan had promised, he lent me very protective gloves for what I was about to do. It was him, Windu, and Yoda in the room with me. I didn't really understand why Windu had to be there, since he'll probably try to critique everything I do. Although, I know he's also had his own struggles with the dark side, so maybe that's why.

Obi-Wan sighed; he looked just as fatigued as I felt. They've all spent the last eight days preparing me for this moment. I've meditated, exercised, worked on controlling the powers I already have with the force. It wasn't easy, I had to clear my mind of any and all emotions. As much as I hate to admit it, emotions will only make this process harder to control. I need to be able to keep a clear mind, and block out any presumably dangerous distractions.

"Carefully put the talisman over your wrist. Wear it like a normal bracelet, and then repeat the words I told you. Remember to clear your mind, and think only of your powers and nothing else." He eyed me seriously.

'Nothing else'. I knew what he was implying. It's the one thing that both of us have struggled the most to push out of our thoughts these last eight days. But considering what's at stake, we were able to distract ourselves with my constant training and many controversial discussions with the rest of the Council.

Needless to say, it's been a long week. Everyone is exhausted and we haven't even gotten to the 'hard' part of the plan yet.

I nodded in understanding at Obi-Wan's instructions. "Will this cause another explosion-type reaction?" I asked.

If it does, then fine. I've been through that song and dance before, but if I have to go through it again, then a warning is the least I could get.

"That is entirely up to you, (y/n)." Obi-Wan said simply.

I furrowed my brows, "What does that mean?"

"What Kenobi means is that your mind, energy, and composure are what will determine the outcome of your power enhancement." Windu interrupted, "So for the sake of us all, try to not cause another disaster."

I winced internally. That didn't exactly bring me any comfort. I nodded, too tired to care about his rude remarks.

I then closed my eyes, and took a deep breath as I prepared myself for something that could either be very catastrophic, or simply very helpful. Keeping my eyes closed, I uttered the ancient words used to bring the talisman to life, "Revelare tuum secretum imperium."

The moment I finished those words, I didn't feel pain. But instead, I felt sparks in my nervous system, like every fiber in my being was now awakened, just like this bracelet on my wrist. Just as I was told, I remained calm, and focused solely on what was happening to my body. All the fatigue from this week dissolved as my senses suddenly came to life. I felt like a whole new person, like I was reborn.

The sparks started at my feet, went up through my legs, then to my stomach. It was like the electric feeling was climbing a latter in my body. I could feel myself changing, but I can't explain it. All I know is that I have this unnatural burst of energy.

Then it clicked; my senses were being heightened, the new energy I had was a result of the power enhancement.

It was working, at last I'll be able to help the Jedi win this war. At last we'll have peace.

By the time the sparks settled into my chest, it was like I was hit with every emotion known to man at once. It felt more strange rather than painful, so I didn't freak out.

Then the electric pulses climbed up into my head—into my brain,— and I started getting the worst head spasms. That's when my composure was beyond saving. My eyes shot open, but I couldn't see anything. All I saw was a blinding light, just like from that first time I touched the bracelet.

I could feel myself beginning to panic, "What's happening?" I asked frantically.

"Calm down, darling. Just take a deep breath." I heard Obi-Wan say in a soft voice.

I did as he said, and inhaled as much air as my shaking body would let me. When I exhaled, the light disappeared and instead was replaced with the view of the training room once more. Up until that last part, the talisman seemed to do its job nicely and painlessly. I looked at my wrist, and noticed that the crescent moon on the bracelet now had jewels in it that weren't there before. A purple one in the middle, and two blue ones on each side of it.

"Woah, why did it change?" I asked, holding out the bracelet for the three of them to see.

Obi-Wan hummed, "Think of it as a life count for the talisman. As time passes, along with how much power you use, those first those two blue gems will disappear, leaving only the purple one. When the purple gem disappears, the talisman will be useless." He explained.

My eyes widened; our time was limited?

When he saw my shocked expression, he held his hands out in a soothing manner, "But not to worry, when the time runs out, we can always repeat this process as many times as needed. Today is only our first test run."

I rose an eyebrow, "Test run?"

"Test your powers, we must." Yoda responded.

I nodded, but I was still confused as to what they meant by that. I didn't even know what my powers would be like now.

Windu sighed, "At the end of your power enhancement, we could sense you becoming afraid. You need to control that, especially considering how dangerous these powers could be if not properly tamed. Fear is an unfortunately easy way to be led into the dark."

I scoffed, "Don't you think I tried? I was in excruciating pain at the end, so I'm sorry if that made me fear for my life." I spoke sarcastically. Seriously, does he not have any consideration for me?

Obi-Wan's features shifted into confusion, "Where was this pain that you felt?"

I pointed to my head, "In my head, like directly inside of my brain. I have no idea why, because the rest of my body felt fine." I shrugged. Maybe it was just some weird after-effect. After all, I use the force with my mind. So the talisman probably had to strengthen my mind the most out of all other parts of me.

Yoda hummed in thought, "Check something, I must. Start without me, you may." He instructed to the two Jedi Masters, and soon left just the three of us in the training room.

"Alright." I sighed, "What do I do first?"

Windu's eyes narrowed, "Let's test your strength. You'll need to ensure that you can control your powers so you don't accidentally hurt someone." He spoke like he was accusing me even though I haven't done anything yet.

Obi-Wan noticed his accusatory tone and side-eyed him, "Yes....I suppose that's a good place to start." He directed his gaze back to me, "Though I believe we should start slow and work our way up."

I nodded in agreement. The last thing we need is for me to push myself too hard straightaway.

But Windu shook his head, "I disagree. We should test her strength to see how much she can handle, so that we'll know her presumed breaking point."

Terror pulsed through my veins at his words, "Breaking point? I'm not a lab rat." I protested in disbelief.

Obi-Wan stepped in and held his hand out for me to calm down, "You can't be serious, Master Windu. We've never tampered with this kind of black magic, so we shouldn't put ourselves in the line of fire just yet."

Black magic? Is that what this is?

I was about to interrupt but Windu beat me to it, "I am your superior, Kenobi. So I make the calls when Master Yoda isn't present."

I felt myself beginning to panic again as I looked to Obi-Wan for help, silently asking for assurance that he wouldn't let Windu make me do this. He and I have grown closer recently, and he's been like a brother to me. Especially during the strife of these last eight days, he and I have stuck together through it all.

Though, much to my shock, my hopes were crushed by what he said next.

He sighed and crossed his arms, "Very well." His expression became emotionless as he looked at me, and waited for Windu's next instructions.

A pang hit me in the chest, and it hurt more than I thought it would. I remembered thinking that bracelet has probably heightened all of my senses, and I guess I was right.

Windu gestured around the room, "See if you can lift all of these statues."

My jaw practically fell to the floor. The Jedi training room consisted of four very large decorative statues, which started from the ground all the way up so that they were close to the high ceiling. There was no way I could lift all of them at once. I'm not sure if I could even lift one, period.

And yet, he says it as if it should be easy.

I could feel myself becoming angry; angry with how unrealistic and unreasonable he was being, angry with Obi-Wan for not stopping him from making me do this, angry with the hell I've gone through this week in dealing with the Council, training hours on end, and worrying about Anakin.

Anakin. I have to stay strong for him.

I sighed in defeat and nodded. I then moved to the center-most spot in the room so I could maintain better balance while attempting to lift the statues. Though my strength and physical energy were now unnaturally increased, I didn't want to rush this and accidentally hurt someone or myself.

Standing with my feet shoulder length apart, I reached my hand out and slowly channeled all of my strength through the force. The only thing that felt weird was that my head—in the same spot where it hurt before—began to tingle as if it was being poked lightly. I didn't know why, but I wasn't in any pain so I didn't stop what I was doing.

Everything was working nicely, I stayed calm and kept my mind blank of any distractions. Though my eyes were closed, I could hear the foundation of the statues beginning to shake. Progress was being made; slow and steady seems to be a good and harmless tactic.

But right as I was getting into the zone, I heard Windu's voice, "Quicken your pace, this isn't a youngling academy."

What is with him today?

I sighed but still kept my cool, "No, going slow is working just fine. I don't want to rush into this." He's the one who warned me about not causing any danger, so he should be happy that I'm not doing this too quickly.

I could sense him walking around me, "Going slow won't show us what your breaking point is, you need to give this your all."

I huffed, "Again with the breaking point, I'm not a test subject." Now I was getting mad again. Finally something was going right and then he decides to ruin it.

It was like he ignored me, "You need to go farther."

"Shut up!" I yelled. In an instant, the weight of the statues decreased to that of a feather, and they all lifted from their spots on the ground. But I didn't expect that, so I was startled and instantly release my hold on them, causing them to fall forward. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan was currently standing right under one of them, and all the statues were falling quickly.

"Obi-Wan!" I cried in fear.

I felt the most dread I'd ever had in my life in that moment. I reached both arms out in opposite directions, and let out a strained cry as I struggled to keep all four statues from collapsing. It was harder to hold and lift the statues when they weren't already upright. Instead, these were in the process of falling, which just added extra pressure.

Though my vision was blurred with tears that pricked at my eyes, I could see both Obi-Wan and Windu watch in awe and wonder as I stopped the large pillars from crashing down on all three of us.

It felt like trying to lift really heavy weights, and all of my pressured tendons were beginning to snap. Everything hurt so badly and no one was even helping me. With every last drop of exertion I had left, and with another cry of exhaustion, I lifted the statues up from their tilted position so that they were standing in their original spots once more.

I was shaking; I was tired, I was shocked, and most of all, I was angry. That seems to be a recurring emotion for me as of late. I spun around and reached my arm out. Using the force, flung Windu's body into the wall, creating a loud thud as well as a few cracks behind him.

My powers and senses were still enhanced, so I was feeling a lot stronger and a lot more furious. I didn't need a mirror to know that my eyes had changed into an eerie amber color, I could feel it as my anger overtook me.

"Control your rage!" He spoke as he got up from the floor.

"My rage?" I began walking towards him, "I have been nothing but patient and compliant for all of you this entire week, and it's been exhausting. When I woke up this morning, my life was already a mess, and yet you've somehow managed to make it worse." I gestured around the room, "I didn't ask for any of this." Then I gestured to myself, "I did not ask to be apart of this prophecy, or to be a makeshift-Sith for you to toy with." My veins were burning as all of my fury pooled over into that long-held in rant. I was so tired of all of this, and all of them.

No one understands what this is like; the pain I feel, the dark urges I have to control. Instead, they're just treating me like a test subject that has no feelings. I mean, seriously, what did Windu expect would happen if he provoked me like that?

"Enough, that is." Yoda commanded sternly from behind me.

Yoda. He's been more strict with my training this week. Not that that's necessarily bad, but he hasn't shown as much compassion as he usually does and I don't know why. What irritated me though, was that he left us in here with Windu in charge.

I turned around, and Yoda has already seen my yellow eyes before so he wasn't frightened or confused, "Where were you?" My voice cracked once, making it evident that I was hurt.

"Learned the cause of your head pain, I did." He suddenly looked over at Windu and titled his head, gesturing for him to leave. As he left, after giving me a scowl, I noticed that Obi-Wan wasn't in the room anymore either.

"Okay....What is it?" I asked skeptically, and began to relax slightly.

He pointed his cane at the bracelet on my wrist, "Heightened your senses, this did. But, strengthened your connection with Skywalker, it also did. Your pain, it was not. His pain, is what you felt."

Words wouldn't form in my brain as I furrowed my brows, completely speechless. His pain? How is that even possible? I didn't know two beings could be connected like that.

A realization hit me just then, "Wait....is that what the prophecy meant by 'two becoming one?' As in, with this," I held up my wrist with the bracelet, "we can feel each other's pain, as though we're one?"

Yoda nodded, confirming my theory. In a way, this actually brings us one step closer to completing the prophecy, because now we understand the first part of it.

I sighed, and by now my eyes had changed back to their normal color, "Well, at least something good came out of today." At this point I'd probably be better off training by myself. I was doing good until Windu completely ruined it and almost got all of us killed.

I was beginning to leave when Yoda suddenly stopped me with his cane. I looked down at him in confusion. He gave me a serious look, "Not simply made, these connections are. Require love, patience, and sacrifice, they do."

He didn't need to say anything else. because the look in his wise green eyes said it all. He knows. And because of his strangely calm demeanor, I would guess that he's had an inkling for a while. Knowing Yoda, I wouldn't be surprised if he had Anakin and I share a room not only to test the prophecy connection theory, but also just to tease us.

I smiled gratefully that he didn't call us out or have us expelled. He's the second person that's hinted on Anakin and I'd relationship. Have we really been that obvious? I guess you don't notice other things when you're in love.

I left the training room to find Obi-Wan so I could talk to him. His attitude was weird today, and I want to know why he suddenly let Windu boss him around like that. Maybe he didn't sleep well, or he's worried about Anakin just as I am, but it still doesn't change the fact that he suddenly became a pushover. I really thought he would've been there for me today like all the other times this week, and many times before.

I saw him at the end of the hall, talking to someone who I couldn't see because they were behind the corner from my line of sight. My frustration from earlier returned as I stomped over to him.

"Hey." I snapped, earning his attention as he turned his head towards me. His eyes widened and he quickly looked to whoever he was talking to, and then back to me, "Darling hold on—"

I cut him off by roughly pushing his chest with both of my hands, causing him to stumble backwards. "I get it, okay? Life sucks right now, and you're tired. Well get in line with everyone else. The one time I needed you to have my back, you left me in the dust. Do you realize we all could've been killed?"

Instead of verbally responding, he tilted his head to the side, silently telling me to look at whatever was in that direction.

I groaned in frustration, "What is so important that can't wait....." When I looked to what he was motioning to, my heart skipped a beat, and I was once again at a loss for words. It wasn't a what, it was a who that he was gesturing to. And as I looked, it clicked that this was the person he was talking to just a few moments ago.

It was Anakin.

(a/n): Ahhh I'm actually really happy with how this chapter turned out, so I hope you all like it as well! I'm seriously so excited to write the remaining chapters of this book. It makes me so emotional to think about because I remember when I made that very first chapter months ago, thinking no one would read it. And yet, here we are🥺❤️