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  THE THREE SIBLINGS RUSHED through the twisting halls of the palace, keeping their feet light as to not wake up the sleeping residents. "So...where is mother's old study?" Magnus asked as he jogged alongside his sister.

"The East Wing, third floor," Xzara told him without taking her eyes off of the hall in front of her.

"You mean where Dad told us never to go after she passed?" Seth inquired as he trailed behind.

"Yup," Xzara nodded curtly. "That's the one."

"And how do you know it's there?" Seth raised a brow.

Xzara faltered for only a moment. Until tonight, she didn't know it was there, but after her transcendent talk with her mother, she just knew. "I just...I just do, okay? Stop asking questions and hurry," Xzara picked up the pace, suddenly not caring that her brothers and father might hear her heavy footsteps as adrenaline pumped through her veins.

"Zar, wait!" Seth called as he and Magnus struggled to keep up with her.

Xzara kept her fast pace as she scaled the stairs to the third floor of the West Wing, trying to recall the image her mother had shown her of the study. She stopped suddenly, startling her brothers. They watched in confusion as her eyes fluttered shut and she outstretched her hands. She felt for the familiar feeling, the tug of her mother. It led her to a locked door made from dark oak, different from the black around it. "This," She pointed to the door. "This is it."

"And you know...how?" Seth leaned against the stone wall.

"Seth," She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Trust me — please,"

They stared at each other for a moment before Seth sighed in defeat. "Ugh, fine."

"Thank you," Xzara gave him a tight-lipped smile.

"How do we open it?" Magnus piped up. He was eyeing the large lock with curiosity. He leaned closer to it, raising a brow. "It...it has no keyhole."

Xzara looked at it once again, noting that what Magnus had said was true. Her chest tugged tightly — she had to use the Force. She rolled her eyes, chuckling softly. "Step aside, boys," She stepped up, and Magnus and Seth stood behind her. She moved her hand forward, feeling the vibrations of the lock. It moved ever so slightly, its metal jiggling against the hardwood door, but, it didn't open. Xzara huffed, she was sure it would work.

"Was...something supposed to happen?" Seth inquired with a smirk.

Xzara snapped her head back and shot him a glare. Magnus stepped forward. "May I try something?" His sister's eyes softened as he held up his metal hand.

"Yes!" She stepped back, allowing Magnus to take hold of the lock. He took a deep breath before squeezing. The metal moaned painfully under his ruthless grip and soon it burst, snapping off of the door, allowing it to crack open. "Great job, Magnus," She patted his flesh arm softly before squeezing past him and into their mother's old study.

As soon as she walked in, she stopped dead in her tracks. Xzara's jaw dropped as she stared in amazement. Each wall was lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with all kinds of books and trinkets. She felt Magnus's metal hand squeeze her shoulder lightly. "Are you okay?" He sounded just as in awe as she was.

Xzara gulped. "Yeah..." She breathed, eyes searching until they landed on the chest. "There," She pointed, walking briskly towards it. "It should be in here," She knelt in front of the chest, running her fingers softly along its water-damaged wood and rusting brass edges. The energy emitting from it was like nothing she had ever felt before.

"That where it went!" Seth gasped. Xzara looked at him from over her shoulder, confused. She tilted her head. "That's Grandfather's chest. After he passed, mum put it away," Seth explained.

"Oh..." Xzara looked back at it. She never met her grandfather. She stared at the chest for a moment before flicking open the latches and pushing its lid open. Dust billowed out, causing Xzara to cough. She swatted it away, looking down into the contents of the chest. It was filled with an assortment of smaller boxes and wrapped items.

"How are we going to find anything in there?" Seth crossed his arms with a huff as he peered over his sister's shoulder. Xzara reached in with ease and pulled out a small wrapped object. Seth rolled his eyes softly, smirking. "Of course,"

Magnus gasped. "Is...is that it? The Saber of Light?"

Xzara stared at the wrapped cylinder in her hand. The energy emitting from it was too strong for it not to be the lightsaber. She took a deep and shaky breath as she slowly began unwrapping it. She caught a glimpse of gold and gasped, her breath hitching as she froze. "Zar?" Seth stepped forward, knitting his brows in concern. "Are you alright?" She nodded stiffly. "Are you...going to open it?"

She understood her brothers' confusion — it was strange that she had froze so suddenly when she held in her hand the very weapon that could save their planet. But it wasn't that simple. The legacy Xzara would be inheriting once she touched the lightsaber would be a large one. The weight placed on her shoulders, the expectations — what if she couldn't live up to them? The thought terrified her.

She could hear shuffling behind her and then two soft hands were placed on her shoulders. She looked up to see Seth and Magnus standing behind her, one of their hands on her as they smiled kindly. "You can do it," Magnus nodded.

Xzara gulped. She looked to Seth, who nodded encouragingly. "Alright. For Aquilae," Taking a deep breath, she removed the wrapping entirely, allowing the cool metal to touch her fingers. A jolt of energy travelled through her entire body, head to toe, as she grasped its hilt.

The lightsaber was perfect, not a scratch nor dent in sight, and it was shined to perfection. Xzara held it high, gazing at it with wonder. She could see the reflection of her and her brothers in it. From behind, Magnus gasped. "It's beautiful!"

Seth hummed in agreement. "I have to say...it is very impressive," There was a long pause as Xzara continued to stare at the sabre. Seth cleared his throat. "Aren't you going to turn it on?"

"What?" Xzara was snapped from her trance as she jumped around to face her brothers. Her eyes winded.

"Ignite the lightsaber, Zar," Seth raised a brow. "That's how you use it, correct?"

"I know how to use it," Xzara quickly defended. Her face flushed in embarrassment. "I-I'm just...nervous?"

"Nervous!?" Magnus gasped. "My sister? Nervous? The galaxy must be ending!"

Xzara scoffed. "Haha. Very funny, Magnus," She shook her head. Her smile slowly dropped as her eyes returned to the sabre in her hand. She let out a shaky breath. Here goes nothing. Hovering her thumb over the ignition button, a small warmth began to bloom within Xzara's chest. With a small prayer, she pressed down and from the hilt of the sabre exploded a bright, shining golden light that enveloped the study in a yellow glow. The warmth that had bloomed exploded alongside the light and Xzara's breath was taken away.

She felt as if she was floating, all of her nerves gone as she road the high. It was a better feeling than any Spice could ever give. Her eyes ached from the bright light yet she couldn't look away. The lightsaber was meant for her, to be her companion, her defender, and the sword that would bring a swift end to the army Vala Marco was building. "Xzara..." The soft voice of Magnus brought her back to reality. "It's...amazing!" He cheered. He began jumping, his metal arm clanging in excitement. Seth laughed from beside him.

Xzara looked over her shoulder and smile wide. She had never felt so happy. "It is, isn't it?" She gushed. "I will pierce the heart of every Nibiruian soldier that dares lay a foot on our planet," Seth and Magnus stopped, shocked at the words their sister just spoke. Xzara blushed. "Too much?"

"A little," Seth smiled with a slight grimace. "But now that you have it, we should get to the war room. We need a plan."

Xzara nodded curtly, pushing her excitement down to make way for her duty. "Yes. Let's hurry."

  The light of the war room was on as they approached, meaning nothing good. Magnus pushed the door open and the three were greeted by the rest of their siblings. "What's going on?" He asked, hastily making his way over to the table they surrounded. Xzara and Seth followed close behind.

Kennex and Trent shared a disturbed look and then their eyes fell on their sister. Xzara felt her grip on the lightsaber tighten. "What..?" She took a hesitant step forward.

It was Trent who stepped out from her brothers, taking three long strides to reach her and place a large hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and could swear there were tears in his eyes. "They're coming now. Today. Sister, they are coming for you."

Xzara gulped. She expected Vala to arrive with her army soon but this very minute? In the dead of night? Their troops were sleeping, not one single man or woman prepared to fight. Her throat ran dry as she stepped back from Trent's grip, racking her brain for ideas, anything at all. She shook her head. "We must wake the soldiers..." She muttered.

"Xzara..." Seth had stepped forward, reaching a worried hand out to comfort her, but Xzara merely shook her head.

"No! There's no time for such things, Seth!" She huffed. Her eyes were wide with fear when she looked up. As much as she tried to prove to her father and Kennex that she was ready for war, no amount of training could prepare her for the incoming attack. "You all need to wake the soldiers and get your battalions ready."

"But, sister..!" Juro stepped forward. "We do not have enough time to get all of them ready before Vala arrives."

Xzara gritted her teeth. "I know that..." She spoke slowly. "You put soldiers out there as soon as they're ready and alert the castle guard. Father can have two protect him but the rest should help protect their planet," She began to pace, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as she thought out loud. She didn't notice all of her brothers' eyes on her, watching, listening, and waiting for her command. Even Kennex. "There must be a way we can get more soldiers...there's has to be- wait!" It suddenly dawned on her.

"What?" Magnus pressed. "What is it, Xzara?"

The answer seemed too obvious. "I need to contact General Kenobi!"

AUTHORS NOTE
YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY I am with the outcome of this chapter. It's probably my favourite thing I've ever written!!!

But what do y'all think of Xzara's growing powers? Are you as excited as I am???