"The long unmeasured pulse of time moves everything. There is nothing hidden that it cannot bring to light, nothing once known that may not become unknown. Nothing is impossible."
—Sophocles

A war had begun. Millennia of peace and prosperity was destroyed in a moment. The galaxy soon warred against itself, like life wanted to be separate. People of all races fought as if killing others would somehow convert their enemies to their beliefs.

I did not understand. Perhaps I still do not. I say that the first few months of the war were unimportant and fruitless, but they shaped me as an individual more than any training ever could.

My brother and I were still acolytes of our religions. However, Anakin completed his training through his military service only a few long weeks after Geonosis. But I would continue studying for centuries, probably, learning my crafts and honing the skill sets I desired. I wouldn't complete my training during my brother's lifetime, much less the war.

Studying still took up much of my time, though. Master Plo was not about to let some trivial thing like war interrupt my studies. I did so during the ungodly hours of the mornings, and there were sometimes when I wished to gods I could sleep like a normal person.

As a Dark Jedi shoda, I was expected to obey my temporal master. As a Skywalker, however, my brother's reputation preceded me. After three months of stationary hell on Coruscant, I rebelled.

It was the only time I ever formally requested an audience with the Jedi Council. In the future, I learned, it was faster to barge in and hope they weren't discussing anything too vital. Spoiler alert: they never were.

"Dark Padawan Skywalker," the Grand Master addressed me as I entered.

The room was silent. Only four masters were present, but about ten more attended via holo. I realized that I had done nothing to gain the favor of the Jedi. I assumed that I had gotten in because of my name. Very few Jedi would want to upset a Skywalker, knowing that the Chosen One had singlehandedly become the most influential general in that war. They, of course, did not realize that I had not spoken to Anakin in nearly three months.

I stopped, breathed, remembered why I was there. I had thought long and hard about my decision. "Master Plo doesn't know I'm here."

Raised eyebrows entertained that notion. "Release that, we did not," Master Yoda admitted, "but continue, nevertheless, you may."

Honesty had never failed me before, and I was grateful it didn't then.

My next words were chosen carefully after many hours of pondering. I had a small request to make, but either refusing or denying me would risk the support of the Dark Jedi. I was placing the Jedi in an impossible position. "I am tearing up my shoda apprenticeship contract. I am leaving Master Plo's guardianship. Know that it is not because of him, but because of me."

I paused to emphasize myself. I may have been just a Dark Jedi to them, but I have feelings and I can prioritize and I had come to my own decisions.

"I feel as if my best efforts need to be placed elsewhere. My training will be put to an official halt, and I intend to join the Army of the Republic. I know that I am no Jedi, and I have little status among my own faction, but I request that you appeal to your own needs and grant me rank as a Special Forces Commander."

The surprised Jedi turned to look at one another carefully. Their stares seemed to convey either a yes or a no to the Grand Master, who replied cautiously.

"Your priorities, wise are they. Sense good intentions in you, I do." He looked sadly next to him to the holo of Master Windu. "Request a rank below your brother, do you?"

It was my turn to feel a bit of shock, but, though ineffective, the Council was not stupid. "It is a gamble, but one I'm willing to take." They could end up placing me under a random general, but I had hope that they would put me with Anakin. Besides, he had yet to have a SPC. Either way, I could start doing something in this war.

"Accept your proposal, the Council does." Master Yoda affirmed. "The rank of Special Forced Commander, you shall receive. Under General Skywalker, you may serve, but promotion you cannot attain until completed, your training is."

I was too excited to care. I beamed embarrassingly, knowing I would soon set out for the war. "Thank you, masters."

Bowing, I exited before I squealed with happiness.

Returning to my room, I could hardly keep objects from flying around the room as my emotive state rippled through the Force.

My holo call went through immediately. "Guess what?!" I shouted.

Nysa obviously sensed my excitement. "What is it?"

I couldn't contain myself. "You are looking at Commander Arrainne Skywalker of the 501st Special Forces unit."

My best friend gasped. "Yes! I am so happy for you! When do you leave?"

"Soon, probably," I sighed, seeing the downside of my new position. "But it means I won't get to go to Jema to meet my godson."

Somehow, Nysa's same smile remained. "I understand. Besides, you can meet him in a standard year or so when the settlement is nearly completed."

"But a whole year?" The joy and excitement had completely vanished. There was just disappointment in my eyes. "I miss you so much. With the war sparking, and you being in Separatist territory—"

"Arrai, calm yourself." I heard her deep accent show itself as she began to speak again. Though Chinelo always retained the Corellian dialect of their tribe, Nysa could speak without it. I only ever heard it when she was upset or angry or when she was trying to get her point across. "Now is a fragile time in the galaxy. Don't rush in to situations like that. Use your head! Trust the Force, little sister. There is Darkness, and there is Light,"

My hands unconsciously began tracing the blue patterns around my wrists as a comfort and reminder as she continued. "I wish to tell you of something. Can you promise not to be mad at me?"

Confused, I nodded. "Of course,"

Through the holo, Nysa's big eyes welled with tears, and we both knew crying was strongly discouraged amongst the Dark Jedi. "I cannot help with the settlement much now; I'm due in four weeks. So I have begun meditating for hours everyday." She paused, obviously having difficulty. "I have fallen asleep several times, but I am glad that I have."

"Nysa—" I tried to interrupt her.

But she just kept going. "No matter how far in the future, no matter where I am looking, no matter what I feel, it is always you, Arrai. You are always there."

"Me?"

"I cannot escape the visions of you. Even when I wish to see my son or the Jedi or Chinelo, the Force insists only on giving me visions of you. You shine brightly like a sun in a lonely, bottomless abyss. Your mind is broken like glass. Your heart is torn to shreds." She cried shamelessly now. If anyone asked, we could chalk it up to pregnancy hormones, but we both knew that was not the case. "You have such an adventure ahead of you, and I can see that I play little part in it. I love you like my sister, but I am not meant to always be with you."

All was quiet for a few moments before I spoke. "I have never asked to be integral in the Force. Not even modesty can stop me from admitting that I will exceed most in importance, whether I want to or not. However, you will always be with me, Nysa. You are so important to me."

She cracked a smile, though with much difficulty. "I care too much about you to accept that."

I had a destiny, a calling. Nothing could stop it, even if I wanted it to. Master Thraina had been warning me since before I held a lightsaber. Now Nysa could see it, too. I had to hold on to what I had while I had it. If I was going to have to play hero, then it would be my choice, not anyone else's. Not even the Force.

A week later, as I boarded the Resolute for the first time and saluted the general, my brother, I felt secure. I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I thought I had orchestrated the whole circumstance, and I was proud of it. My innocence kept me from realizing that I really did have no control.

I was where the Force wanted me to be: fighting for the Republic alongside my brother. It was right.

It was then that everything began to change for me.

I learned more in three years than I had in ten.

But I also obscured my vision to the truths.

There was war. I felt like it would never end, and I almost didn't want it to. I spent every waking moment with my brother, my twin, the only one in the galaxy who could truly understand, the one who heard my song, and the one who shared my terrifying potential.

Gone were the days of menial studies. My view of normal changed drastically.

I grew numb to the cries of the innocents, the screams of dying troopers, the sudden adrenaline when blasters fired.

I learned that there were days when my meals would have to come from the dirt unless I wanted to starve.

There were days when exhaustion overwhelmed me to the point of fitful sleep.

There was damage beyond what I had ever seen.

I was convinced that my fingers would be permanently caked in dust and grime, that blood would always be flowing from somewhere on my body. The pounding headaches never ceased, and some scars never faded. I lost my childhood innocence and happiness. I had to watch as Anakin's eyes slowly turned from young and curious to uncaring and sad. I held some friends and some soldiers as they passed to the Cosmic Force.

The war against the Separatists was more than just strategy and duels. It cost a mental toll on everyone it touched.

If I had known that going in, maybe that addicting pain wouldn't have been so alluring.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

A/N:

Has everyone seen The Last Jedi yet??? No spoilers, I promise, but HMU if you wanna talk about it!

So I'm excited to finally be getting to the war. Unlike my first series, where I had a whole separate Clone Wars book, the CW stories are gonna be right here. I'm not sure exactly how many canon episodes I'm going to use as a story basis, but it anyone has requests or ideas, let me know! I have a timeline planned out, and Arrai is not necessarily with the CW characters during certain story arches, so keep that in mind.

This chapter is kinda filler, but I do feel it's necessary. I really needed to set the stage before get into the Wars and stuff. I haven't decided it I want the next chapters to be long and episodic or if I want them to just be continuous. Maybe I'll do a bit of both. Idk.

Any don't worry everybody: you will get to see your favorite CW characters. I have one story arch where I have an EU character canonized in my universe, but that's okay. I'm really excited for that one.

Question time!

Would you ever wanna see someone else's POV in a chapter?

Now that you know Nysa is having a boy, do you have any baby name suggestions? (You probs won't find out what it is till you meet the kid, but hopefully it'll be worth the wait)

Are there any characters you want to have a guest appearance?

If I added music to each chapter, would you listen to it like a soundtrack?

That's about all I have. Happy holidays everyone!

Peace, love, and
~Art