❝ memories only serve to hurt the heart. ❞

―

CARINA'S QUICK STEPS COULD BE heard echoing as she treaded through the Jedi temple, clenching her jaw as she didn't dare look at the ground where thousands of bodies laid.

Carina sucked in a sharp breath as limp younglings caught her eye, the brunette tightly pursed her lips before continuing, who could commit such horrors?

Carina entered the computer room, feeling relief flush through her as she caught sight of Yoda and Obi-Wan, "You two are alright."

Kenobi felt a small sense of peace settle in him upon seeing the brunette alive and well, he had been terrified of the thought that she had been among the killed Jedi, "Carina, good, I've just recalibrated the code warning all surviving Jedi to stay away."

Carina pursed her lips, "I heard rumors about the Jedi council turning on the Republic."

Yoda narrowed his eyes, "Lies, you were given. Whoever told you this, deceive your mind they wished to do."

Carina began to breath heavily as her lower lip trembled, the more she fought the truth, the more it was confirmed to be a reality. Obi-Wan studied the girls reaction, denial coursing through him as he turned, making his way towards the security footage.

"If into the security recordings you go, only pain will you find." Yoda told the Jedi. Obi-Wan nodded, sparing Carina a glance as he responded, "I must know the truth, Master."

Kenobi moved to the panels, flipping a switch as he moved through footage until he saw a hologram of Anakin slaughtering his way through younglings. Carina quietly gasped as she watched, unable to comprehend anything at that small moment.

Obi-Wan gaped at the footage, "It— it can't be."

Carina's expression was flushed with horror as she watched a cloaked person appear before Anakin as he kneeled before him, "The traitors have been taken care of, Lord Sidious."

"Good."

Carina felt the same chill run down her spine at the familiar voice, it being the one she heard echo in her mind a few hours ago, order 66 it had chanted.

"You have done well, my new apprentice. Do you feel your power growing?"

Anakin nodded, "Yes, my Master."

"Now, Lord Vader, now go and bring peace to the Empire."

Carina felt the world come to a stop as that name left Palpatine's lips, Vader, the same name she had been having nightmares about, her restless nights, all the voices warning her about a Darth Vader and how they would bring the end to the Republic, causing inimaginable horrors. All along it had been her own husband.

Carina's jaw went slack as a single tear rolled down her cheek, everything had been a lie. She had been foolish and daft to push away her thoughts, deep down since she married Anakin she had known, she knew and yet she remained in denial, hoping it was and would never turn out to be the truth, but there she was, standing in the room watching the man she loved commit genocide on their own people.

She should have known better, she should have not been so arrogant and sure of everything, for now she was paying the price for her mistakes.

Silence fell over the trio as Obi-Wan shut off the hologram, tears caressing his own eyes as he shook his head, "I can't watch anymore."

Yoda tightly pressed his lips together whilst adjusting his grip on his cane, "Destroy the Sith, we must."

Carina closed her eyes, resting her hand on her stomach as she shoved down a sob threatening to escape. She knew what she had to do, she knew it was her mandate to do it, but she also knew she was too weak to go through with it.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "Send me to kill the Emperor. I will not kill Anakin." Yoda glanced between Carina and Kenobi, "To fight this Lord Sidious, strong enough, neither of you are."

"He's my closest friend, I cannot do it."

Yoda gave Master Kenobi a look, "Twisted by the dark side, young Skywalker has become. The boy you trained, gone he is... Consumed by Darth Vader."

"How could it have come to this?" Carina's hoarse voice croaked out as she struggled to comprehend the truth.

"To question, no time there is."

"I do not know where the Emperor has sent him. I don't know where to look." Obi-Wan stressed. Yoda hummed in response, "Use your feelings, Obi-Wan, and find him, you will. Visit the new Emperor, my task is. May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, Master Yoda."

Yoda's figure disappeared from the room and just as he did Carina collapsed onto the chair behind her, biting her lower lip harshly as she fought the tears welling up in her eyes. Obi-Wan inched closer to the distressed girl, "Carina, are you alright?"

The Algora girl ran her hands over her face, "What am I going to do?"

Obi-Wan examined the girls expression, eyes going to the hand on her womb. Kenobi's lips parted in realization, "You're expecting... aren't you? That is why you haven't been on a proper mission for months."

Carina's hands began to shake as she clenched them, fighting to maintain her composure, "I am." she whispered out, there was no point in hiding it anymore, there was no council left, nothing, everything was gone.

Obi-Wan hung his head as he gazed at the ground, "Anakin's the father." a statement, not a question. Carina closed her eyes as tears flowed down her hued cheeks.

"I'm so sorry."

Carina ran her hands over her face with Obi-Wan watching her intently, "You know where he is, Carina." The brunette swallowed a lump in her throat before meekly nodding, "I do, but I won't help you kill him, I can't."

Kenobi nodded in understanding, "It's not something I want to do either, is rationalizing with him still on the list?"

Carina wiped her tears away as she nodded firmly.

"He's on Mustafar."

―

Carina and Obi-Wan had been making their way towards a cruiser when Bail Organa hurried towards them, "General Algora, Master Kenobi."

The brunette turned, brows furrowing slightly at his devastated expression, "What is the matter?"

Organa eyed the two Jedi, unaware of how to break the news to them, "Senator Amidala was just found." Carina felt her breath catch in her throat, bracing herself for what she was about to be told, "What— what do you mean 'found'?"

Bail's gaze fell to the floor, "Her body was found covering a younglings. Saber wounds were found on her."

Carina stared blankly at the male, eyes glossing up as she processed what she had been told. The Algora girl harshly grit her teeth, Padme never went back to the Senate's office the night before.

Carina slowly pursed her trembling lips, clenching her fists as she fought to contain a composed expression. Her friend was dead. By the hand of her own husband.

Carina felt like crashing onto the floor, exhausted and completely drained as every moment a new tragedy occurred, how many more until she would finally break?

Obi-Wan stood in shock upon hearing such news, especially with knowing exactly who had done it. Carina raised her chin, looking over at Obi-Wan who was already watching her, "We must get to him."

Carina nodded in understanding, beginning to feel overwhelmed with the news of her friends passing before looking up at Bail, "A burial shall be held for her then, Master Kenobi and I have some business to attend to as of right now."

Organa bowed his head slightly, "Of course."

The two Jedi turned, making their way back to the aircraft. Carina did breathing exercises as it was not the time to relish in her grief, she couldn't, but memories of her beloved friend flickered in her mind, memories of when they would eat dinner together, make jokes and even when they would stand side by side fighting.

Padme had always been there for Carina ever since they were children, but the one time Padme needed her, she hadn't been there.

Obi-Wan glanced down to see his sister audibly swallowing, he knew the news had hurt her, especially because someone she loved had done it, the Jedi Master hesitantly spoke up in a gentle tone, "We must stop him, Carina."

"I know."

―

AUTHORS NOTE,
let's all prepare for the shitshow that the next chapter will be