The streets of Coruscant thrum with life, a symphony of sounds and scents that assault the senses. The sharp tang of ozone mingles with the sweet aroma of spice stalls wafting through the air, while the hum of speeders vibrates beneath my feet like a living pulse. Obi-Wan walks beside me, his presence as steady and reassuring as the rhythm of his breaths, each one measured and calm. Anakin's arm drapes easily over my shoulders, warm and grounding, though it makes me flinch—a small, involuntary reaction to the weight of touch after days confined to sterile med bays.

"I'm certainly glad you're back," Anakin says, his voice rich with relief, tinged with that boyish enthusiasm only he can muster. His hand squeezes gently, and I manage a weak smile. "Thank you, Ani."

But the moment is fleeting, shattered by the sudden, deafening crack of a gunshot. It echoes through the crowded streets, sharp and metallic, cutting through the ambient noise like a blade slicing silk. My heart leaps into my throat, and instinct takes over. We dive for cover behind a durasteel pillar, the cold metal biting into my skin as adrenaline floods my veins. The world narrows to this single point of survival—every sound amplified, every movement deliberate.

Above us, Obi-Wan and Anakin leap onto the rooftops, their boots thudding against the duracrete as they pursue the unseen sniper. My chest tightens with worry, but then comes the sound that freezes me in place: a strangled grunt, followed by the sickening thud of a body hitting the ground.

Obi-Wan.

Time slows, stretching into an eternity of horror. I watch as his limp form tumbles into the shadows of an alley below, his cloak billowing like a funeral shroud. For a moment, there's nothing—no sound, no motion, just the unbearable silence of loss. Then, the dam breaks.

A roar erupts from deep within me, primal and raw, shaking the very foundations of the buildings around us. The air grows heavy, charged with energy as my transformation begins. Scales burst forth beneath my skin, hard and cool to the touch, glistening under the neon lights of Coruscant. My muscles ripple and expand, bones cracking and shifting as the kaiju inside me rises, unyielding and unstoppable.

The smell of burnt flesh fills the air as my claws tear into the pavement, sending shards of concrete flying. The taste of blood coats my tongue—not mine, but the sniper's, whose terrified scream is music to my ears as my teeth sink into his neck. Bone gives way with a wet crunch, and I toss his broken body aside, throwing him down near Obi-Wan's still form.

Now, the city becomes my stage, a canvas for my fury. Buildings quake beneath my growls, their glass facades shattering into cascading waterfalls of glittering shards. My tail lashes out, striking power lines and sending sparks raining down like fireflies. The scent of burning wiring mixes with the acrid stench of fear, filling the air with the unmistakable tang of chaos.

Anakin appears suddenly, standing defiantly between me and Obi-Wan's body. His lightsaber ignites with a hiss, its azure glow illuminating his determined face. "Hey, Nyx, lay down!" he yells, his voice cutting through the cacophony like a beacon of reason.

I lock eyes with him, my vision clouded by tears and rage. The world blurs, colors swirling into a kaleidoscope of purple and black as my grief consumes me. My roar shakes the heavens, reverberating off skyscrapers and causing speeders to veer wildly in panic. Anakin steps closer, lowering his blade slowly, his movements deliberate and soothing.

"Hey," he whispers, his voice soft yet commanding. "Take it easy, okay? He's dead. You killed the sniper. Obi-Wan and I are safe now. Come back... please."

His words pierce through the haze, each syllable resonating like a lifeline thrown into the abyss. Slowly, ever so slowly, the storm within me begins to subside. The scales retreat, shrinking back into my skin as my massive form shrinks until I'm human once again. I collapse to my knees, trembling violently as the reality of what I've done hits me like a freighter.

Anakin rushes to my side, pulling me into a tight embrace. His armor presses against me, cool and reassuring, and I bury my face in his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. Behind us, Obi-Wan stirs, groaning faintly—a sign of life that brings both relief and shame crashing down upon me.

Through blurred vision, I whisper, "I thought I lost him..."

Anakin holds me tighter, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "You didn't. And because of you, we're still here."

For now, the storm subsides—but I know the beast will always be waiting, coiled deep within me, ready to awaken when the galaxy demands it once more.

My former Master approaches slowly, his presence a soothing balm amidst the chaos of my emotions. He takes my hand in his, and even through the haze of tears, I feel the warmth of his touch—steady, comforting, unyielding.

"Hey, hey, Nyx," he says softly, his voice like a melody that pulls me back from the brink. "Look at me."

I obey, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. His outline is blurred by tears, but I can still see the kindness in his eyes, the concern etched into every line of his face. The world around us fades away, leaving only him and me, bound together by threads of shared pain and love.

"Take care of me," Obi-Wan murmurs, his words simple yet profound. And so, I do as he asks, letting his presence envelop me like a mother dragon cradling her cub—or perhaps like a male dragon comforting his mate. My heart skips a beat at the thought, and I lean into him instinctively, seeking solace in the strength of his embrace.

"Don't do that again," I sniffle, my voice trembling with emotion. It's not fair, this constant dance with death, this never-ending cycle of fear and relief. How many times have I put them through the same torment?

Obi-Wan chuckles softly, the sound low and warm against my ear. "I'd like to say that now you know how we feel every time you stand at death's door," he begins, "but I can't." His arms tighten around me for a moment, as if anchoring us both to reality. "It's different when it's someone you... care about deeply," he adds quietly, his voice thick with meaning.

Then he pulls back slightly, wiping a tear from my cheek with his thumb. His fingers linger on my skin, tracing a gentle path that sends shivers down my spine. "I love you very much, my Padawan," he says, his voice soft but firm, filled with conviction. "My sweetheart."

The endearment catches me off guard, sending a wave of warmth flooding through my chest. I blink rapidly, trying to stem the tide of fresh tears threatening to overflow. "You won't leave me like this, I promise," he continues, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that leaves no room for doubt.

In that moment, all the barriers between us seem to dissolve. There's no rank, no title, no past mistakes or lingering fears—just two souls connected by a bond stronger than anything the galaxy could throw at us. I nod silently, pressing my forehead against his shoulder as another sob escapes me.

"I trust you," I whisper, my voice muffled by his robes. And I mean it—with every fiber of my being, I believe him.

Obi-Wan holds me close, stroking my back in slow, deliberate motions. The rhythm is hypnotic, lulling me into a sense of peace I haven't felt in days. For now, there's nothing else but this—the weight of his arm around me, the steady rise and fall of his breaths, and the quiet reassurance that, whatever comes next, we'll face it together.

And as the city of Coruscant hums softly around us, I let myself rest in the knowledge that I am safe—not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually. Safe with him.