Celene awoke, nestled into Din's side, the pale blue of the sky overhead mixed with the fading pinks and yellows of dawn.
She laid quietly, watching the sunrise and listening to the steady breathing of Din beside her. She savored the moment, knowing this likely would be the last of it. Her future was blurry now, the outcome unclear.
In truth, she had told Din she didn't wish to discuss their plans anymore because she already knew what she needed to do. She already knew what was going to happen. The challenge lay in telling him. And her father, she supposed.
And saying goodbye.
She allowed herself to dwell on these thoughts a little longer before she propped herself up on her elbows, taking in the hardened features of Din's face, the faint stubble that was scattered across his cheeks. Then, ever so softly, she brushed the strands of hair from his forehead, letting her fingers linger before resting her palm on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. She took in a breath and used the Force to lull his mind into a deep sleep. She felt his pulse slow.
Shoving away the nausea of using the Force on Din like that, Celene stood and pulled on her pants and shirt, and grabbed her jacket. She made for the woods, slipping into the shadows between the trees. About half a mile from the ship, the trees emptied out into a clearing where Luke was already waiting for her.
He turned, sensing her presence, hands tucked into the sleeves of his dark robes. The damp grass crunched softly under her feet and she came to a stop beside him.
Her father spoke first. "I suppose it will be useless to try to talk you out of this."
The breeze rustled strands of her hair. "You should know as well as anyone this is the only solution. This is the only way to keep everyone safe and the damage at a minimum."
Luke sighed deeply. "Yes." He looked at her. "You know you will never see them again."
The words struck deep but Celene had already been building up her walls, readying herself for this. For the inevitable. She lifted her chin. "This is my fault. I never should have got involved with Grogu and... the Mandalorian in the first place. I'm the only one who can stop this. It is my burden to bear."
"Celene, it's not your fault- you were taken as a child-"
"It doesn't matter how I got here. These mistakes can only be righted by me," she said, turning to look into her father's face. "It will take a monster to destroy a monster."
Realization dawned in her father's clear eyes. "You mean to fulfill the ancient rite."
She nodded, not even wanting to voice the words out loud. "It is the only way."
"Let me come with you-"
"No." Her voice was sharp. "No. You have to teach your students. The next generation."
"And what of the Mandalorian? You know he will not allow you to go alone."
"That is not his choice to make. These matters do not involve him."
"You're going to leave him here."
She didn't answer, only slowly building up that stone wall inside herself, piece by piece. Shutting everything out. "It is the only way." She said finally.
The sun began to rise fully over the lake in the distance, the rays shimmering off the water. Celene turned to Luke. "I must go. Din will come to find you after I leave, I am sure."
Pain glinted in Luke's eyes but they did not embrace. He bowed his head to her. "May the Force be with you."
Celene returned the gesture. "And also with you."
That was as much as she would allow between them. She did not need the emotion to weigh her down with where she was going. She turned back, starting through the woods. The hardest part was yet to come... getting around Din to leave.
It would not be easy. She would need to shatter this bond between them. It would hurt, would hurt him, but the pain would only make her stronger. She could only hope he would eventually understand.
He was awake when she reached the Falcon, his Beskar and helmet still in a pile on the ground. A few tools were beside him, light flashing in the clearing as he welded a slight mar across the shiny surface of his chest piece. He looked up at the sound of her approach. "Where have you been?" He then frowned at her expression. "What's wrong?"
Celene came to a stop a few feet from him and took a breath. "I have to leave, Din."
"Okay." He brushed his hands on his pants. "Let me finish this and then we can go. Did you already talk to Luke-"
"Alone, Din. I have to leave alone."
He paused and then let out a chuckle. "You-you're joking right?" His smile faded. "Celene, what-"
"You cannot come with me." Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. Like it was not her own. Like she was not even present. This was just an obstacle to overcome in her path.
"Celene, what the hell is going on? What are you talking about?"
"This is my fate." She swallowed. "And you are not a part of it. This is something I must do on my own."
His voice grew hard. "I'm not letting you leave without me. Whatever it is, whatever is going on, we'll face it together." His eyes searched her face but she knew it was a mask of frozen stone.
Celene met his gaze, knowing there was nothing but ice and cold steel in her tone. "Not this time, Din."
She knew he felt the blow behind her words by the way his face changed. She started forward but he shifted to block her path. She drew up short. "Don't make me do this."
"You won't hurt me." His tone was hard.
"Move, Din."
"No."
He had no Beskar, no blaster. She had none either. A small piece of her broke inside as she raised her hand, rallying the Force. A split-second of shock flitted across his face as he realized what she was doing before he dove for her, knocking her to the ground and shattering her concentration.
They hit the grass, rolling before Celene maneuvered from under his weight, twisting his arm into a lock. Din grabbled, flipping himself around and breaking her hold. They shoved apart and rose to their feet.
"Let me go, Din."
"You know I can't do that."
Celene gritted her teeth. "Then you leave me no choice." She lunged, using the Force to catapult herself through the air. Din dodged her blow, trapping her arm within his own. She swing upwards with her elbow and he grunted, blocking it just in time. She spun slamming her foot into his ribs and he stumbled backward.
She pressed her advantage, moving toward him with another solid blow he barely avoided. He lashed out at her legs, catching her by surprise. She sensed the strike coming for her face a second too late, his fist connecting with her jaw. Din reeled back, apparently just as surprised as she was.
Celene wiped the blood from her nose, looking at the crimson liquid smeared across her hand.
"Celene-" Din rose to his feet.
She spat blood into the grass. "You have to let me go, Din."
"Why?" He raised his hands. "Why do you insist on going alone-"
"Because it is my right!" She snapped, the words filling the space between them. Din fell silent. Celene's chest heaved as she spit out the words. "It is my right as his apprentice to kill him. Only a Sith can end this."
Din's face leeched of all color. "You mean to kill the Emperor."
"Yes." She drew back her shoulders. "Now let me go."
"No." He took a step toward her. "He will kill you-"
"I will kill him," she snarled, pain and anger melding into one. "This is my role to play. The Emperor wants me to rule, so I will. But it will be different."
Din watched her, an unreadable emotion flickering across his face. "This isn't you, Celene."
"You're wrong." She shook her head. "It's who I've always been." She shoved Din with the Force, sending him flying backward across the grass, not giving him the chance to respond. He pushed himself to his hands and knees, panting. "Stop-"
She shoved him again, further this time, and then willed the Force to keep him pinned as she stalked for her ship. He began to scream her name, over and over, and she could feel him pushing back against her power.
But she turned away, unable to look at him, unable to view the irreparable damage she had wrought. He was still screaming her name as she closed the door of the Falcon and sank into the pilot's seat. Only when she was in the air, high above the surface of Tython did she release her power, exhaling at the strain.
But despite the distance now between them, she could still hear the echoes of his screams sounding in the recess of her mind.
