Dathomir isn't very far from the planet Teya named Murakam. At max speed my former home became closer rapidly, "Teya!" I call to get her attention. "That Sith lord who grabbed us will be tracking our thruster's signature. He won't be far behind us."

"So Retra, what's the plan then?" The Morelian asks.

"He won't dare come after us on Dathomir. Even the Sith fear witches," I assure her.

Teya smirks, "What about after?"

"That... Let's hope Roan or his secret master have a solution," I reply.

"You don't have a plan?!" Teya shouts.

I frown," I don't have a solution for everything and neither do you. I am working with what we got and if you have a better plan, go ahead."

Pondering for a moment Teya responds," That's fair, it's just I rely on Roan too much. I've already put him in great danger. He was doing fine on his own with his shop on Jedha."

I reach out my hand to place it on her shoulder but stop myself." He chose this, never second guess his choices. That's like trying to remove a warrior's scar."

Teya nods." Thanks, I don't get what you mean but your attempt to cheer me up is appreciated."

She smiles at me sweetly and I feel my face start to flush. So I turn back to the ship's control panel ready the ship for landing as soon as we get close enough.

My timing was almost perfect with our ship being only minutes away. I calculate the trajectory set the course and convert the ship into landing mode. The wings curl in a little to decrease friction from atmospheric entry.

The ship's descent and landing are no ruffer than usual taking less than twenty minutes. Immediately our ship is met by a group of my sisters. I activate the hanger door and walk down once it's open.

One of the females leading the group surrounding our ship I know," Drela long time."

The woman scoffs," Che! Hoped you were gone for good."

"Nice to see you two, how's Mother Alima?' I ask.

"If you cared you would not have left," Drela spat.

"You don't want me here but resent that I left? How like you," I reply.

Drela scoffs again turning her head to the side and signals the others to head back to their village.

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"What did you do?" Teya asks.

I shrug," Exist."

Drela groans but doesn't argue with my statement," What do you want?"

" The man Mother Alima predicted would be my match is mortally wounded. I came seeking her help," I answer.

" You wish for the ritual of empowering? I doubt even for you, Mother would do such a thing." Drela laughs.

"Let her speak for herself but even if she won't do that she can save his life some other way." I see Teya following us pushing and moving Roan on a hover stretcher.

"Child it's been too long," hummed the voice of a middle-aged woman.

Turning I saw Alima greeting me at the entrance to our village," Mother Alima" I smile.

"You know you can just call me mom," Alima lectures.

"Ugh! Mom!" Drela complains.

"I am very thankful for everything you've done for me but I am not your blood..." I say.

Alima shakes her head," Nonsense child, like it or not you are family."

"Only because she asked for it in exchange for saving my life," Drela complains.

"You're mistaken but I'll deal with you later. Go to your dwelling until I come for you," Alima orders eyes fierce like a viper's.

"Now how can I help?" Alima smiles.

"You see those two," I point to Teya and Roan.

"So they are?" Alima says meeting my gaze knowingly.

"Yes," I reply.

Placing her hand on Roan she closes her eyes and focuses. After a moment she turns to me," are you sure? He's extremely weak."

I take off my gloves covering my robotic hands," I am certain".

Alima appraises Roan again this time noticing the flower causing her expression to change and she nods seemingly satisfied by something," Take him to my tent. I will have the others ready for the ritual. This one will be a little different than normal and you will have to pray that he can choose his path without preparation."

"Preparation for what?" Teya questions.

"He will have to accept power and how he does so will change how he uses the force. If he accepts the power to protect others then he will be drawn to the light side but should he choose selfish reasons then he will be drawn to the dark. If he can balance between the two he will remain unaligned which is what we usually aim to do since doing otherwise means getting manipulated by the will of the Force," Alima explains.

"Then I hope he chooses the light," Teya responds.

"How selfish of you wishing to not be alone by having his choice taken away instead of wishing for what's best for him," Alima lectures.

"I... " Teya stutters.

"You are not alone even if he doesn't share your way of the force. If you love someone then you are not alone. Just as you wouldn't abandon him, he won't abandon you," Alima adds.

"That's very wise," Teya bows taking her leave.

As soon as Teya was gone Alima said," We'll talk about her later but right now this boy shouldn't be Force-sensitive. Yet he possesses a force ability beyond rare. For him, I don't want to do empowering by Mist but something more permanent. He needs Midichlorians and I can modify the ritual to do that. The cost is higher and the overall effect less but it will have a larger qualitative change for him."

"As long as it will help him and save his life then it's perfect but what's the price?" I ask.

"I will lose a few years of my lifespan," Alima.

"That's too much!" I exclaim.

"Silly sweet girl you came into my life and saved Drela. You could have asked for anything but when I asked what you wished for you said true love while holding a storybook. At that moment as a mother seeing a girl who had never known love wishing for it, I couldn't help but come to love you too," Amelia adds.

"But... Mom," I complain.

"No buts Mother knows best now Go check on your Morelian," Alima says shooing me away.