Within the white void, I've come to think of as some subconscious mental space I sit cross-legged towards the Bith Master I've been getting to know.

"What now?" I ask

"In the outside world your girls have taken you to Dathomir and a ritual that will empower you permanently with the Force is underway," the Bith explains.

I sigh in relief," That's good right?" I ask while inwardly questioning what he meant by " your girls".

"No, now comes the dangerous part." The old master corrects.

"Huh?"

"You have to survive what's essentially a transplant of midi-chlorians and accept the power for the right reasons. Accepting it only to protect others will bind you to the Will of the light side while accepting power solely for personal gain or desire for power will bind you to the Anti Will. Something I once did not believe existed but now I know better," The wise Bith lectures.

"So what do I do if I want to walk in between both paths?" I ask.

"That's a good choice, balance makes you invisible to either side. To walk that path you need a foot on both paths. Welcome the power to protect and out of a desire to be stronger".

"That's sounds easy," I reply.

"Does it? Well, it's not!" The older Bith chuckles.

I sigh, "Then what hope do I have?"

"More than you think," responds the flower residing on my neck.

I stare back into the reflective pool between me and Master Bith. Locking gazes at the plant and waiting for further explanation.

A significant pause passes between us," isn't it obvious? I am linked to your mind and I can pull images and memories to the surface. I can help you control and guide your own thoughts."

A shiver goes down my mental spine. The sheer thought of another being having that much control over me is pure terror.

"Relax, I'm here to help you. I'm not a parasite and I can't make you do or think anything. I can only help you do what you WANT," The Orchid explains.

I squint at the flower," What if I don't trust you?"

"Unless you want to fall to the dark side, I suggest you have a little faith." The Murakami Orchid threatens.

I feel dread at the idea of it. That is a self-consuming path that has corrupted nearly everyone who has touched it. Can one resist their desires forever?

"Fine! If you let me fall to the Dark side I'll rip you off my neck even if it kills me," I threaten.

"Relax, this is about choice. Just let it flow and I'll help you find the way to your chosen path."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I lay back allowing my connection to the force to reach out around me. The relaxation is only momentary because as soon as I do thousands of ants begin crawling up my skin. Only they aren't ants but my minds representation of Midi-chlorians.

Immediately my mind is overwhelmed by their voices. Countless images and voices trying to sway me in one direction or the other. I could tell that the microorganisms had predispositions for one side of the Force based on who or what they had been a part of before.

All of them want me to choose a side but the Murakami Orchid gives me a flashback of the moment I chose to protect Teya over saving myself," In this moment you regretted not being strong enough to defend yourself. You didn't want to be a burden for her and you chose to selflessly protect her. Seeking strength to protect but having a desire to be stronger yourself. so focus on this moment and let its image reach the Midi-chlorian's."

The simple organisms that are midi-chlorians were trying to sway me with images of great force users. So I am to do the same? So be it!

I play the image of my impossible battle with the Droidekas for them. I let them bask in the feeling of helplessness, desire for greater power, and love of a friend. The voices dimmed and the images stopped. I understand now that these entities are lovers of a good story. Relaying their favorite experience or emotions to the new Force user. It makes me wonder how much influence this has on a person's development in life. Does it have any effect on the mind like the Will of the Force? Is it part of the same thing? I am left with more questions than answers.

Like a part clicking into a droid's proper place in its housing, I feel the process is complete. Newfound strength becomes available to me and I drift out of the white space back into hazy consciousness.

----------------------------------------

"Did you tell her you were pretending to be a part of the empire?" Says the voice of a Dathomir woman I've never met before.

Retra shakes her head," I... I can't. She would never believe me and..."

"You should have told her that you always captured the target alive and gave them the means to escape after giving them to incompetent troopers," says the same Dathomir woman in a grandiose robe.

"Mom I can't, she thinks I tried to kill her," Retra says sadly.

"Well now she will know the truth", says the woman turning to me and revealing to Retra that I am awake.