Star Wars: Starkiller

Weeks had passed since what happened at the temple. Weeks in which every thought seemed to drag me back to those words spoken by that mysterious voice.

"Follow the path you know, or create a new one."

Those words echoed in my mind like an endless refrain, something even the harsh training I imposed on my body couldn't silence. I tried to convince myself they didn't matter, that they meant nothing to me... but deep down, I knew that voice was right.

My entire life had followed a single path because I had always had a single purpose: to destroy the Emperor alongside my master. Darth Vader had shaped every aspect of my existence, from my training to my purpose. But all of that changed with his betrayal.

Now, my goal was singular: to take revenge on Vader. Revenge gave me direction, a reason to keep going. And yet, in moments of silence, when the galaxy fell quiet, and there were no enemies to fight or tasks to fulfill, that question returned like a dagger to my mind.

'But if I achieve my revenge… then what?

The emptiness those words brought with them was... unsettling. I had never thought beyond my objectives. First, the desire to please my master, to prove I was the perfect weapon. Then, the desire to survive after his betrayal. And now... revenge.

But if revenge were to be fulfilled, if I finally defeated Vader, what would remain of me? What purpose would I have? Who would I be?

I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind. I didn't have time for useless philosophies. Revenge didn't require introspection, only strength and determination. And those were the things I knew best.

However, in the days following the temple, something began to change. It wasn't immediate or clear. But being around Kanan and Ezra, watching how they interacted, how they faced challenges and kept moving forward together, planted a seed of doubt within me.

Kanan trusted Ezra in a way I couldn't understand. It wasn't just about teaching him to use the Force or training him to be strong. There was something deeper in their relationship: mutual respect, a connection that wasn't based on fear, as mine had been with Vader.

On the other hand, Ezra... the kid had a will that, while immature at times, was admirable. In the temple, he had faced his fears and emerged with more than just a Kyber crystal. He had come out with a clarity I didn't have, a purpose that didn't rely on hatred or revenge.

It was hard not to notice the differences between them and me. Vader never trusted me, nor I him. Our relationship was based on power, on control. I had always known he saw me as a tool, a weapon to achieve his ends. But until the day of his betrayal, a part of me still wanted to earn his respect, to prove that I was worthy of something more than his silent disdain.

And now… what was left?

*KNOCK KNOCK*

The dry, firm sound at the door shattered the silence of my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

"Come in." I said in a neutral tone, not bothering to turn my head.

The door slid open, revealing Sabine with her hands on her hips and that characteristic energy she always carried with her. Her gaze studied me for a moment before she spoke.

"Hey, Galen. How's it going? I was about to go paint for a bit, but I noticed you weren't there… again. What's up with you lately?"

Her words caught me off guard. She was right: in recent days, I had been distant, without even realizing it. Painting with Sabine had become a regular thing over the past few weeks. It wasn't something I had planned or sought out, but little by little, it had turned into a sort of routine. Her ability to express herself through art—something so foreign to my own training—had always intrigued me. Helping her, even if it was just mixing colors or applying layers of paint under her instructions, had been an unexpected respite.

"You've been distant," she continued, crossing her arms. Her tone wasn't accusatory, but there was a hint of genuine concern. "Are you okay?"

I sighed internally. I wasn't used to someone worrying about me—at least, not like this. "I'm fine," I replied in my usual tone, though I knew it wouldn't be enough to convince her.

Sabine raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. "Really? Because it doesn't seem like it. Lately, you've been like… in another world."

I looked at her for a moment before lowering my gaze. "I'm just... thinking."

"Thinking, huh?" she replied, relaxing her arms. "Well, you can keep thinking while we paint. Come on, I need you."

Sabine didn't wait for my response and simply turned on her heels, walking toward the hangar. For a moment, I considered staying behind, but something in her attitude made me get up. Painting had been a constant lately, and maybe returning to that routine would help me find some clarity.

When I arrived at the hangar, Sabine had already set up the paint cans, brushes, and stencils. Everything was ready, as always. She was bent over one of the Phantom's wings, adjusting a stencil with precision.

"I knew you'd come." She said without looking at me, a slight smile on her face.

"Oh, yeah? And how were you so sure?" I asked as I approached.

"Because you never leave a job half-finished." She replied in a light tone, but her comment carried a kernel of truth.

I walked over and picked up one of the Paint spray. Without needing instructions, I started working where I knew she would need me. I had done this so many times before that the process felt almost automatic. As I applied a layer of colour, I felt the weight on my mind begin to lift, if only slightly.

Sabine broke the silence as we painted. "You know, it's weird not seeing you around here. I'd gotten used to having you as my assistant. Thought you'd gotten bored."

"Bored?" I repeated, not taking my eyes off my work. "No. I just... needed some time to think."

She paused before responding, as if carefully choosing her words. "Well, it's fine to think, but you can't stay stuck in your own head all the time. Sometimes doing something with your hands helps. Don't you think?"

I didn't respond immediately. In a way, she was right. Painting with Sabine had been one of the few things that disconnected me from my own thoughts. Maybe it was the simplicity of the act or the way she made it seem so natural, so... free.

"Maybe." I finally admitted, my tone softer than usual.

"See? I knew it," she said with a smile as she leaned over to work on another part of the design. "Besides, you're pretty good at this, you know? I'd even say you have a hidden talent."

"A hidden talent for painting?" I asked with a slight hint of incredulity.

"Yeah. Although you're a bit lacking in style," she joked, winking at me.

We worked in silence for a while, the only sound being the spray cans and brushes moving across the metal. Sabine had always been good at filling the silence with her energy, and although I wouldn't admit it aloud, that energy was something I had started to value.

As I applied the final coat of paint, I paused for a moment and looked at our work. It was an intricate design, full of colors and shapes that only Sabine could have imagined. I didn't entirely understand the meaning behind her creations, but I could see the passion in every line, in every stroke.

Sabine glanced at me out of the corner of her eye as she wiped her hands on a rag. "What are you thinking about now?"

"How different you are." I replied without thinking.

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It's... interesting." I said finally.

Sabine smiled, but this time it was a soft smile, as if she understood something I couldn't quite grasp. "Well, maybe you need something different in your life."

I remained silent for a few moments, considering what she had just said. She was right. My life so far had been a lonely path, filled with shadows, orders, and battles. But here, painting with her, there was something different. Something warmer. Something I didn't know how to define.

Without realizing it, my thoughts became clearer, sharper. And before I could stop myself, I placed my hand over hers, barely brushing it, but enough to make her freeze.

"Galen! Wh-what are you doing?" Sabine exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with a blush that contrasted with the paint still smudged on her face. Her eyes were wide, caught somewhere between surprise and confusion.

I watched her in silence for another second before calmly withdrawing my hand, though my gaze remained fixed on hers. "Nothing. I was just… thanking you. I'm not used to this," I said, my voice lower, almost uncertain, though I still maintained my neutral tone.

Sabine seemed to process my words, studying my face as if trying to decipher what was going through my mind. Finally, she looked away, still blushing, and let out a small, nervous laugh. "Well, you could just say 'thank you' like any other normal person, you know."

"Maybe." I replied, and although my tone was neutral, a small, almost imperceptible smile formed on my lips.

She looked at me again, this time with a mix of amusement and something else I couldn't quite identify. "You know, you're a complete mystery sometimes, Galen."

"Aren't we all?" I replied, turning my attention back to the painting.