The escape from Vraxis marked a turning point for Anderous and Eva. Though Darth Malrik still loomed as a threat, the bond between the two Force wielders grew deeper with every passing day. Their partnership became more than a necessity, it became a sanctuary.
But the galaxy was relentless, and whispers of Malrik's vengeance stirred rebellion and fear across the territories Anderous once controlled. The war wasn't over, and Eva knew the final confrontation with Malrik was inevitable.
Yet, amidst the chaos, the seeds of hope, and love, were beginning to bloom.
Under Starlit Skies
Their ship, the Eclipse Shadow, floated quietly in orbit around the tranquil moon of Mynvarra. After weeks of intense battles, Eva insisted they take a moment to rest and regroup. The moon's surface was covered in glowing fields of azure grass, illuminated by twin moons casting a serene silver light.
Eva stood at the edge of a small hill, her golden saber deactivated but in hand, as she gazed at the horizon. Anderous approached her, his steps deliberate and his crimson and greenish-blue sabers clipped at his belt.
"Not the kind of battlefield you're used to," she said, sensing his presence without turning around.
"I've fought enough battles for one lifetime," Anderous replied, his voice softer than usual. He stepped beside her, letting the calm surroundings ease the tension that had gripped them both for so long.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was not awkward but comforting, a shared reprieve from the galaxy's turmoil.
"You've changed," Eva said finally, her gaze still fixed on the stars above. "The man I met on Lothal would never have paused to admire something like this."
Anderous chuckled softly. "The man you met on Lothal was blinded by anger. You've shown me there's more to this galaxy than conquest and revenge."
She turned to face him, her golden eyes reflecting the moonlight. "And there's more to you than the Dark Side. I see it every time you spare someone, every time you fight to protect rather than destroy."
Anderous hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in. "You make it sound like I'm a good man," he said, a hint of doubt in his voice.
"You are," Eva said firmly, taking a step closer. "You just haven't seen it yet."
A Moment of Vulnerability
As the night deepened, Anderous and Eva set up camp under the open sky. The fire crackled softly between them, casting flickering shadows on their faces. Eva leaned back against a large rock, her Jedi robes loosened slightly for comfort. Anderous sat cross-legged across from her, sharpening a small vibro blade he carried as a backup weapon.
"Do you ever think about the past?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Anderous paused, the blade in his hands stilling. "All the time," he admitted. "I think about my master, about the choices I made… and about you."
"Me?" Eva raised an eyebrow.
"You were my enemy once," Anderous said with a faint smile. "And now, you're the only person I trust. It's… unexpected."
Eva's expression softened. "The Force works in mysterious ways," she said. "But I'm glad it brought us here."
He looked at her then, his crimson eyes meeting hers. "So am I."
For a moment, the galaxy seemed to disappear. The firelight danced between them, and the unspoken connection they had always shared felt stronger than ever. Slowly, Anderous reached across the space between them, his hand brushing against hers.
Eva didn't pull away. Instead, she entwined her fingers with his, her touch warm and grounding.
"You're not alone anymore," she said softly.
A Test of Love
Their moment was interrupted by the distant sound of approaching ships. Anderous stood immediately, his senses alert.
"They've found us," he said grimly. Eva rose beside him, igniting her golden saber. "Then we'll face them together."
The Sith acolytes descended in waves, their red sabers glowing ominously in the darkness. Anderous and Eva fought side by side, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Amidst the chaos, Eva found herself cornered by two acolytes. Before she could act, Anderous intervened, his greenish-blue saber cutting through the darkness and striking the attackers down.
"You alright?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine," she said breathlessly. "But don't think this means I need saving."
Anderous smirked. "I wouldn't dare."
The battle raged on, but together they held their ground. Their connection through the Force grew stronger, each move anticipating the other's, as if they were two parts of the same soul.
Aftermath and Confessions
When the last acolyte fell, Anderous and Eva stood amidst the carnage, their sabers still ignited. Anderous looked at Eva, his expression conflicted.
"They'll keep coming," he said. "Malrik won't stop until he destroys everything we've built."
"Then we make him stop," Eva said firmly.
"It's not that simple," Anderous said, turning away. "He's stronger than you can imagine. And if he sees how much you mean to me…"
Eva stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not afraid of him," she said. "And I won't let you face this alone."
He turned to her, his walls finally crumbling. "You're the only good thing I have left," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "If anything happened to you…"
"Nothing will happen to me," she said, her voice steady. "Because I have you."
For the first time, Anderous allowed himself to fully embrace the truth he had been avoiding. He loved her, and no power in the galaxy could change that.
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, he pulled her into a fierce embrace, their connection through the Force binding them together in a way neither had experienced before.
"We'll face him together," Anderous said, his resolve firm.
"And we'll win," Eva replied, her voice filled with unwavering confidence.