*The cries of two newborns echoed through the hidden medical sanctuary, soft sounds in the silence left by the Republic’s fall.

Outside, the galaxy burned.

The Jedi were gone. Clones hunted their former generals.

Inside, there were only two tiny lives, unaware that the next few minutes would shape the galaxy’s future.

Padmé Amidala lay weak but awake, tears in her eyes as she held her children close.

Obi-Wan Kenobi stood nearby, the weight of loss heavy on his shoulders.

His friend was gone.

His apprentice was gone.

His brother was gone.

Yet before him lay the last pieces of the man Anakin had once been.

Bail Organa stepped closer. “The twins cannot stay together. If the Emperor discovers them...”

No one needed him to finish.

At last, Bail looked to the infant boy. “I will take Luke. He’ll be hidden on Tatooine with Owen and Beru.”

Obi-Wan nodded. Then his gaze fell on the little girl.

Something inside him broke.

Without thinking, he stepped closer. “I’ll take her.”

Everyone looked at him.

“I’ll keep her hidden,” he said quietly. “Far from the Empire. Far from Vader.”

His voice caught on the last name.

“I couldn’t save her father. But perhaps... I can protect his daughter.”

Padmé’s face crumpled, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. She looked from Luke to her daughter before meeting Obi-Wan’s tired blue eyes.

“You’d raise her?”

“I would guard her with my life.”

He knelt beside the bed and brushed a finger across the baby’s tiny hand. Instantly, her fingers wrapped around his.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Obi-Wan smiled.

“She’s strong,” he murmured. “I can already feel it.”

Padmé gave a shaky laugh through her tears. “She has Anakin’s determination...”

“And your heart,” Obi-Wan replied gently.

After a long moment, Padmé kissed her daughter’s forehead.

“My sweet girl... wherever life takes you... know that you were loved from your very first breath.”

With trembling hands, she passed the infant into Obi-Wan’s arms.

He held Guest as though she were the most precious thing in the galaxy, supporting her tiny head beneath the folds of a worn jedi cloak.

“So small...” he whispered. “So much hope.”

The Force flowed gently around them, warm and peaceful despite the darkness spreading across the stars. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and made a silent promise.

I failed your father.

I will not fail you.

When he opened his eyes, resolve had replaced grief.

He rose, adjusting the cloak around the sleeping infant before looking one last time at Padmé, Bail, and Luke.

“This is goodbye,” Bail said softly.

“For now,” Obi-Wan answered.

Cradling Guest securely, he turned toward the waiting transport.

He would become a ghost.

A wandering hermit.

A forgotten Jedi.

If that was what it took to keep the little girl safe from the Empire, then he would gladly disappear from history.

As the ship lifted into the night sky, Obi-Wan looked down at the child resting peacefully against him.

“Rest well, little one,” he whispered with a faint smile. “The galaxy is far too loud for you just yet.”

She gave the tiniest sleepy sigh, clutching a fold of his robe.

Obi-Wan smiled again.

For the first time since the Republic had fallen, he carried something worth living for.*