𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍.

It was the first thought that crossed her mind when she awoke that morning.

Rune desperately wished to know what he meant when he referred to her as pure—Though she felt that it might've been more of a mockery, she couldn't be quite sure.

All of her desires would have to be quelled this day, the sound of knocking at her door was indicative of that.

"Runie?" The calm voice of Mother Aniseya called to her. She sat up in her bed expectantly.

Her mother smiled when she saw her, walking over to seat herself onto the bed.

"I am told you snuck out yesterday." Mother Aniseya began.

Rune immediately felt immense guilt.

"Yes, and I'm sorry." Rune apologized. "I shouldn't have acted like that,I see it now."

Aniseya shook her head. "It is only natural, you're getting older and curiosities cannot be quenched."

Rune looked downwards, worried that if she looked into her mother's eyes for too long, she'd discover the truth.

"The Thread often pulls us to our density, it isn't something to be controlled," Aniseya said.

"Destiny is a worrying concept," Rune said in a huff. "I want only to choose."

Mother Aniseya chuckled at that, her face turning more serious afterward.

"Your ascension is today." She reminded.

"I know that," Rune responded quickly, a bit too terse even.

Mother Aniseya reached out a hand to Rune's cheek, stroking it softly. It was her fault, for making Rune a single entity–That must be the true cause of her plummeting loneliness.

"I know you think that life outside of this coven might suit you better." Aniseya sighed.

Rune's mind drifted once more–To him. He was outside of this coven and his power was overwhelming.

"Witches like us will never be accepted on the outside, my darling moon." Aniseya continued, standing up.

"But, what if there are those that could connect with us?" Rune blurted out before she could stop herself.

Mother Aniseya tilted her head. "And who would you be referring to?"

"Never mind." Rune fiddled with her hands.

"You are special, exceedingly so." Mother Aniseya assured.

"I want you to remain that way, here."

"Yes, mother." Rune agreed, although her heart was nowhere in it.

"The other sisters will come to help you dress momentarily," Aniseya added, leaving the door slightly open.

Rune sighed as she left the comfort of her bed, sitting at her mirrored table.

She couldn't help but wonder what the stranger was doing at this very moment. It was early, maybe he was still sleeping.

Or waiting for her.

Both of those thoughts made her feel a burning unfamiliarity.

She was unable to sit with those feelings for too long though, the other witches ushered themselves into her room to get her ready.

Rune didn't say much, unlike her usual self. None of this felt truly right, becoming a future leader of the coven was certainly not her true desire. Her mothers had drilled it into her not to be selfish, but she couldn't help herself.

The gown she was adorned in was a light sheer purple, draping down to the floor. Her back was exposed, soon it would bear the white markings of a true coven witch. Her dark locs were adorned with gold jewelry.

She looked pretty, and so unlike herself.

Nothing felt right–Even as she was escorted to the cliffs, her fellow witches looked to her in admiration.

Rune felt as though she was leading them all astray.

Up ahead, her mother stood proud, and the pit in her stomach worsened. Rune fought to keep her composure until she arrived at the front. Mother Koril looked at her with a softened pride, while Aniseya was joyful.

"Tonight we perform a ceremony we have not performed since our exile." Mother Aniseya said.

The witches had been hunted and persecuted by the galaxy because of their power and Rune supposed the same would have went for her had she been born at an earlier time.

"On the brink of our extinction, we were blessed with the gift of life." Mother Aniseya gestured to Rune.

Rune did not see herself as a gift or anything else really; She played her part though, falling to her knees and facing her sister witches.

They all bowed in reverence to her and Rune felt a deep shame, though she didn't exactly know why.

She did not wish to be worshiped–She wanted to be free.

"What the Thread has given us, is more than a miracle," Aniseya said. "It has given us a future."

Rune breathed out steadily, feeling a sudden chill–The Thread often made her feel cold, it was like a playful frost that brushed through her.

"The power of one." Mother Koril held up her hands, Rune closed her eyes.

"The power of two." The coven chanted.

"The power of many," Rune whispered to herself. She couldn't deny it no matter how hard she tried.

Rune could feel everything–It was equal parts overwhelming and alluring. When she focused, all else disappeared. She could feel multiple threads of her coven running directly to her, mixing into her aura.

The chants of the coven harmonized louder, but Rune couldn't hear them, only the Thread. The twin moons glowed above her head as if to claim ownership.

"Ana-Rune Anisiya." Rune raised her head in response.

"Mother."

"Do you vow upon my death to protect the secrets of our coven and continue our legacy?" Mother Aniseya asked.

All the witches looked at Rune expectantly for her answer. With that kind of pressure how could she say anything but?

"I do," Rune answered, and for the first time this day she truly meant it. Never in a million galaxies would Rune betray the interest of her coven or her mothers.

With that promise, Aniseya summoned the thread and it glowed a slight purple, pushing onto Rune's back. Rune gasped but it wasn't pain she felt– It was complete.

The white-swirled markings ran along the spine of her back, a sure sign of what she was.

Ana-Rune was a witch–A real one.

—

RUNE ENDURED THE REST OF THE CEREMONY AS BEST SHE COULD.

The dinner had been long and Rune had been showered in gifts and praises.

Her knee bounced antsily and Mother Koril noticed.

"Is there something else you'd rather be doing?" Koril questioned.

"Don't think I'm not thankful for all of this," Rune said before Koril could elaborate.

Mother Aniseya gently touched Rune's hand. "We know that you are."

"I left something in the woods yesterday," Rune said innocently. "I'd like to go get it.

"Can it not wait?" Mother Koril pressed in suspicion.

Rune eagerly shook her head, if she spoke any more she worried everything would slip out.

"You may go." Aniseya chuckled. "But do try to return at a reasonable time."

Rune shot up quickly, unable to help herself as she pressed a kiss to Aniseya's cheek.

"Thank you, mother!"

Koril and Aniseya watched Rune sprint out of the hall and when she was completely gone they gave each other a look.

"Was it something she left?" Aniseya smirked. "Or someone?"

"She must think us gullible." Koril shook her head. "It's likely one from the village."

Mother Aniseya hummed, though she silently disagreed.

—

RUNE HAD RAN THE ENTIRE WAY TO THE CABIN.

She hadn't even bothered to change, still clad in her gown. She stood breathless outside of the door hoping she didn't look as eager as she felt. It was a strange feeling, but not unwelcome–She felt silly and girlish as her brown eyes sparkled with a giddiness that shot up her entire body.

Rune didn't bother to knock, if the stranger was still in there he likely had heard all the huffing and puffing she'd been doing.

When Rune opened the door, he was nowhere to be found. She was forced to swallow the thick disappointment she felt.

She knew it was starkly naive to think he'd stay for long, seeing how Jedi were probably searching for him.

There wasn't even a trace of him, her eyes searched all over the room for...something, anything.

And just like that, the loneliness ate at her once more–A warm contrast to the comforting chill of the Thread she'd feel.

But then, Rune saw something. It was small, but it sparkled on the table. Picking it up for closer inspection, Rune's eyes widened.

It was a kyber crystal—He left it for her, Rune was sure of it.

That girlish smile made an appearance again. She flopped onto her bed, the same one he had laid in just yesterday.

She stared at the clear crystal for some time and the urge to explore grew stronger.

Her true destiny was somewhere out there...and she intended to find it.