the recently released Star Wars book
from a certain point of view Return of
the Jedi includes a chapter covering
Anakin Skywalker's experience of
becoming one with the force from his
perspective including his reaction to
seeing Obi-Wan again and his thoughts on
all of the mistakes that he had made in
his life The Story begins with Anakin on
the verge of death having just had his
helmet removed feeling the Ethereal void
of the force consuming him into its
comfort of cosmic emptiness his life
force flickered as every blink became
heavier and heavier before him was Luke
his eyes filled with compassion and
understanding The Power of Love and Hope
returned to him by his son gave Anakin
enough strength to utter his final words
tell your sister you were right as both
a confession and acknowledgment of his
children's wisdom from there Anakin was
fully drawn into the depths of the force
beginning his journey of self-reflection
as he sank further down a a long
forgotten memory from his childhood
flashed before him a story his mother
had told him about the sun dragon a
mythical creature with an indomitable
heart that overcame all of its obstacles
and protected those it loved as long as
Anakin believed in himself his mother
told him he could do the same by
embracing the strength of his heart this
peaceful reflection was then bombarded
by Echoes and memories of his past
including those of Padme Obi-Wan and
Ahsoka their voices and Visions reminded
Anakin of the person he once was as well
as the choices that he had made that had
him lose all of them in this ethereal
space Anakin experienced a profound
sense of calm and silence a stark
contrast to the mechanical noise that
had surrounded him as Darth Vader in
this quiet he confronted the harsh truth
of his actions and their consequences he
acknowledged the pain suffering and
destruction he had brought to the Galaxy
and those he loved then in an instant a
spark flickered with an Anakin causing a
ripple through the force breaking its
silence he refused to accept that his
story would end this way he rejected the
very notion of his own demise the
resolve to make amends and bring Justice
to the Galaxy for the wrongs that he had
committed roared within him it was his
duty as the chosen one as the hero with
no fear as the boy with the sun dragon
heart he would make things right he had
the power to do whatever he put his mind
towards not even the force itself could
stop him
this blazing flame of renewed purpose
was then Frozen in place when a voice
called out the name Anakin unlike The
Echoes from before this one was
different it sounded like someone had
whispered the name directly into his ear
he heard it again this time he
immediately recognized it
Obi-Wan Anakin responded not knowing
whether he spoke aloud or merely thought
those words as the boundaries between
speech and thought blurred in this realm
still trying to be the hero Obi-Wan
replied in a friendly manner referring
to Anakin's renewed need to save the
Galaxy again I'm not a hero Anakin
admitted remorse flooding him as he
finally faced his former master and
friend after all of these years overcome
by his guilt he then broke down
confessing all of the terrible things
that he had done and the untold
suffering he had inflicted across the
Galaxy how he had failed Obi-Wan and the
absolute shame that he now felt
recalling the moment on Mustafar when
Kenobi called him a brother and how he
loved him only for Anakin to respond in
a hateful snare fueled by rage Anakin
then confessed to Obi-Wan of his
Massacre of the tuscans how the death of
his mother was a turning point in his
life the moment that he had sworn to
become powerful enough to save the ones
that he loved only to realize that he
had spread fire and death instead
Obi-Wan listened silently finally
acknowledging his former apprentices
confessions but doing so without
judgment or condemnation instead he
offered him understanding and empathy he
reassured Anakin that he does not bear
the guilt of the entire galaxy on his
shoulders reminding him that the will of
the Galaxy's people is a collective
force shaped by countless choices and
actions which touch and influence every
living being how the injustices Anakin
faced as a slave opened the path for the
injustices committed by his own hand as
Vader years later that individuals no
matter how influential are not solely
responsible for the grand tapestry of
events and despite the Terrible Things
Anakin had done those acts did not
Define the entirety of his being instead
they were a part of a broader Journey a
journey filled with both light and dark
Justice's final choice to save his son
did not excuse his past mistakes neither
did the mistakes that he made take away
from the weight of his heroic Deeds as a
Jedi as their conversation progressed
Obi-Wan presented his former Apprentice
with a final challenge a test of trust
and faith Anakin accepted suddenly beams
of light pierced the darkness and Anakin
found himself transported into a dense
forest above the remnants of the Death
Star were still smoldering and X-Wing
Fighters streaked through the sky
Anakin's attention was then turned to a
funeral pyre with him recognizing the
helmet of Darth Vader atop it he then
noticed Luke Skywalker staring at the
Flames consuming the dark armor and
helmet compassion and acceptance of who
his father was flared within his son as
Luke turned away from the pyre his
purpose was clear he walked towards his
friends and Anakin witnessed a profound
camaraderie and trust that bound the
group Anakin realized that he no longer
needed to find a way to save everyone
others have already done so and will
continue doing so without him they will
continue doing so because of his final
choice of answering Luke when he had
called out for him for choosing love
over power and giving the Galaxy a
future at the cost of his own life
Anakin understood that his obsession
with finding Solutions had often blinded
him to the present and the power of
friendship that the strength of their
bond and Trust in each other was the key
to their Victory not just their
individual skills and talents allowing
Anakin to finally let go of his
Relentless need to control and find
answers later when looking upon Luke and
Leia from a distance Obi-Wan told Anakin
how his son and daughter represented the
best of him and Padme that their unique
combination of strengths and virtues was
destined to shape the Galaxy's future
for the better Anakin's heart swelled
with pride and faith in his children
knowing that they will carry on the
legacy of the Skywalker family while
forging their own Destinies he did not
have to worry about them anymore and for
the first time in his life Anakin felt a
sense of acceptance and inner peace at
that moment he had finally learned how
to let go
and with that Anakin Skywalker passed
Obi-Wan's final challenge as a true Jedi