Venus and Cupid

Slowly he rose again. Like an automaton, he hoisted his father's body over hisshoulder and stumbled toward one of the last remaining shuttles. Luke rested his father on the ground, trying to collect strength one last time, asexplosions grew louder all around them. Sparks hissed in the rafters; one of thewalls buckled, and smoke poured through a gaping fissure. The floor shook. Vader motioned Luke closer to him. "Luke, help me take this mask off." Luke shook his head. "You'll die." The Dark Lord's voice was weary. "Nothing can stop that now. Just once letme face you without it. Let me look on you with my own eyes." Luke was afraid. Afraid to see his father as he really was. Afraid to see whatperson could have become so dark—the same person who'd fathered Luke, and Leia.Afraid to know the Anakin Skywalker who lived inside Darth Vader.