I think it’s important to state anger/hatred instead of a vague sort of darkness. Because that is the natural reaction to losing everything in your life you’ve worked so hard for. It takes somebody incredibly special (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) to train the descendant of the man who has taken everything in your life away from you. And beyond that, to actually love her as a daughter and want her to succeed.

A shorter version is indeed required, but yours is missing the link between the two phrases, which is Padme’s loving path and Leia also choosing love despite her circumstances. In other words, we have the “non-sequitur” stuff going on again. But I see what you’re getting at. We need some way to make it clear that she chooses to become a politician and then general instead of a Jedi. Which is why I specifically stated “lead the galaxy” because Jedi aren’t supposed to necessarily be leaders, they’re protectors. Maybe I just need to go back to “choosing instead to lead the galaxy…”?

I also think we still need “through the darkness” because we need to justify why the next thing Rey would say would be concerning getting to Exegol. By removing that part like you’ve done, we generalize things too much and make her response kinda come out of nowhere.

EDIT: This is where I’m at atm - “She was quick to learn in our training. But Leia feared the hatred that consumed our father, choosing diplomacy and love like our mother. Throughout her life, Leia lost everything, and everyone, but, in the end, she still chose love. A thousand generations live in you now. Leia’s legacy will guide you through the darkness.”