The Millennium Falcon drifted through the ethereal blue streaks of hyperspace, the hum of the ship's engines a comforting sound in the stillness. Inside the ship's quarters, Rey was having a vision.
She saw Jedi igniting their lightsabers in unison. Their faces were obscured, the scene hazy and fragmented, as though seen through the fog of time. They marched with precision, leading soldiers toward a massive structure, a temple of stone that loomed like a shadowy monolith. The air crackled with tension, the sense of battle imminent.
Rey sat at the edge of their bed, her breathing shallow and her eyes wide with the fading remnants of the vision. She blinked, her vision clearing as the real world returned to her. She was back on the Falcon, in the present, and the unsettling images of the Jedi and the temple had dissipated like a distant dream. She exhaled, her body still on edge, her hands gripping the blanket beneath her.
"Rey," came a soft voice from behind her.
She turned her head slightly and saw Ben watching her. He had been awake, waiting, sensing her turmoil. There was a depth to his gaze, the kind that pierced through to her core. They understood each other in ways no one else could.
"You had a vision," Ben said quietly.
Rey nodded, still feeling the weight of it. "I saw Jedi," she began, her voice hushed. "Many of them. They were leading soldiers to a temple."
She tried to piece together the fragments that lingered in her mind, but the clarity she sought wouldn't come. "I don't know what it means." She had learned not to trust her visions entirely. They were often half-truths, showing possibilities rather than certainties, and the line between past, present, and future was often blurred.
Ben sat up beside her, his presence grounding her. He reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. "Sometimes, the Force shows us what we need to see, even if it doesn't make sense in the moment," he said. "You'll figure it out."
Rey looked at him, she knew he was right, and yet, the vision haunted her. But for now, she let it go. She wanted to be here, in this moment, with him.
With a sigh, she lay back down on the bed, curling into Ben's side. His arm slid around her, pulling her close as she rested her head against his chest. The sound of his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, began to soothe her, and she closed her eyes.
For a moment, the galaxy and all its troubles seemed far away, and the only thing that mattered was the man beside her.
But then, in the quiet, Rey sensed something. A subtle shift in the energy between them, a flicker of doubt, of guilt. She frowned slightly, opening her eyes and tilting her head to look up at him. "What is it?"
Ben hesitated, his hand gently stroked her arm. There was tension in his body that hadn't been there before. "The Path started threatening the senators, threatening you… when I started going on missions with you."
Rey blinked, her heart sinking slightly as she listened to him.
"It's my fault this is happening," he continued, "if I had stayed away—if I had just stayed in the shadows where I belong, maybe the Path wouldn't have felt the need to escalate things. Maybe none of this would be happening to Kaydel… or to you."
Rey's heart twisted at his words, the raw guilt in his voice cutting through her. She knew how much he carried with him, the ghosts of his past, the weight of his former self, the doubt that he would ever be truly redeemed in the eyes of the galaxy.
But to her, Ben Solo wasn't a man defined by his past. He was a man who had fought, and continued to fight, to be better. To do good.
She shifted in his arms, turning to face him fully. Her hand reached up, gently cupping his cheek as she looked into his eyes, her gaze filled with certainty. "No. You've done so much good, Ben. You've saved lives. You've helped people. It may take time for the galaxy to see that, but they will. They'll see you the way I see you."
Ben's eyes softened, the guilt in them fading slightly as he gazed back at her. "And how do you see me?" he asked.
Rey smiled gently, her thumb brushing against his cheek. "I see the man who chose love over hate. The man who fights for those who can't fight for themselves."
She leaned in closer, pressing her forehead against his. "You're not the person you were, Ben. You're so much more."
For a moment, they stayed like that, their foreheads touching, the Force humming between them, a deep connection that ran beyond words. Rey could feel his heart begin to lighten, the heavy cloak of guilt lifting ever so slightly. She didn't need to hear him say anything; she could sense that her words had reached him, that they had reminded him of who he truly was.
And then, slowly, Rey closed the remaining distance between them and kissed him. Her lips pressed gently against his, a soft, lingering kiss. Ben's arms tightened around her, pulling her closer as he kissed her back with equal tenderness, the doubt and darkness falling away for a moment as they lost themselves in each other.
Time seemed to slow, the galaxy shrinking down to just the two of them, alone in the quiet of the Falcon. They had faced so much together, endured so much pain and loss, but here, in this moment, there was only love. The kind that transcended fear and guilt, the kind that made them both stronger.
When they finally pulled back, Rey rested her head against Ben's chest once more, her heart full. His hand gently stroked her hair, and for a long while, neither of them spoke. They didn't need to.
As the Falcon sailed through hyperspace toward Dalna and the unknown challenges ahead, Rey closed her eyes, letting the warmth of Ben's presence wrap around her like a protective shield. No matter what the future held, no matter what the vision meant, she knew they would face it together.
And together, they were unstoppable.
—
The doors to the meeting room slid open, Finn and Link entered. The room was simple yet elegant, with smooth, polished walls and a long rectangular table in the center. Senator Connix was seated, her expression tense, her fingers drumming lightly against the surface of the table. Beside her sat Captain Sarthus, his face expressionless as he stared out the windows.
They saw the Jedi enter and stood to greet them. Kaydel smiled and said, "Finn! It's good to see you, it's been too long."
"Kaydel! It's good to see you too. This is my Padawan, Link Na'tina."
Link bowed slightly and said, "Hello, Senator."
"A Padawan?" she said, sounding surprised. "Nice to meet you, Link." She gestured at the table. "Please, have a seat."
The four of them took their seats, Link did her best to remain quiet and composed. This was her first time meeting a politician.
Captain Sarthus spoke first. "I'm glad you're here. I'm concerned there will be another attack."
"We could minimize the risk," Finn said, leaning forward slightly. "Go back to Dulathia. You would have more security. It would be much safer than staying here on Chandrila."
Kaydel shook her head firmly, her eyes narrowing. "No, I'm not leaving Chandrila. I'm here for a reason, and I'm not going to abandon my duties just because of a threat."
Finn met her gaze, sensing her determination. He had expected resistance, but he needed to make his point. "I understand that, but if there's another attack, it could be worse than last time."
"There's a vote tomorrow," she said. "The Senate will be voting on expanding the New Republic Security Force. I would no longer be allowed to contact any member of the Jedi Order. My constituents want me to oppose it. I will not run away."
Link, who had been listening intently, glanced between Finn and the Senator. She wasn't used to this kind of tension, not in a room that was supposed to be filled with allies.
Captain Sarthus shifted in his seat, his frown deepening. "With all due respect, Senator, staying here could put your life in even more danger. You're a key opponent to the expansion of the New Republic Security Force. Whoever is behind these threats, knows that removing you would shift the vote in their favor."
Kaydel sat up straighter, her resolve only hardening. "Senator Mothma and I are in agreement with the rest of the committee. We are not going anywhere until after the vote."
Finn sighed softly, considering their options.
Link's gaze darted to Finn, as she grappled with the situation. She had been trained in the ways of the Force, in combat and discipline, but diplomacy and political maneuvering were new to her. She could feel the tension between the Senator and her Master, and it made her uneasy.
"Master?"
"Yes, Link?"
"What if…" she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "What if we compromise? We could stay on Chandrila, but increase security by moving to a more defensible location?"
Kaydel's eyes softened as she looked at the Padawan, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I appreciate the suggestion, Link," she said. "But if I go into hiding, it'll look like I'm scared, I need to project strength."
Link nodded, the situation was more complex than she realized. It was difficult to reconcile the teachings of the Jedi with the realities of political life. She had learned about balance and harmony, about finding peaceful solutions, but here, things were messier. More complicated.
Finn let out a deep breath, leaning back in his chair. "Then we need a plan. If you're staying, we need to make sure security is airtight. No more chances."
Captain Sarthus nodded in agreement.
—
The twin suns of Dalna hung low on the horizon, casting a dusky glow over the streets of West Platt. Once, this place had been a quiet, unremarkable settlement nestled in the outer reaches of the galaxy. Now, it had grown into a bustling city, its streets crowded with traders, travelers, and the occasional off-worlder.
Rey and Ben walked side by side, their hoods drawn up to shield their faces from curious eyes. The air was thick with the scent of spices, engine fumes, and the faint hum of chatter in dozens of languages. This wasn't the Dalna from the stories Rey had read; the city had transformed into something far more complex and alive.
Rey's steps slowed as she glanced around, her eyes scanning the crowded streets. "We should split up," she said quietly.
Ben nodded. "I'll talk to some locals."
"I'll look for the temple."
With a subtle nod, she continued down the winding street, disappearing into the crowd. Ben paused, watching her go for a moment, then turned and made his way toward a nearby cantina, the neon sign flickering above its entrance.
The cantina was dimly lit, its atmosphere thick with smoke and the scent of spilled drinks. It was packed, filled with beings from all corners of the galaxy. Conversations hummed around him as he moved through the crowd.
He approached the bar and signaled for a drink. The bartender, a pale woman, glanced up from her work. She poured him something strong and slid the glass across the counter.
"Where you from?"
"Tatooine," Ben lied, his expression unreadable as he lifted the glass to his lips. "I'm here to sell some ship parts."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Not much of a market for that here."
He leaned in slightly. "I heard a rumor. There's supposed to be a temple around here. The Path of the Open Hand, right?"
Her expression shifted briefly. "The Path, huh?" she muttered. "Yeah, there was a temple. Long time ago. Abandoned for centuries."
"So no one goes there?"
The woman shrugged. "People come and go from that place. It's a smuggler hideout now, or so they say. Don't go there, unless you're looking for trouble."
Ben took a sip from his drink as she walked away.