4. REY

We follow Maz into the trees and down a well traveled path. Hammering and other construction noises echoe against the trunks and rocks as we make our way deeper. The closer we get to the center of the racket, the more Takodians we see. They come in all sizes, forms, and colors, just like on most planets. Some are like Maz, Pirates, but most are refugees who are running and hiding from the brutality of the First Order. Yet I need to remember that at least one of these refugees is only pretending and is in fact loyal to the First Order. How else would the First Order have found us? Someone reported back to them of our presence and there is a possibilty now that they will do it again. If so, will he come?

"Our new home," Maz says once we have reach a cluster of newly built establishments nestled and sheltered in the woods. She sweeps her hand theatrically. "It's no castle, but we're alive. When you see them again, do tell them Rebel friends of yours thank you. They saved us that day."

"I will," I agree and Chewie does as well in his own special way. "But, we shouldn't have come here. All this destruction is our fault. He only came because of us. And, now we are here again. Once again, possibly risking your life. Possibly he will come again."

"He?" Maz repeats and Chewie looks at me meaningly. "You speak of Kylo Ren. Last time I saw you, he was carrying you in his arms into his shuttle." Maz pauses, either in wait for me to comment or for effect. "Do you know now? What you are and what you can do? You survived and escaped The First Order. Only someone very strong with the Force could manage this."

I reach for the cup of steaming lake root tea that Maz has placed before me and inhale the potent earthy scent. The hot aroma fills my nostrils as I breath deeply in through my nose and the heat spreads throughout. Carefully, I sip the dark liquid and the taste pleases me as much as everything else on this planet. I'm deliberately biding my time to answer. I haven't really spoken of my connection with the Force with anyone except for the General, Skywalker, and Ben. I'm not sure what I want to share. Not all would understand and they would either ridicule or fear. Although, this is Maz and I feel as she would do neither and that she may understand the Force better than I do.

'You need a teacher.'

Ben's voice rings out in my head and I slam the cup back onto the table harder than I intended. "Maz, I feel so lost. Why was I given this power? What is my place in all of this? What if I misuse the Force and join the Dark Side like..?"

"Like Ben Solo?" Maz finishes and I nod. She smiles, not a happy smile but a smile. "The Force is all around us as well as inside of us all. The only difference is, not all can control and wield it. You have been chosen, Rey, because of who you are. All things require balance and the balance has been shifted ever since Ben Solo became Kylo Ren. You can bring balance back to the Force, Rey."

I shake my head, disagreeing with what she is saying. "I tried, Maz. I tried and failed."

"Did you? Are you sure?" Without waiting for a reply, she rises and collects our empty cups. Even Chewie has finished his, even though it was clear that it was not to his liking. "Take the rest of the day to explore, Rey. The Force is strong on this planet. It's why I settled here. I knew that one day someone would come. I'm glad it was you."

Maz leaves and I look at Chewie who shrugs uninvolved. He spies a bed pushed up against the far wall and claims it as his own. I'm on my own to venture as I please. A piercing glare draws my eyes to the open door and it's sunshine on the other side. My feet begin to move and I am soon outside in the rays. The hot bright sun feels good and so does the air blowing brisk all around me. The wind carries with it scents of every plant and every living creature on Takodana. The Force is strong here. I can feel it tugging at me, wanting me to follow its pull. So I do.

I should have known where the Force would lead me. After all, as unpredictable as it can be, it is also very predictable.

Slowly I walk down the slithering path inside the rock formation and recall the last time I was here. When I was stumbling backwards down the path, panicking with my heart in my throat, and my gun blasting at a masked creature. My firing had done nothing. He reflected with ease each blast like I was flicking beads at him. And, then he had grabbed ahold of me with the Force and I had been unable to move. I had felt fear then. Fear of what he would do. Fear of him. I had not known what was hidden under that mask. I had thought it was something hideous and deformed; a disgusting evil creature. Why else the mask?

My eyes sweep the surroundings, expecting him to emerge. It would make perfect sense for the Force to connect us here and now. Is this not why it led me here? To the place where we first met and where he and I began. There is no point trying to deny it. There is a he and I. It has been there ever since I touched Luke's saber. I was not only awakened to the Force, but also to him.

I sink down to the rocky floor and let my fingertips connect with its cold hard surface. Luke taught me this, on the island, when he had finally agreed to teach me about the Force. It didn't go as he had expected and our lessons never continued. For I didn't just connect with the rock below, but with the entire island and all its entities. Raw and untamed power flowed from my fingertips into the stone façade and spread like fire across the island, cracking and shattering. Luke had seen this kind of power before and it scared him cause he knew what it could lead to. Luke didn't realize that I am strong with the Force because of him. As he grows stronger, so do I, for I am the light and he is the Darkness. I will always rise to meet him.

"Ben," I say and the syllable of his name shoots like lightening through me and into the ground below.

It ripples across the planet, impacting every living and non-living thing on Takodana. It shakes the earth and trembles the air, making the clouds dissipate and the sun flicker. Quickly I withdrawn my hand but it is too late. The ripple effect continues, spreading wider and further into the Galaxy, impacting everything and everyone in its path.

4. KYLO REN

"Lord Ren, your ship is ready."

I nod, my face once again covered by a mask, as I walk past the Captain across the hanger to my shuttle. As I approach, I examine its massive black wings extending up towards the ceiling and its gaping mouth. From a distance, its features resemble those of a predatory bird; beautiful, powerful, and deadly.

Behind me, desperate to keep up with my long strides, march a platoon of Storm troopers. They follow me like robots and flow out like the train of a white wedding dress. I am the new Supreme Leader and where I go, they go. But not today.

"I travel alone." A protest and I hold up my gloved hand in warning to the Captain. "Alone," I repeat and he complies out of fear of my wrath.

One foot on the ramp, ready to embark and depart, but then I sense it. Something is approaching from across the Galaxy. A wave of energy rippling and spreading towards me. It is seeking me out, hunting me as if I am the prey. But if I am the prey, who is the hunter? I learn the truth as the wave hits me, entering me from all sides and locking me into place. I can't move.

'Ben.'

The wave convulse as it fades into nothing and I collapse to the floor of the hanger. Despite being released, I remain there on my knees at the deck. The sensation of the hold and the energy still tingles at my every part. I want to remove the mask so that I can more easily regain my breath but I know that my features will shame me. I am shaken. I have been brought to my knees. This was a clear display of strength and an invitation to a challenge.

I rise and test my legs. They hold me and I finish my walk up the ramp of my shuttle.

"Lord Ren, what was that?"

"Not what. Who," I reply and step through the mouth.