ξενία

The Ancient Greek concept of hospitality; the generosity and courtesy shown to guests.

She startled awake from the artificial slumber forced upon her in painfully unfamiliar surroundings. Cold, unyielding metal and thick straps of leather restrained her against a flat surface. Immediately, she sensed she wasn't alone. The monster from her visions crouched before her. Even resting on his haunches, he appeared much too large for the small interrogation room.

"Where am I?"

"You are my guest."

"Where are the others?"

"You mean the murderers, traitors, and thieves you call friends? You'll be relieved to hear I have no idea."

His voice sounded strangely mechanical as he spoke through the vocoder of his mask. The fathomless void of eyeless sockets stared back at her as he spoke. Even kneeling at her feet, he presented an imposing presence, and she couldn't help the fear that rolled through her. She attempted to assuage her turbulent mind and reel-in her anxiety. She couldn't afford to appear weak.

"You still want to kill me."

"That happens when you're being hunted by a creature in a mask."

He was only slightly caught off guard by her words. With little hesitation, he activated the release for the mask and removed the helm. Finally standing at his full height, he regarded her carefully. His face, though void of any emotion, was oddly handsome, and she couldn't help staring. He stood stock still under her appraising gaze before pacing quickly toward her. He slammed the discarded mask down next to her.

Once more, she tried to suppress her dread as he stalked closer. His expression remained stoic, but heavy brows drew together in concentration and torrid emotions swirled through his dark eyes. Impossibly close now, he completely invaded her personal space. Training her eyes on the wall before her, she struggled to avoid his gaze.

"Tell me about the droid."

"He's a BB unit with a selenium drive and a thermal hyper scan vindicator..."

"It's carrying a section of a navigational chart. We have the rest, recovered from the archives of the Empire, but we need the last piece. And somehow, you convinced the droid to show it to you ... You. A scavenger."

His voice was low and calm as he spoke. The sound was almost soothing without interference from the vocoder. However, his words were harsh and ripped her bare. She refused to show how severely they affected her. Glaring at him from the corner of her eye, she fought the tears threatening to fall. He leaned impossibly closer, voice barely above a whisper.

"You know I can take whatever I want."

More cold fear shot through her as he pressed forward, unbearably close. Cringing away from the invasion, she felt his presence pushing into her mind. A large hand stretched toward her. Leaning ever closer. But, despite his invasive posture, his tone was almost gentle.

"You're so lonely. So afraid to leave. At night, desperate to sleep. You imagine an ocean. I see it. I see the island."

Invading her mind, he plundered her most private thoughts. The loneliness and desperation of forced solitude on Jakku came rushing back. During her most desolate hours, with the hot desert sands surrounding her, she retreated within her mind. Visions of vast, endless oceans and scattered, craggy islands called to her. She failed to place them in her memory, but their presence in her thoughts never waivered. They were hers, and he had taken them.

His parusel of her thoughts stayed near the surface, sparing her the invasion of deeper probing. Her most recent memories flickered through her mind like watching a holofilm. He flinched, demeanor changing instantly.

"And Han Solo. You feel like he's the father you never had. He would have disappointed you."

He appeared almost angry that she knew Han. She cared for the older man, which only served to fuel his ire. His voice grew harsh as his temper escalated. Her anger rose in tandem with his.

"Get out of my head."

"I know you've seen the map. It's in there. And now you'll give it to me."

Stepping back, his hand stretched toward her. Assaulting with more force, his presence in her mind pushed more forcefully. Desperately, she fought against the onslaught, but there was no reprieve to be had. It hurt. Pain pulsed in her mind. His pushing and prodding felt like she was being torn apart. Grinding her teeth in determination, an unfamiliar feeling swelled within her.

"Don't be afraid. I feel it too."

"I'm not giving you anything!"

"We'll see."

Doubling his efforts, he pushed harder, probing deeper than before. She fought him valiantly. A gloved hand reached close. She could smell the black leather. Long fingers twitched in concentration as his lip curled slightly. He pushed himself forward. Clenching her jaw as tightly as possible, she feared cracking her teeth. She fought the mental invasion with all her might. However, the more she fought, the harder he pushed.

Suddenly, something akin to calm floated through her. Fingers twitching in time with the muscles in his jaw, he missed the transition in his concentration. Fighting him harder, the unfamiliar feeling unfurled and pushed from her toward him. She saw the shock evident in his eyes as she pushed back. Focusing on him, she matched his intensity and pushed further. Finally, she broke through.

"You."

His fear and shock were almost palpable as she spoke. Dark brows furrowed in concentration as his expressive eyes searched her face. His jaw ticked in annoyance as he struggled to rebuild the mental barriers under her assault tore through. She drew on his fear and her confidence grew as she cut him down.

"You're afraid that you will never be as strong as Darth Vader."

A deep sense of satisfaction filled her as he ripped himself from her mind, staggering back several paces in his haste. His breathing was ragged, and fear painted his handsome features. Struggling to center himself, the twitching in his jaw spread to his lips. Her chest heaved, recovering from the exertion of invading his mind. At an impasse, they stared at each other.

Emotions raged between them. He was furious. How could an untrained scavenger from some back-water wasteland be so strong in the Force? It wasn't impossible, but unexpected. He sensed the Force flowing through her as he first invaded her mind. He saw the flicker of light deep within her mind. However, that paled in comparison to the explosion of power as she invaded him. The burst of power intrigued him.

"You are strong in the Force. Untrained, but stronger than you can imagine. You need a teacher. I can help you understand."

"I need nothing from the likes of you."

She seethed in anger. How dare he believe that she would hand herself willingly over to him. It had to be trick. He kidnapped her. He forced her into restraints. He invaded her mind. He was ruthless and wretched. She wanted nothing to do with him. He was a monster, with or without the mask.

Invading her personal space once more, barely suppressed fury swirled around him. He would show her. He had to show her. He restrained his temper as best he could. He pressed into her mind again, tentatively. He tried to be more gentle, only a slight nudge against the surface. She forced him out with rage that boiled just beneath the surface. The crashing waves of their mutual anger was unmistakable. In the moment, he forgot everything that wasn't her.

"Don't you see? You have potential. I can help you. I can show you how to harness all that rage and pain."

Pinning her with a fierce gaze, his voice pleaded with her to understand. Growling low through clenched teeth, her anger spiked at the thought. How could this creature assume he had anything she needed. She jerked violently, struggling against her restraints. If she could only free herself, she would have the chance to escape him.

"Don't fight it. Focus on the Force. Can't you feel it?"

She wanted to scream. She wanted to rage and thrash against her restraints. She wanted to lash out at him. She could feel him prodding at her mind as she fought against him. She was terrified that he was trying to trap her. She couldn't relax and focus. She feared that he would invade her mind once more and take the information he wanted. She grit her teeth and fought harder.

"I won't. I'll never give you what you want."

He was trying so hard. He had never fought so hard to restrain himself. Every brush against her mind was calm and controlled. He was being gentle with her, trying to soothe her. He wanted her to give in to the Force. He wanted to see what she was capable of. He wanted her to see what she was capable of.

"You're wrong. Forget the droid and the map. Focus on the Force. Feel your potential. I can show you. Please."

His voice was softer now and she searched his piercing gaze for any clue to his intentions. And while his face remained a perfect mask of stoicism, his eyes begged her to understand. They pleaded with her to trust him. His anger had all but faded. Now that she was paying attention, his presence in her mind felt more soothing than invasive.

She couldn't explain it, but she felt the connection crack open. She knew in her bones that trusting him was her only option. It felt like a cord in her gut pulling her in the right direction. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself to focus. She struggled to find the feeling that had surrounded her as she fought him.

It started as an undefinable tug against her instincts. As the feeling grew, her focus sharpened and her breathing evened. She could feel it now, the Force moving between them. It rolled from him and crashed against her, like the waves of the oceans she had seen in her dreams. The Force ebbed and flowed between them, and she sunk deeper into the feeling.

He watched with awed satisfaction as she stretched her senses to explore the Force around them. He felt her curiosity as she lightly nudged against him. He sensed her confusion with what was happening. He felt the calm that settled within her, like a missing piece. Her emotions were a tangible thing to him as she pressed deeper into the Force. He fought to keep himself open to her.

"You feel it."

It wasn't a question. Somehow, she understood that he knew exactly what she was feeling at that moment. Just like she could feel him. He radiated satisfaction as she gave in to the Force. He was pleased that she was opening herself. But underneath, she could sense his own pain. She didn't understand. She pushed harder. He allowed it. She felt him resisting the urge to push her out. She realized then that he was just as lonely and isolated as she was. Kindred spirits of sorts, linked in the Force.

The Force rose from him, and just like that, she was free of her restraints. Large hands fell firm against her shoulders, steading her. Her breath came in heavy pants as her eyes snapped open to focus on him. Despite pulling herself from her unintentional meditative state, she could feel him. Although it wasn't as strong as when she allowed herself to focus on him fully. Now, he was more like a tickle at the back of her mind. Her brows knit in concentration.

"Why?"

Why what, exactly? Why was she here? Why could she feel him? Why was she able to access the Force? Why did he free her? The questions twisted in her mind. There were so many things she wanted to ask him at that moment, but her tongue was tied. The intensity of his gaze was stifling. She could see the emotional torment swirling within him.

As he stared at her, the Force raging around them, he knew. His master would want her. There was no way he could turn her over to Snoke. Yes, she was strong with the Force. Yes, she desperately needed training. However, he could not subject her to the training that he had suffered through at Snoke's hand. He would not allow her to be broken. Her light was too bright for that. Heaving a heavy sigh, he straightened and pulled away from her.

"You have to go. Now. The attack on the base will provide enough of a distraction."

"Why are you helping me?"

"There's no time. Follow the corridor to the core and climb up. You will reach the surface without drawing any attention."

He spoke more firmly now, insistent that she listen to him. She didn't understand his motivation, but she wouldn't look a gift fathier in the mouth. Her only acknowledgement was to nod and follow him into the corridor. Without another word, he pointed her in the right direction and stalked away. Although she was thoroughly shaken by the experience, she couldn't hold back the relief in his change of heart and decision to release her.

Quickly, she made her way through the base. Trooper encounters were slim, but she did manage to hide herself before she was caught. With her newly discovered abilities, she found that she could feel them before they approached. Following his directions to the letter, she trusted that he wasn't leading her into a trap. What purpose would it serve after releasing her, anyway?

Finally, she reunited with her friends, greeting her with hugs and quiet questions. It was Finn who held her arms, pressing for answers.

"How did you escape?"

"I didn't. He let me go."

The three would-be rescuers stood in shocked silence for a moment. And while Finn seemed doubtful, she could feel the questions burning in Han.

"What do you mean he let you go? Who? Kylo Ren? I saw him take you!"

Finn was almost shaking her now while Han and Chewie stood by. She knew they wanted the same answers. Resigning herself, she nodded quietly.

"He did. I can't explain it. And, even if I could, you wouldn't believe me. We're connected somehow, and he let me go. He even told me how to escape."

"Connected?"

It was Han's gruff voice that spoke. And while it was quiet and guarded, hope flickered in his blue eyes. She didn't understand why, but Han's question prompted her to reach out for Kylo Ren, like she had in the interrogation room. The feeling wasn't nearly as strong, but he was there. This tiny thing in the back of her mind screamed 'him'. She could swear that she felt him nudge back, only slightly. Her eyes opened again, peering back to Han with a solemn nod. They had much to discuss, but now wasn't the time. Desperately needed to get back to the base on D'Qar.

"Alright. Escape now, hug later. We gotta get out of here before this place blows."

Quickly, they made their way out of the hanger and into the snows of Starkiller. Avoiding being spotted was difficult as they made their escape. Han took the lead while Chewie brought up the rear. Finn stayed close to Rey's side, afraid to lose his new friend once more.

The Falcon was almost in sight when she felt it. The sharp pain stabbed at her mind as she fell to her knees in the snow. It felt like the invasion she had suffered at the hands of Kylo Ren, but it was different somehow. She tried to focus through the pain, searching desperately for its source.

The phantom pain ripped through her like hot knives. She cried out, collapsing in the snow. She was disoriented. What was hurting her? Her limbs felt like lead as she tried to lift herself. The pain was mental and physical and she would give anything for it to stop. Firm hands pulled her against something warm and soft.

"Rey! Rey!"

She recognized the voice, but couldn't place it's owner. The hands combed over her, searching for injuries.

"Rey, you're ok. What's going on?"

Her shock was almost palpable when the realization hit her like a blaster bolt to the chest. She was uninjured. It wasn't her pain. It was his. She pressed deeper into the dark part of her mind where she felt him the strongest. She focused intently on the source of his pain. She felt him then, almost as though he was turning toward her. He was pushing back.

Suddenly, the connection slammed shut and she was left in the darkness of her mind. As she came to, the worried faces of her companions filled her mind. Finn was calling her name, almost desperately as Chewie cradled her in big furry arms.

"Something's wrong."

Her voice shook. Whether it was out of fear or the remnants of his pain, she was unsure. She pulled herself from the Wookee's grasp and stood on shaking legs. She felt the pull again, directing her. The cord in her gut was showing her the way. Turning then, she stalked away from her companions.

"Go on to the ship. There's something I need to do."

"No way! Rey, there's no way we're letting you go back there. We've already placed the explosives and the attacks under way! You can't go back!"

Finn's voice rushed at her in panic. She understood, but the pull was too strong for her to ignore. She had to do this. He was coming, and they couldn't be there when he found her. And, he would find her. She knew it like she knew her own name.

"I have to do this. Please."

It was Han's intervention that saved her. He placed a wrinkled hand on Finn's shoulder, pulling him toward the ship.

"Come on, kid. Doesn't do any good to interfere with the Force. Trust me."

Rey nodded to him in thanks before turning and stalking back through the snowy forest, letting the Force guide her. He was close now and the rage she felt from him was deeper. It was a black pit that sucked in everything around it. It swallowed him whole. He was in pain. She could feel it like a phantom touch, a dull ache in her bones.

Finally, he appeared from between the trees. His mask was long gone, and sweaty black locks fell wildly around his shoulders. While his expression was as emotionless as ever, his eyes were wild, almost crazed. There was so much anger and hatred in him. So much pain.

"I told you to go. Why didn't you?"

"I think you know the answer to that. Why did you come after me?"

He was almost shaking in his madness, like a feral animal. His voice roared in her ears. He seethed at her, igniting the crackling blade clinched in his fist.

"I have to destroy you."

The fear was back. The angry red of the unstable saber brought back memories of her capture on Takodana. It felt like a lifetime ago, not hours. She swallowed hard around the lump forming in her throat and activated her own saber. His frenzied gaze immediately fell on the piercing blue of the blade.

"That saber belongs to me!"

Her bellowed as he lunged toward her to strike. His blows rained down hard and heavy as she did all she could to parry. The sheer strength of his strikes seemed to rattle her bones. Nevertheless, she watched him carefully as he attacked relentlessly. She saw it then, almost unnoticeable against his dark clothing. But the tell-tale stain of crimson against the white snow gave him away.

"You're injured."

It wasn't a question, and she hadn't expected an answer. He faltered, the blow lacking some of its initial force. With their blades locked, their eyes met. She stared up at him with a ferocity that she wasn't aware she possessed. Her lips peeled back in a snarl as she tried to force him back.

"Pain is strength. I could teach you. I can show you the ways of the Force."

"No!"

Her anger consumed her, feeding off the cold fury rolling from him. She forced him back with a heavy push, unknowingly using the Force. And as he staggered for balance, she brought a crushing blow down against him. She could feel the saber tear through him as she drew down. It was sickening. She didn't mean to. She didn't want to hurt him. The blind rage left her in an instant.

He fell back to the pristine snow, a heap of black against white. Unsteadily, he tried to stand to face her, but his injuries were too great. He lay prone on his back, staring up at her. She felt the bile rise in her throat as she saw the damage she inflicted on his face. His cheek and shoulder were flayed deep, but his wild eyes stared back at her in awe.

She knew she should do it. She should finish him. She could end his reign of terror. She could kill him as he lay prone before her, bleeding in the snow. But, the same feeling that pulled her to him stilled her hand. The cord in her gut yanked tight at the thought of his death.

She disengaged the saber and took off toward the Falcon. Tears stung her eyes for reasons she couldn't understand. She knew he wasn't dead, that his injuries weren't enough to kill him, but her guilt ate at her. She didn't stop running until she had bounded up the gangplank of the ship.

Han stood pensively before her, like a man waiting for his execution. Her breath heaved. She doubled over in exhaustion. Before she was able to fully collect herself, the ground beneath the ship quaked with a heavy rumble as Chewie began the take-off sequence from the cockpit.

"Is he…"

Han trailed off. His voice was quiet, almost pained. She didn't understand. He seemed to be almost worried for the monster in the mask.

"Alive. But injured."

That was all she could offer him before he stalked away toward the cockpit. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. More than she could ever remember being. On unsteady legs, she pulled herself to the crew quarters to rest.

She had no sooner sat on the bunk when she felt it. There was a slight push from the part of her mind where she could feel him. She was tempted to push back, but her anger and exhaustion stopped her. With a heavy sigh, she fell back into the bunk. Millions of questions rolled in her mind. She didn't know where to begin, but she hoped that D'Qar held answers.