The Resistance transports rocked back and forth, bringing stormtroopers and freedom fighters alike out of Zakuul's atmosphere. The ancient world had housed a First Order facility with an index of other bases throughout the vast galaxy. With the new information, the growing Resistance could finally free all worlds and end the tyranny Emperor Palpatine started all those years ago.

Soon enough, the ships broke through Zakuul's gravitational grip. Finn, quiet after Nihilus' revelation, looked out the rectangular window next to his bench. The sea of stars that went on forever seemed to speak to him. Like him, each had their own story, with their own worlds, and their own histories. Then, without warning, they stretched infinitely. A moment later, the ships jumped into hyperspace.

Poe, still sitting across from Finn, kicked his leg. Finn glanced at him. "What?"

Raising his eyebrow to the ceiling, Poe studied Finn's expression. "You're bothered by something."

The blue color of hyperspace doused Finn's face. "Have you ever wished for something to be true your whole life, and it is?" he asked. He looked at Poe.

The said man nodded gently. "Yeah, defeating the First Order is more real than ever."

"No, I mean, like, personally," Finn clarified.

Poe made a face, clearly searching his memory for such an instance. "Not really." He paused. "But, I was pretty shocked and happy when you told everyone about your Force thingy."

Finn chuckled. "Look, can I tell you something?"

"Of course, buddy," Poe replied. He got up and sat next to Finn, wrapping his arm around him. "Plus, I'd have found a way to get it out of you, anyway. You're just making my job easier."

Frowning in annoyance, Finn rolled his eyes. "Do you have to always do that?"

"Do what? Tell the truth?"

Finn groaned. "Whatever. So, I've been in contact with a Force spirit that's working with Rey."

Poe's jaw dropped to the rough gray floor. "What?!"

"Yeah. The name is Nihilus. It, or he, helped me. In more ways than you can imagine." Finn soaked in Poe's shocked, eager expression. "He told me the reason the Force is with me. I'm a descendant of Mace Windu."

"The Jedi High Council Master at the end of the Clone Wars?" Poe replied. "You're kidding me."

"I'd say I wish I wasn't, but I actually really dig it," Finn said with a laugh.

"Are you going to tell Rey?" Poe asked.

"Of course," Finn answered. "But it's not like she's a master. She's still in training."

Poe raised an eyebrow. "She beat Palpatine, though."

"Yeah, with all the Jedi's aid. She's got a long way to go. Like I do." He paused, looking out the window again. "I hope she's all right."

REY — WORLD BETWEEN WORLDS

The minutes following the conflict with Darth Vader were made up of Rey walking through the black desert of the Veil of the Force. She did not know exactly when, but at any moment, she would have to face Ben's greatest fear. When he revealed that part of himself, Ben always seemed caring, soft, and somewhat shy, so it couldn't be that bad, right?

Now, for your final test, Nihilus warned. It is right in front of you.

Looking around her, Rey saw nothing but mist and darkness. That is, until a faint mirage materialized some distance away. In desperation of its discovery, she ran toward it, but slowed up when she saw what it actually was. Her heart sunk, her lips parted in shock, and her eyes widened, then watered in sadness.

She saw Ben holding a dead, limp body of herself. A tear fell to the ground as she watched Ben gaze into the dead Rey's immobile eyes. He looked around, seemingly for anyone's help, and held the back of her head upright. Like a helpless child, Ben hugged the dead Rey, letting her head rest on his shoulder.

Falling to her knees, Rey sobbed. Not just for her, but for him. She could hear his almost silent cries. This had always been his greatest fear. Beneath the mask of Kylo Ren, Ben Solo's greatest fear was her death, and that he would find no way to revive her. In the back of her mind, Rey always imagined losing Leia, or maybe even Han, would be his worst fear. But no. It was this.

As she still lay on her knees, observing, Rey's tears ran down both cheeks and disappeared into the air. "What . . . What do I do?" she stammered. "How do I overcome this?" She gave herself time to come up with some sort of possible solution, and after a minute, it came to her. If Ben's greatest fear was her death, she would have to show herself to be alive. After all, the Veil of the Force was bringing her into his mind, in some sort of odd way. It was metaphysical.

Although her legs were wobbly, Rey mustered the strength to stand. She moved closer to this vision of Ben, who clearly did not see her and still held on to her dead body for dear life.

"Ben," Rey muttered. He did not respond. She knelt onto a knee and placed her hand on the back of his messy, wild, yet clean black hair. "Ben."

Suddenly, he turned his head. Her heart skipped a beat, then ran on overdrive. They saw each other. At long last, they saw each other.

"You're alive," Ben said. Rey felt faint, never expecting she'd ever really hear his voice again. His brown eyes simmered, matching hers. They were both on their knees. "So, I . . . did what was necessary."

She nodded in between cries. "Yes, Ben, but—"

He held her cheek with one hand. "Then it was worth it." He paused. His eyes were smiling. "Thank you, Rey. I'm not afraid anymore."

The moment he said the words, he and the entire scene disappeared, similar to how Vader did. As a result, Rey fell forward and onto the ground. He was gone.

Looking down at her hands, Rey curled up in a ball and wept. He was next to her, then gone. But she had not felt the Force Bond. It had to be because he was a vision and not actually real, but who could know for sure? Her cries echoed, resounding into the distance. She was completely alone, the only living being in this blackness. Why was Nihilus not helping? What about Luke? Or any of the other Ghosts? Wasn't this place the well of the Cosmic Force?

Unexpectedly, the space in front of her distorted. The white, mural-like wolves from before appeared, walking in a wall she never noticed was there. They began to follow each other in a circular motion, just like they did when she entered this place. Rey got up, startled and amazed.

The wolves formed another portal, this time to a new location. Peering in, the portal showed where it led. There were black and white surfaces and pathways that curved forwards, backwards, upwards, and downwards — in every direction — all with a background of millions of stars. In those stars were strange wolf-like constellations.

Congratulations, Rey, Nihilus whispered. Now, go.

Without a second thought, she jumped into the portal. A millisecond later, she landed on a pathway suspended in space. Observing the surroundings, there were dozens of these pathways, curving this way and that and ending at circular or triangular portals that matched the one she took. She realized what this place is. The very place she had searched endlessly for. The World Between Worlds.

Voices whispered in the background. Her mind felt numb. They were people from various times and places. She even heard herself. All times in past, present, and future culminated in this one physical area. Time became a physical dimension. Once again, she remembered the dream she had on Tatooine. In it, she heard a myriad of voices. They all seemed to be speaking to her. Was it the World Between Worlds trying to contact her?

She heard a man. It sounded like a very, very young version of Anakin Skywalker. Then, ones she could not identify. They resonated everywhere, flooding her senses. At the same time, the Force Bond hammered into her very soul. Something was happening.

Obi-Wan's voice: The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.

Anakin: You wouldn't have made it as Obi-Wan's apprentice, but you might make it as mine.

Darth Maul: You cannot imagine the depths I would go to to stay alive, fueled by my singular hatred . . . for you.

Palpatine: Careful, Jedi, only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi.

Obi-Wan: You were my brother, Anakin!

Anakin: I hate you!

Vader: The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner, but now I am the master.

Rey: Ben, please don't go this way.

Padmé Amidala: I love you!

Rey: Come back!

Anakin: I'll even learn to stop people from dying!

Kylo Ren: I'll finish what you started.

Yoda: That is why you fail.

Luke: I won't leave you!

Vader: Tell your sister, you were right . . .

Luke: I can't leave you here, I've got to save you.

Kylo Ren: It's too late.

Vader: You already have.

As the voices continued on indefinitely, Rey felt as if she was listening to a story constantly told, echoing on forever. At the same time, the Force Bond fully connected. She could feel a presence. Gazing down the suspended pathway she moved along, Rey spotted a figure, far down in the vast expanse. Wearing black pants and a matching long sleeve shirt, it meandered the other pathways, just walking aimlessly and curiously. Her very soul filled with emotion. It was him.