Chapter 11 Way Down we go
Ben sat in the pilot chair of his old ship on a HOLO. He read about Betajef and the Resistance fighters. He knew Rey had led the fight. There was a rumor that she charged in with nothing but a lightsaber. If that was true and when he returns she was doing nothing but laps until she passed out and then would keep running. Ben tossed the HOLO away for now as he sat there cruising through space.
He's been searching for months and nothing. Maybe it was a mistake leaving the base as his searching yielded nothing. But one thing he couldn't shake was that dream about Rey. He couldn't shake it at all because he couldn't tell if it was a dream of his most inner desires or did they really connected. If they really connected then he felt he should never return out of embarrassment, he would turn so red and never be able to look at her. Ben rubbed his forehead and had redirect his thoughts, he needed to find a Knight of Ren.
Ben pushed that aside as he saw the planet come into view. Ben took the controls and flew to the planet. He was going to a known site of a Knight of Ren; they were all here once. As soon as he entered the planet's atmosphere the rain was still going. This planet had very few days where it didn't rained and maybe once a year a day where the sun actually shined. Ben saw the muddy surface and landed. He landed before a small formation. As he exited the cruiser he was already soaked to the bone with rain.
The formation was once a place where the Knights of Ren were. They were left on this planet for six months by Snoke to train. They trained in the worst elements, freezing, rainy, burning hot, windy, you name an awful place he's been there. There probably wasn't a chance he'd find a Knight here but maybe if he mediated long enough he could find the right direction.
Ben entered the formation and the place had been deserted for a long time. He looked around the dark place remembering just how cramped they were when he was here. The Knights did form a bond and for him to break it by killing Snoke, he was in danger. Ben could hear the pounding of the rain outside but it did seem to comfort him a little. If he were to lay down the sound of the rain would lull him to sleep. Ben then sat down on the ground and steadied himself.
He had to find them without them sensing him and that was going to be hard to do. Ben closed his eyes and started to feel the Force through him. This place had been empty for long time just like the other locations. Most likely the Knights were spread through out the galaxy with the Order looking for him. Ben took in a deep breath and opened his eyes before he could see the fire before him. He stared at the wall before him and knew at some point he was going to face the fire. It was coming for him and he wasn't strong enough to face it, he wasn't ready to face it.
Ben stood out in the rain as lightening cut the skies and the thunder rolled through. He had no more ideas where to go. He was going to have to go to a First Order run system to get intel. That was going to put him at risk but that was the only way to find the Knights of Ren. It has been months since he has left the Order and with the Resistance building back up maybe some of the focus was taken off him. But he still needed to pick up a trail or being gone for months meant nothing and if the rumors are true; Rey has surpassed her training and maybe beat him down for leaving and returning empty handed.
Ben took one more look at the small structure and headed to the cruiser as the winds started to kick in more. It was going to be a little rough taking off but it was time go. Ben closed the ramp behind him and walked to the cockpit wiping his hair out of his face. He looked to a screen to figure out where he could go from here. Kerroc was the closes system and Ben punched in the coordinates and took off.
The planet was rather ugly, almost inhabitable, rocky and that's what the First Order liked. There was a hub there and the beings living on the planet worked for the Order. They built ships, repaired ships and recruits would go there to train. Ben knew where the base was and landed far from it. As he landed he grabbed a huge robe and to protect himself from the elements and to hide his face.
He left the cruiser and headed to the metal city and took in his surroundings. He has never actually set foot on this planet. He would always be in a Star Destroyer if he was here. He entered the city and no one looked to him. They were almost mindless, they were here for one purpose and if they disobeyed then they will be killed. As Ben walked around seeing the people for the first time it pulled at him. He helped in this. He created this war in some way. Ben then saw a Destroyer in the distances and knew that's where he needed to go.
Luckily he was deep in the Order and he also knew how to infiltrate, it was coming in handy now. Ben saw a lone Trooper and he snuck up on him knocking him out. It took a moment but he put the suit on in order to hear what was going on and to walk just about anywhere he pleased. He held the blaster and hated it. It was this bulky thing and it restricted his fighting movements. As he walked he met up with more Troopers and a message came through the helmet requesting an audience at the gate.
Ben followed but peeled off as they passed the Destroyer. It was most likely here for repairs and empty until it was ready to leave. Ben boarded the ship and looked around. It was strange to be alone on such a massive star ship. He headed to the bridge and looked around the computers and went to smaller station removing his helmet. He looked at it and tossed it. How can the Troopers even see in it, he thought.
Ben looked to the computers and turned on one to start his search. It first it asked for a code and the codes change weekly to keep up secrecy but there is a default code that very few knew and he was one. Ben typed it in and because of that he has almost all access to what he needed. First he typed in his name and it appeared as both Ben Solo and Kylo Ren and stated he was a fugitive, a criminal, and wanted for the death of the Supreme Leader Snoke. There was a bounty on him and he saw a HOLO of his face that was placed all over the galaxy.
He stared at that frozen picture of his face. He didn't even look like the same person. He has changed since then. Looking at the price at least he knew ho much he was worth. Ben then continued to type and he trembled a little. Did they have her picture? He typed in Rey and hit a button. On the HOLOgram Rey popped up as she stood there with the lightsaber. Some print ran across the screen and a price was placed on her too and his soul boiled in anger. He looked at Rey as she stood there and there was something with it. Ben pressed a button and the screen started to move.
"I am Rey from Jakku and I am a Jedi Knight." Rey spoke and Ben took in a deep breath. It hurt to hear that because she liberated a small planet on her own. She trained on her own and he wasn't there to see it. He wasn't there for her and to see her moment. Ben continued to look at her through the HOLOgram. He reached to it and his hand went through it. He pulled back as he looked at her. He should return but would she look at him? This will be the third time some one has left her. Ben continued to type and started to type in names, the names of the Knights of Ren their true names.
All of them were at the Jedi Academy with him and all turned to the dark with him. All seven names were listed before him and Ben continued to work. The Knights of Ren operated outside the Order. They're purpose was to not allow Jedi to return. Ben was given the title as the Master of the Knights and tasked to hunt down and kill Luke Skywalker. If Rey has given her true title then the Knights will find her and attempt to kill her. She may have freed a small planet from the Order but that placed a target on her. That's why he was trying to find them first, keep Rey safe. She won't be able to fight them; she'll be killed without a standing chance.
As he gathered the information he needed not to think about how these seven knights were after Rey and that they were going to kill her, it began to allow the fire in. He manages to keep it at a distance but ever since seeing Rey in the woods he couldn't help but protect her. He even offered to teach her then and he knew nothing about her. As their connection in the Force grew he felt the need to continue to keep her safe. He killed Snoke not just to end the past but because Snoke tortured her, caused her physical pain and he watched. Since that day he wanted to be with her to watch over her. She was something special and he didn't know why. He just knew if Rey does die in anyway the entire galaxy goes with her.
He had to keep her safe so he left trying to deflect the Knights away. But now that he was gone and Rey was getting stronger, she was alone. Ben pushed that aside; he wasn't going to allow that to happen. He was going terminate the Knights of Ren by himself if needed. Ben got all the information he needed and the first Ren he would look for was named Kral Horuok. He was on the Destroyer that has passed the base months ago. Then there's Rosmer Wessiri, Bleys Sihin, Yelnic Cornag, Antar Forin, Cassir Filtyan and Tavion Sage. Their whereabouts will change but he can at least start with Kral.
Ben made it back to his cruiser and knew he had to leave as soon as possible. The Order will learn someone had breached their systems. Ben covered some of his tracks so they may not be able to trace him completely but that didn't mean he was safe. Ben left the lonely planet and was back in space. Kral had a mission to a spice planet to follow up on recruits for the Resistance. Ben punched in the coordinates and went to find his old friend.
Ben came out of hyperspace but quickly pulled up as there were TIE-Fighters before him. The TIE-Fighters started to fire at him and he dodged them. This was not how he planned this. Ben spun away from them then saw a First Order cruiser and he felt it, Kral was there. He just intercepted the mission and by complete accident. Ben flew to the cruiser then away drawing attention to him. Ben continued to the planet to help the Resistance just in case any of them are here.
As he entered the planet more TIE-Fighters were behind him. Ben was able to dodge the blasters and he switched on his own gunners. He looked to the screen briefly and fired getting two of the five quickly. He then was alerted that the Order cruiser had entered the planet's atmosphere. Ben picked off the last three TIE-Fighters and headed for the planet's surface and landed.
He ran off the ship seeing the cruiser hovering overhead. Ben stood there watching the cruiser land. The ramp to the cruiser opened and a figure clad in black with a black mask walked towards him. Ben called his saber to him but did not ignite it. The figure stood before Ben with the cape wiping behind him. The figure too called his saber to him and Ben ignited the lightsaber as did the Knight of Ren. The red sabers now hummed and the Storm Troopers stood in a battle ready stands.
The Troopers didn't worry Ben, they were easy to take out. Ben walked towards the Knight twirling his saber a little. The Knight then advanced to Ben as well dragging his saber on the ground.
"The mighty Kylo Ren." Kral spoke through the mask. "You traitor." Ben then stood there and nodded. The word traitor didn't seem to affect him much and Ben held up his saber pointing it to Kral and then brought it close to his face indicating to make a move. Ben when he was Kylo was the Master of the Knights, he was the best and he hoped that was still the case. Kral did the same, pointed his saber to Ben and then took a ready stands. Kral looked to Ben who was unmasked seeing the scar across his face and something different was in his eyes.
It didn't matter that they fought, it was going to happen at some point to win the throne. But this was betrayal. Snoke did not die the way he was supposed to, Kylo Ren had transition to Ben when Snoke was split into two. Ben Solo killed the Supreme Leader and he was a traitor.
The two then charged at one another and their sabers clashed. Ben kicked Kral away but that was barely the beginning. Kral jumped and swung his saber down at Ben and Ben blocked it and began to swing at Kral. Kral held up his hand to push Ben back with the Force and Ben held up his hand to hold his ground. Dueling was going to be hard as they trained under the same master both Skywalker and Snoke. They stopped using the Force and stood before one another and Kral tossed his lightsaber away. Ben twirled his lightsaber and disengaged it then dropped it at his side knowing what this was going to be.
They were going to fight fist to fist, strength to strength, will to will. Ben held his hands up in the fighting stands as did Kral. They then charged at one another throwing punches. Ben kicked Kral and Kral blocked him. Kral took a swing and Ben ducked and delivered a side sweep. Kral fell for a moment but kicked Ben back. Ben didn't lose his footing and stood there. Kral began to circle Ben and Ben tapped into the Force to find his centered. He really wanted to feel the cool breeze and the wild flowers but she wasn't here.
Kral charged and Ben spun around blocking the strikes. Kral kicked Ben in the stomach went to deliver another blow but Ben grabbed Kral's leg tossing the Knight away and held his fight stands as Kral got up. They were going to beat each other to death.
"I sense it Solo," Kral called Ben by his true name. "That…compassion for her. Snoke said you were rank with it. I'm going to have a great time killing her slowly." Ben then charged with a fierce anger at Kral and tackled him shoving him in the ground and got a punch to the mask. The mask was there to protect his face but it didn't mean that the strike couldn't be felt. Ben gave another punch and Kral kicked him back.
Ben got to his feet and took in a deep breath regaining himself again as Kral stood there ready for the next round. Kral then charged at Ben and once more they were in the dance. Ben took another swing and Kral grabbed his arm pulling him so they were face to face. "Weak," Kral spoke.
"It, it really is hard to understand with, with the apparatus on," Ben knew he was going to regret that. Kral tossed Ben away but Ben rolled into it and back up. He widen his stands as Kral went after him again. Ben ducked the punch and threw his own getting a hit but it still wasn't a fair fight as Kral still had his armor and mask on. Kral then smashed his head against Ben's skull and that knocked him down just a little. Ben took a knee shaking it off and went to get up but Kral kicked Ben in the head and Ben went back to the ground.
Kral circled Ben for a moment as Ben tried to recentered himself as he started to get up. Kral jumped in the air and landed on Ben and threw punch after punch to his head a face. He gave one good hit as a Trooper came over and held out his blaster and fired stunning Ben completely. Kral stood up seeing his former master unconscious before him and began to walk away and called his and Ben's lightsaber to him.
Ben's eyes opened a little but one eye wasn't opening all the way. It was swollen for sure. He looked around the room hearing his breathing and there was a pounding pain in his head. He could taste blood in his mouth as he continued to refocus. Kral then was before him and the man removed his helmet. Kral was young as well, he had this warm color skin, big brown eyes and his hair was curly. The mask, the suit hid the softness. The Knights were very much like that, young and innocent looking.
"Welcome back." Kral began and Ben looked to him. "I wish I could say it was good to see you but…" Then Kral backhanded Ben and the pounding in his head just grew. Ben was tied down and looked to the cuffs holding his feet and hands down. He then placed his hand over Ben's head. "You've been with the Resistance, you've been with that Jedi, you've betrayed us all!" Then Ben felt as if a knife was digging in his head. Kral was mind torturing him. "You tell me where the Resistance is, where I can find the Jedi I will spare you." The digging went deep but Ben forced him but not without a pain. Kral then gave Ben another punch. Ben spat out some blood and took in a deep breath. He was about to pass out. "And you thought you were the Master." Ben looked to Kral seeing the blackness taking over. He knew he was going to be tortured until he gave them what he wanted. If he didn't he was going to be killed, he was going to die either way.
He felt his head get fuzzy as he looked around. The knife started to dig again and he pushed it back but not before he called to her.
Rey was standing outside watching the new recruits learn basic fighting from Finn. Poe was across the way teaching others interested in flying and how to pilot. As Rey stood there she felt a searing pain literally punch her in the face.
She could see him, bloody and beaten and she could hear his cry for help. Rey came back to the here and now and looked around. It has been months since they have connected in the Force and it completely blindsided her. She felt her heart racing and felt a pounding in her head. He was in trouble. Rey ran inside the hanger and needed to find a small cruiser she could take. She was going to take it without authorization but Ben was in trouble, he was in pain and it was probably a trap. Rey got into a small cruiser and a flight officer ran to her as she powered it up.
She will probably get in trouble but the General will understand. Rey started the flight sequence and hovered off the ground and headed out the hanger. She didn't know where Ben was but she needed to reach out to find him, she was going to go blind on this. The cruiser took off and both Finn and Poe met up with one another knowing something was wrong. Rey looked out in space as she sat back and had to feel for Ben. She hadn't reached out to him in a while. But then it hit her, the dream. That dream was so real, it was real it wasn't a dream.
Rey closed her eyes trying to remember the dream, remember his dark yet comforting presence. She even went to remember how he smelt just to heighten her sense. She reached into the Force and felt him. The pain was real, the agony and when she opened her eyes she had to suck in air. She felt like she was punched in the chest but she felt him. Now it was time get him back.
Ben opened his eyes as Kral was still before him and smiled.
"You are strong Kylo." Kral was always impressed by Kylo Ren. Kral has tried to pry into his mind, try to open him up and expose everything he knew. But Ben has been able to fight it but for how long? The more punches he took, the more abuse he absorbed the weaker he was getting. He put the Force over him but that was even cracking. Then Ben heard the hum a saber and he felt his heart race. Kral held the saber to Ben with a smile. "The sooner you tell me what I need to know the faster this stops." Kral offered and Ben turned away. "Too much pride." Ben began to grit his teeth together as Kral put the lightsaber to Ben's thigh and started to press it in. Kral pulled it out and Ben took in a deep breath.
Rey's cruiser came out of lightspeed and saw a planet before her. She piloted the cruiser down and began to land. This was the next recruiting place and Rey wonder why he was here but she had to ask later. As she went to land she saw a familiar cruiser and landed next to it. Rey left the ship and ran to Ben's and went inside looking for him.
"Ben!" She yelled for him hoping he may have made his way back. It was a small cruiser so there can only be so many places to look. Rey left the cruiser looking around and she can tell she was losing daylight. But she felt him; he was here somewhere. She then spotted a hillside and made her way to it and run up the side. As she got to the top see saw a First Order cruiser. Rey slid down the hillside and began to sneak.
As she neared the cruiser she saw a few Storm Troopers patrolling the outside and she started to run to them. The Troopers caught site of her and lined up. Rey jumped and used the Force to give her more height and landed on one Trooper and kicked another back. She grabbed a blaster from another and went behind him using him as a shield and fired at the others. She then spun the Trooper around and kicked him down and then boarded the ship. Rey looked around and started to follow the Force.
Kral looked to Ben seeing he was mangled and barely staying conscience. Kral was almost there to get the information he needed.
"Tell me and we may let you live." Kral offered one more time and Ben looked to him and his eyes said no. "Then I want you to think about that Jedi, see her. Your punishment will be to watch her die." Just then Ben felt it the breeze. Kral felt something to, a surge in the air. He turned around and Rey stood there. Ben was full awake now seeing Rey standing before them.
Rey held her ground and Kral felt it, she was a Jedi, it was running through her. Rey then called her saber to her and ignited. She let out a war scream in anger seeing Ben the way he was. Kral pulled his saber out too and they charged at one another. Ben pulled against his restraints but all he could do was watch Rey go against a Knight of Ren by herself. The blue saber met with the red and Kral shoved her back. Rey didn't back down that easily and kicked her attacker away. She twirled her saber and delivered another blow to him and Kral blocked it.
Her strikes and moves were very well defined. Her footwork was on point and that threw Kral off. He was expecting something a little less refine and a bit more sloppy. But it didn't matter; he can adjust. The lightsabers continued to collide and Rey stepped back and Kral looked to her.
"You did find a Jedi didn't you there Solo!" Kral looked at Ben. "She's cute, I can see why he'd want to keep you for himself. I'd keep you for myself as well." Kral added and that just made Rey's skin crawl. She twirled her saber again and Kral advanced to her taking another swing. Rey ducked from the saber and as Ben watched that's all he could do. He was fighting with Rey, making all the moves she was in his heart.
Rey went to jump at Kral but he held out his hand shoving her back with Force and she slammed against the wall and landed on the ground.
"The Force is with you Rey from Jakku," Kral walked to her as he dragged his saber on the ground. "But you are not a Jedi Knight yet." Rey grabbed her saber igniting it and blocked the blow and pushed against the wall and slid underneath Kral and got up. "Smart, very smart." Kral gave her that much.
"I had a good teacher." Rey added and took another swing as the lightsabers clashed again. She had to keep him from pushing her back, she had to drive the fight. She spun around and heard a painful hiss from Kral and she looked up. She managed to get him across his chest, it grazed him but it still probably hurt. That gave her a chance to kick him back and then she saw it. She saw Ben's saber and she quickly called to it and flew to her and she ignited it and now had two sabers in her hands. Kral looked to her standing up.
Ben wanted to get up and fight with her, side by side. Rey held the fight stands again and Kral charged at her as she blocked his moves again. Fighting with two sabers wasn't easy; she had less control but twice the striking power. She slammed both sabers down to Kral's one and he held her. Rey kicked him back and threw Ben's saber back to it's rightful owner and held out her hand forcing Kral to fly back.
Ben caught his saber and the crossguard lit up burned through his bonds. He freed himself and joined Rey and stood next to her. Kral looked to them, a Jedi and a Sith standing side by side. He yelled in anger and charged with all he had. Rey and Ben charged at him side by side and the three dueled. But two against one and Ben didn't feel himself as a Sith. Just like in the throne room when he fought with Rey he felt whole, complete just like he did now; balanced. They're mirrored their moves, striking Kral at the same time, in perfect sync with one another. Ben then kicked Kral back and Rey reached out and grabbed the Knight of Ren's saber from him and flung it away.
Kral was now on the ground and then got to his knees as Rey and Ben stood before him. Ben walked a little closer to Kral and stood before.
"I'm not going to beg!" He yelled and Ben nodded. Ben wouldn't beg either, he didn't beg when Kral tortured him. It wasn't in the nature of a Solo or a Skywalker to beg.
"I wouldn't ask that." Ben was calm standing before a brother. They trained side by side for years and now it has come to an end.
"You put her…before us?" Kral asked and Ben didn't looked to Rey but he nodded.
"Always." It was more of a whisper and Rey heard it. She wanted to smile but she knew this was difficult for Ben. He was about to end a friendship, a very strange friendship but it didn't matter.
"I should have killed you Solo." Kral spat out and Ben nodded in agreement.
"Yes, you should have but you didn't." Ben held up his saber and gave the final blow. Rey turned away a little as Kral's body fell to the ground. Just then Ben fell to one knee out of pain and exhaustion. He then laid out taking in some deep breaths. Rey disengaged her saber and went to Ben's aid. She could tell he was hurt and needed some help. He laid there needing a moment to digest this.
But then again they haven't seen one another in months. She looked different, older but in a good way. She reached out and pushed some of the strains of hair that stuck to his sweaty forehead back. His left eye was turning black and blue, his nose was bloody and maybe broken, he had a bruise on the side of his head forming.
"You look awful." Rey commented and Ben looked to her and out of nowhere a smile formed on her face and she chuckled a little. That cause Ben to laugh just a little but he didn't want to laugh, it hurt to laugh. He laid flat on the ground and Rey hovered over him and he looked to her. He was honest with himself, he thought he wasn't going to ever see her again. A stray strain of hair hung and he reached out tucking it behind her ear. The breeze and wild flowers were rushing through him again. Rey leaned in and kissed his forehead. "You don't smell as good as before, you need a shower." She added and grabbed him by the shoulders and hoisted him up. Rey took Ben's arm and wrapped it around her shoulder as a crutch. They started to leave this place.
"I saw you on the HOLO, taking the city." Ben added as they slowly left and he limped and Rey smiled a little and looked to him. "You're running laps, that was a foolish move." Rey nodded and would take the punishment; she just wanted her friend to come home. Ben was going home, no more rogue missions, if they were going to take on the Knights of Ren they would do it together.
Rey made sure Ben was comfortable in the small bed as she took off to go home. Ben laid in the bed and he called to her though the Force, he just wanted to be covered in her calmness. Rey joined up and sat on the side of the bed with him and reached out with a towel wiping the blood and sweat off his face. His lip was split and he looked like he was going to pass out. She should let him.
She could have went into hyperspace and gotten home faster but instead she let the cruiser fly on it's own home. She sat on the bed with her back against the wall watching Ben sleep. There was going to be a million and one questions when he returns. His attention will be directed to the Resistance so she wanted to spend some time with him alone. While he was asleep she could feel him in the Force. She missed his ever watching presence. She then placed a hand on his leg feeling his warmth.
Rey then crawled towards him and then hovered over his sleeping expression. The bruises had completely set in and she felt herself choke up. She reached out touching his face and he didn't stir. But then the dream came back to her as she looked to his lips. Ben didn't move and that was ok, she just needed to feel. He could have died and that shook her. She can't do this without him. Rey then gently rested her forehead to his head and fought the stinging tears. He was ok, badly beaten but ok. One tear fell to his face and Ben twitched a little. Rey then laid down next to him letting her head rest on his chest hearing his heart beat. She then felt his arm wrap around her and she smiled a little pulling a little closer to him.
The fire wasn't coming as he kept his eyes closed. He can feel Rey was on top of him and it sent him into this insane calmness. Sleep took over almost instantly.
Without going into hyperspace it would take nearly a day to get home and that was fine. Rey's head fit just perfectly under his chin as she rested. She could finally rest knowing he was safe. Rey closed her eyes letting his steady heartbeat send her to sleep.
A/N: So, they have reunited, killed a Knight of Ren together and finally…nothing. So what does this accomplish? Simply the fact they have to do this together if anything is going to change. They're committing more and more to one another on different levels. They're friends first and foremost I think. They balance each other and yes we know there's some romance and maybe some sexual tension too. Now that they are reunited what happens now? The Resistance has come back, Rey has come out as a Jedi, a Knight of Ren is dead so what happens now? Well the next chapter is called Come Together…what's going to come together?
I won't be posting for a bit as I get more of the story put together and going to get more chapters typed out before posting. But I will leave you with a little something, something for the next chapter to get you through the next post.
Chapter 12 Come Together
"Why us?" Poe asked looking around. Yes they did liberate a small planet but the Order wasn't heavily grounded there. This was a full on assault against the Order and attacking where they build their weapons. "Le, General, this is something huge." Leia looked to Poe knowing full well what she was asking. "You want me to train, we don't have an elite…task force." Poe would have to recruit within the Resistance asking people to train for this.
"People aren't going to be up for it." Finn added and Chewie something adding to Finn's comment. Leia felt them fighting this and they should but until they do something of this magnitude then they will never be able to be the Resistance this galaxy needs. Destroying Starkiller Base was about to pave the way until they were nearly wiped out. Leia gave a sigh and looked to them.
Each of them came from some unique background. She could feel it within the Force itself. All them were broken at some time but yet so strong and could drive something.
"Alone," Leia looked to them. "All of you are not enough," The five stared at her to listen. "We will not be enough." Leia looked around hoping to spark something. She knew what the galaxy wanted but that wasn't going to happen right now. So, the galaxy needs something else. "This galaxy thinks it needs Luke Skywalker. I thought that as well but," She was honest and it was true. It was always about Luke Skywalker and Rey could not lie about that. She believed in Skywalker. "But Luke is not coming back, not now. He no longer believes in the galaxy. We have to believe and give them something to believe in." Leia continued to look to Ben and Rey and to the others. "We're doing this to bring us together."
Rey then pulled closer to embrace him, Ben seemed like he needed lots of hugs even though he pulls away; everyone could use a hug. Ben slowly wrapped his arms around her just to deepen the embrace a little more.
"I'll stand with you." Rey whispered and the pulled away. It meant Ben wasn't going to leave again. But just like when he was going to leave they were close, a breath or two a part. They continued to look at one another in the eyes and knew they should pull away. What could transpire can and will cause pain. They seemed to be always treading in deeper waters and whatever it was they were feeling, it can't surface. But if that was the case then why were they still close.
Just then their foreheads rested on one another. Rey closed her eyes feeling calmness. She then thought about that dream she had of him. It was an intense dream so much so that she believes it might not have been just a dream. Ben thought about to and knew they would have to address it but not now, now they were relishing in their own calmness. But the pull was harder to quell. And without a thought Ben reached to her cheek only closing the gap between them a bit more. The question was just how much did they want to stand next to one another.
What's to come? Let's discuss.
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