Star Wars: A dyad in the Force Chapter 57: First day in Eanor, a star wars fanfic

Warning: Major Spoilers of TRoS.

Note: This is a Reylo FanFiction (slow-burn)

Author's Note:

Sorry for the delay. My daily schedule is busy again, and I might not update as frequently. But I'll try my best to keep writing until completing the story.

「Act 57: First day in Eanor」

North Unknown Regions, Eanor, 37 ABY

The day was young; the party trekked south of forest through Deep Valley's land on turbulent waters. To their left, the ridge rose sharply. Ben, who was walking first in line, noted, "We must hold this course west." Ben handed back the map Rey had given him from Luke's texts. How and why those old scripts held information about Eanor, the coven of Terror, and undo the Sith's Soulstone; was a question no-one could answer.

Hux complained, appearing behind Ben. Hux was still wondering why he agreed to take part in this mission. He gazed out before him with a strange confusion in his eyes. Ben informed him, recalling all the details 3-CPO had translated from the old scripts.

Rose approached the purple carrier droid, a large unit where all their belongings were stored, and started counting and mumbling to herself, "That would last us for three... maybe four days." They should have taken more supplies before they left the Falcon.

"Where are we going? They didn't answer us that?" C-3PO said as he showed up next to Rose, "This mission sounds dangerous..."

Rey hiked for a while last on the line behind Rose and C-3PO with unseeing eyes as if visiting in a distant memory or listening to sounds she had forgotten for a time. The days she spent in Ajan Kloss had her already taste a different world from the one she grew up in. She was surprised with herself, but not relieved. Because this forest that seemed filled with life and green was leading them to darker parts of Eanor.

"That is the least of our problems." came Poe's voice as he paused next to Rose tapping her shoulders and leaning to face her. "We should get going." He tapped her right shoulder one more time and bypassed her.

Ben looked upon his shoulders as the group was following behind him. They would not hurry unnecessarily; they were nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements. There they were taking part in something that was beyond their limit. All just following, to destroy the black stone, to a suicide mission. Never in his mortal life had he come to cross such an act. He had seen Rey, his parents, and some of the Resistance fight against him -when he was Kylo Ren-, the First Order and Final Order. But he was never part of a group that had a mission to save the galaxy.

The First Order was following out of fear or greed. Indeed Greed. Most of Snoke's men were following out of Greed, and few out of fear. As for the stormtroopers, they were taken from their families at a young age. They were committed to the cause because they didn't know any better. And even those who knew what they were doing, from Ben to the Knights of Ren, were under the impression they would succeed in their goals through the darkness and their malicious acts.

Kylo Ren, as part of Snoke's forces, was not any different. He didn't yearn for riches or power. He just wanted to stand his ground and unite the galaxy. True, he liked control, but a different kind of power. Unlike the power that Luke showed him, separate from the one that Snoke wanted him to follow. Kylo Ren always thought that neither the Jedi nor the Siths were right.

Now that he had found Ben again and witnessed the truth, most of his beliefs had changed. He understood why his mother was fighting against the First Order, and that united the Galaxy should be done differently. Yet, there was a part of him that could still see the whole picture. Indeed his mother once with the rebellion brought down the Galactic Empire, but they left the Galaxy leaderless and in complete chaos. Almost thirty years had passed, and no one claimed leadership. The galaxy was in a confusing mess allowing the First Order to rise.

Ben knew it, and he knew it well, it could take some time, but another power could rise and try to claim leadership. The means were wrong, but their general ideas had a point. Until now, Ben didn't fully express his opinion about the galaxy and the leadership. Politics were never his strong points, but he could read through the lines. The Galaxy would need leaders and some kind of government. Only this time, they shouldn't rely on the Jedi or the Sith. Because Ben still thought neither the Jedi nor the Siths were right.

Maybe the older generation of the Jedi used the Force correctly; they sought a balance between light and darkness. They knew that answers were in keeping the balance. You need as much light as darkness in the galaxy to have balance. Ben understood that. Because both sides trained him, Jedi and Sith, all his life, and in the end, he escaped from both. But he still trusted the Force that it would find its way towards the balance. And then the possibility of a new Jedi order could rise, one that could keep the balance around the Galaxy.

Seeing the party working together as a team was confusing Ben. And he didn't like to be perplexed. He always wanted to be sure about himself. He was convinced about the emptiness and coldness within him. Sure, about the pain and suffering of his past. It was better that way. It was safer. Why would he think unnecessary things? Why did thoughts like those trouble him?

He leaned in front, placing the lower part of his leather jacket aside, so his steps could be more comprehensive. Then again, his mind was rolling on its own, following the map of the older scripts. It was then when his thoughts were disturbed by someone else. 'Rey,' he thought. Ben had forgotten about the dyad they were sharing; it started feeling as it was part of him. All this time that his thoughts were freely running into his mind, it had also reached Rey.

'I didn't know that you preferred: a galaxy without Jedi or Sith' Rey threw her thought into his mind startling him. 'You fought next to me against Palpatine against the Sith. I don't understand.' Rey hiked at a faster pace trying to keep up with Ben, who seemed to stroll forward effortlessly.

Ben confused for a moment, as though surprised that she could still read his thoughts. 'The dark and the light are in our nature; we have to accept both and find balance.' Ben gazed at her knowing he was stepping on thin ice. 'Palpatine was a threat to everyone... I'd fight next to you whatever the odds. But judging if the Galaxy needs Jedi or Sith, I cannot come to comply.'

'I don't agree!' her words cleared his head from his confusing thoughts, and only Rey's words were heard. 'The Galaxy needs to find balance, but the Jedi are needed.' She knew. Master Luke would be needed if he was around. Leia as well. Ben was wrong. 'We need the Jedi!'

Ben shook his head. 'We don't need to prove to the Galaxy that there are still Jedi left. We might prove something else. We just need to find balance, and the Galaxy should move on, find its way, and leadership.'

Rey gasped and began shaking her head. Kylo Ren had turned, and she was now facing Ben Solo. But there was still a part of Kylo Ren left in him. Rey could barely see it now. It was not filled with anger or evilness; it was only holding some of the beliefs and the ideas that made Kylo Ren seek the path he took. It enraged Rey slightly that Kylo Ren was not entirely gone. It still held a part inside Ben's existence.

Ben kept out of her way. He didn't want to go through this talk because it would lead them to another argument. Rey couldn't fully understand him. Because she only had seen one part of the story. For Rey, the Jedi were always right. They were the heroes who saved the Galaxy. But it was not the same for Ben, nor Luke or Anakin. They have seen that even the Jedi could make mistakes. Choices that would only grow more darkness.

"Are we not going to stop! We should eat!" Hux grumbled as he rubbed his belly, feeling hungry. He gazed back towards Rose. "Aren't you hungry?"

Rose nodded. "I am; we have been walking for hours. We should take a break and eat something."

"That is what happens when you unit group of pilots, Generals, Maintenance workers, and droids," complained Zorri. "They can't handle a few hours of hiking."

"Hiking through the woods, getting smelly and dirty and without a break. Sorry I didn't sign up for that." Hux added, and Chewie roared in agreement.

'Get there faster,' Poe thought as he looked in front of him all the distance they had to walk. "We have to keep up and running," he interrupted. "We'll camp shortly, and then you can eat."

"This is madness R2-D2, touring by feet in unknown grounds," C-3PO complained, and D2-R2 beep in agreement. BB-8 was rolling after them without any objections. He was used to following Rey since they crossed paths in Jakku, and they were always running through their adventures.

"This way!" Rey said, heading off.

Finn approached her; they didn't talk like they used to. After Finn had expressed his feeling towards her, things had changed. He still was waiting for some acknowledgment from Rey, at least some explanation. But no answer came from Rey. That troubled him, as should he wait for Rey's response or try and date Jannah. Rose had declined him, but Jannah was still open to the idea.

"So, what is it?" Rey asked Finn, as the group kept walking through the forest, following now the river.

"What?" Finn said in his defense.

"What are you going to tell me?" Rey said with a smile, "You keep looking at me as if you want to tell me something."

Finn avoided her gaze. "I'll tell you later!" he mumbled. He had already shared his thoughts with her, and she never answered him back. What was he supposed to say now?

"When Poe isn't around?" Poe suddenly appeared between them, "You always keep secrets, Finn!"

"Yeah!" said Finn, with a mock glare. 'Stupid Poe, he couldn't understand how confused he was.'

"Great, keep more secrets. That's what we need right now," said Poe.

"I'll tell you when you tell us why you want to know. It has nothing to do with you." Finn argued back.

"Of course, it doesn't; it involves only you and Rey!" Poe voiced and hiked away at a furious pace leaving behind a surprised Rey and Finn.

"You thought it wise, General, to drag me with you?" came Ben's voice when he noticed Poe approaching him.

"What kept you so long of asking me. I don't know if it's wise. But it was our best option." Poe offered as he turned and faced Ben.

"Not all agree with you. Maybe I should never follow you from Jakku. This type of quest, it's far from my leak." Ben defined himself as he drew his hand across his brow.

The pilot smirked, "Out of your leak... Don't tell me you are scared now? I never thought 'Kylo Ren' can get scared."

"Don't mock me, Dameron. You know exactly what I mean. I was your enemy, and now I am part of the group of people who wants to save the Galaxy. " Ben said under his breath so the rest wouldn't hear them.

"Ben, you are no longer the enemy, since you helped Rey and onward. And don't you want to save the galaxy as well?" Poe answered as he rested his hand against Ben's shoulder, "Come, buddy, we have more serious dangers to deal with."

"I'm not sure what we are doing here. Saving the Galaxy, trying to stop new darkness, or just following a path to our doom. Whatever it takes, I'm up for this fight, but you brought your best men in this mission. And we don't know what we will face." Ben said.

"We aren't here to fight. Our mission is to help C-3PO to bring the black stone into the coven of Terror and destroy it. And if danger rises to help him. Who said anything about fights?" Poe questioned in a louder voice.

"Darkness grows around us. I don't know exactly what kind of planet Eanor was. But all life slowly dies, and darkness is taking over. We will not lust for hiding very long. I don't care as much for myself as for the rest you dragged in this mission," Ben honestly responded with a worried tone in his voice.

"We'll do the best we can. The Sith's Soulstone must be destroyed. And we'll deal with anything that shows up in our way." Poe assured him.

"We'll see!" Ben said.

Years ago, he would never think about his limits. He'd just ran into battle after battle with anything and everything. At first, he didn't have a purpose, only for his enjoyment and following his master's orders. After all, the outcome had two results; he would kill or would be killed. Either way, he was okay with that. Death didn't scare him. Neither life. Each course was indifferent to him. His lack of emotions and empathy made him bold. His only feelings were anger, pain from the conflict that was battling inside him, and fear for not becoming as strong as Darth Vader.

Now, things were different. He knew his limits. He was scared of losing the people that he started to think of as friends. Ben could withstand anything that the world would throw in his way; it didn't matter how painful or dreadful it was. He would find his way to manage going forward. But losing someone important to him would bring him to his knees. He had already lost too many of his important people, and he was to blame.

Once again, he spaced out, dropping into his thoughts as he hiked next to the river. Rey followed his thoughts through their connection. Sometimes by merely listening to his studies and some others debating him. The rest kept walking behind them; some lost their own opinions, and others started new conversations. That's how their day went on.

The river was a ribbon of living turquoise, boldly flowing amid the green of the forest. No matter the chatter of the trees, it was steady, welcoming, refreshing. It can be heard to whisper its wisdom; on stormy days, it was lost to all but those who listen closely. The river always talked and always spoke the water's wisdom to anyone who treasured its musical words. Even on the rainiest of days, it could hear beneath the splashes, a sacred melody, always moving, always warning.

The day was already reaching its end, and the night was about to show. The company had reached its limits, and they were walking at a slower pace, ready to collapse. Ben personally could walk a few more hours. Rey and Poe might last too, but the rest needed to rest. Poe paused and looked around him, recognizing their weary state. He agreed with himself that it was time to have a rest.

"Let's camp here," he pointed in a rocky area around the river "we can have shelter and water there."

「Upcoming Chapter: Act Fifty - Eight」

Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 57th chapter.

Thank you all so much! Stay awesome! Stay sweet!

And be nice to each other, see you soon, in the next chapter!

Feel free to Review and Follow the story!

Feedback is always appreciated!

Misshavoc84 : After watching Episode Nine, I had the same thoughts as you. I just needed a different way for the trilogy to end. There so many beautiful Fanfictions written, but most of them rushed into Ben and Rey's relationship. I believed they needed more time to know each other slowly and for their feelings to mature. And I wanted more moments between the characters. JJ rushed us, and we couldn't see any of the names share a few moments. I am loving writing this story and so happy with all the support. Thank you for reading the information, liking it, and wanting to read more. It means a lot.

Adelgado28 : Now that they have reached Eanor, you will get more jealous, Rey, and we will slowly see the characters interact.