Halo

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A/N-thank you for the kind reviews on the last chapter.

Chapter Thirty-Luke's Offer

As Rey roused from a heavy slumber, the first thing she became aware of was the coolness of the air and its loamy fragrance. The ground was lumpy as if she were on a bed of earth and rocks. Her clothes were damp with dew. It must have rained sometime in the night while she and others slept around the campfire. She sat up, raking her fingers through her hair to de-tangle it. As she looked around, she noticed everyone else was still fast asleep. Twin snores came from Chewie and Han's direction. Now she knew what had awoken her. She fought a smile when she noticed one of the island's native bird species-a Porg-had nested in the Wookie's fur while he slept.

Rey's amused gaze drifted to Kylo who lay a few feet away from the others. He was sprawled on his stomach, one muscled arm stretched in her direction. His handsome features were much softer in sleep, the lines that usually creased his brow replaced by the youthful appearance that matched those of others his age. He looked peaceful. Rey was glad that he had managed to find some semblance of tranquillity in his sleep after the previous day's drama. Not wanting to disturb him, or Han and Chewie, she pushed herself silently to her feet, grabbed her quarterstaff and wandered away to do some exploring on her own.

As she walked among the ancient Jedi temple's ruins, a light rain began to fall. Each raindrop traced sweet paths on her skin, making her feel refreshed. Rey smiled, feeling her soul stir, the air felt electrified around her as if it was calling her forward. She found herself irresistibly drawn toward a strange looking, hollowed out tree. The tree's branches stretched up, as if proud to stand there under the sun in any weather. How Rey wished she could have seen the tree's beauty in its glory days, she imagined the green bounty of leaves and earthy browns of the patterned bark, yet despite its great age she could still sense the peace and wisdom emanating from it as she approached. Just like the island, she felt like she had seen all this before in some half-forgotten dream.

As she stepped inside the tree's hollowed-out interior she was confronted by a strange sight. She found a bookshelf within containing a series of archaic texts. Rey held her breath as she studied them curiously. The crevices in the wall of the tree allowed small amounts of light to filter inside along with thin ropes of ivy. Dust floated lazily in the air. All that she could hear were the faint chirps of birds outside, the scurrying feet of invisible rodents, and the rustling of papers catching the draft. The Force flowed around her, directing her steps towards the ancient books and the wisdom they contained inside. Rey's fingers trembled slightly as she eagerly reached for the book closest to her.

"Who are you?"

Luke's voice seemed to come out of nowhere, startling Rey. She spun around to face him, finally letting go of the breath she had been holding. She stared at him for the length of a heart beat before admitting. "I know this place."

Luke stared at her thoughtfully. "This was built generations ago to keep these…the original jedi texts." He explained slowly as he reverently lifted one of the old tomes from its resting place on the shelf. He flipped it open, the pads of his fingers tracing the calligraphic writing within. "And just like me, they're the last of the Jedi religion." He glanced back at Rey, his eyes turning calculating. "You've seen this place. You've seen this island."

"Only in dreams." Rey admitted in a muted whisper.

Luke stepped forward out of the shadows, his piercing gaze sending shivers down her spine. "Who are you?" He demanded forcefully.

"I came with Ben, Han and Chewie to find you." Rey answered.

"Where are you from?" Luke continued harshly.

"Nowhere." Rey answered defiantly.

"No one's from nowhere."

"Jakku." Rey spat.

Luke grimaced. "Alright, that is pretty much nowhere." He conceded. "Why are you here, Rey from nowhere?"

"I told you already."

"Why are you here?" Luke demanded again.

Rey hesitated as she felt her heart flutter in her chest. Who was this man to demand anything from her? But despite her misgivings, she answered him, the words seemingly pulled out of her by some invisible force. "Something inside me has always been there. But now its awake. And I'm afraid."

Luke's eyes narrowed as he studied her warily. "You need a teacher."

"I have a teacher." Rey said stoutly.

"You can't mean my nephew?" Luke replied in disbelief. "That explains why you attacked me without provocation. You're his apprentice."

"I am not his apprentice." Rey retorted defensively. "We're equals."

"Equals?" Luke's tone was filled with derision. "Hardly. You know who and what he is. I suggest you re-think your choices. He'll only fail you like he failed me."

Rey felt her frustration rising toward the bitter old man in front of her. It was clear that he still wasn't willing to give Ben a chance. He remained judge, jury and executioner. It was his actions that had driven his nephew toward the dark side, and as far as Rey could see he wasn't taking responsibility for his part in it, or even showing an ounce of remorse. "You've got that backwards. It was you who failed him."

Luke stiffened, his jaw tightening. "This conversation is over." He turned his back on her and stormed outside.

As Rey followed him out, she found the rain had increased in intensity. The rain had lost the ambient temperature of earlier, and was now freezing and paling her skin on contact. Rey felt chaotic, wild, just like the weather. The cold droplets of water ran down her face in a thin layer, coating her eyelashes, forcing her to blink rapidly. She felt her anger toward Skywalker increasing with each passing second.

"STOP!" She yelled at his retreating back.

Luke just continued to ignore her as he ploughed through the driving rain. His sodden robes trailing across the muddy ground as she pursued him.

Infuriated by his lack of engagement, Rey pulled her quarterstaff from her back and used it to jab Luke in the back. He fell down hard on his knees, slightly winded. "I know what you did to Ben. I saw it."

Luke scowled, rising slowly to his feet, his eyes on fire. He grabbed a metal pole as he sought to defend himself against her next lunge. They began to fight, Rey attacking and Luke parrying her wild swings. He ducked as she drove her quarterstaff at his head, using the metal poke to shove her staff to one side. Rey kept up her forward momentum, driving Skywalker further back, his attempts to deflect her attacks slowing as the rain got into his eyes, affecting his ability to see. In desperation he countered one of her forceful swings and managed to disarm her. In her anger Rey snapped, using the Force to call to the saber that was hanging from Luke's belt. It flew into her hand and she ignited it, sending Luke scurrying backwards as he avoided its lethal blade.

"I saw what you did to Ben. You tried to murder him. Why? He's your own flesh and blood. What sort of man are you?" Rey felt her anger ebbing away as she watched Luke shrivel before her. She shut down the saber and stared down at him, breathing shallowly. "Why would you do that to your own nephew? Ben trusted you…"

Luke regarded her warily. Instead of answering her question, he asked one of his own. "What do you mean you saw it?" He climbed unsteadily back onto his feet. "Answer me, child." He demanded when Rey stubbornly refused to respond. He moved closer, continuing to scrutinise her. "I see." He murmured to himself after a few minutes tense silence.

"What do you see?" Rey followed his every movement as he walked around her in a slow circle as he continued to assess her.

"I see a lonely, frightened child, who is so desperate for a family, that she attached herself to the first ones who took notice of her without realising what she was getting into. I expect you see Han as the father you never had. And Ben is Han's son." Luke sighed. "It makes sense that you are so protective of them."

"Your opinion means nothing to me."

"Maybe so." Luke said. "Han is good man. And is always loyal to his friends and family. He had a difficult childhood. He was an orphan with no identity. Like you. Am I right?"

Rey turned her head to one side and breathed deeply as she tried to contain her emotions. "Shut up." She muttered.

"I'm not saying any of this to hurt you, Rey from nowhere. I am trying to show you that you may be in over your head. Ben is…." Luke paused in his rambling and closed his eyes briefly as he struggled to contain his own guilt in regards to his nephew's fall to the dark side. He sighed again, before opening his eyes and resuming speaking. "You need a new teacher. One who is better equipped to harness your powers and set you on the right path. My nephew is not that person. I vowed I would never take on another apprentice again, but I will consider making an exception for you and show you the true path of a Jedi."

Rey made eye-contact with him again, this time her gaze unwavering. "And what if I fail to live up to your exacting standards, Master Skywalker?" She asked sarcastically. "Will you try to kill me, too?"

Luke's breath was expelled from his body at her harsh rejection of his offer. Rain continued to fall in crazy chaotic drops, the gusting wind carrying them in wild vortices one moment and in diagonal sheets the next. He watched as Rey's hazel eyes slowly left his as she focused her gaze over his left shoulder. Confused, Luke turned around slowly, only to find his nephew standing a few feet away, with BB-8 right beside him. Luke's stomach dropped as he realised Kylo had overhead everything.

A/N-thanks for reading. Please review.