"At last they came to a grand house. Her brothers and sisters were outside running about and playing. Everything was so pretty, it was a joy to see. "This is where your father and mother live now," said the white bear. "Now don't forget what I told you, else you'll make us both unhappy."
She couldn't believe it. He was talking to her from a galaxy away and yet it felt like they were so close, as in the dream.
Trust me, it's a surprise for me as well. And she could feel his sarcasm. Stars, how could he be so calm?
How are we doing this?
Didn't you tug me into your conscience? The thread. When she concentrated on the Force, it probably called to him without her knowledge.
So it was an accident? You really are amazing, Rey. Managing to pull something like that off, not even the ancient Masters could.
She was speechless. The man seemed to be impressed with her discovery; he wasn't afraid at all. And if Kylo knew this was something rare, he probably knew much more about this bond than he let on.
Smart girl. It's a shame you chose the wrong Master. We could have accomplished so many things together.
You know that I couldn't have accepted your offer. I still can't. But you can accept mine.
And then she could feel it. His confidence being swayed at her proposal. It seemed the dream affected them both on a much deeper level.
This is impossible. What I have done cannot be left behind. I belong to the Dark Side now.
But if there was a chance to redeem your actions, would you accept it? To take a different path?
It was a dream, she knew. But, even against the odds, she needed to try.
I appreciate your concern. It's something I haven't seen directed at me for a long time. But this is not a bedtime story, Rey. In real life, monsters don't turn back into honorable princes. They are killed. I'm sure you know this brutal aspect of the galaxy far better than I ever will.
He was right. Having to live alone in an unsafe place taught you about how cruel and mean people could be, regardless of their reasons. She would carry what she learned for all her life until the day she met her Maker. But she wasn't on Jakku anymore. Since she left the arid planet, new things and experiences popped at every turn. The galaxy may have a heartless side, but it also had beautiful and amazing things. She wouldn't let her rough memories take that from her, and she wouldn't let him do it, either.
You heard me, didn't you? I will not turn away. I'm no hero, but you can be sure that I won't give up.
A great silence passed before he spoke again.
Rey, you're the bravest person I know. But I think that before you make choices like that, you need to know the whole truth. Remember the black castle from the dream? I will allow your entrance. As I'm sure my counterpart warned you, it's a dangerous place. My memories are locked there, and it can overwhelm someone as Force-sensitive as you are.
And if I still decide to help you? She asked, defiantly.
At the end, you will know where to find me. Goodbye, Rey.
She could still feel him in her mind, but this time he was not just a presence. His consciousness enveloped her and it was like she was drowning in darkness. She couldn't tell where he ended and she began. Suddenly, like a dam breaking, his memories made their way to her all at once, an avalanche of feelings that overcame her. She saw young Ben Solo playing with Chewbacca on the Millennium Falcon, his first true use of the Force when he almost threw a golden protocol droid into the wall, his father's absence, his mother worry, his fear and excitement when he arrived at his uncle's academy, when he first saw a light saber in action, his nightmares of a shadowed creature who whispered to him about greatness and how his family had left him alone, his anger growing at his fellow apprentices, at his questions that were never really answered and how the knowledge of his lineage was exposed to all to see.
And then blood began to be shed. She saw his cross guarded red light saber killing children, how he extinguished a little ball of light with every movement of his wrist. He could sense every death, every pain like his own. When he was going away, his shuttle almost leaving the planet, she saw and felt along with Kylo Ren his uncle's silent scream of anguish, amplified by his power in the Force, for all near to know. He lead his Knights into battle against the Resistance, his manhunt for Skywalker and Han Solo falling into the abyss. When exhaustion was almost making Rey crumble under the weight of these horrible memories, another one made its appearance. She saw Kylo going after her on Takodana, sweeping her into his arms. Then, they were on Starkiller and he bent under her power. They were fighting in the snow and in his mind she could feel his admiration. He had found his equal, his other side, his Light. And then, almost in the back of her mind, she heard the bear say, "This is our story. It may have started with a lot of sadness, but it doesn't have to end with pain. Perhaps we can both start over, Rey, but again, this is all up to you."
She opened her eyes, the night sky shining brightly above her. Her body felt extremely tired, like a mob had stomped on her and only her head was able to move. Slowly, she noticed her surroundings. Her body was laid under a heavy blanket, next to a fire, her layers of clothes also helping to keep the warmth. She could see Luke sitting by her side, looking at the ocean with a stern gaze.
"What happened?" Her voice was barely a whisper now, her lips cracking without enough humidity. Regardless, he was able to hear her, as he instantly grabbed a vial of water and kneeled at her side.
"Easy, you're almost collapsing." He sighed and helped her drink, with worry on his gaze again. "After the sunset, I went looking for you, worried that you had gotten lost. Found you passed out near your staff at some old ruins. Brought you out here so your body could be at peace while your mind was within the Force. I could feel your distress, Rey. This wasn't a normal dream vision. You were awake."
After drinking every last drop of water, and eating some fruit and bread, she was a little better. Her body was again working properly and she could sit without help. And yet her mind was in a constant state of pain and sleepiness, perhaps a side effect of sharing so many memories at once. Because of how this all worked out in the end, it was indeed a necessity to tell the truth to her Master.
"I know. My dream last night had something to do with this as well." She looked into his eyes and asked all the gods above for this nice old man to not hate her. "I'm connected to Ben because of a Force bond, and we were communicating with each other."
"A bond? So you and my nephew are linked through the Force. You should know that it's extremely rare, especially because so few of us exist in the galaxy right now."
"I know, he said that to me. Something about us using a technique the old ones couldn't." She looked at the fire, trying to calm her emotions and not thinking about the things uncovered this afternoon.
"He is right, in a manner of speaking. A Force bond could be a useful tool during battle and wars, so Masters of both sides tried to recreate it. They failed multiple times; a connection like this not easily forged and maintained through life."
"Trust me, a word that can't be used to describe this whole situation is 'easy'. Especially because of the person on the other end." She frowned, still able to feel him, a silent buzz at the back of her mind.
"Yes, I'm aware that having him as a mind companion can be exhausting, mainly because of his past and current actions," Luke said with certain anguish in his voice, trying to contain anger or sadness. "But we can find a way to sever the connection, Rey. You already beat him back in a mind invasion. I'm sure you can cut him out, with the proper instruction."
At this, her mind went to alarm. He wanted to rip their bond apart! Even after seeing all his most painful memories, she couldn't do it. His presence might be an inconvenience, but to extinguish it forever was not something she thought herself capable of.
"I don't want to cut it, Master Luke. It's a line that affects more than just my mind. I can't let it go like this," she pleaded, trying to make him understand, when an idea popped into her mind. "And I plan to use it as a way to bring him back to the Light."
He shook his head and said, "He can't be brought back, Rey. He is being controlled by Snoke and won't listen to reason. If you try it, he will only end up hurting you."
She clenched her fist and almost growled. What was it about these Skywalkers trying to protect her?
"I can take care of myself. Besides, that's exactly why he needs help. If he is not able to see reason, I will make sure he does. I offered to help him and he accepted." His current localization in her brain was enough proof of that. She knew this wasn't a trap, or a way to kill her. He actually wanted her to come after him.
She put her hand on his arm, just like the way he had done this morning and said, "I know what he did. To you and to every other person in the galaxy. He showed me all of it. And while I don't forgive him for any of this, I can't abandon him. I'm sorry, Master."
With her legs in a better state, she got up, grabbing her staff to use as a support. She could sense his worry and apprehension, but knew he wouldn't stop her.
He sighed. "Something tells me you are not going to stay here anymore. What are you planning to do, Rey?"
She shrugged. "I don't know yet, but tomorrow I'm going after him. I know where he is, and I guess it's time we talked face to face." He rose from his seat to help her, but instead she hugged him. "Thank you, Luke. I don't have any idea how to repay you."
He patted her back with a chuckle. "There's no need of such a thing. Besides, if you can find a good use for what I've taught you and survive, that would be enough reward." And then he stepped aside and said, but in a much resigned tone, "And if you succeed in bringing him home, Rey, then I will be the one in debt to you."