A/N: This is the edited version. Hope you like this version much more than the one before. I certainly enjoy it much more!

A Demon's Light

"Something's missing in me

I felt it deep within me."

-Flyleaf 'Missing'

Chapter One: The Light in the Cave

Josie sat cross-legged on the lush, green grass. There was a sparkling lake before her. Small creatures swam underneath, splashed the surface and made chirping sounds, but that never once broke her concentration. She was one with the Light, too overwhelmed and consumed to have her break focus so easily. With every inhale, she felt the life around her exhale.

There was only love and peace in this state. Only beauty.

The small, boxy droid that kept her company for all these years bumped into her feet, begging for attention. There was one more bump and then another. Josie didn't move.

The droid beeped insistently to get her attention; he repetitively rolled into her foot increasing his speed. Finally, Josie opened her eyes, looking down at the small droid with a half-smile.

"Very keen on getting my attention, VB-23?" she said, raising a brow.

The droid beeped excitedly. The poor thing was impatient, always was. He didn't like when she was silent or very out of her mind and body when she was meditating in the Force. He felt very lonely.

She tried to leave him behind in their cottage before, but that didn't sit well with the machine so he came rolling through the entire woods in search of her right to that very spot she sat now. He was her best friend, though, and even if it was sometimes hard to meditate, she loved him more than anything in all of Takodana.

Of course, he was really the only thing she had.

All her life she lived in those beautiful woods of that planet. It was her home. She resided with the little droid in a small cottage built only as a single room. It was most certainly a modest house, but she didn't know any different and loved it all the same. Especially because she had such a loving droid as VB-23 to live with her there.

The droid beeped again, willing her to speak.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "You are just one for so much attention. How can a single person give so much, hmm?"

VB chirped, rolling in a small circle in front of her with excitement.

Josie laughed. "Alright. We can go exploring, but be wary of the time of day. I don't want to miss Maz's visit. You remember last time we missed her? She was very worried about the both of us. I don't want to disappoint her again."

The droid only beeped her to come along, rolling his way through the trees. He led the way most of the time he went exploring. The boxy thing loved seeing new things and only last week had they come across a curious cave that they somehow missed all these years before. He was eager to search it today, for last time there wasn't a moment to spare since it was the day Maz visited to drop off supplies and give her a lesson on the Force.

These lessons were what Josie loved the most when it came to Maz's visits. She loved learning new things and there wasn't anything like being told by a wise creature over a thousand years old the personal details of the Force. Of course, Maz made it clear to her that Josie was more connected and powerful with the Force than Maz ever was or ever would be.

She found this hard to believe because of how wise and strong she felt within the Force, but Maz wasn't one to exaggerate or lie.

Josie immediately stopped walking, keeping as still as her body would allow.

"VB!" she whispered. "Stop moving!"

The droid slowed down, turning it's head to look back at her. He didn't speak, thankfully.

A smile crept on her face as she looked at a stunning flock of glowing butterflies dancing around each other in the air. With every gentle flap of their wings left a glittery mist behind them in brilliant color. She was afraid to move in case they would sense her powerful presence and fly quickly away. This was much too extraordinary a sight to ruin it quite yet.

VB switched something around inside of his system. He sunk to the ground as his wheels packed themselves up inside his body. There was a subtle hum but it was faint enough not to disturb the insects that were now flying subtly closer to them. The droid began to float in the air, hoving with an invisible energy source.

The butterflies began to float around him now; streams of sparkling light wrapping around him. VB chirped with delight. There was a charming giddiness to him now that Josie couldn't resist.

She approached the flock, never taking her eyes away from the glowing blues, greens, pinks, and purples.

Josie reached out to touch one of them gently. The wings were ever so soft and velvety. She smiled at the butterfly who now looked at her with big, buggy eyes. It somersaulted in the air right in front of her nose and then made it's way with the rest of the flock into the cave. The droid floated after them.

The young woman was close behind, feeling her barefeet take her gently, but swiftly into the dark, rough entrance of the cave.

She was even more amazed. How could all these years have not led her into this caves before? The narrowness of the entrance was a great deceiver as to how wonderfully big and open it was on the inside. The walls were rough and cold to the touch, but there was a subtle sparkling light to them that could only be seen if one bothered to look close enough. She kept her fingertips on the wall, dragging them along as she kept following the dancing butterflies.

There was a large, blue pool with a small waterfall trickling down a stream of water. It was the most beautiful pool she had ever seen with it's green-blue hue and strange fish swimming in energetic circles, sparks shimmering on the surface from their scaley bodies.

The butterflies led them to a small hole in the wall that was barely large enough for her to fit through.

VB beeped, rolling into the hole and chirped again on the other side for her to come in quickly.

She got down on all fours and crawled through.

The area wasn't at all big enough for her to stand, so she admired her surroundings on folded knees.

It was a dome-shaped room with the same rocky floor, but the walls and ceiling were a stunning and brilliant white stone. All over were crystals shining with a brilliant power that she felt strongly in the Force. Yes, it was very strange how she did not find this place before and stranger yet how she couldn't feel that strength of Force Light outside the cave.

The butterflies all but disappeared in thin air. She almost didn't notice for she was so distracted by all the colors that the crystals gave off.

Josie was so entranced by it. She reached out touching every one. Each had its own feeling to give - its own power to offer. There were thousands of crystals lining that small room, but she looked at every one in detail.

The Force pulled her to a particular one right above her. It wasn't the most obvious crystal. Its light was very subtle, but a beautiful white-green still. She reached for it and it easily released itself from the white rock.

VB beeped excitedly again. He was floating around her wildly like she found something so amazing that it called for celebration.

With a small laugh, she crawled back out of the room, holding tightly onto the crystal.

Josie and the droid made their way back to the small cottage. Once again, they were late for Maz's visit. However, it was good that she was still there waiting for them. Josie was happy when she saw that Maz wasn't disappointed in the least bit.

"Exploring again?" Maz said smiling up at the young woman.

Josie nodded. "Look what we found, Maz!" She held out her two hands face up with the crystal cradled in them.

Maz smiled, but her brows were furrowed in deep thought. She didn't look up from the crystal in her hands as she spoke to Josie. "I see you have found a kyber crystal. Hmm." The little creature was looking at her palms still, but her thoughts were very far away. Josie was itching to ask Maz, but she kept quiet. "Have I told you the story about the Jedi and his saber?"

The young woman shook her head. "What is a saber?"

Maz hoisted herself up the stool beneath the table. Josie sat on the other side of her. She took out a rather large book from her sack, placing it in front of Josie.

"I felt in the Force that this day was approaching very soon. Whether Luke likes it or not, I believe it's time for you to understand the history and truth about the Force."

Her guardian stood completely on the stool now so she could reach the other side to where she sat, opening the book up and flipping through the pages. She stopped on a page with a picture of a glowing blue light coming out of a metal-looking tube. Josie ran her fingers on the drawing. It almost looked like the swords in the fairytale books she was given to read whenever she was tired of being outside of her cottage.

"Why do you keep doing things that Luke doesn't want you to do? And when will I get to meet this Luke?"

"Some day you will. Right now, it's time you knew what lightsabers are." She flipped another page that showed a diagram of the parts that made up a saber. "The Jedi, as you know, protect the galaxy. Their weapon of choice is a lightsaber. These things are created with the power and energy of kyber crystals. Once assembled, a Jedi has his or her own unique weapon to defend and protect, but never to attack. There are exceptions, of course, but that is for another time. All you need to know right now is that you should start your training in wielding one."

"I can make my own?" Josie asked, her eyes lighting up. She had never made something she could keep permanently and call her own.

Maz nodded. "Everything to make and assemble one is in that book. There is also a history of forms of combat that I suggest you read into as well. I know you have never fought before - "

"Fight? You don't mean fight others, do you? Is someone coming to hurt us?"

Maz chuckled. "No, child, but it is always best to be prepared for anything that may be thrown at you."

Josie nodded, looking at the diagrams. There was a list in the corner of the items necessary to make one. Every one of the words on the list - with the exception of the kyber crystal - was foreign to her.

Maz saw her confusion. "I will bring the materials you need tomorrow. For now, you will have to find a Brylark tree and use the Force to form the outer part of the saber."

Josie's eyes went wide. "I cannot take something from a living thing, Maz."

"Oh, child. It's alright; it won't hurt the tree. You are only taking enough to make the hilt. The tree will heal quickly; Brylarks are strong."

VB chirped at her, agreeing with what Maz said. Josie laughed. "You are only agreeing because you want to see what a saber looks like in reality."

The droid didn't even hide the truth in that. He rolled over to her beeping at her to hurry up and get on with it.

Maz chuckled. "Maybe I'll go get the materials now and be back with them in a few hours."

Josie nodded. "I don't think VB would accept anything less."

xxx

The Force had pulled an odd tube shape out of the tree. Looking at the beautifully carved wood, Josie felt a big step closer to see what a saber would look like when she held one. She felt much excitement in the pit of her stomach.

VB-23 circled her giddily when he saw that the skeleton of her saber was already carved and made ready. He ran into her leg to go back to the cottage and wait for Maz. There wasn't much else they could get out here.

Surprisingly enough, Maz had beaten the both of them back to the cottage. Josie didn't realize it had taken so long to find the tree and form the wood.

The sun was setting now, it grew darker, and she was concerned about Maz walking back in the dark.

"Don't worry about that, child. I'm not blind. Especially not with these lenses," she said, twisting her giant specs over her eyes, adjusting them to the right position. "Now, let's get this saber made."

Josie was even more touched and grateful that Maz was helping her make it. VB stood by beeping away, giving them some kind of odd cheering to keep them going. The funny noises he played were quite amusing. She didn't think he had so many different sounds built into his tiny system.

It took quite a long time; longer than she anticipated. The hilt was so complex with all the wiring and metal objects she didn't know the names of. However, once they were finally done, Josie admired the hard wood hilt, looking at every button, switch and knob.

"Well, child, go and turn it on. Careful though. That thing can wreak havoc if not used carefully."

She nodded, deciding to step outside in the cool night breeze. She switched it on, looking at the brilliant green glow shoot out from the hilt. The light was so pretty in her eyes.

"Some would say you are now a Jedi," Maz smiled.

Josie merely laughed, turning the saber off. "I feel like I still have a lot of training."

"Yes, that much is true, but you also have already learned so much."

"Will Luke have to finish my training because you cannot?"

"Hmm. Well, someone has to. Now get some rest, Josie. Tomorrow I think I will take you up to the castle. You must learn how to properly wield your saber before you ever actually use it. No point in having something if you don't know the first thing about combat."

"Will I have to fight someone?"

"Yes, but don't fret. It will only be practice. Everything will be staged and choreographed so no one gets hurt. I must get back now. Who knows what Vesper is doing with all the dishes now that we are closed. I don't trust that creature," she said more to herself than Josie.

The young woman watched her walk out, leaving her and VB-23 to shut down and head for bed.

Josie went inside and sat on her cot that lay on the floor with no stand to raise it. She looked at her saber again, turning it over and over. Somehow, she felt closer to Luke. Maz told her about how Luke had made his own as they built hers. She said that he modeled it after his Master Obi-Wan Kenobi's saber whom he watched pass away. It was then that she said she would like to replicate Luke's saber as well, feeling that much closer to the mysterious figure who found her so long ago. Josie felt something missing deep inside her. It was hidden most of the time, but there were those moments she felt it. Josie thought maybe Luke could explain to her what this odd feeling was; like a pull to something more...that there was more, but she didn't know where to even begin looking.

Every day she hoped that maybe that would be the day she got to see him and ask him questions she longed to have answers for. Maz knew that her stories about Luke made Josie feel like he was a long lost father figure that would come back for her someday. Of course, that wasn't Maz's intention, but it happened anyway.

VB beeped, wanting to finally turn the lamp off and shut down for sleep.

"You can sleep with the lights on, VB. Don't be so dramatic. Alright, alright. I'm turning the lights off. Now goodnight." She patted the droid who shut down right after she shut off the lamp at the head of her cot.

xxx

In her dream, there were three white-armored figures with oddly shaped helmets covering their faces standing right in front of her. She looked at each of them with a questioning look, waiting for them to speak.

"This way!" one of them said. Their voice was strangely distorted by the mask making his voice sound a little raspy.

He turned about and walked through the woods with the rest of them following including herself.

"Where are we going?" she asked, but there wasn't an answer.

To satisfy her curiosity, she decided she would follow them all the way to their destination. The walk seemed long, but somehow the ground underfoot seemed soft and more gentle against her feet than normal. It was actually blissful to feel the forest floor beneath her bare feet.

The trees seemed vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn't quite pinpoint where she was at exactly, and the armored people seemed to know the trees here more than she did. Rather odd considering she had never seen them in the woods before.

They stopped, turning back around to look at her.

She was about to ask all her questions again, but a different one spoke first. "All your answers lie inside, child of Light."

Josie scrunched her brows as they parted for her to see what they were talking about.

It was the cave she found her kyber crystal; the cave where the butterflies flocked to, leading her into something so beautiful. Now it was these white-armored people leading her here.

She walked inside, hearing the steps of the soldiers walking in behind her. The cave was precisely the same as before.

Josie felt the pull to the pool. She knelt before it, looking at the waters filled with beautiful creatures. Staring for a short time, she turned her head to ask what they wanted her to do. When she did turn around, she didn't see the white soldiers anymore. Now, there stood a tall woman with silver armor.

The woman's helmet was tucked under her left arm. It looked exactly like the others, but this one was silver instead of white. Her hair was cropped short and off to the side. Her face had a strong beauty and fiercness to it. Yet, there was some kind of gentleness that seemed to seep through her walls.

"Sometimes Light can be found in the strangest of places. This cave," the woman explained, "is a perfect example of that. From the outside it's dark and haunting, but once you move past that and search for what is inside, there is this beautiful lake of light with such kind creatures swimming all around one another."

Josie nodded, not sure if there was more that she should be taking from this. In no way was the young padawan trying to be cocky, but she felt she already knew such things. She had been into this cave, saw the outside, further went into the inside. She knew there was beauty in everything, so why was this so important for this woman to show her?

The woman in the silver armor smiled at her. "There will come a day when there is so much destruction and darkness that at first you will only see as much. But, Josie, you must remember that there is more than meets the eye. Within everyone is a ray of light, no matter how small. The key is to keep that in mind and not let appearances of ugliness take away that knowledge. You must remember that, Josie." She suddenly disappeared right before her eyes.

Yet, her voice still lingered in the cave. You must remember…

A/N: Don't worry! Kylo Ren appears in the very next chapter! Reviews are extraordinarily amazing to me, so don't be afraid to review :)