Chapter 23
"We're coming up on Utapau," Ben said as he punched in the controls to drop out of light speed. He could feel the excitement and anxiety wafting off his copilot, who clearly had forgotten to use his shields. Looking over at Finn, just tapped his temple gently as a reminder. With the Crimson Dawn presumably working in the outer rim territories, it was wise to keep a low profile. Physically and with the Force.
"Shit sorry," Finn replied sheepishly, immediately putting up his shields and feeling guilty as he did it. Internally chastising himself for forgetting, he frowned as the planet came into view.
"Hey," Ben said softly, "you're excited. It's easy to forget." Finn smiled slightly, grateful for his friend's patience. "Most Force sensitives are identified very young and begin their training very early on. Don't beat yourself up okay?"
Finn nodded in response as he turned his attention to the ship's controls, prepping the Falcon for landing.
"So what is the plan?" he asked Ben as he finalized the sequence for descent into the atmosphere. He heard Ben laugh quietly, causing him to turn and look at the man.
"I actually have no idea," he said with a sense of both surprise and confusion.
"You don't have a plan?" Finn laughed in response, almost mockingly. "Huh. Ben Solo arrives at Utapau with no plan."
"What can I say," Ben replied, still chuckling, "I'm letting the Force guide me." The Falcon was entering the atmosphere of the planet now, nearing the landing site.
"If you can fly by the seat of your pants, you're more ready for fatherhood than you think," Finn replied with a smirk. Ben smiled softly as he directed the ship towards the landing pad in Pau City. Their hope was that the passive nature of the Pau'an's would be to their benefit. It was unknown whether the Crimson Dawn had infiltrated the planet yet, but they both figured it would be the Sugi they would target thanks to their reputations as arms dealers.
"Have you ever seen a Pau'an?" Ben asked Finn, as the ship landed.
"No," Finn replied with his curiosity piqued.
"They are a bit intimidating to most people, but they are actually quite peaceful. Most of the time." Powering down the ship the pair headed towards the crew quarters.
"Some people call them the Ancients because they can live thousands of years. Most of them are very old and incredibly intelligent," Ben continued. "I feel like they will appreciate an honest and direct approach."
Finn nodded in agreement. "Wasn't there a Pau'an Sith at one point?" he asked, secretly wondering if they had a tendency towards the dark side.
"You know your history," Ben replied, impressed with Finn's knowledge and understanding of galactic and Force based history. "Darth Desolous and he wasn't always a Sith. He was a Jedi first but fell to the dark side."
"Well hopefully they will be willing to help us," Finn said as he clipped on Leia's lightsaber and then packed his supplies and tablet into a small satchel he slung over his shoulder. While Utapau had an unforgiving climate, their decision to land in Pau City meant they could avoid the harsh conditions and winds.
"Hopefully," Ben added, shutting down the lights and heading towards the exit. He was drawn to this planet for a reason, but there was still part of him that worried he and Finn might be on a wild goose chase. As the ramp descended slowly they could see a Pau'an male waiting for them on the landing pad.
"They know we're here," Ben said quietly, as he made eye contact with the Ancient with a slight smile and head nod in respect. The Pau'an male nodded in return as Finn and Ben headed down the ramp.
"There is no need for your weapons here Jedi," The Pau'an said softly, his hands tented in a triangular shape in front of his chest.
"We are not Jedi," Ben explained politely. "I walk the Grey Path and teach others to do the same. And if it is all the same to you, I prefer to keep my saber close." He bowed his head in deep respect as he said the last sentence, attempting to indicate they meant no harm. Finn mimicked his actions, also bowing slightly while keeping his eyes on the tall Ancient.
"Very well," the Pau'an replied, turning to walk towards the city, indicating that the pair should follow him. "We anticipated your arrival. When the Dyad call was sent out we knew the need for crystals would emerge eventually."
Ben shot Finn a look of surprise quickly, his eyebrows raised both in excitement and confusion. It appeared that the Dyad call reached farther and deeper than either he or Rey had realized.
"So you know why we're here," Finn replied slowly.
"Indeed," the Pau'an replied. "However, we have yet to determine if you are worthy of them. As natives to this world, we feel it is our responsibility to safeguard what remains of the kyber crystals of Utapau."
"With so few remaining in the galaxy they must be protected," Ben replied in partial agreement. While he wanted nothing more than to leave with a crystal for Finn, he had a deep respect for them and what they represented. However, he had hesitation at the Pau'an declaring themselves guardians over them.
"We couldn't agree more," the Pau'an replied matter of factly. Remaining silent for the remainder of their journey, Finn and Ben continued to walk behind the Ancient, wondering at their destination. Many of the locals stopped to stare at the strangers, but no words were spoken as they walked through the city.
They finally arrived at what Ben assumed was their destination, a large building of some importance. Their guide led them up the steep stairs and into the building.
"Who are you taking us to?" Ben asked, wondering who would have been appointed the caretaker of the kyber crystals.
"Our spiritual leader," the Pau'an explained, holding out his long arm, gesturing them into the large centre room. "It is here where I take my leave. Good luck young Jedi." Ben and Finn bowed in respect and continued to walk into the ornately decorated room. Steeped in rich colours and fabrics, a haze of incense could be seen floating through the room.
Near the back of the room there were plants and flowers facing a large greenhouse-like window. There was a Pau'an woman tending to the flowers, watering them gently, as she ran her fingers over the petals and leaves.
"You are here for the crystals," she said softly, not looking in their direction as she continued to tend to her plants.
"We are," Ben replied as the pair of men walked up to the woman. The atmosphere was both heady and thick thanks to the heat from the greenhouse window and the substantial smoke from the incense.
"And what makes you think you are worthy?" she replied, turning to face the two men now. Her gaze was soft, yet penetrating as she looked both men up and down. "You have a crystal already," she pointed towards Ben, holding her hand out to see his lightsaber. "Not your first it seems."
Ben reluctantly handed over his saber to the Pau'an spiritual leader, watching her roll the elegant weapon in her large hands. She ignited it and was momentarily taken aback at the colour and energy around the blade. Clearly purple sabers were as rare as Ben and Rey had thought.
"You are half of the Dyad?" she questioned, shutting down the weapon and handing it back to Ben gently.
"I am," he replied.
"Where is your mate?" she asked, raising her eyebrow in question.
"My wife is back on Chandrila," Ben answered her. "We are here for my fellow Force user Finn," he continued, gesturing towards Finn.
"Pitty," she said matter of factly. "I would very much have liked to meet the famed Dyad pair."
"We would be happy to return one day," Ben replied with a smile. The Pau'an woman nodded, smiling slightly as she walked past Ben to stand right in front of Finn.
"You, on the other hand, are new to the Force young one," she said softly, placing her hand on Finn's cheek. "But not a Jedi exactly, are you?" She turned her gaze to Ben now. "Neither of you."
"No we are not Jedi," Finn replied respectfully. "Ben and Rey are guiding us in the ways of the Grey."
"Are you now?" she replied with a smirk. Ben simply nodded in reply. She turned to walk back to Ben and hovered her hand over his temple. "May I?" she asked. Ben swallowed thickly knowing what she desired. A peek into the mind of one half of the Dyad. He nodded curtly, but said no words.
Ben felt a rush as his mind opened completely to the woman. A blur of memories, emotions, and choices ran through him as his breath caught in his throat. It wasn't painful exactly, but deeply uncomfortable and vulnerable. In just a few moments, this woman, whoever she was, knew everything about him.
"You are an impressive man, young Ben Solo," she replied. "To walk yourself back from such hate and corruption takes great conviction and strength of character. And, a deep and powerful love, it seems. The Force is lucky to have one such as you."
Ben blushed at her words as he recovered from her entry into his mind. Despite his journey back to himself, there were still recesses of his mind where he harboured flickers of doubt. Doubt of his worthiness and whether the Force should have spared his life years ago.
"And now you," she said softly, walking towards Finn with her hand outstretched. Finn flinched slightly, but stood strong as she touched his temple briefly. She pulled her hand back smiling.
"Yes," she said with a smile. "One of the crystals is indeed for you." She turned and walked past the pair of men towards a table in the far corner of the room. On the table was an ornate box made of wood, carvings in a language that neither Ben or Finn recognized. Opening the box, Ben was taken aback at the sheer number of crystals she had in her possession and he was immediately grateful that the First Order never discovered this secret cache.
"There are others in your charge that are also ready," she said, "but they must make the journey here to retrieve them. The one you call Gen and the other is Atris."
She handed Finn a crystal, smiling as she did. As soon as it touched his palm, they could all hear it hum in return, making Finn's heart flutter and his breath catch in his throat. She smiled and turned her attention back to Ben, her gaze becoming solemn.
"Watch the one you call Cyrus, young Ben Solo," she said bluntly. "He has great power, but his mind is clouded with grief and guilt. Take him and his sister to Ùna. I sense she may be of assistance to them."
Ben couldn't help but marvel at how much information she was able to glean from his mind during the short time she was connected to his mind. He bowed deeply in respect causing her to smile in return.
"Thank you," Finn said, beaming as he did. Looking down at his hand, he continued to roll the kyber crystal from one hand to another, as if he was sensing to see what he was experiencing was indeed real.
"If either you or your mate hear the call again," she said softly, "you will know it is time to bring another to us."
"So that dream wasn't just a coincidence?" Ben asked, his eyebrows raising in amazement.
"There are no coincidences young Solo," she replied, guiding them to the door of the temple. "You of all people should know that."