Oneness

Chapter 1

Rey had grown immensely since Ben Solo's death. For years, she struggled to accept his loss, grappling with shock and grief that threatened to consume her. But as time passed, Rey realized that the best way to honor his memory was by continuing the Skywalker legacy. She completed her training under Leia before her passing and felt confident that she had nearly mastered the teachings of the Jedi. Yet, Rey's journey was not only shaped by the Jedi Order; over the years, she found wisdom in those around her and began to seek a deeper understanding of the Force, both in its light and the more nuanced gray areas. The strictness of the Jedi Code never fully resonated with her. Rey believed in the power of love and connection—she didn't want a life of isolation.

But without Ben, that's exactly how she felt—empty and alone, missing the profound connection they shared as a dyad. Night after night, she dreamt of him still alive, of them reuniting, exploring the love that had barely begun to blossom between them. She had loved him, though she never had the chance to say it. Now, eight years after his death, a shift in the Force stirred within her. Rey felt something calling her, something she couldn't ignore. With renewed purpose, she decided to return to Ahch-To, the place where her journey as a Jedi had truly begun, hoping to uncover the next chapter of her destiny.

Rey lay in bed, her heart aching as tears streamed down her face. Even in her dreams, she couldn't suppress the shock. "Ben," she whispered, a hint of joy in her voice. He had given her everything. She kissed him, trying to show him how much she cared, how deeply she longed to be with him. She wanted him, wanted a life with him. Even when he was Kylo Ren, she had cared for him, and he for her. She didn't miss Kylo Ren, but she would give anything to have any version of Ben still alive.

The dream continued. They kissed, and for a brief moment, they were both happy and at peace. She thought she was getting the ending she had always wanted, but that wasn't the case. She remembered this part all too well—Ben collapsed, the essence of his faded. Gone. Gone, yet still with her. "Ben, no!" Rey screamed. "No, I need you," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face, but it was too late. He was gone, one with the Force. His words haunted her: "I will always be with you." They had once brought her comfort in the early days after his loss.

She was in shock for a long time, pushing through, giving everything she could to ensure his sacrifice wasn't in vain. But even eight years later, she felt like a different version of herself, someone who wore a mask. To others, she was a strong, resilient woman—a Jedi, a beacon of hope and light, balance. But when she was alone, it was as if she were trapped in a loop, doing the same things over and over to distract herself from the pain. She became obsessed with improving the galaxy, often neglecting to eat or sleep. She felt broken.

The next night another dream came to Rey, a beautiful one. It began like her usual nightmare she was on Exegol with Ben right after the fight with Palpatine, but this time, instead of Ben collapsing, he was there with her. They embraced after their kiss, holding each other for what felt like an eternity, tears streaming down both their faces. "I thought I lost you," Rey whispered, barely able to contain her emotions.

"I lost you," Ben replied, his voice heavy with heartbreak. "I had to restore you and give you back to the galaxy. If you could help me when I was breaking, I knew you could restore hope." He gave her a thoughtful, yet heartbroken smile.

"No, Ben," Rey cried, her voice trembling. "It should have been you. It would be best if you had been the one to live. You're stronger than me," she wept, her eyes searching his, unshed tears brimming. Ben leaned in and kissed her as tears fell from her eyes.

"Rey, you need to accept my choice," he said, his words stinging. Sensing he hadn't conveyed his feelings fully, he started again, looking at her with affection. "Rey, you need to accept my choice. I love you. You're everything I wanted, but I couldn't live without you. Rey, you gave me hope. Without me, you still had hope. You need to hold onto it."

"I'm tired of fighting," Rey said, looking down, unable to meet his gaze.

"I know," he replied, sadness in his voice.

"Ben, I need you. Please, I need you," Rey pleaded.

"Rey, I'm here with you. Please, for me, keep going."

"I don't want to," she said, her voice breaking as she looked into his eyes. She reached out, placing her hand over his heart, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and breath. "I want to be with you," she said, heartbroken.

They stared at each other as he held her close. "One day you will be," Ben said, trying to assure her, hoping she wouldn't give in to her feelings of hopelessness. "I'm waiting for you, Rey," he added, trying to hide his despair. Ben struggled to find the words to pull her out of her thoughts. "Rey, I'm always here with you. Please, keep going." Rey looked up at him, and they kissed passionately as she cried, seeking peace in his embrace.

Rey suddenly jolted awake to a loud knock, infuriated. The dreams of Ben were all she had left that gave her peace, and she desperately needed them.

She needed him. She needed him to feel whole again. Most people didn't know how she truly felt. She still loved him, and she didn't care what anyone else thought. She would never lose him, even if it meant enduring heartbreaking nightmares that reminded her of her loss. All she wanted was to see him, to feel his presence—it consumed her. Her obsession clouded her judgment, leading her down a dark path.

It was Finn. He was older now, but his eyes still held that familiar softness. He was stronger, tougher than before, yet still carried the same determination. He reminded her of the man he once was in the early days of their friendship—a man desperate to defeat the evil that had taken everything from him.

"It's supposed to be our last training day," he said, "before I help you build the new temple." Finn looked at her, his heart sinking. "What is it, Rey?" he asked flatly.

"Nothing," she replied, staring at him, trying to hide any trace of her emotions.

"Rey, please. You keep hiding," Finn pressed.

"No, Finn, really, I'm fine."

"I know you're not," he said softly. Rey forced a smile. "Come on, Finn, let's go."

She had slept in her training clothes from the day before and didn't bother to change. It was easier to throw herself into the training session than to face how she was really feeling.

Rey led Finn to the training grounds, the early morning sun casting long shadows over the ancient stones. The air was cool, crisp, and filled with the quiet hum of the Force. As they walked, Rey felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

They reached the clearing, where the remains of old Jedi structures stood as silent witnesses to their journey. Finn turned to face her, his expression a mix of determination and concern. Rey could see the questions in his eyes, but she wasn't ready to answer them—not yet.

"Today," Rey began, her voice steady, "I want to teach you something that goes beyond combat. It's about understanding the Force on a deeper level—about being a guide, a mentor. You're not just learning for yourself anymore, Finn. You're going to help lead the next generation."

Finn nodded, his attention fully on her, ready to absorb whatever she had to offer.

Rey ignited her lightsaber, the yellow blade humming to life with a serene glow. Finn did the same, his own saber casting a green light. But Rey didn't move to engage him. Instead, she deactivated her blade and gestured for him to do the same.

"We've practiced the forms, the techniques, the combat drills," Rey said, pacing slowly around Finn. "But there's something more important that you need to grasp. It's about balance—within yourself and within the Force. A mentor isn't just a warrior; they're a protector of that balance, a teacher of harmony."

She stepped in front of him, her eyes meeting his with a calm intensity. "Close your eyes, Finn."

He did as she instructed, his trust in her absolute.

"Feel the Force around you," Rey continued, her voice soft but commanding. "Let it flow through you, not just as a tool or a weapon, but as a connection to all living things. The new Jedi Order won't just be about power; it will be about peace, about understanding. You'll teach others to fight, yes, but more importantly, you'll teach them to listen—to the Force, to each other, to themselves."

Finn stood still, his breathing deep and even, as he immersed himself in the energy surrounding him. Rey watched him closely, feeling the subtle shift as he opened himself up to the Force in a way he hadn't before.

"Now, focus on the balance within you," Rey instructed. "Think of all the things that have driven you—your pain, your anger, your desire for justice. Let them go. Instead, center yourself on the love, the hope, the light that you want to protect."

Finn's expression softened as he did so, his posture becoming more relaxed, more at peace.

"Good," Rey said gently. "This is the foundation of being a mentor. You must be balanced before you can help others find their balance. Now, open your eyes."

Finn's eyes opened slowly, and Rey could see the change in him—a calmness, a quiet strength that hadn't been there before.

"For our final exercise," Rey said, a small smile playing on her lips, "I'm going to teach you a technique that will help you connect with your students in ways beyond words. It's called Force Bonding."

She raised her hand, palm up, and Finn mirrored her movement. Their hands hovered inches apart, and Rey focused, reaching out with the Force. Slowly, Finn began to feel it—a gentle tug at his consciousness, a bridge forming between their minds.

"This bond," Rey explained, "is what will allow you to truly understand your students, to sense their struggles, their fears, even when they don't speak them aloud. It's not something to be used lightly, but with time, it will become an invaluable tool in guiding them."

Finn felt a warmth spreading through him, the bond deepening as Rey shared her calm, her peace, her confidence with him. He could sense her emotions, her memories, even her lingering grief—though she kept the worst of it hidden. It was overwhelming, but also comforting, knowing that this connection would help him in the difficult times ahead.

Rey slowly withdrew the bond, leaving Finn with a lingering sense of connection.

"You're ready, Finn," she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. "You've grown so much since we first met, and now, you're going to help others grow too. The new Jedi Order will need you as a mentor, a leader, and a friend."

Finn looked at her, his eyes shining with determination and a newfound sense of purpose. "Thank you, Rey. I won't let you down."

Rey smiled a real, heartfelt smile that was rare for her these days. "I know you won't, Finn."

As they left the training grounds, side by side, Rey felt a small glimmer of hope rekindle within her. The future of the Jedi Order was uncertain, but with Finn at her side, she knew they had a chance to build something truly lasting—something that could honor the sacrifices of those they had lost.

They were on Ahch-To, the planet that once housed Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy. The legacy of her old Master lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the path she had chosen. Rey honored the Skywalkers, knowing that while her relationship with Luke had been complicated, taking the Skywalker name helped her feel closer to Ben and brought hope to the galaxy.

"Rey," Finn said softly, almost as if he could read her thoughts, "you miss him, don't you?"

"More than anything," Rey replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

"But all these years... you rarely talked about him. Why now?" Finn asked, his tone gentle but curious.

Rey gave Finn a half-smile, her gaze drifting away as she tried to find the right words. The memories of Ben were always there, just beneath the surface, but she had kept them locked away, afraid that speaking them aloud would make the loss even more real.

"It's not that I didn't want to talk about him," Rey began, her voice quiet. "It's just... it hurt too much. And I was afraid that if I started, I wouldn't be able to stop."

Finn nodded, understanding the weight of her words. He had seen her strength, but he also knew the pain she carried. "You don't have to carry it alone, Rey."

"I know," she said, finally meeting his gaze. "But sometimes, it feels like talking about him would make it harder to keep going. Ben was... he was everything. And losing him, it felt like losing a part of myself. But I also know that I have to keep moving forward, for him, for the galaxy."

Finn placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're here for you, Rey. You don't have to do this alone."

Rey nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Finn. I'm trying... to find a way to honor him, to keep his memory alive without letting it consume me. That's why I took the Skywalker name. It's a way to stay connected to him, to all of them, and to bring hope to others."

Finn squeezed her shoulder gently. "And you're doing that, Rey. You're bringing hope to the galaxy, just like Ben believed you would."

Rey's smile grew a little wider, and for a brief moment, the weight of her grief felt a little lighter. "I hope so, Finn. I really do."

Rey's heart ached, but she forced herself to continue, even though every word felt like a wound reopening. "I want to build a legacy for him," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I never really explained before because... because I didn't want you to be mad. I know you never really liked him."

Finn's expression softened as he listened, the weight of her words sinking in. "Rey, I'm not mad," he said gently. "I never hated him. I just didn't understand. I didn't understand how you could care for someone who had caused so much pain. But I see now... you saw something in him that none of us did."

Rey's thoughts were consumed by Ben as she stood next to Finn. His presence lingered in her heart, and she longed to feel close to him again. She hoped that by starting her own Jedi Order, she could find some sense of connection to him, while also fulfilling her purpose. After all these years, she could sense darkness stirring in the Force, threatening to disrupt the balance of the galaxy once more. Though the nature of this new threat remained unclear, Rey knew she needed to be prepared. With her knowledge and the support of those around her, she was determined to restore that balance.

As they stood together on the ancient grounds of Ahch-To, the first rays of sunlight illuminated the ruins, casting a warm, golden glow over the remnants of the past. In that moment, Rey felt a deep sense of peace, a reassurance that even in the face of loss and uncertainty, hope remained. And that, more than anything, was worth fighting for.