Chapter 10: Finding Ben
Rey stood outside the small stone hut on Ahch-To, gazing out at the endless ocean. The waves crashed rhythmically against the jagged cliffs below, the sound soothing, yet her heart remained restless. It had been three days since she awoke from her deep sleep, plagued by dark visions and energy, yet now, more than ever, she knew Ben was alive. The bond between them—strong, undeniable—pulled at her soul like a thread, guiding her toward him. She could feel him, faint but present, like a heartbeat in the distance.
Rey wrapped her arms around herself, the breeze tugging at her cloak, the salty air filling her lungs. She had spent the past few days here on Ahch-To, seeking solace, meditating in the place that had once been Luke's refuge. She needed clarity. She needed to find Ben.
Closing her eyes, she reached out with the Force, feeling the weight of their connection through the dyad, stronger now than ever before. In her mind, she could see flashes—a lake, serene and vast, with the setting sun casting golden light across its surface. The image was blurry, but unmistakable. Ben was there, somewhere, waiting for her. He needed her as much as she needed him.
The vision sharpened, and suddenly, Rey saw him clearly. Ben was swimming in the lake, the water lapping gently around him, his expression peaceful but tinged with longing. He swam with slow, deliberate strokes, his body cutting through the water with ease, but Rey could feel the weight in his heart. He missed her. She could sense it in every movement, every thought. Ben was struggling to find peace, to reconcile who he had been with who he wanted to become. And he was doing it alone.
The vision shifted, showing Ben emerging from the lake, the water dripping from his dark hair, his breath heavy. He walked slowly toward the beach, the sky above darkening as the sun dipped below the horizon. Rey could feel his exhaustion, his thirst, but also his determination. Ben Solo, once Kylo Ren, was searching for redemption, for a way to atone for all the pain he had caused. And yet, despite his struggles, there was peace in his heart. For the first time in a long time, Ben felt free.
Rey's heart ached as she watched him. He paused on the shore, his chest rising and falling with the effort of the swim. The evening air was cold, and Rey watched as Ben pulled off his soaked shirt, expertly wringing it out before laying it over a small fire he had built. Her heart raced as her eyes lingered on him. He's so perfect, she thought, feeling a warmth spread through her despite the chill in the air. His bare skin glistened in the fading light, and Rey felt a pang of longing. He was alone, vulnerable, but alive. She could sense his dehydration, the way his throat burned for water, but despite that, he seemed... content. Content, but missing her. She wanted to say something, anything, but the urgency to find him pushed her forward.
The Force guided her, showing her distant landmarks that she could use to plot her course. Her thoughts briefly shifted to the small ship she had gotten from Poe a while ago, before he started leading the new Resistance group, the Red Dawn. She smiled at the thought of Poe, reflecting on how much he'd accomplished in such a short time. He had become a fierce general, still just as attractive as ever. She couldn't help but think about his closeness with Finn, Chewie, BB-8, and Zorii Bliss. She wondered if there was something more between Poe and Zorii, but she never pressed him on it.
Over the years, Finn and Poe had grown even closer, and though it was hard for her, Rey accepted it. She knew she hadn't always been the easiest person to be around, especially after losing Ben. But she had grown—she was stronger, more focused, and more determined to find the one she loved.
Ben sank down onto the sand near the fire, staring out at the lake as the flames danced beside him. The night air grew colder, but he didn't seem to care. His thoughts drifted to Rey—his Rey. He wondered what she was doing, if she felt the same pull he did. He missed her more than words could express, and every moment apart from her felt like a lifetime. But he also knew that this solitude was necessary. He needed to find himself, to understand who he was without the dark shadow of Kylo Ren hanging over him.
He lay back on the cool sand, the stars above beginning to twinkle in the growing darkness. His body was tired, his muscles aching from the day's journey, but his mind was clear. For the first time in years, Ben Solo felt hopeful. He thought about the galaxy, about the lives he had touched—both those he had saved and those he had hurt. Redemption wasn't easy, and it wouldn't be quick, but he was determined to prove that he could be more than his past. He could be the man Rey believed him to be.
As he lay there, staring up at the stars, he reached out with the Force, hoping—praying—that Rey would hear him. Their bond through the dyad had always been strong, and he knew that if anyone could find him, it would be her.
"Rey," he whispered, his voice soft but filled with emotion.
Back on Ahch-To, Rey's eyes flew open, her breath catching in her throat. She had felt him—truly felt him—reaching out to her. Their connection was undeniable, as if he was right there beside her, whispering her name.
"Ben," she whispered back, her voice barely audible as she gazed out at the horizon.
She could see him clearly now, lying on the beach, his body exhausted but his mind alert, waiting for her. She knew where he was—knew the planet, the lake, and the exact spot. The Force had shown her the way.
Rey smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. He was alive. He was waiting for her. And soon, they would be together again.
"Hold on, Ben," she whispered, her heart swelling with hope. "I'm coming."
Ben, still lying on the beach, felt a warmth spread through his chest. Rey had heard him. She knew where he was. And for the first time in a long time, Ben Solo allowed himself to hope—not just for redemption, but for a future. A future with Rey.
As the fire crackled beside him, casting a soft glow across the beach, Ben closed his eyes, feeling at peace. He was tired, dehydrated, and alone, but he was happy. He had connected with Rey, and soon, they would be reunited. The darkness that had once consumed him felt distant now, like a shadow that no longer held power over him.
For the first time in years, Ben Solo smiled—a real, genuine smile. And as the night deepened, he allowed himself to rest, knowing that Rey was coming for him. Together, they would face whatever the galaxy threw their way. Together, they would find peace.
Rey's ship cut through the atmosphere of the desolate planet, its hull shuddering from the intensity of the hyperspace jump. She had been traveling for days, but every moment felt like an eternity. The Force had guided her here, and she had followed it, not knowing what lay ahead but certain that she would find Ben. There was no other choice.
As her ship descended, she could feel the tension in the air—strange, suffocating, as if the very fabric of reality here had been twisted by something ancient. Rey's hand gripped the controls as she steadied the ship for landing. The familiar hum of the vessel filled the cockpit, but it did little to calm her nerves. The planet below was barren, its surface a barren stretch of desolation and decay. It felt like a place forgotten by time.
Rey stepped off the ship, her boots crunching against the dry earth. Her gaze swept over the barren landscape, her heart pounding in her chest. The air felt thick, as though it held secrets she could never fully understand. A cold wind brushed her face, and she looked around, trying to make sense of the eerie silence.
It was supposed to be simple. Find Ben. Bring him back. But she quickly realized that the planet was no ordinary world—it was saturated with dark energy, a remnant of the World Between Worlds, a place of crossroads in time and space. The very essence of this place was heavy, like a fog she couldn't shake, and it was pulling her deeper into its grip.
As she ventured forward, Rey began to feel the ground shift beneath her feet. Her mind began to swirl as if the world itself was trying to suck her into its depths. Then, the vision came.
It started as a flicker, like the edge of a memory trying to surface. She saw herself on Exegol, the battle against Palpatine raging around her. She was there with Ben, fighting side by side. She could see him—his eyes, so full of pain and uncertainty, but also the spark of something more. They were in sync, every move an extension of the other. But then, it all came crashing down.
It felt like her recurring nightmare—the moment Ben sacrificed himself, giving his essence to save her life after the defeat of Palpatine. He had kissed her, both of them filled with joy, finally believing they could be together. But then he was gone. As she pulled away, his eyes had gone blank, his body had gone cold, and her arms were the last place to hold him.
But now, in the vision, his body didn't fade away. It stayed with her, heavy in her arms. Her heart raced as she clung to him. No, Ben, I need you. The weight of his lifeless form hit her like a storm. Her vision blurred, tears streaming down her face as she screamed. "No! Ben! Come back, please!" she cried, but her desperate pleas were swallowed by the suffocating darkness around her.
This was her worst fear—the thought of losing him again. Suddenly, a voice echoed, soft and familiar. "Rey... I'm here."
She gasped, her heart racing, but she couldn't see him; the vision started to go black and she could see hardly anything; she was scared and worried. The darkness was so deep, so all-encompassing. It felt like it was swallowing her whole, erasing the hope she had fought for.
The voice came again. "Rey... I'm here. I'm not gone."
It was Ben. His voice. She didn't know how, but somehow, she felt his presence. The Force was guiding her. She had to find him.
"Ben!" she screamed into the darkness she was desperate to find him.
But the darkness pressed in, twisting into something malevolent. The energy seeping from The World Between Worlds ensuring that it was difficult for anyone to leave the surrounding area without tribulations. It whispered to her, a voice like poison from the darkness, It was all a dream. He never came back. You never had him. He's gone. Gone forever.
Rey staggered, almost losing her balance. The darkness tried to suffocate her, wrap her in its lies, but through the storm of emotion and fear, she could hear Ben's voice again. He was still there, still reaching for her.
"Rey," he whispered. "I'm here. I'm not gone. Feel the force Rey."
His voice was like a beacon in the dark, guiding her. She clenched her fists, trying to focus on him, blocking out the lies and fear. The vision now went back to her nightmare of his death which replayed in her mind, but she refused to let it consume her. She reached out with the Force, and then—there he was his hands touching her. His hands reached out to her, pulling her from the dark abyss.
She could see him now. Ben, standing in front of her, his presence as real as if he were standing in the physical world. She collapsed into his arms, her body trembling as she clung to him.
The planet around them began to shift, the darkness slowly retreating as if Ben's return had banished it. Gradually, light began to fill the space, surrounding them both in its warmth. Without a word, they closed the distance, their lips meeting in a kiss full of longing and healing. It was a kiss that held all the pain of their separation, but also the joy of reunion. As their lips pressed together, Rey's tears of happiness flowed freely, her heart—once hollow—now felt complete. The connection between them, their dyad, had never been stronger. She felt his love, his pain, and his redemption, all interwoven in this moment.
For a few moments, they stayed silent, as if they couldn't quite believe it was real. Ben gazed at her face, just as he had before his death, memorizing every freckle, every line, every shade of her hazel eyes. He smiled, that familiar boyish grin that spoke of pure joy and love, and a single tear fell as Rey kissed him. He kissed her back, gently cupping her right cheek.
"Never leave me again, please," Rey whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't handle losing you again, Ben Solo."
"I promise," Ben replied, his voice thick with emotion, his eyes welling up. Despite his exhaustion and dehydration, he pulled her closer, pinning Rey gently into the sand. They kissed again, their passion intense and unrestrained. For five minutes, he kissed her relentlessly, covering her face, neck, collarbone, and chest in tender, desperate kisses. Rey laughed, overwhelmed with joy, and hugged him tightly. Their smiles were so wide, they couldn't believe this moment was real. It was everything they had ever wanted—and now, here they were, together again.
Rey wasn't sure how much the World Between Worlds had affected Ben, or if after nine years of distance, he still felt the same way. She wasn't even certain if he ever had loved her—but she hoped, deeply, that he did. Still, it didn't matter. He needed to know how she felt. He deserved to be loved, after all those years of trauma, pain, and struggle.
After her laughter faded, Rey's eyes met his, her heart pounding. "I love you," she said softly. "I don't expect you to feel the same, but I really do, Ben Solo. I always have." She held him tightly, as if trying to convey everything she couldn't put into words.
Ben looked at her, his mind racing. He knew—ever since he had defeated Snoke—that he loved her. Both of them had been too afraid to speak those words, yet their shared experiences had taught them how fleeting time could be in the galaxy. Holding her close, he whispered, his voice full of raw emotion, "I love you, Rey. I always will. The galaxy won't keep us apart, and neither will death. I'll always come back for you."
Rey cried, holding him tight. "Ben, I need you," she whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of everything she'd endured. "I need you."
Ben's grip on her tightened, his own tears streaming down his face as he whispered desperately, "Rey, I need you too. I can't lose you again. I can't..." They held each other, unwilling to let go, as if fearing that the moment they did, they might never be able to find each other again.
Tears pooled in their eyes, mingling with the shared relief, love, and pain that had built up over the years of separation. This was everything they had wanted—for so long, it seemed like a dream, but now, it was real. They were finally together, both broken and healed, both lost and found. And this, this moment, was theirs forever.
