Chapter 33 - A festival to remember
The Millennium Falcon had been skillfully repaired, its once-damaged hull shining brightly under the sun of Pasaana. As the ramp lowered, Chewbacca let out a deep rumble of excitement, while Rey, Poe, Finn, C-3PO, and BB-8 stepped out to take in their surroundings.
They found themselves in a vast, open clearing, surrounded by towering dunes that shifted and shimmered in the heat. The air was thick with the scent of warm sand. With determination, the group began their trek towards the heart of the enigmatic Forbidden Desert.
Rey wearily rubbed her tired eyes; the light bouncing off the sand felt harsher to her. A deep yawn escaped her lips, a reflection of the exhaustion that clung to her from a restless night. She had tried to get some sleep, but it had eluded her for most of the evening. She was haunted by a nightmare in which she sat on a dark and thorny throne, her eyes glowing yellow like a Sith's.
In her dream, she watched as Ben was lifted into the air, the life draining out of him. He collapsed to the ground and didn't get back up. The disturbing images of a group of Sith chanting and the sinister chuckle of her grandfather echoed in her mind, leaving her deeply unsettled.
"It's just a dream," she kept telling herself after waking up.
With each step she took, a profound exhaustion settled into her bones, making her limbs feel heavy and her muscles ache as if she were trudging through thick mud.
"Are you sure this is it?" Poe asked, struggling to maintain his balance on the uneven, rocky terrain beneath his feet.
"These are the exact coordinates that Master Luke left behind," C-3PO responded as he scanned the area.
As they navigated around a jagged outcrop, a cacophony of intriguing and unfamiliar sounds drifted toward them. Curiosity propelled them forward, and as they emerged from behind a large boulder, an intriguing scene unfolded before their eyes.
A lively crowd of vibrant creatures were swaying and twirling in a jubilant dance. Above them, bursts of coloured powder fireworks illuminated the sky, painting it with brilliant streaks of red, blue, and green.
"What is this?" Poe exclaimed, stunned by the unexpected spectacle before him.
"The Aki-Aki Festival of the Ancestors," C-3PO announced. "This celebration occurs only once every 42 years."
Poe, feeling the weight of the moment, rubbed his face with his hand, a mix of disbelief and frustration crossing his features.
"Well, that's lucky," Finn remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he rolled his eyes.
"Lucky indeed," C-3PO replied excitedly. "This festival is known for both its colourful kites and its delectable sweets."
Chewbacca, Rey, Finn, and Poe exchanged incredulous glances; disbelief etched across their faces at C-3PO's enthusiasm. C-3PO, sensing their curious stares, turned around, momentarily puzzled, to see if they were looking at someone behind him.
Finn shook his head in disbelief as the group pressed on through the lively crowd. All around them, vibrant creatures chanted and danced, their colourful garments swirling in a flurry of motion.
Rey looked around in awe, her eyes wide with wonder. "I've never seen anything like this," she exclaimed, taking in the pulsating energy of the scene.
Finn let out a frustrated grunt. "I can't believe there are so few wayfinders." His voice was laced with irritation. Why do we have to navigate through this chaos?
Surprisingly, Rey picked up on Finn's thought without even needing to concentrate.
"There are always random First Order patrols in crowds like these," Poe reminded them, his expression serious. "So, keep your heads down." He cast a quick glance back at his towering friend. "Chewie."
With a low growl, Chewbacca ducked his massive head and deftly shuffled through the crowd.
Rey caught sight of a creature, its arms stretched high as it held a small baby, and she couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. I wonder how Leia is, she internally mused, feeling a knot of concern tighten in her chest.
"Let's split up and see what the locals know," Poe directed, his voice firm yet encouraging.
With that, the group dispersed into the vibrant festival, each member venturing off in their own direction.
C-3PO remained closely by Rey's side. As they wandered, Rey's attention was drawn to a lively scene—a group of children gathered in rows, their faces aglow with delight as they watched a colourful puppet show.
The laughter and giggles filled the air, contrasting sharply with the pang of sadness that began to creep in. She experienced a familiar ache in her heart as memories of her fertility struggles resurfaced. At least I have Leia, she reminded herself.
One of the curious creatures gently tugged at the side of Rey's clothing, prompting her to turn and meet its gaze. The alien spoke in a melodic language that Rey couldn't quite comprehend, the words dancing in the air like a song.
C-3PO stepped forward, ready to bridge the gap between their worlds. "She is saying, 'Welcome,'" he translated.
Rey's face lit up with a smile as she knelt to match the creature's height. The native held out a beautifully crafted beaded necklace, the beads shimmering in vibrant shades of yellow, each uniquely shaped and intricately detailed.
Rey nodded eagerly, leaning her head forward to allow the creature to place the necklace around her neck. She glanced down, captivated by the way the beads caught the light, each one telling a story of its own.
"Her name is Nambi Ghima," C-3PO informed her.
"That's a wonderful name. I'm Rey," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
Nambi continued to speak in her indigenous language.
"She would be honoured to know your family name as well," C-3PO interpreted.
"It's Solo," Rey said proudly, a sense of belonging swelling within her.
Suddenly, Rey's ears picked up a distant rumbling, that seemed to echo through the air. Instinctively, she turned her head towards the source of the noise, her senses heightened as the Force began to crackle around her like static electricity.
She felt a familiar pull, a shimmering bond connecting her to Kylo. With a swift motion, she stepped away from C-3PO and the creature she had been conversing with, the sounds of their interaction fading into the background.
As she looked up, Rey spotted Kylo standing a short distance away, his posture confident with his hands resting on his hips, a smirk playing on his lips against the backdrop of the landscape.
"Hey, sweetheart," he called out.
Rey scanned her surroundings, taking note of the bustling crowd that seemed oblivious to their exchange. She felt a warmth spread in her chest as she returned his gaze, her smile breaking through. "Hey! Did you find it?" she asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
Kylo let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I did, but it crumbled to dust in my hand the moment I picked it up."
A wave of unease washed over Rey, her brow furrowing with worry. "What will we do if the other one is destroyed too?" she asked, her eyes reflecting the concern in her voice.
"We'll cross that bridge if we come to it," Kylo replied with a hint of determination. He cast a glance skyward, watching the vibrant festival fireworks bursting across the sky. "I think the second one should be fine as long as it hasn't spent decades rotting away on some desolate world covered in lava."
Rey couldn't help but smirk slightly, a flicker of hope igniting in her expression. "We can only hope," she said, her gaze shifting to the bustling crowd around them, filled with laughter and celebration.
Kylo turned back to her, taking in the scene of joy and festivity surrounding them. "Are you having fun?" he asked, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Yeah," she replied. Rey turned her head to follow his gaze and take in the vivid colours of the festival, the bright stalls filled with treats and the joyful music echoing in the air.
As his gaze drifted, Kylo noticed the vibrant necklace hanging around her neck. "Nice necklace," he remarked, a small smile forming on his lips at the sight of it.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Rey said with a gentle smile, her fingers grazing the intricate design of the necklace that hung delicately around her neck. "I received it from an alien named Nambi Ghima."
Kylo raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting as he studied the necklace closely. "You do realise it's a fertility necklace," he informed her.
"Is it?" Rey replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she glanced down at the shimmering piece before meeting Kylo's gaze once more. "If only it could actually work," she added, her voice laced with a hint of longing.
Kylo nodded, his gaze softening as he watched her. "If only," he murmured, a shared understanding passing between them.
Rey sighed, the weight of unfulfilled dreams heavy on her chest. "At least we have Leia," she said, her fingers absently playing with the edge of the necklace, seeking comfort in its texture.
"I know you're disappointed," Kylo said gently, his tone sincere. "It's okay to grieve."
Rey held her stomach with one of her hands. "I didn't think I'd grieve the ability to carry a baby in my womb," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as she reflected on the profound emptiness she felt.
"I really wish I could hold you right now," Kylo said, his voice thick with emotion. He looked deep into Rey's eyes, his longing evident in every word. "I love you so much."
Rey forced a sad smile, her heart aching at his words. "I know," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rey turned her head and caught sight of Poe and Finn walking side by side, their expressions tense as they navigated the rocky terrain.
Suddenly, a stormtrooper barked, "Freeze!" His modulated voice cut through the air, commanding immediate attention. Poe and Finn stopped abruptly, their hands instinctively rising in surrender.
"You better go deal with that," Kylo murmured softly, his presence abruptly fading as he vanished from the spot where he stood, severing the invisible bond that connected them.
Rey sprinted down the hill, her boots pounding against the ground as she rushed to join her friends. Chewbacca and the droids swiftly merged with the rest of the group.
"Hold it right there," the stormtrooper commanded, tightening his grip on the blaster. He spoke into his transmitter with a sharp tone, "I've found the Resistance fugitives."
An arrow flew from behind them, knocking the stormtrooper to the ground. They turned to see where it had come from. A figure stood there, wearing a helmet, and holding a crossbow.
In a modulated voice, the figure said, "Follow me."
They all exchanged curious glances, their eyes filled with anticipation, before they hurriedly trailed behind the cloaked figure.
"Hurry," the figure urged, his voice low and urgent.
They climbed into the sturdy armoured rolling tank with large wheels and thick plating that came to a halt nearby.
"How did you find us?" Finn asked, his brow knitted with concern.
"I picked up the Millennium Falcon's signature," the figure replied, removing his helmet with a dramatic flourish to reveal the charming, confident face of Lando Calrissian. "Also, Wookie's stand out in a crowd," he added with a grin.
Chewbacca let out a deep growl of acknowledgment, his eyes shining with delight as he charged forward to embrace his old friend, wrapping Lando in a hearty hug.
"It's good to see you too, old buddy," Lando said affectionately, patting Chewbacca's back.
"This is General Lando Calrissian," C-3PO announced, straightening up with a sense of importance.
"We know who he is Threepio," Rey chuckled.
"It's an honour, General," Finn said earnestly, feeling the weight of the moment as he addressed the legendary leader.
Poe stepped forward, his expression determined. "General Calrissian, we're searching for Exegol."
Lando surveyed the group with a knowing glance. "Of course you are," he replied, his voice tinged with amusement.
With a swift motion, he pressed a button on his wristwatch, and a holographic projection of the Sith wayfinder sprang to life, shimmering in the dim light.
Rey's eyes widened in astonishment. "A Sith wayfinder," she breathed, a mixture of intrigue and urgency in her voice. "Luke Skywalker came here to find one."
Lando chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with memories. "I know," he said, leaning his head back slightly as he reminisced. "I was with him."
He gestured with his hand, as if conjuring the past.
"Luke and I were tailing an old Jedi hunter," he continued, seamlessly shifting the projection from the glowing wayfinder to the image of a menacing alien. "Ochi of Bestoon."
He pointed emphatically at the projection of the figure. "He was holding a clue that might lead us to a wayfinder. We followed his ship halfway across the galaxy... here. When we got to his ship, it was abandoned…" He shook his head slowly, a shadow of disappointment crossing his face. "No clue. No wayfinder," he explained.
"Is Ochi's ship still here?" Rey asked, her voice laced with urgency as she scanned the dimly lit room.
"It's out in the desert, where he left it," Lando replied, his brow furrowing with concern.
Rey turned to look at Poe and Finn, determination etched on her face. "We need to get to that ship. Let's search it again," she insisted, her eyes reflecting the growing tension in the air.
Poe and Finn nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute.
The unmistakable screech of TIE fighters sliced through the air, growing louder and more menacing.
Lando stepped closer to the window, peering out into the vast expanse of the desert. "I have a bad feeling about this," he murmured, his gut twisting with anxiety. "Ochi's ship is out past Lurch Canyon," Lando explained, urgency creeping into his voice. "Go," he instructed.
"Thank you, General," Poe said, determination boiling within him as they prepared to embark on their mission.