After Rise

Once More?

REY

"What are you saying, Finn? I don't understand."

"Rey, listen to me. In my dream, you go back to Exegol and open up some sort of portal. There you fight in a sort of a spiritual way with the Force. I saw when Kylo Ren levitates as he meditates and shows up in front of you. You take his hand through it and you both are back here with us."

"That's impossible."

"Search your feelings, Rey. You know I'm telling the truth. I saw it. More than just the shape of it. It was solid. It was a prophecy."

Rey sighs, "Anakin Skywalker spoke to me, Finn."

"Anakin Skywalker? Luke and Leia's father?"

"Yes. He also said a dyad cannot be taken apart. He said we'd been the only dyad where one of us stayed while the other died. Although it's allowed for one of us to die it is not natural."

"Rey. You have to open yourself to Force again. Something's coming. I can feel it. If you need Kylo Ren by your side then so be it. I don't want to be in the way of the Force. I don't want to be in the way of your destiny. Leia fought too hard for us to get beat. I don't want her sacrifice and life's work to be in vain."

"I know Finn. Thank you for worrying about me. I also don't want Leia's sacrifice to ever be in vain. I miss her so much."

"I know something's coming. Have you meditated Finn? Have you felt it? There's something different I've never felt before. It's different from Palpatine, Finn. It scares me to know we're here without Leia's guidance."

"I'm scared, Rey. And having these dreams doesn't help.

"Let's meditate tomorrow morning. I'll see if I can help you calm your anxiety Finn."

Finn nods and leaves Rey in her loneliness once again.

Knowing tomorrow will be a bit draining helping Finn out; she puts down the hilt and gets into bed. She takes off the rest of her garments. Gets under the cover and falls asleep once again.

___________________________________________________

BEN

I feel it all in my body. I'm getting closer to being able to reach Rey. It's so close. I close my eyes from the exhaustion and that's when I see a tunnel of yellow splendor. It feels like my body is levitating and I dare open my eyes.

My breath gets hitched.

She. She's here.

She's asleep and I can see her surroundings.

She looks so peaceful. She looks so beautiful with her hair scattered all over her pillow. I look around and see her hilt on the table. This is why I'm able to see her. She's opened up to the Force again.

I struggle to figure out what it is I want. Whether to admire her sleeping form or wake her and talk to her? But what would I even say? Would she even want to speak to me? Was she able to ever feel my force embrace?

Suddenly she turns to her side, scaring me thinking she'd wake up. Her head shakes sideways and her eyebrows join in frustration. Her breathing becomes fast. She's having a nightmare. I see if I'm able to force myself into the dream without letting her know. I can.

All I see is darkness and lightning. Then I feel her utmost fear. Death. Abandonment.

That's when I see my face. I see her tears on her ship. I see her having to control herself nearing the resistance base so no one would know of Kylo Ren. I see her tears and emptiness on so many nights. Her struggle to find fulfillness. I open my eyes. I reach out my hand and give her mind the stillness she desires. Her face looks at peace once again. I breathe in and out and that's when I see a tear come out of her closed eye. She gives me a smile you could barely see unless you were closely paying attention. In her sleep, she whispers, "Ben".