Fractured Silence [Star Wars: The Force Awakens Fanfiction]

The First Jedi Temple

As we stepped forth across the entrance of the cave, our footsteps echoed around throughout the hall, indicating that it went on for some time. It was dark inside, making it difficult to know where to place each step.

Almost as if he had read my thoughts, Luke drew his lightsaber and turned it on. The blue light lit the the hall and threw strange shadows across the walls.

I had never seen a normal Jedi temple before, let alone the very first one. The enclosed stone walls around us gave off an air of mystery, underlined with power. This place was centuries old.

I felt the same sensation I had when Rey had dipped into the Force, and a shiver went down my spine. The Force surrounded us.

"When I left," began Luke, moving through the cave without hesitation, "I went looking for guidance. I figured that in order to start over, I had to go back to where it all began: here."

He turned right, and paused in front of a dead end. Rey and I scrutinized the plain rock, but nothing happened. It just looked normal.

Luke spoke again, seemingly ignoring the wall in front of us. "There are many secrets of the Force that remain hidden." He held his lightsaber toward the wall. There was still nothing there. "You only need patience and wits in order to see them."

The lightsaber retracted into its grip, and we were plunged into darkness.

But then something flickered. And slowly, stars began to appear on the stone wall. The light they gave off cut through the black, flickering on and off.

We were standing before a galaxy of stars.

"What are those?" I asked, my voice airy with wonder.

"Glow worms," replied Luke, a note of pride in his voice. "Just one of the many wonders of this ancient place. You just have to know where to look." The lightsaber turned back on, and the stars winked out.

Turning back toward the hall, we continued forward. Luke led us on, and we followed in his wake.

The hallway eventually opened up to a large chasm, so giant I couldn't see to the far side. Luke touched the tip of his lightsaber inside a large stone basin. The heat set fire to the oil inside, which spread, and it became a goblet of fire. Crossing to the far side, he lit another torch, and we could finally see.

The room was massive, completely underground and carved out of stone. No natural light penetrated the rock, and the fire gave it a warm, orange glow.

In the center of the room was a great metal table, with many inscriptions on it. Next to the inscriptions were buttons and toggles, and even a small monitor. The technology looked many years old.

Behind the console was a simple podium. On it were two circular rocks, seeming to give off a slight glow of their own.

Rey moved toward the console, running her hand along the smooth metal. "Does this work?"

"I'm not sure," confessed Luke. "I can't read the inscriptions. But I know that this works." Walking over to the podium, he motioned to the stones, careful no to touch them.

Rey and I strode to stand beside him. "I could sense that you were coming here, using this. When you place both hands on the rocks, the Force flows through you. Do you remember how I projected my memories to you?" We nodded. "This allows you to project your consciousness into another person's without their knowledge. Let me show you."

Taking a breath, he placed his hands on the stones. I felt him pass images to us through the air. Suddenly, I was looking through Luke's eyes. Then, through Rey's. And finally, my own.

Removing his hands from the rocks, he looked at both of us as we blinked, hard.

Taking a moment to process what we had just witnessed, I let out a gasp, "That was -- incredible!"

"And you can look through anyone's eyes?" asked Rey thoughtfully.

Luke shook his head. "Only through the eyes of someone with the Force."

"The amount of power here is massive," I murmured, then turned to Luke. "Using this, what have you seen?"

"Nothing," he stated simply. "The only Jedi I know of are the three of us. But I believe that there are more out there. Kylo and the other Padawans were supposed to become the New Jedi, and bring down the First Order. Now," he sighed, "it's only the two of you. I've scanned the whole rim, but there's no other Jedi in this star system."

"Have you tried extending to other star systems?"

He shook his head. "I couldn't stretch that far. Even with my power, it wasn't enough to make it out."

"Maybe you couldn't do it because you were using just your own strength," I brought up, mind whirling. "If two of us tried, maybe we could increase the distance."

Walking over to the podium, I placed a hand on one of the rocks. I could feel it pulsating beneath my palm, almost like a heart beat. Thinking quickly, I motioned to Rey. She strode to stand beside me, looking at the rocks.

"In order for it to work," I hypothesized, "I think we need to be connected somehow."

Biting her lip in concentration, Rey spoke up, "What if we were both touching the rocks? And then touched hands?"

I nodded. "It might just work. Both of us would be connected with the stones." Rey's hand rested on the rock opposite mine, and her eyes squinted in concentration. I could feel Luke's scrutinizing gaze on our backs as we moved to face each other, each keeping a hand on a stone.

"Are you ready?" Rey asked, apprehension tinging her tone.

As an answer, I stretched my hand out to her. She mirrored me, lifting a hand until it touched mine. The stone became scalding hot against my hand, and I closed my eyes.

We were in the galaxy. I saw planets around us, and Ahch-To behind us. I could feel three pulsating forces on the planet, and knew it was us. There was a presence beside me as well, I knew it was Rey. Without communicating, together we shot through space. Moving quickly, we passed planet after planet, scanning for other people.

In the distance, I felt something. Changing direction, we hurtled towards it. As we drew near, I could feel the presence grow.

It came from a green planet, and when we crossed the atmosphere, I saw huge plants of every shape and size.

Everything flew by in a blur as we neared the source of power. We were looking through his eyes now, staring at the many plants and large beasts roaming the terrain. After a moment, we pulled away.

Letting go of the rock, I released a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. "We -- got one," I gasped.

"Where?" Luke said quickly. "Describe the planet."

"It was very green," said Rey. "With large plants, animals and trees."

"They were all very brightly colored," I added.

Luke pondered for a moment. "You must have been on Felucia . . . but that star system is lightyears away. Could you really have reached that far?" He looked at us like he was seeing us for the very first time.

A grin slowly stretched across his face, finally reaching his ocean blue eyes. "I feel the era of the New Jedi has begun."

Hey, Star Wars fans! Jedi Temple's got some pretty cool technology, am I right?

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Updated January 19, 2016