Searching balance

The kiss

It's been some time since the last moment they saw each other. The days were followed by months in a rush as the speed of light. Even so, the connection between them was as strong as ever.

However, neither of them dares to talk. Neither of them dares to see each other. They are aware of one another, but with the past of time, they had learned how to avoid themselves. Their new positions and responsibilities give them so little time to meditate, to connect.

But at the quiet nights, the Force takes her to places she has never been. Sometimes she believes that is just dreams, but in the back of her head, she knows it's something else. She is conscious of the feelings, the emotions, and the voids that call her from the other side of the galaxy. A part of her wants to cut clean that channel, prevent her from being there. The other part just wants to know more, see him, and embrace him.

The Falcon is a good place to avoid the connection. There is so much to do and repair. The conversations never stop; it looks like a big house full of relatives. It's a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by people that greet you, smile at you. Rey never imagined that she could be in a place like that.

Even so, the loneliness weighs heavily in her heart. General Organa is familiar with their connections but always recommends that she stays away. Yet is the only safe way to know what the First Order is up too, but she prefers to keep Rey secure.

General Organa help decoding the Jedi Texts is invaluable for Rey's training, but not enough. Leia had chosen the Resistance over her own Jedi training, so her knowledge was limited. At this moment Rey needs a proper Jedi Master.

But now it is time to survive, not to learn. The Resistance is at a turning point, and they must endure it to prevail. All their energy and effort must be in order to find a new base, fleet and form new alliances. Finn and Poe had gone to so many places, but the fear of the First Order has made the task almost impossible.

For now, they must keep moving, to protect General Organa and all that she represents. Since the disappearance of Master Luke Skywalker her health has not improved; her body seems in good shape; however, her strength and energy are fading. She tries hard to keep up with the circumstances, the work and decisions that are needed, but everyone is aware of the danger of losing the princess.

With all this in her mind, Rey tries to rest. Like all nights, she must empty her thoughts and emotions. Clearing any leads that could expose their location, that is imperative.

The rumble of the Falcon's engine helps her to find that place of solitude in her mind, that green grass, the smell of the sea, the rain falling over her head. The island seems so real, that for a moment she could feel the earth beneath her feet.

But something is different this time, there is someone else there. With caution, Rey starts ascending the cliff to reach the little stone houses at the top. A heavy column of smoke rises between the crumble of rocks and wood. The rain is putting out the fires that already consume all that was left. There is no trace of the keepers and all seems destroyed with a purpose.

Rey starts looking around aware of the danger. This is not a dream. Somehow, she is back in the island and she is not alone. With caution, she follows the path to the hidden cave, where she sees dark figures surrounding the Keepers of Ahch-To. The caretakers seem defiant even as they tremble with fear.

The Knights of Ren are just there, guarding their prisoners, waiting for something. Rey tries to find a better spot when she hears, once more, his voice: -"Where are the books?"- The question echoes in the cave, imposing a supernatural authority.

The Keepers look at each other and denied with their heads. From the shadows, a tall dark silhouette emerges. Kylo Ren looks profoundly change; his face is hard, empty of emotion. He looks at the caretakers with resolutions. -"Now you are of no use to me."-