Wolfsbane · Kylo Ren

IV

Mara

"Master Skywalker,"

Rey said, as she followed the Jedi into the cavern of the mountain.

"We need you to bring the Jedi back, because Kylo Ren is strong with the dark side of the Force."

Mara rolled her eyes.

Rey had no understanding of the force, she merely speculated.

Mara admired the cavern, it was beautiful.

Carved into the mountain, it was a place of peace, and balance.

A pool sat centered in it, with tiles shaped into the mark of the jedi.

"Without the Jedi, we won't stand a chance against him."

Mara frowned.

This war she'd described, it was no war with Kylo Ren, it was a war with the first order.

The man she'd witnessed mere moments earlier was strong, but a swirling storm on conflict and torment followed him.

He had far to little control to orchestrate the shift in the balance.

Luke seemed irritated with the young pilot.

"What do you know about the Force?"

He asked, leading her to the ledge, where the sun shone.

"It's a power the Jedi have, that lets them control people, and... make things float."

Rey said, with little confidence.

Mara snorted.

"Impressive, every word in that sentence was wrong."

Rey seemed lost.

Mara couldn't blame her.

"Lesson one,"

Luke patted the stone slab.

"Sit here, legs crossed."

Rey followed his instruction, and Mara relaxed to her haunches next to the stone.

Mara herself was 50 years old, a young adult by her peoples standards, but she had spent nearly as many years as Master Skywalker studying the force.

She and the Jedi had learned many things from each other, since he'd discovered her roaming packless on Ohma-D'un, in the Naboo system.

She wondered if Rey was an exceptional learner.

She had much power, she'd need control.

"The Force is not a power you have."

Skywalker explained.

"It's not about lifting rocks."

Although that is a perk.

"It's the energy between all things. a tension, a balance... that binds the universe together."

"Okay."

Rey nodded, heaving a huge breath, but a look of curious confusion stil beheld her face.

"But what is it?"

Skywalker sighed, but to Mara, it seemed an understanding sigh.

Like it meant,

"I've been there kid."

"Close your eyes."

He ordered, pressing Rey's palm into the stone.

"Breathe."