Star Wars VIII: Stand of the Republic

06: Force Training

"What do you know of the Force?" Luke questioned.

"Not much," Rey admitted. "I've used a few abilities, but it's mostly been instinctive."

"Very well," Luke accepted. "All life in existence gives off energy in one form or another. Some produce light with bioluminescence, warm blooded creatures generate their own heat. The one form of energy produced by all living things is the Force. It connects all life in the galaxy. There are those who have a sensitivity to the Force and can manipulate this energy to great effect."

"The Jedi?" Rey assumed.

"And the Sith," Luke added.

"Who are the Sith?" Rey questioned.

"They are those who have become consumed by the dark side," Luke informed her.

"What do you mean by the dark side?" Rey interrupted.

"Within everyone is the potential for great good or terrible evil, and each person must decide which way to go," Luke clarified. "For Force users, this becomes an even greater challenge as the power the Force provides also creates a greater temptation for misuse. You have no doubt seen what happens when unbridled emotions take control of a person and how dangerous they can be when simply reacting and not thinking."

Rey nodded.

"A Force user can be even more dangerous, both to others and to themselves," Luke continued. "A Jedi must have focus and commitment to restrain themselves and their power, lest they fall to the dark side and become a destroyer."

"With all the destruction being capable of being caused by Force users, wouldn't it be better for the galaxy if the Force didn't exist?" Rey queried.

"Eliminating the Force wouldn't stop the intent of people across the galaxy," Luke pointed out. "The Force is simply a tool that allows greater results, either for good or ill depending on how it's used."

Luke took out his lightsaber and set it on the ground between them.

"This weapon is neither good nor evil," Luke told her. "To be defined as such, it requires someone to use it for a purpose. It is the same with the Force. The Jedi and Sith are a lens through which the energy is focused. For the Sith, utilizing rage, hatred, and fear as their driving force, alters the energy, turning it dark to such a degree, they can actually leave an impression in the Force energy around them. Powerful Sith have even been known to leave a mark where they've lived and where they were killed."

"What kind of mark?" Rey questioned.

"It's nothing you can see," Luke countered. "But, you can certainly sense it. Come with me."

Luke stood and headed out the door. The rain had stopped, and Rey was able to follow him without getting soaked a second time.

"What are those?" Rey asked as they passed a small cluster of native creatures. Barely larger than the width of her palm with small wings, webbed feet, and large, round eyes, they looked to her like oversized birds without a beak.

"They're called Porgs," Luke answered, pausing beside one of the creatures to stroke the smooth feathers on its head. The tiny creature leaned in against his palm while making a purring sound. "They're harmless but extremely curious. If you leave anything out in the open, they're sure to get into it."

Luke climbed down a small trail leading between two of the taller peaks on the island. The path divided many times, but Luke always stayed toward the left until he halted where the trail ended in front of the gaping maw of a cave. The opening was a void of darkness, swallowing up all light from the outside world.

"You wanted to know about the dark side," Luke stated, taking a seat near the entrance to the cave. He gestured for her to enter.

"I...uh," Rey hesitated, shifting her stance from foot to foot. She looked at the cave out of the corner of her eye, unwilling to face it directly. "Exactly what is in there?"

"Remember how I said a dark side user could stain an area where they died?" Luke questioned. "This is one such place. It is strong with the dark side, a residual echo of the evil that was, and you must face it."

Rey took one step toward the cave before halting and looking back at Luke.

"If you cannot face an echo of the dark side, you'll never be able to face the real thing," Luke informed her. He pointed into the cave. "Go."

Rey swallowed hard and alternated her staff from one hand to the other in order to wipe the sweat from her palms on her opposing sleeve. Trying to control her breathing as Sentis had trained her to do, she entered the cave.

The cave felt colder than the cloud covered atmosphere outside, and the darkness around her had a thickness to it, oppressively pushing against her from all sides in a smothering presence. During her time on Jakku, she'd been hunted by some of the forest predators, and she knew the instinctual feeling of something being nearby and slowly drawing closer. Rey felt it intensely here, but she couldn't tell from which direction as the menace seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Perspiration glistened on her skin, and the cold air brushing against it caused her to shiver. Gripping her staff tighter, she moved deeper into the cave.

The darkness was as thick as ink, but a faint glow of red leached out into the air from around the corner. Rey approached with caution as she heard the hum of energy and knew something was waiting beyond her field of vision.

Training with Sentis had been done in complete security, so walking alone into the unknown and a possible enemy ambush was completely different. Rey tried to use the techniques Sentis had taught her to slow her racing heart, but it didn't work. Pushing herself forward, Rey stepped around the corner.