Confronting Fear

Qui-Gon

Be still
One day you'll lead
Fearlessness on your sleeve
When you've come back, tell me what did you see
What did you see
Was there something out there for me?

Be Still - The Killers

"Whooooo. Here we go." Rey said aloud to herself. She was settled on the floor of her bed chamber, crystal in her hands, lightsaber parts, a soldering torch, multi-tool, and other assorted bits and pieces spread out around her. She'd banished Kylo from the room, wanting complete privacy.

Rey centered herself in the Force, smiling as she felt it's warmth surround her like a hug from an old friend. She could feel the crystal's eagerness to absorb that warmth into itself so that it may be complete. The Jedi was happy to oblige, feeding it her essence, thereby making it an extension of herself.

Some time later, she knew not how long, the Kyber slowed then completely ceased to draw from her. She smiled as she could feel it's contentment in her hands, millennia of waiting for fulfillment finally over.

Rey reluctantly withdrew from the warmth of the Light, grounding herself in the cool tile floor beneath her. She was disoriented and weak as she opened her eyes, the crystals feeling heavy in her hands. Crystals? To her wonderment, she found herself holding not one, but two crystals each lit from within by a golden light. She'd broken it.

How could this have happened? The Kyber felt so happy in her hands, how could she have done this? She knew how to repair it but that would take weeks she didn't have.

"It appears you're going to have a very unique lightsaber. I must admit I'm a bit jealous." The deep but friendly voice startling her, causing her to feel even dizzier. She looked up to see a tall Jedi standing over her. His face was friendly and open, his long hair and beard streaked with grey. He was surrounded by the telltale blue glow of a Force ghost.

"I didn't mean to startle you. My name is Qui-Gon Jinn. Good to finally meet you Rey."

She blinked up at him, Maker he was as tall as Kylo. "How do you know me?"

He smiled as he settled down beside her. "We all know you Rey."

Rey nodded, not really understanding.

"You've been meditating for over a full day. Your body and mind are tired and you fed a great deal of your own energy into the Kyber. It's expected for you to feel weak right now. Go eat and drink, you'll feel better I'm not going anywhere."

Rey couldn't tell if she was more compliant than usual or if she was too hungry to question the stranger's orders.

Twenty minutes later, having sucked down two protein packs and what felt like a gallon of water, she was feeling much more like herself, though still very weak. She reentered the room to find Qui-Gon right where she left him, standing guard over what would hopefully become her lightsaber.

"Welcome back. You'll be tired for a few days while your energy replenishes. In the meantime, let's get to work on your saber."

"Is that why you're here, to help me?"

"Yes. In the days of the Republic padawans were assisted by an old droid in building their sabers. I thought, in his absence, I could be of help."

Rey smiled. "Thank you Master Jedi. But, what happened to my crystal, why did it break."

"It broke because it was meant to break. It was already much larger than most and as it fed it split in two. Rare, but not unheard of."

"What does it mean?"

"It means your saber is going to be as unique as you are."

"I don't even know where to start."