Let the Light In

Chapter 73: Sunder

Rey couldn't see anything, or hear anything. It was a stark change from the blaring lights and sounds of a failed engine, and a ship going down. They hadn't had much time to react. One moment the landing parties were coordinating their drops, the next the entire fleet was falling from space to the planet's surface. It had been a mad dash to the escape pods for those who were hoping for a cleaner landing, but Rey had not made it. Neither had Ben. All she had seen out the viewport of the strike hanger was glittering blue and stark white sands before the ship and dozens like it plummeted into the ocean. Now, she could feel nothing, and all was dark.

Rey.

Ben? She frantically looked around in the inky world she found herself in. She tried to call out, scream, anything, but her mouth would not open, and she felt no air building in her lungs.

Rey was surprised at how it did not worry her, as she felt perfectly comfortable. She was not suffocating, yet she could not breath. Her eyes were open but only black met them. She strained to hear, but there was nothing, not even her own heartbeat. Yet she was wrapped in an unnerving calm.

Rey.

That was not Ben's voice. But it was so, so familiar.

Rey.

Louder now, and a small swell of light appeared before her eyes, though she could not discern the distance. It bulged and moved, growing in an amorphous shape that resembled both water and smoke. Eventually, it gained form in a white-blue hue. A man. He was elderly, with white hair and beard, robed in simple garments much like Luke's had been when she found him. She knew she did not know him, but she felt as if she did. His eyes were kind, and glittering with what could only be called pride, and there was a wide smile causing wrinkles on his face.

My Rey. Finally I meet you.

Rey did know that voice. It had been the voice that comforted her in her darkest nightmares, guided her when there was no one else, and started her off on her journey in the Force. She had a hunch of who he might be.

Obi-Wan Kenobi? Ben Kenobi?

He chuckled, I do believe grandfather or old coot would be more appropriate by now, Rey. He sighed heavily, happiness evident in his voice, I have been trying to meet you for so long. But the Force has been damaged, child. Snoke has scarred the sensitivity of the Galaxy. Ironically enough, this graveyard of a planet retains some of the strongest connections...

He drifted off, eyes searching her face, By the Force look at you. You've come so far, and done so much, yet still must bear far more.

A knot formed in her throat, her mind still reeling at what was happening.

I am so very proud of you, Rey Kenobi. Though as I hear, he continued with a sudden mischievous twinkle in his eye, you're more Skywalker now.

I've been no-one for most of my life. It's rather overwhelming to have two families at once.

Well then I suppose we can be thankful- Rey jumped as another voice trickled into the space between her and her fabled relative that 'most of your life' has ben a comparably short time al in all. Now me on the other hand- All at once, another shape came to form beside Kenobi, and it took the form of Luke Skywalker -I'd far outstayed my welcome.

Rey frowned, confused, but then her body fell cold as she processed his words.

Luke-

No, do not mourn for me. I saved my sister's life and got our party to safety. I would do it all again.

Panic gripper her now, far stronger than before as the calm of her surroundings dissipated.