The wind rolled gently over the grassy hill, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and carrying with it the salt-kissed scent of the ocean. Finn sat cross-legged atop the rise, his broad shoulders relaxed, his hands resting lightly on his knees. The sun warmed his skin, painting his brown vest in golden light as he breathed in the quiet moment.
Beside him, his young Padawan, Link Na'tina, mirrored his posture with quiet determination. Her violet skin shimmered faintly in the sunlight, her lekku draped over her shoulders like scarves. The gray robes she wore fluttered in the wind.
"Remember, Link," Finn said. "Breathe. Let the Force flow through you, like the wind through the trees."
The young Twi'lek inhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling in time with the distant crash of waves against the cliffs below.
"Good," Finn said. "Now reach out."
Her brow furrowed slightly, the only sign of her effort as she extended her awareness outward, reaching beyond herself.
"Tell me what you feel."
Link exhaled slowly. "I feel the grass beneath us… the roots stretching deep into the soil. There's a nest near the edge of the cliff—baby porgs. They're hungry."
Finn smiled. "You're getting stronger."
Link's eyes flickered open, glowing with triumph. "It's easier when I don't overthink it," she said.
Finn nodded. "The Force isn't a problem to solve. It's—"
"—a river," Link finished, echoing his earlier lesson.
"Exactly."
Their peaceful moment shattered as metallic footsteps clanked up the hill. Finn sighed, recognizing the sound before the droid even crested the rise.
"Master Finn!" C-3PO's voice was fretful, his golden arms flailing for balance. "I do apologize for interrupting, but you instructed me to inform you the moment the Millennium Falcon returned!"
Link grinned, her earlier serenity replaced by barely contained excitement. "They're back?" She was on her feet in an instant, her lekku swaying with the sudden movement.
Finn rose more slowly, brushing grass from his pants. "Thank you, Threepio," he said. He placed a hand on Link's shoulder. "We'll continue later."
Link nodded, but her earlier discipline was forgotten as she bounced on the balls of her feet. Finn couldn't help but smile. No matter how much she'd grown, she was still that wide-eyed kid who'd stared in awe at Rey's lightsaber the day they'd met her.
—
The Millennium Falcon loomed ahead, its hull gleaming under the afternoon sun. Finn slowed his approach, his boots crunching lightly on the gravel path, and watched as Rey descended the ramp, her robes fluttering in the breeze.
"Welcome back," Finn said, grinning as Rey pulled him into an embrace.
She stepped back, turning to Link, who stood a step behind Finn, her hands clasped tightly behind her. "Link, it's so good to see you."
Link bowed slightly. "Master Skywalker."
Ben emerged from the ship, lingering at the bottom of the ramp, his dark eyes flickering between them.
Link turned to face him. "Master Solo."
Ben's expression softened—just slightly. "Hello, Link."
Finn watched as Ben's gaze met his. There was a time when that look would've been a challenge, a silent sizing-up. Now, it was just acknowledgment. A nod.
Link fidgeted, her curiosity bubbling over. "How was the mission?"
"It went well." Rey smiled. "How's your training going?"
Link hesitated, glancing at Finn.
"She's a natural," Finn cut in, pride coloring his words. "Already putting me to shame with her reflexes."
Link stood a little taller, shoulders squaring.
Rey's smile widened. "I'd expect nothing less."
Finn cleared his throat and nodded toward C-3PO, who was fussing with a loose wire on his arm. "Threepio sounds like he needs fresh oil. Link, could you help him with that?"
Link glanced at the droid, then nodded eagerly. "Of course." She hurried off, C-3PO trailing behind with a stream of grateful chatter.
Finn waited until they were out of earshot before turning back to Rey. "Have you heard from Kaydel?"
Rey exhaled, her shoulders dropping. "Let's talk inside."
—
The temple library was a maze of towering shelves, ancient leather-bound tomes stacked haphazardly, datapads glowing faintly in the dim light. Rey moved through the chaos with ease, her boots tapping against the worn stone floor. Finn lingered near the doorway, arms crossed, watching as she knelt beside a teetering pile of books.
"Their leader's name is Mar Corrik," Rey said abruptly, tugging a thick volume free with a puff of dust. The cover cracked audibly as she flipped it open.
Finn shifted his weight. "Does Kaydel have proof he was behind the attack?"
"No." Rey's fingers traced a faded star chart. "But I'm going to find him. And I'll get it."
Finn frowned. "We already swept The Path's temple on Uvond. It's abandoned."
Rey didn't look up. "Because they moved." She stabbed a finger at the page. "Here. Dalna."
"Dalna?" Finn stepped closer, peering over her shoulder.
Rey's gaze lifted. "It's where The Path built their first temple, centuries ago."
"You think he's hiding there?"
"I know he is."
Then—Rey's eyes glazed over. Her lips parted, voice dropping to a whisper. "He's on Dalna."
Finn blinked. "Yeah, you said that."
Rey startled, blinking back to the present. "What?"
"You just—" Finn waved a hand between them. "You did the thing again. The creepy silent-talking-with-Ben thing."
Her face flushed, but a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "Sorry."
Finn rolled his eyes, though he couldn't suppress his own grin.
Her smile faded as she stood, brushing dust from her knees. "We need to move fast. Ben and I will go to Dalna."
Finn nodded. "And I'll go to Chandrila."
Rey paused for a moment, then met his gaze. "Take Link with you."
Finn stiffened. "She's just a kid. It could be dangerous."
Rey stepped closer, her voice resolute. "She's ready."
Their eyes locked—a silent push and pull of trust and fear.
Finally, Finn nodded.
Rey squeezed his arm as she passed. "May the Force be with you."
—
The training courtyard was bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, long shadows stretching across the ground. The air hummed with the distant calls of flying creatures settling atop the stone structures.
Finn leaned against the arched doorway, arms crossed, watching as his Padawan moved through her drills. Her gray robes swirled around her as she pivoted, the blue blade carving precise arcs through the air. There was a dancer's grace to her footwork now—a far cry from the wild, desperate swings of her first lessons.
Link's lekku swung through the air, as she transitioned smoothly into a defensive stance, blade angled to deflect an imaginary opponent's strike. The sunlight caught the sweat on her brow, her violet skin gleaming with effort.
"Link!"
She froze mid-motion, the lightsaber's hum cutting off as she deactivated it. Turning, she found Finn approaching.
"I've got a mission," he said, stepping closer. "And you're coming with me."
Link's breath hitched. The hilt trembled slightly in her grip before she clipped it to her belt. "Really? Where—"
"We're going to Chandrila," Finn interrupted. "To protect someone important. It could be dangerous."
She straightened, clasping her hands behind her. "I'm ready, Master."
Finn studied her for a moment. A year ago, she'd been living on the streets of Nar Shaddaa, all sharp edges and survival instincts. Now, she stood before him, a Jedi in training.
"I know you are," he said finally. "Pack light. We need to leave immediately."
—
The T-6 shuttle's engines whined as Link approached, their metallic hum vibrating through the ground. Rey stood waiting at the base of the loading ramp, her dark robes fluttering in the breeze. The golden light of the sunset caught in her hazel eyes as she turned to face Link.
Stepping forward, Rey pulled her into a quick embrace. "May the Force be with you," she said.
Link swallowed hard. "I won't let you down."
Rey stepped back, her hands lingering on Link's shoulders. "I know."
As Rey moved aside, Ben's towering frame filled the space behind her.
"Good luck," he said.
Link smiled, bowing slightly before boarding the ship.
Inside the cockpit, Finn fidgeted with the nav console, his fingers dancing across the controls as he finished prepping the shuttle.
"You good?" Finn asked without turning as Link slid into the co-pilot's seat.
She nodded. "Yeah."
The shuttle lifted with a lurch, pressing Link back into her seat. Through the viewport, Rey and Ben shrank to specks, then vanished as clouds swallowed them whole.
Link fidgeted in her seat. "So… who are we protecting?"
Finn's hands stilled on the controls. "Senator Connix."
Link knew that name—everyone did. The woman who'd stood before the New Republic Senate and called out the First Order sympathizers still hiding among them.
Finn engaged the hyperdrive. The stars streaked into blue oblivion.