Finn and Link stood opposite each other, bokken swords in hand. The wooden practice blades were sturdy and well-worn by countless strikes and parries. Finn twirled his expertly, the motion fluid and effortless, his stance relaxed yet poised for action. In contrast, Link gripped hers tightly, her knuckles whitening under the strain. She closed her eyes, attempting to center herself in the moment.
They had been sparring for nearly an hour. Sweat glistened on Link's forehead, her muscles burning with exertion. Determination burned in her eyes—she was ready to prove herself, to show Finn she could handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Again," he said, stepping forward to engage.
This time, Link didn't hesitate. Her bokken sliced downward toward his shoulder, but Finn parried with a flick of his wrist. The sharp crack of wood echoed through the chamber as he sidestepped, letting her momentum carry her past him.
"Too slow on the recovery," Finn noted, tapping her exposed arm with his blade. "You're leaving yourself open."
Link winced but quickly reset her stance, squaring her shoulders. "I'm not done yet," she muttered.
He circled her, boots scraping against the floor. "In a real fight, hesitation gets you killed."
As their blades clashed again, a high-pitched whirring cut through the air. D-O, the excitable little droid, zipped into the room, its single wheel spinning wildly.
"Friend! Friend!" it chirped.
Link's gaze flicked toward the sound—just for a split second.
Finn seized the opportunity, his bokken striking her leg.
"Pay attention," he said, lowering his sword. "Focus on what's in front of you. Your mind can't be split."
Link rubbed her thigh, scowling. "Yeah, yeah. I got it."
D-O rolled closer, nudging her ankle with a sympathetic beep.
Link sighed, her irritation melting as she glanced down at the droid. "Hey, Dee-oh."
Finn grabbed a towel from the bench, wiping his brow before tossing it aside.
"What is The Path of the Open Hand?" Link asked suddenly.
Finn's expression darkened. He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "Extremists. They believe wielding the Force is a violation of the natural order."
"So they don't like Jedi," Link said.
Finn nodded.
"But Senator Connix isn't a Jedi."
"She's been working closely with Rey."
The comm system beeped sharply, interrupting their conversation. Finn strode to the console and flipped the switch. A familiar voice filled the room, crackling with static.
"Hey, Finn!" Poe Dameron's voice was warm, laced with its usual charm.
Link perked up instantly. "Poe!"
"Link!" Poe's grin was audible. "How's my favorite Padawan?"
"We're on a mission, to protect Senator Connix," she said.
Finn took over, his tone grim. "The Path tried to assassinate her. We're heading to Chandrila."
Poe's usual levity vanished. "The Path?"
"Yeah," Finn said. "Rey's tracking their leader on Dalna."
There was a pause before Poe responded, his voice now serious. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. It's been a while since I've been in the thick of things."
"Thanks, Poe. We'll need all the help we can get," Finn said.
"Link, take care of Finn for me."
Link smirked. "I will."
Finn rolled his eyes and killed the comm. He grabbed his bokken and tossed hers back to her. "Let's go again."
—
The Falcon drifted through hyperspace, its hull vibrating with the low, steady hum of the hyperdrive. Beyond the viewport, streaks of blue light stretched into infinity, casting eerie, shifting patterns across the walls.
Rey sat on the edge of the bed, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her fingers clutching the blanket beneath her. The remnants of her vision clung to her mind like smoke—fragments of a dream that refused to dissolve.
Jedi. Dozens of them. Their faces were obscured by the fog of time, marching in eerie unison. Lightsabers ignited in a synchronized flash, casting a kaleidoscope of color at the base of a towering temple of black stone. The air thrummed with tension, with purpose—with danger.
"Rey."
Ben's voice, rough with sleep, pulled her back to the present. She turned to find him propped up on one elbow, the blankets pooling around his waist. The dim light traced the sharp lines of his face, his dark eyes searching hers with an intensity that always seemed to pierce straight through her.
"You had a vision."
Rey exhaled shakily, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes as if she could scrub the images away. "Jedi. An army of them. Attacking a temple." She dropped her hands, staring at the far wall. "It didn't feel like our future. It felt like… a memory."
Ben sat up fully, the mattress dipping under his weight. He reached for her, his calloused fingers brushing against her wrist. "The Force doesn't care about time the way we do. It shows us what we need, even if we don't understand it yet."
She met his gaze. "You're not worried?"
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I didn't say that. But I know you. You'll figure it out."
With a sigh, she lay back down. His arm slid around her, pulling her close until her head rested against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat anchored her.
Then, she felt him tense.
Rey lifted her head. "What is it?"
Ben hesitated, his hand gently stroking her arm. "They started targeting senators after I began working with you. If I'd stayed hidden—"
"No." Rey cut him off, her hand cupping his cheek. She forced him to meet her gaze. "This isn't your fault. You think the galaxy would be safer if you'd stayed in the dark? After everything you've done to help?"
His jaw tightened, but he didn't pull away.
Rey took a deep breath, her thumb brushing against his cheekbone. "It may take time for the galaxy to see that, but they will. They'll see you the way I do."
"How do you see me?"
Rey smiled. "As a man who chooses love over hate. Who fights for those who can't fight for themselves."
She kissed him, pouring every ounce of conviction into it. Ben responded in kind, his arms tightening around her as if she were the only solid thing in the universe. When they finally broke apart, Rey rested her head against his chest once more. His hand gently stroked her hair as she closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his presence wrap around her like a protective shield.