After the narrow rebel escape from the salt-planet Crait, Rey and Kylo Ren go their separate ways each following their path of the force. As the results of the battle cause Kylo to reel in his forces and start anew as the Supreme Leader, Rey finds herself not knowing her place within the rebels. The Force bond between the two has become uncontrollable as Kylo and Rey both fight to find a way to eradicate it, only achieving in bringing them closer together.

Chapter 1

Rey stared unseeing through hyperspace as the Millennium Falcon sailed through the galaxy to a safe destination away from the First Order. She could hear the shuffling of people outside of cockpit as the remaining members of the rebellion tended to their wounded and counted their losses. Crait was only a brief haven for the rebellion and now they traveled towards the Outer Rim in search of the few and far between outliers of the rebel cause. The blue of hyperspace reminded her of the stormy waters of Ahch-To, the blue of the now broken lightsaber, the memory of both making her wish things had been different— that she could have done more. It all felt like it was too late now.

The ship dropped out of hyperspace with a jolt and she looked out over the jungle planet of Ryloth. Once occupied by the Empire, the planet was now a separatist community. Pieces of the planet had been charred by the industrialization of the Empire and the government was in constant limbo as it dealt with the butting heads of Empire apologists and Rebel supporters. Leia held connections on this planet with the dwindling native Twi'lek species and had arranged for a discreet transport into the cave system that would become the new home of the rebel alliance. As the Falcon approached the planet, a small transport vessel slid into view. When the pilot's voice rang over the intercom Rey used the codeword Leia had given her. The pilot responded and they followed the ship as it made a course to the planets smallest moon. The ships landed on what appeared to be an abandoned docking bay and everyone quickly began boarding the transport unit. Rey held back to see that the last remaining injured made it safely on the ship. Chewbacca came up behind her silently considering his massive size and put a large hand on Rey's shoulder. She recoiled slightly, the touch being too emotional for how raw she felt. She looked up at him and gave him a small smile. He cooed quietly and reassuringly as he stepped off the Falcon and headed towards the transport ship. Rey watched him leave from the entrance to the Falcon and a pang of confusion hit her. Leaving the Falcon, joining the rebellion and helping them, something felt very wrong.

She turned to grab her staff and her small pack when his voice washed over her like thunder.

"You're still here."