Chapter 31- Gratitude

                                    

                                          
Rey woke to find herself alone. Exiting her shelter, Rey wandered about the encampment, searching for Ben, trying to suppress strange feelings of desperation and rejection. She felt strange having slept so well to find the reason she had missing, and now it was as though a vital part of herself was missing. Presently, she learnt Ben had joined Poe, Finn and Rose to Mustafar to retrieve the Wayfinder, the device that would lead the Resistance to Exegol. She felt dejected that she hadn't been asked. Did they not believe her capable enough? A hindrance? What if Ben didn't return? What if something happened? Soon, a wash of negative thoughts and questions flooded her mind.
General Organa found her looking lost and forlorn. 
"Rey," Leia approached her, "Ben won't be gone long; perhaps while you wait, I can help you train."
Rey nodded at her master, grateful for something useful to do. Leia led the way to a clearing within the dense jungle trees and plants; large rocks rose up on either side, carpeted in lush green vines.
"Sit here," Leia instructed. 
Rey sat cross-legged on the floor; she knew how to begin meditation but struggled with patience, temperance and forbearance. She'd learnt to wait on Jakku, wait for those never coming back, but waiting was not the same as patience. Rey closed her eyes, stilling her mind and reached out with her feelings attempting to become one with the Force. Breathe, she told herself, just breathe. Slowly, the inner calm she'd come there to seek flowed.
"That's it, Rey, focus connect, reach out. Cast out your awareness and open yourself to the Force."
The Force flowed and buoyed her; she was its conduit. The Force connected her to every tree, fern, reptile and insect. Rey heard the wind in those trees, the chirping of the insects, and the rush of water crashing into a pool from a nearby waterfall. She inhaled deeply, felt the breeze on her cheeks, and smelled the soil damp from the night's rain. Centred and calm, she ascended off the ground one with the Force. Around her rocks, pebbles and small boulders began to ascend, floating tranquilly around her like satellites orbiting their planet. It was a peaceful moment. 
"Let go of all thought. Let go of fear," Leia's voice, deep and soothing, spoke.
The insect's chirping changed, and the wonderful life around her darkened. Death and decay, the remains of a creature rotted away, the bloodthirsty feeding of a carnivore, broken eggshells and Rey felt drawn pulled to the hideous images. Whispers filled her ears- "Rey."
An image sprang to her mind: a hideous creature grotesque and rotten, decaying hands reaching for her. She could smell decrepit flesh. Streaks of blue lightning flashed, accompanied by an ear-splitting screech that tore at her eardrums. A voice spoke, raspy and half mechanised, straining as though in pain and yet reverberating with power. 
"Come to me on Exegol, and I can give you everything you've ever desired, my child." 
Rey plummeted to the ground with an ungraceful thud, as did everything around her, the rocks and boulders crashing to the floor.
"Rey?" Leia asked her fondly, her face etched with concern as she walked to where Rey sat on the floor.
Rey looked up at her, terrified, "Palpatine, he's calling me."
Leia's brow furrowed with unease. 
"Ben told me the truth," Rey continued. "That he created me, that I'm his progeny."
Leia sat upon a fallen tree at the edge of the clearing. 
"The Force created my father, as Sidious created you." Leia said it as though it was no source of vexation. Rey clambered to her feet and went to sit next to Leia.
"Ben says I won't turn. He's so certain, but I'm scared."
Leia turned to her, "I made a great mistake when Ben was born and before that not to speak the truth about my family. I was afraid and ashamed. The omittance of the truth lost me, my son. Never be afraid of who you are, Rey."