The Other Solo

Chapter 22

An island stands lonely surrounded by a sea of blue. The ocean breeze whips at her clothes beckoning her to climb the crumbling stone steps. They seem to curve along the edge of a large jagged cliff, each step moulding with the earth. As she ascends the air becomes thinner, causing the time to go slower.

Finally, reaching the top she sees him. Hooded with his back to her she calls his name.

"Luke..." The wind carries her shakey voice.

She sees him straighten at the sound of his name. He turns gracefully, his robotic hand removing his hood. His bright blue eyes brimming with tears.

"Jaina..." He responds.

"Uncle, I need you." She pleads.

"What is it my dear..."

"It's mother, it's Ben... It's everything..." She cries.

His face contorts in sadness. "I am of no use to any of you."

"You are... Please, we need you. It's been too long..."

He shakes his head not able to make eye contact any longer.

"Stop... Stop feeling sorry for yourself!" She shouts. Tears flowing freely down her face. "This is not the way a Jedi is supposed to act... Wallowing in self pity while the world... the world falls into chaos by the dark side. You have to bring balance and peace!"

He turns his back to her, "Please leave me be..."

She moves next to him. Her tone softens, "No one blames you for what happen... You did your best to reach him... The pull to the dark side was too much for him to resist."

Tears begin to slide down the old man's face. He grips his fists tighter, his anger at himself building more. "You don't understand, he was my responsibility... I saw the change and I pushed too hard. I didn't try to connect, I thought I could drive it out of him. I didn't...I couldn't..."

He collaspes under the weight of his own guilt. Jaina kneels down beside him.

"Don't make Ben right... The longer you hide away the more he feels justified in his actions... You are proving him and your self doubt correct."

She waits for his response but it doesn't come. Silently they sit staring out into the ocean trying to let the sound of the waves carry their broken souls away.

Jaina rests her hand on her uncle's shoulder, "If you won't come back on your own... then help me find you."

After an extended pause, Luke sighs deeply. "The peace you seek can only be found within. The guidance you seek..." His voice catches, "Search out the Church of the Force."

"The Church of the Force?" She looks up at him but he is gone. She whirls around to find she is alone on the cliff top. Alone on her journey...alone in life.

She squeezes her eyes shut and the sounds of the waves and feeling of cool breezes fade out. Opening her eyes she hears the sounds of chirping and leaves blowing outside the door. She's back at the temple lying in Ben's old room.

Church of the Force rings in her ears. Immediately, she gets up and runs to the archives.

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Over the next few months Jaina devotes herself to searching the vast archives for any clues on the whereabouts of the First Jedi temple or the Church of the Force. She eagerly studies the ancient manuscripts of the Old Jedi Order. The more she pours herself into it the more she can feel the force with in her.

Slowly, she begins training with her lightsaber and employing the use of the force once more. She follows the archival hologram videos for techniques while closely examining the combat manuscripts. Everday brings new challenges and new discoveries. She feels her mind expanding and more at peace as the days go by.

In between studying she manages to clean much of the temple and tend to its vast gardens to feed herself. Once in awhile Leia will drop in or send an envoy of supplies but for the most part Jaina is on her own. At first this was unsettling as she had to relive flashbacks of her loved ones and mentors, and worse the memories of the night that changed everything. Gradually, it became easier and easier to adjust, she even relished in the quiet believing it reinforced her oneness with the force.

She spent many evenings down by the force tree. Often she would think about the day Poe brought her down there. Even though her heart ached for him she knew it was better to be without him. If she was to be strong enough to fight the dark within Ben, she needed to finish her training on her own.

"Once Ben is redeemed and the First Order destroyed there will be time for us...If Poe still loves me..." She continues to remind herself.