SEE ME, SEE YOU: Series Two

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y-O N E

THIRD PERSON POV

"Why won't you train him? You've seen what he can do." Mando asked, following Ahsoka through the forest. Reina carried the child as she trailed behind.

"His attachment to you makes him vulnerable to his fears, his anger."

"That's all the more reason to train him!"

"No!" Ahsoka halted in her tracks and turned around. She stood only a few inches from Mando. "I've seen what such feelings could do to a fully trained Jedi Knight, to the best of us. I will not start this child down that path." Her voice had begun with a firm tone, but it descended into sadness. "It is better to let his abilities fade."

"What about me?" Reina asked softly.

Ahsoka hesitated. "Same to you. You are much too old and have no need of such training. You've done well in your life without it, and you'll do fine without it continuing forward." She pulled her cloak over her head and resumed her path through the forest. "I must get back to the village. I'm already late as it it."

"The magistrate sent us to kill you." Mando called to her. That caught Ahsoka's attention. "Who is she? She offered me a staff of pure beskar for your death."

"Morgan Elsbeth," Ahsoka said. "She's made her industry that helped the Imperial starfleet, destroying world for their resources.

"We will help you to stop her from destroying this one." Reina stepped in. "If you see to it Grogu gets trained."

Ahsoka and Mando took notice how Reina left herself out of the deal. The Jedi sighed, but with the uncertainty was mingled with hope. The Mandaloran came his partner's defense. "I will help you. A Jedi and a Mandaloran working together? They'll never see it coming."

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REINA'S POV

I saw Din and Ahsoka on their way to free the village before I headed back for the Razor Crest to wait for their return. I volunteered to stay with Grogu and perhaps practice unlocking more of our abilites together.

At first, I watched the child waddle up and down the ramp, he still grasped the metal ball he got from Din. My chin rested on my fist, deep in thought. I don't know where to even start...Maybe we can do the same exercise?

"Hey, Grogu?" I reached out and tugged at his hems. "Want to try a game of catch? But instead of me throwing it, you have to use your powers to get it from me. And then, I will take it from you."

I received a coo with protest. I laughed. "Okay, okay, I'll go first." Grogu snorted in agreement and held out the metal ball to me. I spread my fingers out just like before and focused, but something immediately felt off. My eyes closed as I tried to concentrate. I imagined the ball flying into my hand. I imagined it hitting my palm and my fist closing over it, just like last time and just like the bolt from the day before.

Nothing happened.

"What the hell?" I grumbled, opening my eyes. "Why won't it work like before?" Grogu's physical being swirled in my silvery image, confusing me. I blinked and rubbed my eyes. When my hand lowered, Grogu had disappeared.

"Grogu?" I sprang to my feet, panicked. "Grogu? Where did you go? Grogu!"

It's okay, Reina...A familiar voice whispered to me from behind. When I turned around, however, there was no one there. "Who's there?" I asked.

You've taken your first steps towards your true destiny with the Jedi. I am proud of you.

It wasn't the raspy voice I had heard on Nevarro and Tatooine, but something about the low male voice reminded me of a happy memory tucked away in the abyss of my mind. "W-who are you? Where are you?"

If I told you, the voice chuckled. It would ruin the surprise. Just know I'm always looking out for you. Through the Force.

"You are not making any sense right now, whoever you are." I began to panic even more. "What have you done with the child?" I drew my single katana from its sheath. "Give him back!"

The child is safe. The voice assured. Reina, all will make sense in due time. Listen to the Jedi and follow her instructions. There will come a time in the near future where you are going to have to make a choice between your training and the Mandalorian. I advise you to continue on your destined path and become stronger with the Force.

"And leave Mando?" I scoffed, not believing what I was hearing. "Ahsoka has said I should not continue any training. That I'm better off without it. I trust her judgement."

Don't you want to see again?

A lump formed in my throat, enabling me to respond.

With the Force, you can heal your own eyes. You can see the galaxy through its true colors. The male voice grew stronger around me—so much so I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from anymore. If you become strong enough, you could see your Mandalorian's face for real for the first time.

"Is that...really possible?" I asked, the temptation pulled on me.

Yes, Reina.

I swallowed my nervousness. "How do I know this isn't a trick?" I shouted. "You could be lying to me. Trying to use me for something, perhaps? You won't even reveal yourself!"

It is not that I won't reveal myself to you. The voice sighed, almost with sadness. It is that you are unable to see me in your current state. You are still blind to the truth. To reality. Do you not wish to see for real like you had when the child healed you temporarily?

I remenbered the first time I was able to see after so many years from my childhood. My first sight was Din. I remembered what the night sky looked like with all the millions of stars and planets scattered across it. I recalled what it was like to not rely so much on what I considered my sixth sense and was just able to open my eyes and see what was before me. Din's silvery face from back on Nevarro burned in my memory. How I longed to not only see it again, to touch it again, I wanted to see him for all he is...

"Yes," I breathed. "More than anything."

Then, you will take my advice. Listen and do what Ahsoka Tano instructs. This is your destiny, my child. And one day, when you are stronger, what you wish for will come true.

"But that means I'll have to leave Din and Grogu, won't I?" I asked.

The voice hummed a yes, then sighed, This is the Way...

Suddenly, my unique vision blurred into swirls of mist. I was blind. And my sixth sense was failing me. My hands shot out in front of me, waving around frantically to grab hold of something. I could still tell my feet were planted slightly elevated on the ramp of the Crest, but in my panicked state, I tripped backwards. "Ahh!!!"

"REINA!!!"

Abruptly, a pair of strong hands gripped my biceps and shook my whole body back and forth. "Reina! Snap out of it!" A broken modulated voice broke through my dissonant consciousness. Then, within the split second I blinked, I was back on the Crest, with Din screaming my name and shaking me by my arms. "Can you hear me!? Reina, it's me!"

"D-din?!" I stuttered, gasping for my breath. "W-what are you doing here?" My eyes widened. "Grogu! Where is he?!" I pushed Din off of me and frantically looked around for the child, only to immediately find him right where I left him. He was still holding on the metal ball I failed to Force-grab from him. "W-what? But, you disappeared..."

"Reina, what happened?" Mando gripped my biceps again. "I was calling your name and shaking you for ten minutes!"

"Ten minutes?!" I shouted in shock. "B-but, that whole conversation was less than five! A-and what are you even doing here anyway? Weren't you and Ahsoka off saving the village? I just watched you leave not thirty minutes ago."

"What are you talking about?" Din squeezed my arms in concern. "Ahsoka and I have been gone for hours. We freed the village. We come back here and find you in some sort of trance. I've been calling for you for a long time!"

"No—no, that's not true!"

"That's enough." Ahsoka finally stepped forward. She separated Din from me and took my hand. "Come with me. I want to talk with you alone. Tell me everything."