You were uncertain of your thoughts. It was indeed challenging to experience anything other than elation. Only a few days ago, when you nearly lashed out at Kylo, you sensed something stirring within you, a primal force.

It was at that moment that you realized you were not entirely human.

Were you frightened? Yes, undoubtedly.

Would you escape and abandon your life with the First Order and Kylo? Perhaps.

Would this new opportunity alter your life? Yes.

So without further ado, when you woke up that morning, you carried out the task that the First Order had hired you for: assassination sniper and all that entailed. You had been a prominent figure in your homeland until your pack had been eliminated by merciless foes. Now, you vowed to eradicate their kind. You were not simply a sniper; you were something more, though you were uncertain of what that was.

As you emerged from your bunk that afternoon, clad in black attire with a mask concealing the lower part of your face, you were intercepted before you could board a shuttle out of the Star Destroyer. "And where do you think you are going?" It was General Hux, and you muttered under your breath that the haughty general had been nothing but a nuisance since you were selected to be trained by Kylo for your Force sensitivity.

"Answer me," he snapped, and as you turned to face him, your dark eyes flashing, you retorted, "I would pose the same question to you, General. Your place is on the bridge, nowhere else. Leave me be," you stated before gesturing with a gloved hand. "I have other obligations."

"Has Kylo been informed?" Hux inquired, and you rolled your eyes in exasperation. You had been deliberately avoiding your mentor for the past few days and did not appreciate the idea of his scrutiny at this moment.

"No, and it is unnecessary. Kylo chose me as his apprentice for a reason, General, and I believe it was not because I am incapable of fending for myself," you asserted. Bowing slightly as a gesture of dismissal, you extended your hand to reveal your sniper rifle before swiftly turning away and pointing two fingers at the General in a motion resembling a trigger being pulled. "Interfere no more in my affairs," you grunted, then promptly vanished into a shuttle that launched out of the hangar and into the expanse of stars beyond.

Unbeknownst to you, unaware of the eyes that observed you from a higher platform.

~❈~

The shuttle you had boarded was now in hyperspace, and as you leaned back in your seat, a faint smile played on your lips beneath your mask. You were not bothered by wearing it, as it was lightweight and snugly encased your jaw and chin, while you ran a gloved hand through your dark, short hair.

Suddenly, a rattling jolt shook your shuttle, causing you to startle upright in your seat. Peering out the viewport, your eyes scanned the swirling abyss of hyperspace, revealing nothing amiss. However, in a surprising turn of events, you found yourself thrust into the midst of a dogfight between a squadron of TIE fighters and an escaped TIE. You watched in astonishment as they streaked above you, before swiftly taking control of the controls and maneuvering your ship out of harm's way from the advancing TIE fighters. The intensity of the Force surged within you, prompting you to nervously bite your lip as you realized that there was an individual piloting that TIE fighter—someone who was clearly fleeing.

Breathing heavily, you felt the irresistible pull in your mind, beckoning you to pursue a higher purpose. As you prepared to surge ahead to heed the call, a First Order fighter intercepted your trajectory, causing it to veer off course towards Jakku, looming in the distance. Despite the setback, you acknowledged the disappointment with a resigned sigh. This was not the day you had envisioned, yet you accepted it as the day that fate had bestowed upon you. Determinedly, you propelled yourself forward, tracing the descent of the downed fighter, unaware of the profound discovery that awaited you.

~❈~

Upon landing at the crash site, you discovered only debris and no sign of any survivors. As you discreetly concealed your shuttle from the scene where the unfortunate craft had been engulfed, you proceeded cautiously on foot, acutely attuned to the Force's whispers that someone was in proximity. Your senses sharpened when you detected labored breathing and a plea for a name. "Poe!" In your line of sight, you spotted a dark-skinned man standing over the disabled fighter, clutching a jacket, who hastily retreated in fear as the sands voraciously consumed the wreckage.

"I presume your companions were aboard that vessel," you declared, announcing your presence. The man spun around, his demeanor revealing fear, and it dawned upon you that he was a former trooper who had defected from the First Order. "It's... it's you," he stuttered, recognizing you as General L/N, the formidable figure of legend. Amused, you chuckled, "Indeed, I have quite the reputation, but for now, you can address me as Y/N. And as for you," you gazed into his eyes, effortlessly delving into his thoughts, "you may be identified by some alphanumeric designation, but the pilot who accompanied you... he calls you Fin."

The man clenched his jaw and inquired brusquely, "What is your stake in this?" He continued, "Your faction sought his demise." Dismissing his statement with a scoff, you replied, "I have witnessed many conflicts, my dear Fin, but I harbored no desire to see the demise of the resistance trooper. In fact, I was unaware of our very own defector's existence until this moment." Glancing towards where the sand had once more obscured the wreckage, you added, "If it holds any significance to you, I extend my condolences."

Fin sighed, his brow furrowing as he questioned, "Are you a deserter as well, then?" You nonchalantly shrugged in response, "Not precisely. I simply sought a respite from my obligations. I have been..." Your voice trailed off, pondering whether to disclose to Fin the peculiar sensations stirring within you, whispers from the Force itself urging you towards an unknown path. After all, he appeared to be a trustworthy individual with little to return to. Pausing for a moment, you contemplated, What do I truly have to return to?

Kylo. My training, your thoughts whispered, yet you dismissed them with a shake of your head. Reflecting on it, Kylo had indeed served as a formidable mentor; though erratic in his approach, he imparted upon you the intricate teachings of the Force. Without his guidance, you would likely remain confined to menial tasks, relegated to cleaning floors in the obscure corners of the First Order's realm.

Yet, you felt compelled to aid this trooper, recognizing that he had little to lose, much like yourself. In the end, you considered that you could potentially master the ways of the Force independently; after all, you were not bound by conventional human limitations. Revealing your true nature to the First Order would undoubtedly lead to expulsion or even death, regardless of your proficiency.

"I will assist you," you declared solemnly, a faint smile gracing your lips. "Then let us depart from this barren wasteland first," He suggested, nodding in agreement as you both set off towards whatever lay ahead.