Hello, everyone! Just wanted to apologize in advance for any information I get incorrectly regarding the Star Wars universe. I know a pretty good amount about specific events and terminology, but I am still a Star Wars beginner. If I make any mistakes, I would greatly appreciate it if you point it out so I can check to see if I can fix it. :]

Aside from that, just in case no one understood the summary, these events all take place when Kylo Ren was still Ben Solo at the age of 17-18. (The age may be slightly off for personal preference, FYI.) In the case that you aren't aware of what happened to him back then, I won't say anything now! But know that though I want the outcome to stay the same, it may not depending on the flow of the story.

I'm very new to writing for the enjoyment of others, so please let me know what I can do to improve! Enjoy!

Chapter 01-Poison

The sound of a ravine nearby was crystal clear, the woods basked in an eerie silence. Every step Ben took echoed loudly in his ears, twigs and leaves crunching beneath his boots. Quietly tread, he thought to himself. In a dire situation, it wouldn't do to give away my presence due to my stomping... He made his strides lighter and slower, steadying himself.

As he neared the ravine, he caught a glimpse of a figure hunched over the water. It was Evia, a fellow apprentice to his uncle and the only person he could bear to be around. Her long black braid was draped over her right shoulder as she leaned over, cupping the water in her hands, trickling between delicate fingers as she raised it to her lips. She stood up slowly, patting her hands onto her white garb before straightening her back.

"You're late," she stated, her back facing him while she planted her hands onto her hips. She turned her head back at an angle, peering at him with her grey eyes. "I was just about to leave, you know."

Ben approached her warily, suspecting the possibility of her acting upon her irritation with him. "Sorry. I had to go back for this."

He pulled a leaf-wrapped bundle from his robes and tossed it to her. Evia caught it and knew instantly, smiling. "Sandwiches! How did you know?"

"Because you're always hungry," he grinned at her. They sat together on a flat boulder as she chewed fervently. He often found himself together with her like this, spending their off time out in the woods or relaxing back at home. The way she presented herself around him with ease, with familiarity, comforted Ben in a way that no one else seemed to be able to do. When he was in one of his bad moods, she was always there to calm him and reassure him simply by being there beside him. When he couldn't take his Jedi training seriously despite having one-on-one training with Luke, she knew how to challenge him in ways to get him back at it, and when he was riddled with doubt, she drew him from within and back to reality. Evia possessed a certain quality about her that just seemed to mold with Ben pleasantly. He watched her now and noted the crumbs along her bottom lip to the corner of her mouth, the usual weight on his shoulders suddenly inexistent.

"You know," Evia piped up as she finished the last bit of her food, "I have to go soon to meet with Master Luke for my training. I can't stay long today."

"Seems like a waste," Ben replied bitterly, looking away from her.

She held his hand against the rock and squeezed it. "Oh, come on. Your uncle is a great Jedi. I can't believe you think so little of him.."

"It isn't like he's the most powerful Force user."

"Hmm, maybe not, but I know he can unlock your potential. Everyone at the Academy knows that your ability to use the Force is incredible. You've got a knack at it."

"It isn't enough." He pulled his hand away, scowling. Bitterness and anger flowed within him, the darkness creeping up on him as thoughts of his uncle shifted into thoughts of his parents. The parents that had abandoned him. The parents who weren't strong enough in so many ways. He despised their decision to cast him off onto his uncle, running away.

"Hey! Ben!" He snapped out of his thoughts, eyes flashing to Evia's worried frown. Both of her hands were now on his as she watched his expression change to surprise. "You're starting to worry me... Lately, you've been spacing out a lot. Is there something on your mind that you want to talk about with me?"

They sat in silence for what felt like tens of minutes before he shook his head, running a hand through his thick black hair. "I didn't mean to startle you. I'm just tired."

"Is that really all?" Evia was stubborn. Her persistence knew no bounds, and he liked that about her. Among many other things, he smiled to himself. He stood up and pulled her up with him with ease.

"Don't think too much about it. It's just a rough spot for me right now. It'll be over in no time."

The crestfallen look she held filled him with disappointment in himself. He didn't intend to say these things out loud, didn't intend for her to hear them and upset her. The last thing he wanted to do to her was cause her worry or worse, resentment for his words. However, he knew Evia was always as patient as she could be with him. The support she'd shown him over the years never wavered, and he couldn't bear to let her down.

"I won't stop training, even if I do feel like it's not worthwhile. If I stop, you'll pass me up, and I can't have that."

Evia looked up and beamed at him as if she was never upset to begin with, her eyes bright and wide.

"Don't look at me like that," Ben laughed, averting his gaze. "I'll walk you back before you're late."

"Great! And... I guess you can hold my hand on our way there." She continued smiling, intertwining her small hands into his.

Warm, he thought, feeling serene. I almost forgot what warmth felt like.

He tightened his grip on hers, walking alongside her shyly.