Set

"So, this is it," Kylo said distantly. "The moment of truth."

Though their hands were still laced together, Rey and Ben were surprised to find that the connection had not broken after their visions into the possible future. They stood once again within Kylo's ship, watching the slumbering Star Destroyers that would soon become alive and threatening. They held onto the warmth of each other's hands until the silence demanded to be broken.

"You used me." Rey said, feeling the consequence of injecting her words with so much venom. The taste was bitter on her tongue.

"To be fair, I believe we used one another. And I did warn you not to trust me."

Rey felt stupid and alone and betrayed. Most of all, she felt treacherous herself. A dark feeling began invading her.

"Leia, your mother, just died!" she exclaimed, with the passion of betrayal burning in her breath.

"Which is why there is no better time to strike." Kylo rumbled. "You brought this upon yourselves. You sent her out on a rusty ship to carry out an impossible mission. Your people are responsible for this: not the First Order, not the Bedlam. Just your own damn stubbornness, lack of better judgment and continuously terrible luck." There was an edge on his voice that could match any saber. "How dare you use her against me?"

Rey refused to take his bait and strode defiantly to confront him. "So now you will destroy everything she built, everything she stood for?" Her eyes swam with confusion. "I don't get it, Ben. You talk about letting go, but you're the one who hangs on most desperately to your anger and past."

Kylo huffed with amusement. "You think I'm doing this because of a grudge, just out of spite? That this is a hot reaction to an adverse situation? Rey, you don't get it yet, do you?" Rey was invaded by a terrible dread. "I fed you what you wanted so I could watch you turn. It's not just an impulse: it was careful, detailed planning. I used your calm to bring my chaos back into order. I twisted your feelings so that you would trust me. I fixed the game to my advantage, and with your help will soon regain complete power over the galaxy. It is inevitable. Your futile Resistance is already lost."

Something inside Rey cracked. She felt her entire reality shifting. The cold she associated with fear now just filled her with numbness. Despite the imminent danger, she could not feel the rush to flee. All she could feel was the cut of Ben's words, along with the pull to the Dark Side.

She wouldn't let it win. She wouldn't let herself fall apart. That's what he wanted, what he was aiming for. If anyone knew how to hurt her, it was him. If anyone could benefit from this pain, it was him. Rey could not help but feel admiration for his methods. But for the time being, she knew she held the upper hand.

Kylo was certain that the high ground was his.

As soon as the Force connection broke, the Supreme Leader began roaring orders into his communications. The First Order fleets began preparations, and another Knight of Ren was summoned to accompany the first wave.

Meanwhile, Rey ran as fast as her body could carry her back into the Resistance's quarters, searching for Poe Dameron. A plan sprouted in her mind, and it became solid by the time she found the Admiral. They had been discovered, but not all was lost. She detailed Poe on the things she knew and explained how they could use them to their advantage. Poe believed her, and the Resistance set into motion.

All the pieces were set.