Rey climbed onto the Star Destroyer's rusty deck. The cool breeze from the ocean picked up, pulling her forward with each step. Her chest tightened; a dark presence was close by, awaiting the Jedi's arrival.
In the shadow of the Star Destroyer was a scarred, blown in opening. Above the battle torn entrance was a crudely carved message. Big block letters spelled out her name, "REY", clearly etched by a lightsaber.
Carefully, Rey stepped into the darkened ship. She let her eyes adjust to the lack of light, before going any further. Reaching out with her senses, she let the Force guide her way.
The young Jedi didn't feel like she was in immediate danger, having spent so much time scavenging vessels like this one. Patches of sunlight leaked through the corroded outer hull. The effect was eerie, though Rey would gladly accept the extra illumination over nothing.
There was a presence close by which seemed to grow heavier as Rey travelled deeper. She knew that this had to be Kylo Ren, guiding her down the correct passages.
Up ahead, a faint orange glow caught the Jedi's eye. She approached it with caution.
A molten arrow shape was burned into the wall, still hot from Kylo Ren's lightsaber.
Rey glowered at the sign. This game was getting old and she immediately ignited her sword as a result. Following the arrow into a series of tight hallways, Rey pulled her lightsaber closer.
The cool light from her blade was comforting. Bathing her skin and armguards in blue, the sword illuminated the path ahead. Still, Rey didn't sense that she was in danger—not yet anyway.
The narrow hallway ahead opened up to something that felt much larger. A whistling draft pulled at her feet, reeling the Jedi closer. Rey left the crowded hallway and stepped out to a small piece of decking—the remnants of what used to be a staircase.
Rey couldn't believe what she saw. Over the thin guard railing was a deep, cavernous drop-off. As far as the Jedi could see, the destroyer's interior had been cleared away.
Every level, massive bulkheads and individual rooms had been completely removed by salvagers and demolitions crews. A vast canyon was left inside the Star Destroyer. Rey had never seen anything quite like this before—not even on Jakku.
The bottom floor was intact and littered with debris. Large chunks of hull plating, walls, pipes, and forgotten equipment were trapped down there. The bulky pieces were randomly scattered about, creating a dimly lit labyrinth.
In the center of the maze, stood a large, flat platform. The surface looked stable and was soaked in sunlight from a hull breach above.
Rey searched the expanse, setting her hand on the loose railing. Spotting Kylo Ren in this mess was going to be difficult. After several minutes, the Jedi's gaze returned to the same spot. The illuminated platform in the middle kept drawing her eye, like a waypoint on a map.
On cue, a dark figure crept through the labyrinth and climbed onto the well-lit center. Lowering his hood, Kylo Ren revealed his location. The Dark Warrior stood in sharp contrast to the rays of light around him; a black cloud on a sunny day.
"Hmm," Rey said, deactivating her lightsaber. She looked for a safer way down, but there didn't appear to be one. There weren't stairs or turbolifts. Anything useful like that must have been salvaged for another ship.
Kylo Ren smirked. He watched the young Jedi move to the edge of the platform and jump. Dropping four stories, Rey landed gracefully on the bottom deck. For her, it was no problem at all.
Wasting little time, the Jedi made her way through the maze. Sprinting forward, Rey used acrobatics to flow past the obstacles and unstable terrain. She kept her sights trained on Kylo Ren, as much as possible.
To his credit, the Darksider held his ground. Kylo made himself a welcome target, standing in one place and admiring Rey's movements.
As the Jedi moved closer to her objective, she began to have the strangest feeling of deja vu. There was something about this Star Destroyer… something that Rey found familiar. It was difficult to explain.
The young woman shook away the feeling as she approached the central platform. All of her focus needed to be here, on the Dark Knight. Reaching for her lightsaber, Rey ignited her sword again.
Using considerable care, the Jedi stepped into the sunlight. Kylo Ren would not catch her off guard.
Kylo Ren inhaled in triumph, choosing to keep his lightsaber attached to his belt. He wanted this moment to last for as long as possible.
"Isn't this wonderful?" Kylo started, making a small gesture to the space around them. "I was hoping the ship would be here by the time you agreed to meet," he continued.
Taking a defensive form, Rey narrowed her eyes. She didn't come here to talk, especially if Kylo insisted on speaking through that awful mask.
"You lied to me, Kylo Ren," she snapped.
"About what… your friends? You knew that I wasn't going to bring them. Just like I knew that you weren't coming here to surrender," he chuckled.
Rey gritted her teeth. Nothing got on her nerves like that synthetic laugh and purr. She really despised that mask.
Angling her lightsaber forward, the Jedi closed the distance. She and Kylo Ren began to circle each other, as if picking up their fight from Starkiller. Rey stepped over a small grate near the center of the platform. Suddenly, her focus was drawn away from the dangerous Darksider. Beneath the grate was a glowing, blinking red light.
The Jedi froze; refusing to take another step. Alarmed, her eyes found Kylo Ren's lifeless visor.
"What is this?" she asked, feeling her pulse quicken.
"Don't worry. I didn't bring you here to blow us up, my padawan. The flooring is rigged with explosives—not my doing. The Republic believes they can create an artificial reef out of this rusty Star Destroyer," Kylo said, shaking his head in disapproval. "It's a lost cause spearheaded by some desperate fools—trying to change the fate of a dying planet. Actually… you'd probably like them," he explained.
Rey's expression didn't change, but she gripped her lightsaber hilt tighter.
"Come now, Rey. You must have felt it. The planet can't be saved; life will never return here. You and I will be the last living souls to step foot on this world. Soon, the Force itself will abandon the planet, leaving it a desolate rock. In a few years, no one will even remember it existed at all."
"What's your point?" she snapped.
"There's something poetic in an ending like this; reaching out, triggering an explosive." Kylo gestured at the grate under her feet. "You and I don't have to fight or compete to be the last one standing. Do you really want to end up alone, old and fading like this place? What about... two lovers dying in the sea, unable to escape their fate. Lovers lost and never seen again—yet, they would have each other forever. I wonder... if you would hold my hand as we sank?"
"You're a lunatic," Rey hissed, "and we will never be lovers."
The words stung like a jab, but Kylo Ren wasn't the only one hurt by them. Rey furrowed her brow, wishing she had phrased the response differently. She could feel his pain; and inexplicably, it struck home. Out of habit, the First Knight made a subtle gesture for his lightsaber—but he left it clipped to his belt.
"You've come here to kill me," Kylo hissed, dropping all pretenses. There was no point in denying the truth. "It's just us now. Be honest with me… and yourself."
Rey chose to remain silent, keeping her hardened edge intact. She didn't want to spar with Kylo Ren; at least not verbally anyway. The Darksider chose his words carefully. Everything he said was meant to be seductive; aimed at tearing down her defenses.
"Toss your weapon over to me, Kylo Ren," Rey ordered, finally ending the staring contest.
"The last time I checked, the Jedi didn't plan assassinations. Maybe you and I have more in common than you realize," he answered. "I shouldn't be surprised. You had no problem leaving me to die in the snow."
Rey scrunched her face. Without warning, she lunged forward—closing the distance in a blink. The First Knight had no choice but to call on his power. Using the Force, he Pushed Rey to the side.
The Jedi missed with her strike, swinging just wide of the Dark Warrior. Landing with an ungraceful thud, Rey kicked up a plume of particles.
Kylo Ren whipped around, looking at the girl. She was down, but not for long. He dropped his cloak and drew his lightsaber. Cursing under his breath, the warrior admonished himself for being so careless; so slow to react.
Scrambling to her feet, Rey was unfazed by the Force Push. Taking another defensive form, the Jedi was ready for Kylo Ren. Only she wouldn't wait for her counterpart to make the first move.
Raising his sword, Kylo Ren found himself on the defensive. Rey's combination of parries were a fluid blur. A lightsaber in her hands was deadly and hypnotic. Crimson and blue bursts of light collided until finally, the blades were locked in a stalemate.
"You're fast. Maybe the quickest I've ever seen," Kylo Ren said, eagerly complementing the Jedi. He used his free hand to control her wrist. "Ever."
Rey gritted her teeth in response. Using her boot for leverage, Rey aimed to end the stalemate. With a kick she pushed off his torso, freeing her blade.
Kylo Ren stumbled backward and clutched his sore ribs.
"Maybe you should have stayed at the Academy," Rey spat, circling her nemesis again.
"You're overconfidence is going to cost you a limb one day, my padawan," Kylo warned. "Or possibly some third degree burns. And I'd hate to see that," he purred.
Raising his hand, Kylo decided that it was time to show Rey the power of the Dark Side. With a flash, emerald lightning erupted from his fingertips.
Rey leaned back, barely raising her lightsaber in time to catch the deadly bolt. Fortunately, Luke Skywalker had warned her of this possibility. Rey was prepared, but only just. Kylo Ren's lightning was much more intense than she expected. Her knuckles started to burn from the searing heat.
Stepping closer he increased the flow of electricity, concentrating it. Emerald arches bounced from Rey's saber, shooting in random directions. A few of them nearly clipped her thigh. The Jedi wasn't sure how she was going to get out of this.
A wayward current jumped towards the grates by their feet. It barely missed the shape charges inside, spreading out across the cover.
"Kriff," Kylo cursed, turning away and terminating the Force Lightning from his end.
Both Knights looked at each other, taking a moment to catch their breath.
"I know," Kylo said, shutting his eyes. The Darksider wouldn't be that wreckless again—not in this environment.
Rey pressed her lips together but didn't say anything. Her eyebrow arched ever so slightly.
"Very well, Jedi," Kylo Ren sighed, twirling his lightsaber. "Hold nothing back," he continued with an arrogant wave.
The Knights traded blows; moving more like dancers in the night, than mortal enemies. Flashes of red and blue collided at an unyielding pace. The pair carved out a path for themselves, navigating the debris on instinct.
Kylo Ren was a powerful and well-practiced swordsman. His strikes had a weight. Anyone who challenged his lightsaber found this out the hard way. In contrast, Rey's reflexes and speed were able to counter his parries.
Fighting Rey was an honor; they were so well matched. It was also frustrating as hell. The Knights lost track of time and without realizing it, the pair had taken the battle into the dangerous maze.
In the labyrinth, Rey used her size as an advantage. She ducked in and out of tunnels and tight spaces, using the environment for defense. Kylo Ren swung wildly, catching nothing but air or scrap metal. Sparks flew with every swing.
Growing frustrated, the Darksider countered Rey's next ambush with his Force Grip.
"No!" Rey yelped, as her body lifted high above the maze. Her neck tightened, but only slightly. He wasn't looking to strangle Rey; he wouldn't. She kicked and fought with every muscle in her body, trying to break free.
Kylo angled his lightsaber back, poised to throw the blade at her. The First Knight paused, taking in Rey's features. He was unable to pull the trigger.
Refusing to panic, Rey reached out with the Force. She grabbed the closest metal crate and sent it flying through the air—right at Kylo Ren's head.
Ducking too late, the crate clipped Kylo Ren's mask; breaking his sunken visor.
Rey fell to her feet and tumbled forward. She shook off the fall, keeping her lightsaber in hand.
Stunned, Kylo released the latches on his mask and tossed it to the side. Angered, he marched toward Rey, allowing the Jedi to see his face for the first time in a year.
The scar separating his elongated, handsome features made the Knight look older and dangerous. Rey would never admit it, but it suited the Darksider well.
"You know... I always wondered how I got this scar? I guess you wanted the entire galaxy to know that I was yours," he sneered, gesturing to the mark across his face.
With a spin and twirl of his lightsaber, he brought the crossguard down.
Rey blocked and countered his strikes, ending up on her heels.
Kylo's attacks were growing more ferocious with each combination. Rey managed to keep her head, relying on her many months of training. Speed and precision were her ally now.
After an hour of sparring, neither Knight refused to give in. They were a sweaty mess and their armguards were reduced to tatters. Rey was tiring and realized (almost too late) that Kylo Ren was trying to back her into a corner.
Leaping to a nearby set of large pipes, she hopped between several walls of metal scrap—which were stacked into columns. The Jedi ducked and used the high ground to rest. Kylo Ren stayed below, pacing between the platforms and trying to figure out which one that Rey was hiding on.
Finally, he caught a glimpse of the Jedi's elbow.
Impatient as ever, Kylo Ren ran forward, looking to cut the column down. He came in close enough to start hacking away at the scraps, but he lost sight of Rey in doing so. The Jedi sensed an opportunity and pounced. She flipped down, getting the jump on the Darksider. Realizing his mistake, Kylo spun around—Rey managed to catch him with a glancing blow.
Rey pierced his left shoulder—nearly identical to the wound she gave him on Starkiller.
Kylo roared in pain, shoving the Jedi away with a Force Push. He shook in anger, overcome with emotions.
"The exact same spot!" Kylo yelled. His voice echoed in the cavernous hull. The star destroyer emitted a low rumble. The Dark Side surged in Kylo Ren's veins, empowered by a mixture of anger and pain.
Suddenly, large chunks of debris lifted in the air. Crushing pieces of metal went flying in all directions, as Kylo Ren cursed loudly.
Rey's eyes widened. Still on the ground, she rolled out of the way before something big hit her. Fortunately, the Darksider's outburst seemed to send everything far off in the distance.
"This stupid scar and mask. This rusty setting… all of it for you!" Kylo Ren snarled.
Rey remained prone, almost afraid to move. Was he going to start hurling pieces of the ship's hull next?
Turning away from the Jedi, Kylo Ren took his frustrations out on the precarious objects near him. Using the Force, he hurled a large shipping container away from the area. Rey watched stunned, unsure whether to stay back or rush in and engage.
"What's the matter with you, Ben Solo? You're acting like a child," Rey spoke, using their Force Bond.
"I hate looking weak in front of you... and I swear if you call me that again!"
He marched her way. There was something darker in the man's eyes. It made Rey get back to her feet and steady her lightsaber stance. Kylo arrogantly swung his saber into a smaller container as he stormed past.
The tank split and began to hiss. Focused on Rey, the Dark Warrior didn't notice. Right as he was about to re engage, the container burst. Pressurized acid went everywhere.
Without his mask, Kylo dove for cover. He barely made it behind a hollowed out shipping container. Thankfully, this was one he hadn't already chucked across the destroyer. The acid would have left severe burns and he vainly wanted to protect what was left of his face.
"Where was Rey?" he thought. Suddenly Kylo feared the worst. How could he have been so foolish—placing her in jeopardy like that? Peeking around the corner, he found the Jedi in the same spot. A blue forcefield was around Rey, protecting her from the corrosive downpour.
Smiling widely, Kylo Ren called out to her, "That's a very old, Jedi trick." He was impressed.
Rey knelt and concentrated on her breathing. The Force did its part, shielding her from the rest of the corrosive liquid.
"They were going to let that container and all this junk go into the bottom of the ocean?" she yelled back at him.
"So it appears," Kylo answered, turning to leave the area. The acidic streams were beginning to die down, but that didn't matter. He wouldn't risk fighting here; he wouldn't jeopardize Rey like that again.
The Jedi wondered where Kylo Ren was going. She lowered the energy field and pursued the Dark Warrior, keeping to the tops of the maze as she went. Landing on top of a small column, Rey had successfully maneuvered in front of him.
"What are we doing here?" Rey finally asked, glaring down at him.
Kylo Ren was quiet for a moment. Then, without warning, he threw his lightsaber at the towering bulkhead. The crossguard spun wickedly, cutting the reinforced metal into two pieces.
Rey was forced to jump down to his level.
The lumbering bulkhead came crashing down, landing between the Knights and acting as a 5-foot-tall barrier. Dust flew everywhere. Kylo Ren and Rey stood their ground, letting the dust settle.
"I knew you were gonna do that," she snapped at him.
"You are here because it's time to complete your training and learn the Dark Side. Then together, we will claim what is rightfully ours," Kylo stated simply. He took a step closer to Rey, as she raised her lightsaber to stop him.
"Or rather, you will take what is yours," he added cryptically.
"I don't want anything to do with you or the Dark Side. You must know that by now, Kylo Ren," Rey answered.
"You have more in common with the Dark Side than you think, Rey," he barked, feeling his anger slowly rising again.
Rey scoffed.
"Why are you so dedicated to the Jedi Order? You are much more than a Jedi, Rey," Kylo stated, deciding on a different tactic. He switched his lightsaber off and closed his eyes.
"Strike me down and you'll discover how much we truly share."
The opportunity was awfully tempting, but this was what the Dark Side wanted. The Dark Side tried to whisper to Rey to finish Kylo Ren on Starkiller. If she had…
"How would a monster like you understand who I am? You turned away from the Light and killed the Jedi without remorse—Jedi that trusted you."
She had so much contempt for Kylo Ren, it was spilling like venom from her lips.
"I'm not the monster you think I am, Rey. And maybe I understand now," he said coolly.
Kylo Ren approached slowly, inviting her to strike. He leapt over the column which separated the pair. Rey inched back with her guard up, coiled like a snake.
"You feel a connection to Obi Wan Kenobi; a man you've only read about. He's an absentee ghost from a crumbling Jedi Order. Another Master that broke his vow in a moment of weakness. A coward and hypocrite, who stood by while his child and grandchild were used as pawns. All because he was afraid to step into the Light."
The darkened gaze of Kylo Ren trapt Rey's sparkling eyes. The Jedi felt a lump growing in her throat. It didn't help matters that the Darksider was just a feet away.
"You can be so much more, Rey. The Force is strong in my family. Its strong in yours, too."
Kylo Ren was much to close. Rey blinked rapidly and sent him back with a Force Push. Caught off guard, the Darksider smacked into a hanging girder. He managed to land on his knuckles and toes, sparing himself from a broken jaw or neck.
Rey sprang forward, seeking to incapacitate Kylo Ren—once and for all.
He'd stand trial for his crimes, she convinced herself. That was the proper course. Rey wouldn't let him cheat justice with a swift death. Drawing back, the Jedi aimed for his thigh. She'd cripple Kylo Ren, but at least he'd be alive.
The First Knight reached out and used the Force to hold the Jedi in place. The pair struggled in a stalemate, the Force against a lightsaber.
"You're a princess, Rey. This ship… this star destroyer, was the tower you were trapped in," he gritted out.
Rey hovered over Kylo Ren. Locked in the struggle, she pushed down with all of her strength.
"I saved you from this place," Kylo continued, feeling the heat against his thigh. "I swore to protect you no matter what. I saved you again… that night, at the Jedi Temple."
"No," Rey stammered, refusing to believe a word. Her lightsaber vibrated from side to side. The Bond between the Knights shook violently and the Jedi wasn't sure what that was suppose to mean. Had he saved her life in the past.
"You're Palpatine's granddaughter. Rey... you're the heir to the Empire," he shouted, hoping to get through to her at last.
Rey's eyes widened and her focus wavered. He had to be lying.
Kylo Ren used the opportunity to roll backward. In a seamless motion, he drew his lightsaber and slashed across her thigh.
Rey suppressed a bloodcurdling scream. Stumbling back, she raised her lightsaber in defense. The wound was deep but she could repair it if she made it to her transport. Biting down, the Jedi did everything to get her focus back. It was tougher than she thought; her vision was already starting to blur from the pain.
Without her speed advantage, Rey had no hope of capturing Kylo Ren.
"I promise, your majesty, I will never harm you again. You're too valuable to me; more valuable than you can possibly understand," Kylo stated anxiously.
"There is no Empire—it was defeated!" Rey struggled with her footing.
"Rey… the First Order rose from the ashes of the Empire. Snoke has no true claim to it. You, alone, have the only right to rule. Don't you realize what this means?" Kylo asked.
He sounded desperate and unhinged, but Rey didn't sense any deception here. Rey froze, standing on one leg.
It couldn't be true, she thought. Rey was the descendant of a great Jedi; the Force had led her to this revelation. He must be lying… he must, she tried to tell herself. This was Kylo Ren.
"I don't believe you. I know what my name is," she said softly.
Rey's mind was racing. Kylo Ren slowly approached again, doing his best to appear non-threatening.
"Kenobi is just a last name, Rey. You can rule the galaxy, like Emperor Palpatine. You can bring balance to the Force... with me at your side. It is your destiny to end this conflict, I've already seen it. You showed it to me, years ago." Kylo Ren swore, standing close enough to the girl to whisper in his ear.
Rey was confused and didn't know where to look. Kylo Ren reached for her hand; his long fingers brushed the inside of her palm.
She wanted to jerk her hand away or stab him with the lightsaber—but instead she froze. Everything he had told her… was too fantastic to be true. And his gentleness was so out of character.
Kylo Ren leaned in close. Rey felt his warm breath on her neck and she shuttered. The First Knight was much too close.
"You killed your father, all the Jedi..." she said, weakly protesting. The pain in her thigh had gone away. Was this the Bond, pushing them together?
Rey lost herself in those dark eyes, ignoring the quiet excuses that tumbled from her lips. Kylo Ren slowly reached down and deactivated her lightsaber. His body pressed into hers, pulling the Jedi against him.
He wasn't looking for permission. This felt so right. Slowly, Kylo Ren leaned in to kiss his love. His tongue ran over his bottom lip, hungry to know her taste.
Rey closed her eyes and inhaled expectantly. She felt the soft graze of his lips, causing hers to part slightly. She could feel his warmth—their connection simmered. Her bottom lip nestled gently between his.
If she had waited a heartbeat longer, she would have lost everything in that kiss.
Instead, Rey shoved the cold metallic hilt of her lightsaber against his neck.
He would recognize the shape and temperature of the metal anywhere. Kylo Ren's eyes shot open, filled with confusion. What the hell had gone wrong?
Rey didn't take her eyes off his, keeping the lightsaber firmly in place. Her bottom lip trembled; inches from his mouth. She thought about what she was going to say, but worried that she couldn't find her voice.
Kylo's mind was a blur. He had been denied after all this time. There was hurt and anger in his gaze.
She could end his life in any moment. With just the flick of the ignition, Kylo Ren would be eliminated. Rey could do it; her thumb was right there.
"It's okay," he breathed, shutting his eyes.
That was the last thing she expected to hear. Rey's pulse raced, but his heartbeat was steady. The Jedi was caught between following her own desire and doing what was right.
Kylo Ren sighed happily; he was still holding Rey in an intimate embrace. She didn't push him away or scream in his face for doing so, either. The Jedi held a lightsaber hilt against his neck, digging it firmly against his jugular. Rey should end his life there; at least he would die happy.
