The offering and prayer went smoothly; Oola deemed the Gods satisfied from her position in the lowered altar of Janus, a small temple located atop Jakku's north wall. It overlooked the field outside of Jakku where the army was neatly organized in different battalions of chariots, footmen, and archers. King Solo called an end to the ceremony from his throne on the high dais overlooking the temple. The Royal family sat beside him, radiant and poised. Kylo rose from his position next to his father and started saying his farewells to each family member.

Rey stood beside Poe and Finn, in a lower section of the dais and observed the royal family as they made their goodbyes. She watched Kylo affectionately pat Jova's head before he planted a kiss there. Jova smiled up at him, looking so much like the icy queen with his shoulder length blonde hair and large blue eyes. He gave Kylo something small which the prince tucked into his pocket.

Kylo then turned to a large man with a long brown beard and thick brown hair to match. Chewbacca, Rey realized, based on his size. It was obvious that he was much taller than Kylo when the two men embraced, patting each other on the back. They pulled away and Kylo said something that made Chewbacca rear his head back and roar with laughter so loudly it echoed through the temple. Chewbacca's dark chocolate eyes crinkled and watered as he quickly embraced Kylo once more before letting him go.

Then, Kylo turned to another unfamiliar man. This one had dark eyes like Kylo but his hair was brown, not black, and cropped much shorter. He had a goatee, tan skin, and was more than half a foot shorter than Kylo. "Who is that?" Rey asked. Unlike the rest of the royal family, this man wore all fitted clothing made of leather.

"That's Prince Cassian, King Solo's fourth son. He rules a city a week's ride from here on behalf of his father, and is only here to see Kylo off," Poe explained. "His mother is not of noble birth like Kylo's and Prince Chewbacca's, but she became a concubine to the king and conceived."

"How many princes are there?" Rey had counted four so far but if this Prince lived elsewhere, maybe there were others spread around Rim.

"Five," Poe answered immediately. "Prince Del is away now, but he is the third son. He rules another big city, Naboo. Del's mother was a handmaiden so she wasn't allowed to raise Del, and ended up passing away when he was very young. Queen Leia took him in as her son as well. He is Kylo's closest brother. He would be here too if Naboo wasn't so far away."

"She wasn't allowed to raise her own son? Why?" Rey was incredulous.

"Rank," Finn responded simply. "Del's mother was never made a concubine, so she wasn't allowed in the King's Palace after Del was born. It's horrible, I know, but that's the way of things here. At least Cassian's mother was a concubine, but both princes are mostly overlooked as potential crown princes because of their mothers' ranks. Chewie, Kylo, and Jova were conceived by queens so they are more seriously considered for the position of king."

"Finn, we should probably get ready to go," Poe interjected and gestured towards Kylo, who was finishing a serious exchange with his father as the two men shook hands. "Prince Kylo is almost done saying goodbye."

Finn nodded. "You're right. Rey, you stay here for now while we make the final preparations." She was momentarily nervous; the thought of standing alone on the dais was daunting. Then she squared her shoulders, raised her chin an inch, and nodded. They each gave her a smile before they strode down the nearby steps that led down to the field and front of the army. Rey felt nervous but she could not let her nerves show, especially if she was meant to accompany the prince to battle.

She turned her attention back to Kylo who had finished saying goodbye to his father and was now making his way to his sister. He descended gracefully, a long black cape flowing from his broad shoulders. His raven hair shone under the sun and a grin broke across his face when he reached Oola. Rey watched the tenderness in his eyes as he said goodbye and how sweetly Oola rose to the balls of her feet, put a hand on either side of Kylo's face, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Oola was close to five feet tall so Kylo had to bend down substantially for her to reach his face, but it seemed to be an action he was very used to doing.

Oola whispered something into Kylo's ear and he listened to her in shock before both of them broke out in huge grins. He nodded at Oola excitedly and then they both turned to face Rey with bright smiles. She felt herself turn red before waving back. Oola seemed to be looking right at her, despite not being able to truly see her. Kylo beckoned Rey to come join them, so Rey walked carefully down and over towards where they stood; his smile was blinding and his eyes bright with excitement. A few people were already shuffling out of the small temple so Rey weaved through them before she got to Kylo and Oola.

"Rey, this is my sister Oola, the first priestess of Jakku. Oola, this is Rey." Kylo nodded reassuringly at Rey as Oola crept forward slowly and raised her hands to Rey's face. Rey just stood as still as possible while Oola touched her face lightly with the tips of her fingers and then with the palms of her hands. Rey relaxed under her soft touch.

"Hi." Rey said bashfully, making both Oola and Kylo laugh. The prince's laugh was a deep rumble while his sister's sounded like musical chimes shifting in the wind.

Oola kept her hands on Rey's face as she said, "It is wonderful to meet you, Rey. I've heard so much about you. Welcome to Jakku! I hope you are finding it to your liking. Oh my, she is radiant Kylo, just as you said. The people will love her, you'll see in no time!" Her voice was enchanting and her smile breathtaking. Kylo nodded in agreement and Rey blushed a deep crimson. "Yes, glowing like the sun. A Rey of light." Oola said and then threw her head back as she laughed. Rey found it endearing and comforting to the point where she giggled too. Oola seemed to ooze with confidence and some of it transferred to Rey.

"No one has ever called me that before actually," Rey said, grinning at Oola. "That's pretty clever."

"That's hard to believe; you shine like the sun, Rey. I can feel the light radiating off of you and it's blinding." She chortled again at her own joke. Kylo chuckled and Rey knew then it was okay to laugh too; Oola was clearly completely comfortable with her blindness.

"Regardless, I'm sure that it is going to be a very popular saying throughout Jakku in no time," Kylo said, smiling down at Rey and then he took her hand gently. She didn't understand what he meant by that, but she had not time to ponder it as he continued, "It's time we were off, Rey…" He gave her a look and her heart sped up. "Do you trust me?"

She looked up at Kylo with her head tilted down slightly so she was peeking through her eyelashes, and searched his eyes. He too seemed to have some fire blazing deep inside him that he kept locked up tight. She saw that he was determined. He was right on the edge and he was asking her if she was willing to leap with him. She nodded, unwilling to break eye contact, and felt the heat sizzle between them, the determination in each of them sparkling.

His eyes shone and the edge of his lips curled upward. "Good. I need you to trust me if we are going to pull this off."

Rey looked perplexedly between Kylo and Oola, "...Pull what off?" Kylo smirked at her before he turned on his heel and walked to the edge of the temple. He easily and lithely hopped over the edge onto a lower platform that still overlooked the army. The jump was roughly fifteen feet but Kylo landed gracefully. Oola grabbed Rey's hand and squeezed it gently before leading her over to where Kylo had jumped from. Rey gave Oola an exasperated look before she stared down at Kylo, waiting for him to do whatever he had planned.

Kylo raised his palms out to the army, quickly grabbing their attention. "Troopers! We are the storm!" His voice boomed deep and crystal clear across the field, undoubtedly reaching the ears of every soldier.

The army stomped in unison twice, causing a rippling echo off the walls of Jakku. "WE ARE THE STORM!"

"To Hays Minor we go! The Gods have given us their favor and will guide us to victory!"

Two stomps. "WE ARE THE STORM!"

Kylo nodded satisfied and then turned to look up at Rey and Oola, eyes ablaze. Rey's expression of confusion and curiosity quickly turned into one of shock and nervousness. What does he have planned?

Oola squeezed her hand reassuringly and turned to her with a small smile. "Remember: there is power in a kiss, Rey." Rey was taken aback, what was that supposed to mean? But she then thought of her and Kylo's first kiss and how different it had been from her kiss with Evaan. With Kylo, it was hot and deep, and carried a charged energy that could only be described as magic. Then she remembered; Kylo's kiss had granted her the ability to speak and understand the Rimmian language.

Her heart stopped. The queen had kissed her as well, even going so far as biting her lip and tasting her blood. What magic had passed between them then? Had the queen taken something from her with that kiss? Rey certainly hoped that was not the case and nodded at Oola in understanding, taking the advice, or warning, very seriously.

"Rey, come." Kylo's voice cut right through Rey's train of thought and shot down her spine. His arms were outstretched, beckoning her to leap down. I must trust him. I must show him I trust him if he is going to trust me too… She let go of Oola's hand with a soft smile and then took a deep breath before jumping down into Kylo's arms. He caught her, cushioning her fall just the right amount for it to be a soft and gentle landing. His embrace was very warm and she could feel just how strong he was from being pressed against his chest. This was obvious; he had caught her with ease and held her a foot above ground as if she were a small child.

"Prince Kylo!" It was Ventress's icy voice that rang out. "Surely you do not intend to bring a woman to the battlefield?" On the surface Ventress appeared appalled but Rey and Kylo knew better; they saw the glint of treachery in her eyes- she was challenging him in front of all to see.

But Kylo just smirked at the queen, amusement and confidence dancing in his eyes. Then he easily lifted Rey onto his shoulder and turned to the army again. She yelped in surprise and Kylo chuckled, truly enjoying himself and eager to have Rey at his side on the battlefield.

"Troopers! This is the girl who recently emerged from a spring of Jakku, the day Niima's sun shone brightest! Niima, the goddess of war!" Kylo paused and Rey shifted her gaze from the expansive army to Kylo, who was taking a moment to send her a quick reassuring smile."She is here to give the people of Rim Niima's blessing! As long as she is on our side, our victory is secure!"

Two stomps echoed. "WE ARE THE STORM!" The troopers continued to stomp in unison and Kylo chuckled, pleased with the army's enthusiasm. Then what started as one trooper calling out "Niima!" spread through the field, becoming a chant across the entire legion. The queen fumed and quickly strode out of the temple accompanied by her train of attendants.

Rey watched from atop Kylo's shoulder, awestruck as hundreds of soldiers chanted her name. The sound reverberated between the enormous army and Jakku's thick walls. Rey knew it was only a coincidence that her last name was shared with that of the war goddess here in Kylo's world. It seemed like an unlikely coincidence but Rey was just a girl in high school, not a representation of a goddess. Still, she had to admit that this plan was genius, essentially granting her permission to join Kylo in battle despite being a woman.

Kylo gave her an almost sheepish grin, which Rey was not used to seeing on his face. "It was Oola's idea," he said. "She's a clever girl."

Rey nodded and Oola's clear voice played again in her head- there is power in a kiss. Rey's eyes flickered to Kylo's lips before she could stop herself, and she shivered upon looking back into his eyes which had grown much darker. Rey shifted slightly to get a better angle before placing a hand on his cheek and planting a chaste kiss on his lips.

She felt the same electric heat spark through them and wanted more, feeling invigorated by their kiss. The fiery energy between them was crackling. She needed more.

Rey squirmed on Kylo's shoulder, trying to lower herself carefully when he took over, easily turning her to face him again while setting her on her feet. She kissed him again, lips parting slightly, and he took the opportunity to run his tongue over her bottom lip. Heat pooled deep in her belly. She stood on the balls of her feet and yet Kylo still had to lean down to kiss her back.

The army chanted her name louder and louder, and she pulled back grinning. Her cheeks splattered with golden freckles had turned a lovely shade of red. Rey noticed Kylo's ears had turned pink as well and her eyes crinkled even more at the sight of that.

Kylo pressed the tips of his fingers to Rey's lips then raised them to the army, who cheered even louder, bringing Rey's attention back to the field. She pressed her own fingers to her lips and raised her hand as well, mirroring Kylo. She was sharing her kiss with the army and they reached out to receive her blessing.

After a minute of holding out their palms to the soldiers, Kylo took Rey's hand and led her down to the front of Jakku's royal army so they could begin their journey to Hays Minor.