Rey stood on the rooftop, dangerously close to the edge, enjoying her last peaceful moment before Kylo Ren caught up with her; he was bound to turn up any moment now.
To pass the time, Rey immersed herself in watching stars.
God, how she'd missed them, the stars. Just the sight of the sky breathed new life into her lungs, made her feel alive again, a sensation she had been deprived of in her dark cell.
But the wonderful, fleeting freedom Rey held could only last a moment; soon, it would be gone, stolen by Kylo Ren the moment he stepped into her world again.
And she already heard his steps approaching; he was coming for her. Not that it was a surprise, but… did it have to be so soon?
The opening and closing of doors told Rey it was showtime. Slowly, resentfully, Rey turned to face Ben. He stood in the shadows, waiting for her. She could taste his rage on her lips.
Rey inhaled the wind, held it in her lungs for a few seconds, and then spoke.
"So you're here."
Steps were heard from the shadows, followed by his deep, cold voice.
"Yes, I am. And I take it you know why?"
Rey scoffed sarcastically. "It's kind of hard to forget I just escaped from under your nose."
Kylo Ren smiled darkly at this, and took a few steps closer. Rey stood her ground, dangerously close to the edge.
He didn't stop walking until he was directly in front of Rey. Why Ben insisted on standing so close, Rey had no idea. Maybe to annoy her.
If so, he succeeded brilliantly.
"You ready?" Ben asked, clutching his hand to his gun. He had no lightsaber— it was currently in Rey's hands.
Rey nodded, holding up her weapon in battle position. She closed her eyes and breathed in the wind one last time.
And then the lightsaber ignited, flooding all of the sky in a hateful red.
Rey looked up, and the stars had turned into blood; her dreams of freedom, too.
And it hurt.
Rey looked into Kylo Ren's eyes, and found crimson there as well. She wondered, what color would he find in her eyes?
Probably just black. Rey felt more like a shadow than anything else.
She closed her eyes, gripped her saber tighter in her hands.
Ben leaned in close and whispered silent words to her, asking if she was ready to fight.
Rey nodded in consent, blood coursing through her body.
He drew his weapon, she drew hers.
And so they rushed at each other, like the beasts they were.
Into the red horizon and stars of blood.