"Is it done?" a sharp voice hissed across the HoloNet as a transparent blue form became clear on the speaker's end.
"There were complications," the flickering figure responded.
"Complications?"
"The Supreme Leader has...compassion for her. He does not wish to see her executed. He claims to have other plans."
"Other plans?"
"He intends to keep the Jedi on Naboo," the holo clarified.
"She's a traitor. She is responsible for the death of the Supreme Leader," grumbled the first.
"There's more," the cloaked figure communicated across the HoloNet.
"Go on."
"He will not permit her to be bound. The suppressant cuffs were part of our initial plan. Without them, her Force abilities will be intact and it will be nearly impossible to take her out," the faceless specter responded.
"Ren was always too weak to do what was necessary," the second man growled, his leather-clad hands balling into fists at his side. "Find another way. I want it done."
"But-."
"Find another way, or consider our agreement null and void."
"As you decree, General Hux," the hooded figure replied dutifully. "All hail the First Order."
Kylo Ren paced his chambers, his mind too restless for sleep. There was a disturbance in the Force, an uncomfortable scraping at the back of his mind, but he couldn't identify the cause. Hard as he tried, he was unable to pinpoint where the irritating sensation had originated. Though his first impulse had been to check on Rey, he was acutely aware of how his presence affected her.
If Kylo suspected he'd seen the worst of her temper in the past, he was wrong. When he'd arrived to escort her off the Elstree, Rey had thrown a lamp at him. Instinctively, he dodged it. It was in that moment he realized the projectile was a distraction. Kylo caught her around the waist the second she attempted to escape. She'd forced his hand and he'd removed the legacy lightsaber from her possession. She'd still not forgiven him for that, but he was too exhausted to argue with her. It was getting him nowhere.
As the moons rose from the horizon line, he stood at his balcony doors, overlooking the famed Royal Gardens. The expansive courtyard was gated, well-maintained solely for his use and the use of anyone he authorized access for. He'd only been inside once since he made the palace his home.
During his stroll, he'd come across a fountain with a statue of his grandmother. The image of Padme Amidala — still considered one of the greatest rulers in the galaxy — unnerved him. The formidable woman had defied the odds, ruling as one of the youngest monarchs the planet ever had and would not be bullied by far larger, far superior organizations. She'd risked her own life on numerous occasions, convinced her ideals were worth dying for.
Had he ever lived with that much integrity, with that much passion?
Even cast in stone, her eyes were filled with hope and light, so much like Rey. He'd briefly wondered what the two would think of one another if they were able to meet. While he was sure his grandmother would be disappointed in how he'd come to power, he was also certain she'd take an instant liking to Rey.
Of course, it seemed most took a liking to the last Jedi. Before her interception of the Resistance on Crait, the supporters of his opposition were dwindling. However, once news of her defiance was known, things changed. His troops were refused. His requests were denied. When governments began to turn away his offers, he'd been required to take more drastic measures to secure resources for the First Order.
All because of one girl.
One girl who managed to turn the galaxy on its head. One girl who managed to turn his head.
Kylo sighed, staring up at the stars as if they could provide the guidance he sought to navigate the tumultuous waters of the female mind. Han Solo had never managed the task. The cunning scoundrel was a master pilot, yet he'd never found safe passage through the minefield of his wife's heart. Kylo held very little hope he could succeed where his father had failed.
The Supreme Leader ordered the last Jedi to be placed in a room in the opposite tower, knowing she'd find comfort in the vibrant fauna below. His staff had informed him she'd been attempting to break out all day, fighting them tooth and nail. Though Snoke had insisted she'd fall, Kylo was well acquainted with Rey's tenacity. Her spirit would not be broken.
Breaking her was not his goal. It had been Snoke's short-sightedness which had cost him his life. Unable to understand the conditions of the human heart, Kylo's former master was detached from the strength of their connection. He'd underestimated how deep their bond went.
Kylo would not make the same mistake.
If Rey was to join him, it needed to be of her own volition. He needed to determine how to ensure that happened and that was the problem.
Rey had come from nothing. She wanted for everything. When he'd laid the galaxy at her feet, he'd expected her to be awed or at the very least appreciative, but she was repulsed by the gesture. Seeing the tears in her eyes had broken what was left of his tattered heart. How he had misinterpreted the signs, he would never know.
But he had a second chance.
He could right the course.
If only he could determine where he went wrong.
The child's words echoed in his mind. Apparently, Rey's teachings went beyond theory and skills training. The boy — Temiri, she'd called him — shared her quick-to-anger personality, as well as her fierce loyalty. Kylo began to question his judgment in ordering the child be brought along.
Who would watch Temiri while he pled his case to the last Jedi? The Knights had already shown they were incapable of handling a child. His lips pursed as he recalled how vicious Rey became upon seeing the boy be brought forth.
Kylo recognized the overwhelming fear in her eyes because it was the same pain he'd experienced on the Supremacy when Snoke had her in his clutches. The only difference was that this time the pain was caused by him.
He was a monster, just as the child had said.
His head hung in defeat. Each time he attempted to gain ground with Rey, she propelled him back. The harder he pushed, the more determined she was to push back. She met him Force for Force, going toe to toe with him as if he wasn't a full head taller than her or an entire decade wiser. How could he hope to make her see?
Straightening up, he spotted the towering hedges at the far end of the garden. The labyrinth maze had been created as a form of entertainment for the royal family. It hadn't been used in decades, parts overgrown and others closed off completely. A clear route to the exit was not visible even from his perch several stories above.
He'd never been inside but he had read the royals once held competitions of wit by leveraging the maze. In the times of the Old Republic, some of the families had chosen suitors for the eldest in their family line by making the candidates run the maze.
Kylo smirked, an idea forming in his head.
Rey woke to the sound of someone rustling about in her room. Bleary-eyed and tense from the night spent in an unknown place, her mood was unpleasant. When her eyes met the petite form of an Iakaru moving about, Rey's first instinct was to reach for her saber.
Her frustration grew when she remembered it had been removed from her possession. Kylo insisted there was no need for her to have it, claiming there was nothing for her to fear while she was under his care.
Yeah, right, she thought bitterly.
"Excuse me?" She shifted where she sat in bed in an attempt to get a better view of her visitor.
The stout figure turned, glanced at her, then resumed her work, muttering, "Oh, it's you."
Rey's eyebrow furrowed in confusion. What in R'iia did that mean?
"Excuse me." The female Iakaru gave no indication she'd heard Rey. She was humming to herself as she began laying out garments on the dresser. "Excuse," Rey continued. "I arrived with a boy, about ten standard years old. Do you know where he was taken? I need to see him."
The woman didn't respond. Rey sighed and tried again.
"Do you know when I might be able to speak with Ben?"
"You would do well to remember to call him Supreme Leader Ren," the small woman huffed.
"I'm not the one who needs to remember his true name," Rey replied agitatedly. "He was born Ben Solo."
The woman made a sound of surprise before facing her, "And who might you be?"
"I'm Rey."
"That's what I thought," the woman sighed.
Rey climbed out of bed, walking over to the Iakaru. "Can I...can I help you with something?" she asked.
For the first time since they'd begun to have a conversation, though it was mostly one-sided, the woman's orange eyes connected with hers.
"You ask a lot of questions, Madame Jedi," she replied, but her cold exterior was melting away.
"Rey," she corrected. "It's just Rey."
"I'm Aubani," the Iakaru replied.
"Nice to meet you, Aubani," Rey smiled. There was a pause before she queried the servant. "Does Be- Supreme Leader Ren treat you well?"
The Iakaru nodded. "He has high standards, but he is a fair man. He doesn't strike us if we fail to complete a task. In fact, in all the time I've been here, I have never seen the Supreme Leader inflict any form of physical punishment upon one of his staff. I can't say the same of my former masters. Can you?"
"No," Rey admitted softly. Plutt had never been fair and he liked to cause pain; thought it made his underlings fear him.
"Hmmm." The petite sentient stared at her and Rey couldn't help but think of Maz Kanata crawling across the table on Takodana to assess Finn. That day felt like a lifetime ago.
The day she'd met Ben.
Rey shook the thought from her mind. It was Supreme Leader Ren now.
The Iakaru must have found what she searched for in Rey's face because she nodded and announced, "Let's get you ready."
"Ready? Ready for what?"
"The trials," the woman informed her flippantly.
"What trials?"
"The Thirteenth Hour, a Nabooian trial of wit. It's tradition, though in your case there is the added element of combat with the Knights of Ren."
Rey felt her body stiffen. Trial by combat was a concept she was familiar with, having seen it evoked to settle disputes at Niima Outpost. It often ended in one or both parties dying, in which case Plutt had come out the true victor.
She swallowed, a vain attempt to sooth the sudden dryness of her throat. Even though she already had her suspicions, she asked, "Who raised the challenge?"
"Supreme Leader Ren."
Kylo sat at the head of a long table, a steaming mug of caf and a spotless plate set out before him. Two additional settings were positioned on either side of his, one with caf and the other with a glass of Jogan juice.
Just as he was about to consult the chrono for the fifth time, the double doors to the dining room opened and the first of his morning guests arrived.
"Come along now," Carsmica Dobcar ushered Temiri into the room.
Carsmica was a Gungan who had served in the Palace for the last few decades. An elder in her own community, she'd developed arthritis, making it difficult for her to work in the underwater city due to the chill. The former royal family had granted her a home within the Palace, but she'd insisted on working. She'd been in charge of the nursery, which made her the perfect candidate to watch over the last Jedi's student.
"Let go of me," the boy wrenched himself free of the woman's gentle hold.
Or not...
Kylo rose from his seat, meeting them at the opposite end of the table. "Carsmica is not to be treated with disrespect," he instructed Temiri. "If you're in a foul mood, you may aim your adolescent anger at me, but you will not be rude to my staff."
The boy glared at him, bold fury burning in his young eyes. "I want to see Rey."
The Supreme Leader caught Carsmica 's gaze above the child's head. Her eyes held a mixture of pity, concern, and understanding. He sighed.
"You will," he responded. "She will be with us shortly." When the boy didn't respond, he resisted the impulse to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Thank you, Carsmica," he addressed the attendant. "You are dismissed."
The Gungan bowed, exiting the way she'd come, making sure to close the doors behind her.
"Breakfast is ready," Kylo gestured for Temiri to sit by the Jogan juice. "I'm sure you're hungry."
The child followed him, taking his seat but his face remained pinched. His arms were crossed over his midsection, as he sat slouched over, a deep crease in between his eyebrows. The petulance wasn't endearing and for the first time, he questioned how taxing he'd been to his own parents.
Not wanting to follow that particular line of thought, Kylo tried to fill the growing silence while he waited for Rey to appear.
"Tell me, Temiri," he began. "What do you know of the Force?"
"Like I'd discuss it with you," the boy huffed, rolling his eyes.
While the youngling remained stubborn in the face of the Supreme Leader, Kylo hadn't failed to notice the way the boy's eyes flickered to the array of dishes set in front of them.
"The Bunn is quite good, if you'd like to try it," Kylo offered, floating the bowl over to him.
Temiri's eyes widened slightly and his arms loosed as he inspected the sticky grains. Then, as if remembering himself, he shrunk back, a scowl replacing his curiosity.
"No?" Kylo held back a chuckle. The child was remarkably like Rey, driven by his stomach, but as skittish as a wild Tauntaun. "I suppose I could eat the entire thing myself."
He maneuvered the bowl back to its former position, reaching for the ladle to pour the contents onto his plate.
Despite his act of defiance, Temiri watched each move, his interest peaked. Kylo raised his spoon theatrically, the boy's eyes trailing the slow progression of the utensil to the Supreme Leader's mouth. For the child's benefit, he made sure to slurp the contents loudly. He repeated the gesture a few times, pleased to notice how Temiri's arms uncrossed and he began to lean forward.
Next, Kylo moved onto sample some of the sliced up Dressellian prunes. The rich amethyst color of the fruit stood out amongst the porridge, cereal and toast offerings nearby. Temiri didn't appear to have a preference. Each dish held his attention equally and Kylo found himself wondering if the boy had suffered nights without a meal as Rey had. He made a mental note to check in with General Hux on the state of their galaxy reform project.
The loud creak of the double doors opened again, alerting them to the final guest's arrival.
"Rey!" The boy jumped out of his seat, breaking into a run when he saw her. The Supreme Leader followed quietly behind.
"Temiri." She sounded relieved as she knelt to receive the child's hug.
"Good morning," Kylo welcomed her, willing his face not to fall when she met him with an icy glare.
She only looked at him for a second before her attention returned to the boy. "Are you alright?" Rey asked, tucking his hair back behind his ears. "Did anyone hurt you?"
"I gave specific orders regarding his care," Kylo answered, but Rey ignored him.
The boy glanced up at him, as if confused by his reply, then gave his own answer. "No," Temiri shook his head, "but they wouldn't let me see you."
"It's alright," Rey reassured him, her hands on his shoulders. "I'm fine."
"Are you hungry? We're having breakfast," Temiri announced, his tone rather content for someone who had been so against eating only moments before.
Rey appeared to be as surprised as Kylo, her brows knitting in suspicion.
"I promise it's not poisoned," he informed her.
The last Jedi stared at him, her expression unreadable. He considered peeking into her mind through the bond, but he didn't want to chance upsetting her any further than he already had. He doubted she'd forgotten about her missing saber staff.
"I could eat," she finally admitted, allowing Temiri to lead her to the other end of the table.
Kylo easily strolled past them, moving to pull out the chair for her.
Rey gazed at him with the same indeterminable face. Then she let out an almost inaudible, "Thank you," as she took her seat. Kylo eased her in towards the table, finding Temiri already digging into the Bunn with gusto.
As he settled into his own spot, he was tempted to call the entire challenge off. For the first time since the Supremacy, he could see it — their future together. It was clearer than the Force bond vision, but it felt right. Having Rey here, seeing her at his side, his right-hand — it was enough to give him hope.
Perhaps this could be their life.
It could be just as he'd said. They'd rule together, live together...love together. If she wanted to continue training her students, there was more than enough room in the palace for all the children. He'd set up a training room for them, give her access to all the courtyards and gardens. He'd do whatever she asked of him, as long as she accepted him. Accepted them.
It was the will of the Force. They were meant to be together. He knew it. Rey knew it. She only needed to stop denying the truth.
Rey ate in silence, her mind filled with a collection of questions. The man to her left was an enigma. Everything he did contradicted his corresponding actions. He'd taken her lightsaber but rejected his knight's suggestion to place her in Force-suppressant handcuffs. He'd locked her up in a tower, but hadn't stationed any guards by her door. He'd raised an ancient challenge which risked her life but invited her to dine with him. What was he playing at?
Aubani had mentioned Kylo's compassion for his staff and she'd been surprised to see Temiri so at ease with the ruler of the galaxy when the Iakaru had delivered her to the dining room. Temiri was suspicious of everyone, a lasting impression from his formative years growing up in slavery. Yet with Kylo, he seemed comfortable.
She wondered if she was dreaming. Perhaps in a moment she'd wake up back on Yavin IV, groggy for the start of a new day.
"Want some, Rey?" Temiri asked, holding out a bowl of Bunn to her.
Eyeing the goop, she shook her head no. She opted for some Dressellian prunes and a slice of toast instead.
As she bit into the violet fruit, juice dribbled down her chin.
"Allow me." Suddenly Kylo was leaning over, dabbing at her face with a cloth napkin.
Temiri didn't appear to care about the intimate act, but Rey could barely contain her blush. "Thank you," she replied softly.
"How did you sleep?"
"I didn't," she admitted.
"Such a pity," he remarked, cutting up another prune and handing her the fresh slices one by one. "The rest would have done you a service."
"So would have my saber," Rey shot him a knowing look. "I don't appreciate having my weapon stolen."
Kylo smirked. "Now you know how I felt."
Rey opened her mouth to respond when a knock at the door cut her off. Kylo stood, eyes hard as a short man rushed into the chamber.
"What is it?" Kylo demanded, a sharp tone to his voice.
Rey's fingers wrapped around her knife, her body poised to strike at the danger she felt lurking just beyond the dining room.
"The Knights of Ren are ready for you, Supreme Leader Ren," the squirrelly man notified him.
Kylo's jaw tightened, but he didn't comment on the news. "Thank you, Mitaka. I'll be with them shortly," he informed the man.
The lieutenant gave a curt bow, then closed the doors as he backed out of the chamber.
"Shall we?" He offered his arm to her.
"Excuse me?"
"I believe Aubani made you aware of the trials," Kylo quirked a brow at her.
"You can't honestly expect me to go through with this," she scoffed.
"You're the one who called to me, Rey," he pointed out. "What would you have me do?"
When she couldn't offer him an answer, he produced her saber staff. "You'll need this."
It was the last thing he said to her before he was sweeping her and Temiri out of the dining room. As they exited, she spotted the Knights of Ren congregated at the end of the corridor. They fell into step with their master, surrounding her and her student.
Rey marched out of the palace, flanked by the Knights of Ren as she followed Kylo to the gardens. Temiri clung to her hand, his Force signature vibrating with nervous energy she wasn't able to calm. Her body was exhausted and sore from sitting up all night, attempting to find a way out of the palace and off the planet without detection.
It had been a fruitless pursuit for freedom. Even if she hadn't needed to factor in Temiri, there was no way Rey would have been able to slip out of the palace unnoticed. Between the Supreme Leader and his twelve knights, her Force signature was sure to trigger a response.
Regardless of their quaint breakfast and the way he'd looked at her, Kylo still led her outside to the maze. Having grown up around thieves and smugglers, Rey knew very little of royal customs, including the Thirteenth Hour Trial. She had a feeling even if she managed to navigate through the labyrinth, the knights would do everything in their power to ensure she didn't survive to see the next sunrise.
They came to a halt before the entrance to the maze. Kylo reached a hand back to her, leading her away from his knights and her student. She gave Temiri's a hand a squeeze, stepping between the dark-cloaked entourage to follow the Supreme Leader.
Once they were out of earshot, she implored him to reconsider. "Ben, please don't do this," Rey begged of him.
"You said you would take on the Knights of Ren by yourself," Kylo reminded her. "I'm merely giving you the chance."
"It's not a chance, it's a test," Rey hissed.
"You have thirteen hours in which to solve the labyrinth and survive the trials," Kylo went on. "If you complete the maze within the allotted time, you and your student may go. You have my word that no one shall follow you off-world and no tracking devices will be used."
"And if I don't?"
"If you are unable to complete the maze, you remain here with me," he concluded. "Forever."
Rey forced herself to not react to the underlying meaning. She swallowed, glancing nervously behind her at where Temiri was. He mirrored her defiant expression, but she caught the hint of fear in his orbs.
Turning back to the narrow path cut from the hedges, she gave the Supreme Leader a curt nod. He stepped back, placing a hand on Temiri's shoulder as they both watched her enter the labyrinth.
Her hand went to the saber on her belt, feeling comfort in the familiarity of the cold hilt against her palm. This was just another one of his games.
Besides, it didn't look that hard...