Chapter Four
Rey strolled through the hedge maze, eyes scanning each leaf as it rustled in the breeze. She kept one hand on her lightsaber hilt and one ready to shield herself, in case of attack. Old habits from her life as a scavenger kept her on the backs of her feet, prepared to duck or dart away at a moment's notice.
Luke had never taught her any Jedi combat tactics, despite the fact he'd been willing to pick a fight with her the instant she arrived on Ahch-To.
She suspected the knights would be well trained, but she also suspected they'd never fought to avoid starvation. Fighting for sport and fighting to survive were two separate things. If it came down between her life or theirs, Rey knew what would happen.
If it hadn't been for the challenge, she would have enjoyed being surrounded by the lush vegetation; the varying shades of emerald, jade, and myrtle. Rey was tempted to run her fingers over the greenery, even if only for a second. It was unlike the jungle on Yavin IV or the moss which grew all over Ahch-To.
Her childlike wonder didn't last.
She came to the first of many intersections. Her hazel eyes flickered at the two directions lying before her. One veered to the left and around a bend. The other went off to the right for a long stretch before disappearing beyond a great tree.
Both appeared safe. They were well lit and clear of overgrowth or raised roots. To anyone else, there would be no debate. Either direction could lead safely to the exit. But Rey was wise enough to understand it was all a mirage. Nothing inside this labyrinth was that simple and it certainly wasn't safe.
It was all a game — perhaps the most dangerous one she'd ever played.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. Rey heard the world around her drift into the background, never completely letting go of her awareness but allowing herself to sink into the Force. She reached out, not with her hand, but her mind.
She could feel the life energies nearest her first — winged creatures and insects. Spiraling out from her, there were other sentients — probably the knights and beyond that, the palace staff, Temiri, and Ben.
Her brow furrowed at the name. Referring to the Supreme Leader as Ben stung more than it should. She chose not to analyze why instead of searching beyond the palace grounds.
The planet was teeming with life from various species. The Force pulsed through each of them, just as it pulsed through her, the invisible connector of the galaxy.
Rey smiled to herself. The first time she had felt the Force flow through her, the power had scared her. She'd sworn to never use the ancient energy. It had been potent, almost intoxicating in the way it compelled her to fight back against Ben. She'd given into it, permitted it to overwhelm her to ensure survival. Once she recognized what had happened, Rey knew she had to learn to control it. It had taken time for her to accept the change within her, but now she welcomed the energy as an old friend.
Trusting in her own power, she honed in on the path which veered to the left. There was only one Force signature if she went that way, but the darkness around the signature was suffocating. Rey coughed as the Dark Side pressed against her, frantically pulling back.
She scanned the path to the right next. She could feel three knights lying in wait for her, one barely more than a hundred paces ahead. The tree could offer coverage, but there were no rules stating only one knight could engage her at a time. Taking on all three at once wasn't impossible, but it would leave her vulnerable to another attack if the Darksider to the left chose to chase her down.
Rey blinked, coming back to herself as she weighed her options. She didn't like the odds. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed she couldn't go back the way she'd come. The entrance was sealed up.
Alright, then.
Left or right?
Kylo gazed down upon the labyrinth, able to see the top of Rey's head from where he was perched above. She'd been frozen for several minutes. Each moment she remained still, his apprehension grew.
He'd felt her signature brush across his own as she searched for his knights, but before he could respond in kind, Rey yanked back. Kylo nearly howled in frustration.
She still didn't understand. The Resistance had brainwashed her so completely, she wasn't able to see what was right in front of her. To her, he was the villain, having tricked her into coming onboard the Supremacy when all he'd wanted was to help her find the belonging she sought.
He wasn't done with her yet. He would show her where her place was in the new order, in the galaxy.
Kylo had ordered his knights to disarm her but gave them strict instructions not to harm her. Rey already bore marks from their battles. He wouldn't allow any further injury to come to her.
Regardless of the monster she saw when she looked at him, Kylo had only one reason for raising the challenge. By the new laws and old, Rey would be his. If she won, per Naboo culture, she'd be deemed fit to be his bride. If she lost, the terms of their agreement meant she'd live out her days with him. Either way, she would be his and his alone.
It's only forever, not long at all...
A knock sounded at his door.
He didn't budge from his station, unable to tear his eyes from the brunette as she finally chose.
Another knock.
"Enter," he called out.
"Supreme Leader?"
"Carsmica," Kylo gestured for her to join him on the balcony. "What updates do you have for me?"
"The boy," she began hesitantly.
"Yes," he gave a curt nod, signaling her to continue. He watched Rey veer to the left and straight towards Archais Ren.
"He is refusing to come out of his room," the Gungan sighed. "I asked him if he'd like to join Force discussions at your grandmother's school, but he refused. Quite fiercely, in fact."
Kylo wasn't surprised. The boy had shown impressive loyalty to Rey. When she entered the maze, Temiri had started running for her. Kylo caught him before one of the Knights of Ren did, holding onto the boy's shoulders as they both watched the last Jedi disappear.
The fealty his knights were sworn to was nothing compared to the way Temiri's eyes hardened and his jaw set after Rey had been taken from him. It had been the same way his face had contorted when Rey escaped from Starkiller base with that traitor. Kylo had stared at the former Stormtrooper with the same loathing expression.
The boy promptly yanked free of his grasp, storming back into the palace once it became clear Rey's only way out was to go through. Temiri had been indignant ever since. Kylo was once again obliged to acknowledge how alike they were, though he refused to admit it to anyone.
Their similarities gave him insight into the boy's mind, an advantage Carsmica did not have.
"I shall speak with him," Kylo decided. "Bring him here."
"As you wish, Supreme Leader," Carsmica bowed and left to retrieve Temiri.
Kylo turned his attention back to the labyrinth just in time to see Rey avoid an attack. She ducked as the end of Archais Ren's quarterstaff sliced through the air. Kylo lost sight of her for a few tense moments. He held his breath, gripping the balcony railing and inadvertently leaning closer to the action.
Rey scarcely had time to dodge as the dull end of the faceless knight's weapon came at her. The quarterstaff was a tool she was intimately familiar with. As she spun around, kicking up dirt from the path, Rey focused on the angle of his incoming attack.
The opposite end of the staff circled around, aiming for her temple. She bobbed out of range, ripping her lightsaber from her belt and ignoring the dual blades. If the knight was unsettled by her plasma blades against his carbon steel ones, he didn't show it.
He charged at her again. Rey backed up until the branches of the hedge dug into her back. She kept her saber in front of her, ready to twist it just so. With the proper leverage, it would be all too easy to slice off his wrist.
The second she recognized that he must have too, switching up his stance to strike at her ankle. Rey spun away, kicking her feet up and landing her right heel into the crook of his elbow. Her hit sent his own arm slamming into his ribs. His head dropped and he released a low grunt upon impact.
Rey darted across the pathway, leveraging the opposite side of the labyrinth wall as a way to project herself back at the knight. She shrieked out a battle cry as she brought her saber-staff down over his helmet.
But he rolled off to the side.
And promptly tossed a handful of dirt into her face.
She reeled back. Momentarily blinded, Rey sheathed her blades. Her senses immediately heightened. Thanks to her Force-sensitivity, she was able to feel her attacker corner her. Rey heard his heavy boots against the earth as he approached and brought down her hilt with all the strength she possessed.
The metal found its mark, striking him on his transverse arch. He jolted back and Rey ignited her blades once more. The gesture sent a clear message to the knight.
Back off.
Wiping her armbands across her face, she removed the residual dirt. She blinked a few times before her vision cleared.
The knight, whose face was still hidden by his helmet, was watching her. As he assessed how best to proceed, Rey remembered what Master Skywalker had told her about the Force.
It's not about lifting rocks.
Apparently, Luke had been wrong again. That or the Force had a sense of humor.
Rey flickered her fingers down, the way she'd seen Kylo do in Snoke's throne room. Suddenly the wall behind the knight exploded, the underlying stone construct bursting into hundreds of shards. She ducked as the organic shrapnel came flying at them.
It hit the knight with enough strength to dent his helmet and tear up his armor. The blow had also divested him of his quarterstaff, which now resided on the ground in front of Rey. She stepped on the metal weapon, dragging it closer to her body and out of his reach.
As she straightened up, she watched him warily, her staff at the ready. Rey had learned from the manipulative nature of those on Jakku that no opponent was truly down until they were dead. She'd made such a careless mistake only once in her young life. She would not be so foolish as to make it again.
When Rey saw the blood seeping onto the ground, her resolve lessened. She felt his life Force, scanning the energy to determine whether the wound was superficial or not. The instant she identified the cause, she returned her saber to its holster and knelt by the knight.
"You're quite a surprise," a deep voice chuckled from under the helmet. "I can see why he's taken with you."
Rey hoped her blush wasn't noticeable. "How do I call for a medic?" she questioned.
Another chuckle.
"In the times of the Empire, there would be no medic," he informed her. "There was no need."
Her eyes widened. Surely Ben didn't expect her to...
"It was considered a great dishonor to live once defeated," the knight mentioned.
"I don't believe in needlessly taking a life," Rey stated. "I've seen enough death."
"As have I," the knight nodded.
She offered him her hand, surprised when he not only allowed her to help him to his feet but pressed his helmet to her skin.
"You're a rare flower indeed, Rey of Jakku," the man commented, as he pulled back. "Kylo is lucky to have found you."
"I'm sure the Supreme Leader has other consorts," she replied dismissively.
"None he would consider," the man said firmly.
Rey wasn't sure how to respond to that. She'd suspected in his new role within the First Order, Ben would seek to forge a political alliance. He was a brilliant strategist, like his mother, a trait which he had proved time and time again by finding the Resistance.
When Ben had made his true name known to the galaxy, collecting his birthright, dozens of powerful families aligned with the First Order. As the Supreme Leader he was intimidating, but as a prince, he was desirable for the power and wealth he could provide. She suspected he'd marry soon. Not for love, of course, but for tactical reasons. General Hux would probably be the one to arrange it. Rey had to admit, whoever she was, she'd be fortunate to have him.
Though at times he had the reckless attitude of his father, Ben had proven he was level-headed as a ruler. From what Rey could tell, he was fair to his staff, a rarity in her opinion. She was sure his compassion would extend to whoever he chose as his partner.
She ignored how that thought felt ugly and heavy in her chest. Caring for him was unwise and, given her current circumstances, also unrequited. She shook her head, ridding the thought from her mind.
"Here," Rey handed the knight his quarterstaff. "This belongs to you."
"Thank you," the knight bowed to her one final time, indicating he was going to take his leave.
"Wait," she called after him. "I didn't get your name."
He glanced at her over his shoulder and she could swear she felt him grin. "Archais. Archais Ren."
"May the Force be with you, Archais."
"And with you, Rey of Jakku."
Upon the balcony, the Supreme Leader blinked. His stunned stupor steadily subsided. The tightness in his chest loosened until he was able to breathe and he exhaled.
Rey extended a hand to Archais, who stared at her perplexed for a moment before raising his gloved hand to take hers. He bowed his head forward, gently touching the front of his helmet to her knuckles. It was a sign of respect and fidelity. The knight had formally accepted her as his superior, a sight which had Kylo smiling.
The last Jedi may have been angry with him for the challenge, but this was her first step. She was meant to be with him, this common girl with no legacy, no family name. She balanced him, came to him as an equal with no expectations except for her need for acceptance. They were the same. She need only believe it. With the majority of the maze left to cover and eleven remaining knights, it was only a matter of time before Rey understood.
Archais bowed, allowing her to go on her way. Kylo watched her make her way towards the west end of the maze, pleased with her progress.
It was then that Carsmica returned with Temiri, who appeared sullen as ever.
Kylo left the balcony to join the boy in his main quarters. "I hear you've been trying the patience of my staff," he remarked.
"You can't brainwash me like you do your Stormtroopers," the child snapped.
The Supreme Leader raised his eyes in silent question to Carsmica, who shrugged. "What gave you such an idea?"
"That's why I'm here, isn't it? You're going to use Rey and I against the Resistance?"
Kylo didn't have to look up to know Carsmica's face was filled with worry, though whether it was from Temiri's unparalleled cheek or her own opinion of him, he couldn't be sure. Carsmica tended to keep her thoughts closed off from him.
Narrowing his eyes at the boy, Kylo dismissed the Gungan. "He'll stay with me for the remainder of the morning," he announced.
Carsmica exited his chambers, closing the heavy doors behind her.
Once alone, Kylo glanced at the chronometer, ticking down the time remaining for the challenge. Rey still had over twelve standard hours. He reached out, brushing across the maze to pinpoint her location and then the locations of each of his remaining knights.
He had time.
Crossing the room, he knelt in front of the boy. "You remind me of the girl," Kylo smirked.
"What girl?" Temiri questioned.
"The girl with untold power."
"What kind of girl?" The boy sat, tilting his head, his interest caught by Kylo's introduction.
"Quiet," the Supreme Leader commanded calmly, "and I'll tell you."
Temiri sat down on the floor, cross-legged and waiting. Kylo began his tale.
"She was a scavenger girl."