That wasn't good, Athena thought. It couldn't be. Kylo placed his large hand on her back, pushing her and supporting her at the same time.

"You will be alright, Athena," he whispered as he walked her to the ascensor. Athena turned around, nodding, and pressing her lips together. Kylo's dark brown eyes were filled with worry, his brows furrowed together.

"He won't hurt you," the commander assured her.

Athena scoffed skeptically. "Don't promise that."

"I will protect you," Kylo said sternly, then cupped her face with his hands, leaning down and kissing her. The physical touch between them felt exhilarating. His kisses were passionate, demanding, controlling. Athena's hands wandered to his neck, letting him feel her fingernails dug into the soft flesh of his throat, making him moan softly. As they broke apart, she could still fill his touch on her. Something had changed already. He was already more tensed and alert, his eyes colder.

Bracing herself, she stepped into the elevator. The doors closed and she was left with nothing but the cold walls around her, leading her to meet the Supreme Leader.

The room was purposely designed to struck fear in anyone who stepped into it. Blood red walls, the pretorian guard lined up behind the throne. The large, disfigured person on it made her blood freeze. The huge room felt endless, black, and red closing in on her. A bridge led to a platform right in front of him.

"Come closer, girl," the Supreme Leader asked, his tone sickly sweet.

Athena walked closer to him, trying to remain as calm and composed as she could.

"Kylo Ren's apprentice. Count Dooku's granddaughter. I am pleased to see you for myself. I heard so many things about you."

Athena kneeled in front of him gracefully. "Supreme Leader. I am honored to meet you," she purred, tapping into her instincts that made her adapt to the situation. Brushing a man's ego was rarely ineffektive.

She felt a strange presence in the back of her head, a voice sneaking in like a snake. Snoke was reading her mind. Athena took a deep breath, looking up to him. He was waiting for her reaction, testing her. For a moment, she contemplated fighting back, locking him out. But then, she changed her mind.

Focusing, Athena consciously thought of the things she wanted to show him. Athena, studying politics, economy, and war tactics, surrounded by her the best tutors her mother could afford. Her servants and guards bowing to her, the heiress of Sidanna of Serenno. A woman, smiling while beating her competitors, holding speeches powerful enough to change the course of many people. Slave traders sent to prison, criminal war lords casted out of their stolen lands. Her, building her networks over the year and bringing together the most powerful players in the Outer Rim. A countess at the head of one of the most powerful organizations of the galaxy, still in her twenties, young and unafraid. Then her killing her friend and lover with ease, cutting the ties of the past like Kylo commanded.

Athena showed Snoke her life memory after memory, letting him witness what she wanted him to see, shielding every other aspect of her mind of him. She showed him what she was capable of.

Supreme Leader started to laugh. His dry laugh sounded like nails dragging over metal.

"I see why the boy likes you, Countess Athena. You have a feisty spirit. But you can't hide your weakness from me. Your grandfather was weak as well. He was replaced with someone stronger. You think Ren cares for you. He doesn't. You're nothing more than a shiny plaything to him, another conquest. And here you are yearning for his validation, falling for him like a little girl."

Athena blinked. The Supreme Leader seemed to have rather outdated views on women. As flawed as Kylo was, she knew he had been raised differently.

"I know what I need, and I know how to take it, thank you Supreme Leader," she sneered coolly at him, not letting herself getting provoked.

The Supreme Leader leaned forward and folded his fingers together.

"Hmm… you speak the truth. Your heart can be of stone when it has to be. Unlike his. In that way, you are stronger than him. I told him to be careful with you, you know. A pretty flower can be poisonous, too. Continue your training with him. One day, you may defeat him. I could replace him with you. Offer you anything you want. Power. Independence. You could make your grandfather proud."

"I appreciate your offer. Perhaps I will take you up on it one day," the corners of Athena's mouth turned into something resembling more a grimace than a smile.

"You may go," the deformed creature on the throne grinned like a deranged predator.

Athena stood up, looking at him without any trace of emotion in her face.

She could see the excitement in Snoke's eyes. His eyes bore into her back as she turned around and walked away, finally leaving the dreadful throne room.

OoOoO

The cold water cleansed not only her body, but also calmed her thoughts. She had retrieved to her chambers after the audience with Snoke. Kylo had been nowhere to be seen, so he had probably been held up with other duties.

She had managed to stay collected when Snoke offered her Kylo Ren's place. Something else had fallen into place for her. The mysterious dream of Count Dooku was still resonating in her head, as she thought about it every day and night. She wasn't fully going to succumb to the Dark Side. Killing Kylo and taking his place meant choosing pitch black. Athena washed her hair, massaging her scalp. It was also very unlikely she was able to kill Kylo.

"Apprentice?" a familiar voice appeared behind her. Speak of the Sith, she thought.

Kylo walked into her living quarters. Drying herself quickly, Athena stepped out of the bathroom and into the small room.

The knight of Ren stared at her, not taking away his eyes from her naked body. And Athena made no attempt to hide it.

Kylo Ren looked at her body, enjoying the sight in front of him. But he was observing her face, watching for signs Supreme Leader had hurt her in any way. She seemed alright, though.

He walked closer to her, locking his eyes with her deep violet eyes. His hands found her back, roaming along her soft, clean skin.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, Kylo," she answered, leaning into his embrace, and closing her eyes.

"What did Supreme Leader tell you?" he asked, feeling her longing for more.
"He said If I ever managed to kill you, I could take your place," she answered, opening her eyes again to see his reaction. His face remained immobile.

"That's reasonable," he simply said.

"Aren't you worried? I might succeed."

"If you ever kill me, you deserve to replace me."

Athena rolled her eyes at him. The Dark Side was really twisted if it made Kylo believe that Supreme Leader was doing anything else than abusing and manipulating him.

"He is trying to get us to turn on each other. In the end, he needs someone he can use. You're easier to control when you're alone and broken," she scolded him.

"The Supreme Leader is wise. Do not doubt him," Kylo growled.

"My loyalty is to you and not to him," she scoffed. She put her arms around his neck, entwining them even closer.

"Your loyalty is mostly to yourself," he mocked.
"Do you need more proof of my commitment?" she asked, her glance darkening, making his breath become more ragged.

"I do," Kylo answered.

OoOoO

t had been weeks since their stay on her home planet. Athena didn't miss anything about the Finalizer. Staring into the black of space as Hux talked to her, she longed for the sun on Serenno again.

"We have the new recruits send to Captain Phasma and the engineers send to Captain Lockwood by this afternoon," Hux back, his back straightened as he gave his instructions.

"Countess, we have gained control of a new system near Manaan. I suggest you oversee the building of the new administration," he added towards Athena.

Athena had been helping the Order with establishing outposts and structures on new systems in between her training with Kylo. It was nothing the Order couldn't do without her, but Kylo had asked her to join the operations. Athena noticed how his tasks never put her at risk, shielding her from the ongoing battles. Yet she was being noticed by people and therefore adding to the Order's threating presence.

"The new recruits? Have you kidnapped more innocent children?" she asked, lowering her voice so that only the general could hear her. With the busy work around them, no one else listened to them.

"Those are the ways of the Order, as the commander has certainly told you. You should be careful to keep those opinions to yourself," Hux responded harshly.

"True loyalty does not come from brainwashing," she answered equally sharp.

"Take it up with the Supreme Leader then," the general sneered. Even though Athena still worked surprisingly well with Hux, he seemed less amicable since she had come back with Kylo. "Your work on the outposts is going well, countess. I was wondering why you did not move the airfield to the east section on Jeyell."

"I moved it to the west section."

Hux eyebrows darted upwards. "Yes. I knew that. I asked why?"

"Because of the Sugan fields. The livestock?" Athena asked. A young woman nervously ran by next to her, typing on a data pad. Officer Korr? Karr? Something like that, Athena remembered.

"Why did you move the airfield, countess?" Hux's tone grew more aggressive.

"Because the locals worship the Sugan. They based their entire religion on it. Anyways, I thought it was smarter not level it all down," Athena explained assertively. Again, the young woman passed by this time looking up to Athena sheepishly.

"We don't care about the locals."

"They Sugan species is crucial to their ecosystem. Taking away their space could lead to a famine for the entire planet."

"Then so be it," Hux shrugged, signing off on a pad handed to him by another officer.

Athena suppressed her annoyance. "It will cost the Order more. Let them use the local supplies instead of shipping in food from outside. A famine leads to uprise, insulting religious feelings fuel rebellions."

"Next time, just shoot them," Hux answered shortly. For the third time, the young officer appeared.

"What is it?" Athena asked her softly, seeing her shriek at her words. She didn't get used to the way everyone acted around her now.

"I have a message for you ma'am. Countess, uh captain. I mean ," the girl said, her brown eyes looking at Athena hesitantly.
Athena realized she had waited for Hux to go away, but now Hux was bound to witness their conversation now.

"There have been three outposts requesting you," she said between clenched teeth, red spots appearing on her neck.

"What do you mean?" Hux snarled.

"Not you, general. They have specifically requested the Dark Countess to oversee the build of the new First Order outpost."

"Oh." Athena was at a loss of words for a fraction of a second.

"It seems you have been doing a great job, countess. So good, our conquered planets demand your presence to handle their affairs. I wonder if your sympathies for them go far beyond the interests of the Order," Hux started to lecture.

"The commander Ren has a different way of handling requests or critique from the locals. There is rarely an outpost left after that," the girl muttered close to Athena.

A weight sank down in Athena's stomach. Maybe she had never realized how brutal the First Order really was. Or she had deliberately chosen to ignore it.

"If you weren't the commander's apprentice you would be executed for this," Hux warned her, lowering his voice again.

"Hanged for what? For saving the First Order money and trouble? I'm being reasonable here." she hissed. She would take her requests to Kylo later.

The latter stepped into the command center, shutting everyone up who was busily chatting and working around the panels. His mask hid his face, a shield of black metal shielding not only his features, but his emotions as well. Athena noticed a slight limp as he walked towards her.

"Commander. I have a proposition about the recruit –"

"I have no time for you, apprentice. Go interrogate the prisoners General Busan brought on the ship," he cut her off, his voice cold and metallic through his vocoder.

Athena inhaled sharply. She was surprised by his cold demeanor, even though since they had landed back on the ship, she had noticed his temper had returned, worse than ever before.

"May I speak to you in private?" she asked hesitantly. Without any reaction, Kylo grabbed her arm and dragged her outside, making Hux look after them with curiosity.

"What are you doing?" Athena snapped at him, fighting him off. She was angry at how he bossed her around. If he decided to change just because they were back on the Finalizer, she would not play along and tolerate it. Before she could stop it, violet lighting escaped her fingertips, electrocuting him.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, gazing at him in shock.

Kylo retrieved his helmet.

Again, Athena gasped.

His eyes were swollen and purple, his lips covered with bruises.

"What happened?!"

"Supreme Leader," Kylo's voice was hoarse. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Kylo? Tell me!" Athena raised her hand to inspect his wound, as Kylo caught her wrist and held her still.

"Commander," he yelled. Athena couldn't believe it. She could tell his whole body had been beaten. Snoke had managed to dig his deformed fingers in Kylo's brain again.

"Commander," she yelled back, her fingertips crackling with lightening again. Perhaps answering his aggression with aggression wasn't the right way, Athena thought. But her fear took over and she felt so utterly helpless.

"What in the stars is going on?"

Kylo stared at the violet sparks, turning into lightening.
"Now you're strong. When I train you, you can't even lift a TIE-fighter with your thoughts. But Force lightning you summon easily against me. An ancient technique few ever mastered."

"Maybe because you're making me very angry," Athena was still agitated, and the lightning electrocuted Kylo again, this time burning the skin of his hand. Where the lighting hit him, his skin looked burned, almost decayed,.

"I am so sorry!" she let out a shriek, not realizing what she had done.

Kylo just looked at her, only pain in his eyes. "Our stay in Serenno is over. Accept it, apprentice. I will not become weak for a woman. I have to focus on finding Luke Skywalker," he pointed at her, choking her with the Force.

Athena felt her throat tightening, but this time she wasn't letting him hurt her. The purple lightning spread in the entire hall, throwing Kylo back a few feet.

"Finally, you're a little less pathetic," he said bitterly. With that, he left her, still limping, dragging his right foot behind him.

Athena stayed back, her whole body in shock. Snoke had beaten and tortured Kylo, and with a blink of a second, any humanity he had shown towards her was gone.

Sorry for the long wait! I have an extra long chapter for you this time. I am sooo grateful for your reviews! Are you guys watching Andor?

I love the show! It's so visually stunning and well written. Do you guys like it too?

Snoke makes Athena an offer, Kylo is back to his old self and Athena's fear is getting out of hand.

(I'm so sorry for the spelling mistake in the title last time How embarrassing. English is not that easy :D)