"Let the past die."
"Take my hand."
A familiar voice, but not a familiar surrounding.
The room was dark only lit by fire as pieces of broken metal and glass lie on the the flames Kylo stood there with an outstretched hand his dark eyes pleading. Falynn tried walking towards him, but couldn't move as if there was an invisible wall blocking her. She opened her mouth to call out his name, but it wasn't her voice that called out or his name.
"Ben!"
The voice radiated throughout her body, as she felt something crack inside of her. Inside of her chest a sharp pain shot through, as she felt her mind exploding. The bond...it was breaking. Falynn tried calling out again, but once again the wrong name and voice came out. She had heard that voice before. She had heard it, not that long ago when she was in the Resistance staying with Leia. Looking down at a piece of shattered metal, Falynn was expecting to see herself, but instead a pair of hazel eyes were looking back at her. Stumbling back something hit the back of her head and as she looked down, she saw herself falling. Copper hair set loose as Falynn reached trying to grasp who was now Rey. In horror Falynn watched through Rey's eyes as her own body landed broken and bleeding in nothing but a void of thick black.
Falynn's eyes shot open as she felt sweat soaking through the black nightgown that she wore. Panicking, Falynn sat up and turned over, and let out a sigh when she saw Kylo laying there peacefully asleep. Laying back down, Falynn brushed sweaty strands off of her face before she curled up next to her husband, and let the steady sound of his breathing calm her nerves. Had that been some type of vision, or had she just been so exhausted from recent events she was having nightmares all of a sudden. Kylo had met her in the lab shortly after he had sent her the message of the fleet. A quick kiss was their quiet celebration as Falynn felt his own relief from the news. He later on explained to her that he had sent her father to fly to the locations they had been given on the Resistance, and told her through the bond she could relax for a while till she saw him again. After their brief silent communication the two of them stayed in the lab for a bit, but the researchers hadn't found too much on the strange grenades. Falynn had excused Henne after the lab, allowing her to go to the hangar to visit with the mechanic. Falynn had been a bit taken aback when Kylo smiled after Henne.
"She has really taken a liking to him hasn't she?" he asked.
"I thought you disapproved?" Falynn tilted her head giving her husband a wicked smile. "Change your mind, have you, Supreme Leader?"
"As long as she remains loyal to you and me and does what she is told, then I could really care less who she romances," he cast a side glance to Falynn, "Let's just say it is easier for me to possibly understand what she might be feeling."
The words had sent a pleasant sensation down Falynn's spine.
After that the two of them went to the training deck and took their turns checking each station. As Kylo remained more quiet Falynn had more ease than ever engaging with the Stormtroopers and officials. It had been busy, and she had been exhausted by the time they finally went to bed, but it had not been an unpleasant day. Falynn refused to believe that had been a vision. Unpleasant dreams sometimes did happen, especially when things were well. A silent fear that individuals carried within. Snuggling up closer to Kylo she told herself she would conquer those fears. He was next to her now, as he had been with her this entire time from the beginning. Even when she thought all was lost, when she felt she would fall through and never find a way back Kylo was the one to find her. She wanted to be more to him, she wanted to learn how to control the force.
Something else was strongly pulling at her, she could almost hear it singing its way to her, as it laid under the waterfall in Naboo. It wouldn't be easy going back, especially after all that had happened from before. She still didn't think she could face her people, but her intuition was telling her that she needed to go back, and officially retrieve her lightsaber. Kylo already knew that she carried the force, she might as well take it one step further and tell him about her treasured weapon. She yearned to feel its weight in her hands again. She would discuss it with Kylo in the morning. Closing her eyes and focusing on the sounds of Kylo's breath and the silence of his mind due to sleep, Falynn was able to fall back into a more hopeful peaceful sleep.
"You want us to go back to Naboo for what?" Kylo stared at his wife in disbelief as he began snapping on his black over shirt.
Falynn sighed as she tied a black sash around her waist. She knew this wouldn't be the most easy conversation, but she didn't think she would have to repeat herself so many times.
"I need to go back to my home planet to retrieve my lightsaber."
"You had...have a lightsaber?"
"Yes," Falynn exasperated. "I don't know why this is so hard to believe. I already told you I was briefly trained before."
"Yes with the ways of the force...but not with a lightsaber," Kylo shook his head. "Let me guess my mother gave that to you didn't she?"
"Not exactly all of it, she was with me however when I chose my kyber crystal," Falynn placed her hands on her hips.
She was beginning to wonder if she was the only one who had seen this expression of the Supreme Leader who was looking at a total loss. Perhaps it was because the two of them had woken up, merely 20 minutes ago and were slowly putting themselves together. She peered in his mind, and could barely find her way in there as he was trying to put all of what Falynn had asked for together. A man who was known as a Sith Lord, who had defeated the previous Supreme Leader, and led armies and easily plunged them through an asteroid field, was not able to grasp the concept of his wife having a lightsaber. Perhaps she should have left the part out about his mother.
Walking over to him Falynn placed a hand on his chest as she looked up at him. "Perhaps it would be easier if I went by myself-"
"No!" Kylo abruptly snapped then softened his voice when Falynn raised her eyebrows. "I am sorry, but going alone is not an option." Kylo paused for a moment before he asked. "What color is your lightsaber out of curiosity?"
"If we go to Naboo you will be able to find out," Falynn leaned up to kiss his scarred cheek. "If we don't go I guess you will never find out."
"You do realize how impossible you are," he gave her a soft smile before gently grabbing her face and giving her a soft quick kiss. "Why are you asking to do this all of a sudden though? Is retrieving your lightsaber at the moment really that important?"
"I want to start training again," Falynn explained. "I realized that I am not a perfect fighter when it comes to combat, and I have no control of the force. I want to become as strong as I can possibly be as your Empress."
So I don't lose you. She silently finished.
"You want me to train you again?" Kylo's face darkened as he ran his hands gently down her arms. She could see the worry in his eyes, knowing how rough he had been with her the last they trained. "Are you sure?"
"I am ready," she smiled, reaching up and cupping his face in her hands. "You are the only one I trust to properly do so, but I don't want to train with any basic weapon. This time I would like mine. I would very much like to have you and my lightsaber by my side. It will feel...more natural to me."
Kylo nodded as if he understood, his own lightsaber now attached to his hip. "Very well. When would you like to leave?"
"As soon as we can," she replied. "The sooner we retrieve and can return back here the better. I don't want to waste anymore time...I also have another request."
"Which is?"
"I would prefer just the two of us to go, I don't want to make a big scene in Naboo," Falynn looked down remembering her Queen that now lay paralyzed in her bed. "I would rather go unnoticed if we could."
Kylo was quiet for a moment, probably taking his own time remembering what he had done on Naboo. The people would not be happy to see either of them, and the last thing Falynn wanted to do was to invoke more fear into them. After another long painful second Kylo tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Very well. We will head to the hangar, to have Bax check on one of the smaller fighter ships. While he does that I would like to make some brief rounds to make sure while we are gone nothing goes awry. Then we can be on our way."
Falynn's face brightened as threw her arms around Kylo's neck. "Thank you, Kylo!"
A small laugh escaped Kylo's lips as he wrapped an arm around her. "You really are impossible, my Empress."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Henne asked as she finished the braid she had had done down Falynn's back. "You don't think it's wise to take me and at least a few Stormtroopers down with you and the Supreme Leader?"
"Don't you think Bax would miss you?" Falynn shot her friend a playful smile, but Henne only scowled at her.
"I am being serious, Falynn!" Henne fussed, whipping the braid over Falynn's shoulder. "It is my duty to protect my mistress. What if something happened to you there? I know that Ren will be with you...but...I don't know it will just feel strange having us being so distant."
Turning toward Henne, Falynn placed two gentle hands on the woman who had become so dear to her. She would be lying if she didn't feel the same, but she needed this journey with just her and Kylo. If anything it would possibly cause more trouble to have more company. Especially when the goal was just to retrieve her saber, then come back as soon as possible. It wasn't necessary to bring anyone else along.
"I will be back before you know it, not to mention you are the only one I truly trust to keep this ship in check," Falynn winked.
If General Jace had still been around Falynn would have felt more than confident leaving the massive ship in their hands. The memory of the kind General stung somewhere deep inside of Falynn. The memory of the man who had fallen protecting her. She hadn't been able to protect him or Kylo in the same way they had protected her. Taking a long look at Henne, Falynn realized there could come a time when her dear friend could be in danger too. Falynn pulled her friend into a tight hug. She would train with Kylo, learn how to properly wield her lightsaber while also gaining control of the force. That way she would make sure she could protect all those she wished, and she would not fail them again. She would not lie broken while what she held dear slipped through her fingers.
"My lady?"
"Don't worry," Falynn patted Henne on the back.
"Are you ready?" a voice came behind her.
Both women turned to see Kylo standing in the doorway with his helmet on. Falynn arched an eyebrow at it, he answered by sending a quick message through their bond.
"It will come off as soon as we leave the Star Destroyer. The troops and officials are more intimidated when I wear it. I need them to know that while I am gone they make no mistakes."
Falynn was surprised by his sudden response to her unspoken distaste towards it, but smiled at him before she nodded towards Henne to follow them.
The Empress kept a regal stance as she followed beside her husband in the corridors. They were both dressed in black traveling gear, with black capes on both of their backs. Kylo was not the only one who wanted to set a message for the First Order while the two of them were away. Curious Falynn sent him a silent question.
"What exactly did you tell everyone when you said the two of us were leaving? I doubt you told them we were going to go retrieve my lightsaber."
"I told them that you and I had urgent business on Naboo and left it at that. They know better than to press for information if it is not given. Especially when it revolves around me and my wife."
Falynn nodded grateful for her husband's authority before she asked her next concern. "Should we be worried that we are leaving Hux behind on the Star Destroyer? Should we have sent him somewhere while we are away?"
Kylo's voice darkened inside of her mind, "the bastard knows not to step out of place. General or not I am still the Supreme Leader. I had discussed with a few of my other Generals to keep me informed. Hux's rank is high enough where if something were to happen I would hear news of it. He knows I will not hesitate to move forward with any needed consequences despite his arrogance."
Falynn would have to trust that, and the one ally she had other than Kylo that the General wouldn't try anything. Falynn turned to glance at her handmaiden who held her head high behind her lady, dressed in her own dark rich colors of maroon and dark gray. Henne met her gaze and gave Falynn a smile as if she knew what she were thinking.
All was going to be fine, and soon Falynn would have the last piece that would complete who she was becoming.
