Star Wars: A dyad in the Force Chapter 64: Coven Terror - Last Duels, a star wars fanfic

Warning: Major Spoilers of TRoS.

Note: This is a Reylo FanFiction (slow-burn)

「Coven Terror」

「Act 64: Last Duels」

Coven of Terror, Eanor, 37 ABY

It surrounded everything. It ate up everything in its path. It did not give any mercy as it would destroy them. An Ancient Matter rose, protecting the taller figure in front of them. And then there was darkness. Darkness suffocating their bodies like a damp, musty, thick blanket, clinging to every inch of their skin. That Ancient Matter engulfed their thoughts. It was stretching out in front of them like a map, studying their fears, courage, and knowledge. If that were the darkness that the enemy wished to unleash against the Galaxy, it would bring every living thing to its doom.

Interpreting visions of the future was a dangerous game. Whether Jedi, Sith, or some other sect less celebrated by history, all those who used the Force to explore possible timelines kept that uppermost in their minds. Delkor tried to read through time, to find out what the future would hold... what his future would be. But he couldn't; it didn't matter how powerful that old forgotten Ancient Matter was; it wouldn't allow him to have any visions about the future. Sometimes, he even wondered if he had reached out and grasped that old power, or something else was messing with the known darkness and creating it. But he never got his answers.

Ben drew from the Force, trying to balance between the rising darkness. He couldn't name the Ancient Matter, but it was increasing his rage and frustration. This time, he would fight the enemy and bring an end to the viciousness surrounding them. He'd read the tales that were written inside the old Jedi scripts, and he knew he should be terrified of the male figure in front of him. But Ben Solo wasn't; he hardly believed any of them, old tales could be wrong most of the time. He would find the truth today; he would fight the enemy face to face.

The air was hazy, hot, and dry; it only made breathing harder. Ben waited patiently for the cloaked figure to reveal himself and fight him. He was standing there, at the end of the gap, observing Ben taking his time. Like it was watching its prey, getting ready to tool with it. He could try; Ben wouldn't be anyone's fool any longer. He had played that game, with Snoke and Palpatine, when he was Kylo Ren. He reminded himself to be aware of his surroundings, careful because every act mattered.

It took power to summon such ancient energy, and the figure began to materialize before him, he was still cloaked, hiding his face, but his influence was noticeable. Delkor finally accepted the challenge and stepped forward; he pulled back, revealing his face. His skin color was darker, his eyes dark as well; he seemed so alien and familiar at the same time. He lifted his arms and revealed a lightsaber, igniting it, and the blade showed a reddish color. "Oh, have you come to put an end to the creature that will bring a new order to the Galaxy," his voice deep, shaking its surroundings with terror. "You might try, see if you can succeed."

"Who are you to speak of me?" Ben answered in a deadly tone glaring at the man who called himself Delkor. Ben could read through the lines; he already had figured out, winning against him seemed impossible. But he was a Solo; he would never count on the odds. "You'll die first!" he uttered, igniting his lightsaber, the broken crystal connected, and suddenly a black blade brimmed with such power that it almost caused Ben to lose his balance.

"I am the one who rules the North Unknown Regions," he paused and looked at the droids, "the one who will rule all the galaxy soon." Delkor moved closer; a disgusting smile was placed on his face. "Thank you for bringing me the Sith's Soulstone; that's the last piece of the puzzle to obtain unlimited power." he said, "But I see you came prepared." His eyes stared at the black blade. He had heard about its existence and seemed that Ben had found it somehow.

Ben laughed as both were walking in cycles, ready to place their attack, "There is no such thing as unlimited power," he sounded calmer now as he was more in control of "childish dreams, that will lead you to your end." Ben peered closer, observing him as he could acknowledge a familiarity. "Who are you?" Ben suddenly asked, taken back from his question, as it seemed random, but at the same time on point.

"Have you come here to fight or to chat?" he asked, "I told you who I am; my name is Delkor, but you already know that." The man raised his hand, lightsaber pointing at Ben. "If you win, I'll tell you!" he offered.

Ben and Delkor regarded each other, their lightsabers humming between them. Each methodically adjusted his stance, eyes locked on the other. Around them drifted flakes of blue fire and ash. Both men were not in a hurry; it was as they had already started a virtual duel inside their minds and were studying each other's abilities before engaging in a fight.

Ben's grip tightened around the hilt of the saber, his dark gaze pinned against the enemy waiting for his attack. An old habit of Kylo Ren, in his duels, he would never attack first. It was a secret code of his. Delkor had finally placed the first attack, and Ben leaped out of the way and the first blow and ducked under the next. He was still studying Delkor strikes, keeping notes. The plain truth was that the man knew how to wield a lightsaber, and if he weren't fast enough to avoid him, he would end without a limb or, worse, the loss of his own life.

Delkor realized that Ben wasn't attacking him, and that enraged him further. Was the boy toying with him? Didn't he know who he was fighting with? He reached and drew power from the Ancient Matter, more and more. His attack increased in speed and power; he placed his next attack powerfully, slamming his lightsaber against Ben.

His lightsaber was suddenly brought to bear, and they clashed, red blade crackling against black. Ben drew more from the force, trying to balance himself. Delkor was powerful, not just powerful; he was only blocking his attack and felt his body bruising from the pressure. Ben gave ground; he stepped back to regain his balance and pull more from the Force.

Delkor smirked; he didn't allow Ben to rest, he swapped, slammed, and stabbed, and Ben countered with effort. His blade twisted, slashed, and smashed against Delkor, trying his best to keep his defense up. He couldn't attack him, his power dark and raw, Ben was keeping his defense.

Ben had no choice; he attacked back, strike again and again, as Delkor didn't give him the time to think. The impacts shivered into his shoulders, down his spine and hips. How could he win such rough power? Ben used the Force; he called on the Force and thrust Delkor suddenly out of his way. He regained his balance and steadied his frame watching him flying backward towards Dark Rey at the edge of the gap.

Rey watched as Ben threw himself into the fight against Delkor; their duel was captivating; the power and strength both men used were mesmerizing. Sweat broke on her forehead, down her neck as she noticed Ben losing his balance. She almost ran to his rescue, but she heard his voice through the Force. "Take care of Dark Rey! I'll handle Delkor!"

She nodded slowly and turned facing Dark Rey. The hooded figure revealed her face walking towards her, dark cloak sweeping the ground. Dark Rey radiated power and something else; a familiar hunger Rey had seen surrounding Palpatine. She looked closer, and for a moment, she felt a shadow cold shielding Dark Rey. Rey gasped, stumbling backward as if she had figured out who the shadow was.

Dark Rey activated her red lightsaber, with the two parallel blades, and Rey followed, igniting her own. Her face, her form, was cold and dark, representing a Sith. Dark Rey swung her blades part, forming a long quarterstaff. Then she stepped forward, cutting through her, aiming a deadly blow. Her clone wouldn't go easy on her; she already made it clear.

Rey ducked and fell back, avoiding the first attack. She whipped her yellow lightsaber forward, seeking her first blow. Their blades clashed, yellow on red, sparkling and angry. Rey refused to give her ground, which gave the dark Rey the advantage; Dark Rey pushed, forcing her back, one step and then another.

Her stomach roiled, she heard her voice yelling inside her mind as Rey finally pressed back and managed to escape from Dark Rey's trap. She didn't linger and attacked her again and again. Her blows were more robust now, clashing against Dark Rey's double whose blade brought the fight to life. She gained more power as she drew from the Force and Ben; even if he was fighting his own battle, he was there with her. She cracked a smile and pressed forward, knowing that Ben was there connecting with her through the Dyad that gave her hope. She was not alone. She slowly escaped her terror of facing her clone. And her attack became solid.

Meanwhile, the droids slowly sneaked from behind, trying to reach the gap. They didn't detect them as R2-D2, followed by C-3PO, made their way over the edge with both duels taking place. They already knew what they had to do; their mission was easy: Throw the Sith's Soulstone into the blue fire and have it undone. And now, with everyone busy to remain alive, it was the perfect timing. R2-D2 opened the slot revealing the Blackstone.

The blue fire under them was boiling now rising like it felt the Blackstone presence. C-3PO whispered something about madness, and luckily enough, no one noticed him speak. He slowly took the Blackstone out of the slot and stepped closer to the edge, ready to throw the Sith's Soulstone into the frozen blue fire under them. He hesitated at first, and R2-D2 gave him a push.

Delkor raged against Ben, the ancient energy opened itself to him, flooding him with new powers, and he leaped towards Ben, seizing the attack. Ben had to jump back using the Force to protect himself from the attacks that were now faster and stronger. Delkor advanced, pushing that ancient energy against Ben, causing Ben from time to time to lose his balance.

It didn't take long, and Ben felt the reddish blade cutting through his skin, a few cuts along his arms and back. Nothing serious, but it added to his disadvantage. Though he stood his ground, he greeted his teeth and launched himself at him again. Delkor was physically stronger. The longer they fought, the clearer it became. But some of his moves alerted Ben; he sensed a familiarity that caused him to stumble, and Delkor strode forward, cutting across Ben's chest, ripping half of his shirt off and his flesh.

Delkor paused the attack watching Ben fall against the ground, and he smirked, satisfied. He didn't give Ben time to react; he immediately placed the next attack. His saber had almost reached Ben's face when their lightsabers collided again. He pushed, and Ben blocked, sensing his chaotic blade being pushed back closer to his face causing them both to shake from the unbelievable power in use.

Ben avoided any excuses and complaints as he roused himself painfully from the ground. For a moment, he wondered where he was, and then all the pain and weariness returned to him. But it took everything he had and placed another attack, and Delkor blocked the attack and placed the next. This time he knocked Ben off his feet, cutting a similar wound against his back. He bit his lips, not giving in to the pain. But the cuts and Delkor's power tore him apart.

Delkor loomed over him, raising his lightsaber, ready to deliver the final blow. Ben would try to block, but for a moment, he thought he had reached his end. Delkor proceeded with the attack chuckling at the silly boy that tried to shield the world from him. He should know better: No one crossed his path and managed to escape alive.

Rey felt her heart heavy as through the Force; she noted Ben's anger and pain. She was dealing with her problem, trying to keep Dark Rey at bay. Rey could stand her ground this time; she wasn't any longer scared of the clone. But Ben's fall caught all her attention, and she never noticed as Dark Rey went forward with the attack ripping the blade through the left side and causing Rey to crash next to Ben. She glared at the clone in pain, watching her continue with the attack.

Suddenly, there was a roar and great confusion of sounds. Blue Fires leaped up and burned all around the edge across the gap. The throbbing grew to a great tumult, and the coven shook and rattled. The droids stepped back from the opening without the Sith's Soulstone terror and wandered unleashed around them as everyone turned and gazed at them. Delkor and Dark Rey paused the attack as they discovered what had happened.

"You lizards!" came Delkor's voice filled with wrath and so much anger. He was fighting Ben with all his might and malice; he never noticed them throwing the Blackstone into the blue fire to be undone. He felt the coven rattle again as it was ready to collapse under them.

Rey turned and faced Ben, as both shared a smile. Their mission was a success; the Sith's Soulstone was no more. Ben gazed at the droids proudly; for once, C-3PO had accomplished his mission. He almost forgot how weary and in pain he was as he noticed a disturbance through the Force. Delkor was ready to keep the fight going, and this time he was aiming to attack the droids. Ben, without a second thought, blocked the attack as he leaped on his feet. A second attack was clogged again, and suddenly his furious black blade cut ripped Delkor's arm away and pierced his blade through, running him through close to his heart.

Delkor dropped to the ground, hissing and groaning in agony as his anger became heavier. He lost the Sith's Soulstone, and now he was going to lose his own life by a bunch of people who were not even close to owning the power he had conquered. He felt Ben turning off his lightsaber and gazing at the man who had just fallen.

Meanwhile, Poe and Chewie watched the enemy's troops slowly withdraw and the coven to shake. They turned, taking a few steps forward only to find out that their mission was a success. "Chewie, we made it!" Poe yelled loudly and hugged the Wookiee. Next, he pulled back, and both walked towards their friends.

Ben was panting heavily as he was standing next to injured Delkor. He looked for Rey finding her sitting a few steps away from them with the clone next to her. He seemed alert but noted that Dark Rey had already put out her lightsaber. Maybe she was smart enough to read through the lines understanding that they had won.

In a moment's flash, they ended up standing amid vast darkness. There was a dull spotlight on them, and a shadow grew around them. A rumbled was heard as something ancient and forgotten was about to appear. At first, their eyes could not penetrate the darkness no matter which way they turned. It was the complete shutdown of light, except for the dull light coming from the gap. This darkness weighed heavily on their shoulders. Then the light had returned and from the shadows appeared a transparent figure.

Adrenaline flooded his system; it pumped and beat like it was trying to escape. He felt like his heart was about to explode, and his eyes were wide with fear. As he acknowledged the figure, his first reaction was to ignite his lightsaber and attack him. Ben had reached beyond his limits that he didn't even react surprised when the male revealed himself. Though he couldn't move, the figure lifted his hand and had been frozen in his spot.

A few steps away from him, Rey had the same fate; she couldn't move as well. The transparent figure that had risen from the shadows was powerful enough to keep them trapped there. Rey felt her anger growing; how could he still be there with them? Why did the Force game with them like that? Was that it? They went through all the torture and hell to find such an end.

"Long have I waited," came the voice of the rising nightmare as he slowly stepped closer between Ben and Rey. He swung his hand, grabbing Delkor's lightsaber and turned it on. "You fool," he said. "Did you believe I would send the clone her for you to train her? I needed a back plan in case those two found a way to defeat me,"

Delkor had almost reached his end, but he could acknowledge who the spirit was. His anxiety rose as he found out that he was nothing more than a pawn in the shadow's game. And Dark Rey, his apprentice, and right side already knew. He had noted that something had changed around her, but he would never guess it was him.

"Finally, the barrier around the North Unknown Regions has broken down," he added in triumph, "and my grandchild will rule, as Empress Palpatine."

Rey glared at him; that was nothing she wanted; she would never agree with his plans. Whatever was inside Palpatine's mind, she would not follow. She didn't know how he was still alive, but she was not related to that monster. She struggled to escape, but the Emperor's power was unlimited and kept her there.

Ben was thorough Hell; he wasn't sure how long he could withstand Palpatine's powerful hold over him. Though his dark eye felt deadly against him, and if looks could kill, Sith Lord would be dead. But what hurt him more was that he was played again. They went through hell to accomplish to destroy the Sith Soulstone only to free the ways for him.

"Why?" Ben mumbled, gathering all his energy to manage and place that word out from his lips.

He smiled. "Last time you destroyed my body, but my Spirit was never gone. I remained in this world, and my spirit will pass into my grandchild." He paused, watching Ben terrified, gazing at Rey. The Emperor laughed. "No, not her! Why would I need her when I have the perfect clone." he pointed at Dark Rey, who was standing a few steps away emotionally.

He paused, gazing at Delkor and then back at Ben. "Skywalker's fate has such irony in it," he said, leaning closer to Delkor. "Don't you agree?" He smirked as he earned everyone's attention. "Aw, they don't know. Who you are or where you came from?"

Delkor's eyes burned against Palpatine's yellow ones. If he weren't nearly wounded, he would find a way to kill that old terror. Honestly, he no longer cared if he would reveal his real Identity. He had not only lost the fight but his will as well. He had devoted all his life believing in an ancient power and a silly Blackstone. And it was only the Emperor messing with him.

Palpatine suddenly turned and looked at Ben, "He once looked for answers from the Sith, as you did. He was different from you, Ben Solo; he had accepted his dark side effortlessly. You fought it for so many years, and even when you turned, you were never fully part of it. Leo here was different; he killed his mother without a thought. And he would kill his father, but he lost the fight and ended up thrown down a cliff."

He chuckled, turning to Rey, "You Master, never checked if he was dead. Because deep down, he always knew he was alive." his gaze returned over Delkor. "Didn't he? The famous Luke Skywalker would never kill his family. He didn't want to kill his father, neither his son nor his nephew."

Silence.

For a moment, silence dropped, and everything was muted. Ben closed his eyes as the truth caused his heart to tightened, and more weight was added for him to carry on. He screamed, struggling to escape, to fight the damn Emperor one and for all. He had enough, enough all the lies and secrets that were the reason that Palpatine could tool with them.

Rey wasn't in any different state; she was utterly lost. Ben had told her about Luke's son and his misfortune. But their enemy being Luke's son all along was fate's biggest fiasco. She sensed Ben's agony through the force. Palpatine almost had Ben again killing his family. She was in trouble, hurting, and wanting to unleash all her anger against the Emperor.

The Emperor stepped between them, ignoring them as he had yanked them towards himself so they would watch, and they obeyed helplessly against his power. "It's the time!" he said, approaching Dark Rey. This time he would finally find a vessel that could keep him alive for long years. He would build his Empire again and bring the Galaxy to his doom. He stared at the clone with a smile and waited for her to approach.

Though Dark Rey didn't approach, she remained there, sharing a long stare with him. Then she smirked in a way that made Palpatine feel uncomfortable. She was grateful to him for offering her life and a cause of life. But she wouldn't sacrifice her life to him, for whom? The Sith? Really? Dark Rey stepped aside for the last twist to be revealed.

Behind her slowly appeared Anakin Skywalker, the Force surrounded him as it recognized who he was. The ground rattled, and they were not sure if it was caused by the coven or by the surprise of his appearance. He sighed as he noticed his grandchildren and Rey trapped and wounded by the only illness that should be undone from the world. He took a step forward, his eyes deadly felt against the Emperor. "You aren't the only one who's strong with the Force," came his voice.

"So the apprentice comes back from the dead," Palpatine's voice echoed powerfully inside the cave. "Darth Vader, I'll make sure you experience the full power of the Dark Side!"

Anakin smirked as he reached out and grabbed his lightsaber from Ben's belt. They shared a moment, and then Anakin faced the Emperor. "I'm Anakin Skywalker," he reminded him and ignited his lightsaber; his blue blade sprang to life. His fingers felt familiar, holding around the lightsaber's hilt. "Paps, Let's end this!"

The Emperor brought the red blade to life, and while using the blue lighting, he placed his attack against Anakin. "Feel it the full power of all the Sith!" he demanded and unleashed everything he had against Anakin, "I'm all the Sith!" His spirit solid attacking against Anakin's Force-Ghost, a duel not seen for generations through the whole galaxy.

"Sith or not!" Anakin blocked the attack with his lightsaber, and reached out and grabbed Leia's, colliding them together after he had turned it on, and formed an 'X' pushing back Palpatine's attack. "I'm the CHOSEN ONE!" Anakin delivered as both lightsabers grew more substantial within the Force attacking Palpatine as Anakin's Force-Ghost became solid.

The Emperor felt the blue lightning strike against him back, causing his spirit form to lose power and the Dark Force around him to vanish slowly. He gazed at Anakin in bewilderment, unsure what was happening. "How is this possible!" his voice echoed through the cave.

"I'm the Force!" Anakin said deadly serious as he returned the final attack. "What started with me will end with me!"

Then like that, the Emperor's spirit vanished into nothingness. Delkor's lightsaber fell into the ground, and the surroundings rattled one last time. The Emperor was gone forever. He and his spirit vanished completely into emptiness. Ben and Rey dropped against the floor, as the force holding up was no longer there. They both turned and gazed at Anakin.

"Let your death be the final word in the story of Skywalker!" Anakin added lastly.

He turned off both lightsabers and placed them against the ground as he disappeared, sharing the last look with his grandchildren. And as he slowly turned away, Force-Ghosts behind him repeated like a whisper through the wind, "He is the chosen one!"

The moment was so intense it had caused goosebumps to anyone who was watching. It took them a moment to return to reality and the aftermath they had to face. Ben stumbled with his remaining power towards Delkor. Blood and sweat were blending and leaking down his skin. He was still unsure what kept him going as he had passed his limits long ago. He knelt next to Delkor, and his hand reached his wound against his chest, trying to heal him. He couldn't help him get his arm back, but Ben was ready to offer his life and save his.

"Leave it," came his voice. "I'm not you, Ben, and surely I ain't Anakin!" He pulled back, standing up and stepping away from Ben and closer to the opening gap. He turned and gazed at Ben, who looked devastated. "See you around, Cousin!" were his last words, and he stepped back, falling into the blue fire and burning to his death.

Ben's eyes opened widely and ran after him, but he was too late; Luke's son had already fallen into the fire and died. Ben collapsed, gazing at the endless gap. "No!" he yelled once and lost consciousness. The pain of watching one more of the Skywalkers dying was too much for him to bear, and with his deadly wounds and weariness, it made him faint.

Rey watched in horror what had occurred in front of her. Before reaching out to Ben, she turned and faced Dark Rey, confused, was she an enemy or an allay? Rey couldn't say. But one thing was sure she had used everyone and everything to aid her cause. And before Rey could ask her, she vanished. It seemed that Dark Rey was only projecting herself all this time. She had departed from Eanor long ago, with her fleet. And when the barrier was taken down, she jumped into hyperspace free traveling towards the known Galaxy.

Rey sighed, knowing that her clone had other plans, and as it seemed, she was the only winner of this battle and quest. She stepped over, aiding Ben. Poe and Chewie showed up next, making sure to drag both of them out of the collapsing coven. In front of them, the battle around the Gate came to an end. The enemy forces had retreated with one ruler dead and the other gone.

The four and the droids met with the rest outside the passage of coven of Terror, and they were brought back to the Blossom Forest inside the house of healing to treat their wounds, get cleaned, and rest. And as the next day would come, they could face the outcome and decide their next move.

「Upcoming Chapter: Act Sixty - Five」

Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 64th chapter.

Thank you all so much! Stay awesome! Stay sweet!

And be nice to each other, see you soon, in the next chapter!

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