Chapter 7

Training centre aboard the Star killer base

"You think you are strong. You know nothing about your power. I chose the dark side."

"You didn't choose; you were afraid. You ran from me after what happened on Chandrila!" I bitterly replied.

"Why would I run from such a pathetic girl like you?"

His harsh words felt like a slap in the face. The peace I felt moments ago turned into despair as I remembered the dire situation I was in. Kylo had destroyed all of the person I used to care for and had no guilt from his actions. I looked him in the eye, struggling to keep a hold of my turmoiling emotions.

"I may be pathetic Kylo, but at least I am no traitor like you."

My eyes brimmed with tears. I held my mouth tightly closed to prevent myself from sobbing. The effect that he had on me really did make me feel like his defenceless slave. He turned himself around to face the wall, so he could hide his emotions without the use of his insensitive mask. As he stared out of the vast window, I felt my body being lifted into the air. I continued to rise higher above the ground and looked at the tense form of Kylo.

His expression was hidden from me as I was suddenly propelled downwards. I knew that the pain from such a steep fall would be immense. In a panicked state I focused on the floor with all the effort I could possibly manage. My mind strained from my crippling determination; using every bit of power I could get hold of.

My eyes bulged as I was about to collide with the hard floor. I felt an overwhelming relief as my body finally came to a stop mid-air, only a few mere inches from the ground. A few seconds passed before Kylo turned around, shocked to not hear the impact of my body colliding with the surface below. His eyes were rimmed red with tears. I was shaken by the heart breaking emotion that was evident on his face.

I looked down at my feet which were still levitating above the floor. My brain quickly became tired from the action and my focus immediately dropped. I gently landed on the floor, avoiding any further harm. Both myself and Kylo stood in shock; I was completely speechless about what had happened. The energy from my body felt drained from using the force. My legs gave in from underneath me, causing me to break the silence and gasp.

As soon as he noticed me fall, Kylo swiftly caught me in the strong hold of his arms. He carefully carried my limp body and started to leave the training room. I noticed his mask still in its place on the ground, but Kylo chose to leave it behind.

"Kylo what was…"

"Be quiet Ana. We will talk about it later. For now, rest."

He seemed much calmer as he lifted me through the hallways back to his room. The tears that had been apparent in his eyes only moments ago had disappeared. I wondered if they had even been there in the first place. What scared me was his rapid change in personality. Kylo was an unpredictable person who I was always on edge around. But now he reminded me of the person he used to be; Ben Solo.

Many Stormtroopers stared at us as I was brought through the bustling corridors. Despite the walk being brief, it felt like a lifetime before Kylo opened the door and entered his room with me in his arms. He softly laid me on his bed, as if my body was a fragile rag doll. The moment reminded me of the night before, only this time I was the one to cause my body to break.

My limbs were exhausted, yet my brain was livelier than ever. Using the force had enlightened me like never before. Kylo turned around and headed to the bathroom, leading to my eyebrows furrowing in confusion as I was left alone. It was a few long minutes later before he returned, wearing a casual black shirt and pants instead of his usual intimidating suit. The new set of clothes made me see Kylo as a human again, and not a mechanical murderer. He stared at me solemnly, looking lost in thought.

"All I ever do is hurt you Ana. You can't deny the monster I have become," He spoke shamefully. Kylo looked vulnerable as he began to unload his feelings to me. "I feel torn apart inside! You don't know the pain I have to experience every day. Ever since I've found you it has only gotten worse."

He walked over to the bed and seated himself next to my lying form. His hands lightly caressed my hair, triggering jolts to run down my spine. He hadn't touched me like this since he left Chandrila 3 years ago. I forced myself to block the event from my mind and only think about the times we shared before it.

"I could have killed you today; I wanted to so badly!"

I stiffened at his words. "I stopped you though. You think that I am weak, but I am growing and learning all the time. I know you fear that, I don't have to be a mind reader to be able to sense it," I replied. My response led him to look conflicted again. His hand remained in my hair, reassuring me that he was still calm and in control.

"Your fatigue is making you delusional Ana. I have no reason to fear you. You were lucky that you were successful at connecting with the force, or you wouldn't be feeling so confident right now."

I scoffed and rolled over, choosing to face away from him. I lost the sensation of his touch as he withdrew away from me. I started to sense him attempting to search my mind, but used all of my power to block him out. It was only a weak effort, but Kylo took this as a warning that I wanted privacy.

"Leave me alone Kylo. You've done enough damage today."

"You forget that you are in my room Ana," He sarcastically stated.

"Well I would rather be in my cell than your presence right now."

"I can arrange that."

"I'm sure you can. After all, you're a knight now," I quietly murmured.

He finally gave in. Kylo remained in the bed, but stayed mute and gave me the peace I craved. Now that there was calm between us, it was easy to forget Kylo's destructive tendencies. For once it was just me and Ben.

I continued to stare at the wall in front of me. The sound of a yawn escaping Kylo's mouth could be heard from behind. I felt the bed dip as he tucked himself into the sheets. It had only just dawned on me how long we had been meditating for. Kylo had been awake much longer than me, by now his lack of sleep must have caught up with him. After the initial spur in my mind from using the force had worn out, I felt myself become lost to drowsiness.