Chapter 8
(A.N. Thanks for all the reviews. I'm not dead! (yet) but just ill. Thanks for the well-wishes, and I hope you enjoy. This isn't the best because I'm not running at my best. Sorry. )
Another Resistance ship existed out of Hyperspace, and shattered against the planet's shield. It flowered in a destruction of fire and blinding light. Hundreds of Resistance fighters, instantly killed in a shattering moment of pain and fire.
Kylo watched as Rey cried out a muffled scream. She grasped at her ears, hearing the shrieks of her friends through the Force as their lives were instantly taken.
He could hear them too. He could fear their terror and pain. But it was a worthy sacrifice. They were murderers and traitors, and it was a quick punishment for their misdeeds. Although Rey couldn't see it now, perhaps in time she would understand their sacrifice was for the greater good.
Tears came to Rey's eyes, and her entire body shook harder. "Stop," she whispered under her breath, "Stop this, Kylo."
Taking a breath, he stepped closer. This was closer than he had been before. He could see her eyelashes clumped with unshed tears, and her cheeks flush.
Rey looked up at him, her green eyes filled with angry tears that began to spill down her cheeks. "Stop them. Stop this now. They are your family, too."
Shaking his head slowly, Kylo looked at her. "I have no family, Rey."
Rey looked away, clenching her hands into fists at her sides.
Another shuddering boom erupted around them, shaking the glass tower as another star cruiser crashed against the energy shield above.
"You have to learn," Kylo whispered, his voice only barely audible over the sound of explosions, "There is no other way."
Rey's eyes flickered up to him, the hurt and anger suddenly being replaced with something else. Rage. It burned in her eyes like the fires above them. Kylo recognized the fire, because it was what ran through him. He recognized the captivating energy that ate at his heart daily. The Dark Side was taking hold.
A darkness took over Rey's countenance in that moment; her eyes locking onto his with a ferocity that could only be matched by a sun gone supernova. "I will end this, Kylo Ren," she growled out under her breath, "And you will be sorry."
In that moment, she drew the Force to her like she was breathing it in. Everything around them vibrated from it, and a hum filled Kylo's ears like a roaring wind. As he blinked, she called her lightsaber to her from Snoke's throne.
The lightsaber soared through the air, and she caught it as she leapt toward the black granite throne where his master sat. She was fast, but Kylo was faster this time.
He met her, his saber drawn. Standing between her and Snoke. She brought everything she had down on him, not only her entire weight but the sheer power she wielded. Kylo gasped, his muscles buckling as he held her blade at bay with his own. The power she could wield was at least over two hundred pounds against him. She used the Force like a sledge hammer.
He grit his teeth, turning his own strength to the brunt of her attack and making her step back.
She summersaulted backwards, her training making her light on her feet. Kylo strode down the steps, holding his saber in his hands. "You think you will end me, Rey?" he asked, his breath coming back to him now, "Don't you know this is your destiny?"
Hunkering down, Rey held her blue lightsaber in an offensive position, "I don't want to destroy anyone, but I will destroy you, Kylo. I will kill you to save my friends."
"They're only using you," he muttered, closing the distance between them, their sabers clamoring in a shower of sparks as their energies hissed and fizzed against one another in battle.
"You speak of using," Rey gasped, swinging a vicious arc with her saber against his right side.
He blocked the slice.
"You are the one being used!" She cried, making a jabbing motion, which he deflected.
She was more powerful, but he had more practice. Kylo was able to fend off her attacks, but her onslaught was tiring. With every blow, she had at least two hundred pounds of pressure she wielded with it. He was larger than her, and it was only because he was strong with the Force himself, that he was able to keep her blade at bay.
He grunted, beating her back with a quick parry and jab. "The Resistance uses Jedi, Rey," he yelled, "They've been using us since the beginning! It's time we changed it. We're not their little justice keepers. What do they know about justice? They're all politicians! All they care about is themselves."
"So you rule the galaxy under Snoke's shadow?" She threw herself at him, all her rage turning her into a projectile that wished to carve out his heart.
He evaded her, stepping to the side just before her blade reached his ribcage. "My Master can bring peace to this galaxy!" he yelled, "Why can't you see that? You and I, we could be free. Free from the demands of the Republic or Resistance-"
She jabbed her blade at his face, and he took a step back only to meet her, "We could bring a new era for the Jedi. Together, we'd be unstoppable!"
Rey took a step back, panting as she shook with a tangible rage. "I will never join you."
Kylo breathed heavily, taking several steps back. Why was Snoke so quiet? Had his master simply decided to let him do all the talking? Wasn't Snoke the one who was supposed to be the one to turn the girl? What was going on?
Rey advanced, sweat dripping down her chin. Her cinnamon hair clung to her forehead from where it had fallen half out of its braid. She was a fierce type of beauty then, her lips turning cherry red and her eyes wild.
"Don't make me destroy you, Rey," Kylo breathed.
A large explosion shook the tower as a Resistance Mega-Cruiser burst into flame above them. Kylo lost his footing as the floor beneath them rumbled and shook. He fell back, desperate to find his balance.
Rey came after him, holding her saber above her head in a classic strike-move.
Kylo saw his chance. He could cut her down then, his blade could easily find her heart and lungs. Either he moved for the strike, or she would fatally wound him. In that moment, time stood still. He gazed up at her, her eyes filled with hurt and anger as she bore down on him. Her hair flew around her face. He had to strike. He had to. If he didn't, she could kill him.
He exhaled and meant to move to strike. He couldn't. He physically couldn't. His body, and what was left of Ben Solo, wouldn't let him.
Kylo tried to roll away, but it was too late.
Rey's searing blade lanced him up his side, from his hipbone to right at his rib cage.
Kylo tried to muffle his scream, but half of it still escaped from his lips as he clung to his side. He stared up at her from where he lay on his back.
She came forward, her blade at his throat.
He crawled backwards, desperate to move past the pain. She was going to kill him, then. So be it. Ironic, that death would be the only true way to end his pain.
(a.n. not to worry, i intend to update soon. Thanks for the reviews!)