Ch 8
Rey was training against a Jedi sparring post with her Jakku staff.
Then Rey had a vision of Kylo creaming on an operating table surronded by medic droids.
Raw purple veins streched across his face.
Layers of Mandalorian iron were smelted to Kylo's face.
Kylo was also wracked by a vision.
A temple, older than all known time.
An ancient chamber with two thrones.
A well of light pulsing from below.
Kylo Ren ignited his saber as he faced off against Rey.
They dueled, vicious, intense.
With a sharp swing, Kylo struck Rey down and the vision ended.
"What did you see?" asked a familiar voice.
"I saw a mountain." Rey replied. "Two thrones in the rock. Kylo Ren was changed."
Luke's spirit stepped into the light.
"You saw the future.
"Kylo saw it, too. I could feel him. Like he was with me."
"Where?"
"Mortis."
"What do you know of Mortis?"
"It's an ancient place. From a time before the Jedi, before the Sith. Two thrones. Two powerful beings. One of darkness, one of light. Together, they brought balance. But it's a myth."
"So was I, if you remember. If Kylo reaches the Temple, all we've fought for will be lost. You have to confront him."
"You want me to kill Leia's son?"
"The Force guides us towards balance. It doesn't always show us what we want to see."
"Balance. Dark suffocates the light. Light extinguishes the dark. Over and over. How is that balance?"
"I know that anger. I had it. My father had it, too."
"So says my master. And his master before him. A thosand masters, so eager to tell us how to live. I spent my whole life wanting a family. Now I've got one. I won't abandon them."
"The Force is speaking to you, Rey."
"Maybe I'm not who it thinks I am."
"Who are you?"
"I'm no one."
"If that's what you believe, the last Jedi is dead."
"Maybe he is."
In the First Order Capitol, Kylo was in a medical bay.
A Mandalorian iron helmet lowered onto his head and locked into place.
"Breathe." a medical droid said.
He did.
It was a new sound.
Different from Vader's.
Gutteral.
Deep.
General Hux placed a coin on his desk and he tried to use the Force to move it but nothing happened.
"Has all been well in my absence?" Kylo asked.
"Supreme Leader. You've returned." Hux said. "If I'd known-"
"I don't need displays and processions or titles, Chancellor. My Knights tell me the girl was within your grasp."
"Apparently, your Knights took it upon themselves to deal with my Admiral's failure."
"And how should I address your failiure?"
"What happened to your-"
"She's beloved, isn't she?"
"Belief is the solance of peasants. The people cling to folklore. But they fear the First Order."
"They fear me. Soon, I will command the Force in unseen ways since the Ancients."
"The power described in the Sith texts. You've found it?"
"It is within my reach. The ability to destroy a planet will be insignificant."
"What are your orders?"
"Find the Resistance. Wipe them out."
"And the girl?"
"Leave her to me."