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Epilogue:
After hearing that voice in his head, Kylo came to one conclusion; Zroyais and Hux were getting ready to make their move. Rey had felt the change in his mood and after a while she called for a break. The eight of them trudged back to Kylo's shuttle and the Starfall. Kylo barked out for them to eat and rest but assured them all that they would be sleeping in the temple that night.
Rey went to shower in the fresher while Kylo rummaged around the galley for something warm to eat. He managed to find beef stew and a bunch of energy bars. He regretted not stocking up on real food before leaving Olara. He rarely needed real food whenever he took the shuttle out because he was never gone long enough to need the provisions but now he wished he had real food to share with Rey on what could be their last night together.
When she was out of the shower it was clear that the last thing on his Rey's mind was food or anything other than him. Kylo wondered if she could feel just how worried he was even though he'd closed the bond almost completely. He wasn't complaining because making love to her was the high light of his life, he was just curious as to her motivation. Once they were done, clean and dressed again Kylo reheated the stew. He poured it into one large bowl and pulled Rey onto his lap to eat.
"He's coming, isn't he," she asked in a small voice as he took a bite of one of the energy bars. "Yes, he is. I don't know if we are ready," Kylo said. "We have to be," Rey said. "Be that as it may, do you really think they are ready to take on Snoke's Praetorian Guard? 'Cause that is the severity of what we are facing. Only I have a feeling that we would be lucky to only face eight of them," he said.
Rey shifted in his lap so that she could look at him. With her thumbs she smoothed over the lines in his handsome face and ran her fingers through his hair. On a normal day that would have been enough for him to take her again but right then it was just comfort.
"Do you really think they will be that well trained and hard to kill," Rey asked, leaning her head against his shoulder. "If we are so lucky. I hope we trained them well enough to at least survive. I want to tell them to flee, to run home to the Resistance and continue their training without us but I am afraid that they will just be captured or blown up by a First Order ship," Kylo said wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly.
He opened the bond and his panicked thoughts ran straight into her optimistic ones. He could feel hope seeping from her pores and down the line of the bond. She made him believe that they could do it. That they could fight off Zroyais on Ilum and live to tell the tale. He wasn't so sure.
Kylo was about to say something when they heard footsteps coming toward them. Casting out his senses told him that it was Gear coming to talk to them. Neither of them moved as Gear walked inside.
"Sorry to interrupt," Gear said. "You aren't. We knew you were coming," Kylo said, taking another bite of his energy bar. "What's up, Gear," Rey asked, easing some of the tension from the younger man's shoulders. "I know Zroyais is coming for us. I can feel the darkness looming over us," he said.
Rey and Kylo exchanged a glance. They knew at least three members of the Knights of Rey were gifted with precognition but for it to be so strong was still a surprise. Eshreal had warned them that Gear's was the most active out of all of them.
"Did you see something or can you feel the darkness drawing nearer," Kylo asked genuinely curious. "I mostly feel the darkness but as I was walking over here, I caught flashes of a bloody battle. We will escape but not before we experience great pain," Gear said with a grimace.
They exchanged another look.
"I doubt that's what you came here to tell us," Kylo said. "No it's not. I think we will have a better chance if we rest for the remainder of the night in the warmth and safety of our ships. Continuing to train at the level you had us at would only weaken us and give Zroyais exactly what he wants. I think we should all eat a hearty meal and get some real rest in our own beds. For some of us this will be the first sleep they've had since we left Olara. Asera agrees," Gear said.
What do you think, Kylo asked Rey. Why can't we just flee from here? We have everything we need from this wretched place, Rey asked.
Gear was just staring at them.
"Rey wants to know why we can't just flee before they get here," Kylo said out loud. "That would increase our chances of either being blown up, captured or boarded and having to fight in the middle of space. At least here we have a measure of control and safety," Gear explained and Rey was impressed.
I agree that we could all use some sleep if we can't run from this. As long as we have someone keep watch we should be fine, Rey said and snuggled closer to him.
"Okay we rest here for the night," Rey said. "I'll pick someone to take first watch. I'm sure they will appreciate you agreeing that we need rest," Gear said and waved to the happy couple as he left. "Do you really think this is a good idea," Kylo asked. "Yes. My body aches and I've been training with you for months. I can just imagine how bad it is for Asera who just began," Rey said getting up to reheat her stew.
Kylo watched her move around the galley with a small smile tugging at his lips. Never in his life had he ever thought he would love someone as much as he loved Rey. He didn't want to lose her and a part of him wanted to shove her onto the Starfall with the rest of the group and tell them to run back to Olara. He would gladly give his life if he thought Rey and his mother would be safe without him.
"I'm not leaving you so you might as well stop even thinking about it. I was looking for you my whole life, I'm not losing you now," Rey said. "It's my job; no it's in my DNA to protect you, Rey. I love you and you are the future of everything," Kylo said. "There can be no future without you Kylo," Rey said.
She came over and wrapped her arms around his waist. He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. She stifled a yawn against his chest.
"Let's go get some sleep, love," he suggested and Rey agreed.
It was a few hours later when Kylo felt it. The darkness had arrived. He could hear the others yelling for them. Kylo shook Rey awake. She stared up at him with wide eyes.
"It's time," Kylo said. "Are they on the ground yet," she asked as they both threw on clothes. "I don't think so," he responded.
Suddenly they could hear Cade calling for them. Rey rushed out to greet him. Kylo could barely make out their words through the closed door.
"Zer-o reported seeing 5 TIE fighters, 2 shuttles and a star destroyer. They didn't seem to notice either ship but Eshreal is discretely checking to see where they landed," Cade said as Kylo came out of the sleeping quarters. "As soon as she's back I want a report. We need to know how many there are, what formation they are taking and how long before they are on us," Kylo barked out. "Yes, sir," Cade said quickly heading out to convene with the others.
Rey didn't look worried even after hearing all of that. Kylo was. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to protect them, that he would fail and one or all of their students would die. His panic was quickly replaced with anger. He knew someone was messing with his head. Zroyais had to be there. The only other Force user strong enough to manipulate Kylo's emotions was Snoke and that bastard was well and truly dead.
The two of them threw on their cloaks and headed over to the Starfall just as Eshreal was landing again. She wore a worried expression but shot them both a smile as she led the way to the living area where the others were waiting. Cade and Zer-o were both pacing around the small space.
"So how bad is it," Taliki asked.
All eyes were on Eshreal.
"The TIE fighters kept going and are patrolling the air space around the planet. The Stardestoryer is keeping its distance for now. But the shuttles dropped maybe 60 Stormtroopers and 20 men dressed in that strange armor like Ozoroth near the temple. They didn't seem to be in any real formation and Hux is not among them," Eshreal reported. "He's probably barking orders from a safe distance aboard the Star destroyer," Kylo grumbled. "So, what do you want us to do, boss," Eshreal asked.
Kylo looked to Cade and Gear.
"You two have minds for strategy, what would you have us do," Kylo asked. "If it's possible I'd say box in the Stormtroopers. They aren't very good at what they do. No offense," Gear huffed out. "Yeah, Zer-o on one side and I on the other firing shots into a crowd should keep them distracted long enough for Asera and Taliki to come in and help us take them out," Cade said. "And what about Eshreal, Gear, Kylo and I," Rey asked.
Cade and Kylo shared a glance.
"We will be fighting Zroyais' men." "Once the rest of us have taken out the Stormtroopers we will join the fight but the 3 of you are the best at manipulating the Force in combat," Zer-o said with a smile. "What about me," Gear asked. "Your mind is one of the best when it comes to strategy and you fight well. Plus your precog will come in handy," Cade said.
Kylo shook his head. They didn't have time for their childish bickering. He was about to say something as Cade, Zer-o and Gear began arguing but Rey shook her head.
They need to distract themselves from the fact that they might lose their lives or one of their friends very soon, she said into his head. If we are a cohesive unit we have a better chance of surviving, Kylo said. They do this all the time but once it's time to get serious they will be, Rey assured him.
"If you all are done we need to get moving if we are going to catch them by surprise," Kylo said, making the room fall silent. "Okay," they all said.
As they split into groups Eshreal hugged Zer-o and Cade for a long time before telling them to be careful. Kylo was also surprised when she threatened bodily harm if Asera and Taliki let anything happen to them. Kylo took Rey to the side and kissed her like it was the last time.
…
Rey's heart was pounding as they all left the Starfall. She stood there with Kylo, Essie and Gear as Cade and Taliki snuck off in one direction and Zer-o and Asera in the other. Her group would wait for them to get into position before they moved to what would be their battle ground. Rey's heart was pounding wildly in her chest and knew that it was mirroring Kylo's.
Together they took a deep steadying breath and opened the bond as far as it would go so that she could see and feel everything he was. Their breath came as one and when they turned to look at Eshreal and Gear it was done at the exact same time. Rey could feel that Essie and Gear found it creepy that they could even do that.
"Are you two okay," Gear asked, staring at them with wide eyes. "Yes," Kylo said.
Rey was too busy running through Kylo's vast knowledge of battle tactics and strategies to pay attention to what was happening in the present. Suddenly a blue tinged yellow blaster bolt fired into the air signaling that Cade and Taliki had made it to their position. Now all they had to do was wait for Zer-o and Asera.
"We should start moving. The closer we are to our positon when Zer-o fires off his shot, the better," Kylo said. "There's no telling if they noticed Cade's bolt so we need to be prepared for scouts," Rey said. "I could go ahead and check. Plus I can draw some of the fire Cade, Liki, Zer and Sera will not doubt be under," Essie said. "Not yet," Kylo and Rey said at the same time.
Zer's dark purple bolt lit up the sky. Rey and Kylo nodded at each other. Then the four of them began walking through the snow toward the top of the hill overlooking where the First Order ships had let their people off. When they got to the top it began to snow heavily.
Rey could just make out the Stormtroopers in their white armor. Cade and Zer-o were picking them off like fish in a barrel while Taliki and Asera stopped any of the braver men from getting close to or taking shots at the two males. Many of the Stormtroopers littered the ground already but she didn't see any of the men in their black armor. She glanced at Kylo who was searching near the bottom of the hill.
"There," Eshreal called pointing at the men scaling the cliff face below them. "Looks like they are coming to us," Gear said igniting his blades. "Better that they come to us than to try to take them out down in the middle of all that shooting," Kylo said. "Remember your blades will only protect you from their lightsabers, they won't do any damage to them while they are in that armor," Rey called as the first two came over the side of the cliff. "The Force is the best way to fight them," Kylo added.
Rey, Eshreal and Kylo ignited their blades and Rey was shocked to see that Kylo was still using his old blade. The new one hung on his belt. They glanced at each other and nodded. Rey reached out with the Force pulling the first one right off his feet toward her.
She could see him struggling to find his footing but her strength and the snow prevented it from happening. Rey knocked his lightsaber from his hand with one of her gold blades. With a flick of her wrist she sent him crashing back into him comrades sending them back over the side of the cliff.
Kylo moved forward slashing at the men in their pitch black armor with his red blade as well as removing helmets and sending them flying with the Force. Eshreal had thrown down one of her vines and had captured 3 of the men. The vines were strong enough that they were crushing the men in their strange black armor. Gear was knocking helmets off and then slicing through the exposed skin. He and Kylo were dropping bodies almost as fast as Cade and Zer-o were on the ground.
Down below multi-colored blaster fire could be seen as well as the flash of Taliki's whip and the blurr of Asera's staff. Rey could tell that they'd all been hit by blaster fire at some point but Asera was able to heal the damage with the Force just enough that they could keep fighting without tiring herself out. It didn't seem like they'd even made a dent in the number of Stormtroopers that Hux had dropped here.
The good thing was that Zroyais' men didn't seem to be able to put up much of a fight. Without the Force to help them Rey and the others were tossing them around like rag dolls. They couldn't even touch them. They had run through 16 of the two already and none of them had even broken a sweat.
Something isn't right, Kylo said through the bond just as Rey was thinking it.
Kylo began searching the sky as Rey helped finish off the last of Zroyais' men. Once they were all out Essie began searching them all for injuries, which none of them had. Rey knew that it was all too good to be true, something else had to be coming.
"Everyone okay," Rey asked. "Yeah but I have a bad feeling about this," Gear said. "Me too," Eshreal agreed. "Agreed," Kylo said and used the Force to collect all of the fallen lightsabers.
Through the bond Rey could tell that he wanted to take them back for the resistance fighters to use so there was no need to ask why. Essie and Gear didn't bother to question Kylo's actions either. Rey kept casting her senses out looking for anything that they had missed.
She began thinking back on how well Ozoroth had fought against Kylo. She knew he was supposed to be a higher up among Zroyais' army but the skill level difference between him and these guys was ridiculous. Once the lightsabers disappeared in the direction Rey and the others had come from Kylo walked to the edge of the cliff to look down.
"We should go help them," he said. "Right," Rey said and together they jumped from the cliff, leaving Gear and Eshreal standing there stunned.
Rey and Kylo landed on their feet with no problem as though they hadn't just jumped down well over 100 feet. Rey ignited her blades and began cutting her way through the crowds of Stormtroopers until she got to Asera's side. Then the two females began working together, relying on the Force to read each other's movements and act appropriately.
Rey looked and saw that he'd made it to Taliki.
Suddenly there was a loud streaking sound followed by the thunderous shots of a TIE fighter cannon being shot at them. As the shots landed hitting mostly Stormtroopers it became clear that the pilot didn't care if they were hitting their own people or Rey and her group. They all had to dive out of the way again as the fighter ship circled back.
"This asshole is doing our job for us," Cade called as he took shelter near a formation of rocks and ice. "Yeah but if we get hit by one of those shots we'll be in even worse shape," Zer-o called from across the field. "We need to take that damn ship out," Gear yelled. "Cover us," Rey and Kylo called at the same time as they ran to the middle of the field.
Rey already knew what he was thinking as she stood by his side. Cade and Zer-o were firing off shots at anyone who paused to shoot at the couple. Eshreal had taken to the air to draw some of the blaster fire there were she held it for a few seconds before sending it back the way it came. Gear, Taliki and Asera were focused on anyone not running from the TIE fighter.
Rey and Kylo raised their hands to the sky at the same time. She could feel him reaching for the TIE with the Force and did the same thing. At first it felt like she was going to be dragged off her feet as the thing kept hurtling through the air. Then it began to slow before stopping completely and then starting to move backward toward where Rey and Kylo were standing.
Rey could feel the panic of the pilot as he realized something was wrong. Sweat began to bead on her forehead as she and Kylo struggled against the forward thrust of the TIE fighter's engine. She had never used the Force to manipulate something so big and powerful. She wondered how much longer they were going to have to hold this thing.
Not much longer. We're gonna toss it at the next one that comes circling around. I'll throw it but I need you to guide it into the other TIE, Kylo said into her mind. Okay, Rey thought back.
As the second TIE came into view she felt Kylo cocking back. She let her hold on the ship lessen just enough that he had most of the control. Everyone on the ground watched in amazement as Kylo threw the TIE directly at the one that was headed toward them.
The pilot still in control of his TIE tried to dodge the ship headed straight for him. Rey took the opportunity to push it directly into his new path. The two ships exploded into a giant ball of fire. Before they could begin to celebrate what a victory that was, the last three TIE fighters appeared in the sky.
This going to be a little harder because we'll have to capture one ship a piece. This time we just want to slam them into each other. Don't worry about stopping it or even stopping it from shooting. We just want to pull them into each other, Kylo said while showing her what he meant. Okay, she thought back.
Rey wiped the sweat from her brow before concentrating on sending the hurtling ship where she needed it to be. It was much easier to guide the ship rather than completely stopping it and throwing it in a totally different direction. In fact the pilot of the TIE that Rey had taken over didn't even notice anything was wrong until it was too late. She and Kylo slammed the two ships into each other.
There was another explosion which left only one TIE fighter left. Rey already knew what she wanted to do with that one. She caught it all on her own and disabled the engines before throwing it as hard as she could toward where the shuttles were waiting in the upper atmosphere. As it connected and caused the shuttle to explode, Rey felt a burning pain in her shoulder and Kylo cried out.
He looked wildly to her and she realized she was the one who had been hit with a blaster shot. She tried to close off the bond some but Kylo shook his head. She could feel the pain ebbing away and knew he was taking most of it himself.
"Rey, over here," Asera said pulling her away from the line of fire.
Rey let Sera pull her away from the battle field. The warmth of her healing ability felt 'wonderful compared to the cold air and snow that was blowing all around them. Rey could feel the relief flood Kylo's system as he realized that Asera was healing her.
He, Cade and Zer-o had taken out the remainder of the Stormtroopers and were headed over to where the rest of the group was hiding just out of sight. There were bruises and blaster burns on everyone now except Kylo. He was staring at the Stardestoryer that was hovering with the other shuttle up in the upper atmosphere.
"Now what, boss," Eshreal asked. "Now we wait to see what else Hux and Zroyais are going to throw at us," Kylo said. "How long do you plan on holding this front? We don't have enough fire power or man power to take out a star destroyer. We could probably take down 50 or so more men but our energy is waning fast," Zer-o asked.
Rey and Kylo looked at him at the same time.
"That is seriously creepy," Asera said. "If you are feeling weak," Kylo started. "Then go back to the ship," Rey finished. "Creepier," Taliki said and Eshreal laughed. "We will hold this front until they leave or Hux or Zroyais shows their face," Kylo growled out.
…
After Kylo had made his declaration it was quiet. Asera worked on healing whatever wounds they had including the blaster wound in Rey's shoulder. Kylo was on the lookout for any sort of movement but it all seemed quiet. Once he was sure the rest of the group was ready they walked out to the middle of the battle field with their lightsabers ignited and at the ready.
"They don't seem to be willing to send any more troops down to get slaughtered," Cade said. "I see that," Kylo said in a low voice. "You don't think they're gonna try and blow up the planet," Rey asked.
Kylo thought on it for a moment.
"I could see Hux lobbying for it. He hates and dismisses everything about the Force so this place would hold no significance to him but Zroyais is like us. He would have use for the Kyber crystals here. And I'm betting Hux won't want to go against his new overlord. If I had to guess they are trying to figure out what to do about us next," he said and Gear nodded in agreement.
Kylo looked to where the shuttle and Star destroyer hovered in the air.
"Cade, can you hit that thing from down here," Kylo asked. "From up on the cliff, maybe. Get me up in the Starfall and I can shoot the guns off the thing," he answered. "That won't work they'll just try to blow you out of the sky," Rey said. "Well, sitting here we are just sitting ducks. We need to do something if we aren't gonna run away while we can," Eshreal said and the rest of the group nodded in agreement.
Kylo sighed.
"Fine. Let's start heading back to the ship. Keep your eyes peeled. This could be a trap," Kylo said.
The planet was quieter than ever as the group walked through the snow. They came across the guard station of the two Stormtroopers that Kylo had spoken with when they'd first arrived on Ilum. Both men were dead inside and the blood looked fairly fresh but the group kept moving. They got to where they'd left their ships and were surprised to see that the coast was clear.
What are we doing, Rey asked. Finishing this all. Rey no matter what happens I want you to promise me that you will get the hell out of here, Kylo said. No! I told you I am not leaving you and I meant it, Rey admonished. Damn it Rey. For once just do what I ask! Our future lies with you, no matter what. The group will thrive under your leadership whether I am by your side or not, Kylo said as 5 men in white and black armor appeared.
Rey looked from the men to Kylo and then to the group. Eshreal and Gear looked as though they were expecting them. Rey ignited her blades. Kylo could tell she was going to ignore everything he'd just said if he didn't do something soon.
"Our master will be pleased to know you were foolish enough not to escape when you had the chance. Now we will be able to bring him both the dark and light force users," they all said at the same time. "Kill the rest," Hux's sniveling voice rang out from somewhere close.
Kylo's head snapped to the direction it had come from. The rage in him demanded that he hunt Hux down and end him once and for all but the rational part of his brain told him they were in imminent danger from the men who appeared before them.
"What do we do," Asera whispered. "We fight them just like we did the others," Zer-o said. "We are not our fallen brethren," the five voices rang out again.
They each ignited a red lightsaber and formed a semicircle around the group. Kylo could feel nothing from them at first and then all of a sudden he could feel them in the Force just as strongly as he could feel Rey and on some level Zroyais. Cade and Zer-o moved forward ready to fight them.
"Cade, Zer-o wait. These men are different from Ozoroth," Kylo called. "Yes, we can feel them too," Zer-o said in an exasperated tone. "So Ren, I knew eventually I would find someone to finally knock you down a peg," Hux said coming closer.
Kylo took a step toward him but the men stepped in the way.
"You really think the 5 of them can take eight of us down? Even with the Force the odds are against you," Kylo said confidently. "I wouldn't be so confident," Hux said turning on his heel. "You know what to do. I don't think I have to tell you the punishment for failure," Hux said. "Yes, Supreme Leader Hux," the men said.
Kylo looked at each of their students. He knew they were great warriors; he just couldn't shake his sense of impending doom. Quickly his mind came up with a sort of plan.
"I will take the one with the crossguard blade. Essie, get to the Starfall get it started and ready to go. Sera you go with her and be ready to take care of whatever injuries. Taliki go with them and clear the ship," Kylo said. "Everyone else pick someone and take them down as quickly as possible. We cannot let Rey or Kylo be taken," Zer-o said with a frown.
He and Cade ejected their blades from their blasters and got ready to fight. Gear and Rey stepped up with their double bladed weapons. Kylo said a quick prayer that nothing happened to her, or any of the others. Then the battle began.
Kylo could feel every move Rey made as well as her attacker and his. At first it was disorienting. Luke never mentioned how difficult it would be to fight with their minds linked like this. He began to close the bond off but felt Rey's panic at the prospect of being alone.
The male with the crossguard flung himself at Kylo. His blade sliding along Kylo's until they were almost face to face. Kylo pushed him away and ripped his helmet from his head with the Force. The male was obviously a clone because he looked exactly like Ozoroth.
Suddenly snow was flung in his face, causing Kylo to take a step back. Through the Force he could feel the man coming toward him swinging his lightsaber wildly. Kylo briefly wondered if the man had been studying the way Kylo fought as his attacks and counters were almost the same.
It wasn't hard to program your fighting style into several of my servants, an eerie voice said into Kylo's head. He still won't be able to defeat me, Kylo said. They are just keeping you busy until I can arrive. It is time to settle this, the voice Kylo now knew as Zroyais said.
Kylo swept the man's feet from under him and began pulling his armor off a piece at a time. Then once his body was free of the metal he began crushing his limbs with the Force. The man let out a strangled scream as Kylo crushed his wind pipe.
Kylo looked around to see that while the battle was still being fought it was clear that his people were winning. These men may have been adept in the Force but they fought like this was their first time holding a lightsaber. If Zroyais was on his way, Kylo had to get Rey and the others out of there.
Rey took down the one she was fighting after ripping off his chest plate and slicing across his chest similarly to how she had wounded Kylo their first lightsaber duel. Zer-o had crushed his opponent's helmet and Cade had crushed his opponent's chest plate. Gear had removed the limbs of his opponents rendering the man unable to fight.
"We can throw him in the cell next to Ozoroth," Gear called out. "Get him onto the ship," Rey called back and Gear took off dragging the man onto the Starfall.
Kylo looked toward the sky just as it began to grow unnaturally dark. The light was being eaten away by the being that seemed to descend from thin air. Kylo stared at that strange armor and saw his death in the creature's stare.
Zer-o and Cade looked up at the sky to see what Kylo was staring at. They turned to Kylo with uncertainty in their eyes. He tried to appear calm and ready but on the inside he was panicking more than he ever had in his life. He needed to get Rey out of there.
"Rey take those lightsabers and add them to the others," Kylo said as a way to get her away from the battle field.
Tsk, tsk, Ren. What fun would this be if she got away, Zroyais said and Kylo noticed that Cade and Zer-o seemed to be able to hear him too.
Zroyais made a motion with his hand and the shuttle let off a shot that hit Kylo's shuttle causing it to explode with Rey inches away. Kylo felt the burning pain in her face and chest as well as her loss of consciousness. Her heart was still beating but very faintly.
"NO," Kylo screamed out wanting to run to her. Zer-o grabbed his arm and said, "Cade get Rey to the Starfall. Asera needs to heal her right away. Ren and I will take this bastard out."
Cade didn't argue, just ran over to Rey and gently lifted her into his arms. Kylo could feel Rey's light warring with the darkness in his soul. Zer-o was staring at him with wide eyes and he knew his brown eyes were now yellow with red rims. The sith in him had completely taken over.
"Don't get in my way, Zabrak," Kylo hissed as Zroyais landed on the ground not far from the two males. "You can't take him on your own. I could feel that from a mile away," Zer-o said holding his purple and gray blade in a firm grip.
Kylo's eyes slipped back to brown as he considered the male for a second. The Zabrak wasn't a bad male to have at his side but Kylo didn't want to risk the male's life in a pointless battle if he could get him out too. Kylo had made his bones with his fate.
"Unless you plan on dying this day I would suggest joining the others on the Starfall and convincing them to leave," Kylo said. "So what, we just leave you here to die? I don't think so. We can take him," Zer-o said with unfounded confidence. "Fine. It's your funeral," Kylo conceded as Zroyais began walking toward them.
The darkness seemed to spread out from his body creating a dome that moved with him. Kylo and Zer-o opened themselves up to the Force and got ready for the first attack. Zroyais flicked his hand and Kylo and Zer-o were sent flying backwards. The two men got to their feet and charged at Zroyais who dodged each of their blows easily. It seemed effortless on his part, like he could move out of their way just in time until they were exhausted.
Kylo went in for an upward slash while Zer-o spun in a circle trying to catch Zroyais in the back. The male dressed in full armor jumped from between the two and landed behind them as Kylo and Zer-o almost sliced each other in half. They caught themselves just in time, going after him again.
Zroyais flicked his wrist again and Kylo slammed into Zer-o sending them both tumbling to the ground. Then Zroyais picked up one of the fallen lightsabers and ignited it. The red blade cast an orange glow on the darkness that he seemed to be emitting.
Now we can have some real fun, Zroyais said and let out a raspy laugh.
Kylo and Zer-o glanced at each other. They hadn't been able to touch him when he was unarmed. Now that he had a blade their chances had just decreased even more. Kylo reached out with the Force and tried to snatch the blade from his hand, to no avail. Zer-o tried to knock him off of his feet and nothing happened.
Zroyais ripped Kylo's blade from his hand and split it in two using the blade he had picked up from the ground. The resulting explosion sent Kylo and Zer-o flying backwards. Kylo could feel that Rey was awake and panicking. Then Zroyais put the lightsaber away and pulled out a regular durasteel sword.
I'm so sorry, sweetheart, Kylo thought at her as Zroyais approached with his blade raised. What? No, Kylo. Essie and Cade have a plan to get you two out of there, Rey called and Kylo wanted to tell her that it was too late but instead he closed off the bond so that she would have a chance of surviving his death.
Zer-o clumsily got to his feet. A gash had formed on his forehead where he'd hit a rock upon landing, but he was able to find his lightsaber. He picked it up and ignited the blade before charging toward Zroyais, determined to stop him from killing Kylo.
Zroyais brought the tip of his sword down near Kylo's heart and began to press down. The pain was immediate. Kylo tried to grit his teeth and bare it but as the blade cut through his shirts and into the skin he couldn't help but scream. Then Zroyais began sweeping the blade effortlessly back and forth over Kylo's skin.
Zer-o let out a mighty roar as he swung his blade at Zroyais. Zroyais pulled his blade away from Kylo's chest and swiped up Zer-o's face taking the left eye and splitting his face open. Zer-o let out a scream as he extinguished his blade and both hands went to his face. Zroyais turned back to Kylo who was slowly losing consciousness. He knew that if Eshreal and Cade's plan failed he would either die or be taken by Zroyais and death was preferable to being a prisoner.
Zroyais lifted the blade to resume his slow, painful execution of Kylo Ren and said, It would be so fitting to bi-sect you but I need you alive for a while longer.
Zroyais put away the blade he was holding and reached out to knock Kylo out with the Force. Before the black glove could touch him a concentrated blast from the Starfall hit Zroyais' arm causing it to explode into a cloud of darkness. Gear, Taliki and Asera jumped down from the ship as Cade fired more shots at Zroyais who seemed to be made completely of darkness. The shots were affecting him but not in a way that would kill him.
Gear grabbed Zer-o and began half dragging, half helping him to the Starfall but he was losing consciousness fast. Blood trailed in the snow behind them just as a large pool was forming around Kylo. The girls made it over to him and began gently moving him onto the stretcher they were carrying. Once they had him on the stretcher they ran for the ship as Cade fired more shots giving them cover fire.
Kylo was never more grateful to have people watching his back than he was the moment he was brought onto the Starfall. Now at least he would get to see Rey again before he died. When Asera tried to work on him, he waved her off toward Zer-o's who was in more likely to be able to be saved than he was.
As he lost consciousness he was aware that the ship had left Ilum's atmosphere. Rey rushed to his side and he could just barely make out her telling him to stay with her. He wanted to but he could see Han, Luke and Anakin waiting for him right over her shoulder.
I love you Rey. Everything is in your hands now, was Kylo's last thought to her.
Wooo! If you are reading this then either you have stuck with them this whole long way or you started at the wrong end. I started this back in March and I didn't expect it to go as far as it did but here we are at the end...at least the end of the first part.
When I first started writing this fanfiction I didn't really know where it was going or even who it was about. I mean sure it's about the Resistance, the First Order, Rey and Kylo but the more I wrote the more I notice which chapters were longer, which were easier to write and which I enjoyed writing more and I was almost finished before I realized it was Kylo that I enjoyed the most probably because he is the first male I've ever written for and actually struck with it.
But because of that the Neo Order or Two Parts of a Whole part II will be more focused on Rey and the chapters will be more simple in their order.
I am taking a two month hiatus before starting the next part. I will however continue to post chapters of The Last Hope through out the hiatus so I hope you guys stick with me.
Thanks for all of the love and support. Catch you guys in October!