The former Nightsister lead them along rocky paths, the gravel shifting underneath their boots. Various pines and nettles grew sparsely along the way while Ren shadowed Rey. She had felt inquisitive and questioning about his worry, but now he felt her apprehension. He understood why Luke wanted to inspect the Nightsister camp, it could have vital information for the Resistance or possibly what Snoke was up to. He felt with the Force, nothing stirred nearby. Lana'i was behind him. Ren hated having his back to her, he felt tense and kept his hand near his lightsaber. He would have a second's warning if she chose to attack.
Nearly an hour passed when they reached an overlook, boulders created a wall of sorts that one or two people could gaze well below. Luke and Beriz were conferring quietly. Neya and Rey were both watchful, and so was Chewie. Chewie had his bowcaster ready and he had it casually targeted on Lana'i. Luke must have tipped him off to be prepared. Ren moved forward behind Luke and Beriz, he was able to see over them down below.
The Nightsister camp was roughly two leagues away, however he could see a shuttle parked with a stormtrooper escort around it. Nightsisters and their males were tending to various tasks in addition to packing containers and loading it into the shuttle. Ren took a note of how many stormtroopers and Nightsisters he saw. Interestingly, some of their men were equipped with armor and spears, they also looked very different. The men must have had tribal tatoos, their arms and chests were decorated with black patterns. Ren wished he could see closer.
"We need to get back, we won't be able to get more information than this." Luke murmured.
"They have patrols, we've stayed too long as it is." Beriz said coldly.
They started to make their way back down the winding path. They were almost to Beriz's shelter when Ren felt them with the Force. Luke did as well and they shared a look; Luke motioned for them stop; A large stone slab hid them from view. Ren positioned himself between Rey and Lana'i. The clanswomans jaw was clenched, her knuckles white holding her spear. The Dark Side purred within him feeding on his anger and fear. A voice called out, and oddly enough one he recognized.
"We know you are there, sentries spotted you. Surrender or face the consequences." A crisp voice said. Phasma.
Luke looked to Ren and the Jedi spoke, his voice carrying "We can both go our separate ways. We are equally armed. There is no need."
Rey looked determined, he felt her struggle with the Dark Side, and breathed. The Dark Side receded inside her and she gripped her lightstaff. They heard the crunch of gravel, the enemy was approaching them. Luke held his lightsaber ready, and Phasma and the Nightsisters appeared. There were five Nightsisters and three stormtroopers accompanying the First Order captain. She had her full regalia on, her blaster rifle ready. Two Nightsisters rode upon rancors. Rancors were dangerous if they got you in their hands, but they were slow and stupid.
Ren thought Phasma would speak, he knew she recognized him through her visor. Yet, a blonde haired Nightsister spoke. Her skin was pale, the telltale veins ruptured near her eyes and her lips black. Her words came out like a hiss. "You come here with that male Lana'i. After everything that happened! And Euouae still submitted to him, and his suggestions like I told you she would years ago. She is weak! Join me sister, I can feel your agony. We can leave this planet and live together again, as it should be." At the end her words were pained and Ren tensed. Rey's mind was filled with shock.
Chewie roared in surprise, the wookie was Pushed and tumbled down the mountainside. Ren activated his silver lightsaber to bring it up behind him. Lana'i attempted to stab him and he deflected the blow. The Dark Side grew within him. Her spear held against the lightsaber and he stared. Her eyes were red and full of hate. She realized that Chewie had a target on her and removed him first. He heard the sounds of battle behind him and Phasma shout "Capture the girl and young male, they are of interest to the Supreme Leader." Lana'i started to attack him, her attacks would be fatal if they landed. The lightsaber didn't cut through the spear and he could only stare and study as to why. Ren parried and saw briefly, she fortified her spear with her own Force energy. He clenched his jaw. He attacked savagely, she needed to die so he could protect Rey. Lana'i Pushed him, and he slipped on the gravel. Ren anticipated her spear and lunged out of the way.
Luke's voice echoed in his mind. "I do not think you were at one-hundred percent of your skill..." How far could Ren push himself? Did he always hold himself back? He needed every sliver of power possible. It scared him, and he mentally took a breath. Ren submitted to the power within, and the Dark Side raged. He didn't have control of it. The anger and pain of his entire life and existence were released within him. It was a tempest, a raging whirlpool, and Ren a mere twig. Lana'i looked wary for an instant and then attacked. He deflected the blows easily, it was almost as if someone else held his lightsaber in his hands and he was just spectating. Lana'i attempted to pierce him he grabbed her spear and Pulled her close. He stabbed her and she screamed. Ren let her body fall and he turned.
Phasma was shooting at Rey and Luke, and they were deflecting as best they could while they fought the Nightsisters. Two had dismounted the rancors, and a lone beast was fighting along side its master. The other laid lifeless on the ground alongside two stormtroopers. Chewie was back on his feet and shot his bowcaster, a stormtrooper went flying. Chewie started moving further away trying to get a shot for his bowcaster without hurting anyone. Ren's eyes pinpointed Rey using their bond, she was determined and focused. He found her fighting Kailiss, her jade blades whirling to defend and attack. His eyes met Kailiss's for a brief second, she snarled, and she returned her attention back to Rey. He ran to join Rey when writhing black ghostly tendrils, almost half of his height, started reaching out from the ground towards them. Luke jumped back and Pushed Neya and Ren away. The Nightsister acted. Kailiss Pulled Rey towards her, Rey almost fell in surprise but the Nightsister grabbed her. "You killed Lana'i. I will kill her." Everyone had stopped in their tracts with her shout, the leader had her spear up to Rey's throat. The foot long metal tip resting on Rey's skin, Rey breathing heavily. Luke, Beriz, and Neya stepped back, Ren could only look into Rey's eyes. She was panicked, and she felt scared and concern for him! Phasma stepped up to Kailiss and whispered something. The sky overhead rumbled, and lightening hit the ground a few feet from Ren. The tentacles grew, spreading, grasping. Phasma set her blaster for stun and shot Rey, she collapsed in the captain's arm.
"No!" Ren's body tensed and he started to move before Luke Pushed him back. Phasma and the Nightsisters started to retreat back towards the encampment. More lightening rained down from above, effectively preventing Ren to go after them. He stumbled from Luke's Push, and attempted to run again. Something Bound him in place; Force Binding was a Dark Side spell. His eyes darted around and rested on Beriz. She stood next to Luke, her eyes yellow and focused on him. "Damn you!" He screamed. He Pushed her, breaking her concentration. Ren lunged forward to attack her and his silver blade hissed against Luke's green lightsaber.
Luke's green lightsaber hummed in his hands as he parried his nephew's strike, their blades locked. Ren panted heavily, his eyes bright yellow and full of fury. The sight unnerved Luke, he never felt the Dark Side so strongly in his nephew before. The lightsabers hissed and crackled against each other, the thunder echoing as it faded away. Luke chose his words carefully and spoke "Ren, we're wasting time. We need to get to the Falcon. We're outnumbered if we try to follow."
"You let them take Rey! We were supposed to protect her! Why didn't you Push her away instead of me!?" Ren swung again, his strike full of power. Luke stepped back and his green blade parried the blow.
Luke started calmly but his words became heated as he continued. "If they took you, Rey would have most certainly fallen to the Dark Side. Look at you now! You cannot control it. Do you want Rey this way? To see you this way? She was afraid of you when she saw you!" Luke knew he had to make a quick decision, and now he was dealing with his choice. It was still the best outcome in his mind. Rey falling would be dire.
Ren took a breath and he blinked several times; the yellow receding from his pupils. Luke felt Beriz behind him, her husky voice spoke "The Jedi saved you from paralysis or worse young one. Dark-side tendrils are nothing a lightsaber can cut through." Her eyes were pale green again. "I was not aware that you teach tainted youth, Jedi." Ren turned off his blade and so did Luke.
"He is my nephew. He is balancing the dark and light within himself." Luke exhaled dejectedly. "Neya, are you ok?"
She had been very still after being pushed away and avoided looking to Ren. "I'm fine Luke. Lets get back." She said quickly.
"I will come with you back to Euouae." Beriz stated. Chewie whined and looked apologetically to Ren.
Ren was staring where the encampment was, a tear welling in his eye. He blinked it away. "Lets go as quickly as we can. We need to get her back."
Ren followed Luke, his heart breaking inside him. Every breath he took threatened to shatter his concentration, the Dark Side within him still wanted to kill Luke, kill the Nightsisters. He knew Luke was right though. He sighed, and focused on his bond with Rey, clinging onto any change in her state. She was unconscious, and thankfully unharmed. What would Snoke do if he got her hands on her? Torture her, read her mind. Phasma would confirm that Ren was still alive. The Dark Side seethed inside him. If he never went to Snoke all those years ago this wouldn't have happened. Ren hated himself.
Beriz walked alongside Neya, studying the young clanswoman. "You are Kailiss's daughter aren't you. I wasn't sure but I see her features in you."
Neya's head bobbed an affirmation "She fell shortly after I was born. My grandmother raised me, and Lana'i did too. I know they were close and at times Lana'i had difficulty with me taking after her as much as I do."
Ren felt shocked, Luke withheld that information. Did he know? He may have felt it didn't matter, the chances of them running into Kailiss would have been rare. He ran up to Neya. "Neya..." She looked up at him, determined but there was a hint of fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry, for back there."
She broke eye contact, looked to the ground ahead of her "Don't be. Lana'i would have killed you, it was necessary. She lost her battle within her but she had been fighting it for a very long time." They didn't speak for sometime, the sounds of gravel and soil under their feet. He felt Rey's presence move and he turned, through the sparse trees a shuttle lifted and ascended into the atmosphere. Neya watched as he did, and pain entered her eyes.
Beriz spoke quietly "They won't kill her. The First Order wanted her and you alive. You are bonded aren't you? You sensed the ship before we heard it..." Her voice was equally curious and disgusted.
Luke turned aghast "You and Rey are bonded?"
Ren clenched his jaw "Yes. I know where she is and her wellbeing."
He sighed and continued to walk "I should have mentioned against it sooner but this may work in our favor. Can you sense her struggle against the Dark Side Ren?"
"Yes, but why would that matter, we all have to fight it." Ren breathed to control his temper.
"It will be more challenging her to resist her own urges, if you are using the Dark Side within yourself. I haven't felt her slip though. She is holding it at bay..." Luke murmured.
Ren remembered when they sparred last, he felt the Dark Side creep within her, and even earlier. "You didn't think to tell us? Why wouldn't you!" He glared at Luke and exhaled angrily.
Luke kept his pace and exasperation entered his voice. "Ren do you expect me to teach you thirty years of experience in a month's time? Regardless, most people would like to keep their emotions to themselves. It cannot be undone now, but at least you can sense her and her condition. We'll need to prepare with Leia a rescue as soon as we find out where she is going."
Thankfully Luke kept a fast pace. They would need to rest tonight but they'd be able to reach the Falcon tomorrow.