"It's a surprise to see you here." Ben called to Hux from across the courtyard.

Hux smiled, the tendons and muscles of his pale face protruding differently than Ben remembered. His face suddenly had a lumpy design to it and his neck looked sunken and worn.

"There's an old Sith legend," Hux began slowly pacing around the courtyard, seemingly distracted taking in the architecture.

Ben took the chance; he turned, treading back toward Rey.

"Release your hold on the girl and we will discuss your Sith legend further." Ben responded.

"As you wish," Hux said, flicking his hand toward Rey, the ring catching the light of the sun streaming in the open air ceiling above them.

Rey's body instantly relaxed and she fell to her knees in exhaustion. Ben crossed the courtyard faster then. She was just attempting to stand when he reached her. Rey raised her face to look at him, a moment of mutual dread passing between them. Rey noticed Ben's jaw clinching and his mouth was forming a slight pout. Rey's own brow furrowed slightly, glancing toward Hux. Ben nodded and silently offered her his hand.

Without a word she took his proffered hand. Ben pulled her to her feet and turned to face General Hux, never releasing her smaller hand from his.

"Your legend, General," Ben prompted him.

Hux continued strolling the courtyard, "Yes, a dark lord, long ago...he became very powerful, he was eccentric, he liked what he liked. He was strong in the dark side of the Force."

Ben eyed the distance to the entrance to the arena. Hux would surely have troopers waiting in the corridor he had just entered. Their only chance of escape was in the wide open space of the arena.

"What did he like?" Ben asked, tugging gently at Rey's hand as he started to fall back, toward the gate of the arena.

Rey looked quickly behind her; she eyed the gate and must have followed his reasoning. She took a step back but stopped.

"He liked shiny, sparkling things." Hux held his new trinket up to the light, smiling mischievously.

Rey looked at Ben and softly through the Force, whispered, "We stay. Fight. Don't run."

Ben closed his eyes momentarily, everything inside him wanted to break into a run and drag Rey with him, through the gates, over a wall if he had to, anything in order to get her away from Hux and whatever dark side power he had found.

"This Sith master, he found this intriguing ability. He found a way to keep those he cared about from dying." Hux looked at them then, taking them in. "I knew you felt something for her from the moment you brought her onto your command ship." He clicked his tongue, "I always saw your compassion for her, even before you realized you could feel it. Your draw to the light always weakened you to what truly needed to be done, Ben Solo."

Rey felt Ben's hand tighten around hers, through the Force he whispered, "This is a kill box, look up."

Rey slowly raised her eyes to the sky above her.

A star destroyer.

What does he intend to do? Blow up the whole colosseum to kill Ben? He would destroy the whole city with a Star Destroyer blast! She thoughts screamed silently.

She looked back to Ben, his expression was sad, sensing her thoughts. Not long ago, he too lacked the compassion for innocent lives that Hux was demonstrating.

Rey's eyes flitted to the arena gates while Hux droned on, "...that day in the throne room, I suspected you were lying about who really killed Supreme Leader Snoke. However, it wasn't until we cleared out the throne room to prepare for our new Supreme Leader that we came across this, little..." he laughed here, "...gem. I really thought Snoke would have told you about it but I suspect, no. I know why now, he didn't trust you. So, as luck has it, the ring has landed on my finger." Hux smiled but his eyes were still lined in red and his face appeared permanently strained.

Ben released Rey's hand then. "Run," he said lifting both hands and creating a sudden Force push around Hux.

Hux was strong in the Force but his untrained skills did not serve him well when he encountered the element of surprise. Rey took off in a run toward the gate. Ben was just behind her, despite his delay, his long legs carrying him faster across the courtyard.

The pair skidded into the arena at full speed but slid to a stop when they met with the sight of a legion of no less than a hundred storm troopers. Every trooper had their blaster at ready. Ben tried to shift Rey behind him to shield her but effort proved fruitless. They were trapped.

Hux emerged from the gate behind them, "Oh yes, you'll notice that I don't rely on this ancient religion alone as some do, I fully recognize the power of a capable military."

Hux rounded them, stopping just between his beloved troops and Ben and Rey.

"Sadly, some members of the Order received news that you, Ben, had assumed command of the First Order. A grave...mistake." He shook his head. "We must remedy this, somehow."

Ben felt himself growing weary of the game, "What do you want me to do, Hux?" He demanded.

"Now that's a good question!" Hux raised a finger into the air, "I have arranged an opportunity for you, here on Riosa, to set the record straight, as it were. You will pledge fealty, to me."

Ben surveyed the arena around him, "Wouldn't it be easier just to kill me?"

Hux's spindly hand reached for his heart. "Dear friend," he said in mock surprise.

Rey eyed the Star Destroyer above them conspicuously.

Hux dipped his head once toward her, "Alright, yes, I came prepared, but how would it look? For me? A First Order General, to assassinate a perceived Supreme Leader? Surely not." He brushed his uniform of some invisible piece of dust, "Such things aren't regarded well by political leaders, such things fuel," he paused, disgusted by the word about to proceed from his mouth, "rebellions."