Chapter 35 - Tug of War
They navigated their way through the course, sun-baked sand, pushing forward with determination toward Ochi's weathered ship, which loomed on the horizon.
As they approached, they started to ascend the jagged rock face that it was perched on, their hands gripping the sharp edges for support.
"We cannot possibly fly in that old wreck," C-3PO exclaimed, glancing sceptically at the battered vessel, its hull rusting under the relentless sun.
"We have to keep moving," Poe announced, a sense of urgency in his voice. "We need to find someone who can translate that dagger." He shot a glare at C-3PO. "Like a helpful droid."
"I suggest we return to the Millennium Falcon at once," C-3PO replied, his tone serious.
"They'll be waiting for us at the Falcon," Poe responded, a hint of concern creasing his brow.
"Yeah, and they'll throw us in the Pits of Grig," Finn chimed in, shuddering at the thought of the dark, grimy prison.
"Exactly," Poe agreed, a smirk forming on his face. "And they'll use you as a target droid."
C-3PO shook his head, his circuits buzzing as he replied, "You both make excellent points, at times."
Chewbacca passed Rey hoisting BB-8 up the platforms with ease, making his way toward the ship.
Rey stood frozen for a moment, her senses tingling as she felt the unmistakable presence of Kylo Ren drawing nearer. It stole her breath away and compelled her to turn, peering into the vastness of the desert where he was approaching.
Finn, noticing Rey's intense focus, climbed down from the platform above her, concern etched on his face. "What is it?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
"I'll be right behind you," Rey assured him, handing off most of her belongings to Finn. "It's okay," she added, trying to ease his worry.
With determination, Rey begun her descent down the platform, her heart pounding as she strode back into the open expanse of the desert they had just traversed. The sprawling dunes rippled like waves under the hot sun.
In the distance, she can hear the low, ominous roar of Kylo's TIE fighter, its sound a chilling whisper that stirred the air around her.
Rey took a deep breath, attempting to calm her racing heart and centre her thoughts, but a wave of exhilaration surged within her, setting her nerves alight with anticipation.
Rey's mind intertwined with Kylo's, an invisible thread connecting them across the vastness of space.
"What are you doing, sweetheart?" he inquired, his tone playful yet curious.
"Playing the distraction," she replied, a smirk tugging at her lips.
She could almost hear the amusement in his chuckle. "How do you plan on doing that?"
"By making your ship crash," she said, her voice steady as confidence surged through her.
"Really?" he responded, a hint of laughter colouring his words.
With a determined flick, Rey ignited Leia's lightsaber, the blade humming to life in a brilliant flash of blue.
"Seriously?" Kylo groaned, feigning exasperation. "Can you at least damage one of the wings? It would make the crash a bit easier."
"Of course, we have to put on a good show," she said cheekily, her focus sharpening.
"You realise how much this is going to cost to replace?"
"Oh, well, lucky for you, you're a wealthy emperor," she teased lightly.
Kylo's gloved hand tightened around the controls of his ship as he barrelled toward Rey, his heart pounding with adrenaline.
"We need to time this just right," he said with apprehension.
"Quiet," she replied, her tone sharp and focused, silencing him.
Rey took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling in a rhythmical cadence as she turned away from the looming onslaught of Kylo's ship. Stealing a glance over her shoulder, she gauged the distance, her instincts taking over.
With a burst of resolve, she sprinted in the opposite direction, her feet pounding against the ground as she built momentum for the leap ahead. The roar of the ship's engines grew louder, a menacing screech that echoed in her ears, drowning out everything else.
Suddenly, it felt as if time itself paused, the world around her distorted into a blur. With a surge of willpower, she launched herself off the ground, soaring toward the sky in a powerful Force jump.
As she ascended, everything around her slowed down—her heart racing, the air rushing past her, and the faint glint of her lightsaber catching the light. She twisted, flipping over the menacing craft, feeling weightless in that moment.
With precision, she extended her arm, the vibrant blade of her lightsaber slicing through the air and cleanly severing half of Kylo's left wing. She landed with the grace of a dancer, her feet touching down lightly and steady as she completed her intricate flip.
Inside Kylo Ren's ship, blaring alarms pierced the air as multiple systems began failing. The ship shuddered violently as one wing tore away, the metal screeching in protest, soon followed by the other.
With a swift motion, Kylo ejected from the cockpit, his heart racing just seconds before the vessel began to spiral and erupted into a fiery ball, painting the desert with brilliant flames.
Rey looked up in horror, her eyes widening as she watched the ship spiral uncontrollably before exploding. A surge of worry etched deep lines on her face, but a glimmer of relief blossomed within her when she caught a distinct, internal laugh echoing in her mind.
"Do you think that was a good enough show?" Kylo's voice teased, the mischief evident in his tone.
Suddenly, Rey's attention was drawn away as she heard someone frantically shouting her name. She turned her head, her senses sharpening at the sound of desperation in Finn's voice.
"Rey! Rey!" he called out, urgency lacing his tone.
Her gaze followed his as she spotted a trooper transport rising into the sky.
Finn desperately pointed his finger toward it. "They've got Chewie!" he screamed, his face a mask of fear and disbelief. "They've got him!"
Kylo interjected into her thoughts, "He's not aboard that transport."
Rey let out a deep sigh of relief, the tension in her body easing as a spark of inspiration ignited in her mind.
"Do you think I could use the Force to stop that ship?" she asked, her voice laced with determination.
"My grandfather could do it," Kylo replied, his tone both admiring and challenging.
With renewed focus, Rey turned her gaze to the imposing trooper transport soaring through the sky. She raised her hand quickly, fingers splayed as if grasping at the very fabric of the universe.
She poured all her energy into the effort, willing the ship to halt its relentless forward momentum. The strain coursed through her, and she fought to hold it in place. The ship's thrusters sputtered, their roar diminishing as it struggled to climb, but it was not enough to bring it to a standstill.
Glancing downward, Rey caught sight of Kylo emerging from the billowing flames of his ship, a powerful figure against the backdrop of destruction. The weight of her effort intensified as she grunted, her muscles straining under the exertion.
Sensing her struggle, Kylo reached out with a steady hand, his own Force abilities intertwining with hers. Together, they combined their powers, working in unison to finally halt the ship's ascent.
"Tug of war," Rey suggested.
Kylo snorted in response. "Tug of war."
He began to bring the ship closer to himself, a ghost of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
Rey grunted and concentrated harder. She growled under the exertion, and a burst of Force lightning shot from her outstretched hand, colliding with the ship they were currently fighting over.
The impact caused the ship to explode, sending Rey stumbling back unexpectedly. Concern and surprise washed over her face.
Kylo stepped back slightly, surprise also evident on his features.
"They'll think Chewie is dead," he informed her.
Rey took a breath, processing what Kylo had said. "Chewie!" she shouted.
"No!" Finn screamed.
Rey stood transfixed as the flaming wreckage cascaded from the sky, its fiery embers scattering like dying stars across the vast expanse of the desert.
"I used Force lightning," she acknowledged, her voice trembling as she shook with the aftereffects of her power.
"You did," Kylo replied, a look of admiration crossing his face. "Not even I have mastered that." His tone was reverent, as he acknowledged her remarkable achievement.
"Rey!" Poe's urgent voice sliced through the noise of Oshi's ship. He emerged from the ship's lowered ramp; urgency etched on his face. "We've gotta go!" He gestured toward the horizon where dark shapes were gathering. "They're coming."
"Rey, come on!" Finn shouted, his tone a mix of fear and purpose.
Rey inhaled deeply, the desert air filling her lungs as she turned her gaze back to Kylo. He was looking at her with a pride that warmed her.
"Go, sweetheart. We'll talk more soon," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.
Rey hesitated, her heart racing, and glanced over her shoulder. The ominous shape of the incoming TIE fighters cut through the sky, their engines roaring like angry beasts.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind about the dark side power she had summoned. She turned her gaze back to him, feeling a mix of fear and longing.
"Rey! We gotta go!" Poe shouted, urgency lacing his voice.
"Come on, Rey!" Finn urged, his eyes wide with worry.
"I love you," Kylo said, his voice heavy with emotion.
"I love you too," Rey replied, the words tumbling out quickly.
She cast one last glance at her hand, searching for any signs of change, any trace of the dark power she had wielded. When it appeared just as it always had—normal—she shook off her unsettling thoughts and turned, sprinting back towards Oshi's ship.
Kylo watched, feeling a mix of pride and despair, as she boarded the vessel. He wanted desperately to help ease her nerves.
Oshi's ship roared to life and launched into the reaches of the atmosphere.
Poe expertly navigated the ship upwards, seeking refuge among the scattered comets that floated like sentinels in the nearby airspace. He knew they had little time before the TIE fighters unleashed their deadly aerial assault, and the urgency of their situation pressed heavily on him.
"It wasn't your fault," Finn said gently, trying to comfort her, but beneath his calm demeanour, he felt a flicker of fear rising within him. The raw power Rey had just unleashed was unsettling him.
"It was my fault," Rey replied, her voice steady yet heavy with regret. Her expression reflected the turmoil within her, a mixture of guilt and an unshakeable sense of responsibility.
"No," Finn insisted, shaking his head. "It was Ren. He made you do it." He searched Rey's eyes for understanding, hoping to convince her.
"The power came from me," Rey stated, her gaze piercing and resolute. "Finn, there are things you don't know."
"Then tell me," Finn urged.
Rey took a deep breath, her heart racing as she weighed the possibility of sharing her origin with him. Memories flooded her mind—Finn's shocked expression when he learned she was Kylo Ren's wife, the turmoil of her powers spiraling out of control his reactions shrouded in fear and doubt. She carefully chose her words, hoping to ease him into the truth.
"I, uh, had a vision," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "It was about the throne of the Sith and who was sitting on it."
"Ren?" Finn suggested, his brow furrowing in concern.
"And me," Rey responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
Finn's reaction surprised her. Instead of the fury and disbelief she had anticipated, he simply stepped back, his face clouded with confusion. He turned away from her, leaving Rey standing there, her heart heavy with uncertainty and a lingering sense of isolation.
He turned and made his way back to Poe, determination in his stride. "We need to head back to base and regroup," he said, a sense of urgency in his voice. "We still have some time to figure out our next steps."
Poe nodded in agreement, his hands steady on the controls as he engaged the hyperdrive towards Rori when he realised no TIE fighters had followed them. The familiar stars began to streak past the windshield.
Meanwhile, Rey flopped down onto a weathered bench, her thoughts swirling as she pondered Finn's unusual silence. The vibrant sounds of her surroundings faded into the background as she lost herself in her reflections.
Suddenly, a pair of droids rolled up to her. BB-8, with its round, cheerful body, and a smaller droid that followed close behind. This new droid had a unique cone-shaped head perched atop a single large wheel, gliding effortlessly across the ground.
"Hello," it greeted her in a soft, friendly tone, breaking her reverie.
"Hello," she said with a warm smile, leaning forward to gently touch him.
He recoiled slightly, his wheel moving back cautiously. "No… no thank you," he replied, his tone hesitant.
BB-8 began chirping in concern.
Rey glanced over at him, her brow furrowing. "Looks like someone treated him badly," Rey observed, her voice softening with empathy.
She redirected her gaze to the new droid, determination flickering in her eyes. "It's all right. You're with us now," she reassured him, a hint of warmth in her tone.
"I have a squeaky wheel," the droid confessed, its voice tinged with discomfort.
Rey quickly reached for a can of grease nearby, the familiar scent of lubricant filling the air around her as she brought it closer. She crouched down, her hands steady as she applied the grease to the protesting wheel.
As he rolled back and forth, the droid's posture relaxed, and he brightened with realisation. "Squeak eliminated. Thank you, very kind," he expressed, his wheels moving smoothly now. He then wheeled off, circling around BB-8 in a playful manner.
Rey couldn't help but smile to herself, thinking, Droids really are less complicated than people.
"We're approaching Rori," Poe announced, his voice cutting through the hum of the ship's engines.
Rey moved to the window, her gaze fixed on the sprawling expanse of the swampy planet below. Thick, misty green vegetation hugged the ground, and the surface shimmered with patches of water reflecting the dark sky.
In that moment, she felt the familiar tug of their Force bond, and suddenly, Kylo appeared beside her, his presence warm and grounding. She met his gaze and gave him a subtle nod, her heart racing slightly at his sudden arrival.
"Hey, love," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I wanted to update you. Chewbacca has been transferred to the prison wing, and the dagger is currently being deciphered. It should be completed by the morning."
Rey nodded slowly, a deep sigh escaping her lips as she felt the weight of the news settle in.
"What's wrong?" Kylo asked, concern etching his features as he studied her expression.
"Just unpacking some memories," she internally replied.
Her eyes drifted back to the landscape outside, leaving her lost in thought.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he pressed gently, wanting to draw her back from her reverie.
Rey raised an eyebrow, remaining silent for a moment, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions.
"Not here," she finally said, her tone firm yet weary.
"Come to me as soon as you can," Kylo urged, his voice filled with a mix of longing and determination.
She nodded again, a sense of understanding passing between them, even as the bond connecting them began to fade and he vanished.
The ship touched down in the Rori hangar, the clanking of landing gears echoing around them, accompanied by the hiss of the ramp lowering.
Rey felt a heavy weight of exhaustion settle over her like a thick blanket. She took a tentative step forward, her legs wobbling as she struggled to maintain her balance.
"Are you okay?" Poe asked, concern etched on his face as he rose to his feet.
"Yeah, I just need something to eat and some rest," Rey replied wearily, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Maybe you should get checked out by medical. You look rather pale," Poe suggested, studying her with worried eyes.
"I'll be fine. I think healing that creature took more out of me than I realised," she said, trying to shake off the fatigue that lingered in her bones.
Poe nodded, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. "Get some rest."
Rey managed a small smile in response. "That's the plan." With a heavy sigh, she began to shuffle towards the cafeteria, her feet dragging on the floor as she fought against the overwhelming fatigue.
A thought nagged at her, why am I so tired all of a sudden? The question echoed in her mind as she moved, the emptiness in her stomach only adding to her weariness.
Rey collapsed onto her mattress, her face burying itself into the soft fabric after she rushed through a hurried meal. A weary groan escaped her lips as the exhaustion washed over her.
"Are you alright?" Kylo asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I don't know," she murmured, stifling a yawn that seemed to stretch on forever. "I'm just so tired."
He watched her for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to tell me about those memories?"
Rey propped herself up slightly, her eyes heavy with fatigue. "I'm too tired. Just take a look at them yourself," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Is that how we communicate now?" he questioned.
"Mhhhmm," Rey replied, her eyelids fluttering as she struggled under the weight of her exhaustion.
Before he moved closer, Kylo was suddenly engulfed in a whirlwind of vivid memories.
He saw the dimly lit cave with its shadows dancing across the walls, the creature that Rey healed and the discovery of Oshi's bones lying forgotten in the cold earth.
He committed to memory Rey's parents, their faces etched with love and sorrow as they bid her farewell, a tender moment that spoke volumes despite the inevitable heartache that followed.
The images shifted abruptly, revealing the harrowing moment of her parents' lives extinguished by Oshi, their expressions frozen in terror.
Alongside these poignant memories flickered brief flashes of chaos and destruction—the dagger's dark legacy weaving a tapestry of death.
"What was that?" Kylo asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and intrigue.
"The memories," Rey replied, her tone steady yet laced with emotion.
"Since when can you do that?" he pressed, curious.
"I thought I could push them into your mind, like when we share thoughts," Rey explained thoughtfully. "Clearly, it worked." With that, she collapsed back against her pillow, her eyes reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and relief.
"Clever girl," Kylo said, an affectionate smile breaking through his shock. "I'm glad to know your parents left you for a reason, and it's clear they loved you deeply."
Yep," Rey replied, her voice heavy with sadness. "And Oshi killed them."
Kylo leaned closer, his brow furrowing in concern. "At least he got what was coming to him in the end," he said quietly, a hint of bitterness in his tone.
Rey let out a deep sigh, the weight of the conversation pressing down on her. "Yep."
"Alright, time for bed," Kylo said softly, his hands gently working to undo her shoes.
As he pulled them off, he took care to nestle them neatly to the side. He then turned his attention to her arm bands, unwinding them with deliberate slowness. "Have you been checked over by a doctor or a medical droid?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"No, not yet. Poe said I should get checked out too," Rey replied, stifling a yawn that betrayed her exhaustion.
Kylo nodded. "Finally the pilot and I agree on something," he paused. "If you still feel this way tomorrow, I want you to promise me you'll get checked out," he insisted, his tone firm but caring.
"Okay, I will," Rey replied, her eyes fluttering as sleep began to pull her under.
"Goodnight, my love," Kylo whispered tenderly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead as she gradually drifted off into a peaceful slumber, the troubles of the day fading away.