Chapter 31 - Darkness rises
Kylo and Rey stepped into the spacious training room. They watched with amusement as Leia executed a perfect somersault, her laughter ringing through the air as Captain Parlux skillfully caught her legs, a proud smile spreading across her face.
"Good job," she cooed, her voice filled with encouragement.
As the scene unfolded, Rey's heart raced, and she instinctively let go of Kylo's hand, her nerves getting the best of her. She felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her, her composure slipping away.
In a low whisper, Kylo leaned closer and said, "She won't be able to see you unless I'm touching you."
Rey nodded, feeling both embarrassed and anxious. Her anxiety was a storm raging within her, threatening to overwhelm her. "I'm sorry," she responded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just really nervous."
"Daddy!" came the excited squeal of Leia, her bright eyes sparkling with joy as she spotted Kylo standing a short distance away. He was gazing intently at the spot where Rey stood, but Leia couldn't see her yet.
Leia dashed across the open space with uncontainable energy and launched herself into Kylo's outstretched arms. He effortlessly caught her, lifting her high.
"Are you having fun, Princess?" he asked, a warm smile spreading across his face as he looked down at her.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She then turned her head toward Rey and whispered, "Who's that? She's pretty."
"You can see me?" Rey replied, her eyes twinkling with delight.
"Yes," Leia whispered again, her voice barely above a breath.
Rey smiled back brightly, already feeling a bond forming. "I think you're even prettier," she said, her tone genuine and kind.
With innocent wonder, Leia asked Kylo, "Is she my new mummy?" Her eyes widened with the thought.
Captain Parlux approached, watching the exchange with keen interest, though she remained silent.
"Yes, this is Rey," Kylo replied.
Leia squealed with delight as she launched herself into Rey's open arms, bursting with energy and excitement. Rey caught her effortlessly, the warmth of the child enveloping her as Leia joyfully leaped away from Kylo's grasp.
In that instant, Rey manifested before Captain Parlux, startling her so much that she let out a small yelp of surprise. "Sorry, my lord, my lady," she stammered, eyes wide with shock.
Rey couldn't help but chuckle at the startled captain's reaction. "It's fine. I can only imagine how surprising it must be to have someone suddenly appear out of nowhere like that." Rey turned her gaze back to Kylo. "I'm just holding her, yet I'm now visible."
Kylo raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Maybe it's a Force-sensitive thing," he suggested, pondering the mystery of their unusual connection.
Rey shrugged playfully, her eyes bright with mischief. "Maybe it's a genetic thing." Glancing down, Rey smiled warmly at Leia nestled in her arms. "You know, your daddy was right. You do look a lot like me."
Leia's face lit up with pure joy. "Really?"
"Really," Kylo affirmed, his voice soft as he watched the exchange, a hint of pride in his gaze.
Rey heard a persistent knocking on the door of the room where she was hiding, on her side of the bond.
With a deep sigh, Rey focused her gaze on little Leia, whose large, innocent eyes glimmered with a blend of confusion and worry. The subtle change in Rey's expression had not gone unnoticed, and Leia's brow furrowed.
Rey felt a pang of regret. "I'm sorry, sweetie," she said softly. "But I need to go back to work now. You be a good girl for Daddy and Sam, okay?"
"Okay, Mummy," Leia responded, her voice small but obedient.
With a tender smile, Rey set her daughter down carefully, ensuring her feet touched the ground gently. "I'll see you soon," Rey promised, her voice steady as she ended their bond with a flicker of energy, disappearing from sight in an instant.
"Why did Mummy have to go?" Leia's face scrunched up with a frown.
Kylo knelt beside her, the warmth of his presence enveloping her like a comforting blanket. "Well, Mummy has a really important job, and sometimes that means she has to return to work quickly," he explained gently, his tone reassuring.
"When will I see her again?" Leia inquired, her eyes hopeful yet anxious.
"Soon, I promise," Kylo replied, offering a small smile. "I have a feeling that your mummy won't be able to stay away for too long. She loves you very much."
Just then, the door burst open as Hux stormed into the training room, a sense of urgency in his demeanor. "My Lord, there is something you need to hear!" he exclaimed, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.
Rey threw open her bedroom door, her heart racing, and was met with the anxious expression of JK.
"We need to get back to the command room right now. A bizarre broadcast is playing," he informed her, urgency lacing his voice.
Without a word, they sprinted down the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing off the walls, each thud a reminder of the tension in the air.
As they entered the control room, a chilling, dark chuckle reverberated around them, sending shivers down Rey's spine.
"I've heard that laugh before," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Now that I have your attention," the voice echoed, dripping with malice. "The final order is nearly ready. Its power surpasses that of the Empire and the First Order combined. You believed I was destroyed, but you are mistaken. I will have my revenge, and the Sith will rise to rule once more. The true Emperor will reclaim the throne."
Suddenly, the broadcast cut out, leaving the room steeped in ominous silence.
"Who was that?" Finn asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Chewbacca's deep voice rumbled through the air as he growled, "Awrgwawggr."
Poe mirrored Finn's concern as he echoed, "Emperor Palpatine? Wasn't he killed?"
Rey's expression turned serious as she replied, "I thought Darth Vader destroyed him."
Chewbacca growled once more, this time with urgency. "Rrwwwgg."
Rey nodded, her eyes narrowing. "I know that's what Luke said, but he must have survived somehow." My grandfather is alive.
Finn's gaze shifted nervously as he asked, "What do we do now?"
"We consult our secret informant within the First Order," Poe said, his voice low and urgent.
"You have a spy inside the First Order?" Rey asked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yes," Poe confirmed, glancing around cautiously. "Finn, Chewbacca, and I received a message last night. We nearly lost the Millennium Falcon getting back here in one piece."
"What happened?" Rey pressed, concern etched on her face. "Bad news, that's what happened," Poe replied, the weight of his words heavy. "We decoded the intel, and it's worse than we feared. It's a countdown warning. We have only six days left until the free worlds face an imminent attack."
"Attacked by whom?" Rose questioned, her voice trembling slightly.
"It must be the Emperor," Rey theorised, her brow furrowing with worry.
"All we know is that the threat is situated in the unknown regions, on a dark and mysterious world called Exegol," Poe explained, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a storm cloud.
C-3PO, ever the source of information, stepped forward with his metallic frame glinting in the dim light. "Exegol does not appear on any star charts," he stated, his voice tinged with apprehension. "But legend describes it as the hidden world of the Sith."
"Rey, don't you have those ancient Jedi texts that delve into the history of the Sith?" Finn asked.
"I do," she replied, determination flashing in her eyes. "I need to retrieve them; just wait here." With that, she took off, sprinting out of the cramped control room and racing down the corridor toward her quarters, her heart pounding with urgency.
As she focused her mind on her connection with Ben, the air around her shimmered and transformed. When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing on the sleek, metallic bridge of the Finalizer. The cold, imposing structure loomed around her, filled with bustling officers and the soft hum of machinery.
To her side, she saw Kylo Ren, his cape billowing slightly as he turned to face her, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "I'm assuming you heard the transmission," he said, his deep voice cutting through the noise of the bridge.
"I need the Jedi texts," Rey insisted, her brow furrowing in determination. "We have to learn more about Exegol."
He nodded thoughtfully, his demeanor shifting to one of resolve as he began to stride purposefully toward their chambers. "I do know…" Kylo started, his tone serious and assured.
"Not here," Rey interrupted, her eyes scanning the room, aware of the many ears around them. "Poe informed me that the First Order has a spy. The Resistance received an encrypted file containing a countdown for an attack on any world that isn't under First Order control."
"I didn't authorise that," Kylo replied, his voice laced with incredulity and anger, his gaze hardening as he processed the implications of her words.
"It's probably Hux or Palpatine," Rey responded. "He must have been plotting this for years, waiting for the right moment to strike."
Kylo's anger simmered beneath the surface as he growled, "I certainly wouldn't put it past Hux to orchestrate something like this."
Rey nodded seriously. "I'm not pointing fingers right now, but we need to remain vigilant."
As they stepped into their chambers, a warm, familiar sight greeted them: Captain Parlux and Leia were on the floor, their laughter filling the room as they rolled a small ball back and forth, unaware of the brewing storm.
Kylo's expression dulled with worry. "It's not safe for Leia here," he said, urgency in his voice.
"My lord," Captain Parlux replied, rising swiftly to her feet, concern etched across her face.
"I need you to pack a bag. You and Leia are leaving," Kylo insisted as he grabbed Rey's hand to make her appear.
"My lady," Captain Parlux said, his voice laced with concern as he watched Rey, her features tense and resolute. "What's going on?"
Rey took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing with determination. "There's a spy within the First Order, and a war may be on the horizon," she explained, the weight of the news hanging heavily in the air.
"Okay, where should we go?" Captain Parlux asked, her brow furrowing with worry as she contemplated the grim situation.
"Is Naboo safe?" Rey questioned, her voice rising slightly in urgency, hoping for reassurance.
Kylo replied with conviction, "With the new trade agreement in place, it will be secure."
Rey's eyes darted around the room, a protective instinct taking over. "I'd feel much better if JK could accompany them. They need extra protection, just in case," she insisted, a flicker of anxiety crossing her face.
Kylo shook his head slightly, his expression serious. "He's meant to be your protection," he reminded her.
"I can transport to you at will; I'll be fine," Rey countered firmly, her resolve unwavering. "But our daughter needs to be our top priority."
Kylo nodded in agreement, his expression focused as he moved to the heavy wooden drawers of their dresser.
With deft hands, he pulled them open, revealing the ancient Jedi texts nestled inside. He carefully handed the weathered books to Rey.
Just then, Leia hurried across the room, her face a mask of concern. She wrapped her arms tightly around Rey's legs.
Rey crouched down to pull Leia into a heartfelt embrace. "Be safe, my darling," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Be good for Sam and JK."
Rey looked up, meeting the gaze of Parlux, who stood patiently nearby. "Get to the clearing on Naboo where you dropped JK and me off," Rey instructed, her tone steady. "I'll have JK take you to the safe house."
Parlux nodded, determination glimmering in her eyes. Rey stepped back, taking a deep breath as she concentrated on her destination, envisioning the familiar scenery of her room on Rori.
As the door swung open, she was greeted by the eager figure of JK, ready for action. "I need you to get to the Naboo safe house," Rey said urgently. "Sam and Leia will meet you in the clearing. Take my ship; it's equipped with a data medallion."
"Leia?" JK asked, uncertainty lacing his voice. "Sam will explain everything. Now go," Rey insisted, urgency creeping into her tone.
Without hesitation, JK nodded and dashed down the corridor toward the hangar, leaving Rey to sprint back to the control room, her heart pounding with the weight of her decisions. Rey exhaled a deep breath when she reentered the room.
Finn looked up noticing JK's absence. "Where's Jack?" he inquired.
"I sent him to gather intel," Rey replied smoothly, masking her anxiety with a calm exterior. "We're going to need all the help we can get."
The atmosphere crackled with tension, but Rey remained resolute, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.