Shadow Desires

Chapter 24

I grabbed the Jedi by the collar and pushed him down into a chair, my eyes narrowing as I stared into his. The room was dim, the only light coming from a flickering lamp above us.

"What's your name?" I demanded, my voice sharp.

The Jedi hesitated, his eyes locking onto mine with defiance. For a moment, silence hung between us, heavy and tense. Then, finally, he spoke.

"My name is Kael," he said, his voice calm but edged with resistance. "But knowing my name won't change anything."

I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling inside me. "Why did Kylo Ren want you so badly? What makes you so important?"

"His name is Ben," the Jedi said, voice defiant despite the blood and bruises covering his face.
Kylo Ren real name echoed in my mind.

Kael remained silent, his gaze unwavering. He didn't flinch, didn't show fear—only a quiet strength. It made my job all the more difficult, and I felt my grip tighten on my weapon as I weighed my options.

Before I could press him further, the door behind me opened. I turned to see General Hux standing there, his expression unreadable. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who was with him—Kylo Ren. My heart fluttered at his presence, a mix of anticipation and tension rushing through me.

"Captain, leave the interrogation to Kylo Ren," Hux ordered.

I nodded, stepping aside to allow Kylo Ren to enter the room. He walked in confidently, his dark robes flowing around him. I moved out of his way, feeling a strange sense of relief but also reluctance.

"You're excused, Captain. Congratulations on capturing the Jedi," Hux said, his tone neutral.

I straightened my shoulders, trying to regain some composure. "Thank you, General. If you need me for future missions, I'll be ready."

With that, I left the room, my thoughts a whirlwind. Part of me wanted to stay, to hear the answers I sought. But I knew I had to remain professional. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the emotions that threatened to surface.

The thoughts of Kael revealed Kylo Ren's real name has engulfed my mind. He had looked directly into my eyes as if he wanted me to know. I hadn't reacted then, but now, as I stood in the hallway, the weight of it hit me. Kylo Ren, the powerful and terrifying figure who haunted my thoughts, was once just a person named Ben. It made him seem vulnerable, almost human. And that scared me.

Hours later, I couldn't sleep. I knew Kylo was still interrogating Kael. The screams I had heard earlier had stopped, replaced by an eerie silence. I needed to see him again, the Jedi who had trusted me enough to reveal Kylo Ren's name.

I made my way to the holding cell, making sure no one saw me. The guards were gone, replaced by the cold metal doors. I slipped inside, and there he was—Kael, slumped against the wall, his face battered and bloodied. He looked up at me, his eyes still sharp.

"You shouldn't be here," he croaked, his voice weak but still holding a spark of defiance.
I knelt beside him, my heart aching at the sight of his injuries. "Why did you tell me his name?" I whispered.

Kael met my gaze, a pained smile tugging at his lips. "Because you deserve to know the truth. He's not just Kylo Ren... he's Ben. There's still a part of him that can be saved."

I swallowed hard, my emotions swirling. Kylo Ren—Ben—wasn't just a monster. He was a man who had made terrible choices, but somewhere deep down, maybe there was hope. But how could I reconcile that with the man who had just tortured Kael, who had killed Elrik?

I reached out, my fingers lightly brushing Kael's arm. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "For everything."

Kael gave a small nod. "You still have a choice," he said, his voice full of conviction. "Don't let him consume you."

I stood up, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Kael's words stayed with me as I slipped out of the cell and back into the cold halls of Starkiller Base. I had a choice, and for now, I wasn't sure which path I would take.