The Knights of Ren (Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens FanFiction)

Chapter 5: In Shadows

Days had turned to weeks, and weeks had become months since their first exchange in the darkness. The Supreme Leader Snoke had continued in his nightly visits to the Padawans suffocated crypt of shadows. Each night Ben Solo could feel himself changing within, unsure of things he was once so certain. Still, the void that divided the two sides that were tearing him apart had only subtly been sated by the truth. There still remained that fear which had first given rise to a power he had only glimpsed in the training hall of the Jedi Temple. Was it a fear of being unearthed that held back the call of the Dark Side, or had it truly been the power of the Light.

"There is an uncertainty that clouds your mind young Solo," whispered Snoke. "An uncertainty that pulls you back from the progress you have made."

"Yes," he stuttered in hopes of denying its existence. "There are simply too many questions that need answers. But each claims to know better than the next. My mind does not know where to turn."

"Hmm," pondered the Supreme Leader. "The Jedi are fools for believing they can know the nature of the Force by virtue of but one of its aspects. The Dark Side and the Light, they are not so contrary in their existence. If there was not the one to keep the other in tune with the whole, then neither would exist in the first. In the first moments of existence, there was no separation, only time has divided them. Time, and the belief that mortal minds could know their truth."

"But still," he had cast his head in shame, unable to look up at the Supreme Leader as he confessed, "There is some wisdom in the teachings of the Jedi. Patience, selflessness, contemplation, these things can aid us in our darkest hours when the Galaxy appears as if it is being torn apart."

"Lies young Solo, lies that may only temper the passion within our spirits, not extinguish them. It is there that the true essence of the Dark Side can be found," Snoke had begun stroking his twisted jaw. "The Sith were first born of malice. Pulled from a well of endless hatred against those who claimed to know better than they. But jealousy, envy, these were the vessels of their creation, and yet, so too the vessels of their demise."

It was the histories of Lor San Tekka that now flooded to the forefront of his thoughts. Contemplations born of ancient lore that had already transcended the boundaries of times. Wisdom that could not be withheld by even death, but preserved for all of life. Too many times had Ben recited the teachings of that old fool, and denied them each time they had laid their claim. But still they held their place in the memories that formed who he was.

Even his Uncle Luke, Master Skywalker, was present in those memories. For whether he denied it or not, the tranquility that shone in his eyes was one to be envied. There were many regrets that plagued the young Padawan's heart, many mistakes he wished he could take back. It was too late now. The deed had been done, and the tale written. Even if he could go back, there was no change their pressing effects on the person he had become. Even the oldest of the Jedi's teachings could not hope to temper the conflict within his spirit.

"The Jedi Order's skewed version of history does not allow room for the truth that would deny them their anointed place. For that truth would spell the ruin of their cause." A secret had formed at the tip of his tongue as Snoke hesitantly offered it to the boy before him, "There have been those in the Galaxy who are neither Sith nor Jedi. Grey beings that live between the shadows and the light. Even the histories of their precious New Republic forget the most powerful of beings that have shaped the course of time. Those that have existed between the words written on their pages. Those who have transcended death to emerge as something wholly other."

The young Padawan's curiosity had been captivated, "Transcended death?"

"Oh yes," smiled the twisted Supreme Leader Snoke. "Have your Jedi not told you of such beings? Or has your failed Master Skywalker not learned of such truths? Secrets of the dusk I'm afraid. Perhaps those who have lived so long in the light have forgotten such things."