The Call to the Darkness

The Most Hated Man in The Galaxy

A wave of panic washed over me, and my heart began to race rapidly. I clipped my lightsabers to my waist, and pulled the hood of my deep blue cloak over my head. Suddenly, my head began to pound, and a stinging sensation washed over me. I crumbled to the ground, writhing in pain.

"He senses me. He's coming." I gasped for air, holding my head in pain. "We need to run.".

I grabbed Thayer's hand and we raced into the dense forestry, hoping the trees would shield us from the troopers. I could now feeling an overbearing, dark presence. It was clear, and menacing, and incredibly powerful. I pushed these thoughts out of my head and tried to develop a plan. In truth, I had none. Our only hope was to return to the ship, but based on the horrendous cruiser floating in the sky, there would be too many troopers and reinforcements to leave the atmosphere.

Thayer lagged behind me, typing a coded message into his telecom. "I've sent out a plea for reinforcements, but it's unlikely they will reach us in time. And if they do, the star cruiser above us will probably shoot them down."

"You're right." a deep menacing voice appeared from behind me, and I knew who it was. My heart sunk. I turned around, afraid to look at who would become my killer. A mere three feet was between us, and I stood motionless, unsure of what to do. I grabbed Thayer's hand, and glanced up at his face. He did not hold the look of fear that mine probably did. I began to take off in a sprint, dragging Thayer behind me, running desperately for my life. I could see the black figure gaining speed until he was almost behind me, and I saw his cross-guard saber begin to glow deep red. I unhooked my saber from my belt, and held my ground, swinging it behind me. It's violet light met his with force I did not know I had in me, and sparks flew as the sabers clashed together. I stared intently into the blackness of the mask of the figure in front of me. "So you're the infamous Kylo Ren." I growled, feeling rage burn inside of me. I let it fuel my strikes, but he blocked every one with ease. "The most hated man in the galaxy." I smirked, as I unbuckled my second saber from my belt, which was hidden under my cloak. I swung it at his side while his glowing red saber blocked my first strike. He raised his hand at me, sending me flying backwards. "Foolish girl." he sighed, as if bored with me, and twirled his lightsaber in his hand. "Do you really think you can win this fight?" He asked, the helmet distorting his voice into a low rumble. I backed myself into a tree, trying to pull myself up with every ounce of strength I had left. "Even if I cannot win, I will not stand idly by as some tyrannical scumbag oppresses the galaxy and shrouds it in darkness." I yelled at him, pulling on the Force for strength as I raised my hand towards him. I poured all my rage and pain into my actions, and used it to fling his helmet from his head. I was surprised by the face I met. He was so...young. Nearly my age. And his eyes were so...sad. Engulfed in rage, no doubt, but in obvious pain. Was he always in such a state of torment?

"It appears this great villain isn't as menacing without the helmet. I can see why you wear it." I taunted him, trying to seem tough in my last moments. Our sabers met again, creating a painful, searing noise.

"Don't act so tough, your highness. I can practically feel your fear. It radiates off of you. It's how I found you so quickly." He retaliated at me, and I swung at him in rage. "That, and your ever present rage. You aren't a very good jedi it seems, letting those emotions control you." I clenched my eyes tightly shut, channeling my anger. I focused my eyes directly on him, sending him backwards into a tree. I watched him pick himself up from the ground, and quickly turned in the other direction. "Run." I looked to Thayer, who was apparently confused by what had just occurred. We sprinted off, further into the woods, fingers interlocked, as I feared for our lives. "Thayer." I called to him. "You don't have to die too. You can hide, and they won't come looking for you once I'm dead. I will not let another innocent person die because of me." My cloak trailed behind me, and I could feel heavy footsteps gaining on us. He scoffed. "You are not dying today, Ariadne Kryze. And I am not leaving you." He stopped running, and turned to face Ren. His lightsaber weaponized, glowing bright green. "Don't do this Thayer." I yelled at him, but it was too late, Kylo struck at him furiously, and Thayer did his best to hold his own. His face was calm, serene, in comparison to the rage-filled features of Ren. I could feel his anger and instability, but Thayer remained emotionless. Like a real jedi. Kylo's raven hair fell in his face against his pale skin. I got lost in his entrancing aura. The anger, the hatred, the power. They called to me. I felt them brewing within me. And I feared for what it meant. I watched as Ren overtook Thayer, bringing him crumbling to his knees. The red saber pointed inches away from his throat. "No!" a blood curdling scream erupted from my throat. "Please, don't kill him. It's me you want." I begged.

"Well, it appears I've found a weakness." Kylo smirks a devilish grin, his dark eyes staring intently into mine. "Don't listen to him Ari. The Resistance needs you. You need to get out of here." Thayer called to me, but I blocked him out, knowing his words were true.

"You come with me, and your traitorous friend lives another day." Kylo said firmly, closing the gap between Thayer's neck and his saber.

"I will do whatever you want. Just get away from him." I spat, glaring into his eyes. He begins to fiddle with a device on his wrist. "I have the duchess," he speaks into the device, "and one of her foolish subjects." I zone out from his words, and bend down next to Thayer. He looks at me, in obvious pain.

"It's okay." I whisper to him. "We will be okay. Have hope." I try to smile, but it comes across as a crooked grimace. I stroke my hand through his blonde hair, now feeling like his protector, instead of he being mine. Storm troopers begin to surround us, and a dread sets in. Kylo pulls me from the ground, and I hold his gaze for a moment, lost in thought, but snap my head away quickly. He places his helmet back on his head, and barks orders to the troopers. Now, Mandalore is truly lost.