Darkness At Dawn • Kylo Ren [1]

Epilogue

"Good and evil form our center, like the roots of a tree. They're human nature's architect, they are our humanity."

∫

Kylo Ren and General Hux walked towards a balcony facing the opening of a massive cockpit in the Star Destroyer Finalizer. The survivors from the battle on Starkiller Base stood in rows, watching the general and Kylo intently. Hux's ghastly face was more relaxed than usual and he wasn't arguing with Kylo for once. He stood before them with a message, a message that Snoke would have delivered himself if he wasn't busy with something else.

"We have been defeated by the Resistance." Hux declared. "But we have not lost! We will not surrender at any cost. We will find a new base and we will come back stronger and we will finally destroy everyone in the Resistance!" Hux looked back at Kylo quickly, then at Captain Phasma. "Anyone apart of the Resistance will be killed immediately, we show no more mercy!"

The stormtroopers said nothing but simply raised their arms as a sign of mutual understanding and respect. Hux nodded, pleased with his speech. "Get back to your stations immediately." With that, the stormtroopers scattered.

"You didn't mention that the Resistance are on their way to Skywalker." Kylo said through his robotic mask. "Why?"

"Why should we fear Skywalker?" Hux replied grimly. "The prophecy foretells the rising of the greatest Sith Lord ever and I don't think that's you." Hux shifted his weight. "Where is Bellamy anyways?"

"Supreme Leader wished to speak to her alone."

"Brave."

"Stop talking please." Kylo grunted. "Make sure your men are prepared to kill."

"They already are Ren." Hux snapped.

"Good, I don't want to send my daughter into battle until she is ready." Kylo turned away, walking past Hux. "If she is to be the greatest Sith Lord ever, maybe it is she we should fear instead of Skywalker."

From around the corner, Bellamy walked beside a stormtrooper towards Kylo. Surprised to see her so suddenly, he knelt beside her. "What did Snoke say?"

Bellamy shrugged. "My training is to start immediately."

"And so it shall." Kylo shook his head in agreement.

Bellamy looked down at the lightsaber attached to her belt. "Supreme Leader told me to never lose this lightsaber."

"That was wise of him, that is a legendary lightsaber Bellamy-"

"Isidore."

"Pardon?"

"He believed it would also be wise to change my name." Bellamy interrupted. "Isidore Ren."

Kylo's face felt hot. "But that's the name your mother gave to you!"

"And this is the name Supreme Leader have to me, I am to trust Supreme Leader."

Kylo choked. "I suppose."

"We have work to be done father." Bellamy pulled on his hand.

"Let's go." He muttered, dropping his tall posture. It had already started to begin, the destruction of Bellamy Solo was already taking place. One by one, the Solo's would be no more and somehow, even after all he had done, Kylo hated that idea.

∫

Rey had her staff strapped to her back and began her hike up the considerable mountain with Jude. They glanced back at Chewie and R2-D2, who watched them from the bottom of the ramp.

The mountain path ahead was made of rock stones, each one was washed smooth by the river that once ran freely over them. Jude braced his feet, scared that he would trip over the perched rocks but his ankles tumbled left and right regardless. Thickly dark green boughs arched over the path from each side, competing for the light. Under their dappled the harshness of the midday sun, which was muted but it did little to make the long path any easier. Jude lifted his eyes to the distance ahead, seeing the Falcon waiting for them.

Rey and Jude arrived at a clearing. Small, modest, primitive stone structures but no one was around. Rey walked past them, pulling Jude along with her, she had sensed no one.

Suddenly, a strong feeling invaded her body and caused her to stop. It was strong enough for Jude to feel it too. Standing forty feet away from Jude and Rey, was a man, in a beige cloak and robe. Rey stared, knowing exactly who he was but she just stared for what seems like forever. He had finally began to turn slowly to them and pulled his hood back.

It was Luke Skywalker.

Older now, Luke's dashing blonde hair was white now and he was bearded. He looked at Rey and Jude. A kindness in his eyes, but there was something tortured, too. He didn't  need to ask her who they were, or what they were doing here. His look said it all.

Rey reached into her bag and pulled out Luke's lightsaber, her breath hitching as she handled his legendary weapon. She extended her arm and waited for him to take it, it was supposed to be an offering.

Luke's stunned face just watched Rey and Jude, conflicted at what he should do. No one spoke for a very long time but when they did, it was Luke. "We have much work to do."

A small smile filled up Jude's pale face. He looked up at Rey, who also had the ghost of a smile on her lips. Luke took the lightsaber from Rey and ignited it, the blue blade shining against his eyes. It had been forever since he had seen that saber and now that he had it, he knew exactly what to do.

He walked towards them and kneeled before Jude. To Luke's interest, Jude Solo looked exactly like Anakin Skywalker. He handed Jude the legendary lightsaber and nodded. "This is yours now."

Jude gaped, his dark eyes shimmering. "Thank you."

"I should be thanking you, young Jude." Luke whispered. "You are the last piece of Elara Jane I have left." 

Perhaps it wasn't foretold but the rebirth of the Jedi had begun once more. Starting with a scavenger, Elara Jane and Kylo Ren's son and the myth, Luke Skywalker.

THE END