Stockholm on Starkiller | ON HOLD

07: Confessions & Denial.

❝We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;

the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. ❞

It had been weeks since Avatra had her frightful encounter with Kylo. The bruises on her body were proof that she had been training hard, but she felt she wasn't progressing far enough. Through out all of this, Avatra had raked through her mind with questions she could ask him. She wanted to explore his mind, she wanted to know where he came from, what choices he made to become a Dark Warrior. She wanted to know why there was so much hatred in his being, and so much pain in his heart. But everytime she mustered the courage to ask him, her words fell short.

She was fearful of his reaction. He was her trainer, her master, and her leader. Not her friend.

"Keep your mind in the battle, Avatra!" His deep voice reverberated against the metal walls as he raised his hand, fingers splayed out with his palm towards her small stature. She gasped, feeling his hold against her. Like a pair of hands were wrapping themselves around her neck. Emerald eyes narrowed in anger, her glare finding itself stuck on Kylo's revealed face.

He had not worn his mask to training since that day. Avatra was curious about this, too.

"Use your anger to your advantage! Do not let it break you." He shouted at her, his fingers slowly coming together to create a fist. Avatra managed to gasp in a deep breath, before she felt her throat close. Her eyes were trained on his face, before slowly dropping her lids. The pain in her neck was harsh, and strong. Bruises surely forming where his grasp held her, but she kept her mind on that pain. Kylo had instructed her, time and time again....Use that pain.

Slowly, she opened her eyes to catch his, her brows slowly furrowing together as she fought back.

She couldn't explain how she did it, it happened in an instant;

The grip on her neck slowly eased off, and she raised her own hand, reaching out towards Kylo with her fingers spread. Her teeth grit together as she focused, concentrating on his being. She didn't think twice about it, clenching her hand together to create a fist, before throwing her arm out. She let out a shout as she did this, the power surging through her being was indescribable, but she felt every bit of it.

Kylo gasped, suddenly knocked off balance before sliding back against the ground as the invisible force pushed him. He managed to stay on his feet, regaining his balance less than a second later. He was on the other side of the training room now, with a completely shocked look on his features. Avatra breathed in deeply, before standing straight, her face completely stoic. Kylo fought the urge to smile as he saw her face quickly convert to pure excitement.

"Yes! I did it! I can't believe, I mean--that was amazing!" She beamed, bouncing with excitement. Her features were lit up, and for the first time since she had been on the Starkiller, she was smiling. It was broad, and dazzling, her white teeth contrasting wonderfully with her lightly tanned skin. Kylo pulled a small, almost unnoticeable smile on his full lips, standing straight to give a nod of approval.

"You are growing stronger, Avatra. I can feel it." He commented. Avatra stopped her motions, her eyes dawning on Kylo with bewilderment. This was the first time since the beginning of her training, that Kylo had praised her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swell in her chest. It was a confusing feeling, but she had grown the urge to please Kylo. She wanted to make him proud.

It could be the first step in changing him.

"Thank you, Master Ren." Avatra quickly bowed her head, the smile still prominent on her lips.