Salvation To My Stars • Kylo Ren [2]

XXI

Bellamy's Pov

∽

I aboard the Finalizer knowing that I have little time to spare before the Resistance arrives. I clench my fists tightly, until my nails dig into the palm of my hand, but I barely notice. The only thing I am really aware of, is the sound of my heart throbbing against the cage of my chest. It's not until I open my mouth to speak to Elwood that I notice I've been biting my lip so hard it's bleeding.

For a moment, he scans me up and down, his brown hair messy from our journey. "Uh, your lip is bleeding."

I wipe the remaining blood with my sleeve and look down at my boots. "I've noticed." Then a look of shocked surprise came onto Elwood's face and suddenly, he was laughing uproariously. I shove him slightly, urging him to stop but he doesn't. We receive multiple looks from stormtroopers passing by. "What?" I demand. "What could be so funny?"

He shakes his head like it's too good to share. His cheeks become a fascinating light shade of red and he has to lean against the wall to catch his breath.

Suddenly, I am laughing too. I'm laughing so hard I can't stop. I wave my hand in the air, my flag of apology. I don't know why, but the waves of laughter keep coming. I try to catch my breath and snort, staring at him wide-eyed, shocked that I would do such a thing. I don't know why I found myself laughing so hard, but I couldn't stop. My breath came in quick gasps between my unstoppable giggles. Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over.

"Ahem," A dark voice threatened my laughter and I looked up, meeting the face of my masked father.

Immediately my face went back to being stone cold and Elwood stiffened beside me. "Greetings father."

Unimpressed, he pushed passed Elwood and came face to face with me. Well, not completely, it was face to mask. "You should be at your position on the Cell Block, guarding the prisoner," He turned to Elwood. "And you should be commanding your fleet."

"I was actually on my way now father." I nod, tightening the string of my cloak.

My father nods in return, turning to walk away. "Do not fail me again Isidore Ren or there will be hell to pay this time."

"Of course father."

And he was gone.

I turn to face Elwood, his cheeks have returned to their usual pale colour and his eyes aren't gleaming anymore. "I'm sorry," I found myself saying. "I didn't expect him to be on this floor."

Elwood shakes his head. "He's right, I should go to the command room and prepare my men."

"Okay," Is all I say, mentally hitting myself for being so awkward. "I'll see you later I guess..."

Before I can say anything, he walked up to me slowly and pulled me closer to him, wrapping his arms around me. His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around my smaller body. He pulled away and stepped back, scratching the back of his head. "Be careful alright?"

The hug was a simple enough gesture and I try to shake it off like it was nothing. "You too."

∽

The hallways are dark with grey walls, not a handprint or scuff mark anywhere. The doors are a glossy black, numbered with silver digits and flashing lights that match the seemingly uncomfortable vibe throughout the Finalizer. I grew up on this ship, I saw my mother in a casket on this ship, learnt the ways of the Dark Side and killed my first victim onboard this damn ship.

The ship I command with Elwood doesn't have the same vibe as the Finalizer and in some ways, I am grateful for that. When speaking of my ship, we still use the name that the old general gave it and now, it is in need of a new one. Though that will have to wait, I have come up with Eldore, the Star Destroyer.

"General Ren?" A stormtrooper greeted me. "I was told you'd be watching the prisoner while I and a few others wait outside in case the Resistance break through our defences."

"That is correct," I nod, typing the code into the panels. "Don't call for me unless it is an emergency."

The stormtroopers around the Cell Block salute me before I go inside. "Yes ma'am."

I walk up the bloody mess on the floor. Laying on the makeshift bed was Corinthia W. Arlo, one of the Resistance's most prized pilots. Already her eyes were swollen over and bloody spit drooled from her mouth. She was now as revolting as she should be, finally the outside reflects the woman within. With a wrinkled nose I take a step backwards and am I able to see her blue eyes staring at me. "You look like hell."

She grumbled a laugh but it was spiteful and harsh. She knew I who I was and I loved it. I could tell she wanted to punch me but she wouldn't make it half a centimetre without falling over. "You belong there."

"I know," I say knowingly, stepping over her to take a seat beside her. "But until then, I'm here."

"How unfortunate," She mumbled, her eyes opening and then closing every few seconds. "Your men seem to believe that I haven't told your father everything I know about the Resistance."

"They aren't my men," I reassure her. "But I'm sure my father is right."

She rolls over to her side and I can feel the amount of strength it took her to do so. "I've said all that I know, I'm just a pilot."

"A pilot that is with Jude Solo."

"So you do remember him."

"How could I not? His combat style is sloppy and angry and he is filled with hate, just like a Sith." I inform her.

"Don't you dare compare him to a Sith Lord."

I shrug. "I'm just speaking the truth Corinthia."

Trying to poke at me, she seethes. "Your fun is torture and cruel, Bellamy."

The ship suddenly shakes and I'm flung against the wall, feeling something inside my body crack. I immediately go to my lightsaber and ignite it, watching Corinthia try to restore her balance. "They're here."

"Who?"

"Your knight in shining armour and company."

Her eyes widen and I can't believe that she's smiling, even after all she's been through. She shakes her head and leans over to spit the remaining blood in her mouth. "I feel bad for you Bellamy, you'll never know love."

"I don't need love."

"But you do Bellamy, you'll never know true beauty until you know love."