Let It Burn

How Long Can You Stand the Pain?

It took time to gather all the Knights to him before they could leave. Precious time that Kylo Ren did not appreciate losing. His fists were clenched and he was barely resisting pacing (or a more violent reaction) when Captain Phasma came to tell him that everyone had arrived.

"Thank you, Captain." He paused, looking at her for a long moment while she waited patiently. "I appreciate your loyalty, Phasma. Keep the generals from taking over – especially old Hux – while I'm gone. These are your troops and you don't answer to him."

"Yes, sir."

"And if... If we don't survive this fight..."

Her emotions were hard to read but he thought she understood his intent. "I will follow you wherever you may lead, sir. And, if we do not meet again, it has been an honor."

She saluted him and took her leave, and he stared after her, suddenly afraid of how this might all end. But he pushed that thought away – he had known since the beginning what sacrifices might be asked of him. And he'd made them willingly for years. Now was no time to be plagued by sentiment just because everything felt different this time.

When he arrived in the hangar bay, the other Knights were waiting, not quite at attention, but close. He led the way onto their fastest ship and piloted it himself. No unwarranted variables would be introduced to the situation. The space around Borosk was busy with the congregation of the fleet. Soon they would be ready for the jump to hyperspace to defeat the Resistance. Or at least face them. General Hux was in charge, and Phasma would hopefully keep the old generals from interfering unduly. In any case, he intended to rejoin them before they arrived at their destination. So this little detour would have to be fast.

They had time, he reminded himself. The fleet was hardly more than half prepared for an assault on their enemy. He made the jump and soon had nothing to distract him from what might happen when he was on the planet. A strange feeling was twisting through him and the gnawing sensation that he might not return was hard to shake.

Getting to his feet, he headed back to survey his Knights. "When we arrive, we will find Skywalker and our siblings. Iton will show us the temple. Do nothing to disturb the ruin."

"Yes, Master," they responded, not exactly in unison, but close enough. He gave them a nod before returning to the cockpit.

Not so surprising, but unpleasant was the fact that Rey's lightstaff did no damage to Iton Ren's club. Rey was blocking effectively, fortunately, and was trying different tactics in an attempt to land a blow on her adversary. Though Iton had seemed quite talkative earlier, she said nothing as their fight took them around the room. Given that they were both relatively small females, they were well-versed in the tactic of giving ground to exhaust one's larger enemy. Against each other, though, it just meant that one would feint forward while the other moved back and they quickly made their way around the great hall.

The greatest danger Rey saw was the gaping hole in the center of the floor, followed by the rubble strewn about. It would take a much greater level of fatigue for either of them to fail to block, she thought in consternation. She could feel the raw power here, exhilarating, and it made her hair stand on end. Exhaustion would take a very long time to have any significant effect on either of them. Assuming Iton Ren felt the same thing.

Though she had little mental capacity to spare, Rey tried to figure out what had happened to Luke and Lyek. She had been sure the heat signature she had seen had been them. But perhaps it was just Iton Ren. Or perhaps the prevalence of the Force here threw off her sensors. In either case, she was growing impatient and wanted this to end so she could find her master before it was too late.