Ordered

Chapter 12 - In Which Kylo Ren Is Still Alive

(Chapter Rating: T?)

Days later, he was purposely aware that he still lived. He couldn't move. His eyes were still heavy, body broken. He could hear, but he tried to block it all away. Perhaps if he willed it, the Force would humbly snuff out his existence. Had Vader suffered this much? He knew everyone in the division was dead. Would the redheaded bastard send out a rescue party? Would the Supreme Leader not help him and show him the darkness once more?

Rey was still divided against her Master.

Again and again she cried, "You can't leave me here! Alone! With him!"

Yet, Luke's argument was firm, "I must go. Someone has to put a stop to it. I'd take him with us, but he's in no condition to move. Rey, the Force has seen him this far, it will see him through to the other side."

"If he survives, how do you know he won't kill us both?"

"He's not a complete monster. Have faith, Rey. He has too much honor for that."

Rey wanted to argue, but held her tongue. Such statements were easy for Luke to make. He'd not watched helpless, as Rey had, when Kylo Ren murdered Han Solo.

Afterwards, his uncle's voice disappeared entirely. Time slowed. Ren felt it when she touched him. She dutifully brought water to his lips, sponged his body, and tended his wounds. A fool would have reasoned that she cared for him. He had been her fool once. But he knew the truth. She was ordered by her master to ensure his wretched life continued. They needed Ben Solo's talents. There was something strange that they feared, that they needed Ben's help against. Skywalker had commanded the darkness to leave him. Hokey Jedi. Was this the source of Vader's downfall?

Although Ren craved it, he had no way of filling the void in his dark side. Away from Snoke, away from Vader's personal effects, he couldn't maintain the shroud. The Force was leveling him out.

As she lingered over him once more, with the care and goodness of the light, he wanted to push her away. He just wasn't strong enough yet.