Hope Remains - A Reylo Story

⭐Two⭐

The sky was a dim violet in the early morning dawn, a gentle breeze blowing across the First Order base. Balmorra wasn't the most flat planet but it's central position within the Core worlds and history with the Galactic Empire made it suitable for the First Order to settle here.

It had been another restless night for Kylo Ren haunted by the memory of his Uncle's betrayal. But ever since the night that he finally freed himself from the strings that tethered him to his master aboard the Supremacy, he was haunted by Rey's screams from Snoke's arduous torture. Every night she would be suspended above him and Snoke would split her mind apart searching for the location of Skywalker and her screams were enough to tear his heart in two. Kylo would wake panting and sweating feeling Rey's pain as his own. For five years he had dreamed of this and found no comfort in her ability to block him out of their connection when she pleased.

In the beginning neither of them could control the visitations and often shouted at each other through the bond, both reeling from the aftermath aboard the Supremacy: Kylo was angered by her rejection of him and felt once again abandoned whilst Rey had felt betrayal and disappointment. Once they had shouted their hurt away they had taken to ignoring each other until one day the bond opened and Rey had asked Kylo why this was still happening. He had no answer for her then and even now after much research into remaining archives and Force relics, he could find no such reason as to why the bond still existed. When Kylo took out his frustrations of the day out on the walls of the base and the furniture of his room, Rey had appeared to him and calmed him. They had talked for as long as the bond allowed about the frustrations of the day. That had proved a turning point for the both of them as they listened to each other, Rey would divulge Kylo in her training and Kylo would explain his annoyance and distaste for politics.

Kylo stood atop the balcony of his room watching the ground base slowly come to life. Technicians and maintenance workers scurrying about the training floor below whilst droids moved about fixing circuits in the walls and transporting transmissions to the officers and generals on night shifts. The training floor functioned as a hangar as well for important officials meeting with the Supreme Leader to discuss business and politics about the Galaxy. Today would be one such day. There were fleeting moments when Kylo thanked his persistent mother in dragging him to senatorial meetings and galas to discuss business and politics even when he was a young boy. But with his father always away headlining piloting competitions or off on some smuggling stint, Kylo really had no choice.

It was harder than he thought, ruling a Galaxy. Kylo preferred to be out in the field of battle where adrenaline would rush through his blood in a fierce familiarity. He would get easily agitated being forced to sit and listen to the countless reports thrown at him and the countless representatives of planets and systems swearing fealty to him and the First Order. He found it much easier to exert his influence through fear, something the First Order reigned upon.

As Kylo looked out towards the violet horizon, a ruckus on his door diverted his attention. Kylo turned on his heel and trudged towards the door. He opened and inwardly groaned as General Hux stood before him, his haughty stature infuriating as ever. Why Kylo hadn't replaced him was beyond him, however, he knew he needed Hux to operate the First Order under him. "Yes, General?" Kylo spat out the words through his teeth.

"Supreme Leader, we have received word that the Hutts will be arriving soon to discuss the riots that have erupted on Nal Hutta." Hux spat out just as contemptuously as his superior.

"Is that all?"

"The base on Lothal was infiltrated by rioters. All communication has been lost and most of the shipments there were destroyed." Hux's face paled slightly as Kylo's eyes darkened. They were losing control. For months they had tried to rope the strikes and assaults against the Order but now the whole Galaxy was fighting back, this would only give roots to the Resistance and cause problems for Kylo and the First Order.