Corruption

Chapter 1

Smoke. Fire. Screaming.
And a high-pitched ringing in my ears that wouldn't stop.

That's all I could remember. That, and being grabbed.

Why didn't they kill me like they killed everyone else?

My planet, my people—slaughtered. Men, women, children. Gone. Erased. For what? Because my father allowed the rebels sanctuary? Because he dared to show mercy? The First Order had shown none in return. They turned Rhymna—our warm, green, beautiful world—into ash.

I felt hands around my ribs. Strong. Large. Another arm under my legs. Whoever carried me was massive, their grip secure and tight, almost careful. My cheek pressed against something warm and solid—his chest, maybe. But I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes. I wouldn't. What was there left to see?

Everything I had cared about was gone. My father. My sisters. My people. I was alone now. Alone in the galaxy.

My body felt strange, distant, like it didn't belong to me. My skin was damp with sweat but still trembling from the cold. Where the cold came from, I didn't know. Not Rhymna. Rhymna was sun and flowers and gleaming white palaces. Rhymna was—

Gone.

I shivered violently as wind slashed at my bare skin, my muscles tensing against it. I couldn't feel where the pain ended and the numbness began. Something deep and burning throbbed in my side. The injury—I didn't know how bad it was. But it was enough to make my breath catch in my throat.

A blast of warm air touched my skin, and I heard a door open. The heavy thudding of footsteps echoed around me—his footsteps. My captor. I imagined armored boots and towering height. The kind of man whose presence darkened every room. My limbs were limp. I couldn't fight even if I wanted to.

I heard voices. Machines. But still I didn't open my eyes. I was too afraid.

The journey felt like it lasted a lifetime. Then, another hiss of a door. And a sudden sterile scent.

A medbay. I knew the smell—antiseptic and metal. The beeping of monitors. The hum of scanners. The cold bite of a table against my back as I was lowered down.

Pain surged through me.

A scream tore from my throat before I even realized it was mine. My eyes shot open, a flood of harsh white light blinding me.

"Stay calm," a nurse said, her hands gripping my arms as I thrashed. "You're going to hurt yourself more. Just breathe."

"Fuck!" I cried, slamming my fist against the cold slab beneath me. "Why aren't you doing anything?!"

"We need to sedate her!" she shouted, but I wasn't listening. I couldn't stop. Panic consumed me.

Then—a sting at my neck. Cold fluid rushing through my veins.

My limbs grew heavy. My voice quieted. The sobs slowed, but the pain stayed.

The last word I remember whispering before the dark pulled me under was—

"Help."

⸻

When I woke again, everything was too bright. My vision swam. My mouth was dry, and my limbs ached.

I groaned, trying to sit up. White walls. White floor. White gown. Everything was so clean it felt wrong.

A doctor appeared in the doorway. When he saw me stir, he stepped in quickly and adjusted the bed to lift me upright.

"You're awake," he said, checking the IV in my arm. His voice was mild, almost pleasant. "Would you like food? Water? The sedation might have left you disoriented. I apologize—it was for your safety."

I didn't answer. I stared at him. Cold. Empty.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "If you need anything, press this button. I've informed Master Ren. He'll be here shortly."

I froze.

Master Ren. Kylo Ren.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed—pain shot through me instantly, a knife driving into my side. I gasped and collapsed to my knees.

"No, no, don't—" the doctor shouted, but I was already crawling.

I lifted the gown and saw it. A thick, bloody bandage taped to my ribs. Crimson was already soaking through.

I was broken. I couldn't even run. My legs were too weak. My body was too battered.

I curled forward, sobbing, defeated.

"Please don't let him kill me," I whispered as the nurse and doctor rushed in, lifting me gently back to the bed. My voice was hoarse. Small. Pathetic.

And then I heard it.

Heavy footsteps.

Slower. Louder. Final.

The door hissed open—and he was there.

Kylo Ren. Cloaked in black, helmet gleaming like obsidian. A shadow made flesh. His presence filled the room like gravity.

I curled into myself, breath catching in my throat. I couldn't move. Couldn't speak.

He stepped inside, his boots silent now on the clean floor. The door sealed behind him.

"Princess," he said, his voice distorted and mechanical through his helmet. A hiss of contempt.

I didn't answer.

"I assume the medical staff has taken good care of you?"

I swallowed, and before I could stop myself, the words came out.

"They wouldn't have needed to if you hadn't destroyed my planet."

It sounded braver in my head. In reality, it was shaky, broken by sobs I couldn't contain.

Kylo tilted his head. Irritated.

"I was doing what was necessary. Your father harbored rebel scum."

"Rebel scum?" I scoffed. "They never harmed anyone. Unlike the First Order."

His body went still. That black mask stared at me, unreadable.

"I'd watch myself, if I were you, Princess," he said, stepping forward. His tone was slow. Dangerous.

I flinched as he leaned down, the breath from his mask brushing my cheek.

"You may have been royalty back on Rhymna," he murmured, voice low and threatening. "But here... you are nothing."