Star Wars: A dyad in the Force 「A Reylo FanFiction」

Act 10: Exegol:: Family Bonds

Exegol, 35 ABY

The hidden world of Exegol, a desolate and sinister planet concealed within the Unknown Regions, had been unearthed. Occupied by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious and his loyal followers, the Sith Eternal, this forsaken realm served as the birthplace of Supreme Leader Snoke and other horrific creations. Deep within its depths, the Emperor safeguarded the amassed fleet of the Sith Eternal, a formidable force intended to establish a New Empire. However, this Empire would not be ruled by Palpatine himself but by his granddaughter, Rey Palpatine.

Darth Sidious set his grand scheme into motion, perceiving through the Force that his own flesh and blood was destined to come and end his existence. Strangely enough, this was precisely what he desired—a fresh vessel to extend his own life. Previous endeavors had been thwarted by the presence of a Skywalker, but not this time. The cunning Sith Lord had prepared a contingency plan. If his current endeavor were to fail, one of his monstrous creations would carry on his vision in an obscure realm, forgotten by all.

Exegol stood finally before her, surrounded by dark clouds and lightning. A world long neglected by the known Galaxy. Rey's ship dipped below the cloudline as the Sith fleet revealed upon her. Even vaster than her vision had led her to believe. She stared at the Sith fleet with wide, horrific eyes. Larger in number, the Star Destroyers shined bright against the lasting storm of Exegol. The vessels were based on an older model from the Galactic Empire, but they were larger. Extra guns turrets and laser cannons were verified to have a greater capability than the Resistance would expect.

Her shoulders shook in fear as Rey took a closer look. She was not allowed to be afraid. She was not allowed to show the tenseness that grew in her head. She had to rise to the expectations; to stand tall no matter what came her way. She took a deeper breath and believed. Believed in her friends. The Resistance would hold. It is not for her to regret who she was, but to fulfill the destiny given. Not as a Palpatine, but as a Nobody. A nameless Jedi. So she balled up the fear, she had to and allowed it to seep out when it was safe. She knew now that ahead lay a path she was born to follow.

Luke's old ship wobbled a little. She managed to compensate quickly and dropped to an altitude below the Sith fleet. Exegol might be a creepy planet, but its atmospheric anomalies offered her a secure passage. She was counting on it. Rey was slowly approaching the ground. The air was warmer and dry, matching the horrifying image of the planet. Ahead of her, breaching the clouds, was a gloomy building. For the briefest moment, she considered giving in to terror. She sensed the darkness and the pure evil that was dwelling all over Exegol. She knew what... who, she would find inside. Even more terrifying was the fact that the presence felt familiar.

'Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi.' A voice reminded her.

Rey took a deeper breath and pressed on. With unwavering faith in Luke and his illuminating lightsaber, she ventured beneath an enormous monolith that appeared to levitate in mid-air. Retrieving Luke's lightsaber from her belt, she ignited its radiant blade, relying on its glow to guide her path. Her senses heightened, she attentively scanned her surroundings, keenly attuned to any signs or sounds, yet all that greeted her was an eerie silence. Suddenly, she heard a booming sound, too distant to identify. The ground below her started lowering, detaching from the rest of the ground, and began to descend. She kept the saber closer to her as the brightness revealed her worried face.

The lift finally settled, and she stepped down. Before her, the statues were commemorated by Lords who had come before. Rey sensed it through the Force; this was an ancient place. The air was heavy with the weight of time and dark secrets. Secrets she didn't want to unfold. She took a few more steps further. She became aware she was not alone. Figures moved in the shadows, but they were no threat to her.