Let The Past Die (Kylo Ren x reader)

9. I Am No Jedi

"You disappeared" I said, perplexed at the sight of my old friend.

"I couldn't continue my training" Thoria admitted. "My father stayed behind to rebuild after the rebels and the Imperialist troops finally deserted Jedha. He was dying, so I had to come to him."

I drew a deep breath and smiled.

"I'm glad you did."

"I know" she said, and I sensed that she had seen it all. "There was nothing you could have done to stop him."

I knew exactly who she spoke of. Suddenly my eyes started watering. The kind, understanding tone in her voice was disarming; it felt like she truly saw me. I furiously blinked the tears away.

"I should have known" I insisted defeatedly. "I should have sensed the darkness in him, but my mind was clouded." Clouded by my love for him, I thought helplessly. "I was so naive."

We walked to meet each other, lowering our voices.

"Trust me. I know you followed your instincts" she cooed quietly, grazing her hand against mine, keeping a watchful eye around us. "You haven't meditated on the Force for as long as I have. I gave up my lightsaber as soon as I set foot on Jedha. We are a peaceful people. The Force is my only defense."

The crowd on the pressed sand floor spoke in hushed voices among themselves, cautiously observing the Stormtroopers that circled us all. The cold winter wind crept down my jacket.

"Is there somewhere we can talk privately?" I asked in a low voice.

She gave me a nod and turned around. I followed her, waving at the troopers to stay put.

"Is there anything more to this village?" I asked curiously, peering down a pathway between the rocks.

"Yes. This is an ancient city afterall" she answered without looking back at me. "There are buildings further in."

"Cool..." I said to myself.

"I have foreseen the First Order's presence" she said calmly as we walked further in between the tall mesas. "But I didn't foresee you."

A hint of shame flared up in me. She couldn't possibly understand my position, no matter her enlightenment or her strong connection to the Force. Explaining it felt like an even bigger task than the occupation.

"It's complicated" I started.

"No doubt."

Behind the huts were ancient, weathered sandstone structures, etched deep into the mesas. Thoria veered off from the path and led me further into the halls. Inside a giant cave, spires reached up into the high ceilings.

"I thought all the holy places on Jedha had been blown up" I said in awe and disbelief as I took in the beautiful formations.

"That's what we wanted everyone to think" Thoria responded. "But Kyber crystals migrate. They spread out all over the planet, giving us sanctuary and hope after NiJedha was destroyed."

She led me through a back tunnel, taking us to a cavernous hollowed-out space, and suddenly gleaming light hit my eyes. Kyber crystals shone out of every rock wall, glistening with power and solace. My jaw dropped as I stared at it all. In the corner of my eye, I caught Thoria grinning proudly.

"They are a comfort to us" she commented. "But we do not use them as weapons."

Torment gripped my heart. I couldn't report this to Kylo Ren, but if I didn't, the Stormtroopers would undoubtedly find it themselves and I would be exposed as a traitor.