The Broken Ones | REYLO [Complete]

23. Haunted

--BEN--

"Ren! Are you listening to a word I'm saying?"

The fog in my mind clears long enough for me to shoot daggers at Hux. "Not really, no. Your voice is irritating."

His face pinches up like he smells something offensive, and he opens his mouth to speak again. "I don't appreciate your humor, Supreme Leader," he says mockingly. "As I was saying, we've narrowed our search and believe we will find the Resistance hideout any day now. Our sources in the Inner Rim claim to have seen Resistance craft near the Dalastine system. I've sent a small unit of stormtroopers to scout the area. We'd thought the system was all but deserted after the Clone Wars, so they will be easy to spot."

"Excellent. Tell your squad not to engage if they do find them. I want the pleasure of watching my mother's world burn."

Hux bows slightly and leaves me alone in the throne room of The Supremacy. I let out a shaky breath and lean my head back against the throne, letting my eyes close once more.

The room is still in shambles, but I don't care. I know The Resistance is on Dalastine, hiding out in an old unknown Rebel base. I should have told Hux the second Rey left me, but I didn't. I wanted to give her time to run, to hide herself before we come for her. She belongs to me, and no one else. Not my mother, not the two imbeciles she's so fond of, not her grandfather, who will be summoning her soon, no doubt. She's mine, and I won't let Hux and his troops take her away from me.

The memory of last night flashes in my mind and I sink into it once again. I knew it was only a dream from the start, but it was a welcome relief from reality.

I had been fast asleep when I felt her presence next to me, solid and unmistakable. She sat beside me on my bed, dressed in a soft black shirt and training pants, the contrast to her usual light attire catching my attention.

"I know where you are," I told her.

"Yes."

"I could tell Hux right now and you'd be dead by sunset."

"But you won't." Her voice was soft and certain.

"No. I won't," I replied, equally sure.

She smiled at me and longing lit a fire in my heart. "You're still conflicted. The First Order will never have full control over you. Your destiny belongs to you and you alone."

"I want you to join me," I pleaded, grabbing her hand in mine. Her calloused fingers were warm and comforting, and I found myself squeezing tighter. I never wanted to let go.

"My grandfather is coming for me. I need the Jedi to help me defeat him, once and for all." She rubbed her thumb in circles on my palm.

"Luke can't do anything. He's been cut off too long. The rest of the Jedi are all dead, they can't help you now. Join me and I will help you overthrow the Empire. We can bring peace to the galaxy. Together."

Rey smiled and shook her head. "You're wrong, Ben. Every Jedi who ever lived has become one with the Force. They are in here," she touched her free hand to her heart, "and in here." She pressed her palm against my bare chest, and I felt a pleasant jolt as her skin met mine. "A thousand generations live in us now."

"I'm afraid," I admitted quietly, "that it's too late for me. The things I've done..."

"Are in the past," she finished for me. "You can still redeem yourself, and you will find forgiveness. Just as your grandfather did. But you must first learn to forgive yourself." Her hand moved from my heart to my cheek, and tears burned my eyes.