The force in redemption | Kylo Ren x reader | ✔

Chapter 144, Exegol

/ First Person Protagonist POV /

Exegol was cold. Of course, I expected no other from a Sith planet, but I had also not thought it would be colder than The Supremacy or The Finalizer, which were frigid places. It was cold, but I did not shiver. There was just something about the whole place that made it so contradicting, and it seemed to be messing with my mind a little bit.

I closed the cockpit of the TIE fighter and stepped away from it as Ben jumped off his TIE fighter as well. We looked at one another for a split second, and we walked towards each other silently while facing the Sith Citadel. 

" This is it. We're going to face the Sith Eternal, and the Emperor himself." I gulped, taking in a deep breath as I stood only a mere feet or two away from Ben.

" Yes, we are." Ben nodded slightly. " We'll be overwhelmed in there."

" I know. That's why I'll say this now: I love you, Ben Solo." I looked up at Ben as he locked eyes with me. " Remember that."

" Don't say that as if it would be the last time you did." He sighed. I could hear the sadness and worry in his words, which seemed to mirror my own feelings.

" It wasn't meant like that." I smiled at him slightly. " I just wanted to let you know that even if we'll be outnumbered in there, I'll be by your side, always. Because I love you."

" I love you more, y/n." He leaned in and kissed me sweetly, cupping my cheek. " I wish we could've spent our first moments together somewhere calmer, better than this."

" Saving the galaxy seems like a pretty amazing first date to me." I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. " Let's go help Rey, now. She needs us. They all do." I looked up at the battle between the Final Order's fleet and the Resistance's armada. 

The both of us ran side to side into the Citadel, looking fearless and determined, but on the inside, I was frightened. Scared about what we would encounter as we entered the lair of the Sith Eternal, scared of losing Ben and Rey, scared of the Final Order overwhelming the resistance, and dooming the galaxy. 

" Fright is normal, love." Ben called out but kept running, taking me out of my thoughts. He had read my mind once more, like he easily could. " Not being scared would be foolish. But you're brave, y/n. You're strong."

" You're strong as well, you know? And we're stronger together." I nodded determined as we ran under the huge roof. 

The Citadel was exactly how I had remembered it to be from the memory I had accessed in Kylo Ren's mind, right after I had regained my own memory in Naboo. The dark, colorless place with lightnings striking at the surface was identical to his reminiscence.

There was the same large crevice with the huge chain leading downwards not far from the entrance of the Sith Citadel, and Ben didn't hesitate to jump. My heart skipped a beat as I took the leap of faith as well, landing strongly on the metal as the both of us slid down it. 

" You remember, don't you?" Ben broke the silence as he helped me down the chain. 

I nodded. " It looks the same as it did in the reminiscence. We're going to the Emperor's auditorium, aren't we?" 

Ben nodded as he lead the way through a large tunnel, cautiously. There were several large statues and machines connected with tubes that held gory creatures that resembled ex supreme leader Snoke. The whole Citadel itself seemed to come out of my darkest nightmares. 

Red storm troopers similar to the ones that guarded the First Order Naboo headquarters appeared, but these were different. They wore long, body fitted crimson capes, and were clad with red and black armory.