Chapter 28.

Rey's eyes widened, looking directly into Kylo's intense stare, studying her face. He seemed surprised that her lightsaber was repaired and born to her, and eve more shocked that it was now so close to his face.

Without hesitation, he reached for his own, igniting his blood red lightsaber as he stepped back and clashed it against Rey's. For a moment, Rey's hold on her weapon faltered, surprised that he had drawn his sword against hers, but in the next second she was ready, understanding that this was not a threat, but a moment to test out her strength.

Rey stepped forward, pushing the lightsaber with such force that Kylo feared the grip on his would break the lightsaber all together. Shoving her off, he patiently watched as Rey stumbled back, noticing that her movement was more quick and on point, balancing herself on the balls of her feet.

Rey whipped the lightsaber around her body, making an 'X' in the air as if to scare him off, widening the space between them. There gaze lay upon one another, wordless as they circled the other, predator amongst prey, battling for ownership of the space they walked upon.

Swiftly, Kylo turned the lightsaber over in his hand, letting it roll over his knuckles and back into his palm.

Rey answered with a low growl, and before she charged at him with her lightsaber raised, she could have sworn she saw a smirk lay upon his lips, frustrating her even more. Kylo stepped to the side, dodging her oncoming attack, blocking each hit she threw at him, unable to hide the shock that crossed his face as he felt her frustration building through each attack she dealt, whipping her lightsaber from every direction, and though it never hit him directly, she always hit her mark.

Standing only inches away now, lightsabers locked, Kylo kicked Rey's foot out from beneath her, tripping her backwards as her own lightsaber went flying through the air, falling a few feet away from them. Kylo closed in, each boot creating a loud 'thud' with every step he took towards Rey, who scowled up at him as she backed away on her feet and elbows.

Kylo's weapon hung low, the red light radiating off of his leg. His narrowed eyes watched her, almost hungry for the defeat she was nearing, and the look alone gave Rey just enough motivation to channel the movement that Flora and Kai taught her.

Rey shoved her hands back, pushing herself off the ground with her feet and easily backflipped off the dirt, using the force to call her lightsaber back to her hand. Kylo dived to strike her, and Rey twirled, leaning back just half an inch as his lightsaber darted towards her stomach, missing by just a strand of hair.

Rey ignited her sword, coming under his and pushing him back, and now it was Kylo who stumbled away. Rey watched as he hissed through his sharp teeth, glaring at her.

"Learned a few tricks, scavenger?" he taunted, and Rey detected a hint of amusement in his voice, making her smile.

"A few, yes." They began to circle one another once more, their lightsabers buzzing. "Where have you been? I thought you were done playing this game." Rey asked, returning his glare. "How are we able to fight with lightsabers through our bond anyway?"

Kylo bit the inside of his cheek, and deactivated his lightsaber, clasping it back at his hip before returning a soft but annoyed look to her. Rey sighed, and put away her lightsaber, a breath of relief escaping from her lungs.

"There were... complications." Kylo muttered and held back rolling his eyes. "And I can only guess that lightsabers are just as strong as the bond itself. It's made up of so many elements..." he shrugged.

Rey stood with a hand on her hip, eyeing him. "Hmmm.... Well, complications? What was so complicated that you left for nearly a month? If you have forgotten, let me remind you of the lessons you promised to teach me-"

"I never promised you anything. And I had training of my own to do. The challenge day is nearing in only a couple of weeks and I had to prepare-" Kylo was quickly cut off.

"Prepare? I thought no one would challenge you, what's there to prepare for?" Rey asked, the frustration replaced by sincere curiosity and worry.

Kylo's chin raised. "None of your concern-" Again, Rey cut him off.

"A Knight of Ren?" Rey asked, her eyes widening as her hand dropped from her hip. "Why is that so complicated?"

Kylo sighed as he paced in front of Rey, his hands behind his back now. In truth, he was training for the challenge day, but he also needed to gather his own thoughts, and found he was unable to do so when he was around Rey. His purpose was still to serve the First Order, he knew that much. But at what cost, he was not sure. And so, he took a month away to think, to train, and to focus on the dark with no temptation from the light that is Rey, but it was all for nothing when he became too exhausted from trying to block out the force bond.

Stopping his pacing, Kylo stepped towards Rey, his dark eyes meeting hers. The nights when he was able to catch little sleep, the nightmares always came, but at the end of it all, as if to wash it all away, were the pair of soft brown eyes belonging to a girl with same brown colored hair.

Shaking his head, Kylo glanced away, and back to Rey, inhaling before he spoke. "Yes. A knight of Ren. He is very powerful, double my age and size. Though it's not the fight I worry about. If I beat him, no doubt I will have to defeat the rest of the Knights. They have answered to him for a very long time, and I believe that even in death, they would remain loyal."

Rey thought for a moment, watching him. She knew there was more to it. "But, you can beat them, all of them, can't you?"

"Easily." Kylo said, so assured by this answer that Rey did not doubt him. But still, there was something else...

For a moment, the pit of Rey's stomach leapt with joy, a new hope that overtook every nerve of her being.

"Are you...The light...it's calling you still? Have you chosen-"

Kylo's scoff interrupted her. He had hoped that she would not guess that, but deep down he knew it would be unlike her if she didn't.

Kylo shook his head again, frustration boiling over. He took another step towards her, toe to toe now, grasping her by her shoulders and bending his neck to look into her eyes.

"Rey, no matter what side I am on, or you're on, there will always be someone who wants the power, who wants to rule, who wants the war. I can rule the galaxy for the rest of my years, and I can bring a better order, I'll be able to..." his voice trailed off as the thought flew through his mind.

Rey stared at him, confused. She was not prepared for the sting in her heart as he denied her once again, and her hope faltered.

They stood there for a minute, no other words spoken between them, Rey staring at his tormented face.

Timidly, Rey pushed into his mind, finding that either his block was not built so strongly as usual, or she was just getting stronger, but that was quickly forgotten as she saw what was tearing him apart, and right then, she understood.

"You... You think by being Supreme Leader, you'll be able to protect me..."

Her face flushed as tears filled her eyes. Rey stepped back, away from his grasp, and watched as his head hung low and his arms fell back to his sides.

She saw he had no intention of answering the calls that the light made to him, that the pull to him was stronger than ever, yet he still refused it, willing to give up a new life just so that he would be able to use his power to ensure her protection on the opposite side of the war, to protect her of any new ruler or new Supreme Leader.

Rey gulped, blinking away the tears that threatened to escape.

"Why?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Kylo looked up at her, pinning her with such an intense, soft look that took her breath.

"You know why." he said, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Rey exhaled, falling to the dusty ground and giving into the exhaustion that beckoned her.

Alone now, Rey let the tears fall as she thought of his last words to her. Rey was still so new to everything, and care or love, whatever it was, was still so raw for her, yet she knew that it had to be one of those things. He was willing to give up the light, for her, to protect her.

She only hoped it was that alone.

Punching the ground, she stood, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand as she headed back to the base and knew what she had to do.

'Ben Solo will not be lost to this.' she thought. 'Ben Solo is our last hope.'