Chapter 13: The Second Trial - Part Two

The complete darkness around reminded her of the time she was in the cave, having multiple visions, and to that day, she was still not able to understand them all. Now it was just another test, another stone in her way that had to be moved aside. It was… tiring.

Rey stood still, waiting for something, anything to happen, yet there were no signs and no answers. Just the time that kept passing in what seemed to be an endless silence...

The air was humid and had a foul, heavy smell that made Kylo cover his nose with his left arm, while in the right one he had his lightsaber ready to struck anything that he would encounter. He was in a dark, luminescent cave, the stone walls were black, but the strange, blue substance scattered all over them was lighting his path ahead. He had a bad feeling about it so he gripped even more his weapon, making sure to be vigilant enough and not let fear overcome his mind. As he continued further, out of a sudden, he heard a whisper:

''Ben… my friend… come closer…''

His heart stood still as he heard that voice. No, it's not real, it cannot be.

Out of a sudden, the environment changed and he was brought in the middle of the field at night, surrounded by flames and destruction, back to his memory from years ago when he and the other Knights of Ren betrayed Luke and killed everyone else that chose not to follow the Dark Forces. In front of him stood Daenov, his old friend, kneeling and begging another version of himself, the real Ben, from his own memory. Begging to be killed by his own friend. Begging for it all to end with honor. Kylo tried for years and years to tone down the feelings of despair this memory gave him and now...

''Ben!'' This time it was not a whisper anymore. ''Ben, snap out of it, we have no time!''

The memory disappeared and Kylo was back in the cave, in front of him standing his own friend, Daenov, dressed in his old padawan clothes.

''I know when we bid farewell, it was not the most pleasant way, but understand it belongs to the past. Keeping yourself trapped in those memories will do no good to either of us. I can sense, from where I am, your grievance, and it pains me that the Force did not allow me until now to reveal myself to you, no matter how many times I asked. But now, I was given this one chance and I took it without hesitation. I came here to assist you in this test of fate and faith. I now know more about you than you do. Before we begin, I must tell you that you've been blessed or cursed by the Universe to have to decide between two destinies. Your fear and hopelessness from before entering this trial and the conversation you've had with the Voss were no coincidence. The prophecy she spoke about, the one involving the woman she told you about, involves you as well. You are given a chance to find your true-life path and live as you were supposed to. But keep in mind it comes at a great cost that you will find out later on. You can also choose to continue your life as it is now, aimless and always looking for something greater. This is the safe choice and it does not involve any risk; it will be a simple, normal life and you will not achieve the ultimate power you hope for. You will never seize the throne, instead, you will be able to lead a calm, peaceful life, along Rey as the Galaxy will move on from the old cult ideas of Jedi and Sith. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, far away from where we are now, a great menace is rising to power once more, but the time it will be revealed depends on your choice.''

Kylo was in shock. Not only it was the first time his friend revealed to him since he died, but now he found out he can choose what life to live by. The turmoil he felt his entire existence, the events he had to assist and cause along the years, tired him to the core and many times he wished to just end it all. Too many deaths happened before his eyes and this whole throne-chasing position showed him just how not ready he was for such a great responsibility. Rey somehow seemed to accept him, but he was still unsure about how far she would go with her understanding. He liked her and needed someone to be by his side. He had hopes for accomplishing something together with her, but now he was told that no, she was only there to offer him the easy path. The one with no crucial responsibilities. Kylo planned many things to show her, teach her all he knew, explore and learn all what was to be known about the Force. He wanted to build a family.

''Ben.'' Daenov grabbed him by his shoulder and squeezed him. ''Sekvath is your real soulmate. Not Rey. And I'm really breaking the rules now because I'm trying to influence you and I know I am not allowed, but I have to. I know you. I've known you since the academy, we've been best friends and I've always had faith in you that you would be the one to end this madness. To end the evil. You were never meant for just a normal life. You cannot choose the first path and be with Rey because of her origins of which you will find out later on. Luke didn't want to train her from the beginning for a reason. She is not aware yet, and she will not be if you will choose to continue along her. But if not, you will see her true-self and why Luke tried to show her the grey path unlike any other padawan he had. Also, you will find out why Luke tried to kill you that night. Only after his own death he also found out the reason, but he is not allowed to speak anything of it. I was given a bit more freedom, but the information spill I've gave you now will cause me trouble. Punishment. Still, Luke gave you one clue: Korriban.''

''Korriban? I can't go there apparently. The Voss said so.''

''He knew that already. Not with Rey. But with Sekvath, you can...''

''Wait.'' Kylo stopped him. ''He specifically said on Korriban that I will find my destiny and hers combined. And I'm pretty sure he mentioned something of the Force wanting us there.''

''Ben, listen. And trust me if you want, if you don't, it's fine, your destiny at stake, not mine. But as a friend, I'll tell you one more time: He was not allowed to tell you what I am telling you now. He gave you hints along the lines. Your destinies combined doesn't mean you and her together as a couple. Are they related? Yes, but not in the way you're thinking. Be happy your uncle at least told you the truth, Rey got lied to straight in the face.''

''What? What happened? Who lied to her?''

''The first trial was about what you desire the most. She went in as blind as you and what she desired the most was you. The ''fun'' thing is, while you were surrounded by Jedi, your family and others as well, she was by the Sith. Jedi's don't usually conceal the truth to a great extent, they can lie, but can also drop hints here and there like your uncle. But Sith? They have a cult around deceit and they prey off of your feelings. Sith as a religion, is not bad, only the people that practice it are. Majority of them are just power-hungry maniacs who think of themselves as gods.''

''Thank you for the philosophy lessons, not tell me what the hell was Rey lied about?'' Kylo started to lose his patience. He wanted to find out the answer because he had to take a decision.

''They told her she will ascend to the Throne together with you. A lie. They work for this Galaxy's greatest enemy and the only way of stopping Sekvath from appearing in the picture and destroy their plans is if Rey remains unaware of all of these and you choose to continue your life with her. If you wouldn't have listened to your instinct and wait before entering this trial, you wouldn't have a choice now.''

Kylo remained silent. It was a tough choice to make, torn between peace and war. Luke and Daenov were the only ones he would ever fully trust. But deep down, no matter how much he earned for a quiet life, he never saw himself in one. Always envisioning myself in what I could have been, what I could have become… now that's pain. I trust the Force this time. Sekvath… Her name is Sekvath…''

''Who is this?'' a woman's voice reverberated through the dark, cold room. This startled both, Daenov and Kylo, but Daenov spoke first:

''Did you call her name in your mind?''

''Yes, a few moments ago… What's happening?''

''This is fascinating.'' Daenov couldn't contain his surprise. ''Your minds linked just by calling her name. This means you can call her down here if you choose the path with her. But be careful, she doesn't know who or what your purpose is and she's not as friendly from what I've heard. Approach her with caution. Don't go at her with Hi, I'm your future husband, nice to meet you or she will pierce your heart with her lightsaber before you get to take in your next breath.''

Kylo chuckled at his words, it was a ridiculous idea that he'd never act upon on anyway. ''Am I really that bad with women?''

''Weren't you the one that told Rey she's nothing? Before you told her to join you?''

''Best I could, given the circumstances.'' Kylo brushed him off quickly, he tried to forget how stupid he was at several points in his life and that was one of them. ''When do we start? We've only been talking. I don't want to spend an eternity here.''

''When you're ready. Just choose your path.''

I was never meant for small, insignificant life choices.

''My path, the one with Sekvath in it.'' Kylo spoke in the end and a portal appeared in front of them.

The darkness around Rey dissipated slowly after what seemed to be an eternity, leaving her in the middle of a forest, on a winter night and snowing. She's been there before. It was the same forest she had her first battle with Kylo, the first time she wounded him. It was peaceful. It seemed as if there was no one hiding in the woods. But she was wrong. Behind her, a sudden sound of a lightsaber turning on, made her turn around and jump backwards. It was Kylo. The Kylo she fought years ago. She reached for her own weapon, but she soon realized she had none. She was defenseless.

''Kylo. It's me. Rey. I don't want to hurt you. And I don't want to fight you.'' Rey spoke as she retreated backwards.

''I know who you are.'' His words were cold, like the frozen wind that surrounded them. The further she went from him, the closer he was approaching her. His moves were refined and his face betrayed no emotion. ''Are you sure you don't want to fight me? Even after what I am about to tell you?''

''What do you have to tell me? You're not the real one.'' Rey stopped against a tree. It was pointless to keep going backwards. She had to stand her ground.

''True, I am a Force representation of him. But he had to make a choice. He had to choose between you and another woman.'' Kylo revealed a sly smile as he saw her face turn red from fury.

''There is no other woman!'' she yelled at him.

''Oh, but there is. And he did not choose you. Even funnier is, he didn't even know her prior to this trial. Yet, you were less significant for him than a stranger. Don't believe me? See for yourself.'' Kylo made a hand gesture and a portal mirror opened. In there, she saw Daenov, she recognized him from the visions she had before, talking to the real Kylo. At first, the words were unintelligible, but after paying close attention she heard:

''Best I could, given the circumstances.'' Kylo brushed him off quickly. ''When do we start? We've only been talking. I don't want to spend an eternity here.''

''When you're ready. Just choose your path.''

''My path, the one with Sekvath in it.'' Kylo spoke in the end.