Star Wars Limited Run Episode VIII: The Last Jedi: A Hidden Moment

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi: A Hidden Moment

The moment Rey reached her but she felt him near her, in the Force. The connection between them was so raw and powerful that it reminded her of touching a live wire in the wreckage of a starship. She had closed her eyes, opened them, and found Kylo Ren there - right next to her where she sat on the stone bench. As if she could actually reach out and touch his hand, his face, his hair.

At the sight of she’d felt relief surge through her.

Kylo listened intently, his long face impassive, as she told him about being drawn into the cave and into the stone, and how the journey had led to nothing, no revelation except how alone she was.

“You’re not alone,” he insisted, and she believed him.

“Neither are you. It isn’t too late.”

Rey tentatively raised her hand toward his, expecting to see their hands go through each other and wondering if she would feel it in the Force somehow.



But their fingers actually touched. She grasped his hand, jolted by the contact. and saw that the same shock had gone through him.

Luke Skywalker walked into the hut - to find Rey and Kylo Ren with their hands clasped, staring into each other’s eyes.



“Stop!” He yelled, and flung out his hand. A burst of power scattered every stone of the hut outward from its centre, scattering them around the bench where Rey and Kylo sat in astonishment.

Rey’s hand closed on nothing and she stared at Luke as rain pelted them.

She got to her feet and stared at the Jedi Master. “Is it true?” She demanded. “Did you try to murder him?”

—-

Kylo Ren sat back, looking at his hand and wondering as to this connection between them. It felt so natural, but at the same time supercharged by something. Their mental entwining back on Starkiller Base? Or by the trauma of their lightsaber battle? Had he been open to their connection, due to the psychic wound ripped in him by the death of Han Solo?

It was as if it had always been there; latent, with a potential that could change the stars. He grasped for the word, some thought that he had encountered in his readings of the Sith -

“We’re here.”

Kylo Ren swung his face back to Vicrul. The Knight of Ren stared at him, and Kylo stared back. The others were uncomfortable that Kylo had abandoned his mask, but they were no match for him. They already knew he was the best to take the mantle of leader of the Knights; he’d killed the one who called himself Ren to take control of the group.

An early test, set by Snoke.

They were personally loyal to him, so an obvious choice to secretly depart the Supremacy and trace the connection between him and Rey. The scavenger girl, he reminded himself, to reinforce that emotional distance. He needed a clear head to be able to focus.

To prepare for his confrontation with Luke.

Standing from the bench at the heart of the Night Buzzard, he regarded the island - the same one he had seen in Rey’s thoughts all those days before.



“Take us down.”

—-

“This is not going to go the way you think it is,” Luke warned Rey.

It is,” she said, firmly, standing over him in the rain; they’d argued, fought, and now she had a blue blade to his neck; she relented. “Just now, when we touched hands. I saw his future. I saw it - as solid as I’m seeing you. If I go to him, Ben will turn.”

“Rey, don’t do this.”

Her answer was to hold the deactivated lightsaber out to him once again - a last invitation. She knew immediately that he would not accept it.

“Then he’s our last hope,” Rey said matter of factly.

She turned and simply walked away him.

Her comlink chimed.

It was Chewbacca.

He’s here.

—-

Welcome to a Hidden Moment.

Based off a proposed episode from the Last Jedi, this details where Kylo Ren was during that fateful scene when they touched. It is a small moment, but one which I think enriches the film.

As such I would like to play it out.

There will he positions available for Chewbacca, Artoo-Detoo, and of course each of the Knights of Ren. I would even accept a Caretaker, the little species that maintains the island. I mean if you want to play a Porg I am happy to be entertained.

I welcome sheets on the below format.

Name:
Image:
Weapon:
Nuance: This is something the GM will tell you about your character that you do not know.

Rules:

1. Simple game; simple sheet.
2. Kylo Ren is unavailable; as is Luke.
3. PM the GM for approval first.
4. Game starts on 1st September 2021.
5. Knights of Ren have rudimentary Force sensitivity, please keep this in mind.
6. Have fun!

 

Dramatis Personae

Ap’lek - played by @Silvertough
Cardo played by Sinrebirth
Chewbacca played by Sinrebirth
Han Solo - played by @HanSolo29
Kuruk played by @darthbernael
Kylo Ren played by Sinrebirth
Rey played by Sinrebirth
Trudgen - played by @Narancia
Ushar - played by @Master Vo'Un'Var
Vicrul - played by @Shadowsun

 

This post will be deleted when the game commences.

GM OOC: There are more sheets to come, of course - nudge at @Master Vo'Un'Var, @darthbernael for PMs for example - but otherwise, sheets up, my friends. Game starts one month from now, and of course some months after we initially spoke about this but some parties were a little slow to not respond.

All sheets that are approved, up, up, up.

The Nuance aspect will be revealed to the player at some point in the game.

 

OOC: I didn't expect mine to be first but here goes.

Name: Kuruk
Image:


Weapon: Kuruk was only one of two of the only Knights of Ren not to primarily use bladed weaponry. Instead, Kuruk relied on a multi-barreled custom-designed rifle. The rifle has three modes across two barrels: rapid firing, sniping, and a pump-action mode designed to fire plasma bolts.

Like all of the Knights of Ren, Kuruk wore all black. He wore a collar that contained plasma bolt shells and a coat made of sound-dampening susurra-weave fabric. His boots were soft-soled which gave him a silent tread. Kuruk's helmet was designed with sides blocking most of his peripheral vision. The helmet instead made him focus on his target and he would sharpen his aim by concentrating with the Force. Kuruk's helmet was equipped with a breath screen and a vocoder grid.

 

GM Approved!

Name: Han Solo
Image:


Weapon: Modified DL-44 Blaster Pistol

 

IC: Kylo Ren
Aboard the Night Buzzard, descending

He looked at his Knights of Ren.

At Vicrul, at Cardo, at Ap'lek, at Trudgen, at Kuruk, and at Ushar.



Cardo

As the Night Buzzard came down, he spied the island, and, perched at a flat, the Millennium Falcon.

When Chewbacca had commed, Luke and Rey rushed to the Corellian freighter, watching the ship coming down.

It was unmistakable.

The dark side stank from it.

There was a flutter in the Force; a panic of the Caretakers, the small reptiles that cared for the island, and of course the Porgs.

Another something rippled, though Luke would not immediately recognize it.

There was a presence here, with this place leaning upon the Between.

Light and Dark, in perfect Balance.

Now thrown out.

The black clouds had only just ceased their rain - Luke and Rey were still wet from it, and their brief fight earlier - but they began to swirl and become charged with anticipation.

Luke grimaced as he sensed his nephew.

"We need to split up."

He looked at Rey, and then at Chewbacca, the big Wookiee rumbling his agreement.

By the time the Night Buzzard landed besides the Millennium Falcon, they were gone.

Kylo Ren stepped down the ramp, preceding the Knights of Ren. His bare face allowed his tangled hair to writhe in the wind.

He regarded the stones that led to the Temple proper, snaking around the mountain, and those other routes and places.

They had a map of the island, taken by scan as they reached it.



"Pair up and find them."

There was no need for specific instructions; they could decide where best to hunt.

He regarded the Millennium Falcon.

"I shall follow."

The Master of the Knights of Ren swept up the ramp of the freighter.

Kylo Ren had done this a few days earlier, when he found the ship on Starkiller Base.

He did so again now, with his own eyes, not those working through his mask.

Would he see anything different?

The Force hinted, dared to suggest, that he might.

TAG: @Shadowsun, @darthbernael, @Silvertough, @Narancia, @HanSolo29, @Master Vo'Un'Var

 

OOC: Fun combo with @Shadowsun and @Sinrebirth

IC Kuruk and Vicrul
Destination...Tree

Kuruk had eyed the scan of the island several times as they were making their final approach, he doubted that they would take the Jedi by surprise and he was correct. He checked the action of his rifle one last time before he looked over at Vicrul. With a grunt he tapped the action one more time then sent a thought to his fellow Knight, ’The tree, something about it calls to me. You make the approach and I’ll cover you from the high ground south of the village on the coast, east of the tree.’

He looked over at Kylo Ren, ”Vicrul and I have our target, setting out now.” came from his lips in a guttural tone.

The tree... something about it called to Vicrul too as his faceless mask gave round to view his brother Kuruk. Vicrul...was not one for many words. Common knowledge amongst the Knights of Ren... he preferred to communicate via the Force than through the usage of his tongue.

Agreed

He simply replied, his body a swirl of quiet emotions, his focus on the task. His mind ready to carry out the task at hand... he would achieve victory... of this he was certain. And so Vicrul would allow Kuruk to speak for them both as he prepared to journey to the tree his Phrik scythe held closely in hand.

Kylo Ren did not need to approve their plans or plots.

They were his Knights; hunters even before he met them and took them as his.

They would succeed.

They always did.

Kuruk grunted a laugh, shaking his head at the lack of response from Kylo Ren. It didn’t surprise him but the man was fixated on Luke and Rey so it meant they were on their own, as usual. He glanced at Vicrul, his emotions darkly amused. With a bent nod he indicated they should set out.

He took to the flank of the ridge to the left of the trail that led from where they had landed. From here he could overlook the entire path as Vicrul moved. Neither of them had eyes on what was beyond the ridge but, based on their intel and mapping, the far side dropped down to the edge of the island anyway.

The first potential trouble spot would be where the ridge he was on bent to the west as a second ridge dropped to where the trail was before it opened out to the small plain on the way to where they were headed. He kept his eyes focused and scanning. When he got close, ahead of Vicrul, he took up a spot that allowed him to scan from where they had landed up to and around to where his ridge meandered to the west. It offered him almost a 270 degree field of coverage.

He’d keep this until Vicrul was about halfway across the small plain. Seeing his partner down below he sent a mental nod, recognition that, for now, they were clear for Vicrul to begin his crossing.

Kylo Ren's response mirrored Vicrul...empty, silent... void.

He made his way down his scythe held between his two hands as he stepped down the pathway towards the Tree. He would tread carefully but not hide himself. For in his mind... there was nothing to fear. He would acknowledge the mental nod from Kuruk as he stepped forward...ready, eager. His mind was sharp and focused... like a machine poised and dialed into slaughter.

For now there was nothing but anticipation. There was something afoot, but the Force was strange - twisted, gnarled - around the island and yet not, as if it existed in a bubble of its own balance.

Tiny lives fluttered but they did not yet close on them; small animals, small sentients.

Small fates.

The larger prey - they knew how to hide.

They would reach the tree shortly, and nothing happened. Who was stalker? Them, or the others?

Kuruk didn’t understand the flow of this place, the way the Force seemed to operate around it. As Vicrul reached the midst of the small plain, he dismounted from his perch, moving at speed around the ridges. He made a swift run across the saddle and up onto the following ridge. Something was there, something he felt but he couldn’t pinpoint it.

He found a likely spot between the village and the hollow that held the Tree. From there his back was covered and he had a full field of fire to keep Vicrul covered as he advanced on the Tree. He was focused on their objective but aware that the others were out and after their own.

Vicrul stepped ever so slowly, the scythe was trailing behind him on the ground. There was little use for stealth in his mind, whoever was here knew they were here. They were just bodies to find them and then report to Kylo. He understood his place. As he approached the tree he brought his hand to touch it.

It was old... very old.

His helm swung around, feeling the surroundings... thinking... feeling...

He was either the predator or the chum to allure out the prey... in either case, he would be okay with the outcome.

TAGS: @Shadowsun, @Sinrebirth, @Silvertough, @Narancia, @HanSolo29

 

Han Solo
Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Ach-To

There was a subtle shift, a displacement of air, announcing the arrival of a new presence aboard the old freighter. It had been a long, long time since he had last walked through these corridors, lined and carbon-scored with age—much like her owner, he thought with some chagrin.

But as he pushed forth through the solemn gloom, his fingers trailing along the surface of the familiar bulkheads as he moved, a frown crossed his countenance. He suddenly became disoriented, maybe even taken aback by his circumstances; he realized that perhaps it hadn’t been quite so long since his last jaunt aboard the old girl, after all.

Had it been days?

Months?

Fragments of memories began to swirl through the old smuggler’s mind, coalescing with the realities of the present. He remembered a battle staged on a distant world, existing in perpetual conflict as fire and ice rained down from the heavens; a boy and a girl from two very different walks of life had joined him on a quest, both having possessed spunk and natural intuition. That’s what had originally endeared him to their company.

And then there was another boy, distant and lost…drifting through the shadows of his own existence. A dark shroud hung about his person, clouding his visage as to render him almost unrecognizable.

But he knew it was mere sleight of hand, an illusion that was akin to a Sabaac player placing a card into an interference field to lock in their values. A father had an intuitive sense that would always allow them to identify their child, no matter the circumstances.

And in this instance, Kylo Ren would always be his son.

Han Solo held onto that hope, even after the boy had committed grievous mistakes, seemingly corrupted by the entity known as Snoke.

Even after he had—

The Corellian issued a weary sigh and placed a hand to his chest, probing the spot where his son’s lightsaber had pierced through and cauterized the flesh…

Nevertheless, that was the past; this was the present. In this crazy game of chance, he now found himself with another opportunity to reach his son—but this time, it was from beyond what he perceived as the material realm. A ghost? An impish smirk flitted across his lips at the notion. If that didn’t mess with the kid’s head and institute a change, he wasn’t sure if anything would reach him.

Forcing that thought from his awareness, Han pressed his lips into a thin line and stepped out of the shadows to stand at the junction between the main access corridor and the hold. He looped a thumb through his gunbelt with his usual swagger and offered a wan grin.

"Ben," he breathed quietly.

​

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @Shadowsun; @darthbernael; @Narancia; @Silvertough; @Master Vo'Un'Var

 

IC: Kylo Ren
Aboard the Millennium Falcon, heart of the ship

He stopped short of turning towards the cockpit; towards his fathers golden dice.

They were part of his heritage, his legacy - left to Han by the woman Qi'ra, who had been a Sith in all but her Force sensitivity... though that was a question for debate too.

Kylo Ren was the Sith legacy of the Skywalker family.

The grandson of Vader.

They were his by right.

But he was stopped.

By his father.

"You're dead," he said, voice not muffled by a mask as it had been when they had first met last.

No, it wasn't his father.

It was Ben's father.

Kylo Ren stood tall, puffed out his chest.

"I killed you."

He glowered, his bare face the mask he now knew.

His derision, curling the sardonic Solo grin into a snarl.

His glare, making hard his mother's intense eyes.

His shoulder hunch, transforming the pose of his uncle into that of intimidation.

"Me."

"Yes, you did," came a weary voice.

It was Luke's.

"Hello, Han," the old man said wearily.



Kylo turned to eye his uncle dejectedly.

It was the first time that Han and Luke had seen each other since, well, before.

Before, when there had been a New Jedi Order.

A galactic union ruling the galaxy.

Peace, for the most part.

TAG: @HanSolo29
---
The Jedi tree

There was a flow to the Force.

It showed them each memories.

One; a sister of pale skin. The two of them were... hunting... Umbarans?

The other, a father, stoic. Sincere, if not sad.

It also showed them a confrontation with Luke Skywalker that they would not recall.



"DO NOT TOUCH THAT TREE!"

Rey shouted at Vicrul and Kuruk, and with a swing of her hand a colossal surge of the Force grabbed them and sent the two Knights of Ren tumbling away from the reliquary.



This was the woman who had defeated the Master of the Knights of Ren, it was said.

When he had been wounded in body and soul.

A Wookiee bowcaster quarrel and the death of his father.

How would they fair?

TAG: @darthbernael, @Shadowsun (combo)
---
The Jedi Village

Trudgen and Ap'lek made it without issue, notwithstanding the hail of rain and wind as they crossed the island hills.

When they neared, the specks of life they had sensed were evident, working the village.



They were all small nonhumans, pathetic, perhaps, even.

But in the Force, they were wise, with powerful presences.

Not users of the mystical energy, perhaps, but in tune with it in a way none of them were.

There was a massive growl behind them and a bowcaster shot fired out -

A screech of a war cry -



Chewbacca and the Porg's were here for them.

TAG: @Silvertough (combo with GM)

TAG: @Master Vo'Un'Var (combo continues)

 

IC: Han Solo
Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Ach-To

The malice directed at him wasn’t entirely unexpected. The boy was floundering as he struggled to find acceptance for the deed he had performed only a short time ago on Starkiller Base. Despite the vitriol of his words, Han could see the conflict on his twisted visage. He hadn’t expected his old man to materialize in this way, and he wasn’t quite ready to face the consequences.

If Han was completely honest, he wasn’t entirely certain why he was here himself, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to waste the opportunity. If he could have one final chat with his son—to plant the seeds of doubt within Ben’s mind, that would be more than worth the trouble.

Fortunately, he would not be alone in that endeavor.

Before the Corellian could respond to Ben’s hateful rant and provide insight, another figure emerged from the shadows of the Falcon’s hold. Even if he did not immediately recognize the weary man behind his full beard, he certainly knew his voice.

"Hello, Han," Luke Skywalker uttered with a sad smile.

Exhaling softly, Han canted his head and regarded his old friend with a crooked grin. There were more lines upon his grizzled face, but the same cocky expression remained. "Hey, kid," he drawled in a gruff baritone, using the familiar nickname despite the passage of time. It brought a sense of normalcy to the exchange.

It had been years since he had last seen the man, and that weighed heavily on Han’s conscience. Regret stirred in the pit of his stomach, dampening his elation and causing him to shift awkwardly. He had never been a huge proponent of the Force, but someone out there certainly had a twisted sense of humor. It was rather ironic that he should finally reunite with his friend as a specter beyond the grave.

Who would’ve thought that?

"Things are different on the other side," he continued with a rueful chuckle, spreading his hands as if to accept his fate. "If someone tries to sell you on that hokey expression about 'clear skies' when someone passes, don’t listen to them. They don’t know what they’re talking about. There’s a lot of gray...mostly everything is gray. I guess I expected more."

There was so much that he wanted to say to Luke, but he knew that he wasn’t here to catch up on old times. Time was short, and before he faded away, they would need to confront his son.

Inclining his chin, Han finally turned to seek the young man’s face. "You don’t have to follow the same path, Ben," he stated softly, pressing his lips into a thin line. "You can come back from this; there’s still time."

He then nodded toward Luke for his input.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Kylo Ren
Aboard the Millennium Falcon

His uncle and father spoke to each other, and Kylo Ren could see what he had robbed from them.

Reunion; closure.

He didn't care.

"You don’t have to follow the same path, Ben," Han stated, pursing his lips. "You can come back from this; there’s still time."

Kylo snorted. "I tried to kill mother. I will kill Uncle Luke." He swung to leave the ship. "The past is over. There is only the future; the one I will take, and create."

He looked back, eyes burning. "When I am the new Supreme Leader."

His cape billowing after him, Luke looked after him as he went, and, still staring, spoke sadly.

"I didn't save Jacen, Han. I won't be able to save Ben."

Kylo Ren stalked down the ramp of his father's ship and reached out into the Force.

He could tell that Rey wasn't dead; nor was Chewbacca.

He spoke.

To his Knights of Ren.

Come to me. Come to me now.

He growled to himself and turned back to face the ramp, igniting his lightsaber.

We shall finish this now.

He commanded them to come.

And they would kill Luke Skywalker.

In the Force, the Knights of Ren replied; Cardo, Trudgen, Ushar.

They poured their rage into the Force.

TAG: @HanSolo29, @Shadowsun, @darthbernael, @Silvertough

 

IC Kuruk
Leaving the imp, let’s kill a Jedi

Kuruk heard the call of their leader in his mind. As he turned, he could see Vicrul already pounding across the rocky landscape toward their ship. The implike Force ghost was still with him and he was unsure how the creature would react if he tried to leave.

He took a step and then another step. Even when he bent and picked up his sniper rifle the creature didn’t attempt to stop him. He spun to face the creature as he backed away but Yoda didn’t try to stop him. He spun again and began to run, using the ridgeline to hide him from any of the unaccounted for foes.

His path was longer than Vicrul’s, who he could see accelerating as he ran, outpacing him by a good distance but Kuruk had always been more cautious. Behind him all he could hear was a warbling chuckle, the imp’s last ‘jab’ at him.

The chuckle, and the fact that Yoda let him leave the tree and head toward Kylo Ren ran through his mind, over and over. It made him frown as he ran, wondering exactly why the imp had chuckled. ’What does he know that we don’t, right now?’ he wondered.

Trying to clear his mind, snipers didn’t function well when distracted by such concerns, he ran on. It took several minutes of running, closing on the others to do so, finally banihing it with a swift shake of his head. Sending his thoughts ahead, ’Almost there, Lord Ren. I’ll find a high firing spot and cover everyone.’

TAGS: @Shadowsun (Mentioned), @Sinrebirth, @Silvertough, @HanSolo29

 

IC: Han Solo
Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Ach-To

If there was one thing Han Solo couldn’t stand, it was the boy’s openly brash behavior. He could tolerate some backtalk—hell, he had probably even rubbed off on him in that department—but when he started touting delusions about ruling the galaxy, Han wanted to throttle him. He certainly didn’t learn that from him, or Leia… or Luke.

That was all Snoke.

When that son of a gundark finally croaked, he hoped that he would end up in the same sort of purgatory. That would afford Han the opportunity to finally raise hell for poisoning his son with such ridiculous notions.

A hint of a smirk curled up his lip at that thought, but it quickly vanished when Luke intervened with a rather dire commentary. "I didn't save Jacen, Han," he murmured solemnly.

Han narrowed his eyes but did not fully turn to look at the other man. He could already feel the anger rising within his chest, his fists clenching marginally at his sides. While he had painfully accepted the fate that had befallen Jacen, it was still a sore subject—especially when he could read between the lines. He knew where this conversation was going, and he couldn't lose another son.

"I won't be able to save Ben," Luke concluded.

With a sharp intake of breath, Han whirled on his old friend, his eyes reflecting his sorrow and desperation; he was in anguish. "That sounds like you've already decided not to try," the Corellian sneered through clenched teeth. "You were never a defeatist, Luke. What the hell happened? If you won’t handle it, then I will. I’m his father, anyway."

Pushing away with a huff, Han turned on his heel and strode after his son’s retreating form. "BEN!" he cried out, his voice resonating around the space in an authoritative tone. He then willed himself to appear… in front of his son to block his path—he was a ghost, after all.

"I can’t let you carry on," Han’s voice cracked slightly as he lifted his gaze to peer into the boy’s face. "Not like this. If you want to proceed, you’ll have to get through me first. This is your last chance, Ben… come back to us."

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @darthbernael; @Shadowsun; @Silvertough

 

IC: Kylo Ren
The finale

The Master of the Knights of Ren felt as his kin gathered to him.

None of them had successfully killed their foes.

Yes, many of the Caretakers and native Porgs had died, but that hardly counted, Kylo Ren seethed, and he was instead harassed by his Uncle and spectral Father. "Not like this. If you want to proceed, you’ll have to get through me first. This is your last chance, Ben… come back to us."

Regarding the spirit of the man, he turned to see his Knights gather.

For a brief moment, there was a tableau; Luke standing on the ramp of the Millennium Falcon, Han there between the two of them, the six Knights with Kylo Ren. He sneered. "I do not need to acknowledge you, father. You do not have the Force. You remain, yes, but here, in this Between place. Once I leave, once I kill Luke Skywalker, I need not listen to you."

Luke stepped to the bottom of the ramp, and in his hand of metal was his lightsaber.

He regarded the hilt for a long time.

He had not ignited his green weapon for years now.

With a snap-hiss, he did.

"Han, I need you to look after Rey."

As if summoning her, she screamed out, running towards the cordon, Chewbacca similarly roaring and rushing into the glade. He lifted his bowcaster and fired a quarrel, one which Kylo Ren raised a hand to and hurled at Luke, zipping by Ap'Lek - and through Han. Luke caught the bolt and Kylo Ren swept his hand back, a Force wave slamming into Luke and sending him tumbling off to the left - off the cliff.

"MASTER SKYWALKER!"

Snap-hiss-crackle.

Kylo ignited his blade as Rey leapt over the Knights, crashing into him, their blades impacting, red against blue.

He didn't need to go through Han, he was the one under attack.

Chewbacca rushed forward, but he was no match for six Knights of Ren -

A pang took Kylo Ren, and his gaze slid to his father, briefly. "Follow Skywalker. Kill him. Finish him."

Three Knights immediately rushed to follow Luke - signalling to Vicrul, Ap'Lek and Kuruk that it was their intent to obey; their rage poured into the Force as their weapons were readied and armour clattered.

Watching them go, Rey grimaced as Kylo Ren kicked out, catching her on the hip and sending her tumbling to the ground.

Her eyes took in the other. "Han?"

Chewbacca whined in surprise, for he could not see his old friend. A shrill call from the ramp of the Falcon, still stationary besides the Night Buzzard. It was Artoo-Detoo, ordering Chewbacca to help. He turned, and Chewbacca cast one more look at Rey and Kylo Ren, rumbled that he would do his best to protect Leia, even if he could not see Han, and rushed up the ramp -

Kylo Ren let him go, watching the tableau between Rey and his own father.

"You don't want to look up to him. He'll only let you down," he sneered. "He lost three sons."

That was a blow.

Anakin, Jacen, Ben.

Two to death.

Two to the dark side.

Jaina didn't even factor into his comments.

TAG: @Shadowsun, @Silvertough, @darthbernael (combo with GM between us all), @HanSolo29 (single)

 

OOC: Fun, fun, fun with @Shadowsun, @Silvertough, and @Sinrebirth

IC The Knights of Ren
The Finale

Kuruk felt the thrill of battle, the hatred of all that stood before them, in his brothers as they stood by Kylo. He dropped to a kneeling position as Rey went overhead. His rifle followed her trajectory but the Ren had different orders for them. They were to take on Luke himself. The wookiee rushed toward them and, as a sniper he didn’t need to be part of a blade to blade battle, if possible.

He lifted to his feet, racing forward. As he came near the wookiee, he darted out of the creature’s range and ducked into a slide, before returning to his feet and racing to the cliff edge, rifle out and seeking for the man. It wouldn’t be simple, for one his cloak would blend in with the rocks and for another, he could use the Force to make himself harder to find.

As he searched, eye to the scope on occasion, he kept his ears trained on the battle nearby, in case any of it came his way. A frustrated sigh reached his lips as his initial scan didn’t pick up the Jedi. Slinging the rifle, he began to slowly make his way down the cliff, stopping on frequent occasions to search again.

Anger boiled with Vicrul. Pure, righteous, murderous anger. A maddening cry that clawed at his psyche that wanted to consume. He was a vessel for the dark, a being that wanted slaughter. He heard the commands of his master and he would obey. The thundering of his boots against the ground as he came round with his scythe for Luke's neck.

Death... death... death... death... death

"Skywalker!" Ap'lek's grating scream was immediately drowned out by the din of battle, but it did little to dampen his blood lust. The Jedi had been commanded to die, and he was very happy to oblige. For once, he made little effort to conceal himself or his movements, being propelled forwards by the sheer hatred coursing through the Knight's shared mental connection. His axe remained slung over his back, where it would remain for the time being. It was too unwieldy for such narrow cliffs. Instead, Ap'lek produced a simple knife, held with a white-knuckled fist.

Ap'lek bounded past the likes of Vicrul and Kuruk, leaping down the face of the cliffs with little regard to his own safety. The hatred which filled the air was intoxicating, overwhelming. The call for blood within his blackened heart wanted, needed to be satiated.

Master Skywalker would do just fine.

While Kuruk was more circumspect, Cardo too, Ap'lek bounded forward of Vicrul, but it was Vicrul who spied the Jedi Master first, swinging his scythe for Luke's neck. The old man was nimble, even though he appeared haggard, even wearied, by all of these events. He ducked beneath the blow, gestured a hand to firmly send Vicrul tumbling back, even as Trudgen and Ushar moved to flank him.

Snap-hiss.

The lightsaber ignited and in a swing both lost their heads.

Luke leapt forward even as Cardo opened fire, shouting at Kuruk to join him.

In an instant the man leapt up the cliff edge, over Ap'lek, and embedded his blade into and through Cardo.

He turned the man towards Kuruk as he did, turning his eyes towards Ap'lek and Vicrul -

Kuruk whistled low under his helmet. The Jedi was fast, he had to give him that. Three Knights in the span of seconds. Cardo was in the way but such was life. Cardo would be annoyed too but that also was life.

He settled into a niche and raised his rifle. The rounds were small enough, so…

Aiming, adjusting the aiming points as he did, he prepared to fire. The round went through Cardo, missing any vital organs, in case the other Knight survived what Luke had done to him. He fired again, then twice more. Each time Cardo’s body twitched, but he’d survive if his heart hadn’t been pierced by the Jedi.

Anger turned into fear.

Vicrul tumbled backward, seeing Luke so effortlessly kill his comrades. So effortlessly deflect him. His power... Vicrul stood no chance. No chance whatsoever. He could feel it within every core of this body. This man would kill him without a second thought. He was a dead man walking, a lamb thrown to the slaughter to bide time. And in that moment Vicrul's mind. His complete and utter loyalty to the cause. His training. It all broke in the face of the power of Luke Skywalker.

Vicrul drew out his knife that he had on him, and brought it to his throat, and slit it.

Death... death... dea…

By now Ap'Lek was more beast than man, having been driven into a frenzy from the overwhelming surges of emotions emitted from his comrades. He didn't falter when Trudgen and Ushar were decapitated, nor when Cardo himself was impaled upon the Grandmaster's blade. The strong dominated the weak, such were the rules of the galaxy. In this instance, they had found themselves lacking. Their deaths would only strengthen those who remained.

But such philosophical justifications were far outside the confines of Ap'Lek's mind. Instead, he raged, letting loose a blood-curdling screech as he charged, knife in one hand, his axe in another. He pushed through the panicking Vircul, his weapons held high as he charged directly into the Grandmaster's path. He alone would be the instrument of Luke's death.

He!

Ap'lek!

Luke had already pushed Cardo towards Kuruk as the shots pierced him, and he twirled aside as the projectiles cut through his corpse - the lightsaber had already killed him. He spun out, caught a glance of one of the Knights cutting at his own throat, and hesitated. He had wanted to be as sure and swift so as to be merciful, not to elicit such a reaction.

That hesitation cost him as an axe wielding man leapt forward, swing and stabbing. Luke weaved, placing the man between him and Kuruk's attacks for the moment, deactivating his lightsaber so as to make it easier for him to step back, his face troubled, as he dodged and pivoted.

Vicrul, well, he'd slit his throat and was dying on the ground.

The sputtering Vicrul eyes looked up slowly at Luke. It was like children fighting a lion, there was no possibility of victory.

His eyes slowly faded, a glazed looking coming over them as he looked to the dirt.

He had inflicted death on so many... and now he wondered for the first time, what it would be like.

Kuruk had to let his rifle drop to hang by the strap that kept it tied to him as he caught and rolled Cardo’s body away when it hit and threw him against the back wall of the niche he was in. The time it took cost him another shot and he had to swing his head back around to see the battle continuing to unfold.

A grunt came from behind the mask as he witnessed Vicrul’s weakness, his inability to face the Grandmaster. Admittedly he wasn’t wrong but the fact he’d slit his own throat rather than any other reaction was what made him annoyed. He brought the rifle up, considered taking the shot but decided that wasting a round on one of such weakness was just that, a waste.

Instead, he snapped off another shot at Luke as he shifted position once again, using the cliff face to keep his distance, he wanted that extra second the space would allow, should he need to escape the Jedi.

Ap'lek pressed forwards as Luke hesitated, continuing his frenzied assault. He was winning, the Grandmaster was being pushed back! Not only that, he had deactivated his lightsaber out of fear! He just needed one lucky strike, and it would all be over.

"You die by my hand Skywalker!" Ap'lek screeched, raising his axe above his head for a final downward slash.

Luke took a step around the axe-wielder’s as the shots were taken, keeping Ap’lek between him and Kuruk. But that gave the former the opportunity to swing a double handed axe swing.

His eyes looked up and a hand stopped the axe a centimetre from his palm. With his second he flicked his fingers and relieved the man of his axe - and then propelled it over his head in a spinning motion. He swatted Ap’lek aside with a powerful Force motion, and then yanked Kuruk’s blaster from his hands -

And Kuruk towards Skywalker -

Into the path of the axe that took him in the forehead.

Skywalker turned to regard Ap’lek if he had recovered -

But would you believe it; Vicrul still wasn't dead yet.

Kuruk found himself staggering first one direction, then the other. His rifle was gone, snatched away and he was confused as he could see a wooden handle before his eyes. Reaching up his hands he realized it was the haft of Ap’lek’s axe.

Falling to his knees, his hands moved in unconscious but fast motions, snapping the hat by the head of the axe but leaving the blade where it was. He was having trouble focusing, but he touched a hand to the metal of the axe blade and felt the heat in his head. The blood ceased flowing down his face and he staggered back to his feet.

The Skywalker was facing away and his rifle wasn’t far, still attached to its strap by a few threads. He jerked it close and stumbled closer, his steps taking him closer to the edge and it was almost a blessing as he went over the lip of the ledge they’d all been on.

Time seemed to slow for Ap'Lek as he watched in growing apprehension as his axe came to a harmless stop mere centimeters above the Grandmaster's palm. It only grew as he turned to watch his weapon relieve itself from its owner and fly back towards his fellow Knight of Ren.

Ap'Lek frowned, a brief moment of clarity granting him a nugget of knowledge before the inevitable counter-attack swept him off his feet. There hadn't been a single moment where he had had Luke Skywalker on the back-foot. It was simply the eye-boggling gulf in power between the two which had given off the appearance of such.

Before he could even fully turn back to face Skywalker, he had been swatted aside through the Force, discarded like common trash. Ap'lek could feel himself tumbling uncontrollably across the craggy rocks, his toughened leather armor tearing into ribbons against their relentless assault. For a singular moment, Ap'Lek attempted to reach out and regain control, to do anything to stop this latest insult. But there wasn't enough time.

Ap'lek slammed into a raised section of rock with a sickening crunch, an involuntarily wet gasp of shock erupting from his lips as he felt his vertebrae shatter on impact. He landed in a crumpled heap, limbs splayed out in unnatural, faintly twitching angles. Not an ounce of pain reached his brain. There was no dull ache of overworked muscles, no shattering agony from his wounds, nothing.

He blinked in silent terror, his mouth hanging agape as his peripheral vision began to darken. Was this it? Was this to be how his great crusade ended, his bones left to bleach on a forgotten cliff face? Ap'lek screamed at the encroaching darkness, yet nothing arose from depths of his throat, save for a pathetic, choked gurgle of phlegm. His vision continued to fade, narrowing to mere pinpricks of light.

Ap'lek had though Luke a coward for trying to flee.

Now, in his last moments of conscious thought, Ap'lek came to a sobering conclusion. Luke Skywalker, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, was offering them mercy.

Ap'lek breathed his last as the all encompassing void finally robbed him of his vision, leaving behind a legacy of nothing, save for a bag of broken bones for the carrion to feast upon.

Luke looked at the fallen men.

He could sense that two of the last three had died, and he stepped to the sixth - the one who had slit his throat.

He crouched down. “It didn’t have to be this way.” He pulled at the helmet, took it off Vicrul. “You didn’t have to join him. Your last living acts were to try and kill me. Apart from you.”

His hand reached for the man and he looked at the wound. At the blood. Luke sighed. “I can’t save you, but I can take away your pain.”

He knew Vicrul couldn’t speak, but he would know if he wanted to be helped into the abyss.

Kuruk fell, the axe in his head bringing even more confusion, as it had brought cognitive dissonance. He was…at peace in a way that he’d escaped the Grandmaster, that the man hadn’t taken his head. But now other thoughts were beginning to intrude, one that seemed to be from before he’d become a Knight of Ren.

Hitting the turbulent waters below his armor began to drag him down. He felt lethargic, knew he was fading as a face filled his mind. It was one that he knew, had known, and he felt sorrow, sadness that he couldn’t explain, couldn’t see them again and…

His mouth opened in a desperate attempt to take a breath and the salty water filled him. As it began to go dark, the last thing that passed through his mind was ’I’m sorry, Re…’

Vicrul's twin eyes gazed into Luke. The man was offering them mercy. Mercy? Vicrul could not understand... why... why would he do such a thing? Vicrul's mind shattered once more at the prospect of this man, and his and the other Knights total and utter defeat. His eyes then closed, the message in them coveted clearly as his blood continued to stain the ground.

Kill me.

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