7 Chapter 7

After leaving the training room I decided to head towards the medbay. I had passed by something on the way there every day and at that point, my curiosity got the best of me. My feet led the way as my mind wandered off.

That symbol that I saw, it felt familiar. Almost as if I had just seen it the other day. I scrambled for any recollection of it, but to no avail. I would have to wait and ask Kylo about it later. That was assuming he even knew what it was.

Putting my thoughts aside, I came upon the mystery that stood just beyond the medbay. These doors weren't labeled, as most weren't, but I had never seen anyone go inside or come out. That probably meant I should leave it be and not get into any trouble.

I stopped listening to my conscience long before then.

I pressed a hand to the door, hoping that it would open that way. Of course, things were never that easy. I glanced over to the right of the door where a small hand scanner stood, taunting me with its presence. Maybe Kylo had already put my prints in the system?

I casually slid my hand onto the scanner, staring intently as it analyzed each finger. The bright red flash that signaled no entry didn't shock me. The droid that rammed into my shin, however, caught me by surprise.

I yelped as the droid beeped at me hysterically, going around in circles around my legs. My initial thought was that the droid had a loose wire somewhere, so I grabbed it and held it still.

It beeped louder this time and I barely had enough time to jump back before it stabbed me with one of its tools. "What is it with this place and jabbing people?"

I looked around quickly to make sure the coast was clear before I did anything stupid. No guards. No more droids. Not even a whiff of Kylo.

With a frustrated grunt, I tackled the droid and grabbed onto its largest arm, which clearly fit into the wall socket that was just under the print scanner. The droid was wailing at this point, but I kept pushing until the arm was fully locked in.

"Now open it."

It made quick work of the lock and went sailing down the hallway before the door even began to crack. Guards that had just turned down the hall stared in awe as the droid frantically drove into every wall in sight.

I never did like droids.

~|Kylo|~

In my earlier state of panic, I had completely forgotten why I had needed to see Lorelai in the first place. There was something about seeing her so panicked that made me freeze in my tracks. Maybe it was because she was my only chance of proving myself to Snoke. She was my final task, and if I failed...

I shoved my mask on before I could finish the thought. There was no time for maybe's. This was my duty, I would not fail. I had risked too much to give up now.

I stepped out of my chambers, telling myself that she had had enough time to calm herself down. She was probably sitting alone in her room, eating whatever it is that they serve the troopers. I had noticed how she had been doing the same thing for the past few days. She only left her room for food and training, barely even made eye contact with anyone except for me.

She was a very odd girl.

Even more odd was the fact that I didn't sense her inside of her room. I skipped the pleasantries and burst in, only finding a messy bed and a few empty bowls on the dresser.

This was a fairly large ship that she had only been on for a few days. I doubted she knew many places other than the training room and the cafeteria.

Troopers parted and bowed their heads as I made my way through the ship. I passed by the cafeteria. She wasn't in the throng of troopers in line for food.

I expected to feel the warmth of her presence when I entered the training room, but just like the cafeteria, there was no sign of her. A mix of panic and frustration fueled me as I stormed through the halls.

Even Hux didn't say a word when I passed by. He just eyed me cautiously before returning to his conversation with a lieutenant. I had never realized just how much my life would change because of one person, let alone a practical stranger.

And yet, it was as if I had known every fiber of her being from the beginning. And that fear, that feeling that tore me to pieces every waking moment, seemed to float away when she spoke. As if she were my lifeline and all I could do was hold on.

I was so caught up in my thoughts I almost didn't feel her presence ebbing through the hall I had just turned down. Straight ahead was the medbay. My throat tightened before I realized that her warmth wasn't coming from there. Instead, it came from a small room just down the hall. An unused conference room, if I remembered correctly.

What was she doing in there?

As I neared, an overwhelming sense of frustration washed over me, but it wasn't mine. My confusion grew and I forced the doors open to reveal a disheveled Lorelai, sifting through what must've been hundreds of symbols on the hologram on the table in front of her.

I was shocked that she didn't immediately notice that I was there, but I was more concerned about what she was so focused on. And why it was dealing with ancient Sith symbols.

"What are you doing?" My robotic voice surged through the air and I swear I could feel her heart stop for a moment before she ducked under the table and began to beg me not to hurt her. I went to take a step forward, but the look on her face made me freeze.

She was truly terrified of me. Or, at least, the prospect of me punishing her for being in here. I found it odd that she was cowering in front of me when just the other day she was nose to nose with me. Had I done something to spark that terror?

It was then that I realized the differences between those situations and this one. My mask. I made sure to slide the door shut before I crouched down in front of her and took it off, wincing at how loud it hissed. For once, I didn't want her frightened of me.

"I... I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be in here, but I saw something this morning and I knew that I couldn't just sit around and wait on answers so I decided to come in here, but my handprint didn't work so I grabbed a droid that was nearby and I kinda forced him to open the door. And then when I realized I could search for the thing I was looking on here I kept looking and I lost track of time and I know I shouldn't be in here and that I should've just gone to you, but I didn't. Please don't kill me." Her voice cracked with the last sentence.

I stared at her. That's all I could think to do. I just stared as she caught her breath, watching as she slowly trailed her eyes up to meet mine. Thankfully she wasn't on the brink of tears.

"Stand up."

Lorelai's brows scrunched together for a moment before she pulled herself off of the floor, dusting off her loose pants. I stood as well, towering over her. Sucking in a breath, I regained my normal formality.

"Whatever it is that you are looking for, I will see to it that you have what you need." Her eyes lit up for the briefest of moments. "However, there is an issue more pressing as of right now and I need your help."

Her brows knit together as she averted her gaze. "What do you need me for?"

I swallowed and continued, trying to keep her odd behavior off of my mind. "Since you are my apprentice, it is traditional for you to take on a new name. One of your choosing."

"I have to change my name?" I didn't need to seep into her mind to sense her unease. She was still getting used to everything, it probably wasn't the best idea to throw this onto her as well.

But it didn't matter, it had to be done. At what cost, I was unsure. I just needed to stop this fighting that kept raging inside of me.

"If you will not choose one, I will choose for you, and I dou—"

"Vana," she blurted out. Her face was strained as she looked up at me, her back fully straightened. She reminded me of my mother in that moment, but I shook the thought away before I could ponder.

I nodded curtly. But as I bent down to grab my mask, Lor- Vana beat me to it and scooped it into her arms.

"What are you doing?" I reached for my mask, but she pulled it away from me.

"Can I be a Knight of Ren?"

I sighed. "You aren't ready. Now give me my mask."

Her knuckles turned white as her grip tightened on my helmet. "When I am ready, can I at least get the chance before you say no?"

I stared at her intently before pulling the mask into my hand and rising to my feet once again. Turning, I made my way over to the door.

But as it opened, I turned back to face her. "If you wish to become a Knight of Ren, you must train diligently. I will not go easy on you."

Her eyes glittered with hope as I left her alone in the conference room.

Welcome to the Dark Side, Vana Ren.