The cell door opened, and three guards entered, their blaster rifles at the ready. They wore no hoods now, revealing their faces. One was a dark-skinned human man, another was a green-skinned rodian man, and the last was a pantoran woman. Rey remained still, her mind focused, though her body still ached from the stun shot that had knocked her out earlier. She could sense their emotions—duty, fear, and something darker, an undercurrent of fanaticism that worried her more than their weapons.
The rodian circled around her, moving silently until he was behind the chair. She could hear the soft click of a button, and suddenly, her wrist cuffs detached from the arms of the chair. The metal binders snapped together in front of her, securing her wrists together with magnetic force. At the same time, the ankle cuffs clicked open, releasing her legs.
"Get up," the pantoran woman commanded.
Rey rose to her feet and asked, "Where are we going?"
The human guard shoved her forward roughly. "Quiet."
Her jaw tightened, but she obeyed, knowing it wasn't the time to resist, not yet. The door slid open, and the guards flanked her as they moved into the dimly lit stone corridor. They walked in silence, the guards keeping close watch. Rey's senses were alert, her mind stretching out with the Force, feeling the space around her, feeling for Ben. She reached out gently, her thoughts brushing against his.
Something is happening.
—
Ben, standing far outside the temple, was already watching the structure closely. He had positioned himself near the treeline, concealed but with a clear view of the building. As he looked on, a massive rumbling noise broke the stillness, and to his astonishment, part of the stone building began to shift. It was a gigantic hangar door. It opened slowly, groaning under its own weight, revealing the hangar inside.
The Path is preparing to leave. We can't wait for Finn. I'm coming in.
Ben ran across the clearing, making his way toward the side of the temple. Two guards stood at the smaller entrance, and as he rounded the corner of the building, they spotted him.
"Halt!" one of the guards barked, raising his blaster.
Ben didn't slow down. His hand shot up, and with a flick of his wrist, both guards were yanked off the ground by the Force. They hung in the air for a brief second before he slammed them into the stone wall. The guards crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Without hesitation, Ben ignited his lightsaber and began cutting through the metal door, sparks flying as his weapon carved a molten path.
—
Inside the hangar, Rey was led forward, the guards flanking her as they approached the center of the enormous space. The scene around her felt chaotic. Soldiers, technicians, and pilots moved in all directions, loading supplies and weapons onto transports. Starfighters were being prepped for launch.
The guards stopped in the middle of the hangar, and Rey's attention was drawn to the tall figure standing at the center of it all. Mar Corrik was waiting for her. His slender form was wrapped in dark, flowing robes, his presence commanding but calm.
"What's going on?" Rey asked, trying to buy time as her eyes scanned the room, looking for weaknesses and exits.
"We are abandoning this base, and you, Jedi, are coming with us."
Rey's eyes flickered around, taking in the sheer number of soldiers in the hangar. There were hundreds, and she could sense even more in the levels beneath. Fighting her way out alone was impossible. But she could sense Ben. He was getting closer.
Mar gestured toward a large transport ship nearby. "Get her on the transport."
Just as they began to move, Ben dropped down from above. His hand shot out, and a wave of Force energy surged through the hangar, sending the three guards flying away from Rey. They slammed into the side of the transport, knocked unconscious by the impact.
Before anyone could react, Ben turned toward Mar and sent another powerful shove through the Force. He slid backward, gracefully remaining on his feet, his robe billowing as he steadied himself. Ben moved quickly to Rey's side. He ignited his lightsaber and brought it down, cutting through the magnetic binders around her wrists.
"Thanks."
Ben unhooked another hilt from his belt, and held it out. Rey blinked in surprise. It was Luke Skywalker's lightsaber.
He handed it to her. "You might need this."
Rey took it, igniting the green blade. Blaster fire erupted from all sides as the Path soldiers opened fire. Rey and Ben moved as one, deflecting the incoming shots with ease. The green and blue blades whirled through the air, redirecting the bolts back toward their attackers. Soldiers fell as their own weapons were turned against them.
"We need to get to the exit," Ben shouted.
Rey nodded, and they sprinted toward the doors. More soldiers poured into their path, trying to block their escape. Rey reached out with the Force, her mind focused on the five men in front of them. With a simple gesture, she threw them all aside like rag dolls, clearing the way forward.
They burst through a door, out into the open air. Rey felt a dark presence behind them. She turned just in time to see Mar Corrik leaping into the air. His agile form soared over their heads, and he landed with a heavy thud, blocking their path forward. Rey's eyes widened in surprise.
"Did he just—" she started.
Ben's eyes narrowed. "He's a terrelian. They jump high."
Mar Corrik stood tall, and in his hand, he held Rey's lightsaber. He ignited the yellow blade.
"I wasn't planning on killing you, Skywalker. But you've left me no choice."
They charged at him together, their lightsabers humming as they closed the distance. His blade met theirs with a clash of energy, and the sound of their strikes echoed through the clearing. Rey moved with fluid grace, her green blade dancing through the air as she tested Mar's defenses. Ben was more aggressive, each of his strikes meant to overpower their foe.
But Mar was fast, faster than either of them had expected. He moved like a shadow, blocking their attacks with precision, the yellow blade flashing as he parried and countered.
As the battle raged, more soldiers poured out of the temple, moving to surround them. Rey and Ben fought on, but it was clear they were outnumbered.
Ben connected to Rey. We need to end this now.
With a fierce growl, Ben reached out with his free hand, attempting to hurl Mar aside with the Force. But Mar anticipated it. He reached down, digging his long fingers into the ground, holding himself in place. Ben's eyes widened.
"I will end the Jedi," he growled, "and make sure the galaxy is never ruled by Force-wielders again."
They were completely surrounded now, an army of soldiers closing in from all sides. Blaster rifles were aimed at them, ready to fire. Rey's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing as she tried to find a way out.
Then, a low rumble filled the air. It grew louder and louder, and suddenly, the sky above them was filled with ships. Dozens of New Republic shuttles flew low overhead, their engines roaring as they descended toward the clearing. The ramps began to lower before they even landed, and New Republic soldiers poured out, blasters raised.
Finn's shuttle swooped down toward the battlefield, its sleek frame gleaming in the light of the sun. As it passed overhead, the ramp opened, and two figures leaped out, landing with a thud behind Mar Corrik.
Finn and Link stood tall, their lightsabers igniting in unison. "Need some help?" Finn asked, a slight smile on his face.
Rey smiled in relief, her grip tightening on Luke's lightsaber. "You're just in time."
The New Republic soldiers spread out, engaging the Path's forces in a fierce battle. Blaster fire filled the air as the two armies clashed, but Rey's focus remained on Mar Corrik. The Path's leader still stood, holding Rey's yellow blade as he faced Rey, Ben, Finn, and Link.
"You're outnumbered, Mar," Ben said.
Mar Corrik's eyes flashed with anger. "I've faced worse."
Rey stepped forward. "This ends now."