My eyes pinch at the glare from the dark blue crystal around Hux's neck. It makes my chest hurt and my head pound. I take a step back and the pain eases. I came to the library to look for Master Garione, who usually writes here in the afternoons, to ask him some questions about the Games. But Hux found me first.

The library is empty, except for Hux and I. Rain taps against the stained glass windows high above us as I wait for Hux to say something. He moves closer and I back up.

"What is that?" I ask, glancing at the crystal again. It's glare hurts my eyes.

"Something that came at a high price," Hux says. "But it was totally worth it." I keep backing away until I hit a desk and stop. Hux grins. Did Snoke give him the crystal? To level out the playing field for the Games, since I'm the only one who is Force sensitive?

Suddenly Hux lunges at me and grabs my neck. I shut my eyes tight against the pain and try to pull his hands away.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Hux says. I try to swallow but can't. I grasp his hands with both of mine but my strength is fading fast and I can't loosen his grip. It's the crystal. It makes me weak, and not just my Force powers, but all of me.

"Please..." I try to talk but Hux's grip is so tight I can't breathe.

"How does it feel, Ren? To be choked? Not so fun is it?"

"Stop it!" Phasma's voice echos through the empty library. Hux's grip loosens as he looks over his shoulder. He lets go and I collapse to the ground.

"We have to stick together," Phasma says, walking up to Hux. "Or we'll die in the Games."

"Isn't that the point?" Hux replies. "To kill each other and be the last one standing?"

I can't get up and stay on my side at Hux's feet. It's not just the crystal that's draining my energy. Hux using it against me hurts my feelings, which makes no sense. It's something I should expect from him. But I've known him since I was ten. Even with my Force powers, I wouldn't have killed him in the Games. I'm not sure why, but I know I wouldn't have. Maybe I've gotten used to him and always imagined us being in the First Order together, for better or for worse. But now, I might have to kill him, in self-defense, if he doesn't kill me first.

"The point is," Phasma says to Hux. "To be one of the last twenty five standing. We need each other."

Her words bring back a memory. Hux said the same thing to me in the forest, when he attacked me and held me down, 'we need each other, Ren.'

"I don't need anyone," Hux says.

"Do you really want to lead the First Order with those other useless classmates?" Phasma continues. "Wouldn't you rather it be us?"

Hux doesn't answer. Phasma kneels down beside me and helps me sit up.

"Put that damn crystal away, Hux."

* * *

"You have one day to familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship," Commander Klein says. "Report to the gathering space on board to be assigned your quarters for the night, and in twenty-four hours Master Snoke will make the opening announcements for the Elimination Games to begin."

I shift my bag on my shoulder. Now that the Games are officially starting I feel alert and ready to fight. The emotion sickness, as Phasma put it, has finally settled down now, since I don't remember what I was hurting about before my memory was erased, making room for other emotions, like excitement and anticipation.

I glance over at Phasma. She's wearing a dark green sleeveless shirt, despite the chill in the evening air, and stands tall and strong amidst the others, her backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. Hux stands next to her, his blue eyes deep in thought and staring ahead. He apologized to me, in his own way, for threatening me with the crystal, but I still can't shake the feeling of betrayal. I'm not ready to trust him just yet, but I'm glad he and Phasma are on my team. The others won't stand a chance against us.

I look up at the night sky. The Capital Starship looks small from down here but I know it's as large as a city. Commander Klein continues talking and I glance around at the others. I'm glad I never took the time to get to know them, but it still gives me a sick feeling to think that I have to kill them.

"Line up," Commander Klein shouts. "In single file."

Phasma grabs my arm. "You ready for this?" she whispers.

I nod and we get into position, Phasma first, then Hux, then me.

"Once you cross these gates," Commander Klein continues, "there's no turning back. If you want out, now is the time to walk away."

There is a moment of silence as the students look around at each other. No one moves to leave.

"Anyone?" Commander Klein asks. He waits another moment. "Good, now get moving."

The line begins to move ahead slowly, as each student is patted down and checked for weapons then made to walk through a metal detector. Hux glances back at me over his shoulder.

"I'm fine," I whisper and he faces forward again. I've been having trouble with my Force powers ever since Hux brought out that crystal, but I can handle lifting a small object like a small phaser blaster, which is what I'll need to do soon if all goes according to plan.

It's Phasma's turn to go up. She raises her hands for the pat down and her bag is taken by two officers to be checked. I watch as she is sent through the metal detector then stops on the other side to wait for us. Hux is up next. They take his bag and my heart begins to race. I reach under my cloak for the small blaster I have hidden there.

"Don't touch that!" Hux yells at one of the officers checking his bag. All eyes turn to Hux and the guards. I lower the phaser to the ground using the Force, then move it forward, hovering low to the ground, away from the lights and people. Hux continues to argue with the guards and making a scene to distract everyone.

"It's not a weapon. My grandfather gave it to me!" he shouts. I move the phaser away from the metal detectors and around the field towards Phasma. She quickly grabs for it when it reaches her ankles.

"It will be in your room at the school when you return," Commander Klein says, stepping in to deal with the commotion. He takes the knife from the officers.

Hux gets shoved through the metal detector and he grabs his bag, following after Phasma as they head for the shuttle. My shoulders relax and my heart slows. It worked. Phasma go her phaser. Now it's my turn to go through.

I step through the metal detector gate in front of me. There's no turning back now.