Ruby found herself drawn to Finn and Rey, captivated by their kindness and the ease with which they shared their stories. Their tales of bravery and resilience inspired a fierce desire within her to seek out Snoke and defeat him herself. Yet, the weight of her responsibilities anchored her; she had an empire to manage, a duty that required her presence and unwavering commitment. Despite the allure of adventure, Ruby knew she had to remain steadfast, tending to the needs of her people and the empire she vowed to protect.

Empress Ruby sat regally upon her obsidian throne, the carved dragons that formed its high back seeming to come alive with a sinister energy. Her brow was furrowed in deep contemplation as General Hux approached, his boots clicking against the polished marble floors.

"Empress," Hux began, his voice tinged with a hint of trepidation, "I bring grave news. Jakku has been all but destroyed. The planet is in ruins."

Ruby's eyes narrowed as she processed this information, her slender fingers drumming against the armrest of her throne. "What will we do?" Hux asked, his gaze searching her face for any indication of her next move.

With a heavy sigh, Ruby leaned back, the draconic throne seemingly enveloping her. "Summon my apprentice," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument. "I must speak with him."

Hux's expression flickered with the barest hint of unease, but he swiftly complied, turning on his heel and striding from the throne room. Moments later, the imposing figure of Kylo Ren entered, his black-clad form stalking across the chamber, his mask concealing any trace of emotion.

Kylo Ren approached the dais, his heavy footfalls echoing in the cavernous throne room. As he reached the base of the steps, he dropped to one knee, his black robes pooling around him.

"My Empress," he said, his modulated voice betraying no hint of emotion.

Ruby regarded him coolly, her piercing gaze seemingly cutting through the facade of his mask. With a weary sigh, she raised a meticulously manicured hand. "Take off your helmet, Ben," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.

Kylo hesitated for the briefest of moments, then reached up and grasped the sides of his helmet. With a hiss of escaping air, he lifted it away, revealing the rugged features and dark eyes of the man beneath. His expression was guarded, but Ruby could see the slightest furrow of his brow - a tell that betrayed his unease at being addressed by his birth name.

Ruby rose gracefully from her throne, the flowing black fabric of her dress pooling around her feet and accentuating the gentle curves of her figure. As she descended the steps, Kylo's eyes followed her every movement, his adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed thickly.

Reaching out, Ruby cupped Kylo's cheek, her touch feather-light but commanding. "My dearest apprentice," she purred, a faint smile playing at the corners of her crimson lips. "I'm so proud of you."

At her words, Kylo leaned into her touch, his rigid posture softening ever-so-slightly. The guarded expression in his dark eyes gave way to a glimmer of vulnerability, a testament to the deep bond that had formed between master and apprentice.

Ruby's smile widened, and she let her hand trail down to rest on his shoulder, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns embroidered on his cloak. "There is much we must discuss," she murmured, her gaze filled with a mixture of fondness and purpose. "But first, I would hear your thoughts on the... developments in Jakku."

Kylo's expression sobered at the mention of Jakku, a flicker of unease passing across his features. He straightened his posture slightly, but remained within the comforting circle of Ruby's touch.

"I... I think it's a sad event," he said softly, his voice tinged with a note of caution. He searched Ruby's face, trying to gauge her reaction, mindful of choosing his words carefully. The last thing he wanted was to incur her anger.

Ruby's brow furrowed ever-so-slightly, but her expression remained contemplative rather than wrathful. She gave a small nod, her fingers tightening their grip on his shoulder.

"Indeed," she murmured, her gaze distant for a moment before refocusing on him. "The loss of life is... regrettable." Her thumb traced the line of his jaw, a spark of pride and affection igniting in her eyes. "But we must look to the future, my apprentice. There are matters of great importance that require our attention."

Kylo's posture relaxed minutely at her measured response, the tension in his frame ebbing away. He held her gaze, silently waiting for her to continue, his own emotions carefully concealed behind a mask of dutiful reverence.

Ruby's hand slipped away from Kylo's face, and he felt an immediate sense of loss as she stepped back from him. The warmth of her touch had been a grounding, anchoring presence, and its absence left him feeling strangely bereft.

Ruby moved away, her regal bearing commanding the space as she turned to face him, her expression pensive.

"You must go to Jakku," she said, her voice steady and authoritative. "See if you can find anything - any clues, any remnants of a base that the Red Sun could have left behind."

Kylo straightened, his focus sharpening at her words. The Red Sun - the elusive faction that had been troubling the Empire for years. If they were somehow involved in the devastation of Jakku, it was a matter of grave importance.

"It will be done, my Empress," he replied, his tone resolute. He inclined his head, the gesture conveying his unwavering loyalty and commitment to her will.

Ruby nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "I have the utmost faith in you, my apprentice," she said, her gaze burning with a quiet intensity. "Bring me what information you can uncover. The future of the Empire may rest on your success."

With that, she turned, the heavy fabric of her dress swishing around her as she ascended the steps back to her throne, leaving Kylo with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

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Kylo's heart ached as he turned to leave, the weight of Ruby's words heavy upon his shoulders. He had not wanted to part from her side, not when her presence had been a soothing balm to his turbulent emotions. But he knew her order was absolute, and he would do anything - even leave her if she so wished it.

With a deep, steadying breath, Kylo strode towards the hangar, his long strides carrying him with purpose. As he approached the sleek fighter that would take him to Jakku, he paused, his gaze lingering on the controls.

The journey would be a trying one, no doubt. The devastation on Jakku was sure to be a harrowing sight, and the possibility of uncovering remnants of the elusive Red Sun faction filled him with a sense of both trepidation and determination.

But beneath it all, a sliver of hope burned within him - the hope that his efforts would somehow please Ruby, that his success would earn him the privilege of returning to her side once more. It was a drive that burned fiercely in his chest, fueling his every step.

Squaring his shoulders, Kylo climbed into the fighter, his fingers moving with practiced precision across the controls. As the engines roared to life and the craft lifted off, he spared one last glance towards the towering spires of the palace, where Ruby waited.

"I will not fail you, my Empress," he murmured, the words a silent vow as he guided the ship out into the vast expanse of space, bound for Jakku and the unknown challenges that awaited him there.

Kylo's focus on the controls of the fighter was broken by an unwelcome voice, tinged with condescension. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of the familiar figure of Hux, the General's slightly smug expression grating against Kylo's nerves.

"You're leaving again, I see," Hux remarked, his tone dripping with a subtle hint of derision. "Have you ever wondered why our ruler isn't letting you stay more than one night under her palace?"

Kylo's jaw tightened, his grip on the flight controls momentarily tightening as well. He did not appreciate Hux's prying, nor the implication behind his words. The relationship between himself and Ruby was complex, delicate - and none of this pretentious General's business.

"My duties take me where the Empress commands," Kylo replied evenly, refusing to rise to the bait. "I would not presume to question her wisdom."

He turned back to the controls, his expression hardening. "If you have concerns, I suggest you take them to the Empress herself."

Hux let out a soft, derisive chuckle. "Oh, I have no doubt she has her reasons," he murmured, a knowing edge to his voice. "But perhaps you should consider them more carefully, apprentice."

With that, the General turned and strode away, leaving Kylo alone with his swirling thoughts and an uneasiness that settled like a lead weight in the pit of his stomach. Pushing the nagging doubts aside, he focused his attention on the task at hand, determined to prove his worth to Ruby, no matter the cost.