In 33 ABY, in an effort to halt the territorial expansion of the Benathy, Kylo Ren and his forces engaged in combat against them on Benath, their native planet. The goal was to prevent King Kristoff and his people from further increasing their domain.
In the year 33 ABY, Kylo Ren journeyed to the planet Benath, located in Wild Space, to engage in negotiations with the Benathy. His objective was to persuade them to cease their expansionist activities, which had already resulted in the conquest of four planets and the complete annihilation of all life on those worlds. Accompanying Ren was Ruthford, an Imperial stormtrooper who was the only survivor of a previous conflict with the Benathy alongside Ren's grandfather. Ruthford's role was to advise Ren on how to deal with the Benathy, based on his past experience. Additionally, Ren deployed troops on the planet as a contingency in case the negotiations failed.
The pair proceeded to a tent where Kristoff, the king of the Benathy, awaited them. Kristoff invited Ren to sit, but Ren refused, arguing that it would make him appear weak. Ren then directly ordered Kristoff to cease his territorial expansion, but the king remained steadfast. He mentioned remembering when Vader had come with demands. He had killed their last king and a battle ensued, but even he couldn't defeat their god. Ren retorted that he would subdue Kristoff's people, but Kristoff countered that they would always rise again. Ren attempted to use the Force to persuade the ruler to halt his expansion. However, the monarch remained unyielding to Ren's demands. Ruthford, standing in the background, warned the king to heed Ren's command or face the consequences. This angered the king, but before he could react, Ren fatally stabbed him in the head, triggering the start of the battle.
A fierce battle erupted. Ruthford advised Ren to withdraw, recognizing the Benathy's immense strength. Ren refused, stating that Vader would never have retreated. Ruthford reminded Ren that his grandfather had fought valiantly, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. However, he emphasized that Vader had been unable to defeat their god.
As the battle intensified, a gigantic Zillo Beast emerged. This creature was revered as their god and was considered virtually indestructible, having even withstood Vader's attempts to kill it. The Zillo Beast unleashed its fury, managing to strike a First Order ship overhead. However, Kylo Ren remained determined to eliminate it. He instructed his men to prepare his shuttle. As Ren boarded his shuttle, Ruthford cautioned him that he had nothing to prove to his deceased grandfather. Nevertheless, Ren persisted. Ruthford, watching the shuttle depart, dismissed him as a foolish youth, believing that Kylo would not have impressed Vader. Igniting the crimson blade of his lightsaber, Ren leaped from the shuttle platform and plunged into the mouth of the Zillo Beast. From below, Ruthford watched with disappointment, remarking that Kylo would not have impressed Vader, just as the beast collapsed. Ren had entered the animal and killed it from inside.
The Benathy immediately ceased fighting and bowed before the blood-covered Ren. Having slain their god, he commanded them to serve the First Order.
He had also earned the newfound respect and admiration of Ruthford.