The Rise of Kylo Ren 3

BEN SOLO, A KNIGHT OF REN? The path of BEN SOLO is rapidly approaching a fiery and bloody conclusion, where a dark figure will emerge to take his place. He now finds himself among the KNIGHTS OF REN, who are prepared to accept him, provided he can meet their demands. However, before this destiny can be realized, a confrontation must occur at an ancient JEDI Outpost located on the planet ELPHRODA [sic]. This battle will pit Ben against those who recognize his potential and fear the person he might become. Fear breeds anger, anger leads to hate, and hate results in suffering. Everyone involved is experiencing fear, particularly Ben Solo!

On the Mid Rim planet of Varnak, Vicrul informs Ren, the leader of the Knights of Ren, about the arrival of a battered and disoriented Ben Solo. Ren comments on Ben's tardiness and expresses that Ben is fortunate to have arrived when he did, as they are preparing to depart imminently. Upon observing Ben's disheveled appearance, Ren jokes that Ben looks like he has been "chewed and spat out," to which Ben attempts to offer an explanation.

Ren assures Ben that he was merely jesting and advises him to relax. Ren proceeds to remove his mask, noting that it is "kind of intense." Having previously communicated with Snoke, Ren believes that Snoke is correct in his assessment that he and Ben will become friends. When Ren inquires about Ben's reasons for seeking out the Knights of Ren, Ben responds that he wishes to travel with them to gain knowledge and asserts his potential for strength and usefulness.

Ren acknowledges Ben's potential strength in the "Shadow". He mentions that Snoke has indicated Ben's potential for being special. Ren then states that the price for joining the Knights of Ren is a "good death." In an attempt to impress Ren, Ben claims to have killed a Jedi. Ren expresses Snoke's skepticism regarding Ben's claim of killing Luke Skywalker, describing the Jedi Master as exceptionally resilient. Ben clarifies that he did not kill Skywalker, but rather someone else. As the Knights of Ren encircle Ben, Ren requests that Ben identify his victim.

Ben begins to recount his duel against the three Jedi students on the Outer Rim world of Elphrona. One of the Knights identifies Ben as a student of Master Skywalker, but Ben refutes this, stating that he is no longer a Jedi and asserting that he destroyed Luke's Jedi Temple, which is why the three Jedi are pursuing him.

Seeking to confirm that Ben achieved a "good death", Ren asks Ben to describe the significance of the three Jedi to him. Ben explains that the trio were fellow students of Skywalker whom he had known since childhood. A flashback scene depicts Master Skywalker overseeing a levitation exercise in which the Jedi students attempt to lift rocks. As R2-D2 observes, Skywalker instructs them that the Force flows through them and reveals the truth. Skywalker asserts that there is no distinction between them.

Ben explains that he was Skywalker's first Jedi student, and Voe, Hennix, and Tai joined shortly thereafter. When Ren inquires about the trio, Ben recalls that Voe struggled to accept her place in the "way of things." Voe harbored jealousy towards Ben's Force abilities. Luke attempted to reassure her that individuals perceive the Force differently, suggesting that some possess a "wider door" to the Force. He clarifies that Ben is not inherently stronger, but simply has a superior connection with the Force.

Over the years, Ben explains that Voe attempted to surpass him in various Jedi disciplines, including lightsabers and meditation, but was unsuccessful. Ben posits that Voe was unable to accept herself and was fixated on surpassing him. He recalls Voe's anger and shame, emotions that Jedi are not meant to experience.

Ben recalls that the Quarren Hennix was different, describing him as intelligent and humorous. While Voe perceived the Force as a competition to be won, Hennix viewed it as a puzzle and showed an interest in holocrons. In a flashback, Hennix interacts with a holocron in Huttese, but is unable to comprehend the language. While Voe recognized that he could not solve the Force, Ben believes that he would have been content to spend his life attempting to do so.

Ren observes that Voe possessed "brawn" and Hennix possessed "brains" before inquiring about the third Jedi. Ben recalls that Tai, a telepath, was curious about Ben's tendency to conceal himself, suggesting that the Force could aid in sensing things. Tai was curious as to why Ben kept his mind so tightly locked. Ben confided that he struggled with the notoriety associated with his name. Tai advised Ben to embrace his true self and to not fear his identity. He reassured Ben that people would accept him for who he was and that he was not as bad as he thought. Tai urges Ben not to be afraid of what others think.

Returning to the present, Ren is unable to articulate Tai's power, but believes he has a clear understanding of his character. He instructs Ben to resume the narrative of the battle and "death." During the duel, Tai attempted to penetrate Ben's mind, but Ben forcefully hurled him to the ground. Ben expresses his fury at being pursued by the other Jedi and demands that they leave him alone. Ben ascends to the top of a high rock. Believing Ben to be lost, Voe Force jumps after him. Hennix cautions her against venturing too far, as he cannot keep pace with her.

Voe leaps after Ben in mid-air, accusing him of betraying the Jedi and Master Skywalker. Hennix deems Voe's actions foolish and urges her to pause and consider their actions. Voe and Hennix corner Ben at the summit of the rock. Voe denounces Ben as a murderer. Believing that Voe is attempting to provoke him into killing, he Force pushes her, but is immediately overcome with guilt and regret.

Ben attempts to pull her to safety, but loses his grip. Believing that Ben has caused Voe's death, Hennix attacks Ben from behind with his lightsaber. While Hennix engages Ben, Tai uses the Force to decelerate her fall, successfully catching her. Shortly thereafter, they hear Hennix's screams of pain. Tai assists Voe in standing. Before they can aid Hennix, Ben catches up with them and hurls them into the Elphrona Outpost using the Force. Ben then employs his Force abilities to collapse two statues on top of Voe and Tai, burying them beneath rocks and debris.

Returning to the present, Ren solicits the opinions of his fellow Knights. While acknowledging that Ben killed Hennix, he maintains that it was not a "good death". Ben insists that he killed the Jedi Hennix, but Ren retorts that Ben did not intend to kill the Jedi.

After putting on his helmet, Ren relays that Snoke vouched for Ben and that he is strong in the "shadow." Ren suggests that Ben spend time with his Knights, stating that it might be a good opportunity for Ben to find a "good death" to prove his worth. Ren instructs one of the Knights to provide Ben with new dark clothing, dismissing his Jedi garments as trash. Ren then takes Ben along to find "something to burn."

Back on Elphrona, Voe and Tai use the Force to free themselves from the rubble. Tai recalls that while attempting to calm Ben's mind, he saw that Ben was seeking a group called the Knights of Ren. Ben believes that the Knights can help him find his true path. Voe replies that she doesn't care where Ben's path will take him but is only interested in where it ends. Tai agrees and ignites his lightsaber, stating that he believes Ben is lost. The two gaze down at their fallen Jedi comrade Hennix.

• UPC 759606097418; February 12 , 2020 ; Marvel Comics ; First printing [1] 00311; Cover A; Clayton Crain 00321; Cover B; Stefano Landini & Nicola Righi
• UPC 759606097418; March 18 , 2020; Marvel Comics; Second printing [4] 00312; Cover C; Will Sliney & Guru-eFX