The rivalry between Rey and Kylo Ren was not based on any familial connection or ideology; rather, it was far more disturbing. A connection that neither of them wanted, or understood, or was able to break away from. Amid the snow-covered forests of Starkiller Base and the destruction of the Death Star, the confrontations became increasingly personal. Each of the Rey and Kylo Ren lightsaber duels in each film held its own set of stakes and significance. Their lightsabers were unique, just as they were. Rey fought using the Skywalker lightsaber blade. Kylo Ren fought with his broken lightsaber with its crossguard.
Why Rey and Kylo Ren Were Destined to Clash
Snoke thought he could connect their minds to control them, yet the connection between them was deeper than that. The two were a unique Force dyad, connected through the Force itself. Kylo had done all that he could to deny the heritage of Anakin Skywalker ; he had destroyed his family's legacy, murdered his father, and made a commitment to join the dark side of the Force. However, Rey disturbed him; she was everything he was not. She was positive, resolute, and unbreakable. While Rey had been alone all her life on Jakku waiting for a family that never appeared, discovering her connection to Kylo terrified her. Rey did not want to comprehend him or to look for the good in one who had done so much bad. Still, the Force drew them together. Their rivalry had become inevitable. Two people on opposite sides of the same path; one embracing darkness and the other light, seeking acceptance.
The Force Awakens: A Rivalry Ignites on Starkiller Base
The first battle between Rey and Kylo Ren took place in a snowy forest, and both were caught off guard by the situation. Kylo had just killed his father, and it could be seen on his face. He was injured; Chewbacca's bowcaster shot him through the side. And yet, he relentlessly pursued Rey. She had never held a lightsaber before that day. She grew up scavenging on Jakku; she knew only how to survive. At first, she panicked when Kylo trapped her. But then something inside her changed. She closed her eyes and reached out through the Force, and the Skywalker lightsaber flew right past Kylo and into her hands. The fight was brutal and rough. Rey swung randomly, relying only on her instincts. Kylo, wounded and mentally imbalanced, attacked her with rage but no skill. He offered to train her, but she refused. She slashed Kylo's face and escaped while the planet exploded behind them.
The Flawed Kylo Ren Crossguard Lightsaber: An Emblem of Disintegration
Kylo Ren's lightsaber is odd from the moment it is ignited. The crossguard of the saber is flickering because of the damage to the kyber crystal. This cannot be compared with the elegance and perfection of the lightsaber of the Jedi, as this saber is rather brutal and dangerous, similarly to the character who possesses it. The broken crystal embodies Kylo's split personality, torn between the light and dark sides. The vents of the lightsaber are letting go of the extra energy that would otherwise destroy the saber; on the other hand, they are a sign that Kylo cannot control his power. He is always trying to break through and be even more powerful. The same thing is concerning the fighting skills of the character as he is always applying brutal force in battle. In The Rise of Skywalker, Ben Solo gets back his old Skywalker lightsaber instead of the broken one.
The Last Jedi: Throne Room Allies, Then Enemies Again
The Rey-Kylo Ren lightsaber battle in The Last Jedi is far more psychological than physical. With their Force connection strengthening, they get to know and understand each other in a way that scares them both. In the scenes where they fight alongside each other against the Praetorian Guards, they become like one unit, standing back-to-back against all odds. For a while, they are no longer enemies. Rey thinks there is hope for Kylo to change; Kylo thinks that she will come along with him. Kylo offers Rey to rule by his side, but she turns down his offer. They go their separate ways – she to defend the Resistance, and he to follow his evil order. The fight over Anakin's lightsaber is the ultimate one. Both of them try to take it, and it breaks into two pieces.
The Skywalker Legacy Saber: A Weapon Passed Through Generations
The Skywalker lightsaber is a weapon full of history like none other. It was crafted by Anakin, was lost by Luke in Cloud City, and later summoned by Rey in claiming her fate, which she did not really understand. For Rey, the lightsaber was a part of the bigger picture. She had been living in solitude all her life, yearning for a family. However, she does not instantly embrace it; rather, she rejects it several times because she does not feel that she deserves this legacy. The time when the blade of the weapon splits in The Last Jedi is a metaphorical way of saying that she is not ready for this inheritance. She takes it only by The Rise of Skywalker and embraces the legacy as Rey Skywalker.
The Rise of Skywalker: The Final Showdown on the Death Star
Finally, the battle between Rey and Kylo Ren with their lightsabers takes place on the Death Star remnants. They are both tired and scarred from all they have gone through. Kylo tells Rey to accept her destiny, that she is the granddaughter of Palpatine. She rejects. Kylo is still more powerful, but now she has transformed from reckless rage to well-balanced precision. Leia contacts her son through the Force. This distraction is too short but just enough for Rey to strike and Kylo to fall. Rey does not finish him off. Ben Solo comes back. He hears what Han's last words were – that he loved him still. He tosses his damaged saber and grabs the Skywalker lightsaber, joining Rey in a fight.
Leia's Blue Lightsaber and Rey's Yellow Blade: Legacies Claimed and Created
Leia is someone who trained as a Jedi but did not become one. The blue lightsaber symbolizes who she could have been. She always kept it with her but never wholly embraced the Jedi philosophy, nor did she turn away from it. Luke presents Rey with Leia's lightsaber after her demise. This shows that Rey belongs to the Skywalker family through choice and not because of lineage. Rey forges her yellow lightsaber in the end. Unlike many lightsabers wielded by Jedi, it symbolizes something completely new and unique. She preserves the tradition of the past while forging something new and unique for herself. Ben sacrifices himself to save her with the Skywalker lightsaber, which she had stolen from him at some point.
How Their Fighting Styles Reflect Their Emotional States
Rey’s skills change throughout the trilogy. In “The Force Awakens,” she is unpredictable because her attacks are untrained and come from fear. In “The Last Jedi,” training with Luke adds precision to her actions, and she begins to rely on the Force more than anything else. In “The Rise of Skywalker,” she is precise and decisive after a year of training with Leia. Rey fights with confidence. Even though Kylo Ren has always been aggressive, his reason for doing what he does changes. In “The Force Awakens,” Kylo acts out of anger and fear. In “The Last Jedi,” he fights for control. In “The Rise of Skywalker,” he fights himself.
What Their Lightsabers Reveal About Their Identities
The Skywalker saber represents legacy, the weight of everything Anakin and Luke did. When Rey first held it, she was claiming a destiny she barely understood. When she finally let it go, she chose her own path. Kylo's crossguard saber represents a fracture. His damaged crystal mirrors his damaged soul. When he throws it away, he's rejecting everything that defined him as Kylo Ren. Leia's blade represents possibility, what could have been. Rey's yellow blade represents new beginnings. It's the first blade in the sequel trilogy not tied to the past. It signals a future where Rey can define herself.
The Legacy of Their Rivalry
The feud between Rey and Kylo Ren differs greatly from any other in Star Wars. They do not kill each other. Rather, they fight, break apart, and join back together, not as rivals, but as comrades. The redemption of Kylo was dependent on the faith of Rey. She trusted in him even when nobody else did. Their bond helped them communicate in ways beyond words. Rey's evolution from a scavenger to a Jedi is demonstrated through her lightsabers. The Skywalker saber showed her why she was here. The Leia saber made her feel like she belonged. The yellow saber showed her who she was.
Final Thoughts
The confrontation between Rey and Kylo Ren in three different movies is something much more than just fighting. This rivalry was about two characters connecting with each other in impossible conditions, teaching each other and eventually saving one another. This rivalry wasn't driven by hatred; it was driven by the need for understanding. The lightsabers of these two characters were telling the story of their adventure. The damaged red lightsaber of Kylo Ren was showing his breakage. The inherited blue lightsaber of Rey was connecting her with the past. The blade of Leia, kept hidden, was showing those paths that were not chosen. And finally, the yellow blade of Rey was showing the future she had chosen. In the end, both of them found peace. Kylo Ren came back into the light and sacrificed his life to the woman who believed in him.
FAQs
Why does Kylo Ren have a crossguard on his lightsaber?
A cracked kyber crystal causes an imbalance in Kylo's lightsaber, thus requiring vents to dissipate excessive energy. Also, the crossguard signifies his aggressive combat style and his split personality.
What is the significance of Rey's yellow lightsaber?
Her lightsaber is unique among all other Jedi lightsabers, as its color symbolizes her independence and a new beginning.
Why did Rey reject Kylo's invitation in The Last Jedi?
Rey realized that Kylo's vision of conquering the galaxy would never lead to peace. Thus, she chose to follow hope and join the Resistance instead.
Why does Luke give Rey Leia's lightsaber?
Leia passes away, leaving Luke no choice but to give Rey her lightsaber. Thus, the blade recognizes Rey's place in the lineage and her worthiness to carry it on.
