Zorii Bliss, played by Keri Russell, was a mysterious spice runner from Kijimi. Kylo Ren, portrayed by Adam Driver, was the Supreme Leader of the First Order. Both characters appeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but their connection was not deeply explored on screen. However, their stories briefly intersected in a critical moment during the final days of the First Order’s war against the Resistance.
Zorii Bliss and the Spice Runners of Kijimi
Zorii Bliss led the Spice Runners of Kijimi, a criminal organization operating in the underworld. This group smuggled illegal substances and weapons across the galaxy. Kijimi was their home base, hidden from the watchful eyes of the New Republic and later the First Order. Zorii had a complicated past with Poe Dameron, who once ran with the spice runners before joining the Resistance.
Kylo Ren’s Rule Over the Galaxy
Kylo Ren, after taking control of the First Order, ruled with fear and aggression. The search for Emperor Palpatine’s hidden fleet led Kylo Ren and his forces across the galaxy. The Resistance, desperate for a way to fight back, needed to locate Exegol. A Sith Wayfinder was the key, but access to First Order-controlled areas required special clearance. This necessity brought Poe, Finn, Rey, and C-3PO to Kijimi, where Zorii Bliss became an unexpected ally.
The First Order’s Invasion of Kijimi
Kylo Ren, using his connection to Rey through the Force, discovered the Resistance’s presence on Kijimi. The First Order launched an invasion, forcing Zorii Bliss and her people to flee or fight. During the chaos, the Sith Lord ordered a relentless search for Rey and her allies. Zorii, though reluctant at first, helped the Resistance escape by giving Poe a First Order Captain’s Medallion. This rare pass allowed them to board enemy ships undetected.
The invasion of Kijimi ended in destruction. The Sith Eternal, acting under Kylo Ren’s command, deployed a Star Destroyer equipped with a planet-destroying cannon. Kijimi was obliterated, wiping out many of its inhabitants, including the spice runners who remained behind. Zorii Bliss, however, survived and later joined the final battle against the Sith fleet.
Did Zorii Bliss and Kylo Ren Ever Meet?
Despite being on opposite sides of the war, Zorii Bliss and Kylo Ren never shared a direct confrontation. The Supreme Leader was the reason for Kijimi’s destruction, making him responsible for the deaths of many in Zorii’s crew. Though Zorii never voiced personal hatred toward Kylo Ren, the First Order’s cruelty was a driving force behind her decision to fight in the Battle of Exegol.
Zorii Bliss in the Final Battle
Zorii Bliss arrived at Exegol alongside Babu Frik, piloting a Y-wing starfighter. The battle against the Sith Eternal fleet was intense, with thousands of Sith TIE fighters overwhelming the Resistance forces. Zorii joined the dogfight, destroying enemy fighters and aiding the Millennium Falcon during a critical moment. The Resistance ultimately defeated Palpatine’s forces, bringing an end to Kylo Ren’s reign.
Kylo Ren’s Redemption and Legacy
Kylo Ren’s path took a different turn. After a duel with Rey on the wreckage of the second Death Star, a vision of Han Solo changed his heart. Ben Solo, rejecting the dark side, fought alongside Rey against Emperor Palpatine. This act of redemption led to his sacrifice, ensuring the Sith were destroyed forever.
Zorii Bliss never acknowledged Kylo Ren’s redemption, as their paths never crossed again. For Zorii, the fall of the First Order and the Sith meant freedom for those who had suffered under their rule. The destruction of Kijimi remained a painful loss, but the victory at Exegol ensured that such tyranny would not rise again.
The Legacy of Zorii Bliss and Kylo Ren
Zorii Bliss remained a survivor, a warrior who fought for those who had no voice. The destruction of Kijimi left scars, but Zorii’s actions helped bring down the First Order. Kylo Ren’s legacy was far more complicated. Once a feared ruler, his redemption came at the cost of his own life.
Both characters played key roles in shaping the galaxy’s final battle. One fought for the survival of the underworld, the other for the fate of the Force itself. Their connection was not personal, but the impact of their choices forever changed the history of the galaxy.
