The violent outburst continued for several more seconds, leaving raw streaks of charred wood and stone and a smell to match it. But eventually, it did end, Ren's chest heaving with each breath until that, too, calmed. He straightened, taking a deeper breath as he stared at his handiwork, not bothering to look at the general.

Opening his left hand, he levitated the crushed, unrecognizable memory petal he'd been holding the entire time and lifted his blade to it, watching it burn in the red light.

With his anger vented and the origin of it destroyed—at least physically—the cracks in the ground ceased forming, and his deactivated lightsaber returned to his belt. He felt better now, much better, even if the memories themselves could not be erased so easily. With the petal gone, he could return his focus to more important things.