Why Red Kyber Crystals Are So Dangerous To Obtain
One of the most mysterious and amazing enigmas in the Star Wars universe is for sure the Kyber crystals. As you may know, Kyber crystals are the heart of a lightsaber, and what gives the saber its power and color. In Star Wars Legends, lightsabers got their color from all different sorts of gems and crystals, yet Sith used synthetic crystals for their red sabers.
In the new canon, a Jedi’s lightsaber is powered by a Kyber crystal, which must be infused with the Jedi’s feelings in order to receive its color. Kyber crystals are living objects that connect to the Jedi, and they are the ones who choose the Jedi as well. But what about the Sith? Or a dark side user? How dangerous is it to obtain a red Kyber crystal?
The process to obtain a red Kyber crystal is called “bleeding the crystal.” This process happens when a Sith or a dark side user steals a Kyber crystal from a Jedi, meditates the crystal, and pours all their hate into the crystal, until the crystal starts bleeding red from the inside.
But how dangerous is it?
Let's take a look at how Lord Vader got his crystal to see how dangerous the bleeding of a crystal really is:
In the 2017 comic book series Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith, Vader is hunting down a Jedi who survived Order 66. After defeating the Jedi, Vader steals a lightsaber from a Jedi whom he slays and travels to Mustafar, in order to connect with the crystal. Mustafar is strong with the dark side and the energy within the planet would help Vader turn the crystal to his will.
Since Kyber crystals are living beings, as Vader tries to put his own feelings into the crystal, the crystal fills with light side energy, so the crystal resists him. Vader begins to see all the pain from his life, and all the despair he has gone through.
After seeing all of these horrible memories, he grabs the crystal and infuses it with his energy, shaking the cave, and all the land itself. Once the land and Vader himself are filled with pain, the Kyber crystal begins to bleed, and turns to the dark side. The bleeding of a Kyber crystal is so dangerous because of the crystal’s resistance. As a Sith or dark side user infuses the crystal with their energy, the crystal will try and resist, as the crystal being hurt by all the dark side energy.
This can also be seen in the comic book miniseries The Rise of Kylo Ren, where we see Ben Solo trying to bleed his Jedi crystal. As Ben tries to infuse his crystal with his hatred, the crystal’s resistance is so strong that the crystal turns to the dark side, yet cracks in the process. This is Ben’s calling, and through this power is where he receives his new identity: Kylo Ren. Although he is able to infuse his hate, the crystal’s resistance is stronger than Ben, which means that unlike his grandfather Vader, Ben isn’t successful with the turning of his crystal.
A red Kyber crystal is so powerful due to all the hate and anger within the crystal. We haven't seen anyone die in the process of turning their Kyber crystal red, but the process is dangerous enough to kill someone, as it connects one to their hidden demons. We also know that the turning of a Kyber crystal is dangerous, because we see Vader's suit being almost destroyed during the bleeding process.
It has been believed by some characters that once a Kyber crystal has turned to the dark side, it cannot be saved. However, in the Ahsoka novel, we learn that Ahsoka’s white blades come from two crystals that she steals from an Inquisitor, and is able to bring their crystals to the light side, and fully purify them.
Kyber crystals are one of the physical representations of the Force, and without them, neither Sith nor Jedi would have their elegant weapons or the high ground.
Source(s): Star Wars: Ahsoka, Star Wars: Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith, Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren