Rey had known of Palpatine's return, though she still had trouble believing it was more than rumor, a distraction invented by the First Order. By Kylo himself, perhaps, meant to lead her on a wild chase to find a planet no one knew the way back to after so long. A chase that had been interrupted by her arrival here.

"So it's true. You've already found the way to him."

She tries not to sound as defeated as she feels. If Kylo's already discovered Exegol, the First Order holds an advantage she can't hope to match. Not now. Not if they're in league with Palpatine. Even if Kylo himself isn't, the rumors of First Order involvement don't bode well for the Resistance. The rest of it, though --

"I don't understand. Why would they have any idea he still lived?"