(Ezra's POV)
I relaxed further into the Force as the pieces slowly rose in front of me. Slotting themselves against each other around the kyber crystals just to drift apart as my mind attempted to guide their design, reaching for purpose.
I had spread all the spare parts Maul had given out in front of me on the bed, alongside several kyber crystals, before finally starting to meditate. It was probably too many crystals, but I wanted the safety net of having extra's just in case I messed something up. Maul had already said he wouldn't be sparing anymore from the crates we stole, so I didn't want to take any chances.
Honestly I probably wouldn't have needed them, but this wasn't like last time. I wasn't sure what I wanted to make, I just knew I needed to make something even better than before. Maybe even a saberstaff. But I couldn't be sure. I needed something that fit my current skills even further than my previous one did, with room to adapt as I grew.
Perhaps that lead to why I was starting to sweat a little as the pieces seemed as aimless as my mind in their assembly.
It was taking much more to concentrate on keeping them together this time around.
Come on Ezra, I thought wearily to myself. Just direct your intentions out into the Force, and let it do the rest. Surely it's gotta know more about all this than you.
...I kind of felt like I was insulting myself by saying that, but what could I do? It was the truth.
Gritting my teeth in concentration I pulled more of the Force around me, the air practically humming as pressure prickled across my skin. I felt a few of the pieces slot together and stay, more shifting around them in a seamless pattern before dislodging again. There! It was something at least. The Force was finally responding to something I was putting off.
Though I couldn't be sure as to what. Not until it was done.
I just hoped it wasn't just throwing something together as aimless as my thoughts were on the matter.
I could already imagine the look on Maul's face if I had to show him a failed attempt of a lightsaber and explain why it was like that.
I grimaced a little.
Yeah. That wouldn't end well.
A few more started to slide together around the crystals. Albeit even slower than before.
Come on... My jaw clenched as more sweat beaded.
I couldn't just stop for a break, that would cause the whole thing to drop to pieces on my bed. With no guarantee that it would even come back together again. At this rate, I was going to be here for awhile. I just hoped I could hang onto the Force for that long. I was pulling on it way too strongly.
It would be just my luck to pass out before it was done. I thought bitterly.
With that in mind I took deeper breaths as I worked. One part clicked into another. Then another.
Good. I could do this. Just... focus.
I wasn't sure how much time passed as I sat there in the ebb and flow of the Force, but as I felt more of them connecting as I drifted I couldn't help but feel a sliver of anticipation and relief.
It was all finally coming together.
Riveted on the feeling I didn't notice how stiff and sore my body was becoming with the sheer amount of Force it was channeling until I felt the last piece slide into place.
With a wince I reached my hand up to rub the back of my neck as I felt everything drop to the bed, my connection to the Force feeling as tired as I was as I opened my eyes.
I was more than a little eager to see what kind of saberstaff had been made, so ignoring the feeling for now I immediately dropped my attention to what was in front of me.
I frowned at what I saw though.
It wasn't a saberstaff at all.
It was two lightsabers.
What the-? I was astounded, to say the least.
Slowly I reached out and picked them up, holding them almost reverently as I looked them over. I hadn't felt the presence of two lightsabers at all while they were being built. In fact, It had felt singular. Like my first one had.
Feeling pulled to them I stretched out my awareness to the crystals inside. My eyes widening slightly at what I felt. Their signature's humming in the Force felt exactly the same. As if they were simply two parts of the same whole. A pair, in the truest sense of the word.
Incredible...
I had no idea that was even possible until now. And the design... It was definitely the most eye catching I had ever seen.
The hilt's were curved. And surprisingly incredibly light. Both tinted the color black, as if the crystals themselves scorched the metal around them as they had been built.
Which did make sense in a strange way, since they did actually feel warm in my hands.
I was beyond confused at this point. I didn't understand it at all.
How could the crystals burn hot on the inside? It was in sharp contrast with how cold the metal seemed to be on the outside. They felt strangely in balance with one other.
Maybe I could ask Maul about them...? Yeah... Maybe. I could do that.
I was only fractionally disturbed as a strange inkling of pride started to swell as I continued to stare at them. They were certainly unique. Albeit strange. But they were mine.
I had made them... somehow.
I actually wanted to show them to Kanan and the others, I felt incredibly proud, but... well, that was impossible right now. The estatic feeling faded from me as I sighed. Later, then. When everything was finally over.
Focusing back to the matter at hand and how incredibly uncomfortable I was I picked up the rest of the spare parts and got up. Wincing only slightly at the remaining stiffness as I went and deposited everything on the workbench on the side of the room.
I'd go test them out in the training room in a bit, but first... I made my way to the bathroom, looking forward to a shower.
I was more than ready to wash off all this sweat.
Shutting the door behind me with a soft hiss I went and turned on the shower to max, letting the steam build rapidly as I quickly undressed. Ignoring the way the fresh scar on the palm of my hand was twinging in protest at the movement.
Honestly the wound itself didn't bother me much anymore.
And the fact Maul had done it during our training? Well, that didn't bother me either. It was easy to ignore. And I was prepared for the way the heat from the water would send it tingling painfully as I stepped under the spray.
I sighed and let myself drift.
I stayed in the shower for a good 20 minutes more than I usually did. The sweat having long washed off as I let the warm spray shift through my much shorter hair and down my back in soothing rivets. It was nice. Between the intense training and the occasional mission Maul would send me on lately I didn't get the chance to take an incredibly long shower often.
Course, I didn't on the Ghost either. But that was more because of the time limit imposed in the showers than anything. I wasn't the only one wanting a warm one after all. Which made me secretly glad that Maul and I were the only ones on the ship that would actually require a shower anytime soon.
I could take my time.
But not too long though. I didn't want to turn into a shriveled prune, as amusing as Maul would surely find it.
With that in mind I reluctantly turned the water off and got out. Ignoring the glimpse of new muscle and scars in the mirror as I grabbed the towel and dried off.
Quickly I re-dressed into the spare outfit I usually kept in the bathroom, a more casual version of the outfit Maul had given me so long ago.
Though the only thing I could see that would make it casual was the lack of boots. Not that I was complaining. I actually liked the feel of the clothes Maul had gotten for me. 'Casual' or not.
Good thing I cut my hair short when I had the chance.
Curious I glanced towards my reflection for a moment. Almost not recognizing myself with the dark attire and shorter hair that barely brushed my nape.
The cut was definitely different from my longer style. But I was glad for it. Grateful, even.
After awhile it had felt childish.
It had been perfect for the old me, but I was different now.
So different, in fact... I tensed ...Would the others even recognize me?
Eyes darkening with emotion I turned away from my reflection.
Enough. I couldn't think like that. Now wasn't the time.
I had just opened the door when a ripple of inquiry came through the bond from Maul. Then his voice.
"Since the Force has long dissipated from your room, I'm going to assume you're done." He intoned casually. "Did it go well?"
I sighed as I went back out into the main room. Perfect timing, as usual.
"Uh, yeah. I was about to go test them out in the training room, actually."
"Them?" The image of him shaking his head flashed. "No, never mind. I'll see for myself shortly. We need to talk."
"Um, we are talking." Was my bemused response as I flopped back onto my bed.
It felt marvelous on my still sore muscles.
...Maybe I needed a quick nap before practice? Yeah, that sounded great actually.
"In person, Apprentice."
I groaned.
Well, there went my nap.
"Why in person? I can hear you just fine through our bond thank you." I muttered.
I knew he would feel my resentment to the idea, as well as my body's desire to rest. Not that that would actually sway him to do it at another time. Like, at all.
His next words confirmed it.
"Simply because I said so, Apprentice. And you'd be wise to quit questioning me on matters such as this from now on."
I snorted. "I'll think about it."
I could hear the growl of annoyance through the bond at my candid behavior, but much to my surprise he didn't press the matter further as I felt him getting closer to my room.
My brow quirked at that. Huh. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was getting used to my... lovely, personality.
Shame. I thought as the door opened with a soft hiss.
And there's my cue.
"...Can we discuss this after training?" I asked out loud hopefully while sitting up, looking to his shadowed form in the doorway.
His narrowed eyes said plenty enough.
I sighed out loud this time.
"Figures..."
He had only been standing in my room for a few minutes, yet I already found myself staring at Maul in disbelief as he crossed his arms. A part of me wanted to laugh at what he had said, but I was pretty sure he wasn't joking.
I quickly sobered up.
"Umm...You want me to do what now?"
Why would he ask such a thing of me?
To do something like that, even after everything I had already done...
No. It was too much. There was no way I could do something like that.
"You heard me clearly Apprentice. I will not say it again." He walked away from the foot of my bed towards the workbench where my completed lightsaber's lay. Seeming to study them before picking one up with a twinge of interest. "...Curious design. What was your inspiration?"
A little tense as I watched I shrugged and leaned back against the headboard. "I didn't really have a clear design in mind. I just wanted something that would become a part of me. An extension, of myself."
"...So it would seem."
I couldn't stop my fingers from twitching at his response as he stepped back and gave the hilt an experimental twirl, testing it's weight.
What the heck kind of response was that? It felt insulting. But then again, this was Maul we were talking about. Insulting someone's efforts was just like him.
I breathed out through my nose, forcing myself to stay calm.
More than typical, I'd say.
"Hmm...It's light. Remarkably so." He murmured in observation. "Quite fitting for your style of fighting, I believe."
...Wait.
Was that a compliment?
I was taken back by it, but I really shouldn't have been. One thing I've learned since being here was that Maul could insult you in one breath then compliment you in the next like clockwork.
Kind of made it hard to know if he was being serious or not. But I felt the sincerity through our bond.
I fought back the twinge of pride.
Surprisingly, I was relieved that he approved. More so that he even acknowledged it.
Though a part of me was pretty sure he was just glad he didn't waste his resources on something so ridiculous it wouldn't work on the battlefield. No matter how nice it looked.
I watched as Maul placed it back beside the other one before glancing back over his shoulder, meeting my gaze evenly. "So, will you do it?"
Ah, he was still on about that. I looked away in discomfort.
Honestly I was unsure.
To ask such a thing of me... I didn't think I could do it.
My training was still far from complete. I wasn't sure my emotions wouldn't intervene on such a task.
...Could I really deceive to such an extreme? I didn't think so. Not one bit.
"If I didn't think you could handle it, Apprentice," He suddenly started. "I wouldn't have asked."
I felt my eyes widen slightly as I looked back. I honestly didn't know what to think. But not because he had answered my unasked question and doubts. His reading my mind didn't bother me as much anymore. But because I could actually feel it. He actually had confidence in me. In my abilities.
But I didn't understand why. Or how, for that matter. Did he seriously think I could pull off such a feet...? Everything would be riding on it. The entire plan, hinged on my ability for deception.
It was... exhilarating. But also terrifying.
Something like this would've never happened before. Had never happened.
Not even my family back on the Ghost trusted me enough to handle such an important mission by myself. Trusted my abilities, even. Especially... Kanan.
Yet here Maul was. Giving me the mission. Letting me go solo. Trusting me.
...I had to admit, having that kind of acknowledgement made me feel elated for some reason.
Brow furrowing I raised my hand and studied the dark red scar that stretched across my entire palm absently in thought.
Such a thing... such a feeling towards me... It was empowering.
The prickling sensation that was becoming all to familiar shifted across my eyes when I finally looked back up. Meeting Mauls gaze evenly.
No. I couldn't turn away his request. I wouldn't do it. I wasn't going to betray his trust in me. I... didn't want to.
My hand tightened into a fist.
There was no turning back for me now.
"...I'll do it."
