EPISODE 5

BLACK HOLE (PART 1)

21 BBY Negotiator in orbit around Ryloth

Obi-Wan was meditating, as he did every morning. Whenever they moved to a new planet for some mission, Obi-Wan knew for sure that the clone troopers were trained to adapt perfectly to the new conditions on the planet where the mission was held. Ryloth had a slightly faster rotation around its star and therefore the days were slightly shorter.

The clones were trained to adjust their internal clock to suit missions like this. It was early afternoon at the Temple on Coruscant, but it was barely dawn where their mission to Ryloth was held.

Obi-Wan was taking advantage of the calm and tranquility to meditate. He was in fact in his quarters on the Negotiator, sitting on the carpet in the center of the room.

A vaguely familiar presence startled him. He had only sensed it for a moment, it was not yet clear to him who or what it was. He only knew that he had sensed it long ago, but he couldn't figure out whose it was.

He also knew it was permeated with the dark side, but he also sensed a spark. A spark strong enough to somehow enclose the darkness within itself. He sensed a conflict between that spark and the darkness.

A shiver ran down his spine. He wasn't sure what he sensed. He did not understand. But of one thing he was certain. That presence was powerful.

Now, however, he could not spend any more time on this strange business. He had a mission to attend to and needed to meditate. His men were counting on him and he had no intention of letting them down.

The Jedi had not been trained to be military generals. Obi-Wan still couldn't get that thought out of his head. The Jedi had been trained in the ways of the Force because their philosophy was dedicated to non-violence. To bring peace.

Obi-Wan felt more and more helpless by the day. True, the Force was powerful in him. He was considered a Soresu Master of the Jedi Order, but then why did he keep feeling this way?

Suddenly, the kind face of his Master Qui-Gon Jinn came back to him. And with him also the circumstances around which, almost more than ten years ago, his Master had been killed.

Obi-Wan shook his head. He didn't want to think about that day.

He then remembered why Qui-Gon had refused to sit on the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan still remembered how much fuss his Master's decision had made.

Qui-Gon had told him. 《I turned down the Council position because the Jedi are losing their way. I'm afraid I'll lose mine too if I get close to that chair.》

At the time, Obi-Wan had not fully understood what his dear Master was referring to. Now, however, as the days passed and the war did not seem to end, those words sounded more and more clear and distinct in his mind.

21 BBY Outer Rim Serenno Count Dooku's Palace

It was nearly dawn on the peaceful planet of Serenno, located in the Outer Rim. Count Dooku usually didn't get up that early anymore, he had stopped doing so since he left the Jedi Order and devoted himself to political life. Sure, training under his new Master was tiring, but to gain power it was an acceptable price to pay.

An insistent sound from his commlink had awakened him. Dooku, without even looking what time it was, got out of bed and walked to his desk. He already knew who it was, he felt it. Whenever He was the one to call, Dooku felt chills run up the back of his neck and spread all over his back. Without making his Master wait any longer Dooku answered the call.

《Master. To what do I owe your call?》 Asked the Count, bowing on one knee and lowering his head in respect to his powerful Master.

A dark, hooded figure, with almost skeletal hands poking out from under the cloak, appeared in all its glory in the center of the room in front of the man. 《Count Dooku. I've sensed a disturbance in the Force.》 Sidious started speaking, but then stopped, extending his perception towards his apprentice.

A disturbance? Now that he thought about it better, Dooku had sensed something, but hadn't been able to understand. He had felt as if something had awakened. It had always been very easy for him to open up to the Force, it was not for nothing that Master Yoda had chosen him as a Padawan. Dooku had always been considered a prodigy, but at the same time it was difficult for him to analyze and explain in words what he perceived. 《My Lord?》 Dooku asked cautiously, slowly raising his head and observing the figure.

《Yes.》 Sidious replied, looking thoughtful. 《Something familiar and at the same time different.》 The Sith continued, crossing his slender arms behind his back. From under the hood that obscured the man's face, Dooku could almost clearly see the glowing red eyes, damaged and modified by the powerful dark side that permanently ran through the old Sith's veins.

Dooku decided to answer, sincerely, without hiding anything from his Master. He had personally known Sidious's fury the only time he had outright lied to him. He had since learned not to omit anything in his reports.

《I also felt something, Master. All I know is that, whoever this presence is, it's powerful.》 Dooku couldn't explain himself better. The only thing he could really perceive was the power of the presence that had turned on and that he had been able to perceive that night, and then disappeared quickly, without a trace.

《Yes. Very powerful. The only other presence that vaguely resembles the one I've sensed... is that of Skywalker.》 Sidious concluded. Dooku almost didn't believe it. A presence as powerful as that of the Chosen One. Not for nothing, he had noticed it even by himself, but hearing those words uttered by his Master was disconcerting.

《Did you perceive a presence as powerful as his, Master?》 Dooku asked,eyeing his Master with startled eyes.

《Yes. Exactly.》 Sidious answered and Dooku, through the tone of his voice, could almost see the mocking smile distorting his Master's thin face.

《But, Master. It has disappeared. The presence, I mean. I have only felt it for a moment.》 The Sith apprentice pondered, still observing the hologram.

《Something is clouding my perception. This presence is very powerful. Probably the Jedi sensed something too.》 Sidious continued, agreeing with Count Dooku.

Dooku nodded, looking away and starting to look at the floor with slightly blurred eyes. 《Master Yoda, most likely.》

A sour laugh interrupted the stream of memories. There was a time when Dooku would never have imagined leaving the Order, much less becoming the Sith Lord's apprentice. It was once not even believed that the Sith existed anymore. As far as the Jedi knew, the Pureblood Sith had ruled the galaxy centuries ago. These Sith were almost invincible, there were legends about them. Of battles that had neither won nor victors but only fallen. Stories of weapons of mass destruction created by the Sith themselves and which inevitably also constituted the destruction of part of the Order.

When Dooku became Sidious's apprentice, the Sith Lord had instructed him on the fundamental rule that ensured the Order's survival. Being made up of individuals who only desired personal power, the Sith Order was already difficult to control in ancient times.

Sidious had only spoken to him once about the Sith Lord Darth Bane, but that had been enough. Sidious was an excellent teacher, albeit a cruel one, when it came to explaining the Sith arts and traditions. Bane had created the Rule of Two which helped to preserve an Order that would otherwise have self-destructed itself by its own adepts.

《I didn't think you respected that Jedi, Lord Tyranus.》 Once again Sidious's voice brought him to his senses. That voice... Dooku would never forget it.

Without thinking, Dooku replied, 《Yoda is a great Jedi. Only a fool would doubt it.》 Then he realized what he had said and stiffened. He knew that his Master could throttle him even though he was not physically present in the room at the moment. Only those most connected to the Force could manipulate it that way, light years away. Terror made its way into the Count's mind, like a river of lava starting to burn all other sensations.

《This must keep us alert. Where is your assassin?》 Sidious asked, annoyed.

Apparently Sidious agreed with him. The terror disappeared and Dooku's thoughts lingered on his assassin who was secretly his apprentice.

《She hasn't come back yet, Master.》

《It doesn't matter then. You'll go yourself.》 Sidious replied, gesturing with one hand to the Count.

《Of course we can send a bounty hunter. The Shadow is very efficient.》 Dooku ventured to say. He had actually no idea where to start looking.

《No. While some bounty hunters are more useful and efficient than others, for a situation like this I wouldn't send anyone else. You must go to the edge of the Outer Rim.》 Sidious said, his hand starting to take a convex position towards him. Dooku could almost feel an invisible Force starting to form around his neck. Not yet tight, but it was ready.

《The borders... it's Unknown Regions.》 Dooku hastened to say. Today he didn't know what was wrong with him. He had never been so disrespectful to his Master. But apparently Sidious didn't seem all that bothered... no more than usual at least. He still hadn't punished him and Dooku knew perfectly well he was capable of doing so. Apparently, that presence had caught all of his Master's attention. He seemed curious to find it like Dooku had never seen his Master before.

Sidious spoke again, his tone clear and calm. 《The presence was slightly blurred. I don't think it's here. Go to the edge of the Outer Rim and see what you can find out there, Lord Tyranus. If there is anyone with such potential, it must be found. This is not an assignment for avid bounty hunters, regardless of how efficient they might be. This individual may prove to be a perfect tool for my Plan.》

There was no room for further comments now. 《Yes, my Master.》 Dooku replied, tilting his head once more and lowering his back further down. His forehead almost touching the floor.

After a few seconds, the room returned to being dark, slightly illuminated by the first sun that was about to rise, illuminating the enchanting landscape of Serenno.

Sidious sensed the presence coming from the Outer Rim. But Dooku didn't know what to do. No matter how hard he tried to concentrate, he could no longer feel that strange, powerful presence.

But it was time for him to prepare for the new mission entrusted to him by his Master. He walked quickly to the door, taking a last look at the sun as it slowly began to rise into the sky, and then began planning for his imminent departure.

21 BBY Coruscant Jedi Temple

《How do you feel, Ahsoka?》 The slightly distorted voice from Plo Koon's respirator made her focus on her surroundings again. The corridor on the ground floor of the temple opened outwards at the end.

《I'm fine, Master Plo. I just have a weird feeling.》 Ahsoka replied, continuing to walk trying to focus on the sensation, but the anxiety and fear of the ordeal she would have to face in a few hours stopped her.

Master Plo stopped and Ahsoka saw him squint his eyes for a few seconds, concentrating and raising his head slightly upward, towards the infinite ceiling of the temple. 《I don't perceive anything. The Force is probably trying to tell you something. Can you describe what you perceive?》 The Jedi Master replied, opening his eyes again and giving an apologetic look to the Initiate.

Ahsoka tried to put into words what she was feeling, although most of the time it made no sense except to the person feeling the particular sensation. 《I don't know... like something is missing. And I'm not talking about the equipment.》 She added after a moment of hesitation.

Plo Koon put his hand on his chin, remaining silent for a few seconds. 《The Force passes through us and communicates with us in many ways, Ahsoka. You are very powerful and the message it is trying to communicate to you is only for you to decipher. Stay focused and you will see that you will find the answer.》 The Jedi Master concluded, placing a hand on Togruta's shoulder.

Ahsoka gave him a delicate smile, memories of when she was found more than ten years ago came back to her mind. Memories of how Master Plo, even now, was a father figure, made their way through her thoughts. Ahsoka couldn't help but feel lulled by those memories and that paternal hand on her shoulder.

Then Ahsoka, in a rare moment of insecurity, confided to the Jedi. 《Master Plo... sometimes I can't connect. 》

Plo Koon squeezed her shoulder and said, 《It's normal Ahsoka. The important thing is to clear your mind. Do you remember the first time you faced the Gathering?》

《Yes, Master.》 Ahsoka promptly replied. She was attentive and ahd confident look on her face.

《And what did you do then?》 Plo asked, calmly awaiting the response of the young Initiate.

《I meditated.》 Ahsoka replied after a moment of hesitation. 《I opened my mind to perceive as much as possible. Master Yoda advised us to be guided by the Force.》

Being able to distinguish the moods of a person like Plo Koon was something very difficult, but Ahsoka, thanks to their Mental Bond, could clearly feel the excitement of the Jedi at the mention of the teachings of the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.《Indulge your feelings, Ahsoka. You are more than capable. There is the shuttle. May the Force be with you.》

The light, for a blinding moment, coming from the entrance, annoyed the unexpectedly sensitive eyes of the Initiate. Without realizing it, they had traveled the entire long corridor and were now in front of the shuttle that Ahsoka and her companion were supposed to use to fly to one of the planets indicated in the holocron assigned to Ahsoka.

《Thank you, Master Plo.》 Ahsoka said, for a moment she wanted to hug the Jedi Master, but she managed to tame that impulse and instead bowed slightly her head in respect. The Jedi Master imitated the bow, squeezing her shoulder lightly again and then leaving her to his mission.

《Ahsoka Tano?》

An unknown voice made her turn abruptly. A brown-haired, emerald-green-eyed boy was watching her from above the shuttle ramp.

《Yes?》 She answered, walking towards him until she reached the foot of the boarding ramp. She went up a few steps, but the road was blocked by the figure of the boy who had stood in front of her, going down a few steps and was now holding out his hand with a bright smile on his young face.

《I'm Caleb-》 The kid started, but Ahsoka cut him off, taking his hand and shaking in greeting.

《Dume.》 The Togruta concluded. She had obviously heard of one of the most promising Initiates of his generation. At the amazed look of the boy, the girl continued. 《Yes, I know who you are.》

Ahsoka had heard of Caleb Dume and not just about his exceptional potential. Obviously the Initiate could not yet demonstrate these qualities.

Ahsoka had previously participated in the training of some Initiates, usually on days when there were no major missions. Anakin had often sent her there to observe Master Yoda as he taught the younglings. During one of these trainings she had glimpsed the human who already appeared to have above average Force control.

Caleb, who for a moment had stopped smiling, leaving room for amazement, bowed for a few seconds, the braid that marked his status as an Initiate fell from behind him, but he moved it behind his ear with an almost involuntary movement. 《And I know who you are.》 The boy continued, moving sideways and inviting her to enter the Shuttle.

Ahsoka remained motionless and silent for a few minutes. Did he know about her? Ahsoka looked him in the eye and asked. 《Really?》

《You are General Skywalker's Padawan. Hard not to notice you!》 Caleb answered enthusiastically, his green eyes sparkling.

Indeed Ahsoka was well known. Mainly among the clones. Those soldiers placed a lot of emphasis on loyalty in battle, and Ahsoka had taken many fighting characteristics from her former Master, Anakin Skywalker. He knew some Jedi were running the battle from behind the scenes, but Ahsoka never dreamed of sending her men into battle alone. She was often on the front line, brave along with the soldiers and her Master.

Ahsoka couldn't wait to leave. The sooner they left, the sooner they would obtain their crystals.

《I've already done all the necessary checks while I was waiting for you to arrive.》 Caleb suddenly said. Usually it was Ahsoka who did the checks when she and her Master left on missions.

《Oh! You were quick!》 Ahsoka congratulated her travel companion.

《Would you like to pilot this thing?》 Caleb asked, looking her straight in the eye with his emerald eyes.

《And what are you going to do?》 Ahsoka asked, nudging Caleb playfully and sitting in the pilot's seat.

《Everything else.》 The boy replied, smiling at her. 《The truth is, I don't get along well with spaceships.》 He continued, looking down and looking at the pilot controls for a moment, lingering on the rudder.

《It doesn't matter.》 Togruta answered immediately. Through the Force she could sense Caleb's frustration and couldn't allow the boy to lose focus. The Gathering was an important ceremony for any Initiate and she knew Caleb would make it. She could sense the boy's potential, but it was obviously still raw.

《Instead I see that you can handle the shuttle well along with a bunch of other things.》 Caleb congratulated her on seeing the mastery with which the perfect girl began to prepare the systems to leave.

Ahsoka nodded. 《Master Skywalker always entrusted me with the maintenance of his shuttle, so I learned all the necessary repairs, I can also fly with my eyes closed and of course I can do all the calculations for hyperspace routes by myself in mere seconds.》

Caleb answered after a few seconds. 《You're perfect! One of the clones told me some time ago that you are a very good mechanic.》

Ahsoka looked at him in confusion for a few seconds. Who besides Anakin could ever know that she was an excellent mechanic? Ah, maybe she knew who it was. 《Who? Are you talking about Rex?》

Caleb thought about it, but apparently it didn't occur to him who Ahsoka was talking about, because he answered. 《I don't know clones well yet. Can you describe him to me?》

《He's the captain of 501st legion.》 Ahsoka answered immediately, trying to provide the most important informations first. But then she realized that this was a too general information. She then decided to specify, saying. 《He has a blue and white helmet decorated with a sort of star... 》

Caleb's face lit up again when he recognized who she was talking about and answered excitedly. 《Ah, yes! That's him! He always speaks well of you.》

《I finally met you!》 Caleb continued. That statement seemed to come out of nowhere.

Ahsoka looked at him in confusion, tilting her head slightly to the side. 《What do you mean?》

《I'm curious, what is it like to be a Padawan?》

Ahsoka had feared this moment. She had heard that Caleb asked a lot of questions. Many of the Initiates he had known almost seemed to be bothered by this.

Ahsoka concentrated, closing her eyes. Sure, she could tell him the definition of Padawan that Master Skywalker had told her several times when she was chosen as his pupil. But something told her that Caleb already knew the definition. No, he wanted to know what she thought of it. What was it like to be a Padawan?

《It's a constant challenge, but not in a bad way. Being a Padawan means being one with your Master. Trust him and vice versa. I honestly can't explain it. You don't have to see it as a situation where you are a subordinate, do you understand?》

《I think so.》 Caleb replied as he watched Ahsoka tinker with the last of the systems to adjust for a moment. 《I was never chosen as a Padawan-》

《Hey, calm down. First we have to get our crystals.》 She warned him, laughing.

《Ah right!》 Caleb seemed to sink deeper into the seat.

Ahsoka turned on the comm and asked for confirmation to be able to leave. A metallic voice, probably a control droid, responded by giving her the green light. The Togruta handled the controls with exceptional skill even though she had never really piloted yet, their departure was in fact almost free of turbulence due to the friction of the atmosphere. Ahsoka decided to stop the ship in stationary orbit and asked.

《Caleb?》

《Yes?》 He turned, opening his eyes and interrupting his meditation, looking at her with a look full of curiosity.

《Do you sense anything?》 Ahsoka asked, turning completely in her seat.

Caleb closed his eyes again and for a few seconds Ahsoka was silent watching him. His posture was relaxed. Head high and straight, arms resting on the armrests of his seat, shoulders loose and low. Ahsoka could see his eyes moving imperceptibly from under his lids as Caleb tried to sense any changes with the Force. Caleb slowly opened his eyes, shaking his head and with a slightly discouraged expression replied. 《Not really. I'm not very good at concentrating.》

Ahsoka squeezed his arm gently with one hand. Then she sat cross-legged on her seat and closed her eyes. She perfectly imitated what Caleb had done. She tried to relax her body as much as possible. First the neck, then the shoulders. Her arms rested inert on her legs, her back was leaning against the seat.

《I feel...》 Ahsoka tried to concentrate again. Something on the verge of her perception touched her presence.

《Ahsoka? What do you feel?》 Caleb's voice was muffled. Although Ahsoka knew she was sitting right in front of him, his presence just as close, Ahsoka applied Anakin's teachings to perfection and temporarily censored all the sensations that came from the boy next to her.

《I feel a strange sensation. As if something is missing.》 It was the only description she could provide. She couldn't think of anything else to say. The sensations were something almost completely personal and there was no way to generalize their description.

《You mean... the equipment?》 Caleb's voice carried her back to the shuttle.

《No, not that.》 Ahsoka replied with a slight shake of her head. She frowned and continued. 《Stocks and everything else are fine. I feel something I can't explain.》

《I... I don't understand what you mean.》 Caleb answered flatly.

《It is as if there is emptiness. When I focus, I sense something physically missing.》 Ahsoka opened her eyes and saw Caleb look at her with a completely blank stare. Surely he had other questions to ask, as was his custom, but confusion prevented him from asking them.

Ahsoka knew that the boy was trying to feel around him with the Force, she felt him analysing every aspect of the shuttle and the space around it, but she sensed from his frustration that Caleb still felt nothing.

《I'm sorry, that's hard to explain.》 Ahsoka decided not to pay any attention to it, if the Force was trying to tell her something then one way or another she would know.

Using the pilot's controls, Ahsoka guided the shuttles to the jump point and started the hyperdrive. Caleb started the calculations for the jump but in mere seconds Ahsoka had already finished them, she was a computer. In an instant, the stars around them turned into an intense, continuous and multifaceted glow that began to surround the shuttle. Ahsoka would never tire of admiring the light show when she was in hyperspace.

《Well... maybe it's nothing. I also happen to have strange sensations, but then they are nothing important. Master Yoda says that our state of mind affects perceptions. It confuses what we should see with what scares us.》 Caleb replied thoughtfully.

The boy was absolutely right, perhaps Ahsoka had let herself be too influenced. It had happened to her before after all.

《Yes, I remember what Master Yoda said. You're right, I'm getting unfocused.》 The girl answered smiling.

《How long will it take to arrive, Ahsoka?》 Caleb asked, trying to observe the screens and controls from his station, but he quit when he realized he didn't understand anything at all.

Ahsoka took a quick look at the controls, of course understanding everything, quickly made some calculations, and then answered. 《There are about two hours and forty-four minutes left on arrival.》 She said, settling comfortably on the seat, closing her eyes and trying to meditate to prepare for the Gathering.

Caleb's voice, however, brought her back down to earth.

《Good. So... how do we use the remaining time?》

Good question...

21 BBY Dathomir Scimitar

Maul sat cross-legged in his quarters. He closed his eyes and began to focus on the spare parts he had accumulated. As he had done in the past, he allowed himself to be guided by the Force, concentrating and listening to what it suggested him to build his new saber. It was almost complete, but it needed some tweaking and obviously a second crystal.

At the moment, he had only his old red crystal that he had created when he had been still Sidious's apprentice. That crystal was entirely him, he hadn't taken it from any Jedi but had artificially constructed it.

In the dark room, the components of his double-bladed lightsaber floated in circles around him. The focal point was the crystal. Maul reached out and took it between his fingers. For some time now, that crystal had no longer seemed his. He sensed that it was different, that it no longer belonged to him.

He decided to ignore that sensation and focused on the saber.

His choice had always been a double-bladed lightsaber, in fact he had created two identical single-bladed hilts, but at the ends he had added a link mechanism.

He sensed through the Force that the two swords that could then form a double-bladed one were now the most suitable weapon for him.

But something was calling him, like a whisper, was creeping into his thoughts almost overwhelmingly. It was dragging him somewhere else. Then, he lost control.

Tall, green trees surrounded him. The vegetation was dense. He could hear the birdsongs, the sounds of the animals that inhabited this place. Maul turned and behind him a pyramid-shaped temple rose in front of him.

《Odessen.》 Said a voice behind him. Maul spun around, but found no one.

Once again the ethereal voice manifested itself. 《Odessen. You will find what you are looking for on Odessen.》

The voice continued. Maul was still looking around, trying to figure out where that voice was coming from, but he couldn't see anyone.

The earth began to shake. The geometric grooves that characterized the outer walls of the pyramidal structure began to glow white. The door of the temple began to open with a huge scraping sound. A blinding light appeared. The Zabrak found himself forced to shield his eyes with one hand.

The temple was opening, the light was blinding. When the door opened, a whirlwind of air shot out of the opening and knocked the Zabrak back, but he couldn't find the ground. He found nothing that could stop or slow his fall, in its place an infinite abyss was dragging him down.

It wasn't really happening. Maul knew this was a vision. He had to regain control. He had to regain control.

Maul snapped his eyes open. His spartan room welcomed him. The lightsabers had fallen to the groung with pieces scattered around the room along with the crimson crystal. The vision had completely destroyed his concentration.

But something was still preventing him from concentrating.

《Odessen?》

It was certainly a planet. The Zabrak jumped up, leaving the pieces of metal scattered on the ground and hurried to the deck of his ship. R9B9 greeted him with erratic beeps as he entered the cockpit. Maul ignored him.

Did he get it right? That voice had said something.

You will find what you are looking for on Odessen.

There was only one thing he was looking for: a way to destroy Sidious. And if it was on that planet, Odessen, then he had to go there.

He opened the star map from his onboard computer, searching for the planet for a few minutes, then said.

《R9, you need to look for a planet. It is called Odessen. Most likely it is in the Outer Rim.》

"Outer Rim = Unmotivated Information"

R9 immediately replied, protesting his suggestion.

《Let's just say I have a feeling...》 Maul simply justified himself, without explaining further. He actually had a feeling, but nothing more. But he already knew that R9 would find nothing. He felt it. But maybe he knew who could help him.

"Parameters = Insufficient / Research = Failed" R9 reported after nearly ten minutes of scanning.

Maul sighed. Not that he didn't expect otherwise. 《Keep trying. I'll be back shortly.》 After a few affirmative beeps, Maul pulled out the ignition key, putting it in his pocket along with the now destroyed tracker. When he came out of the Scimitar he was greeted by the view that the planet Dathomir offered.

It was the first time he had set foot on the ground of this planet. Once again the feeling of belonging assaulted him. Until that moment he had almost managed to ignore it entirely from his mind. Ventress had previously kept him too busy and nervous to properly notice it. Then his meeting with Mother Talzin and finally the visions.

Maul had noticed that since his arrival on this planet his visions had become increasingly clearer than usual. This only happened with the Force Nexus, most likely this planet was a Nexus.

The Zabrak shook his head, he couldn't afford to get distracted. He remembered that he had forgotten an important element without which he could not continue on his path and turned for a moment to the still open ramp of the Scimitar. He reached out and his mask flew into his hand. Satisfied, he put it on, then raised the hood to cover the horns and began to walk with a brisk pace, being guided by the Force.

He extended his senses, trying to sense the presence of Mother Talzin, who was not far away.

Along the way, two figures, one tall with yellow skin and strangely long and sharp horns and a slender one in a pale purple robe, were approaching. Maul recognized the second figure almost immediately to be Ventress, which meant that the Force was guiding him correctly to Mother Talzin. Most likely Ventress had finished his engagement on Dathomir and was returning to him to be taken away from here. But Maul intended to surprise her.

Maul saw the woman's eyes widen once she recognized him. 《Where are you going?》 Ventress asked, but the Zabrak remained silent. He continued to walk, getting closer and closer to the two figures, taking out a small device now out of use from his pocket and without stopping he threw it at the woman, passing her.

《What is the meaning of this?》 Ventress's voice was sharp.

The Zabrak kept walking.

《You can't do this!》 Ventress kept cursing.

Continuing to walk, Maul turned his head slightly to the side so that he could see the bewildered face of the Dathomirian through his peripheral vision. 《Watch me.》 And he kept walking, leaving Dooku's apprentice and her host behind.

After a quarter of an hour, Maul finally found the village. He was greeted by a slightly orange-skinned Zabrak. One of his horns was broken. 《Who are you?》 Village head Viscus asked

《I'm here to talk to Mother Talzin.》 Maul replied without preamble, continuing to walk in the direction of the village.

《Identify yourself.》 Viscus repeated, raising his voice slightly and picking up an ax.

At that point, Maul stopped and Viscus watched him for a few seconds. Apparently something came back to him because Maul was able to see the other Zabrak's pupils dilate and then lowered the ax slightly. 《You were with Sister Ventress. I saw you on the ramp when you arrived.》

After those words, a beam of light and green smoke began to materialize next to the village chief.

As soon as Viscus noticed it, he put the ax away and when the figure had completely materialized, he bowed on one leg and lowered his head in respect.

Mother Talzin motioned him to stand and then said solemnly so that the other sisters who had begun to approach the scene could hear her words as well. 《That's right, Brother Viscus. But there is more. Take off your helmet, my son.》

Viscus looked away from the other sisters of the night who had approached their leader and, moving his head slightly to the side, confused he asked. 《What are you talking about, Mother?》

《Take off your helmet.》 Talzin gestured with a long-clawed hand at Maul.

He felt an external force around his helmet. Maul sensed that if he didn't cooperate, Mother Talzin would still take the helmet off his head using her Magic. In reality he had no idea what Mother Talzin was using, he didn't know how she got all that power, but after a few seconds of hesitation, Maul took off his helmet, adjusting it between his arm and hip.

When the sisters and brother Viscus saw his face, whispers began to spread throughout the village. Maul could hear that they were mainly arguing over his red skin as the whispers were starting to get louder and louder.

Mother Talzin raised her hands to him, articulating the words well and putting an end to any argument. 《He is my Champion and must be treated as such. He was taken away from me years ago, but now he has found his way home.》

Without further ado, Mother Talzin looked around, Maul noticed how the Nightsisters lowered their gazes to the ground, tilting their heads slightly forward, out of respect for their leader witch. 《Come inside, Brother Maul. We have a lot to discuss.》

They headed for a temple, surrounded by the planet's red vegetation and set in the rock of a high mountain.

A new voice was heard and Maul, who had lost himself admiring the majesty of the temple, snapped his head to the side to face the new Zabrak. 《Mother.》

《Savage.》 Said the witch, spreading her arms slightly to motion the yellow-skinned Zabrak to rise from his kneeling position.

Maul immediately noticed the difference with his horns. Those of this Zabrak were shorter than his, barely blossomed. Did they indicate the age of the Zabrak? Maul knew nothing about his kind, of course because Sidious and after the Ancient Master hadn't bothered to tell him anything.

Then he remembered that name. Savage. He had heard it before. In the vision Mother Talzin had given him when she showed up in his Scimitar and assaulted him with her memories.

His thoughts however stopped when Savage spoke again. 《Mother. What will become of Eerian?》 The Zabrak asked.

Even a non-Force sensitive could easily guess the mood of the Zabrak in front of him. Savage was terribly worried, rivulets of sweat making their way from his forehead and running down his smooth two-tone skin.

Watching, Maul could see how he was turning what appeared to be a cheap necklace in his hands. Most likely a tribal necklace that he had seen others of his kind wear upon arriving on Dathomir.

The peculiarity was that they wore it on their horns. Maul had never thought he should adorn his horns, but deep down he knew nothing about the culture of his species.

《Eerian?》 Maul asked after a few seconds. The name Eerian was new to him. In the vision he had heard only one other name besides Savage's, Feral.

《My brother.》 Savage replied almost without realizing it, then shifted his worried gaze from the witch towards him. 《Who are you?》

《Ah Savage, this is...》 Mother Talzin began to explain, moving slightly to the side, but Savage cut her off.

《You were there! You were in the ship when that witch came and took my brother away. You brought her here!》 Savage accused him, pointing a tattooed finger in front of his face.

His brother?

《Yes. It was me.》 Maul replied calmly, raising a hand and slapping Savage's accusing finger away.

《Maul doesn't know our culture, Savage. You will be the one to instruct him.》 Mother Talzin interjected, positioning herself between the two Zabraks and putting a hand on both of their shoulders.

Savage now seemed to have lost all demeanor, shied away from contact and answered in a worried tone. 《Mother, Eerian needs me. You can't let that witch take him away.》

But Mother Talzin didn't seem to want to continue that conversation. Maul saw her stand right behind him, both hands resting on his shoulders. Maul refrained from the instinct to rub off the physical contact with another living being and remained as still as possible. Through the Force he sensed the power of the witch who was currently behind him, so he stood still as a statue, meeting Savage's golden eyes.

《Instruct him Savage.》 And with those words, Mother Talzin dissolved into a green mist that, as if moved by the wind, headed out of the temple, rustling and whispering.

Maul shook his head slightly to free himself from the mist that still flooded the room and said. 《So you are-》

《Sirak Sarin is my birth name.》 Savage interrupted him, welcoming him. Maul could see how the Zabrak's muscles were extremely tense at shoulder height. His stance and his movements, rigid and snappy.

《Birth name?》 The red asked. He felt a warm sensation in his chest, followed by a tightening of his hearts. He had lived for nearly thirty years without knowing his real name. He had always been convinced that he would never be able to find out. And now? Did he really want to find out? Did he need it?

《Yes. We all have a birth name and a warrior name. You don't know it because you were taken away when you were very little. You also have a birth name, Maul.》 The yellow-skinned Zabrak answered.

Maul remained silent, waiting for the answer.

《Khameir Sarin. That's your name.》

Khameir Sarin. That's what my name is.

《All these years, Sidious kept telling me that I was nothing more than a tool. But now...》 The Zabrak, once a puppet of the mighty Sith Lord, couldn't finish the sentence. He didn't know what to say, a lump in his throat prevented him from speaking.

Savage sighed, realizing the situation. He continued his speech by deciding to stray from the subject "slave of the Sith Lord for most of his life" and said 《Listen Khameir, in our culture birth names are known only to the closest friends and relatives.》

《I see.》

After a few seconds, Maul decided to reveal something to his brother. Brother? He should get used to calling him that.

《Feral. I saw him in a vision.》

Savage shook his head slightly. 《A vision?》

《Yes Savage. I saw you too. Before I got to the village. I knew you were my brothers.》 Maul said, putting a hand on his chin and approaching the altar full of utensils. One of the decorated vases contained a particularly smelly and greenish liquid. Maul made a slight grimace of disgust and turned back to his brother.

《I have to find him Maul. I have to find Feral.》 Savage walked over to Maul, raising his arms and bringing his hands close to Maul's shoulders, but perhaps he had noticed how his brother's pupils had suddenly dilated as he dropped his arms at his sides and decided to not touch the red Zabrak. He continued pretending he hadn't noticed anything. 《You have a spaceship. Bring me with you.》

There were deafening moments of silence, Maul turned to the stinking potion, not being able at the moment to look the other Zabrak in the face. Of course Maul knew something similar would happen. But he should have expected it, he could have prepared himself. Obviously Savage wanted to use him for his ship, as if he would want anything else besides his own needs?!

《Brother?》

Savage's voice interrupted his thoughts. Without turning completely, Maul nodded.

《I'm looking for something.》 Maul continued casually, all the warmth in his voice was now gone, leaving room for only a monotonous ice, a chill that did not reveal any emotion. 《I don't think I'll come back to Dathomir any time soon.》

《I'm going to get ready then.》 And having said that, Savage hurried out of the Nightsisters Temple leaving him alone with the stinking potion as his only source of company.

Not only had he discovered his birth name today after thirty years of life, he now had not one, but two brothers.

And Maul didn't know what to do with this knowledge and with them.