Maul seethed as he paced the long corridor that made up the hallway, his thoughts drifting to what laid a floor below. It had been ten days since his very own spawn had attempted to betray him. The mere thought caused hot fury to wash over him as he swiped his hand across the wall, causing the framed pictures to shatter upon the floor and the wallpaper to split apart from his sharpened claws.
How dare he betray me! Maul fumed as his body trembled, his hands clenched so tightly that he drew blood. He had given the boy everything anyone could have possibly dreamed of! He had even treated him as his very own son, taking care of his needs and teaching him how to utilise his special gifts. Something that his own callous and aloof master, Sidious, had never bothered with.
And yet, Ezra had still dared to attempt the same tickery he had!
Maul growled with anger as he glared down the hall at where the door was that led into the basement. He felt no pleasure in harming his spawn, but the boy had forced his hand. He had to be punished for his insolence. However, even if Ezra was punished enough, how could Maul possibly ensure that the boy would keep his word? He had done so before and all Maul had gotten out of it was a dagger in his back.
Of course, the easiest option was to get rid of the traitor and start over, but no. Maul had already gotten this far with training this spawn and Ezra had a rare gift. Finding another spawn with such a rarity would be like attempting to find a needle in a haystack, and Maul didn't have the patience nor time for that.
Frustration bubbled beneath his skin as he raked his mind to form a solution. There had to be something! And just as the lightbulb in his mind flickered to life, Maul stopped pacing and the room filled with silence as the wood no longer creaked under his weight. A subtle but meaningful smile creeped its way onto his face. Magic. It was so obvious that he could almost laugh himself to tears. So simple and yet so powerful.
All he would have to do was scour the many ancient texts left behind by his old master, hidden away within the walls from prying eyes. There had to be a spell that would ensure unwavering loyalty, a bond stronger than the one that already tied Maul and Ezra together as master and spawn. Then, and only then, could they finally fulfill their destiny together as brothers and bring down that wretched Kenobi once and for all. Maul chuckled at himself as he began to make his way to the stairwell as the books were being hidden in his master chamber, when suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks.
There was a shift in the air as a coldness settled, and everything felt as if it were attempting to stifle him. Maul was very familiar with this feeling and he could feel his muscles tensing. Something, or rather someone , was coming. And whoever it was, they were no friend.
His eyes narrowed with distrust as he turned to face the imposing front doors, forcing himself to relax and to ease the strain from his muscles. Maul rose to his full height, purposely to make himself look taller and more intimidating. A part of him felt wary of the presence. A larger part of him felt excited. It had been so long since he'd had a proper fight and it would serve well to quench the rising dissatisfaction that came with punishing Ezra. It no longer brought him any fulfilment to hear the boy scream and beg for forgiveness. Now, it only saddened Maul, but he knew it was necessary.
As the presence grew closer, so did a new wave of anxiety, threatening to pull him under. He could feel it now. Around the presence was a thick cloak of powerful magical energy, and it wasn't just any magical energy. Maul knew this magic. For it was the very same that had etched itself into Kenobi's wretched soul when he had cast that cursed spell on him.
Maul gnashed his teeth. He wasn't ready to face that loathsome hunter - Ezra wasn't ready to face him. The boy wasn't even close to being ready, and especially not in the condition he was currently in. Still, Maul would defeat that vile man who had been a thorn in his side for much too long. He had no choice now, whether it would be with or without his spawn.
He shifted his body into a defensive stance, his left foot easing forward while his hands raised, ready to attack or block. Everything was quiet. Not even the floorboards creaked as Kenobi made his way over the porch and Maul didn't dare to move as he waited with bated breath.
Then, with a quick and loud movement, the front door banged open and angry flurries barged into the hallway, melting away in its warmth. There, in the centre of the white storm, stood a shadow of a hooded figure with piercing blue eyes that glowered at Maul.
"I was hoping for Kenobi. Why are you here?"