Disclaimer: In no way do I claim ownership of these characters and stuff.
Author's Note: Yeah, I know. I've been inactive for a long time. Sorry about that, but despite my absence I'm at least starting to see things with a new insight… anyhow, thanks for the commentary on my prior chapter, Lady of Light. As you suggested, I'll be including a little glossary excerpt at the beginning of each subsequent chapter, in addition to editing one into the first chapter. I hope you enjoy this one, although it isn't an action chapter.
Term Guide:
Yavin IV- the fourth moon of the gas giant planet Yavin. It is the only one of Yavin's moons that can sustain life. For a long time, it was the center of Sith activity and the site of many battles between the Sith and the Jedi. One of the temples of the planet is used as a secret rebel base in Star Wars: A New Hope.
Massassi- a race of beings that were created through Sith alchemy and magic. They lived on Yavin IV and built the colossal Massassi temples as focal points for the dark side of the force, and Sith magic. They were wiped out long ago by the Jedi.
Darth Bane- a Sith Lord that restructured the Sith Order into the stealthy one master and one apprentice incarnation that exists at the time of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
Second Chapter: Focus
Towering over the ancient forest canopy of Yavin IV was the menacing, cold form of one of the ancient Massassi Temples. The dark gray stone shape was a monumental tribute to the long-forgotten race of the Sith.
This ancient ruin was all that remained of the Siths' late descendants, the Massassi. These old structures stand proudly in defiance of the will of the Jedi. Unfortunately, the Massassi had not existed for millennia, so the irrepressible foliage had been gradually engulfing the structures since the demise of the temple caretakers, long ago.
Atop the crumbling ruin stood Darth Maul, meditating in the twilight. The temple was serving its purpose and making it easier for Maul to focus the force. He could sense the force growing within him. One day, he would complete his training and begin to avenge the seemingly eternal persecution of his people at the hands of the Jedi.
A chill ran down his spine as he sensed surges in the force. His straying thought about the Jedi had upset the restless spirits of long slain Sith that had been tormented for millennia by their deaths at the hands of the Jedi in battles long ago.
Darth Maul opened his eyes and was brought out of his meditation completely by the hateful energies of the hostile spirits that surrounded him. "This is the very reason the Sith were never able to survive for long periods of time before, " he thought. "Not only have the Sith always had to fight the Jedi, they also had to deal with one another. The reasons my predecessors have always failed was because of their treacherous nature and self-centeredness. They had no discipline, and were a disgrace to the old Sith order. Thankfully, Darth Sidious was a wise master who followed the teachings of the great Darth Bane, who was able to prevent the extinction of the order long ago."
Darth Maul looked calmly over the serene view of the night sky from atop the temple.
The dark, lush forests of Yavin IV were teeming with life as the immense gas giant illuminated the night sky. Twilight night under the pastel orange glow of the planet Yavin provided a very mystical and dreamy atmosphere for reflection. Although Maul was very disciplined and took a no-nonsense approach to fulfilling his purpose, he was still a very passionate man (as most followers of the dark side of the force are). In fact, the only thing protecting him from the hostile, accursed Sith spirits that basked in the force around him was his profound hatred of the Jedi.
Despite his hatred for the Jedi, the restless spirits, and his recent victory over a fabled Krayt Dragon, he felt at peace while overlooking the lustrous dark green forest canopy that seemed to go on forever under the night sky. The soft glow of the gaseous orange planet was a soothing source of light, that made the twilight horizon go on for centuries.
Occasionally, during moments like this, Maul allowed his mind to roam freely. One nagging thought that never seemed to go away was the question of what he would do if he was not training in the dark side of the force. Darth Sidious had found Maul when the man was only a boy, and since then, Maul's life had been nothing but torturous, harsh training. Maul's devotion lied only in avenging the Sith, and obeying his master. He would be the ultimate living, breathing weapon against the oppressive Jedi. However, even Darth Maul couldn't help but wonder…
Where would he be if Darth Sidious never had found him? Where would his devotion lie?
Maul pondered this for a bit, but only for a bit. Then, as he had always done in the past, he let the thought slip out of his mind. "I have to remember my purpose," he reminded himself. "My training must continue."
Before dismounting from the top of the temple and walking back to his ship, he gave one last look at the night sky and said, "Someday…. I'll have an apprentice. And maybe…."
Maul cut himself off and shook in frustration. "I'm losing my focus again…"