Chapter 24.

Taken

Kyra was already dressed and Maul was putting his belt on when he turned to her and said. "You have to go back now." With a sigh, he added. "I have to go back too."

Kyra tried to understand this way of thinking, but for her, it was not easy. She wanted to stay with him. She felt clingy and emotional. But on the other hand, she understood that this was the way of life around here and she had to abide by it. With one last kiss, he walked away, disappearing out of view. Kyra wished to run after him, grab him and leave this miserable planet. She hated the thought that they had to live a separate life.

On her way back she was lost in thought. If they leave this planet, the Empire might catch them and it would definitely lead to their death. What they did was an atrocity and it would not go unpunished, she knew that. That day still haunted her dreams from time to time. She tried to forget what happened, but it kept coming back like it was taunting her to never forget. She didn't want to remember the man who betrayed her and her parents. My Master…my grandfather she thought with great sadness and anger.

It was almost dawn when she finally got back to the Nightsister's fortress. She almost made it to her room, when suddenly, she sensed someone behind her. Kyra turned around and found herself face-to-face with Zora. She looked angry and curious. Arching up one of her eyebrows, Zora looked at her with an accusing stare and then he said.

"Well, well, well". She purred. "You little sneaky bitch."

Kyra didn't appreciate being called a bitch. Especially not by someone like her.

For a few intense seconds, their eyes locked into each other. Kyra was about to make her move when suddenly the sound of the alarm cut through the cave.

As Zora backed away, she said with a menacing voice. "We are not done!" Then she disappeared from view.

Kyra saw all the women running with weapons drawn toward the entrance. She followed them and when she got close enough to see outside, with horror, she realized there were three Imperial Guard TIE Interceptors smoothly making their landing. Their deep crimson color perfectly blended into the terrain.

She knew she had to hide and hide quickly. Without her lightsaber and her powers, she could not defeat these guards. Swiftly, she ran to a smaller section of the cave and hid in the darkness, hoping that Mother Talzin liked her enough not to give her up to the Empire.

Zora followed Kyra and saw where she hid. With an evil smile, she ran toward the entrance.

The three crimson guards approached the fortress and stopped a few feet from the women forming an organic line of defense in front of the cave.

One of the crimson guards spoke up, his voice distorted by the huge helmet he wore. "We are not here to fight. We are here for two fugitives." Then he continued. "We're looking for a human female and a Zabrak male. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated."

With Zora by her side, Mother Talzin stepped out of the fortress and walked up to the guards, and looked at them with displeasure.

"What a pleasant surprise." Her voice was cold and dark. "One of my Sisters just informed me that you are looking for someone." She paused for a second and then she added. "Fugitives?"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Said the guard. "We have intercepted their ship to this planet. We know that they are hiding here somewhere."

Mother Talzin's face looked like a statue, cold and calm. Then she asked. "And what type of crime did these fugitives commit to being hunted down by the Imperial guards?"

"Their crime should not concern you, Ma'am." He calmly said. "We would just like to have your full cooperation."

Mother Talzin looked at all of them then she said. "I would love to help out the Empire, as you know, we are long time friends, but unfortunately, I do not have any knowledge of these so-called ''fugitives'' you are talking about. But with all respect, I will conduct a thorough search in the vicinity to find out if they are still here."

Zora wasn't surprised by Mother Talzin's answers. Somehow she knew that she would not give Kyra up. There was a strange connection between Mother Talzin and Kyra, which Zora couldn't comprehend. However, this was a perfect opportunity to get rid of her. And I will get rid of her, she thought maliciously.

When all the women went back inside, Zora approached the guards, who were about to leave empty-handed, and said. "Mother Talzin was telling the truth. She has no knowledge of the fugitives you spoke of." With an evil grin, she added. "But I do."

The TIE Interceptors cut through the air at high velocity and headed toward the Nightsisters giving Maul a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He quickly mounted his speeder and was about to leave, when he noticed Savage. Quickly, he beckoned him to follow. Savage got on his speeder and sped after Maul.

With immense speed, Maul flew through the terrain. He had to reach the Nighsisters before it was too late. He hoped his mother would hide Kyra from the guards. She was really good at deceiving others.

When Kyra saw the other women returning to the fortress without the guards, she let out a big sigh of relief, and then she was about to crawl out from her hiding spot when something hit her on the back of her head, and then everything went dark.

Maul was almost at the Nightsisters fortress. He could see the three TIE Interceptors from afar. One of them looked a little bigger and different than the others. Then what he saw next froze his blood. In the arms of one of the crimson guards was Kyra. She looked to be unconscious. Her limbs were softly dangling in the guard's arms as they walked back to their ship. The one with Kyra walked into the bigger one closing the door behind.

Then they elevated off the ground swirling the terrain with dry red dust.

Maul was so close, so close to reaching them. But he knew it was too late now. They had taken her!

As he watched them disappearing into the sky, he felt extreme rage and madness taking over his mind.

How? His mother? She did it? But why? He was asking himself, his anger rapidly rising with each breath.

He quickly dismounted his bike.

Then he saw her.

She was standing not far from him with a smug look on her face. Just looking into her empty bright yellow eyes, Maul knew the truth. In an instant, he Force grabbed her and lifted her off the ground. She started to struggle against it, but Maul held her tight in his grip, then slowly he approached her. Igniting one side of his lightsaber he slowly and deliberately pushed his weapon through her just below the ribcage. Her wide eyes were in utter shock. Then Maul pulled her closer and growled into her horror-stricken face with a malicious voice.

"No Zora. I came to visit you." Then he looked at his lightsaber as it pierced through her body and added. "I hope you enjoy this as much as I do."

Then he deactivated his weapon and let her dead body fall into the dirt at his feet.