During the night, Maul was kept awake by dark dreams about the time he had to spend in those devastating conditions for about ten years and planned all the different forms of revenge he could come up with. He decided not to waste more time and got up to think and train.
After the training, he decided to meditate and let his mind connect with the dark side once more. A cruel plan slowly started to manifest in his mind - cruel but easy to execute and with a great end result. He stretched his limbs, it was time to take Kenobi's future into his hands.
"Savage, get up!" Maul said roughly when he entered the ship, successfully waking up his brother. Savage sat up and looked up to him. "Do you already have a plan, brother?"
"Yes, indeed I have one. And I am telling you, Kenobi won't resist that plan in any way - he claims himself way too pure to ignore the upcoming event. We will-" Maul walked over to the pilot's seat and grabbed its armrest "- slaughter a village on Raydonia - a planet of the galactic republic and will send a holo to the Jedi council. I will tell him to meet me there and we wait for him to arrive in the dark so he won't know you are with me. He has no chance against the two of us. The bloody council will forbid it but as far as I know Kenobi, he will come anyway. Kenobi is blinded and corrupted by the light side so much, he just cannot resist haha! And they say, the dark side is so much worse. It may be worse but it is way stronger."
Savage listened and nodded his approvement to the plan. He would have thought of a less cruel solution but he would not interfere with his brothers' plannings. Usually, Maul always got what he wanted anyway.
"Should we leave immediately, brother?" Savage asked him. "Yes - there is much work to do. I already can taste the sweet victory." The sith grinned and sat down in the pilot's seat.
Soon, the ship left the foggy planet with all its dark creatures behind to a new destination.
When they arrived, Maul landed the ship well hidden between trees with glowing fruits on them. The whole area was crowded with plants, glowing in all kinds of colours. The air felt wet and warmer than on Dathomir.
Savage grabbed his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt and opened the hatch. "Let's get this over with." He murmured and stepped outside.
Maul observed him and thought that his brother had a lot to learn still. Normally he would have scolded him and taught him a lesson but there was no time - Savage would have to wait, for now.
"Savage, tell me where the closest village is. Use the force."
"This way." The other nodded and marched towards the east. "About half a mile."
"Well then, let's go and do some work." Maul smiled and marched into the desired direction, already unclipping his beloved two-bladed sabre. He couldn't wait to use it again after such a long time. Maul felt like slitting some throats, just to be full of the dark side again - and his blade ached for it, too.
They stood in the dark, glinting eyes travelling over their prey, blades at the ready.
Children ran around the village - it was a humanoid species. The beings were quite tall with blue, shimmering skin and glowing hair. The village was mainly built out of cut down wood from the surrounding trees. After all, a rather tiny village with nothing special hiding in it. It was perfect for Maul's plan.
"Savage, record this until I am finished," Maul said and stepped out of the shadows.
The running children stopped before the tall figure, dressed in black, thick robes and looked up to the foreigner.
"Who are you?" One asked but Maul just smiled, showing his sharp teeth and swung his blade. It swooshed through the air, vibrating of power and the sith felt the presence of the dark side flooding into his mind and being.
Adults came running out of their huts, trying to attack him with sorrow and hate-filled screams but they had no chance against the sith and his lightsaber.
Once most of the villagers were dead, the zabrak grabbed one of the remaining women by her wrist. Maul turned his face to the cam.
"Kenobi, when you see this – remember my words. I am sure you still know who it was who killed your master. You may have defeated me in the past but know this - you put me through ten years of pain and anger. Which, by the way, I have to admit… made me even stronger in my hate for you! If you want the slaughtering to end you will do as I say. Come to Raydonia - alone and meet me in one on one combat. We will determine once and for all which of us is stronger in the force! Refuse and I will burn down every single village on this damn planet. You have 48 hours left to send your answer once this is sent to your beloved Jedi council haha! Has my info passed along? Better not give it away." Maul grinned and raised his lightsaber. He then proceeded to slit the throat of the woman he was holding, letting her dead body hit the ground before turning back to the village.
Savage finished the recording and pulled out his own lightsaber "Brother let's have some fun together before that bastard shows up" Maul nodded and the two Sith made their way through the village, lightsabers casting an eerie red light on the already bloody ground.
The Jedi council was in disarray. They had received the disturbing holo message and everyone was talking at the same time. Darth Maul - the sith that had been pronounced dead ten years prior after being struck down by Obi-Wan was threatening the lives of dozens now out of an act of pure revenge.
The council had been arguing for several hours now and agreed that it would be very unwise to risk the death of one of their best Jedi. No, they would not let Obi-Wan go, who was currently on his way back to Coruscant along Skywalker.
Yoda sat in his seat, well knowing what certain Jedi would have to say to that once he'd arrive. Obi-Wan was just too pure to let that happen and Yoda agreed to that on several levels. But there had to be an explanation for the reappearance of Darth Maul. Sith were very difficult to get rid off but Obi-Wan clearly had cut his body in half. He'd have to meditate about this - he felt a dark warning in the force, telling him to be attentive. The force gave nothing away than swirls of upcoming darkness which made him frown deeply.
"Master Yoda, what should we do now? Obi-Wan will arrive soon and once he steps out of his ship, he will hear what has happened. We cannot let him go! It is way too dangerous and vague!" Mace Windu said with his usual frown on his face.
"We will wait until Obi-Wan and young Skywalker arrive. Let Obi-Wan go, I will not. Let him arrive, settle down at first. Call him, we must. Tell him to stay for an important message after the report - alone." Yoda said and prepared himself to meditate about the warning the force had given him.
The moment Obi-Wan stepped out of his ship, he felt a lot of stress coming from most of the beings around him. He sensed it way before but once they were in the temple, it got way worse.
"This is strange. I feel a lot of fear, anger and worry in the force Obi-Wan." Anakin said with a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Yes, I feel it, too. I don't have a good feeling about this… something has happened Anakin. I -..." Answered Obi-Wan but he was cut off by his comlink.
"Master Kenobi, Anakin" Windu said when Obi-Wan answered it and saw a holo of Windu standing before them with crossed arms. Obi-Wan read concern in Windu's face. "Master Windu." He greeted him.
"You both are supposed to give your report in as soon as possible and after that, there is some issue, the council has to discuss with you." Windu answered.
"Issues? What issues?" Anakin answered for his friend who gave him a look which Anakin ignored.
"This matter is to discuss with Obi-Wan only. Skywalker, this is not of your concern. Do not worry, first - we have to speak with Obi-Wan. Go and rest."
"But-!" Anakin said but his former master cut him off. "Of course master Windu, we'll come immediately once we are presentable."
Windu nodded and eyed Anakin with his usual annoyed look, Anakin returned with a scowl before he disappeared. This behaviour usually gave Obi-Wan headaches, because it reminded him of the tantrums Anakin threw when he was angry in the past. Windu and he would never get along after his padawan played several tricks on him or interrupted his teaching.
"Anakin. How often have I told you to-"
"Yes, yes master. 'Be patient and don't speak without thinking' - I know. But I feel it in the force that something is wrong and Windu behaved strangely in my eyes. Why does it only concern you? There is something going on here." Anakin said, annoyance in his voice.
Obi-Wan patted his shoulder. "Anakin, I am sure this will be all solved once we talk to them. You know I don't keep secrets from you. Windu is always stressed… especially with you -you have to give him that. You know his character. Now, let's get cleaned up and report."
"Alright." Anakin muttered and walked with him to their quarters. While this new setting already annoyed him, he was happy to finally get the chance to shower and slip into new robes.
When they had met before the council's room, Anakin gave Obi-Wan a worried look which he accepted with an "I know, Anakin".
They reported about their latest mission, the fails and successes during their stay and got several comments for it - especially from Windu, who talked about more safety and thinking which made Obi-Wan hope that Anakin would not bite back or roll his eyes about. In the end, the result was not bad.
"Leave you may, Skywalker." Yoda said.
"Master Yoda, is something wrong? I feel a great disturbance… stress and fear. Has this something to do with Obi-Wan?"
"Skywalker. No need to worry there is for now. Important matters I have need to be discussed with your former master. Go and rest." Yoda said and eyed Anakin.
"Thank you, master Yoda." Anakin said with a bow and left, giving Obi-Wan a worried look who tried to calm him with a smile.
"Obi-Wan, there is something you need to watch before anyone can say a word - not even you." Windu said and Obi-Wan nodded.
"Good. This holo-message has reached us this morning and we have proof it is real."
Obi-Wan just nodded, feeling a bit tense at what might await him in that video.
He saw the flash of a double-bladed red lightsaber which was slicing its way through flesh, swung by a tall figure in a cloak. At the sight, Obi-Wan felt uneasy and when the figure turned around and spoke his name, it put him back to that awful day when he had lost his master. Sorrow and rage-filled Obi-Wan's mind but he quickly recovered and forced the memories away by concentrating on the things he had been seeing moments before. Maul clearly wanted his revenge on him but with such poor methods? Sith really were cruel and Maul's doing disgusted him when he thought of all the poor, innocent souls and the sorrow.
"Darth Maul is alive." He muttered and silence filled the room for several seconds in which everyone was reminded of the loss Maul had caused them - especially Obi-Wan.
"Sadly, since his corpse was never found, we cannot say that he died so it is very much possible it is him. I am sorry Obi-Wan… I am also sorry for the poor village." Windu said.
"What do you mean by that? Masters, I will leave as soon as possible."
"No, you will not." Windu interfered. "Can't you see the danger in this? I am pretty sure you do and as far as sad as this is Obi-Wan, we cannot let one of our best jedi and generals die on such a mission. There has to be another way! We can send clones."
"What? You want this to continue? I don't have to remind you that he is a Sith and he won't ever stop until I, myself face him. I HAVE to leave!" He bit out, not believing what the other master had said out loud.
"I have to agree to that… really dangerous and risky this is. But wait you must - one day to think you will give us, Obi-Wan?"
"Alright...Master Yoda. I am sure that you will find a solution soon." Obi-Wan said and bowed to leave with something else on his mind.
"Thank you Master Kenobi and… be careful." Yoda said and eyed him.
When he had left, Windu turned to Yoda. "I hope he waits. I really do. From somewhere, Anakin must have learned the love for risky missions. I don't like this at all."
"Agree I must… Obi-Wan will do what he will do."
Once, Obi-Wan had left the council room, he had to take several deep breaths to recover from the shock seeing the Zabrak after so many years. It was sheer luck he had been able to defeat Darth Maul at his youth. He had faced a lot of fights and opponents after that but seeing that man in front of him again was nothing he had wished for. Darth Maul… never had he thought he had survived in any way after being cut in half? But the dark side was never to underestimate. He was sure there was something dark going on, he even felt it in the force. Now, he was in the middle of something he did not know was coming to him and it wasn't a positive thing at all. He HAD to leave, there was no other way. It was his duty to protect the innocent and this was something personal. He was well aware of the fact that he should not go after personal issues but this was something he would not ignore. Maul was a great danger in general. And then there was Anakin. He'd bomb him with questions and Obi-Wan was in no condition to explain himself right now. Anakin saw Maul in the Desert back on Tatooine when he was a little child and later, Obi-Wan told him about Maul but Anakin never had reason to dig into that topic much, especially, because he knew it was a delicate topic for his master. Anakin would not be happy about what was going to come but Anakin was often not happy with things not going his way - no one knew better than Obi-Wan.
Anakin had waited outside for him and marched towards him with a grim expression on his face. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Anakin-"
"What is it this time, the council wants me not to know? I can't believe it is something 'light', because they looked very serious - especially Windu with his stick up in the-"
"Anakin!"
"Yes, sorry…" He said with a frown and Obi-Wan felt Anakin's anger not well hidden in the force.
"Look. It was a very long trip… They talked to me about certain plannings that have to be arranged."
"And this is top secret, because...?" Anakin eyed him.
"It is just not that important that they'd need the two of us, besides, I need to go after something personal. Anakin I will tell you once I feel right about it, okay? Don't be angry. What about Ahsoka? Don't you want to meet her? I feel her presence coming nearer. Go, spar with her - she is your padawan after all."
"Alright, master… but I do not like this at all, okay?"
"I know Anakin, I know."
"Master! Obi-Wan!" Ahsoka called suddenly and Obi-Wan smiled at the young girl.
"Ahsoka. How have you been?"
"Great, Master Obi-Wan! How was your mission?"
"Oh, it was quite a success….I am sure Anakin can tell you a lot of his doing in it. Our hero without fear handled it very well. I have to leave and rest my dear - enjoy your time." Obi-Wan said and turned to leave.
"Obi-Wan! I know this is some cheap trick to get away! You are still very bad at lying!" Anakin shouted and Obi-Wan smiled at that, waving his arm.
"Master, is something wrong?" Ahsoka asked, sensing the worry coming from her master.
"No, it is nothing Ahsoka. Obi-Wan is hiding something. He said it is personal but I don't believe he told me everything about it. Our force bond feels weird, he has his shields up. Normally, when we are here in the temple he opens them. I mean I always feel a lot more than any other person but I am feeling a strange tug. Something bothers him deeply. Obi-Wan is always so calm and reserved about personal issues… you know what, I have to meditate about this later. Let's go spar Ahsoka - we haven't sparred since I was gone. I have to take care of my padawan." Anakin joked but Ahsoka felt their bond filled with worry. Her master and Obi-Wan were always so close and as far as she knew, her master never liked it to be kept in the dark.
"Sure master. I would love to! I have studied more about my technique in books I have found in the archives. And do not worry too much about master Obi-Wan - he always sets things right, doesn't he?"
"Yes, well… he does love reckless missions where he gets caught and I have to save him though." He said and followed Ahsoka who was walking in the direction of the training halls.
'Obi-Wan, what are you up to. I will find this out.' Anakin thought with a grim expression.
Back in his quarters, Obi-Wan sat down on his bed, deep in thoughts. The force was warning him, telling him that there was something else. But he could not let this happen. He knew Maul and the things he was capable of. Definitely, Maul would do what he had promised in that video Obi-Wan just saw. Several hours must have passed already between the recording and the time when he was informed about the video. A lot of things could have happened in the meantime to the village and its people. He just had to do something about it.
He trusted the force with his life and usually, he listened to it but this time he just could not rely on it. He had escaped many risky situations before - and not every risky mission was saved by Anankin. Obi-Wan was a grown man with his own will. He always listened to the council and master Yoda. Sometimes he had even agreed to Anakin's bickering about the council's strict views. Some decisions really were not to his liking but in the end, he trusted the decisions the council made. The main goal was peace for the republic so that single persons and their well being were not as much important. For Obi-Wan, such things indeed were a matter to deal with as a Jedi, because the people made the republic, not politicians and troopers.
He felt Anakin's distress and annoyance flooding into the bond and tugging at his shields but he could not tell him. He would stop Obi-Wan and his plan - Obi-Wan wasn't even sure if Anakin would go as far as to tell master Yoda. He trusted Anakin with his life but this was just way too risky. To protect Obi-Wan, Anakin would do everything.
He sighed, unable to focus properly on all the things troubling his mind. Obi-Wan needed a plan - a proper one. He stroked his beard, deep in thoughts. During the night was the best option he had - suppressing his force signature was a skill he was very good in. And then there was Anakin. The only way to sneak away from him was putting up his shields so strong that Anakin wouldn't even feel his emotions which were highly difficult - even impossible. Obi-Wan considered that fact for a while but decided to just to put up his shields as far as possible - plus the fact that Anakin would be asleep anyway. The trip had been long, after all. He would take R4 with him but he was not sure about his ship. Taking his ship would be a bad idea - it simply way, too obvious. The thought of leaving the temple so soon made him cringe. It was war and he wouldn't resist and follow his duty but it was exhausting. There were some unregistered starfighters he could use in the airfield area not assigned to a Jedi yet.
The coordinates he already had but what was frightening was, that it would be Maul who would wait for him on a planet he did not know of. The outer rim was quite far and it would take a long time to go there. He had to answer Maul as soon as possible. The Jedi got up and took his holopad and typed in the numbers Maul had given to him. Obi-Wan felt adrenaline rush through him while he waited. He tried to collect himself by breathing and releasing his strain into the force.
"Ah, Kenobi. Took you long enough. Tell me - how have you been in my ten-year absence hm? Missed me?" Answered the blue-ish holo of Maul's upper body. The Zabrak looked older, pained and even more angry as Obi-Wan remembered him.
"Maul. Not really, I thought you would be dead but here you are. What do you want with me?"
"What do I want with you? Hahaha, Kenobi. You cannot be that dense. You put me through pain and madness for ten standard years by slicing me apart! The only thing I could want with you is your death. A nice and slow one I have to add. Jedi scum like you are would only come to protect some weaklings. See? Here you are, answering me." Maul laughed.
Obi-Wan frowned. "This night I will depart. You better not hurt anyone until I arrive."
"Haha do that, Kenobi, do that. We will see about the other matter. This talk bores me - we talk once you arrive. See you soon my beloved Jedi." Maul sneered and the connection was cut off.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. This morning, he was almost happy to return home and now he was about to go facing a Sith alone on some planet far away from everything and no one could know. This truly was insane and he was well aware of it. His life for many others was worth the price. Maul had to be taken down or otherwise, the aftermaths would be terrible.
He decided to get some rest until he had to leave.