A/N: I have a surprise in this chapter, you'll see towards the end of the chapter!
(Kalevala)
The Negotiator, flagship of Obi-Wan Kenobi emerged out of hyperspace and was greeted by a small fleet of Mandalorian cruisers and over four dozen MC80 Liberty-type Star Cruisers bearing the symbols of Clan Kryze as well as other Mandalorian clans that opposed the idea of Maul ruling Mandalore. On the bridge of the Venator was Master Kenobi, along with his ship's admiral, Block.
"General, is it wise seeking the aid of... terrorists? After all, Bo-Katan and her followers were once part of Death Watch, and they are certainly no friend to the Republic,"
Turning to his ship's admiral, the Jedi remarked softly. "Yes, I am well aware that Bo-Katan and those who joined her are former members of Death Watch, and I am aware their hands are stained with the blood of countless innocent lives. However, if they were willing to atone for their crimes by helping us bring Maul to justice, then so be it," he then spoke firmly. "Contact the lead Mandalorian vessel." Nodding, Admiral Block ordered the crew to contact the Mandalorian fleet. Soon enough, their call was answered by the man in command of the fleet orbiting Kalevala.
"This is Fenn Rau, Protector of Concord Dawn and Fleet Commander. State your business here."
Bowing his head in greetings, the Jedi Master spoke. "This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Jedi Order, I am here to have words with Lady Bo-Katan Kryze and broach the terms of an alliance with her and the Mandalorians who follow her," he then smiled softly. "I have an elite task force assembled that is comprised of the Jedi Order's finest and that of the Grand Army of the Republic. I now wish to speak with Lady Bo-Katan and discuss how she and her people will aid us in bringing down our common foe."
"Of course, you are clear to pass our blockade, Master Jedi," Fenn Rau then added. "But you must come down alone, you have my word as an honorable Mandalorian that your ship and the men under your command will not suffer harm from our fleet."
"Very well, I shall come alone. Please inform Lady Bo-Katan that I will be arriving shortly," after ending transmission with Fenn Rau, the Jedi Master made his way to the hangar bay, his troops and the maintenance clones stationed on board his ship all up and about. While approaching his starfighter, he was approached by Cody and Delta Squad. "Ah, Cody. You and the others stay here, there will be time for action soon enough."
"Yes, sir," Cody then spoke respectfully. "Forgive me, sir, but I'm worried about our... alliance with Bo-Katan and her followers. The Death Watch are no friend to the Republic and the Jedi."
"I second that, sir," Boss said.
Grunting in agreement, Sev crossed his arms across his chest. "Why bother dealing with that woman? Last I checked, she's part of the reason that Maul and his brother are in control of Mandalore," Delta Squad's marksman shook his head. "I have a bad feeling that they'll stab us in the back."
"Though I am not blind to the possibility of Bo-Katan and her Mandalorians turning on us, we must also acknowledge the fact that she seeks to make amends. Even if our agendas do not fully align, Bo-Katan's resistance could prove to be strong allies as we seek to apprehend Maul and his brother," Obi-Wan remarked before addressing his commander and Delta Squad. "Keep an eye on the fleet outside. Should anything happen, alert me."
"Understood, sir, you can count on us," Cody then turned to Delta Squad. "As you were." Boss and his fellow squadmates nodded to the 212th commander before returning to their posts. Walking alongside the Jedi Master, the clone commander inquired further. "Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"No, Cody. I should be back shortly. Just keep an eye on that Mandalorian fleet for me and have all troops at the ready in case they attack," nodding, Cody made his way to the bridge to coordinate with the ship's admiral. While approaching his starfighter, Obi-Wan could see his droid waiting for him, beeping in question. "That's right, R4, you and I are going down to the planet below to have words with Bo-Katan, it shouldn't take too long." Once inside the cockpit, the Jedi fired up his fighter's engines and flew out of the hangar deck, and made his way to the planet below.
Upon landing at the castle's landing pad, Obi-Wan was greeted by Mandalorian Royal Guards who were sworn to defend Lady Bo-Katan like her late sister, Satine. "Master Kenobi, welcome," one of the guards said before gesturing to the castle. "Please, follow us." The Jedi Master nodded and followed the guards they led him inside the Kryze castle. Within the castle's grand halls, Obi-Wan could see Bo-Katan seated on a throne, surrounded by her lieutenants and allies.
"Lady Bo-Katan, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi is here,"
Rising from her throne, Bo-Katan laid eyes on the Jedi Master, who bowed in greetings. "Leave us, all of you," as every Mandalorian in the throne room left their leader alone with Obi-Wan, the two of them looked at each other before the fierce redhead approached. "You actually came to support me. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting your assistance."
"Things have changed, my lady. Chancellor Palpatine has gone missing, the Republic is scrambling to elect a new leader to take control for the time being, and the galaxy is in need of our help now more than ever," Obi-Wan continued. "I am in command of a task force of the Order's finest Jedi and the finest clone units in the Republic's army so that we can apprehend Maul and his brother." Before Bo-Katan could reply, he spoke up. "Before we discuss anything further, I need to know if you truly wish to make amends for the wrongs you and your fellow Mandalorians have wrought upon the galaxy as former members of Death Watch."
"After my sister was murdered by Maul, I... I realized that I've made mistakes, many mistakes that I can't take back now. But I can try to make amends by making sure my people don't become disposable pawns for Maul's vendetta against you and those who've crossed him," Satine pursed her lips while looking at a carved portrait of her family along one of the throne room's halls. "I know I'm probably the last person you would want to ally with, especially since I'm part of the reason my sister was killed by Maul, but I am prepared to atone for my many wrongs by helping you bring my sister's murderer to justice."
Obi-Wan sensed no deception in her, instead, he could sense her fiery determination to save her people and to make right the grievances she had inflicted across the galaxy.
"All these years, Satine never told me that she had a sister," Obi-Wan attempted to lighten the mood. "I suppose I should have suspected it the moment you rescued me on Mandalore. You both are fierce in your own way."
Smiling lightly, Bo-Katan shrugged. "I was never the politician that my sister was. She meant well for our people, but it left us helpless against The Shadow Collective," shaking her head, the redhead crossed her arms before giving the Jedi Master a curious look. "Do you know where Maul is at the moment?"
"I assume he is still on Mandalore, perhaps he is sifting the wheat from the chaff that is the Mandalorian people, determined to see who among them wishes to fight or not,"
Her jaw tensed and a soft growl rumbled from her throat. "We must act, now!"
"We will, but we are unsure whether or not Maul is still on Mandalore itself," Obi-Wan then tilted his head before inquiring. "Do you have someone who could serve as a spy and infiltrate Maul's ranks?"
"I do, however, they are currently... inaccessible at this time,"
Nodding in understanding, Obi-Wan made his way back to the landing pad, Bo-Katan by his side as he voiced his thoughts. "One of the Jedi who accompanied me to apprehend Maul and Savage is a close friend of mine, his name is Quinlan Vos, a Jedi Master who thrives as an undercover agent in the Coruscant Underworld and galactic criminal networks. Perhaps I can dispatch him to find out where Maul is," although she was unfamiliar with the Jedi Master Obi-Wan spoke of, she decided to trust in the man her older sister fancied. After agreeing with the suggestion, Obi-Wan contacted his ship's admiral. "Please inform Master Vos that I wish for him to go to Mandalore and learn whether or not Maul is present on the planet." After the admiral acknowledged Obi-Wan's orders, the Jedi Master turned to the fierce redhead by his side. "How many Mandalorian houses are backing you?"
"Aside from the Mandalorian Protectors led by Fenn Rau and Clan Wren led by Ursa Wren and her husband, Alrich, the remainder of Clan Kryze has rallied to me for leadership. There are still many more houses that we can bring into our alliance, however, many of them are on Mandalore, and Maul will undoubtedly attempt to recruit them into his army."
"Well, I suggest we start by bringing these houses to our side," as Obi-Wan climbed aboard his starfighter, he tossed Bo-Katan a holo device. "Contact me when you are ready to make more allies. When you are, I will join you, there is a reason why I am called "The Negotiator." I have no doubt you can convince these Mandalorians to join us, but I would be more than happy to assist you in any way."
For a moment, Bo-Katan was smitten. She was aware of her late sister's attraction to this Jedi, but now she could clearly see why Satine had fallen in love with Master Kenobi. Even though he had absolutely no reason to assist her and her resistance whatsoever, he was giving her the opportunity to back up her talk of making things right.
Clearing her throat and hoping she wasn't blushing, Bo-Katan gave a firm nod of acknowledgment at the Jedi Master's offer. "Thank you, Master Jedi," she then clipped the holo communicator to her waist before continuing. "I will order my forces to mobilize and set a course to the nearest outpost of Mandalorians who may be sympathetic to our cause."
After exchanging farewells for now, Bo-Katan watched as the Jedi Master's starfighter zoomed off into the sky until it disappeared into the clouds above. Despite the dire circumstances, the redhead found herself smiling.
She found herself smitten with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and her standards were quite high.
Uncertain of what the future held for her, Bo-Katan was certain of one thing, and it was this: if the man her sister loved was willing to give her the chance to prove her intentions were honorable, she was hellbent on not squandering the Jedi Master's trust and generosity. The fact that the Jedi Order had dispatched the best of their own as well as the best of the Republic's clone troopers to liberate Mandalore was a miracle in it of itself, but the man leading the charge on behalf of the Republic was Obi-Wan Kenobi, and he had absolutely no reason to aid her and the Mandalorian resistance whatsoever.
He was compassionate.
That compassion lit a fire in Bo-Katan's belly, and she would give her Republic allies no reason to regret giving her that precious gift.
(Zanbar)
Mandalorian Super Commandos that were loyal to Maul and Savage were all up and about; training new recruits from Mandalore into their elite ranks, customizing their equipment as well as applying color schemes that match their Zabrak superiors on their armor, and retrofitting advanced weaponry to their newly recreated Basilisk war droids which had been color painted in both crimson and flaxen, symbolizing their allegiance to both dark side brothers; these war droids had not been used by their people since the Mandalorian Crusades, and these resurrected war droids had been constructed by order of the late Pre Vizsla to use in battle, now they would be used for just that purpose.
Rook Kast, leader of the Mandalorian Super Commandos was applying the finishing touches to her newly modified armor, she had been sent back to Zanbar to prepare the new additions to the Super Commandos for the battles to come. She had been present in the Mandalorian throne room when Maul had defeated Pre Vizsla in single combat, and she was one of the first to pledge her allegiance to the Dathomirian Zabrak. A shame not all of her former friends and comrades pledged loyalty to their new leader, the hypocrite Bo-Katan couldn't handle the thought of an... "outsider" ruling Mandalore. Yes, Maul was an outsider, however, as a warrior, he invoked the challenge of single combat and won that duel with honor and in the ways of Mandalorian culture.
The traitor and her flock would be found and eliminated, soon enough, anyway.
"Rook, there's a ship approaching,"
Looking up, Rook laid eyes on Bhai Suust, she was once one of Bo-Katan's Nite Owls, like her, however, after Maul had defeated Vizsla in single combat, she pledged loyalty to the Dathomirian Sith. She had dirty blond hair in an asymmetrical hairstyle, she had piercing hazel eyes, and she had ivory skin. Her armor, however, was color painted in yellow and black, in honor of Maul's brother, Savage Opress. Her helmet was like all female Super Commandos in Crimson Dawn's ranks, however, hers was modified similarly to that of a Charismatic Mandalorian, not seen since the days of the Old Republic.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Rook grabbed her helmet, tucked it underneath her arm, and followed her fellow Mandalorian as she headed to the front gate of their base. The warriors had weapons ready, their turbo laser emplacements were pointed at the ship that was landing. As the occupants of the ship disembarked, the Mandalorians all bowed as Maul and Savage approached Rook Kast.
"My lords, welcome,"
Rook, Bhai, and all the Mandalorians present bowed as the brothers approached. When Maul granted them permission to rise, he approached Rook. "I see you have all been busy fortifying our base here, good," he then narrowed his eyes at the two women in command. "Tell me, Kast, how many of your people wish to fight?"
"Many on Mandalore are eager to take up arms and fight, Saxon and Bhai's brother, Cato, as well as many who were once part of Death Watch, are training new warriors to swell our ranks, but... it will take time. Bo-Katan's pathetic sister has made the Mandalorian people weak,"
"Mandalorians as pacifists, it's laughable," Bhai scoffed. "We must kill all that remains of Satine's influence and return our people to what we once were!"
Smiling, Maul reassured the overeager Mandalorian in a tone that was smooth as silk. "Patience, my dear, in time, the galaxy will be reminded that the Mandalorian people were born for war," turning to the warriors around them, Maul continued. "The war that you have all been waiting for your entire lives is finally upon us, my brothers!" Reaching for the Darksaber strapped to his waist, Maul activated it and continued fanning the fire within his warrior's bellies. "Even as I speak, we are at war with the Sith pretender, Count Dooku, who would unleash his hordes of droids upon us and see us washed away in torrents of blood. But as your Mand'alor, I will not allow that to happen! I will not allow us to be defeated not when we are so close to taking control of the galaxy. Will you?"
"NO!"
Raising the Darksaber above his head, Maul continued. "We will fight Dooku, the Jedi, and all who stand in our way of dominating the galaxy! Our time to claim what is rightfully ours has come! The Republic and the Separatists are the past, we are the future, " He then roared. "Victory or death!"
"VICTORY OR DEATH!"
"VICTORY OR DEATH!"
"VICTORY OR DEATH!
Savage snarled softly as he sensed an incoming presence. "Brother, I sense..."
"Yes, the droids are here," Maul looked to the sky and saw several C-9979 landing craft descending as well as droid bombers. Turning to Rook and Bhai, Maul barked out over the exclaims of his soldiers manning their stations. "Unleash the might of Crimson Dawn upon them!" Bowing their heads, both women placed their helmets over their heads, activating their amber visors, they then ordered troops to man the turbolaser gun emplacements and shoot down as many enemy landing craft and starfighters as they could. Whilst the Mandalorians gave the droids a proper welcome, both Maul and Savage reached out and seized many of the enemy landing craft with the Force and forcing them to collide with each other or simply tear them to pieces.
"Concentrate, Savage, let the hate flow through you! Dooku wishes to snatch away our ultimate victory before we even obtain it. Do not allow his droids to wash us away!"
"Yes, brother!"
As the brothers and their Mandalorian loyalists continued to destroy the droid landing craft, there were too many, and droid troops were already being deployed and advancing on their position. Maul activated Scimitar's autopilot, and the ship took off before cloaking, they would have need of their ship soon. He then reached for his lightsaber, reactivated the Darksaber, and prepared for the fight ahead. Turning to his brother, Maul gave Savage a firm nod before ordering his warriors to charge. The droids had placed their Droideka's in the front, a means of defending the droids behind them from being cut down. Both Maul and Savage leaped into the air and landed behind the Droideka lines and used the Force to push them away and give their troops the means of reducing the advancing droids to scrap.
"Maul! You and your brother's end is at hand!" Retracting his lightsabers from a downed B2 Grapple Droid, Maul looked up to see General Grievous disembark from a shuttle, carrying himself and over a dozen of his IG-100 Magnaguards. "Go soften them up a bit." The Magnaguards descended, circling both Maul and Savage, who were back to back as the droids prepared to attack. Once Grievous touched down on the battlefield, he growled at his guards. "Kill them, and bring me their lightsabers, I want them!" The Magnaguards lashed out at the brothers, intent on overwhelming them, however, a predator that's cornered is at its most dangerous.
Savage locked his blade with three of the droids' electrostaffs and then used the Force to lift the three droids in the air and crush them, he then hurled the crushed droids at advancing Magnaguards with enough force to impale them. Maul cut down two of the guards in half with the Darksaber before backflipping over another guard, only to cleave the droid clean in half with his lightsaber and snarled as the droid split down the middle. As the remaining Magnaguards rushed the brothers, Maul gripped them with the Force, allowing Savage to hurl his lightsaber at the droids, destroying them. With the Magnaguards defeated, all that remained was dealing with the leader of the Droid Army.
"Grievous!"
The Kaleesh cyborg, who had been busy leading his troops and cutting down several Super Commandos turned and cried out when Savage swung his lightsaber at his face, cutting him across his left eye. Maul followed up with his brother's attack, slashing the cyborg across the chest with the Darksaber and then using the Force to push him into a line of B1 battle droids. Rising from the now-destroyed droids, Grievous snarled and used all four arms to wield four lightsabers.
"Your lightsabers will make a fine addition to my collection after I pry them out of your dead hands," Grievous cackled before advancing while whirling the lightsabers in his hands until they became whirling blurs of death.
Both brothers stood side by side and waited for the Kaleesh cyborg to make the first move. With a roar, Grievous lunged at the brothers and they in turn locked blades with him. The duel was fast-paced, brutal, and a fight to the death. In truth, Grievous was thrilled to face opponents such as Maul and Savage, unlike the Jedi who were trained to keep their emotions in check, these Nightbrothers drew upon the dark side for power, and they would not temper their emotions, they would hold nothing back, giving him a challenge.
Although Grievous didn't have the Force, he was exceptional with his skills in lightsaber combat, his reputation certainly wasn't an exaggeration. After all, Grievous was once a fierce Kaleesh warlord who fought in the Huk War, he was even considered a deity to his people. Had this cyborg returned to his people as he is today and convinced the Kaleesh to join the Separatists... they would face the ferocity of the Kaleesh people, further bolstering the numbers under the command of Count Dooku.
Savage's brute strength rattled Grievous, but the droid general was faster and was able to lock one of his feet around the hulking Zabrak's face before whirling around and slamming him into the ground. Snarling in an effort to pry the cyborg's foot off of his face, Savage could feel Grievous applying pressure, if he didn't free himself from the general's hold, Savage would have his skull caved in. Maul came to his brother's aid, however, Grievous whirled all four of his lightsabers in front of the red-skinned Zabrak, preventing him from coming to his brother's aid. Eventually, Maul used the Force to momentarily slow Grievous's whirling blades before engaging the droid cyborg with both his crimson blade and the Darksaber.
"You are not facing Jedi this time, mechanical trash," Maul hissed as he locked blades with Grievous while bearing his teeth. "We are more than a match for you!"
"Your efforts are useless! Your army is skilled, but my forces are unending!"
The droid leader retorted before landing a vicious kick into Maul's chest, sending him flying back. Grievous also released his hold on Savage, throwing him in Maul's direction, but the amber-skinned Zabrak landed on his feet beside his brother, taking up a battle position, as did Maul.
"Look around— your Mandalorians have been crushed!" Despite the superior prowess of their Mandalorians, the brothers could see that the droid's numbers were too numerous, and given enough time, they would be wiped out. "Only my droids remain now, your battle is already lost!" Cackling maniacally, Maul roared in rage before noting that Rook Kast and Bhai Suust were evacuating what remained of their Mandalorians stationed here in their Kom'rk transports while a small squadron was laying down covering fire for those still evacuating.
Suddenly, a powerful tremor in the Force caused Maul and Savage to stagger back. This tremor made the brothers clutch their heads, snarl in pain, and receive visions of something powerful and something experiencing great pain and torment. Whatever it was, its connection to the dark side was enough to momentarily bring the brothers to their knees. Taking advantage of the brothers' stupor, Grievous lashed out at both his opponents, striking Maul's upper arm and Savage in the leg, however, these were merely flesh wounds, and they would have been far more fatal had both brothers not used the Force to push the Kaleesh cyborg away at the last second.
"Begone!" Maul snarled out in annoyance at the droid general, rising to his feet. "I have had enough of reducing your toy soldiers to scrap! We have other matters to attend to." Summoning Scimitar to their position, Maul was able to activate the ship's weaponry to cut down the droids advancing on him and Savage. Mines were then deployed, and both of the brothers ran as the battlefield was then blanketed in a sea of explosions, fire, and death.
Grievous, who miraculously survived the bombardment of mines coughed violently while desperately searching for his two opponents. He soon saw Scimitar descend, low enough for both Maul and Savage to leap into the air and walk up the ramp. Roaring in outrage, Grievous ordered tanks and droid fighters to stop them from escaping, a useless attempt, in the end. Scimitar's cloaking feature was activated, and the ship disappeared, along with the Mandalorians loyal to the two brothers, leaving behind a furious Kaleesh cyborg and what remained of his army which was now a smoldering pile of scrap metal.
Reaching for his holo-communicator, Grievous contacted Count Dooku, who answered the cyborg's call. "My lord, I have made Maul and his brother bleed, he and what remains of his forces on this moon are now on the run,"
"What were his loses?"
"Extensive," noting the piles of Mandalorian warriors scattered across the battlefield, Grievous continued with an embarrassed huff. "But in truth, I have exhausted my own forces as well."
"Acceptable losses, General. You have done well," Dooku continued his tone firm. "Now is not the time to let up, we must press our attack now that the Sith pretenders are vulnerable. Track them down, and I will join you to personally dispatch these fools who would dare stand in my way in claiming the title of Dark Lord of the Sith."
"Very well, my lord,"
Ending his transmission, Grievous ordered what remained of his forces on the ground to return to the ships while the cyborg himself summoned a shuttle to escort him back to his flagship. He would track down the two Nightbrothers and when he had them backed into a corner, he would see to it personally that they would perish by his hands and then claim their lightsabers as his own, adding them as his most prized possessions.
(Elsewhere in the galaxy)
"You felt it as well, did you not, brother?"
As Scimitar was in hyperspace, Maul and Savage had their wounds tended to by Sith training droids onboard the ship. They had ordered Kast and the surviving Mandalorians to regroup with their brothers and sisters on Mandalore and gather a sizeable force as well as contact their criminal allies— Black Sun and the Pyke Syndicate to marshal their mercenaries for battle and await their next transmission.
Once their wounds had been tended to, Maul nodded and replied to his brother. "Yes. A tremor in the Force. Like a ripple of darkness that... beckoned me. Beckoned us," rising from his seat, Maul closed his eyes and spoke softly. "Whatever or whoever calls to us comes from the Sith homeworld of Korriban. We must be cautious, Savage, whether or not a great source of power is what we felt or a powerful being that has somehow reawakened after thousands of years of stasis is yet to be determined. However, we must not let our guard down for a moment."
"I understand," Savage then tilted his head in curiosity. "What do you suppose we will encounter?"
Seating himself back in his seat, Maul took control of their ship as Scimitar emerged out of hyperspace and was approaching the ancient homeworld of the Sith. "Whatever we encounter here, we must tread lightly," turning to his brother, Maul continued. "Whilst Korriban's tombs are a trove of knowledge and power, they are full of ancient Sith Lords and other terrors that you cannot fathom, nor can I. The spirits of our Sith forebears sought immortality, much like the Sith Lord, Karness Muur, one of the earliest known fallen Jedi and Sith Lords of the Sith Empire, one of the first true practitioners of Sith magic and owner of the Muur Talisman. We will be walking on hallowed ground, brother, some of the greatest Sith Lords in the history of the galaxy were forged on Korriban. Prepare yourself."
"Yes, brother,"
Steeling his nerves, Maul descended Scimitar to the planet below, ready to encounter what he and Savage had both felt in the Force. Whatever it was, they would face it as one, as Sith.
When their ship finally touched down on the crimson sands of Korriban, the brothers emerged and could feel whatever disturbance they had felt and moved to confront it. Treading past the enormous statues of ancient Sith Lords, monoliths etched in ancient languages, and the tombs of these fallen lords, Maul found himself humbled that he was here. Of course, he had been to Malachor with Sidious when he was younger, but never had he been to the Sith homeworld, the wealth of knowledge here was endless, as was the threat of confronting powerful spirits of Sith Lords who would seek to manipulate them or perhaps even possess them and dominate the galaxy.
Maul would not allow that.
The brothers soon entered a tomb that contained whatever disturbance they held felt back on Zanbar. Activating their lightsabers, the dark, eerie chamber was soon illuminated the color of blood and they both descended deeper into the tomb, determined to find whatever or whoever they had felt in the Force.
"I sense... several of presences in the Force," Savage spoke softly as they treaded deeper into the dark chambers of the tomb. "They are close..."
"...yes, I can feel their presence," Maul closed his eyes, trying to pinpoint exactly where the presence was. Opening his eyes once again, the red-skinned Zabrak activated his lightsaber when two cloaked figures emerged out of the shadows. Savage followed Maul's example, activating his own lightsaber, illuminating the chamber with the color of blood. "Who stands before us?" Maul spoke in a tone that was cold as ice.
"They are associates of mine, my sons,"
Mother Talzin too emerged out of the shadows, a coffin levitating by the Nightsister leader gained the attention of the brothers, however, they returned their attention to their mother.
"Mother,"
Both brothers bowed their heads in greetings, Talzin approached her sons and placed a hand on each of their cheeks. "My sons. You have felt the disturbance in the Force. Have you not?" Both Maul and Savage nodded, Talzin then urged them both to walk alongside her. "What you felt was me and my associates at work. As you are about to see, these two are part of a hidden, yet powerful force that claims to be subservient to the Sith. This group in question is known as The Last." The two hooded figures lowered their hoods, revealing Sith Purebloods.
"Impossible," Maul murmured in disbelief. "Your kind died out, several millennia ago."
"Which is why we are called The Last, Lord Maul," a female Pureblood said before smirking. "I am Quitia. And this is my brother, Qudûm. We serve as sorcerers and alchemists for The Last. We have been collaborating with your mother for quite some time now; trading secrets, knowledge, and power."
"What is it that you were attempting to do here?"
Turning to Maul, Qudûm replied. "Your mother was attempting the art of necromancy, to once again bring one of her sons back to life—"
"Feral?" Savage suddenly approached and looked at Talzin with hopeful eyes. "You mean to restore life into Feral?"
"Yes, my son," Talzin smiled. "I will not only resurrect Feral, but I will awaken his Force sensitivity and make him strong as you and your brother are. When the time comes, you three will become a triad in the Force!"
Savage approached the coffin by Talzin's side and saw the body of Feral within it, instead of finding a decomposing body, he found his brother the way he was the last time he saw him. Despite sacrificing much of herself to restore Maul from madness, Talzin was able to use what power she could to preserve Feral's body and prevent decomposition. Savage then turned to Maul, beckoning him to see. Obliging, Maul gazed upon the lifeless corpse of his younger brother.
"When can you begin this ritual, Mother?"
Turning to a very eager Savage, the Nightsister clan mother placed a hand on her son's face. "Soon, my son. Very soon. There are things I must do in order to make myself whole again," Talzin then turned to Maul. "These Sith Purebloods are one of many, and their order stands as an ally my son, both Quitia and Qudûm will inform the rest of their brethren that we are worthy allies and prepare to engage Dooku in battle."
"How many of you are there?"
"Six in total," Quitia answered Maul's question before extending a hand. "However, those who follow us are those who have known nothing but the dark side and the ways of the Sith. We are aware of The Rule of Two decree which Darth Bane implemented, and we are aware that you and your brother have engaged with the one called Tyrannus in a Kaggath to determine who the true Dark Lord of the Sith is."
"Should you and your brother emerge as the victors and become the new Lords of the Sith, you can remake the Sith Order, and replenish its numbers," Qudûm stated. "Our order has numbers in the tens of thousands. Our acolytes are trained, deadly, and blessed with the gift of the Force, however, they are not Sith themselves, merely acolytes that await a true Sith Lord to take them as an apprentice."
For a moment, Maul questioned the wisdom in associating with this sect of dark siders. Even though they claimed to be subservient to the Sith, eventually, they would rise up and overthrow him and his brother. However, if Maul accepted the aid of these Pureblood Sith and their acolytes, he knew that he would need to become more powerful in both the ways of the Force and with a lightsaber, to ensure that none among these Sith adepts will ever challenge him or his family.
"Very well. I welcome The Last into Crimson Dawn, my empire," both Pureblood Sith bowed their heads, submitting themselves to Maul and Savage. Turning to his mother, Maul inquired. "Where will you go?"
"In order to become whole once again, I have gained support from the Frangawl Cult to sacrifice the Dagoyan Masters of Bardotta and transfer the Living Force into a containment sphere. The cultists will also abduct Queen Julia, ruler of Bardotta, where she too will be offered as a sacrifice and when her spirit is ripped from her body and embedded with my dark magicks, I will be even more powerful than any Sith or Jedi. When this ritual is complete, I will be made whole once again." Had they been any other Sith Lords, Maul knew that this would terrify them, however, Talzin's powers would be used to empower their family and those loyal to them.
"Savage and I are to rendezvous with Crimson Dawn on Ord Mantell, Black Sun has a stronghold there, and we will once again find ourselves engaged with Dooku and Grievous in battle."
"I will instruct Brother Viscus and the Nightbrothers to come to your aid, my sons," Talzin placed hands on both her sons and smiled. "Soon, our family will be whole, and we will rule the galaxy."
"Yes," Maul grinned. "We will rule as a family and carve the galaxy into our own image as well as exact our revenge on all our enemies."
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Stay tuned for more!