Tested - Part 1
Descending onto the planet, the two zabrak donned their masks and took up the same spears they had used last time. Sixy was tasked with protecting the ship, and readying it when they had to leave. She had not missed this smell, nor the thick humidity that made it feel like she was walking through a foul steam room. She had donned a fitted top and loose pants for ease of movement. As they moved, they heard sounds ahead, it sounded like people. Other hunters perhaps? Rathtars were the big game of the galaxy, some races used them as trophies, though there were more than just rathtars out here.
[The hunting party you hired has been sent ahead.] Sixy stated in it's usual monotone. [I have received contact that they are searching for a creature, and will flush it out toward these coordinates.] Zaiya shot her master a look, apparently he had been busy, though had not told her the plan. It made sense, they had wasted a lot of time tracking last time. This time they had someone to do the tedious work for them.
As the two moved silently, darting through the trees, their movements far more in sync now, whether from the training they sometimes did together or whether they could just sense where the other was far easier because they had become attuned. They moved as one, making their way closer to investigate the sounds.
There was a clearing ahead, and as they waited, noticed a small group of hunters talking to each other and chattering. Not wise for hunters. Whatever they were hunting could easily find them.
Finally. He spoke in her mind once more, though he didn't look at her.
These are the mercenaries you hired? She asked.
Yes, I am disappointed they have taken so long, they had a long lead on us.
We may not be waiting much longer, master. She gestured with her hand, noticing movement ahead. A curled tentacle around a thick root in the distance. The two sith peered through the trees, the mercenaries hadn't seen the giant thing?! It was perfectly still, just… waiting. One of the fools walked right under it. It seemed the great beast was hungry, and Zaiya watched in revulsion as the thing drooled on the previously cocky and boastful hunter. The man froze and she could feel his fear from where she stood among the branches. She found herself eager, testing herself against the beasts. She was more prepared, better trained and knew of these creatures' movements now. She watched the group of hunters being ripped apart, thrown about and devoured whole… well, nearly whole by the rathtar. This one was much bigger than the last. A wide smile crossed her lips beneath the mask, her teeth grit and she gripped her weapon a little tighter. She felt her master shift beside her, but in this instance, she was faster, and leapt from the branch gracefully, soaring through the air with precision. Her boots tapped on the nearby root that it had been perched on. The rathtar turned its gaping mouth that was little more than a vortex of teeth toward her, it's roar sending foul air across her face.
She struck. The blande sang in the air as it sank into tough flesh, severing one tentacle after another, the force urging her where to move, showing her it's actions before it moved. The beast screamed in pain, another limb gone. The blade in her hand was keen and all other thought was clear of her mind. All she knew now was her task. Kill.
Which is exactly what she did. The blade brought down across the main body, with a whimper, the creature was dead. Split in half and sagging into the muck and bog water. The now familiar sound of these foul beasts came from behind, and this time, she was more than prepared. The smaller of the two rathtars that approached was far easier, and it's limbs didn't last long either before her blade was buried in it's brain through its mouth. The bigger one was battle-scarred and wily, it dodged many of her initial attacks, and seemed equally angry as she, once it had lost one of it's main arms.
Suddenly it wrapped a tentacle around her spear, she tried to hold it, but it yanked the thing from her hand. Zaiya let out a growl and with a burst of power, the green flames ignited beneath the beast, called forth by the witch in a bout of anger. The rathtar writhed, releasing the blade. It flew to her hand, called by the force as she stepped back, her outstretched free hand clenched. The rathtar let out one last screech before being swallowed by the flame completely.
Zaiya stepped back, sensing no other creatures approaching she let herself relax a little. It proved to be too early as a second later her back hit the rough bark of a tree, except unlike last time, it was not a rathtar but her master that stood over her. His eyes were intense, that endless gold visible once more. Zaiya was frozen, staring up at him, unable to bring herself to move. She could see his chest moving as he breathed heavily, had he encountered his own enemy while she was preoccupied? Or perhaps she had taken the kills from him? He definitely looked angry. She remained still, watching him cautiously, though she had to admit, her hearts were racing, his hand gripped her shoulder harshly, his form body pinning hers to the tree. She felt… strange. A tension forming in her belly as she watched him, she was already breathless from the fight, but it seemed to be worse now. After a long moment of him staring at her, he released the painful grip on her shoulder.
Ship. Now. Was all he told her.
With that, the nightsister was released completely and the Zabrak leapt back up to the trees, heading for the location of the ship indicated by the tracker on his wrist. Zaiya felt a little weak in the legs. What just happened? Why was he so angry?
Her master was so fast as he returned to the ship, like there was something there he needed to retrieve. Perhaps he was going to reprimand her for her actions? Or the planet disgusted him more than usual? She followed, surprised that she was able to keep pace, and even catch up to him as they reached the ship. She was panting once more from the exertion, reaching the ramp just before her master. She stepped into the ship and removed her mask, looking back at her master with a big grin.
"It seems I can still beat you sometimes…!" She chuckled, panting as she laid the mask aside. There was a twitch of his brow as he reached to pull his own mask away. Her smile faded, he looked furious.
"Take off immediately." He snapped at Sixy, stalking past and gesturing for his apprentice to follow. She felt fear in her and followed as she was bade. The ship took off swiftly, the turbulence making her stumble as she reached the room they had used for training previously. She reached out to catch herself, her hand pressing to her master's firm, wide back, coiled like a spring ready to snap.
Which it did, once more pinning her to the wall just inside the room. Was he going to strike her? Lash out with the force? Strangle her with his hands? She expected an attack, expecting pain or punishment… What she was not expecting was his mouth descending on hers possessively. She froze. Was he… Oh Goddess… She felt her body respond in utter betrayal, melting on the spot against his own as he nearly crushed her against the cold metal wall. Her hands trembled, but she reached out and wrapped him up in her arms, as she returned the kiss. She'd never kissed anyone before, and it seemed neither had he, as it was fuelled only by passion with no technique. His hand pressed to the wall beside her head, while the other gripped her arm, she could hear the strain of the leather in her ear as he tensed.
After both an eternity and barely a moment, he pulled away, his eyes wide and chest heaving. He looked just as confused as she was. He stared at her with those golden eyes, just trying to catch his breath, as she did the same.
"What did you do to me…?" He whispered hoarsely. Something about the tone of his voice made her shiver. The rawness of it cut right to her hearts.
"I… I didn't do anything…?" She replied, her own voice softer than she had intended. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't seem angry this time.
"You must have… otherwise…" He seemed troubled, and her hand instinctively reached up to cup his cheek. He flinched at the touch but then relaxed, looking back at her.
"I swear on my sigil, I did nothing to you." Her free hand held up her half of the amulet as she looked into his eyes, baring her truth. After a moment, he nodded, accepting the promise. A moment later the gentle expression vanished and he glared at her again, snatching her hands and pinning to the wall above her head.
"You are mine." He hissed angrily. "My apprentice and my servant. You will serve no one but me, you will be loyal to no one else." His soft voice was a growl that sent shivers up her spine. "You are mine." he repeated it and she felt a heat from both within, and from the eyes that held her in place.
"Always." She replied without hesitation, how could it not be true? She had crossed the galaxy to find and save him from the monster that held him captive. Suddenly he pulled away again, stepping back and she felt the cold air rush in to replace the warmth of his body. She took a moment to recover, still feeling weak in the knees. Had that really happened?
"Show me what you can do. It's been far too long since I had a challenge." He growled, the energy coming from him was superheated, he looked more pleased than she had seen him, a grin crossing his face as he readied to fight. He summoned his saber, igniting one side then the other. Zaiya felt herself shiver once more, it was an intimidating sight.
Zaiya focused, closed her eyes and held out her hand, the flames of her magick stirred, and ignited in her palm. The air shimmered and flames stretched out beyond into the shape of a sword. Her magick could manifest many things. This was the answer to his saber, a blade of her own, of green fire. The hilt patterned with markings of their homeworld.
He waited, the tension in the room growing. She must be as she was when facing the rathtars, focused and clear. The distractions were forced from her mind as she watched him. He was her opponent now, and he would not want her to hold back. The feeling captured in the moment on Twon Ketee, she reached for it once more, and after a moment, she had calmed again.
"Yes…" He hissed, "Show me that power!"
The saber in hand, she shot forward, red striking green, sparks flying as they clashed.
Strike, block.
Strike.
Block, parry, thrust! The heat in the room was incredible but not just from the sabers. A snarl crossed his handsome tattooed face but she did not feel fear, but pride. The smile she responded with apparently threw him, his block faltered for barely a second. She used the movement to unbalance him, pushing back with the forte of her blade, making him step backwards. She struck at him, though he was able to recover swiftly. He moved like water, swift yet strong in his movements. She had no time to admire his movements or his appearance, she had only enough reaction to block the attacks as they came at her, swift and relentless. He was so strong, flawless in his execution yet… the smirk in his expression, barely detectable, was a sign of his hubris. He knew he was better, knew he was stronger, and could destroy her if he wished; humility was no longer part of him.
If she had any chance at besting him, she had to use this one weakness. She was not as skilled as he, and her power was only just beginning to grow within her. He struck at her viciously, shoving her back with the force. She spun with the momentum, landing on her feet, the blade in her hand brought down just in time to block his saber strike. She hissed, it was a close one.
"Do sith often attempt to kill their apprentices?" She asked with a frown. Using the leverage to force him back.
"If I were trying to kill you, apprentice… I would have done so already." He retorted with a half smirk.
"That's if you can." She returned his comment with a grin. His nostrils flared and eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing again. His attacks increased in strength, his brow furrowing in concentration. She was on severe defense, though after a few more hits, she managed to shove him backwards once more, and slip under him to the other side of the training room. The momentary break brought enough time for her to take a deep breath and strengthen her resolve. He was clever, darting in and away to control the battle, to push her where he wanted. In an effort to counter, when he stepped back, she shot forward, getting right up in his face. His eyes widened in shock at her sudden unexpected movement and he faltered for just a second.
It was enough, she had a slight advantage, pushing him back again, and again. He was on the defensive now. She slashed and sliced at him, she did not hold back, with no doubt he would block anything she had to throw at him. His eyes had that sheen of gold again, that breathtakingly deep shimmer that could make both her hearts stop. He slashed at her, the saber cutting at her legs, leaving a burning gash in the fabric and a mark across her thigh. She let out a cry of pain and for a moment her anger took over, the magick flaring from the blade. She slashed at his chest, though the green flame only burned at his loose robes. He grabbed at them with a gloved hand and tore the top half of his robes from his body.
The Fanged God himself could not have made him more perfect, the pain in her leg seemed to dull as her eyes widened. She had not been prepared for that. The lapse in her concentration was noticed as he launched at her again, the saber barely an inch away from cutting her again. She defended, and tried to regain focus.. Though she had not seen… so much of him before. She had not expected to feel so… strange. At the worst time. He had to know what he was doing, surely? A distraction tactic, an effective one yet… but that was all it was.
Zaiya's breathing was heavier, she had to end this soon, before he decided he had grown bored. She leapt, her feet touching the ceiling, launching at him, a wave of her magick sending him backward.
The green smoke cleared, and she had him pinned, knees either side of his torso, hips resting lightly on his chest, her sword hovering over his head. His saber however was pointed at her chest, he had won this one. Though she suspected he was holding back, else he would have cut her to ribbons easily. Those gold eyes stared at her, and a second later her back pressed to cold metal, warm flesh against her chest and then blistering heat against her lips.
-+Notes+-
*peeks over the laptop*
I know I know! I cut it off at a cliffhanger moment... sort of... but there will be more next week! Don't get mad at me! Or... do, I won't tell you what to feel.
I hope you have all had a wonderful week and know that I love you all very much! As always I welcome likes and comments and feedback. Some of the feedback has helped and prompted some of those big-rewrites and more Maul POV in the previous chapters so don't feel shy. Any and all comments give my little gremlin brain the joy.
So enjoy this chapter and I shall see you next week with a continuation of uh... sith passion.
