Brothers - Part 2
Maul watched, saying little as he listened to the others tell him of their time in the village. It seemed so dull in comparison to the life he could remember having. The memories he had managed to recollect, while painful, were not so… domestic. They had purpose. He had a goal. He began to recall it though, flitted memories of Dathomir; the hatred he had of the red fog that blurred his mind whenever he was forced to venture out in it. He hated the magick the Sisters wielded, the way they would stomp him down at every opportunity. He hated how powerless he had been. He hated the Jedi, their hypocrisy, their self-righteousness. But most of all… They hadn't come for him. Whatever reason they had, whether they found him lacking or not worth their time… he didn't care. He had been neglected and forgotten, abandoned by them, by his master now too. He longed for the day when he could make them pay. Make them suffer. Especially Kenobi.
When his master had told him the name years ago he had thought little of it… now, it was the desire to see the one bearing that name suffer in utter agony that kept him going. His hatred made him powerful! He could not-
He felt a cool hand brush his arm and he turned. Evidently Zaiya had been able to sense some of his emotions and felt the need to… what? Comfort him? As if he needed such a thing. Still, of all the things he hated and despised, he did not hate this. Her touch or her presence. He couldn't bring himself to hate this.
He couldn't remember a time like this, eating with others, plenty of food and a warm fire. There were the nights by the fire in the temple when he'd shared a meal with her… but this was a little different. It was not as intimate but it was… pleasant. These were his brothers, and while familiar, it was also foreign. It went against everything he was taught, everything he could remember! Though his memories were fragmented, the whispers lingered in his head, he could remember something else. The memories of before he was taken, they were stronger than ever and… it contradicted the Sith training massively… but he could remember being with his little brothers, sitting in front of a fire like this one and on the days Zaiya sat with them… sometimes she would-
"Will you sing for us tonight?" Savage asked, the deep baritone breaking Maul from his reverie. He noticed Savage sat on the other side of her, and Feral sat on a step below, low enough that she was resting her hand on his head and running her fingers absently between his horns. Maul felt a pang in his chest, though immediately became concerned with why he felt that way. He pushed the feeling aside as Feral turned, looking up at her with big eyes.
"What am I, your performing kowakian?" She muttered, but a grin on her lips as she sat back, thankfully removing her hand from the youngest brother's head.
"Oh come on!" Riot interjected with a smirk, "You know how I like you to sing for me… Unless you want to see what other sounds I could have you make?" There was a suggestive look in his eye and Maul had to bite his tongue to keep from growling out loud. There were a few scoffs and Sunder looked terrified, though that wasn't anything new it seemed. Savage swiped at the other zabrak, making Riot duck out of the way, laughing. Zaiya clicked her tongue.
"Riot, I'shuree kelloh… you couldn't handle me." She retorted. Many of them laughed but Feral looked quizzical.
"You can speak Zabraki?" He asked, "I didn't think the Sister's learned it."
"They don't. They speak a version of the old mountain dialect… though I don't imagine that tongue is welcome here, so I learned Zabraki in order to better communicate with you." She shrugged. There was silence for a moment while they looked at her. Zaiya seemed surprised at the reaction, looking at them in confusion, but Maul saw it. She went out of her way to make them comfortable. A concession for them, changing herself to be better for them… would she… do the same for him? Maul thought about it… considering the way she had agreed to become his apprentice and the way she protected his pride earlier. Perhaps she had already done so.
"Will you sing, Lieutenant…?" Maul asked quietly, and her dual coloured eyes turned to him, her expression softened and she nodded slightly.
"If you wish it, my lord." She replied in a gentle tone. The crimson warrior just nodded. She returned the gesture and leaned back on her hands, seemingly looking for the song she wished to share in the sky above them. Though the area was sheltered, the gap in which the smoke from the fire was to escape showed some of the red sky. When she opened her mouth it was like the world went silent. He could hear nothing else nor could any thought penetrate his mind. He felt ripples in the Force from her and his hearts beat a little faster. She began to tap her fist on her knee in a steady beat.
"Deep in the darkness of Dathomir
Where magick and ichor dwell
No wind reaches, no rains fallen
Drums in the depths of hell
Calling me to answer
The power rise and swell
Will I dare to take up the mantle?
The dragon wakes again
Sound the summons, sound the horns
And call your armies near
No matter what may come for you
Don't give in to the fear
Oh ho-oh
The power rises from the darkness
Oh ho-oh
To take the path of destiny
Oh ho-oh
Wear the crown of horns on my brow
Oh ho-oh
The dragon calls to me
The dragon calls to me." It was about the legend of the Dathomir Dragon, which supposedly lived at the heart of the planet, that if one could defeat it, then they would become the true ruler of Dathomir. Though one had not appeared in centuries. If they were even real to begin with. Maul doubted there was legitimacy to it, perhaps the ancient Dathomiri had simply encountered a rock dragon and thought it was a legendary creature rather than just a native -albeit large- reptile.
The other Nightbrothers seemed to know the song, and their feet began to stamp in time with the beat she had established, their voices beginning to join hers. Hers still rang clearer, something in it, perhaps her power? Some magick or connection to the Force that allowed her to tap into it.
"From its slumber it doth wake
Burning within its flame
Only when you strike it down
Will heart be yours to tame
To the one who wins the fire
To all you may lay claim
Then you stand and bask in all the
Dathomiri fame
Oh ho-oh
The power rises from the darkness
Oh ho-oh
To take the path of destiny
Oh ho-oh
Wear the crown of horns on my brow
Oh ho-oh
The dragon calls to me
The dragon calls to me." It were as though she wove the images into his head, he could almost see a great beast, dark, scaled, massive… living in the heart of the planet. He saw a flash of red eyes and huge claws. Amazing that she was able to conjure such images, was she doing it consciously? Painting a picture for his mind with her words?
"Do not believe of what it speaks
Do not believe what you see
Do not believe that it is gone
Do not believe you are free
Oh ho-oh
The power rises from the darkness
Oh ho-oh
To take the path of destiny
Oh ho-oh
Wear the crown of horns on my brow
Oh ho-oh
The dragon calls to me
The dragon calls to me." The song ended to a cheer from the other Nightbrothers, several others having joined them from around the village, just to listen. It seemed that even they would not resist to listen to her sing. A Siren indeed. He had to wonder how many she had affected with her voice, had he been manipulated by it? He threw that thought aside almost as soon as it appeared, there was too much conflicting evidence that she would not try to betray him. She turned to look at him with a bright smile that made his chest tight. The evidence of her eye was more than enough. She had sacrificed for him. No one else had done that. It was enough to quiet the voice of the Sith in his mind for a while.
The meat was ready a short time later and the bowls were all passed around. It seemed that the Nightbrothers were determined to hand her a plate first and Zaiya always passed it on, first to him, then Savage and Feral, then the others. It became a little comical after the third one and Riot was giggling behind his hand. Brutus rolled his eyes as she handed him one, muttering some mild insult. She blinked at him, not understanding, only making Riot laugh harder.
"Are you sure you're a Nightsister?" Feral asked as she passed the next plate she was handed to Sunder, making Riot laugh again.
"Well… so they tell me." Zaiya sniffed and slapped Riot's arm lightly. He captured her hand and grinned, looking like he was going to kiss it… until he spotted Maul's eyes on him. The crimson zabrak glared hard and Riot held up his hand, releasing her. She looked around confused, but Maul looked away in time so that she didn't see his expression.
"More like a Dawnsister…" Sunder muttered, though loud enough to be heard. Her eyes snapped to him and he almost jumped. "What?" He asked nervously.
"Sunder, your mind is brilliant." She grinned, "I quite like the sound of that one." Sunder seemed to turn the same shade of crimson as Maul and ducked his head.
"It's fitting." Feral beamed, folding his arms across her knees and rested his head on his arms. He seemed a little too comfortable for Maul's liking… though he didn't know exactly why. It didn't make sense. She was just… Just… he felt a word in the back of his mind, though he dared not give it attention. That could be disastrous.
"Is it…?" She asked, tilting her head and running her gloved fingers of her free hand between Feral's horns lightly, Maul felt his chest tighten a little.
"You're like a ray of light." Feral smiled warmly, his plate placed on the step beside her legs. The Night- or Dawnsister snorted.
"Not hardly." she shook her head. "I think that suits you far better, sunshine." She chuckled. "Besides, none of you have seen your dear brother in battle." she held up a finger as though she were about to dispense great wisdom… then pointed at the bowl beside her. "C'mon, eat, little brother…!" She huffed, "You need to grow big and strong, hm?" Feral scoffed back at her and pulled back from leaning on her and took his plate back.
"I am not a child anymore, Zaiya Valessa." He sniffed and took a bite. "I am plenty strong!"
"Don't talk with your mouth full." She retorted, but there was a smile on her lips as she scolded him. "And if you are so big and strong maybe you can beat me sparring later?"
"You mean… again?" He asked with a half grin.
"Ohohoho!" She laughed, her blue eye sparkling. "He is bold and cocky now!" She grinned brightly, "Is this your doing, Brutus?" Her gaze shifted to the other ochre Zabrak and he tried to cover the way he shifted in his seat with a glare.
"What makes you think it was me?" He huffed. She merely gave him a knowing look, as though she was privy to some secret that Maul was not.
The meal was pleasant and enjoyable, he had indeed found himself missing some of this, he had had little in the way of luxuries when he was Sidious' apprentice, even less so in the labyrinth of Lotho Minor. This was a feast to him. More and more over the past few weeks, he had found that he forced himself to eat slowly, gracefully. Never again did he wish to be as the scrabbling creature he was. He mirrored Zaiya, with her small and delicate bites, using sticks or utensils with elegance to move the food from her plate to her lips. He refused to be that monster ever again. He would not be some animal… he would rise above… he would be more than that.
Always Remember… A voice whispered in his mind. No. Not now. Not here. His grip tensed on his now mostly empty bowl, his tension rising. Without even looking away from Riot and Savage, who were talking to her, she reached over and laid her hand on his. He felt the biting darkness ebb back, as though she were a beacon in which he could find rest. How did she do that?
Zaiya was glad to be among the Nightbrothers, to be able to know them as well as she did now. The tiny smiles she was greeted with was worth so many of the sneers of her Sisters. She found her loyalty to her clan splintered. Did none of them look for her? Search for her? Even try to find out where she'd gone? It was hard to imagine Sheena being willing to do that. Or any of them. She was corcitura. The outsider. The freak. Not just her appearance, but her thoughts. Was that why Mother Talzin sent her out to search for Maul? She had to wonder then if everything she'd known was false. The signs that blared at her, the way the Nightbrothers were treated. It raged in her. Yet… things seemed simpler here. Like this. With them. All of them here, together, where they were supposed to be.
The topic of battle came up, and fighting prowess, and Zaiya was quick to boast of her Prince's skills, that he could wield a saber and hold his own against a Jedi. The others seemed very intrigued by this and with Maul permitting, they moved outside to see how well he would fare.
The former Sith seemed keen to test his mettle against the one who called herself his apprentice, and while he was still healing, he also had the benefit of still being more knowledgeable in the ways of the Force and Lightsaber techniques, so Zaiya was not sure how she would fare. She was worried of course, wanting him to heal funny but, at the same time he was a warrior, and he was also stubborn, if he didn't get used to his new body, then it could spell trouble later on for both of them. Aside from all of that… she was sure he was itching to do more than walk around outside.
The Nightsister offered him his signature saber, sliced in half from his battle on Naboo. She had found it amongst the rubble and trash that had made up his spider-like body. Maul regarded it with curious eyes.
"You found it," he stated, he seemed to have a question in his eyes she could not read.
"Yes sire, it is yours, I recognised it," she nodded. He took it carefully, looking it over.
"You cleaned it," he added.
"Of course." His golden gaze returned to her, curious, assessing. Whatever he found seemed to satisfy him and he turned away.
The two faced each other with levelled gazes. Zaiya's tattooed lips curved into a smirk, golden eyes looked smugly back at her. It seemed he was looking forward to this too. There was a tense standoff as both saber ignited and her flaming sword was summoned to her hand. They stared, awaiting the next move, trying to predict, to anticipate. A moment later the mental battle broke into a physical one, there was a flash and suddenly it was a flurry of slashes, stabs and sparks flying from where the blades clashed. Her heart raced, she was thrilled! Blood sang in her veins as she jumped, rolled, slashed and parried. She had missed this. He was fast, vicious, using sharp and jabbing movements while hers had more of a flow to them, likely from the way she learned to move in the way the nightsisters taught her for their dances. He too was graceful, just in a different fashion. Some of their movements were a blur, just flashes of chartreuse and scarlet.
He charged her, spinning and letting out an animalistic growl. A laugh bubbled up in her chest, she felt so light and like she was exactly where she needed to be. She spun as he drew close, kicking his metal legs out from under him, he tumbled forward but used his momentum to strike back at her. She spun the sword to block the strike to her back and darted forward, her signature move. Unlike the first time however, he was ready and used his free hand to grasp at her neck and slip her over him to land heavily on the ground beside him. She blocked his saber and held in, the blades hissing as they connected. Her free hand over his own.
"I remember the last time I had you on the floor after defeating you in a fight." He snarled in a warning, his lip curled as his eyes blazed.
"Yes, sire… I recall." She breathed, his grip on her throat tight but enough for her to breathe. Her stomach swooped at the little growl in his tone.
"Perhaps I should demonstrate to these 'brothers' of mine and to remind you of who you serve." Her eyes widened as she looked at him. She remembered this look, this voice. There was no slur to it, no confusion or fear.
"There you are…" She breathed, despite her situation, she smiled. Maul's brow twitched into a frown.
"What are you talking about?" He sneered, tilting his head slightly.
"You are how I remember you, my Lord." she beamed. He paused and stood, deigniting his saber. He looked at his hands, as his surroundings where the other Nightbrothers approached, looking impressed.
"Perhaps then… I am healed…" he muttered. He turned and looked at her on the ground for a moment, her face a bright smile and her blue eye glittered with an emotion he didn't know the name of. "Are you ready to stand by my side then, Lieutenant?" He asked, and reached out his hand, palm to the sky toward her. She did not even hesitate to slip her slender hand into his larger one.
"Always sire." She told him as he pulled her to her feet. "From now until the end."
Notes:
I wrote this song to the tune of "Valhalla Calling" so if you wanna know how it goes, listen to that, search it on YT and it should come up. I am rather proud of it tbh.
I know the action scene was small BUT! There is much more action next week in the chapter Duel Part 1. Who is duelling who? Who will win!? I think that this is one that people have been keen for. Things are heating up!
As always, thank you for reading, thank you for all the likes and comments, I love them, thank you so much! Please keep them coming, they keep me going! Things have been slow but I am doing my best. I have a lot going on atm and haven't been able to write as much. It's a pain. But! I cannot overstate how much the comments really fuel me. Thank you so much.
