Duel - Part 1
It was dawn on Dathomir. He chased the sun, trying to beat it to the top of the mountain. They were going to watch the crimson dawn together. Zaiya laughed beside him, only a step ahead. They were so small, so young, even with the state of their upbringing, still so innocent. Her hair hadn't earned the braid yet and flowed out behind her like a white stream as she ran. Giddiness bubbled up in his chest and a laugh escaped him too. They were nearly at the top, just a little more to climb. She leapt up to reach the ledge and grasp the lip. He was quick to reach under and push her up from her feet, and she too was quick to turn and extend her hand, bright eyes gleaming at him, and a brighter smile. She didn't wear gloves back then. Neither did he.
He grasped her hand and she hauled him up the short cliff relatively easily. She had always been strong. There was nothing but their dreams here, their plans for the future, children dreaming of the stars. They reached the top as she sun crested the horizon and suddenly it were as though she were painted gold and scarlet. There was not much red mist up here. Here, they were free, touched by the sun and nothing else. It was just them.
He looked back at her young, smiling face, the way she looked at him, so sweet, bright and with such affection… had she always done that or was it his memory?
Suddenly there was a shadow over them and all at once he was struck with pain. In a blink she was before him, grown. And adult Zaiya before him, one eye missing her smile gone, lip curled in disgust, lit from below in glowing red. Confusion and pain crossed his face as gazed at her. She looked so… hateful. What was…?
Then he heard the voice. His Master.
"It seems… I chose the wrong child that day." He croaked, the words echoing around them.
"Yes." Zaiya replied coldly. "You did." Maul watched as her eyes changed. Those beautiful endless blue eyes… became a flat, sickly yellow rimmed in red. The missing one now glowing red instead of green. Sith eyes.
"No. No please no." Maul found himself gasping, it was so difficult to form words. "Not you… not like this!" He wanted to say more, but he couldn't speak. She jerked forward and he looked down… red saber disappearing into his gut, a familiar pain ripping through him as she slashed him in twain at the waist. He looked back to her face, reaching out slowly to touch her white hair… but she pulled back and he slumped to the floor. She was still so beautiful. Words failed him completely now. Only able to stare silently as she turned away without a look back, walking towards his former master, arms outstretched to welcome her.
"Well done, my apprentice." he purred. Zaiya lowered herself to one knee.
"Yes, my master." Maul's vision faded to black.
The crimson zabrak woke with a start. His eyes snapped open in the dark, his whole body still and silent. He tried to sense for danger, but there was none it seemed. He laid in the bed the Nightsister had provided him, the air around him cool. He couldn't feel her beside him and sat up, his glowing golden eyes scanning the darkness for her rapidly. His heart still raced. Where was she?! Had she been taken?! Had his dream been a vision warming him that his master was near?! The zabrak froze in place, searching through the Force for her. His chest wound tighter the longer he couldn't find her. His throat constricted and he was struggling to breathe. His mouth moved but he couldn't speak.
Far above, far below… No! No not now… He was better, wasn't he?! Not here… please… not anymore!
Just let me rest! He screamed in his mind, his hands came up to clutch his head.
Always remember, I am Fear… The words penetrated his mind.
NO! Not anymore! I will not live like that! You can't control me!
Alone. Abandoned. Lost. No! It wasn't true! He wasn't alone… was he? She was here… She was! She- she promised… Fingers dug into his scalp, teeth clenched and his breathing came in short rasps.
Pathetic.
A second later the door burst open and he heard soft padding of feet. He looked up at a soft clatter, seeing her lay a jug on the table and hurry to his side, her green eye glowing in the dark. He barely waited for her to reach him before he was reaching across the bed to clutch at her. He was pathetic, like a child clinging to a stuffed animal. Still. He could not deny the wash of comfort that engulfed him the moment he could tangibly feel her under his fingers again.
"I just went to fetch you some water, Sire." She whispered, alarm clear in her voice. Spoken softly as he pressed his head against her shoulder.
"...don't go…" he breathed softly. "...please don't go…" He didn't want to be alone again, not if he was going to hear those voices again. He didn't want to go back to being such a creature… mad and babbling and no control.
"Never, my Lord. I will never." Her voice was calm, soothing, she shifted to sit beside him, and let him lean on her. "More nightmares?" She asked softly. His breathing was a little more normal and he nodded his head. "It's alright, my Prince, I get them too." Something about her just eased the worry in his mind.
"I won't go back…" He hissed and her grip around him became tighter, as though to make sure he didn't go anywhere.
"I will protect you." She whispered and a soft humming filled his ears, a soft tune that chased away so much of the horrible and vicious things clawing at his mind. "That's what I can do for you. I am your Lieutenant, your bodyguard… and I am your friend. I will always look out for you." He felt her fingers brush the top of his head, between his horns and suddenly felt so sleepy. Golden eyes looked up as she pulled back, grasping his hand to help lay him back down. He felt so hazy all of a sudden.
"You won't go?" In these hours, sleepy and unguarded, he wasn't able to hold the facade of stoic confidence as easily… the fear clung to his skin like steam from a hot fresher and he could not fight it as well as when he was fully awake.
"I'm right here." She assured.
"And you will help me?" He mumbled. "Keep me… sane?"
"Always my Lord. It is my honour to do so." A smile crossed her lips and he felt a little better.
"I like your smile…" He murmured as his eyes began to close. "Y'le." The word slurred out and his consciousness faded once more.
The next morning was one of trepidation. He could feel Zaiya anxious beside him as she slid her gloves on. She only took them off in the dark he noticed, and even then, not every time. She seemed to have some sort of ingrained need to wear them. He hadn't recalled that the last time he had seen her. It was to do with the history he was not privy to. She'd gone over much of her time she'd spent without him in stories… telling him everything… well, almost. Even in the memories she'd shared with him, from the moment they had parted and she fell, to the moment she arrived back on Dathomir… there was nothing. She wouldn't talk, she wouldn't tell and her memory would not open to him. What was she hiding? It made him wonder if he could trust her. If she kept such a thing from him? She didn't really lie… but she did keep it from him. What was she hiding?
Something however was bothering her, he just didn't know what. As though anticipating a question, or sensing his mood, she spoke, her back to him.
"Your mother will see you today." She said solemnly. Maul sat up.
"That's… good isn't it?" He asked. "She is the one that sent you to find me?" There was something missing in his mind, that he wasn't seeing. He felt like a child again, and even more frustrated that he should know more, he should be more!
"I… suppose it is yes…" She seemed… hesitant, unsure and… frightened? That wasn't right, since when was she afraid of anything? She had charged Sidious of all people with a fire in her eyes. What was it that had her worried about Talzin?
The two stood and she adjusted his robes at the front. He was not sure they needed it. She did not speak of the events of the previous night. She never did mention the times he awoke screaming, clinging to her, just to make sure he wasn't in the caves of trash anymore. Her cool skin helped and he liked when she laid her cool hands upon his head and face, letting him revel in the feeling, letting him feel safe once more.
This day however, he was not sure he would be able to reach out for her, she may not be able to help him if her anxieties were any indication. The two zabraks headed down into the main chamber, where Talzin and a few other sisters stood waiting. He felt Zaiya tense beside him. He had noticed one of them before, he knew her face… She was older now, and looked more ragged… but he knew her. The Stra'lupta, the battle master, Sheena. Oh he remembered her alright. His brow twitched in anger. Vile bitch.
"My son." Spoke a voice, raspy and sounding like multiple voices speaking at once. He turned his head to the tall Clan Mother. His mother. She looked down at him, seemingly pleased to see him. His head rose a little higher, his back a little straighter. Though her face was not covered like that of his former master… he had the same feeling as when his master would address him. He felt compelled to bow but as he moved he felt Zaiya grip his arm and squeeze. Hard. The action almost a firm command of her own.
Don't you dare bow. It told him, her fingers digging into his arm. She was angry. Why was she angry?
"Mother." Maul greeted, a nod of his head instead of a bow. Zaiya too bowed her head reverently.
"Ma'tra." Her voice was respectful, and had it not been for the way she gripped his arm and the slight twitch of her lip, he would not have realised the feelings within.
"Seems the Nightbrother has forgotten his place." The one named Sheena sneered, taking a step forward. Zaiya stepped forward as well, her hand released him and she locked gazes with the older Nightsister.
"He is a Sith Lord now, and you would do well to remember it, Sheena." The venom in her voice was palpable. She did not even address the other Sister by her title. He'd not felt so much hate from her before… well… maybe once. Right before she'd lost one of her precious eyes.
"Pah- he is still-"
"He is still my son, Sister." Talzin interrupted, putting out her hand as though to calm the two, but neither of them moved, Zaiya still stood protectively in front of him. Did she think he was weak? Unable to protect himself? Or… was it something else. Nothing seemed to make sense around her. Maul was unsure as to whether he should trust any of them but… his own mother… surely she was happy to see him? If he was stolen away and not abandoned or rejected as once he thought?
"You wished to see me?" He asked, stepping past Zaiya. He could feel her eyes on him.
"Yes my son, it is time to test you, to see what you can do, to see how powerful you have become." She gestured for them to follow and he did, curious, what tests did the Nightsisters have for him?
Talzin led them to a smaller chamber, one set up with linear markings on the floor in wax, charcoal and some kind of red paint. They almost resembled the tattoos on Zaiya's skin, branching out from a single point. Smoke flowed from altars around the room, incense that tickled his nose. There were braziers on the walls and candles everywhere, crystals of varying shapes and sizes and colours, some even glowed. There were bowls and jars of varying sizes, most filled with things Maul could not discern just by looking. It was strange and occult and dark… His immediate reaction would have been to scoff at such attempts and sorcery… if not for the deep power he could feel here. Though it could not compare to the Force, they had indeed channelled power. He recalled seeing Zaiya once, bathed in an ethereal green glow, fierce, powerful, like some kind of wraith. It was beautiful. When was that? How long ago? She was grown so it must have been the last time they were in contact but…
"Sit, children." Mother Talzin gestured to the ground before the short altar. She took a seat opposite, sitting with her legs crossed in front of her, Zaiya and Maul followed suit, it was a meditative pose and one he knew well. Zaiya too must have known it for the rituals and lowered herself with grace. He may have been her child, but being referred to as one just raised his ire. He was grown now! "What do you remember of your past, hi'jo?" Talzin asked. He wasn't familiar with the word but in this context it seemed to refer to him.
"I remember some of my time here as a child… much of my training and-" torture "-years as my mas-former master's apprentice. I recall my missions and…" His voice lowered into a growl. "The one that cut me… I will never forget that filth…!"
"Then you must have your revenge, my son."
"I had thought the same, Ma'tra." Zaiya spoke up quickly, "You have a way to help us?" Maul looked at her, she was tense. At least, he thought so, it was difficult to tell, she seemed to be far better at hiding her emotions than before. He remembered the way her expression had been easy to read, animated and bright. Now she was so stoic. So guarded. What had happened to her? And why wouldn't she tell him?
"A ritual, one to imbue you both with power." The Clan Mother nodded, splaying out her hands in front of her. "Something to strengthen you both."
"Both of us?" Maul asked with a slight frown.
"The two of you are connected to each other. It is a deep and spiritual connection, one that has been there since you were young." Talzin explained.
"Because of the amulet, isn't it?" Zaiya suggested, her hand lingering near her chest, where he knew the token lay. Just as his was, beneath his shirt and against his skin.
"I believe the connection was made earlier than that…" Talzin admitted. Maul and Zaiya looked at each other in unison and then back to the Night Mother. "When the time came for you to receive your marks, the both of you undertook the ritual at the same time. Barely able to crawl, you lay side by side, and when the magic marked your skin, it is painful. You cried… but little Zaiya you reached out and took Maul's hand in your own and both of your cries stopped.
"Ma'dri never mentioned this…" Zaiya whispered, a hand to her chin in thought. "I just… took his hand?" She asked, "I…"
"You would not remember of course, you were far too young." Talzin waved a hand, though as Maul glanced at Zaiya from the corner of his eye, he noticed the corner of her mouth twitch ever so slightly.
"Then this connection is-" She paused, as though something had come to her mind, then continued, speaking more calmly as she continued. "...is important, and why we must undertake the ritual together?"
"Precisely." Talzin smiled.
"What sort of ritual?" Maul asked cautiously. Talzin began to explain further, apparently it was some kind of ceremony where they must face their demons, defeat them and awaken strengthened and renewed. Would… would this be something to make him sound of mind once more? True enough Zaiya had been doing well, but he needed to get back out there, to take his revenge! He could not idle away… though… Zaiya's offer to make him whole again was something that was sorely tempting. It had been some time and as per Zaiya's recommendation, there was a way to return his legs to him once more. He had promptly agreed and despite his own thoughts on whether he could trust her, a feeling inside him had urged him to agree. The sense of safety he felt around her was unnerving at times, once he noticed it. It felt… unnatural and yet natural all at once. Still, he did look forward to having his body back to normal. The metal parts were painful, pinching and digging into his flesh… no matter what he tried, the pain persisted. While he was accustomed to it, through his Sith training and he had always been in pain since that day on Naboo, he missed his flesh legs, the way he used to be able to run without such heavy footfalls. And… if he were being honest with himself… if he had his full anatomy back… then there were other things he would be able to do as well. Especially if- his golden eyes drifted to the Nightsister beside him. If they…
No. Now was not the time for that.
"Has he not been through enough?" Zaiya sighed, beside him, "He's had his mind tampered with more than enough-"
"I believe that choice should be his, Sister." Talzin stated, something tense occurring between the two women that was unseen but he felt it. Zaiya bowed her head in acquiescence.
"Of course, Ma'tra." She nodded, "I simply wanted to know if this is the only way." She asked.
"It is, child." Talzin's voice had an edge to it. "Know that if you undertake this ritual… it will be a right of passage for you, and your rank will rise higher than that of just our most powerful Sister… you will officially be my Alesu'le." Zaiya froze beside him, her hand mid-movement from lowering to her lap. Her eyes wide as she looked up, he could see her good eye from his position.
"Are you serious?" She rasped, seemingly in shock.
"Do you think of anyone who would be more dedicated? Or stronger than you to uphold our traditions? Who better for me to rely on than you, dear sister?" Maul looked between them, he was unfamiliar with the term but… it seemed his mother had chosen Zaiya to be her successor, the next Clan Mother. Power indeed… but not a boon if he wished to make his own path in the galaxy with her as his lieutenant. He watched her, curious, wondering what she would choose. Eyes darted back and forth, as though reading some script that only she could see. After a moment she looked back up and turned her head to meet his gaze. Her own blazed with determination and he could see her decision before she'd even said anything.
"Do you wish to take part in the ritual?" She asked carefully. There was a double meaning behind her words. Do you trust me? Was what she was really asking. He shouldn't. She kept things from him. But at the same time…
"Yes." He replied firmly after a beat, his tone was confident.
"As will I, Mother." Zaiya stated and looked back at Mother Talzin. The older woman's lips curved up in a smirk.
"Excellent, my children. I will prepare. Return to me by nightfall and we shall begin." With that, the tall woman stood, followed by the other two. With short nods of their heads, the two younger Zabraks turned away and left the room.
What they did not see was the smirk that crossed Mother Talzin's face once the door closed.
Notes:
Merry Christmas my lovelies! I hope you had a wonderful time and got some awesome gifts and had some good food and got to see family or friends or at least enjoyed yourselves! What is this ritual hm? And what will it do? As for the Duel of the chapter title, that is next week and my dear readers, it will be bloody. There will be a content warning for gore and violence so be prepared for that. I think however it will be worth it! Who is having the Duel do you think? Let me know in the comments! I say it every week but I do love your comments and likes, please please keep them coming! It helps in times like this when writing is hard. I hop you enjoy this chapter, and I shall see you all next week in the new year!
