Monster - Part 2

With another burst of magick, the doors were activated and with a groan of stone scraping on stone they opened. The room within was dark, the flames didn't ignite as they had done on the stairs. Zaiya held up a hand as she entered the main ritual room, a large orb of green flame burst to life above their heads and kept shape. It illuminated most of the cavern, bathing it in the same eerie green light.

She spotted braziers on the walls and sent a wave of flame outward to light them all up. Light flooded the huge room, but turned a regular orange rather than remaining green. The cavernous room lit up and was filled with light. Pillars lined the room and a large table-like pedestal in the centre. The very far wall was completely covered in symbolic carvings, before it, two huge statues, one depicting a male, another female.

"The Winged Goddess and the Fanged God," she said, gesturing to the figures. She gazed up in reverence, the tall male figure with carved markings on his cheeks. "He looked just like that…" She felt Maul bristling beside her. Did he not hold any weight to her beliefs? Even when she had seen the God herself? Or was he just moody because she had dared talk back to him?

[I assume you must partake in some primitive ritual?] Sixy said dryly, and she frowned at him.

"Please refrain from insulting my culture, Sixy," the Nightsister scolded. Sixy turned his head and she could swear he looked disapproving.

[Magick as you call it makes little logical sense and throwing some plant matter on the ground will hardly increase your chances of summoning something. Unless your goal is to hallucinate.] Zaiya stared back at him and held up her hand, alight with green flame.

"It may be illogical Sixy, but remember that this-" she waved her hand about, "-is in you too."

There was a long pause.

[Fair point.]

"Good, then I'll need all of your help to ready the area, mark the sigils and light all the little candles." She gestured to the candles that littered the base of the statues. "Feral and Sixy light the candles, Maul and I can mark the sigils on the ritual table and…" on her body… though she didn't say that part out loud.

The four of them got to work rather quickly and Zaiya showed Maul what sigils went in what place on the stone slab… though she became rather quiet when he had to mark her. She stripped down to a top that revealed part of her chest and stomach and a wrap of fabric she used as a skirt. She had to have markings all over to make her the vessel.

"Are you sure about this?' he asked, dipping two fingers into the small bowl that held the "paint" in it.

"Yes, if this is how we must obtain more power, then we must take the opportunity." his fingers brushed the skin of her chest, drawing one of the symbols she had shown him.

"Yet to become a servant of another…"

"I will be a Priestess of the Fanged God, sire, that alone brings power." His fingers paused after marking one of her thighs.

"You are my Lieutenant," he growled. Zaiya laid a hand on his shoulder, gently.

"I am, sire, and I will always be, first and foremost, bound to you," she assured, and he seemed to relax a little.

"I don't like this…" he muttered, he had marked most of her, but he didn't seem keen on continuing.

"Do you think I would betray you?" she asked, her tone indicated curiosity not accusation.

"No."

"Then…?"

Maul put the bowl down and growled. Planting one hand on either side of her legs where she sat on the edge of the stone slab.

"I said I would tell you why I pulled away from you before," he began, "I… this… whatever you might call it-" he gestured between the two of them. "-is completely against everything I know. I was a Sith. We use people, destroy and manipulate. We do not-" he looked away for a moment. "We do not care. We do not hold so much faith or trust in others, our teachings are rage, betrayal and destruction."

"Sire…" she began. "Do you mean to say… you care for me?" she asked in a whisper. Surely he didn't mean it like that? She was misinterpreting…?

Maul looked up and met her gaze, staring intensely into her good eye. He leaned in close to speak directly to her ear.

"I meant when I told you, you are mine, Zaiya. Only mine, do you understand?" Her mind was a rush of thoughts as he pulled back and met her gaze again. Her eyes wide, she felt frozen in place under his stare.

"I… I…" she breathed. In truth she didn't. How could he possibly care for her? Yes they had been together but… part of her didn't feel like it was possible. Another part of her however took over in that moment and she surged forward.

Her lips met his in a fiery kiss, her arms around his neck. Maul did not hesitate to return the embrace and his hands gripped her like he was almost afraid to let go. She gasped against his mouth and he dragged her in, his tongue sliding against hers, his fingers in her hair. She heard his breathing, heavy, a soft moan as she squeezed the back of his neck. He pressed himself against her and she wondered if he was going to take her right there-

"Do you mind?" Feral called and Zaiya froze. She'd managed to get too carried away. She separated from Maul sheepishly.

[Tsk… Organics,] Sixy scoffed and turned away to finish with the candles.

Maul however did not look concerned, and cupped her cheek.

"You need not subject yourself to this." He spoke quietly and sincerely. "You need not do this, you can stop."

"I must, sire… We cannot let what happened to us happen to Savage." She gripped his shirt and held on tight. He searched her face, her eye… and his lips formed a line.

"No. No we cannot." He seemed to accept her decision, despite seeming very reluctant about it. "Very well." He took up the bowl and returned to painting the symbols on her skin.

"Thank you," she replied and cupped his cheek as he had hers. Maul frowned slightly.

"Why do you thank me?"

"Because you're trusting me. You have been even when it is difficult to do so, especially against your training. It is important to me, sire." He regarded her with a look of surprise.

"I do trust you, Zaiya," he said quietly. "It does not mean that I enjoy this… God or not… you are mine." A soft smile crossed her lips.

"Always," she replied and shifted across the 'table' and laid back. The other two approached and she looked up at them, "I don't know what will happen, I've not done this before, so I am not sure how the spell will take effect. But no matter what happens, you must not interfere. I cannot risk the spell harming you-"

"How dangerous is this spell?!" Feral demanded, alarmed,

"I'll be fine, I am the Vessel, but if someone interferes…" she shook her head. She stared up at the ceiling. "Just step back, please… everything will be just fine." Maul gave her a hard look. He wanted to make sure his trust was not misplaced. She grit her teeth. She hoped he didn't regret trusting her either. She looked between them as she folded her arms over her chest. "For Savage," she whispered.

"For Savage," Feral nodded and laid a hand over hers.

"For Savage," Maul mirrored and did the same. Sixy looked down at their hands… then at their faces.

[I do not know Savage,] he said bluntly, [but on your order Mistress, I will ensure you are undisturbed.] He laid a metallic hand over theirs for a moment.

"Protect them," she said to the droid.

[Yes Mistress.]

The three stepped back and Zaiya closed her eyes, the power she felt down here was far stronger than on the surface, she could feel it pulse like twin heartbeats echoing from the depths of Dathomir, all around and though her, as a swirl of colours filled her vision.

She could feel the sensation of sinking into water, the familiar feeling coming back to her, a power she had felt before. She was floating in the void, as the presence arrived she opened her eyes, but she wasn't in the same ritual room anymore. Her eyes searched the darkness that had filled her vision. Was this real? Or was she just in the incorporeal world?

She saw movement in the distance, and sat up. Two burning embers approached, those eyes in the dark, red and fierce. His pale face appeared and as though walking through a curtain of smoke, he appeared and Zaiya felt the power like a heat source. She bowed her head immediately.

"Your Eminence…" she whispered.

"So…" his smooth voice was like a wave washing over her, "you have decided to become my Priestess." She could not see his face but she was sure he was smirking at her.

"Yes your Grace," she said. Suddenly her head was jerked upward to look into his face, his large hand gripping her chin. He searched her eyes, and frowned.

"You already have been bound to another," he growled. A shiver ran through her, was he displeased? He could end her right here, and his presence was completely overpowering and she felt helpless. What did he mean? Bound to… oh.

"You mean Maul?" she asked, and his grip tightened.

"I can almost smell him on you," the Fanged God sneered. Zaiya bristled this time and did not cower.

"He is my oldest friend," she said firmly.

"Friend?" he asked, drawing the word out slowly. "I think he is far more than that…"

"I won't let you harm him." Zaiya shifted, now kneeling on the platform and eye to eye with the towering God.

"Such fire in you," he chuckled. "This… Maul… he is here, isn't he?" Zaiya's eyes widened, was he going to try to hurt Maul? "Tell me." She understood the command and her teeth grit. She had to hope he would show mercy.

"He is here… he is a Former Sith, trained me in their ways."

"A Sith… how… limited." He caressed her cheek and regarded her curiously, "to be my Priestess, you must be far more than just a Sith…" He leaned in closer and she pulled back slightly. The God laughed and smiled wickedly at her. "You could be so much more, little Nightsister."

"I have accepted your offer to become your Priestess," she insisted and he hummed in amusement.

"To be my Priestess, you would have to be beholden to me," he smirked at her discomfort and she felt a pit grow in her stomach.

"I… I will be your Priestess, but if it means I must break ties with Maul… I cannot." The Fanged God looked her over and his eyes narrowed.

"No… you cannot, I can see the bond in what you call the Force… and it is one not even I can break."

"Then…?" She looked at the God in concern, "I cannot take the blessing?" The Fanged God leaned in again and his smile grew.

"I am sure you could take it…" Zaiya couldn't help but make a face. Why did he say it like that? "But since you and he are bound… When I take you as my Priestess, he will be bound to me as well." Zaiya's eyes widened.

"You cannot bind him without consent," she warned, and he chuckled.

"Let us ask," he said with a smirk and the smoke around the two thickened again, and she heard footsteps and turned her head, a gasp escaping her as she witnessed Maul approaching through the fog. He looked confused as he approached.

"Maul!" she called and his golden eyes snapped to her. They widened slightly and he darted forward.

"Release her!" he demanded, but as his hand went to his belt - his lightsaber was gone. He grunted and readied himself in an aggressive stance. He was willing to fight a God?!

"So quick to anger… rage floods you more than the Dark Side…" The Fanged God hummed in amusement, his hand left Zaiya's face and he gestured to the other Zabrak then looked back at Zaiya, "would you care to explain?"

She gave Maul an apologetic look, and sat back on her heels.

"To become a Priestess, I must be bound to the Fanged God," she began, and Maul's eyes flashed a look of deep rage for a moment. "He said that there was already a bond between us." He seemed to relax at that, but she continued, "meaning that if I am to take on the power of a Priestess and answer to the Fanged God… then you would too."

Maul seemed taken aback, he looked between them suspiciously but he was slowly making his way closer to her, but his gaze firmly on the taller ethereal figure.

"So that is why I have been summoned," he said quietly. "You require my permission?" he glanced at Zaiya briefly. She nodded. Maul closed the gap, positioning himself between Zaiya and the Fanged God protectively.

"If you do not wish for this… I understand," she said quietly to him.

"How noble," the Fanged God chuckled, "do you not crave power, both of you? To step out from under the control of others, to protect people you care for…?" Zaiya's hand gripped Maul's arm and he turned his head to look at her.

"For Savage?" he asked.

"And for us," she replied. He gave her a long, lingering look, weighing what might happen if he were granted such power. Then he nodded.

"A wise choice," the God spoke from behind them and they both spun to see him on the far side of the ritual stone, staring down at them. "Lay back, my Priestess," he commanded. Then his red eyes fixed on Maul, "take her hand, and do not let go." Maul glared and he chuckled, answering an unspoken question. "If you release her before the end, there will be a great amount of pain."

"I am indifferent to pain," Maul snarled defiantly.

"I didn't mean for you." Maul's hand gripped Zaiya's tightly. She lay back as the God bade her and her nerves kicked in. With her training however, she was able to calm her hearts and control her breathing.

The Fanged God reached out with a large hand, and pressed his palm against her chest and she felt Maul's grip tighten. The pressure grew and she grunted slightly.

"Do not speak." Her eyes went to the God as he seemed to be concentrating. "You can accomplish that, can you not? So many years without a word spoken…" Her eyes widened.

He knew.

Of course he did… he was a God. She shook her head slightly, silently begging him to say nothing else. She felt Maul's eyes on her, but she couldn't look at him.

"Such pain you felt… and not just from the collar on your neck…" the Fanged God continued and Zaiya's teeth grit, this time she tried to speak and found she couldn't. "You swore you would serve no Master again… and here you are…" he looked at her, the pressure of his hand against her, she felt the breath crushed out of her, and the feeling of something crawling under her skin, beginning to burn. His gaze softened however. "With this power, you will never bear the title of slave again, my Priestess."

Shame flooded her body as the pain… like burning fire but she realised… it was cold. The Dark Side itself was cold as ice, the pain gripped her and she felt her body shaking. She had been able to hold in her pain when she was collared, so she had to again. Now more than ever, she wanted to scream.

The burning cold spread outward from his hand, a black and almost opalescent substance covered her, it felt as though she were being unmade. It spread across her chest, down her body and legs, as well as up her arms and neck.

"You will be… magnificent." At his last word, the blackness covered her completely and she knew nothing but darkness.

She felt like she was falling, she could see no colours, no shapes, nothing but smoke and blackness, yet the air felt thick, and everything seemed so slow. She thought she could hear screaming, but it was so distant, barely audible. Everything was cold. Everything hurt.

Then even that faded… and there was nothing.


It felt like a long time before she awoke, Feral was frantic. He'd tried to fight the droid to get to her once Maul had collapsed beside them. Zaiya had been shaking, writhing, glowing, then screaming on the table… Even Maul had shivered a little and seemed to be in pain. Whatever was happening to her was happening to him too.

A bubble of green glowing energy seemed to surround Zaiya, the runes and sigils hovering in the air barred Feral or Sixy to approach even when Zaiya stilled. It was almost an hour, pacing and waiting in the cold temple before Maul stirred and woke with a start, his breathing picked up immediately and he looked to where the Nightsister lay.

"What happened?!" he demanded, pushing himself up to standing in a heartbeat. Feral began to explain, the glowing, the screams… the long, long time they had waited. Maul grit his teeth. "If he-" He began to pace, his eyes wild, and the energy radiating from him was palpable.

"What happened to you?" Feral asked, concern marring his features. He had to admit, even though Maul was his brother, there was something missing between them.

"I was called into… whatever realm they were in, I saw the one she called the Fanged God and I was unimpressed…" he scoffed and growled slightly before continuing. "I was called there in order to take part in the ritual, apparently I was needed as Zaiya and I are somehow bonded in a way that supersedes the ritual. I did not want to accept but…" he looked away, his black and red face pensive. Feral's brightened slightly.

"You did it for Savage," he said with a sigh of relief. Maul was silent and his mouth formed a line. He seemed almost embarrassed but Feral took it as confirmation. He laid a hand on the older Zabrak's shoulder. "Thank you, brother," Feral said with a grateful smile. Maul finally looked at him with an odd expression, eyes slightly wider than usual. But Feral would take it.

[The barrier is changing,] Sixy interrupted.

The two Nightbrothers turned and sure enough the glyphs in the air glimmered then began to fade, Zaiya stirred on the plinth and groaned in pain. Maul was the fastest, and Feral realised that he never saw as much emotion in the other Zabrak as when he was with her. Perhaps then, what Zaiya said about restoring his memories of the family was coming true. If Maul felt so strongly… if he loved Zaiya as much as Feral witnessed… then perhaps there was hope that he could remember his brothers the same way he remembered her.

"She is strong…" Maul muttered as Feral drew close, though Feral was unsure if he was telling them that or himself.

"She always has been," Feral assured, "she just pushes herself too much." Maul flicked a gaze at him.

"Hm… she does, doesn't she?" he replied and Feral chuckled.

"Impossible witch."

"It never stopped you from following her like a baby Fenhen," Maul said and Feral stared at him.

"You remember that?" Maul stilled as though he had only just realised it himself.

"I… I suppose I do," he said, distractedly.

Zaiya groaned and their attention returned to her, her pale lashes fluttering and she opened her eyes, her eyepatch had been laid aside so her green eye glowed dimly. She stared up at the ceiling.

"Zaiya…?" Feral asked.

"Everything hurts…" she groaned.

"At least you're alive," he replied.

"Hm… I'll take option B at this point," she rasped out and Maul visibly tensed.

"That is not an option available to you Lieutenant," he growled and she looked at him with a weak smile.

"As you wish, Sire."

The two brothers carefully helped her up, the markings Maul had made were messed up as though someone had tried to wipe them off.

"What happened to you?" Feral asked hesitantly, "how do you feel?"

"Like I've been bowled over by a rampaging rancor," she said with a sigh, sitting at the edge of the table. She carefully slid to her feet but almost immediately her knees buckled and Feral caught her, holding on tight. "I'm fine, just give me a few."

"You need rest," Feral told her and held her up so she could stand.

"After you recover… we need to discuss what happened," Maul said quietly, his intense gaze on Zaiya. Her expression faded into one of wariness. "I want to know why he claimed you wore a collar."

Feral almost felt Zaiya turn to ice in his grip. The look on her face was similar to the one he had seen the day Savage had accidentally called her 'angel'. Feral had never seen it before.

Zaiya looked terrified.


Notes:

Hello friends! In case you didn't know, it has been almost exactly two years since I started writing A Prince of Dathomir! And I am still going! It's a little wild to me that I have been able to do all this along with my other projects, even though it so often feels like I don't get nearly enough done n a day. For those who have supported me this whole time, thank you. Truly. It means the world to me.
As always, I truly appreciate all the comments and feedback I have been getting, and at the moment I am really struggling so I would greatly appreciate your thoughts. I hope you are all well of course, and that you are in good health. Of course thank you for reading and Happy 2 year Anniversary! I shall see you in a fortnight!