What if?: One Death

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As they walk, Obi-wan couldn't help but use his force to see into Maul's mind. He could sense Maul's happiness and no darkness was shown anywhere in Maul's mind, which had calmed Obi-wan and unsettled him.

"Kenobi?" Maul whispered confused as he looked over at Obi-wan.

"Yes, Maul?" Obi-wan replied retracting himself from Maul's mind.

"Is everything alright?" Maul asked and Obi-wan knew he was caught.

"Yes, I just wanted to make sure you were alright after what happened back there with your mother. I know everything right now can be a bit overwhelming, I don't want you to be angry with her if she does decide to punish me." Obi-wan whispered making sure to choose his words carefully to ensure he doesn't cause a shift to happen. Maul opened his mouth to say something but closed it. Obi-wan sighed and ran his hand over his face as he sensed Maul's automatic obedience kick in. Obi-wan went to say something but decided not to as well. 

Feral watched as the conversation ended between Maul and Obi-wan. He didn't need and powers to tell that Obi-wan was upset about something and that Maul had become clearly more confined to himself because of Obi-wan. He looked over at Savage, who was also not in the happiest of moods. Turning his head, Feral watched as the Nightsister's toured Maul and Obi-wan around the village telling them where they can go and where not to go. 

Feral then took notice that Maul's arm was shaking and his hand was balled up. But before Feral could say anything about it, they had arrived back to the center of the village where Talzin and Viscus awaited them. By the time Feral looked back at Maul and Obi-wan, they looked like nothing had changed and that no one had gotten upset.

"Thank you sisters, you both are now dismissed," Talzin ordered and the two Nightsisters had disappeared into the large village. "My sons, you will be staying here in the village along with Brother Viscus."

"What about Kenobi, mother?" Obi-wan was surprised to hear that it was Feral's voice that raised the question instead of Maul.

"He will be able to stay with you all," Talzin answered, "However if he wants to leave the hut that you all are staying in, someone must accompany him. Viscus you know they way to the hut, take our sons and Kenobi there." Viscus nodded and looked at the boys, turning he began to lead the way.

"Talzin, if you do not mind, I wish to talk to you before I head off to the hut with the others." Obi-wan spoke up and Maul looked at him. Obi-wan could sense Maul's confusion and worry as much as he saw it in Maul's eyes.

"Of course Kenobi." Mother Talzin replied and Obi-wan sent a reassuring wave to Maul before Obi-wan walked towards Mother Talzin. After standing there for a moment, Maul turned to follow his brothers and father.

"What is on your mind Kenobi?" Mother Talzin asked as she leads Obi-wan into the same room she and Viscus were in. 

"Mother Talzin, I know that your magiks are similar to the Force. So tell me have you felt something... off about Maul?" Obi-wan questioned as Mother Talzin walked over to her seat.

"Yes. Something was... off. I felt it before you both landed at the Nightbrother's village." Mother spoke pulling out her chair.

"It's because of Sidious," Obi-wan watched as Talzin sat in her chair surprised, "he broke Maul so much that Maul broke into multiple versions of himself to hide within himself from Sidious. I've seen inside of his mind. There is so much fighting and the need for dominance going on inside of his mind that even though Sidious is dead Maul is still haunted by voice."

"You had nothing to do with my son being this way?" Talzin questioned looking into her crystal ball

"I have only been trying to help him, Mother. I have sacrificed everything I have ever known to help Maul." Obi-wan walked over to her as she gazed into her crystal ball then stood up from her seat.

"I will see what I can do to help my son, thank you for telling me this Kenobi." Talzin walked over to Obi-wan, "Come. I will show you the way to where you will be staying."

"Thank you, Mother Talzin. I also must tell you something more." Obi-wan said as they stood at the door of the room.

"We can talk on the way." Talzin opened the door letting Obi-wan through first.

"After Sidious' death, I thought I had freed him from the Sith and the Dark Side, expect as he was being healed, Sidious' master, Darth Plagueis had found him and he is more determined than ever to either make Maul his apprentice or kill him." Obi-wan spoke as they walked through the dimly lit hidden village. 

"I see. Is there any more?"

"Yes. When I left The Jedi Temple on Coruscant, I was unconscious due to a terrible wound I had received. Maul had saved me and healed me away from the other Jedi. To them, it seemed like Maul had kidnapped me. so they are also looking for Maul." 

"My son had saved you from other Jedi? That is uncalled for, for Jedi to attack their own." Mother Talzin stopped to look at Obi-wan in the orange and green glow.

"When I had killed Sidious, Maul declared me his master, but the other Jedi thought it to be disgusting and when they found out that I opened myself up to Maul and made the master and apprentice bond with him, they wanted to break it as quickly as they could. They could only see Maul as what they feared the most when I could see Maul as someone who needed help. I had others on my side to try and help Maul until the moment I made the bond with Maul." Obi-wan explained further as he took a few steps further than Talzin did.

"It seems like my son has feelings for you more than gratitude and gratefulness." Mother Talzin started walking again with a devious smile on her face when Obi-wan froze shocked at her statement.

"Yeah, I guess our feelings run deeper," Obi-wan mumbled quietly as he continued to walk with Mother Talzin.

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Maul was calmed as he walked with his brothers to their home in the Nightsister village. Worry kept bubbling up inside of Maul as he thought back to trying to figure out why would Obi-wan want to talk to his mother alone. He was surprised with himself when he vocalized the question.

"I'm sure Obi-wan is just wanting to make sure that mother trusts him, Maul. I wouldn't worry about anything." Feral gave his eldest brother a trustworthy smile.

"Hopefully," Maul mumbled as they paused in front of their home.

"You truly care about Kenobi don't you?" Feral asked and Maul couldn't help but nod

"More than anyone knows..." Maul looks at Feral, trying to keep himself calm and not worry about Obi-wan.

"Huh! Call Kenobi whatever you want Maul, but you're home now. Mother will hand you over to a Nightsister the moment one wants you and Kenobi won't be able to do anything about it." Savage spoke up breaking into the conversation. 

"Savage!" Feral snapped at him

"You know life around here Feral. Maul won't be treated any differently than any other Nightbrother. Once a Nightsister chooses him, he's their property until he dies or gets one pregnant." Savage continues until Maul suddenly started to growl.

"I will not be the property of any Nightsister!" Maul snarled, his eyes slightly bloodshot

"Get used to it brother, welcome home." Savage turned and started to walk towards the house until Maul let out a savage roar and tackled Savage.

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Mother Talzin had a nice conversation with Obi-wan as they walked to the house. Both of them became nervous as they felt a shift in the air and then they heard a bone-rattling roar seeing Maul tackle Savage to the ground.

"Maul!" Obi-wan and Talzin shouted and ran toward the fighting pair.