Perfect Balance

Training

  There he sat, in the middle of a snow-covered field meditating. The image of Maul looming over him. "Apprentice, you've still a few more things left to learn. Don't rest yet, you still can't do it, can you?" Looking up from the ground at Maul Ezra sneered. "I've nothing to learn from you." He told him in a monotone. "I find that unlikely, apprentice. You've yet to learn the power of the night sisters. A power that will prove invaluable in the days to come." Rising from the ground he waves Maul off. "I've no need for soul manipulation or necromancy Maul. Now be gone spirit, never return to me."

  The cackling from Maul was actually unnerving for Ezra. "Apprentice, you've for seen it haven't you? The inevitable draws near. The inevitable is also quite permanent in your case, so, apprentice, are you ready to learn?" He sat there, internally fuming at Maul. He knew he was right, his destiny had finally taken shape and he didn't like what that meant. He didn't like what the wills have in store for him. "Fine then, what do you know?" The malicious smile that crept over Maul's face nearly made Ezra shake. He knew he'd worn the smile a few times himself but the Zabrak wore it like a natural feature.

  "Good, apprentice. Let us begin."
Maul swung at him in a test of attention that quickly turned into a combat test. To the members of clan Wren, he looked simply to be practicing maneuvers. But Sabine knew better, she knew he didn't train like that, he only did that when something bothered him or when the spirit of Maul taunted him. Neither was a good sign. She wanted to step in and try to stop him but knew that if this was Maul's ghost that he'd make her look like some kind of enemy.

  "Not going to join him in training Sabine?" She nearly jumped, she could admit that. Tristan had gotten the jump on her. "It's not safe right now Tristan. The ghost that haunts him has got him to fight." He tried, he really did but she still heard the crunch of the snow as he stepped back. "As long as we stay away from him we should be fine." She heard him grumbling something that sounded like an excuse to leave. Waving him off as he left she kept watch over Ezra.

  She didn't know why but over the course of an hour, the invisible ghost of Maul had become very visible. Which naturally got the attention of the clan. Unfortunately, nearly everyone who came to fight the threat stopped in their tracks at the sight Maul, former Man'dalor.

  Nearly half of the clan stood behind Sabine as they all watched the fight between Maul and Ezra. Parrying another attack he spins the blade, cutting Maul's arms off just below the elbow. Pivoting on his right foot he swings wide, cutting the Zabrak in half at the waist. "Haha, had enough!?" Ezra's gloating was short-lived. The green smoke that broke free from the wounds on Maul's body was far from natural. The smile left Ezra's face and jumped to Maul's. Changing to Soresu, he waits for Maul's next move. "Do you see apprentice? This is how you will stave off your demise." He didn't want to admit it, but Maul was right. That move could save him. "Fine then, how do I do it?" Maul only laughed for a second. "Apprentice, you always were a funny one. This isn't a manipulation of the soul, this is old fashioned sorcery. You need to learn this skill, not just be told how to do it. So, are you ready to learn?"
 
  "Sorcery, great. What do we need?" Maul smiled, lowered his arms and deactivated his saber. "We begin by finding a nexus. And from there the instruction will begin. Don't keep me waiting apprentice." And with that said Maul slowly faded away. Walking up to him Sabine grabs hold of his arm. "Your not actually gonna do it are you?" He sighed and looked down at her. "Sabine, if I don't learn this I'll die on the death star."

  At that moment, he knew he made a mistake. He hadn't told her, or anyone for that matter that he'd succeeded in his divinations of the future. "What do you mean? What death star? Why would you go there? Death is even in the name." Sighing again he realizes there's no avoiding it now. "Through the force, I've seen over four dozen possible futures. Roughly half involve the death star, a massive imperial battle station. It holds millions of people and its primary weapon is capable of shattering a planet. The two Lords of the Sith are on it. I'm going to take some of the warriors along with Kanan, Ashoka, Kyle and his apprentice Jaden. Hopefully, those two older kids to and of course Skywalker has to be there otherwise the attack on the death star will be pointless."

  "If I don't learn this power from Maul I'll die on the death star. But with it, I'll be able to stave off death. So, I'll be leaving soon. I'll be heading to the nearest force nexus. By the time I get back, Kanan and Hera should have Skywalker and then the real preparations can begin. This isn't goodbye Sabine, I'll be back, I love you."

  And with that and a brief kiss, he left on one of the gauntlet fighters and made his way to the closest nexus in the force.