Chapter 14 – The Hunt Begins

Mustafar – Meditation Chamber

The air in Anakin's meditation chamber was stale, heavy with the heat of Mustafar's endless fires. Anakin knelt in the darkness, sweat dripping down his face as he delved deeper into the Force. Each breath was a battle, each moment a struggle to sink further into the abyss of his growing power. The dark side whispered to him, coaxing him to draw more, to push past his limits, to embrace the hatred that burned in his heart.

His thoughts spiraled back to Tatooine—to Shmi, broken and lifeless, to the Tusken Raiders who had taken everything from him. His mother's screams echoed in his mind, a symphony of pain that fueled his rage. He clenched his fists tighter as he tapped deeper into the force.

"I will avange you mother and destroy everyone who stands in my way," he vowed silently, his voice a trembling whisper in the void.

The door to his chamber hissed open, and Anakin's concentration broke. He shot a glare over his shoulder, irritation flickering in his eyes. Darth Maul stood in the doorway, his dark robes shifting slightly with the heat of the volcanic winds outside.

"Get up, boy. We're leaving," Maul commanded, his voice sharp and devoid of patience.

Anakin rose, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Leaving? For what?"

"A mission," Maul growled, his yellow eyes narrowing. "To hunt a Jedi."

Hours earlier, Maul received a transmission from Darth Sidious through his comlink.

Maul knelt before the holoprojector, the hologram of Darth Sidious flickering to life with a soft hum. The Dark Lord's presence filled the room, his eyes piercing through the light.

Maul bowed his head respectfully. "What is thy bidding, my master?"

Sidious's voice was calm, yet carried an unmistakable weight of authority. "How is the boy progressing, Lord Maul?"

Maul replied without hesitation. "In combat, he is already formidable. He fights with more than skill—with hatred, with purpose. His connection to the Force is raw but extremely potent. He wields it instinctively, incorporating it into every strike. But," Maul hesitated for a moment, "he is still flawed. He hesitates. His fear lingers, and his anger, while strong, lacks focus. There is much work to be done but with the right amount of pain and training, we can eliminate those flaws in time."

Sidious's eyes narrowed. "And there will be pain enough to sharpen him. But to become a true Sith, training is not enough. True strength is forged in the fires of life and death."

Maul's head tilted slightly in curiosity. "What do you command, my master?"

"You will resume your hunt for Jedi Master Siolo Ur Manka," Sidious instructed. "Take the boy with you. He must witness true power of the force. The boy must feel the thrill of battle, the weight of death."

Maul's brow furrowed. "And after the hunt?"

Sidious's smile was razor-sharp. "Take him to Korriban. Leave him there for a year."

"Korriban…" Maul echoed, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Master, that world—"

"Do not question me, Lord Maul!" Sidious's voice rose, sharp and cutting. "The boy will not perish. The Force favors him. If he falters, and if the danger grows beyond his capability, you will intervene. But do not reveal yourself unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, Master," Maul said, bowing his head deeper.

"And remember your place, Lord Maul," Sidious warned, his tone softening but losing none of its edge. "You are but the anvil. The boy… he will be the sword."

The transmission ended abruptly, and Maul rose to his feet, his face twisting with annoyance. He hated the boy's growing importance to Sidious, but the Dark Lord's commands were absolute.

Back in Anakin's chambers, the boy's frustration gave way to excitement. The mere mention of a Jedi stirred something primal within him.

"A Jedi…" Anakin said, his voice filled with venom. "Who is it?"

"Jedi Master Siolo Ur Manka," Maul replied curtly as they walked down the dim corridors toward the hangar. "An old fool, long forgotten by the Order. But strong. Strong enough to test me."

"And me?" Anakin asked, struggling to hide the eagerness in his voice.

"What about you ? You will watch. Learn. And if you're lucky, survive."

Anakin bristled at the condescension but said nothing. Inside, his thoughts burned. 'The Jedi… hypocrites and cowards. They abandoned the Outer Rim to the mercy of scum like the Hutts. They let my mother die. They will pay.'

As the Scimitar ascended from Mustafar's surface, Anakin sat silently in the co-pilot's chair, his gaze fixed on the stars beyond. Maul's presence loomed beside him, a cold and oppressive weight.

After hours of hyperspace travel, the Scimitar exited into the Jentares system. A lush green planet filled the viewport, a stark contrast to the barren hellscape of Mustafar. As the ship descended, Anakin's eyes widened slightly at the sight of vast forests and rolling hills.

The Scimitar touched down at a small spaceport on the outskirts of Portin City. As they disembarked, Maul turned to Anakin, his voice low and commanding. "Stay close. Do not stray from my side."

Anakin nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The air here was unlike anything he had experienced so far. It was clean, vibrant, almost alive with the Force. Every breath felt like a surge of energy.

'This place… it's so full of life. Of vitality', he thought, glancing around. The endless sands of Tatooine and the molten wastelands of Mustafar suddenly seemed like distant nightmares.

But his admiration was short-lived. On the adjacent landing platform, a heated argument broke out between a group of guards in black leather armor and a Twi'lek merchant.

"Pay the tariff, alien scum," one of the guards barked, his voice dripping with contempt.

"What tariff?" the Twi'lek protested, holding up a datapad. "The regulations—"

"New regulations," the guard interrupted, his hand resting on the blaster at his hip. "Pay up or leave."

Anakin's fists clenched as he watched. 'Corrupt filth', he thought. 'No better than the mercenaries Maul killed back on Tatooine.'

As they approached the spaceport's exit, another squad of guards intercepted them. At their head was a man in polished black leather, his demeanor cold and arrogant.

"Welcome to Portin City," the man said, his voice thick with authority. "I'm Captain Abhram. The pad you landed on is private property and requires a tariff of—"

"There are no tariffs for us," Maul interrupted, his voice icy. He raised a hand subtly, and the captain's expression grew vacant, his eyes losing focus. "You will provide us with speeders. You will guard our ship with your lives. No one approaches it."

"Yes…" the captain murmured, his voice hollow. "There is no fee. Lieutenant, escort our guests to the garrison. Provide them with the finest speeders. We will guard their ship."

The lieutenant saluted, though confusion flickered across his face, but he quickly brushed it off, 'Probably someone of extraordinary statue'. "Yes, sir. Honorary guests, please follow me."

Anakin followed Maul silently, though his mind raced. 'What a useful power. To bend someone's will like that… I need to learn it.'

At the garrison, Maul and Anakin were provided with two sleek 63-IO speeders. Anakin climbed onto one, only to find it too large for him to handle. Maul sneered, his disdain palpable. "Pathetic," he muttered. "Ride with me."

As they sped away from the city, the metallic road gave way to dirt paths that cut through dense forests. Anakin felt the energy of the planet coursing through him, the Force alive in every tree, every blade of grass. 'If I drained the energy from around here, how much power would it give me?', he wondered.

"Focus, boy," Maul snapped as they neared a mountain range. "This is no time for distraction."

Anakin nodded, though his gaze lingered on the vibrant surroundings. So much life… so much power, he thought, taking deep breaths.

They dismounted at the base of the mountains and began their ascent on foot. From the cliff's edge, they spotted a small hut below, smoke rising from a modest fireplace. An elderly Twi'lek male emerged, his movements slow but deliberate.

"Ah, guests from afar!" the man called up to them, his voice warm and welcoming. "Please, come inside. Share my humble meal."

Anakin frowned, confused by the man's demeanor. 'Why is he so calm? Does he not sense our intentions or is he stupid?'

Maul said nothing. He leapt from the cliff, landing with a precision that made Anakin's jaw tighten. The boy followed, his landing less graceful but effective.

The Twi'lek smiled as they approached, gesturing to the fire. "The soup is fresh," he said, pride evident in his voice. "I used the finest vegetables from my garden."

Maul didn't answer. Slowly, he unclipped his lightsaber from his belt and ignited it, the red blade casting a sinister glow.

"Jedi scum," Maul hissed, his voice filled with venom.

The crimson glow of Maul's lightsaber bathed the serene surroundings in a menacing light. The Twi'lek, tilted his head slightly, his expression calm despite the imminent threat.

"Why the hostility, young one?" Siolo asked, his voice warm yet tinged with curiosity. "I am but an old man, far removed from the chaos of the galaxy. Surely, you do not need to strike me down."

Anakin, standing a few paces behind Maul, frowned. 'Why isn't he afraid?' he wondered. The Jedi's serenity was unlike anything Anakin had ever seen, completely at odds with Maul's unrelenting ferocity.

"You reek of the Jedi," Maul spat, his grip tightening on his saber. "You hide here, wallowing in your delusions of peace, while the galaxy burns. Your kind deserves extinction."

Siolo sighed, leaning slightly on his staff. "And you, young Sith, are consumed by anger. It blinds you, narrows your vision. The dark side grants power, yes, but it chains you in ways you cannot yet comprehend."

Maul's snarl deepened. "Enough talk. Die."

Without warning, Maul lunged, his saber slicing through the air with deadly precision. His speed was blinding, a blur of motion that would have overwhelmed any ordinary opponent. But Siolo was no ordinary man.

The Jedi Master stepped lightly to the side, his movements deliberate and fluid. His staff intercepted Maul's blade with a sharp crack, redirecting the strike harmlessly away from his body. Anakin's eyes widened as the Twi'lek countered with an almost playful strike to Maul's back, the blunt end of the staff landing with a dull thud.

"My friend," Siolo said calmly, "it's hardly appropriate to fight in front of a child. Why don't we talk instead?"

Maul roared, his rage igniting like a wildfire. He flipped backward, landing in a crouch before propelling himself forward with the Force. His saber spun in a deadly arc, its hum filling the clearing. Siolo's staff met each strike with precision, the weapon spinning in his hands like an extension of his body.

Anakin watched, his mind racing. 'This isn't like the sparring sessions on Mustafar. This is… something else entirely. Is Maul… losing?'

Siolo sidestepped another of Maul's strikes, pivoting gracefully. "Your anger fuels you, yes, but it clouds your judgment," he said, his tone almost gentle. "Every move you make is predictable. You wield your rage like a club, not a blade."

"Shut up!" Maul snarled, his strikes growing more frenzied. The ground beneath him cracked as he poured his full strength into every blow, but Siolo remained calm, weaving through the onslaught like a leaf carried by the wind.

Then, with a sharp twist of his staff, Siolo disarmed Maul. The Zabrak's saber flew from his hands, landing several meters away. Before Maul could react, the Jedi's staff spun again, its blunt end striking Maul squarely in the face.

Anakin's breath caught. He could feel Maul's humiliation radiating through the Force—a searing wave of anger and shame. 'He's not invincible', Anakin realized with slight smile. 'Even Maul can be beaten.'

Maul's roar of frustration echoed through the clearing. His hand shot out, unleashing a powerful Force Push. The Jedi leapt backward, the blast tearing through the clearing and obliterating the small hut behind him. Trees splintered and fell, the air thick with the scent of scorched wood.

"You think this is over, Jedi?" Maul spat, summoning his saber back to his hand. The blade ignited once more, its crimson glow cutting through the smoke.

Siolo landed gracefully, his staff still in hand. "I had hoped to avoid destroying my home," he said with a sigh. "But if this is the path you've chosen…"

Maul attacked again, his strikes faster and more precise this time. The humiliation of the earlier exchange had focused his rage, sharpening it into something far more dangerous. The two combatants moved like shadows, their clash a blur of motion and light.

Anakin could barely keep up, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the battle. The Force rippled around them, a storm of power that made the air heavy and difficult to breathe.

'This… this is the power of the Force,' Anakin thought, his awe mixing with a deep, simmering envy.

Then, he saw it—a flicker in the Jedi's movements, a moment of imbalance as Maul's relentless assault began to wear him down. The Twi'lek's breaths were heavier now, his movements slightly slower.

'Now's my chance.'

As Maul pressed the attack, Anakin focused his mind, drawing on the hatred that burned within him. The Jedi had dismissed him, treated him like a bystander. 'You'll regret ignoring me.' Anakin thought, his lips curling into a snarl.

He reached out with the Force, his focus narrowing on Siolo's presence. The Jedi was strong, his connection to the Force an unshakable pillar of light. But Anakin's hatred was like a shadow, creeping closer, looking for cracks to exploit.

The moment came when Siolo shifted to block another of Maul's strikes, an opening in his force barrier. Anakin extended his hand, pouring his anger into the void. He felt the Jedi's energy—calm, steady, and strong—and latched onto it. The sensation was intoxicating, unlike anything he had ever felt before.

For a brief moment, he felt the Jedi falter. Siolo stumbled, his concentration breaking as Anakin's Force Drain began to sap his strength.

Maul seized the opportunity. With a vicious strike, he slashed across the Jedi's thigh, forcing him to his knees.

Siolo's eyes snapped to Anakin, realization dawning on his face. "Child…" he gasped, his voice weak but resolute. "The dark side… will consume you. Don't let it—"

But before he could finish Maul silenced him with a final, brutal strike. The Jedi's head fell to the ground with a sickening thud, his lifeless body collapsing moments later.

Maul stood over the corpse, his chest heaving, his anger still burning. He turned to Anakin, his yellow eyes narrowing. "You interfered," he said, his tone a dangerous growl.

Anakin met his gaze, defiant. "We won because of me."

For a moment, Maul said nothing. Then he turned away, extinguishing his saber. "Don't delude yourself, boy. Your power is nothing compared to mine. Remember that."

Anakin followed silently, his thoughts racing. The fight had been… exhilarating. The power he had felt when he tapped into the Force Drain still lingered, a faint echo that made his skin tingle.

'The Jedi was strong', he thought. 'But the Sith are stronger. I'll prove it. I'll become stronger than all of them—Maul, Sidious… even the Force itself will bow to me.'

The atmosphere in the Scimitar was heavy as it ascended through the green skies of Jentares. Anakin sat silently in the co-pilot's seat, his mind still racing from the fight. The echoes of the battle rippled through the Force, vivid and unrelenting. The power he had felt when he siphoned the Jedi's energy still lingered, like a shadow curled around his soul.

"You're too eager," Maul said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was sharp, cutting through Anakin's thoughts like a blade.

"I acted when I saw the opportunity," Anakin replied, his tone defensive. "Without me, you wouldn't have won."

Maul's hand shot out, gripping Anakin's arm with crushing force. "Do not mistake convenience for necessity," Maul growled, his yellow eyes blazing. "I allowed you to act because I willed it. Your power exists only because I tolerate it."

Anakin yanked his arm free, his teeth clenched. But he said nothing. Inside, his hatred burned hotter. 'One day, I'll show you. One day, you'll kneel before me.'

The Scimitar's navigation computer beeped as it locked in its next destination. Anakin glanced at the display, his brow furrowing. The coordinates were unfamiliar, but the name…

"Korriban?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Maul smirked, leaning back in his seat. "The birthplace of the Sith. A world steeped in darkness and death. It will be your next trial."

Anakin's stomach tightened. "Trial?"

"You've endured my training. But it was only a beggining. Korriban is different," Maul explained, his tone cold but laced with silent satisfaction. "The planet itself is alive with the dark side. Every shadow conceals danger. Every breath is a test of will. If you falter, it will consume and destroy you."

Anakin's fingers tightened around the armrests. "What is the purpose of this trial ?"

"To survive," Maul replied simply. "To thrive. To learn the history of the Sith—their strength, their failures. Korriban will shape you in ways I cannot. If you die, it means you were unworthy from the very beggining."

"And if I live?" Anakin asked, his voice quieter now.

Maul smirked. "Then you will emerge stronger than ever. But do not expect pity. If you fail, no one will mourn you."

As the Scimitar exited hyperspace, Korriban loomed before them—a barren world bathed in a sickly red glow. Endless deserts stretched across its surface, broken only by jagged mountain ranges and ancient ruins buried in sand.

Anakin felt the dark side the moment they entered the planet's atmosphere. It pressed against his mind like a storm, suffocating and relentless. His chest tightened, and his breaths came faster as the ship descended toward a crumbling spaceport ruins surrounded by dunes.

"This used to be the arrival port of the Sith Empire," Maul said as the ship touched down. "In its prime, Korriban was the heart of our power. Now, it is a graveyard. Both the Academy and The Valley of the Dark Lords is not far from here."

The ship's ramp lowered, and Anakin hesitated. The oppressive energy of the planet seemed to seep into his skin, filling him with unease.

"Move, boy," Maul snapped, pushing past him.

Anakin followed reluctantly, his boots sinking into the loose sand as they stepped outside. The ruins of ancient structures surrounded them, their twisted spires reaching toward the blood-red sky. Rusted metal beams jutted from the sand, remnants of a once-mighty civilization now reduced to decay.

"This place…" Anakin muttered, his voice trembling. "It feels… wrong."

Maul stopped, turning to face him. For once, there was no mockery in his expression—only grim seriousness. "It should. Korriban is death. Every grain of sand, every crumbling stone, is a reminder of our failures. But it is also power. If you can survive, you will understand."

Anakin swallowed hard, his fear clawing at him. "You're not staying?"

Maul's smirk returned. "No. This is your trial. Your survival is in your hands. No one will help you. If you fall, you will be forgotten."

Anakin's eyes widened. "Wait… you're just leaving me here?"

Before he could say more, Maul turned and walked back toward the Scimitar. The ramp began to close as Anakin rushed forward, panic rising in his chest.

"Wait! Don't leave me here!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "Maul! I'm not ready—"

The ship's engines roared to life, drowning out his cries. Anakin fell to his knees, his hands digging into the sand as the Scimitar rose into the sky.

"Wait! Waaaaaait!" he screamed, his voice echoing across the desolate landscape.

But no answer came.

Anakin sat motionless for what felt like an eternity, the silence of the desert pressing down on him. The heat was suffocating, the air dry and filled with the scent of decay. His heart pounded in his chest as the weight of his situation sank in.

'Alone. On a planet that wants me dead.'

He clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. Fear threatened to consume him, but beneath it was something stronger—a simmering anger that refused to be extinguished.

'I'll show them. I'll survive. I'll become stronger than any of them.'

Rising to his feet, Anakin scanned the horizon. The old academy ruins lay ahead, its ancient remains silhouetted against the crimson sky. .

"Fine," he muttered, his voice trembling but resolute. "I don't need anyone. I'll prove I'm not weak."