Pleased immensely with the results and reactions of the people on the streets, Khameir walked back to the building he was living in. Surely, his master had returned from his meetings and was ready to give him his new title.
* * *
“My apprentice...what have you done to yourself?” Sidious asked when Khameir returned. Khameir bowed on one knee before replying.
“I have turned myself into something worthy of the new title you are to give me, my Master. It has proven to be very...effective.”
“Excellent, Khameir!” Sidious said and stepped up to Khameir to place one hand on his shoulder. “I have chosen a name for you and I believe you will like it. From this day forward, you shall be known as Darth Maul, my apprentice for as long as you live. I have your robes for you in your quarters. Go now and change from those clothes. They are not befitting for a Sith Lord.”
“Yes, my Master,” Maul replied, his voice deep and gruff. He stood, bowed, and left for his own quarters. He walked with new purpose; the power of being labled a Dark Lord surged through his body and quickened his steps.
He arrived in his quarters and eyed the black robes, tunic, trousers, and boots on his bed. A pair of black leather gloves rested on his pillow. He lifted the robes and fingered them gingerly. This was it, he thought. I am no longer Khameir Sarin, the boy they always ridiculed and tormented.
With renewed determination, he shed his old clothes and stepped into his new ones. The trousers were loose around his legs, allowing them free reign when he had to use them. The tunic consisted of three parts; an inner shirt, a loose-fitting middle cover, and the tunic itself. He fastened the thick black lather belt around his waist then slipped into the boots. They fit perfectly, comfortably. He removed the gloves from his pillow and tugged them on, flexing his fingers inside of them. Finally, he donned the billowing black robes. The large hood, when lifted to cover his horned and tattooed head, concealed most of his face save for the correct shadows.
Maul stood before his mirror and smiled evilly. The power, the Dark Side, was with him as he eyed his relfection. It encircled his body like purple snakes, hissing their secrets in his ears. Power. Fear is yours. It belongs to you! they whispered seductively. Maul withdrew a breath through his clenched teeth, his eyes closed in ecstasy. The power traveled over his strong arms, down his muscled legs, and across his broad chest. Their touch was captivating. If he found anything that could compare to these seductive caresses, he’d wish to control it forever. Yes, anything he touched he would control. Control with fear.
* * *
Epilogue
The lights from the many buildings on Coruscant allowed sufficient light for the two black robed figures walking along a balcony. The first figure, Darth Sidious, spoke to his companion and apprentice, Darth Maul.
“I wish for you to go to Tatooine and retrieve the young Naboo queen. Bring her back to Naboo and hand her over to the Viceroy. He will see to it that she signs the treaty,” he commanded. Maul crossed his thickly muscled arms over his chest and nodded.
“Tatooine is sparsely populated; I should have no trouble finding them, my Master,” he replied, his voice deep and calm. Sidious nodded as they came to a stop at the edge of the balcony. Maul turned his head to look at his master and spoke again, this time in more menacing tones.
“At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.”
END