Opening her eyes, Rey squinted into the upcoming sunrays that were brightly filtering through the small window above the table. Feeling the empty spot next to her, suddenly reminded her of last night. Trying to forget what happened, she quickly sprung up, when she heard shouting and whistling coming from outside.

Putting her boots on, she stepped outside, and quickly followed the sound, just to see Savage hurling a head of a very large animal across the small plaza, followed by the rest of its body that was carried by some of his brothers and Maul.

When her eyes landed on Maul, he looked at her, but then turned his attention back to the carcass. He flung it off his shoulder and dropped it next to the rest of the body.

There was a giant heap of cut up pieces of meat occupying the middle of the small plaza now. Stepping closer, Rey was astonished by the size of this animal. She had seen large animals before but never something like this. This creature, with its sharp, long claws and pointy nine-inch teeth, looked extremely dangerous, she thought sizing up the bloody carcass.

To hunt down an animal like this, must not have been easy, she thought as her eyes found Maul's again. Feeling a little awkward under his stare, she quickly tore her gaze away and looked at Savage.

"What's this?" Rey inquired.

"A Rancor." Savage replied. Then he added. "A perfect feast for today's funeral."

Folding her arms over her stomach Rey replied. "Looks dangerous."

"Not to me." Savage replied with a smug face, and then he added. "Next time when we're out again, I'll show you one…. alive."

After they cleaned up the area, they all gathered in the large building again where they prepared the meat for the upcoming feast.

Rey also tried to help. Keeping herself occupied, she was busily cutting up a large piece of meat when she felt someone standing behind her. Stopping for a second, she turned to see Maul standing there with folded arms, and a disapproving look on his face.

"What?" Rey asked with annoyance, holding a bloody knife in her hand.

From head to toe she was covered with gore and blood. There were small and large blood speckles all over her face and neck, she looks like a pissed off savage princess, Maul amusingly thought.

"Put the knife down." Maul ordered. Then he added. "Clean up and then we can go."

With disbelief, Rey stared at him and then she asked.

"Where?" Then she added with slight cynicism. "I didn't see a bathroom in your shack?"

Ignoring the tone of her voice, he said.

"Follow me."

Putting the knife down, she noticed some of the men were curiously watching them, then she reluctantly walked after him. Approaching a small, round building, Maul entered as Rey followed him in.

Inside were several large bins full of clothes and other stuff. There were shoes and boots and smaller weapons of all kinds, just thrown in there. The swirling patterns of colorful textiles amazed Rey. Reaching inside one of the bins, she pulled out a light green shawl.

The texture felt amazingly soft, Rey thought surprised.

"Where did you get all this?" She asked incredibly.

"My brothers like to collect the belongings of the fallen ones." Maul replied.

Fallen ones? She mouthed his words. All this belonged to the ones they have killed? Rey thought slightly distraught. However, she needed new clothes, and not wanting to press further on this subject, she quickly picked out some clothes and even a pair of dark brown leather ankle boots that surprisingly fit her small feet. She also picked up a small knife with an intricate deer carving on its hilt. Pretty, she thought, as she placed the knife back into its matching sleeve. Then she quickly bundled up everything.

Maul watched, as she placed the knife inside of her little bundle of clothes. With a faint grin, he said.

"A perfect match for you, but I'm afraid you can't keep it."

With hesitation, Rey dropped the knife back into the bin.

"Yes, my Master." She sarcastically murmured.

Ignoring her remark, he walked past her and stepped outside while she followed. Walking across the plaza again, they reached an area behind one of the buildings. Side-by-side, several large metal containers full of water were placed.

Staring at the containers, Rey brows furrowed and when she tried to speak up, he cut her short.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to look."

Rey was shocked. She couldn't believe this was their bathroom. The area was wide open, except on one side, where the building was shielding it from view. Besides the tubs, she didn't see anything else, then she spoke up.

"I'm afraid to ask where you do your other business?"

With a grin, Maul replied.

"Don't worry about that. Undress and wash up."

Saying that, Maul turned his back to her.

She was going to protest but then she changed her mind. Stepping closer to one of the tubs, she looked down to see her bloodied reflection on the surface of the surprisingly clean water.

As she placed her hand into the cool water, a small shudder ran through her. Bathing was not an everyday occurrence on Jakku, but Rey always tried to stay clean, especially around her monthly curse. However, the water felt much warmer on Jakku. She was not looking forward to getting naked and climbing into the tub. However, today was a very special day, and she definitely didn't want to show up looking like this.

Quickly scanning the area to make sure no one was in sight, she swiftly removed her clothes and dropped them next to her new bundle. Then she stepped into the water.

"Oh-oh-oh." Rey exhaled as the cool water touched her skin. Quickly submerging herself, she started to wash up, while her eyes never left Maul's back. She was afraid he was going to turn around, but the most fearful thought was that he was going to leave her there. Oh, he better not do that! Rey thought, while she vigorously rubbed her skin and hair.

Hearing her getting into the tub, Maul closed his eyes and let out a deep breath while he tried not to turn around and look at her. Quickly, he tore his thoughts off her and cleared his mind.

When she was done, the water that once was crystal clear now looked pink and murky. Getting out, swiftly she got dressed. The clothes she picked fit her perfectly. She even liked their deep blue colors as well. Something new and different, she thought with a smile.

Pulling on her new boots, and while quickly hiding the knife in one of them, Rey spoke up. "I'm ready."

Turning to face her, Maul looked at her with amazement. The deep blue fabric looked amazingly different on her.

There was a few seconds of uncomfortable silence between them, when Rey spoke up.

"About last night…uhm…. what happened between…."

He abruptly cut her short.

"Nothing happened."

His quick, cold tone instantly saddened Rey. She thought that what happened between them was something he enjoyed as well. She was certain that the kiss they had shared affected him as much as it had affected her. However, looking at him now, he looked more annoyed than she had ever seen him.

Grazing her lips with her upper teeth, she kept her mouth shut. Then turning around, she picked up her old clothes and walked away from him.

Watching after her, Maul took another deep breath in, and then closing his eyes, he slowly exhaled, while his mind kept bringing back last night's pleasurable events. Cursing himself to be weak and foolish, he vowed that this would never happen again, especially not with her. She was just too dangerous to play with, and Maul didn't want to get burnt.

An hour later, they were all ready to leave. Sitting in front of Maul, Rey was ready to meet her new family. Revving up his speeder, they took off leaving the small village with the others in tow.

While driving through the woods, Rey's thoughts were on the day ahead. She knew they were going to attend a funeral, which she was not looking forward to, but to meet with the Nightsisters and Maul's mother was definitely something she couldn't wait for. I wonder what they look like? She thought with apprehension. Do they look like me? Is my mother there as well? Am I going to meet her? Her conflicted mind was in confusion. She truly hoped they would accept her as their own. If Maul was correct, and she was a daughter of one of them, they would not turn me away, right? Rey thought, hoping for the best.

Maul could sense great waves of confusion and worry coming from her. Her extreme nervousness was getting bothersome. Through the Force, he called to her.

You need to calm down.

Hearing his voice in her head, made her feel more nervous and annoyed as well.

I am calm. She bit back, trying to keep her shaking voice in check.

I have heard better lies than that before. Maul said with annoyance. He didn't want to waste time arguing with her. He hated small talk and unnecessary conversations or thoughts. Hers was definitely getting on his nerves now.

Sensing his displeasure, Rey stayed quiet throughout their trip.

As soon as they broke the treeline, Rey saw a bare, wide-open field with a large single mountain. As they got closer, with awe, she noticed there was something carved in the inside of the mountain.

It was a colossal stone fortress adorned with huge stone female figures. With their arms straight above their heads, they were holding a massive stone block fortress. In the middle of the massive stone was a very big female face carved with an open mouth. It looks eerie and strangely beautiful, Rey thought with amazement.

There was no one around. The area looked abandoned and desolated. Stopping, the Nightbrothers got off their speeders and collected their bags.

Before Maul had the chance to grab hold of Rey, she deftly jumped off and swiftly dusted her clothes off.

"Where is everyone?" She asked, her eyes fixating on the stone statues.

Maul took the leather bag out of the speeder, and then started to walk toward the mountain.

"Everyone is inside, as it should be." He replied, as Rey tried to catch up with his quick strides. As they approached the big open mouth, Rey was amazed to see it was an entrance.

Mother Talzin stood at the edge of the stone altar over Old Daka's body. Looking at the aged, leathery face of her mentor, she had to hold back tears again, as memories of the past flooded her mind. Even though she was not her mother, she always acted like one. Her endless love, strength and power were something that everyone admired and respected. She was a force to reckon with. But now she was gone, and the great responsibility has fallen to next in line. Talzin had been taught and prepared for this day. She looked forward to leading and teaching the new generations of her people. The extensive knowledge she had received from her mentor would help her tremendously in the upcoming events, which she already foreshadowed in her dreams.

However, there was one thing she hadn't seen in those dreams. And that was the young woman, who walked in with her son's and the other Nightbrothers.

Looking up, her light green eyes, landed on Rey, then on Maul, who walked up to the stone altar and bowed his head.

"My son." Mother Talzin spoke up. Her smooth, deep voice bounced off the cave's walls. "Come closer."

Stepping closer, Maul looked into his mother's eyes and said.

"Mother. I am greatly saddened by this grave news." Saying that, his eyes traveled to Old Daka. He watched her in silence for a few seconds, then his attention turned back to his mother again. Opening his leather bag, he took out the books, but left the lightsaber inside.

Taking the books from Maul, a small smile appeared on her face. Then, she spoke up again.

"Thank you my son."

Then, her eyes landed on Rey, as she added. "I knew you would deliver."

Standing in the back with the others Rey felt her piercing gaze. The woman Maul called mother, was intently looking her way. Then she slowly approached her.

Standing in front of Rey, she quickly sized her up, and then her eyes landed on her forearms. Instantly, an excited smile appeared on her stern face.

Rey was astonished. This woman was tall like Savage and extremely unique. Her pale, gray face was marked with black tattoos, just like Maul's, but in a more subtle way. Wearing a deep red dress, with matching headpiece, she looked magnificent and powerful. And not just her, but of the women she had seen on her way in looked peculiar and intimidating. They all wore the same deep red color, just like Mother Talzin. However, their outfits were more revealing than hers. Wearing shorts, their long, muscular legs were wrapped in red thin ribbons, from upper thigh to ankle and some even had their pale, flat stomachs exposed. Their light gray skins were marked the same as Rey's.

Instinctively, Rey touched her stomach. Underneath her blue fabric, she was marked the same way as them. Then, she heard her smooth voice.

"Don't be afraid my sweet girl. Come closer."

Mesmerized by her presence, Rey stepped closer. Then the woman held both of her hands out.

Placing her hands into hers, a warm familiar sensation traveled through Rey. Reminding her of something pleasant from the past.

Touching the girl's hands, Talzin instantly recognized her. Even though her skin color was different from her mother's, she was the spitting image of her. With a small smile, she said.

"Welcome home, Aldereya."

With shock, Rey replied, as she removed her hands.

"You know my name?"

"Of course." Talzin replied with a warm smile, and then she added. "I am extremely glad to see you home, my sweet girl."

Rey was astonished. She felt like she was in a dream, which she didn't want to wake up from, ever. Finally, she had found her family. Finally, she had someone again and this feeling was just overwhelming at the moment. All these years while she was alone, this was the moment she had been waiting for. An extreme feeling of happiness suddenly took over her shaking body. The great emotional turmoil she experienced at the moment was just too much to take.

Burying her face into her trembling hands, she didn't care who was watching her right now, as she cried, while her small shoulders shook with a mixture of sorrow and delight.

"Oh, shhh, my dear." Mother Talzin, softly cooed, slowly embracing Rey. "You are home, and that's all that matters."

Dropping her hands, Rey returned the welcoming hug. The soft fabric of Talzin's dress felt inviting and calming, as Rey buried her face into her chest. Gently caressing Rey's back, Mother Talzin spoke up again.

"I knew your mother. Although she is no longer with us, I am extremely grateful to have you back."

Hearing her words, Rey felt a pang of sharp pain inside her again. Yes, she was home with her family, but her mother, who she had desperately wanted to meet and was looking forward to seeing again, wasn't here.

Looking up into Talzin's face, with a shaking voice, Rey asked.

"Is she dead?"

Calmingly touching Rey's soaked face, she replied.

"I believe so."

Then, she added. "You look like her." But, those eyes, Talzin thought with apprehension, those eyes belong to her father, the father Talzin didn't want to talk about now.

Letting Rey go, Mother Talzin loudly spoke up.

"Today, we are saying goodbye to one of our dearly beloved sisters. However, we are also celebrating the return of our lost daughter, who finally found her way home." Turning around, her eyes landed on Maul, and said. "Thank you my son. You made me happy."

Maul slightly nodded his head then his eyes found Rey's. In her eyes, he saw great happiness, but also there was again that pure innocence, which he was drawn to. Something in her, made him feel uncomfortable inside. He didn't know why he felt that way around her, especially if she was distraught, like she was at this moment. This feeling was bothersome, and he wanted to avoid it, if possible.

Quickly, he tore his gaze away and walking back to his brothers, he took his place beside Savage.

Rey watched, as the other Nightsisters approached her, and then one-by-one they all hugged her. Their welcoming felt comforting, Rey thought while she embraced each and every one of them.

Then, Mother Talzin stepped back and stood at the stone altar again with the rest of the sisters.

After a few seconds of silence, Rey witnessed something extraordinary that she had never witnessed before.

Mother Talzin, with the help of the other sisters started to chant in a foreign language. Rey didn't understand their tongue, but she had heard it before she was certain. As their mystical verses enveloped the cave, a light green mist appeared in the air over Old Daka.

Then the mist grew a darker shade of green, completely engulfing the body. As their chanting got louder, suddenly Rey noticed the body of the old lady slowly lifted from the altar, and was suspended in the air.

Smoothly gliding through the air, the old lady's corpse left the altar and flew toward the glowing green water that Rey found truly fascinating. The water that shimmered with a light green light divided the bottom of the large cave, forming numerous small islands, like the one they were standing on.

With arms still up in the air and chanting, Mother Talzin slowly walked behind the floating body, until she reached the edge of the water.

Then she gently lowered her arms and the body also lowered into the water.

As she watched her mentor's corpse disappearing into the depths of Dathomir, Talzin felt a surge of sadness and relief. She knew Old Daka was in peace now and also at one with the planet. A single tear slid down her taut face and dropped into the water.

Suddenly she had a vision that for a split second left her flabbergasted.

Turning around, her eyes landed on Rey, who stood wide-eyed, and then Maul, whose eyes were fixating on Rey's back. With a smile, Mother Talzin knew what needed to be done.

Later that day on one of the biggest islands, they were all seated at tables, enjoying their meal.

One side of the table was occupied with the men, while the women took the opposite side.

Sitting across from Rey was Savage, while Maul sat at the edge of the table talking with his mother.

With a mouth full of food and between bites, Savage asked her.

"So, how do you like it?"

Swallowing her food, Rey took a sip of her water, and then replied.

"It's chewy, but delicious."

"Rancors are tough, but they can also be very gentle too." Savage replied. Then he added. "The Nightsisters like to ride them….for fun."

Rey's face morphed into a shocking expression. She couldn't believe, how that was possible to do. That animal looked unfriendly and extremely dangerous.

"How is that possible?" She inquired.

"You'll see." Savage replied with a sly grin. Then, placing his large hands on top of the table, he leaned forward. Looking into Rey's eyes, suddenly, to her surprise, she heard his voice in her head.

So, what's the deal with you and Maul?

Are you able to talk like this too? Rey replied with awe.

The Force runs strong in my family. Savage casually replied. Then he asked again. So, what's the deal with you and Maul?

His face looked calm, but his eyes were intently gazing into hers. She felt his intense stare was tremendously intimidating. Nervously looking around, she wondered if the others around them heard their secret conversation. But when no one paid any attention to them, she replied, hoping her quivering voice wouldn't give her sudden uneasiness away.

What deal?

Still gazing into her eyes, he said.

I love my brother. I would do anything for him. I would even give my life for him. The only thing I do not want to happening to him, is to get burnt by someone like you.

His words left a sour taste in her mouth. She didn't understand why he was telling her all this. Did Maul say something to him about the other night? Her troubled thoughts were interrupted by one of the Nightsisters.

"I knew your mother as well." She said turning toward Rey. Then the woman glanced at Savage, who turned his attention back to his food and picking up a large piece of meat, bit into it, savoring it with loud chomping sounds.

Quickly shaking her thoughts off Savage, Rey looked into her eyes and excitedly asked.

"Did you? Really?"

"Yes. Her name was Lylea."

Lylea, Rey tried to bring up the image of her mother. But there was not much to remember and she quickly dismissed these futile thoughts while the Nightsister continued.

"She was a good person, and one of our best fighters." Then her light green eyes turned sorrowful and said. "She had a promising future ahead of her, until he came."

"Who?" Rey asked with anticipation.

"Your father." She replied with slight distaste.

"You….you knew my father too?" Rey asked, feeling her heart accelerating with each second.

"Yes and no." She replied. "I didn't know him well, but I knew of him. I knew who he was and why he came here."

"Is he still here?" Rey asked, hoping to get a satisfying answer.

"No. He left a long time ago and took your mother with him." The woman's face turned sad while her smooth features showed also slight anger as well.

Rey couldn't believe that this woman not only knew her mother, but also her father as well.

"Is he still alive? Do you know?" Rey asked again.

"I don't know. I'm sorry." She replied, and then she added. "If you want to know more about him, you need to ask Mother Talzin."

Saying that, she motioned with her head toward the end of the table, where Mother Talzin sat with Maul. It seemed like they were having a private conversation about something important. Watching them both, Rey noticed Maul kept glancing her way, while his mother talked. Rey wasn't able to hear them, being seated further down the table, but somehow she sensed their conversation was about her.

"Are you sure, mother?" Maul asked again, not believing what she had just told him.

"Yes, my son. She is his daughter. I'm certain." Mother Talzin replied, as she placed her long fingers on Maul's forearm.

"And you want me to…. take her?" He asked with disbelief.

"Yes. I had a vision of you both." His mother replied. "You know, you are just as powerful as her. Even though, she still hasn't grasped the possibilities of her great powers, you, my son, could teach her and guide her."

"What if she finds out who he is?" Maul asked with contempt, looking at the plate in front of him. "Do you think she would go to him?"

"I don't know what she would do, and I really don't want to take the chance, that is why I need you, my son." She replied, as she gently squeezed on his arm. Then, she resumed. "I saw the way you look at her. I know this task that I'm asking of you will not be unsatisfactory."

Maul heard his mother's pleading voice, but his mind was completely somewhere else.

His mind was in the past, on another planet, far far away. A place that he tried to forget, a place that gave him nothing but sorrow and pain. Although it will cost him his freedom, he would sacrifice everything or anything, just to be able to retaliate the wrong doings that had been done to him all these years ago.

Taking a few deep breaths, he glanced toward Rey. He watched her for a few seconds, as she chatted with the woman next to her. Then, looking at his mother, he said.

"I'll do it."

To be continued...