(Jayden's PoV)
"Maul", I cursed inwardly.
As I had expected, the Royal Palace was heavily guarded. It didn't appear as it did in the movie. There were a lot of droids guarding the palace.
I know, this is reality, while that was a movie, where the number of graphics depends on the money that the production house is willing to spend. So, there would be changes like that when compared to what I saw in the movie.
I expected that, but that doesn't mean I liked that, especially when the mission to take over the palace was taking longer than we intended.
I mean, we were supposed to take down the droids that locked the pilots away, who would be used to attack the Federation ships that were blocking the Naboo space, especially the ship where the central hub that controls the droids was located.
The problem was that there were too many droids in our pathway. It took a while before we cleared the droids and let the pilots go free.
Though free, they still have a duty now.
I wonder when the last time they had proper meals was. They were poorly treated and now had to pilot the few Naboo ships to eliminate an enemy that had a large number of ships, which were more numerous and powerful.
A lot would never return home. There was nothing I could do about that. Even if I am all-powerful, it is just the way of life.
People live and die.
I can't save everyone. I can't even guarantee that I can save the important ones when the time comes, much less ones that were considered background characters.
I'll do my best, but I know where my limits are.
---
The pilots took flight, while Anakin stayed behind in one of the empty cockpits.
We took the direct route to the throne room, but we found ourselves opposing a red-skinned humanoid blocking the path.
"We'll take care of this", Master Jinn spoke.
None in the group seemed stupid enough to say that we would fight him. I suppose their fates were still strong enough to survive for now.
I mean, many of these group members died in the hands of Vader years later, when they tried to take revenge for the death of Padme and Anakin at the hands of Vader, not knowing Anakin was Vader.
The Queen and other members of the ragtag team that was supposed to take back the throne, went through a second way, while leaving the new intruder to us.
So, this is how Maul looks like huh.
Well, he looks almost like the movie version, but closer to the Clone Wars version, maybe even more malevolent. I can feel the malice seeping out from him.
Hmm, there is a name for that among the Sith. Just like how we use Battle Meditation, they use....hmm.I believe it's called Seethe.
I think he is using that at this moment.
I can feel the dark disturbance all around because of that.
"Is that the Sith?" I asked Master Jinn.
He was the only one of us four who had an actual encounter with Maul. Sure, Kenobi must have watched Maul, but that was from a distance.
Also, Kenobi is still a Padawan, no matter how ready he was to become a Knight. So, asking a Master would seem appropriate than asking a Padawan.
With so many eyes on me at the moment, due to my Lightsaber colour and learning Force Heal, it's best to let others think that I still respect the Jedi Order and have yet to step out. I am not all-powerful at the moment to do as I wish.
So, letting them think that I am still acting within the line they drew, maybe too close to the edges, but still within, could lessen the chances of making things worse for the moment.
I don't have the energy or resources to deal with the Order if they come knocking with serious allegations.
---
"Yes, Jayden, that's the Sith. The same one I fought briefly on Tatooine. Unlike then, when we had to stop the fight, now that may not be a choice. It would be either us or him. So get ready", he spoke as he ignited his lightsaber.
Following him, Kenobi ignited his saber, then my master did, and last was I.
Maul ignited his double lightsaber, just as he did in the movie, in style. Lighting one side, and then the other side, but he kept the saber horizontally.
Wait a minute.
Did the writers make him do that because they were foretelling that Maul would be sliced horizontally into two parts?
Well, it matters not.
Now, the only thing that matters is to get rid of Maul, or we could get sliced horizontally instead of him, something I would like not to happen.
With lighsabers drawn we moved to face and so did Maul, who looked ready to devour us alive.