Later, the story of Star Wars: Darth Maul was continued in Age of Republic - Darth Maul 1. Set after the events of Darth Maul 5, the Age of Republic issue was written by Jody Houser and established the status of Maul's bloodlust to kill Jedi after the death of Eldra Kaitis.
Darth Maul has kidnapped Jedi Padawan Eldra Katiss [sic]…and he's out for blood. But she's not going down without a fight. Duel!
On the observatory deck of her space station, Xev Xrexus is informed that the hunt to kill Eldra Kaitis has led to many of her guests being wiped out. After establishing that the deceased's payments have been cleared, Xev remarks that there is no harm in a little bloodshed. On the surface of the moon of Drazkel, Kaitis crosses lightsabers with Darth Maul. Maul relishes the fight, deciding that the long wait to unleash his violence was worth it. He uses his strength to overpower Kaitis, easily kicking her aside.
Meanwhile, Cad Bane, Aurra Sing, and Vorhdeilo covertly approach two of the ships being used by the hunters—a Weequay Corona-class armed frigate and a Trandoshan prisoner ship. Sing remarks that the Trandoshan vessel has a quicker take-off, but that the Weequay frigate will likely have more valuables on board. Bane throws two smoke bombs at the Trandoshan guards, using the smoke as cover before shooting them down. This distracts the Weequays guarding their own ship, allowing Sing to hit them from behind. As Sing commandeers the Weequay frigate, Vorhdeilo drags one of the guards aboard for a snack. Bane uses his rocket boots to join the others aboard the stolen ship and orders Sing to destroy the other grounded vessels before heading to pick up Maul.
Kaitis uses the Force to drive a hail of stone at Maul before he can land a killing blow. Surprised, Maul is then cut across the chest by the Padawan. Acknowledging that he underestimated his opponent, he tells her this is the fight he has been waiting for. As the duel continues he realizes that, while she is largely on the defensive, Kaitis is also waiting to strike—much like a Sith would. Kaitis tells Maul that she won't let him butcher her, but even if he does it won't be the thrill he is seeking as she is not a true Jedi, just a learner. Fighting between large rock formations, the Padawan backflips onto one but is quickly followed by Maul who kicks her away again. Kaitis responds by Force pushing Maul against another formation, throwing her lightsaber so that it lodges in the rock above his head. Maul mocks her lack of accuracy, but Kaitis tells him she was not aiming for him and at that moment the entire edifice collapses on top of him.
The Padawan moves to pick up her deactivated saber, but at that moment Maul erupts from the pile of rubble and runs her through with his own blade. A tear rolls down Kaitis' cheek and as she dies Maul tells her that she was mistaken about herself—she is a Jedi. Maul destroys her lightsaber and acknowledges his achievement. Walking back to rendezvous with the bounty hunters, he encounters the blinded FE-B3 who asks him for help. He responds by cutting the droid in half. His probe droids inform him that the bounty hunters have not abandoned him, to his surprise, but he resolves to make his own way home once he has paid them.
High above the moon, Xev calls for more wine from her attendants but receives no reply. Maul informs her that they have all been killed and a startled Xev asks him if she can barter for her life, to which Maul replies that money is of no interest to him. Xev asks if he is seeking to avenge Kaitis which angers Maul, but she goes on to say that revenge is what his kind deals in, explaining that she knows what he is. Xev names Maul as a Sith and he raises his lightsaber to strike her down.
Back on Coruscant, Darth Sidious asks Maul if his bloodlust has been sated by the death of the Padawan. Surprised, Maul asks how his master knew and Sidious replies that it was he who set the chain of events in motion, asking Maul if he really believed he could uncover a secret his master did not already know. Maul admits that he failed the test of loyalty, but Sidious states that the Sith are naturally defiant and that Maul has actually embraced the true nature of their Order. Sidious asks Maul if he is satisfied and Maul states that he is not, to which Sidious gives his approval. Maul is left to ponder his actions, realizing that Kaitis' death has not fulfilled him but only left him more hateful and empty.
- UPC 759606083725; July 19, 2017; Marvel Comics