Pairing: Q/O
Rating: PG-13
Series: Second in The Masked Series
Summary: Qui-Gon discovers the identity of Darth Maul (Set during
to Qui-Gon and Darth Maul's last battle)
Even if I was not aware of his presence on the other side of the barrier I would know he was there. The malevolent pressure beating at me is almost stifling. The waves rolling outward from him even blacker than the ebon fall of the cloak he shed earlier.
Strange. Although I have seen this Sith Lord but once before in my life, there is something almost familiar about him. His movements, his way of carrying himself, the intensity of his focus even as his pacing carries him from one wall to the other.
I do not need to look at him to see this, just as I do not need to glance over my shoulder to see my Padawan's expression. Frantic worry reaches me from even this distance and it takes every bit of my will not to shift enough to see him, to offer him the assurance that I will be fine - that we will be fine. There is too much unsaid, too much undone for it to be otherwise.
The locks are beginning their cycle. In one motion I stand and ignite my lightsaber. The Sith waits for me, his fiery eyes shining with bloodlust even through the distortion of the energy field. I cannot fail here. For the Council, for the boy, for Obi-Wan.
Such fury in his attack. Let him wear himself out, let him be the one to make the first mistake. Again, that nagging sense of familiarity draws my focus away from the battle. The answer eludes me, dividing my concentration when I most need it whole.
Power hums and flares around us as our blades clash. He wields his double-edged saber with vicious skill, his attacks seeming to come at me from all sides at once. A faint surge in the Force and I know what his next move will be. A pivot, a change of balance and he is off the walkway, falling to the span below.
I follow, pressing the attack as I had not before. The end is near. The air around us smells of ozone and sweat. I can feel Obi-Wan's touch in my mind, the contact infusing me with a fresh sense of determination. This Sith Lord must not be allowed to harm another being.
Spurred on by my Padawan's vigor I close with the dark warrior, staring into his eyes for some clue as to who he is, where he has come from and why. The pitch of the hum of our weapons rises as they strain against each other between us, the energy of the blades the only thing separating our bodies.
Who is he? As if hearing my question, the corners of the Sith's mouth lift in a sardonic smile. Oblivious to the deadly lasers between us he stares fully into my eyes and inclines his head to the left as if to show me something.
No . . .
He understands. Now it is time.
Shock slows his reflexes, making my next move childishly easy. His head snaps back as the hilt of my saber connects with his chin. The horrified recognition so apparent in his eyes gives way to disbelief as a simple twist of my wrists sinks my blade deep within his body.
He remains silent though his Padawan's scream rents the air around us. This is victory and it is sweet. He slides off the beam of my lightsaber gracelessly to collapse in a heap on the walkway, his own weapon deactivated and useless. Would that I could savor this moment longer, but the locks will soon cycle again and there is another who awaits me.
You shall see him again soon Qui-Gon, this I promise you.