Child of War

Duel

Maul didn't notice me until I had ignited my lightsabers, the orange glow casting shadows across his face. He turned to face me, the Dark Saber hilt still clutched in his hand.

"You just made a serious mistake." My voice was muffled by the helmet.

Maul smirked as he drew his lightsaber and ignited his own blades, red and black, the same as his skin. "Not half as serious as yours."

Obi wan moved to aid me, but the guards caught him by the arms.

"Take him away." Maul addressed them. "Let him rot in his misery." He returned his gaze to me. "You are foolish. How can you hope to win? I have an army."

I raised one of my blades, using it to point at his chest. "And what if this is a challenge? The Deathwatch are honor-bound."

Maul glared at me. "I am not the Deathwatch."

"No." I agreed. "But if you deny me, they will deny you. Refusing this challenge means throwing away your honor. The Deathwatch will not serve a leader with no honor."

Maul scanned his followers, growling as his gaze returned to me. "It seems you're right." He conceded, when no one responded to his beckoning gaze.

"So, what will it be, Maul?" I gripped my lightsabers tighter. "Lose your followers or lose your life."

His scowl broke into a devious grin. "You overestimate yourself."

I raised my blades. "Why don't you come and find out."

He lunged forward, pressing all his weight down on me as I blocked his searing blades. I dropped onto my back and kicked him in the stomach. I rolled to my feet and faced my opponent. He rose and reignited his blades, glaring at me intensely. I held my lightsabers at the ready. He leapt across the room, landing heavily on top of me. I blocked his attack and spun out of the way, making a quick swipe at his waist.

There was a small blast of sparks as I managed to slice a wire connected to his robotic legs.

He grunted as his knee buckled, forcing him to kneel. In anger, he slashed wildly at me. His red lightsaber swiped my helmet, knocking me onto my side and wrenching the barely damaged  helmet off of my head.

Even though I was uninjured, blurry spots interrupted my vision from the red flash. My eyes cleared as Maul pointed his lightsaber threateningly at my neck.

"What are you waiting for?" I spat. "Finish it."

He gestured to two of the guards and lowered his blade. "I told you, I am not honor bound. And I've won this fight."

Two pairs of hands pulled me to my feet.

"Lock her up." Maul limped to his throne and sat down.

That was the last thing I saw before the doors closed behind me.