Battle with Darth Marr II

~~~(POV: Nathan Opal)~~~

~~~(Location: Treasure Vaults of the Rakata, Belsavis)~~~

True to my words, I dart forward and attack him with a style of fighting he's never seen before. He's struggling to anticipate where my next attack is coming from, but he's a master of using Precognition. So he's adapting.

"You're proving to be a more formidable foe than I realized, Darth Marr. I underestimated you, and that's something I don't normally do."

Time is passing slowly, and he's starting to show improvements even as we fight. If I could put a number on it, I'd say I'm going about half of my full capabilities. It shows how great Darth Marr truly is.

Even as I lay on a heavy assault, he's shifting between Juyo and Soresu like a master. It shows the difference in our experiences.

He's so focused on making sure this goes on for 2 minutes that he's fighting to survive. Not to win. That's probably why he's adapting so fast. So he doesn't die.

I wouldn't kill him regardless, but in his stead, he's fighting for the life of his ally. Darth Marr is fighting for Darth Jadus. So in a sense, he's not fighting for survival. Which just makes what he's doing right now all the more impressive.

"Darth Marr, we have the door open!"

One of the technicians from the side interrupts the saber lock with his voice. But Darth Marr doesn't lose any focus. His ability to Focus makes him stand out in the hierarchy of Sith. In my opinion, his Focus and Willpower are equal to that of the Emperor.

If given the same amount of time that the Emperor had to gain his power, I think Darth Marr would surpass him. But that's not really an achievement. Since the Emperor's power isn't his own, but the Life Force of the people and plants he consumes.

"There is only 1 minute left, Marr. Do you think you can keep it up?"

The second I finish talking, I become far more unpredictable and fast. Marr is on the figurative ropes, and I'm nicking parts of his body with my blade, but I'm not getting any significant attacks in.

My limitless stamina and overwhelming attack power are starting to wear down on him, and he's being backed in the corner as he parries my strikes away. He's breathing heavily through his mask, and after another heavy assault, I see the opening I need.

"That's too bad..."

Before I can take advantage of the many openings, I'm given from his exhaustion. The time for our Duel is up, and as he releases this. He falls to one knee and takes deep long breaths.

"I haven't been in a fight that hard since my time as an initiate on Korriban... But it's insulting that you held back for most of the fight..."

SCORPIO walks up to me and looks me dead in the eyes.

"Are you done playing games with them? Or can we move on to what we need to do?"

Her voice is the same as it always is. It hardly ever changes tone, and as I'm about to respond, a long groan comes from Darth Jadus as the medical team treats him.

"Yes, and let's get a move on. I've had my fun... Oh, Darth Jadus. Be sure to thank Darth Marr. He's the reason you're alive right now. If it weren't for him, I would've killed you."

SCORPIO is already walking deeper into the pathways, and I follow her. Leaving the Imperials behind us, and the Sith along with them. They can have whatever they're looking for. I haven't decided if I'm helping the Republic or not.

What they find isn't my concern.

"Tell me, SCORPIO... Why did The Star Cabal choose Belsavis to store their bodies and minds? There are others worlds that would've been just as good. If not a bit better."

Belsavis offers many things, not including Rakatan Tech. But there are worlds that are less important and are more secure than this Prison World. I find it difficult that The Star Cabal didn't think they'd go undiscovered here.

Not to anyone outside The Star Cabal anyways.

"That's a long story, and I'm not in the mood to tell you it."

At least she's honest. She's predictable in her droid programming, but she evolves beyond all this eventually.