Chapter Eleven
The way to the throne room from the rear was a confusing maze of tunneled hallways, but eventually, Obi-Wan made his way there. Just like Theed, most of the Mer had gone into hiding, fleeing to the distant caverns, so the rooms were mostly empty. However, the closer he came to where Sheev was located, the more guards began to appear. Now that he was in tune with the Force and could foresee the conclusion of this mission, Obi-Wan quickly relieved the larger Mer of their spears, having no choice but to decapitate one that refused to surrender without a fight. The other swam away and Obi-Wan chose to let him go.
Beyond the portal was a foyer where he was met by two more menacing-looking Mer. This pair was more talented in swordplay and used the water and the surrounding stone to their advantage. At one point, the Jedi was slammed against the wall while a pike damaged the rocky surface very close to his head. The impact caused pieces of stone to spatter against his face. With a move he had perfected during his Padawan years, Obi-Wan soon relieved one Mer of his weapon and shield and then pierced the other in the chest.
Unopposed, the knight then entered the Royal Chamber where he had expected to see Sheev himself sitting upon the throne. Despite his expectations, the murderer was nowhere to be seen.
Obi-Wan approached the throne carefully, keeping his Force senses alert. He moved just in time to avoid being impaled by a surprisingly accurately-thrown spear, which barely missed his shoulder before splitting a large shell behind him.
The power behind that throw had remarkably come from Sheev himself, who appeared from behind the golden throne and sneered at Obi-Wan.
"You will not succeed here, Jedi," the Mer vehemently told him in his mind. "I have foreseen my glorious rise. My time has finally come. No one can stop me."
Waves of dark current now seemed to emanate from the evil Mer, which Obi-Wan hadn't noticed before. It would explain how he was able to manipulate the lightsaber he now held in his hand.
Interesting. A Sith Lord living beneath the ocean? Now he had seen everything!
In a cyclone of energized water, Sheev twirled directly toward him with great speed, but Obi-Wan twisted out of the way, coming into contact with the red blade of the Mer's weapon, stopping his momentum. Sheev flipped around in the water, using his tail to knock Obi-Wan sideways.
The Jedi recovered quickly and used his feet to push against the stone wall, propelling himself forward. He avoided the jab of Sheev's sword and the two grappled fiercely. The Dark Force was providing this Mer additional strength but it wouldn't last long. Obi-Wan had youthful vigor on his side and he pushed the Steward back before swinging his 'saber around in a rapid series of powerful strikes, despite the pressure of the water working against him.
It lasted a fraction of a second, but the Jedi saw a flash of fear behind those yellow eyes just before Sheev bolted, his muscular tail carrying him upward through the portal in the ceiling. Obi-Wan pursued, although he could not keep up with Sheev's speed.
He continued his search, however, and rounded a tall spired building just as an arm thrust forth from the other side. In its hand wasn't any sort of weapon, but it did just as much damage. Suddenly, Obi-Wan was without his breather and Sheev cackled inside his mind.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle!" he said, quoting part of an ancient proverb.
Part of Obi-Wan's Jedi training had involved improving his lung capacity and the ability to stay underwater. But not at this depth and not undergoing this much exertion. Obi-Wan figured he had around ten minutes before his lungs would begin to burn. Therefore, he had to keep Sheev close so he wouldn't waste his energy in pursuit.
With the Force, he caused the spire to tumble toward the Mer, who deflected the debris with power of his own hand. In response, Sheev summoned an energy bolt that came flying toward Obi-Wan. He'd seen Dark users display this type of attack before, but never under the water. When he intercepted the strike with his lightsaber, his entire weapon, down to the hilt became electrified. The pain was excruciating, but he wasn't about to let go. Instead, Obi-Wan swam closer and closer, drawing the lightning with him, until with a powerful thrust, the energy left him and slammed into the old Mer, causing him to careen violently into the city wall. Obi-Wan could hear a bone or two break as a result. Sheev had to be in pain, but he was as well. Neither of them though was about to give up.
Switching hands to accommodate his damaged shoulder, the Mer flung his sword toward the Jedi like an arrow in a daring and desperate move. Obi-Wan was prepared for such a maneuver though, regarding it as a catch whenever he called forth his own lightsaber, and he managed to split the other hilt into pieces.
Now, defenseless and beaten, Sheev appeared to be boiling with rage. Instead of attacking Obi-Wan, however, he chose the easy way out and collapsed the heavy stone wall down upon himself.
Obi-Wan hurried forward to ensure the Mer was indeed dead. He wanted to see a body with his own eyes, but there was another battle occurring, and they all needed to know that it was over. Sheev was dead.
After sending out his Force senses in search of life beneath the rubble and finding none, the Jedi swam off toward the Mer line of defense, called for a truce, and told them their Steward had been defeated.
Instead of avenging their leader, as he worried they might, the soldiers simply shouldered their weapons and began to slowly swim back home.
It was over. He was now free to give Padmé all of his attention.
