Part of what makes Star Wars so enjoyable to watch is the epic lightsaber duels that viewers can only get from this iconic franchise. But these are more than just awesomely choreographed battles between two skilled swordsmen. The lightsaber duels often carry a lot of weight and importance to the story, hence why they are usually showcased at the climaxes of the films.

While each film in the Skywalker Saga of Star Wars has its own lightsaber duels, among the most important of them is the Duel of the Fates. Taking place at the end of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the battle is fought with Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn on one side, and the Sith apprentice Darth Maul on the other.

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This fight is important not only to the story of the film it takes place in, but to the entire saga and all the events that would eventually transpire. The Duel of the Fates sets up the destinies — or fittingly, the fates — of both Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker, thus the fate of the galaxy entirely.

The Fight Confirmed the Return of the Sith

The Duel of the Fates takes place at the end of the film. Earlier in the movie, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had first encountered Darth Maul on the desert planet Tatooine while escorting Anakin Skywalker back to their ship before returning to Coruscant. Upon their return, the two Jedi informed the Jedi Council of their suspicions, concluding that the hooded assassin's skills and intentions could only be possible if he were a Sith Lord.

The Jedi Council refuted this notion, pointing out that the Sith had been extinct for a millennium. Jedi Master Mace Windu even suggested that if the Sith were to return, the Jedi would be made aware of their presence through the Force. But the wise and knowledgeable Jedi Master Yoda offered a counterclaim:

This idea that the Sith have the power to cloud the Force so that those looking through it can't see them comes up several times throughout the remainder of the prequel trilogy. It isn't until after the Duel of the Fates has concluded, however, that Yoda and Master Windu jointly conclude that the Sith has in fact returned. Thus, Yoda clarifies a crucial rule that applies to the Sith:

So, confirming that Darth Maul was indeed a Sith Lord meant there was another who still lived. But at this point, the question still remained: was Maul the master, or was he the apprentice?

Obi-Wan's Skills Were Put to the Test

During the actual fight, which was referred to as the Duel of the Fates, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon faced Maul together. However, they were often separated from each other, diminishing their advantage over the Sith Lord. More often than not, it was Obi-Wan who would be knocked down by Maul in situations that would take him a minute to rejoin the fight, leaving Maul and Qui-Gon to duel alone.

As the three of them ventured further into the power generator room of Theed Palace, there came a point where Maul and Qui-Gon were isolated from Obi-Wan by a series of laser gates. It was here that Maul bested Qui-Gon, delivering a fatal blow to the Jedi as Obi-Wan helplessly watched. But as the laser gates powered down for the last time, it was time for Obi-Wan to put his training to the ultimate test. He battled against Maul in the first lightsaber duel held in a millennium.

Throughout the Skywalker Saga, Obi-Wan is regarded as one of the most skilled Jedi Knights to wield a lightsaber. For him to have gained that reputation means he proved himself from the start. And the Duel of the Fates is the very beginning of Obi-Wan's masterful career as a Jedi. This is the man who would eventually defeat the deadly General Grievous, and even take down the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker himself.

And so, when Obi-Wan faced certain defeat, hanging from a light in a seemingly endless shaft in Theed Palace's power generator, with no lightsaber, he followed the will of the Force. He leaped over Maul as he called for Qui-Gon's lightsaber, before slicing the Sith Lord in half. Years later, Maul returned to seek vengeance upon Obi-Wan on Tatooine, but the then much older Jedi was still able to defeat him. And it was all thanks to his teachings and the confidence that the Duel of the Fates gave him in his lightsaber skills. This would lead to his many victories as a powerful Jedi Knight, General, and Master.

The Duel Set Obi-Wan Up to be Anakin's Jedi Master

The only reason Anakin is even brought in to train as a Jedi is because of Qui-Gon Jinn (and the Force). After Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan crash-landed onTatooine, they went into town in search of parts, and that's where they met Anakin. While this may seem incidental, Qui-Gon saw it as the will of the Force bringing him into contact with Anakin, whom he believed to be the Chosen One of the Jedi prophecy. He explained to the Jedi Council:

The prophecy states that a young Jedi, conceived by midi-chlorians, would be the Chosen one, and thus would eventually bring balance to the Force. Before the Duel of the Fates, Qui-Gon was seemingly the only one to believe this to be true. Even Obi-Wan doubted the notion. And so, Qui-Gon would have taken it upon himself to train Anakin as his padawan.

Alas, Qui-Gon didn't make it past the Duel of the Fates, dying at the hands of Darth Maul. But upon his death, he had but one request for Obi-Wan:

If anyone had respect for Qui-Gon, it was Obi-Wan. He followed through with his wish in the hope that Qui-Gon was right, that Anakin was the Chosen One and would bring balance to the Force. And when he had doubts or uncertainties, he would look to Qui-Gon for guidance. His old master eventually appeared to him as a Force Ghost on Tatooine to complete his training, advising Obi-Wan to hold his stance on his vision of the prophecy. If it weren't for Obi-Wan carrying out his master's request to train Anakin, then the Skywalker name in the epic that is Star Wars wouldn't have eventually brought balance to the Force. And it all started with what went down during the Duel of the Fates, and the sacrifice Qui-Gon Jinn made in the name of galactic peace.

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