Kreia has been one of the best written npc's i have ever seen in a game. a great guide / mentor in this game. I think Obsidian had this in mind, maybe, so that her character would stand out so far above anyone else in terms of importance, allowing you to be influnced by her, either way( at least first time through) .
I think it was rather a shame to have you battle her in the end though. Would have rather seen you walk off and become another Darth/Master Sion, depending on alignment. Her using her tutees as pawns( and a continuation of that) would have been much more powerful, and thus put her back into the spotlight as the reason for the story, not you. battle can be quite uncivilized, with or without a blaster.
I admit to not buying this game for over a year, due to negative blabber all over the internet. What a fool i was. All of the plot reveals and dialouge push this one into art status. Makes the ending really not matter so much, as its the journey that the heart of the matter, as I Never liked endings much.
What a fantastic game.
cheers !