Duel Galactic Kaggath Round 1: Fenn Stagg vs Balun Dashiell

[Mauve du Vain]

x

The arena floor rumbled and shook, the entire surface sliding open like a missile silo to reveal… an enormous Wroshyr tree rising up from the lower levels. It towered so high that its upper branches crested the arena and stood nearly eye level with the skybox. It sat upon a grassy, fern littered field. Amid the ferns, shapes prowled. Dangerous predators. Vornskrs. Force hunting beasts.

The boughs of the Wroshyr tree criss-crossed, forming limbs as wide as Coruscanti skywalks that the combatants could duel upon.

Droids hovered in the air around the tree, some with cameras, but many projecting interlinking rayshields so that the duelists could not interfere with the duels of the others. Of course… ray shields could always fail.

If any of the combatants fell to the ground far below, they risked being set upon by the vornskrs.

The announcers’ disembodied voice cut through as the combatants took their places on the boughs of the tree. “Honoring those who fell in the Battle of Kashyyyk between the One Sith and Republic, so many years ago, I give you the FIRST ROUND of the GALACTIC Kaggath!”

“It’s the judge. It’s the jury. It’s the karjr. The Mandalorian Commando. THE. FEEEEEENN STAAAAAGGGGGG.”

“AND. Facing him across the wroshyr, the High Republic’s own, the Jedi Padawan BALUN. DASHIELL.”

"CHALLENGERS! BEGIN!"

Fenn Stag | Balun Dashiell

 

[Fenn Stag]

VIOLENCE IS ALL I KNOW

Balun Dashiell​

“It’s the judge. It’s the jury. It’s the karjr. The Mandalorian Commando. THE. FEEEEEENN STAAAAAGGGGGG.”

He was by far, the epitome of that- judge, jury. And today, perhaps, executioner. He was crouched low, across from his opponent. A smaller, younger Jedi. Unfortunately for the Jedi before him- it took the Sword of the Jedi and her padawan to take him down with half his mind gone. He ran his hand- his remaining true hand, across the floor of where they were.

Grounding himself, he took a deep breath. He held his helmet in his right hand, standing tall, leaving the spear on the ground. He narrowed his eyes, his warpaint concealing all but the cruel blue eyes that stared down the Jedi. He slid the helmet over his head. In part, it was to show the Jedi that he was a man, not a faceless entity. He was nearly twice the size of the Jedi, both in height and in mass. Perhaps more experienced in violence, not just training. The Jedi trained to be balanced. To be knowledgeable. To be kind, to be poised and elegant, kind and helpful. Hours of study, reading, teachings, meditations.

Fenn trained to kill and nothing more.

"You may not die here, by my hand. I do not intend to kill you."

He craned his neck, as his HUD activated, coordinating to track his eyes to activate certain systems. He pulled his crushgaunts tight, rolling his fingers together. He looked down at himself, checking himself over once more, one final time.

"But you will suffer."

He leaned over the spear, picking it up and giving it a few slamming motions against the ground. The spear was once the property of Hakon Fett. He had come for Fenn's head. He failed. Fenn killed him in the dunes stars away from the Jedi, but the Jedi was going to feel the lethality and tenacity of the weapon. He took a deep breath, pacing back and forth. In the force, he was like his father in a way- angry, cruel, violent, poised- but focused. Like a wolf prowling in the night.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

“AND. Facing him across the wroshyr, the High Republic’s own, the Jedi Padawan BALUN. DASHIELL.”

"Ugh, I'm not a bloody Jedi..." Balun muttered begrudgingly under his breath as he took up his position some distance across from where Fenn Stag was crouched. The Wroshyr Tree that was to be their combat arena was far larger than the datafiles had ever done it justice, the single branch they shared alone spanned a greater width than one of Coruscant's skywalks, providing ample space for the agility that he could only presume would be crucial, judging by the look of his opponent.

Watching his opponent, and listening out for further instruction or for both fighters to otherwise be cut loose and the match be set underway, Balun took the time to quickly double-check his equipment. His Bryar Pistol was second nature to him, his thumb snaping back the button on the holster and drawing the blaster into one hand, raising it with the barrel pointing skyward before him within plain sight of his opponent while turning side on, so that Fenn would note that he wasn't taking liberties before the appropriate time was upon them. All was right with the firearm, and it would be returned to its leather holder against his left hip.

"You may not die here, by my hand. I do not intend to kill you."

"But you will suffer."

Balun had been halfway turned back to face his opponent when he heard the man's words, his hands padding down his somewhat make-shift variety of Force User robes and reinforced plating, one of his first sets of armour that he had created and adjusted to fit along the way for sentimental value. It still had good use, after all.

"I came here to make a name for myself. I don't need the credits, and I've no desire to kill," Balun replied, soon drawing his lightsaber hilt and pointing it off to the side, triggering the activation stud and sending the blade screaming into activity with a loud snap-hiss of amber energy. He would proceed to give the weapon a swift and fluid series of swings, only to fall into a settled stance once more and deactivate the weapon finally. "I am, however, an experienced fighter and I give you my word that I will give as good as I get," He concluded, soon lowering his head with respect to his opponent.

Balun didn't know Fenn; he had no reason to have anything against the stranger. They were both here with a purpose, and this was a competition of skill and martial prowess. Though his life was on the line with the Galactic Kaggath, Stagg's was not, unless, of course, the man, for whatever reason, stopped giving it his all mid-fight.

"CHALLENGERS! BEGIN!"

This time, Balun's Lightsaber flared into life once more and remained active, the thrum of activity feeding a constant vibration through his hand as the orange blade cast a warm glow at his feet. His left hand reached for his Pistol, capitalising on keeping is distance from the man's spear for as long as possible as Balun instead brought the firearm to bare, ironsights upon Fenn while he began to step backwards, his finger squeezing off four shots, one after the other as a start to guage the mans response.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

OR'PARGUUR BAL AKAAN

Balun Dashiell

​

He was prepared the moment the younger man drew the blaster. He wasn't experienced fighting like Fenn- that much he knew. The tell-tale signs of drawing a weapon were there- the Jedi telegraphed his movements too much early on, and Fenn had plenty of time to prepare- at least, prepare to take a hit. His helmet turned only slightly towards the weapon. A blaster. The cartridge pack and the vents allowed him to come to the conclusion. He liked his chances, wearing Beskar armor.

And when the Jedi fired four shots at him, knocking him to his knees but with only sharp TINGS to show for the man's effort- he was correct. Sparks flew on impact. The weapon was hard-hitting, and despite Fenn's size and musculature, the kinetic impact was still there. Less so than a slugthrower or other weapons- but there was still mass behind a blaster, kinetic energy and impact.

Fenn remained low, on his knees, breathing heavy. He stood still for a moment- and then, his right knee picked up from the ground just half an inch or so. The spear in his hands lifted up, angling across his chest, held horizontally-

And Fenn activated his jetpack from his knees, flying towards the Jedi, legs lifting up to safely scream across their arena. The spear came across his body, protection from the inevitable retaliation from the lightsaber, or perhaps to catch him in an attempt to dodge. Fenn went to close the distance on the two, and overpowering the Jedi physically was foremost on his mind.

But no words were spoken beyond that. There would not be.

Now, there was only hate and violence.


Translations:

1. Or'parguur bal akaan - Hate and War

​

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[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

'Chit, Mandalorian Iron' Balun's expression hardened as he recognised the threat of his opponents' Beskar'gam. The blaster bolts had found their mark and hit with heavy impact, causing Fenn to falter. Yet, the man's armour was made of a metal that helped stoke the flames that followed in the wake of Mandalorian history, a culture famed for warriors whose combat abilities were renowned across the Galaxy. Balun himself did not have first-hand experience with their kind, but he had learned the history, and his interest in forging new technologies and weapons had naturally led him to read into what he could find on the Holonet regarding Beskar Iron. Not only would his Blaster be practically useless here, but his lightsaber was certain to have a hard time against the thickest parts of Stagg's plating. It appeared that he would need to look for weaknesses, not only in the armour but also in his opponent's technique in close quarters.

When Fenn Stag rose to his feet once more, Balun's body visibly tensed. He shifted his right foot back, while returning the blaster to its holster as he watched Stag turn his spear side-on, angled horizontally across his torso. It was a curious choice, unexpected. Balun had expected that perhaps he might try to throw it to cover the distance, but he was instead alarmed by the sudden activation of the Mandalorian's Jetpack. With such a distance between them, Fenn was now being propelled towards him, not high but across the arena that was the great Wroshyr branch they fought upon, picking up momentum all the way; Balun only had seconds before Stagg would be upon him.

He hadn't wished to rely upon the Force so soon into the fight, but given the urgency, Balun placed his weight on his back (right) foot, his right hand drawing his lightsaber down to his side while his eyes watched Stagg intensely. Feeling out every vibration in the flow of energies that moved between him and his foe, He attempted to time his aerial counterattack as precisely as possible. Energy pooled to him, power rushing inward as he channelled what strength he could in such few precious seconds before launching himself up into the air in a Force-assisted somersault, attempting a one-eighty degree spin whilst lashing out with his Lightsaber, a single-armed attack, light yet fast.

( Happy to leave it to you regarding whether Balun has the height to actually get clear of Fenn's attack given he had such little time to prepare. )

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

TWO SIMPLE WORDS
Balun Dashiell​

The attack hadn't done what he wanted, but it closed the distance. The two were within striking distance of each other. But the Jedi was a springy bastard. And quick. He went up and over him- and he heard the rushing of the blade behind and above him. He tucked his head back, the armored cowl protecting the back of his neck. The blade found purchase across his back, striking his jetpack directly. The jetpack- not made of Beskar but rather lighter materials, was cut deeply, sparks and fuel igniting internally, rendering it useless.

Fenn moved quickly, disengaging the magnetic locks that held it onto his armor, letting it fall to the floor with a heavy thud. He approached the Jedi as he landed, giving the Jedi little respite despite a good attack on Fenn, removing a deadly threat for him and a valuable tool for Fenn. Armored hands grasped the spear tightly, and instead of thrusting it into the guard- he raised it up high, and drove it downwards like a sledgehammer into the Jedi's guard. And with nearly a foot of height and almost twice the mass of the Jedi before him-

His perfectly-executed Falling Avalanche was something to behold. And, it indicated that Fenn had fought, possibly even trained with Jedi before. Or at least knew enough of their tricks to turn it against them, and enough that in short-

That it was probably not a good thing to be on the receiving end of.

He was silent, he was ferocious as he attacked. No mercy, no respite, no pause. Just violence.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

As his blade met with solid mass and Balun spun through the air, he didn't have the time nor the visual acuity to note the accuracy of his strike. Slicing through whatever part of his opponent his blade had met, the amber lightsaber once more felt weightless as it left its mark. Gravity brought both Balun with his weapon and Fenn Stag with his Spear to the ground, followed by another part of his armour being caught by Balun's gamble. He didn't have time to make sense of what exactly he had achieved as his feet hit the solid bark of the Wroshyr Branch once more and looked back up to find that the Mandalorian Warrior was equally as quick to recover.

Stagg held the advantage while wielding his spear, the reach of his weapon greater than that of Balun's standard model of Lightsaber. Now knowing that his Blaster would be of little avail with the warrior still clad in beskar, Balun was forced to confront the risk of close-quarter combat against someone versed in fighting with a polearm.

Fenn Stagg had already raised the spear by the time that Balun had grounded himself and taken his lightsaber into both hands. Recognising the coming attack, his eyes widened as the spear came down with frightening strength. Not having the time to defend himself, Balun simply threw himself sideways to the ground as the weapon clashed against the bark where he had been standing; He heard it but he landed hard, unprepared for the sudden evasion and slightly winded, forcing himself to try to scramble to his feet in a bid to recover.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

SUFFER UNTO ME
​

Fenn felt the spear vibrate in his hands, smashing into the tree bark below their feet. It remained there, as he left it. A conscious choice- and Fenn turned, walking towards the Jedi who was scrambling to his feet.

And with frightening speed, power, and ferocity-

Went to kick him square in the chest. But not hard enough to break bone, to shatter ribcages. No, to get him to go back, if the kick landed. He sneered beneath his helmet, rolling his hands into fists.

"On your feet, Jetii."

A statement, a matter-of-fact. Fenn was not going to fight a man on the ground. He wanted the Jedi on equal footing, equal terms. He reached to his back, drawing his Beskad and stood tall. The dishonor shown by others would not be present by Fenn.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

Pushing himself up against the bark of the branch beneath him, Balun quickly turned back in a desperate attempt to lay his eyes upon his opponent. He had left himself open, broken his line of sight, and so too his defence. He needed to know where and what Fenn was planning next. His instincts were screaming at him to get up, to brace himself, but it was too late.

Balun found Stag too late. The man's armoured boot smashed against Balun's chest with such a collision that it felt as if he had been kicked by a Dravark. He had barely gained his footing, only to be taken off of his feet once more, hitting the ground hard on his back, the momentum of Stag's kick almost causing him to roll backwards, though he only made it halfway before having to contort his body, instead rolling sideways place some distance between them.

"On your feet, Jetii."

Hazily climbing back to his feet, staggering in his recovery, Balun tried to cough through the pain as he tried to clear his throat before taking in a deep breath and reorienting himself. Stag had shown him a mercy in a sense, choosing not to turn the spear on him while he was on the ground, something that Balun would not forget. It seemed that despite the ferocity in the man's approach to combat, there was also a sense of honour to be found. This was something that Balun recognised and could relate to, though he had been trained in the ways of the Jedi and lived a vastly different life than that of the Mandalorian culture, he too did his utmost to conduct himself with integrity. Especially in combat.

"Well met", Balun spoke up, keeping his gaze upon Fenn Stag as he offered the compliment, sincere and with respect, yet not making the mistake of letting his guard down a second time. He simply wished to acknowledge the other warrior's efforts, as well as his decision to allow Balun the opportunity to recover and to continue the fight on equal footing.

Once more, his lightsaber ignited with a sharp scream of plasma as the amber energy surged from the blade emitter and took its form, Balun bringing it to bare in both hands, blade held high in a readied stance as his feet parted and he shifted his weight forward. Fenn Stag, being an experienced fighter, might note that the younger man's body language suggested that he was balancing himself in preparation to go on the attack this time. A bid to make up for the momentum in the fight that the Mandalorian had thus far seemed to be winning.

Without a further word, Balun drove himself forward in full flight towards Stag. There wasn't a great distance between them, and thus he quickly drew the lightsaber down low to his right side, the blade trailing the wroshyr branch with every hastened step as he rushed the armoured warrior. Rather than meet Stag head on, however, Balun quickly stepped off to right, his foot touching down and leg bending as he called upon the force to assist with his momentum in a second sidestep this time clearing across to the left, a feint in an attempt to make Stag mistake his angle of attack.

It would be from the left side that his blade would come to be drawn high with both hands in a wide horizontal arc, attempting to cleave across the leg and right side of Stag's torso if his assault met its mark. While the Mandalorian's Beskar'gam was sturdy, the strength of Djem So applied in combination with elevated agility through use of the Force, Balun hoped to test the hold that the armor had upon it's wearer and to perhaps at the very least slow Stag down some. If he could not best the man's defences, then, perhaps he could hope to outlast him.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW

Balun Dashiell

​

The Jedi was fast.

Much faster than he anticipated.

The blade came fast, low, to his left, then to his right- then back to his left. A feint. He couldn't hope to bring the heavier Beskad up in time. He tucked his arm down, and the lightsaber slammed against his armor, sparks showering. The heat coursed through his flightsuit, singing the fabric and the skin underneath. He only let out a grunt of frustration as he felt the superficial burn on his left arm. The Jedi was able to tear through his defense with speed and speed alone. The Jedi could hear the grunt of pain, the success of his attack.

For this instance, at least. Fenn was not a one-trick pony, and neither was the Jedi he imagined.

Both of the Jedi's hands were on the hilt of his lightsaber. He was leaned over, cleaving into his side. Fenn was above him- and looking down at the smaller, shorter statured Jedi. He didn't cleave him with the Beskad, he didn't stab, slash like he imagined the Jedi wanted him to.

Fenn's right elbow came barreling towards the Jedi's exposed, unprotected face in the very close distance between the two.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

The two combatants collided together, and Balun had sealed his fate, thrown himself into the attack; there was no way of avoiding the plated shoulder that met him, carried by the full weight of Fenn Stag 's greater physique. The cold, impenetrable mandalorian iron plating hit him face first with such a force that it shook his head sideways, Balun's momentum and the sudden immovable retaliation from his opponent sent him into a spin, stumbling has he maintained his footing yet painstakingly steering himself away as his eyes were blurred by tears that had instantly welled.

Adrenaline from the fight carried him, yet the single blow had rattled his mind, and he hadn't the awareness to realise the damage that had been done. The bridge of his nose held a deep gash, the bone broken. Fenn would come to see the result of his quick thinking as Balun turned back around to face him, still staggered and raising his left arm to wipe his bloodied face with his sleeve. He could taste his blood, metallic and saline; his face was wet with it, and the pain was difficult to see through. He spat red, trying to rid himself of it, though to no avail.

'Grist, this isn't going well, ' he condemned himself, watching Stag closely. After taking such a heavy blow to the head, his confidence had been shaken, and so he decided to fall back once more on the defensive. There was still a fight to be had, and one to be survived at the very least. His opponent was more than worth his weight, that much Balun had learned firsthand. Yet his agility had paid off, so he had learned something about Stag at least. The weight of his armour, or perhaps it was the difference in their build, but the Mandalorian was slower than Balun was. If he could avoid any further blows to the head, maybe he could somehow still see this to the end.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

DOWN INTO MY WORLD
​

"Breathe through your mouth."

He offered the advice to the Jedi, noting his nose. Breathing would become labored, if not downright painful. But then again, Jedi were known for their trickery and control of themselves. Perhaps he was able to tolerate the pain with the force. Or perhaps, without it.

He walked- sauntered, even, forward, pressing into the Jedi's guard with a slither-step motion. He brought the Beskad across his body- and went to slam into the Jedi's guard. And with the added benefit of a physical blade, once in his guard he hoped to press with his left hand on the blade, hoping to push the Jedi's guard in. Either way, he wanted to test the Jedi's remaining mettle.

Fenn was not one to count on early victories. He did not have the overconfidence or zealotry of others, the self-assurance of victory. He had been in too many fights, wars, battles, and bounties to know that at a moment's notice, victory could slip away with just a singular instance of choice, consequence, or happenstance.

Either way, he pressed his attack. The Jedi was too fast to allow any moment of respite- if he didn't keep up the attack, he risked the Jedi beginning to outmaneuver him.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

There was no alternative; Balun's nose was clogged with blood, and any attempt to exhale through it brought sharper, blinding pains. There was little need to respond, though Fenn's advice wasn't unappreciated given their unusual circumstances. Balun didn't mistake the Mandalorian's consideration for lesser intent to commit to the fight, and as if to reaffirm the fact, @Fenn Stagg set forward on the attack once again.

Stag's approach was not one of full flight, but as though he were stalking his prey. His saunter towards Balun, who held his Lightsaber at the ready, encroached upon him with an air of confidence in his strength and continued ground gained throughout their duel. The Mandalorian's approach was direct; Balun recognised the lack of need for theatrics in his movements when he held the advantage over the younger combatant in physical prowess, strength, and stature, leaving Balun the underdog in the fight without relying complicitly upon his knowledge and practice of the Force.

Once more, Balun stepped in to push his weight forward, meeting Stag as their weapons clashed against one another, the streamlined currents of the lightsaber meeting the Beskad, sparks of heat flaring off in every direction, pelting against them both as their weapons held and they stood locked battle, a challenge of strength but also a need for Balun to prove to himself that he still had a chance to see the fight through to its end.

Stag was indomitable against Balun's smaller size, yet he held his own through gritted teeth. The need for his focus to be entirely upon the moment helped in seeing through the pain of the previous blow to his nose, yet he was conscious of receiving another as well. A hint of doubt or fear lingered upon the edge of his mind and clouded the confidence he needed to retain his composure.

"You're going easy on me" Balun spoke through clenched jaws, his hands struggling to keep his Lightsaber angled against the strength of Stag's hold of the Beskad; "You're holding back aren't you" he stated the obvious whilst they remained locked in place, their weapons shifting against one another, steel against plasma, the constant thrum and hiss of energy contesting the blade of resistant iron.

"Oh my! Looks like someone

BROKE

THE​

TREE!" ​

"My oh my, will our duelists survive that whirlwind of broken branches and shattered wood?! Either way,

(Link to post)

Something changed, not between himself and Stag but a sudden shift in the flow of energies around him and an instinct that screamed the need to move, the Force called to him, told him of the impending danger before he caught something in his peripheral vision, not from the side but from above, followed by a loud and violent cracking of the Wroshyr trunk.

Balun's left hand opened, his palm still backing the hilt of his lightsaber yet he called to the Force with all his strength in a bid to summon as much power as he could, channeling and directing the Force from his core through to his left hand and finally expelling a strong telekinetic blast with the sole intention of throwing his opponent clear of the falling debris.

There was no time to read the effect of his use of the Force; his eyes rose skyward as he bent at the knees, soon launching himself several meters backwards. The branches collided with their would-be battleground, wood splintering and snapping loudly. The branches were enormous, the size large enough to kill a man, and the branch the two combatants stood upon quaked beneath their feet from the impact.

Other combatants were fighting higher within the tree, those who were not nearly so reluctant to use their ability in the Force. Balun stood with his lightsaber at his side, his left hand free of the weapon now and extending out to the debris that stood between him and, hopefully, where Stag was still somewhere in one piece further behind them. Reaching out, he cast his arm to the side, the debris that hadn't toppled over the edge, now being moved as though they weighed next to nothing against Balun's control in the Force, sending them over and opening up the pathway for their battle to continue.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

OUR FIGHT, OUR TIME

​

He didn't have time to respond- if he even would.

The tree, the world it felt like, came down around the pair. The great and mighty tree was felled- a sickening series of crunching, then falling wood rained down around him. However, this distraction also made it apparent that he lost sight of the Jedi for a moment.

A moment that the Jedi took advantage of.

His feet moved first, lifting out from under him. It was an odd sensation to say the least, being carried upwards. He felt himself go back violently firstly, then he braced for the impact. Gel layer, flight suit, armor- it was still going to hurt.

And it did.

The Jedi's kindness, perhaps, elicited a groan. At best, Fenn was going to suffer a few cracked bones here and there. At best, heavy bruising on his back and ribs. Unpleasant to say the least. The Jedi showed great prowess with the force there, and it was something to behold. Fenn stood up tall, creaking the wood that had fallen on him. He held tightly to his Beskad during his ordeal, and he watched as the Jedi cleared the rest of their arena without so much as a thought or pain of effort.

"Impressive."

The way he said it, the inflection, the sing-song way he said it. Fenn was smiling under his helmet. His helmet tilted only slightly upwards and to the left. Fenn took a shaky breath, the pain in his ribs sharp, but not debilitating. It wasn't restrictive on his breathing just yet- another sharp blow like that and he'd be in for more trouble than he wanted to be in.

Fenn re-engaged, dragging his Beskad on the ground- only to leave it there, entrenched in the bark. Crushgaunts reached out- and went to catch and hold the lightsaber blade. Ionized beskar went to meet the lightsaber blade- from his left hand. And the other, his right fist came screaming in a low, sharp jab to the Jedi's stomach.

"Fight like a Jedi."

A challenge, an instruction, a wish, a command.

Perhaps Fenn was not as savage as they made him, or how he presented himself, to be.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

With their battleground cleared of debris, the fight commenced once more.

Fenn Stag began in his approach, going on the attack as had become the pattern of their duel; Yet he did something unthinkable, not only did he challenge Balun to use the Force within their fight, encouraging to do so without the restraint that he had thus far shown, but he left his Beskad behind.

The Mandalorian's armoured hand took hold of the blade of Balun's lightsaber, the Crushgaunts protecting him from the churning energy that hissed against the beskar as he held the weapon in place and sought to turn his free hand in against Balun's lower stomach, yet in an act that might be considered out-of-character compared to how the fight had been conducted on Balun's behalf, his right hand dropped, fingers outstretched as power once more resonated through his arm to catch Stag's closed, armoured fist before it could make contact.

No contact was made between Balun's right hand and Stag's gauntlet, yet the resistance would seem incredible in comparison to Balun's size and stature. Between the closed fist of the Mandalorian and the open hand of the younger Force User, a pale blue aura, only marginally visible to the natural eye, exposed the nature of Balun's feat. He had stopped the punch not with his hand, but with the application of tutaminis: projecting a field of energy meant to protect from the kinetic impact and instead utilising it as a means of halting Stag's attack dead in its tracks.

"You're asking me to use the Force when you are unable to. The Force doesn't factor in strength, weight or speed" Balun spoke as he stood face to face with Stag; this time, the words weren't spoken through clenched teeth, but rather Balun seemed to be unburdened by the barrier stopping Stag's gauntlet from reaching him.

All of a sudden, the blade of his lightsaber deactivated by command, leaving Stag's left hand holding only air. Balun's knee rose, his boot leaving the ground before he kicked out at Stag's stomach as if mimicking his prior attempt to target Balun's own. The energy between them dissipated as Balun's concentration shifted, instead pressing his weight against his opponent and launching himself into a backwards somersault with the mind to put several more feet between himself and the Mandalorian once more.

He landed softly, knees bending to absorb his return to the solid wroshyr surface. He looked across towards Stag, face still bloodied, yet it had darkened as though it had begun to dry upon his skin, marring his expression, yet he seemed to be somehow calmer, less desperate than previously. The Force flowed around him in strength, and he channelled it in body, mind and spirit.

"If this is how the fight is to continue, then you need your weapons" Balun made his own demand, his left hand extending towards the broken wroshyr branches in the background further behind the Mandalorian, calling the Baskad that had been entrenched within the wood and using his control and ability to telekinetically guide it back towards the Mandalorian's side; "Your spear as well. I didn't want to rely upon the Force to fight you, but if you're going to call me out....-Best you have every weapon available to you. No more holding back".

"-For either of us".

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

THE LOCUSTS KEEP THEIR RHYTHM

​

He stood silent, though his head moved when the Jedi's body glowed. A feat that Fenn had not yet seen to date. The flip-kick did little to him- as perhaps by design by the Jedi. Fenn was curious to his motives at first- but then found himself smiling underneath his helmet more than before.

The Jedi called him on it.

Fenn was holding back.

He reached out, grasping the Beskad at the Jedi's request. He didn't want the spear- the Jedi was too fast for the distance to be an advantage. He stood tall, placing the Beskad underneath his arm, rolling his shoulders, composing himself.

"I am Fenn Stag, son of Preliat Mantis. I am Kyr'tsad Ori'ramikade, the Karjr." He narrowed his eyes behind his helmet. "I am a son of Mandalore, a son of the Taung." He put the Beskad into his right hand, his left hand whirring- the mechanical arm gearing up for the increased straight. He rolled his arm over, the metallic sound and whirring of gears, motors, and electrical components that powered his arm occupying the air for a moment.

He tapped the Beskad against the armored plates of his forearm.

"I am the weapon."​

And with that, he charged forward, faster than before. Faster than he had been moving. Fenn put more into his physicality than most- he had to. He wore heavier armor, and it showed- although Mandalorian armor, despite common misconception, was extremely light. The legendary iron of the Mandalorians was lighter than most, and even in some cases, lighter than Durasteel. Fenn's was heavier- Beskar'kandar, forged for the greater, more capable warriors. Like his father.

Like him.

He charged forward, and at the Jedi's wish, ceased holding back. He brought the Beskad under his left arm, raising up his left arm to give it pass- then slashed at the Jedi's midsection. Fast, low, brutal, violent, nearly for the kill.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

Speed. Agility. Evasion and counterattack. That was the proven play thus far into the fight, and now with the Force unbridled at his command, relinquishing his restraint and allowing himself to invest complicity within the power at his command, Balun would adhere to the Mandalorian's challenge.

Fenn Stag 's charge was furious, carrying greater strength and speed, as though to make up for Balun showing similar prowess only moments earlier with the assistance of the Force. The young Rogue Jedi lowered himself only enough to bend at the knees and once again channel the force through his core, utilising the ethereal energies within his control for additional strength before soon taking a single step to the side and throwing himself to the wind.

Leaping through the air, his lightsaber whirled as his sword hand whipped the blade sideways, and he released the hilt. The amber sword pulsed loudly as it spun with violent speed, arcing around through short distance between them, Balun guiding it telekinetically. The Sabre throw wasn't meant to catch Stag head-on but to angle around towards his side or rear, depending on how far his machine armour took him.

Balun's boots hit the surface of the Wroshyr branch once more, his right hand extending, reaching out and calling upon his weapon as he pivoted upon his right heel to spin anti-clockwise in a bid to catch the Mandalorian within his line of sight once more. Within seconds, he would ascertain whether his attack against Stag had met it's mark, let alone having the desired effect of wearing down his armour, yet those precious seconds would also see his weapon returning to him, lest his opponent had been quick enough in his reflexes to somehow halt its guided trajectory too.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

WE DO THIS IN SPITE
​

He remembered his training. Jedi, while unpredictable in their abilities, were somewhat predictable in their attacks. In fact, it was not a secret how they fought- the disciplines of lightsaber combat were not kept secret, especially after all this time. So when the lightsaber left his hand, it was quite easy to track.

Track, not react to.

It flew through the air, soaring, scouring the air with the smell of plasma as it raced towards Fenn. He pivoted on his heel, not fast enough to catch it, change it's directory- but quick enough to put up his beskad. The lightsaber bounced, sparking across his armor, the lightsaber meeting his chestplate and arm armor, arcing across the Beskar, leaving a scorch of carbon as it met it.

Fenn, however, was undeterred, and turned back to the Jedi.

And charged.

Feet built up momentum, speed, power, aggression. The tree cracked under his charge. He gave only a slight grunt, not a roar, not a war cry. He only pushed forward to slam his body, or more specifically- his shoulder, into the Jedi. Crude, but effective, violent, impactful. And mostly, he needed to close the distance and gain the advantage back in the fight. He couldn't hope to outmaneuver the Jedi, so he needed to put him in a disadvantage and on the defense. Which- as aggressive as he was, Fenn could do. He just needed to make sure the Jedi didn't get back into an advantageous position with his speed and the force, which meant that Fenn needed to put him constantly on the backfoot and not let him have time to focus.

Easier said than done, however.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE FIRST GALACTIC KAGGATH - ROUND ONE: FENN STAGG VS BALUN DASHIELL
INVENTORY: Field Apparel | Lightsaber | K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Fenn Stag

​

As Balun spun around upon his heel to turn back and face his opponent, he lowered himself into a readied stance, feet evenly spaced and his arms out at his sides, anticipating the return of his Lightsaber while his focus narrowed upon the Mandalorian with a scrutinous gaze. The dominant Fenn Stag had managed to parry the Saber throw, seemingly deterring the weapon from hitting him with the full impact that the Rogue Jedi had hoped for. Signs of wear were visible across the larger warrior's cuirass, and yet it did not cease the Mandalorian from pursuing Balun once more.

Stag's armoured boots carried him with intimidating power, whatever mechanics worked beneath the exterior Beskar plating of his armour, helped to balance the warriors greater physique with amplified mobility forcing Balun to do his utmost in retaining his focus, and not allowing his self-doubts and fears to get in the way of his instincts and the need to react with precision timing.

Closing in upon the distance between them, the Mandalorian charged the Rogue Jedi directly. His intent was clear, reinforced by the fact that there were no theatrics to leave Balun questioning his motives. Balun watched, poised, shutting out the rest of the world around them as the Lightsaber continued to spin through the air en route back towards him, as though competing with the Mandalorian to reach its mark.

It wasn't until the last fraction of a second, before Stag was almost on top of the Rogue Jedi, that Balun made his move. Side-stepping off to the right, he dug his heel into the ground, shifting his weight and throwing his body into a spin not only to get around the Mandalorian but also snapping out with his right hand perfectly timed to catch his weapon by the hilt. Balun's movements were fluid, dropping down low with the lightsaber sweeping around anti-clockwise in a horizontal arc in a bid to catch the Mandalorian at the back of his knees where his armour was most exposed, hoping he could be swift enough to land the crucial blow before Stag's momentum carried him too far out reach.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Fenn Stag]

Balun Dashiell​

Fenn screamed, crying out when the blade met the back of his leg.

He was moving- the blade thankfully didn't tear through his entire leg, but it did find purchase- cutting through the flightsuit and into his skin. He wasn't sure the damage, and wouldn't know until much later. But it was enough to cause him to stop, turning on his heel, breathing raggedly, trying to dull the pain.

He moved his left leg- the one injured by the strike, to test it. He could still bend his leg, and he still had function of it. Not deep enough to tear ligament and the like, but enough to slow him down and put him at a further disadvantage. He moved towards the Jedi, sneering beneath his helmet. He swat at the Jedi's defenses with his Beskad, aiming to bash the Jedi's guard a few times with powerful, devastating downward blows. But it was a ruse, a fake.

His right hand came with the beskad, bashing into the guard. But his left, curled into a fist. And he went down, bending his arm only slightly downwards. His mechanical arm shot upwards in the Jedi's guard-

And went to uppercut the Jedi squarely in the jaw.