Duel Galactic Kaggath Round 1: Kesh Hevro vs Kyric

[Razmir Tezhyn]

x

Kesh Hevro vs Kyric​

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!”

“Hailing as THE CHAMPION OF THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS, he’s the captain of Hellion Command, lethal soldier by profession and a terrifying commando, he’s the rising star of the pyke syndicate, third son of the Hevro crime family: KEEEEESH HEVROOOOO!”

“And his opponent, a young warrior whose legacy rests heavy on his shoulders. Will the Son of the Sword be able to prove himself today with the entire galaxy watching? Find out, only here! Welcooooome, KYYYRIIIIIIC KAAAARIIIIS!”

“CHALLENGERS! BEGIN!”

 

[Kyric]

Vibe Check​

A steady trembling set into Kyric's arms as the rising Wroshyr Tree carried him hundreds of feet into the air. He clenched bandage covered hands into fists and took several deep breaths in an effort to calm his nerves. The fear of death lingered in the back of his thoughts; a constant companion since his fated battle with Creuat on Coruscant two years back.

In the final seconds before the bloody bout began, Kyric shook himself from his quiet revere and stared down the massive branch Kesh and the kiffar shared. He gauged a distance of maybe a hundred paces between them—probably less than that for the towering pyke. Armed with a small arsenal of gear from his and his father's life, the Jedi knew he wanted nothing to do with a close-quarters match until he had the opportunity to level the playing field.

Kesh's introduction echoed across the arena.

Kyric aimed to ignore his own until Razmir so easily cut through the kiffar's guard with his silver tongue.

The Son of the Sword.

Warmth flared across Kyric's face at the audacious introduction. His cheeks reddened at the declaration of his heritage, or more specifically, the Legacy that weighed so heavily upon his shoulders.

After all these years, no matter how hard the Alliance fought to bury the truth of the New Jedi Order's history, the galaxy did not forget the sacrifice of Jedi Master Ryv Karis. And if they remembered that, Kyric could make them remember the others who fought desperately to win the unwinnable.

Lannik Dawnstar, Maynard and Loske Treicolt, Auteme Denko-Durren, Dagon Kaze, Bernard of Arca, Rurik Fel, and Lucien Dooku—an entire generation bound by courage and sacrifice who stood together against the Crimson Shadow of Tyranny.

Razmir's voice echoed at the end of the short introduction. He spoke the two words Kyric hoped to be delayed by more grandstanding and advertising.

"CHALLENGERS! BEGIN!"

Space. Kyric needed space.

The Jedi sucked in a breath and dropped from the monolithic branch. He buried his vibroknife in the wood and swung beneath it with the grace of an acrobat. Once out of sight, he projected not one, not two, but three illusions in separate directions before he kicked off the bottom of the branch. All four 'Kyric's' dashed out into the artificial forest, their laughter echoing throughout the shaded bough.

The presence of so many beasts did not go unnoticed by Kyric as he landed on another branch a good twenty meters from his starting position. He shifted his weight and kicked off to the next one, and then the next, moving rapidly in search of the mighty vornskr who infested this wood.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Force Bonds: Bernard | Capris Halcyon | Creuat
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x2 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle, M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol, Commando Droid Vibrosword, Flash Grenade x5, Smoke Grenade x5
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

THE CHAMPION OF THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS

Kesh Hevro closed his eyes as the emerging Wroshyr Tree propelled the two combatants, on each of their side, up the canopy of the mystical battleground the fight is taking place. The Champion. That sounds too intoxicatingly sweet in his ears. He had fought for multiple banners; Pyke Syndicate, Imperials, ragtag warlords of the Outer Rim, but he was never the champion of anything, just his own pocket and freedom to do whatever he wants.

he’s the captain of Hellion Command, lethal soldier by profession and a terrifying commando, he’s the rising star of the pyke syndicate, third son of the Hevro crime family

It was perhaps his own little rebellion, severing himself from an exclusive ties with the Syndicate. He gave up too much for an artificial freedom and self-actualisation. He was never a first choice after all; second, third in-line for everything. They wouldn’t be dumb enough to send their best asset here.

“And his opponent, a young warrior whose legacy rests heavy on his shoulders. Will the Son of the Sword be able to prove himself today with the entire galaxy watching? Find out, only here! Welcooooome, KYYYRIIIIIIC KAAAARIIIIS!”

The Pyke slowly opened his eyes, taking in the humid air of the forest through his insulated suit. He is not a bloodthirsty barbarian, that’s the tragic thing about the path of life he is descending into. He had loved, dreamed, he had his hope lifted and heart crushed. And he still is.

He looked across the horizon, Kyric is just a kid fighting, in a men’s world. Abandoned by a father who loved the world more than his offspring. Not so different than he was a decade ago. And that’s the tragic thing; he knows that his breath will hitch, that the acid in his stomach will rebel and try to guilt him into remorse when he gets his hand bathed in pulps of blood, but his appetite for glory and recognition will force him to finish the job.

He’ll get his hand on Kyric and it’s not going to be pretty.

“CHALLENGERS! BEGIN!”

The Hellion took seconds to observe Kyric’s first move; one of cunningness and trickery, and he made his. He utilised his magnetic boot to circle the gigantic branch and followed Kyric to its underside. He would rather not descend too far under, messing with the Force beasts is not something he aims to do.

Instead, he lets the faster Jedi makes a distance from him, electing to gallop from the main branch’s underside to a smaller one, chasing the tail of one of the Kyric while maintaining his vertical superiority.

With a quick switch on his pistol to sonic damage mode and an even quicker aim to the Kyric he is chasing, he released a single shot to knock him off his feet.

This has officially become a hunt, and Kesh Hevro is an apex predator.​

 

[Kyric]

Vibe Check​

"Nice shot!" one of the Kyric clones shouted right before the sonic round pelted him in the back. Caught mid-step, the illusion turned on impact, raised a double thumbs-up, and a small burst of cryokinetic energy erupted in a localized explosion around him. The ice cut through the bark and painted the trunk with a thin layer of frost.

More laughter erupted from Kesh's side as another of the illusory Kyrics soared in upon unseen winds. His blade flashed forward to slice down at the Pyke's power suit. Whether or not the blow connected, the double would explode no differently than the first. Ice shards careened outward 360°. Most flew uselessly out into the sky, while a small, localized cone, followed the trajectory of Kesh.

The last of the 'clones' watched from nearby, perched in the shadows in a poor attempt to hide from the Pyke. He sat poised, ready to leap down on his 'unsuspecting' opponent.

Meanwhile, the real Kyric's body raced ahead of one of the dreaded Vornskr. It scrambled up and after the Jedi—razor sharp claws scoring deep grooves in the tree—as he disappeared into the thick canopy.

A feral roar from above was the Jedi's only warning as a second of the canine-killers fell upon him.

Kyric side-stepped the flying tackle and thrust a hand back the way he came. A suppressive wave of energy settled on the two creatures hunting him. They remained trapped in stasis; one clawing up a meter behind the Jedi, while the other slowly descended to the very same branch. The kiffar dropped beside them and planted a hand on each of their heads. He imparted his will upon them, demanding not obedience, but cooperation.

Images of other Force Sensitives within the competition passed from his thoughts to the beasts. It was a simple enough promise; bigger and better meals forged within the promise of Kyric's bond.

The stasis field shattered and the two creatures turned upon the Jedi, fangs bared in a snarling challenge. Kyric met them head on, the warmth within his smile the genuine article. The stand-off lasted maybe six seconds before the two Vornskr settled on each side of him.

"There, there," Kyric patted them again; his smile widening. "Stick to the shadows for now. I'll get ye an openin'."

When Kyric descended back down to the bridge-like branches crisscrossing over the forest-floor, he drew his blade and stood ready, his one-eyed gaze seeking his opponent. The Vornskr, on the other hand, slunk deep into the shadows of the canopy in waiting.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Force Bonds: Bernard | Capris Halcyon | Creuat | Tansu & Talin; the Vornskr, Not his Cousins
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x2 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle, M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol, Commando Droid Vibrosword, Flash Grenade x5, Smoke Grenade x5
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

"Nice shot!" one of the Kyric clones shouted right before the sonic round pelted him in the back.

Kriffin child, Kesh lamented silently as the Kyric clone erupted into an ice burst upon impact, slashing through the ancient tree and leaving a cold, frozen mark.

The Pyke quickly moved on to his next target, when he caught another laughter on his side. He crouched and readied his knee to counter-pounce the impending attack, feet thudding against a bark of wood, a slashing shadow descended upon him, and in a split-second decision he swung his body in the same direction, letting the sword to graze on his shoulder, while using his other hand to shoot another sonic round at the dashing Jedi.

The body flung ahead at a bigger branch, exploding all the same, but this time, a portion of the frozen blast blew at his direction. Karkin hell, that’s real ice, wouldn't be good for the armour. He'll need to eliminate those clones from distance.

It wouldn’t take long for the Hellion command to recollect his focus and continue his hunt however, spotting what he assume to be the last of Kyric’s clone on a branch in his peripheral. He swiftly shoots a sonic blast at him too, keeping a safe distance to quickly dodge the ice blast.

Kesh proceed to prowl through the forest, reaching the canopy without a sight on the real Kyric, just Vornskr at distance. The Force beasts is a source of his worry, they might have an appetite for Force-users, but they are also as prone to be manipulated by them. He knows all too well how manipulative these people are.

He dropped low and repositioned himself outside his predicted striking range of the Vornskr, when he heard another dull crash; the Jedi descending back at the main branch they started their fight at. Perfect, this one shouldn’t be a clone.

From the smaller branch over the main one, the Pyke pounced, looking to bypass the Jedi lightsaber range and go straight to close-quarter, where he would have the advantage. If he wasn’t disrupted in his jump, the Pyke would attempt to get his hands on Kyric’s collars and pin him down on the branch’s surface.​

 

[Kyric]

The measured shot took the projected clone in the chest and splattered another burst of ice well out of range to harm Kesh.

Darn!

When the armored Pyke swung his attention on the real Kyric, the Jedi dipped his head in a proper greeting.

"You'd give a Corellian a run for their money with that blaster of yours," Kyric quipped. His voice was steady, as one expected of a Jedi Knight. Both hands hovered level with his hips; inching closer to the blaster pistol on his right and the hilt of his katana on his left. He gave off the impression of someone who never skipped movie night.

Closer inspection of the Jedi's single eye revealed a faint ring of white around his pupil. The very same color that permeated the Vornskrs'.

Kyric shifted his awareness from himself to 'Tansu.'

The vornskr remained behind and above the Pyke, teeth gnashing in anticipation to peel back the alien's power suit and gorge itself on the fresh meat within. It growled the faintest warning as Kesh braced himself to leap down upon Kyric.

In answer, the Jedi slid his foot back and crouched low to strengthen his stance. Each muscle along his core tightened beneath his guidance until a faint burn settled into his abdomen. He swung both arms up and out at his opponent, channeling power before he slammed his forearms against the inside of Kesh's guard—more specifically; his wrists—the weakest point of strength on most human-shaped peoples' arms. The defense carried bursts of telekinetic energy that parried aside the grab, but it did nothing to stop the Pyke's momentum.

Kyric felt the incredible weight of the armored enemy press down upon him. In the second the kiffar had before impact, he dropped down onto his back and pulled his knees up to his chest. His feet caught the Pyke in the abdomen and Kyric continued his back roll. Another burst of telekinetic energy followed-through with his rolling kick and the he hoped it would be enough to throw his opponent up and over the edge of the branch.

The Jedi did not escape the brief clash unscathed, however.

He felt his head thump against the bark.

Kyric quickly scrambled to his feet and turned after Kesh. A thin stream of blood ran down his neck from where the bark tore a mean cut into the back of the kiffar's head. The world turned faintly on its axis; the weight of his maneuver strong enough to momentarily dizzy the Jedi.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Force Bonds: Bernard | Capris Halcyon | Creuat | Tansu & Talin; the Vornskr, Not his Cousins
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x2 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle, M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol, Commando Droid Vibrosword, Flash Grenade x5, Smoke Grenade x5
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

Thump, Kesh might half-expect Kyric to be quick enough to anticipate his pounce and reacted to it; shifting one of his wrists ever so slightly so that the Jedi’s forearm strike would only strike one of his arm backward, and while that sacrificed left arm had to take the brunt of the damage, he’d be able to still use his right one to grab Kyric.

What he didn’t expect however, was that he planned for a quick follow-up manoeuvre; a kick on his chest, even more so that there’s such power in his kick. He knows that Force-users are adept in channeling the Force to intensify their strikes, but Kyric still packs more power in his tiny body than he thought.

The sudden offensive and his slight lapse in concentration sent the Pyke off-balance and pushed backward, right towards the edge of the branch, sending him off-platform.

Chit.

It doesn’t sound like a good situation for him, and he might need to rethink his approach. However, Kesh has survived much more than this, and he showed the crowd, and Kyric, just how much his experience fighting, killing, and surviving way behind the enemy lines matters in this situation.

His instincts, his pure unwillingness to touch the ground and fight at the environmental disadvantage drove him to find a small branch on his free-fall downward, and for his arm to grab that branch, using his falling motion as a momentum to swing his gigantic body from one branch to another, until he found one strong enough to hold the full weight of his body, using his athleticism to flip to the upside of the branch and establish his footing.

The Hellion is safe from the ground, for now, yet he’s back in square one, closer to the ground than he’d like to be and giving Kyric a vertical advantage. He needs to recover his advantage, so he makes an attempt to ascend through the forest, navigating branches, penetrating the thick lower canopy of the Wroshyr tree, his eyes ever watching for the sightings of the Jedi or the prowling Vornskr.

He decides to play it by ear, to be patient to avoid similar mistakes. He has all the time in the world after all.​

 

[Kyric]

Kyric watched Kesh disappear over the edge with a huff. The kiffar raised his hand to his head and gently pressed it against the cut to gauge the damage. When he realized the laceration itself was mostly superficial, he breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't find it in him to relax. The dizziness hadn't abated. Which meant he probably had a concussion.

"Great." Kyric wiped his bloody hand on his jacket and he drew his blade for the first time in the match. He ran his hand down the length of the weapon and infused the Force-empowered steel with an aura of telekinetic power. It wouldn't be enough to cut through the suit, that Kyric was certain of, but he had another idea in mind—one he hoped would catch the Hellion off guard.

The Jedi took three deep breaths in preparation to strike.

One.

Kesh scrambled up the branches with an athleticism Kyric hadn't expected. Most opponents he knew to rely on technological advantages—outside the fearsome Mandalorian, of course—often showed an overreliance on such advantages. Not unlike how many Force Sensitives leaned upon the Empyrean as a crutch.

But Kesh didn't display such simple weaknesses.

Two.

Kyric lifted his blade level to his head; the hilt hovered inches from his face, held tight in both hands. His foot slid back and he turned his body, the weapon now perpendicular to his frame. The telekinetic aura honed the weapon's killing edge further. It whipped up a ferocious wind around the kiffar. Smaller branches creaked in protest. Leaves descended like snow to the forest below, dancing on the Force-infused gale summoned by the Jedi Knight.

White light burned in Kyric's singular eye as he shifted his perception from 'Tansu' to 'Talin', who lingered in the shaded canopy below Kyric.

Within seconds, Kesh left the beast behind in his race higher up the canopy. The Vornskr's position afforded the Jedi an auspicious view of the alien's armored back side.

Three.

Kyric stepped forward and swung his blade in a wide horizontal arc directly ahead of him. A cutting wind sharper than steel soared off his blade and into the canopy above, entirely unhindered by the thick flora.

Wherever the wind touched, it cut cleanly through branch and leaf alike. Bark splintered. More of the Vornskr hidden above howled in surprise. The canopy groaned in answer and slowly slid apart above Kesh and Kyric alike!

"Oh... that was connected to my tree? Feth!" Kyric turned in an attempt to leap from the tree to a nearby branch not directly connected to the collapsing boughs above, but his breath hitched and the world blurred. Whatever focus the kiffar managed broke apart as nausea set in. His boot slid off the branch and he stumbled over the edge toward the Vornskr-infested floor below.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Force Bonds: Bernard | Capris Halcyon | Creuat | Tansu & Talin; the Vornskr, Not his Cousins
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x2 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle, M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol, Commando Droid Vibrosword, Flash Grenade x5, Smoke Grenade x5
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

Kesh draws his pistol as he closes in on the main branch where they had their engagement on. He hadn’t encountered Kyric in his climb, so either he chased and Kesh has the upper ground now, or he’ll find him on the main branch.

Suddenly, he heard cracking sound above, and before he can react, an avalanche of barks and branches crashed down into him, sending him tumbling downward once again.

His instinct kicked in; the Pyke struggled for anything he can grab, but everything around him was parts of the canopy that came crashing down. It wasn’t a comfortable fall, branches and leaves partially blind him, leaving whatever plan he has only half-measured. He needs a plan B; brace for the impact, identify the main trunk to climb, and clear the path in case of obstacles.

Kesh groaned as he hit the ground on his feet, right across Kyric, absorbing the impact on his knee as he bent lower, almost into a crouching position. Branches and leaves followed soon, scrapping his armour and rattling the predators infesting the ground. He assessed the situation; 50 steps from Kyric, 70 from the trunk, a dozen hungry, feral Vornskr just in his peripheral. How the Vornskr will act is just too much of a wildcard he is not comfortable gambling with, so he have to reach the trunk while playing keep out with Kyric.

The Hellion command drew his blaster rifle for the first time in this fight, walking backwards toward the trunk while spraying bursts of three at his Jedi opponent.

He’ll have to anticipate the Jedi and the Vornskr; both naturally faster than he is, so he’ll need to play the anticipation game and outsmart them.​

 

[Kyric]

The wind roared in Kyric's ears as he rocketed toward the artificial earth below—his only saving grace the fact he fell faster than the canopy itself. Rather than attempt to wrest control back from gravity, the kiffar once again torqued his knees up to his chest. The momentum turned him so he faced the rapidly approaching underbrush. Kyric thrust both hands forward in a move practiced a hundred times back home on Denon. The Force answered his beckoning call, but it wasn't enough. His speed of descent, combined with the overwhelming nausea brought about by both Kyic's head wound, and the stomach-lurching drop, only slowed the fall.

Kyric landed painfully against the dirt with the force of a man who fell a bit less than a story; opposed to the crazy descent he inadvertently caused. He wobbled up to his feet just as Kesh landed nearby. The distance enough to seriously threaten the sword-wielding Jedi without putting much strain on a practiced shooter.

Kesh leveled the blaster rifle on Kyric, who immediately dashed for cover.

The first volley narrowly missed the Jedi by a hair's breadth. The second forced Kyric to throw himself down into the dirt in a rolling dodge that did his concussion no favors. Scrambling back up to his feet, Kyric rotated his hips and swung the blade like a bat. The force-imbued steel cut through all three shots of Kesh's third burst. Most of the energy whizzed uselessly past the kiffar, but one half of the third round in the burst pelted the Jedi Knight in his jacket-clad side. Pain flared at the point of impact; enough to earn another spitting curse from the foul-mouthed Jedi as he slid behind a wide tree.

To immediately come face-to-face with a growling Vornskr.

"C'mon!" Kyric groaned.

More of the beasts scaled over the wall of foliage that encased both Kesh and Kyric in a ring of splintered wood. Within seconds, a dozen of the beasts peered down at both the Jedi and his opponent, marked earlier in the battle via the projected blade of his illusory double.

Not keen on the idea of being ripped apart like a chew toy, Kyric braved Kesh and dashed up to and past the Pyke. The Vornskr hot on the kiffar's tail shifted targets from him to the metal-encased man.

In the meantime, Kyric leaped up to meet one of the crazed canines and spiraled beneath the creature's outstretched claws. Resolute tore a jagged gash down the beast's body.

The Vornskr landed with a wet thud in a pile of its intestines'.

"I don't s'ppose we could finish the light work before the main event, huh?"

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x2 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle, M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol, Commando Droid Vibrosword, Flash Grenade x5, Smoke Grenade x5
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

Kesh dashed towards the trunk, with Kyric hot on his tail. But it’s not only him. The Vornskr has taken notice of their presence on the floor of the stadium’s biome, and one has taken an active interest on the Jedi. Kesh didn’t stop, the trunk was supposed to be a saving grace.

Kyric managed to close down the distance however, leaping above him, and the Force beast switched it’s target, pouncing at the Pyke instead. Yet he was ready, he used all the momentum to strengthen his stance, and he swung his leg right at the beast’s jaw, knocking it out of it’s track.

However, another leaped on his backside, taking the Hellion down face first. His armour might be a tough shell to crack, but constant pressure from sharp claws and teeth would slowly make works of the armour’s integrity.

Kesh used another feature of his armour; flexing his muscle to activate the duranium-tipped spike on his forearm. The spike startled the Vornskr enough for him to wiggle out of its death grip and kicked it on its ribs. Then, he quickly drew his pistol, shooting sonic waves at the same Vornskr, knocking it out with a sonic pressure that crack it’s bones and internal organs, before shifting his aim to another circling the two and taking them down.

“Shouldn’t take long,” he replied to Kyric, right before side-stepping another Vornskr attack and ending it with his sonic pistol.

As the two fought off the pack of feral Vornskr, a sudden gush of wind and shrapnels of wood assaulted the two, seemingly coming from upright.

"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,

the top half of the Wroshyr tree is gone!"​

Kesh uses his magnetic soles to withstand the strong winds, wood scrapping and scratching his armour’s surface. The environmental pressure slowly takes it’s toll over the armour and the Pyke inside, but he still has a fight to win. He needs to up the tempo.

Using the chaotic circumstances to his advantage, the Hellion drew his Commando Vibrosword for the first time in this fight. He dashed towards Kyric, striking his sword at the Jedi’s blade, and if he managed to lock blade with him, he will use his leg to trip Kyric’s and take him to the ground. He slot his left arm underneath Kyric’s right armpit, and his right hand besides Kyric’s left side of the neck, applying a chokehold to keep him on the ground.​

 

[Kyric]

“Shouldn’t take long,” he replied to Kyric, right before side-stepping another Vornskr attack and ending it with his sonic pistol.

A smile burned its way onto Kyric's face. He found his opinion of the Pyke at his back shifting with each second they spent in the arena. The thrill of battle united them in this life-or-death struggle against not only each other, but the very battlefield that housed them. It felt like an unspoken intimacy found within their shared goal; to prove to the galaxy they were not just a Criminal and a Jedi, but two warriors ready and willing to die to attain their dreams.

Kyric never felt more alive.

Resolute flashed in wide strikes. Blood sprayed in broad arcs of crimson with each swing of the kiffar's blade. The dirt turned to mud beneath their feet as the lifeblood of the ravenous Vornskr pooled under their feet. Kyric's smile grew wider—almost manic—with each swing.

As quickly as the cooperation began, it ended.

Kesh expertly maneuvered himself to take advantage of the chaos and cleared the gap between both fighters as Kyric finished off the last of the beasts. The kiffar turned last second, the fault lines within his vision, an application of Shatterpoint somehow absorbed from his time beside Tyrus Vastor, guided Kyric's blade to the point where he could at least avoid death via vibrosword, but it did little else as the armor-enhanced Kesh locked their blades in place. The mud welcomed them both as Kesh's foot caught Kyric by the ankle and the large Pyke drove the smaller man to the ground.

Kyric let his blade fall away with the vibrosword and he reached beneath his poncho for one of the grenades stored along his bandolier. He clicked the electromagnetic pulse grenade to activate it as Kesh's crush-gaunt slipped beneath Kyric's armpit. He gritted his teeth as the metal dug into his flesh and squeezed. Seeing the second gauntlet moving toward his neck, the Jedi sharply inhaled and focused not on a means to escape, but a means to survive. He didn't have the time to channel a telekinetic barrier around his neck or some esoteric body enhancement technique to strengthen biophysical defenses. Plus, the kiffar didn't know anything that cool anyway.

So, Kyric settled on a classic; one inherited from the late Emperor, Rurik Fel—control pain.

The crush gaunt closed around Kyric's neck and bit into his flesh. He tightened every muscle from his shoulders to his jaw and reached around the Pyke's back in an attempt to slap the grenade against Kesh's back as the grenade burst and emitted a powerful, localized, electromagnetic pulse over both men.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Honorable Mentions: Rurik Fel | Tyrus Vastor
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x1 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle, M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol, Commando Droid Vibrosword, Flash Grenade x5, Smoke Grenade x4
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

Kesh tightened his grip around the Jedi’s neck and arm; the cold durasteel of his armour applying pressure to the human’s physiology, the crushgaunts closes his respiratory capabilities and leaving marks that he will remember way past this duel, even in the afterlife.

“Yield! You don’t have to lose your life Jedi,” the Pyke shouted as he manhandled the barely adult fighter he is facing. His voice was genuine, he would kill for the glory that this tournament promised, but he would not die for it. There is no shame in quitting when your neck is just seconds away from popping.

Suddenly, Kyric’s hand moves, differently this time. It was not the aimless struggle it was before, but it came with a grenade on his hand; a suicide tactic. And Kesh realised just a tad bit too late.

Chit.

Electric jolt shots down in Kesh’ spine, throughout his body. Tailbone, legs, up to his neck. The mechanism of his helmet saved his brain from being fried, but the rest can’t be said for the rest of his body.

He released the guillotine choke he had put Kyric in, not that he had any choice, so close from ending the fight for his victory.

The Pyke’s body is visibly spasming on the ground; he’s conscious, but in immense pain. His hand, in tremor, grabbed his pistol; to shoot at the Jedi, to defend himself while he is recovering, but to his despair, it doesn’t work anymore. Or temporarily, he’s not sure. The same is probably happening to his vibrosword and assault rifle.

It’s just his armour and him then. He dragged his own body backward, limping to stand straight, and rolled a smoke grenade between the two. That would buy him, and perhaps his equipments some times to recover.​

 

[Kyric]

The edges of Kyric's already limited sight blurred under the weight of Kesh's crush gaunt. Blackness crept in with each second; the pain of the kiffar's throat inching closer to pulp summoned a fractured web within his vision. The fault lines spiraled around Kesh's armored limbs and spread further into the alien's metal-suit as if there was something more Kyric could do in his precarious position. Maybe if the Jedi had the Madclaw's telekinetic might he could've ripped the armor apart with his mind alone.

Unfortunately, Kyric didn't boast such things. The Karis Legacy was carved not by flashy and overwhelming displays of power, but an unwavering tenacity even in the face of death; to overcome one's limitations each and every day, unbound by the fear of death that gripped so many within the galaxy.

It was that strength that drove Kyric's father to make the ultimate sacrifice. The very same strength pushed the Son to the edge now, gambling everything on the flash of emotion—of empathy—that Kesh revealed in the seconds leading up to the beginning of their battle

Kyric is just a kid fighting, in a man’s world. Abandoned by a father who loved the world more than his offspring. Not so different than he was a decade ago. And that’s the tragic thing; he knows that his breath will hitch, that the acid in his stomach will rebel and try to guilt him into remorse when he gets his hand bathed in pulps of blood, but his appetite for glory and recognition will force him to finish the job.

Blood leaked from the corner of Kyric's lips from the blunt force ripping tiny lacerations down the length of his throat. His single-eye burned with an intensity that looked entirely out of place on a man inches from death. He ground his teeth together, mentally counting the seconds before the grenade went off. When electricity finally pulsed out and over the both of them, Kyric's lips curled up in what some might describe as a deranged smile. His body convulsed in the dirt for several seconds alongside Kesh, but the boy's focus on his sole defense to both the excruciating pain and the stunning effects of the electrical current saw him through the initial burst.

Kesh stumbled away and dropped smoke—smart.

Kyric turned over and shakily pushed himself onto his knees only to immediately keel over and cough up a mouthful of blood.

I'm gonna regret this, the Jedi thought as he forced himself back up to his feet. Electrical scarring ran up the length of his left arm to his shoulder and neck; the wound an angry red that blistered and bled all along his hand and forearm. He scaled the bramble wall one-handed and half-fell, half-slid his way down the other side. Once out of sight of Kesh, Kyric dropped his concentration on holding back the tide of pain. It washed over him like a crushing wave and drove him right back down to the floor. He convulsed another few seconds.

Biting back a desire to scream, Kyric gritted his teeth and focused on Master Ashina's words.

Hesitation is defeat.

It echoed like thunder in the kiffar's head.

Hesitation is defeat. Hesitation is defeat. Hesitation is defeat. Hesitation is defeat.

Kyric's mind focused on the wounds. He drank in his pain and internalized each inch of fractured flesh. An image of his body manifested within his mind; fault lines covered the left side of his body and throat in an angry red color. He greedily gulped down air and shifted his concentration from the pain to a path back onto his feet.

Slowly, the worst of the wounds began to shrink back as his skin knitted itself back together within his throat and around his left arm. Blood stopped running from his cracked flesh, but the ferocious red flare didn't disappear. His limb felt stiff and he still found it difficult to breath in deeply without the weight of a wracking cough ripping through his chest.

It'll have to do.

The Jedi Knight crawled back onto his feet and pushed his way into the underbrush; his mind seeking the two Vornskr he bonded with moments before.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn | Capris Halcyon
Honorary Mention: Inosuke Ashina
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x1 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle (Broken), M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol (Jammed), Commando Droid Vibrosword (No power), Flash Grenade x4, Smoke Grenade x4
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

The smoke separates the two, as it was intended, wobbly steps getting farther and farther every second. Kesh reached the trunk, but unable to climb due to the suit’s magnetic sole being in incubation protocol. He’ll have to beat him on the ground then.

Thy Pyke drew his vibrosword; he knows both of his guns were popped by the EMP grenade. The energy cell pulsates, pumping it on the sword for a quick while, before it stops working too. “Motherkriffer…” he muttered under his breath, it’s still a phrik blade at the end of the day, but it would be significantly less effective. That also have to do.

The aching pain in his veins and joints remains, but he can move his body much better after a while. It’s time to end this then, who knows how fast the Jedi is able to heal.

With his faulty vibrosword in his hand, he traversed the forest, hunting for a single prey. He moved from one bush to another, behind and between rocks and tall grasses. The biome of this arena is beneficial for his style of hunting; crouching low and ready to pounce at all time, but the fauna aren’t. He can hear rustling leaves and low breath of the Vornskr, and he has no energy left to face them, all of his focus is on Kyric.

But luckily the Vornskr wasn’t seeking him, it prowled towards an underbush, another coming from the other side. The Hellion concentrate his attention on said underbush, where he found a glimpse, an outline of the Jedi. The Vornskr closed down, but the movement weren’t aggressive, more like curious. It might very well be a trap, knowing how the Jedi dabbled with illusions before, but he can’t afford to not take the risk. Whatever shenanigans Kyric is attempting, it wouldn’t be good for him. It’s now or never.

Kesh took one of his flash grenade, lobbing it towards the underbush. BANG! At the cue of the explosion, he pounced with his vibrosword, backhand-slashing at the glimpse of a figure, hoping that he connected and find an opening to drive his foot at the Jedi, stomping him to end this fight once and for all.​

 

[Kyric]

Danger flared at Kyric's back not even a minute after he and his opponent separated to recover. The kiffar pushed further into the forest; his focus shifted from the slow and gradual healing to his bonded Vornskrs' vision. The Hellion powered through the effects of the electromagnetic pulse grenade with the type of grit employed by career killers, so the Jedi slowed down. He eased into the role of prey—not that it was difficult given the injuries.

Kesh closed the distance quickly after that.

Kyric suspected an extra few seconds of healing wouldn't make the difference in the final exchange, so he concentrated on 'Tansu.' She stalked overhead in total silence, her lupine gaze locked on the towering form stalking after the kiffar. He watched through the Vornskr's eyes in preparation for whichever tactic the Pyke employed. When the Jedi noticed the spherical object lifted from Kesh's belt and activated with a flick of his armored thumb, Kyric didn't hesitate to spin backward and thrust a hand toward his opponent.

The maneuver forced Kyric's perception back into his body, but he managed to stop the grenade at the midway point via a focused stasis field not much larger than the explosive. Unsure what to expect—especially with his own bandolier hiding a plethora of goodies—the Jedi let the grenade drop and he backpedaled away directly into a gnarled root; the tough bark caught his pantleg and sent him tumbling to the dirt.

Another warning flared within Kyric's mind a split-second after the grenade burst. He heard Kesh thunder forward through the brush; his inert vibrosword poised to kill. The Jedi surged back to his feet and activated the trigger-mechanism forged into the sheath of his blade. Tiny vents carved into the base of the attached slugthrower—entirely devoid of electronic filigree—expelled jets of flame and shot the Atrisian blade from the sheath like a bullet.

Kyric maintained his grip on the hilt and guided it upward in a planetary arc; the rising crescent batted aside Kesh's initial strike and Kyric slid forward, his left hand raised as if poised to catch the kick. Instead, he pivoted on his backfoot and sent a small, localized burst of telekinetic energy at the inside of the Pyke's kick that parried it aside. The blow passed close enough to the Jedi's ribcage to feel the passing wind, but close enough only mattered in horseshoes.

Trapped in close proximity with the Hellion yet again, Kyric's earlier smile returned having increased nearly threefold in size.

"There, there," Kyric patted them again; his smile widening. "Stick to the shadows for now. I'll get ye an openin'."

"Now!" Kyric shouted—and the two Vornskr charged for Kesh.

One descended from the remnants of the collapsed canopy above; its two-pronged tail whipped furiously at the Pyke's head, while the other shot forward from Kesh's left side like a speeding bullet. It charged in for a low bite meant to sink its teeth into the back of his knee; to rip and tear until the work was done.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x1 | Incendiary Grenade x2

 

[Kesh Hevro]

KAGGATH
Wayward Son - Chapter 1
———
LOADOUT: "Viper Coil" Type 99 Combat Armour, Type 74 Assault Rifle (Broken), M.I. Model 6M Hybrid Pistol (Jammed), Flash Grenade x4, Smoke Grenade x4
TAG: Kyric

VICTORY LAP​

RUUSAN

When Kesh reached where Kyric was supposed to be, it seemed like he had anticipated each and every one of his move. His flash grenade does nothing significant as the Jedi dodged it’s explosion valiantly, and when he dashed in for the strike, the Jedi is ready with his katana, meeting the vibrosword at a midway point.

CLANK! The already powered down vibrosword shattered in two when it clashed with Kyric’s sword, leaving the Pyke with nothing else but his reinforced limbs. He followed it up with a forceful pump-up kick, which the Jedi parried, sending him tumbling forward.

The Hellion quickly turned at Kyric, to either plan a next offensive or anticipate his retaliation, yet before he could even get there, a low growl of a predator interrupted the sequence and a Vornskr leaped from the collapsed canopy, its tail striking his large head. At the same time, another Vornskr pounced on his leg, forcefully biting through the hole between the platings.

Chit. This is what he had been worried about since the start of the duel.

The Pyke curled his legs and back on the ground to shield the less protected parts of his armour, while waiting for the window to kick the one on his leg away. He winced in pain as one Vornskr put its entire weight on his shoulder, trying to claw the armour open, while the other one punctured through the Flexisteel-weave that is protecting his unplated joint. The Bistaste Gel was his saving grace, it holds the Vornskr’s teeth from fully piercing through his muscles and joints, keeping the wound from becoming to deep.

Then, when the Vornskr on his leg released its bite to try claw its way in, he concentrated all the energy in his body on his other leg and delivered a shattering kick at that Vornskr, the hard composite alloy catching the Vornskr right at it’s jaw.

With his long limbs free, he used his curled back to flips his body backwards, catching the other Vornskr with his legs before manoeuvring his arms to grab the Vornskr by the neck, wrestling it on the ground. He might be facing two Force-powered predators, but he is the Apex Predator.

His palms reached the sides of the Vornskr’s head, his thumb pressing hard on its orbital rim. The Vornskr struggled for escape, its tail found Kesh’s open wound, stabbing its mild venom. The Pyke groaned at the burning sting, activating the shock emitters on his palm while his thumb penetrated through the Vornskr’s eye sockets, sending the creature to it’s gruesome demise.

Now, The Hellion is on the ground, leg’s bleeding, venomous haze starting to affect his vision, with two opponents to go, two opponents with whatever emotion they are encumbered in after spectating the Pyke’s violent display.​

 

[Kyric]

Kyric sheathed his blade and retreated once the vornskr descended on Kesh and set to work.

For reasons—stupid ones, really—the kiffar hoped the Hellion survived the brutal ambush. Kyric didn't want to maim him, let alone kill him; which sounded absolutely absurd given the blood sport the Kid signed up for. He suspected it was some combination of hoping to persevere as many sentient lives as possible throughout the competition and that grating desire to follow his path and not his father's.

Ryv Karis would've treated every criminal, dark sider, and bounty hunter no differently—fodder to be slaughtered. Those who preyed on the weak were no more than filth meant to be erased from the galaxy. It was something of a creed to Kyric's old man.

And while the Son may have inherited the sins of his Father, Kyric knew better. He felt the stain of death time and time again; delivered under both his and his Ryv's hand. If the young Jedi truly wished to rise above the legacy carved by his father before him, it would not be done with the strength of his sword arm, but that of his heart.

While Kesh desperately beat the two vornskr to the nether and back, Kyric raised both hands to rest level with his sternum. Remnants of the electrical energy released by his pulse grenade flickered down the Jedi's arms to gather in a growing surge of emerald lightning. The scent of ozone burned around him; the budding power sparked every which way, but Kyric maintained control of the localized storm, his focus dedicated solely to generating enough power to floor Kesh without delivering a lethal dose of electrification.

It didn't help the Hellion's suit could very well cook him alive if Kyric underestimated the output, but it was a worthwhile risk if he wanted to win. He had few options in his repertoire that wouldn't damn the Pyke if caught completely without a defense.

By the time Kesh wrapped his crushing grip around 'Talin's' head and fried the thing's brain, Kyric reached what he felt to be the appropriate amount of crazy awesome emerald lightning. It cast erratic shadows around the space, coloring the dull and dying forest in viridescent light.

"Git," Kyric warned 'Tansu.'

The vornskr nursed its bloody and broken jaw with its tongue as it retreated; the long and slavering muscle peekied through missing teeth where Kesh battered the thing silly.

Kyric released one final breath. "Here's to hopin', huh?" And he released a stream of arcing lightning toward the downed Kesh and the blood-slick mud.

---

Tags: Kesh Hevro | Razmir Tezhyn
Equipment: "Aspis" Pattern Combat Shield | Resolute | Replica Jacket | Ion Pistol | Standard Blaster Pistol | Vibroknife | CryoBan Grenade x2 | Thermal Detonators x2 | Electromagnetic Pulse Grenades x1 | Incendiary Grenade x2