Duel Galactic Kaggath Round 1: Lily Decoria vs Phaelissia

[Razmir Tezhyn]

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Lily Decoria vs Phaelissia​

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!”

“Who needs a lightsaber with guns like those? Competing to test her might against the greatest the galaxy has to offer, she’s a Jedi Padawan hailing from the warrior traditions of the Echani! LIIILLYYYYY DECOOORIAAAAA!

“Witness now, the power of the hyper-lethal Cyber-Annihilatrix! Hailing from the dark enigma world of Malsheem, she is the Hand of the Diarchy and a hidden blade striking fear into her foe’s hearts. Welcome, PHAELIIIIIIISSIIAAAA!”

“CHALLENGERS! BEGIN!”

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Arena, Valley of the Jedi - Ruusan
Dialogue Legend: <<Ghoul-Speak>> │ “Galactic Basic”
Tag: Lily Decoria

The arena was a larger venue than the one she had visited on Geonosis. And the event—the Galactic Kaggath—was grander still Although a mockery of a true Kaggath, Phaelissa sensed that it would be a dangerous affair in spite of that fact. Bloodshed was to be expected when a number of the galaxy’s most dangerous personal combatants were brought into a single massive arena.

Her opponent—Lily Decoria—was introduced first. Phaelissia glanced towards her, luminescent synthetic eyes narrowing as they took in the musclebound, yet feminine figure of the Echani situated across from her. The woman’s silver-hued eyes gleamed as testament to her warrioress blood, their gaze equal parts keen and capable, doubtlessly measuring Phaelissia up in turn.

Next, was Phaelissia’s introduction, which came just as she finished poring over the weapons and equipment (if any were visible) on her opponent’s person. For her part, the Aetharian spared the crowd a brief glance as the floating camera drones hummed within her periphery—their lenses recording her face for billions to see—before shifting her attention back to the Echani.

At that point, Phaelissia made a quick assessment of her surroundings. The wroshyr trees were massive, affording a not-insignificant amount of space to maneuver. All the while, the canine beasts stalking the ferns below registered as a threat secondary to the Echani in front of her, synthetic eyes picking up their heat signatures through the bush. The beasts were starved, perhaps deliberately, primed to prey upon any combatants who were weak or found wanting.

Phaelissia had no intention of allowing herself to be made into their meal.

Thus, with the call to initiate combat, Phaelissia locked eyes with the Echani, before dropping into a crouch. Her synthetic irises flared to life then, igniting with a lethal cerulean glow like young stars burning in the dark!

Spoiler: Loadout

• Viper Mk. I Skinsuit
  
  • Arms
    
    • FAE/M-02 Energized Gauntlet Vibroblade - R
• Purifying Lash
• Freezing Fates

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Arena, Ruusan
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Echani Ritual Brand
Tag: Phaelissia

Her first duel was with someone she had not recognised in the list of names. That was unfortunate since she didn't have much time to prep in terms of learning what she could in order to fight. Lily tied her hair into a ponytail and adjust her garb to make sure she was looking her best, breathing in deeply as she held the staff in her hands. Lily was expecting this to be a simple duel, something that was going to be traditional and standard in the approach of a fight, however she could hear the roars of those fighting around her that there were fights that were far from normal. Swallowing hard, Lily had not brought any weapons with her or technology that could provide an edge.

Lily falsely assumed that such things would dilute a duel.

Entering the arena as her name was called, Lily could feel a little bit of nerves biting at her stomach since she wondered what there was to expect. The beasts lingering below in the shadows, Lily could feel the Force flowing through them but she had no skills into taming beasts. That was not where her skills in the Force laid. Instead, Lily just studied the woman ahead, seeing the eyes flicker brighter, the crouch. Lily figured there was some sort of technology being used to either enhance or supposedly level the playing field against a Jedi. As she had been introduced as.

"I came to fight as an Echani. Will you fight me in the Echani fashion? No technology, no Force. Just skill." Lily called out to Phaelissia, curious if the challenge would be accepted but her body tensed since she was prepared to launch herself to the side if there was an attack sent her way. Lily was going to be practical and not assume her voice would always be heard or accepted but Lily wanted to try.

She sought out a fight that would be fair to both and also demonstrate a beauty in motion that Echani were known for. If she could not entertain in her traditional fighting then why was she here?

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Arena, Valley of the Jedi - Ruusan
Dialogue Legend: <<Ghoul-Speak>> │ “Galactic Basic”
Tag: Lily Decoria

Phaelissia cocked her head to the side, long, whisker-like brows lifting with curiosity as her eyes dilated. Lily’s double-blade gleamed, her muscles coiled like springs beneath moon-pale skin. Although quite obviously experienced the Echani art, the woman did not seem to possess much in the way of technology—a stark contrast to Phaelissia’s razor-edged cybernetics and ultra-enhanced physiology.

Thus, though Phaelissia knew that the woman was capable in the Force, with naught but a glance she sensed that such a matchup—a bout fought in the classical Echani style—would likely not fall in her favor.

Phaelissia’s response came a split-second after tilting her head. Drawn in a single blinding motion, a chakram snapped out from her palm in a silver blur and raced towards the Echani on a curved trajectory from 14 meters away. It came like a curveball, first flying high as if to claim the woman’s throat, before dipping low at the last possible moment to reveal its true trajectory—a low, vicious arc aimed to sever the woman’s right foot at the ankle.

But that was only her opening move.

As the chakram carved its path through the air, her gaze turned deadly. Suddenly, her eyes were weapons of frozen death—twin lances of ionized CryoBan speared from her sight, both aimed for the Echani’s chest. She anticipated a dodge, and this was intended to meet the Echani right at the apex of her maneuver.

If all went according to plan, the Echani would be frozen as a statue in beautiful motion, eternalized in frost.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Viper Mk. I Skinsuit
  
  • Gauntlets
    
    • FAE/M-02 Energized Gauntlet Vibroblade - R
• Purifying Lash
• Freezing Fates

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Arena, Ruusan
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Echani Ritual Brand
Tag: Phaelissia

Lily knew her suggestion was not going to be accepted, the movements in the body, the language was that of a predator not someone looking to talk. As soon as the chakram came, Lily was reminded of the usage of the Sith Lord she fought over Woostri. Images of that fight flittered in Lily's mind as she remembered that the way the weapons worked before was they were never striking the intended target first. It was the return that caught others off guard. Lily acted quickly, dodging the first strike of the chakram then allowing the Force to guide her path out of the second as it whistled past her leg. Letting out a relieved sigh, Lily was thankful for the traumatic experience of Woostri in this moment and this moment alone.

However, next, Lily had not fully expected.

Icy laser beams that came from the eyes. Lily looked stunned. It was this, this was the thing that Lily finally believed she had seen it all now. Eyes were weapons now and the Jedi Padawan could only use the Force that warned her of the incoming danger to roll out of the way. Breathing in deeply, Lily connected with the Force, feeling it strengthen her muscles. Emboldening her spirit and push her body to the maximum. Launching forward, she moved significantly faster than normal.

The brand twirled in her hands and slashed towards Phaelissia's torso. If she couldn't get an Echani style fight from this, then Lily would end it swiftly with her opponent yielding. She would use every bit of her training, her experiences with fighting those empowered with both technology and the Force and she would ensure that this was not a fight she would lose. Determination burned in her steel gaze as she used the Force to keep her moving supernaturally fast and every hit being multiple times stronger than normal.

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Arena, Valley of the Jedi - Ruusan
Dialogue Legend: <<Ghoul-Speak>> │ “Galactic Basic”
Tag: Lily Decoria

Ionized CryoBan raked across the wroshyr tree’s face, freezing the bark in sections as the cryogenic discharge missed its intended target by mere inches. The Echani had rolled clear—Force-enhanced reflexes propelling her form beyond the limits of muscle and sinew. Then, the woman charged, a silver streak hurtling forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.

However, Phaelissia did not remain idle.

Her implants ignited, augmented biocircuitry transmitting signals at luminal velocity to hyper-accelerate her neural processing. Time slowed to a crawl within her perception, rendering the Echani’s charge a languid ballet in spite of her metaphysically augmented speed. However, rather than rushing to match her velocity, Phaelissia waited. Until the woman was close enough to initiate her strike.

Then, she answered.

A shockwave exploded out from Phaelissia’s subtly upturned right palm just as Lily slashed her double-brand towards the Aetharian’s torso. Although not dialed in at full power, the blast carried enough force to potentially send the Echani flying back, perhaps with broken ribs or even ruptured organs.

Only then, did Phaelissia move.

And she did so as what might have been perceived as a blur to the unaugmented eye. Dashing laterally and forward in a single burst of acceleration, the Aetharian shifted position in the effective blink of an eye—7 meters distant from the space she had previously occupied. As she came to a stop, the chakram she had thrown earlier hissed back into her grasp, its freezing edge steaming in the air.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Viper Mk. I Skinsuit
  
  • Gauntlets
    
    • FAE/M-02 Energized Gauntlet Vibroblade - R
• Purifying Lash
• Freezing Fates

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Arena, Ruusan
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Echani Ritual Brand
Tag: Phaelissia

The failed attacks from Lily proved one thing. Speed wasn't going to matter in this. As fast as she went there was something that this other being had that allowed her comprehend the movements. It was the only explanations for the rapid counter blast that send Lily flying back. She was luckily able to avoid lasting damage to her organs by instinctively creating a small bubble around her. The pressure sent her backwards until she stabbed the brand into the ground to keep Lily from shifting back any further. Falling out of the ring was going to be a death sentence to either one of them.

But this gave Lily information and she was formulating things. If the opponent could see her moving at speed fast enough to prepare a counter attack seemingly last second then Lily also needed to be trickier with how she used the Force. Movements being impossibly fast didn't stop Lily, she simply closed her eyes. They were a distraction when facing opponents like this, they deceived the mind and drown out the Force. Phaelissia might have enough cybernetic to be more droid than being but there was still a being there.

The Force still flowed through her. That would be all Lily needed to see. That could not be hidden from her.

However, Lily didn't give any indication that she knew where her target was. That was giving Phaelissia a chance to adjust or change the course of action. It was lucky in Lily's mind for the cyborg that she did not bring her Lightsabers, for now, Lily remained calm and moved forward. Pacing at a normal speed for her, Lily seemed to be heading towards the location where Phaelissia was before she closed her eyes. Not aiming for where she was currently standing. Her movements betrayed nothing, Lily could not afford to allow Phaelissia to think anything but what was observed was true. Lily was fumbling.

Then last moment, Lily shifted. It wasn't a long run to Phaelissia now, it was a sudden burst sprint where Lily dashed to Phaelissia. Her attack wasn't calculated from the moment she shifted or before then, it was only when she was up close to Phaelissia did Lily slice at the arm that send the blast previously. Lily knew that it was likely both hands could do it, but taking one out was crucial and she was more prepared to deflect the second blast harmlessly away.

Tactics like that only worked the first time on a Force User.

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Arena, Valley of the Jedi - Ruusan
Dialogue Legend: <<Ghoul-Speak>> │ “Galactic Basic”
Tag: Lily Decoria

Phaelissia’s synthetic irises flared as Lily abruptly pivoted off of her initial trajectory, before charging towards her with a fresh surge of preternatural speed. Still, in spite of the Echani’s sudden change of direction, the Aetharian’s hyper-tuned neural architecture kept her from faltering. Thus, she stood her ground, teeth clenched as she tracked the warrioress’s movement—

—then her eyes ignited.

Once more, ionized CryoBan seared forth from her gaze in twin lances of freezing fury. However, rather than targeting her opponent directly, the beams were aimed at the ground beneath her feet and ahead of her, flash-freezing a 3 meter-wide patch into the equivalent of an ice rink—a potentially deadly slipping hazard. Given her metaphysically augmented speed, Phaelissia didn’t anticipate that Lily would have the ability to stop or avoid it in time. Momentum would potentially betray her, forcing her into a vulnerable position.

A position that Phaelissia soon intended to exploit.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Viper Mk. I Skinsuit
  
  • Gauntlets
    
    • FAE/M-02 Energized Gauntlet Vibroblade - R
• Purifying Lash
• Freezing Fates