Second Sith-Imperial Tournament - Elani Zambrano vs. Lark

[Darth Carnifex]

The Shâsot Skyhook Arena
Lorrd

High above the world of Lorrd, and tethered by many reinforced cables and repulsorlifts, was a magnificent skyhook of glittering metal and sparkling reflective glasteel. Recently constructed at the behest of the Imperial Directorate, the Skyhook was made for one purpose and one purpose only.

To prove a warrior’s strength.

Inside was a massive arena, nearly a hundred meters across and almost twice that in length. Around it was high walls, taller than any beast or sentient creature, with an electrified energy field projecting all the way up to the ceiling. The field bowed in towards the middle, curving as it traveled up to form a sort of tapered point when it reached the secondary generator built into the skyhook’s ceiling.

Outside of the energy field was a miniature community, endless rows of seating, private boxes, concession bazaars, gambling hubs, and residential living. Everything was arrayed perfectly to ensure that those who came to witness the looming battles had every convenience at their fingertips. Nothing was more magnificent than the high-rising tower reserved for the Emperor and his entourage, which afforded them the best view of the entire arena and was equipped with multiple commodities not found elsewhere in the skyhook.

As the days counted down towards the grand start of the Second Sith-Imperial Tournament, tens of thousands of wealthy Imperial citizens flocked to Lorrd to partake in the spectacle. Members of the Empire’s military aristocracy were among the first to arrive, themselves afforded a special privilege in acquiring the private boxes closest to the arena floor. Imperial bureaucrats, lesser military, and others followed shortly after to fill in the remaining ranks. For those either too far from Lorrd or unable to travel for any means, the tournament was to be broadcasted live to every member world of the Sith Empire.

The day of the tournament arrived, and the arena was packed beyond capacity.

Anticipating hung in the air like a deathly pall, and a hush fell over the crowd as the massive floodlights dimmed until only one remained to highlight the announcer’s podium. And upon that podium was a sight to behold. A figure, clad in purples, surely a pinnacle of fashion somewhere, the remnants of a laugh as he stepped up to his post. His arms spread wide as if to welcome each and every audience member.

“Welcome, welcome, one and all. It is with my deepest pleasure that I welcome you to this test of ability.” Clasping his hands together, a few of the intricate tattoos that took up much of his arms began to glow. With it, images of the combatants cycled through, the details of each image a bit too exact to be holograms.

“We have quite the treat for you all this day, but enough from me. Why don’t we meet some of our contestants? In fact, why don’t we just cut to the chase? What say you, contestants? Ready for some sweet, sweet, bloodshed? A rush of adrenaline?”

“Let the games...begin!”

Contestants: [member="Elani Zambrano"] vs. [member="Lark"]
Terrain: Desert
Variables: N/A

 

[Elani Zambrano]

The Shâsot Skyhook Arena
Lorrd



Elani stood there behind the gate that would open and reveal the arena to her and her to the arena. Her eyes were closed as she immersed herself in the Dark Side as fully as she could before the battle ahead. The forgotten and restless spirits of the arena whispered to her. Their voices were cold and unintelligible at the moment. But, with time, Elani would have them at her beck and call.

The gate began to slowly open, allowing the rays of light to pierce the darkness of the hall Elani stood in. As the gate opened, Elani opened her eyes at almost the same pace the gate opened. She looked down at her side where her lightsaber, Anarchus, rested, waiting to be unleashed on her foe. As the gate fully opened, Elani stepped out into the arena, sand displaced slightly with each of her steps. She looked around at the cheering crowd with no emotion on her face. Spotlights roamed the arena and eventually one made it's way to her, bathing her in the limelight. She heard her name announced to the crowd along with some titles she cared nothing for. She could not make out the faces int he crowd, but the amount of colors she could see made the arena look like it was just surrounded by a sea of various tints.

Elani continued to walk forward, attempting to find her footing in the sand. It was not a terrain she was used to fighting on, but she was a swift learner.

As she found her starting position, a slight smirk grew on her face. She was ready to fight.

[member="Lark"]​

 

[Lark]

When Lark finally ventured off that desolate swamp he once called home so many years ago, he enjoyed seeing all the spectacles he had read about in the orphanage library. Since then he had been in the heart of the most scorching volcano, the tombs of Sith Lords whose names were long since forgotten, outskirts so frigid and barren of life. But the desert was new. Dunes of endless sand filled the arena, and although he could hear distant cheers he paid them no mind. To the audience, he was a complete unknown. That was fine. He'd show them what he was capable of.

Lark fiddled with his lightsaber, he typically used enchanted Sith weapons but those fun little toys were banned in this tournament. He had been given a standard weapon instead, in addition to some light armor that he neglected to take. Agility and speed were his greatest advantages in combat, he couldn't risk anything slowing him down.

After a bit of trekking through the sand, Lark eventually saw his opponent, casting a shadow underneath the false sun projected by the arena. They were facing each other a few dozen meters apart, on even leveling. By now, she had probably seen him as well. No sneaking up on her, I suppose. Fine. We'll give the crowd something to cheer for.

Something within Lark changed. His tranquil personality shifted to one more suited towards the situation at hand. His eyes were ablaze with the beautiful corruption of the Dark Side, and he held himself with a sense of majesty and strength. He lifted a pale hand and let the Force flow around him, and let loose a small torrent of sand directed towards [member="Elani Zambrano"]. The harsh flakes coalesced into a serpent-like form, aimed towards where she stood.

Let the dance begin.

 

[Elani Zambrano]

Elani locked here violet eyes on her opponent. Her irises turned a violent red after noticing him across the sands. She readied herself for whatever he might have in store. She did not know her opponent or his strategy. That made this fight even more exciting for her. She felt darkness within him. He was preparing to make his move. Elani readied herself to retaliate. Her eyes watched his hand point towards her and from it, the Force unleashing a push into the sand, forcing it to fly at her. With style and grace, Elani leaped to the side of the incoming sand and rolled. She returned to her feet swiftly and decided to return the favor.

She grabbed her lightsaber with one hand and the other called upon the Forc, using it to displace the sand beneath him, aiming to displace his footing.

[member="Lark"]​

 

[Lark]

Their strategies were the same, which made the dance all that greater. Lark knew as soon as he emerged into this barren valley of rolling dunes that the sand might be the greatest weapon available. [member="Elani Zambrano"] dodged the tendril of sand he created, and in turn attempted a similar attack. The sand at his feet shifted, and he stumbled while trying to regain his balance. Lark attempted to control some of the sand that was being displaced in order to steady himself, but there was only so much he could do while his opponent continued her attack. He dropped to one knee, and fearing a follow up attack he used the Force to push a wave of sand towards Elani. Hopefully that would either blind her, or at least buy him some time to regain his balance.