Tournament Of The Five Dunes!

[Flannigan Mcnash]

ooc thread​

The arena lay quiet, for it was now a graveyard of the unburied. The corpses of yesterday they lay among the dusts of yesteryear. The sun still shone and the wind still blew, their eyes were as immobile as their limbs. Their frame taut with the wounds that had cast them down. The battle was lost, their enemy had won. All was until the cleaners came, stacking them up on small carts, removing their boots, rifling through their pockets for change and throwing their weapons on the cart for some other poor sop to wield. This was the nature of the The White Palace, its arena was not a place of open doors but one of closing them, for every victory the Hutt's grew attached to their champions, after all it was their money that lined the victor's pockets, that furnished their future in a way they had been brought and paid for like common slaves, all with the promise of the mighty credit.

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"Ladies and gentleHutts, we are gathered here today to mark an auspicious occasion, the gracious Hutt Cartel, have furnished young fine warrior to fight for your amusement, who will win, who will fail, and most importantly who will die the bloodiest death!"

The crowd buzzed into the arena filling up the seats, with criminals, scum, and even just normal people who lied their viewership a little bloody, carts of food were moved about shouts of disgust and adulation, fights broke out in the stands. It was another day on the bloody field of honour.

​

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[member="Darth Abyss"] VS [member="Phar'ra"]​

[member="Alkor Centaris"] VS [member="Atheus"]​

[member="Jynx"] VS [member="Xalus"]​

[member="Acaleus Thorn"] VS [member="Michael Shado"]​

"Contestants, make your way down to the pits. There you will have sign in, pay your fee, and get ready to rumble!" The commentator exploded with the word 'RUMBLE' making it shout over the crowd like a gigantic wave of adrenaline. "Today I am joined by [member="Cadan Tazi"], [member="Thraxis"], in the booth. What are your thoughts on today's match?"

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The pits were lined with row upon row of weapons, blasters gleaming dully on the shelves, strange and esotic weapons stacked against the shelves, spears, swords, spearsword, you name it was there. Cages upon cages stacked the sides of the room, strange and alien creatures prowled within, the howl of something large and terrible sounded from below, a great grate showed the floor was above a great cage. What ever was down there was big. A little desk had been set up in the middle of the room, a tired looking figure sat there, its piggy snout wiffling with each breath. He was waiting there to sign off on the contestants, ready to launch today's events.

---​

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He sat there in his booth, next to the Hutts his robotic mass staring down at the gathering like one big metallic bird. "This should be good, we've got a good turn out." he turned to acknowledge each of the Hutts with a curt bow before returning to their side. "I wonder, who will go first?"

UNIQUE INVITATIONS

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[member="Lady Kay"]​

Spoiler

//You Have Mail//
//Decoding..//
//10%//
//50%.//
//100%..//
//message..//

//Hutt Cartel.//
//Dear Lady Kay, we know how much you love blood sports, and here by invite you as a guest of honour to The Battle Of Five Dunes, we promise it to be a scream.//

[Accept]
[Deny]

[member='Solan Charr']​

Spoiler

//You Have Mail//
//Decoding..//
//10%//
//50%.//
//100%..//
//message..//

//Hutt Cartel.//
//Dear Solan Charr, we knew how much your child enjoyed the blood sport games, so we are holding this one in her honour, and we humbly hope you attend. We would've sent flowers but we didn't get the address.//

[Accept]
[Deny]

​

First Order Ambassadors
[member="Samka Derith"], [member="Mael Ren"]

Spoiler

//You Have Mail//
//Decoding..//
//10%//
//50%.//
//100%..//
//message..//

//Hutt Cartel.//
//Dear Representatives, you are humbly invited to attend the Tournament Of Five Dune, you will be shown to the private booth, we hope to discuss a radiant future with you.//

[Accept]
[Deny]

 

[Thraxis]

Thraxis looked around the arena littered with the decaying corpses as sand bristled against their bodies, unfazed as the sun slowly began to decompose their skin. Thraxis shuffled in his chair, his armor suited up and his guns in his duffel bag. He had heard Kay was sent an invite, and he had no intention of letting her call him out in the middle of the fight this time.

All until the cleaners came up, Thraxis standing in outrage, "Boo, Booo I say Boo!" he yelled from the commentators booth, "Leave the aesthetics they are there for a reason! Which is because they sucked!" he yelled before falling back into his seat, taking a large drink from a clear cup. As he fell back he heard the announcement start to ring, quickly he got comfortable in his seat, looking around to see the isles filling up with people from all walks of life.

He turned his head, towards the diabolical droid commander, "Well Bob, I really hope that we ain't gonna have a repeat of last time. A Sarlac pit doesn't tend to make a good surprise round competitor. But uhhh... yeah other then that I really hope to see a lot of fists flying and if I was a betting man... Well I have my eyes set on Xalus for winning this." he said before taking a pause, his fingers wrapping around the cup in front of taking a large gulp as the crystal clear water trickled down his throat. "But there is quite a bit of competition, and I can see any of these people really turning the tides." he continued on before turning to Cadan, "And Bob what do you think about this match up?" he said to Cadan, a serious demeanor wrapped over his face, not changing for a beat.
[member="Cadan Tazi"] [member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"Too heavy."

Alkor stared down at the blade in his grip as he turned it over, the keen edge reflecting the dim fluorescent light from above. With a deft motion, he tossed it aside and it clattered to the floor gracelessly. "Sir, I can assure you that these weapons are of the highest-"

"It's not a matter of quality," Centaris replied curtly as he lifted another weapon and tested it for balance. "A blade should be weighted for the intended purpose. There are top heavy blades for sundering armor, and there are blades with a heavier base for parrying blows."

He lifted the new blade in hand and ran a finger along the edge. Crimson welled up at the tip. "A blade with just the perfect amount of balance- that's what I'm looking for."

The droid appeared to consider his words, but did not speak. Alkor spun the blade around with a flick of his wrist, and the weapon danced to his tune. Satisfied, he sheathed it and slipped it through his belt.

"It's no lightsaber, but it fits the function of its form." He headed for the proving ground with his arm plates and chest armor, forged of Eukar by a Smith petitioned by Keira after his last encounter. The weight was different, but it was significantly less obstructive than a full suit of Beskar'gam.

He wore a cloak of shell spider silk overtop, and on the hip opposite his melee weapon, Alkor wore a blaster pistol. If the need came up, he'd be able to fire on his opponent. He did not intend to need it.

The news that he'd face [member="Atheus"] was interesting indeed. They had never finished their fight, forced to face a common enemy as the Omega was torn apart by the ordeal.

Needless to say, this would be good.

Alkor paid his fee and signed the ledger, then flipped through his datapad to send all the waivers and just-in-case documents to Balmorran Arms, knowing they would require information on his well-being, and what to do if something happened. Phaygus liked those things covered.

 

[Michael Shado]

[member="Acaleus Thorn"]

Blasters, blasters, and more blasters, that was all Michael saw that he knew well enough, though there were a few swords here he knew quite well enough. The Mando's Hastaal armor clanked with each foot step he made as he eyes each of the weapons he could chose from. Why couldn't he just have his own weapons? Michael sighed, and continued moving across the weapons. Finally he opted for two light pistols, and a rifle, along with two vibrodaggers.

"It's whatever I can carry right? So if I wanted to, I could just strap down this armory and pull it with me to the arena?"

"Don't get cocky Mando, overkill is usually the wrong way to go with this, take something that feels good in your hands, something you know."

Michael shrugged, it was worth the try. Something caught his eye, a little shiny ball, what the heck was that? He picked it up, feeling it had some weight to it. A grin crossed his face as he strapped it to his belt. Sending his credits in for the buy in, he had hoped that the clan would come. He was going to show them his good ol' days back when he was a merc. Ad'ika would love to watch him destroy the poor soul that came in to face him. This Thorn guy, whoever he was.

The Alor of Clan Shado opted there was no point in finding out who the man was, and rather have the surprise of learning himself.

Most of his belongings didn't matter and [member="Jezza Shado"] knew if anything happened she was next in line to be Alor, though they both knew, he would be coming back to this. Michael made his way to the waiting area, flexing his metal armor over and over again.

 

[Darth Abyss]

Normally Darth Abyss wouldn't spend his time in a arena, fighting for something so petty as credits and fame, but he was never one to let an opportunity slide that was presented to him. Not an opportunity for these petty things, but one to earn a standing with the hutt cartel and the other criminal forces presented at the white palace.

Not only that, but yet another opportunity, one even better than a path into the minds and ranks of the galaxys underworld. He would fight against [member="Phar'ra"], the kaleesh warrior that had earned the right to become his apprentice. From the times he broke into his apprentice mind he learned that the man had spend a remarkably long time in the ring of his homeplanet, and that his memories of the time still lived inside his head with the vivid horrors he had to live through. It would be interesting to see what would happen if the man had to fight in the ring once more, against the only being that had any meaning to him, his master.

His hands danced over his body, checking for the myriad of weapons that he had hidden under his robe. The slugthrower he normally used was stored elsewhere as the rules of the fight commanded that ranged weapons weren't allowed in close combat. The rest of his gear was the same, 3 smoke grenades, two knifes - one poisoned, the other forged out of cortosis-, his lightsaber and a set of fiberwire.

His robe and mask made him look like a demon, an cursed being that wasn't meant to walk upon the surface of the physical world. He would break his apprentice, mock and belittle him for his weakness, crush his bones and at the same time earn the respect of the underworld by doing so. His yellow eyes moved to the arena, glowing with passion fueled by the anticipation of the coming fight

 

[Jynx]

She wanted the duel up close and impersonal. Although she didn't specify the duel be melee, Jynx hoped that her opponent would mirror her choice of weapon range. She looked over the weapons rack in her armour and, making her choice, she took a metal rod around the same length as her vibroblade. It was an alternate form of damage - just in case.

Her armour. It couldn't be classified as something similar to the beskar'gam of the mandolorians. It wasn't as heavy as that; it meant to allow high manoeuvrability with the exception of extreme acrobatic movements yet still provide adequate protection. Mail covered all areas, with plating over the most important regions and armorweave in areas where plating was sacrificed for ease of movement. It wasn't the armour of best design but Jynx knew it well: it's limits and weaknesses being tested over time.

She went to pay the fee with borrowed money. It was funny, paying the fee into a tournament hosted by the Hutts with their own money. Those who couldn't afford to pay the fee would pay for it later at an even higher price. The fees could hardly count for a significant portion of their income, though if this was the way they applied their finance Jynx could see why they had amassed such wealth.

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]
[member="Xalus"]

 

[Visser Chernykh]

Visser Chernkyh took his seat in the private box provided. Although he was here to mainly foster relations, he couldn't deny an interest in the fights themselves. He wasn't a sadist but he came from a martial background. It was a kind of professional curiosity.

The competitors included some Force using sorts. That would be interesting to see if and how much it changed things. Visser had never gone against one. But he'd seen what the Knights of Ren could do with their shadowy powers.

He took a snifter of brandy and a cigar from a shapely serving girl. Her smile was nothing short of suggestive. Visser smiled too but couldn't allow himself that kind of indulgence. She looked almost genuine in her disappointment as she swayed away.

Loose lips sunk ships and females had a way of loosening them. The slave girl's loyalties were not to him no matter how she smiled at him. If he let something slip, it would be certain reach the ears of her masters. He couldn't have that.

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Acaleus Thorn]

He hated the weather. Years of training to the fighting and stealth arts and he still was bothered by something little as how hot or cold it was. He would live in Hoth or Tattoine for a year to habituate himself to other weathers... "WHY IM THINKING OF THAT WHILE IM SMELLING BLOOD JUST A FEW METERS AWAY?!" Acaleus laughed with his thoughts. He was wearing his assassin grey clothes at the moment. Of weapon he didnt knew what to bring, so he only took his wrist lightsaber, his skorpion evo and a knuckle with a 20 cm knife attached to it.

The reason he was there was just to gain the favor of the Hutts into investing in his company. If he managed to stay for a few battles, he knew they would be interest into talking with him. Venus payed the fee and went with two guards to sit in the arena to cheer him. Acalues would liked to have brought something to smoke or drink, because the wait was long "If they let me use the force its going to be a long risky battle against another force user. If not...well it would depend on how well the opponent displayed in battle"

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"] [member="Michael Shado"]

 

[Xalus]

Equipment:

Spoiler

• CZ-836
• CZ-835
• Conner APNG3
• Czerka Fighting Knife
• Ori'ramikade Eukgar'gam w/ Crushgaunts
• Sentinel belt
• Taozin amulet

Over nine hundred years of existence had seen the Gen'dai amass more wealth than he could have ever imagined. Paying this measly little entry fee along with purchasing the best gear he could put no strain on his wallet whatsoever. Be that as it may, the hulking creature still looked over his equipment before setting off into the arena and ensured that each little piece of his arsenal was serviceable.

"Do you require anything else, master?" One of his automated servants inquired cheerfully.

Xalus slowly shook his head before rising, beginning the process of donning the armor and all of his gear. Without hesitation, the droid began to assist its master in the painstakingly slow process. Soon enough, a helmet concealed that monstrous visage and he looked nothing more than a rather large humanoid.

It was show time.

[member="Jynx"]

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"Ladies and gentleHutts, the arena will be split right down the middle!" the commentator screamed and so did ancient gears, as a wall was of thick metal was brought up splitting the arena into two sections. Its craggy face was carved in old scratch mark dark scorch mark from rogue blasters, and the dried remains of bile and blood, all in all it was a good wall. "There will be two fights going on at once! Twice the carnage, twice the blood!"

"Our first two matches are the great [member="Xalus"], one of our very own! He's a favourite to win this match up, you gotta feel sorry for who ever he's fighting, but his opponent is no push over either [member="Jynx"], the back alley rat. Once working for the Hutts, under the days of the supreme Mogul Sempra, she led a pack of alley fighting thieves. Who will win, strength or cunning! Now a word from our sponsors." A selection of strange jingles began to play over the speakers, they had a light catchy melody the ones that made them to stick like a knife to the gut, 'come down to Jemba's Cuisine, his moon pies will really take you to outer-space'.

"And on the second side is the Mandalorian, who doesn't know when to quit, give it up for [member="Michael Shado"]! He will be fighting [member="Acaleus Thorn"], a new comer here on Sriluur, will his metal prove stronger than the Beskarest? Combatants! Once you've entered the arena you may start, lets get ready to rumble!"

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'THUP' 'THUP' it was as if gods finger was pressing down on the world, the airways hung will a dull thumping sound as the speakers hummed with static. "Is this thing on?" a voice called. "Yeah, oh alright. Hello everyone, this is Mcnash, speaking. I'm here to tell you about a little rule alteration, we didn't get any applicants for the beast fights, I know how sad. So here's what's going to happen, there is three remotes given to three individuals around the stadium, if two out of the three is pressed while a match is on something will be let out, that is all. Also you're allowed to use the force against non force users." 'click'.

He moved over towards [member="Mael Ren"], slipping a remote into the ambassadors hands. "You heard me, you have the power of life or death. Or at least a third of it." And he slumped down next to him into the chair, the sharp lines of his form biting deep into the cushioned surface, little white lines of fluff began to appear as he ran his hands across it cutting into the fabric. "Who's your credits on, mine are on [member="Xalus"]."

 

[Michael Shado]

[member="Acaleus Thorn"]

The intercom came on, announcing the first match. He knew not their names, nor did Michael really care, wasnt his fight. Then his fight was announced, and he hated himself for not bringing a beskad with a sigh. His gate opened, and the Mando stepped into the arena. People upon people shouted out cheers and boos, but he was more worried about this Thorn guy. Mcnash said the Force could be used now, and something about beasts coming into play. Just great, leave it to the Hutts to change poodoo up and mess your whole mojo up.

With his rifle in hand, he made no attempts to show off, he wasn't here to be that kind of fighter, he was here to give the opponent a real fight, something of honor, and sport. Taking a readying position, he awaited for his opponent to show his face.

"Here goes nothing...."

 

[Visser Chernykh]

Visser accepted the remote with one of his tight smiles. He placed it carefully in his lap. Best not to waste this because who knew what was going to happen. When [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] took a seat, the politico answered.

"Your friend [member="Xalus"] looked formidable at your gathering. Still, this [member="Jynx"] sounds like a survivor. Never underestimate the will to survive, Mr.McNash. It can lead to interesting possibilities, that will to survive. You never know what you'll do or whom you'll ally yourself with."

His let his gaze linger to emphasize that last part for a split-second. Then he gestured to the other fight with his cigar. "You've certainly stacked the odds against the Mandalorian, but then, they are supposed to be Jedi hunters."

[member="Michael Shado"] [member="Acaleus Thorn"]

 

[Acaleus Thorn]

Acaleus stood up and walked towards the arena. The screams of the crowd was a little distracting so he took a deep breath "Just like the old days" he was thinking about his years as a slave, as a gladiator. His owner, a Ithorian, at least had respect for him. The same respect a slave could get after winning battles and money for his owner.

The guards opened the door for him, as he passed through. He didnt knew anything about his opponent, so it was going to be a test of resistance, until Acaleus discover every weakness. The field didnt had anything special and that was a little disturbing if he needed to get close. He took off the hood and saw his opponent, a human with a robotic arm "Alright so hand to hand will be a problem..." if things get out of control he would always had the force card.

[member="Michael Shado"]

 

[Michael Shado]

[member="Acaleus Thorn"]

Oh Michael just knew from the look at this man that this was going to get close and personal just by the fact that the man had a hood. Men with hoods meant bad news usually, and that was just the thing this Mando didn't want to see. Hopefully this man wasn't a Jedi, or something like that, but the odds were stacked against him. Quickly, his brain assessed the situation, no physical blasters were shown, this meant cqc. Mncash's quick changing of the rules on the Force meant something here...

"Bic ni skana'din! Cetar Haar'chak! Jetii!"

Michael wasn not stupid, and he knew what this man was, Mcnash set this up just for that, but it didn't matter. There was still plenty of distance between the two men. His weapon came up, ready to fire as the Mando unleashed hell on Thorn. The rifle apparently was automatic, Michael should have checked that before hand, but oh well. His finger never let the trigger go.

"Ke narir haar'ke'gyce rol'eta resol!"

As the old saying went.

 

[Acaleus Thorn]

Acaleus senses lighted up when Shado raised his rifle, shouting. His legs reacted fast, throwing his body to the right, as the bullets passed on the space Acaleus had left. He rested his hand on the floor and impulse to the side, to gain enough concentration "Son of a..." he took out his Skorpion Evo from his back and responded the fired using only one hand. With the other he created a weak force shield, as he didnt had time to concentrate, but leaving the tip of the weapon outside. If he couldnt get close, then he would use the force.

[member="Michael Shado"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Two fights, both side by side. Phar'ra would not be in this round it seemed.

The Kaleesh made his way up to the stands, dressed fully for the occasion. On his hip rested a heavy blaster, and opposite was the hilt of his saber. A simple set of durasteel armor was strapped to his person, and as always the bone mask rested atop his face. For now, he sat among the other spectators, waiting until it was his name to be called down. He still had no idea who his opponent was, but he knew his master, [member="Darth Abyss"] , was close by. He could feel him.

Oh, how Phar'ra hoped that wasn't his first opponent.

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Michael Shado]

[member="Acaleus Thorn"]

Where the heck did that gun come from? Michael didn't have enough time to worry about that he hit the ground to get out of the fire, and start rolling to the left to get away from the man's slugthrower's fire. When he returned fire, he realized the man had some kind of personal shield up, or maybe it was the Force, Michael didn't really care which. He just needed to get through it somehow. At any moment those hit, he would feel it, unless they hit the vest part of his armor, even then he doubted his vest could take much of that little gun's firepower. He needed to do something quick.

With precise aiming as he took the prone positions' ability to give him better aim, he began firing at the barrel of his gun. Michael squeezed the trigger, wanting that blasted thing disabled. As he fired single shots the best he could, he felt a bullet smash into his vest, then another as it ripped into his shoulder. Adrenaline caused him to only wince, but he would feel it later in the fight.

 

[Acaleus Thorn]

Acaleus knew what Shado was trying to do, and that was to hit the muzzle of the sub-machine gun. The bullets missed around it, but Shado concentrated the fire on a close area of the shield. Acaleus didnt resisted and the force shield exploded, throwing him to the back and creating more distance between them, the sub-machine gun felt a few meters away.

With a single jump from the floor he stood up, only to see bullets flying towards him. Acaleus crossed his arms and just when he was going to create another force shield, three bullets strike in the arms. His left wrist lightsaber received one of the shots, dissabling it.

The assasin got on his knees resisting the pain "Mental note, on the need for a better armor..." he raised a one meter diameter force shield with his left hand, for protection, as he was going to make a run for it towards shado. The shield would be resistant enough and would cover his body, expect legs. Acaleus started to sprint, looking to his enemy in the eyes. If he close the space between them, the assassin would win the close combat fight.

[member="Michael Shado"]

 

[Garza]

I smiled lightly as the names were being called out for who was fighting who. Signing off the waivers, and paying the entry fee, I looked over the weapons that were there. I wasn't really paying attention to the calling out of names until mine was spoken. Atheus verses Alkor. Of course. I shook my head as the two Masters of the force were put up against one another. I am not sure if they would allow us to use the force since we both had it, nor let us use lightsabers for this one fight since we already had our own. However, I could see why they didn't let me bring in my own Sith Sword. They wanted a fairness about the fight.

Looking for various weapons, I had to prepare for this. Looking out to Alkor as he was on the field already, He was carrying one sword. And looked to have a blaster. Turning around to the table, I felt the grips of the weapons. One that I liked the best was an arming sword. It felt nice in the hand, and was balanced to allow a mix of parries and bone crushing blows.

Then picking up a duo of knives. One weighted on the blade to be used as a throwing knife, it was shaped in a Saxton combat knife, and the other was a rather thinner blade meant as a parry knife, or one to simply use as a knife itself. Smiling a little, I grabbed the two, and had then placed on the small of my back, and my right thigh, with the sheath of the sword on my back. Drawing it, with an experimental twirling off to my right, I smiled behind my mask.

Walking out onto the field, I faced the Jen'Jidai. Taking the sword in a salute towards him in a form of honor, and respect, I knew he could see that my left arm was replaced with a metal one. Currently a placement for what I was currently building, I flexed my left hand slightly.

​"Don't hold back on me Alkor. We have unfinished business."

Walking forward, I closed the gap, and then lashed out at the man with a swing to his right shoulder, followed by another to his left. Just opening the fight, I still had much to learn about how the Corellian fought.

[member="Alkor Centaris"],

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"A properly balanced sword," the droid recited as speakers blared overhead, and the sounds of combat ripped through the staging grounds. Dry desert heat blew through the corridor as it pondered the implications of those words. "If the make of each blade is specialized, what purpose does such a weapon hold?"

"Fer killin'," one of the arena guards drawled. "A blade what cuts quick and don't slow down on one side or the other's for fast, murderin' strokes. Don't think no one what fights like that'd enter a match round these parts, though."

"How barbaric," the droid muttered as it hobbled past. It's photoreceptors honed in on an image that flickered to life along the walls. Sand blasted and illuminated by sunlight, the combatants came into view.

Alkor's lips twitched slightly, one corner pricking upward to create the slightest of smirks. "Of course," he replied with a deft flourish of his weapon. The half salute twisted into his initial approach.

His blade trailed upward from his own right hip, grazing along the edge of his opponent's blade and singing a metallic song. The quick parry/block wasted no strength and stayed the foward momentum of his opponent's probing blow with only the slighest expenditure of energy.

Unlike the art of lightsaber combat, live steel required several dinstinct stylistic adjustments to properly engage. Economy of motion and stamina were paramount to survival, and to victory. Any wasted movement could spell death, if not immediate, then in the long run.

His blade ripped along the space between both arms, masterfully reading the intent of his opponent. [member="Atheus"] would be instantly aware, the Force was an aside to Alkor's training. He was a master of blades foremost. The tip of the weapon tore for the other man's face, a shallow strike intended to paint a line of blood across the bridge of Atheus' nose.

Alkor finished the motion with a harsh jerking motion, straight downward and toward his left hip. The blade had danced a full circle, never deviating from that path until it engaged with the strike intended for his left shoulder.

The clash that resulted was far and away louder than the first. Their blades were locked for an instant, long enough for the Corellian exile to take a step back and out of range for retaliation. His breathing remained even, and his body swayed slightly as he warmed himself up.

Why waste anything before your opponent, after all? Atheus had yet to even tip his hand, if his previous performance were any indication.