Korriban: Where Madness Reigns - Fight Five

[Sapphire Storm]

Credit for the image goes to Tiberius Viris on ArtStation​

It was the middle of the day on the Sith world of Korriban. The sun sat high in the sky, beating down upon the red, rocky surface of the planet mercilessly. The air itself seemed to shimmer with the heat, unable to withstand the harsh gaze of the sun without losing its integrity. In the distance stood the temple, claiming the lives of the unworthy even now, as two contestants made their way to the battle location and prepared to fight until one was victorious over the other. Rocky outcroppings rose all around, forming a natural arena of sorts. Paving the ground of the makeshift arena were rocks, most of which were little more than pebbles. One, however, stood above all the rest. It stood at waist height and made up the centre point of the rocky, uneven fighting ground, serving as a focal point for the bout.

Two combatants stood on opposite sides of the arena, rock outcroppings rising around them in every direction. Both combatants were members of the Lords of the Sith. The first, Rhem Solare, was a full member of the Order, and by right of rank had the advantage in this fight. His opponent, known simply as Jack Vakira, was but an acolyte still. Defeating a full Sith in single combat would go a very long way to proving his worthiness of the title of Sith. Regardless of their experience; regardless of their place in the Brotherhood, upon this field they were equals, and before the day was done one would emerge victorious, while the other would emerge much worse for wear, but alive, even if they were lacking a limb or two.

@Epicjester @Flamjetxx

 

[Flamjetxx]

Vakira's first steps on Korriban were hot ones. Thankfully, the coolness of the ship was trapped inside the cloak that was draped over his shoulders. He didn't plan on making his trip to Korriban a long one, but it would certainly hold some interest. Vakira was only just rediscovering his skill with a lightsaber, but thus far, he was disappointed. He knew his training hadn't been extensive in using a lightsaber, but he would have thought he would have remembered something by now. Usually, remembering something included a nasty flashback that blurred the lines between memory and reality, and though they were certainly unpleasant, he'd been finding that he craved them. The more he had his flashbacks, the more he learned about his former life, and the more he remembered, the more he simply became his old self. Unfortunately, that meant nothing particularly good for his current self, but Vakira was slowly learning that he liked conflict... a challenge.

Vakira was highly skilled with a blaster already. He'd remembered more than enough of many of his combat forms to be a formidable opponent on any level, however, regarding the simplest of deeds of being a Sith, he lacked in combat skill. He knew little of the Force's applications in the heat of a fight and he remembered far too little of lightsaber combat. And the old version of him cried out from the depths of his consciousness to experience the feel of the lightsaber in his hands... to use the Force to attempt to shatter bones... to simply use them as the tools they were to get what he wanted. Victory.

A tournament. That was his sole purpose on the planet. There was nothing more he wanted from the scorched earth. In fact, if it weren't for his short hair and smaller frame, he would have been far less comfortable on the planet's hot surface. Thankfully though it wasn't the first time he'd experienced a desert, despite the fact that it as the first time he'd been on a planet with a desert. He, somehow, knew what he was doing.

It wasn't long before he was marched out into the midst of the desert, into a makeshift arena of sorts. It seemed that a few have already fought here already, likely the other contestants of his tournament. Vakira knew that his fight wasn't going to be an easy one from the start, but something told him that he'd leave his own marks on the battlefield. The perimeter was easily distinguished with the imperfect circle of jagged rocks jutting out of the hardened surface. Already he was learning how dry it truly was on the planet's surface, judging by how the ground kicked up dust as he jumped into the arena. The small clouds slowly wafted around the flat and even surface as it was determined that there wasn't even the slightest breeze to carry it away, but rather that it would just sit there, painfully adrift until gravity pulled each particle of dust back down. It almost made the Shistevani sad to kick it up again with each step towards the center of the arena, where the only thing separating him and his eventual opponent would be a waist-high rock.

Vakira's shoulders rolled as the cloak he wore dropped to the ground, where the stood, into a crumpled heap. It revealed that Vakira opted to be as light as he could. He wore no armor, he brought nothing to hinder him; even the cloak he wore was shed. Vakira also determined that he'd learn nothing if he relied on any weapon other than the one he was attempting to relearn, his lightsaber. If he was going to have a flashback, it'd be here and now. All he had was a single lightsaber blade with him, his belt with the flask only partially filled with water, and his own two hands. Drawing the lightsaber upon meeting the eyes of his opponent, Vakira ignited the saber, where it snapped and hissed in violent complaint at the dust that failed to settle, burning it all, where the lightsaber ignited. And somehow, it didn't feel right to him... a lightsaber?

Regardless, the duel was bound to start whether anything was said or not, and so before any move would be made, Vakira nodded at his opponent, a Sith by rank, "I am Vakira. Good luck to you."

@Epicjester

 

[Epicjester]

Rhem yawned. It was far too early for this crap. Nothing would please him more than crawling back into his ship and sleeping for another few hours. But annoyingly formalities like this would need to be dealt with. After all, he could hardly appear TOO weak to his fellow Sith. Otherwise he'd never get any peace. He blinked under the harsh sunlight. Glaring upwards while shielding his eyes. Rhem was curious as to how hard it would be to blow up a sun.

I mean, he could think of a device that could theoretically work. But putting it into practice would certainly be a struggle.

Taking a swig from his hip flask, Rhem eyed his opponent. To be perfectly honest his first impression was that he was dealing with some kind of canine-wookie hybrid. By the Force his opponent was hairy! More heavily built than Rhem as well. So making this battle a contest of strength would be a foolish decision.

But then again, Rhem never fought fair. So he wouldn't have to worry about things like that.

He yawned again as his opponent greeted him. "Rhem." Was his mono-syllabic response. As novel as it was to see a Sith with an idea of fair play. Something as small as that wouldn't really be enough for Rhem to openly acknowledge him or anything. "Do you want to make this interesting with a few bets. Or will we just get right into it?" From his tone, Rhem was utterly disinterested in his opponent. And while the Acolyte might interpret the disinterest as Rhem looking down on him for his lower ranking. It was in fact simple boredom. He'd be acting the same way if the Supreme Commander herself was in front of him.

He simply didnt want to be here at all.

His lightsaber hung loosely in his left hand. his stance was utterly relaxed. Clad in the similar garments to his opponent, simple jacket and pants. A blaster was visible on his waist, but he made no motion to grab it. In fact he simply stood there. Utterly content to let his opponent make the first move.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Looking his oponent up and down for the first time, it seemed that Rhem wasn't all too keen on being here. Though speaking of dueling, his general demeanor, and how he'd failed to even ignite his lightsaber yet was nearly insulting as to not take Vakira as a threat. However, Vakira couldn't really blame him though, because he might tactically underestimate himself as well if he'd known as much about himself.

Swinging the red saber in his right hand, he'd get the feel for the energy blade as he rotated around the left side of the center stone to meet his opponent. Although, something within Vakira's head made him feel slightly sympathetic towards him, because he didn't stick close to the stone immediately, seeing that his opponent didn't make the first move from the other side of the stone. It would be safe to assume that Vakira's wide approach away from the rock would create a fair amount of safety room for his opponent to be able to prepare himself before Vakira's trajectory would sharply change to meet the Sith next to the rock.

While Vakira rotated though, he'd address the superior rank's desire to gamble, "Do you place bets with Jedi before you fight? Would you expect to flip a coin whether you live or die when you engage a firing squad in combat? I find your lack of focus on your true situation to be a mistake."

It almost seemed as if he was scolding the elder Sith, but with a good reason. It was far from professional to make such gestures, and for Vakira, the duel was a serious as it got. There was nothing more dangerous than an opponent that knew already that you were going to fight them. In reality, to fight was the most basic of survival instincts, but always a last resort. It was the last thing you would prepare to do before dying, no matter what form it would take. Sure, their duel wasn't meant to kill, but it would still simulate the real deal, and that was more than enough to make even a professional killer such as Vakira take caution in his every movement.

Aiming to snap him out of his fantasy of leisure, Vakira closed the distance between them quickly, and the exact moment he came into range of Rhem, he'd swipe the lightsaber from his opponent's right hip to left shoulder in a diagonal attack. It was only just close enough to cut a shallow, but devastating wound into his abdomen if left ignored, and Vakira did this specifically to leave him alive if he did decide that taking Vakira seriously was not a choice.

 

[Epicjester]

"And your complete focus on the situation will blind you to the rest of the world." Rhem retorted, his previously neutral expression slowly melting into a small smile. How interesting this one was. So calm and focused, so eager to prove himself. For a moment Rhem considered giving up right then and there. If only to see how far his opponent would get.

But that was unlikely at this point. He was finally awake and his match had begun. He'd begun this thing, so he might as well give it his all. Anything less would simply irritate him. He still signed up for this out of his own free will. He might as well make a statement so people get the idea that he should be left alone. His feet shifted as his opponent charged towards him. Not enough to count as movement. He was simply getting into position. The smile had left his mouth. It was high time he start paying some measure of attention to this.

As the diagonal slash was launched, Rhem's body moved into position. His own expertise in soresu giving him the edge he needed. The style was entirely defensive with each and every movement both controlled and exceedingly energy efficient. And for an attack like this. Rhem wouldn't even need to ignite his blade to defend.

His body twisted clockwise. Torso now facing to the side as his head kept locked on his adversary. The initial swipe missing his hip entirely as his body leaned backwards to miss the rest of the slash. As soon as the slash was finished and Vakira's arm was extended. Rhem's own lightsaber extended. Having been pointed right up at his opponents arm. The plasma blade extended, aimed right at his opponent's bicep intent on impaling it. A crippling blow to be sure. And certainly a tricky one to avoid considering that the arm was already extended and the speed at which a lightsaber ignited.

As soon his strike either hit or missed. Rhem quickly backed off, now fully entering his defensive stance.

Rhem's grin returned as he wiggled his eyebrows at Vakira. Partly mocking him, partly impressed at how close his strike had come to cutting him in half. In fact, one could even get the faint smell of burnt hair on the wind as Vakira's saber had come just a bit too close for comfort.

 

[Flamjetxx]

His response was condescending to say the least, but it was nothing Vakira hadn't already dished out, and if it weren't for Vakira already starting the duel and concentrating on what he believed to be more important than what his opponent was focusing on, Vakira might have actually chuckled at their banter. It was rather enjoyable, not simply for the semi-friendly repartee, but for the fact that it was mentally engaging and the rather philosophical connotations behind their words. Unfortunately though, Vakira was rather engaged, and his mind was in no position to continue.

For someone who claims that the rest of the world is blinded to whoever focuses entirely too much on the activities they currently participate in, he missed something huge. Perhaps Vakira could lump it all into a single grouping of the fight, but he'd turned his back to one of Vakira's weapons. It certainly wasn't any traditional weapon, but one just as dangerous as any other, and it was the environment. More specifically though, it was the jagged, and if you asked Vakira, dangerous-looking rock the fight centered around. For Vakira, the moment he stepped onto the dusty ground, that single protrusion at the center of their battlefield wasn't a simple obstacle, but it was a weapon to be used to his advantage. It was the reason Vakira wanted to engage so close to it, it was why Vakira rotated so wide, was so that he'd end up farther away from it than his opponent.

Admittedly though, Vakira never expected Rhem to make it so easy on him to not only face his back to it, but also to lean into it. And above everything else, he did it all without igniting his lightsaber. He was tempting death... but unfortunately death would have to wait for him, because Vakira wasn't about to do that.

He was concentrating on something... no, something more than simply balancing precariously over a jagged rock, but he was concentrating on something else.

His folly was set, and all Vakira had to do was take advantage of it. Remarkably, upon realizing his opponent was going to attempt to avoid Vakira's attack all together, all it meant was to the Sith Acolyte was an adjustment to his foot placement, where raising his forward foot, his right, he'd kick out with a side kick to Rhem's left leg, the one that would be closer to him if rotating his body in such a manner, his left leg aiding to close the short distance between them a well as to empower the kick. The Sith's attempted acrobatic act would require him to maintain both feet planted firmly in order to be able to keep balance while leaning back, and with Vakira compromising that balance, not only would it prevent him from being able to launch himself out of danger's way, but it would cause him to fall backwards onto the jagged rock behind him regardless of any injuries the side kick itself actually caused to his knee.

Furthermore, a bonus effect of the kick would be to not only break his concentration on his other task, but it would also severely alter the precision needed for him to ignite his lightsaber into Vakira's arm, likely causing his blade to ignite underneath Vakira's arm/blade as his left leg would give out under the kick. All Vakira had to do was to follow through on his swing, albeit altering it slightly in an attempt to follow him down to the rock, which was, if anything else, it was simply a method to keep him from wanting to bounce back up, and because of how quick Vakira's swing and Rhem's maneuver was, Vakira was cutting it close on him as it was.