Testing Tempting Temps

[Darasuum]

Listen to for ambience
​

it was quiet throughout the area with only a slight sound of water in the very distant horizon from the waterways that existed between the various pyramids that dotted the landscape. Sith had constructed them long ago and the elements had only slightly eroded their magnificence as time had worn them down. silent birds flit from their hiding place as a figure activated his backpack with built in speakers, disturbing the calm and placid feeling of the area. the music was raucous and aggressive compared to other melodies that existed but the man enjoyed them, silently mouthing the words and playing mock instruments as he walked around the clearing he stood in.

the sun had risen high enough that it was a few hand spans in the sky but the overcast cloud coverage made it fairly equally lit. in light of the bombings of the Korriban temple he didn't see it as unbefitting. but he wasn't here to admire the scenery though human supposed he already had done just that if not for but a moment.

he was here for a fight, as he assumed every encounter with another being could and would result in violence. as such he had his two lightsabers on his belt and the plain segmented armor on under his long black trench-coat that was caked with mud around the edges. the journey here had been a slog since a great amount of the surrounding area was wetlands though the immediate clearing and beyond was solid earth. the human wondered why the builders had decided to make objects of such size and awe in such an inconvenient location. but the man shook the idea from his head and unslung his backpack. inside he had a number of other weapons, explosives and devices that he figured he could use as entertainment in any situation. the one to come would surely be exciting.

 

[Phoenix]

Corvo had been lurking through the swamps around the ruins. There'd been rumors of people breaking onto the property. He had no interest in letting people break through anymore and had come out personally to kill whoever was out here.

He'd brought his regular tools of death with him. It wasn't long before his quiet lurking was met with the sound of... music? What was that from? Certainly not anyone that should be at the ruins, he thought. He crept toward the sound that seemed to be coming toward him. Silent as the grave and undetectable by sound or the Force. He nocked an arrow as his eyes scanned for any sign of the other man.

After a moment following the sound, he spotted him. He looked to be about Corvo's age and height. He stood for a moment, concealed by bushes and waited to see what the other man was doing before attacking outright. Nevertheless, he knew this would likely end in bloodshed as the man disturbed this Sith site.

 

[Darasuum]

silent sentinels, alchemy created beasts, traps and third party organizations often hindered those around ancient burial locations and monuments. this was especially the case with sith sites as the man had experienced in the past and they always held multiple threats. he wasn't really in a tomb or anything like that but was close enough that he could still be perceived as a threat.

he was only a few meters out in the open but it was still quite foolish from the tactical point of view. the music played but stopped, making the man examine his equipment. the human had used the backpack for awhile and was perhaps the most consistent piece of equipment he carried on him besides his lightsabers. but now it had been roughed up enough, shot at, stabbed and generally handled in a chaotic environment. the man sighed and turned it off completely.

it was only after the music ceased that his instincts twinged slightly in the back of his mind. there was something off about the surrounding area to him, and it wasn't the ominous feeling that prevaded all sith sites. the man realized it was the lack of sound all together. was it his own music that had silenced any animal life in the surrounding area? unlikely, he thought as he looked around with a blank expression upon his face, his posture reflecting that of an old man taking a stroll through the park though he was looking for any sign of life. on his belt he subtly felt the slight waver of his two lightsabers. in addition some part of his subconscious thought of the numerous weapons he had on him. normal people felt their commlinks in their pockets, itching for communication, the man just itched for conflict.

 

[Phoenix]

Things went silent and Venator drew back his bow, the mechanism completely silent even to the most tentative ear. He depressed the primer to activate the explosives in the arrow and let the sights fall on the man. Steadying his breathing, he suppressed the adrenaline for a moment and then opened his fingers. The arrow flew straight and true, silently through the air at 300 fps, threatening to tear into flesh before detonating. No warning and little revelation of his position.

Venator had been a predator for as long as he could remember. It was where his Sith name had come from and he lived up to it well, hiding in the shadows and awaiting the carnage caused by the arrow and its detonation.
@Shaw

 

[Darasuum]

perhaps he should make an effort to defend himself preemptively, the man thought to himself in a way. but it was already too late. to his right he saw a slight glint of movement moving towards him. it was like seeing a bird out of one's peripherals and turning to look at it fly in the sky but this was at ground level and from an unknown source and far too small to be anything of avian species. there was only so much time the brain could process an amount of information naturally. it was all insinct for the man and it would do little to help him in this situation.

for some reason his body knew that the lightsabers he had wouldn't help him in the short time. all he could do was raise a hand. he had stopped blaster bolts before using tutaminis and it gave him some confusion that this was not a blaster weapon that flew towards him at increased speeds. just as soon as it had crossed the distance from where it originated the arrow head exploded only a meter from the man. he had anticipated the energy of a heavy blaster at worse and was unprepared for an explosive device. he was thrown backwards and to the ground.

the man looked up and saw the overcast sky above him and quickly rolled so he was no longer on his back. with his arms out infront of him he pushed himself up and got back onto his feet before drawing one of his lightsabers in his left hand. his right arm that he had used to block the explosion hurt a little bit, perhaps he had injured it since he hadn't blocked the energy fully and misinterpreted the explosive power of the arrow. now he would probably have to use it to enhance his manipulation of the force and resist the urge to use it for physical combat, lest it give out on him.

under his helmet he was grinning just like the skullish face of the mask. it had been awhile since he had been in pain. normally he siphoned off of other people's pain and suffering and utilized the force to vampire their woe for his own gain. but now he used the energy that told his brain he was somewhat injured to redirect towards motivation and adrenaline. a jedi might try to subconsciously heal himself but the man let it be. a sprained wrist, maybe some torn muscles. hopefully not any shrapnel were part of the injury. he glanced at his arm and it had some of the brownish pain flash-scorched off. a piece of shrapnel two centimeters long stuck out from where it had stuck into one of the segmented plates, if it had moved over a few centimeters or hit at a different angle it might have found itself embedded in the human's flesh.

"Attack from the shadows. not a bad shot, center of mass, I especially like the bang at the end." he said returning his attention to the edge of the clearing where the attacker still resided. the man was slightly tensed, ready to defend against any further ranged attacks from the man. he hadn't sensed him which disturbed him but he wondered who it was that was attacking him. with his right hand he checked that the equipment had on him was still there and hadn't been thrown clear by the blast. he didn't expect a response but it was just a habit, it wouldn't be the first time he talked to himself.

 

[Phoenix]

Venator's arrow detonated as expected. Well, it was expected for him, not for the other man. The results were more or less as desired. It was always nice when it killed them, but he'd settle for an injury and an arm that couldn't be used easily.

He didn't respond to the man's comments, unwilling to give away his position yet as he waited silently.

He debated for a moment the merits of another arrow. It would almost certainly be stopped short, but it could wear down his opponent's Force energies since moving out of the way wasn't a viable option at this speed. Using the Force was the man's only option. He nocked another arrow, keeping his movements hidden by foliage and unleashed again. Sure, the man probably wouldn't be hit but locating the arrow would take enough time that the blast radius wouldn't be a threat to Venator.

He let it loose and immediately moved closer to his opponent, dropping the bow and drawing one of his sabers as he came fully into view, no longer hiding from his opponent. He held the saber in his right hand. Your move. He awaited his opponent's attack.

@Shaw

 

[Darasuum]

a general location was known but the surprise of the attack and then the slight disorientation from the blast made him unable to find its point of origin. but as he suspected the attacker didn't want to come out into the clearing and face him head on. again a shot was fired and instead of trying to neutralize the energy the man just threw up a force barrier to block the damage that was headed towards him at high speed. the explosion occurred the moment it touched and if the man hadn't been used to so many explosions and acts of destruction he might have flinched.

a moment later the dust cleared from the attack and beyond was a man cloaked in trappings of a sith assassin. some just called themselves sith while others added other titles to themselves, marauder, sorcerer, inquisitor. this man was clearly a stealthy fellow. the attacker wielded a lightsaber of his own which the man noted, now he seemed ready for open combat. with his right hand he bent his fingers to emphasize his manipulation of the force. what it affected were three thermal detonators that came out of his satchel. they came slowly over to the man before orbiting several times and then with a flick of his wrist flew straight for the man at the edge of the clearing.

 

[Phoenix]

Venator clenched his left hand at his side, letting the Force tighten around his opponent's right ankle and pulling slightly out and mostly up to pull him off his feet and flip him to crash his head on the ground. With his opponent already having exerted energy and now focusing on three different objects, he'd likely not notice the grab until it was too late. He'd be yanked off his feet and it would interrupt his concentration on the detonators.

The move was faster than the orbiting of the detonators and would cut the man off mid-attack, sending the detonators landing around Shaw rather than flying at Venator. With any luck, they'd already be activated and would detonate on top of his fallen opponent.

@Shaw

 

[Darasuum]

adrenaline pumped through his veins and his eyes focused on the man before him. the vice like grip on the man's leg wasn't unknown but there wasn't much he could do. the sudden yanking of his appendage was not unlike a snare with counterweight. his leg lifted up but the man knew to tuck himself and avoid slamming into the ground as his foot switched places with his head.

in response to the sudden change, and accurate usage of power the trio of explosive devices fell to the ground into the tall grass that would have been up to his knees had he been still on solid ground. with a violent push the man willed them to roll forward towards his opponent though the dull blades of grass would make it difficult to see them.

but the man was not continually held by the attacker and once he reached the height of his disorienting repositioning he would fall in a feline manner to catch himself on the ground, facing the would be assassin in an expectant posture. most importantly the thermal detonators would be away from him when they exploded as he primed them only after they were out of harmful range and set to explode with only a one second delay.

 

[Phoenix]

Venator was on the move as the man came down, darting sideways and away from where the grenades had been and they detonated behind him. The other man had not been within the blast radius and the grenades erupted with a deafening explosion to his left accompanied with a flash of light.

Well, well, well, shall we dance? he asked, saber in his right hand as he drew his second in his left. He didn't slow down, using the fact that his opponent was on the ground to outmaneuver him, slashing with his left saber horizontally tying his opponent's saber up and keeping it between himself and his opponent in order to protect himself. As he did, he moved around his opponent and pivoted to face him. He then planned to swing his right saber at the man's exposed back as he moved a bit past him.

 

[Darasuum]

the opponent was fast, not losing a step for a moment and following through with a maneuver that all seemed to flow into one motion. this was much better than any dance or performance on a stage, this was real. with his left arm he blocked the initial sweep though it was troubling for him to have to deal with the second blade of energy that was coming towards him from the flank. this was a difficult maneuver to counter and would hurt, he knew, but as always he would use the pain that he had coming. the attack upon his exposed back was basic but it didn't have to be complicated, it was a vulnerable area and both he and Corvo knew this to be the case. he did not know this enemy but he respected the simplicity, none of the annoying flipping and attempts at being elegant in straightforward combat. the stealth and art of assassination and the hidden kill was where the elegance truly resided. unfortunately for the both of them this was a relatively straightforward affair.

his weak hand dropped to his side before reaching behind him at the small of his back. as he made this simple gesture one of the additional lightsabers on his belt that had been lying inert prior to that moment shifted from his belt and flew into his grip and activated the moment it touched his palm. his wrist was already in position to block the attack but the force of the attack still made his teeth grit in addition to the risk and swiftness of the maneuver. it was a race, a small one, but it was between his weakened hand and the assassin's right handed attack at his back.

the man didn't wait for a parry and he wasn't in a position to make a sufficient counter attack. instead he dove to his own side and away from the attacker, rolling before springing back up and having his blades at the ready in a cross guard. the two blades sparked against one another and their red energy cast his macabre armor in a malicious light. this guy was good, and injured as he was the human wasn't sure if he could win, but he had come out on top in worse situations before.

 

[Phoenix]

No doubt the man's arm and hand were under massive strain with the injuries they'd already taken. As the man sprung away, Venator brought his left blade up in front of his body, between he and his opponent, waiting for his opponent to strike, and keeping the distance between them very low.

You sure you want to keep going? You might be better served by turning and leaving. Seeds of doubt and Venator was more than willing to plant them. He was still fresh and ready to keep going, whereas after the strain of the most recent attack, the other man's arm would be almost useless.

It was strange, the things he noticed in combat. The wildlife had almost entirely stopped making sound. No doubt as a result of the loud detonations and all the noise the two of them had been making.

 

[Darasuum]

the man adjusted his grip on the weapon in his right hand in an attempt to keep a firm hold and ease any faults he might have. he didn't know what was wrong with it and was probably doing more damage to it as he continued to use it. "not really, you're the one that attacked me remember. you expect me to believe you'd just let me walk away?"

it was strange to the man why Corvo had decided to wait until now to speak. did he think that eliminating him would be easier, that the arrow would have killed him initially? the human couldn't say at this point but he would have to see how his opponent responded. a truth, a lie, a non-answer, all of these things would tell him something about the killer before him.

 

[Phoenix]

Well, you're the one who was poking around where you shouldn't belong and disturbing a peaceful place. But I'm a man of my word. Leave and you'll be fine. Stay and I will be forced to kill you.

The man hadn't caught on from the exploding arrows that Venator meant business. He waited for the other man to make his move. Either attack or withdraw. His left blade remained between he and his enemy, pointed mostly vertically in front of him while his right blade pointed down to his right. He took a step to his own right and slightly forward.

So. What'll it be? I'm running out of time for you to make a decision.

 

[Darasuum]

the dark lord had spoken. it was an ultimatum as well as a threat and one that the man couldn't really ignore for his own desire. he rose to his feet and stood up straight from his previously defensive position as a contemplative expression formed on his face. it would have been visible if he hadn't been wearing a helmet. the man opened his mouth but closed it just as quickly as it had opened as he changed his mind on how to respond. instead he just blew air between his lips making them vibrate and cause a childish sound as a side effect. he wanted to retort but he doubted his opponent would appreciate his witty response of mixed philosophical and humorous composition.

finally the man responded and deactivated his lightsabers though kept them out as he spoke. "Fine. I think I'll live to...I don't know, do whatever it is I do another day. Mind if I ask your name?" the man had showed an effort to submit somewhat to the dark lord's demand. he was still curious as to who it was that had come close to killing him.

 

[Phoenix]

Had Venator not been wearing his helmet, his face would have betrayed genuine surprise. He'd delivered similar ultimatums countless times, but this was the first time he could think of that someone had actually taken him up on it. It was... surprising.... And probably a wise decision.

He took a step back and straightened from a poised attack stance to a more upright casual standing pose. He deactivated his right saber, but kept his left activated but instead pointed it toward the ground just in front of him in a non-confrontational manner. I am Darth Venator. And you are? He knew that being honest about who he was: the Supreme Leader had about a 50/50 chance of restarting their fight if this was some sort of crazed, bloodthirsty guy out to make a name for himself. But at the same time, Venator wasn't one to shy away from a fight. Sure, he preferred anonymity, but he was finally coming to terms with the fact that as Supreme Leader, anonymity wasn't really something he got to enjoy anymore.

 

[Darasuum]

the man turned his head as if to analyze the man even further. he wasn't sure if he should be believe this, Darth Venator. a pause occurred before he chuckled slightly. he attached his lightsabers to his belt where they had resided before the fight had broken out into direct combat. "well that's just typical. i don't mean to sound theatrical, as they probably don't sound as awe inspiring as your title but i have a few names. i guess you can give me your own if you want since i've kind of forgotten mine. Howler, straightjacket, narcissist, Shaw, Jakk, thug number 3 in speeder chase scene..." the main raised his hands comically any intense curiosity one would give to a celebrity even though he knew he wasn't the sort to warrant such presence.