Valleys and Shadows; Light Within the Void

[Asinine Soup]

Spoiler: **Theme**

Location: Unknown
Time: Unknown

"You know what runs this galaxy? Credits."
​

The space was quiet. Could space be any other way? The light of a distant sun reflects off the surface of a celestial body that didn't seem very inhabited from so far away from it's orbit, and that light flows within a cabin space devoid of any other light - other light, save the soft glowing of the signs of existing life support. The arid hum of the ship whispered it's silent incantation, and occasionally, perhaps a clank or a yell could be recognizable to lucid ears.

"Credits, weapons, and spice. That blasted Force shite - load of savrip dung - don't exist."
​

The yelling and the howling laughter of a crowd could be heard more vividly, now, as the stench of unruly character and unnecessary loudmouthing becomes apparent. A crowd with uplifted hands and weapons and drinks encircle a pit littered with bone, tattered clothing, dried blood, and the stench of death covered by a rusted durasteel cage.

"They'd say 'it encompasses everything' or some, but here? In the far reaches of space? Ain't nothin' out here."
​

The pit was circular with massive portcullis gates separating cages that all fed into the main chamber area. The growls and hisses and resonating sounds of rabid creatures of every delight - humanoid included - all howl about. Some seethe, preparing for their next bout amounting to nothing more than survival - survival, as well as entertainment for the vagabonds up above. Their eyes were anticipatory, and their fists bloodied, and their bodies scarred.

"No air. No light."
​

It's out here within a floating mass of nothing but space where entire societies seclude themselves from the working light of the galaxy; it's here that the darkness festers, it's denizens completely unaware - or perhaps simply accepting - of its deeds and desires. Its lust. It was dripping with a depth beyond anything considered moral. Or right. But then again, these days, what could be?

"And certainly ain't no Force."

​

Ashanna awakens within a pile of hay and some other dirty substance unrecognizable at first glimpse or first smell, the resonating sounds of a mumbling announcer sending a gargling tone down into her ears. The walls surrounding her were oppressive, and out beyond the portcullis, there seemed to be two fairly large savage beasts wrestling.
One just so happened to be busy ripping another's arm off, the affected member screeching into the air - a screech that sends a roar of resounding favor ringing through what she could presume to be...an arena.

Clutching at her head, still within her rather simple robes - but notably without her lightsaber - the young Ysanna had the hardest time remembering how she even got here, let alone where she fell asleep previously. But one thing she did feel was Curo. Nearby. She gives her prison a quick glimpse about, though he was nowhere to be seen...
"C-...curo?!" she whispers loudly.
...the wall to her right was crumbling ferrocrete and mortar, and with nothing more than a grunt and a conjuring of energy, Ashanna was able to thrust an elbow through the substance as the crumbling cement leads to dust cloaking her elbow and an entrance into the other holding cell was made visible.

And there he was. Her Togrutan friend, Curo, was currently unconscious - presumably as she previously was - within his own holding cell.
"Curo!" she whispers loudly once again, hoping her voice would carry enough without gathering outside attention with it. To no avail: while Curo didn't respond, several nearby beasts and creatures began hissing and howling, only adding to the cesspool of activity that was currently happening right now. All she knew is that she needed Curo to wake up and enlighten her.

Like, now.

 

[Viabuck]

This was fine. Another beautiful day on the planet Shili, the tall red grass that he had settled within waving around him as the wind passed over him, a light breath being exhaled through his nostrils before inhaling, a rather unpleasant smell intruding upon his senses, his calm being unsettled prompting the Togrutan to rise up onto his feet, his eyes wide as he glanced around, his hand reaching to his side and seeking a weapon with which to ready himself. The force was calling to him and on top of it all, his refined senses would also alert him to something amiss. Something dangerous. Something foul..

In an instant everything would go black, a burning pair of red eyes and a demonically carved wooden mask obscuring his vision from anything else. In that instant he would experience an overwhelming sense of pure malevolence washing over him as his dreaming state had been so abruptly intruded upon.

"Wake up you simpleton... I am -vulnerable-!"​

Suddenly bolting upright, a massive shock washing through his system unlike anything that he had ever felt before, the Togrutan would bring his right arm up, dragging it over his eyes, rubbing away the sleep and shaking his head. His montral's shifting about for a moment, it would take several moments for him to get his grips with what was going on around him but then just like the Sith Lord's voice had moment's before, a familiar voice would rouse him to total awareness.

"Ashanna..?" he questioned quietly only to raise his voice seconds later, calling out once more, "Ashanna! What's going on here?!" he called out, his blue eyes peering around his surroundings as if he were a caged animal, which while not far from the truth did little to bring him much comfort. Reaching a hand to his side and searching for his trusty double bladed lightsaber, the force user would discover shortly that he, like his comrade had been stripped of his weapon and left in a situation where his very first instinct was to lash out though upon settling his eyes upon the Ysanna, he would calm, at least for the moment.

Even if he was positively furious given the circumstances, he would constrain his anger, doing just as he had been 'urged' to during his recent meditations, the bars of the cage starting to bend emit a high pitched screech of metal contacting metal as it was further compacted, a single orange skinned hand leading the effort to begin to bend and push two of the bars away from one another.

"Give me one moment Ashanna.." he commented, his voice mostly remaining calm for the moment in spite of a seething anger which could be found simmering just beneath of the surface. His other free hand reaching outward, each bar would now begin to be visualized being grasped by two massive hands, both violently pushing against the bar's and ripping them apart which while quite loud was in his opinion the most direct route to obtaining a quick exit from their confines.

No doubt the racket he was making would sense the other cage dwellers into a frenzy, the unnatural display of power arousing their instinctual concerns for their safety. Beyond that even, the frustration and anger being channeled by Curo was positively palpable in the air.

 

[Asinine Soup]

Ashanna's Togrutan friend had begun to manipulate the Force, though what he would almost instantly find was that his abilities had been severely muddled. It was in the equivalence of one's legs having fallen asleep, and struggling to use them would prove uncomfortable. What the metal frames did do was creak loudly, enticing an even louder more aggressive response from their neighbors.
"Curo, I need you to listen to me," Ashanna half-hisses, evidently feeling something beyond what their current situation could accurately portray given their lack of sight. It was dark, and it was foreign; the last fluttering thoughts of what could have happened before this still failed to be realized. Locked in a hold of confusion, the pair would have to make due with the situation.
"...we have no weapons and no way out. Something's telling me..." she pauses, head suddenly shifting toward the arena as the beast previously having had its arm ripped off had somehow regained the advantage - it had thrown the massive rancor-looking behemoth into the wall and begun thrashing it with large tusks jutting from its chin, screeching in tandem to the carnage that was occurring. The crowd was absolutely hysteric. "...we need to bide our time. The moment will present itself, but you risk everything if you try to force it. Do you understand?!"

Her hushed tone was stressed in a way that Curo would have never heard it before; she knew a dire situation when she felt it, and what she felt here?...They were in the middle of nowhere she'd ever felt before.
And her ally's negative emotions streaming into the air surely wasn't helping. In the slightest.

"Curo! Focus!...Calm yourself, we have to be ready!" she hush-yells through the slightly opening in the wall. Now was not the time to lose their vigil; they had a duty to perform.

***​

"SO HOW'S THAT ONE, YOU UNGRATEFUL SONS OF SLUGS?! HUH?!" yells a blue-skinned, red-eyed humanoid, a wide beaming and toothy smile plastered upon his face. A crowd was beneath him and his throne-esque balcony as he waved his hands into the air, the shifty mob hysterical in their rancid screams of joyous debauchery. His crowd loved him, so it would seem, and with a rancorous laugh, he slams his palms on the balcony's edge and demands silence.
"The kriffin' things I do for you jerks is astoundin', I tell ya'. Astoundin'. So look what I got for you. Go on, take a look on the view - take a look in the pit. What'cha see?"

He throws a finger-gun to one of his queue-men, who in turn press a corresponding button that chimes into the loud arena down below. Where there were previously a pair of battling beasts, it would seem that they had fought until the bitter end. There was no victor. The loud rattling of cages clinking upward in some of the most primitive ways possible, the cages to the arena's newest additions are released, the walls within slowly sliding their captives out into the arena with the resounding groan of stone-on-stone.

"From far away places...I caught - for your enjoyment n' loyalty - ... a she-warrior human and a battle-loving Togruta. But not just ANY human n' Togruta..." He pauses for dramatic effect, reaching into his duster that, per the name, dusted against the ground beside his steel-tipped boots...and pulls out three items that glinted reflective in the low light of the congregation room.
"...Jedi." he says in a grave voice that surely indicated the hate that was had for their kind. The entire room shifted into silence, perhaps even shock and awe. The boss had captured two...Jedi? He wasn't bluffing when he said he was the best, then. As the lightsabers are held up, the commentator peers over into the arena to see the faces of the Togruta and the Human, were they to look up.
He was patient. For as he looks down, he grins and signals loudly, "FROM THE MOON OF DXUN: RELEASE THE PACK OF MAALRAAS!!" he screams, holding the note as his crowd went wild and a corresponding portcullis rattles, the glowing eyes of the beasts shining red as they begin to lurk and stalk out into the arena. They were starved. They were ready to eat. And their eyes were set upon the two Jedi standing on the other side of the arena.

"Now lessee what these two here Jedi can do without their magic swords, huh?!" he teases the crowd as the pack of seven non-sentient beings break out into a dash, surprisingly coordinated as though they were exactly what they were: animals on the hunt for blood. Ashanna could be seen giving Curo a glimpse, then back to the creatures. With their ability to utilize the Force muddled for now, she reached unto the ground and picked up a nicely sized jagged bone still covered in blood - it would make do as a knife.

"Curo. The Force is with us. Remember that." she states calmly as the beasts come charging in.

 

[Viabuck]

The sudden shift in his environment was enough to bring Curo to an immediate pause, the time given to him by the change in environment proving suitable to develop a quick plan of sorts. Given the nature of the sounds that he had been hearing, it seemed a strong probability that they would soon be fighting something and for one reason or another? His connection to the force seemed to be weakened. What was the cause of it? Had they been drugged? That would explain the unconsciousness and it did prove the most comforting end scenario. If it were something in his system and he wasn't dead in that precise moment, there existed a high probability that he would not die from illness brought on by the toxin.. But what if it were not?

There were many artifacts and surely someone who had assembled such a vast number of beasts would also have access to other black market goods including but certainly not limited to things that could effect the force... Add to his apparent dislike of Jedi as he spoke and it was becoming all too clear that regardless of what the true answer to the questions which he held were, there was only going to be one outcome. He was going to be forced into a situation where he would in all likelihood be fighting for his life against a horde of savage beasts..

Eyeing up the Malraas as they were brought to level with himself and Ashanna, the Togrutan considered for a moment the notion of maintaining a stern demeanor but was met with another thought. One that in it's own way made very good sense to him and was most definitely a tactic that he could utilize to gain enough leverage to see to his escape alongside of his near human compatriot.

"Oh what fun.." he remarked, his lips pulling back and revealing his dangerously sharp looking canines. "What fun!"

If this was intended to be a show for a crowd then he was simply going to have to put on a good one. It was no secret that in his time within the civilized star systems that the more popular characters on Holonet broadcasts tended to live longer and see additional seasons so it stood to reason that if he could sway the crowd to his favor by being exactly what was intended he might earn favor which might present opportunities... And it was with that thought in mind that the Togruta wasted little time breaking into a run of his own.

Was he an idiot? Who would run into a pack of dogs without the force to guide them? An idiot who didn't -need- the force to know where and when an adversary was coming from. That was the long and short of it and it was a fact that was put perfectly into display as he met the lunge of one of the starved beasts with a leap of his own, his long legs bounding him up into the air and driving the heel of his boot downward, snapping it's jaws closed unceremoniously and rather unpleasant injuring the creature only to immediately pivot on heel and drive the top of his boot violently into the mid-abdominal of the beast that had thought it wise to sneak behind him, seemingly driving the air out of it and rendering it less of a threat for the moment.

Of course when attacking a pack of beasts there were risks and as claws drug along the back of his leg, he would quickly come to realize the nature of the beast, responding to the attack by hoisting a foot and mule kicking back and rolling forward, his hands passively once again testing his connection to the force, attempting to force back the clouds and resecure his connection to the force.

'Keep the heart rate accelerated.. If it's poison flush it out. If it's not keep your guard up.. I shall not be dinner on this day.. Nor shall she..' he thought to himself, his focus being split between himslf and the Ysanna on the event she would come under attack, more than willing to aid should the situation call for it.

 

[Asinine Soup]

Spoiler: Arena Fight Begin

"Change is inevitable."​

"Oh what fun...what FUN!" Curo alas proclaims as the wave comes crashing down. Ashanna's gaze doesn't wander nor linger, for there was a small horde with fangs, claws, and muscle come along quickly.
"If that's one's idea of it-- Hnnn!" the Knight exerts a burst of energy as the first member of the pack lunges not for the Togruta, but for the Ysanna; a powerful wind carried it, and as Ashanna evaded, she looks not back at what had already passed, but the member that was waiting for her attention to become divided before attacking at the back of her leg within her blind-spot as well - well, presumed blind-spot, rather, for this beast received a mighty slash fueled by it's own leap and momentum. The bone knife carved into it's skin and drew a dark, sappy blood that accompanied the guttural howl the pack animal received as it landed awkwardly upon the ground with a slam and slide. There was a rip within the beast's side that it's intestines threatened to spill out of, thus one monster out of the fight as the fight swiftly continued.

Curo and Ashanna had cleared a single beast in tandem, though the others took advantage of the divided attention as such animals did and lunged forth once they felt the moment opportune - Curo received a scratch on the back of his legs, but nothing more satisfying than repaying that with his swiftness and power. The female Jedi, however, anticipated and calculated her natural-born agility, and as such, was able to vault over the nape of the snipping beast's neck and roll along the top of it...and ultimately mounts it.
While her connection to the Force was weakened, it was still with her...as it was still with Curo, enhancing his perception and fueling his body with energy needed to stay alive. This time, it wouldn't be their weapon, rather their companion. And as the Force seeps into the mind of the tainted, starved creature, it suddenly snaps it's mind free of bondage and bends the Maalraa to her will...just in time to bound out of the way and duck close to the floor as a third offender sought to sweep Ashanna from her new mount.

Though she lost her bone knife in the process, the crimson-tainted tool having clattered to the ground in the process of the beast's last-second evasion - the plus-side was that it gave time and balance for Ashanna to slide her own hand along the bone-clad ground, a lengthy arm-bone spiked upon the end likely used for the very same purpose as she intended was able to be retried: a bone spear with a fracture running along it's shaft vertically. She heaves it into a ready position, and with a growl, her beast obeys her call: "Attack!"
As Curo was threatened by two members meaning to get a hold of him to ultimately rip him to pieces, Ashanna dashes forth upon her mount and forces one of the creatures to the floor several meters away, dust and bone fragment rising as it impacted the ground away from the pack and fray; the mount doesn't stop there, rather continues bounding forward so that it's previous pack member had not the chance to roll over and sunk it's deadly fangs into it's soft underbelly.
The beast's shriek sends a resounding wave of cheer through the crowd up above, only matched by what Curo had done behind her with the opportunity she'd given as well as the throw of her own bone-spear: it had wavering through the air powerfully enough like a javelin that conforms the space around it. Time almost seemed to slow as it travels through the air...and hits it's mark in the form of a creature bounding off the ground to attempt to evade.

A scant yard too slow as the javelin pierces through flesh and perhaps bone - it even penetrates the ground beneath it, pinning a Maalraa hissing in pain to it's spot outside the ring of terror the two Jedi found themselves stuck within.
As Ashanna praises softly of her shot and clenches her fist, she realized she took the moment to celebrate too early...for she found herself and her beast companion below stuck within a triangular ring of enemies testing them to see who would react to whom first. The first thing she does?...Is peer over to Curo to check his status.
"How are you my friend?!" she calls out just as she whips her head over her right shoulder.

Her chosen foe was leaping forward then and there, and up above?...Their overseer grins beneath his hat, tilting his chin up to better sneer from up above, gaze locked on the action. The crowd loved it.

 

[Viabuck]

Exhilarating.. Simply exhilarating. Even if it wasn't for the act that he was putting on as a means to gain the crowds favor, the Togrutan felt that primal sensation that came from the thrill of being a predator. Even in a situation where the odds were in fact not particularly in his favor, he knew in his heart, beyond his Jedi teachings, behind his usually calm demeanor, he was the apex predator. He was at his very core what he was always meant to be... He was in a position to take the life of his prey and the more that he would allow himself to slide into this more basic, fierce nature, the more that he was able to make his thoughts reality.

With another lunge being made at him it would prove impossible for the orange skinned man not to grin, his sharpened canines revealing themselves as he made a sudden grab, his right hand coming up over the beasts snout while his left came from below. With a sudden show of raw strength, the force sensitive alien would push the beasts mouth closed and while taking advantage of it's momentum send it hurtling off course and into the direction of one of the savage beasts that threatened Ashanna.

"Doing fine dear.." he responded, elevating his right arm and making a fist, showing off for the crowd a bit before bounding back once again and preparing for what was to come. There was no solid science to what he wanted to do next and there were a lot of dangers that came with seeking the outcome that he so desired and yet he felt more ready and prepared to do what was required of him than ever before. "Come along then.. These people want a show.. Let's give them a show.."

And as if understanding his taunts, the hunt was on, the beast that he had thrown moments before sprinting toward him, its teeth gnashing and threatening the well being of the Togrutan should contact be allowed to be made. Shifting his stance slightly and elevating his hands to a ready position, Curo would prepare every motion being made being monitored carefully, awareness of the danger that was to come intensifying by the second. In it's first attempt the beast had learned that it's prey would not be easily taken and this time it would not allow for itself to be grabbed by the face.. Not again... And in truth? He had no intention of giving it such an indignant dispatch.. Not now..

"C'MON!"

Impact as the carnivorous creature's paws struck his chest, his body already starting to lean back into the blow, his intense grin growing all the broader, the snapping teeth just inches from his face not even proving a source of fear, he would simply watch, his muscles straining to hold the beast at a distance, his arms safe only through the beasts seemingly ravenous desire to consume his face... A mistake which would cost it dearly as the moment that it would pull it's head back to make another lunge, he would make his own motion, his mouth wide, his sharp incisors cutting into the furred flesh of the beast, clamping down around the windpipe of the creature and then reeling backward, his head hitting the ground a bit uncomfortably hard as he tore the throat out of the beast, shoving it off to the side as it entered it's death throes.

Slowly getting up onto his feet and wiping his mouth off with the back of his arm, he would look to the other beasts, a hint of concern likely permeating the beasts for the first time since their encounter. Surely now they would second guess him. Surely now that would come to realize that whether they were with a pack or not.. They were not the only predators that existed within this arena... And they were far from safe.

 

[Asinine Soup]

"Why hold on to...what you have to let go of?"
​

As a beast lurches forth, snarling and salivating within it's desperate attempt to be the first to take a chunk out of the betraying beast and it's weak rider is suddenly toppled out of mid-air by a flying Maalraas. He just used it as a weapon...masterful display of physical prowess, one of which displayed her Jedi companion as worthy of his place. He seemed within another element throughout, however, and it was extremely evident that there was something within him causing him to delve deeper into his base nature - perhaps there was an entendre there, for his next actions certainly caused the Ysanna to display that customary eyebrow lift...certainly curious of what drove him to behave as he did.
But she hadn't the time to dissect even her own thoughts on how he chose to dispatch the next enemies, for there were still two en route for her, plus the one that had been struck by one of it's companions had slowly been making it's way back unto it's paws.

"Right, then," she calls back over her shoulder, "don't turn out as dinner - I have a feeling I'd be desert." What was certainly true was that any enemy up against this Togruta would find him to be quite a mouthful. A beast lurches right past the shoulder of Ashanna's mount, for with her reigns upon the monster's mind, she was able to command it's very movements and actions - it could not fight her Light as it's eyes glow a gentle white hue, scanning it's previous brethren as though it were the only enemy it ever knew. With a wild scamper toward the previous spear she beheld, she intended to get hands on that spear still stuck within the thigh of a whimpering injured beast; her own palm remained stained with crimson from her first kill with a knife she'd lost, and her newer weapon - the spear - was certainly hers, for the stain of scarlet remained upon the middle of it: she rides close enough to grasp the item from the ground, and just as she does, an enemy side-swipes her mount and topples it over in tandem.
Ashanna slams against the ground with a grunt of disdain, shoulder-rolling unto her scantly-booted feet with her weapon held at the ready. There were a pair of large claws deep into the neck of her downed companion, and although the enemy wasted no time to inflict a death-blow, it was clear her 'friend' had been dominated - as such, Ashanna's expression becomes dark, and with a beckoning wave of her fingertips, she bares her teeth in a snarl...a snarl matched by her opponent who'd challenged her in a one-on-one. The beast strides forward, claws scraping the durasteel ground cloaked with bone and dried blood alike. Ashanna's fluidity of armed combat shines brightly, then, as the straightforward biting motion of the wolf-like creature bares fangs against a horizontally-held bone spear smeared with blood; the momentum of the beast sends Ashanna to the floor, but with a redirection of that momentum and with a flexed and bent leg shooting upward into the beast's underbelly would ultimately send the Maarlaas continuing forward, though scrawling unto the ground on it's back and side.

It recoils and scampers, quickly attempting to gather back unto it's feet as Ashanna had used that same previous momentum to enter a ready-position once more, teeth still grit, a newfound scrape along her shoulder due to a graze of a set of talons meant to slice her to ribbons.
"Won't happen again," she mutters as the scraping of a four-legged creature attempting to find leverage on a smooth floor begins to gather momentum once more to leap a second time into the fray, snarling all the while expecting blood from the weakling humanoid.

He receives a sidestep and a mention from a quick slash of the sharp tip of the spear, and a gentle surge of the Force that ultimately sends the creature flipping with a fatal gash beneath it's collar and neck once again inflicted through use of it's own momentum: it's scar coupled with the pain inflicted causes it to slam against the floor and skid along it, smearing fresh, smelly blood in it's wake. It landed right in front of one of the only remaining pit beasts who didn't seem too sure about their lot of survival: out of the several that began within it's pack, there was one with an injured leg to it's left, one bleeding from a dominated mount in front of it, and a dying pack-mate to it's right; the other human filth was currently dispatching a third. There were two left, and they were surely hesitant.
The cheering and jeering of the crowd emptied down below, for the battle being fought was surely enjoyed - it made them wonder what could possibly be next.

"YOU'VE DONE WELL, JEDI SCUM," yells the overseer up above, "WHICH HEARKENS A QUESTION: HOW WILL YOU FARE THE NEXT ROUND?!" As soon as the beasts down below were ultimately dispatched, there wouldn't even be a clean-up crew as he would lift his hand. The 'how this beast got into the hands of this man and how powerful must he be, or what resources he must have to acquire something such as this' didn't enter the mind of the young Jedi down below for but a moment...because who would possibly keep the thought in their mind after hearing, "RELEASE THE DARK BEAST OF THE DEPTHS OF KORRIBAN!" Did he not know what it was?...A dark, extremely disgusting energy radiates from one of the larger portcullis gates, and from the darkness would have stepped the massive foot of a Terentatek.
It held massive broken chains upon it's meaty wrists, and as it's tusks raise into the air and a deep sniff resonates about the arena, it's malicious eyes set upon the likely two remaining creatures within the arena.

It would step forth slowly, growling deeply...almost seemingly tauntingly chuckling in a guttural ancient, cursed tone that resonates about the area with power. It disregards corpses it could've fed on...before slamming it's clawed hands upon the ground, shaking the very foundation below, and sending out a howling screech to be heard and responded to by a screaming crowd wild with anticipation.

"...with no lightsabers. That's no fair." Ashanna grins nervously and peers to Curo were he done dispatching her own creature, for she'd seemingly already completed her own task. Her look said 'ready?'. She releases a breath...for the two Jedi would have felt their power within the Force stronger than it had been before, but by-far still weak in comparison to what was typical. The darkness was unfair, and was legion, but you know what?

"...no fair for you, that is." she corrects beneath her breath toward the massive beast standing multiple meters above the duo, ready to die.

 

[Viabuck]

"I wouldn't dream of it! So many more things to do before I die.. Shame I can't say the same for our host!"

The Togrutan Knight was in motion already, not content with his previous victories, his ability to fling beasts and tear the throat from them proving insufficient to sate his lust for violence in that moment. His grin still playing upon his face, he broke into a run, seemingly deciding to retreat for the time being in potentially a careless manner. Why would he turn his back on a predator? Was he suicidal? Had he lost his mind? Had he given into cowardice in spite of his victories? The sound of footsteps were approaching behind him quickly and as he began to round out his semi-circular sprint, the second he heard the sound of the steps come to an end, he had seemingly timed out the beasts intent to lunge at him.. And responded in kind.

Just as the beast lunged, Curo would duck low and actually bound backward, letting the creature go up and over him, it's teeth snapping and claws slashing as it's prey passed under foot.. And then it lunged upward, orange skinned shoulder being driven hard into it's midsection, arms coming up and wrapping around the beasts back. "DOWN YOU GO!"

In a less than graceful descent, the beasts trajectory was rapidly changed and driven head first into the ground, being slammed violently and awkward into the ground beneath of him, his foot being drawn back and giving the already crippled beast a kick to the side of the face, snapping it's neck off to the side, effectively polishing the beast off.

'Good.. Finish this. Finish this and recover me...Tear everyone asunder. Leave no survivors for this offense!'

"Shut up.." he would snarl in a whisper.

Was it madness or were the voice of the holocron truly lingering within his mind through the force? Did it really matter? There were apparently much larger and more dangerous things to work about in that moment. The dangers presented by this new challenger were nothing that he could afford to ignore or potentially underestimate. A beast from Korriban? How interesting.. How dangerous.. How menacing..

"How cute.. Don't you people know anything?" the force sensitive alien inquired, looking upward. "We're Jedi Knights.. We're taught to slay beasts of the dark siders when we're younglings.." he lied though his tone reflected utter confidence, his eyes falling upon one of the Malras he had finished slaughtering, briefly considering the notion of forming a makeshift weapon out of the beast's corpse but instead deciding against it. Without a lightsaber, he was truly at his best using only his natural form and the force which admittedly, he was beginning to find easier to tap into by the second.

"Now watch.."

And just like that, the force warrior was on the move, his legs carrying him swiftly across the arena floor, his body moving in range of the beast, his extra sensitive capacity to grasp the movements taking place in the world around him. Waiting for the inevitably swipe to come, Curo's body bounded up and over to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack and continuing to run around behind the beast, his hand thrusting forward as he passed, a burst of compressed force energy pushing outward and aiming to strike the beast.. Even if only it were only an annoyance, his goal was for the time being was simply distraction.

 

[Asinine Soup]

"When you're dragged to the depths of space and stripped from your way of life for the sport of those who have the power to do so...something inside of you...changes."​

"Now watch..." Curo indicates, to which Ashanna dashes into movement as swift and nimble as expected of the she-warrior - she chimes in, "...and try to keep up!"

She flanks the large dark beast's position and keeps an eye on Curo as her mind plays through the scenario. The writhing of the dying beasts surrounding them would have to wait, for an idea struck home; along the edge of the arena, a fallen portcullis gate crumbled by duracrete had exposed one of it's chains hidden previously within the wall itself. Utilizing the Force, she grunts as she takes a hold of one of the links that required both of her hands just to hold. The Force, however, was strong within her, for with a loud grunt and a rip of her arms backward, the chain comes exploding out of the wall with a layer and plume of white smoke and debris; the loud metal clank of the chain slamming against the ground as it ripped from a rusted portion higher up the chain shakes the ground and rattles the ears of onlookers above.

She had a plan, though. As fast as she could with this massive chain weighing her down, she drags the item with the Force as her ally while the beast seemed to remain distracted with whatever her Togrutan friend was doing over across the way. She had to get into position so he could rush over and do what needed to be done. The chain itself was long indeed, but that was only testament to how heavy it would be if the entire structure were attempted to be lifted at once. Curo could manage to physically lift a rather large portion himself - and that was good, for she would need his help to accomplish what she planned.

"Curo! Get this chain around his neck if you can!" she yells while re-positioning herself. Dashing along, albeit slower, she begins to use the Force as a fishing rod and the chain as the line - the chain launches with Ashanna's resounding grunt of effort echoing about, and where does she launch it?...Straight vertically into the air. If time permitted, the chain would hit it's mark: the gated hook at the very top of the arena opening. With a resounding clatter, it shakes and rattles, it's weight sure and true, but the arena was held firm by the combined force of the surrounding structure as well. It would hold.

Hopefully it would hold for what she had in mind. As she breathes heavily (her own connection to the Force seemingly not returning with as much grace as she would have liked, especially having utilized it in the fight with the Maarlaases), she looks over to check the progress of Curo and his task. She would, indeed, begin to rush over to help, sliding along the floor to retrieve her spear from the gut of a dying hunting beast, flickering the spear upward, then readying her throw. With her eyesight level, it was clear that she was, indeed, a natural born warrior and huntress. While many combat-inclined used primitive forms of bowcast weaponry or a projectile-based bows for sport...Ashanna was proficient with the javelin and spear. And as her aim was struck, the beast was slowly turning around as Curo was hopefully running for the chain - she, however, was simply waiting until -suddenly, her arm launches the bone spear into the air. It rises, only fueled by the Force to affect its velocity and spin, but all the same, it rises, stays upright, falls...and would ultimately land directly into the small mark that was the corner of the beast's eye. She wasn't a crack-shot by far, even with her Force capabilities...however the spear had enough penetration to go through the skin and ultimately damage the eye through ulterior means.

It shrieks a howl of painful distaste as blood splatters from the wound, the head of the beast recoiling. In the passing moments, Ashanna would relocate as the beast would begin to attempt to rip the toothpick out of its eye so it could accurately pay recompense for the crime committed against him. It's howl was a curse to the gods...and to this disgusting little creature that it surely intended to make suffer before it found itself to be it's dinner.

 

[Viabuck]

Throughout the course of his manuevers, Curo hadn't actually manged to spare Ashanna so much as a glance, instead relying on the vibrations of the air around him to feed the information regarding her location and well being to him and giving him the assurance needed to continue his part of the maneuvering. While certainly not supremely confident in their ability to win, the feelings of concern were buried firmly beneath his very primal desire to survive in the current situation. Displaying nothing short of total awareness of his surroundings at seemingly every step of the process, the Togrutan force sensitive would twist his body, hopping slightly as a part of the beast was raised and shoved over toward him, threatening a strike that stood to come at him but failing to complete the act given that Ashanna had gone ahead and seized the attention of the beast.

"Chain.. Got it.." he murmured, suddenly skidding to a sudden stop, his right hand pressing toward the ground, his fingers dragging into the ground underneath of him to slow his momentum, his bent knees abruptly springing him forward once again. Entering a sprint, he would bound upward and seize the chain as it hung there, his right hand securing around it and reeling it inward to seize with his left as he descended, unfortunately (or fortunately in Curo's perspective) back down toward the creature which now had a spear sticking out of it's eye. To say that this had created something of a dangerous situation might have been something that one could consider an understatement but it wasn't anything that he could really be bothered to register in the present moment.

From the moment at his feet impacted the creatures shoulder, he would twist ever so slightly heaving the length of metal around the front of the beast before bounding up landing on the opposite shoulder, his footing being rocked as the creature lashed out in response to his movement across it's body, a white hot rage flashed through Curo as he nearly took a tumble, barely managing to grab the chain before it fell to the ground in front of the beast.

'Foolish Abomination... '

"ENOUGH OF YOU!" Curo would snarl, his hand being thrust toward the beasts face as it went to remove the spear from the side of it's face opposite of the Togruta's perch. Through the channeled rage circulating through his body, the force would not manifest in the form of a burst of compressed force meant to push and impact.. No quite the contrary, something.. New to the alien would take to life, electricity crackling from his fingertips and surging into the beasts eye, surging the beast with energy, superheating the liquid within it's 'good' eye and cuasing it to howl in pain and continuously lash about, now nearly completely blind given the circumstances.

While he was certainly surprised by his own abilities, Curo wouldn't linger on it long as he made another leap to evade around a claw that was lashed in his direct, landing on the ground and tugging back on the chain, tightening it around the monster's throat, and applying pressure. For a moment he would consider the notion of surging it with raw electricity again but for now he would refrain. He wasn't -entirely- certain of Ashanna's intents and thus wouldn't risk electrifying the chain with this new found power before they had time to put her plan into action.

 

[Asinine Soup]

"One thing you have to ask yourself is 'was the change worth it'?"​

The sensation was unable to be described using words as simple or conforming as the Basic language was able to compute. Language itself was not only primitive, but barbaric in the matters of the ancient and generally inexplicable to the galaxy's inhabitants...and yet it was the first stage of reaching the next level of evolutionary progress.
The sensation was numbing - a chilling coldness often indicative of the darkness that tended to surround the light in legion; the feeling sent a jolt not unlike the crackle of lightning that etched it's presence across Ashanna's vision. Curo...
...was that...
"...lightning?"

It brought Ashanna to pause as the beast had certainly felt it, but one thing that both of them would notice that most of the pain came from the lightning streak being channeled into it's eye, the conducting fluid within was more or less a conduit to the lasting effect of a flashbang. In short...the creature was more annoyed than pained. This monstrosity was ancient and it's knowledge was relic - it had certainly been tainted by dark forces unable to be explained in given language lest the text be compendium in size. What Curo did with his lightning ultimately sent chirping whispers of azure light coiling up and down the beast's skin.
While still blinded, the darkness within the Terentatek was much deeper than the insignificant portion of a long-dead Sith's seeping essence. This was power that bent the very fabric that the will consisted of, and this was a beast that thrived on the dark powers that actively flee true light. Not out of fear, but of survival. Fighting fire with fire seemed to send the creature lurching in surprise from the damage to it's eye, but the Force energy utilized to damage it ultimately replenished it's energy: it had been revitalized, and Curo would find that his act had empowered the beast and allowed it to be even swifter in it's attempts to swipe at the Togrutan warrior.

"I don't know how you did it or when you kriffing learned but don't do it again!" Ashanna nearly screams over the sound of the roaring crowd. What a twist, they felt. She warned him from the very beginning that they needed to remain composed, but she couldn't fault him for losing control in the midst of battle. As she dashes along the bone-clad flooring, she sighs - exhales - then closes her eyes. Pressing her hands together, the Force within begins to replenish her own reserves, gathering the energy ever present and surrounding them and reaching into her core with it. Although they were in darkness, she could still extend her metaphysical light to shine brighter than any sun. With a grunt, her aura (not visible to physical eyes) shimmers then expands as she enters a semi-trans. Curo would find his energy and focus revitalizing itself near-instantly, and slowly building nonetheless. While previously the depths of his pool of energy was murky and dark, Ashanna had illuminated it by restricting her own mobility and shifting into a realm of balance. His waters were now clear, and even mixed with some of her own 'water'.

This was the effect, though the extent of the truth would be unable to be explained in the heat of battle. All Ashanna knew was that it was now time for Curo to act - and not to once more exemplify his weakness to the dark side by allowing the taint within to affect him as it had been.

"Focus...and fight! I refuse to die here!" echoes within the ring. With the chain successfully around the neck of the beast and the other end fashioning at the top of the ring, it would be up to Curo to figure out how to set up the stage for inflicting damage on this beast. For the time-being, Ashanna would sit back and support as such.

 

[Viabuck]

"... I've made a huge mistake."

There was hardly time for a sudden leap, his body twisting slightly as stretched out horizontally, the claw of the beast raking across his torso and causing a rather unfortunate gash along his upper right pectoral. Having little time to show much concern for the wound however, Curo would instead push himself up quickly from the ground as his right arm impacted with it, springing back to his feet just in time to catch Ashanna's rather displeased response, not that he could place much blame on her, in truth he was actually quite disappointed in himself. From the very moment that he had generated this surge of dark side fueled electricity, he had felt a number of mixed emotions, his anger and blinded fury being buried beneath an overwhelming sense of self doubt and an emptiness, almost as if in that moment he had been left completely abandoned by something that he had come to know to be ever present around him since his youth.

Further alarming yet, Curo would find that while the emptiness wouldn't exist for a terrible long length of time, even once he was 'full' once again it still didn't feel quite right.. At least not until outside forces took hold of course.

"I wasn't planning to nor do I plan to again." he conceded, his eyes locked upon the end of the chain as he briefly considered his options for dispatching the beast, his body nimbly evading another slash, this time proving capable of darting of to the side and completely evading an enraged strike from the clawed hand of the savage dark side entity, his tongue tracing his elongated canines, a thought crossing his mind which earned a quick bob of his head as he prepared to set to work, seemingly prepared to embrace whatever fate had in store for him when he engaged the monster and yet as if through a sudden stroke of the force itself delivering him from his seemingly assured fate, he felt the full embrace of the force come down upon him returning not only what he had sacrificed in his recklessness but also a new sensation as if part of Ashanna's very essence had taken up residence within his very own aura.

"Not entirely unpleasant.." he mused aloud, his more composed awkward demeanor returning if only for an instant before setting to work, his feet carrying him across the ground even as blood ran down along the front of the body from the wound he had endured, his right hand reaching out in front of him, his mind reaching out and manipulating the force, a massive invisible hand suddenly grasping the chain dangling from the ceiling and abruptly giving it a fierce tug downward, a pull sudden enough to even displace the massive beast from it's feet and hoist it up into the air, hung up by it's throat leaving it's massive clawed feet and hands to lash about grasping in an effort to free itself.. And that was exactly what he had been hoping for.. It was what he needed and it was what would allow him to inflict damage in the short time that he had forced open the window of opportunity.. As thick and dangerous as its hide might have been, like many creatures the belly would prove vulnerable and almost certainly the best point to attack and so he would, releasing his grasp on the chain suspending the beast and allowing it to plummet back down to the ground once again leaving a small time in which he could strike.

Inhaling a deep breath as he lunged up from the ground, his fingers would curl inward, his hands balling into fists as the Togrutan manipulated the force around him, drawing it in toward him, pressurizing it around his fist. Without his lightsaber to carve into the beast, there was only one manner in which he could attack the creature and given what Ashanna had done for him? It would likely prove the superior means of doing so as when his arm was thrown forward, his fist driving toward the creatures abdomen with all of the strength of a far larger, more powerful man, the moment that his red fleshed hand made impact, the force would expel itself outward, the point of impact violently exploding and driving into the beast sending it soaring backward, it's body no longer suspended by the chain and being allowed to freely be sent soaring back away from what could only be considered a superhuman punch.

".. Are you ENTERTAINED YET?!" Curo called to the crowd his chest heaving as sweat glistened down his body, the sheer amount of energy that his combo had utilized clearly taxing his body.

 

[Asinine Soup]

Spoiler: **Theme Song Here**[MEDIA=youtube

CWa2VmnptmI[/MEDIA]

"...hm. The duality of the universe is astounding. Even now...you pray to your gods and you plea to the unknown - for what. So they can save you from me?"​

"..Are you ENTERTAINED YET!?"
The crowd responds with an uproarious cheer of rancorous glee. They enjoyed the show up to this point, though the leader didn't seem to be very enthused to see his pet's disdain and pain. The chain clanked and rattled as it rolled link after link to expose the underbelly of the monster - the feat was superb that Curo could lift it with the Force in the first place, and as it struggled with it's hoofed feet off the bone-tattered ground, it's groaning emitted into the arena. The punch itself sent the durable skin rolling, and what was typically even blaster proof had ultimately sent a shockwave of movement through both the air and dust that rattles the chain up above yet again. The creature had been struck and hit the ground, groaning in agony as it clearly wasn't dead, but was certainly more affected by that physical strike.

Ashanna doesn't even peek as a bead of sweat traces down her temple and cheek, and as her eyes squint, she builds up even more energy. Whatever had tainted them when they fell into this ring had been nulled or sweated out of their system at this point; as the Togruta stood in front of the beast with the chain still around it's neck, her eyes gently open with renewed focus. Her concentration returns to the self and her partner feel the effects swiftly depart his psych and physicality and leaving him with the aforementioned sense of clarity that had parted the clouds of doubt and uncertainty - the taint was gone, and as Ashanna's brow furrows, her dark eyes lift to meet the Overseer watching with an un-amused grimace. Some members of the crowd took notice to his displeasure and stood awkwardly mute or silent while much of the rest ultimately kept hooting and hollering. The pair kept eye contact, and as the man up above slowly felt control slipping from his fingertips, he scoffs and grins to try to exude a little more confidence.

"Oh." Ashanna retorts, stepping forward a few paces. Her focus gravitates toward the chain along the beast's neck, and utilizing the Force, she grabs both sides. Spreading her feet, then her arms - hands and fingertips included - she takes grip of the massive chain bolts and wrings her fingers along the weave of the energy cloaking it, composing it, molding it. The chains, previously loose held from the ceiling grate and rattling along the ground, were now tight and shaking with strain...and then they went still. Held perfectly, the beast pauses and peers up to Curo, then blinks toward the Ysanna holding it's life in her phantom grip.
Ashanna wasn't even looking at it, though; her gaze was held as tightly upon the capped figure up above as her grip was held on the beast down below.
"You can throw me in the pit...you can challenge our will," she starts, her voice starting off low but gradually lifting to where even Curo and the crowd could hear - and the quieted significantly to take a gander and held power heavy enough to enforce what was said, power that echoed about the entire arena both physically and metpahysically in ripples and waves - "you can try our lives, and you can condemn us to the fate of nothing more than common kath hounds. But hear this: WE ARE JEDI. WE DO NOT ACQUIESCE TO THE FATE GIVEN TO US BY OTHERS. AND NOW, YOU WILL FACE JUDGEMENT BY THE WILL OF THE FORCE ITSELF."

Her arms throw outwards to both sides at the pinnacle of her short text, and in tandem, the chains wrapped about the beast's neck suddenly tighten exponentially. A sickening ripping of flesh and splattering of blood emits the arena; bone and cartilage of spine crunch and deep, dark scarlet spray and pour all about in muddy clumps as the head of the massive beast was expelled from the body with such force that it hopped off the eviscerated neck by a scant meter before thudding unto the ground and slowly releasing a pool of it's own fluid beneath it. It died with it's eyes open, and as the eyes continuously moved about in confusion, they would eventually fall upon Curo before going cold and lifeless. The chain rattles and splatters the blood about the ring for a moment, some dropping at Ashanna's boot tip, but otherwise rattling to a pause and finally and idle nothingness as even the beasts behind the countless portcullis doors ceased to whine or roar. Standing upright, the Ysanna continues staring into the eyes of the now slightly nervous individual up above. It was clear that this had taken a turn he didn't quite feel comfortable with, but perhaps he had certain failsafes.

He lifts his hand, then flops it down with a pair of fingers mimicking a blaster barrel.
"Kill them both," he calls down in a tone of finality.
"Another mistake." Ashanna responds with a sneer, throwing her single palm out and grasping a pair of lightsabers from where he had proudly put them on display upon his podium. The fly swiftly through the gate ceiling's opening and soar straight into the Jedi's palm - it was her lightsaber and the long-hilted item that Curo would certainly be familiar with, but...it didn't seem to be his. It was dual-bladed, however it didn't retract, but was a red-bladed lightsaber nonetheless.
Strange. Who was the man up there who kept lightsabers as trophies?...Sith lightsabers, nonetheless?

No matter.
"We aren't Sith. We're their counterparts. And we aren't a joke to take lightly," Ashanna reasons as the largest middle gate slowly begins to open. Behind it would not be man or beast, rather a small legion of retainment droids with blasters set to kill. Behind them was a small security detail with deflector shields up a flight of steps that ultimately led to other portions of the compound. The crowd had gotten rowdy and nervous, but still enjoying the entertainment nonetheless. Red lights strobe and flicker as the door slowly cranes upward, and as Ashanna glimpses it's direction, she activates her lightsaber with a simple flick of her thumb. The smooth escape of the blade's vindication hisses but displays a perfect blade with no resonate flicker, the azure beam visible through the interface of the hilt. It was a modern piece of artisan craftsmanship hand-made for her palms...and aided in the channeling of her abilities. As the ocean blue item glows around her, and as she awaits for her partner to state his ready, she peers up to the man once more and points her blade him.

"This is the day of your judgement. Flee if you wish, face me if you dare: you fall this day."

 

[Viabuck]

Following after what was nothing less than an extraordinary display of physical prowess from the Togrutan Knight, the crowd had been excited by the spectacle that had been provided for them but in the events that were now to unfold? It was like something out of a tale of horror, the dark eyed beauty displaying prowess that existed on a scale far beyond even that of the alien warrior with whom she had aligned herself. With her calm demeanor and ruthless efficiency the Ysanna had brought the crowd to a hush and even left the orange skinned combatant whom she had been working alongside of to a pause, his showboating coming to an end as he was left to stare in amazement at the blood that had begun to pool outward from the beast.

In that surreal few moments, the pain coming from the rather unpleasant looking gash in his chest was lost and a sense of wonder overwhelming every other sense, a sense of wonder that would only prove to swell, an intense feeling of self assurance bubbling up underneath of it all. By now the crowd had come to realize what he had known, what this overseer would come to know, these two force sensitives were far more than anyone could ever truly be prepared to deal with. They were beasts in their own right and there wasn't any effort being made to hide it by this juncture. When the order came for the twos execution, the statement didn't even serve as a surprise to the Knight who could only laugh.

"Kill us? Haven't you been trying that this whole time?"

Watching the double bladed lightsaber descend downward toward him, his right hand secured itself around the hilt bringing it downward and spinning it reflexively in his grasp, his left hand grasping the weapon shortly there after, his eyes falling onto the blade of the weapon, the unfamiliar grip of the weapon feeling unnatural in his possession and ultimately eliciting a sigh of discontent.

"A man can't even shoot lightning one time before the Sith accusations start...? Really?.. REALLY?!" he questioned, clearly playing of his discontent with the situation for the sake of seeming unbothered by the security droids that had begun to filter into the area, his blade being casually twirled within his grasp, the weapon proving sufficient to work in tandem with his previously trained style though lacking in the capacity to disassemble into two weapons.. Which was...Limiting.

"I want my lightsaber.." he started, moving into the droid of Droids, making use of his basic understanding of Soresu to skillfully move the blade into the path of oncoming blaster fire, deflecting the shots fired by the mechanical constructs that were approaching, seemingly not taking the situation seriously given his lax attitude on the matter. "I want anything else you took.."

His blade was thrust forward horizontally, one of the bolts of laser fire being projected back from his blade, striking one of the droid in it's optical units, sending it tilting backward and folding to the ground only seconds before the hiss and hum of lightsaber movement could be heard, the blade moving elegantly through the air as it cleaved through the body of another droid before continuing it's sweep, decapitating it's nearby comrade.

"And I think I'll take your life too."

This was clearly the signal to begin the wholesale destruction of anyone responsible for their imprisonment.

 

[Asinine Soup]

As the droids clatter and begin to open fire - standard combat units meant for agility more than durability - Ashanna tilts her weight forward and makes it into the fray in the blink of an eye. She'd made it to her first target and ducked beneath the corresponding blaster fire as it had occurred, Curo behind as he began deflecting bolts whilst still within the view of the arena. Those watching, at this point, had certainly had a change in mentality and mood - their cheers of happiness and jovial camaraderie had turned to rather excitable and frightful jittering and 'what do we do?' airing about. They were on a space station in the middle of nowhere with two warriors teeming with an unknown power that very well could and may kill them if given the inclination to.
"What're ya' base, slack-jawed idiots standin' around for?! KILL THEM!" thus saith the leader before leaping off his platform and fast-walking toward the turbolift. Most hesitantly roger'd off, pulling out their weaponry as some would begin shooting down into the arena with pitiful aim, others rushing down corridors to attempt to box in the escapees.

Ashanna's blue lightsaber cauterizes durasteel and wiring alike in one fatal sweep, deflecting a pair of blaster bolts meant for her in a quick one-two succession, each bolt finding it's owner: one in the chest, one in the head as sparks fly and metal clatters to the ground, toppling beside their partner. A fourth droid is hacked. A fifth is pushed into a sixth, and finally a lightsaber is brought up to block an incoming torrent of security detail blaster bolt fire. It was too much for one person to handle, but she hoped Curo, at this point, would have made it up to her as her progression had been halted. They needn't speak, for everything needing to be said was null; Curo and Ashanna's teamwork were honed by instinct and the Force, bolstered by experience of this life and others.

He would know what to do, and so as one behind the fourth wall might say: Do the thing.

Blaster fire pings all around the square-shaped hall, it's rounded edges displaying LED lighting occasionally being struck and sending a flash of darkness through the corridor. There was grunting and yelling up above where the humanoids were bolstered in their attempt to destroy the opposition with nothing other than rustic technology. The Force is stronger than any blaster. With over half of the droid security lying in tatters behind her, and the others remained having been finished off - or being finished off - by her companion, she simply awaits those ahead's inevitable neutralization.

 

[Viabuck]

This was almost a gift after having endured such a perilous trial of both mind and body, the will that he possessed that had seemingly been damaged in the internal conflict which had seemingly been renewed and Curo was a man possessed. A grin forming across his face as he planted his right foot and began pushing one of the blades forward, he would twist his body and pivot on the balls of his feet and keep twisting his body the left most blade carving through one of the droids that approached from behind before the full body movement would end and the blade itself would be passed from one hand to the other behind his back in a vicious upward strike which would rather violently cleave upward through the opposition and leave them laying upon the ground in a broken heap.

With Ashanna taking charge of the situation with her own subsection of Droids, it seemed in the Togurtan's mind that the opportunity had arisen to get a bit of fun out of the entire encounter himself, a hand being thrust forward toward one of the droids, a large invisible hand seemingly enclosing around it, it's arms being forced to it's side, the metal of the constructs frame buckling slightly. Taking off into a sprint, Curo would make use of a tactic he had utilized against the beasts they had encountered in the first round of the conflict, his palm seizing the machine by the face and shoving it back into another of it's comrades, a stray blaster bolt flying past head, a shot missing and being punished in kind by a saber blade penetrating the machines chest and out through the back of it's comrade.

Of course throughout all of this there was blaster fire raining down from above which needed to be managed and dealt with and yet.. It almost seemed effortless as Curo nimbly evaded each shot, his saber carving through droids that pushed through in waves while occasionally deflecting a bolt into a machine, a rather large pile forming around them before Curo found himself staring upward, his eyes focusing upon the crowd who were now opening fire on him. From the pure malcontent in his eyes, several men seemed to realize the mistake that had been made and would attempt to flee.

"Where are you going?..." he inquired, his canines glistening as he looked upward, both of his palms reaching upward and gripping the access ports, the metal indenting and screeching as it was pulled at, the construction finding itself struggling to stay in tact as it seemed that the very fabric of reality was fighting against it and then with a sudden metallic moan, the roof of the arena would bend downward, a ladder of sorts being formed along with an immediate exit from the arena, earning another series of gasps from the crowd and a renewed emphasis on blaster fire which in truth? The Jedi almost seemed bored while deflecting, hi saber being wielded with a single hand.

"... After you my dear." Curo remarked with a smile, kneeling slightly and offering his free hand for Ashanna to step up into with a single foot. Supposing she did so, the next action would be to abruptly stand and physically throw the girl upward as she would likely leap and then push his hands outward after her, further aiding her ascent with a burst of the force, offering a very direct path into the spectators area. Immediately leaping up afterward, his hands would grab onto the damaged roof and he would begin his own ascent, the very real possibility of dismembering remaining onlookers becoming more probable by the moment.

He really wanted his lightsabers back..

 

[Asinine Soup]

The corridor that originally opened was no longer an option, so it would seem, for the Togrutan had a different idea. Right at that thought, however, the durasteel doors in front of the security detail hiss closed with a snap, the locking mechanism having plenty of faith that the Jedi would be trapped within the arena rather than escape up the hall. Peering back at Curo, then, breathing somewhat heavily (was she weary?) and hearing him offer with a lowering of his weight and a cusping of his hands: "...After you my dear."
She grins, nodding as a few stray blaster bolts pit about them and performing a makeshift sarcastic bow.
"You have a knack for displaying your courtesy at the most perfect moments," she states in return before leaning forward, placing her lithe weight and boot upon the Togrutan's makeshift sling, and would be launched for the iron girdle cloaking the arena in a flash. Seeing as the roof of the arena was nothing more than a grate (a rusty one at that), a quick flash of a vertical slash allowed Ashanna to launch herself right through it and land upon it's surface to deflect a few meeting blaster bolts.

Corresponding grunts of pain and shrieks meet a duo who thought it wise to fire at the woman, and it would be at that moment that - if Curo's leap fell short - she would wave her hand and pull his body up with an invisible hand so he could indeed grasp the metal roof. It was, after all, a very tall jump, the arena itself more of a Colosseum. Few other members remained shooting, and those that did still did so mimicking the rest of their companions: doing so as they fled in terror. Shaking her head, not a glimpse of a smile on her face, she takes a single step forward before suddenly a shock of pain stabs at her innards.
She groans in pain and drops to her knee, lightsaber sheathing to avoid cutting unnecessarily. Squinting, vision blurred, she struggled to grasp what was happening. Was it chemical?...Poison?

Perhaps the duo were really poison. If that was the case, why hadn't she felt a disturbance? Why was it that Curo wasn't feeling the same effects that she had? Had she exhausted too much of her Force-based defenses?
Her mind races as it becomes muddled by the pain, but it swiftly leaves as quickly as it came, vision restoring and sound returning to her ears. She found herself looking at the grate she stood upon, the arena far below hosting corpses of beast and droid alike...and the bones of several who had been thrown in there before.
"I...I don't know what that was," she admits, whether supported by Curo or not, makes to stand back to her feet and catch her balance. There was no lingering pain nor trace of what she had just experienced, and as her eyes dart this way and that, she couldn't figure what was happening...but she knew one thing: the answer lied at the leader. Opening her senses and, of course, answering any question Curo may have inquired of, she would feel the direction the man went.

It only took a moment. His trail was dark.
"He's that way. Above us. He must've made it to a turbolift. We can't let him escape," she states firmly.

...it had grown eerily quiet without the ruckus emitting from the arena, with nothing more than the echo of the occasional blaring bleeping of the sirens indicating a security breach. It was almost like a bad dream. The prospector's room was full just a few seconds ago. How large was this station, anyway?

 

[Viabuck]

Emerging from the pit next to his comrade, a grin formed over Curo's face as he witnessed the sheer amount of panic that had ingrained itself within the once ever so amused spectators. Had they not considered that this was an outcome? Hadn't they thought that their force sensitive captives might free themselves? How pathetic.. Perhaps they deserved to be slaughtered, cut through like that the duo had cut down on the arena floor.. There really were oh so many options and... No. No that was not in his nature and it was not something that he would even begin to humor... No matter how tempting he might have found it to be.. Why was he finding this tempting..

'Why are you taking so long... PURSUE HIM!'

Momentarily cringing, Curo would be snapped from his little pause by the force calling out to him to catch.. Catch what? Why Ashanna of course. His eyes widening as she began to drop, his hands would clasp an arm around her, a hand holding to the side opposite of him, one hand continuing to wield his lightsaber in the event that some form of attack would need to be defended against during the time that it would take the girl to recover.. Which conveniently wouldn't be long given the fact that they were needing to pursue their captors.

"We'll figure it out later.. For now you would be correct.." he went on, his hand unwinding from around her the moment that it became known that she could stand on her own power. "We should continue onward.. I don't like this lightsaber very much.." he remarked giving his weapon a brief twist in his hand. The question of course now became.. How exactly were they planning to outrun a turbo lift? This was something new but not something that he was entirely unprepared for.. If there was anything that Curo was, it was nimble and more than capable of making some rather impressive ascents.

"Hmm.. Alternative routes." he mused, his hands spinning the saber for a moment before looking upward. Cutting and hacking wouldn't be sufficient.. This was actually rather tough given the circumstances. What could they do?.. Think.. Think.. How oddly tricky this was.. Well there was only one choice.. And with that notion in mind, the Togurtan led the way to just such a turbolift, moving in it's direction, his feet skidding to a halt in front of the lift which he would abruptly thrust his hand into, summoning the lift to their position. Tapping his foot lightly, his gaze would be shifted to Ashanna as the doors slid open with a motion of the Jedi's hand.

"Honestly why do they even lock doors?" he questioned with a shrug of his shoulders stepping on board and waiting for Ashanna before tapping his finger on the highest floor listed. It made sense in his mind that this would lead him to the overseer... And to where he could get his revenge.. And his belongings back.

 

[Asinine Soup]

"Hmm...alternative routes." Alternative routes? Couldn't they just take the turbolift? Ashanna blinks as the Togrutan thinks through the situation a bit longer, and instead of wait, she squints and peers toward the tubrolift door. She moves toward it as it was just up the hall and presses the summon button. It bleeps in rejection as it was, obviously, locked down. She sighs and peers to Curo who waves his hand to open the door manually.
"Honestly why do they even lock doors?" he asks with a shrug.
"Well to be fair, they're about as effective as walls, and plenty of people seem to feel plenty safe behind those." She spoke as she leaned her head and torso into the turbolift shaft to peer upward. The lift wasn't coming, so it seemed they would have to climb. She hadn't an issue with it.

"Let's get to it. I can't wait to see the look on his face..." she says whilst leaping to grapple onto a durasteel ledge - a ledge that held plenty of duplicates so the Jedi could make their way up the 50-meter climb. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, after all...
"...Can't wait to see the look on his face..."

***​

"...when those fools get here just to meet their doom." The red eyes aglow and a twisted grin upon the face of the duster-wearing vagabond, he begins pressing a few buttons on his wrist before turning to order his last-stand security detail to guard the room with their lives. He, himself, turns and walks up the steps to his throne, presses a finger unto the display, then laughs lowly as a ray shield forms surrounding his throne. Down the steps was the 10-meter trail to the turbolift entrance that the two Jedi would utlimately have to cut through to enter. And he, as well as his servants, would be waiting.

"Are you sure we can take 'em, boss?"
"Yeah...them Jedi folk made ya' dark beast look like a Wompra--"
"SILENCE. DO YOUR BLASTED JOBS OR I'LL FEED YOU TO MY PETS."

Silence radiates the room, then, as the dead of space and the creaking of distant life support systems take precedence in the room.

That, and his own accelerated breathing that entered his own ears and the fast paced beating of his own heart. He lowers his head and peers toward the entrance of the room from beneath the rim of his hat.

 

[Viabuck]

Making his way out into the turbo lift shaft, a concerned expression was given upward, a sudden remembrance of how the devices had perturbed him when he first joined 'modern' civilization. The notion that something that was supporting him was moving up and down at such a high rate of speed and that it could possibly cause him to plummet to his doom were always fresh on his mind.. And this situation wasn't making it any better. Quite frankly the notion of the entire structure coming down and smashing into them was very fresh on his mind as he began his own ascent, leaping up and grabbing the ledge and proceeding to climb upward alongside of Ashanna.

"Pretty sure whatever face he starts with is gonna turn to pure terror once he realizes what's in store for him." Curo remarked, his tone reflecting a certain amount of venom. Even with the refusal to give into the influence which had tainted his very being, there was still a certain amount of aggression which in he present moment only served to drive him upward as he would abruptly throw himself upwards, occasionally skipping a ledge during his rapid ascent.

With the goal plainly set in his mind, the climb didn't even seem to take all that terribly long as he made his way upward and onward, the door coming into sight and the anticipation of what was to come leaving him positively excited. His tongue extending from his mouth and moistening his lips. Glancing around for a moment Curo seemed to ponder for a moment what the best course of entry would be his glance eventually falling upon an air vent as he stood balancing himself on his toes upon a ledge.

"... Hmmm.. "

Reaching a hand upward, the grating of the ventilation shaft would begin to shape and rumble, the force striking it in rhythem intended to simulate the effect of a person dropping into them and hopefully drawing the guards attention long enough for what was to come. While they would hopefully be looking upward a saber was trust into the middle of the door, the dual bladed saber flaring to life and suddenly making an 'X' in two flourishes of the blade before sending metal with white hot edges launching at one of the guards before the Jedi himself entered the room, blade held at the ready, spinning it rapidly, subconiously reminding himself the weapon could not seperate as his normal blade did.

"I -want- my lightsabers back! Now surrender and you might survive this.."

A single bolt of blaster fire was abruptly redirected, striking the rayshield at about face level where the man was sitting on his throne. "Those wont save you for long.."