The hot sun blazed down upon the forgotten temple on Kalsunor. Overrun by dense jungle flora, the stone building lay in heaps on the ground. The extinct Massassi civilization built their home on two sides of a large ravine cavern and bridging the gap, their near floating arena. Lost to time these ruins even saw the end of the ancient Sith Empire, and for those who believe in such things, their spirits may still remain, haunting the decrepit stones and warding off any who might be looking for lost treasures. For some, however, these ruins are simply evidence showing that all that is will one day end.
Sitting on the forgotten platform, in the center of the arena, Aiden Lee Deshra’s eyes were closed. His mind expanded out from his body as he felt the world around him through the Force’s touch. Calm, the only feeling that brushed over his body and soul. The serenity of the quiet jungle was broken only by the occasional sound of avian calls. The Arconan cared not for the stories of the Ancient Sith, but the idea of their wills remaining, bound to this planet by the Force, was worth his effort to visit such a derelict planet.
He hoped that through meditation, the Force would allow him to seek insight into the truth of these claims, but he had no luck in discovering a strong Dark Side presence. In the end, centering himself and seeking the Balance was a more productive use of his time. It wasn't something he was able to regularly do within his Clan.
The Force, he felt, flowed through the vines, and into the trees. Insects, birds, and other forms of fauna littered the jungles breathing new life into the surrounding crypt. His training was not yet complete, but with no distractions to block his full concentration nothing in the immediate radius escaped his Force attuned senses. And then he felt it, a larger sentient being approaching. He felt no outward malice emanating from it, but that didn’t equate to a lack of hostility. The human waited for the newcomer to approach before opening his blue-green eyes.
Arriving in the ring of the arena was a hooded figure of slightly smaller stature to himself. While clearly not human, from the white fur he could make out from beneath the hood, they held themselves with a more sapient grace.
“Can I help you, stranger?” Aiden asked as he rose to his feet. A friendly grin brushed across his face as he beckoned his question.
“I am in no need of assistance. I merely came here to enjoy the pleasant surroundings.” he was answered. The figure turned away from Aiden, though he could tell they were in no way opening themselves up to allow an attack against them.
“Ah, a fellow appreciator of the lost worlds? You know, there are many legends about these ruins. Stories of dark, cruel apparitions.” continuing his friendly exterior, Aiden approached the hooded bystander. “Most people wouldn’t risk a venture into haunted lands.”
“I am well aware of such fables. They run true in some worlds, but not in this one. Besides, not all share the same love of risk that you do, wouldn’t you agree, Aiden?” the figure spoke with a smooth elegance of a well-trained aristocrat. The light tenor sound was appealing to the ear. That didn’t stop the surprise Aiden felt at his name being mentioned.
“I’m afraid I seem to be at a disadvantage. You know who I am, and I’m unaware of you. I’m gonna have to ask how you know me, friend?”
“I saw you in my dreams,” the hooded figure answered as he removed his cloak. His face now visible, Mune Cinteroph of Clan Scholae Palatinae made eye contact with the Arconan. His Shistavanen features showed no negative emotion towards Aiden, and his stark white fur ruffled slightly against cold breeze. “The Force runs strong in you, and you seem drawn to the center of it. Dark and Light clashing in an ever running current. Both sides in near perfect synch. I find it most interesting.”
Aiden closed the gap between the two of them. He studied Mune’s vulpine face, and while the talk of Force dreams seemed strange to he who had never shown the potential for them, the knowledge Mune seemed to have confirmed the truth of his words. The Force worked in the most mysterious ways, and it seemed to draw these two strangers together in this ancient arena.
“I follow the Balance, and it has yet to lead me astray. I work to center myself within its warm embrace. You too seem to be gifted in the Balance’s temperance. It truly is a sight to behold. For your sight, I imagine even more so. Perhaps one day, I too will be gifted with such talent,” Aiden found his curiosities peaking. He looked around at where they are. The Force working so closely within them, pulling them to a head. He almost felt like the cheers of audiences past emanated throughout the arena and the caverns below. “So did you simply come here to see me?”
“I came here to understand you better. Perhaps to also share our ideas with each other. Knowledge seeks to spread.” the Shistavanen’s tenor voice radiated its appeal.
“In my experience, understanding best comes from our actions.” Aiden reached for Midnight’s Calling, taking it into his grasp. With a searing hiss and a wide grin on his face, the silvery blade sang to life. “A clash of blades seems appropriate, and could be fun.”
“A duel in an ancient Massassi arena, why not.” Mune procured his own lightsabers, their blue beams scorching the air around them.
A light breeze kicked up dust between them. Nature itself seemed to watch the two Force Disciples squaring off. Aiden made the first move, delighted to spar against another Force User who lived in between the Dark Side and the Light. With elegant precision, he thrust his saber towards his opponent's chest. Always adaptable, Mune blocked the attack with one blade and struck back with a rapid series of offensive strikes. On the defensive, Aiden showed his refined skills by deftly parrying each blow with fluid grace.
The two fighters fought with near equal pace, gliding around the ring with the well-trained ability of equals. The duel gave neither the edge. When one would take the lead the other fought them right back until the roles continuously shifted between the two. Mune back-peddled as Aiden’s swift reaction allowed him to nearly singe the fur on his neck. It was an obviously non-lethally aimed strike, but still, he found it to close for comfort. The Shistavanen needed an edge in the match, and his analytic mind took over.
Eyes on his target, the Force Disciple from Scholae Palatinae channeled the Force into his right hand. As Aiden swung his silver blade, Mune waited. Right before the blade could sing his arm, Mune dropped his right-hand saber and bent backward. Once the swing was clear, he snapped back forward and pushed his right hand forward, releasing his controlled Force energy, and amplifying it to push Aiden off of his feet. The Arconan tumbled backward, dropping his lightsaber in his confusion. Mune the pulled his own dropped lightsaber back into his hand.
“I have been known to sweep a man off his feet.” the Shistavanen claimed with a grin.
Aiden let out a chuckle. It had been some time since he had this much fun against an opponent who didn’t actively want him dead. Reaching out he pulled his lightsaber back into his hand with the Force’s assistance. The Human got back to his feet and looked into his rival’s ruby red eyes.
“We have only just begun, my friend.”
