Built from the shell of an ancient foundation, the Arx Colosseum has undergone renovations to allow multiple new configurations for battle. Its spectator setup remains largely the same, with high walls, tall enough for even the most savvy Jedi to find unscalable that lead up to spectator chairs which are divided into nearly organized sections to accommodate several thousand people. At the center, an elongated platform “box” contains a central throne of stone with various seats of smaller scale lined beside it in both directions. Two large holo-projection screens are set up on each side of the Colosseum, offering different angles of the match bia holocam drones.

Today’s setup is known as The Forge.

Inspired by the droid factories on Geonosis and the flowing lava rivers of Mustafar, the Forge is a collection of deadly heat and hard-slamming steel. In the center of the arena is a “peak” from which the lava flows downward through rivers and cliff-faces. Radiating outward is a series of tiered rings, each getting lower the further from the center you get.

Along the rivers of lava, various arteries suck out the super heated earth to melt metal. The loud clanking slamming of metal sheets heating and cooling, tempering and forging together ring clearly through the entire arena. Conveyor belts lead the metal sheets away from the arena to be used by ACE in the spaceship yards.

Kamjin pulled the hood and gaiter of his new armor off his head. His eyes stung as sweat poured from his forehead. Why did Idris decide our next match should be in this horrid place? he thought as he surveyed the massive peak of flowing lava that had been erected in the center of the Colosseum. The noise was deafening as metal was forged all around him. It was as if Hell had set up a manufacturing complex with the single goal of producing an assault on a person’s senses.

Splatters of molten lava and metal dotted Kamjin’s ‘new’ gray cloak, burning holes through it. Kamjin blinked his eyes to clear the sweat. Had there always been droids working the conveyor belts? The world simmered in the heat as Kamjin wiped his face again. While he didn’t mean it he made a silent deal to sell out his Empire for a drink of water. The heat was making him go mad. He was seeing things. There was no way there was a smaller than usual Nexu bounding around the lava cliffs.

Kamjin lazily smirked as his body rocked from heat exhaustion as he saw the Nexu prowl above him. When the Nexu pounced, Kamjin realized too late that it wasn’t a mirage. “Oh Sithspit,” Kamjin cursed as he tried to pivot. The loose lava rock caused him to slip, which saved his head. The Nexu’s claws slashed long gashes into his cloak. Even above the din of the machinery an ear-splitting sound could be heard as the claws ripped into the armor concealed beneath. Kamjin fought to regain his breath as he scrambled to his feet. The Nexu was already trying to circle around him. Its massive jaw was open, baring its fangs.

Kamjin kept his arms spread wide. Hoping what remained of his cloak would make him appear bigger and more threatening. “Easy…girl?” Kamjin said, tentatively towards the creature. He started to back up towards the conveyor belts. Perhaps he could get on one and put some distance between himself and the creature without expending too much energy. He still had no idea whom he was supposed to face in this hellish landscape.

Kamjin’s head was still swimming in the heat as he began to bat his arms to appear intimidating to the Nexu. Something was wrong. He chanced a look around him. There was no one there. Just the droids…just the droids. The droids weren’t moving. Kamjin cursed at himself for not realizing it sooner. He pivoted to see one of the droids dissolve into the shape of a lean human with tan skin and a cybernetic arm. Kamjin shot his hands out and gripped the person’s thrusted arm. The tip of a hidden blade was mere centimeters from his side.

The person whistled, and the Nexu pounced at Kamjin’s back. Kamjin spun his opponent around, forcing the Nexu to collide with its master. Kamjin scrambled back, gaining as much distance as he could. He probed his belly, finding his bodysuit had been pierced. The barest bubbles of blood appeared on the slight scratch.

“Bico, get off,” Luka said, pushing against the Nexu that had taken them to the ground. Kamjin drew his lightsaber, the blood-red blade nearly invisible against the lava background. Luka rolled over as the Nexu finally rolled off them. Luka swore under their breath as they fumbled in their cloak for their blaster pistol. They smirked slightly as they saw the moist stain on Kamjin’s glove. They’d won the first strike.