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.

The turbolift was accompanied by the groaning and creaking of metal as it slowly ascended upward, a faint blue glow from the system’s terminal providing a subtle illumination in the otherwise dark pod. Outside, Saal could hear the loud clamor of the arena’s patrons. As he got closer to the top, the sounds of drums, horns, and other instruments met his ears.

“They really pulled out all the stops this year, Dex.” The Sith turned to face his IG droid, whose photoreceptors glowed red inside the lift. “I picked a hell of a year to compete.”

“That’s putting it very literally,” replied the droid in his sarcasm-imbued mechanical voice. “If I make one wrong step today, I’ll be melted down and made into a ship tomorrow.”

“Be thankful that you don’t have skin. And don’t make any wrong steps. We can’t afford it. Not with this guy.”

The lift shuttered to a stop as it met its destination. Saal could feel his heart starting to pound in his chest. No matter how many times he had locked blades with an enemy, rushed a breach, or dove from a transport to a war-torn battlefield, that feeling of adrenaline-fueled anxiety never failed to greet him in the moments leading up to a conflict. Outside, he could hear the announcer’s voice ring out across the colosseum.

“Laaaaaadies and gentleman, Hutts and Hutt-ettes, womp rats, scruffy-looking nerf-herders, aaaaaand everyone in between! It is my distinct pleasure to reveal our next combatants as we continue round two of this years tournament!”

At those words, the door flung open, amidst an outcry of cheers and screams. Across the vast expanse of the arena, Saal could see a blue-skinned humanoid standing afar, next to a monstrous cat-like beast.

There he is.

The announcer continued.

“In this corner, we have the illustrious Son of Taldryan, the Avatar of Strife himself, and one of the toughest inquisitors to do the damn thing. You know him. You love him… you fear him. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome one of the Brothehood’s fiercest combatants to the arena. Let’s make some noise for High Inquisitor Anderson!”

The crowd erupted into a frenzy as the tall Chiss warrior made his way to the center of the arena, pacing with dignity as he carried the reigns of the large Nexu accompanying him. The hulking animal seemed to purr as it walked with its master. When Anderson made his way to the center of the arena, he turned to face the Grand Master’s throne. As he gazed upwards to the Brotherhood’s leader, he brought his arms to his sides and bowed with reverence. Dacien nodded in response, and smiled as the cheers continued. He then lifted his hand, and the frenzy of the crowd tapered down into a hushed murmur. The announcer continued.

“In the other corner, we have a first timer! While he is a fresh face in the arena, this Sith warrior is a veteran on the battlefield, a hero of the Dark Crusades, and a public servant to the Brotherhood. The One Sith couldn’t kill him off - let’s see if Anderson will be able to finish the job! Let’s hear a round of applause for Magistrate Saal Kesyk!”

“And his heroic, handsome, and all around cool droid compatriot,” mumbled Dex indignantly.

“Quiet. They didn’t announce the guy’s cat either.”

The crowd held a mix of reactions, some cheering, some quietly whispering amongst themselves as the Sith and his droid stepped out onto the arena. He walked confidently, locking eyes with his opponent the whole way. Anderson stared back, intrigued by this new enemy. A grin spread across his face.

When he reached the center, Saal also bowed to the Dark Lord of the Sith. Looking to the left of him, he saw his face enlarged on the holoprojection screen.

“Is that really what I look like?”

“Yes,” said Dex.

“Alright combatants! Turn and face your opponent!”

The two Sith turned to face each other.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, inquisitor. I have heard a lot about you.” With those words, Saal’s lightsaber flew to his right hand. Clasping it, he extended his arm to his right as the red blade ignited. Standing as tall as he could in the face of this man who hulked over him, he pointed the tip of his blade towards his enemy as a spark of ferocity glimmered in his eyes.

In response, Anderson’s own lightsaber flew to his own right hand. It ignited, revealing a black blade that glowed with a harsh red. Anderson flourished it gracefully as he pointed his own blade at his opponent, taking the stance of a masterful Makashi duelist.

“Likewise.”

“Master, his lightsaber is way cooler than yours,” said Dex. Saal rolled his eyes in response.

“Alright everyone! It’s the moment you’ve alllllll beeeeen waaaaiting for! Gentleman! Engage!”

Magma roared overhead as lava spurted from the makeshift Forge below. The stench of melted iron assaulted their nostrils, leaving a metallic tang in their mouths. Orange hues shrouded their silhouettes, casting an ethereal shadow underneath the scorching heat.

By the Force, how Anders despised the heat. Kitty did too, if the way the hulking beast tugging at its reigns was any indicator.

Saal charged in first, roaring like a man possessed with his weapon in hand. Anders’ grin grew wide like a shark that had spotted its prey in the water. He was going to enjoy this. It wasn't often the higher-ups were gracious enough to hand-feed him some scum to kill.

’Patience,’ he urged the nexu via their bond in the Force. He just needed his quarry to be a little closer.

Once satisfied, the Inquisitor released Kitty from its reins and uttered a single command;

“Get him.”

With an outcry that surpassed the roar of the lava rivers below them, Kitty leapt forward, feral drool flailing through sharp rows of teeth. Saal momentarily hesitated at the sight of the overgrown beast, but prepared to swing his weapon to cut the beast down as it approached him.

’You will miss.’

Anders sent the command resonating telepathically within the Plagueians subconscious. He swung the blade in a wide arch and, wide-eyed with hairs standing on end, completely missing his intended target.

“Son of a…” Saal barely had time to cry out before he was pounced upon. Raw panic made him wide-eyed as giant feline claws left lacerations in the Human's cheek, drawing crimson liquid. “Sithspit!”

“Look at that, ladies, gents, and certified slug people! We have first blood!” The announcer declared over the arena intercom. Cam droids circled overhead, capturing the violence that caused cheers to erupt from the crowd.

“Dex, a little help here, please?” Saal asked, then looked down at the small blaster pistol that had been tossed at his feet. “That's not helping!”

Kitty lunged at him again, though this time Saal was able to back up in time to avoid the massive paws. What the nexu had in strength, it thankfully lacked in speed.

“You never specified how I should help,” the droid responded with a dry tone. “Fine. Though, it is hardly my fault that you are already losing, Master.”

Dex raised the one remaining blaster in its hand and aimed it at Kitty. Its metal fingers wrapped around the trigger, though as it pressed down, it was suddenly lifted into the air. Blaster bolts screeched past the combatants and collided into several of the many durasteel chains holding up the platform.

The droid then soared over Saal and Kitty as if pulled by a powerful magnet, straight towards the crimson-hued lightsaber in Anders’ hand. A quick flick of his wrist sent the swirling blade through the centre of the droid, severing the droid in twain and cutting off an arm in the process. Sparks erupted from its body as it rolled to a stop several feet behind the Inquisitor.

“I take it back,” Dex stated, dragging what remained of its body with its arm. “Your lightsaber is definitely not cooler.”

“Dex!” Saal tried to advance, but was halted by the giant nexu blocking his way.

“I am fine, Master. Though, I don't feel as whole and together as I usually do…” Dex responded.

“Do not fret, droid. Your Master will be joining you imminently,” Anders pointed his lightsaber at Saal like it was a baton used by a conductor at the opera. “Kitty, kill.”

The connection between man and beast was established through the mighty, blood-curdling roar from the nexu. Saal couldn't believe what he had heard. This Inquisitor was legitimately trying to kill him!

The Plagueian's blood boiled hotter than the lava that flowed beneath them, power coursing through his body. When the nexu leapt towards him, he drew upon the Force and moved with hate-enhanced agility, spinning around one of the nearby steel chains. He used his momentum and planted his boots hard into Kitty’s ribcage. He felt and heard the crack as the nexu went flying off of the platform and down to one of the conveyor belts sitting atop the magma twenty feet below. It whined upon impact and failed to pull itself to its feet, its paw sprained upon impact. It had minutes before it met its inevitable demise at the end of a sheer drop into the river of fire.

“Nexu is down! I repeat; nexu is down! Place your bets if you haven't already, folks. This is gonna be a good one!” The announcer blared over the intercom, much to the approval of the crowd.

“Kitty!” Anders peered over the edge of the platform. His eyes began to flash, turning from red to amber as he gazed at Saal with murderous intent. “You SCUM!”

Tendrils of lightning sparked and hissed as it crossed the distance between the two Sith. Saal narrowly avoided it, jumping onto the steel chain at his side and using his lightsaber to cut it from the pulley it was attached to.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The Human quickly, yet steadily, descended down to the conveyor belt Kitty was stranded on. Once he landed, he ran the fingers of his spare hand down his cheek, wincing at the intense stinging pain he felt. The blood stained his fingers red. Saal glared at the source of his anguish, his lust for vengeance driving him forward towards the injured beast. His chest heaved in and out from exhaustion. The heat was so intense it burned his lungs with each breath.

Anders followed with a Force assisted leap to the conveyor belt. He landed behind Saal, his boots clanging against the metal catching Saal's attention. Sweat already began to form on the Chiss’ blue skin.

“Are you… going to stop me… Inquisitor?” Saal said through heavy breaths. “You've got maybe five minutes… before we all go… tumbling off of the edge.”

The High Inquisitor flourished his lightsaber and then lunged forward in a stab. “In that case, I will simply defeat you in two!”