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.

Too loud.

Those were the only words Titius could think as the gate opened into the infernal expanse of The Forge. A volcanic wasteland was already a deafening roar but the addition of gnashing machinery around its circumfrence was causing his auditory implants to gate into horrific feedback. Kneeling from the deluge, Titius slashed through control menus on his wrist to turn down the noise. The environment tapered off to a dull hiss as the attenuation program took hold. Noise back to acceptable limits, he rose to face the arena and stepped in.

At least I can turn down the volume. I doubt my good Proconsul can do the same

A sly grin spread across Titius' face at the thought only to melt off from the wave of heat that assaulted him. Clearly the entry lift had been environmentally conditioned. Titius felt his mouth go dry from the desiccated air coming through his respirator. Heaving a deep inhale, he plodded forwards. The terrain was treacherous, taking every ounce of control for Titius to stay upright while heaving his pack. The loose basalt from the lava flows slopping over their banks had a tendency to create fragile platers that slid underfoot without warning. Rocking erratically with each step, he made his way towards the foothills of the volcano.

Several layers above, TuQ'uan stood idly as he looked at Titius scrabbling through the obsidian promenade. The Kel Dor was almost amused at the struggles downslope. Once again, TuQ'uan Varick di Plagia was smarter than his opponent. The comforting weight of his jetpack saw to that. Though not the most avid of operators, TuQ knew enough to keep his balance in flight. Saved him walking like he had imbibed to many mature beverages. He saw his opponent dive behind a rock followed by the glint of a weapon scope sweeping out.

"Shall we get this over with?" TuQ tutted. Drawing his pistol, he assumed a sidelong dueling stance and sent bolts downrange.

Titius dropped behind the rock as chips flew, trying to minimize his exposure. He knew roughly where the shots had originated from but his scope had drowned in a mottled field of red and orange when he leveled it. Infrared sensors in a lava field was possibly the worst choice for optics but he would have to make do. Poking his head around the other side of his cover, Titius squinted to better visualize the terrain. A blaster shot chipped the stone to a fine dust directly onto his helmet lens, completely blinding him.

"Oh, kriff!" Titius pulled back to clear the dust. The shots had come from the same place but without his scope, the mercenary needed to be closer.

Ok, new plan

Pulling out his rifle, Titius checked the payload in its launchers. As always, Horrific Deluge was ready for duty. Poking the barrel out the side of cover, he skipped a line of grenades towards a smaller jut of stone further ahead. Where each canister landed, a green cloud appeared to mask the selected path. "Subtlety is out, I suppose."

Not waiting for the last grenade to land, Titius launched out towards his goal.