The crowd was a roar of thunder that filled the humid air, crashes and clangs and twangs cracking through the hubbub. Idris Adenn’s red caped figure was projected overhead, his arms spread wide for a moment before the camera drew in, eyes alight as he explained… something. With all the noise and his moving around, she couldn’t hear him nor get a good look at his lips to try and discern what was being said otherwise.
“WHAT?” Zuza called, her hands around her mouth, looking up to where she was fairly sure Idris was actually standing in hopes he’d hear. If he did, there was no reaction. The Human rolled her eyes, not bothering to try and listen to a speech she couldn’t karking understand.
The arena was large, hot, and dark. Looming shadows cast by the masses of machinery created dramatic places for the lava to form glowing highlights. Frond padded along at his master’s heel, ears back and tail low, whining softly as their path took them closer to the molten magma. Zuza glanced at him, dropping into a crouch and looking over the nearby area. There were some areas that’d be cooler. Safer. This wasn’t the place for a Cythraul, his bare paw pads the first of the issues that came to Zuza’s mind as she murmured to him, “Find a safe spot, I’ll be okay for this one.”
Wary, but accepting, Frond bumped his muzzle into her hands. The pair enjoyed the scratches that followed before the young Cythraul did as he was commanded, finding a cool area underneath a conveyor belt to lay down and observe.
Zuza stood, wiping red fur onto her knees before turning to continue, only to find Gui atop a rise of rocky terrain. In the time she’d spent yelling at Idris and sorting out Frond, Odan-Urr’s Consul had been on task. The ends of his robe rose in the heated wind of the arena, absorbing the yellow glow of his lit lightsabers.
“You don’t wanna kill me right?” Zuza shouted, waving as she approached with slow steps.
“I don’t think either of our clans would appreciate that outcome,” Gui considered with a slow nod, “I’d prefer this to remain friendly.”
“‘Kay, perfect. Ya ready?”
Gui smiled and widened his stance, “I suppose I do have the high gro-”
Zuza cut the declaration short, jumping the gap between them in a heartbeat. Phausis’ blade met that of Gui’s as the Jedi barked a short laugh, deflecting her with ease.
“You had it!”
“And only one of us will keep it,” Gui taunted, provoking a laugh from Zuza. Crackles of electricity clashed as their lightsaber blades impacted, sparks dying as quickly as they were brought to life.
The chatter soon faded as the pair focussed. Gui used the solid ground below to push himself forward, to put more power into each swing. She wasn’t physically intimidating, yet for each ounce of strength the half-Kiffar drew on, Zuza seemed to pull up an equal amount of momentum. She didn’t get to make many serious attempts at hits, as she was easily deflected and pushed back, but likewise each counter-attack from Gui only managed to cut the air around Arcona’s Consul. Like chasing and trying to catch a shadow.
It was a game. Who could attack the fastest, the strongest. Who could deflect or dodge the best. Zuza grinned at him, winking as she ducked beneath his lightsaber once more, twirling on her heel and slashing for his back. It was only though deflecting her following strike with his shoto saber that Gui avoided his robes being cut.
The buzz of holodrones had almost disappeared under the fray of battle. Yet they still floated overhead, diving for angles on the combatants to get the best view for the audience. One fluttered past behind Zuza. Gui’s gaze locked onto it for a stray moment. Better to give himself an advantage early… A plan was hatched.
Gui slung his arm out and pushed Zuza with the Force. The Human stumbled backwards, boots dragging across the ground away from the half-Kiffar. She frowned a mere moment, charging forward and having only just returned to being within arm’s reach when-
A drone slammed into her side. Zuza yelped, grappling onto the edge of the smooth top casing, legs flailing in the air as it rose up.
“HEY! THAT’S not fair ya can’t just…”
Her voice faded into the noise as the Drone passed by a hammering machine. It’s binaric screeches lasted moments longer, repeating the command the Mechuduru master had given.
