Deep within the jungles of Karufr lies a massive temple built from stone blocks, hand-carved by the builders of the Massassi. The ancient race made its home on the planet after joining forces with Clan Taldryan, having been freed from stasis years ago. Now, an entire civilization exists, hidden far from the prying eyes of Karufr's citizenry. As a Jedi, you are one of the few to have access to their secret base.

You step onto the temple grounds and watch the fearsome warriors train in small regiments with their crude weapons. The entire temple is in a state of anticipation as the Massassi know they will soon be called on once more to aid the Dark Jedi of Taldryan in battle. The temple is shaped like a giant pyramid, towering into the sky, and serves as a backdrop to the training ground.

The War Chief notices you and gestures you forward. He clears the area around you with a bellowing command, and the Massassi warriors present form a wide circle with you at the center. A moment later, you realize you're not the only Jedi to visit the temple—the crowd parts slightly to allow the newcomer to enter the ring. The gathered Massassi holler in good cheer. They want to see a fight.

The Chief raises his weapon to the sky and barks a command. The Massassi begin to stamp their feet against the ground, creating a loud, steady beat that seems to get your blood pumping. With little choice left, you lock eyes with your opponent and ready yourself for a fight.

The second Jedi to appear, a red-skinned Twi'lek, was mid-conversation as she carried on her brisk, almost stomping pace.

"-expect a report immediately upon completion," Inarya's voice rang out clearly through the circle before she thumbed off the communicator. As the static from the device faded her eyes narrowed, which made her sharp features appear almost predatory when coupled with the tattoos that marked her flesh. "Took your time showing up, Anima."

The other new arrival was busy pacing the far edge of the circle, though his movements looked almost lazy in comparison as a single, long stride matched two of her own. The Massassi continued hooting and hollering, almost akin to animals which seemed strangely accurate to the Sith's mind. Anima stopped in place, the suddenness of the move caused his dark cloak to billow forward before it settled at his sides. With not so much as a glance towards his Aedile, the looming man merely settled his steely, cold gaze upon the War Chief. Anima's dark attire contributed poorly as protection from the jungle heat, the sweat upon his brow betraying the calmness he emitted. Still, the tribesmen seemed to widen the circle in response.

"Anima," the name was nearly a growl as it was spoken through Inarya's clenched teeth.

"I heard you," Anima finally answered, letting the near monotone notes of his voice hang upon the increasingly uneasy air between them. "I just don't care."

The Sith finally turned his singular stare towards the smaller form of the Twi'lek at his side. Even with only one eye visible, the way his gaze seemed to look through her would have unnerved just about anyone else.

It did nothing but piss Inarya off more.

The woman had a chip on her shoulder - more like a boulder really - named Anima. Since the day he had arrived within the Clan, almost simultaneously alongside her own, she had refused to so much as grant him the illusion of trust. The Twi'lek firmly believed Anima was up to something and hounded him relentlessly. Of course, it wouldn't be so cumbersome if it wasn't absolutely correct.

Still, Anima was always careful not to betray himself. It would have been so much simpler if he had been allowed to just kill off anyone that got too nosey. As far as he was concerned, everyone Anima met was a walking corpse waiting for the mind to catch up to that fact, killing them was a kindness. For the human, it would be a fine solution to the problem. For his employer, not so much.

Naturally, the Aedile of House Shar Dakhan turning up dead would also draw entirely too much attention in his general direction. That was something Anima couldn't afford. Inarya’s focus had shifted once more, falling upon the temple and the tribal notes echoing from within. She had never explicitly stated why they had come to this place, merely some nonsensical reference to expanded scouting runs. In light of that, Anima had kept his right hand close to the comfort of the hilt at his side, the cold presence of his saber reaffirming his ability to defend should the need arise.

Anima felt the sudden tremor crawl up his spine, his only warning, the same instant the attack came. Inarya had chosen her moment well, wrapping herself in a shroud of the Force. He hadn't as much as seen movement before she sprung. The warning was just enough as the Sith pivoted upon his heel. A clenched fist passed mere inches from connecting with its intended target, but was only part of the assault. The distinctive snap-hiss of a lightsaber could barely be heard over the sudden roars and cheers of their onlookers. Just as the momentum of her surprise attack would have carried her past, Inarya planted her foot firmly and shifted into an aggressive spinning slash. The force of the spin snapped her lekku around violently, almost like living whips, followed by her violet blade. The heat from the contained plasma of the iconic weapon pulsed towards Anima's forehead, suspended in the air against the cerulean hue of his own weapon.

The Sith's muscles flexed with exertion as he shoved the off-balance attacker away before allowing his weapon hand to hang lazily at his side. Anima's face remained passive as Inarya took a bouncing step back, her gaze never leaving his location.

"I don't recall provoking you," Anima's voice lilted ever so slightly from his usual calmness.

"I'm getting the truth," Inarya stated scathingly, "even if I have to beat it out of you."

Anima inclined his head ever so slightly in answer. If it was a fight she wanted, well, Anima was a man with a particular set of skills. The crimson Twi'lek let out a battle cry as she took grip upon her dark power and fed it directly into her limbs. The acceleration in speed was almost immediate, Inarya closing the distance between the pair as a blur. Anima's cloth covered left arm rose from beneath his cloak, palm open towards the oncoming opponent. The Aedile had been prepared for a sudden burst of power, instead she felt… Nothing.

Just as quickly as the Force had fueled her attack, she felt suddenly empty. The momentary confusion was all the time Anima needed to step into her suddenly slowed attack and bring his saber crashing down from above. Once more, the exposed muscles of Anima's right arm bulged from exertion as sparks crackled between the pale purple and blue blades. Inarya was forced to plant her feet hard and grip her hilt with both hands, her knees buckling slightly under the strength exerted between them.

Acting quickly, Inarya used her shorter stature to her advantage and threw her weight forward. The maneuver put the Twi'lek under her opponent's center of balance, a most advantageous position. Anima was forced to disengage with a quick backstep, lest he be opened to a counter attack. Carrying her momentum forward, the Twi'lek spun towards Anima's left side. This time the man was slower in countering, having to turn his head fully in order to keep Inarya within his field of vision. The Twi'lek couldn't help but grin as she took in the subtle handicap.

The dark lips of the female stretched to a grin exposing her teeth, her amber eyes narrowed. She was trying to keep her emotions out of this fight. She couldn't afford to let anything get in her way, Inarya knew that when it came to a battle of brawn she wouldn't stand a chance against the superior strength of her Battleteam Leader. However, her smaller stature made her quicker on her feet, that and her access to full peripheral vision, something that Anima lacked, could put her at a slight advantage. She knew better than to get cocky, the environment that she found herself in was distracting enough. The sounds of the Massassi, the twisted Sith slaves were as furious as either of the two combatants that had invaded their home. Inarya knew better than to threaten or anger them. If it came to it, which she hoped it wouldn't, she would rather meet her fate at the hands of the males before her than be ripped apart by the red skinned horrors that lay just out of sight. The Sith could see the female’s poor choice of tactics, choosing not to strike when his defences were compromised seemed foolish to him and he seemed determined to punish the Aedile for this mistake. Twisting his shoulder, he brought his right arm across his body swiping towards the female. The bright cyan blade hummed softly as it cut through the damp that lay heavy in the air.

Dancing out of the way of the blade, the Twi’lek could feel the heat of the blade as it passed inches from her skin. The momentum of her movement brought her foot up to the male’s head, the dorsal of her foot collided with the right eye socket of the Battlemaster. The man’s defences dropped for the briefest of moments , his eye blinded temporarily from the strike. Using this opportunity, Inarya raised her saber high above her head bringing it down over the Human’s bound arm. Catching the view of the lavender blade, Anima swung his shoulder out of the way, the blade missing its mark, instead catching the covered deltoid muscle. She was expecting the familiar hiss of the superheated column of light melting through his skin accompanied by the sickly sweet smell of burning flesh. However, neither of these happened: the saber sparked, meeting a strange resistance, saber to flesh was supposed to be like a warm knife to butter, and this wasn’t that feeling. The bandage, having been burned by the heat of Inarya’s lightsaber, fell away exposing not the same pale flesh that covered the rest of the Battlemaster, instead shone the silver of a mechanical arm. Over the sounds of the jungle the twang of metal hitting the floor caught her ears, as she also saw a panel of the cybernetic coming free exposing wires and machinery. The parts, now released, created small specks of electricity that bounced from his arm to the ground, she knew that they were vulnerable to attack, now all the Lethan had to do was take the risk of getting in closer to the hulking beast of a man in order to use it to the fullest.

Anima’s face twisted with rage, he brought a large fist to her chest, knocking her off her feet and sending her falling to the damp, foliage carpeted floor under foot. As the heavy fist impacted with her chest, the Obelisk could feel the air forced from her lungs. The fleeting look of panic painted her face before she calmed her mind restoring her breathing, looming over her was the animalistic grin of the Human, his bloodlust illuminated his face covering his features. Raising his boot, he brought it down on to the Prelate, rolling out of the way his foot met with her shoulder, a faint crunch came from the impact. She bit down on her lip, trying to fight back the scream that would have erupted from her lips, the shock wave reverberated through Anima’s leg, weakening his kneecap. Not enough to cause any permanent damage, but enough to send him off balance. Mustering what strength she could, Inarya kicked out like a horse, aiming for the lunatic’s ankle hoping to hear the satisfying pop of a joint being evacuated from its socket.

Once more Anima felt the unmistakable nudge from the Force, a sensation he had spent most of his life honing. His body reacted without thought, reflexively catapulting backward from the sudden kick. Even still, the larger man landed awkwardly, not having time to ready himself for the maneuver. The Battlemaster's already weakened kneecap buckled ever so slightly as his full weight pressed against it. A grimace flashed over his face as Anima fell into a more comfortable crouch, gingerly shifting weight to his stronger side.

Inarya flowed with the momentum of her kick, the dark fabric that clung to her elegant frame ruffling violently as she rapidly rose to her feet. Both now crouching, Anima could see the utter determination consuming his opponent.

"Why are you here?" Inarya's question was pushed out between ragged breaths.

"You summoned me."

Perspiration, no longer merely from the humidity, ran in streaks down Anima's brow and his right eye twitched as the salty liquid made stung on contact. While not as drained as his opponent, the man still fought to maintain even breaths. A momentary flash of anger betrayed the Twi'lek's true reaction to his answer before she managed to reinstate her facade.

"Here in the clan, schutta," the Twi'lek's lips pursed together as she spat upon the ground.

As the Twi'lek's insult hung upon the air, she placed her left hand on the ground to push herself up and nearly cried out from the pain. A flash of crimson broke upon her dark lips as her teeth dug into flesh once more, stifling any cry that might escape. Inarya let out a low breath and rose to her feet regardless. She wasn't stupid and could see the way Anima was favouring one side in his stance. Now was the time to press any advantage.

Anima also rose alongside his Aedile, glancing quickly at the subtle sparks that denoted his prosthetic's exposed mechanics. As his glare returned to Inarya, her resolve seemed to have solidified. She charged forward, raising her saber defensively with both hands as she closed the distance. Inarya was clearly injured due to the limited range of mobility in her arm, but through a combination of will and the Force she seemed to be completely oblivious to the pain.

The larger man stepped into the coming attack, the silver flash of his hilt drove the contained plasma into a thrust meant to impale Inarya. The Aedile relaxed her grip upon her saber, dropping her left arm to the side as she used her right to spin the weapon about to deflect his thrust. Her movements, once acrobatic, now turned formulaic as Anima flowed with the redirection into a vicious slash. The acrid stench of burnt flesh filled the Battlemaster's nostrils as Inarya leaned to the side, allowing his blade to carve a shallow path through her shoulder while her free hand came across his face in a vicious clawing motion. Black-painted nails dug into pale flesh and drew ribbons of blood in their wake and a chorus of bloodthirsty cheers from the onlooking Massassi warriors.

Anima's mechanized hand crashed into the Twi'lek as he instinctively lashed out in response to the sudden pain. The large man all but snarled as he wiped the blood away and fought to clear his blurred vision. Inarya had taken more than ample use of his handicap.

Though it was an entirely self-imposed one. One that he need not maintain.

With deliberate grace, Anima's now blood-stained hand grasped the cloth wrap that covered his left eye and tore it from his head. He growled as the sudden exposure to sunlight set his nerve endings ablaze, the pupil dilating rapidly. Confusion and anger marbled over the Twi'lek's red flesh as Inarya took in two very different eyes fixed upon her, opposing orbs of grey and gold. Anima's newly exposed iris was entirely consumed by the hallmark corruption that came upon those that wielded the Dark Side of the Force entirely too freely.

The blasted Hutt-spawn was full of surprises, and Inarya didn't like any of them.

The throbbing from her shoulder was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore while Inarya was becoming ever more aware of just how heavy her body was. Not a good sign at all. Speed was her last saving grace against the physical presence Anima brought to the table, yet he had so far seemed just as nubile. Her lighter frame and smaller stature having created more of a differential in that regard than an actual difference in skill. Once more she sprinted forward, the Force fueling her limbs more than any actual stamina she may have had remaining, whilst her lavender blade streaked behind her.

The Twi'lek launched herself into the air, spinning viciously as she slashed wildly at his core. Inarya wasted no time as she felt his blade parry her own, continuing the spin and contorting her body easily to bring her boot against her target's head. She felt the pulse of power from Anima nearly the same instant her heel connected with flesh - or at least what should have been flesh. Inarya stepped back as she took in the marbled flesh of Anima's jaw, proof that she had made good on her strike yet the man look unphased.

She might as well have kicked a statue of iron.

Changing gears from defense to offense, Anima all but howled as he strode towards Inarya. An unmistakable wave of utter bloodlust washed over her, twisting a knot in at least one of her stomachs. The Aedile's eyes narrowed as she took in his visage and found it uncomfortably restrained. The fury emanating from Anima was all consuming and unrelenting, yet controlled and focused completely on her. Panic fought to claim her but Inarya restored her focus with a quick shake of her head.

Within two long strides the Battlemaster had closed the distance between them and forged a deadly conduit between them. Waves of heat and sparks cascaded back and forth as Anima's onslaught fell upon the desperately defending woman. His movements were beyond her own, even if she had the strength to amplify them further. Yet the Twi'lek still managed to hold her own against the Human's flowing, rapid strikes. All too late, Inarya realized that had less to do with the parries that made Makashi so stamina efficient, and more to do with the fact that Anima wasn't attacking her - not exactly.

He was attacking her blade.

With an animalistic growl Anima's weapon at last managed to crash squarely upon the blade of Inarya's, and not merely deflected away. The force of the saber lock shuddered down her arms and caused her teeth to rattle within her skull as they clenched together. Leaning forward, Anima dropped all his weight upon her and, despite her desperately pushing back, he forced her guard down low and wide open. Just as his blade slid off her own and thrust forward, Anima was suddenly consumed by exhaustion and nausea as his power fled his limbs. Unable to resist his own considerable momentum, the Battlemaster crashed forward into the Aedile and they crashed into the ground.

The hum of sabers could no longer be heard, neither combatant keeping the activation switches engaged. Even the tribal Massassi had succumbed to silence as they looked on, Anima's massive form and dark cloak hiding the crimson flesh of his Aedile. With considerable effort, the Battlemaster pushed against the ground and raised himself up to look beneath him.

Inarya's body was still beneath him, her limbs sprawled out utterly limp. Breathing heavily, Anima leaned back until he was resting upon his knees, his eyes falling upon the faintly smoking, cauterized wound in her gut. Inarya had surprised him, more than earning the gift of death and the peace that followed.

The crowd began cheering all at once, seeing that the fight had finally reached its conclusion and began to move towards them in a mass of bodies. Anima's head snapped around and fixed upon the War Chief, his lip curling up as he snarled, a mixture of spit and blood falling from his mouth. As suddenly as they had begun, the circle stopped and began widening once more.

Silence once more fell upon the Massassi temple - that is until a shuddering, pained breath exhaled softly upon the air. Anima's eyes widened as he turned his focus back upon the Aedile, staring at the curve of her chest and waiting. There it was, subtle but unmistakable. Through some manner of luck or merely just a dogged determination, Inarya's wound had not been immediately fatal. Still, the pain and shock had been enough for her body to shut down, even if nothing vital had been damaged.

Grunting with effort, Anima slid his Aedile over his shoulders, distributing the weight more easily for his weakened state. With focused, deliberate steps, the Battlemaster began marching back towards the jungle where his transport waited. Anima couldn't help but grin as he felt soft breaths against his neck, his mind nearly consumed with thoughts of the inevitable confrontation after her recovery.

It was almost unfair he would have to wait.

The female’s aim was true as her booted foot met with the Human ankle, the male grinned, the attack seemingly having no effect. A large hand reached down grabbing the back of her skull, lifting her off the ground. Inarya hung helplessly as Anima brought his knee up swinging it with heavy momentum into the females chest. Flesh greeted flesh with a hollow thud. Letting Inarya drop the Sith watched as she coughed and spluttered, the taste of copper filling her mouth. Spitting the taste from her mouth the crowd fell silent. Much like a shark the scent of blood caused the Massassi to go into a frenzy. Howling and low hollow roars now filled the air.

Placing her hand down on the damp jungle floor, Inarya all too soon realised the extent of the damage to her shoulder. Pain shot through her entire system. Biting down on her lip and with sheer determination she raised herself up, every inch of movement causing an indescribable agony. Inarya knew that under her robes her skin was darkening from a bruise that would be spreading over her crimson skin like a corruption.

Distracted from the searing pain, she barely had the time to dodge the male’s icy saber plunging towards her. The blade slipped past her arm, catching her flesh and burning its mark. Arching his weapon back towards her, the female was forced to counter, Spiraling her body away from his second blow while raising up her own saber. The two opposing columns of light collided into each other, crackling and roaring as the blades battled, sparks raining down onto the ground.

Locked together, amber met grey and gold, each stare locked to the other mirroring their sabers.The male pressed down, his strength dropping the female to her knee. Her frame was nothing compared to his mass. She was in trouble. He pushed down on her again, her wrist almost buckling with the added pressure to her blade.

Deactivating her saber, the resistance gone, the Sith fell forward, his weight no longer being supported by his combatant. Rolling out of the way Inarya narrowly avoided Anima’s full weight falling onto her. This came at a price, the weight of her own body on her shoulder triggered a cry of agony as she could feel the already loose bone in her shoulder moving freely under her skin, pulling and stretching her nerves.

Paralyzed with pain the Twi’lek curled into a ball, her hand grabbing her shoulder. Her breath was raspy as she struggled to fight another enemy, this time her own body. The Battlemaster got to his feet, standing to his full length. His eyes looked down and the bundle that was his Aedile, a grin stretching across his face, she looked so tiny before him now. Like a bug that needed to be squashed.

Anima brought his large foot backwards aiming for the Lethan’s spine. Taking hold of her agony Inarya screamed, moving with speed and fluidity she spun around, taking hold of his foot and blocking his attack. Getting to her feet, she activated her saber, slashing wildly at the human’s frame, his blade meeting hers with every swing.

“I’m not dead yet!” She spat at him, vemon clinging to every word.

Taking hold of her saber the Obelisk ran towards the Battlemaster, pointing the tip of her blade at his chest. As she ran her feet got heavy, her arms tired. The rage she had tapped into was spent, feeling the fatigue in her muscles causing them to go limp. The metal of her saber fell to the floor as her hand lost its grip, the momentum of her last attack carried her. The alien fell forward, her head resting on the male’s chest. The pain and exhaustion came flooding back as she rested limply and helplessly on Anima. He looked down at the female, wrapping his hand around her delicate throat, he pushed her to her feet. The only thing keeping her standing was his weight against hers.

The crowd around them roared, they knew the final blow was coming. They called for it, relishing in the thought of witnessing the Aedile’s death. Fighting his grasp, the Twi’lek’s only useful hand clawed at the male’s wrist, tearing chunks away from his skin. Growling in annoyance and pain he tighten his grip on her neck, Inarya could feel the air being blocked from her lungs. She kicked out her legs pointlessly, hitting the Anima in the chest. Bringing up what little venom she had left in her, she spat in the his face. Her bloody saliva hit him in the cheek and trickled down his neck. With one swift, icy blue flash, his saber plunged into the Aedile’s chest, her face twisted in pain as one last breath fell from her dark lips. Feeling her body go lifeless, Anima watched as the light that burned in her amber eyes died. To him she was just one less Force User. He was one step closer to his mission.