Elevated over a ravine, the Massassi Arena has withstood the tests of time. It is arranged in a circular formation and made by a slab of stone that connects the opposite slopes of the ravine. On its eastern side, the floating arena leads to a staircase and into a near-vertical cliff face. Because of its nearly unsupported vantage that overlooks a several hundred-meter fall, even the smallest creatures can feel the occasional motion the platform makes as the breeze brushes across its cold surface.

Adding to the adrenaline rush of standing within the slab’s concentric patterns carved into the rock, barriers and obstacles echo the Massassi’s commitment to taking every advantage over their opponents. Pillars ring the outer edge without guard rails between them, some remaining intact and others having toppled into the arena or over the perilous heights. Weeds and other fauna cover each surface as nature seeks to reclaim the ravine and eventually send the arena itself to the depths.

A creaky rope-bridge leads away towards another ancient suspended platform with the same weathered, upturned stones. Mossy footing, and uneven ground make each of these platforms unique in small subtle ways. While there is no seating for formal spectators, the ancient stones of the Massassi Arena hold an omniscient, aged wisdom that speak to the things they have seen and the battles fought through history.

A third rope-bridge leads to yet another platform, completing the triad of battlegrounds that make up the Massassi Arena.

Alara ran onto the large, round arena and stopped abruptly. She held her knees with her palms while she broke a sweat. The Knight panted while she observed her surroundings. Alara’s dizzy sight rippled with colors and flashes of light. The Sephi shook her head frustratingly and let out a grunt. “Well, looks like I’m alone now…could’ve sworn someone was following me.”

“You were right, Alara,” a familiar voice cooed ahead of her. A figure stepped out from behind a piece of column. The Sephi recognized him immediately as Delak, her former opponent.

“Why are you following me? Didn’t I teach you a lesson?” Alara cocked her eyebrow at him.

“So you thought, Dearie, but I want a rematch! Let’s do this!” Delak ignited his sabers after he clicked them off of his belt. His mechanical arm reflected the bright beams of light. The Battlemaster gave a toothy grin and stepped closer to the Knight.

Alara blew some strands of hair off of her face and reached for her saber. A strong sense of nervousness rippled through her body. She beat him before, but could she do it again? Alara thought she felt confident in her efforts, but for some reason the Sephi was second guessing herself. How odd, she thought to herself. I’m never this… afraid, is it? Suddenly images of her childhood flickered through her mind like an old movie reel. She saw the mercenaries who harmed her all those years ago. Their malicious laughter echoed and rung into the Sephi’s ears. She let out a yelp and held her hands over her ears, dropping her saber in the process.

“What.. what are you?! What are you doing to me?!” Alara grew angry and shot a glare at her oppressor.

“Just a little mind game I’ve picked up,” Delak smirked, “You won’t beat me so easily this time!”

Delak enjoyed playing with people’s minds. Alara’s especially since their last encounter. Alara had managed to best him with wit and skill, he had not anticipated that from a lowly Knight. She was indeed growing in her powers. And so was he. The newly promoted Battlemaster had made very good headway in his training into the powers of Illusion. Dominating his foe’s minds was now his favorite past time in battle. He watched for a minute while Alara held her head and shook like a crazed Mynock chewing on a bad power cable. Her screams tasted so good. He relaxed his grip on her mind just long enough to watch her fall to her knees.

Delak watched as Alara grabbed for her lightsaber and slowly unclipped it from her belt. She squeezed the hilt tightly and launched up at Delak with all of her might. Delak had faster reflexes and parried her attack to the side as she moved passed him off balance. He quickly planted an elbow into her spine and watched as she fell flat on her face. Her lightsaber flickered out of existence just as fast as it had sprung to life. He reached out his hand toward her, palm in the air. He picked Alara up off of the ground and watched her helplessly suspended in the air. She struggled for a moment to get free knowing that she could not. Delak flicked his hand to one side and he watched as she sailed through the air like a Peku Peku on Naboo. The Knight slammed into a big boulder and fell to the ground hard like the boulder she hit.

Delak stood still and watched as the Knight got up off of the ground after a moment of unconsciousness. He was preparing himself for her next attack. She staggered to her feet and grabbed for her lightsaber. It flew to her hand like a bolt of lightning and was ignited just as fast. She lunged at Delak once again keeping her balance as she went this time. Delak dodged her attacks back and forth, ceding ground to her as she attacked. He went far enough to reach the edge of the platform they were standing on. Alara took another lunge at Delak this time he sidestepped the attack and tripped her as she went came. She went over the edge but managed to catch the ledge and hung there with one hand. She managed to get the second hand up to hold herself from falling into the ravine below. “Too slow Alara. You are much sloppier this time around. You don’t mind your footwork.