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.

“Like you, my mind is inquisitive.” Rumbled deep baritone. The allure of it was sweet and captivating. “I too, seek wisdom through experience..”

The words permeated the darkness, held back by the green splendor of the Arena. Drake was cautious but upon recognizing the voice, he was left unnerved.

“What brings you out here, I thought this was training?”

“Tsk tsk, Hunter, yes, that's what you are. A little Hunter. You must now hunt darkness.” The Bothan informed him whilst stepping into the light.

Justinios’ grip clamped down on his training saber but Yvanos noticed the subtle movement. “You won't be needing that. Atleast not yet.” His forked tongue continued to wag “Come here, let’s have a look at you.” He mocked, for once the colossal.

The Aleena let loose and the cylinder fell to the ground as his curiosity began to get the better of him. As the Jedi-prospect inched closer, Yvanos lept from on high and landed within a foot of him. With one fluid motion he slammed his clawed hand down on top of Justinios’ head.

“Let me see,” The Bothan pried. He was digging for information, downloading it to his hard-drive with connection from the Force. His eyes had closed and the images began to flood his mind. Filling it with useful tidbits.

“Now, son of Dinaari. Pick that up and never let go of it again.” The Bothan chided as he released him “Create the terms of engagement.” Yvanos snarled as he held the curved black handle of his deactivated Lightsaber out to his side.

The Jedi tickled his training piece with the Force and it ascended into his tiny hand. A distinct snap-hiss brought a blue blade into the fray as he took a stance that was quite bland and basic.

Yvanos matched him and whirled his hilt upon activating it. As it created trails in the Aleena’s vision it was re-directed, and the blade crashed down like a crimson spear. With speed and accuracy it lunged into the Hunters guard but was deactivated before it could puncture his belly.

“Fool..” Yvanos cast his left hand out in annoyance but as he fully extended, the Aleena’s tiny haunches propelled him up and away. The evasion sent dirt and leaf litter into the air and encouraged the right eyebrow of the Bothan to lift ever so slightly.

Justinios paused for a moment to stare at his own reptilian legs as if completely awed at the maneuver they had just performed. The newly promoted Hunter reminded himself that he was in the midst of a duel and refocused his attention back onto the situation at hand. Turning his gaze upon the the Bothan Warlord, Hunter Drake watched in awe as his opponent elegantly closed the gap that separated the two combatants. The Journeyman knew there was likely purpose and reason behind every step and every movement but was not practiced enough to recognize the near perfection in the technique.

The Equite stopped a step beyond the Journeyman’s reach, “Attack.”

“I couldn’t think of a less prudent course of action at the current moment,” Justinios replied. “I may be a fool but I’d like to stay a living fool.”

“I’m offering you a chance to probe my defenses, Hunter, unless you think it prudent to allow me to go on the offensive?”

Justinios understood the meaning of the Warlord’s statement and prepared for his own careful advance, reminding himself to stay true to the fundamentals. The lessons from those he had trained with reverberated through his head as Yvanos confidently stood perfectly still with his Lightsaber held one-handed, at his waist. Place both hands on your hilt, raise your guard, set your feet, bend your knees.

In a very calculated move the Hunter advanced towards his waiting foe and performed a simple diagonal cut, high to low. The Equite easily parried the blow as well as the very basic attack chains that followed. The diminutive Journeyman was doing his best to improvise off of the sequences he had drilled but the lack of real life dueling experience made it easy for someone as proficient in lightsaber combat as Warlord Yvanos to predict every maneuver before it happened.

As hard as the Aleena was working to give Yvanos’ defenses a serious test, the Bothan’s face indicated he was growing impatient with defending against the primitive assault. “Your technique is sufficient at best,” he scoffed. “Let’s see what you have learned of defense!”

With that exclamation the Equite launched an assault on Justinios’ guard that the former professor would have considered artistic had it also not been so effective. The Warlord advanced with a complex combination of quick thrusts and precise cuts that were too fast for the Aleena to defend against with just his weapon. As Yvanos’ red blade traced graceful arcs through the the air of Yavin’s moon Justinios shifted his focus to his legs and, giving himself over to the Force, launched himself on a trajectory that would have allowed him to land directly behind the Bothan. However instead of landing safely behind the Dark Jedi, Justinios found his ankle firmly in his opponent’s grasp.

This time it was the physical reach of Yvanos that was responsible for the temporary flight over the arena floor. The Equite used Justinios’ momentum from the Force empowered jump against him, sending the Hunter crashing into one of the stone pillars that ringed the combat zone. After a few seconds Hunter Drake stood back up, brushed himself off and re-ignited his lightsaber. His tiny reptilian hands were shaking but the Aleena once again took a defensive stance and awaited Yvanos’ next test of his abilities.