503 words in the main body after removing title page

Ever since joining Clan Vizsla, Raist had strived to take the toughest bounties, the ones nobody else could handle.

Ranger Jezora Zosh was one such target. The high-ranking CoM member had been assigned to Raist by E.D.I, and now the only thing left was to finish the job. Raist had a very long, and successful career bounty hunting, and he had never failed to bring in his quarry. Today would be no different.

With a speed possessed by few, Raist ignited his lightsaber and jammed it into the bulkhead in front of him. The durasteel began to dissolve and DEA-7H moved into a defensive position to anticipate whatever resistance would be awaiting them.

As the metal crumbled in front of him, Raistlin saw at least a dozen soldiers and droids, possibly more, all arrayed in a wall in front of him and his droid. They were making sure the Exarch would have no chance at reaching Ranger Zosh

They lasted less then ten seconds.

As DEA-7H started firing, Raist moved with unnatural speed, aided by the Force. DEA-7H dropped one, and Raist took another step. Raist's droid nailed another head shot before the assembled forces arrayed against them could raist their blasters against the intruders.

And then Raist was on them.

His lightsaber tore through their ranks in a blur. As he descended upon the ten or so guards left, they could not focus on which combatant to face, since both proved so much of a threat. Raist bisected a Rodian and then cleaved the appendages off of two humans that were closest to him. A guard droid was able to get two shots off, but then Raist ripped him asunder with one swipe.

As the forces arrayed against them dropped, DEA-7H paused. Enemies were dying so quickly he couldn't maintain target lock on any one individual. Within a minute, the arrayed resistance of the Lightbringers lay before Raist, the cool metal floor of the bridge was pooling with blood of different sentients and mixed appendages.

In front of Raist and his droid stood the Ranger Jezorza Zosh. Though he was shorter then the Exarch, Raist could tell he had been in many personal combat situations by the sheer number of scars criss-crossing the skin exposed out of armor. The man said nothing before igniting his saber and Riot Shield. For a few moments, the hum of these items was all that filled the room as the two combatants sized each other up.

"I'm here to bring you in, dead or alive" Raist said, fully knowing what the outcome was going to be.

Jezora said nothing, simply slamming his shield into the ground in defiance, the gesture told Raistlin everything he needed to know. No sooner was the shield raised back into a defensive posture then did the Exarch sprint to close the distance between himself and the Ranger. Raist was amazed at the man's speed and strength, despite his stature. He belied and bespoke power, and Raist could not underestimate this man and expect to emerge victorious.

Raist backed up, and the moment space was created between the two of them DEA-7H opened fire, forcing Jezora to bring up his riot shield to stave off fire. Raist increased the salvo from his arm cannon, and the two of them were forcing Jezora back, forcing him to retreat behind the nearest exposed bulkhead. His frame was hidden but Raist started to close the distance. Within two steps he had re-engaged the Ranger.

This time, Raist had him on the defensive. His posture belied his disadvantage, for though he was trading blows with Raist, the two men hearing sabers rattle off each other in a deadly ballet, Raist could feel his opponent's focus fading. Raist pressed the assault that much more, drawing on the Force to amplify his speed, making him a blur. Jezora kept up admirably, but as Raist feigned, and he went to react, Raist trailed his blade downward, severing the link on Jezora's riot shield, and forcing it to clatter to the ground.

Jezora screamed in anger, instantly drawing an ornate Sith Sword from across his back and charging back at the Exarch. With his mobility enhanced, Jezora was a threat anew, and the two danced for longer, neither giving a nanometer, for if either did, they would lose the advantage, and perhaps the battle.

Who would yield first? Neither... DEA-7H grabbed Jezora from behind as the two moved around him. As he tried to flip out of the droid's grasp, DEA-7H increased pressure, forcing Jezora to draw on the force and unleash a telkinetic blast, knocking everyone back and out.

Disoriented, Raist stood first, he couldn't tell if DEA-7H was damaged permanently or not, only that he had to seize the momentum before it was lost. Despite the heavy armor he was wearing, Raist managed to get to his feet first, while the Ranger could barely get to one knee. Raist was relentless, hammering blows down upon the Ranger who was now backpedaling to fend off the assault.

Jezora stood, but it was too late, Raist had him. The exarch plunged his lightsaber cleanly into Jezora's chest as he stood and then slid it downward. As the life left his eyes, Raist said nothing, turning away knowing he had won. He paused for just a moment, then he went to check on DEA-7H to see if he could be salvaged.

VICTORY

Choosen opponent:
Startouched Researcher

Caxquett's are the creatures that Kaled (my main character) rescued from the temple event Arcona had 2 or 3 years ago? They are various in color and physic.
They walk on four legs and are like....puppies? I'll include a link to the Pinterest I received to what they usually look like. Just keep in mind that they are still young and little.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/599752875378172109/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/599752875378422537/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/599752875378070885/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/213639576063710667/

Target: Purified Ascendant Trooper
Featuring: Elyon de Neverse, CS: https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/character_sheets/16808

My crazy submission for Combat!

DH

Combat Fiction

High Value Targets
Target 1
Master Purified Ascendant Trooper
Sith, Sorcerer
Height: 1.7m
Weight: 96.6kg

I could take this guy in a fight. He was a bit bigger than me, but I was taller.

Covered in crystalline plating, and sharp crystal growths appearing out of most of his joints

That was a little concerning, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Alaris had strongly discouraged me from going after him, stating I was not ready, but what did he know? Sure he was my Master, but he wasn’t always right.

I could go after Target 3, the Startouched Researcher, but I liked a challenge. Plus, it was going to sound really good if I, Nora Olen, defeated the Elder Purified Ascendant Trooper.

Thinking back to the conversation with my Master only made me more determined to fight Target 1.

**

“Again!” Alaris demanded as he flipped me onto my back for the tenth time. A War was happening, but that didn’t stop Alaris from canceling our combat session. You would have thought a war would have been a great excuse to cancel, but no. Here I was, covered in sweat and blood from training for what seemed like hours.

Groaning a little, I quickly got to my feet, ready to counter whatever move he was going to make next. He swung his lightsaber at me, which I barely had time to dodge. That didn’t stop him, he continued his attack, swinging it back and forth, as I swiftly tried to move from each attack.

Swing. Step back. Swing. Dodge. Swing. Crouch down. Swing

Alaris was brutal, and most often never stopped combat until I was almost beaten to death. He was like that with every apprentice. He says being kept alive was a mercy. A mercy after almost getting beaten to death? How kind of him. I thought about his demise often. I thought about beating him to death to see how he felt. I hated him with all my being, but for some reason, I continued to stay. He was my Master after all. Even though I often got beaten almost to death, I was even more motivated to win.

I swung my own lightsaber, hoping to surprise attack, but Alaris was prepared. His boot met my stomach, and I was suddenly flying backwards, before I hit the ground. I felt as if the wind was knocked out of me. Damn it! I didn’t have time to react, or even get up before Alaris had his lightsaber at my neck.

“You cannot even beat me, and you think you can go out and defeat the Elder Purified Ascendant Trooper?” He laughed harshly. “You will die, little girl.”

I grinded my teeth, even more enraged.

“Stand up!” He demanded once again, and I quickly got to my feet, ready to go again. I had to prove him wrong. I was not weak. I could defeat him.

**

I stood in the clearing, staring at him from a distance. He was wearing Unbound Armor, and a Armorweave Cloak. I could see an Elder Lightsaber attached to his side, and a Sith Sword in his right hand. He was ready for combat.

Before I had time to do anything, he charged towards me, head-first. I had enough time to ignite my lightsaber, before our weapons collided. He swung at me again and again, as I continued to dodge his attacks with my lightsaber. It almost felt effortless for him, as he continued to swing at me. It was like no effort at all, and here I was starting to breathe heavier and working out a sweat.

Backflipping away from his attack, I managed to surprise him by shattering a piece of crystal seeping out of his armor with my lightsaber. He howled in response, before swinging his sword at me. I managed to dodge it, before kicking his right hand. His Sith sword dropped to the ground in a quick motion.

This seemed to fuel him more, as he swung his fist into my head. The world disappeared for a second, and I was on the ground. My vision was blurry, but I could make out his shape. He swung his Sith sword towards me. I rolled away to avoid the attack. His sword slammed into the ground. He left it and charged towards me, attempting to slam his fists into me once again.

I was able to roll away from him once again, which angered him more. He attempted to hit me once again, but this time, he managed to get a hold of my leg. One moment I was on the ground, the next instant, I was thrown in the air, and slammed into the ground.

He had tricked me. Pretending to punch, but really wanted to grab my legs. I should have known. I was such an idiot!

My face was bleeding now, as my body collided into a hard rock. I thought Alaris was brutal, but this Target was intense. I didn’t have much time to react before he was on me once again, punching me with his fists. He punched every surface of my body. With every blow, I felt my energy starting to fade. I was such a fool to think I could defeat him.

All I felt was pain. I thought my beatings with Alaris were bad, those were nothing in comparison to this.

My vision was blurry, and my eyes stung from the dirt, involuntary tears and blood. I had enough sense to make out a red haze as it appeared in front of me. I knew it was his lightsaber, and that this was the end of me. All because I thought I was good enough to defeat an Elder.

I shut my eyes, in preparation for the inevitable. A few seconds had passed, and nothing. I waited a few more seconds until I heard a familiar voice.

“You stupid, child.” I heard the voice of my Master, Alaris Jinn say. Opening my eyes, I saw his blue form appear in my vision. I couldn’t make out most of his features, but I was able to make out his eyes. His green eyes were filled with disappointment and rage.

I felt my body being picked up, and a light breeze that felt nice on my body. We were moving. “H-How?” I managed to stutter out. I was sure I was dead there. Or perhaps I was dead?

“A distraction. You’re lucky to be alive. Don’t make me regret this,” was the last words I heard, before I managed to pass out from the pain.