Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,123
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Mar 1, 2021 3:00:47 GMT -8
The speeder made its way along the chosen path of its pilot. What started as the rocky terrain eventually gave way to the flats sweeping lands of the desert. The moved along for several minutes, almost half an hour as the headed for the designated coordinates provided by their Empress. All that was around then was sand, the mountains growing smaller behind them. The early morning rays of Amber were close to nearing their peak though the Star itself had yet to break the horizon. This gave a faint glow of light to gift them with solid sight lines.
Before long, the speeder’s pace began to slow, gradually at first before speeding up, the craft coming to a stop in what seemed to be the middle of no where. There was nothing here to impede the battle, to give either combatant any type of defense. The only obstacles they would face would be each other and the sand as it shift beneath their movements.
"We have arrived." It was all the Lorrdian said for the time being as he turned off the speeder and hopped out. A breeze blew through the area, sending a slight chill over the man’s body. The curious part of the desert was the vast changes of temperature. Freezing during the night by scorching during the day. It was why the Empress chose this moment for their duel. The air had a bit of a chill, though comfortable. It gave them time to face each other and hopefully conclude the spar before Amber grew too high and washed the area in a greater heat.
With their arrival, all that was left was to wait for Hiro’s opponent to make their appearance, one that even the pair didn’t know of. Up until this point, they suspected that only the stranger’s opposition would know of their place in this.The Holy Man Elniri
|
|
The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by The Holy Man on Mar 1, 2021 7:35:22 GMT -8
As the speeder stretched across the terrain of Ambria, Hiro sat silently and watched as the environment changed into a flat expanse of desert. Based on his view as he originally came planetside it seemed like there was no shortage of open desert to choose from. Looking back on the countless battles he had fought across the galaxy he knew that an environment like this was common for duels that would allow focus on the combatants without the distraction of the environment. There was a distinct type of pleasure that could be found in the simplicity of some things.
Hiro disembarked from the speeder as it came to a stop, allowing his senses to take in the environment. His skin could feel the gentle cooling breeze that told him nights out here were more dangerous than the average desert. His eyes could see the faint glow of a rising sun that told him the temperature would climb quickly as it crossed the horizon. His feet and walking stick impacted in the sand as he walked that told him how sure his footing would be.
He knelt down in the sand, picking up a handful of the grains before rubbing his hands together. He brought his hands up to his face to breathe in the scent of the sand, similar to the way other ancient warriors would familiarize themselves with the field of battle. As the last grains of sand fell from his hands, he grabbed his walking stick in his left hand and pat his bulky midsection with his right before sighing and turning back to the knight.
I'm ready. However I don't see my opponent, unless...
He gave the knight an accusatory look, but what he felt in the Force was that this was not his opponent. Something seemed.... off, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. They were eerily alone out here.
I don't see the Empress here either. What is going on?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2021 17:17:54 GMT -8
Aoife had remained oddly quiet up until this point. It was a stark contrast between her and her partner from the night before, where she had done most of the talking, and Belian was the quiet, enigmatic one. She held herself with the usual grace and ease, though, as if danger couldn't possibly be lurking for any of them. When the stranger took up his guard, she finally spoke up.
"We wanted to be punctual. Your opponent will be here soon enough," the Miraluka explained, 'looking' at Hiro through the black cloth that covered her face. Her head soon cocked, though, as she tilted her ear towards a sound or disturbance that caught her senses. "The Empress has just arrived as well, but there is no need to concern yourself of her. She is not your opponent today, something you should be thanking the Force or the Creator or whatever you pray to."
An airy exhale escaped the Miraluka, a ghost of a laugh. The faint twitch of her lips curling upwards was the only sign of her amusement.
"Still, she surely has set you up with a fight of a lifetime. The Empress is rather strict on such honorable duels. Breathe, meditation-man. Your opponent will reveal themselves soon."
A cloaked figure stood and watched the figures, small as ants, from a distance. The crisp, cool morning air was dry and stale, but the horizon slowly started to bleed with the colors of dawn. Soon, the fiery blaze of Amber would scorch down over the desert. She hoped that this duel would be over sooner rather than later.
<< You seem on edge, big sis. >>
Mariah didn't move at the teasing taunts of her little sister's ghost, whose ethereal form sat cross-legged next to her.
"You try carrying the weight of the Ancestors on your shoulders alone, and tell me you would feel differently."
Mariah spoke pointedly. In truth, if she could have left the Temple instead of watch, she would have done so. The Empress had to delicately balance the past and the future within the present, though. Her mission had been put on hold to arrange this, and so here, she stood, instead of making her next strike. For all she knew, it would too late now. Aria seemed amused by her sister's words, and the Force echoed her laughter like ripples in a lake.
<< And as one of your Ancestors, technically, I've warned you to choose or to suffer. Shouldn't your precious Fallen be here in your stead anyway? Or do you no longer trust him after the last... issue? >>
Aria's laugh reached a crescendo. Mariah knew she didn't seek an answer to that question. It was a taunting reminder as to why she had arranged this very duel. Hiro's opponent was one of the newest members of the Dark Jedi, a fierce huntress and warrior, but one Mariah needed to watch more closely since the latest crisis. It would certainly make things interesting.
"Why do such things concern you anyway?" Mariah retorted, not coldly, but her words still stung.
<< They didn't, >> Aria responded sharply, although she effortlessly smoothed her tones back to its usual soft, silken song, << until one of Hiro's dead friends caught my eye. Call me curious. >>
"You know what they say about curiosity."
<< Yes, it kills the cat, but you know what brings it back? Satisfaction. His Whill better not disappoint me. >>
At the mention of a Whill, Mariah arched her head to peer down at the ethereal form of her sister. She poised herself as though she was pouting, with one hand cradling her chin. The Empress arched an eyebrow at the figure. So this stranger had a rather... powerful connection. That complicated things. It was something she would have to reassess later, so with a sigh and a shake of her head, the Empress dismissed that new knowledge -- for now.
Turning back to the small figures in the distance, Mariah uttered, "What is it with you and Whills?"
Aria only snickered and said nothing in return. In silence, the two women waited for the last arrival so that this duel could be underway.
|
|
Elniri
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 25
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Elniri on Mar 8, 2021 8:58:32 GMT -8
It was that very moment that a brief seismic motion went through the earth beneath them, when something suddenly lunged out of the sandy plain like a fish out of the water. The beast landed in a rough distance before the two persons, that had approached the sands, covering briefly on it's fours before it would rise up into a humanoid posture, revealing it's four front claws to be arms. Heavily plated by enormous layers of chitin all across the creature's body the Maelibus was truely a horrific sight for anyone, who would underestimate this creature as a mere beast. It's whip-like tail waved in the wind like a serpent, charges of force lightning sparking up here and there, as Elniri looked with her two eye pairs upon the guests, that had arrived. As the Empress had told her.
She looked briefly towards the two, who had arrived, her eyes meeting the stranger's gaze. ~Ah, it seems the prey has arrived~, her voice echoed through the minds of the two individuals in closer range to her, an eerie mixture of Basic and the enthralling sounds of a huntress, ~I am Elniri. I was told that I have to hunt someone. Not for harvest, just for seeing your abilities. I do not see the reason for a hunt if there is no flesh for me to chew, but I respect the Empress's wishes.
Only non-lethal rip and tearing.~ There was no sarcasm in her voice, indicating that the creature was indeed serious about it's proclamation. For the time Elniri waited, being suprisingly calm, as she expected someone to open up the fight, so that she could react. Like a shark tended to do, when it was observing the surface of the sea, the curiousity of the animal outweighing the social manners of a regular humanoid.
|
|
The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by The Holy Man on Mar 8, 2021 10:33:09 GMT -8
As Aofie spoke to him he caught a sense of something in the distance. He turned his head to look out across the wastes, scanning before his eyes saw the tiny dot across the sand. He turned back to the woman and gave her one more wry smile.
I'll be sure to thank the Force on her behalf.
Before he realized it, he began feeling tremors shaking the sand beneath his feet. Moments later the ground exploded in a shower of sand as a large figure emerged from the ground. Hiro's eyes widened as he looked upon the newcomer. He let his brain process the information his eyes were taking in the same way he had observed his surroundings: a figure large enough to tower over even him, with what looked like thick plates of organic armor all over its body. The claws on its four "arms" were razor-sharp, and its movements were embellished by a tail that looked not only lethal but as if it were crackling with electricity.
Well that's new.
He remembered hearing stories through the years of many strange species that inhabited the galaxy. The things he was seeing seemed to tickle the edges of his memory, but he wasn't able to remember anything concrete. Before he could think more on that, his mind was invaded with a dark voice that could only be from the creature in front of him. It spoke of dark things like hunting rending flesh from bone. A normal person would be terrified if they heard those words spoken to them with that voice. But then again... Hiro never claimed to be normal. A smile spread across his face as he waved and spoke aloud nonchalantly to the creature.
Oh, hello there. My name is Hiro. And yours?
|
|
Elniri
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 25
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Elniri on Mar 8, 2021 11:37:06 GMT -8
Her gaze still on Hiro, the creature remained as she was, standing there stoic like a statue. There wasn't much mimic on her face, if there was any mimic at all! Just the pulsing light of her eyes, where it was hard to tell what she was thinking now. Confused regarding this response? Unimpressed? ~I call myself Elniri~, she told him solely, ~You are a bold one, Hiro. Are you a hunter as well?~
Her approach of questioning the person in front of her was more direct, yet compared to how she acted during her imprisonment more than calm. Since Elniri had arrived on Ambria she had several opportunities to rather feed on local animals rather than on unsuspecting lab soldiers. Although it seemed like her temperament rarely cooled down, the recovery time had at least stopped her from attacking anything in plain sight, whether it be friend or foe. The way Hiro spoke with her caught her curiosity. Usually the hostile meatbags freaked out when seeing her and paniced, making it more fun for her to track them down, as they were easier to spot, wheras those, who were hunters like her tended to be more calm. Still efficient within what they did, also utilizing their powers, but usually they were harder to break. This one here though had a normal pulse and felt at least not terrified. Maybe because of her previous words? The thoughts became irritating and the Maelibus focused rather on the current talk.
|
|
The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by The Holy Man on Mar 8, 2021 13:08:56 GMT -8
Elniri? I like that. It sounds angelic, almost.
The being stood absolutely still in front of him while communicating, making it impossible to read body language. Hiro wondered if it was by choice that Elniri spoke through the Force or if it was from not being able to communicate verbally. Coupled with her thoughts about hunting and her prey, he was starting to piece together exactly who and what he was dealing with. He didn't quite have the whole picture but with some probing he could easily find out more.
A hunter? No, I've just walked many paths through a long and eventful life. Although I admit I've been called worse by better beings.
|
|
Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,123
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Mar 9, 2021 1:56:19 GMT -8
When the Empress arrived in the distance, Belian made no motion to signify he was alerted to her presence. It was only through Aoife’s movements that he was able to determine the woman was on the scene off in the distance. Mariah’s presence had always been a mystery to him. When he could feel something, it was far different than the usual presence, seemingly more a void than anything. However, most times, she her presence was minimal or not existent, revealing that she opted to keep herself hidden as much as possible.
It was then that the small tremors came. At first, the Lorrdian was confused, not thinking that such a place held the tectonic faults to allow for an earthquake. But it proved to come from a different source when Elniri popped up out of the sand. It was in that moment when he laid eyes on the creature that he knew Hiro would be in for the fight of a lifetime, a thought that made the man smirk. He had no clue as to the chosen opponent, but seeing the selection, he knew the Empress was serious. Even he didn’t want to have to cross blades with Elniri if he could help it.
Since the arrival of the Maelibus, Belian research the creatures to better understand them. Incredible hunters born with the perfect talents. A hypnotic noise that could be made that would draw people in like a siren. Their skin strong and reflective, making things like blaster bolts and even lightsabers ineffective. Not to mention the powerful claws meant for slashing and even burrowing beneath the ground. And that was a normal one of the creatures. During the mission to Ruusaan, Elniri was picked up from the lab they raid, showing them at she had been an experiment, one that came out with staggering success. She was more than those that came before her with the electrified tail, the additional claws and stronger armor. She was more than the instinctual animal she started as though she preferred that method of fighting.
Why was interesting was thinking of Elniri’s burrowing ability. Was the Empress aware? Or was this something that didn’t cross the mind? Whatever the case, even in this open barren terrain where no environmental advantage could be gained, it seemed as if Elniri would be capable of gaining one any way.
|
|
Elniri
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 25
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Elniri on Mar 17, 2021 4:01:18 GMT -8
Elniri? I like that. It sounds angelic, almost. The being stood absolutely still in front of him while communicating, making it impossible to read body language. Hiro wondered if it was by choice that Elniri spoke through the Force or if it was from not being able to communicate verbally. Coupled with her thoughts about hunting and her prey, he was starting to piece together exactly who and what he was dealing with. He didn't quite have the whole picture but with some probing he could easily find out more.A hunter? No, I've just walked many paths through a long and eventful life. Although I admit I've been called worse by better beings. ~I don't know those better beings. If I can hunt and kill them, they are no longer better. Then I'm better.~Elniri understood only half of what was said, thus she wasn't even sure if this was the right place at the right time. Hasn't she been told that there's someone she'll have to battle? Not that she would care much about those two strangers in front of her, but since she had arrived at Ambria she was a satisfied hunter. With the local Neek herds roaming the lands she found easily her prey unlike back then, when she roamed her home planet, which was compared to this place a sparse hunting ground. It certainly had sharpened her survival skills, for she grew bored easily and remained passive towards the locals out of respect towards the Empress's orders. She then looked towards the other person bystanding the scene, pointing then with a claw towards her. ~Is this my opponent or whom am I supposed to hunt?~, she then asked stern, but also curious, ~I was promised another hunter to fight.~
|
|
Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,123
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Mar 17, 2021 7:16:24 GMT -8
Belian looked over to Elniri as she spoke, her question apparent that she wasn’t sure about how this encounter was starting. She was a warrior, a hunter. Casual talk and banter was not something she was accustom to. Stepping up between the two, the Lorrdian nodded.
"Yes, this man is the one the Empress set for your battle today." Taking a few steps back to clear the line between them, he knew there was no reason to let things continue with simple talk. "Let the battle begin."
He then glanced over to Elniri as a final state rang out from his mind to hers. Hunt well. At that moment, Belian and Aoife leapt back some distance to clear the field less they got caught up in the fray.
|
|
The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by The Holy Man on Mar 17, 2021 12:25:17 GMT -8
At Belian's words, Hiro looked back to Elniri and smiled at her. Just because they were pitted against each other didn't mean there wasn't time for pleasantries.
It was very nice to meet you, Elniri. However if you were looking for something to hunt, I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you.
He walked casually away from Belian and Aoife, facing Elniri but seemingly messing with his walking stick. He lifted it with his left hand and arm, feeling the relative lightness of it as he looked at the thick chitinous plates that covered Elniri's body. He gave it a quick swing as if it were a sword before planting it back into the sand, taking a deep breath, and looking directly at Elniri.
I'm not big on running away.
He raised his right hand to her with his open palm facing up, as if to invite her to begin.
|
|
Elniri
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 25
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Elniri on Aug 20, 2021 6:40:46 GMT -8
At Belian's words, Hiro looked back to Elniri and smiled at her. Just because they were pitted against each other didn't mean there wasn't time for pleasantries.It was very nice to meet you, Elniri. However if you were looking for something to hunt, I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you. He walked casually away from Belian and Aoife, facing Elniri but seemingly messing with his walking stick. He lifted it with his left hand and arm, feeling the relative lightness of it as he looked at the thick chitinous plates that covered Elniri's body. He gave it a quick swing as if it were a sword before planting it back into the sand, taking a deep breath, and looking directly at Elniri.I'm not big on running away. He raised his right hand to her with his open palm facing up, as if to invite her to begin. ~We will see about that.~As expected she lunged forward, yet not to make a direct hit upon her opponent, but rather to give him a whip with her long electric tail, that pretty much behaved like a whip, surrounded by a tough carapace. Given her instructions, she knew that the force-lightning she was emitting, as the Empress had called it, wouldn't necessarily damage her prey too much, yet she knew from expierience that some weaker prey could easily die from it, not counting in actual paralyzed victims, that she used to kill. Then again though, if those Dark-warriors was to be believed, most of the prey she had hunted so far wasn't force-sensitive. Whatever that meant. After all Elniri wanted to witness a great harvest and feast upon flesh. This Hiro wouldn't provide it, but perhaps he was worth the fun.
Once she had finished her attack, she would jump back in order to get some room between her and her opponent. This fight would hopefully become interesting, now that it actually started.
|
|
The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by The Holy Man on Sept 28, 2021 6:31:28 GMT -8
Contrary to what his relaxed demeanor may convey, he was ready. The creature in front of him was clearly built to be a predator so it was only a matter of time before she took the initiative that he freely offered. What he didn't expect was the speed in which it would happen.
As she lunged forward and whipped her tail at him, he drew on the Force to enhance his physical strength as he pushed off the ground and jumped back away from the tail whipping at him just in time for it to miss him by only a handful of inches. He landed gently a few feet behind where he was standing just as she landed from her backwards jump.
Oh you're very fast. I must be losing a step in my old age.
|
|
Elniri
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 25
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Elniri on Oct 1, 2021 1:44:16 GMT -8
She didn't answer on this regard despite Hiro probably knowing that she would understand him nontheless. Instead she seemed determined to simply get done with the fight, as another tail slash came in, followed by force lightning erradicating from the end of it. The ranged attack missed, yet she purposely lunged at the end of the slight shock attack forward in order to attack the force user once more, four heavily armoured claws aimed mid-air at him. Like a Nexu she gracefully left the ground, her screeching vocal cords reminding however more on the furiousity of an Acklay. Another attempt, another attack. Though this time with a mistake, that her opponent could punish.
|
|
The Holy Man
Member
I'm not a God, but I'll help you meet yours.
Posts: 248
Affiliation: Unknown
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by The Holy Man on Oct 8, 2021 7:38:34 GMT -8
It seemed like the time for talk was over. Now that the fight had officially begun, his opponent was true to their self-identification as a hunter. And if he knew anything about hunters it was that once the hunt started their sole focus would be capturing their prey.
The next flurry came fast, starting with a whipping tail slash but this time with lightning crackling from it. He tracked the movement of the tail and quickly stepped back and to the side as he moved out of its path. He didn't blink as the lightning arced past him, but instead kept his focus solely on his opponent as they leapt at him with all four claws. He side-stepped out of the way of the attack again as he drew upon the Force. With as much effort as he could he attempted to Pull at his opponent while they were in midair, using their own momentum to launch them past him and as far as he could.
|
|
Elniri
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 25
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Elniri on Nov 28, 2021 9:11:29 GMT -8
Surprised by the force push Elniri felt as she was tossed to the side, the impact being slightly painful, yet bearable. Due to her exoskeleton and the experiments conducted upon her, the physique of the Maelibus was capable of withstanding a push of this intensity, where a normal human being would probably struggle and in the worst case even break some bones. Yet the counter upon her attack angered her, reminding her on the torture with which Sen had punished and nearly broken her. With a screeching roar, she stood up, sprinting cougar-like on her six limbs towards her opponent. Yet knowing that he would expect the attack, she utilized the momentum to drill herself into the earth, making her vanish for the moment as she was once more digging through the ground in a time, some wouldn't think that it was even possible for a creature of her size. Again she made another attack from below, lunging out from beneath the earth, her tail swinging within the air like a deadly whip. Whether her claws or the end of her tail would wound her opponent didn't matter - Elniri's rage fueled her so much that she nearly forgot about this whole thing being a training situation.
|
|