#veledrome

Gravus ushered her into the arena to a loud and rowdy cheer from the crowd. She walked back and forth eyeing Eton like prey she was about to pounce on and destroy. He stood there following her movement, resentment, anger and disgust radiating from him. Glancing quickly over at the box of Darth Nox, she could see the diminutive counselor looking eyeing her. The reply to her letter to Nox irked her, telling her she should win more graciously and not even using her title in reply just cemented her feelings that aliens had no understanding of Imperial tact. Gravus and Decimus walked to the edges of the circle to watch the match. Normally both Sith would at least shake hands before the match but that was not going to happen in this one, the hatred and resentment between these two ran far too deep for that.

“Ready to lose Mothax,” Eton yelled at her, “ It is time a real Sith showed you how to be a champion.”

She looked around, “ Huh is there a real Sith to teach me that because it sure as hell isn’t you.”

“You filth, I will show you.”

“Show me what? I do recall you losing to me back on Korriban as well. I guess you are going to go 0 for 2 tonight.”

Eton leapt at her with rage in his eyes. He whirled around and lunged at her but she easily parried his strike. Lakadimos stabbed at Eton using a beat trying to make him angry, it didn’t work. He parried and launched a counter attack using his strength to push her back and put her totally on the defensive. She countered his attack with a Coule reestablishing leverage over him. Eton disengaged for a moment to reset himself and renew the attack. He used a flunge at her but she easily used an Esquive which began putting him on the back foot. While he parried her attacks he was driven back with each strike and knew he was losing momentum and leverage with each blow. Out of anger he brought his boot up and kicked Lakadimos in her right knee. She fell to the ground when her knee buckled under her. Eton was given a red card and deducted a point. Channeling her pain and now righteous anger she got back up and gingerly put pressure on it. Gravus took a step towards the ring but did not enter it.

“You won’t be so mighty now you can only fight on one leg you half breed. Come and let me end you.”

She knew she was in trouble but also knew that Eton was now over confident and she would use that against him. He came right for her as she expected and she used a feint to goad him into getting reckless. She turned out of the way and used a Trompement to hit his arm with her saber causing him to cry out in pain. Knowing he had been played angered him further. Blinded by his rage he started making mistakes. Lakadimos has a moment of clarity and it was like she could see it before it happened, his lunge at her followed by a Patinando. She fell backward putting her hand on the mat, balancing on her good leg and carried out a Passata Sotto. She lunged up after ducking his thrust and her saber landed mere millimeters from his throat. She brought her saber down in a Zornhau maneuver that knocked the saber from his hand leaving him defenseless.

“Feel free to move closer, I would love to kill you right here and now.” She taunted

The audience was on its feet waiting to see what was going to happen next and neither Gravus nor Decimus stepped in to stop it. It seemed like both Masters realized that this was going to end one way or another and they would not stop it.He circled her but she would not flinch and he knew if he made any moves towards her she would cut him down without a second thought.  Eton felt himself lifted up in the air and his throat being closed. Lakadimos looked over and saw a very enraged Darth Decimus.

“You will admit your defeat apprentice and do it now or I will kill you myself.” dropping Eton to the floor.

He looked at her with blinding hatred at her but bowed his head and walked off the mat. It took her a moment to register she had won but when it did she dropped to her knees, arched back, arms raised and yelled. All the emotions she had kept bottled up inside came pouring out. Darth Gravus went over to her at a jog and picked her up in celebration. The rest of the Leritor team came out and mobbed her. Darth Mortis cheered heartily from his box at her victory. She was now the undisputed top duelist in the Empire entire and would now join the other legendary winners. Topping it off the team trophy would go to Leritor, they surpassed Korriban by a mere 1.5 points.  

Darth Nox led Xalek down to the floor to receive his medal as double bladed champion.. Darth Marr and Vowrawn made their way to the arena floor to present the victors their medals and trophy.. Lakadimos stood as tall as she could with the help of Gravus. Putting any pressure on her knee right now was almost impossible and she was sure something was broken or torn in there. However at this moment she was flying high on adrenaline.

//I knew you could do it my dear. We shall celebrate tonight.//

//I can not wait to get you alone Master.//

Marr’s voice boomed and the crowd quieted quickly. “Tonight we have seen two impressive duels that showcased excellent swordsmanship, fortitude and grit..  These two new champions join the legends before them as undisputed Imperial dueling champions. They have honored themselves and their Masters with their victories. Apprentice Xalek approach.”

Darth Nox walked with Xalek as he kneeled in front of Darth Marr, “ You have shown that you are best in the Empire with the duel saber. You stand supreme above all challengers. You honor yourself and your Master. Congratulations.”

Darth Vowrawn placed the medal around Xalek’s neck and raised his arm in victory to the crowd. Nox cheered on her apprentice and his victory. Lakadimos clapped for Xalek as he was a worthy champion.

“Lord Lakadimos, approach.”

Gravus likewise walked with Lakadimos to kneel in front of Darth Marr. “ You have shown without a doubt you are the best in the Empire with your lightsaber. All competition before you has fallen and even injured you let no Sith defeat you. You have honored yourself and your Master, Congratulations”

Darth Vowrawn helped her up and placed the medal around her neck. Holding her arms high in victory she could not stop smiling. Gravus picked her up and held her high for the crowd to see.

“Leritor approach.” Marr commanded

Darth Gravus, Darth Septum and the rest of the team knelt before Darth Marr. “ You as a team have shown that through teamwork and individual effort you are the supreme planet in this competition. You honor yourselves, your planet, your Master and your coach. Let no man in the Empire say Leritor does not produce  the best duelists in the Empire. Rise and congratulations.”

Darth Marr put the medals around the necks of the victors and presented them with the Imperial Dueling Cup. X’iphos and Shaythin lifted the trophy in jubilant celebration and the crowd cheered. Lak and Septum popped the Champagne bottles spraying them on everyone, the celebration was on.  Lak stepped back for a moment and took it all in, this was the culmination of her training, this one moment. Seeing the joy of her squad mates she smiled.  Leaning further into Gravus, partially because her knee was not able to support her but partly to enjoy the feeling of him holding her.

Team Leritor took the party back to the hotel. Alcohol of varying kinds, food of all types, Sith and Imperial alike enjoyed the party long into the night. Gravus had taken Lak back to his room for a private party of his own. She was better able to stand on her leg but even he could see how badly it hurt. As they entered the room she felt her body being pushed back towards the bed. The look on his face gave her no doubts as to what he had in mind. Caressing her cheek, “ I could not be prouder of you Lak, you have surpassed my highest expectations.  Tonight I am going to take you to bed, making you writhe under me, moan and scream my name.”

“Those are lofty aims Master, can you back them up?” a sultry smile crossed her face

Growling at her, his mouth crashed on hers. She pulled at the clasp of his breastplate and it unlatched. She roughly pushed it off him and pulled at the armorweave underneath. They both quickly divested one another of the remaining clothes. His hands were hot on her skin as he caressed her in ways that set her skin on fire. She arched into his touch and his mouth. Gravus wasn’t the first man she had been with but he was the first who had her body and heart. Her fingers threaded themselves into his hair and he groaned.

Slowly he slid into her and she let out a low moan at the sensation of him filling her. He paused for a moment relishing the feelings of her wrapped around him. She moaned his name as he gently started to thrust inside her. He looked down at her, eyes closed, mouth open in pleasure. She was so beautiful. Bending down he captured her mouth again moaning into it. The pace increased and he pulled his mouth back. Putting his forehead on hers he looked her in the eyes.

Voice heady with desire, “ You are mine Lak, and only mine.”

They both were teetering on the edge and he knew he couldn’t last much longer. She looked up at him, her emotions plain for him to see.

“Gravus, gods more. I love you Master.” she groaned as her whole body tightened and she shattered into a thousand pieces. Her breathless cry ripped from her throat.

Try as he might the feeling of her tightening around him was too much for him and he came inside her. He rolled off of her and pulled her into his arms. As they settled under the covers he pulled her flush against him he smiled.

“I love you too Lak. “