The next two months passed quickly, and the competition day has arrived. During this time, Varn worked diligently to ensure everything was ready for the event.
The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the arena as the various clans began to arrive. Each clan brought most, if not all, of its members. The landing pad buzzed with activity all morning.
Clan Tov'ra was the first to arrive, led by their leader, Ravik Tov'ra. A battle-scarred survivor, Ravik walks with a Beskar forged prosthetic leg, and his armor still bears the scorch marks from the purge of his hometown by raiders. He is accompanied by his son, Jarek Tov'ra, a 15-year-old, fiery, and hot-headed young man. However, when Jarek gives his word, he sticks to it until the very end. Their clan has around 450 member, and they lead about 300 of their members today.
Clan Serdran arrived shortly after, bringing their entire clan of 370 members. At the forefront of their ship was Veyra Serdran, a middle-aged woman with dark black hair who, along with her husband, built Clan Serdran from the ground up into the formidable force it is today. Her piercing green eyes and soft-spoken demeanor conceal a lethal precision honed from years of experience as an assassin. Following closely behind her is her 9-year-old daughter, Lexi Serdran, the heir to the clan. Lexi is patient and observant, but her youth makes her eager to prove herself, sometimes taking risks to outshine her mother's legacy. She excels in knife combat and infiltration, often training with Serdran's assassins to sharpen her skills. With long black hair and piercing green eyes, she observed her surroundings while following her mother. In the distance, she noticed a young boy watching them.
She noticed that the boy was tall for his age, standing about half a head taller than her. He had black hair and blue eyes that sparkled with a unique light. She recognized him immediately; he was Rayden Knight, the heir to the Knight clan. As she observed him, many thoughts raced through her mind about the boy who was younger than her but still taller.
Lexi was intrigued by Rayden as she observed him. He possessed a confident presence that was unusual for someone his age. Standing tall and proud, his calm and stoic expression caught her attention. As the heir, he seemed to meet all expectations effortlessly. His black hair framed his face, accentuating his striking blue eyes, which drew her in for a second before she refouced
Veyra observed her daughter out of the corner of her eye. She had been evaluating her daughter's situational awareness, checking to see if she was following her training, even while traveling for the competition. That's when she noticed her daughter lose focus for a moment as she stared at the Knight boy. A small, amused smile appeared on Veyra's face. 'Interesting, ' she thought that this moment could lead to something interesting.
The mother and daughter continued walking until they caught up with Ravik and Jerek at a nearby fountain. They were already talking with Varn and Elyse. "Hello, everyone," Veyra said as she approached.
Elyse: Hello, Veyra! How's it going? I presume this is Lexi.
Veyra: It's going well! Yes, come say hello, Lexi.
Lexi: Hello, Madam Knight.
Elyse: "You don't need to be so formal, dear." She chuckled lightly while observing the young girl.
Veyra: We saw your boy. Elyse, it seems he was scouting the competition. Don't you think he's a bit young to be composing?
Varn: Not at all. He started his training a year ago and is making remarkable progress for someone his age.
Veyra and Ravik raised their eyebrows. "Starting training at such a young age shows he must have a lot of willpower. I remember when I was his age; all I wanted to do was play and have fun," Ravik commented in a deep, gravelly voice, a result of past injuries.
Elyse chuckled lightly as she thought about Rayden. "You'd think he wouldn't want to train, but that boy has seemingly endless energy. He trains nonstop and never slacks off on his training days. However, I can't say the same about his days off. When he wants to rest, he turns into a sloth."
A small, amused smile formed on Lexi's face for a second before disappearing back into her sharp, observant expression.
Only Elyse and Veyra noticed but said nothing.
Bringing the conversation back to the competition.
Ravik spoke with his gravelly, steady voice, expressing cautious optimism about his clan's performance. "We've trained hard, Varn. My people are ready, but I hear Clan Serdran has been honing some new tactics." He glanced at Veyra, giving a respectful nod that acknowledged her reputation. "Care to share any secrets, Veyra?"
Veyra responded with a soft-spoken tone that carried a hint of amusement. "Secrets? Ravik, you know I prefer results over rumors. My clan is ready to show what we can do." Her piercing green eyes scanned the group and briefly lingered on Jarek, whose fiery demeanor was evident in his restless stance. She noted his intensity but chose not to comment, turning her attention back to Varn. "The arena's layout—are there any last-minute changes we should know about?"
Varn shook his head, a calm smile on his face. "Everything is set as planned. There will be separate brackets for adults and kids. Each member can enter as many events as they wish to compete in. The top ten in each event will receive both a cash prize and points for their clans, based on their standings."
Jarek, unable to resist, interjected with a confident grin. "I know we will win the most games today."
Varn: We will see, don't get ahead of yourself just yet.
Ravik chuckled, clapping his son on the shoulder. "He has a point, boy. It's good to be fired up and ready, but don't let your fire burn out before the fight starts."
While the group continued to chat, Raydens watched as the next two clans arrived at the same time.
Clan Drav'korr and Vhar'kar arrived simultaneously, creating a slight delay at the landing area until the flight coordinators directed them to their assigned spots.
Clan Vhar'kar arrived with 442 out of their 600 members. Leading them was Camren Vhar'kar, a towering and muscular man who might appear to be a brute, but he possesses a keen mind for tinkering and experimenting with new technology. A faint scar runs across his cheek, a reminder of a failed prototype explosion. Following him closely was his son, Soren Vhar'kar, who is 22 years old. Soren walked half a step behind his father as they approached the leader of clan Drav'korr. While Soren has a brilliant mind for invention and experimentation, he is rumored to be an oddball. Nonetheless, like any other Mandalorian, he is lethal on the battlefield.
Drenar Drav'korr, the leader of the Drav'korr clan, shook hands with Camren as they began walking together. His son, Drago Drav'korr,17 years old, also shook hands with Soren. The two clans had cooperated in the past, so they were already familiar with one another. All 470 members of the clan accompanied Drenar. While the Drav'korr clan is primarily known for their production skills rather than their prowess in battle, one shouldn't underestimate them; these skilled men and women can craft exquisite items and defend themselves fiercely. They don't mind testing their new weapons and armor on unsuspecting idiots.
Rayden observed the men as they approached his parents, admiring their meticulously crafted armor adorned with stylish patterns. "I'm going to have them create my future armor and ask them to add some flair to it," he thought.
"You can't go wrong with looking good and feeling badass." Just as Rayden was lost in thought, he heard his system chime, alerting him that new missions were available. "Well, everyone is here now, so the competitions should be starting soon."
"Let's meet up with mom and dad." Rayden thought as he walked to Varn and Elyse. Calling up his system as he walked
[New Missions]
Melee Mastery: Blade of Honor
Objective: Place in the top 5 in the youth bracket of the 1-on-1 melee event.
Description: Face off against skilled opponents in single combat, wielding Beskar blades or vibroblades. Demonstrate precision, agility, and combat discipline to outmatch your rivals.
Reward: 600 credits and a custom-forged Beskar dagger.
Bonus Objective: Secure first place (+500 credits)
Team Battle: United Stand
Objective: Lead or contribute to Clan Knight's youth team, placing in the top 3 in the team battle event.
Description: Work with your clanmates in a coordinated team battle against another clan's youth squad. Strategy and teamwork are key to overcoming the enemy's defenses.
Reward: 700 credits and a teamwork trophy.
Bonus Objective: Secure at least two eliminations during the battle. (+200 credits)
Marksmanship Contest: Deadeye's Precision
Objective: Score in the top 5 in the youth bracket of the marksmanship contest.
Description: Prove your sharpshooting skills by hitting moving and stationary targets with a blaster or slugthrower. Accuracy and speed will determine the best marksman.
Reward: 500 credits and a precision scope upgrade for a blaster.
Bonus Objective: Outscore Lexi Serdran in total points. (+150 credits)
Tactical War Game: Flag of Victory
Objective: Help Clan Knight's youth team capture the opposing clan's flag and place in the top 3 in the tactical war game.
Description: In a simulated battlefield, infiltrate enemy territory, evade defenses, and secure the rival clan's flag while protecting your own. Stealth and strategy are critical.
Reward: 650 credits and a tactical HUD upgrade for your helmet.
Bonus Objective: Personally capture the flag of Clan Tov'ra. (+200 credits)
Beskar Smithing Contest: Forged in Fire
Objective: Create a high-quality Beskar armor piece in the youth bracket that ranks in the top 5 for speed and craftsmanship.
Description: Work with Clan Drav'korr's master smiths to forge a Beskar vambrace or chestplate. Balance speed and quality to impress the judges.
Reward: 550 credits and a set of Beskar smithing tools.
Bonus Objective: Earn praise from Drenar Drav'korr for your craftsmanship. (+150 credits)
Cultural Showcase: Taste of Knight
Objective: Contribute to Clan Knight's food showcase, earning a top 3 ranking in the cultural food competition.
Description: Help prepare and present a traditional Clan Knight dish to the judges, highlighting your clan's culinary heritage. Creativity and flavor are key.
Reward: 400 credits and a rare spice collection.
Bonus Objective: Include a unique ingredient inspired by Clan Vhar'kar's experimental flair. (+100 credits)
Foot Race: Swift Strides
Objective: Finish in the top 10 in the youth bracket of the foot race.
Description: Sprint across a challenging course with obstacles like walls, pits, and narrow paths. Speed and agility will determine the winner.
Reward: 450 credits and a pair of cushioned boots that fit snugly.
Bonus Objective: Finish ahead under 2 minutes. (+150 credits)
Speeder Bike Race: Blazing Trails
Objective: Place in the top 5 in the youth bracket of the speeder bike race.
Description: Navigate a complex course on a speeder bike, dodging obstacles and outpacing rivals. Precision piloting and quick reflexes are essential.
Reward: 600 credits and a speeder bike performance upgrade blueprint.
Bonus Objective: Lap at least 3 other contestants. (+200 credits)
Survival Challenge: Iron Resolve
Objective: Survive and place in the top 10 in the youth bracket of the survival challenge.
Description: Endure a grueling wilderness scenario with limited resources, facing environmental hazards and simulated threats. Resourcefulness and resilience are key.
Reward: 550 credits and a survival kit blueprint.
Bonus Objective: For each member of Clan Knight you help in completing the challenge. (+75 credits)
Youth Division: Rising Star
Objective: Place in the top 10 in the youth bracket of the combat trials.
Description: Show your prowess in one-on-one duels against other young warriors. Demonstrate skill, strategy, and control with your chosen weapon.
Reward: 700 credits and a nice cape
Bonus Objective: Place first in the youth division. (Adaptive Camouflage blueprint)
Clan Pride: Team Effort
Objective: Contribute to Clan Knight earning at least 100 total points across all events.
Description: Work with your clanmates to ensure Clan Knight's dominance in the competition. Every point counts toward your clan's glory.
Reward: 600 credits and a Clan Knight insignia upgrade for your armor.
Bonus Objective: Personally earn at least 20 points for Clan Knight. (+300 credits)
Clan Glory: Winner takes all
Objective: Ensure Clan Knight wins the competition
Description: Rally with your can and dominate the competition.
Reward: 2500 credits and a data chip with special coordinates.
Bonus Objective: Help convince the other clans to ally/swear allegiance to clan Knight (star fighter blueprint of your choice)