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Back with Rayden and Lexi, they finally make it to the area where the 1v1 melee will take place.
The melee is set up like in 4 brackets with competitors using non-lethal training vibroblades or batons, designed to register hits via sensors without causing harm. A hit to a vital area (torso, head, or neck) scores higher points, while limb strikes score lower.
Each match lasts up to 3 minutes or until one combatant scores 20 points. Points are awarded as follows:
Vital hit: 3 points, Limb hit: 1 point, Disarming opponent: 5 points, Forcing opponent out of the ring: 5 points
The combat area is a circular ring, 15 meters in diameter, covered in sand, with an edge that falls off onto the ground below.
Holographic projectors display the names and scores of the combatants above the ring, while a large screen showcases close-up replays of critical moments.
"Looks like we'll meet in thsemifinalsls." I glanced at the matchups, noticing that I was in bracket C while Lexi was in bracket A.
"That's if you don't lose before we meet," she teased, her voice playful, which annoyed me a bit.
"Don't worry, I'll be there, ready to kick your butt and make it to the finals," I snapped back, my attention shifting to the start of the first match.
The competitors in the ring were two boys: one from Vhar'kar and the other from Serdran.
Both boys were equally skilled, but the Serdran boy was more agile. He managed to land several hits on his opponent while taking a few hits himself. To conclude the match, he successfully disarmed his opponent and then kicked him out of the ring.
After a while, I was called up to face a boy from Tov'ra.
"Good luck," I heard Lexi say softly as I walked toward the arena.
I waved my hand without turning around.
He was about my height but a bit bulkier, with a scar on his cheek. My training kicked in as we fought back and forth. I blocked his blade with my arm, which allowed me to land a vital hit.
But it hurt like hell when he kicked me in the chest to create some distance between us.
I stumbled back, catching my breath while lowering my center of mass as he charged at me.
He swung his blade high, and I ducked, going for a sweeping kick. I caught him by surprise, knocking him off balance before tackling him to the ground. His blade dropped from his hand.
I struck him a few times, scoring some points, before he managed to push me away.
I noticed he was close to the edge of the platform.
"Perfect," a smile forming on my face.
Lexi watched as Rayden charged forward and body-slammed his opponent off the platform to win the match.
"Och, I think I heard something crack," she said. Turning her attention to the Tov'ra boy, she noticed that his leg was in an odd shape.
"Guess he's going to be out for a while until they can get him in a bacta tank to heal," she thought, shifting her gaze back to Rayden as he huffed and puffed on stage, while the crowd cheered.
Giggling, she felt excited knowing that they would meet later, and she could not wait to test herself against him.
"Look what you did," Lexi said, pointing to the boy's broken leg.
"I didn't expect this, but it's a competition, and a few people are going to get hurt," I replied, shrugging my shoulders as I raised my hands and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from my forehead.
Lexi didn't say anything else after that because she agreed with him, but she didn't want him to know.
After a few more matches, it was Lexi's turn to face a girl from the Vhar'kar clan.
Rayden watched from the sidelines as the two girls circled each other, alternating between offense and defense. The match was intense, with both competitors only five points apart and less than thirty seconds remaining.
In a move she anticipated her opponent would not expect, Lexi threw her weapon high into the air as she ran. She then executed a jumping kick to the Vhar'kar girl's stomach while simultaneously catching her own blade in mid-air, aiming for a vital point and ensuring she disarmed her opponent.
"Whoa," a shocked look appeared on Rayden's face as he watched Lexi gracefully execute that last attack.
"Note to self, watch out for faint attacks." I thought as Lexi stepped down from the platform after being declared the winner.
As she walked back, I congratulated her and handed her a towel.
Lexi: Thanks
Rayden: No problem
A few hours and a lunch break later, it was time for the semifinals. To no surprise, both Lexi and I made it here.
In each match, you have to give it your all, cause one wrong move could cost you the game.
Up above, Varn and the others watched as Rayden and Lexi stepped onto the platform, ready for the semifinals.
Varn: Who do you think is going to win?
Camren: Lexi
Veyra: Lexi
Torin: Rayden
Elyse: Rayden
Drenar: Rayden
Ravik: Lexi
Varn: Rayden
Torin: Whoever wins, they still did a great job making it to this stage, even with kids older than them competing.
Ravik: Agreed, it looks like both are hard workers.
The crowd was ablaze with excitement as the two strongest contenders for 1st place fought each other.
The projector was introduced, highlighting the highlights from the past fight the two fought, along with some other data for the crowd to see.
Rayden tightened his grip on the vibroblade and assumed a combat stance, ready to withstand Lexi's swift and agile strikes.
The memory of her acrobatic disarming from their first match lingered in Rayden's mind, reminding him to be prepared for anything.
While Lexi did some stretches to loosen up, she assumed a stance while holding her blade across her chest. Her stance is light and ready.
Catching his eye, Lexi smirks playfully. "Ready to dance, Knight?"
"Anytime, Serdran." I hit my chest with my fist as I stuck my hand out and did a come-hither gesture.
The buzzer sounds, signaling the start of the match. Lexi quickly darts forward, aiming a swift slash at Rayden's torso. However, Rayden anticipates her attack and sidesteps just in time. He counters with a low strike aimed at her leg, earning himself 1 point. Lexi twisted her body away, her agility allowing her to remain just out of reach.
"Is that the best you've got, I've seen old ladies faster than you." Rayden touted Lexi while he swung his blade with his wrist.
"Lucky shot," Lexi replied, annoyed, while backing up and rethinking her next move.
Rayden took the initiative this time as he pressed forward, executing a series of controlled strikes aimed at Lexi's shoulders and arms. He successfully scored two limb hits, earning 2 points.
Torin: Good, he's controlling the rhythm now.
In response, Lexi performed a spinning maneuver and landed a crucial hit to Rayden's chest, which was worth 3 points. The impact registered with a soft beep from the sensors.
Ravik: Not bad
The crowd erupted in roars as the two fighters exchanged rapid blows, their blades clashing in a flurry of movement. Rayden sensed through the force as Lexi was preparing another feint.
When she fakes a high strike, he does not fall for it. Instead, he ducks low and lands a crucial hit to her side, scoring 3 points.
Drenar: Good Instincts
Varn, Elyse, and Torin look at each other, all thinking the same thing, "He must be using the force. Good"
Lexi, unfazed, quickly circles Rayden and lands a swift punch to his arm, scoring 1 point. Another strike to his back for 3 points. She then tries to push him toward the edge of the ring.
Veyra: Nice one, Lexi.
However, Rayden braced himself, resisting her momentum, and countered with a powerful strike to her torso, earning 3 points and a cheer from the Clan Knight supporters.
Camren: She got close
With 45 seconds left on the clock, the score is close—Rayden has 9 points, while Lexi has 10. Lexi pretends to throw her vibroblade into the air to distract Rayden.
As Rayden rushes forward and tackles Lexi, she manages to land two quick stabs, earning 4 points. While he holds her in his arms, preparing for a body slam, Lexi hits the ground and becomes immobilized. Rayden then delivers a crucial blow to her neck, earning an additional 3 points.
During the struggle, her blade clatters to the ground, granting him an extra 5 points for disarming her.
Lexi scrambles to recover, but Rayden maintains the pressure, landing another hit to her torso for 3 points and pushing her toward the edge of the area.
In a final desperate attempt, Lexi tries to roll away while kicking and manages to land one last vital hit as she dodges.
Allowing that final hit gives Rayden the chance to deliver one last decisive strike, earning him 3 points and securing his victory.
As the buzzer sounds, both kids stop fighting, huffing and puffing while trying to catch their breath. The projection above them shows the final moments of the match in slow motion.
As this was happening, Rayden stood up and extended his hand to Lexi.
"Thank you, and congratulations!" Lexi replied with a breathless thank you, her expression slightly melancholic as she caught her breath.
"You're welcome! And hey, don't be too sad. I'll treat you to some food," Rayden tried to cheer her up.
"You promise?" Lexi asked in a low voice.
"Sure, it's on me," Rayden replied, rubbing her head and messing up her hair.
"Not my hair!" She swatted his hand away, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
"It's already messed up from the fight," he quipped back with a sigh.
The score finally showed above their heads.
Rayden Knight-23
Lexi Serdran-17
The crowd erupted with cheers for the hard-fought game.
Varn and the others were seen clapping or hitting their gauntlets together. A proud look appeared on Elyse's face as she smugly glanced at Veyra.
Veyra shot Elyse an annoyed look in response.
Drenar and Torin were seen chugging the last of their drinks.
A one-hour break was given to allow Rayden to recharge before the finals.
During that time, both Rayden and Lexi met up with their parents and had some food.
It was a peaceful and relaxing moment before the final fight.
Veyra was speaking with Lexi off to the side, offering her encouragement and saying something that made Lexi blush.
"I wonder what she said," I thought, noticing the mother and daughter talking together.
Elyse turned to Rayden and said, "That Lexi is really good, don't you think?"
After considering his mother's question, Rayden replied, "Yes, she is."
A smile formed on Rayden's family as they heard his answer.
After the rest break, the final match commenced.
Rayden was facing another boy for the title of clan knight. His opponent was George Knight, the son of Keal, the head of the clan guards.
George was 12, almost 13, and had been training with his father for years. He regularly practiced, even against adults, and could hold his own in battles.
This was going to be a tough fight.
George: "You ready, Rayden?"
Rayden: "As ready as ever, big guy."
Being from the same clan and having fathers who were friends, they both knew each other and were friendly.
The fight was indeed challenging. George was highly skilled and left little room for Rayden to exploit any weaknesses.
In the end, Rayden was unable to defeat George before time ran out, with a final score of 15 to 18.
Mission Complete: Blade of Honor– Place in the top 5 in the youth bracket of the 1-on-1 melee event.
Reward: 600 credits and a custom-forged Beskar dagger.
Bonus Objective: Secure first place (+500 credits). Failed
Rayden was happy to have completed the mission, but he was disappointed to have failed the bonus objective.