VICE VERSUS!
KHUNDIA CHALLENGE PIT: The challenge courts of the Khundish empire, where the combination of sport, entertainment and bloodlusty battle have been the inspiration for gambling, politics and holo-ratings for centuries, have their basis in the pretech, primitive Challenge Pit. Buried beneath the ruins of Khundia's first capital, it is the sacred space of that world's Battle-religion.
ATLAS OF THE GALAXY'S HIDDEN PLACES
Galactica Geographica TH-TONG!!!!
TH-TONG!!!
A massive priest dropped and lifted his battlestaff into and from the sunken bell at the entrance to the Challenge Pit, a clearing of sand surrounded by jagged, sloping rock... open to one end where tiers of unforgiving seating stairstep into the horizon. The remnants of ancient tiles decorated with images of no-doubt bloodthirsty Khundish gods shook with the reverberations that echoed about the cavern.
"Quiet, warriors and demonesses!" the muscle-bound priest rasped. He either suffered from a cold of some sort, or was the recipient of a damaged larynx. From battle-meditations, no doubt.
"Honor keep in the Challenge Pit of Khundia! No wagers, no commentary, no partisanship during the battle! Forget the decadence of the challenge courts above! Reverance Holy Combat with porper decorum!"
TH-TONG!
"Centuries it's been since warrior's blood slaked the thirst of the Pit! Glory to Khundia shall follow the easing of its thirst! Thanks be to those who remind us of our heritage!"
The priest turned and inclined his head towards a curtained alcove in the center of the first tier of spectators.
TH-TONG
"Tourney begins! First combatants progress!"
The gathered Kunds fall silent. Expectation hovers in the air. Something else else in the cavern relished and heightened the anticipation. Something else else beneath the Pit silently groaned in recognition that its hunger was about to be fed.
Th-TONG!
Giant stones older than some planets slid smoothly in grooves chiseled millenia ago. From the revealed gloom strode two garishly-clothed figures.
The gathered Khunds buzzed with recognition, then shouted with glee at the prospect of what was to follow.
TH-TONG!
"Hush, Khundia! Reverence Be! Honor Hold!"
The massive priest lunged into a ritual crouch, his fingers gnarled into a gesture not seen in centuries, but recognized nonetheless by every Khundish present.
"TO FIRST BLOOD, FIGHT!"
TH-TONG
From the edges of the roughly oval clearing stepped the figures of THE PERSUADER, atomic axe in hand, and the gleaming, seductive SILVER SLASHER.
TH-TONG!
TH-TONG!
TH-TONG!
The Persuader hefted his atomic axe, capable of cleaving anything, onto his shoulder, blade positioned to block the claws of the deadly Silver Slasher, who growled and fell into a low crouch, ready to spring.
She sprang, then dropped suddenly to the ground, rolling to The Persuader's feet, where she sliced at his ankle.
Laughing, he kicked her aside. His armor wasn't cheap; neither were his boots, made of the same stolen material. Without swinging, he let his axe fall.
Insulted, Silver Slasher easily dodged it, whirling to her feet, kicking sand up. The Persuader's helmet dropped. It wasn't cheap either.
He swung his axe as he charged her. She was a whirlwind of fluid metal. Her claws raked his exposed neck. His axe connected with her thigh.
Who should win the first battle?