Slayn.

The entire Death Fleet was converging near the Pit of Ascension, an area where Rak’Shir duels took place. The battle between the First Ascendant and the Second Ascendant for the place of the Highlord was considered more than important. Fleets from both sides would be involved in the duel, and thousands would die. Of course, for the tal’darim outside the duel all it meant would be rising in the chain for free.

Usually Rak’Shir duels took a long time to prepare, but this time it was different. The tal’darim needed a Highlord to command them, and they needed it now.

On the pit, the two participants, Nuroka and Guraj, stood face to face. Their fleets stood behind them. Each of them had one mothership and around fifteen carriers. It was much weaker from that of the Highlord, but now that Ma’lash was gone they were the two strongest fleets in the tal’darim.

Nuroka was as cocky as ever. “Today is the day I ascend. Amon betrayed us, and after I rise, I will bring down the dark god. He will pay for his treachery.” He whispered. Now that he was this close to the ultimate place of the tal’darim power Nuroka no longer needed to hide his intentions.

Guraj was a loyal supporter of Amon, or so that was what she appeared to be, and Nuroka’s words sparkled a wave of rage. For a moment the female ascendant wanted to tell the world what Nuroka just told her, but she knew very well no one would believe her. They would just think she wanted to attract more supporters for the duel. In the end all she did was smirk and check her weapons, preparing for the duel. In the tal’darim world blades matter much more than words.

Many other tal'darim were watching the duel. Some treated it as an entertainment while others observed for other purposes. The top ascendants were in the front where the view was the best. They had quiet some privilege.

“Who do you think will win?” The three ascendants within the same alliance came together. Alarak had had some conflicts with Nyon, not that it mattered. All three, Alarak, Ji’nara, and Nyon, were perfectly fine with smiling at you for one second and then stab in the back the next second. As long as there was any gain in the alliance the three would pretend to be friends and see who was the better backstabber. Ji’nara was the one that asked.

“It’s hard to say. Nuroka is slightly stronger with the support of Zenish, but not by much. Guraj is much better of a fighter.” Alarak replied casually. He didn’t really care who would win. Whoever the Highlord was his position would always be maintained.

Ji’nara glanced at Alarak meaningfully. “Didn’t Nuroka come to you and demanded your allegiance? Will you aid him?” Alarak wasn’t moved.

“I have my own considerations. Ascendant Ji’nara, I need you to make sure no one below you joins the duel.” The Fourth ascendant demanded. Ji’nara was confused, but she nonetheless accepted the command. She knew Alarak too well to disobey him.

Alarak turned to Nyon, who had been not caring the entire time. His interest in the Rak’shir duel was oddly low. It was unusual, and Alarak felt like he was missing something. “Nyon, I ask the same to you. Don’t involve your fleet into the duel.”

Alarak expected Nyon to object, but he simply shrugged and obeyed without a word.

Inside the pit, the Rak’shir had officially begun. Almost at the same time the two ascendants charged at each other with their blades raised.

Guraj’s skills with the art of blades was much more superior, but Nuroka had a stronger psi power. Guraj slashed down on Nuroka, but the ascendant froze her motion with a psi surge. While Guraj was in the air Nuroka used that chance to strike. Guraj was restrained and couldn’t dodge as the red bane blade approached.

Just as a victorious smile appeared on Nuroka’s face he suddenly saw a smirk on Guraj. Before he knew it the restrain he had on her was broken apart. His weapons were a second away from Guraj, but she not only pushed aside Nuroka’s weapons with ease but also used the moment of openness to stab him in the chest.

The strike was halted by the layer of plasma shield on Nuroka, and Guraj swiftly jumped away, ready for another charge.

As the ascendants tried to kill each other, their supporters made their moves as well. Tal’darim warriors showed no hesitation in slaughtering their own as one after one the tal’darim fell. Zealots fought with each other like they were sworn enemies. The sickening sound of bane blades penetrating armor and flesh, along with dying screams and war cries, filled the pit.

The brutality of the Rak’shir was another reason the tal’darim was weaker than the Daelaam after Aiur even though they dated back to the beginning of the protoss empire. Usually a fraction with such a long history should have became a lot of people, but the tal’darim were equally focused on killing their own and on killing the enemies. Every duel would lead to the loss of countless tal’darim elite warriors. More tal’darim died at each others’ hand rather than at the hands of enemies. It was a waste. Sure, the duels made sure the tal’darim that survived were tough, but the losses were simply too great.

The battle continued for a while. Alarak suddenly stepped up and walked toward the pit. Ji’nara looked at him, slightly surprised. After all Alarak did just tell her not to join a while ago.

Alarak walked into the middle of the pit. Tal’darim on both sides did no harm to him as they didn’t know which side he was on.

“Alarak! Join me and I will make you Second Ascendant!” Nuroka promised. He was having trouble taking down Guraj. Her blades were just too quick. Any help would be important. As for the place of Second Ascendant, well, he had already promised Zenish the place of First Ascendant.

“Aid me, and I will grant you the place of First Ascendant.” Guraj was worried as she saw Nuroka making the offer. Nuroka proved to be stronger than she thought. The quick victory she anticipated wasn’t going to come true, and if Alarak decided to join Nuroka things would go terribly wrong for her.

Alarak stood still for a few seconds before igniting his blade and pushing it through a Guraj zealot.

As if a signal was given, the ships and warriors of Alarak charged into battle. The fresh warriors plowed through the weakened and wounded Guraj warriors. Fresh psi blades clashed with half broken shields.

Guraj’s forces were pushed back. Her units fell one by one at the hand of the combined force of the three ascendants. Zealots were overwhelmed. Ascendants were taken out by other ascendants. Vanguards had perished a long time ago. Slayers blinked into the battlefield, but they could only last as long as their phase shield.

“No!!’ Guraj screamed as Nuroka pushed her a distance away and, with his psi energy, stopped her from getting close and using her blade on him. He was forcing her into a psionic duel, and he was winning. Guraj’s units were dwindling by the seconds, and the more her units die the less psi support she received. On the contrary the psi support of Nuroka’s and Zenish’s warriors made Nuroka even stronger than usual. Guraj was losing and she knew it.

The female ascendant wasn’t planning to give up. She was getting close to the pit, and she knew she had to do something. With a scream she concentrated all the energy in her body and produced a psi push.

Nuroka smirked at the attempt to comeback. He lifted his hands and was about to crush Guraj when something unexpected happened.

Alarak pushed his blades into Zenish’s back. The Second Ascendant didn’t expect the backstab. He had plasma shield all around his body, but Alarak had planned for this since a while ago and his stab was fueled by powerful psi energy. The blade penetrated the shield and punched a hole in Zenish’s body.

“I pledge for Guraj.”