The raid on Ashen had hurt Venom in more ways then one the young prince was determined to make something right for his soon-to-be-Empress. He may not have had the ability to go after Winterfell as a whole nor the power to punish the Klein's who did not answer the call for defenders, he could find this unnamed tusked man and make him suffer for embarrassing Venom the way he had.

He really should have thought harder before offering the hasty revenge to her, as by the time he reached the northern territories Az had realized exactly how ridiculous the whole idea was. All Venom could offer was a brief description and the only part of the man that would be recognizable would be the tusks she'd said he had. Az was beginning to realize just how long he might need to wander the territories around Winterfell before he might find him - if he was still in the north at all.

The frustration of having nothing yet to show of his mission was building and slowly was taking over his finely-tuned tracking abilities. To relieve some of the annoyance was becoming necessary, and Az tipped his head back to the moon and called for an opponent to join him in a friendly battle.

Azure Keres Fatalis vs (opponent) for (fight type)
Round x/x
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor
Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Navigator
Specialty: Bloodletter Ranking skills down, not applicable.

Having recently left Winterfell, Kai wasn't fond of staying nearby for long. The north was a place he'd long-since regarded as his home, though he wondered if perhaps he returned he might pick the opposite side of the continent to roam a bit more freely. There were enough trees and mountains for everyone, anyway; why confine himself near Winterfell's lands? The thought nearly earned a scoff as he made his way through the forest, intent on finding his way further south as soon as he possibly could. Either way, he was damn happy in his newfound freedom, though a part of him couldn't quite let go of the rage that had slowly simmered below the surface. Being there had changed him, even if he didn't fully recognize it yet - he no longer trusted the way his younger self once had. Independence and looking out for himself had been ingrained in him, but he knew even more now what his father had meant when he'd taught him that he himself was the only one he'd ever be able to trust. Even the trust and guidance of parents, or of children, was never ensured, though when it came to his own blood family he knew he didn't have to worry.

But the rest of the world? Fuck 'em all. Unless they served a purpose in his life, whether it be temporary amusement or companionship or something else entirely, he just didn't need them. He'd been betrayed more than once, in different ways, and it wasn't surprising that such betrayal hardened his heart slightly. The most recent raid against some pack whose name he couldn't even recall had been a damn good outlet, and he'd come out victorious. And now here he was, strolling through the woods, when he heard the sound of someone looking to spar. Training to fight was hardly something he'd ever done, but he was determined to kick-start some adrenaline. He didn't give a shit about what a fight taught him, just how it felt in the moment, and kicking someone's ass sounded fantastic. This was a new life, after all, so why not start it off right? Picking up his pace, he only slowed when the yearling who he assumed called came into view. He was unusual-looking, at least compared to most wolves he'd met, but he was far too young.. oh well, he could fight him if nothing else. "Kid, are you sure you're old enough to be calling to fight strangers?" Kai asked, letting out a loud laugh as he strode closer to him, his tone nothing but good-spirited.

It was almost too much of a coincidence, as if one of Venom's gods had guided the man to him when Azure was at his wits end lost in the woods. The man was tusked, the right size, and even smelled faintly of Winterfell. Azure had decided that this had to have been the one who put Venom upon her back, and the boy's lips upturned in the barest of smiles.

"I'm afraid I've decieved you sir." He began, ignoring the stinging comment of his age. Everything always came back to how young he was, and Azure simply couldn't wait to be grown. "I'll admit, I didn't think I'd find you. But now that I have, my intentions for you are worse then I let on." Kai no longer had a choice in participating in Azure's spar, though the boy felt it only right to forewarn him that this would not be a friendly fight between strangers. Azure had promised Venom his tusk, and he'd fight his best to ensure he could bring home that prize.

He gave the man enough of a pause as was polite, settling into his fighting stance and ensuring his opponent was also prepared. When he won, Azure was not going to entertain ideas of the fight being a surprise attack or unfair. It would only reflect poorly upon his would-be-Empress. From his side his leopard slunk forward, his bat circling above in the air. For the moment they waited, intending to find the perfect timing to strike with their wolf.

Unfortunately for Az his expertise was not in sprinting, so closing the distance between them took more energy then he'd have liked. He aimed to come at Kai head on, Az's jaws splitting open and aiming to crash down directly upon Kai's face. If he had it his way sabers would lock with tusks, and he could use his increased size and weight to hopefully crack and snap the son-of-a-bitch. At the same time his left foreleg lifted, his intent to wrap it around the smaller male and drive the bone spur in Az's elbow into the crook beside Kai's shoulder.

Azure Keres Fatalis vs Kai for Minor Maim (Partial tusk removal)
Round 1/?
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor
Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A (Ranked skills down)

While Kai was no doubt surprised to hear the boy talk with an air of confidence that didn't quite mesh with his apparently age, Kai wasn't one to turn away from a fight - even if he might be out-skilled. It was hard for Kai to imagine a boy so young having any clue what he was really doing in a fight, so he wasn't worried about the outcome in the slightest. He chuckled as the boy began to speak, deciding that his smooth confidence was little more than a veneer. He really hadn't expected him to be recognized, though - well, at least it sounded like this yearling had been looking for him, but Kai had no clue why. He didn't belong to Winterfell, that was for sure. Oh! He smelled like that pack that they'd raided, didn't he? Kai sure hadn't fought him, nor did he remember seeing him there (not that he'd cared much at all about who all was there) and so he was perplexed. Amused, sure, but still perplexed at the sudden anger that unleashed from the younger wolf.

Oh well. Seems Kai was about to get the fight he wanted, even if the circumstances were entirely lost upon him. It didn't matter though. He hunkered down, setting his defenses as best as he could and preparing for a charge that he fully expected. He couldn't help but feel a bit perturbed that he didn't have a companion of his own to aid him, but Kai depended on no one and so the thought faded as quickly as it came to him. His tail lashed out behind him to aid in his balance as Azure came charging for him, using his weight to bare into the ground and make sure he wouldn't be toppled so easily. This youngster was a bit larger than him, but Kai's heavier build would aid in his balance and keep him upright as he braced himself for the assault.

He felt his tusks snag under the weight of Azure's fangs. The force was uncomfortable, bordering on painful; pushing up would no doubt spell a certain kind of pain he wasn't looking to find today. Damn, why was this yearling so feisty? At the same time he recognized the kind of fire that seemed to be burning below the surface of the stranger as something he himself had felt recently. Deciding to play into the feeling, as Azure was no doubt doing. The sharp pain of Azure's bone spur digging into his shoulder only helped solidify his next move, as he aimed to twist out of his grasp, slinking down toward the ground. It wasn't often he faced an opponent of this size and he knew he couldn't use sheer force to his advantage this time. Instead he'd aim to reel back and then lunge for his face, parted jaws attempting to send a harsh bite to his right eye, hoping if he was swift enough he could mirror the white markings spread across the left side of his face and across his eye - though with scars instead of fur, of course.

Kai Jarvela vs Azure for Minor Maim (scarring over right eye)
Round 1 / 2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Mutation 1: Tusks (small) - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Hunter & Advanced Navigator
Specialty: N/A

He felt his jaws clash against the man's and for a moment it almost seemed that Kai had no intention to fight back or defend himself. His boney spur too came down without much resistance, and Azure wondered if it would really be so easy to take down the Winterfell man. Kai's delay in responding brought Az's defenses down with confusion, and he was unable to maintain his hold upon him as he squirmed his way out of his arms. Fuck.

The fury within him reignited once more, though as he shot forward to attack again Kai's face was already driving towards his own. The lash of fangs over his eyes cut through flesh like butter, though for the moment it was impossible to tell how deep the cuts ran. Blood began to run in along his eyelids and he knew he'd need to end this fight fast if he wanted any chance at winning. He parted his jaws once more and angled his neck to the side, desperate to catch Kai's dangerous muzzle in his teeth where he could be in position to end the fight. At the same time - and while he could still keep both eyes open - he threw his right paw forward, aiming to rake dangerous bear paws down Kai's neck.

Azure Keres Fatalis vs Kai for Minor Maim (Partial tusk removal)
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor
Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A (Ranked skills down)

The pain that suddenly blossomed through him didn't enrage him, not really; pain and pleasure were equally as important, neither could exist without the other, as far as he was concerned. It was a reminder that he had survived all he had been through, and that he could no doubt persevere through so much more. He wouldn't let this yearling take him down quite so easily, not when even imprisonment nor indentured servitude had even begun to break his spirit. In fact, he'd argue they'd made it that much stronger. He was successful in twisting momentarily out of Azure's grip, hardly matching the younger male's fury, but he certainly wasn't going down without a fight.

His harsh bite landed, but through a sudden coursing of blood it was impossible to tell whether or not he'd succeeded in biting quite as deeply as he would've liked. The taste of iron on his tongue rewarded him with another surge of adrenaline, encouraging him to maintain at least a fraction of the energy Azure was bringing to the table. He still was clueless as to whether he'd woken up on the wrong side of the den or what, but he found himself not really caring either way. Azure's anger was his own and Kai doubted he'd understand, even if the boy decided to clarify it for him. A low growl left his throat as he felt Azure latching onto the side of his muzzle, shaking his head hard in an attempt to get him to detach. If he was really lucky, maybe one of his tusks would catch on the underside of Azure's throat, but he wasn't entirely sure how successful he would be.

Kai Jarvela vs Azure for Minor Maim (scarring over right eye)
Round 2 / 2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Mutation 1: Tusks (small) - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Hunter & Advanced Navigator
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

KAI	AZURE must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Kai's maim is successful. Totals: Adjusted rolls: 66.6 7.7 29 20 AZURE'S total is.. 141.8 Adjusted rolls: 121.25 14.3 8.05 49 KAI'S total is.. 192.6

Kai's face was throbbing from the pressure Azure had put on one of his tusks. It almost felt like he'd been trying to snap the damn thing off; briefly Kai was reminded of just how badly they'd hurt when they'd been growing in. He wondered if they'd even grow back if someone did manage to snap one off. Either way, the intense ache deep in his jaw seemed to fuel his own frustration. He really had just wanted a fun little spar, not... whatever this was, but at the same time it was oddly cathartic. He felt the blood pooling in his mouth as he attached himself to Azure's face, refusing to let go for as long as physically possible. Though Azure put up a damn good fight, it wasn't quite good enough; after considerable force he felt the boy began to falter beneath him.

The split second he hesitated was enough for Kai to gain an advantage over him, looping a forepaw around his shoulders and shoving him roughly to the ground. He'd pin the yearling beneath him between his limbs, just long enough for Azure to realize he wasn't coming out on top. "The hell is your problem, kid?" Kai spat, droplets of Azure's own blood flying from his mouth as he struggled to catch his breath. Damn, that had been quite the little tussle. Certainly not the friendly spar he'd been hoping for, but maybe stretching his muscles in a little more intense manner was exactly what he needed. He certainly felt alive now - and no worse for wear than when he'd started. Couldn't say the same about the kid beneath him, though. He wondered how much damage he'd done to his eye, but didn't care that much. He'd started it, after all.  "About took one of my goddamn tusks off," Kai huffed as he moved away, steadying himself as he willed his heartbeat to slow. Kai was sure to keep a good enough distance between them that Azure couldn't catch him off guard, not that he really expected he'd try to after the way that fight had gone.

The pain is his eye was too much, and before he knew it Az was shoved into the ground beneath the man. "Fuck!" He spat, placing a paw heavily over his torn face and snarling into the dirt. "Yeah well you almost took my eye out!" Yeah, he'd started it. The facts didn't matter in this moment, and Az had no intention of explaining now why he'd come and so aggressively assaulted the 'stranger'. Had he won he'd have told Kai it all, he'd have announced to the man that he was there on behalf of Venom and to think twice about ever raising his paw to Ashen again. Now that he'd lost... well, it only would serve to weaken the Empire's reputation further.

Az's leopard slunk forward, placing herself between the man and her wolf and growling a warning to not approach closer. His bat went on ahead, back towards Armada lands to retrieve for Az a healer to take care of his eye on his return home. "Fuck you." Words that weren't profanity were too hard to come up with through the pain in his face. He got to his feet slowly, his eye squinted tight. If Kai jumped him again, Az knew he'd be in poor position to fight back. The yearling started to slowly back up, his lips pulled back to display his fangs in what he hoped was threatening but it was more then likely that the gesture didn't land. He'd just lost, after all. Only once he was sure Kai was not ready to attack did Az turn away from the man to leave, his clouded leopard following behind close afterwards.

-attempted exit-