Two down, two to go. Artorias stepped into the arena once more, fast becoming familiar with the torn up dirt and the deafening cheers of the crowd. He gazed out at the throng of onlookers and couldn't help but feel a bit of pride in himself. He had put a lot of time, dedication, and effort into his training in an effort to make his mothers proud. All he could hope for was that they were proud as they watched him fight in the name Carpathius. He thought of Resin, prayed for peace for her, and hoped she was smiling down on him. This is for you, Mom...

Turning to face his opponent, Artorias fixed fiery amber eyes with familiar bright azure. He couldn't suppress the surprised smile from crossing his face when he turned to greet Avantika in the arena. His heart swelled for her. Where she had begun her life terrified and reclusive, now here she stood, facing him in the semifinals before a crowd of wolves at Ashen's tournament. She had come such a long way and she deserved the success she'd had. Before taking his position, Artorias crossed the ring to greet her with a friendly nuzzle to his smaller sister's cheek.

"Whatever happens, I'm so very proud of you, and Mom would be too," he spoke softly so only she could hear him. Giving her one last smile, Artorias turned and took his position across from her, settling into his fighting stance, his claws raking eagerly at the dirt and grass while he waited for Tika to get ready. She had bested him the last time they'd sparred, but this time he had no intentions of holding back or going easy on her. "Let me know when you're ready, dear sister!" Time to see which Carpathius warrior stood stronger.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Avantika was honestly surprised she'd gotten this far. She'd won her first two matches, and now she was up against Artorias. Finally, someone she knew. She'd beat him in one fight, but that was when they were a lot younger. Art had grown. So had she. She knew there weren't many wolves left in her division. What was it? Four, including her? She should have been paying more attention, but the crowds were loud, and so were her emotions. Going off on that number, she'd have this fight, and then, if she won, she'd be in the finals. The finals! She was almost giddy with nervousness and excitement at the thought. Stay here, she ordered herself. She couldn't get that far if she let herself get distracted. This one fight would take all her focus. Artorias walked up to her and told her that he was proud of her and Resin would be too. Suddenly she wanted to leave the fighting scene and jump into her head again, to separate herself from the emotions flooding her heart. She just smiled, hoping she didn't look too unfeeling. "Same to you." If he won this fight, she'd be cheering him on in his next. They took their respective positions, and Art called out to ask if she was ready. She got into her fighting stance. "Ready!" "Speech"

Artorias watched Avantika closely while his sister took her position against him. It had been a few months since their last spar, and while he had since honed and perfected his fighting techniques, he knew Tika had been equally hard at work. Both yearlings had matured, grown, become their own wolves in their own rights. This fight would be much more interesting and he would have to pull out all the stops to clinch a victory.

Tika called her ready state, and Artorias didn't hesitate. The young wolf kicked off the ground, paws thundering across the dirt as he ran a curving path around Tika's left side. He had remembered her favor for sideways strikes in their last spar and he wasn't about to give her the opportunity to get one in on him. Artorias came at Tika from the left, eyes narrowed and focused on her while he charged for her side. But right before he made contact with her, Artorias' legs kicked hard off the ground, launching himself in a leap over his smaller sister and landing on her opposite side. Using his momentum, Artorias spun and, using their close quarters, aimed for Tika's neck with parted jaws and sharp teeth, his paws open to try and catch the girl around her neck with teeth and claws in a grapple. He would have to try and overpower Tika quickly if he wanted to keep her from putting distance between them.

Artorias Sirius Carpathius vs Avantika Carpathius for Tournament Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator

"Artorias" | Thoughts

As soon as Avantika said that she was ready, the match began. Artorias ran at her fast, curving a path towards her left side. He charged, making her tense for a collision, but it didn't come. The boy instead leaped right over her. It caught her off guard, meaning that he was able to get her neck in a firm grip. Avantika growled in frustration, and then suddenly attempted to fling herself to the ground onto her side in the opposite direction of her brother, using her weight and momentum to hopefully bring him down with her. If successful, they'd both be on the ground, and if Art was still holding on, she'd be able to get out in some way. If he was laying on his side next to her, she'd kick him in the stomach with her back paws, for instance, and if he was over her she'd turn onto her back, if possible, and kick him from there. It was a risky move, but it was what had come to mind. Avantika Carpathius vs Artorias Carpathius for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Large Build: Medium Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Intellectual "Speech"

His jaws found their mark around her neck, and as soon as Artorias had a firm grip on her, he intended to throw Tika to the ground. Despite his success in grappling with his sister though, Tika pulled a move straight out of his playbook and threw herself to the ground hard, all but yanking Artorias off his feet as he was pulled to the dirt with her. He growled in surprise as he topped over Tika, both wolves ending up sprawled across the ground. Tika's legs kicked out and got him in the stomach, making the brute grunt while pushing herself away from him. Artorias rolled backwards and onto his paws again using the momentum of her kick, righting himself and fixing Tika with a fiery glower. With another growl, Artorias launched himself back at her before she could fully get back to her paws. He intended to collide directly with her now while she was still trying to get up, aiming to keep her on the ground. If he was able to knock her back down, he would swiftly shift to position himself on top of her with jaws seeking her neck again to try and get her in a pin and force her to tap out.

Artorias Sirius Carpathius vs Avantika Carpathius for Tournament Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator

"Artorias" | Thoughts

Avantika's escape move had succeeded, earning her a satisfying glower from her brother. She grinned despite the situation, losing focus for a second. She worked to get her paws under her again. But Art would take advantage of her being on the ground, seemingly having used her kick's momentum to get up before she could, tackling her back down. Before he could get his jaws back around her neck, however, she would try to do the same to him and also attempt to use the momentum of Artorias' tackle to flip them over so she was on top herself, holding him down. Avantika Carpathius vs Artorias Carpathius for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Large Build: Medium Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Intellectual "Speech"

And the winner is...

Artorias

Avantika must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Artorias: Rolls:    55, 88, 66, 63 Adjusted rolls:    57.75, 92.4, 82.5, 63 Total:     369.56 Avantika : Rolls:    96, 41, 73, 72 Adjusted rolls:    100.8, 43.05, 73, 82.8 Total:     359.58