Artorias had faced every challenge in the Ashen tournament head on, refusing to back down, never wavering, and in the end he had earned his way to the finals by virtue of strength and tenacity and resilience. His fight with Avantika had been incredibly close, but in the end he managed to pull the victory. After the fight, Artorias had stood beside the arena while Ezra faced off with his final opponent. The Hallows heir watched with appraising eyes while Ezra fought, admiring the way his mentee's skills had improved in the short time they'd been training together. When Ezra was declared the winner, Artorias couldn't resist the proud smile to the Adravendi boy, meeting his gaze while the arena was cleared. He couldn't have asked for a more worthy and fitting end to the tournament.

After a short interim wherein Artorias had wet his parched throat, the dark-furred boy made his way into the arena for the final time. Artorias' coat was dusty and his body bore a few new cuts, scrapes, and scratches from his tussles with the variety of opponents he'd faced. This was it. This was the moment he lived for. The heat of battle, the electricity between him and his opponents, the clash of fangs and claws and bodies. It all culminated in this last fight. Artorias looked out over the crowd, over the faces of his family and friends. His eyes caught Briar's turquoise eyes from the sidelines watching him. A small smile crossed his face while he held her gaze, only looking away when Ezra made his way into the arena.

"Let's have one hell of a final round, Ez," Artorias said to his friend and pack mate with an excited grin. "Don't hold back, because I'm not giving you an inch, Adravendi." Fixing the larger yearling with his burning gaze, Artorias assumed his position across from his opponent, muscles tensed and nerves buzzing with energy, ready to respond and act as soon as Ezra gave the signal that he was ready. One more fight. He was ready.

"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.
____________________

Ezra couldn't believe that he made it this far. He had gone into the tournament hopeful, but ultimately knowing that his skills probably weren't going to match up to many of the competitors. When he was declared the winner again and then again he was floored and incredibly proud of himself. Now he really understood why Artorias liked fighting so much now that he was getting a taste of what real fights could be like. They were fun and challenging and exciting all at once. Of course he knew he might feel differently if he had lost right off the bat, but he hadn't. The training he had been doing with Artorias had paid off and now here he was, about to face off with his mentor in the final round of the Ashen tournament. Even beyond being proud of himself for fighting so well, he was also just excited about the fact that the two finalists of their age group were both from The Hallows. They had come to show off what The Hallows was all about and he felt like they had succeeded in that.

He walked into the ring after a little bit of a water break, giving his coat a shake to get out some of the dust that had accumulated on him during the fights. His pale gaze caught sight of his father in the crowd, seeing the wide grin he wore, and he gave him a slightly embarrassed grin in return. He knew he and his father hadn't always seen eye to eye and he hardly ever felt like he did something that would make Ulric proud, but right now he felt like he had finally done that. He focused his attention on Artorias, facing off with his mentor for the last fight of the tournament, his grin widening with excited eagerness at the Baron's words. "I wouldn't dream of it, Carpathius," he shot back with a chuckle as he settled into his defenses and prepared himself for Artorias' first attack. If he lost this time he'd at least do it knowing that it was to someone like Artorias. His mentor was so good at this and worked so hard - he deserved to win this whole thing. But Ezra was going to make him work for it!

Ezra Adravendi

Artorias grinned wider when Ezra returned his banter and assumed his fighting position. The fight was called, and as soon as the call to start was given, Artorias sprung into action. His coiled muscles exploded, propelling him toward Ezra. The Adravendi boy had the size advantage over him and was the largest opponent he had faced today, but he knew Ezra's weaknesses. His pupil was clumsy, footing had always been his area of opportunity. Using his speed and agility would be his key to defeating Ezra, since a direct fight would only end with Artorias on his back in the dirt.

Artorias sprinted for Ezra, making it seem like he was going to tackle his larger opponent head on—and then kicked to the side just before he made contact, bounding past Ezra's right side until he had nearly bypassed the boy entirely. Artorias skidded to a stop, pivoting and running a half circle around Ezra, trying to confuse and disorient his friend before going in for the strike. Artorias launched himself aiming for Ezra's back, paws outstretched with claws and teeth ready to bite into Ezra's back and climb on top of Ezra if he made contact, both to put him out of reach of Ezra's wicked sharp teeth and also put him in position to continue to bite and claw at his opponent without fear of a struggle.

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

"Artorias" | Thoughts

Ezra watched Artorias curiously as he started to move, darting toward him. The one thing about having this fight against his mentor was that they were both really familiar with each other's fighting by now. Just as Artorias knew to exploit this larger size causing him to be less agile and graceful, he knew Artorias had a habit of darting around and using some fancy footwork against him. He wasn't surprised when Artorias darted past him instead of colliding into him like Ezra might have tried to do if he had started their fight, but when Artorias kept going instead of turning in toward his side, Ezra blinked and started trying to turn around to face where Artorias was standing behind him.

He couldn't move quick enough though and Artorias was already airborne before he was even half way twisted around. The slightly smaller young man landed on his back, seemingly trying to climb onto him and clawing and biting in the process. Ezra growled and immediately did the first thing that came to mind. He dropped down to the ground and started rolling on to his back, trying to knock Artorias off or maybe even roll over on top of him if the Carpathius boy didn't get off of him fast enough. If he couldn't reach him to bite him then he could at least squish him.

Ezra Fortis Adravendi vs Artorias Carpathius for Tournament Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Serrated teeth - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

Ezra Adravendi

Artorias' attack had been successful, the young wolf clinging to Ezra's back with claws dug into his skin and teeth biting at his neck and shoulders. He didn't have long to take advantage of the position of control he'd gotten over Ezra however, as after only a few moments he felt gravity shift as Ezra threw himself onto his back. With his teeth and claws in his opponent's skin and muscles, Artorias couldn't release his hold on the Adravendi boy in time before he was slammed into the dirt beneath Ezra's heavier form. Artorias grunted and groaned while Ezra rolled him off of his back, letting his claws rake across Ezra's skin when he dislodged him just to get a little more damage off.Kicking and scrabbling, Artorias squirmed his way out from beneath his opponent's larger form when Ezra's roll shifted his weight just enough to free him.

"C'mon, is that all you learned from me?" he taunted Ezra in good humor, hoping to rile up his opponent. Back on his paws, Artorias wasted no time in springing for Ezra again, leaping at his opponent to try and catch him belly up or while his friend was getting back up. He was aiming to either pounce on his exposed underside or lunge for Ezra's hind leg if he made it to his paws in time, teeth going for belly or thigh respectively.

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

"Artorias" | Thoughts

It was satisfying to feel Artorias to squished under him after the stunt he pulled, even though he grimaced as Art's claws raked down his back as the Carpathius boy scrambled to get out from under him. As soon as he felt Artorias start to wiggle free though, he started rolling back to his feet, not wanting to leave himself vulnerable to whatever attacks came next. He let out a laugh at Artorias' taunts, shooting him a toothy grin. Art leapt forward toward his hind leg just as he was getting back to his paws and even though he tried to twist out of the way, he just wasn't fast enough to keep up with Art's quick movements. He winced when he felt his opponent's teeth dig into his thigh, but he didn't linger in it for long. He made a hard twist of his body to try and yank Artorias off his feet from the hold he had on his thigh and at the same time curled his body to try and reach for Artorias' shoulder with his front paw, trying to shove him over at the same time just to knock him off balance even more and hopefully get him to let go of his thigh.

Ezra Fortis Adravendi vs Artorias Carpathius for Tournament Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Serrated teeth - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

Ezra Adravendi

And the winner is...

Ezra	Artorias must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Artorias : Rolls:    21, 59, 9, 95 Adjusted rolls:    22.05, 61.95, 11.25, 95 Total:     237.81 Ezra Rolls:    86, 7, 7, 91 Adjusted rolls:    116.1, 7, 7, 91 Total:     254.27