A slate-blue coydog with darker slate brindling bounces jauntily into the crowd with a wide open-mouthed grin on his face. He doesn't even really choose anyone so much as he stops with a cloud of dust before two of them. "Oh boy, I am so glad to be your guide today! Lucky you, you're the last two wolves to make it into this round!" he exclaims to Enrico and Melanthios. "I am just excited as all get out to watch the two of you! It's just going to be a fantastic ride! Hoowee, let's go have some fun!" He proceeds to practically drag the two of them to a circle of small stones set into the ground in a ring, like an overly-happy camp counselor ushering a pair of reluctant children to an activity. "I'm just tickled pink to be able to decide which one of you two amazing people are going to go to the next round! Just remember not to step out of the circle, because then you automatically forfeit!" He made an exaggeratedly sad face at that idea. "Now I would be pleased as punch if you would be willing to start us off!" he added to Enrico.

Enrico sat quietly beside his snow leopard companion, both of them patiently waiting the start of their first match. While he begrudgingly admitted that there was very little hope of actually winning the tournament - after all, he had lost to Chaos fairly recently and had certainly grown no younger in the seasons since then - he found himself in high spirits at the whole prospect of stretching his skills in friendly matches. Asriel, too, was looking forward to it. He'd insisted on being allowed to participate this time, friendly or not. Fighting alongside Enrico in the alpha challenge had whetted the cat's interest he'd developed during their few trips to the battlefield in a way that simply watching from the sidelines had not, and he wasn't about to be left out again. Even now the leopard's tail tip was twitching back and forth in excitement, but as the excitable coydog bounced into the midst of the fighters he was calm enough to exchange a look with Enrico, and his whiskers twitched in amusement. Enrico just shook his head and followed the overly-happy coydog to the ring to meet his opponent, a huge wolf of a shade of red that would have made Enrico mistake them for his former alpha if it hadn't been for the black and white markings, the mane more suited to Aurielle than Regulus, and the fact that scent told him they were female.

He inclined his head to her in a careful politeness. "Buona fortuna signora," he offered to her as he did, and carefully set his defenses even as Asriel began to circle the inside of the ring in restless energy. Just as well that they had been given the go-ahead to begin, Enrico reflected, because he doubted that the cat would be able to restrain himself for too long.

Enrico bounded forward, feinting straight towards the much-larger female as though he intended to slam into her but came to an abrupt halt out of reach and sprang to his right, only to bounce in towards her left shoulder in an attempt to slash at her shoulder with his teeth and bounce away again. He was far smaller than her, so he couldn't risk grappling with her. He would need to be quick on his feet.

Luckily he only really needed to be a distraction, as Asriel rushed in from his circling in an attempt to leap with all four paws onto Enrico's opponent, aiming a vicious bite to the back of Melanthios' neck where spine and cranium meet in an attempt to control her head.


ENRICO vs MELANTHIOS for TOURNAMENT SPAR
Round 1/?
Size: medium
Build: light
Offensive Accessory: N/A
Defensive Accessory: N/A
Companion 1: Snow Leopard - battle
Companion 2: N/A
Fight Skill Level: Beginner
Specialty: N/A

Melanthios was looking forward to their next challenge. Even with no companion, nor support by their side, the massive beast did not feel it right to waver. The worst thing that could happen is they lose and learn something from it.

Their gaze shifted to their opponent as they stepped into the ring and fiery gaze took note of the companion with the male. He was smaller… but they knew better than to mistake being small for weakness.

He spoke and Melanthios twitched an ear curiously. His tongue was foreign… but they assumed he was speaking words of luck to them. They nodded, a silent wish that he too had luck, before setting their defenses.

The male was asked to start and Melanthios readied themselves for his assault.  He seemed to be coming straight for them… but Melanthios knew better than to believe such a thing. They watched him carefully, trying to predict where he’d go. Time would show that he sprang to his right, their left, and teeth would slice her left shoulder to bring up that familiar red liquid from the wound.

As first blood was drawn Melanthios felt the thrill of battle rising up within them once more. They attempted to spin towards the male, throwing the weight of their upper body into it as they hoped to catch him before he got completely clear of them. Their right forepaw rose and slammed downward in hopes of catching some toes.

That was where Melanthios made their error. Before they attempted a bite they felt paws hit their back and teeth get a light hold in their scruff. Their aim was simple -- the moment they landed they were going to rear up and attempt to dislodge the companion. If they could do that then they could focus back on their opponent.

Melanthios vs Enrico for Winter’s End Tournament / Dominance
Round 1 of 2
Size: Dire Wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Accessory: None
Defensive Accessory: Collar with three big talons
Companion 1: None
Companion 2: None
Mutation: None
Disability: None
Fight Skill Level: Beginner
Specialty: None

""

Blood filled Enrico's mouth as his teeth hit their target, and he began to leap away again, but the female spun towards him and a weight slammed down on his toes before they could leave the ground. Pinned but already in motion he hit the extent of his range of motion with a painful jerk that jarred every joint in his leg. The strain was painful, but at least his opponent seemed too distracted by Asriel's attack and she immediately reared up to dislodge him. Asriel had to abandon his attack and leap free, but Enrico was freed from beneath the larger fighter and he leaped for her flank despite the pain in his foreleg, aiming a slashing bite to the upper part of the flank between her hip and her ribcage.

ENRICO vs MELANTHIOS for TOURNAMENT SPAR
Round 2/2
Size: medium
Build: light
Offensive Accessory: N/A
Defensive Accessory: N/A
Companion 1: Snow Leopard - battle
Companion 2: N/A
Fight Skill Level: Beginner
Specialty: N/A

Their attack had been successful before she had reared, thankfully, and Melanthios felt a small amount of satisfaction at the small victory. Pain from bites of both the companion and other wolf only fueled their desire to smash into the smaller male. They never went down without a fight.

The companion left away from them and Mela started to come back down as Enrico made his next attack. He leapt for their flank and immediately the pain of fangs slicing into flesh made them aware of his presence. Instinctively they lashed out with their fangs, snapping their jaws towards him in hopes of catching his rump or, better yet, his tail in the process. They planned to hold him as much as they could and keep going as long as possible.

Melanthios vs Enrico for Winter’s End Tournament / Dominance
Round 2 of 2
Size: Dire Wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Accessory: None
Defensive Accessory: Collar with three big talons
Companion 1: None
Companion 2: None
Mutation: None
Disability: None
Fight Skill Level: Beginner
Specialty: None

""

And the winner is...

MELANTHIOS

ENRICO must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Enrico: 174.6 Melanthios: 336.6

- Judged by Nyx