They had been reunited! She had found Baelnaris. For the better part of this year they had traveled together, tracking their lost family members with no results... and they had been miserably separated during the volcano. After the explosion there was no chance of catching his scent again. The ash and acrid air had undeniably changed the landscape. Finally, her surroundings looked how she felt inside: ravaged and altered by chaos. There was no predicting the world around her and she found this extremely troubling. Although she practiced her rituals for luck and prosperity the same as ever, Vera found herself doing it mindlessly. No longer did she put her heart into them. No wonder they never worked.

She made her way to the battlefield. It was one of the few places she had been to before that remained relatively unchanged by the volcano. Of course, some time had passed since the eruption - the days had quickly melted into months. Without any purpose it was easy to lose track of time. Vera stalked the plains restlessly as ash rained down on to the paw-churned snow. It was wet and cold, but at least it wasn't burning or covered in that strange black rock that volcanoes left behind.

Fighting never changed. Empires would rise and fall to ruins and wolves would still fight the same way as they had for generations, for eons. There were only so many ways that you could execute certain moves, respond to attack patterns. It was predictable, to a certain point. She would find her solace on the battlefield. Veraxes lifted her head to the sky and sang the familiar song of challenge. Anyone would recognize what she was looking for: a real fight. Something with stakes. Something to give her purpose again.

wc 298
twc 298/1500

The Warlord sought for worthy candidates, those that would aspire to more and fit in the schemes he held close to heart. He prowled lands such as the Battlefield, for those that braved the might of the volcano. For wolves that would step away from their comfort zone for the thrill and rush of adrenaline. He would take not only those already skilled in battle, but those that showed promise in the attributes he admired. His regime would be one of warriors and students both. He was here today for such a purpose. He could catch no scents of those that had tread this path before him, the ash took all such knowledge from him. He need not worry that he would return from the venture empty handed, as he heard the powerful call of a wolf. A cry for something powerful, something more. He let a smile form across his titan lips. He made his way to the Warrioress, and would find her blue-grey form upon the field, with a backdrop of doom in the distance behind her. The Titan prowled into the space before her, stopping a length away, and setting his defenses. His smile, when he gave it, was inviting. “Hold nothing back” it was both a request, and a promise, and there was bloodlust in his eyes. It was the only warning she would receive, before the Tyrant lurched forward, aiming to slam his shoulder into her chest, and shove one right paw behind her left. the blade hidden in its sheath would slip free and he would seek it slice it behind the soft joint of her under-knee. Most would expect the attack to come from his fangs, but he aspired to be unpredictable. Round one of ? Size: Dire Wolf Build: Medium Companion One: Extra large companion, Battle Vulture (plus 10%) Companion Two: Snow Leopard (plus 10%) Battle Accessory (Offensive): Bracers Battle Accessory (Defensive): Bracers Mutation 1: Fangs Mutation 2: Claws Fight Skill Level: Master Specialty: Weaponsmaster "Speech"

It wasn't long before her call was answered. Vera was surprised by the titan before her - he towered above all the mortals she knew and the glint of his fangs both impressed and excited her. Stuffing her girlish feelings down into a deep, dark pit, she prepared for the fight. She had already performed a complicated ritual earlier in the that (it involved walking counter to the sun's rise for a number of paces and chants of her own design). The superstitious woman hoped that it would bring her the luck she desired; she'd need all the luck in the world just to come out on the other side of this encounter still breathing.

His full-frontal assault was predictable. Most wolves ran head-on at their opponent. She was familiar with this dance and managed to pull aside just in time, but the strange sharpness of the blade that he had equipped surprised her. As she drew away, he cut across her upper left leg. The sharp sting of pain elicited nothing more than a grunt, although Veraxes couldn't stop her eyes widening in surprise. It was like nothing she'd ever seen before. She had to know more. Something like that could be just the edge she needed to impress her family... if she'd ever see them again.

Putting the ghosts of Vaelnaris to rest in her mind, Vera focused on the fight at hand. She was at a massive disadvantage based on size alone and it was obvious that he was more experienced. Dance. The fight is a dance. Focus on the movement. Vera cleared her head and let out a fierce battle cry. Since she'd pulled slightly aside, they were shoulder-to-shoulder for just a moment. Vera went low and tried to lock her jaws around the leg that had the dagger equipped. If she could keep it away from herself, maybe she'd make it away with all four limbs.

Veraxes Vaelnaris vs Sirius for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 yr
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Beginner

wc 321
twc 904/1500

He drew first blood, and would be rewarded with the surprise in her eyes. She thought she knew him, his large, towering size made him a brute. He grinned as his knife came away damp with her blood. She moved with grace, and despite the damage he had dealt her, he would see no fear in her gaze. His opponent let out a cry, and he matched it, letting his voice merge with hers. She went for her attack then, aiming for the leg that had cut her. As she dipped her head downwards, his fangs perhaps forgotten, he would go for the back of her neck. He would attempt to grip her hard by the fluff and skin there, and if he was able, to wrench her head backwards. He had given her the shot on his leg, and he anticipated the damage he would do to himself if he ripped her fangs away. Sirius vs Veraxes Vaelnaris for Dominance Round two of two Size: Dire Wolf Build: Medium Companion One: Extra large companion, Battle Vulture (plus 10%) Companion Two: Snow Leopard (plus 10%) Battle Accessory (Offensive): Bracers Battle Accessory (Defensive): Bracers Mutation 1: Fangs Mutation 2: Claws Fight Skill Level: Master Specialty: Weaponsmaster "Speech"

He gripped her effortlessly by the back of the neck. Vera let out a feral yowl as he pulled his leg free of her jaws. Blood was hot and heady in her mouth. It was hard to think when she was lightheaded with blood lust - the familiar dance she thought that she knew so well had become strange and wicked. Their battle stopped making sense to her. She cursed herself inwardly - this was just how she had failed countless times before sparring against her siblings. This was no different.

Weak. Weak. Weak. Weak. Vera writhed in his grasp, but with every movement his fangs sunk deeper into the loose skin at the back of her neck. Sweat lathered her sides as she struggled to free herself. Every move she made was crazed and wild.

Veraxes Vaelnaris vs Sirius for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 yr
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Beginner

And the winner is...

Veraxes

Sirius must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Sirius: 226.44 Veraxes: 255