I'll tough it out, I won't give in

Álarr wrinkled his nose as he moved through the mix of ash and snow. It certainly wasn't pretty. He hoped it would melt and that the snow would whisk away some of the ash before spring tried to bring the flora back. It would be a terrible burden on the land if the plant life struggled to regrow. He couldn't rule out the possibility either way.

Now almost a yearling Álarr was intent on going to the Battlefield alone. He was ready to start focusing now on his battle skills and this was the best place to do it. "You ready?" He turned to Afi and nodded before he threw back his head and howled for a challenger. This time he was much closer to his full grown size. He wasn't going to be pushed around like the time he'd fought the viking. He also had his horns now but he wasn't quite sure on the best way to use them in battle. Shaking his head he stretched and waited.

Theory arrived at the sound of a challenger. She had been pacing the battlefield for hours, pent-up energy coursing through her veins like liquid fire. There was so much to be done in the wake of Shaye's death and she was barely getting by. Anger and grief and confusion all boiled together to create a bitter brew. Sparring would cool her head, or it always seemed to.

Her opponent was someone she just barely recognized. The markings beneath his eyes jogged her memory - the Firefly Festival. Before Abaven had retreated to Ibis Islands, when it had seemed like a paradise and not a jail cell. "I remember you," she said, unable to conceal the surprise in her voice. It was still strange to think that they were related. Family was... strange. "But anyway," she segued, lowering her head and pinning her ears back. "Let's do this part first." Theo snarled, half playful and half serious. Even if she didn't intend him any harm, she was still filled to the brim with nervous energy.

Mindful of his horns, Theory aimed a bite at his right flank. Alouette soared above, keeping her apprised of the situation. She'd need to move at a second's notice to avoid those pointy-looking weapons.

Theory Cavaliere-Destruction vs Alarr for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Alouette - perception (flying)
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

I'll tough it out, I won't give in

Álarr was nervous but he tried his best to hide it. He didn't want anyone thinking he was some little pup that couldn't take care of himself. He didn't need to wait long for a challenger and he was pleased to see it was someone near his age, size and built and not only that she was familiar. His ears flicked forward and he grinned softly. "Oh! Hey, how's it going?  Ok, yea, sounds good." She was getting right down to business and he struggled to remember her name. Flush with embarrassment he pushed it down and set his defenses.

The girl charged, her body shifting to dive at his right flank. Álarr quickly shfited his weight to his front paws as he attempted to shift his hind quarters out of the reach of her jaws all the while aiming to bite onto her tail and get a good grip on a quick opponent.

Álarr vs Theory for Spar

Round 1 of 2

Age: Under 1 year
Size: Dire
Build: Medium
Offensive Accessory: n/a
Defensive Accessory: n/a
Companion 1: Raven - Flying
Companion 2: Pallas Cat - Battle
Mutation: Small set of Kudu horns
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

Luckily, Theory's short rabbit-length tail was difficult to grasp hold of. She yelped in surprise as his teeth scraped the small bone spur that was her tailbone, but he wasn't able to get a solid grip and she wiggled free. Bleeding from the butt was not a very pleasant experience. The sharp twinge of pain made it difficult to collect herself. He was much better armed than she expected - above her head was a raven of his own, as well as a small but fierce looking cat that lurked nearby. Would they strike as well?

Trying to regain her focus, she darted forward to try and grab at his left front leg and wrench it out from underneath him. Maybe if she could get him off balance, they could finish this out on the ground. That would give her a chance to keep his horns out of her way!

Theory Cavaliere-Destruction vs Alarr for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Alouette - perception (flying)
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

I'll tough it out, I won't give in

Álarr miscalculated his target as she slipped free of his grasp. He shook his head, spitting mostly fur and in that distraction the girl dove down for his left front leg. He shouted in surprise and scrambled back as her teeth broke skin, leaving deep scratches and drawing blood but thankfully he'd moved quick enough that she hadn't obtained a full grasp. He lauched his head down in response seeking to grab ahold of the top of her head with his upper fangs sinking into her right temple and his lower fangs over her left. In truth it was not a great surface to try and grab. It was round and awkward but he hoped to at least draw blood and pay her back in kind for his own injury.  At that moment Afi lunged from behind the girl and aimed to swipe at her hind end to leave scratches on her right thigh.


Álarr vs Theory for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1 year
Size: Dire
Build: Medium
Offensive Accessory: n/a
Defensive Accessory: n/a
Companion 1: Raven - Flying
Companion 2: Pallas Cat - Battle
Mutation: Small set of Kudu horns
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

And the winner is...

THEORY

Alarr must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Alarr: 188.25 Theory: 248.98

He nicked her right over her left eyebrow. Theory grunted as she blinked the dribble of blood out of her eye then yelped as Alfi's claws made contact with her right thigh. She was getting it from every side! Alouette soared down and cawed loudly, flying right at Alfi's face to try and drive the cat away so that Theory could get some breathing room. She ducked her head down out of Alarr's grasp and rammed her skull right into his chest to try and drive him backwards.

With these moves she hoped to disentangle herself and finally step back to declare her victory. Right? It had been an interesting, complicated fight. She hadn't fought anyone with that many companions... and those horns! She had plenty of questions for him once the fight was over.