Poem had been away from Abaven for too long, she wanted to see her sisters. She wanted to be there for them. She had it in her head that she was going to challenge Sirius to a right for a return home. If she showed him that even in his weakened state she had been keeping to her training then surely he would allow her to make a return trip. Especially if she managed to beat him.

Along with her own training Poem had been raising up a young Caracal kitten. She heard that the Armada’s Warlord had raised up his snow leopard from a cub. Would he hold any more respect for her for doing the same thing? The young Destruction took in a deep breath as ivory paws brought her over the sand of the oasis and closer to the edge of the water. Edgar purchased in the palms above her head and the small caracal trailed behind her. He wouldn’t be much use yet, he was still very small. However, he would gain experience watching fights and getting to know her movements.

She steeled herself. She had to be confident or she would never take on the titan. Though she was one of the few that could look him in the eye. She took in one more breath and let out a heavy sigh before lifting herself up. She raised her head, took on a proud pose, and called out for her mentor.

The call for him rang strong and true through to Oasis. ahhh, yes he thought, his apprentice. He planned on releasing Poem back to her family. She might have drive for fighting, but only when it was something she truly believed it, otherwise her heart wasn’t in it. She didn’t love the battle itself, only the outcome. He needed someone with more raw potential, someone with something to prove and a desire to do so. Since finding Banshee, he had realised Poem wasn’t the young pupil he wished to shape, and nor did she wish to be shaped by him.

He made his way over to the woman, finding her easily amongst the sparse greenery of the Oasis. “Poem” he said. A faint smile on his lips. “I know things haven’t been easy back at your home, so I release you. Spar with with me, and win or lose, your freedom is yours. Take it, and use it to help your family. I know that’ where your heart lies, and always will.” He could at least sound a little benevolent, when what she wanted was what he wanted as well.

Poem wasn’t left waiting for long, not a surprise. There wasn’t much that slipped past the titan warlord and he was quick. She was never really meant for the Armada, she was an unwilling pupil from the beginning. Maybe at one point she would have taken a tighter grasp of what Sirius offered her, but with losing her mother Poem wanted nothing more than to be home in Abaven with the ones she loved. The ones that really needed her.

Sirius greeted her with her name and quickly went into a speech she hadn’t expected. After one last spar, not even a battle for her freedom, Poem would be released from her oath. Hespoke nothing but truth. Her heart remained in Abaven, and Sirius would have to work much too hard to ever think he might win it. She still didn’t trust him, and never really understood why he took her to begin with, but it didn’t seem like she fit his needs anymore.

”Truly?” She asked hesitantly, as if asking the question would cause him to take back his decision and keep her as originally intended.

“Truly” he agreed, reluctant to let this project walk away, but understanding it was the right thing to do. ”If you decide, some day down the track, you wish for more training, you may return to the school I'm building.” He offered to her. He saw no reason for them to leave on bad footing. He had always kept his word to Poem, and she in turn had kept hers. If her heart had been in it, he would have kept her for that year, and fought for another. Well, if you cared for something, you let it go, right? Not that he would admit to any fondness for his student.

“Come, one last spar, and then I will help you pack some provisions for your journey” he said, moving a few steps away from here, where he stretched and put himself into an easy, stable position, inviting her to make the first move.

He assured her he that his words were true, she would be able to walk away free from the Armada. She could return to her broken family. A huge weight was lifted from her and she felt herself sigh softly, everything became a little easier. He gave her an offer as well, she nodded in acceptance of his offer. Poem couldn’t tell the future maybe someday she would take him up on his offer.

”Thank you, Sirius.” She offered honestly, maybe she didn’t trust his motives but he had kept his word to her throughout their relationship. He gave one last command, one more spar, and he would help to send her on her way. She was ready for him. Her mother’s armor adorned her body, Edgar circled the sky above them and her half trained kitten stood eagerly beside her. This was the fight she had prepared for.

Poem’s defenses fell into place easily as she balance her weight on her toes, with no warning the tall girl made an effort to circle around Sirius. She’d go around to her right side, aiming to avoid his sabre teeth while moving in to take a bite out of his hind left thigh.

Poem Destruction vs Sirius for Spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Raven wing foreleg bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Raven wing hind leg bracers
Companion 1: Northern Raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Caracal, Male - Battle
Skills: Advanced Fighter

“Of course, Poem. I regret we weren’t closer” he admitted, knowing the differences between them were too vast. He could not relate to her, and she to him. But he could, of all things, understand the need to be there for family. In the end, their parting ways would be the best thing. He would find another pupil to train, one who could be committed to the cause.

The fight began in earnest as Poem circled him, and Marshal let out a shrill cry from the sky, announcing his presence. He was prepared, also, to take on the smaller raven that accompanied the young warrior. Bast slid silently into place beside Sirius, and the warlord dug his feline-like claws into the earth and he swivelled to keep Poem in sight of him. As she went for his rump, he let her have it, let her land the blow even as he launched himself into an attack of his own. He aimed to shove her side with her weight, to knock her off balance, and skim her skin with the blade hidden in its sheath. Bast kept watch of his back, in case either of her companions tried to take a shot.

Sirius vs Poem for Spar
Round one of 2
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

Poem likely wouldn’t have ever given her full loyalty over to Sirius, the pull of her familial bonds were much too strong. During their time together, she did come to respect the older man. He seemed like a good leader, and his sudden desire to let her free made her finally feel closer to an equal to him instead of the monster she first believed him.

Edgar was her eyes in the sky, though his information was compromised by his avoidance of the giant vulture after him. Poem’s kitten wouldn’t be much use against Bast either. He was young and mostly untrained but Alyn didn’t balk at any opponent thus far. The caracal never let his bright blue eyes leave the snow cat as his master took on hers.

The young Destruction wasn’t blind to his tricks and even as he allowed her to land the blow she was retreating from him so she might not feel the kiss of his blade. She returned the favor, and using her own bladed bracer attempted to slash at the leg as she aimed to retreat from him more than a few paces. She wanted to defeat him, but she didn’t want to trail blood the whole way back to Abaven either.

Poem Destruction vs Sirius for Spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Raven wing foreleg bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Raven wing hind leg bracers
Companion 1: Northern Raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Caracal, Male - Battle
Skills: Advanced Fighter