The walk back to her den from the training area felt particularly long today. Her muscles were complaining, and as usual, she'd been a bit less focused. Not one of her best days, all in all, but she'd have to live with it. There was always something to be done, and she couldn't very well mope around in the meantime, could she? You can only do your best. Pretty words, but they felt pretty empty, today.

Arriving at the den, she pulled out the leather armor, wiggled through the openings and tugged at the straps. Luckily, the Armada was free from enemies. The most combat that armor had seen was a friendly spar, though Mala still took care to wear it every so often, to break it in. If and when there was a real battle, it would be another part of her, a second skin.

With a sigh, she eventually made her way over to the westernmost point of the border, where the sea's plain met the cluster of willow trees. The she-wolf began going clockwise. The sky was muddled with orange on the horizon, a wash of indigo fast approaching on the opposite side. It would be dark by the time she finished the patrol.

edited: broke the page >>>>.>>>>

Mortis Fatalis

“Geronimo!” the winged enemy yelled, as he leaped from where he had lain in wait. The ambush was well executed, and long-waited. Keeping tabs on her patrol, and judging the right moment for when she would be below him.

His wings flared in an attempt to break some of his fall and direct him as he fell directly before the tired, unprepared Reaper. A grin took over the muzzle of the Armada heir as he completed his landing. It had taken a few goes of jumping [s] falling [/i] from the tree before he had gotten it right. It needed the right amount of air, the right balance, to land directly on his feet. Legs bending to absorb the impact, wings flaring up, spanning out on either side of him, black/grey/blue cutting out the sky in front of her.

He wasted no time from finding his balance, to leaping at Malalia, trying to take as much of the advantage of surprise as he could. Not waiting to see her reaction to his impromptu-attack.

"Speech"

Mortis Fatalis vs Malalia for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: under 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Kea, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Feline claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Wings - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Well, damn.

Any other day, she would have been ripe and ready to give this boy a well-deserved kick in the rear -- it was a patrol, after all, and she was usually more alert than usual. But not today. Somehow, he'd picked the perfect moment to land right in front of her, falling from a heckin' tree no less, looking for all his worth like the angel of death. The hair raised along her back at the sight, and she was seized with utter surprise, a porcupine of a wolf as he barreled towards her.

But she wasn't Reaper for nothing. With her shorter height, she skirted to the side of his leap. His shoulder clipped painfully against hers -- man, his height at his age never failed to amaze her -- as she batted hard at his ankles, a hit and run. Mal skirted around in an about face, a snarl on her lips as she shot forward to sink her paws along Mortis' hips or rear for a hold, biting lightly at his flanks.

Malalia Fatalis vs Mortis Fatalis for spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Steel claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Companion 1: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Skills: Intermediate Healer & Master Fighter
Specialty: N/A

Mortis Fatalis

The look of surprise on her face would be a memory he would cherish for days to come. Chuffed at his success in taking his best friend by surprise, the younger wolf would continue his charge. Despite her surprise, the Armada Reaper recovered swiftly, dodging the majority of his attack. He was laughing, a little out of breath from the exhilaration of his fall, but alive. Alive with the excitement of the challenge.

He almost tripped when she smacked his paws, and went around him. He titled his wings down, aiming to snap them between himself at her claws as a shield, and then shove them outwards at her in an attack. He was spinning even as he made the motion. The wings buying him time. He was hoping to knock her off balance, and leap at her.

"Speech"

Mortis Fatalis vs Malalia for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Kea, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Feline claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Wings - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A

He was quick on his paws, and creative with his attacks, integrating his wings to buffet her away. Her paws passed harmlessly through his feathers, missing their mark, but she was quick enough to leap away when she suddenly shoved them back towards her. A wry grin took over her muzzle. It wasn't just her fatigue -- he was giving her a run for her money, all on his own. "Someone's been practicing," she growled, a hint of approval in her voice. She was actually struggling just a bit to keep up.

But this was just what she'd trained for wasn't it? Fighting an opponent at any time, no matter how ill or starved or tired she happened to be. With a burst of sudden speed, she went into his leap head on, jaws aimed to clamp uncomfortably around his left ear this time. Meanwhile, her paws struck out at his chest, hoping to force him into surrender with the sudden barrage.

Malalia Fatalis vs Mortis Fatalis for spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Steel claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Companion 1: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Skills: Intermediate Healer & Master Fighter
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

MALALIA

MORTIS must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Mortis: 186.17 Rolls: 13 99 7 38 Adjusted rolls: 23.4 108.9 7 38 Malalia: 254.25 Rolls: 31 81 9 58 Adjusted rolls: 38.75 97.2 9.45 58

- nyx

Mortis Fatalis

Even tired, and caught by surprise, Malalia was flawless. Working fast and keeping him on his toes as she avoided his strikes. Leaping from the buffet of his wings. She ran into his leap, and he ducked his head in time to avoid her jaws. Her paws striking him in the chest, and knocking him off balance. He crashed hard into the ground at her feet, wings splayed either side of him as he fought to catch his breath.

He laughed once he did, panting as he struggled up to his paws. “Damn Mal, for a small wolf, you pack a punch” he said, rubbing the spot on his chest she had hit with a paw.


"Speech"

Victory! Her tail flipped over as her forelegs dropped to the earth, a battered bird-wolf splayed out in defeat. She chuckled softly, tongue lolling free as she panted with effort. She hadn't been teasing him -- the pup was getting good. She'd just have to keep practicing as hard as she was, lest she forfeit her reigning champion status. Mal grinned as he picked himself up, padding forward to give his shoulder a hard nudge, a salute despite the loss. With his determination, and his father's size, Mortis would be a hell of a fighter one day. Of that, she was certain.

She'd just be better, that's all.

"Damn straight. It's my job." The yearling stepped away and returning to the trail, one paw raised, her body aimed towards the path she treaded. "Wanna join me, if you don't have more trees to jump out of?"

He huffed heavily at her, but it was all in good nature. Already he was plotting and planning his training, and when he would tackle the challange that was Malalia next. At least she kept him on his toes, gave him something to strive for. When he finally did beat her, he would know he had earned it.

He laughed at her words, shoving his shoulder against hers. "I suppose it is. Dad sure knew what he was doing when he picked you." He said with a sigh. Every time, he was so certain he was ready to get one over her. Every time, she knocked him down and proved herself the better fighter. "Nah. These trees let me down." He teased, waving a wing at the offending willows. He set himself at her side easily, content to walk her patrol with her.