You should see me in a crown;
Watch me make 'em bow, one by one!

Rumors flew everywhere, even to the far north. While the ivory devil had never been west, she had heard the rumors of a pack that had been abandoned. Taking it as an omen, Lurid jumped on the opportunity to come and stake her own claim on the land. Ilyn and Samael came along with her, her faithful companions refusing to leave her side for a second. Cairn and Requiem would come soon if they so wished, but she would need her maddened sister Atropos after any fight that could break out. Lurid would allow no other to take this from her, she was an empress who deserved her own dark empire. The first thing she noticed was the heat, followed by the desert, then the little oasis that was tucked away in the sands. The woman was not built for the heat, and she would take this pack back up north with her - provided none tried to dispute her claim first. Letting out a booming, dual-toned howl, the Night Mother sang her song for all to hear. Woe to the wolf who would fight Blodreina for her throne.

Word count: 0 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: ---

ART

"uh oh, uh oh, you made a mistake. Tell me things that cant be true."

Voodoo had never intended to lead a pack in her life. But the homes taken from her and her children buried in her like a dagger. Just as she had found phantom like that the alpha had been nowhere to be seen. She was here so she would try to take her claim. Someone else had already called and here the empress came to greet the stranger face to face.

Voodoo was glad in a way that it wasnt on of her family members. However this victory wasnt for the great kleins, it was for her family. "I look forward to a good fight. My names Voodoo." she would allow the challenger to introduce herself.

-- fight start

Voodoo spread her limbs evenly, her tail adjusting itself for her. She felt the hackles on her neck rise lips pulled back in a snarl. Let the warrior blood flow through her. Voodoo pushed off her back legs lunging at Lurid. She aimed to slam her right shoulder into the left side of Lurids chest. Opening her jaws she attempted to attack Lurids inner shoulder where her left limb met with her body. Adrenaline flowed through her. Let it be a good fight.

Voodoo vs Lurid for pack challenge
Round 1/3
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Healer

Note: given permission to change rounds from 1/2 to 1/3 by Tea

Pad falls rang through air as if they were rhythmic war drums. A vision of darkness in contrast to the golden landscape of the west. The sun poured over the landscape, scraping at them with molten tendrils. After having spent a good amount of time in the North the brute was not appropriately acclimated to such weather. Even with it being Fall the temperature difference was nearly suffocating. Yet, there would be no complaints escaping those monstrous jaws. It would take much more then undesirable climate for Cairn to display any of that irritation. Strides slowed as his gaze feasted upon the sight of Lurid and a stranger seemingly about to begin their fight. Inky jaws parted to allow those scents to fall upon his tongue. The other Wolf smelled of no one he had encountered before, but had the look of many of the other inhabitants of these lands. Without wasting anymore time those jaws shut and Cairn sauntered towards the area behind his sister. The beast tossed her a small glance, but nothing more. He sat facing the clearing with that hungry gaze settled upon Lurid's opponent. Those orange eyes would first take in the stranger's form before settling on their own eyes, hoping to weaken the smaller Wolf's resolve with unyielding and venomous eye contact.

In light of her failing her alpha duties, Celeste would not allow herself to feel ashamed. Instead, she would rise to the occasion and seek out who it was that wanted to take her spot. Honestly, she was somewhat relieved to relinquish her duties and let someone else take the headache of leading a pack. What she wouldn't do would be to allow the new leader to take her or her followers if they so wished to stay by her side. So without hesitation or lollygagging, Celeste made her way toward the call of an unfamiliar voice. Curiosity struck her expression as she approached. Two unknown wolves plus Voodoo. The opposing female looked like she had probably seen better days, but who was she to judge? And Voodoo? Celest was just as surprised to see her challenging. Either way, Celeste stood off to a neutral side, not for or against either party, settled down in the shade and waited for the events to unfold.

Now is the time, Now is the hour
To take back my heart, to take back my power!

There was nothing on this earth that would stop the Blood Queen from getting her throne. Come hell or high water, Lurid would fuck up anyone who dared to stand in her way after she had already lost so much. Standing there in all her splendor, Lurid did look the part of a Matriarch, with the bearing of a queen in her prime. Already she had led a pack of forty wolves, the Night Mother encouraging and steadfast in her protection of her pack members; even if it was criminal. Shadows are hard to hold on to, however, and Lurid felt the pull of coming home and raising her Mirovis once again. Movement caught her eyes, followed by what appeared to be a beautiful black and white female. Lurid was by no means attracted to other women, but she could appreciate beauty. Her face showed nothing as the girl approached with ambition in her purple eyes. Fantastic, a challenger! The devil thought as she stood there waiting to see what the stranger would do. Cairn entered her periphery then, and Lurid returned his glance with a sweet wink. Another stranger appeared, this one black and white with horns. Lurid paid no attention to the newcomer, instead, her holographic gaze settled once more on her opponent-to-be as she spoke. Her black and white opponent wished her a good fight and introduced herself. Voodoo. Voodoo. Voodoo.

Fight start - - -

Over and over she ran the name through her mind, all the while her hackles raised up along her back and neck, her lips curled up in an awful snarling smile, her tail out behind her in dominant fashion. She evened out her stance to balance her weight evenly, and she gave a fierce dual-toned growl as the girl launched herself in for the attack. Lurid loved letting her opponents come to her, bracing for impact, Lurid felt the moderate bruising force hit her left shoulder. Laughing, Lurid opened her jaws and moved her left paw a step, taking Lurid backward as the striped woman went for her left inner shoulder. Lurid brought her teeth down toward the challenger, aiming to snap her teeth on the nape of Voodoo's neck. She would gain a few scratches from her bite, but nothing more than an irritating burn and itch. Once she had the woman in her jaws she would shake her head violently with the aim of rending flesh and harsh punishment for daring to think of challenging her, raising up just a bit on her back legs as she with the force she used. The white devil nothing short of brutal and vicious in her attempt for a home that her broad family could be comfortable in, everyone in her pack was family to her. And this was their chance at happiness, not just Lurid's.

Word count: 469 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Lurid vs Voodoo for Pack Challenge
Round: 1/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire
Build: Heavy
Skills: Expert fighter & Advanced Intellectual

ART

LOVE ME MORE THAN YOU POSSIBLY CAN

Adrenaline pulsed through her body. Her shoulders rolled inward to bunch her muscles near her neck. Her hackles raised as the fat scrunched on her scruff for a problematic hold. Lurid moved a paw step back her jaws coming at Voodoo with surprising speed. Voodoo’s toes spread in the dirt to give her more traction, her tail coming to level her spine preparing to move. Taking her right back leg she attempted to swing them into a T position with Voodoo on Lurids left. She pulled her ears to the back of her skull protecting them from Lurid’s bite as she narrowly missed Voodoo’s head tugging a few hairs as she went. She tucked her chin closer to her chest to protect her throat of course it was only a matter of seconds but Voodoo trusted she knew how to handle herself with a bigger opponent.

Taking her right front paw she attempted to hook it toward Lurid’s left forelimb to displace her balance. Voodoo narrowed her eyes and snarled her face bunching the muscles toward her face. She attempted to force her left shoulder and body forward aiming to push directly into Lurids left shoulder. Jaws opening Voodoo viciously aimed for Lurids face, her upper jaw attempting to hold closer to her left ear and her lower jaw aiming closer to Lurid’s jaw on the left side of her face. Her stomach muscles tightened to rigid her balance, locking her back legs into place with her toes splayed for traction. The queen was tired of living underneath a shadow, even if she didn’t win against the albino giant Voodoo knew this would be a moment for her to remember.

Voodoo vs Lurid for Pack challenge
Round 2/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Healer

Note: given permission by tea to change rounds 1/3 to 2/3

MADE BY MINNIE of BTN

I t seemed as if the gods had smiled down upon their fortunes this day. Not long after Requiem had reunited with Lurid and the rest of the Amarix family began to re-emerge into the world from their isolated hiding, an opportunity for their empress' dreams to come to fruition had presented itself. Rumors and whispers of a pack collapsing into nothingness in the west reached their ears, and from the north the wolves had traveled to investigate for themselves. The rumors were true; a pack that once was was now no more. The time for Mirovis to rise from the ashes like a brilliant phoenix had come! At his queen's side, Requiem marched into the unclaimed lands, steely eyes scanning the horizon while she issued forth her call. A challenger approached not long after, and the crimson brute stepped back to permit Lurid all the space she needed to claim her victory. "Noli dare misericordiam," he whispered in husky tones to Lurid before she stepped into her battle, her loyal vanguard keeping close to the perimeter of the arena so he could watch and keep his eye on the other spectators. If any of them dared to interfere, he would be ready to jump in to defend his queen.


"Requiem" | "Latin"

News of a pack falling in the western parts of Boreas had swept across the land. A major event such as a pack's dissolving seldom ever went unreported, and even at the far northeastern reaches of the continent the rumors had reached Elysium. Alastor hadn't attended the last pack challenge with everything that had been going on in his home life, but now that things were settled back down, the prospect of getting to witness a major political shift that could affect Elysium directly was far too intriguing to pass up. He and Manea had agreed to go see the spectacle out, if for no other reason than to learn who they might be dealing with in the near future. Little Scylla had volunteered to go along with them, as had Kichi, and Alastor was more than happy to turn the scouting trip into a group outing.

The Elysian wolves set out early in the day to head across the continent for Ethyria's old lands, making quick time of the trip, chatting and bantering all the way. Alastor was in a jovial mood. Who wouldn't be when you get to witness such a rare sight and enjoy a good battle in the process? At least he hoped there would be a fight. An uncontested pack claim was such a dull affair... Smiling his wide, toothy grin, the group reached the oasis just as the initial call from a challenger rang out—and the voice made the demon wolf's heart miss a beat. His blood turned to ice in his veins, his paws frozen mid-step while dark eyes widened and narrowed simultaneously. That voice... it couldn't be... Alastor's eyes snapped over to Kichi as if wordlessly asking if he had heard the same thing. "It's not possible..." the dire brute muttered and quickened his pace, lumbering up through the lush grass amongst the arid desert to crest a hill, bringing the oasis into view.

It was there that he saw her. Like a glistening pallid ghost from his past, she stood as she faced off against an unknown opponent. The fight had just begun, both contenders fighting tooth and nail. Alastor's eyes widened in shock, his jaw falling slack. Lurid. She was alive! His mind reeled, struggling to comprehend what he was looking at. Alastor might have thought he were hallucinating had he not seen the familiar red wolf standing off on Lurid's side of the field, also spectating the fight. Another wraith from his past. For a while Alastor stood frozen, uncertain of what to do. Part of him wanted to run down there and leap into the fray, old urges of violence and anger rising in his core. Another part of him wanted to lead his family away, to protect Manea and his wolves. Instead he simply stood there, stock still and stiff like he was struck paralyzed. All he could do was watch the fight play out while his head spun. This shouldn't have been possible. Yet there she was...

"Alastor Mendacium"

For shits and giggles, Scylla accompanied the members of her pack towards a supposed pack challenge. The older that she became and the more time she spent with her... hobbies... the more the small, slender woman enjoyed the sight of blood. More than enjoyed it. To watch one's lifeblood pour from it's vessel was heady. It was orgasmic. These were thoughts and feelings that she couldn't share with those closest to her, so the woman had to get her jollies away from her family. They just wouldn't understand this literal bloodlust that had come to consume her. Watching something bleed, watching something die... it gave the fae happy little tingles in her lower bits. What better place to watch someone bleed than a pack challenge?

As the quartet neared the scene, the blue and cream fae's mismatched gaze slithered around the gathering, eyeing those that had come to observe. She didn't recognize anyone, but that wasn't surprising. Scylla tended to stick to herself and her small circle. Alastor recognized someone though. The giant brute went stiff, his obsidian eyes going wide for a moment. Curious. Scylla followed his gaze to rest on Kichi and noticed the surprise and anger there as well. Interesting.

The group settled down to watch the show and Scylla was quickly disappointed. "Well this isn't what I expected," she mumbled, glancing at Manea. The fight was surprisingly lackluster. It was as though neither wolf knew quite how to fight. Either that, or they were worried about hurting one another. What was the point of fighting for land if you weren't prepared to eviscerate your opponent to claim it? These two would never hold up against Scylla's family nor Elysium's wolves. Not at all.

With a sigh, the slate colored fae slid down to lay upon her stomach, her long tail flicking back and forth behind her. She continued to survey the combatants, though their little slap fight wasn't keeping her interest. Again she looked towards Manea, "Not enough blood." Blue and grey eyes shifted back to the fighters. "I bet that one might even look pretty covered in blood." Tan was such a boring color, after all.

"Scylla Klein"

A wolf pack had fallen and a challenge was bound to break out for someone new to take up the mantle as a leader of a new pack of wolves.  What sort of a wolf would be the next leader and what sort of pack would they create?  Really, Kichi didn’t care about any of that.  However, he did like the idea of a trip with Al, and Al’s mate.  Just a few wolves traveling together instead of the time spent amongst the numerous wolves in the pack.  Along with them was the small wolf Scylla who Kichi really only knew by sight, name, and that she’d never annoyed him.  Oh, and also, of course, Torch the water deer was with Kichi.  

It was a pleasant trip and Kichi found himself enjoying the trek and even hoping to not miss out on any good fights that came up.  Pain, given and taken, was the one true way to fully feel alive.  The more the risk the greater the pleasure when you win.  The taste of the victim’s blood in your mouth, seeing fear or pain mirrored in their eyes.  That’s the sort of fight Kichi hoped to see.  

As they reached the Oasis a sound came that rattled Kichi’s insides.  That was impossible.  Kichi had presumed her dead ages ago.  That small naïve pup had taken a while to come to his senses and realize she was never coming back but he had finally figured it out.  He’d been dumped.  At least, for so long he’d imagined that perhaps she had died.  Surely it was someone else who sounded like her.  What if?  Kichi’s body shivered with too many emotions arguing for supremacy.
There was no doubt when his eyes spotted Lurid and as he slowly walked closer even her scent was as remembered.  The rest of the world was forgotten, and the reason for being here was forgotten.  Every inhale of breath Kichi took offered him a new wave of the hatred he had stored inside and every exhale offered the thrill of knowing today he could kill the one who had killed the naïve boy Kichi had once been.  That pup was dead, rotted away, hidden in the depths of his scarred soul and never to resurface.  

“Lurid,” Kichi whispered his adopted mother's name like a fine poisoned wine.  Kichi was about to take another step forward when an enraged snarl ripped through him, scratching at his throat and squinting his eyes, claws digging at the earth.  The reality of her in the process of another fight kicking in, one he wasn’t supposed to interrupt. “Lurid!” Kichi didn’t give a damn if she listened or not, he didn’t care who heard but the rage was like acid in his threat that had to be released, “Survive Lurid, live through that fight so I can kill you.  I’m going to, I’m going to kill you.”

Let that challenge fall across the land, let everyone hear his promise.  Who cared about squabbles over packs?  Someone would die today.  Either he’d have his revenge or he’d go say hi to his long-dead parents.  He was getting a chance to kill Lurid just like he’d asked that statue for!  It was meant to be! Finally, the desire of his soul would come to pass.  With each movement in the fight going on Kichi could imagine where he would have bit, what the blood would taste like and the growing need to truly taste it, revel in it, hell maybe even dance in it after her death.

"Kichi"

Now is the time, Now is the hour;
To take back my heart, to take back my Power!

Voodoo had ducked herself out of snapping range, and all Lurid ended up with were a few hairs in her mouth. Growling with her anger, Lurid snatched her own head away as her opponent came in for her bite, keeping her hackles up in agitation while evening out her body weight on all four paws. Instead of grabbing Lurid by the side of her face and unbalancing the giant as Voodoo had intended, Lurid moved just out of range of the bite and slightly to her right, feeling a couple of hairs being pulled as Voodoo's teeth closed on empty air. Still standing at a T with the girl, Lurid bunched her neck muscles with her hind feet splayed in the dirt for traction and readied herself for a strike. Tilting her head to her left toward Voodoo and keeping her head aligned with her spine, Lurid aimed a vicious headbutt at Voodoo's nose. Should her aim be achieved, the dire devil would seek to slam her head into the bitch's nose with bone-breaking force. Lurid kept her toes splayed and her muscles taut in order to achieve both defense and balance, her tail level with her hips as she put all the force of a heavy dire wolf behind her blow. She moved to her left, hoping to stun the poor soul with the force of her headbutt. She was angry now, and her dual-toned growl mixed with the expression of a snarl on her face said she heard nothing and saw nothing aside from her opponent.

Word count: 263 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Lurid vs Voodoo for Pack Challenge
Round: 2/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire
Build: Heavy
Skills: Expert fighter & Advanced Intellectual

ART

While a trip across the continent wouldn't have been her first choice of activity, she couldn't deny that she was interested to see what might come of a fallen pack—even if it had been one that she hadn't made contact with and knew nothing of. Now was as good an opportunity to get in with whatever pack would take its place early to avoid the enigma of a mysterious group of wolves somewhere in Boreas. Besides, when Kichi and Scylla volunteered to come along it made the trip into a more enjoyable group activity. She hadn't had much time to spend with either of the two younger wolves so it would be a good opportunity to get to know them both as well. The trip was fairly quick and as expected enjoyable, having a good time chatting with either of the wolves and her husband. It had been a while since she had gotten time to be away from the island for a bit of time so it was a nice break from the usual day in and day out of their lives.

However, things seemed to take a bit of a turn as they neared where they had heard the abandoned pack had once stood. As she had come to expect, a claiming howl went out and as her ears perked with interest at the sound, she noticed Alastor's immediate reaction to whoever it was that had called. She glanced toward him with curiosity and concern as he froze, but his dark gaze had already turned to Kichi as if he was finding confirmation for something. "Al?" she questioned, but he was already charging ahead toward the top of the ridge that separated them from the oasis ahead of them. She frowned and followed suit, quickly coming up on the growing crowd that was building around a pair of challengers. One of them immediately caught her eye and she understood Alastor's reactions at once.

While she had never met the woman, Alastor had spoken of her in the stories of his past and given her a description of the bitch just on the off chance that she ever found her in her travels and diplomacy trips. Her aqua gaze widened with shock, but her attention was more focused on Alastor than anything. She couldn't give a fuck about his long lost former partner, but she was concerned about how Alastor might handle seeing her again. Nothing he had ever said about her had painted her in a good light so she couldn't imagine this would be a joyous reunion. She leaned gently into Alastor's side to remind him she was here with him before settling onto her haunches, preferring they kept their distance for now. Kichi seemed to have other ideas, however, and took a step forward, screaming out Lurid's name and making a promise of killing her should she survive her current challengers. Knowing what she did, she couldn't blame the young man for his fury, but still worry creased her brow for her wolves. Her paw came to rest on top of Alastor's, aqua eyes ever observant and muscles tensed as she waited to see how things would unfold.

"Manea Mendacium"

The young girl has been given her first mission as a new Daimyo and Seere is determined to do it well. Since her aunt’s vison had been taken, Venom has stayed close the palace to take care of her pups. It is worrisome to the young healer since, when she had inspected her aunt’s eyes, she had found nothing wrong with the way they function. But Venom is tough and persevering with her new disability and her family has stepped up to help where she needs them. Which is why the young healer is swiftly covering the distance to where the challenge is being held. Shifting packs means new alphas and Ashen needs information to work with. With the call and sounds of fighting directing her, Seere arrives to find, with great surprise, that the fight is already in full swing. As she approaches, someone calls out the name of the unknown opponent, telling them to live so that they might have the chance to kill them. Well, she knows one of the fighters now. Eyebrows lift as the girl pulls to a stop, scanning the scene and Seere is pleasantly surprised to find her aunt Voodoo is challenging for the right to lead. Eyes shift around, noting those that have gathered and finding some Elysium wolves standing by. While she does not know them, the small girl does know that Ashen is allies with Elysium so she offers them a respectful dip of her head while she moves to sit on her aunt’s side. Mismatched eyes watch turns to the fight, mentally taking notes to give to Venom when she returns home. Seere Abraxas-Destruction

Just as the beast was finishing a routine patrol a howl made it's way to him. It was a challenge. Curiosity soared through the Klein as he considered how close it seemed to be. After rumors of a disbanded pack were making their way through the lands it only made sense that this was the next step. Those with a hunger for power were leaping at the chance to claim a throne. Personally, he had no interest in a crown at this point in his life. As long as Venom and her line remained in power he had no reason to seek anything more then a rank within Ashen. With all that being said, he was interested to see who their new neighbor will be. Ths, the beast found himself heading that way. Upon arrival Incubus immediately took note of the fighters. A tall tan lass versus a striped monochromatic fae. They were in the midst of their struggle for power as he sauntered on into the mix of spectators. As pale eyes scanned the Wolves they seemed to exhibit a pinch of joy upon finding Seere. She was the only truly familiar face here and thus the Ashigaru made his way to her. Incubus sat to the right of his Niece and offered a small smirk, "Do you know either of the fighters?" The older male watched the fight for a few moments before allowing a curious gaze to move along the sea of spectators. A purple She-Wolf caught his attention, their was an uncanny resemblance to his 'friend' Desponia and he wondered if their was relation there. But, his eye did not linger for long, having little desire to bring unwanted attention their way, he merely took note of the others before continuing to observe the battle. ""

As Seere sits on the side of Voodoo’s supporters, watching the challenge unfold, a familiar dark form moves to join her. Mint and purple eyes turn to find her uncle and the girl’s tail thumps the ground happily while she offers him a huge smile. As he sits, the girl leans toward Incubus and she answers his question, “So the monochrome fighter is Voodoo and she is my aunt! Oh, hey! That means she is your half-sister!” The small healer tries to keep her excitement tempered, she really does, but, with her uncle joining her, the small girl cannot help but feel joy. Eyes turn to the group of Elysian wolves and she gestures toward the gray male while saying, “He called the other lady, Lurid. So, I guess that is her name. Don’t know anything about her but she seems pretty angry.” Her gaze lingers on the group as she asks, “Have you met any of them? I know they belong to our allies, Elysium. I think that big lady is their leader, Manea but again, haven’t met them.” A small shrug is given before Seere turns back to the fight while she instinctively leans toward her uncle, aiming to press a little of her weight into him. The touch is familiar and comforting, something that the girl often does with her family. Seere Abraxas-Destruction

LOVE ME MORE THAN YOU POSSIBLY CAN

Voodoo could feel the blood pulsing in her ears. She loved that, in fact, she wasn’t thinking of much else than letting her body move with the flow. She would show the wraith what a family line of warriors could do. Her stomach muscles tightened, protecting her underbelly and aiding her balance. Her right limb slammed into the terrain as Lurid avoided the attack. Her jaws met empty air. Her ears flushed with the back of her skull to protect them, her hackles raised and shoulders rolled inward to make grabbing a hold on her harder. Lurid was going hard suddenly turning to ram into Voodoo’s nose. Again her back limbs and her hips moved. Lurid’s charge was met with Voodoo attempting to swing her body to the right a few feet, in an aim to make them side by side with Lurid’s left shoulder at Voodoo’s right. Aiming to push her body into Lurid’s left side.

Lurid’s headbutt hit her, but it was nothing for her to worry about. Her headbutt caught Voodoo’s right cheek by half an inch of space causing soft bruising attempting to tuck her chin in to protect her throat as a snarl escaped her lips. Her toes spread evenly for traction, her tail leveling with her spine for balance. Attempting to turn her head to her right towards Lurid’s face Voodoo opened her jaws aiming down for her opponent's left forelimb, she tried to lower her body height. Bending at her knee’s her jaws attempted to take a strike to Lurids left forelimb once more. Her upper jaws aimed to wrap around the thinner part of the leg and her lower jaw to the other side. Swiftly she adjusted her tail to the right, lifting her back right paw aiming to slam it into Lurid’s left back toes putting as much force as she could into it. Her three remaining limbs helped with her balance, toes spreading to keep a hold on the ground. Narrowed eyes have only a slit of vision to see her opponent, muscles bunching around her nose preparing for any more onslaught.

Voodoo vs Lurid for Pack challenge
Round 3/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Healer

MADE BY MINNIE of BTN

This is the moment to break your spell;
I see right through you, now burn in Hell!

Lurid could feel the hit had missed its mark, but still, some contact was made. The frustrated devil pinned her ears back and once again snarled her scarred face as another angry growl left her even as Voodoo swung to the right sending their bodies to stand parallel with each other like a puppy. The girl tried to body bump the beast of a woman, but Lurid was having none of it and moved herself to the right, following the girl's motions. keeping her tail flagged out behind her for balance and planting her paws in the dirt, Lurid braced herself but remained ready to move fluidly out of range just as Voodoo ducked her head down to bite her left forelimb. Snatching her leg back as Voodoo snapped, Lurid sustained only minor scratches once again. It was her hind foot that caught the worst of it. As she moved to her right, Voodoo stepped on her left hind paw with force, but her movement spared all but a couple of toes from the brunt of her attack. All of this happened almost simultaneously, and while the girl still had her head ducked and her balance was off, Lurid took her shot.

The white devil ducked her head down with her jaws wide, attempting to grasp the younger Voodoo by her scruff once again, not to rip and tear, but to pull her off her balance while she had the chance. Should she be successful, she sought to topple the girl and pin her to the ground, trying to sit on the younger wolf with all one hundred and eighty-five pounds of her body weight. It felt more like a dangerous game they were playing anyway, and the dire heathen decided she would not kill the girl for daring to challenge her. Instead, the demoness would probably thank her for the exercise once she knew her future. Should she not be successful in her attacks, Lurid would stand with her tail behind her in a dominant fashion and her head even with her shoulders with her ears pinned to her crown, hackles raised, and muscles bunched; ready to move in a second's notice.

Word count: 362 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Lurid vs Voodoo for Pack Challenge
Round: 3/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire
Build: Heavy
Skills: Expert fighter & Advanced Intellectual

ART

When news of Ethyria's falling had reached the southern continent, Artorias had wasted no time in making the trip up to the western deserts to see the situation for himself. He hadn't had many interactions with the remote pack, but he had met Celeste on a couple of occasions and she had been nothing but pleasant to interact with. Besides, it was always good practice for an alpha to make an appearance at these shifts of power, if for nothing else other than political benefits. It was always good to know who would be holding power in the world and who sought to advance their positions and influence in the world.

Artorias arrived right at the tail end of the fight, the Aegis cresting a lush grassy hill amongst the arid desert to spot the two contenders vying for the position of alpha. Amber eyes roved over the two women; he didn't recognize either the pale gold and ivory fae nor the monochromatic femme. Whoever they were, they were strangers to him, which meant even more unknowns would come from the outcome of this battle. A short distance away, Artorias saw the Mendaciums and their entourage watching, Alastor seeming agitated and another young male practically foaming at the mouth to go running into the fight himself. A curious brow raised, but the Carpathian king kept himself distant from either side, merely observing the outcome without pledging support to either side. Hard to bet on a horse when you didn't know any of them in the race.

"Artorias Carpathius"

Kotori had heard of the Ethyria pack falling and as numerous others had he made his way to see what challenges might happen.  Kotori approached to see the fight was already been close to finishing up and neither wolves were one he recognized.  Well, they were both at least willing to fight for what they wanted and that was something.  However, it seemed some new packs didn’t last all that long.  Kotori hadn’t owned Valta all that long but already had seen two packs rise up and fall quickly.  It took the right sort of wolf to create a pack and make it strong.

Would the winner of this battle have the skills needed to help the pack flourish and grow?  Would it be another that lasted for a few seasons and then was gone?  Time would tell.  Looking away from the fight he spotted Artorias also watching.  Seere was watching also, the child he recalled had grown with the passage of time.

Stepping up near Artorias he glanced to the blue wolf, never taking his eyes completely off the fight.  “Good to see you again Artorias.  Do you know either of them?  I was a bit surprised to hear the pack had broken up but, I also never met its leader to know if they were qualified to lead.”  Clearly, it seemed they had not been.

"Kotori Fatalis"

It had been time for the visit to another pack. Bellamy had given love to each of her children before setting off, unaware that Celeste, the desert alpha who had once come to Ethne’s borders, had lost her claim on her pack. The dark-furred woman’s goal was to head to the West, to check in and see what packs were there, as she also debated about approaching Valhalla and expressing her apologies for almost challenging for their lands. She had truly meant no ill toward any of them… she had been blind in her desire to secure a place for her family, not considering any other options. Bellamy would admit her faults… and she could understand if they were wary. Yet, as she neared the neighborhood, there was a strong, powerful, claiming howl that caught her interest. And so, with that, Bellamy set off to investigate. To her surprise, it was Celeste’s old lands, and there was already a fight going on. She could only assume that the two fighting were the one who chose to attempt claiming the remnants or land as their own, as well as someone who chose to contest that claim. Her ears perked forward in interest. Her own claim had gone uncontested, and she had even managed to get a member out of the claim. Her green eyes shifted over those there, recognizing Artorias, as well as Kotori, Manea, and other faces she did not know. She hung near the edges of it all with a thoughtful frown. Perhaps it would be in her best interest to see who came out on top… and see what type of wolf they were. "Speech" 'Thought.'