The Warlord was settling back into life in the Armada. He had much to do, as life had moved on without him while he had recuperated with his youngest children in the Hallows. He had heard of Gabriel, who Azure had invited into the pack when he had been Warlord. It would be the white wolf that Sirius sought out now. It was strange to have a wolf in the pack he did not know, and intended to remedy that now.

He made his way down the rocky path from his den to the Obelisk as the morning sun began to warm the worst of the chill from the air. Arriving, he tipped back his head and howled for the wolf. Settling down in the cool grass as he waited for the stranger to arrive.

"Speech"

Gabriel was settling into the routine of the pack life. Wherever he was summoned, he would dutifully follow. When asked to perform a task, he did so immediately and without a word in reply. All things he did were methodical - as if he’d been through this before, but clearly had the stiffness in mannerisms of a wolf that didn’t understand social dynamics very well. An odd creature, he was, and it showed. The pale ivory of his coat, the sharp blush-hued eyes and the thick scar that not only marred his face, but all across his back in the most macabre shape of folded wings. A fallen angel, a broken thing cast aside. A mere mortal on this plane, but yet he wasn’t pessimistic about his ordeal. He’d find his way out of a mortal state..someday. One day. When an unfamiliar call rang out in the alabaster Col, calling for him specifically, Gabriel had been hunting, a limp rabbit hanging from his maw as he perked his ears. He wasn’t wearing the signature cloak he’d wear for spars. In fact he chose not to wear it about as often as he did choose to - the upside to his lack of social understandings was his unintentional callousness to outside perceptions. Thus, his large, twisted rivets of permanently marred flesh that caused curious glances and whispers meant nothing to him. He didn’t grasp the idea of needing to feel self-conscious about his appearance - it was another mortal concept he’d likely never understand. The slender phantom heeded the Warlord’s call, and upon approaching the Obelisk he noticed this was not the same wolf that had welcomed him into the pack to begin with. This man was broader, with alabaster markings upon a rich obsidian coat. But the saber fangs rang a familiar tune in his mind, and part of him wondered, as he approached with the rabbit still dangling in his maw, if this clearly older wolf was perhaps the other one’s fater. Not a question he considered asking, though. Curiously tilting his head, he gently dropped the rabbit onto the earth. Maybe it was an offering, he didn’t mind if the man took it. He was still wondering how to create a ‘good’ first impression. ”Hello,” He said, his voice barely a whisper, monotonous yet unwavering in its strength. ”I am Gabriel. I believe we have not met yet.” "speech"

The Warlord blinked in surprise as the newest Armada wolf appeared. The wolf was white, and scarred. But that wasn’t the part that left him blinking. It was the shape like feathery folded wings across his back, scorched into his flesh as scars. He wondered, briefly, if this wolf had met his winged son. If he hadn’t, he would soon. Mortis would be taking over the training of the new wolves.

The wolf, who was clearly Gabriel, dropped the rabbit at his paws and spoke a whispered greeting. “Hello, Gabriel. Thank you for coming” He said politely, nodding his head to the other wolf's words, no they had not. “I am Sirius Fatalis, and wished to welcome you into the pack myself. I was down in the Hallows visiting with my daughter when you joined.” He explained. A very short, clipped explanation over what had happened. But this wolf did not know his Zee. News would likely reach him eventually, but the Warlord had no desire to recount his loss.

“My son has ranked you as a warrior, I would like to assess your fighting skills myself.” He explained. He often did with all the wolves to joined his pack.


"Speech"

The striped Warlord of the pack addressed himself with a straightforward tone, explaining he had been down in some place he referred to as The Hallows - what such Hallows were, Gabriel had yet to learn. He knew incredibly little about anything beyond the northern segment of Boreas. Besides that, living with his family he was sheltered from the world; they lived in their own alcove, his brothers and sisters. They knew little about politics, other packs, other wolves besides their own blood. But he'd learn in due time. He had to, really, in order to properly integrate himself into this mortal plane.

The angel-liked an barely noticed the man - Sirius, his name was - had blinked in surprise at his winged scarring. All roped and macabre, all twisted and furious, imprinted into his flesh like a blush-tinted burden. Ugly and broken, ripped and torn. So many adjectives to describe the sheer horror many wolves expressed upon noticing his scars, but he barely regarded it. Was he supposed to be self-conscious? He didn't recognize such a concept. To him, it was a mere reminder of the feathery alabaster wings he once so proudly carried; whether one considered the wings a metaphorical term or literal was a mystery. When the warlord murmured that his own son - the spurred man, no doubt - had labeled him a Warrior in ranking, and that he wished to assess his skills, Gabriel nodded in agreement. He at least understood fighting, and all its aspects; his family placed the ability to conquer enemies that threatened them upon the highest tier of values, among others. Training was brutal, and nothing he wasn't used to.

As if on cue, some creature - he couldn't see it out of the corner of his eye - fled as quickly as it had arrived, as if it had heard the conversation the whole time. His golden sword lay in the earth next to him, along with his furred cloak. He slipped on the cloak, now covering his marred form, and picked up the solid gold weapon from its sheath. He supposed he'd allow the Warlord the first move - wasn't that considered good manners? Not that he really understood the concept, but he at least acknowledged the idea of not acting too rashly. It'd give him an opportunity to calculate his superior's fighting style, anyways.

Wordlessly, he stood in a powerful stance, legs well-spread and balanced, head slightly lowered, sword in maw. Ready for action.

Gabriel vs Sirius for Spar
Round 0/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Gold, Double-Edged Sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Santa Coat
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Intellectual
"Speech!"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

It seemed the wolf before him was one of very few words. Silently, he put together his fighting accessories, and the Warlord watched. His own gear was donned the moment he arose in the morning, so there was little he needed to do. Once his opponent was ready, Sirius waited another moment. Giving Gabriel a chance to strike the first move. When the white wolf did not move, Sirius took the opening. He closed the distance between them first. Moving with sudden speed as he sought to slam his right shoulder into the smaller wolves. At the same time, he turned his head to the side, to position over where the other wolf's head would be if his first strike hit. His intention would be to grab at the other wolf's scruff with his elongated fangs. Sirius vs Gabriel for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over one Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted *Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Speech"

Gabriel was a calculated creature. What he lacked in words, he made up for in observation. Of knowing and seeing. Of sesning and feeling. Perhals not in the way most mortal wolves did; perhaps they did not perceive reality as he did. Then again, being born mortal was substantially different than being made mortal. Such a different world parted their two experiences.

The larger Warlord sprinted forward, and Gabriel glanced as the shadowy figure aimed to slam into his shoulder. He recalled his training - never leave yourself open. Never put yourself in a position to be open. Drilled into him near constantly since his birth. The alabaster angel-like creature whipped his whole bodly sharply to the opposite side, barely feeling the whoosh of Sirius’ frame lunging by in empty space. The next move appeared to be aiming for his scruff - bit if he was in a position to be grabbed, he aimed to sharply duck his head down, instead aiming to swipe his swird at the Warlord’s forelegs to make him back up. Nobody wanted to be sliced by a blade, after all, and he considered his weapon quite formidable. Though, knowing how experienced his superior was, he doubted the attack would do more than cause a papercut. If successful, the Warlord would have to shift back, and Gabriel would aim to kick up a hind leg to check him in the lower jaw. He was being restrained, yet at the same time could not suppress his ability to strike, fast and quick. It was something he clearly did with such autonomy you couldn’t doubt he’d done this before.

Gabriel vs Sirius for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Gold, Double-Edged Sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Santa Coat
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Intellectual




"Speech!"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

It was not often that the Warlord's opening slam did not connect. The Warlord drew his might to a halt, spreading his weight in an instance and leaned away from the swipe of the sword. It was a long thing, and the Warlord took advantage of the opening provided as it sliced through empty air. He lunged forward again, aiming to grab at the other wolf's right foreleg with his paw in an attempt to dig elongated claws in and pull the man's balance. At the same time, he attempted once more to grab at the other wolf's scruff with his fangs. In a non-lethal fight, grabbing the scruff was a sure-fire way to control the other wolf Sirius vs Gabriel for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over one Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted *Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Speech"

Gabriel felt the pressure of claws - nevermind the fact that he didn't even realize wolves could possess claws like a cat, but the pressure intensified and the ivory wolf felt his body slip into an unbalanced tilt. He had allowed himself to be open with his offensive move with his sword - the weapon was powerful, but oftentimes hefty - and flesh and bone proved themselves to be swifter than the swipe of golden metal. He once again felt the hot breath of the larger wolf as he aimed to snap down on his scruff. Such a move would finish the spar entirely - Gabriel would no longer be able to maintain his own offensive if the man clutched his scruff. He'd already gotten him to stumble, his salmon eyes widening as he aimed to perform a gutsy but necessary move in that moment.

He aimed to sharply twist his forearm away from the claws of the Warlord, nevermind that it'd likely result in a few beads of blood. He was the type of wolf to chew himself out of a trap; memories of fighting endlessly with his brothers and sisters taught him to be relentless. If there was any chance of escaping to maintain his own standing, he'd take it. Gabriel then aimed to flip himself onto his back, hoping in that timeframe he'd shave off miliseconds from Sirius grabbing onto him. He then aimed to curl his back and punch his hind legs towards the dire's neck and chest in order to create distance, his sword held so that it'd protect at least the front of his throat.

Gabriel vs Sirius for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Gold, Double-Edged Sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Santa Coat
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Intellectual

"Speech!"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

And the winner is...

Sirius

Gabriel must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Gabriel: Attack Roll: 84 Defense Roll: 71 Agility Roll: 57 Perception Roll: 99 Total: 311 Attack[84] + 10% Bonus[8.40]: 92.40 Defense[71] + 15% Bonus[10.65]: 81.65 Agility[57] + 5% Bonus[2.85]: 59.85 Perception[99] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 99.00 Total[332.90] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 332.90 Sirius: Attack Roll: 80 Defense Roll: 68 Agility Roll: 17 Perception Roll: 87 Total: 252 Attack[80] + 115% Bonus[92.00]: 172.00 Defense[68] + 20% Bonus[13.60]: 81.60 Agility[17] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 17.00 Perception[87] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 87.00 Total[357.60] + 40% Bonus[143.04]: 500.64