Gossamer had been visiting the Mile-High Woods when she heard the faint call of a challenge on the wind. It took her a moment to realize that it was a pack challenge and more than just that, it was one for her brother. Her heart skipped a beat. Who was challenging him? Gossamer immediately dropped what she was doing and headed over to the battlefield. When she arrived there was a crowd gathered and her sights quickly set on her father. She moved over to join him, sitting down to await the start of the battle. Kotori's opponent seemed familiar but she couldn't place the name, only knowing him to be one of Recluse's pups. Moments after her arrival the fight began.

So pack squabbles weren't really her business, but with Rannoch off gallivanting around and being out on her own... Taiga was bored. What would a bunch of little puppies do if she showed up to a pack challenge? Well, she was about to find out.

The behemoth of a lioness padded quietly towards the fray on wide, snowshoe paws. Ruby eyes scanned the various canid faces and she only recognized one of them. Avacyn, the purple lady that she'd saved twice now. The feline nodded her blocky skull at Ava, then went to take her seat.

Taiga seated herself between the two courts, supporting neither one nor the other wolf. She was simply here to be a spectator. Once seated, the lioness sank down to the ground, laying on her belly. Even laying she was taller than a fair few wolves. The cat curled her forepaws in against her chest and took a deep breath, her gaze locked on the pair of brutes as they battled for supremacy.

"Taiga"

He had been busy with his mom and older sister learning how to craft when his mothers attention had been drawn away. Curious, the young boy watched as she left the den, and barely sparing a glance toward his sister, he bounded out of the den to follow after Medusa! He was nosy, that was a given. The natural curiosity of a pup had him racing to catch up with Medusa, though luckily, he caught up fairly quick considering the battlefield was relatively close to Insomia's lands. He had been here a couple of times, but never for something like this! He spotted Ghoul in the midst of a fight, his tail wagging and his fur on end with excitement. What was going on? What was happening? A sizeable crowd had gathered, many faces he had never seen before and so many different smells he didn't recognize!

He spotted his mom and brother, as well as a couple others from the pack, and as he headed over, he spotted what looked like a giant cat?? It definitely wasn't a wolf! Peeking at his mom, her attention was focused on the fight at hand, so he crept his way toward the giant cat and approached, neck stretched out as he attempted to get a good sniff in. "What are you!? Why're you so big!?" He wasn't afraid of approaching the big cat. Unlike his brother Red, he hadn't gone through anything traumatic to warrant a fear of big cats. If anything, he wanted to know more about this giant beast! She was bigger than any wolf he'd seen!

“Ripper wants to talk!”

Kotori’s left shoulder connects with Ghoul’s own left shoulder, but the pale wolf had shifted it to the right so that it minimized the effect Kotori had desired.  Kotori’s muscles strain against Ghoul’s weight to keep the two wolves locked in place.  His toes spread out and his claws pressed into the dirt to help keep himself stabilized.  Kotori had the short-lived satisfaction of his teeth biting into the other wolf's neck and tasting blood.

Even as he sunk his teeth in a strange-looking primate was grabbing at his squinted eyelid.  As the lori grabbed at Kotori’s eyelid and yanked it, the lid flew down as much by the pressure forced on it as that instinctive reaction to protect the eye.  While there was no true damage, it still had the large drawback of momentarily limiting Kotori's sight and the shock diverted his attention from Ghoul’s more dangerous attack.

Due to the lori’s attack, Kotori released his hold of Ghoul’s neck, pulling his head back closer to his body, the scruff of his neck bunching up.  This instinctive reaction offered a measure of protection as Ghoul’s teeth clamped down onto his neck just above the shoulders.  Kotori’s lips pulled back in a pained snarl.  The damage was moderate, but fortunately, the loose skin bunched up on his neck meant Ghoul’s fangs scratched along the muscle lining instead of penetrating deep.

Kotori kept his toes spread to help absorb the shock of Ghoul’s weight and his tail remained even with his body to help balance in any tight turns.  Kotori’s ears lay flat against his skull and his eyes again open to slits for protection. Kotori had his body lowered slightly to allow more flexibility in his joints.  

If Kotori tried to break Ghoul’s grip it might cause further injury, so instead he keeps the neck loose, giving in to the pressure so that his neck lowers. Ghoul’s body shifts as the pale wolf tries to be shoulder to shoulder with Kotori and he doesn’t resist the motion. Kotori takes what advantage he can and since his head is already lowered he tries to bite at Ghoul’s left leg, midway down.  Kotori’s goal was to bite through the extensor carpi muscle and crack the radius bone.

Splash, the snow leopard, had been patiently waiting behind Kotori when the fight had started, watching for her opening.  As Ghoul got Kotori’s neck in his mouth, the cat ran towards the pair.  Splash ran towards Ghoul’s right side so that her chest would be lined up with the side of his right leg. She would attempt to sink her teeth into the extensor carpi muscle, midway down the leg with the intent to tug it to the side and hopefully break his balance.

Kotori vs Ghoul for Pack Challenge
Height 42"
Build Medium
Round 2/2

"Kotori"

Ghoul’s jaw finds purchase where he had aimed. Clamping his jaw as tightly as he can onto Kotori’s neck, Ghoul refuses to let go. He can see that it hurts his opponent. The pained snarl he notices from the corner of his squinted eye gives him some satisfaction. Not enough though. What he wants is Kotori on the ground, but how does he accomplish that? Locked together, both unmoving forces as they push back against each other’s shoulders, Ghoul begins to formulate a plan.

Thankful for the release of Kotori’s teeth from the skin beneath his ear, he can feel a brush of air and rush of blood as Kotori moves his head. His own Loris settles back into the bunched up scruff of his fur to help provide protection from another attack to his neck. Being so close to Kotori, Ghoul could feel Kotori shift lower, balance recentering and allowing Ghoul to press a little harder.

Ghoul still refuses to release Kotori’s neck, continuing to clamp down through the bunched up scruff to try and slice through the muscle tissue. Though the blood fills his mouth from what damage he’s already done, he pays attention. Even with his ears pinned to his head and paws braced against the dirt, he feels Kotori shift again. As Kotori’s head lowers, it allows Ghoul to attempt the move he had been hoping for. Gain the upper hand, force his opponent to give up.

Finally releasing Kotori’s neck from his grip, Ghoul takes a split second to make sure his vulnerable areas are still protected. Eyes squinting, tail tucked, neck scruff bunched as his balance shifted toward the right in response to the movement of Kotori’s head lowering toward his left leg. As Kotori’s teeth aim to clamp down, Ghoul quickly moves his left leg. Swinging it out and up to the left side of Kotori’s body, he feels the scrape of teeth slicing through his skin. It’ll be superficial, nothing he hasn’t felt before. Ghoul aims to swing his leg over Kotori’s neck with the help of his arching spine, centering his own body and balance once his left paw touches back down. Since Kotori had lowered his body for a more evenly distributed weight and balance, it gave Ghoul more room to try and get on top of his opponent.

Once his left paw is firmly planted back on the ground, Ghoul attempts to bite down onto Kotori’s spine, roughly halfway down. In the next moment, Ghoul notices the cat rushing up to his right front leg. Feline teeth sink into his right front leg, but due to the thickness of his leg, Ghoul does nothing but grunt out of frustration from the lacerations. Did she really think herself strong enough to unbalance him? In the meantime, the two falconets perched in a nearby tree finally decided that it was their turn to assist. Swooping in from the sky, the male falconet attempts to grab ahold of Kotori’s left heel with his talons and the female falconet attempts to grab ahold of Kotori’s right heel with her talons with the intent to tear tendons.

GHOUL vs KOTORI for VALTA (Pack Challenge)
Height 40"
Build Heavy
Round 2/2

table coding by bunni ♥

HENBANE AERIS The cryptborn doesn't feel like she has any right to get close, but fuck, she can't just leave Cricket and the kids to watch... whatever this was, all the same. No. Slow to heal, slow to rebound from the chain events that had landed her here, she remains. Being here, for this, was the least she could do. Stiffly, Henbane looked on as the fight progressed. Resting on her uninjured side as best she can, wary. With each registered blow, she'd pretend that there wasn't worry stirring in her chest. Not doubt, but... they'd both been hurt, not so long ago. Just because it had taken Hen longer to bounce back didn't mean... hm. Her thoughts are heavy as they crash about in her skull. Should she be shielding Cricket, shielding the kids, from whatever came next? Probably. Her jaw flexed, every bit of her tense. All of the wolves around her woven so tightly together, and she doesn't know just where they all fit.

Dread shouldn't be here. He knows he shouldn't be here-- that's why he's all the more drawn. The challenge had come clearly, swiftly, spreading like wildfire over the packs. They'd been hunkered down with his in-laws, which wasn't too bad, all things considered. He likes kids, he likes her family, he likes feeling useful again. Useful, without the shackles that he'd cast for himself.

With Deluge never far from his side, they were able to close in fairly rapidly on the commotion. The wolf being challenged was his older brother. Dread had considered running there, after things had gone the way they did. Kotori had been kind to him, and it's with those thoughts heavily on his mind, that he settles to watch the fight unfold. The young man doesn't spare a glance for his father, but tips one to Briar and Bramble in turn. Tense, perhaps more than ever, Dread takes them all in.

Like moths to a flame they were drawn in, just like all the rest, though it quickly became evident they would be one of those families that was there to support opposing teams. Deluge had no relation to the brown antlered wolf other than her association with Dread, but his challenger bought a knowing smirk to her face. Oh, things just got a whole lot more interesting.

She wondered if Dread would pick up on it, her toes stretching out to drag through the dirt a moment before she left her companion's side, with a bump of her hip to his shoulder, an invitation to join her, though she'd understand if he wanted to side with family on this one. Deluge circled around the ongoing brawl and slid down to a seat close to those with a familiar but foreign scent that were cheering the big pink guy on. She unhooked one of her bottles and offered it to the skull-marked woman before reaching for a second herself. Were you really watching a fight if you weren't drinking while you did it?

"speech"

As the giantess lay watching the battle for supremacy, a pup found its way towards her. The cats neck curled so that she could look down upon the child, a smile instantly tugging at her lips. He questioned her size, which she was used to. A soft chuckle left the cat and she lowered her head, giving the boy a quick lick to the top of his head with her sandpaper tongue. "My name is Taiga, young one. I'm so big because I come from a land far away where everything is big."

Taiga kept her head lowered so that the pup wouldn't have to crane his neck to see her properly. "Who do you think is going to win, little wolf?" One big paw shifted and pressed against the pups side, turning him so that they were both looking at the pair of fighters. "Are we rooting for the pink one or the brown one?" Taiga knew neither wolf, so it didn't matter to her who won. She imagined the boy might have a fun time telling her who he wanted to win.

"Taiga"

Yaume had been on the dark, becoming a shadow. After leaving Tojo so many seasons ago she had kept to herself, only her dog being a company. But she didnt mind anymore. But every once in a while she showed up, well partially. Events such as this one often brought her out of her anonymous life style, her dog by her side she sat down on her own spot. Away from the rest, her katana rests by her side just in case. Her tiger claws unshelted, brushing against the grass. Her blue eyes resting in a cold expression, contemplated both the fight and the different interactions between wolves. Some she had seen others total strangers. The big pink wolf relaxed, as if watching a show, hoping it would entertain her for a bit.

"The talking"

In the ever-changing world of diplomacy, one could never grow too comfortable perched atop their throne, as it would certainly lead to their downfall. There would always be the younger adversary, the underdogs, and the satanical tyrants who thirsted for the carnage of war and bloodshed. Rhazien knew it was only a matter of time until these kingdoms fell and foreigns rose, making way for newer generations with different ideals. In truth, he had been anticipating this moment- a call from the war-torn battlefield - a challenge from a wolf seeking to dethrone a king and take his kingdom. It was so exciting.

Drawn to the challenge like a moth to a flame - or rather, a vulture to a carcass - Rhazien arrives just as the battle comes to a climax. His gaze settles on the fighting pair- analyzing them, tracing their movements, savoring the scent of blood lingering in the heavy air. Ah, the air- there was an intensity lingering in it, as it crackled with unnerving energy. And Rhazien drank it up. The fur along his shoulders bristled out of pure, carnal delight. He fucking loved war and politics.

His gaze trailed across the clearing then, looking for any familiar faces and grouping the foreigners. Surely, other kings and queens were in attendance- and ah, what’s this? Absinth had even dared to show her face. Lingering at the side of stranger, whose expression was morphed into something akin to concern. And hell, there was even a huge fucking cat here. What a crowd. Standing off to the side, and serving as an extra set of eyes for his dearest nephew Sephiran. Rhazien waited with bated breath, excited to see who would reign victorious.  

"Rhazien Saxe"

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

Redrum's heart pounded like the rhythm of distant thunder as he watched in horror. Even with the battle raging with Ghoul and the other male he did not know, his focus had been torn away completely. His brother, Ripper, was there under the looming presence of a giant cat. And he seemed happy about it. Red’s heartbeat drowned out all other noise from his long ears, All he could see was the cat's tongue flick out and brush against his brother's head. Tasting him. No. No. No. Redrum's instincts screamed for action, with a low growl rumbling deep within his chest, Redrum sprang forward – away from his mother’s side in an instant – his protective instincts overriding all else.

His gaze burned with a fierce determination as he charged towards the towering figure of the massive cat, "Not- Ripper! Cat will. Not hurt. Redrum’s- brother!" He barked, his voice filled with rage and fear, as he sought to drive the beast back. His brother's safety was paramount, his loyalty unwavering in the face of the overwhelming odds.  And though those odds may have been stacked against him, Redrum would not falter, would not yield, not as long as breath still filled his lungs and fire still burned in his veins. The boy would try to snap his jaws at the paw that seemingly held his brother in place (or so he thought), hackles raised and a terrible hate-fear expression on his face.

Redrum vs Taiga for Spar (defending Ripper lol)
Round 0/?
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Merlin Falcon, Female - Perception
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty:

murder

Code by TR

With a saunter, Caedes moved into the clearing where a challenge was about to unfold between the reigning alpha and a bold challenger. He was hoping to see some bloodshed, injuries open and bleeding so that he might have a thrilling show… He did not know either opponent, nor most of the wolves present.. save for Rhazien. His fur, a rich tapestry of scars along his midnight coat rippled with the muscles beneath as he approached the male.

“Rhazien.” The massive brute rumbled out, eyes alight with mirth. Why wouldn’t he be pleased to meet his kin here? He had already met Kaino, and made her swear not to mention him until he faced Sephiran himself. Of course his reasoning was selfish. He wanted more freedom to hunt his newfound obsession, the likes of which he had never experienced before. But she was elusive, and out of his reach within the territory of the very Alpha being challenged now if the scents were proof enough. Funny how fate would be so gracious. Soon enough, even if the alpha kept his title, he would be seeing her again.

That would be his only greeting, frame gracefully drifting next to the other Saxe, settling in with a chuckle as he and the rest of the gathered wolves watched in anticipation.

"speaking"

A flutter of nerves and intrigue danced within Mariah as she arrived at the battlefield. The pack challenge between Kotori and Ghoul was a momentous event, drawing wolves from far and wide to witness the ultimate battle for dominance. As a member of Elysium staying as a guest in Valta, she felt a sense of obligation to bear witness to the challenge. Yet, her mind couldn't help but wander to her brother Malico, wondering if he was nearby, among those who had already gathered. Or if he even intended on coming.

The air was thick with tension and excitement, the scent of fur and sweat filling her nostrils. The sun beat down mercilessly on the field, casting harsh shadows and creating a hazy mirage in the distance. Mariah took a deep breath and steeled herself for what was to come. Mariah's gaze swept over the bustling crowd, her sharp eyes immediately catching sight of familiar faces from Elysium. Her sister Avacyn stood tall and regal in the midst of the chaos, her graceful form standing out among the sea of bodies. Beside her stood their uncle Deimos with a brood of pups- ones she didn’t recognize. Mariah's heart warmed at the sight of them, feeling grateful for their presence amidst the tension of the challenge ahead. She couldn't resist the urge to make her way towards them, carefully navigating through the mass of spectators and avoiding any potential conflicts between alphas. With each step, she could hear the cheering and growling emanating from the center of the crowd as the fierce battle for dominance raged on. But in this moment, all that mattered to Mariah was connecting with her loved ones.

"Mariah Mendacium"

Taiga waited for the boy to answer but was interrupted by a second boy flying towards her. The red child bristled and spoke in stammers, causing the feline to tilt her head slightly. Cat will not hurt Redrums brother? Before she could say anything in response, the boy with the big ears launched himself at her paw. Teeth bit into the huge snowshoe appendage and the lioness' brow furrowed. Whose kid was this? Shouldn't they... come get him?

Lifting her other paw, Taiga attempted to bat the boy away, though not hard enough to hurt him. "I'm not harming him, young one." The cat didn't even rise from her comfortable position. Her demeanor was still one of calm collectedness. She shook the paw that he was attached to in an effort to make him let go. Really... wouldn't someone come get their child?

"Taiga"

Taiga vs Redrum for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Paleo species
Build: Balanced
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty:

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

Redrum had his teeth in the cat, and whether they actually punctured any amount of the big cats flesh didn’t really matter to him, what mattered was his brother’s safety and the threat to his life! The boy was absolutely dwarfed by the feline, but it did little to stop him from growling up a storm, fur alight with every bristle and spasm of his muscles.

A massive paw came to bat at him, words drowned out by the terrible thudding in his ears. He lowered his stance, hunkering down into his attack as he held fast. He hoped by now Ripper had realized the danger, realized the fear emitting off the red boy and would flee - then a shake dislodged him from his bite.

His eyes went wide as he stumbled back, ears flattening while he took a new stance once he regained his balance. The vermilion child’s teeth were bare for the world to see, practically frothing at the mouth as he stamped his feet- preparing to launch himself at the cat again with a cloud of dust behind.


Redrum vs Taiga for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Merlin Falcon, Female - Perception
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty:

murder

Code by TR

Though the red pup battled with her paw, Taiga was careful to keep from harming or even jostling the other pup. She was a gentle giant and had zero desire to harm a child, even one that was intent on poking holes in her toes. Shaking the paw had dislodged the boy, but the wild fervor in his gaze made her believe he'd be back for more.

"Your anger is misplaced, boy." As he came in for another attack, the smoke and snow lioness placed her paws over the ears of the nicer pup. Inhaling deeply, the woman roared right at the red boy, not sparing him and ounce of the bone rattling bass that her big body could produce. It would draw the attention of the rest of the wolves and would hopefully bring the kids parents or guardian to collect him before he ended up hurting himself.

"Taiga"

Taiga vs Redrum for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Paleo species
Build: Balanced
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Hunter

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

The cat’s response was not what he expected. Instead of meeting his aggression with force, she shook her paw gently, as if brushing away a pesky fly.

While his outburst would seem extremely disrespectful to others, to Redrum, this wasn't just any cat he was choosing to foolishly pick a fight with; it was the embodiment of his greatest fear, a… reminder — a flashback —  of pain and suffering. The memory of a cougar's snarl still echoed in his mind at times, its fangs sunken deep within his flesh, scraping at his bones.

God. He could still hear the sound of his own skull cracking against stone, thrown away like he was worth nothing at all. A lump of meat. A toy. A morsel. Less than that. All in a tiny package crumpled on the ground, bleeding his life back into the ground it came from. The large scar at the back of his skull ached something terrible, causing the boy to wince and grit his teeth as his skull twitched erratically.

Again he did not hear her voice. The beginnings of tears squeezing out from his golden eyes, stricken with fear and bravery. Redrum could not heed her words, his senses clouded by memories of teeth and claws and agony. The feline moved to grab at his brother, both paws this time that could utterly annihilate Ripper. Red too.

“R-ripp—er! n-no. hu-rt! li-ke— c-can-t! p-pa-in! B-b—one-s!” He fought desperately to get the words out of his jaws, the tics, along with panic destroying the coherence of his speech. With another disjointed growl, Redrum lunged once more. And then before he could strike again came the roar — a primal thing that shook the very ground, reverberating through Redrum's bones like thunder. He froze, finally. Spirit crushed under her proverbial foot. His limbs refused to move any further, a tremble so strong he could not tell if it was his usual shock-like spasming or terror alone that wracked his every muscle and nerve now.

Redrum vs Taiga for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Merlin Falcon, Female - Perception
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty:

murder

Code by TR

And the winner is...

TAIGA

REDRUM must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: TAIGA: Attack Roll: 42 Defense Roll: 63 Agility Roll: 27 Perception Roll: 100 Total: 232 Attack[42] + 30% Bonus[12.60]: 54.60 Defense[63] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 63.00 Agility[27] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 27.00 Perception[100] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 100.00 Total[244.60] + 25% Bonus[61.15]: 305.75 REDRUM: Attack Roll: 26 Defense Roll: 46 Agility Roll: 52 Perception Roll: 87 Total: 211 Attack[26] + 20% Bonus[5.20]: 31.20 Defense[46] + 10% Bonus[4.60]: 50.60 Agility[52] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 52.00 Perception[87] + 10% Bonus[8.70]: 95.70 Total[229.50] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 229.50

"Speech" Well Ichor couldn't say he'd actually expected this. He wasn't sure this counted as "the long game" when the pack his brother was fighting for wasn't the one the bitch had stolen from their own mother. That would have been poetic, this? This was just weird. Ichor was one to talk of course. Still he wouldn't deny Ghoul. If his brother was successful Ichor would even throw his lot in with him. That Medusa seemed to be on Ghoul's "side" rankled him though and as he slipped past the woman he muffled a growl, choosing to settle himself away from the group though he did give Mac a quick friendly bump as he went past. Why they'd been content to rot under the woman that was the reason their mother was fucking dead he'd never understand. Ichor settled himself with a huff and hoped Ghoul wasn't wimping out, that this was just a stepping stone on his way to destroying the woman that had destroyed their mother.

Art by HymnerasArt