Caedes moved through the dense forest that hugged the edges of the fjord, senses on alert as he navigated the terrain with… with some difficulty. The scent of a grizzly bear lingered on the breeze, a powerful musk he was prepared to challenge even if the elevation was giving him some difficulty. With each step, Caedes felt the weight of the air pressing down upon him, but he pushed on. The climb was treacherous, the rocky terrain slick with moss and dew.

As he neared the very edge of the fjord, Caedes caught sight of the bear ahead, its massive form lumbering through the thick underbrush. Silently, Caedes quickened his pace, his emerald eyes gleaming. He was geared up to charge, and it was a calculated explosion in which he propelled forward - snarling, his first bite striking the bear on its flank.

"speaking"

Aresenn, on the other hand, had always been more adept at scaling cliffs and traversing rocky terrains than the other brute. He watched from a higher vantage point as Caedes engaged the bear. There was a raw thrill in witnessing such primal displays of power, but he was not here for sport - besides, the Saxe brute couldn’t have all the fun.

With a deep growl resonating from his chest, Aresenn leaped down from his perch onto the bear's back, limbs outstretched- ready to grip for purchase. The bear roared in rage and surprise as Aresenn sunk his teeth into its thick hide, locking his jaws into the loose skin of its back. The bear attempted to shake him off but Aresenn held on with grim determination.

"Aresenn Praetor"

As the bear roared in defiance as the dual assault, its attempts to shake off the fiery male only fueled Caedes to strike with more ferocity. Caedes offered no greeting in the head of battle, only continued his onslaught of attacks. Every bite was coupled with a dodge as he kept the bear whirling, but there was a moment where he slipped on the terrain, earning him a sharp slice of claws onto his shoulder.

Adrenaline coursed through his veins as his maw snarled in anger and pain. He cursed himself, his body unaccustomed to the way the rocky landscape seemed to crumble beneath him, and his own weight began to tire him faster. But this was what he lived for – the thrill of the hunt, the exhilaration of the battle, the primal satisfaction of emerging victorious against all odds. He saw an opening, the bear rearing back, with a lurch that was half purposeful and half a stumble he leaped at its throat, snapping his jaws around it.

"speaking"

Sensing a shift in the battle, Aresenn adjusted his grip on the bear, his claws digging deeply into the creature's flesh. He felt Caedes' intention a split second before he realized what was happening, the other brute lunging for the bear's throat. The bear tried to retaliate, roaring and thrashing about in an attempt to knock off the two predators.

Aresenn's strength was unyielding, his grasp like unbreakable iron and his teeth sharp as the jagged rocks of the icy fjord below. With a primal growl rumbling deep in his chest, he pulled fiercely on one side of the massive bear, its balance faltering with every tug. The sound of their struggle echoed through the stillness of the frozen landscape, like a battle cry that pierced the silence. Aresenn's determination was unwavering as he fought against the powerful beast, his muscles taut and eyes blazing with a fierce resolve.

"Aresenn Praetor"

With each passing moment, the bear's struggles grew weaker, its roars of rage fading into pained whimpers as it began to succumb to exhaustion. But just as victory seemed within their grasp, the bear summoned one final burst of strength, its massive frame lurching forward in a desperate attempt to break free from its attackers. Caedes felt the ground give way beneath him as he stumbled, momentarily losing his grip on the bear's rent throat.

With a guttural growl, Caedes regained his footing, angrily his muscles straining against the weight of the bear as he pushed back with all his might. And then, with a final, choked cry, the bear collapsed to the ground, its breaths coming in ragged gasps as it bled out from its throat. Breathing heavily, Caedes stood over the fallen beast, chest heaving with exertion. It was then he looked over at his partner in crime, eyes regarding the male with measured intrigue. He seemed much more accustomed to this terrain that Caedes himself -- though he had stayed on the bears back the whole time. A feat in and of itself.

"speaking"

As the rush of adrenaline from the battle began to wane, Aresenn shifted his focus to Caedes, his gaze meeting the emerald eyes of his comrade- which provided evidence the fierce determination despite the exhaustion evident in their forms. Every muscle in Caedes' body was taut, ready to spring into action once again if needed. "You fought well," Aresenn began, his voice steady among the subsiding chaos. "But, staying low and maintaining your balance is crucial,” With a sweeping gesture, he directed their attention to the rugged landscape surrounding them. The craggy cliffs loomed above, harsh and unforgiving, while the ground beneath their feet was uneven and treacherous. Every step was a test of balance and strength, a reminder of the daunting obstacles that lay ahead.

"Aresenn Praetor"

Caedes regarded Aresenn's advice with a silent nod, his expression betraying little emotion as he absorbed the counsel. He had little patience for sentimentality or unnecessary pleasantries, preferring instead to focus on the task at hand, so it was very welcome that the fiery male jumped directly into his advice-giving.

With a flicker of annoyance at the reminder of the obvious, Caedes spoke in a low, gravelly voice. "I fought to win," He stated bluntly, his gaze sweeping over the rugged landscape with a calculating edge. "I don’t need compliments, I need to adapt. It was too much wasted movement." An agitated pause. "This terrain is foreign to me." His tone was laced with some small amount of contrition. He struggled much more than he was comfortable with in that fight, his size, his inexperience with the cliffs lending to his slip-ups.

"speaking"

Aresenn listened to Caedes' words, his gaze unwavering. He understood the frustration that came with battling in unfamiliar terrain, especially for a warrior as skilled and determined as Caedes. "Adaptation is key," Aresenn agreed, his voice calm but firm. "Every battle is a learning experience, a chance to refine our skills and strategies."

He moved closer to Caedes, his demeanor serious. "You're right, there was some wasted movement," Aresenn admitted, his gaze sweeping over the rugged terrain around them. "But you adapted well, considering." Aresenn paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "To navigate this terrain more efficiently, focus on your center of gravity," he advised, gesturing to the uneven ground beneath their feet. "Keep low, use your hind legs to push off and your front legs to stabilize. It's all about balance and control." He reiterated, hoping if any points stuck, it would be that one.

"Aresenn Praetor"

Caedes listened to Aresenn's words with a morose respect, his gaze narrowing slightly as he considered his companion's advice. He may have been reluctant to admit it, but he knew the insight could prove invaluable in navigating treacherous terrain like that of the fjord.

As Aresenn moved closer, Caedes met his gaze with steely intensity, his expression giving away none of the uncertainty that churned within him. He was a warrior, accustomed to facing challenges head-on, and he would not falter now. "Balance and control," Caedes repeated, his voice low – measured as he mulled over Aresenn’s words. "I can do that." With a nod he turned his attention back to the rugged landscape, the exact footing he’d lost balance on, his mind already racing with strategies to remedy his problem.

But a thought entered his obsidian skull. "Tell me," Caedes began, his voice steady as he turned to his companion. "What was the greatest challenge you've faced in terrain like this?" Asking for Aresenn's insight provided an opportunity for Caedes to glean valuable knowledge, something he was not opposed to. How could he be opposed to betterment?

"speaking"

Aresenn took a moment to reflect on Caedes' question, his gaze drifting momentarily as memories of past battles flooded his mind. "The greatest challenge," he began, his voice carrying a weight of experience, "is maintaining focus amidst the chaos."

He turned his gaze back to Caedes, the intensity of his stare unwavering. "In terrain like this, every movement counts," Aresenn explained, his words measured and deliberate. "One misstep, one lapse in concentration, and you could find yourself at the mercy of the elements." A faint glimmer of amusement crossed Aresenn's eyes as he regarded Caedes. "But it's in those moments of challenge that we truly grow," he continued, his tone resonating with a quiet determination. "You learn to trust your instincts, to adapt to the ever-changing landscape."

He paused, letting his words sink in before concluding, "The key is to stay focused, to stay grounded, even when the world around you is in turmoil. That's how you overcome the greatest challenges." With a nod of affirmation, Aresenn fell silent, his gaze lingering on Caedes for only a few more moments before moving on to leave the other brute to his thoughts.

"Aresenn Praetor"

Caedes absorbed Aresenn's words with a thoughtful expression, his gaze meeting the other male’s with a newfound sense of acknowledgement. The wisdom in Aresenn's advice resonated deeply with him, and he would be sure to put it to good use. Maintaining focus amidst chaos – it was a concept that Caedes understood all too well. In the heat of battle, every movement counted, every decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Life and death. Staying grounded was paramount. Body and mind -- All that good mumbo jumbo.

"Thank you," Caedes spoke, a hint of gruff sincerity within his typically stoic demeanor. "Your insights are invaluable." Though Caedes was not one to openly express gratitude, he recognized the significance of doing so when it was due. His anger – his agitation slowly subsided, and with a silent nod of subtle appreciation, Caedes turned his focus back to the rocky cliffs of the fjord, steeling himself to climb and push his body to adapt. If he could not, perhaps feeding his sorry hide to a new bear would suffice.

"speaking"