Her children were growing, and with that came her wanting to test their skills. Redrum, despite his quirks, had been excelling from what she noticed. He fought with vigor and courage, and The Wraith was intent on finding out how good he had gotten since the last time she'd seen him fight. She had insisted on him coming with her today so they could do just that. Leading the way to her favorite spot, she was in a chipper mood, tail waving happily behind her. While she loved her children and would do just about anything for them, she also had her own quirks and wanted to show some love in her own way. How far would he be willing to go in a fight? She wasn't afraid of pain or getting hurt, not at all. And while she had not hurt any of her children in a fight, she was sure she could keep that streak going...at least, until she had to break it, anyway. Finding a good spot, she abruptly stopped and turned to face her child. "Is Redrum ready?"

Redrum's tall ears had perked up at the sound of his mother's voice, cutting through the air in that particular way it did. His mother, as formidable as she was enigmatic, had both the respect and admiration of Redrum. Both as his mother and his alpha. He was on his feet, a smile on his face as he set off after her. She was delighted, and so he was too.

As he followed her through to the battlefield, Redrum couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within him. He had taken up challengers at the battlefield before, had been challenged himself - but never by his mother thus far. Especially not since he had discovered just how exhilarating it was to fight tooth and claw with another, blood thudding in his ears, but he was a touch concerned about that thing that had happened. Still, it would not sully his mood now.

So as The Wraith turned to face him, her gaze piercing yet affectionate. Redrum met her eyes, a fierce boldness burning in his own golden gaze as he nodded in response to her question. Yes, he was ready. He’d not been practicing for nothing. Ready to face whatever challenge she presented, ready to prove himself worthy of her approval, he gave her the biggest grin he possibly could. “Redrum- is always read-y.” The boy rolled deep crimson shoulders, which had already earned a few scars, as he set his defenses.

Then, he snapped his jaws at her, signaling her to begin.

""

Redrum was just as eager as she was, it seemed. Good. That meant he really was ready to take on the challenges coming his way. She shook herself out, loosening her muscles as her bone armor rattled against her body. The skull she wore on her head was secure, and she smiled beneath the jaws. She was eager to see how far he'd come in his young life. How much more he could improve, the promise of the potential strength in him. She didn't doubt her children at all, they each had their strengths and weaknesses, of course. Much like she did. Without further waiting, The Wraith rolled her shoulders one last time before kicking off, propelling herself forward in an explosion of dust as she ran at him, aiming to close the distance between them. The Wraith threw her left shoulder forward as she stepped just slightly off to her right, looking to jam her shoulder into Red's throat or perhaps where his shoulder joint met his body. She wasn't going to hold back in this test, and she hoped that neither would he. Jaws dropped open, yellowed teeth seeking the tender flesh where his left foreleg connected to his body (the armpit??). It would likely expose her back, but she was always prepared for that one way or another. Probably. Simultaneously, her left foreleg would strike forward as she aimed to hook her paw around whichever one of his she might be able to get and pull it toward her, potentially compromising his balance! Medusa vs Redrum for Spar Round: 1/? Age: Over 1yr Size: Extra large Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened claw covers Defensive Battle Accessory: Wolf skeleton Companion 1: Wolverine, Female - Battle Companion 2: Cougar, Female - Battle *Companion 3: Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Male - Battle Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: N/A "Medusa"

Redrum's pulse quickened as his mother prepared to unleash her might upon him. He watched as she shook her muscles loose, the rattle of bone armor serving as a bell to announce the start of the battle. The skull atop her head lent her an intimidating visage, yet beneath it, he felt the warmth of pride. But it was no time for sentiment! As The Wraith surged forward, Redrum braced himself, muscles coiling – ready to be unleashed. He welcomed her challenge, the opportunity to prove himself in the eyes of the one he admired most. With a feral growl and evenly distributed weight, he met her charge head-on, his golden gaze locked onto hers with unwavering focus beneath his own feline skull.

As she aimed her shoulder towards his throat, Redrum reacted instinctively, shifting his weight to the side with youthful grace. The impact of her strike glanced off his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain racing through his body, but he refused to falter. Instead, he countered with a swift movement of his own, angling his body to minimize the blow. But not quick enough to dodge her follow up.

Feeling her teeth sink into the vulnerable crook between his foreleg and trunk, Redrum's instincts and experience thus far kicked into overdrive. With a swift motion, he tried to jerk his limb out of her jaws. Yet, even as he took the brunt of her attack, The Wraith's cunning became even more apparent as her paw lashed out, seeking to ensnare his own. He had to move or be taken down immediately! Redrum pivoted on his hind legs, his feline claw fittings digging deep into the earth. With a defiant snarl, Redrum began to crane his neck over her, seizing the opening presented to him. His own jaws attempted to snap shut with precision, aiming for the exposed flesh at the base of her neck.

Redrum vs Medusa for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Under 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Feline claw fittings
Defensive Battle Accessory: Feline mask
Companion 1: Merlin Falcon, Female - Perception
Companion 2: Merlin Falcon, Male - Perception
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: N/A

""

Redrum, it seemed, had been practicing a lot and had gotten fairly good at fighting. He managed to avoid most of her charge, their shoulders glancing off one another, and just enough to be a little jarring. Her gear rattled on impact, and she cackled as her teeth met their mark. She wasn't intending to outright maul her precious boy, but give him a fight that she felt was worth his salt. Her companions had been reporting back with his feats, and she was proud of his accomplishments! Teeth grasped her target, and she could taste the blood from her young prodigy. He sought to tear away from her, and while she would have liked to follow, she wasn't quick enough as her forepaw was reaching for his own. He moved away, tearing himself out of The Wraith's grasp. Almost as soon as it happened, she felt teeth begin to sink into the back of her neck, bringing a feral snarl from Medusa as Red managed to grip the back of her neck. Her eyes remained narrowed and her ears pinned close to her skull. She was a reckless fighter, her style often keeping her opponents guessing. And that wouldn't change here. Were it anyone else seeking to grab her there, she would've been more ferocious, a little more careful about exposing herself. But she knew Red wasn't trying to kill her here, nor was she trying to kill him. Tensing her muscles, The Wraith threw her head back as she reared, tearing herself from his grip and hopefully, throwing him off balance with the move before she pirouetted around to face him, forelegs reaching out to wrap around his neck and aimed to slam her skull against his and daze him. Medusa vs Redrum for Spar Round: 2/2 Age: Over 1yr Size: Extra large Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened claw covers Defensive Battle Accessory: Wolf skeleton Companion 1: Wolverine, Female - Battle Companion 2: Cougar, Female - Battle *Companion 3: Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Male - Battle Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: N/A "Medusa"

His mother’s skills were formidable, but he had trained tirelessly, honing his own abilities to meet her challenge head-on. This was a reckoning, a chance to prove he was more than his setbacks. As their bodies collided, Redrum's muscles flexed and spasmed, his face under his helmet contorting into a wicked grin. Exhilaration. He managed to evade the brunt of her charge, their shoulders glancing against each other with just enough force to jolt him.

He could feel the weight of her teeth sinking into his flesh, a stinging burn drawing blood as they met their mark. Despite the pain, Redrum remained focused, his determination unwavering in the face of her onslaught. He knew that this was not a fight to the death, but a test of skill and strength between mother and son. But that did not halt the distant hissing that began to flood his ears. It was getting closer, closer still. It roared at him to sink his fangs in a little deeper, thrash a little harder – all things he didn’t listen to and tried to banish from his mind with a shake of his head.

As he sought to break free from her grasp, his jaws found purchase at the base of her neck, eliciting a snarl from The Wraith. And her reaction was swift and calculated, a testament to her prowess as a fighter. With a sudden jerk of her head, she tore herself away from his grip, leaving Redrum momentarily off balance with a stumble and a gasp. The boy furrowed his brows, his pelt bristling as his golden gaze narrowed onto his mother.

He was not one to be easily deterred. As The Wraith spun around to face him once more, Redrum braced himself for her next move. With lightning reflexes, she lunged forward, her forelegs wrapping around his neck in a vice-like grip. Then, with a forceful motion, she slammed her skull against his, helm to helm, aiming to disorient him with the impact. Redrum staggered backward, momentarily stunned by the blow. But even as his vision swam and his head throbbed with pain, he refused to surrender. With a growl of determination, he regained his footing with a lurch forward, and attempted to return the headbutt two-fold.

Redrum vs Medusa for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Feline claw fittings
Defensive Battle Accessory: Feline mask
Companion 1: Merlin Falcon, Female - Perception
Companion 2: Merlin Falcon, Male - Perception
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: N/A

""

And the winner is...

MEDUSA

REDRUM must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: MEDUSA: Attack Roll: 36 Defense Roll: 23 Agility Roll: 97 Perception Roll: 55 Total: 211 Attack[36] + 65% Bonus[23.40]: 59.40 Defense[23] + 15% Bonus[3.45]: 26.45 Agility[97] + 5% Bonus[4.85]: 101.85 Perception[55] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 55.00 Total[242.70] + 25% Bonus[60.67]: 303.38 REDRUM: Attack Roll: 25 Defense Roll: 64 Agility Roll: 62 Perception Roll: 42 Total: 193 Attack[25] + 35% Bonus[8.75]: 33.75 Defense[64] + 20% Bonus[12.80]: 76.80 Agility[62] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 62.00 Perception[42] + 20% Bonus[8.40]: 50.40 Total[222.95] + 10% Bonus[22.30]: 245.25

Despite his determination, Redrum's senses were overwhelmed by the blinding pain pulsating through his skull. The ringing and hissing in his ears grew louder, drowning out the sounds of battle. His vision blurred, and for a fleeting moment, he lost his grip on reality.

His mother’s fores still locked unto him, Redrum found himself faltering. His movements became sluggish, his reactions delayed. Each blow sent shockwaves of agony coursing through his body, threatening to consume him entirely. Try as he might, he couldn't shake off the debilitating pain that engulfed him.

In a final act of desperation, Redrum attempted to rally his strength into another snap of his jaws, but it was futile. His limbs felt heavy, his mind clouded with confusion. With a defeated growl, he stumbled backward, his defenses crumbling before his mother. His opportunity to show her he had grown slipping through his fingers like sand.

“Redrum– is sorry, mother. Red- is still not– strong- enough.” Redrum couldn't help but wonder if he had ever stood a chance against his mother's formidable prowess. In the end, it wasn't just his physical strength that failed him, or his age — it was the overwhelming pain that rendered him powerless, and the distant call of an unseen feline that left him prisoner to his own senses.

""

Red wouldn't be the only one that would end up with a headache, nor see stars. Medusa in all her ungraceful glory and not-so-thought-out fighting ways, found herself practically holding onto her child for some stability and support as her head swam after knocking her skull with his. Even as he snapped his jaws one last time toward her, the pair were both knocked out of the game, though it seemed she would win this round, she had absolutely no doubts that he'd get one over on her eventually. He had fought hard and fought well, and she was mighty proud of her boy! As they both swayed, Medusa steadily and slowly released her hold on him, gently holding him a bit longer so that he didn't just keel over and drop to the ground, but instead waited until he started to stumble back before she herself stumbled back and tried to fight the raging dizziness and headache that began to blossom. Man...she really had to be careful with that one! Maybe she was the way she was because she kept rattling her brain one too many times in a fight. But hey, it was an effective move here and there. No need to fix what ain't broke, right? “Redrum– is sorry, mother. Red- is still not– strong- enough.” Her ears cocked toward him as she gathered herself, and while her head was still swimming, she knew she was more tolerable to the pain then he was. It tugged at her heart, however, when he said that. Instead of frowning, she tugged her lips up into a smile as she haphazardly lurched forward (as she was still a bit dizzy) and brought her head over his neck as she hugged him (and to hold herself up because she swore she was about to fall over)! "Red is very strong! He showed Medusa that today, and she has seen how hard he has been trying." She pulled back, letting herself fall heavily on her rump so that she was sitting now. "Medusa is very, very proud of him. He has shown Medusa that he is more than good enough! Red fought well, and Medusa needs him to know that he is not a failure." She reached forward to place a motherly kiss on his muzzle, and hoped that he understood that she meant every word. She didn't know about his ongoing feelings about his past trauma, but she'd be damned if her own child felt like he wasn't good enough because of it! "Medusa"

Despite the pounding in his head, Redrum felt a sense of trepidation and surprise wash over him as his mother caught him in a hug. He could feel them both swaying, so he leaned into her embrace, her warmth a comforting anchor in his disorientation. And a good support to keep himself from falling over to boot.

As she spoke, her words pierced through the haze of his pain, each syllable a reassuring caress to his wounded spirit. Her belief in him echoed in his ears, beginning to dispel the doubts that lingered in the recesses of his mind. He nodded, unwilling to meet her gaze as his golden eyes began to well up with tears he refused to shed. His chest felt tight. She pulled away from him, and he remained still, head hung between his shoulders as he reclined back onto his haunches as well. He never thought she would scold him for not being enough, but… but it was still a fear. An irrational one.

But she didn’t stop there. She kept going, and before he even knew it he had raised his skull to meet her gaze, and those treacherous tears had begun to fall after all. He stared into those warm blue eyes, as his mother spoke to his soul “M-mo-th-er…” The vermillion boy choked out, his voice broken and desperate as he searched her face, or perhaps committed her expression – her smile – to memory. “Red will– keep trying, still. Redrum promises– to make Medusa– even– prouder!” The boy blinked and wiped at his face, so that he could give her a crooked grin as he fought to compose himself.

And as his mother placed a kiss on his face, the boy returned it with a nuzzle of his own, trying to push into her space and give her a big hug from her not so little boy. A boy who still needed his mother, despite how often he’d gone off to prove himself. For that moment, despite the ache in his body and mind, Redrum was at peace.

""