now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it

He was glad when he felt his teeth strike their intended target, however his opponent was not phased at all, and instead shoved his shoulder further into his jaws with even more force. The mild muscle strain in Xeph's jaw grew into a moderate strain, but his teeth found enough padding in Hati's flesh to remain intact. After his failed attempt to stomp on Hati's paw, Xephyris would return his right forepaw to the ground and shift his weight to his three good legs, leaving his left forepaw raised off the ground. Hati's attempt to worsen Xeph's paw injury would miss its mark. Having to hop on his right forepaw, Xephyris would side-step to his right just one small step to adjust his positioning slightly. He wanted to stay close to Hati, but not directly in front of the beast if he could help it.

Quickly Xephyris readjusted his defenses, his three good legs widening to distribute his weight evenly, most of his weight shifted to his hind legs. His toes splayed against the ground and claws digging into the dirt to give him traction. His shoulders rolled forward, allowing his scruff to bunch up protectively. His hackles remained raised to create a thick layer of protective fur. His ears lay back defensively, silver eyes narrowed, while his scarred muzzle remained wrinkled up angrily, the skin bunching up around his face. His tail shifted to tuck between his legs, and with his fangs exposed, he would prepare himself to lunge again.

With the power in his hindquarters, Xephyris would launch himself in Hati's direction, aiming for the left side of the man's neck. Just as he did so, Hati's teeth would make contact with Xeph, missing their intended target, but still leaving severe punctures that bled instantly. Rather than biting over Xeph's spine, Hati's top teeth would strike just to the left of Xeph's spine, right behind his shoulder, the bottom jaw digging into the back part of Xeph's left shoulder, right where the shoulder met with the ribcage. Pain flared from the wound, but it only drove Xephyris to fight harder, seeking vengeance for the blood spilled. With his left forepaw raised and muscles coiled in his hind legs, he would try to thrust forward and to his left slightly. He sought to drive the upper, bony part of his shoulder blade into the side of Hati's neck, midway between the shoulder and jaw line, hoping to leave a moderate bruise along the side of the man's jugular. As he did so, he'd plant his left hind paw heavily on the ground, pivoting slightly to his right with his hind right paw coming off the ground, he'd try to aim his right hind paw at Hati's right forepaw. He hoped to bring it crashing down on the man's paw to inflict fractures in the small bones.

Lastly, his neck would crane to his left, head whipping quickly to the left, jaws parting wide as he aimed to snag his jaws onto the left side of Hati's face. His intention was to hook his upper teeth into Hati's left eye, hoping to damage it beyond use, while his lower teeth aimed to hook underneath the left side of the man's jaw, hoping for a moderate puncture alone the jawline. Oh this battle, it was so, so satisfying, even if it was just a spar; the intensity was felt, and he dind't feel like he was fighting just to improve himself. Xephyris snarled with determination, hoping that his aim was true, as pain wracked his body in the most gratifying way.