Artorias vs Ezra

Artorias had faced every challenge in the Ashen tournament head on, refusing to back down, never wavering, and in the end he had earned his way to the finals by virtue of strength and tenacity and resilience. His fight with Avantika had been incredibly close, but in the end he managed to pull the victory. After the fight, Artorias had stood beside the arena while Ezra faced off with his final opponent. The Hallows heir watched with appraising eyes while Ezra fought, admiring the way his mentee's skills had improved in the short time they'd been training together. When Ezra was declared the winner, Artorias couldn't resist the proud smile to the Adravendi boy, meeting his gaze while the arena was cleared. He couldn't have asked for a more worthy and fitting end to the tournament.

After a short interim wherein Artorias had wet his parched throat, the dark-furred boy made his way into the arena for the final time. Artorias' coat was dusty and his body bore a few new cuts, scrapes, and scratches from his tussles with the variety of opponents he'd faced. This was it. This was the moment he lived for. The heat of battle, the electricity between him and his opponents, the clash of fangs and claws and bodies. It all culminated in this last fight. Artorias looked out over the crowd, over the faces of his family and friends. His eyes caught Briar's turquoise eyes from the sidelines watching him. A small smile crossed his face while he held her gaze, only looking away when Ezra made his way into the arena.

"Let's have one hell of a final round, Ez," Artorias said to his friend and pack mate with an excited grin. "Don't hold back, because I'm not giving you an inch, Adravendi." Fixing the larger yearling with his burning gaze, Artorias assumed his position across from his opponent, muscles tensed and nerves buzzing with energy, ready to respond and act as soon as Ezra gave the signal that he was ready. One more fight. He was ready.

"Artorias Carpathius"