Welcome to the Circus

The battle was bloody and violent, and neither side held any punches. It was a grim spectacle to be sure, far more mean-spirited and vindictive than the challenge for Abaven had been. When the dust had settled and the fighting come to a close, Recluse had been bested and Medusa stood as the champion. Artorias frowned, disappointed by the results. Though he did not know Recluse well, she was family to Venom and an extension of the Ashen Empire he and the Hallows were close to. To see any family lose their home was a shame. Now he just hoped that the Habari wolves would be able to heal and move on in the aftermath of this carnage.

Artorias watched while a couple of the Klein yearlings fled from the battlefield at a sprint, no doubt to collect their belongings and get the hell out of Dodge before things got ugly. But what came as the most shocking turn of events was when Medusa declared that she would be laying claim to all of Habari's members, including Recluse's family. Artorias leered at the skeletal woman in shock, dismayed by her bold display of profound wickedness. Was it not enough that she had beaten a mother bloody, taken her pack and stolen a home from a family? Apparently not, as Medusa did not appear to be satisfied by her victory. It was one thing to challenge for a pack, as this was the order of things, but to capture a family and children as well? That crossed a line. Artorias watched in stunned silence while Azure made his way forward to challenge Medusa for one of the Klein children—the one he had crippled. It was a rare display of mercy that the Aegis approved of, and made him turn a favorable gaze to his brother-in-law.

After dismissing himself from his group of friends, Artorias turned a stern gaze to Zephyrus. "Come, we're leaving." There was no room for discussion in his tone. This gathering had turned grim and he only sensed further hostility to come. He looked over to Venom and Sirius, curious to know their responses to this outcome, as he doubted either would let this go without some sort of consequence for a deliberate attack on the Empire. Medusa made a big show of calling out to them all, claiming she had reasons and trying to make herself appear to be the righteous one in all this. Artorias sneered at the disgusting display of self-righteousness she showed. Capturing the family of your opponent went beyond righteousness, and it wouldn't have surprised him if it was the inciting action that led to war.

"To Recluse and her family, if you are in need of shelter or aid, you are welcomed in the Hallows," he announced above the clamor in the wake of the battle. Pointed fire-toned eyes moved to Medusa. "All who support Medusa, are not." Medusa would have no shortage of enemies with the decisions she'd made here today. This was the first hard line the Hallows had ever drawn against a pack, but the overt aggression shown here today proved to the Aegis that Medusa and whatever she created would forever be incapable of redemption or fostering peace. They would be considered threats from what he had seen here today. With all he had to say said, Artorias began to usher Zephyrus away, bound for home. There was nothing more to do here.

- exit Artorias -

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"