Spare a cup of sugar?

Lia had grown stronger. Bolder. She was no longer the scared slave he had freed from slavers all those years ago. She had become a confident and admirable woman and Artorias was dead impressed. Despite his greater size and strength, Lia managed to outmaneuver him. Her grip around the back of his neck coupled with her smaller stature had him being pulled to the ground and slipping on the snow until he was face down on the ground, bested. Shock and pride welled up in the Lord of Cinder’s heart, as well as something else… Remorse? A regret that he hadn’t gotten to witness Lia’s resurgence and growth? Perhaps… but he could be damn proud of her for defeating him now.

Climbing back to his paws, Artorias picked up his sword and exchanged one more parting look with Lia, smoldering fire-toned eyes holding hers for a moment before he bowed his head, conceding defeat, and began to walk from the battlefield. But before he could get too far, Gwynevere came running up to him, tonic in paw and already triaging him. He downed the medicine, feeling the energy to fight return to his sore muscles. Thank the gods for his sister! "I'm fine, thank you, Gwynny," he responded with his easy lopsided grin, then once she’d given him the all clear, he turned and rushed back into the fray. He already knew who he was going for.

Sprinting straight for Lia again, Artorias gave a short bark to catch her attention before he was charging full speed aiming to throw his entire weight at her side with his thickly muscled forelegs outstretched to try and grapple around her sides. He sought to tackle her right off her paws in a blitz attack and send them both to the ground where he could overpower her and pin her before she knew what was happening.

Artorias vs Lia for Dominance
Round 1/?
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Common raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Mutation 3: Enhanced vision - Perception
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Knight

"Artorias Carpathius"