They quickly got to the meat of the training and Tyrfing got to his feet, tail lashing behind him in excitement as it was explained that they'd be participating in a melee. The puppies quickly broke off to savage the older woman, while Fin glanced towards Skadi and Katja and then back to Ash. Well, if no one else was going to start then Fin would be the brave initiator! He threw himself forward bellowing a battle cry, panting as he crossed the gap between himself and his teacher and pouncing for his left front leg. Kitty claws extended and he aimed to grasp entirely around the limb and sink his teeth into his fleshy upper leg. He knew his siblings would be backing him up soon, if he could just provide the distraction then they had a chance to defeat their mighty opponent.

Tyrfing Finnvi and Katja and Skadi vs Ashmedai for Melee
Round 1/?
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Black-chinned hummingbird, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Cat paws - Offensive
Skills: Novice Fighter & Intermediate Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Pestilence raised a brow in surprise as Ash explained what he'd volunteered her for, but she supposed this was just a part of the job if she wanted to find herself in his position one day. She nodded, looking back to the pups and sliding into her own defensive stance. She hardly had a moment to even think of a suitable taunt for puppies before they were upon her - fast! The sheer surprise of how enthusiastic the young fighters were took her off guard, and she quickly appraised the situation and focused her defense upon the oldest boy.

She sidestepped left as Ysmir flanked her from her right, giving her a brief moment extra before he'd find her tail. Ulfr found himself no longer attacking her head on, and she dipped her muzzle down to attempt to find purchase in his scruff to toss him aside before he could readjust his aim for her throat. Then Dag was running in too, and as she'd shifted left she'd only made it easier for him to grab at her left limb. A fleeting smile of pride pulled across her lips before she moved to retaliate, shaking the limb to attempt to dislodge the climbing Finnvi. As soon as she felt the teeth upon her tail she kicked out with her right hind, hoping to catch the quiet boy with a foot and push him back as well. She was focusing mostly on defending against their attacks, and not necessarily attacking back yet.

Pestilence Klein - Abraxas vs Ysmir and Dagrun and Ulfr for Melee
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened claw covers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers
Companion 1: Red-handed howler monkey, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Saw-scaled viper, Male - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Traitor

Skadi as on her paws again in an instant and surging forward as the challenge was issued. This uncle may have thought he had a handle on this lesson but he'd never met Finnvis en masse. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tyrfing going for Uncle Ash's front leg which gave her an idea. Skadi was awfully fond of jumping onto an opponent's back so why break with tradition and do something new? Her tactics so far had worked for her. There was one problem with this plan and that was that this particular opponent was kind of big; like Pabi big. Welp, guess that meant she was going to have to climb first.

The tiny pup sought to leap up onto Ashmedai's right hind leg as high as she could. She thought she could get her front legs onto his lower back at least and from there, if not shaken off, she'd climb up the rest of the way with her hind legs. Her retractable, feline-like claws had come in handy for climbing in fights thus far so Skadi fully intended to use them in this one to propel herself upwards.


Skadi, Tyrfing and Katja versus Ashmedai for Melee
Round 1 0f ???
Age: Under 1
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed forearm guards
Defensive Battle Accessory: Bear skull mask
Companion 1: Great Horned Owl, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Magpie, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Spicy blood - Defensive
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Just like he saw it happen in his head, the bigger boy got all of Pestilence’s attention. He took to one side and his trust sister took to the other side. She was no naive pup, and even if she was surprised by the quickness of their attack she was done underestimating the three pups. Ysmir was still small but he was determined and fierce. One day he’d have the strength to back him up.

The boy managed to take hold of the woman’s tail as she wrestled with the other two. When she kicked out he leaned to the opposite direction, dodging but also hoping to put her off balance with a great pull of her tail.

Ysmir Finnvi (Dagrun and Ulfr) vs Pesto for melee
Round 2 of 2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Saber teeth - Offensive
Mutation 2: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Pesto darted to the side and so did Úflr's target. He continued forward, legs propelling him as his fangs adjusted to try and aim for her shoulder rather than her neck. He wanted to dig his teeth into the deltoid muscle while seeking to slam his chest into the front of the limb. Perhaps if he was lucky he could cause her to stumble. Doing so would make an easier target for the pups who were still quite a bit shorter than Pesto. Úlfr continued to maintain his defenses, making sure to keep his ears pinned and tail tucked. This was a good move. As Úlfr had not altered his course, Pesto's fangs dug into his scruff. He could feel her trying to toss him and he just hoped he could grab ahold of her shoulder and anchor himself before he was tossed.

Úlfr | Ysmir | Dagrun vs Pestilence for Melee Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and cowl
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Bale - Battle
Skills: Master Hunter & Master Fighter
Specialty: Cooperative

Dagrún leapt for her target and grinned as she succeeded. Her claws dug in and so did her tiny little teeth as she bit into the bigger girl's elbow. She felt the older girl starting to raise her leg to shake the nuisance pup off. Dag quickly attempted to wrap her arms around the bigger girls leg in hopes of at least partially holding on for as she moved her hind legs slipped down to the ground and she was forced to try balancing on her tippy toes. If she failed she'd likely be knocked over on her back. Dag sought to keep her ears pinned, but she let her tail wave free so she could try and better keep her balance against the older and stronger opponent. She didn't want to let the others down and cost them a victory so she focused on doing her best.

Dagrún Finnvi | Ysmir | Ulfr vs Pestilence for Melee Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked shoulder harness
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet
Companion 1: Cougar, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Tactician