Kotori had been training hard and sure there was more training ahead for him but did that ever really stop?  If he stopped training and others kept at it they could get ahead of him.  Father still sparred and fought so that would be never-ending.  Kotori was sick and tired of being a common rank with wolves who either did not try or were incapable of moving up in status.  Kotori was an elite and it was time that was known.

Kotor stood at the training field and called for his father.  This was not a call for a casual chat or desire to play.  This was an official call wishing to prove himself and move up in rank.  Kotori would be two soon and he would not be a nobody as an adult.  Kotori sat down and patiently waited for his father.

Kotori Fatalis

 

The call that rang out across the pack lands wasn’t son to father, it was pack wolf to Alpha. The Warlord raised his head, listening for a moment as the call died out. He looked out across the rogue lands, to the where they intersected with his lands in the patrol he had been walking. He shook out his coat, turned away, and fell into a light jog. Moving quickly towards the beach, and the son that had howled for him.

He found the horned boy waiting for him in a training ring, and hopped the barrier with ease, coming up beside the other wolf. As was customary for the Warlord, he leaned forward and brushed his nose to the tawny wolf's crown. “Kotori” He said , giving the other wolf his attention.


"Sirius Fatalis"

Kotori watched his dad approach and once his father got close for a moment Kotori let his formal proud demeanor drop to smile at his dad and give a small tail wag in greeting.  At the touch of dad’s nose, he got a gentle bump of his own in return.  Still dad, still family but after the father and son meeting, it had to end for what Kotori wanted from this.

He took one step back for a more formal position.  “I’m tired of being one of many warriors.  I’m a Fatalis, I’m a hard worker, and I’ve trained this season more than any other.” At least as far as he could tell these words are true.  “I formally challenge you to a match.  If I win I want the rank of general.  I deserve it and I’m going to prove that to you.”  Bold words but hey, the boy was aiming to be as strong as his father.  Being a coward or playing it safe would never help him reach that goal.  Taking risks was how you truly improved.  "I'm not a child anymore."

"Kotori Fatalis"

Ko returned the greeting, his expression melting into a small smile for a moment, before the seriousness was up. He took a step back, drawing himself up, and the Warlord fell into an ‘at rest’ stance before the boy. Silent, giving his son a chance to speak.

“General, hm?” the Warlord mused, considering the boy for a moment before inclining his head. “Very well, Warrior Kotori, I accept your challenge for General.” he said. Kotori had already brought them to the rings, so the Warlord took a few more steps back. Bringing his stance into its standard ‘ready’ pose as he looked at Kotori. “When you're ready.”

Sirius vs Kotori for Rank Challenge
Round 0/?
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter
"Sirius Fatalis"

Kotori snorted slightly at the title ‘warrior Kotori’ apparently already done with a title he’d decided was too small for his stature.  A smirk curled his lips as he got in preparation to fight his dad.  It had been a while and it would be a pleasure to prove how his abilities had grown.  

Kotori got in a good stance then paused for a few seconds.  He just wanted to let dad spend the short moment waiting, expecting an attack.  Kotori’s paws shoved against the earth suddenly, running at his dad, mouth opening as if to start with a bite for his neck.  At the last moment his head titled down, his feet moved slightly to one side and it was his horns instead that was aimed as a jab at his father’s shoulder.  Hopefully, dad would at least partially dodge so the horns didn’t strike too deep.  Hopefully, the warlord didn’t doge too much to avoid them completely.  Kotori wouldn’t go easy on his dad, if he did he'd lose.

Kotori vs Sirius for Rank challenge
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Slender mongoose, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter

"Kotori Fatalis"

The Warlord held his ready stance, watching his kid. His expression was relaxed but watchful as Kotori, watching for the small giveaways, the bunched muscles, the tensing in his legs, and then Kotori was off. The younger wolf lunged at him, and then tilted his head down. His horns aiming for Seer's shoulder. The Warlord braced himself, dipping his shoulder at the last second so the point of the horns skewered mostly the fluff of his unnaturally thick coat. The horns did graze his skin however.

The Warlord lifted his paws in an attempt to grab at Kotori, hoping his snagging horns would delay him for a moment as he attempted to wrap the younger wolf in a bear hug. The Warlord was still superior to Ko’s height, but not nearly as much as he used to be.


Sirius vs Kotori for Rank Challenge
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter
"Sirius Fatalis"

Kotori felt the horns slide through fur but little more than the tip got skin.  He’d hoped to get a bit more of his dad, nothing personal.  Kotori saw and felt his dad’s body coming up to wrap about him.  Kotori’s defiant eyes turned to get a better look, then meeting the warlord in the middle, shoving his body into the grip to hopefully put some of the pressure back on him.  Kotori’s head jerked up and back, close contact meaning there was something they should hit, there was no great way to aim but he expected the chest to be the target.  At the same time as his dad held him Kotori’s teeth would snap up, aiming hopefully for any part of dad’s jaw and if it was too high up then however far on the neck his teeth might reach.  If Kotori could do enough damage it might be enough to force his father to release him and give Kotori an upper hand.

Kotori vs Sirius for Rank challenge
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Slender mongoose, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter

"Kotori Fatalis"

As he raised himself up on his two back legs, he was able to grab Kotori in his arms, though the younger wolf made him work for it. His horns ripped free of the Warlords coat, cutting a line in his coat as the young warrior jerked his head upwards, aiming to latch his teeth to the Warlords neck.

With his arms about Kotori, Seer aimed to slam his head down on Kotori’s muzzle in an attempt to knock his grip free and daze him. As he did so, his arms tightened about Kotori, attempting to dig into the other wolfs coat with his cat-like claws.

Sirius vs Kotori for Rank Challenge
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter
"Sirius Fatalis"

And the winner is...

Sirius

Kotori must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Sirius: Attack Roll: 95 Defense Roll: 8 Agility Roll: 58 Perception Roll: 4 Total: 165 Attack[95] + 115% Bonus[109.25]: 204.25 Defense[8] + 20% Bonus[1.60]: 9.60 Agility[58] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 58.00 Perception[4] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 4.00 Total[275.85] + 40% Bonus[110.34]: 386.19 Kotori Attack Roll: 11 Defense Roll: 89 Agility Roll: 4 Perception Roll: 51 Total: 155 Attack[11] + 60% Bonus[6.60]: 17.60 Defense[89] + 5% Bonus[4.45]: 93.45 Agility[4] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 4.00 Perception[51] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 51.00 Total[166.05] + 20% Bonus[33.21]: 199.26

Kotori’s horns only managed to slash fur, hardly effective. Kotori felt his dad’s head connect with his own muzzle, Kotoris teeth clacking together. As if that wasn’t enough dad’s claws dug into his shoulders. Kotori still refused to go down just like that. He was determined to win this thing and prove himself!

With his dad’s weight on him both wolves ended up on the ground and Kotori shifted his weight, trying to unbalance his dad. The goal was to roll his dad over so Kotori could end up on top. For a moment it felt like it would work. Was Kotori really able to offset his dad? The boy pushed up with his hind legs, muscles bunching up to try and get Sirius off but finally, with a disgruntled huff Kotori gave up and acknowledged his dad had bested him.

It was irritating. He had both been brought down fast and yet had been teasingly close to thinking he’d be able to turn the tables on Sirius. A small part of his mind whispered that meant his odds were better the next go around, it also whispered Sirius wouldn’t be warlord if not for being an excellent fighter but, the strongest emotion he felt was still the frustration of loss. Kotori preferred winning.

“Alright, you won. Today.” The today had to be added damnit!

"Kotori Fatalis"

With his paws wrapped around Kotori, he had some control over the right. Wrestling the boy to the ground however proved somewhat harder than expected. Kotori fought back like a wildcat, not one willing to go down easily. Then they were both on the ground, and Seer heaved. For a moment - just a moment - it felt like Kotori might be able to stop him, and then the boy's strength gave out, and Seer was on top of him. Holding him to the ground. He grinned down at Kotori and ‘bopped’ him on the nose with a paw as the other wolf admitted defeat.

He released his son and rolled to his paws, before offering a paw to help Ko up. “Good fight” he said to the yearling, surprised at how well Kotori had done. He knew the boy had been training… but the Warlord was no easy adversary to beat. “I think you got a little cocky there, however…” his eyes were teasing, but his words were stern. “You’ve got some more training ahead of you before you're prepared to lead… but let me see…” he mused, considering. “Your loss has earned you a task, instead of demotion. Since you did a damn good job. I want you to help Halo catch a queen bee. Have it sorted in a few days, and come back to me. I’ll help you shore up your training.” he paused, and moved a paw to Ko’s shoulder. “You did a damn good job, you should be proud”


"Sirius Fatalis"

Kotori didn’t like the feeling of losing but at least his dad complimented the fight.  It would have been worse if Sirius had mocked his abilities.  Kotori took the offered paw up, getting back on his feet.  The next words of cocky had Kotori’s brow furrow, he didn’t like the tone nor the look in his father’s eyes.

Was he going to get demoted after a good fight because he was cocky?  Hell yeah, he was cocky because Kotori knew just how damn good he was.  Training before he was prepared to lead huh?  Kotori was internally deciding if he should be insulted that Sirius didn’t think he was ready yet, or smug that dad felt he would be able to lead with whatever training he felt Kotori needed.

Catch a damn bee?? He had to be kidding! Wait, queen bee.  Kotori vaguely remembered the basics of beehives and that the queen would be in it, where all the other bees would defend her.  Ah hell no! Halo? Halo?  The new wolf, pale color and short.  Kotori opened his mouth about to gripe at his dad and say no to the order.  He wanted to point out he’d get his ass stung for trying it and ask why dad would throw such a stupid task at him.  Kotori snorted the anger out of his nose, “Alright.  We’ll get the,” pause to take out the word ‘damn’ “bee.”

Dad was offering to give him more time after that?  Kotori wasn’t sure if training from his dad was worth getting swollen up like a balloon and itchy for days.  Ugh, long-term it was.  Could he try to change his dad’s mind? Maybe or maybe not.  However, if he tried to change his mind Kotori could expect that potential leader slot would be gone for cowardice or ignoring an order.  Dad then gave him another compliment, soothing over some more of the irritation. A little too cocky huh? “Careful, give me more training and you might not win the next time.”

“So, was Halo actually going after a queen bee already, or am I going to be surprising her with this news?” What a way to meet the new wolf ‘hi, let's go catch a queen bee’.  

"Kotori Fatalis"