This was it. She had decided. Initially, she figured she'd just let it all go. Especially after Wren's words echoed in her head. But, no. She simply couldn't. For too long, they treated her like she was nothing. For too long they tried to hurt her, put her down, and told her such terribly mean things like they wished she was dead. Things that would surely break a more sensitive or normal-minded wolf's spirits. For two years (or longer? She couldn't remember exactly), they had kept her prisoner. And when she sought to finally fight for her freedom, Recluse had made the entire event so anticlimactic and left Medusa so very disappointed like usual that she decided she was going to get satisfaction and revenge one way or another. And what better way than to come for the very pack to fight the very bitch that stole your freedom over a silly little mistake? Recluse had avoided her for too long. Now she had no choice. And if she decided she was going to be a coward today, too, then that told Medusa everything she needed to know and always knew. Hell, the baby machine had never once fought Medusa herself. She always had someone do the dirty work and Medusa simply did not nor could not ever respect her for that. She hadn't told anyone her plan. Hell, she didn't even know this was going to be a plan, but every time she slept, she dreamt of the bullshit that Habari would put her through. The lies that Recluse dared try to tell when she ran from Medusa the day she decided she would fight for her freedom. She had told Wren that she would only be staying among them for a few days and that she'd find her own path. Well, she found it. Win or lose, she mostly just wanted to finally take her revenge and spill the blood of her enemy. But hey, winning was a bonus prize, and if she won? She supposed she'd just come up with shit on the fly and just wing it. Though her father did have some good ideas in the event she did win...and although Medusa had never considered this sort of thing let alone even trying it, this was the only best revenge she could think of to do. You know, asides from challenging Recluse to the death! But Medusa wasn't quite ready to die yet, oh no. She had just gotten her freedom, and she'd be damned if Recluse tried to claim credit for that just because she was too cowardly to fight. The skies were calm, and Medusa used the time of day to her advantage. It wasn't quite dark enough to aid her opponent. Oh well. Too bad, so sad. Medusa didn't care though. She'd use every advantage she could. The sun had already risen over the horizon, and it was nearing noon time. A perfect way to start the day, no? She lackadaisically sauntered her way onto the battlefield as if this were just a normal day for her. She had been convinced to bathe now that she was out of Habari's clutches, and her natural defense to ward off the Habari bullies wasn't needed as much anymore, so she didn't smell as strongly as she usually did. Her companions walked with her, explaining to her what this whole thing would entail and that if she was sure. If she lost, no biggie. If she won? She could take over a whole pack! Including bossing around those that dared be mean to her. She couldn't lie to herself, the idea was incredibly tempting. But who knew? Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn't. It all depended on what happened today. How she felt at the end of it. She stopped where she had last called for the albino snake. Dual-toned gaze glanced up at the sky as a break in the clouds formed, and she could see the blue sky above. Was she nervous? Nah. Excited? Maybe a little too much. Would she finally get to have a go at the one wolf she wanted the most? Absolutely. She still wasn't sorry about what she had said. That she was glad Recluse's kid had died. She did regret not being there to see it in person, but alas. Maybe next time. Taking a deep breath, she threw her head back and called for Recluse. Hopefully, Habari's baby maker wouldn't leave her in the wake of disappointment. Again. Lowering her head again, she wore a grin as she waited for the bitch to meet her. Medusa vs Recluse for Pack Challenge Height: 41" Build: Light Round 0/? OOC// Using +5pt fight pass

It was a sudden yet familiar call from the battlefield that had Ngurulivu on the move. Behind her Florian trailed along, keeping pace with his larger sister as she moved to see what this was about. She knew the one making the call, she had met and hunted with her once. Medusa... a woman who spoke a bit odd but had a bit of a charming personality. By the sounds of things the woman meant business for whoever she called for; it was a challenge, bold and simple. But the stakes were something Nuru didn’t know about. Nor did she know the history behind the reason for the challenge itself. If she had, would she cheer louder for Medusa’s side? They arrived and Ngurulivu found herself a spot where she’d be able to watch things unfold. Her gaze shifted to Medusa, her sky blue gaze holding a shine of certainty. Medusa looked determined, and Nuru called out to the other woman. “Whatever this is about, Medusa, fight hard and fight well. May the odds be with you, my friend.” She had no reason to hate the person Medsua was challenging, at least no reason as of yet. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t cheer the other woman on, right? "Talk, 'Think.'

Ruu had insisted that he come with her to the battlefield. She had heard the call and had gotten excited, curious to see what it was about. On their walk, she had told him about Medusa, the woman she had met and hunted with one night. It wasn’t as though they had much else to do at that moment, he supposed. So he trailed after his sister, ready to support the side she cheered for. If Nuru knew little about the challenge then he knew next to nothing. He padded into the area, seeing they were first to arrive and sat beside his sister quietly. After Ruu called out her wishes of good faith to the woman Florian dipped his head as well. “Good luck.” He told the woman. Come what may, he was sure Ruu would want to see it through. So he was here for it. "Talk, 'Think.'

She told Medusa upon a time, not too long ago, if she went down a path like this... Wren could not follow. She refused to fight needless battles, and she refused to give into revenge. It was easy to be swept up in darkness, but it was harder to see the light. The brightness. Medusa had her freedom. Why did she still poke the bear? Wren did not know.

She could guess, but she didn't know.

As a leader, it was her duty to keep up on other packs. Habari let Voodoo go, Recluse had just birthed children, and then Recluse released Medusa. Not even a season between the 'revenge' that her friend sought. Would beating Recluse in a fight really make everything better? No. Wren's jaw was set, disapproving in her stare at the once-slave. She said nothing.

She, however, sat down in the middle. Like before. Simply here to spectate. If any of the Menagerie came along, she would gently remind them to remain neutral. This was not going to be a fucking mess like Abaven's challenge.

"Speech"

Beauregard wasn’t sure why, but when he had seen Wren on her way to the battlefield, he felt the need to follow her. Trill remained behind but Blind was at his paws, keeping pace with the ashen cream wolf as he trailed after his leader and alpha. His ears were lowered a little, the yearling’s blue gaze thoughtful as he made it to the battlefield. There was a challenge to be had, a fight of sorts to fight. He didn’t know who was “wrong” and who was “right”, nor if it’d be that simple… was anything in life ever simply black and white? He drew close to Wren though he didn’t sit down directly beside her. Blind was quick to seat herself at his paws, however, and cast a glance at the two wolves already there. They were strangers but they seemed to be on the side of whoever had shown up first and issued the call. Beauregard looked to Wren, staying quiet for the moment. Something told him whatever was going to happen was going to be big. "Speech," 'Thought.'

He had been out and about with Edelweiss to teach her some hunting skills. While he would have normally waited for nightfall to take her out, he found it fitting to provide them more a challenge. Accustomed to a nocturnal life, Ghoul squinted against the harsh sun that poked through the clouds. Utilizing his other senses more than his own sight, he felt his ears swivel and tune in to a familiar voice. There was something different about it though, something a lot more serious than he had ever heard from the female before. Freezing in his tracks as he furrowed his brow in confusion, the fur along his spine began to bristle. This was something he had to answer to, their hunt would wait for another day.

Saying his goodbyes quickly before ushering her to go back to Habari lands, Ghoul wasted no more time. With his paws drumming into the packed earth beneath him, he made his way to the Battlefield. Sweat glazed his skin as his heart skyrocketed into his chest. What in the world did Medusa think she was doing? Recluse had given her freedom without a fight. The Seraphim was already dealing with so many other things that she certainly didn't need this ridiculousness added on top. His own heart still ached for his now passed sister and remained neutral toward the idea of his new siblings. He had been giving Recluse time to heal, to raise her new brood before he stepped up to take what he felt was rightfully his. The growing young man was not about to let Medusa take it from him.

Crossing the boundary of the Battlefield, he raced with long strides toward the dying echo of Medusa's call. Already, a few loners and Wren were situated nearby. It was not abnormal for Alphas to show up to challenge calls, but it surprised him she had claimed her own pack so quickly. He could ask her about that later. Slowing his pace to a prowling walk, Ghoul kept his head held high and tail flicked up over his haunches. Narrowing his ruby gaze toward the offender and the bright sunlight above, it took everything in his power not to rip her to shreds the moment he laid eyes on her. Out of everyone in Habari, he had been the kindest toward her. Hadn't tattled on her sneaking away, had hunted with her, chatted with her, had attempted to see if she wanted even a sliver of normalcy within the pack. Apparently, her grievances against Recluse wound deep enough for her not to care.

Every inch of his body tingled with adrenaline as he forced himself to hold back. With his fur still standing on end, his lips quivered into a snarl. Planting himself into a seated position nearby where he believed Recluse would come to stand, Ghoul waited. Ruby eyes never left Medusa's sickening smile as his muscles tensed and tensed until he couldn't feel them anymore. All it would take is one word and he would be sure to take care of the problem once and for all. Whether it be from Recluse or Medusa, it didn't matter, Ghoul was furious. It was clear from the appearance of his body as he waited impatiently for the Seraphim herself to show up.

G H O U L

Macabre had been in the same area as Ghoul when he went out hunting - it was further out from Habari, which wasn't terribly out of character, but he had an inkling there was more to the rose-pelted boy's adventures than just catching prey. Though he hadn't actually seen Ghoul and whoever else he was with, he was lingering a distance away, curiosity gnawing at his bones. He just wanted to know where his sibling was running off to - more frequently, it seemed, as their own spars and hang outs decreased. Still, his own travels were interrupted as he heard the sickening yowl of a very familiar wolf. Not familiar as in an old friend, of course, but a slave he'd been beaten by twice in spars. Utterly embarrassing. He was quick to travel towards the source, putting the dots together - his mother had freed Medusa recently. This couldn't be her, though, right? The little off-putting creature didn't have the spine to dare challenge his mother's pack, but as he approached the spectating crowd of wolves, he saw her. He grinned, teeth emerging in a curled, sickening grin - but not because he supported that little thing. It was a maddening smile, one hoping the ex-Seirim would be crushed into the dirt. As she deserved. What an ungrateful girl, being shown some ounce of mercy by the Seraphim only to crawl back and attempt this sorry show. He scoffed under his breath, padding up next to his taller brother and briefly touching his shoulder to signal his presence beside him. He, too, was accustomed to a nocturnal schedule, luminescent silver eyes squinting in the threatening sunlight. This would be a fight to remember, but if there was even a chance of the skeletal woman winning, he'd gladly join Ghoul in the fray that would surely arise from it. But hopefully, Recluse would summon all her power to protect what was rightfully her pack. ”Speech”  ’Thought’

Recluse was tired. She wanted to just fucking rest. No good deed unpunished it seemed. When last she’d been called by that skull faced bitch she’d just been tired, this time she was filled with rage. The bitch didn’t even have the balls to fight her on even ground, no matter Recluse would not have taken a pack if she didn’t think that she could handle herself even with her reduced eyesight. Medusa had forgotten herself, forgotten what had actually gone down the day she’d crossed her border. Yes, her uncle had ultimately been the one to fight her but only after Recluse had bowled her over and then nearly thrown up on her, gods how she wished she’d vomited right on the woman now. She’d told Eraithus to take care of the children, do whatever he felt he had to to protect them, if that meant taking them beyond the packlands just in case she did not care, she would not let the woman use her children against her again. Her older children… She knew she could not protect as well, some would show their faces, others would wait to see if the bitch had it in her to be as spiteful as she was proving to be. But Recluse hadn’t once ever actually run from Medusa and she was going to make sure that Medusa wished she had. With Lilith around her shoulders and Galho flying overhead the woman would arrive before the small crowd. She could make out some familiar scents belonging to familiar blobs and some unfamiliar ones, but it didn’t matter. She pushed her way beside her sons, stopping to nose each one and softly whispering: “If, Gods forbid, I fall here, be the little rebels I know you are. She cannot control you all, rally your siblings and prove that it takes more than brute force to hold a throne, and she hasn’t earned your respect.” Then she sauntered past them, cherry gaze fixed on the blob of color she knew to be her opponent. Even bathed she smelled worthless. Sprinkles on a turd and all that. Recluse would move forwards as she spoke, trying to gauge the exact line where Medusa would realize she’d let her get too close, pushing it if she could. Lilith slipped from her shoulders and slithered into the grass, looking for a place to lay in wait. “I showed you mercy.” She spat, lifting her voice so everyone could hear. She didn’t care if anyone thought lesser of her for it, this was a shit show so she was going to treat it like one. “I thought we had both been through enough to let you have your freedom as a mercy. Even when you taunted me over my dead child, I chose to turn the other cheek.” Oh yeah that ought to rile them up. Her own children would have no reason to hold out any misguided sentiments for the woman, and any supporters she had ought to think twice about their allegiances with someone who could so callously taunt a grieving mother. “You’ve mistaken my kindness for weakness… No more.” ----------------- Fight starts here ----------------- Recluse cared not if Medusa spoke again or not, her shift was instant the moment the phrase "no more" left her mouth. She lowered herself, knees bending and toes splaying to grip the earth beneath her. She would not close her eyes totally but instead narrow them against the hard glare of the sun, all she needed was to keep Medusa’s shape in view. Her ears pulled back, laying flush against her skull, lips curling and revealing the nasty set of viper fangs that unfolded from the roof of her mouth. She ducked her chin to try and protect the vital area of her throat while rolling her shoulders forward trying to bunch the skin on the top of her neck and hopefully make it harder for her bigger opponent to properly scruff her. Her trail swung out, holding in line with her spine behind her, acting as a rudder. It was hard to judge with her vision impared as it was but Recluse figured they were about 10 feet apart, just enough that she’d have to make any more of her approach quick and decisive to try and catch Medusa before she could move out of the way. Better to act quickly then. Hopefully, once they were properly entangled Medusa would learn Recluse didn’t need to see her to hurt her, and Medusa would bleed just like anyone else. Recluse took a breath before she launched herself towards Medusa, letting her gaze slide a bit to Medusa’s left side as an attempt to divert her opponent’s attention, or lead Medusa to believe she had misjudged her trajectory, hoping to convince her not to worry too hard about getting out of the way, before she tucked her head, pointing the crown of her skull forwards. What Recluse really wanted to do was slam herself into the bigger wolf’s chest, she hoped to have her skull meet lower ribs but in truth, once they were in each other’s faces that would be good enough for Recluse, then they could really clash, what she really wanted was just to not give Medusa a chance to slip and slide around her. Recluse vs Medusa for Pack Challenge Round: 1/3 Height: 36" Build: Light OOC: Dragon and I agreed to having them start 10 feet apart. Using my own +5pt fight pass. speech think action

Art by Akage-Kitsu

Another pack challenge. Hattori couldn't help but wonder if there was something in the air, a scarcity he hadn't noticed that had one wolf at anothers throat. He was out of the loop when it came to Boreas so he could only guess, but things from his perspective seemed about the same as they always did. There was no drought or great flood, nothing outwardly obvious to cause all this conflict. But he supposed that's how things were these days, constantly shifting and changing, moving forward with the times.

He recognised the challenger, somewhat, from the time she'd gotten awfully territorial over some dead lizard. She had been a Habari wolf but it seemed as though she was intent to take the throne for herself, that Recluse would have to fight for what was hers. Would she rise to the challenge? Hattori glanced about, noting the wolves that had started to gather. Some were obviously her kin, smelled of Recluse and Habari itself others were clearly just here to watch. To wait and see just as he was. Amongst the crowd he noticed Wren settling in, seeming more sure of herself than what he recalled.

And then the Seraphim appeared on scene, indignant and yet clearly ready to do what needed to be done. Was her determination enough to see her through? He couldn't help but wonder as he pursed his lips, silver gaze flicking from one wolf to the next as they began to clash in earnest.

Azure arrived on scene just as the wolves began to clash in battle. There was a clear side for him to take here and he wasted no time manuevering around the combatants to place himself behind Recluse. Medusa was a thorn in everyone's side, it appeared, and Azure was not so pleased to see that his maim upon her ear had been turned into something of an accessory.

A quick scan among the spectators showed half a dozen new faces, though within the crowd were two familiar enough to draw his gaze. Hattori, his ex's ex, and Wren, the leader of his ally, Menagerie. Neither alpha had put their weight behind either side. It did not surprise Azure to see Wren choosing neutrality once again, but hadn't Hattori had a vested interest in Recluse's pack once upon a time? Perhaps those bonds fractured when their wedding vows did. Turning his attention back to the challenge, Azure considered his debt to the albino combatant. His lust for blood was still not satiated, even after the chaos that had been Sparrow's birthing. Perhaps if an optimal target showed itself for Medusa's side, Azure could satisfy himself more upon her underlings while Recluse fought the main event.

[OOC warning: Az is not in a stable mood right now and may initiate upon Medusa allies if opportunity strikes.]

"Speech"

Well this was... interesting. Aryn was shellshocked at the call, the wind taken out of her sails like everything she had worked for over the last many seasons was for nothing. She had been training hard, working her butt off and hoping to get out of this slavery. Medusa had clearly been dreaming of the same, except she had moved first. She had won her freedom and now, she was turning around to take more from the pack that had treated her so poorly. Aryn felt empathy for the situation the once-slave was in, but behind those feelings she was very, very afraid. What would happen if Medusa won? Would Aryn remain enslaved and have to restart her seasons of effort to work her way out of it? She'd been a perfect pack member to Recluse ever since her sickness during the Long Night, but all with the knowledge that one day, she'd be free.

Slinking through to the battlefield, Aryn settled herself with the rest of Habari and waited. To her side were some of Recluse's children and seeing them, her heart dropped further. What if they were enslaved too? What if Veigar was, and everyone who had a familial connection to Recluse? Aryn's pink eyes remained glued to the combatants, feeling her insides turn to jelly and dreading the worst possible scenario outcome.

Just when she thought Habari was safe enough to leave for a moment, she was proven wrong. Brows furrowed as the call came for Recluse, the familiar voice of the wench she'd set free setting fire to her blood. Lips curled around her fangs in a snarl before huffing and grabbing the lump of plants she'd collected on her wandering between Habari and the old Armada territory, then powerful limbs propelled her to the battlefield in what felt like only a few paces. Tearing through the remains of Fireside and through a field littered with human metallic debris, a sigh of relief (and a bit of exhaustion) left her tired lungs as the battlefield came into view. Recluse had made it already despite the light and the fight had just begun, though she could barely see through the crowd of others that had already come to spectate. Macabre and Ghoul were the only others to show from Habari, adding another log to the fire. Either because they were first or because other members weren't here yet, she wasn't sure. Probably an equal mix of both, though.

While she may be late, at least she showed up. Would anyone else? She hadn't noticed anyone else on her way out from the plains, but she also didn't remember much of her run here. For all she knew, half of Habari had been left in her dust. Her sprint managed to slow to a jog as she approached the scene before her, everyone unfamiliar except the current and expired Habari members. She hardly wanted to join her brothers, but wasn't left much other choice. Her distaste in the idea was present on her face, but whether that was because nothing could get Medusa's scent out of her nose regardless of her apparent bath or anything else was left to their imaginations. It wasn't a secret that she wasn't fond of her siblings, though right now they were family. The least she could do was tolerate them until whatever the end may be, if only for Recluse and nothing else.

Perhaps once she would've admired Medusa and her ability to act strong when in reality being so weak. She took a lot from the pack, but it wasn't anything she didn't deserve. She didn't even earn the mercy that Recluse had shown her, yet here she was challenging it as if she was asking for it to be taken back from her. If she thought she had it bad before, that was a ray of sunshine compared to what would come of her today. Regardless of the outcome, Medusa wouldn't live long beyond this event.

Widow sauntered up between her brothers, her height staggering though she did little to hunker and hide now. Silver eyes stared intently on the fight ensuing before them, her expression void of emotion while her blood boiled inside. "Who wants to help me throw a bitch in the volcano tonight?" She smirked, her tone playful but dead serious as she glanced between her brothers.  

"Speech!"

Art © Ulfeid3 & Code © Skelle 2022

Talking, he assumed, was a skill few had. Torben lumbered on the scene, taking shade where possible and his eyes focused on the two women going at each other. Sometimes, he also assumed, talking failed, and then fangs were next. Hurt feelings could not be broken so easily, and forgiveness was a trait few had. He frowned openly as the alpha met her challenger, the crowd deathly silent. Some of the high ranks were probably among them but he never met many from the packs. There was some that smelt of the north, and he wondered how Audra was doing in Menagerie. He didn't see her, so he could not ask. Torben bit back a sigh. This is why we didn't have alphas or kings... he thought back to his tribe. It was too easy to challenge for a rank, he felt like, here. Especially one weathered from experience. He found himself rooting personally for the albino woman, who met the challenger and claimed she showed her mercy last time. He lifted a brow but said nothing. It was not his place to ask questions. He was here, for what it was worth, as a representative of Valhalla. SPEECH HERE ooc; torben is spectating

The call that laid down the gauntlet for Recluse had drawn quite a crowd to the spectacle, and Artorias was no exception. The Hallows alpha had heard the call from the close proximity of the Armada’s lands and decided this would be a good opportunity to teach Zephyrus some more nuances of wolf culture. He knew his avian ward had many questions about lupine behavior and mannerisms and was ravenous to learn all he could about his adoptive family, so with a bit of convincing to his mate, Artorias gathered up his no longer small son and led the way out to the battlefield to watch the event unfold.

They arrived late to the party, cresting a hill just as Recluse was initiating the fight with a wolf the Aegis didn’t recognize. Fortunately they hadn’t missed too much yet. Keen amber eyes scanned the crowd, seeing the clear divide between sides drawn with a few lingering in the center—neutral parties. He recognized Hattori and Wren in the neutral category, but none of the others supporting Recluse’s challenger. He did however know Recluse, if only a bit from their initial meeting, and he saw Azure planted firmly in the alabaster woman’s corner, looking positively dressed for murder. Knowing of Recluse’s ties to his friends in Ashen, it didn’t take long for the Hallows alpha to know where he stood.

"Follow me, and stick close. Do exactly as I tell you," the sapphire and onyx wolf told his giant ward and led the way across the plains to Recluse’s side of supporters. Judging by the scents of many of the younger wolves, he reasoned that these must be the alphess’ children. Artorias moved to sit near Azure, not quite next to the other dire, but close enough to show his support to his brother-in-law and silent favor for Habari’s Seraphim. "Azure," he greeted his Fatalis kin with a tip of his head, then settled in to watch the fight and answer any questions Zephyr had.

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

This trip to Boreas was getting better and better. Apparently something big and important was going down in the nearby battlefield, and his father had decided that whatever had brewed there was something that might be useful for Zephyr to witness and learn. The customs of the canines who had taken him in still confused him at times, but could this really be any more strange and foreign than the weddings he had attended? Odder yet, it had taken some convincing for his mother to approve of his attendance... which made him think this was not only a rare occasion, but a potentially dangerous one. A true adventure. It was too bad he had not had nearly enough practice with his swords to bring them along.

Following close beside Artorias, Zephyr weaved through the crowd with the instinctual uncertainty of a bird among wolves. A dozen strangers had gathered to watch the challenge, many of them unknown to him including the two wolves locked in a brawl. One wolf did stand out as one he'd met, the splotchy one with horns who had insisted to him that the Hallows would have hurt him for trespassing for his meal. Zephyr fluffed up in offense at the memory, and he made note to ask his father about such a situation when they got back.

It was the first time Zephyr had seen two wolves in actual combat, he'd never expected it to look so... angry. Obediently remaining stuck firm to Artorias' side, he leaned his beak down to murmur into his father's ear. "What are they fighting for?"

"Zephyr"

Levi didn't spend much time with his father and both of them seemed fine enough with that. And yet he followed in his shadow as they headed towards the Battlefield, ears perked as he took in the sight of the growing crowd. He wasn't entirely sure what all of this fuss was about or why he should care, all he knew was that his sire was in a pissy mood and that was enough to have him breaking off from his side. Though not before the leader of the Hallows settled in, with a massive bird by his side. He wandered a little, counting the wolves he recognised on one paw and guessing who the rest were. One orange dude sort of looked like Hanako? Not enough to establish a familial tie though and he was quick to look away, this time focusing on the wolves fighting at hand.

And how one said familiar wolf was seemingly losing his shit at the sight of it all. Like this whole affair was offensive to his very being.

Emotions were running high today, Levi couldn't relate.

Hm...it seemed a challenge had been issued, and of course, Ignis opted to go check it out. With Sparrow currently out of commission with her new surprise litter, Ignis made his way towards the battlefield. He was surprised to find he was the only one from the Plunder that was there, however. Oh well, he supposed he'd be the representative for them today until another pirate showed up. There were already about a dozen or so wolves that had shown up, all from different packs it seemed. The challenger was someone he vaguely recognized as Medusa if he remembered correctly. She had hunted with him and Corbie once or twice in the past, but he didn't know anything about her beyond that. Other than the fact she had Habari's scent at the time...but now it seemed she was challenging for Habari itself. Interesting. On the other side, was Recluse. The alphess he had fucked one night, and he couldn't deny it had been a pleasurable night. Other than that, however, he had no ties to either side (especially since he wasn't aware he had sired a couple of kids with Recluse). He decided to sit on the line of neutrality, crimson gaze observing those that had arrived and noticed a couple of Armadan's, a Valhallan...a few that wore Habari's scent...it was amusing that a handful of the spectators appeared to be in a really bad mood. The Habari wolves he could understand why they'd be pissed. Maybe the others looked mad because Habari was an ally or something. He mentally shrugged, he didn't particularly care, anyway. Such was the life of an alpha. Even his own uncle hadn't gotten spared from having to defend his pack. Politics could be tricky, but Ignis never really cared for them, honestly. He was just here to watch things unfold. To see who fate would crown the victor. As he watched the fight, his attention drew away for a few moments as he absently scanned the crowd. He'd seen enough fights in his life and didn't really care about this one. His gaze eventually found its way to a small-looking wolf, smaller than Eden, even. Huh...He couldn't recall ever seeing someone smaller than his little pet. But this...kid...he assumed...appeared to be just a tad shorter. He didn't know who he was, and didn't really care, either. He simply started to zone out a bit as he wondered how much smaller wolves could shrink compared to Eden and this kid now... "Ignis"||"Blödhgarm"

Tsunami trailed after her Kaicho, she hadn't been back to Boreas in... Well a long while, the last time had been just before they had moved the then band down to Auster but some part of her felt protective of the splotched man. Tsunami knew he could handle himself, of course, he could but still, she didn't want to leave him without any backup in case something went down. Tsunami honestly couldn't care less about the politics of the Boreas wolves, she'd washed her paws of them when she'd left. Sometimes she thought of her brother and ached for their shattered relationship, praying he was safe wherever he was but he was the exception, not the rule. So she honestly not to expect to have any real reason to care about the challenge and Tsunami was not prepared to be proven wrong, she seated herself just slightly behind and off to the side of Hattori when he settled himself and she took a moment to properly observe the fight and the woman stiffened slightly. Tsunami wasn't even sure she could remember her name, but the albino woman... The last time she'd seen her they'd been but pups, not exactly friends but the possibility had been open if Tsunami's mother hadn't stolen away any chance at a normal childhood from her. It dragged her mind all the way back to that trauma, and Tsunami forced herself to take a few deep breaths to calm herself, dragging her attention away to clear her mind only to spot- Him! Tsunami bit back a growl, growing even stiffer. She had to remind herself that her cousin couldn't hurt her anymore and the woman rose to her paws to move to the side of her alpha that was opposite Ignis, putting as much space between herself and her former captor, though her movements were careful there was clear tension in them and she bit down on her tongue to keep herself more impassive, trying to channel her inner Hattori. Narrative|"Speech"

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Art by Aquarellewolf

Ichor's ears perked as he heard the call, mismatched gaze following the path his mother cut as she stormed down the mountainside and off to answer the challenge. Oh... She was pissed. He wasn't sure he'd ever really seen that before. Sure she wasn't always the soft, loving mother he'd known as a child but to see her really and truly filled with rage? Well, it smelled like trouble, and where trouble went chaos followed which meant Ichor needed to be there. The thing about having short legs was that it sometimes slowed him down, at least when the wolf he was following was moving like she had the whole powers of Hell at her back. He was good for short bursts of speed, not so much land traversal speeds. Still, he would arrive before the grand finale it seemed. Ichor stopped a moment to look at everyone who'd gathered. The smelly woman who used to keep stuffed things in the pack was fighting his mother, Ichor frowned a bit. He hadn't really had a chance to speak to her but he'd always thought the area around her den was cool... That was a shame. He passed a wolf only a bit taller than himself, he had vague memories of the boy and gave him a wink before he continued on to sit next to his littermates. ”So if mom loses we all run right?” He said, glancing up at his siblings. ”She can't catch us all if we all go in opposite directions.” Yeah for as cool as her skulls and stuff had been Ichor had no intention of letting this woman hold any dominion over him, he'd spotted her leaving the packlands often enough when he was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to, so never stepping foot in hers seemed like fair game to him. ”Speech”  ’Thought’

More wolves filed in, a large majority of them flocking to support the albino alpha as she fought to defend her claim. Azure paid each addition enough attention to distinguish whether he knew them or not - as well as to see where their loyalties lay - and gave a distracted nod to Artorias and his bird as they came near. Wait. Azure whipped his head back to his brother-in-law, then the bird, then to Artorias once more, his jaw parting as he tried to find the words for 'is that the thing I'm expected to call a nephew' when suddenly, another caught his eye.

Turning his head slowly Azure watched as the pirate he'd maimed strolled in, what was left of his ears flicking back in fury at the mere sight of one of them. Blood boiling, it took all of Azure's effort to remain in place where he was and not start yet another pirate brawl. It was understandable that while he'd issued a heavy threat for them to leave him and his alone that they would not vanish off the face of the earth - pack challenges brought all sorts of wolves from all across Boreas and Auster. Ignis was minding his own business, not unlike exactly how Azure had demanded the pirates do.

And then the red one's eyes fell upon his son, focused and unmoving, and Azure got to his paws. "Excuse me." He murmured to his brother-in-law, shouldering past the Aegis and his bird and pushing through the crowd until he arrived in the zone of neutral spectators - and Ignis. A variety of threats, demands and insults came to mind when face to face with the Praetor bastard, but his lust for blood was stronger than his need for an argument.

He did not pause to converse, striding up toward the crimson man in the most casual of ways and simply lifting a mutated paw. His intent was to bring it down hard upon the pirate's face so that he might deliver a matching set of scars on the new day - this time, across the man's eye.

Azure vs Ignis for Minor Maim (Facial scarring)
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor
Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle
*Companion 3: Fisher, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter


"Speech"