Many of the wolves of the Hallows shared a common interest in the unorthodox manners of combat that the reigning Aegis had pioneered in the pack. It was unsurprising given there exposure to his fighting styles, but it did still come as a pleasant surprise to Artorias just how many wolves wanted to learn his methods of armed combat and take up the way of the blade, just as he had once done. Now Artorias got to teach young and elder alike the techniques he had developed and perfected, mentor them in their learning and guide them in their journeys, and ultimately see them succeed in becoming another accomplished blade in the Hallows' defenses. Most of his interested pupils had come in the form of the young pups born to the pack, but he would be remiss if he didn't include his equally impassioned adults among the ranks of his disciples. Artorias had not forgotten Mercury's proclivity to his sword since the day they had met all those seasons ago, nor did he miss the excellent work his Vanguard had put in around the Hallows. Mercury had made himself an integral part of the pack from the moment he joined them and he deserved recognition for his efforts.

After assembling his dojo into a sparring arena by clearing it of training dummies and targets, the azure wolf went down to the armory to collect a couple of sparring swords. Though still made of steel, the blades were not edged nor tipped, rendering them blunted simulations of their lethal counterparts. In other words, the perfect weapon for real world training. Sure, they might pack a sting or leave a bruise if you got walloped by one, but they wouldn't remove limbs or end lives. With the two swords acquired, Artorias returned to his dojo and placed one of the swords on the floor of the ring. Then he moved to the center of the ring with his own sword and tipped his head back, calling for Mercury. Once his Vanguard arrived, the Aegis would permit him the chance to show how far his training had progressed and grant him the opportunity to seize what he had wanted since joining the Hallows, the chance to show he was worthy of wielding one of the prized Carpathian steel swords.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

Mercury was patrolling in the Meadows when the call came to him. His eyes drifted first to the Castle - recognising his Aegis’ call. His attention moved then to Solar, who soared in the skies above him. He waited a moment for the bird to glide down, and land with extended claws on the curve of Merc’s back.

His passenger carefully secured, he turned towards the castle once more. Falling into a ground-eating lope as he made his way into the foregrounds and then towards the Dojo. While he wasn’t 100% sure the direction of Art’s call had been from here, it took him only a moment to find his scent.

It was that that led him in. Both to the correct room, and to the scene before his leader. As Mercury stepped inside, he let his eyes take in Artorias and the practice swords. The start of a smile had already warmed his muzzle as he looked properly at Art now. “Have a spar in mind?”

"Speech"

Punctual as always, Mercury did not keep the Aegis waiting long. Mercury would find the alpha seated in the middle of the ring, looking akin to something like a final boss in a game. His posture was relaxed, seated upright with his forepaws draped casually over the crossguard of his sparring sword as it stood upright pressed into the ground. Artorias smiled to his Vanguard and his friend when the dark-coated male entered the dojo, taking a moment to assess his surroundings before making an accurate statement of his observations. Mercury was a sharp one; it was why he had risen so quickly in the ranks. The obsidian and azure wolf chuckled and gave his friend a wry smirk, the gleam in his eyes full of excitement and mischief. "Something like that. Come, step into the ring and I'll explain."

Once Mercury had heeded his instructions, Artorias gestured to the sparring sword on the ground before the other male. "It's been a couple of seasons since we started your training with swords. You've been an incredible asset to the Hallows, Mercury. You're a dedicated and stalwart individual, someone with a hunger to progress and a drive for more. So today, I'm giving you the chance to earn more. We're going to spar, and you're going to show me all the practice you've been putting in to your training. If you win, I have a special prize for you. But if you don't, then you get to take all of my morning patrols for the next season." Artorias knew Mercury favored the evenings, and while not an outwardly awful consequence for losing, it should be just enough of a motivator for his friend. Plus it would mean he wouldn't have to get up so early after spending his nights tending to his mate as she went through another heat season.

Rising to his paws then, Artorias put a little flair into drawing his sparring sword, swiftly drawing the dulled blade from its sheath and twirling it into the air like a cheerleader's baton. He caught the hilt as it came down before it hit the ground, then spun the blade in his jaws before locking in a secure hold. Fiery amber eyes fixed to his Vanguard and he pointed to the sword on the ground with his nose. "Go on, pick it up. Show me what you've learned."

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

There was something about the mischief coming off Artorias that drew his eyes. It was accompanied by a heavy dose of amusement, evident by the smirk across his dark blue muzzle. Mercury had a feeling it was no ordinary spar that his Aegis had in mind. Curiosity brought him a couple steps closer, and he wondered if Artorias was going to suggest sparring for stakes. Mercury would be intrigued by such a game, where each hit could be a score.

He listened as Arotiras spoke, and it warmed him to hear the other’s appreciation for him. When he got to the meat of the matter, and spoke of the contest - Mercury had been somewhat right there - he laughed. A hearty chuckle at the other wolf's words. Then, because Mercury couldn’t quite resist he said. “So, I have something to win and something to lose. You have something to win, but what do you have to lose?” He teased. Wondering if Art would make any concessions.

He did as he was bid, grabbing the sword. He was less showy than Artorias, grabbing it in his jaws, and holding it steadily there. Keeping his motions short, and saving his strength. He knew Artorias would be a difficult opponent.

Taking Art’s words as a bid to make the first move, Mercury leaped forward. Pushing his body into sudden - and hopefully unexpected - motion as he moved to close the short distance between them. He raised his sword at an angle, intending and expecting for Art to meet his clash with his own blade. In the same motion he aimed to hook his right paw behind Art’s left and drag it forward.

Mercury vs Art for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Creepy Contact Lenses
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers
Companion 1: Cormorant, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Silver Fox, Male - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Silver Fox, Female - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard or Weaponsmaster

"Speech"

Artorias had little doubt that Mercury would take him up on his offer, especially with how zealous the other male was when it came to proving his abilities. In his eyes, Mercury had already proven himself ten times over again and again, but he would never chastise someone for striving to be better every day. His loyal Vanguard correctly assessed the stakes of their match, then slyly asked what he stood to lose in their wager. Artorias couldn’t help the laugh that burst from him, shooting Mercury a cheeky smirk in the process. "Besides my confidence and respect for you?" he remarked with a sarcastic teasing in his tone. "Your prize is what I stand to lose. Although I wouldn’t really consider it a loss if it goes to a good purpose. Tell you what, if you manage to not only beat me but also disarm me, we can negotiate what you’d like to take from me." A tall order, given that none had ever disarmed the Aegis in combat before. But if Mercury managed to be the first, Art could see rewarding the wily brute with whatever his heart desired.

And with those final words, the fight was on! Mercury lifted his weapon and took his invitation for the opening move, rushing him with a direct attack that was far too obvious for the likes of the cunning fighter. Artorias braced himself, keen senses and heightened sight watching the Ermís man’s movements and once he came within striking range, the Aegis deftly sidestepped the swing from his opponent’s sword, the sparring blade cutting harmlessly through the air at his side. By dodging instead of blocking, Artorias was able to notice Merc’s swipe for his leg. Artorias leaned his weight into the maneuver, letting Mercury sweep his paw so that the momentum carried him forward instead of tripping him up. The Aegis aimed to throw his weight forward with his shoulder to the other dire wolf’s chest, looking to push him back and put some space between them to more easily swing a sword. In the same motion, Art brought the blunted edge of his sword upwards in an uppercut aiming to hook the blade into the crossguard of Mercury’s weapon to either jerk the other male off balance or knock the weapon from his jaws.

Artorias vs Mercury for Spar
Round 1/3
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
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 or Fleet-footed

"Artorias Carpathius"

Artorias’ words were of great interest to Mercury. His Aegis spoke again of a gift. He had mentioned a special prize just before, as well. Could he mean a sword? It was no secret that Mercury had a great deal of interest and respect in the special weapons of the Hallows. But, he was not one to count his gifts before he received them. He buried his curiosity, and his assumptions. Least they distract him from the bout.

Mercury was determined to attempt to disarm the Aegis, if only because Art had planted the idea in his mind. His initial attack was met with a dodge, and the lack of resistance hindered his second attack. As his paw swept behind Art’s, the other wolf came forward. Driving his shoulder into Merc’s chest. Instead of letting the shove repel him, he flowed with it. Leaning back and then forward as Art moved. Like partners in a dance as he kept the two of them close together. He attempted to move his sword hilt, close to where it sat in his mouth, over the top of Arts, and bear down on it. In the attempt to lock his sword behind Art’s, and drive the pressure into his opponents mouth.

Mercury vs Art for Spar
Round 2/3
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Creepy Contact Lenses
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers
Companion 1: Cormorant, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Silver Fox, Male - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Silver Fox, Female - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard or Weaponsmaster
"Speech"

Artorias' efforts were rewarded with the backpedaling of his opponent, but Mercury demonstrated that Artorias was not the only fighter in the Hallows who leaned heavily on agility and nimbleness. The two brutes moved as one, flowing as smoothly as a woodland stream as they danced a violent and deadly tango. Each large dire-sized paw moved with precision from both combatants, preventing Artorias from managing to outmaneuver his opponent but also meaning that the Aegis was keeping pace as if they shared one mind. Art's sword swung upward, narrowly missing Mercury's face as it came up and over in an arc that missed his target. Growling under his breath not from anger, but from the sheer rush of adrenaline that the fight brought him, Artorias' amber eyes blazing with energy and vivacious fire. It had been some time since he'd had a truly good spar with a blade that hadn't been a lesson for the younglings of the pack, and right now Mercury was making the alpha feel all sorts of alive!

In their close quarters combat, every movement meant the difference between victory and defeat. Every step had to be precise, every dodge and duck and weave a flawless execution. Thankfully, being fleet-footed was something Artorias was keenly skilled at. As Mercury leaned back, Artorias was able to shift his weight around to his side and maneuver himself a little bit aways from the other dire brute just as Merc began to come back towards him. The hilt of Mercury's sword collided with his, rattling the sword in Artorias' jaws, but not breaking his grip. Thanks to the Aegis' stronger jaws, he was able to keep his weapon from coming dislodged this time. Turning his head to bring his own sword into Mercury's, Artorias brought his blade up to clatter against Merc's with a clash of steel, then locked them together as the blades crossed, leaving the two wolves to fight against one another's strength to try and overpower the other. Keeping his fiery gaze on the cool tones of Mercury's eyes, Artorias pressed his strength forward, pushing his sword harder into Mercury's in an attempt to get the other wolf to back down or relent and break their clash.

Artorias vs Mercury for Spar
Round 2/3
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
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 or Fleet-footed

"Artorias Carpathius"

Mercury wasn’t going to be the first to break eye contact. Holding to the gold of his Aegis’ eyes as he pressed his sword ever harder against the other wolf. For a moment, he felt the pressure between them increase, and he leaned into it. Determined, and unwavering. Did he feel a quiver in his opponent’s attack? He pressed harder into his right leg, feeling it push across the ground. Push, and land in a divet he couldn’t see, locked as he was. Suddenly, his balance lost its centre. Only for the briefest second, but it was all his opponent needed.

Before he knew it, before he could righten himself, he felt his sword torn from his muzzle with the onslaught of Art’s attack. Landing in a clatter at his paws. Breathing heavily, and stretching out his mouth with a grimace, he shook his head and laughed. He grabbed the sword and gently laid it to the side so he could clean it before sheathing it. To Artorias, he clapped the other wolf on the shoulder. “You’re a hell of a fighter, Aegis” He said respectfully.

"Speech"

The battle was hard fought, with neither wolf backing down or relenting to the other. The cataclysmic clashing of steel blades locked together deafened the dojo, echoing around the room like a symphony to an epic final showdown. Artorias held Mercury's storm blue eyes, fire and ice smoldering into one another as ferociously as the wolves that possessed them. The two dires struggled and fought against one another's strength, Artorias focusing on holding his form steady and stable as he pushed all of his might forward. Mercury tried to advance, shoving him back—only for that force to slip as his Vanguard did, losing his footing just enough for the Aegis to gain the upper hand. Artorias didn't hesitate. He shoved forward, sliding his sword down the length of Mercury's blade with a sharp scraping of steel until the sword caught into the crossguard near the other brute's mouth, and with a swift flourish and thrust, the sword was thrown from Merc's jaws.

Artorias ended the spar by bringing his sword quickly back until the edge of the dulled training sword was up against Mercury's throat, a checkmate solidified and his victory secured. The Aegis was breathing heavier in the aftermath of the fight, blood pumping hot in his veins with adrenaline fueling every nerve and synapse in his body. Artorias never felt quite as alive as he did during and after the heat of battle, and that spar with Mercury had been one of the best fights he'd had in some time! Once Merc surrendered with a laugh, Art took his sword away from his friend, laughing like a giddy pup that had won a game of wrestle and sheathed his sword as well. "Thank you, my friend. But don't sell yourself short. I haven't had a fight that good in a long time!" he remarked with an easy grin to the other man, clapping a giant sapphire paw of his own to Merc's shoulder. "You were very close to besting me today. With a little more training with a blade, you'll be disarming me in your sleep!"

After a moment of prolonged eye contact, Art glanced down to the swords at their paws and motioned for Mercury to collect his weapon. "Gather up your sword and come with me," he said, moving to rise to his paws to lead the way back towards the armory so they could stow their equipment—and so he could have a chat with his close friend. "Are you still happy being a Hallowed wolf, Merc? I care very much about all my wolves—some especially so—so I want to hear it from you, to be sure I'm doing right by you." Fiery amber eyes looked over to Merc, listening intently to his Vanguard's answer while the two made their way across the castle.

"Artorias Carpathius"

“I doubt that, I won't be besting your experience that easily.” He remarked warmly back. He knew that Artorias had been practising from a young age. That sort of experience and growth wasn’t something to sneeze at. If Merc did want to best him at swords, he had a lot of ground to cover.

At his Aegis’ bidding, he grabbed his sword off the ground, and followed after the blue wolf. The conversation that followed surprised him. He paused, collecting his thoughts for a moment. “I love the Hallows. It’s the first place that’s felt like home since… well, since home.” He gave Art a wry smile. The man knew some of his background, enough to pick up the pieces of what he was saying. He might have lost his people to a volcanic eruption, but he had learned there was still room in his heart for more. The Hallows, Artorias, the wolves here mattered to him. He met Art’s eyes, his words honest. “When you picked up the pieces, you gave me something to hold onto. I haven’t lost that, Art. I don’t think I ever would. For you, I would fight till the bitter end.”

"Speech"

As the two wolves walked and talked, Artorias listened in empathetic silence while Mercury answered his question with heartfelt honesty. Artorias did indeed recall Mercury's history and how the seafaring prince had come to be in Boreas. The austerity of the tragic loss was not lost on the Aegis, but rather than cause him to feel pity for his Vanguard, instead it inspired him to awe at what Mercury had risen to overcome. The Hallows was built as a place of sanctuary where wolves could build and cultivate their best selves, to rise to greater levels in spite of their setbacks, losses, or downfalls. What better story to exemplify those ideals than Mercury's? Artorias was touched by the Ermís man's dedication and vow of loyalty, an appreciative smile on his lips while he tipped his head to his friend. "Hopefully it never comes to that, but I appreciate the sentiment more than you know, my friend," he replied with a husky chuckle in his voice. "It makes my heart happy to know that this has become a home for you now. It's all I've ever wanted of my wolves." A simple wish, but one the Aegis strove to achieve every single day.

Leading Mercury around the castle wings and across the Great Hall to the armory, Artorias pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside, the room warm and illuminated by the ever-burning forge at the heart of the armory. He slipped off his training sword, then passed it to Mercury. "Would you mind putting these back up on the rack for me, Merc?" he asked. Then, while the dark-furred male was busy putting up their sparring swords, Art surreptitiously slipped to the locked vault at the back, unlatching the door and stepping inside while Mercury's back was turned to him. Moving through the small room of valuable weapons, he picked out what he was looking for and lifted it from its stand. Artorias had a surprise in store for his friend.

When Mercury would turn back around, he would find the Aegis approaching from the vault, a sheathed sword clutched with reverence in his jaws. Artorias brought the sword up to Mercury then laid it out on a nearby workbench for his Vanguard to inspect. The weapon was a unique shape: mostly straight, with a slight curve near the end of the blade that tapered into its point. The hilt was wrapped in midnight black leather, and the curved crossguard was made from dark ebony and inlaid with a trail of small sapphire stones, the rich deep blue almost a perfect match for Mercury's eyes. When it was unsheathed, a pristine black steel blade would be revealed, shining with the characteristic ripples of Carpathian steel and inlaid with vermeil streaks of silver that ran down the length of the blade like droplets of water. Artorias placed a paw upon the falchion and slid it closer to Mercury with unabashed pride in his countenance and a smile upon his lips. "If you're willing to lay down your life to protect my family and our pack, then it's only right that I give you a means of doing so that fits your valor." Art removed his paw from the weapon, gesturing for Mercury to draw it and lay eyes upon his new blade. "This is yours now, Mercury. A token of my gratitude for the devotion you've shown me and my family. Treat it well and it will never fail you."

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

“You're a good wolf, Artorias” Mercury said. His voice was gentle and honest. Art was a wolf worth following, and that was a rare thing to find. He trusted his leader to make the right decisions, and that made following him right and honest. He was curious where the Aegis was taking them, before they entered the armoury. Ah, the practice swords, right. He didn’t often take them off the rack here. He had one he usually preferred to practise with, and took it to his room so he could care for it and ensure its longevity. Practice sword or no, it was all good practice.

He took Art’s training sword when the other wolf handed it over, and made his way to the rack. Balancing his own practice sword on the ground carefully before placing Art’s back in its place, and then grabbing his own and returning it to the stand.

He turned at the sound of the vault closing, a sheathed sword in his grasp. He frowned thoughtfully at the other wolf, and approached as he was clearly bidden to. He looked at the blade as it was unsheathed, and the ripple of black steel stole his breath away. It was gorgeous. One of the finest weapons he had ever laid his eyes upon. “I… I don’t know what to say” He said softly as Artorias told him the blade was his. He took a soft breath, and then spoke again. Bowing his head over the sword for a moment. “I will honour this gift, Artorias, and honour the meaning of its giving. I am, and will always be, your warrior.” He promised. He stepped around the bench and pressed his head gently against his Aegis’s in a silent thank you.


"Speech"

The speechless shock that overtook Mercury's expression was exactly the response Artorias had been hoping for. A knowing smirk appeared on the alpha's lips while his friend took in the beauty of the artisanal weapon he was being gifted. Mercury understood the importance of these weapons to his family, how deadly and beautiful and awe-inspiring they were. To be given one was a high honor and his Vanguard showed he was more than worthy to be its wielder. Art chuckled and shook his head when Merc admitted his uncertainty of what to say.  "You don't need to say a thing, my friend. Your actions have spoken for you." The Ermís wolf lowered his head, showing reverence for the gift and to the blade itself as he vowed to honor it, pledging himself once more to the Aegis. Artorias fixed his dark-furred friend with a soft smile and raised a large sapphire paw, bringing it to rest on Mercury's shoulder so he might pull him into an embrace. He gently bumped his head back against Merc's, returning his silent gesture of appreciation and brotherhood.

"All you need to do to is keep being as you are, Mercury. Your noble spirit and dauntless courage are the greatest gifts of honor I could ever hope for," the Aegis affirmed his devoted Vanguard. Artorias would never ask for anything more from his wolves than for them to be true to themselves. Mercury had staunchly shown that who he was was a man of valor, of dignity, of perseverance and integrity. He demonstrated all the values he hoped his closest confidants and fiercest warriors showcased. Releasing Merc from their hug after a moment, Art turned curious amber eyes down to the sword on the workbench, then looked back up to Mercury. "My family has taken to giving unique names to our most treasured weapons. Will you give your sword a name as well?"

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

The midnight wolf smiled as Artorias rested a paw against him, navigating him into an embrace. Mercury was not shy with affection, and he returned the brace easily and willingly. Wrapping a paw lightly around the Aegis. He released Art when he felt the other wolfs grip loosen, and his gaze turned towards the sword as well. “Ah… yes” he said, stepping back towards the blade. He ran a paw gently down the rippling, dark steel. It reminded him very much of a storm, and surprisingly it did not take long to name it.

“I believe I will call this one ‘Skybreaker” He decided after a moment, giving a decisive nod along with the name.


"Speech"

After their embrace ended, Mercury began to pour thought into the question posed to him. Would he name his weapon, and what would he call it? Artorias gave his friend all the time he needed. Such a task was akin to naming a child for the Aegis. Something as personal and unique as their weapons were demanded the respect of consideration. After a bit of thought, Mercury appeared to be struck by inspiration, and he declared the name of the sword to be Skybreaker. Art nodded his head assent. "A good name for the blade. Strong, reverent." The Aegis greatly approved. He knew this artifact of his family would be taken care of in Mercury's possession. "When you can, make a trip down to Cattail Creek. The smooth river stones there make for excellent whetstones for the special steel," he advised Merc. "I'd tell you to take care of it, but I already know you will." Artorias gave Mercury a lopsided smile and a wink; no one else in the Hallows had shown such a fascination for the weapons of the Hallows quite like he did. There was no doubt in his mind that Mercury would be a worthy owner of Skybreaker, an heirloom to be passed on through his noble bloodline.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"