The young male had traveled far and wide, in and out of rogue bands and packs alike as he had gotten swept up in his quest for medical...research. He hadn't cared to bond much with his family, nor did he know where any of them were or what all had happened during his absence. The male had been gone for well over a year, perhaps even a little longer. His wanderings during puphood had led him further than anticipated until he had been picked up and taken in by some er...questionable hosts. He had learned a lot, but now it was time to part ways once again. The young male skirted the Northern borders of packs that were unfamiliar to him. And as he went South just after passing the wall, he realized a pack had taken up residence in old haunting grounds. Was he pleased about it? Not really...they were keeping him from heading through the Sound to pick up some rare herbs that he knew grew within the crevices. Well...this was inconvenient, wasn't it?

Frowning, he continued along the fresh border lines, realizing this pack seemed newer in its presence here. He had heard whispers of a pack that had uprooted another...was this the one? Now he was curious. But he wouldn't call for anyone. Not yet.

"Speech"

Lounging near one of the steams that cut through The Polar Sound, Sephiran was licking the sinew of a fresh kill off his paws. The mangled, brutally mutilated corpse of a fawn lay beside him, its head turned completely around as Sephiran broke its neck with his paws out of sheer bloodlust. Oh, how it screamed. Its mother having watched on from the sidelines, helpless and frantically calling for its young one. Pleading for mercy. Which made the killing that much sweeter. A satisfying scratch at the itch festering inside of him. But would it ever be enough?

His falcon swooped down from the sky, screeching the alarm he’d taught it. Soon after, his panther emerged from the forest, kneeling before its master and confirming the presence of a stranger at the borders. Tsk. An intrusion? An enemy? Or perhaps, a lost soul looking for salvation? Hmpf. Raising to his paws, he’d shake the dirt from his pelt and lope towards the borders, allowing his panther and falcon to lead the way- having forgotten all about his little plaything.

As the towering pines thinned out, revealing the outskirts of The Polar Sound, Sephiran slowed down into a saunter. In the distance was the tiny silhouette of a wolf, walking along the borders with practiced ease. Not trespassing, but not calling for him either. His pelt bristled, lips pulling back into a sneer as he approached the male-  observing him with an analytic eye as he closed in. A low growl resonated from him- deep, guttural, and demanding, his aggressive approach primal and animalistic. Why are you at my borders.

"Sephiran Saxe"

He gazed upon the lands beyond this newer border with a look that bore no emotion. Though he was hungry for those herbs he wanted, perhaps he could slip in and out without being found out. The thought was tempting, and it brought just the tiniest quirk of a smile to his lips. But he was smarter than that. It wouldn't bode well for him to trespass into a fresh new pack and expect no repercussion. Luckily he didn't give into those intrusive thoughts, because it wasn't long before some giant lunkhead arrived, not a word from his mouth but instead, guttural, feral sounds. Phantom looked up toward the giants face, though his expression remained emotionless. If monotone was a look, he was it. Phantom had not stepped a single toe over that line, but judging by the way this...new alpha acted, it seemed that wouldn't matter. Still, Phantom did not respond right away and instead, remained silent. Letting the sound of uncomfortable silence sit between them as he eventually let his gaze leave the brute and back toward what could be assumed more interesting things. Two could play that game, no? Smart he was. But petty, too. Finally, Phantom would seat himself as a sigh left his lips. "Not one for manners, are you? Some words might make this conversation go a little easier. Though I suppose as a fresh Alpha, I imagine words aren't what you used to get your pack." He flashed a knowing gaze back to Sephiran, before it dropped back to the most bored look one could have. Seriously, would a 'how do you do?' kill the guy? "Phantom"

Every step Sephiran took was predatory and primal- shoulders exaggeratedly rolling forward, muscle groups flexing beneath his thick pelt, while his jaws fell open and his tongue rolled across the roof of his mouth. Already fantasizing about the taste of this boy’s blood. Oh, how he longed for the boy to make the error- to adjust his posture and dangle a toe just over the territory line, naive to the bloodlust that boiled inside the Syndicate Sultan. Still, Rhazien warned him not to attack every wolf who approached the borders. They needed more bodies to control, more minds to corrupt- but trespassing was a direct betrayal of the laws of The Syndicate- and Sephiran intended to enforce his laws viciously and relentlessly.

But of course, this was based on the premise that a rouge at his borders would treat Sephiran with the respect he demanded- but this boy, he was a cocky, petty little thing. Sitting silently in the face of Sephiran’s aggression, with a stoic expression that revealed no emotion, no forethought. As if he were bored. Still, Sephiran’s stance did not change- he kept staring at the male, a manic gleam flickering in his eyes, allowing the silence to enhance the tension quickly building between them.

A tension that would inevitably cause someone to snap.

Suddenly, the male seated himself, sighed, and spoke up- visibly bored, as his words stroked at the fragility of Sephiran’s labile temper. The growl bubbling within his throat rose in tone, seeping through his now gaping jaws, as his head lowered slightly to align with his shoulders. I imagine words aren’t what you used to get your pack. His tail rose, waiving above his hips, as he bared his saber fangs at the boy. Having perceived Phantom's words as an insult to his superiority. He may not have trespassed just yet- but Sephiran was already enraged. “Hardly.” He growled, giving the boy a few seconds to process what he said before he suddenly shot forward - compelled by the desire to pin this male beneath him and claim him.

As Sephiran lunged at Phantom, he threw his weight forward and attempted to barrel straight into the tiny man, to trample him. In sync, his neck craned down, jaws snapping at the right side of Phantom’s face, as he sought to bite down on the bridge of his muzzle.

And while the Sultan launched his assault, Sephiran’s panther would move to encircle Phantom- to keep him cornered between herself and her master, to forbid the male from turning and fleeing so easily.

"Sephiran Saxe"

Sephiran vs Phantom for Force Claim
Round 1/2
Age: > 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Obsidian Blade
Defensive Battle Accessory: Bear leather bracers
Companion 1: American Kestrel, Female - battle
Companion 2: Arizona Rattlesnake, male - battle
*Companion 3: Panther, female - battle - boosted
Mutation 1: Saber teeth (Offensive)
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Juggernaut & Field Medic

He watched the purple male with a critically observant eye, though it didn't take much to see what this guy was all about. All brawn and no brain, perhaps? Do first, think later probably. Action over words, etc etc etc. It was something new. Something interesting. Suffice to say Phantom knew what he was doing. The actions of this pack had not gone unnoticed, and word had spread quickly. Did he expect this new leader to act so volatile? Mm...probably. Considering the whispers he heard about how he had gotten the pack. Though he was curious if he had done it on his own, or had others do the dirty work for him. He continued to watch the way this new alpha reacted. The corners of his lips tugging ever so slightly into a smirk as he got the reactions he wanted. Phantom was a scientist of sorts, after all. He studied everything he could, and the fragility and chaos of the mind was no exception. Oh how truly fragile ego and pride were...it was amusing, really. "Hardly." Ah yes, there it was. The only warning he'd get to prepare himself before the alpha before him launched an attack. Though Phantom remained seated where he was, unsurprised by the males actions. It wasn't until the last possible moment did he make a move, quickly sliding forward and kicking off the ground beneath him as he sought to dive beneath the much larger male, avoiding his attacks completely. His head twisted upward, jaws gaping open as his gaze zeroed in on a man's most precious thing to them. "I do so love a good game!" He exclaimed just before aiming to seize Sephiran's balls. Seph chose to play unfairly. So Phantom decided that he too, would play that game! Phantom vs Sephiran for: Freedom/dominance Round: 1/2 Age: Over 1yr Size: Small Build: Light Defensive accessory: (Using amethyst mask from ooc account) Skills: Expert Healer & Beginner Intellectual Using mushroom based acid from ooc account to negate specialty "Phantom"

As Sephiran lunged forward, the tiny male dipped down and attempted to dive beneath him. Tsk. His snapping jaws caught the air, a snarl rippling through his chest, as Phantom went in between his front legs, bumping into them as he went which made Sephiran stumble to his right. With this, he intended to stomp on the smaller male, while stepping away to get Phantom out from under him. Jaws splayed, his neck craned down and he snapped at the boy, wherever he could grab him.

Teeth grazed the front of his left hind limb, the boy having attempted to bite Sephiran. - where he did not know - but it brought out another guttural snarl from the beast. Intertwined with the snarl, was the start of an ominous sound- the rattling of his snake’s tail, who’d been curled up in the thick fur of its master. Slithering down his shoulder, the serpent would strike at Phantom- holding back the venom in its fangs, as it didn't intend to poison the boy just yet.

"Sephiran Saxe"

Sephiran vs Phantom for Force Claim
Round 2/2
Age: > 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Obsidian Blade
Defensive Battle Accessory: Bear leather bracers
Companion 1: American Kestrel, Female - battle
Companion 2: Arizona Rattlesnake, male - battle
*Companion 3: Panther, female - battle - boosted
Mutation 1: Saber teeth (Offensive)
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Juggernaut & Field Medic

While he had never really considered his size an advantage, he was certainly glad that his size was helping him this time. Sephiran tried to stomp on him, but Phantom had managed to tuck himself beneath the male to barely avoid his stomping feet. "Watch it, big foot!" He snarled, further taunting the hot head that started the fight. He growled when his teeth only grazed the larger males left hind limb. Not quite what he was wanting to grab, but with the guys tantrum stomping, there was only so much he could do! In the thick of it, Sephiran had at least managed to pinch Phantom's rump with his fangs, earning an irritated snarl from the smaller male. His ear twitched then, at the sound of a familiar rattling, and he could only assume that this bastards little pet was coming for him. Still, Phantom did his best to remain right underneath Sephiran, following where he went as he sought to remain beneath his belly. The snake struck him, its fangs piercing his shoulder though it was nothing more than annoyance to the small wolf. Oh how he imagined the venom he could pull from that thing! He'd love to study it! But first...he had to do something about the big lunkhead trying to stomp on him! With a growl, Phantom jumped up, aiming to headbutt Seph right in the gut and finally get him to fuck off! Phantom vs Sephiran for: Freedom/dominance Round: 2/2 Age: Over 1yr Size: Small Build: Light Defensive accessory: (Using amethyst mask from ooc account) Skills: Expert Healer & Beginner Intellectual Using mushroom based acid from ooc account to negate specialty "Phantom"

And the winner is...

SEPHIRAN

PHANTOM must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Phantom has been successfully claimed. Totals: SEPHIRAN: Attack Roll: 81 Defense Roll: 97 Agility Roll: 84 Perception Roll: 27 Total: 289 Attack[81] + 60% Bonus[48.60]: 129.60 Defense[97] + 45% Bonus[43.65]: 140.65 Agility[84] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 84.00 Perception[27] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 27.00 Total[381.25] + 25% Bonus[95.31]: 476.56 PHANTOM: Attack Roll: 98 Defense Roll: 34 Agility Roll: 61 Perception Roll: 79 Total: 272 Attack[98] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 98.00 Defense[34] + 30% Bonus[10.20]: 44.20 Agility[61] + 10% Bonus[6.10]: 67.10 Perception[79] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 79.00 Total[288.30] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 288.30

Perhaps trying to stay underneath the larger male hadn't been the best idea. Logically, it seemed like the best thing to do. But when actually doing it, it didn't seem like a foolproof plan. Sephiran had managed to grab him, causing Phantom to slip and falter, making him fall just short of grabbing Seph's underside. He growled, knowing this was a losing fight...this time. He hadn't been expecting a fight to begin with, and having been forced into it had thrown him off. "You win! I submit!" He exclaimed as he stopped trying to fight, tail lashing with mild irritation, but it soon stilled. He had heard whispers of this pack, and finally meeting the one that led it was...interesting. He was a feral alright, and Phantom wasn't so sure he wanted to stay or even be on the guys bad side. "And what, pray tell, is my new alpha's name..." He asked, remaining where he was until he was let up. "Phantom"