Alaric was in the boneyard. He had been here a few times before, only once with Maul with him. Now he had a second companion. A slate grey cane corso he now named Cinder. It was a popular place for combat and spars. That was what was exactly on his mind as he traveled through the skeletal scattered area. He wanted a fight. Not a spar. A real, bloody, fight. He lifted his head towards the sky and let loose a challenging howl. Maul and Cinder let out their own smaller howls to show that the wolf was not alone. The trio waited patiently for a reply to the challenge or for someone to appear on the horizon. Alaric wondered just exactly who would show up to fight him. He confident in his abilities to handle himself rather well.

So much pain, so much grief, it was too much and Atreyu needed an outlet for it all. There was a burning fire in her heart, an angry swirling of emotions that blended together and threatened to drive her into madness. She refused to fall into insanity, no doubt that is what the demon king would have wanted from her. She had watched helplessly as her pack was decimated, right down to the last wolf. They weren't just murdered though, they were tortured first, some of the monsters had even begun to eat her pack and family members alive. Their screams echoed in her head, even now, but she had no other recourse but to run.

Bigs trotted alongside the dire woman, his high steps proud with a slight prance. His mohawk of fur ruffled in the wind as they walked, on their way to the Boneyard. From what all the wolves had to say, it sounded like a great place to blow off some steam. This rage at the world needed to go somewhere, but no simple fight would do. Atreyu wanted something bloody, something to show herself that she could fight back against the evils of the world. So, Atreyu made her way there with her knife gripped in her mouth, her pink spiked collar in place, and her little companion at her side.

Upon arriving, Atreyu immediately understands why they called it the Boneyard. Some of them were complete skeletons that lay here and there, but more frequent were those that had been dropped by scavengers. She picked her way carefully through what she could only assume was a graveyard, Bigs taking the same care to navigate on a smaller scale. Suddenly, there was a familiar voice carried on a howl, followed by not one but two other voices. The trio sang a song of battle, and Atreyu was more than happy to oblige. Cat-like paws carried her in the direction of his voice before she even knew she was moving, ready as she would ever be for battle. Perhaps the physical pain could lessen the emotional turmoil that jeopardized her sanity. She comes up to stand a respectable distance away, maybe about ten feet away from him, looking his dogs over before letting her holographic gaze land squarely on the fiery orange of his eyes.

"Remember me?" She asked, setting her galaxy blade on her paws, Bigs looking between the two massive dogs with a happy smile on his face. Bigs loved fights almost as much as he loved food, and he began to whine in his excitement. Adrenaline began to surge in both dog and dire wolf as they could feel the battle about to begin, a smirk coming to Atreyu's lips. This was going to be fun!

Open your wings, Evil Angel!
'Thinking.' || "Talking." || 'Hearing.'

It wasn't long before his call was answered. Shortly after his howl, a familiar spotted pelt entered in the horizons. A wave of annoyance flooded over him. Of course, of all wolves she had to be the one who answered. Atreyu. Behind he was a little rat of a dog, trotting along. Atreyu wore a spiked collar now and blasted a blade. Alaric took me tal note of all these new accessories and weapons. He could work around the collar. The blade would have to be disarmed somehow. Already the experienced warrior was sizing up and plotting his moves.

When she got close enough to here, Alaric spoke. "Unfortunately, I do remember you." He told her with a firm nod of his head. He glanced over to Cinder and Maul, who were staring at the small dog with looks of confusion and some excitement. They'd never seen a dog so small nor look the way it did. "I take it your....companion, will be joining this fight. If so, I'm sure Maul and Cinder will have no problem accompanying me." He told the woman. He was all business now, serious. He would save any harsh words and sarcasm for after the fight, when the dust settles and there was a winner.

Alaric leaned over and whispered in Maul's cropped ears. It was loud enough that only the cane corsos could hear his words. "Cinder will focus on the rat. You will help me disarm that brat." He told his companion, who simply wagged his tail to show he understood. Alaric smirked and pulled his maws away from the dog's ear and turned his attention back to Atreyu. He was already focusing on his defenses, readying his stance for better balance by slightly widening it. He tucked his chin over his vitals to protect them. His hackles raised along his spine. His hellfire eyes were set locked on Atreyu. "Your move." He spat, a slight smirk forming on his maws.

Atreyu didn't miss the look of annoyance on the white and black male's face. Good, he did remember her. She didn't make a habit of being forgettable, when you were colored as she was it was difficult not to stand out. Alaric glanced at his companions, asking if her companion would be joining them. "Don't underestimate him too much, he has survived worse than you." Tensing her muscles and rolling her shoulders forward, Atreyu watched as he whispered to his companions, unable to hear what he said. Looking to Bigs, Atreyu gave a wink to the Chinese Crested mix, then leaned down to pick up her blade. Widening her stance for balance, there was a burning, hurtful anger in her eyes. It wasn't directed at Alaric, not completely, but it was there.

Keeping her tail parallel to the ground for balance, Atreyu flexed her claws to feel the dirt beneath them. She had more than one weapon in her arsenal and she was ready to prove herself. Her mother would have told her it wasn't about the victory, only that she learned from the encounter. A tear formed in her beautiful eyes, but she quickly blinked it away. 'Your move,' he said, spitting the words at her with a smirk. Atreyu nodded, glancing between the trio before lunging forward with her blade in her mouth, hook pointed toward Alaric. Once she got close enough to him, she would aim a swipe of her galaxy blade at his left foreleg. Bigs rushed forward in the direction of Maul, aiming his teeth at the massive dog's right foreleg in hopes of taking a bite then dashing away at top speed to circle around them.

"Speech"

Alaric was ready when Atreyu finally leaped forwards in a charge. Her blade was ready and aiming for his foreleg, something she was having to lower herself to achieve. Alaric would pull back in the nick of time but not without sacrifice. A small but clean cut on his forearm stung with red and he winced slightly in pain. He knew it would've been far worse if the blade had struck completely and deeply. Alaric let out a snarl and veered to the right side of Atreyu. His black maws splayed open wide and he attempted to grab the right hind leg's meat near the knee.

Maul would charge forwards and veer right. The large cane corsos would splay his maws open and attempt to plunge his maws into the ribcage of the spotted wolf named Atreyu.

Cinder had charged forwards and taken the blow from Bigs with a nasty little bite to the forearm to prevent Maul from being targeted. Cinder's slate maws would open wide and attempt to snag the little dog by the tail completely and pull it back towards him before Bigs could run away completely. He would reach out with one of massive paws and also attempt to simultaneously slam it down on the small dog while his maws reached for the tail if possible.

Alaric vs Atreyu for dominance
Round 1/3
Age: Over one year
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Cane Corso, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Cane Corso, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Beginner Hunter
Specialty: none

She felt her blade hit his leg, even if it only cut him a little, she was happy she landed the blow. It was a small victory for the spotted woman, but it was short-lived. Bigs also landed his blow, but the wrong dog stepped between him and his target, forcing him to change his direction as he ran. The dog aimed his teeth at Bigs' tail, which the six-inch tall chihuahua mix tucked between his legs as if he had the zoomies, narrowly avoiding the massive paw that was aimed at him. He didn't make it out unscathed, however, and received some claw marks down his side. Alaric, meanwhile, aimed his teeth at Atreyu's right hind leg.

Atreyu felt his hot breath on her leg and moved to pull away, feeling the sharp pinch of teeth barely missing getting a chunk of her leg. Her forward momentum helped her to avoid the worst of those teeth, only receiving a pinch and now missing some fur. While Alaric snapped at her, his dog was moving to barrel into her side with his mouth open wide, a blow she couldn't avoid. The cane corso's teeth scraped down her side as she veered slightly right, closer to Alaric, not wanting to lose her target. Ignoring the pain of those long teeth marks, Atreyu bared her teeth on a growl and swiped her blade at Maul, hoping to drive him back, not truly attack him.

Immediately after she felt the pinch of Alaric's teeth, Atreyu kicked out her right hind limb, her claws on her hind foot out as she did so. She aimed to kick Alaric in his muzzle, her true target the male's nose. The cat-like woman didn't want to break his nose, just make him see stars for a moment. Meanwhile, Bigs moved around Cinder as fast as he could. His hopes were to get to the cane corso's face and latch onto the left side of his muzzle on those droopy lips. Bigs aimed to whip his head back and forth, hopefully leaving a tear on the lip of Cinder. Atreyu kept a sharp eye on the trio, but she was not infallible. She had survived worse than this, and she would continue surviving.

"Speech"

table by Sea - art by BrienaSkysong

Atreyu vs Alaric for Dominance
Round 2/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Five-inch long hawksbill blade
Defensive Battle Accessory: collar with spikes
Companion 1: Chinese Crested mix, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Retractable claws - Offensive
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Healer

Alaric's attack had been successful. He felt the pressure of meat between his maws and fur in between his fangs. That was, until Atreyu decided to kick her hind leg and make him break his hold. He spat out the fur in his maws and narrowly avoided the kick of the hind leg. Atreyu's hind claws at barely scratched the side of his muzzle, little small droplets of blood to form. He was done playing around. Alaric would open his maws and attempt to crush them down upon the Achilles tendon of the woman. He wanted to immobilize her. Not permanently but enough to make walking painful for a few days if not weeks to come.

Maul would back away as he saw the blade swiping for his face. He let out a small let as the blade slice down his cheek and left a semi deep gash. Blood poured from the wound and the cane corsos snarled defiantly. Maul would open his maws again and aim for the lower part of the woman's scruff, where the collar had not covered. He was attempting to latch onto the area and maul it severely.

Cinder was ready for the little dog this time. Bigs was coming straight for his maws and he would wait til the little one was close enough to almost grab a chunk of his lips before Cinder opened his grey maws. The slate cane corso would then attempt to scoop the little dog up by the neck, his much more massive maws open to securely reach it if possible.

Alaric vs Atreyu for dominance
Round 2/3
Age: Over one year
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Cane Corso, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Cane Corso, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Beginner Hunter
Specialty: none

Atreyu felt her back claws scratch against Alaric's muzzle, a feeling of satisfaction filling her up. Her blade slashed into the face of Maul, another wave of satisfaction washing over her. It was short-lived as Atreyu felt the jaws of Alaric closing around her leg. Before he could apply any real pressure, Atreyu jerked her leg out of his reach but not without sustaining rather nasty cuts from his teeth. She avoided having her Achilles tendon compromised, but only just barely. She would still have the pain from those cuts, but she would still be able to hunt for herself.

There was only a split second where she saw her opportunity for retaliation, as Maul came at her next, aiming for her scruff. Rolling her shoulders forward and scrunching her neck, she veered away from his jaws at the last moment. Still, she ended up losing a bit of skin and fur, the stinging burn of the wound causing her to yip and snarl at the same time. Twisting sharply to her right and aiming her blade for the back of Alaric's leg hoping for a shallow cut there. She didn't wish to maim him, only show him who was boss. Gathering herself, she moved to distance herself from the trio.

Bigs skidded to a halt as he saw the giant dog's maw coming for him, ducking down quickly at the last second and rolling onto his back to kick up his back legs against the lower mandible of the dog. He wanted Cinder to chomp down on his own tongue. Atreyu took a moment to see how the little warrior was handling himself before returning her focus to the white and black brute before her. Splaying her legs out a bit for balance and holding her tail out behind her, Atreyu readied herself for the next onslaught.

"Speech"

table by Sea - art by BrienaSkysong
Atreyu vs Alaric for Dominance
Round 3/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Five-inch long hawksbill blade
Defensive Battle Accessory: collar with spikes
Companion 1: Chinese Crested mix, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Retractable claws - Offensive
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Healer

Alaric felt his maws clamp down around the Achilles heel of the women but no long before she ripped it from his sharp maws. He spat out blood and could hear the sound of Maul being attacked, his orange gaze flickered over to see the cane corsos injured with a gash to the cheek. Alaric let out a snarl and refocused himself, he was enraged at the damage done to one of his hounds. Atreyu was still coming for him, her blade aiming for his leg again. He turned his body so he was now facing Atreyu head on. He could feel the sting of her blade as it left another shallow cut into his forearm, blood trickled down his leg and popped into the dirt . This time, Alaric would wait until she was close enough to raise his paw to the sky. He would aim and attempt to slam his front paw down forcefully on her head, down towards the ground and scraping his claws down her face and avoiding her eyes while he was at it.

Maul felt the fur and flesh give way to his maws and promptly spat it out. Maul would follow Atreyu, hot on her trail. The cane corso would charge her from behind this time, attempting to secure his maws on the lower back of the female wolf. He would attempt to maul the area viciously if he was successful in latching on.

Cinder had little time to react before Bigs had rolled onto his back and kicked up his bottom jaw. His fangs clashed violently and his tongue was bitten into. The slate colored cane corsos let out hell of pain. He raised a massive paw and attempted to pin down the little dog before it could run away from reach completely.

Alaric vs Atreyu for dominance
Round 3/3
Age: Over one year
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Cane Corso, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Cane Corso, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Beginner Hunter
Specialty: none

And the winner is...ALARIC

ALARIC

ATREYU must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: ATREYU: Attack Roll: 54 Defense Roll: 3 Agility Roll: 74 Perception Roll: 89 Total: 220 Attack[54] + 45% Bonus[24.30]: 78.30 Defense[3] + 10% Bonus[0.30]: 3.30 Agility[74] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 74.00 Perception[89] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 89.00 Total[244.60] + 10% Bonus[24.46]: 269.06 ALARIC Attack Roll: 1 Critical fail! Defense Roll: 82 Agility Roll: 94 Perception Roll: 92 Total: 269 Attack[1] + 20% Bonus[0.20]: 1.20 Defense[82] + 10% Bonus[8.20]: 90.20 Agility[94] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 94.00 Perception[92] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 92.00 Total[277.40] + 20% Bonus[55.48]: 332.88

Oh, fly over me, evil angel;
Why can't I breathe, evil angel?

Atreyu was satisfied with any wound she left on Alaric, though she needed more practice with her blade. A shallow cut appeared on Alaric's foreleg, and Atreyu gave him a little smirk. She saw his paw raise up and tried to backpedal away, but she wasn't quite fast enough. The wound she received wouldn't be enough to scar, but there were small wells of blood that popped up on her forehead and muzzle where his claws had scraped harshly against her skin. Turning her head to the side in pain, her holographic eyes wide, Atreyu barely caught the cane corso named Maul coming up from behind her.

Just as he went to attack her, Atreyu wheeled around and rolled onto her back, barely avoiding the vicious mauling the dog aimed for. "Alright, I yield! We've had enough!" She said, panting in exhaustion. Bigs was successfully pinned under the other cane corso's paw, and it was mostly for his sake that she gave up the fight. The encounter served as a learning lesson, and she was taught that she needed to hone her skills better. Perhaps she should find Eltrys and see if he would help her with this. She hoped that Alaric would have some sort of mercy for her, and would honor her submission.

Word count: 215 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: This was fun!

ART BY BRIENASKYSONG

Alaric's attack had landed successfully as he felt his paw slam down ontop of the head and scrape downwards the face. His maws twisted in a smirk and before he could land his next attack, Atreyu had rolled onto her back in submission. “Maul! Cinder!” He called out to the cane corsos, who froze in their tracks and hauled their attacks. Alaric caught his breath before his hellfire eyes fixated on the dame Atreyu and then her little companion.

“You are the worst kind of good because you're not even great.” He spat at her cruelly, he would nod to Maul to encircle the she wolf so she couldn't just take off so soon. Alaric had some choice words for her before she scurried off to lick her wounds. “You think there are wolves worse than me?” He waited for a moment but not enough for Atreyu to answer. “Well, there are. Far worse.” He told her and he was correct. There were much less merciful wolves. Much more sadistic and torturous than he. Underneath his cold and prideful exterior, Alaric was not the worst of the worst.

“Stand up.” He spat at her again, although a little less cruelly this time. He noticed the large gash on Maul’s cheek, and rage consumed him. Yet he was calm externally. “You owe somebody an apology.” He stepped back, nodding to his companions again. Cinder released the small dog in his grip and Maul stepped back away from the she wolf. He would wait until Atreyu apologized to Maul before continuing.

Oh, fly over me, evil angel;
Why can't I breathe, evil angel?

His venomous words were spat at her and caused her black ears to slide back on her head. She huffed at him, "I am only one, I will be great one day." Atreyu would not let his cruel words break her, nor his teeth for that matter. She was the doyenne of Judila, the youngest queen they've ever had. Though she wasn't sure if any of them survived, there was nothing that could kill that hope. The ancestors would have given her a dream, a sign that there was no longer a Judila to raise.

She knew there was worse than him, she had seen it firsthand. The absolute destruction of her home and family was proof that there was worse out there than him. The screams still haunted her, the utter agony and dismay she had witnessed was enough to know that he could have been a true monster. This fight with him proved to her that he was no monster, maybe just misunderstood. He only confirmed what she already knew. She was beautiful, not stupid. Her experience in the world only taught her that she needed more experience.

Atreyu didn't realize she was still on the ground when he told her to stand up, making her laugh a bit at herself. Demanding an apology for his hound's face, Atreyu arched a brow and tilted her head cutely. Looking at Maul, Atreyu really did feel some pity for the dog. He was only doing as he was told, and she had only meant to make a shallow cut. "Forgive me, Maul. I only meant for a shallow cut, I truly am sorry." Looking back to Alaric, she got an idea. If she could get him on board with it that is. "Help me, train with me. I obviously need the experience you could give...I learn fast!" There was that pesky youthful hope again, she didn't have anyone to teach her other than Eltrys. So far she hadn't held him up to his word, but she might visit Polaris soon. Until then, Alaric was a perfect candidate to teach her, after all, her father couldn't teach her now.

Word count: 358 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: ---

ART BY BRIENASKYSONG

Alaric was expecting some sort of groveling. Some sort of pain to flash in Atreyu's metallic eyes at his words but saw nothing but strength. A strength he admired. A small smile crept on his black maws, a approving one. She didn't let his words break her, that was good. Maul listened as Atreyu apologized to him, letting out an appreciative bark and licking of his lips before he sat down on his hind. Alaric's ears flickered forward at Atreyu's next string of words. She wanted him to teach her what he knew. Conflict arose in the white male as he struggled between his distrust of others and a sense of...purpose. Purpose. This would give him an opportunity to do something other than hate the world and be alone with his hounds. Alaric's hellfire gaze focused on Atreyu. He took her in for a moment before clearing his throat. "If you want me to teach you, I will." He told her with a quiet nod of his head. "But you must be ready to step into your power when the time comes." He told her. Some never knew the extent of their power. Some never sought their own power. Some wolves were kept in a perpetual cycle of being a victim. Alaric was once such a wolf. Who cried and begged for others to save him. It wasn't until he saved himself did he find out just how powerful he really was. He didn't see a victim in Atreyu, despite what she'd been through. A tingle of respect crept through the thorns around his soul, warming him for a brief moment. He had some sort of respect for her now.

Oh, fly over me, evil angel;
Why can't I breathe, evil angel?

Atreyu watched as her words seemed to bring a small smile to Alaric's face, an approving grin for her. There was an odd sense of accomplishment, though she wasn't sure why. Did she want Alaric's approval? Perhaps, she didn't have many allies in this place. Maul barked his appreciation, the sound bringing a wide grin to her features. The conflict that arose in Alaric's hellfire gaze spoke of inner turmoil, something she had not meant to cause in him. She supposed it was not an easy question for him to answer, judging by the back and forth that took place on his face. Something won over in his mind, his expression changing to one of determination.

When he focused back on her, she could see something burning in his eyes, a moment later and he cleared his throat to say he would help her. It was all she could do to keep herself from leaping around like an excited pup. She was a queen, she reminded herself. He nodded his head to her, adding his condition to their lessons. "I am ready now, but I am nothing if I cannot defend my home when the time does come. Have no fear, Alaric, I will be ready." There was a newfound respect for the male in her heart, Alaric seemed to soften toward her just slightly. At least he was less bristly, she gave him a smile and waved her tail. "Expect me to find you soon. I will give us time to heal, then the real work can begin." Turning to Bigs, she assessed the little dog's physical state, "Come on, Bigs. We have herbs to hunt." Giving another of those heart-warming smiles to Alaric and said her farewells.

-exit Atreyu <3-
Word count: 289 words.
"Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: ---

ART BY BRIENASKYSONG

"Find me when you're ready. I will be available." He told Atreyu as she spoke. He watched as the spotted she wolf assessed the health of her little companion, who had held his own striking well against his hounds. Alaric wasn't sure if he was embarrassed by that fact or impressed. He turned to asses Maul, who seemed to have the most damage from the fight out of the two cane corsos. He nudged the dog reassuringly And gesture for the two hounds to follow him out of the bone yard. "Follow me. We'll clean our wounds and let them start the healing process." He told his beloved hounds as they made their way out of the boneyard.

-Exit Alaric-