When it came to learning and training he was much more interested in teaching by doing than operating strictly within structured lessons–especially when it came to fighting. Everyone always ended up with their own fighting style anyway and it was much easier to keep the attention of pups with something that wasn't a lecture. He came down to the open clearing where the pack tended to hold their meetings and gave his fur a shake before tipping his head back to call for any and all young wolves that had an interest in learning to fight–whether they were from his own litter, Avacyn and Saracyn's bunch, or from Desponia's kids. Elysium had more than their fair share of young minds to train so he felt like he was bound to have quite a few little opponents today. Hopefully they would all be game for a bit of a brawl. He grinned a little at the idea and waited for them to appear.

"Deimos Mendacium"

When it came to learning, Daemon was what you would call a "practical learner". If a lesson wasn’t hands on or had some element of physical practice, there was a good chance the boy wouldn’t care for it. His mind was sharp and his brain was a sponge for knowledge, but he needed to practice the application for his lessons in order to retain them. That was why he hated lectures but looooved activities!

When Deimos’ call for all the puppies in the pack went out, the rapidly growing crimson and violet boy plodded from where he’d been stalking a fawn in the direction of the King, arriving shortly after. Although still very young, Daemon now stood at the height of an average wolf, and it was clear he would be growing to fill his father’s dire-sized genes. Greeting Deimos with a tight smile and a dip of his head, the Mendacium lad took a seat while he waited for the rest of the group to arrive, wondering what sort of lesson they’d be getting today.

"Daemon Mendacium"

Odierne had been "wrestling" with Nox when the call had gone up. Hard to call it wrestling when he just seemed to let her lay on him, didn't even protest too much when she'd gnawed on his ear. The girl had glanced at her mother who'd been watching her children dispassionately, seemingly more daydreaming than actively watching. With a roll of her eyes and a shooting gesture with her paw Desponia had given her children the go-ahead to answer the call if they wished. Odierne had only been too happy to leave her wimp of a brother behind. The girl was wary of the rest of her family. Desponia had never been shy about her feelings about them and Odierne had no reason to doubt her mother's judgement... But she'd also not yet had contact with any of them. Some of her siblings had but Odierne had kept more to herself up until now. If pressed on it she'd had said it was because she'd wanted to see how they measured up, but there was probably also a dash of healthy child-like curiosity there too. So the girl arrived promptly to the area her uncle (half-uncle?) had called for them. Not even yet 6 months old Odierne couldn't quite measure up to most adults yet but she'd soon be outstripping shorter grown wolves and even young as she was there was little enough puppy fat left, her build quickly starting to show the years of selective breeding generations back in her lineage. Beasts bred for aggression, for protection, for hunting and subduing. Odierne didn't quite know yet what being a mutt even was but it would have been obvious to anyone who did what she was. Purple gaze swept over the only two other wolves there currently. A man she assumed was her uncle and a boy, older than herself and already quite tall. Odierne narrowed her eyes and decided to sit a bit back from the boy. She came by her standoffishness naturally. But she'd also been much more prompt than her mother ever was... So there was that. "Speech"

Art by Stars-ARIA

Admittedly, Magdalene was outside the den when the call rang out. She was lazing around with Inferna, tempted to bully the girl into an unwanted brawl, when her attention is pulled away. Freezing with scruff between her teeth, she listens. Were they allowed to answer? Pups? All pups? That meant them too right? She quickly lets go of her sister, turning to look back into the den to see Odierne looking at their mother expectantly. Waiting with baited breath, Mags can't help but let out a yip of excitement when they get the approval. Getting anything from their mother was more than enough to brighten her day.

Rolling away from Inferna with a shake of her coat, Mags stumbles to her paws and runs after Odierne. "You're not the only one who wants to go," Mags sneers, both in a slow down and wait for me and teasing manner. Thankful for her long legs and dynamic stature, she is able to keep up with her sister as they arrive on the scene. A man much larger than Desponia stood awaiting his students while only one student sat waiting. Curious, far more curious than her sister, Mags feels no fear as she approaches the older boy.

Bumping Odierne's shoulder with her own as she passes, looking back to smile, she even sticks out her tongue for good measure. Quickly turning her attention back to Daemon, Magdalene plops herself down beside him, turning her chin to look up at his face. "Hi, I'm Magdalene," she introduces herself with a puff of her chest and a cocky smile. Whether or not he would be receptive to her friendliness was nothing of concern to her - she knew they'd be friends whether he liked it or not!

"Magdalene"

Inferna stirred at the call of their alpha, her ears perking up as Deimos' powerful howl echoed across Alias Island. Her pale eyes fluttered open, revealing the vivid pink that burned with an inner fire. Beside her, the albino badger shifted, snuffling in its sleep. She stretched, her muscles rippling beneath her pure white fur, and rose to her feet with a fluid grace.

"Time to wake up," she murmured to her companion, nudging it gently with her nose. The badger blinked groggily but soon got to her feet, ready to follow Fern ahead.

Inferna padded silently through the forest, making her way to the clearing where Deimos awaited. She shot him a fierce look, her mother's attitude showing through. As she emerged from the trees, her gaze locked on to their mentor - wondering what he had planned for them. Was she really going to get the chance to give him all of her raw, untamed power? Could he handle it? She giggled softly to herself. She was ready.


"Inferna"

Usually she was pretty in the know when it came to things her father was planning. She had gotten very good at listening in on her parents whenever they were discussing things so she could find out things before everyone else did. Today though her father's call for the young wolves of the pack came completely by surprise and it sounded like it was going to be something related to fighting. The fact that she had no idea what he had planned and that it was about one of her favorite skills to hone and train had her very interested so she immediately abandoned what she was doing and made her way out across the island to join in. Unfortunately, she was pretty far from the pack's usual meeting area so by the time she arrived Daemon and three of her newest cousins had beaten her here. No matter, she knew her father wouldn't start anything without her. She trotted up to the group and took her place next to Daemon, settling gracefully with her fluffy tail curling around her as she looked to her father attentively. Hopefully whatever he had in mind would be a good time.

"Kintsugi Mendacium"

The pups of the pack gradually filtered in and he was glad to see not only Daemon and Kintsugi join in, but also three of Desponia's children. He was still figuring out where he stood with the Antonis children, but it was always good to see that they were eager to join in and learn. Once Kintsugi rounded out the group he decided that was more than enough pups to get their "lesson" started. "Thank you for coming so quickly, everyone. That's the kind of responsiveness we need our warriors to have if and when our pack is attacked." He got to his paws then, giving them all a grin. "And today your attacker is me! You all need to work together to take me down and defend the pack," he challenged them, getting into a defensive stance. "Show me what you've got!" He jumped forward then, wanting to act like he was ambushing them a bit, and he swung a paw out at Magdalene and Inferna to try and topple the girls with his large paw–being careful to avoid his claws, of course. Even though they were all pups he knew Daemon and Kinstugi had started to stand on their own fairly well already and the group certainly had numbers on their side so he didn't underestimate how well they could do if they worked together.

Deimos vs Daemon, Odierne, Magdalene, Inferna, and Kintsugi for Melee Fight
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Front Bracers
Companion 1: Kite, Female - Perception
Companion 2: Kite, Male - Perception
Mutation 1: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Small rhino horns - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: Defender

"Deimos Mendacium"

Her coral colored eyes lit up with excitement as Deimos launched his challenge. The thrill of the fight, the rush of adrenaline - it was everything she craved! She braced herself, tail wagging furiously, as he charged forward, his massive paw swiping towards her and Mags. With a quick sidestep, she dodged the initial blow, her instincts sharp and her movements fluid.

She wasn't just any pup; she was a force to be reckoned with, even at her young age. "We got this, Mags! she called out, her voice filled with excitement. Inferna's mind raced, strategizing how to turn their numbers to their advantage against his size. She darted to the side, trying to circle around Deimos, her eyes locked onto him with a ferocity to them. She would attempt to lower her head, narrow her eyes, snarl, and launch in toward his back left flank, nipping up at the tender flesh behind his leg there if she could secure such a bite.

Inferna, Daemon, Odierne, Magdalene, and Kintsugi vs Deimos for Melee Fight
Round 1/2
Age: Under six months
Size: Extra large
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Ram Skull
Defensive Battle Accessory: Ram ribcage
Companion 1: Wolverine, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Flying
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

"Speech" - Thoughts

CODE BY SIN

Note: Not including Odierne's companion on form.

Odierne was admittedly glad to see two of her sisters behind her, arriving very shortly after she did. No surprise their brother or Astra hadn't shown, they didn't seem to enjoy rough and tumble play as much. She tried to nip out at her florescent sister as she bumped Odierne on her way to sit with the boy. She snorted. Why Mags bothered with the other pups Odierne didn't know. They were joined by another girl before it seemed the man had decided that was enough of them. Odierne listened intently, more interested than her cold look showed. Something she'd picked up by just mimicking her mother. They were fighting him? Odierne wasn't sure she understood the point of this, was he patronizing them? She assumed the worst almost by default. But when he launched towards them, a paw flashing out towards her siblings Odierne was on her paws in an instant. Those were her sisters! Feeling a flash of protectiveness the girl darted around to try and get behind the man. She didn't have the reach to get at anything too vital, she supposed she would have to leave that for her older cousins... Begrudgingly. Instead her target was something more within reach. Odierne did her best to move around behind the man until she could see her goal... His tail. Little sharp puppy fangs glinted as she attempted to grab hold of his tail, even hopping up to try and get a decent grip. Odierne,Inferna, Daemon, Magdalene, and Kintsugi vs  vs Deimos for Melee Fight Round 1/2 Age: Under six months Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Mutation 1: Jaguar Claws - Offensive Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator "Speech"

Art by Stars-ARIA

It's not long when Fern shows up and then another older girl she doesn't recognize. Giving them both cheeky smiles, her attention is quickly whipped up toward the big purple man. Magdalene feels proud for the compliment he gives them. Her chest puffs up even further as her tail thumps against the ground. Praise was nice!

Watching him intently with ears alert to listen to his words, she watches him move. At first, she doesn't see what's coming. Too eager to soak in each and every one of Deimos' words, Magdalene is caught off guard when he pounces forward. Tumbling backward from her sitting position as his paw swipes out at her, she lets out a yelp of surprise. Wanting to recover quickly, she rolls over and up onto her paws, giving her fur a shake as she turns back to Deimos.

Hadn't he said work together? Mags looks to her sisters who have already raced toward the back of Deimos to try out their own attacks. Her brow scrunches and nose wrinkles, fur bristling as she lowers into a more defensive stance. "Uh, I dunno your names, but if the three of us go for his front paws, we can maybe trip him up enough to get to fall down," she looks apprehensively toward Daemon and Kintsugi, wondering if they'll go for her suggestion.

"Magdalene"

Magdalene, Inferna, Odierne, Daemon, & Kintsugi vs Deimos for Melee Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Under 6 mo
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened metal teeth caps
Defensive Battle Accessory: Thick leather collar
Companion 1: Keel-billed Toucan, Male, 50" - Flying
Companion 2: Keel-billed Toucan, Female, 50" - Flying
*Companion 3: fox with antlers - boosted
Mutation 1: Antlers - offensive
Mutation 2: Jaguar claws - agility
Mutation 3: Bioluminescence - Defensive
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Navigator

Daemon waited for the rest of the group to show up, and eventually a few other pups did. He didn't recognize these ones, so they must've been some part of the extended family or something. Then Darika showed up and Daemon acknowledged her with a wicked smirk, remembering how he'd smushed her into the mud the last time they'd interacted. She still sat next to him though, acting all prim and proper, and if it weren't for the fact that her father was the one giving the lesson and looking right at them he might've tried to brush some dirt and dust onto her perfectly groomed tail just to bug her.

Deimos began the lesson once everyone was assembled, explaining how they were going to be practicing protecting Elysium from invading threats—like himself today. There wasn't much time between the explanation and Deimos' first attack, the giant wolf going for the three other pups first. Daemon sprung to his paws, ready to bolt into action! The three unknown pups all launched into some sort of uncoordinated attack against Deimos, and that was fine. Daemon planned to use them as a distraction anyway. After exchanging a quick confident smirk with Darika, Dae rushed forward to try and slip his smaller body underneath Deimos' while he was busy with the other pups. If he was successful, then Daemon would reach up to dig his lion claws into Deimos' stomach. His goal was simple: get under the giant brute and go for his soft underbelly with fangs and claws until the massive brute toppled over or surrendered.

Daemon & Darika & Inferna & Magdalene & Odierne vs Deimos for Melee spar
Round 1/2
Age: Under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Mutation 1: Lion paws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Mutation 3: Enhanced vision - Perception
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

"Daemon Mendacium"