Xairo trudged across the battlefield, his paws aching and his pride bruised. The sting of defeat still lingered, a bitter taste in his mouth. He had been so sure of himself, so confident in his abilities, but his opponent had bested him with humiliating ease.

Gritting his teeth, Xairo scanned the rocky terrain, his green eyes sharp and calculating. He would not leave this place until he had proven himself, until he had shown everyone that he was a force to be reckoned with. Failure was not an option for him, his fierce determination burning within him like a blazing fire

"Xairo Saxe"

A yearling no longer, the Morningstar watched the pup from a short distance - his cyan eyes soft with concern as they traced the determined, yet troubled, movements of the younger wolf. The battlefield was a harsh place, but it had it's way of drawing out strength. It seemed capable of drawing out something else, too: vulnerabilities.

"Hello," Oath called out gently, his voice carrying warmth despite the weight of the scene around them and the knowledge of what most wolves came here for. He approached slowly, his posture non-threatening, his red horns catching the fading light like flickers of fire. "You look like you've been through it. Are you alright?"

He sat down a few strides away, giving the pup space but making it clear that he wasn't leaving nor planning to attack. "I know that look. I've worn it myself a time or two. Sometimes it helps to talk about it. I'm here if you want to."

Oath's tone was calm and steady, offering understanding rather than judgment. He hoped the pup would see that he wasn't here to challenge him or belittle him, but to genuinely listen.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Xairo's ears flattened against his skull as he heard the approaching footsteps. He whirled around, his muscles tensed and ready for another fight. But when he saw it was just an older wolf that did seem to be an immediate threat- his posture relaxed slightly - though wariness still shone in his piercing green eyes.

He couldn’t help but scoff at Oath's concerned words, though, trying to mask his inner turmoil with bravado. "I'm fine," he snapped, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "Just taking a breather before I go back for round two." Xairo paced restlessly, his thick fur bristling with pent-up frustration. He cast furtive glances at Oath, unsure of the older guy’s motives. Part of him longed to unburden himself, to voice the gnawing doubts that plagued him. But vulnerability was weakness, and he couldn't afford to show any cracks in his armor.

"I don't need to talk," he growled, though his words lacked conviction. "I need to win. I need to prove that I'm strong enough."

"Xairo Saxe"

Oath didn’t flinch at the sharpness in the pup’s tone. He had heard words like those before- spoken by others, and perhaps, by himself once. His cyan eyes remained calm, reflecting a patience that only experience could bring.

“Proving yourself, huh?” he murmured, tilting his head slightly as he watched Xairo pace. “And what happens when you do? When you win?”

He let the question hang in the air for a moment, his voice low and even, as if he were speaking to the restless wind. "Are you sure winning is what you truly need to prove your strength?"

Oath stood and stepped a bit closer, though still keeping enough distance to give the pup space to breathe. “I’ve been where you are, you know. Trying to claw my way out of my own doubts. Thinking that if I could just beat one more wolf, I’d finally feel strong. But it doesn’t always work that way.”

He sat back down, his red horns gleaming faintly as he added, “Strength isn’t just in your muscles or how many fights you win. It’s in how you handle what’s inside- like the fire I can see burning within you right now. That fire can consume you, or.. with mindfulness, it can light your way.”

Oath’s tone softened, not pushing, but inviting. “I’ll still listen if you change your mind. Talking doesn’t make you weak. It makes you wise enough to know when you can use a little help.”

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Xairo paused in his pacing, the stranger's words seeping into his mind despite his efforts to block them out. He glanced at the older wolf, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before he quickly smothered it with a scowl. "I don't need your philosophy lesson," Xairo growled, his tail lashing. But even as the words left his mouth, he felt a twinge of doubt. What if this brute was right? What if winning another fight wouldn't magically fix the turmoil inside him? He shook his head stubbornly, refusing to entertain such thoughts. "You don't understand. I’m Xairo Saxe, and if I am going to be Sultan, then I have to do this. I have to show them all that I'm not weak, that I'm not a failure."

Xairo stalked away from Oath, his claws digging into the rocky ground with each agitated step. The older wolf's words echoed in his mind, refusing to be silenced. Handle the fire inside? What did this stranger know about the inferno raging within him, the constant need to prove himself, to show everyone that he was worthy of his title and destiny? He came to an abrupt halt, his chest heaving with pent-up frustration. Xairo closed his eyes, trying to center himself, to regain some semblance of control. But the doubts continued to swirl in his mind, taunting him with his own inadequacies. How could he ever hope to be Sultan if he couldn't even win a simple fight?

A growl rumbled in his throat as he turned to face Oath once more, his green eyes blazing with a wild intensity. "You think talking will make me stronger?" he challenged, his voice raw with emotion. "Prove it then. Fight me, right here and now. Show me how your 'wisdom' holds up.” He said while dropping into a combative crouch, his muscles coiled and ready to spring.

"Xairo Saxe"

Oath watched the yearling pace, his eyes narrowing slightly at the mention of the name “Saxe” and the title “Sultan.” He’d heard the name before, and it clicked: Zagan. The wolf who had spoken with such authority. This yearling had to be related, maybe his competition, judging by the weight of the words spilling out of him. Oath’s brows furrowed briefly in thought, but he chose not to question it. Whatever the dynamic, the pressure on Xairo’s shoulders was evident.

When the challenge came, Oath blinked, genuinely caught off guard. He tilted his head, studying the combative stance and the wild look in the young wolf’s green eyes. “You think a fight will prove something to you?” he asked, his voice steady but tinged with a faint note of disappointment.

He slowly stood, his reflective horns catching the dim light, and took a few steps forward- not aggressive, just closer, enough to make his presence known. “I don’t think you’re looking for a fight, Xairo. Not really. I think you’re looking for validation. And I get it,” Oath said, his tone softer now. “Carrying the weight of a name like ‘Saxe,’ carrying the expectation of being Sultan? That’s heavy. I understand why you’d feel like you need to prove yourself. I’ve seen what that kind of weight can do.”

He paused, his cyan eyes meeting Xairo’s blazing green gaze. “But here’s the thing: I’m not your enemy. I’m not here to knock you down or question your strength. I’m here because I see a kid who’s got fire, and I don’t want to see it burn you out before you get where you’re going.”

Oath crouched slightly, his posture relaxed but ready. “If you really think a fight will help you understand what you need to know, I’ll spar with you. But know this, Xairo- winning or losing against me won’t change who you are. That’s something only you can decide.”

He stood still, giving the yearling the choice, his calm presence almost daring Xairo to think beyond his frustration.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Xairo's eyes narrowed as Oath spoke, his words striking a nerve deep within the young wolf. The mention of his name, his destiny, the weight of it all - it was like Oath had peered into his very soul and laid bare all the insecurities he tried so hard to hide. A snarl curled his lips, exposing sharp canines. "You don't know anything about me, don't pretend like you do!" Xairo spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you understand, but you don't. No one does."

He began to circle Oath, his movements predatory and deliberate. The older wolf remained still, watching him with those infuriatingly calm cyan eyes. It only fueled Xairo's rage, his desperate need to lash out, to make someone else feel the turmoil that raged within him. "I don't need your pity or your understanding," Xairo growled, his muscles tensing as he prepared to strike.

With a roar, Xairo lunged at Oath with splayed jaws, aimed to catch the older brute in an initial clash. Specifically the scruff between neck and shoulder, but he was reckless and prepared to take any hold he could get.

"Xairo Saxe"

Xairo vs Oath for Spar
Round: 1/3
Age: One Year
Size: Titan
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Defensive Battle Accessory: Ram horn headpiece
Companion 1: Annellated Coral Snake, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Slit pupils - Perception
Mutation 2: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Ram horns - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Items: Black Cat's Foot

Oath's cyan eyes flicked to the young wolf as he lunged, reading the desperation in his movements more than the precision. He had faced countless opponents before, those who fought with purpose and those who fought with emotion. Xairo was firmly in the latter camp, his attack driven by frustration and fury rather than strategy.

As the yearling's jaws sought purchase, Oath shifted, lowering his stance and angling his shoulder to deflect the brunt of the impact. He felt Xairo’s teeth graze his fur but avoided letting him find a firm grip. With a calm, measured motion, Oath used his weight to push against Xairo's momentum, attempting to force the younger wolf off balance.

Oath's growl rumbled, his voice following it steady even as he sidestepped to keep space between them, “This isn’t about me understanding. It’s about you. Your fire, your strength, but also your control.”

He didn’t retaliate with force, instead using his movements to stay out of reach, forcing Xairo to keep chasing him. “You want to prove you’re strong? Show me you can think while the fire burns. Show me you can channel it without letting it control you.”

Oath’s tone wasn’t mocking; it was a challenge, a dare to rise above the blind rage that fueled Xairo’s strikes. “A ruler doesn’t just lash out. A ruler leads, commands, and rises above his doubts.”

The older wolf braced, ready for the next lunge but determined to make this a lesson, not a victory.

Oath vs Xairo for Spar
Round 1/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Titan
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed collar
Defensive Battle Accessory: Fang caps
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male, Flying
Companion 2: Red-tailed Hawk, Female, Flying
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Mutation 2: Hawk eyes - perception
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Xairo seethed as the stranger's words pierced through his fury. The older wolf's calm demeanor only served to fuel the raging wildfire within him. He charged again, his claws tearing into the rocky ground, propelling him forward with reckless abandon. This time, Xairo feinted to the left before lunging right, aiming to catch the older brute off guard. His teeth snapped mere inches from the older wolf's flank before falling short.

"You think I can't control it?" he snarled, his green eyes flashing with wild intensity. "I'll show you control." Xairo began to circle him once more, his movements more deliberate, more calculated. He forced himself to take a breath, to think past the red haze of anger that clouded his mind. This man wanted him to prove he could rise above his doubts? Fine. He would show him exactly what he was capable of.

With a sudden burst of speed, Xairo charged forward, his powerful hindlegs launching him into the air. He twisted mid-leap, aiming to come down on the stranger from above with snapping jaws. But even as he committed to the attack, a flicker of doubt crept into his mind. Was this really the way

"Xairo Saxe"

Xairo vs Oath for Spar
Round: 2/3
Age: One Year
Size: Titan
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Defensive Battle Accessory: Ram horn headpiece
Companion 1: Annellated Coral Snake, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Slit pupils - Perception
Mutation 2: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Ram horns - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Items: Black Cat's Foot

Oath’s cyan eyes sharpened as Xairo’s approach shifted, the reckless anger giving way to something more controlled. The feint and snap were clever, and Oath acknowledged it with a slight tilt of his head, a glimmer of approval flashing in his gaze.

The yearling’s leap was impressive; powerful and calculated. Oath moved instinctively, sidestepping at the last second and twisting his body to avoid the snapping jaws. He felt the rush of air as Xairo landed, closer this time, showing his growth in the moment.

“Better,” Oath said briefly, his voice low and steady. He moved with measured steps, circling now to match the younger wolf.

He didn’t elaborate, instead letting his body speak for him, his movements deliberate and controlled. Oath darted forward suddenly, aiming a light but precise tap with his right paw to Xairo’s upper left shoulder, a gesture more instructional than combative. He was testing the yearling’s ability to anticipate, to react.

“You’ve got the fire,” Oath added, stepping back to give space. “Now show me you can keep it burning without losing your head.” His words were sparse but carried weight, pride flickering in his eyes as he prepared for the next exchange.

Oath vs Xairo for Spar
Round 2/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Titan
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed collar
Defensive Battle Accessory: Fang caps
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male, Flying
Companion 2: Red-tailed Hawk, Female, Flying
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Mutation 2: Hawk eyes - perception
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Xairo flinched as the stranger's paw tapped his shoulder, a growl rumbling in his throat at the unexpected contact. But even as his instincts screamed at him to retaliate, to lash out, he forced himself to pause. To think. The brute’s words echoed in his mind, a challenge he couldn't ignore. Keep the fire burning without losing his head? He would show the older wolf exactly what that meant.

Xairo began to move, his steps deliberate and measured as he circled the man once more. His green eyes tracked the older wolf's every movement, searching for an opening, an opportunity to strike. But this time, he wouldn't let his anger control him. He would use it, harness it, make it work for him instead of against him.

With a sudden burst of speed, Xairo darted forward, feinting left before pivoting right. But rather than waiting to be intercepted, Xairo dropped low, his powerful hindlegs propelling him forward in a lightning-fast lunge. With open jaws, he attempted to catch the stranger high in the chest- the lower part of his throat.

"Xairo Saxe"

Xairo vs Oath for Spar
Round: 3/3
Age: One Year
Size: Titan
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Defensive Battle Accessory: Ram horn headpiece
Companion 1: Annellated Coral Snake, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Slit pupils - Perception
Mutation 2: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Ram horns - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Items: Black Cat's Foot

Oath noted the shift in Xairo’s movements, the way the yearling’s steps became more purposeful, his green eyes sharper, more focused. Good, he thought. The young wolf was learning to channel his fire, shaping it into something more than raw aggression.

As Xairo lunged low and fast, Oath couldn’t evade entirely. The yearling’s jaws found purchase just below his throat, his grip strong and decisive. A surge of pain shot through Oath, but he didn’t falter. Instead, he reacted on instinct, pivoting into the attack.

Oath’s powerful shoulder drove forward as his own jaws snapped at the back of Xairo's neck- not with intent to harm, but to land a controlled strike and encourage his opponent to release his grip.

“Well done,” Oath rumbled, his voice steady despite the pressure against his chest. He twisted slightly, his muscles coiling as he used his greater mass to shift his weight, attempting to unseat Xairo and regain his freedom.

The faintest trace of a proud smile tugged at the corner of Oath’s lips. “Now, don’t ever lose that focus.”

Oath vs Xairo for Spar
Round 3/3
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Titan
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed collar
Defensive Battle Accessory: Fang caps
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male, Flying
Companion 2: Red-tailed Hawk, Female, Flying
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Mutation 2: Hawk eyes - perception
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

And the winner is...

XAIRO

OATH must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: XAIRO: Your luck has been decreased! Attack Roll: 76 Defense Roll: 17 Agility Roll: 69 Perception Roll: 83 Total: 245 Attack[76] + 45% Bonus[34.20]: 110.20 Defense[17] + 20% Bonus[3.40]: 20.40 Agility[69] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 69.00 Perception[83] + 35% Bonus[29.05]: 112.05 Total[311.65] + 25% Bonus[77.91]: 389.56 OATH: Attack Roll: 51 Defense Roll: 47 Agility Roll: 69 Perception Roll: 79 Total: 246 Attack[51] + 30% Bonus[15.30]: 66.30 Defense[47] + 10% Bonus[4.70]: 51.70 Agility[69] + 5% Bonus[3.45]: 72.45 Perception[79] + 50% Bonus[39.50]: 118.50 Total[308.95] + 20% Bonus[61.79]: 370.74