This stretch of the woods was eerily quiet, still and lifeless like the river's carcass it surrounded. The only sound to be heard was the light pittering of raindrops from the soft rain that trickled down from the heavens. Black Hat hadn't been to this nook of the territory yet, but it looked like he wasn't missing much. Seeing no reason to stick around someplace so devoid of life, he was on his way out when a challenge ripped through the dead air. His ears flattened instinctively, jarred by the disturbance.

The voice was unmistakably that of Vengeance, the Warlord himself. He hadn't been looking to ever have to fight the behemoth of a wolf — especially when his leg had just healed — but to deny the challenge would make him look like a coward, which he most certainly was not. He supposed he'd just have to prove that. Black Hat emerged from the trees and stepped out onto the riverbed, carrying himself with pride. I accept your challenge, Warlord, He said, meeting Vengeance's crimson gaze with his own in a confident yet relaxed guise. However, he would not underestimate this man's combat ability, not for a second.

Vengeance was clearly a man of action, not words — Black Hat could tell this from their first interaction. Still, he expected him to say something before charging in gung ho. The sight of a bearishly-large wolf bounding straight for him at full speed made him question all of his life choices, but he managed to maintain his composure. There was no way in hell he was about to just stand there and attempt tanking the force of Vengeance's massive body head-on. He dashed to the side upon his approach, but the Warlord was still able to grab hold of the base of his neck.

Black Hat grunted from the force of Vengeance's body colliding with his own and fought to keep from being bowled over. His sidestep allowed the majority of the blow to pass him by, but he was still reeling from it. The familiar sting of teeth in his flesh became prominent then, and he bared his yellowed teeth with a snarl, aiming to sink them into his opponent's leg and weaken it.

Unfortunately for him, Vengeance decided to keep his grip — he had a bird in the hand, as the saying went. If he had let go, Black Hat would've tried to dodge the followup attack and go for his throat from below. Since that didn't happen, he was left with very few options. Given their weight difference he was on the lighter end of, shoving his opponent around just wasn't one of them. And to top it all off, the clock was ticking, as his throat was now being crushed between Vengeance's jaws.

One thing was certain: he needed to get him to relent, even if his window of opportunity would be infinitesimal. After giving himself a few precious heartbeats to think, Black Hat released the Warlord's leg to instead try and brace his forelegs against his sturdy form. The movement would beckon more pain to branch out from where his opponent's fangs were sunken into his flesh, and his neck would be strained at an awkward angle... but he believed this was his best bet. If he was able to get this far, Black Hat would lift one of his forelimbs and aim to scratch at Vengeance's eyes. It was quite the dirty tactic, but dirty tactics were often the most effective — which is exactly why he favored it.

If, after all of this, he was given some breathing room, he'd strike at his throat with the quickness of a serpent. Great minds thought alike, and like the Warlord he was in the midst of battle with, Black Hat believed offense was the best defense. Who didn't love a two-for-one deal?

So caught up in turning the fight around, he was utterly oblivious to their audience. They were something he'd have time to worry about later.

Against seemingly all odds, his unorthodox attack succeeded; and Vengeance looked absolutely pissed about it. Black Hat wheezed in a deep breath now that his airway was freed before going in for his attack. He was able to sink his teeth into the man's flesh, which rewarded him with delicious beads of blood and a rush of euphoria. But Vengeance was ready for him, thus he was cruelly grabbed by the muzzle.

His hold was not close enough to his opponent's jaw to prevent a counter attack, and he suffered for it in the form of losing his grip, as he let go to prevent any permanent damage from Vengeance's furious manhandling. Black Hat released a frustrated snarl as his head was jerked aside, flailing his forelimbs around to try and swipe at the Warlord's face again. But he could not reach his eyes, nor could he see his target clearly, as he was relying on his bad eye to glare back at Vengeance.

He felt the momentum of the fight slip through his grasp after having just gained it, and Black Hat knew deep down that his chances of coming out on top were slim and dwindling fast.

Despite his best efforts, he just couldn't persuade Vengeance to let go given his position. But maybe he wouldn't have to. Vengeance swung his head like a hammer in an attempt to slam Black Hat's into the ground, but the violence of this motion allowed his snout to slip free, disoriented as it left him for a moment. He regained his footing as quickly as he could. Then, inspired by his head's low position, he went for Vengeance's throat just below his chin. If he hit his mark, he'd chuckle into his fur and thrash his head around with vigor.

He wouldn't let himself be humiliated. Even if he lost, at least he'd go down swinging; that was the only kind of loss Black Hat considered even mildly acceptable.

Vengeance foresaw his attack and reacted accordingly with a tuck of the chin and catlike swat of his massive paw. The force from it rattled his brain inside his skull and sent his vision whirling, and the claw marks stung in his face all the while. In that time, he felt the brute roughly grab him by his nape. Though Black Hat tried his damndest to wriggle free, he simply could not.

He resisted against Vengeance's weight as he was shoved into the ground, but gravity and his lighter frame were not in his favor. His legs gave out, and he was finally downed. Then, finally, finally, Black Hat called it quits. He was utterly exhausted from the fight, and oh did he give his all against the beast. On his side now, he practically gasped for air like a fish out of water. Even if he weren't, he would not audibly admit his very clear, definitive defeat.

... Well fought, Was the closest he came to verbally folding. He peered up at the Warlord with his good eye, and the smallest inkling of respect glinted from behind it.

At least he had proven himself as truthful in that regard. He was to be respected, and frustrating as it was he had to prove that to everyone in these Wilds, they would learn... one by one, atrocity after atrocity, they would learn.

As soon as he was freed from Vengeance's prison, Black Hat heaved himself to his feet and shook out his pelt. Absentmindedly, he lapped at the wounds on his muzzle and hoped they wouldn't scar; they wouldn't be nearly as dashing as his only somewhat irksome eye scar. The pair parted ways, though he would not be seeking Serem out just yet. First, a deep sleep was in order — deeper than he'd had in months.