Haunted Wood no rivers and no lakes can put the fire out

the smell of that great stinking den has begun to seep out in a larger and larger radius, instantly recognizable as Vengeance's distinct musk. it is at the edge of this radius that the girl stands now, forcing down her nervous energy and attempting to force her features into the even mask that her mother always seemed so good at maintaining. the thought of cass, as always, has her heart drop briefly out of her chest. 

tilting back her crown, Hela calls for @Vengeance and @Valour. despite her unease, she wants this done on her own terms. already, her attempts to exert control over her circumstances pay off, and she feels almost grounded—she'll do this, and then go from there.

Feel free to skip him until the fight is over!

It was a matter of time now for the youth to come and fight as he had scheduled just days ago. They had a full week to prepare themselves, and already they seemed to have jumped the gun by practicing against one another to test them out before the day had officially come. Though he was preparing to go and find the two youths, it seemed one was eager to get started as a call rang out to bring her opponent and spectator to her.

Strolling in, without a word, Vengeance sat. Watching. He would not interject, interfere, or teach them a damn thing today. Today, was for them to beat each other until the other relented or simply could not anymore. His cold, lifeless gaze would continue to watch until a victor was made obvious.

So I'm gonna just roll cuz like Valour is a killer apparently. Sorry for the shitty writing.

He hated her. He hated her guts. He shouldn't have saved her...but the thought rang hollow and he knew he didnt regret that. He did regret giving her a home just for her to destroy his standing here. As her howl went up he bristled, angry that this had to happen and even more angry that she had the gall to initiate it. He strode toward the call and hovered just out of sight, silver eyes staring her down and bitterly noting how composed she looked. She was so sure of herself and with a sinking heart he realised that she had every right to be. She was lethal, she had taken him out so easily before that it would take a miracle to help him out. Shaking his head he growled at the pathetic thoughts and vowed he would fight his hardest, he would not stand down until he couldn't stand at all. He would do something right in front of his mentor, he swore it. 


His resolve to win gave him courage and he felt his body begin to wake up. The adrenaline he had felt when he had successfully landed a blow on Astara, it was back and he felt confident. Confident enough that he played a trick move and snuck around the edges of the den area, cautious of where he placed his paws as he snuck behind her. Without a word he burst forth and aimed to simply barrel into her side, not a sound made as he came at her with an expression that was lethal.

when the leader arrived, her focus remained on him. sithis was unpredictable, unknowable, and so she supposed, was Vengeance. and then Valour collided with her side, and she hit the ground, lurching forward as she fought to regain her feet. already, the distinct tang of blood was tangible; his impact had reopened the healing scabs. her side burned as she attempted to latch her fangs in his face, though only empty air came between her snapping jaws. aware that she was not starting this fight on a good note, she instead attempted to put some space between them, circling low, tail ramrod straight behind her.

The scent of blood was instant and for just a moment he felt bad. Then his eyes swept to Vengeance and he growled, trying to ignore it. There wasnt any room for that here, hadn't he been told that to one day have what he wanted he would have to learn to fight? He jolted back as Hela tried to bite him, snapping with one of his own attempts as she rolled out of his reach and placed distance between them again. He didn't move but rather stood there eyes glinting and fangs bared as he waited for her to make the move this time, muscles quivering with anticipation.

he does not move, and she slinks around him as she becomes aware that he will not make the next move. maw agape, lips pulled back, she moves suddenly to close the distance and aims a half-hearted snap at his ear, thrusting her weight against his side briefly but remaining light on her paws, attempting to end this as swiftly as she can.

There was something different this time. They went back and forth and she seemed to either suck suddenly or he was just more aware of the seriousness that was this fight. As she went to snap at his ear he ducked whipping his head to defend and try to grab her under the jaws ending up just missing and nearly knocking their faces together as she bumped into his side causing him to stumble a few feet away. Valour smirked and stood tall circling her for a few moments and once again waiting for her to go for him. He was teasing her, taunting her, showing that they could take all the time in the world and he wouldn't care.

when she's clear, she pauses only a moment; clearing her mind. cassiopeia had said never to let anger guide your attacks, on that point she'd been adamant. logic, and intelligence, that was the way to win a fight—Vaati had echoed that point, too. something shifts, and when she next moves, it is with surity and swiftness. she feigns a strike to his throat; should he lower his head instinctively to defend, she'll whip up her own muzzle and tear at the broken ear, seeking to provide as much damage as possible to the mangled, sensitive flesh there.

It wasnt long that he had to wait before she sprang forward, going for his neck which caused him to duck to defend his throat only for a quick and fierce burning pain to come from his injured ear. He felt the flesh rip and cried out in pain, snarling and lunging before she could pull back to safety. His jaws struck at the side of her face sinking in and he snarled, jerking his head and intending to do as much as he could in a few seconds before he released her and moved to the side, circling her slowly as his half torn off ear dripped blood and thrummed so hard he could hear it. His eyes shot to Vengeance to see if he was watching them and his stomach flipped with elation as he realised that neither one was really better than the other here, not at the moment. He could still show that he had potential, it was all he needed to begin his rise to the top.

her bold move is successful, and the girl feels the flesh of his ear give way under her grip. but it leaves her open, and she feels the hot rush of pain only a few moments later. strained gasp leaves her as she falters backward, her face throbbing and raw. anger burns, but she forces it away, determined to heed her mother's advice here, to win. it's hard, though, and her next rush is fueled just as much by anger as logic. she moves when his gaze shoots to Vengeance, clearly distracted, and makes as if to rush by his side. when she comes into range, she hooks a forepaw around his and pulls, at the same time thrusting her weight to the side in an effort to shove him to the dirt.

Another lesson learned.


As he lost his focus it only took seconds for her make her move and he was unprepared. He felt his weight go off balance and stumbled turning to try and grab her scruff as he fell and missing, hitting the dirt while twisting and trying to get his paws back underneath him. Fur prickled with embarrassment and shame, eyes flashing as he refused to look at Vengeance again pushing himself up and whirling to face her again. His breath blew out in a quick burst from his nostrils as he shook off the pain and readied himself to continue looking more wary of her than he initially was. He had to pretend Vengeance wasnt there, he steeled himself to not pay the man any more mind even though his presence was like a physical weight, dragging him down, dulling his senses. All he wanted was to do good, all he wanted was to prove himself.

her move succeeded, though she was too slow to pull through - the wounds ripped open across her face burned, made focus a fleeting thing. and yet, the prospect of giving up, of loosing, was all too terrifying to contemplate; her victories are what held her together. but she was losing control, of the anger, the hurt, rapidly. as soon as he stood, she circled and rushed towards his side, attempting to tear at the soft fur and flesh of his underbelly, reminded of the grouse hunt then.

The thrumming in his ear, the aching in his still sore body, it was all affecting him or at least that's what he told himself. She circled and he watched her nervously slinking around so that he could keep an eye and be ready but once again she sprang for him and before he could react, she tore his belly and he snarled aiming a defensive bite for her muzzle as he sprang to the side and placed panting softly as the frustration welled up within him. His eyes burned as if he were going to cry again and he blinked hard, sucking in a breath and steeling his resolve to get through this. He was beginning to see that he was outmatched but he could at least take the beating, he would never back down and show weakness.

just as quickly as she'd moved initially, she launched a strike against the side of his face. it was messy, and her fangs snapped only on empty air. reeling backward, desperate for a reprieve, she settled for circling again, tension radiating off her as she circled, breath harsh in her throat.

Neither one wanted to back down and for the next ten minutes or so it was nothing but them circling, measuring the other up, lunging and tearing one another open. Finally he stepped back breathing raggedly, dripping blood from several more places and shaking with the effort with of continuing this seemingly even fight. He was so tired, he was hurting everywhere and he was satisfied with himself finally. The need for revenge and payback was gone as he stared her down, her blood coating the inside of his mouth and her equally ragged breathing stating that he hadn't lost, he had equaled her.


But that wasnt enough. He wanted just one more, one more strike to show that he wasnt going to let her step over him and take Vengeance's attention. With a mighty roar (more like a desperate and enraged caterwaul) he charged, head lowered to slam into hers for one final move before he would end the fight himself whether by stating he was done or knocking her senseless.

the fights staggered on. the scales tilted every so often, odds shifting from one to another, but never enough to decisively end the battle. they were young, and wore quickly, though dogged determination kept both on their feet. finally, the boy let out a screech that was met only by her own silence as she moved forward simultaneously, jaw agape as she struck for his face as he sought to drive his skull into hers. they collided, in a confusing array of force and limbs, and after the blur of motion came stillness; both careening to the dirt, almost senseless.

For the entirety of the fight, he sat quietly. Ears turned slightly to the side as he watched their every move. With every passing attempt from both of them, his frown deepened. Brows furrowing deeply as his displeasure was not hidden even in the slightest. Finally, the pups' clash came to an end, not a very thrilling one as far as he was concerned, but Vengeance's player, on the other hand, was very amused through the whole thing. 

Pathetic. He growled. You both have much to learn. With that said, he got up and began making his way back to his den. Unless one of them interrupted him, he was done with this little playtime of theirs. With a slow pace, he walked by the two as they sprawled along the ground, dazed and confused by their own tactic as "using their heads" didn't quite work out for them this time around. Dismissively he walked by them, with a flick of his tail, he moved on from today's little event. (feel free to interrupt him or let him walk out!)