Haunted Wood You are just a PART OF ME!!! GIVE IT UP!!!

44°, currently it is drizzling and set during the late afternoon. Located in Haunted Woods, Dead River Bed | ooc notes: mercenary thread for anyone who wants to do a rolled fight thread!! we can do regular dice without pack bonuses since its not a rank challenge, up to you! | tagging: anyone

As the rain drizzled down in a soft pour, it covered the behemoth in an almost white halo as the droplets clung to his outer layer without sinking in just yet. The drizzle clouded the lands along with the mist, making it almost impossible to make out anyone's features unless they were just a wolf's length away - if it weren't for his foul stench and sheer size, one could possibly mistake Vengeance for any other of the Nightwalkers; but alas, he was far too indistinguishable to be mistaken for anyone other than the Warlord himself. 

Out on a stroll, it was no regular little ballad he took. He thirsted. He hungered, for one thing, to fight. It had been long enough since he had last gotten into any kind of a skirmish, and his body ached for the feeling of being alive once more with adrenaline and endorphins that came in its wake. Standing in the middle of the dried-up river bed, the mad king stared forward for a moment. Unblinking, skin rippling as the excitement rose as well as the deafening silence... 

... It lingered for a moment longer until - To whomever I haven't fought yet as initiation, fight me! Let me test your skills and abilities against my own! His baritones thundered through the woods, echoing among the trees as his tail curled around his waist, like a coiled snake ready to strike.

YOINK

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.

After his outburst, the forest went quiet again. A dead silence that surrounded him, enveloped his being, sitting, stewing, he grew more and more excited to see who would answer his challenge. Muscles twitching, aching, oh how he thirsted for the fight. 

Then a silhouette emerged from the mist. It was the gangly man, Black Hat. If he were to say that he wasn't surprised by this, Vengeance would be lying. He was certain Vanity, Wurha, Tzila, anyone really would come, but instead, it was the one who talked himself out of a jam in the brambles. How interesting. 

To see what this Black Hat had up his sleeve, to see if his words had some merit to them after all, Vengeance was pleased to take him as an opponent today - and just as he finished speaking, the Warlord had already sprung into action. He was the type to not waste any time after all... already, he was after the man's face, jaws stretched as they aimed to get any hold on his face or neck, using his momentum to try and stun Black Hat with his weight behind it.

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.

The mysterious, deceitful man called Black Hat, wasn't the only wolf to answer the Warlords challenge today. On this crisp and damp afternoon, a second presence followed the call of her Kings voice. Clinging to the path of the riverbed, Tzila was on the prowl, her curiosity roused like that of a big cats. Even the way in which she carried herself now, was likened to her feline rivals. Head snaked low, shoulder blades rolling and flexing under a drizzled cape of crimson. Her time had not yet come for a fight of initiation, but it would. She was itching for it...aching to sink her fangs into flesh. To taste the blood of her kin, to either deem them worthy or unfit.

And yet...regardless of the outcome, she would always seek to better herself. No matter how great her strides may be, she would always crave more. The rotting stench of flesh and dried blood that was Vengeance's trademark scent gave away his exact location. As did the challenge issued from BlackHat. He was the only wolf with such a...distinct voice in this pack. The tip of Tzila's snout was slick, covered in the fresh blood of some hapless victim, streaking down to drip onto the soil, courtesy of the drizzle. Her lips curled into a silent, toothy snarl of appraisal as she stood on the sidelines. She placed her two front paws neatly atop a large rock, adding a certain grace to her stance. The fight was already underway. In silence, she watched the dueling males, face emotionless.

The sweet familiar taste of crimson liquid tainted his tongue in a potent syrup. It teased his senses, craving more as his own attack hit - only to be spurred forward by the feeling of pain shooting into his leg. Though his attack didn’t have quite the effect he had desired - it was rarely the scenario anyway. Rarely ever did his own plans come into fruition in the heat of a battle, everyone was different, their own tactics shifted and changed like the wind. No fight was ever the same; and that was what made it so damn thrilling. 

He wasn’t expecting an audience, though maybe he should since his call rang out in the forest just moments go to call anyone; and so Tzila had gone unnoticed for the time being as she remained hidden. Any sound, or shadow she may be casting, was not on the top of his priority list right now.

As Black Hat reached for his leg, there was little for Vengeance to do other than double down on the offensive. As he always believed - a good offence, was a great defence. At least, that was what he believed. His hit managed to grab the base of Black Hat’s neck, not letting go of his grip, all he did was shift enough so that he could place pressure on the gangly man’s windpipe. Squeezing and crushing should he succeed and try to choke him out so he may stop his own attack on Vengeance’s leg. He felt the piercing pain ripple from his leg, but hopeful that the damage would be kept minor if his strategy worked.

another bystander grows near. she doesn't come as close as Tzila does, instinctively hanging back within this new environment. in blackfeather, things might have been different, but here, she appeared more subdued, keener on watching than acting. know your opponent, had been one of her mother's lessons, and until proven otherwise, she saw all her new packmates as potential threats. 

her gaze remained fixed on the pair as she settles among the undergrowth, slipping into the shadow cast by a particularly large oak. she remains entirely still as she watches, comparing what she sees to what Cass had taught her.

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.

Even if his tactic was succeeding, he was slowly choking out the black man and soon victory would be his if the air was cut off for long enough. Vengeance was not the brightest bulb on the tree, he was not thoughtful and tended to act more instinctively in self-preservation, or out of the sheer thrill of it - but he was battle savvy. He knew how the body functioned just well enough so he may take the upper hand. It was second nature to him to use his opponent's body against them if he can - but his small victory was short-lived.

With a hiss, he let go of his target and backed off as claws raked a little too close to his eye. There would be no permanent damage, but some swelling would come within the hour. With a closed eye, he stared daggers at the gangly Black Hat who was already on the move to make his own hit on Vengenace's neck. Once contact was made, the angered Vengeance struck. Using their close proximity by reaching out and trying to force his lower teeth under Black Hat's top jaw and clamp down with his maxilla. If successful, he should be able to take complete control of Black Hat's head and thrust it to the side, and away from his bleeding neck, a growl ripping through his jaws in the meantime.

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.

A small sacrifice, a flesh wound for the opportunity to take the fight in his own paws and claim victory. Though the fight was nothing more than just a test between warriors, a victory no matter how small was just as sweet. The swipes from Blach Hat were unsuccessful this time as the brown behemoth swung his head toward the ground should he have managed to keep Black Hat's upper jaw in his maw. 

He was aiming for a takedown. A pure, unrelenting power move to slam his opponent into the ground, face first and crush him under a paw as he moved to place it on Black Hat's shoulder or neck (of course, only if the takedown was successful, always feel free to break free!!) to finalize his victory in this battle. Behind him, his tail whipped in order to keep himself well balanced, shifting with his weight as a counter to his movements.

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.

His grip was lost. A growl vibrated through his vocals as he eyed his target consistently, watching as he stumbled - giving him very little time to react as Vengeance was already on the move again. Black Hat aimed for his throat, from below he seemed to thirst for the angle, but he would go unquenched. Tucking his chin in, Vengeance protected the vital part and with a swift powerful paw aimed to slash across the black man's face, aiming to go across his cheek and nose in order to throw off his aim - and to finalize it all, aim a bite at the back of Black Hat's neck. Using the angle to his own advantage by being above.

PP in Ven's favor just to get through the thread!

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.

Yes pls!! End LOL <3 Thank you for the fight! We can archive it once BH leaves the thread

Finally, everything went according to his plan. One thing fell into place after another. The swat, the bite, he even managed to pin the black man down and he was absolutely ready to tear into him further should he refuse to stay down despite his more vulnerable position. but to his benefit, the gangly man remained still - there was no obvious signs that he had much fight left in him, the gasping for air, the fatigue was blatant, and Vengeance too was getting tired and his eye was absolutely bothersome, he was quite glad it had all come to an end.

For a moment he held his position, breathing heavily into his hold. Only to release once his opponent spoke up. Stepping back, he was already on his way out of the makeshift arena, leaves crunching under his pressure. It seems you weren't lying when we met in the Brambles. was all he had in reply before heading off to see if @Serem would heal his fucking eye.

Yay!! This was super fun! One day... rematch! ;3c

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.