Redtail Rise onyx

his mouth stings with a metallic taste, his teeth are smeared a rusty color from blood that is not his own.

mulherin finds his balance once more. surely, he would've been sent sprawling if his opponent had only continued to drive forward. instead, mountain boulder had pulled away.

the two are separated now, he can see mountain boulder's face, pale-white, broken by a streak of crimson. 

a huff, he watches as the man's muscles seem to ease and finally his tail falls.

he is quick to hoist his own tail in the air, still drunk on adrenaline and expectant there would be another round to come.

yet the ulfhedinn does not move to challenge him.

the berserkr remains in this position with his posture rigid, eyes boring holes into the man.

he held onto what felt like victory—instinctually, mostly, still expecting it would be taken back—but his brow is furrowed, questioning,

was this it?

did the ulfhedinn give in?

why?