[DUEL] Try Again (Nkera, Huozin)

[Mogami]

Nkera was once again approaching the borders to request a duel from one of the Soldiers or Guards present. He already lost two duels but he felt stronger and more prepared. He’d come down from the mountains, travelled through the rogue and eventually found a surprisingly inhospitable location that was home to the Firekin, the sand warriors, the red-pelts (he’d later come to know that many of them didn’t actually have a spot of purple on their bodies).

As he drew closer, he tried not to think of his previous defeats or to let his mind make excuses for them as he roared loudly in hopes of getting the attention of a pride member. He was a big lion, son of God and trained in fighting. There was no reason why he shouldn’t be able to win a match against one of the Firekin. He just had to try harder this time.

 

[mouselet]

The red and white lion had been on his way to do some hunting when he saw the unknown black and white lion sitting just beyond the Firekin lands. It wasn't unusual to see strangers here, looking for duels. Huozin simply wasn't accustomed to being the only lion around when they were present. As a Hunter, not a Soldier or Guard, he wasn't often called upon to duel would-be members.

Still, it was his duty as Firekin to heed such a request. And to tell the truth, he could use a fight. It would probably make this a better day than hunting.

"I suppose you're looking for a duel," he broke the silence, coming closer to the stranger. "I'm Huozin and I'll be your opponent today."  

[Mogami]

“I’m Nkera.” The pale lion replied when his opponent closed in on his location. He supposed he could’ve added a brief Thank You to the small introduction but Nkera had never been a lion of many words and after two failed attempts at joining the pride, he was actually feeling a little annoyed – even if he wouldn’t outright admit it or even allow himself to acknowledge it.

He lowered his body until he was crouching and slowly began to circle the other lion, looking for an opening. That never appeared to be an easy task when he was facing these desert lions. Suddenly, he lunged, one paw aiming for the other lion’s head. It hadn’t felt quite right and Nkera had a feeling that the other lion would be able to avoid the blow easily.  

[mouselet]

Huozin's preferred fighting style was all about waiting - feeling the balance and not attacking until it shifted in his favor. So he saw the paw coming and dodged aside with a bit of fancy footwork. The other male appeared to be rather on edge, perhaps this was not his first duel? If so, it seemed he'd yet to win one.

A small smile hovered on the red and white lion's lips as he disdained to attack at this time. He would wait, let Nkera tire himself out. Just because the Firekin's philosophy was martial didn't mean they were taught just to attack full out. Part of their true skill lay in knowing when to wait.  

[Mogami]

When his attack failed, Nkera didn’t miss the other lion’s smile but instead of letting his temper get the best of him, Nkera took a few steps back and started circling the red lion again. These guys were pretty sturdy and not exactly generous in terms of openings. Nkera decided to wait until the other lion came at him and then attempt to counter attack whatever Huozin threw at him. At the very least, he hoped that would give him enough insight on how the other lion fought which might help him in his next attack.  

[mouselet]

When he didn't take advantage of the other's opening, it seemed that Nkera would choose to be patient as well. Hmmm. Huozin would have to teach the black and white lion that simply copying him wouldn't aid him in joining the Firekin. One had to take the initiative!

And speaking of...as the other lion circled him, Huozin chose that moment to strike, rearing on his hind legs so that he could bring down his forepaws with all his weight behind them.

No one had ever said getting into the Firekin should be easy, and anyone who assumed that Huozin's Hunter status would make him an easy foe was in for a rude awakening.  

[Mogami]

Well, bloody hell. Nkera obviously hadn’t expected the other lion to attack so quickly. He was still analyzing the Huozin’s movements when the red lion’s front paws dropped on him. Nkera twisted on the spot so that his head was out of reach but the feeling of smugness that he felt was rather short-lived as Huozin’s paws landed on his side instead, right where he’d been injured during the previous fight. And the red lion was heavier than his last opponent as Nkera’s ribs would gladly confirm.

Nkera grunted, clearly in pain and lunged forward to push Huozin away with his shoulder but anyone could see he was more defensive now and that his attack carried little strength.  

[mouselet]

As Nkera lunged for him, Huozin decided to follow up on his clear advantage with a bite. He was feeling the flow of the battle...fade away abruptly as he misjudged not only his opponent's movement, but also his own and managed to smack his teeth in a bone-jarring failure on the boniest part of the other lion's shoulder. Owwwww.

The red and white lion's momentum, however, carried him through and his head went straight at the ground. How embarrassing. Huozin hoped that none of his numerous relatives heard about this one.  

[Mogami]

Nkera hadn’t really expected his last move to actually leave much of an impact but the truth was that he was glad that he’d managed to avoid another serious attack. As the other lion went face first into the sand, Nkera hesitated, not certain if attacking at that moment would qualify as “hitting someone when they’re down” which was generally regarded as... you know, wrong. By the time he’d remembered this was a friendly duel – much to his ribs’ disagreement – Nkera had lost some precious moments and when helunged at the other lion, Huozin had already begun to move. Too slow!  

[mouselet]

It took a few seconds for his brain to get back in gear after that impact, but Huozin had seen the other lion coming and wriggled out of the way. The red lion then contemplated getting up, but he would then, for several seconds, be just as vulnerable as he was lying down, if not more so!

Hmmm...now there was an idea...

A large red foreleg, tipped with white toes, swept out beneath Nkera, intending to knock the black and white lion's legs out from under him and lay him out next to Huozin.  

[Mogami]

Ouch! As if the pain on the ribs on his left side wasn’t bad enough, the sudden slide worked brilliantly to finish the job. Nkera felt his legs give in to the momentum and his shoulder was hitting the ground in the next instant, closely followed by his side… his left side. He tried to swipe back at Huozin but that hurt him more than it was worth. He grunted, letting out a good amount of air from his lungs as he hit the sandy ground and he remained quite still for a few moments. It wouldn’t a genius to figure out he was pretty much down for the count.

With one last effort, the pale lion stood up but Nkera was aware that there was no way he would be able to continue this match for much longer.  

[mouselet]

While the black and white lion had been flailing ineffectually, Huozin took the time to get to his feet. With the other lion trying to cope with his sudden grounded position, the red lion had no fear of being attacked while he got to his feet. And, rather than striking Nkera while he was down, Huozin chose to wait and see how he was faring before choosing his next action.

His regard for the black and white lion rose as his opponent did, but it was clear that Nkera was done for the day. Probably for the next several days even. There was no need for Huozin to attack again, this duel was quite, quite done.

"You have skill, but you'll not be joining the pride this day," the red lion informed the other. He was pleased to note that while he was breathing somewhat heavily, he was not actually out of breath. Good, he wouldn't like to think he was out of shape or anything!

"Perhaps you should spend more time honing that skill," he suggested. "Knowing when to attack is more important than knowing how."  

[Mogami]

It was his loss, yet again but Nkera wasn’t couldn’t really bring himself to regret it. He would think about the day after but for now the only thing on the pale lion’s mind was that he was SO GLAD that this fight was over. He decided that would spend more time with the other prospective members and train with them to better his skills before even considering trying again.

“I agree.” He said after a few moments, silently wondering if he’d be able to make a dignified departure considering his ribs hurt as though they were a breeze away from breaking in half. “I’ll return… in a few days.” His last words were spoken with a small amused smirk as he attempt to walk straight as he left the scene. A few days… heck, it would probably take a couple of weeks until he was back to fighting shape.  

[mouselet]

Huozin held his peace as he watched the other lion go. Nkera's dedication spoke well, though the red lion rather thought it should be a bit more than a few days before the next attempt. But, the black and white male was determined. Perhaps if he showed up for his next duel covered in still-healing bruises, his opponent would underestimate him.

Or said opponent might then proceed to hold nothing back. It was an equally likely outcome.

Shaking his head at how his mind was wandering, Huozin headed out himself. After all, there was still hunting to be done.