Arcelia grunted. She noted that one of the crowd had left the room, though it would have been easy not to spot such. He had slipped away in the heat of the argument, unnoticed, unannounced.
Perhaps such was wiser. He would not watch what was about to go down which Arcelia had no doubt would be ugly. The thought of such stirred something in the green Nan. A protective calling. A need to shield Mazin’s eyes from the aggression growing in front of them.
Yet she could not do such. She could not allow herself to be perceived as frightened or weak. Soft.
Instead she moved from where she stood to be closer to the dragon-marked Tah, the fiery Nan and the others who were defending the large Tah on the dial. She hated leaving Mazin to stand where he was, alone, but she trusted, hoped he would flee to the wall or corners of the room. If not this would serve as a good lesson she supposed. “Little pale Tah, it would be wise for you to heed these warnings. Do not fight, you will almost certainly not win.”
Wait what? Where was mother going now?! Mazin watched with nervousness as she glided away from him and near the crowd in front of the big Tah. But why would she stand near them? The big Tah’s opinions seemed… er, he couldn’t put a paw on exactly the word, but Mazin didn’t like them! He sunk further into confusion at his mother’s actions as she tried telling the white b’alam to go away. Why would she tell him that? Whenever Mazin tried sparring with his sisters mama only encouraged him! The cub’s ears folded back as he tried to figure out what to think of the situation, and more importantly what to do, where to stand. “Ma…”
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 12:21 am
Shen’s expression was unwavering in the face of Ashur’s less-than-certain declarations. It was true- no B’alam that any had spoke of, in his hearing at least, had ever taken the life from another. He certainly had yet to wet his claws on the blood of a brother or to sharpen his fangs on bone. The idea quietly repulsed him but he fought it back behind a wall of iron resolve. The truth of the matter was that there was a single path forward. None had stepped forward to blaze that trail and clear it of all the obstacles that stood between the uncertain state of the world now and a future of stability. He had ambitions for this place and his kin. He saw an age where his horned brothers and sisters adorned themselves with precious metals and finely woven silks, proud and strong and respected enough to afford themselves such finery. He saw a future where none would dare challenge the Fire Tribe. He saw a future where those woven had taken their own futures into their paws and refined it into something precious and worth the envy of the world.
Unfortunately, like all precious metals, a hammer had to fall eventually. The iron was hot and none had taken the hammer. Someone had to be the one to crush the imperfections and shape the strong into a blade. If it earned him enemies- so be it. Here and now he would show that he was a tah of his word. He didn’t make bluffs or blind threats- he made promises. He would show that not only did he have an idea and a direction, but he would not be stopped. The future would thank him for it. Cubs certain of their pride with a rich history of heroes and warriors would thank him.
“No… I said I would fight one on one, my brother.” Shen glanced to Smaug with a look of genuine appreciation. “But…as these tah cannot count and two challengers have stepped forward- that means I’ll need a champion to take on the second upstart.”
He ran his claws against the stone under him, sharpening them with a grinding sound. “The pale upstart wants to call my bluff. The crimson one wants to give his last breath for his dying cause.” He glanced over. “…take no life…but make him see the err of his ways.”
He loosened the clasp on the cloak hanging from his shoulders and shrugged out of it. With a few calm strides forward, he left the dais behind and faced his challenger. “WATCH CAREFULLY ALL OF YOU.” He roared, “What strength I show is yours! My claws will be your sword, my body your shield, and my cause the fire that heats the coals of the greatest forge ever to be lit. From these flames-“
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Ashur had enough of this. If the B’alam was here to fight him, he should fight him. Unwilling to allow this spectacle to continue forward, he dropped his head and charged wildly forward. Perhaps it wasn’t the most honorable way of starting a duel, but he understood all too well that he was outmatched. Shen had stepped from his dais and rather than attacking, he decided it was time to make a speech.
The small B’alam drove the crooks of his horns into Shen’s exposed side, knocking the air out of him and sending him back a pace. The surprise lasted just long enough to give Ashur one more strike- a wide slash with his claws against the tah’s chest. Sadly- there was a lot of meat there and while it drew blood, it also threw kindle onto the fire in the other B’alam’s eyes.
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Insult and outrage threw fuel onto the inferno already burning within and drove him over the edge. With a roar that rattled Ashur to the bone, Shen threw himself into the fight. Unfortunately, it would appear as a small cub fighting against a full grown adult. Ashur was quickly reduced to defending his vitals and his face as Shen bore down, slashing with massive paws and hooked claws, each blow falling like a hammer as he roared his outrage.
krusnik05
Can do! XD He'll be going up against Smaug though. >> Shen will be sure to order a no kill.
Zakiax
Double check with Krus to make sure this all goes down well. smile Smaug will get a no kill order shortly- and a command to detain him.
Yahui felt her own inner fire well up and threaten to burst and blow her resolve. She didn't have any children... yet! But when she did, she had hoped to raise them in a world defined by unity and strength! They would have herself there to teach them to walk and run, unlike how she had learned. They would be grateful of her decision. They'd soak in the fires of strength, courage and understanding.
A presence behind her caused her to take a moment to look. The large Tah behind her nodded in his own support and she felt her fur ruffle back flat against her back. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin, ready to return a few more words back towards the opposing Tah... and then he spoke...
Again, he spoke from her own heart. And again, he was met with more protest. This time, the protests were in the form of challenges. Interesting! She flicked her tail and turned, offering a kind smile of thanks to the Tah that had stood behind her. She then moved to the edge of the crowd, stepping out of the way to watch the fighting from a safe distance. She wasn't about to get her claws dirty.
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 10:39 pm
Just hearing this Tah's voice made the fire in her blood boil. How could so few see what he truly was?! Her tail kept swishing from side to side and smacking against her sister, who just directed a mildly annoyed look her way. Arlii tried to regain some control on her emotions. But hearing this Tah weaving his embers of hope and promise for the tribe to rise up again, turning his back on the Weaver...
Her lips peeled back to reveal fangs. Stand with him or flee? Like those who believed in what was right were weak?! The teal Nan had gotten to her feet before she knew it. Her heart beat fast and she honestly wasn't sure if she wanted to rise up and challenge his words or just strike the nearest rock in general.
"I am no coward." Arlii hissed, moving to step forward but finding Finulria in her way.
"Stay your ground, sister." Fini murmured, alarmed by the fear and rage that was boiling through her sister. She felt it too. The wrongness of this Tah's actions. "We should go-"
Someone was challenging him. Her ears swiveled forward and Fini homed in on the pale Tah making his stand. Calling the large Tah's bluff. Weaver protect him, he was a brave soul. As was the crimson Tah that had been speaking so boldly. His own decloration had Fini nodding in agreement. Her decision had already been made but hearing another feel so strongly was...encouraging. If only a little.
Fini glanced to her sister.
Two Tah's were making a challenge. Would more step up? The tension in the chamber was increasing, like oxygen ready to ignite a flame. Arlii silently vowed to herself that if they made it out of her, she'd seek out this Tah. He would make a good ally...
And so the challenges were being accepted and met. A chill so foreign to her body ran along her spine and froze the Nan were she was.
"Fini...go. Now." She whispered, claws un-sheathed and horror on her face. This was not going to end well. It was painfully obvious to see as the pale Tah didn't stand a chance. And if this was how those who were defiant would be handled, Arlii met her sisters eyes fully.
There was that defiance in her eyes, but after a heartbeat, her sister nodded and slipped out through the crowd. Arlii, however, remained. To witness. And allow the actions from this day to fuel the solidity of her choice in where she would throw her loyalties. And they were not with this large Tah.
Longwei Feng had stood stoically off to the side after he arrived at the throne room of the magi who had once ruled over the fire tribe. Having been newly woven, he knew them not but knew that the tribe was suffering from the lack of magi. Before the thrones was a large and imposing figure of a tah. He spoke strongly and passionately about the tribe's needs for a leader. Longwei felt himself agreeing with the imposing tah. This was a leader the fire tribe desperately needed. He felt compelled to roar his alligence to Lord Shen and was disappointed at those who spoke against him. Weak indeed! Longwei would fight for Shen's ideals and chase off the cowards! Longwei eyed the nan he came in with as she moved away from him towards those who spoke against Shen and he narrowed his eyes at her.
Azar arrived around the same time as another newly woven balam, a tah who was larger than her. Something deep inside her upon seeing Longwei Feng was unsettled and became even more so as she entered the throne room. Before them was also an even larger tah of such presence it made the confident nan nervous. She came to learn that this tah was called Shen and he weaved silken words among those gathered. She watched as the web Shen spun caught some several balam, including the tah near her. The unrest uncoiling in her belly as she listened and observed the others caused her to lay her ears back and she bared her teeth. Azar's golden orbs flared with an inner fire as Shen called those against his ideas weak. A growl ripped through her throat.
Azar moved away from the dragon marked tah called Longwei and moved towards those who also didn't agree with Shen. She would make a stand and assist those who had not fallen for the honeyed words of this usurper called Shen.
(( Late to the party but I'm here at last! lol ))
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 5:18 pm
Smaug was quite glad for the second to step up and challenge, at least he would not be left out in this fight. If he was not pleased about the no kill order it did not show upon his face. "As you command," he responded to Shen's order. Finally he found what he was looking for, a fight to test his strength.
The smile upon Smaug's face did not fade as he stepped towards the second upstart. Now how to make an example of him? It was the question that was flying through his mind. Yes he wanted to test his strength, but he also wanted to make Shen proud. He wanted to be useful for this one.
Orange orbs cast their gaze upon the crimson Tah., taking in his form. His own claws unsheathed as he took his next step towards him. Claws grinding into the stone under him he dropped his head and charged at the other, throwing his entire body weight towards his being.
Xavier snarled low at Shen then slide his gaze slowly towards the new male that stepped forward to be the woven-cub’s champion. The crimson Tah wanted nothing more than to sink his fangs into Shen's throat and rip it out. But it was clear that it wasn’t meant to be for him to do or to even physically fight Shen. No, Shen had set his sights on Ashur. Once the cloak fell from Shen’s form he watched the approach and watched as Ashur attacked surprising not just Shen but no doubt others at the burst of energy from the pale Tah.
However, Xavier only caught a glimpse of the rage-fueled retaliation of Shen at Ashur when his attention was brought to the champion of this false leader. Watching the Tah that had to have been recently woven for he had never seen him around before, he narrowed his eyes and watched as the steps were toward him making him unsheathe his claws that dug into the ground slightly. After a short moment he let loose a harsh snarl as his body crouched and his muscles tensed. Smaug charged at him showing the strength and force that was behind it and Xavier sprang to return the charge with his head bowed down and horns exposed to clash with this large male.
He was beyond angry as the fire from within burn brighter adding to his strength. Yet Xavier knew he would have to maneuver this to hurt Smaug to disable him while trying to ensure that he didn't put too much pressure on his leg. It was never tested in a fight as it had been peaceful even with the absence of the Magi's until now. Growling low, Xavier used everything that he was to push, throwing his full weight with his tail flicking out behind him, glaring up at Smaug to watch for an opening to sink his claws into flesh....but rather than wait, Xavier wanted to end this male. The crimson Tah lifted his right fore-paw to swipe his fully extended claws at Smaug's face and neck, any part of that area to hurt Smaug.
Cinead
The Tah's eyes widened at the challenges rising up. They were further widened at the violence that happened where Fire pitted against Fire. Claws and horns were clashed together from opposing sides, from opposing beliefs. Stepping forward he was unable to take his eyes off the fight. He watched how the large armored Tah charged at the crimson blazed Tah to commence their battle but it was the bombardment of claws and brute force that rained down on the pale Tah that had his gaze riveted on them. Cinead saw how there was fight in the pale male but that only lasted for so long and....Grand Weaver help them Shen was beating him down to a bloody pulp! This was no way to teach anyone a lesson...not unless you were going to rule your kingdom with an iron claw that would have the blind follows kept blind and accepting something like this as a way of life. There were other ways to be more diplomatic...there were other ways to approach this state of matters to truly unite everyone.
Now there was a true divide and at this moment, Cinead knew what side he was on...and what side he wasn't. The brown Tah's face turned emotionless with a hint of sadness at the turn of events, his heart aching from this.....were they lost to this strength and power of Shen or was there a way to fight back to never see another kin's blood fall at the paws of it's own kin?
Zakiax
Editted 6/24/16
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:42 pm
Seiryu had remained silent the entire time. She had been one of the first few to arrive and had watched in a calculated manner as others arrived and spoke amongst themselves. She spotted Yahui almost instantly, there was something about the nan that spoke to her, as if they were kindred in a way. Though it was likely because she saw the way she gazed towards the massive Tah before them all. She watched him the way she watched him. She wasn't strong by any means but she was smart and that was the only way she was ever going to accomplish things. Use her brains and manipulations to get what she wanted and to work others against themselves.
As xavier spoke up and challenged Smaug she knew things were about to get extremely interesting and she followed Yahui towards the side so as to avoid being injured in the challenge. "I do not believe we have been introduced, my name is Seiryu." She said smoothly as she returned her gaze to the two battling Tahs.
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:26 pm
As the two head butted Smaug was able to gauge his strength as well as his opponents. At the moment he had not yet noticed the other's weakness, but in due time he would. The clash between the two made something rise up within Smaug, some fire deep with in his core which brought upon his fighting spirit.
As the claws were bared at his neck Smaug withdrew his head from the other's, dodging a blow to the neck, however the bridge of his nose was gashed, as he was unable to dodge the blow completely. Blood dripped from the gash on his nose down his face onto the stone floor beneath. A low growl escaped the Crimson Tah, that hurt.
In retaliation the male charged once more, though instead of throwing his body weight into the other Tah at the last moment he pounced claws and teeth bared aiming to sink down into any flesh he could render.
krusnik05
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 8:13 pm
Xavier
A faint scent of coppery blood caressed the air closest to Xavier as they parted from their head-butt bringing a flash of satisfaction. Looking up to see wear he noted the gash and flared his own nostrils....who knew that Xavier had a savage side? Clearly it surprised this crimson Tah that he had a bloodthirsty side to himself the further he was rolling in the rage from within. It was frightening and saddening especially when it was the very claws, fangs and horns against his fire-kin. There was a small part of him that didn't want to hurt this male anymore than he had to or really anymore. Xavier of course couldn't let that small part of him talk to him anymore as his opponent came at him but changed his tactic of attack.
Lavender eyes flashed as Smaug came at him again, assuming that he was going to put all of his body weight into the charge but was surprised when the pounce came with claws and teeth. The pounce was definitely a surprising move as Xavier moved as fast as he could to roll away from underneath Smaug’s direct pounce and dodge the attack but his left leg was a moment too slow once he swung his body towards that left side, making his leg shake and slightly bend to try and bear the weight with such a quick movement.
Yet he didn’t escape the attack completely as he felt the claws dig into his right shoulder and come down. Roaring out he pushed himself up on his hind legs to hit Smaug with his left paw and bare his fangs at the side of his neck. But Xavier knew that if he tried to do another fast movement to dodge he would have to remind himself to go to the right, not the left.
Yahui seemed to faintly purr at the rising display of force before them. The strongest will be victorious. She could feel it. The battle before her - though gruesome and making her internally cringe for sitting through it - was sad, but necessary... There were many here that did not see the to reason like she had. They didn't see that potential of the great Tah that stood before them. He had the strength and power to lead them back to glory!
A soft voice beside her stirred her attention away momentarily. She turned to meet eyes with the Nan, taking in the pale cream coat and black hair. The violet eyes and matching markings... She'd seen this one earlier. This one was here before even her and was basking in the great shadow of the Tah, Shen. Much like she had. She gave a small smile and nodded.
"Yahui." she offered, then tucked her paws beneath her form to suggest the Nan sit beside her. Red eyes then flit back to the fighting Tahs and she nudged her nose towards them. "It's a shame they feel it necessary to use brute strength." she half whispered, mainly to herself, though she wouldn't be upset if Seiryu had heard.
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 9:47 pm
Finally! There was fighting, good that cub didn't know what was good for him. The fight against the overly courageous cub was rather one sided. That Cub was in for quite an awakening tomorrow is he survived. Thyra finally did come forward once the fighting started to get a better look. The cub had heart, foolish heart, he was outmatched plain and simply. It was a stupid idea for him to even try challenge a fully grown adult.
Another battle Kicked up and also drew her attention. Interesting she licked her muzzle.
Shen's words rang out in his mind, his order not to kill. They were a reminder so he withdrew after his attack, just barely dodging the swipe of the other as the crimson Tah before him only managed to tear at his neck fur. He'd have to finish this quick, although deep in his being he wanted to draw it out. No he'd have to resist toying and killing this one per Shen's orders.
Truthfully it was frustrating. Deep in his being he was struggling with the urge to kill this one. And then he saw it, the way the other held himself, he had found it, the crimson Tah's weakness, his left leg. An old injury of sorts perhaps, but he took it. A route to end this quickly.
With the flick of his tail he attacked once again, but this time aiming for the left side of the Tah's body. Smaug would attack this time with a series of head buts, and slashes hoping that one would hit the other's left leg. If he was able to get the other grounded he would attack with full force and body weight upon the left leg, hoping to cripple him and break his fighting spirit.
krusnik05
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 7:14 pm
Xavier
The battle continued between Xavier and Smaug. Xavier panted softly as they continued to do their battle dance of making hits but nothing extreme; just enough to spill blood and to hurt one another. However the crimson blazed Tah wanted to end this. While the other male was given a no-kill order, Xavier was given no such order and even if he was given it, Xavier did not answer to Shen nor would he ever do so.
Xavier and Smaug fought with ferocity. This woven male was learning in this fight with better movements being thrown towards Xavier, he could see that and if this had been another time and place he would have been happy to see a fast learner. But this was this time and this place in the throne room where he was fighting to the death, at least fighting to see who would come out on top. Yet what Xavier wasn’t counting on was that Smaug would learn too fast as Xavier moved backwards defensively to protect his left side as fast as he could.
Baring his fangs he lunged at Smaug to give him a good swat of his paw but with his body vulnerable in mid-motion, Xavier did not calculate well enough that a head butt connected in knocking his left leg with such force that he snarled when he fell down on his right side. Xavier felt a sting on his left leg but tried his best to not let it show that it was painful….he tried not to let it be known that it was a weakness and that it was only a so called “normal” blow of pain. The crimson blazed Tah tried to quickly get up from his side so that he could continue the fight but his left leg was extended while he moved to get up using his right side and forelegs.
It was almost pathetically easy. Ashur was reduced to strict defense as Shen surged on the offense, driving paws down like hammers to an anvil. Whenever Ashur would attempt to rise to his paws, the larger B'alam would drive his horns down, throwing the pale challenger back to the ground. To his credit, Ashur managed to lay a few strikes in, clawing a weeping wound open on Shen's front forelimb and delivering a decent bite to his shoulder, but the tah was simply unable to compensate for the superior reach and bulk of his opponent. He'd never fought a day in his life and seemed to lack all the fiery spirit of his kin.
With a well-placed blow to his challenger's jaw, Shen knocked his opponent several feet away. When it seemed the B'alam's balance was seeping back in, he charged and drove both paws down- one pinning the tah's head to the ground while the other pressed against his ribs roughly.
"I will not be brushed aside by anyone who cannot stand to defy me. It is by my mercy, and my mercy alone, that you will live to see the empire that will rise from this ruin..."
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The sounds of combat had erupted from around him. Another duel was waging just yards away as two larger tah drove their horns, claws, and fangs against one another. The smell of blood was slowly beginning to over-take the smell of even the volcano outside. The shouts of the onlookers drowned out whatever the roars and snarls could not. In just moments, the throne room had erupted into chaos.
Ashur was lost in his own private hell, struggling just to block one more move, look for just one opening, to pull himself back to his paw just one more time. He was no fool- there was no winning this one. While Shen had a point in saying that none had taken the stand that he had, Ashur would rather risk his own hide than say he wasn't among those that stood up to Shen himself. He didn't know how to stand as a leader- he wasn't a smart B'alam or a particularly strong one, but he knew when something simply wasn't right.
Stars flew in his vision as the ground left him for what seemed like an eternity. When the ground found his body once more he had but a single moment to gulp for air and blink against the swirling crimson in his vision before the massive paws were upon him again. While his hearing was ringing at this point, he could make out the venomous words of Shen overhead.
He sneered and spat a mouthful of blood up towards the Tah. "I wouldn't disgrace the weaver's gift of sight with the foul vision of anything you might raise..." He snarled, bearing his teeth in hopeless defiance. "End it, then. Take your victory but you'll not have my pride."
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Shen smirked. "Oh...? You don't want to disgrace your vision?" He pressed down onto the Tah's ribs, forcing a moan from the smaller B'alam. He leaned in closer, filling the defiant pale B'alam's vision with his form. For a moment the two locked eyes, their spirits clashing in an unseen and unheard plane. Something flashed in Shen's eyes and he slashed downward, driving two of his claws into the offending windows into the Tah's very soul. Ashur cried out, filling the hall with a sound of absolute agony as his vision- and his eyes along with it - was torn from him.
Shen pushed away from the fallen challenger with a look of disgust and shook the blood from his claws as best he could. There. If he was seeking not to disgrace himself, he'd not fill his vision with the world beyond the Fire Tribe- for if he survived his wounds that's exactly where he was going to go. Instead, the last thing the B'alam had ever seen was the face of the one who he defied. Let that be a lesson to him.
Wordlessly, he returned to the dais and as if nothing had happened, turned his attention back to the conflict between the other upstart and the armored Tah that had raised his voice in support. If he showed successful- which it seemed was imminent -that one would be deserving of a reward.
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