ENDLESS JOURNEYS (O/A)

[PixelMuse]

Nova Blancke

Nova was just guiding them. Thinking. What he usually does when he wasn't speaking. But he stopped thinking and spoke to Trinity.

"Trinity, why aren't you using magic right now? You should practice whenever you can. Cool your sweat or use the wind to cool down. Either way, practice."

Trinity shook her head from the distraction of the fox and wolf conflict. "Right. Sorry Nova, my mind was elsewhere." While heading toward the Arena she focused on cooling her sweat. This did feel much better considering the environment. Her sweat felt like ice, though it didn't look like it. Those that knew magic could see the aura each sweat droplet that was affected.

Nova Blancke

"Ahhh we are here." Nova looked up at the Arena. It was more like a coliseum. He guided them to the waiting room.

She lost her concentration, and her sweat went back to normal. A coliseum? Now there's a real test for stage fright. Hopefully Alec can overcome that.  

[Nova Blancke]

"It is not against the rules but there usually isn't a lot of time to do research for the challenger. Leoxandre is a honorable warrior. He won't use cheap tricks so you can be rest assured on that. You do need to watch out for his tail as it has a lot of reach and packs a great deal of power. His main choice of weapon is his spear but he won't use it if you are unarmed. So no worries on that issue. They are descendants of dragons so they are powerful foes. An average punch won't even register. The same applies to an average fireball. You will really have to synchronize with your spirit to injure him with magic. I suggest dropping him from high or slamming him against a wall with your wind. Keep yourself out of his reach." Nova told Alec.

"That is all the advice I can and will offer you."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec swallowed hard and nodded his head. Essentially, he thought, it was going to be like fighting his eldest brother save for the whole tail thing. Alec wondered if the dragon-kin were capable of transformation the way the wolf-kin were. He would find out soon.

"There isn't any sort of entrance ceremony is there? Like some special bowing or something?"  

[Nova Blancke]

"No, you will be announced as the challenger. But showing respect by bowing is something you should do before every dual regardless.They will appreciate it greatly. It shows that you care about honor which goes a long way for them." Nova explained.

A loud horn was sounded.

"Ah it's almost time."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

What little bravado Alec had displayed for Kerana was gone after Nova had confirmed what the horn meant.

He nervously began to wring his hands together and pace while muttering, "Ah. Oh man. Oh no. I dunno. So many people. I mean. Aw dung."  

[Nova Blancke]

Nova smiled a bit and patted Alec's shoulders.

"You'll be fine. Listen to the wind, focus on that. Not the crowd. As cryptic as it sounds I found that it helps. " A door opened that was connected to their room. It let to another room that was in turn connected the arena. "When the second horn is sound that second door will open and your fight will begin. So get in there. Fight to kill. Now...time to be an alpha. Best of luck."Nova said.

He then turned to the rest of the group after they were done wishing Alec good luck. " We should go to our seats. Follow me"  

[Kerana]

Kerana narrowed her eyes and frowned. Once more Nova was encouraging Alec to kill. But she kept quiet hopefully it would help Alec survive. She shrugged it off for the moment and went to Alec, "Good luck Alec!" a little hesitant at first but she decided to place a kiss on his cheek. She hoped it would be enough of a presence with him to help him over come his stage freight.
 

[PixelMuse]

After Kerana, Trinity strode up to him and pat him on the shoulder. "Take a deep breath. It will come to you. You've faced many trials already. You can do this. Good luck."

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Nova Blancke

Rikki Tikki Travi

Hiro Cross

 

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec's murmuring was abruptly silenced by Kerana's little kiss. His mind calmed, and he was back in the present. He absently nodded in response to Nova and Trinity, but he wasn't really paying too terrible much attention. He got the part about the second horn, and about listening to the wind, but that was about it.

He made his way to the breezeway that led to the arena and waited. He figured he would wait to transform when the battle started. It was tradition with his people. A display of unity with the wolf spirit. Surely the Dragon-kin could appreciate that.  

[Nova Blancke]

Nova led the group to their seats. The Coliseum was large but the amount of seats were much larger than the people here. Despite the majority of the species showing up, a lot of seats were empty. It gave a false sense of disinterest because one would expect all of the seats to be filled. But there simply were not enough of the Dragon-kin to fill them all up. However it also gave a good display of the variety of their kind. Hair colors varied but red was the most common. The shape of the horns only varied a little. Length of the tail also varied but was most commonly just a foot longer than their leg. Scale color wasnt limited to two colors.

A lot of Dragon-kin looked at Goruk. Someone like him truly stood out. It seemed they were more interested in him than the upcoming match.

He'd have to watch out. A lot of women would be showing him with gifts after this.

Nova spotted a red haired Dragon-Kin in the distance. And she looked furious. Nova could only try and smile weakly.

All of the talking stopped the moment Leoxandra walked into the Arena. His upperbody was adorned with black Tribal tattoos. As it was a tradition to do so for something like this. It was also a form of respect to the challenger. It didn't happen often that he did this. The interest of the crowd heightened at the sight of this. The man inhaled and his voice boomed.

"Today my Heart-Brother returned to me! With company! Tonight we shall feast! However, he was not alone in his return! He brought an interesting group of people with him. As by our rites, they shall undergo this Rite of Passage! One brave young wolf stepped forward and desired for a grand stage to fight in! And we do not turn down a good fight!" Leoxandra took the horn that hung from his side and sounded it. It was the cue for Alec to step in as the gates opened for him.

"Alec Yaetes! Son of Arithod and Alessa. Come forward!" The crowd waited with anticipation at the entrance from which Alec would emerge.  

[Goruk Devon]

Goruk looked amongst the on lookers of the arena only to be returned with what he guessed was looks of desire and some of fear and a bit of envy. He smiled slightly his scales shifting slightly out of their normal skin look. "Quite interesting...and i thought I was going to be an outcast.."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec peeked his head out and looked at the crowd. His ears flattened against his head and he swallowed hard before taking a deep breath. He stepped out and toward the center of the arena meekly. He stopped when he was about ten paces from Leoxandre. He looked up at the imposing figure and forced his ears up. He placed his right fist over his heart, and his left fist at the small of his back. He bowed slightly while keeping his eyes on his opponent.

Beads of sweat ran off his brow. It was mostly from the heat, but his nerves were exasperating things. His breath was shaking as he muttered a prayer to his spirit.

The spirit was ready.

"With the Great Wolf Mother's blessing, I shall endure 'till victory or vanquish." Alec recited.  

[Nova Blancke]

"Even if you do not fight, you will have plenty of women trying to claim you. You look like a dragon more than they do. To them....you've got some strong blood. Perfect for them." Nova explained as he watched Alec carefully.

Some of the crowd was visibly disappointed in what they saw. They were expecting something....more. They did seem to approve of the exchange of respect as Leoxandre did the same.

Leoxandre tossed the horn aside and planted his feet firmly into the ground.

"Now, let us begin!!"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec drops his center of gravity, squared off with his opponent, and crossed his arms in front of him. He turned his wrists and faced his palms out, revealing his claws.

In an instant he transformed with a burst of wind that was just strong enough to send a gust out to everyone in the arena. The ground around him swirled gently, as though the wind was coiled to strike.

Alec bared his fangs and snarled, "Elders first."  

[Nova Blancke]

The Dragon-kin instinctively shielded his eyes from the blast. Leoxandre was pleased by this performance.. Looks like this could even get interesting for him. Nova just crossed his arms and smiled proudly at his student. Leo charged in, his long tail never touching the ground. Upon closing in he got closer to the ground and struck upwards with a simple fist. Despite it being simple, it still had a good amount of force.