-The Will of a Demon-
SkieBorne
During his travels, the big lion had come across a few people who'd spoken of staying away from these lands... that demons inhabited it. Further investigation had lead him to seek it out, to see for himself what the demons were, for what he could tell, as bad as their reputation was they lead strong lives and held values that resonated with his own. The strongest survived, self-reliance... though he knew little beyond that, it was still enough of a hook that he found himself wandering their lands for a few days, not really trying to mask his presence.
Manda
It wasn't long before Iartuupe heard rumors of the big, darkly-colored lion that had wandered into their lands. Those who brought him the news were a couple of cubs - too young to fight off such a lion, but smart enough to bring the news to their leader. Iar smiled at that and gave each cub a soft purr before going out to see this newcomer himself.
SkieBorne
The male was sprawled on an up-jutting rock, enjoying the sunshine and rather obvious against the pale stone. Though his eyes were closed, his ears were alert and there was a lively flick to his tail as it swept from side to side. He'd come across more recent tracks here and had decided it was a good place to wait... pressing much further into their lands would likely seem as something more then a curious probe.
Manda
Topping a little rise a small distance away, Iar caught sight of the other and his lip curled up in a growl. So relaxed, was he? Surely the other knew he was trespassing by -now-... and yet, still he was so relaxed. Furious, Iar let out a roar and stood tall on that hill - waiting to see what the other might do.
SkieBorne
Barakillian's ears flicked and he tilted his, head to look over in the direction of the roar. About time. Rising, he shook himself and squared his shoulders, lifting head to regard Iartuupe. "I was wondering when someone would approach." He stood tall and proud as well, a black mass against the blue sky. "I wish to speak to those who call these lands home." Not a hint of worry in his voice - it took more then a simple roar to shake the big lion.
Manda
Iar snarled at that and bounded down that hill to stand looking up at the other - which was annoying. No one should stand taller than him, even if it was mostly because the other was up on a rock. "Who are you to demand to speak with -anyone-?" he hissed, fur bristling.
SkieBorne
Barakillian refused to move as the other drew nearer, instead taking a step towards the other, "Who wants to know?" This one was roiled up already and he hadn't even tried lighting the fuse. How entertaining and enjoyable! Smiling, the lion came down further to circled round the other's rear. "I've come looking for demons though I'm not sure if I've found an wannabe upstart or a true demon. Care to inform me?" Though his face remained pleasant, his muscles tensed, ready for an attack.
Manda
Iar roared again and turned to follow the other with his gaze, red eyes almost glowing with his rage. How -dare- he! At those last words, the demon lion did indeed spring at the other, claws going for his eyes.
SkieBorne
Ha! Barakillian roared his own challenged then, a thing that rumbled like thunder and surged forward, ducking under the swipes to throw his weight against the other lion. Fangs flashed as he sough purchase in neck or shoulder, eager to fight.
Manda
Iar felt teeth graze his shoulder and twisted away with a snarl, turning to attempt to rake claws across the side of the other's head. He was angry, and so perhaps not thinking clearly enough to get some space between them. Which could potentially be a bad idea, but Iar had yet to -really- meet his true match in a fight...
SkieBorne
He tilted his head as he felt those claw dig in, and let them catch in his thick mane, continuing to push forward and up before breaking suddenly away. Rearing briefly, he slammed against the other, aiming to rake claws across face and return the favour, ever pressing forward.
Manda
Iar flinched back as claws came just a -bit- too close to an eye, and ... as such, stumbled a little. But he caught his balance quickly enough and now he -did- back off, though not far. "If you really want to know who I am, you'll have to ask with more -respect-, interloper," he snarled.
SkieBorne
Barakillian let him back off, one ear laid back against his head as blood dripped from it. There was a smirk on his face, even now, "And what reason do I have to respect you?" With a roar, he surged ahead, swiping at Iartuupe once, twice... trying to catch eyes, ears, something to make the other flinch.
Manda
One of those swipes -did- catch an ear, giving them matching wounds... but Iar refused to flinch, instead roaring again - practically in the other's face. By this point, he didn't care too much about -hurting-, he wanted to -kill-. So he ducked lower, ears laid back, and tried to dart for the other's throat.
SkieBorne
A move Barakillian was intimately familiar with and he bounced out of the way, a powerful blow aiming to catch the side of the other's face and deflect the motion wide. "You want respect...? /Earn/ it." He hissed back.
Manda
That split Iar's face near his lip on one side and indeed snapped his head back. But he bounced back as well and growled, "I don't have to earn -anything- from you!"
Coming on again, he reared back and batted at the other with powerful swipes of claws and snaps of his teeth.
Coming on again, he reared back and batted at the other with powerful swipes of claws and snaps of his teeth.
SkieBorne
A couple blows caught the side of his face, leaving lines of blood as his head whipped to the side, driving him back. Anger began to stir now, sparked by the sting of wounds and he roared in defiance. "And I owe you NOTHING!" Rearing up, he lashed out several times - paws flexed and the size of dinner plates, each one a powerful blow until they closed wrestled, arms curling about the other's back to leave gouges where claws met flesh while canines looked for vital spots about the neck and shoulders.
Manda
Iar roared and leaned back for a moment, then in a split second shifted his weight to try and knock the other lion over instead. Back feet shifted, and he braced himself, then -shoved-, ignoring the claws dug into his shoulders.
SkieBorne
That worked. He hadn't been expecting it, had leaned forward with the motion only to find himself unbalanced and tipping over backwards. Landing on his back with a heavy thud, the lion growled in pain. Pink eyes narrowed as he brought his hind legs up and pushed against the other's stomach, raking claws along the unprotected flesh as he struggled to free himself.
Manda
At -that-, Iar made the first sound of pain, a roar with a note of agony in it - twisting to jump off and away from the other. He stumbled as he landed, blood running down legs to stain the ground dark beneath him. But then something within him almost seemed to -snap-, and suddenly ... the pain was welcome, it was -good-. And though muscles trembled with pain and blood loss, the black and red lion crouched low, snarling fiercly - a mad light in his eyes.
SkieBorne
Rolling to his feet, the lion shook his mane and eyed the other, a grudging respect for this clearly unstable opponent entering his eyes. Chest heaving, Bara stayed lowed and stayed put as he spoke, ready for a counter offensive, "Who... are you? You duel well." There was a hint of respect in his voice, alongside the enjoyment.
Manda
Iar hissed at that, stalking toward the other in a low, odd, almost slithering sort of motion. "I...?" he half-laughed, a mad sort of sound. "Now you would ask that question, fool?" The tone of his voice had changed a bit as well - slightly deeper, more resonate... and he moved now almost as if he was not quite used to this sort of body.
SkieBorne
Temper flared at that and he stood, tall and proud, unafraid even as the other snaked towards him. "Fool!? You are attacked /me/, the wounds you carry are your own fault." He roared once more, as if the sound alone could beat back this strange creature. "I am Barakillian, come in search of likeminded individuals. The strong survive while the /weak/ fall." The way he spoke, it was clear he would not succumb to Iartuupe, had the drive to follow that pledge through.
Manda
The dark lion laughed at that and snapped teeth at the other, straightening a bit. "Do I appear weak to you?" he half-purred, still in that 'other' voice. Truly, no normal lion should still be standing after such wounds...
SkieBorne
"Weak enough to challenge a shadow you do not understand." Came his quick reply, a low rumbling growl as he started to move once more, circling. "Do you think I would give in to you?" It was mocking, cocky as though the answer was clear. "Your will is great but how long will that body last?" He rumbled, claws leaving gouges in the ground as he wondered how long this battle of wills would rage.
Manda
"It will last as long as I -require- it to last," came the return snarl. But a part of the demon knew that this other, this Barakillian was right. Stupid, weak, mortal body. Ah, but however... "Is it only the strength of the body that you respect? If that is so, I still call you fool."
SkieBorne
"And I you, for not knowing when you are beaten, however admirable your will is. I am not stupid, /demon/, I know the value of a cunning wit." He sneered and blinked away the blood that run into his eyes, "I am looking for those who hold strength above all. I wonder... have I found it? Strength of body... mind... spirit? What do you have to offer that would give me pause?" The other seemed taltative now, why not take advantage of it?
Manda
The demon growled softly at that. "If that is truly what you are searching for, you have found it. Though I cannot allow you to stay here ... unless we are alike in more ways than that. Is there a demon within -your- soul.... Barakillian?" he purred, deceptively soft.
SkieBorne
"I do not know." He replied, looking within himself. "I wander... live for the battle, have yet to find a match. All beyond a fellow lion is beneath my notice... What do you define as a demon?" He'd be called one, before, in praise or revulsion of his fighting or his cutting remarks... but it had never occurred to him before. /Did/ he consider himself a demon?
Manda
"Hmph..." the dark lion snorted at that, feeling muscles trembling a bit more ... knowing that this body would not hold up to much more abuse. He needed to rest - no matter how his 'other' might rail against giving in to such things. "For the moment... that is good enough," he decided. "You may stay in these lands - if you wish. And learn more of us... "
SkieBorne
"That's why I came." He spoke softly, "You did not answer my question. Who are you?" Bara was beginning to think he'd run into someone important... The grudging respect gave way to a neutral kind of tone as he rose from his crouch, intending to follow the other.
Manda
"I...? For myself, I am called Valafar," he replied, truly giving the other a gift with the name - did Bara but know it. "However, the one you fought at first calls himself Iartuupe. He ... and I ... are one of a pair of rulers in this land. The other is called Verge'lian." He would not give Verge's true name - he would leave that choice to the other.
SkieBorne
A ruler!? No wonder the other had seemed to perturbed. He'd expected a scout or something... not one of the reigning lions. Tucking the names away, odd as that seemed, he nodded his thanks and remained silent. Silent, proud, he started towards the demon, making as though to lend support should the other happen to lean on him. He was hurt, yes, but not nearly as badly as his opponent. It was a wordless acknowledge of the other's strength... the position meant little to the lion.
Manda
Valafar eyed the other for a moment or two, then smirked faintly ... and withdrew - leaving Iar once more in control. Almost immediately, the dark lion slumped a bit, not quite as strong as his 'other half', and he knew it. Which was only more irritating. Stiffening, he glared at Bara and then turned and stalked off. As best he could, anyway, stumbling a bit every few steps.
SkieBorne
Bara harumphed and shrugged, "Suit yourself." He wasn't fool enough to put a spring in his step as he normally would if he was mocking someone, instead choosing to simply walk near the other, even going so far as to catch the king when he stumbled a little worse then normal. Bara wouldn't apologize, no, but he could at least save the shreds of dignity that remained - shreds that would disappear should the other truly fall.
It was probably a good thing that the dark male was not interested in starting or leading a pride of his own.
It was probably a good thing that the dark male was not interested in starting or leading a pride of his own.
