Erebus was just irritated as all get out. Being confined and watched at the house wasn’t exactly his thing. Nefertari didn’t help at all either. She’d go on and on and on about Imnir and it was getting to the point that he couldn’t be around her. Though he looked up as Dorian, his cheerful self, came through the door with Nefertari. “Come on Erebus. Stop being a grump, you’re alive.” Dorian laughed. “Training time. You and Nef.”

The male just looked at him with blank eyes. She had watched him before but the way Dorian said it made it seem like she was going to be his training partner. He just looked at Dorian though for confirmation which the male gave him. “Both of you are going to train yes.” Earning a strange look from both of them, “She might be a fighter when she gets older Erebus and if so she’s going to learn to pull her own weight you hear. I won’t allow her to go into the ring knowing nothing and getting hurt. She’s also smaller and faster than you.”

Erebus looked at his daughter and frowned. Dorian seemed to have it in his mind that he was training with her and no matter what he did they would. With a shake he stood up ready to leave. At least he’d get something done. Thankfully he could still walk and wasn’t as bad off as Imnir was. Aphrodite had taken her toll on him and his recklessness also caught up with him. Oh well.

As they got back to the training area Dorian looked at them both. “You two will be fine. Just don’t hurt each other too much now.” He chuckled and let them both into the corral.

“Be quick on your feet Nef, I will be coming at you hard but I won’t hurt you. You’ll need to learn to read your opponent. Are you ready?” He would hold back enough to not hurt her, but not enough to push her.

Nef nodded and backed up, getting into place as her father instructed. That’s when Erebus charged her and growled at her to move. She didn’t move fast enough and he slammed into her with his chest. Just that made his teeth set on edge with how much pain shot through him. Even with Nefertari’s tiny body the wounds from his battle were deep and he felt like if he pushed too hard he might reopen them.

The next few attacks he made on her made him snarl with pain. Nefertari was learning to dodge his attacks and put in a few of her own making him think. She knew his moves, all of them, better than any of the mokai he had fought making it harder to use his attacks.

Panting, he backed up. “Hold on, hold on. Your old man needs a break.” Erebus whined as he took a moment to catch his breath. That’s when she got close to him, wondering whether or not her father was ok when he grabbed her by the scruff and pin her down hard.

“Not fair.” Nefertari growled as she struggled to get up. Erebus didn’t let up though until she stopped moving, which it when she retaliated. Erebus cried out as her claws struck him in the face. The tables had turned and they were both learning something. “My old man seems to be doing just fine.”
Erebus laughed and looked at Dorian who was paying attention to them a little bit. It seemed that he felt they could train without encouragement. A bland look to the male made Dorian laugh, “You can continue. I don’t think you need me cheering since I can’t decide between either of you. Come now Erebus, you aren’t getting cold feet are you?”

Dorian had done it. Erebus rocketed forward, using his strength to actually clear the gate. This was training too wasn’t it? Being able to move quickly and think on his feet. Well there we went, clearing the gate and causing himself tons of pain when he landed to show Dorian he was ready to get in the ring again. Of course the male just squatted and patted Erebus on the head, “I can see you’re ready. Let’s fight the dummies now.” Opening the gate for Nefertari, “Next part and then we can go home for a big feast.”
As they got to the next place Erebus gave a verbal groan. This place was ideal for him to train, the stacks of hale bales and the dummies filled with sand were great. Although they were filled with more sand than what a mokai weighted, they were enough to train with. Letting himself be lead into the next corral he didn’t even wait before he lunged at the stationary dummy.
The pain ebbed as he ignored it, not letting it control him. He slashed at the dummy with his claws, striking over and over again. Then he ripped at it with his fangs and then gored it. The popping sounds of the cloth were enough to fill him with joy. Erebus was getting stronger, he was recovering. He growled and continued his relentless assault. That’s when out of the corner of his eye he could see the redone pulley dummy coming at him and rolled to dodge it. He was tired as all get out yet he still continued to dodge and fight the moving thing. It wasn’t moving too fast but enough that if he were hit it would hurt him. Horns down he took the brunt force as it shook through him when he stopped the dummy. Now that the thing was on his horn he bucked hard enough to pull the dummy down. Sand spilled out everywhere as it crashed to the ground.

“Not so tough now huh.” He snarled. “Yah didn’t think so.”
Trotting back to the gates he looked at Dorian. “I think I’m ready and made a full recovery don’t you? I’m ready for the ring.” Grinning.
His human smiled and patted him, of course not understanding what he said at all. “I think you’re getting better. I still want you to rest a bit more before I get you a fight though. As I said, big dinner guys, big dinner.” And with that, Dorian led the two home.

{1058 words}