[CHAL] Follow by Example [Tethys / Zili]

[Kimaria]

He had observed the duel between Destati and Tethys with an eagle eye, watching and calculating and trying to pick up last minute tips. It was a learning experience, to be sure, to sit and watch two lions go against one another with the skill they both had. He was eager to see who would come out on top and was pleased to see it was his mentor. The lion seemed, strangely, more deadly than his son, perhaps because he'd been in more life-and-death situations than his son. It would make sense. Fighting for survival would be a far better teacher than fighting simply to gain honour.

He waited a moment for the two to talk if they wanted and, silently, began to psyche himself up.

He was ready.

He could do this.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

"All right, round two..."

Tethys hopped from side to side for a few moments, he'd had some time to regather his composure. Given his father hadn't hit him too hard, he wasn't experiencing any weariness either. All in all he was fine and could now consider the warm up over. Zili had been given the opportunity to see how best to approach certain fights and if he learnt from it and had a little confidence... well who knew, maybe today would be his day.

"Let's go," Tethys didn't wait for the black lion to start first. Zili had already proven that he couldn't initiate combat, not properly. He spent too much time overthinking and the best way to get passed that little hurdle was to give him no time think.

He would find that the pale lion was heading directly towards him, fully intending to leap on to him. Whether it was to knock him over, wind him, or get on top of him, remained to be seen... it all depended on how Zili reacted to the initial assault.

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

Everything happened quickly. One moment he was stood there trying to figure out exactly how he was going to spin this in his favour and the next...

Tethys was coming at him.

He needed to do something surprising, even if it wasn't the smartest move. Tethys likely expected him to back away or leap evasively to the side - then a paw would stretch out and smack him in the face, proving that he hadn't been quick enough. So, instead, he strengthened his stance and lowered his head, directing the flat of his skull at Tethys, and threw himself forwards to meet the other's charge instead of flailing away from it. Who knew, perhaps this would be enough to knock the other off course. Or maybe it would just land him in trouble that he might, once again, struggle to get out of.

He'd find out in the next second.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

He wasn't moving?

Oh god he wasn't moving, Tethys began to experience deja vu as he slammed headfirst in to the awaiting black lion. There was a 'crack' as both heads smacked together and then Tethys stumbled away. Several mumbled curses could be heard as well as a very emphasised "ow" - he hadn't been winded but he'd definitely been stunned.

If this was anything to go by, then it appeared that Zili had the harder head... Although much to Tethys's credit he hadn't been knocked out like he had been during his duel. No, this time he was alive, conscious and kicking...well maybe not kicking, but he would be in a short while.

It should have been just enough time to give Zili an opening...

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

It hurt more than Zili would have imagined, his vision bursting with bright, white stars. And yet, through the pain, he heard a voice urging him to move. To press the attack now whilst he had potentially left his opponent reeling. Tethys would recover quickly so if he dithered, the moment would drift away and so would his chances of ever gaining membership in these lands.

With a soft grunt he lifted his head and tried to focus on the other lion, kicking off with his hind legs to turn the attack back on the other. His right paw lifted and this time he put some effort in, using the upperhand to fuel his strike and put some strength behind it.

His heart hammered wildly in his chest.

He couldn't lose his nerve now. He just couldn't.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

He couldn't dodge it, but he could certainly deflect it.

Tethys sucked in a breath and though his head might have been pounding he swung out his paws and forcibly knocked the hindlegs away. They still hit him, albeit with less force than Zili might have intended, but not enough to send the white male flying. When he was certain that he could at least see straight again, he allowed himself to attack back.

Bonus points for Zili in that he had gone for an opening, but those didn't always last long!

Now it was time to see whether or not he would be able to defend himself against an assault similar to that he had done on his father. With his claws exposed, a point deliberately made to ensure that Zili understood he really had to act correctly, he took his aim. Just above the eye, and towards the juggular.

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

His paw was knocked away - damn, he'd been too slow!

Then, with a speed that had Zili on edge, the fight continued. There were claws and his eyes honed in on them as if realising, suddenly, that he was close to proving himself. Tethys was upping the ante and if he didn't rise up and show that he was capable of defending against such an attack he could kiss his sweet victory goodbye.

This time the urgency forced him to act on instinct and, again, he stood his ground, lifting his other foreleg this time to take the blow. It would hurt but a wounded leg would be far less dangerous than one that could take out his eyes or cut somewhere important. That way he'd be close enough to counter it if the opportunity showed itself.

His paw was up now, sweeping across defensively to attempt at knocking Tethy's strike off course...so long as he had his timing right.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Not perfect, but not bad either - Zili had chosen to defend his more vital points by taking the blow elsewhere. It would result in quite the wound as Tethys came down hard on him, but at least it wouldn't kill him. Suffice it to say that by the manner in which Zili had finally found his paws, that pain and that injury wouldn't last for long anyway...there would be a curious healer or two who would be more than happy to attend to it.

There was just one little thing he needed to test before he finally stood down his assault.

He attacked again, this time deliberately aiming for his side in a manner that would force the lion to at least use his now injured paw. You see, the ability to fight even when wounded was important, Zili was going to have to demonstrate that he could compensate for the damage he had willingly taken. There was no point in being a punching bag, the worst of the Viking Reavers and captains had those in the form of punching bags...

But how would he react? Tethys was about to find out.

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

He'd later learn that there might have been a better way to defend against such an attack, especially when the pain streaked through his limb as the claws slipped through his fur and skin. He choked on a startled cry and would have closed his eyes if he'd not seen that Tethys was still pressing the attack.

Zili felt like he had been doing better but suddenly it seemed to him that this was the most difficult duel he'd had so far. His strong(ish) start seemed to be slipping away as the captain pushed for more and more skill.

He moved away from Tethys before thinking about the consequences and his injured foreleg half-collapsed as it took the bulk of his weight. He had few options now. Go with it or try and regain his feet and likely be smacked for the effort. Gritting his teeth to prepare for the pain, he let the strength go out of his wounded leg and rolled, throwing himself across the rocky ground to try and put more distance between them and avoid being struck again.

It was likely the wiser option of the two that came to mind but, boy, did it hurt.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

"All right," Tethys's paws smacked to the ground and he came to a halt. No further blows would come from him as he gave a roll of his shoulders and creaked his neck. He was satisfied by what he'd seen, the lion had demonstrated a marked improvement and with some decent practice he'd be a reasonable combatant. For now though, Zili exhibited the potential that Tethys was inclined to accept and that was good enough in the captain's books.

"You need work," he stated as he closed the gap between the two and hazarded a smile. "But I've seen far worse from aspiring Reavers in the Freeborn, so I'd say you make a passing grade," he added. True enough, he'd seen some of the Freeborn display strength but next to no finesse...and some were so arrogant that they didn't know their arse from their elbow, but they certainly talked a good game.

"But for now I'd suggest we introduce you to a healer and get you cleaned up," he mused. "Then you can find your friend," he added with a small chuckle.

He took a moment to nod towards his father. "You'll talk to mum right? She's getting agitated being caged in one spot...."

His father nodded.

Satisfied, Tethys returned his attention to the darker lion and raised a brow. "Shall we...?" he said as he moved away from the lion and back towards the pride.

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

Zili could not have been more relieved and it must have shown on his face because he did very little to hide it. He was exhausted - physically and mentally - and now that the adrenaline was draining from him, his leg had begun to throb, leading him to distraction when he should have been paying better attention to Tethys.

Wait.

He'd done it? He proven himself?

Despite the pain and fatigue, a grin broke across his face and he took a moment to catch Destati's gaze. See that? I did it!. His look said it all.

Then, realising that Tethys was preparing to leave and he'd said nothing at all, he scurried across to the captain's side and nodded eagerly - as if afraid he might change his mind.

"I'm ready," and he cast a look across at Destati and gave him a nod. A nod of thanks and also one that suggested that he'd rather this not be their last meeting. Destati's cause had stirred him and right now he was feeling strong enough to take on anything.

Epine de Rose

Shall I set something up for Tethys, Zili and Xochi? Or do you have anything else in mind? (: