The man, this insolent creature known as @Vermier, was able to miss her frightful claws by only flesh wounds (or at least that was what Úlla perceived; she had no time to properly dissect its severity). Her throat thrummed with pain and so too did her legs cave in fatigue, but the latter was kept still by sheer willpower and the ever present hunger to win. Her fur was matted, dripping with blood in the parts that have been attacked, lacerated and raw. At least the lagoon king felt her claws rip through his shoulder a little - that in itself was a small victory. However, that was only temporary, for she soon felt the hungry fangs of the king ripping at her throat. It was, by the protection of Vellen, an attack that barely missed her vitals. She stumbled backwards, having repositioned herself. Blood dripped down where Vermier had assaulted her, allowing the land to reap her blood. Breathing was coming out in wheezes and a whistling sound that was unbecoming of her. Her tail whipped with fierce determination behind as Ulla brought her left paw up and attempted to slap Vermier's face, aiming at his cheek and his right eye. And with her jaw opened, she lunged forth and attempted to aim at another grab at his nose. Her own nose stung, painfully so, enough that her smell was inhibited. Úlla's world was shaky and blotched with colors staining her vision. At the very least, she hoped this time Vellen will bless her with not one, but two successful hits.

Úlla vs @Vermier
Scilla Lagoon
4/5

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 3 + 6 + 9 + 2 + 18 + 7 + 11

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 1 + 15 + 10 + 5

image © argent 2021

She was late to this challenge, though it troubled her no more than anything else. In fact, Genya slowly sauntered over to where she could get a good seat to watch Vermier roll around with a pale coated lioness. For a moment, it felt like she was watching another lion, not the odd off-putting male she was used to. Perhaps Genya had been wrong in her assumption of the Lagoon king. Still, she couldn't tolerate her position here and the lagoon itself. It felt boring and suffocating all at once - enough so that she wanted out. Regardless of who came out as victor, the swamp thing will leave for good.

He cannot pretend that he isn't curious when the call rings out for Scilla Lagoon. He isn't within close range, but still Seneca heads in the direction, noticing that it is yet another pride challenge made by a woman. Except this time, he finds himself somewhat hoping that she will win. It would be amusing to see Vermier knocked down a peg yet again.

His entrance is quiet and without fanfare, glancing towards the raging battle and taking note of the others bleeding on the sidelines. Tensions are clearly high, and while a part of him wants nothing more than to find a reason to fight, he keeps that part of himself under lock and key. His cool gaze sweeps over @Genya, meeting her stare with a look of mild amusement, for she knows his feelings on her king.

But it is towards his pridemates that he moves, his tail swaying slowly at his ankles as he catches sight of @Arjana and @Circe. A few Wolfbron faces are still strangers to him (@Viné and @Rue), and his queen sits at the side of a strange male entirely, who smells of another pride. He joins the pack, settling idly upon his haunches nearby and offering a nod of greeting towards his sovereign and Arjana. "Ladies," he greets casually, his gaze flickering idly over the ones unfamiliar to him before his attention returns to the battle between Vermier and a fierce lioness.

image by koafox, code by koi

He is too caught up in the spite and electricity of the moment to really notice the understandably frayed nerves of @Narcissa. In fact it was only when @Saga approached that he blinked, turning away from the chaos and fixing his sister with a pointed stare. Children are children, Saga. We know this. Perhaps they were not infants, but they did not have age on their side; they did not know better. Perhaps they did not have a choice. His attention shifted momentarily to @Wolfgang, then; he was their father, after all. They certainly wouldn't have a choice if this turned into a war. He bristled uncomfortably when in that moment he would note the presence of his own cubs, though not quite in the same way as most parents would. They were young, yes, but the Sigrun were exposed to violence and war from a young age. Such was the way of things. They had their aunts with them, so all would be well. He would note, too, the..... dog? Magnus' brows knitted together, but to watch @Myrkvi handle the situation not only reassured the man that his eldest boy had things under control but also that he need not abandon his current position to play babysitter.

@Nadia had won, and it was her that needed him the most at this moment.

She joined his side and he would lean into her, seeking to press a kiss to her forehead. Well done, he rumbled approvingly, lips peeling back into a toothy grin against her ear. Then, pulling away, he would fix the Heiress with a steely stare. She didn't seem happy. What a shame. The approach of @Voluspa had not been missed, though @Rasmus had managed to keep himself out of his father's line of sight for now, tucked away into the audience with @Elijah. @Bronn was a welcome presence, and his instructions to his niece would be met with an approving rumble. Your uncle is correct, Voluspa. They are worms, and we will eradicate them for their insolence. He would turn to fix his daughter with his undivided attention. Come with me. With a jerk of his head he rose, rumbling to Voluspa to make it clear that she was to stick at his ankles. Bronn was welcome, too, as was Nadia - perhaps, in her condition, her brother might want to stay close. Once he reached the larger group of kin, he would motion to the spot next to @Hrefna. He addressed both girls and @Myrkvi as he spoke. Voluspa, you will stay here with your brother and your sister. You are to protect one another. He would then shift his attention to @Svana. Sister, you will protect them, and you will not let them out of your sight. If you see Rasmus, bring him to your side. The command left no room to budge, though his tone made it clear his fondness and his trust for his youngest sister.

Saga would no doubt fly into battle for defense of Ragna as soon as the moment called for it. Ulla was.... occupied. Svana, loyal and present as ever, was the most sensible candidate for guard.

With a final lingering glance at the little group, he turned on his heel and made his way back to his wife, meeting his chimeric sister on the way. Not yet, sister, he rumbled. Soon. As he returned to the fray, he would note that the challenge between @Beelzebub and @Ragna was over. His niece returned victorious, and - as a priority - he made his way to her. Þú barðist vel, frænka. Ég er ánægður. He lowered his head to her, fixing her with an approving smile, before scanning the crowds. It would be at that point that he would find @Elijah. Ah, and Rasmus. He glanced to Saga. Elías er hér; Hann getur sinnt henni. Farðu til hans og komdu með Rasmus með þér líka. Hann á að ganga í hjónaband með systkinum sínum. With his kin tended to, he would approach @Narcissa and @Wolfgang; fraught parents, as was expected. It was all happening so quickly - the brunette girl, slumped and bloody, protected by Scilla - but the King sought to intercept the two, albeit briefly, before they attempted to see their child. You must know that I never wished for this. Scilla is your enemy, not Ragna - I doubt highly your girl launched into something so risky without someone else pulling the strings. He paused. As a parent I regret this for you, and will aid in removing any obstacles between you and her. Your other children will remain untouched by the Hollows. A glance, then, to the outpouring of support - mostly Obsidian affiliated - for the fallen yearling as they attempted to infiltrate the circle and get to the child. @Faevyre, @Ania.... children of a similar age, potentially siblings. He did not know the details, so could only assume.

He approached the gathering, keeping a distance and keeping his attention fixed on @Amara. He would say nothing, for now.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

Well this all turned into a shit show real quick, and Valhalla wasn't surprised in the slightest. It seemed it was the thing to do, to make a pride challenge all about you and create side fights just because. It angered the Viking and he could feel his blood boil with the onset of rage and irritation. Jaws would tightened as they clenched, golden gaze flickering between the three fights until, finally, the pride challenge was the only one happening once more. It was as though these outsiders thrived on having the world revolve around them, pulling attention away from what mattered most. He cared very little for the side shows, anyways, and instead wanted to know who would be the Lagoon's ruler after this: the challenger or the one defending the crown. And at this point he didn't know which one he preferred.

Valhalla is still hidden.

ART BY MOOGLE, CODE BY LARS

@Narcissa's presence was a welcome one. She firmly leans against her side unintentionally, breath nervous and fluttery. It calms her if just a little as she watches her sister's battle.

Despite how fast the world around her whirled by, the fight between Bee and Ragna seemed to go on for so long. She watches every moment, feels every clawed swat into her sister's flesh. Anything else loses focus and when finally it is over, many rush over to @Beelzebub. She is surprised to see @Faevyre and @Ania among those who aide her and Echo feels like maybe she could be of use too.

She stands to rush forward from Narcissa's side but before she can move the dark shadow of a man blocks their path (@Magnus). He reminds her of Wolfgang in a way but shadowed and grizzled; scarier. Her ears fall flat and her muzzle curls defensively as he speaks and the venom of her reply builds in her chest before they are spoken "She's defending her home from invaders." like you. Echo had her suspicions about the Scilla lions too but the Bezra were no puppets. Bee fought because she was a daughter of Odin, whether Echo understood why she loved these lions, and Echo would not allow her bravery to be disrespected by this stranger.

cassine almost wished this were all over already, if not only to save her pride-mates from further harm and travesty. she would find no such luck, however, as she watched @Beelzebub fall beneath the paws of the other sigrun, leaning shakily against @Mithros as the reality of her loss dawned upon her. it was all too much, her body trembling with a hot mixture of rage and exhaustion as she pushed forward upon her toes, flexing them against the sands. "bee!" cassine called out loudly against the bustle of the crowd, instinctively lurching in the bezra's direction as she slunk off into the arms of her kin. but the moment that the vixen began to move, her head also began to spin, adrenaline finally crashing as the edges of her vision went white. the parisian tried to push forward regardless, stumbling a few feet in the direction of the other scillans (@Echo, @Tobias) in a desperate attempt to be nearer to them, to try and protect them should the lurking shapes of the obsidian lions overstep their rights again. but it was only after a few steps that she fumbled against the sands, the effects of the fight finally dawning upon her battered and fatigued form. and it was there that her front limbs would give out, sending cassine down into the sands, only a few steps behind @Amara.

Truthfully, Mithros did not need anyone to ever tell him to protect his sister. Out of everyone on this earth, she was practically the only one that he would protect without a thought veering towards death. He would happily embrace it should it save her life and that was without the seed that she was to be the Dieudonne matriarch lingering in his head. He would protect her because she was the only one that he felt anything for. The one that he was certain was more important than anything else life has to offer him. Being a Dieu was great but because her brother? Even greater.

So when she leaned against him, he boldened his posture so as to support her. Worry etched somewhere on his face where the aggression was not, eyes darting around until suddenly she was bolting forwards away from him after the emblazoned @Beelzebub. Yet another bullet point in his life that he did not yet understand but valued. Mithros was moving off towards @Cassine at a quick pace but it wasn't until she began to stumble over her own paws that he moved far quicker. Like a speeding car he ran to her aide, ripping a large grumble from his throat as he put his left foreleg over her as though warning anyone without clearance to step foot near her.

Only until he felt comfortable would he bend down, an attempt to lift her up and get her back to her feet. If not her feet, then perhaps he could carry her back into the Lagoon and away from everyone else.

_{© LARS}

Wolfgang watches with tensed jaw and flattened ears as Bee’s fight ends and she does not come out the victor. She falls by Tobias, and Wolfgang’s muscles bunch in built in response. My daughter. “Come,” he says gruffly to @Narcissa. He did not know the Scillans, but he would not trust anyone beyond the Bezra to see her safety. He needed to go to her. Tobias’s anxious cry only makes his resolve stronger.

He can see Scillans gathering around his son and daughter; the night-spotted woman who had spoken to Magnus before. The leader? No, he was locked in combat with the challenger; this was another person of high stature in the Lagoon.

Head turns as he sees @Faevyre and @Ania emerge together, late but a welcome sight. But their path is blocked by the Scillan woman and Wolfgang scowls. If a misunderstanding erupted, this could be very difficult.

@Magnus returns back, with regret in his voice. Wolfgang simmers, but takes his time to contemplate what the Hollows ruler is saying. He is offering his help. “Good.” Wolfgang says, sharply. The anger wasn’t necessarily for the ashen giant; it is a side effect of the situation. Wolfgang is overwhelmed.

“Bezra, with me!” He bellows as he strides away from Magnus; in his anger he feels as if the voice of Odin, thunder, walks with him and his usually low voice rises loud. He would not have any more of his children, or mates; or family hurt by this political struggle. They were above this. They did not need to bleed for mortals; only the divines.

“Step aside so we may tend to our own.” he demands as he approaches, coming up between Ania and Faevyre to level his gaze with @Amara. He was not seeking conflict, but he would do everything in his power to help his daughter.

Her heart lurches into her throat to see her daughter fail and fall, slumping against the side of her brother. Truthfully, she doesn't even noticed at first that Magnus has strode away from them, busy tending to the rest of his own family. There is a rush of activity as more than one move to protect and aid Bee, with @Ania and @Faevyre arriving together. The Scillan queen, who she recognizes from their first meeting, stands guard. Her teeth grit together, and @Wolfgang's voice pulls her to action; she is quick to follow after him, caring little about the curtness of his command. Magnus may be their sovereign, but Wolfgang is her king -- she would follow him without question into any battle. Her question to @Saga is forgotten entirely, for everything happens all at once. They are quickly intercepted by @Magnus, who seems regretful that things have turned out this way. Truthfully, Bee was the most wild card among the Bezra clan, and Narcissa can only guess about what had prompted her daughter to leap into battle. She seems to have made roots here, at least, and she can easily understand the need to protect what is hers. Narcissa had been much the same at her age. Wolfgang's response is curt, and @Echo's is sharp. A more strict mother may have hushed her, but they have always encouraged their children to speak their truths, and she makes no move to chide her daughter. Instead, she offers the ebon male a nod, having nothing else to say to him for the moment. She is grateful for the safety of her other children, but on the flip side, she would be furious if he had seen it any other way; none of them have done anything other than be a part of this pride he calls enemy. She moves off after Wolfgang once more, his thunderous tone clapping in her ears as she is reminded why she had been willing to submit to him the first time, so many months ago. A lifetime ago now, it seems. Narcissa does not rush into the chaos of her gathering family, knowing that she doesn't have a shred of skill to help with this situation. She will only be in the way, despite her want to fuss over Bee, and so she forces herself to wait closer to @Magnus instead, her gaze intently drifting between @Amara and the rest of her family, and the girl (@Cassine) who tries to come to Bee's aid, and falls to the dirt herself instead. Against, she finds herself gritting her teeth and trying not to get involved more than is necessary. You'll be in the way. Just like you were when Azriael was hurt. In an attempt to distract the cruelty of her own thoughts, she addresses her sovereign once more, thinking that she can at least be useful in granting him important information. "That's Ania, our wife. And Faevyre, our friend," she explains, nodding towards the members of his pride that he doesn't seem to yet know. "What have my children gotten themselves into, Magnus?" she queries, her tone too quiet to drift far enough for the Scillans to hear as she seeks to level with her king, daring to spare a sharp glance towards his face. She suspects that there is more here than anger over a pride challenge -- there is history, and she has a right to know it.

image by nanarc, code by koi