Victory.

The feeling had been forgotten to him, put to rest for too long through the peaceful days of the Savante warrior. It was something he had sought after so much in his youth, to progress himself to his highest potential- but things had stalled when his family was put on pause. Now? Now he get the feeling wash over him, absorb him, take over his veins as if it was poison.

He knew here, in this moment, that this was the first of his many wins to come.

Anthonius grunts as he shoves away from the opponent, saving his leg in the process even though it had already bent some in the other angle- only enough to be uncomfortable however. His bodice is bloody, pain flaring through different areas of his body, and yet he holds himself high with a confident gleam to his eyes. A nod is given to his challenger, respectful, for they were still pridemates after all. He then turns to the crowd - or rather just @Ryker - and awaits his final verdict on the show put on for him. Would Anthonius be granted the rank he fought for, and be Noble alongside his brother?

@Rainer

Watching a fight had never been as satisfying as actually participating, but he still enjoyed the vicarious thrill. By the time @Anthonius broke away, there was a clear enough winner, but he was pretty pleased with both of them. Rainer had lost, but at least he'd tried.

Ryker shifted to his feet and met Anthonius' gaze with a smirk, "Alright, that's that." Simple enough. "Anthonius won, so he's our second noble." Attention shifted, then to @Rainer, "Will you accept Gentry?" If not, well, then he wouldn't be getting anything at all today. He'd fought well enough that he deserved something, and he could always challenge for Noble when he'd fully healed.

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus

Hmm. Well, this doesn't seem quite right.

They both stand bloodied amidst the golden sands, but it is @Anthonius that wrenches away first in victory, leaving the Rike to stagger to the side, unbalanced. How...absurdly pathetic, for a beast such as him to have been bested in such a way. The Rike were not losers, after all. How truly fortunate that his brother hadn't chosen to follow him here - had he witnessed Rainer's defeat, the grey piebald would have found his presence exceptionally irritating for quite some time.

A low growl rumbles in his throat as he recentered himself, sides heaving from the exertion, the other male's nod to him going all but unnoticed as Rainer subtly turned his face away as if to examine his bloodied side. In reality, he needs the moment to reign in the expressions that cross his face, to mask the flash of rage that spills over from the boil within his chest, the way it twists his dark lips and hones his icy blue irises to a cutting edge. Dark pupils flick to the corners of his eyes to regard the spotted male again, newly appraising.

So it seems you're quite the warrior, after all. Very impressive. He comments airily, turning back at the sound of @Ryker's approach with his casual smile firmly back in place, behaving for all the world as if the battle's outcome mattered not at all to him. If the others noticed a hint of frost still in his gaze...well, clearly that was just their problem, now wasn't it? He's not plotting anything, of course. But at least it seems that Rainer's efforts won't be entirely wasted. Well, if you insist, I suppose I could make do with such a title. He nods his acceptance to the mohawked King, lips pulling into a smirk.

If that's all settled, I'm off to go get cleaned up. It's terribly difficult to get dried blood out of white fur, don't you know. He tilted his pale, bloodied cheek towards Anthonius with an exaggerated click of his tongue, seemingly disappointed that the new Noble hadn't thought of that before making such work for him. Take care. Oh, of course, there's no hint of a threat hidden within that choice of farewell - why would you think so?

/exit Rainer

Art + Code by Dee

It was given to him.

Of course, well earned through his battle efforts; frame bloodied from the show of it all. Proud of himself, and quite frankly, his ego inflated to large emounts- he smirks as Ryker confirms the rank, Noble upon the Plains. Standing alongside his brother as such would suite him just well, and the idea was beyond fitting.

His gaze travels back to the grey male, hearing his words. "Never underestimate your opponent." He rumbles back in reply, mirroring the same expression as he. Ryker still rewarded him for his efforts- and Anthonius wondered how pleased the brute was at this. Shaking out his mane, and feeling the throb of his wounds, he agrees to follow his opponent's advice and go lick his own wounds too. Or more so, find his sister to aid him. Passing by Ryker, he gives him a nod before taking his leave.

/exit

And that was that. Two ranks filled, and Ryker suspected another challenge on the horizon. As a man practiced in shifting masks, he knew what to look for in the faces and body of others. He doubted Rainer was as content with his newfound status as he seemed, but no comment would be made on the matter. Let him heal and train and challenge again if he was set on rising higher.

A nod was offered as @Rainer left, and another as @Anthonius did the same. Ryker would not follow either man, but drift back toward the border to finish up his circuit of the territory. At the very least, he hoped the promotion encouraged both men to put forth their best efforts in strengthening and growing the pride.

-exit-

I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

Fighting my way through the sins of the street I'm feeling psycho, psycho Where did my mind go? Biting my tongue and I'm loading my gun Back to the wind, better run, better run I'm feeling crazy, crazy Go 'head and make me It's the life that I can't escape, can't walk away There's blood in the ocean And I'm losing focus I'm a friend of the devil I'm a dangerous rebel

code by corvus