Her paws carry her down the jagged path into the pit, the ache in her limbs nothing compared to the honor she feels in honing her strength for Vellen. She has made this descent countless times, but each step remains as deliberate as the first. Every moment here is a moment spent refining her devotion, sharpening her power for when it’s truly needed. The weight of the place presses down on her shoulders like a familiar mantle.

She pauses at the bottom, eyes scanning the jagged ledges above. No challenge is too small or too great if it serves Vellen’s will. Her claws dig into the earth, her breath steady. She does not roar today. There is no need. Her presence alone is enough to beckon another test of her strength.

Solanine vs. ???
For Dominance
0 of III

_{BG — ART — CODE}

Asphodel made his way back to the Pit. To make himself a better weapon was never far from his mind as he began to find his place here in Amaryllis.
As he stepped into the arena, he smelled the presence of another challenger. So he wouldn't need to go looking then. He sought her out with his eyes, and squints in annoyance at her prideful stance. She appeared to believe she had no need to issue a challenge, that one would come to her. As Asphodel stretched his paws, extending his claws, he acknowledged that this time she was right.
He did not announce his presence or offer a greeting. Respect was earned and he only saw her pride. Instead, Asphodel charged at her and leaped, aiming to bowl her over with his tackle.

---

@Solanine vs. Asphodel
Dominance
Rounds: 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 6 + 18 + 7 + 14 + 19 + 13 + 10

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 2 + 8 + 13 + 11 + 10

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 19 + 5 + 9 + 4

code by corvus & art by Shazaki

The shift in the air was unmistakable, but she did not move. Fear would not become her. This was no idle test of strength, no aimless display of pride. Each moment here was for a reason, each breath serving a greater purpose, one far beyond herself.

When the white lion charged, there was no warning, only the sudden weight of his body crashing into hers. The impact hit her like a hammer, rattling her ribs and sending her sprawling to the hard ground. Pain bloomed immediately, sharp and unforgiving, as her breath was stolen by the force of the blow. Her chest throbbed, the ache settling deep into her bones.

Her ribs burned, but she twisted sharply, refusing to let him gain the upper hand. With her claws extended, she aimed for the nearest part her claws could catch.

Vengeance.

Solanine vs. @Asphodel
For Dominance
Rounds: 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 10 + 11 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 19

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 9 + 2 + 10 + 17

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 8 + 11 + 3 + 13

_{BG — ART — CODE}

The lioness took his tackle solidly despite his surprise attack, Asphodel couldn't help but respect her for that as he knocked her to the ground. Rather than wallowing in the pain she surely felt, she twisted underneath him and lashed out her claws, making contact with his tender underbelly. The pain caused him to hiss and he clenched his claws where they still met her fur, hoping to strengthen his purchase there. Asphodel then attempted to kick her in the stomach with his hind legs, doing a small jump-like move so that he could swing down with as much of his weight as possible.

---

@Solanine vs. Asphodel
Dominance
Rounds: 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 11 + 19 + 2 + 10 + 20 + 14 + 5

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 7 + 10 + 5 + 17 + 19

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 8 + 1 + 17 + 5

code by corvus & art by Shazaki

Pain pulsed through her ribs, each shallow breath a reminder of his forceful tackle. Yet, even under his weight, there was no place for surrender. This moment, this struggle, was her offering, her chance to prove her worth. Her body ached, but she would not relent.

With her hind legs tucked close, she aimed a kick toward his belly, using the ground beneath her as leverage. The angle was not ideal, yet each movement was measured, fueled by determination rather than desperation. If she could land this strike, she hoped it would loosen his grip, even momentarily.

The impact rippled through her, but she braced herself, attempting to twist and roll just enough to gain some ground, to find a breath of space. Every inch of her body screamed in protest, yet it was a testament to her purpose—unyielding, steadfast.

Solanine vs. @Asphodel
For Dominance
Rounds: 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 14 + 6 + 9 + 16 + 2 + 17

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 9 + 4 + 10 + 15 + 16

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 12 + 9 + 6 + 15 + 19

_{BG — ART — CODE}

Asphodel's hit landed, but so did his opponent's. She had aimed for his exposed stomach and her aim ran true, forcing him to release his grip and retreat a step as he recovered from the blow. He watched as twisted and rolled away, taking her own moment to recover.
He watched her with careful, narrowed eyes as he regained his breath and then went on the attack again. He aimed another swipe at her, claws extended but more-so hoping to keep her down than to . He could see that he'd done some damage already and he didn't want to make it permanent, although he would not abandon a victory for it.

---

@Solanine vs. Asphodel
Dominance
Rounds: 3 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 19 + 6 + 13 + 17 + 11 + 16 + 14

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 12 + 13 + 14 + 18

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 17 + 18 + 10 + 19

code by corvus & art by Shazaki

The pain was constant now, gnawing at her ribs with each shallow breath, but she bore it without complaint. Every moment here, every strike traded, was part of the test—an offering to prove her resilience. As he lunged forward, claws extended to pin her down, she refused to be cornered so easily.

She shifted just enough to let his claws graze her, feeling the sharp sting as they skimmed her fur. But rather than retreat, she twisted with the motion, hoping to use his own force to fuel her next move. In one fluid strike, she dropped low, before she surged upward in a powerful headbutt aimed for his jaw. It was a risky maneuver, leaving her neck briefly exposed, but she welcomed the gamble.

Vellen favored the bold, after all.

Solanine vs. @Asphodel
For Dominance
Rounds: 3 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 7 + 17 + 2 + 16 + 4 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 6 + 7 + 10 + 19 + 9

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 18 + 14 + 5 + 9 + 19

_{BG — ART — CODE}

@Asphodel VS. @Solanine FOR DOMINANCE
— RESULTS —

Asphodel Hits: 4 + 4 + 6 + 6 luck = 20
Asphodel Dodges: 2 + 2 + 4 = 8

Solanine Hits: 3 + 3 + 2 + 5 luck = 13
Solanine Dodges: 1 + 2 + 1 = 4

Asphodel Successful Hits: 16
Solanine Successful Hits: 5

ASPHODEL HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR DOMINANCE!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either both challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

[OOC: I kept meaning to reply and forgetting RIP]

@Solanine bore her losing well, but losing she was. His claws grazed her skin, leaving lines of red behind. She dropped low and then surged upward, but Asphodel pulled his head back in time such that their faces barely missed each other, a macabre facsimile of a kiss. Her head kept going and he took her exposed neck between his jaws.

The fight was over.

He did not bite down on her neck, only held it tight enough that she could not pull free without injury. Once he was sure that she had admitted defeat, he released her.

Stepping away, he spoke. "Well fought. You should live to fight another day."

He offered her no greeting, no name. Asphodel was not here to win glory, but to hone his skills. Spreading his name did no good in these lands.

code by corvus & art by Shazaki