and the final angel perished,

Perhaps he was a fool to return. He’d come back in search of Ambrosine and his children briefly, but when he’d been met with hostility, he’d decided to leave. Why, he couldn’t quite explain. But he knew that this time he was back for good. He’d fight tooth and claw for his three children if they wanted to see him, and if someone like Amara got in the way, then he’d sure as hell break down those bridges.

Manes was here to stay, and so when he stepped over the border to the peninsula, he exhaled. There was a bitter chill in the air and a harshness to the wind, and for once, he felt alive. Without hesitation, the gargoyle stepped into the barren wasteland and called out for others — come and get me.

Drakon Tollaire

A fall rang out in the open bare land. It was a familiar one but Drakon hadn't seen @Manes in a long time so he was hesitant to believe it was the man. A man Drakon once hated; loathed even. But for the sake of his wife's sanity, Drakon had put it behind him to give the man a chance. Well here was his chance. Fiery jewels landed on the former of Manes as the pale beast came up to him. "Looks like I am seeing a ghost." He would muse, fiery jewels locked onto the gaze of the other. Ears twisting on top of his head as he waited for an answer.

Table by Naboo

Morrigan had allowed Cassandra the freedom to visit the Passage of late, knowing it was a good opprtunity to broaden her horizons and meet strangers in a semi-controlled, or at least predictable and easily reachable, location. When someone called out from the Passage with seeming knowledge and intent, however, it piqued Morrigan's interest.

She was not to be the first to greet the man calling, but the one who had was no stranger. "Uncle," she greeted @Drakon, reflexively wondering what he might think of the news he was about to learn with her introduction before she turned to @Manes.

As she gets a closer look, she realizes she recognizes him vaguely herself. She'd only seen him the once, but if Morrigan paid attention to anything at all it was a good fight, "Morrigan Greyflood, High Sovereign of Caladan." Obviously Drakon seemed to know him well enough so she would simply settle back and wait to see what the as yet nameless man might want of them.

table by ferus

"You're still alive?" came the words from his adopted son (?) as he approached, unable to refrain from shoving his nose where it didn't belong. Xerxes doesn't care too much about the others gathered there -- only notices the woman is hot. Hm. Anyway. His attention lands squarely onto that of @Manes, clearly a different child that he had left before. The man is very nearly three years old and no longer willing to put up with those who leave, so he eyes the older lion skeptically. "The Dieudonne live in Wolfbron, if that's who you're looking for. Your kids included." He adds the your as a slight, intending to piss the man off by removing himself from the equation. Xerxes highly doubts Manes still considers him a son -- if he ever had to start.

Manes was not expecting to see familiar faces when he arrived back to Maua's Passage. So when the white figure of @Drakon came into view, the male smiled and openly raised a paw to the dragon. "It's good to see you, Drakon." He muses with a grin. "You are looking well. How are things with Hecuba and the children? And - if I remember right, you rule the Cove?" He vaguely confirms with a frown, unaware of the recent changes and chaos that had erupted within Amaryllis.

But before Drakon could answer his questions, a female entered the midst of conversation. She was related to Drakon - calling him Uncle - which piqued his interest. Drakon had never been a man to reveal his family business, but then again, Manes had never particularly taken an interest. Blue eyes move to @Morrigan, and he dips his head to her in greeting. "Oh, High Sovereign of the Cove?" He echoes, looking over to Drakon briefly before turning his attention back on Morrigan.

"It is ever so nice to meet you. I'm Manes - a friend of Drakon and a returning venturer to Amaryllis. Do you know much of the Dieudonné?" He enquires before yet another familiar face comes into view.

A face he was not expecting.

"@Xerxes." He remarks, teal eyes moving to look at the white child. "I am. How have you been? It's so good to see you." He couldn't deny he'd been a shitty father to the child - he'd gone missing for the majority of his young life. "Are you not living with them? You're part of the family too--" Manes replies, studying the younger lion carefully.

Attention then moved back to Drakon and Morrigan. "How have things been in Amaryllis?"

code by corvus

Shortly after his arrival, @Morrigan arrived and announced her title. An eyebrow raised in her direction and fiery jewels glanced over towards her. Perhaps that was a conversation best left for later. Another arrived and Drakon would glance towards @Xerxes then as @Manes would speak to him. Drakon didn't entirely remember the boy but knew of him. Ears twisting though as the attention came back to him. I was ruling it, my niece - Ava - challenged me for it and won. I have no ill-intentions towards her or Morrigan here. But there has been a lot of chaos within Amaryllis and I now reside in Andal Oasis with Hecuba and all of our children. Well that was sort of a lie. Nephthys and Gostir were not there. As far as things in the Cove and other area's, Drakon wasn't entirely sure about.

irish

Xerxes couldn't believe the audacity. How nonchalantly he had strolled back into the lands, so casually striking conversation up with @Drakon like he was nothing. Even when the attention finally turned to him, Xerxes fixed him with nothing but anger. How had he been? Did it look like he was doing well? "Shitty, thanks for asking." He scoffed at the idea of being family with anyone in the family; was he crazy? "No, I don't live there." And then Manes immediately shifted his attention elsewhere, inciting fury the likes Xerxes had never felt in months. "Why wasn't I ever good enough for you?" he hissed, surging forward with every intention of letting him know exactly Xerxes had become. Without any male influence in his life, after being abandoned time and time again and yet still craving his goddamn approval.

Xerxes rushed towards the man, jutting his left shoulder out in an attempt to slam it into the middle of Manes' breastbone. Meanwhile he snapped at his father's face, attempting to bite him square on the muzzle to shut him up. Xerxes was done asking for attention -- now he was fucking demanding it. Be my fucking father for once in your life.

Xerxes vs. @Manes @Shark
DOMINANCE
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 18 + 19 + 7 + 14 + 13

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 6 + 20 + 9

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 2 + 8 + 3 + 10 + 18

The nameless man seemed to have been familiar enough with Amaryllis to be aware of where @Drakon had ruled before he was challenged, and Morrigan couldn't help but watch his features as he spoke. She gave him a look almost akin to warmth when he said aloud he had no hard feelings between them. That bode well for a future alliance with the Oasis at least. He made no comment on Morrigan's ascent to the throne just yet, but she knew that was best left for later anyway. @Manes then introduced himself and asked what their feelings toward the Dieudonné were. Well, that was a bit awkward, wasn't it? @Xerxes had posed much more personal questioned and Morrigan realized this must be his son. And he clearly wasn't happy at Manes absence. Saved by the bell as it were, though no doubt she'd have to answer sooner rather than later, Morrigan stepped back as the younger male threw himself into a brawl.

table by ferus

There was a clear disgruntlement that flowed from his son's body. The way he stood, all defensive, and the sting that clung to his eyes, which burned against Manes' skin. It wasn't until @Xerxes launched himself at his father that Manes really did realize the true extent of his anger.

Xerxes moved in a rushed fashion toward him, giving him little time to react. The white boy's left shoulder slammed into the centre of his breastbone, causing a gasp of air to escape abruptly. With a growl, Manes moved his head backward, away from the chomping jaws of his son, meaning that his attempt to bite his muzzle missed, instead scraping his cheek. Manes would attempt to raise his left paw, unsheathing his claws and attempting to slam them against the boy's right flank, hoping to cause some lacerations. Simultaneously, Manes would attempt to ram his chest forward against Xerxes left shoulder, hoping to cause some sort of balance loss.

Manes vs. Xerxes
for Dominance
Round one of three

Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 19 + 16 + 8 + 6 + 1 + 15

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 10 + 14 + 6 + 5

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 9 + 17 + 16 + 8 + 14 + 7

@Poe

code by corvus

In the end, it didn't matter if Xerxes won or not. Although defeating him would have been a sweet victory, it wasn't just about winning or losing. The fight he had instigated was about so much more, and now that the weak boy had grown into a man, Xerxes was keen on showing Manes what he had abandoned. Perhaps one day he would seek true vengeance, but for now he only wanted to slap the older lion around to remind him that Xerxes was no longer to be ignored. Once, but no more.

Their collision brought an angry hiss from his lips, but Xerxes thrived on the adrenaline. He snarled as he felt gashes form along his flank, rivulets of blood cascading down his pale side. It appeared his father wanted to play rough, and so Xerxes unsheathed his claws to go along with it.

Although he stumbled backwards from the shove, it wasn't enough to fully knock him off balance. Xerxes pressed back, attempting to minimize the distance between them and attempting to snap his teeth towards the man's eye, hoping to find purchase somewhere quite unpleasant on his face. Anywhere would do. Xerxes simultaneously swung his left paw to lash out at his father's ribcage, attempting to hook his claws into the delicate skin behind his elbow.

Xerxes vs. @Manes @Shark
DOMINANCE
Round 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 8 + 16 + 11 + 4 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 13 + 2 + 3

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 8 + 2 + 19 + 17