Imperia couldn't help the grin of satisfaction that resulted from her paw making contact with the hybrid's face. As he drew his head back, she just grinned even more. It looked like it hurt, which was perfectly fine with her. She hadn't drawn blood, after all.

She hardly had time to react before his move. Head lowered, he was already aiming for her chest. She didn't even find the time to dodge or anything. She braced herself as best as she could, but it wasn't enough, and she fell over. She growled at that. He had clearly been aiming to get her on the ground, and he'd succeeded. But she wouldn't stay on the ground now. She couldn't afford to.

This battle was nearly done. Just one more move. She had to make it count, or else it would all be over. She had to win this match.

So she prepared herself and aimed to leap up from her spot on the ground, hopefully catching the hybrid off-guard and maybe even knocking him down.

Round: 5/5
Attempt: leap up at him!
Defense: -
Injuries: some light bruises

Speech Thought

The weight-throwing had definitely gone well, as the caracal went toppling over to her side. Eythan tensed himself as soon as he made contact, already preparing to leap out of the way of whatever counterattack she had been plotting. Wings loose and at ready, the gryphon stood on the tips of his toes. Imperia quickly swung her feet underneath her and--- and floundered. Something had gone tragically wrong somewhere between gathering up her strength and actually releasing it.

It gave Eythan the perfect opportunity to smooth down his feathers and trot over to the smaller feline, giving a back-handed (because his talons were a little sharp for any front-slapping without drawing blood) whap! to the cheek as revenge for his own bruised jaw. His tail flicked, a rather excited smile turning up his face. He shifted a wing, adjusting them so that his primaries sat more comfortably.

"Wanna call it here before shit gets too intense?" Without a bit of malice in his voice, Eythan added, "good match, champ!"

ROUND 5/5
Attempting a little revenge slap on the cheek.
No defense.
Bruise on cheek.

@Imperia

Character: Imperia Age: +36 Magic Level: +3 (Brawler) ROUND 1 Attempt: +20 Penalties: -0 ROUND 2 Attempt: +8 Penalties: -0 ROUND 3 Attempt: +7 Penalties: -0 ROUND 4 Attempt: +11 Penalties: -0 ROUND 5 Attempt: +1 Penalties: -0 Total: 86

Character: Eythan Age: +36 Magic Level: +3 (Brawler) ROUND 1 Attempt: +17 Penalties: -5 (no reaction to crit success) ROUND 2 Attempt: +6 Penalties: -0 ROUND 3 Attempt: +5 Penalties: -0 ROUND 4 Attempt: +19 Penalties: -0 ROUND 5 Attempt: +16 Penalties: -0 Total: 97

WINNER: Eythan

@Imperia @Eythan @Glory

The kirin-like creature stood gracefully atop the judging post, a podium-esque sort of ledge perfectly suited for himself and Glory. Azizos had mourned, at first, the opportunity to judge the contest of magicka: not only because his father would be participating, but because he wished to observe the various feats of magic the caves's denizens had to offer, as well. Nevertheless, he could simply just be an audience member.

This was no time for whimsy and thinking of contests in the future. The hybrid focused in on his magic, hoping to conjure up a doppelganger and send it into the fray, getting a closer look from another angle. Moonlit eyes were careful to catch any and all illegal moves. After enough time had passed and the gryphon Eythan offered to end the match there before things "got too intense." Sans the whole... defecation-related part.

Azizos gave a roar from his post, signifying the end of the match. He dismissed his doppelganger, watching it dissipate into a vague cluster of energy then disperse. "This contest is now over. Eythan has achieved victory! He will move on in the tournament, and as will our presiding champion, Imperia. Please await your next match-up," he stated in a business-like and matter-of-fact manner, voice fluting much like his stag-father's.

@Imperia

Imperia was furious. Somehow her attack failed - and horribly so - and she flailed. She missed completely, and it was all too easy for Eythan to come up and whap her. She glared up at him, trying to convey how she felt in looks alone. If looks could kill, Eythan would surely be dead right about now.

She got up as Eythan spoke - for the first time since she had met him, she realized. She narrowed her eyes. It was then that one of the judges spoke. As soon as she realized she had lost, she growled and her tiny tail flicked. She couldn't believe this. It was only the first match, and she had lost. She had absolutely no hope of keeping her title now.

She didn't give Eythan a second glance as she turned around and left, leaving the ring and the hybrid. Her ears were low and her eyes still narrowed, and her tail still flicked back and forth.

This was absolutely infuriating. And humiliating.

-exit Imperia-

Speech Thought

@Eythan

Eythan had offered a helping bird-foot for Imperia to get up on, but received only a furious glare. Well, there goes any fuckin' validation for winning, the gryphon thought bitterly. He outwardly expressed this feeling only with a slight frown and the pointed scuff of his talons against the rocks. I've been left hanging, asshole. The caracal stormed off without even saying a single word, and Eythan fought the urge to stick his tongue out at her retreating form.

Better to not be a bad winner.

He smiled, instead, and nodded up to the judges before trotting off to the side of the ring, in order to watch the coming matches.

;exit Eythan