Well, well, well...

How long had it been? How many cycles of gestation, hibernation?

The birth of the king was long overdue.

It wasn't a crime like an overdue library book. Not even close. All that waiting meant cycles of a deprived civilization. A drought, a plague, and a curse was the absence of she... Yes, there had been, for the longest time, a Balder-sized hole in the hearts of the masses. Did they even know it? Perhaps not, but soon they would realize. As soon as they met her, in fact.

Hatched from her chrysalis, the first thing the heir had done... was stretch. Feel her body, already in full bloom -- seek its limitations, experience the entropy that threatened its every magnificent particle. Her wings, shimmering mirrors, the hundreds of muscles in her mouth, the power in her paws, her claws, her lungs. She had sought to understand it all, to test it. The only measure she had for her abilities were her fellow crystalwings, and very quickly she had realized her superiority.

They were stupid. Didn't understand a thing. Lived to hunt, sit still, and defecate. Balder was so much better. It was in her from birth, to seek out the differences between herself and others. Here, in this domain, it was far too easy. She almost couldn't stand it.

The next thing she had done was learn, even if it was from her inferiors, how to hunt. They ambushed, fell from above onto bugs and small mammals. They wanted so little, it was disgusting. Yet somehow they knew how to push themselves into the air and remain there, which Balder could not understand the mechanics of, no matter how hard she tried. She had climbed up, jumped, flapped, stumbled, crashed, all in a cycle that went on for days, and yet the most she could accomplish was something like gliding. "Falling in style".

With approximately two things learned in less than a full cycle of being, Balder was beginning to feel an ache in her heart that she couldn't place. She wanted these creatures to follow her or converse with her or something. She wanted the mirrors on the wall to start speaking or moving in a way that mattered. She yearned, but couldn't place what for.

So the third thing Balder accomplished in one cycle, the grandest act of the newborn king... was wander. He wandered the domain, looking for something that did more than eat or sit still or defecate. Maybe talked. Maybe glimmered. Maybe...

What she found was a secret by the waterfall. Tucked away, shimmering, plastered to the wall... It wasn't a mirror, at least, so that was an improvement from everything else here.

@Melinoe (hold up, gonna GM tag)

It was beautiful, this thing, its light cascading around in crystalline hues as if made to reflect Balder's own somewhat-dulled crystal shades.

It did nothing, however; only whirling and rushing quietly, all light and noise and nothing particularly useful.

@Balder

Once again he returned to Gemini. But this time was different. Sometimes, in the wind that blew through the geodes, he heard whispers that nearly resolved into words. Sometimes, In the reflections of crystals, he caught glimpses of foreign scenes. Gigantic warring monstrosities and ruined battlefields. It was bizarre, disturbing, even nightmareish. But he held onto the single scrap of meaning the Altar had gifted him.

Chaos.

So as he stalked through Gemini, he mulled over it's meaning. Were the glimpses of visions and whispers all there was? Meaningless battle, thoughtless words? Or was there more, and he was just too ignorant. to understand?

No. He was not ignorant. He refused to be. He would understand.

He was searching for the rift, where it had all started, really. Would it help him understand the puzzle the altar had given him? Maybe, maybe not. But Melinoe was certain the rift had not revealed all of it's secrets. He was determined to discover whatever it still hid. If he could not decipher the altar, at the very least he could decipher this. Right?

Of course. Of course he could.

Finally at the altar, he was met with a surprise- a crystalline cat. Well, he certainly seemed to be running into strange felines as of late. Luckily, this one was far smaller than himself, and seemingly preoccupied with the rift.

A welcome distraction, before he got back down to business.

"Hello, little one." He said, unaware and unafraid of the potential wrath he'd face for such a greeting "What brings you around here?"

@Balder

But even then, the shimmering secret lost its luster. Forlorn in the world up until this point, the only thing that could truly win Balder's long suffering intrigue was...

WORDS--! From behind! The gargoyle whirled around, already baring fangs. The words -- he barely understood them. To hear words being directed at him... this may well be the first time. The talking thing, what- who? Whoever it was? Whoever it was, it had called him little. And Balder understood that word and its meaning. And he didn't like it.

Before he could even think to process a response in his own mind, Balder began staking a claim: "MINE!" He spat. He bristled. He lowered himself to the ground and tucked in his wings, ready to spring. What exactly was "mine"? Well, this weird cool shiny thing on the wall that did a disturbing amount of nothing, for one. And for two? The whole of this room, every sparkling surface of it. Whoever this was, they'd walked in on Balder unannounced, without permission, and then called him little, which was basically like calling Balder SHORT! And Balder was NOT SHORT!!!

In other words, this was the perfect set up to make an impression.

Without further warning or hesitation, Balder would release that potential energy and lunge at the invader without hesitation. What exactly was she hoping to do? Well, based on how her claws were unsheathed and how she was jumping through the air to get to this unfairly tall ignoramus... uh... she was aiming to slap its face!! With her claws!!! Great plan move. Fantastic. High five.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: Slap Melinoe's face but with CLAWS!
Defense: The best defense is a good offense! (lying through my teeth)
Injuries: None yet

@Melinoe

The smaller feline seemed half-feral. Maybe he'd just said something to completely enrage them. But they didn't respond, either, so maybe they were feral. He'd heard of creatures called bat-cats before- was this one of them? They way they had been described had been far less shiny. and pink. And less eyes, too. So similar, but not the same. An odd mutation, maybe?

The roar of 'mine!' just made him chuckle, shifting subtly to really show off how tall and strong and how bad of an idea it'd be to fight him. But now he knew they COULD talk. So just rude, then? Well, he could certainly deal with some ill-mannered cub, in one way or another. And the way they bristled and snarled and looked seconds away from attacking, there seemed like there was only one way this could go.

And he was right. Within moments the feral little gargoyle was launching right towards his face. He raised a paw, put on his best unamused expression, and aimed right for the little terror's face.

What was SUPPOSED to have been a firm strike to his attacker's face, hopefully shoving them to the ground, whiffed completely. A startled hiss turned into an enraged growl of pain as, if Balder continued her directory, dug her claws right into his face.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: Just smack your entire paw into his face
Defense: Mane?? I guess??
Injuries: lightly clawed face

@Balder

High five to the FACE!!! WOO! A clean (it wasn't actually that clean, it was sort of floppy) hit!! Take that you big overgrown bat guy!

It was apparently too weak to counter. Sadder still, Balder had to see the failed attempt. A wide, smug smile spread all over her face. Oh yes. This was FUN. Oh, but she wasn't done there, no way! She would send this thing running for the HIGH HILLS, tail between its legs! Should be easy enough if it couldn't even take a hit head on.

Balder would raise her paw again, claws fully extended, and go for another hard smack across the face. Now she had no distance to close, just perfect. She'd try coming in from the other side this time. For spice.

And as a little salt for those wounds, Balder would sprinkle in some words (one word) about her exact feelings about this lowly specimen trying to invade her territory: "WEAK!"

...Where had she learned these words???

This next hit was surprisingly perfect. So perfect it made the caves reverberate in awe. The whole world was trembling at the might of the king. The sound... immense, satisfying, fantastic. YESSSS, this was EXACTLY what Balder had been missing.

Round: 2/5
Attempt: Slap Melinoe's face AGAIN!
Defense: The best defense is a good offense! (my pants are ablaze)
Injuries: None yet

Why did fights always end up with him making an absolute FOOL of himself? This thing was a CUB compared to him, both in size and experience (not that he was aware of the latter, however) and he'd practically just let it get away with slapping him right in the face. WITH CLAWS. Not only did it hurt, but it felt extra embarrassing.

He would've found the hit particularly impressive if it hadn't been nearly blinded by pain and rage. Claws scored down his face, tearing open his lip and sending a tooth scattering onto the crystal-dotted floor of Gemini. He'd roar with rage, blood dripping down his face and into his mouth. He tasted the iron. He wanted more of that taste, but it wouldn't be coming from him.

He'd been holding back (or so he'd tell himself), assuming that this tiny gremlin of a gargoyle wouldn't be that much of a threat. But not now. If this cretin had given him a torn lip and missing tooth to remember this fight by, he'd give them a reminder a thousand times worse.

Perhaps rage left him too blind, because the paw he'd meant to slam Balder to the floor hit nothing but stone with a resounding thump. "YOU LITTLE RAT!" He'd roar, the failure only fueling the flames, "I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!"


Round: 2/5
Attempt: Tackle the manlet Balder
Defense: Nothing that can stop this manlet, apparently
Injuries: Big ol' scratch across face (torn lip + missing tooth)

@Balder

Red ran down in spades (or were they diamonds) from the lion's cheek, along with something hard that clattered to the ground. Balder would morph his smug smile into a frighteningly wide grin. Oh he liked this, he liked this a lot. Winning, that was. Winning and VIOLENCE and winning at violence!! Shame his opponent was no match for him, but then, not a shame at all because now Balder could get exactly what he wanted.

Which was for this buffoon to leave. ...Right?

Vacant threats along with a massive paw came flying at Balder, but neither left a mark. None of them even hit. This was hilarious! How could something ten times bigger than a regular ol' crystalwing bat be a hundred times less vicious?

Well, anyways, Balder would be taking whatever the big idiot has lost on the floor, along with the entire room of crystal mirrors they were both standing in. For proof of such ownership, and to further the process of making this idiot regret its mistake of having ever walked in here, Balder would utilize its misstep.

He would attempt to bite the paw that failed to hit him.


Round: 3/5
Attempt: Bite the paw that failed to hit :pensive:
Defense: The best defense is a good offense! (the length of my nose is a world record)
Injuries: None yet

@Melinoe

Balder's smile was met with nothing but teeth- and the gaping hole of where one had used to be. It was almost like he was at the altar, again. Flashes of monstrous wars and whispers he couldn't make out through his own heavy breathing. The altar had yet to show any signs of granting him power. Maybe he had to prove himself worthy of it. Spill blood just as the flashing images had showed him. Sew chaos like they'd sewn.

Blazing eyes turned to the bejeweled batcat.

The paw that had failed to crush the little nuisance was now being chewed on like it was nothing more than a plaything, a piece of prey. He'd snarl, patience now nonexistent, as he lifted the paw Balder had attached himself to, and prepared to slam him into the ground. But it wasn't strong enough to do anything more than dislodging Balder, and it was unlikely that he'd even achieved that unless Balder decided to disengage of his own accord.

Round: 3/5
Attempt: everybody come and SLAM and welcome to the JAM
Defense: too angry for that lol
Injuries: Big ol' scratch across face (torn lip + missing tooth), bit ankle

@Balder

Balder got to nibble on this weak buffoon's paw like a rat on a cut of fresh cheese. The only attempt at stopping him was some kind of pitiful stomp-thrash-thing that wouldn't have worked to dislodge the feral crystalwing even a little, if only it hadn't made Balder laugh.

Oh yes it did. Sent him cackling, Cheshire maw agape and crackling with mirth. It wasn't necessarily intended to be pejorative laughter, and yet it served perfectly as such. Balder had no qualms with belittling this man until it was, metaphorically or otherwise, even shorter than he was.

That's how you got BIG, after all.

But back to reality: the laughing had led Balder to release the paw after giving it a good munch crunch. Now, if he was fast enough, he might be able to pull off an even crueler move. Something to show off these wings of his.

Balder would attempt to switch gears; bolting away and launching himself up in the air, in the opposite direction from his "opponent". If the attempt were read as any form of retreat, then Balder would die from amusement, even before this fool died of stupidity.

Round: 4/5
Attempt: Run & fly "away"!
Defense: The best defense is a good offense! (the length of my nose is a world record)
Injuries: None yet,,,, Melinoe I'm so sorry--

@Melinoe