Attikias's fist, laid over his mouth still, clenched for a moment before he dropped it. "They're hard to control, but they haven't struck out at the Elenyas, either. They've stuck around for food, mostly- I've tried to teach them what I can, and they know about the caves- the Masters, the basics, of self-sufficiency." He looked to Erebos, too, hands clenching and unclenching again, uncertain of what he should say. They were a feral animal, at times, but one that could be directed and taught through example. Yes, there- "They're better at practical lessons," he added.

He looked between Vargas and his child. If he knew of the stone's origin, it would make more sense- and, perhaps, it would be ironic for where it'd end up. He did want to mention the Elenyas' move, but this wasn't about them. Later, he'll mention it. Right now? It was Erebos his mind was on, watching them once more and stiffening slightly at the increase in volume.

He'd never seen Vargas particularly teach- the leading, yes, but how would Erebos respond to his style instead? Would they prefer to listen to brute force..?

Rules. Everything here had rules. The only rule it knew was to survive- and, yes, to not bite Hunter again, but that wasn't a Forge rule. Or- okay, don't bite anyone without due cause.

Shitty rules, if you asked it.

But, a Master's rules? It would obey those, and it perched itself up at that, captured by his authority. No harming outside of spars- oh, so it could harm in spars? It could use its claws, its tail? Its eyes widened even more and its tail thumped hard on the ground, dragging back and forth with clattering. "I can obey. I can learn. I will learn," it assured him, balancing up tall and stretching itself higher than Attikias.

"I will fight in spars. I will fight properly." It would become more than it would ever have been alone. "I will be strong." The last word was a guttural hiss. A promise, one it would fulfill under Vargas's steady hand.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas grunted, a pleased sound coupled with a nod, and gestured back to Sentinel. "We will start you off sparring with him, then--and see what you can do. I will also need to show you around Draco. Which do you want to do now?" he asked.

He could set Erebos up with a spar, or he could give them a brief tour of Draco and time to settle in. It was the Gembound's choice.

Acid eyes flicked to Attikias. "Stay as long as you wish, hunter," he told him, an invitation thrumming with authority: the elf would have permission, here. "In fact, I've an offer that might interest you."

@Attikias

Attikias let out a sigh at Erebos's affirmations. It seemed they responded better to Vargas- though, the willingness to spar worried him. He supposed it was only natural; Vargas's group did seem to be more aimed towards combat as opposed to the elf's gentle teachings.

When Vargas posed the question, Attikias waited for his child's response. Personally? He would've liked to stick around for the tour. With the way Erebos was posturing, though, it was clear what decision they'd make. While Attikias imagined the two of them- he and Vargas- could speak while their offspring sparred, it may be best for the Leviathan to keep his attention on this entrance exam before delving too deep into business.

And, at the mentioned offer, Attikias's head turned towards Vargas. Maybe they would be speaking. "What is it?" Did the Leviathan, too, want his design, like Alpha had..? While he'd told Dip he was done with children, it would be hard to refuse an offer from a Master. Or- training? He'd be okay with that. The move to Cepheus would help. Something else?

For a moment, his mind rolled with possibilities, his hands coming together and fidgeting just slightly.

If Erebos could get even taller, it could. Yes! Sparring! Nevermind the tour- it was grinning hard under the mask, its tail thumping even harder. "I will spar!" it declared confidently, head raising and shoulders squaring. It would show this Master what it could do- and it would impress him.

Tensing its fingers, it elected to ignore whatever Vargas was doing with Attikias, wheeling on the Sentinel. Would it attack with its halberd, then? Could Erebos use it against him? Dropping down on its front limbs with a heavy thump, its eye glared across the way to its opponent, tail dragging across the rocky ground below it.

Wait. Politeness. Attikias had drilled this in its brain, back for that one lesson with shields or... Something. "Will you spar?" While posed as a question, it meant this as a warning- it would spar the Sentinel, once given the word.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas moved a bit out of the way, to give the pair room to spar. His attention was mostly on them: he'd need to gauge Erebos, not to see whether it was 'worthy' or not but to judge where its strengths and weaknesses might most lie. This would guide its training regimen going forward.

But part of his attention, too, was on Attikias--and the Master's mind lingered on his plans. "In the coming days I have announcements to make to the Forge. You are welcome to join this meeting. But my plans..." He glanced sidelong at Attikias.

Elf. Hunter. Elf, like the old Masters--not some mindless brute or weapon, or tool, for him to use. Well--that made him more useful, actually, but in a different way.

"I intend," he went on, looking back to the spar-about-to-begin, "to create in Chaos Forge a living center of this nest. I want others to wish to be here. I want our name to carry renown and respect. I do not want my creations desperate to leave us. I need to announce a list of new punishments for their failures--apparently they all expected 'death' on the tail end of any slight misstep," he added, with dark amusement--and for now, his tone was almost to treat Attikias as a near-equal. "But I intend, to balance this, to announce new rewards, as well. I intend to build housing here in Draco for them. And Astraea has agreed to at last hold his lessons to teach 'reading' and 'writing' to anyone who wants--but in Draco, at the behest of the Forge. We will be the center of progress here. My offer," He went on, with another glance from the spar to the elf nearby, "is to ask if you wish to have anything to do with any of this! I can use someone with hands to help oversee construction, or to look over the area I have in mind and grant ideas for building use. Wood, or stone? Lighting? Flooring? If you know of such things, that is my offer--and if you have a reward in mind, I will consider it," he added.

How magnanimous of him.

"It will spar," came the only confirmation, and then the Sentinel swung into violent, abrupt action.

He was careful not to aim any attacks that would truly harm--he had been told (after an unfortunate incident) not to aim to kill in a practice match. But his movements were practiced: gracefully violent, in places explosions of activity.

The halberd's swings were meant to force an opponent back, or to block incoming hits. At times these were a whirlwind flurry of aimless hits, intended only to put Erebos on the defensive. At other times they were precision strikes, sharp and swift.

He was not, however, as bulky as Erebos: he used footwork along with those whirling blind hits to try and keep a distance, aiming the more precise hits wherever an opening allowed. His gaze was calculating and--in the fight--he was silent.

The Sentinel's fighting style was not perfect, not as practiced and honed as a creature with centuries of practice would have displayed--but it was generally capable, and well-rounded enough to be a decent test.

@Erebos

Attikias's eyes lingered on the spar, his tail flicking just slightly with concern. They would be fine. Still- he would watch as he talked, turning his gaze back here and there at a few odd statements. Expecting death- he couldn't see that. Vargas was large, and he was loud, but he was helpful. He set the elf on the right track when he was but a teen.

He was a little surprised, too, that they didn't already have houses. Wasn't that an essential part of living? He'd made his camp long before he even adopted his first kid, and he folded his arms at that, thinking. Yeah, they needed houses. At least, some kind of covered nest. Did it rain in Draco?

"Guess it's good you're coming to me with this- I've started work on a home over in Cepheus- a proper one, not the tents the Elenyas have over in Eridanus. I'll be close enough to stay there and work here, probably." He tapped his chin as he continued to watch the battle ahead of them, idly thinking. "I can bauble and such, and it'd be good if some of your members knew stone magic, but wood could still work. Where're you thinking of building them?"

Rewards and Astraea's lessons, he kept those in the back of his mind, as well, stowing that away for a later date. He'd have to come to the meeting, probably- that'd be fine. He'd have time while he was working on his home with breaks and all. "I can direct people into building by hand, too," he added, "and light shouldn't be hard. Just a bit of baubling and we'd be good." Attikias glanced up to Vargas, his hand still at his chin as he thought in his head, figuring out how to approach the offer. It was one he knew he'd take- but how? What would he do for it- be its architect, and tell the others what to do? Maybe that'd be best, especially if it was housing for larger gembound.

It had begun.

Erebos fell full swing into combat, pulling back into that more bestial side that was reserved away for moments like these. It hadn't been long since that last fight with the Cetus monster- and yet, its tactics did not change. Scratch with nails, twist about Erebos and squeeze, but it would certainly not be a match for anyone trained.

And the Sentinel's distance angered it. Where it was lagging and slow, solid as a tank, the Sentinel would have easily been able to get in and out, driving Erebos to try and defend itself instead of using the same method it always used. Even with it using its tail as some sort of flail, it wouldn't be able to get a grip on the guardian of this cave- he was simply dodging too much for it.

And as the fight went on, it would get desperate. It was not practiced or calculating like the Sentinel- its only method of fighting was going until it stopped.

And so it would keep fighting. It would not kill, no- but it would fight like it was the last fight of its life.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas studied the combatants idly as he spoke. He took in the practiced maneuvers and their effects on the untrained younger snake (worm?) creature, and how its actions grew increasingly desperate, flailing.

"I will gather," he began, to Attikias, "you and other interested parties soon after our meeting, then, and you can discuss your ideas. It would be along the western wall, along those ridges, and cliffs--more ground to work with, that way. And out of the way of the effects of the Black Spire on those not accustomed to it." His gaze travelled over Erebos and he raised his voice, calling out to it. "Do not grow impatient! Watch your opponent and learn from them. If you lose yourself to emotion, you will only waste your strength and grow tired, and fail."

Vargas looked back to Attikias. "Will I see you there, then?" he asked.

@Attikias (unless you'd like to post erebos again! i'ma skip sent for now)