"FOR OUR NEXT MATCH, WE HAVE... UHHHH BALDER!!!"

"HEY!!" Balder stomped out of the gate angrily, eyes seeking out the announcer like searchlights. All hope of a grand entrance was now lost. "THAT'S NOT WHAT I TOLD YOU TO SAY!!!" This gargoyle feline had the same disposition as an entitled manbaby who hadn't gotten exactly what they wanted. Because. Well. "I TOLD YOU TO SAY KING BALDER THE GARGOYLE, DEITY OF THE ARENA, MASTER OF BLOOD AND WARFARE, A FEW OTHER THINGS-- AUGH, WHATEVER." With an obviously agitated hmph, Balder confidently strode out into the open and waited with obvious impatience.

"COME OUT AND GET ME THEN, WHOEVER YOU ARE! Don't get your hopes up though, you won't win."

It's almost like he was asking to be murdered.

@Aurelia

Aurelia had readied herself, having watched and listened to the sweet siren song of blood in all the matches prior- she was ready. She could feel it in her flesh, just beneath skin now it pulled and twisted, almost too tight as it stretched forth with an unknown purpose. It would be almost painful to onlookers who would notice something abnormal rippling across her body as she made her way to the arena doors for her and her opponent's entrance.

There were a great many entries in this event she now knew to be Deathmatch. And while that didn't worry her, there were a great many Forge members who had entered too. She was perhaps a bit concerned about fighting an ally, a family member who she had come to know- or wished she knew more of. But the others, those random gembounds, and beasts who lived scattered within these very caves, well...she would do Master Vargas and her Overseer Cain proud. It was called Deathmatch for a reason, no?

"FOR OUR NEXT MATCH, WE HAVE... UHHHH BALDER!!!"

Her opponent was taking to the arena now, their name Balder; she knew not who they were but she could hear their screaming. Their entrance having been supposedly butchered they now yelled outwards for her and all to hear. They screamed claiming she wouldn't win. Her skin writhed and teeth itched at this notion. She merely waited for her introduction, licking over teeth and maw in a growing hunger.

"AND THEIR OPPONENT! AURELIA! THE WRITHING CHAOS!!!"

The door opened with a thundering crack, sudden and loud as bright light shot forth with a hail of what seemed to be golden glitter like falling stars. She walked, calmly out of the light, her golden face gleaming in turn as the light danced across her ebony form. Eye shut she carried her weight effortlessly, all thirty-five feet of it as she stood in the center of the arena now before Balder themself.

She straightened her form, rising up and past her ten-foot height. Cracking her maws open she shared the sight of her teeth, rows slick with flesh starved saliva, gleaming in the brilliant light. Only then did she unleash a scream. A bellowing roar that shook her lungs as she continued to carry the tune even longer than what her single breath should allow. To some, they might have noticed more teeth jutting forth, out from hiding within her gums. These new rows chaotically placed as she pushed herself to extend them in this display. She aimed upwards towards the cave's ceiling, rising to her back legs she furthered this sight, growing ever taller in a factor of intimidation.

Her roar finally stopped with a snap of her jaws, clacking together with a mash of teeth and hunger. Sharp and sudden she stayed up on her back legs, slowly craning her head slightly down to look at Balder now from her immense height. All six eyes slowly opening, a sea of black with golden pupils watching with great interest. She smiled.

"May the best fighter win."

She would not underestimate the small gembound before her, they seemed similar to her Overseer Cain- in both small size and feline characteristics.

@Balder

What came out of that door was nothing like what Balder was expecting. No frailty, no hesitation, and a dramatic height difference that certainly did not favor Balder. She came rippling towards him, all moving parts and extra murder-y bits, clearly built for forms of carnage Balder could not even DREAM of. Well, maybe Balder could dream of it. Certain now he could... if he ever dreamed again after today.

But, despite all this, Balder managed to keep his cool, remain poised, and this was for one reason only: to drop a line. The gargoyle puffed up, sized up his opponent as if all this were natural to him, and, with a smirk, gave a little huff of a laugh. "Heh. Cute."

Line. Now where's my hook and sinker?

Well, this is probably out of order but if you're looking for a hook, Balder would begin by attempting to run in the opposite direction of the opponent and take off into the air, perhaps prompting a chase!

Can't wait for the sinker, I don't think Nemean's going to like this start...

ROUND 1/?

100%

ATTEMPT: take flight away from Aurelia
DEFENSE: no <3
INJURIES: IMPOSSIBLE.

@Aurelia

Ever since he had seen that little nuisance here, he had waited eagerly to see it fight. He hoped it'd be set against some HUGE, hulking, drooling monstrosity. Something that'd it'd simply be a snack for. A boring fight, maybe, but so satisfying to watch.

When 'Balder' stomped out into the arena, grumbling about titled, he rolled his eyes. Whatever. Enough with the intros. Get to the BLOOD! The GORE! Let him watch this little gargoyle get TORN APART by something with way too many teeth and spikes! He had seen quite a few creatures that he'd LOVE to see go against the little rat. Maybe he was lucky enough to have one get paired with him?

And he was indeed lucky. The next creature to walk into the arena was gorgeous. Thirty five feet of black and gold beauty. It would EASILY crush this puny thing. He almost felt bad, if the lil punk hadn't stolen his tooth so many cycles ago.

"YEAH!! GO AURELIA!" He roared grinning viscously. Oh, this would be FUN. A good ol' case of cat and mouse. He couldn't WAIT to see the end of this one! When Balder began to fly away (like a coward!) He shouted a bit of advice down at Aurelia. "TEAR IT'S WINGS OFF!!" For good measure, he'd attempt to throw a nearby soda (not his, but if they REALLY wanted to drink it they shouldn't have left it there) into the ring. Aiming at Balder, of course, but it's hard to aim at ALL when you don't really have hands.

@Aurelia @Balder (Vis)

She studied the way Balder watched her. She however remained deathly still, even as her skin writhed from the chaos that was lurching to break free. It was so close to the surface now, the smell of blood had awakened something she still had yet to understand. And she fought with it, her focus flickering to images and tastes of meals long passed. The taste of iron and the sensation of sinew between teeth. It was, rather difficult in this moment; but perhaps it would aid her in this battle. That thought remained to be seen.

And there was something else she didn't entirely understand. Just why in the caves was her opponent running in the opposite direction. So she lurched forward, like a snake chasing a rat who was just out of reach. Hoping to snap at them on the ground or in the air just before they could truly leave- but with the headstart they had and the distance they seemed to maintain- well it was doubtful. It seemed she'd have to wait to taste them between her teeth, for now.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: Snap them out of the air!
Defense: Size, teeth and claws, look at her she's a lot gnfjsk
Injuries: Simply Perfect



@Balder

One leg crossed over the other. Candyfloss in her lap; a pile of treats next to her for later.

The matches turned out much more interesting than Aethril was initially expecting; but how much of a hand did Draconua have in that, wrecking the arena every other battle? It was enjoyable in its simplicity; and the chaos and the bloodshed settled some deep, primal urge in her belly.

It was all the better, too, when she recognized one of the fighters. Even more if she liked them-- and although she didn't know Aurelia particularly well (hell-- she could have sworn the dragon had been paler) she enjoyed what little she'd seen.

"FUCK IT UP, AURELIA!" She howled through a mouth full of floss. "RIP IT APART!"

- THE LEVIATHAN -

This reminded him, a little, of the Labradorite's fight. The littler, nimbler flying creature zipping about, taunting the heavy monster in the sand.

Nemean seemed to have a new favorite matchup type. Huh.

The Leviathan inhaled, and bellowed out advice: "DON'T LET IT DRAW YOU OUT AND WEAR YOU DOWN!" he advised. Chasing the little shit all over the arena would just exhaust Aurelia. "You have PLENTY of time!"

Ahh, and for good measure: "-BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!"

WOOSH! Into the air -- Balder could hear the snap of jaws behind him. He cackled as he took to the skies like some kind of smug glitterbomb witch. As soon as he started hearing the cheers for the monster who had just failed to catch him, he shouted: "OH SHUT UP ALL A' YA!" Could they not SEE with their EYES that he was already ahead of that thing?! Perhaps it was because he had not yet lined or sinker'd.

Well, here goes nothin'!

Balder would turn it around, now flying straight for Aurelia's head. His arms and claws were outstretched, not waiting to swipe but to grab... if he could get close enough, he'd attempt to get those claws in and maybe gouge out at least two of her eyes.

ROUND 2/?

100%

ATTEMPT: fly in & gouge out some eyeballs
DEFENSE: no <3
INJURIES: IMPOSSIBLE.

@Aurelia

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

gore

violence

Aurelia watched the nimble Balder, they had speed on their side, perhaps a bit cocky as they shouted to the audience. One that was cheering for her, craving bloodshed, death, and a righteous victory. Even Master Vargas bellowed out some advice, of which she was sure to listen to. Aurelia had after all never chased down a flying entity with the desire to maim or seriously injure, but they did remind her of a pitch rat, small in comparison to her. And she could remember tiring herself out as she chased them through the debris of Draco. Master Vargas was right, he typically was, though this was no surprise to the young Valkhound.

Though perhaps her Overseer Cain would have been a better comparison given her opponent's size- but this Balder was nothing like her Overseer. She scoffed at the mere thought. They were beneath them.

So she would save her energy, wait till they got closer, and closer they did. Perhaps a bit too close for her liking as they went for her eyes, luckily she had a few to spare. But that didn't make it hurt any less as they pulled them from her sockets.

Yes, she decided they were very much like a pitch rat, all while she screamed. One of pain that no sooner turned into a bellow of something more as oil spilled and trickled down her face. She was carrying a bloodthirsty tune as Balder's claws were outstretched and successfully rendered some minor eyes of her's currently useless. They may not have been severed but they certainly weren't the most ideal, the vision from those specific eyes were hazy and dull at best as they dangled atop her face.

But something writhed even below her skin, the thrill of battle and the sensation of pain rattled through her bones as she let out a chitter of snapping jaws. She shivered and her skin writhed, pushing and pulling; threatening to split her open then and there. The chaos it was winning, relishing in the pain as the flesh along her neck began peeling upwards in a new formation along her once slender form. The strands seemed to work like tendrils that sprouted anew, waiting in hiding. A multitude of many dripping and bleeding a false ichor of gold down the front of her ebony body.

She watched Balder with her multitude of remaining eyes, golden slivers of hatred blowing into perfect circles of gold as she lunged. Opening her mouth spitting oil before her as her gemstone oozed inside her very mouth. A hungry hated, she wanted them dead, she would win and feast upon their pitiful form. They were but a pitch rat to her and she would gnash them between her jaws like one, hoping to feel that satisfying pop of viscera along her tongue like any other meal.


Round: 2/5
Attempt: Snap jaws around them
Defense: Size, teeth, and claws, look at her she's a lot gnfjsk
Injuries: Gouged Eyes(two minor, they kinda dangling there lol)


@Balder

Maximus was here, obviously. They wouldn't miss Aurelia's fight for the world if they could help it. They stayed far away from Vargas, though, still bitter.

"COME ON AURELIA!!", they shouted, "YOU CAN WIN!!"

They looked around the arena, seeing garbage all over.

"If you cannot reach it, then throw things at it! Ground it if you can!!", they shouted, hoping she heard their straining voice.

They sat down and clung to the edge of their seat, eager to see how she faired.