Colosseum 1 V 1 Match (Warren Lyell VS. Tharraleos!)

[Zeev]

Warren sat alone in the cold of this... fortress of sorts, a deep underground complex built upon concrete and steel, onced owned by NATO, then S.T.R.I.C.E. this placed was long dead but perhaps contained something he desired from awhile ago before things went to hell, he sat in the middle of a large open area, the floor was concrete and he had a small pile of sorts where he burned a fire of sticks and bits of wood, no snow was done here this deep in the complex, but any little flakes in the air and old could bee seen just cause of moisture.

He had all his weapons on his back or tow his side or belt, knife strapped to the front of his Carbon Nano Armor, Baton to the side, gauntlet was attacked to his forearm and folded, his Spas-12 and M4 lay strapped to his back and MP5 to the floor on his side, he was well armed but that's what you had to do when people were after you... be well armed and look over your shoulder. his eyes but were blue glints behind his face scarf that even covered his snout, his eyes peering and watching the darkness around him... he wasn't sure what was left in this place or what moved in but he needed to always be alert, while a faint blue light filled many exits, this main open area filled with rows of pillars was nearly pitch black besides the fire he burned at the center of the darkness to cook on.

his breath shown true in the air as a puff and he would lower his scarf from time to time and nimble off a piece of meat which roasted over the fire, like chicken or some kinda animal leg, something he probably hunted earlier that day in the frosty European forest.

 

[Zeev]

Gryphtaur

 

[Gryphtaur]

In another portion of the establishment not far away, another figure wandered about through a narrow corridor. Dark claws of gold taloned feet scaped along the steely surface with each heavy step. Tawny brown fur covered the rest of him, though the head was more avian much like the lower half of his legs. A white plumaged noggin rested 6 and three quarters feet above the ground and complimented with a curved, bright gold beak. The usual yellow of his eyes took on a green hue as his optics adapted to the low lighting. Draped along his backside not unlike a cape were a set of folded wings with feathers pitch as the night sky. With this combination of raptor and feline traits, one could denote he was a creature of legend known as a Griffin. Although with various frills, webbed skin and russet scales along his midsection, he hailed from a sort of aquatic subspecies.

Such would be true for the warrior designated Tharraleos. Born of the Aerasginero, these combat hunters were bipedal Griffins with mastery of land, air and see. Much like others of his kind, not only could his battle prowess increase in the midst of a skirmish, but the humanoid guise seen currently was only a suppressed state. Should his own capable strength fail to suffice, the quadruped monstrosity he naturally was could be unleashed. And if this beast wasn't vastly powerful on his own, some deranged mage bestowed him an affinity for pride centuries ago to service him as a slave. While he himself was only physically armed with the inherent tools of claw and beak, this semi-sentient construct of sin dwelling within could arm the hybrid with over a dozen varying armaments. This was if internal reserves of power were stockpiled and maintained, and Tharr had enough admiration of himself to fuel the essence plenty.

On this day, the heraldic hybrid was on his usual routine of aimless wandering. For nearly a millennia the combatant had existed and his passion to travel the globe never faltered. With the world perpetually changing, it always felt there was something new to learn. As robust as his physical prowess was, his mental potency was perhaps even more vast. But as he drifted about in his own thoughts, he abruptly came to a halt. As an apex predator, he was all too familiar with the lingering feeling he wasn't quite alone. It nipped at the hairs on the back of his neck and oftentimes he couldn't help but feel paranoid. Though from what precious experiences have brought, this wasn't without reason. Tharraleos momentarily stood motionless, array of senses on high alert to help discern his distant surroundings. There wasn't anything he could distinguish for the moment, but with a silent sigh escaping his rostrum, the Seagriff continued forth where he'd soon unknowingly encounter another who too beleived they were alone.

 

[Zeev]

Warren still sat alone in the dark, his front to his fire as his shadow stretched into the darkness as it even flickered and moved against the unstable nature of the flames. Warren finished nibbling what was left of the roasted meat when his ear perked up, he moved his scarf to let it free as it poked out from the cloth and up as the distant sound of something clawing or scrapping metal could be heard, his eyes adjusted and his nose too in a whiff of something... Primal to say the least, a musk of pride and strength as though some large beast moved about this place, the air was still enough that things carried through it easily enough.

He slowly took to standing and grabbing the SMG to his side, as he glanced over his shoulder at the narrow long entrance to this open dark place, a silhouette of a large thing moving towards him slowly, his eyes adjusted and he quickly stomped on his fire to put it out, Tharraleos could probably see what warm dim light came from the large room up ahead fade and with it the smell of embers. Warren now stood in nearly pitch darkness as his eyes dilated to this darkness a better picture of this beast came into view as what he thought had made it caped or large were in fact wings. Warren slowly backed up and behind a pillar peaking and watching.

 

[Gryphtaur]

The sea dweller would find himself at a crossroads, opting to take the left path from his nares trailing the scent of fresh cooked meat. As he turned the corner, he'd catch a glimpse of some sort of light source dying out in the near distance. This concluded he wasn't alone and with the encounters he's faced in recent times, it was natural to take caution. Still with a seemingly nonchalant stride with his chest held firm, Tharr would venture towards whatever awaited. As he drew nearer, he'd dampen his auditory receptors and unsheathe the flesh tearing claws from his webbed, scaly padded paws. He'd extend an arm towards a wall, digging his nails into the metal and producing a rather unpleasant noise. Not ear damaging even for sensitive ears, but enough to perhaps stir a sense of discomfort.

His gold taloned feet would step onto the concrete, now visible breaths escaping his maw as he was more exposed to the chilling conditions. His dense coat provide ample protection from such, the dark brown mane of pelage even encircling his neck like a scarf. He wouldn't utter any words as he meticulously navigated his way around, but instead released a low grumble as if attempting to communicate a warning to back off. Otherwise he'd have no choice but to unleash an animalistic fury few have seen the likes of.

 

[Zeev]

Warren sat behind the pillar for a moment as he heard the large humanoid draw near, he felt every foot steep and his ears twitched at the metal scrapping and skit of claws against concrete, his animal blood boiled and awaited a fight as this being probably had decent senses and would at some point catch him. He slowed his breathing and his muscles tensed and relaxed as he heard its breath in the room and smell it he held his SMG firm and began to walk backwards away from the pillar which acted as over as he moved through the open to the left of Tharr as Warren moved through the thick shadow...

His walk was light and silent as the tread of a wolf or fox in the dead of night as it stalked its prey, he went behind another pillar closer and ducked down listening close to where his foe was and where he was going. Warren slowly took the MP5 as he wrapped the sling of the weapon around his chest so he wouldn't have to carry it, from this he slowly pulled the knife from the sheath trapped to the chest of his armor, a slight slick metal sound rang out from it, the only noise that had come of Warren yet.

 

[Zeev]

Gryphtaur

 

[Gryphtaur]

In spite of his sizable physique, the digitigrade stride of his talons meant his footsteps could be surprisingly lithe. Even so, it was hard to be unnoticeable with the slight greenish glow of his eyes, although this made the area appear as if it was fully lit. He was more confident in his ability to confront his attacker head on, not that the occasional game of cat and mouse wasn't enjoyable. Whatever company he was suddenly met with was much well versed at stealth tactics, however, as only lingering traces of this potential foe could be detected. He couldn't pinpoint the exact location, but Tharr knew he'd be in unfavorable circumstances if he allowed even the most minimal of occurrences to slip him by.

The feint sign of movement ceased, and so to did the grand warrior. His black feathered knees bent as he hunkered his stance ever so slightly. The next few seconds seemed to last minutes, but his ever acute sense of hearing finally registered through his eardrums. In a near instant almost by sheer instinct, Tharraleos turned to where he detected the commotion. As he did so, the webbed flight feathers of his lengthy feline tail would flare themselves out. Using the momentum from his turn, the appendage would violently lash forth. A semi visible, crescent shaped construct of wind would form and release from the recticries. It'd sail through the air with decent velocity directly towards the pillar Warren was standing behind. Given these were capable of slicing through some weaker metals, it'd likey cause some structural damage. This seemed to be an idea of the hybrid to lure this stranger from their hiding place to get a better handle of the situation. Still in his readied and rooted stance, Tharr would remain composed as he awaited the inevitable retort.

 

[Zeev]

Warren was hunkered down behind the pillar as heard the beast stop moving, he held his own breath as he simply held his knife though he didn't turn the corner quite yet as he heard the sound of rustling feathers, Warren listened closer as he hear the sound of some very high pressured go off in a sudden whooshing burst. With that, the Pillar next to him cracked and seemed to have taken and great amount of force as bits and pieces of it were torn off from the current of wind and dust was thrown about in the wake of that attack.

Warren breathed for a moment, a percent of his body was now poking out from the cover so his stealth was already out the window. "Oh screw this." he said slipping his knife back as he waited for a second, before suddenly ripping a chunk of concrete from the damaged pillar, it was overall bigger than his hand but he picked it up like a baseball and turned out from his cover leaping off the ground a bit and torquing his whole body as he pitched the bit of concrete at the Avian foe at nearly 120 Mph and fairly casually.

 

[Gryphtaur]

A noticeable look of shock enveloped the hybrid's visage at the display of strength. It merely caught him off gaurd with how lithe and sneaky this individual was. Even with his potent processing power watching the slab of stone careen towards him with a nearly slowed perspective, all he could do is brace for the impact as their was no time to move. Planting his feet, he'd pivot a shoulder forward and drape the plumaged wings around him. Dust and debris kicked up from the direct impact and an irritated growl emerged from the maw of Tharraleos as the stone landed by his feet with a thud.

"That actually had some semblance of pain." Uttered the hybrid as he whipped his flight limb back, paying little mind to the pulsing blood vessels in them. In spite of his crude appearance, Tharr spoke with an heir of sophistication and his words seemed to rumble the air around him with their sheer ferocity. One with keen senses might even detect faint traces of reverence, as if the feat caught his eye somewhat.

"An admirable showcase of strength, I must say. It may even stand against my might feasibly well." Continued Tharraleos. For a moment the greenish yellow of his eyes would briefly flash purple 2 seperate times as his beak slightly bent to a grin. While it seemed random, this was indeed the pride essence revealing, though nothing would be come of it quite yet. With astute focus ever present, the sea dweller would continue to take a defensive approach. Charging blindly at such an obviously capable foe would be most unwise, so a cautious defensive approach was taken at least until more could be learned about what he was up against.

 

[Zeev]

Warren stood there for a moment, he pulled down the scarf and face covering to reveal his wolfish visage more clearly to his foe, his eyes sapphire in faint dark around them. Warren gave a look more of puzzle or confusion at the beasts statements. "Oh... Oh you're one of those ancient warrior types. oh ok." He took a few steps forward, his posture and stance spoke of familiarity and confidence, which contrasted of his overall look of wariness which battered the man's armor and gear, and himself in some ways.

"If you considered that a notable display of strength then I assure you, you will find more than a simple semblance to pain engaging me." Warren stated, his shoulders adjusted as did his neck, the sound of popping joints could be heard. "There is far more to fighting than strength alone but you don't seem the type to know that." Warren jabbed in a snide manner seeing what triggered the beast before him, prodding mentally as well as seizing the creature up before him.

Very step he took was slow and paced, as he moved from side to side slowly back and forth as they exchanged the words, he weighed his options and which way to deal with him, he handled the 90 mph rock well, perhaps he'd be resistant to bullets? or could take a few blows? his torso seemed protected but the neck as always was a weak point to go for, wings were just as much an advantage as a flaw, simply crippling them could throw his avian friend for a loop.

 

[Gryphtaur]

Warren's sharp tongue did indeed spark a reaction from the stoic combatant. A brow momentarily raised as his rigid gaze kept their lock on the mobile canine. He stood up straight from his marginally crouched stance, broad scaly chest held astute and his webbed crest reaching just over 7 feet above the ground.

"Your assumptions are half correct." Retorted Tharraleos with a faintly noticeable huff, eyes flashing the indigo color once more. With his foe analyzing him, the Seagriff almost seemed to oblige in a way. He stood upright, arms at his sides with his scaly padded, webbed paws facing front and legs not far apart. His tawny furred frame was robust with defined shoulders and well muscled thighs. His tail flicked from side to side every now and then, gliding inches above the ground with each sweep. Tharraleos was doing just as much reconnaissance, taking note of the various armaments. The firearms were about the only concern, but while he himself wasn't particularly bulletproof, the trio of reserves he had stockpiled would serve as a means of protection if need be.

"I am Tharraleos of the Aerasginero." He remarked. "Though my kind has been lost to time, I will gladly demonstrate why such legends were forged to begin with." The beast went on, irises flashing thrice in the midst of his words. The random color change would seem random at first, but things would likely make more sense at this moment. Around his left paw materialized a construct of energy hardlight bearing the same purple color. Taking the shape of a Greek Aspis, this round barrier had a 4 foot diameter and aptly designated the Shield of Chivalry. The only defensive option of his repertoire, he'd hold this in front of him and hunker down once more.

Dispensing 2 reserves, it was just under half power and would likely be enough to suffice. He'd abruptly charge towards Warren, firstly at a lumbering pace befitting of his physique, but he'd quickly gather momentum to begin moving at deceptively quick speeds. Only his taloned feet and the top half of his plumaged noggin was exposed as he peered out from the blockade. He was studying the wolfman's reactions intently to get a better idea of his capabilities. His primal instincts reminded him he was dealing with a time relevant predator and he couldn't take much to chance.

 

[Zeev]

Warren stopped as the Avian replied, he took note of every muscles rigid frame though he did not assume it was slow, quite the opposite, those powerful legs and swings could probably carry it many feet in mere seconds and this was something he needed to keep in mind. Warren never broke gaze with him, making eye contact only averting his gaze to take quick glances at his the 7 FOOT creature'S body to gather as much information as he could, Tharraleos 's aquatic elements did take Warren by surprise however and he wondered how suited the beast was to land compared to his elk.

Warren's ears twitched at the retort and he only smirked "Half correct?" Warren's fur on the back of his neck suddenly flared as he got into a more rigid stance seeing the Avian's eyes flare. He's witty retorts were gone as he took on a warrior atmosphere, it spoke of of his own personal victory and struggle, of defeat and loss, struggle and overcoming, but of most it spoke was of a legacy superseding that of his own, a skin and body of a warrior king which he himself was not fully aware of.

Warren readied himself as his body was one the pose to poised to attack, he had hands raised and ready and in an open palm stance as he saw the beast display his power with the flicker of his eyes, witnessing the shield form from the magical powers Tharraleos, Warren in that moment knew this warrior was not all he appeared to be and in a way that both put dread and excitement in the wolf as he watched it grow out and form from his hand with a purple glow and power.

Warren saw within a fraction of a second Tharraleos bound towards him, Warren's first and foremost reaction was to test that shield as he leaped back and pulled forth his MP5 within a blur of motion already firing it even while he had yet made contact with the ground several feet back, 6 shots in rapidly impacted and sparked off the surface of the Aspis, Warren didn't even bother trying to go for the feet or head with a shot isntead bolting towards the Avian to meet him half way holstering his weapon as he did and leaping at the Tharraleos with knee extended to slam into the creature shield upraised or not.

 

[Gryphtaur]

Purple sparks lit the room briefly as shards of the blockade broke off and withered away. The way it did so would likely leave to the deduction its physical properties were comparable to glass. With the canine taking a strategic leap backwards to retain the distance, Tharraleos took refuge behind the nearest pillar, crouching down and placing the construct at his along his back where it oddly hung unsupported over his folded wings. He'd remain still and silent for a few moments, senses ever locked on the soldier.

"You fail to understand just how outmatched you are." Declared the hubristic hybrid. Warren would likely see additional glow as another of the warrior's armaments was unveiled. Differing a bit from the others, 2 seperate components were needed for maximum efficiency. As he rose to his feet, a 6 foot longbow manifested in his right paw with an arrow in the left, a single reserve designated to each. Together these formed the Archery of Approbation and was no doubt one of his more lethal tools at the heavy cost of resources. Tharr would prep his round, seeking a chance to peek out and send his own projectile forth.

 

[Zeev]

Warren watched as Tharraleos backed off, his shield damaged by the attack, he landed one leg and knee extended and the other stable, Tharraleos backed away as Warren tracked him out of the corner of his eye behind a pillar. He stood proper for a moment as he looked down at the fading shards of purple glass on the floor frowning a bit at the magical construct. Warren would never leave the Avian out of his senses however as he heard his claims, Warren couldn't help but roll his eyes.


He walked slowly towards the warrior taking note of the glow from behind the pillar, he casually pulled the Spas 12 off his back and sprayed the pillar down, as buckshot ripped at its edges, bronze and copper round pellets in packs of 8 throwing up dust and debris off the pillar the Avian hid behind, each shot echoed and range through the empty halls and rooms of this complex, shells ejected from the side of the gun smoking still, as the tip of the barrel flashed with every pull of the trigger, once every shell was expended from the mag tube Warren threw the gun aside and bolted to close the remaining distance.

 

[Gryphtaur]

As the hail of lead bombarded the hybrid, he'd instinctively crouch somewhat and lean his head forward. Much like a tortoise and its shell, the chivalrous shield continued to provide protection from the torrent of gunfire. Thankfully the pillar took the brunt of it as it teetered about from the structural damage, but the construct was ridden with more punctures and was on the verge of destruction. As he began to think his barrier would give out, the commotion ceased and it didn't take him long to realize he needed to act immediately.

As the firearm slid across the ground, Tharraleos made a bound of his own as indigo particles followed in his wake from the state of the construct on his back. His body would pivot his body to where his taloned feet would dig themselves into the dilapidated pillar. His movements were swift and precise as they were powerful; a necessary precaution as even applying any of his weight crumbled it further. He'd only stay for a moment as his robust thighs were used once again to propel himself upward with frightening force. This severed the buckshot filled section of the pillar and sent it downwards to where he assumed the wolfman was. Tharr was also sent skyward to not only avoid the chaos that would likely ensue, but to obtain a feasible vantage point. He'd place the arrow in place, a glowing lavender drawstring appearing before being cocked back as he sailed through the air. His glowing green eyes would scope out the wreckage for any sign of Warren, where he'd gladly display the lethality of an obviously primitive weapon.

 

[Zeev]

Warren bolted as he heard his own firearm skit across the hard surface, he noticed how wrecked the pillar was and planned to kick it in on top of the enemy, what he did not expect however was such a large beast to perform maneuver such as that. The Avian pivoted and went upwards in a streaking motion as Warren took note of the pillar which was torn to shreds from this action as though purposefully caved in by the creatures talons. Warren just went head long into it as the pillar which was falling apart, he ran out from under it before it exploded into dust and debris, it was like a big smoke bomb going off, it hid him for a moment as he looked up.

Warren felt a rock hit his head as he looked up notice debris and rubble falling from what he thought was the ceiling though in this cloud of dust he couldn't tell, he dodged and avoided some larger chunks as he then noticed a faint glow above which he saw when he saw Tharraleos set this pillar to ruin, Warren also took note of a cracking sound, these pillars broke oddly easily so they were clearly supporting a weight beyond their strength on the level above, when he had entered it did seem semi-collapsed in areas.

Warren picked up a slab of concrete that had come off the pillar as he chucked it like a baseball at the glow, he quickly grabbed several more and threw all of them in that direction with a force that'd easily cave a man's ribs in. "For a warrior I thought you'd be more straight forward than all sneaky beaky? pun intended."

 

[Gryphtaur]

Tharraleos smirked gleefully as his execution proved successful; the purple flash of his eye occuring once more. But this visage turned to one of utter surpise as chunks of the structure were sent hurtling towards him at alarming speeds. Retaining his astute focus and narrowing his sights where the initial slab came from. He intended to dispose of the detrimental dust, but now he was forced to let his arrow loose based on an educated guess.

Immediately after doing so, his wings would flare out as the shredded shield fell from his backside and completely dismantled upon hitting the ground, blowing away in the wind without a trace. Tharr would use these extensive feathered protrusions to push himself further upwards, his taloned feet nearly being grazed. The second was avoided with a sideways heave where his body would turn accordingly and his wings would fold slightly as he induced a spin of sorts.

"I must take no chances against those noisome toys of yours." he would reply in the midst of a series of aerobatics to cause the others to fly harmlessly past him while being attentive to his surroundings. Once they ceased, the Griff would quickly descend and land a safe distance from Warren. Standing upright, his wings would fold and the bow he held firmly through his maneuvers would take its place next diagonally along the cape-like plumage.

"I need only but my mere paws to prevail against you." Tharraleos would announce with a huff as he brought said paws together in fists. He'd abruptly dash forward like a track star directly towards the canine, closing the distance in mere moments. It seemed he too had his fun with the suspenseful game of cat and mouse, but now he was aiming to display where his prowess truly shines.

 

[Zeev]

Warren's eye caught the glint of purple that streamed his way, and he saw the arrow move in the air, his reaction time kept up as his eye followed it, and he moved to the left as the tip of the arrow just grazed his shoulder, ribbing and sparking against the metallic fibers of the Kevlar weave, opening it slightly across his shoulder. he reeled back and with his eyes tracked the movement through the dust as Tharr landed a good distance away.

He didn't reply or speak, his mind firing on, nerves active and high gear, he wasn't a machine so time didn't dial for him like one, but his reaction time was so much higher then a humans it sure felt like it to him, and he had the movement to keep up with his brain, his eyes dialed like an animals and he reached for one of his Tonfa batons and took a more defensive stance fist and side handle baton raised as watched Tharr.

Tharraleos took to charge at. Warren stood still, only hearing his own heartbeat and the rhythmic thudding of the creature as it barreled at him. within met betters Warren spring to life charging dead ahead, he was ready to law a flurry of blows out on the thing, going from several angles to keep the beast guessing on its foot work, but his opening strike would be him throwing his tonfa out like a punch just short of Tharr's face, only to spin it around on the handle and unload the force of it on him.