Hounds Of War [NoM/Private]

In the dead woods where scraps of metal lay about, the crows of the forest were to sit porched on the winding branches, with dark gazes, feasting their eyes upon the wallowing soldier. Just why had the man come here? It could be that perhaps he merely longed for a bit of lone time to himself. A celebrity such as him, one whom held such lofty goals, could never quite rest peacefully without being bothered or disturbed by some passerby.

In this lifeless grove, he was to sit atop a dead fallen over tree trunk, musing to his own self. His own dead lifeless eyes were to fit right in with the foreboding environment around him. It was here that he was trying to reflect on what he had achieved up till now. Angelus' dream was becoming ever clearer within his sight, but he still had much to accomplish.

In the town square of this here village was to lay the statue of the Lupus clan, one of the late deities of worship from Reiman antiquity. It now existed to be a testament to the will of the denizens of this here village that felt forsaken by their nation. It reminded the people that they were not to be tossed aside, nor to wallow within their misery, but to realize that they, the wolves, once carried and bore the pains of the nation. Lupus was a name that carried great weight, nor did the name ever cease doing so.

It still held monumentous weight. Lupus was the clan that revered the legend of the Lupa, a great wolf deity who once fed the ancestors of the Lupus clan, helping raise the orphans of war to be great soldiers for their nation. It was now the time for the Lupus to serve this great and vast land of Reim once more, rising from the depths of the dark abyss that they were cast. It is now that the wolves must roar once more.

Angelus was quite the prodigy for his age, and the nation in which he served for also recognized his immense talent. However, this was only the beginning of his radical dreams and ambitions, for he hadn't even begun to seize the crown itself that had been left abandoned. It may be seen as folly to focus so intensely on the throne, but he could not let his gaze wander far from why he began to walk the treacherous path of kingship.

In his soft hand laid a crisp summer apple, one of the only fruits that could be found this far out here. As he stood up from where he sat, he was to take a bite from the apple, his white hair billowing out behind him while he turned on his heel and bit into the fruit. It was dusk, and the sun was only now departing from the cloudy sky, leaving only the silver moon. Angelus' gaze was to turn to the Lupus estate where he was told to meet with Gaius for what was meant to be a test of his might.

It was rather obvious what this test was to be to Angelus. It did not require long thought to figure out. If he was to gain their trust, he had to prove his strength and that he be a man that they, the Lupus, can serve under. As the man had made the trek to the estate, climbing the hill that the estate sat on, two guards of the residence were to whisper to each other regarding the test Angelus was rearing to undergo. However, the two were rather clumsy or foolish to just believe that the soldier could not catch wind of what they were saying, even with them whispering.

Angelus had an ear for knowing what others were saying, cause he had often listened to kids gossip on his heritage right before his very own eyes. It was nothing of concern or worry for him though. Angelus was used to gossip. It had never once ceased, no matter whether he was well known or not. At the entrance of the estate stood Marcus, the once widely famous head of the Gaius hounds. Gaius stood by the entrance with Marcus, seeming to have been waiting for the celebrity soldier.

Angelus: "Hmph.. It seems to be that sort of test.. I see.."

In the whistling wind, the muscle bound hound was to grasp his top with his vascular right arm, before proceeding to rip his garbs right off his torso, throwing the top onto the grass laden hill he stood. An eagle was to fixate his eyes unto the hound, gearing himself to brawl. It was blatant to the eagle that he was to need to be tested by the hounds before he could be welcomed, but could he, the white eagle, overcome this challenge? Angelus was to come to the gate where a small crowd of the direct legates was loitering, waiting for the famed soldier to come, so they could see whether or not this man was truly as great as the people claimed.

Angelus and his unit over the week had shared rations and supplies with the Lupus clan, seeking to build trust with the clan. However, the soldier had to do more than just that to prove his worth and right to help lead the clan. It was necessary for Angelus to not just gain Gaius' trust, but the unit leaders within the clan as well. It is a must to have their trust, so he would be able to utilize their forces effectively, without issue.

Marcus: "Unequip yourself my friend. It shall simply be a brawl of our minds and bodies. Angelus, my Gaius Hounds will only follow those who match or surpass us. It is why I formally request to duel with you, with just our fists and heart."

In the face of Marcus, Angelus were to drop his tools. If one did not know the soldier well, they may believe he was just a mere swordsman. However, that could not be farther from the truth. Angelus was quite proficient with his fists. It was unlike the man to rely on solely his tools, so he had made sure to rigorously train his fists, on the off chance he was disarmed by a foe.

Angelus knew how to box well, learning tricks and techniques to use with his high grade cestus weapons. It was to be those boxing skills of his that he was to have to put to the test today. It did not matter what punches he was to face from Marcus, Angelus was to ensure his hit harder. In case he could not evade a punch, his body he had trained to no end's rest to tank hits were to soak up the damage for him.

Marcus: "Enough, now come, Angelus!"

In a flash, the soldier, with nothing but his fists, was to clash with Marcus. However, despite his nimble feet, a flying fist from the burly man was to graze his left cheek. It was to cause the soldier to flinch, but he was not prepared to just let Marcus gain a moment opportunity. In a fearless and bold step, Angelus was to duck down towards the stomach of Marcus.

In a roaring strike, his fist was to rocket for the center of the famed fighter, Marcus. Yet, despite the brave valiant effort, the white haired eagle underestimated the bolting strikes of Marcus. It was not that easy to gain the upper hand on this wolf though, for he has faced countless foes.

In one quick fluid strike, Marcus was to swing at the face of Angelus from his left. It was fair though to say that Marcus could not underestimate Angelus either, however, for his strike would land. Yet, the very moment this hit was to land on the hound, Angelus was to be sent flying from one of Marcus' hooks.

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