Round Stone Crest She Never Slows Down

He watched her brace herself downward, coiling her muscles for a lunge at him, and returned the gesture. His shoulders rolled back, settling naturally into poise as his stance widened and his joints relaxed, prepared to do what must be done in response to whatever attempt was thrown his way. Never was his expression taunting, but there was no doubt about the challenge that filled his gaze. She was a tank, simply put, a kindred frame that Gent was far willing to use as a tool to test his own strength and capabilities. Oh how grateful he was that Raela had brought her to him.

He was able to properly read her advance, and moved timely in order to avoid her attack altogether, though once he was clear of those potentially dangerous, daggered jaws he curled toward her, making a strike of his own against her. His intentions mirrored her own, aiming to scruff the girl and attempt to use her own momentum against her in way of throwing her to the ground. One last time he would assert himself over her, and hopefully that was all it would take, for he felt himself on the verge of beginning to tire. Stamina was not his forte, strength was, which was what led him to hit so heavy so quickly, hoping to win the fight before it carried on long enough to negate his advantage and even hinder him.

 

Her clumsy, large legs failed her as the woman sailed pass the black giant, stumbling as she went. The wolf gritted her teeth and attempted to regain her balance as the man spun once more to counteract everything she had tried to accomplish. Teeth met with scruff as Moraxia attempted to fight back by straightening her front legs and bringing her back limbs forward underneath her. His fighting skills were unmatched by any she’d met thus far in her travels, sealing the fact he was a force to reckoned with. His weight pounded down onto her back; the female’s legs caving underneath her as her body slammed into the ground.

It was over. She had lost and failed to prove herself to him. The sting of reality set in and Moraxia whined between heavy gasps of air, surrendering to her tired muscles. She laid there a moment, catching her breath as her body expanded and contracted in a sporadic rhythm. Casting a glance at Gent, she showed a soft smile and pinned her ears against her forehead submissively. “You… fight well,” the words tumbled out of her mouth as Moraxia continued to pant heavily. “But there’s always next time!” she giggled, rolling onto her side to better look at him. His odd tactics of greeting were charming and terrifying all at the same time, but she felt no danger in his eyes. She’d prove herself in other ways, someday, but all she wanted to do now was retire for the day and rest herself beneath the sun.

His attempts were effective, bringing the woman to the ground once more. The mammoth alpha stood his ground beside her, glacial eyes boring down upon her to await what she would do once she had caught her breath again, but at last he witnessed the falling of her ears and the surrender of her deference unto him. The submission pleased him, and he was willing to return the smile given to him as relaxation melted over his body. Reclining beside her, his ears took in her compliment, but it was the following claim that caused his mirthful expression to expand. That was exactly what he wanted to hear from her.

"I'm counting on it," he informed her. "You're going to make an excellent guardian."

The praise was genuine, and he looked forward to the day he would officially extend the title to her. It was an assumption on his own part this was what she wanted, to continue the training her father had given to her and make a career of it within the Crest, but as had been the case with Astraeus, he was likely to leave little room for argument regardless of what fanciful, contrary ideas she might have. Guardianship was an occupation sorely needed within the Crest, and he would see it filled first of all.

 

His smile grew in front of her eyes as the male released his grip and relaxed onto the ground next to her. Moraxia studied his face carefully as he spoke, giving her body a quick shake and stretching out her front paws. Her limbs ached and exhaustion began to slowly creep back into her mind. Giving the man one last grin, she placed her head softly between her extended legs and calmly flattened the rest of her frame into the grass. His eyes were so true and genuine; she couldn’t help but getting lost in them for a moment as he ended his thoughts.

‘Guardian, huh?’ she thought, closing her eyes. ‘I hope you have more to teach me.’ Her brooding continued as her aspirations of guarding the pack from danger danced in her mind. One day, she wanted to be thought of as more than just a pack member; she wanted to be seen as someone viable and helpful, yet strong and mysterious like her most recent opponent who was now reclining in the grass next to her. The wolf’s deliberation continued as her breathing slowed and her mind drifted into a dream-like state, dozing off under the hot afternoon sun that watched over her. Moraxia felt safe—for now.

~Fade Out~