[Duel] I will Prove Myself (Ryujin/Sinbad)

[DragonsRage24]

Ryujin had waited what seemed like countless moons for this day, he had prepared himself mentally for venturing within the borders, he could wait no longer. Ra'd was venturing in as well, and Ryujin worried for several moments that he would search out Ka, to battle for acceptance, Ryujin wanted Ra'd to win, but, Ka was his brother, and he didn't want shame to fall on his younger siblings shoulders.

The sand was hot underfoot but Ryujin's eyes were focused, silver shining in the sunlight. He had grown since his travel from the pridelands, his stalky form had filled out with muscle, his shoulders broad thanks to the training he and Ra'd did, he was more focused, stronger, faster, he was proud of his change, and hoped that when he saw his siblings again, they would be proud too.

In the distance the form of a dark red lion came into view, with markings upon his pelt for a moment Ryujin felt jealous as he was markless, much like the Regentess No, that Kessek had told him of. The male was large, well into his prime when Ryujin had nearly just found himself as a future warrior of fire, but it did not dissuade his decision.

Ryujin stopped upon the dune he tred upon, and he announced a roar over the distance of sand between them. As the roar disappeared into the wind Ryujin let his legs build up his speed, as he ran over the sand, claws outstretched and ready for this now inevitable battle. He would prove himself.

As the gap closed, regardless if the male was ready, Ryujin thrust himself forward, minding the distance between them, and put as much force as he could into his right paw and forearm and rammed it into the shoulder nearest to him. He felt a connection of claw against muscle, and Ryujin snarled in approval of his first attack.

Move: Hit  

[Thalion]

Sinbad, on the other hand, had been looking over his claws for the third time that day. As a young cub he'd never paid much attention to hygiene or grooming. However, once his mane had filled out and the title of 'lord' actually meant something back in the days of the pride's division- Sinbad had become quite attentive to himself. Now any splintering of his claws, tangling of his mane, or soiling of his pelt was quickly resolved. Within the new pride...he was an underling. The only chance at resolving that pesky situation was to claw his way back to the top...by any means necessary.

While he'd been trained to combat his way to a position of power, he'd never actually seen combat. It was all training still. Jumping at rocks, wrestling his siblings, and building muscle over difficult terrain. Training and the real thing were as different as night and day.

Though...recently his training had been neglected for another favorite hobby of his- skirt-chasing. It was far more work than he'd expected! For one, he had to be careful with whom he courted. Half the pride was somewhat related to him, the other vast majority was composed of filthy blood from the pridelands or even...the wild.

He shuddered. Beggars couldn't be choosers. The more cubs he managed to father, the more underlings he had under -his- family's teachings. The rightful royal family...

He sneered, giving his claw one last inspection. It was then that a roar echoed from the sands behind him. A challenge?

Sinbad rolled his head to one side, lazily lifting an eye brow as a blur of fur and mane rushed his way. His eyes shot fully open as he rolled to his feet and threw his paw out. The darker paw of his opponent came down to hammer at his shoulder, his own swept out for the unguarded ankle.

Move: Hit  

[DragonsRage24]

His strike connected but Ryujin felt a pull on his leg and he snarled, not in anger at his opponent, but for leaving himself so open while in this fight. No! He had to concentrate. As his blow left the shoulder of the giant male before him pure black skid in the sand and felt the rough sand against the bottom of his paws and his silver eyes narrowed.

As he touched his leg down he snarled, and looked to see a hefty gash and it stung, but he smiled, purred at the feeling. Ryujin was small in comparison to this male, but he had grown, he was the eldest, and he would wait no longer for his time. His time was now.

Without words he charged again, pictured times of training with Ra'd, and as he came close to the male, he suddenly dropped down and thrust his body sideways intending on hitting his legs out from under him. He felt a pressure but was unsure if the male would fall.

Ryujin needed not to injure the male badly, only prove himself.  

[Thalion]

Sinbad snarled as the male drove into his legs. It was enough to shove him back, but not enough to send him tumbling over. It smarted, and it'd likely ache for a week.

He, on the other hand, was looking for blood. If a firekin was too weak to defend himself, he deserved the scars, deserved to bleed. If it came right down to it- he deserved to die.

Massive paws flew upwards as he reared back on his hind legs and sent both paws crashing down for the rival male's body. If he wanted to get low to the ground, he'd give him a little assistance.  

[DragonsRage24]

Ryujin snarled and roared outloud as he felt sharp pains in his back and as he felt claws tear flesh he flung himself from the male before him sending him spiraling across the sand, skidding and feeling the sand cling to his now open wounds.

Ryujin's eyes were narrowed, his stance strong as he half circled the male befre him, he was brutal, but Ryujin felt aflame.

He jumped forward trying to grasp the males side but felt only a slight touch of fur and no flesh, why had he missed? The sun was in his eyes but that was no excuse.

He would prove himself, and he felt ready, watching and waiting for the perfect time to strike, being on guard.  

[Thalion]

Another attack, the newcomer was too bold, too hasty!
Snarling, Sinbad jumped out to the side, avoiding the male's next blow while throwing a strike of his own out. It also missed, his claws tore through clean air, but perhaps it would be enough to throw off his aggressor.  

[DragonsRage24]

Nothing but a rush of forced air rushed by him and Ryujin smirked and smiled but he would not let his confidence from thus far get in the way. He watched and listened, felt teh sane beneath his paws and got himself settled, his stance unwavering, and silver eyes held determination like the fire of the sun, he would not give up.

"I've waited so long for this day," he spoke simply, and rushed forward, he moved once and turned another way, a matter of confusion over which muscles moved first, at least he hoped it would work, Kai made it look so simple. Though it wasn't as strong and taking as the ones before, he still hit his mark.  

[Thalion]

Sinbad snarled as the claws cut through his flesh, leaving angry bleeding wounds. Eyes burning, he turned towards the male. He'd waited for this day?

"Waited for what?" He growled back, "A chance to fall before a lord!?"

The red male reared back to his hind legs as one paw flew upwards, black claws shining in the sunlight as he threw his weight down for yet another blow.  

[DragonsRage24]

Ryujin felt the weight upon him and snarled as he felt his flesh tear and he pulled back quickly, snarling angrily, flames in his silver eyes, "I will not fall," he had been waiting so long for this day, he would be with his family he would not fall, he would not let himself fall!

As a lord this male needed to know of the strength beyond the borders, and Ryujin would show him what fire he had in his heart no matter the price of scars. He would not give in, he would not give up!

Snarling he charged, paws beating down fueling the thrum in his ears and although he was smaller than his opponent, he threw his paws forward, his weight intended for the broad chest before him to topple him over.

He would not let himself fail this day.  

[Thalion]

Sinbad threw out a second thundering roar, fueled by rage rather than passion. His paws boxed at the air, missing the aggressing male and leaving himself wide open for the charged attack that fell into his chest.

He toppled over backwards, his back hitting the sand hard, wind erupting from his lungs. He gulped for air and pawed for the ground. He'd lost....How could that be?!  

[DragonsRage24]

Ryujin breathed hard and looked at fire burning eyes that stared into his. He felt something he had never felt before, acceptance, and strength, confidence in himself, victory. Flicking his tail Ryujin raised his head high, his chest full of pride and a smile across his maw. he had to go find them, all of them, Ka, Kai and Ra'd and tell them. He was excited to say the least

"Now we are brothers, in a sense," Ryujin said with a smirk and offered a bow to his opponent, the fight was not easy, and this male was full of strength. "It was an honor to duel you," and with that he turned and headed towards where Kessek hovered overhead.

Ryujin's life was just now beginning.