Looks like that's the end. I intended to unleash his reserves and put up an actual fight, but I saw no way out of the hold Tharr was in even with the increase in strength. So victory's all yours friend. Good fight, as brief as it was.
The overwhelming ferocity overtook Tharraleos before a coherent thought could even be conjured. How he was placed in such a disadvantageous predicament so swiftly was beyond comprehension. His senses were basically jammed and the only limbs to alleviate the intense asphyxiation were currently embedded within the tail of this foul creature. Even his own feline tail with its length of twenty feet was just barely out of range to provide assistance. Things weren't looking good for the mutated warrior, to say the least. Within mere moments his own resistance gradually waned more and more. Soon the Manga Pater would find the immense form in its grasp grow limp and unresponsive.
As his consciousness began fading, Tharr evaluated his situation. Was this really how things were to end for him? Helplessly strangled to death by a grotesque monster in this dammed swamp. It made some sense though, albeit irrational. Something was bound to best him in such a manner after five millennia. But as he began to accept his fate, a swift reminder snapped him from such. He was a shining example of what his kind were truly capable of. Entire nations had once buckled under his sheer might alone, and now here he was dying a pitiful death. This wouldn't do.
"I am Tharraleos!" he shouted within his mind.
"I am the proud vestige of the Aerasginero!"
"No mere, simple creature shall conquer my might!"
[Pride Reserve + 3]
Under his closed eyelids, the yellow of his irises momentarily flashed purple in color with each sentence spoke. This was the other variation of power that was able to be stored within him for further use. Battle and vanity were the things that empowered him in the most literal of senses and it was quite evident now was the time to capitalize on them. But as he went to unleash his Reserves, something snapped, literally. The unending and increasingly tightening grip of the Primal Nightmare broke through his defenses enough to sever the spinal cord. Instantly, the Griffintaur's body slumped onto the muddy ground, any remaining resistance being completely halted. Remnants of his subconscious prevailed, but would soon follow suit and the being known as Tharraleos would no longer exist in the living realm.
Tharraleos watched with intrigue in his visage at the man's display of aerial maneuverability. Such was frequently a drawback of the much larger albeit deceptively nimble Griffin, not that it served as a problem. His stance became much more grounded, rear talons rooting him to the spot with knees bent. With wings flared out and furled into makeshift fists, he would look at the Knight almost like a batter would perceive a baseball.
The much extended reach would of his plumaged extremities was most beneficial. The heat radiating from this warrior wasn't beyond anything he could handle, but having moderate distance was more preferred until more information was known about the particular style of combat. Be it sword, fist or foot, whatever Raelis would throw at the hybrid would be met with a winged punch boasting immense force of its own. This was aimed to either contest or surpass him in a clash of sheer brute strength. Although hastiness would be prioritized in said strikes as prolonged exposure would result in searing consequences.
The ire Tharr caused the monster was only beginning at this moment. It was indeed true his acute senses would be trampled by the cries of the Magna Pater under normal circumstances. This was not one of those times. The hybrid had the ability to filter out any unneeded or hindrance causing sense. Following the slimy creature's previous hammering at his hearing and sight, his feathered ears reduced nearly all sound and he was nearly deaf at this point. Additionally, since the last time his eyes were opened to a void of black nothingness, he decided to since close them entirely.
With sight and hearing nullified, Tharr suffered only mild disorientation. But as the piercing tail was sent for his maw, it seemed he was unprepared. But 2 of his remaining perceptors were more than enough to still follow its movements, with taste being the one he definitely refused to bring out. The foul odor of it was already seeped deep in his nares and would likely remain for weeks. His most crucial tool were the goldenrod whiskers adorning his plumaged face and the crest of feathers atop his head. These worked in conjunction with each other to detect surrounding vibrations.
The Magna Pater might be surprised to find its tail clenched between the paws of its foe. The hybrid had used his keen reflexes and duo of senses to discover and predict the angle of which the limb lashed forth. The grip in his digits was enough to dent metals and to ensure his hold, his claws unsheathed and attempted to break through its thick hide to lock them in place. Now that he had the thing in his clutches, it was time to stand back up. His wing was currently being munched on and his layered defenses would last only so long against such a powerful onslaught of teeth. He couldn't risk further damage by yanking the thing free by its tail.
As such, his unoccupied and outstretched wing was brought to the ground, where the ends straightened out and seemed to grasp the mostly firm foundation. From here, Tharraleos would attempt to pull himself up, his lion tail assisting with such by pushing against the ground on the opposing side. Without any interruptions, Tharr would be back on his feet, where he'd find a way to rid himself of this pest. Perhaps he would bring out his Reserves. He was normally one to prolong a battle out of sheer enjoyment, but this was an obvious exception. It needed to be dealt with, swiftly and permanently.
Combat Reserve = 12 Pride Reserve = 0 Turns to decrease - 2
Apologies for the vanishing act. Real life, and all that. But I'm being bestowed some free time from distractions later on, so I'll be making my return momentarily.
I'm still alive, yes. Just been busy with moving and job stuff over the last week. If it's not one thing, it's another, huh? IRL is just so grand sometimes
Every last movement the Knight made did not stray from the alert perception of Tharr. The way he spoke and carried himself denoted his status as a renowned fighter and his title of Champion seemed to hold great merit. His further caution continued to be out of reverence more than fear. This opponent would likely be near death under his talons in just a few moments. But there was hope entertainment would be plentiful. This one seemed to harbor some potential.
The avian feline watched undeterred at Raelis' display of light, taking note of the alteration in surrounding heat. The latter of which did little to stir him. Then there was brief silence lasting only a few seconds that bared the illusion of minutes. Each combatant intently studied the other with pinpoint precision like a laser. While Tharraleos was one to offer the initial strike to his opposition in a way to gauge their strength, his intrigue in this specific individual lead to the idea to switch things up.
With that in mind, he would abruptly make his move in the blink of an eye. Raising a leg ever so slightly, he brought it down with immense strength and struck the ground in front of him, the force behind it being lessened than usual given the weakened foundation of the vicinity. Though this was more than enough to send a narrow, precise tremor in the form of splitting ground careening straight for the winged man. This would either induce instability or force an approach and Tharr would react accordingly, even if none of these outcomes came to fruition.
Real life can be such a bitch sometimes. Sounds like I should get as many replies in as possible before such. I'll be having some free time in a bit, so I can get one or two done.
Vixere,
DaintyDahlia,
hanzo,
Joshua Tamashii,
Cao the Exiled,
Kuro,
DELETED08741,
Little Bill,
TheRose,
Vampiretwilight