Lucian did not even let Asd catch his breath as he rushed towards him, the Werelion was caught off guard, from what he knew a ceremony or ritual of sorts need to be carried out when challenging an alpha for his position, but it seems Lucian didn't not care one bit for the ritual as he rushed forwards and slammed his shoulder into Asd's chest throwing the Werelion backwards. Asd crashed to the ground going head over heels rolling backwards till his back impacts the tree that was used to hold the human Roland.
Asd had his eyes widened as his sides burned in pain, he tried to catch his breath letting put raspy gasps as he made his way back up to his feet. Lucian was stronger, stronger than anyone or anything he has ever face, but given that list was extremely small, it would be easier to say that this was the first real challenge he has ever face. And it was to no small heartache that it had to come from a member of his own race. Asd quickly duck back to the ground as Lucian leaped at him swiping his claws in the air that was previously occupied by Asd's head. the human screamed out in pain as those claws came really close to his own head, but there was an opening as Asd sprang forwards, driving his shoulder into the werewolf's midriff, eliciting a gasp of pain as Asd lifted him up and smashed him to the ground, causing the hard packed earth beneath them to crack from the impact.
Asd quickly scrambled back, taking a few steps back as he hunched over, his form low to the ground as his fangs and claws poked out in all their glory and his eyes turned a deep rustic yellow. He made a mistake, his inexperience in a fight, especially a fight against other Weres was shown in all its glory as Lucian scrapped his own claws on the ground, dislodging sediments of rocks as he turned and got up. Asd should never have let him recuperate and gone in for the kill, instead he had treated this conflict like the spars he has had with Chelsea, that was a big mistake, and one that might cost him his life.
Asd closed his eyes as the rocks pelted him in the face with quite a few of them digging into his face as he roared out in pain and closed the, for a second. Another mistake that would never go in a fight; and not just against a were ANY FIGHT AT ALL. Lucian knew how to press his advantage as he moved in front of Asd, two claws flashing left and right and digging massive gouges into his face. Asd roared out in pain as his sight became bloody with his own blood, he stumbled backwards then pushed Lucian in the chest to get a bit of a leeway to reorient himself and maybe have his healing kick in and save him enough to turn this fight in his favor. But Lucian was not having any of that.
A swift kick found its way into his chest as he was blasted backwards. his naked form crashed to the ground, turning over each other as he was rapidly littered with cuts and bruises. His body was sturdy enough that none of his bones broke, but he could feel his right shoulder get dislocated and the same with his pelvic bone as his hip smashed against a rock that jutted out of the ground. That hit raised his body three feet into the air before he came crashing down into a pool of water. The coldness of the water sent a chill up his spine and served to help Asd take his attention away from the pain that was now wracking his body. he made to quickly get back to his feet but Lucian was already there and moment later Asd's screams were heard around the entire cavern.
"Arghhhhoooooooaaaaararrrrrrrr agh!"
"You're weak! You are not fit for your bloodline, to have the blood of kings is an honor you don't deserve. So let me put you down with the rest of your ancestor's kitten, it would better you sully their presence with the shame you have brought to your race, now die."
Lucian had dug his claws into Asd's shoulders and raised him before pushing him down to his knees in the small pond within the cavern. Asd could feel those claws as they pierced through not just flesh but also bone. He could feel them as they grated against his bones sending sharp lances of pain flying through his body. the pool beneath him had already taken on a bloody hue as his blood spilled in soft rivulets from his shoulders down his body and into the water. He felt helpless, this was not the outcome he envisioned when he decides to challenge Lucian, and now it seems he has bitten off more than he could chew.
Asd had gotten arrogant, training with a vampire and being treated like he was the hottest stuff since the dawn of the first kings had warped his mind and perception of reality. He may be the last of the Werelions, and one that was free and had access to magic and the ability to shift at will; but that didn't mean he was as strong as the Werelions of old. Right now in this moment it was open and obvious to him how grossly outmatched he was against Lucian. The werewolf has probably had his magic and the ability to freely shift a lot longer than Asd.
Asd has been through his own fair share of struggles, but giving how experienced Lucian was with combat, it would not be too farfetched to say that it was nothing compared to the werewolf's. Lucian fought with the intent to kill, something that for all of his arrogance and trust in his inner Lion, Asd was not able to bring to the forefront. And in this conflict his lion offered no answer, no advice, no random bout of pain and rage that would send the adrenaline in his body into overdrive and give him an edge to win this fight, it was annoyingly silent, leaving Asd to his fate.
"Awooooooooooo!"
The howl reverberated through the entire cavern, it was one of victory and dominance and with such power behind it that Asd felt to his very bones. For a moment he wanted to give in to the despair of his loss, in front of this power, real power that only a true Were can bring forth he felt weak. He felt useless and his body didn't seem to want to respond to his movements. Even when Lucian brought his head down and wrapped his jaws around Asd's neck, creating a shower of blood Asd felt contented to let him just go ahead and end his miserable existence, dying would be better, he was too weak, he couldn't do anything, he couldn't-
[I LOVE YOU]
His eyes opened wide as Rhea's voice seemed to reverberate within his mind. At the gates of death nothing else could rouse his will to live but the voice of the woman he loves, it shook him, and his looked up at Lucian, feeling the werewolf beginning to tug as his jugular in an attempt to rip his throat out and end his life for good. There was glee in Lucian's eyes, he was pulling slowly, all so slowly that every movement was amplified in pain. He wanted Asd to die slowly and as painful as possible, Asd would not give him the satisfaction. It was already too late when Lucian discovered the despondent look on Asd's face had given way to one of fury and determination, the Werelion wanted to live and he would do anything to make sure it happens.
"Arrghhhhhh!!!!!!"
"Arrghhhhhh!!!!!!"
Two voices seemed to bring the cavern alive, but one was of pain and the other of rage. Asd had summoned an incredible amount of will [power to raise both his arms, ignoring the extra pain he received from Lucian's claws still stuck in them to stab his own claws, both of them into the underside of Lucian's ribs. The werewolf had to release Asd's neck in pain as he tried to pull back, but Asd's claws closed around the bottom ribs and held them tightly, there was no way for Lucian to run, with his claws still stuck in Asd's shoulders.
"Yield!" Asd yelled out the werewolf, it wasn't as if he was in a more advantageous position, Lucian could still rip his throat out if he just moved forwards. But Asd was all too aware, for some reason his focus was all hyper, and at that moment he was considering all the variables.
[Master! I can help!]
Asd felt like a fool, he had magic, he fucking had magic and he had fought relying completely on his Werelion instincts instead of trying to use his head. he was fighting like some sort animal. Even all of the experience he's been able to accrue from training with Chelsea, he really had let defeating a few Zaragites get to his head, and that stupid beyond all expectations. A warrior of any sort should be able to use every weapon in his or her disposal. And so that was why Asd gave Gaia a mental nod of acceptance because he also came to a realization or more like an understanding.
Lucian would show no mercy, and giving him mercy would mean he would be back for more, and next time he wouldn't be so stupid as to give Asd a chance to fight back or regain his courage to live. This was the werebeasts way, mercy was for the weak. ; letting him live would only bring him and his descendants shame, it would give Lucian a drive to keep coming for Asd no matter what, and he wouldn't stop until he has regained his glory. So there was no future where Asd and Lucian lived in harmony, this world was just two small for either one of them to be alive in it, and Asd knew Lucian was well aware of that fact.
[Spark!]
[Hot Hand]
The two most powerful spells he knew used one after the other, the pain from having fire set within your body was enough to take Lucian's attention away from Asd and any idea of ripping his throat out. And in that moment Asd heaved, pulling his arms back and taking the two lower ribs of Lucian along with him, breaking and pulling them out of his body in a shower of blood, leaving a garish and grotesque wound that would give even the staunchest of warriors and killers pause.
He raised both bloody ribs and slammed them into the head of Lucian from both sides, making sure to keep his eyes on the panicked gaze of the werewolf as he brought his life to an end. Asd shuddered as a feeling of euphoria passed through his body. he could feel himself taking something, he wasn't sure what it was, but Asd could feel energy pass from Lucian into his body. his muscles bulged as his golden yellow hair suddenly began to change, turning white as snow as power unprecedented filled his body.
[Class Royal Alpha has been gained]
[Stats Strength, Speed and Vitality Unlocked]
[Skill Alpha's Aura, Alpha's Authority has been Gained]
[Mana Interface has Leveled Up to 2 assimilating Wisp]
[Combat Mastery Lvl 2 > Lvl 3]
[Mana Strength Mild Lvl 5>6/ Mana Connection Strong Lvl 1 >2/ Mana Control Weak Lvl 8> Mana Control Mild Lvl 1]
[Mana Pool Increased by 200 points]
Asd took a step back as Lucian's body feel to the ground with a thud splashing water every which way slowly his blood began to spread into the pond, deepening the bloody red shade it had already taken from Asd's blood spilling into it. Asd could feel the difference in his strength, and beyond that a completeness that he has never experienced before. He turned to the other Weres, and then he growled, releasing a rumbled deep within his throat that spread out like a shockwave. And as it reached them, they all bowed, paying respects to the newest Alpha to be born into the world.
Asd felt his mind getting blank as Darkness encroached at the edge of his vision. He fell back into the pool, right besides Lucian's body as he passed out from bloodless while his body healed. But the Weres who witnessed it were shaken and cowed, because they all saw as the golden yellow in his eyes bled out into ruby red, invariably they all knew and accepted the fact Asd was and is, or rather have become their…. ALPHA!