Aragor slept the day away on a rocky outcropping that caught the sunlight between the forest canopy for most of the day. It's not like he had much to do. During the night he went out hunting with his pack to keep his family fed. Daytime was something entirely different. He mostly lazed around or slept. Occasionally he got in scuffles with fellow pack members to assert his dominance over them but no one ever got seriously injured from the encounters.

A Challenger has entered your territory! Defend your title as Apex Predator!

Aragor's ears perked up at the at the Mother's notification.It wasn't every day the Great Mother spoke to him, but anytime she said anything, it was always important. Slowly he stretched out and let out a long slow yawn. It's about time some action came his way. What's the fun of being the Apex predator if no one comes to fight you for it? Aragor shivered as he felt the rush from a fight he looked forward to.

Aragor howled into the midday sun to summon his pack. None would dare interfere with a fight between an Apex and his challenger, but there was nothing wrong with letting them enjoy the show. shortly after his howl, around 20 or so direwolves broke away from the treeline and entered the area. They all found a comfortable place to lay down that was out of the way of the immediate vicinity of Aragor and his chosen combat zone.

It wasn't long before Aragor knew that his challenger was close. He listened intently and carefully scanned the edge of the treeline, but he couldn't sense anything. Even his keen sense of smell was of no use. Aragor started to feel agitated that his opponent had yet to show himself so he growled into the air.

A spot of shadow that Aragor had not been the least suspicious of separated from its surroundings and Aragor's eyes immediately snapped to it. As the shadow continued to step forward, The Alpha Direwolf was finally able to make out its sleek shape as a Shadowstalker Panther.

Aragor Recognized the panther as the one he had won the Apex title from. At least he was pretty sure it was the same one. The band of metal on its ear was new, but the eyes were so focused on him with the intent to kill he doubted the feline was a stranger to him.

The cat smiled at Aragor "It's about time we were finally able to meet. This has been a long time coming!" Its lips never moved, but nevertheless, Aragor heard his words. He was relieved, he had been worried that his opponent might have had a level of intelligence comparable to a simple animal. The fact that the cat could communicate meant that this fight was going to be a lot more exciting!

The two of them stared each other down for many seconds, neither moving a single muscle. Aragor twitched when he felt that the Mother sent him another message. However he ignored it, Aragor did not have the time to listen to her as the momentary muscle spasm had sent a signal to his opponent. The cat wasted no time in dashing towards him. His edges seemed to blur as he closed the distance with Aragor and made an attempt to slash at his face with claws that seemed to shimmer in a dark energy.

Aragor had a hunch, but just to be sure, he took advantage of the cat's missed attack and made a claw swipe of his own, without any magical augmentation. The cat flinched as his claws dug solidly into its flank. However, even as Aragor finished his strike, he knew that it felt wrong.

The cat's body rippled around the immediate vicinity of the attack as if he had just struck at the water. The droplets of flesh and blood he had just stripped away from the cat's body with his claws froze in midair before flowing back to the wound. Aragor had just barely regained his fighting stance after the attack and it was like the wound was never there to begin with.

He wasn't nervous though, far from it. He was excited! Here was an opponent worthy of his strength. Here was someone who was capable of pushing him. Here was an enemy that could bring out all he can do!

Aragor snarled and used an ability.

Aura of light- Imbue your very flesh with the element of light. Regeneration increased by 15%. Resistance to darkness based magics increased by 75%. Creatures of Evil alignment weakened by 50%. Allies strengthened by 25%

Aragor's fur started to glow with a dim light, and a second later a concussive shockwave blasted out from him in all directions. Aragor grinned as he watched the effect it had on his opponent. As soon as the shockwave reached the cat, the indistinct blur that made up its outline was blown away by the lightwave like a puff of smoke on the wind.

Half blind, panther tries to put some distance between him and Aragor, but Aragor doesn't give it the opportunity. He lunges towards the cat trying to bite into one of its front legs. reflexively, the cat swipes at Aragor's face landing a lucky hit across his nose and giving him the chance to back up while his eyes adjust to the bright light from the aura of light.

Aragor ducks under a sudden black sphere of darkness the cat had suddenly shot at him. As the attack sails over him, Aragor noticed it was significantly weaker then he would expect. Probably due to his aura. Aragor decides that now is a good time to take this to the next level.

He focuses his energy into his limbs and down into his paws, before once again running towards the cat. As he approaches, his claws glow with a bright light and Aragor is happy to see the cat's eyes widen in fear just before he makes his own attack at the cat.

Particles of light trail behind his paws as he unleashes a barrage of strikes towards the cat while it is still unbalanced. The cat continues to back peddle as it nears the forest edge. Aragor doesn't give the cat breathing space and before long it was backed into a tree. Aragor decides to take advantage of the opportunity and makes a risky lunge for the cat's throat.

Things don't quite go out as planned as Aragor underestimated the amazing reflexes of his foe. as he lunges for it, the cat lunges as well... upwards. The cat is indeed cunning as Aragor has left himself completely exposed to the cat sailing over him. The cat spins itself in midair and lands on Aragors back claws first.

Aragor can't help but yelp in agony as a line of fiery pain lances down his spine. The cat digs its hind claws into his back and grabs onto his shoulders with its foreclaws. Thinking quickly, Aragor throws his back to the ground in an attempt to dislodge the cat before it can sink its fangs into his neck and deal the finishing blow.

As Aragor rolls over the cat its body is pressed into his own and Aragor hears the hiss of burning flesh as the cat, now underneath him, yowls in its own bit of agony before managing to use its back legs to kick Aragor's body off of its own. Aragor jumps to his feet as quick as he can and faces the cat once more to assess the damage.

Aragor can feel blood spilling down his sides from what is no doubt, a very nasty wound on his back. Aragor carefully watches the cat and sees that it isn't doing so hot either. Its entire chest is a mess of charred flesh and oozing blood. Its entire body is shivering from what must be an intense amount of pain after making direct contact with his body while Aura of light was active.

Aragor's own body felt stiff and sore. Most likely, the damn cat had managed to sever a few muscles around his spine which would severely hamper his mobility. Aragor was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to stay on his feet for much longer, he would need to put his all into the next attack. It was likely going to be his last.

Aragor readied himself, charging every last bit of energy he had left and fed it into his body. The air around him was humming with the potential energy as well. The cat, seeing what was happening mirrored Aragor's actions. the area directly around the cat was pulsing with shadows so dark, you couldn't see through them.

The other wolves growled and yipped all around him. likely, Aragor thought, they were excited to see the exciting conclusion of the fight. Whatever the outcome though, Aragor was happy. He had one of the best fights he could have hoped to have had for the longest time. No matter what the outcome of the fight was, he would be happy.

Aragor readied himself for the charge and his opponent did likewise.

You have died

Aragor blinked. What? was it really over that fast? Blinking in confusion, Aragor asked the Great Mother to repeat all his unread messages within the last few moments.

A Challenger has entered your territory! Defend your title as Apex Predator!

You have been Slain!

Death Blow: Horn Strike

Attention! As an Apex Predator, you have lost your title to the one that defeated you!

Name: Horned Rabbit- Snowball

Warning! After losing your title as Apex predator, you have lost your right to a seat of power! You will now be assigned a new Respawn Point at random!