Ares slid on the ground and then planted his foot down into the ground. A shadow formed ahead of him and he threw a punch, though quickly brought it back when he noticed the form of Saykkera ahead of him. Several of the beastfolk had rushed her, but she seemed to be handling the number well enough.

“I didn’t expect you to be so rude.” Ares wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. In the next moment Saykkera had been overwhelmed by six feral beastfolk, including the panther woman.

Ares headbutt one of the beastfolk away from Saykkera before then grabbing another and then tossing them back, only to be kicked in the back by another beastfolk.

A blade bounced off of his pauldron as Ares reached back to punch whoever it was and then he summoned a blade to his hand to deflect another sword, kicking another away from him.

The pair were still surrounded by the feral beastfolk. He heard a sizzle and then a deep inhale before flames sprouted out towards his side. Ares stepped back instinctively as he turned to see Saykkera blowing out flames towards some beastfolk, one of them catching the blast against themselves though shielded their front with their arms.

The panther woman kicked the side of Saykkera’s head, though it only caused the flames to splash against the grass as it caught alight.

‘Well shit.’ Ares leapt forward towards it and swallowed the flames with his body as he shifted into his own flame and accepted the flames into himself. Another blade pierced through him, though only met flame as he finally shifted himself into a phoenix and then he kicked them with his talons, catching another’s weapon with his other set before flying up and then tossing them aside.

Ares then flew forward to charge into a couple of beastfolk, though a bearwoman dodged as a boarman charged him in return. The tusks pushed into Ares’ body, though it shifted into flames where he was struck.

Ares felt heavy and so kicked them away, turning back into human as his entire body grew cold. ‘Shit. I can’t hold it for long…’ Another beastfolk was upon him now, though Sakkera had gone feral and slashed them away with her claws.

Ares managed to force himself onto his feet and then summoned another sword and shield, using them to defend himself against the onslaught of beastfolk. He wasn’t at full strength and so had to rely on Saykkera, though very quickly he found himself growing hot with annoyance.

‘Seriously? Is this it? Do I need to be protected by Saykkera of all people? How embarrassing. What a foolish prick you are, seriously…’ He thought to himself. ‘No, fuck it.’ He said as he then forced his mind to focus on the blade in his hand. “Come on…” He whispered to himself before there was a crackle. He lowered his shield and then tossed the blade at the boarman that charged him, though the only thing he met was the lightning that Ares had shot forth.

He roared, but it was cut out to a sputtering before his body twitched and spasmed, then he was down. Ares could hear their breathing so assumed the boarman was still alive as he then turned his attention to Beor, who slammed his axe into Ares’ shield.

“Nice trick.” Beor growled as he went feral and then pushed Ares back.

Ares slid about a metre before he stopped and then he looked up to Beor. “Thank you.” He said as Beor’s eyes widened and then Ares slowly moved the shield aside and then stepped in to headbutt the bearman’s chest, causing him to stumble back before Ares leapt up and drop kicked the bearman away.

When he landed the panther woman slashed at his back, but his armour protected him luckily. She hopped off his back, but Ares backflipped and followed her to her surprise, kicking her down though met her blades with his leg. He grunted in pain as he shifted it into flames and landed in front of her.

The panther woman pulled away, or at least she tried to, but Ares was upon her. “Don’t worry, I’m just playing.” Ares said as he licked his lips and then punched her across her jaw, causing her to spin before she dropped down.

He turned to see that four of the nine had dropped out of the fight. Beor had charged him at the time though so Ares found himself pinned as Beor slashed down with his axe.

Ares grabbed just under it’s head, keeping the axe from meeting his neck again. “This old trick?” Ares grunted before he kneed the bearman in the lower back to toss him aside as Gantal had done to the other.

He rolled onto his feet but Beor was on him again, trying to tackle him but Ares met the bearman with his own strength. Beor growled as he tried to push Ares back, but the King was unmoved. Then Beor bit at his neck, finding both flesh and metal. Ares growled out. “Okay, that’s new.” He admitted.

Saykerra was done with another, though found herself surrounded by the remaining three whilst Ares dealt with Beor. Ares summoned Beor’s axe to his hand and then punched Beor in the gut, causing him to wince. He tried to pull away but Beor kept him pinned.

“Fucks sake…” Ares whispered. “Fine.” He said as he then leaned in to bite Beor’s ear before tearing a chunk of it off, causing the bearman to pull away due to the pain. Ares turned and leapt towards Saykkera’s side, slamming the head of the axe against one of the beastfolk that had charged her before then kicking the side of their knee until they crumpled to their knees before he slammed the butt of the axe to the side of their head.

“Three left.” He finally muttered. “Want to surr-” Ares was unable to finish as Beor clashed with him again, this time the fight had devolved to fisticuffs. Beor punched Ares at the side of his face, and Ares took it. Ares returned the gesture, making the large bearman stumble. Though he came back and the pair punched one another repeatedly, though the bearman was growing weaker with each punch.

Beor finally stopped, looked past Ares. Ares turned to see Saykerra had dispatched the last pair and had been watching the two leaders go at it. Ares turned back to Beor.

“Well, what do you think?” Ares asked as he stood tall and then wiped the blood at his neck.

Beor was panting as he looked to his warriors that had been dealt with. He then looked out to the other two that he had slapped and then looked down.

“Fine. My life is yours.” Beor said as he dropped down to his knees.

“What?” Ares said, blinking.