Hunting or Hunted?

[Salzem]

Salzem prowled about Niahi woods with a certain intensity about him. As he slipped silently across the wood's floor, he sniffed the air with his wolfish snout, searching for prey. It had been at least a day since his last big meal and so far, the forest around him seemed to yield no riches, at least, none he could grab without making a scene. Squirrels, spiders, or the occasional lizard were hardly enough meal for a massive werewolf such as himself. He needed something larger... something big... Thats when he saw it... or smelled it, really. Only a half-mile's distance away, there was a large creature just grazing there amongst the trees, oblivious to the danger it was now in. Silently, yet purposefully, Salzem closed a good portion of the distance between him and the animal, enough so that he could see what exactly he was going to hunt. To the black werewolf's surprise it was a bull with a cart attached to it, boxes and barrels laid across the interior... It either must have wandered off or it's owner did... There was no body around the creature that he could see... Well... if he or she left this cow here... Whatever they were transporting wasn't worth that much to them anyway.

Salzem licked his lips intently as his wolven form tensed, ready to rush down the bovine. He could already taste the meat... In fact, if he didn't have a lifetime of experience on his back, he might have done just that. But this cow was out here in the forest, unguarded and left alone... almost as if someone wanted him to go after it... It was too good to be true... Salzem reached into a little leather pouch around his waist, pulling free a small handful of cattletrops. Just in case someone were to... intrude. With a growl, he rushed down the beast, tossing the spiked clusters behind him just as he landed on the Cow's back. The cattletrops scattered as they hit the earth, covering the ground in a cluster of barbed iron.. The animal snorted and bucked, twisted and wrenched it's head, trying to throw the massive 300 pound wolf off it's back, but the werewolf had killed and devoured far more deadly prey than this beast. He sunk it's claws into the cow's white-and-black flesh, keeping him latched tight to the bucking-bull but also tearing at it's skin... This was a strong, powerful beast... Perhaps a bit too strong to be playing stupid...

[Kalak8538]

The Character

A quick cry of shock, and then silence. It was a sound Janus was accustomed to, and one that excited him to no end. The old traveller was no longer standing before him. Instead, his body and soul rested in the palm of the demon's hand, taken into the crystal that lay caged by his clawed fingers.

"Hah! Idiot human..." he sneered, giving his cane a brief and triumphant twirl.

All the aging man wanted was the ability to prolong his life. It was something he was willing to pay any price for, even if the price was his own soul. After all, what good is an eternal soul if one could not die in the first place?

"I'll give you eternal life... But not in this world!"

Janus was satisfied in his ability to trick this human, the same as with every trick he successfully played. His only regret was that this one was so predictable. That always made the game less fun. Still, a soul was a soul, so the demon would not complain.

"Another one down... I'm almost there." he added softly, bringing the shining crystal close to his face.

He glared cross-eyed at it, taking a moment to relish his victory. Another sound was heard now: monstrous, and brutal. Close by, the traveller's beast was being attacked. Whatever would attempt that had to be dangerous. Janus' first instinct was to run away. However, his curiousity had persuaded him otherwise. He pocketed the crystal, and moved stealthily towards the sound of carnage.

He came into range, and saw the horrific sight. It was a sight that would have struck fear into most any mortal, but the demon found only interest in what he was witnessing. As he moved in closer, his foot found something... unfriendly. Janus threw his hands up to his mouth to stifle a yelp of pain. His will to remain undetected was stronger than the pain was. Bending down, he pulled the iron caltrop from his foot. It would take some time to heal, but heal it would.

"Clever beast..."

It was clear who had set these. The only one around was the beast, who was clearly devoid of any injuries from such things. It was intelligent. It had to be.

"Clever... werewolf!" said the demon, silently correcting himself.

Already he was forming a plan. This was not the first man-beast he had encountered. These mortals were usually desperate, looking for any way to remove the curse upon themselves. It was easy pickings... He just had to wait...

Looking to avoid another caltrop, or any other nasty traps that may have laid about, Janus looked skyward. Once he found a high and sturdy bough, his form disappeared, only to reappear up on the target tree limb. From up there, he had a safe vantage point. He reclined peacefully on the thick branch, subconsciously fiddling with the cane. With a comfortable front row seat to the brutal maiming, he watched... and he waited...

[Jace]

After seeing so very few other wolves over a span of six years, Jason had certainly run into a lot of them lately. It had all started when he happened across a beautiful young she-wolf by the name of Sahara when he was trying to track down a rabid wolf that was terrorizing the village. Since then he has run into and befriended several others. Next he met Josephine and her son Bayard, a young woman with a unique and troubled past that Jason's heart couldn't help but ache for. After that he had met Karida, a determined young wolf with a fiery personality that is slow to trust and as loyal as could be, and Farthok, an enormous wolf breed that had been imprisoned and fed upon for sixty years by a nest of vampires. He was more brutal and bloodthirsty than the rest, but he was extremely thankful and loyal to both Jason and Karida for helping to free him from his captivity. They weren't exactly a pack, most of them hadn't even met each other, but for some reason they had all chosen to stay nearby for now instead of moving on. For that reason Jason had taken it upon himself to shift into his wolf form and patrol the surrounding area several times a day. So many werewolves staying in one place was hard to keep unnoticed. He couldn't risk the humans or other would-be enemies catching wind of them and attacking while they were spread out like this. He knew that he would have to try to bring them together soon, but for now he was content with keeping them safe in his own way. He was out on one such patrol when he came across another interesting turn of events. The unfamiliar scent of another of his kind. It did not belong to any of the wolves he had met over the years and he needed to be sure that it wouldn't cause harm to the ones that had decided to stick around lately.

Truthfully Jason was glad for an excuse to run free through the woods as a wolf. It was the most comfortable he ever felt, speeding across the ground beneath the trees like that. The wind rushing past him as his paws skillfully found their way to the ground below, never once tripping or losing his stride no matter how fast he ran or how many turns he took. He had already finished scouting the entire edge of the forest and was making his way back toward the center of the woods when he first noticed the other wolf's scent. It couldn't have been more than a mile off. Slowing his pace, the large grey wolf changed his direction and began making his way toward the source of the smell, keeping his crimson eyes peeled as he went. It wasn't long before he spotted it. A werewolf in the form somewhere between wolf and human among the trees near a clearing. It seemed to be hunting something. Jason slowed his pace further and sniffed the air, turning his eyes to see what it was the other wolf was looking at. There was a bull that seemed to have been meant to pull a cart that was attached to in the clearing ahead. It didn't look like there were any humans or other creatures nearby that might have been the animal's owner. Still, it seemed like something was off. As he crept closer he saw the werewolf pounce on the beast, no doubt trying to make a meal out of it. It was impressive the way he took it down, throwing what looked to be iron spikes behind him as he went. The bull seemed to be giving the other wolf a bit of trouble.

Jason decided he might as well give in and help take the animal down. He launched himself forward into the clearing, heading straight toward the bull's left side. He launched himself into the air just before the caltrops and hit the bull with his full force, sinking his teeth into it's neck and digging his claws into the animal's side. It put up a little more fight before finally giving up and dying. When Jason was finally sure the animal was dead, he released the beast's neck and backed away, keeping his eyes trained on the other wolf. He stopped only a few feet back from both the slain animal and the new wolf, shifting into his human form so he could speak to the newcomer. Before his shift had begun, however, the wind had shifted course and was now blowing towards Jason from the direction of an unknown creature. The scent was that of something rancid that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He shifted anyway, keeping his wolf eyes in use and the claws on his hands extended, just in case. "Hello friend. I haven't seen you before. What brings you to these woods?" he said in a greeting. Unbeknownst to either of the wolves however, they were being watched by someone or something from the woods nearby...

[Kalak8538]

A wide and toothy grin cracked on the demon's face, and his entire body began convulsing in pure excitement. It took every last shred of self-control to stop himself from making any sort of audible sound.

"Another one! OH BOY!" he thought giddily.

It was great... until he watched it shift into human form. The grin slowly died down into a frown. Werewolves did not work like that... At least, he did not think they did. This one must have been a shifter, he thought...

Janus spit a curse under his breath. Not only were shifters harder to persuade, but with full control over their minds and bodies in their bestial forms, they were much more dangerous. He continued to watch the development intently, hoping deep down that the werewolf would put down this newcomer, so he only had to deal with one again.

[Salzem]

Salzem roared with excitement atop the raging cow, ripping and tearing at the creature's back with his teeth while he hung on for dear life. In fact, he could feel the bull begin to slow down beneath him. Just as he was about to make the killing bite, another wolf sprung from the forest surrounding them, the large dog ripping into HIS meat's throat and sides almost as viciously as Salzem himself. With the combined effort of them both, the cow feel beneath them in a heap, dead from blood loss in seconds. The smell.... it was so delicious... the blood... exquisite.... he could feel the warmth of the cow's body beneath him, waiting to be ripped asunder... And then, like a bolt from the blue, he remembered. Salzem placed as massive wolf-man paw on the top of the fallen cow's head as he snarled at the newcomer, claiming the kill as his own. He didn't care where this dog had come from nor did he care why it wanted to help him. If it got in his way, he was going to flay it and eat it too. It seemed the grey wolf didn't want to make a fight over this cow and quickly backed off, clearly displaying submissive behavior. Smart dog. if it stayed right there like a good mutt, Salzem might find it in his heart to give him something. However, Before the werewolf could rip open his dinner, he bore witness to something he did not expect: The grey wolf shifted into the shape of a man, clothes and all. He stared silently, confused, as the man began to ask him what brought him to this part of the woods. At first, he was confused that he too could shape-shift, but now... that question. Was it not obvious? The cow lying dead beneath him was his reason and he was hungry. Warily, the werewolf followed the man's example reverting down to his human appearance, a good 3 feet shorter, but no less wild. The young man that was Salzem, still splattered in the blood of the fallen Farm animal, growled a far less imposing growl. Perhaps it was because he had lost a good third of his height. Perhaps he wasn't quite as throaty in this form. Salzem swallowed whatever blood was in his throat and, through twisted fangs, he spoke.

"Mine." He spat, tightening his grip on his kill. "I'm hungry. I hunted this. It's mine." This man could take the shape of a wolven beast too... a dumber wolf might see that as a sign they were to be allies, but Salzem knew he was nothing more than a greedy competitor. He knew that the only reason he offered his aid at all was so he might get a bit of his kill to himself. Salzem's body tensed reflexively as the man held out his hands. He saw how his nails were as sharp and long as the were as a wolf. This man was still a threat and if he made another move, he wouldn't move again. Salzem bared his unnaturally long-and-sharp teeth in warning.

"No closer. Mine."

[Kalak8538]

Seeing the first wolf shift back into a human shape outraged Janus.

They were both shifters?!

This was more of a disappointment than an actual inconvenience. Really, the demon should have cut his losses then and there. However, his demonic ancestry took things to the next level. Janus was livid.

In his anger, the demon lost control just long enough to make one mistake. He let out a loud "DAMN IT!!"

Reacting a half-second too late, his hands went up to cover his razor-toothed mouth. There was no way the wolves did not hear that. Even a human would have heard that.

Janus was still as stone. He may have revealed his presence, but hopefully, not his exact location. He hoped with all his being that he was successfully camouflaged in the shadow of the tree's canopy as he watched the wolves' reactions with baited breath.

[Jace]

The other wolf seemed to take on an aggressive stance over the felled beast. Then, after Jason had shifted, it also shifted into human form. He still retained wolf-like features though. His teeth were still quite long and sharp. Even the way he acted and spoke was still representative of an animal. He had answered Jason's question at least. He was hungry and so he hunted. To him, it seemed, it was that simple. The young soon-to-be-alpha was about to respond when he heard another voice shout out from nearby. He turned in the direction of the sound, his body tensing for an attack. His eyes scanned the treeline but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. There was that scent again. Something putrid and rotten, a hint of sulfur in the mix. But nothing that signaled the sound had come from a human. Jason had never come into contact with this scent before, so he coudn't be sure what was causing it. "We're being watched." was all he said to the other wolf.

[Salzem]

Were Salzem in his lycan state, his ears might have perked up at the sudden noise, but instead, his simply raised his head in alertness. Snarling at the unseen enemy, the werewolf took on his monstrous appearance, growing back to his wolfish state. He growled in frustration as the man tried to warn him about their new enemy. What was he trying to prove by pointing out the obvious? What, was he trying to be a hero or something? A leader? Salzem hated this person already, what with he trying to take control of the situation from him. Well, Salzem didn't need this creature. He didn't need anyone telling him what's going on in his own life. He was a free spirit and he wasn't going to give up what defined him to some random wolf-man. He backed off the cow slowly, fading into the brush surrounding the clearing. Despite the sunlight streaming in from above, the intertwining branches and leaves above gave him just enough darkness to be one with the environment easily. As swept around the perimeter of the clearing, a certain smell fell across his nose, a smell that made him nearly recoil in disgust. The smell of rot and sulfur wrecked havoc on hid system, making each step in it's direction more of a chore than movement. His body fought him with every step, trying to coax him into simply dragging the cow away and feasting far away from here. Salzem would have been smart to simply let this all go, ignore both of these beings, and just go back to his normal existance like all this never happened. However, Salzem was not all that smart. He came to the base of one of the trees, finding the source of the smell, much to his disgust. It was even stronger now... above... It was stomach turning. It made his insides twist in knots and his brain pound in his skull. He wasn't just smelling something disgusting... He could sense whatever-it-was' power, and it was powerful, almost disturbingly so. And for this reason, instead of climbing up the tree to discover the source of this smell, Salzem passed the tree by, settling on ignoring the scent until he could come up with a plan to get rid of it. 

[Kalak8538]

The demon held his breath as the monstrous wolf passed beneath him. It knew that was the right tree, right? Why else would it come to it? Instead of investigating it, however, it moved on.

This confounded Janus. He was in much danger after his little... hiccup. Yet, these monsters were not going after him. Were they toying with him? Did they really not know where he was? The uncertainty was maddening to the demon, who was not used to being on the short end of dangerous situations. He was too used to being the predator. Being the prey for once made him uneasy.

He had to get away. There was no salvaging this situation. Once the wolf had abandoned his tree, he looked on to the branch of a different, and more distant tree. A quick phase, and he was gone once again. He phased back into existence, standing on the distant branch in which he had targeted. It had been far, much to far for Janus to thoroughly analyze.

*POP*

The older and thinner branch buckled under the sudden weight of the demon.

*CRACK*

Janus' eyes went wide as more of it broke. He fell to all fours, and took hold of the bough beneath him.

*SNAP*

The demon plummeted to the forest floor, brought down by the weight of the branch he held. He lay on his back, letting out a prolonged high pitched groan in response to the pain of the impact.

[Jace]

The other werewolf quickly shifted back and went into the brush, no doubt searching for the source of the sound. Jason decided it was probably best for him to do the same thing and shifted into his own werewolf form. It wasn't as monstrous or intimidating in appearance as the new wolf's, but it was powerful and would give him the opportunity to take down any threat quickly enough.

Instead of following the werewolf into the woods, Jason scanned the area with his eyes and sniffed the air with his unusually keen nose to try to locate the exact source. After a few short moments he thought he knew where it was coming from. It seemed to be a tree nearby. There was nothing around the tree that he could see. Maybe above? Sure enough when he looked up he was just in time to see the figure of a what looked like some form of cat creature disappear into thin air. The scent vanished at the same time, pointing toward some form of teleportation. It reappeared shortly afterward from a different direction.

He made his way forward, cautiously following the source of the putrid stench and hoping to find that weird cat creature before it decided to go on the offensive. He didn't like this. Something about the whole situation didn't feel right to him.

[Salzem]

In an instant, the putrid stench had disappeared, clean fresh air filling Salzem's nostrils in it's stead. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel some sort of relief. He hardly wanted to know what that smell belonged too. His relief didn't last for long, though, as a massive crash was heard a little ways away. As it subsided, he heard a shrill screech following a thump, something falling through the trees apparently. He could smell the rancid stink off in the distance and if he were to follow it, it would only draw him further and further away from his kill and surely would attract scavangers to eat it while he was away. That cow could feed him for 2 days if he let this pass. If he just returned to the clearing, Salzem could grab that cow and disappear into the woods. While the majority of him firmly agreed this was the correct course of action a small part of him, a vocal part of him, wanted to see what could possibly make that stench. Giving into the part of him that would surely get him killed, the lycanthrope made off into the woods at his maximum speed, tearing through the brush and vines like tissue paper. If he could get a glance, that would be enough. He had to be in and out quickly. However, as he came to the area where he heard the crash, he saw something that he never would have expected. There, besides a fallen branch, lay a small cat-thing in a suit and tie. he looked as if he came from one of the cities and held a very high standing there. He would, except for that stench that came with him. The Werewolf stepped out of the brush and up to the fallen cat person, Saliva pushing between his teeth and over his lips as he growled. THIS was what generated that smell? Is this what caused that other wolf-thing to come and interrupt him? He felt somewhat... underwhelmed by this being's appearance. He expected something more. In a deep throaty voice he spoke, though his words were slurred through his human-wolven mouth.

"What are you doing here, cat?"

[Jace]

Not long after the cat creature had disappeared, a loud crash could be heard coming from the new direction of that putrid scent. Immediately Jason began running toward the source of the crash, shifting back into a full wolf as he went. When he arrived he saw that the werewolf had gotten there before he had and was already standing over what had apparently caused the crash. The cat creature Jason had spotted disappearing earlier now lay on its back beneath the trees. It was dressed in a suit and tie and looked less intimidating than Jason had thought it would. The large grey wolf shifted back into his mid-form. "I thought you'd be more intimidating. What are you doing in my forest?" he demanded.

[Kalak8538]

Janus looked up as the one wolf-beast and the shifter loomed over him.

"Well, they're not ripping me to shreds... Gotta thank the dark forces for small miracles, I guess..." he thought to himself.

The two had every advantage over the demon, a feeling of helplessness he absolutely despised. However, they were not using them. Instead, they were content to question him. Perhaps he could salvage this situation after all... When in doubt, be charming!

"My apologies, lord! he said in a rather respectful and endearing tone, slowly sitting up as he did so.

He used the palms of his hands to brush off what could he could of the dirt and dead leaves that clung to his suit.

"Just a traveler passing through! I was not aware these were your lands..."

With a grunt, he attempted to stand once again.

[Salzem]

The shifter-guy came up behind Salzem as he asked his question, demanding to know what the cat-creature was doing in his lands. HIS. LANDS. What made these woods his? Civilized law? Was some little scrap of worthless parchment signed, handing these hunting grounds over to this man? That self-appointed, over confidant dog... His words immediately struck a nerve with Salzem, causing his eyes to glow an ominous red in his anger. At this point, he didn't even care about the strangely-dressed animal on the ground in front of him. His attention was now turned on the shifter.

"How are these your lands? " Salzem growled. He couldn't stand that the man would come here and declare these wild hunting grounds Salzem had been thriving off of for months his. If anything, they were Salzem's more than his. He tensed his muscles, making the hair on his body stand on end to make him appear far larger than really is. This man was really starting to get on his nerves... Hes fingers flexed, claws ready to tear into this man if he dared to push his ownership any further. Nobody owned the wildlands. They were a place of freedom, a place of consumption, of chaos. The only rule that was followed here was survival of the fittest. Salzem was the fittest and that made these forests his.

"Nothing here belongs to you." He growled, bearing his teeth threateningly. "Do not presume a single rock is yours."

[Jace]

Jason was forced to ignore the cat creature in favor of trying to avoid a fight with the other wolf, or instigating one. By the calling the forest his it seemed the young wolf had angered the other greatly. There was no doubt that the werewolf was territorial and wouldn't back down from a challenge unless he was faced with a show of force from someone obviously stronger than himself. Jason's eyes locked with those of the cat creature and he pointed his left forefinger at it as it began to stand. "Do not go anywhere. I'm not finished with you yet." he said with an obvious tone of authority before turning his full attention to the other werewolf.

"This is my home. As well as the other wolves who have traveled here. I protect it, and those that live within it. Even you. Don't dare to think that you can claim more right to this forest than I. If you want to challenge me, do it after we've dealt with this....thing." Jason let the full might of his power and authority seep through his words, the strength and determination obvious in his crimson eyes, with a hint of pride of course, the most dangerous sin of all. He knew his words would most likely anger the werewolf even more, possibly causing it to attack, but he would not back down from this fight if there was to be one. If the other did not attack just yet and heeded Jason's words, he would return his focus to the cat creature.

He took in the full image of the creature now, sizing it up and looking for any sign of misinformation or threat. There was nothing that stood out immediately. The smell was the only foul thing he could pick up from the creature so far. "You smell like something foul. Sulfur is in the air around you. I'll allow you to stay in the forest as you pass through. I understand you have to eat like anyone else. But no wolves or other sentient creatures of the forest." he said to the creature, keeping a weary eye for an attack from the other wolf at his side.

[Kalak8538]

Janus dropped his cane and threw his hands up in response to the warning, submissively showing both exposed palms towards this "authority of the forest". He was still on thin ice with the two wolves, which showed in widened eyes.

"Fine by me!" he responded with equal parts respect and fear.

He watched as the more "human" wolf potentially lit the powder keg that was the other wolf. In his mind, the demon was thinking how interesting this fight would be. It would also give him the chance he needed to escape. He was so close to his death that it was almost maddening. Just as his guard began to lower a bit, the wolf turned back to him. Janus' eyes snapped back open as he spoke, then narrowed when he heard the shifter's words.

"Well... that was rude!" he cut in with a snarky, yet playful tone of voice.

"You won't have to worry about me..." he said with a shrug.

Janus looked to the other, seeing that he was just about ready to strike. It was still unclear whether   or not this one's words calmed him down or riled him up even more. It seemed more like the latter. The demon kicked up his foot, launching his cane airborne before and snatching it out of the air. He crossed his arms, and brought the empty one up to rest his chin on its palm.

"Looks like you got a fight to win!"

That same hand slid out from under the demon's bi-colored chin to nonchalantly point towards the enraged wolf. Should it go to strike, Janus would vanish. He already had a limb to teleport to picked out on a nearby tree.

[Salzem]

Salzem's growl evolved into a wrathful snarl as the other wolf enforced his claim on these wild lands. What an overconfident dog... No one owned these lands. No one deserved protecting. This place is a place where you hunt or is hunted. A place where you kill or be killed. No one should watch your back when you hunt. If you enforce rules here or try to watch someone's back, you are nothing more than a coward. Hearing this man so blatantly make such a claim, to disrupt the golden rule of the wild, it enraged the wolf to a boiling point. If there is a man here with two broken legs and is bleeding out, who cares if he can think? He's food. If another wolf is dying from some wound inflicted in battle, he's more useful as dinner than the meat for the worms. If this man wants to remain ignorant to the laws of nature and live a comfy life where no one dies, he should have gone to be a human with one of those little cities.

"If that's how you feel..." The other lycanthrope rumbled. "Then you should just die and spare me your human rubbish." With that declaration, The lycanthrope leaped atop the other man, letting out a howl of rage. Instead of attempting to gouge the man's eyes out with his claws, instead, he proceeded to pummel him with his massive wolven fists. Despite the threat he had made moments before, the lycanthrope didn't want to actually kill the man-wolf. Not really. He wasn't one to senselessly murder someone just to prove a point. He would, however, attempt, to bash submission into his annoying little face. He threw his fists rapidly at the older man's upper body, one after another, heavy and quick, an attempt to slam him to the earth and leave him in bad shape.

[Kalak8538]

With that, Janus fled, disappearing only to reappear on a nearby tree branch. This one was not so hastily chosen as the other one had been. It was young and strong, easily able to sustain the light weight of the demon.

He considered abandoning the two, especially after being so close to getting mauled by one or both of them. However, a fight like this would mean one of them would be gone, either dead or fleeing with their tail between their legs. Furthermore, the victor would be weakened and much easier to manipulate.

Janus watched from his high perch, a wicked and toothy grin on his face as he patiently watched the fray unfold. He formulated quite a few angles to use, but still needed to decide which one was the most appropriate for the winner.

Both of them failed to see who the real hunter here was...

[Jace]

The other wolf didn't give Jason a chance to turn back to the cat creature. He figured something like that was going to happen. The werewolf didn't seem like the type to take orders from anyone. That was going to have to change if he wanted to continue on living in these woods now. The wolf attempted to pounce on Jason, letting out a mighty howl as he did so. Luckily Jason was expecting an attack and was prepared. Fully facing the wolf, he let his body relax and lean backward, falling onto his back with his arms and legs in front of him. He used the combined momentum from the fall and the werewolf's leap to roll backwards, flipping the attacker through the air over his head before rolling onto his feet and swiftly turning around to face the new enemy.

Unfortunately this gave his other guest an opportunity to disappear, leaving Jason to deal with this current situation before he'd be able to go after the creature. The two wolves were mere feet away from each other, both of which ready for a brutal battle as they refused to back down and submit. In his werewolf form now, Jason had access to his full speed and strength, something he was certain he would need for this. He wasn't weak by any stretch of the imagination, but he was certain the other wolf was stronger than he was. Luckily he had never been outmatched in a test of speed, though, which he planned to take full advantage of here.

He darted forward, claws and fangs bared as he charged down his opponent. When he got within arm's length, he would slash horizontally to the left across the werewolf's abdomen with his claws, keeping his senses focused on every sight and sound for anything that might betray his opponent's next move.

[Salzem]

The opposing wolf bent back as Salzem advanced, pulling him forward and, with his momentum, pushing him over in an arc above him and slamming the werewolf into a tree. Quickly and unaffected, Salzem got to his feet, placing a small finger-full of powder on his tongue as Jace got ready to fight, claws extended and snarling as Salzem was. As the man attempted to rake Salzem's belly with his nails, Salzem stepped back, outside of the sweep, before spitting a mist at the man's eyes. What he wouldn't know, is that the powder the werewolf had put in his mouth was nothing short of a odorless, tasteless nurotoxin concocted from the various venomous snakes found about the forest. Salzem had his own experience dealing with these venoms and knew how to ingest them without poisoning himself. If the spit reached the man's eyes, nose, mouth, or any other opening, very quickly he would notice a slackening of the muscles around his jaw-line and eyelids, followed by a prickly sensation up and down the back of his neck. Eventually, this would spread along his entire upper body before everything short of his legs would go completely slack, including his abdominal muscles. While nonfatal, the venom itself would be active in his system for several days or a few hours if he has a comparable healing factor to Salzem himself.

Regardless if the mist hit or not, the werewolf would throw a punch heavily into the other wolf's gut with enough force to cripple his abdomen and, perhaps even break a rib. It was obvious Salzem was holding back the true extent of his might. Even as the other man used his claws and teeth to fight and even though he would, in the end, out race the Black wolf, Salzem still refused to rip this man's head off or use any of his special poison cocktails. He was stupid and didn't deserve the death Salzem had the utmost potential to inflict. Perhaps that might be his undoing.