Left talon, left paw, right talon, right paw; this was the equine-like gait that carried the visitor forth. A titanic creature, his very footsteps shook the ground with each step. Even though the conditions were tolerable, this wasn't the kind of place the Griffintaur frequented. He much preferred clear bodies of water or the vastness of mountainsides. Not even an hour prior he was settled in an underground cave. But something severed him from his temporary home, a subconscious curiosity like something was pulling him in. It eventually lead him here, and he would soon see the horrors that attracted him.

The threat was too far away for his more traditional senses to register. The natural ambiance of the area and the native critters made such difficult. But that didn't mean he was completely unaware. The hybrid was all too familiar with the hunt, and his innate predatory sense alerted him of the impending danger. Stopping directly in his tracks, the beast hunkered down somewhat into a much more readied stance. The Magna Pater would hear a low growl emanating from the distance, almost like a warning to back away in hopes of preventing unneeded bloodshed. Though something told him to be prepared for the unimaginable. The presence of this foe was quite unlike many things Tharraleos has encountered. All he could do was stand his ground and wait.

It happened all in the blink of an eye, before the hybrid could conjure a reaction. This sickening heir of pure terror lurking just behind him. In a rare feat, Tharr defied his inherent warrior disposition of facing the threat head on. Instead, he retained his usual tranquility, only twisting his minor portion so the monster would fall under peripheral vision. The round, black pupils would not peer directly at the Magna Pater, but dangerously close nevertheless.

"What pits of Hell did you emerge from?" The avian feline addressed nonchalantly, feeling his usual diplomacy would fall on deaf ears. His body was still like a statue, all focus pinpointed on his foe. Though his words weren't ridden with fear, another sensation seldom experienced so quickly took place. Tharr's strength rivaled his hubris at times, though he was well aware when not to let such lead to his demise. This was different. His duo of hearts within their respective torsos were pounding from adrenaline at the thought of combating such ferocity. The thrill of combat flooding through him awarded a small stockpile of hidden energy for further use.

[Combat Reserve +4]

As his heart rate returned to normal, a light snort escaped the nares of his bill, feline tail swaying laterally as if ready to strike. With his back against his foe, the tools of Tharraleos remain aplenty. Not only was the extensive, steel-tipped club he was swinging about now, but above it was a fan of razor edged tail feathers ready to flare out into a semicircle. The wings acting as his minor upper arms could assist, as well as deadly bucking kicks with the use of his formidable talons. It seems defense was his first priority, and test the abilities of creature thing while doing so in this fight of life or death.



@Doc Doctor

Tharr's stance held firm as stone as his mind was seemingly invaded by the all encompassing sounds of the monster. He winced noticeably, a bead of sweat trailing down his feathered face. This intensity was unreal and more vile than anything the likes of even the Sin embodied Malefor could generate. And why couldn't he look directly at this thing? It's appearance or presence alone wouldn't stir the amphibious hybrid one bit. But the ominous concept of dangerous consequences kept his gaze clear.

Even with his visible discomfort, his readiness for the faintest of movements held true. The instant its slimy claws made a move to close the gap, the nearly sentient appendage reacted accordingly. By the monster's second stride, the tufted end was sent to the ground in the blink of an eye. Tharr knew his reaction was to be swift for success and had focused a majority of his muscle strength to whip it downwards. Its density and naturally immense momentum caused the ground to trembled violently. While this would have a chance to cause unbalance to marginally slow the creature down, the real threat was the very precise tremor of splitting ground careening straight for the Magna Pater to cause added loss of footing.

Since Tharraleos was aware this would do little to impede the advance, the beast induced a short hop, flipping his entire body clockwise 180 degrees to face his foe at last, nictitating membrane sweeping horizontally across his eyes, their translucency hopefully sufficing on shielding his eyes. His right wing flared out in the midst of this leap in a backhanded strike aiming for the attacker itself as the distance was lessened. The force of this blow was augmented by the weight of his soon, giving enough extra force behind it to inflict some kind of hindrance if connected. Whatever tooth, horn or claw that needed to be used afterwards would be utilized to their fullest to rid Tharr of this pest.



@Doc Doctor

Tharr's attempt at shielding his eyes from the monster failed and his mind was subsequently invaded. The sensation was nearly unbearable and he resisted the urge to vocalize his pain. His innate warrior and animalistic instincts kept him focused on the actual threat and the source of all this. Invoking fear in the beast didn't quite garner the result it likely anticipated. With his vision blackened and being overwhelmed so abruptly sparked a fight or die response. As such, his adrenaline kicked into overdrive, bestowing reserve after reserve. This power had no seeable end and could stockpile endlessly, gifting him with increasingly more power at his disposal.

[Combat Reserve +8]

As the Magna Pater attempted to pull its prey down, the bird cat noted he either allow this thing to yank him down, or suffer potential wing damage if he resisted. He'd even assist with such and as just before he lost footing, his left talon and major paw pushed against the ground which sent him tumbling laterally with great force, landing with a loud crash. His full weight in addition to the force of his fall was applied directly on the slimy creature. While the damage would likely be moot, this was also an attempt to pin it down and hopefully halt whatever was happening with his wings currently. His left wing flared out to the side and its ends furled into a fist, seemingly ready to bludgeon it to death. Just one of his many limbs ready to teat this thing apart.



@Doc Doctor

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.



@Doc Doctor

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.

@Doc Doctor