Neflari lets out a brief sigh as Master Lannus agrees to the challenge though he smiled inwardly as Masami seemed to shift himself into a more cooperative mindset. He found himself under hir harsh gaze, the crowd swayed behind hir intentions but he manages to hold himself, not enough to challenge hir look but he did not cower either. In another situation, without that feeling he would think hir quite attractive with a bust larger than any he'd seen. Any admiration was lost on the lion though...a blink coming then as he hears the counter move to that challenge. The pair's prospects had just improved considerably though it was still nothing to be taken lightly. He glances down to his now-ally. "Yes, that one has such an intent. Neither of us is helpless though...you seem to be underestimating yourself as well, now." He rests a paw lightly on the other feline's shoulder for a short moment. "I meant what I said. Neither of us will die this day and now that we are on one side, we will not lose either." He leans in closer, speaking softly. "And after my Amazon wins, perhaps you will still get to see how far I bend...but in a different manner." He straightens himself again, shifting his mindset to address this new challenge now. Arkuss Neflari nods once, shifting into a more ready stance as well, glad to see that burning in the feline's eyes. His own nervousness and uncertainty were flowing away as he digs into himself for that side normally left buried. "I'd rather risk a promise than allow failure to be an option in my mind." He tenses his body some, his form compacting a little and back arching out as though to spring yet the direction was not clear. As the Chain Boss moves into the position facing them, the lion spares a few words. "You know this enemy better. I trust you." He remains tensed as the buffalo charges, teeth baring with a deep growl. Arkuss Neflari notices the shift in direction immediately and confirming some of his conclusions about the buffalo. The Chain Boss would be disappointed however as the lion barely spared the attention to Masami's jump and was not caught unaware at all, the purpose of his stance becoming clearer as he falls to all fours just barely slipping under the heavy arm and launching himself forward to land behind Poulous. Hitting the sands there he pushes himself around rapidly, paws skidding across the sand before finding a solid position and launching himself again, this time at the buffalo's left leg, claws ready to dig in and test this one's durability. Arkuss Neflari felt the weathered hide make contact with his claws and somewhat surprisingly give way even as the ocelot was knocked back. His movement pauses only a second to remove his claws from flesh as he spots Masami in his peripheral vision, quickly setting a note in his mind of the target the other feline was aiming for again. He barely had a chance to realize that elbow was coming down, pushing himself down towards the sands to lessen the inevitable impact and stretching out his arms, paws securing their spot and ready to pull him into motion again. Arkuss Neflari grunts at the pain of the impact though the result would be no worse than a deep bruise and the minor sacrifice proved worthwhile as he hears the buffalo let out that bellow. As soon as he feels the pressure vanish he pulls himself forward, quickly scrunching up and regaining all four paws on the sands, a bit clumsily at first but soon the lion was moving again. Taking advantage of the small distance he gains from those efforts to grab hold of the ocelot he turns to face the two seconds after their opponent gives up and begins moving in his direction, crouching into another strong leap but something kept him mindful of those wings being a target. Rolling to the outside and keeping those wings from being in one position he aims his claws at the leather along the left side of the waist, hoping to tear it open as he goes past. Arkuss Neflari thankfully only took the one hit from the Poulous' elbow though it was a narrow miss with that hoof afterwards. The pair had gotten several reasonable blows in but the process would not be as easy now he realizes as his claws release the leather. He continues his spin as he passes the buffalo, having at least exposed a part of that torso and manages to land on his right paws, barely stopping his motion before his wings impact the sand. He uses the sand to slide to a stop, quickly trying to regain all fours and recover a small distance, glancing over to where the ocelot was. Arkuss Neflari had just the chance to see the ocelot begin his next leap, the lion taking stock of their opponent as well as he could in that too-brief moment. As Masami was caught he shoved a brief concern for the feline's welfare into a corner of his mind, he knew it would take more than that to bring him down and it did leave an opening, one that would likely not come again. He growls and pushes himself forward hard, a couple quick bounds before he leaps at the buffalo, aiming for the spot his previous effort had left exposed in those leathers, pushing his claws against it forcefully as soon as he feels the first hint of contact. Arkuss Neflari feels the claws pierce that hide and sink in solidly, one time again slightly surprised that such an opening was left and the buffalo had never reacted to his approach, whether or not he could stop it in time. If he had been in motion perhaps it would have helped stop the lion but he would have enough time now, letting his momentum bring the weight from the rest of his body to slam against the buffalo's upper leg, foot-claws moving to take hold as well lower down. Once he had just enough balance he roars and yanks one arm to the side, claws working to tear through hide and flesh the other going the opposite towards the buffalo's back. Fortunately for the Chain Boss his claws were not long enough to reach organs given his large frame but that brief moment of reliving old glory would cost him. Arkuss Neflari doesn't wait for the buffalo's reaction, as soon as those claws pull free he aims one to the back, intent on tearing that leather again, the other stretching across the waist. The elbow found his back before he hooked at his targets but the force effectively pushing him against the buffalo's body served to keep him in range, claws hooking into the leather as he fights through the pain of the impact. As the thick leg strikes out at him he shifts enough to catch the momentum and pulls his arms inward, bloodied claws tearing into the leather as both forces work to good effect for the time he still has in close proximity. Arkuss Neflari manages to keep hold of the leg, claws coming loose as two more areas of leather were shredded, seeing the other feline take advantage of one opening. He growls as the larger opponent manages to get in a more serious injury on the ocelot, taking the brief moment spent throwing the other feline away to stroke at the front area exposed, digging in those claws and tearing into flesh, as he was met with blows from the descending elbow, yowling as they begin to take their toll. As his claw comes free at the end of its strike he uses the bit of momentum to help push himself sideways, releasing the buffalo's form and falling away, landing roughly several feet behind and working to regain his footing as quickly as possible. The lion hated giving up that close position but it was too dangerous alone. Arkuss Neflari felt relief as he heard the scream as the ocelot shifted his joint back into place, the blows taken worth the time it bought. The lion sets his stance again and watches as the buffalo goes after the other feline again but doesn't press that advantage, instead turning to come at him in a rage, blind in fact with that head lowered. Instinct pushed through his thoughts as the rapid approach reaches him, pushing as much force into his legs as he could to jump just in time to avoid impact and uses his paws and arms to flip himself over Poulous' head. As the Chain Boss continues moving forward beneath him he twists himself to hopefully land paws-down against his back, planting all four and digging those claws in as teeth go for the back of the buffalo's neck. Arkuss Neflari once attached to the buffalo's back pulls those wings in tightly and presses himself against his back, minimizing the chances of being grasped. His teeth found their mark, the lion tasting blood as they manage to sink in though as with his claws, not so terribly deep to risk being fatal. He felt the large form move aside and lose balance, releasing the hold on his neck and riding the buffalo's form as it falls. Keeping his foot-claws embedded securely he roars loudly as the impact occurs, taking the opportunity to lash out with his front paws, clawing into the buffalo's arms and tearing into the flesh at an angle, hoping to damage or sever enough muscle to disable their use. A solid effort to each arm and the lion shifts quickly, almost losing his balance as he releases his foot-claws and pushes back down the large form, arms striking at the back of those upper legs this time, aiming to cripple as he had done with the arms. Arkuss Neflari feels his claws meet muscles, the lion making two more slashes at the back of the lower legs, breaking away once he was certain the strikes had worked as intended. He growls deeply as he remains poised with claws extended just out of immediate reach, ready to strike violently if the buffalo made any move to strike out or get up. Even if he managed to get to his feet his power and speed would be reduced and he didn't want to risk bloodlust taking over at this point, especially with the last blow the ocelot took. He tenses as the buffalo does begin to make a move but soon recognizes the sign of surrender, the lion not standing down yet regardless but he does not attack further. Arkuss Neflari glances over as Toma moves from hir spot, hearing the crowd cheering and the sentence they give, then seeing Master Lannus give his decision on the matter. He had feared this, something for all his time and experience he had never been forced to do. He hesitates for a moment, shivering a little at the looming prospect. Still he pulls together enough of himself to move up to the buffalo again and for the first time in the bout draws on the Flow, focusing enhancement into his arm and drawing it back, slamming a fist into the back of the fighter's neck and crushing the spine at its peak, killing him almost instantly. Arkuss Neflari found himself feeling rather numb, pulling back his fist after a few seconds and blinks as Toma approaches, grabbing hold of his wrist and holding it in the air to the cheers of the crowd. He manages a smile of victory though anyone who knew him would realize every bit of his actions were fake. He shivers a bit as the huge Amazon speaks, though fortunately for his current state of mind it would take a little time before the weight of them truly reached the lion. He simply nods as shi releases him, exhaling and watching the ocelot carried off and following soon after, allowing the physicians to check him though he could tell there was little worse than a few deep bone bruises. Once back in relative silence, away from the crowd and with Masami out of harm's way for now his mind begins processing again, working through everything he had just experienced. He watches as Masami is taken away to the infirmary, the lion himself turning away assistance at the moment and telling them he'd go there soon. Taking a few deep breaths he finally sighs and gets himself focused again and calm, ignoring the splatters of blood and several small tears in the leather covering he still wore. It certainly had done its job and it made him very glad the centauress had insisted the way she did. Shaking his head a bit he ventures to the staging area in search of the non-evil Amazon, smiling some as he spots hir fairly quickly among the remaining fighters and works his way through, approaching hir. He really wanted to just glomp the big warrior and snuggle into that softness but it certainly would not do in this setting. "Well Athena...your lion has experienced his first battle now." Arkuss Neflari preferred seeing the Amazon nude or in something a little more feminine but he had to admit shi looked appealing in a way with that armor. As he figured shi was quite focused on hir own fights and he did not want to disturb hir for long. "Thank you, Athena. It was...quite an experience and not at all what I was expecting obviously. I think it may be a little time before I truly understand that weight of my accomplishment, however." He looks up at hir again, nodding slightly. "Both of us should be ok though Masami seems to have taken most of the damage. I am going to check on him and make certain there is no injury to myself that I have been unaware of." He rests a paw against hir arm and smiles again. "Good luck with your next battles, my Amazon. I will watch what I can of them." Arkuss Neflari mrrs softly when shi kneels that way, feeling the touch of hir forehead and hir strong presence so close and focused on him, though he knew it would be brief. "I will do so, Athena. Masami will be good to have with us, I know it truly, now." He nuzzles into the hug for a short moment, feeling more calm now even once shi releases him. "Of course, Chain Mistress." He grins slightly at the swat and heads off as shi brings hir steel focus back. That done he leaves the staging area, seeking out one of the equines from earlier as they would likely be nearby. He felt a need to be back in something lighter and the leathers would need repairs anyway. Arkuss Neflari was thankful to find him quickly, giving a smile in return and shaking his head some at the young horse's enthusiasm. "Well, I am not certain yet what to really think of it all, I need a little time. It is certainly good the opponent we were given though. It would have ended very quickly against that House Champion..." His expression falls a little, showing hints of fear for a brief moment before the lion composes himself again. He had grown too good at that, it disturbed him sometimes. "I already found Athena and wanted to change back before visiting Masami. I seem to have put these leathers through a good workout." He laughs a bit, allowing the equine to get him out of the leathers fully and feeling much better as the restrictive material leaves his form. "Give my thanks to La-Lala as well. I would be much worse off if I had not been wearing all of this..." Arkuss Neflari didn't give any indication of minding those roaming eyes and honestly rather liked it. He giggles a bit as the young horse snaps out of that mild daze, stretching out some and feeling a few point of soreness and pain he had missed earlier but none seemed to indicate anything serious. "Thank you. I think I just need to clean my paws, not too badly off otherwise and I would rather not delay checking on Masami too long. I can bathe later." He grins at the compliment, expecting something of the sort though he was a bit bold about it. "Well, you are rather attractive as well, St'Lil." He gives a teasing shake of his exposed rump before going to change, slipping into the familiar silks quickly. "I would enjoy another encounter with you under more relaxed circumstances maybe..." He steps out, despite the remaining blood on his paws and some hints of dirt and sand remaining in his fur he still would draw eyes easily. "Just be mindful of Athena. Shi can be very protective." Arkuss Neflari hmms and smirks as he sees the reaction his words and appearance had drawn. "Well, when I am ready to bathe, if you are around perhaps I will allow that." He steps close to the younger male, giving a brief, teasing lick to his ear with that slightly textured tongue. "But if not today, then another day." He smiles and turns to leave. "Athena is not mean or unreasonable, just protective. Give hir time. I hope to see you later." With that the winged lion departs, tail flicking slowly as he gives a bit more of a sway in his walk just for the equine's sake. Feeling much more comfortable he heads for the infirmary now, finding it quite busy now as the tournament injuries have mounted though he knew his way around enough to keep out of the way while searching for the ocelot. Arkuss Neflari blushes a little as he garners that attention but smiles and slows to a stop as Shanna lets out that war cry and the others shout his name. He looks around and nods in acknowledgement to those gathered, gaining some understanding of what his Amazon experiences after hir victories. It felt good even if he was not certain how he felt about the circumstances or the ending of the fight. As the others settle back down he catches sight of the felinoid's gesture; some ties never really die, wherever you may go in life. He favors her with a warm look before moving to where Shanna and Masami were, looking over the ocelot for a moment and speaking softly, perhaps just to himself "My life never seems to take the path I expect..." He shakes his head. "You gave me that opportunity to end it, Masami. I certainly could not have won that by myself." He glances to Shanna then. "He will recover I take it?" Arkuss Neflari purrs as the elf hugs him so tightly and gives him the kiss, returning the hug and blushing more at the various calls from others nearby. He grins a bit as he hears the ocelot's reply, taking in those eyes and nodding a little. "Well, that seems fair." Releasing the elf finally he leans in and gives the ocelot a brief kiss, purring more deeply. "I hope it does not become necessary too often though. It is good to know I can survive and win on the sands but I still prefer healing and the softer arts." Exhaling some he stretches out some, those wings spreading a little as well. "It is good to see you are recovering. I need to have myself checked though while I'm here, be sure everything is still where it should be." He smirks. Arkuss Neflari giggles and licks along his own muzzle briefly. "Silly, soft kitty I may be yet I quite enjoy someone strong. You are my type more than you realize. You will get to see how far I can bend...but in the way I desire to show. Just as promised." He winks. As the elf and ocelot proceed to take verbal jabs at each other he can't help laughing then, they were a fun dynamic as he had been learning of late. He blinks and nods as the elf directs him to the table, finding that familiar look both intimidating though quite hot as well. The lion obediently sits where indicated, in a better mood than he had been earlier. Arkuss Neflari relaxes as he settles on the table and watches the elf as she comes over and begins checking his form. The process gets a number of small flinches and tensing as bruised areas are contacted but none that would get him to respond more strongly and as seen his movements had little hindrance. He found himself quite enjoying her touch though he blinks as she whispers that tidbit in his ears, blushing a bit again and tucking away the advice in his mind. He smiles once she finishes, nodding. "That is good to know for sure I'm ok. Athena's day is not yet finished though. And the last is the most important battle yet to come." He thinks on something briefly, looking slightly less cheerful for a moment. "I have a few things still to face myself." Arkuss Neflari mms and looks up at her, smiling a bit more as she gives the offer to listen. He lets out little sounds as she finds those sensitives spots, happy to let her treat his body at least and he did appreciate her effort. "Mmmf...I know you are and I trust both of you." He notices the felinoid's approach just a second before Shanna became aware, feeling that familiar sensation as she searches through him, one of the very few he would allow such openness. "Mistress Thirty-Three. I am actually rather well, thank you. Please do not strain too much, my body will not be long in healing." He pauses for a short moment. "I do have another matter to address though. If you have the time, I could use some guidance." Arkuss Neflari nods, actually feeling a bit better for the moment. "Thank you. I do try not to worry too much but I can never stop entirely." He watches the interaction between the two, feeling warmed at the obvious bond they held now, one that seemed to be stronger every time he saw them. The almost overwhelming shift he saw from her emotion was certainly heartening, the lion wondering if he had looked as such sometimes. Smiling to Shanna he watches her reaction, he had figured out some time ago the desires within her, however she might protest. He waits till she has gone back to check on Masami then looks up to the felinoid again, the smile fading away as he sighs deeply. "It is unusually slow in hitting me but I know it's there..." He pauses for a moment, sorting out his words a bit of hollowness in them that only those familiar with him would pick up on. "That fight...I have fought before, though none quite so bloody. But the end...everyone cheers me for my victory. It does not feel much like one. I did it as quick and painless as I knew how..." Arkuss Neflari follows with her, oddly still not crying though she no doubt could feel the emotional weight that was coming over him. As they are given privacy he blinks, seeing her strength suddenly seem to give out like that. He listens carefully as she speaks then, taking in the words and considering their meaning but not responding till a moment after she had finished. "I wonder...did shi have the same trouble the first time?" He shakes his head. "How it feels...I have never killed before, not an intelligent being. I have always been able to avoid it...I could have this time. But it would have shamed me and Athena both. I promised back then...I would not do such again." He crosses his arms, a few tears escaping. "How do I feel? Sick. Disgusted I did such a thing because a crowd wanted me to. Not defense, not revenge just for entertainment. He was already defeated...all I did was pointless murder." Arkuss Neflari presses against her when he feels that embrace, sniffling some as more tears follow though he never completely loses it. "I always thought...I could find the better way. What's right and what's expected. I'm growing to hate those words some days." He exhales, body relaxing a little. "I have never looked down on Athena for what shi must do. I have never liked it, but shi has little choice...and I know if given a better choice, shi would take it. It's the same, isn't it?" He blinks a few times, loosening his hold a little and lifting his head some. "If I had not...we both may have perished. Poulous...I could sense it. He would have been killed anyway by that...monster. It was all bad choices one way or another..." He feels the felinoid wipe away his tears, sighing again but not one of depression, it seems relieved. "Thank you, Mistress. So much...you've done so much for me and still do. It will take time to...accept this but I can work through it now." He looks up at her, smiling some again. "Shi was so proud of me...and I understand hir words, now. It is heavy indeed." Arkuss Neflari feels that mystical touch and the increased awareness of her presence, mrrring softly for a moment. "Hazards indeed. But there are benefits, too..." He gets to enjoy that feeling for a moment longer, his mind working down the strong emotions that had been building as he pulls himself together more fully. The lion was amazed how quickly he was able to begin coming to terms with this, wondering when he had grown this strong. He blinks as that roar is heard, stepping towards the balcony edge to look out though one paw remains holding her arm gently. "That...was rather loud." Arkuss <"That was probably for either Zebek or Athena. The Chain wants to see them in battle, to see if Athena fares any better than the first time they...interacted. The House has also become rather keen on the possibility of change within the ranks." She pauses a bit and frowns. "Then again, it could be the House Monster creating another spectacle. It does not matter, I must return inside to tend my duties, just as you must undoubtably have your own affairs to entertain." She gave a slightly wink, pulling herself straight and tall with a grimace that was partially hidden. "Before you depart, do speak with Shanna and let her know where you are going, she does worry so much." Turning she walked back to the door and opened it wide, pausing to take in the controlled chaos of her workplace.> Neflari hmms and nods a little. "True...there has been some excitement about the whole thing for a while now." He watches her straighten up, even the better hidden strains she could not hide from him. They were both good at reading each other in some ways. He smiles at the wink and phrasing of that. "Well, I suppose we both have things to attend. I'll be sure to speak with Shanna though." He follows her to the door, watching with her for a few seconds before speaking more softly, a paw briefly rubbing against her arm. "Take care of yourself, Mistress. For my sake and hers. We will not lose you." He withdraws his paw and smiles, stepping carefully into the busy area and making his way back to where Shanna and Masami were. Arkuss Neflari returns to the ocelot and the attentive elf, watching for a moment at how good she was proving to be in this. It suited her well, better than the role she was in when he and Athena had first arrived. He giggles a bit at Masami's grumpy demeanor and the pretty elf's teasing of the ocelot. "Now now, it's not good to tease a kitty. Well, not too much." The lion steps over beside the bed smiling though a hint of weight on his mind still showed through if one looked. "I think one winged playmate is plenty for our enthusiastic friend." He leans over and gives Masami a brief nip to his good ear. "Just don't mistake me for a birdy some night and try to eat me." Arkuss Neflari shakes his head a bit. "You have much to learn about me, still. In time, though. And I would not worry much about Athena, shi will take care of things. I know hir potential, more than probably anyone else..." He quiets for a short moment, blinking as he receives that light kiss and smiles a bit more. "Yes, she is quite something." He moves closer to her, a paw reaching up and brushing soft pads of his fingertips across the elf's cheek for a moment and he speaks softly . "Let her share your love to the fullest and trust that things will be fine in the end." He gives her a gentler smile for a moment before withdrawing his paw. "I think it is time to get back to Athena. If for no reason than to see hir truly in motion..." He blushes a little, purring softly as he thinks of that. "I will find you two later I'm sure. Don't be getting into too much trouble." He winks before turning and maneuvering his way through the infirmary again, heading back out to see what his Amazon was up to now.