An Ember in the Mist [Emberleap]

After a moment’s consideration, Mistyfalcon set his focus on one last potential catch. Emberleap huddled down to watch, squinting until the distant shape made sense. A rabbit…no, a hare? He’d let himself forget the difference once he’d left the moor. It didn’t matter either way; no amount of confidence could convince him to try chasing them again.

Something moved at the edge of his vision. A winged silhouette cutting through the darkness toward its own prey—rather, the cat who’d tried to steal it. His mouth opened in a warning cry: “Mist—” Not that it did any good; the owl’s curved talons were already tearing into Mistyfalcon. With a quiet snarl meant as much for himself as for their new opponent, Emberleap charged into battle. Luckily, the owl hadn’t turned toward him. He reared onto his hind legs and raked his claws down its back, dropping into a crouch to protect his underside once he’d broken contact. Not a porcupine—he eyed the gash in Mistyfalcon’s shoulder with apprehension—but definitely something. At least he didn’t have to think so much about where his blows landed.

Emberleap used Rear-Up to Slash on Owl, dealing 11 damage and using 15 stamina.

Emberleap
45/45 HP
133/160 SP (-15)

Mistyfalcon
80/100 HP
265/280 SP

Owl
20/50 HP (-11)
100/120 SP

The owl seemed to realize it was no match for the two warriors striking at it in tandem. It struck at Mistyfalcon's shoulder once more, though the blow did considerably less damage than the previous one had. It was having trouble getting back into the air as well, and as Mistyfalcon struck again with unsheathed claws, he was reminded of that ill-fated hunt with his first apprentice, Rainpaw. He'd had no taste for combat and had been happy to let an owl go after it had been injured. Mistyfalcon wasn't of that mindset however. Ending the owl's suffering early and bringing it back to the fresh-kill pile was a better end for it than just leaving it here to slowly bleed out or die at the jaws of another predator.

His shoulder did hurt, now that the fight was just about over. "Might as well bring it back with us... The feathers might be good nest-lining." He said to Emberleap. He couldn't help glancing about to see where the hare had scampered off to, but it was long gone by now, safely tucked away where the cats couldn't reach.

Owl used Talon Strike on Mistyfalcon for -10 sp, dealing -10 damage.
Mistyfalcon used Rear-Up to Slash on Owl for -15 sp, dealing -17 damage.
Night Finesse is active! +2 damage.

Owl
1 / 50 hp (20 - 17 - 2)
90 / 120 sp (100 - 10)

Mistyfalcon
70 / 100 hp (80 - 10
250 / 280 sp (265 - 15)

Though the owl lashed out at Mistyfalcon again, it was clearly getting weaker. One more well-aimed swipe brought it to the ground. Pinning it by the more ragged-looking wing (though owls didn’t work for pelts, trying to minimize the damage came instinctively), Emberleap fixed his jaws on its throat and held until its desperate twitching ceased, then a few seconds longer for good measure. Just like that, the fight was over. As he stepped back, letting out a sigh of relief, he shook some stray feathers off his claws.

In the aftermath, Mistyfalcon’s shoulder wound looked more painful than truly concerning. Still, the sooner Rookfire checked it, the better. There was no reason to stay out longer, anyway; they’d caught enough prey for the pile with or without the owl, and some extra nest material to boot. “It’s not bad eating, either,” Emberleap said. “I can carry it, just give me a second to get my prey—" So saying, he hurried off to do just that.

Emberleap used Front Paw Strike on Owl, dealing 9 damage and using 10 stamina. Owl can no longer fight.

Emberleap
45/45 HP
123/160 SP (-10)

Mistyfalcon
70/100 HP
250/280 SP

Owl
0/50 HP (-9)
90/120 SP

"True, and thanks." Mistyfalcon nodded, turning to help collect the rest of the prey. All things considered, this hunting patrol hadn't been a waste, they'd done well to catch as much as they had with only two cats.

Prey dangling from his jaws made speaking difficult, so Mistyfalcon would say little else as the pair padded back to camp. His shoulder stung, but Mistyfalcon didn't think it was too serious, at least.