As calculated as Alexei was, his analyses could never take into account what little surges of energy or luck his opponents might experience in the heat of battle, and to his detriment it seemed that today that inadequacy would come fully into play. The wolf, lowering his bow in anticipation, had poised himself for a headlong charge at the two archers, eager to make one or the other his missed noonday meal. The lethality of his one shot compared to their earlier two gave him in his mind a sense that they wouldn’t be able to put up much of a fight. However, in his eagerness he allowed his caution to slip, and moments before his dash he paid the price for his underestimation.<br/><br/>Alexei’s eyes widened at the girl he had injured managed to fight through her pain and fire off a remarkable shot, and before he could react he staggered as the projectile sliced clean through his arm. Seconds later her companion’s next two shots pierced into his leg adding to the agony that coursed through his pin cushion like frame. Somehow, the lupine managed to remain on his feet, but for the instant he straightened himself up a change had fallen over him. No longer did he growl, bear a snarl over his muzzle, have the brilliant green in his eyes. Instead, a blank vacant expression crossed his face as he realized he had challenged his opponents to a superior craft, and the acid taste of vulnerability touched his tongue. He had to get out of there, but how…? Then:<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"ALEXEI!!" Kahmori's voice rings over the sound of combat "SWITCH!"</div></blockquote><br/><br/>His head turned to face the kitsune as his voice rang in the wolf’s ears. It took him a very brief moment to register what he said, not immediately noticing what Kahmori was attempting to set up. But within a heartbeat of rolling it through his mind, it hit him.<span style="font-style: italic">Of course…</span>At once, the energy of the battle overcame the pain coursing through his body, and as he began to move the flare of green burned into his eyes yet again.<br/><br/>Tearing away out of the scope of the archers, the wolf’s world seemed to blur away as he darted past Kahmori, his eyes wide and focused on his every step. He was dimly aware of Xali casting another spell, and in the back of his mind he fleeting acknowledged his covering her while she did so. However, the vast majority of his concentration had fallen on his latest target: the male warrior who had been a thorn in his companions’ side throughout the encounter. The latest swing of his mighty greatsword had thrown him off balance for only a second, but it was in that second Alexei unleashed the drive and fury that had grown and been pent up inside him. An instant after rounding the kitsune, he lunged.<br/><br/>(Alexei charges. +2 attack, -2 AC this round)<br/>(Bite attack vs. Brador: 1d20(20) + 15 = 35; Hit, threaten critical)<br/>(Confirm critical: 1d20(5) + 15 = 20; confirm critical)<br/>(Arcane Channeling to cast Shocking Grasp)<br/>(Damage: (1d6(6) + 5 +5d6(3,2,5,5,1)) x 2 = 54)<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">…EvilDM’s been holding out on me. I just KNOW it. X)</div></div></div><br/><br/>The sight of Alexei’s jaws opening wide over Brador’s head was quite a sight to behold as he exposed sharp glimmering fangs far more numerous than he had ever let on. With the silhouette of his canid head eclipsing the midday sun, the human would’ve seen that fence of teeth bridged by thin strands of saliva, encircling a long red tongue ending at the shadowed blackness beyond. However, as his mouth drew closer, another detail would grow alarmingly apparent. One by one, small arcs of electricity jumped from one fang to another, a distinct cracking sound filling the air around them, and without any semblance of mercy Alexei brought the entire spectacle down onto the unfortunate warrior.<br/><br/>Time seemed to slow as his mouth wrapped around Brador’s head, the force of the lupine’s feral rage ready to leave their mark. He could feel the cuts every one of his teeth made, the skin breaking, the flesh rending, the bone splintering. At the same time, he summoned forth the violent energies he had accumulated in the depths of his being, and soon the paralyzing burn of his glowing fangs surged into the human’s short form. Then, as his teeth finally came to a halt around his victim’s neck, the metallic tinge of blood mingled with the human’s other flavors, the warm liquid staining his neck and muzzle crimson red as the tingle of the kill caused him to shudder. With one last spiteful motion, he cast the warrior’s body aside, panting heavily as he watched it collapse into the dust.