Multai

This is actually a fairly old story and is in dire need of some editing/revisions, but I can't really be bothered at the moment, so deal with it.
This story won't make much sense unless you've read Dee Dreslough's Lost Waters.

By birth I’m only a half-Mul, but at heart I’ve always been a full-blooded Mul. Or at least since my parents went their separate ways just before my fire birth. I don’t even see how they could have ever gotten together in the first place.
My father was originally from the Mulkol barryd, but he went to Calsida in defiance of his parents. It was there that he met my mother who was born there. It seems impossible that they could have ever gotten along in the first place. My father got very involved in Multai—a modified form of the humans’ wrestling. It is strictly for Dimar because of the danger and violence involved.
Now my mother was a profound pacifist. She was training to become a healer before she met my father, but something happened and she dropped out of her class. Instead she became a mentor and helped hatchlings in their basic studies.
Only a few days after they split I tried for a fire birth. I was very foolish, to say the least. I dove straight into the heart if a fire geyser. It burned away more than just my velvet. I was nearly completely incinerated. If it hadn’t been for one of the Tinar rank leaders I wouldn’t be here now.
I spent the next two weeks in a pool of The Water. It wasn’t without its rewards though. I was the talk of the entire barryd for a full month. But I don’t think it helped my parents’ relationship any. My father was very proud of me. My mother...
After my father retired from Multai he got me interested in it—much to my mother’s disgust. He taught me everything he knew. And that included the Mulontaar—a devastating attack where your opponent is stunned by a blow to the back of the head, where the base of the skull meets the neck, and is then lifted by the base of their wings then thrown down and crushed. I quickly became the top fighter in the inter-barryd league. I only met my match once in the inter-barryd finals. We battled for hours. Eventually we both collapsed from exhaustion and called it a draw. My father, needless to say, was very disappointed in me. He said that a good fighter has no equal. After that I devoted myself to training and promised that I would never lose ever again. That was ten cycles ago. Now it looks like I’ve met my match once again. But I think that it will turn out much different this time...

I was training in the Multai gym one day when I was approached by a newcomer. She had recently been accepted into the barryd and I’d seen her around every now and again.
I was told you were the best competition in the gym.
What’s it to you? I continued to train.
I just enrolled in this gym and I thought I’d see where I stand in the rankings. You up for a match?
I turned from my workout and looked at her. She and I were about the same size and had an equal number of brachiations, which led me to believe she was a half-Mull as well. It actually seemed like she was a formidable opponent. Alright. I’ll spar with you.
We went to set the rules straight for our match with the ref, There’s no time limit. The match is over when one of you is unconscious, concedes, or is at least 50% outside the ring. If you draw blood you forfeit the match. Do you wish to make any changes?
No, I'm fine with these. They were the standard rules most Dimar used in Multai. Or at least in an amateur match.
Make it 75% and no mercy. Her words surprised me. She was altering them to professional standards.
The ref asked if I would accept the changes. I did.
Let the match begin!
We started at opposite sides of the ring and circled each other for a while, sizing each other up. Then, with a synonymous thought, we charged at each other. Just before colliding we reared up and interlaced our fingers. I realized then just how strong she was. She squeezed my hands and, not expecting as much pain as I should have, I reeled in agony. I went down on one knee and squeezed back to keep her from crushing my hands.
Regaining my composure, I was able to get back on both my feet as we snarled and bared our teeth at each other. We stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, I got a plan. I released my grip on her hands, allowing her to strengthen hers and cause me an enormous amount of pain. I went down on both knees this time as my head snapped back in throe. All part of the plan. Then, when she thought she got the upper hand, I slammed my head, with all my puissance, squarely in her chest.
The blow caused her grip to loosen enough for me to pull free as she went sprawling across the floor. I scampered off to the opposite end to examine my hands. They were sore but otherwise unharmed. I glanced over at my opponent. She was lying on the ground coughing, the wind knocked out of her, centimeters from the edge of the ring. A well-placed blow to her side would win the match for me. I readied myself as she got her bearings and stood up.
I lowered my head and aimed right at her side just behind her shoulder. I charged at full speed straight at her, but seconds before impact she turned towards me, grabbed my horns and flipped me onto my back. I was in trouble. She was setting up for a Mulontaar. I’ve only seen it preformed once in an official match because of its immense difficulty to perform. It would inflict more than enough pain to knock out even the most resilient opponent. I could flail all I wanted, but it would do me no good, nor any honor.
I looked up at her and pleaded, Please, no...
She looked down at me and for a second I saw, in her eyes, a fleeting hint of empathy. But it was soon replaced by a sneer the size of The Isle. I felt all the blood drain from my face ad nauseam just before she planted the stunning blow that would give her the necessary time to set up. She slammed her knee into the base of my skull with such force I saw stars. She let me drop as I reeled in a convulsing paroxysm, I concede! I concede!
What?
All honor and grace to you. You have proven yourself superior to me in combat!
I don’t think so. We’re playing no mercy—you can’t concede! With that she lifted me up by the base of my wings and slammed me down on the floor, her body crushing mine even further. That was the last thing I remembered for two days.

I awoke submerged in a pool of Water, You must remain still. The Water has not yet finished repairing your injuries.
How long have I been here?
It has bee two days since you were brought here by the Multai doctors.
What kind of injuries could I’ve had to keep me unconscious for two days!? I became restless. I wanted to get out of here and back to the gym for a rematch.
You will remain still! the attendant instructed The Water to send a sharp pain throughout my body. Inside and out. Needless to say, I heeded his words. As much pain as I could take, I did not very much favor body-wide pain. Your skull hand multiple fractures, almost all of your ribs were broken and your spinal cord was nearly completely severed above your hips—among other various injuries. I surprised you did not die in the ring, Multai. The way he said "Multai" suggested that he didn’t approve of the sport much, if at all.
I did not feel like defending my interest, so I rolled over and tried to go to sleep. I’m not sure if I was more tired than I thought or if the attendant told The Water to make me fall asleep as retribution for the pang, but I did fall asleep quite fast.

Wake up. You have a visitor, a more soothing, generous voice. It was another attendant’s shift. You are well enough to speak with her briefly.
I glided to the surface to see who it was that wanted to see me. As my head broke the surface, and I breathed in the humid air, I looked around and saw that it was her.
You! What are you doing here?! I snorted and bared half my teeth.
I came to make sure you were healing well. You are an honorable fighter, she lowered her head to my level.
Some honor. Beaten in less than ten minutes. I turned away.
You don’t remember? I must say, all honor and grace to you. It isn’t everyone who can take two Mulontaars and keep fighting.
I tried to crane my neck around to look at her again but that proved painful, so I just turned my entire body around. What are you talking about? The last thing I remember is you reminding me that we were playing no mercy and then slamming me into the ground.
You can ask just about anyone in the barryd. You took two slams before you passed out. You lasted at least one full hour.
I paused a moment, I will talk with you after my time here is over. I dove beneath the surface and went back to sleep. Maybe I didn’t want to talk with her out of spite, maybe I didn’t believe her, or maybe, maybe I needed time to think about my feelings toward her. I was fairly confused about them, I’ll tell you that.

I spent a total of three days under The Water. She really messed me up. I learned four valuable lessons from her. One, never fight no mercy unless there is absolutely no chance of being severely hurt. Two, never fight at all unless you know exactly what your opponent is capable of. Three, always assume that your opponent is stronger than you—don’t get cocky. And four, never promise anyone that you’ll never loose.
I went straight to the gym as soon as I got out of the pool. I asked if anyone had seen her lately. Only one person was of any help.
You’re not going to ask for a rematch are you?
No. not yet anyway. I want to talk with her first. You wouldn’t happen to know her name or where I can find her, would you?
I’m afraid I don’t. You might want to ask the gym leader what her name is though. He’d know. I thanked him for his help and told him to meet me here at dawn tomorrow for Multai lessons. He asked. What was I supposed too do?
The gym leader was actually quite helpful, Her name is Tuarae. She told me that if you asked about her you could find her here, he showed me a mental picture of a place in the barryd.
I thanked him and left for that place.
It was a room on the ground level of the barryd near the prominent twin spires. Each topped with the most beautiful blossom you can imagine.
I swooped down and gracefully landed in front of her room. I paused for a moment, then knocked on the door, Tuarae? There was a long moment of silence.
Come on in. I’ve been waiting.
I slipped inside and had a look around. It was, for lack of a better word, a strange mismatch of decorations. Everywhere I looked there were strong contrasts. Multai memorabilia mixed with Telkai awards and other various arts. I became rather uneasy, Hello?
Have a seat. I’ll be out in a sec.
I looked at the furnishings and opted to remain standing. I’d rather not describe them. I waited for about a minute then two female betas entered the room, "Don’t mind us. We were just leaving," they giggled as they left. This made me feel even more uncomfortable. Then, she appeared.
Sorry, I had to convince my ‘mates to go out and let us have some privacy.
Oh. They’re psi’s?
Just one. I finally got them to leave by offering them twenty nila each.
I see. So, I really took two Mulontaars?
You certainly did. But the second one didn’t put you out. You kept coming for about twenty minutes after it.
Well then what did get me?
You finally went out when I flipped you out of the ring when you tried to charge at me for the third time. I could have done another Mulontaar, but I was afraid that that would kill you. So instead I sidestepped you and flipped you onto your back into the wall. Trust me—it was for your own good. The sooner you went out the sooner you could get help. You are a good fighter. You could have won if you didn’t make yourself so vulnerable to Mulontaars.
You are a good fighter as well. I only wish I hadn’t underestimated your strength at the beginning.
Well, now you know better. Hey, no hard feelings? she extended her hand to me.
I thought about it for a moment, Sure, I took it, but I will beat you one day.
You can only hope, she sneezed.
Tuarae and I spent a lot of time together and became very good friends in the months following our first encounter. And, yes, I am aware that in doing so I made it impossible to defeat her in Multai, but, I hope, that also makes it impossible for her to defeat me. So I figure that we’re pretty much evenly matched by now.
She taught me how to put your opponent out quickly, and I taught her how to take a lot of hits and not go down. I figure that between the two of us, we can beat any opponent. And, in fact, we made quite a lot of nila in tag-team tournaments. However, I’ve noticed that neither of us seem as interested in Multai now than we were before. We seem to be becoming more and more interested in each other.
I never really noticed before what Tuarae looked like. All I tended to see in other Dimar before was their size and horn brachiations. As I did when we first met, but now I think she is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Tuarae’s fur is mainly pink, but her mane and underbelly are pure white. Her eyes are a deep, dark, rich purple, and she had a light blue diamond pattern on her forehead—a gift from her Telkai roommate. She is a strong contrast to me. Whenever Tuarae got an injury healed with The Water, she would very soon get the scar erased. I on the other hand have never had one cosmetic alteration in my life. So, as you can imagine, my body is so covered in scars not even I know what I used to look like. Now my fur is mostly a dull grey-green. I’m surprised that someone as cosmetically altered as Tuarae could get as close as she is to someone as drab as me. But, then again, I guess I should take what I can get.
Finally, one day, when we were lying on a hillside watching the aurora, I decided to ask her something.
Tuarae?
Yes, Onitrar, what is it?
I was—I was wondering.
Wondering what?
Would you—uh—Do you love me?
There was a long pause, then, In what way? You know, like a family member, like a friend, or like a...
Like a mate. Do you love me like a mate?
Again she thought for a long time, Yes, I do. And you? I suppose you love me in the same.
Yes! Oh yes! From the bottom of my heart, yes! Tuarae, will you... I let my question hang for her to finish.
I—I—I don’t know what to say.
Say you will. Say you’ll be my mate.
I don’t think I’m ready. I love you, yes, but—I just don’t know. I—don’t take thins the wrong way, but I’ll think about it. With that she lifted up and flew off leaving me alone to worry about her answer.
Please. Let it be yes. I called after her even though she probably wouldn’t hear it.
I spent the rest of the night on that hillside, worrying that I had just ruined our relationship forever.
I did not see Tuarae for a long time. The next time I did see her was in battle when out barryd went to war with another, allied with an unfriendly hive.

But please. You must give me an answer, I pleaded with Tuarae as we flew with other rankmates toward the battle in a building rainstorm.
The answer will be no if you do not leave me alone! This is not the place, nor the time to discuss it!
But I have to know.
You will be the second person to know, right after I figure it out! Now leave me alone!
Her harsh words made me withdraw and float quietly into a position far behind her, I’m sorry. As we engaged our enemies beneath the angry storm some of un, the ones with humans or betas on their backs, stayed aloft in the air and fought there while the rest of us, like Tuarae and myself, swooped down to the ground to battle there with weapons ranging from battle-axes to energy weapons.
I had a double-ended trident-like weapon. I found it to be quite an interesting weapon, to say the least. The humans had quite an array of weapons from a time in their history known as the "dark ages". Tuarae had two scimitars—a sword-like weapon that is very thin, wide and curved. It was used by the humans’ Arabian knights a very long time ago.
Be careful, Tuarae. I would not like to see you hurt.
And I you. she hesitated, Yes.
Yes, what?
I will. I will be your mate.
Her words astounded me, You will!? I could barely believe it! She had accepted! She would be my mate!
Watch out! she warned. Out of nowhere came an enemy Dimar with two medieval swords diving straight for me.
I banked hard to my right and dove straight for the ground. I set down, shaken but unscathed. I am sorry for distracting you, Tuarae set down next to me, I did not want for this to happen. It’s alright. I’m okay, I looked around, There—he’s coming for another pass!
Tuarae looked up and unsheathed her scimitars, I got ‘im. You stay here.
I backed off, ready to reach behind my back and retrieve my weapon at a moment’s notice.
You mess with him, Tuarae motioned to me, you mess with me.
Big talk for someone so small, the brute unsheathed his swords. I shall enjoy slowly killing both of you, he snarled.
Tuarae lunged at him. Their blades clashed and sparked. All I could do was watch with amazement at how well both of them were with their weapons. But then Tuarae made a mistake and lost her scimitars. He lunged. She tried to dodge them, but there was no escape. One of the brute’s swords found its mark in her side. She cried out in pain as he twisted the blade and ripped it through her side, her blood spilling out. She dropped, lifeless.
Tuarae! I rushed to her aid, Tuarae, speak to me!
I—love—you, she grew weak and her eyes rolled back.
Noooo! I screamed. I reached back and unclipped my trident, twisting a switch and flicking out the laser-sharpened, steel blades. The rage building within me. Giving me strength. You will die tonight. She was to be my mate!
I leaped at him, my trident blazing as I blocked his swords and attacked at lighting speed. Finally, I plunged it toward his heart, but he blocked it, catching it between the blades by crossing his swords. It kept both of us from moving. We snarled and snapped at each other. Then, I remembered a trick installed in my trident for just such an occasion. I sneered at the brute and he got a half-worried, half-confused look on his face as I clicked the secret switch.
All at a speed to fast to see, the center blade on both ends of my trident extended to five times its original length then retracted. It pierced the brute right in the center of his chest and his blood started to pour out.
The swords fell from his hands and he fell flat on his back, coughing up more blood in his last moments. I retraced the blades back inside the staff and dropped my trident. I turned to go back to Tuarae. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain penetrate my back, and lost all feeling below my shoulders. I fell forward. The brute had thrown a blade into my back with his dying breath. I was paralyzed and finding it increasingly difficult to draw a breath. The blade had also sliced into my heart. I crawled over to Tuarae and extended my wing over her, At least we die together.