Chapter 40 #5
They reached the edge and Tuvo's toe claws dug into the wood. Holding still for just a second. Atem pulled back, just enough to make Tuvo fall forward in surprise-
-then leapt forward again, throwing his entire body weight into the lunge.
Both males careened over the side. Tuvo landed, spine first, on a platform below, not even a second before Atem landed on him.
The wood snapped under their combined weight.
They fell again, breaking through two more before Atem's grasping hand caught a vine.
He was ripped free of Tuvo's grasp, claws slashing down his side as he escaped.
Tuvo broke through one more then landed with a hard thud on the edge of one that dangled just above the central area.
With a roar, Atem released his vine and dropped, slamming both knees into Tuvo's gut, forcing a loud, pained grunt from him as they broke through the last layer of wood.
Peony felt the entire platform shake under their combined weight when they crashed onto it. Atem remained on top, claws to Tuvo's neck. He was breathing hard as Tuvo coughed up blood.
“Surrender?” Atem asked through panting breaths.
Tuvo grunted, unable to form proper words.
Atem jumped off him immediately, making way for the healers that, under Donivi's eye, worked quickly to repair the worst of the damage done to Tuvo.
One of the healers had a machine strapped to his chest that Peony realized was a portable version of that healing ring they had at the healing center.
It didn't have as much power and was only being used to fix the lethal injuries.
And there were apparently lethal injuries. She heard something about ruptured organs, broken ribs, and a broken spine. Things that she didn't know the specifics of, like Scarlet, but she didn’t need to be a doctor to know that a broken spine was bad.
However, after working on him for about ten minutes, Tuvo was finally able to stagger to his feet.
The crowd cheered with the relieved excitement of fans at any sports game that saw an injured player rise.
Tuvo wasn't fully healed. He was having trouble breathing but he rolled his ankles and wiggled his toes, showing Donivi that the spinal injury, at least, was healed.
The First Healer said something about him going to the center after they finished here, but he should be fine until then.
Only once he was cleared did Tuvo face Atem with a proud smirk.
“It's been my honor to train with you as we grew, Atem,” he said as the combots circled.
“And it was my pleasure to see you overtake me in skill the day you proved yourself dominani. And it is my ultimate honor and pleasure to finally say this to you now: I admit my defeat and recognize your authority and power, vi Dominani.”
“I would be nothing today without your tutelage, my friend,” Atem saluted him.
Turning from his Firsts, Atem once again walked towards Peony.
The wounds Tuvo had left in his side were the worst he had received today and were still bleeding even as he approached.
He coated his hand in the blood before taking hers and pulling her to her feet.
She smiled as his blood covered her hand as he walked forward with her towards the half circle formed by his Firsts.
“Atem, First Domini of Turv!” Tuvo declared loudly as all five Firsts saluted him. “May your service be long, honorable, and victorious!”
The crowd roared so loud, the platform shook under her feet.
Peony couldn't help but beam as she looked over to Atem.
His eyes were moving around the crowd, taking in the sight of his people chanting his name.
He looked into the many combots that were broadcasting his image to every household on Turv, and probably a few out in space for his people off planet.
He looked over his Firsts as they stood before him.
Then, behind him to where his sisters and Temnavi were standing, their cheers joining the rest.
And finally, he turned his gaze down onto Peony. She smiled at him, squeezing his bloody hand as she leaned against his arm.
“Congratulations, vi Dominani,” she purred.
The sound of ancient domini coming from her mouth made him growl in pleasure and her body flushed with his heat as his darkened gaze reminded her of his promise to not let her sleep tonight or walk tomorrow.
But their day wasn't quite over yet, despite the sun having set.
Atem and the other Firsts were taken away by healers to be properly tended now that the fighting was done.
Meanwhile, Tilii got everyone onto the hover and brought them back to the palace.
There was to be a party in Atem's honor.
They weren't supposed to change from their traditional clothing – Peony wasn't even supposed to wipe away the blood yet.
The entire flight over, they were talking about the long, exciting day.
Temnavi recreated a few of his favorite moments – his movements not nearly so fluid or practiced as Atem's had been.
They all agreed that they had doubted Atem.
They had judged him by human standards and a human certainly wouldn't have been able to run on all cylinders for over twelve hours like that.
And it had to be over twelve hours – Peony was sure days here were longer than on Earth.
The party to celebrate Atem's triumph was to be held outside on a large terrace garden that floated right over the canopy like a barge on the sea.
The brilliant moon flowers, glowing with a pale blue inner light, had already bloomed.
There was already a crowd of people below – all of them in camocloth as they were the wealthiest and most powerful people of society.
Wearing camouflage – or nothing at all to naturally camouflage – was traditional for everyone who wasn't a challenger or Atem's family today.
The losing challengers were off with their own families, at their own parties, still in their white shorts, showing off their injuries and telling their stories.
Tilii landed the hover at the edge of the terrace and allowed Peony and the others to step off before flying away to park the vehicle. The sight of them, in their dark red attire, made everyone cheer. They weren't Atem, but they were his family and so they were part of him.
Peony, especially, was called to by a multitude of friendly faces that she recognized from the last domini party she had attended.
She stepped forward, showing off Atem's blood as she knew they would appreciate.
Holly disappeared almost immediately, which was not surprising.
The shy girl had been center stage all day, and combots had even recorded her along with the others on more than one occasion.
Peony wouldn't be surprised if she was ducking out of the party entirely.
The other girls melded into the crowd with her. She quickly lost track of them as people came up to congratulate her and admire the blood she wore.
Weird culture, but they did seem to appreciate it, so she displayed it like fine jewelry for the other females to admire and the males to envy.
She accepted a conical flute of not-champagne – this one less peach and more of an unfamiliar sweetness with a slight tinge she recognized now as intak – and sipped it carefully as she moved around the crowd of people.
They were just as eager to discuss their favorite part of the Hortii Kristivar as the others had been.
This kind of event was once in a lifetime – quite literally.
She asked a few questions about Atem's father, trying to find out more about him. She was told that he was a great Dominani, highly respected. Honorable.
“Such a shame what happened to him though,” one of the older females said, shaking her head with a tragic sigh.
“What happened to him?” Peony asked quickly, grasping onto the chance.
“You haven't heard?” The old female asked, eyes wide. “Oh. It's a tragedy. We're quite fortunate that vi Dominani-”
Before Peony could find out why they were fortunate, a loud cheer cut her off. They both turned to see that Atem and the other Firsts had finally arrived. All of them were still wearing their white outfits and the blood of their battles, though the wounds had been healed.
The urge to ask more questions was quickly smothered by the need to return to Atem's side.
She thanked the older woman before pushing her way through the crowd.
It only took a moment before the crowd parted.
The second they did, Atem's gaze immediately fell on her, and a smirk pulled at his lips, revealing a single fang.
He stepped forward and put an arm around her waist, pulling her in tight before raising his other hand, greeting his people who all let out a rapturous cheer at the sight of him.
“Vi dominani! May your service be long, honorable, and victorious!” They shouted in unison.
Atem held his head up proudly before pulling Peony forward, grinning and thanking everyone that wished him congratulations.