Monday, April 17, 2023

VS: Pinned by the Pinup Prince ~ Your Battle Against Sailorboy Spike!

Now travelling to New York City...

Fleet Week

The cry of seagulls overhead intermingles with the rush and roar of distance motors, sirens, and car horns. At your back, Manhattan Harbor, capped white with waves and trails of disturbed water from ferries, frigates, and pleasure boats. Beyond the makeshift ring, demarcated with shipping ropes, and life preservers as turnbuckle padding, Manhattan’s steel skyscrapers tower over the world, making everything small–even the iron-sided naval ship, the S.S. Merlin, casting its cool shadow over the rough and tumble crowd.

You step through the rough-hewn ropes, casting a wary glance at an equally rough-hewn audience of rowdy sailors, either in undershirts or bare chested. A gallery of tattoos–hearts and anchors–runs the length of every sailor’s knotted muscle, be they hairy chest, or smooth bicep. America’s finest men, in all colors, shapes, and sizes, jostle and smoke and clink beer bottles together, as the energy runs through the crowd. There’s no doubt about it–this is one tough audience, hungry for a fight. In fact, your ears perk up at the sound of growls and shouts and cheers as–somewhere to your right–a shark-headed, muscle-bound sailor takes a swing at a bearded, barrel chested daddy. 


Where’s your opponent? Shouldn’t he have been here by now? Even the ref, a grizzled, shirtless hunk smoking a cigarette, seems antsy. He taps his foot and checks his watch. Still, magnanimous, he throws you a friendly look.


“He’s probably slept in again,” the ref sighs. “I wonder with who, this time.”


You grunt softly to yourself. You’ve heard your opponent is a bit of a playboy. You start scanning the crowd, all the large, brutish bodies bumping up against each other among American flags waving in the wind. Your opponent could be any one of those tough-as-stell studs, but which? (and are those two sailors making out atop that cargo box?) You try to zero in on the biggest bloke with the largest chest and massive biceps. Surely, he’s gotta’ be a giant bruiser among this company?


Back in the frey, the big man takes a swing at the shark-man with the scarred face, who, in turn, clamps his massive hand down on his rival’s hand and leans in for a chomp.


“Ugh, come on yous guyyyys, whatasamatta’ witch you’?”


The voice cutting clear through the crowd, freezing the battlers in place, is out of place. High pitched, slightly nasally (with that Brooklyn twinge), and just a bit feminine. 


“Can’t you two big lugs friggin’ wait!?”“


You’re surprised to see the two men sheepishly melt back into the crowd, all their mates clutching their bellies in laughter and slapping their fellow crewmen on the back.


The shark scratched his fin. You see a bloom of blush on his cheeks. “Uhhhh…sorry, Spike!”


Spike! That’s the guy you’re set to fight. Surely that voice couldn't come from him, right? You crick your neck and rotate your arm, ready to scrap. Straightening your back for the fight ahead, you raise your head over the crowd, ready to lock eyes with the saltiest, nastiest, roughest, and toughest sailor of the bunch.


Sailors whistle or shout ‘Ow ow!’. Among the noise, you hear a soft ‘aw, shucks’, as the crowd begins to part--your opponent's entrance music coming in loud over the ship's PA speaker. 



Confused, your eyes fall downward at the attractive, blonde, and very short young man now politely wiping his white boots on the ring apron. With feathery blonde hair and bright blue eyes, he looks like he should be throwing pigskins in college. Nairy a hair on his smooth (and quite large) chest, the feathery blonde has the unmistakable face of an angel…and the body of a devil. Compact. Muscular. Midway between swimmer’s build and the tiniest rugby player on the fact. 


Sailorboy Spike whistles a tune, looking like his pretty head couldn’t comprehend a single worry. One of the rowdy, moustached hunks in the crowd reaches up and slaps him on the butt. Spike turns and winks at him, tugging on his blue ascot and blowing his fan a kiss.


You stand very confused. This…kid? This tiny titan is your opponent? Sure, he’s got biceps to spare, but you imagine being able to throw him wet into the harbor behind you–this match might be easier than you thought.


Finally, Spike notices you. “Huh?” His confusion turns into the sweetest, most heartbreakingly adorable smile you’ve seen. Eager, in ways Golden Retrievers often are when they spot a new friend (or tennis ball) the buff shorty grabs onto the ropes and, with acrobatic aplomb, flips clean over, onto the ring. He stick the landing, earning a crowd pop, which pops even bigger as he turns around and flexes his–very large–blue-banded bicep for the crowd, foaming at the mouth and applauding boisterously.


That’s when you notice Spike’s most prominent feature (besides that cute face). His butt is distractingly protrusive–his trunks practically swallowed by his sculpted, butt-cheeks. You’re reminded of certain statues of epic heroes such as Theseus or David, posed in museums around the world. You take notice of his anchor tattoo, placed provocatively on his lower back.



Now you understand all the wolf whistling. You gulp, trying to tear your eyes away. You hope Spike isn’t aware of your indiscreet glance.


Fortunately for you, ‘aware’ and ‘Sailorboy Spike’ seldom go together in the same sentence.


Spike sizes you up. You have height on him. He doesn’t care. The little stud thumbs his nose, snuffs, and warms up by bouncing up and down on his boots. His pecs bounce with him. “What’s doin’, cutie?” he says, as if he’s just sidled up to you at the bar and asked to buy you a drink. “Wow, you are handsome as hell!” He begins to circle you. This is a man who gets off to combat. “I’ll make sure not to leave any bruises,” he says, sweetly.


While the ref pats you both down–the ref helping himself generously to a few handsy grabs of Spike’s butt (which he does not seem to mind–you find Spike throwing you flirtatious glances. There’s not an ounce of malevolence or mean-spirit behind those eyes…but his cockiness, and confidence, throws you off your game a little. Spike slowly removes his ascot from around his neck and hands it off to one of his buddies, ringside.


Still, you’ve taken down cockier, and bigger, before. You start picturing what Spike will look like rolled up in a pin, or stretched out in a spladle–those cute, little, navy-striped briefs lost among his thick thighs and butt as he squirms and moans.


More hungry than ever to beat your opponent up, you start wondering if this is the Sailor studboy’s power–making his opponents hungry to dish out the punishment. Surely though, nothing is hungrier than Spike’s magnificent ass eating up his trunks.  


The ref steps away–ready to allow you and Spike to lock up. “I’ll just have to stretch you out real good,” Spike says, extending his hand amicably. You shake it. “Er…your muscles I mean.” His cheeks turn an attractive shade of rosy pink, certainly not helping his cherubic features. “S-sorry! Dirty mind, but I fight clean, I promise!”


One of the drunken sailors–overall straps clinging tightly to his bearish chest–scratches himself, yawns, and breaks a beer bottle over the bell, starting the match.


Spike’s face changes in a flash, from friendly to cunningly determined. You never expected such resistance from the lockup, and Spike’s move into a tight wristlock leaves you with whiplash before the pain brings you to your knees!


As Spike’s fellow crewmen pound the air, holler, and cheer on their boy, you do best to hold out on your own. Spike isn’t just quick either, but a skilled gymnast, and his kicks and punches pack a wallop! 


“C’mon!” the cheerful stud says, after executing a flip to dodge your right hook. He tugs up his trunks (he seems to have great difficulty with his cheeks popping out). “Oh, so you wanna sling punches, wise-guy? Well…” he makes a ‘come on!’ motion with his hand. “Do it, tough buster! Hit me.”


Blinking, confused, you don’t waste the chance to opportunity your foe–especially one so high flying as Sailorboy! You strike him, hard, on the side of the head. He’s skull is really as thick as it appears, but you don’t relent.


Your first sign that you’ve made a mistake is when the crowd of rowdy sailors at ringside, only snickers and sneers at each other. They’ve seen how this ends before.

Instead of a dazed, dopey face, or a grimace–a slow grin slides across Spike’s pretty face. “What’sammata’, guy? You can hit harder than that. Come on!”


So, you do. A hook to the left. A jab from the front. You wail on Spike, toss him into the rope, and deliver a chest chop across his untanned pecs. The strike practically bounces off, but leaves behind a red handprint. That’s gotta' smart!


Yawning, Spike looks down at the fresh, angry mark, smirks, and bounces his pecs for you. “That all? Come on…” He steps forward, biting his lip. “Harder, daddy. I like pain!”


Now, you’re pissed off! You scoop up Spike for a slam and bury him in the canvas. You go down for the pin, but even before the ref can hit the mats with you for the count-out, Spike’s bucked you off–thrown you, even–with incredible strength. You land on your back, dizzy. Vulnerable.


Spike, now aglow with a blue, hazy aura, stands tall. He looks down at his bicep and flexes. Have his muscles…expanded somehow? Has he gotten bigger? 


The tiny tighten waltzes casually over to you. You stand, ready to tackle him and take him down to the mats.


He gets to you quicker.


“You call that a hit, buddy? I’ll show you how we fight…Brooklyn, style!”


WHAP!


The strike hits you so hard, and so dizzy, that you feel as if your soul has been knocked out of your body. The world blurs for a second, and your rattled brain can’t keep up with your balance. You fall flat, to the mat, to the sound of a hundred, drunken, horny sailors cheering.


As you slowly try to recalibrate your senses, you’re vaguely aware of Spike–your powered up opponent–scurrying up to the turnbuckle. The next thing you know, he’s flying, a sailor sailing through the air…straight for—


SLAM!


A splash, right across the midsection, takes the wind from your lungs, and crushes your chest and stomach. For a moment, you see black–but Spike’s shining smile cuts through the shadows. He’s behind you now! You think to get up, move, but this sailor has really taken the wind out of your sails.


“Not bad, buddy! Not bad. But I hit back harder. And now…it’s time for me to tie you up in my knots!”


Before you can react, a boot hooks your throat, pushing it backwards–just as Spike’s mighty arm hooks your leg, your other leg likewise caught, entangled by the Sailor’s agility and strength. With a soft grunt, Spike spreads and starts to pull, slowly, strongly.


You feel your legs split open and pull away, your hamstrings straining and your crotch start to pull. Spike has tied you up in knots, with little effort. The ref’s knowing look tells you that he’s seen Spike do this before; he knows how it ends.


Even while executing this brutal, submission display, Spike is all smiles.  “Ummff…you’re so handsome!”


You can’t take it anymore. You feel like Spike might pull you apart like a pretzel. You manage to tap on Spike’s boot. The ref holds his hand up, calling the match, as the bell peels and the sailors roar out their victory!


Spike lets go at once, delivering relief to your strained joints, but your energy completely sapped, and your muscles completely stretched out. You can barely even get onto your knees. You watch Spike scurry back up the ropes, standing tall and mighty and All-American, while giving his signature single-bicep pose.


You can’t even be mad that you lost. He’s just…so damn…cute!


“Come on, Spike! Do it! Do the thing!”


Spike covers his mouth, coquettishly turning away. “Aw, c’mon, guys!” He looks over and winks at you, gesturing. “Only if you give a good salute to my good sport of an opponent!”


Whatever exchange is going on (and you are slightly lost–and still very dizzy–at this point) the sailors turn to you, clapping and whistling and pouring out golden streams of beer.


“Awright, ya horn dogs!” Spike calls out, turning around to give the sailors a good look at his best asset. He tugs his trunks down, below his bubble butt. “You earned it!”


The sailors sitting closest to ringside all swoon, falling into each other’s arms. The others froth at the mouth like rabid dogs. “Spike! Spike! Spike!”


Cheekily, Spike turns slightly to give you a look–and nearly knocks you out again. Never before have you seen a bubble butt that tight, that big, that…perfect. It’s glorious. With an impish grin–and some degree of difficult–Spike tugs his trunks back up around his cheeks.


Spike hops down to the canvas, shaking it as he does. He extends a hand and helps you up to your feet. You find yourself looking (down) into his beautiful eyes.


He bites his lip. “Er…so. How about a smooch for the victor? Or…” He leans in (up) and whispers, “I can take you back to my private quarters.” 


You find yourself going red. Still, to turn down an invitation from the Pinup Prince would be foolish…especially after what you’ve just seen. Shyly, you nod.


Spike smiles back. “Good. Thought so.” And then, he’s armed and dragged you into a fireman's carry, slinging you over his shoulder–like an ant carrying weight twice its size! 


“Aw you go get him, Spike!”


“Hey boys, you better play safe!”


All the sailors around you slap Spike on the back (or the butt) and pinch your butt as Spike carries you up the ship’s ramp.


And as he does, the blonde bombshell–half your size–turns and winks coyly to his men. “Aw, gee whiz guys! I’m gonna’ be a good boy, don’t worry.”



Spike pushes you down onto his cot. “I was lyin’,” he says, cheerfully, before he throws his arms around you and forces his mouth over yours. Even kissing, there’s something of the underdog about Spike. Confidently clumsy, you feel. Nevertheless, as he crawls on top of you–his surprising strength overwhelms you.


“Naw, I want you on top,” he says, turning you over forcefully–with the strength and expertise of a grappler who knows how to manipulate his opponent into doing exactly what he wants. 


Your eyes briefly fall on calendar boys and black and white physique photographs tacked onto the wall. You can’t help but notice you’re surrounded by muscular men.


Spike looks up at you, and removes his gentle, forceful lips. “Oh, those?” He blushes. “I...just love hunks.” In fighting, and in sex, Spike’s enthusiasm is bubbly. He buries his face into your neck. “Like you. Mmmf. Your muscles.” 


His nuzzling turns into nibbling on your neck. His arms and legs locked tightly around you, you realize you aren’t going anywhere. Your moans only seem to embolden him, him matching your energy at every turn. 


Then, he’s flipped you over again–this time, straddling you. You look down at his bulging trunks. He looks like he’s packing more heat than a missile cruiser.


He sees you noticing it. “Gah, I can’t help it! I get so damn horny.” He scratches his feathery hair and then leans in for another kiss. You observe something about him–how his expressive, blue eyes change just before he kisses you, going from playful to a sort of distant trance; a hunger. Desire in its rawest form.


“I want you,” he says, kissing you. His kisses are wet and hungry, though he doesn’t pry with his tongue. He’s still gentle, in a way. 


Suddenly, he rears up and looks down at you–the young lion ready to dig into a piece of meat. “I have a feelin’ I know what you want,” he says as he shifts around, going onto all fours, his bubble butt–gear basically wedged between his cheeks–right in front of you. “I saw you lookin’. Don’t worry, stud. Everyone does. Go ahead.”


As if overcome with a hypnotic frenzy, you reach down and slowly pull Spike’s trunks out from the crevasse and folds of his cheeks–like unveiling a masterpiece. And, in a word, Spike’s ass is a thing of beauty–a sweet, perfect peach. Plump. Perfectly rounded, white-pink, with a cleavage separating his cheeks into two spheres.


Spike laughs, shyly. “Go on, stud. Give it a kiss.”


You do as you are told, and Spike spreads himself before you, showing off his soft, pink hole. Mouth watering, you press your lips to it. Nice, and clean, with a hint of post-combat musk. You uncontrollably begin to lick and eat your way into his sweetness, and he moans in turn.


“Damn, now that’s a fuckin’ finishing move,” Spike says, trembling while you continue to indulge.


Addicted, you continue to lick, tonguing deeper. You wonder if this, too, is part of Spike’s power–this feedback loop of carnality, his moans driving you further and further inside him. Now you understand why so many bigger guys like beating him up–he sounds good in agony or ecstasy. 


But, just like in battle, Spike counters. “Give you the real Sailorboy experience,” he says, as he positions himself onto your face. Before you can even hope to tear your head away, his thick, creamy thighs wedge around you, driving you deeper into his ass. You’re smothered. Compeltley covered.


“Only way out,” Spike says, pushing back–almost painfully–over your face, “is to eat. Don’t worry though, tap when you need oxygen. I’m not a dirty heel. I’ll let you breathe.”


But if you were to die now, it would be a delight. You do your best, even as Spike gleefyully rides you, cementing that–even in a passive position–he’s anything but submissive. Finally, you tap his legs, as you’re now begging for breath.


“Awright,” he laughs. He turns around. “Not bad. But you gotta’ remember, stud, turnabout is fair play.”


He yanks his trunks down, and you help them pull it off his ankles. This diminutive David is now splayed out before you, on all fours. His cock, pale and mighty like him, is five to six inches in length, but girthy. He drips precum freely.


He backs his ass back into your face, but you find yourself burying your nose in his cleanly shaven balls instead, licking a new side of him. You suddenly find something wet and warm enveloping your cock, and going further, sucking with the same indulgence–some of the best, deepest head you’ve ever had. Spike is a professional. Barely a gag.


You lock yourself into a rhythm, a flow smoother and more elegant than wrestling–though just as intense. Spike sucks, deep, and you eat him out deeper. What becomes a contest, soon turns into a synergy, a feedback loop.


Your sudden moan betrays you. Spike removes his silky mouth from your shaft, turns around, and stares down at you with that distant desire. He kisses you.


“I taste good on you,” he whispers coyly. “But I don’t want you to cum just yet. I want to ride you, cutie.”


You bite your lip and your eyes rolls back as Spike positions himself.


“Not so fast, sailor,” he says, a piece of plastic wrapper in his mouth. He tears the condom open and expertly weaves it across your stiff, reddening cock. “I don’t takes no chances, and neither should you.” He flashes that heartbreaker grin. “Besides, if you go in without a helmet, ace, you won’t last long.”


With deliberate slowness, Spike rises, showing off his dew-kissed abs, perfect V, and the somewhat comically bulbous, ‘mighty’ cock hanging from his lower extremities. Like him, it seems like an underdog–drooling sweet cream onto your mid section.


A tinge of rouge covers Spike’s face, the heat-blush of lust. He lowers himself onto you, slowly.


“Just kidding. You won’t last long anyway.”


You can’t help but cry out. He’s not only tight, but warm too. Firm. Your hands grips the bedsheets. As they should.


You’re about to go for a ride.


Spike lets free a deep, yearning moan–and his cock leaks out a fresh rope of precum onto your stomach. Eyes closed, lost in desire, he starts to ride you with a rhythm you’ve never experienced. Thing is though, you forget how strong Spike is–and you feel the weight just border on painful as the sailor takes to seas. Rocking. He’s gripping you hard. You cry out, feeling yourself being pulled in. As if he could take everything and more.


He opens his eyes, smiling down at you. Arrogant winner. “Maybe…ungh…maybe you won’t even last as long you did fighting m-meee FUCK.”


He cries out, riding you hard, unable to complete his sentence. Always biting off more than he can chew, that Spike, he can’t even play cocky as he succumbs to the pain and pleasure.


“I…I…” he tries talking, but he’s all-consumed by his movements. His fair skin has broken out in a sleek sweat. “When you come, I’m gonna cum too. That’s how…that’s how it works.”


Thank goodness he’s given you his command, because you can’t hold back any longer. You let forth an expletive as you feel yourself cum hard inside him.


He cries out, just the same. “FUCK.”


He shoots a wet, watery load all over you. Three to four pumps, before he throws his head back and sighs. He swipes sweat from his upper lip. Lost, in a drug-like stupor, smiling, he finally realizes he’s still on top of you. “Whoops!”


After cleaning up, you find Spike curled up against your check, kissing you softly, wordlessly. Then, he holds you tight.


“Ah,” he sighs. “Mine.”


Trying to move, you realize you’re trapped in his powerful arms and legs–a teddy bear. You go to try and say something, but Spike has already fallen asleep, snoring softly, an angel in repose.


Still, that little smirk of his, even in slumber–hints at deeper mischief, and you wonder if he’s enjoying himself just as much in his dreams. 


The End

Monday, April 3, 2023

A Tiger Between Two Worlds

There were those who knew magick–the physical, reality bending powers granted to mortals by the conduits known as ‘glyphs’--and then a rarer few who knew the older ways. For most people, magick was a part of everyday life; a tool (or weapon) to be used to enhance the drudgery of existence, provide security, or get what one wanted. But there were worlds, realities, planes of existence, and states of building that existed beyond the everyday veil, and, if one knew where to tug on a loose thread or two, that shroud could be lifted and entire new dimensions revealed.

For spellbreakers, magick was decidedly a weapon and a strength. They were athletes and entertainers, after all, gladiators and rock-stars all-in-one. Few spellbreakers tested the limits of their powers, or showed any interest in the magical arts of philosophies.


But there was a damn good reason that Joseph Haw, The White Tiger, was champion of the Global Spellbreaking Alliance. His early days had been stepped in folklore and the ‘old arts’. It was something he spoke about seldomly, though concerning ‘Deadboy’  Daemian, his dark beloved, it was the one thing that connected the two men. For all of Daemian’s…deranged proclivities and manic mood swings, knowledge of the black arts ran deep with him. Though they were opposites in near everything, Joseph wasn’t so much a ‘white’ magi as he was an elementalist in the Eastern schools of magickal thinking. The forces of nature were his toolbox, and he had been skilled in the arts of feng shui manipulation by some truly astounding teachers.


Not all of them, it turned out, human.


What lay at the bottom of Singapore Harbor was a secret known only to a few gifted locals. The children, of course, could see Him coming and going from his aquatic abode. The feng shui masters, spirit summoners, and geomancers were often privy to his presence as well. He was known, reverently and affectionately, as Grandfather of the Deep Waters. He was the last of the water dragons (as far as anyone knew, anyway) who had made a home for himself in the harbor in a watery shrine that only a privileged few could ever hope to access.


Privileged few such as Joseph Haw, who found himself again in a dark, dripping audience chamber of malachite and jade, illuminated by torches of blue light. Bowing before his old master, waiting for an answer, Joseph listened mindfully to the ambient sound of dripping runoff from the ceiling, a crackle of a torch, the groan of water pressure against the impenetrable temple, and the gentle breathing of an ancient dragon…


Crystalline eyes opened in pitch black. The Old One did not like to show his face, where it could be avoided. There was something about his kind that disquieted even the bravest of mortals, no matter their resolve. It was an instinct, built in–something from before the time of writing. Joseph thought it was similar to the encounters of angels. Beings of impossible power were always frightening, no matter their benevolence.


The Grandfather spoke to Joseph without words, his wisdom filling Joseph’s brain like water.


I have been made aware of the trials in your future, Tiger. Foolish men attempting to acquire what has been made forbidden by the divine. While it would be arrogant to deem your teachings in this realm finished, eternal student, there are other…dominions, beyond this one, where you may acquire new skills to aid you in the upcoming struggle.


Joseph opened his eyes. He understood these words, and they chilled him, “Thank you, Old One. My…compatriots have ventured into this realms, though I myself have not. Cian and Spike, two of my allies, breached the Faewild to acquire one of the Chalices I mentioned.” He blushed, not something he normally did in front of his master, but there was no sense hiding it. “My own lover, Lachlan, can pass through Gehenna at will.”


“Ah yes,” the dragon said. He made a strange, low noise that Joseph registered as laughter. “The light, always attracted to the dark. Yes, your beloved is a candle in a cave. Surrounded by the blackest of shadows, but with a strong light that radiates from his spirit. His love for you keeps that light kindled. But, I digress. There is one other among your compatriots, is there not, who has encountered a denizen of the realm of which I refer.”


Joseph scratched his head, somewhat uncouth in the face of an ancient being. “Hmm. I can’t think of who else has encountered anything from one of the Unseen Realms.”


The dragon, ever patient, answered for him. “A warrior who wields compassion. He who hides his face, for shame and for honor. A child of the Maya, whose gods now slumber, beyond dreams, waiting for the spark of new believers.”


“Victor,” Joseph blurted out. When it came to matters of the spiritual, Joseph wouldn’t have picked him. “Ah, you are referring, perhaps, to his encounter in Thailand with that monkey man?”


“That warrior was no mere simeon, but from a proud race hailing from the Unseen Realm of Vaale. There are as many realms as there are stars in the sky, noble Tiger…perhaps even more. I would have you go there and challenge one of their champions. Learn their arts. Bring them back. Seldom do I trust humans with crossing the worlds and acquiring their gifts, but these times are strange, and you are honorable indeed. As always, my child, I invite respectful disagreement.”


Joseph shook his head. “And yet I have none, master.” He tightened his fist. “I admit, there is a certain thrill in challenging a fighter with skills I’ve never seen before.”


“Be mindful, child. Temper that bloodlust. It can lead you down paths either dark or foolish. However, if you would accept this challenge, I harbor no doubts–you know well not to disturb the fates of worlds. And you know, of course, that to take the life of someone for whom another world's fate has already been decided…”


“I do not kill,” Joseph said, perhaps too quickly.


“Hmmm. And yet, if it came down to kil-or-be-killed…?”


“I…” 


“You hesitate, child. Do you think it wise to proceed?”


“Yes.” Joseph bowed, respectfully. “Please, Master. Grant me access to this realm.”


The dragon’s burning, blue eyes narrowed in the watery shadows of the submerged temple. “So mote it be, Avatar of BáihÇ”.”



The tavern bristled with color and light, and the spicy scent of a hundred aromas–perfumed dancers, potent liquors, the scent of bodies in embrace behind velvet curtains. Desirable bodies, of all gender and form, approached wily patrons–wily cut-throats waited in the booths and shadows to prey upon those drunk enough to forget where their purses were tied.


Lotan Sammut, dark, with shining eyes, walked throughout the miasma encumbered. Those here knew better than to bother him. Ironically, they had little to fear. Unlike most of The Manticore’s trained dogs, Lotan didn’t believe in drawing first blood. Only if attacked–then he would give them all a reason to fear the four-armed fighter, sinewy and muscular body barely concealed by regal fabrics and adornments.


Tonight, Lotan envied the dancers in the firelight, performing for coins and drinks and treasured applause. It had been ages since he’d used his body. Be it fight or dance. Perhaps Madragor’s summons tonight would change all that, if rumors were to be believed.


It was hard to tell which sentient race lurked behind the helmeted and muscle-bound guards outside the door to the private chambers. Their eyes, from either enchantment or innate nature, burned like embers behind their vizers–zeroing on Lotan as he approached.


The warrior gave them a smile. 


That was more courtesy than most, and they knew better than to make The Dancer’s life difficult. They let him pass, into the twilit, velvety chamber, full of hookah smoke.


The long haired Manticore was alone tonight. Usually he was flanked by a beauty of any sex. This wasn’t particularly strange to Lotan–his boss sometimes preferred solitude. It also suggested a matter best discussed between them only.


Lotan gave his boss, the most powerful man in the alleys, a respectful nod. Their introduction was business-like, a mix of small talk and barely concealed interrogation on Madragor’s part (yet still, always, polite). The Manticore was many things–rude was not one of them.


Eventually, Lotan’s bossy got to the point. Much to the four-armed fighter’s' delight, he was scheduled for a pit fight.But delight was one thing; surprise, another.  


“White Tiger?” Lotan questioned, making sure he’d heard the name correctly. He scratched his head, placed a finger on his chin, and his other hands on his hips. “They mean to pit me against a beast?” The fighter took a seat and popped into his mouth one of the small, tangy fruits offered to him by his boss (Lotan was probably one of the few souls in the underground that needn’t worry about being poisoned by The Manticore).


Lotan made a face. “I am no gladiator, thrown to blood-starved creatures. I am a Sefirot. I hail from a proud people, and is my fighting technique not–”


“Calm thyself, warrior,” Madragor laughed (a good sign). “This is no blood feud.” He lowered his voice. “From time to time, those who scry the planes see fit to pair warriors from other realms against our own. No stakes here but one’s pride, I suppose.”


The subtext was this: Madragor acting on the behalf of one of the shadowy forces from either the temples or the citadels. Lotan’s boss had his hands in many parts of the city, even the inner sanctums of the scholarly temples. Lotan knew better than to ask further, when matters of magic were on the table.


Besides all that, a fight was a fight–and Lotan never backed down from a challenge. “So, this is meant to be a friendly fight?”


The Manticore spread his legs and shugged. “He is human, so far as the oracles have deduced…yet he commands a strange power. Some believe him to be the avatar of a great guardian spirit that presides over Earth’s four cardinal directions.”


“U…rth?”


“Earth is his realm. A contradictory world of immense technology, but primitive and domineering governments. Many there, swear fealty to gold before their kindrid.”


Lotan crossed all four of his arms over his chest, smugly. “So he’s a barbarian.”


The Manticore laughed, taking a long drag from the stem of his hookah. “I believe you will find the White Tiger righteous in nature and even in temperament. He is seen as a hero among his people.”


“A hero, eh? Well, good thing this fight is on our terf–I’d hate to break this beast in front of his worshippers.”


“Peace, now, Sammut. Did I not mention this is meant to be a friendly competition? Please do attempt to limit the breaking.”


Lotan stood. “Very well,” he said, bowing gracefully to his boss.  “Perhaps after our bout, I shall take our guest to one of the dances.” “If he survives, that is.”


The stone arena was circled by a moat of flowing water, on which the petals of a certain blossom drifted, adding a sweet scent to the battlefield. The crowd, from all walks of Valle life, cheered from the colosseum’s tiers, with the wealthiest patrons situated in their veiled viewing boxes, wherein they were waited on with wine and expensive fruits.


Lotan Sammut was always a draw–his fighting style, graceful and brutal, was well loved by the masses. It helped that he was quite the desirable specimen as well. As for his opponent, however…if whispers were to be believed, the Citadel had called forth a ‘visitor’ from another plane to do battle. It was natural then, that the audience should cheer for Lotan, their own realms representative.


Yet, when the tall, muscular, and lean fighter appeared from the opposite entrance arch, some heads did turn in Earth’s favor. The handsome hero was human, though his features were unlike anything the people of the great city had seen. His hair was jet, streaked with white, and his eyes beguiling and beautifully shaped. He bowed to the audience, upon entrance. His mannerisms were decidedly martial. He had training.


It certainly helped that–his tights, white and striped like one of the beasts of the Winter Forests, cling to his muscular legs. It left little to the imagination–his protruding masculinity was hard to miss.       


Lotan approached from the opposite side, earning himself a swell of cheers from the excited throng. He waved, with all four arms, and then met his opponent in the middle. He sized him up. He suspected a giant, hairy, wild man with nary a thread on him–not this statuesque, athletic beauty. His build was similar to his Lotans (sans the extra arms, of course). He smiled.


This was going to be interesting.


The White Tiger met his opponent, put his hands together, and bowed. Then, he looked up. “You…have four arms.”


Lotan grunted. “Very observant, Tiger.” He sneered. “And yet you have only two.”


The other fighter, though polite, appeared perplexed. “Just seems a bit unfair, is all.”


Lotan laughed. The man was respectful, but there were streaks of playful humor…and an aura of cockiness as well. “Are you scared?” Lotan asked, stretching out his muscular appendages. He’d give this beast an eyeful.


The warrior took a fighting stance, cracking his neck. His muscles tensed and rippled. “A Tiger never backs down from a challenge.”


I’d almost rather him in my bedchamber than the arena, Lotan thought, hungrily. Still, a fight was a fight. “They said you were strong,” Lotan said, circling his opponent.  “That has yet to be seen, of course. They mentioned nothing of your good looks, however, of which I can see in abundance.”


That seemed to take the Tiger by surprise (and did Lotan see a tinge of blush in his cheeks). “...Oh. Well, I thank you, but I have a boyfriend.”


The four-armed fighter cocked his head to the side. “Boyfriend?” He shrugged. “I don’t see what that has to do with–”


“Never mind,” TIger said, swallowing. He eyed the ceremonial gong, off to the side, where the fighting judges watched. “Shall we?”


Lotan smiled and made the signal. The gong peeled.


The fight began. Lotan pivoted on his feet, gracefully twisting around on his ankles–he’d go for a leg sweep. 


As Tiger anticipated. For Joseph Haw, a fighting as part poetry and part algorithm–cause and effect; push and pull. His opponent had made the first move. That already told Tiger at least 3 - 4 things about his techniques right away. He was aggressive, but cerebral. Precise. Lotan was no brute. This made things more interesting.


Tiger jumped the sweep of Lotan’s legs, just as the warrior threw out a punch. Very clever. Joseph bent his body backwards mid jump and pivoted to the side. He grabbed Lotan’s second arm as it thrust, but his third hand broke Tiger’s grip.


Joseph landed on his feet, smiling. “First time I’ve fought someone with two extra arms. Forgive the misstep.”


Lotan twisted back on his ankle and matched Tiger’s grin. “No hard feelings.” 


The tension was palpable as the men studied each other's movements, waiting for the other to make a mis-step. As the fight stipulations stated ‘no magic’ (for Lotan lacked the technique), Tiger had to re-calibrate his strategy. At this point, he might rely on a gust of wind or a sudden, sharp gale to knock his opponent to the ground. Lotan was slippery.


Suddenly, Tiger launched with a powerful front kick, aimed at Lotan’s head. Lotan ducked under the kick, responding with a spinning back fist. 


Tiger expertly blocked with his forearm. But once again forgetting that his foe was multi-limbed, forgot to dodge the second blow. Lotan’s fist collided with Tiger’s, painfully, knocking him backwards.


The crowd gasped. Tiger swallowed the pain, and tightened his core to absorb the shock. “Very good,” he said. “To be honest, I’m more of a wrestler. This is refreshing.”


“Hitting you is refreshing?” Lotan asked, eyebrows raised. “Then you’re in luck–I have more for you!”


The two continued to exchange blows, moving with incredible speed and precision. Lotan unleashed a flurry of punches, from four directions, ready to end this fight as quickly as possible. But Tiger had recalibrated his technique. He countered with a series of well-timed blocks and evasive maneuvers, feet moving swiftly across the arena’s rough surface.


How am I supposed to arm bar four arms! Tiger thought. Then, he had an idea. And from an unlikely place too. Joseph had long practiced the philosophy of learning from his students and mentees, and there was one such little stud proficient in under arm submissions.


Been thinking too much like a tiger, the sweaty Joseph said, as he flipped gracefully in the air and landed behind his foe. Time to think like a Sailor.


Joseph jumped up and put Lotan into a nelson, surprising the four armed brute with more strength than the Sefirot expected. Joseph used the lock as leverage to lift his legs up and wrap them around Lotan’s second pair of arms, which he had correctly expected him to throw back in an effort to pry the Earth warrior off his back.


“Grrr,” Lotan growled. “So, this is your little, grappling sport, eh?”


I don’t even know what to call this move, Tiger said, bringing his elbows and knees together to pry on the pain. “Give up!”


Lotan responded to this ridiculous demand by spinning around and throwing himself to the ground, using Tiger as cushioning. Lucky for the cat, he knew how to land. He tucked his head and let go at the last second, throwing out his arms to absorb the blow, and digging his knees up into Lota’s spine to prevent him from using his weight to crush him.


“Very clever,” L;otan grunted, ignoring the searing pain in his spine. He spun back around, onto his feet, just as Tiger threw out his legs and rode the momentum upwards, expertly, into a standing position.


Lotan stared down his opponent. “You’re not half bad. But can you dance like me?”


Tiger had seen capoeira tons of times. His coworker, Iggy, was not to employ a more ‘heavy metal’ variety into his repertoire. He had never seen such graceful movements, as Lotan’s before. He turned pirouettes into chops and strikes. Tiger dodged them, but just barely. The fiend moved like water.


“Time to show you how to dance, cat!”


Tiger was on the defense. For too long. Part of his strategy was in wearing Lotan down. Multi-limbed advantage be damned. Tiger roared, launching a swift roundhouse kick, aimed at Lotan’s midsection. With the right force and aim, Tiger could end this here.


Lotan caught Tiger’s leg with two hands, blocking his chest with his other pair. He threw Tiger to the ground. All he had to do now was descend and pummel at him until this little kitty submitted or passed out. 


As Joseph’s back hit the ground, he rolled backwards and jumped back to his feet, ready to continue the fight. The audience cheered. Even Lotan was impressed.


Tiger spit out, a small trickle of blood. “Remember when I said you had an unfair advantage?”


Lotan grunted. He’d broken a sweat; his muscles glistening in the summer sun. “Yeah?”


Tiger smirked. “I stand by that statement.”


The two men continued to exchange blows, their movements fluid and precise. The sound of fists and feet striking flesh echoed through the room, as the two warriors fought with all their might. Sweat poured down their faces, their bodies glistening with exertion. It was a battle of wills, and neither man was willing to back down. Sweat poured down their faces, their bodies glistening with exertion. It was a battle of wills, and neither man was willing to back down.


Tiger charged forward with a powerful flying kick, but Lotan side-stepped at the last moment and counteed with a devastating elbow strike to Tiger’s back.


Tiger staggered forward, but quickly regained his balance and retaliated with a spinning kick, aimed at Lotan’s head. Now, he was pissed off. He didn’t care if this was Lotan’s home. He needed to be put down. Besides, the audience deserved a spectacle–and White Tiger was first, and foremost, an entertainer. They wanted a show. He’d give it to them, and knock Lotan flat.


Lotan danced under the kicks, and countered with a lightning-fast combination of punches, striking Tiger with incredible speed and accuracy. He was like a machine, a force of nature. Tiger tried to defend himself, but the blows kept coming, relentless, a hail storm of fury and fists. This wasn’t magic. It was strength and determination.


It had been a very long time since Tiger felt outmatched. And yet, tuning out the pain and draining stamina, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It had been too long since he’d encountered a worthy opponent.


Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lotan landed a devastating blow to the other's jaw. Joseph’s world went black. The taller man crumpled to the ground, eyes rolling back in his head. 


Lotan leaned over and picked Tiger up, turning him over. “You want to wrestle, huh?” He said, grabbing Joseph’s arms and bending them backwards, and then scooping his legs up with the second set. “How about this? A four ared submission?”


Lotan proceeded to rip the already dazed and damaged Tiger back like a twig about to break. Tiger dangled in the air, helplessly, all limbs outstretched. 


“Okay…” Tiger grunted. “Impressive, indeed. I yield.”


Lotan let Tiger go, dropping him to the ground.


The TIger had been tamed. The audience held their breath. 


Lotan stood over him for a moment, catching his breath and wiping the sweat from his forehead. The audience cheered. Lotan held all four arms up in triumph, and a well-earned one. This human had fought admirably, and had taken him by surprise.


He deserved respect.


Lotan leaned over and pressed his hands against Tiger’s temples. He muttered something under his breath.


Tiger’s eyes snapped open, and Lotan reeled back, cautious that the fighter might instinctively try and attack him. Tiger did not. Wincing, he looked up–realized what had happened–and looked away.


Still, Tiger laughed. “Heh. Not bad.”


Lotan leaned over and extended one of his hands. “All four palms open, great warrior.”


Tiger looked him over a minute, and then gladly took the dancer’s arm, pulled up onto his feet.


Lotan raised his opponent’s hand. “Let all present know the men of Earth are strong of spirit!” Lotan declared.


Tiger, a bit embarrassed (more so at the whole ‘Renaissance Fair’ vibe of the scene) scratched his neck. “Uh…thanks.”


Lotan slapped his new friend’s back, heartily. “Think nothing of it, Joseph of Haw. And now, we shall feast!”


Tiger blinked. His head still hurt. He’d recover. “...Feast?”