CH – 10
Dante open his eyes to dimness of the metal room. Of all the rooms within the ship they seem to give off a cold atmosphere, if it weren't for the red light of a numerical yautja characters the room would be dark with a seemly cold atmosphere. Then Dante turned to the right to find a shadowy form sitting beside him. "Um . . . if Heaven is nice place, why am I not there now?" Dante said as he stretched and popped his neck. He noticed the cold on his bare on the table that had a scaled fanned plate sitting with some instruments nearby.
The form moved to the table and the lights above the table became brighter by three levels. The yautja that was seated in a type of swivel chair wore a black fishnet mesh on the under part and black short-sleeve robe that was shin length when she walked to and back with a hovering cart of instruments. Dante also noticed that her skin/scales with black as coal; but what was surprising more that the detail of the scales that were shown on the arms and collar arena had a symmetrically design of the layered scales bore a resemblance to the big dog bad-blood he fought and killed on that planet. Odd, Dante noted to himself, it must be a genetic trait among their kind.
"Your name is Daa-nte correct?" the Yautja asked nicely.
"Yes I am "Daa-nte"" he responded the same way, slighty mocking.
"The clan leader tasked me to do a physical on you. Told me 'just examine him like he was anyone Yautja.'." The large female said as she pulled the sheet off him and folded it before setting it on the cart.
"Why?" Dante asked suspiciously.
"Whenever a new hunter is aboard and is given the choice of join our clan I or the other healers have to examine them to make sure there are not illnesses or diseases or malformations that could be harmful to the hunter or anyone else."
"Ah." Dante responded nodding. A simple straight answer.
The first part examination was to check Dante's heart and blood pressure. The healer took a device that slipped onto her claw hand. With a touch on the palm sensor of the device and a holographic ring appeared which she pressed it to his bare chest. The other side of the device on her hand projected the readings.
"Your heart is healthy as the Earth creature known as the 'Chee-tah'. Blood pressure of oomans normally is 120 over 80. Yours is slightly up." the healer comment. Dante nodded; For his supernatural heritage to give him enhanced speed, strength, endurance, and agility when in combat. His heart would be big and healthy as any animals with the same application. As for the blood pressure however he could say it was cooling down from the fight earlier or it could be the slight excitement of him eyeing the healer's breasts nestled in her fishnet mesh and robes.
The second part was centered on his strength and flexibility of his bones. She checked the joints by doing something unorthodox. First the knees; the healer put her middle finger behind her thumb, readied it, and plucked the knee cap which cause his leg to jump instantly. She repeated the process again with the elbows with same effect. Next, she x-rayed his skeleton with detailed analysis of it on the wall screen.
"Your bones are calcium rich. Given the fact you were punched directly in the face by a Yautja female and didn't have you neck snap, skull shattered, or even a busted jaw bone." she noted.
Dante shrugged. "Well, milk with my bowl of Lucky Charms helps."
"Now the final is the temperature. Put these in you mouth under your tongue." The healer gave two black marbles-like orbs. Dante put them in and with a touchpad device the healer was surprised to see the temperature number read 100°F, though she didn't say it was a problem due to the humidity of some rooms on board this ship.
"Well Daa-nte that's it. The matriarch is waiting for you answer. If you choose to join the clan then you can wear this clothing fitted for you. If not you will be dropped off where ever you choose."
After hearing this question his mind went back to the impending thought of his decision.
My sweet son this is true freedom: the power to make your own choices. To your own destiny.
Dante's reminisce of his angel mother's words reminded him of Vergil's betrayal, Kat's death, and Lucifer's plan with Vergil and the revelation of Dante fighting him again. There was nothing for him on Earth anymore. It was time for him to embrace a new life among the stars. As for the day of him fighting Vergil he must become stronger than he was before. If the power of a Hellgate to make a demon king invincible the way Mundus was. Then Vergil maybe more formidable than his own current level. That would have to change.
In all sensible thought, including some reasons not to join and other reasons to join that were only known to himself Dante turned nodded. "Alright," He sighed heavily, "I will join."
Dante doesn't know what tomorrow may bring, nor the time or the hour. The day of Vergil reaching full power and waging war against him is coming . . . And he will be ready.
After all In order for him to achieve his goal, he must give them what they want. A mask is needed to achieve this, and not theirs.
Azulija waited outside the entrance of the healing ward with Kujhade. The two were talking on different subjects of that concerning clan based issues to the science improvements that were in the works until the metal portal open to Dante walking out. Azulija saw his face and was unsure of his answer. When he shrugged saying "You all seem nice enough for me not to regret." with slightly irony forward the fact they hunt humans and other species for bloodspot. But he knows now not to judge a book by the cover. Azulija gestured to follow her. Kujhade followed but her eyes fell upon Dante.
Paya, is this your will?
"Kujhade take Dante to one of our kin's lair. I have business concerning Dante's chiva with one of the Battlemasters."
Kujhade nodded and lead Dante down the hall leading to the homerooms.
Azulija enter into the offices of the battlemasters – the trainers for all hunter of the Dark Blade. Passing through the metal portal to the office of Battlemaster Bakuub. The middle-aged hunter was sorting the files upon his CPU on his desk made of metal and the bones of a Gro'tye. With Azulija's approached the hunter stood and bowed.
"At ease 'Straight Spear', how do you fair?" Azulija asked.
"I may reach the age of an Ancient, rather than the rank, if I don't finish this." Bakuub grumped.
"I doubt it."
"What would you have of me, Great one?" Bakuub asked returning to work.
"Do you know of the Nephilim named Dante?"
"Yes. 'Daa-nte the Nefilem' as I hear around here. Even 'Daa-nte the Demon Slayer' as he called himself. What is it about him now? Bakuub rubbing his eye sockets to the strain of looking at a computer screen.
"He has agreed to be one of us, so I ask you; when the chiva can be prepared?"
Bakuub looked at the Matriarch briefly before trailing off in thought. "Actually I can do this in a three days time, with my present work finished that is. Once I do Dante and the other unbloods will being their first hunt. I'm sure the hive on the swamp world I chosen have grown to suitable hunting status. But . . . " The Battlemaster paused trying to gather his words.
"What troubles thee?" The Matriarch inquired.
When he fought that bad-blood in the kehrite I sensed his power. Two types housed him. One evokes hope the other despair. But also within Dante I sensed a wrath that's tempered, a wrath that's connected to feeling . . . a memory."
"You must have sensed it because of a low mental wall perhaps?"
"Maybe."
"Well it's not uncommon even among our people to have anger connected with a memory that would cause it. If the Chiva is going to be ready in three cycle's time I will see you till then. In the meantime master Bakuub, try taking a break from staring at the screen all day. Its bad for a hunters eyes to stress." Azulija said leaving the room.
The portal upon the homeroom of one of the main kindred of the Dark Blades stood tall and blacken with the engraving of hunters holding spears crossing each other as to prevent invaders from entering. The nephilim noticed the level of detail in the graving, much so that it appeared to have a level of life about them. Dante blinked several times when he thought the masked heads turned slightly to watch this foreigner that stands before them with faint red eyes. Destroyer then put her claw upon the hand print that acted as a scanner. After a few moments the dark portal gave an electronic beeping before they slid open.
Dante was in awe as they entered a great hall, though the dark metal of the walls, floor, and ceiling gave off a cold atmosphere, the cool and warm lights gave an inviting ambiance also. The chairs and sofas of unique design either lined the walls or circled the fire place that was in the center of the room. Decorative weapons hung lining the wall and pelt covered the den areas. Dante observe the finer things that sat in the room from vases to great statues of hunters and huntress in dramatic poses.
Kujhade put down here mask on a chair and walked up the Dante.
"You like to see the rest of our homerooms?" she clicked a question.
"I think should since I'll be living here. Lead the way." Dante said impressed so far. Though he expect the leaders of anything to live a goodlife.
Through the doors of the other end lay a corridor with two portals, one on each side. Through the first portal sliding open to reveal an area with a table with chair of ebon design.
"This is the feast hall of the Clan leaders. They only eat here to converse or discuss important matters. Anyone else must have promise to eat with them like if they were invited." Kujhade clicked.
Dante looked at the female. "I thought your mom was the only leader here."
"H'ko. My bearer is one of the seven that lead. Though she very close to becoming an Adjudicator."
"You mean like a Judge, an Arbiter?" Dante asked to clarify.
"Sei-i. They are our race's world leaders and ruling class among the Council of Ancients and the Sovereign herself. Now moving on." Kujhade gestured to Dante by a slight push on his back to direct him back out of the room.
Down to second portal it open to a large but smaller Training Hall. The lights inside were dim. There were weapon of all sorts lining the walls and racks. Also there were serveral vertical filing cabinets that Dante guessed stored more equipment.
"This is my kin's personal kehrite. It has more features than the main kehrite the rest of the clan uses."
"Like?" Dante said interested on the subject.
"Well for starters we can have a sparring droid act in the style, behavior as well as bare weapons that we wish to be up against."
"Useful." Dante commented.
Kujhade lead Dante back out to the living hall opening a door to reveal the more portals scattered about the room. Kujhade brow frowned on a subject her bearer said earlier.
"Dante, by the Matriarchs orders she has requested that you living in my quarters until you have passed your Chiva." Kujhade spoke in a formal matter.
"Why?" Dante asked.
"She said and I quote: "Due to our budgets, the furnishings, and his current rank of Unblooded Dante must remain in your chambers until he pass his first hunt." Unquote."
". . . And when is my 'first hunt'?" Dante asked.
"Three cycles time."
Dante exhaled through his nostrils in sight annoyance. Sometimes he just had to wait for thing to happen.
Though Dante hates waiting.
Fortunately there was something to pass the time. With Kujhade leading the way Dante enter one of the main areas of the Dark Blade Clan. The city within consisted on small to large buildings of painstakingly excellent design. Kujhade stopped and pointed to a section of the when they passed it. She said this is reserved for the hunters ranging from Warriors to the Eldars. The building with the kneeing hunter statues with lowered spears in the saluting position pointing to the road as the grand leaders would pass by was the main dwelling for her family. Built with metal, stone smoothed to a polished sheen. The look was like an Ancient Egyptian palace, only darker.
"This will be you new home if and when you pass, Dante." Kujhade gestured.
"Of course, no one should ever sleep in a big pretty mansion without first EARNING the right to do so." Dante add in sarcastic clarification.
Kujhade smacked him on the back of the head which nearly knocked him to the ground.
"OWW! What was that for?" Dante complained.
"Take this First Hunt serious, Dante. A lot of Unbloods who go never come back to be Youngbloods. I seen them come and go." Kujhade eyes were hard and her tone harsh.
"Don't worry I will be mindful." Dante said.
"Pride in the thought you will accomplish something, at once, is not a funny thing. Don't by like the ones I once knew and found out they didn't make it."
Dante saw the pain in her voice of a memory of the lost precious Youngbloods who succumbed to pride.
"I'm sorry. I will comeback alive and in one piece, and if I don't have a scar on my ass when I return from my first hunt then you can make one there yourself to remind me that I should never be prideful on any of the hunts, ever."
Kujhade's mandibles click together. "Sounds like we have a deal."
Stepping down the partly weathered steps Dante saw the sight of hunters gathered in various sporting activities, which mainly consisted of hunter sparring with punches, kicks, and the occasional arm twisting that wrestled the opponent to the ground until the yielded. The two moved through the crowd though as they did hunters both male and the enormous females watched the newcomers before looking back at the match. Dante's heighted sense of hearing caught the clicking whispers of they that noticed him. Dante really didn't liked people talking about him in hushed tones. But even so he could care less whether he was being spoken well of or was spoken ill.
Kujhade lead the way to a seated area where her friend Borgalr, the docking bay maintenance staff. Once he saw the two he rose to greet them. She placed her claw upon his shoulder shaking it in greeting.
"Borglr this is Dante the one who killed the black yautjan bad-bloods." Kujhade begin to introduce her friend to the newcomer. "And Dante this is Borgalr that was in the hanger before the attack."
Borglr bow slightly in greeting and Dante returned it though he was still not use to their greetings – or greeting anyone in general.
Borgalr offered the two to sit with him to watch the hunters spar at close range. Dante watched as a two male hunter one with bluish hide with several dreadlocks chopped off in a row engaged with a bigger male dark green of hue. The crowd around the sparring ground either cheer for one or jeered at the other. Though Dante didn't know which set of people were cheering or booing at - the only thing to do is to watch and see the outcome of the amusing fight.
That is until Borglr wanted to ask some questions about Dante.
"Hmm?" Dante leaned forth looked around to Kujhade to Borglr who sat opposite of her.
"I like to ask you a few questions - if you don't mind." Borglr asked respectfully.
"Go on." Dante said rolling his eyes a little.
"I saw how you are in battle against that marauder boarding party, the fight against the bad-bloods, and even that zazin Hulij-Bpe. I must ask – do you ever think twice before face a strong foe."
"No." Dante answered straight forwardly. The answer seems as a surprise to Borglr and Kujhade.
"Really? Then I would guess you have no problem completing your chiva."
"Speaking of which what do I have to accomplish on the chiva? Do I have to kill or retrieve something?"
Kujhade turn to her right to Dante wanting to tell him this for herself. "The Chiva is a Rite of Passage for all Yautja. Once a Yautja has complete the necessary training for there first hunt we will take them to a either a planet that has a Pyramid or a location that is the dwelling of a Kiande Amedha hive."
"What is a Kiande Amedha?" Dante asked curiously.
But before the question was answered a voice shouted: "Ooman freak!"
Dante snapped to see a hunter, a big hunter, of pale greenish-yellow of hide tone in the center of the sparring ground glaring at him.
"Yeah you! I pick you to go up against."
Dante was confused and a bit surprised at to why this hunter was calling him forth to spar.
"Thanks but no thanks. I am not in the mood for a fight." Dante answered back. The sparing area seemed to quiet after attention was brought to Dante and his challenger.
"What are you a fucking weakling?" the challenger snapped back.
Dante then leaned back with a prideful smile on his face.
"Yes I am. I am so much a weakling that I going to ignore you and you can go back to banging your head against the wall like a good little melon-headed pup."
"That the best you can say freak? 'Cause if it is – you are SO dead!"
"Never give up . . . do you?" Dante sighed as he got up and walked up to the arrogant brute.
"Why should I? I am Falkuub!" the yautja bellowed.
"You know your name? EXCELLENT! Perhaps one day you'll even learn how to spell it!" Dante's expression was calm with hooded eyes and a pleasant smirk.
"NOBODY makes fun of me!"
"Actually . . . everybody does!" Dante put his hands around his back. He was enjoying this.
"That it! You're - - "
The brute enraged got in Dante's face but the Nephilim interrupted his thought and gave a calm piercing glare.
"I'm what? Wake up and smell your own body odor, idiot! I'm not some angry human from off of you retarded hunt!"
"You think I'm afraid of you, ooman dog?"
"If you had half a brain, you would be."
"Give ONE good reason!"
Dante looked around at all who watched. He saw the eyes of Kujhade and Borglr before turning back.
"Alright, well for starters I have enough power within me - - to tear out your beating heart and keep both you and it - alive."
"THAT I'd like to see!"
In a blink of a fly's eyes Dante chest was spattered by green glow blood. He turned and turned walking away. Some cringed while others voiced their shock. The hunter on his hands and knees lived with a hole his chest; he lifted up his eyes to see Dante played with his heart by bouncing it on his feet like a little ball. Dante walk back to his seat whistling the catchy tune of the Harlem Globe Trotters.
"Kujhade and Borglr had not the words. What did that fool gone and done?"
Dante then stopped to see instead of cheers - they jeered him.
"Monster!" they shouted out of rage and mostly fear.
"So again what is a Kiande Amedha?" Dante asked with resumed curiosity.
Kujhade and Borglr saw his express calm like done nothing. And to some, even unto this day, agreed so.
Wow what a day! I apologize for this ugly delay. Now that the holdup is out of the way let's continue ONWARD!
Statler and Waldorf watch from their theater box:
" Dante seems to be a excellent liar and brutally honest when he wants. " Waldorf said.
Statler nodded. " I think honest is always the best policy. "
" You believe that? "Waldorf asked.
"No, I was lying."
The two laughed as the audience laughed with them.
R&R. See you next chapter. ;3