Finally the new chapter of My Sangheli Daughter. Sorry it's been so long but I've been busy lately. I hope this chapter makes up for it
I am sorry if this chapter isn't as good as the previous one. I've been lacking some of my skills for writing combat scenes.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 10: The Duel
The sunlight shines through the blinds hitting Hunter's his eyes waking him up. The old Spartan groans as he opens his eyes and yawns. Through the blinds he could see that the sun was just starting to rise. Even after being retired for three years his body still won't let him sleep past sunrise.
Hunter is just about to get up when he feels a weight on his shoulder. He turns his head seeing a female Sangheli, still asleep, laying on his shoulder. The Sangheli, wearing a red sleeping down, cuddles as close to Hunter as she can. Seeing her asleep on his shoulder doesn't surprise Hunter, just makes him smile. Hunter grins as he leans down and kisses her forehead, gently waking her.
"Good morning big guy." The Sangheli says as she licks Hunter's nose.
"Good morning Xulo, how did you sleep last night?"
Xulo snuggles up against Hunter till her lips are almost touching his. "With you next to me, perfectly."
Hunter leans up and kisses Xulo on the lips. Ever since he retired everything has been perfect. Hunter retired two years ago after he accidently ran into Xulo as she was accompanying a Sangheli diplomat to Earth. They started dating trying to get to know each other and quickly feel in love. They got married secretly shortly after that, they didn't want the truth about their marriage getting out. Xulo eventually made Hunter retire after she made a shocking discover, given what it was Hunter immediately agreed.
Hunter and Xulo hardly have any time to prepare as the door to their bedroom suddenly flew open and a Sangheli/human child runs into their room. Before Xulo can get off of Hunter the little girl jumps on the bed and snuggles up next to Hunter.
"Mother, father, good morning." The young girl shouts as she wraps her arms around Xulo and Hunter's necks.
Hunter wraps an arm around the little girl's shoulders, pulling her close to him. "Good morning Rachael. Why are you jumping on us little sweetie?"
"I wanted to say wake up my parents in the most annoying ways possible."
Hunter smirks a little. "Just like your mother."
Xulo punches Hunter in the shoulder. "Just for that you can make your own breakfast this morning.
Hunter moans as Xulo gets out of bed. "But you know that I'm a terrible cook."
Xulo smirks as she pats Rachael's head. "Pay attention daughter, this is one way how you control a mate. Deny them food and they'll probably listen."
"What's the other way mother?" Rachael asks.
"Uh you're a little too young to know that." Hunter answers.
Xulo laughs as she heads out of the room leaving Hunter and Rachael alone. Rachael cuddles up next to Hunter laying her head on his chest. Hunter holds his daughter tight not wanting to let her go. Right now is the happiest he's ever been. He doesn't even miss his days as a Spartan. All Hunter needs is to hold his daughter and wife in his arms.
Hunter suddenly jumps up when he felt someone touch his shoulder. Without thinking Hunter's instincts make him grab his revolver and pull it out from under his pillow. But Hunter quickly freezes whenever he sees a familiar Sangheli child standing by his bed.
Hunter rubs his eyes and slowly slides his revovler back under his pillow. "Zume what are you doing on base, and in my bedroom?"
The old Spartan doesn't show it but deep down he was ticked off. He is not happy about being woken up from his dream. For nearly three years he's been having dreams involving himself and Xulo. Though he's kept it to himself.
"Mother thought that I should spend the night with father. She is worried that this could be the last night I see him alive."
"Alright, that makes sense to me. But why are you in my room?"
"Well I wanted to ask if you can keep an eye on my father. Help him out if he gets into trouble. That is until I saw you having a great dream. I didn't want to interrupt it."
Hunter couldn't help but smirk. "Well I'm already keeping an eye on your father, though not to protect him. That is not why I'm here. I am very sorry little girl but unless your father is in a desperate situation, which tomorrow may happen, I cannot intervene."
"Alright I understand." Zume lowers her head. "But can I ask you a question before I leave."
Hunter shrugs his shoulders. "Sure, what is it?"
"What were you dreaming about? Whatever it was it seemed to make you very happy."
Hunter tries hard not to growl at Zume, she was invading on something very private to him. "That is none of your business Zume."
Zume crosses her arms not afraid of the Spartan. "Well at least let me give you some advice my uncle once told me. Uncle Thel said that dreams are often a reality we wish we had but know we cannot have. So if you are having similar dreams constantly you might want to think about talking to someone."
Zume turns around and exits Hunters room without saying another word. Hunter rolls back into bed pulling the covers over him. As much as he doesn't want to admit it he knows that what Zume said is true.
"Man that girl is stubborn, just like her father."
Vadam Stadium
"Are you sure about this Alex?" Hunter says as he lays a hand on Alex's shoulder.
Alex doesn't even look back at Hunter. His mind is solely focused on the stadium before him. It reminds Alex of a giant football stadium, the outside does. The walls surrounding the oval – shaped stadium are easily sixty feel high. The stands are completely packed with Sangheli coming to see the fate. Their chants to see him beheaded nearly shake the ground.
Alex looks down at Zume who's standing beside her mother. "As ready as I'm going to be."
Zume steps forward and lays a hand on Alex's arm. "Father, please be careful. This crowd will kill you in an instant."
Under his helmet Alex tries not to laugh, the crowd's intentions are pretty obvious at this point. "Do not worry Zume, I'll be fine."
Zume wraps her arms around Alex's waist. "Please father do not go. I do not want to lose you."
Alex takes off his helmet and kneels down to Zume's eye level. "Zume, listen to me sweetheart. I am doing this for you and your mother. Understand that there is nothing I will not do to keep you and your mother safe. I'll fight a Sangheli horde to keep you and your mother safe."
Zume smiles as she gives her father a big hug. "I love you father."
"I love you too sweetheart." Alex slowly stands up and puts his back on and turn to Hunter. "Look after he will you?"
Hunter shrugs his shoulders. "Sure, I'll keep an eye on her. How hard could it be to watch out for a five year old?"
Alex nearly breaks down laughing. "You obviously have no idea how much trouble children are."
Hunter smirks a little, remembering this morning incidents with Zume. "I think I have some idea."
Alex knows full well what Hunter means. Zume told him about her interaction with Hunter this morning. Alex found the whole thing kind of humorous but understanding. Maybe he'll eventually be able to help Hunter with whatever problem he's going through. That is assuming Alex survives this duel and the mob that'll surely pursue him afterwards.
The crowd suddenly goes quiet as Alex walks out on the dirt arena. He can feel all eyes on his, nearly all of them with murderous intentions. Alex keeps his hand on his sword and the other on his pistol.
Alex steps forward to the center of the stadium where Thel and Kepo are waiting. By the looks on their faces neither of them are happy to be here. Thel looks like he could attack Alex on the spot. Meanwhile Kepo looks like he's furious at the thought of being challenged but the thought at this reputation might get a little bigger seems to be keeping him happyish.
Out of the corner of his eye Alex sees Resha standing on the sidelines alone. Even though Resha is standing nearly a hundred yards away Alex can see she is worried. Though Resha is hiding it well she looks terrified for him. Alex doesn't blame her one bit. She could be witnessing the death of her love.
"I did not think you would show up Demon. I figured you would be too scared to even show up to your death." Kepo growls at Alex trying to scare him.
Alex surprises everyone by suddenly taking off his helmet and speaking loudly for all to hear. "Funny I hear that coming from you. A S angheli who earned his title purely by coincidence. I know how you really killed my kind. You did in a cowardly fashion. I was there when you killed two of them. All you did was fire a rocket into a Pelican. The fact that there was Spartans on it was coincidence. Could've happened to anyone. At best you got lucky."
Alex hears a lot of muttering from the audience. He doesn't need to speak Sangheli, which he does fluently, to know that they are not convinced. Even though Kepo killed the Spartans by accident it's still Demons dead.
"And let's not forget the Demon you killed on Meridian. Yes, I was there too. You stayed back while a horde sacrificed themselves while you just stood there and watched. You waited until the horde was dead and the Demon was half alive and then went in for the kill. All you did was set back while your men did the hard part. You're not a hero. You are a COWARD."
The crowd suddenly stands up in an uproar. Alex knows he's infuriated them. He couldn't just call their hero a coward and not expect them to reject him. From the reaction of the crowd Alex thinks that the crowd is about to jump up and attack him. Though he can see a hesitation in their voices. Despite being a Demon the Sangheli are kind of listening to his words.
The Arbiter raises his hands silencing the crowd. "SILENCE EVERYONE, we are here to witness a duel, not a murder. This is a duel between two honorable warriors. It is our duty to accept the winner, no matter who wins."
The crowds sits down reluctantly obeying the Arbiter's orders. The majority of the crowd just wants to see their hero kill a Demon, or at least try too. Alex is just glad he's getting a fair fight without having to worry about the crowd intervening.
The Arbiter raises his hands again as he addresses the audience. "These two are hear to settle an honorable matter. The Demon is here to regain honor for his fallen comrades. These two will fight until only one is still breathing. If the Demon Killer wins he'll have even more honor than he already had. If the Demon wins he'll receive all of the Demon Killer's property, including his newly owned wife."
Alex draws his sword and steps back ready for a fight. Kepo draws his energy sword and does the same. The Arbiter steps to the side allowing the two the room they need to hack each other to pieces.
"Are you ready for death Demon?" Kepo growls as he shifts his stance.
Alex smirks. "Funny I was about to ask you the same thing."
Alex's smirk works as his taunts work at infuriating Kepo. Kepo roars and lunges at Alex full speed. Alex grins as Kepo swings at his head in rage only for Alex to quickly step aside, the blade missing it's mark. Kepo rushing pasts Alex nearly collapsing on the dirt.
"Damn Kepo, I thought that you were a skilled bladesman. You swing like a child." Alex taunts Kepo.
Kepo roars as his swings swinging his sword towards Alex. But Alex quickly raises his blade blocking it. Much to everyone's surprise Kepo's energy sword doesn't cut through Alex's sword. Alex's sword holds strong but sparks flash everywhere as the two blades collide.
Alex smirks. "Forerunner metal, it's lightweight but damn unbreakable."
Alex suddenly punches Kepo in the face knocking him to the ground. Kepo lays there for a moment wondering what just happened until he sees Alex standing over him smiling. Kepo grabs his sword and quickly jumps back up.
"You will not beat me so easily."
Kepo charges swinging low at Alex's feet only for to be blocked. He twists his blade going up for Alex's stomach, only for Alex to quickly turn his stomach, the blade quickly moving past it. Alex grabs Kepo's wrist and tosses him on the ground. The crowd is silenced watching Alex toss Kepo around easily.
Kepo quickly jumps up and charges at Alex again. Alex surprises Kepo with a quick kiss to the chest knocking Kepo back. Kepo is stunned enough for Alex his sword down on Kepo's shoulder, the blade going with Kepo's shield with ease, blue blood soaking Alex's blade. Kepo roars in pain as Alex withdraws the blade. Alex suddenly kicks Kepo in the chest, knocking him to the dirt again.
"Man Kepo, I figured you would've put up a better fight. You seem to be spending most of your time on the ground."
Kepo growls in frustration. He never expected the Spartan to ridicule him like this. The Demon seems to be set on not just defeating him but also humiliating him as much as possible. The crowds cheering for the Demon is the final straw.
"Well how about I return the favor." Kepo growls as he grabs some dirt and tosses it into Alex's eyes.
rubbing it in more. Alex starts swinging his sword violently at everything sound hoping one of his attacks cuts Kepo but with his eyesight temporarily gone he's hitting nothing but air. Kepo stands back and laughs.
The crowd suddenly jumps to their feet screaming at Kepo. Blinding an opponent is against the rules of the duel. The crowd screams insults at Kepo calling him a coward. Resha stands besides her brother in horror, reaching for her sword to intervene.
Kepo suddenly rushes forward and kicks Alex in the chest knocking him to the dirt. "So much for the big and powerful Demon. You will pay for your insults."
Zume, watching everything from the sideline, roars in anger as she grabs a piece of wood lying on the ground. Hunter grabs a hold of Zume holding her back.
"No Zume, stay here. Your father needs to handle this."
Kepo slowly approaches Alex as he gathers his footing. He aims the sword at Alex's heart ready for the blade to take Alex's life. Kepo pauses to look around the stadium, making sure all eyes are on him. After the humiliation he suffered Kepo doesn't care if it's breaking the rules.
"Hope you are ready for your life to extinguished Demon. Your insults end here." Kepo growls hoping to get a reaction from Alex who just stands there.
Alex meanwhile hardly hears Kepo's words. With his eye sight gone Alex is relying on his ears. At least he can hear which direction Kepo is standing, and hopefully how close he is. The buzzing of Kepo's energy sword allows Alex to determine it.
Alex hears Kepo roar and the buzzing of the sword rush towards his chest. He quickly jumps to the right hoping to avoid the blade. Much to everyone's surprise the sword barely misses Alex. Kepo is shocked as his blade misses Alex's stomach. Alex swings his sword down, guessing where Kepo's arm on, down as hard as he could.
Kepo roars as Alex's blade cuts off his hand. Alex smiles knowing by Kepo's roar that his blade found it's mark. He hears Kepo collapsing on the ground holding his badly severed hand. Alex takes the time to wipe the dirt out of his eyes.
Alex stands over Kepo making him look up. "You truly are a disgrace. No true warrior would cheat to win a duel."
Alex plunges his blade into Kepo's chest. Kepo roars as Alex's sword penetrates his heart. Alex leaves the blade inside Kepo for a moment before withdrawing it. Kepo collapses on the ground, dying am moment later.
The crowd remains frozen seeing their champion lying dead in the dirt. Resha remains silent trying to hide her smile, knowing now is not the time for it. That smile quickly changes when Resha sees the crowd jump up and scream for retribution.
Alex grips his sword tight as the Sangheli horde slowly advances towards him. He knew this would happen deep down. Though Alex knows it's not out of hatred for him killing their hero, he showed them their hero was nothing but a coward. It's their fear of him they hate. But Alex knows that he's alone in this fight. He's the only UNSC personnel here, except for Hunter, and he's very hesitant to intervene.
Alex looks out of the corner of his eye at Hunter and surprising sees him reaching for his pistol. He expected Hunter to stand back and watch. Instead it looks like Hunter is going to intervene. Even more surprising is Hunter keeping Zume back.
Just as Alex is hearing about to start swinging when Resha suddenly runs out between him and her people. "My people, please listen to me. Where is your honor? The demon defeated his opponent fairly. His opponent cheated."
A Sangheli steps forward growling at Resha. "Move female, you will not stand between us and our kill."
Resha growls back getting a gasp from the others. "Have you people forgotten your honor? The demon challenged his opponent to open combat and killed him. You lay a finger on him right now and you will be breaking our laws. If we break our laws then we are no better than the Jiralhanae."
Resha's words halt the horde, surprising Alex and Hunter. What Resha's saying is true. The Sangheli uphold honor above everything. Their honor holds them to a higher esteem than Brutes. The last thing they want is become savages.
The lead Sangheli steps forward. "You do realize what this means for you? You will be this demon's property."
Resha tries to keep a straight face. "I realize that, and that is fine with me. I signed the paperwork and I have to honor it."
The Sangheli slowly start to turn around and walk away. Alex tries to remain as calm as he can but inside he was shocked. He's never seen or heard of Sangheli listening to a female before, especially a horde like this.
Alex leans forward and whispers into Resha's ear. "Thank you so much Resha. A few more minutes and I would be a dead man."
"You are very welcome Alex." Resha says not even looking back at Alex. "I'll give you a few hours to get ready for me and Zume. We have to get packed for our new life with you."
A slight smile forms on Alex's face. "I'm looking forward to it."
Sanghelios Mountain
"That is a beautiful view you have Rtakan."
Rtakan gets up from his seat and walks beside Fowa, looking out over the mountains. From their position Fowa can see all of her clans' land. Vadam palace looks so small to Fowa. She can ever see the human's base from their position.
"From here Fowa we can observe everything that goes on in the valley. It's how I found out about your sister's secret."
Fowa growls as she turns around in anger. "You do not have to remind me of my demonic sister's transgressions against our people."
Rtakan smirks as he continues to look out over the valley, ignoring Fowa's outburst. "When I was just a child I used to climb up here and look out over our home. I used to marvel in the beauty, dreaming that one day I'd be fighting for the glory of my home. Nothing would make me happier than to die bringing my home glory. But that place doesn't exist anymore, after our leaders, convinced by your damn brother, made an alliance with the humans. After leaving the Covenant our race became a shadow of it's former self. The only way back is to rejoin the Covenant."
Fowa rolls her eyes. "That sounds good, you know how I always supported the Covenant. But how does this take care of Zume?"
"Because you cannot just get rid of your niece without causing suspicion. So we have to be straightforward for it."
"What are you talking about?" Fowa growls. "Are you suggesting we just walk up to Zume and Alex and kill them? Do you have any idea how insane that sounds?"
"In normal circumstances yes, but not during an invasion."
"But who would be dumb enough to attack Sanghelios? Not even the humans are that stupid?"
Rtakan smirks. "No, the Covenant. The Resistance has an alliance with them. We need their help to overthrow the Arbiter. In three days the Covenant fleet with break through our atmosphere."
"Wait, the Covenant fleet?" Fowa gasps. "The Covenant will destroy our planet."
"No, just the government destroying our once great race. Just before the Covenant attacks they'll send a message warning everyone to stand back. They'll just kill anyone who stands in their way. During the attack I'll need you to flee to this spot. And bring Zume if you can. Prophet Revenge wants to make an example out of her."
"But how can we trust the Covenant? How do you know they won't betray us?"
Rtakan grins. "Because Revenge offered me the position of leadership. Once they regain Sanghelios. Revenge has never gone back on his word."
Fowa thinks about it for a minute. "I'll see what I can do."
To be continued.
So Alex has killed the Demon Slayer and now has Resha as her property, so to speak. Resha and Zume are not safe with Alex. Meanwhile Hunter is experiencing dreams of a future he secret wishes he had. And Rtakan has a plan for Sanghelios that involves the Covenant.
Hope that you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a review as any help to improve the story will be appreciated.
If anyone has any questions, please either PM me or leave a review and I will answer as best I can.
This is John Storm signing off, Stay Frosty ya'll