Chapter 10- The Storm
Drag'lan sat on the bench in the preparation of that Yautjan Arena in silence. He knew that today would be one of the main turning points in his life; Today, he had the chance to join Fral's clan. He thought back on the events of the previous day.
~
Fral's younger brother had sparred with Drag'lan while Fral and her mother watched. Drag'lan had the strength advantage, but Fral's brother was seemingly faster. The few shots that Fral's brother got in had little to no effect on Drag'lan. This was noticed, because Fral's brother tried out-maneuvering Drag'lan. He succeeded in getting behind Drag'lan, but Drag'lan spun and swept his feet out from under him.
After training with Drag'lan for weeks, searching for tips on how to become a better fighter, Fral's brother had learned how to use the momentum of one's fall to return to their feet. However, Drag'lan knew this tactic and anticipated it. He tackled Fral's brother as he got up. They continued doing maneuvers like this until Drag'lan won through a war of endurance. Both of them bowed to each other out of respect.
"You have used what I have taught to great effect. However, I know those moves. It is unwise to use a tactic on the person that taught you it." Drag'lan said.
Fral's brother hung his head, disappointed; he had never been able to beat Drag'lan. Drag'lan saw this and said "Look at it this way: If you find out your mistakes in a sparring environment, you'll be less likely to make them later on. Also, nobody wins every sparring match they enter. How you recover from such losses makes all the difference."
This cheered up Fral's brother a bit, but he still seemed down; despite having trained with Drag'lan for weeks, he still couldn't manage a win.
Fral had seen Drag'lan's actions and smiled. She could tell that Drag'lan had been holding back. If he had been fighting at normal levels, her brother would have been down within the first minute of the bout. She figured Drag'lan knew this and had scaled his ability usage down accordingly. That way, her brother wouldn't have lost as much self-confidence as he would have had Drag'lan used his full abilities.
Her brothers got along with Drag'lan very well, which pleased her. He didn't show it much, but Fral knew he liked having friends again. Now, Fral's parents were different stories altogether. Drag'lan and her dad had been in a constant silent battle. It was as if they had been competing for dominance. However, Drag'lan knew that Fral's dad had more experience in combat than him and, as such, could kick his ass. So, he backed down.
Fral's mom seemed to like Drag'lan well enough, but Fral knew something was off in her mom's actions. It was as if she doubted his abilities as well as his trustworthiness. After seeing him take down her son, however, she lost all doubt of his abilities. Distrust remained however.
Fral walked up to Drag'lan and her brother, holding two towels for them to dry off after their bout. Her brother accepted one, showing heavy signs of fatigue, while Drag'lan declined. Drag'lan didn't show any signs of fatigue, so Fral didn't push the idea. Drag'lan patted Fral's brother on the back again reassuringly and the trio walked into the shade, where Fral's mom was sitting.
Fral's mom nodded to Drag'lan in respect, but her body language showed disdain towards him. Drag'lan noticed this, and he decided to confront her about it.
Drag'lan drew close to her and whispered "Could I possible speak to you in private?"
Fral's mom shook her head and said "Anything you can say to me, you can say in front of my family."
Drag'lan inhaled deeply. It was time to come clean. "Very well then. Why do you dislike me so much? I mean, I can tell that you make a show of respect, but it's a lie. I can tell that you don't really want me around. Why is that?"
Fral's mom looked Drag'lan square in the eye and said "I'm not fully sure if I can trust you yet. You seem nice enough, but until I have concrete proof of your integrity, I will see you as a shady character."
Drag'lan nodded in pity somewhat and said "Very well then. I see."
Fral's mom then stood up and said "If you two are done sparring, then we might wan to head back. You both have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."
The group then left...
~
Fral walked up to Drag'lan and sat down. He looked at her indifferently. She said "So. Now it is time to prove your worth to the clan."
"I know. However, there are 2 things I must ask of you." Drag'lan replied.
Fral looked at him, her head tilted to the side in curiosity.
"Which is what?" She asked.
Drag'lan pulled off his dog tags and put them in Fral's hand. "Keep these with you. I normally stake a lot on keeping my individuality. These will give me a reason to fight."
Fral looked at the tags. They read "DHS-431I, Drag'lan Hellenille Sorrell. 'Death's Hand Soldier'"
Fral looked back at Drag'lan and said "What about the second thing?"
Drag'lan looked Fral directly in the eyes, a serious look on his face. he said "If at ANY time during the match, you see my opponent go down, but i keep attacking him, stop the match."
Fral looked at him, somewhat worried. "Why?" she asked.
Drag'lan looked at her with an even more serious look. "Let's just put it this way: What I did to the Bad-Blood on your ship will look like a bruise. That happened while I had control. When I don't stop attacking, it means I've lost control. The "Adrenaline rushes" increase my strength, speed and endurance. This you know. However, what you don't know is that I enter a rage mode that pumps my adrenaline production into overdrive. I only told your dad that I experienced adrenaline rushes so that he wouldn't think I'm unstable. There is little time before I am called up, so promise me to do these two things."
Fral looked Drag'lan in the eyes. Drag'lan thought he saw something of sorrow in her eyes before she nodded and said "I promise."
Fral then stood up and left. Drag'lan breathed with relief. He was now alone in the room, with only his thoughts for company. He entered his area of zen, so as to not go off on his opponent.
An enforcer enter the room and said "It's time. Follow me."
Drag'lan stood up and started walking behind the enforcer as they led the way to the arena.
The enforcer looked at Drag'lan over its shoulder and said "I've heard about you. I heard about what you did to that Bad-Blood and what happened at the dining hall. I must say, I'm impressed. However, I know your opponent. He has a great reputation for victory. I hope you can hold your own against him."
Drag'lan chuckled a bit. "I've held my own against worse. That bad-blood managed to stab me three times, so I think I can handle a battle with a standard Yautja with ease."
It was the enforcer's turn to chuckle this time. "We'll see about that." They replied.
They entered a small room with a large arched door. The enforcer turned to Drag'lan and said "Stay here. You will be called forth in time."
Drag'lan nodded as he leaned against the wall. He was as ready as he'd ever be.
~
Fral put Drag'lan's Dog-tags around her neck. They surprisingly fit. She walked to where her family was seated. They all noticed the tags around her neck, but her younger brother said "Where did you get those from?"
Fral looked at her younger brother. He had done surprisingly well. The worst injury he had sustained was a couple bruises on his chest because he seriously underestimated underestimated his opponent's speed and leaping capabilities.
Fral looked at the tags fondly and said "Drag'lan gave them to me. He said something about them giving him a reason to fight."
Fral's mom started to speak, but became silent as the High Elder stepped up. He raised his arms, calling for silence. He then addressed the crowd.
"This is once again an intriguing rite of passage. Once again, we are to bear witness to an ooman wishing to join our ranks. He has already proven himself worthy of this chance."
At this, he pulled out the head of the Bad-Blood Drag'lan had be-headed.
"He has proven his merit in combat by eliminating Gor'leesh and bringing down Hir'lang in combat. He has earned the chance to join us through combat, and will now prove himself further through combat."
He set the head down and faced the western gate.
"Will the warrior named Drag'lan step forth!" he commanded.
~
Drag'lan's ears picked up his name being called and he returned to standing. He saw the large doors open and walked forward, through them and into the arena. He continued until he entered the white ring in the center.
The crowd had remained silent until this point, but now they started booing Drag'lan and laughing at him. He blocked them out, not letting anything he heard get to him. He just looked around at the crowd and stared straight forward.
The High Elder called for silence again and said "Ooman, your chance has come. Do you have anything you would like to say before the rites proceed and your opponent is called?"
Drag'lan looked among the crowd again, his eyes slightly pulsing black with annoyance at their jeers. "Yes." He said. "It has never been a good idea to underestimate me. Don't do that today. I would hate to lose my temper to something as trivial as simple underestimation." After saying his stuff, he resumes his stare forward.
The High Elder then turned to face the eastern door.
"Will his opponent step forward!" he ordered.
The doors Drag'lan was staring at opened, revealing the Yautja he was to fight. Drag'lan's eyes widened at the sight of his opponent. This guy was MASSIVE compared to the other Yautja he had seen. If his estimates were right, his opponent was anywhere from 8ft 11in to 9ft 1in. He was also muscular to the point where Drag'lan wouldn't have been able to grab on with both hands. Drag'lan hadn't noticed the scars on the Yautja's body as he began walking forward, but now they were oh so obvious. The Yautja was nearly covered in them.
Oh shit... Drag'lan thought. THAT is much larger than I expected. Looks like I'll have to make stuff up as I go with this guy.
Both of them were dressed similarly, the difference being the clothing they wore on their legs. Drag'lan wore his marine fatigues, but the Yautja wore something to the effect of a pair of shorts. The Yautja walked next to Drag'lan and looked up, facing the High Elder. Drag'lan did the same.
The Elder then addressed the Yautja. "Leir'gorl the Indomitable, you volunteered to test this ooman's abilities. I am sure that you have seen what he has done."
"Yes, elder, I have." Leir'gorl said. His voice had a slight raspy growl to it, but it could be from the gash near his throat. "I relish the thought of fighting such a skilled warrior."
The elder addressed them both, saying "Then move to the lines and wait for my signal to begin."
The two combatants walked to the two lines at the edges of the middle ring. Drag'lan entered his more balanced of combat stances, a slight squat with his left arm down over his abdomen and his right arm over his chest. Leir'gorl entered what could best be called a sumo wrestler's stance. They locked eyes, waiting for the signal to start to be given.
The Elder's attention then shifted to the crowd.
"The clan rite will now proceed." he said "The victor will be decided when one of the combatants has been incapacitated or surrenders through submission."
Drag'lan mentally estimated the distance between him and Leir'gorl. he figured it to be about 30 feet. If Leir'gorl charged, as Drag'lan expected him to, he'd wait for him to get about 10 ft away before running forward and dodging to his left.
Fral looked at Drag'lan as he waited. His face was un-readable, but his body posture showed that he was ready for this. He really wanted to show his mettle.
The crowd held it's breath as the high elder drew a ceremonial dagger from its cloak. A Xenomorph skull was placed in front of him and he brought the dagger up. After a short pause that seemed to last FAR too long, the elder brought it down into the skull. An ear-splitting CRACK was heard as the match was signaled to begin.
Leir'gorl released a loud roar as he began charging at Drag'lan. The match had begun.
~
Drag'lan stood his ground as Leir'gorl began charging at him, stunning the crowd.
Fral's dad looked at Fral and "Looks like he's not going to last that long."
Fral looked back at her and said "You don't know him. He's had a lot worse opponents. Let's just put it this way: He's survived Zz'Gash levels that would have killed others in 10 minutes."
Fral's dad looked at her with doubt. "I don't believe that. Nobody has been found like that."
Fral nodded and said "Well, Drag'lan is. I have the knives that did the job at home. After the match, drop by and I'll show you."
~
Drag'lan had known that Leir'gorl would charge him. So he waited for Leir'gorl to hit the 10ft distance before moving. He was a blur when he dashed forward and dove to the left, avoiding the charge. As Leir'gorl rand past, Drag'lan kicked him in the side. This blow had no effect on his target, who turned to face Drag'lan and attempted to punch him in the head. Drag'lan fell back in an attempt to dodge the blow, but had his legs swept out from underneath him. He hit the ground on his back. Leir'gorl then tried to stomp on his head. Drag'lan noticed the action and rolled out of the way, getting to his feet as he did so.
The pair of fighters then started exchanging blows. Drag'lan was taking the full force of the blows, but Leir'gorl was taking smaller amounts. They kept this up until someone in the crowd yelled "Stop TOYING with him! End this!"
Leir'gorl looked at Drag'lan and smiled. It wasn't a good smile, more like a yautjan version of a demonic smile. He said "Finally. It's game time."
Drag'lan noticed that Leir'gorl's attacks started coming faster and stronger. He was barely dodging them. His eyes didn't show it, but he was unnerved as he realized what had just happened.
Oh fuck... Drag'lan thought. This guy was holding back this entire time.
Drag'lan then started to attempt to use what his father had taught him: When dealing with quick enemies, aim for the legs. So, Drag'lan starting aiming low. Leir'gorl noticed this and responded in a way that caught Drag'lan off-guard: He kicked Drag'lan. Drag'lan was sent flying straight into a wall.
Drag'lan slammed into the wall and fell forward onto the ground. It looked like he was out, until he started getting up. Drag'lan tasted blood in his mouth, and spit. A large glob of blue came out when he spit. He looked at it for a bit before he looked up at Leir'gorl. He was charging at Drag'lan again. However, this time Drag'lan was charging as well.
The two fighters met in the middle of the center ring and started throwing punches. Drag'lan was receiving more blows than his target received, but his endurance was slowly increasing. It didn't matter what Leir'gorl did to him. Drag'lan just kept going. This was a clear sign of Drag'lan's breaking point was drawing steadily closer.
All of a sudden, Leir'gorl caught Drag'lan's arm in the middle of a hay-maker blow. He then proceeded to twist Drag'lan's arm in an unnatural direction.
He arm bent for a bit. Eventually, Drag'lan's elbow dislocated with an almighty CRACK. His endurance blocked most of the pain, but enough got through to cause him to roar with pain. It sounded uncannily like a Yautjan roar.
The arena, which had been cheering for Leir'gorl, went silent as Drag'lan roared.
Leir'gorl's hand closed around Drag'lan's throat and lifted him up to eye level. He leaned forward, growled and said "You think you have what it takes to join this clan? You wouldn't last 10 seconds against the Kainde Amedha. How could you stand up against them if you can't handle me?"
Drag'lan's eyes widened at hearing this. This was what caused his anger to flare, releasing something he never wanted released. This was something deep within him, something that few ever want to experience, and even fewer survive. However, it came up regardless.
"DON'T...UNDERESTIMATE...ME!" He growled back. His growl was much deeper than his normal voice. This stunned Leir'gorl, giving Drag'lan enough time to take action.
Drag'lan's left arm shot up and he punched Leir'gorl with such strength that he released Drag'lan and was sent reeling back. He landed perfectly on his feet, his right forearm dangling limply, useless. The same thing that was awakened caused his vision to start to fade to black.
Oh shit... Drag'lan thought. This was what I was afraid of. I just hope that if Leir'gorl goes down, I don't kill him.
His vision went completely black as he grabbed his right arm and relocated it.
To most of the crowd, Drag'lan had just recovered from a loss and turned the tables. However, Fral thought differently. She had heard the roar Drag'lan had released. The sound, just the way it was, somewhat unsettled her. However, Drag'lan kept fighting, so she breathed uneasily. It looked like he was fine for the time being.
Leir'gorl reeled back after Drag'lan hit him in the head. He recovered and charged at Drag'lan again.
Drag'lan saw Leir'gorl charging at him and dove forward, greatly closing the distance between them. He then tackled Leir'gorl into the wall. Drag'lan then started to deliver multiple blows to Leir'gorl's torso. Leir'gorl felt pain, but powered through it and shoved Drag'lan, who was sent skidding back about 20 feet. Drag'lan then started charging at Leir'gorl, who dove out of the way. Drag'lan slammed into the stone wall.
He made a large dent and multiple cracks in the stone. He stepped back, unaffected by the impact. His body had multiple small lacerations from Leir'gorl's talons, but also some from powering straight into the wall. None of them bled, which unsettled Leir'gorl.
WHAT IS THIS GUY? Leir'gorl thought.
Drag'lan looked at Leir'gorl and locked onto him. He then growled much like a Yautja when angered and lunged at Leir'gorl, flooring him. Drag'lan then proceeded to hit Leir'gorl in the head before being kicked off. Leir'gorl got up and tackled Drag'lan. This time, Drag'lan got floored, and Leir'gorl started pummeling him with blows to the head and chest. Drag'lan's strength had hit an all-time high, because with little effort, he lifted Leir'gorl clean over him and hurled him about 20 feet away. Drag'lan then sprang up. He grabbed Leir'gorl by the leg and flung him, one-handed, into the center ring.
There was an audible thump as Leir'gorl hit the ground in the center ring. Drag'lan ducked and charged into the center ring, roaring with rage, as Leir'gorl got up. Leir'gorl had just gotten up and turned around when Drag'lan hit him.
Drag'lan's fist impacted with Leir'gorl's abdomen with enough force to cause Leir'gorl to spit up blood, which sprayed into Drag'lan's face. As it rolled down his face, Drag'lan hit him again, this time a hay-maker to the side. Leir'gorl crumpled to the ground.
Drag'lan leaped on top of Leir'gorl and started pummeling him with blows to the neck, head, and chest.
~
Fral saw this and gasped loudly. This was the sign in Drag'lan's warning! She turned to her older brother. "Greth'ler!" She said. "We need to pull Drag'lan off of Leir'gorl!"
Her brother looked at her and shook his head solemnly. "We can't." He said. "You know that once a match starts, there must be no interference."
Fral grabbed his arm and said "If we don't, Leir'gorl is DEAD! Drag'lan warned me about this happening. We MUST pull him off of Leir'gorl!"
Greth'ler shook his head. "I know I'm going to regret this," He said. "But let's go."
The pair of them stood up and ran down the stairwell to the railing and leaped into the arena.
~
Drag'lan was still pummeling Leir'gorl. His fists were caked with blood. Fral got him in a headlock and Greth'ler grabbed him around the chest. Together, they pulled him off of Leir'gorl and started pulling him away.
Drag'lan struggled briefly before bringing his elbow back into the stomach of the person holding him from behind. That person let go, and Drag'lan brought his fist down into the head of the person holding his chest. They went down, and Drag'lan leaped back onto the cause of his rage and resumed punching them.
Fral stumbled back after Drag'lan had elbowed her in the gut. She had just recovered and was starting to run back when she saw Greth'ler go down. He hit the ground after getting punched in the head by Drag'lan. She also saw him jump back onto Leir'gorl and froze.
There's just no stopping him! She thought. It's little wonder why he can handle so much damage. He's a JUGGERNAUT!
The next thing she knew, Drag'lan was tackled by someone else, driving him into the wall of the arena. It was her dad. He had overheard Fral talk about what she and Greth'ler were going to do and followed them.
Drag'lan felt himself get driven into a wall, but expected some resistance this time. He brought his elbow down onto his attacker's head, HARD. Next thing he knew, he was hit with such a force that he was knocked clean out.
Fral had watched as Drag'lan had brought his elbow down onto her dad's head, nearly bringing him down as Drag'lan had done to Greth'ler. An enforcer came out of nowhere and had then hit Drag'lan square in the side of the head, knocking him out cold.
Fral's dad released Drag'lan and lowered him to the ground gently as medical teams came out to check on Leir'gorl and Greth'ler. The arena was silent as this all happened. Even the high elder was silent.
One of the medical personnel looked up at the high elder and shook its head gravely. The elder nodded and said "Drag'lan is the victor."
The arena was silent until Fral's family started cheering Drag'lan's name, and it slowly spread as people saw his abilities and respected his battle. The high elder called for silence, which was immediately given.
The elder then said "It is also with much regret that Leir'gorl has died from the injuries he has received."
The crowd was silent until someone yelled "Kill Drag'lan! Leir'gorl MUST be avenged!"
Fral steeled her nerves at this and yelled "It was not Drag'lan's fault! He enters this state as a response to life-threatening situations, extended combat or intense pain, be it physical or psychological. I have seen this happen, and he does get this savage."
The person calling for Drag'lan to be killed started to speak, but the elder said "Leir'gorl also knew the possible outcome when fighting a berserker. As such, Drag'lan will not be killed nor have retribution brought upon him."
Fral exhaled with relief; Drag'lan was going to be part of the clan. She knew he would want to start meditating when he came to, and the best place to do so right now would be her house, as it was the most peaceful place she knew. She picked up Drag'lan much like she would a child and carried him back home. She immediately took him to the bathroom to clean the wounds he had acquired, but most had healed at this point. She figured his body would knit itself back together in time, so took him to her room and layed him down on the bed. She left the room to find something to do while she waited for him to regain consciousness.