Author Note: I do not own Predators. EDIT: The title of the sequel has been changed to Alliance of the Gods. Thanks to Khalthar for helping me with the story title, and for your help in general. As always, thanks to everyone who reads and reviews Predator: Apocalypse. You guys, my readers, are what keeps me going and inspire me to write. So, thanks! :D Enjoy!

Chapter 34

-Luar-lce-

Luar-lce spent his time checking on Paya-sain'ja (who was still asleep with an arm around her Wr'kha pet) and adjusting the synthetic eye for her. He was glad to see the young ooman again; while he'd had confidence she'd survive, he had also worried about her. Unfortunately, he still had someone to mourn: his favorite student.

He stopped tinkering with the mechanical eye as he realized something-Bakuub and Yeyinde hadn't mentioned giving the bad news to Al'nagara's mate and daughter. Da'dtou-di and Rjet were surely wondering about him, but had either of Al'nagara's comrades told them?

I suppose I should go make sure they know, thought Luar-lce with a sinking heart. He was close to Da'dtou-di and Rjet, and was sorry to have to tell them Al'nagara was dead. Especially young Rjet, who was only a bit younger than Ikthala.

Luar-lce put the eye down and glanced at Paya-sain'ja then left the medical bay, instructing another medic to tell Paya-sain'ja where he'd gone if she woke before he got back. Luar-lce headed to Al'nagara's family's living quarters, trying to decide how he was going to tell them. Unbidden, the memory of his own mate's death flooded his mind...

*Flashback*

A younger Luar-lce paced in the docking bay, waiting for his mate's hunting party to return. His beloved mate, R'ka-thwei, had sent a message saying she'd be home soon. Luar-lce spent much of his time waiting for her to arrive. R'ka-thwei was one of the few female hunters, and the most respected. She had her own ship and hunting party, and had collected many trophy skulls. Luar-lce was proud to be R'ka-thwei's mate, and loved her dearly. Such devotion was uncommon among the yautja, but she returned his feelings, which only made him love her more.

The sound of a ship entering the docking bay snapped Luar-lce out of his pacing and wondering. Finally, R'ka-thwei was home! He entered the bay as soon as the air lock activated, eagerly waiting for the ramp to lower. As soon as it had, his chest tightened with worry. Shouldn't R'ka-thwei be at the front of the party as leader? Where was she? And where was her second-in-command, Lar'ja?

"Where is R'ka-thwei?" Luar-lce asked the group's medic, Dto.

Dto hesitated. "I'm sorry, Luar-lce," he said. "She's dead."

Luar-lce felt like the breath had been knocked out of his lungs. "What?"

"Lar'ja tried to kill her and take over as leader," explained Dto. "She killed him but was mortally wounded." He dropped his gaze. "I did my best, but I couldn't save her. I'm sorry."

Luar-lce swallowed the roar of rage and sadness that threatened to tear from his throat, subsiding into choked silence. He turned away from Dto and the other hunters to the room he shared with R'ka-thwei, wanting to be alone. As a medic, he understood that not everyone could be saved, and tried not to blame Dto for R'ka-thwei's death. Instead of blaming Dto, his hatred was centered on Lar'ja, who should have had no will to kill his leader. That badblood didn't deserve to be leader, and Luar-lce found savage delight in knowing that his mate had killed him.

It took a long time before Luar-lce returned to his duties as a medic, and did so only after much pleading from the Elders, Bhu'ja especially, who knew his skills were needed. He lost himself in work, determined to exhaust himself and focus single-mindedly on healing, so he wouldn't dwell on the fact that his mate was gone...

*End flashback*

Luar-lce shuddered and shook the memories from his head. Now was not the time to think about R'ka-thwei. He had Al'nagara's family to worry about. Soon enough, he made it to their quarters and took a deep breath before knocking.

Da'dtou-di answered, R'jet asleep in her arms. "Hello, Luar-lce," she said warmly. "What can I do for you?"

Da'dtou-di was short for a female (which was why she was named "little knife"), only an inch or so taller than Luar-lce, but she was very beautiful. She had creamy skin banded with delicate forest green stripes and peppered with lighter green spots. Luar-lce was good friends with the small, gentle female. Which only made him feel even worse about having to tell her about Al'nagara. Her warmth could only mean she didn't know yet.

"I'm afraid I have bad news," he said. He swallowed nervously.

She tilted her head to one side. "Bad news? About what?"

He could see in her eyes she knew it was about Al'magara, but was hoping otherwise. He took another deep, calming breath to steady himself before telling her.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but...Al'nagara is dead," he told her.

She staggered backward, waking Rjet, who let out a surprised cry. Luar-lce reached out and steadied her, helping her sit on the bed. A look of shock and disbelief spread across her face.

"How...how did he die?" she asked in a surprisingly calm tone, clutching her daughter close. "Please tell me."

"He was infected with a kainde amedha embryo," he said. "From what Bakuub said, he tried to kill himself when he was infected."

"Infected?" repeated Da'tou-di. "He was a kainde amedha host?"

"Yes," said Luar-lce. "But he was avenged. The hybrid kainde amedha was killed."

"By who? Bakuub?"

"No. By Paya-sain'ja," he said.

She looked at him in surprise. She, of course, knew all about the young ooman-Luar-lce had told her all about Paya-sain'ja. Da'dtou-di had expressed interest in meeting her when she returned. Da'dtou-di took a deep breath, then said, "Can I meet her? I want to thank her for killing the kainde amedha."

She's taking this surprisingly well, Luar-lce thought, remembering his breakdown when he'd heard of his own mate's death. "I'm sure that would be alright," he said. "She was friends with Al'nagara, though she didn't know him for very long. Hopefully she isn't still sleeping."

Da'dtou-di nodded absently and followed Luar-lce out of the room, hushing her daughter when she asked where they were going and what Luar-lce had said about her father. "You'll see," was all her mother said. Luar-lce pitied the child, who wasn't even old enough to understand death yet. He hoped Da'dtou-di would let her know gently.

Soon enough, they'd made it back to the medical bay, where, to Luar-lce's surprise, Paya-sain'ja was awake and gingerly stretching her leg, under the watchful eye of the other medic, Ki'lyk. She was wincing in pain but looked determined to move her hip.

She looked up and smiled when she saw Luar-lce. "Hi," she said. Noticing Da'dtou-di, she greeted her, too.

"This is Da'dtou-di and Rjet," said Luar-lce. "Al'nagara's mate and daughter."

At this, Paya-sain'ja's smile faded. "Oh," she said. She approached Da'dtou-di and thumped her fist to her chest in a sign of respect. "I'm sorry about Al'nagara," she said sincerely. "He was a good person."

"He was," agreed Da'dtou-di, looking pleasantly surprised by Paya-sain'ja's apology. "I came here to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" she said.

"For killing the kainde amedha that killed him," she said.

"Mother!" complained Rjet. "What are you saying about Father? Will he be back soon?"

Paya-sain'ja gave a sad look to Rjet. She looked like she would cry.

"No, little one," said Da'dtou-di. "He's not coming back."

"Why not?" said Rjet.

"Because, he's gone," said her mother. "He's with Cetanu now."

Rjet's eyes widened. "With Cetanu? He's with Cetanu?"

"Yes," said Paya-sain'ja. She waited for Rjet's cries of fascination with her to fade before saying, "Cetanu's taking good care of your father, sweety. He's happy, and you'll see him again someday."

"Really?" exclaimed Rjet.

"Really," said Paya-sain'ja.

"Thank you," said Da'dtou-di. "You're good with pups. Is it true you speak to the gods?"

"It's true, and Cetanu himself told me Al'nagara is in his realm now," said Paya-sain'ja. "At his funeral, I said his death rites so he can rest in peace."

"You've done so much for him, and for us," said Da'dtou-di. "If you ever need help or a place to stay, don't hesitate to ask. You're always welcome with us." She accepted her thanks, then turned to Luar-lce. "Thank you for letting me meet her. She's as wonderful as you said. I'll be going now."

Luar-lce said goodbye, then, when she'd left, said, "I think you've helped her with her grief."

"I hope so," said Paya-sain'ja. "It's the least I could do for Al'nagara, after what he did for me."

She'd be a great High Priestess. I'm sure everyone in the Clan would grow to adore her, he thought. And she's good with others, which would certainly help with her standing in the Clan.

Luar-lce found Paya-sain'ja had also helped with his own grief. He smiled and went back to work on the eye, thinking about how glad he was Paya-sain'ja had joined the Clan.

...

Please review! What did you think? Lots of emotion, I know, but all the mary sue-ness is to balance out the hate of later chapters...