Chapter 33: Too Late

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies

This can't be . . .

In the very center, on the massive elegant chair, the body of Lord Datho slumped. At first, some would assume he fell asleep if not for the river of blood that ran between his legs. There was so much that it dripped down the stairs. My eyes wandered back, noticing the large knife embedded into his chest and another through his head. There were no signs of struggle on his body, not even a small scratch or bruise I could see. My heart sank at the sight.

I looked to the others and the way they died was completely different. Valh'rough's body laid on the ground but the trail of blood determined that he might have fallen over the ledge or rather . . . someone kicked his body off. Several cuts decorated his arms to the fingertips. Some were deep gashes while others were jagged and rough. His wrist blades were out but one was broken in half. He seemed to have put up a good fight. But ultimately, his throat was slitted and stab wounds were all over his back. Tankoth's death was swift and brutal. I didn't recognize him since his head was blown into pieces by a shoulder cannon but I recognized the brown stripes on his arms. The worst was that his arms and legs were pulled apart instead of being cut off so threads of tendons and ligaments were the only things keeping them together. It was sickening to watch anymore.

How can this be?! The Council is dead . . . but Qut'suak couldn't have done this on his own.

The Council's bodies were evident enough that it was a surprise ambush with a least a dozen Yautjas or Bad Bloods in this case. Qut'suak is a powerful opponent but it would be a miracle for him to even take down two Council members along with the Successors and An'tar nearby.

Wait a minute . . .

I glanced once more and saw something that stuck out. Yi'stbah was nowhere to be seen along with An'tar and the other Successors. The rest of the Council is dead but . . . where is An'tar? And the others? I turned to Qut'suak who remained still with his pauking (fucking) ugly mug of a face leering at me. My fingers trembled in hared, teasing me to charge and kill him. But I needed answers. I took one step but I stomped hard to let him know I wasn't to be messed with.

"What have you done, you monster? Where are the others?"

He doesn't answer. My chest ached with the need to kill him. But I pulled myself back, remembering to not let my emotions get the better of me . . . especially if I have to fight him. My voice, however, gave it away.

"Answer me! Where are they!?"

Again, no answer but he turns to face forward. His wrist blades swerved, causing drops of blood to fly in the air. My mouth was sealed so tight in anger that my harsh breaths struggled to flow in and out of my nostrils. The last straw was when Qut'suak began to grin like he's proud of what'd done.

"Why you . . ."

I was about to reach for my twin swords from my back when Hakr'ouh grabs my hand on the hilt with him behind me. I turned so I could spat in his face but he calmly drops my hand slowly.

"Calm yourself, Ta'kasa. I'll deal with this."

I didn't like his offer. I wanted to destroy Qut'suak myself but Hakr'ouh is a professional. He's got far more skills than I do despite our differences in rank. I relaxed and he lets go of my hand. I glared at Qut'suak once more, wanting to see his expression of fear in his eyes. But to my shock and surprise, his grin widens even more. His mandibles extended slightly and his tongue glides out of his mouth to lick his lips. What is he . . .?

But what happened next took me completely off guard. Before I knew it, I was flying forward. A force of a kick in the middle of my back throws me across the room. My fighting reflexes quick come into gear and I plant my heels into the ground. I twist my body in the air, landing on one knee and skidding to a stop just in time before I almost hit the wall. Once I got back to my feet, I looked up in confusion and anger. I knew it wasn't Qut'suak who done it so the only one was Hakr'ouh.

"What the pauk (fuck) Hakr'ouh!? Are you out of your pauking (fucking) mind!?"

Neither he or Qut'suak said a word, just standing there as if nothing happened. Despite my ignited anger towards Hakr'ouh, I turned my focus on Qut'suak. I pulled my wrist blades out, fearing that if I tried to grab for my swords, I would get caught off guard. I took one step in Qut'suak's direction, ready to strike when Hakr'ouh steps in between. Frustration sets in my chest.

"Hak'rouh. Get out of my way. Why are you protecting him?"

He chuffed. "Protecting him? I'm merely tying up loose ends."

Loose ends? The anger dimmed as confusion takes over. I watched as Qut'suak finally makes a move. He walks over to Hakr'ouh, sheathing his wrist blades before stopping. In a moment of shock, he bows his head towards him as if greeting another warrior with respect.

"Everything has gone to plan."

I looked to see Hakr'ouh's reaction and I gasped lightly in shock. "You did well, Qut'suak."

"Of course, my Lord."

Now . . . I couldn't believe what was happening before me. When I heard Qut'suak speaking to Hakr'ouh as if he was part of his clan but . . . something more. I shook my head in disbelief. "What are you . . .?"

He stops me. "My apologies for all of this. But when you blabbed your mouth out to Daugo, you gave me no choice. Well . . . this was bound to happen eventually."

He lifts the foot that he kicked me with, patting the dust off. I was still trying to figure out what's going on inside his pauking (fucking) head. The anger started to come back but twice more powerful than before, realizing that I was being played.

"You traitor! You're working with them?!"

I couldn't believe this. Realizing that Hakr'ouh is working for the Bad Bloods . . . my body started to shake from all the hate I tried to contain. My wrist twisted slowly so my blades were pointing towards him. Qut'suak snorted.

"Show some respect for our Leader, you dirty hybrid."

The word 'Leader' forced my body to freeze. Leader? Does he mean that . . .? My heart stopped for a split minute. Seeing that I figured it out, the glee in his eyes sparkled.

"Now you understand. I must say . . . you figured it out faster than any of these fools. And calm down Qut'suak."

Swiftly, Hakr'ouh turns towards him, growling low in warning. He lowers his eyes and bows, not saying another word. Hakr'ouh clears his throat and turns back to me. He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him before a word could spill out.

"You're their Leader!? Are you pauking (fucking) serious?!"

The times when he consulted with me and I fed him information like an ignorant pup . . . keeping secrets from everyone else I trusted when I should have done it with him. I felt betrayed. I trusted this Yautja like a fellow warrior and Daugo did the same. I didn't know what to believe but deep down, it was as clear as day. The last straw when he lifted his dreadlocks, revealing a brand of a red X like Qut'suak's. All my anger was released. "You're dead!"

Without thinking, I rushed at him with all the power I had. Both wrist blades were out and I screamed a war cry. I jumped into the air and readied my blades to pierce his skull. Hakr'ouh didn't even budge or react. If I was in a calm state, I would have noticed it. But just as I was about to make a hit, Qut'suak blocks me with his own. Sparks flashed for a brief second as I pulled away. Fine! I'll deal with you first.

I swung in an uppercut motion and Qut'suak blocks it yet again. But I was waiting for that moment. My other blades swing around in a roundabout motion. It slices into his stomach, leaving a deep two-jagged gash behind. It's not enough to kill him but will leave a nasty scar. Qut'suak growls and grabs for my wrist. Seeing it coming, I swung my leg around, hitting hard behind his knees. I learned it was a very weak spot if you get it right. When it hits the back of the joint, the opponent has no choice but to fall and Qut'suak was no exception. He grunts in pain, falling to his knees and I have my chance. I leaned over him from behind and thrust my blades down him. Right as I thought I got him, a blast comes flying across and gets me on the shoulder. My armor shielded me from most of the damage but the pain caused me to yelp. Qut'suak took the opportunity and threw me off of him. I slam hard on my stomach and I thought I was going to throw up from the force.

It took me a moment to get on my feet but I struggled, holding my stomach with one hand. Still, I wasn't going to give up. I was ready for round two. But when I looked, that thought disappeared when I saw three more Yautjas behind Hakr'ouh and Qut'suak. The red X symbols on their black armor were proof enough that they were Killer Yautjas. One had their shoulder cannon steaming from the exhaust so he was the one who shot the blast. He had some followers with him. Coward. I growled.

"Now, now, Ta'kasa. It's only one of you."

"Doesn't matter. I can take all of you."

"Are you sure?"

Hakr'ouh snaps his fingers and more Yautjas emerged. From the shadows, they appeared in mass. I heard footsteps behind and saw more of them coming between the Council's chairs. They were everywhere. My heart sank in dread. How many are there? And how could they get in so easily? I remembered a thought and leered at Hakr'ouh.

"Coward of you. Bringing help since you can't fight me yourself. Not to mention you have Yi'stbah on your side."

As soon as I mentioned Yi'stbah's name, Hakr'ouh started to chuckle. It was small but grew into laughter as if he couldn't believe that I said it. I got more frustrated and annoyed.

"What's so funny?"

He quiets down as Qut'suak gets back on his feet. The cut I made on his stomach was bleeding badly so one of their followers came to patch him up with a syringe filled with a clear liquid. The male pressed the needle in and Qut'suak grunts. Soon, no more blood seeps out of him but he'll still be left with a nasty scar. I turned back when Hakr'ouh clicks his mandibles.

"Yi'stbah? He may have proven useful to gaining access here but he outlived his usefulness."

I tilted my head to the side in confusion, keeping my glare on him. Hakr'ouh turns to nod at one male Yautja with very short dreadlocks. The male walks forward but stops only a single step in front of Hakr'ouh. He throws a large object to me and it rolls to a stop. I didn't know what it was but I saw the trail of green neon blood it left behind. When I took a closer inspection, my eyes widened in shock as I was looking down upon the severed head of Yi'stbah.

What?

His cold, dead eyes looked at me. His mandibles were broken from when he was thrown and they snapped off like dried tree branches. He had been dead for a while. I saw his neck was cut across with a serrated knife so pieces of his flesh were changing into almost black color, signs of congelation that have started.

Then anger went away, replaced with fear and shock this time. Hakr'ouh merely glanced at Yi'stbah's head and sneered.

"It's sad to witness. A member of the Council . . . unknowingly conversing with Bad Bloods so that he could get rid of you, blinded by his hatred for you and giving Qut'suak access to the secret places to plot against you. Yautja society has fallen greatly."

He sighs, shaking his head in disbelief. "But we'll make sure that we make it a better place. For all."

He sounded crazy. I growled deep inside my throat. "You can't. You killed all the members of the Council. You'll be hunted down like scum."

It was true. Now that the Council was dead, all the Yautjas would rise to avenge their leaders and punish the Bad Bloods responsible for this. They were in the heart of Yautja Prime so getting out of here unscathed is impossible for them. It would only be a matter of time before they are killed. Hakr'ouh, on the other hand, thought differently.

"True but I doubt they'll attack us when we have something better. Bring them out."

I heard scuffling behind him and I leaned over to see a group of Yautjas dragging others in chains. The group stops while Hakr'ouh and Qut'suak move to the side. When they did, I gasped as I saw the familiar blue striped Yautja kneeling in defeat.

"An'tar."

He was in such a sorry state . . . like he lost a deadly fight. Cuts lined his beautiful blue color, saturating it in green neon blood. Bruises were covering every single part of him, seemingly from being tortured. When I called his name again, he groans in pain as he lifts his face. It was worse than his body. His lower mandible was bent beyond its function, turned as if someone twisted it like wire. The tusk of his upper mandible was chipped off and almost reached his skin. One eye was shut from a bruise while the other I could see the despair in him. It lights up a little when he sees me.

"Anya?"

"An'tar!"

I tried to reach him but the males growled in unison, pulling the chains back. An'tar chokes and lets his head fall to the ground. That's when I could see a metal collar around his neck. More chains were clamped on his wrists, keeping his arms apart. They chained him up like an animal. I glanced behind and saw the rest of the Successors in the same state. This is sick. Why would they do this? I doubt they'll tell me.

"Be careful of your choice, Ta'kasa. You don't want to inflict pain on them."

Hakr'ouh's sarcastic voice was making me sick to the stomach, which was already in enough stress from the earlier attack. I slowly straightened to my fullest height, still a tad shorter than Hakr'ouh. I wanted to ask a question but I knew it was very stupid to ask such. But my curiosity got the best of me.

"Why are you doing this? All for what? To conquer Yautja Prime for your gain?"

Somehow, it ticked off Hakr'ouh a little and even more so Qut'suak. Both growled in anger and I enjoyed seeing them like that. But Hakr'ouh calms down, taking a deep breath before pulling out a spear. Before I could stop him, he plunges it through An'tar's shoulder. He roars in excruciating pain as Hakr'ouh pulls it out before plunging it in the same spot.

"No! Stop it!"

I begged him, not caring if I looked inferior despite my position as Leader of the Elites. Hakr'ouh glances to me with such a calm expression before pulling his spear out once more. The gap in An'tar's shoulders became massive, looking like a plasma blast had done it. Lots of blood spilled out of him and I feared he might die due to the loss. But strangely, one male Bad Blood did the same with An'tar as the other did for Qut'suak. He applied the medicine and the blood stops like before. Why?

Hakr'ouh turns back to me.

"As much as I love to kill your former lover, I need him alive. As for your words, never think that I do this for my gain. As I said before to you, I'm doing what's best for the Yautja species . . . ever since I arrived here. I have never been a traitor to begin with. Only a spy inside so no one would suspect my involvement."

He was making less sense than ever. From the tone of his voice and choice of words, it's like he thinks that all of this torture and killing . . . was a good thing. I squinted my eyes. "What nonsense are you saying?"

Hakr'ouh sighs calmly. "I'm sure you know the legends of the Killer Yautja from ancient times."

How could I not know? Ever since I found out about them, I had read every single text depicting what happened to them and the events leading to their disappearances. They were once a great clan who turned to kill mercilessly rather than uphold the Code of Honor and hunt with dignity. This led to an all-out war with them on one side and the more honorable Yautja on the other. Eventually, after seasons passed, they were defeated. Rumors told that they simply died out or scattered to the far reaches of the universe, never to be seen again. After not hearing about them for so long, they became a legend to all Yautja society. It's what made our mission so difficult to prove their existence once more.

I nodded. "Yeah . . . I heard of your pauking (fucking) clan's history."

I saw a vein pop from the corner of Hakr'ouh's head. He must have taken pride in that evil clan or else he wouldn't react like this. He turns his body away from me.

"You don't understand what it's like to run your whole life . . . deemed by others as an abomination. My ancestors and clan were vilified because they believed in something far greater than themselves."

I spat out. "And what is that?

His head turns to me. His golden eyes zoomed in between my eyes. "That we need to grow stronger. The Code of Honor that these so-called Council . . ."

He glances down on An'tar for a minute.

"Its only purpose is to restrain our kind from evolving, from furthering our strength so we stay on top. But when my ancestors thought differently, everyone decided our kind were nothing more than savages."

He swallows. "Look at the oomans for example. They only live for a few millennial when our kind have lived much longer. But after a while, they have evolved enough that they can kill one of our own in single combat. They even created weapons that could destroy us. They have grown while we remained stagnant and soon they will become the head of the food chain."

He grins, facing back to me and even taking a single step forward. "But that's all about to change. With the Council gone, we can mold Yautja society to serve that purpose."

He starts walking towards me, closing the gap between. I went on the defense, itching my hands close to my twin swords. He sees this and stops. My head dips up in confusion. Then a thought crossed my mind . . . something that didn't make sense. I decided to ask even though I had a feeling he wouldn't answer.

"Why are you telling me this?"

His inner mouth lifts at the corner, showing off a smirk that I wished I could obliterate it into shreds. His eyes relax as if he finally got the chance to put something off his chest.

"The reason is that I want you to join us."

"Excuse me?"

I heard every word but hard to comprehend their meaning. Join him? Is he serious? After all that he's done?

Hakr'ouh nods. "You are valuable as a warrior. Despite all of Yautja society seeing only an abomination, you pushed past all of their expectations. Even becoming the Leader of the Elites . . . an honor that very few Yautjas can truly claim. And you're like me . . ."

My eyes widened. "We are not similar!"

"Oh . . . but you are. Have you forgotten what many Yautjas have called you? What the oomans have done to you back on that ridiculous planet? The torture they brought?"

Quickly, I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the ground. My mind betrayed and I tried to fight from remembering it all. But they came to me like a flood. The flashes of burning pain . . . fists punching me everywhere they could land . . . my mother's pleas for me to escape . . . and the deaths of my friends by Stargazer's hands.

Mother . . . Coyle . . . Baxley . . .

I will never forget what they went through. My chest stung as memories kept flooding in. But in an instant . . . they stopped. I heard a small voice calling me . . . like a child's. It only took a moment to realize who it belonged.

I love you and you will always be my sister . . . You're not the monster they say you are. You are you . . . Always . . .

My eyes opened up to the ground. Rory . . . It's been a long time since I heard his tiny voice but it was strong with resolve. Then the smiles of Brackett, McKenna, and Rory came into my mind. It was like watching a movie in slow motions, seeing them wave towards me in greeting. The image changes until it was Sa'iye, Za'hir, Olgoth, Tu'ark, Daugo, An'tar, Datho and Xen'ork doing the same thing. They were gone as well until I saw only Lar'ja standing alone. He gave that beautiful smile I always loved. He reaches out his hand, offering it to me.

I love you, Anya . . .

I blinked my eyes and I was back, looking at the floor of the Council's room. My hands tightened into fists, feeling the heat and strength fill them. No . . . we're no similar at all.

"Come with us."

I heard Hakr'ouh call once more. Slowly, I lifted my head until I was facing him once more. Somehow, he managed to come closer until he's only an arm's length away. Still having a smirk on his inner mouth, he places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Be free."

I smiled a little, making Hakr'ouh lose his guard for a moment. My hand reaches for his on my shoulder, gently pulling it away until they were in the middle. His smirk grew as if he already won.

Think again.

With a swift twist of my wrist, I unsheathed my wrist blade. The blades cut into his fingers, severing a few off and blood squirted out like confetti, decorating his face and mine with sprinkles. He roars in agony before I kicked him hard in the chest. He maintained his stance so he didn't fall back but I used the force to get a good distance between us. Like a hive protecting their Queen, the other Bad Bloods rushed at me like a stampede. Even Qut'suak came at me with mandibles splayed out in anger and knife in hand. I was ready for them.

The first male rushed towards me with wrist blades out. He tries to swing his arm over so he could cut down on me, trying to use brute strength. I dodged immediately, slicing into his neck like butter. From all the season I trained, targeting the vital spots is most important especially if one's opponent is more physically built. He goes down quickly but two more Bad Bloods follow. Both had spears aiming for my feet in the hopes of breaking my stance. As soon as the tips began to dig into the metal floor and sparks flew, I jumped into the air between them. Retracting my wrist blades, I pulled out my twin swords and with a flick, the heads of the Bad Bloods fly into the air. They drop like boulders, rolling on the ground and leaving a trail of blood behind with their heads doing the same. I glared at three more but this time, they were holding back. They shift back and forth, debating on who will charge first. They already have seen me killed several of their comrades so they're being wise for once in their miserable life. I gripped the handles of my swords. Come to me, if you dare.

"Enough!"

Hakr'ouh's voice rings in the air and the room goes silent. The rest of his followers move to the side, allowing him to walk toward the front. He held his hand with the severed fingers, still bleeding a little. I bent my knees and readied my swords for another attack.

"Really, Ta'kasa? Do you want to be like this?"

I snorted. Still trying to win me over?

"I have nothing to say to you. You have some twisted mind into thinking you're doing good for all Yautjas. No matter what you say or offer, I will refuse."

He shakes his head a little, lowering his gaze for a split second until he looks back. "Then poor Lar'ja will have to pay for the price of your denial."

My heart flinched in pain for a split second. "What about Lar'ja? What have you done with him?"

He clicks his mandibles together, putting one finger up and swaying it back and forth in a tease. "Be careful what you say. Lar'ja is on our hands at the moment and if you try to pull off any moves, he'll die."

My body froze the moment he spoke my lifemate's name. My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat. My fingers quivered against the handles, making the swords tremble slightly. He's got Lar'ja? Fear came first but anger took over later. My muscles tightened hard enough that my fingers ached.

"I don't believe you."

Hakr'ouh chuckled. "You should. It was a good plan to send that message that the sentinel planets were taken over. It split your little group, making it easier to capture."

Another sting of pain went through my chest. I knew that the Bad Bloods were behind attacking the planets and sent the message but to find out that Hakr'ouh did it so we split up . . . I knew something was wrong the moment we made that decision. Now . . . Lar'ja and the others were at his mercy and he could use them against me. The memories of Sa'iye, Za'hir, Olgoth, T'uark, and Xen'ork came first, showing when we each hunted formidable foes and celebrated like true warriors. It followed with ones of Lar'ja and I together, wrapped in each other's arms like no one could hurt us. Instead of bringing joy, it only made my fury worse. I couldn't hold it in anymore and I exploded.

"You pauking (fucking) bastard!"

Again, I charged with my twin swords in hand but my body changed immediately into a Yautja without any warning. I was prepared to do anything to slice him into a million pieces and scatter them like scraps of meat. This time, the other Bad Bloods didn't even bother to come and protect them. Even Qut'suak stood still like they were waiting for something. I jumped into the air, aiming both swords at him with one towards his neck and the other into his chest. I wanted to kill him slowly first. I wanted him to suffer. He has only one good hand to use. He can't defend himself. He's mine! I spread my mandibles and let out a fierce roar.

But it was a big mistake.

Without warning, Hakr'ouh lifted his foot and front kicks my chest. The impact was so strong that I felt several of my ribs breaking like twigs. I gasped and the momentum was pushing me back but Hakr'ouh had other ideas. He grabs my throat tightly in his grip, holding me into the air like a rag doll. Involuntarily, I dropped my swords and they clang on the floor while my hands and claws dug into his own, trying to pry him off. I tried to roar or even use my mandibles to get in a scratch but he tightens my throat hard enough I began to cough. How is he this strong? The hold on my throat tightens, cutting off my airway. Soon, my coughs turn to labored grasps as my lungs struggled to get air inside. Eventually, my vision starts to blur in and out of focus. My body forced itself to change back to ooman form and that's when Hakr'ouh slightly relieved the tension around my neck. I managed to get small breaths but not enough to get back my strength.

Hakr'ouh chuckles. "That's a good hybrid."

He turns my neck forcibly to one side and I thought he was going to break it. But he turns my neck to the other side, inspecting my face but I could barely focus on him with my neck bones cracking each time.

"You poor thing. You're just like everyone else. Nothing but insects to be squashed . . . just like I had to do with Lar'ja and his family."

Despite the pain moving inside, I forced my head down until I could barely breathe, bending my neck against his skin that almost clogged my airway. What is he saying now?

He clicks his mandibles, closing his eyes and smiling as if reminiscing a good memory he had.

"Ni'geria . . . Ba'kou . . . Lord Dau'jein . . . Pu'uko. So many more names I want to add on the list."

My eyes widened in horror and realization. I spoke in gasps. "You . . . killed . . . Lar'ja's . . . mother and . . . brother?"

The look of evil in his yellow eyes sent chills down my spine, confirming that it was true. I could never forget the time Daugo told me the story of how he lost his son and mate. Despite not being alive then, it was like I had lost a family member myself. Daugo was like a father to me and seeing him in such despair was too much. Before, I was told it was almost a random Bad Blood attack that killed Ba'kou and his lifemate. Little did I imagine that Hakr'ouh was responsible for it . . . for all the pain he caused on himself and Lar'ja. I gritted my teeth to vent the fury inside. It was the only thing I could do.

"Why?"

I wanted an explanation. I demanded it and Hakr'ouh, in his twisted way, answered.

"Because they were in my way. The Dark Blade Clan is one of the strongest of the clans due to their advanced technology. They were a threat since their loyalty to the Council is unwavering. So I decided to wipe them out that day and make it look like an accident. Lar'ja and Daugo was supposed to die as well but it's hard to find competent warriors these days."

I didn't know what to say. I could only react with my emotions. My eyes began to burn with fury, thinking about all the pain and suffering Daugo and Lar'ja had endured. If it wasn't for him . . . if he never did this . . . those I love wouldn't be suffering. I tried to lunge at Hakr'ouh like a wild animal but he grips my throat tighter like a vice. I coughed sporadically, almost throwing up from the gag reflex. This time, Hakr'ouh began to laugh softly, sending chills down my spine.

"I thought I had to clean up their mess but Daugo was in a bad place, falling into anger and despair. With his past behavior, I hoped he would give up his claim to become a Clan Leader. But even with his father's 'accidental' death, he didn't relent. If it wasn't for that pauking (fucking) ooman that was your mother, I wouldn't be dealing with this."

During his speech, the tone in his voice changed from pleasant to frustration. It was the first time I saw him starting to unhinge. Not that I sympathize with him but to have many plans and they end up as failures, I would feel the same way. But it gave me some satisfaction to see Hakr'ouh like this. But the remark he made about my mother was another blow for me. I thrashed a bit but he didn't budge. My emotions were in scrambles and it was hard for me to know if I was angry, sad, or shocked.

After a minute, his calm demeanor returns and his eyes look back to me. "But I can't wait to relish in seeing all of your friends and lifemate perish under my hands."

Again, Hakr'ouh had a way to push me over the edge and this time was no exception. The anger was too much to hold like before. I didn't care if I could breathe or move my body away. In an act of instinct, I let one of my hands go and swung at him with all my might. It won't kill him but at least I thought it would knock him out long enough to release me. But in shock, I watched him grab my fist with his other hand that its fingers were cut earlier. But what I saw made me doubt if I was dreaming or if it's real.

I saw new growth starting to where his knuckles would be. I could see the formation of bones starting, moving faster until they reached to his fingertips. Soon, veins and arteries slithered up like snakes, covering it like a web before muscles took over. In a few minutes, all of Hakr'ouh's fingers were fully formed and showed as if they never were cut in the first place.

What the pauk (fuck)?!

He stretched his fingers against me, getting a feel of them and grunting in approval. He glances at me before a smirk grew.

"It worked. I guess you weren't a total waste after all."

I tightened my eyebrows in confusion. What is he talking about?

He chuckled. "Analyzing your blood and hybridizing myself was worth the wait. Now I have healing abilities like you . . . only better."

"But . . . how can you have access to—"

I stopped myself, realizing that I had given blood to the Sa'iye when I first visited her. I knew it wasn't her so I could only imagine that Hakr'ouh must have gotten it while it was being transferred to the Council. It's the only time he could have got it. It felt like being probed by Stargazer once more . . . only alive to be used as a pawn.

"Now you get it. Besides, you owe me quite a lot."

Despite my throat constricted, I hissed. "I don't owe you anything!"

This time, Hakr'ouh growls and his hand constricts once more. Enough that my scream from the pain came out in a silent screech. I started to gag and I felt that my stomach was ready to vomit despite not having eaten anything since this morning. His eyes burned into mine, sending goosebumps over my skin.

"You owe me your life. If it wasn't for my blood, you would never have existed."

That got my full attention but whether he was only speaking metaphorically . . . I didn't know. But I listened as he kept going.

"The only reason those oomans managed to create you was that I came to them, offering my hybridized blood to create a weapon and in exchange for immunity. I didn't think they would succeed given their limited intelligence."

He pauses. "But then you came."

He pulls me closer until our faces were inches from each other and whispers. "You . . . are part of me."

My whole body went into shock. I couldn't believe what he was saying or at least . . . I wanted to think that. But the facts were too overwhelming to ignore. Back then, Stargazer failed to create hybrids like myself but it was only me that lived. I remembered back when Traeger told me of the same thing.

You were never meant to exist. We tried everything to create a hybrid like you but nothing was working and we were running out of options. When we arrived, an unknown figure covered in a dark cloak came to us.

I closed my eyes tightly. It's a lie . . . It's all a lie.

We couldn't see his face but his figure was definitely a Predator . . . If we could create the 'perfect' warrior for him, he would give us the missing piece we need to make it so.

No . . . It's not possible.

He gave us a vessel that contained Predator DNA and then disappeared. We found out it was modified to allow gene splicing to occur successfully and sure enough, it worked . . . and you were created.

No . . .

I didn't even notice the tears streaming down my face. The hand that pressed against Hakr'ouh's that wrapped around my neck slowly fell, dangling in the air by my side. I didn't have the strength to fight him anymore. Realizing that he's my father by definition of blood . . . the Leader of the Killer Yautja that have caused so much suffering to everyone around me . . . I didn't know what to do. Hakr'ouh could see the defeat in my blue eyes and his smirk grew bigger.

"Don't believe me? I'll show you."

He closes his eyes and in a split moment, his body begins to change right in front of me. His muscles underneath began to expand into boulders, forcing his skin to stretch beyond their limits. His height grew tremendously as I heard bones breaking. What scared me was when his mandibles started to twitch uncontrollably. His eyes shut in pain and he lets out a roar that was more like a bat than a Yautja. He throws his head into the air as another pair of mandibles slowly protruded out from his sides on top of his own. His hand grew bigger and threatened to suffocate me. I was glad that he released some of the tension but it was a fleeting moment. I watched as his skin started to grow thick scales, folding on each other to create a hard shell. Red lines began to spread and decorate his skin, reminding too much of the Bad Blood I fought back on Earth. I was shocked to see he could transform like me. My mind was in too much shock to make sense of it all.

After an agonizing minute, Hakr'ouh's body relaxes but what I saw before me was a monster. His head slowly lowers down to me until our eyes met. They were no longer the color yellow before but rather had a dark red, similar to the red lines covering his face, lined with a sliver of gold at the ridges. My body froze when I realized I've seen this before.

The dream I had long ago . . . it was him all along!

Fear took over me and caused my muscles to tremble. Chills dug into my very bones, flowing into my veins and turning them into ice. It was made worse when Hakr'ouh grins and those extra mandibles extended horizontally . . . like a spider ready to catch its prey. His voice was deeper, more animalistic. It made my muscles quiver.

"Now you see. We are alike in more ways than one . . . with an exception." He leans closer to me. "You will die since you refused to join me. But I won't let you go alone. I'll make sure Lar'ja follows since he was created as a hybrid by mistake."

I didn't say a word but Hakr'ouh only needed to see my face that I couldn't understand. What does he know about Lar'ja?

"If only Thant'oug didn't act so arrogant, he wouldn't have let Lar'ja escape and the human DNA we created wouldn't have been used on the likes of him. A fool that cost us valuable materials to create a failed hybrid like Lar'ja. But it doesn't matter now."

When I heard that small bit about Lar'ja, it finally made sense. When he came to Earth, he knew how to speak our language despite not having prior lessons on how to speak it. Plus, when he was captured by Stargazer, they found spliced human DNA in him. Could this be how he got it?

Before I could think any further because in a split second, Hakr'ouh squeezed my throat tighter and I gasped for air. He didn't relent but rather laughed . . . an evil laugh.

"I think it's time that we end this. Don't you? To end your suffering once and for all."

He lifts me high into the air and the sudden motion made me dizzy. It could be the lack of air that my brain was receiving. Either way, my vision was turning white and all I could see was Hakr'ouh beneath me, unsheathing his wrist blades from his gauntlet. He smiles at me once more, relishing in his victory over me. The last thing he said sent chills down my spine.

"You shouldn't have trusted me."

It was like that dream . . . a dream I wished I could forget. In an instant, he plunges his blades at me, aiming for my heart . . . to end my life.

Hi Readers!

What . . . a . . . chapter.

The Council is dead . . . the Elites and Lar'ja might be captured . . . and we found out that Hakr'ouh is the leader of the Killer Yautjas, bent on taking over Yautja for his idea of a greater society.

And boy . . . Anya is related to him!? So he's technically her father by blood and that looks very bad. He's caused many suffering to all the characters we know, especially with Lar'ja and Daugo. Their son and brother Ba'kou along with Ni'geria were caught in the crossfires of Hakr'ouh's ambitions. And now we know how Lar'ja got ooman DNA into his body . . . created like Anya but in a different way.

So much to explain . . . but how will Anya get out of this one? Will she fall victim to Hakr'ouh's plans like the rest? What will happen to Yautja Prime now?

Find out what will happen next when Chapter 34 comes Wednesday (12/18/19) or earlier since Nexus is on hiatus. And who knows? The last chapter (#35) might come sooner as well. I'll keep you all posted on Instagram. Stay warm and I hope to play with all of you when the new game Predator: Hunting Grounds comes on PS4 in April! Lol. :D

So no preview of Balance this week but might throw one last one before Metamorphosis ends. I don't want to spoil too much. I hope all of you are excited about it!

P.S. Thank you again to Anonymous-E and Mariah for the reviews on the last chapter of Nexus. :)

Anonymous-E: Man . . . you hate Thant'oug but I think now you have someone far worse to curse than him after you read this chapter. And I love your cursing. It makes me laugh all the time ;D And I'm still thinking about names for Techie and the female Leader but by next week, I should have some suggestions. Let me know if you have any you want to add. As for the Avengers thing, it might be not only Yautjas from other stories involved (like your own). *Wink* But I'll have to think carefully since I don't want to put too many characters or else I'll mistake them for someone else like I did in my previous chapters if you know what I mean. We'll see . . .

Mariah: Yeah . . . Lar'ja and Daugo have a strange relationship that doesn't seem to get any better. But I like the fights as well. Thank you for the congratulations. I hope I can do well in it but I can't wait until the holidays come so I can enjoy spending time with my family. I hope the best for you as well. :)

DA: And as for AOV, I'll be posting the last two chapters of Metamorphosis before temporarily stop posting on the website. It's only until I can get on my feet with my new job and all. But when I start editing my work, I'll be able to add more to AOV. If you have any more questions, you can message me on AOV or PM on FanFiction. My apologies for any inconvenience.

Thank you and enjoy! :)))))

Reading notes:

Normal = Anya (human form) speaking English (ooman language)

Italic = Anya (human form) speaking Yautja

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language