Chapter 24

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

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Kaail asked, standing outside the cave.

Hours had passed until the darkness of night came. They waited until A'stea got a message from Fi'ka that the guards gave up and returned to their posts. But she insisted on staying put in case they left the hounds roaming around. It's not uncommon for an Amengi guard to lose one and leave it in the wild. They didn't care . . . like everything else.

"I'm fine, Kaail." A'stea remarked as she got her things in order, tucking the mysterious box in her pouch for safekeeping.

Kaail glanced at it, still not sure what it contained but she coveted it like it was her own. As much as he wanted to ask about it, it was a sore subject and he didn't want to start a whole new argument.

"Looks like I'm good to go. I left a few medical ointments for your back but keep it clean as much as possible. The last thing I need is for you complaining about what a poor job I did." She patted her hips.

"I'll still complain." He twitched his mandibles.

She smirked. "You wish."

Both chuckled at the joke. The silly moment faded quickly, leaving a small silence for now. The stars above them twinkled as their lights danced on the planet below.

"Will I see you again?"

Kaail thought it was best to ask, given the epic events that transpired in a matter of two days, maybe less. He waited patiently as A'stea closed her eyes, lowered her head to the ground before looking back to him. "Until you're fully healed. The next lessons will get harder and harder. I don't want to practice with you trying to keep up."

Me?" He puffed. "Keep up with you? That's hilarious."

"I mean it." The serious look in A'stea made Kaail stop on a dime. "You need to make sure no one sees it. Or else you'll have more trouble."

He sighed. "I understand."

Then a smile formed on her lips, making his body burn. But then, she lowered her gaze at the small pouch. Her hand grazing the edges of the box underneath. She sighed, making a decision right then and there.

"Remember you asked about the disappearances of servants? And if I was involved?"

She looked to him, seeing his head nod softly but his mandibles tightened close to his inner mouth. She sighed again. "I lied."

She waited but Kaail didn't answer. His mind already knew she had something to do with it. But now, he got confirmation from her mouth. The only doubt was if he should be happy that she was trusting him with this . . . or fearing of what else she had been keeping.

"I was the one sneaking servants from their masters. Most were going to be put down since they were of no use anymore. It's been ongoing these past few months."

He shook his head. "But why?"

Her demeanor suddenly changed. The spark in her eyes grew into flames before him. "The Amengi have no right to say who should live and who should die. They are not gods and they're nothing more than beasts . . . drunken with power. The Hish deserve to choose for themselves and I want to give them that."

Her words were layered with strength. Kaail can sense it easily. No hesitation in her voice . . . no uncertainty in her eyes. There wasn't anything he could see that made him think otherwise. As if like air, it spread into his body. The fuel brought tensed his muscles and then relaxed. No doubt whatsoever.

And then, A'stea calmed. Her eyes softened to the pouch on her side. "That's why this is very important to me. It might be the one thing that will change everything. Lead us to freedom." She patted it once more. The cold metal seeping through the layers covering it.

Kaail sighed. The right to choose . . . Freedom . . .

"Do you think differently?"

Her question brought him back. He opened his mouth before closing in a second. Her hazel eyes watching him. His jaw turned to stone, trying to find some answer to give.

"I don't know . . . I never really thought about it."

It was true. Throughout all of his life, there has never been a moment when he took the time to see the big picture. Even as a pup, he only acted out to comply with his nature. The Hish are beasts . . . act like one. He never questioned the Amengi watching over him. He saw himself as oneand never thought about it again.

Until now . . .

Their eyes kept on each other until A'stea turned to look at the sky. "That's too bad." She thought for a moment. When she moved, she kept her head high but her eyes sought him out. "Do you want to find out?"

Kaail could only look at her with confusion as his lower mandibles hung low. She sighed deeply, letting her chest sink into her. It's a huge risk in what she's asking him but it might give her a new ally . . . a powerful one. He is a beloved warrior, in a sense, to the Amengi and no Hish or master would dare to go against him. He might be the key to bringing more Hish warriors into the fold. This could change others' opinions on the current dilemma.

She bit her lip. Maybe . . .

After a few seconds, Kaail still didn't say anything. Her words didn't make much sense but something told him to do it. The urge driving him crazy. Plus, this would mean more time to spend with her and find out more. With a decision already made for him, he nods.

The corner of A'stea's mouth lifted. She spread her hands, hovering them above the ground. "Give me time then. The others . . . It will take a lot of convincing to accept the idea of bringing you in. They're more . . . skittish as you put it."

"How much time?"

She shook her head uncertainly. "I'm not sure."

It didn't sound like a definite answer for Kaail. It made him concerned a little but not entirely shocked at how she put it. Hish servants are skittish in nature as it is. To add himself to whatever she had going would send sparks everywhere. He can imagine it all too well.

Have faith in her. Let her know she can trust me.

"Alright then."

Again, she smiled. Another breakthrough in his mind and he felt they were moving forward for once.

"I have to get going now. Take care of yourself." A'stea spoke.

Kaail nodded. "I'll see you around. Communicator?" He pointed to her gauntlet.

"Yeah. I'll let you know. Bye, Kaail."

She smiled one last time before turning her back to head back. She's got a day ahead of lectures from Fi'ka once more. Kaail kept his eyes on her until she was out of sight. He let a smile form on his mouth. It felt just right.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The morning had come but Kaail was already up and ready for a day ahead. Training has become a priority since the tournament was only a few months away. It's still a long way but his master always demanded to condition him early every time. Normally, he would head for the training room in his master's building. Only . . . he was being called to the lower levels, which was uncommon.

Only if something was wrong.

A potent smell hit him as soon as he entered the dark level of the dungeons. If the servant's quarters were barbaric, they were minimal compared to this place. Prisoners were kept here, mostly servants who disobeyed their masters, until they were executed on their master's desire. None of the cells were cleaned, left to bear of the previous occupants that no longer were around. Many buildings have these. The more rich the Amengi was though, the more filthy the dungeon was.

And his master was no exception.

There were a few Hish servants trapped inside. Many were mostly starved to near death. There were no more than walking skeletons on death's door with ribs sticking out. One was so weak that his arms and legs could no longer support him. He laid there whimpering, deprived of life. The male's eyes only saw a wish to be freed of his misery. But the Amengi wouldn't let them.

He never liked coming here but he had to answer Master Thu'at. Something that needs my 'expertise' of all things. What am I better for than breaking bones and killing? A'stea's form popped for a second. He couldn't think of her now.

"Kaail."

He heard Master Thu'at just as he turned the corner and saw him waiting in the middle of the prisons. He had to brush his way through curtains of chains smudged with dried blood. "Yes, Master."

"Come." Master Thu'at's voice was stern. Not good.

Neither said anything for a moment. They pass through empty cells until they reach another door, moving through. A Hish guard waited on the other side but not as sturdy as himself. That is when he heard the moans and cries of agony. His master has to choose this point to speak over the noise.

"Where have you been? You disappeared suddenly from the party a few days ago."

Kaail grumbled. "I wasn't feeling well. And I hate parties that turn into bloodshed."

"That's too bad. It ended with several servants dead and a few low-class Amengi with bruises and broken bones. I would think you would enjoy it, given that you're 'skilled' in such brutality."

He growled. "Get to the point. Why did you bring me here? And during training? That's unusual even for you."

Master Thu'at hummed, scrapping a claw under his insect tusk. "You'll see."

It wasn't long before they reached the isolation cells that were in the far back of the dungeon. These were reserved for the most grievous offenses or interrogation. His master knocked on one door and the small slit opened to reveal an Amengi guard.

"My Lord Thu'at."

"Has he spilled anything else yet?"

"Nothing so far."

Master Thu'at grunted. His yellow, inhuman eyes turned to Kaail for a split second. "Come."

His master had gone inside the room as the door opened. This is always with him. He followed close and went inside. The Amengi guard was watching intently. Kaail snapped at him. He lowered his head in submission.

The room was almost completely dark if it wasn't for the single window leading to the outside. It was cold to the bone. Nothing to warm whoever it was inside. A single chair stood in the center with a prisoner tied to it in chains. Closer, he saw cuts and bruises covering him. When Kaail stopped next to his master in front of the prisoner, he was a bit shocked to learn it was an Amengi.

"What is this?" Kaail asked.

Master Thu'at chuffed. "There was a raid underneath the technology building. We believe the thieves used the party as cover to steal an important artifact."

He held his breath. An image of A'stea holding the metal box came to his mind. "An artifact?"

"Yes. One that was important to create the most powerful weapons we've ever created. Now, no one has any idea where it went or who was involved."

"But . . . what does this Amengi have anything to do with it?"

Master Thu'at spit the ground in front of him, irritated. "He was one of the guards in charge of protecting it. He and the others failed so they were punished accordingly."

Accordingly? You mean killed but the punishment depends on how they are killed. Quick or slow? Cut or beaten? Decapitation?

"But this one . . . claims to have seen you in the raid."

Kaail was stunned for a moment. He tried to hide it on the outside but inside . . . it was like a bomb began to count down to the inevitable. He observed the guard for a few moments. He didn't recollect seeing him but it could have been one of the guards that chased him and A'stea when he got hit with a blast. His back stung at that instant, still not fully healed. A reminder of how close they came to getting caught.

"So tell me Kaail . . ." Master Thu'at came daringly closer. His face inches from touching his mandibles with his tusks. His breath swirled around him. "Were you involved?"

This is how his master found out the truth. A specialty of hurting his captives psychologically. It was easy doing it on weak servants but he never broke Kaail's. Seasons of training to keep cool during fights paid off each time. Yet still, this one was the most difficult he'd ever endure. It was different now . . . for one reason. He kept his cool and turned to his master, growling with a glare.

"As I told you, I didn't feel well and went home. Do you want to test me?"

A few agonizing seconds of a staredown before Master Thu'at pulled away with a grin. "Of course not. I know you well enough that you wouldn't help such pathetic creatures. You're too high for that."

He patted his back hard, right over his wound. He had to bite his tongue not to groan in pain.

"No matter. This one needs to be punished severely Since he dared to accuse you of something so frivolous, I think it's appropriate that you execute it."

It took him almost by surprise. He asked me to kill him. He glanced at the prisoner who, at one point, lifted his head in a weak attempt. He sways back and forth like he was drunk. Kaail held his breath and looked to his master.

"What are you waiting for?" Master Thu'at nodded his head forward. "I want to see."

Kaail turned back around, standing there for a few moments to contemplate what to do. I hate doing this . . . but what choice do I have? His master would sense something was wrong if he didn't. There was no choice he had but to comply.

The Amengi have no right to say who should live and who should die. They are not gods and they're nothing more than beasts . . . drunken with power. The Hish deserve to choose for themselves and I want to give them that.

The right to choose . . .

A'stea's words hit him hard. He closed his eyes in concentration. He can't think about it now. He had to block it out. Get it over and be done with it! He opened his eyes with conviction . . . but barely.

He walks slowly to the prisoner, fists tightened at his sides. Realizing he was coming, the prisoner mustered all the strength he had and began to quiver and shout.

"Please don't kill me . . . I didn't do anything wrong! I know what I saw! You were there!"

He whimpered, scrambling to get out of the chair. Kaail didn't want to hear it and punched the Amengi right in the jaw. It broke easily under his power and now his tusk hung abnormally on the side. The prisoner couldn't yell or whimper anymore. It made it easier for Kaail to do the deed.

He lowered his face to him, hissing between sentences. "I wasn't there. I went home. You didn't see me."

But the prisoner was still able to talk, much to his displeasure. "What . . . right . . . do you have . . . to kill me? You're . . . a monster."

It hit a nerve . . . one that was too close to what A'stea said to him. He didn't want to hear anymore. He punches him again and the other tusk breaks along with few of his razor teeth. The prisoner's head hung to the side but still breathing.

Kaail went on with the punishment. This time, he grabbed onto an arm and twisted it until the bones cracked and ligaments were torn apart. He threw the arm away and then went for the rest of the prisoner's limbs, making sure he stayed alive until the end. Blood splattered on his hands, coating them with a foul smell that egged him on.

His master watched with excitement from behind as Kaail went for the stomach to dig his nails and pull out the prisoner's intestines. After that, Kaail barely remembered anything else. But he knew one thing.

A'stea was right to be concerned.

Hi everyone!

More trust is being built between Kaail and A'stea and that's good news. Of course, Kaail is so smitten with her but does she feel the same?

Well . . . she did invite him to meet the others and told the truth about her involvement with the servants' disappearance. Will he finally meet them? And will they trust him?

But of course, his master is starting to suspect. Enough that he forced Kaail to kill a guard who accused him of being there. This is a dangerous world they live in and they need to be careful or else they will suffer the consequences.

Will they survive and rise about all of this?

Find out when Chapter 25 comes tomorrow! ;)

Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, and IanAlphaAxel)! They are very important for me and I hope I see more readers posting as well. All opinions are welcomed. I hope you keep on reading! ;)

Happy Hunting to all! :)))))