Chapter 21: Consequences

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

I felt like I was in a dream.

My body felt weightless as I pushed through the darkness, thinking of the vast memories of my life flashing before me.

The first was when I met Ni'geria. I remembered every detail of her body the moment she arrived at Yautja Prime with her clan. The way the dark green and brown colors mixed on her skin like someone painted her to perfection. It was a day I didn't expect to turn out that way it did. Her clan and my own had to discuss personal matters about new territories to be split into equal parts. The Council of Ancients had to supervise in case it got out of hand but it went well . . . or at least that is what I was told. I was too busy glancing at Ni'geria the whole time. But it was the best time of my life. Even after our clans were done, I didn't stop my pursuit of her. It was like my personal Hunt and my prize was being hers.

The memories continued to blur past me. The next was witnessing the birth of Ba'kou and how my body became full of elations of seeing him. He was so tiny that I thought it was impossible to imagine him becoming a great warrior much like myself. Actually . . . it's hard to imagine that I was like that in the beginning. Lar'ja followed and I couldn't have been happier. The beginning of my dream reminded me of the wonderful times.

But the dream began to contort into a nightmare.

It was inevitable, of course. It began with the day I lost my lifemate and Ba'kou. My chest grew heavy as someone stuffed me with boulders, cold and hard. A headache grew along with the pain as I watched myself in anger, tearing apart my enemies one by one. In reality, it was the despair that I was desperate to get rid of, hoping that seeing my prey die by my hands would be enough to fill the void. How naive I was.

The rest was a blur. The seasons went on and on and the anger never subsided. I was so lost in the problems that I ignored Lar'ja . . . my only son . . . and he paid the price. If I had known better, I would have done everything I can to help him. But it's too late. Everything . . . was too late.

Daugo . . .

A soft voice called through the darkness. I didn't realize I had my eyes closed until I opened them, seeing Mia standing there . . . smiling. Her blue eyes shine like stars in an empty universe. I wanted to reach for her, hold her in my arms but my body couldn't move. Even my voice was lost, only allowing gasps to be heard. But soon, her smile faded as she was engulfed in flames. The pain returned but far worse than I ever felt. Regret seeped into every muscle fiber in my body. She was gone and there was nothing I could do about it.

Daugo.

The voice changed into a softer voice but strong, almost authoritarian. The flames dissipated, turning into smoke until I could see Anya now, wearing the armor and weapons that I made for her, and her brown hair braided into dreadlocks like a true warrior. How much has she grown . . .

When she first arrived on Yautja Prime, she looked so much like Mia but the uneasiness she showed was much like a child that is too fearful of the world. Many would have laughed at how pathetic she was. They already played the hybrid card, making sure she and everyone else was reminded of it. When I saw her transform for the first time, it was a bit of a shock but I could see through it. She wore her pain on her sleeve despite her attempts to hide it and act like it was nothing but the anger was still there. For that instant, it was like seeing a reflection of myself . . . a part of me that I never wanted to go back to. I didn't want her to follow the same path. I wanted her to know that I was there for her. I stayed with her that night, feeling her soft flesh on mine and conveyed my feelings as much as I could.

But despite the harsh world of our culture, she prevailed. Anya moved on with her head held high and I was happy to see her mature. Seeing her in complete Yautja armor took me by surprise but she looked more like a warrior than anyone else. I was nervous when she left for her Chiva but in the end, she came back with her chest high, bringing the head of a Queen as her trophy. It was the proudest moment to mark her with the symbol of the Dark Blade Clan, officially bringing her among our ranks. And to see her make new friends with Sa'iye and even Za'hir, who had a reputation for being distant and becoming the Leader of the Elites . . . I couldn't have been prouder.

I wished I could have said the same with her relationship between her and Lar'ja. I kept hearing news of them fighting and I felt the tension between them when I showed her to her room. As much as I wanted to help her, it was a matter that they needed to figure out.

Well . . . that's much for certain. Just as I got news about the Bad Bloods, I couldn't find her anywhere and thought of the only place she might be. Little did I know that I walked into my son and Anya mating with one another. It's not unusual for me to see such a scene as Yautjas are well known for their sexual energy but this was unnerving for me to see both of them together. But in the end, they came together and I let them become lifemates. Secretly, I was unsure if they should but they shouldn't be kept in fear but rather live to the fullest. The dream I had back on the ooman planet made me certain that they would have a bright future.

A bright . . . future.

The sound of metal crashing on the ground pulled me back to the harsh reality, making me wish I stayed in the dream, bad and good ones. My shoulder aches and burned like someone was plunging a hot iron into it. I turned to see the large metal pillar from the lift go through it. The sensation of fire was the worst. I couldn't move with the many injuries from the crash and I had no choice but to send Anya away. If the Bad Bloods got to her, then all I've done to protect her would be in vain. It was harder when I saw the desperation in her eyes. It broke a piece of my heart to see her about to break down. She had lost so much. I couldn't imagine how much she hurt.

But I couldn't . . . I had to send her away. It was the consequences for my sins but I didn't care.

I promised, Mia . . . I won't let them harm her.

Despite the pain eating away at me, I moved my wrist blades close to my chest, prepared to fight the Bad Bloods that were coming. I was struggling to get even the smallest of breaths. My muscles tremble from the cold, seemingly impossible with the burning sensation that was creeping over my shoulder and into my neck. My vision was blurring in and out of focus. I was losing too much blood. This isn't good . . .

The ceiling from the crumbled lift blasted towards the ground with such force. Dust flew into a cloud, covering the area with a light sprinkle. It was gone in a minute, showing several Bad Bloods in black armor coming through the opening. Their wrist blades were out and others held their spears in the air. They glanced around as if searching for something.

"Where's the fucking hybrid?"

"I don't know. She and Daugo were on this thing so they have to be here."

"If she's dead, Hakr'ouh will have your head."

It wasn't long before one of them saw my mangled body in the rubble, noticing the green neon blood that was seeping out of me to create a small river. I heard a growl from the male that spotted me, nudging his arm on another nearby.

"I found him."

They swarmed around me like bees but I kept my ground. I growled with such animosity but it was a poor attempt. My lungs barely could let out a puff of air, letting out a small wheeze at the end. The Bad Bloods laughed at me but went back to business.

"Looks like he's not going to survive much longer. Anyone see the hybrid?"

When the lead male got no response from the others, his masked face turned to me but I could tell he was frustrated, gripping the shaft of his spear as he pointed right at my throat. I swatted it away with my blades but a hard whack from the tip of the male's weapon broke them like small twigs and slashing into my hand. I barely felt the pain. My body was starting to go numb.

The male pointed the spear at me once more. "Where's the hybrid?"

His voice was lined with hatred. I tucked in my mandibles, refusing to answer him. I got another smack of the spear that dug into my other shoulder. This time, the pain was stabbing me like a hot knife and I grunted, holding back so the male wouldn't be satisfied in inflicting pain.

"Where is she?"

Again, I didn't respond. He growled in anger and was about to hit me again until a hand grabbed onto the shaft. The male whipped around, about to give a mouthful until his body froze in fear. Sure enough, it was Hakr'ouh. The male didn't have a chance before Hakr'ouh sliced his throat without hesitation. A waterfall of blood ran down the male's body, sucking away every fiber of life before he collapsed on the ground. I sneered at such displays of brutality. Bad Blood . . .

Hakr'ouh grunted but then smiled when he saw me. "Look at you, Daugo. The great leader of the Dark Blade Clan groveling on the ground . . . dying like a piece of trash."

I pushed through the pain and growled. "Funny . . . I'm looking . . . at one . . . right now."

He merely snickered. "You're in no position to make pauking jokes. You should save your breath while you still can."

Before Hakr'ouh could say anymore, another male moved to his side. "We haven't found the hybrid. We need to keep on going before she escapes."

"There's no point. I know where she's going."

He looks past me and towards the tunnel on the other side of the rubble. "She's heading for the Council's ship. Follow her and if you capture her, bring her back to me." He glares at his followers. "Alive."

They got the message clearly and the males took off into the tunnel. A few stayed behind with him. I was confident that Anya would be long gone by now but a sense of dread washed over me. I didn't show it but Hakr'ouh was no fool. He was observant enough to know and I wasn't at my fullest strength. My sights began to fade in and out once again.

"Don't worry. I won't harm her in any way . . . unless she tries to fight back."

He struck a nerve and with a bit of strength I gained for a moment, I lunged out and roared as hard as I could. The idea of him harming Anya in any way made my body burn with hatred. I shouldn't have done that though. Blood ran up my throat and squirted out like a leaky pipe. I gagged and I was forced to lay back down. Now, I felt my lungs being filled with fluids, most likely more blood. This isn't good.

"You shouldn't have done that. You'll only bring quick death."

I chuckled weakly as I laid back down on the hard, broken concrete. "Does . . . it matter? You'll . . . kill me . . . either way. But . . . I won't . . . let you . . . have the . . . satisfaction."

I mean every word of it. I was willing to die by my own hands rather than let him do as he pleased. It may seem impossible but I was prepared. Instead, Hakr'ouh chuckled, leaning down to one knee to put our faces at the same level.

"What makes you think I was going to let you die?"

My mandible twitched in confusion. What is he playing at? Hakr'ouh brings his face closer and I wished I had the strength to bite it off and see him writhe in agony. His red eyes burned like a pit of fire waiting to consume me. "You have no idea."

His wrist gauntlet went off in alarm, beeping the constant sound that I always hated. He answers it and a voice rings out from the other side of the communications.

"The hybrid took off on the ship. We managed to damage it some but we fear she may escape. Should we shoot her down?"

Hakr'ouh growled softly. "Hold your fire until I get to a ship. I have much to discuss with her."

He turns it off before the person on the other side could say anymore. But I was too busy listening to what was going on with Anya. Why is he so infatuated with her? He better not lay a finger on her! I wiggled in my spot but stopped again when the metal pillar dug into me more. Hakr'ouh saw my attempt and seemed amused yet again. I swear he's going to pay . . . one way or another.

"It seems I'm needed to take care of a small problem. You can't trust your subordinates sometimes to do a simple job."

He rises to his feet and another male comes closer as he did, extending his wrist blades. It wasn't only for display. They were going to kill me. I didn't have much time left anyway. I started to cough and more blood came out. By the time I was able to get a break, my mandibles were soaked and dripping off it. C'jit . . .

"Hold it."

Hakr'ouh pushed the male's blades aside, forcing him to step back. He didn't break his eye contact with me and I could see a small glee in his eyes. "Not yet. He still has some merit left to use, even if it's insignificant."

He stepped closer to me until he stood over me like a dark shadow overcasting the twin suns from the planet. He took one last look at me before he spoke as my vision faded more and more.

"I have so many plans for you. So much more . . ."

The next thing I knew, my face was met with his foot as it crushes on my skull. The last thing I could remember was the numbness that soon followed. I was back in the darkness but all I could dream was the hope that Anya, Lar'ja, and everyone else is safe. Deep down inside, my heart knew that I had to hope.

But I have a long and painful road before I might see that day . . . if I ever do.

Hi Readers!

Here is the surprise that I had waited to show all of you.

So Hakr'ouh . . . of course . . . is up to no good as usual. I swear I need him to get his ass whipped. Karma is a bitch and what goes around, comes around. So I have a feeling that he's going to meet his match.

But I hope Daugo is okay. So many emotions running inside of him that he's trying to figure it all out. But he's a dedicated father to Anya and Lar'ja and will do what it takes to protect them.

But what is Hakr'ouh's plan with him? What merits does he have left to use? Whatever it is, it doesn't sound good at all for the good guys and Anya.

Find out when Chapter 22 will be posted soon as Balance keeps going. The new chapter for Balance is being posted as well so there will be a lot of shock and awe on both of these chapters. For Nexus, the chapters might be shorter than others but I hope you like them.

Thank you and Good Hunting! And I hope I can take the coronavirus as a trophy of triumph when this is all done and over with. :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Human speaking English (ooman language)

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language