Chapter 33

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

A'stea led Kaail through the tents once more, deciding to head to her place. Fi'ka stayed with them for some time before she decided to help with S'aha with A'stea's duties . . . to help ease her burdens. It had been a long day for all of them. After she left, it was silently awkward for some time.

"So . . ." Kaail asked subtly. "How do you know Bu'at?"

A'stea lifted her head. "I think I remember he was a spy we recruited a while ago. I must have forgotten."

"A spy?"

"Yeah. To help with my side of the cause, I decided to ask for someone on the inside to recruit soldiers for some time. I tasked Fi'ka to do so but told her not to show me who it was in case the Amengi caught him. I never imagined both of you knew each other."

Kaail grunted. "Yeah. I feel as surprised as you are. But I should have known the way he preaches about the Amengi."

"Yeah." She giggles. "I can tell."

After a few minutes of walking, Kaail noticed they were drifting further from the tents and towards the open area of the cavern, populated by very few tents and occupants. "You live far out here?"

"Yeah. I rather have some quiet from all the chaos. When we have time, I can show you how much it can be." She smiled from his view. No kidding . . .

They reached a small tent lining the border of the rocky wall. It was small compared to the others but built almost the same way. But Kaail noticed some trinkets outside hanging. Are those . . . bones?

"Come in."

A'stea leaned a little and pushed the flap out of the way. Kaail followed her inside and felt like he went into another world. There was a fur bed on the far end with candles for light but on the side, a variety of skulls were hung on a wall. To one that was smaller than the palm of his hand that looked like a rat to a massive cat-like one with fangs bigger than its mouth. He'd seen trophies before but this caught him by surprise.

"Is everything okay?" A'stea asked, seeing him frozen on the spot. She follows where he was looking. "I thought you're used to that." She frowned.

"It's just . . ." He had to collect his thoughts. "I didn't expect you to have such things."

She tilted his head. "Why wouldn't I?"

Kaail shook his head. This is so weird. But his curiosity rose as he observed the wall, even reaching for one skull that was right in the middle . . . almost reminded him of a snake. "Where did you get this?"

A'stea moved to his side and smiled. "That was a S'ak-ra. The first kill I ever made. This guy almost tore my leg off when I took my eyes off of it for a split second. He thought he got me but I tore away and decapitated it. Left a pretty bad scar . . ." She turned her leg to show a jagged scar up her thigh. "But it was worth it."

"But why keep them all?"

She squinted her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Only the masters keep them for bragging rights . . . of how their warriors defeated them in battle. Why would you practice the same thing?"

As soon as he asked, he almost regretted it. Her face contorted into a bit of frustration and disappointment. She never liked being compared to the masters but she couldn't blame him. He probably never saw this without assuming the usual.

She sighed and looked up to the wall. "It tells the story of a person's lifetime. To look into the face of death and survive to see it again. This isn't just for bragging rights . . . it's showing the prowess of an honorable warrior."

Kaail saw a flicker of light in her eyes as she looked at each skull, began talking about the hunts she went on and the tales that followed and even showing how she got some of her scars. Hearing her words made the gears in his head turn. Honor, huh?

A'stea sighs and turns to her bed. Exhaustion was taking over her body. She slumps on the edge and leans forward. Her hair falling to cover her like a curtain. It had been a long day and her back was starting to hurt along with her ribs. The effects of the medication were wearing off. She was so distracted that she'd forgotten Kaail was standing over her. She almost jumped in her shoes when she looked up.

"What is it?" She suppressed a grunt of pain.

"What happened at the meeting?" Kaail asked. He didn't know if it was the right time but seeing what went on with no information, it was eating at him.

A'stea looked down. "Yeah. I forgot you didn't know. This is what I get for screwing my plans."

She closed her eyes. You might as well tell him.

She patted at the spot next to her. At first, he was hesitant to come near but seeing her eyes waiting for him, he decided. He came to the bed, softly lowering himself to sit. The bed dipped and creaked a little but settled eventually. It was quiet for a moment until she spoke.

"As I said before, it's complicated and I apologize for my earlier behavior. I've been dealing with those idiots for so long it's become tiring."

"I can tell." He thrilled.

"Yeah." She said. "I've been playing tug-a-war in finding a way to free the Hish from the Amengi."

"Free the Hish?"

Kaail had to repeat it in his head. The idea itself was almost unbelievable if not stupid. His mind tried to weigh what they meant. Take over? Fight the Amengi? Or something else? The thinking alone was enough to cause a migraine. He waited to get his focus back before saying something he'll regret. Maybe there's more to it.

He watched as A'stea nodded. "We can't keep living like this. The Amengi are nothing but monsters, abusing their power and technology to dominate worlds. And for what? They aren't gods or invincible at that."

She got to her feet and began pacing back and forth in front of him. "I've seen too much torture and death to let the Hish be treated this way. All of us agree that this is what we want. Imagine having the freedom to make your own decisions . . . to follow your path without retribution from another."

She stopped and took a breath after losing it during her rant. But it was a truth that she felt so strongly about for so long. Even more, before she arrived on this planet with the masters and met her Hish friends . . . and Kaail.

It wasn't lost on him. The passion she was giving was like seeing a fire rising to the sky with no limitations. A wind that no wall or building can stand up to or a tsunami that can break through even the toughest of metal. There was no doubt in that. Still, he knew there was more to it than meets the eyes. There were always costs to what someone wants.

A'stea sighed in exhaustion, coming back to sit next to Kaail. "But the problem is . . . we're fighting over how to obtain that freedom or how to keep it afterward."

Kaail clicked his mandibles. "Like what that male said . . . M'uat was it?"

She nodded. "They are part of the leadership that governs this cavern of servants and defected warriors. They want to leave this planet and settle somewhere far away from this. Thinking of stealing a ship of all things." She clawed at her head, lowering to face the floor.

"But you don't want to do that?"

Kaail recalled her argument about standing their ground. It was starting to make sense now. The three males in the tent sided with leaving. It's understandable. There were few warriors amongst them, including himself, and the 'clan' was mostly made up of servants who were used to obeying orders. They were cowards in the face of danger and the instinct to fight or flight was strong in them. They would go for flight at the first choice.

But not A'stea.

Knowing her for a while, she wasn't the type to run away. No . . . she'll fight to the death if she has to. Throughout all of his young life, he never faced someone quite like her. She was ooman . . . a weaker being. And yet, she would be the first to raise her weapon and charge into battle. Much like any Hish warrior he'd seen. But her reasons are what also makes her different.

She doesn't fight for herself . . . She'll fight for everyone.

Kaail tucked him mandibles, being eerily quiet while waiting for A'stea to respond. The frustration on her face was clear.

"I've seen what the masters can do. They're ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what they want."

At that moment, both turned to each other. A'stea couldn't help but feel a pain in her chest. And secretly, it reciprocated in Kaail as well, seeing her down like that.

"They won't let us leave." She turns away. "That's why we need to stay and fight. All I need to finish the weapon and gather more of the warrior class. If the majority comes in our favor, it might be possible."

Kaail looked down, grumbling. "It won't be easy. The servants are nothing but skittish and frightened by anything. It's the way things are."

"Just because it is . . . doesn't mean it should be."

Before Kaail could say anymore, A'stea stood from the bed and suddenly changed her tune. She smiled as if nothing was bothering her. "Well . . . I think it's time to get some rest."

Kaail grunted. "I agree." He stood up. "I'll be heading out now."

He suddenly saw the surprised look on her face. "You're leaving?" She sounded more desperate than she hoped. "It's already late at night."

"I have to return. My master will suspect something if I don't."

Kaail bit his inner mouth a little. That time when Master Thu'at looked at him at the prisons was worrisome. It was like he knew something was going on. Whether his master believed it or not, it was already cutting it close. But as he turned for the exit, he stopped when A'stea lowered her gaze in a sorrowful way. As much as he was right, she felt something inside that wanted him to stay. But why?

"Do you want me to stay?" He asked.

Her head lifted quickly. "I mean . . ." She began to twiddle her fingers. "If you like to . . . I was going to give a tour of the place. You know . . . to warm up to everyone and vice versa. And—"

"I'll stay."

A'stea popped her head up, eyes widened. I was not expecting him to respond so quickly. "Really?"

Kaail saw her eyes perk a little. He only said that to keep her from mumbling so much . . . but maybe there was something else. Either way, he told her he would stay without thinking so he could do nothing but comply. Me and my big mouth.

But her smile pushed the doubt away.

"Okay. Then you can take the bed tonight. I'll sleep on the ground."

He growled. "No. You can have the bed. I'm used to sleeping on the ground."

It wasn't a total lie. There were nights when he would dream of things that he couldn't understand or about his past. That was a subject he'd rather not talk about. Too painful right now. He sat on the ground next to the bed, being watched by A'stea as he laid on his back, facing towards the ceiling.

She didn't like the idea, seeing that he was a guest of hers but there was no use in arguing with a seven-foot warrior like himself. And she was too exhausted to fight anyway. She sighed and blew out the candles until darkness came. She shuffled herself under the fur covers, adjusting a little to find the right spot. She takes one more look at him but he keeps to the ceiling.

"Goodnight, Kaail."

He didn't say anything, merely grumbling. She closes her eyes and lets sleep take her. Although the day was long, she felt content. But it wouldn't be long after she fell into a deep slumber that the nightmares would return.

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

A few hours passed but Kaail was still far from sleep. He was full of energy, questions that were keeping him awake. He was so distracted that he didn't say goodnight to A'stea before she fell asleep, as much as he wanted to.

Be free? Fight against the Amengi? That's suicide.

He didn't have the heart to say it like that earlier. He didn't want that smile to disappear but he had his reservations. The masters were in charge for a reason. Since the beginning of time on this planet, they had complete dominance over their ancestors and species as a whole. Their technology is far superior to even his weapons. There's no way the Hish can be free. Neither fleeing or fighting is an option.

And yet . . . he had to consider what A'stea had said and done over the period he'd known her.

She was strong . . . very strong. And stubborn but for good reason. Kaail admired that side of her, never seeing in anyone else or even close to it. The conviction in her eyes was there and it didn't waver a bit as he spoke to her. Her hazel eyes though could be soft and gentle. Such a strange creature.

He smiled a little, throwing his arms under his head to cushion over the bare ground. For some reason or another, he couldn't help but think of what she said.

What is it like to be free?

He closed his eyes and let his imagination run with that thought.

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

The first thing he saw was an open field, green, and full of life with a few trees standing strong. It was bright and small creatures crawled and flew around him without a care in the world. The twin suns were beaming above so brightly that he didn't think it was possible. Inside, he felt calm and secure.

Kaail . . .

He heard someone's voice calling. As soon as he turned around, he saw A'stea standing a few feet away. Why is she here? She didn't move but she smiled at him. Her hazel eyes brightened like stars. A warm feeling grew in his chest, causing his heart to beat faster in joy. He smiled back as he began to go to her, thinking of one thought.

If we were free, then can we . . ?

But then, he stopped.

Kaail watched as A'stea's smile disappeared. She drew back as if in pain, holding her shoulders as if the world around her was crumbling. As if matching her, everything around them grew dark. The twin suns vanished and the plains began to turn to dust. The creatures vanished. Kaail didn't like this one bit.

"A'stea!"

He called for her but she didn't budge. Instead, she looked up to him. Small streaks of red blood were coming out from the corner of her eyes and weren't stopping. Her hands were covered in crimson red.

"A'stea!"

When he tried to move, his feet were stuck to the ground. His body refused to move. Kaail roared, trying to budge but noticed heavy chains bound his wrists and ankles. He was trapped. He roared again until he saw a huge face emerge from behind A'stea. At first, he couldn't see but after focusing, he realized it was the face of Master Thu'at.

His eyes widened and his body froze like ice. He could do nothing as his master's yellow eyes looked down at A'stea. She turned around, almost giving out a shriek as Master Thu'at opened his mouth and chomped down on her.

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

Kaail opened his eyes with a gasp. He saw that he was back in the dark confines of the tent. It took him a few moments to get himself to calm down. What the pauk was that? He lifted his head a little to release an arm and rub his temple, feeling the strain of a migraine coming.

But then, he heard whining from the bed above. A'stea? He got to his feet without hesitation and looked over to see that she'd kicked off the fur sheets. Her eyes were shut so she was asleep but she kept whining and moaning. Is she alright?

Kaail cautiously walks towards her side and looks down to see what was wrong. To his horror, he saw deep gashes in her arms, pooling with red blood. It didn't take long before he saw stains under her nails and more on her fingers. She whined again and scratched into her arms once more.

His heart dropped in his chest. The feeling of despair overwhelmed him when he realized . . . She was having a nightmare too.

Hi everyone!

So Kaail got a little update on what's going in within A'stea's group. One side that wants to flee and start a new life or stay and fight for what's right. Both options are understandable but it's the difficult decision of choosing one that will change everything.

It's a nice moment with Kaail and A'stea, showing her trophies (like you know who . . . lol) and talking about being free. Kaail is starting to think about what it's like to be free (maybe with A'stea . . .). But the nightmares of the Amengi are still there, haunting him. Such a tug of war inside him.

But is he the only one? Or is A'stea living the same nightmare as himself? What will he do? Hmmm . . .

Find out when Chapter 34 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! ;)

And I promise that more loving scenes will be coming this week. I hope you enjoy it! ;)))

Happy Hunting! :))))