Chapter 57: Warning from the Future
Authors Note: This story I have written may not be exact with the customs and culture founded by the Predator movies, comics, or stories but I have tried to stay in the area of their beliefs and ways. I have brought in elements from each of the categories and have combined them into one. I do not own Predator. Updates will be regular and changes will be made if any suggestions are made for me. Some of the mentioned items in the Yautja world are made up by me. Good Reading. This is from the original author and I will be sticking to it. Enjoy! :))))
The room fell silent. The commotion and cheers from the earlier battle were like a distant memory. Nala stared at Nei'hime, studying every detail of her facial features. It couldn't be . . . The general overview was no doubt an ooman with a few differences. There were black scales that formed a line underneath her eyes and stopped a few from the bridge of her nose. A unique feature she didn't expect. Her pale skin colored everything else, making her blue-ringed eyes pop out and become the center of the attention. They were beautiful, she thought . . . but looked much similar to someone else. In short, she was like Nala but a younger version.
Who are you?
Unbeknownst to her, she stepped closer to Nei'hime but about a few feet away, Nei'hime took a step back. Nala inhaled deeply, smelling her uneasiness for the first time. It was thick around her like a fog. She stopped, not wanting to scare her off again.
"Nei'hime?" She spoke softly and waited for a response.
Nei'hime closed her eyes, looking to the floor for a brief second until glancing back to Nala and Dhm'Ni who had come to her side. Like Nala, he couldn't fathom what he was seeing. An ooman female who was a leader . . . standing amongst them without anyone thinking she could be.
Nei'hime nodded her head ever so slightly. "Nala. Dhm'Ni."
That voice . . . It's the same. Nala wasn't mistaken. It was soft and soothing that almost anyone would think she wasn't a hard-ass who was considered a Leader, nothing like the computerized voice she used before. Her chest rose and fell with her slow breath, keeping her heart from pounding out of her chest and flee from explaining things. But it was too late.
"Nei'hime!"
Everyone looked towards the entrance to the training globe and first saw Hun'ta stomping in with worry. Nala gasped upon seeing Sya not too far behind and then Lord Khupiee, the Patriarch and Matriarch, and many Elders that came out of nowhere, including Elder Ukinda. Word reached about the fight and even the higher-ups came to see the commotion. Ukinda saw the body of Dyne, his son, bleeding out from beneath Nei'hime's feet. Small droplets were found on her Awu'asa. The shock in him turned into anger. "What have you done?"
Before he could get a step in, Hun'ta moved past him and blocked his path, hunching to the ground as if ready for an attack. "You will not touch her." He hissed, making sure he knew.
"You dare to make a threat to me? An Elder?" Ukinda growled back and mirrored Hun'ta's posture.
"That's enough!"
Nei'hime shouted as loud as she could, even startling Nala and Dhm'Ni. Ukinda and Hun'ta turned their heads to her as she came up to them. She places a hand on Hun'ta and gives a look that brings him to relent. He lowers his head in a nod and backs off. She turns her attention to Ukinda.
"I can explain."
"You better, ooman."
Her eye twitched in the corner but she ignored her emotions, not wanting to start another fight. "I apologize for the death of your son, but he threatened to kill Nala who was in no way involved in the fight. He made himself dishonorable by doing so. I had no choice but to kill him."
Ukinda growled but Nei'hime stopped him. "You know the law very well, don't you?" She paused, watching Ukinda stagger back as if she slapped him. "I suggest you think twice before you act."
Defeated, Ukinda grunts and stomps out of the room but not before he gives one last glare at Nei'hime. Despite looking ooman and quite young, she had the upper hand on him and he felt like an insect under her. It left a bitter taste in his mouth. As he left, Hun'ta turned to Nei'hime to check on her. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, "Yes. I'm fine."
He glanced at the object that was a few feet away from them. "Your mask is . . ."
"I know. No need to bring it up now. It's too late." She glanced at To'ya when she heard her grunt. Aja had gotten her to her feet after pulling the knife out. The wound, though, was deep so To'ya leaned on Aja for some leverage.
"Are you alright, To'ya?" Nei'hime asked with a worried tone.
To'ya grunts, "I'm fine. That bastard got the upper hand on me. My apologies for my lack of strength."
"There's no need for that."
Nei'hime smiled briefly before turning to the crowds, particularly Nala and Dhm'Ni, staring at each other. Sya moved through the crowd and went to Nala. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, not even looking at him as he checked her body. Dhm'Ni stopped him from continuing. "She's alright. Te'jan didn't harm her and neither did Dyne."
"Did you say Te'jan?" They heard Nei'hime ask.
Nala swallowed spit that was collecting in her throat and spoke. "Yeah. He said he wanted to meet me but vanished when Dyne attacked." She watched as Nei'hime's lips tightened so hard that she could barely see it. Hun'ta's mandibles tightened on each other while To'ya hissed a breath into her lungs as if trying to hold herself back.
"Do you know this male?" Lord Khupiee asked, stepping out of the crowd to make his presence known. He studied Nei'hime and was just as baffled at the resemblance. Still, he demanded an answer and thought that she would oblige him this time. However, she didn't answer and merely stared at him.
"Lord Khupiee."
Ras'Lech decided to end the conversation, stepping in between the two parties with Zanjui following behind. "I don't think it's the time and place to discuss this matter. Why don't we take this somewhere private?" He looked to Nei'hime when he spoke at the end of the sentence.
She nods. "Of course. But send To'ya to Kh'Cho to be treated. I won't leave until she's taken care of."
"No need," Aja answered. "I will make sure she gets treated."
Nei'hime glanced at him for a moment until nodding his head in a bow. "I thank you for that."
With that, Aja helped her on her feet and took her in the direction of the Healers. The crowd moved out of the way and they disappeared. The Patriarch and Matriarch wasted no time in getting everyone out of there. One roar from Ras'Lech and the onlookers took off like scared bats. The Elders, however, didn't budge. When they didn't get out of there, Ras'Lech glared at them. "Did you not hear me?"
The Elders looked to each other and then Ras'Lech before slowly walking out as well. But received grunts and growls of annoyance. Despite their rank, Ras'Lech and Zanjui always had trouble with them. They were like spoiled children to them.
"Someone get the body out of here. We'll deal with that later." Zanjui pointed at two males close to her. Not wanting retribution, the males scrambled to get Dyne's body out of there, leaving a trail of blood behind.
Ras'Lech turned to everyone remaining. "All of you will come to us. Now."
It was a clear order with no doubt about it. The Patriarch and Matriarch took the lead with Lord Khupiee following behind. Nei'hime and Hun'ta would be next but Hun'ta quickly grabbed Nei'hime's mask on the way, giving it back to her. She stares at it for some time but decides to hook it on her belt.
The last would be Nala and Dhm'Ni but they walked slowly, still trying to comprehend what they saw. The shadow . . . Dyne going insane . . . Te'jan . . . and now seeing Nei'hime's face. They were peeling off layers of the shadows to reveal the truth but they felt that there's more to be founded out. Nala kept her eyes on the back of Nei'hime's head, wondering if what she heard was all true.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Patriarch and Matriarch's room became packed. No one didn't matter who or where anyone sat or stood. The silence was far worse than the roars of a battle or the cries of death. Nala and Dhm'Ni stayed close together next to the Patriarch and Matriarch. She kept a close eye on Nei'hime who was being attended by Hun'ta. Both were nervous but remained quiet. Sya stood on the other side of Nala while Lord Khupiee stayed as far as possible, unsure if Nala and Dhm'Ni were still angry.
"So that male's name is Te'jan?" Lord Khupiee asked. The conversation started with Nala's 'interrogation' and what started the fight in the first place. She had to explain what she was doing on the training globe and why she got angry with To'ya. And then talking about the appearance of Te'jan, followed by Dyne's sudden attack and then the whole mess. She didn't know whether to point out the shadows and things she couldn't explain but she felt something inside her telling her to leave it out for now. But one thing's for sure . . . she needed to talk to Nei'hime alone.
Lord Khupiee growled at hearing her statement. Dhm'Ni glared at his father's reaction, still bitter and wary of him. It would take several seasons at least for him to at least tolerate Lord Khupiee. The grip around Nala's waist grew tighter but he made sure to be careful not to hurt her.
"Do you think this Te'jan male has anything to do with the Bad Bloods we have encountered before?"
Hun'ta nods, "He's their leader."
"And why hasn't an Arbitrator captured him yet? Especially that he's roaming around freely amongst us?"
"He can change forms if he needs to. Only shows his true form when he likes to taunt people."
Everyone went silent when Nei'hime spoke. Lord Khupiee shook his head, confused. "How is that possible?"
"He has his ways. But the point is that there's more at work than him and the Bad Bloods. They are being controlled by a darker force."
Sya grunted. "What force?"
"Much more than any of you can comprehend." Nei'hime made herself sound soft enough that she wasn't insulting but serious at the same time. It wasn't lost on Sya, being as wise as he is. He bowed his head to her silently so no one noticed it. Inside, Nei'hime sighed. He'll need to know soon.
"But it doesn't explain why Dyne went after Nala like that? Even an Unblooded wouldn't dare pull a move like that." Lord Khupiee growled. The thought that the son of an Elder would act in such a manner that would not only insult his honor but that of his family. It's no wonder Elder Ukinda was angry.
Hun'ta answered. "We're not sure but we can't assume that he simply went crazy. My men and I will personally look into this matter. You don't have to worry about everything else."
"Don't order me around." Lord Khupiee stepped forward. "I have just as much right as anyone else, if not more, to know the truth. What makes you think you have the right to disclose information to anyone else?"
"Because we know what will happen if we do."
Nei'hime stepped forward and stood a few feet from Lord Khupiee. With no mask, he felt the full weight of her aura on him. Now, he was taking her wearing a mask for granted. Her blue-ringed eyes made him feel smaller and smaller. His anger was still boiling in his blood but her gaze suppressed it. Lord Khupiee lowered his head and grunted in annoyance. "If that is what you command."
Nei'hime sighed. "I'm sure you have other business to attend." She nods her head towards the door. Lord Khupiee stood there for a moment until he walked out, giving one little glare in her direction. He did give a glance to Dhm'Ni but received nothing more than a look of annoyance. He turns away and walks out of the room, deciding to tend to some business. One of which is the emergency meeting of the Elders again but this time, it was going to be walking into Hell.
When he was gone, the tension lowered a little but questions flowed in the air.
Sya spoke, looking to Nei'hime. "Why do I have the feeling that there's more?"
He wasn't wrong at that point. Nei'hime glanced at Hun'ta and then to the Patriarch and Matriarch. They nodded their heads in unison, knowing what they wanted to say if they could.
It's alright, Val'ha. She heard Cetanu's voice first and then Paya's followed. It's time.
Her chest rose and fell slowly, bringing all of her strength to face Nala and Dhm'Ni. "When did you see the shadow?"
"Excuse me?" Nala asked, confused as to how she knew about it.
"What shadow?" Sya wondered. It only confirmed Nala's suspicion. The look of confusion on his face told her he didn't see it so she assumed no one else saw it. The hair on her arms stood up, thinking about the creepy aura it brought with it. Its voice calls them the names of the Yautja gods. Why were they saying that?
"Are you talking about the one that was with Dyne?"
Nala turned her head to him in surprise. "You knew?"
He nodded. "Yes. I saw it blasting at me and Aja. It pinned us to the walls like it was nothing. It was like Dyne was . . . possessed."
Dhm'Ni sought everyone's reactions. To his surprise and Nala's, only Sya showed a shocked expression. To everyone else, they didn't even react, or rather, they nodded their heads as if they understood. His mandibles clicked in uncertainty. "You know what's going on . . . don't you?"
Nei'hime nodded. "Yes. Which is why I sent Lord Khupiee away for now."
"And why is that?"
"He's not at the place where he will understand without getting angry. What we're about to tell you might be too much and he might not be ready like all of you are."
Nala and Dhm'ni glanced at each other before turning back to her. Nei'hime blinked her eyes and felt a heaviness in her chest. Whether she wanted to or not, she had to let them know. It was easier since Ras'Lech and Zanjui already knew, thanks to Paya and Cetanu, but it still was hard. Just go for it. She swallowed and let the words come out from her mouth.
"We're from the future."
She paused for a moment. At first, Nala, Dhm'Ni, and Sya didn't know what to make of it, thinking it was some kind of joke. But when Nei'hime's expression showed nothing but seriousness, they started to wonder.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Nala asked.
Nei'hime shook her head and Hun'ta continued. "We're not. We came from a time . . . two seasons from now . . . to warn you."
"Warn us?" Sya approached Hun'ta and Nei'hime, stopping a few feet from them.
"Yes. Te'jan is the least of what's to come. What happened to Dyne will only get worse."
Sya had to blink his eyes to make sure he was hearing correctly. "Even if what you're saying is true, there is no such thing as time travel. It's impossible."
"Not at this time though. How we got here doesn't matter though. The important thing is that another force is at work here. One that will swallow all of us if we're not careful."
"What force?" Nala asked.
"The shadow you saw before . . ." Hun'ta spoke softly. "It's only a taste of what's to come."
She shook her head. "I don't understand . . ."
"Neither do I." Dhm'Ni comments.
Nei'hime expected such a reaction. She shook her head, sighing deeply. She expected such a response. "It's better if we show it to you. Do you still have the Book, Nala?"
Everyone's attention turned to her. Nala froze in her spot as if she was being called to the front of a classroom to stand in front of total strangers. How did she know about it? She had an assumption but she put it in the back burner for the moment. She nodded. "It's in my room."
"Do you mind bringing it here?"
"Of course. Are you sure?" She got one look from Nei'hime and she already knew the answer. "I'll go get it."
"I'll come with you." Dhm'Ni began to follow her out of the room but stopped when Ras'Lech called for him.
"No, Dhm'Ni. You will stay here. She'll be fine for now."
Dhm'Ni growled and was about to say something back to the Patriarch, regardless of the difference in rank. But then, Nei'hime came in between, blocking each other's path while grabbing onto his wrist. As soon as she made contact with him, Dhm'Ni's vision suddenly went white with images coming at him. It was chaotic and couldn't focus on anything. Flames were everywhere and he could hear screams and roars of death. The shadowy figure was everyone but more massive than he'd seen. He closed his eyes tightly until he heard someone.
We need to get her somewhere safe!
He could have sworn it was Nala's but it sounded far off.
He's coming!
Dhm'Ni opened his eyes once more, noticing that everyone was looking at her. Nei'hime stood still but he could swear that her hand holding his wrist was shaking. Her breath calmed down as she released him, turning to Ras'Lech.
"He can go with her."
That's all Nei'hime had to say to get Ras'Lech to agree. With a nod, Dhm'Ni turned around and came back to Nala's side. She could smell his scent of vanilla and rain intensify. The only time she noticed the difference is when he's turned on or something was wrong. She didn't say anything until they were out of the room and in the hallway.
"What happened back there? You seem . . . nervous."
Dhm'Ni shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Let's get that book she mentioned." He wrapped his arm around her waist and kept her at the same pace. His reaction only made Nala worried all the more.
As soon as they were gone, Nei'hime turned to Hun'ta. "Go check on To'ya and make sure she's alright. Also, ensure that Kh'Cho doesn't see her marks."
He nods. "Understood." He moves his face closer to her cheek until his mouth softly glides over it. "It'll be alright." He lets go of her and heads to the Healer's, leaving Nei'hime alone with the Patriarch and Matriarch.
"Are you sure that was wise to show him that?" She heard Zanjui from behind. She turned around and nodded her head to him.
Sya watched the silent conversation. "What book is she bringing?" He looks towards Nei'hime for answers.
"It's what I wanted to discuss with you before all of this happened." She steps closer to him. "I have one question to ask you."
Sya nods. "Go ahead."
"Are you prepared to know the truth of the Yautja's origins? Even if it goes against everything you were taught to believe?"
It was one question he didn't expect but Sya answered truthfully. "Yes. I want to know."
Nei'hime nodded her head. "Then be prepared."
That is all she could say but it would never be enough. What they were about to be told was going to send head rolling in disbelief and anger. But it had to be told eventually and much sooner than she expected. 'He' was growing stronger and it was only a matter of time before it came crashing on them.
But she wondered if that was far worse than what the Book will reveal.
Hello Everyone!
I'm sorry for the short chapter and mixed sentences. This was hard to write for me to get a good consistency in the story. I was having such a writer's block. Urg! I can promise that the next chapter will reveal more.
Speaking of which, we got some assumption that Nei'hime and her clan are from the future but how did they get here? What is their true purpose?
The big questions are from the Book that Nala received in the temple a few chapters ago. What is so scary in it that made Nei'hime nervous? Does it have to do with what she asked of Sya? It sounds big and scary.
So much to tell and . . . well . . . a lot more as well lol.
Find out when Chapter 58 will hopefully be posted by next Friday (Unless things pop up. Changes will be posted on my Instagram).
Thank you NeverNeverLady, IanAlphaAxel, and CLTex for the wonderful review on Chapter 56. Sorry for the slow burn but I hope you keep enjoying this story.
But stay safe and make sure to wash hands as much as possible. Stay healthy! :D
Thank you and Good Hunting! :))))