Chapter 44
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
"Right this way."
S'aha led the group inside to where A'stea was. Bu'at stayed behind to do some damage control, especially with Nu'kha looking like he will attempt to do something stupid. As soon as they entered, D'alg analyzes the situation rather quickly from Kaail's point of view. Fi'ka was astonished and afraid but quickly calmed down by S'aha.
"What's the diagnosis?" D'alg asked.
"She'd been poisoned by a Sy'ith a few hours ago. I had given some medicine to slow it down but I have no idea how much time it will buy for us. She's deteriorating rapidly."
Kaail watched with Fi'ka as D'alg and S'aha worked like a well-oiled machine. In his eyes, they were not master and servant between them. Instead, it was like seeing two scientists collaborating as equals. There was no hostility or signs of payback as he expected from a being under so much servitude. But then again, he didn't know D'alg had connections with anyone here, let alone risk everything to come here.
"There's inflammation that's traveling up her hip. Have you been marking her?"
S'aha nodded. "I wrote down any changes I've made."
"Any symptoms?"
"She had a seizure earlier and was sweating up a storm."
"And the medicine you've been giving her showed no side effects?"
Kaail never understood medical terms but both D'alg and S'aha knew well as if it was their language they have been speaking for a long time. Still, he was nervous, worried about A'stea's condition. She hasn't improved or worsened but laid there moaning. She sometimes flicks her eyes and he thought she was waking up. But her eyes would roll in the back of her head and she passed out yet again. The poison was taking a toll on her . . . and each moment was shattering his heart little by little.
He was in deep thought that he barely saw D'alg performing something with a vial of some antidote, analyzing it through some machine that read him the results. "Good call, S'aha. The antidote used for Hish would have made things worse. Her biology is much different than our own."
S'aha grunted. "Kaail said that you might have some information on her."
"I might have something. This took me a lot of hacking to get it and I'm nervous if anyone finds out."
"They won't. Trust yourself."
S'aha placed a soft hand on D'alg and smiled. Kaail was struck by the exchange, even seeing D'alg smile back. It only lasted a second but it got his mind spinning. What is the deal with them? D'alg reached for his bag and pulled out his hand-held panel. Kaail swears that he carries it with him all the time, attached to a piece of equipment.
"Is . . ." Fi'ka spoke this time, gaining D'alg's full attention. She flinched, turning her face away. "Can you . . . help her?"
D'alg sighed. "I will do everything I can." He checks his panel as it begins to show data that Kaail had a hard time understanding. "There's not much to work with but it might give us something to tweak the antidote to the correct measurements. Let me see."
One hand works on the panel while the other focuses on pressing codes that read the antidote's content. A minute had passed with D'alg nodding and sighing, followed by S'aha. It seems like everything is fine. Kaail thought. Until a hiss came from D'alg's mouth.
"Pauk. This isn't good."
S'aha growled. "You gotta be kidding me."
"What is it?" Kaail couldn't hold back in silence. The hard tone and the disappointing looks on their faces made him anxious.
"It appears that everything is here and all we have to do is adjust the volume . . . except for one vital ingredient."
"What ingredient?"
D'alg and S'aha turned to each other before answering. "Z'int."
Z'int?
"Are you sure that is what we need?" Fi'ka was as stunned as Kaail.
"Yes."
Suddenly, Fi'ka raised her hands and went on a nervous rant, pacing back and forth. "That's one of the rarest ingredients on this planet! Only the highest-ranking Amengi possess it and they have very little, to begin with. And now, you're saying that's the only thing to save A'stea's life?"
She waved her hands in defeat. "We can't exactly go steal it, let alone ask! They'll kill us first before we step foot in their turf!"
S'aha huffed. "Do you have access to it?"
D'alg paused in uncertainty. "I'm barely treated as one of them. I would be punished just for asking for such a thing."
"Is there any other way?"
Kaail stepped forward. His mandibles pulled together hard. Fear and uncertainty threatened to break his sanity. "Please . . . anything to save her."
His fists tightened as he waited for a response, watching S'aha and D'alg discussing amongst themselves. Just tell me already! His mind was falling apart, more each minute passed and every time he saw A'stea's weakened form. Her moans rang in his ears like loud drums.
"There is . . . another way. But it's risky."
Then tell me."
Kaail moved fast towards them, almost making D'alg and S'aha jump. Slow yourself down. He waited and waited until D'alg spoke.
"We know that Z'int comes from a plant native to this planet. If we could get some, we could theoretically isolate the substance ourselves. But the problem is that the plant only grows in one place . . . the mountain."
"A mountain?" Fi'ka asked. "That doesn't seem—"
"Not a mountain. The mountain."
It took a few seconds before it registered into Fi'ka's mind, more so for Kaail when she roared in outrage. "Are you pauking kidding me!? Just when I think it can't get any worse! Going up the mountain is suicide! You know the stories!"
She was right. The mountain that towers over the city itself are rumored to be the most dangerous place. Stories tell that a beast, unlike anything else, makes it home there and devours anyone brave enough to climb to the top. Many Amengi sent their warriors to prove themselves the strongest and bravest of them all. Kaail had heard about them when their ancestors were forced to go up there by the Amengi. Many never returned. Eventually, they gave up trying but then utilized the mountain as the ultimate punishment, sending defected servants there to die. Ever since many feared it.
"No one is going to volunteer to get it." Fi'ka lowered her gaze. "I would go but I'm not strong enough. Everyone else is scared."
"If there was another alternative, then I would gladly tell you." Even S'aha lowered in defeat, glancing back to A'stea, now whimpering in pain.
Kaail thought for a moment. No . . . It can't be this way. He knew that if the roles were reversed, A'stea would have gone without a second thought. She was braver than anyone else, even though she was weak by definition. It goes to show that strength is not only physical . . . but inside. He closed his eyes and let the fear and uncertainty fade. He made his decision.
He opened his eyes. "I will go."
Silence greeted him. He couldn't tell from S'aha since she didn't react but D'alg and Fi'ka were much in shock. It didn't matter.
"It's because of me that she's in this mess. I have to take responsibility . . . and I don't want her to die."
He stared at everyone in the room before stopping at D'alg. He's the closest one who would understand in some way or another. He sighed, getting a nod from S'aha and typed something in his panel before showing the image on the screen. Kaail observed it, seeing a light purple flower with golden beads in the middle.
"If there's no stopping you, this is what you're looking for," D'alg explained. "It grows at the highest peak of the mountain. Gather a bundle of them and bring it back. The ooman has only a day . . . maybe two but that depends on luck. And so far, we don't have much."
Kaail nods. "I'll be back earlier than that."
He doesn't give anyone a chance to protest as he turns to head out. Determination filled him, driving off the fear and uncertainty that was in his heart a moment ago. He tried not to think of A'stea dying, only remembering her smile and her honey scent . . . the only things that kept him going.
Greeting him outside was the small crowd that was still waiting outside, curious but also angry and terrified. These guys need a chill pill. However, Nu'kha was still outside writhing in fury with Bu'at watching him. But he was not alone. Standing behind were the same males he'd met in the meeting a few days ago. They didn't look happy, mostly shocked but stern.
"What is happening with A'stea? We were informed she was poisoned by you. And that you brought an Amengi here." The male he remembered as M'uat.
"And I assume that this male told you about it?" He glares at Nu'kha, getting the same response.
"Am I not wrong?" He crossed his arms. "You were on a hunt and made a mistake to which A'stea is paying the price. And bring an enemy into our hideout."
Kaail sighed, chest rising slowly. "It doesn't matter. He came to find a cure for her. And I'll be leaving to get the last ingredient."
"Where to?" The other male, G'uarg, spoke.
"The mountain."
And again, he got the same shocked response. Whatever the mountain contains, he can tell it scared them to death. Even Nu'kha seemed to show some concern but not for him. Of course.
"Are you crazy?" Shi'en spoke. "You're asking to get killed. It's better if we ease her suffering. We don't have the men or the resources to save one life."
The audacity! Kaail couldn't believe what he was hearing. They were going to let A'stea die without giving a chance. He read the eyes of the leading members and there was nothing but absolute fear for survival. He started to understand why A'stea was having a hard time convincing them to fight instead of fleeing. That would jump to save themselves rather than help others. He did the same recently and A'stea was the one to get hurt. It was like seeing himself through a thousand mirrors. It was pathetic.
He stomped his foot on the ground hard, making everyone around him jump. The urge to roar was high but he kept cool to make his point.
"So you would let her die? After everything, she's done for you?" He paused to give an effect. Everyone looked down in shame except for Nu'kha and Bu'at. "You're more pathetic than I thought."
He growled low, raising his chest.
"If she was in my spot, she would have done it for anyone . . . just like she's doing to gather warriors to fight for freedom. Your freedom. You all want to run away at the slightest provocation . . . like the masters want you to act. You're allowing them to take control even now."
The leading members flinched their mandibles, having some understanding of his words. The crowd became quiet. I thought so.
Kaail continued, sighing. "I'll be back within a day with the cure. Bu'at . . . make sure to watch over."
He bowed. "Of course."
Kaail looked around one more time, stopping at Nu'kha. The male was still angry but a small glimpse of shock was in his eyes. Whatever history A'stea had with him, it seemed to be more complex than he originally thought. Once this is over, he will hopefully find answers from A'stea . . . properly this time instead of assuming.
With that, he left for the exit and not bothered to look back. He already knew what he had to do.
It was almost sunset when he returned to the outside. There was enough light for him to get a good view of where to find the mountain. His eyes scanned for the horizon and found the mountain on the other side of the city. The tip was partially covered in dark clouds, never fading from it . . . even during the day.
There it is. I might make it there before dark . . . but there will be patrols.
With many disappearances over time due to joining the Rebellion, more patrols were being implemented and a curfew was announced. Anyone not permitted would be severely punished, even himself. But it didn't scare him. He's determined not to get caught. A'stea's life was on the line. He clenched his chest, feeling his heart beating fast. It hurt but the good memories of A'stea happy and smiling kept him calm.
"Kaail! Wait."
He stopped, turning around to see Fi'ka running to him with something in her hands. "Fi'ka. What are you doing here? You need to watch A'stea."
"I know." She stopped in front of him, catching her breath. "But if you're going to the mountain. You're going to need this."
She opened the cloth and revealed a metal mask and wrist gauntlet of the same material. He'd seen this once with A'stea when they robbed the building and when the guards for the hideout helped them. As he recalled, it had metal blades inside.
"What's this?" He asked.
"You're going somewhere dangerous. We don't know what's up there so I thought you'll need the best equipment for the job. I had to steal this to get it to you."
Fi'ka handed him the wrist gauntlet first, showing him how to put it on. When he got it, Kaail placed it on his free wrist over the leather. It was heavier than he thought as it clicked together to fit on him. He moved it around to get a good feeling before grabbing the mask. It had weird gadgets inside but it looked like any other mask but made with metal instead of bone.
"We don't have much time to explain everything but it will help." Fi'ka paused. "But do me a favor?"
Kaail tilted his head, curious but nodded.
He watched as the small female sighed, looking straight into his eyes. "Save A'stea."
He widened his eyes for a moment before he smiled softly. "I will. That's a promise."
She smiled back. "Then get going."
With that, Kaail placed the mask on, which surprisingly fitted his face and his mandibles. As soon as it was secured, he turned around and took off without hesitation. Fi'ka watched for a minute as he disappeared. She hummed with a small smile still on her face.
"You love her . . . don't you?"
Hi everyone!
Quite a chapter with plot twists and everything going on in just a few hours. At least D'alg and S'aha are trying to help A'stea survive but with a whole hideout out to hurt D'alg, it must be hard.
But now, Kaail has to go up the scary mountain that many fear to even go near, not to mention other dangers lurking in the dark. But with Fi'ka's support, Kaail received the very equipment that will be used for future generations to come. He's starting to evolve into the warrior we all know and love. And I am very proud of him standing up to the members and Nu'kha, calling out that he's fighting to free them instead of running away. So proud!
But will he make it in time to save A'stea?
Find out when Chapter 45 comes Monday!
P.S. So I know that this story seems to be jumping around and not going into a straight direction but I want to focus on how these characters develop and how even the smallest of pieces can count in the end, especially with Kaail most of all. To me, it makes him feel that he's a real character struggling to find his own instead of straight on the action and instant romance. It had to be earned. The story is long but the chapters are shorter so it will keep going on.
But I thank you for the advice in moving forward with this story and I'll make sure to implement it.
Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, HuntressQueen22, NeverNeverLady, 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 thank you for your support. :)
Happy Hunting! :))))