Chapter 53

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

As soon as they landed hard on the ground, the herd went into a complete panic. A stampede ensued as the beasts reacted on the instinct of survival . . . and that is to escape first and ask questions later. But it didn't matter to Kaail and A'stea. They landed with precision between the Ri'ghar male, making sure it had no way to escape. But it didn't matter since the beast was ready for a fight. It had been waiting for a long time, ever since A'stea first hunted it. Being in front, she smirked as the Ri'ghar scraped the ground with its foot.

"Good to see you again, Big Guy. For the last time at least."

The Ri'ghar didn't wait and charged. The ground shook beneath like an earthquake as it lowered its head, pointing its sickle horn to the side. She already knew what was coming and braced for it. The beast swiped his head in an uppercut to give massive damage with its horn. A'stea rolled in the same movement as the attack, missing it by a few inches. With the momentum it built up, the Ri'ghar skidded across the ground and smashed into a tree via the abdomen. It bellowed a cry, shaking off itself from the pain.

"Now!"

Hearing the signal, Kaail sprinted towards the beast, bone blades out and ready to kill. He aimed for the vein-popping underneath the hard skin of its neck, thinking with one slice it would bleed to death and that would be the end of it. But it was easier said than done. He barely was inches when the Ri'ghar roared, snapping its jaws at him. Kaail had to shield his face but the force he was met with knocked him backward. He managed to stay on his feet but the muscles in his arms ached. This thing is strong. No wonder A'stea needed my help.

Although he was the strongest physically of the two, the Ri'ghar turned his attention back to A'stea. The low growl hummed in the air as it scrapped the ground for another charge. The grudge it had on her was no laughing matter. Sometimes, Kaail thought it to be more of a predator than a grazer. It wanted blood . . . her blood.

It charged again, stomping harder to gain more speed. A'stea thought of her options. Dodging it again would be certain death. It may be prey but it wasn't stupid. It was one lesson she would teach Kaail. So instead, she braced for it and waited for the right moment. She saw a glimpse of his terrified face looking onward but she stayed calm. Her focus laid on the Ri'ghar and it lowered its head to the side, moving its sickle horn close to the ground and then swept it across.

Here it comes!

With such precision, she timed her jump so she missed the horn and got on the beast's back. Kaail watched in awe as she managed to make the move look effortless. She grabbed onto its small stubs covering its skin as it began to thrash, trying to knock her off. It was a hard struggle without claws or fangs so she dug her knife into the soft parts of its hide. The beast bellowed in pain and thrashed harder. Their plan was underway.

"Take it out while it's distracted!"

Kaail nodded in acknowledgment. The plan was for A'stea to grab its attention while Kaail studied the beast for any weak spots. Since the beast was so intent on killing A'stea, it left him alone long enough for him to study. He put all the skills he'd learned to the test . . . his final lesson.

So the Ri'ghar is like a massive tank packed with muscle. It moves fast despite its size and its primary weapon seems to be its horn.

Kaail didn't get why A'stea told him to keep the horn intact but she made it very clear on their way here not to break it. The logical way is to destroy it so the Ri'ghar didn't have the advantage but she did point out, with good reason, that it wouldn't be a challenge. He did like the idea deep down so he had to find another way.

But his time was up.

The Ri'ghar got fed up with thrashing around and decided to change tactics. Its sights change to Kaail and he knew he was in trouble. The beast charged right at him. A'stea saw this and screamed. "Watch out!"

"I see it!"

Kaail ducked under its belly but the beast didn't stop. What is it doing!? It's only when he saw the Ri'ghar lowering its head enough to ram A'stea into a nearby tree that he realized the graveness of the situation.

"A'stea!"

She heard his call and squinted her eyes at him, then followed to see the beast about to crush her against the tree. Oh, c'jit. She couldn't let go since this was their only shot but she would also get crushed if she didn't. Her mind raced to come up with an alternative, one that was very risky to herself but it was better than nothing. She pulls her knife out of its hide and jams it into its eye. Blood splattered like a sprinkle went off, covering her and the Ri'ghar in its fluids.

The beast howled like nothing they ever heard and came to a halt, almost throwing her off again if she didn't react fast and grabbed a hold on it. It began to thrash once more, going into a circular motion this time. A'stea had to close her eyes not to get dizzy. Come on, Kaail. Find it!

As she held on, Kaail felt somewhat helpless watching A'stea put herself in harm's way. But he had to keep reminding himself to listen to her instructions. Find the weak spot. Find the absolute key to winning this battle. He wished she gave him hints to where it was. But then again . . . she put her foot down and said there were no 'freebies' in a Hunt, especially by himself.

Thanks for that, A'stea.

Kaail studied the beast within such chaos, trying to find the weak spot. The hide was too thick . . . he couldn't break the horn . . . and now the beast was angrier than ever before. His anger was starting to make him agitated.

He growled, clicking his mandibles frantically. Where could it be?! It's not like it's going to pop out like—

The Ri'ghar suddenly reared up when A'stea pulled out the knife from its eye, only to stab into it again. When it threw its head high in the air, Kaail noticed a small, dark scar in the middle of its chest. The hide around it appeared to have disintegrated, revealing the soft skin that laid underneath. Is that it?

A'stea couldn't hold on anymore. The Ri'ghar stomped hard onto the ground and her grip shattered. The momentum threw her onto the ground beneath the beast as she let out a gasp that the impact had on her body.

"A'stea!"

She snapped her eyes open, watching as the Ri'ghar had its face right at her. It blew a breath that made her hold her breath from the icky stink it had. Its eyes sought hers, the final act before it would finish her off. She watched as its foot raised above her head. She tried to get out of the way but the earlier impact on her body rendered it paralyzed in pain for a moment . . . a moment she couldn't afford.

But Kaail jumped and pulled her out of the way in a split second as the beast crushed the ground she was lying on. Kaail held her tightly as he pulled both of them up onto their feet. "Are you alright?"

He checked her body to see. A few bruises were forming over her skin but it was nothing she couldn't handle. She nodded softly, removing his hand softly from her. "I'm okay. Saved by the hunter, right?"

Both smiled at each other, making their hearts pound hard for a second. But their attention turns back to the Ri'ghar as it turns back to them. Now, it was fairly pissed, snorting with distaste and puffing air into the dirt that kicked up a small dust storm each time.

"That thing won't give up."

A'stea shook her head. "I agree. But none of that now . . . Did you see a weak spot?"

He nodded. "Under its belly. It had a scar about the size of my hand over its chest."

"Good. It's an old wound?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"Then that's what we will use. But you'll make the kill. Yours and yours alone."

Both turned to each other with serious looks in their eyes. There was no question of what needed to be done. Kaail had to finish this and A'stea had to make sure he finally accomplished his goal. They didn't need to exchange words but only mere glances . . . although it was hard not to think about other things.

Luckily, the Ri'ghar roared once more, grabbing their attention. It charged once more but with even more strength and speed. Kaail and A'stea pushed on each other to get out of the way as the Ri'ghar barreled through. It makes a sharp turn around and heads right back to them. Kaail glances to A'stea, seeing her smile and nod in approval.

I won't fail you.

Kaail turns to the charging Ri'ghar and with a deep breath, he lets it out in a form of a roar, stronger than any he gave before. Everything he felt . . . everything he learned . . . all of his emotions . . . were put into that single roar. And he felt so powerful. The confidence in him grew as he crouched, waiting as the beast aimed at him for the kill.

In an instant, A'stea threw her knife, hitting the underside of its front leg. Unable to hold its weight mixed with the momentum and pain, the Ri'ghar fell to one knee. The impact twisted its body and skidded onto its back. As soon as the beast came to a stop, Kaail jumped right on top, making quick work to get on its chest while avoiding its feet moving around. His eyes found the old scar and he moved to stand above it.

This is it. This is my chance . . . to end this.

He raised his bone gauntlet, aiming the blades right at it. It would be easy to pierce its heart with ease. For a split second, Kaail turned his head towards A'stea, standing on the side . . . and smiling, He could feel the pride flowing from her and into himself. His heart raced in joy, knowing he had her by his side at this milestone.

He turned back to the Ri'ghar and without hesitation, plunged his blades into the scar.

He felt its heart being pierced, followed by the warmth from the blood pouring out to the side. The Ri'ghar trembled and tried to fight, following its instinct to live. But it was too late. Kaail twisted the blades and the beast was done for. Its chest lowered slowly as it gurgled a death rattle . . . until it was dead.

It's over . . .

Kaail took a deep breath as he slowly pulled his blades out, sliding off of the corpse before falling to his knees. The exhilaration he felt sucked all the strength he had but it also brought sore relief like he'd been working out and felt great. He looked to the sky and chuckled.

What a feeling . . . Is this what it means to be a hunter?

A'stea watched him for a moment, smiling at his accomplishment. It was bittersweet to see the Ri'ghar that she'd hunted for so long dead on the ground, twisted unnaturally in its last moments. But all good things must come to an end.

She walked to Kaail as he gazed up to her. She smiled. "You did well."

He chuckled. "I have you to thank for."

He stood up as A'stea moved around the corpse to the front. Kaail followed as she went to the prize she'd been waiting for a long while. With sharp precision, she takes a knife and sees the horn at the base until it comes off. She moves it around for inspection, testing how sturdy it was with her finger.

"A clean kill. Finally got what we came for."

"The horn?" Kaail tilted his head. "Why that?"

"It's the final piece I need to make something for you." She ties it on her belt, tugging to make sure it was one. "But that's my secret."

Kaail had to turn away when she winked at him. The blood rushed to his face, fueled by his beating heart. He looked back as A'stea inspected the corpse, seeing if anything else is worth salvaging.

"How did you know about the scar?"

A'stea stood up. "It was an old wound I inflicted on the beast the first time we met. Ever since then, it hated me for it and I wasn't strong enough to make the final blow . . . until you came along."

A'stea chuckled as she came to his side. Her smile reflected off of him. "You are finally a full-fledged hunter now. I have nothing more to teach you now."

"Except for the trick with your fingers." He pointed to them.

She giggled. Of course, he still wants to know. Why wouldn't he? But then her thoughts betrayed her as she lowered her face to the ground.

You'll regret not taking the deal. And you're only his plaything . . . until you're no use for him anymore . . .

She closed her eyes. Her heart ached with some sadness and despair. "I guess you don't need me anymore."

"Why would you say that?"

"I . . ."

She couldn't say it. Something pulled her back and she could only think that she's worried about his reaction if she said it. A plaything . . . I shouldn't be feeling like this. But why? Her arms wrapped around themselves in a futile attempt to hide her.

Kaail saw the change in her behavior right away, unsure of what caused it. Was she scared? Angry? Sad? He couldn't tell since he felt every one of them around her. But he knew this isn't like her and he didn't want to see her suffering. His body pulled to her like a magnet, wrapped her arms around her. She stiffened under him but didn't pull away as he initially thought. He lowered his chin on top of her head, rubbing her shoulders.

"I don't know what's going on with you . . . but I need you more than ever." He pulled away to look into her hazel eyes. "You have no idea how much."

There was no hesitation in his eyes, nothing that she could find. He's right . . . A'stea watched and waited as Kaail lowered his face onto hers . . . until they joined together. The kiss was soft and warm, mirrored by their hands gliding on each other's skin. After a minute, the fire between them grew until they couldn't hold it in anymore.

A'stea gasped when Kaail picked her up and pinned her to a tree, pushing his mouth harder into her. She was struggling to breathe but it was welcomed. He moved to nibble on her neck, tasting her pulsing vein. She threw her head at the overwhelming sensation and moaned her desires. Her hands reached for his shoulders while her legs wrapped around his waist and held tight as he moved down to her chest. His tongue working on any exposed flesh it could find.

She tastes so good. Kaail couldn't get enough of her. She was like a drug that he needed desperately. Involuntarily, his hand reached between their bodies and touched her where the warmth was the strongest. He heard her gasp and it was like music to him, sending a jolt of pleasure through him and resonated into a purr. His cock jumped excitedly, egging him on to push further but he knew that she needed to agree. She was his equal.

When he pulled away, A'stea groaned in frustration, grabbing onto his dreadlocks in a desperate attempt to keep him close. He grunted but held fast, looking deep into her eyes. "Do you want this?"

An agonizing minute passed as he waited, watching her debate inside her mind. For a moment, he thought that she would stop there and his heart dropped a little. But to his surprise, she smiled. Although she spoke of waiting until they were finally free, it felt right. This is what she wanted . . . as much as she wanted to deny. Those red eyes that would scare anyone else . . . she felt the opposite. The glow in them radiated like the twin suns. Without hesitation, she yanked him back and kissed him once more.

Kaail didn't waste any time and worked on taking her clothes off and vise versa with A'stea, untying his loincloth. The passion overwhelmed them as they sought each other in an ancient dance . . . a moment that was theirs alone.

"Who would have thought?"

Both froze in panic as they heard another's voice, followed by the clicking of guns. Kaail lowered A'stea and turned with a growl. But the realization reached them that they were caught.

Hi everyone!

Oh boy . . . they got caught but by who?

So many guesses but we can assume that it's not good. Even worse that Kaail and A'stea were about to get in on! But at least Kaail is a full-fledged hunter now and the horn they take will prove very important.

If they make it out at least . . . Will they?

Find out when Chapter 54 comes Monday (unless there are changes since it's Labor Day here)!

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 the problem with the reviews had been fixed. Thank goodness lol. And I'll be posting a new chapter of Balance shortly. Still making some adjustments.

And thank you for your support. :)

Happy Hunting! :))))