Chapter 57

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

The black creatures moved closer and closer, setting their sights on A'stea or the lack of sight. They had no eyes to be found anywhere but she couldn't help but feel that they were staring right at them. One sniffed the air with its mouth open and hissed, lowering back at her.

"Oh, c'jit . . ."

She tensed as the kainde amedha surrounded them. Kainde amedha? Hard meat they call them . . . We'll see. Her eyes wandered around the crowds, catching sight of the line of warriors watching by. She zoned in on Kaail and tensed as the expression of despair was clear in his face. Although she worried, a calm thought settled in her chest. When they were taken by the guards, she heard little, only that she was accused of Master's S'wqua's murder and she was being punished for it. Nothing else was told so from seeing that Kaail wasn't imprisoned gave reassurance that the masters do not know of his involvement.

But who told them? Could it be . . ?

She snapped from her thoughts when Fi'ka cried out. One of the black creatures raced towards them and knocked her to the ground. The crowds cheered harder as A'stea tried to escape but its arms and legs pinned her.

"Kill the ooman! Kill it!"

"Yeah!"

Her heart raced as its faceless mug inched closer. But when it opened its mouth, she saw another set of jaws that extended out where the tongue should be. It snapped open and shut as it inched closer. What in the hold pauk did the Engineers create?

Right as it was about to make the final kill, another one slammed into the creature and swiped with its giant claws. It let her loose and turned on its own as the second tried to reach her. Soon, all of them were fighting each other in a frenzy, much to the dislike of the Amengi. She got away and backed off and watched. They are fighting each other? Not very intelligent . . . More like beasts than anything else.

But one of the guards shot a blast next to the horde of black mass and they jumped out of the way. They hissed in the direction of the shot but another shot is fired right at A'stea's feet, almost taking her toes. The creatures turned to her again and ran towards them. Pauking Amengi. Toying with me and revealing these creatures where I am . . . I should have known they wouldn't play fair.

The creatures were fast . . . too fast for her to escape. I need to find a way out or find something to use as a weapon. She turns to the stone pillars that were behind, standing tall. Normally, she wouldn't think of climbing but the pillars had cracks from previous battles, worn out from the brute force it took up. Maybe I can climb up.

A'stea had no option but to run for it. Having no weapon, she couldn't be too picky. She ran to the closest pillar and began her descent. The black creatures followed in pursuit and one almost got the jump on her, falling a little short but managed to rip a piece of her loincloth. She breathed harshly. Her lungs burning from the inside like a fire lit in her throat. Keep going! Don't stop!

Kaail couldn't bear to watch more. He saw the creatures clawing at her like vile beasts only thinking about the thrill of the hunt. One wrong move and she was done for, killed by such abominations of the Engineers and controlled by the Amengi. The smell of the blood that they poured on her was like bait to them, urging not only themselves but the crowds to cheer in joy. Bastards! Pauking bastards!

"We need to stop this before they kill her." He whispered through his inner teeth like a viper.

"Patience, Kaail. We can't go charging in with these guards watching us. We need to slip away undetected." Bu'at's eyes wandered between their bodies, searching for anything they can do our use to their advantage. "See that over there?"

Kaail saw a small latched door a few feet from his right side between the guard and the last Hish warrior. He'd seen that used for emergencies in case a guard had to escape from a dangerous prey or warrior if it came to that. It hadn't been used for a long time so the dirt and mud from the stadium covered it almost completely. "If we can get inside there, it'll lead to the upper levels. From there, we can get to the generator powering the fence, and then we're inside. It will also provide a means to escape."

Kaail nodded. "What are we waiting for?" He crept backward, thinking he could sprint there. But Bu'at's hand grabs his wrist. He was about to growl before his friend stops him yet again with a whisper.

"Don't do any foolish. Once we do this, everyone will know. Do you understand?"

His friend's words were harsh but true in their honest nature. If he burst out of there, they might kill A'stea before he reaches her, not to mention he and Bu'at would also be in trouble. He turned back when he heard A'stea's cry when one of the creatures got a scratch on her thigh. With a regretful groan, he yanks his arm away. "Fine. What do you suggest because we don't have much time."

Bu'at smirked. "I always have a plan."

Kaail watched as he pulled out something from his pouch, bringing up a small ball the size of his hand wrapped in leather. From the grip, it was tough but heard stuff jiggling inside. He tightened the mandibles and hissed in disapproval. "What is that?"

"It's a smoke bomb. It'll give us some cover while stunning the guards and everyone else. I'm not sure how long until they notice we are gone but it's worth a shot."

He grumbled. "Then do it."

"Alright. Head for the door when it goes off. Ready?"

With a firm nod, he watched Bu'at kneel closer enough to the ground and rolled the ball softly across. It tapped on the far guard standing by the latched door. The Amengi looked down for a split second before the bomb exploded into a cloud of smoke. The crowds drowned the noise and the guards, along with the Hish, flew into confusion.

"Now."

Kaail and Bu'at crouched and hurried to the latched door, quickly getting inside before anyone noticed them, entering into a dark corridor that led into a labyrinth that winded throughout the structure of the stadium.

"Come on. This way."

Bu'at bumped into Kaail's shoulder, irritating the hell out of him. But he followed nonetheless into tight spaces and turns. The old rocks scratched against his skin to which he ignored. His mind focused on getting to A'stea in time so as they ran, he listened to the sounds outside. They climbed up a spiral of stairs until they reached another door. "Here it is. Stay out of sight."

Kaail nodded, waiting impatiently as his friend opened the door and went through. He followed closely as they were right back outside but in the higher levels now, looking down from behind the sea of bodies and into the stadium. So far, he could see A'stea had gotten to the top of the pillar but was having a hard time defending herself. The creatures managed to climb the stone shaft and lashing one at her feet one at a time. We need to get to her now!

"Where to now, Bu'at? I can't wait much longer." When he heard a hiss of frustration from his friend, Kaail growled. "Is there a problem?"

"For her . . . it might be."

He didn't understand until he froze upon hearing her cries of pain, even though the crowds. Kaail saw, to his horror, that one of the creatures had gotten a hold of her leg with its tail and stabbed the bard in her thigh. She threw her head in a scream and it screeched into his very soul.

No! No! No!

"Pauk this, Bu'at! I'm leaving now and you take care of the generator!"

"Wait! Are you crazy?! You're going in there and—"

Kaail didn't wait. He jumped over the barrier separating the seats from where they are, pushing against the Amengi and Hish alike. They growled and hissed at him but he didn't bother, weaving through the bodies in frustration. His heart beating wildly in his chest. I need to find a way over the barrier and get to her . . . but how?

He glanced around, hoping to find something until he spotted a ledge that was furthest forward from the rest. He calculated how far he would need to jump and if he would make it. It was much more than he expected, even for his built and strength. Doubt seeps in him until another cry from A'stea came as another black creature scratched her hip and tore a piece of cloth. He could have sworn she looked at him for a second.

From that point, his mind was made up. Regardless of the consequences, he would get to her . . . no matter what.

Taking a deep breath, Kaail rammed harder through the crowds, even going as far as pushing an Amengi master out of the way. It felt good for that moment. It was only seconds but it felt too long for Kaail to reach close to the ledge. He saw A'stea was losing strength and without a weapon, they would finish her.

Hold on, A'stea. I'm coming.

"Hey! Stop right there!" Kaail saw two Amengi guards breaking through the crowd and aiming their guns at him. "What are you doing?!"

He growled. I don't have time to deal with you! He glanced back and forth between the ledge and the guards. He had to go now or it'll all be over. He shocked his head and with all of his might, pushed his legs hard and rushed forward towards the ledge.

"Stop!"

The guards began to shoot their guns, aiming for his legs. The crowds shrieked in fear, ducking their heads with some too slow and got hit by the blasts. Kaail kept going, fueled by his adrenaline as he looked onward towards A'stea as she fell from the top pillar with the black creatures dragging her with them.

A'stea!

With a giant leap, he flew in the air and prayed that he would make it over . . . and in time.

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

A'stea tried to fight off the black creatures but to little avail. She'd hoped that she would get some advantage on higher ground but she was proven wrong. Not only did these kainde amedha climbed but they did it with ease, angrier that their prey was escaping.. She tried to kick them off but when they stabbed her leg with their stingers and scratched her hip, she knew she was fighting a losing battle. She tried to look for Kaail but one pulled her off the pillar when she was distracted. It was a grave mistake she would regret.

They landed on the ground hard. Even on top of a black creature, A'stea gasped in pain. Its hide was thick and hard, much like its namesake and it irritated her wounds, even forcibly pulling the tip of its tail out of her leg. The smell of iron was strong and it was a bad sign, feeling the warmth of her blood coating her feet. But another smell like something burning took over. She glanced at the gash on the creature below her, noticing its drops of blood were burning the ground it touched.

She widened her eyes. Acidic blood!?

In an instant, the black creature thrashed her off, only to pin her from the top by her head and arms, hissing in victory. The crowds cheered on. She was no match for its strength despite looking like a walking stick figure. Still, she thrashed and never admitted defeat but that might not matter. The other creatures stalked her once more, coming from every direction around them. She bit her lip, tasting her blood.

"You failed, ooman."

The crowds grew a little quiet as the speakers rang Master Thu'at's voice. "You thought you can survive? Even at death's door, you continue to fight?"

She used all of her strength to lift her head and hiss through her teeth. "I will never give up. I'd rather die than submit to your pauking, worthless asses!"

The creature slammed her head on the ground hard. Her cheek felt like it shattered. She heard a chuckle. "I figured you would say that. Oh well . . . you were a pretty thing but you outlived your usefulness. Enjoy your last moment before you die."

The speaker screeched for a second until it went silent. A'stea thrashed again but instead, she was twisted on her back fast and pinned once more. The creature inched its ugly face closer, slowly opening its mouth to let its second set of jaws. Its clear saliva dripped on her face and it smelled nasty . . . like death itself.

For a brief moment, she saw her life flash before her eyes and wondered what she had been doing all this time. Her only wish was to be free and wanted it for everyone else. She thought her existence meant something . . . that she was destined for something great. She knew death would be a possibility but she never thought it would end with this.

Pauk the Engineers . . . pauk the Amengi . . . She paused. Pauk my life . . .

She closed her eyes and thought of a few happy memories she had. She never regretted meeting Fi'ka when she was at her lowest . . . when she met Dakha and the pups as they welcomed them like a mother. The smiles . . . the laughs . . . she treasured them all.

And then . . . she remembered Kaail. He was the last person she would expect to meet, let alone bond at a great level . . . more than friends. Lovers, maybe? For some reason, she smiled and remembered the smell of his musk and the warmth of his skin.

Kaail . . .

But all of her sudden, the weight on her body was gone, followed by several shrieks and one filled with agony. She opened her eyes and saw that one had fallen dead to the ground with its neck twisted. The others around her glanced at their dead comrade, seemingly surprised. What the pauk . . ?

"What is going on!?"

"What is he doing!?"

"This is insane!"

A'stea shook her head. What are they . . ? She didn't need to finish the question when she saw a pale Hish warrior standing over the dead creature. "Kaail?"

Although he showed aggression in his face, his eyes sought hers and softened, sending a shiver down her spine. He gives a small purr for a brief second before turning on the creatures. The kainde amedha hissed in anger, mostly from their dead comrade, and began to stalk him. Kaail answered with a roar of his own, raising his chest to show his strength and determination. The tension of battle threatening to tear.

And then . . . it finally broke and the two sides charged at one another. The start of a chain reaction that would engulf everyone into chaos.

Hi everyone!

Phew! I had a rough time doing this chapter since I wanted to add more but didn't want to make the chapter too long. So much going on here that I couldn't fit it all in one chapter. I hope you can forgive me for it and hope you like it.

Kaail has come to the rescue and saves A'stea just in time before she was about to be killed. But now, he's in the middle of a battle and everyone is witnessing it. What will his master think? We all know that things are not going to end well for everyone.

Will they escape with their lives? Or will they be under the mercy of the Amengi's fury?

So with that, I know everyone is expecting another chapter by tomorrow and I was hoping to as well but I have been under the weather and had little time to finish that and another chapter for Balance. So I've decided to postpone Chapter 58 to next Monday so I can have time to finish it. As for Balance, I'm hoping to finish it by tomorrow. Thank you all for your patience. :)))

Find out when Chapter 58 comes Monday!

Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, HuntressQueen22, 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! :))))