Nexus

by DarkOne09

(Prelude to Twisted Fate) A Yautja hunter is sent upon the oomans with a mission to prevent the progress of hybridization among them and vows to stop it at all costs. But upon arriving, he finds more than what he expects when he encounters someone who catches his interest. But is it just coincidence? Or is this the start of something bigger than themselves?

12. Chapter 12 (Grief)

Chapter 12: Grief

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

Everything was like a blur as I raced out of the building and into the open air of Yautja Prime. I did call for Hakr'ouh to message Xen'ork about meeting me at the loading docks. He did without any question in which I'm glad for him. But that was one problem dealt with and another presented itself when I went through the markets in the hopes of going through a faster path. I cursed when it was a busy day as dozens of Yautjas bustled through to see the new items that the merchants had brought. It mattered little as my mind focused on getting to the loading docks as soon as possible. I bumped into several warriors that gave me dirty looks with some going so far as to growl openly. The instinct to beat them to a pauking (fucking) pulp was completely blocked by my desire to get off of this planet and head to the ooman planet . . . and to Mia.

It wasn't long before I saw the start of the platform that led to the loading docks. My heart leaped for joy when my eyes set upon it and my feet began to quicken their pace towards it. But of course, it never was that easy. Out of nowhere, two Arbitrators blocked my path as they lined up side by side to create a barrier. I growled and decided to go around them but they moved again to block me. I went the other way and they followed, irritating me even more. I leered at the closest Arbitrator in front and rose my chest up in intimidation.

"Let me pass."

I figured that they wouldn't budge since, unlike many other warriors, the Arbitrators had been honed to keep themselves calm and focused in all situations for the sake of the Council's protection. Still, I made sure to show my displeasure as I leered into his mask in the hope he got my message. The Arbitrator steps forward, placing his spear across him.

"We're ordered not to let you go."

I roared with ferocity. "I said let me pass!"

It was stupid of me but I shoved the Arbitrator forcibly in an attempt to get him out the way. Everything almost exploded when the other Arbitrator came to his side and pointed the sharp end of the spear close to my neck. I froze but let out another deep growl as the Arbitrator that I shoved cleaned the dust off himself but remained composed.

"My apologies but we're only following our orders."

"On whose account!?"

"Mine."

A voice called out from behind and all of us turn to see that it was my brother Datho along with Thant'oug right behind . . . the last Yautja on the planet that I wanted to see again. I bared my mandibles out and hissed in fury at his presence but it only made him smirk even more. He's planning something . . . I know it!

"I told you, my Lord. The Blood Assassin is obsessed with an ooman female. Enough that he'll disobey orders to return to that pathetic speck of a planet."

Thant'oug points his finger at me, twirling it around to piss me off even more than I was. It almost did the trick as the urge to rip him apart in front of everyone was becoming unbearable but a small part of me resisted it, knowing the consequences if I pulled something stupid. Instead, I tightened my fists together and glared right in his direction.

"Thant'oug . . . Another attempt to piss me off?"

He huffed, still smirking. "Of course not. I'm merely doing my duty in protecting our species. Even if it means going against my future Clan Leader."

I opened my mandibles slightly, showing my inner mouth and making sure he could see my teeth bare before him. "You should rethink your place in the Dark Blade Clan if I were you."

I felt satisfied when I saw a break in his smirk, morphing into anger as he mirrored my expression a few moments ago. Thant'oug starts growling as well but he raises his chest and shoulders, looking like he's ready to attack at any moment. I figured he would go right into a fight since he has no patience nor self-control. Pathetic in my opinion. But the situation dissipated when Datho roars loud enough to snap both me and Thant'oug out of it.

"Enough! Both of you!"

He steps in between us, standing as tall as a Yautja with such a high rank. Instinctually, I dropped my shoulders and lowered my head a bit. Despite being my brother, he could easily reprimand me without a second thought. I waited as Datho takes a few steps towards my direction, never losing eye contact with me.

"Daugo. What is going on?"

His voice calls out sternly, indicating that he means he wants a clear and simple explanation for my actions. I could feel a tingling sensation that was an experience I would rather forget running down my spine. Although I wanted to keep my brother out of this, Thant'oug has put me in a tough situation where I have no choice. Admitting that, I sighed and looked right into my brother's eyes.

"Datho. I need to return to the ooman planet. I believe that something serious is developing that requires my attention. I need to get to the loading docks immediately."

At that moment, Datho gives me a low look that displayed his displeasure and somewhat disappointed with his mandibles pulled into his inner mouth and his chin pressing into the top of his chest, crossing his arms in the process.

"It's not just your mission. Thant'oug had shown me a recording of your interaction with an ooman named Mia. Am I wrong?"

My whole world stopped in an instant and whatever confidence I had in every fiber of my being fled without a trace, leaving only uncertainty and worry. Pauk . . . Thant'oug must have a video running when he saw me and Mia. My eyes glanced at his direction for a split second and that smirk on his face returned, boiling my blood. I took a deep and calming breath to at least control my emotions while thinking about how to answer. My brother would want more than just a yes or no. Unable to find an alternate way, I admitted defeat and spilled out everything with confidence. Nothing to hide . . .

"No. I indeed met Mia on my mission. She's one of the reasons why I need to return."

"See?! He's infatuated with prey! A weak being that can't even survive a minute in a fight with a Yautja! Nothing more than dirt under our feet!"

Thant'oug flips out, pointing his finger right at me like an ignorant pup that doesn't know the consequences of his actions. Stupid . . . and naive.

"Thant'oug! That's enough!"

Datho probably felt the same with Thant'oug's behavior, turning around to deeply growl at him. Thant'oug, sensing the immediate danger to his life, went into complete submission as he kneels to the ground and lowers his head so his eyes were covered by his elongated head and dreadlocks. It didn't help to appease Datho's frustration as I watched him walk over to Thant'oug and smack him hard in the head. The sound alone was enough to tell me it wasn't a warning but rather a threat since I heard the cracking of bone. Thant'oug's eyes went blank and I could fairly see his pupils dilate and then retract back and forth. I saw a faint splatter of green neon blood across the ground and followed its path back to Thant'oug, seeing a small cut on the side of his forehead. He didn't make a sound as Datho looked down on him.

"I only brought you here in believing that you can control yourself. But it seems that was my mistake. Leave us now and I'll deal with you later."

With that, Datho signals the Arbitrators from behind me and they swarm to Thant'ouhg like a kainde amedha hive. They stood on each side of him and helped lift him from the ground and then pushed on his shoulders into the direction that they wanted him to go. Thant'oug grumbles but he knows that he couldn't do anything against Datho's order or else risk becoming dishonored and deemed a Bad Blood. After a minute, Thant'oug glares at me one last time, giving a small growl before walking off back to the city with the Arbitrators on his tail. Now, it was only Datho and me in a small space so that no other Yautjas can hear our conversation. My brother sighs, rubbing his head in exhaustion until he looks back to me.

"Brother . . . What has happened to you?"

I spoke without delay. "I've opened my eyes for the first time . . . in a long time. I know you think of me as a fallen warrior but it matters little now."

Datho grumbles. "Even if it means you become a Bad Blood? You know the consequences of doing this."

Consequences . . . I lifted my chin enough so my face is just in front of Datho's. "I'm already treated as one . . . shamed by my past . . . reminded each day by everyone of what I've done. What's the difference?"

"You can be killed."

"And? I've already made one mistake in my life and that is watching by while those close to me die. I won't make that mistake again, especially with Mia involved."

"Then do you love her?"

I paused for a split second when he asked me that question. He didn't seem upset or angry but rather curious to an extent. I could see it in his eyes when a small light could be seen in his black pupils but Datho was well known to hide his true emotions like he's been doing for longer than fifty seasons, most likely trying to test me. I've got nothing to hide from you.

I inhaled deeply as I spoke like Mia was right in front of me, smiling happily to see that I was there with her and can vividly see her brown hair and brown eyes glowing from the light of the moon like the last time we've met. Her voice rings in my head, calling to me with such a sweet sound that I've never heard before.

Datho . . .

I let the words flow out of my mouth like a calm river.

"I do, brother. With all of my being."

When I answered, Datho doesn't move an inch like he was frozen in his place like a statue until he closes his eyes shut, leaning his head down slightly to the ground. I was a bit nervous that he wouldn't understand and try to keep me on this planet with force. I prepared myself for the worst but fate had another idea in mind when my brother opens his eyes and calmly calls to me.

"I understand." He waves his hand out to me. "You may go."

That took me in complete surprise. Datho . . . letting me go like that? It must be some sort of trick. I blinked my eyes several times in the hope that this wasn't a dream. But he was there, staring at me like I was some sort of pauking (fucking) moron. It got to the point where Datho had to growl to snap me out of my head.

"Did you hear what I said. You have my permission to leave."

It took me a few more seconds before I could let out a sentence. "Are you serious?"

Datho grunts in frustration, shaking his head in disbelief while his dreadlocks slapped against him as he crossed his arms.

"Yes. I may regret letting you do this and see your ooman lover but this is the first time I've seen you determined. Ever since Ba'kou and your lifemate."

I didn't say anything as I let him continue to what he wanted to say. "Despite what our Code of Honor dictates . . . sometimes . . . one must determine if we should follow it or follow our judgment. For one reason or another, mine is telling me that you need to do this."

With that, Datho goes to his wrist gauntlet and presses on it and a voice could be heard but it's hard to determine who it belonged due to static interference that happens once in a while. "Yes, my Lord?"

"Do you have the ship ready?"

"Of course. I'm here waiting for him."

"Good. I'm sending him your way so be prepared."

"Yes, my Lord."

The voice crackles off and Datho lowers his arm down, turning his attention at me while I stood there like a statue.

"Xen'ork is waiting for you at the ship docked at the very end, ready to take off."

My eyes widened in surprise. Xen'ork couldn't have done that so quickly since I only messaged him a few minutes ago, so the only logical explanation is that Datho planned this all along and already made his decision. You clever c'jit (shit). I looked into his eyes as he nodded his head, confirming my suspicions.

"This will remain a secret between us. No one will know of this except those you trust or already have knowledge of it. I'll deal with Thant'oug later."

With that, Datho walks closer to me until there was only an arm's distance between us. We looked at each other for a while until he reaches forward, placing a firm hand on my shoulder in which startled me a bit.

"I hope you know what you're doing. And may you be successful. I'll see you soon . . . brother."

He pats my shoulder one last time before letting go as he turned back around, heading to the city and leaving me all alone. I didn't move for what seemed like an eternity, trying to process what just happened in front of me. But the reality of the situation hits me hard and my breath hitches when I knew I wasted precious time in looking like an idiot. Quickly, I turned around and headed towards the loading dock, sprinting with all my might. All the while, my mind kept seeing Mia's face while I thought about the recent discovery of the Bad Blood's plan. I had no idea how long I've left Mia alone so I knew I had to find her. I tightened the muscles in my legs to run faster and swung my arms to get more speed as I looked ahead to my destination.

I'm coming, Mia . . . I'm coming.

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

As promised by Datho, Xen'ork was waiting by the edge of the ship as I sprinted to the end of the loading docks. We didn't even need to speak to one another as both of us knew what is going on. Within no time at all, Xen'ork had the ship running at full speed and we took off like the speed of light or at least it felt like it. But it wasn't enough to appease my anxiety as the trip felt like the longest one I've ever been on. All I could do was think about the images Lar'ja had shown me along with the Bad Blood's intentions on the ooman planet.

A hybrid to destroy oomans? What else are they plotting? What more suffering do they want to inflict? If there was such an answer to that question, I feared it.

After an eternity of waiting and looking outside the front window of the ship, my heart relaxed when I saw the ooman planet with its familiar blue sky and ocean surrounding the green, luscious land. I didn't think I would see another planet and believe it to be beautiful other than Yautja Prime. I kept my eyes on the planet until we broke through the atmosphere, thankful that our ships were built with heat resistant metal or else we would be boiled to death before we even got close.

Xen'ork activated the cloaking device and we flew through like we were nothing and landed in almost the exact place from the first time. I didn't even wait for the ship to fully settle down as I raced to the back of the ship and lowered the ramp, not even caring about how far down it was as I leaped into the air. I faintly remember Xen'rok cursing quietly at me for not being patient but my already scrambled mind blurred it out. I landed hard onto the ground and felt the pain radiated from the heels of my feet to the top of my knees, even to my arms except for being more a tingling sensation. After getting my bearings, I pressed on my wrist gauntlet to contact Xen'rok who was still trying to land the ship.

"Xen'ork. I'm heading out. Watch the ship and make sure no one finds you."

"You got it."

I turned off my gauntlet and looked up to the ship, nodding to make sure Xen'ork knew I got the message despite not being able to see him. Without hesitation, I hooked on my mask and turned on my heat vision since the forest was covered in darkness with the exception from the stars above before heading off into the forest. I wasn't sure how to track Mia since I had nothing to follow, not even footsteps she'd left behind but I was determined. There were two spots I could look, which is either going to the facility where Mia works or at the lake where we would meet in secret. Logically, it would be safer to check the lake but after learning of the Bd Blood's plans, it felt best to head to the facility and stop them before anything bad might happen. Who knows what that hybrid can do? If the oomans were successful . . .

I made up my mind and headed to the direction of the facility, using the information

I stored on my last trip to find its location. I hope you're okay, Mia . . .

I pumped my body to keep up the fast pace that I wanted it to go despite feeling the burn coming on, following the map shown from my mask. But all of a sudden, I could hear a faint sound and I stopped in my tracks. What is that? I stayed as still as possible, trying to depict what kind of creature was making that sound. I had no clue as to what it was but as I kept listening to it, I was able to piece it together enough that it reminding me of sobs. I tightened my eyes together in confusion. Who's crying?

I looked around to figure out where the source was until my eyes stopped at a familiar patch of bushes and trees that I vividly recognized. The sobs were still going but then I heard the faint rush of water . . . the same one I used to find the lake. Is it . . . Mia? Without pause, I twisted my feet and planted them in the ground towards the desired direction and pushed with all my might. As fast as lightning, I changed direction and sprinted through the bushes while following the sound of flowing water. As soon as I was in the clearing, I slowed down as I saw the lake right before me with the moon shining brightly above. It was still like I remembered it and I felt at peace with it, seeing glimpses of my memories here with Mia.

Speaking of which . . . where is she?

I looked around the shoreline but there was no one in sight. I switched to the night vision in the hopes of catching Mia in my sight but to no avail. Maybe I should look around more. Slowly, I walked around as I looked to each side of me every few seconds but found nothing. I was starting to lose hope that I may never find her until I saw a small figure sitting by the edge of the lake near the waterfall. Although I had my night vision on, I couldn't see who or what it was since they were cloaked with a dark shroud of some kind. Cautiously, I took several steps while ensuring that I don't make a sound. The sobs were getting stronger and I realized that the sound was coming from the strange figure. Mia? I kept coming closer . . . and closer until I was only a few feet away. I raised my hand slowly and reached for her.

"Hello?"

I didn't know why the pauk (fuck) I said something like that. It was like my mind went to sleep for that split second and if I had known the consequences that came soon after, I would have shut my mouth before anything came out. Right as I spoke, the figure jumped to their feet and pulled out something shiny out of their side. It wasn't until my mask analyzed the item in their hand that I realized it was an ooman weapon . . . something called a gun that was deemed deadly to our kind. Instinctually, I pulled out my wrist blades and roared right at them, making sure I wasn't to be messed with. Bring it on.

But in a split second, the figure gasps and takes a step back and I could sense something snapped them out of it. At first, I didn't relent and kept my glare on them, thinking that they were trying to lower my guard until I heard them speak.

"Daugo?"

It was weak and soft but that voice rang in my ears and my body froze when I realized who it was, confirmed when my name was spoken.

"Mia . . ."

I retracted my blades and waited as the figure dropped the gun onto the ground and moved to lift the hood of their cloak over, revealing Mia's face to me. I did the same and removed my mask and letting it drop to the ground, seeing those ocean colored blue eyes once more. But then, I noticed that the whites of them changed color to almost completely red. And then I looked down and saw her cheeks were of a bright red blush while tears slowly streamed down from them. I put all of it together and concluded that she was the one I heard crying. But why?

"Mia? Are you alright?"

I reached for her again but she backed up a bit, startled by my move. I flinched and pulled my hand back from her. What's wrong with her?

"Is . . . it you?"

I nodded. "Yes. It's me, Mia."

"Why are you here?"

I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I could sense the tension radiating off of her that was slowly growing in strength. I couldn't understand what she seemed so upset towards me. My mind couldn't comprehend it. Again, I reached for her in an attempt to comfort her but once again, she backed up from me. Her facial expression started to twist in anger. Her eyes formed into slits while her teeth ground together. Her hatred was staring right at me and my heart started to sink at the start of our reunion in which I wasn't expecting it to be like this.

"How could you?"

"Wha—?"

"How could you!?"

She screamed her lungs out, lashing at me with rage in her eyes. It was such a shock that I went against Yautja nature and stepped back in fear. It was deemed weak for a highly ranked warrior such as myself to act submissively, even to prey like an ooman. I didn't understand her sudden change in behavior. I raised my hands to show I didn't mean any harm to her but it did little to ease her anger as she still looked at me like a cornered animal ready to strike.

"I don't understand, Mia. What happened?"

Mia ground her teeth so hard that I heard scraping sound coming from them. I wanted to stop her from inflicting any more pain onto her but in her current state, I feared that if I attempted anything, she would flip out. At least she was speaking out although with so much anger.

"How could you just appear out of nowhere after being gone for so long!? Right as I'm acting like a weakling! So that you can mock me!?"

I stuttered with my words, becoming more confused than ever. "Mia . . . I don't . . . know what you're talking about."

"Don't act so naive! You've been gone for almost ten years! Ten years! Leaving me all alone while I waited for you like an idiot!"

My mind froze from what she just said. Ten years? Has it been that long? During my time on Yautja Prime, I had forgotten that the length of time between Yautjas and oomans was completely different. What was only one season for us, ten ooman years would have passed in the same amount of time. Still, it didn't seem that long but then again . . . I was a Yautja and time was much shorter than others and ten years can be a long time for an ooman.

Have I left you for that long, Mia?

I had no idea what to say to her as the eerie silence filled the open air. I heard her seething as she kept breathing heavily but then I saw a break in her demeanor. Her expression slowly changed as the anger started to dissipate from her eyes, replaced with a certain emotion that I couldn't pin. At least until I started seeing more tears coming down from the corner of her eyes. Her breath started to quiver and her chest shook with such sorrow that I could feel that dreaded emotion running through me . . . as if I was the one sobbing. She struggled to get her words passed her lips, trying desperately with all of her might.

"How could you just . . .? Why . . . do you appear now? Why . . .?"

I didn't answer her but remained as still as possible as she continued. "I . . . waited for you. I prayed that you would . . . come back. But you never did."

She sniffs when I saw something leaking from her nostrils. "I . . . missed you."

When I heard those words come from her quivering mouth, my heart broke into a million pieces. It was so painful that I let out a groan. Mia looked startled by the sound, not expecting I would let out something like that. I gripped my chest in an attempt to ease it. What happened to you, Mia? After a few moments, I let go and decided to go to her, even if she didn't want me to. She was in pain and all I wanted to do was take it away from her. So, I took the first step towards her and then another . . . and then another. I kept my eyes on Mia, seeing her eyes widened in shock as she started to step back.

"Don't . . . Stop . . ."

I didn't know if she meant it seriously. Her voice was weak from all the sobbing and emotional spat she gave me but I didn't care. I let my feet walk to her but it was an unusual experience. It was like my legs were walking on their own, knowing what I wanted. Mia stepped back once more until she couldn't anymore. There was no reason why she couldn't move anymore but I suspected that she didn't have the strength anymore. The distance between us grew shorter and shorter until I was only inches in front of her. More tears fell from Mia's eyes as she pushed her hands outward in an attempt to stop me from advancing.

"Please . . ."

She gave one last plea but it was very weak and my mind could no longer comprehend it. One last step and I raised my arms and let them wrap around her small frame, feeling her smooth skin over my rough, scaled one. She resisted me in the beginning, shoving as hard as she could on my chest. But with her body being so weak from her emotions and my body built like stone, it didn't take long before she gave up and that's when she let it all out.

Mia cries out with such sorrow, almost to the point of screaming her head off. Soon, her face was covered in so many tears that they looked like rivers coming out of her eyes. She puts her forehead on my chest and cries more. I tightened my grip around her, making sure that she felt safe in my arms as I purred for her reassurance. It might have made it worse as she cried even harder. Eventually, she started to lose strength in her legs and began to slip down to the ground. I kept her close to me as I slowly lowered both of us until I was sitting down with my legs crossed. I placed Mia between my legs and pulled her closer towards me until every part of her body was touching mine. I pressed her head at the base of my neck as I did with my own. My mandibles gently glide over her skin like a caress and I purred once more.

Some time had passed as I waited for Mia to calm down. It seemed like a long time but I waited patiently until her sobs quieted down and her grip around my waist relaxed. After more time has gone, Mia had finally gone quiet with her breathing the only sound she was making. During that time, I kept thinking about the reasons why Mia was acting like it. So many ooman emotions that I didn't understand and she changed moods so fast that I couldn't keep up. One minute she was angry with me and then the next, she was crying her heart out.

What happened to you, Mia?

I swallowed and took the moment of courage to ask her. I pulled my head away to look down at her while she didn't move an inch.

"Mia?"

I called her, waiting for any response. Luckily, Mia lifted her head and wiped her cheeks dry as her beautiful blue eyes looked into my golden ones.

"Why are you like this? What had happened while I was gone?"

She lowers her eyes in shame, rubbing her face in the process. "I'm sorry . . . for the way I acted. Ever since you left, I . . ."

Mia tried to let her words out but struggled, tightening her lips together so hard that I could barely see them. I grabbed her shin between her fingers and gently lifted it back so I can see her fully.

"Take your time."

I watched her take a deep breath, closing her eyes for a bit before opening them again.

"I'm sorry. A lot has happened when you vanished and . . . it has been too much for me to bear."

"What is it?"

Mia opened her mouth and closed it like a fish, again showing that she was struggling. It must be serious. I purred deeply in my chest and it did the trick in helping her. She looks back to me and takes a deep breath but then a small, single tear falls from her eyes and the sorrow came back to her face.

"When you left . . . Maya . . ." She paused but more tears started up again. "She died."

My whole body froze next to hers. Her daughter . . . passed away? I recalled Mia talking about her before I left the planet and how she told me she wasn't feeling well with something called pneumonia. At the time, I thought it was only minor and that her child would make it through but I was wrong. How stupid I am. I should have known better!

"But . . . I thought she was going to be alright."

"Well . . . everyone thought wrong."

Mia pulled away from me but stayed between my legs, looking towards the lake and up to the moon that shines brightly like the sun in the daytime. I tried to understand what was going through her mind while she rubbed her cheeks once more.

"I watched her die right in my arms. I tried everything I could to save her but it was too late. I saw her take her last breath and I couldn't . . . I couldn't do anything about it!"

Instinctually, she slammed her fist onto my arm that was lying on her side but it felt like a small poke to me. The only real pain I could feel was her emotions flowing into me. I stayed silent throughout her talk, listening very carefully as she kept going on.

"Ever since then . . . I became so angry towards all those around me, including my husband. I didn't see him the same way anymore and we've grown apart ever since. I don't know him anymore. I've been coming to the lake in the hopes of seeing you again. But there was nothing."

But then she stopped for a brief moment to cry all over again. I was surprised that I didn't lose my patience since my past self would have silenced her long before we got to this point. But it was like I was sharing her pain and that familiar feeling was hitting close to her home as Mia described the same thing that I felt when I lost Ba'kou. I struggled to push them back, keeping my focus entirely on her but it was hard. So many raw emotions were threatening to break out . . . in both of us.

"But I did worse . . . much worse after that. All for my selfish needs. I'm a monster . . . and I deserve all of this."

I couldn't believe that she would say such things. What did she possibly do that would make her feel that way? I gripped her shoulders and pulled them up so Mia had no choice but to look straight into my face. I felt anger starting to boil inside me but not because I was angry with her but rather feeling like I did it to her when I left her all alone. It wasn't my intent but I felt responsible. I leaned closer to her face and spoke with the calmest voice I could make . . or any Yautja for that matter.

"You don't deserve this. You are the strongest person I've ever met. But it wasn't your fault. You did everything in your power to save your daughter. I'm sure of it. You don't have to feel this way or else it will eat you alive."

She screams in anger in an instant. "How do you know!?"

Without warning, Mia rips out of my grasp and stand up. She turns towards the lake and walks closer to it, hugging herself as her nails dug into her skin. Her sudden action took me off guard and I raised myself as well, watching her from behind. I could see her body start to tremble uncontrollably so I made my way to her. However, I only took a few steps before she turns around and faces me, clearly angry once more.

"You didn't watch your only child die in front of you! You weren't there when she took her last breath and I did nothing to save her! I felt like a fucking fool! I could have saved her! I could have!"

She stopped to take a breath when her lungs started to struggle. I kept hearing her breathe heavily but it was weaker than before and I knew that she was losing strength. But my focus was drawn to what she just said. Watch your child die in front of you? She had no idea . . . When I looked back into her eyes, I could see that they were the same as mine from a long time ago. I remembered the first time I looked at myself in the mirror after I came back from losing Ba'kou. They were filled with an abyss that had no bottom and only held darkness inside.

I shook my head. No, Mia . . . I won't let you go there.

I moved a bit closer but stopped halfway, closing my eyes in an attempt to calm myself down. After a few moments, I opened them again, feeling the conviction growing inside me. I have to tell her. She needs to know.

I spoke calmly, keeping eye contact with Mia. "I did, Mia. I was just like you . . . a long time ago."

That got her attention right away. The anger vanishes from her eyes and replaced with confusion. Mia tightened her eyebrows together and straightened herself out. "How? I don't understand."

I smiled slightly as I walked up to her, grabbing her hands into my own that stayed between our bodies. She didn't fight me and kept her eyes on me. I sighed and opened my mandibles and inner mouth so I could be as clear as possible.

"I lost my son as well. Ba'kou . . . the one I told you about."

Mia nodded and I kept going. "You should know how he died. You deserve it and maybe . . . I might be able to finally let this go."

I closed my eyes. All this pain I kept inside of me . . . Too long I have kept it bottled inside. It's time to set myself free. I opened my eyes once more and kept them on her as I began to talk about my past . . . a past that I wished could have been forgotten.

Hi Readers!

Daugo is finally going to tell about how he'd lost Ba'kou and how he had come to this point in the story. In a way, both Daugo and Mia stem from the same pain of losing a child but I believe that will be what makes them stronger together. Especially with the upcoming events that will get harsh and maybe dangerous (some may already know what's up). I'm glad that Datho understands what Daugo needs to do but as a Leader of the Council, he can do little to help him. But from my experience in real life, the littlest things can go a long way and be very important. But I'm starting to hate Thant'oug since he's trying to make it as difficult as possible for Daugo. He's so tough that I can't determine where he fits in the 'least favorite character' category. It's between him and Juan (from Break Free). Urg! :( But he's got a big role that will be revealed later on. So get those 'thinking caps' on lol!

But what will Daugo reveal to Mia about his past concerning Ba'kou? Will it help her to know that he shares her pain? Plus, will Mia tell Daugo about the one thing she did that was abominable (something to do with our main character of this series ;))?

Find out when Chapter 13 comes when Endurance is finished and hopefully by mid-September or even earlier depending on my availability. I'll keep posting on my Instagram for further updates.

P.S. Thank you Anonymous-E, Mariah, and NeverNeverLady for the wonderful reviews on Endurance and of course your support on concentrating on that story until it's finished and then go for the best parts in Nexus and Metamorphosis.

Anonymous-E: Thank you for your forgiveness. I got my characters mixed up since I was working on both at the same time. Stupid of me lol. For the baby and Maria, it's not going to be all smooth sailing but I can't spoil it too much so I hope you understand. Depending on my schedule and how the Respect story goes when it's posted, a sequel may be considered but it won't be for a long while. For Ethan's music device, I missed the iPod classic since it was the first one I used and it depends on the timeline for the Respect story unless you don't have a preference. And for a bonus song, I noticed that the songs you picked were like old music so I looked into that era and I do like Michael Jackson songs, especially "Smooth Criminal". Let me know what you think.

Mariah: Thank you for your support. I pray each day that my mother feels better. All I can do is be patient for her.

NeverNeverLady: As for your question, in Chapter 13, Maria already knows that Ana's ship does have a beacon along with the device given to her by Walter. That is what she'll have to come face to face when the truth finally emerges. The only guess is what everyone's reactions would be.

Thank you and enjoy! :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Human speaking English (ooman language)

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language