Balance

by DarkOne09

(Sequel to Metamorphosis) After being hunted down, Anya struggles to protect Earth from the Killer Yautja invasion but finds that she's not alone. With war raging on, she must find a way to join both species together to defeat the enemy once and for all. The finale is upon them and is it up to Anya to find out who will win . . . and who will die.

11. Chapter 11 (Taking a Risk: Part 1)

Chapter 11: Taking a Risk (Part 1)

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

After I got some pieces of armor and weapons, Lar'ja, Molly and I headed out into the deep part of the forest. I only wore my loincloth, mask, leg braces, and a tank top shirt since it wasn't a big Hunt we were going on. Lar'ja insisted I need more protection, showing armor he found in the ship that was only used as substitutes. I declined but he put them on anyway. I was curious where his original armor was since he wasn't wearing it. Most likely taken from him. It only had one shoulder armor piece and leg braces so he had to bring his gauntlets and weapons. But I had a feeling that he wanted to shield me from all the male oomans checking me out. I rolled my eyes every time he would growl at one who looked too long at my body. Does he know I can handle myself? Still, it was nice to know he was looking out for me.

Lar'ja took the lead while I stayed close behind with Molly. I made a deal with Lar'ja that I would be her guardian and be responsible if anything were to happen. He seemed grumpy, most likely in a bad mood for bringing someone inexperienced like Molly. I didn't mind at all. I felt it best for her to see how Yautjas train and hunt, especially with the whole situation involving Bad Bloods and kainde amedha no less.

"Not much further. Stay close."

"You got it."

We were heading to the heart of the forest where the biggest prey resides within the radius. My mouth watered, thinking of dinner. My stomach growled out of nowhere and Molly began to giggle. "Hungry already?"

"Shhhh . . . Be quiet."

I whispered as softly as possible, gaining a glare from Lar'ja as he turned his head for a split second. I didn't see his expression due to his mask but I knew he was worried. Het lets out a small hum before turning around, walking faster.

I sighed, bringing Molly closer. "You need to stay silent. Yautjas hunt like stalkers and so need to stay quiet. It's no good if we make too much noise."

Molly's eyes dropped. "I'm sorry."

I smiled, patting her head. "I know you meant well. Just follow my movements. Okay?"

She smiled back. "Okay."

I let go, catching up with Lar'ja while watching my step over rocks and twigs. Molly learned quickly and matched every movement . . . a great quality for any species to have. I suppressed a smile. She'll learn fast. I'm sure of it.

It wasn't long before Lar'ja stopped in his tracks. Immediately, Molly and I did the same. It took a second to figure out what was going on. My mask automatically zoned on the huge signal between the trees. I turned to heat vision and realized we found our target. A group of elk was grazing on some grass, unaware of our presence. Lar'ja waves his hand out before looking back to us.

"I'll take care of this. Watch."

He glances at Molly and then to me before he begins the hunt. It kind of ticked me off a little, mainly due to being trained as an independent. Yautja hunters engrain that important rule at a very early age, even in me. My ooman side didn't agree with being alone, especially now with the Killer Yautjas taking over. Any help is welcomed. I bit my lip, nodding to him. His eyes softened for a split second before turning on his cloak and jumping into the trees, leaving me and Molly alone.

"So what's he doing?"

I didn't answer right away. I crouched down to one knee and Molly follows, checking on Lar'ja as he skipped from one branch to the other. "He's finding the right spot to observe and attack. That way he can make the best choice to take down the strongest prey."

I scanned the herd before pointing to the biggest one. A male elk, a bull, with antlers that were three times wider than its body grazed in the middle. It looked around anytime it heard breaking branches and leaves rustling. No doubt from Lar'ja. I saw his form scrapping on the wood before jumping to another place. The elk would get confused, go back down to eat but look back up when it heard the noise again.

"I don't get it. You said we need to be quiet but he's making too much noise."

I leaned closer to her, keeping my eyes forward. "He's confusing the prey so they would begin to panic. That's when they become most vulnerable and open lots of opportunities for an attack."

"Oh. I get it."

She inches closer to me just as Lar'ja stopped on a branch over the herd. Some of the elk were more alert now, bobbing their heads up and down, trying to see what's stalking them. The bull began more agitated, scraping his antlers on the ground. It was a display of intimidation to the unknown predator but it's obvious that the bull didn't know where Lar'ja was. When it began to step out of the circle, I knew it was time. I could see Lar'ja's form crouching even lower on the branch, watching his wrist blades protrude out. "This is it. Watch closely."

Molly nodded, focusing her sights between Lar'ja and the bull. It takes another step . . . and then another . . . and another . . . until it was in the right spot. In an instant, Lar'ja leaps into the air, uncloaking midair. The bull and the rest of the herd looked up in horror when they heard Lar'ja roar. Even Molly shivered anxiously. How could I blame her? She had never heard such a sound before. Some of the elk scattered to the bushes, trying to get away. The bull does the same but makes the wrong turn and into Lar'ja's direction. It was a fatal mistake.

Like a ravaging lion, Lar'ja lands on the bull's back. It bucks and kicks, trying to get him off. Lar'ja wasted no time and plunged his blades into its neck before bringing it across. The bull cried out for help but there was no one left, abandoned by the herd. It stumbles to the ground with Lar'ja on top. With a severe wound like that, it would have died slowly from blood loss. Still, it was already certain to die and the Code of Honor dictates mercy. Lar'ja comes to his side to deliver a quick death, plunging his blades into its chest. Its resistance lasted for a few moments, taking one last breath. I watched Molly cringe at such a sight but I smiled, proud to see Lar'ja in his glory. And pauking hot too . . . I had to mentally slap myself for that comment.

When he finished with the carcass, Lar'ja turned to our direction. "You can come down now."

"You got it. Come on, Molly."

I shook her shoulders to grab her attention. Still glancing at the dead elk with a cringe, Molly nodded so that I knew she got the message. I grabbed her arm and began to lift her from the ground until my mask suddenly went off. What now? My mask revealed something coming from the right and I turned to see what it was. The heat vision didn't reveal much so I scanned through the different sets until I came up to the alien one. My heart dropped and my chest tightened upon realization.

A kainde amedha was running across the forest floor, heading in Lar'ja's direction. I lay flat on the ground once more, roughly bringing Molly down with me.

"Hey! What was that—"

I clamped her mouth shut. "Stay still and be quiet."

She doesn't resist, understanding that the situation has escalated. I watched Lar'ja as he turned in the same direction. Quickly, I turned on the communications I set up to link with him. I kept my voice down but my lungs were desperate to scream for him. "Do you see it?"

"I see it."

He pulls out his wrist blades once more, getting into a fighting stance. I could feel the tension seeping into my bones. What made it worse was the fact that only a single kainde amedha was coming. Their species tend to behave like bees and would never go out alone, always bringing at least one other like a pack. Why is it acting like this? I could only assume that one might have strayed from a hive. So there must be one close by.

I watched as the kainde amedha races to Lar'ja and doesn't even take a pause. It leaps into the air with its claws and inner jaws ready to rip its target to shreds. I was confident that Lar'ja could handle one on his own but the worry never goes away, even when I almost lost him. But I had to keep Molly safe so all I could do is be patient and stay alert in case I had to intervene despite the Code of Honor forbidding it. Doesn't matter now . . . does it?

Anticipating the move, Lar'ja shifted to the left and the kainde amedha missed. In a flash, he grabs its tail and swings it around as a shot put. The creature screeches in protest as Lar'ja lets go, sending it to crash into a tree. The kainde amedha shakes the dust off and steadily gets back up. I expected it wasn't enough to cause severe damage. It was only a warm-up.

"Is that . . ?"

Molly points to the kainde amedha. I firmly nodded. "Yes. It is."

It must have been her first time seeing the old enemy of the Yautja. Her eyes widened in shock and fear. No reading or listening to other stories could have ever prepared her for seeing one in the flesh. I still get the chills one in a while but learned to get used to it. All I could think of to comfort her is to hold her hand, making sure she was safe.

The kainde amedha crouches low and hisses. Lar'ja reciprocates with a growl, baring his blades. The tension thickens as both moved in a circle, keeping a fair distance from each other. It was unbearable to watch. My need to fight and kill that pauking beast was becoming too much. My Yautja side was eager to shed blood. But my attention was soon diverted when I heard a soft hiss right next to us.

What the pauk?!

Right as I turned my head to look, a great force shoved me and Molly aside. My body rolls hard on the ground until I planted a foot down to stop me, catching Molly on the way. My skin burned from the abrasions but I had other problems to deal with. A scream of my name from Molly drew my sight towards the creature that stood above us. My eyes widened in terror. Oh no!

I will never forget that creature . . . the one that almost killed me and Za'hir back at our Chiva. The towering black figure with the barbed tail, four arms and yellow eyes brought back memories I dared not want to revisit. But it was here. The abomination glared at me, almost as if it had a grudge. Sometimes, I wished it didn't have eyes. The way they looked was enough to give me goosebumps.

How is it here?! How did I not see it?! My mask should have detected it!

It wasn't until I looked closer at its neck that I found out. Like the other kainde amedha I've seen, it had a collar with a slight change to it. A small box was attached to it that was sending my visuals into a frenzy. I switched to normal vision but even that was becoming affected. It's doing something to my mask.

"Anya!"

Lar'ja calls to me and I could see him trying to reach for me. But the kainde amedha that was fighting him jumped in his way. He roars in fury and goes on the attack but to my horror, my mask picked up more signals of kainde amedha coming his way. Holy c'jit! There must be a dozen of them! Lar'ja! Instinct pulled me off the ground and I looked in his direction to warn him.

"I wouldn't do it if I were you."

My eyes widened. I know that voice.

I heard Molly gasp and followed what she was looking at. I never thought I would ever see him again but another part of me wished so. Standing next to the abomination, a Yautja stood with heavy-duty black armor that made him look like a tank. I didn't need to wait for him to come out of the shadows and see the red X on gauntlets and even his neck. I let my anger seep from my eyes as the familiar Bad Blood smirks at me.

"Qut'suak . . ."

He huffed. "So you do remember me?" He takes a step closer. "And still alive no less."

His eyes shift to Molly and he grunts in disgust. I blocked his view of her, using my body as a shield. All the while, I heard roars and screeches nearby. Lar'ja must be fighting them off . . . but how long can he last? I wanted to go to him but I was stuck with the creature and now Qut'suak.

This is really bad.

"Still protecting oomans? I should have known better that a hybrid would concern herself with them."

He comes closer to the abomination, adjusting the collar around its neck. It confirmed my suspicions from earlier. He must have plotted a sneak attack on us. It makes sense why he sent one kainde amedha to confuse us. It doesn't explain why my mask didn't detect them.

I sneered. "How did you even find us?"

He lets go of the creature and turns his body towards us. That smirk was ticking me off and I wanted nothing more than to rip it to shreds. "I was right to follow the ship that your pathetic mate and his friend. The signal he gave out to find the secret weapon proved useful. I would have never found out the Leader of the Elites was still alive."

Wait . . . Does he mean what Lar'ja explained to us about using the Protector . . ?

Qut'suak saw the change in my expression and chuckles. Pauk . . . I'm going to kill him myself.

"Took you a while to figure it out. Brain works too slow?"

That's it! I had enough of you!

Like lightning, I lunged at him with my swords drawn. My form changed midair, feeling my mandibles push against my mask to let out another roar. I pointed my blades at his throat, anticipating the moment when I finally ended this parasite's life. But I was so blinded with rage that I forgot the abomination that was standing there. It comes between me and Qut'suak and swings two of its arms back.

C'jit!

I didn't have time to block it and the creature pins me to the ground. It tries to snap its inner jaws at my face and I crossed my swords to keep him away. I tried to bend my body to get my feet underneath but the creature was having none of it, digging his claws into my thighs. I grunted, feeling the pain burning into my skin.

"Anya!"

I heard Lar'ja calling me once more, lined with agony and concern but followed by hisses and screeches. He must be fighting well when I could smell burning flesh that was very familiar. I tried to turn my head to the side to see him but I couldn't move. I cried out for him but was cut short with the creature pounding me into the ground and I growled with ferocity.

"How pathetic. It's hard to imagine a hybrid like yourself becoming a warrior."

Qut'suak was enjoying the show, watching with amusement. He could easily finish me off when the creature pinned me to the ground. It was a display of cruelty that all Bad Bloods show. They'd rather let someone else do their dirty work than fight honorably. Qut'suak was no different. But he decided to ramp up the torture, glancing towards Molly who was standing to the side. I knew all too well what he was planning and I thrashed harder to break free.

"Stay away from her!"

He ignored me completely, opening his mandibles to take in her scent. Molly stood strong but her legs were shaking in fear. Even if she wasn't terrified, she was no match to Qut'suak and he could easily have his way with her. The thought alone scared me to death. But with the creature holding me prisoner, I could only watch as Qut'suak came closer to Molly.

"Get away from me!"

She screams in anger for a split second, using the opportunity to pull out a knife she had hidden in her belt. She slashes his hand when he reaches for her, making a huge cut through his palm. Qut'suak flinches, taking a look at the damage before clicking his mandibles in amusement. "Feisty ooman. I like it."

Molly's eyes widened before she attacks again but this time, Qut'suak saw this coming. He grabs her wrist and twisted it hard. Not only did he get Molly to drop the knife, but he also snapped her wrist, breaking it. Pieces of bone were sticking out of her skin and her wrist limped in an unnatural position. She screams and drops to her knees but Qut'suak grabs her hair, pulling it hard to earn another scream. For him, it was more entertainment.

My heart pounded fast and hard. Anger and horror swirled together, creating a dangerous mixture inside me. Qut'suak glances at me and smirks. "She'll make a great pet when I return to Hakr'ouh. He'll love to know what I've discovered here despite my desire to kill you myself. He would want you alive."

My eyes widened in horror. He's going to take her!? I tried to push off but the creature screeches in my face, pushing me down even harder. I growled once more. Pauk this motherfucker! I could only watch as Qut'suak throws Molly over his shoulder. She thrashes and screams, trying her best to fight back but it was useless.

"Anya!"

She screams for me once more before Qut'suak takes off into the forest. I tried calling for her but her voice was growing weaker until I couldn't hear it anymore. No! No, no, no! I can't let him get away! I turned to the creature, glaring deep into its yellow eyes. It hisses for a moment before it leans his head closer. It opens its jaws to allow the inner ones to come out. It was prepared to end my life but I was far from ready to die. Not today, pauking abomination. I used all my strength to push my swords to the creature as it came closer. When it was in reach, I made my move.

As soon as it thrust forward to make the kill, I swung my swords just enough to get the chains into its mouth. The creature tried to pull away but I had wrapped the chains around its neck. With a quick thrust of the chain, I forced it to fall over my side and I took the chance to get on top of it. It made several attempts to rip the chain out of its mouth but when it realized it couldn't, it resorted to using its tail. It whips above us erratically before it stops for a brief second, aiming the barbed tip at me. It was about to strike and I was ready for it until it was yanked away by something else. I looked up, seeing Lar'ja had finally joined. He pins the tail to the ground and nods for me to end it.

I took it.

Without hesitation, I took one sword and stabbed the creature in the chest. The screech it lets out rang painfully in my ears but I ignored it as best as I could, not finished with it. Roaring with all my might, I dragged the sword upward, cutting into its tough hide before stopping at the base of its neck. Through the pain, its four yellow eyes looked at me with such hatred. I had no mercy for it. I wanted it dead.

"Die, you motherfucker."

I twisted the sword in a circle, creating a hole in its neck before slicing through, decapitating it. The creature died in an instant as its acidic blood began to burn the ground. I jumped off of it before I got any on my skin, shaking the blood off my swords and chain. My breath was erratic and my heart pounded as fast as it could. Exhaustion was taking its toll, forcing my body to revert to ooman form.

"Anya . . . Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I wiped my forehead of sweat. "Qut'suak has taken Molly. We can't let him get away."

Without letting Lar'ja speak and ignoring my body's need to rest, I took off in the last direction I saw them go. Lar'ja followed closely behind as we zipped through the forest, dodging branches on the way. I could sense the worry in him but I had to focus. Molly's life was at stake and I wasn't going to let Qut'suak get away. He's already taken someone precious to me. The image of Daugo pops up and stung in my heart deeply. I won't let it happen again.

It wasn't long before I heard the hum of a ship's engine turning on. That sent me into a panic. I wasn't about to let them leave. I pushed my legs to go faster, ignoring the burning sensations from my muscles. My breath struggled to keep the pace up. As soon as we got through a treeline, I was able to see Qut'suak carrying Molly up the ramp of a ship. It was only a small pod that could carry a small hunting party with the red X symbol on the side. Of course . . . I could still hear Molly putting up a resistance, screaming into the side of Qut'suak's face. He didn't appreciate it and growled.

"Stop pauking screaming, ooman. You're more trouble than your worth."

He takes another step up the ramp and I yelled. "Stop!"

Qut'suak turns around, seeing me and Lar'ja a few feet away. I took the moment to catch my breath, each letting out some steam from the rage boiling inside me. Molly tilts her head to take a look. Her eyes brightened with relief and worry. I gave a small smile for reassurance but it fades quickly as I heard Qut'suak.

"Persistent, aren't you?"

Lar'ja growls. "Let her go or else you're dead."

Qut'suak chuckles. "You're in no position to give demands."

"Cut the c'jit!" I took a step forward. "It's two against one. Don't think you can walk away so easily."

His overconfidence was sickening but I should have expected as such. Qut'suak was one arrogant ass that never took things seriously and even going so far as to mock me. His mind games stop here. I drew my swords together as I walked closer, scraping the blades against each other and making sparks. It was a display of strength that I wanted him to see. He wasn't even fazed, making my anger grow.

"What makes you think it's one on two?'

Qut'suak snaps his fingers and a whole bunch of kainde amedha appears from the shadows, slowly forming a ring around us. Pauk . . . so much for saying that. Now, I might need a glass of water to swallow my pride. They began to hiss and whip their tails in anticipation. Lar'ja growls, hunching his back like an angry cat. His dreadlocks appeared to rise like hair as well. The kainde amedha inched closer but when Qut'suak snaps his fingers again, they stopped instantly. He has control over them, not at all unexpected when I saw all of them wearing metal collars. More of his pets . . .

I clicked in frustration. There had to be at least a dozen of them . . . maybe more hiding in the shadows. Even with our skills and weapons, I hate to admit that we couldn't take all of them at once. It would be suicide.

"Looks like it's a dozen to two now. Not so confident now, hybrid?"

In anger, I spat on the ground in his direction. I kept my uncertainty hidden from him. "We can take them on."

I glanced at Lar'ja and he softly nodded. He would say the same thing. Both of us weren't ready to back down. But once more, I regretted saying anything. "But what will happen to your friend?"

Qut'suak pulls Molly off his shoulder and holds her by the back of her neck. She screeches in agony, struggling to fight back but is silenced when his grip tightens. I held my breath a moment, thinking he was going to squeeze the life out of her. I could only watch in fear as Qut'suak pulls out a small dart gun. It was strange for him to have such a weapon. It was much smaller than his palm and didn't appear to have any firepower to it. The one noticeable trait it had was a small dart inside. It was filled with some sort of green liquid, sloshing around anytime it moved. What is it?

Needless, Qut'suak points the gun at Molly's temple. Now, she was becoming terrified. Small tears sprouted from her eyes that are barely noticeable to which it was oblivious to me. It made it all harder to keep a straight face and Qut'suak knew it.

"I'm sure you don't want anything to happen to her. I mean . . . a Yautja would care less about her wellbeing. But I assume with your 'special' nature, you can't help but keep her alive."

His eyes shifted to Molly and back to me. "I wonder how she'll fare with this new weapon I designed. A device that oomans have used to sedate but in this case, it's filled with a special substance that goes directly into the target's veins."

He pulls the gun away, twisting it around until he displays the liquid-filled dart for both of us to see. I glanced at it for a few moments until I was drawn to his face. A smirk began to form and for some reason, it sent chills down my spine.

"It's kainde amedha blood."

The chills grew colder in an instant, turning my veins into tubes of ice. I heard Lar'ja click his mandibles frantically, recognizing it as uneasiness. If he injects Molly with it, then she'll be . . .

Qut'suak knew he hit a weakness and he decided to torture me with it. His finger flexes on the trigger and my body tenses every time he does, worried any moment he'll pull it. Molly's expression showed absolute fear. My confidence broke and I had no choice but to bargain. My eyes burned into his golden ones.

"What do you want?"

He snorts. "What makes you think I want anything from you? I can leave anytime I please. You may be the Leader of the Elites but you'll always be weaker than us as long as ooman blood flows into your veins."

His expression contorted into disgust. No doubt he dislikes me and anything ooman or associated with them. The Killer Yautja and even Hakr'ouh himself displayed it. I jumped a bit when Lar'ja roared. "Don't you dare speak ill of my mate. I'll rip your tongue out."

"And you? How are you any better? Mating with a hybrid lou-dte had destroyed your Honor. It also shows how lenient Yautja society has become, upholding the laws for millennials but as soon as a hybrid shows up, they turn a blind eye!"

Qut'suak roars in anger, scaring Molly enough that her body trembled in the air. Lar'ja gives a short roar but backs up when the surrounding kainde amedha hissed. It would be a bad move if we tried anything foolish, especially with Molly held at gunpoint. I remained silent, watching Qut'suak slowly regain his composure.

"But our Leader . . . Lord Hakr'ouh . . . will change all of that. He'll make our species strong again . . . like it was before the Great War so long ago."

He turned his attention to Molly when she began to whimper. She had her eyes closed tight. Her teeth clamming together. I wanted to come to her and ensure that everything was alright. Qut'suak twitched his mandibles in thought for a second.

"But I have no use for this ooman female. You can have her back."

He lets go, dropping her to the ground. Molly tried to brace herself but the way the ramp was angled, she tumbled to the bottom. She didn't hesitate and scrambled to her feet, getting away as quickly as possible but also minding the kainde amedha that were nearby. I was glad that she remembered what I told her about them. The creatures would react instinctively to any sudden movements so Molly took her time. I kept my focus on her but tried to keep an eye on Qut'suak. His last-minute decision to let her go was unusual and I felt something wasn't right. But he stood there, slightly turning his way to the ship.

I went back to Molly as Lar'ja kept an eye on the kainde amedha around us. "That's it, Molly. Come slowly to us."

"Anya . . ."

She softly called, looking at me like I was the light at the end of the tunnel. I smiled to keep her calm, holding my hands out. "Easy . . . Walk slowly to me."

As she was told, Molly took baby steps and got a few feet away, keeping her hands around her. A small bit of relief came when she got closer, even more, when I heard Lar'ja purr to soothe both of us despite keeping an eye on the kainde amedha. She had a few more steps left. Almost there . . .

But for a split second, I saw Qut'suak turn back to us and in one split moment, he pointed the dart gun at Molly. My heart sank to the bottom of my chest as he grinned with such evil. I looked at Molly with a confused expression.

"NO!"

I reached out to stop it . . . but it was too late.

Hello Everyone!

So I had a bit of a change-up with the title of the chapters so some adjustments were made. I have a feeling that it might happen so I will keep everyone posted on my Instagram. So for this chapter, it was split into two chapters so there are more surprises to come. I hope all of you can't wait for it. ;)

So a small Hunt has become a nightmare for Anya. Not only did Qut'suak, the second-worst Killer Yautja/Bad Blood to Hakr'ouh, has to come and ruin the show but also torture her by taking Molly. I swear . . . Bad Bloods have a bad reputation and he's showing it.

But what will become of Molly? Will Anya and Lar'ja be able to save her in time? Or is it true that it's all too late? After all . . . they have worse things to worry about and will put everyone on a crash course for disaster.

Find out when Chapter 12 (Taking a Risk: Part 2) is posted by next week (Friday the latest).

Thank you for Mariah, Anonymous-E, and NeverNeverLady for the reviews on Chapter 10.

P.S. I'm hoping to get the next chapter for The Ripple of a Stone (Part 2) by tonight but might be delayed to Saturday. I will work hard to get it ready for all of you. Imperfections and all . . .

Thank you and Good Hunting! :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Anya (human form) or any human speaking English (ooman language)

Italic = Anya (human form) or any human speaking Yautja

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language