Chapter 39: Hybrids

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 room was deadly silent, much more than anything I ever felt before. The tension between us that you could cut a knife through it and I believed that it still wouldn't be enough. Growls and clicking rang from each side, the only sound that was exchanged between us for a while. Hakr'ouh and I didn't break our eyesights and even my mask wasn't enough to hide my great distaste from him.

"Anya . . . it's good to see you still alive."

"Likewise or else I wouldn't have the pleasure of killing you."

He looks around me, observing the company I brought along. He sneered a bit at McKenna, Rory, and Brackett but I was proud that they kept their ground. I thought that they looked more ferocious than myself. "I see you brought your ooman friends along as well."

"Yeah and about to kick your ass." Rory pointed his shoulder cannons and aimed them at Hakr'ouh's forehead. A classical move from a Yautja hunter to declare a challenge. I supported his move as well as everyone else on my side. The Bad Bloods tensed, readied their blades for a fight but Hakr'ouh raised his hand, blocking their path. "Easy there. We haven't even got the chance to talk before you so rudely interrupted."

"You don't deserve to have such a privilege. You lost it the moment you defected."

Daugo steps forward, keeping a cool posture in such a dangerous situation. But he was a Leader and sometimes I forget how formidable he was. It was shown in the Bad Bloods' faces and posture as they flinched subtly and moved back. Good. At least they haven't lost their manners.

"It's good to see you too." Hakr'ouh grinned. "And even brought your excuse of an offspring. Isn't that right, Blood Assassin?"

Lar'ja growled, snapping his mandibles in irritation. Of course, he would try to poke at our emotions and use them to his advantage. I'd seen it too many times myself and learned wise enough not to fall for a trick like that. I turned my eyes underneath the mask, seeing him seething but remained calm. A true Leader . . .

"It doesn't matter what you say. We're not here for chit chat, only to end this war once and for all and undo the damage you brought on our sacred world."

Aw, come on. This planet had seen its share of bloodshed centuries ago . . . when our ancestors fought for their freedom."

Freedom? Is he talking about Kaail?

Hak'rouh stepped forward but then walked in a straight line in front of us, almost mocking us. I inhaled deeply and kept my ground and sanity, checking on the others in case they were thinking of doing something stupid. So far, none of them did but it was only a matter of time . . . and I had enough of this conversation.

"That's enough, Hakr'ouh. No more talk anymore. No more teasing or mocking. This time, we're here to kill you. Everyone has come to make sure we take our planet back and give the punishment a simple, incompetent, Bad Blood deserves." I raised my sword, pointing it between his eyes. "You have nothing else to save you."

Out of nowhere, he begins to chuckle. After a moment, it went on a full-blown laugh as if he was watching a funny movie that cracked him up. Maybe he's on that stuff. But he stops abruptly, standing as tall as he could in his 'normal form'. I guess whatever I said grabbed his attention . . . and he didn't seem pleased. I could tell he was hiding his anger or frustration. He knew too well that we got him cornered and were willing to fight to the bitter plan. And I'm prepared to do that.

Hakr'ouh lowers his head from my sights, dreadlocks forming a curtain that even my mask couldn't see through. But at that moment, I felt something was off. I didn't know what it was but the hairs on my legs and arms stood up and it irritated my skin that was covered in armor. I glanced at the Bad Bloods and they were behaving very differently, some unnaturally twitching their necks and mandibles. What's bugging them? Got something contagious? I don't know . . .

"You still think I'm the bad guy in all of this?" His fists tightened on the sides. "All I wanted is to free our species from the grips of stagnation. Every one of them that claim to be your ally wants to stay with the Code of Honor when in reality . . . it's a poison that makes us weak. I mean . . . we allowed the oomans to fight alongside us when they are nothing more than prey."

I watch as Rory, McKenna, and Brackett stiffen, tensing underneath the thick lining of the Protector. Don't lose it guys . . . he's only playing you. They softened by their fingers twitched on their sides. Lar'ja, my Elites, and Daugo were stiff as well so I couldn't exactly rely on them. I had to keep an eye on them while another on Hakr'ouh.

"You know I'm right." Hakr'ouh grunted and walked back to the protection of his Bad Bloods, confident and easygoing . . . a quick switch from his angry self. I wasn't sure what that was all about but I thought that I might have struck a nerve. "All of you know . . . even the oomans. The only problem is trying to explain it to fools who think they know better. Like the Successors."

He signals one of the Bad Bloods and we watch as the male walks over to a door on the side. He opens it and comes out several Bad Bloods carrying a few Yautjas . . . more like dragging them. I can see their bones popping out from their joints and bruises forming on their skins. They looked more like skeletons of their previous selves, considering Yautjas take pride in their strength and appearances for various reasons. At first, I didn't know who these males were until I got a closer look and I realized who they were.

The Successors!

Three of them were dragged in the center of the Killer Yautja line, held by the chains around their necks like dogs. It's sickening! Such disrespect! Lar'ja and my Yautja companions growled as well and Hakr'ouh seemed to relish in it. But I was more worried about a missing Yautja that I thought would be with them.

Wait . . . Where is An'tar?

"You call yourselves Yautja when you treat your Leaders like trash?" Sa'iye sneered.

"They're weak beings who don't understand. If they yielded, then I would have shown them mercy. But then again, they are driven by one stubborn male and one that took a fancy to you. Want to see him?"

The line of Bad Bloods split open and came between was An'tar. I gasped at the horrid condition of his body, much worse than the other Successors. His beautiful blue stripes were marred with burnt scars, obscuring them. Like the others, his body was more of a skeleton than anything else. His head was hung low and he was missing a few dreadlocks. The scars and his current conditions were all too familiar.

They tortured him.

"An'tar . . ."

As if giving him strength, he weakly lifted his head and his eyes sought mine. They appeared empty and devoid of life until he realized it was me. He strained a smile, a light sparked in him. "Anya . . ."

A Bad Blood hits him on the side of his head and he roars but it was so faint and hoarse that it was only a yelp in my ears. "You bastards!"

"Now, now Ta'kasa. You don't want him to get hurt even more than he should." Hakr'ouh and the other Bad Bloods chuckled as if enjoying it.

"And I thought we were worse. I guess not."

The remark Brackett made ticked someone off because a Bad Blood has enough of it and charged right at her with weapons out and mandibles spread in anger. He took one step and he was cut in half at the torso by Za'hir's spear. His guts sprayed in the middle and he was still barely alive. Xen'ork finished him off, crushing his skull with just a stomp of his foot.

"Feels good to kill vermin." He wipes his foot of the green blood and bits of guts, then spits on the corpse. Geez . . . I didn't think you were that violent, Xen'ork.

"Enough of this, Hak'rouh." I stepped forward, having enough of this stupidity. Daugo and Lar'ja kept close to my sides in case our enemies tried to pull a fast one like they just did. "We have you cornered here and your army is falling apart. If you surrender and let the Successors go, we may think of sparing you a slow and painful death."

All of us pulled out our weapons and the sound of metal clinging rang in my ears. I pulled for my swords and aimed it at Hakr'ouh. The Bad Bloods didn't even move or flinch in retaliation. They stood still like statues. Something's wrong.

Hakr'ouh chuckles. "You think we are outnumbered and trapped? You're gravely mistaken."

In all my time with him, I can tell if he was lying or not. Hearing his voice and watching his reaction, there was no hint of deceit anywhere. It worried me greatly.

"To be honest, I don't care about the Successors and whether they live or not. It's only a ruse to keep our enemies away . . . and bring you here so I can show my latest work."

"What work?"

Looking back, I wish I didn't say anything. Hakr'ouh gave an evil smirk and his eyes turned to the side, looking back for a moment. "Boys. Why don't you show her what I mean?"

The Bad Bloods grinned and then a few of them step forward. Lar'ja tensed and was about to move toward when I grabbed his hand. He looks at me and I shake my head. Not yet. He yields but I can feel his muscles hard as a rock. The others kept their ground but it was only a matter of time. I watched as they stopped in the middle of the lines, standing there for a moment.

And then . . . things started to turn . . . and for the worst, if I had known earlier.

The Bad Bloods suddenly began to groan and growled as if in pain. Every one of us stepped back in concern. What's happening to them? The twitching of their necks that I saw before was becoming more violent and their groans morphed into roars. Fearing that something bad was happening, Za'hir growled, pulling his wrist blades and charging at the enemy. It came as a shock, given that he was the calm one of our group. For him to rush at them means that something is wrong. But stupid of him.

"Za'hir! Stop!"

I tried to reach out but it was too late. Right as he was about to attack, the wall nearest him suddenly opened in a blast of rubble. I covered my face, feeling few pieces hit my side and bruise my arm, even with the gauntlet taking most of the hit. Lar'ja kept close and shielded me while the others braced as well. But I didn't hear any explosion or smelt any blast from the outside. When it was quiet again, I looked over to where Za'hir was and I swear my face went as white as a ghost.

A gigantic, clawed hand wrapped around Za'hir like a cage, making him look so small. It was black as ink with small spikes rowing the side, coming out of the wall.

"What is that fucking thing!?"

McKenna yelled just as another arm came out, and then another, and then another . . . and then another . . . popping holes in the wall like it was nothing. The next thing we knew, it crumbled to the ground but instead of showing the outside, a beast stood in front of it. It reared its ugly head and everyone gasped at what we saw. It had a head of a Queen kainde amedha and it hissed at the sight of us. Behind it, a pair of bat wings flapped, keeping the beast on the building. To me, it reminded of dragons from fairy tales my mother once told me.

But this . . . is the reality now.

The beast hissed as Hakr'ouh laughed. "How do you like my new creature? This is what oomans called a dragon . . . or a xenodragon to be specific." He snapped his fingers and the dragon squeezed Za'hir tighter. He raised his head and roared in pain.

"Za'hir!" Sa'iye tried to save her mate but one of the Bad Bloods got in her way, grabbing her fist when she tried to swing at him. I and everyone else tried to come to her aid but each Bad Blood blocked our way. I was ready to swing my swords at him but then I noticed something strange. His face appeared to morph and extend, making it so unnatural. Even his forehead was elongating as well. It appears like they are . . .

"You can see now, Ta'kasa. You're not the only novel hybrid . . . anymore. It's time we end this child's game now. Boys, take care of them."

As if on cue, the Bad Bloods began their transformation. Their foreheads and faces began to extend, stretched beyond their limits. Their bodies grew larger while their skin turned slightly darker greed. I stepped back in horror when their eyes melted away and the sockets were filled with an exoskeleton. They grew taller and I noticed they were growing a skeleton tail . . . much like a kainde amedha. By the time they were finished, they looked more like kainde amedha but still had their dreadlocks and mandibles . . . like a hybrid between them. They hissed and shrieked

What are these things?

Rory answered that question for us all. "Predaliens!"

Predaliens?

As if he was surprised, Hakr'ouh laughed. "The ooman is smarter than I thought. He's right. These are the ultimate hybrid between Yautja and kainde amedha, stronger and faster than the two combined. You have no chance against them."

He glanced at each of us before he gave the signal. "Kill them."

The abominations shrieked in anger and charged at each one of us. I blocked a clawed attack with my swords but I underestimated its strength. Not only did it manage to stop my swords but it began to push me back. I tried to get some traction with my feet but the metal floor made it difficult. My back was slammed into the nearby wall and I felt my back crack a little. The 'Predalien' snapped its mandibles and inner jaws right at me, trying to bite my face off. I turned my head left and right to dodge it.

"Anya!"

Daugo and Lar'ja tried to come to aid me but their hands were busy with other Predaliens and even they were struggling with them. Brackett, McKenna, and Rory worked together with Xen'ork and Sa'iye to take care of the rest, using plasma blasts and guns provided by the Protectors for long-range attacks. A smart move in my opinion.

As I kept the Predalien at bay, I watched Hakr'ouh grin before he turned to the xenodragon. Is he attempting to leave? I growled. Not on my watch!

In a fit of anger, my body transformed to my Yautja form and I roared through my mask right at the creature. The Predalien answered back with its own but lifted its tail to target my head. In a split second, I managed to dodge the attack barely by tilting my head. Its tail got stuck in the wall, unable to get out to which it gave me a chance. I crouched and swiped my leg, forcing the Predalien to fall to the floor. I didn't waste a minute and plunged my swords in a scissor form, bringing it down into its mouth. Despite it being a different creature, it was no different than a kainde amedha. It tried to raise its head and arms to attack . . . a mistake since it brought my target ever so closer, making it hard to miss it. I tore into its mouth, cutting through its inner jaws and mandibles like it was nothing. I tugged my swords out, splashing blood on my mask but I wasn't done with it yet. I grabbed its tail, pulled it out, and jammed the tip into its chest again and again. I wasn't sure if it was my Yautja nature to brutally slaughter it or my anger of wanting it dead. Either way, I got the job done. It gurgled and choked on its blood before giving its last breath, which surprisingly wasn't acidic as I thought. Maybe it's more like a Yautja.

The others were still fighting the Predaliens and I was tempted to help them but Hakr'ouh was still walking towards the xenodragon, placing one foot on its leg to lift himself on its back. Za'hir saw this and tried to free himself but to no avail. I was torn between helping others or stopping Hakr'ouh. I glanced at Lar'ja one more time as he did. He gave a concerned look, which tore my heart even more. But I made my decision

I'm sorry, Lar'ja.

Without hesitation, I ran towards Hakr'ouh when I saw a clearing through to get to him. I jumped and zipped past my enemies until I had a clear run towards him. I drew my blades back and scratched the tips across the ground. Sparks flew behind me, displaying my rage and determination.

"Hakr'ouh!"

He pauses, seeing me come at him like a raging bull. But it was a mistake to let my rage. All I could hear was my heart pounding and my eyes saw nothing but red that I realized too late that the xenodragon grabbed a hold of me.

C'jit!

Its claws wrapped around me, squeezing me like a lemon. I roared from the pressure constricting my chest and forced me to drop my swords to the ground. Still, I thrashed and wiggled . . . anything I could do to get this abomination off of me so I could get to Hakr'ouh. But the dragon hissed and dug a claw on my thigh, bringing it down and leaving a small gash. I held in a yelp, feeling the warmth of my blood seeping out. Bastard!

"Really, Ta'kasa? This is unnecessary. But at least I can take you with me when I leave this planet to regroup for now." He grabs my chin and pulls me down to face him. His grin made my stomach twist. "I'll enjoy your company until you give birth to my new prodigy."

My eyes widened. He knows about my unborn pup!? I should have expected it but I didn't at the same time. Hearing that he was going to take my pup drove me in a fit of rage. I roared through the pain as Hakr'ouh lets me go, heading onto the dragon's back. No!

Out of nowhere, Za'hir managed to free one of his hands, grabbed a knife from his belt, and threw it at the dragon's wrist. It threw its head and shrieked, throwing Hakr'ouh off. It was such a pleasure to see him knocked off like a stupid pup. Lovely to see. I was also freed from its grip and fell onto my back, making it worse on the pain I already felt. But when I saw Hakr'ouh stunned on the ground, I didn't let this chance slip away. Turning onto my stomach, I darted across and jumped on Hakr'ouh. We met punch to punch and he tried to swipe his claws at me. To my point of view, I was winning. You're dead, Hakr'ouh!

But then I could hear the dragon, hissing in anger. It aimed its sights one me but I was too warped in getting Hakr'ouh that I noticed, too late, the giant claw that was coming right at me. But thanks to Za'hir, he plunged another knife into the claw that held him. He managed to free himself but it came with a cost. His reflexes were too slow for that moment and the dragon delivered a mortal blow.

I watched in horror as Za'hir is flung to the other side of the room. His blood splattering like someone threw a paint can in a circle. I saw a glimpse that he'd been sliced in the upper part of his chest and face. His mask was shattered into a million pieces. There was so much blood that I couldn't make out the damage but from his shriek of agony, it was bad. Very bad.

"Za'hir!"

Sa'iye's cries grabbed my attention for a second, allowing Hakr'ouh to kick me off of him and force me to roll away from him. My body automatically changed to an ooman without my noticing but I didn't care. When I got to my feet, my concern went to Za'hir first and I went to him just as Sa'iye kneeled. She was so distraught that she failed to notice the Predalien coming at her. I drew my wrist blades, jumped on its back, and cut into its back, severing the spine before I dealt the fatal blow.

"Za'hir!" I ran as fast as I could and moved on the other side of him to check his wounds amid the chaos.

"Oh no . . ."

She was right. I saw deep gashes into his chest but not too deep. It was the wounds to his face that were worse. His eyes were completely gone, cut, and severed into nothing. Pauk! C'jit! Pauk!

She whimpers. "His eyes are gone. This is bad. What do we do?"

Sa'iye turns to me but I have no answer for it. She kept asking again and again . . . as if I had the cure. Far from it. The damage was too severe to heal with our medkits and the only other option we had was gone. Part of me wished I wasn't pregnant so my blood could heal his wounds but it was such a dark thought that I threw it out before it seeded into my mind. He wouldn't want that if he knew.

But then, out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Hakr'ouh running towards the xenodragon and mounting it. It was a disastrous choice to make. If I stay here and help Za'hir, Hakr'ouh will escape and he'll come back stronger than before. But if I don't . . .

"My Lord." His hand reaches out for me, grabbing my wrist with a firm grip. I yielded to his power, leaning in to hear what he had to say. "Don't . . . let him . . . get away."

Half of myself couldn't believe what he was saying. He was injured and maybe dying as I watched him below. But on the other half, he knew what was at stake and he would do the same if he was in my shoes. I bit my lip as my heart quivered in uncertainty. I closed my eyes tightly, debating for a split second until my muscles turned solid and tight. Determination filled every part of my being.

"What the pauk are you guys doing!?"

Lar'ja slew another Predalien before heading to my side while Rory followed close by. The others were still fighting the rest while the Successors and An'tar were left on the ground, unable to fight despite seeing the urge in their weak eyes.

"We don't have much time. We need to get to Hakr'ouh before he gets away. Sa'iye . . . take care of him. Lar'ja, come with me."

I took off with Lar'ja running beside me. It was the first that he didn't argue or stop me. He must have either known how important this was or there was no stopping me. I put my money on the last option.

"I'll come with you." Rory followed behind but I didn't let him get another step as I grabbed my swords.

"No! I need you to take care of these beasts and protect the Successors!"

"But—"

"No buts! We don't have time to argue! Do as I say!"

As much as I hear his eagerness to come with us, I couldn't risk endangering him and the others. He was far too important to take with me. And this was a fight that needed to end . . . between Hakr'ouh . . . and us. I didn't have time to explain more when I saw Hakr'ouh kick the sides of the dragon's neck like a horse and it begins to turn around, spreading its wings. C'jit! He's going to take off!

"Anya! Get on my back!"

I didn't question him, or rather I didn't have time to think, and I slowed down before jumping onto his back. I wrapped my arms around his neck, watching as the xenodragon took off into the sky. Its tail was our last resort and I held on tight as Lar'ja jumped as hard as he could. Somehow or another, he grabbed it at the last second and hung on for dear life by the skim of his claws into the creature's hide.

I held on tightly, feeling the wind in my dreadlocks as we endured the ride of our lives.

Hello Everyone!

Sorry for the late posting. I managed to get my power back on in time to post this. Plus with the writer's block, debating on whether to extend this chapter but I think this is the best course to end it.

Since now we got a bloody fucking xenodragon and Predaliens! And now, Za'hir in injured and there's nothing Anya can do to help him. Will he survive?

And will they stop Hakr'ouh in time before he escapes!?

Find out what happens when Chapter 40 is posted next week (Friday or Saturday the latest) unless changes are posted on Instagram.

MORE BLOOD AND GORE TO COME STILL! LOTS MORE! MWAHAHA!

And more news is that we may have only 5 more chapters until the ending of a trilogy. It's bittersweet but I'm glad to everyone who stayed with me until the end. But more stories tied to this one will be coming in the future. ;)

As for Rise of the Yautja story, I postponed the next chapter for Monday since I lost my future chapters due to data corruption. It makes me sick :( But another announcement that I reached more than 100 followers on my Instagram and I'm so proud to have you all with me! Thank you! :)

Thank you to Anonymous-E, NeverNeverLady, Mariah, Guest and IanAlphaAxel for the reviews on Chapter 38. Your opinions matter to me. And I hope I hear from more readers.

Thank you and Good Hunting! Stay safe and healthy! :)))

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