Chapter twenty one: Excerpt from death.

In the hangar of the Lar'ja N'ritja. Shane's body lays adorned with our armour around him. We have each placed a mask beside him. Inside the capsule. We have left earth.. And travelling to a very familiar place to me.. After paying our respects.. I grieve alone in the ready room of the Scorpion.. Every fibre of my being ripped out and replaced by a more agonising feeling.. Emptiness, self-loathing.. Two mates dead because of monsters.. And i still yet live.. As I lay curled up in heavy sorrow for a long time cloudy white tears escape me.. Two small blue hands hold my shoulders as Avamar lays beside me gently stroking my shoulders.. Followed by Nina.. Danny, Ry'kar and the twins.. Uzkielle looks as i begin to control myself.. Nina smiles slightly..

"First time I met Shane.. He.. Told me about.. Ghardeh.. She had.. Decided to teach him a lesson by.. Setting the water on scolding then freezing… Then getting his own back by piloting the ship.. He said she left and grabbed him butt naked.."

"I'm not Commander fuck me Shepherd.." I repeat with a light laugh.

Danny looks.. "I remember him sparring with Uz.. Are you ready? "hell no!" turned out he won! He always had a funny vibe to him.. With his jokes.." Uzkielle nods.. "Lasst time he spoke.. To me.. He was drunk.. He risked.. Injury.. Just to say.. Good.. Night… Uzzy.."

Nina and Danny burst out laughing..

Osh looks at all of us.. "I rrememberr.. Shane.. Wass whisstling.. While fixing one of the relayss… I would try to copy hiim.. But no matter which way i couldn't get the tune correct.. He said I sounded.. Like a.. Hoover… Suckking.. Up the entire carpet.."

Everyone laughs quietly and I let out a shaky laugh.

Danny smiles.. "Shane would want this.. He would want the family sticking together… Because if we don't.. That's when we fail him.." Nina looks.. "Our father had a saying… Laugh.. Laugh and what scares you no longer has power over you.. I have a feeling Shane would want us to do the same.. He'd want us all to be happy… So let's make this pact.. From this moment henceforth.. We celebrate Shane.. Have a great time.."

We all nod in silence.

"And you three are too young to drink. Ah.. What the hell.. Maybe.. One.."

We go to a rare part of the Lar'ja N'ritja.. The observation lounge. Where Nina cracked open several bottles of beverages.. And we drank to Shanes spirit.. Sharing fond memories of him over the years. It didn't drown the pain i felt.. But knowing we were celebrating him rather than grieving him he would want.. Tears are for the weak.. Uzkielle would say..

Two weeks later…

More that two years to the day.. We find ourselves looking upon a very familiar sight.. Maia.. Skri'jash'n.. We all walk together through the gates and head to the cloud district temple.. With Zir'tehn hearing about a 'Ghardeh Etur'sek' restoring her honour we meet face to face.. We walk the isle.. To find Zirtehn stood he approached me and he laughs.. Riz rushes up and hugs me but Uzkielle snarls at him..

"Ghardeh… Welcome home.. Word had reached the summit that a certain yautja killed a leviathan.. And a certain.. Human.." Zir'tehn says "Stood by her. Keeping his promise and earning his honour.. I see you wasted no time in making a new name for yourself.. Ever since you left. I.. Never felt right… And Uzkielle.. That skull plan was simply devious and improvisational.. I liked it.. I should have all your heads on my wall but.. This is MY temple.. Ghardeh.. You have restored your honour.. And with it. I give to you. Your rites… Also.. I.. Wish to honour Shane.. He truly was someone special.. Someone you all hold… So closely to your hearts."

As we stand before Zir'tehn he tells me my rites and he honours Shane by a yautja display.. Something that hasn't been done in millenia.. I feel a great sense of pride wash over me. I have known these amazing people all in the face of danger.. That's brought us together..

This is our clan.. Ours to protect.

Mine.. To protect… Relentless Storm..

"Ghardeh.. Let me be the first to reinstate you.." He holds out the sacred book.. To which i write my name.. I see the space Black Angel used to be. Scrubbed off over its place.. I take the quill and write the new name.. Ghardeh.. Etur'sek…

He closes the book.. And bows his head.

"You are going to need this.. You all are…"

Riz.. With several guards walk with red cloaks.. Each one with a white clan mark.. Our clan mark.. We all are adorned with the cloaks he passes a folded one which was for Shane.

Riz passes me my new armour. It is exactly the same color as my old armour.. Except this is a new sleek design.. I take it and bow my head.. We take our leave when i make one final trip to my tribe.. But i don't go alone. We all exit the shuttle. And i see the once burning thatch gone.. The ruins of my home.. Still standing.. And the graves of the 18 members of my family and tribe i lost.. Nina crouches to Tenjras grave..

"She is still safe Tenjra.. Shane did a magnificent job keeping her happy as you once did.. That will never change."

I say my final farewells then we make our way back to the Dark Dance.. I feel.. Something.. As i enter.. I walk up to the capsule to place Shane's cloak next to him to find Shane.. Missing.. My heart leaps and the others notice and walk up to me..

"What the…" Nina says with a frown.

I immediately walk into the Scorpions kitchen.. Not there.. I run into the ready room not there.. Either.. I nearly smash into Nina as i round the corner.

"Where is he..?"

We make our way to the Lar'ja N'ritja kitchen… Still nothing… My mind begins to race.. He can't just disappear! We all make our way to the observation lounge. And i can't contain my emotion as i see Shane.. Stood looking at the pink sky with his arms behind his back.. I make a distressed warbled clicking.. And he turns around..

"Ghardeh… It's ok… I'm.. Here.."

I rush up to him as Nina puts a hand up to her mouth with tears rolling down..

I hear Danny's emotional "Shaaane!"

As he runs up to him also.. I grab him and almost crush him in an embrace.

"Ghardeh… I can't.. Breathe.. I let him down. I punch him… I punch him hard in the arm..

"DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT TO US AGAIN..!" I shout..

"I'm sorry Ghardeh.. I won't i promise.." The siblings slowly walk up to him.. Both hands up to their chests. The twins slowly approach.. Not making sense of how he is alive.. Two weeks after he died. And neither can i.. Nina walks up to him..

"How is this possible..? We had Uzkielle check you for 3 days.. Only because Ghardeh refused.."

She sniffs..

"It's ok Neens.." She smashes into him.

"I can't explain it.. As i went.. Everything flowed.. Every memory.. Every part of my past.. Then this… Light.. Turned out was.. My light... Then i.. Woke up.."

Shane looks at my arm..

"Where's the furere..?"

"It was.. Temporary it seems to only work in great times in need.. And with it i lost the void abilities.. It seems to sense the 3 elements.. I can't explain it.."

He frowns "Did Uz blow the whole place?"

"Sei-i mei'hswei.."

"Oh boy did he.. I feel bad for anyone inside but. Well they made the choice to create monsters.. And we couldn't chance anything being recovered.." Nina says. I take Shanes hand.

"Right now… I must teach a certain zabin krit.. A lesson in hurting his mate making her believe he was dead.."

Danny smirks..

"Death by one thousand papercuts Sky do it." Uzkielle calls Shanes name..

"Shaane…"

He looks..

Uzkielle flicks him a middle finger..

"Ell-osde pauk… Zik'za…!"

Shane smiles.. "Go use that finger Uz.. You never know what you might think possible.."

Danny's mouth opens Avamar and Ry'kar make an amused chuckle.. Shane and Ghardeh walk out of the lounge.

(Ninas pov)

I look at Uzkielle and Osh..

"Ok can either of you explain how he is up and about after being 'dead' for two weeks?"

Osh slowly shakes his head.. But Uzkielles mandibles twitch..

"Ghardehs.. Blood.. He iss.. Like you Nina..."

"Wait he mentioned a light.. When i fought the world eater.. Before i sent her exploding.. I felt.." I try to remember.. "A light.. But it wasn't.. There.. It was.. Inside me."

I run up to Shane..

"Shane.." Ghardeh and Shane stop..

"What's up Neens?"

"Form a fireball.."

"Alright.."

He claws his hand.. And produces.. Nothing..

"Oh" Shane says..

"Now it makes sense what the light was.." He explains "In exchange for a second chance.. The ascendant energy.. Revived me.. At a cost of losing it.." He looks at Ghardeh.. Wraps his arms around her hips and lifts her.. But at least i still got yautja mode.. So still not completely human.."

Danny let's out an "Awwwww! You mean mean no more golden gun?"

"That's right nephew.. No more golden gun.. But you still have Shane.. 2.0."

Danny smiles "Still kickass.. Could you spar Uz later?!" Shane looks at Uzkielle who raises a large hooded brow..

"I'll give him a rumble and tumble if he's up to it.."

"Brrrring it…"

Shane nods with a fervent expression

"Oh.. Yeah.."

We all walk back to the lounge as Shane and Ghardeh walk the opposite direction…

(Ghardeh's pov.)

We enter the scorpion.. And Shane sits on the bed in the ready room… But his expression changes..

"Ghardeh.. I'm sorry i did that to you. I didn't want to leave.. I thought i was done for…. It will haunt me for the rest of my life but you.." He says..

"I saw you gunned down.."

I sit next to him..

"A lot was going through my mind at that moment Shane.. I was closer to death then than i ever felt."

Shane looks me over and sees the many small traces of wounds dotting my arms and legs.. And forehead..

"You survived.. A head shot?"

I nod.. "Four… And how many other rounds to my body.. I lost count.. I Have come to… Hate...humans..I always thought yautja were monsters for hunting and killing humans for sport.. But that day.. I realised.. Humans are far worse. Those men enjoyed shooting me. Then it occurred to me.. That humanity are no less monsters than victims.. You Danny and Nina are the only ones i care about now.." Shane nods.. "I know… it was the same for me when Ivan took me to that place.. I thought you were dead.. I didn't want to carry on so I told him to pull the trigger.. When he gave me his pistol.. I didn't care if it was loaded.. I fired.. Hoping the guards would shoot me down. It didn't happen and turned out he wanted me for an even more insidous agenda.. Luckily.. It was ended.. And we can get on with our lives."

Shane stares into my eyes and he smiles..

"So… In the end i didn't manage to buy gifts.. But brought home something to cherish.." He brings up the family photo from earth. And places it on my desk..

"I hope I've done them all proud in the end Ghardeh.."

"Immeasurably.." i say..

"Now… i am going to show you a lesson in humility." i grab his shoulders and he laughs.. "So... Anyway there is someone I've wanted to meet.. This.. Wolf or.. Ra'zele.. Yautja." I nod... "Ra'zele is Osh'ikeilles and Uzkielles father.. Or sire. He was my teacher. A very close and valuable friend of mine. Very important to me. He is an ancient Yautja. And would give most Yautja a good thrashing. Everything i knew in my early years was because of him. Learned from the best. "

"Well hopefully i get to meet the guy.. Sounds.. Badass.."

We both lay down.. And i give him one boss battle he definitely won't win..

As the Lar'ja N'ritja flies out of atmosphere we jump.. The journey home for Us, Nina, Danny, the twins and siblings begins once again.

6 months later..

"Shane stop dancing with him and take him on!"

My frown only deepens as i watch Shane dodge another of Uzkielles swipes.. They've been at this for over an hour and the score stands at 0-1 to Uzkielle. Shanes trying to wear him down but Uzkielle has buckets of energy to spare.. If only my patience was of such quality..

"Ell-osde pauk Ghardeh! This isn't easy!" Shane says in a rather competitive tone.. They are both stanced similar except where shanes hands are balled into fists Uz has his in a clawed manner. But fists them as he strikes.. Shane moves round and blocks another hit but roundhouse kicks Uz in the stomach.. About where he can reach bless him.. Shane closes his eyes and it looks like he is relaxing as he lowers his arms.. Uz takes the opening and throws a punch but Shane grabs his huge forearm and gives him 3 sharp jabs to his stomach and uses his forearm to shove Uz back.. Shane just tapped into his naughty yautja side again. I can tell.. His irises are shimmering.. A tell tale sign I've learned to pick up on..

Uz.. Also noticed and tilts his head as he restances..

"Bring it Ze'rei Sain'ja.." Uz says in a clear but raspy tone.

The others are in the observation lounge and Shane decided today of all days to take on Uz.. After we were drinking the night before.. Tennessee whiskey. Should be made illegal.. My insides still.. Tingle.. Explains my slight angered mood. Still doesn't explain my discomfort the last few weeks.. Things get interesting indeed when Shane kicks off of Uzkielles knee sending him sliding backwards but Shane manages to sweep him off his feet.. Shanes stance changes to his human tiger fist stance.. Uzkielle inclines to do the same.. Except his strikes will send Shane flying.. 1-1 and this one is all bets. Not least because Shane has to try hard to even get Uz or Osh on the floor.. Shane moves into Uz with a frown. He strikes out fast and low but Uz was ready for a low blow and literally picks Shane up with one arm but Shane kicks off him causing him to let go. Shane rolls back but Uzkielle lunges and pins him to the floor.. With his hand over his chest. But yautja Shane isn't done and thwaps Uzkielles chest and slides away from his grip. Uzkielle growls and kicks Shane out of the ringed section. To which my hooded brow raises.. Shane gets up and dusts his shoulder off..

1-2…

"Alright.. Uzkielle wins this one.. Shane." Shane looks at me then Uzkielle.

"Yeah alright.. That kick did me in anyway.. Awww fuck.. Bloody yautja side is great until it goes and I'm left with the aftermath.."

"Are you hurt Mei'hswei?"

"I'm fine Uz.. Just aching all over from. Yesternights booze binge.. And your foot. But mainly last night."

"Qei te's booze.. Binge.. Shane?"

"What's a booze binge you ask? I over indulged and now I'm suffering.."

Uzkielle rumbles..

"Ghardeh.. Shane requires.. Tension.. Relief.." His rumble turns into a trilly warble. "Uz.. I don't need Ghardeh nannying me.. And we don't need any. Tension relief.. You do like to push my buttons.." He walks up to Shane as he says this and pushes one of his sat com buttons changing the panel color to blue. With a hint of laughter. "YOU.. IDJIT.." Shane says shoving his arm away..

"Zabin Ell-osde pauk-de Twaat…"

Shanes face turns and his brows raise as his lips slowly curl.. Uzkielle seals the deal with a middle finger and Shanes facade cracks and he bursts out laughing.. "There it is." Uzkielle says walking past Shane.. Almost in a slinking motion. then we take our leave to join the others. We enter the lounge to find Nina and Danny playing some entertainment on the display.. Nina throws up her arms as Danny wins..

"HAAAAA GOLDEN GUN NEENS HAAAA!"

Osh is still trying to solve Shanes item called a rubix cube.. He is using a modified mask to allow him to see full spectrum colors same as my mask. As Uz hacked the software. He is struggling with the last side when he roars.. It wasn't a happy one as his judgement caused a side to switch and lose progress. He balls a fist and then unclenches it as he carries on regardless 2 weeks he's been doing away with it. He's become obsessed with the small cube of color and he's determined not to be beaten by an inanimate object. His angered roar turns into a loud roar of.. Triumph as he actually solved it.. He holds it up and Shane laughs and claps his hands..

"Jesus Osh I've had that for years and you finish it in two weeks!"

He walks up to Shane and holds it out to him..

"No no.. It's yours keep it!"

Osh places it on the circular table near the display and turns his gaze to Uzkielle.

"Whoo.. Won..?" Osh asks looking from his brother to Shane. Shane points to Uz. "Obviously Uzzy god damn brute.."

"Shane! Your turn to beat the guardian of the year!" Danny says throwing Shane the white controller..

Shane shakes his head.. "How in the balls did Zelda and her mate hack d1 and 2 into the ship anyway!?" Nina shrugs "To this day i still don't know but its damned handy for keeping people out of trouble."

"Alright Danny… But i warn you.. I've got skills.."

"Show me your moves Yautja Maayyn!"

We all slowly crowd around the display as Shane ruffles Danny's hair and he sets up the.. Whatever it is.. Game? Shane has been working on a character called a hunter. And his armour consists of a helmet called reveries dawn, arms that are called wing contender. Chest that's called ophidia spathe and legs that are the same as his helmet. With dashing red cloak. His weapons consist of a bow called arsenic bite a rifle of sorts called the winter wolf and a grenade launcher called edge transit. They begin the match.. Shane is sprinting through an alleyway and aims his bow as Danny double jumps onto a roof and Shane spots him he lets loose hitting Danny. Danny turns around and aims his scout rifle to which no one has beaten him with and fires then throws a grenade. Shane dives backwards and throws his flaming knives knocking Dannys shield off and sprints up and around taking the offensive. As Danny sees Shane he is hit by an arrow then sees an orange flash and a countdown as Shane kills him..

"Alright hotshot.. One kill.. But now I'm going all in uncle!"

"Bring it on BOY!"

Shane picks up a purple box and reloads his launcher when Danny fires at him from behind. He wipes Shanes shield but he dodges and fires two grenades hitting Danny twice and killing him..

"Gah damn! Almost had you!"

I saw Uz swipe the air with a fist.. Almost like he is silently rooting for Shane..

Nina saw also and sniggers..

Shane moves up to a crashed ship and scans the area as Danny plays safe. Shane aims his bow and sees him crouch out of the far building. Shane fires and a message comes up.. Super charged.

"Oh nooo don't!" Danny says Shane laughs as he sprints round the corner but Danny hit Shane with a shotgun and kills him..

"Haaaa got you!"

"Ok alright little man.. I see how it is.."

Shane spots him running to the next building and throws a grenade in front it wipes Danny's shield and he takes cover only for Shane to crouch and end up behind him and melee him in the back.

"Noooo i should have fricking saw that!"

As the match goes on Uz and Osh become engrossed as Danny catches up.. They are roaring and growling as Danny and Shane trade shots with Nina running commentary. It's the last kill as time runs out.. Shane uses some stairs to reach Danny as his health recharges.. He goes into a cannon to get away but Shane aims his bow and fires from the other side hitting him in the head. The last shot as the arrow explodes kills Danny.

"Hahahahaaaa! We have a winner! All hail the combatant from the blue team! Victor of the blue team leave the arena now and rest.. You've earned it!" Nina shouts a throwback to Oblivion. as Uz throws his arms up and laughs.

Danny smiles at Shane "You're good with that bow!"

"And you are good with that rifle mister underpants."

We all sit on the circular seating and converse as the stars fly past..

"Sooo where are we going neens?"Shane asks.

"Oh it's Asteria, the name of the planet.. A certain.. Someone lives there."

"Is that certain someone… A Yautja?"

"Alright who told Shane? Come on spill yer guts.. Was it you Uzkielle? Nina says narrowing her eyes at him. He cocks his head to Nina and Shane.

"M-di."

She looks at Osh. "Was it you mister quiet?" He turns his head slightly to Uzkielle then Shane.. Then me. Then Everyone's head.. Turns to Osh'ikeille.. A noise emanates from him.. Unlike anything i have heard before.. Ninas face grimaces and Shane and Danny with the siblings laugh..

"You absolute smelly… Idjit! Awww I'm out!"

Shane's laugh was just a wheeze and is going purple.. Danny has his arm over Shane until they catch scent.. "Fucking hell Osh! Bring in the hazmat team and quarantine the area! Shane says waffling his arm around Nina is stood on the other side of the lounge. With arms on her hips..

"It was you wasn't it?!" She asks trying to sound serious but Shanes wheezing is making her voice shake.

"Stop laughing It's disgusting behavior coming from a yautja!"

Uz begins to laugh as Shane let's in a gargled intake of air and slaps his knee.

He gets up and wipes his eyes.. "Neens it was a keen observation.. No one told… Told me." he says trying to collect himself. "AND OSH! Stick a Cork in it next time.. My lungs are…. Are bur… Burning.. aaahahahahaa!" I stand with my arms crossed.. I've never understood his sense of humour.. It was a sound and smell.. I don't see the funny side of it.. Even Danny laughs or sometimes the siblings.. After Shane and Danny finally stop laughing or croaking we see an interesting planet in the system we are currently in. It happens to be a yautja game reserve.

Dak'tanu 6..

"Shane.. Hunt with Osh'ikeille?"

Osh'ikeille asks.. Walking up to him.

"What are we hunting ghosts from your flatulence Osh?" Shane asks oh so casually. I let out a rumble of laughter.

"Indeed Mei'hswei…"

Shane snorts.. "Ok what are we hunting really on a Serious note?"

"Kiande amedha.."

"On a serious note i asked Osh!" Osh'ikeille gives Shane a sharp short nod.. "I was.. Serious.."

"You want me to go with you to hunt xenos?"

"Sei-i.. Test.. Your mettle.. Earn your blooded title and mark.. About time."

"Or test out Osh's new ability! Death by giant turd! Danny guffawed.

Shane sniggers.. "What's Osh'ikeilles ability called the skid mark?!"

"Pfffaahahahahaa!" Danny laughs out and nina puts her fingers to her eyes with a smile. But Oshi'keille shoves Shane with a growl.

"Hooo ey! That was uncalled for BROTHER!" Shane says. With arms out wide.. Osh'ikeille turns his back with a snort and makes his way to the armoury.

Shane looks at the others.. And me…

"Is he serious?"

Uzkielle nods.. "Besst get to digging Ze'rei.. Sain'ja.."

"Carry on Uz and I'll send you home to your mother!"

He growls "try it Pauk-de.."

Shane smiles.. "I'm playin Uz.."

Avamar walks up to Shane and slaps him in the back of the head.

He flinches.. I raise my brow at her action.

"Ava! What I do?"

"keep Osh.. Waiting.."

"Ok alright so what do i need?" Bare in mind this is my first official.. Hunt…"

"Awu'asa would be a start krit.." i say.

"Dho'tei et!" Ry'kar says. Shane walks off and nina pulls up Osh'ikeille's feed to see him waiting for shane.. We can just see his arms crossed with his right gauntlets orange markings along the front. He is wearing his newer armour and has become attached to it. It is more streamlined than his original armour but tougher and lighter made from duranium but with a silver finish. Shane walks up to him and his arms unfold. Shane surprises us by not getting into the suit he always uses and puts on the armour uzkielle took time to create for him. They spent weeks designing his armour and they are both proud of how it turned out. It's a full combat armour similar to their design but Shanes is scaled along the back of the arms and legs and sides of his torso. But with angled pauldrons with a chest piece his front is also scaled but thicker allowing him maximum movement with decent protection and an angular mask he also has clawed boots and clawed gauntlets.. It has two angular protrusions on the front that lower but curve ever so slightly forward and has a deep blue eye slits.. He arms his twin wrist blades and combi stick and takes two shuriken and fits two Plasma casters on his small platforms that fold behind his back. Shanes dreads in his helmet are adorned with dlex rings and wears his red cape that Zir'tehn gave us all.. He takes his pistol and cocks it before putting the safety on. Nina patches in. "Jesus Shane are you killing a whole hive or just a few?" He lifts his hand and flicks a finger at Osh'ikeille but he grabs Shanes hand and twists it.

"Osh not you… Nina. Let go you ass.."

He lets go with a trill. Shane fits on a net gun attachment then brings up a thumb to Osh. Uz flies the ship to the snowy peaks. Where the hunting grounds are located which is a changing pyramid. The freezing temperatures is a test unto itself to reach the grounds. And that's only the first test. We've all done it once at some point in our lives. Even Uz and Osh have run it once. Or twice.. But on a different planet.. Each pyramid offers a different challenge. But the design on all if not most is similar. Uz brings the Lar'ja N'ritja down and Shane follows Osh out.. We now have both feeds active. Shane's Hud is more techy than Osh's. Osh has a red border with several windows that show up specific info when needed. Shane's has a cyan border but it pulsates with a cyan sweep with a hex pattern at the edges. As Shane brings up his pistol his clawed gauntlets and forearm come onto view. He lowers his weapon when Osh holds out an arm beckoning him over. Shane walks up to him as snow slowly swirls around.

"Follow.. These.. Markers.."

He points to a pole with a blinking orange head.. Shanes head nods.. "Ok" They make their way across the white expanse. They reach a summit when the snow clears they see the pyramid in the distance. Osh'ikeille drops from Shanes view.. Shane looks down but there is a heavy cloud of mist. He drops and we see his view shudder and his forearm comes into view as he lands with an explosion of snow. They move on and see a bridge.. Made of rope and wood.. There is another marker.. They make their way across when Shane looks down.. "Oh i shouldn't have done that.." He makes his way across when Osh looks up..

"Vei.. Mei'hswei.."

Shane's view shifts up…

"Great.. This looks totally safe for climbing.."

Osh'ikeille unleashes his wrist blades and digs them in and climbs.. Shanes arms raise as he unleashes his own blades and follows Osh'ikeilles tracks and climbs slowly.. Shane's visor begins to ice over as he climbs and he loses his footing he smashes his Blades into the ice and digs his boot claws into the ice he looks down to see nothing but a white sheet.. He carries on when he reaches the top a clawed hand is seen hoisting him up. Shanes view shifts to see Osh'ikeille. And he pats Shanes shoulder who is out of breath. They see the third marker. They begin to run at a gentle pace. Osh mindful of his brothers difficulty slows as the snow is deep here. Shane's breathing is heavy but calm. His whole armour with osh's is glistening with a frosty coat and Shane brings up his pistol. We see him slam against the weapon and takes the clip out as they carry on running his arms slightly bob as he cocks the weapons twice getting rid of the ice. He slams in the clip and slides the chamber back and it moves off to the right as he holsters it once more. His view begins to pick up speed and can hear his breathing pattern. Osh is silent. But we can hear the snow crunching under his weight with a gliding pace. They reach the steps.. And Shane stops as the view is breathtaking. In the distance the sun blares down against the black pyramid with a yellow glow. The steps lead to the pyramid. Shane's view settles down as he moves in front of Osh. He begins to run his cape trailing behind.. Shane follows the steps. He slowly turns into a sprint as the winds finally pass leaving clear skies. Osh keeps pace when Shane jumps a broken bridge. His view glides up with his arms moving slightly to the side and lands. Without breaking momentum..

"Shane are you doing alright?" Nina asks.

"Sei-i.." he replies..

"Is this Shane or the other Shane?" Danny asks..

Shane laughs and his wispy breath flows from the front.

"Just thought I'd have you guessing.." Shane slows down as he takes in a breath. And Osh'ikeille overtakes. They are almost there after jogging up the 10 thousand steps. The pyramid looms over head.. Shane takes in a large breath and takes out his pistol but Osh takes it off him removes the clip and with one yautjan tap smashes the ice over the weapon. He cocks the slide twice then holds the clip for several seconds then re-inserts the clip sliding back the chamber then passing it back to Shane. Shane takes it and pats Osh'ikeille and the snow falls off him. Shane approaches the giant doors.. There is a large hole in the middle of the door.. As Shane reads the runes we see his text translation which sweeps across his hud..

(Those who are chosen may enter.)

(The fight will not end.. Until the end.)

(Those unworthy will forever lay here as testament to their failure.)

(Death before Dishonour.)

"No pressure then, you think someones home?" Shane looks at Osh who nods at him.

"Enter Mei'hswei.."

Shane reaches into the lock standing on his tip toes and grabs onto the handle inside.. His shield explodes.. And he rips his hand out.. "Fuck that hurt.. Some kind of shock.."

There is a heavy cuthunk as the locking mechanisms activate. Shane releases his combi stick and holds it facing the door. He moves back as the door slowly slides downward. Osh'ikeille walks into Shanes view slowly balling his hands and releasing them as he sees the coast is clear.. He clicks.. It's pitch black and Shane walks in cautiously. Several yautja statues line the hall then the fires burn awake as if sensing their presence.. Shane looks around and walks on. Osh Steps onto the block that activates the chambers below.. The furnaces begin to roar to life and several chains pull up frozen xenomorphs and the capsules open up.. Exposing them to the heat. Along with a praetorian.. The door behind them begins to close and Shanes view spins around with his arm raising we see the ornate markings of the combi stick. His has a number of trinkets tied to it that he has collected over the weeks.. He relaxes as Osh grabs his shoulder..

"Mei'hswei.. This way.. M-di seh'swe ghe'n h'ka-se.."

"No turning back now.."

"So the kv'var begins. Let's do this Osh'ikeille.."

"GoT yourr back.. Shane."

Author note: Shane you krit! Welcome back to the land of the living! And now you dive into a small slice of hell.. With a brother.. Will Shane make it through his trial? Find out next chapter! Yautja wordys belowsys! Stay awesome you lovely people!

Reviewers circle:

Werewolfbleu: Awww thanks bleu you made me smile! I'm always worrying that I'm doing too much! And we ain't done yet! A few more chapters yet! Thanks besty! Much love!

Yautja words:

Zabin- Insect.

Krit- Idiot or general remark. (Non-cannon my own word.)

Zik'za- Bastard or twat undefined. (Non-cannon my own word.)

Sei-i- Yes.

M-di- No.

Mei'hswei- Brother.

Pauk-de- F^cker.

Ell-osde Pauk- F^ck you..

Ze'rei Sain'ja- Fire Warrior.

Qei- What. (Non-cannon my own word for 'what'.)

Te's- Is a or an. (Non-cannon my own words for 'is a' or 'is an' )

Kiande Amedha- Hard meat (Xenomorphs)

Awu'asa- Armour.

Dho'tei et!- Move it! (Non-cannon my own words for 'move' and 'it'.)

Vei- Up. (Non-cannon my own word for 'up'.)

Seh'swe- Turning. (Non-cannon my own word for 'turning'.)

Ghe'n- Back. (Non-cannon my own word for 'back'.)

H'ka-se- Now.

Kv'var- Hunt.