"I haven't had that much fun in a long time." Max explained. The two warriors laid there and laughed together. The audience members began to leave, while Kulem'te and Sya decided to let the two sain'ja rest after the intense sparring match. The started to converse with each other as they waited for the two to arise. Suddenly, Max felt Nal'ca grabbing his hand and holding it. He turned his head to look into her eyes, falling into the deep blue eyes she had.
"Max", Nal'ca spoke, "you said that you had formed a mental bond with Hera."
Max nodded remembering the bond he formed with his now dead lover, allowing them to not only speak to each other telepathically, but to share feelings, thoughts, and showed their memories to each other. However, forming a bond with Nal'ca would cause her to see his memories, his nightmares, the nexus of the darkness that resided in his heart, his soul.
"Nal'ca", Max started pursing his lips trying to come up with a way to explain, "If I were to form a bond you would see my memories… every memory. Some memories worse than what you saw in my nightmares last night. You might not be able to withstand the assault from the darkness lurking inside me."
She reached her other hand up to Max's cheeks, "You have shown me that you are more than worthy enough for me to truly befriend. I can hold my own against whatever attacks you. Hera was the only other that supported you through the torment. Even though I am not her, I am willing to support you in her place."
Max thought to himself, the offer Nal'ca had just given him. She was willing to support him now that Hera no longer could. She would help him through the pain, through the torment. To tame the darkness, the evil. Max looked back to Nal'ca.
"Then brace yourself, and remember that I am right here." Max then reached out his mind, meeting Nal'ca's and he pushed. Building a bridge between the two minds, a link that would connect them anywhere. Her memories flew through his mind, but he felt Nal'ca struggling with his memories as she was forced to see every one of them.
The images flashed in Nal'ca's mind. Not only now could she see the image, she could feel the pain, the suffering that Max felt. Could feel the knife and whip from his numerous tortures, the pain from being beaten by whoever his aunt was sleeping with that night. She could feel the emotional trauma from losing his parents, and then losing Hera and Jack. She could feel his loneliness as he grew up, the pain of losing his humanity. Being called a freak, working alone, being betrayed by those he trusted. She felt it all in that moment, and it nearly consumed her before Max squeezed her hand, reminding her he was there. Eventually the world of Max's memories faded, and she returned to the real world, with Max staring worryingly at her.
"Can you hear me?" She heard in her mind.
What was that? She thought when the voice echoed in her head.
"Nal'ca can you hear me? I need to know if it worked, if you weren't consumed by the memories." She heard the voice again, more desperate.
"Max?" She replied, on a hunch.
"It did work!" the voice replied and Max let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "You can hear me, it's Max."
"Max…" she replied, unbelieving of what she was feeling. She could literally feel his happiness, his thankfulness that she wanted to help him. She could feel his thoughts. She somehow knew that he was as happy as her, but in the corner of his mind there was a thought. Why did she want the bond? Nal'ca knew exactly why she wanted the bond, but some corner of her mind still said "no, not yet." She was falling for Max, but it was too early for her to press any farther forward. Then her mind thought about how she could tell what he was thinking. Therefore, it should be easier for him to…
Max chuckled, "Yes, I could feel that. Thanks for giving me time to recover." he said raising one hand to her cheeks as well, "Once I have gotten over Hera's death, we can try to take this friendship farther. Just not yet." Nal'ca nodded, and the two warriors got up together, retrieving their weapons, and Max threw on his trench-coat. Climbing out of the pit, they were met by Sya and Kulem'te.
"You ready to meet Ack'se, and get your 'Awu'asa'?" Sya asked.
"Yes, I would love to meet him." Max replied. The group then walked out of the training hall and went down to the workshop.
The door opened and the group was welcomed by a Yautja wearing a black robe looking at a hologram of a set of armor. He turned his head toward the group and noticed Max.
"Ah", he said, moving to press a few buttons on the console projecting the hologram, "You must be the Ooman named Max."
Max nodded his head, and bowed in respect, "Yes, and you must be Ack'se." The Yautja bowed his head in return for his greeting, the hologram then changed into a blank slate. The Yautja grabbed what looked to be measuring tape.
"I need to take some measurements if you could stand straight with your arms out." Max nodded his head before walking over and standing as directed. The Yautja took measure after measure, knowing exactly where, like he has been doing this his entire life. After 10 minutes of measuring he walked to a console placed against a wall, and typed in what Max assumed to be the measurements into the console. Max couldn't understand any of the writing on the screen, causing him to hope that Nal'ca or Sya would teach him how to read their language.
"Of course I'm going to teach you how to read our language as well." Max heard Nal'ca's voice, causing him to jump. He momentarily forgot that he had formed a bond with Nal'ca and she could feel what he was thinking.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to doubt you." Max replied, and Nal'ca just chuckled when hearing his reply. His attention immediately returned to Ack'se when he walked to the hologram and pressed a button causing the set of armor to adjust slightly in size. The armor consisted of a mask, made specifically to fit his face. Metal plates boots and metal shin guards, and plates on the outside of his thighs would protect his feet and legs. A codpiece would protect his crotch and two plates will cover his breast, leaving his abdominal muscles exposed. Bracers that would mount the wristblades that was used by almost every Yautja would be present as well.
It was a very conservative and simple design, but that was perfect for Max. He would not and could not fight like a tank in this new life. The Yautja were bigger and stronger than him and this meant that Max had to be nimble and precise. The awu'asa was perfect for him.
"Since your body obviously differs from ours, you will instead have the option of wearing a bodysuit or a fishnet underneath your awu'asa. I will also ensure that the awu'asa is built to stay light so you can stay swift." the smithy explained as he showed Max the blank slate of his awu'asa. "This will make it much easier to protect you in hostile environment since your soft skin is not as strong as our hides."
Max nodded his head in agreement than observed the hologram. Ack'se continued, "After observing your style and skills from the recordings on Earth, and your sparring match with Nal'ca–good job teaching Kuita a lesson by the way–I have optimized your awu'asa to not hinder you as you move." Max looked at the armor and saw that Ack'se did indeed do so. There was nothing that he could see that would affect his movements. "Now for the weapons."
Ack'se pressed a button and the hologram showed several weapons sheathed onto the armor. The placements were similar to how he had his weapons right now. A weapon that looked like a pistol was holstered at his right waist, his sword on his left, with his wakizashi just underneath the Katana.
"As you can see", Ack'se spoke, "Your weapons will be set up like your have your weapons now. The magnetic clips and holsters will allow you to move items as needed. However, I decided that it would be easier to have your Sivk'va-tai, your plasma-caster, as a sidearm instead of on your shoulder." He turned to look at Max for agreement, which Max nodded to show. "Your Combi-stix will be on your back, and of course you will have your Dai'lte, your wrist blades, as well. I will also create nooks in your 'Awu'asa' to place your throwing knifes."
Max nodded, smiling, "Thank you Ack'se… You spent some time getting this set up." Ack'se smiled at his words, happy that his efforts were appreciated.
"I find setting up your armor interesting." Ack'se replied, "In fact I plan on building it myself for you, you're fighting interests me greatly, and I'm happy to make an awu'asa for you. As the awu'asa is to become a part of you, to be an extension of your body like your weapons. I have not had to make one to match a sain'ja like you. I have to create an alloy that gives you the lightness, but at the same time the protection needed."
Max smiled, "Then I am grateful." Max then looked back to the hologram. "How long do you believe it will take you?"
Ack'se smiled at his question, "Eager to play with the toys it comes with, are we?" He asked.
"Yes..." Max admitted, causing everyone in the room to laugh.
"Since I'll have my craftsmen working on the everyday clothes I have already designed, I'll have more than enough time to have this finished in two more cycles.". Ack'se replied, "Once you have gotten your awu'asa, I will work on you ceremonial awu'asa. Which you will wear on occasions like when you are presented to the Elders."
Max raised an eyebrow, "Ceremonial? I assume you already have it designed..."
"Yes", Ack'se replied, "but it is a surprise."
Max groaned, "Ughhh! Fine!" this only caused Ack'se to smile even more. Lord Kulem'te walked up to Max, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, it's time for us to eat with the arbitrators." Kulem'te said.
"I will have a new set of clothes for you before you rest tonight." Ack'se said before the group left for the dining hall.
Max found that the dining hall was very similar to the cafeterias he was used to on Earth. Usually you would get your food, but because he was sitting with the Clan Leaders and the Arbitrators, servants came out to give him food. Max sat with Nal'ca to his left and Sya to his right, it took some convincing to allow Nal'ca to sit next to him, but he managed to convince the arbitrators to allow it. He watched as a servant brought out glasses filled with drinks. A middle-aged Yautja handed Max his glass of water.
"Thanks", Max said, getting a thankful look from the servant, and a surprised one from the arbitrators.
"Why do you show respect to one that's under you?" Jakka asked.
Max smiled, "On Earth we have a golden rule: Treat others how you wish to be treated… unless of course they are your enemy in which case beat them into a pulp." Max's addition to the rule caused several at the table to laugh. However, when the food was served, the servants gave him his food first. A slab of meat that was similar enough to a steak for Max to enjoy just fine with the spices added.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say this was steak." Max said as he ate.
"Steak?" Gat'tak asked.
"It's a human meal." Max replied.
The Arbitrators asked him many questions, like how he learned to fight the way he fights, getting compliments from his sparing match with Nal'ca and teaching Kuita a lesson. They also asked how he got some of his scars, to which he talked about some fights he had been in, and a few of the torture sessions he had to endure throughout his lifetime. However, the most interesting question was about the extent of his enhancements. He explained the sense of smell he got from a wolf's DNA, his hearing from different animals, his eyes from a feline's, and his unnatural strength and speed from Hard Meats. He also talked about how he had gained the Xenomorphs telepathic abilities as well. He even revealed the mental bond he had formed with Nal'ca. They had her go into another room while they told him something that she had to write down. Their faces were struck with shock when she walked in with the exact words that Kulem'te had told him, written down on a piece of parchment.
However, he did keep the full extent of his telepathic powers hidden. He didn't know how any of them would react. He hardly used those powers anyway, only using them when needed, but using them with practiced ferocity and skill. Maybe I won't have to reveal them at all. He thought, though Max knew that eventually he would have to reveal the extent of his powers.
After a while the conversation moved past Max into when the next hunt would be, four cycles from now. And since Max would have his awu'asa in time, he would join the hunt. However, Max wasn't listening to the conversation at that point, he was listening to what Kuita was saying to the Yautja that Max had earlier saved from him.
"Now since that annoying Ooman is occupied with the arbitrators", he heard Kuita say, "I have free reign."
Anger once again boiled up that his lesson had not sunk into the brat Yautja.
"Kuita leave me alone", Max heard the young warrior say, "I don't want to fight you, I never did. Please just go away…"
"Kuita go away before you start something you regret." Max heard one of the Young Warriors friends say.
"Or what?" Kuita replied, he knew he was a better fighter, and he had two friends with himself as well.
Max looked to Nal'ca, who had been listening through the link with Max's mind, "Go teach again." She said.
Max stood up from the table, pulled out one of his throwing knifes, and took aim. Sya was about to speak, but Nal'ca stopped him. Max threw the blade, it went straight and true, and cut the dreadlocks on Kuita's right side before it hit the metal wall and fell to the ground. Kuita gave a roar of pain as phosphorus green blood spilled into the floor. Kuita turned to see Max standing up giving a death-stare that sent chills down his friend's backs.
"I thought I told you to pick fights with people your own size?" Max growled as the entire Dining hall fell silent, watching what was about to unfold. "There is no honor nor valor in fighting someone who can't fight back."
"If you're so full of honor and valor…" Kuita replied. He and his two friends walked toward Max, standing in front him and bringing their fists up. "Then let's see you take on all three of us."
Sya started to get up, but Nal'ca stopped him, Max having telepathically told her to ensure no one interfered. Max stood there, in a calm composure, examining his opponents. He saw that the Yautja on his right didn't have his hands up properly, leaving a giant gap over his chest. Max waited a few more moments, to make his opponents ever the more tense. Then he moved, yelling a battle cry as he threw a side-kick so fast into the Yautja's gut no-one saw him move. The Yautja on his right clenched his stomach, the force of the kick nearly causing him to lose his lunch.
Max then turned to the Yautja left of Kuita, blocking a punch before kicking his side, right underneath the ribcage. Ducking below a kick thrown by Kuita, he threw three punches in quick succession at the Yautja's chest then an uppercut, nailing the Yautja's chin. The Yautja stepped back, stunned and allowed Max to grab his shoulders, and jump up, throwing his right knee into his opponent's stomach, and push it up into his lungs. The Yautja fell to the ground, coughing up his lunch, blood, and mucus from the incapacitating knee to his chest.
Max turned, dodging a punch from Kuita's left, then blocking his right. Max slid underneath Kuita grabbing his shoulder, then used Kuita's shock to throw him over his shoulder and onto the table in front of him. Max still held Kuita's hand with his right, he twisted the arm so the elbow face him, and he threw his palm into the elbow. With a sickening crunch and a scream of pain, the Yautja's elbow was forced the wrong way, his bones completely shattering from the sheer force generated from Max turning his whole body into the strike. Max turned to see the First Yautja behind him, getting up and preparing to attack. Max turned to the Arbitrators, who meals just went everywhere when Kuita was thrown onto the table.
"Sorry about your dinner." Max said, before grabbing Kuita by his shoulders, and throwing him at the now charging Yautja, who stepped back to avoid getting hit by the now tumbling Kuita. Max took the opening to charge, jumping and throwing a side kick as he flew through the air. His heel connected with the Yautja's temple, and Max's last opponent fell to the ground, out cold. Max took a second to look not only at his opponents, but at the mess he made. He walked to where Kuita was laying on the ground, holding his arm, blood still flowed from his severed deadlock. Max placed his heel on the crushed elbow, twisting his heel causing the shattered bones to grind against each other. Kuita screamed in agony as Max smiled at the pain he was causing.
"Class dismissed!" Max exclaimed before stepping off the elbow and walking to the young warrior who Kuita was tormenting. "You all right?"
The Yautja looked at the broken and battered Yautjas, trying to stand on their own two feet as the rest of the room returned to normal. He turned to look back at Max and was smiling, "I am now, thank you."
Max smiled, happy that he was alright, "What's your name?"
"Da'ax", he replied.
"That's a nice name", Max said, "My name is Maximus, but you can call me Max." Max turned to return to the arbitrators, but Da'ax stopped him.
"Wait, can you teach me how you fight like that?"
Max turned once again Da'ax, smiling at his eagerness to learn how Max could defeat what he couldn't. He chuckled as he examined the unbloodied, he didn't have the size of some of the other Yautja, but he was by no means the smallest. "Sure, I'll find ya as soon as I'm able to."
Da'ax looked happy as Max accepted the request, "You can find me in the training hall you found me in early today. Thank you." Max only nodded as he returned to his table, only to find that the food that was on the table before is now everywhere and the arbitrators were waiting for the servants to come and clean it before bringing them new food.
"Oops", Max said as he took his seat, "Guess I made quite the mess here." The entire table laughed and they finished their meal enjoying conversation with several praises for Max's ability to take on all three of the Yautja, even if they were unskilled unbloods. Apparently having a Human defeat any group of Yautja was rare.
The rest of the day consisted of group finishing their meal, before Max and Nal'ca turned in for the night.