CHAPTER 15:
A New Path Begins
Three years later, Kahet swiped his daggers through the air as he practiced the moves he'd seen hunters perform in the sparring rooms. Sure, he wasn't allowed inside due to his age but it didn't stop him from peeking in unseen as he passed it over the years. He couldn't wait to practice in one of those rooms when he became a tall and powerful hunter like his father. Kahet's body had now reached its adolescent point and he loved the flexibility it brought as he kept growing. Sure, he was still smaller due to his mother's genetics but he didn't let height stop him. In a few days he'd begin classes with his uncle Nak-De, who'd literally toughen him out over the years until he was ready for his Chiva. It had taken a lot of practice to be accepted into his class which demanded the best of the best, with no 'pups who'd go crying to their makers'. His father was proud of him as always while his mother still held her sentimental worry over his well-being.
"Kahet, are you still playing with your daggers?" his mother demanded from his doorway. He turned and crossed his arms in frustration from the surprise. She did the same and in a challenging tone, asked, "Do you remember what I told you?"
"No training before I fix my room, I know!" he complained and set his weapons down on a table. His hands itched for them but knew he had to obey and clean his dumb room. "I hate cleaning!"
Why do I have to fix my room? I'm not a female or an eta, he thought.
"One day you'll fix your own quarters down below" she reminded him firmly. He groaned and sat down on his unkempt bed. "I want my son to be tidy, not a slob."
Please, no lectures!, he thought in despair.
"Yes, but eta's do most of the cleaning" he pointed out and she glared in return. He knew her stance on that caste and groaned, "Mom, that's how it is! I'm used to it."
"Well, I'm not" she huffed and leaned her back against the doorway's side, preventing it to close. "They're nice people, they just couldn't rise in rank but it's no reason to-"
"I've heard this speech already" he sighed making her stop in mid-sentence. "Don't start a rebellion."
"I'm not starting anything!" she objected and pouted. "I'm just stating an opinion, that's all."
"Mm-hmm" he said flatly and stood to usher her out. "All right, let me do my task or I'm telling father you're rebelling again."
"Kahet!" she exclaimed and smacked his head playfully. "Don't let the excitement get to your head. You're not all powerful yet, you're still growing and learning."
He nodded and his mother exited his room afterwards. Grinning to himself quietly, he stood up to start on his chores. He said he'd do them but the quality of it wouldn't be satisfactory. He threw the heavy pelt on his bed over the unruly blankets beneath and made it look tidy after punching in the lumps and went over to close his half-open drawers of clothes. Kicking anything on the floor underneath his bed, he went back to grab his daggers off his table quickly and began to practice.
Twirling the daggers in his hands, he smiled at remembering the day his father had given them to him. Kantra had gotten them for him at the capital of their homeworld at a trade post before leaving the planet again. He'd been surprised at the gift sitting on his dresser as he looked over the gleaming silver metal and the beautiful hilt decorations, wondering if they had been left there by accident. Now, he rarely let his precious daggers out of his sight.
And one day, my firstborn son will get them, he thought proudly. I wonder how I'll look then. . .Oh well! Time for practice.
"I can still be excited and aim to be the best now" he trilled as he swiped at the air to his left and practiced his kicks.
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"I wish I could start my Chiva training" Aru'Dre sulked as he trained with Kahet in the gardens. The twins sat on the floor reading through information tablets as usual while Bakuub trained by himself. The boys had gathered together to play and train by themselves, assuring their parents they were old enough to go unsupervised. 'We are adolescents after all' Aru'Dre kept bragging to them. Leitjin had stayed home since he rarely trained with them at all, which sometimes worried Kahet since he needed to.
"So, how is he like?" Kahet asked his best friend. With a grin, he joked, "He doesn't beat you to extinction, does he?"
"No, just until you have it right with no broken bones" Bakuub answered as he twirled a dagger and Kahet grimaced, not liking the answer. He'd never had a broken bone and didn't think he was ready for that experience. His friend shrugged and smiled, "By the end of the month, you'll have a sprained muscle at the least."
Bakuub had been accepted into Nak-De's class when he had become fourteen. He was a third year now at 16 and was doing pretty well, do to his tall physique. That and his father made sure he was training well for his classes.
"I guess that's not too bad" Kahet muttered as he swiped at Aru'Dre's legs and knocked him off his feet. The younger male growled and sat up in defeat as he whined in complaint.
"You'll probably go to the infirmary first with uncle in charge" Sri'shan added in as he looked up from his tablet. For the past three years, he had been working on learning as much of his culture as he could. By age 15, he would leave the Ade'k'ra and return to the homeworld to begin study as an assistant lawmaker to aid the High Elders in the city when he entered his adulthood. Most boys at that age were rarely accepted but since his father was an Arbitrator, he'd learned from one of the best and had gotten accepted to begin learning at the apprentice level. Sali'ah hadn't agreed with it and had wanted her son as a pilot but Sau-Trul was proud of his child for his chosen path. He'd miss everyone on board but he wanted to work with the highest of people possible and contribute to their society.
"Good thing I won't have him" Sau'Nak smiled as he saw Aru'Dre try to tackle Kahet but he dodged it easily and he fell on the grass. Aru'Dre spit out grass as he punched the dirt angrily and sat up. "I just have to worry on being able to hunt average prey."
Sau'Nak had decided to travel the same path of his father and would eventually become an Arbitrator in his prime years. For now, he would learn to hunt prey passable for a male his age and would then focus on studying the Hunt itself until he would begin studying the law in his adult years. Aru'Dre teased him about it most of the time by saying he'd be a shriveled prune by the time he reached it while he would be hunting the strongest prey and producing pups to carry his name.
"You'll be weak compared to us hunters" Aru'Dre said smugly and grinned at his elder cousin. Sau'Nak ignored him and kept reading his tablet.
Aru'Dre was still smug as ever and would probably stay that way until he began his classes. Everyone was pretty sure he'd be put in his place by then, either that or irritate the instructor endlessly. Despite being the shortest and youngest in the quartet, he made up for it with his mouth and by honing his skills with the others.
"In the end, they're held as highly as the Elders" Bakuub informed them and sat down to drink some water. Then grinned at Aru'Dre, "Who's to say you'll survive the Chiva at all?"
"I will, I train as hard as you do!" he shouted back indignantly and crossed his arms. "I'll be as strong as my sire!"
"My father's a Leader" Bakuub grinned cheekily making him growl back. Sri'shan snickered while Sau'Nak tried not to laugh himself. They loved to tease the younger male since he tortured them endlessly plus he was prone to anger easily.
"Enough, don't make him mad or he'll prank us" Kahet intervened and patted Aru'Dre's back. Aru'Dre grumbled and sat down to relax as well as his cousin grinned, "I still can't pry off that knife he glued to my wall years ago."
"Just imagine, when we're on our own having our adventures, I can taunt you all" Aru'Dre said, purring in content as he lay on the cool grass. "Forever! Muhahaha!"
"Good thing I won't be there" Sri'shan laughed mockingly at the group. His twin punched his arm and took his tablet. "No! It's mine!"
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"Kahet, your room?" his mother questioned again as he laid on the couch on his stomach lazily. Aloun'Da played with her dolls right next to him on the floor and he tipped them over making her wail in complaint. For a four year old, their father spoiled her unconditionally since she was his only daughter and she clung to him constantly.
"Kahet, don't bother your sister!" Kantra called from the kitchen where he was eating yet another of his mate's delightful fruit salads. "Don't make me come out there!"
"You'd chose the food over coming here, Dad" Kahet laughed but obeyed his father. Aloun'Da stuck out her tongue between her human lips and he tipped another doll quickly before getting off the couch. Stretching, he walked over to Iliana who was fixing him a snack on the table nearby for his day lesson today. He hugged his mother who fondly returned her son's embrace as she finished fixing his meal. She kissed the top of his head, which already reached her nose, and let go of him.
"Remember-" Iliana began and wagged a motherly finger at him. Kahet rolled his emerald eyes and said with her, "Don't let the excitement get to your head."
"Kahet, if it does, you'll get overconfident and mess up" she pointed out to him and then made an unhappy face, "Trust me, it happened to me and I ended up with a broken arm and breaking the weapons rack on the wall in a sparring room."
"That was you? No wonder the body imprint looked familiar!" Kantra said from within the other room. She rolled her eyes and ignored the faraway comment.
"The point is to always listen to your instructor" she finished and hugged her son. Letting him go, she tugged on one of his soft mandibles and said, "Just fix your room and prepare for today."
He nodded reluctantly and headed off to his room to fix it. Iliana stared at her oldest and observed how quickly he was growing up, mentally and physically. By the end of his thirteenth year, he was getting close to surpassing her height and would keep growing until he reached either his father's height or maybe more. Sighing, she hoped he'd still be her baby by that time despite his physical appearance and rebellious mood swings.
He's growing up, it's what kids do, she thought somberly. Eventually, the rebelling and awkwardness will begin and then stop. I wonder if he'll be worse than human teens? I was a bit rebellious and goodness knows how Kantra was at that age. Maybe he won't change much. No matter what, he's still my baby. . .my little Kahet.
"Thinking again?" Kantra asked, walking up to her and caressing her cheek with his hand. She nodded softly and smiled. "He'll be trained well to pass his Chiva so calm yourself."
"And what if Nak-De beats the hell out of him?" she hissed quietly so her other children wouldn't hear. She didn't want her children cursing despite most of the male population did it publicly, especially their uncles. Worriedly, she pointed out, "This society is meant to breed the best hunters of this universe. What if Kahet's not ready?"
"He'll be fine and it'll make him stronger" Kantra responded simply as she gave him a firm protective glare. Like yautja females, Iliana was deadly protective of her children, big or small. He sighed and restated, "If it gets to a serious situation, I'll speak to him. If he doesn't listen, I'll beat the shit out of him in the sparring room."
"Kantra, beating people senseless isn't always the answer!" she said, smiling at his blunt remark.
"Sometimes it is" he retorted and trilled softly with a cocky grin. "I call it brotherly love and he's younger so I get dibs. Besides, what male doesn't fight on this ship?"
"Kantra-" she argued but was interrupted.
"Mother! Aloun'Da wants me to play with her" Leitjin whined from the front of the room as he held a tablet and tried to scoot away from his peppy sister, "I'm not a girl!"
"Daddy, play with me!" Aloun'Da called out to him and raised her doll happily. Kantra grimaced and tried to think of a quick excuse to save his pride.
"Real men play with dolls, only cowards run" Iliana reminded him cheekily and he glared in return. "Call it a peaceful compromise. Besides, Aloun'Da loves her daddy."
Compromise with female dolls?!, he thought and hissed to himself. Somehow I signed up for this automatically when I produced a daughter. Damn chromosomes. Why'd Iliana have to birth such a cute child? I can never say no, it's impossible!
"Fine but I'll be setting the compromise benefits in our room tonight" he purred into her ear as her spine tingled involuntarily. Biting her ear once, he let go and walked over to his daughter and sat down to play with her. He patted her brunette head as her green eyes looked up and twinkled happily.
"Thank you, Daddy" she purred and gave him two dolls which he held uncomfortably in his large hands. His hands weren't meant to hold tiny toys, they were meant to show off his strength! If at all, he should be breaking them! Looking over at his mate, his face plainly read 'You owe me so much for this'.
"Fathers aren't used to playing dolls, Lounda, but I'll play with you until Kahet comes out" he told his daughter in a calm voice and she nodded happily anyway. "We'll be leaving then."
"But I thought the class began-" Leitjin began but his father cut him off swiftly.
"We're getting there early to. .um. .so I can talk to your uncle!" Kantra lied and patted his daughter's head. Feeling guilty afterwards, he sighed and said, "You can come with us and I'll take you to the pools to swim afterwards."
"Thanks, Daddy!" she purred happily and hugged him around the neck. He purred in return and let her go so he could make one of the dolls walk around.
Iliana had to teach her to call me 'Daddy' instead of 'Father' or the ooman term 'Dad' like the boys, he sighed mentally. Maybe she'll grow out of it. How long can the nickname last?
"In four years, you'll begin your training as well" Kantra told Leitjin who looked down and shyly shook his head from his spot on the couch. Raising a brow, he asked, "What's wrong?"
I have to tell him, Leitjin thought worriedly. Otherwise, he'll keep telling me. I can't keep doing something I don't like.
"I. . .I don't like hunting" he admitted, nervously. Kantra raised a brow in surprise as he continued in hesitation, "It doesn't. . .appeal to me. I don't want to go on hunts. I've tried to like it for years but I can't. I'd rather. .I want to be a medic!"
Oh, he's going to yell, Leitjin thought and closed his eyes in wait. I'll probably get extra training time!
"That's wonderful!" Iliana responded in an approving tone. Leitjin stared at her in surprise and smiled weakly. She actually approved of it? Maybe his father could too. "His instructor says he's the best in his class and he's always studying, Kantra. He'd make a good medic onboard one day."
I can imagine it, she thought proudly as she looked at her youngest son. Dr. Leitjin! No, Medic Leitjin! My son, the doctor!
"Yes but. .I thought all of my boys would be hunters" Kantra mumbled, still surprised by his son's confession. Leitjin's shoulders slumped instantly, feeling he'd disappointed his father.
"They can choose their own path" Iliana said gently as she walked over to them. Stroking her son's cheek, she smiled at Kantra, "Kahet likes hunting but Leitjin doesn't, they can't love everything you do. Each of our children will be different, they can't be uniformly. I was a healer for animals on my world, your mother was also a healer, and Ani-De's a medic here so he'll fit right in."
"I like medicine, I can fix people" Leitjin told his father and hoped he'd approve. "If Kahet gets hurt, I can heal him just like he protects me. Medics help out all the time here on the Ade'k'ra."
So my little one wants to help his society?, his father thought. Well, I suppose one of ours was bound to be like Iliana.
"All right, if that's what you want" Kantra agreed and nodded to his smiling son. In a fatherly tone, he reminded, "But medics must be strong too, Leitjin. Sometimes hunters can be aggressive during treatments and try to cause harm."
"No problem, I'll tell uncle Ani-De to teach me how to knock out unruly patients" Leitjin laughed and his father joined in as well.
He may not like the Hunt, but he'll be a good medic, Kantra thought and ruffled his son's hair. Leitjin purred and hugged his father happily, overjoyed that he had agreed. I want the best for my boys.
"What's so funny?" Kahet asked, practically skipping into the room with joy. "It's not about me, is it?"
"No, it's your crazy uncles" Iliana chuckled and smoothed his unkempt hair with her hand. "I fixed you a snack so get ready so your father can take you."
"I'll be done in a minute!" he said excitedly and ran out of the room once more.
"He's just like me when I was that age" Kantra said in remembrance. He grinned afterwards and added to his mate, "I couldn't move an inch the next day from soreness."
"The splendor of hunting" Iliana said dryly and her mate hissed.
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"The class is a bit smaller than the ones I've been in" Kahet said, looking over his new classmates who would be there for six years with him. "Do you think they're stronger than me?"
"If so, train even harder" his father advised and patted his shoulder in comfort. "You'll be fine, it's your first day. Over the weeks, you'll adjust and find your place."
The students, no more than fifteen per class, were gathered inside the sparring hall within one of the smaller divided rooms for private training. Classes were held there in the morning or late hour cycles by different instructors. Kahet had luckily gotten his day spot in the class and the room was decorated with worn claw marks in the walls along with a weapons rack. The floor was padded in black so the students wouldn't be injured too heavily and gave them room to perform individual exercises. Students were coming in and out as they performed some warm-up exercises before Nak-De's arrival.
"What if they mock me for being. .you know?" Kahet whispered, looking at his father for reassurance.
"Then you defeat them in sparring and teach them how a hybrid can kick the butts of any full breeds that come near" Kantra stated and gave him a comforting smile, "This class is about you, what you seek to accomplish, not them. Who cares what they think? You have a family and friends supporting you already."
"Thanks, I hope uncle's 'support' isn't throwing me through a table today" Kahet said, making a face. "Father, how was your first day like?"
"Well. . ." Kantra said, trying to form his thoughts.
(Flashback)
Eighty four years ago. . .
A fourteen-year old Kantra stepped into his classroom for his Chiva training. He was excited and couldn't wait to begin the techniques warriors used to hunt the Kainde Amedha. He remembered the stories his father told him since childhood whenever he had asked and couldn't wait to experience one himself so he could retell it to future generations. He'd be the best warrior he could be and sire as many sucklings as he could once he reached his prime.
"You'll be all right, son?" Bai'Kar asked him as she held the hands of both of her four-year old twins. Kantra nodded enthusiastically and saw one of his best friends, Malkor, beckon him with his hand. He would've rather had Kahet in the class but since he was younger, he couldn't.
"Sure, Malkor's with me" he said and looked at her. In a professional mature tone, he said, "Thank you, Mother. I will see you at home."
"Just because you're starting here, it doesn't mean you're not my little Kantra" she purred and stroked his cheek with her hand. Nak-De began to scamper off towards the class but she grabbed him quickly. Chuckling, she said, "I'll leave you before Nak-De does something outrageous."
"I will not, I'm a warrior!" he pouted and thumped his small green chest proudly. "Just like father!"
"You're slime" Ani-De giggled causing his twin to growl and try to punch him. He grabbed his mother's skirt quickly and whined, "Mother!"
"You're a slug!" Nak-De insulted as his mother pried both of her twins apart.
"Take care, son" Bai'Kar nodded and exited the room with his rambunctious siblings. Kantra sighed and stretched his arms.
I can do this, how bad can it be?, he thought as he jogged over to Malkor.
"Is he here yet?" Kantra asked, looking around.
"Yes, but he stepped out for a minute" Malkor responded in a whisper. "Scary looking too."
Minutes passed and his instructor entered causing Kantra to sweat. He was the biggest warrior he'd seen on board and he bore scars over his body like prized decorations. He stared in awe and a little nervousness as the large male entered the front of the room. The students bowed in respect and stood at attention immediately.
"A Kainde Amedha jumps at you, what is your reaction?" the instructor demanded instantly.
"Tackle it?" one of the students answered uncertainly.
"No, you dodge before your brain gets splattered over the wall by its tongue" he answered and looked over the room with a stern glance. "In my class, you will have two choices: you will either learn to tolerate the pain I bring to prepare you to complete your Chiva or go join the etas."
"What about another instructor?" an arrogant voice mocked from the side.
"You'll be my first victim in my first display to fight off a hard meat" the instructor hissed and looked at the class. "Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" they responded.
"What a prune" Malkor whispered to Kantra without moving. Kantra gulped and stared as the instructor grabbed the unruly student and brought him to the front of the class.
"I hope I don't get put up there" Kantra whispered in return.
"Did you say something?!" the instructor grilled Kantra. Kantra shook his head instantly and met the instructor's glare.
"Is the example a defensive or offensive attack?" Kantra blurted without thinking straight. He did not want to get on that man's bad side!
"Good question. . .?" the instructor asked, motioning with his hand for a name.
"Kantra" he replied as he struggled to talk without seeming nervous.
"Pay attention and you'll get all of your answers, Kantra" the older male stated with a nod and returned to his lecture.
"Good save" Malkor whispered afterwards.
"You, you're next!" the instructor said, pointing to him. Malkor opened his mouth in shock but nodded reluctantly.
"It was an interesting day" Kantra finished but felt ill to his stomach at speaking about Malkor at all after what he did to him. But, that was in the past now and he had a son who now sought his advice. "You'll be fine, son."
If that bastard had succeeded, I wouldn't have Kahet or any of my children now, he thought to himself. I'll make sure nothing similar ever happens to him.
"Is the scary man still here?" Aloun'Da asked curiously from behind as she hitched a piggyback ride on her father's back.
"No, he died taking down a Kainde Amedha Queen by himself and killed it" Kantra said in pride. "That is what the Hunt is all about. I was proud to be trained by one of the best and Nak-De will do the same with you."
"Great" Kahet mumbled, feeling the same as before about the situation. Spotting a tall shadow headed their way, he sighed, "Here he comes."
Nak-De entered the classroom with a fierce look that literally scared off the students near him as he pointed to the front of the room to them. He wore the simple ensemble of most males onboard but held some his weapons on his belt. Kantra nodded to him as Aloun'Da waved in greeting, not caring how grumpy her uncle looked.
"Front of the room, Kahet" his uncle ordered him and he nodded quickly.
He doesn't look like my usual grouchy uncle anymore, Kahet thought. Now, he's my grouchy teacher.
"Uncle looks scary" Aloun'Da giggled to her father who smiled. She smiled at Kahet, "Good luck."
"Goodbye, Father" Kahet said in farewell with a bow, which surprised Kantra. Now, he felt as odd and proud as his mother did those many years ago. He pinched his sister's cheek afterwards, "Bye, Lounda."
He ran to the front of the room and looked for an empty spot within the lines. Kantra watched his son leave and couldn't help but see a part of himself in him. Now his son was living the same events he'd done decades ago and felt proud of his and his son's accomplishments. Heading towards the exit, he stopped near his brother.
"Make sure they treat him equally" he said firmly and Nak-De nodded. He left without waiting for a response with his daughter gripping his shoulder happily.
"Will Kahet be okay, Daddy?" she asked, looking at him curiously.
"Time will tell" her father responded simply.
Within the classroom, Nak-De glared at the students to see their reaction. As usual, he got some arrogant, fearful, and nervous responses.
"All right, I just finished bringing back a class of my latest Chiva graduates and most of them survived and are now Young Bloods" Nak-De began and paced in front of the students with a firm pose. "I expect the same from you when you reach your own. If you act a fool here, you will either die in your Chiva or I will beat sense into you."
"As my first year class, I understand your excitement but arrogance has no place here" Nak-De stated sternly as he looked at each of them eye-to-eye. "Just because you've entered the ranks that will lead you to a Young Blood rank, it does not mean you can mock others or pick fights with any older students to show off. If so, I'm pretty sure my older students will beat you in one minute flat."
"What if we turn out better?" a voice questioned.
"Every class has an arrogant pup" Nak-De grinned deviously at the student who spoke. "You will be the targeted prey today in the exercise. Maybe it'll teach you a lesson in humility."
Nak-De pointed to the weapons wall nearby towards the plasma caster section and the students smiled in excitement. Kahet saw the weapon that most warriors used to easily target and destroy prey upon contact.
Surely we won't use them today!, Kahet thought instantly.
"Do you see those?" he asked them and they nodded eagerly in suspense. With an evil smirk, he answered, "Well, we won't be using them until your last year."
The disappointed groan was pleasure to Nak-De's ears as he said, "An idiot student of another instructor accidentally shot a hole into another level here two years ago so it's been banned until then. If it would've been one of my students, I would've shot at him with the caster itself after first throwing him through the hole."
Hearing another collective groan, he grinned, "Get used to it. My lectures and exercises will be spontaneous because that's what the Hunt is about. Yes, you can prepare strategies and study prey but you need quick decisions when you're out there in the open. A Kainde Amedha will not wait while you go over what weapon you should use in what way. By then, you'll be dead with a hole in your head."
Great, Kahet thought sullenly. I have to stay at the top no matter what.
"Every student here has potential so I will not let it go to waste" Nak-De said as Kahet listened to every word. "If you do, you can leave and go cry to your maker. You were put into my class because you wanted the best so you're getting it. By the end of this week, I expect you to know the rules of the Hunt with Kainde Amedha. I also want you to have a handle on all of the basic defense attacks."
The class slumped their shoulders and got ready for their first week. Nak-De chuckled to himself from the idea of the imposing figure he'd made himself to be for them as he smirked, "And welcome to my class, once again."
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"I can't move" Kahet groaned a week later as Aru'Dre poked his side. "Stop that!"
All of the boys had gathered in Kahet's room as his body stayed limp on the floor. The week had been filled with exercise and rarely any lectures. During the middle of a lecture, Nak-De would pop out with a test on a random exercise and they were expected to know it as he watched each of them perform it. Kahet had to practice in and outside the classroom to understand everything and had to ask his father about certain techniques sometimes. He wondered if he'd chosen the right class, especially when his muscles ached with every little movement made.
"That's the first week all right" Bakuub said and helped Kahet stand. The younger boy groaned as his muscles throbbed and he stood to quickly sit on his bed. "You'll be fine. He has his tough weeks and easier ones. I like his classes though."
"You're a third year, you've been through my pain" Kahet grumbled and shook his head. "I'll learn to handle it."
"I feel sorry for you" Sau'Nak said, where he laid in Kahet's hammock. "Good thing I get anyone but uncle."
"Lucky you" Kahet said sarcastically and yawned. "So what're you all doing today?"
"Practice at the gardens" Bakuub and Aru'Dre said in unison. Kahet groaned and collapsed on the bed again.
"I don't think I can even run" he complained and wiped his eyes. "I just want to stay in bed on my days off."
I want to sleep nonstop for a week, Kahet thought longingly.
"You're a suckling" Aru'Dre laughed and had a pillow hit his face on the floor. He threw it back at him and said, "You can't stay here the whole day! Aunt Iliana will bring you out sometime."
"Not if her 'little Kahet's' tired" he grinned smugly and Aru'Dre hit the floor with his fist.
"The sooner you stretch those muscles, the better!" Bakuub said and yanked him back up again. Kahet grumbled as his muscles stung with every move as he went outside his room and into the hall. "See?"
"I hate you" he growled at him as he pushed him. "Who made you boss?"
"I did, since I'm older" Bakuub said easily as Aru'Dre objected from behind. Sau'Nak simply followed the trio from behind quietly. "Then it's you, the twins, and Aru'Dre."
"Why am I last? I'm way better than the twins!" he yelled and crossed his arms in a huff. "They can't even fight."
"I can beat you, but I would rather use my energy on something else" Sau'Nak said simply and ignored him. His cousin easily got irritated by being ignored. It was a big no in Aru'Dre's personality.
"Stop being quiet!" he shot back and faced the others again. He waved his hands for attention, "Listen to me! I should at least be at Kahet's level!"
"Shut up, Aru!" Kahet snapped as they entered the main room. Iliana played with Aloun'Da while Sri'shan and Leitjin read tablets together. "Mother, I'm sore!"
"Did you put on the medicine that Uncle Ani-De gave you?" she asked, standing up while Aloun'Da whined for her to come back. Leitjin laughed at her causing her to throw a doll at his head. Iliana turned around and firmly ordered, "No fighting, you two!"
The two siblings quieted as she walked over to Kahet who had hunched over the couch in a slump. She stroked his head and hoped the pain would leave him as he adjusted to training. As a mother, she wanted her child to be happy but she knew this would aid him in the long run. She embraced her grumbling son and stroked his back as Kahet simply loved the coddling.
"You'll get used to it over time" she soothed and looked at the other three teens. "There's some food on the table if you want to snack on something."
"Please, let's eat, no more training" Kahet told them instantly and they groaned together.
"Fine, but only because I like food!" Aru'Dre said, raising his chin defiantly. Iliana chuckled and ruffled his loose hair. "Aunt Iliana, no!"
"He'll probably eat all of the good food while we're not looking" Sau'Nak said to the other boys who nodded in agreement. His cousin hit his arm, not liking the joke. Sau'Nak hit him back and hissed, "It's true!"
"No fighting or I'm telling your mothers" Iliana warned and they stopped. She led them into the kitchen to fix their food while Aloun'Da, Sri'shan, and Leitjin stared from behind.
"Good thing we never fight like that" Sri'shan said as he lay down on his stomach to poke at his slate.
"Boys suck" Aloun'Da sniffed in disdain and kept playing in her little corner. "I want a sister."
"I'm hungry, why do they get food?" Leitjin mumbled as he put his materials down and stood up quickly. "We behave all the time!"
"Hunters get everything" Sri'shan grumbled and sprawled his whole body over the floor. "No fair."
"Mother, I'm hungry!" Leitjin yelled out. "Don't we get food? We're the good ones!"
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Months later, Kantra stood with his son in one of the public floors of the sparring arena. Kahet looked at all of the warriors either training or sparring in awe at the fast moves they performed and the use of their weapons. He followed his father over to their destination but didn't stop looking over the place. Most young pups couldn't be here until they were at least Young Bloods. Most classes trained in the classroom privately or at home but his father had gotten access to the place.
"This place is huge" Kahet told his father as he saw a warrior get tackled by another. "I can't wait to train here one day."
"This is just one of the floors, there's more" Kantra informed as he stretched his muscles. "Over time, you'll learn the schematics of this place."
"Do you think I'm doing all right?" his son asked, bandaging his hands before beginning his training session. "Am I as strong as you were at my age?"
Every time I think I have something right, I mess it up, he thought glumly.
"You're smaller than I was but it can work to your advantage in agility" Kantra said in assurance. His son always questioned himself about his skills as he grew so Kantra would encourage him as best as he could. "Everyone's different so don't doubt yourself."
"I want to survive my Chiva and be a good Hunter" Kahet said in determination as he curled his hands to test their strength. They looked so small compared to his father's and hoped one day he'd match his father's strength. "I don't want to fail."
I can't fail, I'll be without honor and dead, he thought.
"You won't" Kantra said and walked over to his son. Gripping his shoulders underneath his hands, he advised, "As long as you discipline yourself and listen to everything your uncle says, you will pass. You have to let go of all those negative thoughts and focus on the positive aspects from this."
"I hope so" he sighed and nodded to his father with a crooked smile, "Are you proud of me?"
"Of course I am, you're my oldest and you never give up on anything" his father said with a smile and ruffled his hair. "There's never a day I'm not proud of you."
"Thanks. . .let's start training!" Kahet said excitedly and took his place on the floor. He jogged in place for a minute before taking a defensive stance.
"All right then, don't cry to your mother when I beat you" Kantra joked and circled around his son.
"You're huge, there's no way I can take you down!" Kahet objected quickly. "I don't even reach your chest!"
"You'll reach my height in no time, son" his father laughed and trilled from amusement. "Don't worry."
He'll be just fine, I know it, Kantra thought as he watched his son try to form an attack strategy.
"Fine, I'll take you on!" Kahet grinned and charged at his father.
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End of Chapter 15. And Kahet's Chiva training begins for a long time as the story comes to a finish next in the epilogue. I've added some new sketches for my stories so check them out if you want. Thanks to my last reviewers as always, I enjoy reading your comments. I'll see which story I should continue after this one.