Come on, baby girl. You've gotta wake up now. I'm so proud of you- you're a fighter, just like your daddy. You've made it this far; you've gotta keep going.
Take a breath, baby girl, and live…
"Dad…?" Nina croaked out softly, her eyes fluttering open. With a grunt of effort, she pushed herself up and spoke again, "Daddy?"
But, as expected, there was no answer. It was just a dream. Instead, she found herself alone on a cot in the ship's medical facility. Only the beep of a monitor alongside the cot, to alert a healer she was awake, sounded through the chamber. The last thing she could remember, she and Sain'ja had been sitting on the steps of the Chiva temple, gazing at the sky.
Nina had been relieved of her weapons, trophies, and armor during unconsciousness, leaving her in only her hide clothing. Yautja medicine had resulted in a quick recovery; quick in comparison to human standards anyway. She examined herself thoroughly, grinning down at the mark of the Blooded on her arm, tracing her fingers across the faint scars where tiny splatters of acid had met flesh. Turning to look at her once wounded shoulder, however, she froze.
The darkened outline of mottled spots had begun to form along her back, growing in numbers as they inched closer to her spine. They looked like freckles, but she knew otherwise; freckles didn't form like that, definitely not overnight. What exactly had the healers injected into her to cause that?
A door zipped open, and her head snapped in its direction- pure instinct. She was curious when instead of a Healer Sain'ja came in, holding a platter of bloody, cured, and slightly scorched meats and a mix of fruits, along with a cup of water. Nina's mouth watered at the sight; she didn't know how ravenous she was until then.
Seeing the hungry gleam in her eyes, he trilled and handed it to her. "You missed the feast," was all he said, watching her with laughter as she instantly began devouring the meal.
That right; at the end of the Chiva, a celebration was to be held in honor of those Blooded and those lost to the battle, as well as remind and encourage the newly Blooded members of the clan that their lives had only begun. More hunts would follow and to reach an esteemed status, where they would feast like that every day in comfort, they would need to fight for it. To reap the rewards of the hunt, the battle must be won and well fought for.
Nina needed to remind herself to take time to breathe and chew often. Down, down, down the food went, like trying to fill a bottomless pit. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so hungry or the taste of nearly raw meat been so good. To wash down the gore and blood that clung to her teeth, she drained nearly half of the glass of water before returning to the food with renewed vigor.
"I had imagined you would be hungry," he trilled, "but I did not imagine this."
"What happened?" she asked, already nearly finished, "And how long was I out?"
He then explained to her what the extent of her own injuries had been, how the Su'vi pup was taken and contained with some of the other live creatures that were considered 'pets', and how the Elders were expecting her soon to complete the Blooding ritual. "…a blood transfusion had to be done, but there were no complications-" he continued.
"Transfusion?" she interrupted.
"Yes," he answered simply, before trying to veer the conversation away again.
The human female was no fool. Halian and Kota were back at the settlement. She was the only human on board- there was no other human on board to give a transfusion. Her eyes flickered to her back once more as she began to fit the pieces together in her head. "Whose blood?" she voiced.
Sain'ja would not lie to her; she had to be told. "Mine," he answered, a bit softly. At the time, as he had been staring at her pale, unconscious form, he had not been thinking of what it would do to her body or she would've wanted. Only one thing had come to mind; ensuring the survival of the human female he had befriended over the course of such a short time. Now though, he found there was little else he could say to back up what he had done.
Nina stared at him with only a blank expression, like a deer staring into headlights. Without further thought, she stood and walked over to the other side of the room the best she could, despite Sain'ja's ignored orders for her to return to the cot. On the other side was a cart loaded down with sharp, surgical instruments, one of which she picked up and looked at the face staring back at her in the reflective metal.
Not many of her facial features had changed. She hadn't grown tusks or mandibles. Her hair wasn't falling out. She was still very much human. But in her eyes, a once pure deep abyss of brown, were flecks of a predatory golden green. Her skin was a bit rougher, thicker too. A few spots, like miniscule paint splatters, rained down the sides of her neck to her shoulders. She couldn't tear her gaze away, and when her knees began to shake and give from the shock as well as the tiring effort it took to stand, Sain'ja had to lead her away, removing the tool from her hands.
Her reaction wasn't bad, but it wasn't what he ever dared hope for. She hadn't taken her transformation with horror, but it hadn't been welcomed either. "Dto-Raija, this was the only thing the healers knew would keep you alive, and it was still a risk. Centanu would have taken you for his own otherwise." He did see a silver lining to this that he would never admit to her.
This had actually come as a blessing on his part. Now he wouldn't have to admit to her in the future- and pay for it severely- his secret of extending a life she would otherwise walk away from in the most terminal of means.
His surprise at what she said next was evident in the slight drop of his jaw. Nina took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts and control her scent- she knew very well already how Yautja could understand emotions through it. "It's fine, Sain'ja…" she nodded slowly, as if convincing herself that her words were true, "I'm fine. This is quite the turn of events is all." She looked up at him, a fierceness in her eyes that hid her concerns from view. "Here I am, my Chiva fulfilled and soon to complete the last stage of my Blooding, my full entrance into your society, and now my blood runs Yautja as well." She knew her words were having an effect on him, filling him with pride in his people and her wish to be a part of it, eradicating all other possibly negative thoughts. And the word would be spread around much easier; Dto-Raija is one of us. Dto-Raija is Yautja. It was important the others believed this so they wouldn't think of her as too human, unable to let go of her past as prey. "It will just take some getting used to, seeing myself like this and controlling this new strength."
Sain'ja's top tusks lifted up in a smile, "I'm glad- very glad, you feel that way. Having you as a hunt sister has been- will always be- an honor. And speaking of hunt sisters, I believe Ehawee is eager to greet you again. She speaks highly of you in our quarters as she relayed her tale of the Chiva."
She grinned, "Ehawee is a great hunt sister. I look forward to gaining more trophies by her side… That is, as soon as I'm able to get out of this accursed cot without being shoved right back into it."
The young hunter laughed, "I am uncertain on how your body will change further and how it will affect your healing, but the Healers say that you need to work your muscles as soon as you're able."
"Well, I've already walked some today," she stood again, holding one hand out toward the wall in case she needed extra support, "It won't kill me to walk some more. And I'm still starving."
"I can lead you to the galley."
"Thank you, but I don't need to be watched over like a pup. Even if I had to crawl my way to it, it would look better than having someone guide me as if I had no legs at all."
"I see your point, but I will still follow. Besides, once you have had your fill, you will no doubt be requested to see the Elders. If you are well enough for that, you will be well enough to complete the Blooding."
"Where are my trophies?" she asked. She would need to present them as further proof of her worthiness.
"In some of the storage units located over there." He pointed toward the far side of the wall nearest the door. Nina didn't hesitate to step up and open one of the units, looking down at her hard won prizes of the hunt and hardly believing it had all actually happened. Her armor and weapons were there as well to be donned on once more for this final ritual. As was traditional for the prideful race of hunters, she would walk in appearing just as battle worn as when she stepped out of the temple. The extent of her injuries had been the only thing preventing her from taking this ceremony before giving them proper care. Once all was said and done, she would repair and replace her items as needed.
Nina took out the Xenomorph skull first, taking time to examine it and briefly reminisce over the battle. Sain'ja's thudding steps came from behind her and she watched as a hand came around and traced the brow with a clawed finger. "Your patience in those tunnels was rewarded," he commented, "This one had enough time to reach its prime; A worthy trophy for a worthy huntress."
"The thing sure put up quite a fight," she snorted as she loaded up. Despite her objections, Sain'ja helped her into her armor and loaded her down with the skull and hull blades. Then together, they made their way to the galley.
It wasn't very long on their way that Ehawee, Makya, Fox, and Adahy found them and came over to give her their congratulations on a successful hunt and quick recovery, slapping her on the back and shaking her shoulders. It wasn't until then that she noticed how reserved and uptight the males were acting around her. No, not Ehawee; she was acting normal, but the guys seemed to have taken a step back from their human comrade. Why, she had no idea. Even Sain'ja was acting a little bit strange. Perhaps it was because of her Chiva? She didn't see how it could lead to this.
"It is good to see you well, sister," Ehawee greeted.
"And you as well," Nina placed a hand on one of her broad shoulders and gave it a shake, "And once I have completed the Blooding ritual, we need to share stories of our hunts. I can't wait to see and hear about your kills."
"Neither can I," then she gave her hunt sister a sly grin and said softer, "but it may have to wait."
Before Nina could question what Ehawee meant, the Yautja female walked over to Adahy, who was busy talking to Sain'ja, and tapped him on the shoulder. Turning around, the hunter quickly bowed his head low to her in respect, his slitted nostrils rising a bit as he took in the air. The other hunters did as well and stepped back.
Suddenly, Ehawee shoved Adahy with the palm of her hand, a low purr resounding from her throat. He didn't even have time to blink as she gruffly grabbed him by the arm and practically dragged him off. He only had enough time to glance back at his hunt brothers and Nina with a glint of astonishment, success, and pride mingled together in his eyes.
"Lucky!" Fox huffed, but with amusement. It was only then that Nina pieced together the sudden events. She shook her head, holding back her snickering.
Something told her that she wouldn't be seeing Adahy or Ehawee for at least the rest of the cycle.
Makya and Fox also joined them in the galley, where Nina ate fitfully. Normally, food would be strictly rationed to a specific diet unless the hunter caught his or her meal themself, but she supposed that some feeling resembling sympathy toward her missing the feast as well as her healing- and strange changes occurring inside her body- gave reason for her to need to eat more.
Fox and Makya both enjoyed looking over the hull blades, as did the other Yautja eying them from across the room. It both pleased and frightened her to some degree. The former because defeating a Ravager was a feat little were capable of. The latter because if there were still some hunters that felt she didn't belong her, the victory over such a beast would only make them hate her worse for it. Would they challenge her? Would they dare? Some newfound voice inside her snarled, making her cringe upon hearing it for the first time.
"This is amazing, Dto-Raija," commented Fox as Makya nodded in agreement. Then he joked, "When we return to the settlement, Halian and Kota will likely fight to the end for your affections after they get a good look at these."
She smirked at him, wiping away a drip of blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, "And maybe that thought would intrigue me if I were interested in either of them. Frankly, I think I'll spend a few more years hunting before I decide to mate."
Sain'ja nodded at the wisdom of her words, "Guaranteeing that your rank is secure is a smart choice."
Downing her glass of C'nlip- which she found herself able to drink in stronger and larger amounts- she decided to change topics, "Any idea of the next hunting ground?"
"We'll stop again within the next three cycles," her friend and mentor informed her, "Food and supplies always run low after a Chiva. We'll head out in teams. Some, the least honorable or able of us, will gather, but you will be well enough to hunt."
"Good; it's only been a short time and I'm already dying for action."
Makya looked up from his own drink and spoke for the first time in a solemn tone, "You won't have to wait long."
Confused, she turned around only shoved back against the table by a large hand pushing against her chest. She let out a breath of air and grunted, not prepared for the blow. Anger welled within her as her fighting spirit demanded to know what thug had the guts to strike her. However, when she glared up at the hunter's face, her expression turned to one of shock before wiping away any sign of emotion as quickly as it had come.
"Pyode Amedha!" Arbitrator Megedagik spat the name out as if it were a curse, "If you are worth the faith the Jungle Hunter Clan has in you, then I demand you fight me, Jehdin-Jehdin, in the kehrite! I demand this challenge!"
Sain'ja, nor the others, could do anything to stand in the way of this. Though it was almost shameful to challenge Dto-Raija is her current condition, it had already been made. Yet even with his head bowed low before the Arbitrator, he glared upward when the figure before him didn't look, his focus on the human.
Nina, insulted by being referred to as a soft meat, despite as she had already been though, instantly stopped pondering over how or why the renowned Yautja was here. Survival was swiftly replaced by the more dominating feelings of ire and pride. She stood, getting on her feet like a queen rising from her throne and daring to stare Megedagik in the eye even with the possibly of death still ahead of her. So… the battle isn't over yet, she thought, Fine.
With as much force as she could muster, she returned his shove to the chest.