The next chapter is posted!
WARNING: This chapter contains sequences of violence and gore.
Enjoy :)
It's been a couple days since they first ran into Than-guan's friend, Vor'metka.
Since then, he has been keeping them updated. So far, he has informed Than-guan that he hadn't seen a sign of either of the two bad bloods yet.
But both hunters knew that the Eastern Sector he was currently looking in was quite large. It could easily take a week to cover the entire sector by foot.
Not seeing anything there so far, didn't mean a thing. Lar'nix'va or his brother Mar'cte or both of them could still be there somewhere. Or they could still be headed north while Than-guan and Kayla headed south.
There was still a chance that the two of them could encounter the dangerous duo.
Either way, Kayla was not looking forward to either outcome. It's not that she doubted Than-guan's capabilities. But she has seen firsthand how devious, unpredictable, and conniving they could be.
She wouldn't put it past either of them to do something rash or crazy if they were losing a fight. And this is what she worried about most.
At least since their encounter with the kuty'y'ae, Than-guan gave her a couple extra weapons to carry. Now besides the combi stick, she also sported one of his short swords and his plasma pistol.
Kayla is unsure we he gave up his pistol to her. The combi stick and short sword she understood because he had two of each, so he could spare her one of them.
He explained to her that if things do get extremely hairy, he'd feel more comfortable if she had at least one long range projectile weapon.
Than-guan still obviously sported his plasma cannon and had a few other weapons at his disposal. And he did teach her how to utilize both the sword and the plasma pistol.
She was surprised that the pistol was actually very simple to use. Obviously, just like any other gun, you just point and shoot. And what was nice about it was it hardy had any kick back.
Kayla went to a shooting range a few times before with one of her ex's who was into rifles and pistols. And she mainly preferred the use of some of the rifles he had over his pistols.
Because the rifles she used, had a lot less kick back then the pistols.
Than-guan was a bit impressed with her use of the plasma pistol and did indeed tell her she was a pretty good shot with it. This is also why he lent it to her.
At the moment, they were headed back down a familiar path. It was a similar one to the path they took before she rolled over the edge and into the river down below.
She can only hope that they won't run into them again and have a repeat of that.
Because going into that river, it was the first time since she was a teen, that she almost drowned. And she definitely didn't feel like going through that again.
It didn't help either that it was quite a narrow path. So, it wouldn't take much for either one of them to go through the thin strip of brush and down the steep incline again and into the river several meters below.
"I must say, going this way, makes me wish I packed a life vest. At least then I have a better shot at staying afloat in those currents." Kayla stated, as they walked through the path.
"We can go into the woods on the opposite side away from this path and the water if you wish. Though, it will take longer going through the woods." Than-guan told her.
At this point, she really didn't feel like taking lengthy detours. But a thought hit her.
"You think there is a chance they could be expecting us to trek through the woods than on the path?" She asks.
"Yes, it can be a possibility. We all know walking the paths could be predictable and expected. Because of this, I wouldn't put it past them to think we may try to sneak our way through the woods.
They could be patrolling the woods looking for us that way. There is more cover in the foliage. And most bad bloods are cowards that prefer ambush attacks.
Because they are too cowardly to face an opponent head on.
The thing is though, this is Lar'nix'va and Mar'cte. And while they are bad bloods, they are not cowardly. But with them, at times it can be a little challenging to gage where they might be.
They could either be traveling on the paths or cutting through the woods. Sadly, this can make finding them difficult." Than-guan stated.
Ironically, they couldn't have been walking for more than three minutes after he got finished saying this, when something jumped down onto the path in front of them.
It was clearly another hunter. She could see the invisible outline of his camouflage.
Then the camouflage melted away to reveal a very familiar orange-red colored yautja.
"Mar'cte." Than-guan growled.
Than-guan quickly scanned his surroundings to see if his brother was with him. But it looks like Mar'cte was alone.
"Well, looks like my brother was right in assuming you survived the river. He also knew you may back track at some point. This is why he told me to stay put in the southern sector. And I see his pet ooman survived the river as well. He will be most pleased to hear that. Because if she were indeed still alive, he'd like to have her back." Mar'cte said.
The blooded warrior growled in agitation again.
"Not going to happen. I will kill you both and bring her back home, where she belongs." Than-guan snapped.
Mar'cte chuckled, "Sorry, but once we took her from that pathetic back water world, she was pretty much declared his fuck toy. ANd mine for that matter. Since we always did like to share."
Than-guan tried to maintain his composure. He refused to be baited by the likes of this bad blood. Because once that happend and he let the anger get the best of him, then he wouldn't be able to go into this fight with a clear mind.
And a warrior shouldn't fight out of anger. This is what got them killed.
"Is it that? Or you just took an ooman female because you weren't man enough to capture the attention of the yautja females. From what some of my female friends told me, they said you were a pathetic excuse of a warrior. And that is why they refused to mate you or have anything to do with you." Than-guan fired back.
Mar'cte snarled at the other hunter's snide remarks.
It's no secret he hated their kinds females. They never really given him a chance. And because of this, each mating season, they rejected him. Because of this, the only time he was ever able to mate with a female, it was usually one from another alien race.
Obviously, it wasn't consensual. But he was just taking what was owed to him. And if the yautja females wouldn't give it to him. He would seek it out elsewhere.
And he did. Many a times. Not once, did he feel sorry for the females he raped either. He in fact, enjoyed every moment of it.
"Shut up! You know nothing of what you speak! For all you know, at least one of our kinds' females did fancy me. And I could have a bunch of pups out there as we speak." The bad blood argued.
That was a straight up lie though. As far as he knew, Mar'cte didn't have any offspring. None that anyone was aware of.
Lar'nix'va had a few pups. But once the females found out he became a bad blood, they were disgusted and wanted nothing to do with him. And they refused to let him have any contact with his pups.
Than-guan chuckled at his response, "Come now, Mar'cte. We both know that is a bold face lie. No female would touch you with a ten foot pole and we both know it."
Mar'cte had enough. He roared his challenge then clenched his fists. When he did, wrist blades shot out from both wrist gauntlets and he charged Than-guan.
The seasoned warrior knew belittling the bad blood's manhood would get him going.
And Than-guan was ready for him when he charged. His gaze quickly snapped to Kayla who looked on anxiously.
"Kayla, go find a safe spot to lay low. Now!" He ordered.
She was hesitant at first. But then went and hid behind a nearby tree and watched.
Mar'cte came in swinging. And Than-guan quickly pulled out his combi stick when the bad blood closed in.
Mar'cte swung both his fist forward. And Than-guan held up his ki'cti-pa horizontally. There were sparks as his weapon met the two sets of wrist blades of the bad blood.
He was younger and not as experienced as his older brother or Than-guan. But that didn't mean he didn't have a few dirty tricks up his sleeve.
As Mar'cte kept taking swipes at Than-guan, he met and parried the blows with his combi stick.
Kayla watched as they appeared to move about in a deadly dance on the dirt path. She could also see that the bad blood's movements appeared a little more clumsier then Than-guan.
But then she does recall that Than-guan told her that Mar'cte was a lot younger and not as experienced as Lar'nix'va. But still, he held more experience than Ka'Torag and Chulonte.
Mar'cte continued to grow even more agitated when he couldn't make contact with the more experienced older warrior.
Than'guan then deflected the blades and lunged forward with his ki'cti-pa aimed at the bad blood. He ended up jabbing the pointed end into Mar'cte's shoulder.
The bad blood roared in pain and anger. His bright green blood leaked out from the wound created by the sharp end of Than-guan's combi stick.
But he fought back the pain and started making random, rapid swipes at Than-guan. And while the seasoned warrior was able to parry most of them, he missed his que at least once and the bad blood was able to slice a gash in his upper thigh.
This didn't mean anything to Than-guan though. He always knew that no matter how experienced or seasoned a hunter was; it didn't mean they were untouchable, and injuries still happened.
The blooded warrior hardly let out a flinch from the small slice that was created in his upper thigh from his opponent's wrist blades. Nor did it slow him down.
When Mar'cte came at him again with his wrist blades pointed at him, Than-guan quickly maneuvered to the right and stabbed him in the side with his weapon.
The bad blood howled in pain as the sharp tip pierced his skin. And that is when he decided to play dirty.
Mar'cte quickly tapped a few buttons on his wrist comp. Not a moment later he held up his wrist gauntlet at Than-guan's mask. Then a plume of strange orange gas emitted from a tube in the wrist gauntlet.
The smell of the orange gas assaulted Than-guan's senses.
And not long after, he started to feel a bit lightheaded, and his vision was off. It kind of gave them impression of what would feel like when intoxicated.
Than-guan shook his head a few times trying to stave off the effects. But it didn't seem to be working.
The seasoned warrior was starting to see double, and his strikes were becoming slower and clumsier by the minute. Mar'cte noticed this too and let out a low, sinister laugh.
'How do you like the gas, Than-guan? It's derived from a highly toxic plant from Planet Mu'ruu. It's designed to cause confusion, light headedness, clouded judgement, and loss of control of motor functions. In other words, it's not much different than being drunk over a night of heavy drinking of c'ntlip." Mar'cte said, in a cocky tone.
Than-guan started to back off. And even then, he was struggling not to trip over his own feet. That's when the bad blood came in and started taking more swipes at him.
Than-guan still tried to fight off the effects and his opponent. He was able to parry most of the blows. Until Mar'cte made a downward swipe and left a nice size twin pair of gashes down his front with one of his wrist blades.
Kayla watched on, wide eyed with fear. She saw the strange bright orange gas coming from the bad blood's wrist gauntlet. And it wasn't even a couple minutes later that Than-guan started to get more sluggish and uncoordinated in his attacks.
It didn't take long to realize that the strange gas he employed had something to do with.
She gasped when she saw the bad blood slash his chest with the wrist blades. And while Than-guan did grunt in pain, he tried not to let it or the gas slow him down.
But sadly, she could tell it was a losing battle.
The young woman continued to watch as he gradually spiraled downward. She became scared for him when he lost his footing and went down to the ground.
Mar'cte then kicked his combi stick out of his grip and stood poised over the seasoned hunter.
"You didn't think I'd let you best me so easily, did you? No, I always have a backup plan in place." The bad blood taunted.
He then raised one arm over his head and was prepared to plunge his wrist blades into Than-guan's chest.
When Mar'cte felt a sharp pain in his back.
Kayla couldn't bear to watch this scene play out any longer. So, when she saw Than-guan go down and struggle to get up, she pulled out her short sword and ran out there.
And when he wasn't looking, she made a downward swipe of her blade and slashed the bad blood across his back.
There was a thin, neat line of bright green blood that started from the top of the right side of his back and ended down near the left side of his hip.
Mar'cte whirled on her with a savage snarl. Which made her back up. But Kayla continued to hold the blade up in front of her.
The bad blood studied her for a moment and started to laugh.
"How pathetic. You really think you can best me, little ooman? Doubtful. My brother may have ordered me not kill you if I found you. But that doesn't mean I can't teach you a lesson." He growled in his native tongue.
Kayla obviously didn't know what he said. But it didn't mean she didn't understand when someone was mocking or taunting her.
She scowled at him and continued to hold the blade in front of her.
"Ka..Kayla? What are...you doing!? Get out of here?" Than-guan snapped, as he continued to lay there, trying to shake off the effects of the gas.
But she ignored him. As did Mar'cte. Who now had his sights set on her.
The bad blood chuckled and spread out his arms as if daring her to attack.
They stood at a standstill for quite some time, before either one of them made a move.
Mar'cte swiped his right arm at her. And Kayla met his wrist blades with her short sword. There were sparks as the blades collided with each other.
His blows were quite heavy, but she tried to stand her ground as best as she could.
The bad blood kept swiping at her, trying to wear her down. After a few minutes, it was working, and Kayla was starting to lose energy. But she still kept going, refusing to back down.
Mar'cte noted she was starting to get tired. And that is when he activated the translator on his wrist comp.
"What? We getting tired already? You truly are a pathetic fighter. The only thing your good at is providing my brother and myself with pleasure. Cease this ridiculous nonsense now. And I won't hurt you...much. And unlike my brother, I'll make Than-guan's death quick and painless." The bad blood taunted.
His words made her blood boil. No way in hell she was going to let this fucking bastard and his sick fuck brother touch her. And she refused to let him hurt Than-guan with any dirtier tricks than he already has.
Kayla let out an enraged scream and charged him with her sword.
She swung the blade at him repeatedly and relentlessly. Mar'cte did parry each blow that she delivered. But her swings were fast and aggressive.
And Kayla ended up repositioning the blade and stabbed him through his leg.
The blade went through the top of his thigh and came out the back. This caused Mar'cte to drop to a knee and howl in pain. She then pulled the blade free just in time to block another swipe from the enraged and in pain yautja.
He tried to use his good leg to stand up, but Kayla quickly grasped the handle with both hands and swung it around as hard as she could as a baseball bat.
The blade made purchase and sliced through the bad blood's neck.
His eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a wet gargle. Right before his head slid off his body. She watched in horror as his decapitated body then dropped to the ground.
Blood started gushing through the open stump that was his neck. While his head laid not a couple feet away.
She pulled back huffing and puffing. Then quickly went over to Than-guan. He was still struggling to stand as she went to his side. She dropped the sword and wrapped an arm around his back and the other went across his front.
Thankfully, it seems the effects were very temporary. And little by little he was starting to gain his energy back. He didn't feel as lightheaded anymore either.
He saw the decapitated body of Mar'cte on the ground. His gaze going back and forth between it and Kayla.
The seasoned warrior knew her to be a capable fighter in her own right. But still, he never could've imagined she'd take down one of the most notorious bad bloods out there.
But she did, and he saw it with his own eyes. And at the moment, he couldn't feel any prouder now than what he was.
"Kayla you...you did it. You killed Mar'cte." He said, with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Well...yeah. I couldn't stand by and let him hurt or kill you. I had to do something. Especially after he pulled that cheap and dirty move on you." She explained, while trying to help him move.
He was a little unsteady on his feet. But managed to gain enough balance back to stand up.
She wanted to leave as quickly as possible before Lar'nix'va found them. But Than-guan had them stop near the bad blood's body. And he reached down to pick up the head.
"Can't leave without your trophy now." He said, with a grin.
Kayla rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile appearing on her face.
"You really are the fearless one, aren't you?" She stated.
"A true hunter never shows fear in the heat of battle. But I feel I should've known better that Mar'cte would pull something like that." He told her.
"Let's just get out of here and find some cover while you recover." Kayla replied.
He gave her a small smirk, "As you wish. Though I think we should get off the path and enter the woods. We will have more cover that way. We will head back to the cave beneath the waterfall."
Her eyes widened quite a bit.
"But that's quite a way from here!" She exclaimed.
Than-guan shook his head.
"We will make it. The more I walk, the more the effects are starting to wear off little by little. I also need to contact Vor'metka to let him know that Mar'cte is dead and all that is left is Lar'nix'va." He said.
"Ok, but what about that wound on your chest? it looks pretty bad." She said, with a hint of worry in her voice.
Than-guan looked down at the slash marks on his chest. He then poked and prodded them.
"It's alright, they aren't that deep. I'll be fine." He assured her.
Kayla was unsure though. The gashes were bleeding quite a bit.
At this point, she wanted to find shelter as quick as possible and help him treat his wounds.
Either way, she still couldn't help but share his happiness. With all her training she received by him so far, she still never thought she'd end up killing one of these assholes.
And now, there was only one left. Only problem was, it was the strongest and most challenging of them all.
Kayla doubts she'd be able to take him on. They only stood a chance with Than-guan fighting him at full strength. But for that to happen, she needed to get him to that cave, so he can recover in safety.
Until Next Time ;)