Chapter 23

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

The darkness was all that he could see, neither his mind nor body responded the way he wanted, nothing but a prisoner in this Hellhole. How long has it been now? Hours? Days? I lost count . . .

All he had in memory was the last sight he saw, being stared down by a pair of red eyes that sent fear and anger all in one. Oh, how he wished he had the chance to give him a taste of his own medicine . . . if he ever would but judging his streak, it was far more likely to be struck by lightning.

Ethan opened his eyes but were so blurry that he barely made out outlines of figures, more like ghosts in a bad movie. He made out several individuals walking around, either carrying stuff or merely having a conversation with one another. It wasn't English, that's for sure but his mind was slow to put the pieces together.

Wait a minute . . . The fear fought to rise in him. If I was there, then—

"Ay'ak-de, ooman!"

A punch to the gut brought all the pain in the world and twisted his intestines like a spring about to break. He gasped, spitting a mix of fluids and blood to the ground that was followed by the powerful, foul smell that made him want to spit the rest of his stomach contents.

"Finally awake."

Ethan contemplated on not answering but fearing that would only bring more pain, he slowly looked up. Three Bad Bloods stared down at him, one leading in the front with its sunken eyes shining with glee except flipped upside down. His arms were bound behind along with his legs that were held on by a single chain connected to a branch. Hanging like a piece of fucking meat.

His fists tightened from seeing the Bad Blood smile in a twisted way. You're lucky

"Looks like you're stronger than I thought. Like a ca'cada that won't die," The Bad Blood caressed a claw down the side of his cheek, on the edge of cutting into him.

"What . . . do you want?" Ethan hissed through his teeth.

The Bad Blood didn't say much, only glancing between each other before the 'leader' smiled again. Oh no.

His face aggravatingly moved toward him and Ethan held in a breath in anticipation until he stopped half a foot away, enough for his mandibles to stretch and caress his nose. The Bad Blood pulled away and before Ethan could react, the monster smacked him hard in his face. He felt the muscles of his jaw tear and blood flowing out of his nose, the pain almost made him black out.

The Bad Bloods laughed in unison, clicking that could only be described as a group of banshees screaming to mute him for life. The mere thought of it had given him the urge to glare back and he didn't hold anything in. The Bad Bloods stopped and their leader pressed his face closer, "Seems you didn't get the message."

The Bad Blood raised his hand again but Ethan quickly leaned forward, grabbing a lower mandible between his teeth and biting as hard as he could, giving a small twist and thrash for good measure. In reaction, the Bad Blood screeched, throwing himself backwards but still managed to scratch him across his face. Fucking shit!

He barely opened his eyes through the burning, witnessing the Bad Blood groan and growl while rubbing his injured mandible with an obvious indentation that was seeping green neon fluid.

Ethan hid his smirk. Karma is a bitch.

The other Bad Bloods laughed, "Serves you right for taunting the Zabin."

"Looks like the mighty hunter has been defeated by an ooman!"

"What a pity!"

The insults and mockery only enraged the wounded Bad Blood and he stomped to his feet, grabbing one of his own by the throat. Without any hesitation, he sliced across the throat, blood spraying like a dam before he snapped his partner's neck. Ethan watched as the body fell lifeless but the show wasn't over as the Bad Blood kicked and smashed it to the point that the chest was completely caved in and even then it wasn't enough. A few minutes passed before he got tired, puffing like an angry toad.

Then, his eyes turned back to him. Ethan took a sharp breath and waited as the monster came closer, claws bearing at him.

A few more steps were all that was against him and the Bad Blood before another stepped in his way, arm stretched to prevent any more progress. Ethan expected a protest but when the newcomer raised his head, all the Bad Bloods, including the pissed-off one, lowered their heads and groveled. The anger in that small space dissipated as quickly as it came, the Bad Blood said something in its native tongue, and the others scattered to go about their business.

"So?" Ethan spoke first, "You're here for your own round with me?"

The Bad Blood chuckled, "No. But I'd admit that it's a shame I missed most of the show."

His body turned to stone, and the familiar cold chill from just hearing that voice returned with a vengeance as the blood rushed into his head. He stared like a statue as the Bad Blood turned with the red eyes looking back that only a pure demon from Hell would have . . . and it fits all too well.

"Na'tou-Va . . ." Ethan shuddered.

The Leader tilted his head, "You look appetizing."

And there goes the fear and here comes anger.

Ethan puffed, "You were doing well until you spoke like an idiot just now."

"Hey. I'm not the one hanging upside down like a piece of meat."

Ethan hissed sharply. Oh shit . . .

He prayed that it wasn't who it was but there was no denying his presence, especially given the foul smell of iron and rot that came like a creeping cloud of mist. He turned away but didn't last long as two claws punctured into his chin and the pain forced him to follow, meeting Na'tou-Va face-to-face with no way of escape.

Na'tou-Va moved his head from side to side, "Damaged goods but still useful."

Damaged goods?!

Ethan ripped away, despite the sting that came when the claw tips left a nasty scratch, and spat at him, "Say that to my face when I'm not tied up."

Na'tou-Va chuckled, "Still feisty, I'll give you that."

He tied his arms behind him and started doing the 'walking pace' in front of him, deliberately slowing down when he came to the middle with his eyes kept on him and annoying Ethan to the core.

"What do you want with me?"

"Straight to business then," Na'tou-Va stopped moving, "I was hoping to have a nice chat but you don't appear happy. Oh well."

Na'tou-Va came closer and Ethan watched as he crouched until he was a face height with him, the red eyes gleaming with slight excitement if Ethan could describe it as that, "Your females killed my Second, Bhuh'kah and many more of my clan. Not that I care but you don't seem to know the rules of this game."

"This is a game to you?" Ethan growled, "I didn't ask to 'play' in this shithole and sure as Hell didn't sign up to be some piece of meat! You're the monsters!"

His vision went black for a millisecond as a blunt pain in his temple made his body swing. He hissed as Na'tou-Va grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked him closer, "You call us monsters . . . but you don't know the half of it. You oomans are so ignorant."

Na'tou-Va let him go, "Our 'honorable' kind treated us like vermin when all we wanted was to be free, accused of crimes that weren't our fault. But of course, you know that better than us who lived like that for centuries."

He stood up, turning his back as he raised his arms to the starry sky, "This place . . . our sanctuary . . . is where we enjoy the Hunt as it was before all this stupid nonsense of honor came, where we can fulfill our purest instincts to hunt the greatest of species around the universe."

Na'tou-Va stopped and everything went quiet. Ethan got nervous as time went on until the Bad Blood faced him, a creeping smile showing through his inner teeth, "Your purpose for being here is to provide such instincts to which you don't seem to understand. And now with these annoying Lou-dte kalei following us, we need to do some 'damage' control."

On cue, Na'tou-Va clicked in the direction behind several tents and out came a group of young Bad Bloods carrying something that was moaning in pain. What is that?

Na'tou-Va directed the Bad Bloods to the wooden pole and they surrounded it so Ethan couldn't get a good look at who or what they were doing. After a short minute, the small crowd began to move out and Ethan squinted his eyes for better focus. Looking back, he wished that someone poked his eyes out.

His chest caved him as he saw it was another human tied to the wooden pole, weak and covered in dried blood and mud. But what shocked him the most was that this man was the same one from the beginning . . . the one who helped him and others with the same dirty blonde. He shifted through his memories and when he realized it, his mouth gaped open and closed like a fish out of water.

"Pr… Price . . .?"

The man weakly lifted his head and Ethan noticed his mouth was bloodied, trying to speak unsuccessfully and for good reason when he saw half of his tongue hanging. That sent chills down his spine, combined with the eyes of Price full of absolute terror and defeat. The last time he saw him was being trapped in a net and leaving him to his fate along with Grace, thinking he was already dead.

Na'tou-Va purred in pleasure at Ethan's reaction, "Looks like you remember this male. Sad that the female died earlier than him but he'll serve my point to you. Watch and learn."

Na'tou-Va hissed and two more Bad Bloods came, one holding the leashes of two monster dogs that snapped and growled as they got closer to Price. The other one just followed with his head down as if forced to participate but wasn't held against his will. At first, Ethan didn't know who it was but for a brief second, the Bad Blood raised his head and made eye contact before quickly looking away.

The anger returned. You . . ! Da'kiun! His fists tightened. You traitorous son of a bitch!"

"Now," Na'tou-Va chuckled, tapping on Ethan's head, "Let the show begin."

One of the Bad Bloods from before walked up to Price, pulled out a knife, and stabbed through the stomach. Despite being weak, Price let out a pierced scream, howling as the knife slowly crossed from one hip to another, flesh opening to allow pieces of the small intestines to fall out like curtains. The other Bad Bloods moved out of the way to allow the one with the alien dogs to come closer.

When they got to a certain point, the Bad Blood stopped and unhooked the metal chains, unleashing the dogs and they ran toward Price with a bloodthirsty frenzy. The first bit into his hip and Price screamed while the other dug its muzzle into his opened stomach and began ripping out his liver.

"NO!" Ethan thrashed, "Leave him alone! Stop it now—"

Another smack hit him in the temple and he went dizzy, the inside of his ears pounded but not enough to muffle the shrieks and moans from Price as the dogs ripped him apart until the Bad Blood grabbed them from their horns, pulling them away for a few moments before releasing them on Price again.

Ethan knew . . . he was keeping him alive as long as they could for pure enjoyment. Bastards . . .

"Let's go,"Na'tou-Va spoke, "Leave the bait to watch what will become of him when we're finished with the females."

Na'tou-Va and the Bad Bloods left, leaving Ethan to go in and out of consciousness, helpless as the dogs ate Price, his cries grew quieter with each second until he could only gurgle and then nothing. He saw the dogs fighting for scraps, tugging a dismembered leg between them and then a rib. Why . . ?

Just as he thought he was alone, someone stood in front of him. With the last of his strength, he looked up and saw it was Da'kiun. He groaned, "Go away . . . motherfucker . . ."

Da'kiun whispered, "I'm sorry, my friend. I know you're angry but I had no choice. You would have died if I didn't help."

"Shut . . . up . . . Traitor."

Da'kiun flinched and his shoulders dropped, "It's not over yet. Our plan is still in motion. I promise that I'll get you out of here alive. This will all end."

"Hey, you!" Da'kiunwhipped his head around, "Hurry up and get your c'jit done! Now!"

"I'm coming!"

Da'kiun held his shoulder and Ethan wished he could retaliate, "Stay strong. For you. Vi'su . . . and A'sao. We're counting on you."

With that, Da'kiun left and Ethan watched him follow the Bad Bloods until he was out of sight. As much as he was angry, he couldn't help but try to comprehend what he was saying just now. Plan . . ? Stay . . . strong . . ?

His vision blurred and he lost consciousness before he could think anymore, with part of him wishing he could end it all and leave this miserable place behind.

I'm sorry . . . A'sao . . .

Hello everyone!

Finally got back in the game as this writer's block is giving me a headache lol, not to mention the move to a new house and lots of stuff happening that's made even the normal routines stressful. I hope you like this chapter as there are a lot of elements, crazy shit, and a lot more going on in this chapter. What plan? Why is he still alive? Why is Da'kium with the Bad Bloods again? And what are his motives?

Is he just a two-timer or something else is amiss? Who knows . . . lol.

Anyway, thank you all for your support and also please help in support of the Maui fires as that place was once dear to me and I'm saddened that this disaster happened :(

Thank you very much for your support and Good Hunting to all. :DDDDD

Normal = Human speaking human language

Bold = Yautja speaking ooman (human) language

Bold and Italics = Yautja speaking Yautja language

Ay'ak-de = Wake up

Ca'cada = Cockroach

Lou-dte kalei = Child maker (insult)

Zabin = Insect