Ok, chapter 4 is here, the story is starting to shape up, and I couldn't be happier.

Now, enough ranting:

On with the story!

Mark fought an internal battle to steady his heartbeat, thanking Lilka and Cetanu for the military training he underwent.

He was still trying to get use to the fact that he was perhaps the only male human to arrive on a planet that wasn't Earth.

He quickly and stiffly walked alongside Kyiv, passing through rows of Yautja.

Those that they passed bowed their heads in the elite arbitrator's presence; however, this didn't stop the hushed whispering that traveled among the crowd.

They walked for a good hour, and Mark remained breath less at seeing the imposing buildings that demonstrated this clan's power and wealth, but he kept his gaze forward, set on completing the task at hand.

Kyiv ar'khan's word was true: none dared to maim him, and those who stepped in front of him were immediately pushed back with warning growls from the enforcers.

They soon reached the high matriarch's home, (it was one of the gigantic pyramids) and after numerous identification scans from the guards, they arrived in the massive courtyard.

'Man, the tension is killing me' dozens of reptilian eyes stared at Mark.

He was the center of the focus, the very topic of conversation... and he was aware of it.

There were a few elders, including Na'gook who wanted to do nothing more than gut the Pyode Amedha that was mere feet away from him.

Mark threw light glances at the towering beings that surrounded him.

Back on Earth, he was the best fighter among the navy, but here... here it was the other way around, they were the elites, he was the rookie that stared up to them in admiration.

The fact that he was barely dressed did not help to ease his nerves, 'Could I at least have some pants?'

Then the guards stood at attention, rapping their spears.

From the main entrance of the dwelling came out the fearsome royal guards, marching in a single formation; they were all females, predators that had trained their whole life to protect the high matron.

And then, the person in question entered the scene: in all her glory, Guan-Kwei, high matriarch of the Fire Skull clan had just joined the group of hunters.

Mark bowed low, among everyone else, only when the matriarch gave a trill of permission did they rise.

The 11 foot tall female, towered over all, her body rippling with muscles at every movement, dressed in the finest armor, skulls decorated her curvy frame; she was the pure personification of the female Yautja's strength and beauty and was one of the most desirable females in the clan.

The slightly grayed dreadlocks ( adorned with countless bands of honor) were the only sign of her great age, and that age gave her the experience and wisdom that few achieved in their lifetime.

Her skin pattern was unique too: she possessed brown blotches with red accents, rendering her figure mesmerizing.

"Order." her deep and powerful voice echoed across the area.

The predators settled down, none of them gave eye contact in fear of enraging the imposing figure.

The female's ornate mask peered down at the primate in front of her.

"Elder Na Gook, you did well to bring this ooman to me."

Said Yautja puffed his chest out in pride, but deflated when he heard the warning growls of the guards.

"Elite arbitrator Kyiv ar'khan, it is public knowledge that I have yet to completely learn the ooman language, I must ask you to translate what he says." she ordered while gesturing to Mark.

"It would be my honor to aid you, high matriarch."

Then one of the elders exploded with rage "This pathetic animal does not even understand us, it should be hun-" "" the matron roared, and a female guard moved in, placing her wrist blades on his neck "If you value your position, you shall cease your bickering this instance!" and the male retreated backwards the guard escorting him outside the massive building.

'Burn!' Mark cheered in his mind.

"Is there anyone else who believes my judgement to be wrong and unjust?" no one uttered a word.

She faced the small male once more.

Guan had been informed that the human possessed a translator, so she addressed him directly.

"Ooman" she started, and Mark stood up straighter.

"You have become notorious for your feral actions in the past cycles, garnering curiosity among the clan, and you have caught my interest, because of this I wish to know you better; so tell me about yourself." she calmly commanded.

And Mark started to recount his life, Kyiv translating to a moment's notice.

Every so often, the matron would ask the meaning of certain phrases and words that she didn't comprehend, as she had yet to learn ooman sayings.

The royal guards too were curios, and leaned forward to better listen the story.

"What are these... marines?" "In ooman society they are arbitrators, and hunt bad bloods, named terrorists." Guan clicked her mandibles in thought.

Mark now awaited her decision.

"What is your will, high matriarch?" Na Gook boldly inquired. The clan leader fixated him with a hard stare, her mask lenses drilling holes into his head.

She decided to test this ooman "Step aside, I wish to examine this individual myself."

With a couple of strides, she stood face to face with Mark ( not really, as he still kept his head down)

'What now?'

Guan-Kwei suddenly extended her combi stick and brought it down in a overhead strike with a thunderous roar.

Mark dodged to the side, and then ducked to avoid a horizontal swing.

The surrounding Yautja tensed up, especially Kyiv ar'khan.

The fighting went on for 10 minutes, Mark stayed on the defensive and did not dare retaliate.

He had advantage in speed and agility, so he used them both to outmaneuver the attacks that were supposed to kill him.

Finally, the veteran warrior faked a kick and jabbed at the ooman's face, giving Mark a small cut on the cheek. Then, she stopped all together and took a step back, assessing the marine who still possessed a respectful stance.

This was a test to see his skills and potential, it was needed to either deem him worthy or unworthy of becoming a Yautja.

She placed the tip of her spear under Mark's chin so that she could raise his head to look into his ice blue eyes.

Then, what happened next surprised all that were present in the courtyard: Guan spoke to Mark in English.

"The news that I have received was true then, you have the hunter spirit. Honorable are you, I decide to grant training you in Yautja ways, you become hunter if successful in Chiva and join clan." she spoke in a guttural voice, never breaking her authorial tone.

Her English was rusty and needed polishing, but the message was clear; Mark would live to see another day.

He bowed his head again, "Thank you honorable matriarch, may Lilka watch over you."

'Fuck me... this went better than expected'

In the meantime, Kyiv felt the stress leave his body, and he let out a content sigh of relief.

The high ranking female turned her attention to him "Elite arbitrator, I place the ooman's fate in your claws, he is to participate the next Hard Meat trial."

"I thank you high matriarch."

" The meeting is dismissed, leave my grounds at once."

She turned around and returned inside her dwelling, always followed by her personal guards.

Shortly after that, everybody started to retire; Na Gook snorted in disgust before he too left.

Kyiv approached Mark who was smiling as if he had just won the lottery.

"Congratulations, you were not killed." he handed him a piece of paper to clean his blood soaked cheek.

"You sound disappointed." sarcastically replied Mark.

"A little bit of killing never hurts." "Sure"

The human and Yautja chuckled as they once again made way to the large brick road.

"The next Chiva is in two years, by your time periods. But keep in mind that a cycle here on Yaut is equivalent to almost two cycles on Earth."

"So a day lasts 48 hours... I can get used to that."

"By our standards, you are an adult, and you lack experience, by this age you should have already partaken in the Kainde Amedha trial, so I shall train you in the morning; other trustworthy arbitrators will take my place as I complete my duties during the evening." Kyiv said.

Mark glanced "You know, I consider myself damn lucky to have met you Kyiv."

Kyiv barked a laugh: "Nonsense!" " No, seriously Kyiv, you're continuously giving me help and advice, how can I repay you?" "Survive your fist hunt."

The odd duo generated a lot of questioning looks, but they ignored them.

They reached Kyiv's luxurious home, and entered it after being saluted by the guards on patrol duty.

"Go take a bath, your putrid stench is poisoning me. You shall also be given some proper clothing; it must not be pleasant to walk nearly naked in front of other hunters."

"No shit Sherlock."

Ahhh... now this is more like it!'

Mark relaxed in the giant pool of steaming hot water, letting the liquid clean his skin.

This is what he needed: a good, nice bath.

Coupled with the sweet scent of numerous oils that had been placed in the tub, this was washing experience was fit for a king!

'Going back to the good ol daily routine' he thought as he washed his short hair.

He couldn't help but feel excited; Mark liked a new challenge, and this was the biggest one yet.

He got out and dried up, thanks to some conveniently furs on one of the many shelves.

He got dressed with new Yautjan clothes, remembering Kyiv's demonstration on how to wear them.

They were a bit big, but soon new handmade clothing would be available, made for his particular size.

The Yautja's way of dressing showed off too much skin in Mark's opinion.

'Meh, I'll get used to it'

Just then, Kyiv's voice echoed down the hallway "Mark!" "Coming!"

Once he joined him,the hunter observed him from head to toe.

"Not bad... come, the evening meal is ready, now I will be able to show you the various foods told you about."

"Good, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" Kyiv stopped dead in his tracks "Do not act ridiculous-" "Chill man! It's just a saying; haven't you ever heard of it?" he asked causing the other to cock his head to the side.

"You oomans are weird creatures." "Says the guy who's race hunts other species just for sport." he shot back.

"Fair point."

They reached the dining area, and sat on chairs that possessed very soft furs. Servants brought several dishes to the stone table.

Mark and Kyiv settled in their usual question-answer conversation, this time food was the main topic.

After dinner, Kyiv showed Mark one of the guest bedrooms, "I shall come to wake you up when the first sun rises, then we shall start training, and I will teach writing and sign language so that you may comunicate with other warriors."

"Very well, see you tomorrow morning."

Another chapter down, and the story continues to unfold,

remember to vote and comment!

P.s.

Shoutout to Artistslover33 for the comment in the last chapter.