Okay, chapter 5 comes to the series, and I wanted to take a moment to express how happy I am with how the story is coming along, 200 views is a major milestone. I would have never expected to get this much attention, especially with my first story, and I dearly thank those who are following me.

Now on with the story!

Mark heard the door open, and he knew that it was time to move.

Kyiv ar'khan stood at the entrance, clad in light armor and mesh; it was surprising to not see him decked out in his arbitrator gear.

"Good, you're awake." "Do you expect me to pass my Chiva by sleeping all day?" Mark said as he got up from the many pelts and furs that adorned the bed.

'Smartass' thought Kyiv.

Together, they entered the training quarters. A table stacked with all kinds of Yautja weaponry awaited them.

"Alright, I'm ready to start." Mark stated.

Kyiv looked at him for a moment before making up his mind: "Start by running around the perimeter of the room, and follow my commands." the warrior said while leaning back on a wall.

'Better get started.'

Mark was straining to keep up with Kyiv's brutal training regiment.

The endless laps, sets and repetitions ensured that he was now covered in sweat.

This was new: he had never experienced something like this, and yet, it was an alluring sensation, but it felt good.

His muscles burned and screamed at him to stop and rest, but he just kept pushing on: 'Come on marine, move your ass!' was the phrase that kept repeating itself in his mind.

He was going to succeed in his mission: it was his goal.

'My old drill instructors training would pale in comparison to Kyiv's!'

Said Yautja was impressed that Mark had not yet fallen down in exhaustion.

It surprised him even more to see the ooman become more and more concentrated in the workout.

The golden reptilian eyes stared at him, observing every detail and information, Kyiv could deduce that it was time to switch things up.

He signaled him to stop, and walked up to him.

"That is enough: we can start training with the weapons." and he handed him a combi stick.

'Joy, now we're talking!'

Mark now knew the basics to using every weapon Kyiv had presented him.

He truly excelled with the knifes and throwing knifes, the smart disc also seemed to not hold secrets to him.

Now they were practicing with the combi sticks for the third time.

Kyiv was a ruthless teacher: he would hit Mark to punish him for his mistakes; the many bruises on his body were proof of it.

The teachings were tough, but effective because they were being literally being beaten into him.

Kyiv swept Mark's legs for one hundredth time again, but the stubborn human always got back up.

Each time he fought Kyiv he lasted a little longer; it wasn't much, but it was improvement nonetheless.

All in all, Mark liked the exercises, because he was continuously learning new things and getting better at adapting himself to this different lifestyle, it felt like he was becoming something more... just like when he was promoted to a navy seal.

The constant struggle was wearing him down, luckily, Kyiv stopped "It is time for the midday meal: we will continue later." and Mark nodded in agreement, heading towards the main dining hall."

"Time sure flies by when you're having fun." and this drew a deep laugh out of the veteran hunter "You are the only person who I know of to enjoy pain; will you ever finish to amaze me?" "Only Lilka and Cetanu can tell." "You speak wisely, but now it is time for you to regain your strength."

They ate their food, (more like, Kyiv ate actual good quality dishes, Mark was stuck with simple and plain meats and vegetables) and Kyiv gave him some pills, "These will give you a boost of energy, so that you may continue to be awake till night while your body adjusts to the different time cycle."

"Thanks man." Mark bowed his head in respect.

They then returned to the training area.

Before the resumed. Kyiv took a moment to speak to him: "You are doing much better than I expected, and this pleases me greatly." Mark's face went blank for a moment, before he snapped out of it: "You honor me with your kind words my friend." "I must leave now to take care of my duties as an elite arbitrator. But do not fret: two other hunters shall take my place while I am absent."

Footsteps were heard and Mark turned his head to see a male and female arbitrator walking towards them.

They stopped at a short distance, "Mark, these are two of my most trusted hunt brothers: Gruyin" he indicated to the male "and Yurli." he pointed at the taller female. Mark gave a light bow, and they acknowledged it with a bow of their own.

"It is pleasant to meet you Mark Johnson." Yurli said with a small smile "It truly is." added Gruvin as he extended his arm for a handshake.

He stalled for a second, caught off guard by the human like greeting, but he quickly regained control of his muscles.

"The pleasure is mine, honorable warriors; I guess Kyiv is not the only Yautja that speaks English." he joked accepting the friendly greeting.

The two properly saluted their superior, who was now leaving to attend his tasks.

"I trust you not to overwork him too much." "He is in good care, elite arbitrator." with a final nod, he left leaving the ooman alone with the other Yautja.

Kyiv was in the tribunal of justice, the main residence and housing space for the arbitrators of the Fire Skull clan; he, along with the other 4 elite arbitrators were having the last conference meeting of the day.

Right now they were listening to a report of an arbitrator on a far away colony, many light years distant from Yaut.

Bad bloods had been captured and executed, and this was always good news for justice had been served.

'May Cetanu punish those pauking bastards for their dishonor'

The report ended after proper saluting, and the council was dismissed, Kyiv prepared to return to his dwelling, but was suddenly stopped.

"Fellow elite arbitrator Kyiv ar'khan, is something troubling you?" a voice rang out making Kyiv freeze in his seat.

He turned to see the elite arbitrator Y'rall intently watching him.

The other arbitrators stopped their movements as well, now interested in the commotion.

Kyiv addressed his female counterpart "Not at all." "Then why are you so eager to leave?" she said, leaning forward.

"I must complete my apprentice's training, for it is my duty to obey the command of the high matriarch." "Are you referring to the ooman that impressed our honored matriarch?" another Yautja asked.

Kyiv raised an inquisitive ridged eyebrow "Impressed?" "Why yes, she has released an official statement commenting the primate's skill merely hours ago. We wouldn't want to hear more about this individual than by your own mouth, Kyiv ar'khan."

He sent a message on his wrist computer to Gruyin, informing that he would not come back on time.

He then ordered the etas in the chamber to bring some C'ntlip as they all moved to one of the common living rooms.

They all sat down on the luxurious chairs.

"Very well then, I assume you want to know everything." "That is correct." the silent murmuring disappeared, now replaced by curiosity.

Yurli flipped the ooman over her shoulder, generating a loud yelp.

Mark landed on his back, and gave a groan of pain as he rolled onto his stomach.

"I believe you have practiced enough hand to hand combat for today, you should rest." "I'm good, just... give me a moment..." but a moment was too much time in Yurli's opinion; so she hauled him up by the arm.

She gave a friendly chuckle, "I thought you were experienced in fighting: is this the best Oman's have to offer?" Mark steadily breathed in and out, "Well, you posses superhuman strength, and plus it's not easy for one to adapt his fighting style to face a much larger adversary."

Gruvin watched them both interact, a smile planted on his mandibles.

He and Yurli had taken turns in sparring with Mark, and they could see why Kyiv had brought him here on Yaut.

This ooman was truly special: to convince an elite arbitrator to train you was an almost impossible task, and yet, Johnson had done, unintentionally no less!

The twin suns on Yautja Prime were starting to set, and at this time Kyiv was finally able to return to his grounds.

The sight that was presented to him when he entered the training quarters was a pleasant surprise.

Mark was holding his own against both arbitrators as they relentlessly attacked him.

His mind was on autopilot: dodge, parry, block, deflect and repeat.

Sure, the hunters where nowhere near at using their full skill, but this just showed how much potential Mark truly had.

They stopped, and bowed their heads in respect.

Kyiv made his presence known and walked up to them.

"That is enough for today. Good work, all three of you." they once again bowed their heads, happy for the praise that they had received.

"Same time the next cycle?" "Yes."

They said their goodbyes, and Kyiv and Mark were left alone.

'At least they'll come back tomorrow' Mark said to himself, a bit sad to see them leave, he hoped to make more friends.

Back on Earth, it was not good to have lots of friendships: 'It is frowned upon to make close connections, so don't be so open; trust me: it will save you a lot of grief '

These were the words of his superior, when he was about to commence his first mission.

And those words were correct: war was hell.

He had seen many other marines that had been traumatized by the loss of someone close to them.

"Now you rest your body and work with you're mind." Kyiv said, and a hologram was generated from his computer wrist.

Mark carefully observed the symbols that were being displayed, "Let me guess: the Yautja alphabet?"

"Yes, I shall teach you how to read and write so that you do not require my constant assistance." and a Mark couldn't help but crack up at the thought of going to school again.

Kyiv cocked his large head to the side, the posture he always used to indicate his confusion.

"I'll teach you the meaning and significance of this thought I was the thinking about in the future." and managed to hear the small voice grunting: "Oomans and they're humor." but that was all he said, not wanting to bring upon himself more of Mark's weird sense of buffoonery.

Kyiv saw that the ooman he was tutoring was having an internal battle to remain awake, and not give in to the exhaustion.

At least Mark had learned all the characters that composed Yautja writing, and had managed to form some words; however, there were some letters that required noises that oomans were not capable of producing.

Luckily, the yautjan sign language would give him the ability to talk with his movements.

Silence was key during hunting, every single warrior had to learn this technique of communication.

There were no other types of sign language, and it would be universally recognized by all clans.

"I believe you have worked enough, it is time for you to rest: you have earned it." Kyiv stated "Well, I have a hard meat trial to face don't I? If I want to be accepted into the clan I must train till I surpass my limits, for the body is the best of weapons."

This phrase gave birth to a grin on the others face, "We share the same ideology."

"I'm glad to be on the same page as you."

And this was chapter 5, sorry for the long wait.

I hope you enjoyed this part of the story, remember to vote and comment, for it gives me immense satisfaction.