Going on with chapter 6, the story keeps unfolding as the Chiva approaches closer.

Now on with the story!

Mark broke Kyiv's guard with a lightning fast tackle, which resulted in both of them falling to the ground.

Without wasting a moment, he grabbed the predator's hand and rolled over tugging along the limb, effectively trapping him in a triangle arm bar choke hold; and started to squeeze.

Kyiv's airflow was cut short, and his vision became blurry; he had no choice but to give up, and so he quickly tapped the ooman's arm twice.

Mark immediately let go, knowing that he was the victor.

As they rose up to their feet, they both bowed at each other before letting out a friendly laugh.

"I fear that I cannot beat you, dear Mark, for your vast experience of body to body fighting surpasses even mine." said Kyiv as he dusted himself.

"I've practiced almost my entire life; plus one must see his own body as a weapon before using an actual weapon."

"Plus, you're predictable." "Oh?" Kyiv arrogantly asked, before giving the ooman a smirk: this was now a friendly banter between the two companions, but it was only used in private, never in public.

It was obvious that Kyiv was holding back, otherwise Mark would be dead.

"You and your wise talk... many could learn from your patience, Mark." Gruvin stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

These last few weeks had taken their toll on Mark: he was now more ripped than ever gaining well defined and bulging muscles, and his figure seemed to lack an ounce of fat; but he still possessed his lean body, complementing his fighting style.

He favored quick, fast and deadly strikes, and he had all but mastered combat with knives and smart disks.

He was also proficient with the combi stick and wrist blades; he was from being perfect with them, but he was getting there.

He had learned how to properly dodge, parry and deflect all blows.

Overall his training was moving along at a fast pace, and there was still a year and a half left of time!

'He will certainly be ready when the hard meat trial shall start!' Kyiv thought happily.

Now he could also give Mark a day off every week for how well he was progressing.

It was now early afternoon, and Kyiv wanted to rest, "I think you have trained enough for today, Mark, how about we go take a visit to the marketplace?" "Sounds good to me, boss." Mark replied, stretching his neck left and right, popping his sore joints.

Mark was happy to wander the city, as it was also a great way to practice his sign language.

They changed into a more normal attire, preferring it over their training clothes.

'This still leaves a scandalous amount of skin uncovered for others to see!' Mark spoke in his head, still not comfortable with the Yautjan way of dressing.

He hoped that he would complete his trial along with the other selected unbloods, for he could then have some specifically designed garments.

They soon left Kyiv's giant and luxurious dwelling, Gruvin following closely behind, while being escorted by a few personal guards.

Yurli was absent, for she had been sent to guard a Kainde Amedha queen transportation.

They were moving the xenomorph to a different planet because the previous one was in the trajectory of a massive asteroid, that would have destroyed a good portion of the celestial object.

It would have been a shame to waste the serpent hive, for it could have been used to host new Chivas.

'I'll see her soon.'

The Fire Skull clan's marketplace was known to be one of the biggest in existence, a point of trade for goods that hailed from all sides of the universe.

The entire economic system was possible thanks to the incredibly advanced technology that the clan had developed, second only to the Dark Blade clan.

This superior technology, along with the very skilled and powerful warriors that used it assured the clan's position as one of the strongest among the entire Yautja race.

Because of this importance, the area was crowded, always crowded.

The time of the day did not matter: the shops were open, ready to lure in potential customers.

Mark and his fellow friends strolled through one of the many streets, observing all of the bustling activity.

They did not wish to buy anything, just merely walk around.

Mark receive numerous frowns wherever he went, but no one dared to attack him, fearful of invoking Kyiv's vengeful wrath.

That was another thing: Kyiv.

Because of his high position, he attracted lots of attention, many bowed their heads in respect, some females even gave a couple of flirty purrs.

Of course he paid no attention to it: the mating season was still a few weeks ahead, but many Youngbloods were eager to rut anyways.

Mark could at least slip by relatively unnoticed; and so he was thankful for this.

He stayed at a distance that allowed the public interest to ignore him, but was also close enough to show that he was under the elite arbitrator's protection.

He approached a familiar shop, and came face to face with it's vendor.

"Greetings Mark!" the male exclaimed.

"Greetings to you, honor Arin' Khor!" he signed back.

"You still need a bit more practice, but you're getting there!" the Yautja grinned. Mark smiled, happy to reunite with a friend.

He all but remembered how they had met: he had been walking with Kyiv when he noticed Arin trying and failing to disassemble an M16 machine gun.

At the time, Mark knew very little on how to use the Yautjan sign language, but he managed to make his message clear.

Arin gave him the firearm, aware of what he was doing, since it was an ooman weapon.

And so Mark broke it down to singular pieces, and even showed Arin how to properly clean it, and avoid getting it jammed.

The demonstration had generated many murmurs, stating that the ooman and his weapon were useless (but soon fell to deaf ears thanks to Kyiv's aggressive growl) Arin was enthusiastic, and offered Mark the gun, stating that it would serve him better.

After several minutes of negotiation, or rather, after several minutes of trying to convince Mark to take the gun, he finally accepted.

The automatic rifle and it's 5 clips of ammunition were safely stored in his sleeping quarters.

This episode had sparked a sort of mutual respect and friendship between the two.

"I have something for you, friend." said Mark as he handed over his old gps, which had miraculously survived the entire trip.

He had planned to give it to him, since he knew how much he loved to tinker with things, and scavenge pieces.

Arin took the object from Mark's hand, cradling it as it were a precious jewel of enormous rarity.

He studied the human creation, ideas popping in his brain.

"Thank you very much, what do you want in exchange?" "Nothing, it is- "It would not be an honorable trade, please wait a moment." he turned around, careful to not show Mark his back and disrespect him.

When he faced him again, he held a Yautjan knife, short by their standards, but perfect in size for Mark.

Arin tossed him the blade, which he caught, and began twirling and flipping it; his content growing with every fancy move.

He then placed the middle of it in the tip of his finger, leaning it to the left and right.

"Perfectly balanced, eh?" asked Arin, and Mark nodded.

He was very happy with the knife, it was light and deadly, and could most definitely be thrown with pinpoint accuracy.

Just the sort of blade he liked.

"You honor me with this trade." "It is only just this way."

They made short talk, talking about their everyday life and experiences.

The conversation was simple, mainly to allow Mark to exercise his knowledge on signs.

He heard Gruvin calling him.

He bowed his his head to Arin, signaling that he was leaving and he did the same. Then he went back by the way he came.

While he was heading back, an unblood got offended by his presence, and so he barked at him, catching his attention: "Lilka has no favor for prey!"

Mark heard the voice, and so he turned, only to have his shoulder shoved, forcing him to take a step back.

He observed the Yautja, he was unblooded, that was for sure, but he was still bigger and taller than him; and much stronger too.

He knew that Kyiv could not help, for the challenge had been issued.

Now Mark was faced with a choice: back out and appear weak, or fight this offender.

He shoved the other's shoulder, forcing him to take two steps back.

Now that the challenge had been accepted, they could start their combat, and the background turned from loud to dead silent.

Mark handed Gruvin his knife, as it would be a hand to hand match.

The young predator charged with a furious shriek, before lunging at him.

Mark merely ducked, and his opponent flew over him, before landing on his back to the ground, making him the loser.

Humiliating laughs only grew in numbers as more and more people took notice of this pathetic attack.

The unnamed male stood back up, growling in pure rage, the ooman had just made him stumble like an untrained fool!

Before he could move, another warrior challenged him, this one on the contrary was a blooded hunter.

Gruvin and Kyiv stiffened when they saw that other males were preparing to fight, realizing that the situation could easily get out of hand.

Mark used the out boxer technique, hoping to tire out his enemy as he swung large, sluggish punches.

When he saw an opportunity, he took it: see an exposed side? Use a left hook.

See an unprotected knee? Follow up with low kick, and so on.

The ongoing cheers and yeels from the crowd only seemed drive further the Yautja, losing himself in a blood wanting rage.

Suddenly, he was hoisted up by the throat, only to be slammed into the ground.

The impact was so strong that it knocked all of the air out of his lungs.

The Yautja started to pound his head, only getting a couple of hits in before he was grabbed and pulled off of Mark.

Those two hits were enough to generate a broken nose and busted lip, and that made him loose control.

Mark rose up with a roar of his own, evading his companions and reaching his foe.

He grabbed a handful of dreadlocks and presented his knee to the other's mouth, the blow broke two mandibles. 'Come on! '

More Yautja came and separated them both, Kyiv quite literally dragging him away.

By now, a brawl was forming, luckily it was contained by numerous arbitrators so no one was seriously injured.

Kyiv's infamous roar echoed over the marketplace, cutting out all other noises.

""

Everyone bowed their heads, in respect and shame.

He then strode out of the street, heading back to the main city, anger and fury rolling off of him in large quantities; Mark soon trailed after.

After walking a good distance, the speed of the pace was lowered.

They were silent, and the guards started to send each other confused glances.

Mark on the other hand was disappointed in how things had gotten so violent, he was even angry of losing his self control, even if he had every right to.

The elite decided to break the silence "Are you alright?" he tilted his head to Mark "Yes thanks, I've handled worse." Kyiv turned his head again, silently thinking.

He was about to speak again, but was stopped by the appearance of a female Yautja; a quick look at her tendrils and bands showed that she was one of the high matriarch's bodyguards.

The males in front of her bowed their heads, and she returned the gesture.

"Elite arbitrator Kyiv ar'khan, the high matron requests your immediate presence, along with that of the ooman Mark."

Said man went pale, 'Fuck!'

So this was chapter 6, remember to vote and comment, constructive criticism is definitely appreciated.

Till next time then.