Moving along.

The twin stars of the predator home world shined brightly in the sky, coating it with an orange tint.

A large river flowed in the tropical jungle, continuing its path over several waterfalls before eventually ending up in a massive lake.

The lake partially hugged the side of a titanic volcano.

Dark smoke floated from the top of the mountain and into the atmosphere, the small seismic quakes in the nearby area were the proof of the existence of the fiery chamber.

The water of the lake carried out the warmth of the underground magma, rendering the body of water partially lethal.

Several miles away, on one of the many cliffs formed by the trail of water stood a Chelduh.

This fierce looking beast was one of the deadliest carnivores on the planet. Its large frame was protected by a durable exoskeleton made of bone, covering all its vital body parts.

The unprotected joints were lined with hard, black fur, covering the pinkish skin.

It walked on six legs, armed with claws measuring several inches in length. Its mouth housed a row of sharp teeth, each them were attached to a poisonous gland in the area of its snout.

It was very similar to a tiger from Earth: it traveled alone and was one of the apex predators.

This particular Chelduh was worn down by the humid temperature, it was in need of a drink.

Its steps were slow, measured.

Carrying a sense of dominance and supremacy as it traversed the lush green nature, flanking the large canopies and swatting away the vines in its way.

Soon enough it reached the roaring river, and approached its bank, looking around itself to make sure there were no dangers lurking around.

The noise of the liquid dominated its hearing, rendering it deaf. This was a slightly risky situation: for it could not hear the approach of potential adversaries.

Still, it lowered its flexible neck to lap at the cold water, enjoying the relief it brought to its sore throat.

Then in an instant it sensed the change in the air; using its quick reflexes, it raised it's gaze back up.

This action proved to be a lifesaver: the combistick pierced through the shoulder joint, tearing apart the muscle that obstructed it's trajectory.

Pain exploded in the injured limb, the Chelduh roared in agony as it savagely turned and tossed, trying to dislodge the offending weapon.

The quick and hard movements only caused the wound to bleed more profoundly, adding to its adrenaline and rage.

It sensed another change in the air to its side: it barely moved enough to save its eye from the dagger aiming for it, instead, the knife uselessly scraped its hardened carapace.

Mark ducked the fast swipe aimed at cleaving him in half, hissing in pain when two of its talons nicked his right arm, a couple small chunks of flesh trailing behind them.

He stabbed his dagger upwards, intent on attacking the exposed underside of the beast's jaw.

His plan was successful as his face immediately made contact with the cascading yellow blood.

His hesitance cost him dearly though, as he was swatted away by the powerful animal.

The blow was inhumanly strong, so strong in fact that it knocked away all the oxygen in his lungs and sent him flying.

He hit the ground, his head jarring from the impact as he rolled a couple of times through the thick grass before coming to a stop.

Luckily, the Chelduh was too occupied in clawing at its jaw, worsening the wound as it did. Mark patiently got back up, holding a hand to his aching side as he watched the beast fruitlessly fail in its task.

Recovering his breath, he calmly took out a shuriken before taking aim and throwing the object with all his might.

It flew and sliced open the neck of his prey, causing it to fall forward, blood quickly coating the floor where it laid its head.

Its body twitched as it helplessly tried to to breathe, only for wet gurgling sounds to escape its bloody maw.

The human walked forward, the muscles in his legs contracting in case of danger, ready to propel him backwards if need be.

He closed his left fist and heard the satisfying click of his wrist blades unsheathing from his gauntlet to their fullest extent, the very tips brushing against the moist dirt.

With a savage yell, the marine buried his blades in the neck of his enemy, twisting his hand, he ripped the blades out repeated the action once more, ending its life once and for all.

The rush of bloodlust he felt was intoxicating, the sense of victory and the prize of a worthy skull sent his mind reeling with adrenaline.

The hunt was exhilarating, it always was: to prove himself to be at the top of the food chain was comparable to being the best navy seal, to be the shadow of the military.

Mark grasped the spear with both hands, placing his foot on the carcass he pulled it free with a grunt.

Collapsing it, he placed it back on its holster on his back, before retrieving his throwing weapon as well.

Walking back to the front of the dead alien, he pushed its head to lay on the left, panting from the strenuous action. He wrapped his fingers around the handle of the blade, before yanking it out, blood spraying across his plated feet.

He held the blade up to his eyes, contemplating its look and the way the edge shined when he moved it towards the suns.

A small cloth was wrapped around his bicep to stop the bleeding, not before applying a disinfectant.

Using one of the recipes he had learned, he created a soppy green paste using the grass, spreading it over the large purple bruise that had formed on his ribs

He then stopped for a few moments, admiring the beautiful scenery in front of him, staring at the lake and the volcano, the image bringing a strange but welcome peaceful harmony to his soul.

Kyiv was right: Yaut truly did have some amazing views.

Mark returned his attention to the dead Chelduh, flipping the dagger in a reverse grip he started the painstaking job of skinning his prey.

By the end of his work, he was covered head to toe in colorful yellow blood. He quickly cleaned himself in the river, the water cooling his hot skin.

When he crouched down to gather all of his items, he heard a heavy thud behind him.

Whirling around, he saw that it was a fellow hunter, a blooded warrior by the evident bands of honor on his tendrils.

Mark gave a nod of respect, while the other stared at the goods he had cut from the body.

Clicking his mandibles, the male spoke: "This is a most impressive kill, well done youngblood." he smiled at the compliment.

It made him happy to know that a lot of hunters in the clan didn't view him as prey but as one their own.

"I thank you for your words honored hunter." the Yautja chuckled as he gave the human a friendly pat on the shoulder, before offering to help him carry the spoils of his hunt back to the Fire Skull's territory.

Mark relented after numerous insistences, when he asked the predator why he was helping him, the other just smiled and replied: "This is a worthy trophy, unfortunately you are unable to transport all of it back to our grounds, others may take the spoils for themselves and I will not stand aside to let such a dishonorable action happen."

The warriors of his clan really did uphold the code of honor.

They arrived an hour later at the crowded marketplace, and with some effort Mark managed to locate and get to the stand he was looking for.

He once again thanked the warrior when he placed down the skins.

"Good evening Arin'Khor." the shop keeper turned around, immediately recognizing his friend.

"Mark! It is good to see you again!" he exclaimed, gripping his shoulder in greeting.

"What brings you to my humble market?" And so he showed the furs and claws he had gathered.

"Let us see... these are valued at over 5 million credits. You are aware that you could keep the spoils, I know for a fact that a female would be interested just by looking at this Chelduh skull." Mark just brushed it off with a laugh. "You know I cannot breed, not yet at least, for the moment I shall make a small fortune to aid me in the future."

Saying his goodbyes, he left the market, viewing the amount of credits his recent deal had procured him with his small computer wrist.

He took one of the more deserted pathways in the metropolis. His presence had been widely accepted, more or less: there were of course those that still felt insulted by his stay.

It took another hour before he arrived at his destination.

Mark slowly walked up the stone steps, staring at the impressive architecture. The two arbitrators at the main entrance let him pass, but not before scanning him with their bio masks and confiscating all his weapons.

This structure was dedicated to Cetanu, the Yautja's version of the grim reaper, their god of death; balanced out by his lifemate Lilka, goddess of purity, honor and all good things.

'Or at least that's how she's worshipped.'

It was not permitted to carry weapons around a shrine of the dark hunter, since he was considered to be the literal incarnation of a warrior, therefore being the absolute best in combat.

Strolling around with blades and technology based weaponry would be seen as an offense, his actions deeming him to be a bad blood.

The only ones who could get around this rule were those hunters that held Cetanu's mark.

And yet he still could not carry his hunting gear...

'Is it because I am a human or an unblood?'

Mark walked towards a trio of priestesses, occupied in an important discussion by the looks of it.

Not wanting to interrupt them, he simply kneeled and gently placed the skull of Chelduh on one of the black colored stone benches.

He turned around to leave, avoiding interacting with other Yautja and successfully made it to the armored door.

He exited the building, only to be confronted with an elder.

Na'Gook growled at the ooman in front of him, wanting nothing more then to tear it's fragile body apart.

'Great, nice seeing you as well, fucking asshole.'

Brushing aside his anger, Mark continued onward.

Kyiv looked up from his plate when he heard a chair briefly scrape on the floor.

He saw that Mark had returned, ready to consume the evening meal in his company.

"I trust your daily hunt has gone well." he received a nod in response. "May I know what has given you those injuries?" he asked, sipping some fresh naxa juice.

"A Chelduh."

Kyiv's eyes shot open and he chocked; recovering from the shock, his voice became furious: "" "I told y-"" he bellowed, standing up.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is? Those beasts are a hard match for elites!"

Surprisingly, Mark stayed calm, and waited for his moment to speak. "Kyiv, I realized my chances of failure and death were high, but I tested my skills the same, and I was the victor."

"I am touched by your concern, but you and I both knew that I would try my luck eventually." flexing his mandibles, the elite arbitrator sat back down, silently lost in his thoughts.

"Very well, I understand. Please though: see that a healer checks on those cuts, it will not do well if they get infected."

"Don't worry, I will." the human simply replied, before turning his attention to the tasty meal in front of him.

Off with chapter 13, expect a bonus chapter real soon guys.

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