So, here we go with chapter 16

'Hmm... this is interesting.' Mark thought as he read document after document on the alien species known as kiande amedha, or hard meat. These aliens were considered to be the ultimate predator in the universe, the most worthy prey.

The upcoming kiande amedha trial would task the participating unbloods to hunt, kill and retrieve the skull of a hard meat. By completing this action, they would prove themselves to be true, honorable hunters.

The Chiva would effectively recognized them as adults, ready to join, or form a clan, and be able to start their own bloodline.

This important trial was a mere few days worth of time away.

Mark had spent the entire morning and afternoon researching and studying all he could about the hard meats, whether it be the way they hunted, fought, communicated, their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses.

There were not a lot of weaknesses.

'They reproduced by implanting an embryo in the body of a host... when the specimen is ready, it will burst through the chest of the victim. Who knows what I'll face in this hive.' he hoped to acquire the skull of a warrior or even a praetorian. A drone would have been fine, but Mark liked a challenging and dangerous hunt.

He spent the rest of the day locked in the library, scouring through the rows and rows of data banks, memorizing every little important detail he could get access to.

This was how Kyiv found him when he entered the room. He called him over in order to consume the evening meal.

"You have a vast collection of information on the kiande amedha." Mark stated, before earning a soft chuckle from Kyiv: "Yes, we yautja like to keep recordings of the most worthy creatures we hunt."

"I remember it like yesterday, my Chiva... I was a young, hotheaded unblood, whose mind wandered to the thoughts of mating with females, and the luxuries that he would obtain thanks to numerous and glorius hunts. In the name of Lilka I was stupid back then, brash and arrogant. I wanted to take down the queen, to form my own clan... now I realize how delusional I was."

Mark raised his eyebrow up in visible confusion, "But you survived didn't you?" "Mark, in that hell, I barely returned with my life, it is by sheer luck that I am not in the halls of the dark hunter. I was arrogant, greedy, I desired to claim the skull of a dangerous hard meat. While my companions fought fiercely and honorably, I ventured deeper into the heart of the hive. I was swarmed, wounded and hurt." he recounted the tale, showing Mark the numerous scars and marks he had received on that faithful hunt.

"This scar on my back was generated from a tail blade. It pierced through my ribs and collapsed my lung. I had a healing syringe with me and that is the only reason I made out of there alive."

"We may be better hunters then them, but in there... that is they're home, they hold the advantage. As soon as you get that damned skull, run out of the place and immediately return to the drop ship. Once you are there, you shall have the assistance of the guarding arbitrators should the hard meat queen order an attack on the ship."

"Even the best will make mistakes, there is no way to foresee the events to the first hunt. It is thanks to the will of the gods that we are able to emerge victorious and fight another day."

He then gestured at him to follow, and lead him to a vault, straight at the core of his dwelling.

After numerous security scans, the large doors opened, and Mark was greeted with the sight of Kyiv's trophy room.

He walked up to the nearest skull, staring at it with wonder like a child. The elite arbitrator toured him over every single trophy, giving a detailed and plentiful backstory on every single one. Finally, he pressed his palm on a scanner, and a metal casing opened up to reveal five kiande amedha skulls, two were of warriors, and three were of drones respectively.

He didn't fail to notice the numerous other hard meat skulls in the chamber ahead, and it confused him as to why he valued these ones as much as he did.

"I collected these on my Chiva, they are my greatest pride and joy, the physical proof of my survival and victory." he said.

Mark could see that he held dearly to those 5 objects, if the way of how he looked at and spoke of them was any indication.

'I wonder what I shall kill...'

He woke at the crack of dawn, reading himself by taking a long relaxing shower, this could very well be the last time he would have this comfort, and he intended to make the most out of it.

He gave his facial hair some final touches and started to prepare his equipment.

He wore some fur undergarments, covering his crotch and quads, running up his back to meet with the straps of his upper armor.

His awu'asa was the traditional armor of every unblood: sporting very few metal plates covering the shoulders, knees and feet. Minimal protections that represented his low status in the hierarchy of the clan.

His weapons were another matter: he had foregone the fishnet that was served to use the cloaking technology. He had also foregone the plasma caster, having nowhere near enough upper body strength to handle the immense recoil of the weapon.

He had instead decided to arm himself with all the acidic proof weapons he could find.

This included the ceremonial dagger of course, along with numerous other blades and throwing knifes, alongside two shurikens and two combi sticks, custom made to fit his particular size.

He had also discarded the wrist blades, not liking the use of them.

His most unique weapon though, was his modified desert eagle.

He had traded much with Arin'khor, and had been able to purchase the gun alongside some clips of ammunition.

Then, he had been given the assistance of a few mechanics working in Kyiv's dwelling, to put on a few upgrades, such as a infrared scope and a new grip, alongside a new interior mechanism that would ensure it would not jam with water or mud.

He had also crafted a new type of bullet: retaining the copper hull and the steel core, the projectile had been tipped with live plasma, ready to detonate upon impact.

The tests he had done showed that it had an amazing destructive capability, and, while still not being close to the power of the projectile of a regular plasma caster, the handgun proved to be a good substitute.

He had been able to craft three clips of ammo, each containing eleven bullets.

It was not considered honorable to kill an opponent with such a powerful tool, and so it was rarely used a hunt, least the situation demanded it.

And Mark was not going to use it unless it was absolutely necessary.

He had come a long way in terms of skill since he had arrived, and now the day he had been training for was here.

He heard the automatic door open, and turned around to see Gruvin approach him.

"You look very good in your hunting gear." he complimented him with a friendly pat on the arm.

"Well... I still can't believe it that it's time to prove myself." "Then don't believe it." they both shared a loud laugh at that.

He walked to the front gate of the massive home, and came next to Kyiv who was waiting for him.

He presented him the gauntlet armed with the explosive device, alongside his mask.

"There were some that did not think you worthy enough to carry these two items. Were them well and proudly, for you are still one of us." Kyiv told him while handing him both.

Mark reached out to grasp them, but stopped, and lowered his arms back to his sides.

"I am honored Kyiv, for everything you have done for me, but if I am to die I will die on my on terms and not by killing the other participants. Besides, I still have a nasty surprise if those bastards get me."

The arbitrator smiled in response.

They had reached one of the landing pads, and a very large crowd had formed to see the expedition of the youngbloods. The masses were kept in line by a row of arbitrators, fending off unwanted guests.

Even the high matriarch was present to give her blessing, alongside the high priestess, accompanied by her own group of priestesses.

Mark marched forward until he stood in line next to the other unbloods. Since he had no bearer or sire to represent him, Kyiv took on the role, standing next to him.

Some of yautja closest to him growled and hissed, trying to get under his skin and provoke him into initiating a challenge. Mark had now become used to the treatment, so it had no effect on him.

The pressure was there, so much so that he ignored the cheers and noises from the crowd, losing himself in his own little world of silence.

He was taken back from his daydreaming when Kyiv squeezes his shoulder in reassurance, "I have taught you everything I know of the art of combat; remember our training, and you shall come back a fully fledged blooded hunter."

"Thank you Kyiv, for educating me.." he said, before giving him the proper military salute.

He heard the order to go stand on the designated podium.

He smiled at him one last time, before taking a few steps forward and climbing on top of the few stairs.

The matron gave small words of encouragement to every unblood present, then Mah'ra gave them each a small cut on the bicep, performing some sort of ritual; and she stopped at Mark lastly.

She did not speak, but he understood the message all the same: "Good luck." and with that, he followed the commanding officers onto the ship, turning one hundred eighty degrees.

The ramp closed up in front of them, and the other members waved at their loved ones for one last time, eager to prove themselves.

Mark admired the view once more, looking at the distant pyramids and the lush, green forests alongside the several volcanoes on the horizon, while the twin suns illuminated everything with their light.

He was brought to this planet for a purpose, and now he was leaving to complete it.

He looked at Kyiv, and the tips of his lips curved upwards, noticing the presences of Yurli and Gruvin come to stand next to him.

Well here he was, waiting to leave until the other unbloods finished absorbing the encouraging roars.

A flash of light hit him straight in the eye, he blinked a few times, and tried to locates the origin of the blinding ray.

He saw Mhei r'ka-Guan, easily spotting her towering frame, alongside her luxurious handmade awu'asa, flanked on all sides by guards who wore very intricate and artistically beautiful sets of armor.

She nodded her head to him and a ping whent off on his portable computer wrist.

He opened the protective casing, before using it's touch control to access the newly arrived message:

"This is not the end marine. Prove to me that I have not chosen wrongly and prove yourself to be a part of the clan. This is the way of the hunter. I will be waiting for you when the ship returns, do not disappoint me soldier."

He subconsciously took out her head trinket from one of the pouches, remembering their first encounter and their previous conversation, a warm feeling started emanating from his now quickly beating heart.

He kept eye contact with the lens of her mask, and continued to do so until the gate closed.

Because of the rising number of Coronavirus cases in my region, schools will be closed until the 15 of march, and I have decided to pump out as many chapter as I could. See you all next time.