So yes, the long awaited reunion is here.

Truth to be told, I was a little nervous with how to go with the interactions between Mark and Mhei. I hope to at least keep them in character, if you get what I mean.

Anyways, enough rambling, onwards!

He closed his eyes and bowed to the primal huntress.

She absently bid him to rise with a simple flick of the wrist.

"And so you've returned." she stated with a decisive tone. Mark gave a short nod, averting his gaze to the water.

Apparently she wasn't in the mood for a passive talk: "Look at me ooman." she ordered and he forcefully complied, the faintest bits of annoyance starting to form.

Even with his augmentation she still had a good four feet of height over him and he had to once again stare upwards. Her red irises were still as piercing as ever, "Upon your arrival you did not report back to our matriarch. Why?"

His breathing deepened as he explained his reasoning: "I needed time to myself." "And did that justify leading the clan into a pointless chase?" she retorted unwavering.

"Did you want me to approach you and demonstrate my collection of trophies?" aggression began seeping in his tone.

Mhei's posture gave the slightest signs of stiffening, "I have clearly demonstrated my interest in you, it is only natural that you court me as per tradition."

"Perhaps I do not wish to follow tradition." "I does not give you the right to mope and whine like a suckling." his hands formed fists at her remark, but she continued on anyways.

"Millions of other males would be drooling at the chance of securing their bloodline to that of a prima- "You are a heartless, petty bitch that has never been able to take no for an answer; aren't you now?"

The reaction was instantaneous as her claws raked across his face and gouged out his right eye.

She was immediately upon him, growling, wrist blades extended, but she was stopped by his calm voice: "Go on, prove my point." he hissed out, palm covering his empty socket.

Mark's rant wasn't finished though, "You have no idea of the things I've had to experience for these past four years. You cannot comprehend what it feels like to leave everything behind and to try to fit in a society that abhors you for what you are- he grunted in pain, the blood still seeping through his fingers.

"You do not know what it means to be human. And if you think that I'll say yes to a one-night stand than you are clearly mistaken."

The yautja went to help, to apologize for her lack of restraint but he got back up on his own and pushed her helping hand away.

"It's obvious that we have had the wrong impressions upon our initial encounter. I believe it is best if we see other people."

He cupped some water out of the lake and let it glide across his new cuts, gritting his teeth. "And if I recall correctly, this is your rightful property." he continued, handing her the trinket she had gifted him.

"Ma'am." concluded Mark and walked away.

The huntress looked at the piece of jewelry that had been stained by her digits, coated by a red that was very much like her own skin pattern.

For the first time in many years, Mhei r'ka-Guan was left speechless, and she lowered her head in shame.

He had purposely avoided waking back to the festive grounds, and had taken a detour to reach Kyiv and Y'rall's dwelling. He had messaged him and informed that he wouldn't be attending, much to his protest. The marine had also asked him to forward his apologies if the matron should inquire on his whereabouts.

The pain was horrible, and a part of him was disturbed with seeing black to the right of his field of view.

Acutely aware of the trail he was leading behind, he first stopped at a healing center so that his gaping hole could be properly treated.

Mark did receive a couple of stares, whether it be because of his size or his wound he did not no nor care. Luckily he payed for the surgery thanks to the large amounts of credits that he had collected in his name before leaving for the Chiva.

He did stay silent when the healer questioned him on how he had received such newly formed scars.

Once it was over, he quickly left, still feeling the hot, throbbing pain on his head.

Mark was done with all of this, and now that he had been formally accepted into the clan, he had full possibility of leaving.

A couple of hunters, unbloods even, challenged him, spewing insults, and even with his new handicap he managed to beat them into defeat thanks to his larger size and knowledge of skills.

Yet victory did not feel sweet, and only made his loathing grow.

Upon finishing the morning meal, the mated arbitrators were surprised to find Mark at the door of their private quarters.

The first things that stood out where his scent which reeked of sweat and his remaining eye. Probing proved to be futile as Mark refused to give an explanation of how he had gotten it.

"Kyiv, Y'rall, while I thank you deeply for your hospitality I've realized that it's been long overdue that I leave to find my own path." "You do not need to leave yet Mark, more so, you still need to adjust and calibrate your new strength- "My friend, you have been my mentor, and you have taught me all that you know. We were both aware from the start that this moment would come.

"We could still supply you with a proper ship and equipment." intervened Y'rall, but the soldier shook his head.

"Again, thank you, but with the amount of credits that I'll receive by selling the claws, tail blades and exoskeletons of the serpents I'll be able purchase everything I need."

And he did just that, he sold a good chunk of the remains to Arin'Khor who was very shocked at seeing him but greeted him warmly nonetheless.

It took a couple of more days to get a ship armored with the latest technology and load it with goods necessary for survival.

Mark made it a point to get his hands on pretty much every single weapon type he could buy, much to Kyiv's confusion.

He also bites all the files that were dedicated to training techniques with said weapons.

Traveling long distances, even with faster than light speed travel would take time, time that the soldier would utilize to train further.

Even with his status of a blooded hunter he was restricted by utilizing more dangerous weapons, reserved to elders and whatnot.

Upon insistence, he also bought a new dwelling: it was much smaller that the one of the elite, but it was also nearby the tribunal, so it would be guarded when he was not present on the planet. It was there were his theologies would be stored and regularly cleaned.

"There is always the need for more honorable warriors such as yourself, Mark. The rest of the council would gladly accept your proposition to become an arbitrator." informed Gruvin.

It made him smile, "Who knows, maybe I will accept the offer one day. At the moment I want to travel, to discover. It is mind boggling to think that I'll live for centuries to come."

"Then you better get use to it, for it is still a long stretch." they shared a short chuckle.

"I keep wondering on how things are back at home, what's going on, recent events and such." he monologued, aware that the other had quieted down.

"As much as I know this hurts, you cannot go back there. The- "Yes, technology falls into the wrong hands and it cannot be permitted to happen. I've heard it several times already. If I ever do get close I'll stay in orbit and cloak myself."

Looking over at the ship he knew that it was all ready and set to go.

The two grasped their forearms together, giving a couple of final squeezes as goodbye.

Mark briefly spoke with Yurli before having a discussion with the elite arbitrators.

"Once again, we leave each other." "And once again I thank you for everything Kyiv."

The two embraced not caring for others as they stood in a deserted area of one of the many docking stations of the clan.

He bid farewell to Y'rall with a nod, since they weren't as close, but still on friendly terms.

Mark climbed up the extended ramp as he had done four years ago. That time he had left to prove himself, now he was leaving of his own free will.

The comparison brought a humorless chuckle to his lips.

He closed the airlock shut and approached the the control room of the ship.

He passed through several rooms that were used for several different things.

The piloting seat was more akin to a throne, but still presented padded cushions.

Once seated he fingered a couple of the buttons present on the armchairs and a slew of holographic interfaces appeared in front of him.

Mark explored a little bit before selecting the autopilot mode and setting a course to a quiet section of space.

In the meantime, he opened files that contained manuals and tutorials on how to properly fly the vehicle. The roar of engines was faintly felt as the ship broke out of the atmosphere of Yaut with a bright orange glow.

Before activating a warp gate, he opened the cameras positioned at the back of the vessel.

He took a good look at the large planet, where he had lived for a good portion.

Steeling himself, he banished all thoughts of the primal huntress and activated the autopilot once more. He closed the viewing glass at the front by releasing the armored compartment that was used during battles.

As the trip continued, he opened the main port, or the yautjan version of the web, to analyze and learn of what was going on between clan deals and new game preserves.

Soon, he noticed a planet situated many light years away.

While it could've been passed for another generic, boring dirt ball. What made it noteworthy where the presence of several hives.

Mark breathed deeply to calm himself, making a mental note to consume a couple of pills later in the day.

A part of him didn't want to, but if he ever hoped to fight these fears than he would have to tackle them head on.

'Relax. You are going to do this. You've survived for half a decade in that hellhole.'

Once again he was going to face the serpents, and yes, maybe this was a bit of a rash decision but that didn't slow him down. Setting a course to the green planet, he walked to the kehrite.

Once there he selected a high difficulty to add to the training bots and grabbed a combi stick along with a dagger.

The navy seal cracked his neck, feeling some pops, adopting an attack stance before the robots that were coming to life.

A click on the central part of the spear caused it to jut out its bladed ends. Those blades would soon taste the metal alloy that composed the automatons.

I'm back.

Much to my satisfaction, I've noticed that the story is approaching 20k reads (I am blown away by the amount of attention this has gotten) so here's a new chapter to boost it.

Changing subjects now, I please ask for feedback between Mark and Mhei's fallout. Please comment, for I need constructive criticism to better my writing.

Thank you all once again for reading and voting.

Until next time.