The black hunter

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/59500969.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: F/M
Fandoms: Aliens vs Predators Series - Various Authors, Predator Original Series
(1987-1990)
Relationship: Yautja (Predator)/Original Female Character(s)
Characters: Centanu, Original Yautja Character(s) (Predator)
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2024-10-06 Updated: 2024-11-22 Words: 15,989 Chapters:
8/?
 The black hunter
by Lillykun

Summary

His story has been written in the stars. His stories what makes the Yautja a god. Yet for y/n he
was a friend. Someone safe.

When the government learns of her 'gift' they use her and he takes exception to it.
 Chapter 1

Black hunters mate.

The scientists back away as the xenomorph moves forward. They look at the woman behind
it. She is dripping in sweat. Panting hard. The spirit near her watching on in silent protection.
He had been by her side since she was a suckling. He had seen her grow and thrive. Not just
with her physical change. But with her ability to control the dead as well.

He couldn't help but shake his head. She had warned them. She had told them that this
wouldn't go well. Did they listen? No. Fools like them never do.
Yet, as he looks her over he can see how winded she has gotten. How weak. She had told him
that she has a personal code that she likes to fallow. Yes, he is fully aware of this. Never
bringing back anything dead longer than ten years. Yet the people who tormented her gave no
care for it.

He watches as she falls to her knees. Barely able to keep her eyes open. He goes over to her.

"Rest little hunter. You earned it." She falls to her side. Her body so wants to rest. But she
knows that it would be the worst thing for her now. Full sleep that it. Her body needed to rest.

"Control."

He didn't question it. Staying near her while her body rested. Her mind wide awake.

Some time later she had enough energy to stand up and move. Staggered foot steps made her
look like a zombie. He stays close to her as she makes her way to her home.

She needed to grab her bag and leave. To get to the ship holding the massive being. She
needed a safe place to pass out in.

But she couldn't. Not truly. She has medicine that she could use to help her. But she needed to
keep going.

The hunters see her ignore them and keep moving. She is slow but seems to know where she
is going. Sharing looks they see her move further into the cave. Watching as she moves
expertly through the caves.
They can hear that men are going after her. Some of the hunters stay back to keep an eye on
the men.

"Sir, she is one woman. I don't think that we need four elite squads to go after her." The one
is walking over to his commander. The other man sighs. Moving still before he looks around.

"Rumor has it that she's a necromancer. She has to die to preserve the natural order."
This surprises the hunter. Moving fast to get caught up with the rest of the group.

Y/n leans up against the wall. She's panting hard and dripping sweat. Her clothing stuck to
her and she was quickly becoming dehydrated. Pulling her bag to her front she brings out an
injection. Giving it to herself. The injection takes a few minuets to work but she is quickly up
and running again. She needed to get to the chamber.

Given that this was her second injection it would wear off sooner than expected. So she
needed to move as close to the chamber as she could.
She's done this thousands of times. She could do this in her sleep. But when she smacks head
first into an invisible figure she lands on the floor and blacks out for a short moment.
With her body still at long last her mind wanted to shut down and rest. The men had kept her
awake for days on end. Weakening her until she had no choice but to comply in a daze.

The figure that she knocked into turn and is surprised to see the ooman-dl on the floor.
Breathing hard. It looks up just as his hunt brothers de cloak.

"Why is she here?"

"She's being hunted. Ooman say that she can bring back the dead." The small group look
down and see her struggle to move. She stands and leans against the wall. Clearly in no
condition to move. Yet she forces herself to move.

The youngest hunter goes over to her as she is about to fall. Stopping her to the chagrin of the
other hunters.

"Where?"
"Inner chamber." The hunters fallow after them. Watching as the ooman-dl speaks to them in
a rougher dialect than what they are use to. They had to hurry. For the ooman's were quickly
approaching.

The hunters look over to her as the men try to break into the chamber. She goes over to body
and takes a deep breath. Taking her jacket off. Leaving her shirt on. Shivering. This could kill
her. Taking a deep breath she places her hands on the sides of the skull.
The hunters all look over to her as they see the body begin to change. They had seen videos
of what she could do. But never in their lives would they see for themselves what she could
do.
It takes longer than she wanted to admit. Her focus split between the Xenomorph's and her
silent guardian. Little by slow she pulls back her influence from the queen. And as a last
order to the queen she orders them to come to the where the chamber rested.

Kluge looks down at his communicator. The snakes were on the move. Heading towards their
location. While he and the other hunters conversed the youngling moves over to ooman.
Watching in silent awe.

A deep breath makes everyone in the room pause. Looking over to where the body laid fully
formed. The elder hunters kneel once they see the figure. The rest of the hunting party kneels
as well.
Stories about the black hunter had made him on par with Paya. Stories of his
exploits.spanned the stars. The cosmos. To think that the man's grave was on earth this entire
time astounded the hunters.

A beeping brought the group out of there reverence towards the male. Standing they make
their way to the outer chamber. The youngling staying. Watching. He may not be bloodied
yet. But he could still fight and defend. He took pride in the fact that he could protect the
black hunter. Along with the woman who brought him back. Though his is a bit confused as
to why the hunter didn't move yet?

He could feel his soul sink into his body. Every little sense coming back to him like a tail to
the face. His mind was overwhelmed. Everything felt so new. As if he were a suckling again.
His family was long since gone. He had no reason to fight now. Except for the ooman-di that
he looked after through the years. That conversed with him.

His eyes open slowly as he feels her hands slide off his head. He hears her knees hit the floor
hard. Skinning her knees through her pants.
Y/n is about to fall to her side when she feels a hand stop her. Slowly lowering her to the
floor. Opening eyes she didn't realize that she closed she sees the young one near her. She
nods.

"No harm?"
"No harm." At the two words from the younger y/n smiles. Before looking over to the table.
Trying to move. The young one helps her move. Sit up before helping her to a wall to lean
against.

The young one goes to the bag bringing it over to her. He knows enough about her to pull
what he thinks she needs out. A few drinks mainly.

"What do the elders call you?" She takes a short drink before asking.

"Ori."
"He needs more time to get use to being alive. Time we don't have. I can control the queen.
But not for much longer."

"How much time?"

"He will take ten more minuets. I'm working on passing out." Orbi sees this. Nodding.
Looking through her bag to see a blanket in a plastic bag. One missing all of the air in it.
Opening the bad the young one is surprised to see how big it got. But he was going to
continue on. Laying the blanket out.

Centanu kept his eyes closed and listened as the young one took care of y/n. Moving her onto
the blanket. He could hear her sleeping patterns. That alone was both good and bad for them
all.

Good simply because she needed the rest. Not only did she bring him back. But she also
brought a queen back from the dead and struggled to control it.

Bad, because her passing out before releasing the queen means that a hive of feral serpents
where on the way.
"The ooman-di is safe great one. Resting at the moment." Centanu gives a soft growl. Letting
Ori know that the words spoken were understood. He honestly has no idea if the dialect that
he spoke could be understood or not. So he kept silent.

Little by slow he begins to flex his limbs. Feeling better the more he moved. Under the
watchful eye of Ori he stands. Taking a few steps. Feeling his body slowly hum with energy
again.
He knows that he couldn't pick y/n up in his condition. Puck, he probably couldn't even pick
up his blades at the moment either. Meaning that as a hunter and protector he couldn't protect
her. Y/n.

Ori sees and feels the hunters gaze on him. Waiting to see if the god would speak. Instead the
gods gaze land on the ooman-di. Ori's gaze land on her as well. Before the god lands on the
table he was just laying on. He understood what the god wanted him to do.
He is careful picking her up. She is surprisingly light for an ooman. Lighter than he expected.
Laying her out he goes back for the blanket. Placing it over her. When he looks over to the
god the god nods.

Y/n felt something soft under her body. Something warm covers her. The blanket she guesses.
She feels a soft rumble and her mind goes dark.

Centanu sees her settle before going over to the side of the bed. The chamber is isolated from
the rest of the outpost. He would have to fix it. That would mean that he would have to travel
to the command center. That means that he will have to worry about those outside of the
chamber. None of his weapons are in the room with them.

He drums his fingers in silent thought. Centanu couldn't find a way around it. He would have
to leave her. The youngling looked capable. Certainly more than willing.

"No harm." Ori speaks strong. Hoping that the god understands what he is staying. Feeling
glee when he sees the other man nod. Understanding the younger.

"Protect." The order was understood. Ori nods. Moving closer to the god and draws one of
his short blades. Still sheathed. Offering it to the god. Understanding that the god may take
offense. Yet the god takes the blade and looks it over. It would do. For now.

Centanu walked to the other room. It had been life times since he had once lived. His
jealousy over things has quelled a lot. But that didn't mean that the outpost didn't get hit by
grave thieves and bad bloods. He has no idea if anything of his still remained.

The group looks at him as he enters the room. Fully moving. One of the gauntlets showed a
screen where the oomans were fighting back. Yet making no head way. He didn't see the
queen at all. That alone could mean one of two things.

None of which bodes well.

She feels warm when she wakes. On something soft. Dressed down. Something soft around
her. A massive palm slides under her head. Tilting her head up as this warm liquid trickles
into her mouth. Swallowing automatically.
"Good mate." Her eyes flutter at the words. Seeing Centanu looking at her intently. When her
mind registered him she moves to push herself up. Yet he lets his hand simply rest on her
chest. Prompting her to keep down.

"Rest."
"The dragons!"
"Gone. Mate safe. No harm." His voice is low and scratchy from the long time he was asleep.
Y/n nods. Falling silent as to not harm his throat. Closing her eyes she settles back. Moving
to curl up on her side. Still tired.
He uses a claw to move her hair out of her face. He curls around her. Keeping her in a
protective hold. It wasn't his ship. It wasn't prime. He was weary of those around him.
Evolution had made them smaller. More agile than he.

Honestly he couldn't be prouder.

 Chapter 2

Black hunter two

Centanu kept an eye on his mate. She didn't seem to be recovering. She mostly slept taking
little. Centanu huffs. Sitting back looking at her. Closing his eyes he thought back to how she
would act previously.

Cjit. The hunters made a mistake in bring her aboard the ship. She needed the touch of nature
to help her heal from excessive use of her powers. The cold vacuum of space was doing
nothing to help heal her.

Plus he was beginning to feel cramp as well. These ships weren't created for his stature. He
felt cramp and he hasn't had the chance to properly hunt since this all started. A delicate
balance between what he and his mate needed. A safe place for her to recover. While also
holding prey that should be relatively easy for him.
He wasn't a fool. He knows that he needs to ease himself back into things. He sees himself as
a youngling at the moment. Despite helping to take down a few serpents. He had a lot to learn
about the culture. Though one thing that did interest him was the fact that the species seemed
to be split. Part in space. Part planet side.

Ori and the other self called Black Guard travel with Centanu and Y/n. The planet is a light
jump from the hub. There was no intelligent life on the planet. It has the same atmosphere as
earth did. Yet to him it felt more like a mix of what Prime was in his memory and earth. It
should be perfect for them.

He sighs looking over to his mate. Her diet was different than his. It would be trial and error
to see what could be grown that she would be able to eat. Let alone for himself.
Digging deeper into the file for the planet he sees that a ooman had marked what plants
where safe and which weren't. Fallowing the trail he sees that some of the others also had
ooman mates. One of them had created a guide for hunting planets in case of emergency
habitation. Or wanting to spend time away from the others with just their mate like he.

Ori works next to Centanu. Piloting the ship to find a good place to land a shuttle. Some
place not too hot, cold, wet, dry or otherwise barren.

"There." Centanu finds the perfect spot. It is near water and cliffs. Trees and prey. It seems
perfect. But they wouldn't truly know until they touch down.

He can instantly tell that the air was much more concentrated. More o2 and less co2. The
plant life is larger than what he expected. The soil near the river is very much fertile. The
area fits well.
Ori stays close to Centanu as they survey the prey of the area. Insects, rodents, and some mid
sized prey. Nothing too dangerous. On the surface it would be the perfect spot.
The Black Guard told him that his name was legendary. Written in the stars. They all agreed
that it would be better to remove him and have him and his mate settle on a new planet.

In truth he was worried that his mate may not take to the isolation. But that was a worry for
when she is healed.

Ori waited at the shuttle as Centanu brought his mate over. She still slept. Yet Ori never said a
word. Taking them down to the planet.
He guarded y/n as if his life depended on it while Centanu set up camp for them. The hatch
open and the planets air filling the shuttle.

Y/ns eyes slowly opened. She feels so much better suddenly. Pulling the blanket around her
she slowly begins to move. It hurts a little bit. Moving that is. But she feels much better than
before. Ori comes over. Kneeling next to her.

"Do you need help?" He is soft. At seeing her nod he moves over to her. Helping her out.

"Outside? Please?" He nods. Helping her head over to the ramp. It's slow progress. But easy
to manage. Her eyes adjust quickly to the light. The natural light that came from outside.
Centanu looks up and sees Ori bring his mate to the ramp. He is a bit surprised to see the
young one play caretaker for her. Though if he saw an ooman-dl bring one of your gods back
from the dead you would worship her as well. That made him worry if he was honest. The
Black Guard all agreed to not betray him and his mate to others. But what about their mates?

His mandibles flare in irritation. Glancing over to his mate. Her feet are on the grass and her
eyes are closed.
The air is sweeter. Soft scents filling the air. The wind blows gently towards her. Blowing the
scent of her mate comes over her. She continues to take slow but deep breaths.

The energy of the world is pure. Well, as close to pure as she could imagine. Life times had
passed for this world and ruins had been more than buried. The world becoming new and
untouched.
She could feel her body process the energy. She feels so much better. Not realizing how low
her energy stores had gotten. Bringing back two ancient beings within hours of one another.
Not to mention fighting the control of the Queen. She opens her eyes and shudders. Pulling
the blanket around her tighter. She could feel the Queen wanting her to join them. To give in
and be part of the family. Where she would be loved. Celebrated. The Queen played on her
lack of comfort growing up. How even her own parents never saw her.

She wraps her arms around her knees. Burying her head in the blanket. Her mind a whirlwind
of thoughts and emotions.

Ori stays near her. Scenting her tears. Her uneasiness. He looks up and sees Centanu walking
over. He picked up the mental state of his mate.

"What harms you mate?" His voice makes her jerk. Looking up at the male. Tears running
down her face.
"Memories." He offers her his hand. She goes over to it and he pulls her over to a tree. Sitting
down and pulling her to him.

"What harms you?" Her head lands on his chest. She relaxes into his heartbeat.

"I didn't just bring the Queen back. I was locked inside her mind. Telling her what to do.
Something went wrong. She was able to get into my mind. Use my past against me. Telling
me to give up and join her. That I would have a family at last. Be cared for." Centanu lets his
chest rumble. Hoping to sooth her.

"I wanted to give in. It was so appealing. So warm." She falls silent. Shifting. Bringing her
arms to her chest.
Centanu keeps silent. Letting his mate simply feel. The wind blows softly. Cooking the area.

"You have me mate."

"You honor me."

Ori goes to patrol the area a little bit. Seeing some tracks and taking note of them. He ends up
at the river and watches the wild life. Seeing the fish jump out of the water to catch bugs. Ori
wonders if y/n would be able to eat the fish. What her diet would be like.
He would stay with them. Learn what he can. Ori chose in that moment to fallow the woman
who brought the black hunter back to life.

Centanu settles her on the earth and goes back to making their shelter.

"What do we do now?" Her words fly in the air softly. "They see you as a god."

Centanu knows that she is right. He couldn't return to the planet. To the hub. Despite the
information on the planet they could live here. Survive here.

"Worry for later. While you are healed."

"It's better to talk about this now. You need to hunt. To move. This place may offer you what
you need." He pauses for a second. Looking over to her.

"I will not ask for you to give up yourself for my sake."
"I'm human. I'm adaptable. You know that most of my kind don't see me as worth knowing.
I'm use to isolation." She looks up. Eyes closed. Enjoying the feel of the wind on her face.

"You are social. You need interaction. With more than one being."
"That may be true. But something tells me that problem will solve its self. I will fallow you
where you go. If you decide to settle and go off world I will wait."

Ori comes back near dark with a fish for the three of them. Something the three of them could
eat. He broke the fish down near the stream and buried the guts in the dirt.

He breaks the fish down to roast over the fire. Centanu is in a tree. Thinking about what his
mate said. Simply watching the area.
He wanted to leave the planet in its splendor. As untouched as they could.
The fish smelled amazing. Ignoring his stomach. Coming down he heads over to the camp.
Ori gives him the first and largest piece before offering y/n the second piece. It's smaller than
the one he gave to Centanu. But still decently sized.

"You have my thanks." She whispers as he gets his own. Only when he took a bite did she
eat. Acting like a female of their kind. Which surprises both males. The pair share looks.
Before watching her. She eats slow. Taking small bites. It had been a while since she had
gotten something solid in her stomach. The fish is warm. Refreshing. It reminds her of
salmon to be honest. But what she is focusing on right now is the spirits around them. The
bodies hidden deep below.

"Centanu, would I be able to see the file for this planet?"

"Sei-dl. What's wrong?"

"I just want to read up on the planets known history." She wasn't going to say that she could
see the planets spirits.
Ori sees him speak to his mate in silent hand. Seeing her nod. The god's mandibles twitch.
Irritated.

"I'm fine. I can ignore it." He knows her words to be true. So he nods taking another bite of
the fish.

When Ori returns to the ship it is without the pair. He was going to bring up a few ideas to the
members of the Black Guard. Stating that their huntress would need help adjusting. That
perhaps the elders should retire on the planet. The prey was mostly easy. And what better
way to enter the afterlife then by living with the god Thats to ferry you to the after life.

"How goes it?"

"Calm. Huntress is well recovering. The hunter may want to settle on the planet." The elders
nod. It makes sense.

"The planet is lesser known. No hard prey. Be easy to live."

Down on the planet the mates are relatively asleep. Y/n is tight against his chest. Helping to
keep her safe from the wind.
He didn't need much sleep. Not mental sleep that is. He let his body rest. Yet his mind kept
active.
His mate would not go without her clan. Without being around others. Maybe some of the
elders would like to call this place home. Only a select few that is. Those loyal to Paya
maybe? Him? As much as he wanted to shake his head at that he didn't. He wasn't going to.
Who would be loyal to him?
Although his story was written in the stars. Every Yautja knew of him. Of his story. Even
with the elders he wanted his mate to be safe.

What to do!
"At ease mate. Claws." He looks down and sees that the tips of his claws are digging into her
flesh. Something delicate that needs to remain unmarked.

Cjit.

"Forgive me mate."
"What has you irritated?"
"The future. That is all. I will not ask you to give up your mental state."

"Then let a small clan live here."

 Chapter 3

Black hunter three.

Y/n is up the next day and lays her blanket over centanu's shoulders. Leaving her scent
around him. The moment she stepped outside the little den he made for them she took a deep
breath. She was doing much better. She stands there in the sun. Enjoying the feeling of the
rays on her skin. She could feel the world's energy brush up against her. Testing her.
Wondering if she would be ok for the planet.
Centanu wakes and takes a deep breath. His mate was outside. Simply being. Moving outside
he sees her go over to the dead fire and wake it. His eyes go wide as he sees it roar to life
angrily. But his mate seems not worried.

"Sleep well?"
"Sei-dl. My mind seems to not want to quiet." He stretches. Watching her. Keeping her in his
sight as she moves around.

"Is there a river or a creek nearby? I just want to get a little water on me."
"Let me go with you." Truth is he could use a good clean up himself. He preferred water to
anything else his kind could come up with.

Y/n nods. Together they head off. She takes her bag with her. It holds a few things that she
needs. Looking at him once done. Content to fallow him.

"This planet is much older than is thought." Her voice is soft. He makes a noise. Inquiring her
to continue.

"Those that once lived here have been more then passed yet miles below the earth they still
rest."
"Will that be a problem?"

"No. It won't. Centanu, what exactly happened while I was out cold?"
"The oomans fought the serpents. Mutual death." She nods. She didn't care. None of them
were bothering her. Even if they did she wouldn't have done anything to help them. They
deserved it.

"Mate, your...magic. How?" She knew that the question was going to happen. She just hoped
that it wouldn't happen now. She sighs.

"I am.... sensitive to the natural energy around me. Yes I can bring the dead back. But I can
do so much more than that. I have rules that I personally fallow. You know this." She turns to
look at him. He nods. He does indeed know of her rules.

"They made you break them."

"Sai-dl. Too many of them."
They reach the river and y/n watches the water. Going to the edge. Looking in. Silent and
still. Like a hunter in training.
What the hulking god didn't know is that she looked into how to survive. Fish in the water
was always a good thing.

"Do you wish to return?"

"No. Earth is doomed. The Queen they had me bring back was ancient. Older than even you.
A perfect being. Truly." Her voice is flat in a way he has never heard before. Still looking at
the water.

"Then how?"
"One of the eggs ruptured inside her. Acid from the inside out." Again she keeps an eye on
the river.

"We stay then." She nods. Looking at the water.

He does down stream a little bit. Stepping into the water and seeking the coolness. Looking
over to his mate as she takes her bag off. Bringing a water bottle out. Seeming to like what
she saw. She bottles up the water and lets her hand sink into it. It's cold. Near ice. Shivering
she brings her hand back and rubs her nape. Standing. Looking up stream.
She had read the file. She would see if there was a scanner or something.

Stop.

Her mind was becoming too busy again. She was going to struggle with it.

"Mate?" She jerks. Centanu placed his hand on her shoulder once he saw how distracted she
became. She had become so still.

"Im fine." He trusts her. Nodding.

"Let us return. There we can plan."

"Alright mate."

Y/n fallows him wordlessly. Mind going again.

"We should live in the cliff. It's one solid rock. Be weather proof. Not to mention cool in the
summer and warm in the winter."
Her words have merit.

"Easy to defend."
"Pottery. We could use the dust. The rocks." She has some good ideas. "Not to mention the
material is there already. We can make it as big as we want. Make it more than big enough."

He didn't think about that.

"Agree."
"We can map out the entrance tomorrow. But for today we should explore a bit."
They do. Y/n has a note pad with her. Taking note of things. Centanu points her towards a
berry bush and she gets a small handful to nibble on.

"Your homeworld. What was it like?"

"Wet. Filled with danger. Much like the state Florida on earth."

"Sounds wet." He is amused at this. Making it know.

"It was." He suppressed a shake at the mold that could grow on him at times. Yeah. This was
a far better planet to live on.

"Thought hit me. We may need a temporary shelter while we work on our home. Wonder if
we could get our hands on a large amount of serpent blood. That would speed things up." He
stops and his mandibles go lax. Looking at her. She takes a few steps and stops when she
doesn't sense him next to her.

"What?" She tilts her head to look at him. He says something that she couldn't understand.

"I couldn't understand you. Sorry."

"Why you say?"

"Serpent blood is like acid right? It can eat through anything? That includes rock. It would be
a safer and smoother way to carve it out."
"How?"

"Drill holes in the rock and pour it in. It would have to be small amounts or so." They walk
back. Y/n picks more berries for the next few days. Or day. They had fish from the other
night. It had been smoked so it was still good.

"Let's plan out the entrance tonight. I'll bring up some ideas on how to sort things out."
Centanu nods. Picking up some branches and small logs. Y/n picks up some twigs and grass
on the off chance. Bringing a knife out of her bag and cutting them low. Planing on making a
basket or something. Make things a little easier to gather.

Once back at the base they see Ori in the shuttle with the others. Who all take a knee. Y/n bit
back a giggle at the stiffness that came from her mate.

"Go talk with the others, I'll take care of the fire."
"You bring me honor." He goes over to the others and Y/n starts bringing the branches and
things over to the canopy. Ori helps her out. When their eyes met she gives him a nod in
thanks.
Centanu watches as Ori helps his mate. The pair is silent. But working next to one another.

"We will stay. Let the others stay in their beliefs."

"Will you want to go off world?"
"Not the first few years. Help settle."

"What kind of supplies will you need?"

"Serpent blood. It can melt through things. It will melt through rock."
"Your mate. What about her?"
"She and I talked it over. Once we get established the elders can find home on this planet."
This surprises the others. They all look over to Ori.

"The young one will not want to leave your mate. He is devoted to her." Centanu's mandibles
click softly in thought.

"Agree. He will not want to leave her. Yet he has more to learn."
"Have him visit one season per planet cycle. That way he can learn and hunt."

"His dame and sire?"

"Gone. He is a child of the clan." Centanu lets his mandibles click in thought.

"What happens to those that are clam raised?"

"It depends on the clan." He nods.

"Outside of Serpent blood what do you need?"

While the elders are talking Ori and y/n are by the fire y/n is working on weaving. Ori is
working on sharpening his blades. Neither is them speaking.

"Will you stay?"

"Sai-dl. His story is written in the stars. Others know of him. The others not at the chamber
will not accept that he is back. That he is real. It's easy that few know about him. Keep the
mystery."

Ori nods. He understands.

"If told, would you want to be written? You did bring him back."
"Don't know. How would it be told? That a ooman-dl with mystic abilities brought the god
back to life? No one would be able to come to term with that."

She has a point. Ori clicks his mandibles a bit. It would be hard to believe where he not there
to see it for him self.

"Your ability. How? When?"

She sighs. Bringing a tin cup out from her bag and pours some water from her thermos into it.
Placing it near the fire.

"I was born with it. I was only a few months old when I saw him. It was a blank and you miss
it moment. As I grew up I would only see him at night. At first a shadow on the walls. But
then I had a nightmare. A massive one. He was in the room with me. A low growl in his
throat. It calmed me. From then when I would be awake at night he would teach me his
language. I felt safe around him. I kept silent on him.
I first brought the family dog back. My parents were flipping out. My mother tried to kill me
over it. Several times. The one time she tried my dad caught her. Ended up being put into jail.
Um.... she was a bad blood." Ori snarls at it. No dame should want to end the life of their
child.

"My dad was the one who suggested the rules that I fallow.

Nothing over ten years.

Nothing dangerous.
Nothing more than one at a time.
Never let them leave your side."

"The hunters. They made you break them all."

"They did. Most of the time when I bring someone back it's only their spirit. But if I have a
bone I can bring them back fully."

She looks at the mug. It begins to steam.

"The first time I brought something back fully I felt dizzy for days. I was really young too.
Found a dead bird in our yard. Not that long. It took minuets for it to come back fully. Dad
had to take me inside."

By now the hunters stoped their conversation and listed to what Y/n was saying.

"Dad and I talked about what had happened. Told me that it was ok if I had spirits around me.
But I couldn't bring animals back. At least not that young.
When I was a teen I came across the first dead body in the woods. I saw the spirit standing
over the body. Next thing I know it was a few days later.
My dad told me what happened. I had no memory. That's when we moved. He helped me
train my powers so nothing like that would happen again."

"You are powerful."

"Im not. The energy on earth was what helped me do what I could do. When..." she trails off.
Making herself as small as she could.

Centanu and the others make their way over to the fire. Centanu pulls her into his lap and
wraps himself around her.

"No harm mate. Continue. Please." The word is hard for him to say.

"It screamed at me not to bring the queen back. I tried to stay strong. I tried not to give in. I
don't know how long I tried to fight. But when they put my hands on the skull it was pulled
from me." Tears run down her face. She tries to make herself small. Well, smaller. The soft
growling ramps up from Centanu.

Ori brings the cup away from the fire. She was making sure that the water was free of germs
before she drank it.
 Chapter 4

Black hunter 4

Y/n wakes up after a sad nap. The others are split. Some gone. Some talking around the fire.
The shuttle is gone. Some of the bloodied going off. Getting some supplies. She makes her
way over for the fire.

"Forgive me."
"It is understandable young one. The bad bloods acted without honor." She nods.
Understanding the elders words.

"We agreed to bring some basic supplies for your mate. Armor, weapons, medical supplies.
That kind of thing. Are there any supplies that you require?"

Twine, a blade for myself as well."

The elder nods.

"What do you plan on needing it for?"

"Plant matter mostly. Defense." The elder growls softly.

"Smart. Your bag. What all is inside it?" At that y/n smiles and brings her bag over. Starting
at the top most pocket she brings out things that she has packed.
She brings item after item out. Most of which none of them understood. They didn't know
what it was. Yet the group keeps silent as she brings things out.
The groups eyes bug out over how much is in her bag.

"How?"
"Practice. I knew what I wanted to have in it. I just needed to figure out how to fit
everything."

Will you explain?"

"Yes. I will." She starts explaining some of the stranger items she has. A music player, solar
power charger, meals that take only hot water to make. Along with her survival guide. They
ask her about a few items. Which she explains. She pauses and turns to the elder next to her.

"The kit for Centanu, would that include a whet stone and honing oil?"
"It will. Your requested blade will be strong enough to cut through plants. No worries."

"Thank you... ah..." the elder twitches his mandibles in amusement.

"I understand your words young one."

She puts most of the items back in her bag. One item at a time. Putting them back where they
belong. Except for two items. A notepad and a pencil case. She opens the case and brings one
out. Opening to an empty page. Drawing out an idea for their home.
Bedroom on the side. Storage on the other side down a level. A large gathering area to the
back. All the rooms are round.
"Looks good." She looks up at the elder. Nodding.

"We may expand in time. But for now this is good. There is good game and eatable plants for
me and him both. He may want to go off world for bigger game. I won't hold back his
instinct." Her words surprises the elder.

"You accept that he is a hunter?"

"Sei-dl. I do. My kind... we are violent. I am as well. But I know how to handle it. Some
people who don't. Well, they can be violent."

"How do you handle your anger?"

"Walking in the woods. Or I hone my skills with my knives."

The shuttle touches down. The elder moves to stand and Y/n helps him up. Knowing how bad
the elders joints can get. The elder gives her a nod of thanks. His joints clicking and cracking.
She assists him in his first few steps before he is fully stable on his feet.
Y/n goes back to her little home for the moment and draws out a few more plans. One where
the home would be wider not longer. She lets her mate take control of things.

She is satisfied for the moment and looks in her bag for a marker. A big one that would make
big marks. She finds it and smile.
Centanu has her in his side vision. Bringing some supplies out of the shuttle. Rations mostly.
Cooking supplies. Things like that.

"Your armor will take time to make."

"That is fine. I do not plan on leaving this year."

"Your ship. Where would you want to keep it planet side? Your mate would not want it near
her home." Centanu clicks a few times in thought. He would have to find a new place for
that. Keep it cloaked as well.

"Give me the map." The tablet is handed over to him and he looks over the map. There is a
small spot not too far away from the cliff that they made their home. It's small but it would
work.

"Here. It will be a few days before I check things out."

The others nod. Y/n moves past him heading to the rock. She is looking at the rock. Studying
it.
She puts her ear to the rock and knocks on it. It seems solid. Running her hand over it, it feels
solid. Strong. She isn't sure what kind of rock it is made out of. It feels nice under hand.
Looking at the ground near the cliff she sees that there is no crumbles near the bottom of the
cliff.

Y/n makes a face as she thinks. The area is good. But their home should have some sort of
cover to it. Tapping the marker to her palm in thought. Forest is on either side of the blank
cliff face.

Ori moves closer to her keeping an eye on her. Watching as she moves around the cliffs edge.
"What are you doing?"
"The entrance shouldn't be out in the open. We should have some sort of cover in the trees
and bushes. If need be we can replant bushes to hide it if need be." Her words leaves
everyone stunned. The elder that Y/n was talking to is rather amused. Turning to Centanu.
Whom gapes to have his mandible open in surprise.

"Your mate is a rather smart one."

"I am proud to call her mine." He spoke true. He was more than honored to call her his. She
was a smart one. Thats for sure.

He goes over and sees where she had marked the width of the door. It looked to be wide
enough. It's above the ground as well.

"Figure a small lip to keep the rain and such out." He nods. Holding his hand out to her.

"Make it as tall as you want. This is your home too." She uncaps the marker and hands it to
him. He makes an arch a good six inches above his head. They all step back. This would be
good.

Centanu started trying to carve out part of the line. He started with a serpent tail to slice away
at the rock. He pauses. Looking at the blade. It was made from a serpent tail. Could the acid
slip off the blade. Could the blade be covered in acid and use it that way?
Going over to the shuttle he brings out a small vial. He uncorks the vial and reaches up and
pours a small amount of it onto the blade. He keeps his hand steady as he brings the blade up
to the rock. The blade slips the acid into the groove. He watches as it ate through the rock. He
corks the vial and puts it back in the shuttle.
Moving into the forest he looks to see if he could find a log he could stand on. Sure enough
he finds one. Bringing it back to camp. Placing it near the cliff he returns to get the vial and
the tail blade. He wanted to see what he was doing. He takes slow breaths. Watching as the
blade curls around the arch. Slowly tilting the blade as he moves. The acid moves down the
blade fallowing the tip and the groove.
Everyone lets him work. Well, y/n and the elder. Knik was his name. Ori left unwillingly. He
still has more to learn. And his clan told him that he could come back once per planet season.
Y/n was collecting twigs and branches. Things of that nature. Knik kept an eye on the area.
On guard for any sort of trouble. He may be the oldest of the group. But he could still cause
trouble.

When Centanu goes to take a break y/n goes over to work on the lower part. Working with
serpent skinned gloves on. She works slow. Putting a little bit of acid on the spade and
moving the droplet around. Watching it. She moves it to the top and moves the droplet slowly
across the bottom. Watching it eat away the rock. When it stopped the droplet was gone. She
keeps at it.

After some time she stands up. Her back was beginning to hurt being hunched over for a
while. She rolls her shoulders a bit she's done a fair bit. Now to figure out how to get the
slabs out.

Y/n heads over to the fire and lays down on her back. Looking up. Thinking. They made
progress. No two ways about it. It was slow but rewarding work.

Centanu looks over after coming back with some fresh game and some herbs. He put some of
it to roast and taking his mates personal cook wear he makes a small stew for her. Knowing
that she would appreciate it.

"Progress has been made."

"Good. How far deep do you think you got?"
"Inch maybe in spots. Not that far to be honest." She sighs and her foot starts moving up and
down.

"We have the frame down. Now how to slice into it." She sighs. Her stomach going.
Thinking.

"A solution will come." Knik speaks up.

"I suppose so."the stew smells good. She looks over to the fire. Centanu looks over and nods.
She smiles at him.

Centanu thinks on it as well.

"Work on the arch first. Hallow it out and we would be able to cut through it."
"Sounds like a plan."

They break for a while. Enjoying a small mid day meal. Centanu goes over and sees how
much acid they had left. A few good vials. Ten. It wouldn't be much. But they could get
rather far with what they have.

He removes a vial and heads over to the slab. He looks at the tool and the vial.
Centanu thinks and gives things a try. Being careful he makes a few lines in the stone.
Watching as the acid eats away at it. Going in deep. He steps to the log and takes a deep
breath. He lets the acid flow into the top most grove. Letting the acid go down. Watching and
listening. One of the parts starts to shift. He pulls it and is happy to see that the acid fizzled
off at the line y/n had made. He moves the slabs off to the side. Looking at the hole. It's
small. But a good start.

He keeps going. Moving forward as much as he could. He works with a single focus. Moving
a little deeper into the rock.
Centanu takes a deep breath and steps back. He senses his mate next to him.

"The first step is the hardest. But what a step." She is happy to see the progress. She looks up
at him.

"How much acid do we have left?"

"Eight." Centanu used two to cut the slabs away.
"Ok. We do this inch by inch then. Move slow and safely. Don't rush things. We have time. I
checked the stats of the planet. We are heading to summer. So we may need to make some
sort of torch so we can work at night when it's cooler." She moves forward and runs her hand
over the rock. It's a little rough but the first inch is nothing to laugh at.

"We could use one of the slabs to cut things up with. Get some river rocks and pile them up.
Use another as a cooking surface." She muses. Her mate looks at her.

"You are brilliant. Beyond your years." She shakes her head.

"I'm really not." She heads to look over to the slabs they are mostly uniform. She wonders if
the cooking idea will work.
Centanu picks the one smaller slab up and takes it over to the river to clean it up with.
Bringing it back he places it close to the fire to dry off.

"We do the cutting slab now. The cooking slab tomorrow."

"Agree." He goes over to her and pulls her to his chest. A soft rumble in his chest. Y/n shifts
a little. Getting comfy. Letting her head lean back.

"You thrive away from other oomans." His words are soft. She gives a soft hum.

"Earth was toxic. Not enough nature. You know this."

Indeed he does.

"One step down. Many more to go."

 Chapter 5

Black hunter 5

Knik helps y/n move some of the slabs. They made good head way. But ran through their acid
supply. Three inches so far. It may not be much. But it was a very good start.

"Do you have any plans for the slabs?"

"I plan on using a few of them to make a planter box." Knik nods. While Centanu was
working on the archway y/n had been gathering seeds and supplies. Making a small map of
the area. She has been spending time near the river looking for good spots to get soil from.

"Or start a compost bin. One of the two." Knik agreed. Seeing her seed packets.

"Have you tried to grow any of them yet?"

"A few. But I don't know if the seeds I brought will be invasive." Knik nods. Understanding
her better than most. He studied much in his youth. Other creatures, bad bloods. Along with
flora and fauna. That's part of the reason why he stayed back. To help them as needed.

Centanu is off on his own. Knowing that his mate was safe at camp. It felt good to stretch and
hunt. Be the beast he knows himself to be. The killer. The death of others. It felt good to sink
his claws into something. The game is small. No point of weapons. That would be for larger
game.
He settles in a tree looking down. Looking for bigger game. So far he has seen some small
animals. Nothing more than a mouthful. It may take some time. But he knows that his mate is
protected.

He is surprised when he sees a large deer like creature. It seems like it was an older creature.
Moving slow. Its fur was graying. The animal was large enough to feed the three of them for
a few days.

Y/n kept close to the fire. Pulling the blanket around her. Looking up at the sky. The stars are
beautiful yet different. She has no idea of the constellations. Of the myths held in them.

She jerks when she hears bushes moving a bit loudly. Grading a crude spear that she made
she holds it close.

"Easy mate." She calms at her mates voice. She takes a small breath. Seeing him come back
with a massive animal.

"You seem better mate." She teases lightly. He has a deep purr going. He nods and starts
carving up the creature.
"Sai-dl. I do. Is your gift bothering you?" It dawns on him that she may be suffering due to
the fresh kill.

"Im ok. If you're worried about your kill animals and humans are different."
"How so?" He gets a knife and starts to carve up the animal.

"Animals know and accepts their end. Humans don't." He pauses as he skins the animal. That
makes sense to him.

The animal noises eases them both.

"You should go rest."

"Im fine. I just wanted to see the stars." He looks over and does see her looking up. He
straightens. Truly looking at her. Her hair, once dull and lifeless, takes on a new look. Fluffy
almost. Her skin takes on color. She's getting more sun.

"You ok?" He jerks not aware of her looking at him.

"Sei-dl." She lets things slide. Lost in her own thought as she watched him work.
She had been out cold when he and the others went after the xenomorphs. She hasn't seen
him work in his natural habitat before. So seeing him work skillfully. Watching him break the
animal down to its basic parts.

Centanu brings the log over so it could be broken down. Y/n had made a flat platform out of
the slabs so the wood could dry. Even going as far as to use her tarp to cover it. The kit that
the others brought included a way to cut full trees down. Y/n insisted on stocking up for
winter. Not knowing how cold the season would get. He had to agree with that. The planet
may have seasons like earth and Prime did. But it was still a learning curve. One that y/n
wanted to be well prepared for.
The shuttle lands as he flips the tarp over the wood. Going over to it. Knik went off world to
meet up with the others. Leaving them alone for a bit. Not that either Y/n or Centanu would
say it but they both saw the old hunter as a father figure. A calming presence.

"Elder." Centanu greeted Knik as he comes out.

"Centanu. I have more acid for you. I also have a few things that may help. Glass tools."
"You honor me elder." Knik is amused. He makes it known.

"Come and look. I have a few things to explain." Centanu feels excited over the new batch of
acid. His eyes bug out over how much is brought over. The vials are twice as big. Holding
twice as much.

"Each case holds twenty vials. There are three in total." Knik has a look in his eye. Knowing
that if one case of twelve vials will send them in three inches then they should be able to
finish the main hallway at least.

"Start tomorrow. Spend the day gathering."

•

He is up working with the dawn. The glass tools much easier to work with. Making things
speed up. He was able to get a good way of the arch done with only two. He could reach his
arm in and make bigger slabs. But the bigger issue was the bottom bit. Do it little by slow
then.

Knik and Centanu both hold the slab up as y/n breaks the slab free. She moves as they move
the slab away from the hole. They move over quickly as she works on the second. Then the
third.
She stops and stands. Smiling all the while. Looking at the little cubby that she could stand
in. They got an extra six inches now almost a foot in.

"It's coming along." Knik is honestly honored and proud to be part of this.

"Sai-dl. If we continue the pace we should be done before weather changes."

"Yeah." Y/n was honestly looking forward to sleeping inside a proper shelter. The sun and
wind felt good on her skin. But she needed a chance to be vulnerable. Something she didn't
feel right doing with her currant living situation.
She mostly ran around in cargo pants and a sports bra. She has other clothing. But she needs
to be careful with the wear and tear of them.
Stealing a glance at her mate she was sure that he would agree with her thoughts. His
covering has to be getting uncomfortable. If it wasn't already.

Y/n is down at the river. She has a mini camp site up. Something to heat water so she could
clean up. Feel a bit better washing the sweat of the day off. Not to mention her back. The heat
felt fantastic on her. Placed directly over where it was needed. Often she would soak the cloth
and lay on her towel letting it soak into her back.
One of the down sides is that she couldn't get the knots in her back to release. She can feel
them.

After some time when his mate didn't return Centanu goes to the waters edge to check up on
her. Worried for her. She always took the same amount of time each time. Long enough to
clean up and spend a few minuets at ease by the water. Yet she never stayed till dusk.
He thinks back to everything that they have been doing as he walks. How she stretches as she
stands. Rolling her shoulders. Her breathing going slow and hard at times. Just from kneeling
working on their home.

What's not to say of her gathering. They have a nice little stock of berries and other items that
was foraged. She was beginning to think long term. Sketching out ideas on how to help pelts.
Dry and preserve meat for stews and things.

She has been experimenting on clay items. Building a bowl and such. A clay pot. But no
luck. She did, however, find a newly, semi hallowed out, tree that could be used for storage
for the moment.
He sees her on the ground on her towel. For a moment he thinks the worst until he hears a
soft sound come from her.

Good. She just fell asleep.

Quickly returning he gets her blanket and goes over to her. Wrapping her up in her blanket
and picking her up. Placing the towel and cloth in their spot. He takes her back to main camp.

The sound of rain softly wakes y/n. She is warm, on something soft. It's raining for the first
time since they came here. The rain always calmed her. Not even spirits wanted to get wet.
Meaning she has an unobstructed view of the world.

She wiggles out of Centanu's arms and goes over to the opening. Blanket still around her. She
settles into a nice spot with a small shiver. Warm, safe and happy. Watching the rain water the
world.
Centanu woke the moment she moved away from him. Watching her. Hearing the small but
satisfied sigh that came from her. Watching her as she looks out from their shelter.

"How do you feel about having a reed mat covering our doorway? The wind would be an
issue but the rain would be kept out."

She feels him move. His head near hers. Once again pulling her to his chest. His lower
mandible mess with her hair a little bit in thought.

"It is sound." Even though he can't see it she smiles a little bit. Both of them watching the
rain.
Centanu knows how much she likes rainy days. The calm they bring. Even spirits didn't like
getting wet.

"Your magic."
"I haven't seen many around. This is a clear area."
"How did you know the planet was old?"

"It told me. It's hard to explain. But I will try my best."
"No need. I trust." Her chest warms at his words. She turns onto her side pressing into him.

From his shuttle Knik can see the shelter the pair claimed. See them side by side looking out
of the shelter. They are talking. Enjoying the lazy day.
Knik writes in his log. Talking about the first rain they had since they came here. How
everyone deserved a day off. They had been working hard with nothing much to show for it.
He could only imagine how motivated the pair would be after some rest. Some down time
will be beneficial for them.

He can fully stand in the door way now. Fully inside. They had gone in another six inches.
Three slabs of two inches. He looks at it and thinks. Maybe it would be better to have y/n do
the bottom first so that way he could do the rest of the sides. Have it land on him and put
them off to the side.

Yeah. That's a good plan.

 Chapter 6

Black hunter 6

The wind began to howl. Trees began to sway in the harsh winds. Branches breaking and
trunks cracking. Yet for the pair in the hole in the wall they continued on. Now several yards
inside. They agreed on a design. Y/n marked the spaces. Now they are working on the
bedroom. Once that was done they could rest.

Centanu has seconds to react when the slab starts to move. Slowly lowering it to the ground.
He is surprised to find a small circular area behind it. Taking the torch he enters.
The walls are metal. Some sort of massive pod. But it's gutted. Nothing more than a shell. He
also takes a a close look at the entrance. Seeing metal under the floor. What happened that
this happened? That this shell is here.

"Mate?" Y/n looks over to him. She was working on the floor with a head lamp pointing
down. She sees him and stands. Making her way over to him. She is astounded over what
happened.

"Wow." She brings the light up. Turning it on brighter so she can see.

"Can you see anything?" He asks as she moves over to a wall. Placing a hand on it. She falls
still.

Centanu knows that she can pick things up by touch. That's how she found him.
He sees her shake. Taking a step back.

"Mate?" He goes over to her.

"I'm ok. Just shaken."

"What did you see?"
How the world ended." He is stunned. Watching her shake.

"I will be ok. No worries."

"Will this be ok to sleep in?"
"Yeah. Nothing can break through." He nods. When the wind settles he will get the furs that
he has gathered over the months. For now he stands at the archway looking into his new den.
Wondering how his mate would make it their own.

They have a small fire going. The room holds the heat well. Lightning cracks. A creature
releases a roar. But the mates are safe inside their home.
Right now she is thinking cosmetics. Smoothing the walls a bit. Making some brooms to
clean it out. Maybe an oil lamp or something. They had the fat that they could boil down. But
it was a process.

"At ease mate. We are safe."

"I know. I'm just thinking. Things for inside the den." The room is silent. Y/n honestly
thinking over what she had learned.

"There is no need to stay in here for our den." She looks up at him. "I worry."

"My gift. Right?"

"Sei-dl. You should have a safe place to sleep."

"You honor me with your concern. While we are building our home we can stay here.
Otherwise storage?" She looks up at him. He nods.

"We have done much. Now we rest and continue on during the day."

Y/n needed a break and switched out. Looking over to the slabs. Getting her notebook she
comes up with a few ideas. She would use one of the larger slabs to make a furnace of sorts.
She would need to use river rock or she could cut some of the slabs up. They all fit together
wonderfully. But she thinks better of using too many of them.
She settles on a design. River rock it will be. Getting her bag she enters the room and empties
her bag. Putting everything in a small section.

"I am going over to the river. Get some river rock."

"Keep an eye on your surroundings."

"I will." She has her machete with her. On her belt ready to be used at any moment. She
keeps her blade sharp. The walk down is nice. She walks a little along the edge. She sees
what looks like cat tails. Like everything else on the planet is twice as big as what she is use
to on earth. But the fluff could be useful. Not to mention the reeds and the roots could be
eaten as well.
Y/n removes a few of the heads. If she couldn't find a way to turn them into string she could
use them to start fires. She gets the reeds and roots as well. Dismantling only one of the
plants. Putting them in a side pocket.
She finds a few good rocks to take back. Even. Flat. She picks them up and puts them in her
bag. Staying silent as she moves.

Getting a stick she sharpens it and places it by the reeds. Happy to see the resources. This
gives them more options.
She has a smile as she comes back. Knik is working by the fire. Centanu is bringing the last
of that days slabs out.

"How was your walk?"

"Productive. Found a bunch of cat tails. Dismantled one of them. Full harvest. Heads, stalls
and roots. The roots we can eat but they would need to be cleaned first." She goes over to the
side of the cliff. Bringing the rocks out of her bag. Before getting the reeds and heads out as
well. Getting them both she heads over to the fire. Placing the bag of heads down before she
heads over to put her bag away.

"What is your plans for the heads?"

"They hold fibers. Fibers that can be burned or woven if there is enough. It's a process
though."
"I am familiar." Knik surprises them both. "My clan taught us how to survive on different
planets when we hunt. May I?" Y/n nods at Knik's words. Passing the heads over to him.

"I wish to do more then keep you two company. This will busy my days."
"You give us honor." Y/n gives the elder a small bow.

"I have lived longer then most young one. I look for calm now." Knik is amused at y/ns
reaction.

"It is understandable."

"I would like to see this group you found."

"I will show you in the morning. Daylight is fleeting." Knik nods. Holding his hand out for
the bag. He brings the cat tail heads out of the bag to look at. The few that she gathered
wouldn't make much. But it was a good start.

When Centanu went hunting Knik and y/n went off to look at the small section of cat tails.
He agreed. It was good that she kept most of them on the stalk.

"Smart move." Y/n beamed at that. A smile on her face. "Let's see if there is any more."

They went early in the dawn. She shows him the clusters. He nods. Looking through them
and beginning to harvest the heads and stalks. Leaving the roots. Y/n holds onto the reeds.
Bundling them together.
By the time they finish up they have a nice little bundle of both heads and reeds. Y/n
explored a little bit more. Seeing down trees. Gathering some loose wood to burn.

Knik hears y/n scream. It's short. But he moves quickly. Going over to her as fast as he could.
He sees her taking her shirt off. Seeing a critter flip onto the ground. It's roughly the size of a
guinea pig. It chitters and runs up a tree. Knik watches. Y/n picks up rocks and throws them
at the critter. Screaming at it. Flipping it off.

Y/n can feel her face turn red. A oversized chipmunk fell on her and went into her shirt. She
was glad that her belt was tight enough that she didn't have to worry about her bit.
She shivers as she puts her shirt back on. She knows that she has scratches on her.

"You unharmed young one?" She looks up. Seeing Knik.

"I'm pretty sure that I got scratched up. But other than that I'm fine." She gives him a look. To
which he nods.

This never happened.

The pair continue back to camp. Once there they settle and Knik starts making rope. Y/n goes
to her camp near the water and goes to clean up. Making sure that any scratches she has was
clean.
"What harmed you?" She jerks. Turning to see her mate with a fish.

"A chipmunk. It fell off the tree and landed on me. Got under my shirt. Just making sure that
any scratches I got are clean." She winces as she cleans the scratches on her chest up.
Centanu sees that she has a few bloodied ones on her back.

"Your back. You can't reach." He lays the fish down. Going over to her. Taking the cloth from
her he kneels down behind her and cleans her back up.

"You honor me."

"The honor is mine."

Something changes between them. Neither is sure what.

Centanu gets the reed mat and hangs it over the entrance to the bedroom. He has a nice area
open. But he wanted to make the bed room a surprise for her. Even if that means his knees
hurt. He knows what he wants to do. A concave resting area. One big and deep enough to be
safe. Steps would need to be lead up to it. Maybe have part of it be flat. He worried for the
future when they both would become older. Movement.

Ok. You have a plan. Now let's go.

Y/n had her machete with her. Her bag as well. Going to the river and fallowing the river
stream. She makes note of some things along the way. Making note of them. Seeing what
looks like paw prints in the mud. They seem a bit new. She keeps an eye out.
She finds more rocks to bring back. She can shape them as need. But they look good.

Once she returns she starts laying out a blue print of the furnace. Settling part of the arch
down first and layering the rocks. Knik watches her work.
She stands and looks at it. It's crude. But it might work.

"I don't think so." She goes after it and dismantled it before trying again. Putting both circle
half's in the middle and building it up. Putting another pair of half circles on top. She would
have to use a slab to make a larger half circle. Or she could turn them.
She tries that. And while there isn't a large spot that they could use, at the moment, it would
work.

When Centanu steps outside to get some fresh air he sees Knik and Y/n talking. A prototype
furnace nearby. It looks like it was half constructed. But otherwise looking good.

"How goes things?"

"Well." Y/n looks him over. Getting an idea.

Centanu sees the small fire in the temporary bedroom. Some cloth near it warming.
"On your stomach." Her voice is soft and commanding. With a hint of nerves to it. With a
nod he complies. Laying himself down on his stomach.

"Your shoulders. They ache?" He gives a groan.

"Ok. Try to breathe. I'm going to be touching your back. Is that ok?" He gives a low growl. A
soft one.
He feels light heat. It goes across his shoulders and his back. The heat feels fantastic. The
pressure starts a little hard but combined with the heat slowly loosened his muscles.

Her hands would be hurting when morning came around. But she was thanking him for not
only saving her. But his care of her as well. Putting in hours to shape their home and to hunt
for them. Doing the bulk of the labor while she focused on cosmetic things.

She felt guilty over not doing much. So y/n figured that she could do this for him. As a way
to ease him and help his body at the same time.
His body had picked up some of the muscles that he had lost. New body, new muscles. He
had been like a suckling, baby, when he was brought back. She was honestly amazed over
him keeping his ligaments and muscles from being strained. He knows his body better than
anyone. So he knows what he can handle.

A soft sound makes her look at him. Y/n smiles. He has fallen asleep. The soft sound that she
heard was his snores. The indicator of the male in a deep healing sleep.
Y/n moves the cloth off his shoulders. Content for the moment. And switches out the other
one. Letting it rest on his lower back.

She is a bit more gentler while doing this. Knowing how sensitive that area is. She doesn't
use a lot of force doing it. And he remains asleep while.
 Chapter 7

Black hunter 7

Ori smiles as he comes down from the shuttle. One of the elders, Kroko, had gotten severely
wounded. Her leg would not allow her to keep up. Even fully healed.

Ori is surprised to see a small shelter at the camp site. But he couldn't sense y/n.

"What happened?" Knik comes over and takes Kroko's other side. Helping her to the hut.
Settling her on a wooden chair.

"Bad bloods. Heavy wounded." Kroko felt better being off her leg.

"Ori, go get y/n." The young one nods and heads off. Finding y/n near the entrance to her
home.

"Ori!" She is startled to see him.

"Needed at center." She nods and fallows. Knowing that Centanu would be ok with it. The
area is safe. But she still doesn't go beyond certain land marks.

Knik lets her in and she sees Kroko. In obvious pain.

"What ales you elder?"

"Leg."
"Lower or upper?"
"Ankle." Kroko says something that y/n was sure was curse words. But she couldn't
understand the dialect. Knik speaks to Kroko.

"Ok. I can apply heat to it. That will help with the pain. I ask for you to hold on." Kroko
nods. Y/n goes running off.

"Have you become bloodied yet?" Knik asks of Ori.

"Bad bloods interrupted the hunt. Managed to get two down before it was ruined." Ori
clicked his mandibles in irritation. Crossing his arms. Knik shakes his head. The Yautja may
be bloodied yet he has much to learn.

Y/n comes back holding a hot cloth. Kneeling down near Kroko.

"Your injured leg?" The Yautja growls softly as she moves it.

"This may feel weird. But let it be." Quickly y/n wraps the ankle. Kroko gives a light roar.
But y/n isn't perturbed by it. She keeps going.

"How is it elder?"
"Easing." The pain lessened greatly. All three could see her relax.
"Let the heat cool. I will be back to check up on you elder." Kroko nods. Y/n and Ori both
exit.

"You have a home?"

"In the works. Slow but easy progress." She turns to look at him. Spying the mark on his
shoulder.

"You became bloodied."

"Sei-dl. Bad bloods interrupted the hunt." He was still pissed. It was easy to see. "I would
have gotten more skulls had they not came."

"Be that as it may you are here to tell your story." Her voice is soft. Motherly. "There will be
other hunts. Learn from what happened."

Her words made sense to him. The pair head back to the shuttle. Where he brings out more
cases. Y/n is careful and moves them to the other shuttle. For safe keeping. Ori takes the
empty case with him.

"This may be overkill." She places the new case down. Turning to exit after Ori.

"Better to have too much."

"Agree." As Ori goes over to his shuttle y/n goes over to Knik's hut. Where Kroko has her
eyes closed.

"Elder,"
"Young one."
"How is she?"
"Resting. Truly resting."

Y/n has a smile. She goes over and lightly places her wrist on the towel. It's cooled greatly.
Slowly she unwraps it. Smiling a little bit. The swelling went down. Thats good.

"Let her rest. Should her ankle start hurting again apply a warm cloth to it." Knik nods.
Letting Kroko rest.

Centanu comes out and towards the center. Surprised to see the shuttle and Ori near the fire.
His mate has some stew going. Making sure that the others took a bite first before she eats.

"Kroko lost use of her ankle. She is upset over it."

"What happened?"
"Bad bloods." Centanu nods. Understanding.

"She will be welcomed here." The others all nod. Agreeing.

"She will be resting for the moment. Her ankle will need tending to." Y/n sighs. "I will help
her."

"You are more than honorable." Y/n shakes it off. Looking up. The light dying easily.
Centanu had done everything that he could. He moves the bedding to the nest. Situating
things. He has a soft light burning in the room. It's soft in the room. Easy.
He leaves the room and heads over to where y/n was cleaning up after the day. She didn't do
much but the heat made her sweat up a storm. The warm water feeling good on her skin.

"Better?"
"Sei-di. I prefer to be clean."

"I have something to show you in our den." She looks over to him and puts her shirt on.
Fallowing him.

The soft glow greets her as he moves the reed mat away from where it was hanging. He
watches as she is shocked. The room is cozy. Her personal care items are off to the side. In
the platform that the bed rest upon was some shelving. Where what little clothing she had sat.
She enters the room further and looks around. The room is round and several places were set
up for other things. One wall already had a few skulls on it. She knows better than to touch
them.

"You bring me great honor mate. Thank you." He began to rumble a bit. Pleased that she
appreciated his work. He picks her up and places her down within the nest.

Kroko feels well enough to try to walk around. She makes it over to the fire. Where a large
tree was brought over. Something Yautja sized. She settles with a his. Ori comes over with a
bowl for the elder. Sitting it on the log off to the side well within reach.

Kroko looks at her ankle. Even with their advanced medical knowledge her ankle was still
trouble.

"You would need assistance to walk long distances." Kroko snarls at y/n when she comes
closer. Knik hears this an snarls at her as well. Letting the other Yautja know that disrespect
towards the other female will not be tolerated.

"How do you know?"

"Entertainment on earth. You would need a cane once your ankle is fully and truly healed.
Since it happened so short ago your ankle is still healing." Kroko is surprised at that. Y/n
comes closer with a length of cloth. Placing it near the fire.

"Heat will help with the pain. How is it?"

"Easy." Y/n nods. Standing. Going off to do other things at the moment.

Y/n is in the forest. Gathering herbs to dry. Bundle and dry. Looking at them and seeing that
some of them has medicinal properties as well. She is a bit farther than normal. So she was
extra careful. Ears going trying to identify every single sound as she works.
She was trying to dig up some soil and her knife hit something metallic.
Odd.

Y/n quickly digs further and exposes the metal. Only to see that it was much bigger than she
expected. She puts her hand on it and closes her eyes.

Knik is the one who sees her first. She is moving oddly. Eyes wide and unblinking. She
comes over to the fire and sits down. Becoming unnaturally still. Looking blankly at the
world.

"Y/n. Great one." Knik tries to get her attention. Nothing. Worried he moves over to her.
Looking her over. Worried for her. He checks her pulse and grows worry. It is much more
rapid then normal. Standing he goes over to where Centanu worked currently.

"Great one," the god looks over. "Your mate requires you." At this the male gets worried.
Leaving his work he goes over to his mate. Seeing her unmoving. Going over to her he
kneels before her. Reaching up to cup her cheek.

"Return to me mate. What you see is the past." She gasps sharply. Chest heaving as she
struggles to breathe. She doubled over and places a hand to her mouth. Trying to calm
herself.
Centanu goes over to her and curls around her. Making her scent, hear and touch only him.
Helping her lock herself down. He has no idea what she saw or heard. But it was bad.

The three waited by the fire long after the night had fallen. Waiting for Centanu to come
explain what was going on. They each had their theories.

"Your mate great one?"

"Not good." Centanu clicks his mandibles a bit. Taking a seat near the fire. "She has come
across a hidden, abandoned area. The hatch leads deep under the soil. That was all spoken."

"Has she spoken where?"

"Sei-dl. She has.l he turns towards Ori. "You will have to go in to investigate young one. I
will not be able to."

Ori nods.

"Anything to keep your mate safe great one."

They find the hatch easily with the dawn. Knik and Kroko back at the quickly growing
village. The pair uncover the full hatch and Ori connects it to his gauntlet. Seeing if there is
any power left in it.

Nothing.

He remotely checked to see what was the reason why it was so far under the soil. Centanu
was looking over his shoulder. Reading as he went.
True Centanu had a bit of a hard time fully reading the words on screen, something he would
have to fix, but he understood enough.

"The choice is yours."

"Would she be ok with scavenged parts?"

"Sei-dl. She will be." With that Ori hit a few buttons on his gauntlet and the hatch hisses
open. His shoulder cannon at the ready and his biomask is slipped on.

The decent is slow. Ori makes note of everything as he moves down. After several yards into
the ground he is starting to get uneasy.
The room was to be a shelter. A storage pod for the future. But part of it was broken off.

Living test subjects.

Ori knew that oomans could be cruel. He's seen, tracked and hunted enough of them in his
life to understand that. They would kill there dame if it meant they would live.

He reached the bottom and found himself none too surprised to see skeletons around the
ladder. Carefully he steps around them. Counting skulls as he went. There were fifteen just
from that alone. All had holes in their skulls. One more skeleton is in the hall. This one had
no wounds on the bones.

He continues on. His mask recording everything as he moved.

Around dark Knik took a light and went to find Centanu. Y/n was getting twitchy without
Centanu by her side.
He found the god easily enough. Standing before an open hatch.

"Ori?" Centanu nods. Telling Knik that the youngling was indeed inside. Knik looks down at
it. Having his own gauntlet on.

"Your mate is in distress over you not at camp." Centanu nods.

"I will stay for the young one. You go soothe your mate."
Centanu nods and heads off. Knik stands vigil through the night. Wondering what was taking
the young one such a length of time.

It became dawn again when Knik hears noise from inside. Looking down into the hole he can
faintly see the shimmer of a biomask. Ori.

"You took time young one." Knik commented as the male exits the hatch.

"It was needed." His voice is low. Unnaturally soft for their kind. Ori takes his mask off.
Looking down. Holding his mask in his hands. Knik grows worried as he watches the young
hunter.

"What I found should never have been." Knik nods.

"Take this moment. Understand yourself and learn from this. The past can be sick. Learn and
grow." Ori nods. Moving forward.

Ori catches y/ns eye as the pair head back to camp. Kroko has a wooden crutch to help her
move around. As well as a makeshift brace on her ankle.

"May I great one?" He asks. Looking over to y/n. She is wrapped in her blanket. The fire
going despite not needing the heat. Nor the light.
At her nod he sits and looks at his mask.

"Ten thousand years. The base has been leaking chemicals for ten thousand years. A total of
three hundred lost their life there.
The chemicals are non lethal. Just them finding a way to terraform the planet." He takes a
deep breath. "There was a mutiny. Brain vs brawn. The scientist tampered with their air
supply. Making those against them simply fall asleep. A forever sleep."

"No honor." Ori agreed with Kroko. Nodding.

"I had found supplies. The base is massive. I leave the looting to you great one. Your health is
what hatters." Ori now looks over to y/n. Who keeps silent this entire time.

"What kind of supplies?"

"Weapons, energy for things. Plants able for oomans to eat grow vastly in part of it. They
cultivated the soil to be very nutrient rich." The area goes silent.

"Not now. I will not be affected by it. Not unless I chose to be."
 Chapter 8

Black hunter 8

Ori had left not too long after. They all agree to close the hatch and cover it with rocks.
Marking it. Y/n now wore her full shirt and pants. Beginning to feel the chill in the air.
The group was starting to see more animals make their way through the area. Heading south
they think.

Y/n is off gathering grass and fallen branches. Working around where the hatch had been
found. Again she is careful. Listening to everything. Staying low to the ground. She sees
something in the distance. Moving forward she sees that it's bamboo. The section is as wide
as Centanu's fist and as long as her arm. With as massive as things are on this planet she is
none too surprised. But finding bamboo was one. She moves closer. Seeing a few of them.
One full stalk could hold enough water to last a few months. If she could find one bigger it
would make for a large cooking pot or water container.
Smiling she heads back to camp. Excited for the find. She makes her way back and her smile
falls. Centanu has been hunting more and more. Maybe he should head off world early and
get a real hunt in. Something challenging. Something that speaks to his skills.

Then again there was the whole transportation issue as well. With him being massive and all.
So maybe not off planet but at a different part of the planet. He could fish and hunt as needed.
Stretch his legs a bit. Maybe take Knik with him. A pair of hunters would always be better
than a solo.

She worried about him. Always did. Now that he has a full; living body he was limited. He
couldn't go popping off at will. He has to walk. Feed his body as well as his mind now.

"Knik." She calls out. Getting the elders attention. "Would you be willing to help me out?"
With a nod he stands and goes over to her.

"I found a small grove of bamboo not that far away from the hatch. I'm not strong enough to
cut one of the larger stalks down. We could use the sections for storage and cookware. Bring
water over to the...camp so we aren't running back and forth all the time to the river." She
almost called it the village. But caught herself at the right time. Knik nods.

"Smart."
"There is something else as well." He stops and looks at her. Puzzled. "I'm worried for my
mate. I know that he is a great hunter and needs game to mirror that. I know that he would
have trouble going off world at the moment with his size. Would you be willing to go with
him, if he agrees; to hunt on a different part of the planet?"

Knik is shocked. Looking at her.

"What about you? Your safety?"

"I will be fine. With the bamboo I have new projects to bring about. More things to do. I can
keep busy. No worries." She is honest in her words.
"I will think on this. Bring it to his attention first." Y/n nods in thanks.

Centanu comes out as y/n and Knik brings back a cut stalk of bamboo. He is surprised. Kroko
comes back with some roots to clean as well. Surprised. They all see y/n light up.

"Idea great one?"

"Sei-dl. Use some rope to make a basket of sorts out of bamboo to help you carry things.
Thing is the rope would need to be pretty strong." Y/n muses as Knik and Centanu go off to
get the other piece.

"Your mate is a smart one."

"Sei-dl. She is. Too smart at times." Knik chuckles at that.

"I want to go hunt bigger game. Truly begin to court her. Thing is that I would need to go to a
different part of the planet. Would you come with me?" Knik stops. Looking over to the
Yautja. His mandibles clicking in soft amusement.

"Your mate had spoken to me about her want for you to keep yourself at your best. Worried
for your health." Centanu is amused at this after the shock dies down.

"We will start preparations once we return. Correct?"

"Sei-dl"

They bring the bamboo back and they find y/n and Kroko talking. Y/n is marking off sections
of the bamboo with a marker. She gets her rope saw and begins to saw pieces of it off. Kroko
moving closer to stable the bamboo.

Centanu watches his mate. His heart cementing it's want to prove himself to her. To go by not
only his courting rules but hers as well. Watching her work along side the retired elder
honestly makes him want to see her as a village head. True she was so young. But then again
so was he physically. Seeing her adapt and adopt his culture makes him want to prove
himself.
He has no illusions that she would make a fantastic village head. Warm and welcoming. The
young one, Ori, already sees her as such. Though that may be because of her gift.

He stops briefly. Her gift. Certain times of the year would bring her pain. Where the voices of
the dead were too much for her. Overlapping until that would be all she could hear.

He couldn't leave her be during that time. Her most vulnerable time at that.

"Mate." He speaks before he is aware of it. Catching her attention mid conversation.

"Your weakness." Y/n blinks a few times. Twice a year she would be stuck at home with the
sounds of the dead screaming in her ear. She would sense the building pressure. Normally it
corresponded with the Wiccan calendar of all things.

"I am fine mate. We still have time. No worries. I have it handled." He softly clicks his
mandibles. But says nothing. Trusting her.
Y/n is honestly worried as well. She didn't have much by way of her normal protective
measures. A luxury that she couldn't bring with her. She has salt at the minimum. That alone
would do a lot to soothe things.

"Knik and I will be planing a hunt further away from camp. Will you be safe?"
"Sei-dl. I will be. Our stores are good. Plus wild root vegetables are ready to harvest."
Centanu goes over to her and kneels before her. They are eye level nearly. On his knees he
still is taller than she. Knik and Kroko watched surprised to see him place his forehead to
hers. A soft growl in his throat. While y/n is confused the others are not.

Centanu is honoring her. Telling her that she will be his one. His only. That his heart is with
her. Her understanding.
Y/n would have to grill Kroko once the men head off. She knows only so much about their
culture. She wanted a better understanding since she was living among them now. That gave
her pause. Making her wonder why she hasn't seen any Yautja souls around except for his.

Y/n is near the fire curing some of the pieces of bamboo. Making sure that the fire is low but
constant. She has never done this before but is testing it out. Trying out the furnace for the
first time. Ignoring the world.

Centanu sees this single focus and has to admit. When she put her mind to something she put
her mind to it. He can see her mind going. Thinking. He knows that her mind was going in a
million directions. Shaking his head.

Going over to Knik he and the other elder go to the shuttle in order to map out their hunt.
Bringing up a map of the planet and a list of game that had been catalogued. One rather nasty
lizard would be Centanu's prize. It would be massive, the hide would be good to cover the
opening to their home and black in any snow. Not to mention keep the warmth inside. Given
the size y/n could probably make some clothing for herself as well.

"It seems big. You ready to test your skills on it?" Knik looks over to the god. Seeing the
Yautja's eyes hold that gleam that comes with an impending hard hunt.

"I know my skills with the hard meat. I had grown since then. This will test my skill. Bring
me honor as well." Knik nods.

"Not to mention your scars as well." Knik jests. The god had the skin of a suckling once he
returned. Something that bothered him greatly. His scars, his story, had been stripped from
him. Nary an inch of him was without some form of imperfection.

Something he has to fix.

The pair leave well before dawn. The journey would take them a few days. Meaning that they
would need to start early. Centanu has mixed feelings about leaving his mate like this. But
knows that he would feel better.
"I feel like a young blood going through his first season." That greatly amused Knik. The
Yautja's mandibles twitching.

"How so?"
"Going off with my sire to hunt a Poli. This beast that feasted on bones of the freshly dead.
Couldn't tell you the system. I had done my coming of age hunt and was still full of energy.
My sire and I hunted together. He let me take the lead. Took days to find our prey."

"You brought honor to your sire. Nothing is more important than that."
"Not true. Brining honor to your mate is more important. For your sire and dame is the past.
Your mate is the future."
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