Predator - The Banished

Chapter 17

70 years previously

Yautja Prime

Kyrum readied the katana, prepared to deflect T'Nira's next blow. She lunged.

He caught her attack with the blade, and flipped her over. However, she nimbly slid under his legs and sprang back up.

Before Kyrum knew it, he felt impact on his back. Next thing he was facedown on the ground. 

"You always let your guard down." 

He snorted. 

"Well, my natural instinct would be to murder you for engaging in combat with me."

T'Nira laughed, and helped him up again. Kyrum clicked on his wrist computer, and the lush jungle hologram fading.

They walked out into the city, where hunters and their pups wandered about, minding their own business. 

"We should get back to our quarters before anyone tries to steal me away," said T'Nira, sweetly. 

"That, I agree with," Kyrum replied in a monotonous voice. He again tapped away on his wrist computer, and a small ship came whizzing towards them out of the sky. The loading ramp came down, and the two of them stepped inside. 

After telling the ship to take them home, Kyrum removed his mask and put in onto a rack on the wall.  

T'Nira removed her own as well, and she traced a clawed finger down the scar going down his face. 

He clicked in satisfaction, and embraced her. 

"Do you know how much I love you, my mate?" she whispered.

"I love you more than anything. Even hunting. Even the trophies. Even Paya. I would slay others for your love in return. Nothing can stand in the way of us. Not even the elders."

He was so seduced, he did not comment.

3 months later

Kyrum was bleeding. A random smart disc had hit him in the shoulder, and he was angry. 

A shadow zipped across the alleyway he was in. Another roar from the distance.

He tore across the city, leaping over building after building. After a while, he came across another hunter. He was lying on the ground, dying.

"Young one, who did this?"

"Lou-d'kale...you...please..." and then his head fell back, falling into unconsciousness. 

Kyrum stood, and fired his plasma caster into the sky three times. This was the sign of a slain hunter, and medical assistance was required immediately. He heard the distant sound of a reply. 

Kyrum heard laughter. He recognized it. 

"T'Nira?" 

She dropped down in front of him. 

Seeing the body in front of her, she kicked it aside. 

"Why do you laugh?" he asked.

"This Youngblood here...he tried to steal me from you," she replied.

It hit Kyrum like a brick. She had done this...monstrous act. 

"How...how could you? Do you realize what you have done??" he cried in a panic. She laughed again.

"I told you I would kill for your love...and I have done it."

She was right. The Youngblood's heart had stopped, according to his mask. Rage boiled up inside him like a furnace. 

"After this...this...act...you think I would care about you still? There, it seems you are wrong," said Kyrum after a few moment's hesitation. 

T'Nira stood still. Then she said, "I am sorry for this my mate." 

She shot forward, and fist connected with face. 

The last thing Kyrum saw was T'Nira springing away, into the bright city lights.

Then everything went black.