Survival

Chapter 15

Darkness overtook the world, torches were lit for the ceremonies, illuminating the jungle like regions. She could see large pyramids in the distance; she felt as if she had gone back in time at the beginning of civilization. Wahkan led her to the very large arena like building, clans were gathered in their own sections. Some identifiable through unique dressing, colors, armor. Wahkan named several clans to her while they passed. The widow clan intrigued her most of all, an all female clan. The females were tall, most taller than the males but with very female attributes. She followed closely to Wahkan feeling many eyes on her. He brought her to the first seating row of the arena before bidding her fair well.

Her anxiety kicked in being alone amongst strangers. "You should calm yourself girl." A deeper voice to her right spoke. She looked at him for the first time, he was much larger than Wahkan, and wore his bio mask, hiding his face. He had more of a bluish green color, his muscles thicker. He was obviously reading her body signature.
She began trying to sign a response but was interrupted. "No need for that, I understand your language well enough. I've only been hunting your kind for a few centuries." She detected humor in his voice. "I am Tatsu, and to your left is Concador ." His large hand pointed to her left. She glanced to the other male on her left. He was close to Wahkan's stature, his skin the same creamy color with dark markings. He unlike Tatsu wore no mask, he bore an angry scar across his face slashed over his left eye leaving it a milky white.
"I am Nina." She smiled meekly at them both.
"Funny I've heard your nickname was Aiyana." Concador's mandibles spread with his response, causing her to blush at his mocking.
"Come now do not tease the girl." Tatsu replied, reaching behind Nina to push the other by the shoulder causing them to laugh.
"You did not think your mate would seat you amongst strangers would you? We were blooded together, and we both plan on joining his clan, so welcome sister." The banter calmed her nerves. She leaned forward as drums began to sound. The council entered the arena, followed by other yautja. She could see Wahkan, tall, strong, proud.

Rituals and events carried on. Fighting and blooded ceremonies. The events left Nina hooked, never feeling bored fascinated by the justice of dealing with disputes in their culture. The Blooded ceremonies acknowledging and naming the Yautja for becoming a man. Tatsu provided narration to things she didn't understand. Finally the time came for the naming of a new clan and its leader.
"Tonight we name a new clan, through time and dedication our elite hunter has climbed the ranks to be honored a leader of his own clan." As the elder spoke on Nina watched two females, cloaked and painting Wahkan's body with symbols in red and black paint, there appeared to be flirtation causing Nina to focus on the two females not the speech. Tatsu and Concador both stood letting out war cry's fists in the air. She noticed several others had done the same, she looked around in confusion wondering what she had missed. Tatsu grabbed her arm pulling her to her feet. "Swear your allegiance fool." Tatsu whispered. Nina let out her best caw and raised her fist. They chanted "Dark blade clan" over and over again. The volunteers to join the clan were called to the arena to stand with their leader.

Nina followed her two new companions to her mates side. In all the commotion Wahkan grabbed her wrist. "Nina to my side." He pulled her to him. Everything was becoming so loud as a crowd began forming around them, his clan. Surrounded by beings much larger than her and filled with adrenaline, she began to feel uncomfortable and out of place again. Nina would rather face a thousand more serpents than this intelligent strict society. She at that moment felt every part of being an outsider, she knew deep down they did as well. She felt her hand grasped and a small reassuring squeeze. She looked at the hand engulfing her own then back up to Wahkan's face, he was looking down at her for a moment before raising her hand in his letting out a loud ear piercing rawr to the crowd he yelled "Die' Kaiserinschlächterin!" The crowd responded in the same manor and chanted the saying.
Deshaunda raised his hand to silence all to speak.
"Tomorrow the counsel shall gather to determine the hunting rights to the Dark Blade clan, enjoy the rest of the festivities. Good tidings to all." He bowed and departed.

During the late festivities Wahkan took the time to greet each member of his clan, many which were from his age group. Naming Tatsu his second, Concador would be responsible for all armor and technology. She was introduced to the yautja drink of C'ntlip, though her companions were downing many drinks it took a sip for her to feel drunk.
"Wahkan my brother, who would have imagined you'd achieve status of a clan leader." Tatsu swayed as he cheered. "As pups you'd always said it'd happen well here we are! What's next emperor?" He laughed.
"Quiet now that's a treasonous statement you drunk fool!" Concador drunkenly slapped his friend on the shoulder.
Wahkan began to laugh. "Careful brother lets not become bad bloods in a night. I owe my final success to my ooman." He grabbed Nina and squeezed her tightly into his side. "Come Nina why so quiet? These are your clan members my little fighter." He chuckled down at her blushing face.
"Why are you blushing die' Kaiserinschlächterin? Paya I would have loved to see your savagery in that hive." Tatsu ran a finger across her jaw, blatantly flirting.
Feeling frustrated at the language barrier Nina looked at Wahkan. " What does that mean!"
"It means the empress slayer! You tiny ooman collected a trophy so rare, it makes many of us drool. Not many have come across a serpent so ancient and come back with her head!" Tatsu praised. She felt Wahkan stiffen next to her.
"Yes brother she's fierce and she is mine." Wahkan boasted.
"Ahh yes yes." Tatsu raised a hand in a no offense manor. "I'm curious though what Eytukan and the other females will have to say about competing for affection against a tiny ooman, can she protect herself?" He had a mocking smile, mandibles flared. "Are we a monogamous clan?"
"I believe you are drunk Tatsu." Concador interrupted, feeling tension and smelling their pheromones. "Come brother, let us greet our other comrades." He pulled his rigid friend away from their leader.
Wahkan squeezed Nina to him, watching his friend leave. "Come Nina, it is time to retire for the night. I have many meetings tomorrow."
As the journeyed home Nina quietly asked her brooding partner. "What was all of that about? With Tatsu I mean."
"Drunk or not, my brother made his intentions clear he will be vying for rights to mate with you." She could hear the anger in his voice.
"That's ridiculous, aren't I not very appealing to your race?" She replied confused.
"You are when you're said to be a fierce huntress..."
She stayed silent the rest of the way home. Feeling guilt eating at her that she had already caused a problem for Wahkan.