Chapter 1: Picking Up Pieces

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

The darkness of the cave sucked through my armor and into my bones as I stalked across the moist ground. My senses were at their greatest peak. I listened to every sound . . . from the drops of water and slime from the ceiling to the air blowing through the tunnels. It made the cave feel alive but brought an eerie feeling with it. But there was no deterring from my mission. I had already gone deep into the hive and killed many of the inhabitants. The whole lot was already alerted but my target was waiting inside. No going back. I have to see this through.

Despite having my cloaking device on, I wasn't confident that it would help for long. The prey I was hunting had a keen sense that could pick up the faintest of smells. I was no exception to that rule. I switched my visual to the alien settings when I felt something coming. Sure enough, it was long before one creature emerged from the hole in the ceiling.

The tail of a kainde amedha slithered like a black serpent, dangling in the air for a few seconds before disappearing. My body froze immediately. My heart pounding in fear that the creature may have discovered me. But the kainde amedha slipped away and I could hear its hiss growing softer. I took a small breath beneath my mask and let the rest of my anxiety fade.

Alright. Where are you heading to?

I imagined that the creature was heading somewhere so I decided to follow. Moving silently, I got below the hole. It went through the entire ceiling and out into another tunnel. I would have climbed the walls but I feared it would make too much noise. The kainde amedha would no doubt hear and zone in on me. Being inside a tight space, I would be left vulnerable. Luckily, you have something for this. I pressed on my gauntlet and raised it through the middle of the hole. A small hook emerges from the top and launches into the air. A metal line attached to it followed until it springs tight and the hook sinks into the rocks. I clicked on the gauntlet and begins reeling the wire, pulling me along with it. I zipped through the hole and made it into the other tunnel. Once I got on my feet, I pulled the hook off and it returns to the gauntlet.

The tunnel looked the same as the last but I saw a faint footprint of an abnormal creature. Must be that kainde amedha I saw earlier. My tracking vision comes back on, revealing the red-colored spots forming a trail through the tunnel. My eyes squinted and I felt I was on the right track. Without hesitation, I followed closely behind.

If it wasn't for my night vision, I would have tripped on the many webbing substances the kainde amedha had created with a purpose to trap their prey in a bind. The tunnel was completely covered in it. I had to be cautious and stay in the middle so I wouldn't get accidentally stuck. I followed the path that the kainde amedha left behind as I turned the corner slowly. On the other side, I discovered another victim.

The corpse of an ooman hung on the wall, covered in the same substance. From the padding he wore and the guns he carried, it was another military soldier. No doubt sent to find out what's happening here. His chest was completely busted open, noticing his ribs sticking out like a shark's. His heart and lungs were chewed away from the chestburster trying to escape. I sighed in sadness, thinking about how I would feel in the same situation. I continued since there was nothing else I could do for him. I found several more bodies of soldiers but also hikers who camped in the area previously. Their chests burst open like the soldier and the number of them worried me.

This hive had been growing fast lately . . . too fast. I need to find him soon!

When I reached the end, I heard more hissing. It was louder than just one kainde amedha. I hunched close to the wall, tilting my head enough so I can take a peek. I switched to the alien vision and counted at least a dozen of them sitting together. I noticed all of them had weird metal collars around their necks with a red light blinking now and then. Their tails wiggled in the air above, waiting for something. They got so antsy that two started to fight amongst the group, snapping their inner jaws. One got a hit, biting a huge chunk of flesh on the other. It was a fatal shot since it ripped a thick vein and the kainde amedha slumped to the ground, bleeding until it was dead. The other sounded a triumphant screech, almost popping my eardrums.

"Enough!"

A Yautja roar silences the rest of the creatures. They curled their backs and went into an almost fetal position. Some started to shiver but not from the cold. Those types of creatures have no problem lasting in an arctic world . . . they were afraid.

Out of the corner, a massive Yautja male emerged from the darkness. His enlarged, purple striped chest was the first to catch my sights. It was like two boulders squished together. It was very unnatural for a Yautja to have such muscles. The purple stripes on him were proof enough of what happened to him. It's too obvious that he altered himself to a certain extent . . . clear signs that he was the Bad Blood I've been looking for in the past few weeks. The damning confirmation came when I saw the red X symbol on his chest armor.

The male inches closer to the kainde amedha like a dominant force. Some of the black creatures inched back to keep the distance but the Bad Blood was having none of it.

"Disobeyed me again? Didn't you?"

He brings his gauntlet to show the kainde amedha. He presses once and the kainde amedha that killed the earlier one reacted violently. It screams at the top of its lungs as it flops to the ground. Seizures riddled its body from the shocks emitting from the collar. I only managed to understand its purpose when I killed one a few days ago and pulled it apart. It was meant to keep the kainde amedha in line but the male before me had another idea. He amplifies the shocks and the creature spasms uncontrollably. Only a minute passed before the Bad Blood presses on his gauntlet again and the creature stops moving. There was no doubt that it was dead. The burning flesh underneath the collar was proof enough.

The Bad Blood removes the collar and kicks the corpse towards the others. "There's your meal for the day."

The creatures wasted no time in digging to the corpse, ribbing its flesh like bacon at breakfast. It was another strategy developed by the Killer Yautja to starve their 'pets' enough that they would beg for food. It kept them submissive and unwilling to attack him. It turned my stomach and I had to look somewhere else although the burning smell from its blood was still there. I watched the Bad Blood step back, tuning on his gauntlet. It was perfect since he turned his back on me. I had a clear shot to take him out quietly and deal with the rest later, too busy eating.

Now's my chance.

I crept around the corner, prepping for the launcher on my wrist gauntlet. It was another invention I made while trapped her that could shoot a knife for poisonous darts on unsuspecting prey. I pointed it towards the middle of his back but listening in to his conversation.

"No . . . no signs of our mysterious hunter yet. I'm sure whoever it is could be tracking this hive as we speak."

I didn't hear the other end but his response was enough. "Don't worry. I'll move to find another place to grow a hive. If they come before then, I take their head and present it as my trophy. These oomans will be nothing but corpses once they're dealt with."

I had enough. I aimed for the Bad Blood, waiting for the right moment to strike. He finishes the conversation. "Alright. I will do as you command, my Lord."

Once he presses on his gauntlet and slowly turns around, I locked the joints on my arm and held it firmly with the other. My heart beating like a fast drum as I took shallow breaths. You're mine.

In a split second, I launched the knife towards the Bad Blood. It targets right in the middle of his heart. A fatal target that I was sure would end it here and now. But at the last second, a kainde amedha jumps into the air between the knife and the Bad Blood. It imbeds itself into its chest and the creature slams into the sidewall, screeching in agony as it bleeds out from the wound. The other creatures turn their attention from the half-eaten corpse to me. My eyes widened for a split second. This . . . isn't good.

One became too impatient and rushed at me. Bad idea. I threw another knife and it sticks into the center of its head. The kainde amedha skids so hard than I had to jump over it. The others, realizing that it wasn't wise to try the same thing, held back and hissed in anger. I leered underneath my mask but I turn to see the Bad Blood walking with confidence until he was upfront. I suspected he knew I was watching him. I wasn't surprised much at all.

"So there you are. I knew you the mysterious hunter would come. No use in hiding behind the cloak."

He was right. Now that he knew, there was no point but I didn't like he was acting for high and mighty. The smirk on his face was pissing me off. Reluctantly, I uncloaked and my form was revealed to him.

He cocked his head to the side. "Hold on a minute. You seem . . . familiar."

I puffed. "You will . . . as the one who ended your pauking life."

He chuckled. "You're right I suppose. You will become my next trophy when I'm finished, ooman."

I don't know why but the fact he said ooman ticked me off. On the other end, I wasn't surprised. It was only a little while after I crash-landed that the Bad Bloods believed I was dead. They figured I wasn't strong enough to survive such a crash. Even I didn't believe it myself at first. But it gave the perfect cover to hunt them along with the kainde amedha they brought along. I maintained my composure, leaning back to get into a fighting stance. I pulled out both of my wrist blades and aimed it at him. The kainde amedha hissed in reaction but the Bad Blood turns and growls, effectively shutting them up.

"As much as I should let them kill you, I want to end your life myself. An ooman . . . trying to be like one of us, even dressed in armor and speaking in our tongue. You're a mockery of the whole Yautja species."

I had enough of you.

With quick reaction, I ran at him full speed while throwing my arm in a roundhouse move. The blades came close to puncturing his chest but clash with his own in the nick of time. Sparks flew between us with almost one landing on the lens of my mask. But that was the least of my worries. Despite my strength, the Bad Blood was starting to push me back slowly. I dug my heels into the ground to overcome the strain. Sensing my struggle, the Bad Blood leans his face closer to mine. His mandibles spread open like he was going to swallow me but the smirk forming on his inner mouth stirred the hatred inside me.

"You seem to know a lot about us. Intelligent, strong, and beautiful according to our low standards. Pity that I can't keep you for entertainment but this ends now."

He lifts his other arm and a large serrated blade protrudes from his gauntlet. My eyes widened in shock, never having seen such a large weapon before. It's enough to carve a whole cow in half. The Bad Blood swipes down the blade within a matter of seconds, crashing down to cut my head in half. This was a situation I wanted to avoid but not only because it could potentially kill me. I rather not use my other form or else it would reveal to the Bad Blood who I really was . . . but I had no choice.

As the blade was inches from me, I concentrated and felt my bones cracking and muscles pulling. No matter how many times I changed, the sensation never dulled . . . I merely got used to it.

My hand reaches out to stop the blade, feeling it dig into my skin. Small streaks of my blood ran down my arm but I paid little attention. My eyes watched the facial reaction of the Bad Blood turn from confidence . . . to sheer shock and maybe a bit of fear.

"You changed. The green blotches . . . from ooman to Yautja . . ." He paused, letting his mandibles twitch. "It's you."

I couldn't contain my anger anymore so I reacted in a brash way. With our weapons locked and our hands busy, I headbutted him hard. The Bad Blood threw his head back with a roar but I didn't come out unscathed. The mask I wore was hand forged with simple materials so it easily broke upon impact, falling off my face. So much for lasting. I turned to the Bad Blood and growled fiercely. His earlier facial expression grew worse, showing absolute fear.

I like it.

I roared right in his face, spreading my mandibles to the fullest. It stunned him enough that I thrust the serrated blade to the side. It gave me a small window to cause serious damage that I intended for him. I slashed my wrist blades deep into his gut, dragging it through flesh, organs, and skin until it left a deep gash. His green neon blood splattered across the room and onto anyone nearby, including my arms and hands. As I saw him struggling, I noticed his wrist gauntlets. Now that he knew who I was, I couldn't risk him sending a message to the others. As quick as lightning, I threw a small knife at it. His gauntlet breaks and puffs out smoke, clearly unable to function anymore. The Bad Blood stumbles back, putting a distance between us. I watched as his hand covered the gash in his abdomen but it was no use. My blades managed to open his stomach cavity and some of his intestines started to slip out. Despite the agony he was going through, he growls in anger. The fire of his hatred made his deep golden eyes glow and I grinned all the more.

"You cunt! I'll make you pay!"

Out of nowhere, he roars into the air. The sound echoes through the tunnels and the kainde amedha that was waiting nearby hissed. At first, I didn't know why he did that but I have a suspicion. It wasn't long before I heard something large coming to us. Without my mask, I had to leer behind the Bad Blood and into the darkness. The sound grew closer and heavier until I saw a large domed head pop out of the darkness. I knew all too well what came.

A Queen steps forward, hissing like an angry cobra. Drops of her saliva dripped all over the floor surrounding the Bad Blood. She had to hunch since the tunnel was much too short to stand up fully. I saw another collar like the others wrapped around her neck. Another puppet for him. She hisses in my direction, stopping just behind the Bad Blood. He smirked as if he already won.

"Let's see how you deal with all of them at once. You'll never win."

I huffed. "I don't think you should act so confident. You're not going to survive your wounds much longer."

No matter how much he disliked it, it was the inevitable truth. The medical supplies that Yautja warriors carried wouldn't be enough to heal him. Plus, his communications were destroyed when the gauntlet broke. He was as useless as a five-season pup. He could think about what to do next but he no longer had the means and tools to escape. But he was a Bad Blood and they would do whatever it took to survive. He growls in warning, stepping back a little at a time towards the tunnel.

"You won't get away with this."

The Bad Blood makes a run for it, limping to the opposite way of the tunnel. What a pauking idiot. His blood kept a trail behind so even if I didn't have my mask, I could easily follow where he's going. Plus, I had a feeling he might be trying to escape out of the hive.

I won't let you get away.

I took a step forward but backed off when the Queen and her brood hissed at me. Right . . . I forgot about you. The Queen kept her sights on me but I make sure to pay attention to the other kainde amedha that moved in an ambush formation. They would use their numbers to their advantage on a single opponent like myself. That way one of them had a chance to get at me as the others died in their attempts. I grunted in frustration, understanding that the Bad Blood used them as a distraction . . . maybe hoping to kill me. I wasn't going down today and neither by their hand.

I took a deep breath, retaining my focus and keeping my emotions in check. Alright. I'll need to deal with you first. With his wounds, the Bad Blood won't be able to go far. I held my wrist gauntlet in the air and released the orbs from the slits. They floated in the air, surrounding the Queen and the kainde amedha. They watched intently but also wary of what they were going to do next. At the same time, I took my twin swords out slowly as to not cause sudden movements. All but the Queen focused on drones while she went into a staring contest with me. I smirked in delight. All I needed was to take her out and the rest will die with her. It's a cost that the kainde amedha pay having a bee-like structure.

The Queen hissed once more. I growled in response.

Let's dance.

I activated the orbs and blasts went off everywhere. As the other kainde amedha focused on the orbs, I charged at the Queen with all my might. She roars, rushing to greet me with her massive claws. The fight went on for what seemed like forever until there was only one victor.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I walked out of the cave with determination in my chest, slowly taking my time to exit the dark cave. All of the kainde amedha have been killed along with the Queen but I needed to make sure nothing survives. One less thing to deal with.

I had placed the small bomb into the very center of the hive, making sure that the radius covers only it and nothing more. I watched the countdown on my gauntlet shrinking in numbers, closing in on the final detonation . . . but I still had one last thing to take care of.

A few feet outside the cave, I saw the long streak of green neon blood covering the ground before me. I followed it until I saw a Yautja desperately crawling away, grunting in agony. The purple stripes over his skin confirmed it was the same Bad Blood. I figured he wasn't going to go far. He was covered in his blood that seeped out of the cut I made, spreading across his abdomen as I remembered. I noticed small pieces of his intestines were lined in the same path as the blood, looking like piles of c'jit (shit) that a dog would crap up. As I looked closer to where he was, I saw that his stomach fell out as well. The heap of rotting flesh rested on the side as the Yautja kept clawing towards freedom.

He's done for . . .

I pulled out my twin swords slowly and I saw his body flinch when he heard the sound of metal being unsheathed. He knew I was right behind him. That got him on overdrive and he began using his claws as hooks on the ground to pick up speed. But he was only as fast as a turtle and that only made him bleed all the more. Another organ spills out of him and I saw it might have been his liver.

Time to end this.

I started walking at a faster pace but I took my time. I wanted him to suffer as those victims that suffered being a host for the kainde amedha before I end his life. His head turns to the side to look at me, hissing in a warning for me to stay back. Even on the brink of death, he still fighting me.

I couldn't wait any longer and quickened my pace. Panic settled in him and he tried once more to crawl faster. Before he could get another inch or so, I stomped on his hand. I felt and heard bone shattering beneath me and the Bad Blood roars in anguish. It screeches in my ears but it was such a pleasure to hear it as well. I lifted my foot off and saw that the skin covering his knuckles had exploded and several pieces of bone stuck out like shrapnel. I huffed, kicking his chest until he was on his back.

That is when I got to see the full extent of his injuries. His skin was covered with burnt holes from the attack of my plasma drones. No doubt since he barely moved a few feet before the fighting began so I suspected some of the blasts got to him. The cut on his abdomen had ripped open from him moving. Nothing was remaining inside . . . only a dark abyss that showed the bottom portion of his ribcage and lungs. I saw both of his wrist gauntlets had been destroyed successfully so he couldn't send a signal or call for help. I stomped my foot on his chest and saw some ribs popping like balloons. He howls in the air but I didn't relent this time. I leaned my head closer to his face, glaring into his eyes as if seeing his soul. His voice was weak and harsh, gasping small pools of green neon blood that dripped from his mandibles. Despite his injuries, I could still hear his words.

"You . . . will never win. We'll keep coming . . . and coming . . . until you and this disgusting planet . . . perish . . . once and for all."

I growled, leaning my face even closer to his until we were inches away. I made sure that he could hear me.

"Then I'll make sure that every time you come, their suffering will be far worse than the one before. I won't let you and your kind have their way."

My eyes wandered lower to his chest armor, seeing the red X symbol dominating the entire thing. I glared back at the male below me.

"The Killer Yautja . . . will get what's coming. I'll make sure of it."

I saw the fury rage inside his dull amber eyes and in the last-ditch effort, he spits into my face.

"Die, you filthy hybrid!"

I had enough. Without hesitation, I brought one of my twin swords into the air and brought it down swiftly. The blade cuts through his mandible like butter and pierces into his mouth, digging into the Earth beneath him. The Yautja gagged in vain as more blood collected in his mouth. I waited until the light in his eyes fades completely and his body slacks beneath me.

Another Bad Blood . . . gone.

I pulled my sword out and stepped away from the body, relishing my small victory over the Killer Yautja. However, he was right. He was one of many that have come to grow their little 'pets' for more senseless killing . . . and another to fall by my hands.

But how long can I keep this going? I have no idea . . .

I sighed and looked up into the sky, feeling the smallest bit of despair seep into my chest and creating a stinging pain that radiates across my arms and legs. I shut my eyes fast, squinting them as much as I could.

No! I can't give up now! I can't!

I pushed away the despair and opened my eyes back to the sky, looking at the stars that decorated the sky. I have hope that my Elites and everyone else was still out there . . . fighting with the same strength as I had. And Lar'ja . . . I still had faith he was out there looking for me.

He wouldn't give up on me either. So I'll do the same.

I sheathed my swords but I had one last thing to do. I took a small knife out and cut off a piece of his dreadlock with a silver band wrapped around it. Placing it in my small pouch hooked on my belly, I walked away from the body whilst hearing the countdown stop beeping. The explosion from behind engulfed everything, including the dead Bad Blood. I kept walking as I smelt the ground burning, seeing the color red glowing into the quiet night sky. It was a sight I was too familiar with. Some days it felt like my life was going through a loop that was never-ending, killing an endless number of kainde amedha and Bad Bloods.

A curse . . . but a necessary one.

I kept this up in the hopes that Earth and its inhabitants could be protected. But I couldn't help but reminisce my previous life on Yautja Prime before all of this came crashing down.

Six months had passed since then . . .

Hello Everyone!

A new start for the third and final book of the Twisted Fate series. Anya is angry and hunting for some Bad Bloods. As I promised, Balance is going to have lots of blood and gore scenes so I hope you won't be disappointed. And . . . a lot of surprises are yet to come. That's right! I never let it go dull. So I hope you enjoy this first chapter.

Changing the topic a little, I'm thinking that I write best when the chapters are shorter (4000 words at least but not a lot). I did a bit too much for Metamorphosis and this might help improve my grammar/spelling errors. I hope Anonymous-E will be proud of me lol (but still catch mistakes of course . . . No one's perfect). This will be effective as well for The Ripple of a Stone (Part 2).

Speaking of which, the early postings of The Ripple of a Stone (Part 2) and Balance is my gift to you, Anonymous-E for your birthday. I feel for you about turning 31 but don't worry. I'm 27 but rather than feel old, some say I look way too young for my age. I had to show ID for a lottery ticket since the cashier thought I was 18 years younger. Frustrating but I have to see the silver lining.

I hope you love my gift and hope all of you have a great New Year! I was originally going to post these chapters at midnight but I have a feeling a lot of you might be getting drunk. I understand and I'm doing the same if you read my Instagram post (still scared.)

Also, for my scheduled posting, I've decided to do a chapter for both current stories on the same day (particularly Friday being the ideal day). It's less stressful for me with my full-time job and all. Plus . . . more reading for all ;) So for next week, there won't be any new posting but after the holidays, more chapters will come.

Thank you and Good Hunting! :))))

Reading notes:

Normal = Anya (human form) or any human speaking English (ooman language)

Italic = Anya (human form) or any human speaking Yautja

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language