Meeting the Pack

Mi'stbian guided Ui'stbian up the steps of the colossal pyramid that served as the temples for their clan. Their destination lie on the the second highest peak of the temple. It served as a debriefing room. It would also be the meeting place of their pack, of which they had yet to meet four other members.

All she had been told they were outsiders of the forest clan, yet joined the hunt through the elders connecting the clans. Simple deduction meant that the others were either from the Tundra clan, the shore clan, the dust clan or..... the Jungle clan. Mi'stbian repressed a growl of annoyance at the thought of hunting with a Jungle Hunter, but knew she'd inevitably be hunting with whomever the elders chose, so she'd best prepare for the worse.

Finally, they reached their destination, the ledge that led to a considerably sized door. Mi'stbian had been past those stone doorways many times, but she had to stand back and smile at Ui'stbian's bewilderment and excitement as he ran up and inspected the pale masonry.

"Ready, Brother?" She asked walking up beside him. He nodded his head eagerly, pup like joy clearly shown even if his face was hidden beneath his helmet.

"Mask off, it is rude." He quickly detached his mask and placed it on his hip. He took in a breath of fresh air before walking to the door.

Mi'stbian lead the way by pushing open one side with enough effort to make a good sized gap they could easily walk through. She then used the handles to close it shut, for this was a place where it would be best kept private. As she turned around she could see in the well lit room that they were not the first to arrive. Some other hunters had arrived, including one of the Forest Clan Elder who would be conducting this meeting.

Each hunter stood a good distance from one another in the large room, they were all strangers to each one another as well. Meanwhile Ui'stbian stood just in front of his sister, hands folded neatly mimicking Mi'stbians, clearly nervous in front of the Elder and other hunters. She made an effort to inspect everyone before the meeting began.

In the far right corner was an eye catching, albino? He had to have been, even Tundra hunters weren't that pale. His skin was as white as the mountains in winter, and his dreads were hardly any shades darker, much like his bright plumage which littered his entire chest. Meanwhile the mask that rested on his hip was a contrasting dark ivory along with the rest of his armour. The cloth beneath the armour was soft and fluffy for colder weather, he was definitely a Tundra hunter. She saw his decorated necklace, many small skulls lined the ropes keeping it together but in the center was what looked like a Hound whistle.

Just to his left on the east side wall stood a female. Her form was mahogany with a cream stomach, inner thighs and neck. She seemingly had golden spots that littered all over her body. Her uncovered eyes were the same purple seen of the Desert at dusk, they glowed from the lights. Her armour was a dirty gold and seemingly made out of that very material. The pure white coverings underneath were a long loincloth that reached her ankles and a chest wrapping around only one breast the other being covered by the armour. 'Typical colouring and attire for a Desert Hunter, if not impractical' Mi'stbian thought, 'very attractive though'. Her Bio Helmet was strapped to her belt and it seemed almost red in colour, but that could've been the lighting. Mi'stbian spots little horns lining the edges of her helmets crest.

It was only the four of them until the door slammed open making Ui'stbian jump.

In came a very, very large Hunter, no helmet in sight. His form easily dwarfed Mis'tbian's, his face was shorter than the rest of them and she immideitly knew she had been assigned a hunt with an upgraded. This she had not expected. Dark Moore colours covered his body like brushstrokes. Black plumage as thick as sticks went in a thin line from nave to chest, and she could see more from the small view she had of his back. Only small droplets of lighter shades fell over his shoulders, thighs and short crest. The only other fair colouring to him were his eyes. Grey/blue orbs that were now starring daggers at her. He lifted his chin and tasted the air, she hoped he didn't smell her brothers anxiousness. She had to stop herself from staggering under his gaze and force herself to look at the next Hunter, and her stomach dropped deeper.

A green Hunter. A GREEN Hunter with a sickly yellow stomach and joints covered with small speckles of grey. A thick line of darker green plumage ran up the middle of his stomach to his chest ending just below his neck. His short crest was lined with wavy frilling, his black dreads were short. His eyes were cedar brown and overly sunken. His colouring and physique had given Mi'stbian her worst nightmare. She'd be hunting with a Jungle Hunter.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when she saw Ui'stbian glance at her. She gave him a nod and walked up with him, and the rest of the pack, to the circular table that sat in the center. The Greying Elder stood front and center, he pressed a button on a small panel connected to the table that immideitly showed a full map of Earth. White circles that varied in size were found on every single continent, some places sparse, some abundant.

"Listen up!" The Elder had no need to directly ask for attention, his booming voice was enough to get even the Upgraded to snap his head up. "As you all know, the Oomans have become what we consider a problem. A bad blood has given them our technology. Whilst useless in their hands, we must reclaim it to prevent other species from stealing it. Must I remind anyone the last time some pitiful race stole from us."

He was speaking of the short lived war against the Amengi, they had stolen one of the Yautjas ships and were trying to recreate it. Their efforts were admirable, but wasted. One ship is not a wars make, and they quickly lost their footing against the yautja superior weapons.

"The Ancient council has already approved of these missions. Many other Hunters will be there within their own packs hunting in the most densely populated areas." He explained.

"Where will we be located?" The Upgrade spoke up, his voice was much deeper than what Mi'stbian was expecting. He sounded akin to angry thunder.

"That's up to you to figure that out. And specifically you Ujua'tan. You've been tasked as the Pack Leader." The Elder told him. Mi'stbian wasn't surprised. By breeding alone he out-ranked everyone there, besides the Elder. The Upgrade gave a respectful bow to the Elder before standing upright once more.

"KI'SEI?" The booming voice of the elder echoed.

"Ki'sei!" The Hunters yelled in unison.

"You all leave in three days. If you're late you get left behind. Dismissed." And with that everyone filed out. The large Stone doors were opened once more, but now the landing was filled with six hunters.

Mi'stbian waited with Ui'stbian to the side as to allow her fellow hunters to descend the stairs first. She saw the Albino speedwalk to his next destination, meanwhile the Desert Hunter and the Jungle Hunter were much more content with their paces. She barely managed to stop herself from glaring at the green back before Ui'stbian spoke up.

"How did I do?" He asked innocently.

"You did very well Ui'stbi. I'm sure the Elder was pleased to see such respect." She encouraged.

"Do you think we'll....." his voice drowned out as he visibly tensed and cranes his neck to look up behind her. Mi'stbian could feel the presence behind her and slowly turned around. She also strained her neck to try and look at the Upgrade who stood to his full height and was seemingly puffing out his chest.

"Greetings." Was all he said. Ui'stbian was still blinking off his shock when Mi'stbian regained her composure and replied.

"Greetings Pack Leader." She said respectfully.

"We are not yet hunting, please call me Ujua'tan." He sincerely asked.

"Of course. My name is Mi'stbian, and this is my Brother, Ui'stbian." She returned out of sheer politeness.

"So you two are the siblings I've heard so much about?" He said cocking his head, it almost looked like he was bending over so they could look at him directly instead of just his large chest.

"...Heard of?" Ui'stbian asked uneasy. Mi'stbian simply cocked an eyebrow up at the Upgrade.

"Indeed." He said not elaborating more much to Mistbians annoyance. Just then the large Hunters sat-com beeped, he glanced at it before returning his gaze to the siblings.

"I must take my leave now. I wish to see you again before the hunt." He said oddly only looking at Mi'stbian, her being unsure as to wether it was a request, or a threat. Neither spoke as the Upgrade left but both individually decided to wait a moment before making their way home. Finally once he was out of view and Ui'stbian was out of his stupor the two descended.

The way down was just as calming if not more so than their treck up; despite their uneasiness. Surrounding the temple were miles upon miles of forest that were now the foreground to a magnificent sunset. Many different shades of red, greens and yellows littered their small continent's Southern side, meanwhile the Eastern side was home to vast mountains powdered with new layers of snow every month.

On one of these mountains was a large, almost temple like structure. Mi'stbian could just about see the beige bricks that were etched into the mountainside. She hoped to return home soon. Ui'stbian noticed what his sister was staring at.

"They'll miss you." He said blankly.

"They'll be fine. I've made the necessary preparations." She explained.

"That won't stop them from missing you though. You are like a bearer to them all." He countered. Mi'stbian sighed,

"I know. I plan to return them all shortly. What kind of n'yaka would I be if I just left them so suddenly?" She said softly.

"Then you'd better give your farewells."

"Settle down Brother, we still have three days before we are to leave. Let us enjoy our home until then. Go have fun, you've earned it." She encouraged. She could feel the smile Ui'stbian gave her behind his helmet as he quickly ran off to the center of their clan to probably enjoy a healthy portion of c'ntlip.

She hummed in amusement and eventually reached the base of the mountain. She knew it'd be around midnight by the time she reached her destination.

Yautja Language

Oomans- Humans

Zabinz- pests

Ki'sei- Understood/Understand

nrak'ja- Teacher/guardian

c'ntlip- Alcoholic beverage