Claimed by the Hunter

The Hunter's Serenade:>>EP4

As she shook her head to refocus her thoughts, Serina's grip on Sev's harness loosened. "So, what kind of reward did you get from King Gornu?" she prodded, her curiosity getting the better of her. Sev paused for a moment, contemplating his response. He didn't want to reveal too much, but he knew that Serina had a way of seeing through any lies. He had no doubt that she'd extract the truth even if it meant prying it from his lifeless form.

"Hyperium," Sev provided a succinct response. Serina's grip on his harness tightened again.

"Hyperium? So that's why you took that job..." she deduced, the pieces falling into place in her mind. "How much are we talking about? Your armor still seems in good shape," she noted as she traced her fingers across his chest plate, her curiosity pushing her to seek further details.

"Let's just say I acquired enough for a full set of armor for a certain someone," Sev vaguely hinted. Serina raised an intrigued eyebrow.

"Oh? Would this 'certain someone' happen to be anywhere nearby?" she played along with his deliberate ambiguity.

"Very," Sev confirmed with a sly smile hidden behind his helmet. Serina grinned from ear to ear at what he was implying.

She had always harbored a deep desire for a set of Hyperium armor. Its reputation preceded it as a technological marvel, boasting not only remarkable lightness but also unrivaled durability, which in turn made it almost impervious to even the most formidable weapon fire. Yet, the coveted Hyperium armor was a closely guarded treasure of the Valkorians, a space-faring people deeply rooted in a warrior culture. Their physical resemblance to humans was where the similarities ended. Valkorians were renowned throughout the galaxy for their exceptional combat skills, not to mention their unmatched strength, razor-sharp instincts, and cunning strategies. But all these traits were underlain by their indomitable, unbreakable will to victory.

To possess a set of Hyperium armor was to attain the pinnacle of protection and aesthetic appeal. It wasn't just a matter of accumulating enough of the rare Hyperium metal; it was the intricate craftsmanship, known only to the specialized Valkorian armorsmiths, that rendered it almost impossible to replicate. The secrets of the Valkorian armorsmiths were tightly safeguarded, never shared with any who lacked Valkorian heritage. However, there were rumors that the Coalition - the dominant governing force in the galaxy - was trying to replicate the method. But those were only rumors.

For anyone else who dared to dream of obtaining this revered armor, the pursuit was fraught with peril. Even if one were to acquire a set by some stroke of fortune, perhaps from the fallen body of a Valkorian, it was only a matter of time before the Valkorian community learned of the theft and set in motion a relentless mission to recover their cherished artifact. The stolen armor, as alluring as it might be, often came with a steep price: the wrath of a proud and unforgiving people.

Deeply grateful for her Valkorian partner's generous offer, Serina wrestled with a formidable obstacle that cast a shadow over her aspirations. She wasn't Valkorian; she was a mere human. Despite her remarkable combat skills, the unalterable fact was that she did not share their lineage. While her abilities might allow her to blend in, a constant undercurrent of impostor syndrome gnawed at her confidence. The ever-present fear of being unmasked by a true Valkorian weighed heavily on her, with the awareness that the potential consequences of exposure could be dire. Even if Sev was one of their own, there was nothing he could do to change her outsider status.

"Sev... I don't think this would work. Your people, they would know," Serina voiced her concerns somberly, her worry etched across her face. She couldn't help but question why he would go to such lengths, almost committing blasphemy by offering a coveted set of armor to an outsider like her. Even if he vouched, it was highly unlikely that such an act would be permitted by the Valkorian Elders. Despite her reservations, though, a warm feeling enveloped her: if nothing else, his offer was a clear testament to how deeply he cared for her.

However, Sev exuded confidence, as if he already held the answer to Serina's concerns. "What? Don't you have something to say? Anything??" Serina wondered, her curiosity piqued.

"There is a way for you to possess this armor legitimately," Sev revealed. Serina arched an eyebrow and nodded slowly, signaling for him to continue. "I'm not sure how you'll feel about this, but here goes nothing," Sev said, taking a moment to prepare his explanation. He knew that Serina valued her strength and independence, and his offer could potentially conflict with her principles.

"Well, spit it out," Serina urged her eagerness rapidly eroding her patience. Taking a deep breath before nodding affirmatively, Sev clutched Serina's hands, holding them tightly together.

"You would have to be my woman," he finally revealed.

Serina felt a rush of emotions as his words hung in the air. She had never anticipated a conversation like this, and it left her torn between flattery and confusion. They had shared an unspoken arrangement, a companionship with benefits, and she'd grown accustomed to that dynamic. Now, confronted with the prospect of a formal commitment, she had to reconfigure the shape of their relationship in her mind and heart.

They had always been discreet about their connection in public, rendering it less apparent to outsiders, but their bond undeniably ran deeper than casual encounters. Some of their colleagues had noticed, gossiping and making assumptions about them. Perhaps, they had come across as more of a couple than Serina had previously realized.

Serina's lengthy pause for internal contemplation seemed to cut through the tension in the room. At least she hadn't rejected the notion outright. "Okay, so, I'm not totally opposed to the idea of being your woman. "Alright, I'm not entirely against the idea of becoming your woman. Let's just say I am. How that will help me get this armor?" Serina inquired, breaking the silence.

Sev took a deep breath before elaborating further. There was more important information he needed to explain—more that was involved than simply deciding to become a couple.