Claimed by the Hunter

The Hunter's Serenade:>>EP9

"Of course," Serina replied, shaking off her momentary distraction. She sheathed her assortment of blades and holstered her CAR-99 Raptor submachine gun in her right thigh holster, ensuring she had everything she needed.

Sev picked up a black poncho and gently draped it over Serina. "You don't want to catch a cold," he remarked in a somewhat somber tone. Although it concealed her well, her attire was not suited for the rainy weather.

"Thanks," Serina replied warmly, pulling her hood over her head.

Sev inquired, "Do you have everything you need?" He retrieved a suitcase he had received not long ago.

"Yeah, I'm all set here. Is there anything I should know? I still don't have any idea what's going to happen, other than I'm to become your partner," Serina quipped, her tone light.

Sev took a moment to formulate his response. "Remain respectful at all times. Do not engage with any other Valkorians, regardless of any taunts or provocations that may come your way. You're considered an outsider, and they won't hesitate to kill you if they perceive you as a threat. Even if I try to protect you, there's only so much I can do," Sev explained with a grave demeanor.

"Okay," Serina sighed, her independent nature balking at being told what to do, even by her lover. In response to her sigh, Sev walked over to her and firmly grasped her shoulders.

"This isn't a joke, Serina. You must understand the seriousness of the situation, and I know how you can be," Sev stated firmly. His words were less than comforting but undeniably accurate. Serina tended to be quite headstrong. She felt the tension in his grip and nodded obediently.

"Yes, I understand, Sev. I will behave, I promise," she assured him, recognizing the importance of following his advice in such an unfamiliar situation.

As the platform of the ship lowered, Serina stood close to Sev. She turned to him, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "So, hypothetically, let's say I did get into a scuffle. How many of your, um, people could I take?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Sev shifted his attention toward her briefly, then shook his head.

"What? I'm just asking in case things take a turn for the worse," she added, a playful grin tugging at her lips.

He chuckled and replied, "Well, I'll admit, maybe a good amount of them." Serina smirked and nodded proudly. "Yeah, the younglings," Sev playfully added. Serina gasped in mock offense and delivered a stiff elbow to his side. He winced. "Okay, fine. In a one-on-one fight, you'd stand a pretty good chance. But these people aren't your average mercenaries. Imagine me, and then multiply that by several hundred."

Serina absorbed the information with a slow nod. Sev was the most dangerous person she had ever encountered; it was one of the factors that had drawn her to him. Birds of a feather, as they said. Yet, the realization that an undisclosed number of individuals with abilities akin to Sev's awaited them at their destination was unsettling. Her survival instincts, already heightened, were now in overdrive. For the first time in a long time, she found herself facing an uncertain future.

As the platform finished extending itself down to the docking platform, the cacophony of heavy rain intensified. The exterior was drenched and shrouded in darkness. Descending the platform, Serina kept her gaze fixed on the distant end of the long walkway and noticed a radiant, glowing open, veritable light at the end of a tunnel.

As they made their way toward the light, Serina had to keep tugging her hood down to keep the wind from blowing it off. She scanned her surroundings as they walked. The steep flank of the rugged mountain reached endlessly upward into the clouded sky. On the opposite side of the walkway, she was spooked by the endless abyss below.

"This planet is certainly lovely," Serina muttered sarcastically to herself as she trailed closely along behind Sev.

As they drew closer to the radiant light, the silhouettes of figures waiting for their arrival came into focus. A central figure stood prominently, flanked by four others who maintained a disciplined formation. Serina continued to scrutinize the individuals as they drew ever closer. Each of them sported armor akin to Sev's, though each suit of armor was adorned with its own distinctive features.

Her gaze fixed on the central figure, a commanding presence. He towered over the other Valkorians, and even above Sev as he took up a position directly in front of him. The stern figure's helmet bore starkly spiraling horns, and his armor exuded an aura of unassailable strength. Around the collar of his coat, thick gray fur from an unknown creature sprouted, only adding to his imposing appearance.

In this fraught moment, Serina felt acutely vulnerable. She was the only person lacking a helmet and the opaque black visors of the Valkorians concealed their expressions, leaving her unable to gauge their intentions. As several of the Valkorians shifted their attention to look past Sev in her direction, Serina composed herself, endeavoring to project as dignified a persona as possible.

Returning her attention to Sev, Serina observed him as he gazed up at the formidable figure before him. An eerie silence seized the air, broken only by the weight of their intense stares. Serina's sixth sense tingled, zeroed in on the mounting tension. Subconsciously, her hand drifted towards the grip of her gun, concealed beneath her poncho. She clutched the handle uneasily as the silent standoff continued.

As the large armored man took a step forward, Serina's eyes widened, and her heart raced with anticipation. But the watchful eyes of the other four Valkorians were all affixed upon her, causing her to think twice about any impulsive actions. She clung to her composure, her gaze locked on the commanding figure.

Now standing before Sev, the leader extended his right gloved hand from underneath his coat. After a moment's hesitation, Sev also reached forward, and the two clasped hands in a firm and meaningful handshake before pulling themselves into a heartfelt embrace. Serina couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief, relieved that the tension had not escalated.

As the two dominant figures pulled away from their clasp, the four other Valkorians approached Sev in their turn, offering welcoming gestures and warm hugs. It was evident that their bonds ran deep, akin to a tight-knit family. The sense of camaraderie and unity was palpable in their interactions.

Relaxing her grip on her weapon's handle, Serina released it and allowed her hand to fall gently to her side. She maintained her vigilant observation of their interactions. Although the Valkorians exchanged words in hushed murmurs, their dialogue remained unintelligible to her. The heavy rain continued to pour down, its relentless drumming providing a constant backdrop to their conversation.

Despite the auditory barrier, Serina gathered from the subtle movements of their helmeted heads that the exchange appeared to be positive and amicable. The gestures and body language conveyed a sense of warmth and camaraderie, reassuring her that the encounter was taking a favorable turn.

The commanding figure's gaze was suddenly directed her way: Serina instinctively flinched back, caught off guard by the unexpected attention. Uncertain about the appropriate course of action, she briefly deliberated. Should she offer a verbal greeting or perhaps a wave? Thinking quickly, she decided that a subtle yet affirming nod of acknowledgment would be the most suitable response to the Valkorian leader's scrutiny. This simple gesture conveyed respect without overstepping boundaries, and it allowed her to maintain her poised composure in the face of unfamiliarity.