The Hunt: Second Blood

[Huka]

Great Hunter Til 'Muramai
Preparing to leave

After just directing his recruits of their designation, Til looked over to his brother's voice and bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Yes, just finished telling them of our destination. However, I just had another recruit in mind. You take the lead from here, Brother. I will receive our last party member and be right behind you." He said, bowing his head to R'ha and his clan-brother in respect, and walked off to get the Jiralhanae, hoping he will join their hunt. 

[Faclan]

Nek Dal, Merchant and hesitant Hunter.
Trying to prepare for the Hunt.

Pleased at least a little as the hunterish looking alien accepted their help Nek relaxed a little; it would be kind of a, as the humans would say, dick move, for him to then just leave them and laugh after saying he wanted to hunt with them. Standing up straight so he could be level with the Sangheili's arm as he pointed out their eventual location Nek nodded and dropped back down to a more relaxed stance. It would be a dangerous journey to make it that far through the forest and then up the mountain. But if they made it to the climb he could probably be of some actual use using his Skirmisher skills as it were to get up higher to assist the others.

Adjusting the strap across his chest that held his two handed saber he rubbed his throat a little and took a deep breath as he felt another itch but it luckily passed as he picked up his spear and net again and followed after the Sangheili as he moved toward the rest of their new hunting team. It was good to see that the other Sangheili looked equally skilled as the first one, perhaps he and Kex wouldn't really have to do much but they could somewhat ride along on the skill. Nek would be fine with that, but if these were anything like normal Military Sangheili, which he was almost 100% sure they were, they would be ordering the 'lesser' races of themselves and the Unggoy around to put themselves in danger while they went in for the kill.

Taking some more deep breaths he started to walk off with Kex, the Unggoy, and some of the Sangheili as one of them went off to get another recruit. Trying to bring his mind away from the terrible thoughts of being torn apart or stuck to a tree by spikes and thinking how much this would impress the crew that he hunted with Sangheili and got lots of trophies...

[BetaWülf]

Dakek the Destroyer, just hanging around he guessed.

He was flattered when the Sangheili called him brave, but his expression changed to one of displeasure from the dry words of the other Sangheili, Dakek didn't like this other one he decided. As the nice Sangheili moved off towards some other Hunter to recruit them, Dakek stood near the others of this Hunting party and looked around, some Sangheili and Kig-yar, no Unggoy other than himself.

He didn't want to take the chance of getting in trouble by daring to speaking to one of the Sanheili's great loftinesses, so he looked to the Kig-yar instead, though they might have it in for him since their species had friction between them.

"Hello there, my name is Dakek Hunting buddies." he said with a smile that could be seen in the gaps on either side of his rebreather to the leader.

"Kex, hovering while the Sanghheili did their thing."

He stood near the other Kig-yar the way earth birds huddle, he yawned deeply and wiped the tired tears from his eyes, he wasn't really tired, just a reflex. He looked at his feet and poked a rock with his foot, not the kind he thought it was, what a shame he thought.

He scratched around his ear hole before rimming around it and finally sticking his finger in. He pulled his finger and inspected the bright green earwax, he sniffed it casually and recoiled slightly from the smell. He used his first thumb to scape it of his finger claw but it stuck to his thumb claw, after a moment he succumbed and finally wiped it off on his pants. He was slightly bored so he wandered away from the others slightly as an Unggoy approaced Nek.

Garatus, walking slowly towards the forest.

He walked slowly behind the other Hunters as they all headed to Hunt in the woods and mountains, they all seemed decently prepared, though a few cocky Sangheili and other Jiralhanae thought they were ready while only carrying one weapon. He pulled out some jerky and ripped it in half, savoring the flavor as he walked.

He noticed a group of Hunters that had gathered at one side of the path as he walked, mostly Sangheili and Kig-yar and a single Unggoy. As he passed them one of the Sangheili made its way towards him, he could tell he was military as well, maybe an ultra he thought as he approached.

"Hail Hunter, how may I help you?" Garatus said casually, but when he heard the mechanical wheeze he realized who he was addressing, he stood up straight and saluted.

"My apologies Sir, I did not recognize you at first" he said holding the salute as he stood before his superior officer.

[Huka]

Great Hunter Til 'Muramai

Til liked how the Jiralhanae responded to him; respectfully and no malice. That was rare amongst the Jiralhanae interaction. Now that the Zealot was closer, he could finally recognize him as Captain Garatus, and the other recognized him as well about the same time after an audible breath. "At ease, Captain." Til addressed, "I was coming to ask you if you will like to join my hunting party towards the mountains."


Q'ai 'Muramee

Q'ai looked at the other members of the hunting party. He found it odd that the Field Master would recruit a single Unggoy into the hunt, when a multitude of them would be much more efficient. However, the hunter didn't ultimately question his superior. Glancing at the Kig-yar, the Muram didn't feel any trust for them. While Q'ai was subtle naturally, the more aggressive Labus wasn't.

"Two Kig-yar and a Unggoy, what a hunting party." He whispered sarcastic to his mentor, who glared at him at the corner of his eye. Recognizing the disapproval, Labus stepped back with a bowed head. Q'ai clicked his lower mandibles and looked to the vast hunting grounds. "The beasts are many, Major." Jhao whispered, walking next to his mentor, looking in the same direction. "Their presence is strong to the point I can feel them under my feet like insects under the earth."

Extending his awareness, Q'ai could feel it too. The Earthbridge felt like it was vibrating with clawing life under his boots, it was abit terrifying...like a sand wyrm tunneling under the Muram sands, ready to consume a unwary traveler.

[BetaWülf]

Garatus, feeling honored

Garatus's expression changed from slightly tense and respectful to Prideful and respectful in an instant, he had great respect for Til Muramai and the fact he had a chance to Hunt with him was incredible.

"It would be my honor to hunt with you sir." Garatus said bowing his head in respect after the words left his lips. He looked over to the mountains in all their glory, they were beautiful, a pine forest came down its lower slopes all the way to the other side of the earth bridge. These beasts were dangerous and the forest was just as treacherous.

Kex, bored slightly, though that isn't hard to do

He rolled his eyes at Labus's remark about the hunting party, he didn't trust the Sangheili in the slightest, knowing they considered them expendable. He looked to his chief minion, an average looking Kig-yar who has an eye-patch, Kex motioned him over away from the rest of the group so they could speak privately.

"What is it boss?" the eye-patched pirate said.

"I want you to keep an eye out..... sorry" Kex said looking at the eye-patch

"It's fine boss" the pirate said.

"So I want you to watch those Sangheili, make sure they don't use us as bait or get the jump on us if things go sour, understood?" Kex said looking sternly at his companion.

"Yes boss, I'll keep my good eye on them" the one-eyed pirate said with a smirk.

"Good lad" Kex said patting him on the shoulder and grinning. He went back to being bored as his minion went to talk with the other three Kig-yar besides himself and Nek that had come along from the Speed Streak.

Dakek the Destroyer! Practicing his aim

He hadn't noticed Labus's remark because he was busy playing with his weapons and thinking of all the Moon Beasts he would slay in a single swipe of his sword. He swooshed it through the air in a downwards diagonal cut, then he spun in a circle to decapitate the imaginary beast before him.

He sheathed the blade and pulled out his hooked rope and began spinning it in a circle making a swishing noise as they blurred into a circle, he threw it towards a sapling and it thudded next to it limply, he scowled and pulled it back in and tried again, and again, and again until he finally hooked it.

[Huka]

Great Hunter Til 'Muramai
The Party is complete and the Journey begins

Til nodded in approval to the Captain, "Excellent. Please, come with me." He said, directing an arm to the others and led the way before announcing, "Alright, warriors. We have our last recruit. Let us move on before the other hunting parties get the good herds." Not waiting for a affirmative from the others-and certainly ignored the disdain from one of the Sangheili-the Great Hunter took the front, and began to guide the party into the treacherous forests of Templar's Rest. Last time, they were on ambushed on the main hunting grounds but this time it is seemed the beasts didn't take perch in the nearby trees this time. 

When the 'security' of the Earthbridge left them into the Ba'kwna's territory, booming of trees, vines, and greenery with little bare dirt. Looking side to side with deep sniffs, inhaling the environment's humid air and thick scent of wildlife, Til thumped his spear on the ground thrice before leading towards the direction of their chosen destination. "Keep your senses high and weapons at ready, this is where the fun begins." He warned, feeling his demons' eyes glaring from the darkness. Today, he face his fears and regain his pride as a hunter. 

Q'ai 'Muramee

Q'ai directed his attention to the returning Field Master and clicked his mandibles in shock when he saw a Jiralhanae with him. "A Jiralhanae?" Labus questioned abit too loudly for his taste. "It seems so, a fine addition." Jhao answered, less surprised and nodded in approval of the choice. The Major certainly like Jhao's young wisdom; something that most of Hunter clans receive, especially of the Spiritualist community.

"Come along...and keep your mouth shut unless needed." Q'ai instructed, directing the last part to Labus and slowly pulled a arrow from his quiver as they walked along the Earthbridge. Leaving the safe threshold of the city and into the wilderness of the moon. The Muram hunter could feel the difference here. Life ebbed in every direction, benevolent and malevolent. Far different on the spectrum from the lifeness hardiness of the Helios Desert, where the life seemed to throb under your hooves or in the cold nights. 

Taking the middle of the hunting party, the major heard his leader's warning and believed every word. Pulling out his bow, he slowly readied for a surprise attack at any given time. Eyes looking about in a whole 180 degree, knowing his subordinates had his flank. Labus looked about with a bloodthirsty urgency with his falchion tight in his grip while Jhao kept his awareness more casual. He had faith in Jhao, as for Labus...hm, not as much honestly. Q'ai hoped he was wrong on his doubt. 

[Dufflepud]

Field Marshal R'ha 'Katolai
The Party is complete and the Journey begins

R'ha nodded as the Jiralhanae joined their ranks - the varied skill sets of this particular party was looking to give then quite an advantage. Most of the other parties were made up of members of only of one species. As R'ha's front foot touched the beginning of the earth bridge, a massive testament to the solidarity of Sangheili construction he breathed in the scent of the marketplace one last time. When he returned, he would either be an honored huntsman, or a lesser in the eyes of many. Few times did a Field Marshal's sense of respect come into question. This was one of them.

Pulling the enormous, unstrung bow from his shoulders, R'ha reached for the incredibly thick tendon that made it so effective as a weapon. As they made their way across the cold, hard rock that spanned the wide gorge beneath them, he bent the weapon down, attaching the top loop of the string to its designated notch. Giving the string a soft twang with one massive finger, he reached for one of the feathered shafts that stood out from his back. Selecting a flat-head, he strung it artfully, before giving a test pull. Satisfied with the well crafted weapon's perfect tension, he allowed it to relax down to his side, keeping the arrow in place with a finger.

Skirmisher Commando Vox
Shadowing Reticent

Vox's predatory gaze missed nothing as she joined the departing crowd. Each group or individual earned some sort of recognition from her, and she made a note to remember which ones appeared the most likely to succeed. However, it was one group in particular that continued to catch her gaze. Three incredibly high ranking Sangheili lead a slew of "lesser races," although they appeared to be conversing as near equals. Rarely, if ever had she seen a member of the renowned warrior race provide so much respect towards their charges, let alone a Jiralhanae who respected their authority, or an Unggoy who marched alongside Kig-Yar.

It was this group that would most likely triumph, she determined, for the cooperation of a slew of hunters with varying talents could not be outshone by less diverse parties. Indeed, even the timid Unggoy would have a role to play - something she recognized even considering her disdain for the creatures. Weaving through the crowd, she kept herself within two dozen paces of the group. She would be tracking them, even as they made their way deeper into the jungle. She could almost smell the success on them - this would be her chance to prove the worth of herself and her race as a whole.

[Faclan]

Nek Dal, Merchant and hesitant Hunter.
Scared of all the girls.

Mostly staying quiet as the assembled hunters talked back and fourth Nek tried to keep his mind from wandering back to horrible death in the jungle or with his neck in the Sangheili's hands. Looking around the market as they started to leave he was glad to Gus was still manning his ships small stall, a good majority of the weapons and supplies purchased as the credits and coin started to pile up which was always good. But as he looked back he spotted some orange tipped feathers over a Sangheilis shoulder. Raising his eyeridges a bit he stood up straighter to try and get a few of them as the Sangheili moved to reveal the massive female. Seeing the female glare at him Nek almost immediately looked away from her eyes and back to the hunting party. Thoughts of his mistress flooding back to him as he set a hand over his locket under his coat as he shuddered a little bit. The stare reminded him of the predatory one that his kind would have when they hunt, but when directed at yourself you generally didn't feel that good.

Glancing to the side as Kex walked off to talk with his favorite underling Nek caught a little bit of their conversation, luckily not seeing Kex act slovenly before as he smiled. He was glad to have more eyes watching out for them than just that female. He was tempted to look back and see if she was still watching but then he thought against it, so instead he made sure he had his net, spear, saber, and little bit of food and water before following the lead Sangheili across the large bridge.

Looking over the forest, he was fearing what was ahead to be sure, but some excitement was starting to enter his mind as well. With a team like this maybe he would be able to get some trophies and live to tell about it. Smiling he nodded to Kex and hefted his weapons. 

"Onward then friend, to glory and excitement," he said in the Kig-Yar tongue as he tried to get into it.

[Spartan 999]

Sorsa 'Xirsasai
Finally beginning the Hunt

The hunting party traversed the forest swiftly without much speech, as even the Unggoy knew it was best to not attract undue attention. Not yet. At times they glimpsed glowing eyes in the distance, which vanished after a few seconds--far too short a time for any of the hunters with ranged weapons to aim and shoot.

About fifteen minutes into the long hike up the mountain trail, a hair-raising (for the Jiralhanae, anyway) hiss echoed through the trees. There were no other members of the Covenant even close to their position, so the ba'knwa were closing on their party. Just then, an adult Moonbeast burst from the underbrush and pounced at Sorsa. Reflexively, he hopped to the side and slammed the bottom of his flattened hand into the side of the creature's neck.

The ba'knwa went sprawling away, but recovered quickly and came back up to its feet. Unfortunately for the adult, it happened to be almost right in the middle of the hunting party. Then again, that might not have been such a problem, as a moment later, a small group of juveniles charged en masse, lead by a second adult. They attacked the left-rear side of the Covenant team and attempted to break through it like shocktroopers, hissing and screeching in an attempt to frighten the hunters.

Sorsa drew both of his swords and chuckled excitedly as he heard another adult-lead group of juveniles moving nearby.

"And so it begins, brothers." He said over his shoulder, a wide grin spread underneath his helmet.

[Huka]

Til 'Muramai
The First Contact

 In the hike up the mountain path, Til pondered on the subspecies in the ba'knwa, they were already quite deadly with their hording juveniles and Sangheili-strong adult cycles, but he've faced such strength before with the deadly Sand Prowlers. Instinctively cunning pride-minded creatures of reptilian and feline characteristics, their low slick bodies managed to carry through the desert without much difficult and camouflaged almost perfectly with the sands. Several unaware hunters and visitors were victims to the more savage prowlers, which allowed their skulls to be perfect trophies for the young bloods of the clan. The clan rite of passage was a ever-changing one; one generation it would be prowlers, another generation would be sand worms (benemoths on their own, nevermind their elder stage), and further generation would be tasked with hunting through the mountain for the rare vy'uxa birds. Til was unfortunate enough to be tasked with the sand worms. He could still remember seeing one of his room-brothers being strangled and devoured by one like serpent.

 
 The Zealot shuddered when he felt the phantom sensation of electricity running through his blind eyeball's nerves. Instinctively moving away from the others, he turned with a flourish of his spear and thrusted down upon the surrounded ba'knwa. "First blood!" He cried out as his spear-tip penetrated the cervical vertebrae of the creature, killing it almost instantly, and twisted for good measure. Then more of the plentiful creatures came with territorial hisses and gleaming natural weapons. "Show no fear!" 

Q'ai 'Muramai
Close Quarters 

 When the alien beast was struck out into the open and killed promptly by the expert warlords, Q'ai spun fast to see a herd of the somewhat smaller beasts. His arrow already nocked and sent flying in the beginning and end of the triple heartbeats, Q'ai gave out a distinctive growl and clicking tusks like most Muram as his weapon scratched the leading Alpha and embedded into a rearing ba'knwa's front left eye. Giving a short-lived yelp, the reptilian flopped on its back with flailing arms to remove the barbed weapon. 

 As his swift arm moved to nock another, one of the younger ba'knwa was flying in midair, and promptly intercepted by a growling Jhao with a spear. Driving the screaming beast to the ground, the warpainted hunter kicked his boot out and broke another's jaw. Labus grabbed his falchion with a warcry and slammed the blade down on one's head. Two tried to take an opportunity of adding weight and mauling, but the young warrior was strong for his clan. Striking his powerful arms upwards and sending the pair flailing on the ground, Labus caught a third in his hands and delivered a reckless headbutt on its nostrils. A sickly crunch was heard on impact-no telling from whom-and the Minor threw the dazed juvenile into its brethren before wavering abit in a daze himself. 

 Q'ai mumbled under his breath when he saw that and shot one of the recovering Juveniles in the back-eye at full pull, a mercifully quick kill to say the least. "Foolish youths these days." he mused and seeing his bow will not do much good, put it away and changed to the infamous Muram curveblade. The decapitation-perfected blade gleamed in the moonlights before slicing the air and through a upright ba'knwa's neck with a beautiful sound of metal meeting indeveloped scales.

[BetaWülf]

Garatus, bringing honor to his Clan

Garatus looked around as his hair raised when a terrible noise filled the air, he turned to see an adult Moon beast leap at Sorsa, then hordes of younger ba'knwa poured from the surrounding forest. Garatus roared with a lust to kill as the creatures attacked, he side stepped ones lunge as Til called out "First blood!", then crushed its head with a downward swing. One jumped upon his back as he was dispatching another, he reached up and slammed it to the ground then stabbed it in the temple.

He raised the hammer high and brought it down with the blade facing towards his next opponent, he swung with might and nearly severed the Moon Beasts head, he pulled the blade from the slumped corpse and readied himself for more.

Dakek The Destroyer, finally getting to Destroy something!

Dakek felt a surge of fear fill his body when he heard the hiss, but readied himself and tried to keep a stern look. An adult Moon Beast jumped upon that one Sangheili he wasn't very fond of just before a bunch of smaller ones came out of the forest surrounding them. He went to pull his sword but was tackled by one of the juveniles before he could, he dodged a bite and started to go in to a frenzy like a cornered animal.

He started punching and clawing at the beast then unhinged his rebreather and started biting too. The beast recoiled from the gashes, bites and claw marks covering its chest, Dakek drew his sword as it charged again and it impaled its own brain on the blade. Dakek was in awe of his own achievement, he had slain a mighty Moon Beast, how many other Unggoy could say that? He heaved and pulled on the blade trying to free it from the beasts skull to no avail. With one more great tug he tumbled backwards and fell within the safety of the party once more.

Kex, going to get that trophy!

Kex hissed in return and his feathery spines raised and his pupils went to slits, an Adult Ba'knwa leapt from the forest on one of the Sangheili, then quite a few Juveniles spewed forth and attacked. Kex tossed his net and caught one but it bolted with it still on, tumbling down the hill and out of sight. Kex cursed then threw his spear and impaled one through the side, then the beast began to flail about before collapsing in a pool of its own blood, Kex exclaimed in excitement as he drew his sword and dagger.

He jumped as on leapt at him and made a sharp downward kick onto its head, he landed beside it and thrust forward with his sword then with his dagger, between the ribs then the throat. The beast fell still and Kex looked for another, this one knocked him down and pinned him before Kex delivered a swift knee to its gut, he slid his dagger up into its ribs and it shrieked, it fell back but wasn't quite finished. Kex stabbed it repeatedly until it stopped moving, then let out a delighted saurian howl.

[Faclan]

Nek Dal, Merchant and hesitant Hunter.
The first test.

Sticking close to Kex as the party continued to move out toward the forest Nek was finally able to bring his mind off the horrible deaths and into the actual hunt. They were in the danger zone now, he couldn't let his wondering mind get Kex, himself, or any of the other hunters killed. Roving his eyes around the forest he clutched his spear tightly with his net over his shoulder. Any of these trees could hold one of those moonbeasts, ready to drop down on top of them and just squash them under their weight. His ears on alert as well as his eyes as the Sangheili led the way. Though it didn't take long for the moonbeasts to find them.

The large hiss was a good indication they were about to be attacked, so Nek retrieved his net and stopped, spear stuck into the soft earth beside him as he darted his head around, very birdlike. The first large beast leapt out but was swiftly ended by the Sangheili as, not to be outdone, the other Sangheili seemed to kill their own in quick time. Glancing to his side as the Unggoy also engaged in combat he was focusing more on the one that was leaping at Kex and himself. Kex seemed to handle it though as he moved to his side and stood ready; he was still a little unsure about this whole hunting thing, but his base instincts rose and took over as did his feather mane as the smell of blood and shouts got more and more overpowering.

Once Kex killed his beast he howled in triumph, unaware that another beast was sailing his way claws extended and mouth awaiting some delicious space chicken. Widening his eyes Nek made a hasty throw of his net, managing to throw it in a ball like nature rather than open, but it stuck into the open mouth regardless as the beast flailed in the air and gave muffled roars of anger. Secondly Nek grabbed Kex around the chest and yanked him to the side to avoid the still slashing claws as the beast sailed past him, the upper arm of Nek's coat slashed but it was a glancing blow, so only a small cut was received.

Now that Kex was out of the way of that beast he drew his two handed saber and stood ready as the beast managed to spit out the net and turn toward himself and Kex. Nek managing to smile as he nodded to his security chief as he waited for it to approach, Nek confident that he and Kex could slice it up good when it approached together. His spear still stuck in the ground around the middle of the party, but for now Nek was content to use the large saber.

[BetaWülf]

Garatus, fighting the good fight

Garatus roared savagely as the Moon Beasts practically swarmed him, he didn't really have to aim so much as try not to bash his legs. He dropped the hammer when he was bitten in the lower arm, he punched it off before stomping its head flat with his massive foot. Being in the back wasn't as fun as he thought it would be, these beasts were becoming annoying and dangerous as they started tiring the hunters, Garatus looked up in surprise as the second adult attacked him. He was knocked to the ground and recoiled as the beast charged, it rammed him and its head slipped between his arm and his side.

He locked his left arm around the beasts neck and started slamming his fist into its shoulders as it struggled, it broke loose and clawed him across the gut, it wasn't too deep but hurt none the less. He tackled it to the ground and started slamming his forearms down on it to weaken it, he punched it in the temple so its mouth would open when it shrieked. He grabbed its lower jaw and pulled trying to keep its mouth open, then he managed to grab its upper mouth with his other hand. He pulled with all his might and the beast screamed as sickening jarring pop was heard when its jaw buckled under the force, Garatus twisted its head and it fell limp at his feet, he stood on its corpse and beat his fists on his chest and roared in triumph.

Dakek the Destroyer

"Hack and slash! Hack and slash! HAHHHHGGH!" Dakek said, remembering the instructions his cousin had given him before being slashed across the face by a Moon beast claw. He fell backwards in terrible pain, he was glad he still had two eyes but the pain was awful. He swung his sword downwards with one hand as he held his face in the other, it connected and he peered out to see a Moon beast slumping as the blood poured from its neck.

He was happy to have made two kills and have survived them, he swung sideways and caught one across the snout, it fell back into the horde of Moon beasts as more came to take its place. Dakek stabbed straight out into another ones eye and into the skull, it shuddered and twitched as Dakek shimmied the sword out.

Kex the Pirate monster hunter

Kex went from roaring in triumph to being pulled backwards by Nek, a wild flailing claw caught his friend across the arm as Kex realized he was being saved. He stood up as Nek drew his Saber and readied himself, he lifted his blades and hissed. He nodded back to Nek as the beast approached, it leapt forward and Kex side stepped.

They both started going to work on it, Kex slashed at its side and Nek landed heavy blows with his large blade, Kex aimed for the legs now as they both continued to attack it, Kex was knocked to the side but was confident Nek could finish it off now that he was getting into the fight.

[Huka]

Til 'Muramai


The devils of his nightmares charged him with flesh-rending fangs and scarring talons but the Field Master released a defiant roar as his spear whirled hard and smacked the moonbeasts left and right with quick pull back to make sure his barbed spearhead crippled their limbs and sight. The Spearmaster lept forward and impaled a rearing Moonbeast just under the ribs: piercing the unarmored underbelly, penetrating through organs, no doubt sundering between the lungs and stabbed through the spinal cord before viciously ripping back out. His weapon gory with rended muscles and thick blood, Til’s good eye swiped over the field to see his comrades in fine combat.



The Sangheili whirled his spear vertical before thrusting upwards into a Juvenile’s throat. Following the crunch of its hyoid bone, Til snapped the blunt shaft of his weapon against its skull once, then again and again! The creature shrieked with a crushed windpipe and tried to fight back, but while it had strength to rival a Sangheili, the Zealot was far quicker. Succumbing to the lack of air and the blungeoning, the Moonbeast was smacked to the side with thick blood oozing from its eyes, nostrils, and mouth.


 While the swarm dying to just few members left, the survivors hissed and screamed vengefully before taking the initiative to retreat back into the darkness. Til held his bloodied spear high in triumph, "First victory of the night!" He cried out to his comrades and stabbed his spearhead down onto the beaten beast's neck. With a sharp twist and keeping its twitching body down with a boot, the Zealot retrieved his first trophy of the hunt; the slack-jawed head of a Ba'knwa juvenile, a meager victory in comparison to the deadly adult. 

 "Gather yourself and when you are ready, report." He instructed firmly. 

(OOC: Excuse the long wait, was waiting if the other Sangheili would post and had personal troubles.)

[Faclan]

Nek Dal, Merchant and hesitant Hunter.
We're alive!?

Keeping his eyes on the beast in front of himself and Kex Nek avoided thinking about the wound in his arm as it charged at them. Both Mercenaries stabbing and slashing as it tried to strike them, but both of their longer weapons made a wall of pain that the beast couldn't cross, and so was steadily beaten back by them. Nek suddenly leapt forward and made a hasty stab, taking the beat in its shoulder, rather than the head or anything else that would have been a better target. But luckily Kex followed up with a better strike that downed the beast.

Setting his unbooted foot on the creature he yanked his saber out and raised it with Kex this time and Screeched with him in triumph as the few remaining beasts fled into the forest. He hadn't felt such a rush since back when he had been raided...but for once it was him that was the one in control as he patted Kex on the shoulder, saber still held high, full of the feeling of being alive. "Victory friend! Lets hope we can continue it!" He said, looking down at the dead beast at their feet and quickly severing both of its front paws, handing one to Kex and flicking some of the blood off his before placing it in his backpack as he went to work cleaning his blade off on the grass before sheathing it across his back.

Smiling at the Unggoy and the Jiralhanae as he walked past them both he retrieved his spear and net and walked back towards Kex, nodding to the Jiralhanae and the Unggoy as he moved past them again. "Impressive Jiralhanae, glad our on our side, and I hope our victories continue." He patted the Unggoy on the shoulder as he handed him a herb out of his bag. "Should help numb the pain in your face, don't eat it all at once though, just small pieces when the pain spikes up until you get some proper aid." Smiling again he sauntered on over back to Kex, looking down at the slice across his arm as he raises a eye ridge at the Sangheili who was the apparent leader.

"Their claws aren't poisonous are they? But we're ready."

[Dufflepud]

Field Marshal R'ha Katolai
Somewhat Lost

R'ha had strayed from the rest of the group for only a moment to investigate a strange noise. When he made his way back the the path they had been following, however, he could detect not a trace of their presence. Although ordinarily his acute senses would be able to pick something up, the dense jungle severely impacted his nose and ears. Constant animal calls and distracting scents had been driving him half mad since they had started their trek, and now that he was separated from the rest of his hunting party...

It was only the sharp crackle of a foot coming down on a small twig that alerted him to the presence behind him. Twirling about and unsheathing his greatsword in one fluid motion, R'ha almost thumbed the ignition of the blade's energy field, remembering the rules of the hunt before giving into instinct. Barely a meter ahead of him was the snarling maw of an adult moonbeast, saliva dripping out from between glistening white teeth. It gave a low growl that resonated from a cavernous rib cage, which R'ha returned in kind, and the two began to circle one another, the twin points of the greatsword slowly lowering to face his adversary.

Suddenly, a thought came to him... from what he had read, didn't adults hunt in pairs? As if on cue, a massive force hammered into his back. A lesser sangheili would have been bowled over, but remembering his martial training, the field Marshal twisted, allowing the momentum of the creature to continue past him. As it sailed by, raking claws tore across his shoulder, emitting a sickening screech as they contacted a steel plate. It had taken first blood, but R'ha was determined to have the last.

The two adults began to circle him now, their barbed tails lashing back and forth. Although not yet poisonous, he would still need to be wary of the scorpion-like natural weapons. Slowing his breath and entering into a state of awareness, he shifted his footing to account for the changing positions of his adversaries.

"I am predator not prey," he whispered to himself, cutting the silence and lunging forwards with an arching slash. The first moonbeast leapt aside, and the second darted in, keen on taking advantage of R'ha's perceived opening. However, the Sangheili, expecting this, continued the circular motion around, arms taut but relaxed as a step brought the thrumming steel down on the second creature. The blade sliced into its arm, spattering its blood across a nearby treelike growth. It limped back with a hiss, the first beast already launching its tail-weapon forwards with unnatural speed. The blademaster rotated once more, this time bringing up the flat of the blade and easily deflecting the strike. A quick repost lopped the tail off, and the Ba'knwa roared in pain and anger. stepping in as if to strike, He instead reversed his grip on the weapon, allowing the second moonbeast to impale itself as it attempted to leap upon him. Its claws scrabbled feebly against his armor, but the light soon faded in its eyes and it grew still.

The first creature roared defiantly, accepting its death as the great sword was slid free, lifted high in the air and brought down to taste its enemy's blood once more. R'ha grinned - two adults made a worthy prize this early in the hunt. Suddenly, the battle cry of a Sangheili - unmistakably that of his friend and ally, Til Muramai - cut through the air. Quickly removing the tail barbs of his victims, R'ha placed the trophies in a pouch at his side and began to make his way towards the sound. 

[Huka]

Til 'Muramai

While waiting on the report of the others, Til walked with the heads of his chosen Juvenile trophy and the Adult hanging from his belt by sizable hooks, blood and saliva from their jaws dripping noisily on his cuisse. As for the few other kills, he tore off a fang and claw from their bodies with a certain glee that all hunters of his clan would feel. They will make a fine necklace for my wife. The Zealot didn't care much for mistresses like most Sangheili, he loved only his wife and cared enough for the women he did encounter to not regard them as just a 'breeding tool' that some arrogant curs do. 

Reflecting on that, Til slipped the bloodied mementos in a pouch, and turned to an question from the Kig-yar. "No, not the common ba'kwna anyway. However, we will see Alphas soon after this. They will have poisonous quills and certainly know how to aim." He warned while wiping his spear-tip off with his handkerchief. Recalling his first battle with that life stage of the Moon Beasts, he started to look around to count heads. 

Kig-yar...

Unggoy...surprising.


Q'ai and his ilk...

Sorsa...

R'ha...

Blinking, the Huntmaster started to look around, "R'ha!" He called out, moving swift to either side of the group. How can they lose a massive Sangheili like the Field Marshal he'll never know. The youngsters of Q'ai's lance looked about in confusion but it didn't take long before the Muram archer to call out, "There he is, Holy Zealot." Moving next to his clan-brother, Til unconsciously exhaled in relief. He didn't like losing hunters under his command and certainly a friend-as well as commanding officer. 

"There you are, R'ha!" The Zealot greeted before clicking his mandibles and continued with a very rare expression; teasing, "You and your uncle Nyla are going to give me a heart attack before the Queen do?" 

[Dufflepud]

R'ha Katolai

R'ha gave a hearty chuckle as he approached, grinning at Til with an uncharacteristic glee. He was beginning to enjoy this hunt...

"I'm glad you worried for me, brother, although," he said, reaching for his trophy pouch and shaking it so that the tail barbs of the two adults he had slain clacked against one another, "you know full well that I can handle myself. Reattaching it to his waist, he stepped into the clearing, clasping Til and then Sorsa on the shoulder before surveying the carnage.

"I came when I heard the shouts, but it seems as though you took care of the attack quite easily, and without losing anyone! But I forget myself... I apologize for my lagging behind. I went to investigate a sound and the next moment you were gone. I give my word to this hunting party that I will not stray again."

As he spoke, he reached for the bow on his back, sliding it out and flexing the unstrung wooden shaft back and forth several times. With one massive arm, he pressed it into the ground while retrieving the thick tendon he used as a bowstring. Wrapping the cord around the top, he flipped the weapon over and mirrored the action. Removing an arrow from his quiver, he nocked it before relaxing the bow at his side. Next time a Ba'knwa approached, he would be ready.

[BetaWülf]

Garatus, gathering trophies

Garatus nodded back to the Kig-yar as they passed, and repeated as they went passed again, he was surprised when one of them spoke to him since they usually avoid talking to the more powerful races.

"You didn't do too bad yourself, you're good with that Saber of yours." Garatus said as he ripped the jaw off of the adult Moon beast he had killed, a slimey, fleshy *squip* noise issued as muscle and tendon alike were ripped. He proceeded to rip the flesh off until the jawbone was fleshless, and then took a leather cord and made a necklace of the jaw.

He ripped the teeth of his other kills, and some claws too, and packed them away, he started to field dress one by spilling its guts but decided to make sure it was not against to eat them this early in the Hunt, but then Til started looking worriedly for his friend R'ha who quickly emerged from the forest, after they spoke Garatus issued his question.

"Can we eat them now or is there a certain time we must do so Master Muramai?" Garatus said.

Dakek the Destroyer, making a hat!

Dakek took the herb from the friendly Kig-yar but was wary as he recalled the Kig-yar attempt to sterilize his entire race, but kept it in his leather pouch in case he trusted them later, besides, he's look tough if he didn't use it.

"Thanks, it doesn't hurt too bad right now so I'll save it for later." Dakek said smiling and trying to be friendly. Dakek Proceeded to decapitate the smallest Moon beast he'd killed and remove the skin and muscle until it was just a skull, he then removed the brain. As he broke the bottom of the skull open the brain and its fluid rushed out into a nasty pool of muck, Dakek took a rag and cleaned out the inside the started to lift the skull to try it on but the jaw bone fell off. He took a length of rope and tied the left jaw to the left Zygomatic arch(Cheekbone) to the jaw so he could see out of the wide open mouth, but when he tried to do the right side he couldn't keep it tight and tie it off at the same time.

"Could someone help me tie this tight?" Dakek said as he held the rope tight.

Kex, finally getting his trophy!

Kex caught the paw and wiped the blood on his finger and made three stripes down the left side of his face, he stuffed the paw in his pack and started chopping ones head off.

"Aye, Victory continued would be nice, here's hoping" Kex said as he wrapped the head to preserve it until it could be stuffed.

Kex started taking teeth and grabbed his spear, too bad his net was gone, but he'd manage just fine without it. He started taking claws as Nek asked if the claws were deadly beyond being sharp and was relieved when The Sangheili said they were safe in that respect, he finished with claws and started taking flank meat but paused as the Jiralhanae asked a very important question.

[Faclan]

Nek Dal, Merchant and hesitant Hunter.
Eating now?

Smiling back at the huge Jiralhanae Nek looked back at the Unggoy before he winced a little at the sound of flesh being ripped and bones being snapped. That was another thing he didn't like to much about hunting, getting the more extravagant trophies, it was understandable that the trophies better being bone rather than bone with rotting flesh on it...but still. He forced himself to look away back toward the Sangheili, probably appearing a little weak that all the sound and sights were making him a bit queasy as he breathed a little sigh of relief as small drips of purple blood slid down his jackets sleeve a bit.

"Good to know, I'll be on the alert for the sound of darts flying then." He replied as he glanced to the side and noticed the Sangheili from before come back, seemingly carrying trophies of his own. How often did this Hunt happen again? It must be some time for the Moon Beast species to recover enough to be this viciously hunted. He made a mental note to look that up later on his ship if he got backNO, thoughts off that! Running one of his hands through his feather mane he looked away as the Sangheili conversed and back to the Unggoy, offering his hands as he held the jaw bone on, not fully on board with the shorter aliens choice of headwear, but he knew it would be pointless to argue so just went with it.

He did however look over when the Jiralhanae spoke about eating them, which cause him to look genuinely confused until he glanced at Kex and saw the same hunger in his eyes. Rolling his own eye Nek glances back at the Sangheili as he spoke up, still holding the jaw bone for the Unggoy. "Eat now? When we may be surrounded by Moon beasts? Shouldn't we wait until we're back at the Keep at least? Hopefully all of us still alive and nearly over encumbered with trophies..."

[Huka]

Til ‘Muramai


The veteran chuckled deeply to the Field Marshal’s words and beheld his trophies before giving a clamp on his commanding officer’s shoulder in turn with a nod. Slowly turning and looking over his hunting party, he was nonetheless glad to see no one died…and was surprised of the Unggoy’s survival. Watching the Kig-yar merchant Nek Dal helping Dakek get a skull-cap on. Quickly looking back to R’ha as he explain his short-termed disappearance, the Zealot nodded, “Good, we need a fully-functional party to become this festival’s winners.”


When that was done, his eye drifted to Garatus’ question and looked confused for a moment. The Grand Hunter recalled something about that. Glaring at the Moonbeasts’ bodies, the Sangheili often ‘zone out’-as the humans say in their vulgar banter-food and other needless distractions from their minds during battle. This is one of those moments, whilst Jiralhanae often connected food with battle.

“We will hold off from eating…” he said, towards the mountains, “Until then, keeping moving. We’ve wasted enough time…come, brothers. To glory and honor.”