[Music] of all the creatures to ruin a hunting trip it had to be a human goric an 8ft tall Predator with scales like obsidian and Claws that could shred steel crouched silently in the underbrush His Four Eyes scanned the dense forest each trained on a different angle of the clearing ahead the Cubs a trio of fuzzy wide-eyed valri younglings huddled under a root structure their pale blue fur making them stand out against the dark soil goric could already taste victory he would Feast well tonight just as he prepared to spring forward a blur of movement
crashed into the clearing it was a human of all things and he wasn't even armed the man wore a tattered jacket thick boots caked with mud and an expression that teetered between panic and Reckless abandon he skitted to a stop between the predator and the Cubs arms wide as if he were blocking the path of an oncoming spaceship run the human shouted over his shoulder at the terrified Cubs the Cubs stared at him utterly confused their tiny bodies trembling they didn't run goric stepped out of the underbrush his claws glinting in the Moonlight you're not
prey he growled in his guttural tongue his fangs gleaming you're an annoyance the human didn't Flinch yeah well I've been called worse he said you're not touching them the valri Cubs were considered Delicacies across five star systems and their hides fetched even higher prices goric had hunted dozens of them before but never had anyone especially not a scrawny human interfered he took another step forward towering over the man you can't win goric rumbled step aside human or become my appetizer no the human said his voice was firm but there was something in his stance that
wasn't quite Defiance it was more like resolve he picked up a broken Branch from the ground gripping it like it was a legendary weapon goric laughed a guttural echoing sound brave but foolish goric said he lunged the human was faster than goric expected he sidestepped the attack and jabbed the branch into gic's side it snapped like a twig against the Predator's scales but the human didn't stop he grabbed a fist-sized rock and hurled it at gor's head it bounced off harmlessly but it was enough to make the Predator pause are you trying to annoy me
to death goric asked more amused than angry just buying time the human said his chest heaving come on little guys move it the Cubs finally understood the urgency in the human's voice they bolted from their hiding spot darting into the thick underbrush goric snarled and moved to give Chase but the human threw himself into the Predator's path arms spread wide again you'll have to go through me first asham the human said his voice low but steady gladly goric growled the Predator lunged again this time with deadly intent the human ducked under gic's Claws and rammed
his shoulder into the Predator's chest it was like slamming into a wall but it knocked goric off balance just enough for the human to roll out of the way and grab another Branch you're persistent goric said his tone now tinged with irritation he flexed his claws but persistence won't save you the human didn't reply his breath came in ragged gasps and sweat dripped down his face but his grip on the branch tightened he wasn't going to back down goric lunged a third time swiping with both claws this time the human wasn't fast enough one claw
raked across his arm tearing through Fabric and skin blood seeped into his sleeve but he didn't cry out instead he swung the branch like a club smashing it into gic's face the Predator roared more in frustration than pain and reared back the human used the moment to scramble backward positioning himself between goric in the direction the Cubs had fled his legs were shaking but he planted his boots firmly in the dirt you're not very good at staying down are you goric said licking the blood from his claws guess not the human replied his voice horse
for a moment they stared each other down goric could see the human's chest rising and falling rapidly hear the faint wheeze of his breath the man was outmatched in every conceivable way strength speed durability and yet he stood his ground battered and bleeding a stubborn spark in his eyes goric let out a low growl why why risk your life for prey that isn't even your own species the human hesitated then said because someone has to it wasn't the answer goric expected most creatures he hunted begged for mercy or tried to bargain for their lives but
this human didn't ask for anything he wasn't fighting for himself he was fighting for something else entirely something that didn't make sense to goric before the Predator could respond a distant howl echoed through the forest it was a deep resonant sound that made goric spines bristle he turned his head toward the noise His Four Eyes narrowing they'll be back soon the human said he sounded almost smug you might want to leave while you still can goric glared at him weighing his options the human was injured exhausted and unarmed but he had managed to stall goric
long enough for the Cubs to escape and now reinforcements likely adult valck were on their way with a low snarl goric backed away you've made an enemy today human yeah well get in line the human muttered goric disappeared into the Shadows of the forest his black scales blending seamlessly ly with the night the human collapsed to his knees clutching his wounded arm he looked around listening for any sign of the Cubs but they were long gone safe for now the forest was quiet again save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind and the
faint drip of blood from the human's arm he tore off a strip of his jacket and wrapped it tightly around the wound grimacing as he pulled the makeshift bandage taught the adrenaline that had carried him through the fight was ebbing repl Ed by a dull ache that spread through his body still he allowed himself a small tired smile the Cubs were safe for now he didn't have time to rest though the distant howl goric had reacted to wasn't just a warning it was a promise adult vals would be coming and unlike the Cubs they wouldn't
hesitate to tear apart anything in their path he didn't know how many there would be but one thing was certain staying in one place wasn't an option the man staggered to his feet leaning briefly against a tree for support his eyes scanned the forest trying to get his bearings the dense foliage looked the same in every direction but he remembered seeing a ridge when he'd first entered the area Higher Ground would give him a better View and hopefully a way to figure out where the Cubs had gone he wasn't about to let his effort go
to waste by leaving them defenseless come on leg he muttered to himself forcing them to move just a little further the climb to the ridge was brutal every step sent a sharp jolt of pain through his injured arm and his legs felt like they were made of lead He Slipped more than once on the loose soil barely catching himself before tumbling back down by the time he reached the top he was drenched in sweat his breath coming in short ragged gas but the view was worth it the forest stretched out before him an endless sea
of green under the pale glow of the planet's twin moons in the he spotted a faint trail of broken branches leading toward a rocky outcrop the Cubs must have headed that way it wasn't much but it was a start he was about to start moving when a low growl stopped him in his tracks slowly he turned his head standing at the edge of the ridge was another Predator smaller than goric but no less dangerous its Sleek feline body was covered in dark fur and its glowing yellow eyes were locked onto the human with predatory intent
this wasn't a hunter like goric this was a scavenger drawn by the scent of blood great the man muttered gripping the nearest Branch he could find it was barely the length of his forearm but it was better than nothing you couldn't have waited until I was dead the creature didn't respond not that he expected it to it crouched low muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce the human braced himself every muscle in his body screaming in protest he was already running on fumes and this new threat wasn't helping when the Beast leaped he swung the
branch with all the strength he had left it connected with a sickening crack catching the creature across the side of its head the blow wasn't enough to kill it but it sent the scavenger skidding across the ground yowling in pain before it could recover the man lunged forward and drove the jagged end of the branch into its side the creature let out a final guttural snarl before collapsing the man stumbled back nearly losing his balance as the adrenaline surged and then vanished just as quickly his chest heaved his vision blurred and for a moment he
thought he might pass out but the sound of movement in the distance snapped him out of it the Val rcks they were getting closer no rest for the heroic he muttered bitterly dragging himself toward the rocky outcrop his legs felt like they might give out at any moment but he couldn't afford to stop not when the Cubs were still out there as he reached the outcrop he spoted them three small shapes huddled together in a shallow cave their wide eyes glinting in the Moonlight they recognized him immediately letting out soft plaintive whimpers relief flooded through
him as he crouched at the entrance hey there you are he said his voice softer now you're okay one of the Cubs shuffled closer sniffing at his injured arm the man winced but didn't pull away the little creature let out a curious chirp its tiny claws patting at his makeshift bandage for a moment he allowed himself to sit there just breathing just existing then he heard the howl again much closer this time the Cubs froze their fur bristling as they pressed themselves against the cave wall the human's stomach dropped he didn't know how many valck
were coming but if he stayed here they'd all be cornered all right he said quietly more to himself than the Cubs time for plan something he looked around the cave searching for anything he could use the walls were rough the floor littered with loose Stones his gaze landed on a jagged Rock sharp enough to cut it wasn't much but it would have to do he picked it up testing its weight in his good hand stay here he told the Cubs no matter what stay put the Cubs didn't understand his words but they seemed to sense
the urgency in his tone they pressed themselves even further into the cave their tiny bodies trembling the man gave them a small nod before stepping outside the sharp Rock clutched tightly in his hand the forest around him was alive with the sounds of movement branches snapping leaves rustling the low growls of predators on the hunt they were coming he tightened his grip on the Rock bracing himself for the fight he knew was inevitable the first valck emerged from the Shadows its massive frame outlined by the Moonlight unlike the Cubs its fur was darker coarser and
its Amber eyes glowed with an intense inity that sent a chill down the man's spine behind it two more followed each as massive and imposing as the first their growls reverberated through the clearing low and threatening as they locked eyes on the lone human standing in their path the man raised his makeshift weapon a jagged Rock hardly worthy of the term his heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst but he didn't move he couldn't the Cubs were behind him and there was nowhere left to run all right then he muttered under his
breath let's see what you've got the lead valck lunged without warning a blur of fur and teeth the man Sid stepped swinging the rock with all his strength it connected with the side of the Vick's head not enough to cause real damage but enough to throw it off balance the Predator snarled and lashed out with a massive paw catching the man across the chest he stumbled backward gasping as the force of the blow knocked the wind out of him before he could recover the second valri charged this one was faster more aggressive it came at
him low aiming for his legs the man barely managed to LEAP out of the way landing hard on the rocky ground his injured arm screamed in protest as he scrambled to his feet clutching the rock like it was the only thing keeping him alive the third Val rck hung back watching waiting its eyes glinted with a predatory cunning that was Almost Human the man realized with a sinking feeling that they weren't weren't just Mindless beasts they were working together testing him wearing him down smart he muttered spitting blood onto the ground but I've Got Brains
too the lead valck attacked again its jaws snapping inches from his face this time the man didn't dodge instead he ducked low and thrust the sharp Rock upward driving it into the soft flesh under the creature's jaw the vck howled in pain rearing back as blood sprayed from the wound the man stumbled away breathing hard his hands slick with blood the second vck lunged but the injured leader snarled holding it back the Predators regrouped circling him now their movements slow and deliberate they knew he was tiring he knew it too the forest seemed to hold
its breath as the Predators prepared for the final strike the man tightened his grip on the bloodied Rock his knees shaking but locked in place his vision blurred every muscle in his body screaming for him to give up to run to do anything but stand there but he didn't move then a roar split the air it wasn't a valck roar it was deeper more resonant filled with an authority that silenced even the Predators the man turned his head just in time to see a massive valre emerge from the trees this one was even larger than
the others its fur is silvery white that shimmered in the Moonlight its eyes glowed with an almost otherworldly light as it stroe into the clearing the three Predators froze their ears flattening as they lowered their heads in submission the silver valck clearly their leader let out a low guttural growl and the others backed away retreating into the Shadows the man stared at the silver valri unsure whether to feel relieved or terrified it stared back its glowing eyes piercing as if weighing him judging him he held its gaze refusing to look away after what felt like
an eternity the silver Val lowered its massive head sniffing the air around him then to his shock it stepped aside its head turning toward the cave where the Cubs were hiding they're safe the man said his voice barely above a whisper he didn't know why he was talking to it but he felt like he had to I protected them the silver valeric let out a soft Rumble almost like a purr it turned its gaze back to him and for a moment he could sworn it nodded then without a sound it disappeared into the forest the
other Predators following in its wake the man collapsed to his knees The Rock slipping from his hand he sat there for a long time staring at the Blood Stained ground his mind reeling finally he forced himself to his feet and staggered back to the cave the Cubs were still huddled inside their wide eyes watching him intently it's all right he said his voice horse they're gone you're safe one by one the Cubs crept toward him their small bodies pressing against his legs he reached down his hand trembling and gently patted the nearest one on the
head it chirped softly nuzzling his arm for the first time in what felt like hours the man allowed himself to relax he had survived they had survived in the days that followed word of the human's actions spread across the Galaxy stories were told of the lone man who had faced down valck Hunters with nothing but his bare hands and sheer determination he became a legend a symbol of the strange unyielding courage that seemed to Define his kind and though he never sought recognition the vals never forgot to them he was more than a protector he
was a guardian
