Alright, I assume that the story will end maybe at chapter 50, but I still can't give a good estimate.

"And it is with great honor and responsibility, that I give the Medal of Honor to Mark Johnson. If not for the efforts of this man, our country, perhaps our entire species as a whole, would have been wiped out." the president of the United States spoke clearly and decisively.

Countless cameras and automated robots were filming the event, which was being broadcasted to the entire world.

Mark was dressed in his war garb, all metal and heavy equipment. But, his dog tags, and the necklace that displayed all of his rings of honor were on full display.

He had been holding back a chocked sob as he had been recently called by the aging man. An offer, he was told, to be displayed on national and international television.

The president had given a long and eloquent speech, thanking Mark dearly for his service not only to the nation, but to humanity in its complex. He had done more than what was expected of him, and he had secured his planet's future and safety by managing to form an alliance with the Yautja, guaranteeing an age of peace and prosperity for many centuries to come.

Even now, there were a few arbitrators present, ambassadors, present in the capital city of America. They seemingly mingled with the world leaders as if they weren't a part of two completely different races, and that was good. Naturally, not all clans were particularly pleased with this new set of rules, but the council of matriarchs had ordered and made law that hunting humans was no longer acceptable for the exception of special cases, in which the prey would be consider criminals, no better than bad bloods.

The elite hunter leaned forward so that the president could slip the star shaped medal over his head. He had now been given the highest award any member of the military could hope to achieve.

Applause erupted once the action was completed, and Mark almost felt shy at being at center of so much attention. Kyiv was present also, standing in one of the designated seats for special guests, and though he could not see him, Mark was sure that he was smiling under his mask as he politely clapped.

Slowly, the noises faded to quiet as he stood on the podium, the microphone being raised a little higher to due his size. All awaited eagerly for him to start speaking.

The hybrid briefly licked his lips and closed his single eye. "Nearly a hundred and twenty years ago, I was born on this world, back then, I was just like all of you. Then, a few years later, I was abducted if we shall put it that way." a few laughs echoed out.

"And for the rest of my life, I have hunted and done what I could to get around the yautjan way of life. It was during those long days, and especially those long nights that I would lay on my bed and wonder about Earth... my home." he kept his tone straight and it didn't break down, even if he wanted to so desperately do so.

"And I am happy, to see at what you have been capable of doing: understood humanity's problems, decided to wage peace instead of war, and became stronger as a result." he sighed a little, "The yautja have their own religion, they believe that upon death, the souls of those who have lived or fought nobly, will be taken by Lilka, goddess of life to a paradise. And it is my hope, and wish, to dedicate this badge," he gently touched the medal, "to all of the dedicate soldiers who have fallen to repel the invasion to the hish."

"A hundred and twenty years later, I stand here, amidst all of you, and I am proud to declare myself a part of this glorious species. Thank you for listening." he hoped that it was a good enough speech, he hadn't been expecting this so he had to improvise.

The room exploded with cheers and Mark gave a small wave, before turning around, saluting all of the important figures, and walking away.

'God... why?' Mark sobbed as he clutched the front of the wall, pressing his head against it.

He was safe in the privacy of his ship, and he broke down here. The hissing, he could still hear the hissing, it was not stopping... it was never going to stop.

He cried, gritting his teeth and cursing himself. He did not deserve the medal, he did not. The hunter slammed his fist against the wall, and hadn't it been made out of a strong alloy, it would have shattered.

Hiccuping a little, Mark got back up to his feet, and stiffly proceeded to go to his personal kehrite.

There, he gingerly took out a bow and a set of arrows. In these last few months, during more survivalist hunts on hive worlds and cleansings he had become entranced with archery... and it proved to calm him down a little, as he concentrate and took his mind off his recurring problems.

And he would've continued to practice, hadn't it been for the notification that came up on his computer wrist. The high matriarch was requesting a call, so he quickly made his way to the front of the ship and activated the holographic displays as Guan-Kwei, and he dropped down to one knee.

"Elite Mark, congratulations on your prestigious award." she began to talk, slightly surprising him, 'So she has watched the livestream...' he thought to himself.

"Thank you honored matron. How may I be of service to you?" she clicked her mandibles "You may rise. I desired to speak of you on the matter of obtaining a new rank." but there was no other rank for him left to achieve, the only other existing title would be that of- "The one of primal hunter." she continued.

He bowed again, "My matron, you honor me, but surely there must be some kind of mistake? I am a human, I would not be worthy- "Do not treat your hunts and victories lightly. They speak volumes for your skill, and you are worthy, much worthier than you believe yourself to be. That is why I have decided to approach the council so that you may obtain the rank, and all of its benefits." which would have been a new dwelling, an entire armada of warships manned by hunters loyal primarily to him, and a selection of planets that would become his property. He would answer to no one, and would have the uncontested will to go hunt on any game world, regardless of the clan that it belonged to.

"I... I..." "You are welcome elite. I will see you shortly on Yaut then." "Very well high matriarch."

Once again, Mark found himself standing the room that contained the most powerful figures in the entire yautja race. Not too long ago, he had been put on trial, and had been judged innocent.

Now he was here to obtain a new rank.

The matriarch of the Fire Skull clan stood in front of him as well, as she was to address the council.

"Fellow matrons, I come before you, so that this hunter may receive what is his by honor."

The primal hunters were seated in a straight line, all seven of them. Their decision was also counted, since it was their ranks, who Mark would join if their decision should prove to be positive.

Guan-Kwei then went to sit back on her throne, and the meeting officially started.

"Elite hunter Mark Johnson of the Fire Skull clan, you are here to achieve the rank of primal hunter, yes?" he bowed his head to the matriarch, "You are correct honored one."

Another huntress spoke next, "You have completed ninety seven hive cleanings, thirty one of these have also been singular ones as well. And you have collected the skulls of seventy four queens, and four empresses." "You are correct as well matron."

"He possesses the mark of Cetanu. He has all of the qualifications to be made into a primal hunter. It is time to discuss." a female from the far back raised her voice, and Mark recognized her as one of the ones who voted for his execution, "He is an ooman, and giving him such a title would do nothing but put the Fire Skull clan in a stronger position." "That is why we are here to decide upon whether or not he should receive the rank." his matron spoke up.

The Dark Blade matriarch spoke up as well, since she was the closest ally to their clan, "Additionally, to receive such a rank would mean that the hunter in question is extremely honorable. If he wasn't, his request would have already been rejected.

The females were much more calm and collected this time, and where not roaring at each other.

It was only natural that the question would then be posed to the group of primal hunters who had been quietly conversing between each other. Mark could still see that Mhei stared every once in a while. Upon entering the massive chambers, she had given him a nod of respect.

"Honored hunters, the decision rests on your shoulders most of all. Do you believe the present elite to be worthy enough to join your ranks?" they did not initially answer, though one of the huntress, easily noticeably due to her dark skin and pure white dreadlocks stared at him.

Finally, the only male, whose' age was that of an ancient stood up and walked to stand next to Mark, so that the only two males in the room where facing each other parallel to the matrons.

Ya'su-ket was old, but his senses hadn't dulled one bit, and he could that the young hunter in front of him was very good. But now he would put his skills to the test.

He lowered himself into a stance for hand to hand combat. Mark bowed to him and got into his own position.

The first few minutes were spent circling each other, to see how they would react, if their instincts were controlled.

Mark's opponent did not show any flaws in his stance. It was perfect to be honest. That was why he was not surprised, that upon initiating combat, he was it able to break his guard.

It did not matter if he used all of the martial arts that he knew about, nor did it matter if he grappled. Everything that he threw at him was countered, and they hurt quite a bit. But Mark had been training inexhaustibly for the better part of his life, and he matched the hunter blow for blow.

Kicks, punches, submission holds, they were all parried and blocked and reversed. In the end, they would always find themselves back to their initial setup. They were evenly matched, and it was clear that there wouldn't be a clear victor.

Ya'su-ket stopped moving all together: he was sweating and was begging to tire, and so was the hunter in front of him. He bowed his head to him, indicating the end of the fight.

It was a tie.

"Honored matriarchs. We, the primal hunters, have decided upon the matter." he gestured to the human, "I speak for my fellow hunters, when I say that the elite Mark Johnson is our equal in skill, battle, and honor. He is one of us, and it is by Cetanu's will that he may be so."

A ring of pure black was given to the male, Cetanium, the strongest metal in existence.

Ya'su-ket bid him to bow, and he did so. Silently, the new ring was place along the rest.

"It is by the will of the gods, and the desire of the dark hunter, that you are a chosen hunter. Arise Halkrath, as a primal hunter."

But for the moment, comment, and let me know if your theories.