Round Over p2

Yellow stared past the bodies gliding to the ground, looking to where he sent Greener. She had set up the trap doors near the shiny’s fake nest and was waiting for it or the remaining raptor packs. Other trapdoors were placed around the feast as well, all waiting to catch the other packs off guard. Grey, Patches, Red, Brown, and Blackhead all waited in the canopy with him as the other packs circled the forest’s edge. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop himself from shaking.

“I remember my first time commanding the people I loved.”, Red said in his ear after sneaking up on him.

Yellow jolted but Red caught him.

“Does it get any easier?”, asked Yellow, panting.

“Not really, you just learn to fake it for the sake of those around you.”, Red replied.

“I see.”, Yellow sighed.

“The calmer you are the better they’ll fight, simple as that.”, said Red.

“Why am I leading today? I know I help a lot with planning and ideas, but…”, Yellow tried to ask.

“You already know Yellow, don’t lie to yourself. I’m not getting any younger you know. Your right, you’re the ideas guy, the guy thinking about everyone instead of himself. The people have begun to idealize you. If you spent time with them, you’d notice.”, explained Red.

“Right.”, said Yellow, staring beyond the hill.

“Don’t worry, I’ve still got enough time left to teach you everything I know. Seeing as your smarter than me, I expect you to surpass me fairly soon.”, said Red.

“There’s one now!”, shouted Brown.

The group turned and saw a pack of raptors not in their nest erupting from the ground and rushing the bodies as they reached the ground.

“So, they were hiding in the dirt hm?”, thought Yellow.

“Our people will take care of them.”, said Red and Blackhead simultaneously.

They made eye contact before Red laughed.

“Your people sure are working hard Blackhead. I assure you you’ll all be able to get back on a proper sleeping schedule after today.”, said Red.

“We’re fighters, if we’ve got to fight in the day, so be it.”, said Blackhead wile nodding.

A pack of shadows and Purple-Tan’s pack swarmed the strays and encircled them. It appeared as though they were speaking for a moment, Yellow had told them to offer surrender, but they quickly began fighting. The friendly shadows swarmed below Purple-Tan’s pack as they circled the enemy before they all striked at once. Purple-Tan’s pack caught the enemy’s claws as the shadows tore them open. The fight ended in seconds.

“They’re doing great, nice coordination.”, said Brown.

“We had them fight together in yesterday’s twilight for a reason. Just look at how much more lethal we are when fighting together Blackhead.”, said Red.

“I’m more interested in seeing how they’ll fare in the Feast.”, said Blackhead.

“No worries, Yellow determined what their boom sticks do. It’s just a matter of avoiding their aim. Everyone was told what to do, drag out the fight, get in close for the kill, or distract while another disembowels them.”, explained Red.

“The prey will land soon.”, said Brown.

“Right you are dear. Say Yellow, are you hungry?”, asked Red with a killer smile.

Yellow looked away and shook his head.

“I think I’ll stay up here to make sure everything goes okay.”, he said.

“Suit yourself.”, laughed Red.

“Grey, Patches, Blackhead, do protect him alright?”, instructed Red as he leapt down from the tree.

“Don’t worry brother, everything will be fine.”, said Brown with a smile.

Yellow nodded to her before she left as well, leaving just four of them in the tree. Yellow watched the valley around the hill below as his grand nest waited in place for their prey to land, waging their tails in anticipation. He remembered the shiny’s cave, the prey screaming through the black box.

“Why must the world be so cruel? Why do I have to kill to keep my friends feed? Should I be thinking of another way?”, he wondered.

“Say Yellow, what prompted you to start all of this?”, asked Blackhead.

“Yea, I’ve been curios as well.”, said Grey.

Yellow took a deep breath.

“My whole life I’ve watches needless fighting while I was put down for being weak. It didn’t seem to occur to anyone but me that we could all work together and share the food. I’m not saying I don’t want to pull my weight but, we should be able to get more food together in theory. So why did they fight? Pride? Mates? I pondered for seasons before I realized the truth. They all didn’t want to be put down like me. The strong were scared that if they couldn’t control or kill anyone they found, that they would put them down the way they did me. They feared the weak rising up and taking their food. They feared losing everything. They held onto grudges and bad blood because they didn’t think their enemies could forgive them. So, I chose to break this cycle. One day Red showed me an act of kindness out of the blue, and I decided to forgive him for all the slights he and the others had done to me. I dedicated myself to being useful even in my weak state, and eventually I gained his trust. That’s what we were missing, trust and understanding. If we can all just try, we can live together in peace and prosperity.”, explained Yellow.

“Hm, I guess it’s no different than how a nest works, just upscaled. And with everyone mating we can all trust each other since we all get what we want out of life instead of competing.”, said Blackhead.

“Yellow that’s beautiful.”, said Grey, sniffling.

“Then why do I have this lingering, uneasy feeling in my chest? If I can do all this, why can’t I do more? I don’t want to kill, I…”, Yellow’s thoughts were cut short.

“I hope your trust can stop that thing.”, snarled Patches.

In the distance a flock of birds flew from the trees as several collapsed. Their leaves were thrown into the wind along with a cloud of dust. As it grew closer, Yellow knew something was speeding towards them. It was to fast to be a great snake. Their worst fears had been realized. Rushing towards the fake nest was a speeding entity that could topple a forest.

“That’s where Greener is!”, he thought in panic as adrenaline poured into his veins.

“Patches inform the defenders we’re activating the plan and have everyone fall back. Grey, Blackhead, with me!”, Yellow commanded as he leapt from the tree.

Grey and Blackhead could be heard landing and running behind him as he dashed towards his lover. The groups of raptors had begun stomping their feet as the bodies were mere feet from the ground. No one could hear or feel the trembling from the forest, nor were they looking.

“Blackhead, Grey, shout to them as we run!”, instructed Yellow.

“Yellow are we really doing this? Fighting that monster? We should trust the plan you made!”, yelled Grey.

“Greener is there, I have to get her out, then we’ll retreat!”, shouted Yellow.

There was a silence between them as Blackhead called out to the packs they were passing.

“Okay!”, beamed Grey.

“Okay? You two don’t have to come with me after we get the others to retreat. In fact, I’d prefer you both get to safety, this is my fight.”, said Yellow.

Grey caught up to him and shook his head as they ran.

“Yellow, after my friends died, I was really down, and thought I would be all alone, but you and Green Runner befriended me. Blue Stripes and our old alpha had always treated like crap, but the two of you showed me to my mate and showed me friendship. At first, I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t trust you, but I look around at all the amazing things you’re doing, and the way you treat everyone, and I… I guess what I want to say is that I believe in you! I’ll follow you anywhere!”, said Grey with a smile that pierced into Yellow’s heart.

“Grey, I can’t choose you over Greener, and I can’t guarantee your safety where we’re going, but I’ll stay with you no matter what.”, said Yellow as they barreled into danger.

. . .

Justin drove his feet into the ground, tearing it open as he slowed his run. The dust cloud he had created caught up to them as he stopped and set down Morcant. He began coughing as Justin threw punches and kicks to disperse the dust. Tacktay threw up on his back and he stopped as the dust dissipated, revealing the graveyard.

“We’re a little off but it’s close enough. Wait, what’s running down my pants?”, thought Justin as he turned around.

“Shit sorry.”, said Justin.

“I feel like I just got hit by a loose wagon barreling downhill.”, wheezed Morcant.

“Are you guys okay?”, asked Mathew.

“Ready here.”, stated Tacktay, still on his backside.

Morcant beat his chest and spit on the ground whilst still catching his breath, then released the quad blades on his forearms.

“Ready as ever.”, he said, still swaying about.

“Alright you guys know the plan, we’ll catch people on our way to the hilltop where you guys will make a circle, and I’ll go around gathering more. Also, Morcant you should use the rifle first.”, said Justin.

“I’ll save it for when I need it.”, he smirked.

“That doesn’t even make since, we’ll be in and out of both close and long range for the entire fight.”, said Justin, facepalming.

“Whatever just do the thing.”, said Morcant, waving one of his bladed arms.

Justin took out a hollow log he had carried with him and placed over his mouth before screaming at the valley as loudly as he could.

“That’ll wake the bastard up.”, he thought.

A dozen raptors jumped out of their trapdoors at the valley’s edge, taking stances towards them, but freezing up. Justin could tell from their hanging jaws that they finally understood, his overwhelming power. He smiled and began walking forward.

“How dare you be alive you bastard!”, screamed Morcant as he rushed past him.

“Huh?”, he thought.

Justin turned back to the raptors to see only one left, a tall green one, with only one arm.

“Not this again.”, he thought, grinding his teeth.

“Morcant wait you idiot!”, Justin yelled as he clenched his walkie-talkie.

The raptor snarled at them, taking a step forward, but stopped. It turned, as if hearing something, and then ran into the valley.

“The hell was that? Are they communicating? Perhaps I just can’t hear them. Nanites, enhance hearing.”, he thought.

Justin heard low rumblings, like bat calls mixed with a crocodile’s hiss.

“Of course, they can communicate just like the Carnos, on the low frequencies we can’t hear. We only hear the Carnos due to them being louder and shaking us.”, he realized.

“You’re not getting away this time.”, said Morcant as Justin caught up to him.

“Dammit Morcant you’ve got to give it a rest, you’re going to jeopardize the mission. We’re here to help people not to hunt the raptors.”, scolded Justin.

Morcant clenched his jaw and looked down as they ran, saliva drooling from his mouth.

“Fine, but tomorrow we’re hunting those things down!”, he yelled to Justin’s face.

“Wait, he’s actually listening to me? Sure, he’s pissed, but…”, he thought.

“You got it! Speaking of Carnos, when we see them it will be time to retreat.”, yelled Justin as they reached the end of the forest.

Bodies were beginning to touch the ground in groups as raptors waited below, but they weren’t looking at them. They had all either began running away or were running towards the green raptor in front of them. There had to be over two dozen heading their way, with a Yellow raptor leading them.

“We know that one too. The one that ended Yujark with the Titanoboa”, thought Justin, squinting.

“Who mentioned Carnos?”, asked Morcant.

“Huh?”, asked Justin, at a complete loss.

“Wait, you talk to yourself too? Bro you’ve got issues.”, laughed Morcant.

“Good lord! This would be one of those rifle times Morcant!”, yelled Justin, red faced.

“On it!”, he said as he began firing.

Justin thought they would all get sprayed down quickly but they began serpentining and turned around as they reached the green one. They continued their evasive tactics as they retreated, with only a few being wounded from Morcnat’s fire, and several snatching up unconscious bodies as they ran. Justin could still hear the raptors communicating as they reached the first group of victims, which were Kettan. Morcant stopped firing as he ran out of ammo.

“You don’t think?”, asked emotion.

“It’s still unlikely, dolphins, dogs, most creatures communicate without being intelligent.”, thought Logic.

“Justin they’re still asleep, what now?”, asked Morcant, kneeling over the four Kettans.

“Wake them up, if I’d have known they would spawn like this we could have brought the sled.”, instructed Justin as he stood watch.

“Tacktay, go get that group of Ticke’ lying over there, and be vigilant.”, he said.

“Understood.”, she said before taking off.

One of the Kettan’s Morcant had woke began yelling and pushing him back. Morcant stepped back and continued speaking to him in their language as the others gathered around him as well. He pointed at Justin as he continued rambling.

“Please, use these so he can understand you, press and turn the button and you can return it to your pocket. We’re both here to help, but we’re shot on time old man. If you don’t want to listen to us, then we’ll move on to someone else and leave you here to die.”, said Morcant, gripping his walkie-talkie.

The old Kettan reached into his pocket and pulled out his as well.

“Don’t make me ask you again you pink devil, where have you taken us? What is that thing?”, the Kettan asked.

Morcant clenched his teeth and Justin stepped towards them.

“Look around you, old man. Do you really think we brought you here? If ya’ll want to live, I suggest you come with us. This place is surrounded by hundreds of man-sized predators.”, coldly stated Justin.

The Kettan man looked around the world, and then to the faces of those with him, a female and two children. He sighed.

“This had better not be a trick devil.”, he said, eyeing Morcant.

“No tricks, we’re trying to help you, asshole.”, said Morcant as he helped the man up.

“Morcant, the raptors can communicate at a frequency you can’t hear, so be ready for another attack. For now, let’s continue the plan, you go up the hill and collect more people and I’ll circle around. Look for rifles and ammo on the way.”, instructed Justin.

“Eh, they can talk?”, he asked.

“Many animals communicate, they’re still animals, don’t worry about it.”, said Justin.

“Alright, see you soon.”, said Morcant as he shooed the Kettan family towards the hilltop with his hands.

“Follow this devil children.”, the Kettan man said.

“And old man.”, said Justin.

Morcant’s group stopped and turned around.

“Call him that again and I’ll knock your teeth down your throat.”, said Justin, squinting, before leaping into a run.

. . .

“I could have handled myself you know.”, said Green Runner.

“You had your back to me when I found you.”, said Yellow, making eye contact.

She looked away and snarled. Yellow growled at her and she turned back to him, surprised.

“I will not lose you to that thing. Follow my lead, understand?”, he asked.

She blushed and nodded.

Yellow’s group reached the tree-line and found the rest of the hunting party waiting for them.

“Grey, are you alright?”, asked Patches.

“Mm, we didn’t have a fight.”, he said as he embraced her.

“Not yet.”, said Green Runner.

“Yellow the baiters are in place and waiting for your orders.”, said Patches.

“All of the hunters have fallen back to this location.”, reported Purple-Tan.

“We’re all patiently awaiting your orders Yellow.”, said Red, smiling.

“And you’ll continue to do so.”, said Yellow, turning towards the feast.

“Um, brother, they’re gathering at the hilltop, isn’t that bad?”, asked Brown.

Yellow turned to her and mimicked Red’s smile.

“Exactly as planned.”, he said.

. . .

Justin casually ran up to the fourth group he had met, this time humans. Several minutes had passed, and the raptors could still be seen waiting at the tree-line. The group of three men were in marines’ uniforms, but only one was armed.

“Woah hold up there, partner.”, said a tall, older man aiming his pistol at him.

“Howdy, the names Justin.”, said Justin.

“I’m lieutenant Daniels, mind telling us what’s going on here, or what the hell you’re wearing?”, the man in front asked.

Justin looked down at his shirtless, bloody chest and tattered pants before realizing the man was asking about something else.

“This is a nanite shroud, it makes me invulnerable. We’re on an alien dyson sphere called Quidvis, surrounded by a hundred large, hungry raptors. I’ll explain the rest later, for now we’re making a circle on the hilltop to ward off their coming attack.”, he explained.

Daniels looked at the raptors, and then to the circle forming at the hilltop.

“Okay let’s say I believe you, why don’t we just run? The raptors aren’t moving…”, Daniels managed to say before a loud rumble shook the ground.

The low rumble began to shake Justin’s insides and he realized they were out of time. He turned to the trees and scanned the valley to find four Carnotaurs slowly walking towards the hilltop, being led by raptors which quickly fled back. However, they didn’t run far as they joined the rest of the raptors which were swarming behind one of the Carnotaurs. They ran left to right, throwing up a cloud of dirt to mask themselves.

“Sons of bitches.”, Justin cursed.

“Jesus Christ!”, yelled Daniels.

“Daniels get your men to that hill and sound a retreat, a pink, hairy man will show you where to go. All the aliens up there are potential allies, so don’t get trigger happy.”, instructed Justin.

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do kid.”, said Daniels as he and his men fled.

“Hey, I’m a grown ass man!”, yelled Justin, comically shaking his fist.

“That’s the least of our worries.”, thought Logic.

“Yea, I know.”, thought Emotion.

“I doubt we can kill everything here without losing people, if not all of them.”, thought Logic.

“Still, we have to try.”, thought Emotion.

“Alright here’s the plan. You told them to retreat with Morcant, he’ll lead them to the mountain. Therefore, we should take out the Carno on their side first. The raptors haven’t fully encircled us yet and can’t see through their smoke, so Morcant should be able to punch through them. We can turn around and stall the enemy while they escape.”, explained Logic.

“Alright, lets go!”, shouted Justin as he turned around.

He bolted forward but noticed Tacktay flying to the hilltop with a group of Ticke’ about a hundred feet to his left. She had passed him earlier and had only been approaching Ticke’ for her protection. Behind her a group of raptors had left rank and was pursuing them, with a one armed green one in the front, followed by Yellow and Red ones and several others. They were gaining on them fast.

“Not these again. I refuse to let them take anyone else from me.”, thought Emotion.

Justin clenched his teeth and drove forward, sending the ground behind him flying, as he ran towards his friend.

“Tacktay, Tacktay.”, he said futilely into his walkie-talkie.

The raptors were only feet away from them now and Justin was growing desperate as he tried to reach them.

“Tacktay, behind you!”, he screamed into his walkie-talkie.

Tacktay turned to him and continued turning around as the green raptor caught her with her one arm and slammed her into the ground, tearing into her with her teeth. Justin’s mind went blank as the horrible sight consumed him. Her insides shredded like a bowl of spaghetti being turned over and slopped up by a hungry dog. The raptors turned to him and he noticed he was still running at full speed right at them. His eyes opened wide as he scowled and smiled at them.

“You’ll all die for that!”, he roared, just two dozen feet from them.

“Wait Emotion! You have to make a whole to save Morcant. He can still live, get yourself together.”, said Logic.

“They have to die for what they’ve done!”, raged Emotion, clenching Justin’s teeth with enough force to break steel.

“I want to kill them too, but we don’t have time. The Carnos are racing forward. If you want to save Morcant, you’ll have to trust him to hold them off while you take out a Carno.”, explained Logic.

“Every time I trust someone they die. Every time I trust myself, I get someone killed.”, whined Emotion.

“I see no other option in this hopeless situation. I feel weird being the one saying this, but you’ve got to abandon your revenge and trust in someone else if you want to save anyone, right now!”, said Logic.

Justin’s face split as one half clenched and squinted just as he was mere feet from his enemy, and he slammed his feet into the ground, reaching a full stop right in front of them.

. . .

The shiny stepped past Yellow, who had jumped in front of Green Runner, as if they had suddenly become invisible, grabbed the shell of the large bug she had been consuming, and flew forward into a run.

“Brother are you okay?”, asked Brown as she shook him.

Yellow was petrified with fear and couldn’t move, hearing Green Runner fall to her knees, trembling. Red and the others came to him as well.

“We’ve got to keep moving.”, stated Red.

“But Red, the shiny, it…”, Yellow stuttered.

“It doesn’t matter, if we don’t control the feast, we’ll likely starve this winter, that’s the beginning and end of this. You can retreat if you want, but we’ve got keep moving.”, explained Red.

“Yellow, I know you’re mad, and I’m sorry, but… I must avenge my sister; I’ve got to repay my debt to her. I promise after that I’ll be all yours.”, said Green Runner as she stood again.

“Why did I fall in love with this bitch? Why do I have to kill to keep the ones I love alive?”, thought Yellow.

“You’re already mine.”, panted Yellow.

“Yellow, I’m sorry, but.”, Green Runner tried to say.

“So, let’s go finish this, together.”, said Yellow, turning to her and smiling.

Green Runner smiled, blushed, and looked down, avoiding his intense gaze.

“Don’t worry you two, we’ve got your back, right Patches?”, asked Grey.

Patches nodded as the pair stepped in between them. Yellow laughed as the sound of the big horned one’s footsteps grew close. Brown pushed him forward and the group began running to the hilltop once again.

“You’re starting to get it hm?”, asked Red as he ran beside him with a killer smile.

. . .

Justin slid up to Morcant and the crowd at the hilltop as they fired at the incoming horde.

“These guys told me to retreat, but there’s a Carno in the way!”, yelled Morcant.

“I’ll kill it and then guard our rear, rally the others and follow me!”, shouted Justin.

“What about Tacktay?”, asked Morcant, stepping into his shroud.

Justin looked down at her body in shame and shook his head. In the confusion, Morcant must have not even noticed he was carrying her.

“Those bastards.”, whispered Morcant as he clenched his teeth.

His head shot up and he bellowed to the crowd through his walkie-talkie.

“Everyone follow us! We’re retreating!”, he roared.

Morcant gently punched Justin’s chest as he ran past him and Justin quickly joined him, surpassing him as he ran towards the charging Carno. It let out its low rumble again, shaking everyone and everything but Justin could still hear Morcant shouting to the crowd and he trusted they would continue. Bullets began whizzing past him as well, piercing into the Carno’s tough hide.

“Everyone is counting on me. I can do this, I’ve got to do this!”, thought Emotion.

“We’ll jump and crush it’s skull in a single blow.”, thought Logic.

Justin’s warped smile returned as his pupils sparkled like fire and he exploded out of a running squat directly at his prey. He soared through the wind, with white flowers and red leaves as he closed in on his kill. The Carno was making eye contact with him as it laid down mid run and slowed, its legs burying into the ground, it’s whole body still sliding forward.

“Huh?”, he thought.

He found himself above it, instead of in front of its face where he thought he would be as the Carno abruptly stood up and headbutted him into the air. He managed to turn over and protect Tacktay’s body as the head launched him into the air, before its tail swatted him away. He slammed into the dirt like a meteorite before catching a rock and rolling a dozen times. He slammed into a tree and he noticed he was back in the forest.

He could still hear screaming and gunfire as the scattered red leaves swayed around him. He had been sent hundreds of feet away from the fight and knew he probably wouldn’t make it back in time. He looked down at Tacktay’s dismembered body and collapsed, pulling hair from his head, slamming it into the ground.

“Have you forgotten already, that he’s still out there?”, asked Logic.

He froze, his teary eyes opened wide.

“That’s right, if I can save just one, a single person…”, thought Emotion.

He grinded his teeth before getting up and beginning to walk. Soon it became a jog, then a run, before long he erupted out of the forest like a speeding car chanting to himself.

“Gotta save him, gotta save him, gotta save him…”, he repeated as he ran back to the valley of death.

. . .

The Carno walked past Morcant and Daniels men, despite them shooting what was left of their ammo into it. It didn’t flinch as it began chomping at the screaming crowd with the other Carnos. Morcant could barely hear over the ringing in his ears but turned back to yell at Daniels to run, only to catch a glimpse of a group of raptors encircling them. It was the green one and its pack, four large ones and two small, blocking their escape. The red and brown ones stayed on Daniels side as the other four faced him.

“So, this is how it ends huh, Jurassic park style?”, asked Daniels.

“Momma, Papa, I’m sorry I stole these blades. I’m sorry I disappointed you and didn’t join the knights in that useless war, but… This is a worthy fight is it not? Trying to help these strangers ward off these hungry animals. Surely, they have families and love ones that will miss them, surely this is a worthy fight. Maybe it won’t bring me honor or glory like you wanted Papa, but I never did want any of that. Thanks to Justin I know what I wanna be now. Perhaps his motivations aren’t the best, hating himself and all, but it’s a man’s actions that count. I know now what will make my life, I’m gunna be a nameless hero who fights for everyone. First, I’ll win here, then we’ll go on to win Justin’s war too. You once told me that these blades have never lost a fight Papa, that for sixteen generations our family past them down. So please, Papa, Momma, Vernis, Bran, Taysass, Tacktay, Yujark, Churbet… lend me your strength!”, thought Morcant as he planted his feet into the ground.

“Come get some!”, he bellowed.

. . .

Green Runner snarled as the pink prey yelled at them and grey shifted uneasily under Yellow’s legs.

“Alright everyone, we can do this, just remember your roles. Me and Greener will hold it down while you two cut it’s limbs, but avoid those shiny rocks its carrying, they’re sharper than claws.”, instructed Yellow.

“I’ve never seen a rock bearer fight well.”, snarled Green Runner.

“This one’s different Greener, it knows how to fight with those, I can see it in its eyes. Do not underestimate it or overextend yourself again.”, said Yellow.

“Don’t worry darling, this time, I’ll be protecting you.”, she said, smiling.

“Not if I protect you first.”, Yellow snapped back at her with his own smile.

“Do Red and Brown really plan to take on the other three?”, asked Patches.

“Those two could take on the whole feast.”, said Yellow with a sigh.

“Then I guess this one should be easy.”, said Patches.

“I told you all not to underestimate it and I mean it, Patches, have you ever fought something this size?”, asked Yellow with a snarl.

“Just the shiny and the other day.”, she said with her head low.

The pink prey yelled at them again and Green Runner began walking forwards, claws raised.

“Waiting on your call Yellow dearest.”, said Red in his sarcastic voice.

Yellow flared his teeth and yelled, “Charge!”.

. . .

The hill shook as the Carnos rampaged and the raptors finally charged at Morcant as he kept his back close to Daniels. The green one lead them and attacked first, slashing down at him. He caught its left hand with his left blade and cartwheeled to the right before shooting his right blade at its chest. However, one of the smaller raptors latched onto his arm mid thrust and dragged it down. Morcant followed the flow by barrel rolling forward under the green raptors latest arm swing. He stood up just in time to catch another incoming blow with his left blade.

The other little raptor sliced one of his legs and he fell to one knee. He kept the green one back with his left arm but saw the others closing in. With a roll past the green raptor he shot his arms into the air hoping to impale the leaping yellow raptor. It narrowly caught his blades and continued its leg attack but Morcant jumped and drove his legs into it first, throwing it back. He turned around and threw his right blade at an oncoming little grey raptor, throwing it as well.

He slammed his foot down on the other little raptor and stepped on it, but it began cutting and chewing threw his boot and into his foot. The green raptor snarled from behind him as he cried out in pain and he narrowly rolled out of the way as it tackled the ground. He couldn’t hear Daniels men anymore and knew he would be surrounded soon, so he jumped with his free foot onto the fumbling green raptor. Keeping its biting head back with his right arm and grappling its hand with the same he wrapped his free leg around its and pinned them down before it could slice him. The little raptor on his foot began climbing up and he readied his free hand to finish the green raptor once and for all.

“Does this count everyone? If I can at least finish the one that got Bran, maybe that’s enough. Afterall, I’m all sliced up, and surrounded. I don’t think I can get any further than this, but I don’t regret one thing. Well, maybe two, I never got to apologize to you guys, and I’m leaving Justin here. I know this will break him but, I’m not like him, I’m selfish, this revenge, this death, I want this, I’m ready…”, he thought as he prepared to cut the beats neck.

“Wait!”, someone screamed into his deafened ears.

He stopped and began panting as he looked up towards the voice. In front of him stood the yellow raptor, holding a walkie-talkie. He was at a loss, was it not Daniels that spoke? No, he felt him behind him, bent over and about to remove the raptor from his leg. To his right the red, brown, and grey raptors standing motionless.

“Eh?”, he rasped.

He felt Daniels splatter onto him as a huge mass slammed down onto him before hot teeth pierced threw his chest and back. Blood gushed out his mouth as he was carried upwards inside a huge hot mouth. The teeth wisped out of him as they threw him into the air. His torn insides were splashing inside him as he spiraled upwards. He couldn’t breath through the blood building up in his throat. After an eternity passed, he finally stopped for a moment and felt like he had entered the sky, before his descent began.

. . .

“Morcant!”, Justin wailed out as the Carno bit him and threw him into the air.

Justin bit his teeth as he squatted mid run and shot like a missile at the beast. Soaring at nearly one hundred miles an hour it didn’t seem to expect him this time as he used his legs to collide with its head to slow him down. His left foot dove through its eye and he broke its nasal cavity with the other as he leapt upwards. Catching a blood soaked Morcant with his left arm and carrying Tacktay in his right as he finally landed. For a split second he looked at the raptor pack surrounding him as the Carno collapsed to the ground.

“Guess I should have trusted your instincts and let you kill them earlier. If I can’t make the right decisions for you, then what am I even? Without Morcant and a place to go, what choices are there left to make…”, logic’s voice faded away.

Justin ran to the pathway they had made that morning, thinking of nothing but Morcant, completely ignoring his injuries. His skin shook as his right side went weak and he collapsed at the forests edge. Morcant coughed up heaps of blood while Justin set down Tacktay and tried to hold his wounds closed.

“Momma, papa, I’m sorry.”, Morcant coughed.

“Its okay Morcant, everything’s gunna be okay.”, cried Justin.

“Justin.”, he said, grasping at his face with his bloody hands.

Justin grabbed his hand and gave up on his wounds. Despite the screaming from the valley, and stomping of monsters, a deafening silence came over their world.

“You asked me to tell you about these.”, said Morcant, looking at his blades.

“Hundreds of years my family passed these down. Despite my father getting our nobility revoked, we’re still respected due to these. They’ve never lost a fight, even today I was just interrupted by that Carno. This might be the most selfish, childish thing I’ve ever asked you, which is saying a lot, but I want you to have these. I want you to kill those things with them. I want revenge for him, I don’t wanna lose.”, Morcant whispered.

“Morcant, I… we… we’re supposed to sail and find the spaceport remember?”, asked Justin, his wide eyes darting nervously.

“You told me we probably wake up somewhere else remember? So, stay here and win for me, I promise I’ll come back for you. So please don’t leave me behind, promise me.”, said Morcant.

“Morcant.”, Justin whined.

“I promise.”, he said, choking up.

Justin cried as he held Morcant’s shaking body, tightly grasping his hand onto his face.

“I’m sorry, I don’t wanna go. Please don’t make me go.”, Morcant whimpered as his breathing became choppy.

“You don’t have to go anywhere buddy. I’m here for you, it’s okay.”, cried Justin.

“Momma, I’m... I’m…”, Morcant gasped for air.

His head dropped along with his hand before rolling over as his body went limp.

“Morcant, Morcant…”, Justin desperately repeated as he shook his corpse.

Justin froze as he looked into his dead friend’s eyes. His mind shattered.

“Morcant!”, he roared, shaking the valley.