Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Of Kin

Act I: Scarlet

Chapter 7

(Of all of the chapters in the entire story, this was probably the most fun to write.)

Mundar opened his eyes slowly, tasting the air.

Smoke.

He slid down from the redwood tree he was curled around, stopping a few yards over the ground. A trio of argents with burning sticks under their talons stood on the ground, two males and a female. The black, gray, and orange male was shouting at the other two. "We had the element of surprise, and you let them escape!"

"You aren't out of the blame, Inimicus. You failed, just like us," scoffed the female.

"Shut it, Ira!" screeched Inimicus, swiping a lit brach at her face. She didn't flinch, apparently undaunted by the flames.

The third argent remained silent.

Mundar stared closely as they continued to bicker, biding his time. The female looked up. Her eyes met his and widened with fear. Without warning, he dropped, snatching up the silent argent. He threw his head back, swallowing. The other two lifted into the air, taking off in different directions.

In a split-second decision, Mundar went after the male. Inimicus turned suddenly, narrowly avoiding the giant snake's jaws. Mundar couldn't turn quickly enough, and his head crashed into one of the thick redwood trees, sending it crashing to the ground. He twisted around, his tail hitting Ira as it seiped through the air. She dropped and slowly staggered to her feet.

Seeing an opprotunity, Mundar switchdd targets and focused on the stunned female. He lunged at her, weaving through the trees as he went. Inimicus stopped mid-flight and turned. "No!" he shouted, "Leave her alone!" He dived and scratched at the boa's face. Mundar hissed, constricting around one of the nearby trees and squeezing the trunk until it splintered and crashed down on the bird.

"Inimicus!" cried Ira. Mundar turned around. The female was back up again, but her wing was injured and she couldn't fly away. Mundar dashed at her and snapped his jaws shut, swallowing the argent whole. "No!" the male screeched in anger. He slipped from under the tree trunk and stood, daring the boa to attack him. "I'll kill you! I'll make you pay!"

Mundar chuckled, amused by the little bird's threats. "Is thisss bravery," he hissed in a deep, breathy voice, "or ssstupidity?"

"Come find out!" Inimicus taunted.

Mundar launched himself at the bird, fangs outstretched. Inimicus dove behind the trunk before setting the fallen tree on fire. Both the tree and Mundar's fave went up in flames. The snake hissed in pain and Inimicus took to the sky. He didn't dare look back, but as he flew away, he shouted back over his shoulder, "I will make you pay!"

[TRIVIA: Inimicus is Spanish for "enemy" (if that's not forshadowing, I don't know what is.)

Mundar's name is a play on Jörmungandr, a giant serpent from Norse mythology (Thanks to DTG and Seasnake for letting me use their idea.) So... another giant snake. Can you say original?]

(Author's Note: This is the last chapter of Act I. Act II is the longest of all the acts. I'll try to post the first few chapters tommorow.)

~CL1