Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Clans

Chapter 2

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Two juveniles fought violently in the clearing, surrounded by a cluster of Raptors, each eagerly stepping in front of the other to get a better view of the skirmish. One of the fighting Raptors, a gray and brown male with scuffed-up feathers, slashed ferociously at the other's face.

“Get him!” A Raptor was yelling as he attacked again. “Hit him, Sand! Get him in the face! Hit him in the— OOH!”

Sand collapsed on top of Hollow, a tan and yellow raptor with white specks. He dug his claws in and lowered his head to Hollow, making them almost nose to nose. “Had enough?” He asked.

Hollow huffed, writhing a bit. “Not even close,” he panted.

“Face it, Hollow,” Sand said. “You’re a terrible fighter. I could keep you pinned here all day.”

“Nah,” Hollow said in a strained voice. “I’m just recharging. Getting… ready for the… shove,” He struggled to lift Sand off of him for a moment, then gave up. “Oof, never mind. I think I’ll just lay here for a while. Maybe take a quick nap.”

“Weak,” Sand spat at him.

“Not weak.” Hollow argued. “I am purposely letting you sit here on top of me.” He laid his head on the ground, feeling the blood running down from the slash on his face. “It’s actually quite comfortable.”

Sand lifted his talon with a hiss, preparing a blow to Hollow’s muzzle. But several gasps came from somewhere around the crowd, and a Raptor emerged from the crowd to stand in front of the two opponents. Hollow sighed with relief as Sand looked up, befuddled.

“What is happening?” The Raptor asked, sounding exasperated and tired.

“Dusk,” Sand gasped, setting his talon down. “I didn’t—"

“One hour,” said their Alpha. “We were gone for one hour.”

Hollow struggled to inch his head around to see Dusk as he stepped forward, his dark feathers and scales the dappled colors of blackberries and dried grapes.

“I am so sorry,” Sand said quietly. “Hollow was just saying some mighty stupid things again.”

“I don’t care what he said.” Dusk hissed. “Let him go.”

The pain in Hollows’ chest relaxed as Sand lifted himself up and away. “Ah, that’s much better,” Hollow sighed, flopping onto his side. “Thank you very much, Dusk.”

“This can’t keep happening, Hollow.” said Dusk, turning his head to him. “These fights are getting out of talon. It needs to stop.”

Hollow paused to wipe the blood away from his mouth and examine his talon, adjusting his jaws slightly. “Of course,” He said.

“You said that last time. I want you to mean it.”

Hollow pulled himself into a lazy side-sit position and shrugged, a small sliver of pain running through one of his shoulders. “It's not my fault everyone keeps finding me so fightable.”

Dusk sighed, closing his eyes. “Do what you want. Just don’t be an idiot. And don’t let this happen again, or you’re gonna have to deal with me. Ok?”

“Yes Alpha,” Hollow said softly.

As Dusk dipped his head and turned away, Hollow looked to Sand, who was standing next to him. Sand growled lightly. “So we’re done, then?” Hollow asked him.

“Yes,” Sand snapped. He went to walk away.

“Ok,” Hollow said with another shrug. He turned around. “I would have won anyway,” he whispered.

As expected, the other Raptor snarled and swung around, swiping his talon in a massive arc towards Hollow. But Hollow was quicker, grabbing onto Sands arm with a grin.

But what he didn’t expect was the set of dark colored claws coming from behind him. With a woosh and thump, a talon slammed into the back of Hollow's head, and he was out cold.