Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

The Tribe of Shadows

Death or Redemption

(Third POV)

Quint drew the dagger that Dilath had dropped, ducking into a defensive crouch. The Nameless surrounding him growled, spinning their long, twin-bladed swords. Without taking his eyes off of the creatures surrounding him, Quint drew his sword in his right hand. Lydia turned towards the Nameless next to her. ‘Keyzal Sün, Knirok.’ (Translation: Give me my spear, Knirok). The creature nodded and scuttled away. Quint, seeing his chance, darted forward and slew the other Nameless next to Lydia with a stab through the heart with the dagger, then hammering the hilt of his sword on the thing’s head. He could hear someone snap their fingers, and Quint saw five more Nameless surround him. He cursed, knowing he was outmatched.

Then he heard a deafening roar-screech-howl. Only one beast could make such a horrible noise. ‘Floofster.’ Quint muttered. A familiar teen appeared. ‘Hey bro. You got my dagger? Thanks!’ Dilath said, his voice slurred slightly from the slight concussion he had gotten two hours prior. Quint stood up. ‘Where’s Joe?’ Dilath asked. Seeing the look on Quint’s face, Dilath’s eyes flickered to their more Raptori form. Dilath turned towards the Nameless surrounding him, Eclipse in hand. He seemed entirely calm, but inside, he was seething with naught but hatred. He turned towards Lydia, eyes darkening to ash. ‘You. Will. Pay.’ The King of Dorban said, his voice as harsh and black as obsidian. The Yurkan smiled grotesquely. ‘I will? Or will you?’ She said. The Nameless she had sent to retrieve her spear returned, weapon in hand. The weapon was five and a half feet long, tipped with a raptor claw. The shaft was made from a redwood branch, from what Quint could tell. ‘Ghel ‘iti.’ Serothane said to the Nameless. (Translation: Kill them). The creatures nodded, their fanged jaws splitting into horrible grins. ‘T’k nreh,’ the Demons said as one. ‘Translation: It shall be done’). Dilath looked at Quint. ‘I…understand them. I know what they’re saying,’ he said. ‘Oh wait. Floofster.’ Dilath added. The Dorbani snapped his fingers and the giant beast appeared, swinging her head. Three of the Nameless were launched by that movement. Dilath immediately re-cryoed the Dire Giga, snatched his dagger from Quint’s left hand, and slashed a deep cut into the remaining Nameless’ throat, flicked his hand and raked it through the beast’s stomach, cleaving it in half, other than its skull. Then he turned towards Lydia, eyes flaring with gray fire. Quint stepped forward to help his brother-in-arms, sword still drawn. Quint flicked his sword through the air, caught it, and slashed off the raptor-claw spearhead. Dilath held Eclipse at Serothane’s throat, entirely prepared to kill her if need be. Dilath nodded towards Quint. ‘Together, old friend?’ Quint asked. ‘This little [REDACTED] deserves it. And for old times’ sake, and for Joseph, Lydia dies.’ Dilath replied darkly. ‘No! Don’t!’ Serothane cried, scrambling backwards. Quint snorted. ‘You burned Joseph to death. You ruddy deserve this.’ Dilath didn’t speak, but simply rose an eyebrow at the former Yurkan.

Ranger’s words from almost a month ago echoed in Dilath’s mind. ‘She could lead to a darker path, Dilath.

Or your redemption.’ The Dorbani turned towards Quint. ‘Keep an eye on Serothane. I need to go speak to a god.’ Dilath said. His second-in-command nodded, and Dilath walked away.

-Ranger