Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

The Arks: Over Heaven

Chapter 4: Cranking the Difficulty

Original Post Date: Nov 4, 2023

Note: Story starts in Wyvern, Aerial ABC backwards filter and has a Prologue. Last chapter in Voidwyrm, next chapter in Tapejara.

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“The humming is getting louder and more vibrations are coming from it,” Neddy noted as he, Samuel, and the dodo bird walked through the tall grass. Samuel brushed the grass aside with his hands as the two ventured deep into the plateau’s hill. There were large oak trees that spanned across the plain and large rocks too. Samuel noticed strange dinosaurs that stood on their hind legs and had crests on their heads, like the flying ones.

“Parasaurolophus,” Neddy said in awe, “They use the crests on their head to communicate with others.”

Just then, one of the Parasaurs let out a honk of fear. A strange ringing vibrated in Samuel and Neddy’s ears. They both let out shocked cries of pain as they covered their ears to stop the noise.

“What the- What’s going on?” Samuel asked.

“The Parasaurolophus is scared right now,” Neddy explained.

“But by what?”

Samuel’s question was answered, as the pattering of paws on dirt softly whispered in his ears. Something shrieked across the field, as a strange beast with a dog-shaped jaw and huge talons jumped on the Parasaur! The Parasaur fell to the ground as the strange beast began to dig its teeth into its flesh, causing guts and flesh to spill out onto the grass. Samuel could only look on in horror as the Parasaur succumbed to the attack.

“Utahraptor…” Neddy whispered, “The largest dromaeosaurid, so large and so smart they could be deemed as one of the most dangerous predators.”

The raptor tore a chunk of meat off, a look of triumph on its face as it finally caught its prey.

“And they say they could be pack hunters.”

Neddy’s yapping seems to have attracted the attention of the raptor. It turned its head, and upon noticing the two of them it realized an easy meal could be put on its plate if it just went after the two of them.

“Run!” Samuel shouted as he picked up his dodo bird friend.

The two of them dashed for a nearby boulder. Samuel could hear the pounding footsteps of the raptor approaching him closely, and Neddy shouted with all of his breath,

“Utahraptors can run at speeds of up 25 and 30 miles per hour! We need to get to that rock now!” Neddy screamed. Samuel shot his head back for a quick moment, the raptor was gaining on them. Samuel took his rock and hurled it at the utahraptor.

Boof!

The raptor let out a shriek of pain, pausing for a break as it shook its head in pain. With the distraction set in place, the two of them bolted for the boulder. Upon reaching their intended destination, they quickly climbed atop. Samuel looked behind him to see the raptor run up to the rock. The raptor stared at the two for a bit, then jumped up, clawing at the rock as it did so. Neddy let out a shrill scream as it did. Each time the raptor jumped it got closer and closer to reaching the two. They were sitting ducks.

“Oh no what are we gonna do bro?!” Neddy asked fearfully.

Samuel opened his mouth to answer when he felt the hairs on his arms stand up on end. The wind blew his hair to the side just a bit, and it was then a primitive spear soared through the air and struck the raptor in the leg. It let out a cry of pain as it fell off the rock mid-attempt, landing on its other leg wrong. A few arrows with sharp stone tips flew in the air, hitting the raptor, although some hit the ground nearby. The raptor let out a shrill cry as it lay its head on the ground, defeated.

“What the? Who did that?” Neddy asked.

“That was a good shot, Aurora,” a girl said.

“Thanks Ruby, although we couldn’t have made these weapons without you. We have to work on your aim though.”

Two girls emerged from the tall grass, and Samuel studied the two of them intently. They both wore strange makeshift clothing that looked rough and was covered in dirt and grime. One of them had short black hair with streaks of red that was tied in a ponytail. She also wore glasses and she wielded a wooden bow in her hands, a pouch made of animal hide and filled with stone arrows was slung over her shoulder. The other was very very recognizable. Aurora Romero, the valedictorian of Terran High. She had a white piece of her graduation robe banded over her forehead to keep her hair out of her face, and sweat poured down her face. She carried two extra spears that were strapped to her back. Samuel’s eyes darted to both of their wrists. Just like Neddy, they too had the strange implants.

“Who are you guys?” Neddy asked dumbfounded, “Well I know who you are Aurora. I didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”

“I’m Aurora, as you know,” the former valedictorian declared, “And this here is my friend Ruby. The two of us found each other when we both woke up.”

“I’m Samuel,” Samuel introduced himself.

“Neddy,” Neddy blurted, “And, how’d you make those weapons?”

“We’ll explain it all, but we should probably get out of here,” Ruby suggested, “That raptor could get up any moment.”

Everyone agreed with Ruby. So the newly bound quintet quickly took their leave. Aurora led the way, and as they traveled quickly through the tall grass and the plains, she constantly jolted her head up at the skies, as if she was charting something.

Samuel looked behind him one last time, and he could see a pack of Utahraptors meeting together over their fallen comrade. Samuel noticed that one of them was bigger than the others… and a red aura seemed to be dissipating from it.

“Brrrrr,” Samuel thought as he turned around.