Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

The Arks: Over Heaven (by Ben)

Chapter 34: Sunset

Original Post Date: Mar 12, 2024

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

~

“I’m really sorry,” Skyler apologized to Rick for like the hundredth time.

By now Skyler had finally seemed to realize the weight of her actions and had maken up for it with a hundred apologizes to Rick.

“Really, it’s okay,” Rick reassured her, “It was a moment of tension. There’s no way you could’ve done anything to stop it.”

Samuel was leaning against the weird metal beam in the middle of the metal platform.

“I have to capitalize on this,” Samuel thought. Then he spoke up.

“Skyler,” Samuel said, “From what we’ve seen, I think it’s safe to say this obelisk is not here to empower us, but to endanger us. Clearly that was the case with the grenade.”

“Mmm, he’s not wrong,” Neddy commented, “You think that came from the obelisk?”

“Yes. I am sure it did,” Samuel replied, “Just remember that even if the obelisks could give its power to us, it may not have a reason to. There’s good reason to believe that this place was designed.”

“Designed?” Paige asked with a raised eyebrow. A bead of sweat dripped from Rick’s face.

“What… Do you mean by that?” Rick asked.

“Well just look at the implants in our wrists,” Samuel said, putting emphasis on our, “Where could they have come from? And I’m sure you’ve all received that message, the one before the obelisks rose from the soil. The one that claims strength comes from the death of others.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“So, why not the obelisk go against us? Why give us its power?” Samuel asked, “I still believe your book is trustworthy, Skyler, don’t worry. It’s just that gaining its power may not be so easy. That’s why we NEED to find Tiffany, and find the original book. Maybe they’re connected in some way.”

“I agree with him,” Aurora interjected, “We just need more information about these obelisks, you know? I am totally onboard with the idea. We need to find Tiffany.”

Skyler sighed for a moment, thinking about what to say next, before nodding yes.

“Okay. We’ll go find her.”

Samuel smiled.

“Great. I’m glad we reached a compromise,” Samuel added on. He turned to the others, “What about the rest of you?”

“Of course,” Neddy answered.

“Sounds like a good plan, I guess,” Ruby said.

“Sure.”

Everyone had decided to go with Samuel’s plan.

“Wait, hold on,” Rick said, “Sunny hasn’t come back yet and it’s been a while.”

“Uh oh,” Skyler said, her face turning dark, “That’s- not good.”

“Should we go find her?” Paige asked.

“Of course!” Samuel replied, “We need to, we can’t leave anyone behind. Let’s split up into pairs and spread out. And by an hour past nightfall we shall come back here and regroup next to the entrance of the obelisk.”

“Pairs?” Aurora asked, her head jolting to Samuel, “Samuel-”

“I’ll be going with Rick, if that’s fine with him,” Samuel said, putting a hand on his shoulder. Rick jolted up, and took a glance at Skyler. He turned to Samuel and nodded.

“Yeah, not a problem.”

“Of course I’ll be going with Ruby,” Neddy said.

“Girl, I think you’re lacking a partner,” Paige said with a sly smile, “Why don’t we pair up?”

“And what about me? Should I just-” Skyler was interrupted by Samuel.

“Skyler, I believe you should stay behind and recollect your thoughts. You look like a mess.”

“But I-”

“Listen to the man, Skyler,” Paige sneered, “We don’t want another accident happening.”

Skyler looked solemn, but ultimately agreed.

“Okay. I’ll see you guys soon.”

Everyone walked off in their groups to find Sunny.

Samuel was walking by Rick’s right, who had put his book away and was merely taking in the sunset. He had his hands in his pockets and was whistling a sort of tune.

“So, where should we look? By the rivers?” Rick finally asked.

“Hmm, I’m thinking we follow the dinosaur’s path. We’re bound to find her that way,” Samuel suggested.

“I like that plan. Let’s go.”

The two walk off, the mood serene and the environment quiet. Somehow on this island filled with bloodthirsty dinosaurs, it all felt like heaven. Over heaven, even.

“So. I know this is a weird question to ask but-” Rick questioned, “You never look worried. Like. Never. It’s like you know what you’re doing here. In a way.”

“I know what I’m doing?” Samuel chuckled, “Trust me, I don’t.”

“Well it seems plausible. There’s books out there.”

“I don’t read.”

“Really? You seem like the type of person to read.”

Again, it was quiet. Rick looked off into the forest and saw a family of Triceratops wandering. He sighed at the thought.

“I’m worried. For my family. How would they- how would they feel? Now that I’m missing? I really hope they don’t do anything crazy. But I’m more worried about my older brother,” Rick said, “Calem is- he doesn’t deserve to go through that.”

“I understand that feeling. You worry about the people back home, right?” Samuel said. Rick nodded.

“Well you don’t have to worry, Rick,” Samuel said. He pondered on whether he should tell him his plan. His plan to escape the island.

He decided against it.

“They’re going to get us out of here soon. I know they will. The police will notice that all of us went missing, and send a search party out to find us.”

Rick smiled.

“Thanks. I shouldn’t worry, you’re right. That’ll just get in the way of things and- worrying is for my family.”

Rick turned to Samuel.

“What about you? You worry about your family?”

Samuel shrugged.

“Not really. My mom- my mom is nice. But she had always been busy with work. Ever since I was a little kid. And my dad…”

Samuel paused, looking off into the distance with clenched fists.

“He’s… gone.”

“I’m sorry…” Rick softly said.

“Not in that way. But you know what I mean,” Samuel replied.

“Any siblings? Or are you an only child?”

Samuel paused again.

“Only child,” he dryly replied.

The conversation halted once more. Rick sensed Samuel’s unease and decided to change the topic.

“I know what you’re thinking about Skyler’s little story prophecy. I don’t believe in it either. I think Tales of Evolution and Survival is the true story we should be looking for. Not The Obelisk,” Rick said. He looked off, “I know you know. That I know about that book. I’ve read it before. And I’ve memorized every single word.”

Samuel looked at Rick with wide eyes.

“You have?”

“Well, not exactly,” Rick replied, “I’ve only read the first half of the book. With my implant power.”

Rick pointed at the implant, which glowed a little.

“But, it seems legitimate. And you know what? Maybe Skyler is right about one thing.”

“And what would it be?”

“That there is a destined hero. And that hero is you. The main character of that book had a pet dodo who stuck with him since the beginning, and the two of them along with his friends managed to defeat the one controlling it all and find a way out. YOU are the key to us getting out of here. Nothing else is,” Rick said with a smile.

“Huh,” Samuel replied as the sun began to dip down the horizon.

~

“Soooo,” Paige said with a devilish grin, “I see that look on your face, that tone in your voice. You like Samuel, don’t you little valedictorian?”

“How’d you-”

“Shhh, it’s okay, I won’t judge,” Paige reassured her. She closed her eyes and crossed her arms, grinning like a maniac, “Ah, moving on since Bori?”

“Bori- Borealis is… he’s passed on already,” Aurora replied with a frown. She glanced at the heart locket slung around her neck. She grasped it softly and ripped it away, putting it in her pocket, “He would want me to move on.”

Paige smirks, looking Aurora up and down before looking away.

“You know maybe you aren’t such a brat. All girls fall in love eventually.”

“What do you even mean by that?”

“Well, not just girls, boys too,” Paige replied, “I thought you were a weirdo who wouldn’t like anyone after Borealis. Basically, all of us fall in love. Whether we like it or not. And we can’t do anything about it.”

“That’s it?” Aurora said, “I thought it’s deeper than that.”

“It is deep,” Paige replied, “We as humans survive because of love. Without it we aren’t anything. That’s why.”

“So do YOU love anyone?” Aurora teased. Paige smirked.

“Very funny. No. I do not. Not now. But I know I will,” Paige said, “Who knows how long it takes. Maybe in a few days. Maybe weeks. Years. Decades. End of my life. That’s our fate. So I’ll embrace it with open arms.”

Just then, they heard a snap.

“Oh, hey, looking for me?” a familiar voice asked. They looked to the right to see Sunny leaning her back against a tree, her orange hair flowing softly down her chest.

“Sunny! What are you doing just sitting here? Are you hurt?” Paige asked with a glare.

“No, not hurt,” Sunny replied, “Just wanted to appreciate the sunset.”

She pointed at it, and the two girls looked at it in awe. It exploded in a vibrant cast of red and orange and yellow. It was so beautiful.

“Well, it is pretty nice,” Aurora said as the sun dipped below the horizon.