Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Journey Through All Creatures

Chapter 50: The Xenomorph Showdown

Part 3/5 - Death by Dawn: Part 1

8:40 PM

Dread’s base

Skyocean, Drake, Sodden, and Dorack all stood before a giant machine, with a quick rotating metal sphere, transparent. The sphere had bright red and gold essence inside, with tints of purple in it. Dorack gagged softly.

“Oh, no…” Dorack whimpered. Sodden put his hand on his shoulder as he crouched down, his head down and his hand over his mouth.

“Hey. We’’re here now. We’ll save her, okay?” Sodden said, comforting Dorack. Dorack sniffled and nodded, then stood up.

“Okay, so what happened up there?” Skyocean said. Drake winced softly and groaned.

“Yeah… you don’t wanna know. Sylveevee was fighting Dread and Rod, then Sylveevee did something. Something that can drain every single bit of energy in you. Creature shapeshifters need a lot of energy to keep theiir creature form going. But certain attacks are so powerful and complex that they instantly drain all that energy.” Drake explained. Skyocean gasped in horror.

“You… you mean… like impregnation from a Reaper? Did Syl do that?” Skyocean asked. Drake nodded solemnly.

“I got some medical brews from that storage room and went to the front to see what was going on. I saw Rock Drakes below Syl, standing still. As if they were on in the plan. Syl likely fell into their arms, unconscious, and were forced to retreat. We’re on our own now.” Drake explained. Everyone gasped softly. Skyocean growled and walked to the control panel, on the left side. There was a big tablet on the panel, and there were tabs on the top, one saying “Containment” and the other, “Release” and one saying, “Stats”. Skyocean sighed and used his implant to open the panel access, as all the tabs were locked. He then clicked the stats panel.

“Oh, boy. Essence in critical condition, time until decomposition, 34 hours… oh god. Okay… uh…” Skyocean whispered. He then went to the release panel, and he saw a button on the bottom that said, “Release survivor”. That was it. The release process was tough, as it involved opening the metal sphere, then using survivor essence to stailize the essence inside and get it out safely. Nal’s essence wwas around 14 percent stable. The recommended stable point was 35%. Dorack walked over to the panel and sighed.

“Okay. I’ll do it. Nal’s my friend.” Dorack declared with confidence. Sodden sighed and walked to him.

“Go ahead.” Sodden said, encouraging Dorack. Skyocean chuckled and began the release process, using his implant to confirm the access point, then he clicked a button, and the machine rumbled. Then they heard loud whirring as the transparent metal sphere began retracting. Then all they saw was a big clump of essence, with a ball of wind swirling around it at a insane speed. Dorack walked to the panel just then.

“Okay. This is 21 percent your essence. That’s enough to significantly weaken your stats. Expect half your weight, health, 80% of most of your other stats, and 70% your stamina.” Skyocean explained. Dorack huffed.

“I don’t care. Nal will have all these stats weakened by almost 85 percent. She’s my friend. I’ll get her back.” Dorack said. Skyocean nodded.

“Okay. Put your implant on that big circle on the screen.” Skyocean stated as he pointed to a big, red metalloid circle in the middle of the screen. Dorack lay his left wrist on it, and as soon as he did, two bright transparent ropes shot out of the screen , one curled around the lower wrist, and another curled around his hand, pulling it down to the screen, then the implant inside his wrist began glowing bright green, making a horrible screeching noise. Dorack yelled in pain as he crouched down, shutting his eyes and putting his head down. Then some ooze started coming out of it. It then flowed into the device, then the base of the machine glowed bright blue, and the essence began slowly shifting. It began to change from bright purple to a soft blue, and the gold began to shift too. The transfer would take around 20 minutes. Enough time to do their thing, if Syl hadn’t done something extremely risky.

“Okay. I can only hold off these for 6 minutes. After that, Drake, you’re going to have to protect them. And do not let them find Serenity.. Dread iis too strong for you to take on alone. Sodden… do you have any tames?” Skyocean asked. Sodden chuckled.

“Well… there’s no tame better than Reaper. Dread took her, though. We’ll have to retrieve her.” Sodden said, grinning. Skyocean nodded.

“Okay. I’ll get her out, best I can.” Skyocean said.

“Well, I didn’t bring her hazard suit, so she has to stay in the base. I don’t want to go to Ragnarok with my raptor infected with radiation sickness.” Sodden explained.. Drake nodded.

“Okay. We’ll be cautious. We should watch out for anyone coming. I’ll keep watch outside the room.” Drake said. Sodden nodded and Drake then walked out, and laid flat against the wall,then morphed into a compy. At his small size, he could walk through the cell doors. He walked through them and hid behind a waste disposal right beside the door. Right across from the room that the others were in. Then they heard deep footsteps from across the hall. Someone was coming.

“This is stupid. I will not let this all go down the drain. Rod! Find Serenity. I’ll handle this.” Dread sneered. Rod nodded and turned to a cell right besides him. He used his implant to unlock the door, and he began looking across the room. He then took out a sword, and bashed it against the floor.

“She’s probably hiding under here…” Rod growled. Dread chuckled softly.

“Anyway… time to end this.” Dread sneered. He took a sword out of his bag and stormed down the hall, towards Dorack’s cell, across from the metal chamber. Drake gasped as he saw Dread walking closer and closer.

“Skyocean, now!” Drake whispered. Skyocean huffed and then leaped out of the doorway, walking towards Dread. Dread gasped.

“Wha- how is there another me? Ah, whatever. You’re dead.” Dread sneered and ran at him, swinging his sword, then Skyocean lunged at him, grabbing the edge of the sword and yanking it out of his hands, then shoving him back. Skyocean then grappled the handle of the sword and pointed it at Dread, and Dread took another sword out of his bag, pointing it at Skyocean, who looked nearly exactly like Dread.

“I bet you’re… what was his name again? Whatever. That won’t matter once you’re dead.” Drerad growled. Skyocean chuckled.

“So I guess you don’t care if you die, huh?” Skyocean said. Dread spat on the ground.

“That’s not accurate. I’ve taken Reapers out of survivors before. They can do the same to me. And besides… it’s not like I’m being controlled.” Dread growled. Skyocean sighed.

“Okay. Time to end this.” Skyocean said. He then put his hand on his implant, and activated one of Dread’s attributes, speed plus strength, and brief invulernability, and Dread did the same, and they launched at each other, crashing into each other, holding themselves by the arm, and a huge wind shot backwards and across the hall. Dread then started pushing Skyocean hard, and Skyocean tried to swing his sword at Dread, then Dread used his sword to hold the other back, and it was evenly matched. Skyocean scoffed and took out a grenade, then used his strength to throw Dread to the ground, then he shoved the grenade into his bag. Dread chuckled.

“Just watch and see if that does anything!” Dread sneered. Skyocean scoffed.

“It’s not just any normal grenade, Dread. You see us as dumb, weak, and worthless. Your torture methods… they say it all. Anyway, you can kiss your armor goodbye.” Skyocean said sternly. Dread growled deeply and was about to get up, when he heard a high-pitched bang in his bag, followed by deep sizzling and crackling. Dread gasped.

“That was full of biotoxin. Not enough to kill you, but enough to make you vulnerable. And it’s enough to do what we have to do.” Skyocean said. Dread groaned as he crouched down, gripping his bag. Then he felt deep pain go through his back. His armor was beginning to break down. Dread groaned as he lay on his back, taking his bag off. The biotoxin was quick to rect, though, and it had already made it into his body. His armor took major damage, and as he yelled in pain and swirmed around, his helmet, leggings,gauntlets, boots, and chestpiece all cracked apart, a loud and deep cracking noise radiated through the base. Dread growled and stood up, completely armorless. Skyocean leaped at him, then knocked him to the ground, and he put his hand inside his bag, then yanked a cryopod out. Skyocean sighed.

“Perfect. The raptor.” Skyocean said. He then leaped up and walked backwards. Dread got up, and spat on the ground.

“Skyocean. Don’t kill him yet. I’m not done getting revenge on that idiot.” Sodden growled. Skyocean sighed and turned to Sodden.

“Hey. Just calm down, okay. We’ll do this. Dread… why don’t you just go rot in your office now?” Skyocean growled. Dread gasped and growled in rage, and stormed away towards the main base center. It wasn’t over, though. He was definitely going to send Marison down. Skyocean groaned and clutched his implant with his hand, then limped into the metal chamber with Sodden. Skyocean then collapsed to the ground, and glowed brightly, a blue-white light enveloped him, and after it dissipated, he was back to his human form. Sodden crouched down near him.

“Hey. You’re going to have to do this now. Drake will help you the best he can. Once you get Nal… you have to get everyone out immediately.” Skyocean gasped, exhausted. Sodden then reached for his hand, and took the cryopod from Skyocean’s hands. He was laying with his head facing upwards to the ceiling. His vision was getting blurry. He had drained all his energy. Drake was the only one who could help them now. Sodden huffed softly and stood up, then Drake ran towards Sodden and morphed into his human form.

“Okay. What should we do?” Drake asked. Sodden sighed and looked around, then he heard footsteps coming. Fast footsteps.

“Okay. The hall iis big enough to become a Theri. I want your raptor to help.” Drake said. Sodden smiled and nodded in affirmation, then Drake stepped out into the hall, and yelled as he glowed brightly and grew to the size of a Theri. Claws, beak, tail, all of it. Marison was right across of him, and Rod was still breaking prison cells looking for Serenity. Then Sodden threw the cryopod down to the ground, and Reaper came out of it. Reaper growled and looked around. Sodden sighed and turned to her.

“Listen. We’re in danger right now. You need to hold off someone.” Sodden said as he put his hand onn Reaper’s head. Reaper growled softly and screeched in affirmation. Sodden got on and they walked out of the room. Marison growled as he took a sword out of his bag.

“I know you’re trying to get Nal back. That’s not gonna happen.” Marison growled.

“Fat chance, idiot!” Sodden yelled in anger. Then Reaper and Drake charged at Marison, and Marison threw a cryopod on the ground, revealing his Megalosaur. He got on it and then charged at the Theri. The Megalosaur opened its mouth and leaped ahead of the Theri, who had tried to swing its claws forward but missed. Then the Megalosaur clamped down onto the tail, and Reaper roared as she leaped forward at the Megalosaur. Reaper bit onto the creature’s neck, and the Megalosaur let go. Marison growled and took out a sword from his bag. He then leaped forward, and Sodden then swung his bag forwards, smacking Marison in the face and knocking him down. He slammed into the ground, then got up, and ran at Reaper. Then Sodden yanked a sword out of his bag, then leaped off and swung the sword at Marison, and Marison leaped out of the way, right off the back of his creature. Sodden then hit the ground next to the creature’s foot, and he got up, then stabbed the Megalosaur in its back. It screeched loudly and Sodden then quickly dragged it forward, right through its chest, and blood started pouring out of its body. Marison growled.

“Why can’t you just give up now?” Marison asked. Sodden scoffed.

“You are going to regret everything you’ve done to my friends!” Sodden shouted as he lifted the sword and pointed it at Marison. The Megalosaur collapsed onto the ground, and a pool of blood came oozing out of the Megalosaur.

“Whatever. I don’t need a creature, anyway. I just need my instincts.” Marison sneered, as he walked closer to Sodden, stepping over the head of the Megalosaur. He gripped his sword tight, and pointed it at Sodden.

“Go ahead. Come at me. But who’s going to handle Rod? And what about your little girlfriend? Why can’t you surrender and accept her fate?!” Marison screamed. Sodden groaned and turned away. He was trying to get in his head. Sodden refused to let him. Sodden yelled and leaped at him, then Marison swung the sword at his back, and Sodden blocked it as he hit the ground on his shoulder. He was held down by the sword, keeping it up. He groaned as he tried to keep the sword away from his chest.

“Why can’t you just stop!?” Marison screamed, continuing to shove the sword downwards. Sodden then kicked Marison’s leg and leaped up, then immediately hit Marison’s shoulder with the sword. Marison groaned as he clutched his shoulder. There was a crack in the armor. Then Reaper screeched from behind Sodden and leaped right at Marison, then opened her mouth and crunched down on his chestpiece, then she knocked Marison down. Marison shouted as he tried to push Reaper off, but the sword fell out of his hands. Reaper then scratched and bit the armor, ripping it up. The chestpiece then shattered and Reaper took the chance to crunch down on his left chest. Marison screamed in pain as blood started coming out of his chest. His implant flickered softly, a dark orange and red glow came from it.

“Reaper, don’t kill him yet. I need to speak to him one last time.” Sodden said. Reaper then growled and looked up at Sodden, then lifted her foot and immediately brought it down quickly, crunching his hip. Reaper walked to Sodden as Marison groaned, clutching his chest. Sodden scoffed and walked to Marison, then crouched down near him.

“You’re not getting out of this. You’re just not. Dread… he’ll find her. Serenity will be violated and you will lose everything!!” Marison screamed, and Sodden immediately picked up the sword and brought it down right at his neck, silting it deeply and immediately causing his voice to cut off. Marison gasped a few more times, then his implant went gold and immediately darkened entirely. The metal, everything. Then a big golden message appeared on Sodden’s implant. That was it. Marison was done for good. Sodden sighed and stood up, and as he looked up, he saw Rod inside of Dorack’s cell, next to Dorack’s bed. The bed was upside down, and it had been shoved away.

“Hmm. I’m sure you won’t mind if I… break this slightly scratched up floor here?” Rod asked as he pointed to the floor next to hm. He was crouched down near it, and had a sword. Sodden gasped and put his hand up, then reached out for Reaper, then Rod lifted his sword, about to bash down onto the floor.

“Go ahead. Send her at me. But it may cost you everything.” Rod sneered, grinning. Sodden sighed and put his hand down. Rod then put his hand down to the ground, then dropped the sword onto the ground. Rod then stood up slowly, then turned to Sodden. Sodden then heard a ding on his implant. He looked at it. Codred sent the message, “What the crap, dude! You almost gave us a heart attack! Ok, but congrats on your progress.” Sodden sighed and turned back to Rod.

“Wanna come at me? Go ahead. But I’m warning you. Dread recovers fast. He is definitely going to be coming down here now.” Rod growled. Sodden scoffed.

“Fat chance, buddy. I’m not letting you get anywhere near Serenity or Dorack. Or anyone.” Sodden said. Rod chuckled.

“You move one muscle… and I’m going to start breaking this floor. I hear nothing, and you’re fine. I hear screaming… and oh, boy, you’re screwed.” Rod sneered. Sodden gasped.

“Okay… okay. Go ahead. Do it.” Sodden growled. Rod chuckled and turned to the floor, crouched down near it, then picked up his sword. He lifted it and started bashing it against the floor. Serenity, who was hiding beneath with a hazard suit, gasped softly and held her mouth, trying not to scream and alert whoever was up there. It was likely Rod. Rod kept bashing the sword against the floor, cracking it even more and causing it to darken. Rod continued doing it 10 more times. Serenity was gasping heavily but keeping herself quiet. She did not want to alert anyone. Rod growled and dropped the sword, then stood up.

“You’re lucky, Sodden. Well… guess I’ll go now.” Rod said.

“No. I know this. You’re just gonna keep breaking that thing. You know she’s in there. You’re trying to trick me.” Sodden said.

“Yes. Hmm. What was that you said to me on your first week… Oh, yeah.. You can shut up about the… yeah. And then a Giga comes and kills us both. I wanted to get information from Terad, but I had to keep myself hidden away. And… you. Heh. Of course. You were the perfect chance. Heh. I manipulate anyone who crosses me. If it means getting to Aberration. Marison… heh. He’s done so much that you obliterated him in rage. What has he done? Oh, yeah. Trying to fix the plan that you are currently dismantling!” Rod screamed and shot his head to the floor, then picked up the sword, held it upside down by the handle, and started stabbing the floor with the sword, continuing to break it. Sodden gasped and backed up a little.

“Drake! Look out for Dread. I’ll handle Rod.” Sodden said. Drake, who was currently behind the doors of the chamber, nodded. Sodden then whistled and Reaper screeched and ran at Rod, then leaped at him, starting to scratch him. Rod growled as he tried to wrestle Reaper off, then he used the sword to hit her left leg, then Reaper screeched and held his arms down to make sure he couldn’t use the sword. Sodden then took out his sword and ran at Rod, and lifted his sword to stab Rod in the neck, and they heard deep shrill screaming from beneath. But it wasn’t the damaged floor it was coming from. It seemed to be traveling throughout the floor, across the exit and towards the hall. Sodden gasped. Rod chuckled.

“Go ahead. Kill me. Not like it’ll change anything.” Rod sneered. Sodden then silt his throat with the sword, then stabbed him in the chest, picked up Rod’s sword, then broke down the damaged floor. Sure enough, there was a tunnel going forwards, some blood on it. There was rocks sticking out of the sides, some blood splattered across a few of the rocks. Sodden growled and began crawling through the tunnel, holding the two swords in his bag. The blades were sticking out, though, so he had to be careful. He continued to crawl through the tunnel, and he approached a bend after 15 seconds and turned right, then he continued walking through, aand he heard struggling and shouting. Sodden gasped and continued to crawl through, putting one arm ahead of another, and groaning as he pushed through. He couldn’t see much, as it was dark, but his implant provided light to keep going through. He saw some blood on the rocks, and as he approached another bend, he saw a wooden shard on the ground. Sodden gasped and turned to it. He saw blood on it too. Sodden growled and continued going, and then he heard yelling and kicking. Then he heard a loud thump from just ahead. Then he heard someone shouting and quickly crawling through the tunnel. Then he kept going to the bend, and sure enough, he turned the bend to see Serenity trying to go forward, escaping Dread. Serenity gasped and looked up as he saw Sodden right in front of her.

“Oh, god.” Sodden said in shock. Syl wasn’t kidding. Serenity’s armor was badly damaged, and her bag had a hole in it. She had scratches on her chest, arms, and legs. Her implant had a dark ring around it. It was slightly damaged. Sodden gasped and walked towards Serenity, and Serenity reached out for Sodden, and Sodden put his hands on her hand, holding it softly.

“Hey. You’re gonna be fine. Okay, where’s Dread?” Sodden asked.

“I stalled him for a bit. Not for long, though.” Serenity said. Sodden turned the bend to look ahead of Serenity, and both survivors turned forward to continue going, They barely had space to sit up. They had to find the exit and get everyone out alive. They had no time to chat. This was all or nothing. The two continued down, and then they heard grunting as they approached another bend, going to the left. Then they heard growling right above. They were approaching the exit, right below the metal foundations of the base. Serenity and Sodden continued to approach the exit, and they turned the bend to see a hole in the ceiling, where above it was a big hall, towards the center of the base. They continued towards it, and Sodden was right ahead and put his hand on the exit floor, and lifted himself out of the hole. He then turned back to Serenity, still crouched down, and Serenity lifted herself out of the hole just then. Both stood up to turn forward. Dread stood right in front of the center table, chuckling, gripping a sword in both his hands.

“Well. You have really done it. All you’re doing is making the plan go faster. It’s fine, though. That won’t matter once you’re dead and Serenity is-” Dread said, and Sodden cut in, pointing one of his swords at Dread.

“Don’t. Don’t say it. We’re getting everyone out alive. You have changed nothing. I don’t care what you say. Your tribe is done.” Sodden said sternly. Dread cackled.

“You really think you can stop me? It’s not that easy. There’s nothing you can do. Even if you render me with no armor, my invulernability kicks in the second I get below 10 HP. Unkillable. Resistant to swords, and whatnot. I survived Terad because he didn’t know how powerful I truly was. Like you don’t know how powerful I truly am!” Dread yelled. Sodden scoffed.

“You think I don’t know? You tossed my raptor away like it was nothing! You nearly killed her and Queen Sylveevee! You have terrorized this Ark for far too long.” Sodden said. Dread chuckled.

“This? This Ark? Oh, boy. We’ve been to other Arks before. We’ve learned the power of survivors. We have built our power over many ages. And especially Dorack… heh. His little cataprime invention. It was perfect for us. I’d tell you when that was… but there’s no point.” Dread sneered. Sodden huffed in anger and started walking slowly, nudging himself closer to Dread. Serenity took a sword from her bag and walked towards Dread.

“It’s how I learned the true motto of my tribe. The true goal we have. Control the Assassin Heart. The powers they have make one unkillable. Spread across a entire tribe, it’s still insanely powerful. You think I didn’t expect Serenity to escape? Oh, no. I was waiting for the right time to strike. Waiting until you decided to come near Rod. Rod was merely a distraction. Ugh. I hate that you killed Marison, though. He was my best warrior. Anyway, where was I? Oh, right.” Dread sneered. He then yelled and ran right at Serenity, and she then lifted the sword, sideways, and held Dread’s sword back. The sword continued to fall towards her chest, and Sodden ran at Dread to strike, then Dread held the other sword and swung it at Sodden. Sodden held the sword back with his sword. He grunted as he tried to push the sword back, then Dread growled loudly and shoved Serenity back with the other sword. She stumbled into the wall, and gasped as she stood up, looking at Dread and gripping her sword tight. Then Dread used both swords to shove Sodden back into the wall, and he fell over to the ground, dropping the sword besides him. Dread then ran at Serenity with both swords. Serenity shouted and lifted her sword to hold back Dread’s two swords. Serenity was pushed against the wall, trying to stand up. She groaned as she kept gripping her sword tight and trying to keep the swords away. Sodden groaned and leaped up, then picked his sword back up and ran at Dread, and swung at his bag with all his strength, and it slashed the bag in half and cracked his armor open. Dread shouted and pulled backwards, then turned to Sodden and swung both swords at him. Sodden dodged the swords and took a shotgun out of his bag. Dread growled and ran at him, about to stab him with the swords, then Sodden leaped ahead as Dread approached and immediately shot him in the back. His then fell to the ground, on one knee, then groaned softly and turned his head. He slowly stood up and turned to Sodden, who was pointing the shotgun at him.

“You can’t kill me normally. You know that.” Dread sneered, grinning. Sodden smiled and chuckled.

“I know that. I just needed to distract you.” Sodden said. Dread scoffed.

“Heh. Just get this over with and let me have her. Then you will lead me to Dorack.” Dread said. He was about to say something else, and Sodden interrupted.

“Hold on. You’re forgetting something.” Sodden sneered as he reached for his bag. Dread chuckled.

“Go ahead. Send your creatures at me. They won’t last a second. Not like you needed them anyway.” Dread sneered. Sodden scoffed and put his hand down.

“Oh, it wasn’t the Megalosauruses I was going to send.” Sodden said. He then whistled softly and in a high pitch, and suddenly, after a few seconds, Reaper burst through the dungeon’s main doors and lunged at Dread. Reaper successfully knocked him down and pinned him to the floor, but Dread continued to punch her hard and throw her off. Sodden continued blasting the shotgun at Dread’s armor, its bullets clattering and riocheting off the armor as it struck the shoulders, causing slight scratches. Sodden sighed and turned to Serenity.

“Serenity, you’re going to go help Dorack, okay?” Sodden said. Serenity gasped and looked at the doors, then back at Sodden.

“But… what about you?” Serenity asked. Sodden put his hand on her shoulder.

“It’s fine. I’ll be okay. Send Drake to go help me. You need to help Dorack.” Sodden explained. Serenity sighed and nodded.

“Okay. I’ll go.” She said softly, then turned to the door and ran right through the doors, sprinting towards Dorack. Meanwhile, Dread had Reaper’s neck pinned down to the table. Reaper was continuously throwing her claws around, trying to push Dread, but Dread was stood up and continued to hold her down. Sodden then ran at Dread and swung the shotgun forwards at a insane speed, then struck Dread’s back hard, shattering parts of it and launching him forwards, losing his grip on Reaper. Dread shouted as he got launched forward, crashing into the floor on his chest. Dread groaned softly and got up. He then turned around. Dread yelled in anger and ran at Sodden, then Sodden leaped out of the way, and Dread then immediately turned left to Reaper, and grabbed her tail, and Reaper screeched in pain as Dread picked her up and started to spin the tail at the ceiling. Dread then used his left hand to pick up a metal shard and throw it right at Sodden. He tried to get up, then the shard struck his head and he fell down again. He groaned as he tried to get up, his vision was slightly blurry, and he then grabbed the door handle, only for Dread to then launch Reaper right at Sodden, crashing into him at a insane speed and launching the two right through the doors, tumbling down the stairs to the dungeons. They shouted as they continued to go, hitting each stair, becoming more bruised, and Dread then scoffed as he stormed towards the top of the stairs, watching both Sodden and his raptor tumble down the stairs. They crashed onto the dungeons’ second floor base, and Reaper had her back laid against Sodden’s chest, and they both tried to get up, but they were badly hurt. Meanwhile, in the metal chamber, Dorack was screaming in pain as he started to feel slightly weaker, more heavy, and a little more exhausted. The transfer was almost done. Drake stood guard at the door, and saw Sodden and Reaper at the base of the stairs, trying to get up. Soodden groaned as he got up, then took a cryopod out of his bag, and put Reaper in it so she wouldn’t be hurt even more. Drake ran to Sodden, who limped towards him, clutching his ankle. Drake then grabbed his arms.

“You good?” Drake asked. Sodden gasped in exhaustion.

“You’re gonna need to hold Dread off for us. We can’t let him get to Dorack or… like, anyone else.” Sodden said. Drake nodded. Sodden then tried to stand straight, and groaned as he limped to the room. Drake growled softly as he transformed into a Allosaur - a creature that could barely fit in the room. He growled softly as he stood guard - he couldn’t move as his back was pressed directly against the ceiling, and his body width almost touched both sides of the wall. Drake growled softly as Dread arrived to the bottom of the stairs, holding a sword in his left hand.

“You shall not pass!” Drake yelled in anger. Dread chuckled and ran right between the legs, then Drake lowered his head downwards to block Dread. Dread then raised his sword to slash apart the head, then Drake lifted his foot and pushed himself forwards, causing Dread to get knocked back, his sword fell out of his hands. Drake almost fell over, he toppled a bit - but he was able to retain his balance. Dread growled and stood up, then ran to the sword, then Drake picked it up with his mouth and lifted his head. Dread leaped upwards at Drake’s head, then Drake suddenly glowed bright blue, then morphed into a mantis, the sword fell out and the mantis leaped forward to grab the sword before Dread could. Dread slammed into the stairway. He got up, groaning, and ran at Drake, then as Drake was trying to bring the sword downwards to hit Dread. Dread then leaped out of the way, dodging it, then grabbed Drake’s tail, then he took a pistol out of his bag and shot 6 bullets into it - rupturing the creature’s spiracles and legs. Drake screeched in pain as he was forced to morph back into his human form again. Drake collapsed to the ground, exhausted and injured, Blood came out of his upper legs and his shoulder. Dread then walked to Drake, crouched down near his head, and chuckled.

“You were all doomed from the start.” Dread sneered, then spat on his head, and stood up to walk away, then as soon as he turned around, Sodden ran straight at Dread with a riot shield, striking his chestpiece hard and knocking him down, right in front of Drake. Dread groaned as he tried to stand up, then Reaper leaped out from behind Sodden and clamped down onto Dread’s chestpiece, ruptured it, and immediately jolted her claws into Dread’s chest, then lifted him up. Sodden chuckled as he then rammed Dread forwards, released from Reaper’s grip. Dread slammed into the door, his chest bleeding. Dread groaned and roared loudly as he stood up. He yelled in anger, his implant starting to glow super brightly, with a red glare. Dread then ran straight at Reaper, but he seemed to just teleport right to her, then Dread launched his fist forward, right intoo Reaper’s head and launched her back, and she rammed into the wall in a few seconds. She hit the ground on her back, then growled softly, bruised and bleeding from her tail, as she got up slowly, shaking. Dread then seemed to teleport right to Sodden, like he was moving so fast, no one could see him. In what seemed like a tenth of a second, Sodden and Reaper were both against the wall, groaning and badly hurt. Dread then turned to the metal room, and Drake then slowly got up, groaning and panting heavily. He only had enough energy to maintain a Therizinosaur’s state - he had to make it count. Drake then screeched and grew in size as he became a Theri. Then Dread turned to him and zipped right past Drake. Drake growled in confusion then turned around, and saw Dread in the air, then launched his foot forward and it bashed right into his head, causing Drake to roar in pain and get launched onto his back, fell down onto the ground. Dread slammed onto the ground on his feet. Drake groaned as he tried to get up, then they heard a loud blare come from the room. The four looked up to the metal chamber. A bright red light went off in it, and its glare spread to the halls. Inside, Dorack screamed in pain as he got launched backwards, a large jolt of energy spread through his implant. The control panel beeped loudly and quickly. Dorack slammed into the wall and got up, holding his left wrist, groaning. The big rotating sphere became extremely light, and a red glare appeared across the sphere. The transfer was complete. Dorack gasped in shock as he looked at the sphere, his jaw dropped. Dorack and Serenity ran to the sphere, then reached out to the sphere, and when Dorack put his hand inside, he felt powerful and hot surges of power flowing through his arm. He felt something soft and smooth inside of it, and Dorack then started clenching his fist, then when he did, his hand immediately jolted open, his fingers standing upright. Dorack screamed in pain as the energy began to shake the room. Drake stood in front of the door, trying to keep his Theri form. Sodden and Reaper kept trying to distract Dread, but his rage mode was too strong. Dorack knew he was almost out of time. He then leaped forward, yelling and shutting his eyes as he swerved his arms through the essence. Then as he continued clenching his fist, trying to grab onto something, he then grabbed something soft and bumpy. He gasped. He then put his second arm inside, and Serenity then backed up and put her hands on Dorack’s legs to help out. Dorack groaned as he tightened his grip on whatever he had grabbed, then he started to lean back, and Serenity then started pulling Dorack out, groaning as they tried to get them out. Dorack continued pulling and started to yell into the sphere.

“Come on! Come… on… gotta get out…” Dorack groaned as he leaned backwards, pulling the object out, but it was hard. They continued to pull, until the panel started making a loud blaring noise. It kept going off rapidly, and the machine started rumbling softly. Dorack gasped and let his left arm go, then swung it around rapidly, hoping something would grab it. Then he felt something grab his hand. He then heard quiet yelling. Quet, but it was there. It was high pitched, and there were loud, low pitched heartbeats coming out of it. Then the entire chamber rumbled softly, and the machine made a groaning noise as the rotating sphere started to brighten. Dorack growled as he kept pulling. The sphere brightened, turned deep purple, then expanded slightly. Then the panel suddenly shut off and the machine began to crack. Then a horrible grinding noise went off inside the machine’s core, and the sphere expanded even mmore, enveloping Dorack and Serenity in bright light, then it all shot apart, dissipating as it went. Light particles shot out of the room. The sphere disappeared, and Serenity had fell onto the ground. Dorack was on the ground too, exhausted and bruised. His implant was glowing yellow. He had done it. He felt lighter, weaker, but he had done it. Dorack openned his eyes slowly and he groaned as he stood up slowly. He turned around, his knee on the ground. He looked up to the wall, and gasped as he put his hands to his mouth. There, on the ground, to the right of Serenity. Transparent, glowing bright yellow, with purple and golden streams going throughout their body. It was solid, hard, and it felt smooth. A survivor with only 35 percent her essence. Dorack then crawled over to her and put his hand on her arm. She was still unconscious, but she was alive. That was all Dorack cared about. Dorack sniffled and sighed in relief. He was just relieved that Nal was okay. Serenity got up and gasped as he walked to Dorack.

“Hey. You good?” Serenity asked. Dorack sighed in shock.

“Yeah. I’m just glad she’s fine.” Dorack gasped softly. Serenity nodded and smiled.

“That’s all that matters. Come on, we gotta go.” Serenity said as she tapped Dorack’s shoulder. Dorack sighed then put her hands on Nal’s arms, then lifted her up into his arms. He looked at her stats. It was horrifying. 20 percent her original health, stamina, weight, and almost everything else. Her torpor was at a astronomical 10,000 - a side effect of a survivor coming that close to essence decay. Dorack sighed in relief and stood up, then turned to the door. He and Serenity walked out of the room. Skyocean then sat up, awakened from his nap.

“Oh… what did I miss? Oh… congrats on getting her back.” Skyocean said as he noticed Dorack holding Nal in his arms. Skyocean stood up and walked to them. Drake was wounded, Sodden was holding him with his arms, and they all started walking to the stairs. Dread had left since then. Dorack felt slightly lightheaded for some reason. He groaned softly as his vision became slightly blurry. Then he shut his eyes for a few seconds, then when he opened his eyes, he suddenly remembered something. No. Everything. He suddenly got memories back of everything that had happened in ARKtic Day 93. He saw the day he woke up. The day he returned to Nudon. Dorack tried to ignore it, but deep inside, he realized what it could mean. Serenity then walked to Dorack and put her hand on his shoulder.

“Hey. You good?” Serenity asked. Dorack nodded.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just… recovering from my essence transfer.” Dorack said softly. They continued up the stairs. Drake and Sodden were hurt, but they were recovering fine. It seemed like they would be just fine.

Or so they thought.