Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Toasters, arise. Anyways, here’s the next chapter of Claws & Sand.

Claws & Sand

Chapter I: Phobos

The Deinoraptors shuffled towards a Human camp, their bones reflecting the orange glow of fires.

A screech called out from the leading Deinoraptor, and the other four launched forth. ‘For the Risen!’ the demons cried, in the Voice of Man. The villagers grabbed spears and hatchets, most children running away in fear. A Deinoraptor stepped towards a small boy, intending to kill. ‘No…leave the child alone.’ the Risen One hissed, appearing behind the other skeletal beast. ‘I mean no disrespect, Lord, but why? There’s-‘. The Risen cut off the skeleton by cutting off its head. ‘No reason to let him live, I assume? Well, other than the fact I said so. And I speak for the Quiet One.’ The Risen stared at the fallen skull, its glowing purple eyes beginning to literally burn through the fleshless head. It turned towards the child, tilting its head in curiosity. ‘Who are you, little one?’ The Sand Devil questioned. ‘I’m called Rockwell, demon.’ The youngling replied boldly. ‘A demon, you call me?’ The Risen One stared blankly at the child, its dark, yet glowing, purple eyes sparking blood-red for a second before returning. ‘An interesting description, young human. Now run off before I lose my patience, will you?’ The once-called Dustdevil continued. The boy lunged over, grabbing a spear, and launched it at the Quiet’s Host. ‘Idiot.’ The beast slashed one claw forward, leaving a slash across the kid’s face. The child proceeded to grab another spear and attempt to stab the Risen’s eyes. With a single flick of it’s tail, the boy was thrown across the camp, which now burned from the invincible, skeletal demons who ran through it. ‘Perhaps…I would have spared you…. Not…anymore.’ The Risen whispered. The young one ran as fast as his small legs could carry him. The Risen sighed in annoyance. ‘T’was looking for a human apprentice. Perhaps I should have been less threatening.’ Dustdevil spoke not…

The Quiet did. The Deinoraptors, riddled with spears and arrows, stood behind the Risen. ‘The Men of this village are dead or scattered, Lord.’ They spoke as one. The Risen’s eyes glowed when annoyed. Its eyes were practically small purple stars. ‘Scattered? I…said kill…them.’ The Risen slashed its claws through the nearest Deinraptors’ spine. Then, it left, trailing smoke blacker than night, every footstep turning the sand to glass.

-Ranger

The first chapter of Claws & Sand is LONG overdue. Welp, here it is…

Claws & Sand

Prologue: The Demon

(Third person, following Dustdevil).

A small trail of smoke followed the Risen Demon as it walked, staining the sand black. It passed tribes of Men, who stared at it with fear. Beasts bowed their heads in respect, and it stared with its inward-spiraling, glowing purple eyes in return. The harsh, sharp clicking noise of claws on stony ground was the only noise the Risen made.

After many, many days, the deinonychus known as Dustdevil reached the Obelisk that glowed a pale green. It looked at the ancient monolith with disgust. ‘Made by man….’ Those were the first words it ever spoke, echoing through the halls of time. T’was the first words any non-human spoke, and they were said with distaste at Man. ‘If these…structures were built by Man, then by beast they shall be ruined.’ A mental command called the bones of a strange, long-dead variant of the Deinonychus up to the ground, forming into a full creature that stood at nearly twenty claws tall (Twenty claws is around ten feet). The raspy clicking tongue of the Deinoraptor, the beast that stood before Dustdevil, came from the Risen’s jaws. ‘Rip that tower…apart. Piece…by piece.’ The Risen flicked their tail, summoning another twelve Deinoraptors. It repeated the order to them, stalking away, still trailing smoke. The Deinoraptors claws and slashed at the ancient metal, ripping the Obelisk into pieces. Though this process would take decades, if not centuries, they continued their work. The pieces of savagely torn metal fell to the ground. (Moon, if I may use a reference). One chunk seemed to have a rune carved into it, sinking into the sand, and, unbeknownst to the Risen and the Deinoraptors, would fall into a different world.

(Back with the Risen Demon)

Dustdevil wandered around the world, killing humans. Not for food, as they needed no sustenance, but for sport. After fifty years, three Deinoraptor skeletons approached the Demon. They spoke as one: ‘The green tower has been destroyed…. What are our new orders?’ The Risen laughed, a harsh, demonic sound. ‘Slaughter…the Men. They live near flames, in pyramids of…beast pelt. Kill them, and you shall be let to live.’ The Deinoraltors nodded, their commands clear. ‘The humans shall die, Lord…’

-Ranger

The Tribe of Shadows: Alternate Timeline

Chapter 1: The Frozen North

(Alright, so this is basically going to be a Primitive Plus version of ToS).

As Dilath began to head out hunting, his dodo waddling next to him, the smell of cooking Dilophosaurus and rice wafted over him. He heard a creaking in the branches next to him. Thinking nothing of it, the boy continued to look for prey for his tribe to eat. He already had a decent catch, with a juvenile Megalocerus over his shoulder. Decently far downriver from his village, Dilath hears a faint shout coming from the trees far behind in. A group of fifty raiders stream out, chitin armor reflecting the firelight from the village. Brutal screams come from his home as the five guards of Dilath’s village, at least those who were currently on duty, streamed out to face the raiders. Though the guards had better armor, they were defeated swiftly, their bodies thrown into the river. There had only been one casualty on the raiders’ side. One of the enemy soldiers pulled out an unlit torch and flickered open a weird little box that gave off fire. Lighting the torch, the enemy stepped towards the wooden walls of Reagath, and lit them, carefully. The Imperial raiders laughed, a noise that made Dilath’s blood run cold. People began to run, but Dilath noticed a few raiders that had crossbows. The attempted escapees were quickly slain as the raiders advanced through the village, screams of death echoing as the enemies pillaged the entire town, loading their bounty onto wheelbarrows that farmers had been using to transport goods. ‘Go, go, go! We got all we need, now scramble before reinforcements from the Yurkhall get here!’ The presumed commander of the raiders yelled. ‘No, sir. We’re going to storm the Hall.’ a few soldiers told him. ‘Alright, fine! May as well make this place fully Imperial territory. So, the soldiers marched through the town, burning and killing as they ascended up the hill towards the Yurkhall. There was a garrison of fifteen men at the Yurkhall, who had barricaded the door. Two raiders ripped out a torch from the ground, setting the hardwood doors of the Hall alight. One of the raiders lifted the Imperial banner of a red dragon on a silver background. The flames spread through the hall, burning it out, forcing survivors to the top of the Yurkhall. The Imperials drew their axes to hack the door properly off its hinges. What happened after, Dilath couldn’t see. But he could hear screams and the crackle of a hundred fires. Terrified for his life, and the lives of his friends, Dilath scrambled up the cliff by his town, peering down at the Hall, for any sign of life. All he saw was flickers of red as chitin-wearing Imperials marched burned down the building. The boy moved backwards, towards a hole in a tree. Fitting his small body into it was easy, but staying warm likely wouldn’t. He didn’t have his camping supplies, that was likely burned with the village. And it was a cold, cold night. Sitting down in the tree, Dilath couldn’t sleep. His mind raced too fast, too much. At almost three in the morning, Dilath fell asleep as the world awoke. Waking up a few hours later, the boy’s back was sore. ‘Uggggh.’ Dilath muttered. Shaking his head to clear it, he remembered the horrors of the previous night. So, the hunter travels down towards his village, scanning it for anyone alive. The Imperials were gone.

‘No….’ Dilath slurred. They can’t all be dead, right? He asked himself. After finding no one, Dilath allowed himself a moment to grieve. An entire village, scorched to the ground in just a few hours. His village. Dilath trudges over to the Yurkhall. There were a few spears in an alcove in the wall, and Dilath snatches a few of them, three in a pouch on his back, one in his hand. He had a slingshot at his belt and a few stones in a pouch next to it. Maybe there were a few Imperials left that he could wreak vengeance on. If not, he’d make his way towards the Redwoods to find the hunting colonies that were scattered there, or the Northlands. He’d heard about a recent string of bandit attacks in the North near Valenfell, and the large bounty that would be given to whoever killed the Saberfangs. So, a simple hunting life or work as a bounty hunter in the savage and cold Northlands? The answer was simple. Dilath had always longed to explore, and wouldn’t mind the cold. For some reason, the winter didn’t my seem to effect him nearly as much as with other people. Dilath didn’t know why. (The reason for that is because, let’s just say Dilath isn’t a Raptori in this timeline). But that was aside the point. Dilath wanted revenge. So, the fifteen year old crept into the ruins of the Yurkhall, the smell of burned flesh hanging in the air. Sniffing the air, he detected the faint smell of metal that didn’t come from blood. Dilath dodged just as an Imperial crossbow bolt slammed into the wall where he’d sat seconds before! Dilath fumbled to pull out his sling, and I’m outta space.

I’m doing pretty good. How’re you? I’m currently working on a REALLY big project that isn’t ARK-based, which is why I haven’t been posting.

-Ranger

The Tribe of Shadows

A Duel of Legend

As the three MEKs charged forth, a beast arose, what looked like a giant sickle shaped stinger slashing the Titanosaur to pieces. What resembled a Rex but with the tail of a scorpion and tentacles growing from its back. And did I mention it was two times the size of the now dead Titanosaur? “What in the Overseer’s name is that!” Joseph yelled over the communication system. We were probably doomed, but we may as well fight. “I dunno, but what I do know is that we may die. But we’ll fight!” I said over the comms. “We sure bloody will,” replied Quint.

I walked in front then unexpectedly jumped, stabbing my MEK’s blade into the mutated Rex. It let out a terrible screech of pain and anger, slamming its tail into the side of my MEK, the hooked tip of it slightly cutting my armor. I shot a rocket point blank at the Rex’s face. The rocket exploded in one of the thing’s eyes, but it seemed unaffected. “How are we gonna beat this thing! It killed a Titanosaur with one slash,” I said, terrified. “You expect me to know? I’m just a soldier, not a monster killer. That’s your job, Dilath,” Quint spat, clearly exasperated. “Can we just focus on the giant demonic Rex that’s about to tear down the Yurkhall?” Asked Joseph. Getting an idea, I aimed a rocket right at the mutated beast’s open mouth, and fired. The thing exploded, leaving massive chunks of flesh and chitin scattered all across the now ruined New Reagath. “This place is wrecked. No real reason to live in a place like this,” Joseph stated. “Well, I may or may not sorta own an underground city that has ancient yet advanced technology and weapons, which totally wasn’t where I got my TEK gear.” I replied. “What in Rockwell’? Where did you find a literal underground city!” Quint exclaimed, surprised. “Just a few clicks southeast. But you may want to hop of your MEKs. Serothane is alive.” I responded. Out of nowhere, Ranger appeared, this time fully visible to all three of us. “Who’s that? How is he floating?” Quint and Joseph said at the same time. “Him? That’s Ranger. He’s apparently the “author” of where we are. How he’s floating? He’s basically some kind of deity.” I answered. I exited my MEK, and Ranger floated down to where I was. “Dilath. Don’t let Serothane come with you. Or do, it’s your decision. It could lead to a much darker path. Yet, it could lead to your redemption. So be wary. I must go now.” Ranger said. I nodded then activated my TEK armor, flew up to my allies and told them we had to go without the MEKs. Activating three cryopods, I released my TEK raptor, Reaper, Shade, my black sabertooth, and Tug, my Equus. “Mount up people, I call Reaper.” I said. “Alright, I’ll take that black saber,” said Joseph. “The saber’s name is Shade. The equus is Tug.” I said. Joseph mounted Shade, and Quint pulled out a carrot from his pack, fed it to Tug, and hopped on. We started to go southeast, when I heard Lydia Serothane shout “Can I come with you guys?” I sighed, turning around. “Why should we let you?” Lydia raised an eyebrow. “Because I’m the one who knows what a law is?” She said sarcastically. Remembering what Ranger had said, I shook my head. “Why not?” She asked. “Because, I don’t care if I sound insane, a deity told me not to let you come with me. Or let you come with me. He said you either cause me to ‘ go down a darker path’ or it would ‘lead to my redemption.’” I said, then continued “The deity’s name was Ranger. Anyways, no. You have betrayed me before, so I sure as hell don’t trust you. Now go away before I shoot a bullet through your skull.” I said harshly. Joseph looked shocked. Quint looked weirdly proud, and Lydia was furious. She stormed off into the woods, and clearly didn’t know of the wild raptors because she was unarmed. “I suppose we should get going?” I asked. “I guess.” Quint replied. We started the long trek towards my city.

Author’s Note

I should give you guys a description of Quint and Joseph. Quint is a, no offense, Asian dude with dark gray hair. He usually is seen in riot gear, other than the helmet, which he wears in combat. He has two different colored eyes, one green the other brown and black military cut hair. Joseph has brown hair and blue eyes and usually wears flak armor. By the way, I based my character off of a Ranger from RA, because I’m obsessed with that series. This chapter, I admit, was shtty. But if you think it’s bad, shuddit.

-Ranger

Okie dokie. First where is Moon? Secondly, that last chapter was dramatic, but semi-decent. But, now onto the next one!

The Tribe of Shadows

New Reagath Part Two: The Ranger

Many eyes dragged up to the wyverns. Raiders. And judging by their banners, Empire wyverns. Shockingly, three of the fire wyverns broke off and began attacking the other seven. On the walls, sentries rushed towards the nearest ballistae, ready to fire at either group. The banners of the first three dropped to show the symbol of a golden triceratops. They were of the Shadr Council, one of the only peaceful groups in Pyrrhia. Ballistae bolts whistled past, slamming into the Empire’s wyverns. The Shadr Council wyverns landed, bleeding heavily from attacks. The remaining sentries gathered pikes and rifles, prepared for a defense. I smiled lightly, as I had hoped that all would go well. Depressingly, I was most mistaken. The booming roar of a giganotosaurus echoed as one began attempting destroy the walls, distracting the remaining sentries. A wyvern landed, and on it was mounted a warrior in red TEK armor. The warrior rushed towards me, attempting to snatch me. I drew my sword, but had no reason to. A man in a strange camouflage cloak appeared behind the TEK armored warrior and stabbed them clean through the armor, a dagger splitting the metal like butter. “Hello, Dilath. It’s the author here, Ranger. Ya might wanna duck,” said the apparent “author”. I did so, and an bullet cut through the air where I was standing, and hit the green cloaked man. It went straight through him, as if he was a hologram. “As I just told you, my name’s Ranger. I’m here to make sure you don’t die. For the plot, of course. Now go on and fight. Wyverns on your six.” Ranger said, sounding bored. I turned around and saw a blast of fire heading straight toward me. Sidestepping it, I activated my TEK armor, launching me into the air. A full scale battle was raging around him, yet this Ranger person seemed unaffected. He then seemed to write on the air, spelling what I assume was “Chair”, as a chair appeared right behind him. Ranger sat, looking slightly annoyed. “Too much stress. College. Work. Thinking of what to write,” Ranger said quietly. “Dilath! Jump!” He yelled. I immediately jumped as a grenade was thrown toward me. “Thanks!” I yelled in reply. Ranger slightly smiled. “Perhaps…” he muttered. “Giga at your six!” I heard a sentry shout. I snapped back to reality, and Ranger disappeared. Spinning, I saw a giga with it’s mouth open. I threw a poison grenade in the giga’s mouth then activated a cryopod to release my red and black Gigantrex, Hunter. Climbing into the saddle, I motioned for the beast to run as a giga stormed behind us. The beast suddenly found itself full of ballista bolts. It fell to the ground, crushing several guards. Hunter let out a deafening roar as wyverns attempted to dive at us. I jumped up from the saddle onto one of the wyvern’s tail, climbed on and knocked the rider off into Hunter’s jaws. Grabbing hold of the reins, I made the beast attack the other Empire wyverns. At first I thought we were winning. Until I saw a Titanosaur. It stood at the gates, and then began to slam it’s front feet into the gate. The entire wall rumbled. “Oh sht. Boys, we’re probably screwed, but bring out the MEKs!” I saw Joseph seated on a Rex, shouting orders. I flew towards him. “Sorry bout earlier. I really messed up,” I said. Joseph snorted. “Ain’t that the biggest understatement I’ve ever heard. Anyways, get on a MEK, kid. We’ll need em to face a Titano,” Joseph replied. I dismounted, and heard a massive rumbling noise. A metal gate opened, and behind it was a team of three MEKs. “One for you, one for me, and one for General Quint,” Joseph proudly stated. “Quint’s alive? And a General!” I said, shocked. Joseph slightly laughed. “Of course the guy who was basically an older you would live,” he said. I nodded, and hopped into the MEK in the center, which had, unbeknownst to me then, a raptor symbol carved into the back. Coincidentally, as the three of us (General Quint had been walking behind us, silent.) the gates broke, killing the few living sentries beneath it. The wyverns were dead, Hunter was Enraged but badly injured, and all the sentries were dead. We were basically the last force of resistance. The thundering sound of MEKs walking was repeated thrice as we stepped forward, our MEK’s blades activated. The Titano slammed it’s foot down toward us, and a battle began.

I was writing this chapter and went “FOURTH WALL BREAK TIME!” and yeah. That is what I did. Hope everybody likes it.

-Ranger

Author’s Note: I re-read that last chapter. It’s pretty crappy, so I hope this makes up for it. By the way, the name of Dilath’s village was Reagath.

The Tribe of Shadows

Chapter 10: New Reagath

Dilath’s POV

I let out an annoyed sigh. I’ve been riding my Voidjara (Voidjara: Void Wyrm combined with a Tapejara.)for three days already, and yet I hadn’t reached my old home, Reagath. I haven’t seen the place in, what? Almost two years now. I’m almost seventeen, for the Overseer’s sake! Winter’ll be soon, and I was born on the tenth of Frostfall. Well, as far as I know, I mean.

Two Hours Later

(Nothing happened. Dilath just continued being a stereotypical grumpy teenager.)

I first expected Reagath to be the same as it used to. I was VERY wrong. High stone ramparts surrounded the entire place. Multiple ballistae lined the walls, gleaming bolts in each one. I was both surprised and proud my village had upgraded their security. “Stop, outlander! Do not go forth until you tell your purpose of being here,” a loud voice yelled from the battlement. I looked down and saw a man I quickly recognized as Joseph, one of my friends from before the raid. “Do you not remember me, Joseph?” I asked, slightly laughing. “Wait… Dilath? How the hell did you survive! And why didn’t you come back? Land on the inside, you need to see the new Yurkan!”(I think that’s what the village leader was called?) I landed quickly, my Voidjara, Slipspace, disappearing into my cryopod. Joseph looked shocked at my armor. “Is that… TEK? I thought that stuff was illegal?” I snorted. “Yeah, it was. But it IS pretty good armor. And what ya gonna do about it? Arrest me? I could just use these little things,” I said, pointing at my boots, which had essentially had a small propulsion system. “Fair. But anyway, guess who our new Yurkan is?” I shook my head, wracking my brain for any sort of answer. “You? Alvar Roin?” Joseph laughed. “No, and no. It’s your old “friend”, Lydia Serothane.” I paled. My old more or less, shall I say, girlfriend was probably one of the only people in Reagath I would have not minded dead, other than Terrel Smith. As we walked towards the Yurkhall, he started making sarcastic comments under his breath. As we entered the building, I could feel eyes following us. “Well, well, well… Look what the cat dragged in,” the quiet, cold voice of Lydia Serothane said, the words echoing because of the size of the audience chamber. “Yurkan Serothane. How amazing to make your acquaintance.” I said sarcastically. “That’s not very nice. I haven’t spoken to you in almost two years now…” Lydia replied, staring at me. I looked back, my pupils turning to raptor-like slits. “And? I’m soo sorry that my home destroyed and I was a terrified kid. I course I ran!” I snarled, she rolled her eyes. I continued. “And I assume you’ve heard tell of the Dark Warrior? The man who cleans out Empire keeps in ten minutes? The slayer of the General, the Champion, and Blackmoon the Demon? Because you are looking at him, you little-“Shut up, Dilath. I was going to apologize for what I did! Why can you not forgive me from a mistake three dam years ago!” Lydia yelled, pissed. I breathed, shaking. If looks could kill, Terrel, who was in the audience hall along with us, would be dead. “Listen, Lydia. You cheated on me with Terrel. I can’t just forget something like that!” I shouted back. Joseph immediately stepped in between both of us, attempting to calm Serothane down. I just sighed and walked out of the Yurkhall. Breathing loudly, I sat down on a bench near the gate, admiring the new stone buildings that were now homes, each one having electricity and other things. Looking up, I saw one of the only things that would truly terrify me. Ten fire wyverns, flying in a triangular formation, swooping down onto the settlement.

-Ranger

Sorry if this one was bad as well, I admit, it was a bit overly dramatic.

That cesspit? Nah I’m good lol. Just gonna send it out on the Dex.

-Ranger

Guess who’s FINALLY back, after like a year?

ME!

-Ranger

The Reaping - Chapter three

Mauve pulsed with fear and anger as he made his way through the tight crowd and ran after his sister. But before he could get very far, a few guard deinonychuses strolled in and grabbed him, pushing him back.

"SCORCH!" He yelled, knowing that wouldn't help. Maybe he could get his parents to help him.

Mauve dashed back and tried to find his parents. *Where are they? They were just here a minute ago.* He thought with frustration.

*I'll have to make do without them.*

Mauve came up with a little plan; He'd circle around the crowd as it eased and went away, in the jungle. And then he'd follow the scent trail of Alpha. Quite simple, but maybe not that easy. He'd think of more once he had more information.

Mauve slipped out into the trees unseen, and ran in a circle around the Sacrifice Clearing. He got to a path with two pairs of talonprints, both fresh. Small and big. *Scorch and Alpha.*

He followed the scent and tracks silently, it took a few turns. Left, right, right, left. Which led the same way originally, but it's probably for Alpha to not be followed. *If that's the case, they do a horrid job at it.* Mauve thought.

Suddenly he heard screams and angry growls up ahead, both of which he recognized.

Mauve crouched down and looked through the ferns, seeing Alpha tying Scorch up a pole with a rope. They were at a clearing next to a river, and on the other side of the river a huge, dark hole sat. Mauve could smell weird scents of death, and something else, coming from there. It must be strong for him to smell it all the way across the river.

Mauve saw Alpha tie the last rope and he dashed away, not even looking in Mauve's direction. Mauve burst out of the ferns and ran to Scorch.

"Are you okay?" He whispered to her as he started untying the ropes and cutting the ones he didn't know how to untie. Scorch nodded, crying with both happiness and fear.

Mauve untied the last rope and grabbed Scorch. "Let's go!"

-Unknown

Hey Moon! Congratulatmations on getting to 95 chapters! Well done. So, in your opinion, who is your favorite character so far?

Anyways, I thought I may as well release a new chapter so,

Chapter 9

Dilaths’s POV

The skies seemed to become stained with blood as the sun began to sink beneath the Peak of Dragonridge. A dagger held in both of my hands, I study Fort Solsith. Rather foolishly, I turn to examine the flat plains around me, I remember to a day almost two years ago now.

Sorry guys, I don’t got enough time. Just realized a deadline on one of my essays is tomorrow

Bye,

-Ranger.

I just hatched my first egg and got twins! Two boys, chicken and echo :)

Nah, it’s not gonna be on the Dex lol. I ain’t thinking about publishing it or anything, it’s just a project of mine that I’ve been working on for a couple months.

-Ranger

Sorry I was unable to upload last Friday, college was messing with my schedule. (And yes, I’m in college), so, this one should be uploaded by this Wednesday. Anyway, I realize that people don’t really like the change in Dilath, but it will probably make sense soon. Anyways, well done, Moon, you’re nearing the 80 chapter mark! But back to The Tribe of Shadows, chapter 8

The Wretched Dilemma

(FIRST PERSON POV)

I stared in pure shock at the creature above me. It had all the qualities of the Wretched, also called Raptormen (AN: or were the Wretched the hybrids, I can’t remember, sorry) The blackish red scales, the glowing white eyes, and a head covered with spikes near the back, creating an almost frill-like structure (AN: Think of the spikes on the Indoraptor). The nearly eight foot tall beast simply stood at the foot of my cot, looking almost… proud. “Hello, child,” whispered a deep, yet also snakelike voice. I, rather disturbed, grabbed the knife on my table. “Who… are you?” I muttered. The creature slowly smiled. “Oh, me? I’m only someone you should know very well. I’m a…family friend, shall I say? I suppose I am. But another thing you could call me…is brother,” the creature replied. “What the… I can’t be related to…” I let the sentence hang. ‘But how?’ I thought. “Well, let me explain. See, your true father, a warrior by the name of Darkstorm, had a child with a human, about, 20 years ago. Well, I mean not be offensive, but, you are the child of a, rather unpleasant event, as our father was, in a term of speech, forced upon, thus causing a child. And that child is you. Ever wondered where your strange ability in that dungeon came from? You bring in that dungeon was a trial, orchestrated by our Grandfather, was to test your abilities. You are a bearer of the strange ability, Beast-speech, that is incredibly rare among us Raptori, as we refer to ourselves as. The human name we are referred to as is rather offensive, and annoying, in our opinion. And you are very powerful, as your actual father, not the one who raised you, was an incredible fighter himself, and those traits have been passed down to you. But that burst of energy…? Well, that’s your power alone. But, Dilath, I may as well properly introduce myself. My name is Grand General Aemosa,” My brother completed. (AN: D@mn, that was a lot of text). I sighed. Another massive amount of information that I had literally no knowledge about. “And why have you come to me?” I mutter. “You’ll know soon, my brother. You’ll know soon…”

TO BE CONTINUED

-Ranger

My Little sis got me a egg and I didn’t see Because doing the laundry

I cannot wait!!!!

-PrimalApex:)

This is just going to be an unrelated story, so this’ll just be a prologue to chapter VII

A Tribe of Shadows Chapter VII.I

Third POV

Dilath yawned and stretched. It was maybe four in the morning. The reason he got up at such a godforsaken time? It was a mission day. Cracking his neck, he hopped out of his bed, pulled on some clothes and his armor, strapped his two extra swords, Blight and Stygian, to his back. His two pistols at his belt, he walked out from his hut. Blackmoon, or as Dilath called him to annoy him, BM, looked at him with surprise. “Normally takes you nearly an hour to get ready for missions. Why done so fast?” Blackmoon remarked. Dilath gave a slight smile, then stated

“Well, today’s an important mission, plus the enemy camp is maybe an hour away. Had to get up early if I want to get there in time,”Dilath’s mentor nodded in reply. “Okay. Go ahead, but at least get some food first,” he remarked, tossing Dilath a pack of jerky. Dilath nodded. He’d probably need food anyway. “Bye BM!” Dilath yelled as he left the cave system.

One Hour Later

Slipping into the tall reeds, Dilath approached a Imperial Faction military camp. These idiots where some of the worst, constantly destroying villages. Dilath pulled Blight and Stygian from their sheathes, before bolting into the camp. His two blades flashed in the pale light. Two soldiers fell. Then five. Then ten. Then twenty. So many soldiers were slain that within ten minutes it was cleared out. Except for one. The Champion. An incredibly powerful fighter, yet slower than Dilath as he was wearing much heavier armor. The man was nearly two times Dilath’s size. Twin axes hung from the man’s hands. “You! The man who slew Archon! I’m surprised. Pathetic,I expected more of a challenge,” whilst the man was loudly monologuing, Dilath slashed his blades across their knees. “Pathetic. I expected more of a challenge,” mocked Dilath. Then, impossibly quickly, his sword cut through The Champions neck. As he did so, he felt a stabbing pain in his back. Then, he blacked out…

Just kidding! Can’t have a cliffhanger, now can I?

Dilath awoke in a dungeon. Ge still had his armor, but he had to check to make sure that he had his weapons. D@mmit, they’d taken them off him. Then he touched his back. A singular sword remained. Stygian. The blade was made from a strange black metal similar to the Obelisk. Also similar, the sword had a roughly triangular blade, just pulled out. Thankful he at least had a weapon, he pulled it from it’s sheath and spun it around. Suddenly, a loud booming voice announced: “The first Trial is now. Enemy: Reapertors. Survive,” the voice cut off with a slight crackle. Dilath found himself teleported to a large chamber. Almost a hundred Reapertors, hybrids of Reapers and Raptors, streamed from three doors. Pulling out Stygian, Dilath stabbed one clean through the skull. One had popped up behind him, vicious claws stabbing his shoulder, a flare of blinding pain caused him to crumple down. Giving a screech of pain, he launched into the air. Then, he heard voices.

“Why do we have to kill him?” Asked one Reapertor.

“We just have to,” replied another. Dilath struggled, but finally stood up, his grip on Stygian still iron-like. Then, with impeccable accuracy, he threw the sword through a Reapertor’s skull. Dashing quickly, he pulled his sword out from the dead creatures skull. So many voices. SO MANY VOICES! It caused him genuine pain. This was it. Dilath cracked. A burst of dark gray energy exploded from him, throwing all the Reapertors against the wall. Another explosion launched from him, causing the walls to rumble. A final blast launched out from him as his own scream of agony tore through the now silent chamber. The final blast of power settled. As Dilath calmed, he could see the bodies of the Reapertors. Blackened and charred, they were grouped against the walls. A sense of guilt washed over him. That was first time something had happened to him like that since his meeting with the Deinonychus Faction.

Also, I’m just thinking about this, but should I add a, ahem, “love interest?” I don’t know what to feel about doing that, but if any readers want me to, yeah, cool. Of course, they’ll be human. That’s just be weird if they weren’t. Anyway, like the book so far?

Also, should I expand on this? Add more short stories? If so, reply.

-Ranger

Meant to say ‘point out’ and not ‘point of’ in my last status report.

That was kinda obvious tho.

-Ranger

I once had a deinonychus named midnight. He went everywhere with me. Then one day my cousin decided that while I was offline he would take him out for a walk. Long story short he got lost. Never did get a death notification. At least if I had I could have some peace knowing he is in a better place.

Thanks, Moon. I don’t really know, but I would like to ask you.

A crossover chapter from both sides of the story?

That would make a rather interesting chapter. My chapter will be from Dilath’s POV. Basically, the plot line would be…

A strange portal opens at the Green Obelisk of both worlds. All of the Prophecy members along with Dilath feel a strange pull towards the portal. The moment they enter that pass out. They are now transported to a strange, barren desert. Scorched Earth. Eventually, they meet. As Dilath can speak to the dinosaurs (so far he has only discovered Deinonychus), he first meets Rust, then the rest of them. He is curious of the Rock Drake though. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen one. Anyways, after roughly a month on SE, they reach the Manticore Arena. Dilath's intelligence, along with the strength of the others, allow them to defeat the Manticore. They are transported back to their own worlds, but a voice coming from above them said “You’re lucky you escaped my first trial…”

The chapter ends there on a cliffhanger of them reappearing at the top of the Volcanos in their worlds.

Premise idea, finished. If you like it, Moon, please reply.

-Ranger