Descended

Chapter 4

From the start, Ember knew something was wrong.

There were prints along the ground. Big prints.

Yutyrannus prints - outside of their natural habitat far north - accompanied by the tracks of a few smaller creatures they decided were the minions this Yutyrannus brought along. Kage was well aware of the power of the Yutyrannus’s call, sending enough intimidation to rally smaller carnivores to their side.

“Oh shoot!” Swiftfoot yelped in panic. Even he realized what this all meant. Ember dashed ahead of them. “We seriously need to get to the camp. C’mon!” She then rushed off into the darkness.

“No kidding, detective.” Pernelle muttered before following after.

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The camp where the group resided consisted of ruins of a stone structure, as well as natural resources and light sources salvaged from dead sapiens. In the center of the camp, where the floor was flat, stood a Yutyrannus with glistening white feathers and steel plates on her back, sides, and legs which served as armor. She was accompanied by three Allosaurs, their eyes all turned yellow to show they were under her control.

Behind one of the walls, a brown Baryonyx, a Troodon, and a Purlovia hid out of sight.

The Yutyrannus’s silverish-blue eyes burned into the crimson-gray male Carnotaur she conversed with, who stood firmly without breaking.

“Deriving from all evidence procured from the scene, three low-liver Saurs were involved in the destruction of the Arc Camp.. I presume these may be those youthful acquaintances of yours, Venator.”

The Yutyrannus was Yvennia Frigidfall, one of the intimidating and ferocious commanders of the Bane Empire’s military and almighty sovereign over her northern territory - an entire mountain known as Winter’s Mouth. She was careful to ensure absolutely every single outbreak all over the Island was personally investigated and monitored, and she had no need to worry about threats, for she was almost completely unmatched, having never known defeat against attackers of all kinds… except against a few.

“I know of their hunger for freedom, Yvennia. Like the last incident, I’ll control it.”

The carnotaur was Venator, a decorated war veteran and a caretaker of orphaned Saurs on the south keystone islet. He became a vigilante in the local area, and outbreaks were scarce. If it weren’t for his key role in the preventing of outbreaks against the Bane Empire, Yvennia would’ve killed him on the spot. She had another resolution on her mind.

“They snuck out when you least expected it, Venator. They destroyed the entire camp, killed many new recruits off,” Yvennia snarled. “Thus, I require you to turn in the Saur responsible for this mess.. before it promotes more riots islandwide.”

“You know I cannot do that. At the very least, I could turn myself in,” Venator responded.

“You FOOL. You are astoundingly important to the security in this little radius.”

The towering Yutyrannus heaved a sigh, handing Venator a tiny TEK device. “If you happen to change your mind, contact me within 48 hours.”

Then she and her soldiers departed, leaving Venator in conflict.