Cyber Mortality

Chapter 58:

Teeth the size of the palm of my hand glimmer with saliva as the Tyrannosaurus Rex bares its teeth.

"Ah, well hello there," I wave nervously as it gazes at me with one large yellow eye. "I don't believe we've met before."

Zephyr shoots me an annoyed glance as I babble.

"We should run," Zephyr points toward a building on the other side of the courtyard.

We take off, sprinting as fast as we can toward the building.

A deep-throaty roar echoes across the buildings as the T-Rex takes off after us. Its feet shake the ground as it barrels in our direction.

"This is so stupid!" I exclaim as we dive into the building.

Zephyr closes the door behind us just as the T-Rex barrels into the front of the building. Cracks form into the brick wall.

"Who makes Jurassic Park Seventy: Freaking Floating Castle in the Sky of Dinosaurs!" I shout.

Zephyr snorts at my outburst.

"The king, apparently," we both duck as the dinosaur gazes into the window with its giant eye.

"Where did we even land?" I question. I had been too focused on not smashing into the ground to pay too much attention to my surroundings.

"If this whole floating island is a circle, then we are currently in the middle of the southwest quadrant."

A loud thud draws our attention to the wall as the T-Rex rams it once more. After a moment, it grows bored and wanders away.

I don't breathe until the sound of its footsteps recede.

"Do you think its safe to place the beacon in the courtyard?"

Zephyr peeks out the window.

The courtyard is roughly fifty meters across and shaped like an octagon. In the center is a marble fountain spewing water from a statue that looks rather like the king. A building with a bakery sign stands at the far end of the courtyard away from us with apartment buildings on either side.

"I think it should work," Zephyr nods and pushes open the now splintered wooden door. It falls of its hinges and clatters to the ground.

We stand frozen for a moment, listening for the return of the T-Rex.

"I really hope it is gone," I mutter and join Zephyr in the courtyard. Under my suit, I feel the small coin sized beacon against my collar bone. My fingers work the zipper, which is hardly visible to the naked eye, before finding the pendant. I pull it over my head and place it on the ground. I utter the incantation told to me by Flint and watch as the golden coin begins to glow a light orange.

"Might want to step back," Zephyr warns, giving the beacon a wide birth. "Never know where they could pop up. I personally hope it is in the fountain."

I shoot him a glare as a low hum begins and a subtle hint of pine needles fills the air.

In a flash, twenty figures now fill the courtyard. In the center stands Flint and off to the side splashes Nyle.

Zephyr covers his laughter as Nyle climbs out of the fountain, now dripping wet.

"I could only take twenty," Flint calls over. "I've got to go back for the rest."

Vyra struts proudly in my direction with Birch at her heel.

"So you managed to make it," she smirks. "What Intel do you have so far?" Vyra's eyes flash to Zephyr.

"The island is circular with the stronghold in the center. It appears to be no more than three kilometers across, perhaps less. I think thats everything important?" Zephyr turns to me.

I cock my head to the side with pursed lips and raise en eyebrow.

"Ah, yes," Zephyr nods upon seeing my face. "Theres also a Tyrannosaurus Rex stalking about and who knows what else."

Vyra nods at this before taking a deep breath.

A moment later, Flint reappears with more men and women in tow.

"Is that everyone?" Vyra gazes at Flint with a mix of pride and fear in her blazing eyes.

"Yes," Flint nods without color in his cheeks before stumbling back.

Jez catches his shoulder before wrapping her arm around his waist. She holds out a water skin, which he greedily drinks from.

"Since everyone is hear we should form a strategy," Vyra bellows after climbing onto the rim of the fountain to gain some height. "We don't know much of anything about this place. We know roughly its size and that we must work our way toward the center. I think the first thing we should do is break into scouting parties and survey around. Once we have a solid grasp, then we can tackle the dungeons stronghold."

"And what of the creatures skulking about?" a voice shouts from the crowd of forty. "We lost many from the guardians of the last dungeon."

"I want everyone to be in groups of at least five, perhaps we can make eight groups?" Vyra sizes up our crew. "Yes, eight teams. Stick together and don't venture too far from this plaza. If you use magic that will allow you a height advantage then please do so, but be careful not to attract the attention of the Pteros." Her eyes flash to Zephyr and I. Vyra reaches into her satchel and pulls out eight red sticks. "I will be giving the leader of each scouting party one of these. If you're in danger or discover something that could be fruitful then light it."

Vyra calls forth eight people, one of whom is Flint, who staggers over with the help of Jez. 

"Divide into your normal parties," Vyra commands. "I've given a flare to everyone I've seen be a party leader. Meet back here in three hours."

"So," I glance at Zephyr. "Wanna come with my party?"

"I suppose I don't really have a choice," he scowls. "I'd rather go with you than anyone else."

"Aw, I'm so honored," I touch my heart and wink.

"I only say that because you are slightly more tolerable than the rest of this rabble," he turns his chin away.

"Well, either way I'm glad to have you," I clap him on the back before dragging him over to join my party.