Shadows and Hope: An Indoraptor Story ✓

Rivers of Blood

Flames of anger surged within me, a blazing inferno threatening to consume my very being. With a ferocious roar, I lunged forward, my claws slashing through the air as I faced off against the other Ultimatsoarus. Its menacing bellow reverberated in my ears, causing a tremor to course through my body as its razor-sharp tusks grazed my skin, leaving behind a chilling sensation.

Hope and Shadow fought valiantly, doing their utmost to shield me from the relentless assault, but I knew deep down that I was the primary target of this behemoth. His relentless pursuit would not cease until I drew my final breath.

This has to be Wu's work, I thought, swiftly leaping away from the hybrid creature as it shook itself violently, nearly toppling Shadow in the process. However, to my surprise, the other hybrid seized its counterpart in a vice-like grip, clamping its jaws firmly around the enemy's neck and applying immense pressure. Yet, the attempt proved futile, as the rival Ultimatsoarus thrashed violently, overpowering its adversary. The strength displayed by both creatures left even Hope, the stalwart companion, visibly concerned.

Desperate to divert their attention from each other and redirect their fury toward the humans, we struggled to separate the colossal adversaries. But the other Ultimatsoarus snapped back at us with a chilling certainty, "Humans are our friends! It is you who have turned your back on mankind!"

And so it continued, an unrelenting cycle of violence and loss. Eventually, Hope succumbed to his injuries, his lifeblood pouring forth from grievous wounds, his neck grotesquely twisted. Shadow and I had little time to grieve, for the monstrous creature, undeterred, bore down upon us once more, hungry for our destruction.

A guttural snarl escaped the monster's jaws, echoing through the air as I hissed in defiance. With a swift motion, I swiped at his vulnerable underbelly, unleashing another round of bullets promptly shot by the arriving InGen soldiers, their presence a mere fleeting glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

"You could have joined us!" Shadow's voice thundered, his words laced with anger and sorrow, as he forcefully rammed the creature into the unyielding wall. "You could have embraced our cause, thrived alongside us if you so desired!" The Ultimatsoarus chuckled darkly, rising to his feet, his horn cracked and dripping blood, a sinister shade of crimson.

"I am their friend, and they are mine. I never betray my friends," I scoffed, flicking my tail dismissively, memories of the tormented hyena flashing through my mind. He had suffered greatly, though I had never intended to deliver the killing blow. Yet, he had met his demise nonetheless. If this abomination believed in the kindness of humans, he was not only insane but also woefully misguided. Humanity had long since departed from its benevolent path. Casting a glance back at the winding hallways, no longer teeming with InGen personnel, a glimmer of hope stirred within me.

Sunlight. Perhaps that could be our salvation.

"Shadow, hold him!" I grunted, propelling myself through the ranks of soldiers, swiftly dispatching them. Shadow roared with fierce determination as the opposing creature lashed out, bullets raking his side like irksome pellets. Evading their fire, I spotted the partially open door, an avenue through which the soldiers might have entered, and I nudged it further ajar.

However, before I could step forward, I was violently thrown aside, crashing into the unforgiving wall, causing my head to throb mercilessly. "Pathetic!" the beast bellowed, its massive talon descending upon me, pressing me firmly against the hard floor. Blood dripped from its slavering mouth, bits of scales clinging to its menacing teeth. My golden eyes widened in alarm. No, no, no! My mind roared in protest, my body writhing beneath its unyielding grip, yet it held me with unwavering strength, refusing to release its grasp.

"I killed your friends. Give me one reason why I shouldn't hand you over to Wu or end your existence myself?" the creature growled, its words laced with malice, as I hissed, trapped in a desperate struggle for survival.

"Grr... you don't see it, do you?" I snarled, defiance radiating from every fiber of my being. The Ultimatsoarus tilted his head, a mocking smile dancing upon his lips. "Oh, do enlighten me, failure," he taunted, his tail swishing with an imposing energy that sent shivers down the spines of those standing beside him.

I could see it. I could feel it.

Their fear.

Yet, they remained steadfast.

I could use that.

"Do you see those humans?" I asked, nodding toward the soldiers. The hybrid snorted dismissively, briefly casting his gaze upon them before turning his attention back to me, teeth bared in a menacing display. "And what of them?" he retorted. "Haven't they tormented you, never allowing you to bask in the sunlight or interact with another creature without first demanding their life?"

He hissed in response. I had struck a nerve. A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth as I closed the gap between us. "If you desire to spill blood, let it be that of Wu and InGen," I offered, watching as the Ultimatsoarus flicked his eyes toward me, their red hue reminiscent of death, black as the darkest of blood.

"I am loyal to Wu," he sneered. I scoffed, the derision dripping from my voice. "More like his little pet, a tool he employs to eliminate his failures." That caught his attention, his focus zeroing in on me as I wriggled, desperately attempting to shift his grasp.

His talon pressed down, slowly but surely, threatening to reduce me to mere pulp within minutes.

Yet, those precious minutes held potential. They could be the catalyst for change. I had to make him see the truth.

"Wake up and smell the light," I snapped, frustration mingled with determination. "These humans have only brought you suffering, never once granting you a chance at life, have they?"

Once again, my words hit home. I observed as he trembled, as if forgotten fragments of his being were resurfacing, bubbling up from the depths.

Just a little longer.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" he hissed, a glimmer of anger gleaming in his eyes. I blinked at him, confusion knitting my brow. "What?" I asked.

He bared his teeth, a vicious snarl shaping his lips. "You try to turn me against my friends, my family, those who have given me purpose," he seethed. I shook my head, quills trembling in dismay. This wasn't the outcome I had hoped for. Wu must be exerting control over him somehow. I just had to find out how--

And then, the world plunged into darkness.