Xeno-Planet

The Alarian Frontier

Sarah had her wounds treated and embarked with John and Nova on an expedition. To a place that the company labeled as the Alarian Frontier upon seeing it on images of Alaria that satellites took. Unknown to them. The Frontier was also known as the valley. The same place Nero and the Adder were. And also, the location of the Ultima Rex that killed Captain Harlow. Of course, they thought this would just be a calm place to set up camp and so they set out on the journey.
They were currently in the woods between the Frontier and the Baron’s desert. Known now as Mortem Woods due to the number of Mortem Raptors living there. But despite that they began. Iris gave them the basic gist of where to go. Several hours into the journey and nothing monumental happened. The only thing noticed was a flock of Timordactyls which Nova Ceres wrote down in a journal she owned. Nova still buried herself in the journal. John didn’t really understand it. He figured the tablets could just tell them about the needed information. But, he didn’t stop her from taking notes.
Then Sarah Harrmen also took a lot of notes. Though, John understood why she did it more than he did for Nova. There was nothing of note. Until, they stumbled upon a group of deceased Mortem Raptors. The claw and bite marks on their scaly hides were of similar size to an Alpha Mortem Raptor. John decided to press on. He didn’t want them to wait around for whatever butchered the raptors.
When they resumed traveling Sarah said, “John, I noticed something strange about those dead Mortem Raptors.” “What is it?” John replied. “There weren't any signs of them being eaten. Whatever killed them must have done it for sport.” Sarah told him. Nova stopped writing. “W-what’s that meant to mean?” Nova said, frankly scared at the notion. John replied, “Well I doubt it killed these for a noble reason Nova…”
Then they heard a screech. And before they could react, BOOM John was on the ground. He was pinned under the foot of a Mortem Raptor…but it was different. It was noticeably larger than an Alpha Mortem Raptor. Its scales were blood red in contrast to the regular color of Mortem Raptors scales. It didn't seem to be a distinct subspecies however. After all, why would something adapt a red color when it is meant to blend in.
Rather it's appearance seemed to be a mutation. It was hatched from the egg unique amongst its siblings. Likely forsaken for its color. It hunts regular Mortems as a sort of vengeance. It looked down at John. It was clear it intended to eat the man. Nova looked panicked but noticed John dropped his knife. She quickly rushed to grab it. Sarah was in no state for intense exertion so it fell onto Nova.
The red Mortem Raptor began to move its head into a position to quickly clamp its jaws down on him. John looked up and quipped, “Well…looks like I’m dying to an ugly bastard.” The raptors' eyes immediately grew enraged. It's understanding of speech making it very upset with what John said. Nova was running towards John and the Mortem. The raptor quickly moved its snout down to John.
John closed his eyes expecting death. He waited. One second, two seconds, three. But nothing happened. He heard a shriek. Of pain it seemed. He opened his eyes and saw the Mortem Raptor’s body beside his own. It's eye gouged out. Blood spouting out of the emptied socket.
He got up and looked at Nova. The woman was covered in blood. Holding John's knife…and at her feet was the ripped out eye of the raptor. Nova killed it. And rather brutally too. Shoving the knife through its eye and likely into its brain. John took the knife and said, “Let's get going. Now.”