Ark

The Hidden Lake

     It was my 658th day on the island. Although it felt like it had only been 7 days. Who knows? I could have very well been my 7th day. With all the mysteries on this island it was hard to tell. I, however, put trust in my implant's data files. So very fascinating. Everything I've ever done, recorded in one little shard of...crystal? I don't know what this device is made of, nor does anyone.

     A rumor goes around my tribe that Dire knows. Dire knows all about the island and its secrets. Of course I was naturally curious. Who wouldn't be? The holder of all I've ever longed to know is the admin of our tribe! Although I prefer to remain off his list. No one in their right mind would. I've seen what Dire can do. I once witnessed him use one of his dire-wolves to rip out the throat of a rex. All because it killed the Quetzalcoatl he worked so hard to knock out.

     Anyone in their right mind would know not to cross Dire. His location rests on the highest point of The Hidden Lake. A large, stone base. Simple and more military design. Completed with three turrets snagged to the top. What's inside, I'm not sure. He never lets anyone inside, though a couple peaks might be able to be caught if he leaves his window open.

     Who stays in the main part of our base, make their homes there as well. Thankfully, my own location rests at the opposite corner of the walls. A simple wooden base. No turrets. None. I've never really saw the need for them since Dire leaves his turrets on the highest range possible. Although that's not to say I don't let anyone in. I really have nothing to hide except my notes and research. It's simple, appearing top heavy. 

     There is a lovely table, with a bookshelf to store all my blueprints. Chairs, benches, pictures, torches, storage closets, and other such things. I have many more items upstairs....crafting materials and my different stations. Although people don't go up there. I won't let them unless there's a decent reason. 

     I recall checking my implant, checking...not quite sure. Whether I know the day , time, etc...I always check my implant when I wake. Just for reassurance I suppose that I haven't been poisoned or something to that effect. I swung my feet off the thatch bed and lifting myself. Getting up was hard enough. But when you have compys nibbling at your heel, it makes everything that much harder. 

      "Josephine!" I growled, kicking at the little blood sucker. "Knock it off! Your inventories are full! Go munch on that!" Although I knew it would do me no good. Those little gremlins never listened. It wasn't until the cold screech of another portable dino chased them away. Before I knew it, perched on my lap was a red-brown micro-raptor. Its little blue eyes locked onto mine. 

     "Thanks pygmy," I sighed. " I have no prime on me now, but remind me later and I'll harvest you some...okay?"  Hopefully he was in a decent mood. Last time I didn't provide him with some sort of treat I almost lost a finger. That was not fun.

     Much to my surprise, the feathered beast merely clambered his way onto my shoulder and sat there...good as can be. Perhaps he knew where I was going today. That didn't really surprise me. Anything that involved prime meat, Pygmy was first to clamber on my shoulder. What a spoiled little brat. He was no better then Deo's saber.

     Taking what little energy I had, I began to prepare myself for what was lying ahead. For what my end goal was, packing a mountain was necessary. Of course carrying it all myself wasn't an option. 

     I climbed down the ladder after I was sure I had everything I needed from the second floor. Without so much as giving a thought, I settled to eat breakfast. Cooked meat and some leftover tintoberries. Not much different from usual. 

     Once I was finished and the scraps were tossed to the floor dwellers (four compys, two troodons, and a lystrosaur), I proceeded to the front door. Pygmy had remained in the same position. His black claws digging into my shoulder and soft feathers brushing my neck. At first I found it difficult to let him ride without laughing. Although I quickly got used to it. 

     Once outside, It took a moment to adjust to the new light. I was instantly greeted by the wet nose of my castoroides. His mud colored fur was still slick from our journey to the swamps the day before. Wood (of course) was heavily needed. So, with the assistance of an argentavis, we went to the one place where no one called home. 

     Low growling summoned me elsewhere. The black face of a large T-rex was pressed against the ground. 

     "Well you certainly didn't forget did you?" I mumbled quietly, stroking his rough nose. "You beautiful devil. We'll get her...don't worry." Pointing the implant at him, I was able to access his inventory. Placing the rifle, darts, narcotics and over night supplies inside, all that was left was the weaponry. 

      Losing my first raptor taught me to never leave unprepared. Although taming the carno that killed it was pretty satisfying. 

     Sighing, I returned to my indoors. There was a lovely metal sword mounted on the wall. It was the only thing I was going to take. Well...that and my pike. The mountains were too dangerous not to take some sort of protection.

     Finally deciding I was ready, I left the house. The door was lock and the creatures were in (by some miracle). The anxious rex pranced just outside the house. It was a rather amusing sight. Such a big and monstrous creature that is feared throughout the  entire island, now acting like an impatient compy. 

     Letting out a chucking was enough to signify that it was time to leave. Without waiting, I was thrown onto his back.

     "Blood Fang!" I hissed when the shock passed. "Idiot!"

     After a moment of forced waiting, Blood Fang finally settled down. He lowered his head. Just enough so that I could see the lake. Finally after a few minutes, I guided him to the entrance. Thank the stars I woke up so early. Leaving the lake, Dire would often stare. I didn't bother me anymore, but I just couldn't figure out why he did it.

     Taking a deep breath, the reins tapped against his neck. Blood Fang began to move forward. Into the trees and into the outside world.