Rumble...
The awakening volcano on Isla Nublar let out a heavy, stifled groan. Black smoke billowed from the magma lake at its peak, a grim herald of the impending catastrophe.
[Name: Carlo]
[Species: Giganotosaurus carolinii]
[Available Points: 50]
[Health: 258,830.6 / 280,960]
[Stamina: 750 / 750]
[Oxygen: 510 / 510]
[Food: 10,000 / 10,600]
[Weight: 0 / 898]
[Melee Damage: 785%]
[Torpidity: 0 / 143,800.5]
Carlo lay by the shore of the Great Lake, head tilted toward the distant volcano, his mind unreadable.
Aside from a health pool that was still recovering years after he accidentally pumped it too high, and the fifty unallocated stat points, Carlo was effectively a perfect organism. While a 785% Melee Damage stat might look terrifying on paper, the practical reality was that a single Ground Stomp was enough to make the local dinosaurs think the volcano had already erupted.
"ROAR—"
The lakeside had gained a few new residents recently.
Dino-Dad and Dino-Mom had brought the three little ones to live here. Carlo had noticed the volcano "throwing tantrums" lately, spitting out plumes of dark smoke and soot-covered rocks. Having stared down natural disasters before and snatched Dino-Dad and his mate from the jaws of death, Carlo knew the terror of forest fires. He had relocated them to the Great Lake for their safety.
Furthermore, he had finally made good on the stat upgrades he'd owed the parents since the beginning.
[Name: Caroline]
[Species: Giganotosaurus carolinii]
[Level: 150]
[Health: 10,800 / 10,800]
[Stamina: 750 / 750]
[Melee Damage: 130%]
---
[Name: Father]
[Species: Giganotosaurus carolinii]
[Level: 150]
[Health: 9,980 / 9,980]
[Stamina: 880 / 880]
[Melee Damage: 137%]
Most dinosaurs grow stronger with age, and Dino-Dad and Mom were no exception. However, due to her past lung injuries, Caroline rarely participated in the hunt anymore. Usually, Dino-Dad and two of the youngsters handled the food.
Why only two? Because there was always one still asleep.
Kafka was a total night owl. Though her size now rivaled her parents, she strictly adhered to her personal creed: Busy during the day (sleeping); busy at night (partying). Currently, she had commandeered Carlo's favorite nap spot under the shade, wearing a Triceratops skull-mask over her face like a makeshift sleeping mask.
You really know how to live, don't you...
Carlo rose from his resting place. The other Giganotosaurus followed suit, sensing his movement.
"Roar…"
Carlo let out a low huff to the group, signaling Dino-Dad and Mom to settle back down.
Something was happening on the island. Even with the scent of sulfur and scorched earth permeating the air, Carlo's heightened senses allowed him to monitor the island's situation in real-time.
…
"Look over there!"
"Oh my god! They're going to die!"
A helicopter bearing a major news network's logo circled the sky. The side door was slid open, and a cameraman aimed a massive lens at the chaos below.
The volcanic unrest had triggered intermittent tremors across Isla Nublar. While varying in intensity, they were enough to threaten most of the fauna. An adult Triceratops was currently pinned by a fallen tree, the trunk wedged right between its neck and frill, the very spot predators loved to target.
Its herd was powerless. They could only bellow their goodbyes before being forced to move on.
But the Trike's offspring refused to leave. Even if the juveniles could survive without a guardian this time, what about the next? Orphaned herbivores rarely lasted long.
Smoke began to thicken in the forest, and the temperature climbed sharply. A wildfire was imminent.
Thud... Thud... Thud...
"Do you... do you feel that?"
The earth seemed to groan. Heavy, rhythmic thuds echoed like a heartbeat. Even the crew in the helicopter could feel the faint vibrations.
"Dear God..."
Carlo made no effort to hide. The towering trees could not mask his majestic frame, and fallen logs failed to deter his path.
"Did you get that?"
"I'm rolling."
Carlo looked up at the hovering chopper. It didn't look like they had any intention of landing, then again, no sane person would choose to land on an island overrun by dinosaurs right now.
Ignoring the "metal bird," Carlo followed the scent and the frantic bleating of the Triceratops calf until he found the trapped mother. He lowered his massive head, clamped his jaws onto the fallen tree, and tossed it aside like a twig.
"Aunnng—"
The liberated Triceratops let out a cry of relief, nuzzling its calves.
Carlo looked at the family on the ground, then turned his gaze toward the direction the main herd had fled.
"ROAR—"
The ambient temperature was rising. He turned and began walking toward the herd's path, slowing his pace to clear a safe passage through the brush for the Trike family. With no other choice, the Triceratops mother limped along behind him, determined to survive for the sake of her young.
"This... this is going to be the biggest story in the world..."
The crew on the helicopter watched in stunned silence. Soon, the entire world would see this footage.
…
"Aunnng—"
The Triceratops herd bellowed in welcome as their trapped kin returned. They crowded around, nudging and sniffing the survivors in surprise.
Carlo didn't approach. He watched from a distance before turning to leave.
Whish—
Against the backdrop of the sunset, a white "meteor" streaked across the sky, though its shape was somewhat peculiar.
I hope everyone makes it out alive...
Carlo stopped, looking at the horizon, and made a silent wish.
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